Everything was perfect in Sophie's life, nice floating castle, annoying kid that can grow a beard in less than a second, old lady that turned her into an old lady herself, a dog that looks to have chicken legs and a great wizard boyfriend. After the war went, Howl became more cheerful, he didn't have to keep disappearing through the door when it was set to black and come back in pain, the curse was lifted. As for Sophie, her hair was still silver but it was growing, she thought it looked better but she still wishes to have her normal hair back.

Most of the time Howl always finds her in his secret garden reading a book, he tries to sneak up on her but she always catches him out. Lately Howl has been acting weird though, he's always off in his dream world and seems to be avoiding Sophie, what is with him. Sophie was just down stairs making breakfast as everyone came down, everyone except Howl, "where is Howl?" she said, everyone shrugged,

"you know Sophie, Howl is having a really tough time at the moment, just give him some space" said Calcifer, she looked at him shocked,

"space? He's had that for a month now, for the first week I understood, and well now...now I'm confused". Calcifer just sighed and shouted,

"HOWL, GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW, YOU HAVE AN EXPLANATION TO MAKE", Sophie ran to Calcifer and got a bucket of water,

"shut up or I'll pour this on you" he looked at Sophie in fear,

"no you won't" called a voice from the corner. It was Howl, but he didn't make eye contact with Sophie, not once, he just ate his breakfast in silence then went upstairs, he never showed a single facial expression. Sophie was doing the washing up as she thought of why he was acting like this, but she had had enough, two could play at this game. When she finished she went to her room and locked the door, she didn't care if she starved to death, she was staying in that room until Howl came and got her.

She spent most of her day in there, Markl a few times called for her, but she didn't answer, she felt like crying a few times but nothing can out, "Sophie, please come out, I know you are upset about Howl avoiding you, but believe me when I say that he doesn't mean to hurt you, he loves you with all his heart, now that it is back in him, but he really does" said Markl. She still said nothing and heard a sigh come from Markl, "fine, I'll be here if you need me, ok" and he walked off, was he telling the truth about Howl loving her with his whole heart or was it something to make her feel better, what ever it was she didn't know. Sophie spent the rest of the day tidying her room, staring out the window and braiding her hair, every time she thought of Howl she felt her heart smash into tiny pieces, she was on the floor also. She heard foot steps coming towards the door and heard a knock,

"Sophie, I brought you some food, it won't be as good as your cooking but it will work" said Markl, she stayed silent still, "Sophie, please don't starve yourself, I love you to much for you to starve to death, your like a sister to me" still nothing. Now Markl was getting angry, he left the food by the door and went upstairs to Howl's room,

"ALRIGHT MR GRUMPY, YOU OPEN UP RIGHT NOW" shouted Markl, he heard noises coming from the room walking towards the door, it opened and Howl peered out confused.

"What's wrong Markl?" he said, Markl's face went red with angry,

"I'll tell you what's wrong, you have just broken the heart of the girl you love, she won't show herself, speak or even eat, she's locked herself in her room since breakfast" Howl looked down sadly, but in a way like he knew this would happen, he looked up and gestured Markl to come in side. Markl followed and shut the door behind him,

"I want to show you the reason why I am avoiding her" said Howl, Markl nodded, "you have to promise not to tell Sophie, got it?" he nodded. Howls hand went under his pillow and pulled out a small box, Markl gasped, "I've been to cowardly to ask her, so I have been distancing myself from her to think of a way, but now I think she hates me" he opened the box to reveal a diamond ring.

"You are useless Howl, I won't tell her, but let's just say I don't think she'll be round much longer if you don't spill the beans soon" said Markl, Howl nodded and put the box back into its rightful place, but Markl wasn't done, he grabbed Howls collar and pulled him down to eye height, "oh, and if you hurt Sophie again, I'm coming after you". Howl just smiled and used magic to make Markl march out off the room, he laughed a bit but then turned to his pillow where the ring lay under it. He grabbed it again and looked at it, took a deep breath and walked down stairs.

Sophie was still in her room, she was starving but chose to ignore her moaning stomach, she just laid in bed with a book that she never liked. She again heard footsteps come to her door, she knew it would be Markl, so continued reading, "Sophie, are you in there?" called a familiar voice, this time it wasn't Markl, it was Howl, she still chose to ignore, "look, I'm sorry for avoiding you, it's just a lot of things are on my mind at the moment and I never wished to hurt you, believe me Sophie when I say that you are the greatest thing that has ever happened to". That was when she put her book down to listen some more, "it was heart breaking to ignore you for this past month, but I felt it would be worth while, I knew this would happen to you but I just continued on anyway, please Sophie...let me in",

she thought about it for a few seconds but eventually got off her bed and put her hand on her door, "I can feel you hand on the door Sophie, please I'm begging you, ok if you don't want to do this for me, do this for Markl" he said. Her hand moved down to the lock, Howl heard her unlock the door and he slowly opened it to find a red eyed Sophie, he looked down at her with sad eyes to know that she had been crying, he put his arms out to hold her but she moved away.

"What do you want, finally had the guts to talk to me" she said angrily, she moved her hand up to slap him but put it down, "it's not worth it". She feel to the floor and curled up into a ball, he went onto his knees

"I'm really sorry Sophie, for everything I have done to hurt you" he closed the door and locked it, she looked at him with shocked eyes,

"why did you lock the door?"

"because I don't what you running away" he leaned in towards her until they were an inch from each other, he could see she was beginning to build up tears. She leaned forward and hugged him tight, crying into his shirt, he held her tight, not wanting to let her go and kissed her beautiful silver hair. She continued to cry of about an hour but Howl didn't mind, he did this to her now he was going to fix it, he grabbed her shoulders and pushed her away to face him, she looked at him and he leaned in again and softly planted kisses on her lips. She was shocked for she hadn't felt that feeling in a month but eventually closed her eyes and put her arms round his neck. They continued to kiss until they really needed to breathe and pushed away, Howl could still see she looked sad,

"why now Howl?" she whispered, he looked confused, "it has been a month, I was fine for the first week and I gave you some space, but after a month, now I just feel broken, why now?". He looked down to his pocket and took a deep breathe,

"because I have been meaning ask you something that could change your life entirely" he said, she looked up,

"what?"

"...will you marry me Sophie Hatter"

She gasped

Oooooohhhhh, don't worry, it will get much better, maybe not in the next chapter but it will be a good story