Sophia's Story
A Disney crossover by talking2myself
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any recognizable Disney characters. All original characters are my own creations.
CHAPTER 32. The Gowns
Sophia sat in the back seat of Robert's car. Giselle sat next to her, clutching her hand tightly. Sophia wasn't sure if it was meant to comfort her or if her sister was scared that she would try and jump out of the moving car. In the seat behind them, Sophia was vaguely aware of the little girl, Robert's daughter. Giselle's stepdaughter, staring at her and Mirror with wide eyes as they drove through the dark streets. It was just starting to sink that this child was her step-niece now and that she had a brother-in-law. Their little family had been so stagnant since Granny had died, just Giselle and Sophia. It was a strange concept to wrap her mind around.
Mirror sat in the passenger seat as Robert drove. He reminded Sophia of a freaked out cat. He sat tense and stiffly upright in his chair, clutching the armrests for dear life. The car wasn't moving that fast, but he flinched every time the car hit a bump. Once they arrived at the apartment, Mirror albeit flung himself out of the passenger seat and started kissing the sidewalk.
"Are you okay?" Robert asked with concern.
"Yes!" Mirror said quickly. He bolted upright again and dusted off his robes. "Yes, yes, don't worry. I'm perfectly fine. Yes, yes, I'm alright. Pay me no mind."
Robert shot Giselle a questioning look. Giselle shrugged helplessly. "Are you sure he's okay?" Morgan asked as she climbed out of the car.
"He's just a little out of his element," Sophia explained. "We've never been to a place like this before."
Giselle kept her arm around Sophia as she and Robert led them up the steps to the apartment. "I'll put a pot of tea," Giselle said. "Make yourself at home."
"It's time for bed, little lady," Robert said to his daughter. "Say good night!"
"Good night Giselle," Morgan hurried over and hugged Giselle tightly. "Good night, Aunt Sophia." She said.
Sophia blinked in surprise. Oddly touched by the little girl's kid words. "Good night…" Sophia struggled to remember the child's name.
"Morgan," Giselle supplied in a kind whisper.
"Good night, Morgan," Sophia said. "Sweet dreams."
Morgan smiled and vanished down the hallway with her father. Mirror had settled on the sofa and seemed to be looking around the room awkwardly, unsure of what to do. He looked completely out of place with his expressionless mask and robes. Sophia imagined that she looked pretty similar with her ragged but elaborate gown.
Sophia found herself wandering out onto the balcony. It was a relatively warm night and from her vantage point she could see the New York skyline twinkling in the distance.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Giselle asked as she followed her out onto the balcony and handed her a mug of tea.
"I suppose it's a bit fancier than our hollow tree," Sophia said.
"I miss Andalasia," Giselle said wistfully. "I wonder how Pip is doing."
"He's fine," Sophia said. "He's written a tell-all in fact."
Giselle laughed, "That sounds like him."
There was a brief silence. "If you missed Andalasia, why didn't you come back?" Sophia asked. Her voice sounded more accusing than she wanted.
Giselle met her eyes, "I couldn't. It wouldn't have been the same without you." Sophia gazed into her cup. "Please, Sophia," Giselle pleaded. "We couldn't find you anywhere. I was so sure that you were dead or…"
Sophia quirked and eyebrow, "Or?"
"Or you were so furious with me for running off with Edward that you were refusing to speak with me." she said.
"No," Sophia insisted. "Don't get me wrong I was pretty determined to stop you, but I would never stop speaking with you over that."
Giselle smiled, a look of relief in her eyes. "So… if you weren't dead, what exactly happened?"
Sophia let out a heavy sigh. "You're probably going to want to sit down, this is a long story."
And so Sophia spent the next hour explaining everything that happened to her since their home had been destroyed, her run ins with Narissa and Rosamund, her time as a broom, her travelings with Flewddur and Kelsey, and finally her training with Leota and Mirror.
"So… this whole time you were trying to get back to me?" Giselle asked.
Sophia nodded. "And then I find you here with this perfect little family and…" Sophia could feel tears springing to her eyes. "Did you even miss me at all?"
"Oh Sophia," Giselle cried. She wrapped her arms tightly around her sister in a warm hug. "Come on, I need to show you something."
Giselle pulled Sophia to her feet and led her back into the apartment. Mirror was passed out on the sofa, snoring quietly. It looked like Robert was kind enough to toss a throw blanket over him as he slept. "He always wears his mask?" Giselle asked as they walked past him.
"I've never seen him without it," Sophia said.
"What do you suppose he looks like?" Giselle asked curiously.
"I don't think I want to know," Sophia said.
Robert was puttering around in the kitchen, putting away the tea things. "Robert, I'm going to show Sophia something in the shop," Giselle said quickly. "We'll be right back."
"Oh of course," Robert said with a small smile. Giselle kissed him on the cheek and it was impossible for Sophia to deny how happy they looked together. Giselle opened the apartment and Sophia followed her down the hallways and steps back into the quiet shop.
Giselle turned on the lights and the shimmering gowns sparkled in the light. "This way," Giselle gestured and led Sophia to a back room that she hadn't previously seen before. Giselle opened the door and Sophia followed her sister inside. Giselle flicked a light switch on and the room lit up and Sophia gasped. An elaborate display case stood before her. Inside was a dress mannequin and on the mannequin was one of the most elegant gowns that Sophia had ever seen. It was a soft pink with a V neck and long lace-covered sleeves and skirt. A few seconds later, another light flicked on and Sophia could see that another display case stood besides that one. This one was also pink, but with poufy shoulders and an elaborate embroidered bodice and collar. Yet another light flicked on and another display case lit up. This one was made of pink tulle and the skirt was made up of billowy layers. And there were still more. For a few moments, Sophia just stood there and stared at them in shock. "These are beautiful, Giselle," she cried.
"Happy Birthday," Giselle said with a smile.
"What?" Sophia asked in confusion.
Giselle stepped into the room. "Their yours. For you birthday. I made one for ever year since you were gone just in case you ever came back."
Sophia's mouth hung open. Her sister hadn't forgotten her. She had been thinking of her and missing her. "Oh Giselle," Sophia cried. She whirled around and flung her arms around her sister. For a few moments, the two of them broke down and cried so happy to be back together.
-888-
The next couple of days passed quietly but happily. Sophia and Mask spent time bonding with her sister and her new family. Sophia borrowed her sister's clothing and they spent the day playing tourist, visiting Times Square, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Sophia was not a fan of the strange clothing that Kelsey seemed to favor so much but it was nice not to be gawked at like a zoo animal. Mirror on the other hand could not be persuaded to venture out and seemed comfortable enough to spend time in their apartment thumbing through Robert's old Golf Digest magazines. After a few days, he seemed to be an expert on the sport and seemed quite eager to introduce it to Madam Leota. Sophia did not anticipate that going over well.
Sophia also spent time with her new niece, Morgan. The girls spent an entire day designing a special gown for her and by the end of the day the little girl was referring to her as Aunt Sophia.
The time that they spent together was perfect, but it came to an abrupt halt one morning. Sophia was sleeping in Robert and Giselle's guest bedroom while Mirror was comfortable camped out on their sofa. The sun had just begun to peek through the windows when Sophia was jolted awake. Initially, she couldn't determine what had woken her up, but she was suddenly wide awake and she had an overwhelming feeling to race out of the apartment, run down the street, and jump into the manhole that led to Andalasia.
She couldn't understand why, but this feeling was so intense that her hands were nearly shaking with the effort of resisting. Why did she want to go back to Andalasia? She was happy spending time here with her sister. She felt safe, she felt happy. In fact, this was probably the happiest she had been in years.
Sophia staggered to her feet. Her feet wobbled as she struggled against the urge to run. Sophia wandered into the living room, nearly toppling over into Mirror as she walked. Mirror awoke with a start and looked at her in surprise. "Sorry Mirror," she said distractedly. She made her way to the kitchen sink and quickly filled a glass. She set it on the countertop and muttered the spell.
A few seconds later, Madam Leota's face appeared in the glass. It reminded Sophia of when Madam Leota had been trapped in her crystal ball. Madam Leota groaned. "Morning Sophia. You're in my morning coffee this time. Would it kill you to appear in a cold glass of lemonade every now and again it's going to be cold by…"
"Leota, I think something is wrong with me!" Sophia cried.
"Eh?" Madam Leota asked. "What's wrong? Are you sick?"
"I don't know," Sophia cried. "Everything has been fine but now I feel like I would run through traffic just to get back to the manhole!" Sophia looked down at her hands. She was leaning on a kitchen chair, clutching the chair back tightly as though a wind would blow her away.
Madam Leota's eyes widened. "Ohhh," she said understandingly. "I see."
"What? What is it?" Sophia demanded. Mirror had made his way over to her side and was gently clasping her shoulders. Even though his mask was expressionless, Sophia could feel his concern.
"I think you need to come back home, Sophia," Madam Leota said.
"Why?" Sophia asked. "What's happening."
Madam Leota gave her a warm smile. "It's The Knowing, Sophia. It's time for you to meet your godchild."