Picnic for Two
Summary: Even a picnic couldn't escape Amber's Bigger is Better aspect. For STF ship appreciation week day five- Picnic.
"Amber, is this really necessary?"
Sofia's voice was muffled as she carried a large basket in her hands containing her and Amber's picnic lunch. She'd forgotten how she got into this fiasco but she couldn't say no to an outing alone with her sister.
"Yes it is!" Amber argued, a smile on her lips. "Whenever will I get an opportunity to do something like this with you again?"
Sofia frowned. Her sister was right. With school coming upon them in just a few days, it'd be harder for them to find time to be together with schoolwork and royal responsibilities getting in the way.
Amber noticed her expression, allowing her to lead her to the secret garden, the location for their picnic.
As Sofia placed the basket on the ground and began to spread out the blanket, her frown deepened.
She was nine and Amber was ten now. People were always saying how grown up they were in the presence of the public eye but she didn't feel that way.
She wish she could go back to the beginning where all she had to worry about was whether or not Amber liked her.
Except things were different now.
"Sofia is everything okay?" Amber asked, spreading out their food on the blanket.
Sofia shook her head. "Amber, do you ever dread growing up?"
"Not that I know of. Why?"
"There's so many changes going on that I wish things could just slow down."
"Oh Sofia. I understand completely," Amber smiled.
"You do?" Sofia smiled a little.
The older girl nodded as she laid a plate of biscuits in the center of the blanket. "Sometimes growing up has its advantages but I'll miss the days when it's just you and I while James and Mother and Daddy are busy."
"I'll miss them too Amber. Although I still don't understand why'd you insisted on a luncheon this big."
"Because…"
"Because why?" Sofia giggled.
"Because I love you!" Amber blurted.
Sofia's mouth was agape as she grabbed the nearest sandwich in front of her.
"I love you!" Amber repeated, hot tears rolling down her cheeks. "I never said it to you before now because I was scared you'd hate me after everything I've done to you."
"Hate you? Oh Amber, that's absurd!" Sofia took a handkerchief out of the basket, beginning to wipe her sister's face with it. "I might get mad about the things you've done and there's a lot of them but I could never hate you."
"Really? You think that way about me?"
"Of course. You're my sister."
Amber sniffed, grabbing herself a sandwich and a tea cake. "You would do anything for me, wouldn't you Sofia?"
Sofia nodded, taking a bite of her sand which.
The girls lost track of time, unaware the afternoon sun was slowly turning to dusk as Sofia folded the picnic blanket and put it in the basket while Amber finished devouring her last piece of biscuit
"Thank you for accompanying me today, Sofia," Amber smiled.
"Like I had a choice in the matter thanks to you!" Sofia teased.
Amber attempted to look offended by her remark but a laugh escaped her lips as Sofia covered her lips so she wouldn't follow suit.
With a sigh, she gathered the basket as Amber followed behind her with her fan close to her face.
Neither of them had expected the picnic to go as it did but they were glad it happened anyway.