Until They Can Return in Peace - How to Train Your Dragon

Chapter 15 - Hiccup

*Author's Note*

Hey all! Thank you again for the loving support on this story! I have so much more to write about. I mean... it's only a year in out of ten!

But here's a chapter update! I will be going out of town with a lot of driving this weekend, so I won't have time to post again for a few days. Who knows though, I may find time if I can't sleep or something!

Special thank you to EmilyChristine060 again for just being an incredible human and helping me to write better!

Enjoy guys!

<3 - k.r.

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Sweat dripped from my beautiful Astrid's forehead. Her long hair tied up in a knot with strands clinging to her face as she bravely endures more contractions.

This may not be her ideal way to look, but I am absolutely in love with everything about her in this moment. She is about to have our child and is handling it like a warrior.

"Phew! That one was terrible... Gothi... are we close?", Astrid pleads through short breaths.

Gothi examines her under the sheet and her eyes light up and quickly nods.

"Oh it's time to push! Let me get Mrs. Hofferson!", Gobber runs out the door.

"No!", Astrid calls and I'm confused.

"As much as I love my mother, I would like to just have Hiccup with me", she requests and my heart leaps.

Gobber nods and heads outside to tell them.

"Astrid are you sure? It's your mother", I ask.

"Yes. I know it isn't traditional, but I'd rather just spend this moment with you", she smiles and I feel tears rimming my eyes.

The drapes over the windows are closed and I help light candles.

Gothi points me to sit next to Astrid and I take her hand in mine.

The first push wasn't so bad considering my hand wasn't crumbled to pieces.

Gothi quickly tells me in the sand that I need to make sure I have a firm grip on her hand to brace her.

—

Several pushes later and we're still at it. My heart breaks a little every time I hear her scream in pain, I wish I could do something to help... but gods know I can't.

I swab her forehead with a cool rag and I kiss it after each time.

"Almost there M'lady"

Gothi holds one finger up.

"One more Astrid"

"AHHHHHHHHH", she cries out louder than I've heard the entire time.

—

Silence falls across the room as Astrid exhales quickly in relief.

A small baby's cry is heard from the end of the table.

The very first noise my baby makes and I am weak in my knees as I stand to go to Gothi.

She uses a small dagger to cut the cord that it was attached to in the womb.

Gothi quickly cleans up the tiny, frail figure and wraps it in a blanket.

She turns and I see a little nose popping out of the tightly swaddled bundle. Bouncing it slightly to calm it down.

She bows her head and hands me the child.

When I look upon the face of my baby, my heart falls into a love I can't describe. Everything within my entire being is numb and full of passion for such a tiny human.

I go next to next to Astrid and sit closely next to her as I hand her the baby.

Gothi shows me the sand box she has drawn in,

"Girl"

"Astrid... it's a girl...!", I say as tears slip from my eyes, "we have a baby girl".

"Oh Hiccup... she's beautiful", Astrid admires our brand new daughter and gently strokes her small cheek.

I climb on to the table where Astrid lies and I pull her into my side.

Gothi hands Astrid some water, and excuses herself to give us privacy.

My wife and I stare at the still, sleeping beauty in our arms. The soft lines of auburn eyebrows complimented the few eyelashes she had. Leading down to her nose that resembled Astrid's so well, and to her warm pink lips that purse out.

"I knew it was a girl", Astrid says laying her tired head on my shoulder.

"I guess you were right", I chuckle.

"Have you thought of names?", Astrid asked looking up at me.

"Well... I've had my boy's name picked out since I was a teenager", I embarrassingly say. I never thought I'd be given a gift as good as a daughter.

"Well, I've had a girls name picked out for a while", she smiles softly.

"What is it?"

"Zephyr. It means 'soft winds', blowing from the west. Since we're in a time of our lives where change is as consistent as the wind, I thought she could be a reminder to us that we can move with the winds of change and do it well", she states and the very description makes tears fall again.

"Astrid. That's beautiful... I love it... Zephyr it is", I say biting my lip so it doesn't quiver. I feel like such a sop in this moment but I don't care. The girl of my dreams has done life with me, married me and now has a child with me. I am beyond happy in this very moment, every bit of hope I have for the future has doubled at the sight of baby Zephyr.

After a few moments, Astrid is fast asleep; poor thing is exhausted from this whole ordeal.

"Get some rest", I take the baby back into my arms and lay Astrid back onto the pillow. I pull her blanket up and kiss her cheek.

I know the village is out there dying to hear and see the announcement of our baby girl, but I take a moment.

I bounce her in my arms gently, waking around the room as I gaze upon her perfectly angelic face.

I find myself mumbling many things to this beauty I get to call my daughter.

"I promise to love you.
To protect you from all harm.
I promise to keep you safe in my arms.
I can't wait to show you all the things I know.
To teach you how to tinker with your hands.
And to teach you to lead with your heart.
I can't wait to show you the great sights of the archipelago.
To show you how to succeed wherever you go.
But most importantly, I can't wait to tell you the tales of the things that have changed the Berkians lives.
There were dragons that used to roam all about our world.
They became our companions and partners in battle upon training them.
I can't wait to tell you all the different kinds.
The Night Fury, the alpha and king of all dragons was my best bud.
The Monstrous Nightmares with sassy demeanors.
The Gronkles that love to eat rocks and make lava.
The Hideous Zippleback that has two heads.
The Skrill that harnesses lighting for its fire.
Ah, why am I going on about this now? You have no idea what I'm saying. But I promise you'll learn so much about these guys; just as your mother and I and all your aunts and uncles have".

"Don't forget the Deadly Nadder, the best and sharpest of them all", Astrid says from across the room.

I laugh quietly, "Yes, Deadly Nadders too".

"I promise to share with you all the things that have made us who we are today, Zephyr Haddock".