It is Christmas Eve and I am bored so I am going to write a story about what Christmas would be like in the moving castle. The story takes place one year before the Hardships of Marriage when Morgan is one. Katy is Lettie's baby daughter.
Sophie sat curled up in Howls strong arms feeling content and happy. Morgan was asleep on her lap and Calcifer and Howl were having an argument. Calcifer lazing in the fire and Howl cuddling Sophie but still they managed to fight.
"I like him! We should have him round for Christmas dinner even if they don't celebrate it!"
"You only like him because he flatters you all the time, it gets on my nerves so much, then you always were a softy."
"I have a romantic soul."
"You don't have a soul…"
Sophie sighed, they were yet again arguing about whom to invite for lunch tomorrow, Calcifer was insisting on having Abdullah there, but because Abdullah didn't celebrate Christmas no one else really thought it was a particularly good idea.
"We're having Lettie, Ben and Katy!"
Calcifer turned around in the fireplace and sulked. Sophie was feeling to content with life to care. She warm well fed and Morgan had said his first word: want. He had rather taken after Howl in that sense, a vain little baby. He was now using the word all the time and after discovering its affect even more. Even if it was not what Sophie would have liked it was still his first word and uncontrollable instincts made it very special all the same.
Michael was curled up next to Martha in the other chair. Martha was staying the night and then spending Christmas day with her sisters and their husbands.
Howl had been looking very smug for the last few days and been secretly floating presents up into hiding places in his and Sophie's room when the he thought the others weren't looking. Sophie had however seen an awful lot even though Howl had only been buying for Sophie. When she asked him about it he would only slither out of answering.
Michael stood up looking rather anxious but very pleased.
"I have an announcement." he said, Martha stood up and took his hand, "We're engaged." he finished.
"That's wonderful, congratulations!" exclaimed Sophie resisting the urge to jump up and hug them both, but with Morgan on her lap she dared not. Morgan however still woke up with a cry of 'Me want!' Everyone laughed, except Howl and Calcifer. Howl had been looking horrified ever since the announcement, and finally stuttered sadly.
"Does that mean you're leaving?" he said quietly then louder but not angrily, "what will I do without you, you've still got two more years of apprenticeship."
"Howl!" Exclaimed Sophie
"I'm not leaving until I've finished, don't worry. No point, what would I do anyway?" Michael said rather nervously. Sophie gave Howl a hard look, but Howl relaxed giving Sophie a squeeze.
"Then congratulations Micheal." said Howl now perfectly cheerful. Calcifer was however still brooding.
"Weddings, weddings, weddings, its just one after the other! Sometimes I wish I'd never been caught and that I just died, it would have been better, then I wouldn't have to live with him!"
"You don't your welcome to go!" Howl retorted. Calcifer turned round in the fire and went right back into his sulk. Sometimes Sophie thought he was jealous.
"WANT!" screamed Morgan surprising everyone. They all laughed and the tense moment was all over.
What do you think? Please review!