A/N: Merry Christmas and Happy Wassillia everyone! This story is part my of a gift exchange with my group of friends, And after seeing tat I got Jetmanas for the gift exchange I thought long and hard on the holiday story he wanted. Holiday stories are a little tricky for me so I hope you enjoy! In this story you'll see few hints on what I'll have planned for future stories.
Jett, I hope you like your gift!
Information on ages: James and Amber are 22 and Sofia is 21.
Looking to the Future
"You want to have four sorcerers in your royal court?" Roland asked his daughter in shock as he sat in his office with his wife, daughter, Desmond and Baileywick. With Amber's coronation and wedding coming up right after new years, the future queen requested an audience with her parents to discuss who she wanted in her court. And given their experience with villains in the past. Amber thought it would best to have extra magical help in defending the kingdom.
"Well, two sorcerers and two sorceresses." Amber corrected her father as she sat next to Desmond. "I realize it's breaking tradition daddy but ever since you gave Sofia the Amulet of Avalor more villains have shown up to try to take it or the kingdom. Having four magical people in the court would double our kingdom's protection."
"As the future king of Enchancia I have to agree with her. Given all the stories she's told me. I think it's what this kingdom needs."
Baileywick had to hold back his chuckle at the way Desmond stated his agreement. It was was no wonder why those two were a match for each other.
"Since Calista is suppose to be my royal sorceress she's obviously one of the female picks. And given that Sofia's just passed her test on becoming a full-fledged sorceress she'll be my other pick." Amber continued her argument.
"But I thought you were going to have Sofia be your royal advisor." Miranda stated in confusion.
"She will be," Amber said with a smile as she used her fan to wave in her explanation. "When I don't need her being my advisor she'll be a sorceress. But then given the many titles she already has who says she can't be all that."
You do have a point there." Roland laughed as he looked to Miranda. "Sofia is multitasker.
"And given how she's one saving the kingdom I can't disapprove of the pick either." Baileywick agreed with them. "Now, who will be the male choices you have?"
"While I do have my male choices I don't don't know how that work out yet."
"Tell us your other choices then we'll see how things go from there." Roland encouraged her.
So the blonde continued to tell them who else she picked in her court. Leaving one choice secret to herself and Desmond till she was sure it could work out first. She just hoped her parents wouldn't be upset later on.
After the meeting with her parents was finished Amber left to change for tonight's Wassilia ball Sofia had arranged.
"Wow, Sofia. Did you plan the ball this year or did you secretly have Hildegard do it." Amber joked in amazement as she saw that the ballroom was decorated with a tree in the window, gold and red streamers on the walls, and a long table with food and drinks on the side.
"Very funny, Amber." Sofia said as she rolled her eyes in amusement. "I think it's too simple fore Hildegard to have planed this. In a way, I think it's simple Sofia decorating. It's not as big as you think."
"Yes, simple yet elegantly royal at same time." Amber nodded in approval. "Thanks for taking over of arranging this year's holiday ball, Sofia. With the planning the wedding, coronation, James's knighting...I think I'd be overwhelmed."
"That's what sisters are for." The auburn haired girl smiled then went back to frowning at the thought of the changes that were about to occur next year; including a certain sorcerer's departure from the castle. Since the man had been a big part of her life since she moved here. The young woman couldn't help but dislike the idea of him leaving. But since it was part of Echancia's tradition to make way for the next generation that included the royal sorcerers too. She wish her title had given her the power to have a say about such things.
"Sofia," Amber pulled her sister out of her thoughts. "Do you need to go change for the ball?"
Huh?" She as at first then shook head. "No, I really like the one I'm wearing now. I designed this just for Wassilia." Twirling once to show her sister that her holiday dress consisted of purple, a little pink and gold accents end of her shirt.
"Great, let's go meet James at the entrance to greet our guests. I heard he asked Vivian to be his date to the ball." Amber smirked at the mention of their brother's date.
Sofia smiled at the thought of her brother and best friend as a couple. If the two ended up together the youngest princess wouldn't mind in the least. In fact, she loved the thought of Vivian being her sister. "Let's just hope James behaves himself and not let the food get all of his attention tonight."
The two sisters laughed in agreement as they left the ballroom to met up with James.
"James, leave the rest of the food to the other guests!" Sofia scolded her older brother as she and Vivian pulled him away from the refreshment table that night as the ball was full swing. Both women continued to scowl as the prince gave a goofy grin and chewed on one of the cookies Chef Andrea and the kitchen staff had made for tonight.
"I can't help it. Dancing makes me hungry!" James said with mouth full.
"Everything makes hungry." Sofia muttered as she crossed her arms.
"Got that right." Vivian sighed as she waited for her date to finish eating then turned to her friend. "Did you ask anyone to be your date, Sofia?"
"I asked Cedric but he hasn't come downstairs yet." Sofia said as she watched James to make sure he didn't go back to the table.
Noticing a servant walk by with a tray of wine glasses Vivian picked one of the tiny glasses from the tray and hand it to James. "Drink this then we're going to dance. And I don't want to hear another word about being hungry." The dark-haired woman explained.
Seeing the glares both his date and his sister were giving him James obeyed and chugged the drink down in one go, handed the empty glass to Sofia then pulled a surprised Vivian to the dance floor. "Brothers." Sofia muttered under her breath as she handed the empty wine glass to another servant carrying a tray.
With Vivian now keeping her brother busy and away from the table Sofia let go of her frustration and continued to wait for her date. Bust she didn't have to wait any longer.
"Sofia?"
Hearing the familiar voice she turned around to find Cedric in a black tuxedo, tie and shoes. His hair was combed back nicely. Heck, he even was gloveless for tonight!
The very sight of him made her heart flutter and her mouth dry. "Is it too much?" Cedric asked as he tugged on his collar in nervousness. I was going to just go with a vest and white shirt with dark pants but Calista insisted I go all out and dress nicely for you. That girl..." The sorcerer muttered at the mention of his niece.
Quickly coming out of her thoughts Sofia walked forward. "You look very handsome but I think the hair..." She reached up to comb his hair back to the usual way he had it. "is much better this way," She finished with a smile.
Cedric blushed at her actions. While she had touched his hair in the past the way she did it this time made him feel differently for some reason. He wasn't sure what he was feeling at the moment. "Y-you look love tonight, my dear." he stuttered.
"Thanks. So are you ready dance to a few songs?"
Cedric smirked at her amusingly. "To you, a few dances are are hundred."
"So I guess that's a yes?" She grinned.
Ignoring her silly question he bowed and offered his hand "Care to dance, princess?"
"I'd love to." Sofia playfully answered back.
After they danced to a few songs they agreed to get a drink and exchange gifts privately on one of the balconies.
Noticing that Cedric and Sofia were leaving the ballroom Amber excused herself from Desmond and went quickly to find Calista who was chatting with Angel and drinking some punch. "Calista, I need you to come with me. I have idea."
"I'll be right back." The teenager promised her date, gave him her empty glass and followed her future queen through the halls she saw her uncle and Sofia walk through. "What's the plan?"
Out on the one of the balconies, Cedric and Sofia looked out at the view they had while each other wondered who would go first.
Meanwhile, inside Amber and Calista watched the two from the inside and making sure they weren't going to be seen. "Why are we spying on them, Amber?" The two-toned teen asked in a disapproving manner. I'd thought after the the two incidents of spying you'd grown out of that by now..."
"Last time you got us spying was because you worried about Cedric," Amber reminded her friend who blushed at remembering the last incident.
"So why this time?"
"Well, you don't want your Uncle Cedric to leave the castle, right?"
"Yeah." Calista muttered sadly. "I think both Sofia and I are the only ones who don't want him to leave."
"I have a plan but I want to make sure I'm right about these two."
"Right about what?" Calista asked in confusion.
"I think Cedric and Sofia romantically love each other. The last few years I've seen them hold hands and doing all the lovey dovey stuff Desmond and I did. And just like you and Angel have been doing lately."
Calista blushed at Amber's last statement. She didn't know what to say to defend herself.
Outside Sofia thought she might as well give Cedric the bad news. " Since I've been so busy with my protector duties and helping Amber I wasn't able to figure out what to give you this year. I'm sorry."
Seeing the disappointed look she gave Cedric wasn't sure what to say to comfort her. While he had been busy himself Cedric wasn't sure what to giver her either. He had thought of giving her a sorceress robe but the more he thought about the more he realized Calista was the the only sorceress he'd seen wearing a robe. Would she even want one?
"It's okay, Sofia," Cedric said as he finally was able to find his voice. The man then told her about his problem. "I was even going to give you a gift for becoming a full-fledged sorceress but I couldn't decide what seemed like a good choice for a gift."
Realizing the problem they both had brought Sofia's mind back to a similar experience she had when was younger and was looking for a present for Cedric. Tiana's words echoed in her mind making her smile. " Perhaps just being with each other is the present this year."
Cedric was surprised by her words at first but then thought that she was right. "Still, maybe..." All of sudden Sofia saw Cedric's hand produce a bit of magic to make a purple bracelet with a little pink jewel that looked similar to her amulet.
"Cedric-"
"This isn't a Wassilia present, Sofia," The sorcerer interrupted her. " This is more of a...going away present from me." Cedric trailed off sadly.
Hearing those words made her stern look turn into a sorrowful one. Turning away from him, Sofia tried her best not to cry but she couldn't stop the tears that began come and fall down her face.
"It's not that I'm leaving you, Sofia. It's just the way Enchancia's done things. It's a changing of the guard as you could call it."
"I know!" Sofia angrily answered. "It's tradition. For once this is one thing I don't want to change. I hate it! You were a big reason I got use to living the castle. I loved that you made me your apprentice, helped me with whatever magical problem I had whether it was homework or some villain coming after my amulet or the the adventures we had together. Became best friends and now we can't be together and I won't be able to tell you that I love you!"
Cedric was stunned as he watched the princess go into her tirade. But what really got his attention was her last statement. Was it friendship she was meaning or romantic love? He wasn't sure.
"You love me?" Cedric asked once she finished.
Sofia froze at question. She couldn't believe she let anger run her mouth like it did. In reality, she always did have crush on him. And even after he tried to take over the kingdom she still was crushing on him. When was teenager she really did fall hard. Now that she was twenty-one Sofia believed she did love him. "I guess I can't imagine my life in the castle without you ,Cedric."
Turning around to face him again, Cedric saw that she was still crying. He wiped away her tears with his thumbs and pulled her close to him after he had set her gift down on the ledge. He let her sob while he thought of what to say. He couldn't imagine life without her either. But did he love her in return? After thinking it over he knew that he did.
"I love you too." Cedric finally answered.
"You know when I leave we can come visit each other. And if our relationship works out I'll move back."
"And if you can't I'm moving to your house." Sofia answered back when she looked back up at him.
"See. However this works out we'll never stop seeing each other." Reaching for her present again Cedric placed the bracelet on on her free wrist. "This is a magical charm that will summon me whenever you are in danger, Sofia."
"Oh, given our high chances of a villain I'll be seeing you all the time then." Sofia giggled.
"Very funny, my dear." Cedric said as he smirked and pulled her into a hug which surprised her but she returned the gesture.
All of a sudden, Cedric felt something brush against his head. Looking up, he saw it was mistletoe. "Where did this come from?"
Sofia stepped back to see what he was talking about. When she what it was Sofia blushed. "We don't have to do it if you don't want to."
Suddenly, Sofia felt his lips touch hers in a kiss. Seeing he wasn't shy she joined in.
"Good work, Calista." Amber praised inside. "It looks like I have my answer."
"So what will you do now?" The teen asked.
"After New Years I'm making my proposition to Cedric." Amber walked off pleased with herself.
"Proposition?" Calista asked confused. Trying to Think of what that might entail Calista raced off after her. "Amber wait!"
To Be Continued...
A/N: I hope you enjoyed your gift, Jett! As for the rest of you I bet you are curious about a few things. I sure would love to hear what you guys have to say! Sorry if I'm a bit rusty in my writing. It has been quite some time since I did this. Please review!