Aub- please don't worry there is no such thing as a review that's too long. as long as it's all constructive. and full of some nice things too. please i look foreward to reading your review. i'm waiting for your response to this chapter.
and to everyone else . . . THANK YOU. I love that you all thought i was evil! but i answered all the questions. :) woot go me
WARNING- this is long.
doesn't belong to me by the way.
O.Oo.o
A father's choice.
A father.
The word kept going threw his head. He was going to be a father, twins, a boy and a girl. Should he tell his family? He hadn't told Megan that he was getting married, why should he tell her she was going to be an aunt? Besides he had told Sophie that his family never wanted to see him again, which wasn't exactly untrue.
"Calcifer are you up?" Howl called down to his life time companion.
"Yea, I'm up. Between you and Sophie I never seem to have time for anything anymore. What's your problem?"
"I'm going to be a father."
"Yes Howl, I knew that before you did."
"Should I tell my family?"
"Huh? Why would you do that? You haven't spoken to them in so long they probably think you're dead. So leave it be. Life is working for us right now Howl, and anytime your family has been involved they've ruined that somehow."
"But they are still my family. Sophie told her sister Lettie, and she's giving Sophie a baby shower. I want to give my family a chance. One last chance to be happy for me. I know that your right and they will more then likely ruin this for me, but, if I don't tell them I'll always wonder what would have happened. Besides what will I tell the children when they ask why they only have family on their mother's side? Sorry I was too scared to go and tell your other one you existed?"
"Howl, please at least wait till they are born . . . "
"So I can show up looking like I knocked some girl up and need to be bailed out of trouble again? That would go over really well. It would ruin Sophie in my sister's eyes. Megan would refer to her as some awful things. Things that Sophie hasn't done a thing to earn. I'd like to tell them before I take Sophie to meet them. That way if things go badly, I won't have to take Sophie somewhere that will only cause her pain."
"If you have to do this Howl, and I want you to remember that I said it was a dumb idea, then go first like you said. Those people are horrible and Sophie shouldn't have to put up with them if they can't be civil."
"I'll go tomorrow during the day. You'll cover for me won't you?"
"Yes, I'll cover for you. Howl be careful. Those people made you want to lose your heart once already . . . and this time you have so much more to lose."
"I'll remember Calcifer. Thanks."
O.Oo.o
"Calcifer? Where's Howl gone? I haven't seen him all day. We're supposed to go down and buy clothes to wear to our meeting tomorrow. For him, Markl and I."
"Tomorrow? What's happening tomorrow Sophie?" Markl asked running down to breakfast.
"A surprise. One that we thought you ought to have proper clothes for."
"Really? Can we go without Master Howl? He already has so many nice clothes and I promise to take good care of you and the babies while we're out. I'll make sure you eat enough, and take rest breaks so you don't walk too much. Please can we go?"
"Yea Sophie." Calcifer called out. "Seems like a good idea to me. Besides Howl will probably be back before you are and you can yell at him then."
"Well all right. Go up and put your street clothes on then, Markl."
"Yea." The boy yelled running up the stairs.
"Calcifer, will you remind Howl if he does get back before us that he needs normal clothes, I don't think the fact that he's Wizard Howl is going to impress these people."
"I'll tell him Sophie. He went to face up to the thing that scares him most. His family. And when he asks, I didn't tell you. But he wanted to do it before the twins were born and while you were still well enough to travel."
"He went . . . "
"Yup."
"All by himself?"
"He's working hard at not being so afraid Sophie. I think he really just wanted to test himself. Those people are the reason he gave up his heart. You be careful too. You're the Wizard Howl's wife and anyone that still has anything against him will do it through you. Make sure to keep the ring on that he gave you the first time. I can find you with it. It goes two ways."
"I'll be careful Calcifer. Thank you."
Mommy? What's wrong? Why are you nervous all the sudden?
Sophie smiled as her little boys voice went through her mind.
Nothings wrong, William. Something just occurred to me. Are you all right in there?
Yes, I was just wondering. Good night.
"I'm ready Sophie! Can we go for lunch while we're out too?"
"Sure Markl that sounds like fun."
O.Oo.o
Howell stood looking up at and the brown and yellow building. It looked so nice and peaceful from the outside, and only Sophie could make him go in there. He was standing on the porch about to knock when the door opened for him and his nephew's smiling face peeked through the crack.
"Uncle Howell! Hi! Mom's not felling very well right now, but if you give me a sec I'll run up and tell her you're here."
"Thanks Neil."
The boy nodded and ran off, yelling MOM as he went. Minutes later a dark haired woman, came down the stairs, looking at him like he was the plague coming personally to knock at her door.
"Good day Megan. May I come in?" Might as well try to be polite. He offered his sibling a smile and tried to look innocent.
"Why? What do you want this time? I have no money for you Howell so you might as well go before my husband comes back. He won't take kindly to you shadowing our doorway again."
"Mom!" Neil exclaimed from the inside. "I want to see him. I haven't seen him in a long time!"
"If it were up to me, you wouldn't have seen him today. The only time you see him is when he wants something. So come on Howl spit it out, what are you after this time? Money? A hiding place? Jewelry? Any of the above? Or maybe some of the Heirlooms that Mom left us? What could it possibly be this time? My heart? You've broken it enough time's already Howell. I refuse to bother with you anymore. Please leave."
"I didn't come here for anything Megan. I just came here to tell you something."
"That you have pissed of the mob finally and their out for you so tell them we don't know you?"
"Nothing like that. I came to see if you cared enough to listen to what I have to tell you. Since you don't, I'll just leave. I promise not to shadow your doorway anymore Mrs. Fairchild."
With that he turned and left.
"Screw this!" Neil yelled and bolted past his mother and out the door to follow his uncle.
"Neil! Come back here!" Megan called but he ignored her and ran to his uncle's side.
"Uncle Howell? You really did break Mom's heart. She wept for days the last time you left. She was so upset that she miscarried the sister I was supposed to have. So I can understand why she's a little grumpy with you. She didn't just lose you last time. She lost a child too. Can you understand that?"
Howell turned to take in his nephew, at 14 he was smarter then Howl would ever be. Braver too, he'd followed his uncle knowing he'd be in trouble when he went home.
"I came to tell Megan that I finally married. My wife's name is Sophie. We're expecting twins in the spring. I came to tell her that she doesn't have to worry for me anymore. I finally found someone who makes me happy who gave me back the world and so much more. We own a flower shop. So I saved up and came over here on a plane to see if your mother wanted to be part of my life. But I guess I ruined that. Tell you mom I'm sorry, okay?"
"Am I really going to have cousins? How long have you been married to this lady? Will you bring her to meet us?"
"No, I'm sorry Neil but I'm not going to bring her here. I'll send you pictures of your cousins if you want them but I don't think you'll ever meet them. I'm sorry I'm such a bad uncle to you. Wish me luck as a father okay?" Howl felt his feelings slip a little and a gust of wind rushed down the street.
"Uncle Howell calm down. Your making the winds blow."
"What?" Howl said turning to look at his nephew in disbelief.
"You make the wind. I believe in magic and when you're around sometimes I see you do it. Is Sophie, sorry, Aunt Sophie a wizard too?"
"She could be if I trained her. You could be too but, you'd have to do as I did and give up all of this."
Neil looked thoughtful for a second before his face fell and he gave an answer to his Uncle's unspoken question.
"No, I couldn't do that. I don't think Mom would ever recover from losing both you and I, and since you've already made your choice, I guess that mines already picked."
"You're a good person Neil. Much better then I'll ever be. Thank you for thinking of my sister."
The boy smiled up at him.
"Hey she's my mom. I figure I owe her more then you."
"Neil!"
They both turned to see Megan running down the street, panic on her face and tears in her eyes.
"Yes Mom."
"What do you think your doing! I called you seven times already, and I don't know how many times I have told you to stay away from your Uncle."
"He's your brother and for once I think you should listen to him. He has good news. News you'll want to hear."
"How dare you talk to me that way? March straight home right now and go to bed! I don't want to see you for the rest of the night!"
"Why? Scared I might be right and this might be your only chance to make up with uncle Howell?" the boy shot back before running down the street toward his home.
"He's a really great kid Megan. And I know it's not my place but maybe you were a little hard on him."
"Like you'd know! You've never cared for family in your entire life, so don't tell me how to run mine! Now, since it was such an big deal to Neil, what did you come here for?"
For the first time that day Howell smiled.
"I came to tell you that I've been gone all these years because I'm a wizard and went to train. Neil is one too so you might want me to teach him control. Also I'm here to tell you that you don't have to worry about me anymore. I'm married and have been for about five months. My wife and I are expecting twins. I wanted to know if you'd like me and mine to be a part of your life. If you decide to hold up this card and call out my name in your heart. I'll hear you and come running."
And with that he vanished and Megan was left staring at the spot where he'd been standing wondering if he was telling the truth, and how to patch things up with her son.
O.Oo.o
Howl fell in the door. No one was there to notice him, so, he sank to the floor in defeat.
"I killed my niece. How can I be a father with another child's death on my hands?" his chest started to hurt. He put his hands over it to hold it in, but, it leaked out his eyes falling to the floor and marking it.
"Howl?" Calcifer called from the hearth. "What happened? I told you they would screw it up!"
"No Calcifer. I screwed it up. I screwed my sister up and killed her baby. How can I face Sophie like this?"
"Umm yea, about Sophie."
"Where is she?"
"She and Markl went to Kingsbury. To get him clothes for tomorrow. Prince Justin showed up as they went and he volunteered to escort them. The problem is she hasn't come back yet. It's almost dark Howl, can you please fall apart later? After you find Sophie and Markl?"
"They went out, without me?" Howl said quietly.
"Your interview to have the papers signed to adopt Markl is tomorrow. It isn't like she could wait till you got back. She was on my radar till about 30 minutes ago, then something blocked it. I was out looking but I felt you come back and thought I should get you to help look. It could just be that they went to dinner outside the range of the spell."
"In Suliman's city? Do you really believe that?"
"No, I think Suliman has her, which means you should hear from the evil woman herself anytime. Sophie should be safe. You wouldn't do what she wanted if she hurt Sophie."
"Dammit just what I needed! Well, lets go."
Howell! Please, I believe you. Please come quick! I need you! Neil is in trouble. Please, I beg you to have enough love for me still left to come and save my son!
"Shit! Megan just summoned me. Something about Neil being in trouble. I can't leave them hanging either, not after I was responsible for the death of one of her children already. Calcifer go and look for Sophie, Markl or even Prince Justin any should be able to help us. Find out what's going on. This is way too convenient to be a coincidence. I'm going to go and help Megan."
O.Oo.o
Howell wasted no time he went through the black door and then teleported to his sister living room. The scene in front of him was not good. Garth lay on the floor, bleeding from a gash in his head, Megan was on the floor behind Neil and held there by the ice that wiped through the room. Neil was standing magic pouring off of him forcing people back from his family. The only person unaffected by the ice and wind was himself, Neil and Suliman. She sat in her chair smirking at her younger opponent, like he was a very fat mouse she had just caught in her trap. Howl reached out and took control of the wind, Neil fought him for it, but, saw his uncle out of the corner of his eye. Howl took the power that his nephew had already gathered and added his own to it. Tossing the lot at Suliman's smiling face.
He reached his nephew as the chair started to right its self.
"Neil, I'm going to send you and your mother to a door. I don't care who you think it belongs to it will take you to my house. Take your mother there and make yourself comfortable, if the fire moves listen to him. Got it? Can you do that for me?"
"Yes Uncle Howell. I will do my best. Are you going to bring my dad?"
"Yes. I'll be right behind you. There's just something I have to say to that lady first."
The boy nodded at him and grabbed his mother's hand. Howl pictured where he wanted them to go and whispered the spell. After grabbing his brother-in-law he turned to Suliman.
"If I find out that my wife and apprentice happen to be your guests, I will make sure that you regret laying a hand on them for as long as you live, which won't be long after I'm done with you."
And with that he phased out. Falling threw his door again.
O.Oo.o
Sophie took in the suite of rooms the three of them had been giving to share. Markl had fallen into an exhausted sleep a few minutes ago. He'd been concentrating so hard on hold a shield spell around Sophie's middle that he'd just passed out. He was so upset at himself for not being able to protect her liked he'd promised Calcifer.
Justin was sitting in a chair in front of her that way he was the first target if they came to the room. Her chair had been put into a corner beside the windows, hidden by the shadows the moon made. No one was taking chances with their adversary. She was too clever and cunning to underestimate. They all knew that she was the one Suliman wanted. The biggest prize in her battle of wits with Howl. If they were lucky though Suliman didn't yet know Sophie was as of now an even bigger prize. Hurting Howl's children would be a wonderful threat. Sophie rested her hands on her middle and concentrated on being calm.
Mommy? Why are you so afraid? And what is the black stuff surrounding you?
Don't worry about it William. Mommy won't let anything happen to you. You two have to play it low. Don't try to help Mommy. There's someone who would like to hurt you if they knew about you.
Are you sure Mommy?
Yes. Be very still and quiet and good. Mommy is doing everything she can to get you out of here safely.
Be careful Mommy.
Sophie concentrated on looking unafraid. A knock came on their door. Justin moved in front of Sophie, who had moved in front of Markl. A guard stood highlighted by the light in the hall.
"Announcing her Ladyship, His Majesty's Royal Wizard, Madame Suliman." He bowed to the doorway as he moved aside.
The chair came to rest just in the doorway.
"Well, well. Mrs. Jenkins I assume you are now called? Your husband and his family are certainly full of surprises. He managed to escape, interesting though, he went to save his family instead of looking for you?" her eyes landing on Sophie.
"As smart as my husband is, he would have known that if I wasn't home by now that something was stopping me from coming. The only person who would do that is you! Since you must want something from him, he knew that I was more then likely safe. You can take you seeds of doubt and toss them out the window for all I care. When my husband gets he here will make you regret ever forcing us out of the market and detaining us here against our will!"
"I'm sure he will try. Your highness? Your father was most displeased to hear that you had been found off gallivanting with another man's wife, so, as of now you are no longer his son and your sister will succeed him as heir. I though that you might want to know that little piece of information. Breakfast will be brought up for you at 9:00 tomorrow. I'll make sure to send extra for you Mrs. Jenkins. We wouldn't want anything to happen to the bundle your carrying. You are hear by confined to these rooms. I'll see you after I've spoken with Wizard Howl. Have a good night everyone."
The door closed leaving the room in silence.
O.Oo.o
"Uncle Howell? Will my dad be okay?" Neil asked as his uncle's form stopped glowing.
"He's fine Neil, Megan, just the bump on his head knocked him out. Now where is Calcifer? How long does it take to go and see if that woman has Sophie?"
"Umm, Howell? Who is Sophie?" Megan asked. A little distracted by the fact that her brother had just pulled rooms for them out of thin air. And had forbidden them from going upstairs for anything but the bathroom. Just then the mini dial Howl had added to the door spun to green and Heen walked in from the wastes.
"Oh wow! Uncle Howell, you have a dog? What's his name? Can I pet him?" Neil asked.
"His name his Heen and you'll have to ask him if you can pet him. He's part of my family not a pet."
"But Uncle Howell? Aren't we your family?" Neil asked. Looking at him. The temperature in the room dropped.
"Neil!" Howl yelled causing the boy to jump and the room to warm up. "Be careful! You have to always be aware of what you're feeling. What if you had been at school and frozen one of the other children? Yes, you're my Family, by blood. Heen is part of the family that was pieced together for me by Sophie. Hell I was supposed to be going and adopting my apprentice today."
"Why? Were we not good enough?" Megan asked, as upset by the conversation as her son had been.
A warm gust of wind came from the fire place and a glowing red . . . thing landed in the hearth.
"Howell! Something's broken into your house!" Megan yelled.
"I, Mrs. Fairchild, am not I thing. I am a scary and powerful fire-demon. Your family that seems to care so much about Howl now, was the thing that drove him to give his heart up to me! I had it for years while we slowly died. Sophie gave it back to him, she loved him no matter what, and she'd seen his bird form. You guys, couldn't be bothered with him because he was withdrawn, different and knew things he shouldn't have. Too bothersome for such a busy and important family, and a stain on its reputation. Some family you are."
"This isn't the time to point fingers' Calcifer. Just tell me what you know about Sophie."
"Lettie said that as they were leaving her shop a bunch of Palace Guards came up to talk to the Prince. After a brief exchange, during which Markl seemed to be muttering under his breath, they forcefully took them all away, a guard dragging Markl by the collar of his shirt."
"Perfect just what I needed, another person to save. If they forced the Prince to come, he must have become expandable to them, and Sophie won't forgive me if I leave him there." This seemed to make Howl remember something, because he turned to his sister. "I humbly ask your forgiveness for my role in the death of you unborn child."
"I made myself sick Howell not you. I should have been use to your disappearing act by then, it was no fault of yours. You don't need my forgiveness."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes Howell. Now tell me what's going on here and what we can do to help? And who the hell is Sophie?"
O.Oo.o
Sophie was on last watch, when her stomach violently rolled, forcing her to run past Justin's half sleeping form into the bathroom, where she was promptly sick.
"Oh no. Not here. Not now. Suliman will have a hay day if not only am I pregnant but pregnant enough to have morning sickness."
"Sophie?" Justin called. "Are you all right in there?"
"Yes Justin. Just some morning sickness. I'll be out soon. Warn me if you hear Suliman's men coming and I'll try to pull myself together."
"As you wish."
O.Oo.o
"You got married and didn't bother inviting me?"
"You would have had to come here. If I had told you about this, you would have locked me up and I never would have been able to come home! Sophie and Calcifer would have had to come and save me, and I already owe my life to my wife, I don't know what else I can owe her."
"Did she ask for anything?"
"Don't even go there Megan. She's too nice and proper and just too Sophie to ask for anything."
"Uncle Howell? I don't feel well." Neil managed to get out before falling over.
"Dammit! Calcifer heat up some water, he used up too much of himself we have to get him warm. Where did we put that potion from the time Markl did this?"
"Above the cupboard Howl, beside the fridge." The Witch of the Waste said walking in from the flower shop. "Sophie keeps all the healing potions that you make there, along with bandages. By the way, where is Sophie? Her mother was here to ask her about the twins baby shower, but I was forced to tell her I hadn't seen her since yesterday morning. I believe she went shopping in Kingsbury. Did that woman finally make her move? She really couldn't have picked a better time, what with Sophie expecting and all."
"What do you know about this?"
"Sophie's mother didn't seem surprised to hear that no one knew where her daughter was. It was almost like she expected it."
"You think her mother traded her daughter for the life she has again."
"Why Howl, your getting to be so perceptive now that you have your heart back."
"Thank you. I think Sophie's mother is as good a place to start looking for what Suliman wants as anywhere. Calcifer! Do you want to be the one to go and scare up some answers or shall I? "
"It will be my pleasure to make her remember that there are some things that you don't do to family. Right after I heat up water" and with that he got to running it.
"Gran, this is my nephew Neil, and he used too much of himself. If you would be kind enough to watch him, while you wait here for Suliman's messenger, I'd greatly appreciate it I know you still have basic magic."
"Why certainly. I've never had an apprentice before. Warm the child up Howl and I'll start."
Howl took his nephew and the witch upstairs to the bathroom so the Witch of the Waste could keep watch on his nephew. Howl left them like that and ran upstairs to the room he shared with Sophie. As soon as he'd married her, he'd thrown out all of the toys that had been there. Claimed he'd never need them to make him feel better again. He had Sophie for that. He wished he'd have kept one now. He had no Sophie and his house, his life, his magic seemed empty without her. He laid down in their bed and found that her scent was still on the pillows. He smiled and with that tiny piece of her keeping him calm fell asleep.
O.Oo.o
Sophie watched as the breakfast try was brought up and left in the door. There was a wide assortment of foods, bacon, eggs, muffins and other wonderful smelling things. It almost looked to good to be true so Sophie waited till Markl woke up to ask what she wanted to know.
"Good morning Sophie."
"Good morning Markl. Do you know how to find out if food is poisoned?"
"Umm, I don't think Master Howl ever showed me a spell like that. I do know one that will cleanse food and drink, I can try that on breakfast if you like. He wanted me to learn that first, because you should never trust anything an enemy gives you. I can't cast the spell without changing the taste of the food. Not good enough with my magic yet. Sometimes it makes the food better sometimes it makes it worse."
"If it's not too much trouble, would you try for us please?"
Markl nodded. Of course he would try. He was the one in charge of keeping Sophie safe. It was he who had begged to go without Master Howl. If not for him they would all be safe. So he gathered what little of his magic had recharged and used to take out any impurities that might have been in the food.
"Okay, it's safe to eat now. Though I don't know how it will taste."
"Thank you for your hard work Markl." Sophie said leaning over to kiss his forehead.
"Anytime Sophie." He said as he sat down to eat. All in all he'd done all right. There was just this sense that something was missing from the meal. But it wasn't so bad you couldn't eat it. He was pleased with the magic that he'd been pulling off. If Master Howl heard, he might even agree to teach him a new spell!
O.Oo.o
Howl woke up four hours later. The witch told him Neil was fine, but hadn't woken up yet. Howl nodded, his body was doing like Howl's, sleeping to recharge the power that he'd used.
Megan was sitting in her son's room watching him sleep.
"Megan?"
"He really is magic, isn't he? I don't mean any of the showy stuff either. To me just the fact that he IS, is magic to me. A part of me that will carry on long after I'm gone. I told Garth what happened. He's downstairs trying to figure out how to make breakfast. He thought that since you saved us the least we can do is try not to be a bother while you try and help your wife. I'd really like to meet her. Anyone who can make my brother not only happy but act grown up, must have the most powerful magic."
"And what magic would that be?" Howl asked wanting to hear what his sister would say.
"The magic of a loving heart. The kind that accepts everything and helps it grow."
Howl laughed.
"A mother's heart Calcifer called it."
"What can we do to help Howell?"
"Help?"
"Get your wife back. I want to meet her."
"I don't know. I don't know what Suliman wants from me. Not that it matters she can pretty much ask me for anything and for Sophie and Markl back and I would hand it over."
Daddy? There is black stuff all around us. And Mommy isn't getting enough food in. She keeps getting rid of it. She's trying to eat, and there's a white glow-y thing between William and I and the black stuff. But the glow-y thing is getting weaker. The voice in it is getting fainter, weaker, more tired. Mommy told us not to help her. She said we should be quiet and good. Should we Daddy?
If that's what Mommy said then do that for now. Oh and Mika? Remember Daddy loves you and is trying everything in his power to get you back. Tell Daddy when the Glow-y thing is gone.
Okay Daddy. But hurry, please.
"Howell?"
"Sorry Megan. I had an important message to take. Mika was telling me what was going on."
"Mika?"
"My children are both powerful mage's, as there are right now. Mika and William can talk to us from where they are. Don't ask. I'm sure how it works myself. I have to get them back and fast. Did Calcifer come home yet?"
"Yes he's down stairs arguing with Garth."
"Calcifer, just let the man make breakfast!" Howl yelled down the stairs.
"But Howl . . . "
"I don't care let them make food and stuff it will give them something to do. Markl is trying to keep a shield up around the twins. Any clue what that means?"
Calcifer seemed to shrink.
"That we're running out of time. If he keeps channeling without break he'll use his soul up eventually and he'll die."
"I think it's time I paid that woman a visit. As the most powerful wizard in Ingary, she should be reminded that there are limits to how nice I can be. Megan, you, garth and Neil stay here don't leave the house for any reason. Calcifer can keep you safe in here. The last thing I need is more hostages. Gran will teach Neil basic magic when he wakes up. That should keep you all busy till I come back."
"You have a plan?"
"Kind of. But I don't like the fact that I could blow up in my face."
O.Oo.o
As Howl walked toward the palace every guard in the place moved as far out of his way as they could. It could have been due to the fact that he'd vaporized the ten guards that had been standing outside the gate with a wave of his hand, and he'd made it look easy.
He walked right past her waiting room to the gardens where she always saw her guests.
After five minutes of making him wait she rolled in looking quite smug.
"Well, well. Howl what a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect you till at least tomorrow. I also expected you to take out a lot more guards. So shall we get right down to business, or will you allow me to congratulate you on not only being married but on being a father also?"
"You can if you choose but in the end I'm here for my wife and my apprentice. If you would send someone to go get them. I'll take the prince too while I'm here."
"Now Howl do you really expect me to just hand them over? After all the trouble I went through to get them? Please let's not be silly. I have something you want, so you must offer me something in return."
"What could you possibly want with me? I thought you had decided that I wasn't worth your time or effort."
"True but you still have such an amazing talent. Let me put it to you this way. You can either agree to becoming my apprentice again and taking over for me, or I will keep your wife till she's had her two darling babies and then send her home to you empty handed. And your two children can be my new apprentice's. I promise to raise them like my own. I'll teach them to call me mom."
Howl was left speechless for a moment. He almost laughed at her when her words sank in. She couldn't feel the twins power! She thought he was the bigger catch. He swallowed for a minute. He wanted to enjoy this last moment before he gave himself to the witch again.
"Is that your only stipulation? You will release all your prisoners and NEVER bother then again if I become your apprentice again? Children included? On your power?"
"On my power I will release your wife Sophie, your apprentice Markl, Prince Justin and the two children and never meddle in their lives again. So long as you're my apprentice and after that as long as you stay on as the royal wizard. Fair enough trade? All of them for you? Your word on your power?"
"I will agree to be your STUDENT and to become the royal wizard after you so long as our deal withstands."
She smiled and he felt chilled.
"I expect you here first thing Monday morning." With that she snapped her fingers and his family and him were outside the palace gates. He took them all in.
Justin stood in a fighting stance in front of Sophie who had Markl shielded with her body. He laughed and reached down to feel her weight in his arms. To know she was real.
Daddy? Why did you do what that woman wanted? She stole us. You shouldn't have to give her anything!
Sophie gasped clutching her stomach in pain.
"Howl?" she gasped out, the heat in her belly worring her and hurting her all at once.
"Shhh love. It's all right. I'll make it all right."
Mika! Calm down, your causing your mother a great deal of pain and distress. Learn to control your temper. Besides all of you mean more to me then anything else.
I'm sorry. But you shouldn't have to give up pieces of yourself for us. It's not fair and it's not right.
I want to be able to protect you Mika. That's what father's do. What they will always do giving the choice.
Someday I'm going to save you too, Daddy.
You already have.
"There Cariad do you fell better now?"
"Yes thank you. Can we go home now? I would like nothing more then to get a proper nights sleep in our own bed."
"Anything for you."
Closing his eyes he sent them all back to his house.
O.Oo.o
Megan watched as people were suddenly in the living room. Her brother smiled and put his finger over his mouth. They all stayed quiet. In his arms he held a tiny slip of a girl, she didn't look a day more than 16. She had star light hair and a slightly protruding belly.
"Megan, Garth and Neil, I'd like for you to meet my wife. Sophie." He smiled down at her for a second with a look close to wonder. Megan didn't see anything unusually about the girl, other then her hair colour. Certainly she wasn't the type of girl her brother normally went after.
"And this is my apprentice Markl," he said indicating to another sleeping bundle held by a blonde haired man. "And the man carrying him in prince Justin. My wife's friend."
"Justin. This is my sister Megan and her husband Garth and the other almost sleeping body is my nephew Neil."
"It is my great pleasure to meet you all. I hope you will have a pleasant stay in my country."
"Nice to meet you." They said at the same time. Garth moving up to stand with his wife.
"I'd never have imagined that the great and powerful Wizard Howl would have come from the mundane world. But you are welcome here, I'm sure."
"Justin if you would see to getting Markl into a hot bath while I see to Sophie."
"Anything to help. I know it must have cost you to get me out of there too, and you didn't have to."
"Can you picture the lecture I would have received from my wife had I left you with that woman? Besides I'm not quite that evil yet."
"Too true. Can you show me where the bathroom is?"
"I will." Megan said. " I want to feel like I can be of use too."
Howell smiled at her for the first time in years.
"As you wish."
O.Oo.o
After getting everyone rooms and assigning chores for the next day and making sure Calcifer was okay with them, he wondered in to check on Markl one last time.
Setting down the piece of paper Sophie had been so eager to get for him. It stated that he was now officially theirs and the were responsible for him. That he was adopted. He'd had Calcifer send Sophie's mother to get it for them.
He smiled and made it so the paper would be the first thing he saw when he woke up.
His little apprentice had done a good job all in all if what Justin had told him was true. A three-day protective spell, and a purifying one? Not bad at all. He just might have to get serious about what the child learned. He thought about it for a moment and placed a list of spells that had to get practiced the next day on Markl's door.
He left the room very silently and made his way to his own. Sophie was still asleep. The twins had been using some of her power to hide theirs. She looked so peaceful lying there on his bed that sometimes he didn't believe she was real. He thought that he'd wake up heartless any minute and he'd willed her into being for a couple of hours to help him fight off the darkness. He tossed his clothes off and crawled into bed. Holding her as tightly as he dared. She smiled in her sleep and turned to him.
"I'm here." She murmured before falling into the land of sleep again. That was all he needed to hear. He smiled and wrapped the protective wards around the house then finally succumb to sleep.
O.Oo.o
Yea! Sorry I couldn't figure out how to end it and still have it be a one-shot. Thank's to all of you who waited so long. I'm kinda out of ideas but if you want too, please feel free to make suggestions or challenges. Writer's block can be a scary thing sometimes. and i won't post till at least one new person reviews. lol. more evilness.