The Brightest Star

Chapter 55 - Midnight Swim

      Over the next week, the group decided to head back to the beach. They took their time traveling. They all sat together at night, talking, laughing, and telling stories. They had a good time together, and enjoyed one another's company.

  Friendships that were previously strained, were stronger than ever. Relationships that were on the rocks, were now peaceful, and filled with love, happiness, and laughter.

  Seven kings and queens, who had been strangers for a time, were now seven friends, closer than ever, who loved each other dearly. And they were all happy. Oh, so happy. And alive. Everyone, was alive.

  The night they finally made it to the beach, Peter decided to try his first date with Sydni again.

  The two sat on a blanket, about ten feet from the water. Sydni had her head resting on Peter's shoulder.

  They started the night out with a picnic while watching the sunset. After that, they took a long walk, in the cool night air. Now, they were relaxing a little.

  Sydni smiled and sighed warmly."Thank you for this." She said. "It was the perfect date I've always dreamed of."

  Peter smiled. "You're welcome. It was the least I could do. And I'm so glad you had a good time."

"I really did." Sydni breathed. "It was amazing."

  "You deserved it after the way I acted on our first date."

  "Don't worry about it." Sydni replied. "It's over, and I've forgiven you. So have Abby and Edmund."

"I know." Peter breathed. "I just-"

  "Hey." Sydni said gently, sitting up and caressing his cheek.  "It's okay, Peter. I promise."

  Peter stared at her for a full minute before he finally nodded.

  Sydni slowly removed her hand and smiled at him. "Let's talk about something else." She said.

  "Like what?" Peter asked

  Sydni turned serious. "How are you doing?" She asked.

  Peter chuckled a bit. "Well, at the moment I'm on a date with my favorite girl - so I'm doing pretty great."

  "No." Sydni said laughing as she playfully hit his shoulder. She took a deep breath. "I mean with, everything that happened with Edmund. I was focused on trying to help Abby through it, so I didn't get to talk to you very much. I know it wasn't easy."

  Peter took a deep breath. "It was...difficult, to say the least" He said. "I kept thinking that I should have worked harder to stop him."

  "It wasn't your fault Peter, there wasn't anything you could have done."

  "I know that now." Peter breathed. "After he stabbed her - I looked into his eyes. I thought I might see some regret, at least when he was dying. But there was none. There was sadness, but no regret. But there was so much love. The way he looked at us - there was protection in his eyes. He knew he was protecting us by sacrificing himself. Even while he was dying, he was more concerned about the people he loves. He has grown so much since he first came to Narnia. I'm so proud of him." He smiled.

"You should be." Sydni said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "He has changed for the better - and grown more than anyone I have ever met."

  Peter nodded. A moment later, he swallowed hard. "Is it my fault?" He asked slowly.

  Sydni furrowed her eyebrows, slightly confused. "Is what your fault?"

  "Everything." He said. "Edmund going to Jadis in the first place. Then meeting Alaska, and being killed. I was a bad brother. I didn't show him love."