I'm still here!

Now that the snow is gone my life has, unfortunately, returned to normal, so I have to go back to posting fewer times a week.

I love all the one-shot ideas you guys have come up with and am going to be posting them over the next few days!

Now, I know you guys want more cute moments so I hope this will satiate you for a bit (#justiceforjamesandsofiainnightingale)

XOXOXO

James

I didn't mean to upset Sofia, but this day had not gone the way I had envisioned it.

I stared at the pensive girl in front of me, wishing she would just let me help her.

I was going to whether she wanted me to or not.

I was not going to lose her.

Period.

My eyes focused on the ring shining on her finger and mentally cursed it for not meaning what I wanted it to.

We should be cuddling and making wedding plans, not arguing about her independence.

She shouldn't have to want for anything, and neither should her sisters.

"I understand, Sofia," I smiled, squeezing her hand gently, "if you want to work and live on your own I will support you, as long as you let me help you if you start struggling,"

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

She was either calming down or preparing a verbal attack and I had endured enough of the latter for the day.

"Thank you, James. I promise I will ask for help if I need it. Just please don't interfere before I get the chance to try," she squeezed my hand back and moved to sit beside me.

Yeah. That's not happening.

"I won't. Can I at least have a house commissioned for you? I promise you can pay all the taxes you want," I smirked.

She was quiet for a moment, biting her lip as she thought about my request.

"What if, instead, we stayed at Nightingale? At least until I save enough money to either get a place in the village or we decide to get married and I make my savings part of my dowry?" Her eyes lit up at the idea and I nodded.

"Father is only going to use it occasionally for visiting royalty, and the days he does you can come to visit the castle,"

"Perfect. So I guess we will be staying at the castle until mama and papa leave tomorrow," she grimaced, "also, do you need the servants at the castle? I don't want to take up their time unnecessarily,"

"They will stay, you need help keeping an estate like this going. You can help pay them if it will make you more comfortable," I suggested and she nodded.

One problem solved.

Two more to go.

I had to make sure she got a good-paying job and I had to persuade her to marry me.

All in due time.

At least she was staying.

We arrived in front of Nightingale where Laura and Hannah were clinging to their father.

I couldn't fully understand the situation.

Why would anyone choose to abandon their children with the hope that they would fail?

Isn't the role of a parent supposed to be supporting your children?

Miranda's mind was twisted, and Patrick was caught between a psycho wife and a stubborn daughter.

I wasn't even sure where Laura had Hannah fell in all of this.

Collateral damage?

Innocent bystanders watching a natural disaster, unable to find suitable cover.

I was glad I would be able to help them, there was still hope for their futures.

"Bye papa, I love you," Hannah wept, climbing in the carriage.

"I love you too, Hannah. Be good for Sofia and James," Patrick smiled, wiping a tear from his eye.

Laura stood on the stairs, looking back and forth between us and Patrick as if she was unsure of what to do next.

"I'm scared," she admitted, sitting down suddenly, "what if we never see each other again? I don't want to be apart from my sisters, but I also can't stand the thought of being away from you and mama,"

"We will see each other again, Laura. You have to take care of Hannah, you know Sofia can't control her like you can," Patrick laughed and took the girl in a bear hug.

I felt nauseous.

This seemed like a sick joke, or like I was stuck in one of their nightmares.

None of it made sense.

Laura sat beside Hannah and hugged her tightly.

My heart broke for them.

"Sister, what are we going to do?" Hannah asked Sofia, who was staring absentmindedly at her hands.

"The King is going to let us stay at Nightingale after mama and papa leave, we will be staying at the castle tonight," she whispered.

"Oh," Laura said, looking at the floor.

"You girls will have the whole estate to yourselves, aren't you excited?" I asked, trying to lighten the tense mood.

"It sounds lonely," Hannah frowned, "at least it would seem more like home if we were in a smaller house,"

"It's just until I get a job and can afford a place of our own, girls. Don't complain when people go out of their way to help," Sofia explained.

It was good advice that she should take herself.

That's all I was doing.

Helping.

I helped the girls out of the carriage after we returned to the castle and had their bags sent to their rooms.

"We can share a room," Hannah offered, not letting go of her sister's hands.

"That would probably be best, we need to stay together," Laura agreed, and Sofia nodded.

"Alright, I will see to it," I assured them, taking Sofia's hand back.

"Why don't you girls go find Amber? She should still be out in the garden," I instructed, wanting to spend some time alone with Sofia before Father or Baileywick found us.

They agreed and disappeared to find my sister.

"Care to take a walk with me?" I asked Sofia.

"Do we need Baileywick this time?" She laughed and I shook my head.

"Not if we hurry," I whispered, pulling her toward the stables.

"Are we going to see the horses?" her voice hitching with excitement.

"No, we're going to ride the horses," I smiled, kissing her cheek.

"I've never ridden a horse before," she admitted, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear nervously.

"Don't worry, I'll teach you,"

I had Sampson saddled while Sofia lovingly admired the other horses.

She was in love.

"Are you ready?" I asked, handing her a hat and gloves.

She gulped and took a step towards me.

I picked her up, placed her on the saddle, and hoisted myself behind her.

"Take the reins," I instructed, placing my hands over hers, "don't be afraid,"

Sofia gasped as Sampson galloped out of the stable and ran across the field below the castle.

Her hair blew and whipped around, causing me to bury my face in her neck.

I held her close as we rode, taking in the sound of her laughter, her smell, and how fast her heart was beating.

I wanted to keep her as happy as she was at this moment forever.

I stopped Sampson at the edge of the beach, helped Sofia down, and tied him to a nearby tree.

When I turned around, she was already standing in the surf.

The waves lapped around her bare ankles and her blue dress blew in the wind.

It was as though I was looking at a painting.

I walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist, resting my chin on her shoulder.

She nuzzled my head with hers and rested it gently on mine.

"I know today has been difficult, but thank you for everything," she whispered, not moving from our intimate position.

"You don't need to thank me, Sofia. I would do anything for you," I whispered back, tightening my arms around her.

"I don't know what is going to happen in the future," she twisted around so she could face me, "but I do know that I love you, James. Don't misunderstand my need for independence as not needing or wanting to be with you. That couldn't be further from the truth,"

"I love you too, Sofia," I pulled her head to my chest, "and I will be here for you, no matter what. I can't lose you,"

She looked up at me, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed my lips.

"I'm not going anywhere,"