The Mistake

7. I love you, Dad.

Astrid was in the living room with her daughter, studying for her university. Pauline was doing her homework.
Suddenly, Astrid's phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Astrid. It's me, Hiccup."

"Oh, hey. Is everything okay?"

"Oh. Yes. Don't worry. I just wanted to ask if Pauline is free this weekend?"

"Yes, she is. Why?"

"Because I want to spend some time with her. So, would it be possible?"

"Oh. Yes, of course. I can give you Pauline so you can talk to her. Wait a second. She's here beside me."

"Hi, Dad!"

"Hi, sweetheart. How are you?"

"I'm fine, Dad. What did you want to talk to me about?"

"Well, I was thinking, maybe we could have a day together. So, what do you think?"

"I'd love to, Dad! How about Saturday?"

"I'm glad. Okay. 'Till Saturday."

"Dad?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"I miss you."

"I miss you, too, sweetie. But, hey! We'll see each other in three days."

"Okay, Dad. See you in three days! Bye!"

"Bye, sweetheart."

"Hey, Hiccup. It's me again. Where are you meeting up?"

"Oh. I thought I could pick her up at yours. Is it okay?"

"Sure. See you then. Bye."

"Bye, Milady."

He hung up, leaving Astrid blushing like crazy. He hadn't called her like that for eight years.
"Mom? Are you okay? What did Dad say?" Pauline asked worriedly.
"Oh, nothing, sweetie. He just used an old nickname."

~on Saturday~

"Mom! Mom! Dad's here! He's finally here!" Pauline called, looking out of the window. Astrid chuckled at her daughter's excitement for Hiccup. They have known each other for six days, and they already loved each other.
"I know, sweetheart. I can see him." At this moment, he knocked at the door. Pauline opened the door.
"Dad! You're finally here!" She ran and hugged him.
"Hey! I'm happy to see you, too, sweetheart." He hugged her back. When she let go, Astrid came to them.
"Hi, Hiccup."
"Hey, Milady." Astrid blushed again.
"So, you two. Have fun. See  you later." She kissed her daughter's head.
"Astrid? What are you gonna do in the meantime? You can come with us, if you want."
"Nah, it's fine. I'll be here and studying. I really need to finish the master so I can finally be able to work as a psychologist." Astrid explained.
"Okay. See you later, Milady." She smiled at him.
"Yeah, see you later." Astrid said, hugging Pauline one more time and waving them goodbye.

"So? What do you like to do in your free time?" Hiccup asked Pauline when they entered his apartment.
"Well, I like to read, to draw, and to listen to stories and myths."  Hiccup chuckled.
"What?"
"No, nothing. It's just that I was obsessed with these things when I was in your age, too." Pauline's eyes widened.
"Really?" Hiccup nodded.
"Yeah! Really!"
"Can you show me some of your drawings?"
"Yeah, sure. I don't have many of them here, but I still have some."

Hiccup and Pauline were sitting at his kitchen table and drawing.
"Dad? Is this Mom?" Pauline asked, pointing at old Hiccup's drawing.
"Yes, sweetheart. That's Mom."
"How can you draw so good?"
"Well, I practiced. I can show you some techniques if you want to."

At one point, Pauline's stomach started giving noises. Hiccup chuckled.
"Someone's hungry, huh?" She giggled.
"So, what do you want to eat?" He asked, walking towards the kitchen. Pauline just shrugged with her shoulders.
"Do you have any allergies?"
"I don't know. I think I do. But I forgot what it was."
"I'll just call your Mom and asked her. Okay?" Pauline nodded.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Astrid. It's me again. Do I interrupt you in something?"

"No, no. It's fine. I was just studying. What's up?"

"Pauline said she's allergic to something, but she forgot to what. Do you know what she's allergic to?"

"Oh, yeah, sure. Well, she's allergic to pollen, just like you. And that's all."

"Okay. Thank you, Milady."

"Bye."

"Bye."

"So, your Mom says you're allergic to pollen. Just like me."
"Right! It was pollen! I totally forgot!" Pauline called out and slapped her hand against her forhead. Hiccup chuckled.
"Okay. So. What do you want to eat?" He asked. Pauline thought for a second.
"Today is Saturday, right?" She asked. Hiccup nodded.
"Well, on Saturdays, Mom isn't working, so Mom and I always make pancakes. Can we make pancakes together, too?" Hiccup nodded.
"Sure. Which pancakes should we make? American or European pancakes?" Pauline looked confused.
"What are European pancakes?"
"Well, pancakes there are very thin. Wanna try some?"
"Sure!"
They were in the kitchen. While they were backing, they were also talking and laughing.
Soon, the pancakes were done.
"Dad?"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"Why have you left?" Hiccup wasn't that surprised to hear that question.
"Well, my Dad wanted to move away. To Germany. He said I shouldn't tell your Mom about that, not to hurt her. And I was so stupid to believe in this. And I realized that now. I'm so sorry I made that mistake. I'm sorry I wasn't there."
"It's alright. I'm happy you're here now." They hugged
"I love you, Dad."
"I love you, too, Pauline. So much."