Chapter 4: 'Dear 'Daddy'
Disclaimer- I don't own Howl's Moving Castle, all rights goes to Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghilbi, and Diana Wynne Jones.
"Howl? Howl sweet heart?" Calcifer sung in a high pitched voice swinging back and forth in the air, up the stair case and around Howl's neck, kissing it with his little demon lips.
"Oh Howl, I was just wondering what was wrong with me today, I keep having these strange feelings in my chest," Calcifer continued in the high voice, avoiding Howl's hand which was trying hard to knock him off. "I wonder what they mean. Oh I know what they mean," Calcifer turned back into his deeper voice, "You've wizardly married me, but I don't know that yet and if I don't know soon I probably will never accept and you'll die!"
"Calcifer cut it out," Howl warned.
"No you cut it out!" Calcifer yelled back to his once master.
"This is not the right time Calcifer!" Howl warned again as he heard Sophie's footsteps coming up the stairs.
"Yes Howl!" Calcifer yelled angry at the man, "She deserves to know! You can't keep playing this stupid game with your heart! I know it's a big deal, she probably won't get it, but you can't keep hiding these things from her Howl! Grow up!"
"Oh… Did I disturb something," A clueless Sophie asked as she walked in on the two.
"Oh, Sophie!" Calcifer called surprised before saying his goodbyes to Howl and making his fly back to the hearth.
"No, no, not at all!" Howl said waving his hands back and forth between his face and shaking his head no.
"What were you talking about?" Sophie pressed on, brushing her hair once more in the mirror.
"How this is going to work out tonight," Howl lied hoping that would get her off his back.
"Everything's going to be fine Howl," Sophie smiled warmly walking up to Howl, "Promise," she whispered planting a kiss on his lips.
Sophie tried to pull away but found Howl's arms wrapped around her waist, "You know you looking stunning," Howl breathed huskily, stealing her lips for another kiss, "but then again, you always do."
Sophie couldn't help but blush. All her life she had been called ugly by her school mates, in her teenage years she was just normal, not an eye sore but defiantly not anything sweet either. Other girls flaunted their curves while Sophie would put on a plain dress with a neckline cut, showing or flattering absolutely nothing. All her life being nothing spectacular and all of a sudden being called stunning and beautiful made her a bit high.
"Your dress suits you; you should wear things like that more often…" Howl cooed, "But only in my presence, no one else's. Not even Calcifer."
The dress, Sophie had to admit it was beautiful. The lemon one in the shop, it had turned out even more beautiful on. It was a lower cut, showing a little of her neck; which was adorned with her mother's inherited diamond necklace that she had never worn. The dress rounded her breasts, which although Howl didn't say, she could see he liked. It also showed off her small waist line. The dress then was lightly plaited and finished at her ankles; the whole dress had a trail of beaded roses and stems. The stems crept up the dress, each dotted with thorns and leaves until they became crimson and ivory roses.
"Love birds," Calcifer called from downstairs, "You'd better get going, it's six now, tea is served at seven!"
Sophie broke the kiss and smiled. Both Howl and Sophie descended the stairs, both looking radiant.
"Now Calcifer, tell Markl that he is to have tea and it's in the bottom of the oven, if it's cold you have to warm it up for him a little; the same with the Witch of The Waste. If we aren't back by ten, can you get Markl to put the Witch of the Waste to bed and then put himself there too?"
"What am I, a nanny?" Calcifer wined but told them he'd do it anyways.
"Come on then, we better be off," Howl declared and took Sophie by the hand. Together they walked out the door and onto the street.
Sophie started to walk in the direction of the mansion but Howl seemed a little figety.
"You alright?" Sophie asked noticing Howl getting impatient.
"This is too slow," Howl mumbled, it took a while for Sophie to fully understand what Howl was saying but when it finally did register, she was three hundred metres above the ground with a flying Howl holding her between life and death.
"I can't believe you, Howl!" Sophie cried as she saw the main square under them.
"No need to fret, my love, I won't drop you," Howl soothed, Sophie wasn't so keen on being dropped so she monkey-locked their hands.
It seemed that they were only in the air for a second before Howl declared that he was going to land. Sophie braced herself. She knew Howl wasn't the best lander and crash landing right in front of all the important rich guests that her 'step father' and mother had invited seemed like a great way to start off this relationship.
Sophie was surprised however when Howl flipped her up into mid air, where she hanged for a second, then wrapped his arms around her and held her against his chest.
She could feel his silky dark feathers on the back of her neck. "Bit better than hanging in mid air isn't it?" Howl cooed. Why did he have such a relaxed voice, Sophie didn't know that answer, but it only seemed to make her fall for him all the more.
"Yes," Sophie nodded.
Suddenly Howl took a bomb dive and Sophie felt as if her stomach would be pouring out of her mouth.
"Oh my god, Howl!" Sophie cried as Howl pulled up a metre from the ground then softly his claws touched the ground.
"No need to fear, I wasn't going to hurt you, I wouldn't dream of it," Howl smiled softly.
"I know, I was just a bit scared that's all, not used to flying yet," Sophie said still a little mixed up.
Sophie gave praise to Howl when she released that they were out the front of the Apex street mansion. It was beautiful; it was painted a cream with charcoal trims. Windows held elegant and luscious plants cascading down, dotted with small flowers. A large brick fence surrounded the mansion with gates almost three times the size of Howl opened showing the stone pavement and elaborate garden. They both walked through the gates and knocked on the elegantly engraved wooden front door.
It opened almost instantly and Sophie was greeted by a little girl about thirteen with deep chocolate brown eyes who had a small and timid smile.
"Sir and madam, may I escort you to the courtyard?" The girl said; her voice as timid as her smile.
"No, I think we'll manage," Howl smiled politely.
"Of course," The young girl said and bowed.
Howl lead Sophie down the hallway until she saw a small door that lead to a very expensive looking get together.
"Oh Sophie you made it!" Sophie turned around to see her mother coming towards her.
"Hello mother, what a lovely house," Sophie said, giving her mother a quick peck on the cheek.
"Oh I know, I grew all the plants here myself," Honey said, obviously proud of herself.
"Well you always did have a green thumb mother, unlike father," Sophie said smiling.
Howl was shocked, he rarely ever heard about Sophie's father. Somebody could have gotten the impression she didn't like him much.
"Oh Sophie, your father was more of a handy man, he could cope with anything. You're so much like him, you have his lovely dark eyes," Honey said, "Oh Howl, how rude, how are you?"
"Very well thank you, and you?" Howl said finally being recognised.
"Oh good, good, come now, come out and meet people," Honey ushered the two out into the large courtyard where a crowd of people were talking in little circles.
"Oh Sophie, hello!" Sophie heard a voice call her name. Turning around she saw the blonde Lettie running towards them, waving madly.
"Lettie!" Sophie cried, overjoyed to see her sister.
"Sophie, I haven't seen you in so long! Mother told me she had seen you after you ran away so I wasn't worried that much, but then the hat shop was bombed and I thought you were dead!" Lettie cried, small tears pricking her eyes, "Thank god you're alright though!"
"Oh Lettie I'm sorry I didn't come visit you I've been so busy, I'm alright though," Sophie cried hugging her baby sister.
"I wouldn't let anything hurt her," Howl said smiling warmly.
Lettie broke away, "Oh I'm sorry," She said sniffing as wiping the tears away from her eyes, "I'm Lettie and you are...?"
Howl's cerulean eyes shone warmly as he took Lettie's hand and shook it gently, "I'm Howl, nice to meet you."
"Oh my god!" Lettie cried, Sophie instantly clamped her hand over her mouth and dragged her into the shadows.
"Lettie!" She hissed, her face only millimetres away from hers, "I'm going to take my hand away now, are you going to scream?"
Lettie shook her head no and Sophie let removed her hand.
"You- You, Sophie! He's a monster!" Lettie cried.
"Don't say such a thing about him!" Sophie hissed, "He's a perfect gentleman."
"How do you know?!" Lettie cried.
"Because I love him Lettie, I love him with all my heart!"
Lettie narrowed her eyes, "He was the wizard, wasn't he? That day at the bakery."
Sophie nodded, "I didn't know that was him, Lettie he's been through more than anyone could ever expect him too."
"He eats women's hearts!" Lettie cried, her little feet stamping the ground.
"Nonsense; that is absolute nonsense, he has never done such a thing. Sure he may be a bit childlike and selfish and maybe a bit vain but he's changed I know he has, Lettie I don't care what you think of him I love him," Sophie said and with that she left Lettie to go back to Howl.
She locked hands with him and was quite surprised when Howl bent down to give her a kiss on the lips. Maybe that would convince Lettie.
"Oh Sophie-sweetheart, Howl dear!" Honey called a little way away from them, ushering them over with drastic hand movement, "Come meet your step father!"
Howl felt Sophie tense.
'Show time,' he thought as he gave Sophie's hand a small squeeze and almost dragged her over to her mother.
"Sophie dearest and Howl, This is Michael, the man I married in the war, your new step father."
Sophie couldn't help staring at the man. He certainly was old, probably as old as her mother. He had slick dark hair that had started to grey and bushy eyebrows. Dark eyes peered out of their sockets and Sophie couldn't help but feel guilty about staring. It was then that she noticed that Michael wasn't staring at her, but at Howl.
"Howl… I've heard that name before…" He spoke slowly, his voice deep and masculine.
Howl cringed.
This was going to be a long night.
Thanks to ALL my reviewers!! You really don't know how much your support means to me!
BloodThornChaos: Lol, thanks for your review… Maybe suggestive. I couldn't write it!
CharmedLostie4ever- Thanks; I'm glad you like it so far. I'll be updating more often. –smiley-.
Mysticvysgiyi: It's Honey (or Fanny, which ever floats your boat) she's a pushy type of Character and a social butterfly. She's just happy that her daughter is back with her. Of course, she doesn't realize how pushy she is. Please keep reading, find out just how Sophie's Mother gets Sophie and Howl into hot water! I've said too much… ah!
Paper Hearts Bleed Ink: Thanks for your review, I do plan to continue this, so keep reading and reviewing :D!
Irin Black: Yeah, I watched it then finished the rest of chapter 3 and I was obsessed, I thought it was great :D.
abelXesther4ever: Gawsh… You make me blush : Thanks, Keep R&R-ing.
RedWingedAngel002: Hehe, Thankies!!
Annonymous: :D. Lol. Thank you. I do try to make things funny. It has a 50 50 chance of coming out funny.
Lol, thanks to all these people, and all the others that read my story and come back for more!!
Your all awesome.
Seeya next chapter!!
