Disclaimer: Howl's Moving Castle belongs to the amazing Dianna Wynne Jones and tbe talented Hayao Miyazaki.
They had been sitting at the table for some time now, just pondering.
"Howl, dear, please stop fiddling with your hair. It's distracting me."
Howl threw up his hands in frustration. "It's no use, Sophie! We're never going to figure out a way to tell Markl!"
Sophie sighed. "What do you suggest we do then? Keep it a secret?"
"No, no, no…that would prove to be quite difficult," Howl chuckled.
Sophie was not amused. "Howl, I'm serious! I don't want Markl to feel left out."
"But Sophie, darling, I think you're failing to see that either way, there's a chance he will feel left out."
Sophie sighed again and rested her head in her hands in utter defeat. Howl rose from the table quickly, hoping to stifle a retort from his wife, but failed miserably.
"Howl Jenkins! Don't you dare leave this table until you offer up a viable plan!" Howl smiled. He knew Sophie could be feisty, but this was pushing it, and frankly, it was turning him on. Sophie gave up when she saw Howl's focus was drifting, but was surprised when he spoke.
"I think we should just tell him." And with that, Howl grabbed Sophie's hand and pulled her into him so he could hold her in a strong, but loving embrace. It was more difficult to do than he thought.
"Wait. Howl, wait! You mean we're going to tell him NOW?!" Sophie managed to blurt out as Howl raced down the stairs with her in tow.
"Yes," Howl stated simply.
"What?! Not now, Howl!" she yelled, in such a frenzy that she had failed to notice Markl's presence in the room.
"Not now what, mom?" he asked innocently. Howl gave Sophie an encouraging smile, and sighing, she finally gave in.
"Markl, I'm pregnant." Unexpectedly, at least to how Sophie had imagined it, Markl took the news well. Actually, that was an understatement. Markl was ecstatic, and as he jumped up and down with joy around the room, Sophie turned around to see Howl gazing at his wife and son with adoring eyes. It was at this moment that Sophie realized she had found the family she had always wanted.