Disclaimer: I don't own Sofia the First nor the characters. And now I bring you the next chapter... The plot thickens... Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 9 –
Over the next several weeks Cedric and Sofia fell into a routine. They'd spend their days doing magic and wandering the castle grounds together and at night after getting ready for bed, Sofia would transport herself to Cedric's bedroom. After making love they'd fall asleep in each other's arms. She would wake up early and return to her own bed before Baileywick would come to her room in the morning to wake her up and begin her day.
One morning Sofia rolled over and yawned, stretching against Cedric. She grumbled, "I wish I didn't always have to get up and transport away so early. I want to be able to spend my mornings waking up leisurely with you."
Cedric stroked her hair and responded, "We'll figure something out soon, my love."
They continued to lay there snuggling in each other's arms, finally Sofia began to stir and said, "I guess I should get dressed and get back to my room. Baileywick will be arriving soon." She reached up and kissed Cedric and held him tight. "I will see you later for magic lessons."
"Okay sweetheart, I'll see you later." He told her, swatting her naked behind playfully as she got out of his bed, making her giggle.
After transporting back to her bedroom Sofia felt suddenly very queasy, blaming it on transporting she ran to her bathroom to vomit. She still didn't feel well so she cleaned herself up and climbed into bed to wait for Baileywick. When he entered her room he noticed her pale and looking rather ill.
"Princess Sofia, are you okay?" He asked, sounding concerned, rushing to her bedside, skipping his usual routine and jovial chitchat.
"No, I think I'm sick. Could you bring me some soup please? I'm going to skip breakfast this morning with my family." She explained to him.
"Of course, Sofia. I will bring it right up to you and inform your parents. Do you want me to open your curtains and windows or leave them closed so you can rest?" He asked.
"Just leave them closed for now, thank you Baileywick. I don't know what I'd do without you." She told him, settling back down into her blankets.
About ten minutes later Baileywick returned with her worried looking mother and a warm bowl of soup and cup of tea. Her mom sat on the edge of her bed and felt her forehead. "You don't feel like you have a temperature but you do look awfully pale." She said almost to herself.
"I've also been vomiting, too." Sofia added.
"Oh dear, you really are unwell." Her mom said, "Maybe we should have Cedric make a special herb tea for her to help calm her stomach and heal her. Baileywick, will you go to Cedric's tower and get him for us, thank you." Her mom looked back at her daughter and continued to gently brush her hair back with her fingers.
While waiting for Baileywick to return with Cedric, Sofia took a few sips of the soup and tea; she felt her stomach begin to settle slowly. She still didn't feel completely better.
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In another part of the castle Cedric had just gotten dressed after his shower and was about to start work on his potions when he heard a loud knock on his door, it wasn't Sofia's usual knock so he didn't think it was her. "Now who could that be bothering me this early?" He groused aloud, walking to the door, yanking it open.
"What is it Baileywick?" He asked, sounding irritated.
"It's Sofia, Cedric. She's really ill and the queen has requested your presence. She wants you to come right away and assess the situation and then hopefully be able to make Sofia an herbal tea or soup or something to help her feel better." Baileywick explained quickly, before turning to return to Sofia's room. Cedric stood there a moment shocked and then hurried to catch up silently.
When he heard Sofia was ill, his heart had practically stopped beating; many terrible scenarios going through his mind at once. She had only just left him a while ago, looking completely healthy, how could she have become so ill so quickly?
When they arrived at her bedroom, Baileywick knocked before entering. Sofia was sitting up in her bed, sipping the bowl of soup slowly. Her mom, the queen was sitting on the edge of the bed with her. Cedric noticed right away how pale and weak she looked; such a contrast from just an hour ago in his bed. "What had happened?" He wondered to himself.
"Cedric, thank you for coming. Sofia became ill this morning and was vomiting and has since not felt well nor does she look well as you can see. I was hoping you could assess her and then make her an herbal potion or tea to help ease her ailment." The queen addressed Cedric.
"I will see what I can do for the Princess, your majesty." He responded. "I have many potions and teas for different illnesses so I should be able to help in some way." He tried to assure the queen.
"Thank you." She said again, before turning back to Sofia. "Sofia, dear, would you like me to stay or do you mind if I get ready to leave for a meeting with the neighboring kingdoms? I should be back by late afternoon but if you need anything just send a message and I will return promptly; or I could stay if you'd like."
"I will be okay, mom, don't worry. I'm sure it's just a little stomach bug. Cedric is a great healer. He will take care of me. And Baileywick is always around somewhere as well." Sofia assured her worried mother. She felt better knowing her daughter had many people to look after her and left the room with Baileywick, leaving Cedric and Sofia alone. He locked the door using his wand so they wouldn't be interrupted.
Cedric rushed to her side and kissed her, needing to touch her. "Are you okay darling? What's the matter? What happened? You were healthy and okay not that long ago." He blathered on sounding worried for her.
She chuckled at his concern and eased his fears, "I'm okay Cedric, really. I think it was transporting. As soon as I returned to my room I felt very sick and vomited and then haven't felt well since. It's begun to ease since eating some of this soup though. I'm sure it'll pass. Maybe I should ease up on transporting for a few days though."
"Okay honey, well you still have the invisibility spell to use. But for now let me make you an herbal tea that should help ease your stomach a little of the queasiness you feel and you just stay in bed and rest today. I will go get the ingredients and be right back." He kissed her forehead and transported out of her room back to his workshop.
Returning just a few minutes later, Cedric handed Sofia the cup of tea and told her to sip it slowly while he climbed into her bed beside her. She noted almost instantly she felt better and the nausea began to subside though she was still very tired. Cedric could see the color returning to her face somewhat. "How do you feel now, my love?" He asked her quietly.
"Mostly better, just tired; I feel like I could sleep all day." Sofia said groggily about to fall asleep against Cedric's chest.
"Try to finish this soup first and then sleep all you want." He held the bowl in front of her, encouraging her to eat more.
She sat up and finished the rest of the bowl feeling much better and ready to sleep. Cedric magically sent the bowl to outside of her bedroom door with a sign telling everyone to stay out because she was sleeping. He then changed into his pajamas and held her as she slept.
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By time Sofia's mother returned she was feeling back to normal and credited Cedric's healing magic. Her parent's thanked him profusely causing him to blush and return to his workshop feeling awkward but proud of himself with their praise.
The following day, Cedric took Sofia for a walk through the garden, picking herbs along the way teaching her the healing powers and what potions they can be added to for different spells. Eventually they made their way back to his workshop to put the herbs away for future use.
There was a knock at the door, causing Cedric to startle and drop his baskets of herbs. "Merlin's mushrooms, why does this always happen to me?" He said as the door opened and Baileywick came in to see a giggling Sofia and a sulking Cedric picking up his bundle of herbs.
"Princess Sofia, I am sent by the King and Queen to tell you dinner will be served in 20 minutes time." Baileywick explained to her kindly bowing about to take his leave.
"Thank you Baileywick," Sofia called out to his retreating back as he shut the door. Sofia rushed over to help Cedric pick up everything he dropped.
"I'm just glad I'm not the only one who startles you into dropping things around here," she laughed as she put a handful of herbs into a basket on the table.
"Very funny Sofia; I'm so glad everyone enjoys tormenting and scaring me around here. You should probably go get ready for dinner, dear. You don't want to be late. I will see you later this evening though." Cedric told her standing up grabbing Sofia into a tight, affectionate hug and kissing her.
"I tease you because I love you and I love when you punish me in your playful, sexy way," she whispered in his ear and winked as she walked towards his door to leave.
Sofia had a smile all the way to her room as she prepared for dinner and it continued into the dining room. As she sat down she greeted everyone with pleasantries and happy smiles while waiting for her food. When they lifted the cover from tray and the smells greeted her nose she immediately felt nauseas and covered her mouth, leaning to her side because she didn't have time to run to her room and she retched on the floor in front of her whole family.
"Sofia!" Her mom shouted, running to her side.
There was commotion all around her. Sofia felt so ashamed and embarrassed yet also very sick and nauseated. She could hear her mom trying to assess the situation and ask if she was okay but she couldn't focus over the overwhelming smell of the food causing her stomach to roll. She pushed the food away and stumbled from the table to keep from vomiting anymore.
She heard James yelling in the distance, "So gross, that was awesome Sofia. Ew, can you smell that, dad?"
"Sofia, look at me. Are you okay? Should I fetch a doctor?" Her mom looked very concerned.
"No, the food just smelled terrible and it made my stomach roil. I need to get out of here and get some fresh air." She mumbled and made her way for the door. Her mom held on to her to help her walk.
Amber joined them stating dramatically, "It smells so gross in there; I need some air, too. That was disgusting, Sofia. Couldn't you have at least left the room? Ugh!"
"Sofia, dear. Are you okay? Do you need anything?" Her father asked.
"I'm fine. I just need some air." Sofia said, getting tired of all the attention.
"Okay, I'll let you ladies be and James and I will go find some maids to clean up. We'll have dinner later." He said before wandering off back into the dining room.
They finally made it outside. It was a clear crisp night, just what Sofia needed. She took in a deep breath and immediately felt some relief.
"Sit down here on this bench, Sofia." Her mom insisted. She did as told and her mom sat beside her. Sofia noticed Amber sat on the other side of their mom, probably to be as far from her as possible in case she had any more episodes.
"Is the air helping? Your color seems to be coming back." Miranda noticed.
"Yes, my stomach is settling already. What was for dinner by the way, I never did even see it." Sofia asked, suddenly very curious. "I only smelled something that curled my stomach something awful."
Feeling very concerned by this piece of information but pushing it aside, Miranda told her apprehensively, "Sofia, it-it, was your favorite dish tonight… chicken alfredo."
"That's strange. I love chicken alfredo. But the smell of it just made me instantly sick tonight. Maybe I'm still sick from whatever bug I had yesterday. I should get some more of that tea Cedric made me yesterday." She suggested, standing up about to head to his tower.
"Yeah… Maybe." The queen said absently. "Are you okay walking there, do you need me to walk with you?"
"No, I feel better now. The air helped a lot. But a cup of that tea would be nice before bed just in case." She said and then hurried along.
Knocking on his door, Cedric opened it a moment later looking confused. "You're early, and you don't look well. Are you okay?"
"No, I'm sick again." Sofia told him as she entered his workshop. "I need another cup of that tea. I vomited at dinner in front of everyone, it was so embarrassing."
"That's not good, dear. Maybe I should do a more thorough evaluation. Maybe you really are sick. What happened at dinner?" He asked, sounding worried, bringing her to a bench to sit down while he prepared her the tea.
"Well, I felt fine to begin with, they brought out the food and removed the cover and as soon as the smell hit my nose I immediately vomited all over. It was horrifying. James laughed, Amber was grossed out, and my mom was worried. I went outside and got some fresh out and that helped but I still feel a little sick though I told my mom I felt all better. But the strangest thing of all is that it was my favorite dish tonight. I don't know why that of all meals should make me sick by just the slightest smell of it." She explained to him as he handed her the cup of tea.
"Oh my…" He paled.
"What? What is it?" She stood up, becoming anxious. "Is there something wrong with me?"
"No, no sit down. It's okay. I just need to ask you a few questions and then do a magical assessment to be sure." He said nervously, swallowing and running his hand through his hair, beginning to pace. "Drink your tea, it will help." He added.
"Okay before we begin… hold on. I will be right back." He ran to his room. Sofia began to worry. What has gotten into him, she wondered. He looked panicked. There must be something seriously wrong with her she thought.
He returned a moment later, sweating and looking even more nervous.
"Sofia, this was not how I wanted to go about doing this, but I believe it needs to be done now. You know I'm not the best with words so I'm just going to say it. Um, uh. Well, here goes. Uh… Sofia, I love you, always have loved you. Even when you were younger I loved you as a friend when you were the only friend I had. I want to love you for the rest of my life. Will you marry me Sofia?" He asked as he got down on one knee and produced a ring in front of her.
She spit her tea out and dropped the cup in shock, squealing in delight. "Yes!" Sofia jumped up and onto him tackling him to the ground and kissing him hard. She straddled him on the ground and let him put the ring onto her ring finger, both of their hands shaking nervously. "I love you Cedric." Sofia told him softly. They lay upon the floor a moment kissing before he made her get up.
"Okay, now I need to make you a new cup of tea, my fiancé." He said sweetly, enjoying the sound of that on his tongue.
"Why worry about that at a time like now… fiancé? We just got engaged." She said, suggestively… trying to tug his clothes off.
"Because, I think we need to talk about some things first such as why you keep getting sick…" He suddenly sounded more serious and Sofia straightened up, feeling worry at his tone of voice.
"What's wrong with me Cedric?" She asked, no playfulness in her voice.
"Sofia, these questions are going to be awkward okay, and I'm sorry but please answer them truthfully for me."
"I will, I promise. We have no secrets. We're engaged now." She said honestly, holding his hand, looking him in the eyes.
He had to sit on the bench again and began to speak. "Okay, this is difficult for me to ask but, when was your last menstrual cycle that you remember?"
At first she was taken aback by the question and felt embarrassed but was determined to answer it because she promised honesty so she thought about it, then she realized she didn't know. "Oh um… wow, well, I don't know now that I think about it. Why?" She asked him, feeling curious.
"Aren't they normally every month?" He hinted, turning red but not meeting her eyes.
"Yes…" She said, still not understanding.
"Are they still every month, Sofia?"
"Ye-" She was about to answer and then stopped, "Oh… Um… No… I haven't had one for about two months at least, I don't know how long exactly." She looked confused.
"Do you know what that means?" Cedric grabbed her hands, on his knees in front of her.
"Should I?" She asked, looking a bit ashamed for not knowing and feeling like she should.
"I take it nobody explained it to you how the female body works and reproduction. Oh goodness. This is awkward. Well, before I go on explaining the workings of it, I want to do a magical evaluation first to confirm my suspicions if that's okay with you. You won't feel a thing I just need you to lay flat on your back, although you will need to remove your dress. Are you comfortable with this Sofia?" He asked her.
"You've already seen me naked many times, Cedric." She giggled as she began removing her clothes and laying down on the bench for him.
He had to restrain his temptation to touch her but pulled out his wand and began to say a chant and hold his wand out over her stomach while telling her to close her eyes. Soon he saw a soft image appear and it was confirmed.
He replaced his wand and tenderly touched Sofia's abdomen with his hand before leaning forward to place a kiss upon her skin there. "Cedric, what's going on? Can I open my eyes now? Will you explain to me what is wrong now?"
"Yes my love, you may open your eyes now." He told her as he gently picked her up into his arms and carried her to his bed. At first she protested to being carried but he silenced her with a kiss as he lowered her to his bed. "I love you Sofia. So much. Let me explain to you now what I saw with my magic. I had a hunch but I needed to confirm it before I told you for sure."
"What is it?" She asked.
He placed his hand upon her belly and told her with his voice full of all the love in the world, "My darling, you're going to be a mom. You're pregnant." Sofia gasped, her eyes wide; her hands flew to her belly as if she'd be able to feel it with her bare hands through her skin. She looked him in the eyes and a few tears began to leak down her cheeks.
"Sofia, are you upset? Is this not something you want?" Cedric became suddenly worried.
"No, no that's not it at all. I'm happy, I'm so happy to be creating a life with you. I'm very overwhelmed at the moment with all my competing emotions. I'm scared about my family and their reaction. But mostly I'm happy that there is a life growing inside of me that was created from a small part of you and a small part of me. Cedric will you do something for me, please?"
"Anything, love…" He answered, feeling reassured she was indeed pleased and began kissing her all over.
"Make love to me now." She said feeling an urgency for him to be inside her.
They would face the worries and difficulties tomorrow, tonight they just wanted to celebrate in each other's embrace.
