Home – Phillip Phillips
Disclaimer: I do not own Sofia the First or any characters. Enjoy!
With Sofia at his parent's cottage for the day, Cedric was able to work on his surprise for her. He had a hard time getting away from her lately. She was stuck to his hip like glue, too frightened to be anywhere without him or Baileywick. When asked if she'd like to go spend the day with his parent's she agreed happily. Wrapping the amulet around his neck for extra power and grabbing the family wand from its case, Cedric left his tower to begin his work. He had an idea to help make Sofia feel safer and more at home. As he walked into the castle, he was greeted by Baileywick.
"Good morning, your majesty. Will you be having breakfast this morning?" Baileywick asked, knowing he usually preferred not to have meals served to him, but rather he and Sofia would make something themselves in his tower. It was quite a change to have Cedric as the king. He was much less demanding and expected less served to him. It usually led to an argument between Cedric and Baileywick – Cedric telling Baileywick to stop fussing over him and to leave him alone, then Baileywick telling him that it's his job to fuss over him and provide everything for him, then Cedric would retort that it's Sofia's fault they were in this situation and for him to go irritate her if he wanted someone to bother.
"Leave me alone, Baileywick, I'm busy this morning," was Cedric's only response as he continued on his way not even looking Baileywick's way. Baileywick threw his hands up and walked away huffing in frustration. Cedric lowered down the dark, stone stairwell into the castle cellars and took out his wand. Drawing all the magical strength he could gather within himself he began to visualize what he wanted pointing his wand downwards. He felt the warmth of the amulet and could see it getting brighter and the light from the wand shot through the ground and into the earth below pulling him through.
Once below the castle and its cellars, Cedric took a moment to rebuild his strength and then began to create rooms within his mind using the amulet and his family wand to make them appear as his thoughts dictated. He walked from room to room with his eyes closed, feeling the warmth of the amulet leading him as he created a living room with a couch, a large comfortable chair and a giant fire place to heat the place up, he then moved on to create a kitchen. Not needing much for the two of them he only put in the basics, before moving on to create a small library and reading nook with a fireplace knowing Sofia would enjoy that.
Feeling himself growing weak, Cedric took a break and sat on the chair beside the fireplace for a moment. He needed rest to be able to continue using so much magic. Once the place was all set up he'd let Sofia decorate it however she wanted to make it feel more like a home for her. But at least in here she would be completely safe as there would be no entrance and no exits without magic to transport in and out. And nobody would know about it, not even Baileywick. Cedric chuckled to himself as he thought of how that was sure to aggravate the butler, not knowing where he and Sofia were staying most of the time.
Now refreshed, Cedric stood up and summoned the power from the amulet and continued on to create more rooms. Next was the bathroom. He created a nice marble countertop with two sinks and a toilet nearby. Then he produced a large soaking bathtub for Sofia. He's not one for baths though so he also created a giant glass encased shower for himself. Moving on, he visualized two bedrooms. He wasn't sure how Sofia would want her bedroom. He decided to let her do it. He went on to the next bedroom and he created a basic, masculine looking bed with a bureau for his clothes and a fireplace, leaving the room looking sparse and empty.
The last room he needed to craft together would be his new workshop. He planned on keeping the same one in the tower but he would use this one as well for when he was here. He visualized what he wanted and held the wand out letting the amulet's power do the work. Soon he had an almost exact replica of the one in his tower.
Cedric felt satisfied with his work. It wasn't complete but it was enough for now. He would go to his parent's house and visit with them for a while and then bring Sofia home and show her the surprise he made for her. Together they would complete the rest of their new home. Hopefully she'd finally begin to feel safe again.
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Sofia was sipping a cup of tea with Winifred on the back deck overlooking the forest when Cedric came walking through the back door with his father Goodwin. "You're early Cedykins." His mother exclaimed standing up to greet her son with a hug and kiss on the cheek.
"I know mummy, but I have a surprise for Sofia." He explained to her hugging his mother back.
"You have a surprise for me?" Sofia asked as she stood and ran to his side, as he enveloped her in a warm hug.
"Yes, but you have to wait until we get back to the castle to see it." He told her as he bopped her on the nose, making her giggle.
"I can't wait, you know I love surprises!" She said, bouncing up and down.
"I know!" He mimicked her excitement.
"Hey, don't tease me." She playfully smacked him on the shoulder with a smile.
"Are you two going to stay for dinner or take off early so she can see what her surprise is?" Goodwin asked.
"It's up to Sofia…" Cedric said, gesturing that she has the floor and she gets to decide what they're doing.
Biting her lip, trying to decide, Sofia wasn't sure what to do. She wanted to stay and visit longer with his parents; she really liked them and enjoyed being here at their cottage but at the same time she really wanted to know what her surprise was. "I don't know… If I choose to go get my surprise now can we come back for dinner another night?" Sofia asked sweetly, looking up towards the three adults staring at her waiting for her answer.
"Of course you can!" Winifred told her, chuckling and embracing Sofia in an affectionate hug. "You're always welcome here."
"Good, because I want my surprise." Cedric laughed as he took her by the hand and they bid everyone goodbye before they transported back to the castle.
Inside Cedric's tower Sofia began looking around eagerly, her eyes lit up with excitement. "Where is it?" She asked him finally after a few minutes of searching to no avail. Cedric had been sitting down in his chair watching her bemusedly, waiting for her to give up.
"It's not in my tower, dear." He told her with a smirk.
Sofia stood with her hands on her hips, giving him an unimpressed stare that dared him to continue teasing her, causing Cedric to erupt in laughter. "Okay, okay, fine. I will explain… Come here, sit down." He gestured for Sofia to have a seat beside him. At first she continued to give him an angry glare but then she relented and walked over slowly and sat beside him because she really did want her surprise.
"So, before I show you your surprise I want to explain a few things to you about it. You know how you struggle feeling safe, even in my tower?" He asked and Sofia nodded, looking down at the floor, ashamed.
"It's okay Sofia, it's understandable after everything you've been through, and in time it'll get easier. Well, I think I've come up with a solution that will help you feel more safe." He told her as he stood up and began to pace in front of her as she watched him.
"What is it?" She asked, wondering if it was a potion or magical spell he had created that would make her not scared anymore.
"Today while you were at my parent's house I made something for you and I want to bring you to it now. But keep your eyes closed. I'll transport us there now." Cedric said as he grabbed her hand and together they transported to the new secret underground home he'd created earlier.
Once they were inside the new home he instructed her to open her eyes. She did and found herself in a new home she'd never seen before, "Where are we?" She asked, curious why he would take her here. She noticed it had no windows and seemed rather dark with stone walls. It wasn't that she didn't like the place; she just didn't know where she was.
"We are below the castle right now, underground. I used magic from the amulet to create a secret underground home for us. There is no entrance or exit without magically transporting in and out. So you will be completely safe inside of here." He explained to her, watching her closely to see her response.
As he explained where they were and what he had done for her, Sofia turned and looked up at him with a smile of appreciation on her face. He had planned a whole secret house for her just to help make her feel safe again. She jumped into his arms hugging him as tight as she could wrapping her arms around his neck. Cedric barely caught his balance before falling over. "Thank you, thank you, thank you so much, Cedric!" Sofia exclaimed. "Nobody can get us inside of here? There are no windows and doors?" She asked with happy eyes.
"No windows and no doors. Nobody will ever find us or be able to hurt us down here. Nobody knows about it, not even Baileywick or my parents. Can you just imagine how neurotic Baileywick will be trying to find us?" And they both began to laugh imagining how stressed out he will be by their usual antics.
Setting Sofia back on her feet, Cedric began to explain how he'd left much of the home unfinished so she can have a say in how it will be decorated and setup to make it more comfortable for her. She couldn't wait to get started.
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As Sofia made her way around the house making mental notes of what she'd like she was mostly happy with everything. It just needed some decorations and more furnishings to make it feel like a home. As she made it to her bedroom Cedric stated, "I didn't do anything in here because I wanted you to have complete say with what you wanted and where you wanted everything. So you can have a walk in closet wherever you want, a fireplace if you want, etc., etc." He then looked at her face and noticed she was looking at him funny. "What?" He asked.
"Where will you be sleeping?" She asked, suddenly realizing he was not planning on sharing a room any longer.
"I have a bedroom right next door, over here." And he led her to his room to show her.
"Oh I see…" Sofia said, as her eyes began to well up with tears.
"Sofia? What's the matter?" Cedric asked, kneeling down in front of her, realizing she was upset.
"You don't want to share a room with me anymore. I will be alone at night. I get scared at night." She said in a quiet, little girl voice.
"Sweetheart, that's not it. I created my own bedroom because I know someday you'll be older and it won't be appropriate for us to share a bed anymore. But for now as long as you feel safer with me in your bed I will snuggle with you." Cedric reassured her, holding her in his arms.
Sofia sniffled and smiled sweetly, "Of course I'll always want to snuggle with you Cedric, you make me feel warm and safe." He just chuckled at her innocence and naivety.
"Right, let's get to work on your bedroom…" He suggested as they walked back into her room.
In the back of her room Sofia wanted a walk in closet, she also requested a large fireplace on the wall facing her bed which was a large four poster bed lifted on a platform type flooring. There was sheer drapery flowing from the ceiling around the four posts of her bed creating a soft, relaxing ambience in the room. Cedric was impressed she didn't go too girly and foo-foo with her room. He was afraid it would be all pink and feminine. Though it was soft and feminine she let Cedric pick out the color scheme. So he chose dark but warm colors for the bedding and walls. They were both happy and walked out of the room to his bedroom.
"I think since you'll be staying in my room a lot of the time we should turn your bedroom into my giant walk in closet!" Sofia exclaimed, enthusiastically.
"I think not, young lady." Cedric deadpanned. "My room is not your closet."
Sofia pouted and then suggested, "How about a game room then?"
"I don't think so, how about we leave it as my bedroom for when I'd like to have a private space to myself? Hmmmm…?" He said, looking at Sofia.
"Whatever, you know I'll get my way…" Sofia said mischievously and walked to the library to go pick out a book to read.
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Cedric left Sofia reading in the library to speak with Baileywick in the castle. "Baileywick there you are." He said as he approached the anxious looking butler.
"Your majesty, I've been looking for you everywhere!" He exclaimed. "Where have you been?"
"That's what I came to talk to you about actually." Cedric began. "Let's sit down, I need to talk to you about something."
"Okay…" Said Baileywick, looking confused.
After they got comfortable at the desk in the king's study, Cedric began to explain, "You are aware of how fearful Sofia has been in the castle since the attack, correct?"
"Of course. She refuses to step foot in here." Replied Baileywick.
"I've found a remedy for the situation. Though I doubt you'll enjoy it." He chuckled to himself. "I've found a secret hideaway that's only accessible by magic for both Sofia and I to stay at within the castle. She is there now. She finally feels safe because nobody can enter it and nobody knows where it's located. Not even you, Baileywick." Cedric told him, looking him straight in the eye.
"But, but I need to know, what if I need to get a hold of you for something, what if there is an emergency?" Baileywick protested, standing up.
"I've taken that into consideration." Cedric pulled out a small box with a button on the top. "If you need us for anything, just press this button and it will summon me, kind of like a doorbell." He smiled.
"But what will my job be then if I'm not to be your butler if you're living in secrecy?" Baileywick asked, incredulously.
"You're to make people believe we're still living within these castle walls as expected of us. Make them believe you still are our butler and serve us as normal. And in time Sofia will slowly feel more comfortable and begin to come out more and more. But it will take time. It's only been a few weeks since the deaths of her family. Give her time Baileywick." Cedric told him gently.
"Yes, your majesty." Baileywick said as he bowed, taking the box and exiting the office.
Cedric transported himself back underground to join Sofia in the library.
"What are you reading?" He asked as he approached her.
She held the book up for him to see and told him, "The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. Right now I'm just starting The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe."
He smiled and sat in the chair opposite her next to the fire and picked out a book to read also, "I think I'll catch up on some reading as well."
Sofia gasped and asked, "You read regular books beside your spell books?"
Looking insulted, Cedric responded, "Yes, I'll have you know, I have a life outside of being a sorcerer!"
"I know… you're a king now, too." Sofia said with a mischievous smirk.
"Yeah, thanks to you…" He said sarcastically as he got comfortable in the chair and opened his book to read The Lord of The Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien.