Not Today

Summary: The last few months, everything has been chaotic and full of danger, uncertainty, and trouble, but this one day, Cedric is determined to give the ones he loves a break from reality.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Nana and Tanya belong to MarionetteJ2X.

A/N: Surprise story! Haha. I received a few comments about people missing my old stories, where there was no danger or anything massively important going on. The random stories I was popular for writing in the old days may be mostly a thing of the past, but this is a short, sweet, and simple story for you guys to let you know I heard you loud and clear. 😊 I hope you enjoy!

PS: Happy Mother's Day to anyone who is a mother in any capacity! Biologically, via adoption or foster, mentorships, pet moms, etc. 😉 I hope you've had a great day!

*Story*

"I feel danger nearing," Tanya spoke calmly one morning as she, Nana, and her guardians were gathered in the tower, having just finished breakfast. She frowned as she folded her arms. "I do not wish any harm to come to us, but I know that we must be prepared for anything that comes our way."

Nana sighed, looking down at her small collection of dolls she'd acquired over the last few years. Cedric and Sofia (and even some others in the castle) had been kind enough to gift her with these dolls, but it seemed she rarely had time to play with them—or for either of her family members to play with her, of course. She had sort of resigned herself to the fact that playtime would have to wait; the danger surrounding them was far more important. Being a creation of the Never Realm herself, she could also feel when evil was near. And she knew Tanya was right: it was only a matter of time before they would face their next big obstacle. After all, the Elementals were obviously a force to be reckoned with, but who was to say that they were the only danger they might face?

"I know, Tanya," Sofia admitted, frowning as she grasped her amulet. She had been feeling a bit weaker the last few days or so. She wasn't sure if it was from an impending illness, anxiety, or any other unknown factor, but what she did know was that if an enemy were to descend upon them that day, she might not stand a chance… Not with how listless she felt.

Cedric watched the girls chat, Wormwood resting on his shoulder as he leaned against the large window. He saw the concern on Tanya's face, the disappointment on Nana's, and the fatigue on Sofia's. None of them were at their best right now, and he wished he could change that. He then smiled softly. Maybe he could… "Girls…"

They all looked toward him, watching as he walked over, pulling Sofia to her feet, followed by both Nana and Tanya. "I know this whole situation is frightening and overwhelming. We're constantly on guard, and considering the circumstances, that's a good thing. But…" He picked up Nana, tapping her on her nose and smiling as she giggled softly. "Today, we're not going to worry about it. Today, we're going to take a small break from reality and enjoy ourselves."

"Cedric…" Sofia paused and blinked when he placed one finger over her lips, her cheeks growing a bit warmer as he leaned rather close to her, his lips near her ear as she heard him whisper to her.

"Not today, Sofia…" He lowered his hand and chuckled as he saw her nod, clearly a bit flustered by his motions. "Today is for us. We'll enjoy it as a family, like we haven't been able to do in quite some time."

"Well, as riveting as that sounds," Wormwood began as he lifted off the sorcerer's shoulder, "Nina needs my help with something. I'll be at the Raven Haven for a few hours."

"Any eggs yet?" Cedric teased, smirking as the raven scoffed.

"Funny, Cedric. I wouldn't be teasing, if I were you." He circled around both the sorcerer and the princess before swooping down to Cedric's ear. "At the rate you're going, I'll be teasing you soon." He smirked as the sorcerer sputtered and flushed a bit, and then he flew off through the open window.

"What did he say, Papa?" Tanya asked curiously, looking between the sorcerer and the open window where Wormwood had left.

"N-Never mind that, my darling. Let's…" He cleared his throat, looking away sheepishly as Sofia watched him carefully. "Let's…come up with a plan for today."

"No, Cedric." Sofia smiled as she walked toward him, grasping his free arm (since he was still holding Nana in his other one). "If we're really going to do this and take a break today, then let's not plan it. Let's just…let whatever happens…happen."

"Not plan it, you say…" He shrugged before nodding uncertainly. "Very well, Sofia… I'll follow your lead then."

She laughed, gathering Nana's dolls into her arms. "If that's the case… I have an idea."

The little family left the tower and headed down to the water, which was crystal blue and very calm on that sunny May morning. There was a slight breeze every now and then, but nothing too invasive that could cause a disturbance. Sofia used her wand to conjure a blanket while Cedric used his own to summon forth some mid-morning snacks (since they'd already eaten breakfast).

Nana grinned happily as Cedric placed her on the blanket, followed by Sofia sitting next to her and depositing the dolls in front of her.

"So, we are to…rest, correct?" Tanya clarified as she sat next to Nana. Seeing her parents nod, she smiled lightly. "I will have to do my best then. I cannot stop thinking about what is coming, I am afraid." She blinked as Nana pushed a couple of dolls into her hands, beaming up at her. The white-haired girl giggled. "Do you want me to play with you, Nana?"

The little strawberry girl nodded enthusiastically, waving a doll that looked a lot like Cedric in her left hand and another doll that looked like Sofia in her right hand. She had given Tanya doll replicas of themselves and Baileywick. A few others were scattered on the blanket.

"Very well. Let us see how this goes."

While the girls were playing, Cedric sat aside with Sofia, who was leaning against his shoulder, nearly falling asleep.

"Are you all right, Sofia?" Cedric asked in concern, causing her to sit up and look toward him, her blue eyes clearly a little hazy. "You seem a bit…off."

"I'm fine, Cedric," she insisted, smiling tiredly. "Just a little tired, I guess. I haven't really been sleeping well the last few nights."

He frowned. "Why didn't you tell me? I could have given you a potion for that."

"Because it's not just nights… I feel a bit…weak in the day, too… I don't know what's causing it." She shook her head as she noticed his features starting to fall. "But I'm okay. Don't be upset, okay? Remember, this is our day for a break. A break from all that stress and worry and uncertainty…"

"Even so, I'll never stop worrying about you. I doubt it's even possible, given how much I love you…" He blushed darkly as she offered him a surprised stare. "I—I mean… You're…family to me, Sofia… Y-You love your family, right?"

She smiled softly, a knowing look on her face. "Yeah… I do."

An hour passed, and the girls were still playing with the dolls, giggling and having a good time. Cedric had let Sofia rest her head in his lap, and they'd just talked for the entire hour while he'd rubbed her back and played with her hair. This is what they'd missed: the simplicity, the calmness, the pure joy of being together…

"…I just realized that I didn't see your brother or Princess Vivian this morning," Cedric continued, smiling as Sofia laughed. "Or yesterday. Or the day before…"

"They went on a trip together, actually. He had a tournament in another kingdom that would last a few days, and she agreed to go with him."

"Ah, I see. And the woodland creatures?" He turned as she pointed off to the side, on the other end of the bank, where Clover and Crackle were running around, appearing to be chasing each other. "What are they doing exactly?"

Sofia giggled. "I'm pretty sure I saw Crackle swipe some of Clover's carrots, and he probably wants them back. There are two things you don't mess with when it comes to Clover: his friends and his food."

"Ah, I see… And how has he been recently?"

She nodded with a warm smile. "He's been great. They both have been sleeping in my room, in the window seat, while Vivian's been gone. It's like I have the old Clover back, and I guess in a way, I do. And Crackle never changed… So, I'm really glad to have them here for good: those two and Vivian. And I'm happy she and James are courting."

"Yes, I can't say I saw that coming," he told her with a shake of his head. "James hasn't always been known for being serious, nor have I seen him offer much attention to anyone ever since we met Rapunzel some years ago."

"Ha, yeah. He got over his crush pretty quickly, though, since Rapunzel did get married." She sighed as he continued running his fingers through her hair. "I think they're good for each other. Vivian acts like a grounding force for James when he needs to calm down and not be so hyper, and James is Vivian's outgoing and fun-loving support. They go so well together. I've seen that for a long time, but I wasn't sure if they did."

"Isn't it funny how that happens?" He hummed. "We see how perfect a couple would be together, but they fail to see it for some reason… I will never understand that."

Sofia snickered. "Me neither. I guess love is a bit oblivious sometimes, huh?"

Tanya and Nana overheard their conversation and glanced at each other, smiling before returning to their playtime.

The princess turned, lying on her back as her head continued resting in Cedric's lap. "Cedric… I know we're taking a break from all the serious stuff and everything, but… I have a favor to ask."

"What's that, Sofia?" He swept some stray locks of hair from her eyes, gently caressing her cheek as she watched him.

"If…anything happens to me…" She blinked as he, once again, placed a finger over her lips.

"You already know the answer to your unspoken question, my dear. You need not ask. Besides…" He absently traced his finger over her lips (blushing a bit as her eyes widened slightly at this gesture), then settled for tucking some of her hair behind her ear instead. "I won't let anything happen to you. I'll always protect you, and if this progresses beyond my control, I will save you instead."

"I know we've said we'll always be together," she murmured, sighing. "But…is that true? Is it even realistic?"

"It took me a lifetime to find my Sofia," Cedric told her gently, smiling as she blushed a bit. "I'm not letting her go now. I'll go to any lengths to keep us both safe and together. Not just for us…" He nodded toward the little girls, who were still laughing and playing. "But for those who depend on us the most."

She smiled warmly at him. "I'm glad to hear that, Cedric… And you can expect the same from me." She slowly sat up as he lowered his hands to his lap.

"Mama? Papa? Would you like to play?" Tanya held out an Angel and Calista doll toward them as she kept hold of her Tanya and Nana dolls.

Cedric and Sofia each took a doll before watching Nana, who held the Cedric and Sofia dolls. She had pressed the dolls together, seemingly in a hug, though it actually now looked more like they were…

Sofia flushed as she realized what the little girl seemed to be doing. "Nana!" She laughed sheepishly as Nana blinked up at her. "W-What are you doing?"

Nana just grinned at her, pressing the dolls closer together again, their faces touching.

"She, um…" Cedric cleared his throat. "I think she means to have one k-kissing…the other's forehead…or cheek…"

Tanya smiled playfully. "Right, Papa. Of course."

"A-Anyway…" Sofia laughed lightly as Cedric sat next to her, the Calista doll in one hand and his free hand caressing her hair and back again, soothing her like before. Her spine tingled a bit where his fingers trailed, but she wasn't about to say anything; in fact, this was rather…nice. She lifted the Angel doll. "L-Let's play! Heh…"

From a distance, Clover and Crackle sat side by side, sharing some of the vegetables they'd secured from the kitchen a while ago.

"Do you see what I see?" Crackle sang humorously as she nudged the bunny, making him drop his carrot. "Oops, sorry."

"I got it," he responded, picking up the carrot and dusting it off. He looked back at the other four near the water and nodded. "Yep. One happy little family. Can't say I'm surprised. Sofia is a good kid, and she deserves to be happy."

"I thought you didn't always care for the sorcerer."

"I didn't. But he's done a lot of good for a very long time now. And he makes Sof happy, and he's good with those little girls. So, if Sofia's happy, I'm happy." He grinned toward the little dragon, who returned the sentiment. "Besides, aside from you, she's my best friend. I like seeing my friends happy."

"Aw, Clover…" She reached out and pulled him into a nearly crushing hug, releasing him when he started complaining about lack of air. "Oops, sorry!"

"Heh… I…should be used to that by now." He sighed, brushing out his fur. He looked back toward the princess, the sorcerer, and their two charges, all lost in their own world of make believe for once, rather than engulfed in the darkness of the realm. "Hmm. Only a matter of time now, Crackle." He smirked as she eyed him curiously. "I give it a few more months."

"Ha, I give it a few more weeks." She pointed toward the partners, who were smiling shyly at each other during the game. "If that…"

"I dunno. Sofia's kind of clueless when it comes to things related to her. Others, she can figure out pretty easily…" He shrugged. "Guess we'll see."

Crackle nodded excitedly. "Guess we will!"

They didn't realize it, but at that very moment, an unspoken countdown had begun.

Thirty-three… Thirty-two… Thirty-one…

The end