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

Chapter 23 - Astrid

Well, six months into my pregnancy now and I feel like I could be at almost the end... my belly is much bigger at this point than I was with Zephyr. My mother said it was normal with a second baby. Honestly I'm just glad she's well enough now to come and help me with Zephyr. My back healed after Gothi's potion cream on my back and lots of ice, but the baby pulling on it certainly doesn't help.

Hiccup has given me countless massages, Odin bless his soul. The pain remains unfortunately.

Today's been a better day, especially because it's someone very special's birthday today.

"Happy Birthday Zephyr!", Hiccup comes down the stairs after I let him sleep in some. The scruff that now lined his cheeks, upper-lip and chin were honestly really attractive on him; it makes him look more Chiefly. He's actually had a hard few weeks of Chiefing and I think that's where it's coming from.

"Thanks daddy", she leaps into his arms and he spins her around.

"So are you ready for your very special day?", I ask coming over and handing her some bread with yak butter.

"Yeah! What are we doing?", she holds out her hands for her breakfast.

"Well it's going to have to start with this...", Hiccup pulls out a leather journal with a strap to go around her shoulder. On the front was a stitched red night fury symbol, and a leather loop for a pencil.

Her eyes were glowing with wonder as Hiccup handed it to her.

"You needed a new journal not just for future discoveries, but for your ultra-dragon adventure today!", he hands her a pencil and the little raggedy Toothless.

"YAY!", she squeals jumping up and down.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door.

"Happy Birthday sweet Zephyr!", Valka comes in with the gang shortly behind her.

Snotlout and Tuffnut are arguing about something Eret had done and whether is was Viking enough or not.

And far in the back, Fishlegs and Ruffnut are walking with a small 5 month old Lillian Ingerman strapped to Fishlegs's chest.

Thank the gods an actual child is in that place instead of the plush, Fishmeat. It still blows my mind that they're actually married and now have a child. But love will make you do crazy things, I am one to understand that.

"What are all my aunt and uncles doing here?", Zephyr asks timidly from behind my skirt.

"They're here to take you on Dragon Quests! The first one is a Deadly Nadder...", I say reaching into my pocket.

"Storm-fy?", she asks in her sweet mispronounced tone.

I pull out a dragon scale that once hung on my flight suit. One of the very few things I have left of my good girl.

I hand Zephyr the little shimmery blue scale and it lands in her hands just as quickly as her astonishment.

She looks at me with adventurous blue eyes that reminded me of mine so long ago.

"Okay, open the Deadly Nadder section and I make sure that the scale color matches...", Hiccup instructs and she nods.

"I wonder if there are more out there...", I smirk at my daughter.

She gasps holding her hands up to her mouth with so much excitement.

"Let's go Zephyr!", Tuffnut takes her hand and Snotlout follows.

It's scarily sweet how much those guys love her like a blood niece. Besides, they have no hints or ideas about women in their lives any time soon, so the closest they could get to having a child is playing with mine.