Soulmates

Hiccstrid Baby

(Hiccup's POV)
We sit in the Berk hospice. I put a hand on Astrid's shoulder as she holds our newborn baby daughter. Astrid and I decided to name her Ethelyn, meaning graceful and noble.

There was a knock at the door and Thelma, the woman taking care of Astrid and our baby, rushes to open it.

My mother stands in the doorway.
"Can I come in?" She asks.
"Valka! Yes, come in!" Astrid gestures to a chair beside the bed.
My mother sits beside us.
"Oh, she's beautiful!" Mom gasps "She reminds me of you, Hiccup, small, but strong. She's going to be fearless, and brave, like her mother." She nods towards Astrid.

"If only your father were here to see this," My mother's happy smile shifts into a sad one, "He's probably looking down on us now. He'd be so proud."

I smile at the mention of my father. He wanted grandchildren, and made sure I knew.

There is another knock at the door. Before Thelma gets a chance to open it, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Fishlegs, Snotlout... and Toothless, barge into the room.

"LOOK, A BABY!" Tuffnut shouts.

"Oh, I'm so happy for you guys!" Fishlegs squeals.

Toothless looks ready to leap onto the bed, but, after seeing the baby in Astrid's arms, slows down and carefully approaches.
"Toothless, meet Ethelyn," I say, "Easy bud."
Toothless gently nudges Ethelyn's tiny hand with his nose. Dragons are such loving creatures. It's hard to believe that just five years ago, we were enemies.

Heather and Dagur rush into the room.

"Astrid!" Heather pushes her way through the group.

I take Ethelyn from Astrid's arms. Heather gives her a gentle hug.
My mother was right, Ethelyn is small... but she'll grow up to be strong! I feel the pounding of a tiny heartbeat. She squirms around for a second, trying to find a comfortable position. I stroke the top of Ethelyn's hand with my finger. She reaches out and wraps her fingers around my thumb. I hold her hand in mine. A hint of a smile sweeps across her face.
"Don't worry, I'll protect you." I rock Ethelyn slowly back and forth in my arms until she falls asleep.

When I look up, I realize that Ethelyn isn't the only one asleep. I forgot it was the middle of the night. Everyone else is asleep. My mother is asleep in the chair in the corner. Heather rests her head on the side of the bed, next to Astrid. The twins lay asleep on the floor, Snotlout and Fishlegs sleep on opposite sides of the small sofa against the wall, and Astrid is fast asleep cuddled next to me. Dagur stands in the doorway.

"You've done a good job, Brother. You're going to be a great father," he smiles.

"Thanks, Dagur, that means a lot."

He sits down on the sofa, next to Snotlout and Fishlegs, and drifts off to sleep.
I place Ethelyn in her crib before closing my eyes and falling asleep.

* I'm not quite sure, but I think this will be the last chapter of my fanfic. I'm really busy so I can'tfind time to write more! But if I can write more later I will! 😊