AN: Two quick things before you being. 1) The first scene with the umbrella really has nothing to do with the story. I actually was laying in bed the night after I posted the last chapter and suddenly thought "Oh no! I forgot she took an umbrella with her to the cemetery!" It really wasn't a big deal, but I wanted to keep up the continuity... or whatever it is. 2) Don't overthink some of the sections in this chapter... Not trying to spoil your fun, but I have NO clue where I'm taking this and keep coming up with different scenarios. I mean, make your conclusions if you want, just don't overthink it too much.


The two walked back to Robert's car that waited on the street next to the cemetery. "Thank you for offering to drive me home," Susan said. Robert snorted and turned to her and smiled.

"As though I would make a lady with a baby walk all that way," he chuckled. "What kind of man do you take me for?"

Susan smiled up at him, saying silently to herself, The best kind.

They were only a few feet from the car when a clap of thunder echoed, causing them both to jump. Robert glanced up at the darkening sky and said, "We had better hurry; it looks as though it's about to-" he stopped abruptly as a torrent of rain fell from the sky.

"Rain," Susan finished laughingly.

"Hurry!" Robert said, pulling her towards the car quickly. When they reached the car, Robert jerked open the passenger door for Susan, who slid in quickly before Robert shut the door. He ran around to the driver's side and got in, slamming his door behind him.

"My umbrella! I left it!" Susan cried.

"You've got to be kidding me," Robert muttered.

"I'll go get it," Susan said, placing her hand on the door to open it.

"Are you crazy?" Robert asked as he reached over and pulled Susan's door shut. "I'll just buy you a new one."

"But I like that one!" Susan said indignantly.

"Oh for goodness' sake! I'll go get it," Robert grumbled, opening his door to step out in the rain. Susan smiled watched as he ran in front of the car and back to the cemetery. He returned shortly, her umbrella tucked under his arm. When he jumped in the car he threw Susan's umbrella in the back seat, splashing her with raindrops. She giggled at his soaked appearance, his dark hair plastered to his head and his wet clothes quickly soaking the seat.

"Why didn't you use the umbrella?" she asked mischievously.

He glared at her and growled, "That isn't funny." He stuck the keys in the ignition and started the car.

"It was a little funny," Susan giggled as they pulled away from the curb.

As they drove through the streets of London to Susan's house they sat silently, letting the heater warm them. Robert saw a motion out of the corner of his eye and glanced at Susan. She was rubbing a hand over her stomach as she stared out the window.

"Susan," he began slowly, returning his eyes to the road.

"Hmm?" she asked dreamily as she pulled her eyes away from the window to look at him.

"It may be none of my business, but how did it happen?" he asked.

"How did what happen?" she asked in return, confused by his question. Robert turned towards her and quickly glanced at her stomach where her hand lay.

"Oh, that," she said softly, understanding his question. "I suppose it happened in the normal way. You know, boy meets girl…" she trailed off.

"Well I got that far with the explanation," Robert said dryly, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. "I meant what happened there? Did he force you or take advantage of you?"

"No, I suppose it's nothing like that," she began but was cut off by Robert.

"You 'suppose?' Susan, what happened?" he demanded angrily.

"He isn't a bad guy. Stop trying to paint him as the villain. If anyone in this story is, it's me. Not him," Susan snapped, furrowing her forehead.

"I find that hard to believe," Robert muttered.

"Robert," Susan said warningly.

"Okay, okay. Not the bad guy," Robert said exasperated.

"The night it happened we were at a dinner party and I had too much to drink," Susan explained.

"Susan," Robert groaned, interrupting her again.

"Shh!" Susan hissed. "As I was saying, I had too much to drink at dinner. And Philip announced during dinner that he was going to propose, and then the dinner turned into a party and I drank too much champagne because I was nervous about him proposing. He asked me to go upstairs with him because he said he had something for me, so I went. Although I didn't really want to. And he did ask me to marry him; he was quite nice about it, too. And he kissed me when he put the ring on me (I didn't even see it), and the kissing led to other things and other things led to-" Susan was cut off by Robert's hand over her mouth.

"I really don't suggest you finishing that sentence," he said seriously. Susan smiled behind Robert's hand and pulled it away from her mouth.

"Sorry," she apologized. "Afterwards, I just left. I took the ring off, put it on the bedside table, told him I didn't love him, and left. A week later I came back to London. And then a month later, I found out I was pregnant."

"And you never told him?" Robert asked as he placed his hand back on the steering wheel. He turned the car down a street lined with houses, slowing to stop in front of the fourth one on the left. Susan glanced out the window at her house, the rain still falling from the darkened sky.

"I never told him. So you see how I'm the bad guy?" she whispered without turning back to look at Robert. There was a moment of silence before Robert spoke.

"Susan, look at me," he ordered quietly. She slowly turned her head towards him and met his piercing blue-green eyes. "You aren't the bad guy," he said firmly. Susan took a deep breath, struggling to control her emotions which threatened to overtake her. "You just got a little misdirected," Robert continued. "There's nothing wrong with that. We just need to work on getting you back to the right path."

"My lord," a soldier cried breathlessly as he burst through the door into the large library.

"Captain?" the lord questioned, standing in alarm at the state of the captain of the guard.

"Beaversdam has been taken. Telmarines," the captain said as he struggled to catch his breath.

"Does the king know?" the lord asked.

"No, my lord. I came to you first," the captain said.

"Good. How large is their army? Can we overtake them?" the lord asked as he gathered his cloak which had been lying on the table next to him, swinging it around his shoulders as he strode to the door.

"No, my lord. From what I've been told, we're outnumbered. One hundred to one. There's no way we can win," the captain said, his voice morose. The lord stopped at the door and turned to look at the captain.

Placing his hand on the hilt of his sword which he wore at his waist, he said sadly, "Then I suppose we'll have to die trying."

"Are you going to use the umbrella this time?" Susan teased as Robert opened his door. Robert gave her a dirty look as he reached behind him and grabbed the umbrella from the back seat. His glare earned him a stunningly sweet smile from Susan. Rolling his eyes he climbed out of the car and slammed his door behind him before walking to Susan's and opening it for her.

"I hope that baby is a daughter who uses your exact same tricks on you," he threatened as Susan stepped out of the car. She laughed as she closed the door behind her.

"I would be more worried for the men in her life if it is a daughter. My poor father never stood a chance with me. My mother, on the other hand, was immune to my "feminine wiles," as my father called them. Probably because she used so many of them herself when she was younger," she explained as they hurried up the walk leading to Susan's house.

"What was she like?" Robert asked, shaking the umbrella out when they reached the door. Susan reached in her purse and pulled out a set of keys and unlocked the front door.

"My mother? She was wonderful. Absolutely amazing. The most beautiful woman I ever knew," Susan said softly, her voice filled with love and sadness.

"With a daughter like you, I imagine she wouldn't have been anything else," Robert said.

Susan blushed and said, "I have a picture inside. Would you like to see?"

"Why, are you inviting me in, Miss Pevensie?" Robert asked, feigning shock.

"Yes, what will the neighbors think?" Susan said sarcastically. Robert laughed loudly. "'Oh, that Susan Pevensie. What a detriment to the neighborhood she is'," Susan said in a poor imitation of a different voice.

"Oh, stop it and just go in. It's getting colder out here," Robert groaned as he gently pushed Susan through the open door.

"Brr, it's cold in here," Susan mentioned when they had walked into the small foyer. Robert shut the door behind them and helped Susan pull off her wet coat.

"Well, why don't you go put on some dry clothes and I'll go see about starting a fire to warm the place up? Do you have any wood?" Robert asked as he hung Susan's coat on the coat rack.

"I do. It's just through there, in the living room," Susan said pointing at an open doorway. She started up the stairs, but stopped on the second one and turned. "You're all wet too," she stated.

"You don't say?" Robert chuckled as he turned in the doorway.

Susan smiled and continued, "What I meant to say was you need some dry clothes."

"Well, as nice as that would be, all of mine are unfortunately at my house, which is across town," Robert said.

"You look about my brother's size. I'll get you some of his clothes," Susan said quickly as she turned to race up the stairs. Or as much as a pregnant woman can race up the stairs, she thought dryly. She entered her bedroom and began pulling her wet clothes off. A towel hung over a screen in her room. She grabbed it and began drying herself off before digging through her wardrobe and pulling out clean, dry clothes.

Once she was dressed she went to the bathroom and got a clean towel for Robert before going to her brothers' room. Susan slowly pushed open the door as she entered the bedroom. Like her old room she shared with Lucy, she couldn't bear to change anything about the room, fearing it would destroy the precious few pieces of her brothers she had left.

Peter's side, which had always been a bit neater than Edmund's, had small stacks of textbooks from University on nearly every surface. His small bookshelf was lined with even more books, mainly ones on politics, and interspersed were trinkets and photographs he had collected over the years. His wall was covered in awards, news clippings and a large map of Europe. I never understood the purpose behind that map, Susan thought.

She turned to look at Edmund's messier side of the room and smiled as she looked at all the things her younger brother had loved. Not to be outdone by his older brother, Edmund, too, had his wall lined with awards, although his were mainly sports awards rather than the academic ones Peter's wall boasted. He also had a large collection of books, mostly historical ones, lining a shelf over his desk. A chess set was still set up on his desk, as if it had been abandoned in the middle of a game. Next to the chess set was a schedule of numbers and times. Susan looked closer at it and recognized it as a train schedule. One of the times was circled and the words "Rings, Eustace and Jill."

"Why? What was happening that they needed those rings?" Susan asked the room.

"What rings?" Robert asked from behind her. Susan gasped and spun around.

"What are you doing up here?" she asked.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude," he said.

"No, it's okay," she said quietly.

"May I come in?" he asked. Susan nodded. "So this is your brothers' room?" Robert asked as he walked in, surveying the room.

"Yes. This is Peter and Edmund," she answered as she swept her hand around. She watched as Robert looked at her brothers' belongings, smiling when he did. "I was going to get you some dry clothes," she said, suddenly remembering why she had come to the room. She moved to Peter's dresser and opened it, pulling out various pieces of clothing for Robert to wear. "Here you go," she said, holding out the stack of clothing. "You can change in the bathroom down the hall."

"Thanks," Robert said as he took the clothes and walked out of the room. Susan walked to the door and turned, giving the room one final glance before walking out and pulling the door closed behind her.

Susan walked down the stairs and into the living room. A roaring fire was blazing in the fireplace, the warmth permeating the room. She sat on the wing chair nearest the fire, holding her hands in front of it. "You know, I don't think I'm quite your brother's size," Robert said as he walked in the room. Susan turned from the fire and immediately covered her mouth to muffle her laughter. Robert stood in the doorway dressed in Peter's old clothes. The button down shirt Susan had given him was left open and the long sleeves a couple inches from his wrists. The pants, while buttoned, were slightly too short. He had his still wet clothes bundled together in his hand.

"I suppose I misjudged you," Susan said, her voice shaking with laughter.

"I look ridiculous," Robert muttered as he walked into the room, stopping in front of the fire place. He moved the metal fire screen so that it sat closer to the fire and began hanging his wet clothes on it.

"I guess I always thought my brother was bigger than he actually was," Susan said softly.

"Older brothers tend to do that," Robert replied, turning to look at her.

"You had an older brother?" Susan asked, surprised. Robert nodded as he crouched by the fire, picking up the poker and moving the logs. "You never told me," she stated.

"He was killed. During the war," Robert said. Susan was silent for several moments before whispering, "I'm sorry." Robert stood and brushed his hands together.

"It's okay. It was a long time ago," he said as he moved to sit on the sofa across from her. They were both silent as they watched the fire dancing in the fire place. "He saved my life once," Robert said suddenly. He smiled sadly at Susan. "I was eight and he was about fifteen. We were fishing one summer and I climbed into a tree overlooking the water. The branch was dead, rotten, and it broke under my weight and I fell into the water. I had never learned to swim, so George jumped in and pulled me out," he explained.

"Older brothers tend to do that," Susan said, giving Robert a small smile.

"Edmund, what are you doing?" Susan cried as she burst into the library. Her younger brother was seated at a long table, dozens of books spread out on it.

"I'm reading about the Telmarine invasion. We just fought a war because of it. I'd like to know how it happened," he answered without looking up from the book he was reading.

"Edmund, tomorrow night is the ball celebrating the dignitaries from the visiting islands. You need to go get your final fittings for your new tunic," Susan said exasperated. Edmund looked up, his face full of annoyance.

"Su, I don't need another tunic. I have dozens upon dozens as it is. I could outfit the entire Narnian army with the amount of tunics I have. I'll just wear the green one with the gold thingies on it," he said, motioning with his hand towards his chest as if to explain what he meant.

"You can't wear that one! You wore it last year to the coronation ball!" Susan exclaimed banging her hands on the table.

"No one will remember what I wore over a year ago," he replied.

"Everyone remembers what the king wears," she grumbled.

"Fine, if it'll get you off my case, I'll go finish getting fitted for yet another pointless tunic," Edmund sighed.

"Thank you," Susan said, sighing in relief.

"After I finish reading this chapter," he added. Susan threw up her hands in frustration.

"I hope you're at least finding out something important then," she muttered.

"I am. Listen to this: it seems that when the Telmarines invaded it was a near surprise attack. They started at Beaversdam and worked their way through Narnia. Since there weren't really many men to fight, only the Narnians, it was apparently easier for the Telmarines to defeat them. Word had spread, of course, so those here at Cair Paravel, or rather the old Cair Paravel, knew an army was coming. There ended up being a large battle here and, according to this book, the Telmarines could have been defeated," Edmund explained excitedly.

"What do you mean 'could have been defeated'?" Susan asked.

"It seems their leader, the person leading the Narnians, was close to killing Caspian I, but at the very last minute disappeared into the woods with several Telmarines following him. No one ever saw him again. But then again, I doubt anyone saw much of anyone from the battle anyway, as they were all destroyed. All of this was before the catapults, which destroyed Cair Paravel and anyone who was left inside," Edmund said angrily, his fist clenching as he retold his findings.

"But this leader? Does it say who he was? Could it not also be possible that he was just killed?" Susan asked skeptically.

"Of course it's possible. Actually, it's quite probable. But nonetheless, it's still interesting to know that things could have been different," Edmund said, shutting the large text.

"Yes, and if they were different we wouldn't be here. We'd be sitting at home in England right now wishing we were back in Narnia. Just like we did for an entire year before we came back here," Susan said matter-of-factly as she stood.

Edmund stood as well and said sarcastically, "Well if things had been different I wouldn't have to go waste time getting fitted for another tunic."

"Is that your family?" Robert asked, standing and walking to a large black and white photograph that sat on the mantle above the fire place. Susan stood as well and moved near him, picking up the picture.

"Yes, this was taken several years ago. Before Peter went to University. That's him, standing in the center," she said, touching her finger to her brother's picture. "That's Edmund and Lucy," she said, pointing to each of her siblings' faces.

"He looks like you, a bit," Robert commented, referring to Edmund. Susan laughed.

"It's the hair. Everyone always commented on that. Lucy and Peter both got fairer hair from Dad, but Ed and I got our hair from Mum," she explained.

"You look like her, you know? She's very beautiful," Robert said, staring at Susan warmly.

"I wish I was more like her," Susan said softly as she placed the photograph back on the mantle and turned away. "She was so strong. She kept us together and safe during the war, made decisions I don't think I ever could. Mum was always so unselfish, always looking out for others before herself. I don't think I've ever been like that," Susan said sadly.

"Susan, look at me," Robert said softly. Susan turned, her brow furrowing when she caught Robert's frustrated look. "Stop with the self-loathing. So you weren't the best girl in the world and were selfish and vain and silly. So what? Most girls are at some point in their lives. Maybe your mother was, but then she had a family and learned that she had to grow up and be the woman you always knew. You're about to be a mother and I have no doubt you'll be just as wonderful to your child as your mother was to you," he said firmly. Susan cocked her eyebrow and stared at him hard for several moments before sighing.

"I feel both insulted and complimented at the same time. How do you do it?" she asked sarcastically as she sat back in her chair.

"Natural talent," Robert chuckled as he sat as well.

"You haven't told me about your trip to America yet," Susan stated in an attempt to change the subject.

"Well, you never asked," Robert pointed out. Susan smiled and asked, "How was your trip to America?"

"It was good. I went to South Carolina to meet with an associate of my father's. He owns a shipping company and wants to expand to Europe, so he needs someone to manage his London office. Which I now do," Robert explained.

"What does he ship?" Susan asked.

"Well, don't laugh," Robert began, a bashful smile appearing on his face. "He's always shipped throughout the United States, to large cities such as New York, Chicago. He mainly deals with the clothing industry, shipping cotton to different factories where it's turned into fabric, then to clothing manufacturers and designers who make the clothes. With his expansion to Europe, he wants to start shipping fabric here, along with some other goods, and I think eventually begin importing European clothing lines to America once this side builds up. I know it's a rather big risk, but he's done extremely well in America, so I don't doubt his trade will go well internationally," Robert said.

"It sounds fascinating! I love clothes!" Susan exclaimed. Robert laughed and shook his head.

"I thought that would be all you got out of it," he teased.

"Is that why you wanted me to come with you to America? Because it dealt with clothing?" Susan asked. He sighed deeply and looked down at his hands which were now clasped in front of him. When he looked back up at her, Susan saw an indescribable look in his eyes.

"No, that's not the reason. Maybe it was a mistake to ask you to come with me, but at the time I hated us being apart. You were in France and weren't really speaking to me and I guess I just missed you. I thought maybe if I asked you to go to America with me things would go back to normal," he said.

"Oh, Robert. I missed you, too. It wasn't a mistake to ask me," she said. Robert pushed off the sofa quickly, standing and turning from Susan.

"Yes it was!" he barked, the sudden volume of his voice making Susan jump.

"Robert?" she asked timidly. He turned back to look at her, his brow creased, and sighed deeply.

"Susan, it was a mistake because I'm in love with you. I always have been. When I came to France to see you and to ask you to come with me, I had this stupid notion of whisking you away and, I don't know, eloping in America or some other nonsense. But then I saw you with Philip and saw what you had become and all I could see was red. I hated him for touching you, I hated you for letting him, and most of all, I hated myself for thinking I could ever have a shot with you," he said, his voice tinged with anger and regret.

"Oh," Susan began but stopped when Robert shot her a warning glare.

"Don't, Susan. Don't say something pitying and try to make me feel better. This isn't exactly how I wanted to tell you how I felt about you. In fact, after seeing you today and seeing the situation you're in, I made up my mind to not tell you how I felt. But that was pointless; deep down I knew there was no way I could go another day after seeing you without telling you that I love you," he said. Giving a quick sigh he said, "I need to go."

He turned and walked to the living room entrance, leaving a stunned Susan sitting in her chair near the dying fire. When he reached the door, he turned and looked at her, saying, "I'll call you soon. I'm sorry I ruined our evening."

Susan watched silently as he disappeared through the door, jumping slightly as she heard the front door slam. Remembering his drying clothes, she quickly grabbed them from where they hung on the fire screen and hurried after him. When she reached the front door, she yanked it open only to see through the pouring rain the headlights of his car pulling away from the curb.