Susan tried her best to remain unseen at the funeral. She wore no makeup and no fancy clothes, only a black dress and a veil over her face. Now and then, a friend noticed her and expressed a rehearsed condolence, but for the most part, she was unnoticed. That was the way she wanted it.

She watched at the gravesite until the funeral was over and the final guest had left. Alone at last, she walked toward the five graves. She stood there, silent, looking at the gravestones and piles of dirt that were the last reminders she had of her family.

Finally, she knelt. Regret sweeped over her as she closed her eyes, weeping. It was no longer guilt that she felt, but emptiness. She thought of all the memories they shared as a family, and she longed for them more than anything. She wanted to hold them, talk to them, love them like she never had before. The grief she felt was overwhelming.

Susan lifted her eyes to look at each individual gravestone. "I don't know if you can hear me," she said aloud. "If you can, I want you to know this: I am so sorry." Another tear rolled down her cheek. "I took your love for granted. I only cared about myself. Even on the day you died, I didn't even want to see you because I was so caught up in that silly old party. I've been such a fool, and I want you to forgive me." She paused and wiped her face. "Right before you died, that party meant the world to me. But now, I realize that all of you were my real treasure. I just never saw it."

Susan looked at the ground in shame for a few minutes before she continued. "I would trade everything I ever loved just so I could have one more moment with you. I wish I could turn back time, if only for an instant, just to see your faces again. It pains me to know that I will never again hear your voices. And if you hear nothing else, please hear this. I love each of you so much. I always have.

"Mother, Father, I don't know whether you know Aslan or not, but if you do, please listen. I think I have his forgiveness. I just need yours now."

Susan stood and began to walk away. As she passed Lucy's grave, she stopped and put a hand on the gravestone. "You never gave up on me, did you, Lu?"

She finally turned and walked toward the city. She looked back several times at the graves as her eyes were blinded by tears. As she walked down the sidewalk, she did not bother to flag down a cab, nor did she notice the usual bustle of the London streets. Enveloped in grief, she felt Aslan's presence once again. "Daughter."

Susan answered with her heart. "Aslan, I was such a fool."

"Happy the woman who knows that while she is still young."

Susan was oblivious to everything; the pedestrians on the sidewalk, the scenery, the traffic up the street. It warmed her to know that Aslan was still with her even when her family was not. Even so, the heartache did not vanish as completely as she hoped it would. "I would give anything tohave them back."

"Anything, Daughter?"

Susan realized that she was across the street to her apartment. She stepped into the street, completely unaware as the traffic began to move. "Yes. I would give my life if it meant I could see them again."

"Do you really mean that?"

"Yes. I miss them…and you, Aslan."

Susan looked up just in time to see a taxi cab speeding toward her. To her, it moved as if it was in slow motion. She was suddenly aware of pedestrians looking at her with horrified faces. She could see the cab driver's terrified eyes, and she realized there was nothing he could do to avoid her. She could not move, however. She was frozen with shock and fear.

In the middle of everything, she heard Aslan's gentle voice once more.

"Alright. Come live with me now."

Susan closed her eyes and opened her mouth for a scream that never came.

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Author's note: Final chapter coming soon, and it's going to be great!