If Princess Ivy, Roma, and Sofia can sing this classic Tim McGraw song before Sofia and Whatnaught go home after all their help in Ivy's True Colors, let's see what Clover and Sofia can do with it as they comfort each other! I thought it would be nice if, as a way to help Sofia feel better after one of her nightmares following her rescue, and after the 'pretend trial' in theblindwriter95's Save What Has Been Lost, Clover and Sofia sing one of their favorite songs. They know they're going to have a special day with the family as well, but they want to do something for them first. Thanks to theblindwriter95 for helping with the story. Tim McGraw's music is not mine.
Sofia sat up in bed with a start. She looked around, sighing with relief at the sight of Amber sleeping next to her on her bed. Her smile widened when she saw James watching her from his spot on her window seat. She was about to see if Clover was all right, but James stopped her.
"It's okay, Sof," he murmured as he came over to her, "I checked on Clover during the night while you and Amber were sleeping. He looked like he needed something to help him sleep, so I went to my room and brought him Little Rex."
Sofia smiled as she watched Clover snuggle against the plush dog. Any time she'd seen Clover with James, the rabbit would be sandwiched between James' plush friends as he watched him write. "Little Rex helped a lot during our pretend trial!"
"My writing buddies are to Clover as Rapunzel is to you," James smirked, seeing the doll in Sofia's arms.
Sofia nodded in agreement. "She helps me with my nightmares," She frowned, rubbing the back of her neck. "Clover had a nightmare, didn't he?"
James frowned. "Of Boswell?"
Sofia nodded sadly. "Yes. He either looks around for me and panics or moves around in his basket, making loud screaming noises."
"I heard," James murmured. "I tried to help him once when you were with Mom and Dad, and he came close to biting me. Lucky for me, I was able to distract him with a piece of celery I had with me, and he started biting that."
"Did you tell him a story or sing him a song?" Sofia asked.
"I told him a few stories after he calmed down," James smiled. "I changed them a little when I put him in them, and he liked them. I'm even working on something right now for you two for after the trial."
"Thank you, James," Sofia smiled. "And thank you for not writing about what happened to me and Clover."
"I promised I wouldn't do that, Sof, and I'm going to keep that promise," James vowed. He knew how Sofia liked that he kept his promise to her, watching her smile as she hugged Rapunzel close.
"Clover and I are going to the castle library today," Sofia muttered before rubbing her eyes. "We don't want to be around when you, Amber, Mommy, and Daddy have to visit Mr. Boswell."
"I understand," James sympathized. "Hopefully it won't be a disaster like it was the last time when it was just me, Amber, and Mom."
"What happened? Did you yell at him?"
"Amber and I didn't really need to say much," James admitted. "Mom was doing most of the yelling, telling Boswell that he made a big mistake taking you, and since he messed with one of her children, he'd have to face the worst thing imaginable: an angry mother. I never knew she had it in her when she punched him in the nose!"
"Mommy hit him?" Sofia gasped.
"Oh, yes, Mommy hit him," James smirked. "She told us earlier that Boswell would have to face an angry mama bear, and she went right after him! Then even though Sir Finnegan's told me that I shouldn't kick someone when they're down, as soon as Boswell hit the ground, Amber and I did kick him."
"Was Daddy mad?" Sofia asked.
"Not really," James admitted, "He said he'd turn a blind eye, or a deaf ear, if we had to swear, but since we didn't say much, he said that he was pretty impressed with how Mom handled herself against Boswell."
Sofia beamed. She liked that Miranda stood up for her while managing to keep her composure around Boswell. She couldn't help but wonder about Roland, though. Whenever the magician was brought up, she often saw him gritting his teeth while keeping his anger in check for her sake so she wouldn't run off to a corner in fear if he started yelling. "What about Daddy? I know he's mad at Mr. Boswell, but he can't swear at him. He just grits his teeth and tries to be calm around me."
James frowned as he recalled how Roland said he was going to visit Boswell along with the family. He knew Miranda had a temper when it came to her children being harmed, but Roland could indeed be stone cold when he was especially angry. "Well, you know he can't swear at Boswell when we're going to be in the courtroom with him, but when he's in the dungeons here, he can say that stuff," he said at last.
"So if Clover or me hear Daddy yelling while we're in the castle library, it won't be towards us?" Sofia realized.
James nodded, seeing her rub her eyes again. "Go back to sleep, Sof. Unless you had a nightmare again and want to talk about it."
"Not this time; I just can't sleep," Sofia admitted.
"Do you want me to sing you a song, or tell you a story?" James asked. He looked toward Clover, who was watching them. "Which do you think she'd like, Clover: a song, or a story?"
Clover sniffed at him before hopping into Sofia's arms.
"Clover says a story would be nice," Sofia smiled. "He already has a song for me planned and doesn't want to spoil the fun."
"Okay, if he wants to sing something to you, that's great," James smiled. "But Clover, could you wait for a minute while I get something?" When he saw Clover nod, James went to where the rest of the toy jury was, and found his plush writing helpers. "There you go, Clover," he grinned as he set them up around him. "Prince Blizzard, Little Rex, and Sir Blaze-a-Lot can sing back-up for you!" His grin widened when he heard Sofia giggle. "And yes, Sof, Rapunzel can sing with them too!"
"Thank you, James!" Sofia giggled.
"My writing buddies picked up a lot of songs from when they listened to me sing, so they know a lot about music too!" James smiled. "And now, I think I'll leave you in their good paws and hands! Just call for me if you need anything, okay?"
"Okay!" Sofia smiled.
"Are you okay, Sof?" Clover asked.
Seeing James leave, Sofia nodded softly. "I'm fine. James said you had trouble sleeping, so he gave you Little Rex. Were you having another nightmare?"
"Yes."
"Does my little bunny want to talk about it?"
"Maybe later, Sof," Clover said at last. "I'm not trying to keep my feelings bottled up, but I don't want to scare you or make you upset."
"You couldn't make me upset," Sofia tried to smile. "I know you want to help me, but I don't know how I can help you. I know James wants to help you, but he can't talk to you like I can."
The rabbit laughed wholeheartedly. "You're right about that, kid."
"I always tell you about my nightmares involving Mr. Boswell," Sofia reminded him, scratching Clover behind the ears. "It's only fair if you tell me yours, but only if you're ready to."
"Thanks, kid," Clover smiled. "I might tell you about my own nightmares one day, but let's do it when we have plenty of dolls and stuffed animals with us!"
"Okay," Sofia smiled. She knew the family would help him if they could understand him, but for now, they were helping him by petting him, scratching his ears, and giving him any raw vegetable they could find, except for carrots for the time being. She knew James even let him cuddle up with his plush friends when he wrote his stories, and she even heard him singing to him. "But maybe I'll still help you too," she offered. "We know James says music makes everything better, so maybe we can sing something to help you."
"That's a great idea, Sof," Clover smiled, cuddling up with her.
"Okay," Sofia agreed. "I'll call James back and ask if we can borrow one of his tapes. Hopefully the castle jukebox will have a great song for you!"
When James came to them, he was surprised by Sofia calling him so suddenly. "Are you okay, Sof?"
"Can we borrow one of your tapes, please?" Sofia requested. "As our castle jukebox, I'm sure you have the perfect song in mind for Clover."
"You know I always have a song for anyone who needs something, Sof," James smirked at the affectionate nickname the family gave him. "I'll go get some of my tapes and you can find something you like, or what you think Clover would like." He came back a few minutes later with some of his tapes and a small tape player, putting them on the bed. "Just pick the one you like the best and have fun with it, or you can use more than one tape if you or Clover need it. You can bring them all back when you're ready."
"Thank you, James," Sofia giggled. When he was gone, she turned to Clover. "Okay, Clover, I'll let you pick the song."
"Thanks, kid," Clover smiled. Since he heard James sing several of the songs, he knew what was on them. After a few moments, he pushed a tape toward Sofia. "There's a good song on this one!"
Sofia giggled, picking up the tape. "It's perfect!" She froze, remembering the last time she had sung something. "I just don't feel comfortable with singing right now."
"How come?"
"Well, the last time I did was the same day that Mr. Boswell took us. When Mia and Robin told me that you joined the magic show, I was so distraught that I just had to find you no matter how long I looked, and when I did, I was so relieved! But when Mr. Boswell tried to take you away from me, I threatened him because I wanted my best friend back in my arms. That angered him, as he called me a troublemaker and grabbed me before I could take you and escape. You know the rest, but that day still hurts me more than you know, Clover."
"I know, Sof, and I'm so sorry for putting you through all of that," Clover murmured. "If only I'd waited a little longer for you to have some free time, we wouldn't be in this mess. We could have had our special Clover and Sofia Day later."
"We'll have one during my birthday," Sofia promised. "It's the least I can do for my best friend taking care of me during our ordeal. No matter how I was feeling while in that wagon, you always took care of me and scolded me if I needed it. Do you remember the night I found Amber's lantern?"
"You found that letter and you kept thinking about the pictures they were looking at," Clover recalled. "Amber said they were thinking of you in school, and they wouldn't give up hope of finding you."
"I kept each of the lanterns I found," Sofia agreed. "Mommy and Daddy brought them home with us when we were rescued."
"I remember that day. You were so scared of everybody."
"I wanted to repress my memories of Mr. Boswell and the pain he brought me so badly that I acted different. I'm sorry."
"Sof, the only person that has to say that they're sorry is Boswell," Clover said firmly. "He's the one that put us through all of this, he's the one that traumatized us, he's the one that took us away for two weeks..."
Sofia smiled a little. "But we're safe now! We're back home and we're with people who love us!"
"You got that right, kid," Clover smiled. He looked over at the tape that James had left them. "You want to sing now?"
"Okay," Sofia smiled. "I think James left to get you some more celery sticks from the kitchen, and Amber's been asleep for a while. But let's still sing quietly so we don't disturb anybody."
"Good idea, kid," Clover smiled as Sofia started the song.
I never had no one
I could count on
I've been let down so many times
I was tired of hurtin'
So tired of searchin'
'Til you walked into my life
The rabbit couldn't recall the last time he had seen a smile on his princess' face, nuzzling against her as she squirmed in protest.
Sofia giggled as she continued, It was a feelin' I'd never known
And for the first time, I didn't feel alone
You're more than a friend
There could never be another
"That tickles!" Sofia giggled.
"Okay, I'll stop so we can sing," Clover smiled.
He joined her, To make me feel the way you do
Oh, we just get closer
Our friendship gets much deeper
Every time I look at you
Sofia joined him, I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend
You're my best friend
Sofia smiled as they sang. James had played it for her during one of her first days back in the castle. He'd even changed the words like Clover was doing now. "James changes the words too! You're as good with words as he is!"
"Well, I have been sitting in on some of his writing sessions," Clover smirked.
The young princess gave him a playful pout in response. "You only like being with James is because he feeds you snacks and scratches your ears!"
"Is that a jealous Sofia I hear?"
"Silly Clover! I'm not jealous!"
"Oh, really?" Clover smirked. He hopped onto her lap to nuzzle her again, but Sofia caught him in a hug and continued the song.
Oh yeah, you stand by me
And you believe in me
Like nobody ever has
When my world goes crazy
You're right there to save me
You make me see how much I have
And I still tremble, when we touch
And oh the look in your eyes
When we hug
Clover smiled as they sang together. He knew that had always been one of their favorite pastimes, and he knew this song was the thing to help him and Sofia recover from their ordeal.
He enjoyed being with his kid, no longer having to witness her start to cry whenever Boswell wanted them apart for the rest of the night after a dinner of carrots or whatever scraps they could find.
Clover shuddered, remembering having to face crowds of people while Sofia was all alone in the wagon. The magician even had the audacity to suggest putting her in a act one day after one of their early morning shows and the rabbit hadn't regret biting him in response.
He nuzzled her as he sang, You're more than a friend
There could never be another
To make me feel the way you do
Oh, we just get closer
Our friendship gets much deeper
Every time I look at you
I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend
"You think I should have taken him up on his offer?" Sofia asked. "I know, it's bad enough to think of you being in the act, but still, if I was out in front of everyone, I could have disobeyed him and screamed for help, and we could have been brought home sooner."
"No, if you'd done that, he'd try to do even more harm to you and he'd tell you that he'd never give me back," Clover admitted. "He only kept me to keep you in line, but you did a great job when you were biting and scratching him!"
Sofia smiled. "I did?"
Clover nodded. "Yes you did."
Sofia blushed, fiddling with her amulet. "Constable Miles and Daddy said that I was defending myself when I bit and scratched Mr. Boswell."
"That's right, Sof, and you did a fantastic job," Clover grinned. "I'd never seen you attack anyone like that, but Boswell deserved everything you dished out!"
Sofia smiled as she recalled how she had actually drawn blood when she was scratching Boswell, and how Roland had said not to wash the blood off of him when the guards were taking him to the dungeon.
He wanted him to suffer the same physical pain that the magician had left on her for two weeks underneath his wagon of horrors.
Sofia's smile widened at the thought, looking straight towards the window of her window seat. She almost panicked seeing the darkened sky before feeling Clover nuzzle against her.
Clover looked up at her and smiled, Ooh ooh, you're my best friend
Sofia sang back, Uh huh, you're more then a friend
There could never be another
Make me feel the way you do
Clover nuzzled her as he sang to her, Ooh, we just get closer
Our friendship gets much deeper
Every time I look at you
I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Sofia finished the song with him, Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend
Ooh ooh, you're my best friend (my best friend) oh yeah
Oou oou oou, you're my best friend
(My best friend)
(Oou oou oou, my best friend)
"It's going to be okay, Sof," he murmured. "We're both safe, we're back where we belong, Amber's next to us on the bed, James is on the window seat..."
"James came back?" Sofia asked. She'd almost forgotten that Amber was still there on the bed with her, but she also knew that Amber could sleep through everything, so she didn't wake up once during their song. However, she smiled when she saw that James was sleeping on the window seat. "He must have come back while we were singing, but that's okay. I like everyone around me!"
"Never thought I would hear you say that, kid."
Sofia looked up. "Why not?"
"Well, when we first got home, you couldn't stand being around any of the men in the castle except for your dad and James," Clover reasoned. "You wanted to see Cedric so much, but you were afraid of magicians, but when he put on that magic show for you, and when he told you that he wanted to help you recover, you said you'd be all right around him again. Baileywick was always nice to you, and on your first night back, he gave you those cookies when you got hungry in the middle of the night. And Chef Andre told you that he wouldn't give you carrots until your dad said otherwise. It was just the one person that forgot, but other than that, you're pretty comfortable around everyone again."
Sofia smiled, scratching him behind the ears in gratitude. Yawning, her smile widened as Clover hopped towards the end of her bed. "You're not sleepy, are you?"
"No way!" Clover chuckled. "It's just an old habit I can't break!" He frowned, looking at her somberly. "I don't want to be taken away from you again, so I stay here until I'm sure you're fast asleep, then go to my basket."
"But we're safe now. We're okay," Sofia tried to assure him.
"I know that, but what if someone else wants me as an act or kidnaps you for whatever sick purpose they desire? Every night while we were in that wagon, I watched you bawling your eyes out every time Boswell needed me for an act and every night after said act, you always looked like you had cried yourself to sleep. I don't want to go through that again."
"Is that why you always panic or start screaming after you have a nightmare?" Sofia frowned.
Clover nodded. "I've got my own nightmares to get over, Sof," he admitted. "I was always separated from you, and I could never find you."
"Clover, I'm so sorry," Sofia murmured, "You should have told me sooner and I could have helped you."
"You were trying to get over your own trauma, Sof," Clover said as he snuggled closer to her.
"Maybe we can help each other from now on when it comes to the trauma Mr. Boswell gave to the both of us."
"Like how your parents and brother and sister have been helping us throughout our ordeal?"
"Exactly! Except it'll be Clover and Sofia talks!" Sofia giggled.
"Great idea, kid!" Clover grinned.
"Thanks! I just thought of it, but I thought of something else, and it'll make me upset if I don't talk about it."
"What is that'll make you upset, Sof?"
"What if the jury, as in the real jury, takes Mr. Boswell's side?" Sofia asked. "If he can lie to King Garrick when he and Hugo tried to rescue me, then he can lie to them too."
"They won't, but if you're worried about it, you can ask your dad tomorrow," Clover suggested.
Sofia nodded, yawning as she looked around the room. Amber was at her side fast asleep while James was at her window seat, snuggling with one of his writing buddies.
Clover nuzzled against her before hopping towards the play area, grabbing her Rapunzel doll with his paws. Ever since Miranda had given Sofia the doll days after Boswell's wagon had been burned to the ground, the rabbit knew that like him and the lanterns she cherished dearly, the doll brought her comfort whenever she needed it.
"I'll have to talk to James about getting you something you can cuddle with too," Sofia smiled. "I've got Rapunzel, James has his writing buddies, Amber's got her dolls and plush friends..."
"You can get me something if you want, Sof, but I'm happy to share with you," Clover smiled.
Sofia beamed, scratching him behind the ears before falling asleep.
In the morning, she nearly panicked as she noticed James and Amber no longer in the room with her before feeling Roland touch her shoulder.
"Daddy where are Amber and James?" Sofia asked.
"They went to their rooms to get ready for the day, but they'll be back soon," Roland smiled. "I looked in at you during the night, and all of you looked very happy. There were no red sparkles to tell us that you were having nightmares."
"How much longer do you think I'll need the sparkles?" Sofia asked. "I like seeing them when I go to sleep, and when they turn red, I know someone will help me, but I don't want to have to use them forever."
"We'll talk to Cedric about that," Roland assured her, "He knows you'll need them for a while after the trial, but maybe he can put them on your door every other night."
"But what if I have a nightmare on the days when the sparkles aren't on the door?" Sofia frowned.
Roland kissed her forehead, squeezing her hand. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
"Okay. I had a thought last night and it upset me."
"What is it, sweetheart?"
"What if the jury takes Mr. Boswell's side instead of mine because he's a grown up and I'm just a traumatized little girl?" Sofia croaked.
"I don't think they will," Roland frowned. "We had so many people looking for you when you disappeared, and I'm sure that your friends, as well as the other students at Royal Prep, told their families about all the times you'd been seen, and how you acted when you were back at school. Your friends wanted to help you feel better, and apart from Hildegard-although we won't think about her right now-the students were all very supportive of you. Amber and Cleo sat with you sometimes when the tutors came to help you, and James, Desmond, and Hugo all helped you with your dance lessons. And any time you had flashbacks of what happened, there was always someone who sat with you and calmed you down."
"Like those two older princesses who helped me when Hildegard locked me in that empty room?" Sofia asked.
"That's right," Roland agreed. "Amber and James told me that while they and Zandar got the headmistresses, there were two older princesses who helped you calm down."
"They were very nice. They even said they'd come to the trial to support me."
"They did?"
Sofia nodded, starting to giggle as Roland took her in his arms. "Daddy put me down please!"
"First I have to hug you," Roland grinned as he hugged her. "Then I have to kiss you!" He felt Sofia squirm out of his arms as he sat her on the bed again. "Then we have to figure out what we're going to do for your day of fun!"
"But Amber told me that when you had a day of fun with her and James, they made the schedule that morning," Sofia looked puzzled.
"That's right," Amber said as she came in, "James and I would always look worried that we were taking Daddy away from something, but he always told us that even though he's the king and has an entire kingdom to run, family is at the top of his list." She turned to Roland, adding, "I'm not spying, Daddy; I just came up to tell Sofia that breakfast is ready, and I heard the last part of your conversation."
"It's okay Amber. You didn't mean any harm," Roland smiled. "Sofia, are you ready?"
Sofia nodded, straightening her dress. "I decree that we go have breakfast and then we visit the butterflies!"
"That sounds like a good start," Roland agreed. "And I was thinking about something as we talked about this fun day. How would you like it if we let everyone decide on something we could all do? For example, Sofia, you could pick the first activity, then Amber, then James, then Miranda, then me?"
"Okay!" Sofia smiled. "Clover too?"
"Of course Clover too," Roland smiled. "You can ask him what he wants to do, since he'll also need a fun day before he helps you at the trial." He paused, smiling as he remembered having 'fun days' with Amber and James when they were younger. "I recall that Amber and James would bring their plush friends with them, and we'd even do what they wanted. Of course, Amber would have a tea party with her dolls, and James would have his plush friends sing back-up for him, but you get the idea."
Sofia nodded as she went over to Clover's basket, giggling as the rabbit moved around in his sleep. Shaking him gently, she watched as he looked at her with tired eyes.
"Just five more minutes, Sof," Clover grumbled.
"Sorry, Clover, but I need you to do something for me," Sofia apologized as she took him in her arms.
"What's going on?" Clover asked.
"We're going to have the day of fun that Daddy told us about!" Sofia smiled.
"Like the Clover and Sofia day we were supposed to have before I ran away?" Clover looked sad. "No thanks, kid. That got you into big trouble because of me and I don't want that to happen again!"
"It won't happen again," Sofia promised. "We're all going with Mommy, Daddy, James, and Amber, and we'll all keep an eye on you. And Daddy says Mr. Boswell's still in the dungeon, and he won't join us."
"That's right," Roland agreed as he came up to them. "We'll all help take care of Clover while we're having fun. And I got the usual report from the guards before I came to see you about Boswell still being locked up with no way of escaping. And just think: soon, he'll be out of our lives forever."
Sofia giggled, smiling at the thought as Clover nuzzled against her before sniffing at Roland, who stroked his fur.
"Are you ready to join us for your day of fun, Clover?" Roland smiled.
Clover nodded, sniffing at him and Sofia. "Let's go have some fun!"
"And we will," Sofia agreed.