Accidental Fiancé

34: You Are Cordially Invited...

Thirty Four: You Are Cordially Invited...

Four Months Later...

"I can't believe we're doing this," Hiccup said for the fiftieth time, pacing back and forth anxiously. They were at the 'Nadderview Royal Towers Hotel' in Berk, preparing for the party in the Great Hall where they were planning the Big Reveal. Of course, they had needed to give extreme specifications to the twins, who had been overjoyed to be awarded the opportunity to do the decorations and had promised on each others' lives to achieve 'Elegant and Celebratory' rather than 'Purple Neo-Viking with added Shark'. And they were definitely on their best behaviour because there were guests coming from all over the Archipelago.

Astrid and Hiccup's Party was the Event of the year, because everyone was expecting an announcement of the date of their wedding-an irony that had the young couple laughing. Neither had told anyone except those present at their wedding what had happened. Astrid had been adamant that her parents couldn't be told after her father's announcement at her mother's party so she was also looking forward to the Reveal to them as well. All of the Valkyries and their partners were coming, along with Johann Trayder, the owner, the Chief Coach, Eidur Harildssen, the physios Agnes and Helena and even Elsa Larssen from the Airport with her daughter, Mathildur. And of course, everyone from Berk, including all of Astrid's family, Stoick, Gobber, the team from Berk Aero, the twins, Snotlout, Fishlegs, Gobber, Dagur and Astrid's High School Soccer Coach, Mr Mulch.

"Calm down-it will be fine," Astrid reassured him, seeing him begin to panic. He glanced up and took a sigh, still pacing.

"Yeah-well, no one will blame you for us getting married in secret," he reminded her. "No matter what happens, it's always my fault."

"You did break off our relationship to protect me," she reminded him. "But even I didn't expect the amount of hostility that our fellow Berkians showed to you...until Bella tried to kill you and you saved my life..."

"And thank you for saving me, Milady," he said, trying to smile as she rose to walk to his side, taking his hands.

"Breathe," she reminded him, rubbing the backs of his hands with her thumbs. "Remember what we discussed in therapy, babe. We are strong together and you are stronger than anyone." He dipped his head.

"Sometimes, it doesn't feel like that," he murmured. She raised a hand to rest against his cheek, staring deep into the emerald eyes. They had worked hard together to address the lingering damage from Bella's actions, working with the same therapist who had helped Dagur deal with his traumas. Hiccup had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression and as he finally realised that Bella wouldn't be coming back-especially with her seventeen year prison sentence, his mind had tried to process everything that had happened. And Astrid had needed to take time out of the team to help her new (but secret) husband ride through the worst. Hiccup had insisted that they also had relationship counselling to ensure that Astrid understood to respect him and his feelings and address her actions after the Awards Dinner, which had almost broken him. And though she had been reluctant initially to address her actions, she had come out with a much stronger bond to her husband and a greater emotional intelligence and ability to communicate. But as Hiccup struggled, she had insisted that someone trustworthy stayed with Hiccup when she wasn't around-Heather and Dagur had been the obvious choices but Fishlegs and the twins had also stepped up...which was how they came to learn where she lived. Though all had been sworn to secrecy and promised never to tell Snotlout.

"I know," she assured him, giving him the time to regain control of his emotions. Panic attacks were a problem but he was determined as well, the stubborn bone-headed Viking she had known as a boy and he was adamant that he wouldn't let Bella ruin his life or govern him now he was free. He looked up.