The Royal Birth
"Lucy dear, could you please lend me a hand with the groceries from the-"
Mrs. Pevensie stood at the doorway of her antique home as the bag of potatoes fell from her grip onto the wooden floor of the family room. She stared intensely at Caspian as he and Lucy came rushing over to assist her with the fallen bag.
Besides her own husband and sons, Caspian was probably the most handsome man that Mrs. Pevensie had ever seen. Caspian had unique features, almost majestic. He had beautiful ivory skin that matched the color of the beach sand, he had almond shaped eyes that were as dark as the night sky, he had a broad neck and a cleft chin that only most model men had. He had silky dark brown hair that swooped over his high cheek bones and hung just above his shoulders. He was tall and slender, yet muscular and extremely well-built. Caspian had features that were mesmerizing to anyone woman, but in this case, all Mrs. Pevensie could think about was how this handsome Casanova took advantage of her young teenage daughter.
"Mother, are you alright?" Lucy asked as she picked up a few potatoes that had fallen from the brown paper bag.
She continued staring at Caspian as if she were under a spell.
"Oh, yes dear, I am fine. It's just-"
Lucy looked over at Caspian who was bent down on the floor gathering every potato that he possibly could and placing them back into the brown paper bag.
Mrs. Pevensie felt as if she were in a dream. She still had to get used to the idea of her two daughters being back in London, one daughter being married and pregnant at 17, and her two sons who were away in some world that she never even knew existed.
"Mother, I'd like to introduce you to Susan's husband and the king of Narnia, Caspian."
Caspian stood up from the wooden floor and smiled bashfully at Mrs. Pevensie. Caspian had always dreamt of meeting Susan's parents, especially her mother whom Susan spoke so very highly of. Caspian held his hand out nervously as he greeted his mother-in-law.
"How do you do, madam?"
Mrs. Pevensie gave a slight grin and lightly shook Caspian's hand. She cleared her throat before speaking as she placed a loose piece of hair behind her left ear.
"How do you do, sir." She responded as she looked deeply into Caspian's dark striking orbs and looked away quickly.
"Do you need help with anything madam?" Caspian asked politely.
Mrs. Pevensie hesitated before speaking.
"Umm, no I think I am ok, but thank you. Please, excuse me."
Mrs. Pevensie grabbed the bag of potatoes and placed them onto the kitchen table. She walked towards the front door to exit and gather the remainder of the groceries from the family automobile.
Lucy and Caspian looked at one another.
"Mother, why don't you unwind and have your dinner. Caspian and I can get the remainder of the groceries from the automobile.
Mrs. Pevensie stood at the doorway looking coldly at Caspian, they softly at Lucy.
"Sure, ok dear. Thank you." Mrs. Pevensie brushed passed Caspian as she entered the door way of her antique home and went into the kitchen.
Caspian and Lucy walked out to the automobile and began gathering the rest of the groceries from the back seat. Caspian looked around at the vehicle in astonishment.
"Lucy, what type of instrument is this?"
Lucy smiled.
"It's called an automobile."
Caspian walked around the entire vehicle, opening the right driver's door and plopping down in the front seat while touching the steering wheel.
"What is an automobile? What does it do?" Caspian asked as he looked at each gadget and began pressing the light and signal switches.
Lucy climbed into the left side of the vehicle and sat in the passenger seat.
"Oh Caspian, you are like a new child in a candy store." Lucy smiled. "It's really adorable."
Caspian continued smiling as he looked around the vehicle discovering new gadgets.
"We use automobiles to get us around to places that are not within walking distance. Like how we use horses in Narnia. Only automobiles have triple the horse power and can go at a speed of up to one hundred miles per hour."
Caspian's eyes widened.
"Wow, are you kidding me?" He smiled as he jumped a little in his seat.
"No, I am not kidding." Lucy smiled.
"Can I ride this automobile?" Caspian begged.
"Well, not exactly." Lucy explained. "You have to learn how to drive, and then after you learn how to drive, you have to obtain a driver's license in order to drive legally in London."
"Sort of like horse riding training in my kingdom?"
Lucy smiled.
"Yes, I guess you could say that."
Caspian was so enthused about learning everything in Susan's world. Everything was so advanced in her world compared to Narnia. Although life was so different in London, Caspian was so curious about this world and learning all he could from it.
Caspian turned and looked at the groceries in the back seat of the vehicle when his smile suddenly faded. He could feel the tension in the house with Mrs. Pevensie and he wasn't sure how to handle the situation. He exited the vehicle and opened the door to the back seat and began unloading the groceries.
Lucy followed and glanced at Caspian as she noticed the concerned look he had in his eyes.
"Caspian, I hope you aren't too troubled by my mother's behavior." Lucy said as she picked up a grocery bag.
Caspian glanced at Lucy, then he looked down at the grocery bag he was holding.
"I never really thought about Mrs. Pevensie's feelings during my entire courtship and marriage to Susan." Caspian said as he looked up into the clear night sky. "She must be so concerned about Susan's condition and her future grandchild. I feel that the reason Susan has been put in this predicament is because of me."
"Oh Caspian, please do not blame yourself for Susan's condition or for my mother's feelings. In time, she will learn to love you the way that we all do. She is still getting used to the idea of her children being alive, that we lived in Narnia when she thought we were all deceased, that Susan is now married to you and is pregnant with her grandchild."
Caspian gazed at Lucy with sadness in his eyes.
"She must feel so left out, so betrayed. I must make things right with her immediately." Caspian began walking towards the door of the old-fashioned home and was pulled back by Lucy's strong grip.
"Caspian, I do not think it is a good idea to talk to my mother right now. She is very tired and has been overwhelmed with so much news already. Perhaps after something to eat and a good night's rest, she will be in a better disposition to talk with you. In the meantime, let's get some rest so that we can be ready to visit Susan first thing tomorrow morning."
A slight smirk spread across Caspian's handsome face. Lucy always knew what to say to comfort him. Sometimes he felt as though he were the luckiest brother-in-law in the world. He had a wonderful family in the Pevensies. Caspian wanted to ensure that he did all that he could to welcome Mrs. Pevensie into his world, and to ensure her that she was very important and felt part of his kingdom and life.
"I do wish that Mrs. Pevensie will one day love and accept me as her son-in-law." Caspian pleaded in almost a whimper.
"Do not worry brother, once my mother sees how wonderful you are, you will be her favorite son in no time, and you may have to fight off Peter and Edmund." Lucy said to Caspian as she cupped and patted his face with her right hand.
Caspian's mouth let off a comforting grin. "Thanks Lu. I really appreciate your kind words of encouragement."
"You're welcome brother, anytime."
"But before we go to bed, do you mind if I have more of that delicious soup?"
Lucy chuckled. "No, of course not. But really, we thought we'd have enough soup to feed an army, but I am second guessing that now."
The two laughed as they carried the grocery bags into the Pevensie home.
"Susan, you are progressing very well." Dr. Barnick spoke as he pressed the sonogram machine on Susan's round belly. "If you continue with this same progression over the next few days, we will send you home on bed rest."
Susan looked happy but also saddened. She missed Caspian with everything that she had within her. There was no way that she could contact him, there was no way that she could tell him about her current condition, there was no way that she could talk with him about the decision of birthing their child. All Susan wished for was to see Caspian and for him to be there by her side during this challenging time.
"Dr. Barnick, do you know when my mother and sister will be returning?" Susan asked inquisitively.
"The nurse received a call stating that she, your sister and a visitor are on their way to the hospital."
Susan looked confused. "Visitor?" Susan thought to herself. "Who on earth could be coming to visit me? Oh God I really hope my mother did not contact any of my schoolmates. I am not ready to explain my situation to them, let alone explain to them about Narnia which they will never believe exists."
There was talking and laughter from three familiar voices coming from the hospital hallway. One voice that Susan heard stood out more than the others.
"Caspian?" Susan thought. "Could it really be?"
Mrs. Pevensie and Lucy walked into the hospital room, followed by Caspian. Susan lifted herself upright from the hospital bed and gazed lovingly at her husband. Caspian stood at the hospital room door way for a few seconds, taking in the beauty of his wife, his beloved Queen Susan. The world seemed to pause as the young lovers gazed at one another for what seemed like an eternity.
Caspian sprinted to Susan as fast as he could. Tears began to flow from both of their eyes as they embraced one another and buried their faces into one another. Sounds of sobs came from the both of them. They continued to hug and sob for minutes before Caspian raised his head from Susan's chest and cupped her face.
"Oh my love, I thought I lost you forever." Caspian said as he wiped Susan's tears away.
Susan began to giggle in delight.
"You're here, I cannot believe you're here!" Susan wiped Caspian's tears with her delicate fingers and reached in and kissed him.
Although a bit salty from all the sobbing and tears, Caspian and Susan enjoyed a passionate kiss. Caspian pulled Susan closer to him and while still cupping her face, he kissed her with everything that he had in him. He loved Susan more than anything, more than he loved himself. Losing Susan meant losing everything. Without Susan, there was no need to live. Susan was the air that Caspian breathed every day, she was the light of his world, his shining star. Caspian did not ever want to let his wife go, and he would never leave her side again.
As much as Mrs. Pevensie detested Caspian for marrying and impregnating her daughter without her and Mr. Pevensie's blessing, she could see how much Susan loved Caspian, and how much Caspian loved Susan with just one kiss.
"Susan," Dr. Barnick said softly without wanting to interrupt the romantic kiss. "We must check your and the baby's vitals now."
Caspian softly broke the kiss. He moved to the left side of Susan's hospital bed and held her hand while eyeing her passionately.
"Yes, of course." Susan said looking happily at Caspian.
Caspian looked at Dr. Barnick.
"Apologies for being rude, I am Caspian, King of Narnia and husband to Susan." Caspian said as he shook hands with Dr. Barnick.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, sir. You have a very beautiful and strong-willed wife. Not to mention a healthy baby."
"Thank you, Dr. Barnick" Caspian said with a slight bow.
"Susan is very fortunate that she came to the hospital when she did. Her contractions were very strong and she was at great risk for having the baby early. We have successfully subsided the contractions and Susan should be able to return home within a couple of days and remain on bed rest until birth."
Caspian smiled in delight.
"This is great news. We shall return to Narnia and we will have the baby delivered in our royal chambers as planned."
"Caspian, we do not believe returning to your world is safe for Susan to have the baby considering her high risk of giving birth early. Is Narnia equipped to care for a premature infant?" Dr. Barnick cautioned.
Caspian looked at Dr. Barnick intensely. "We may not have the most advanced technology that you have here in this world, but we do have the finest of midwives available to care for the queen and our child day and night."
Mrs. Pevensie began to get upset. The thought of her daughters leaving her again devastated her, especially now that she was expecting a grandchild. The thought of her daughters and premature grandchild returning to a world that she knew nothing about also frightened her deeply.
"Caspian, I will NOT allow you to take my grandchild and my daughters back to Narnia…..I forbid it!" Mrs. Pevensie yelled with a disheartened look as she walked out of the hospital room.
Caspian felt the need to chase after Mrs. Pevensie to explain his disposition. Before he could take action, Lucy immediately went after her mother.
Lucy closed the door to the hospital room and walked over to her mother who was sobbing on a nearby sofa in the waiting room.
Lucy sat down next to her mother and placed her hand on her mother's shoulder. Mrs. Pevensie pulled out a handkerchief from her purse and wiped her eyes and nose.
"Mother, are you alright?" Lucy asked her mother while touching her shoulder.
Mrs. Pevensie blew out a loud snort before responding.
"Dear, there has been a lot that your father and I had to take in over the past few months. We had to deal with the reality of losing our children to what we thought was a result of the war. When your father returned home early from the War, we went to seek you all from school only to find out that you were all gone. Who would have ever thought that you were safe in another world, and that Susan met the man of her dreams, married and is now having a child. I am very grateful darling that you are all safe, but the thought if losing you all again and my grandchild is just something I cannot fathom."
Lucy felt so badly for her mother. When she first discovered Narnia, she never anticipated how it would impact the lives of her parents. As a young girl back then, it was hard to think beyond what she wanted to explore. Susan never believed in Narnia, but now she is married to the King of Narnia and is the queen of Narnia! Despite the emotional state that Mrs. Pevensie was in, Lucy believed that she and her siblings were brought to Narnia from Aslan for great reasons beyond their understanding. Lucy had no regrets exploring Narnia. Without Narnia, Lucy would have never discovered courage, bravery, sacrifice, selflessness, and most importantly, faith. Growing up, Lucy and her siblings never attended church or believed in anything higher. Narnia has taught Lucy and her siblings all of these things, something that could also be taught to her parents. Lucy believed that God worked in mysterious ways, as she remembered reading in the holy bible in her school library. Aslan once told her that in her world, he would be called a different name. Lucy believed that she needed to assist Caspian with discovering the holy bible to fix the issues in his marriage, and perhaps it could be used to assist her parents in having faith and accepting God into their lives.
"Mother, things happened the way they were supposed to happen. I discovered Narnia and brought Peter, Edmund, and Susan with me. Mother, if only you could see Narnia and all the magic that it has brought to our lives. We have fought wars, brought nations together, saved lives of the Narnians and Telmarines. Susan was the only one who never believed in Narnia, and she found the man of her dreams there and now she is married with a baby on the way. Mother, I have also discovered faith, something that I never knew existed, thanks to Aslan, the great Lion and the God of Narnia."
Mrs. Pevensie looked confused. She knew that her daughter loved fantasy fictions and lived for a great tale. Now was not the time to talk about foolish tales, there were more important matters that needed to be addressed.
"Dear, I would love to hear about your fantasy stories, but right now we have more important matters to discuss with Susan and Caspian."
Lucy began to get a little angry. How could her mother deny Narnia and Aslan when she and Susan just came from there, not to mention Caspian!
"Is she joking?" Lucy thought to herself.
"Mother, how can you deny everything that I just told you? Do you think I am making this all up?"
Mrs. Pevensie rolled her eyes and looked away.
"Darling, I do not know what to believe. I am still dealing with the fact that a strange man who married and impregnated my daughter appeared in my home out of nowhere. I just cannot take anymore Narnia surprises right now dear. Please, we will discuss it at another time."
"Mother, you need to accept the fact that Narnia is real. Caspian and Susan have a kingdom that needs them, and they will return to Narnia one day, and so will I." Lucy got up and returned to Susan's room.
Mrs. Pevenie sat in the waiting room taking in all that Lucy had said. The thought if losing her family completely devastated her. She felt torn and did not want her children to leave, but at the same time, she couldn't imagine living in England alone, especially with Mr. Pevensie being out on business travel for the next several months.
Several weeks went by and Susan was now home on bed rest. Caspian stayed by her bed side and attended to her every need just like he did when she was sick during the early stages of her pregnancy in Narnia. Caspian learned the customs of living in London in just a matter of weeks. He learned how to drive an automobile, although he had not obtained a driver's license just yet. He learned how to cook, clean, and get around the city without any direction or guidance from Mrs. Pevensie and Lucy. Mrs. Pevensie observed how attentive Caspian was to his wife, Lucy and herself. Each evening when Mrs. Pevensie returned home from work, there was a fresh meal prepared by Caspian. The house was always cleaned from top to bottom, and the refrigerator was fully stocked with groceries. Caspian even managed to get a part-time job at the local news stand down the street from the Pevensie home. All of these customs were new to Caspian, but he would do anything for the three women in his life who he loved most. After Caspian's work day was completed, he ended it with reading the holy bible and snuggling in bed with his beloved Susan.
"Come Mrs. Pevensie, please eat your dinner before it gets cold." Caspian said as he took Mrs. Pevensie's coat and hung it on the coat rack near the front door.
"Thank you, Caspian, you are too kind." Mrs. Pevensie said as she walked to the kitchen dining table. "Have Lucy and Susan eaten yet?"
Caspian placed a medium piece of grilled fish with rice and vegetables on an empty plate. He brought the plate and a cup of water for his mother-in-law.
"Yes, ma'am. They are both fed and resting now. I will bring them both a snack soon."
Mrs. Pevensie looked at her son-in-law with so much love for the first time in weeks. She saw how hard Caspian worked and she really appreciated all that he has done to assist her and her daughters.
Caspian went to the kitchen and made himself a plate of food. He joined Mrs. Pevensie at the dining table.
"May I?" Caspian asked his mother-in-law.
"Yes, of course, please sit my son."
A smile of extreme joy spread across Caspian's face.
"She called me son…my heart is so full right now." Caspian thought to himself as he sat down at the table.
"Caspian, I know that we haven't exactly gotten off to the right start, but I just want to thank you for all that you have done for my family. I was extremely bitter for losing my family and I didn't know how to handle it or who to blame. But when I met you, I wanted to blame you for everything, when in reality it was not your fault, or anyone's fault. After talking with Lucy and hearing her story about Narnia, I am extremely interested in hearing where you came from, what your life was like in Narnia and how you fell in love with my daughter. I want to build a relationship with you Caspian. I want you to be a part of my family and life and I hope you would accept me as being a part of yours."
Caspian was so overjoyed and taken back by Mrs. Pevensie's words. He waited so long to hear those words and it made him feel so good that he could have a relationship with his mother-in-law, one that he dreamt of having with his own mother.
"Mrs. Pevensie, I appreciate everything that you have done for me as well. I have not been the most perfect husband, but through faith, and I am working towards that goal. I am sorry that I did not obtain your and Mr. Pevensie's blessing before courting and marrying your daughter. There was no time and I was so afraid of losing Susan forever if she returned to this world. But now I see now that all I needed to have was faith, faith that God would provide."
Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:5
"Caspian, you are a great man, and a wonderful king. You are going to make a great father and I couldn't imagine anyone else playing that part but you."
"Thank you, Mrs. Pevensie. Your words mean a lot to me."
"Caspian, please, call me mother." Mrs. Pevensie stood and gave Caspian the tightest hug. Caspian began to get emotional as it reminded him of the way his mother used to hug him as a child.
After dinner, Mrs. Pevensie and Caspian sat on the sofa and talked for hours about his childhood, Narnia, the wars, how he met Susan, and Aslan. Caspian even pulled out the holy bible that Lucy managed to get from a local library, which Caspian began reading to Mrs. Pevensie.
Lucy got up from bed to use the restroom when she heard voices and laughter coming from the family room. She stood by the hallway wall and smiled as she saw the new bond forming between Caspian and her mother.
"Oh Aslan, you always work wonders. I'll believe in you always and forever. In this world, you are known as Jesus Christ. Thank you for showing us the way, for everything that you have done to draw my family closer to you." Lucy said to herself as she looked up at the ceiling.
"OOOOOH!" Susan cried out. "CASPIAN! MOTHER! LU! PLEASE COME QUICK! OOOH!"
Lucy, Caspian and Mrs. Pevensie ran to Susan's room where she was rolled up into a ball on her bed.
"Please call Dr. Barnick…it's time."
After several hours of laboring, Susan's contractions became stronger and stronger. Caspian drove the automobile while Lucy and Mrs. Pevensie attended to Susan in the back seat. Caspian parked the car in the emergency entrance of the hospital, fled out and grabbed a wheelchair. He helped Susan out of the vehicle and rushed her into the hospital.
The doctors admitted Susan to her hospital room immediately. The pain became so severe that Susan became much weakened. Early on, Caspian and Susan agreed that there would be no medication used during the birth.
"Caspian, I think you and Susan should consider the medication to assist with the child birth." Mrs. Pevensie suggested.
"I know that Susan is in severe pain mother, but she is very strong and has come this far. The doctors are doing all they can to comfort her."
Susan tossed and turned while crying out in load painful moans. She gripped Caspian's hand so hard he thought he was going to lose it.
"Susan has dilated to 10 centimeters, it is time for her to begin pushing." Dr. Barnick advised the family.
Caspian caressed Susan's forehead and kissed it gently.
"My love, you can do this. I am here with you and you will be just fine. I believe in you and your strength. I love you."
"I love you too, Caspian. So very much."
Hearing Caspian's words of encouragement gave Susan the strength that she needed to give birth. With one big push, baby Rilian was born on October 15, 1945 at 2:05 am. He weighed 5 pounds 5 ounces and was 19 inches long. He had a head full of dark brown hair, round cheeks and rosy red lips like his mother and ivory skin and a cleft chin just like his father. When he finally opened his eyes, they matched the color of his mother's sky blue eyes. Although baby Rilian was born at 31 weeks, he was indeed a healthy baby. He still needed to be monitored in the hospital for breathing and eating for at least 2 to 3 weeks before going home.
Susan and Caspian were in a world of complete joy as they held their sweet baby boy in their arms. They never thought they could experience a love so deep, so pure and so precious. The heir to the royal thrown of Narnia was finally here!
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