By the time she returned, who should she see but—Howl.

"Did you have a nice stroll?" Howl just smiled and came in for a soft kiss.

"It was all right," Sophie admitted, blushing.

Howl's smile became knowing. "Who did you run into?" he asked, chuckling.

"Oh!" Sophie's eyes widened. "You remember Turnip, don't you?"

"That scarecrow that used to follow you around?" Howl nodded in acknowledgement.

"Well," Sophie continued, "come to find out, his name—the prince's name—is actually Justin, and he—"

"He—what…?" Howl prompted.

Instead of answering, Sophie grabbed Howl's hands and guided them to her bump. "Here," she whispered. "This should explain everything."

At first, Howl couldn't sense anything different, but suddenly, it was as if— His eyes widened at the realization. Was she really…?

"Sophie," he whispered, as tears welled in his eyes. "Are you—are we—"

"Yes," Sophie just grinned. "Howl, are you ready for the pitter-patter of little feet?"

"Sophie—you—you don't mean—"

"Yes," Sophie replied. "Howl, I'm having your baby."

Howl grinned from ear to ear as he threw his arms around Sophie. "Oh, Sophie, my girl," he whispered, "I feel as if I could walk on air—again." At this, Sophie blushed, remembering. Normally, such a feat would be impossible, but with Howl, she could do anything.

Sophie, resting in the safety of her husband's embrace, looked into his big blue eyes, from which tears were softly falling. "I love you, Howl," she whispered.

Howl just held her closer than ever. "Oh, Sophie," he whispered back. "Not a day goes by that I don't love you." One hand slipped to her growing belly, and he kissed her forehead.

In the months to come, Sophie's belly grew—but then again, so did Howl's love for her. Then one day, she truly felt as if she would pop any minute. Gingerly, Howl picked her up and carried her to their bedroom. Propping her up, he fluffed her pillow and kissed her hand. "Are you comfortable, my love?"

Sophie smiled weakly. "Yes," she whispered. "I—"

Suddenly, the first wave of contractions hit. As Sophie moaned in pain, Howl called downstairs. "Markl! Find the doctor—as quickly as you can!"

Downstairs, Markl nodded in understanding and ran off. In a matter of minutes, they were back—with some additional company, for on the way, he had also found Fanny Hatter, Sophie's stepmother, and her sister Lettie.

Understandably, Howl was firmly ushered out the door. As he waited, he pondered what sort of spell to use to produce gifts for his beloved Sophie. Well, he reasoned, he probably ought to wait until their new son or daughter was born.

Just when he couldn't take any more, the door opened. He could just hear the cry of a newborn!

"Howl?"

He turned anxiously to see Fanny step out.

Tears filled her eyes as she took his hand. "Congratulations, Howl—it's a girl."

A girl! If she was half as beautiful as his love, as his Sophie—

Now that the coast was clear, he stepped inside. "Hello?"

Sophie was still breathing heavily from her ordeal, but when she heard Howl's voice, she cracked the slightest hint of a smile. She reached out her hand, only to have Howl fill the gap between them and take it. "She—she's so beautiful," she gasped.

"I have no doubt," Howl smiled gently upon her and kissed her forehead, "considering who her mother is."

Just as their little girl was returned to them, another voice made itself known. "Hello? Anyone home?"

Sophie knew that voice well—almost as well as she knew those of her blended "family." "Justin? Is—is that you?"

At that, Justin stepped in. "I couldn't help overhearing," he smiled, approaching. "Congratulations to you both." Out of nowhere, he produced the softest, fluffiest baby blanket anyone had ever seen, in a light shade of pink.

"Oh, Justin," Sophie whispered, as Howl helped her fold it to their daughter's size and wrapped it around her. "Thank you—thank you so much. You always did know just what we needed."

"Only the best for you and—" Justin paused awkwardly, a name having not been revealed.

Howl smiled gently upon their daughter. "Millicent," he whispered, looking to Sophie for approval.

But Sophie, having eyes only for their new arrival, just smiled and nodded. "Yes," she whispered herself, "Millicent."

At that, little Millicent opened her eyes. They were a deep blue, like her father's—and her head was already sporting a light fuzz of silver, like her mother's.

"Millicent," Justin whispered, reaching out to stroke her tenderly. "Welcome to the world, little one."

"Thank you for coming, Justin." Sophie smiled, the happy tears still flowing. There was only one thing to do. Turning back to Howl, she looked at him as if to say, "Should we…?" Knowing what was on her mind, he just smiled as if to say, "It's up to you."

That settled it. Turning back to Justin, she looked at him and shyly asked, "Justin—would—would you mind being Millicent's godfather?"

Now it was Justin's eyes that widened, as the reality of the offer sank in. "Sophie," he whispered, "I—I don't know what to say."

"Just say 'yes,'" Sophie laughed. "It's the least we can do to thank you for all your help."

One look in those soft blue eyes, and Justin was sold. "Well, Millicent," he whispered, "looks like you just got yourself a godfather."

And so it was that when everyone gathered for christening, an extra person stood proudly on Sophie's left. It was Justin, who still felt so blessed to stand for the little girl who won his heart. And of course, Sophie and Howl vowed to set an extra place at their table anytime he happened to be in the area. Yes, love flourished in the castle, even for those who, like Sophie so long ago, happened to stumble upon it!