The Turnip Prince Returns!
Sophie and Howl were finally settling down. There weren't any wars going on, no evil witches after him, and no strange walking (or hopping rather) turnip headed princes. Or at least Howl thought…
It had been about two months since Howl first met Sophie… and about one since he asked her to marry him. It was a marvelous scene. He set up dinner, made Calcifer make all the lights dim, and even dressed up. His only regret was telling Calcifer he was going to pop the question that night. Let's just say Howl was leading up to it… making sure all his words were just right… and Calcifer decided he was taking too long and told Sophie for him.
Cal has never seen so much work in his entire existence…
It all started on a rather peaceful day. Sophie was sitting in her little corner making wedding plans. Howl looked carefully over her shoulder hoping not to disturb her.
"Howl? What now?" Sophie inquired.
"What?! I didn't say anything! I'm just looking to see what you're working on that's all," He said quickly.
"Yeah… last time you were 'just looking' you made ten different changes to things I had already set up…," she replied. Howl just stood there rather guiltily. That was true… Howl had a fashion sense rivaling that of any high designer, so of course he had to make a little input… ok some… ok a lot…
"Anyway!" Howl tried desperately to change the subject, "When were we going to meet with the minister you knew?"
"Oh yes," Sophie said, "That's this afternoon! Oh I can't wait to see him again. I haven't seen him since…well… since I was little." Sophie smiled for a moment. She remembered her mother taking her and Letty to church the occasional Sunday with her father when he was still alive. Afterwards they would have a picnic lunch right outside of town.
Howl noticed her nostalgic look and had to comment, "So what are you thinking about?"
"Younger days…," she replied serenely.
When afternoon finally rolled around, they exited one of their new doors and headed toward the church. Upon arriving there Sophie spotted an old man sweeping the steps in front of the church and Sophie automatically recognized who it was.
"Father David!" She yelled happily.
The old Father turned around to see the young girl running to him. It took him a moment but he finally recognized who she was.
"Sophie Hatter!" He smiled as she hugged him, "I haven't seen you in ages my dear!"
"I know it's been while," she said back.
"Your hair! It looks… stunning my child," Father David commented.
"Thank you."
"How's your sister, Letty?"
"Oh she's doing just fine!"
"And your mother?"
This conversation went on and on to Howl. Some of the names he recognized from things Sophie had told him. Other's he just had no clue. He decided to go ahead and speed things along. He coughed loudly enough for Sophie to turn around and remember the original reason why she came.
"Oh yes Father," Sophie remembered. She gently pulled Howl next to her and smiled sweetly, "The real reason why I came was I wanted to ask you if you'd be so kind as to marry us?"
The sweet Father smiled, "Of course I would love to! Please won't you come in?"
They went into the church and the Father had to ask them a few questions. This was standard procedure for anyone who wished to get married. The Father needs to know the reasons before he lets just anyone get married. They answered all his questions and the Father saw they were all good.
"I will marry both of you," The Father announced, "Your reasons are good and I see you are both deeply in love," He smiled at them both and smiled back.
"Thank you, sir," Howl said gratefully to the Father. He didn't know too many people who'd want to marry Howl the wizard, but Father David did not seem to mind.
"You are welcome," the Father said in return, "So Sophie Hatter, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" he said jokingly pretending it was the wedding day.
"I do!" Sophie said standing up next to Howl.
"And Howl Penndragon, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?" He continued.
"I do," Howl said smiling.
"Then does anyone have any reason why these two should not be wed-"
"SOPHIE!"
Howl and Sophie both turned to see a familiar face…