Tailored for this challenge
Summary: Cedric is world famous tailor, who led a lonely life after a tragic loss, until a young child named Sofia came in bringing life back into it.
When Cedric started to learn to sew as a young boy he did to give him and his little sister clothes, since both their parents worked long grueling hours for little pay, which was barely enough to feed them and keep a roof over their heads.
His mother, Winifred supported this and even showed him a few tricks to help make them last longer and endure the rough and tumble life of the city, his father, Goodwyn was opposite, saying that it was a woman's duty to provide clothes and even took the fabrics and needles, destroying them by throwing them in the fire place, saying that he wasn't raising no sissy for a son.
Winifred told Goodwyn to leave and never come back and he did just that.
From that day onwards, Cedric was determined to learn and get a job as a tailor and provide for his family, he worked long and hard under many types of tailors as a errand boy, eventually he earned enough money to put himself through school for fashion and design.
Eventually he opens his first store, "Cordelia's" which he named after his sister, she was so happy for him, just like Cedric was since she was excepting her first child.
But tragedy struck as Cedric lost both his sister, her unborn child and mother to a fatal carriage accident.
The light died for Cedric that day, while he continues to make groundbreaking designs, earning many admirers and enemies along the way, but he simply did not care, he went through the next few years on autopilot until one day a girl wearing a light lavender dress burst in, wearing a bright smile saying.
"Hello, I am Sofia and I am here to apply to be your apprentice."
Confused Cedric looks at the child standing in front of him.
"Sorry, kid, I am afraid that I am not a Sorcerer from some silly movie, I am a tailor, now go bother someone else." Cedric said in a bored tone.
The smile slips from Sofia's making Cedric almost feel a sense of guilt but he quickly dismisses the feeling.
"Sorry to be a bother sir, just that I have been following your work for years and I always wanted to work and learn from the great Cedric and thought when I am old enough to apply to be his apprentice I am going to jump to it." she pulls out a folder and what appears to be come sort of help wanted ad setting it down in front of the man.
"Here's my file and the ad, good day to you sir."
With that the girl left the shop.
Cedric just sighs and goes to toss away the papers, but a glance at an old photo of his late sister as a child smiling, stops him, knowing that if she were here she scold him good for his cold attitude towards the kid.
With great reluctant he looks at the ad and saw it was an old ad that he had put out years ago before the accident and simply had forgotten about it.
He then turns his attention to the file and saw that it had basic information and background and then he sees a small stack of papers, with some very original designs that left him staring in amazement, it was decided then and there that Sofia would become his apprentice.
After a quick look at the address, he leaves to go tell her the news personally, after getting some directions, he came to stand in front the gates of an orphanage.
He quickly shakes off his shock, opens the gates, walks down the short path to door, knocking on it, only for it to be opened quickly by a slightly older woman, who smiles at him kindly.
"Yes? Do you need something sir, some directions?" she asked.
Cedric shakes his head, "No, I am here about a girl named Sofia, she came by my shop today."
As soon as he had said the friendly expression turns to one of annoyance as she said, "Did she steal something? I promise that I will talk with her about paying you back for any damages."
Uncomfortably Cedric clears his throat and said, "You misunderstand miss, I am Cedric, she came to apply to be my apprentice and I came to tell her news that I agreed, I will make sure everything provided for her room and board as well education, plus it's one less mouth to feed, for you."
The woman thinks for a minute and then said, "If you take her, she is your problem, no returns."
Cedric nods, "Of course." while trying to resist the urge not to give the woman a piece of his mind as she shouts for Sofia.
The girl come out confused when she sees Cedric standing there and looks at the matron curious.
"Go pack your bags, Mr. Ceedric here has agreed to take you on as his apprentice."
Smiling widely Sofia quickly obeys and soon enough she was sitting in her new rooms in the penthouse that sat above the shop, left to unpack and rest until dinner.
When Cedric announced dinner was ready, Sofia follows him into the modest dining room, after eating a simple but wonderful meal, Cedric had her come to his study, to talk about the contract and what is to be expected from both Master and Apprentice, until Sofia's 21st birthday.
After looking everything and signing the dotted line, it was official, Sofia was Cedric apprentice and ward.
That next few weeks were both busy and eventful as Cedric made sure Sofia was put to work right away, learning all about his craft and the dos and don'ts of running a business, Sofia soaked it up like a sponge and was even able to apply what she learned quickly, but soon they quickly fell into a routine, which had Sofia most times falling asleep against Cedric, one night she was half asleep using him a pillow as usual in the parlor, but this time she was mumbling.
"I found him, Mom."
Cedric was curious by that, but quickly dismiss it as nonsense caused by exhaustion, so he simply scoops up the sleeping child into his arms, tucking her into bed.
"Sleep well, child." He whispers turning to leave when he heard Sofia say.
"Good night, Dad."
Curious Cedric decided to draw out his troubles, as he searched for one of his journals, he came up an unopened letter that apparently had gotten lost on the bottom of his drawers, taking a letter opener to it, he reads it, his already pale skin turning ashen by it contents.
Apparently Miranda was a friend of Cordelia and they were both expecting around the same time, but apparently on Sofia's 6th birthday Miranda became extremely ill and died as a result, but after finding out she was not going live much longer, she made sure to put his name down as guardian for the child.
But somehow Sofia ended up in a orphanage for the next 6 years, until one day she came bursting into his shop.
Cedric sat and ponders this discovery for a while, by the time he comes back to the present, it was nearly morning, so he drags himself down to breakfast, greeted by a cheerful Sofia.
"Good Morning, Mr. Cedric."
Cedric yawns loudly, taking a swing of his tea, nodding as he eats his breakfast in silence, while listening to his ward?, apprentice?, daughter? chat away.
"Sofia, may I enquire as to circumstances for you ending up in the orphanage?" He asked but before Sofia could answer, a loud banging came from the shop door.
Scowling in annoyance Cedric gets up and gestures for Sofia to follow, as they made their way down to the shop, where Cedric opens to door to see a older man in official looking clothes standing there.
"Yes, what is it?" Cedric snarls.
The man clears his throat and said in a business like tone, "I am Baileywick official Steward to the King and Queen and they sent me to bring their children, Prince James and Princess Amber to be fitted with the best clothes and your name was mentioned and so here we are."
Before Cedric was going to say anything, Sofia pulls him aside and after a hushed conversation, Cedric nods and with smug Sofia came back and said "I accept your request, please bring them in."
Baileywick nods and goes over the carriage and brings a boy and girl, wearing formal attire into the shop.
The girl, Princess Amber looks around the shop looking unimpressed, whining to Baileywick.
"Baileywick! Mummy and Daddy asked for a royal fitting, by a famous tailor, not this hovel."
Cedric had to bite his tongue at direct insult, Sofia seem unfazed by the snobby attitude.
The boy, James turns to his sister, annoyance on his clear as day as he said.
"Amber! I am sorry about my sister, she can be much." James said to Cedric and Sofia, before whispering something to the spoiled girl, who scoffs loudly before turning to say at them.
"I apologize." to say it, must have been painful for her, as both Cedric and Sofia internally roll their eyes before accepting and Baileywick gave Cedric a list of their measurements.
Cedric then turns to Sofia saying, "You up for the challenge?" he said gesturing to Amber who was criticizing the many colors of brown and gold that he displayed.
Sofia smiles, "Let's just say this challenge was tailored for me, I dealt with many kids like her at orphanage."
With that Cedric took James, while Sofia took Amber, who proving rather difficult, but thanks to younger girl's endless patience and a scolding from Baileywick, she was able to get a few dresses designs, shoes, undergarments and socks ready to be made and send up to the castle in the next few days.
The moment they left both Cedric and Sofia practically collapse onto the floor, as they made their way upstairs.
"You did good, today." Cedric compliments.
Sofia smiles, "I learned from the best, Dad." waiting to his reaction
Cedric just smiles at her and said, "Yes you did, daughter."
The End