DISC: I DO NOT own any of the characters from Sofia the First. They belong to their respective creators. I only own the ones you don't recognize.
Enjoy!

"True Sisters"

Chapter 2

Sofia winced as she tried to get comfortable. She was feeling worse by the minute. What was wrong with her? She glanced up when she heard someone enter her room. She sighed with relief when she saw it was her mother.

"Okay, sweetie, here we go. Let's see…" with that, she stuck a thermometer underneath Sofia's tongue. She sat down next to her daughter and started stroking her hair. "I'm sorry you're not feeling well, sweetie."

Sofia nodded.

Taking the thermometer out a few minutes later, Miranda frowned down at the results.

"Wow! You do have a high fever. Its 101.2 degrees. We need to get it down. Can you sit up for me? Just a little bit," she assured her.

"Okay," Sofia tried even though she was in pain.

"That's my girl. Okay, here you go…" she held a cup of water to her daughter's lips.

Sofia took a few sips and lay back down.

"Mom, it really hurts!" she cried.

"I know, honey. When did it start?"

"Last night," Sofia admitted.

"Sofia, why didn't you come and get your father or me right away?" her mother gently chided.

"It wasn't that bad," she answered.

Miranda sighed. She chose to let it go.

"You need to drink this," she held out a cup of medicine to Sofia.

"Okay," Sofia tried her best to drink the whole thing. Swallowing the last two sips, she felt her stomach twist. Lying back down, she closed her eyes and tried to get some sleep.

"Just try to rest," her mother soothed.

"Okay," Sofia mumbled. "I love you."

"I love you too, sweetheart," her mother gave her a kiss and continued to stroke her hair.

Sofia had been resting for a little while when her eyes suddenly flew open. She sat up quickly, causing pain to rip through her stomach.

"Sofia, what's wrong?" her mother asked.

Sofia couldn't answer right away. Jumping off the bed, she ran for her bathroom. Getting there, she was a few feet away from the toilet when she collapsed to her knees. Doubling over, she threw up on the floor.

"Oh honey…" Miranda put her arm around her daughter's shoulders.

"I'm so sorry, Mom!" Sofia cried.

"No, you don't have to say you're sorry. You're sick. It's not your fault. We can clean it up. Let's focus on you right now. Can I tuck you back in?"

Sofia nodded. As her mother went to lift her up, she shook her head. As her stomach twisted, she clapped a hand over her mouth. She suddenly felt something being slipped underneath of her chin. She allowed her mother to pull her hand away.

"its okay, that's it…just get it up…you'll feel better soon…." Miranda soothed. She hated seeing any of her children sick.

"Mom, I feel awful!" Sofia whimpered.
"I know you do, I know," her mother soothed.

Sofia let her mother pick her up once her stomach calmed down. She tried to get comfortable again after her mother tucked her in, but it wasn't easy. She heard her mother leave the room and return a minute later. It wasn't long before she heard her father join them.

"How is she?" he asked.

"Not good. She's in pain and she started throwing up a few minutes ago. She has a fever too. It's probably just a twenty-four to forty-eight hour bug. I have her."

"Miranda, we're in this together. Sofia's my daughter too. Let me help her. I have to learn what works for her in case it happens while you're away. Besides, Amber needs you."

"What's wrong?" Miranda frowned.

"She and James had an argument. It wasn't bad, but Amber ran off crying, really crying. I think she's worried about Sofia."

"Okay. Let me make sure Sofia's gonna be okay and I'll go see her."

"Mom, I'll be fine. Dad can take care of me. Go make sure Amber's okay," Sofia softly pleaded.

"Are you sure?" her mother asked.

"Yes," her daughter replied. "Tell Amber I'm going to be fine."

"I love you," Miranda bent down and kissed Sofia's forehead. She was rewarded by her daughter's arms coming around her neck for a hug. She hugged back and then pulled away.

"Are you thirsty?" Roland asked once his wife left. "Baileywick made you some of your favorite tea."
"No," Sofia replied. "I'm just really tired. Is it okay if I take a nap?"

"Of course. I'll stay with you," her father assured her, "sweet dreams, honey. I hope you feel better."

"Thanks," Sofia mumbled as she drifted off. All she wanted was for her stomach to stop hurting.

******

Meanwhile, Miranda knocked on Amber's bedroom door.

"James, goa way!" Amber cried.

"Amber, it's me," her mother announced.

"You should be helping Sofia," Amber wiped at her eyes as she spoke, "I'll be fine. James just got me mad."

"Amber…" Miranda came over to the bed and sat next to the eleven-year-old. She was surprised when Amber crawled into her lap. She had never done that before. Instead of commenting on it, Miranda concentrated on helping her feel better. She reminded herself that Amber and James lost their biological mother at an early age. Therefore, Amber missed out on cuddle time with her and some of the other things that came with having a Mom as a little girl. Pulling her close, she started running a hand through her hair. "You know I love you all the same, right? I don't love Sofia more than you."

"I know," Amber softly assured her. "Is she really going to be okay?"

"You two did get closer," Miranda mused more to herself than Amber.

"Yeah, we have," Amber answered.

"She'll be fine. She just has a stomach bug. Your father's with her now."

"Okay," Amber said.

"So do you wanna tell me about what happened between you and James?" her mother asked.

"It was nothing," Amber tried.

"Amber. We both know that's not true. You don't cry for no reason. And usually not over a fight with your siblings."

Amber sighed.

"If you really don't wanna talk about it, I'll respect that. But you might feel better if you do," her mother coaxed.

"Okay. James said I was worrying too much about Sofia. I mean he cares that she's sick, but he said it wasn't a big deal."

Miranda nodded.

"You know he didn't mean anything by it, right? And he's right about her being okay."

"It's just that after that dream I had…I just…and everything we've been through together…"

"Like what?" her mother asked.

"We've just had some adventures together that's all," Amber said evasively.

"Were they fun?" her mother inquired.

"Mostly," Amber admitted.

Miranda smiled, despite the situation. She spent a little more time with Amber before going to check on Sofia. She found her younger daughter fast asleep. Roland was sitting on the bed, holding her. Sofia's head was resting against his chest as his free hand combed through her hair.

"This would be a cute sight if she wasn't sick," Miranda whispered.

Roland glanced up and smiled a little.

"I know what you mean. She fell asleep twenty minutes ago. How's Amber?"

"Better. We talked and had a cuddle. She's just worried about this little one here," Miranda told him. Taking a seat on Sofia's other side, she smoothed a few strands of hair out of their daughter's face.

Just then, Baileywick entered the room.

"I'm sorry to disturb you three, but King Madness has arrived. He insists on speaking with you about the celebration."

"Did you tell him one of our children is sick?" Roland asked.

"Yes, but he insisted," Baileywick frowned.

"You go on honey," Miranda held her arms out, "I'll take Sofia."

"Okay," Roland sighed, but gently handed their daughter over.

Sofia stirred a little, but relaxed the minute she felt her mother holding her.

"Shh, Sofia, sweetie, it's okay. I have you," Miranda soothed.

Sofia settled down a minute later.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," Roland kissed Sofia's cheek, stood and left the room.

"Is there anything you or Sofia need?" Baileywick asked.

"Maybe some more water," Miranda requested, "please? Thanks, Baileywick."

"Not at all, You're Majesty." He left and returned with the beverage. Setting it on the table, he went to see if King Roland needed any help.

"I hope you feel better soon, honey. I love you," Miranda whispered as she glanced down at her daughter. With that, she got comfortable and prepared herself for a long afternoon.