Back in the Wardrobe

Chapter 15: The Perfect Ending is a Beautiful Beginning

"Oh Let me see her!" Lucy squealed.

Susan held her arms out to show Lucy the sleeping child in her arms. While the baby was already two weeks, the doctor had kept the mother and child away from others due to a tough childbirth. 

"Oh she's so tiny!" Lucy smiled. For being twenty, Lucy still had her teen-like personality. 

Susan smiled back at her sister, then at her little girl. "The first of many," she thought. 

Caspian came into the room, bringing a new vase of flowers for Susan. He had given her flowers everyday since their wedding, much to Susan's joy. He sat down on the bed next to his wife and put his arm around her shoulder. He tenderly stroked his daughter's hair.

"I can't believe that I have two beautiful ladies in my family," he whispered.

"Hey what about me? And Elizabeth?" Lucy teased.

But Caspian was too mesmerized by the child he helped bring into this world than to do anything but chuckle quietly at Lucy's joke. 

Susan got up and quietly placed the baby in its cradle. She then sat back down on the bed again.

"I love you," she whispered to her husband, kissing him lightly.

"I love you too," He said, pulling her closer.

"I'll just go," Lucy said quietly, exiting the room quickly. 

She headed down the hallway, only to realize she had no idea where anyone else was. She walked round for a while, then headed to the library. 

She was so lost in random thought that she didn't notice the boy in front of her. 

"Ouch!" The boy said, dropping his books on the floor. "Watch where you're going!"

"Sorry," Lucy said, bending down to help the  blond boy with his books. 

"Well you should... Why your majesty! I'm so sorry! I'm Arlian, the new library assistant. You must be Queen Lucy, as I hear you sister isn't allowed out of her room yet."

"She doesn't want to come out right now," Lucy muttered to herself. 

"What was that?" The gentleman asked.

"Nothing. Yes, I'm Lucy," Lucy covered up her thought she spoke out loud. 

'Well, your majesty, is there anything I can help you with?" Arlian asked.

"I'm looking for one of my old favorites from Archenland. Do you happen to know where one of those would be? Oh, and call me Lucy," she smiled.

"Right this way your majesty," Arlian escorted her to the section of books where her's would be.

-

A raven haired king stood out on the balcony of the castle, the war summer breeze ruffling his tresses into his dark eyes. Everyday for the past few years he would come out and just talk to the wind. He knew Marilyn was listening, and he felt closer to her each day he spoke.

No one in the castle questioned the king. They knew Edmund needed his space. He still loved Marilyn. In fact, by now everyone had realized that he would never get over her. 

"Marilyn, Susan gets to come out now. We can actually see the little girl. I can't wait to see my niece."

"That's great Edmund," a whispered for the first time since the wedding.

Edmund spun around. There she was. Her sad smile gone,replaced by a real genuine one. The shimmering gone. She was here. 

"Marilyn!" Edmund embraced her, spinning her around.

"Edmund!" Marilyn kissed him happily. She was able to stay! 

"How are you here?" He asked, still certain that she would be snatched away from him again.

"Aslan saw your love for me, and how I loved you. He sent me back!" Marilyn exclaimed, happy tears running down her face.

Edmund was so joyful, he was crying as well. He was so thankful that he was at loss for words.

They stayed out there embracing for quite a while, so joyful to be together.

-

Susan and Caspian brought their little girl into the library, joined by Peter and Elizabeth.

"Oh she's darling!" Elizabeth cooed, peering at the tiny girl.

"Gwendolen Amber Grace, my little angel," Susan said, cuddling her daughter.

"Look at her little face! She has your eyes, Susan," Peter couldn't help but be overjoyed at his sister's daughter. He looked over at his wife, her stomach now showing, and couldn't wait till their son or daughter joined Gwendolen as a playmate.

Susan smiled at her brother.

Caspian gently took there daughter into his arms. It felt so natural, like breathing. He peered down at the little face that looked like a tiny version of himself and his wife and smiled. One of many, he thought, one of many.

The library door burst open and in walked Edmund, grinning like a fool. 

"Come out to the balcony," He said excitedly.

The family followed him, surprised by his unnatural excitement. He hadn't been like this in so long . It was refreshing.

The family was not ready for what met them.

"May I take your coats?" A teasing voice asked.

"Marilyn!" Lucy exclaimed, running to the kind girl. 

Marilyn opened her arms in time for Lucy to rush into them. 

"I thought you were gone forever!" Susan exclaimed to the dark haired girl.

"I guess true love conquers all, including death," Marilyn smiled 

 "So Aslan brought you back?" Elizabeth asked.

"And I came as well," Aslan said, comming out onto the balcony. "Marilyn's former life was one of pain. I only saw happiness in her when she was with you. Since she had never questioned the fact that she had to die, I have debated with my father over returning her to this land. Finally, it was decided she could."

"What a perfect ending to the saga you called a relationship!" Lucy said happily.

"What a beautiful beginning of a life to come," Edmund whispered lovingly to Marilyn. 

And, to use a very cliche phrase, they lived happily ever after.