Howl's Moving Castle: Tales Of Love

The New Member of the Family

She wanted to collapse, her insides felt like jelly and her hands were tired from the squeezing. Her vision was swimming, her only focus being on the two now most important people in front of her. Her husband Howl, and their newborn baby Morgan, who had a small wrinkly nose and was wrapped up so tight she couldn’t tell if he was breathing or not. But her worries were dispelled when he coughed awake and squinted at Sophie with pale blue eyes.

“You’re so beautiful,” Sophie hiccuped, tears abruptly forming.

“Are you talking to me or Morgan?” Howl teased, his grin the biggest Sophie had ever seen. Sophie couldn’t help but laugh and offered for him to hold Morgan.

“Wow, looks like he has my eyes and your frown,” Howl said softly. Sophie frowned at him, but only slightly, realizing she was basically proving his point by doing so.

After a few minutes the sweet nurse Miss Mattie walked in with some towels and a washcloth, “The family is here to visit you, do you want me to tell them to go for now so you can rest?” she asked gently.

“No, I’d love for them to come see him. Please send them in,” Sophie muttered, coming off of a doze. Miss Mattie smiled and walked out, setting a couple of towels by the bedside along the way. “Won’t this be the first time you’re family and I have been in the same room?” Howl asked, placing a little magic on Morgan when he started to fuss.

 

“No Howl they were at our wedding remember? They’re fine with you, please don’t worry about it okay?” She asked, squeezing his hand.

 

Morgan woke up again a couple moments later and began wailing, his fists pushing out of the blanket and flying everywhere, nearly hitting Howl in the face. “Oh here, let me take him. You’re alright sweetie,” Sophie cooed, rocking Morgan back and forth. When he wouldn’t stop crying though, Sophie couldn’t help but feel a little frustrated. She gave him life, yet all he does is cry and get snot everywhere. Not that she’s really surprised though, she wasn’t expecting an infant to understand the basic concepts of humanity quite yet.

 

Miss Mattie came in a moment later as Morgan was still crying and asked, “Is now a bad time?” Sophie shook her head and asked, “Can you help me actually? I don’t understand why he’s crying.”

 

Miss Mattie walked over and leaned over, “He might be hungry, have you tried breast feeding him? Usually when babies are upset, it means they’re hungry.”

 

Sophie nodded graciously and untied her hospital gown and maneuvered in a certain way so her gown was now pooling around her waist yet the hospital blanket was covering her just enough. Howl curtly looked elsewhere as Miss Mattie helped Sophie adjust into the proper position. But after a minute or two of no success, they figured Morgan might instead be tired. “If a baby is crying like that for no reason, that usually means they’re tired. It happens more often than you’d expect.” Miss Mattie explained as Sophie reattached her hospital gown. Sophie nodded graciously. Not soon after Miss Mattie exited the room, Fanny and Lettie burst through, looking as if they had been waiting for hours to see this.

 

“Oh, that must be little Morgan!” Lettie squealed, rushing over to Sophie, cooing at Morgan as soon as she saw him. “Aren’t you just the cutest! Oh he is just so sweet. Mother, come look.” She demanded, completely fussing over how the blanket wasn’t wrapped tight enough. Fanny grinned and walked behind Lettie, peering over her shoulder to see the new child, who’s eyes were fluttering closed, evidently tired as Miss Mattie had predicted.

 

“You two have created the most beautiful child,” Fanny said softly, flashing a genuine smile at Howl, and then at Sophie. “Reminds me of when I had Martha, and adopted you both. I thought you were the most beautiful girls, and I still do.” Fanny paused to squeeze Sophie’s hand, “You’ll make a wonderful mother.”

 

Sophie’s smiled tiredly and she said, “I’m sure you’ll make a lovely grandmother too.” She then looked at at Lettie, “And you’ll definitely make the perfect aunt. Morgan will love you to pieces I’m sure.”

 

Lettie and Fanny hugged Sophie, then to Howl’s surprise, hugged him as well, and Fanny announced, “We best be on our way. You honestly both look exhausted, I’m sure you could use some rest. Sleep well the both of you and please visit! My husband and I have rather peaceful dinners so please come by any time.” Lettie added, “Goodbye Sophie, bye Howl! I love you all, and good luck with Morgan!”

 

They then exited, and a tidal wave of exhaustion came over Sophie. Her eyes started drooping and she felt no purpose in staying awake at this point. She patted the bed space next to her and muttered, “Come lie down. The bed’s much more comfortable than the chair.” Howl easily obliged, and squashed in next to her and Morgan, interlocking his hand with one of hers.

 

“I can’t believe we’re parents. Just 2 years ago I was a heartless, 'heart-stealing' excuse of a man,” Howl admitted.

 

“And I can’t believe 2 years ago I was afraid of you, or the rumors I heard of you. I can’t believe I lived so plainly as well.” Sophie laughed softly, leaning her head on Howl’s shoulder, “I really expected I would die a plain woman with a plain shop to work for.”

 

“Well now you’re living with a wizard, so I hope you’re not expecting anything plain anymore.” He breathed, his raven colored hair scattered across the pillow. As soon as he heard soft snores drumming against his ear, he knew he wouldn’t get a reply any time soon, and nuzzled next to her, enjoying the warmth and safety she brought him. “I’m so lucky,” he murmured, drifting off into an equally peaceful slumber.

 

A/N

Hi! Thank you all sooo much for the votes and comments, they’ve helped me so much and really helped me remember not to given up in writing when I’ve felt stuck :). Also Morgan is their sons actually name, in the books! So I’m not just pulling some name from ass, like it’s actually amazingly canon. Also Martha is their other sister in the books, so I'm sorry if it kind of confused anyone! So a reminder, if you haven’t read the books, please do because omg...like it’s so great, definitely one of my fave series. Anyways, thank you all a ton, and ily all and I hope you’re having an awesome day!