John Thompson was at his locker, gathering a jacket for the trip outside. His daughter and her boyfriend had graduated this past spring and over the summer they had been bringing the two families together. He wasn't stupid. It was blatantly obvious to everyone that the two were getting very serious. Aleisa had recently gotten a waitressing job until she could find a more suitable one with her teaching degree. Peter had already started in his contracting internship. It pleased John that his daughter had found someone who was as hard working and loving as Peter was. It was New Years and the two families had decided to spend the holiday together. Just as he was wrapping his scarf around his neck a friend of his came walking into the room, a hesitant expression on his face.

"What's got you all upset there Harold? It's a holiday you aren't supposed to be upset." John weakly joked as the man approached him. Harold smiled a little but it didn't reach his eyes.

"I'm sorry for this John." Was all he said, causing Mr. Thompson to pause and look at him curiously. He glanced down at the official looking letter in Harold's hand. Being in the war office he had seen plenty that looked like that and his heart dropped, hoping it wasn't what he thought it was.

"What's that?" he cautiously asked, shooting his friend a worried look.

"I saw the name on the envelope and intercepted it. Figured it be easier coming from you, seeing that he's your daughter's boyfriend and all." Harold trailed off sorrowfully and handed the letter to John. He slowly took it and looked down at the address on the envelope with a frown. He sighed heavily and ran a heavy hand down his face. This was going to crush them, and now he had to be the bearer of bad news.

"Thanks, I'll give this to them." John nodded and set the letter into his coat pocket. Tonight was supposed to be a happy occasion and now they had this to deal with. Finishing up his bundling Mr. Thompson got in his car and headed to the address that was written on the letter. Once he arrived at the house he parked and sat there for another few minutes. As he stared at the bright lights coming from inside the quaint little house the letter in his pocket seemed to grow heavier and heavier. Now came the problem of when he was going to tell them. With another few minutes of deliberation he just figured he could wing it. Eventually he got out into the snow and trudged up to the door and rang the doorbell. Shortly after the door opened to reveal a small woman with short curly brown hair.

"Oh John I'm so glad you could make it. Please come in! George is in the sitting room." Helen Pevensie eagerly rushed him in, taking his coat from him and setting it on the rack by the door. George Pevensie had recently gotten discharged from service and was home for the holidays this year, much to the family's delight. The two men had been introduced over Thanksgiving and quickly formed a friendship. John nodded silently as he smiled at the woman before making his way into the living room as directed. Knowing the information that was hidden away in the coat on the rack just made him feel even worse. Walking into the room he was immediately brought into a tight hug.

"I'm so glad you could make it!" Aleisa smiled up at him as she pulled away. He smiled down at his daughter, taking in the happiness that was shining in her eyes. It broke his heart even more, knowing how upset she will be once he delivers the news.

"I wouldn't miss it." He assured her with a chuckle. Even he had to admit that this was a lot better than sitting at home with just the two of them. Peter made his way over to the two, wrapping his arm around Aleisa's shoulders.

"Sir." He politely greeted. Mr. Thompson smiled as he shook the young man's hand. It never ceased to amaze him how respectful Peter always acted around him.

"Peter, it's good to see you my boy. How's work going?" he asked, the group making their way over to sit down around the fireplace. Aleisa and Peter returned to their spot on the couch while the two fathers made themselves comfortable on the armchairs.

"It's going really well. Work has been a bit slow now that winter is in but it should pick up here in a few months." Peter told the two with a sigh. Aleisa smiled up at him from her place underneath his arm. John watched the two of them and smiled inwardly at how content the two were just to be in one another's presence.

"And Aleisa why aren't you in the kitchen with the others?" He asked, knowing how she was always the first one up to help in the kitchen. The other three chuckled a little, knowing the story behind her presence out here.

"Well my wife insisted that she be off her feet since she showed up at the house just after her long shift. Throws a fit whenever she tries to sneak her way back in." George Pevensie chuckled.

"I heard that" Mrs. Pevensie called playfully from the other side of the kitchen door. The group burst into a fit of laughter.

As the night wore on John Thompson could help but continue to falling deeper and deeper into guilt about bringing the letter with him. He knew that he had to give it to Peter sometime but he struggled to bring himself to do it. How could he ruin a night like this? The two families were sitting around the fireplace in the sitting room, having recently finished a wonderful dinner. Peter, Susan and Edmund had occupied the couch. Lucy and Aleisa were on the floor in front of them. He smiled when he caught sight of Aleisa's hand intertwined with Peter over her shoulder as she was sitting in between his legs. George had taken his usual place on the chair to the left of the couch and his wife was perched on the arm of his chair. Everyone was joking around and sharing smiles. And here he was, the one that was going to ruin all of that for them.

"John are you alright, you've been awfully quiet this evening." He was brought out of his thoughts when Mrs. Pevensie spoke up. The room had grown quiet as everyone was looking over at him in concern. Usually he was right in the mix with them but tonight he was silent. Licking his lips nervously he glanced around at all the faces.

"Yes, I'm fine. Just some bad news from the war office." He started out, hoping to possibly ease them into it. Aleisa frowned at him. She could tell that he was holding back a little and it worried her.

"Oh?" Helen inquired, silently urging him to continued. John sighed heavily and stood up.

"It's actually something for Peter." He reluctantly told them and walked over to his coat by the door. Peter squeezed Aleisa's hand nervously as they watched the older man walk back with a letter.

"A friend of mine intercepted this. Figured it be easier coming from me. I'm sorry for the timing of it but I've been trying to figure out when to give this to you. Felt that it wouldn't be right keeping it a secret for too long." He continued and handed the letter over to Peter. The boy gently took it from him and opened it up. His face fell as he scanned over the contents of the letter.

"I've been drafted. I have to leave for training in a few weeks." Peter told them after what seemed like an eternity. The room fell into a thick silence as the news began to sink in.

"I'm sorry son." John told him sincerely and patted him on the shoulder. Peter sighed and shook his head dismissively.

"No, it's really ok. It's not your fault." Peter told him with a strained smile. Mrs. Pevensie got up to go and hug her oldest from behind. Peter squeezed her arm thankfully as the rest of his family went over to embrace him. There were some silent tears in the room but overall they were taking the news very well. Aleisa stood up to stand next to her father who quickly pulled her into an embrace. It broke his heart to see her so chocked up. Knowing that Peter was going to be heading off to war hit him hard too, and it wasn't even his child. However he knew that things would be ok, Peter had a strong loving family behind him, along with Aleisa and her father who were just as much a part of the family now.