If James can sing this song from The Cheetah Girls to help Elena and Gabby go to sleep, let's see what Miranda can do with it! I thought it would be nice if, as a way to help Sofia get over a nightmare, Miranda sang the song she used to sing to her when she was little. Following her rescue from Boswell, Sofia is still prone to nightmares, but she knows that the family is there to help her and Clover whenever they need it. After Sofia has another bad dream, Miranda helps her by singing a song she used to sing to her, has a talk with her, and reminds her that the family will always be there for her. Thanks to theblindwriter95 for helping with the story. The Cheetah Girls are not mine.

Miranda woke up to the sound of Sofia crying. She figured she was having another nightmare, and she ran to her bedroom after assuring Roland that she'd take care of her.

She saw the red sparkles on Sofia's door, but she also saw James in the room with her. "James, what are you doing here?" she asked, seeing James stroking Sofia's hair and trying to comfort her.

"I heard Sof a few minutes ago," James started. "I wanted to see if I could help her, so I brought one of the story folders she likes, and I was telling her a story."

"Did she..." Miranda started, but then she shook her head. "No, she wouldn't have had an accident, since we took her to the bathroom before she went to sleep."

"I checked her when I woke her up too," James agreed.

"Thank you, James," Miranda smiled, "I know you want to help her too, and we appreciate it so much."

"Sof knows that not all men and boys are bad, right, Sof?" James added as he went to see how Clover was doing.

"Right James," Sofia sniffed. "I just sorry I woke you up."

"Don't be sorry, Sofia. Like I just told James, I appreciate him helping you," Miranda smiled.

"I know, Mommy, but I feel bad. I thought about my last night with Mr. Boswell and got scared over him breaking my hairpin."

"That's on him," James frowned. "You kept that hairpin with you when you needed to go out while Boswell was doing his magic acts. It's not your fault he broke it."

"That's right," Miranda agreed. "Boswell wanted to take everything from you, and he thought he could do that when he broke your hairpin. But you're so much stronger than he is. You proved that when you were biting and scratching him."

Sofia smiled. "I good girl!"

"And don't ever forget that," Miranda smiled. She took Sofia in her arms and covered her in kisses, causing her to giggle while James checked on Clover.

They all knew that the rabbit was dead to the world when asleep, but he still checked just in case Clover had been woken up by Sofia's crying.

The rabbit raised his head when he felt something touch him. He was about to growl, but he relaxed when he saw James near him.

"It's okay, Clover, you're safe," James murmured as he gently scratched his ears. "I know you want to take care of Sof if she has nightmares, but Mom and I'll help her too. You just take it easy." He looked around, then whispered, "I'll get you a snack later too. I know Chef Andre has a few leftover celery sticks in the kitchen." He knew that Clover, as well as Sofia, had been forced to eat carrots for two weeks, along with any other scrap of food they could find, and he figured that neither of them wanted to see the orange vegetable again any time soon. He knew Sofia had panic attacks around carrots, but he didn't know how Clover would react if he saw them.

"Let's let sleeping bunnies lie for now, James," Miranda smiled. She let Clover sniff her hand before stroking him. "It's all right, Clover. Sofia's in very good hands."

The rabbit lowered his head and immediately went back to sleep, having been reassured that his best friend wouldn't be hurt.

Miranda and James stepped back from the rabbit's basket, giving Clover his privacy as Sofia smiled at him.

Trusting people, especially the same sex, was still an ongoing obstacle for Clover which she could sympathize with due to Boswell's savagery ravaging her trust in men.

"I see you were reading some of your stories to Sofia," Miranda said as she picked up a red folder.

"I tried to bring some of my not-so-scary stories where Amber's and my plush friends went on adventures," James smiled. He lowered his voice. "I had another story in mind that I thought she'd like, but I didn't bring it. It's not scary, but it's in an orange folder."

Miranda nodded in agreement. She knew Sofia had panic attacks over orange things, and James was trying to be considerate.

"Thank you, James, for your stories," Sofia smiled. She tapped him on the shoulder. "I don't wanna be rude but I'd like to be with Mommy now."

"Why's that, Sof?" James grinned.

"I wanna have time with Mommy," Sofia said, cuddling close to Miranda.

"No problem, Sof," James smiled. "I understand you want to have some alone time with Mom, and that's fine. Just let me know if you need me for anything."

"Okay," Sofia smiled.

"You want me to take Clover with me?" James continued. "I know he's a boy, and you probably want to talk to Mom about girly things we wouldn't understand. But don't worry; he'll be safe in my room."

"Silly James!" Sofia giggled. "You let Clover sleep!"

"Getting your sister back to sleep won't be a girly thing," Miranda smirked, kneeling down to her son's level. "Before you go James, I'd like your opinion on something."

"What is it, Mom?" James wondered.

"I've already discussed it with your father, and Sofia already knows, but we were thinking about her ninth birthday and making it a small family affair."

"No crowds because Clover hates them," Sofia added.

"I think that's a brilliant idea," James agreed. "The last thing we want is for Sof to be overwhelmed with a big party. But how do we break the news to Amber that we're having a small party? She always says bigger is better!"

"Your father and I discussed it with her earlier, and even she agreed this time," Miranda assured him, "It's going to be fine with the family, and Clover, together for Sofia's birthday."

"Yay!" Sofia giggled. "Just us and Clover!"

"I'm happy you're excited, Sof," James smiled. He hugged her close, stroking her hair. "I know Mom said you and her wouldn't discuss anything girly, but would it still be okay if I took Clover to my room for the night?"

Sofia looked worried about being apart from Clover again. "You'll bring him back, won't you?"

"Of course I will," James promised. "Or how about this: I'll take him to my room for a few minutes, then I'll bring him right back. I'll even take his basket and the doll we tucked in with him."

"Okay," Miranda agreed. "I'll even let you know when Sofia and I are done, so she can have Clover again."

"I'll be okay, Sof," Clover smiled. "I trust James, and I've even sat in on his story-writing sessions before."

"Clover tells stories?" Sofia asked.

"Yes he does," James grinned. "Sometimes he came in my room, I'd pick him up and put him on my bed, he'd cuddle up with my writing buddies, and they'd all give me ideas for stories."

"You show me the stories Clover helped you with?" Sofia asked.

"I wouldn't mind seeing them myself," Miranda smiled.

"Of course we will," James grinned, scratching Clover behind the ears. "Right, Clover?"

Clover nodded, enjoying being scratched behind the ears as he nuzzled James. Other than Baileywick, Cedric, Roland, and most of the castle staff, James was someone he could trust without the worry of being away from his best friend for hours on end.

Seeing James leave with Clover and his basket, Sofia turned to Miranda and buried her face in her hands.

"Sofia, everything's going to be all right," Miranda murmured as she took her in her arms, "James and Clover just wanted to give us a little privacy. James said he's going to bring Clover right back in a few minutes. Or do you want me to have them come back?"

"Please bring Clover back?" Sofia asked.

"Okay," James smiled from where he was standing in the doorway. "We'd only gone a few steps when I thought Clover should be with you. I'm sorry, Sof; I shouldn't have suggested that Clover leave you. He's your best friend, and you two need each other after everything you've been through."

"Thank you," Sofia smiled as James put Clover's basket back where he found it, and placed Clover in her arms. "You wanted to help me, but I want Clover with me when Mommy and I talk."

"I understand," James smiled. "Goodnight, Sof."

"James, wait!" Sofia blurted out.

"What is it, Sof?"

"You write down butterfly story yet?" Sofia asked.

"Butterfly story?" Miranda grinned.

"You know Sof likes butterflies, right?" James asked. When Miranda nodded, he continued, "I've been writing stories about her and Amber's dolls, our plush friends, and even Clover playing with butterflies in places with flowers, butterflies and sparkles."

"James makes nice stories!" Sofia smiled. "Clover likes being in them too!"

"Well, we'll have to read those, won't we?" Miranda smiled. "But for now, did you want to talk about something, girl to girl and bunny?"

Sofia nodded, seeing James leave before climbing on her bed.

Miranda stroked her hair, smiling as Clover hopped into her daughter's lap.

"I feel conflicted. I like getting readjusted to the castle again and I like that Mr. Boswell is in the dungeons but I scared," Sofia confessed.

"Are you scared that you'll lose control of your emotions when you see Boswell again during the trial?" Miranda asked.

"Yeah," Sofia admitted. "I know you say I have to tell people what Mr. Boswell did, but I scared he'll get scary mad like he always does and try to stop me from talking about what I went through."

"He won't touch you, Sofia," Miranda promised. "He's going to be under heavy guard during the trial, and he's going to be restrained, so he won't be able to hurt you."

"He won't have his cigars to burn me?" Sofia asked.

"No, all his cigars are gone," Miranda promised. "In fact, Constable Miles told us that when some of the guards smelled the cigar smoke when they originally took him to the dungeons, it made them a little sick, so he confiscated them. He took the cigars out and got rid of them."

"No wonder he didn't have them when we visited the dungeon," Sofia realized.

Miranda nodded, hugging her close. "You don't need to apologize for what happened in the dungeons. Your father and Constable Miles already knew that you'd be all sorts of emotions during our visit so the guards were asked not to restrain you."

"Daddy said I was grieving. What did he mean by that?"

"Well, you were letting all of your emotions out when you visited Boswell in the dungeons," Miranda tried to explain, "This is an emotional time for you right now, and you have to find a way to let all the feelings you have out."

"You mean when I fight Boswell and cry at night and scream at him I let out my feelings?" Sofia asked.

"That's right," Miranda agreed, "You never have to keep those feelings bottled up inside you anymore."

Sofia nodded. She understood that she was releasing her emotions after her ordeal, but feared punishment.

Showing anger towards him or crying often resulted in punishment from Boswell when she'd been in the wagon, forcing her to bottle up those emotions.

"Mr. Boswell used to punish me if I got angry or cried. He burned me with his cigars because I couldn't stop crying my last night with him," Sofia confessed.

"That won't happen here," Miranda promised. "If you feel angry or have to cry about something, then that's perfectly all right. We won't punish you, but we'll give you all the love and support you could ever want."

"Clover too?" Sofia asked.

"Of course Clover too," Miranda smiled. "He went through a lot, just like you did, and he's going to need friends and family to help him get through this too." She paused, thinking about something. "In fact, I think I know something that can help both of you right now."

"What is it?" Sofia asked.

"I remember I used to sing you a song when you were little," Miranda said as she pulled her close. "It always helped you go to sleep, and you always had happy dreams whenever you heard it."

"James sing pretty song too!" Sofia smiled, recalling the pretty song James had sung to her when the family came to take her home following her rescue.

"Yes he did but this song's even prettier," Miranda smiled.

"Mommy silly!" Sofia giggled.

"Maybe so, but I think you'll still like this song," Miranda smiled as she began to sing.

A la nanita nana, nanita ella, nanita ella
Mi niña tiene sueño, bendito sea, bendito sea

Sofia smiled as Miranda began to rock her. She liked the pretty song James had sung, and now she was hearing another pretty song. Her smile widened as Clover hopped over and curled up in her lap.

"Does he do that often?" Miranda teased.

Sofia nodded, scratching Clover behind the ears. "He started doing it a week after I got rescued."

"Well, Clover needs love and support just like you do," Miranda reasoned. She let Clover sniff her hand before stroking his fur. "Don't worry, Clover, you and Sofia are both safe, and we're going to be here for both of you."

She took one of Clover's paws in her hand as she continued, A la nanita nana, nanita ella, nanita ella
Mi niña tiene sueño, bendito sea, bendito sea

Clover nuzzled Miranda's hand before laying down again. "That's good to hear."

"Clover, go to sleep!" Sofia giggled. "We both safe and music makes it all better!"

"That's right," Miranda smiled. "Did you and Clover sing together in the wagon?"

Sofia shook her head. "Mr. Boswell would've heard us so we played together or took naps undisturbed while he was traveling."

"Is that so? Did that monster do anything nice while you were with him?" Miranda wondered.

"Yes. He got me books to keep myself occupied but the guards forgot to get them during my rescue."

"What about your hairpin? Was Boswell nice when he gave it to you?"

"He was nice," Sofia agreed. "I wanted something to keep my hair out of my face, so he got it for me. He didn't know I also used it to leave a window open so I could slip out and get something to eat or do my business when he was doing his shows."

"And when he did find out, he broke the hairpin to punish you?" Miranda realized.

Sofia nodded, holding back tears. Boswell had swiped it out of her hands before she could lock the window, yelling at her and saying that he'd been in a favorable mood and had considered letting her go peacefully.

"Don't think about that anymore, Sof," Clover whispered, feeling Sofia's fingers tighten around his fur.

"I can't help but think about it," Sofia admitted. "Mr. Boswell considered letting me go and then I had to be a bad girl!"

"Sof, in all the time I've known you, you've never once been a bad girl," Clover said as he snuggled against her. "Like Robin said, I was the one who ran away, and I was the one who got you into this mess."

"You not a bad bunny, Clover," Sofia smiled a little. "You never been bad bunny."

"That's right," Miranda smiled. "You're a good girl, and Clover's a good bunny."

"So what happened wasn't our faults?" Sofia sniffed.

Miranda nodded, stroking her hair. She knew that her daughter had a tendency to blame herself for her and Clover's trauma.

As she continued to rock Sofia, she sang softly, Fuentecita que corre clara y sonora
Ruiseñor que en la selva, cantando y llora
Calla mientras la cuna, se balancea
A la nanita nana, nanita ella

The nightmares weren't as frequent as they once were, which was a step towards Sofia's healing, but there were still times where Sofia would question whether or not she needed a privilege to do anything.

"You don't have to ask if you need to do anything, Sofia," Miranda assured her. "If you need to do something, you can do it and you won't be in trouble."

"No privileges here?" Sofia asked.

"No privileges here," Miranda smiled.

Sofia smiled back. She adored having the freedom to do whatever she wanted without punishment, because unlike Boswell, her family allowed her to do things.

Sometimes assisting her if needed.

"Mommy, I sorry I would do my business outside instead of inside when I first came home," Sofia muttered. "Amber say that it frustrated Baileywick, but I don't know why. Was he mad at me?"

"Of course not," Miranda assured her, "Baileywick was just confused about why you did that. But we explained to him about why you did your business outside, and he was very understanding. He and Amber did have to tell you that you could do that inside, and they'd help you if you needed it."

"I remember them helping me!" Sofia giggled. "I've grown so much since then!"

"Really? I hadn't noticed!" Miranda teased.

"I getting better at talking to people," Sofia started. "I getting better about being around men in the castle..."

"You certainly are!" Miranda smiled. "But it's like we've been telling you, Sofia; take it one day at a time. There's no rush for you to go back to how things were before."

Sofia rubbed her eyes, unable to stifle a yawn as she let it escape from her lips.

"Is someone getting sleepy?" Miranda cooed.

"I not sleepy! Clover's sleepy!" Sofia pouted.

"Well, it looks like you're both getting sleepy," Miranda chuckled. "Shall I stay with you two while you're sleeping?"

"Okay," Sofia smiled as she cuddled up with her.

"You don't mind?" Miranda asked.

Sofia shook her head. "We like you, Daddy, Amber, James, Baileywick, and Mr. Cee-drick. We feel at ease when we're around you. I just sorry you've witnessed our trauma firsthand because it makes me feel ashamed that I not the strong, independent daughter you once knew."

"Sofia, you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of," Miranda said as she gave her a hug. "Boswell was the one who put you through all of this, and he's the one who should feel ashamed. You've always been strong and independent, and I've always been proud of you."

Sofia nodded, allowing some tears to fall down her cheeks. "Even when I have a really bad day?" She hiccupped, feeling Miranda wipe away her tears. "Or even when I repeat words that Mr. Boswell would say to me like stupid or fool or hell? Are you still proud of me?"

"Sofia, you make me so proud of you, every day," Miranda smiled. "I know you can't help yourself when you repeat the bad words, but you're getting much better with each passing day. You don't repeat them as often as you did before, and you're getting better when it comes to being around other people."

"Really?"

"Yes. You talk to them and only hide if they raise their voice."

"Like Amber and James did yesterday?" Sofia giggled. "They were arguing over something silly, but it still scared me."

"But they still tried to make it up to you," Miranda agreed. "I saw you with them, and James was singing one of his songs to you to help calm you down. I even saw Clover with you, and as James sang, you and Amber were dancing with him."

"Clover likes dancing!" Sofia giggled at the memory. "And I not mad at Amber or James no more!"

"That's my girl," Miranda smiled as she finished the song, A la nanita nana, nanita ella, nanita ella
Mi niña tiene sueño, bendito sea, bendito sea

Fuentecita que corre clara y sonora
Ruiseñor que en la selva, cantando y llora
Calla mientras la cuna, se balancea
A la nanita nana nanita ella

Sofia yawned, feeling her eyes droop. She never expected to be up as late as she was.

She backed away from Miranda, shuddering as she recalled her nightmare about Boswell and started to cry.

"Don't put me in the water! Please Mr. Boswell! I sorry! I be good girl!" Sofia sobbed.

"Sofia, you've always been a good girl," Miranda murmured as she took her hands. "Was that what your nightmare was about?"

Sofia nodded, relaxing at Miranda's gentle touch. "Mr. Boswell had Clover and took me to a lake. He talked about how if the guards found me, he'd be in trouble, so he tried to put me in there. I begged him not to, but he wouldn't listen and..."

"Don't think about that anymore," Miranda murmured, "you know that was just a dream, and you know what we tell you about dreams, right?"

"Dreams can't hurt me?" Sofia asked. "I safe and you're there to help me when I get scared by dreams?"

"That's right," Miranda smiled.

Sofia reached out for her mother before rubbing her eyes in an attempt to stay awake.

Miranda obliged, taking her in her arms. Kissing her forehead affectionately, she stifled a chuckle as she heard Sofia whine in protest. "Go to sleep, Sofia," she murmured, "I'm right here with you. Everything's going to be all right. I'm here, Clover's here, your friends and family are here. We all love you..."

Sofia smiled as she fell asleep as she listened to her. "I good girl..."

Miranda smiled, stroking her hair. Hearing Sofia's soft breathing, she blew her a kiss before going towards the window seat.

Knowing her husband's protectiveness of their youngest since her return, it surprised Miranda that Roland hadn't come with her.

Roland had been so patient with Sofia, helping her when she had nightmares, and offering support. She was even impressed with the spell that Cedric had cast on her door, with the sparkles that alerted people when Sofia needed help when she had nightmares. She looked over at the door, smiling at the gold sparkles that had been there since she and Sofia had been talking. They had only turned red for a minute, but that was when James started to take Clover, but they became gold again when he brought him back.

As long as Sofia slept peacefully, they would stay gold until morning.

Miranda could already picture her daughter greeting her with a cheerful "Good morning" and bursting into a fit of giggles the moment she was awake, rambling on about her plans for that day.

It wasn't much but was an improvement in Sofia getting out of her petrified and timid shell according to the royal physician.

When morning did come, Miranda awoke to Sofia crying softly. Not seeing her in her bed, she walked over to her daughter's closet and knelt down beside her. "Is it Boswell again?" Miranda asked.

Sofia shook her head. "I thought about the trial and got scared. What if people don't see me as a princess anymore after I talk about what Mr. Boswell did to me?"

"Of course they'll still see you as a princess," Miranda assured her, "Everyone was so worried when you were kidnapped, and they went all out trying to find you, or follow any leads to where you might be. As soon as we brought you home, we sent messages to every kingdom who had helped us that you were safe, and we thanked them for all their help."

"Amber said I got dolls from lots of people," Sofia agreed, looking over at the dolls in her playing area.

"That's right," Miranda smiled. "They sent those to help cheer you up. They gave you those dolls because they cared about you and wanted to see you come back to us."

"Really?" Sofia sniffed.

Miranda nodded, taking her in her arms. "You dressed yourself today, didn't you?" Getting a giggle in response, she stroked her hair. "Why your yellow dress?"

"Cause the royal physician said if I wear happy colors then I'll be happy. That's what he's for right? To make sure I happy?"

"You can wear whatever you want, since you always look so pretty in any color, and you're right," Miranda smiled. "That's a very happy color on you!"

"Amber said you and everyone in the castle are going to wear happy colors too," Sofia continued. "What were the happy colors again?"

"Well, according to Amber, happy colors include yellow, pink, and red," Miranda recalled a conversation she and Amber had recently. "She also said peach, lilac, and light pink would also count as happy colors."

"Is peach orange?" Sofia asked. "Like carrots?"

"No. Not like carrots," Miranda assured. "Everyone in the castle knows how you don't like carrots. Especially the royal physician."

Sofia pouted a little. "I don't like going to the royal physician, Mommy."

"Why not?"

"He asks me to talk about why I get scared and angry," Sofia admitted. "I don't like talking about my ordeal."

"We know, but it's like we tell you," Miranda agreed. "The more you talk about what happened, the better you'll feel. And I suppose we could call this practice for when you actually do testify at Boswell's trial."

"Yeah! My talking's practice!" Sofia giggled. "I stronger than Mr. Boswell! I stood up for myself and Clover and we're taking it one day at a time!"

"Speaking of Clover, is your bunny feeling better? I heard from Amber and James that something scared him yesterday," Miranda smiled.

"Clover's happy he's with me," Sofia smiled. "James brought him back and he apologized for taking him, even though he said we should have girl talk together."

"That's right," Miranda smiled. "James was only trying to help you, but he did bring Clover back to you. I even woke up during the night a few times to check on you, and saw him come in once to see how you were doing. He gave me some celery sticks for Clover, and I see that they're all gone now!"

"Clover forgives James and so do I!" Sofia giggled.

"Since you forgave him would you like to meet your brother downstairs for breakfast?" Miranda grinned.

"Yeah!" Sofia giggled. "Then I'll play with Clover and have a tea party with Amber! We're having one so I can practice my etiquette and learn not to be like Clover with my food."

"And you're getting much better," Miranda agreed. "You've come so far since your tutoring sessions, and you'll be ready for Royal Prep tea parties again before you know it. But we know you couldn't help yourself for the wild behavior you showed when you were rescued."

"Amber knows that too?" Sofia asked.

"Amber understood what you were doing, and she knows it wasn't your fault," Miranda agreed.

"We go to breakfast now? Please?" Sofia pleaded.

"You want to bring Clover, don't you?" Miranda teased.

"He'll be a good bunny and not eat the blueberries that Baileywick gives me like last time."

"I remember that. Was Baileywick upset about Clover eating your blueberries?"

Sofia shook her head. "He knows that Clover can't control his behavior, but we had a talk with Daddy about it."

"Don't worry, Sofia, I know that Clover will be on his best behavior when he's with you at breakfast," Miranda smiled.

"I'm a well-mannered blue-ribbon bunny, Sof!" Clover smiled.

"You're a good bunny, Clover!" Sofia giggled.

"He certainly is," Miranda smiled. She watched as Sofia took Clover in her arms, smiling as she heard the rabbit sniffing and her daughter giggling in response.

"Mommy, before we go to breakfast, can I say something?" Sofia asked.

"What is it?" Miranda wondered.

"Thank you for helping me last night, and thank you for the pretty song," Sofia smiled.

"Oh, sweetheart, I'll always help you," Miranda smiled. "And whenever you want me to sing a song for you to help you feel better, I'll do it."

"Yay! Can I ask you something?"

"Anything you want sweetheart."

"After Mr. Boswell's trial, will things be normal again? Especially me?" Sofia asked, blushing as she heard her stomach growl.

Miranda paused. She had wondered the same thing since Sofia's return. "We'll take it one day at a time, Sofia," she said at last. "We know you get better every day, and the nightmares are going to fade eventually. You'll get used to different people again..."

"I eat carrots again without panic attacks?" Sofia asked.

"That's right," Miranda smiled.

"Okay. Now we go to breakfast before Daddy has Baileywick send out a search party!" Sofia giggled.

"Your father would only do that if he was really worried about you!" Miranda laughed, taking her and Clover in her arms.

"He worry cause he love me?" Sofia smiled.

"That's right," Miranda agreed. "Now come on. We don't want to make him worry anymore, right?"

"Right!" Sofia smiled.

Miranda smiled, feeling her daughter snuggle against her chest without flinching at the physical contact.

In a month, Boswell would be executed, allowing the family to slowly heal after everything Sofia went through.

"Everything's going to be all right, Sofia," Miranda said as she led her and Clover out of the room. "We just have to take it one day at a time."