*Month 9* December
"I can't do this." Sophie said nervously when Charlene answered her door, who looked very surprised.
"What's the matter?" Cheyenne let Sophie in the house and out of the cold.
"I don't think I can do this." Sophie paced the room.
"Aww...honey. Come sit down and tell me what happened to ya'."
"No, I can't sit. I'll never get up. Besides, I'm too jittery." She gazed out the window and suddenly felt tears fall down her face. She tasted salt on her whimpering lips. Sophie turned around to get a tissue.
"Oh, honey!" Cheyenne said sympathetically. She walked over and held Sophie in her arms, though it was a bit difficult for her. They hugged for what seemed like a very long time. Finally, Charlene pulled away and looked Sophie in the eye.
"Do you want a sandwich? I have them already made up." Sophie nodded slightly.
"Alright, I'll go get them. Then we can talk." Cheyenne calmed Sophie down a bit and gave her a sandwich, which Sophie nibbled on while she sat on the couch.
"Tell me what's on your mind."
"I'm just worried that I won't be a good parent. I'm not sure I can handle this."
"Are you kiddin'? You are the nicest person I know. You've got wits like no one else and you're brave and confident. You'll be a great mother."
"I just don't know. Thank you, though. Raising a family is a tough job."
"You've already got Michael."
"Yes, I know but he's practically grown! He already knows his rights from wrongs and he has common sense. A baby knows nothing! Nothing." Sophie looked at her stomach. "I'm just scared." Charlene stood up.
"Sophie, I don't want to hear this from you. You don't see it yourself, but you're mother material. There's no doubt about it. Sure it will be scary at first- everything is-but once you get used to it, you'll be more than great."
"You really think so? Thank you, Charlene. That really means a lot."
"Sure thing." They hugged once more and talked for a bit; they hadn't talked in a very long time.
"So, Sophie, do you want a little boy, or a little girl?" Sophie leaned back and looked at the ceiling.
"It doesn't matter. I'd like either." She closed her eyes. There was silence for a moment. Then Sophie suddenly squealed and opened her eyes. "I just felt another kick! Here, do you want to feel?"
"Sure!" Charlene held out her hand and placed it on Sophie's stomach. After a little while, she felt something. "Oh, there it is!"She laughed. "Sophie, you're so lucky. I'd love to be pregnant. It just seems like such a joy!"
"Sometimes..." Sophie laughed. "No, I do love it, but sometimes I miss being able to pick something up when I drop it onto the floor."
"What time is it…Oh! I'm sorry Sophie. I've got to get going. I've got a date." Charlene said a little shyly.
"Oh, Charlene! I'm so glad. You deserve a great guy. What's his name?" Sophie asked as she put her things together to leave.
"His name is Robert Galnor." Charlene shouted from the closet as she put on her coat. "He's very handsome and such a sweetheart too." Sophie smiled and followed Charlene outside.
"Well, have a good time. The next time you see me I might not be pregnant anymore." Sophie hugged her tightly and started off to Market Chipping. When she arrived home, she walked upstairs. Light afternoon sunshine shone through the delicate yellow curtain and into the quiet room while Sophie slowly rocked in a rocking chair. She smiled and patted her stomach. "Just a few more weeks now…" Landing on the window sill, a small blue bird started singing. Sophie whistled along, while rocking. She stood up and walked over to the crib she that Howl had brought home a few months earlier. It was a dark mahogany crib that belonged to a friend of Howl's. Sophie liked it very much because it had a wonderful leaf pattern on the headboard. She sighed to herself wondering if the baby would like it, even wondering if the baby would like her. 'Maybe my dreams will tell me otherwise.' She thought. Sophie went over to the rocking chair and slowly rocked both her and the baby to sleep, hoping her mood would change when she awoke.
It was Tuesday morning and Michael had gone off to work, which left Howl and Sophie at home. Sophie groaned as she came down the stairway. Howl was sitting at the kitchen table reading.
"What's the matter?"He called to her.
Sophie plopped herself down on the couch. "I'm too big. I can hardly stand that the baby is going to grow even more." She groaned once more and started rubbing her stretched stomach. Howl walked over and joined her on the couch.
"I know, but you've got a baby in there!" he said as he put his head against her middle. She smiled and patted her stomach.
"Yes," she said a little uneasy. "I just feel like a big, blubbery whale." She lied on her side while Howl sat next to her still reading his book. She turned over to the other side. After a few minutes, she sat up, the lied back down again.
Howl chuckled. "What's wrong Sophie? You're as antsy as puppy."
Sophie groaned and sat back up. "Every time I sit or stand or walk or even bend I'm uncomfortable." She leaned on Howl's shoulder then, sat back up again. Howl laughed and put his arm around her.
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Help me up off of the sofa." Howl nodded and pulled her up off of the sofa. He held her hand while Sophie caught her breath.
"Who knew I'd ever be so breathless getting off of the sofa." She then walked to the kitchen and got a glass of water. "The doctor said I needed fluids and exercise. So, here I am drinking water and walking." She said sarcastically.
"Well, you're in a nice mood." Howl huffed. He was expecting a smirk remark but instead he heard a sniffle. He looked back to see that Sophie had burst into tears.
"Oh, Sophie, honey, I didn't mean it like that." He reached for her but she backed away.
"I'm going upstairs." She whimpered a sigh and very slowly walked up one step. "No, I'm not." She huffed and started sobbing as she sat down on the floor. Howl walked over and sat with her. He leaned in to hug her and this time she practically fell into his arms.
On an early January mid-morning, Sophie was sleeping when she suddenly woke up from back pain. She rubbed her back, but it went away in a short while so she didn't worry. About ten minutes later she had the same feeling again. "Maybe if I walk around a bit it will go away." She thought to herself. Sophie dragged herself out of bed and into the hallway. She paced back-and-forth for a bit, but then decided to get a glass of water. At the top of the stairs however, she experienced an enormous pinching sensation in her abdomen and lower back. She yelled from the top of the staircase, "Howl!" There was no answer. "Howl?" she paused. "Michael?" Still no answer. She slowly walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. She then looked around and saw no one but sleeping Calcifer in the hearth. Then she saw a note on the table.
Sophie, darling,
As Royal Wizard, it is my duty to be at the King's command whenever he is in need of magical assistance. It is dreadful that I have to leave, but I must. I will only be gone a short while today and if you need anything, Michael is picking flowers for the shop. I'm sure you'll find him somewhere. Well, I'll see you when I get home. I love you.
Howl
"I suppose that's what you get when your husband is the Royal Wizard." She said quietly to herself as to not wake Calcifer. She waddled over to the door, flipped the switch to green and opened the door. Sophie stuck out her head, but she saw no sign of Michael anywhere. She reached behind her and took her coat off of the hook on the wall and put it on. Just as she was about to step outside and look for Michael, she felt a very intense, sharp pain. She held onto the door frame to keep her balance. "I don't think I'll go look for him after all. I need to sit down!" She said to herself. A strong gust of wind suddenly blew through the house and slammed the door shut. This woke up Calcifer who slowly opened his eyes and yawned. "Calcifer, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." She looked at his tired face. He hadn't been sleeping much because late at night when Sophie couldn't sleep, he would always stay up and talk with her. This happened quite often because Sophie thought it was very hard to sleep with a 25 pound weight on your stomach.
"It's alright. I've rested enough." He stretched his arms out to the furthest lengths he could. Then he glanced over to Sophie, pacing back and forth, who had her hands on her back and a look of discomfort on her face.
"Sophie? Is everything alright?"
"Well…uh…." Sophie leaned forward and felt a very unusual feeling when a splash of water sounded the entire room. Sophie and Calcifer, stunned, looked at each other in disbelief. Sophie swallowed hard.
"Sophie?" Calcifer said nervously. "Is that what I think it is?"
"Yes, Calcifer. My water just broke and now I'm in labor." She walked over and sat in the chair next to Calcifer, not even bothering to take off her coat.
"Where is Howl?"
"He is at the palace with the King."
"And Michael?"
"He's out picking flowers for the shop. I don't know when either of them will be back."
"This is terrible! You're in labor and we can't even contact them!"
"Yes, I know Calcifer." Sophie gripped the handle as a slight contraction passed. "The only thing we can do now is wait."
They waited about a half an hour in which Sophie had a few more low pressure contractions. Calcifer coached her through them as best as he could. Finally, Michael walked through the door.
"La, la, la honey!" he sang. Michael set the big bunch of flowers he was holding on the floor and started to take his coat off. Just as he looked up, he saw Sophie sitting next to the fireplace.
"Oh, hi Sophie!" he smiled. Sophie could only squeeze the word "Michael" out-she was having a contraction. Michael hung up his coat and picked the flowers off of the floor. Sophie motioned him to come her way. He walked over and gave her a flower and a kiss on the cheek. She smiled and whispered, "Thank you." Michael started to walk off, but Sophie softly said, "Wait." He turned around. "Michael, can you do me a favor and go get Howl. I'm in labor." She started to breathe faster and squeezed the chair arm.
"Of course I will!" he dropped all of the flowers in his hand, grabbed his coat and ran out of the door. He ran back into the house, switched the dial, and ran back out again.
Michael ran all the way to the palace, which was two miles in distance. He huffed and puffed past the dress shop, market place, bakery, fish shop, and all of the other stores in the town. When he finally reached the royal gate, he stopped to tie his shoe, but then continued to keep running down the fifty-foot red carpet that led to the two hundred steps up to the palace entrance. He heaved as he ran down the carpet and dragged himself up the stairs. When he reached the top, a gentleman was there to greet him.
"Hello there, sir! Welcome to the palace! What might your business be here today?"
"I'm…here to…see…Wizard Howl. It's an…emergency." Michael gushed as he caught his breath.
"And you are you?"
"I'm his apprentice."
"Alright, then. Right this way." The gentleman took him through many hallways, numbers of staircases, and countless rooms. At last they reached the room where Howl and the King were.
"Wait here a moment, please." The gentleman told Michael, and then went up to the King to deliver the message. "Excuse me, your majesty, but Mr. Howl has a visitor. He says it's an emergency."
"Oh, very well then, Mr. Howl?" the King responded as he gestured towards Michael. Howl walked over to Michael and quietly asked, "Michael, what's going on?"
"Howl, Sophie asked me to come get you because she's having the baby!" Michael exclaimed in a low voice.
"She's what? Alright. I'll take care of this." Howl calmly walked over to the King. "Your majesty if I may say something, I know it's my royal duty to stay here and assist you, but if I may ask you just this once to leave early because I've just found out that my wife is in labor and about to give birth to our child."
"Your child eh? Well it seems that congratulations are in order!" The King patted Howl on the back.
"Thank you, sir!" Howl said happily.
"Yes, my dear boy, go, go!" The King snapped his fingers and pointed to a servant beside a table. "You, there! Go fetch a carriage so these two gentlemen can ride it back to their house and not in the snow!" he chuckled.
"Yes, sir!" The servant replied. Howl, Michael, and the King made their way to the front of the palace and up to the carriage.
"Goodbye! Thank you so much your majesty!" Howl said as he bowed before the King.
"No worries! Good luck!" Howl and Michael jumped in the carriage and quickly rode to Sophie.
"Oh! Where are Howl and Michael?" Sophie grimaced in pain. "I need them here!" She tried to sit up straight. A cold wind blew through the house as Howl and Michael returned home.
"Oh, Howl there you are!" Sophie exclaimed with a sigh of relief.
"Sophie!" Howl leapt toward her and knelt beside the chair she was sitting in, leaving Michael to close the door. "Are you alright? I was very surprised to hear it from Michael at the castle that you were in labor." He said stunned.
"Was the King mad? This is such terrible timing. I'll send him a letter and apologize."
"No need, Sophie. It's not your fault Sophie. In fact, I think he was more excited than I was!" They both laughed. Sophie had another contraction and gripped the arm on her chair. "Here, hold my hand." Howl said smoothly and calmly.
"Thank you." She said as she took his hand. Howl looked over at the fireplace and saw Calcifer crouching down.
"What's the matter, Calcifer?"
"Well…I'm just worried about Sophie. I want her to be well."
"She's going to be fine." Howl smiled at Calcifer then Sophie. "Sophie, dear, why don't you lie down on the sofa while I call the doctor?"
"Okay." He helped her up out of her chair and then carefully set her down; she propped her head up with a pillow. Michael walked over to her.
"Sophie?"
"Yes, Michael?"
"I…I just…wanted to say good luck." He said shyly.
"Thank you, Michael." She held his hand and motioned for him to come down to her level. Then, she kissed him on the cheek.
"I can't get through to the doctor!" Howl said roughly. It's because of this bloody snow!" He stomped over to the closet, slammed the door open, pulled something out, and then, slammed the door shut. "I'm going there myself with the seven league boots."
After about a half an hour, Howl returned with Doctor Ambrose.
"Hello, hello!" Doctor Ambrose said as he stepped into the house. "Why hello Sophie! You look about ready to give birth."
Sophie faintly smiled.
"Let me just set my things up and we'll get started." Howl satyed with Sophie while Doctor Ambrose went into the kitchen. He set his medical bag on table and started taking out his instruments. He saw a set of glasses and a pitcher filled with a light yellow liquid on the table. He felt dehydrated from the trip and poured himself a glass. Gulping it down he started to feel slowly woozy. He set the glass down and fell straight to the floor. Howl heard a loud thump from the living room and told Sophie he would be back. Walking into the kitchen, he saw Doctor Ambrose face down on the floor.
"Oh no!" Howl rushed toward him. "Doctor Ambrose?" He looked around. "Bloody hell! He drank my sleeping potion! He'll be knocked out for at least 6 hours." Michael came racing down the stairs when Howl started cursing under his breath. Sophie yelled from the sofa, "I can't wait much longer, Howl!" Howl walked over to Sophie and explained what happened.
"Howl! This is your fault! Why did you leave that on the table?" She yelled.
"Me? This is my fault? I have asked you many times to clean out the cupboard in the hallway because I need the space! But did you do it? No!" Howl yelled back. "So now I have potions all over the house and I'm so very unorganized."
"When have you ever been organized? I pick up after you and Michael day after day! I'm sick of it!" Sophie screamed through another painful contraction. Michael and Calcifer looked at each other uncomfortably.
"Oh yea? If I'm so unorganized, then why the hell did you marry me?" Howl waved his arms and starred at Sophie with anger behind his eyes.
"Because…I love you, you idiot!" She yelled back and began to whimper because of the pain. Howl was about to yell something back, but he realized what Sophie had just said. He walked over and kneeled next to Sophie.
"Oh, Sophie I'm-."
"I know Howl. Now what are we going to do?" She took a pillow and held it tightly against her. Howl looked at her sweet, but tired face. He cupped his hand on the side of her head. "Everything's going to be fine darling." He boldly stood up and went over to the sink to fill a big pot of water, but first put Doctor Ambrose on a bench in the kitchen. "Michael, go get me some towels and a clean knife."
"Right away!" Michael dashed upstairs.
"I'm going to boil some water." Howl walked over to Calcifer. "Calcifer, be prepared to be as hot as you can be."
"Yes, sir!" He said as he grew twice in size. Howl put the pot of water on Calcifer and went over to Sophie who was wincing on the couch.
"Sophie, dear, do you need anything?"
"Can you help me up? I'd like to walk around."
"Sure. How are you feeling?" he slowly scooped her up and walked around the room with her.
"I'm alright I suppose…"
"Don't worry. I'll take care of you." He kissed her forehead. Michael came running down the stairs shouting, "Here are the supplies."Then he rushed over to Howl and handed them over.
"Thank you. Can you put them on the living room table for me?"Michael nodded and set them down. Then, he sat on the fire hearth next to Calcifer. Meanwhile, Sophie held onto Howl and pressed herself against his body. She would tighten her grip at a contraction and he would pull her in closer. He wrapped his arms around her and put his chin on the top of her head.
"Uhhh…" Sophie groaned loudly. Howl rubbed the side of her stomach.
"Just think," He said in a whisper that only she could hear, "Our baby will be here soon and this will be all over." Sophie smiled in delight and pulled Howl tighter. Looking across the room, Howl looked at the clock. He couldn't believe it, but it was already 6 o'clock. Sophie pulled away from Howl and said that she was going to the sofa. Howl led her and then sat down next to Michael on the hearth.
"Stop looking at me, both of you. It's making me uncomfortable." Sophie said to both Michael and Howl, who were staring at her intuitively as if she were about to blow up like a bomb.
"Sorry." Howl stood up and went to the kitchen. He got a few pieces of bread and cheese and took them back to the living room. "Here, no one ate dinner today. And you," He looked at Sophie, "Need to keep your strength up." Sophie made a face and ate in an abominate way. Sophie tightened up again and started to breath faster. "It feels really tight!" She exclaimed as well as some other short quick breaths. Michael looked at her with sympathetic pains.
"Oooh Howl I can feel the baby coming! I think this is it!" She leaned back and gasped.
"Ok wait a minute!" He stood in front of her and faced Michael. "Michael, seeing as that you're only 16, I'd like you to wait over there." Howl pointed to a chair a few feet away in the kitchen facing the back of the sofa. Michael was actually kind of glad. He cared for Sophie, but now he didn't have to look at her, only hear her. And boy did he hear a lot. Sophie propped herself up on the sofa and spread her legs apart. Howl was on his knees on the ground looking up at her. Howl spread a towel beneath her and he had one in his hands.
"Howl, I'm bearing down!"
"Wait, Sophie, should you?" He gasped and suddenly said, "Yes do it! I think I can see part of the baby's head!" Sophie endured another contraction and began pushing. Every few minutes Michael heard Sophie wail and even louder he heard Howl yell, "Push!" to her.
"Come on, Sophie! The head's almost out." She continued to push and finally Howl said something pleasing. "The head is out!" He wiped the baby's mouth and eyes and soon they heard a baby's cry in a crescendo of volume. Sophie smiled as she kept pushing. "Now, push the rest of the baby out!" Howl exclaimed excitedly. Sophie tightened her body and beared down with all of the force she had left in her body. After the baby's shoulders were out, Howl slowly helped pull out the rest of the baby.
"Oh, Sophie! She's beautiful!" he exclaimed with a light in his eyes.
"She?" Sophie asked as Howl handed the baby to her.
"Yes, we have a darling daughter." He smiled gratefully at the two of them. "Sophie, we should cut the cord." She put down the baby and let Howl tie off and cut the cord. Sophie leaned back and calmed herself down. She felt another slight pain and realized it was the afterbirth. She squeezed it out and tapped Howl on the shoulder. He stood up to get a bowl from the kitchen. He noticed Michael in the kitchen who looked sick to him stomach. "We're almost ready."
Howl put the afterbirth in the bowl. "Yuck." He said looking at it repulsively. Howl then handed Sophie the baby wrapped in a nearby green blanket.
"Howl! She looks just like you!" Sophie began to cry.
"Sophie, honey, what's wrong?" Howl looked at her sympathetically.
"I'm so grateful. You saved us both. How can I ever repay you?"
"You already did. You gave birth to our wonderful daughter."
"Howl I love you." Howl then kissed Sophie's forehead.
"I love you so much." He replied. "Michael!"
"Yeah?"
"You can come see us now."
Michael came in covering his eyes. "Are you sure because I heard a lot of yelling and-."
"Yes, Michael." Sophie said calmly. Michael took his hand away and saw that Howl had joined Sophie on the sofa and the new baby in his arms.
"Meet your new sister."
"What's her name?"
"Oh, actually we haven't decided yet." She looked at Howl who was admiring the baby.
"How about Amelia?" Michael suggested.
"Amelia. I like it. Howl?"
"Amelia it is."
"Hi Amelia, I'm your big brother, Michael." He grinned as Amelia reached out her arm and touched his nose. "Hey let's go show the whole town my new sister!"
"We would love to Michael, but Sophie needs some rest and I'd like to stay with her. But you can go tell Martha she has a new niece."
"Ok!" Michael jumped at the idea and before they knew it, he was out the door. Sophie and Howl laughed and sat with each other and admired Amelia. Soon enough, Michael had brought home Martha who squealed over Sophie and Amelia.
"Oh, she is adorable Sophie!"
"She is." Sophie smiled.
"Howl, can I ask you something?" Michael asked quietly.
"Sure Michael. What is it?" Michael motioned his hand and they both walked to the other side of the room.
"Um…well…were all of those screams that Sophie voiced…pain?"
"Yes, they were. Childbirth is very painful. Why do you ask?"
"I just wanted to make sure she was alright." Michael said shocked. "I'm just glad it wasn't me."
"Me too, Michael, me too." Howl nodded as they both starred at Sophie, who then said, "Are you two ok? You both look a little pale."
"Oh, don't mind us darling." Howl recovered and said happily.
"That reminds me, Michael. I folded your laundry and it's on your bed and I thought you and Martha could go on a picnic tomorrow. I packed your lunch, it's in the icebox."
"Oh Sophie, what a lovely idea!" Martha exclaimed.
"Wow Howl, Sophie is amazing." Michael said then looked at Howl.
"I know Michael. That's why I married her." He smiled to himself and walked over to Sophie and sat with her.
Michael said goodbye to Martha and went upstairs to his room, leaving Howl and Sophie to sleep the rest of the night with their new baby.
The End
-Oh yea and the doctor woke up too later, but that's not really important. x)