A/N: Hey everyone! Dearheart here! Just wanted to let you know that Princess Lucy was the one who originally came up with this brilliant idea, and now she and I are officially co-authoring this story. The prologue and this chapter were both written by me, and now we've decided that I'll tackle the odd chapters while she takes on the even ones. We both hope you enjoy this story, and we'll do our best to make sure you do! :-)
PS: Reviews are helpful and much appreciated! Feel free to give us any and all advice/constructive criticisms you may have!
Chapter 1: Almost Content
"Peter…Peter…come on, wake up…"
He felt someone's elbow prod him, dragging him out of the haze of a catnap.
"Wake up, sleepyhead! We're almost at the train station."
"All right, all right," he mumbled, yawning and blinking in mild annoyance as the sunlight hit his eyes."You could have found a more polite way to wake me up than a jab in the ribs, Ed…"
"Oh come off it, Peter," said Edmund, rolling his eyes. "I barely nudged you. And anyway," he added with a grin, "as your younger brother it's my job to find ways to irritate you."
"So I've noticed," replied Peter, dryly.He yawned again and shifted in his seat to a more upright position so he could get a better view out the window. Both he and Edmund were eager to see their family again and enjoy the summer holidays; it had been a rough school term. Part of him was slightly reluctant to go home, however.The bombs had come upon London with little warning, and wondering if you even have a home to go back to anymore isn't the most comfortable feeling.
Whoo-whoooo!
"Peter, we're here! And look; there's Mum and the girls!"
The anxiety instantly vanished as he and his brother stuck their arms out the window and waved to them with all their might. The train hissed and screeched to a halt and the passengers all streamed out of the carriage. Without wasting a second, Peter and Edmund snatched their luggage and rushed out, threading their way through the crowds and towards the girls.
Lucy's face lit up as she caught sight of them and tugged on her sister's sleeve. "There they are, Susan! Mum, look!"
Peter grinned and ran forward with Edmund close on his heels, and somehow managed to catch them all in a big group hug.Susan and Mum laughed and hugged back, until a muffled voice said,
"Mmph…Peter, you're squishing me…"
"Sorry, Lu," Peter chuckled, pulling away and giving his little sister an extra squeeze."I forgot you're…smaller."A strange look flashed across his face as the word "smaller" passed his lips, but only for a split second.It was long enough for Edmund to catch, nonetheless, and he gave his brother's arm a subtle, understanding grasp.
The moment was fleeting and before the girls could notice anything, Mum had hugged her boys again and pecked them both on the cheek, beaming proudly.
"Oh it is good to see you all together again," she said. "Now come on, the car's waiting to take you home. I'll help you carry your things…" Talking and laughing, the five of them left the train station and crowded into their old, dusty automobile. And as Peter leaned back in his seat, taking in the familiar, musty smell of the car and enjoying the comforting presence and cheerful smiles of his family – for the first time in a long time – he felt almost content.
--
The car bumped and coughed tiredly as Mum pulled it up to the house and put on the brakes; and they all tumbled out, eager to see their bedrooms again. Peter and Edmund grabbed their suitcases and dashed up the walkway before their doting mother could protest.
"Don't let Fluffers out!" called Lucy.
"Don't worry, we won't let your darling little cat escape," Edmund teased. A year ago he would have said this with spite and heavy sarcasm; but as his mother noticed, all traces of that had now vanished, leaving only a good, healthy sense of humor behind.
Lucy feigned an indignant look and stuck out her tongue. Everyone else simply chuckled at the playful banter between the two. Peter pushed the door open and sure enough, a bundle of fluffy calico fur emerged from the shadows and rubbed against his legs; purring loudly and staring up at him with expectant green eyes. Peter stared back, and couldn't help wishing it would talk to him...
"Hello, Fluffers!" cooed Lucy, darting inside and scooping up her cat in tender arms. "Oh yes, we missed Peter and Ed and Susan, didn't we? Yes we did..."
"Come on, Lu," laughed Susan, standing in the doorway. "Your affection for the cat is holding up traffic."
"Sorry Susan," she giggled, shifting out of their way.
The four of them shed their coats and took their luggage to their rooms; and after everyone had unpacked and settled in, Mum called them all into the kitchen for what they all playfully referred to as "Mummy's Yearly Inspection". As she always did when they returned from graduation, she arranged all four of them in a line and stood back with shining eyes, as though she were admiring a great work of art.
She began with her youngest.
"Lucy," she sighed happily, "you still remind me so much of sunshine; warm, cheerful and bold. The courage and kindness inside you is so visible on the outside, so wonderful to see." Mum tapped her nose affectionately, and Lucy beamed.
"And Susan…" She reached out and lovingly swept a strand of her daughter's raven-black hair out of her face. "How you've grown! Your heart is full of compassion. You are blossoming into such a lovely young lady; so full of grace, beauty, gentleness…"At this, Susan bit her lip and had to blink several times. Mum leaned forward and kissed her forehead, then turned her attention to her two boys.
"Peter," she murmured, gazing at him with distant eyes. "You'll be fifteen soon. It's hard to believe you were a tiny infant, once upon a time." She reached out and gently touched his cheek. "You've grown not only in stature, but in leadership and confidence. I see no more uncertainty in you. You are turning into such a strong, handsome young man…and I'm so proud of how well you've looked after the others."Peter reached up and squeezed her hand with his own, his eyes reflecting the love he saw in his mother's.
"And Edmund…" She put her hands on his shoulders and looked at him…and was surprised to find that instead of staring at the ground, his quiet brown eyes met hers in a steady gaze that was unfaltering. Unashamed. Unafraid. She gave him a proud smile and said,
"Edmund, I can already see how much you've grown in character. You've become such a good brother to Lucy…and to your other siblings as well. It cheers my heart to see that you can look me in the eye again without fear or unkindness. You are a smart, strong lad and you've matured so much…and I have no doubt that you are growing into an honest and wise young man." Her grip on his shoulders became firmer. "I have faith in you."
Edmund exhaled quietly, closed his eyes for a brief moment, and smiled.
Their mother took a deep breath and stood back again to look at them all, and her smile was full of immense wonder and pride. "All four of you have grown and matured so, so much…and in only one year!" Her voice became soft and thoughtful. "You've all changed in a big way. There's something new and different about you now that I can't quite place my finger on."
The four of them shared a smile, and Peter chuckled as he summed up their thoughts:
"You have no idea, Mum."
--
That night, after teeth were brushed and pajamas put on, they all gathered in Peter's room and sat on his bed, and had a good, long talk.
"It was so strange…and frustrating!" Lucy exclaimed. "I used to know how to spell; I really did! It was so simple in Narnia, and then…I had to learn it all over again. I was a Queen! I was grown up and I knew things. And now I'm an ordinary schoolgirl again, who can't remember what nine-times-eight is."
"It was the same for me, Lu," said Susan. "Learning algebra a second time isn't much fun. I thought it'd be like riding a bicycle; you know, one of those things you can't forget once you learn it…but when we came back…"
"…it all faded away," Edmund finished glumly.
Peter frowned. "It's like the knowledge is in there somewhere; you can feel it, like words on the tip of your tongue. But every time you try and reach for it, it slips away."
"Exactly."
"One of the hardest things for me was geography," said Lucy quietly. "Looking at all those maps and things…I kept expecting to see…"
"Other places?"Peter smiled sadly and pulled her into a tight hug. "Me too, Lucy."
"I miss it." Her voice trembled slightly. "I miss them. I miss Him. It feels as though I left half of myself behind in Narnia and…it hurts, Peter."
"I know," he answered, his own voice thick and unsteady.
"Don't let's think about that now," said Susan suddenly, defying her tears and putting on a brave smile. "We mustn't grieve too much. It isn't as if we have nothing to live for here in our own world. And anyway, we shouldn't give up hope." She reached out and squeezed her sister's hand reassuringly. "There's still a chance we can get back to Narnia someday; we just need to be patient. Remember what the Professor said." She cast a firm glance at her siblings, daring them to accept the truth and yet keep hoping.
"'It'll probably happen when you're not looking for it,'" quoted Edmund softly, a far-away look in his eyes as he remembered the wise man's words. "'Keep your eyes open.'"
They all smiled fondly as they remembered their stay with the old Professor, and a tiny spark of hope rekindled in their hearts.
"He really was an old dear, wasn't he?" said Lucy. "He was so kind. And it was so wonderful to know someone who knew; who really understood."
"Yes," agreed Edmund. "And it was amazing to hear how he knew about Narnia. To think he was there, when Aslan first created that world…I'd give anything to see what he saw."
"Oh me too!" exclaimed Lucy. "Riding the first winged horse…"
"Watching the first sunrise…" said Susan.
"Being there when all the animals learned to talk…" said Peter.
And so their reminiscing continued into the late hours of the night, until one by one their eyes closed and they all fell asleep on the bed; each taking silent comfort in the presence of the others.