Could Have, Should Have, Didn't - A Narnia Fanfiction

Epilogue

Whispers of rain droplets soared down, splitting the dry concrete beneath Edmund's feet, chasing away any of the light-colored stone of the walkway, trading it in for darkness, the darker pebbles nearing black.

The sun was sloppily hidden behind a large grey cloud, small beams bursting out of the sides, indicating that sunshine would return shortly and would replace the dreariness of the spring day.

Still, no matter the weather, the streets of New York were busy as could be. People went by in a colorful blur of movement, their voices mingling, their umbrellas hoisted high to keep their clothing dry. Children wearing rain boots up to their knees to keep the water from staining their socks and pants.

Edmund's umbrella stayed closed, deep in his jacket pocket, not forgotten, just deliberately away. Because it was a light, refreshing rain- and he had no one beside him that he needed to shelter.

Smells of the moist ground and stone churned into the air, infiltrating his senses. It didn't bother him. Nothing could.

Not today of all days.

As he dodged a man hurrying a little too fast, sure to slip at some point in his half-run, Ed smiled, catching sight of a familiar street. Pretty houses swept down the road, each one having a charming feel. One in particular warming him. Beautiful red bricks made up the walls, and a white roof gave the home a storybook image.

Quickening his pace, black shoes sloshing through puddles of dirty rainwater, rolled up pant legs getting damp, he upped the walkway, jumped up the porch, and stopped right outside the door. Clenching his fingers to his palm, he sucked down any nervous breaths trying to surface and knocked firmly on the cream door.

Songbirds chirped happily, nestling down in their homes up on nearby tree branches. A minute went by, and then excited talking got closer from inside the building and the door swung open to reveal Thomas Alden, Rita's older brother, wearing a green sweater vest over top of a crisp white shirt. He waved. "Rita's on her way down."

"Step inside." Mr. Maurice Alden fixed a lock of his red hair back into its complacent style, brushed off his sweater, and then gestured with a hand for him to come in.

Edmund looked down at his appearance, his clothing damp. "Uh-"

"Come in, we don't mind. Just dry your feet on the welcome mat." Thomas smiled and sighed. "So, you two going out to a restaurant?"

"Thomas, don't pester or pry." Shaking his head warmly, Mr. Alden patted Ed on the back.

Stepping fully inside after trying to squeeze out all the water he could from his apparel, he chuckled. "Yes, we are."

Rubbing his hands together eagerly, Thomas bit his lip. "Then tell me all about it when you get back."

Mr. Alden put his hands on his hips. "Didn't I just tell you not to pry?"

"I mean about the food, Dad. I could care less how their date goes!"

Laughing, Edmund stretched out the ache of his arms and gave Rita's brother a side hug. "I'll make sure to give you all the details about the food, don't worry."

"Good, because I want to know exactly what they do right and wrong." Thomas cleared his throat. "Gotta have this information for when I open my restaurant."

"If you ever get around to it." Mrs. Ruby Alden came out of the inviting kitchen, giving her son a pretend sharp look. She turned to Edmund. "You know how he is- always harping about starting his own restaurant-"

"-and never actually doing it?" Rita's flats echoed off the wooden stairs. "Trust me, everybody knows what he's like."

His gaze traveled up to see her as she finished coming down the steps. She wore a dress he'd seen her in only a few times, a dress for special occasions. The pink one with the black polka dots and the cute little collar. A string of light pearls decorated her neck.

He didn't deserve her.

But here he was, dating her. After so many years thinking that she never even saw him- she had seen him. He'd been the blind one, brushing off her looks of wanting, her attempted tries; and that's why she had stayed with Peter. She had loved Peter, but more so as a friend- but she'd loved him, Edmund, all along, simply thinking he did not love her, while that had been untrue. It turned out, everything had gotten quite confused, but it was sorted out now. Memories of Christmastime, when Rita had confessed her love, trickled into his mind.

He begged his thoughts not to go to Peter and his red-rimmed eyes, Peter, and his recent drinking problems. It was not his fault that Rita confessed her love for him and broke up with his brother. He hadn't been trying to break his brother's relationship apart-

Taking a breath, Ed pushed a hand through his hair, shaking away all of those sad thoughts, he wanted this date to be a good one, full of happiness. Worrying about his brother and his state could do nothing.

"Sheesh." Sending his sister a fake glower, Thomas ran a hand through his dark brown hair. "I'll do it someday."

"If you ever actually do it, I'll eat my hat." Grinning, Mr. Alden leaned against the wall, turning his attention to Edmund and Rita. "Now go have fun you two."

Elbowing his father, Thomas slouched against the wall beside him.

"We will!" Taking his hand, Rita pressed her lips together in a show of excitement. "But we'd better hurry before it gets too late for dinner."

She was right, the time was creeping by.

Waving goodbye to Rita's family, Ed held the door open for Rita and began taking his umbrella out of his pocket.

"Don't bother." She laid a hand on his, stepping off from the porch with a little hop.

"Why not?" Closing the door behind them, he didn't take his hand away from the umbrella.

"You didn't have it out when you came to pick me up."

He almost asked how she knew, but then remembered his appearance. Sheepishly, he looked at his shoes. "Not very proper, I guess."

Shrugging, Rita breathed in deeply. "I don't mind. The rain is fun."

Half-smiling, he watched her, then with his chin, he motioned for the sidewalk. "Shall we go?"

"Yes." Clasping his hand, she charged ahead, her flats clapping against the sidewalk, towards their destination, her dress whipping softly in the breeze. He followed, light drops of rain pelting his face, his heart full and happy.

She turned, tucking a curl behind her ear, her lipsticked grin widening. "Just one more thing, before we go."

Upturning a single brow, he wiped a few drops of rain from his forehead. Whatever was she talking about? "What do you mean-?"

And then she threw herself into his arms, kissing him full on the mouth, a squeal coming from her.

His hands dropped down to his sides for a moment, before he moved them to hold on to her. To bring her as close as he could. The cool of the day dissipated and warmth exploded inside of him. He kissed her back, uncaring as to if anyone walked by. Uncaring if they looked odd- both without an umbrella, getting softly pelted by raindrops.

He loved her.

She loved him.

Imperfect- but together.