Edmund's POV

Edmund ran back through the forest, knocking branches and logs out of his way. Coming to the field, he saw the field hospital and ran towards it. He went straight to where Danielle lay, and when he saw her smile up at him, something in his heart clicked, and he felt tears flowing down his face again. Danielle reached up, with a bit of strain, and stroked his face gently, as if to say "it's okay". He leaned into her hand, and the two of them smiled at each other, Edmund through his tears. For the first time since the accident and the battle, the two of them truly felt like it would be okay.

THREE MONTHS LATER

Peter's POV

Peter wandered down by the lake where he had seen Elise walk. Since the battle and the coronation, things had been rather busy, and he hadn't had a chance to talk to her at all. She seemed to be in deep thought from a distance, but as he approached her, he saw her crying. Running towards her, he sat down beside her.

"Elise? Are you okay?" He asked quietly, putting his arms around her. She leaned into him and cried all the harder.

"I'm fine." She said, once she had caught her breath.

"You don't seem fine to me." Peter said with a hint of teasing in his voice.

"It's just that the battle's over now, Narnia belongs to the people again. So what about us? What happens to me and my family now? Are we to go back to Philadelphia, where there's nothing left for us?" Elise cried softly. "I'm the oldest, I have to provide. There's nothing there! I wanted to go to school and study more, and everything. Now I'll have to get a job to provide for Danielle and Ricky until they are of age." Elise kept mumbling under her breath, but Peter got the gist of what was going on.

"You don't have to worry about anything." He said softly. "You guys are going to stay here with us, I'm sure that's what Aslan intends. And if he wants to send us back, you will just come with us." He smiled at her.

"Are you sure?" Elise asked with some hesitancy in her voice.

"I am absolutely sure," Peter said. "In the meantime, will you consent to be my girlfriend? You mean the world to me Elise, and I want to look after you and provide for you."

"Yes, Peter. I want to be your girlfriend. I love you." She leaned up and kissed him gently, and he responded with all the joyfulness that he felt. They sat quietly by the water for a little longer before heading back.

Elise's POV

That night, as Elise prepared for bed, David came into her room.

"Hey." She smiled softly at him, sensing that something was on his mind.

"Hey. So are you and Peter a 'thing' now?" He inquired with some amusement. Elise blushed daintily.

"Yes, we're together." She said, trying to keep the obvious happiness off her face.

"I'm happy for you. He's a wonderful man."

Elise realized for the first time that Peter was a man, and that she was a woman. It wasn't just a game anymore. This made her even happier and she grinned.

"Yes, he is wonderful isn't he?"

"I wondered how long it would be before you two got together.

"So what's on your mind?" Elise cut to the chase. "I sense that you want more than just to talk about me and Peter."

"Yes, I do. It's Susan." David had the grace to flush. "I want to ask her out, the same way that Peter did you. Only I wanted to make sure that I had your approval." David seemed embarrassed. "I don't have Mom here to approve her, so I figured as my big sister that you were the next best."

Elise was honored that David wanted her approval and was also overwhelmed with the idea that she would be filling in as mom for everyone. Pushing the thoughts aside, she pulled herself back to the present.

"I love Susan, and I heartily give my consent." David grinned widely and hugged her before running out of the room. Elise just smiled knowingly and continued with her preparations for bed. She considered just going outside and walking until dawn, for she hadn't been sleeping lately, and she had been having nightmares. Deciding she needed to at least try and sleep, she got into bed and pulled the covers up. Sleep claimed her quickly, but so did a terrible nightmare about her parent's death. Elise didn't even realize she was crying until Peter came running down the hall to her room and shook her gently.

"Elise, babe, are you okay?" Peter asked with concern in his voice.

"Yes, I just had a nightmare." Elise tried to stop the tears from sliding down her cheeks, but they came anyway. Peter suddenly climbed into bed beside her and pulled her tightly into his arms. She cried and cried, but it felt good. Letting out all that emotion felt wonderful. For the first time since her parents death, she felt like she didn't have to be strong for anyone, she could just let the emotion out, and that was a welcome release.

David's POV

David ran down the hallways to Susan's room, not being able to wait another minute. He was so happy that he couldn't believe it was just three months after he had lost his parents. It seemed like just yesterday the pain had been so sharp, and now it was just a dull ache that hit him occasionally. Having Susan in his life taught him that he had to keep going. He wasn't going to do any good closing himself off from people, he had to be open and live life. And that was exactly what he intended to do.

THE NEXT NIGHT: CORONATION BALL

Lucy's POV

Lucy stepped up to the stage after Peter had addressed the people. It was two weeks after the coronation, and this was the big celebration that had been talked about for months. Peter was stepping back into his place as king, and it was a joyous occasion. Looking out over the crowd, she began to speak.

"It is both a joyous day, and a sad day. We want to always remember those that we lost in the fight for freedom, and the friends we have gained." She smiled at Ricky. "But we have to remember that in the middle of sadness and loss, there is still happiness to be found." She looked at David and Susan, looking so happy. "There is still encouragement, feeling, and love." Peter and Elise smiled at her, with their arms around each other. "So here's to life, love and happiness. Here's to keeping going, even when life seems too hard. And here's to love, because there really is nothing like it. The two greatest things in the world: love and loyalty."

Well, that's it! I can't believe it's over..I loved writing it! I will be writing longer stories for the couples, and I will be posting the first chapter of the winning story sometime in October, so be sure to vote for your favorite couple on my page, as the poll closes October 1st. Thanks for all the reviews and support, it's been a blast.