A Tale of a Lion, a Witch, and a Wardrobe

Disclaimer: I don't own.

Chapter 12: And Now, We're Alone.

I knew that I had to tell them. I had been the one too cowardly to go through, so I would be the one to tell them. I went to talk to Michael first, knowing he would be one of the hardest. "Michael? I have something to tell you."

"Of course, Hannah. Come on in." As I entered the room, he motioned to a chair beside him. "Come sit. How was the hunt? Where's Rose? With Faith and Lucy, I would imagine. Those girls do beat all. Is everything all right, Hannah?"

"No, Michael, it's not." I took a deep breath before handing him one of the swords and one of the shields I had found. "Rose isn't coming back. At least, not for a while."

"What- What do you mean?" he asked, his voice faltering. "Where is she? Tell me, Hannah!"

"She- She had to go back to the world we were born in. I was supposed to go with her and the others, but I, as we say in our world, 'chickened out'. I couldn't bear to leave."

"I don't blame you, but she's really gone? For good?" He started to sob, and I couldn't blame him. At least I had the hope that I would see her in our world. He hasn't that hope. "I don't think she's gone for good, but, suffice it to say, if she does come back, it will not be in your lifetime, I don't think."

"Oh… She's safe, though?" he asked, while still sobbing.

"Completely. I am sorry." I said, lowering my gaze.

"Don't be. I-" He took a deep breath. "know you wish she was here."

"I do."

"Have you told the children and Adrian yet?"

"Adrian, yes; the kids, no."

"I'll come with you when you tell them." He started to get up.

"No. No, no. I need to tell them myself. Alone."

"Well, if that's what you want."

"It is."

"Very well." I rose, hugged him, and turned to leave. I had 8 kids to find.

"Mama? Is anything wrong?" Mary asked. I looked at my sweet 8 year old, knowing that what I was about to say would crush her. She loved her father. I then looked at the rest of the kids gathered there. Martha, Faith and Ed's 5 year old. The twins, Lily (aka Lil) and Arthur (aka Art), Rose's 4 year olds. Benjamin (aka Ben), Lucy's 4 year old. Marcus (aka Mark), Faith and Ed's 4 year old. Abigail (aka Abby), Peter and my 3 year old. And last but not least, Ephraim (aka Ephr), Lucy's 2 year old. I smiled sadly, knowing that those last two would barely remember their other parent. I said, "Yes, Mary, something is definitely wrong." I then told them what had happened. "Daddy's gone?" Mary asked.

"Yes, baby, he is."

"And he'll never be back?"

"Not in your lifetime, Mary. I'm sorry."

"I'm glad you're still here, Mama." Mary crawled into my lap and started soaking it with her tears. I held her close, but before too long, the others who were old enough to understand what was going on (Martha, Lil, Art, Ben, and Mark) started crying, too. I had 6 kids needing me, 2 arms, and 1 lap! Just in time, Adrian and Michael walked in, and Ben, Lil, and Art each ran to their father. Mark decided Uncle Adrian would be able to comfort him just as well as I would and ran to him. Martha came to me and laid her head on my shoulder. Suddenly, Abby and Ephr decided that because everyone else was crying, they should be, too. Soon, Mary's tears subsided a bit, and she climbed down and held her little sister. I was so proud of her. Ben suddenly cried, "Daddy! Why did Aunt Hannah let Mama go?"

Oh, that broke my heart. Adrian said, "She couldn't stop her. Aslan wanted Mama back in her world."

"But why didn't He let me go with her?"

"He has a plan. And, you know, Benjamin, you aren't the only one who misses your mother. I miss her more than I can say."

"Oh." He sniffled then slowly drifted off to sleep. All of them did but Mary. Adrian said, "Han, he didn't mean that."

"Are you sure? Because that little boy sounded like he meant what he said."

"That little boy is also hurting, and he had to lash out at someone or something. He just chose you."

"Well, I plan to make it up to him."

"Just how do you think you can do that?"

"By trying to be a mother to him. And to all of them."

"Whoa, slow down. You can't replace their mothers, first of all."

"I wasn't planning to."

Adrian ignored me. "And second, what about your other duties? Your queenly duties?"

"I'll manage. These kids need me!"

"And I need you! Now more than ever!"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"I don't see Peter, Susan, Edmund, Faith, and Lucy around to help rule, do I?"

"So?"

"So I can't do it without your help! I need you!"

"Ok, I'll help, but I'll also look after them. They need me, too."

"Okay."

"Deal?"

"Deal."

Michael looked at the two of us and suddenly started laughing. "You two were fighting, and calmed down very quickly. You usually don't calm down like that, Hannah."

"I guess not… I usually argue with bad guys, Peter, and the girls. No backing down with them." That made all of us laugh, even Mary, who had no idea what we were laughing at. We all had needed a good laugh after this day.