Chapter 24

Hiccup's towncar was parallel parked near Astrid's place of work. Both Snotlout and he were waiting patiently while completing some business on their phones. It took Astrid a good 20 minutes before she walked out of the corporate building, dressed in a business casual knee-length blue dress with a white blazer. Upon spotting Hiccup's car she made a dash for it, her high heels clicking on the pavement.

Hiccup had seen her coming and opened the door so that she could hop in. "You wouldn't believe the morning I've had," She uttered while giving Hiccup a quick peck on his cheek. She stopped when she noted that they had company.

"Hi Snotlout,"

"Hi Astrid," He said awkwardly. Astrid then turned towards her boyfriend. "You didn't tell me this was going to be a work thing," a.k.a. "You didn't tell me we had company and couldn't smooch in the car," Hiccup coughed nervously in response.

"Well there are some things I need to discuss with you," He stated. "There's this nice restaurant not so far from here,"

"Alright," Astrid responded while raising a brow at Snotlout. Now she was curious what Hiccup had to talk about.

They began to drive towards their destination, which wasn't very far when Hiccup asked "So how was your day so far?"

"It was like stepping into the Twilight Zone," Astrid responded. "I swear, I've never received that many mixed looks before. Several work friends asked me why I didn't tell them I had a man in my life and a rich one to boot... their words, not mine, my boss, you know, the Head of the secretary department, practically avoided me today. It was the weirdest thing. He loves to micromanage but every time he saw me he did an about-face!"

Hiccup actually laughed which only earned him a swat on the shoulder. "I'm not joking!" Astrid responded. "This is why I didn't announce my private life in the office. You being a Mafia Don is like an open secret in this town! There is no evidence but they all know and now even my boss's boss is tiptoeing around me!"

"It is actually kind of funny," Hiccup said between chuckles.

"Har Har Har," Astrid rolled her eyes as the car stopped. When they stepped out she looked at their destination. "Hiccup, this isn't just a nice restaurant!" and indeed it wasn't. Astrid had read about this place in the paper over a month ago. A chic restaurant that had opened earlier that year. It would be easier to break into Fort Knox than to get a reservation here.

"How did you...."

"Well, we both know the owner," Hiccup casually shrugged and at Astrid's confused look he explained. "Merida, remember. You met her two years ago when we celebrated you moving in with me."

"The redhead that held my hair when I puked after too many tequila shots?!" Astrid flushed upon remembering.

"The very same. She still owns the pub but wanted to expand so I became a sort of... silent investor in her business ventures." He said casually.

As they entered the hostess greeted them warmly. "Mr. Haddock, Mrs. Haddock. So good to see you,"

"I'm not..." Astrid started to say but Hiccup just nodded while keeping her arm around his waist. "Not yet..." He whispered which caused Astrid to flush. 'Did he just imply...' her mind was doing circles.

The hostess led them to a secluded table for three near the back. Snotlout followed along and sat next to his cousin while Astrid sat across from Hiccup. A waiter hurried over with the Brunch menu as well as a list of specials for the day. They had ordered drinks while still deciding on the food. That was when Hiccup spoke up. "Astrid, there is a reason I called you here."

Astrid looked up from her menu. Hiccup looked a bit nervous as he fidgeted with his fingers on the table. "As you know, we have been dating for about three years now and we've both had talk about our future together."

Astrid nodded as Hiccup pressed on. "This isn't how I imagined this proposal to go but, I would love for you to become my wife. Not only because you know and accept my line of work but also because you are a really awesome person in general. Astrid Hofferson, I love you and your son and really hope you will agree to marry me," Hiccup said as he reached into his suit jacket and awkwardly produced a ring box. A Don he might be but proposing was still nerve-wracking.

As Astrid was about to answer Hiccup said "Before you make a decision there are some legal aspects you must consider. That's why Snotlout is here and watching me fumble,"

"Oookay..." she nodded as Hiccup had hinted over the years at some conditions his family had when it came to marriage.

"Astrid, this will be strictly business," Snotlout said as he opened his briefcase. "The Haddocks are old money. They have a rule that anyone marrying into the family must sign a prenup."

"Hiccup did mention that before," Astrid mumbled.

"It's a pretty standard prenup. I will email you the document later today. Hiccup did state that some changes be made to certain aspects. I highly doubt you guys would ever divorce given how you're still with my weird cousin..."

"Oye!" Hiccup uttered. Snotlout just rolled his eyes. The waiter came with their drinks and they ordered their main dishes. No appetizers this time.

"I know that this is quite out of the norm given that my derpy cousin just proposed but Hiccup was certain that you should and would appreciate having the full monty before you accept.... Or refuse." Snotlout actually rolled his eyes. "As I said before, fairly standard prenup. Property division in case of a divorce. Basically what's yours is yours and what's his is his. Spousal support. My cousin was very adamant that you receive support for you and your son if separation should occur. A trust fund for Damian will also be set up to support him through college. He can access that when he's 18. The clauses for inheritance and gifts are standard. For finances during marriage, this is where the Haddock family insists that finances be kept separate. Especially given the nature of our businesses. It's more to protect you and your son should a police or IRS investigation occur. Your funds can't be frozen and you can keep supporting yourself and Damian," Snotlout explained. "There is a bit more but those are the main takeaways. My cousin insisted that you and Damian have a comfortable life no matter what the future entailed. You and your son will also be added as the main beneficiary in life insurance policies and inheritance."

"I don't want to talk about those right now. This is supposed to be a happy occasion." Astrid remarked.

"Does that mean..."

"Yes, Hiccup. I accept your proposal. Strings attached and everything," she responded.

Hiccup responded by slipping the sapphire ring onto her finger. Astrid wasn't a fan of diamonds but instead loved colored gems. That's why Hiccup had chosen a stone that matched her eyes and she absolutely loved it.

"I'll just excuse myself...." Snotlout muttered as the lovebirds only had eyes for themselves now.

"Astrid, I also want to state that I would love to adopt Damian as my own, that is if you and him want to. It would need to go through the courts though as his biological father hasn't officially terminated his parental rights." Hiccup said.

"Damian would be delighted I think. I know he already sees you as a father figure," Astrid remarked. She looked a bit unsure though. "What about your parents?"

"Mother adores you and Dad gave me his blessing at the gala Saturday," He explained. "His exact words... Son, if she stayed with you this long with me being a pain in the ass then she's a keeper. Also, the kid's grown on me," Hiccup's expression of Stoick made Astrid giggle.

Astrid couldn't help it. She broke down in laughter.