DISC: I DO NOT own any of the characters from Sofia the First. They belong to their respective creators. I only own the ones you don't recognize.
Enjoy!

"True Sisters"

Chapter 3

Sofia awoke a few hours later to find the sky darkening outside. She was surprised to discover she had slept nearly the whole day away. Sitting up, she was relieved to find her stomach didn't hurt as badly as before. She was about to try standing when her bedroom door opened and her mother's voice met her ears.

"Honey, you're awake. How do you feel?" she came over and sat down next to her daughter. Feeling her forehead, she smiled. "You're not warm anymore."

"I'm feeling a little bit better. My stomach doesn't hurt as much," Sofia revealed.

"I'm glad. And I know Amber will be glad to hear that too. She's really been worried about you," her mother informed her.

Sofia frowned.

"Do you feel well enough to attend the celebration tonight? It's a small one to kick off summer vacation. It was Amber's idea. Some of your classmates are coming."

Sofia nodded. She had to think for a minute. It was then that it came back to her.

"Okay. I guess I'm up or it," she replied.

"Are you sure?" her mother asked.

"I'm positive. And if I start feeling bad, I'll let you or Dad know. I promise."

"That's my girl," her mother hugged her before leaving her to get ready.

Selecting a purple and blue dress, Sofia changed. She got a drink of water before letting her mother style her hair. Once that was done, she followed her mother downstairs. Entering the dining room, Sofia heard someone shriek before a figure nearly tackled her in a hug.

"Sofia! I'm so glad you're okay. You are feeling better, aren't you?" Amber's uncertain tone made Sofia frown.

"A little bit," Sofia replied. She hugged back before stepping a few inches away.

"Are you coming to the celebration?" her sister asked.

"Uh-huh," Sofia replied.

"Brilliant!" James commented from just behind them. He turned to Amber. "See? I told you she would be okay. Sof can handle anything. Give me five," he turned back to his younger sister and the two slapped palms.

Sofia smiled, despite still being in pain. James was awesome.

"All right, is everyone ready to go?" Baileywick asked. He did a double take when he saw Sofia standing next to Amber. "Sofia, I'm glad to see you out and about again. Are you feeling better?"

"Thanks, Baileywick. A little," she said.

Baileywick smiled at her.

"I'll be right back," Amber announced suddenly. "I have to switch my necklace. The blue one Mom got me goes better with my outfit."

James groaned.

Sofia just smiled to herself. She suddenly winced as a sharp pain hit her stomach. The funny thing was, it only hurt on the right side where before it had been in the middle. She tried to act normal so her family wouldn't worry. Thinking water would help, she turned to her parents and Baileywick.

"I'll be right back. I'm going to get a drink," with that, she left in the direction of the bathroom. Getting inside, she took a deep breath as the dizziness returned. It wasn't long before someone knocked at the door. "Who is it?" she asked as strongly as she could.

"It's me," Amber's voice replied, "is everything okay?"

"No," Sofia admitted.

"Is it okay if I come in?" her sister asked.

"Yeah," she replied.

Amber stepped into the bathroom a minute later. Closing the door, she was at her sister's side in seconds.

"What's wrong? You're not really feeling better, are you?"

Sofia hesitated. She didn't want to ruin her sister's party.

"Sofia, please, talk to me. You can tell me the truth," Amber gently reminded her.

Sofia sighed.

"I do feel better, but I'm still hurting. I know how much this party means to you. We've been planning it for six months…" her voice trailed off as she winced again.

Amber rested a hand on her younger sister's shoulder.

"Sofia, you're more important than a party."

"What did you just say?" Sofia gasped in surprise this time. She never thought Amber would ever say something like that.

"I said…you're more important than a party. I want you to feel better. If you're not up for going then…" she gulped as the rest of the sentence left her mouth, "...then I won't go either. I'll stay and make sure you're all right."

"Amber, that's really nice of you. I know how excited you are for tonight. I don't want you to miss it because of me. Mom can stay back and take care of me or Baileywick. He's staying here. But I think I'll be okay."

"Are you sure?" Amber locked gazes with the brunette princess.

"I'm pretty sure," Sofia hedged.

"Okay. How about this. We'll go, but if you start feeling worse, tell me and we'll come back home. I mean it," Amber insisted.

"Okay," Sofia agreed.

Amber sighed with relief and guided Sofia back to their parents.

"Is everything okay?" their mother asked.

"Yeah," Amber replied. "Ready to go?"

"I am!" James announced. "Let's get there before all the food's gone."

"Oh James!" Amber raised her eyebrows. Even though her tone was exasperated, she was smiling.

During the carriage ride to the hall where the party was being held, Amber stole worried glances at her sister. Sofia was doing okay, but every so often she would put a hand to her stomach and whimper.

When they arrived, Amber made an excuse and left to find a bathroom.

"Sofia, why don't you come with me," she suggested, "your hair needs a touch up."

Sofia nodded and followed her sister. She winced in pain as they entered the bathroom.

"You really didn't come in here to do my hair, did you?" Sofia asked as she winced again.

"No," Amber admitted. "Are you really okay being here?"

"Yeah," Sofia replied. "I told you I would tell you if I need to go back home."

"Okay," Amber sighed.

"Come on, let's get back out there. Hildegard and Cleo are probably wondering what happened to us," Sofia quipped.

Amber nodded. She led her sister out of the bathroom. Getting back to their parents, she assured them everything was okay. She led Sofia over to a table where her fore mentioned friends were, along with Vivian.

"Hey Sofia!" Vivian greeted. She gave her a hug and Sofia hugged back.

"Hi," she replied.

"Amber, you have to see the new dress Princess Mae is wearing!" Hildegard squealed.

"Okay, but I can't be too long," Amber turned to her sister, "are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah," Sofia replied. "Go on."

"Okay," with that, Amber let Hildegard lead her over to another student from their class.

Vivian raised her eyebrows in confusion once Amber was gone.

"Amber's actually hanging out with you?" she asked.

Sofia nodded. She understood the way her friend had meant it, so she didn't take it personally.

"So what's Crackle up to?" Sofia asked.

"Nothing much. She wanted to come, but I told her we'd visit you on Saturday."

"That sounds good," Sofia winced as she spoke.

"Are you okay?" Vivian frowned at her friend.

"Yeah," Sofia replied.

Just then, a waiter came by and set a tray of snacks down at their table.

"Thank you," Sofia managed to say. She glanced down at the assorted treats. Even the sight of food was making her stomach gurgle. She took a small pumpkin pastry and bit into it. She ate less than half before her stomach protested.

"I'll be right back," with that, she jumped up and ran in the direction of the bathroom.

"Where are you going!" Vivian called after her.

"I need to find Amber!" Sofia rounded a corner. She searched for her sister for as long as she could before the pain seemed to double. Spotting a bathroom to her left, she ran inside.

It wasn't long before Amber returned. She frowned when she noticed Sofia wasn't there.

"Vivian, where did Sofia go?"

"I'm not sure," she replied. "She just told me she needed to find you."

Amber nodded. Frowning, she went to find James. She found her brother eating and talking with Zander. She made a disgusted face when she heard him talk with his mouthful.

"James, ewww! That's disgusting!" she declared in greeting.

"Sorry," he mumbled. Swallowing, he put another cookie in his mouth.

"Have you seen Sofia?" Amber asked.

"The last time I saw her, she was talking to Vivian. She didn't come over here." He frowned before adding, "Do you think she's okay?"

"That's what I need to find out," Amber turned and went in the direction of the bathroom. Hearing soft sobs on the other side, she opened the door and went inside. The sight she found made the fear return from her nightmare. Sofia was curled in a ball against the far wall, tears streaming down her face. Amber was at her side in seconds. "Sofia! What happened?" she asked.

Sofia glanced up. When she saw Amber kneeling in front of her, she frowned.

"Amber…I…I know you want to stay, but I…" she winced again.

"Do you wanna go home?" Amber asked.

Sofia nodded.

"I'm sorry-" she started, but her sister cut her off.

"Sofia, it's okay. I told you to tell me if you felt bad and we would go back home."

"But you'll miss the party."

"I want you to feel better," Amber countered.

"Thank you," sofia whispered as tears of pain, mixed with gratitude gathered in her eyes.

Amber gave her sister a small hug before leading her out of the bathroom. She found James still hanging out with Zander.

"James, Sofia and I are going back home. She's feeling bad again. She needs rest."

"Okay. I hope you feel better, Sof," he sincerely said.

"Thanks," Sofia mumbled.

James hesitated.

"You won't hate me if I stay, will you?"

"Of course not!" Sofia exclaimed. "Stay, have fun. You deserve it. I'll be okay."

"Thanks!" with that, he ran off.

Amber shook her head. She was interrupted by Sofia letting out a sudden cry of pain and almost falling to her knees.

"It's okay…come on, let's get you out of here," with that, Amber lead Sofia over to one of the guards at the front door. She explained what was going on. It wasn't long before Miranda joined them.

"Amber, Sofia, what's going on?"

"Sofia needs to go home," Amber told their mother.

Miranda turned her attention to her younger daughter.

"Are you feeling bad again?"

"Yeah. Mom, it's really hurting and I feel like I'm gonna throw up."

"Okay, let me tell your father what's going on and we'll go back home."

"Amber, I'm really sorry," Sofia apologized again. "I know you were having a good time and Hildegard was in the middle of telling you a story…"

"I've heard the story before. And to tell you the truth, I wasn't having a good time because I was worried about you."

"You were?" Sofia was taken aback.

Amber nodded. She was about to say something else when their mother returned.

"Okay, sweetie, let's go," with that, she gently lifted Sofia up and carried her out to the carriage.

"I'm coming too!" Amber followed them out.

"Are you sure?" her mother asked. "You can stay. Daddy's still there."

"I know. I want to make sure Sofia's all right," Amber explained. She got into the carriage and rested a hand on Sofia's right shoulder.

Miranda nodded.

"Okay."

Arriving home, Miranda tucked Sofia in bed. She got her a bucket and a glass of water. She also got her some medicine for her stomachache. Once Sofia took it, she tried her best to sleep.

"Do you want me to stay?" Amber offered.

"Only if you want to," Sofia softly said.

"I do," her sister insisted.

"Okay," with that, Sofia drifted off to sleep.

Amber sighed as she watched her sister sleep fitfully. Something told her it was going to be a long night…