A Narnian Christmas : one shot collection

FATHERS GIFT ( PART 1 )

FATHERS GIFT : PART 1

AGES:
Peter: 15
Susan: 14
Edmund: 12
Lucy: 10

Peter walked into the family's living room as he went to help his mum cook dinner.

It was a few days til Christmas and everyone was either stressed or extremely excited.

Lucy was one who was excited. She already had her presents wrapped for everyone ( with some help from Susan ) and she was so excited to give everyone their presents on Christmas day.

Their mother on the other hand, was very stressed. Edmund hadn't stopped asking her about dad and Helen had promised him a Christmas present from dad.

Originally, their dad was supposed to be coming home for Christmas but over the past few days, Helen had recieved a letter from the war office stating that he was still on the battlefield and wouldn't be home for Christmas.

This broke Helens heart but she knew she had to stay strong for her children.

Peter could tell something was wrong.
"Mum..." peter said as he walked into the kitchen and shut the door behind him. This was so Edmund, Susan and Lucy wouldn't hear, who were playing a board game in the other room.

"Are you okay? You seem a little...worried" peter asked as he placed a hand on his mother's shoulder.

And before she could stop herself, Helen explained the whole situation to peter. About their dad not coming home, about her promising Edmund a present from him.

Peter was obviously devastated that he wouldn't get to see his dad, but he immediately went into older brother mode when it came to Edmund.
"Don't worry, mum. I'll think of something." Peter reassured her.

"You just focus on getting all the ingredients for Christmas dinner and I'll sort out a present for Edmund. Everything will be fine, I promise" peter added.

Helen pulled her eldest son into a hug.
"you're just like your father. You're so caring, peter" she said with a smile.

Peter pulled away gently and smiled. "Well I also got that from you" he complimented.

It was now Christmas Eve and Peter had finally picked out a gift for Edmund, that he would say was from their dad.
It was some toy soldiers. It wasn't much but peter knew Edmund would appreciate them, especially if he thought they were from dad. It had been hard telling his siblings about dad not coming home for Christmas, and the news had made Edmund even more closed off. Peter hoped the present would change that.

Lucy went to bed quite early, shortly ( and reluctantly) followed by Edmund, who wanted to stay up later. Once Susan had gone to bed, peter pulled the packet of toy soldiers from his bag and borrowed some left over wrapping paper to wrap the gift.

He tried to make the wrapping look as best as possible, but making things look neat was more of Susan's forte, not his.

Helen, who had been cooking in the kitchen, walked into the living room and took her apron off.
"Thank you peter. Edmund will love them" she said as she kissed her eldest son on the forehead.
"I hope so" peter said. "he's been talking for weeks about wanting some toy soldiers to play with. He said he was getting bored with using Lucy's dolls as army soldiers" Peter explained with a laugh.

"I know this is what your dad would've wanted. To see you all happy" Helen said with a sad smile.

"We're still going to have a great Christmas. I'll make sure of it" peter said before getting up from his chair.

"I'm going to sneak the present into Edmunds room, and then I'm going to go to sleep" peter said. "Goodnight mum. And merry Christmas"

"Merry Christmas, dear" Helen said with a grateful smile.

Peter smiled back before silently creeping up the stairs. He reached Edmunds room and silently went to turn the doorknob. The door was frustratingly creaky, but Peter did his best to keep the noise to a minimum.

But when peter opened the door, he noticed that Edmund wasn't asleep. Or at least, peter could tell he wasn't.

It was clear to Peter that Edmund had heard him opening the door and had quickly pretended to be asleep.

Peter smiled to himself, knowing what he had to do. "Oh well. Since Ed is asleep...I guess I'll have to tell him about dads present later" peter said aloud, purposely knowing this would catch Edmunds attention.

Edmunds eyes immediately shot open as he sighed in defeat.
"Alright, I'm up. " he said with a slight smile.
"If you're going to stay up late, at least make it believable that you're asleep when someone checks on you" Peter commented as he sat on the edge of Edmunds bed.

Edmund sighed and gave Peter a slight glare. "so what about dads present?" He questioned eagerly.

"If I tell you, you have to promise not to mention it to Susan or Lucy. It would break their hearts for them to find out dad hasn't managed to get them anything" Peter whispered.

Edmund smirked slightly to himself. He always knew he and his dad had a special bond. And the fact that their dad had picked out a present for Edmund, and only Edmund, made him so happy. Not in a spiteful way, but it just made him feel grateful.

"Okay, I promise" Edmund said, and nodded in agreement.

Peter revealed the small wrapped present that he had been hiding behind his back and held it out for Edmund.

Edmund reached out to grab it, but Peter quickly pulled it away playfully.
"Nope. You'll have to wait til the morning. Maybe this present will convince you to get some sleep. The sooner you sleep, the sooner you'll wake up and be able to open it" peter explained as he hopped up from Edmunds bed.

"That's not fair" Edmund complained and folded his arms.
Peter just laughed and walked towards the door with the present.
"Goodnight, Ed. I'll see you in the morning." Peter said before flicking the lights out and leaving, with Edmunds present.

Edmund couldn't believe his brother had teased him with a present like that. Yet Edmund still put the book away that he'd been reading, and tried to get to sleep. But he was too excited to fall asleep.

Eventually, he felt his eyes start to close and soon enough, he was  fast asleep.

[ end of part one ] ( i'm so excited to finally be posting my Narnia Christmas ones shots!)