*Just a friendly disclaimer. I don't own any rights to Sofia the First. Sofia the First and the characters herein is/are the property of Disney and are not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.

AN: Thanks to Holly McDade figuring out we can change our usernames finally! I changed my old username (Elspeth3Tirel) to match my username on tumbler and Ao3. Sorry if there's any confusion whenever I finally get to regularly updating my story again.

I have three chapters written out longhand in a notebook. Don't think I'm abandoning my story cuz I'm not. I think about it all the time. It's just getting the time to sit and type it out. My daughter just turned two on New Years day and anytime I go to the computer she thinks it's time for mommy and her to watch cartoons or youtube. Lol.

And I must admit I've been sidetracked with the re-release of LA Noire, and now Monster Hunter… and we visited family for a while during the holidays, and we got a puppy lol lots of things that have sidetrack me.

I'll manage to get an update up at some point. I'm sorry for the long wait though, guys, its not my intention to drag this story out for another year. Thanks for sticking with me though, it means a lot! :)

For now here's what I got, hope you enjoy! You guys are the best! Lots of love! xoxoxo

CHAPTER 18

YOU MAKE ME FEEL SO YOUNG

Sofia's feet dangled over the water's placid surface; her worn leather flats swaying back and forth to the rhythmic sound of the trickling waters. The water's surface glowed from the light of the moon, its surface shimmering as the currents ebbed and flowed. Her bright-blue eyes gazed down at the sparkling water, her mind as scattered as the stars in the night sky above. She leaned forward, peering over the edge of the old rickety bridge, and sighed at the sight before her.

A foreign face looked up at her; a face she no longer knew. It scrutinized her with its bloodshot eyes. She had said and done things tonight that she previously thought she was uncappable of. She felt like a different person. Her fingers brushed her lips remembering how soft his felt against hers, how gentle he had been. A sigh escaped her lips as she recalled the things she had said to Cedric's father. With the back of her hand she brushed away the drying tears left on her cheek. Her unblemished, milky white skin glimmered in the moonlight set against the cascading waves of auburn that framed it. Sofia ran her fingers through her hair watching her reflection mimic her. She twirled a strand around her calloused fingers, watching the water thoughtfully, recollecting how Cedric had done so earlier.

She felt ashamed for her actions; arguing with Goodwyn, even yelling at the elderly man, before teleporting across the meadow to a more secluded spot to collect herself. I suppose this is how Cedric felt earlier when he apologized for leavening me alone with his parents. I shouldn't have acted so towards Mr. Goodwyn... but then again, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I finally did it... I told him... more or less... she thought casting her eyes up into the dark night sky. And he... he returns my feelings. It's not a dream, it's really real... but what do we do from here? Cedric's right, it's easier said than done.

Sofia was engulfed in a bright pinkish-purple glow as the amulet around her neck began to glow. She blinked a few times before covering the gem at her throat with her hand. She took in her surroundings, making sure that the jewel hadn't transported her away from Mystic Meadows, and her eyes came to spy a familiar figure only feet away.

"Aunt Tilly!" Sofia exclaimed jumping to her feet, darting over to her eccentric aunt.

"Why, Sofia my Dear, it's nice of you to call me on such a beautiful night."

"I don't understand though, why did the amulet..." Sofia began softly before trailing off as she connected the dots.

"I've been waiting for this day for a while now, my Dear." Tilly said pulling Sofia into a tight embrace.

"So you know... You know why the amulet summoned you?"

"Oh, my Sweet, of course I do. Anyone who has experienced love knows how you and Cedric feel about one another. It was just a matter of when you two would realize it."

"But why you, Aunt Tilly? Why did the amulet send you to me?" Sofia asked pulling back to make eye contact with her aunt.

"I think you already know the answer to that, Dear." She said tapping her finger over Sofia's heart. "You know in here."

Sofia nodded as a tear slipped down her cheek. "But... But Dad would never understand... He would never approve."

"Oh, Rollie will come around Sofia. It might be hard for him at first but when he sees how truly happy you both are... Well, he'll remember what he felt when he met your mother and understand." She declared as she wiped away Sofia's tear with a light handkerchief. "Sometimes the best way to serve your country is to put yourself first." A soft sigh escaped Tilly's lips. "I always knew you would follow in my footsteps, Sofia. You were destined for great things, and still are. And I think you realize, as much as I do, that will only be possible with your best friend by your side. Cedric might have a checkered past, but everyone makes mistakes. And everyone can see how much he's changed because of you, Dear; how you really gave him a new lease on life." Tilly continued, placing a comforting hand on Sofia's shoulder.

"Very few people are lucky enough to find their soulmates in this world. You two complete one another in ways no one else could understand, am I right?" She smiled tenderly down at her favorite niece. "You've helped him to become a great man, and he's shown you the ways of the world. Your friendship was tested early on and yet both you were able to reconcile. Your relationship has been filled with good and bad, forgiveness and understanding, learning and growing, acceptance from others and of one's self. You need one another. If ever anyone truly belonged together it would be you two."

"I really do love him Aunt Tilly." Sofia sniffled out. " And he loves me."

"The solution to your problem seems quite simple then."

"Could it truly be so easy? To just tell everyone how we feel and leave it at that?" Sofia sighed. "What if father insists Cedric resign? I couldn't bear it if he lost his job because of me." she shook her head side to side, a frown crossing her countaince.

"Rollie would be a fool to do that. Cedric is a valuable asset as a powerful sorcerer. And not to mention the dishonor it would cast upon Cedric's family. Your mother and I would be able to reason with him though, if it became so serious. I'm sure though, Cedric would be happy to give up his post to his niece if it meant he could be with you, I'm fairly certain you're the only reasons he has stuck around this long. You know it might not be so bad, you could still be ambassador and Cedric would be free to travel with you and learn more about our allies magic systems. It could be very beneficial for Enchancia."

"I had that same thought when I first returned and saw him... Maybe... it could be an option. First though, we both have to get the nerve to tell Dad how we feel." Sofia said wringing her hands.

"Sofia Dear, you're the bravest woman I know. If you could face all the dangers in your adventures with the Library and the amulet, then you can definitely do this. And I'll have your back, Dear. No matter what happens."

"Thank you, Aunt Tilly." Sofia smiled wrapping her aunt in a tight embrace.

"Best of luck Dear!" Tilly said as she began to sparkle and fade from view as the amulet sent her back home. A purple cloud hung in the air after Tilly had disappeared. Sofia gazed into the magic mist, trying to dig up the courage she needed to go back and face Cedric's father and later, her own father.

"S-Sofia?"

"Cedric!" Sofia exclaimed, looking though the dissipating purple fog for the unexpected voice. Cedric was hunched over, his hands on his knees, panting heavily sweat glistening on his brow and chest.

"I thought" he said taking in a deep breath, glancing over at her. "I'd never find you." He finished finally catching his breath standing upright.

"I'm sorry I disappeared." She mumbled, looking away from him and slipping down to sit on the old wooden bridge.

"Don't apologize." He sighed, settling down beside her on the bridge. "I ended up teleporting as well." He chuckled. "I actually wasn't aware you still could. I was worried for a minute."

"I'm sorry Cedric, I just didn't know what else to do, I've never been so mad at anyone my entire life." She said, clenching her hands into fists at her sides. "Not even Hugo..." She continued, releasing her hands limply into her lap. "I just hate seeing your father put you down, let alone berate both of us like children."

"Yes, well he's good at it isn't he?" Cedric chuckled, pulling her to his side. "Don't let him get to you Dearest. Like you said, you can make your own decisions. I think you've proven that. I mean making decisions for multiple countries as ambassador pales in comparison to making personal decisions, right?" Cedric said with a sarcastic tone. Sofia giggled and snuggled closer to Cedric's warm body.

"You're not hurt are you?" She asked, running her hands over his chest.

"No, I'm quite alright Dearest." He replied, wrapping her hand in his own.

"I'm sorry things happened this way, I didn't realize they would spy on us... I just couldn't control myself anymore..." She told him with a shrug. "I've been trying so long to deny my feelings."

"I know, Little One, I have as well... but I realize now, no matter what we did, we were going to drift together sometime, somehow." he said with a soft smile, stroking her hair.

"What are we going to do Cedric?" Sofia sighed, slipping her arms around him tightly, burying her head into his chest.

"Well, for starters, I wouldn't mind kissing you properly; without getting interrupted this time, that is." Cedric smiled, pulling her chin up to face him.

"What happened to propriety?"

"To Hell with it." He sighed, pulling her into his lap. "For the moment, anyway." He chuckled lightly, into her hair. Sofia smiled caressing Cedric's cheek before brushing his silver bangs from his eyes. "Say it Sofia."

"Say what?" She asked, confused by his statement.

"Tell me what you want..."

"Kiss me, pl-" Her words were cut off as his lips captured hers in a tender kiss. Sofia didn't hold back this time, she accepted his kiss hungrily needing more, wrapping her arms around his neck. Fervently he pulled her further into his lap. His hands roamed her body, his fingertips caressing every curve, his palms cupping her buttock then her breasts in turn. He ran his tongue over her bottom lip, feeling its plump tissue swelling already from his assault on her. He heard her moan lightly into his kiss; it only aroused him more.

He drew her lower lip between his own and sucked on it gently, feeling Sofia's breath still in her chest from surprise. He rolled his tongue across her lip again before releasing it loosely between his teeth pulling at it slightly. He felt Sofia dig her nails into his back and pull at the hair at the base of his neck. Cedric moaned softly as he broke their kiss for air, leaving a trail of kisses down her neck eliciting another soft moan from the princess. Sofia craned her head backward giving him more access to her neck and chest. He paused momentarily to plant a few love nips down the hollow of her neck, causing her heart to flutter and her breast to press firmly against his chest.

He felt himself growing harder as she dug her fingers into his hair once again, this time prompting guttural moan from Cedric. His lips roamed across the top of her dress while his hands massaged her breasts, his thumbs pressing into the fabric over her nipples rubbing in hard circles. Sofia moaned again, louder this time, and squirmed against him as her body was racked with new exhilarating sensations. He felt himself press his hips up against Sofia, he knew he shouldn't but his body acted on its own. Sofia uttered a soft "Oh." realizing what was pressing between her legs. She brought Cedric's lips to hers and kissed him deeply as she grinded against him, earning her another throaty moan from the man.

In an effort to explore all of her body he left the comfort of her lips. His tongue followed her jawline up to her ear where he nuzzled in closely. He gave the lobe a soft love nip before tracing the curve of her ear with his tongue, letting a husky moan escape his lips as he did so. Sofia shuddered as a chill went down her spine, making her body extremely sensitive to his ministrations.

Cedric smirked at her reaction before capturing her lips with his again, this time probing past her swollen lips with his tongue. She surprised him by seizing the tip of his tongue, giving it a timid suckle before releasing it to graze her tongue over his lower lip as she pulled it between her teeth. He felt his stomach flip and the longing in his groin grow more. Cedric felt himself pulling her hips down and his own grinding up against her more, pressing his manhood against her wet panties. Her hands hurriedly tore open the rest of his shirt, needing to feel his bare flesh against hers. Cedric gently pushed her hands away and broke their kiss, almost panting, "Not here. Not like this." he uttered between breaths, holding her face in his hands.

"Why not?" she pouted, out of breath herself.

"I want your first time to be special... and proper." he laughed, lovingly brushing strands of hair out of her face.

"I thought that was thrown to the wind."

"I lost myself in the moment... I shouldn't have... Just another month, Love; after your birthday. I want to do things right. Your father might kill me," he shrugged "but I'll ask his blessing nonetheless."

"You mean... you want to..." She stuttered, gazing into his eyes, her hands resting on his bare chest.

"Marry you? Of course I do, I'm not that much of a rogue." He chuckled, running his thumb over her lips as he cradled her cheek in his hand. "That's typically what people do when they're in love, isn't it?" He finished capturing her lips in one last kiss. Sofia whimpered softly when he withdrew his lips from hers. She wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of the night enveloped in his arms, with his tantalizing kisses and wandering hands.

"I love you, Cedric." She whispered as she rested her forehead against his, and gazed up into his eyes. "I think I always have."

A soft smile spread across his face as he wrapped his arms around her in a loving embrace. He held her there in his arms for a moment, taking in the unfolding reality, before releasing her. "And I love you, Dearest." He whispered, resting forehead to forehead with her. They sat there entwined in each other arms for what felt like hours before Sofia pulled back dawning a serious face.

"So, what... What do we do about tonight? I know your father was angry, but we have to stand our ground."

"Well, I know you're right, you're always right." He chortled. "But first things first, to do things correctly."

"Huh? What must we do first?" She asked as Cedric rose and strode into the tall grass of the meadow. He knelt down, the tall blades of grass and wildflower stems almost engulfing him as he did so, and picked a single stem of three forget-me-nots. With nimble fingers he twisted the stem and wove the ends together to form a small circle. Cedric waved his fingers over the flowers and uttered a spell, preserving them for eternity with magic. He rose silently to his feet, a faint smile playing across his lips, and made his way across the field to face Sofia. "We must keep with propriety, right?" He said flashing her a smile in the moonlight. Cedric slipped his free hand around the slender fingers of Sofia's left hand and with the corners of his mouth upturned he knelt down before the princess.

"Before... my life was dark and meaningless, nothing could penetrate the darkness that I kept myself cloaked with... That is, until one day this small, persistent girl came into my life." He smiled up at the princess, as he recalled the first time he met her. "Slowly over the years she showed me what life could be... And bit-by-bit her light crept into my darkness until I was engulfed by it... I never was a man who believed in fate..." He scoffed, casting his eyes downward for a moment before returning them to gaze up at her. Her bright blue eyes almost glowed in the dim moonlight, tears welled up in their corners, glistening in the light. "But now that I look back upon it all, I see that without out in my life, I wouldn't be the man I am today. And so, I think now, that it must have been fate that brought you to me when I needed a friend most, and fate that kept you beside me all these years, and fate which brought you back to me now..." He paused only a moment, a debonair smile spreading across his countenance. "I suppose then, it's fate that I should ask you to be mine; to be my life companion, Sofia. And to mark this relationship, I offer to you this ring made of forget-me-nots..." He said unfolding the ring from the palm of his hand. "Because I will never be able to forget you and all that you have done for me. Sofia, will you marry me?" He asked holding the ring up with his fingertips for her to see properly.

Sofia smiled softly down at the man, tears spilling down her face as she nodded yes. He slipped the ring over her finger and rose to face her. He cradled her cheeks in his hands and wiped away her tears with callused thumbs. "I thought you'd never ask." She laughed, leaning forward to capture his lips with a tender kiss. Reluctantly Cedric pulled away from her embrace and held her at arms length.

"As much as it delights me to see you wear this," he said brushing his fingers over the petals of the forge-me-not ring. "I think it might be best to keep this hidden until I can get your father's approval. Perhaps here," he continued, his fingers moving to hover over her chest as a long delicate chain appeared around her neck. "next to your heart will do." He more or less stated as the ring appeared on the end of the chain.

"Thank you, Cedric." Sofia whispered wrapping her hand around his as it hovered over her breasts.

"Just keep it hidden under your dress if you can, last thing we need is for my father to see it and connect things." He grimaced. "Or worse my mother." He groaned as he ran his hand through his hair smoothing it out the best he could. He turned his attention to his shirt and vest; tucking in his shirt-tails and straightening out the folds and wrinkles settling into his vest.

"So you do plan on going back tonight?" Sofia asked as she followed suit straightening out her dress and tidying up her hair.

"Unfortunately, yes. Someday we'll spend the night together under the stars," he said caressing the side of her face. "but tonight we must go back to the cottage. As unpleasant as it may be, you're right, we must confront my father." He sighed. "You're ready for this? And all that will follow?" He asked hesitantly.

"With you by my side I feel like I could do anything." She smiled confidently up at him, taking the arm he offered her, pulling herself closely to his form. He wrapped his free hand around her own delicate one that rested on his forearm, and gave it a slight squeeze.

"I feel the same way, Dearest." He replied as they began the trek back to the family cottage, together; arm in arm.