Sofia the First Ship Appreciation Week 2022
Summary: Aqua's Shipping Week 2022 Prompts
Disclaimer: I don't own StF. Any OCs you see in here belong to me except Nana and Tanya, who belong to MarionetteJ2X.
A/N: Last chapter, and of course, I must wrap up the week with Cedfia. 😊 This one takes place after my story "Segue," which is when Sofia gives birth to Serena. That will be important to the content here. Though these were small stories this week, I do hope you enjoyed them! Aqua
Chapter 7: The Perfect Gift (Cedfia)
To say Sofia was exhausted after both Wassailia and giving birth to her daughter was an understatement. Not only that, but she'd undergone quite the mental, emotional, spiritual, and above all physical pain not that long ago. It was now the new year—Cedric's birthday, as a matter of fact—and that pain sometimes still haunted her. Serena's birth was nothing on the pain she'd experienced at the hands of Greeneyes.
Of course, she'd tried not to think about that, but sometimes it crept into her head like an unwanted thought. A persistent nuisance to her weary mind.
And after all the events (good and bad), she realized with dismay that she'd forgotten to get Cedric a birthday gift. It would be easy to magically craft something, or get something for him from the village or a bazaar, or even perhaps something from any of Amber's hoard of trinkets and gifts she'd stashed away in a spare room. But no, none of those things seemed special enough to her…
Cedric was special. He deserved something personal—something from the heart. But what could she give him that would match the wand case from years ago? Or any other more recent items…? Sure, she could say the baby was an early gift (and indeed, she most certainly was a gift, given her experience), but…
Sofia sighed, tying her hair back into a low braid and then wrapping her robe around her, the sash knotted in its place. She hated to admit it, but she really had nothing more to offer Cedric for his birthday than whatever else he already had or she'd already given him. And…for some that would be more than enough, but… She wished she could do more.
Cedric chuckled as Sofia slid into the bed next to him, curling her tired body next to his. "The girls are tucked in," he informed her, "including our little Serena. She drifted off not long after I sang to her."
The princess giggled, resting her head on his shoulder. "I'm not surprised. You have an amazing voice, Cedric…" She sighed, pressing her fingers into his pajama top, chasing the patterns and give of the fabric.
The sorcerer frowned curiously at her actions. "Sofia, what is it? What's wrong?"
"Don't think I've forgotten your birthday or anything, okay? I just…" She closed her eyes, shaking her head. "I didn't really have…a lot of time to get something special for you."
"Well, that's understandable, since you were rather busy giving birth to our daughter." He laughed softly as she smiled. "It's fine, my darling. I don't need anything extra for this one day in the year. I am so appreciative that it's even recognized, honestly. That alone is more than enough, I assure you."
She couldn't help smiling. He was very gracious and understanding. He'd really taken it to heart when he'd stopped caring about power and prestige and instead focused on the little things: braiding Nana's hair while telling her a story, listening enthusiastically as Tanya shared a rare glimpse into her history, baking cookies with Sofia while perhaps getting a bit too much flour on their clothing (often on purpose), or recounting stories of their adventures to an often-sleepy Serena. These were the things that mattered, and she was glad he was aware. Of course he was. He knew very well…
"I do have one gift I can share," Sofia whispered as she grasped his hand, placing it over the sash on her robe. Seeing the blush that appeared on his cheeks, she smiled. "I know I'm nothing special, but I do love you, Cedric. My gift is my love, expressed in any form: written, spoken…" She reached up, caressing his cheek. "Even in a touch or embrace…" She helped him tug the sash away, the robe falling open in a rather delicate manner, just barely covering the most sensitive and secretive areas of her body.
"F-First of all…" He placed a kiss to her lips. "You are special, and I love you so much, Sofia. I love every part of you, physically and otherwise, but most especially, I love your heart." He placed a hand over her slightly speeding up heartbeat, humming. "You care so much, and you give so much of yourself… I would have been a fool not to fall in love with you."
She smiled then gasped when his fingers trailed over her bare skin, sending chills all over her body. "Cedric…please…"
He lifted his hand, brushing it against her cheek. "I'm not sure, Sofia… You are still healing…"
"I know…" She sat up a bit, shedding her robe entirely, before lying down and offering him a shy smile. "We could still…practice…if you want…" She caressed his shoulder as he still seemed unsure. "It's fine, Cedric. I promise. It'll be your gift."
Cedric pressed his forehead to hers. "You are my gift."
"Oh, Cedric…" Her soft laugh was silenced as he pressed his lips to hers, kissing her gently.
The end