North Star

chapter 15

A couples of hours before ......

                                                              Jack's Cafe Encounter

Jack turned to see an old face from the past, someone he hadn't seen in ages.

It was Hiccup.

Believe it or not, his parents looked at a newborn baby and thought, 'Yep, Hiccup.'

"Hey Jackson, long time no see! I was starting to think your prankster face had finally gone into hiding or has retired from causing chaos!"  hiccup said

"Haha, classic Hiccup. Still got that 'charming' act, huh? Nice to see you... if you can even call it that. Looks like the real world finally decided to give you a reality check ,about time," Jack said, his voice thick with sarcasm.

Hiccup's laughter filled the air as he gave Jack a sincere bro hug that spoke louder than words. They spent a couple of hours catching up, sharing stories about what they'd been through over the past few years. Jack opened up about his divorce from Elsa, which left Hiccup stunned. He couldn't believe that the high school couple, who once seemed inseparable. Were no longer together, especially since their bond had always felt so strong.

"Geez... I don't even know what to say. I'm honestly shocked,I didn't see that coming," Hiccup replied, his voice filled with disbelief.

Jack nodded, unable to find the words. With every passing thought, the weight of hurt and regret crushed him deeper. He couldn't shake the painful feeling that it was his fault. He wished, more than anything, that he could go back and change how things had unfolded.

He shook his head, trying to push the thought away, and changed the subject.

"So, how's everything with you and Merida?" Jack asked, trying to sound casual but failing a little. Hiccup shook his head with a grin and laughed, "We're doing great. She's still as strong and stubborn as ever like trying to boss a hurricane. She's killing it at her new job, and me? Well, my job's doing just fine, thanks for asking."

Jack laughed, slipping into his troublemaker voice. "If I see Meri, I'm totally spilling the beans that you called her a hurricane... again."

Hiccup shook his head, grinning. "Go ahead. That's not even the first ridiculous nickname I've given her."

Jack smirked, "Yeah? Like what? 'Tornado with attitude'?"

Hiccup chuckled, "Close, more like 'Storm Warning.' But I'm pretty sure she'd take it better coming from me than from you."

Jack laughed harder. "Challenge accepted."

Jack glanced at his watch, heart sinking as he saw the time. He was already late to pick up his kids from school. If I don't get going now, Elsa's going to flip out, he thought, a knot tightening in his stomach.

Jack shot a quick goodbye over his shoulder. "Gotta run, kid pickup duty calls," he said, already moving.

He slid into the driver's seat, slammed the door, and snapped on his seatbelt in one fluid motion. The engine growled to life as he shifted into gear. A glance at the rearview mirror clear. He pulled out onto the street, tires humming against the pavement as he headed straight for Winter First, the minutes ticking louder in his mind than the clock on the dash.

A few minutes later, Jack finally pulled up to Winter School, just slightly behind schedule. Could've been worse, he thought, exhaling a breath he hadn't realised he was holding. His eyes scanned the sidewalk until he spotted her. His daughter, strolling toward the car with the kind of calm only kids seem to master when parents are in full panic mode. She opened the passenger door without a word, climbing in like this was just another perfectly timed pickup.