AN: Hey guys. This idea popped into my head as I was rewatching Sofia the First. What if Sofia had a different childhood? One where she had to grow up quick in order to keep the shop a float. Anyway, hope you enjoy.

*Miranda's POV*

Ever since Balthazar walked out on Sofia and I, Sofia was only three years old. When he walked out, it was hard to keep up with the payments. It was shortly after he left that I found out about Sofia's unnaturally steep learning curve. I had chalked up her impressive marks to just being a very intelligent baby as she had started walking when she was only one year old. I had always given Sofia tips and tricks, and teaching her how to cook, sew, and more. It wasn't until she was four and I had come home after a long day to her cooking a stew. It was really good and filling.

"Sofia, where did you learn how to do this?" I asked.

"I took what we had and made a stew. I remember what you told me. I knew you had a long day and I wanted to do something for you." she said.

I smiled at her as I finished my serving of the stew. Sofia slurped down more than I thought she would at her age. She was also quite tall for her age if the heights of the other kids her age were anything to go by. As the year went by, it was harder to keep up with the payments. I had to hide them from Sofia. Sofia knew about how Balthazar walked out on us and had been a lot quieter than normal. She didn't complain and only really smiled with me and or her closest friends, Ruby and Jade. When I asked, she always helped around the house, sewing clothes, making shoes, bread, and more.

I found out that she was being bullied through the whispers on the streets when I would go and catch the kids saying things about my daughter. I sat her down that night and had her tell me what was going on. I told her that being herself was better than trying to fit in. She smiled at me but never hung out with the other village kids except Ruby and Jade, who defended Sofia.

When she was six, she had already learned what most twelve and thirteen year olds have to do. We never struggled with food as Sofia was the one to bring home the meat. The local butcher, when I went to try and bargain for a pound of meat for dinner, he told me that I could take it in repayment for raising such a wonderful girl. When I asked him about it, he told me that Sofia had been coming to him, helping out when she could. He chuckled.

"Miranda, she's such a sweet girl. She's going to be a wonderful lady someday. She had started coming to me, oh a year ago, and asked if there was anything she could help me with. Now, I had wanted nothing to do with her but she wormed her way into my heart after she had fixed up my favorite apron. I had asked her what I could do to repay her and all she asked for was meat every now and then. She started calling me grandpa actually. She's a quick learner too, showed her how to hunt and prepare meats. She took off after that. She's smart. I showed her how to preserve the meat until it was ready to cook, but she took it a step further and came up with a way to really preserve it. She had cut the seasoned meat into strips and set up a tent like structure. I had looked at it and wondered what she was doing when she had a fire going but it was mainly smoke. She placed the strips over the platform and waited. She pulled them off when it was dark. She tried a piece and liked it so she passed it to me to try. Now I sell the stuff and give her a part of the money since she was the one to come up with it. " he said.

I smiled tiredly as I heard about yet another person my daughter has touched. It was honestly the only reason why I never bothered her when she was out in town. She could probably walk through town blindfolded with no trouble if she wanted too. When the circus came through, Sofia had managed to catch the eye of a performer and said performer spent some time teaching her acrobatics. I sighed in content as I saw how well Sofia got along with everyone she came across. I also knew she found yet another hobby to busy herself with. I let her dress how she wanted too when she was seven and she chose to wear a tunic and trousers as she was heavily active for a seven year old. I told her that she had to wear a dress on certain occasions and she agreed.

She came home one day with a big grin on her face and in her arms was a wiggling ball of fluff. It was a wolf pup that was injured. I sighed and told her that she must take care of it. I didn't have the heart to tell her no, not when she was grinning with a gleeful joy that I hadn't seen in a while. I was lucky the pup took to Sofia so quickly and had followed Sofia everywhere she went. It was only the beginning though as she brought home injured animals, nursed them back to health and set them free. She learned how to ride and care for horses too. I was proud of her even though she grew up a little too quickly. She still went to school but it seemed like she was bored with school. I was watching a nearby race when I realized one of the racers was Sofia. I had to stop and watch my little girl. She was on a big stallion, well, big for her, and she was beating everyone and won. I heard whispers on how she was the first one to ever tame that horse.

When she turned eight, she had experienced things many adults don't in their lives. I was so proud of her. I was wanting to surprise her with a good gift, but she seemed content with what she had. She surprised me on my birthday with a dress she had made from fabrics she used her winnings from the race she won. It was a beautiful dress she made and I wore it on special occasions. She had also made me a new everyday dress to wear. I wore it everyday when I could. Today was a particularly tough day of catching up on orders that had been going slow because of material so Sofia was in the shop helping me out. I worked in the back where there's more space and Sofia worked in the front with Luna, her wolf, at her feet. I was working on an order when I heard the distinct tinkle of the door opening, alerting me to yet another customer. I heard Sofia's voice and knew she had it handled.

*Baileywick's POV*

King Roland needed a new pair of slippers and sent me to look for the village cobbler. As my duty, I followed through and went into town. I asked around to try and find the shop and a kind villager helped me to it. When I arrived, I took in the outside of the store and it was well kept. The man who took care of the place did a good job. I walked in and the little bell chimed letting the people in here know of my arrival. I was immediately drawn to the little girl. She looked to be around nine years old. She was wearing a tunic and pants that showed her lean form. It was obvious this girl was used to hard work, as shown by the lean and some muscle I could see. She had beautiful blue green eyes and short brown hair. I assume the wolf at her feet was her pet.

"Hello, how may I help you?" she asked politely.

"I'm looking for the cobbler." I said.

She smiled, "You've found the place. What are you looking for?"

"May I speak to your mother?" I said gently.

She nodded and disappeared into the back. She returned with an older but still young woman was behind her.

"Oh hello. I'm Miranda." she said.

"Hello Ma'am. Are you the village cobbler?" I asked.

"Yes." she said.

"Great, the king requests your presence ma'am. Unfortunately, he and the children need a new pair of slippers." I said.

"Of course. Let me just change real quick." she said.

She ran up the stairs and in about ten minutes, she came down in a very nice dress.

"Sofia dear. I know you wanted to run off today, but I may not make it back in time. " she said to the girl.

"It's alright mom. I have what I need anyway. " the little girl said.

"Oh your such a good girl." she said before following me.

I was worried for her child being left alone.

"Ma'am, you can bring her. I'm sure the king won't mind." I said.

"Oh she'll be fine. She's held down the fort before." she said.

I was still worried but Miranda seemed calm. Little did I know, that because King Roland asked for new slippers, Miranda and Roland would be married in a year's time.