Disclaimer: I don't own Howl's Moving Castle.

A/N: I haven't read the book yet but I hope to soon…I just need to get to a book store, or a library…whichever comes first. Anyways, thanks to all my reviewers! Maybe I didn't get as many as Lady Mac but I don't care. She was the first, it was only natural. I still luv her anyways!

But so on and so forth, yes, a new chapter…new things to do and new things to add. Yes, He will be a little more selfish…about things. He has changed…just a little. It's like I said before, sorry for any OOCness.

Oh, I just got a review explaining about the sequel to Howl's Moving Castle and the kid… Um well, let's see…I might do that, make the first child the first child from the books, I don't' know. I don't know! Here I had it all planned out and now, it's totally different! Maybe I'll just end it at the birth, give the name and gender and that's that. There, that's what I'll do…maybe or maybe not. Give me a break here! Waaaah! Sobs! What am I going to do? I'm such…never mind. Really honestly never mind. I don't know. I'm going off the movie, not the books. When I go off the books, trust me, this story wouldn't have gone this way already. I try to follow that sort of thing, movies, I go for a little leniency. Isn't that what fanfiction is? SIGHS. Okay, I'll shut up and write. Just ignore me…I'll go huddle by Calcifer and sob.

Close Your Eyes

Sophie smiled faintly as she watched her husband bent over plans on a table by Calcifer, who was trying to interject without any effect on Howl whatsoever.

"You know what Howl? It would look better in the other corner, it's doesn't look nice in that one!" Of course, Howl completely ignored him. Sophie, barely a month pregnant was watching her husband plan out the baby room. He was doing it, down to the very last detail and he would not let Sophie or Calcifer or even Markl assist him. He took to his planning sessions about two hours a day, often in the early morning when he thought pretty much everyone was asleep or in the late night when he thought everyone was going to sleep if they weren't already. Sophie, having been woken up for morning sickness, which didn't just happen in the morning, would watch her husband when she could. He never noticed her, she doubted he would even notice if everyone left the house during his planning time and it fell down over him.

"No, that's not right, that color is too girly. I have to find one just a little more neutral." Sophie smiled widely, Howl, being unable to find out the gender of the baby was forced to think around it, choosing greens and purples instead of blues and pinks. Sophie resolved to remain firm, neither would know until the birth, or until she said so. Whichever came first.

Markl had taken to practicing magic now at every available opportunity, sometimes under the supervision of Howl, who had seemed to have his mind on other things most of the time, namely the coming child, or under the supervision of Sophie. Sophie knew little about magic but she knew about being safe. Markl wouldn't try anything dumb with Sophie watching over him, one reason being his room was safer that way.

"Ah, that would look good there!" Sophie looked up from her chair. She had been nodding off already while watching him, lost in her own thoughts. She looked at the clock hanging on the wall. Goodness it was almost midnight! Sophie stood up and walked towards her husband, gently putting her hand on his shoulder.

"I think it's time for bed Howl," she said gently. "It's late and I'm tired."

Howl jumped as if he just realized Sophie was there and raised his face to her, the excited look still in his eyes. "I just got started Sophie!"

Sophie yawned, covering her mouth with her hand. "You got started two weeks ago and claim you only just start every night! You've been at this for three hours tonight already."

"Sophie, I'm serious, I just got started!" Sophie laughed at him and sat down on the table, taking his hands into hers. "What do you do love, do you throw the plans away every night because they aren't to your liking?"
"It has to be perfect!" he declared. "I can't accept anything less than perfection." Sophie sighed, he was being stubborn and selfish.

"Why won't you let me help you do this?" Sophie asked. "It's just as much my child as it is yours."
"You won't let me find out if it'll be a boy or a girl." Sophie laughed at him. "That's your reasoning behind this? Howl you haven't changed a bit! You're acting so childish about it."

"I'm acting childish?" he asked. "I just want to know!" He was pouting again. Sophie hoped he wouldn't call upon the dark spirits and decide he didn't want to live over this, it was such a silly little thing. Well, it seemed that way to her but he really did want to know. Why didn't he want the surprise? "Okay Howl, you know you can tell me anything."

"I know that," he said.

"So why do you want to know the gender of our child so badly?" she asked. "Is it that important to you?"
"I want everything to be perfect and I'll allow nothing less for my child. I have to know the gender so I can make his or her room appropriate!"

"That's not an answer," Sophie said and Howl kissed her softly. It was a tender kiss but Sophie felt it have an edge she didn't like. She broke away and regarded Howl seriously. "Are you so afraid of something? I highly doubt the room is the only thing you're concerned about. Stop holding it inside, if you're afraid of something please you have to tell me, I can help you know I can." Howl sighed heavily and gathered her into his arms, carrying her to the couch nearby and setting her down, sitting down next to her.

"So you really want to know?" he asked. Sophie let out a sigh of relief. So he was ready to actually talk. She didn't mind his personality but it hurt her a little when he wasn't open with him about things. Especially something that had to do with their future child.

"Yes, I'm afraid I do," she said, "After all we've been through how can you think otherwise?" He frowned for a moment before regaining his smile and looked at her with his heart in his eyes.

"I'm sorry Sophie," he whispered and gathered her into his arms once again, placing his hands on her stomach. "I'm worried."

"And when you're worried you get selfish and stubborn," she whispered and he looked at her. "What, you know it's true."

"Okay, so maybe it is," he agreed after a moment. "But you like it when I worry sometimes."

"Not when you get selfish and stubborn though," she said and he laughed. "I guess you're right Sophie, I apologize."
"You will stop being selfish?"

"I won't make any promises but I'll try, at least for you."

"Good then. So now you can tell me why you're worried, right?" Sophie regarded her husband seriously and he looked at her, blushing a little. "You're going to laugh."

"Is this any worse than the time I turned your hair orange?" Sophie asked. "I remember that quite clearly when you were acting like a stubborn child and tried to kill yourself, didn't you?" She raised an eyebrow. "I didn't laugh then and so I won't laugh at you now. Whatever it is it can't be that bad."

"I'm worried…" he began but trailed off and Sophie gently urged him on. "You can tell me, I won't laugh. Everyone has worries. Even I do."

"What are you worries?"

"You first," Sophie said. "I asked you first. If you tell me yours about this child, I'll tell you mine about something."

"It has to be significant…it can't be something trivial," he said. "It has to be a good a worry as mine."

"What if I told you I didn't have any worries?" She smiled as his expression fell but then brightened. She had purposely contradicted herself and knew he had caught it. She did that on purpose, just so he didn't get to downcast right now when they were trying to have a serious discussion.

"You said everyone had worries and everyone includes you," he said, nuzzling against her neck. "So you have to have a worry then."

"Okay, all right, so you caught me on that one. But don't stray now, I did ask you first and I promise I'll tell you one of mine when you tell me one of yours," she said, taking one of her hands and touching the side of his head, running her hand through his hair, as dark as midnight. She loved his hair, it was his real hair color. She knew that from seeing his past.

"Okay," he said, almost reluctant at first. He held her tightly against him. "Okay, I'm worried about the child."

"What about the child?"
"It's about me and the child." Sophie let out a huff of air. She had some idea now where he was going with this.

"What about you and the child?" she asked gently. "What are you so worried about?" A long pause fell between them and she felt his grip tighten and loosen on her several times.

"Sophie, will I make a good father?" Sophie knew it. It was something so silly to be worried about, but obviously it worried Howl. Now it all made sense to her, why he was so adamant about the room, why he wanted to know what the gender would be. Sophie herself could have laughed at this but she promised she wouldn't do such a thing.

"Howl you will be the best father I know. You've been a great father to Markl already…"

"He's my pupil, my student. He isn't exactly my son."

"But you have been raising him, have you not?" Sophie asked.

"I have to he is in my care," Howl said defensively. "But my own child is different. I mean…babies are so small and fragile and Markl is at least big enough to walk on his own and fend for himself if he had to." Sophie brought her hands down to entwine his and smiled knowingly.

"Markl still needs you and a family you know. A baby needs that as well, a family and lots of love. We have both. We're already a big family, what with Markl and everyone and we love each other so much it's necessary now to have a child to pass that love down to," Sophie said with an afterthought of 'I hope this is making sense to him.'

"I've never had children before," Howl said.

"That's obvious love, I can tell that easily. But I can guarantee you that you will be a fine father! You will love this child more than anything and when the time comes for each stage of the child's life you'll know what to do." Sophie smiled and turned around in Howl's arms, looking him straight in the eye. "I promise you this Howl, you will be a fine father." Howl smiled and kissed Sophie passionately. This was a much better kiss. Sophie knew this was better than the one she had received before, much more warm and loving than the one earlier.

Howl's eyes sparkled as he looked her in the eye. "Now it's your turn."

"Would you two pipe down I'm trying to rest a little!" Calcifer's voice snapped the two out of their embrace and Howl took Sophie's hand, guiding her towards their bedroom. "Thank you." Calcifer's words followed them and Sophie smiled. She often felt like Calcifer didn't like all the love scenes they acted out in front of him, even if he did say it was like watching the theatre, only he knew the people on stage.

Howl picked Sophie up and sat her down on the bed, joining her side only moments later. "As I was saying earlier, it's your turn to tell me now what you fear." Sophie fiddled with her nightclothes a little and looked at him. She didn't exactly know how to put it into words so she thought about it for a bit. "So Sophie, are you going to tell me?"

"Hush Howl, I have to think for a moment how I'm going to say it so you'll understand." Howl fell silent although he kept staring at her face. She had to turn away from his gaze because if she stared any more into his blue eyes she'd be lost for the night, unable to think of anything else but him. She sighed, she knew how she was going to say it and it was the simplest thing, no beating around the bush or trying to explain it simply when that would only make it more complicated. She looked up and back into Howl's waiting gaze.

"I'm a little afraid of the childbirth," she said simply. "I've heard various stories when I would listen to women in the hat shop when I used to work there, how women died from it and how painful it was. That's my biggest worry right now." Howl nodded and crossed his legs, looking at his hands in his lap as he regarded and took in what she had said. "So you aren't even worried about being a mother, you already know you're going to be great."

"Well, perhaps. I just know that when the child comes I'll love it no matter what. I just know I'll do my best and you really can't ask for more than that. It'll be a beautiful baby, and that's because it'll have your good looks," Sophie said.

"And yours," he replied. "You're very beautiful as well you know."

"No I'm not," Sophie said with a slight blush. This was an old argument but still one they had on occasion. She always ended up loosing it.

"Don't say that Sophie, you're the most beautiful women I know. Stop bringing yourself down like that," Howl said. "I don't want to hear you say that again. You are beautiful." He meant every last word of it.

"Oh Howl," Sophie said and flung herself into her husband's arms. "Thank you."

"Now back to your problem my dear," he said. "If you're afraid of childbirth I had better start doing research." His eyes shown with determination at the new project he looked ready to undertake and Sophie sighed. He was going at it again.

"What are you going to start doing research for?" Sophie raised her head and looked at him in disbelief. How many tasks did Howl want to take on during her pregnancy?

"I don't know many spells about childbirth but I'm sure some do exist…that is unless you want to have a natural birth as well," he said and sounded so disappointed. He really wanted to do something for her…her personally, not just resort to guessing at the gender of their child and designing a neutral room. "At least let me try to lessen up the pain." Sophie touched his cheek with his hand. He was trying to help someone else, namely her and she didn't realize how much it would mean to him to do something for her until now.

"Okay," she said and watched his face brighten. He kissed her passionately on the lips and broke away with a chuckle. She put a finger on his lips though and looked at him seriously. "You can only lessen the pain though; I want this to be as natural a birth as possible." She meant each word. She didn't know if magic would affect the child in any way. She didn't want her child to be in any danger if she could help it. She smiled, she was already overprotective and the child wasn't even born yet, although she knew she should be in the first place.

"You said so yourself, you were scared about it. Don't you want me to be prepared in case complications occur?" he asked. "I don't know what they'd be but I heard women talking about them before." Sophie pondered the words for a moment before responding.

"I don't know." His face darkened. "Okay fine you can be prepared with whatever you learn but that doesn't mean I'll let you do it when the time comes. If that'll make you worry less over this than fine."

"Thank you my love," he whispered and kissed her forehead. Sophie watched him pull back and then suppress a yawn as he glanced over at the clock. "It's past midnight Sophie! We've both been up way to long."

"We were having a serious discussion," she replied but Howl shook his head. "That's not an excuse. Come on now, I better get changed, give me a minute." She was a little reluctant to point out she was only up because she had been awoken by her stomach and after that had only stayed up to watch her husband work, who had been up for more than… what was it, 12 or was it 14 hours straight? There was one reason she didn't want to point it out, Howl was changing in front of her. Well, not so much as putting on night clothes like she did but he would remove his coat, shirt, shoes and socks before getting into bed beside her. Even though they were now married, Sophie was still entranced by him every time they were together, from the little things to the big things, whatever they were. Sophie let out a squeak of surprise as Howl pulled her down under the covers beside him and held her close. She placed her head on his chest and listened to the steady rhythm of his heart beating. It was soft…steady and told her at each interval how much Howl really loved her.

"Are you feeling all right Sophie?" Howl whispered to her and Sophie yawned at him amusedly. "I'm a little tired from having you keeping me up all night but other than that I think I am fine." He smiled wholeheartedly and kissed her forehead.

"That's good," he whispered. "You know Sophie, I really do love you. I will never let anyone or anything take you away from me." He meant that with all his heart. He would never let anything separate them again.

"That's good to know Howl," Sophie replied and snuggled closer to her husband. "I'm glad to know you care so much about me. I love you too. I love you so very much." With that Sophie began to drift off and Howl watched her fall into a comfortable sleep. He whispered a few words to make sure her dreams were peaceful and without interruption until the morning came. He loved watching her sleep. She was so precious to him, so precious even every time he told her the words didn't seem adequate enough.

He stroked her hair gently and reveled once more in its color. It was so soft and smooth and suited her much better than that braid had. He smiled when he thought about how unselfishly she loved him, her whole heart she gave to him without a second thought. He had done the same; she held his heart as well. Of course, he was much more selfish than she was. She kept him in check a lot of times now and he thanked her for that.

"Sleep well my love," he whispered and planted a kiss on her forehead. He gathered Sophie into his arms and settled down under the covers. "Sleep well and have good dreams."

Sophie awoke with a familiar feeling of nausea overwhelming her as she sat up in bed. She saw she was still in Howl's embrace and he was snoozing softly. She smiled and touched his face gently, slipping from his arms gently and scooting to get out of the bed. Heading towards the bathroom she tiptoed across the floor. She arrived at the bathroom just in time.

Howl opened his eyes slowly and noticed that Sophie was gone from his arms. He sighed and shifted the covers away from him, kicking his legs to the side of the bed as he got up. Heading to his dresser he pulled out one of his drawers and pulled out a white shirt. Slipping it over his head he went out down the hallway towards the bathroom. He heard Sophie gagging and vomiting and opened the door slowly.

"Don't come in!" she exclaimed madly and he shut the door quickly.

"Are you okay dear?" he asked.

"I'll be fine!" she said and more odd noises followed. He pitied her and loved her even more for suffering this for him…for their child; he wished he knew a spell to stop her from this sickness that overcame her.

"Is Sophie okay in there?" Howl looked down to see Markl staring up at him.

"I don't know," Howl replied, making a face. "She doesn't sound too good."

"Is there anything you can do to make it better for her?" Markl asked.

"I don't know but I aim to start studying," Howl said and leaned against the bathroom door.

"Does this mean she won't be making breakfast this morning?" Markl asked and Howl laughed.
"I guess you'll just have to make it then," Howl said. He was just teasing but it got Markl upset every single time, it didn't matter how teasing he made it sound.

"Calcifer won't listen to me and you know it!" Markl replied angrily. Howl laughed again and rustled the boy's hair.

"Oh, right, I better get to it then," Howl said and stopped leaning on the door and heading towards the stairs. "And then to research!"

"Don't you still have the baby room to plan?" Markl asked, following behind him.

"I do, but…" he thought for a moment. "I guess I'll just have to work on both at once!"

"You're going to make yourself sick," Markl said. "That's what Sophie says, you'll work yourself to death or at least sickness."

"I'll be fine!" Howl snapped and then smiled. "I've done a lot worse."

"True," Markl said. "But then you didn't have Sophie and she's pregnant!"

"You're such a downer Markl."
"I'm just stating the facts," he said smugly.

"I'm going back to bed," Howl said and Markl latched onto him. "No you're not you are going to make breakfast!"

"Okay, all right, fine, you win," Howl muttered. "Just this once." This was going to be a long nine months.

TBC

A/N: So, like it or hate it? Let me know. Although if you hate it be gently and don't flame me, I hate flames. There are ways to be positive when you say you hate it you know. State what you don't like, give HELPFUL suggestions and the like. Anyways, review people I love you all!

I'll try to update ASAP but I'm not making any promises! Take a look at all the unfinished stories I have!