A/N: Holy shit, I'm so sorry I've taken so long in updating. There was school, and another fic that was easier to write, then writers block. I hope I've made it up to ya'll. Please Review!- Fiona

Chapter 11

Molly awoke to Lucy jumping up and down on her bed. For a twelve year old Lucy sure acted a lot like a six year old sometimes. "Lucy, come back in five minutes," Molly whinned trying to roll away from the bouncing girl.

"No you have to get up silly. It's Christmas," Lucy said. Molly sat up in bed. "It's Chirstmas?" she asked looking over at younger girl. Lucy nodded ceasing her jumping. "Then Merry Christmas, Lu," Molly said.

Once Molly was up and out of bed, Lucy dragged the girl to the Pevensie's private sitting room. It was really meant to be a communal breakfast nook/ receiving room, but the four had turned it into their private lounge. The room had ben specially decorated for the season. A medium fir tree stood in the corner surrounded by brightly wrapped packages, there was colorful ribbon everywhere, elaborate stocking hung from the chimney filled with goodies, and a small plate sat on the table the glass of milk half empty.

The rest of the Pevensies were already sitting around on the sofas and chairs, poor Edmund looking like he was about to fall over in exhaustion. "Remind me again, why we are up so early," he whined rubbing his eyes. Molly feigned a laugh. Ed was simply too silly when he was cranky.

Lucy ran over to the fireplace and picked up the one of the stockings. "This one's for you Ed," she laughed holding the elaborate blue and silver stocking out to the cranky teen. Ed reached out taking the stocking empty the contents into his lap. "Father Christmas brought me a new dagger, some chocolates, and set of new pens," he said picking up one of the chocolates and unwrapping it.

Susan was next, Father Christmas brought her a beautiful pair of diamond and emerald earrings and a small scarf of beautiful red and gold silk. Peter took his stocking next. His was only half full, a beautiful black handled dagger and some sweets. Lucy opened her next. She received a scarf similar to Susan's, some pens, and a small mountain of chocolates.

Molly was last to open her stocking. She was sitting in an oversized arm chair, so when Lucy handed her the multicolored stocking Molly dumped the contents on her lap. Father Christmas had brought her a staggering amount of saltwater taffy and something that looked suspiciously like a diary, not that Molly minded. Any blank page to write on was a good page.

As Molly sifted through her pile of saltwater taffy the maids delivered a light breakfast of eggs, bacon, and sweet pastry. She laughed as she watched Ed and Peter devour their food as if they had never eaten before in their lives. She longed, as she did every year, for the Christmas Stolen of her childhood. Nothing beat her mother's fresh stolen.

As the girls finished eating they group returned to their seats to start giving and receiving gifts. "I guess I'll start," Peter said passing around four packages all wrapped in red paper with gold ribbon. Lucy ripped her paper off first to reveal a set of paints and canvas. 'Thanks Pete," she said getting up to hug her brother.

Susan opened her package next to reveal a new dress and satin red heels. "Thank you Peter," she said leaving the dress in the box. Molly opened her gift. I large pile of parchment and nearly 10 different ink wells greeted her. "Thanks a load Peter. I was just about to run out of paper," she said running her thumb over the edges of the paper absentmindedly. Edmund opened his gift last. Judging by the shape Ed assumed it was a sword of some kind. Much to Ed's surprise the long narrow box contained a collection of freshly bound books.

"Umm, thanks Pete," the younger king said lifting one of the books out to check the title. They were all of Ed's favorites that over the years had begun to fall apart. "You're welcome Ed. We all know how grumpy you get when your books start to fall apart," Peter quipped earning a laugh from each of the girls.

Edmund grumbled quietly waiting for the next round of gifts. Susan stood up making her way to the tree. Her gifts seemed to "thanks Su," Ed said lifting the pants out of the box to examine them. Ed did need new ones as his growth spurt still had not ended.

Peter went next curious to what is fashion minded sister had gotten him. Pete's box revealed a journal. He was thankful as his current volume was almost full of his notes, thoughts, and quips. "Thank you very much Su," he said.

Molly went next dreading what she would find in the medium sized rectangular box. She lifted the lid to reveal a pair of dark blue with silver peep toed heels. Of course Susan had gotten the girl who wore nothing flats and boots, heels. Molly nodded her thank you to Susan before watching Lucy rip the pink paper from her box. Susan had purchased the dress Lucy had been admiring from the Cair dress shop. "Thank, thank you thank you!" she yelled getting up and hugging Susan.

Edmund went to gather his gifts next. This descention by age was part of the Christmas tradition. The kings and queens gave their gifts to one another in order by age. Last year Lucy had started the gift giving, so this year Peter started.

Molly opened her box first, nervous about the contents of the long thin box. She opened it to reveal a shiny brand new pen, that looked suspiciously like a fountain pen. "I told the jewelers what a fountain pen looked like, and had Lucy sketch one," he said. Molly thanked Edmund earnestly. It wasn't jewelry, per say, and she would appreciate a writing utensil that wouldn't cover her fingertips in ink.

Susan opened her box next. A beautiful pair of amethyst earrings with a necklace of honey colored amber and amethyst set in silver. 'They are beautiful Ed," she said letting her fingertips glide of the cool metal.

Lucy opened her box to reveal a small tag, This Coupon Entitles Lucy Pevensie to one horse of her choosing. Lucy literally tackled Edmund in his chair. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she yelled in his ear. It was well known that Lucy had wanted a horse of her own for some time.

Peter was last to open his box. Inside was a new scabbard for Rhindon and a coupon like Lucy's redeemable for a spar with Ed. "Thank's Ed," Peter said letting the scabbard lie next to his new journal. With that, everyone's attention turned to Molly , as she gathered her parchment wrapped gifts from under the tree.

Lucy went first, excited to see a saddle that could be custom fit to the horse Ed had promised her. Molly also received a large hug from the excited 12 year old. Peter opened his present, a book about battle strategies Molly had found while in the binder's shop. It wasn't quite what he had wanted but he was thankful none the less. Susan went next revealing a shoebox with a pair of strapy gold heels. "thanks Mol," Susan said examining the shoe's silhouette.

Ed opened his box last unsure of what he would find inside. He lifted the box's lid to see a book bound in a light brown leather with silver detailing on the spine and cover. Molly bit her lip as he opened the cover to see what literature was contained in the pages. It read The Tale of the Two Most Unlikely People, by Molly Fitzroy. Ed looked up at her, "you wrote this?" She nodded. "Thank you Molly. I'll enjoy reading every word of it," he said smiling.

The sweet moment was broken as Lucy delivered her gifts to her siblings and Molly's lap. To Peter, Susan, and Edmund, Lucy had given a one of a kind painting. Each painting represented their domain. Peter's showed a sunset over Cair Paravel with Aslan walking along the beach. For Susan, a sunrise over Southern Narnia. Edmund's was of the Western Woods in Fall, Aslan carefully painted in between the trees. Molly's painting, however, was the most unique. Lucy had painted Molly's office, complete with Molly passed out on her desk, quill in hand.

The four thanked Lucy for her wonderful paintings for splitting up for quick naps before preparations for the Christmas Feast that began at midday.

There was an awkward silences looming over the long table in the dining hall. Normally on such a glorious holiday the hall would be filled with the laughter. The only noise that could be heard was the Calormen Prince as he complained about the taste of the food, lack of entertainment, and the overall absurdity of the holiday the 'barbarians' were celebrating. The royal end of the table sat in silences the sound of forks and knives clinking overwhelming everything else, as the siblings threw glances at one another.

As the meal ended Peter stood up tapping his glass. "Friends, Narnians, Visitors from Afar, I thank you for celebrating Christmas with up here tonight," he said letting the roar of agreement ring for a moment. On this happiest of holidays I bring news. First Prince Rabadash of Calormen has request that Queen Susan make a trip to visit him in the glorious city of Tashbaan. The Calormen section of the table erupted into cheers while the royal family stayed silent.

"Also, Lord Caleb of Avalon, has asked to court the Lady Knight Molly Fitzroy," he said. This time the Archenland section of the table cheered a few slapping Caleb on the back for nabbing such a beautiful woman. Molly stood up from her seat on Susan's right tears welling in her eyes.

She looked at Peter, a distinct note of hurt in her eyes before running from the table, leaving her heels in her wake. The table fell deathly silent as Edmund rose, mumbling an excuse to Peter. The entire hall watched with bated breath as Edmund walked around the table to pick up Molly's shoes before leaving the hall.

Ed knocked on the door to Molly's room softly, hoping to Aslan she would answer. The door creaked open as if on its own, allowing Edmund entrance. Molly lay stretched the length of her bed face down in the pillows. Ed dropped the shoes carelessly near the door before striding over to the bed and sitting on the edge.

"Molly," he said just above a whisper placing a hand on her back rubbing in small circles. "Leave me alone Ed," she sobs not letting her face leave the soft pillow. "Molly, I didn't know until this morning. Caleb asked Pete about it while I was away," he said. Molly picked herself up ever so slightly turning her head to glare at Ed. "You are a fucking king," she swore, " you could override Caleb's bid." Ed shook his head, "Molly, Peter's high king remember. What he says goes."

Molly moved to swat Edmund, but he caught her hand. "This is all your fault," she said. He nodded, "I know." Then Ed leaned down and kissed the girl that made his stomach flip and his heart beat faster. As he pulled away Molly wrapped an arm around his neck pulling him back. "Don't you dare leave me right now Edmund Pevensie," she whispered against his lips.

Edmund leaned back down to capture Molly's lips in a passionate kiss. He pulled back only momentarily to whisper the three words every girl wants to hear. "I love you Molly." Molly pulled back looking into Ed's eyes searching for the truth behind his words. She could see he meant it in the odd shine his eyes. 'Prove it," she whispered waiting for Ed to kiss her again, and he did all too eagerly.