*Month 1* April

All that night, Howl was obnoxiously helpful. He would do everything for Sophie. He cooked her dinner, cleared the plates, stood over while she read a book, and even carried her upstairs to the bedroom. Sophie was annoyed but she knew it was only him trying to help.

"Howl, you don't have to do this."

"Do what?" he said knowing the answer already.

"I can walk up the stairs Howl! You don't have to carry me." Howl could tell Sophie was annoyed so he set her down at the top of the stairs. He sighed. "I'm worried about you." She smiled. "Besides, the first few months are so crucial." Howl sternly said.

"And how do you know this?"

"From my sister. When she had Mai I learned some things. Anyway, shall we go to bed? You must be tired." He said smoothly. Sophie hated it when he was right, but she was tired. She had had so many things happen today and she was a bit overwhelmed. She gave him a pouty face and scowled into the bedroom.

Sophie woke up late in the night and ran downstairs to the bathroom to throw up in the toilet. All of the sudden, she felt very sick to her stomach. After a few minutes, she threw up again. Sophie figured that if she went back upstairs, she would probably come back down again so she stayed on the floor, clutching her stomach, and slowly fell asleep.

"Sophie?" Sophie slowly opened her eyes and saw a large shadow above her. The shadow bent down, it was Howl. "Hey, sleepy. Good morning, love." Sophie bolted straight up.

"What time is it? I've got to open the shop!" she began to jump up but Howl pushed her down.

"Don't worry. Michael is watching it. Why are you sleeping on the bathroom floor?" Howl brushed his hand across her face.

"I got sick in the night and I didn't want to go back up there so I just fell asleep." Sophie said quietly. She held her stomach and pushed Howl out of the way to throw up again. She slumped back on the floor. Howl looked at her with much sympathy.

Sophie spent the rest of the day in the bathroom. Howl could hear her agony from the kitchen while he read a book, which he couldn't concentrate on at all. He felt terrible and wished he could do something. He suddenly had an idea and rushed upstairs. He came down carrying a large stack of books about magic home remedies. He dropped all of the books on the table and started frantically flipping through the pages. Finally, he came across a spell for nausea. He read the recipe and quickly concocted the drink and ran to the bathroom. He knocked on the door.

"Hello?" he slowly opened the door and saw Sophie lying on her side on the bathroom floor. "Sophie, honey, I have something for you." Howl lay next to her face to face. Sophie saw some gooey blue liquid in the glass he was carrying. She made a disgusted face.

"What is that?"

"It's a magic remedy that I made for you. It cures nausea." Sophie scooted back.

"Oh no, no magic for me. I've had enough magic since the Witch of the Waste put that curse on me. I was just lucky I turned young again."

"Come on, Sophie. It's not toxic." Howl pleaded.

"It could turn our baby into a lizard or some other horrible creature!"

"I just want you to feel better." Howl put his arm on Sophie's.

"I'm fine Howl. This is all natural. My body is just getting situated."

"Ok, well I'll be in the kitchen if you change your mind." Howl stood up, closed the door and returned to his book.