New chapter! Enjoy! See, I told you guys I had more written then I had published ;)

Chapter 9: Papa

Sofia dragged her Papa around the castle with James and Amber following close behind. They showed him their favorite spots in the castle and told him all about what they had to offer. Amber led them to the observatory, explaining all the intricacies of the telescope and how she discovered a star with her signature air of overconfidence, a splash of sass.

James led them to the armory and spoke excitedly about all the different suites of armor, also including the types of strategic fighting one could use while in the suit. Sofia appreciated her brother's openness to sharing his life with Birk. She knew it was a lot to ask for—trusting this stranger—but if Sofia was being honest, she didn't feel he was a stranger at all. It was odd; it felt as if he had always been in her life. She thought she could remember him playing dolls with her as her mom prepared dinner. She thought that, when she hugged him, or grabbed his hand, the sensation felt familiar, as if she had felt it many times before. However, it was only her imagination, she had never felt it before. He wasn't there during her childhood in the shoe shop. He had never played dolls with her, or boosted her up on his shoulders to see the village parade. He never picked her up when she fell, or rock her back to sleep after a bad dream... He had never been given the option.

Sofia turned her attention to the floor just as James was motioning to another suit of armor. She scowled and clenched her small fists, feeling the resentment she was still secretly harboring toward her mother for keeping her father a secret.

"Sofia," came Amber's concerned voice. "Are you ok?"

Sofia shook her head, trying to ward off the negative emotions, then looked at her sister. "Uh, yeah." She lied.

Amber's eyebrows furrowed in disbelief.

Sofia softened her expression, "I'll be fine, Amber. It's just a lot to take in, meeting my papa and all."

Her sister flashed her one last concerned look taking her hand, and then glanced at James who was just putting a sword he had been showing Birk away.

"James, Mr. Balthazar," said Amber whipping her fan out. "Why don't we start heading to dinner. We don't want to be late."

"Good idea Amber. I'm starving." Said James smiling.

The four of them walked out of the building, Sofia holding her papa's hand. She was still somewhat distressed from her thoughts earlier. Just then, she had an idea.

"Amber, James, you two go on ahead. I want to show my papa one last thing before dinner."

James let out an exasperated sigh. "Awe, that means we won't be able to eat until you two get back!" He groaned.

Amber rolled her eyes, "James, is food really all you think about?"

James shot his sister an indignant scowl. Sofia just smiled. "Don't worry, James. We won't be long." She said happily as she took Birk's hand and led him toward the gardens.

About the time they were out of earshot of Amber and James, Birk spoke up. "So, where are you taking me, Sofia?" He asked.

"You'll see." She said grinning at him.

As they walked, Sofia led her papa toward a shrub with a yellow ribbon tied to it. She pushed the leaves back to reveal a small door and held it open, gesturing for Birk to go ahead of her. He bowed deeply, "Why thank you Princess."

For a brief second, Sofia almost wanted to remind him not to call her Princess, but this time when he used the term, she could tell it was more of a term of endearment, not her royal title. She smiled and curtsied politely to him. "Not at all, my good sir."

Birk chuckled as he stepped through the door and into the garden. Sofia followed him in and dashed ahead of him. "Welcome to my secret garden!" She exclaimed holding her hands out in the air and spinning once around. When she faced him, she giggled. The look on his face was pure awe, eyes wide and jaw slightly ajar, gazing at the vivid flowers and flittering butterflies.

"You like it?" She asked, folding her hands at her chest.

"Like it? It's beautiful!" Birk said astonished.

A butterfly flitted by Sofia's face. She followed it with her eyes until she turned around and sat down on the spongy, green grass. She caressed the ground and watched the blades of grass spring back up after her hand passed over them.

"This is my favorite place in the whole castle." She said softly. "Sometimes, I like to have tea parties with my friends here. But other times, I just like to come and sit in the grass, and smell the flowers, and watch the butterflies. It's so peaceful."

Birk sat next to his daughter and rested his elbows on his knees. "Yes. It is. I can see why you wanted to show me."

Sofia was still staring at the grass, but she could see Birk out of the corner of her eye. He regarded her warmly, and Sofia felt the familiar pang of sudden sadness for the years she and her father lost.

"Papa?" Sofia she asked hesitantly as she turned her gaze to him. He was no longer looking at her. Instead, he watched the butterflies; the look in his eye was serene, content. She figured the question she wanted to ask was sure to make that look disappear, but she just had to know. "How come Mom never gave you the chance to see me?"

At first, he just looked shocked, but then sure enough, the gleam in his eyes faded as he bowed his head looking at the ground.

"Sofia." He said sorrowfully, "I wasn't always a good man…" He paused briefly and then sighed. "I did and said many things that hurt your mother and…" his voice began to shake and tears formed in his eyes. "And s-she was right to do what she did. I was—a danger to the both of you."

Sofia watched him silently for a long moment. She couldn't imagine how this man, who seemed so gentle and kind could have ever been anything else, even though she had only known him for one afternoon. She furrowed her eyebrows, slightly agitated. "But why?" she asked seriously. "It's not fair! You're not dangerous."

Birk looked at her with sad understanding. "Not now, no. But it was my fault your mom took you away. Your mother isn't to blame."

"She didn't even tell me you existed until yesterday!" Sofia yelled and slapped the ground. She had spent long enough pretending she was ok, not knowing about her father since her early childhood. It wasn't ok, and she was furious at her mother. Sure she said that she had forgiven her, but she just couldn't let it go completely. She sighed forcefully, scowling and hugging her knees to her chest.

Birk bowed his head and was silent for a moment. "Sofia. You can't blame your mother for what she did. It doesn't surprise me she never told you about me, it was probably too painful for her."

Sofia's scowl deepened and hot tears began flowing from her eyes. "She could have tried!" she yelled, then sobbed into her knees.

She felt a hand on her back, "You're right. She could have." Birk said slowly. He was quiet for a long time, stroking her back. Sofia's sobs eased at his soothing touch. It was comforting to know that he agreed with her. Up until now, she felt guilty for holding a grudge, but now she was given the reassurance she needed that her emotions were not just part of her own selfishness.

"But your mother is not a perfect person, and neither am I. Sometimes people do stupid things that can hurt the people they love because they're afraid. Your mother did the best she could without someone to help raise you. Even though you are angry with her for not telling you, she thought it was the best thing to do. And honestly, I think I agree with her to some extent. Like I said before, I wasn't a good man when your mother left. I was drunk and mean and angry at myself, so all the bad things I thought about myself, I blamed on her. I hurt her very deeply. I didn't deserve to know you, and you were too precious to know all the bad things I did.

"Your mom did what she thought was right. It's ok to be upset, but you have to remember that she did it because she loves you. But now we can put all of it behind us and enjoy the time we have been given. We can make memories together. I can't tell you how sorry I am for not being a father to you when you needed me, but I can tell you, that if your mom hadn't done what she did, you wouldn't be living in this amazing castle with your new family." He smiled.

Sofia stared at her father and managed a weak smile back at him. It's true that if he had been her dad before, she wouldn't know Amber or James or Roland, her new dad. "I guess that's one way to look at it." She said finally.

Birk chuckled, "That's the only way to look at it." He said matter-of-factly.

Sofia breathed a laugh. "I guess you're right, Papa." She then felt very guilty for her earlier, unknowingly false forgiveness of her mother and bowed her head shamefully.

"What is it?" Birk asked inquisitively.

"I feel awful. I told mom I had forgiven her, but I was still angry about it. I lied."

"Give yourself some time, Sofia. And know that your mother was doing the best she could. She only did it because she loves you so much." He replied knowingly.

Sofia turned to him and nodded. He then stood up and offered her a hand. She took it and he led her through the garden door. After she covered it back up with the shrub, the two walked in comfortable silence to the dining room.

When they got there, each dish was covered to keep it warm and there was one more place setting than normal. Sofia ran to her mom and jumped up to hug her neck.

"Oh! Hi Sofia," she said surprised, hugging her daughter back.

"I love you, Mom. Thank you for letting me meet Papa." Sofia whispered in her ear.

Miranda just smiled and hugged Sofia closer to her. The two parted after a brief moment and then Sofia turned and smiled at Birk.

"Well, I guess I'll be going." Said Birk.

"Don't be silly!" Roland bellowed. "We've set a place for you. Please, join us for dinner."

Birk's eye widened in surprise while Sofia's brightened as she turned to Roland and grasped his arm. "Really Dad?" she asked excitedly.

"Of course. He's practically family." He said with gusto.

Sofia squealed in excitement. "Papa, there is a seat for you next to me!"

Normally, Sofia would sit adjacent to Roland, but Amber had taken that place so that Sofia sat in between her and Birk. Sofia jumped up and sat in her chair as Birk slowly took his seat.

"Now, let's eat!" James exclaimed. Roland chuckled. "Yes, James. Well said."

All at once, the servants uncovered all of the plates and the family, with the new addition, ate and talked contentedly. There was only the occasional awkward silence, which normally involved Miranda and Birk, but for the most part, the conversation recovered quickly, mostly due to the intervention of James or Sofia.

After dinner, the royal family bid Birk farewell and retired for the evening. Everyone, save for Amber slept peacefully. She kept having a dream about a massive, black bird swooping down on the castle and flying away in a snowstorm with Sofia in its talons. Each time she woke up, she would try and calm herself down, and go back to sleep, but she kept on waking up with the same horrid vision, and it kept her up most of the night.