Disclaimer: I do not own Sofia The First.

A/N: Here's another little bonus story for Cedfiaweek. This is sort of an answer story for my Bittersweet story, "Future Heartaches", from last year.

The sun shone brightly upon the grounds of Mystic Meadows. Bathing the land in the last vestiges of warmth before the oncoming winter.

Sofia adjusted her bun, watching out the window as a breeze carried a few red and golden leaves off of a nearby tree.

Like the trees, time had also changed the princess. Her wavy brown hair now sporting a fair amount of gray streaks throughout. A few wrinkles adorned her skin, and she now carried a plumper figure than she had in her youth. No longer as physically active as she used to be.

Of course another change was that 'princess' wasn't the correct title for her anymore. No, she had long sense moved past all those roles she had cherished and honored for most of her life. Passing on her position as Story Keeper to a worthy successor; and entrusting the safety of the Ever Realm to all the new Protectors now appointed to the position.

Although there was one role she kept. One which she had actually obtained rather later in life, though she had secretly longed for it ever since she was a little girl. That of a sorceress; and after spending so many years serving in the Mystic Isles as well as her husband's apprentice. The title was achieved rather easily.

Speaking of Cedric, she'd ought to get the old man now.

She found him in the living room seated in his favorite chair. Like her he had also changed over the years. Most noticeably being that his hair was now completely gray. Though those familiar bangs were still distinguishable if one looked closely. Gleaming paler than the rest. His skinny frame led to an aura of frailty, though in reality he was actually in pretty good condition for his age(thanks to the magic that saturated his life). Even if he did require a cane to help him get around every now and then.

"Cedric,"

He looked up from the book he'd been reading. Eyes peering over at her from above his reading glasses.

"They'll be here any moment now. We need to get things ready."

"Right," closing the tome and setting it aside before standing up. Albeit with a bit of difficulty. Sofia offering her arm in support.

Brandishing his wand he began helping her set things in order. That was one of the advantageous of magic. It made it far easier to keep house in old age.

Sofia had just set a vase of fresh flowers upon the table. When a knock was heard at the door.

"Oh, that must be them," patting the wrinkles out of her dress before going to greet their guests.

"Grandma!" she had scarcely opened the door when two little children tackled her in a hug.

"Oh, it's so good to see you," she answered. Bending down slightly so that she could properly embrace them back. "Did your father stick around to say hello at all?"

The boy, Edison, shook his head "No, he had to go real quick."

"I see," Sofia mused, a lilt of disappointment in her voice.

"Is Grandpa here?" his sister, Stella, asked.

"Of course," Sofia assured. "He's out in the back, and I believe he mentioned having a surprise for you."

"Yay! Come on Eddy!" grabbing her brother by the hand and hurrying around to the other side of the house. Sofia chuckling in amusement at their antics.

The sorcerer in question was met with a greeting from his grandchildren equal in enthusiasm to the one gifted to his wife.

"Children!" he gasped. Arms raised in an attempt to keep his balance as they clung to either side of him.

"Be careful with your grandfather," Sofia said. Coming over to provide him support, lest he fall.

"It's fine, my dear," he assured her gently prying them from his form. Pausing for a moment as he did so to hug them back. "Looks like you're just on time. I've got a special treat for you." Twirling his wand with a wink.

"What is it grandpa?"

Pointing it out towards the garden he chanted. "Bubbles, bubbles floating high, carry us into the sky." Instantly a mass of giant bubbles appeared. Floating slowly upwards and inviting them to hitch on for a ride.

"Forever bubbles?" Sofia wondered, coming up beside him as their grandchildren eagerly climbed aboard them.

"Mm hmm," he nodded folding his arms proudly as they giggled in delight.

She smiled at the sight, they did look like they were having fun. But..."Are you sure it's safe?"

"Not to worry my dear," he assured. "They won't go up very high." The two of them then flinched when Stella slipped and started to plummet to the ground. Saved when Cedric quickly conjured a pilllw below her. The girl picking herself back up and happily continuing their activity. No worse for the wear.

He let out a sigh of relief, then chuckled nervously when he caught his wife's admonishing glare. "Perhaps I should conjure up a few extra pillows though. Just to be safe."

After their fun with the bubbles, Cedric and Sofia continued to entertain their grandchildren. Conjuring up a magical jungle playground for them. Consisting of slides and swings made of vines, and giant flowers that they could bounce on.

Cedric in particular spent a great amount of time teaching them spells. A few of which backfired in rather amusing ways. Like when all their hair turned pink. But for the most part they turned out perfectly; the children were delighted at conjuring up their own smaller bubbles. As well as adding even more color variety to the already changing leaves. Amusing themselves even more by whipping up gusts of wind to create pretty shapes and patterns with the expired foliage. Of course they also enjoyed jumping into the accumulated piles.

"Grandpa's asleep," Stella noted

Sofia looked up in curiousity at the announcement. Stifling an amused giggle, when sure enough Cedric had passed out on the porch rocking chair, mouth gaped open and snoring ever so slightly.

"Should we wake him?" Edison asked, looking up at her.

She shook her head. "No, let's let him sleep." Taking a pillow and gently tucking it under his head.

"Now," turning her attention back to her grandchildren. "Why don't we go to the kitchen; and I'll show you how to make flycakes."

"Oh! Yes Yes! Please!" Stella cheered bouncing up and down.

"Shhh!" Sofia corrected gently. Gesturing to their sleeping grandfather.

The girl's eyes widened, covering her mouth. "Oops!"

Sofia chuckled warmly, "It's alright. Come on."

"Now mix in the disappear-mint," she instructed. Gently pouring in the chopped leafy mixture into the batter. While it was true most flycakes were simply conjured using the necessary components, and a spell. Sofia found one could achieve the same results preparing them the nonmagical way. Provided the correct ingredients were used.

"Like this?" Edison asked, vigorously stirring the mixture. Some of it spraying out of the bowl.

She took his hand in hers. "A bit gentler," guiding him for a while longer until his pace slowed down of his own accord. "Yes, just like that."

"Does the cream look good, Grandma?" Stella interrupted, holding her own bowl out to her.

Sofia took a peek inside, and nodded in approval, "It looks wonderful, Stella. I think all we need now are the cupcake tins."

"Oh! I'll get them!" Edison announced, abandoning his post and hurrying to the cupboards. Pots and pans banging around as he searched for them.

"Here they are," handing them to her.

"Thank you, Eddy," taking them from him and setting them upon the table. "Next we pour the batter inside."

With the three of them holding a portion of the bowl, they carefully poured it's contents into the awaiting tins. Some of it landing onto the sides, but that was alright. They didn't have to look perfect after all.

Now, normally she'd just pop these into the oven and wait for them to bake. But seeing that this was a special occasion, she instead opted to use a bit of magic for both convenience and fun.

"Presto Cupcake Perfecto!" she chanted, pointing her wand at the battered filled tins. In an instant, the cakes were cooked, and cooled. Then with another flick of her wand she conjured up a bowl of fresh berries.

"Lets decorate them shall we," grinning as they dipped the berries into the cream and attached them to the desserts.

A feeling of contentment washed over Sofia. Spending time with her granchildren like this reminded her of her earliest childhood. Memories nearly forgotten, of her and her mother in their little shoe shop in Dunwiddie. Sometimes she even caught glimpses of that brief time when her birth father was still alive. Though they were now vague and a bit unclear, they still gave her joy.

These moments were also precious to her because during her own years as a mother, her duties had sometimes taken her away from home for extended periods; and while she didn't regret the time she had spent serving the realm. There were still days she wished she had spent just a few more hours with her children instead.

So being able to spend her retirement just enjoying her grandchildren like this, even if it was only every once and a while, was very precious to her.

The end result of their fly cake decorating was a tad bit sloppy. But they'd taste just as delicious as the pretty ones. Magic and love were the most important ingredients after all; and they had added an ample amount of both of those.

"There," Sofia announced, using her wand to arrange them prettily on a platter. "All done!"

"Wow!"

"Can we have one?"

"Of course," watching as they happily helped themselves. Though she had to intervene when Stella grabbed two. "Ah ah! Just one! Your parents will be upset if we send you back homed hyped up on sugar."

"Aw," the girl pouted. Putting one of them back.

"You can take the rest home to share as a family," she assured, "Also, Grandpa can make your favorites for dinner tonight."

That seemed to satisfy them, and they both enjoyed their treats. Humming in content at the flavor. Their grandmother conjuring up a pot of tea to go with them.

"What are we going to do now?" Edison asked

"Hmm," Sofia thought, while savoring her last sip. "Well, it looks like your grandpa is still sleeping." Casting a glance to the window, where he could still be seen outside. "I know!"

After helping her clean up a bit, Stella and Edison followed her into the living room. Where she pulled an old book off the shelf. She admired it for a moment, gently caressing it's cover. Before sitting down on the couch and inviting them to join her.

They obliged, taking a place on either side as she opened the book. It's pages worn with time, but still in fine condition. "Grandpa used to read this to your father all the time."

"Really?" the boy blinked, now examining the text with greater curiosity.

"Mm hmm," she nodded. "He wouldn't sleep until he read this to him, at least once." Smiling in amusement at the memory. Her grandchildren snuggling in closer as she started the story.

"And then the prince climbed up the tall tower..."

"...his princess awaiting him at the top," a voice finished. Looking up they saw Cedric in the doorway. Arms folded, and with an amused grin on his face.

"Grandpa!" the children jumped from their seats to swarm him. "You were asleep a long time." Edison frowned.

"Grandma was reading us Daddy's favorite story." Stella added

"I heard, though I believe when I read it to him. It was a sorcerer who saved the princess," casting a knowing glance at his wife, who blushed.

"Of course, she also did her fair share of saving him," he added. Earning a laugh from her.

"We made fly cakes, Grandpa!"

"Come on, come try them!"

They took him by both hands, pulling him to the kitchen to enjoy the enchanted treats.

Cedric and Sofia allowed the children to play a bit more inside the house after that. Happily enjoying toys such as her old magic jump rope and Merlin's blocks.

The man took a glance over at the clock and grinned. "I believe it's about time for dinner, don't you think?"

"Yeah!" they agreed. Rising up from their enchanted coloring to take their seats at the table. "You're going to make lamb with mint, right Grandpa?" Stella pleaded.

"No no! Beef Wellington." Edison argued.

"Why not both." Pointing his wand at the table he declared "Appetizio!". The two dishes appearing in the center, surrounded by a plethora of equally delectable looking side dishes.

He smiled proudly as his grandchildren uttered their excitement and thanks. Sofia kissing his cheek, before they too sat down to their meal.

It was well into the evening now. The night having already descended upon them on account of the shorter days. Sofia had lit up the fireplace, and Cedric was reading to them again. When they heard another knock.

"That sounds like your father," she smiled. "Come on, let's get you home."

They obeyed, with little resistance. Clearly worn out from the days proceedings.

"Daddy!" hugging their father when the door opened.

Silas, Cedric and Sofia's oldest son, opened up his arms to receive his children.

"Hey," he said, hugging them gently yet tightly. "Did you have a good time with grandma and grandpa?" he asked.

They answered with sleepy nods, "Mmm hmm, it was great." Edison smiled

"Grandpa made giant bubbles for us to ride on." his daughter told him. Spreading her arms wide to show how big they were.

"Stella fell off of one..."

"I..I..I..I'll just help them get settled into the coach then," Cedric volunteered, grinning nervously. "Say goodbye to Grandma first though children."

Hugs, kisses, and promises to see each other again were exchanged before Cedric ushered them out to the waiting coach.

"So sorry to just drop them off and run earlier," Silas sighed. "But the time was getting short and..."

"I understand," she said patiently, recalling those busy days herself. "Wait here a moment." Heading to the kitchen to package up the fly cakes for them.

"How were they?" he asked

"They were wonderful," Sofia assured. Handing him a box with the desserts. "Here, take these home to share with your family."

"Thank you," taking it from her with a soft smile.

She nodded, then asked "How have you been lately?"

"Busy," he sighed. She nodded in understanding. "But I'm doing well."

"Take care of yourself; and you be sure come visit too sometime," looking up at him with a motherly concern.

A soft, almost guilty smile came to his face at her words. "Alright, I will," leaning down to give her a kiss.

"They're all safely tucked in," Cedric announced upon his return.

Silas nodded, "Thanks Papa," and the two men shared a hug, exchanging their last goodbyes before Silas returned to the coach.

"Bye, Grandma! Bye Grandpa!" Stella and Edison called from the inside. Waving at them.

Cedric and Sofia waved back, watching as the coach lifted from the ground and flew off into the night sky.

The couple reentered their cottage and set to work tidying things up. Again grateful for the convenience of magic to aid them. Using his wand Cedric began to douse the enchanted flame in the fireplace. Allowing it to die down slowly so they could enjoy the last flickers of it's warmth together.

He groaned sitting down on the couch, rubbing his hands. Though magic could work wonders, it could not erase all the unpleasant effects of old age; and his joints often ached.

"Here," Sofia said gently. Noticing his discomfort and taking his hand in her lap. Opening up a container of healing balm in it, she dipped her fingers into the mixture and began massaging it into his hands. A ritual they had taken to doing every evening.

His head leaned back in content, comforted both by the medicine and her touch. "Today was quite the busy one..." he sighed, with a soft laugh.

She nodded, slowing down a bit as her eyes grew heavy.

He noticed her plight, and ceased her ministrations by taking her hand in his, "Seems like you're a bit tired as well, my love." Indeed, unlike himself, Sofia had not been priveleged a nap that day. "Come here," he cooed, scooting over and inviting her near him.

She obeyed, snuggling up close to him. Savoring the simple tranquility as they watched the embers slowly die away. Their gentle crackling, the only sound amidst the silence

"I love you," she heard him murmur, feeling a soft kiss upon the crown of her head.

A serene smile came to her face at those precious and familiar words. Snuggling in further she whispered "I love you too," and drifted off to sleep.

A/N: Thanks to AquaTurquoise for helping me come up with the names for Cedfia's grandchildren :).