Chapter 4

Exactly 5 years later...

Growing up, Anne had always been taught that things change, and so do people. Yet now that she was both a wife and a mother, she was finding it very difficult to accept that her own little family was changing, right before her very eyes.

Their son, their little prince, Rilian, had just turned 5 years old, she and Caspian would be celebrating 6 years of marriage in 3 months time, and, as if that wasn't enough change for them, they were expecting their second child in just 4 months time.

As anyone could imagine, these last five years had been pretty hectic, indeed. Little did they know, though, that things were about to get a little less hectic, and a lot more fun.

3 months later...

It had started out like any other day, yes, even for the royalty. As always, they got ready themselves, then helped the Prince get ready, and then headed down to breakfast. They had a nice meal together and had just finished, when they heard a knock at the door.

"Come in."

One of the royal messengers walked in. "Your majesties," he said, bowing to everyone, but then looking directly at Queen Anne.

"You have some visitors. They claim to be your brothers and sisters."

At the mention of this, the Queen's eyes lit up, a huge smile spread across her face.

"Yes, yes, of course! Send them right in!" She couldn't believe this. She thought back to the last time she had seen them. It had been 7 years ago, and Aslan had said that Peter and Susan, at least, could never come back, but that Edmund and Lucy could. Now, apparently, they were all here. She wondered what could possibly have changed Aslan's mind after all this time.

She was brought out of her little daydream by the sound of Peter's voice. "Well, it's been 7 years. Aren't you glad to see me?"

She couldn't help but smile, and laugh as well, when he said that. "Of course I am. I am sorry for not jumping up and greeting you properly, but," Caspian came over, took her hand, and helped her up, revealing her significantly protruding belly. "I'm sure you can see why I didn't. Well, didn't and can't."

Shock spread on everyone's face upon seeing this, but were all very much thrilled at the prospect of having a new niece or nephew in the family. She made her way over to them, and hugged them all as tight as she could.

"It's so great to see everyone." She looked over at Susan. "There's just one thing I don't understand. When you guys left the last time, Aslan had said that Edmund and Lucy could come back, but that you and Peter couldn't. What changed?"

"To tell you the truth, Anne, I really don't know. One minute, we were all on the bus, headed to school, and the next minute we were here."

"It doesn't really matter why," Caspian stood up from his chair, and walked over. "What matters is that it did, and you're all here now. It really is great to see you again." He went over and hugged all of them, as well, before wrapping his right arm around Anne's waist.

"And who's this here?" Lucy asked, looking at the little dark haired child standing in front of them.

"This," Anne replied, placing a hand on his shoulder, "is our son, and your nephew, Rilian, Prince of Narnia."

"He looks so much like both of you." Edmund spoke up. Caspian and Anne smiled at each other, and shared a brief kiss, before turning their attention back to their company.

Caspian then knelt down to his son's level. "Rilian, these are your aunts and uncles. This is your uncle Peter, your aunt Susan, your uncle Edmund, and your aunt Lucy. Can you say hi?"

The little prince was rather shy, but waved his little hand, and in a virtual whisper, said "hi", while still clinging tightly to his father.

"Well," Susan said, smiling, looking at her oldest sister, "it's looks like you two have been very busy lately. How far along are you, anyway?"

"As of today, I'm exactly 8 months." Anne said, rubbing her large belly, and smiling. "Both Caspian and I are hoping for a girl, but would be just as happy with another boy."

They all talked inside for a few more minutes, before deciding to take a nice, peaceful stroll through the castle gardens, and really catch up.

They had been walking and talking for about 15 minutes or so, when all of a sudden, they heard soft, padded footsteps behind them. Everyone turned around, and saw none other than Aslan himself standing in from of them.

Lucy reacted first, running over and hugging him, burying herself in his mane. "Aslan, how did you know we were all here?"

"I always know where you are, all the time." he replied. "Now, Peter and Susan, you're probably wondering why you're back here, when I told you last time that you never would."

Susan spoke up. "Yes, we would, actually." Peter nodded his head in agreement.

"I brought not only you two back, but you two also," He now looked at Edmund and Lucy. "because, after all this time, and I finally saw that you all fit in so much better here than you ever did in London. I'm just sorry that it took me so long to realize it."

"So" Edmund spoke for everyone when he asked, "how long are we going to be able to stay this time?"

"That's really what I came here for. You have a choice-you can either go back in 3 days, or never go back at all."

Everyone's eyes lit up, and huge smiles broke out on all their faces.

"Really? We can stay here? We never have to go back?" Lucy asked, practically jumping up and down with excitement.

Aslan chuckled, before smiling as well. "Yes, dear one. If you don't want to."

At that moment, they all ran over and hugged him tight, thanking him profusely. None as tight, though, as Queen Anne. She finally had her brothers and sisters back with her. As far as she was concerned, her life was just about perfect. All she needed now was this child within her, and it would be. It really would be.

A/N: Sorry if this chapter isn't as good as the others, and also that it took a little longer to get it up. I went through a little bit of a dry spell yesterday, but thankfully was able to finish it today.