Sorry for delay in sending out next chapter. Life got busy! This one is a bit short but next one should be really fun!

Chapter 4 –

A loud crash jolted Sofia awake, she sat up grabbing her wand before silently crawling out of bed and tiptoeing to her bedroom door. She slowly opened it to peer out as her heart beats furiously within her chest. Struggling to see in the darkness Sofia squints, as she hears some scuffling and mild cursing. Finally she can make out a tall thin figure bouncing up and down on one foot. What in the world? She thought to herself before using her wand to fill the room with a warm light.

"Cedric?" She asks quietly. The sight before her causing her hand to quickly cover her mouth to avoid giggling at the poor man. He was holding one foot grimacing in pain and staring straight at her.

"What? I stubbed my toe!" Cedric yelped dropping his foot and trying to stand up straight. "I needed a drink of water and ran into the coffee table in the dark. I'm not used to these surroundings. I'm sorry if I woke you, Princess Sofia."

Sofia could hear a hint of sadness in his voice and reminded him, "You don't need to refer to me as Princess, just Sofia." Neither spoke as both could feel the tension in the room while Cedric stared hard and cold into Sofia's eyes. Finally, Cedric dropped his gaze and muttered, "Very well." Before exiting the room to go into the kitchen for a drink of water.

With a gentle sigh Sofia turned, returning to her bedroom. Once inside her room she quietly shut the door behind herself, leaning her head against the cold wood. Closing her eyes softly she whispered, "I'm so sorry Cedric…" As she slipped to the floor and quietly cried for the man in the other room.

As he passed Sofia's room Cedric stopped outside, hearing a strange noise on the other side of the door. He thought he heard her whisper and something soft cascade against the grain of the door before the sounds of muffled cries could be heard. Cedric took a timid step towards her door, reaching out with his hand before quickly pulling it back and retreating to his own room.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

Cedric lay in bed as the sun began to rise and fill his room with a soft glow. Suddenly the smell of something delicious made him sit up in bed. Was Sofia cooking breakfast? He thought to himself excitedly as he got changed out of his pajamas. It had been forever since he'd had a real breakfast. He cracked his door open and peered out towards the living room and kitchen. He couldn't see her but he could hear Sofia humming to herself and Cedric could definitely smell something magnificent in the making. Catching himself before going out there with a smile on his face he quickly covered it with a cold emotionless mask and entered the kitchen.

"Oh you're up, good. I'm making bacon, eggs and waffles. Also we have coffee or tea. Sit down and I will bring you some food." She urged him with a giant warm smile.

"I can serve myself, I'm not an invalid." He retorted, noticing Sofia slightly wince at his words.

"Of course you're not, I was just… just trying to be… nice. I guess… I'm sorry." She replied looking away as she continued cooking and Cedric began to dish up his own plate piling it high with lots of bacon. Sitting down with all this food he realized he felt a bit of remorse for snapping at Sofia for no reason. With an awkward cough he cleared his throat and said, "Um, thank you… Sofia. For the food." He looked up to see her force a small smile and nod towards him before turning back to add food to her own plate and join him at the table.

"Oh I forgot my coffee." She rose from the table and hurried to the counter grabbing her mug. "Would you like any?" She asked, turning to look at him.

"Uh, yes, please." He stated watching her fill their mugs and return to the table handing him his coffee. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. Dig in." She said as she began to eat. He brought the first forkful to his mouth and his senses kicked into over drive. The smell and taste were so amazing to him after eating such blank garbage for the past decade he couldn't help a small moan of satisfaction as he took a bite, his eyes closing in pleasure.

"So, Cedric… I have a surprise for you today. I think you'll really like it. Actually, I have two surprises for you." Sofia said with a giant grin on her face. Curiously, Cedric studied her face wondering what she could possibly have in store for him that he would like.

"Okay." He said with a shrug and went back to enjoying his breakfast in silence highly doubting she would have anything in store he would enjoy.

After breakfast Sofia went about the house tidying up and mostly ignored Cedric although he could feel her eyes on him all morning. Finally, unable to stand it any longer he broke the tense silence. "What? Why do you keep staring at me? Am I that strange?"

Shocked, Sofia scrambled for a response, "Of course not! You just look the same, yet different at the same time. I've… Well, I've missed you. I can't believe you're here. Finally. In my home with me. It feels unreal. I'm sorry for staring. I'll stop." Feeling a bit embarrassed at being caught Sofia turned away and walked out onto the front porch. Moment later she heard the door swing open and Cedric stepped out taking a deep breath of the fresh clean air before sitting in a rocking chair overlooking the landscape.

"So what surprises do you have in store for me?" He asked nervously.

Slowly, a smile began to appear across Sofia's face as she turned towards him. She stood and reached her hand out towards him, "Come with me…" She said. Cedric's eyes bulged out and stared on her outstretched hand and she coughed nervously.

"I will follow you but I will not hold your hand, Sofia." He said bluntly. Sofia took her hand back and nodded, understandingly. It would take time for him to accept her again.

"Very well, this way…" She said leading him back inside the house.