Dear Daddy

I would like to thank Sentimental Star who beta'd this story. She has been a sweetheart to look at it for me during a very busy time in her life. Smooches Sentimental. I would also like to say that all mistakes are my own. Fluffy, fluff, fluff

NO SLASH WHAT SO EVER only family tenderness

Disclaimer: I was poor yesterday, today and probably will be tomorrow. So please don't sue because the works of C.S. Lewis belongs to him and any affiliate that makes that claim.

Because Peter Said So

Chapter Two : Dear Daddy

Henry Pevensie was blessed to live long enough to come home after the war was over. Many of his friends and neighbors didn't make it, therefore he was particularly honored each morning by their sacrifices as he was able to look on his family's loving faces. It's been four weeks since his arrival and he was still trying to find his niche.

Over the years Helen wrote to him letters of her love with a hint of her favorite perfume, home life and how much the children were growing. What he tried to comprehend but couldn't was how much his children had change. Helen addressed it as a forewarning to mentally prepare himself, but it was evident after he came home that he didn't know to what extent.

He stood on the porch behind Lucy watching her with a small sad smile. He heard Peter yelling a few minutes before which came as a surprise. They all have a deep respect for each other where Peter's latest actions completely shocked him. It was never necessary to talk to any of them in such a manner. He's never seen siblings as close as they were, not without going through something horrific. And he knew for a fact they had been spared that. Their immense bond was a bit disconcerting only because he didn't understand it.

Before he left for the war Lucy would run to him to kiss her 'boo boos, chase the monsters out from under her bed or just be content to just sit in his lap. It wasn't his lap she sought anymore; the unoccupied space was as cold as the day he left. She sought Peter, not him for safety, if not Peter then Edmund who's just as protective of her.

Sitting on the top step with her chin in her hand Lucy felt a presence behind her. "Oh, hello, Daddy," she greeted him with a smile that gave an illusion that he, not Peter, was her hero. He desperately clung to that hope, wanting more than anything to have his little girl back. With time Henry hoped that his constant presence would reintroduce their parental bond, because somehow it was severed and replaced.

"What are you doing out here, Sweetheart?"

"Waiting for Edmund. We're going to the soda shop."

"Soda, huh? That's quite a walk you know, and it looks cloudy. Why would you want to walk all that way now?"

"Because Peter said so," she said smiling.

Henry watched her a moment longer and realized Peter's word was never challenged. Sometimes by Edmund, perhaps, but even then, it was always respectfully obeyed. When had that happen? He tweaked Lucy's cheek, drawing a giggle out of her, before he went back into the house.

He literally bumped into Edmund in the hall, who was jumping on one foot trying to put on his one missing shoe. "Whoa there, son."

"Sorry, Dad, I'm on my way to take Lu to the soda shop."

"What's your hurry?" he called as Edmund ran down the stairs.

"Peter said so!" he called back, dashing out the door, but not before nervously casting a glance at Peter in the study.

Henry Pevensie stood with his hands in his pockets as he continued to stare at the screen door. He stood there, contemplating what actions he could take, if he dared tried, to win his own children back, even Peter. Never had it crossed his mind that Peter would take him literally at his word to take care of his siblings while he was away- not to this extent. Peter always saw his role as the big brother as a badge of honor, and wore it well as a small child. But Henry never thought he would be replaced by said child, now almost a man.

Susan's face was freshly scrubbed as she stepped out of the bathroom, and judging from the redness it was done out of much anger. Henry remembered seeing her earlier wearing the new make-up she purchased while shopping with her mother. "Su?" she looked at him with sad angry eyes, "What happened, dear? Why did you wash off all your lovely make-up?"

"Because Peter said so."

Henry's jaw clenched. He would claim his fatherly right in at least one of his children lives that afternoon. "It's alright, Sweetheart, it's normal for a girl your age to want to apply make-up and attend parties looking even more beautiful than the next girl," he encouraged. "Go ahead, reapply the lipstick and rouge you've worked and saved up for."

Henry's smile mirrored Susan's as her eyes lit up. Then, her smile faded as she looked at the coin in her hand. "No, no I better not."

Crushed, Henry asked, "Why not?"

"Because Peter said so, Dad," she replied with a sad smile, as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. "I must be off to the soda shop; he wants me to keep an eye on Ed and Lu."

Henry saw her hurry down the stairs- in a lady like manner of course- and watched as she poked her head into the study. Next, he heard Peter say, "There's my girl," and she was out the door, clutching her coin.