Full chapter title: No Need To Say Goodbye (5)

It was the day before Caspian's birthday party, and Ivar was a nervous wreck. He was planning to propose to Kayla the next day, but he still needed to talk to his and her parents.

"Mr. and Mrs. Bedwell, I've been meaning to speak with you about something. You too, Mor and Far."

"I guess that's our cue."

"No, no, no, Mr. and Mrs. Pevensie. You have just as much right to be here for this."

"What is it, Ivar? You look nervous."

"I am."

"Mor! Far!"

"Thank God you're here, Caspian. My brother needs to be here for this as well."

"What's going on, Ivar?"

"Alright. Here it goes. Remember the package Professor Kirke sent me?"

"Yes."

"This is about what is in that package. It's something I left at his house for safe keeping, that I actually brought back from here when we stumbled back through the wardrobe. I had it made here."

"What is it?"

Ivar pulled the ring from his pocket and showed it to everyone.

"A ring, and not just any ring. I had this ring made special in our last few days n the Golden Age by the jewellery maker of Cair Paravel, Lalnus the faun. I had to borrow a ring from a certain person so he could get the size right."

"But why did you have the ring made?"

"Surely you all know of what goes on between Kayla and myself. The tension and the protectiveness."

"Yes, we know."

"Now, I'm not saying I believe in love at first sight, because I don't. Mr. and Mrs. Bedwell, I have been in love with Kayla since we became best friends. During our battle against the White Witch, there was a moment when the witch was coming after me, and Kayla turned into a lioness and charged at the witch. She turned Kayla into stone, and her statue busted into pieces. I thought she was dead. I admitted to the Pevenies then that I love her, and Aslan told us she was not dead. She came walking down from a hill. The pieces of her statue disappeared."

"So, our daughter has died for you, and she was tortured for you?"

"Yes. And I was very willing to kill her half-brother Conláed to keep her from dying at his hands as he wants. I risked my life for her."

"Have you ever kissed her?"

"Yes. Once. But the other three times she kissed me first."

"Three?!"

"I said too much, didn't I?"

"And would you mind telling me when the times you two kissed happened, Ivar?"

"I always thought it was wrong to kiss and tell, Mr. Bedwell?"

"Ivar!"

"Yes, I will tell you. The first time was when Rabadash was coming after us, right before he took Kayla captive. The second time was at the battle of Anvard, like actually during the battle. The third time was at the last ball we held during the Golden age. The fourth time was a few days ago. She went to the ruins of Cair Paravel to get her trunks of dresses, and the others had sent me to get the rest of the trunks. We were in the treasure room, and I had the urge to kiss her."

At that moment, Ivar felt he was fearing for his life. He did not know if Mr. Bedwell would kill him for sharing a kiss with his daughter, let alone three more.

"Since the other three kisses happened when you were adults, I'm not too worried. But this fourth one, considering that Kayla was the instigator in the others, I can overlook it. But I would still like to know why you had the ring made."

"Of course, Mr. Bedwell. This ring is an engagement ring."

"I knew it."

"I had wanted to propose to her during the Golden Age, but the day I wanted to ask her was also the day we stumbled back through the wardrobe. I asked Professor Kirke to keep it safe because I did not know how long the war would last. Peter, Edmund, and I had the idea of enlisting someday. But you should also know, Mr. Bedwell, that during the Golden Age, I did ask Peter's permission. Even though he's not her blood brother, they're as close as brother and sister. Not to mention they are cousins and aunt and nephew. And just a few days ago, I also asked Aslan for permission. He said yes."

"Ivar, you do realize she's only fifteen."

"I know. I just want your permission, and if you agree, I'll ask her when the time is right. I'm prepared for us to wait until we're older."

Mr. Bedwell and Mrs. Bedwell never thought lowly of Ivar, and Mr. and Mrs. Andersen never thought lowly of Kayla.

"Well, Ivar. Since Aslan gave you his permission, I can't go against that. I don't even want to. I can't think of a man other than you who I would want to call my son-in-law. Certainly not the Calormene ambassador's son."

"So, what are you saying, Mr. Bedwell?"

"I'm saying, Ivar Alexander Andersen, I give you permission to marry my daughter."

"Are you serious, Mr. Bedwell?!"

"I am, Ivar."

"Oh thank you! Thank you, Mr. Bedwell! Mor, Far, what do you say?"

"I agree. I would love to call Kayla my daughter-in-law. Do you know when you'll propose?"

"No. Not yet."

The next day was Caspian's birthday party, which Susan had managed to put together without much trouble. Ivar, Peter, and Edmund blindfolded Caspian and led him to the ballroom.

"Are you ready, Caspian?"

"I guess I have to be."

Peter opened the doors, and Ivar removed the blindfold.

"Surprise!"

"Happy birthday, Caspian!"

"So this is why you all would not let me walk down this hallway?"

"Yes, it is."

"Thank you, Kayla."

"Oh, I wasn't the one that put it together."

"Then, who did?"

"I did."

Caspian knew that voice anywhere.

"So, this why we've been having those long talks about me, Queen Susan?"

"One of the reasons. Now, what do you want to do first? Open presents or dance?"

"Dance. The greatest birthday gift anyone could give me would be a dance with you, my lady."

Caspian led Susan to the dance floor, and Ivar walked over to Kayla.

"Kayla, would you accompany me into the gardens?"

"Of course."

Peter gave Ivar a look that said you can do this. They walked arm in arm into the gardens and sat down on a bench, though Ivar could barely keep still.

"Warm night, isn't it?"

"Ivar, I know you didn't bring me out here to talk about the weather. You're sweating bullets. What's wrong?"

"There's nothing wrong, I promise. I'm going to stand up. My legs feel numb."

He stood up and started pacing in front of Kayla. He had never been so nervous in his life, not even on the battlefield.

"Ivar, tell me what's on your mind."

"Alright. Remember the package from Professor Kirke?"

"The one your parents gave to you?"

"Yes."

"What about it?"

"This is about what was in it. I talked to my parents and your parents, including Aslan. I actually talked to him first."

Unbeknownst to the two of them, Peter, Edmund, Adila, and Lucy were all hiding in the bushes, watching them. Caspian and Susan decided to join them.

"He's going to pop the question. I just know it."

"He just has to."

Kayla moved to stand up, but Ivar wanted her to stay sitting down.

"No, no, Kayla. You stay seated. My legs are getting weak."

He knelt down in the grass, weak as a toothpick in the wind.

"What is going on, Ivar?"

"Just give me a minute. Close your eyes for me."

"Why?"

"Just close your eyes."

While her eyes were closed, he pulled the ring out of his pocket. Edmund was able to get a good glimpse of it, and so was Peter.

"I've seen that ring before."

"Where and when, Peter?"

"During the Golden Age. I'll tell you more later."

"You can open your eyes now, Kayla."

She opened her eyes, and she was very confused when she saw the ring. She and Ivar were not even courting.

"Ivar, I think I know what that ring means. We ain't even courting."

"Who says we have to be? I had this ring made during the Golden Age. I was going to propose to you the day we were hunting the White Stag, but we ended up back through the wardrobe. I gave it to Professor Kirke for safekeeping. Kayla, you cannot deny the tension between us. The time you did die for me, the time you were tortured for me, and the time I was willing to take on an entire army and your brother. I'm not proposing to you for your throne. I'm proposing to Kayla, not Caoilfhionn."

Susan, Lucy, and Adila were about to cry at Ivar's words, but they had to keep themselves hidden. Kayla placed her hands on Ivar's face and looked him in the eyes.

"Ivar, do me a favour."

"What?"

"Take that ring, and put it on my ring finger."

She pulled his face in for a kiss.

"I told you! It took three kisses for him to propose!"

"Edmund, it was actually four."

"What did you say, Caspian?"

"Ivar admitted to a fourth kiss."

Peter covered Lucy's eyes with his hand, but she pushed him away.

"I've seen them kiss before, Peter. It's nothing. And I'm sure when I'm older I'll understand."

"I'm older, Lucy, and I think I won't understand."

"Oh please, Edmund."

"Why are we still here watching this?"

"We should go back inside."

"Yes, we should."

"So, Kayla's going to be my sister-in-law?"

"Looks like it, Caspian."

They headed inside, leaving Ivar and Kayla to each other.