Chapter 1. -The Request.

Sophie rolled over however the other side of the bed lay bare, with an outstretched hand she pated the bed in search of Howl but it was bare and cold. She muttered something incoherent into her pillow before pushing herself up and looking around the bare room. As she left the bedroom the strong smell of bacon and eggs reached her she smiled in content as she turned the corner to descend the stairs into the main living quarters Markl was trying to cook using Calcifer but as per usual Clacifer refused while Howl laughed at the two. Sophie smiled at the scene unfolding before her as she placed a comforting hand on her round belly.

"Good morning Sophie," Calcifer said distracting everyone, Markl turned to Sophie and raced up the stairs to embrace her in a tight hug.

"I don't know how you do it Sophie! He doesn't listen to me at all!" Markl wailed as Sophie gave a small laugh and petted Markl's hair, he had grown in the years he was turning into a fine young boy about to begin his adolescent years, his training with Howl continued and he was turning out to be a fine young wizard.

"Good morning Markl," She said with a gentle smile before she waddled down the stairs where Howl stood waiting for her, once she was at the final step he came forward and wrapped his arms around her bringing her into a tight embrace, she paced her head on his shoulder as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Good morning Howl," She muttered sleepily still not having fully awoken as she gave out a yawn.

"Good morning Sophie," He said as he placed a kiss on her forehead before releasing Sophie and placing a kiss on her belly, "And good morning to you to," He said, Sophie laughed at him as she shook her head at his playfulness, she could hardly believe she was married to such a man.

"Oh yes, forget about the fire, who boils the baths, cooks the meal… don't worry I'll just be here… not like anyone cares," Calcifer said in a loud rowdy voice, Sophie pushed away from Howl and laughed at the fire, it was the same every morning, Sophie picked up a piece of wood and passed it to the little fire demon.

"Good morning Calcifer, how is my favourite fire demon today?" She asked him, as she took a seat before him, she gave out a laugh as he snubbed her by turning the other way.

"Be nice Calcifer," Howl scolded from behind Sophie, as she looked up to see him standing directly behind her protectively. Calcifer poked out tongue and threatened to burn Howl who took a blind bit of notice as he went and grabbed the frying pan with the still uncooked bacon and forced it on top of the unwilling Calcifer.

"Im the only one who ever does any work around here," Calcifer muttered as Howl fed him the shells of eggs, Sophie smiled at the fire she had never been more content. She had her beautiful husband, Markl who was like her adopted child, Calcifer a very dear friend and her child that was due to be born. One of the four doorbells rang, Sophie's head instinctively turned into the direction of the door. "Porthaven," Calcifer informed them all, as Markl ran over to the door changed it from the colour blue, which lead to Sophie's and Howls little get away garden, and changed it to yellow. She watched as Markl adorned his blue cape and changed into an old man, she always fond his disguises somewhat amusing, even more so when he was smaller in height, now he was just as tall as Sophie. Opening the door to have the strong smell of the sea side invade the house, Sophie smiled in content, she loved the smell of the sea she found it extremely relaxing.

"Your mail sir," The post man said with a small bow of his hat, Markl took hold of the mail and brought it into the folds of his cape and bowed to the sir.

"Thank you sir, good day," Markl replied monotonously, in a strange deep voice that he always used when wearing his disguise, Sophie gave Howl a knowing smile, as Howl watched over his pupil with a content smile, before he went over to the table and began dishing out the breakfast.

"And a good day to you," The post man replied before beginning to walk away, Markl slammed the door shut and rid of his disguise. He walked up the steps and meandered over to Howl who was pouring a glass of orange juice for all that would be eating at the table.

"Anything worth my while?" Haku questioned as he took the mail from Markl's hands and began opening one, as Sophie meandered over to the table and took her place opposite Howl, Markel sat in between the two and one vacant baby seat sat opposite Markl. Howl sat at the table as he read the letters Sophie shook her head.

"The manners in this house," She said with a light laugh, as Howl looked up at her and gave her a dazzling smile that could win awards, he winked at her before taking a bite of his bacon and continued to read whatever the next client was requesting.

"Can I have the juice please?" Markl asked to no one in particular.

"Of Course Markl," Sophie said as she went to reach for the juice she instantly retracted her hand and placed it on her stomach as she gave out a sharp gasp, instantly causing Howl to be over at her side in an instinct.

"Whats wrong Sophie?" He questioned her, she felt a wave of nausea as she thought she was going to faint, something wasn't right she didn't know what, just as the doorbell rang.

"Ill get it," Markl said loudly getting of his seat.

"Kingsbury," Calcifer shouted as he turned the doorknob so that it was on the red. He opened the door to reveal a tall man with curly blonde hair, he wore fancy clothing and clearly worked from the palace Markl who was in disguise regarded him curiously.

"Good morning sir, might I find Mrs Pendragon in residence here?" He questioned Markl, Markl's brows ceased as he casted a glance up the stairs to where Sophie was hunched over and deep breathing, with Howl trying to find out what was wrong.

"Mrs Pendragon is in residence here," Markl said lowly unsure if he should tell Sophie it was for her, but there was no need as she had already over heard and was swatting Howl away from her as waddled over to the top of the stair well panting, her hands beneath her rounded stomach as if holding the contents up.

"How can I help you?" Sophie asked as she began to descend the stairs as she heard give a dramatic sigh.

"I give up," He said in the back round, she gave a small chuckle as she heard Calcifer make some remark about him being weak. The messenger waited until Sophie was in the door frame.

"You are Mrs Pendragon?" He questioned Sophie, she nodded and smiled sweetly, Markl rolled his eyes. "Madam Suliman requests your audience this afternoon at three o'clock," he informed her, Sophie's eyes grew large, she hadn't even thought about Madam Suliman since she had gotten married to Howl. Heen made a noise of recognition at Sophie's feet, she smiled at the dog who had found himself living with Sophie ever since that fateful encounter with Madam Suliman. "Do you accept the Madam's request?" He questioned her haughtily, as if Sophie was something far below him and shouldn't even be associated with.

"Decline, Sophie," She heard Howl yell in the back round, but being the rebellious young women that she was, as well as being slightly curious as to why after all this time Madam Suliman wished to see her, she agreed to have an audience with Madam Suliman. Once he bid her farewell, Markl shut the door and helped Sophie up the stairs to see an extremely unimpressed looking Howl.

"Whats the matter?" Sophie questioned him, just as she felt a kick in her stomach as she haunched over, "You better come out soon," She muttered to her stomach. When she looked up at Howl she saw that his mouth had formed into a thin line.

"Does what I say count for nothing?" He asked her flatly, she knew straight away he had taken offence that she had not declined the invitation and ignored his wishes but she rolled her eyes and waddled past him. "Sophie?!" He yelled after her, but Sophie was already walking up the stairs.

"Warm up the water please Calcifer," She yelled at Calcifer and disappear out of Howl's sight. Howl gave a frustrated sigh as he turned towards Calcifer, who smirked at him.

"Welcome to my world," Calcifer chirped happily in response as he watched Howl storm across the side of the room and switched the door to the colour pink before storming out into his and Sophie's secret garden.

"I don't like it when they fight," Markl said as he began clearing up the table, giving the left over food to Calcifer who lapped it up happily.

"Howl just doesn't like that he can't control Sophie like he could with the other girls," Calcifer said with a wicked smile, Markl sighed.

"But Sophie isn't like those other girls," Markl argued as he began to wash the dishes, something he would have never done before had Sophie not come to live with them.

"And thats why Howl will always love her," Calcifer said with a yawn, as Markl turned towards him.

"I don't think I'll ever fall in love," He said quietly as Calcifer rolled his eyes, "Im being serious," Markl wailed defensively, as the fire demon rolled his eyes at the young adolescent just as the doorbell rang once more.

"Aha, Porthaven door," He informed the young assistant.

Unedited- Not sure whether to continue tell me your thoughts all feedback is very much welcome.