TWENTY SEVEN:

"Whatever you want!" Finn's voice was calm but a small smile lifted his lips he sat in one of the chairs at 'Freya's', the premier Prom Dress and Occasionwear Outfitters in Berk. Ingrid sat beside him, gazing proudly as Astrid inspected the racks, her keen eyes sweeping over a plethora of gowns.

"You could help," she said reproachfully and Ingrid gave a small smile.

"Really?" she asked softly. "Because I don't want you to feel as if I'm projecting my own Prom experience..."

"Mom," the girl said in a stern voice, folding her arms across her chest, "I know what I like and if you try to dress me like they did in Caveman times, then I will reject whatever you offer." Finn smothered his chuckle and made it sound like a cough. "But you are my Mom and this is one of the few mother-daughter horribly girly outings that I was actually looking forward to!" Ingrid grinned as Finn fell silent. "And you don't need to feel awkward, Uncle Finn," she continued, turning to hug him. "I'm glad you're here. But you're not a girl..."

"Thank Thor," he replied, his eyes twinkling. "One thing Ivan and I completely agreed on was that women's clothing seems far too complicated for the simple male brain..." He winked as Astrid took her mother's hand and sighed. "So I'm looking for aqua blue, silver, white..." Her Mom smiled and headed for the racks of gowns.

"That should be simple enough," she said.

An hour and a half later, they had tried on almost every suitably coloured gown in the shop and Astrid still wasn't satisfied. She had identified a spectacular off-the shoulder white satin gown with silhouette-hugging skirt and a knee high slit that was scattered with delicate pearls across the bodice and in a cascade down the skirt but it felt far too beautiful for the Prom. They had Astrid's size but she frowned and looked perplexed.

"Don't worry about the cost," Finn assured her but she shook her head.

"It's beautiful and I know it's a proper designer piece but it just feels too fancy for the Gym," she sighed. "I-I always imagined I would know when I found the dress. That it would feel right. Because I'm dressing for Hiccup...and Mom and Dad...and you..." A pensive expression crossed her face and for a moment, she looked sad. "I always imagined Dad would be here...and I know it's stupid because he's been gone years but..." She shrugged helplessly. "It's not right for the Prom..."

Ingrid walked to the back of the shop, hearing her daughter's words and understanding. Finn was very patient and his offer to pay was really generous but Ingrid and her husband, Ivan, had talked about the Prom when he was dying and he had used some of his precious remaining time to sell his own father's vintage watch to ensure that there was money for Astrid's Prom, the Prom he would never see but wanted to be part of all the same. And faithfully, through all their troubles, Ingrid had respected his wishes. Somehow, she wanted her daughter to have a perfect Prom as well. And then she frowned, stumbling and catching sight of a sliver of blue. She walked forward and pulled out some of the gowns crammed in the 'last season' section, to reveal a perfect sky blue silk and satin gown with a single asymmetric shoulder, elegant boned bodice and full length 1930's silhouette. Delicate stitching in silver marked out a beautiful art deco motif across the bodice. Ingrid peered at the label and realised it was Astrid's size-a miracle for it was the only one. She held it up and walked forward.

"How about this?" she suggested as Astrid's eyes widened and her lips lifted in an astonished smile.

"It's beautiful," she mouthed, trotting forward to grab it and try it on. As she did, Ingrid sat down by the film producer and leaned close.

"I'm paying for the dress," she said in a low voice as Finn's eyes widened. "Or more precisely...Ivan is." Fin inspected her carefully.

"Are you sure?" he asked her in a low voice and she nodded.

"He sold your father's watch to pay for her Prom gown, a few days before he died," she told him gently, taking his hand. "I think he was determined to do one last thing for her. He wrote her a card as well..."

Finn looked away and blinked, emotions he thought well under control welling up and blurring his vision. He took a couple of deep breaths and exhaled slowly.

"Just like my brother to outsmart me!" he managed in a slightly thick voice. "But he was right." A watery smile crossed his face. "I'll get the shoes and purse, if I'm allowed?" She smiled.

"I think you should get the other gown as well," she murmured. "Because she has one other event to attend, doesn't she?" Finn's eyes widened and he pecked a kiss on her cheek.

"Ivan told me never to underestimate his girls," he sighed. "You're right...and that gown would be perfect..."

"How do I look?"

They both looked up like naughty school kids caught whispering in class, jaws dropping as Astrid emerged, the gown fitting her lithe form perfectly and the colour exactly matching her eyes. She gave a small swirl and then looked into her mother's eyes.

"Perfect," Ingrid managed to croak. "Your Dad would have been so proud..."

"You look like an Angel...or maybe a Valkyrie," Finn added. "That gown was waiting for you."

A slow smile crossed Astrid's face and she nodded, smoothing her hands over the beautiful bodice.

"This is what I was waiting for, looking for," she said quietly. "It's the gown I imagined myself in...well, not exactly but very close. It feels...right..." Ingrid got up and hugged her.

"Your Hiccup is so lucky to be taking you," she murmured as Astrid hugged her back.

"No, Mom,' she said. "I'm lucky to have him."

Ingrid paid for the blue gown and Finn murmured a few words to the assistant, ensuring that the white gown was carefully packaged and sent to his office while Astrid was getting changed. Ingrid carefully chose accessories that would work with both gowns and after they had finished purchasing what felt like half the shop, the trio headed out for a tea in 'Lars's Viking Burger Valhalla'. Astrid kissed them both.

"Thank you," she said with a grin. "You've done everything you can to make sure this is as close to perfect as it can be..." Finn winked.

"Astrid-if anyone deserves this, you do," he told her. "You both do. Now, all I ask is that I get a picture of my beautiful niece in her Prom dress..." Ingrid swatted his arm.

"You aren't getting out of it that easy," she told him. "You are going to be there to see the my little girl head out on her Prom date with her boyfriend..." He chuckled.

"I have no worries on her Prom, that my Valkyrie has anything to fear from her Viking," he chuckled as the waiter arrived and they ordered their food. Astrid forced a smile on her face but a small flicker of uncertainty ran through her.

It's not Hiccup who's the problem. Drat Atali and her determination to cause trouble. I just hope she doesn't manage to spoil it for us.

oOo

The Saturday of the Prom dawned warm and sunny and the gang decided to meet up at Astrid's house to go together. Finn had volunteered to lay on limousines for them, using his contacts from his Production Company to secure the vehicles ahead of anyone else. Stoick and Gobber were also going to come over with Hiccup to take pictures, then spend the evening with Finn and Ingrid while their children went to their Prom.

Hiccup had confided in Astrid that he had come across Stoick almost in tears several times, holding pictures of his long-departed wife Valka and baby Hiccup-the precious few images he had of the whole family before Valka had left. Seeing the huge, powerful shape of his father had almost broken Hiccup's heart, because his father had always been stoic and constant...but his tears and sadness reminded the boy that things changed and as time passed, former certainties passed into memory. For Stoick, it was the realisation that his only child was almost grown and he knew that after Prom, there would be Graduation and then College. Hiccup would leave home and though his son would visit, the time he could realistically spend with his son was diminishing. And he bitterly regretted all those evenings and nights and days away, doing his job and providing everything for his son...except in that most precious and ephemeral of things, time together. Astrid had nodded and slipped her arm through his, for she had caught Ingrid staring at pictures of their family, when they were three and she guessed her Mom was thinking similar things.

But after a day spent lazing in the rare Berkian sunshine and an equal amount of time primping and preening, with visits to the hairdresser and manicures and makeup, Astrid finally pulled on the dress and carefully touched up her lipstick. The young woman facing her frowned but then she smoothed her features, her lips curling up in a smile. Her hair was braided from both temples and wound around an elegant low asymmetric bun. Her Mom's gold dress watch was round her wrist and a simple gold chain with a tiny diamond pendant that Hiccup had given her on her birthday three weeks earlier matched her simple gold earrings. Pale gold heels and clutch purse completed her ensemble and she glanced at the pictures of her parents by her bed.

"I hope you approve, Dad," she murmured and then she smiled. "I hope you're proud."

And then she headed downstairs. Her Mom was in the kitchen, fetching canapés and bustled out to see her descend...and then she burst into tears.

"That bad?" Astrid asked as Ingrid rested the plate on the table.

"Oh my darling...you look so beautiful!" she said, tears trickling down her face. "Ivan would be so proud..." Finn patted her on the shoulder and handed her a handkerchief.

"You look gorgeous, Asti," he said gently, a huge grin on his face. As Ingrid dabbed her eyes, Finn popped open a bottle of champagne and poured glasses for the three of them, with others on standby for Hiccup and his father and godfather. Ingrid's eyes widened and then she walked to the mantlepiece, retrieving an envelope with breathtakingly familiar writing and handing it to the girl.

"Mom?" Astrid asked, taking it gingerly as it would explode. Ingrid nodded.

"Your Dad wrote it when he knew he wouldn't see you at your Senior Prom," she explained, twisting her hands together. She gave a watery smile. "Open it."

Taking a shuddering breath, she carefully teased the envelope open and took out the card-an image of the sunrise over sea.

"Dad always loved sunrises and sunsets," she murmured.

"My brother was a secret poet and always saw then as moments of transition," Finn murmured, sipping his champagne to hide the roughness in his voice. "An ending and a beginning...but there will always be another day, another possibility..." Astrid opened the card and saw her father's writing, slightly scratchy because he had been weakened by drugs and the ravages of the cancer in his final few days.

My dear beloved daughter Astrid

I am sorry I am not with you in person but sometimes, the Norns throw us a lot in life that hardly seems fair. I never got to see you grow up into the wonderful, brave, smart, beautiful woman I know you will be. That you already are. But I am watching you-of that you can be certain and I know you will have achieved everything you set your mind to.

Today is the celebration of your school years, a way to spend time with your friends before the rush of the last few weeks of school graduation and then beyond. I remember spending my Prom with your Mom and thinking that I was the happiest and luckiest guy on Midgard. I still am. No matter what life throws at you, cherish the people you care for and those who care for you for those people are rare gems and a good friend lasts a lifetime.

I know your Mom and Finn will be there with you. They will support you when I couldn't and love you as well.

I am very proud of you, Astrid. And I will always love you. Cherish your family and friends and always give your best in everything you do. Be the little Valkyrie I raised and the amazing woman you are destined to be. And above all, be happy and hold onto those you love.

Loving you always - Dad xxx

Astrid hadn't realised she was crying until her Mom wrapped her arms around her and she clung to her mother, sniffing silently until she got her breathing under control. Then she pulled back, accepting the handkerchief that Finn offered in exchange for the card. His eyes swept over the words and retook a shuddering breath before handing it to Ingrid. She read the words then covered her mouth with her hand.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered but Astrid and Finn wrapped her in a hug.

"It's in the past," Finn murmured. "We are here now, as he wanted and I am here for you both as long as you want me."

"Forever," Astrid murmured, handing the hankie to her Mom. Then she dashed upstairs and grabbed her makeup bag, repairing the damage to her eyeshadow and smiled. Despite the tears, she felt lighter as she walked downstairs once more. Ingrid and Finn were murmuring but they both gave her another hug and handed her the champagne.

"To Astrid," Finn said clearly. "To the future. And to absent friends."

"Absent friends," Astrid murmured, glancing at the card, which was now on the mantlepiece. She smiled and was taking her first sip when the doorbell rang. Glancing through the window, Finn went to open it, to find Hiccup looked up into his eyes. The auburn haired teen grinned, offering his hand to Astrid's Uncle formally. Stoick and Gobber were hanging back with enormous grins plastered across their faces as Finn invited them in.

"Your date's here!" the film producer announced as Astrid rested her drink down and walked forward. Hiccup's eyes widened, taking in her dress and blushing slightly.

"Wow. You look amazing,' he stammered, grinning at her.

"Not too bad yourself," she replied, her gaze sweeping up and down. His lean shape was flattered by the classic tuxedo and dress pants, patent dress shoes on his feet. He wore an elegant white dress shirt, black bow tie and white and blue flower in his buttonhole. He blinked them offered Astrid an elegant white box.

"For you, Milady," he said, as she opened it to find a beautiful corsage matching his buttonhole. She smiled.

"You are so old-fashioned," she teased him as he blushed before she took his hand and pressed a tender kiss on his lips. "And I love it."

"That's my boy!" Stoick said in what he imagined was a whisper...but which people in the yard next door could probably have heard. Gobber clapped him on the shoulder.

"Aye-he's a credit to the old Haddock tradition," he announced. "O' course, this was never an issue at my Prom because..."

"GOBBER!" Stoick and Hiccup said in unison and the two-limbed mechanic glared at them as Astrid and Ingrid burst out laughing.

"Champagne?" Finn put in, offering them glasses of fizz and they willingly accepted, happily toasting the pair and wishing them a happy Prom. A plate of potato and shrimp croquettes managed to silence Gobber satisfactorily while Stoick shared stories with Ingrid and Finn and the young couple sipped their champagne.

"Do you think that Atali will cause trouble?" Astrid murmured, leaning close to Hiccup. He slid his arm around her slender waist.

"Don't worry," he murmured, patting his jacket. "I have the answer to any objection she could possibly raise in here." She frowned.

"Hiccup?" she murmured. He sighed.

"Astrid-I have admired your from afar and fallen in love with you," he told her. "You may be a Valkyrie but I would never let her hurt you again. So I have made sure the only person who will come out badly in any confrontation will be Atali...if she's stupid enough to try." The steel in his voice had her eyes widening and then she pressed a brief kiss onto his cheek.

"My hero," she murmured.

"Save that for the photos!" Finn called and the pair were manoeuvred to the staircase for a variety of pictures that Finn proved surprisingly adept at taking. Close-ups, full length shots...even shots with Stoick and Ingrid in...Finn made sure that there were enough pictures so that every precious memory was captured. But Hiccup's favourite was the image of Astrid, laughing genuinely as she held her champagne flute and glanced over at her boyfriend. Finn dutifully emailed the photos to them all and Hiccup checked his phone, making sure the battery was fully charged. Then he smiled as a text flashed up.

"The others are here," he announced.

"Including the twins?" Astrid checked. He grinned as the doorbell rang furiously.

"Definitely the twins!" Hiccup grinned as Astrid strode to the door. When she opened it, Ruff and Tuff ended up in a pile on the floor, having been trying to peek through the spy hole. Heather and Fishlegs-who were standing behind them-tried and failed not to laugh . Hiccup and Astrid helped them up and dusted them down before leading them in and introducing them to the adults. Ruff was dressed in a bright fuchsia knee length strapless gown with a full skirt and improbably high silver strappy heels. Her hair was piled in a huge mass of curls on top of her head, restrained by a tiara. Tuff was in a classic white tux and black dress pants, though he was wearing black trainers and a white dress shirt with a rainbow bow tie. Heather was elegant in a silver shimmering gown with capped sleeves and floor length fitted skirt. She worse a green and pink corsage that matched the pink carnation in Fishlegs's buttonhole. Uncomfortable in classic black tux, Fishlegs was grinning happily as he held Heather's hand as if she would vanish.

Soon, they were all sipping champagne, eating canapés and taking pictures. Tuff had promised to meet up with Justin at the door because he was worried that Atali would target him for helping Hiccup and Astrid. Dagur was heading straight there because he was going in a group with some of the Football team. He was still pining for Eret though he refused to admit it and Hiccup felt sorry for him that his affections seemed to be wasted on someone who wouldn't admit who he truly was...but then, that was his choice as well.

"You seem preoccupied, son," Stoick noted gently, moving to his side. Sighing, Hiccup looked up into his eyes.

"Did I ever tell you how grateful I am that you are my Dad?" he said as Stoick stared at him.

"I'm not the best Dad," he said. But his son turned to face him and looked up into his big face.

"Dad-you always did the best you could for me," he said, patting the huge man on his hand. "Mom left us both, remember? And you had to work. So you did the best you could. Did you make mistakes? Yes. But did you love me-and was I always certain of that? Yes as well." He smiled.

"I'm so proud of you," Stoick said."You were such a wee bairn, so fragile...but I could see how strong you are. And you never cried when your Mom left us. You just smiled and carried on. And look at you now-you're a smart, generous, decent man with good friends and a beautiful lass on your arm. I couldn't be more proud."

"Thanks, Dad," Hiccup said, handing his father a napkin to mop his eyes.

"Ah...I'm an old sentimental fool..." Stoick uttered gruffly as Gobber sniffed obviously. Finn slung his arms around their shoulders.

"I think it's time we let these young people go to the Prom before we drown them completely in tears," he said as the doorbell rang and Ingrid opened it to reveal three limousine drivers in peaked caps and full uniform. Ingrid kissed Astrid and then Hiccup as well.

"Look after my Astrid," she whispered as he nodded.

"I promise that nothing is going to stop her having the Prom she deserves," he said firmly and she smiled at his stern face.

"Thank you," she said as they turned to the limousines. Even though the twins, Heather and Fishlegs were not his relations, Finn had paid for all of the gang to travel by white stretch limousine to the Prom. As they sat back, Hiccup and Astrid shared a look.

"Do you think Finn took out insurance against damage and vandalism?" Astrid thought.

"Why do you ask...?" Hiccup began before his brain caught up. "The twins are alone and unsupervised in a limousine. Oh Thor...it'll be on fire when they arrive, won't it?"

"At the very least," Astrid sighed and then sat back, sipping the champagne that was waiting for them in the chiller. "Do you think Finn is trying to get us tipsy before we get there?"

"Well, the school doesn't have a license so they won't be serving any drink so we have to get it in before we arrive," Hiccup guessed. "I mean, we can drink at eighteen here anyway and but could you imagine the chaos if Eret, Thuggory and the Football Team were allowed to drink at the Prom?"

"Though they'll have been drinking before," Astrid reminded him as he groaned.

"Look-you and I are going to have a fabulous time, Milady-and Atali isn't about to ruin it for you!" Hiccup said determinedly. She twined her hand with his.

"Don't worry-I'll look after you," she whispered.

"And I'll look after you-that's how it works," he replied and kissed her. Then they peered forward, frowning.

"Is Tuff hanging out of the window?" Hiccup asked.

"No-it looks like he's climbing out of the window!" Astrid corrected him.

"Oh Thor..." Hiccup groaned.

oOo

School was lit up and decorated elegantly. There were streamers, tinsel and decorations everywhere and beautifully-dressed Seniors milling around, emerging from the limousines and heading for the Gym. Hiccup hurried out and then offered Astrid his hand, helping her out and kissing her hand.

"You sap," she grinned as Heather and Fishlegs emerged. Tuff did climb out of a window as Ruff clambered out of the other door, hanging onto a bottle of champagne for grim death. Tuff waved.

"Justin! My man!" he yelled and waved at the figure in the aquamarine tuxedo with rainbow bow tie and white carnation. "Looking sharp!" The other senior looked relieved and smiled at the others as they arrived.

"Well the good news is that all the senior teaching staff are here-including Miss Queen and Mr Grimborn," he said. "The bad news is that Atali herself is on the desk by the door. Her little fan club are sitting with her-including some Juniors."

"Outrageous," Ruff commented, swigging from her bottle.

"You'll have that taken off you when you get to the Gym," Heather pointed out.

"Then I'll just have to drink it all first," Ruff announced.

"Ruff-no one is getting alcohol poisoning before we even check in. Hide it under your skirt!" Astrid said sternly. "Everyone got his or her ticket?"

"Why do I feel like I'm on a school trip?" Fishlegs murmured.

"Bossy...much," Ruff grumbled. "She'll be asking if we've got a handkerchief and our lunch money next."

"I actually have a pac-a-mac in my pocket," Fishlegs volunteered timidly.

"But do you have a handkerchief?" Heather teased him as they walked along the Hallways.

"I have three!" Tuffnut offered, grinning wildly.

"Why three?" Fishlegs asked him, looking mildly perplexed. He made a pointed gesture with his eyes at his sister.

"Weird to think that in a few weeks, this will all be behind us," Heather murmured. "No more school. And we won't have to see certain people ever again."

"But until then..." Astrid commented as they arrived at the Gym door and faced a very smug Atali, who was checking tickets at the door. She allowed all the other through but held her hand up as Hiccup handed over his tickets.

"Where did you get these?" she demanded.

"From your committee," the auburn-haired teen told her amiably, his arm still linked with Astrid's. The others hadn't gone in yet, suspecting the former Queen Bee would cause trouble. Behind them, a queue was forming.

"You're lying!" Atali spat. "These are clearly fakes. You can't come in!"

A/N: Cliffhanger. I regret nothing