Thanks to Electrum who helped me during my panic attacks and the uploading process.

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.

Chapter Three : Peter Always Knows

"Peter, you've been pacing in front of that window for the past hour. What's wrong?"

"Sorry, Dad, I didn't see you there. I'm looking for the children actually."

"You sent them to the soda shop." When had he started referring to them as children?

"Yes, but surely it doesn't take this long to drink a soda. Besides," he glanced up at the sky, "I wasn't aware of the overcast. It's getting uglier out there."

Suddenly there was laughter that neared the house, causing Henry to smile as he turned to Peter. "See, nothing to worry about, son, they're here. That Lucy has a giggle that insists on escaping."

"No, it isn't them," said Peter as he unconsciously resumed his pacing.

Henry looked out the window only to see the neighbor's children walking past their house. One was giggling. Astonished he looked at Peter, who never once needed to look outside to confirm that indeed the laughter did not belong to his youngest sister. What did make Peter stop in his tracks was the distant sound of thunder.

His face went pale.

"Susan," he breathed, knowing how much she feared the sound. "Can I borrow the keys to the automobile? Thanks, dad, I'll be back soon," Peter's words spilled out in one breath and he rushed out the room, not waiting for confirmation.

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Comforted, dried and fed, the children sat in the living room talking to their parents as the rain continued to pour outside. Henry watched, fascinated by his youngest son's tactics at a game of chess against Peter, as Edmund made a move that he himself had never seen before that won him the game. "Well done, Ed," he called as his older son congratulated his brother by ruffling his hair.

"I've seen that move before, I should have expected it. Well played, Eddy," said Peter, pride radiating off of him, causing Edmund to blush a bit.

Smiling, Lucy leaned over Edmund's shoulder to study the board as she congratulated him. "You were always good at this game, Ed. Although this set is nothing like your golden-oh!" Lucy gasped, and stopped suddenly- blushing beyond words.

Edmund smirked warmly at her, casting an amused glance at Susan.

"Bed time you three," Peter said smiling, as he started collecting the pieces to put them away.

"Aww, Peter!" began the chorus of protests.

Henry noticed Peter didn't say a word, not one syllable. But merely gave them a look (one that sorely puzzled him, but which his children, apparently, could interpret) and they ceased their complaints immediately. Susan crossed her arms in defiance but eventually sighed and gave in. "I'll be up in a minute," he replied lovingly as he watched his siblings slowly ascend the stairs after they kissed their parents good-night. With narrowed eyes, Edmund made eye contact with Peter until he couldn't see him anymore. He was not the least bit tired. Lucy gave a last ditch effort, knowing it would not work on Peter at bedtime, but tried just the same of looking over her shoulder with the sweetest, heart-melting pout. Peter simply quirked an eyebrow with a tilt of his head that spoke volumes that quickly encouraged her to join her siblings.

Helen watched her husband as he began to understand his new role in their children's lives. She once told him through a letter that she felt more like a glorified aunt than a mother since the children had come back from the country. No doubt her husband was feeling like an uncle. She knew, because of her own past experience, that it was inevitable that he would confront Peter, and judging from the look on his face she felt that time has come.

The day after he came home Henry tried to understand as Helen attempted to minimize the shock she said he would no doubt experience concerning their offspring. She was right, and her attempt to shield him from the hurt and pain failed. He sometimes caught Helen longing for Lucy when she ran to Peter with exciting news first, or to see him reach her first when she's had a physical or emotional problem. Although Helen tried to hide it, Henry saw the intense pain in her eyes as she watched Lucy in Peter's lap, resting her head against his chest melancholy. He whispered words of endearment as he helped her clutch the hot water bottle-she had started her cycle for the first time. Unbeknownst to Helen or Henry it was for the second time as Lucy's life as a child began again.

Killing was a nasty but necessary piece of business in Narnia. Helen and Henry would faint to know that even their little girl, the Valiant Queen, hands were blood stained. Her first kill was at age nine, and it was Peter who placed her in his lap and comforted her aching heart. That was her spot after every battle, whether on the battlefield or not- even into her twenties.

Henry questioned his silence, he had to say something, anything to challenge Peter's authority over his siblings', -his children's -lives. "Peter?" he remarked, as he watched his eldest put the game away. "It's summer and it's obvious your brother and sisters do not wish to go to bed this early."

"If we're to get an early start for the beach, Dad, then Edmund needs every ounce of sleep he can get or he'll wake up grumpier and meaner than he usually is. Believe me when I say it will upset the rest of his day, including ours," he replied with a fond grin. With an exaggerated whisper he said, "Lucy will not go to sleep right away, this way she has an early start to ask for a glass of water, because she knows she's not allowed out of bed once she's in. She's so full of energy, it's a nightmare getting her back in and under the sheets." He gave a tender smile and said, "She and Susan will whisper and giggle for a half hour more before Lu falls asleep, at which point Su will read for another thirty minutes by Ed's, without his knowledge, confiscated torch. Which reminds me, I need to replace the batteries; they'll be of no use soon." Peter removed a small pad from his pocket and added to the list of things to do concerning his siblings--something he has done for the past twenty years. "I'll go make Ed some warm milk to help him relax. No doubt winning that match made him too excitable for sleep," he smiled as he turned towards the kitchen, leaving his father confused, hurt and speechless.

"Henry, dear," Helen murmured as she sat beside him. He continued to stare as he watched Peter's retreating back in disbelief. "I know it comes as quite a shock, but give it time. It's quite bittersweet, actually," a sad smile flitted across her lips, "but I've learned to get use to the reality of the situation. Peter is basically a grown man and…I hate to admit it…but to a degree, their parent. The love he has for them is intense; it's almost physical. You can practically touch it. He protects them, and they are his constant, keeping him grounded somehow. Their love for each other radiates so much . . . but, you must be careful, Henry. Because if you get too close," unshed tears shone in her eyes, "you'll get burned."

A few minutes later they watched their eldest exit the kitchen with a mug of warm milk and a glass of water. He paused at the bottom of the stairs with a tender smile and bid them good-night.

"Petaaaaa, I'm thirsty. Could you please bring me a glass of water?"

He winked at his parents before climbing the stairs. "Coming, Lu," he called with a fond smile and a shake of his head.

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