Three Princesses and a Baby

It was morning in Enchancia. Sofia and Madeline rushed over to James and Amber's room.
"James!" Sofia called, knocking on the door. "Amber!"
Amber came out into the hall.
"Sofia? Madeline?" She asked.
"Happy birthday!" The girls chorused as they hugged Amber.
"Oh, watch the hair." Amber smiled.
"We made a special birthday surprise for you!" Madeline beamed.
"Surprise?" Amber gasped. "Oh, you shouldn't have. ...Okay, you totally should have. Where is it?"
"Hold on." Sofia told her. "We have to get James."
"Our surprise is for both of the birthday twins." Madeline added.
"Of course it is." Amber sighed.
"James, wake up!" Sofia knocked on the door again. When no-one answered, she opened the door. "James?"
They entered the bedroom, but James wasn't there.
"Where is he?" Madeline asked.
"Who knows?" Amber shrugged. "Guess he'll just have to see the surprise later."
"Okay." Sofia smiled. "Come on."
Amber squeed happily. "I can't wait!"
"Are you ready for your most favourite thing in the whole world?" Madeline asked as they walked down the hall.
"You got me a unicorn?!" Amber gasped.
"Okay, second most-favourite thing." Madeline amended. "Goldenberry pancakes and cinnamon whipped cream!"
As they opened the door to the dining room, they found James already there, eating the pancakes.
"James?" Amber gaped.
"Awesome pancakes, girls." James smiled. "Thanks!"
"Where are my goldenberry pancakes?" Amber asked.
"Umm..." Sofia gulped.
"Oh, were these for both of us?" James asked.
"James!" Amber growled.
"Happy birthday, princess Amber." Baileywick declared.
"It would have been if James hadn't eaten all of my pancakes." Amber huffed.
"Oh, not to worry." Baileywick declared. "There are more in the kitchen. I'll go get them."
"Hey, I know what'll cheer you up." James got out of his seat and walked over to Amber, turning her seat around. He then started singing. "I'm your twin, you're my twin, we stick together through thick and thin. No matter what I do, I'm always stuck with you..."
"Please stop." Amber groaned.
"And if trouble comes our way, I know my twin will save the day." James continued, pulling Amber out of her chair and dancing with her. "Wherever you may be, you're always stuck with me!"
"That was great!" Madeline cheered.
"Sure was!" Sofia agreed.
"It's our royal twin song." James explained. "We made it up when we were little kids."
"And James still sings it every year." Amber pouted. "Ugh."
"Well, while we're waiting for the pancakes, you can read the card me and Sofia made you." Madeline suggested.
"For me?" Amber took the card.
"For both of you." Sofia pointed out.
"Oh, let me see." James grabbed the card.
"You'll have to wait your turn, James." Amber snatched it back.
"But it's for both of us!" James protested, taking to take it back.
"I had it first!" Amber dodged him.
"Why don't you read it together?" Madeline suggested.
Roland and Miranda entered the dining room.
"Where are the birthday twins?" Roland asked.
"Right here!" Sofia smiled.
"Happy birthday, you two." Miranda hugged Amber and James.
"Mmm, breakfast smells delicious." Roland noted.
"It sure was!" James agreed, as Amber glared at him.
"Well, I have a few important birthday proclamations." Roland declared. "First, Cedric will be performing a special magic show at your party this afternoon."
"Wow!" Madeline beamed.
"Great!" James smiled.
"And second-" Roland started.
"We're going to get your presents!" Miranda interrupted. "Right now."
"Are you getting us each a gift?" Amber asked. "Or will we have to share?"
"You'll just have to wait and see." Roland declared.
"See you at the party." Miranda waved as she and Roland left the room.
"I have to take Rex for a walk." James made to leave.
"And here we are." Baileywick returned, carrying a dish full of pancakes. "More goldenberry pancakes are served."
"Ooh!" James turned back.
"Don't even think about it." Amber said testily.
"Okay." James groaned.

Amber sat back down.
"Now, after breakfast, you and your brother will have to pick out the party games, and the cake." Baileywick told her.
"Baileywick, wouldn't it be easier if I picked them out myself this year?" Amber smiled.
"Well, that wouldn't be fair to your brother." Baileywick replied, adding syrup to the pancakes. "It's his birthday too. Enjoy your breakfast, princess Amber."
Amber grumbled as Baileywick walked away. She poured some more syrup on her pancakes, then angrily took a bite.
"Oh girls, having a twin is no fun." She sighed.
"Really?" Sofia asked. "It seems like it would be nice."
"Well, it's not." Amber took another bite. "This is supposed to be my special day, but I have to share everything with James! My card, my party, even my pancakes!"
"Sharing can be hard." Madeline noted.
"Just once in my life, I'd like to have a birthday all to myself." Amber declared.
"But Amber, you'll always have the same birthday." Sofia pointed out. "It's not like you can wave a magic wand and make you and James not-twins."
Amber froze, the fork inches from her mouth.
"I can't, but..." Amber suddenly stood up. "Oh, those were great pancakes, girls. Gotta go, bye!"
Amber rushed out of the room.
"What just happened?" Madeline asked.

Meanwhile, in Cedric's workshop, Cedric was idly making some confetti float with his wand.
"Oh Wormy, I despise birthdays." He told Wormwood. "The king always makes me put on a magic show for the children. Oh, the humiliation!"
There was a knock at the door.
"Oh, who could that be?!" Cedric groaned, rising to open it, until Amber pushed it open. "Oh, princess Amber!"
"Cedric, I know just what you can get me for my birthday!" Amber declared.
"Hmm, another tiara, I presume?" Cedric offered.
"Tempting, but no." Amber answered. "I need you to cast a spell that gives James a different birthday, so today will just be my birthday."
"Oh, I'm sure I could cast such a spell, if I wasn't so busy preparing for your magic show." Cedric announced.
"This is way more important." Amber told him.
"Then if I do this spell for you now, I won't have to do the magic show later?" Cedric asked.
"Yes, yes, yes." Amber agreed.
"Then it's a deal!" Cedric smiled. "Now, let's find that spell!"
Cedric looked through his spell book, Amber looking over his shoulder.
"Oh, how about that one?" Amber pointed.
"No, that's a shrinking spell." Cedric turned a page.
"This one?" Amber asked.
"Sleeping spell." Cedric answered.
"Ooh, how about that one?" Amber smiled.
"That's a 'losing my patience' spell!" Cedric snapped.
"Really?" Amber asked. "I never need a spell to lose my patience."
"Ah, here it is." Cedric smiled. "This spell will make James two months younger then you, but only for today."
"It's perfect." Amber beamed. "I'll have my birthday all to myself!"
"Yes, and so will I!" Cedric smirked. "Now, let's go find the un-birthday boy."
In the courtyard, James was playing fetch with his dog, Rex, when Sofia and Madeline approached.
"Hey James, Baileywick wants you and Amber to pick out games for you party!" Sofia called.
"Just a couple more throws, okay?" James asked. "Here Rex, fetch!"
Rex chased after the ball, running through a carrot patch Clover had his eye on.
"Hey, paws off my lunch!" Clover yelled.
"Sorry!" Rex apologised. "I'm just playing fetch. It's fun! Oh, you wanna play?"
"No." Clover shook his head.
"Rex!" James called. "Bring the ball to me, boy! Come on!"
"Oh, that's my master!" Rex smiled. "Gotta go play now. Bye-bye!"
Rex dashed back to James.
"Good boy." James smiled, before throwing the ball again. "Fetch!"
Rex ran through a patch of dandelions, kicking up pollen.
"Amber, Mr. Cedric!" Madeline noted, as the two arrived.
"Hey, Amber." James smiled. "We have to go pick out our party games now."
"Before we go, Cedric has a spell he wants to show you." Amber smiled.
"Ooh, what is it?" Sofia asked.
"You'll see." Amber smiled, before hissing to Cedric "Hurry up!"
"Principartio!" Cedric recited, just as the pollen cloud made him sneeze.
The stream of magic hit James, turning him into a baby, who giggled merrily.
"Oh, no!" Cedric gulped.
"Cedric, what did you do?!" Amber gasped. "You were supposed to make him two months younger then me, not a baby!"
"All these dandelions and dust, they made me sneeze!" Cedric retorted, before sneezing again.
"You cast the spell on purpose?" Madeline asked.
"She made me do it." Cedric pointed at Amber.
"I just wanted to have one birthday to myself!" Amber explained. "Is that so wrong?"
"Birthday, birthday, birthday!" James sang.
"You've got to turn him back to normal, Mr. Cedric." Sofia declared.
"Ohh, if mom and dad see James like this, I'll get in big trouble!" Amber groaned.
"Oh, not nearly as trouble as I will!" Cedric panicked. "I just need to find the counter spell..."
James leapt up and wrapped himself around Cedric's legs.
"Hug!" He squealed.
Cedric squealed as he fell over. The book flew out of his hands and landed near Rex.
"Oh, new game!" Rex dropped his ball. "Hide the book, got it!"
Rex picked up the book in his mouth and ran off.
"No!" Madeline yelped.
"Rex!" Sofia called.
"Bring that back!" Amber ordered.
"I need that book!" Cedric chased after Rex. "Come back here, you hare-brained hound!"
"Hey!" Clover yelled. "Watch who you're callin' hare-brained buddy! This hare's got brains a'plenty!"
"Clover!" Madeline came up behind Clover, scaring him.
"Ah!" He yelped. "Oh, can't a bunny finish a meal around without someone going "Ah!"
"It's really important that we get that spell book back." Sofia told him.
"Maybe you can help Mr. Cedric find Rex." Madeline suggested.
"And by that, you mean 'maybe I can find Rex myself'?" Clover noted.
"Umm, yeah!" Madeline nodded.
"I'm on it!" Clover declared.
"Well, it'll probably take them a while to find that spell book." Amber declared, carrying James. "So in the meantime, let's pick out the games for the party!" She put James down. "I may as well enjoy having my own birthday while I can!"
"Amber!" Sofia admonished her. "We need to stay with James until Mr. Cedric undoes the spell."
"Why don't we just take him with us?" Amber suggested. "There'll be plenty of toys to keep him busy."
"Toys, toys!" James cheered. He ran over to Amber, pulled her down by the arm, and kissed her on the cheek. "Mwah!"
"See?" Amber wiped her cheek. "Even baby James approves. Let's go."
Meanwhile, Cedric was still chasing after Rex.
"Slow down, you meddlesome mutt!" He panted. "I need... that... spell book!" He leaned against a tree to catch his breath. "I really must get myself to the gymnasium."
Clover rushed over to Rex.
"Alright, okay." He gasped. "Game's over. Hand me the spell book, pooch!"
"You've got me!" Rex laughed. "That was a good game of chase!"
"Where's the spell book?" Clover asked.
"Oh, I buried it!" Rex smiled. "That's our next game: Find the buried treasure! Yay! Good luck!"
Stopping only to lick Clover, Rex ran off again.
"Wow, I'm gonna need some back-up." Clover declared.
As Cedric walked over, Rex knocked him down.
"All this chasing isn't getting me anywhere." He groaned. "I need a more magical way to find that spell book!"
In the royal lounge, James was running around, while Amber was sitting in a chair. James almost knocked over a model ship.
"Don't touch that!" Madeline saved the ship. "Or that!"
"Pretty!" James held up a vase, until Sofia took it from him.

"Oh girls, finally I get to choose the party games myself." Amber looked through a book. "Oh, pin the jewel on the tiara? James would never let me pick this. It's perfect!"
James blew a kazoo in Amber's face.
"How did he find that kazoo?" Amber asked.
"We don't know?" Sofia sighed.
"It was his favorite toy." Amber recalled. "He used to blow it all the time, right in my-"
James blew it again.
"Face." Amber cringed. "So one day i hide the kazoo in a place he'd never find it... until today."
"Give me the kazoo, James." Amber asked.
James threw the kazoo, and it broke in half. He then started to cry.
"It's okay." Madeline tried to soothe him. "Please stop crying, baby James."
"Yes, I'm trying to enjoy my special day." Amber declared.
"Amber help us calm him down." Sofia declared.
"If someone sees him, we'll be in big trouble." Madeline added.
"Amber, Amber!" James toddled over to his sister.
"Oh?" Amber turned.
"I think he wants you to hold him." Sofia smiled.
Amber picked up James.
"There, there it's okay." she held him. "All better."
"Aw." Sofia cooed.
"Amber, you make one good big sister." Madeline smiled.
"Problem solved." Amber put James down. "Now back to picking out my games."
"Games, games, games!" James cheered. "Catch me!"
James ran out of the room.
"James, comes back!" Sofia called, as she and Madeline ran after him.
"Great." Amber sighed.
If you have a sister or a brother There are times when you will discover That you wanna play But they get in your way
No matter what you do No matter what you say
But Oh They'll make you smile They'll make you frown They'll make you chase them Up and down
But they're great to be around
Cause sisters and brothers Are always there for one another
After a merry chase, they finally caught James.
"James is just as much trouble big or small." Amber declared.
"I think he's kind of fun." Madeline declared.
"Fun, fun!" James cheered.
"Come on, it's time to pick out my birthday cake." Amber smiled.

"Amber, mom and dad could be back any minute!" Sofia declared.
"Sofia's right, Amber." Madeline agreed. "We should go see if Mr. Cedric got the spell book back yet."
James tried to grab Sofia's amulet.
"No, no, James." Sofia said. "This isn't a toy."
"But the party's in an hour, and I still need to pick out the cake!" Amber protested.
"Okay." Madeline sighed. "But how will we keep everyone in the kitchen from seeing baby James?"
"I have an idea." Amber smiled.
Amber walked into the kitchen.
"Oh, look at all these lovely cakes." She smiled. "I'm going to need total concentration to choose my favorite. My I have some privacy?"
The kitchen staff bowed and left.
"Girls!" Amber whispered.
"Cake, cake!" James ran in.
"Oh, no, no, no no." Amber stopped him. "Those aren't for you. They're all for me."
"We'll find you something to eat." Sofia picked up James.
"How about some nice peas?" Madeline held up a spoonful. "Don't they look yummy?"
"Uh-uh!" James turned away.
Meanwhile, Amber was tasting some cake.
"Mmmm, coconut." She tried another. "Oh, strawberry!"
"Chocolate!" James pointed. "Chocolate cake!"
"James wants chocolate cake every year." Amber sighed. "But this is my special day, and I choose... strawberry!"
"No!" James ran over. "Chocolate cake, chocolate cake!"
"James!" Sofia cried.
James tried to climb onto the table, and Amber pulled him down. A glob of chocolate fell into his head, and he ate it. Amber laughed.
"That's how James looks every year!" She chuckled. "He gets more cake on his face then in his mouth!"
"So... sharing your birthday with James is fun sometimes?" Madeline asked.
"Well, sometimes..." Amber admitted. "I guess."
James wiped his mouth on Amber's dress.
"James, no!" Amber groaned. "Now I have to change my dress!"
"First, let's change James back to normal." Sofia declared.
"We don't even know if Cedric's found the spell book yet." Amber sighed. "And both of us need to get cleaned up." Amber picked up James. "Come on."
Outside, Cedric was working with his crystal ball.
"Crystal ball, do your job, help me find that pesky dog!" He chanted.
Rex walked past Cedric's back.
"There he is!" Clover pointed out to Robin and Mia.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Rex gasped. "Look at all those holes! Is this a game?"
"Yeah!" Clover nodded. "It's called 'dig up the spell book'! It's my turn, hold on." Clover ducked into the hole, then popped back up. "Unless you wanna take my turn?"
"You bet I do!" Rex leapt forward, then stopped. "Oh, wait a minute, wait, wait! You're supposed to find the buried treasure, not me! Ha-ha! Nice try, buddy-boy, but I'm smarter then I look!"
As Rex walked away, his front paws slipped into a hole.
"Ow!" Rex yelped.
"I sure hope so." Clover smirked.
"Aw, these little games have made me hungry, man." Rex declared. "I'm gonna go to the kitchen and beg for scraps!"
"No, wait!" Clover called, as Rex ran off. "Ohh, we're never gonna find that spell book!"
"I have an idea!" Mia declared.
"You do?" Clover asked.
"...No, it's gone." Mia shrugged.
"Oh, I got it!" Robin smiled. "Let's fetch the dog a bone!"
"How is that gonna help us find the spell book?" Clover asked.
"Because dogs love to bury bones." Robin explained. "And they always bury things in the same place. So, if Rex gets the bone..."
"He'll have to take it to where he buried the spell book!" Clover gasped.
"Exactly." Robin nodded.
"Let's go!" Clover declared.
The animals dashed off.

Meanwhile, in the castle bathroom, Sofia had the baby James on a cart, while Madeline rung out a little towel to clean him up. However, James kept moving.
"Please stay still!" Sofia groaned.
"How's it going, girls?" Amber came in. "Is James cleaned up yet?"
"Almost." Madeline declared. "But he keeps squirming!"
As Amber got closer, James splashed water on her.
"Water, water!" He squealed.
"Hey!" She yelped. "Now I have to change again." James chuckled. "Oh, you think that's funny, huh? Well, two can play that game, little guy!"
Amber splashed James, who splashed Amber right back.
"Whoa!" Sofia held up a towel to protect her and Madeline.
"When James and I were little, we used to have the best water fights." Amber recalled. "Didn't we?"
"Amber, Amber!" James splashed her again.
As Amber and James kept splashing, Sofia and Madeline smiled at each other.
Outside, Rex was looking for something to eat. He found a bone on a step.
"Would you look at that." He licked his lips, grabbed the bone and ran off.
Clover, Robin and Mia popped up from behind the corner.
"Yes." Clover whispered. "He took the bait!"
"Great." Robin smiled. "Now, let's see where he's taking it."
They ran after Rex, finding him digging a hole, inside which was the spell book.
"The spell book!" Mia pointed.
"We did it!" Clover cheered. "Up high!"
Robin and Mia high-fived Clover, who then ran down to the hole.
"I'll be taking that spell book now, thank you." He told Rex, before jumping into the hole.
"Oh, you found the book!" Rex smiled. "Way to go!"
Cedric suddenly showed up.
"I found it!" He laughed. "And I didn't even need my crystal ball." He pushed Clover away. "Move aside woodland creatures."
"You're welcome." Clover grumbled. "Sheesh!"
In Amber's bedroom, Amber put a fully-dressed James on her bed.
"There you go." She smiled.
James crawled over to a small gift-wrapped box.
What that, what that?" He asked.
"Oh, it looks like a present... to me... from you." Amber took the box. "Well, the older you. He must have left it in my room before Cedric turned him into a baby."
"Well, go ahead and open it." Madeline suggested.
"Oh, okay." Amber opened the box and pulled out a locket. "It's a locket."
Amber opened the locket to find a picture inside.
"It's you and James." Sofia noted.
"It's a drawing of us from our birthday last year." Amber smiled. "Madeline, help me put it on."
"Sure." Madeline complied.
"It's beautiful." Amber smiled, admiring it in the mirror. "James knows how much I love lockets."
"I guess having a twin can be a good thing." Sofia smiled.
"A really good thing." Amber agreed.
"I have the spell book!" Cedric announced as he entered the room.
"Great!" Madeline cheered.
"Oh, but we don't have to change him back right away." Cedric declared. "Don't you want your birthday party all to yourself, princess Amber? No brother to share it with? Your birthday dream come true!"
"That would be nice..." Amber said. "But my birthday isn't the same without James. I just want him back, Cedric"
"Oh, as you wish." Cedric groaned, opening his book.
"James?" Amber asked. She looked around; He was nowhere to be seen. "Where did he go?"
"James!" Sofia called.
They heard James giggling out in the hall.
"Oh no!" Madeline gasped.
"We have to find him!" Amber declared.
They all ran out after James.
James!" Sofia called.
"We've looked everywhere!" Amber gasped. "Where is he?"
"Maybe he's in the throne room?" Madeline suggested.
They rushed over.
"James?" Sofia yelled.
"Are you in here?" Amber called.
"Oh, do show yourself!" Cedric cringed.
"He's not in here!" Amber sighed. "What are we going to do? We've searched every room in the castle!"
Suddenly, they heard James laughing.
"Did you hear that?" Amber asked. "He's in here somewhere!"
"Come out, come out, wherever you are!" Cedric called.
"James, are you... behind here?" Madeline pulled back a curtain, revealing a blank wall. "Oh."
"Oh, I should never have asked Cedric to do that spell!" Amber despaired. "I was just being selfish. Ohh!"
"Amber, you know him better then anyone." Sofia declared. "There must be something that'll make him come out."
"Oh, I guess I could sing that silly song James likes so much." Amber sighed. "Oh, I can't believe I'm doing this... alright, here goes:"
I'm your twin You're my twin We stick together through thick and thin No matter what I do I'm always stuck with you
And if trouble comes our way I know my twin will save the day Wherever you may be You're always stuck with me
When you're feeling sad and blue Call my name, and I'll find you We have a bond that's tried and true
You and me Me and you Two by two
What if I never find you? What if I'm twin no more? I'd give all the kingdom's treasures If you came walking through the door
James popped up from behind Amber's throne, and tapped her on the arm.
"Amber, Amber!" He gurgled.
"Baby James!" Amber smiled.
When you're feeling sad and blue Call my name, and I'll find you We have a bond that's tried and true
You and me Me and you Amber/Baby James: Two by two

"I missed you, little guy." Amber hugged James. "Cedric?"
"Right." Cedric readied himself. "Biggicus drearimus, this spell undoity!"
One bolt of magic later, and James was his rightful age again.
"James!" Amber hugged her brother. "I missed you!"
"Why?" James asked. "I didn't go anywhere."
"You don't remember anything... strange happening today?" Amber inquired.
"Well, you just hugged me, but other then that, nope." James shrugged, before noticing the locket. "Hey, you got my present!"
"Oh, uh, yes." Amber nodded. "And I love it. Thank you."
"Brilliant." James smiled.
"I'll give you your gift at the party." Amber declared.
Roland and Miranda entered the room.
"There you are." Miranda noted.
"It's party time!" Roland announced. "Come on!"
"Alright!" James cheered.
As most of them went outside, Amber walked over to Cedric.
"Cedric, I need one more birthday favor." She declared. "Do you have a fix-it spell?"
"Oh, that depends on what you want to fix." Cedric replied.
Before long, the party was in full swing, all the attendants out in the garden. A blindfolded Madeline was playing pin the jewel on the tiara.
"I think it goes... here!" She took off her blindfold to find that she had missed.
"Better luck next time." Amber smiled.
"I do not remember choosing this game." James scratched his head.
"Oh, I have your present." Amber handed James' kazoo to him. "Here"
"You found my old kazoo!" James smiled. "I always loved this thing."
James blew hard on the kazoo, making Amber wince.
"Happy birthday, James." Amber looked over to Cedric, who smiled and waved his wand.
"The time has come to give you your presents." Roland beckoned to a nearby stage, where an object laid, covered up, and the curtain was drawn. "This one is yours, James. And that one is for you, Amber."
"Happy birthday!" Miranda smiled.
James pulled off the cover to reveal a golden bicycle.
"Whoa!" He gasped. "What is it?"
"A new invention." Roland declared. "It's like a unicycle, but with two wheels, hmm? We call it a bicycle."
The guests gasped in wonder.
"And for you, Amber..." Roland smiled.
Amber pulled back the curtain to reveal a unicorn.
"A unicorn!" She gasped. "I've always wanted a unicorn!" She patted and hugged the unicorn's head. "I'm going to call you Lyra. Oh, thank you, daddy! Thank you, mother!"
"Yeah, thanks a bunch!" James said, admiring his bicycle.
"Well, looks like it's been a pretty good birthday after all." Sofia noted.
"Good?" Amber asked. "Hello? Unicorn! It's the best birthday!"
"Amber, can I take a ride on your unicorn?" James asked. "You can try my bicycle."
"Okay, but only for a few minutes." Amber agreed.
Sofia and Madeline followed as Amber mounted the bicycle.
"It was nice of you to share, Amber." Madeline noted.
"I know." Amber agreed.
"Hey Amber, I'm coming to get ya!" James called.
"You'll have to catch me, first!" Amber smiled.
Lyra galloped after the pedalling Amber.
"Coming through, Baileywick!" Amber dashed past.
"Aah!" Baileywick yelped. "Amber, James, be careful!"
"Amber, be careful on that bicycle!" Roland called.
"Oh, those twins..." Baileywick sighed.
"I know." Sofia smiled.
"Isn't it great?" Madeline chuckled.
Amber and James raced across the garden, laughing merrily.