Segue
Summary: "You'll never have to worry about anything, little one. You come from royalty. You come from magic. But above all, my darling, you come from love."
Disclaimer: I own Serena, the other OC children, and Angel. Nana and Tanya belong to MarionetteJ2X. Everything else is Craig Gerber's.
A/N: This is the final story for my season 4! 😊 It's been a long time coming, but it's finally here! My season 5 will be around soon, with its FIVE full stories. Haha. And it'll take place two years after this story. I hope you have all enjoyed! Also, just a note, Serena is born on December 18, my dear friend Deth's birthday. Deth, without you, so many of these stories and all that beautiful art you've created wouldn't exist, and I'm forever grateful that such a wonderful friend came into my life. You rock, girl! 😉 Again, Happy Mother's Day to all moms of all calibers!
*Story*
Wassailia was approaching fast in Enchancia, and given the rushed and chaotic nature of the year, no one felt ready. Sure, Violet and her team were working very hard to ensure that the decorations were adorned around the castle, and the Wassailia tree was already set up as always. There were even some gifts lining it (mostly for the children), but there were no official plans this year. As far as Roland and the others were concerned, this was just going to be a holiday to rest and enjoy each other, instead of a typical big to-do like in the past. After all, with a new baby here, and Sofia due very soon and still experiencing a lot of complications, perhaps it was in everyone's best interest to keep things lowkey this one time.
Speaking of Sofia, she was bedridden with what appeared to be a low-grade fever that evening, and it was clear that she was uncomfortable. She had barely been able to eat a thing, much to her chagrin. She was so hungry, but apparently the baby wasn't. Either that, or something was wrong.
Cedric sat down with a bowl of water, a soft rag soaking up the cool moisture as he swirled it around a bit. He shifted the bowl to the bedside table before picking up the rag, wringing it out, and then he gently draped it over the princess's forehead. "The girls were asking about you," he murmured, smiling as she groaned pitifully and cast feverish blue eyes his way. "I have them staying with your parents for now, because I didn't know how bad your fever was, or if you weren't feeling up to visitors."
"I appreciate that, and I hate I'm sick before Wassailia." She sighed as he stroked her cheek. "Seems we can't catch a break, huh?"
"I know it seems that way, but don't you worry." He lifted the rag from her head, setting it back into the bowl to allow it to cool down again. "Everything will be all right."
She giggled softly, tugging playfully at his robe sleeve. "When did you become the optimist, and when did I become the pessimist?"
He rolled his eyes. "I'm more of a realist than a pessimist, thank you. And there's nothing wrong with—"
Sofia gasped sharply and let out a pained cry, nearly doubling over as she did. She gripped Cedric's arm as he tried to steady her.
"Sofia, what's wrong, love?" He frowned in concern as she looked up at him with weary eyes, barely able to catch her breath. Almost instantly, it clicked. "No…"
She nodded shakily. "Y-Yeah… I think…the baby is coming…"
"She's not due for another few weeks, though, right?" he reasoned, wincing as Sofia gripped his arm tighter.
"Yeah, well, this baby isn't on our schedule, I guess. Ahh!"
Cedric gently eased her back, attempting to pry her hand from his arm but finding it rather difficult. "Sofia, please… I need to go fetch the medic—"
"Don't leave me!" she argued, a few sobs unintentionally escaping her.
"J-Just to get the medic, Sofia! Be reasonable!" He immediately regretted those words as he saw her sharp blue gaze practically pierce through his startled brown eyes.
"Reasonable? Reasonable?! I'm in labor with your child, and you want me to be reasonable?!" She whimpered as another rush of pain went through her, and she finally relented, "F-Fine! But please hurry back! It hurts so bad…"
"I promise. No more than five minutes." He hastily kissed her forehead before rushing out of their room.
"Hey, Cedric!" James greeted cheerfully as the sorcerer ran past him and Vivian. They appeared to be playing a card game. "What's the rush? Sofia making fly cakes without you?"
"She can't; she's in labor!" Cedric stopped instantly, trying to catch his breath. "I am not in shape to be doing all this running!"
"I'm sorry, did you say Sofia's in labor?" Vivian clarified, her eyes widening as the sorcerer nodded. "Oh! Oh!" She jumped up from her seat. "Get back to her. James and I will go find a medic, and we'll tell her parents too."
"Thank you, Princess Vivian," Cedric told her appreciatively. "I knew there was a reason you were my favorite friend of Sofia's." He left the couple behind, hurrying back to his wife.
"He's never told me that I'm his favorite, and I've known him way longer than you." James was practically pouting as his fiancée tugged him away.
"You really need to sort your priorities, James. Your sister's in labor. So stop whining and come on!"
Half an hour later, Cedric was outside his room, pacing worriedly. The medic and Miranda were inside, but he and Roland had been asked to wait outside for some reason. This only made him worry more, not to mention, it also concerned the group of people who were waiting a bit farther down the hallway (their family and friends, of course).
Roland finally reached out to Cedric, grasping his arm and stilling him. He looked at his friend's exhausted and worried expression and immediately knew that nothing he said was going to help ease the sorcerer's fears. Without a word, he stepped forward and wrapped Cedric in a warm hug.
Cedric stiffened for a moment before sighing and returning his friend's hug.
"First time I've seen that," Baileywick muttered to Violet, though inwardly he was actually rather pleased with the king's choice of comfort. It was meaningful and considerate, and something that would clearly help calm the anxious father-to-be.
The door opened, and Miranda immediately giggled softly upon seeing the friends hugging. "Well, aren't you two adorable?"
Cedric and Roland immediately parted, both clearing their throats and straightening their clothing, like the dorks they were.
"H-How is Sofia?" Cedric asked Miranda, clear concern etched on his face.
"Come see for yourself." She smiled at the others. "It's okay. You can all come in now. Just stay quiet."
She didn't have to tell them twice, as everyone followed Miranda, Cedric, and Roland into the bedroom. The medic was packing up his bag while Sofia was resting against her pillows, but in her arms was a tiny, beautiful little girl. She had dark hair curling around her head and face, and two thin strips of beige locks lined her crown.
Cedric gasped as he observed their sleeping daughter. "Sofia…" He moved over to her, kneeling next to her, his hand lifting to the blanket covering the baby. "I-Is she…?"
"She's a few weeks early, from what I gather," the medic answered, chuckling. "She's a little bit smaller than most newborns, but given the situation, that's to be expected. She'll be perfectly fine though. She's very healthy and stable."
Hearing that broke something inside Cedric and he sobbed into Sofia's chest, and he felt her shifting a bit to accommodate both the baby and him.
"I've got her, Sofia," Miranda whispered as she leaned down to gather the newborn into her arms so that Sofia could tend to Cedric for a few minutes. She leaned over to Roland, whispering, "Do you think it's nerves?"
He shrugged. "Probably. Newborn a few weeks early. First-time biological father. I guess he just got overwhelmed." He then smiled down at the baby, whose very blue eyes were barely opening as she yawned. "Aww. Hello, little one. Gramma and Pappa love you already. Yeah."
"Can we see?" Tanya asked sweetly as she walked over with Nana holding one of her hands and Corban holding the other.
While the children were meeting their new little sister or (interestingly enough) niece, Sofia was brushing her fingers through Cedric's hair and slowly but surely calming him down.
"Cedric, it's all right," Sofia assured him, smiling as he gazed up at her. "Didn't you hear him? She's fine. She's healthy."
"Given the circumstances…" He sighed as she nodded in understanding. "I… I couldn't have heard better news today, besides her birth…" He moved forward to hug her. "I love you so much…"
She hummed sweetly, returning the hug. "I love you too, Cedric."
"What's her name?" Violet wondered, having not heard yet. Some already knew, but she wasn't aware.
"Serena Erine," Sofia told her, smiling as the others nodded in appreciation. Again, some knew of Erine's past, and others didn't. Those who did gave her a pleased smile.
And then there was Nana… She stared at her mother for a few moments before jumping up and grabbing the blankets, pulling herself onto the bed (as she was used to doing), and then rushed over to pummel the princess into a hug (or as much of one as she could muster, given her small stature). This was a thank you hug, and they both knew it.
"She lives in you," Sofia whispered, tapping her daughter's nose as she sat back and grinned happily at her. "And now she'll live in Serena too. Erine is part of this family, Nana: just as much as you, Tanya, Serena, Papa, and I are. And we'll never forget about her, I promise."
Nana nodded wordlessly and sniffled, rubbing away the happy tears that had fallen from her eyes. She giggled silently as Cedric stood and gathered her into his arms while Miranda carefully placed Serena back into her own arms.
"Two babies for Wassailia," Amber laughed, holding onto Dominic while Desmond bounced Alamea to calm her fitful whines for a cookie. "What do you think, Sofia? Probably the best gift we could get?"
Sofia smiled and nodded before looking fondly at her sleeping daughter, and then relaxing at the feeling of Cedric wrapping his arm around her as the girls cuddled next to her. "Without a doubt…"
Cedric murmured quietly to his little one, "You'll never have to worry about anything, little one. You come from royalty. You come from magic. But above all, my darling, you come from love."
She smiled in agreement and then whispered to the baby, "Mama and Papa love you very much. Welcome home, Serena… Welcome home."
The end
Season 5 previews!
Two years have passed since the incidents of season 4.
A number of people receive surprising news and/or opportunities.
A new ruler is heading to the throne.
New adventures to take!
The biggest surprise of everything: no villains in this season!
Five stories, but many new things and characters are on the way. My final season before I take my leave for a while, due to my doctoral journey…
*Note that there will be at least five out of season stories coming sometime down the road, including The Tainted Ten, Timberland, and…The Monster of Hexley Hall (a collab with Mr. Shortman92, based on my favorite Disney movie of all time, The Hunchback of Notre Dame). The other two are a crossover and...a book! Stay tuned! See you in the next season!*