A Magical Addition

Chapter 9

Hey guys. Sorry for the delay, it's unlike me I know but my time was taken up updating a few other stories. But I'm back to this now so again thank you all so much for reviewing and please keep them coming. Enjoy.

The couple walked hand in hand over the rough stone cobbles, however there seemed to be an icy aura between them. Occasionally Sophie would open her mouth to ask what was troubling him, but shortly after she closed it once more as it was clear he was feeling uncomfortable.

Quite frequently a young woman would walk past. Some seemed to recognise the wizard, throwing their noses in the air snootily and scuttling past, however others seemed to become instantly infatuated. The fact he wore a wedding ring and held Sophie's hand didn't even seem to deter them, but Howl ignored them nonetheless.

'H-Howl…' Sophie eventually spoke up, squeezing his hand a little. '…Penny for your thoughts.' She smiled.

The wizard sighed gazing down into her chestnut eyes lovingly.

'Do you…it's really nothing…' He muttered.

'Howl…' Sophie coaxed raising an eyebrow.

'…Do you think I'll make a good father?' And suddenly everything became clear to Sophie. He wasn't giving her the cold shoulder because he was bored of her, he was just worried about fatherhood…which is totally normal.

Sophie giggled, the sweet sound that Howl adored ringing in his ears.

'Howl, you'll be a wonderful father. Just look how you are with Markl, he loves you.' She shook her head. 'Is that what's been bothering you?'

A blush swept over Howl's face as he broke their gaze with a bashful nod. Sophie stopped them in their tracks placing her hands on his cheeks and reconnecting their gaze.

'I want you to feel like you can talk to me about things like that…I'm your wife you silly man.' She teased moving up onto her tiptoes and kissing him softly. Howl kissed her back passionately. That's why he loved her, he loved her support. He just needed to work on talking to her about the more sensitive subjects.

They arrived at the clinic just a little after noon and strangely Howl seemed to have perked up significantly.

'Nervous?' He asked his wife letting go of her hand and wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her in closer to his side.

'A little. Are you?' She replied, almost relieved that he was returning to normal…if normal is what you'd describe him as.

He swept his bangs out of his eyes with his free hand and placed it on the door knob.

'As hell.' He chuckled shakily, pushing open the door and leading her in.

They entered a small, rather stuffy room and approached the front desk where a young, petite blonde sat wearing modest white nurse overalls and a hat pinned carefully in front of her bun complete with a red cross.

'Good afternoon miss.' Howl cooed watching as the woman's hazel eyes widened, her jaw dropping slightly.

'Y-you must be W-Wizard Howl.' She stuttered. Sophie watched her sympathetically. She realised it was going to be hard for them to go out in public when there were so many young women around. Of course it wasn't Howl she was worried about as she knew he was loyal, it was the women... 'Correct my lovely. I believe we have an appointment at a quarter past.' Sophie rolled her eyes and shot the poor nurse considerate glance.

She began flicking hastily through a log book, her face growing rather flushed under Howl's intense glare.

'Howl…' Sophie whispered 'Cut it out.' Howl looked at her confusedly. Did he really not understand what he was doing to the poor girl? Clearly not.

'Eh yes. Doctor Wood will be with you shortly.'

'Thank you.' Sophie piped up dragging Howl into the waiting area and shoving him down onto a chair. 'What am I going to do with you?' She puffed folding her arms over her small bump. Howl simply shrugged and placed a hand on her thigh staring lovingly at his pouting wife.

A short while later a tall blond man appeared in the doorway leading into the examining room. He wore a long white lab coat and had shockingly beautiful green eyes that scanned the room briefly for his next patient.

'Mr and Mrs Pendragon?' He asked almost knowingly, looking in our direction. Howl stood immediately helping Sophie up and grasping her hand tightly. Sophie rolled her eyes, it was only a check-up and he was acting as if she was heading into life threatening surgery. 'Right this way please.' He continued holding the door as the couple entered.

'I'll be right here.' Howl whispered planting a chaste kiss on his wife's cheek.

'Okay Mrs Pendragon-'

'Sophie.' The silver haired woman permitted, smiling at the doctor sweetly which sent a shiver up Howl's spine.

'Sophie…what a lovely name.' And Howl immediately hated him. 'Why don't you lie down.' The doctor continued rustling through drawers and eventually pulled out a few pages, slotting them into a clipboard and producing a pen out of one of his long pockets. Howl stood protectively by his wife as she slid herself onto the cushioned examination table letting her hands rest on her belly. The scratching sound of pen on paper echoed in the couple's ears before the doctor proceeded in his smooth tone.

'So…let's have a look shall we. If you'd just like to r-remove your bodice-'

'Excuse me?' Howl cut in, his glare connecting coldly with the doctor's.

'H-Howl, it's okay. He just needs to check out my bump, that is why I wore a bodice today.' Sophie whispered sharply under her breath, sitting up a little to undo the lace. After a few moments of fumbling the doctor spoke up,

'Would you…like some help?' He offered, in a professional way of course. However with a sharp finger click the lace seemed to undo itself before the doctor could as much as blink. Sophie sighed, she didn't realise jealousy, on Howl's part, was something she'd have to deal with as she had grown very accustomed to surpassing it herself, but Howl clearly saw this doctor as a threat. She handed the garment to her husband who let it hang over his arm. She then pushed up her vest revealing her small bulge, a pink hue resting on her cheeks.

'Please excuse my hands being a little cold.' The doctor apologised clearing his throat almost anxiously before continuing to examine her. The wizard clenched and unclenched his fists as he watched however he realised it was all very proficient. 'Mmhmm…about 8 weeks. I understand your probably dealing with a lot of nausea?'

Sophie nodded meekly. The doctor continued to place his stethoscope on her chest, listening quietly to her heart for a few moments and them moving back down to her bump. With a nod he removed the plugs out of his ears, letting the piece of equipment hang around his neck whilst he scribbled something else down on the clipboard.

'Indeed…you'll need some vitamins…' He muttered turning away from her suddenly to hoke through a cabinet of bottles. Sophie slid her vest back down and retrieved her bodice off Howl, attempting to refasten it with his much needed help. 'The baby already has quite a strong heartbeat which is a good sign.' The couple exchanged a look of relief and pure adoration, their lips connecting suddenly leaving the doctor in an awkward situation. 'So er…congratulations.' As they pulled away Sophie thanked the doctor, slipping down off the table and taking her husband's hand.

'Thank you doctor.' Sophie said appreciatively as he passed her a bag of vitamins and reached out to shake Howl's hand who stuck his nose in the air and rejected it.

'I'll see you in another 8 weeks then.' Sophie smiled sympathetically at the doctor as her husband towed her out the door like a spoilt child.

As they returned home Howl was sour once more.

'What shall I do if this child is born with blond hair and green eyes?' He huffed, his face green with envy.

Sophie took a deep breath in and bit her tongue.

'Howl don't be ridiculous! Why are you being like this? I love you! And only you!'

The wizard walked on with his head down, his long black bangs covering his eyes.

'Sophie he had his hands all over you!'

'He's a doctor! Goodness Howl when will you learn to act your age and not your shoe size?'

The couple burst through the portal, Calcifer's flame flickering with fright (1). The old witch and Markl who sat at the kitchen table glanced at each other worriedly and then pretended to carry on with what they were doing. Howl threw off his jacket and stormed off upstairs, a fierce gust of wind blowing violently through the castle. Sophie sat gently on the edge of the sofa, resting her head in her hands. She couldn't stop the few wet tears that dripped from her eyes and pooled in her palms.

'So how's the baby?' Calcifer asked quietly.

'Which one?' The distraught women replied in despair. The fire demon quickly got the picture that all was not right.

'What did he do?' He said in a monotonous tone, almost as if he'd asked that question a thousand times before.

Sophie explained the situation with a shaky voice, all the while tears continuing to fall.

'I wish…I just wish I had never gotten pregnant.'

Calcifer sighed.

'Sophie your baby is such a wonderful miracle.'

'But all it's done is pull us apart…I love him so much Calcifer. I trust him with all my heart. I just don't understand why he won't trust me!'

Upstairs the Wizard stood by his bedroom window, peering out at the clouds. He listened to their conversation, finally taking his immaturity into account. He'd really hurt her feelings, and on a day that was supposed to be special for both of them. He'd have to make it up to her…Somehow.

Okay so that chapter was a little shorter than the others, but it's better than nothing right? I know it seems like their relationship is becoming distanced but that will all change, don't worry. I'm a big fan of the pairing and there's no way I would destroy it :) I'll hopefully update a lot sooner this time, please review.

(1)- Bit of a tongue twister!