I apologize for any errors, especially the bolding stuff. I'm Copy-N-Pasting and it always turns out screwy. The song that Marcia sang and that is on the radio is called "Buttons and Bows."
Disclaimer: Still own nothing.
That night, Susan tried to do what Marcia and Edmund had told her. She tried not to purposefully dream about the field, or her family, but she wasn't as successful as she wished. It was so perfect there, wherever there was, so perfect and so soothing. And she was only dreaming long enough to free herself of restraint before it was taken away. It was like someone ripping away a blanket after you'd just warmed up.
Susan went through the day a bit grumpy, but no one really paid much attention. She hadn't quite been the same since she'd gotten the call that day. Coworkers could recall her answering the phone mid-laugh, her face falling as she listened. She'd gone back to work after hanging up until it was lunch break, and then she'd told them she was leaving on account of family matters.
After work, she went home tired and hungry. Susan found nothing appealing in her cabinets, and she mentally made a note to go to the store the next day. Reheating a bowl of leftover soup, she listened to the radio as she ate, turning it up when a familiar song came on.
Gimme eastern trimmin' where women are women
In high silk hose and peek-a-boo clothes
And French perfume that rocks the room
And I'm all yours in buttons and bows.
She couldn't help but think that Marcia sang it better.
It was actually early when she fell asleep on the couch, an open book in her lap and the radio playing in the background.
OOO
It was a happy feeling that came over her when she came to in her dream.
Susan saw the same picturesque meadow, with its swaying grass and bright, yet not hot, sun. This time there were poppies, large red ones, dotting the field. At the edge was the woods, which she had yet to venture into. They were dark, ominous, yet somehow...enticing. It was as if they were wanting her to come. But Marcia's words stayed with her, and she pushed the urge away.
Susan was content to sit and wait. It wasn't long until she saw a slim figure running towards her. At first, she thought it was Marcia, and she almost called out, but upon further examination, she realized that the figure didn't have enough curly hair, and that it was too light to be Marcia's dark red.
And then came the laugh. The sweet, beautiful laugh that she had known practically all her life.
Lucy came to her, giggling all the while with her wonderfully bright smile. Susan wasn't even able to make it off the ground, instead lay at her feet, she was sobbing so hard for her lost sister.
Lucy sank down next to her. "Oh, Susan," she laughed, letting her own tears out. Susan said not a word. She shook her head and kept crying. Lucy tilted the older girl's head up to her, kissing her forehead. "Don't cry, sister," she shushed.
Finally Susan was able to recompose herself. Glad she had removed her makeup before reading, she dried her eyes and wiped her nose with the back of her hand; when she did that, Lucy started to giggle again, and Susan had to join her.
"I've missed your laugh, Lucy," Susan admitted. Lucy just shook her long, golden hair.
"I've missed you too. Tell me, how have your…experiences been going?"
"Oh, Lu, they don't make a lick of sense. Marcia's telling me not to speak, and Edmund's saying not to eat things. I don't understand."
Lucy laughed, "That's because it's just now my turn."
"I'm sure it'll be much clearer." Susan rolled her eyes.
With that, Lucy stood and pulled Susan along with her. She twirled wildly, enticing her older sister to join in. Her long blond ringlets moved freely, sometimes obscuring her face, other times flowing out behind her. Her laughter was music after the months Susan had spend alone.
And Susan did join her. She put her arms out and twirled with Lucy. They cartwheeled, flipped, stood on their hands. Lucy's blue skirts fell down around her head, but she landed with a thud on her back, giggling her silly head off. Susan plopped down next to her.
Absentmindedly, Lucy's fingers reached for a few of the poppies, which she then began to braid together. She looked at Susan expectantly, and Susan followed her actions, weaving the flowers together in a crown like they had done as children. That time seemed so long ago, much too long, Susan realized. Lucy placed it on her head when she was done.
"Let's play hide-and-seek," Lucy declared. Again she pulled Susan up, but this time, they headed for the woods.
Susan stopped her before she crossed the invisible, imaginary fence separating the field from the woods. "Marcia said I wasn't supposed to go in there."
"No," Lucy disagreed, shaking her head. "Marcia said you shouldn't go in there by yourself. You can't do it alone, Susan."
"Can't do what alone?"
"Anything," Lucy shrugged. "But you have me, so let's go. There's nowhere to hide here. I'll count first."
Lucy pressed her eyes into her arm, resting against a tree. Without giving it a second thought, Susan took off through the woods. She found a tree with a low branch and hoisted herself up into its arms.
It was soon when Lucy found her. Susan repeated the process for her sister, alternating the turns with her.
Susan was searching for her sister when she heard someone go by. She whipped around, only to find a dark head dart by. "Edmund?"
Susan dashed after him, and then she thought she could make out singing. "Marcia?" No sign of Edmund, she decided, taking off after a swish of red. Before long, Susan found herself much deeper in the woods than she thought she should be. The sun no longer shone through the trees, and there wasn't half as much wildlife sounds. Her heart started to beat just a little bit faster.
"Ed," she called. "Marcia? Lucy?"
"Susan," said that voice. She knew she would find the handsome man when she turned around.
"It's you," she whispered. "I—I don't know where I am."
"My dear," he tutted, holding an arm out. "Allow me to help you."
"Tell him to go away," Marcia had said.
"Tell him you don't want what he offers," had been Edmund's words.
"N-no," Susan stammered. She backed away. "No thank you. I can find my own way."
"Don't be a foolish girl," he laughed, it wasn't a pleasant sound, and it wasn't amused. It was rough, dry, and it reminded her of dead leaves scraping along the sidewalk. "You can't do anything by yourself."
"Of course I can. Now leave me be," she snapped harshly.
He let out an aggravated breath. His fair skin looked pale, almost sickly, and his dark eyes, which once seemed inviting, were now blazing. "As you wish."
With that, he retreated back the way he had come.
Susan watched until he was out of sight, and alone, she sat down dejectedly on the ground. He was right; she couldn't get out by herself. She took a blade of grass around her finger, yanking it from its home in the ground.
Finally, feeling an eternity had passed by, she called out, "Help?" It was so faint and weak that she doubted anyone had heard.
Not long after that, a blue blur swung down from the tree above her, and Susan screamed. In response, she received a lovely cackle from a grinning, familiar face.
"Lucy!"
Lucy dangled from the branch, and then dropped down, landing agilely on her feet. The younger sister took Susan by the hand to lead her back. "Susan, you did it without my urging! And to think Marcia and Edmund said you were reluctant."
"Lucy, will you please explain? All of this is—"
"Susan. Listen to me. My limited time is fleeting." Light started to come in more heavily, but Susan could tell that day was going down to dusk. "Keep doing that, alright? It's for your best. Remember I love you."
"Lucy, I love you too."
"And remember," Lucy instructed. Their feet touched the grass, which was hardly swaying. A few stars twinkled above in the sky.
"Remember what?" Susan dropped to her knees, grass comin to her shoulders. It was higher than before their game.
In reply, Lucy smiled, letting a little laugh escape her lips.
