Time passed slowly...it seemed like it had been ages since Toothless had made the sad exit from his life. It had only been several months...and that short amount of time brought new life changes. He took Astrid as his wife and continued to lead the people of Berk into the future. A dragon free future, he thought sadly.

What he wouldn't give to join Toothless in the sky again. His legs felt as if they were filled with lead, a body to be forevermore deprived of the sky and high adventure with his friend.

The season has turned, bringing warmer weather and trade to New Berk. When Hiccup wasn't otherwise employed he spent his time in the forge with his thoughts.

Hiccup brought his hammer down several times on the molten piece of metal he was forming, then relieved his forehead of the beads of sweat that were forming there. He tried to keep his mind on his work, but his thoughts often drifted to that of his friend. What was Toothless doing? Charting new lands with his mate? Keeping the peace? Starting a family of his own?

"Hiccup?"

Hiccup recognized the footfalls and voice of his wife. Wife, he thought to himself silently with a smile. I could get used to it.

Hiccup could never quite get over how beautiful his wife was. She seemed even more radiant today. Her hair was tousled and she carried her axe over her shoulder, likely returning from a mid morning throwing practice.

Good afternoon, Milady!" He called as he strode over and bent to kiss his wife.

She wrinkled her nose and chuckled. "You know, Hiccup, we have to get your beard to grow faster. It's so scratchy." She gave him a small punch on the shoulder.

"Hey don't worry," quipped Hiccup, "My beard will soon outshine even Dad's. Gobber offered to make me his special beard tonic."

"Oh, I have no doubt of that. I do doubt the contents of the tonic, however. It made me super nauseous just thinking about you even trying to down it. Probably worse than my Yaknog," Astrid replied with a nod and a grin, then her brow furrowed.

"Can I sharpen your axe for you?" Hiccup offered, then added with a chuckle, "It may cost you something extra tonight, but a small price to pay for all this..." he trailed off and winked suggestively.

"Very funny, Hiccup. I did actually need to tell you something."

She set down her axe, gently grasped Hiccup's hands, and pulled him down into a stool.

"You...are gonna be a dad, Hiccup."

Hiccup's life flashed before his eyes. Times sitting with his father before a fire listening to bedtime stories. The big red beard tickling his face as he was kissed good night and comforted from nightmares. Watching him sail away for long voyages in search of dragons' nests. Hiccup trying so hard to please his father in dragon training but failing desperately until he met Toothless. Stoick telling him he was proud to have him for his son before Hiccup flew away on Toothless into likely demise against the Red Death. The arguments. Discussions about the future. Finding his mother and reuniting his family only to lose his father soon after. Hiccup so desperately wanted to be the chief and father Stoick was. He knew that now...

Hiccup gently cradled Astrid in his arms and kissed her sweetly. "Wait 'til I tell Toothless..." he trailed off.

The words slipped out before Hiccup could stop them. Astrid was silent as she pulled Hiccup into a tender embrace, where he buried his face in her hair to hide the tears that flowed. Neither his dad nor his best friend would hear about his excitement.

Hiccup composed himself, replaced his apron with his dad's cloak, and took Astrid's hand. They walked together back to the village, bursting with the news they were about to share and the weight of future parenthood upon their shoulders.