DISC: I DO NOT own any of the characters from Sofia the First. They belong to their respective creators. I'm just borrowing them. I do however own anyone you don't recognize.

Enjoy!

"True Sisters"

Chapter 10

Meanwhile, back at the hospital, Sofia was wide-awake. She had woken up a little while ago and couldn't get back to sleep. Her stomach was still hurting, but she was also afraid. She didn't like being here at night. Shuddering, she hugged the bear Amber had bought her close to her chest. She hadn't even named her yet. Sofia was also feeling guilty for being mean to her mother. She hadn't meant what she said. She was just afraid and upset. Sighing to herself, she glanced out the window. She couldn't wait to go back home tomorrow.

"Sofia?"

Sofia glanced to her right to find her father awake.

"Did I wake you?" she frowned.

"No. Are you okay?" Rolland sat up. He stood and sat on the edge of her bed. Resting a hand on her shoulder, he pulled her in for a hug.

"No," she admitted. She sighed again, "I wanna go home."

Rolland sighed.

"I know you do, sweetie. You'll be able to go home tomorrow," he kissed her head.

"I didn't mean to hurt Mom's feelings," she softly confessed. "I was just scared."

"We know," her father assured her. "You need to talk to her. She loves you so much."

"I know," Sofia whispered. "I didn't mean to hurt her," with that, her eyes closed and she was asleep a few minutes later.

***Sofia's nightmare*****

Sofia shivered as the fire got closer and closer. As she backed up against the wall, she could feel the heat all around her.

"Help! Help!" she cried. Falling to her knees in an attempt to crawl to safety, she felt a sharp pain tear across her stomach. She could feel someone holding her down, which made her struggle harder. "No! Let me go! Let me go! Please! Amber! Amber!" she could feel tears streaming down her face, even as the hold grew tighter.

****Present*****

"Amber! Help me! Please! Amber!" Sofia struggled against the person holding her with all her might. Hitting out in fear and desperation. "AMBER!"

"Sofia, honey, it's okay. You're safe. It's Daddy," a gentle, male voice said in her ear.

"Let go!" Sofia begged.

"Sweetie, it's okay, you need to stay still," the same voice assured her.

"I might have to sedate her if she doesn't calm down," a female voice said.

Sofia's eyes opened a minute later.

"Dad?" she asked.

"I'm here, honey. You need to calm down," he advised.

Sofia nodded, even as tears streamed down her face.

"Dad, it was terrible! I was trapped and…I was so scared! I wanna go home! I want Amber! Please…I just want…" her voice trailed off as more tears flowed.

"Shh, sweetie, it's okay. You'll see Amber before you know it," her father hugged her as best he could.

Emily sighed. She waited a minute to see if Rolland could calm Sofia down. She didn't want to sedate her if she could avoid it.

"My stomach still hurts!" Sofia cried.

"I know, sweetheart. You'll feel better in a few days," her father assured her. He kissed the top of her head and ran a hand through her hair.

Sofia's breathing slowed down a few minutes later.

Sighing with relief, Emily spoke.

"Sofia, may I take a look?" she asked.

"Uh-huh," Sofia choked back more tears. She allowed her father to lie her back down. She squeezed his hand as Emily examined the area. "Sweetheart, on a scale of one to ten, how bad is the pain?"

"Eight," Sofia gritted out.

"Okay. I'm gonna give you some medicine to help you," with that, Emily administered the painkiller.

Sofia turned her tearful gaze upon her father.

Rolland hated seeing his little girl like this.

"Shh, just try to sleep," he encouraged.

"I can't!" Sofia cried.

"You need to try," her father insisted not unkindly.

Sofia nodded. She hugged the bear Amber gave her close and closed her eyes. Before she knew it, she was fast asleep.

"Will Sofia still be able to go home?" Rolland asked Emily.

"If she gets rest for the rest of the night," she replied.

Rolland nodded. He just hoped Emily was right.

****

The next morning back at the castle, Amber awoke earlier than usual. Getting ready, she went downstairs for breakfast. Entering the dining room, she found her mother and brother already seated. As usual, James was eating seven pancakes.

"Morning!" Amber greeted them.

"Morning, sweet girl," Miranda rose and embraced her.

Amber returned the affection.

"Is Sofia home yet?" Amber asked.

"Not yet. She and Daddy should be back soon."

"Good. I miss her," Amber sat down and dug into her own meal.

James nodded.

"The castle isn't the same without Sof."

Miranda nodded in agreement.

Just then, a duck entered the room. It waddled over to James and stole one of his pancakes!

"Hey! That's mine! Give it back!" James stood and made to go after the animal.

"James, relax. It's not like that was your last one," Amber reminded him.

James sighed, but sat back down.

"I thought Cedric got rid of them," Miranda mused.

"I guess he forgot a few," James commented.

*****

Meanwhile, back at the hospital, Emily was doing a final examination to make sure Sofia was ready to go home. She had already gathered the necessary supplies, along with a duffle bag for herself.

"Well, it looks like you're good to go," she announced.

Both Sofia and her father sighed with relief.

"Thank goodness," Sofia said.

Rolland nodded in agreement.

Sofia yawned just then. Closing her eyes, she tried to take a little nap before they left.

*****

Sofia awoke to the sound of someone calling her name. She recognized the voice, even though she wasn't with it at the moment.

"Sofia? Sofia. Sof…"

Opening her azure eyes, Sofia realized she recognized her surroundings.

"Amber?" she asked.

"Hey, Sof. You're awake! How do you feel?"

"I still hurt," she replied.

"Do you recognize where you are?" Amber asked.

Sofia nodded.

"I'm so glad to be back home," she said. "Where's James?"

"He's helping round up the ducks," Amber replied.

Sofia frowned in confusion.

"Ducks?" she shook her head. "What did Mr. Cedric do now?"

Amber rolled her eyes.

"It's not important. Are you hungry?" the older girl inquired.

"No," her sister replied. "I'm thirsty though."

Amber nodded. She picked a cup of water up and held it while her sister took sips. Setting it back down, she wrapped an arm around her.

"Thanks," Sofia said.

"You're welcome," Amber replied. She caught sight of the bear in Sofia's arms. "Do you like her?"

"Yes. Thank you," Sofia smiled a little.

Amber grinned back.

Just then, Baileywick entered the room. He smiled when he saw Sofia was awake.

"It's good to see you awake, Sofia. Are you feeling better?"

"A little," she replied.

Baileywick grinned. He turned to Amber.

"Lunch is ready."

"Can you ask Daddy if I can eat in here?" Amber requested. "Please?"

"As you wish, princess," with that, he left.

Sofia shook her head.

"Amber, it's okay. You can eat with the rest of the family. I'll be fine. You can come back when you're done."

"Sofia, I want to spend time with you. Daddy will let me eat in here. Unless it'll bother you."

"I'll be fine," Sofia assured her. "Amber, you've done so much for me. You've been there for me since everything started. You need a break. Go eat with everyone else."

Amber shook her head.

"Sofia, I had a break last night. And I didn't enjoy it because I was worried about you," Amber confessed.

"I'm home now," Sofia reminded her, "you don't have to worry anymore."

"I had a nightmare last night," Amber revealed.

"So did I," Sofia admitted.

"That's strange," Amber mused.

Sofia shrugged.

"Amber, I want you to go eat lunch with Mom, Dad and James. Please? Do it for me."

Amber sighed.

"Okay," she finally agreed. She gave her sister a hug. Pulling away, she stood. "If you need anything, just tell Baileywick and he'll get me."

"I will," Sofia promised. "Now go."

Amber giggled.

"You have learned from me," with that, she left the room.

Sofia smiled to herself. Amber was definitely one of a kind. She liked to think they learned from one another. She was about to see if Clover was at her window when someone knocked on her door.

"Come in!" she called, thinking it was Amber or James. She turned away when she saw who it was.

"Can we talk, honey?" her mother asked. She sat down on the bed, but gave her daughter space.

Taking a deep breath, Sofia nodded. She knew she couldn't put this off forever. She knew what she had to do. It wouldn't be easy, but she knew it had to be said…