After dinner was had and the dishes were cleaned, the content members of the household set about their own ways for the evening. It just so happened that both Howl and Sophie had decided to take to opposite chairs in the living room, each reading their own novel. In the midst of her novel, a fantastic idea popped into Sophie's head. Looking up at Howl, who was concentrating intently on his book, Sophie cleared her throat in an attempt to get the man's attention. After no response from clearing her throat, or saying his name repeatedly, the young woman made her way over to the wizard. Deciding that yanking the book out of his relaxed hand would be the best option, Sophie did so. His look of surprise and mild annoyance gave Sophie the reaction and attention that she wanted.

"Sophie! Why would you do that? I was just getting to the best part!" Howl blared with wide eyes.

Sophie just laughed at his reaction and tone of voice, and said "it seems that everyone here today has had trouble with listening to what's going on around them!"

The look on Howl's face went from annoyance to a smirk, as he then held onto both of Sophie's hands. Sophie, who thought that she was about to be swept off her feet from one of Howl's sweet gestures, was then pulled onto his lap, where he then began to tickle her. In between burst of laughter and cries for him to stop, neither of the pair noticed the green flames which slowly crept into the otherwise dimly lit room.

"Oh for crying out loud you two, you had to be doing that just when I come in!" Calcifer shouted.

Both Sophie and Howl stopped all at once at the new presence in the room. Bright red glowed remarkably on Sophie's cheeks as she stood up from Howl's lap, straightened her dress once again, and cleared her throat.

"Calcifer! I didn't know that you'd be in tonight! What brings you here?" Sophie asked, her voice wobbly from the intruding fire demon.

"Well I was hoping to inform you both of some new flowers that I had found to the south of here, but I can see that you're both busy!" the demon interjected.

"Oh well, then that's great news Calcifer! You'll have to come and show us," Howl added, his voice much more even than Sophie's embarrassed one.

"Well I would absolutely love to, but seeing as you're both behaving terribly, I've decided to leave it until later. Goodbye!"

And with that, the fire demon shot rather quickly up the chimney. Howl chuckled, and Sophie just stood there with her now pink cheeks, looking at the ground.

"Uhh," Sophie began, "the reason why I wanted to gain your attention in the first place was to actually take your offer on me getting anything I wanted."

"Go on," Howl said slowly.

"Well I was actually thinking of going to visit Lettie tomorrow. I haven't seen her for so long, and I thought it would be good to catch up on her life," Sophie explained.

After Howl thought for a few seconds, he agreed, "that sounds like a fantastic idea, Cariad. You deserve some time off from the shop once in a while."

Sophie now looked up into Howl's eyes without any embarrassment, smiled and thanked him.

"I am a little busy tomorrow morning, I have to visit the blacksmith and see to a problem with his anvil. Something about horse shoes breaking easily. Must be some stupid magical prank," Howl meandered, "I'm sure that Michael would be absolutely fine to open tomorrow."

Sophie agreed with him, and decided that it was time for her to head to bed.

"If I'm travelling tomorrow, it's best that I get to bed early. Goodnight Howl," said the young woman.

"Goodnight Cariad, sleep well," Howl replied lovingly.

'What a lucky person I am to have such a loving and caring family' Sophie thought as she walked up the stairs to her bedroom.