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

Chapter 14 - Astrid

"Oh baby, you're giving mother a hard time", I say with a hand on the underside of my stomach. Being small in frame to begin with doesn't help me at all.

"Are you sure you can make the walk down there?"

"Yes Hiccup, I want to be there when she arrives, plus I need the exercise"

I catch him giving me a concerned glance in my peripheral vision.

We finally reach the shoreline and he helps me sit on a rock.

I let out a big sigh as the weight is lifted off my feet.

He sits beside me and we watch the sunlight bounce upon the waves and churn of the water.

It's quiet for a moment as I lay my head on his shoulder.

My stomach aches a little, but I ignore it.

"This is probably the last time you and I will have a moment of silence for a while", I say.

"M-hm. It will be very different here soon", he replies.

We finally see a ship pop up in the horizon.

"Ah! There's her ship!", I say with excitement.

Hiccup whistles with his fingers to summon some of the gang to come help with her things. It will take her another 15 minutes until she docs.

Soon Fishlegs, Snotlout and Eret are down by the deck.

"Is she here?!", Fishlegs asks too excitedly.

"Almost, a-agh", I say with a little pain.

There goes a stomach cramp again. It's probably nothing, I still have a few weeks.

"Astrid what is it?!", Hiccup helps me up from the rock.

"Oh it's nothing, just cramping. No big deal", I say holding my back.

"Astrid how bad are they? You have a high pain tolerance so you need to be honest with me", he glares at me.

"Hiccup, I am fine! Don't worry"

"I always worry"

My attention is diverted as Heather docks her boat.

"Hey guys!", she lays laying the plank down and leaping off of the ship.

"Heather!", I barely run to hug my best friend.

"Astrid you're... so... pregnant!", she laughs awkwardly.

"I know. I'm huge", I say and we both giggle.

"I love how I only see you for big events in your life. Your wedding and now you're having a baby!"

"I know... we do need to see each other more... it's just hard not being able to get places quickly", I say as she hugs Hiccup.

"Oh Heather it's so good to see you!", Fishlegs takes her into a tight hug.

"Haha you too Fishlegs!", she says slightly being crushed.

We all look at him uncomfortably and notice the absence of Ruffnut.

He clears his throat, "Ahem, it's good to see you my friend". He nods to her.

We all chuckle at the odd moment.

"Ouch", I say now feeling a gripping unbearable pain, causing me to almost double over.

"Okay that's it, we're going to Gothi", Hiccup comes over and picks me up bridal style.

"No! I told you I'm fine!", I fight.

"Astrid, you're hurting you could be in labor!"

He tightens his hold and hikes up the path. Heather is quick behind us and the guys grab her things.

"You okay?", she comes up beside us.

"Yes! I said I'm oka-aaaaay", it happens again.

"Hang in there my love, we'll be there soon", Hiccup looks at me.

"No", is all I say with tears flooding my eyes. "I can't do this. I'm scared. I'm not ready"

"Astrid it's alright. You can do this", he kisses my temple.

I have been so full of bravery and courage all the way to this point.

I thought I had gotten over this fear of motherhood but here it comes again.

"We're ready", Hiccup says gazing into my eyes from time to time on the long walk.

———

We reach the village and everyone is now stopped dead in their tracks staring at us.

Gobber walks out from his blacksmith stall and his tiny eyes grow wide.

"Gobber! Get the Hoffersons and my mom!", Hiccup shouts.

He begins jogging up Gothi's steps the more consistent, what I'm assuming are contractions get.

I am laid down on a table as Gothi swipes away her tools and potions from it.

My water breaks upon being set down. Well... that was impeccable timing.

I'm grossed out slightly as Gothi removes my boots and pants, me blushing of embarrassment slightly.

She quickly examines my belly and body after cleaning me up along with the table.

"Hiccup?"

"Yes? I'm right here Astrid", he comes up beside my head to sit and hold my hand. He's now a little uneasy at what is happening, but is remaining my rock.

A blanket is put over me and Gothi opens the door to let Gobber in to translate.

She begins drawing in a box of sand on another table.

"She says that you're almost ready to push, but not quite. You're not fully dilated", he translates and I roll my eyes.

"All this pain and the baby's not ready yet?", I groan as another contraction stops my breath.

"AHHH", Hiccup and I both scream as I squeeze his hand nearly breaking it.