So, real life happened and I didn't have time to write. Then I realized how much I miss it and decided that it is high time I finished "Goodbye". Here is chapter one, edited again, and the rest will follow soon. I hope.

Part One: Mrs. Pevensie

My little girl is off to school for the first time today. I can remember so clearly the day we brought her home, so small and sweet. Now there she is, ready to face the world without her mum.

"Do you have your lunch?" I have asked before, but I ask again, at least once more.

"Yes mum." She is only six, yet she is already organized. I am quite sure Peter had something to do with that.

"Peter?" I have to be certain that my eldest knows where to take her.

"Don't worry mum, she'll be fine." I open my mouth to remind him when he cuts me off and states: "I will take her to the room with the other first years. I will make sure Mrs. Lowe knows she is there." I notice him bend over and am about to ask what he is doing when I realize he is handing Edmund his lunch. I knew I forgot something. "And I will ask what time I need to pick her up." Peter finishes then walks over and placed his hand on Susan's shoulder, where I was currently straightening her scarf. "We'll be fine." When did that boy grow up so much? I wonder absently to myself.

"You should go now; you don't want to be late on your first day of school."

I hear a chorus of "bye mum's!" as Peter and Edmund rush for the door.
"Not so fast you two!" I open my arms and they both run back for a goodbye hug before Peter grabs Lucy's hand and once again heading for the door. Lucy protests though, wanting a hug of her own. I could do nothing more than smile, hold back my tears, and then wave goodbye.

"Goodbye Peter." I wave at them. "Make sure the girls are bundled up for the walk home!" His only response is a wave. "Goodbye, Susan, Lucy, I'll see you this evening." Both girls wave back to me.

"Goodbye, Edmund. Don't forget to bring your lunch pail home!"

"Goodbye, Mum!" They call again.

"Goodbye children." A lone tear slips down my face. "Goodbye."

"Are you certain you have everything?" The only response I receive is a deep sigh.

"Do you have your ticket?" The ticket is dutifully displayed.

"Is your suitcase labeled?" I get a nod this time.

"Do you have your lunch?" A brown bag is fished out of a pocket.

"Mum!" Peter's voice breaks into my buzzing mind. "Mum, calm down, I have everything that I need."

"Are you certain?" I cannot stop myself from asking once more.

"Mum, we have been over it at least seven times."

"Oh." I know I am over reacting, but this is the first time he has ever been away to school and I do not want him to forget anything. I just pray he will be okay. That he will make friends quickly, and be happy.

How can the clock move that fast? Just a moment ago it was 9:15, now it is almost 9:45. That means it is time for him to get on the train.

"Are you certain you have everything?" The only response I receive is a deep sigh. "Do you have your ticket?"

"Mum!" Peter's voice is taking on an irritated quality.

"Yes, Peter?" I ask soothingly.

"Please stop asking me." He instantly looks sorry for snapping at me. "I mean, I already have everything you asked about."

"I know you do Peter, I just want you to be prepared." Peter smiles and leans in for a farewell hug.

"Now Peter, are you certain you—"

"Mum, I have my ticket, my suitcase is labeled, I have my lunch, and it is time for me to get on the train."

I only have time for a kiss on the forehead, one last hug and a quick goodbye. Then he is gone. My first baby is actually leaving. I know he will be back for Christmas, but that seems so far away now that he is gone. I do nothing but stand and wave.

His head appears out a window. "Goodbye mum!" He calls. "Goodbye!"

"Goodbye, Peter!" Be safe,I pray, please be safe. "Goodbye."

I don't know what is worse, the look in his eye or the expression on his face. Edmund has never looked this angry before in his life. Yet, somehow, here he is, with a cruel gleam in his eye and a scowl on his face. I pull him closer to me, but he only pushes away.

"Hello, Ed!" Lucy's voice echoes down the stairs, moments before she flies into the room, a brilliant smile on her face.

"Hello, Lucy." It is not much of a greeting, sneer more than smile, yet it does nothing to dampen Lucy's ever-high spirits.

"Are you leaving so soon?" Lucy begins to pout and I am proud of her ability to look past Edmund's recent behavior.

"Why would I want to stay around here?" Edmund's cruelty brings tears to my eyes.

"Edmund, please." I force my voice to remain calm. "Gather your things. It's time to go to the station." He turns with a grunt and heads for the door. I am running out of ways to get through to him. The tension has only just begun to lighten after Peter left. They did nothing but fight over the Christmas holidays. I try to pull him close for a hug, but he pulls away before we make contact.

"Goodbye, Edmund."

"Bye mum." It is not much, but it is something. I walk them both to the door to the door. I have a quick hug for Richard and another attempt at one for Edmund. They both climb in and close the doors. I hold up my hand in a final wave, but it goes unanswered.

"Goodbye, Edmund." I whisper softly at the retreating car. "Goodbye."

"Can I come?" Lucy's voice breaks through my busy thoughts. She has asked me this question several times, and I am quite certain she has also asked Richard, though I do not think she does as often.

"I'm sorry, Lucy," I pause, trying to think of a better way to put it than her parents need a rest. "There are not enough beds in the hotel room. The conference would only pay for a certain size." We are attending a business conference, and my Richard's work would only pay for the two of us to attend.

"I don't take up much room." Her lower lip is beginning to quiver. "Please don't leave me here alone with Edmund." That last plea hit a chord. I actually am worried about Edmund's behavior while we are gone.

"Susan will look after you." It is odd having the majority of our children home again. For a year and a half it had only been Susan and Lucy. But after Edmund's recent behavior my husband had decided to change his school. Since he had been pulled in the middle of the year we decided to let him stay home until he could attend the same school as Peter next year. That was going to be interesting. Whenever Peter came home the two did nothing but fight.

"Mummy, please?" Lucy rarely resorted to begging anymore and I know that she is really upset about this. "Please take me with you?"

"Lucy, you are going to have to be a big girl." I could see her expression drop at this.

"But mummy, Ed is being so horrible!" She is starting to look desperate.

"I know darling, but Susan will look after you." She simply nods and drags her feet all the way to the door.

The rest of the day rushes by; I have so much to get done and so little time to do it. I remind Susan to look after the younger ones and call us if anything goes wrong. Though I think I may have said something already. Then I realize that we have to be at the station and almost have a panic attack before I realize my wonderful husband already packed the car.

"Goodbye, Susan! Goodbye, Edmund! Goodbye, Lucy!"

My hurried cries are echoed by my husband, and we hear a chorus of "bye mum, bye dad!" The car turns the corner and they are out of sight. "They're going to be fine." Richard promises, taking my hand.

"Goodbye, Children." I cannot help but whisper one last time. "Goodbye."

Enjoy and please review!

Jackie