Sofia's Decision
Chapter One
Recently, Sofia had suffered a kidney infection. She needed a replacement, and her birth father, Alex, had come to offer one of his. Alex had been abusive to Sofia in the past, but had seen the error of his ways. So much so, that he wanted Sofia to stay with him in the village for a year, which would mean Sofia leaving Royal Prep for normal school.
As Sofia slept, she kept having bad dreams about her old school. She was in the first grade, and the bullies were sticking glue and paper to her when the teacher was in the room.
Sofia awoke suddenly at 1:00 am. Racked with sobs, she walked to her parents' room and woke them up.
"Sofia what's wrong?" Miranda asked, sitting upright. "Why are you out of bed?"
"Mom, I don't want to go to a new school, I don't!" Sofia cried.
"Sofia, calm down please." Miranda soothed her.
"Miranda, what's wrong with Sofia?" Roland asked.
"I'll tell you as soon as Sofia is asleep." Miranda declared.
Miranda and Roland stayed up with Sofia until 6:00 am, when she was sound asleep. Roland carefully picked up Sofia and carried her back to her bedroom. Once there, Roland lay Sofia down and give her a good night kiss, and left the room. On the way back, he ran into James, who was already awake.
"Dad, where's Sofia?" James asked. "We're going to be late."
"James, Sofia isn't going to school today." Roland declared. "It seems she's still a little shocked by what happened last night."
"Really?." James gasped. "Maybe I should stay home and talk to her..."
"I'm afraid I can't allow that James." Roland declared. "You need to get to school."
"Okay, dad." James sighed dejectedly. "See you after school."
As James slumped off to the royal carriage, Roland joined Miranda back in their bedchamber.
"Roland, where's Sofia?" Miranda asked.
"Back in bed, sleeping." Roland declared.
"Good." Miranda mused. "I need to have a talk with Alex today."
Back in Sofia's room, her animal friends woke her up.
"Sofia wake up." Clover nudged her. "You're already late for school."
"I don't want to go." Sofia mumbled.
"Why?" Robin asked.
"Because it could be the last time I see all my classmates." Sofia sighed. "And I don't want to say goodbye."
"Come on, kid." Clover comforted her. "It's not all bad. Its not like you'll be there forever."
"I know." Sofia sighed. "But it's still a long time. A long time to be away from my friends, my new family, my mom, all of you..."
"We'll miss you if you go, Sofia." Mia sighed.
"And I'll miss you." Sofia admitted. "But this is my real dad we're talking about. After so many years apart, we have a chance to connect again, and I'm not sure if I can pass that up..."
"Whatever you decide, we'll support you." Robin smiled.
"No doubt." Cover added.
"Thanks, guys." Sofia smiled.
Meanwhile, Amber was boarding the royal carriage when she noticed Sofia's absence.
"James, where's Sofia?" She asked.
"She's not coming to school today." James told her. "All that stuff about her dad asking her to come stay with him is really stressing her out."
"Poor thing." Amber sighed. "I can only imagine what she's going through..."
"Yeah, it'd be like if our real mom somehow came back and asked us to choose between her and our new mom." James mused.
"You're right James." Amber agreed.
With that, the two went to school. Shortly after, Alex met with Roland and Miranda.
"Morning Miranda." He nodded. "King Roland. What can I do for you two?"
"Alex, you have Sofia stressed out over choosing between her new family and you." Miranda said bluntly.
"Oh, no." Alex sighed. "I never meant to make my little girl stressed. What can I do?"
"Well, you can be a good father and take her out for the day." Miranda suggested.
"Well, I have to get back to my shop this afternoon." Alex declared. "Maybe she come with me to see some of the kids there and play with them for a while."
"I'll talk to Sofia when she wakes up and see what she thinks about it." Miranda said.
As Sofia get dressed, she turned to her animal friends.
"Thanks for the talk, guys." She smiled. "See you later."
As Sofia left her room and walk down the Stairs, she heard her Mother talking to Alex. Roland then joined her on the stairs.
"Sofia, let's have Breakfast outside, okay?" He asked.
"Dad, I'm sorry I ran out of the dining room last night." Sofia apologised.
"It's okay, Sofia." Roland smiled. "I'm not mad."
"But that's what not a good Princess would do." Sofia protested.
"Sofia, you are a good little Princess." Roland chuckled.
"Thanks, dad." Sofia smiled.
"Princess Sofia?" Baileywick suddenly arrived. "Why aren't you at school?"
"I'll be right back Sofia." Roland said softly, "Just eat you Breakfast."
"Okay, dad." Sofia nodded, walking outside.
"King Roland, is there something wrong with Princess Sofia?" Baileywick asked.
"Remember when Alex asked Sofia how she would like going to the school in his Village?" Roland asked.
"Yes I do, your majesty." Baileywick nodded.
"Well, she's a little Stressed about being away from us." Roland declared.
"Oh dear." Baileywick frowned. "Poor Sofia."
"Yes, and Miranda is talking to Alex right now." Roland noted.
"What are we going to do, sire?" Baileywick asked.
"Well, Alex wants Sofia to see the Village this Afternoon." Roland declared.
"Him and Sofia?" Baileywick asked. "If I were you, sir, I wouldn't let my guard and allow Alex to take Sofia by himself."
"Good thinking, Baileywick." Roland smiled. "Have two of our guards go with them this Afternoon."
"Yes, your majesty." Baileywick bowed.
Roland want back to Sofia, who was already done with her Breakfast. Before Roland could talk to Sofia, Alex approached, with Miranda close behind.
"Roland, could I talk to Sofia alone for a bit?" Alex asked.
"Of course." Roland agreed.
"Roland and I will be here listening, okay." Miranda proclaimed, hands on hips.
"Sofia, I didn't mean to stress you out." Alex declared. "I just want to make up for all the years I hurt you, and all the years I wasn't there for you."
"Daddy, I've been thinking bout the new school." Sofia declared. "And I WANT to be with you, but what about my Flying derby team? I can't give that up."
"Sofia you won't be giving up your flying derby team." Alex smiled. "I want you to be with me too Sofia. You're my little girl too"
"Daddy, I've been thinking about what you said to me Last night, and I don't want to pass up you me have a chance to connect again, so I will go and be with you for a while." Sofia announced. "But what about my Family and my friend and teachers at Royal Prep? I'll miss them so much."
"Alex can I have a minute with Sofia?" Miranda asked suddenly.
"Of course, Miranda?" Alex nodded. "I need to pack for the trip home, anyway."
After Alex was gone, Miranda turned to Sofia.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?" She asked her daughter.
"Mom, I don want to pass up being with my real dad." Sofia told her. "But I don't want to be away from my new dad, you, Baiieywick, James, Amber and my friends and teachers at Royal Prep."
"Sofia, you'll still be with us, and that school isn't far away." Miranda consoled. "But you may have to leave your Amulet here with me. I don't trust your dad. He may take it in one of his rages."
"But Mom, I promise my dad I wont' take it off ever." Sofia reminded her. "And you know what you always say about broken promises."
"They can never be put back together." Miranda smiled. "Okay Sofia, your amulet can stay with you. But keep a close eye on it, just in case."