Chapter 25

Three months later

"Astrid breathe," Hiccup uttered as they sat in court waiting with Damian sitting behind them with Valka.

"But what if the judge doesn't....."

"Don't worry, it is an open and shut case. The Haddock family lawyers are a force to be reckoned with." He assured.

"I know Hiccup but it's been three months of proceedings. What if the judge doesn't grant it?"

"He will... he will... don't worry," Hiccup continued to assure.

"ALL RISE!" The bailiff announced. Hiccup, Astrid, and their lawyer stood up. An elderly man, not one in Hiccup's pocket for certain reasons, sat on the bench and looked at those now seated in the courtroom.

"I have viewed the documents Miss Hofferson has provided to the court and have come to a ruling," the judge stated while looking at the empty desk next to Hiccup and Astrid.

"Normally I would like the parents to work out an agreement of joint custody first as that would benefit the child by having both parents present. Evidence has been brought up in this matter of Hofferson vs Jimson that Mr. Jimson has abandoned the child since before being born. A valid paternity test has been submitted showing that he is the father as well as records of him never attempting to contact the mother or child in question and never paying child support—furthermore, Mr. Jimson was notified of these proceedings well in advance and had decided not to attend. It is my judgement that the child in question, Damian Hofferson, is well-cared for, receives a fine education, has an engaging and responsible parent, stable living conditions, and friends and family who support him. I am granting sole custody of Damian Hofferson to his mother Astrid Hofferson and terminating all parental rights of Thuggory Jimson." With that, the judge banged his gavel to make his ruling final. "Ms, Hofferson, good luck with raising your son. I know you've faced hardships but you still remained an exemplary parent."

Astrid was frozen there for a moment, in shock before she nodded towards the judge and then proceeded to embrace Hiccup and Damian. "It's finally over. Oh Thor," She sighed happily.

"Mommy, will Hiccy be my new dad now?" Damian asked innocently.

"Yes, sweety. We already have the signed forms and will be submitting them today. It may take a while but, yes. Hiccup will be your new daddy," Damian actually squealed in excitement before hugging Hiccup's leg.

Astrid was as happy as could be until one week later. Astrid was with Damian at the park while the twins stood back in civilian clothing as bodyguards. They didn't normally watch over Astrid but this morning Hiccup had gotten a weird call and had specifically asked Heather to accompany him. The twins tensed when a figure approached them.

"Astrid," The figure called out and Astrid, who had been looking in her bag for her granola bar looked up.

"Alex? What are you doing here?!" She was shocked to see her sister in Berk and dressed rather casually. The Alex she knew had a high-paying corporate job and always wore business suits. Now her sister was wearing sweatpants and a hoodie.

"We need to talk," Alex said while sitting down next to Astrid.

"It's alright guys. She's my sister," Astrid told the twins who looked ready to pounce.

"Wow you got guard dogs," Alex commented impressed. "Does he keep an eye on you all the time?" Astrid just shot her sister a look causing Alex to hold her hands up in surrender. "Right, right....all of that is just alleged,"

"Why are you here?"

"Can't I just come to see my baby sis and my godson?"

"Knowing you, no," Astrid huffed. "You are a workaholic and you always call. We have our own lives remember?"

"Okay, soo... I might have moved back with Mom and Dad for a bit... just until I get back on my feet," Alex confessed which caused Astrid to stare open-mouthed at the other.

"You...." Astrid uttered.

"You, who went so low contact with our parents that it'd make a limbo dancer proud.... Moved back home?!"

"The firm I was working for was bought out and all the employees were fired and then told to re-apply," she sported a sour look while elaborating. "Of course none of us re-applied. Now I moved back temporarily until I can find another job or start my own business. The cost of living in my city, as you know is sky-high so I moved back."

Tuffnut gave an impressed whistle as all three speculated what re-applying meant. Starting back at the base pay of a new hire, not qualifying for end-of-year bonuses, reduced benefits, and insurance.

"Did you know you're the talk of the town?" Alex continued. "Havenholme is still buzzing with gossip even after so many months after your debut. Mom and Dad are mortified. It's hilarious!"

"I don't know if I should be flattered or mortified. Considering I can guess what type of rumors are floating around,"

"The reason I came here is because of the latest rumor," Alex stated. "The one that was about you winning full custody of Damian,"

"How the hell did that make its way to Havenholme?!"

"Well, this is a doozy of a story sis," Alex commented. "So Thuggary is back in town... with his sugar daddy,"

"Excuse me what?!"

"I know! That gossip nearly put an end to rumors about you.... Until it started involving you again,"

"Oh Thor...." Astrid groaned.

"So I heard this from Mr. Keller who is buddies with the Jimson's landscaper. Apparently, the oh-so-prodigal son finally returned home to introduce his boyfriend to his parents with the intention of staying for a month or so. Of course, Thuggory's parents flip. Here their precious baby boy is... former high school jock, Mr. Popular, now a College dropout and someone's boy toy. Now here's the kicker, Thuggory gets served to appear in court at his parents' place a week after he arrived. This of course sparks more chaos because apparently, Mr. Sugardaddy didn't know Thugg had a kid. Of course, Thugg was being tight-lipped so the man sweet-talked several of the town's gossips into spilling the beans. Knocking you up, the wedding fiasco, the abandonment... everything. Mrs. Maydre even gave the poor shocked man a cookie and you know how fast she'd shank someone if they stole a cookie,"

"That lady gets a thumbs up from me," Ruffnut uttered. "Viva la cookie!"

"Whyyy am I your twin?!" Tuffnut mumbled embarrassed.

"I want to stop you right there but at the same time I just want to know what happened next," Astrid muttered.

"So the way Mr. Keller heard it was that Sugardaddy came back to the Jimson estate where he overheard Thugg venomously refusing to go to the court hearing. I'm guessing it was the custody hearing. Anywho, sugar daddy is appalled. Seems he loves children. He and Thugg ended up quarreling, according to the landscaper voices were raised so much he could hear them from the lawn. Some nasty things were said about Thugg not wanting Damian and some about you. Sugar daddy left disgusted and broke up with Thuggary then and there. Thugg apparently ended up chasing after his now ex-partner, begging and pleading, as the man got in his car and got a black eye out of it."

"Oh.My.Loki," Astrid uttered while the twins actually clapped. "That was.... Something," She continued. "But that still doesn't explain why you are here,"

"Yes, I'm getting to that. There is more," Alex stated.

"So now 'poor' Thugg is stuck at his parents' place. No partner, no money, no penthouse as that was in the partner's name apparently," Alex gleefully recounted. "The Jimsons thought it was a mighty good time to nag their son into getting into a 'proper' relationship and giving them an heir. They tricked him into going on two blind dates with two women they approved of. Of course, Thuggary got mad and..." Now Alex leaned in close and said with a smirk on her face "He got a vasectomy,"

"What the actual hell!" Astrid exclaimed.

"Yeah, just to be spiteful," Alex nodded.

"Damnnnnnn..." Ruffnut uttered as the twins were listening in.

"I bet his parents weren't happy," Astrid remarked.

"That would be an understatement," Alex huffed. "But the reason I am here is concerning this whole mess. Now with a hopeless only son and no heirs do you know where their sights have turned to?"

"Nooo.... Just nooo...."

"Sadly yes sis," Alex nodded. "I overheard them talking to Mom and Dad, asking for your address. Of course, Mom and Dad didn't know. From what I've managed to overhear they hope to get their hands on Damian and raise him as their heir. Either through grandparent rights or... other means,"

"FUCK THAT!" Astrid growled loudly causing several mothers to look her way with side-eyes.

"These people are clearly delusional. Don't they have any idea who they are dealing with?" Ruffnut asked.

"Hiccup would massacre them,"

"Who said anything about the boss, bro?" Ruffnut questioned. "They'd be lucky to get Hiccup. Astrid is way more terrifying in this case. Remember when she went off on those reporters who figured out where Damian was going to school? The school had to remove all the cacti from near the entrance gate,"