A Magical Addition

Chapter 10

Hey guys. I'm so so sorry it's taken me so long to update, its not like I've had writers block I just haven't had time. But I'm back now and I promise updates will be more frequent, just like old times. Anyway thanks for all the reviews and please keep them coming.

Sophie stood in front of the partially hidden mirror which hung in Howl's bedroom. One hand was placed precariously on her now quite noticeable bump, the other holding her long silver bangs out of her eyes.

The castle had landed on some unknown moorland and was wandering aimlessly as Howl began looking for some slow, easy work. Sophie had made a point of venturing out every day as she loved the surprise of such new scenery every morning, however with each week the smallest of tasks, including walking, became more and more of a struggle.

A pair of thin yet comforting arms engulfed her from behind, a pair of soft lips pressing themselves against the cool skin of her neck. With a sigh Sophie let her hand fall from her forehead and trail over her husband's cheek. They still squabbled quite frequently, however it had lessened to maybe only one little argument each week, usually provoked by Sophie's hormonal behaviour.

'How are we today?' He asked casually, loosening his grip a little and admiring his wife in the mirror in front of them.

'Fine.' Sophie replied patting her bump quickly before dropping her hand to her side.

'It's always fine…' Howl grumbled, a smirk playing on his lips, that naughty glint in his eye shining even more noticeably. Sophie rolled her eyes.

'Okay then, I'm good. Maybe tomorrow I'll be alright.'

A soft growl immerged from the back of Howl's throat as he squeezed her momentarily.

'Don't get smart with me Pendragon.' He teased releasing her quite suddenly leaving a dazed Sophie in place of the very solemn one who stood prior to his entrance.

The wizard moved slowly toward his bedroom window but froze after a mere three or four steps. Sophie, who had continued to watch herself in the mirror, let her eyes wander to her husband's hunched over figure.

'Howl-' She began but was silenced as he raised his hand sharply. And then, something terrible, something horrifying, something the wizard hoped and prayed would never happen after the last time…he sneezed.

Sophie paused watching as Howl straightened up and turned to face her with panic stricken eyes. She knew something wasn't right, but come on, a sneeze? Then she did exactly what he really hoped she wouldn't do, she sniggered.

'Sophie!' He snapped. He was nothing if incredibly melodramatic.

'You sneezed…big deal.' She scoffed sweeping over to perch herself on the end of the bed. In a flash he took her place in front of the mirror, his hands spreading themselves over his face and pulling at his skin.

'It's happening…' He mumbled 'Skin…pasty…eyes…bloodshot…throat…tick-ah ah ACHOO!'

Sophie stared at him, eyebrow at an angle, lips pursed.

'You have a cold?' Sometimes the rather laid back woman found her husband incredibly hard to figure out and deal with. She was starting to think that this common cold was going to escalate into a "near death experience".

'It's not just a cold!' He barked 'Its wizard flu.'

I despair! Sophie thought as she fell back into the mountain of pillows and cushions behind her. Howl was a nightmare when sick, to say the least. She realised that for the time being her pregnancy issues would have to be pushed aside as her husband tried to come to terms with the fact that he was not going to die, however that would take a lot of persuasion…

~::~

'It's alright everyone!' A faint voice called quite loud enough from the floor above them, 'Just ignore me, I'm only dying of illness and boredom up here!'

Sophie rubbed her belly incessantly as she found her baby to be the only thing that could relieve her stress. It temporarily took her mind of 'other' things.

Calcifer watched the young woman smugly. He was only too delighted to have Sophie around at times like this as prior to her arrival, it was himself who had to deal with the annual 'Wizard flu'.

Sophie glanced at Markl who was clearly pretending to be engrossed in his jigsaw puzzle, far too busy to attend his master. The old witch sat in her rocking chair, smiling contently as she knitted to a steady rhythm, a rhythm that could not be interrupted. With an unwilling sigh, Sophie prised herself from her comfortable napping spot and traipsed her weary, pregnant body towards the staircase.

She arrived in Howl's room, her expression unamused. He lay dramatically amongst his sheets, his face drawn and dull, his hair limp and greasy, his body lifeless. It was quite a sight and caused a dry lump to form in Sophie's throat. She loved him at the end of the day and hated him seeing so weak and depressed.

She crept across the room and slipped into the bed beside him, sliding an arm over his stomach and pulling herself tighter against him. She let her lips graze over his cheek and along his jawbone placing feathery kisses.

The corners of his mouth twitched into a soft smile, a small groan slipping out over his dry, chapped lips.

'Mmm…no…' He whispered pushing her away slightly. 'I don't want you to catch anything.' He urged, his eyes opening in two fine slits to observe her perfect complexion before closing them again, turning his head in disgust at himself.

'Don't be silly…I can't catch Wizard Flu, I'm not a wizard!' She moved her arm which lay over him and placed her hand softly on his cheek pulling his face around in her direction once more. With a sweet smile she pressed her lips to his and moved them chastely. 'You're so weak.' She whispered as she pulled away briefly. He tried his best with returning the kiss, but his mentality was similar to that of a flat soda.

'I'm sorry.' He replied, his eyes still hidden behind heavy lids. He dropped his head slightly letting his forehead rest against hers. 'I love you.' His voice croaked gently.

'I love you too.' Sophie sighed, rubbing her nose against his.

~::~

The next morning Sophie awoke in the same clothes she had been wearing the night before. Although she had slept peacefully, bar the occasional time she was wakened by Howl's violent coughing and sniffling, she felt tired and groggy.

A sliver of light shone through a tiny crack in the curtains, a few ornaments reflecting it in a sparkling pattern around the walls. The castle creaked and clunked as it continued its aimless journey, however Sophie had grown so accustomed to the constant noise, it no longer bothered her.

She rolled onto her side to watch her husband still sleeping soundly. He was still beautiful despite what his flu had brought on him. Lifting an arm, she carefully placed a hand on his chest only to feel his heart thudding slowly and softly. A little too slowly and softly Sophie feared.

Brow furrowed Sophie sat up a little, moving her hand to his cheek. Cold.

'Howl?' Sophie said in quiet yet worried tone, but there was still no movement. 'Howl?' She repeated, however this time a little louder, her voice starting to get panicky. Yet there was still nothing.

She sat up further still tucking a few strands of loose hair behind her ear. Leaning over she swept his bangs of his face and placed a hand to his rather clammy forehead. Cold.

'Howl!' She almost cried whilst feeling the need to shake him by the shoulders. She quickly decided it would be far more practical to get help than just sit and stress.

She leapt from the bed, one hand clutching her stomach, the other clamped to her forehead.

'Calcifer!' She yelled as she thundered down the hall and down the stairs. Her boots in which she had slept in clattering off the floorboards.

The flame hovered in the grate, fully awake and looking rather confused himself.

'Sophie! Something's not right!' The panicked woman ground to a halt in front of him, her face red and flustered with worry.

'What's wrong with him Calcifer? He's not waking up! Why isn't he waking up?' Her voice quivered as if she could burst into tears at any second.

'The illness weakens his power greatly, however I've never felt it this low. Sophie he could be in trouble…'

His words were not processing in Sophie's mind. He was telling her everything she didn't want to hear.

'How can I help him?'

Calcifer sighed, his form shrinking slightly.

'We'll need a professional.' He told her. She continued to listen to him for a moment before proceeding to walk away from him midsentence. She mounted the stairs and retreated back to his room.

Hesitating in the doorway she watched his motionless body as he lay limply in exactly the same position she left him. She walked slowly towards his side of the bed, kneeling and placing her hand atop his.

'You'll be okay Howl.' She whispered, a tear slipping and rolling over her cheek. A sudden anxiety hit her. She spent so much time bickering with him over stupid things, always taking him for granted. If anything happened to him she knew she wouldn't be able to live with herself. 'I'll be here with you…always.'

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