Disclaimer: I own nothing!

The End Of the Line

Chapter 5

When I arrived at the hospital, the secratary looked worn out. She looked up at me as I stepped up to the counter.

"Edmund Pevensies room?" I asked.

"Are you family? Only family is allowed." she said.

"I'm his wife." I said impateiently.

"Room 129." she said going back to the work in front of her.

"Thank you." I said before walking away.

It took a while to find the room but when I finally did I was shocked at what I saw. They must have cleaned the cuts already, but he was still extremely cut up. And he was so pale.

"Oh Ed. . ." I whispered, moving to his side.

Surprisingly his eyes opened and met mine and then another surprising thing happened, he smiled.

I moved the hair from his forehead. "How do you feel?" I asked.

"Ok, I suppose." he said, his voice cracking.

"They're saying you might not live." I said, my eyes once more filling with tears, but I blinked them away.

He shook his head. "I've handled worse than this." he said, once more, his voice cacking with effort.

"You mean. . . you know you'll live?" I asked hopefully.

He smiled a bit wider. "I can't leave you all behind for a few scraped and bruises, now can I?" he said, his eyes twinkling mischeivously. The smile faded a bit. "Peter's gone. . . isn't he?" he asked.

I nodded, slipping my hand into his.

He sighed. "It's because of that big idiot that I survived at all. He practically threw me out of the way."

"I'm not surprised." I said.

"What about the others?" he asked.

I shook my head. "They're all gone too." I said, my breathing hitching.

He closed his eyes and sighed. "All of them? My parents? Lucy? Eric?. . ."

"Yes." I said.

"Well, what's done is done." he sighed.

"At least the kids didn't go." I said, squeezing his hand.

He opened his eyes and looked up at me. "You're right. If Lacey hadn't of gotten sick. . . they would be gone too." he said.

I had to shake my head at the thought. "But they're safe at home. Waiting for you to get well and come back to them." I said.

"Is Lacey well?" he asked.

I nodded.

"Bring them tomorrow then." he said.

I smiled. "I'm sure they'll love that." I said nodding.

"I do know I need to be well in time for the funerals. I'm not missing them." he said.

I smiled. "Even hurt you still have determination."

I heard the door open but saw it was only a nurse.

Edmund grinned up at me. "I'll have determination till the day I die, you know that better than anyone."

"That I do. And it's one of the many reasons why I love you so much."

"Er. . . sorry to interupt, but he needs to rest." the nurse said.

"Of course." I said quickly, nodding.

"Why don't you go on home. I'll be fine." Edmund said.

"No. Mum's watching the kids. I'm not leaving you." I replied.

"Alright, if you're sure." he said.

"I'm sure. Wherever I sleep I won't sleep well, not until you're home." I replied.

"And you call me determined." he teased.

I rolled my eyes and leaned down to kiss him lightly before taking a seat in the chair beside his bed. Though I kept my hand in his. I found it was truly late by now. And despite everything I found myself drifting to sleep.

When I awoke the next morning, I found Edmund was still asleep. I carefully pulled my hand from his and turned to the nurse who had just entered. Perfect timing.

"Excuse me miss, but I'm going to get our children. I'm sure they wish to see him. If he wakes up before I return would you tell him I'll be back soon and with two extra visitors?" I asked.

"Of course, ma'am." she replied with a smile.

"Thank you." I smiled before walking from the room.

The air outside was chilly, but I ignored it as I made my way home.

When I stepped through the front door, I was immediately attacked by Erin and Lacey.

"Is he alright?! Is he awake?! Will he live?!" Lacey asked all in one breathe.

I smiled. "Yes, yes and yes." I replied.

"Oh thank Aslan." Erin said hugging me tightly.

"And he's also expecting you. He's doing well enough for visitors." I smiled.

"Really?" Lacey asked excitedly.

I nodded. "So get your coats on."

They both ran to the coat closet and for the first time I noticed mum was standing in the kitchen doorway. "So he really will be alright?" she asked.

"He's too strong willed to die. He is scraped up pretty badly, but it won't take him from us." I replied.

"Good good. Heaven knows that boy has a family too take care of." she said with a twinkle in her eye.

"Heaven knows I'm going to kill him as soon as he's well for scaring us all like he did." I said, only half teasing.

She laughed and kissed me on the forehead. "That's my girl."

"Yeah, and he knows he's in for it too." I said.

"I call second shot at him!" Erin said raising his hand.

I laughed and smoothed his hair down. "And I'm sure he'll be expecting it from you as well."

He gave somewhere between an indignant hmph and a grunt when he saw I was teasing.

"Well come on. I'm sure if he's awake he'll be bouncing up and down until we get there." I said.

"I don't doubt that." mum said.

I smiled. "If you want to come you can." I said.

"No dear, I'll come a different time. I'll probably end up taking a nap. It took forever to get to sleep last night." she replied.

I smiled. "If you're sure?"

"I'm sure." she smiled.

I gave her a swift hug before ushering Erin and Lacey out the door. I kept one arm around them both as we walked towards the hospital.

When it came into view I felt Lacey begin shaking.

"What is it, love?" I asked, stopping her and Erin.

"Is daddy really alright? Does he look any different?" she asked, her voice breaking slightly.

"He is cut up pretty badly, but he still looks like your father." I replied reassuringly.

"And he needs us, Lace." Erin added.

She blinked a few times before nodding.

I pulled my arm tighter around her. I already knew where the room was and passed the lady at the desk.

I opened the door to Edmunds room and was relieved to see him sitting up.

He looked over at us and smiled. "There you three are."

Lacey smiled and ran to the side of the bed. "How do you feel?" she asked.

"Much better." he smiled, holding his hand out to her.

I helped her up to sit on the edge of his bed and when she was settled she took his hand. I could see she was afraid to touch him anywhere, not wanting to hurt him.

Frankly I was nervous about touching him as well, but he held his hand out willingly.

Erin only stood by the side of the bed, his hand in Laceys.

A comfortable silence hung over the room. Relief was for Erin, Lacey, and I. We still had Edmund in our grasp, no matter how close we had come to losing him.

"I had a dream about Aslan last night." Edmund finally said.

"What did He say?" I asked anxiously.

"He said it wasn't yet my time. He said I still had a few people to take care of." at this he gave Laceys hand a small squeeze "He also said He's healing me. And He said the others are happy and to not grieve for we will join them someday. He let me say good-bye to Peter Lucy and Eric. And they have messages. Peter said for you two to take care of each other." he looked at Erin and Lacey then looked at me "and that you'll always be like another little sister to him. Lucy said to stay bright, to never forget, and that she loves you all. Eric said nearly the same. And there was one more person there that I've never met before... but Alex, you have." he said looking at me.

"Really? Who?" I asked.

"Your father." he replied.

I gasped and moved closer. "What'd he say?" I asked excitedly.

He smiled. "He said that he loves you and you'll always be his baby girl. He said he's proud of you and he can't wait to see you again, and he can't wait to meet Erin and Lacey. You can tell your mom this but he said to tell her that he loves her more than anything and he waits for the day to hold her again." he said.

"Did he say anything to you?" I asked.

"Yes." he replied.

"What did he say?" I asked.

He blushed faintly.

Edmund has always been humble, and I knew exactly what my dad had said.

"He said he couldn't think of a better man for me and that he was incredibly happy I met you, didn't he?" I said.

He nodded.

I smiled. "I knew it."

He rolled his eyes but only faintly and I could see he was teasing. Or else I would have probably already smacked him.

"Anything else?" I asked.

"No. Then I woke up. You were already gone. But you were here within a few minutes." he replied.

"When will you be able to come home?" Lacey asked.

"I'm not sure. But soon I hope." Edmund replied.

I certainly hope that too.

Later that afternoon the door opened and a familiar looking girl entered.

I stood up instantly. "What are you doing here?" I nearly snapped.

"He's my brother. My little brother. You can't keep me from him." Susan replied.

"You may be his sister, but I am his wife." I said.

"It's alright, Alex." Edmund said.

I turned to look at him.

"Really." he said nodding.

I gave a faint nod in reply before taking the chair once more. Lacey and Erin didn't move from the places they had had since we arrived this morning. Well, they had to move when they brought Edmund lunch and we had to go and find something for ourselves. But otherwise, they hadn't moved because they had reclaimed their places.

"If you would make it quick though. He needs peace, not hostility." I said.

"I am not hostile. But... you with me out in the hall." she hissed.

"Gladly." I said standing to my feet once more.

Once we were in the hall she began glaring. "I'm hostile? With a wife like you I'm surprised Edmund hasn't had a heart attack yet!" she yelled in a whisper.

"With a sister like you I'm surprised he didn't die from boredom!" I yelled back in a whisper.

"And the fact you keep going on about that 'game' I'm suprised he hasn't gone into deprestion. You know how seriously he takes it!"

I clenched my fists and wasn't surprised that I was shaking. "It's. Not. A. Game." I hissed.

"Yes it is!"

"Then how do you explain my being here? I wouldn't be here if it were just a game. Erin would be here if it were just a game. Lacey wouldn't be here if it were just a game."

"Then it's all because of that stupid game that Edmunds life is ruined."

At this I really had to hold back. This woman was just urging for me to kill her, rip her guts out, something! But then I found the one thing that I could say that would win me this battle.

"At least I love him and care about him."

And with that I turned and walked back in the room.

Edmund gave me a worried glance. "You didn't kill her did you?"

"No." I replied. "But if she keeps this up I will."