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The End Of The Line

Chapter 4

Alexs POV

"Just come home soon, alright?" I said.

"Of course. We just have to get the rings, get them to Eustace and Jill, and I'll be home before you know it." Edmund replied.

"I wish I could go. I don't suppose my mum could watch the kids . . ."

He chuckled and shook his head. "Lacey's sick remember. And Erin probably will be soon enough. It's bad enough I have to go. Like I said, I'll be back before you know it."

"Oh . . . alright." I sighed.

A moment later he fell backwards. I looked down and saw Erin had run right over him.

"Sorry dad." Erin said.

"Where are you off too in such a hurry?" Edmund chuckled.

Erin shrugged.

"Just running for the heck of it?" Edmund asked.

Erin nodded. "I was going outside." he replied.

Edmund smiled. "Alright, but give me a hug first, I'm about to have to go."

"Already?" Erin asked, sounding dissapointed.

"Yes." Edmund replied.

Erin buried his head into Edmunds neck while he stood to his feet. "I'll be back soon." he said.

"Promise?" Erin asked.

"Promise." Edmund replied.

I chuckled when Edmund started walking up the stairs, no arm supporting Erin, and yet Erin was still dangling from his neck off his own accord. A moment later he was walking back down, this time with a bit of effort, because he now had both Erin and Lacey hanging from his neck, one on either side.

"They wouldn't let go." he laughed.

Lacey was giggling and Erin was trying not too. When he reached the door he bent down to place them both back on their feet.

Erin let go, but Lacey didn't. "Are you sure you have to go, daddy?" she asked.

"Yes, LaiLai, I do. But I'll be home soon. You just get better alright." he said.

She nodded, a lock of dark hair falling in front of her eyes.

He smiled and pushed it behind her ear kissing her nose. "Watch after your brother, alright?" he said.

She nodded and giggled when Erin huffed.

Edmund was about to reach for the door handle when my mum came in the room. "Wait a moment, you're going to need something to eat, won't you? Of course you will. Here you are." she said handing him a sandwhich before he could protest.

"Told you she was worrisome." I teased.

"I am not worrisome." mum said.

Edmund chuckled. "Thank you." he said kissing her on the cheek.

"Your welcome, dear." she smiled giving him a one armed hug. He turned to me and gave me a final hug and kiss before opening the door.

"I'll see you all soon." he said.

"Bye, daddy! Love you!" Lacey and Erin said.

"Love you all too." he smiled before stepping out.

I stood in the doorway until he was out of sight before closing the door. I looked down at Lacey and noticed she was quite pale now. "Alright, Lacey, time to get back up to bed." I said.

She nodded before heading towards the stairs. I knew it may have been a mistake for her to leave her bed, concidering how weak this illness has made her. But that was nothing I couldn't handle.

I picked her up and began carrying her up the steps.

She looked up at me. "What'd you do that for?" she asked with a cough.

"Because you need to rest as much as possible." I replied, re-tucking her back into bed "Now get some sleep. I'll wake you up when supper's ready."

She nodded and yawned before turning on her side to get comfortable. I kissed her on the forehead before walking from the room, closing the door behind me.

The next day Lacey was feeling much better. Surprisingly Erin didn't get sick as well. I realized with relief it must have only been a 24 hour cold. Mum and I were preparing supper when there was a knock at the door.

"That must be Edmund!" I said rushing towards the door.

But it wasn't Edmund . . . it was a policeman.

"M- may I help you?" I stammered out.

"Ma'am, are you Alex Pevensie?" he asked.

"Y- yes sir." I replied.

"I regret to inform you that your husband is in serious condition at the London hospital." he said.

"What happened?" I demanded.

"There was a train wreck..."

"WHAT?! What about the others?! Lucy Pevensie! Peter Pevensie! Erin Keynes! Helen Pevensie! Frank Pevensie! Proffessor Kirke! Polly Plummer! Eustace Scrubb! Jill Poll! What about them?!" I asked frantic.

"I cannot give any information to anyone but their family." he replied.

"I am their family. Erin Keynes is my brother. Peter Pevensie is my brother in law. Lucy Pevensie is my sister in law. Helen Pevensie is my mother in law. Frank Pevensie is my father in law. Proffessor Kirke is like a father to me. Polly Plummer is my aunt, in a sense anyway. Eustace Scrubb is my cousin in law. Jill Poll is a dear friend. And I wish to know about them." I said in a deathly low voice.

He dipped his head in respect. "They did not survive the crash, ma'am. I am very sorry." he said before walking down the steps.

Gone. All gone. They're all gone.

Numbly I closed the door and walked back into the kitchen.

"Dear, what's wrong? You look as though you've seen a ghost." mum said.

I couldn't respond, only sat at the table.

"Mum?" Erin asked and I looked at him.

So much like Edmund . . .

I looked back at my mum. He wasn't gone yet. Only the others were. There was still a chance. Though I have lost everything but him.

"Mum, can you watch Erin and Lacey?" I asked.

"Of course, dear, but where are you going?" she replied.

I closed my eyes tight and clenched my fists. "There was a train wreck-" Lacey gasped and Erin shook his head, his brown eyes wide open "- Edmund was hurt . . . badly . . . he's in serious condition at the London hospital."

"But he's going to be ok, right? He has to be!" Erin exclaimed.

I opened my eyes and found my vision blurry. "I don't know, love. I really don't know this time." I replied.

"HE HAS TO BE!" Lacey cried.

I pulled her into my lap. "You have to calm down, LaiLai. Surely he'll come home to us. Aslan wouldn't take him away from us." I said stroking her hair.

"There's something else, isn't there?" mum said.

"Yes . . . the others were also in the wreck . . . but . . . they . . . they didn't quite . . . make it." I managed to say.

"You mean they're all gone?!" Erin exclaimed.

"They can't be!" Lacey cried, tears snaking down her pale cheeks.

I pulled Erin beside me. "They wouldn't want us to cry like this. Think of it this way, they're happy in Aslans Country. They may even be back in Narnia for all we know." I said, glancing between them both.

This did seem to brighten them up a bit.

"You have to stay strong for each other and for them." I said "And until we ourselves make it to Aslans Country, remember the time you went back to Narnia. Remember your time with Rilian. And the time you spent ruling."

"When you come back, can we tell the story?" Lacey asked.

"Of course, love." I smiled "Now stay inside, it's nearly dark anyway. I may have to stay at the hospital overnight, but I'll be back in the morning." I said.

They nodded and Erin moved away as I set Lacey back on her feet.

"Now grandmum's in charge, alright?" I said.

They nodded and stood close beside her. I pulled my jacket on.

"I love you." I said.

"We love you too." they replied.

I bent down and kissed them each on the forehead before walking out the door. I was deathly afraid of what I would find, but I knew I had to go to him.