"Sofia! You can't be serious!" Amber gasped, clapping her dainty hands over her mouth. "Are you really? Truly?"
Sofia nodded, smiling widely, her hands gently resting on her stomach, which had a small curve to it. "Yes! Yes, it's true, Amber!"
"Oh my gracious! I'm going to be an aunty!" She reached over and gave her younger step-sister a tight hug.
Sofia laughed. "Amber, don't squish the baby!"
Amber pulled back with a shocked expression. "That can happen!?"
Sofia laughed, "No! Amber, no, of course not, they're far too small to be squished by one of your hugs."
Amber sighed in relief, resting her hand on her chest. "Oh thank goodness."
Sofia smiled at looked at the window at the morning sunshine, wrapping her arms around her torso, her eyes shining with happiness.
"Oh Sofia.." Amber slid across her bed to put her arm around her shoulders, giving her a little squeeze. "I'm so happy for you.. but.." she looks a little uncomfortable. "What are you going to tell mom and dad?" She asked hesitantly.
Sofia turned back to Amber, still smiling. "I'm going to tell them the truth, Amber." She said softly with a wistful look in her eyes.
"But," Amber stuttered, "But what will they say?"
Sofia looked down at her silk nightgown. "I don't know what they'll say. I hope they accept us." She looked at Amber. "We're so happy together and... I really hope he'll be happy to be having a baby."
Amber's eyes widened. "YOU HAVEN'T TOLD CEDRIC YET!?" She shrieked.
"Well, I-"
"Told Cedric what?" King Roland II asked as he walked in, straightening his blue suit and tie.
Sofia rose, her nightgown falling down softly over her body. Amber stood abruptly.
"Daddy! Can't you knock!" Amber yelped as she grabbed her golden robe and wrapped it around her shoulders, face pink.
"Well, I'm sorry, Amber. But your door was open so I assumed you were decent." The king said with a smile, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm never decent before 6am!"
"Darling, it's 5:59."
"Daddy, that's still before 6am." Sofia said with a small giggle and Amber nodded quickly, puffing up her pink cheeks.
Rolland smiled and reached out his arms for his youngest. "Ah my dear, you're looking radiant this morning."
Sofia walked into his arms and gave him a hug, resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you Dad."
She pulled bad and straightened his messy tie, which Rolland smiled at. "Thank you, Dearest."
Sofia kissed his cheek. "You're welcome."
"I'm so glad to have you back."
"Oh. I know." Sofia smiled joyously, "I wish I could be here for longer. If the isles didn't need me so often, I'd still be here in the castle." She sighed.
Amber glanced at Sofia questioning and gave her the *we're talking more about this when he leaves* look. Sofia smiles softly at her older sister as she takes her father's arm.
"Come, Dad. Show me everything new that I've missed."
"Don't you want to get dressed first?"
Sofia looked down at her lace collared nightgown and slippers. "Um, maybe. I'll meet you at breakfast?"
Rolland nodded, unhooking his arm from hers as he stroud towards the door, "You got it. See you there, Sofia, Amber."
"Bye Daddy." Amber hurriedly shut the door after her father left. She turned to face her sister.
"What're you going to tell the isles?"
"I'm sure they already know." Sofia sat on the end of the bed. "You know how big of a mouth Chrysta has. She was with me when I found out."
Amber sighed. "But, still. What's going to happen? You can't possibly expect to stay in the isles while you're pregnant, can you? Cedric doesn't even live there!"
Sofia smiled, walking over to her sister, "Amber, don't you see?" She took her hands in hers, "I'm moving back here to be with Cedric. We're going to be together as a family again." Her eyes were glossy.
Amber gasped, covering her mouth with her hand, "Oh, Sofia!" She hugged her tightly, "You're truly moving back?"
"Until the baby is born and hopefully about a year or so after. I might have to continue my work for a few months still, though, so it won't be immediately."
"Oh, I don't care if I have to wait that long, or even longer, I'm just so happy for you!" Amber pulled back, "We'll finally have more sister time!"
Sofia smiled and patted her on the shoulder. "Definitely."
Amber hugged her again, doing a little happy bounce. "Mm, please let me help you pick out an outfit for breakfast!"
Sofia laughed, "Lead the way, Amber."
