A/N: Ergo, Chapter 4. I've been getting NO free time, so I burnt the midnight oil on several nights to get this chapter done. So you can imagine how I really want to know what you think of it. Please, REVIEW!!
Chapter 4 – Euphoria
"Aunt Polly, Aunt Polly! Susan is-"
"Eustace! You'll never imagine-"
"Children, where were you? We were worried, and Polly…"
"Lucy! You look like you've just seen Aslan! What's the-"
"Jill! You'll never believe me, I-"
"Children!"
The combined voices of both the Professor as well as Aunt Polly subdued the eager voices that rang throughout the halls of the mansion. Afraid of being reprimanded, they turned to face the elders only to find them with their shoulders shaking, trying to suppress their laughter.
"Would you care to tell us what had gotten you all so excited, children?" asked Aunt Polly in her lilting voice. "And what about Susan? She ran off running, obviously upset. I cannot see her…where is she? Is she alright?"
"Let her speak to you herself, Aunt Polly," replied Peter, grinning broadly by now. Susan stepped forward shyly.
"I'm so very sorry for the trouble and pain I caused you, Professor Kirke and Aunt Polly. My behavior was no way to thank you for all the pain that you had taken in preparing this birthday surprise for me. I have no words to say, other than sorry, thank you and I'm a rotten person!"
Impulsively, in a movement that shocked Susan. Aunt Polly threw her arms around Susan. "You never did lose hope, did you?" she whispered emotionally. "You were just hurting because of lost heart and memories that could last you a lifetime, when all you wanted was to remain there."
Susan nodded mutely. The tears had begun to return, and she tried to keep them at bay, swallowing deeply before answering. "Yes," she said. "All I wanted was…to forget. And that was the wrong path I took. Sheesh, I sure have thrown a damper on this party, haven't I?"
Her supportive siblings shook their head and enveloped her in yet another hug and Susan inhaled deeply – there was Peter's woodsy musk scent, Lucy's delicate scent that smelt of roses, calla lilies and honeydew at once – and Edmund's mysterious cologne-ish perfume. She sighed with happiness. This was what celebrating a birthday should feel like.
Eustace leaned forward jovially and broke the group apart. "Alrighty!" he boomed. "There's more to do, and the night is getting old. Make a move, you lazybones!"
Susan untangled herself from the knot her siblings had gotten themselves into, and laughed. It felt so nice to be mirthful and young once again. "Shall we?"
And, fueled by a sudden energy, she pushed Peter, Eustace, Jill , Lucy and Peter through the huge glass double doors and had them running until they reached the large swimming pool off the side of the mansion.
In a flash, Edmund guessed what his crazed sister was about to do. "Oh no you don't!" he warned, throwing himself before Susan. "Too bad, Ed. Oh yes I DO!" With an almighty yell, she shoved them all into the pool and jumped in herself, fully clothed save the jacket. The pool was freezing but in an odd way, it felt good – as though the waters were getting her rid of her miserable past. She surfaced besides Peter and Jill, teeth chattering like theirs in the cold water.
"IIItttssss freeeeeezzzzzzzziiinngggg," she stammered amidst chattering teeth. Jill laughed, and it sounded like as though she were sneezing and coughing together. Susan looked at her in alarm and Jill snorted some more. "I'm fine," she assured amidst chuckles. "Just glad to see you pay for your stupidity. We don't even have a change of clothes, you know? How on earth-"
She had to stop, for Eustace had gagged her and was now trying to duck her underwater. Moments later, a full-fledged water fight had ensued. Their yells had not brought the Professor or Aunt Polly out the house, so the youngsters were assured that they weren't worried about them.
An hour later saw them sitting by the roaring fireplace, enjoying a belated birthday dinner. Susan and Jill were a sight to behold – their little midnight dunking had left them with no options other than to borrow Aunt Polly's clothes, whose petite figure matched that of Jill's and Susan's.
But Aunt Polly wasn't exactly into wearing the jeans and sweaters that Susan and Jill had been wearing, so they now wore clothes that looked like they were from another century – dresses with pale skirts that made the two trip the moment they stood up. The boys hooted with laughter when Susan and Jill had first entered the dining hall, blushing furiously with embarrassment. Their little midnight escapade had resulted in nothing but major discomfort. Humph.
The boys were dressed much more comfortable, seeing as Peter had had the presence of mind to pack extra clothes for both himself and Edmund. Eustace, being only slightly smaller that Peter had borrowed his clothes and was sitting quite comfortably at the table, smirking as he saw his cousin and best friend enter the dining room. His smirks gave way to laughs and soon, all three boys were shaking with laughter.
"Eustace Clarence Scrubb," said Jill in ominous tone, making Eustace cringe. That tone usually meant no good for him. "Remember grade 10, when I emerged as the taekwondo champion of our school?" Eustace nodded. He could be covered in bruises within ten moments if he agitated Jill further, and so, wishing to remain healthy for a while longer, he sensibly shut his moth.
Presently, Professor Kirke entered the room with Mrs. Macready in tow, who had been sulking all day ,long and had declared having a headache due to the presence of 'so many noise making sources in the house at the same time'. She now looked at the merry looks on their faces and scowled.
"My, my, there must honestly be no other forms of enjoyment for a group of twenty-odd young men and women other than to get drenched in the pool in the middle of winter, and then drip water all over the corridor, is there?" she muttered sarcastically when she saw them. Edmund scowled right back at her and was reprimanded by Susan.
"Ignore her!" she hissed. "Do not make faces at someone who is that much elder to you; do you understand me, Edmund Pevensie?"
"Yes, granny," mumbled Edmund. Susan rolled her eyes.
Professor Kirke gave Mrs. Macready a stern nod, who got the hint. Cursing all the while under her breath, she laid dish upon sigh onto the gleaming polished wood dining table. The dark mahogany surface of the table reflected the shiny silver tureens containing their belated dinner. Lucy sniffed appreciatively.
"Dig in, children," said the Professor cheerfully. "Do not bother keeping anything for us – Polly and I have had our dinner while you were – ah, 'drenching yourself in the pool in the middle of winter', as my worthy housekeeper put it." His statement produced a howl of laughter from the others. Smiling broadly, he made his way towards he library.
Edmund uncovered the large soup-dish that had been placed near him. An aroma of spicy tomato soup garnished with basil filled the room, causing everyone's mouth to water instantaneously. "Mmmmmmmmm!" exclaimed Lucy. "Mrs. Macready has outdone herself this time!"
Susan uncovered another covered dish, revealing a plump roast chicken cooked in butter and garnished delicately with the required herbs and spices. "Yum," she sighed. Peter gave her a look of amusement.
Jill, who had been glowering at Eustace all the while and looking exceedingly uncomfortable in aunt Polly's old dress now leaned forward to uncover a salad platter that looked like as though it contained every single vegetable that was ever created. Jill clasped her hands in glee.
Soon, the only sounds that could be heard were a steady munching and little snorts of laughter here and there. Peter, Edmund, Lucy, Eustace and Jill had a look of satisfaction on their face, and Susan a look of one who had found her home all over again.
Life, for now, was great. and hopefully, it would always be so.
A/N: End of the chapter! This will be one of the last chapters; though not the last…story is almost coming to an end…gulp…! Will update as soon as possible, though it will take a while. I'm swamped with a major history paper! Meanwhile, please do review.
Whether you hate it, like it, love it, or want to correct it…REVIEW! I'm only here to give you all want you want, and improve my writing. Thanks!
The Little Miss Narnian freak,
SashaWPevensie! :D