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One Last Time

They were both in bed for the night. Sofia, dressed in a lavender nightgown, was leaning against her pillow reading a book. Or rather, she was trying to read a book. She was unable to concentrate on the words as her attention kept drifting to the other side of the bed. Watching... listening... for a sign of any kind of change.

On his side of the bed, Cedric, in his gray pajamas, was propped up with an extra pillow and covered with an extra blanket. He was half awake as he stared up at the ceiling.

For over a week now, the Royal Sorcerer of Enchancia had been very ill. What had started out as a cold had turned into a fever, rendering him weak. The royal doctor had provided some medicine, but that medicine hadn't done anything except give Cedric a bad taste in his mouth. A couple of days ago Cordelia had come for a visit. When she saw how sick her brother was, the sorceress had gone up to his workshop and spent the rest of the day brewing a potion for him. The potion had helped. But even though the fever had gone down considerably, Cedric was still too weak to get out of bed without help. And every night he had the same fear. A fear that he might not make it through the night.

"Sofia?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

She looked over at him, a worried expression crossing her face. "Yes, Cedric?"

"Will you... will you hold me one last time?"

A gentle smile crossed her lips. "Of course." She marked her place in the book and set it aside on the nightstand. Then she moved closer to him, placing one hand on his forehead. She sighed in relief. The fever was almost gone. He would be well again in a few days. She brushed his gray bangs into place and helped him sit up slightly so he could lean on her.

Cedric sighed contentedly laying his head on her shoulder as she wrapped one arm around him. He held her free hand in both of his, gently moving a thumb across her palm.

"I love you, Cedric," she whispered, laying her head on top of his.

He smiled as a tear rolled down his cheek. Oh, those words... Those beautiful words... She had said them so many times before and after marrying him. She had said them constantly over the past week while he had been sick. It was this comfort of her holding him close and hearing her say those words that he sought every night.

"I love you too, Sofia," he murmured as he drifted off to sleep.

A/N: Thanks for reading my first story. I know it's short, but I hope you liked it.