Touch My Heart

Chapter 44

Hiccup woke up that morning feeling like a tonne of bricks had hit him. He didn't want to leave his bed, but he knew he had to. Today was the day he had been dreading...

It had been a week since his father had returned from the hospital and he has been bombarded by work and important meetings ever since he came back. It turned out that Spitelout had name Stoick as his successor if he was ever forced to step down. It was both a blessing and a curse for his father. Stoick had always wanted to be mayor, of any town. But now was not the time, he was still in grieving after all. However, he remained a calm and composed acting-mayor whilst the job had fallen to him. It was almost admirable.

Hiccup hauled himself out of bed and looked at the suit hanging on his wardrobe. 'Come on, get dressed. We don't want to be late. We could not, would not, want to wait!' His mother's voice rang in his ear as he smiled at her complaints at his and Stoicks inability to be on time. It was a speech she had used so very often with them. She would probably expect them to be on time to this. She would hope, at least.

As the morning light shone through the gaps in his curtains, Hiccup heaved them aside and looked out into the morning atmosphere. There, opposite his room, he saw the most beautiful girl in a stunning black dress. She was smoothing it down in front of the mirror. She was smiling sadly at her reflection and seemed preoccupied.

Hiccup hadn't asked her to come to her mother's funeral, but he guessed his dad must've told them about the funeral. In case they wanted to come and show their condolences.

A sigh left his throat as he turned around and grabbed the suit off of his wardrobe and headed to the bathroom to take a shower.

When he had finished, he headed downstairs to join his father and try and eat his breakfast. He needed to eat something, although he wasn't particularly hungry this morning, he knew he had to eat. As he stepped down from the final step, he looked over to the kitchen and saw his father slumped over the table. Hiccup immediately ran over to his father and shook him, worried he had keeled over and left him.

"Dad!" Hiccup yelled out, his father stirred and looked up to him.

"She's gone... It's all real..." Stoick's voice sounded so broken and alone. Hiccup felt himself quiver and almost break at hearing the loneliness of his tone. His father was in pain, and Hiccup couldn't help.

"I know... I miss her too..." Hiccup whispered as he hug his fathers limp body, still hanging over the table. "But I don't think she'd want us to be sad and nope around here all day. She'd want us to celebrate her life." Hiccup said quietly, comforting his father who was in distress.

"But I want her back..." Stoick sobbed into reply. Hiccup didn't know what to say, and just lay on top of his father, embracing him the best he could.

***

Astrid stood within the crowd, her body hidden amongst all the other guests. The Haddocks has gone with a simple funeral where the guests and family stand around her grave whilst a priest praised her life and wishes her luck in the after life. Astrid didn't think either one of the boys she was looking at had prepared a speech.

The funeral went on, Astrid occasionally met eyes with Hiccup but he didn't seem to respond to her being there. It seemed as though he didn't really want her there at all. But Astrid wasn't here for Hiccup, she was here for Valka, she would've wanted her here. Astrid's mind wandered as the ceremony continued and finally people were throwing white roses into the grave, but Astrid was too far back in the crowd to throw hers, so she decided she would stay back. She did have a few things she wanted to say after all.

When the funeral finally came to an end, and everyone who was invited to the reception was escorted away from the graveyard, Astrid stayed behind. She wasn't invited to the reception and that was okay. Astrid had asked her mother to wait in the car, she had something to do first.

"I'm sorry Valka... I know he's gonna miss you.." Astrid twirled the rose in her hand through her fingers as she spoke. "He probably hates me, but I am trying my best to fulfil your promise. I guess this whole thing is a lot harder than I had originally thought." Astrid smiled as she looked at the rose. "I never expected it turn out ion the way it has, and right now... I could really use your help." Astrid chuckled to herself. A warm breeze brushed her hair over her shoulder and seemed to offer a sense of comfort she'd been longing for. "Thanks..." She smiled, "I promise to visit and let you know how your son is doing... He might not always tell you the truth, you know how he is..." Astrid chuckled as she finally threw the rose into the grave. "Goodbye.." Astrid sighed as she watched the rose fall into the grave.

"Thank you for coming Astrid..." A voice called out. Astrid whipped her head around, slightly embarrassed that he may have heard that.

"Oh, Mr. Haddock. I didn't see you there!" Astrid exclaimed softly as she lay a hand on her chest to calm herself. He gave her a broad smile and stood beside her looking at the grave.

"I know Hiccup won't say it to you, but he really appreciates the fact that you came. I know Valka would've as well.." Stoick spoke softly. Neither of them touched or looked at each other, they were both similar in pride and respect. They knew it wasn't appropriate.

"Well, he has been avoiding me these last couple of weeks. But I have been trying to make sure he's safe and happy.." Astrid looked down towards her own feet. "I did promise her that after all..." Stoick didn't seem to hear her mutterings and continued with their conversation.

"I'm really sorry about the whole Spitelout situation you had to go through." Astrid looked over to the man beside her. His demeanour had grown stiff and almost aggressive. Astrid felt a swell of happiness that this man cared about her well-being. He was going to be a good mayor, she knew it. "But don't worry. I'll make sure he will stay behind bars for a very long time." He stated confidently. That was a fact he was sure of. Astrid smiled and held out a hand for Stoick to shake.

"Thank you, Mr. Haddock. I much appreciate it." Stoick happily shook Astrid's hand and smiled at her lovingly, like a father would smile at his children.

"You're welcome. Consider yourself a firm friend of the Haddock family from now on." He announced happily. Astrid chuckled softly in reply and smiled brightly up at him.

"Thank you.." Stoick turned away and headed back to the crowd at the entrance of the graveyard, all waiting to be taken to the reception.

Astrid looked back at the grave where Valka lay and took a deep breath before turning around and walking away to join her mother.

Hiccup had watched his father and Astrid's exchange, he looked away from them as his father made his way back to the group, but his eyes soon found Astrid again. She seemed sad about the whole endeavour, maybe she really had come for his mother and not him. He had thought that she was desperate for his attention, but perhaps he had been wrong. Maybe she was acting in his best interests, she was giving him the space he needed.

Even if that was away from her. He continued to ignore her, despite how much it was killing him inside.