~Birth~

Howl sprung from the bed in a blind panic, stumbling across the room practically tripping over himself.

This was it. All the waiting was over.

Suddenly those nine months didn't seem like a long enough time to prepare. Did they have everything? Were they ready?... Was he ready? Months ago they had set up a crib in the bedroom that Howl stubbed his toe on every single morning, a routine probably set to continue. Lettie had made several little outfits in varying pastel colours. They had bottles, towels, diapers, toys galore…

He knew as soon as she woke him from his slumber. Her face was pale and clammy; one hand was on his arm, the other resting atop her swollen belly.

"I-It's time." She had whispered.

When the doctor finally arrived, Sophie was hunched over the bed, clutching the sheets tightly between her fingers. Howl stood beside her, rubbing her lower back, his dulcet tones soothing her.

'Just breathe…you're doing great.' He cooed.

The doctor's presence went unnoticed until the pain subsided and Sophie was able to stand up straight again.

'Oh Doctor! You're here!' She sang with delight, her weary face still managing to beam with hope and modest beauty.

'And how are we feeling?' He asked warmly, entering the room and eyeing up the contents a little sceptically.

'Sick with nerves!' Howl replied promptly as he clutched at his wife's shoulders.

'I was referring to the mother, Mr Pendragon.' The doctor rolled his eyes as after several visits to the castle he had come to understand the Wizard's mentality.

Sophie's stifle of laughter was cut short by another wave of agony, her teeth gritted and hand grasped desperately at Howl's shirt.

'You're alright.' The doctor comforted in an official tone as he continued with the opening of his briefcase. 'When did your contractions start?'

Sophie exhaled deeply and loosened her grip on Howl, she then moved to sit on the bedside.

'Before I went to bed.' She answered breathlessly. Howl's eyes widened.

'What? Why didn't you tell me? Sophie!' He clasped a hand to his forehead.

'Oh Howl, don't make a fuss. I didn't want to worry you, I knew it would be a long time before anything happened. I wanted you to get some sleep.'

'But Sophie-'

'Howl please!' Even he knew that irritating a woman in labour was never a good idea, so he decided to stay quiet.

'Alright,' the doctor said snapping on a rubber glove 'Let's take a look.'

~::~

'You're going to wear a groove in the floor!' Calcifer barged.

Howl couldn't sit still; He strode from one side of the room to the other and back again, and then retraced his steps several more times.

And if he wasn't pacing he was watching the clock on wall.

'I swear those hands are going backwards.' He muttered, shoving his bangs out of his eyes and taking a deep breath in.

'Patience is a virtue you know.' Calcifer commented as he simmered calmly, he knew how strong Sophie was and therefore he knew there was no sense in worrying.

'Don't get smart with me or I'll snuff you out.' Howl spat as he continued to pace.

~::~

Crying. How could a sound of such anguish bring so much happiness.

The doctor's words were a mumble to Howl when he appeared in the living room, but his legs automatically carried him upstairs.

And there she was- his beautiful wife- sitting upright in bed, cradling a small bundle of white swaddling. Her bangs clung to her forehead with sweat and tears dripped off her chin as she smiled down at the infant.

Howl was frozen in the doorway, his vision blurred with tears. Months ago this was a scene he thought he'd never see, yet here he was, a father.

Sophie tore her gaze from the new born and looked upon her husband with alert and loving eyes.

'Howl, Howl come look!' She whispered 'We… we have a daughter!'

And he was at her side, staring at the bundle in a trance. An incredibly small person, tinged an unnatural shade of pink and slightly wet. A tuft of black hair and a heart shaped face. Lips like tiny rose petals, her eyes closed, ten little fingers and ten little toes.

The most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

'Here, why don't you hold her?' Sophie shifted the baby in her arms gently.

Howl snapped to attention. Something inside of him screamed run! How could he possibly hold something so perfect and fragile? Yet an overwhelming sense of love took over and he held out his arms immediately.

Sophie carefully placed her baby into the crook of his arm where she fit so naturally. It was somewhere safe that she would always belong- Her daddy's arms.

'She's…she's just like you. So beautiful.' He uttered quietly. His heart raced as several tears fell onto her swaddling.

Sophie relaxed back onto the bed with a sigh of contentment. Her eyes had grown heavy and she teetered on the edge of sleep.

'I think we should call her Lunetta. It means "little moon"' she said softly.

'Lunetta.' Howl echoed. The baby stirred and opened one eye to look up at her father for the first time. That's when he noticed the colour- deep chocolate brown, just like her mother's. 'And what a wonderful little witch you are going to be my darling.'

Rocking side to side, Howl placed a kiss to his new born daughter's forehead.

'Welcome to the world, Lunetta Pendragon.'

~::~