Her two children stood frozen in the doorway, their eyes darting around the room in alarm. “Mom, where is Dad? What’s going on?” Astrid sighed heavily and waved her children over. Zephyr took her little brother by the hand and walked with him towards their mother. A gentle smile crossed Astrid's face as she looked into her daughter's sapphire blue eyes, identical to hers but with concern reflected in them. Nuffink, her little Nuffink, hugged his sister close as he looked at his mother. “Come here,” she said, patting the blank page. Her children hopped onto the mattress next to her and each snuggled up on one side of her. She stroked both of their heads and watched reverently as they stroked her stomach with their small hands. For a moment she forgot that she was in pain, but that moment didn't last long as an unspeakably razor-sharp pain shot through her abdomen again. She gritted her teeth to suppress another pained moan. Her children weren't allowed to see how much she was suffering; she definitely didn't want to drag them along with her. Both of them were so sensitive and too small to understand what was happening to her. She didn't want to scare them. "Everything is good. Your father just went quickly to get your grandmother because I need her help for a moment.” Zephyr and Nuffink nodded. “Is there anything we can do to help you, Mom?” Zephyr asked. Astrid smiled and stroked her daughter's soft cheek. "You two, my darling, can only help me by staying here with me and just cuddling with me for a bit until your father comes back." The two nodded and cuddled even closer. Then she suddenly heard Nuffink's sniffling. "What's wrong, baby?" He rubbed his green eyes, which were sparkling with small tears. “Mommy, I’m scared for you.” She kissed his temple lovingly. “You don’t have to worry about me, Finky. I am a warrior and besides, your father is by my side and he is the bravest and most selfless man I know, he will take care of me. Everything will be okay again.” I hope, she thought. I really hope so. “Was dad always so brave?” Zephyr asked curiously. “Yes he was,” she said reverently. “When I'm fit again, I'll tell you some stories about his heroic deeds, I promise.” Zephyr and Nuffink smiled enthusiastically. With every minute that passed, Astrid felt her pain steadily increasing. Hopefully the baby was okay? She could never forgive herself if something happened to her unborn child in her womb. Astrid didn't know how much longer she could hide her grief. Hopefully Hiccup comes back soon. Then...all of a sudden she heard the front door slam open with a loud crash. Hurried footsteps sounded on the stairs and just a few moments later Hiccup appeared in the doorway with Astrid's parents. "Zephyr? Nuffink? Why are you still awake?" she heard Hiccup's voice hurrying towards her. But before either of the two children could reply, Astrid intervened. "Hiccup, darling, they were just supporting me while you were away." She gently took one of his shaking hands and squeezed it tightly. He sighed heavily, his hand slowly stopping shaking as he took the tired Nuffink in his arms and held out his hand to his daughter. "Good. Then I'll put you two night owls back to bed. “Thank you for being there for your mother while I was away,” Astrid heard him whisper. Then her father suddenly came to the edge of the bed and put a hand on his son-in-law's shoulder. “Just leave it, Hiccup. I’ll put them both to bed, you stay with Astrid,” he said gently. Hiccup handed his son to Magnus and stroked his hair lovingly as always. "Sleep well, you two." Zephyr and Nuffink gave their parents a quick wave before they went out the door with their grandfather. Hiccup knelt in front of Astrid, placed both of his hands on her stomach and leaned his forehead against hers. “How do you feel?” She moaned in pain. "Not better. On the contrary, it got worse.”
