Author's note: I'm back with the next chapter! The song in the second half is 'Cinderella' by Steven Curtis Chapman. I love that song so much. It reminds me of someday I will grow up and maybe get married and my dad will dance with me. And I'll be his Cinderella, all grown up, and moving on, getting married. Then I'll be another man's Cinderella. And yes, the second verse of the song didn't find so I left it out. If you haven't heard that song, I suggest you look it up on Youtube or look up a video I made of the song with Peter & Susan. That's sort of my inspiration for that part of this chapter. My video is called Narnia: Cinderella (Peter & Susan)

Chapter 10 – My Cinderella

Peter stood outside the huge doors to the sanctuary of the church, waiting for Susan. He was not nervous; just…emotional. But he supposed that that was normal. Every brother felt that way at his sister's wedding.

"Peter."

He turned around, his eyes going wide as he looked at the Gentle Queen. She was wearing the perfect wedding dress, with matching jewelry, her hair styled gracefully and her face so radiant it was almost glowing.

"Peter," Susan asked, her voice filled with shock. "Are you crying?" The High King pressed his lips tightly together, choosing not to reply. A tear leaked from his eye and fell down on his cheek. "You never cry, Peter," Susan whispered softly. Peter pulled himself together and strode over to her.

"You look gorgeous, Susan," he complimented, kissing her cheek.

"Really?" she asked hopefully.

"Really," Peter answered, squeezing her hand gently. Susan smiled.

"Are you okay?" she asked in concern.

"Yes," Peter nodded. "I will be. It's just hard to realize that you are grown up and not a little baby I used to hold in my arms. Or the little girl that followed me everywhere and copied my every move."

"I'll always look up to you," Susan promised. "You will always be my big brother no matter what tomorrow brings."

"So," Peter held out his arm. "What are we waiting for?" Susan gulped and then wrapped her hand around his arm, clutching her bouquet tightly in the other. Her eyes darted around, though, giving away her nervousness.

"If you're planning on jumping out the window or running away," Peter told her. "Then it won't work." Susan looked at him questioningly. "I'll drag you back."

"You wouldn't dare."

"I would," Peter replied. Susan laughed. It felt good to laugh with her brother again.

"No, I'm not going to run away," she promised.

"I would probably try," Peter admitted. Susan looked at him in disbelief. "You, however," Peter continued. "Are very much in love with William and you want to spend your life with him."

Susan nodded slowly. "That I do."

"Are you sure about that?" Peter asked.

"I am," Susan confirmed.

"Then you have nothing to fear," Peter said. "Besides, one thing is for sure."

"What?" Susan wondered.

"That when these doors will open and we walk inside, William will be there waiting for you, holding his hand out, waiting for you to take it," Peter declared. "And he loves you, Susan, he really truly loves you. And I wouldn't be standing here with you if I didn't believe that he really loves you."

"I love him just as much," Susan replied confidently.

"Then I can promise you one thing," Peter declared. "The minute you look into his eyes, all your jitters will go away."

Susan looked at her brother. "How can you promise me that?"

"That's how love is," Peter answered knowingly. Susan rested her head against his shoulder.

"Thank you, Peter."

"For what?"

"For making me feel better," she replied. "Only you can do that so well." The doors began to open slowly.

"Are you ready?" Peter asked her.

She straightened up. "Yes."

"That's my sister."

And when the doors opened, they moved forward, looking straight ahead at the altar, where William stood. A few steps behind William stood Aslan – as majestic as ever - smiling at them.

When they reached the altar, William held out his hand to Susan.

"You are going to marry her, William," Peter whispered. "But know this – she is my sister and I loved her first, before you."

William smiled. "You did."

Peter smiled back. "Take care of her."

"I will," William promised.

"Off you go, Su," Peter told his sister. Susan smiled at him, her eyes filled with tears. Then she slowly removed her hand from his arm and placed it in William's. Peter gave his sister a quick yet reassuring smile and then walked to his place beside Edmund.

"Do you, William David Edwards, take this woman to be your wife," Aslan began the vows. "According to God's holy decree; do you promise to be to her a loving and loyal husband, to cherish and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, to be faithful only to her as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," William promised.

"Do you, Susan Margret Pevensie, take this man to be your husband, according to God's holy decree; do you promise to be to him a loving and loyal wife, to cherish and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, to be faithful only to him as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Susan's voice sounded small in the large church.

Edmund smiled proudly at his sister. He had never imagined he would live to see the day when Peter would finally allow Susan to marry. (A/U: Wait, he didn't. He was dead after all, right? Oh well.) But Edmund also knew that Peter would trust William with his life. And because William and Susan truly loved each other, Peter would do anything to bring their happiness into being.

Lucy was ecstatic for her sister. Susan had learned to believe and soon she would be sharing her faith with others.

Peter had promised not to cry but he found a few silent tears slipping out. His little sister was a grown woman, able to take care of herself. This was a new chapter of her life. The three siblings were brought out of their reminiscences as Aslan announced:

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Edmund immediately scrunched up his nose and closed his eyes while Lucy awed. William slowly lifted Susan's veil. The church erupted in cheers as the new couple shared their first kiss.

She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders

"Susan?" Peter asked. She turned around, once again taking his breath away. She truly was a wonderful sister and he loved her dearly.

"Yes," Susan answered.

"Can I have the first dance?" Peter wondered.

"Of course," Susan smiled. Peter held his arm out for Susan as they walked out to the middle of the dance floor. The music started to play and they started to dance. At first you might think the dance was a waltz, but it wasn't, their dance was more complex; still they danced with elegance and ease. They were in perfect step and harmony with each other but they seemed to be in a different world, dancing to a different song. No one danced around them, it seemed everyone just watched; the brother and sister took their breaths away in a touching scene. Many realized then that they weren't watching a brother and sister from Finchley but a real King and Queen.

It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me saying, "Dad, I need you,
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh please, Daddy please?"

The music's pace grew faster and Peter spun Susan around suddenly, delighted by her reaction as she laughed softly. Peter remembered another time, dancing with Susan barefoot in the living room when they were young.

Peter spun Susan around suddenly, delighted by her reaction as she squealed in surprise. Peter pretended to act stern, nodding towards seven year old Edmund who lay sleeping upon the couch. Susan nodded gravely, putting a finger to her lips.

"Don't worry, Peter," she whispered intently. "I won't wake Ed up." She smiled sweetly and spun once again underneath his arm, her bare feet moving noiselessly across the floor.

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something her prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone …

"Peter." Susan's blue eyes looked up at him, her voice soft and genuine. "You dance better than any other big brother in the world!"

Peter laughed, picking up her off the floor and spinning her around in circles. "Just wait," he teased, a twinkle in his eyes. "I'll show you how good a dancer I really am!"

The two of them continued to sway back and forth in motion with the touching music. It was the perfect song. Susan's head rested on Peter's shoulder as he gave her a hug. She leaned back suddenly and looked straight into his eyes, her own eyes softer and more serious than he'd ever seen them. She was remembering their dance in the living room, Peter could tell. She asked the same question she had asked that night.

"I'll always be your Susan, won't I, Peter?" Susan searched his eyes. But she had said more that night. "No one will ever be able to take me from you, right?"

Well, she came home today
With a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us
All they had planned
She says, "Dad the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh please, Daddy please?"

The innocence in her voice startled him and for a second, Peter stopped dancing, letting the reality of her words sink into his soul. As his little sister looked at him, eyes full of trust he realized it wouldn't be like this for long. The days where she would sit next to him, follow him around, scold him like their mother, or ask to dance with him were gone and she would leave him. The reality of it shook him to the core.

Peter had always told Susan she was his Susan, his Cinderella. But as he stood with his little sister in his arms, he knew that soon the clock would strike midnight, and then she'd be gone. She would forget her brother; maybe even forget the times they used to dance together, barefoot in the living room – things would be forever changed.

The day of the wedding came, he'd given her away, and she would belong to another man; to William. She would never be his Susan again. But then, after the cake and the friends, they danced again. He had his Cinderella in his arms and they danced together, one last time, before she would leave him.

And I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something her prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll…be…gone…

Soon as it had come, the vision faded and he was staring back into Susan's eyes again, searching for the words to say. Peter's expression softened, but his heart was still filled with a sense of dread and loneliness.

"Someday Su, some other man will come and steal your heart, you'll love him very much and you'll live with him." Peter saw the realization in Susan's eyes as she remembered his words from so long ago and continued quickly. "But that won't be the end, no matter what happens, no matter who steals your heart – you'll always be my Cinderella; my Su. That will never change."

"You're not going to lose me," Susan promised. "Not now, not ever. You're my brother and I love you."

Just as the song ended, Peter pulled Susan into a fierce hug. "I love you too, Su," he whispered. "So very much."

Their last dance was done. The song had ended and he had to let her go.

Author's Note: Another bittersweet moment. I love this last scene of Peter and Susan and their last dance.