Even Now

Fifty years had gone by since the day they were married. Many things in the world around them had changed, but there was one thing that hadn't changed; their love for each other.

The morning sun shining through the window gently roused Sofia from a peaceful slumber. She blinked her eyes open and smiled. She was lying on her back in bed next to Cedric, whose left arm was draped across her waist; his head nestled on the soft pillow beside hers. A soft snore told her that her husband wouldn't be awake for at least a little while. With a light giggle, she turned her head to gaze out the window.

It was going to be a beautiful day as the clear blue sky seemed to indicate. Sofia could see the trees beyond the window, some of which were bursting with pink and white blossoms. Spring had sprung a few weeks ago, and, to her, it felt like magic. Magic… Yes, her life was full of magic. Even now, magic never ceased to amaze her. After all, magic was what drew her to her beloved sorcerer.

A fond smile graced the woman's lips as she thought of that day so many years ago when she first arrived at the castle. She had been awed by Cedric's flower spell, but she had been even more excited when she actually met the grouchy sorcerer himself. Ever since that first meeting, Cedric had been there for her, however reluctant he might have been at first. It had really cheered her up when, after a disastrous first day at Royal Prep, he'd given her a tour of his workshop. From then on, the two of them had helped each other out. Sofia had had so much fun being Cedric's apprentice and helping him put on a magic show for King Magnus. Then there was the day he'd gone with her and her Buttercup troop to Mystic Meadows, and she'd helped him earn his father's approval and get his family wand. Perhaps one of her favorite memories of that time was the Wassailia she gave him the wand case. He had conjured magical snow just for her. He had also dropped her title for the first time that day, calling her just 'Sofia.' That had been a big step in their friendship.

Of course, every friendship has ups and down, and theirs was no exception. Sofia sighed softly as she continued to gaze out the window. She still remembered the day Cedric betrayed her trust and nearly succeeded in taking over the kingdom. She had been so hurt when she found out that he had been after her amulet, and she had been especially heartbroken when he declared that they weren't friends. Despite that, she still wanted to believe he was her friend. She'd never forgotten the look of remorse on his face when he had apologized to her in the dungeon. She was so relieved when Cedric chose to help her defeat Grimtrix. They remained close after that day. Sofia would still visit him most days, sometimes asking him to help her with her homework. When Cedric risked his life to save her from Prisma's earth–shattering lightning, she realized just how much she cared for him. Even now, her heart still skipped a beat when she thought of that fearful moment before her father had pulled the sorcerer from the chasm, not knowing if her friend was alive or dead. She had been so happy to see he was alive. From then on, she knew everything would be just fine between them.

Sofia was brought back to the present when she felt her husband shift in his sleep, his arm tightening around her waist. She sighed contentedly as she snuggled closer to him. She closed her eyes and let her mind drift back to yesteryears. She couldn't quite recall the moment when she started feeling something more than friendship toward Cedric. Was it that time when he gave her that crystallized snowflake tiara for Wassailia? Or was it the time she had been seriously injured during a Protector mission and he'd refused to leave her side until she could walk again? Whenever it had been, she did remember when they confessed their love for each other, which had inevitably led to their first kiss. It was during the summer when Sofia was eighteen. The two of them had taken a walk around the castle grounds, and they had stopped to sit under a cherry tree. Before Sofia realized what was happening, Cedric was telling her how much he loved her. Even now, she still remembered how happy she had been when he kissed her for the first time. Memories of their courtship were a bit hazy now, but Sofia could still recall some very sweet moments. And she could definitely remember their wedding day, especially how handsome Cedric looked in his wedding robe.

The day Cedric and Sofia were married a whole new chapter of their lives had begun. The years that followed were filled surprises, good and bad. Happy times, sad times, and times of change passed by as life went on. Cedric and Sofia were there for each other through it all. Together, they experienced the joys of having children. They also had to experience deep sorrow when Cedric's parents be came ill and passed away within a week of each other. Of course, their marriage had its ups and downs. Like every other couple, they had arguments every once in a while, but they never stayed angry for long, always apologizing before going to bed. Perhaps the hardest change had been when he retired as royal sorcerer, handing his position to their son. It had taken a lot of getting used to, especially when he and Sofia moved to the manor Tilly had left to them. But overall, life had been good to them.

"Are you awake, my love?"

Sofia smiled at the sound of her husband's soft voice. She opened her eyes and turned her head to find him awake and looking at her, an amused grin spreading across his face. "I've been awake for a little while," she responded. "I was just reminiscing."

"Ah, I see." His grin melted into a content smile. "I've been thinking about a few things myself." He sighed dreamily. "You were so lovely in your wedding gown."

She blushed lightly. "And you were so grouchy when we first met," she countered, giggling when he gave her a pointed look.

"Thanks for ruining the moment, Sofia." He sat up and stretched. "You're still just as cheeky as you were all those years ago."

"Oh, Cedric…" She laughed harder as she sat up next to him, wrapping her arms around him and hugging him close. "I love you so much." She pulled back slightly and looked up at him sincerely, her blue eyes sparkling with happiness. "Happy anniversary."

"Happy anniversary, my darling Sofia," he replied, reaching up to caress her cheek with one hand. He lowered his head and kissed her lips tenderly.

Even now, after so many years together, Cedric and Sofia were still very much in love–just as they had been fifty years ago.

A/N: You read right–fifty years. In my head Cedric is 25 years older than Sofia, which means he's in his nineties here, and people do live to that age. I wanted to do something different for the Anniversary prompt, so this is what I came up with. Speaking of anniversaries, Once Upon a Princess is now ten years old. It's ah–mazing!