It is summer for me! I am done with school, everyone! First, this chapter is a little shorter than usual since I wanted to get one up tonight! It is Sophie's reaction to Howl's memory loss. Also, anyone a Les Miserables fan? Well after I finish this fan fic, I will be writing a Les Mis story! I am seriously excited about my idea with this, but I vow to finish this story first! I promise! Like always, please read and review! (I need to start replying to your reviews… so I will start that this chapter!
Disclaimer: I only own Melinda and Brian. Not Howl's Moving Castle.
"What do you mean, Howl? What happened?" Calcifer felt himself staring at Howl in disbelief as he waited for the response. In the back of his mind, he feared the worst: he was too late.
Howl glanced around the room in a dazed state as he felt himself try to think. "All I remember," he started, "is seeing this flash of light… Oh! Calcifer! Do you remember Melinda? Well, she is here now since she has nowhere to g-"
"What do you think of her, Howl. Don't you tell me that you are in love with her…"
Howl laughed and shook his black hair. "Of course not. We are just friends. Besides," Howl's face immediately turned stone serious as he talked, "I will never forget what she did to us. I still do not trust her."
Calcifer let out a sigh of relief. At least that is one thing I do not have to worry about.
"Calcifer, who is this 'Sophie?'"
So he really has no clue… Sophie will not be happy about this. But I have to make her seem pleasing to him. Calcifer felt himself spark up as he started talking about her. "Howl, she is this amazing woman who is one of the sweetest girls I know. You see, she was engaged, but she had to leave her betrothed since his crazy-ex was forcing her to leave. But she has a problem. We think she is pregnant with his child. Unfortunately, she needs a place to stay since she has nowhere to go. She just needs to regain her strength. And her cousin will be with her. The thing is that she would go to one of her family members, but her sister lives far away, and her cousin is the only other relative living. Her cousin said that he would let her live with him, but he has no room. Howl, would you mind if I brought her here? She said that she would clean or cook to keep her stay. And I swear, she is much better than that witch you have here…"
Howl thought about the whole proposition Calcifer gave to him. I do need someone to clean and cook… and I can't leave a pregnant woman out there. Funny though. This sounds familiar, but I don't know why… Howl looked at Melinda's closed door. She may get jealous. But, she would understand. And we do have the room. He looked back at Calcifer and nodded. "We can look after her," he smiled. "How long will you take?"
"No more than two days. A lot depends on how Sophie feels."
Howl nodded as he thought about the name. It sounds familiar. And it's so beautiful. I wonder if she is as beautiful as her name? "I will see you then, I suppose?"
Calcifer nodded. "I wouldn't tell Melinda," he spoke softer. When he saw Howl nodding in understanding, he continued, "And may I have a word with Markl?"
"I'm here!" Markl shouted from his room. He ran down the stairs and smiled at Calcifer. "Calcifer, I missed you! I was wondering when you were going to come back!"
"I'll leave you two for a few minutes," Howl stated. "I guess the next time I will see you is when you return with this Sophie girl?"
"That's the plan."
Howl nodded and went up the steps to his room. When they heard the door close, Markl looked at Calcifer in question. "What happened? Is Master Howl okay?"
"He lost his memory, Markl. He does not remember Sophie at all."
"But she is coming back?" the boy asked with a slight smile.
Calcifer smiled back. "Of course she is. But there is something I need you to do. Act like you have seen her before, but not like she lived here. Go along with it. And whatever you do, stay away from Melinda!"
Sophie threw her last dress in a bag before closing it. I am ready to go back home to Howl and to be held in his strong arms. I can't wait to see Markl and even the Witch of the Waste!
She smiled as she touched her stomach softly. "And we will have another member of the family soon."
"Calcifer is back, Sophie!" Brian shouted from the other room. Sophie grabbed her bag with a smile and walked into the next room. Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of Melinda.
She placed her bag on a chair and looked at Calcifer. "I'm ready!"
"Sophie… there is something I need to tell you…" Calcifer watched as Sophie's eyes continued to stare diligently in his eyes. "I was too late… Melinda casted a spell on Howl, and well… he does not remember you." Calcifer expected Sophie to become depressed and to even cry, but instead, the girl held her head up high and became more determined.
"I will not let her get away with this. Not now. Not ever. Not anymore. I will make Howl remember me. And then I will kick that damn witch out of the castle. She has overstayed her welcome. Besides," Sophie smirked as her hands clasped together, "she now has to deal with a hormonal mother with a baby. I do not want to be in her shoes."
Brian and Calcifer looked at each other.
"I never knew she could be so scary…" Brian whispered behind her back.
"Melinda has pissed her off. Of course she's like this," Calcifer chuckled.
Sophie smiled at Calcifer, "This is only the beginning. Wait till we get there. She has brought out determined Sophie. She will regret ever messing with me."
Calcifer grinned as he watched Sophie plotting her revenge against Melinda. "Hell hath no fury liked a woman scorned."