(A/N: An extra-long chapter for you. If you like to play the song while you are reading wait until the cue later in the chapter. Chapter song: You Go to My Head by Ella Fitzgerald. More reconnecting... April's POV.)

"We should talk about our wedding."

"All right..." Peter said hesitantly.

They were in the kitchen cleaning up from breakfast. He leaned against the counter and she noticed his appraising look. She smiled at him and came over to him, putting her hands around his neck. He smiled into her eyes.

"I'm just ready for the day when I don't have to be separated from you."

She sighed, "Me too."

"Tell me what you are thinking about."

"Well, I haven't thought much about it, since...well, I wasn't sure it was going to happen."

She started to pull away, but he held onto her. He lifted her chin and she couldn't help the tears welling in her eyes as she remembered handing her rings back to him.

"Oh, my love...I am sorry that I gave you cause to doubt my love for you. I never stopped loving you, you know that don't you?"

She nodded, "I know that now."

His arms tightened. "I just got a little lost along the way, but I meant every word of those letters!"

"But..."

"Wait, right here."

He let go of her and she sank into a chair feeling confused and unsure again. She wanted to believe his words. But it was hard to let go of the hurt.

"I'm back," he puffed, from having vaulted up and then back down the stairs.

He stood in front of her and caught his breath, then knelt down in front of her chair and opened his hand to reveal the velvet pouch she had handed him with her rings.

"Oh, Peter. No. Stand up, please!" she exclaimed, trying to rise, but he was in her way.

He looked confused and slightly hurt, he rose slowly to his feet.

"Please don't propose again. Twice is plenty! Both of your proposals are very special to me. Please don't cheapen them," she exclaimed.

Images flashed through her mind of his asking her to marry him on spring holiday just moments before they discovered the shimmering magic that took them to Narnia. Then, once there he had asked her to be his Queen.

He was frowning at her. "Then how do I fix this? How do I make you happy again?"

They stood opposite each other not touching and she felt the distance between them.

"Just be patient, Peter...not your strongest ability, I know, but like you said it will take time. But we will fix it together. Just talk to me, hold me and love me, like you already know how to do."

He stepped forward then and took her hand. He led her into the living room and sat on the couch, she sat next to him and he pulled her close.

"Okay, let's talk about the ceremony. Do you still want it to be in the gardens at your home?"

"Yes," she smiled. "Just a few people, mainly family..."

She started thinking of all the details that had to be worked through for their very large, very traditional wedding celebration they had in Narnia and a thought brightened her eyes.

"Peter!" she exclaimed sitting forward, she turned to him and saw his smile in response to hers. "We should have a Narnian wedding!"

"What?"

"When we were in Narnia, we had a large traditional ceremony. I don't want that here. I'll wear a simple dress and Lucy can braid a crown of flowers into my hair."

Her tone had grown very wistful, and she saw Peter's eyes soften as he watched her animated chattering. His hand went to her hair gently touching the soft curls, she was distracted for a moment.

"Go ahead...flowers in your hair"

"We will keep the food simple, the flowers can come from the garden, and perhaps the vicar can be convinced to marry us..."

She could see him trying to follow her random train of thought, she worried her lip with her teeth some.

"What is it? Will he not marry us?"

"We are just so young. They will assume...."

Putting his hands on her waist he angled her towards him. "Let them assume! We and our families know the truth. If he won't perform the ceremony, surely your parents know someone who will. And if not Edmund can do it."

She looked at him puzzled, and he smiled. "That was one of his duties in Narnia, as a 'justice of the peace' as we would call him here. He could do the ceremony and we could do the paperwork here in London when we get back. Of course, our parents will have to sign for us. How frustrating to be in this young body!"

"Hey!" she chided, "I happen to love your young body, so none of that. We won't worry about that part anymore. Let's see, what else? Oh yes, we can stand in front of the arbor and maybe we can set up some chairs in grassy spot for the guests, or perhaps they can sit on blankets. You will want Edmund to stand up with you, right?" At his nod, she continued, "You and Edmund can wear simple shirts and slacks, maybe a sports jacket, but no tie."

She laughed at his look of relief. "And, we should go barefoot! I want Lucy to stand with me. I know she will love that!"

"She will be delighted, what about music?"

"Oh, I have a friend who plays guitar beautifully, I will write and ask her to play for us."

"Good, there is a song I want played, do you think I could write to her as well?"

She touched his cheek, he was so thoughtful, and she said very softly, "Yes, that would be fine."

He gently moved her to where she was sitting on his lap, facing him, legs straddling his. He sighed and kept his hands on her waist.

She was the one who asked what she was sure was on both of their minds. "What about afterwards?"

His grip on her waist tightened slightly and he slid her closer moving his hands to her hips. Her hands wound around his neck.

He spoke slowly, "I have thought about that, a lot."

She laughed and he grinned. "Your house will be full of people, the inn in town will be too crowded with the tourists. I was thinking that Ed and I would camp in the woods before the wedding. My internship will start the Monday after the ceremony so we won't even have a few days to ourselves, and no money to go to the shore and stay for the night. So how would you feel about camping with me...in the grove?"

She was silent and a flicker of sadness passed through her eyes, but then it cleared and she nodded, moving her face closer to his. "We could take food and supplies and..."

"Stay as long as we want," he breathed against her lips.

"Hmm..." she sighed as he kissed her slowly and with purpose. She melted against him dreaming of the day when they could be together all the time and not be separated.

As much as she enjoyed kissing him, her thoughts were still going on about the wedding, she pulled back and he looked at her with a question in his eyes.

"We should go upstairs," she said silkily.

"Oh?" he said with eyebrows raised and grin starting on his face.

"Yes," she said decidedly. "I bet you have already outgrown your clothes from the fall. We need to see if there is anything here that will fit you for the wedding."

The grin died. "You want me to get dressed?"

"Yes!" She said more forcefully, climbing off of his lap, and tugging on his hand to get him to stand up. "Oh, come on. It could be fun!" she lilted and raised an eyebrow at him.

He perked up at that and allowed her to pull him up and then decided to chase her up the stairs for good measure. She ran into his room and he tackled her landing them both onto his bed. Laughing, he tickled her until she couldn't breathe and then looked into her eyes. Breathing hard, and heart racing she looked back and saw the depth of his emotions for her. She pulled him down and kissed him then pushed away.

"This is not finding you any clothes. Let's go, High King. I want you to look...magnificent for our ceremony," she teased.

His look turned indigent, then playful and she skillfully avoided his grasp as he tried to keep her on the bed with him. Walking over to his closet, she looked inside.

"Peter, there is nothing here. Where are your clothes, at school?"

He nodded. "What little I have that actually fit. Come, let's see what my Dad might have."

She followed him into his parent's room feeling a little guilty, like a small child playing somewhere that is forbidden. "Should we be in here, Peter?"

He looked at her curiously. "There will be no other source to find any clothes. My Mum said there were some of Dad's older things she was saving for me."

He started to rummage through the closet and pulled some items out. She sat on the bed and fingered them.

"What does your Dad do for the military?"

"I'm not really sure, something in intelligence I know. He was a professor of sorts before the war started, and at the beginning of the war he was stationed in France. He is now based in London, but as you know he travels a lot. Mum alluded to the fact that he would have to be gone more, perhaps be stationed somewhere else. I always assumed he was a strategist. It is the only reason why I could figure that strategy came so naturally to me in Narnia. I had to have gotten it from somewhere."

"What do you think?" He was talking as he was trying on clothes and he was dressed simply in navy dress pants, with a belt, white button down shirt and a khaki tweed sports jacket. Looking in the mirror he said, "Ugh, it looks too much like my uniform!"

"Here try this," she said holding up a black coat and pants. It looks a little formal, but if you don't wear a tie and unbutton this button too, it will look more casual."

She stood up and came over to him and unbuttoned the second button on his shirt giving him a more casual, rakish look. Their eyes met and she remembered when she did the same thing the last time they had dressed up and gone out dancing. His eyes lit and he reached for her.

"Oh no!" She laughed, "Not until we finish. This tweed coat is just a tag snug in the shoulders, she ran her hand over it to emphasize the point and pushed the jacket off of him. He took a deep breath and she smiled holding the other jacket out for him to shrug into. It was a perfect fit. He turned to look at her and she caught her breath.

"Nice," she said and held out the pants, "now...try these too."

He started to unbuckle his belt and her attention was riveted to his fingers. She swallowed hard. Strange that such a small thing should affect her so much. He was sliding his pants off and she thought how attractive he was in his tight briefs. She took a deep breath. She had seen him in various state of undress all day, but now...she had to look away. She felt him pause.

"April? Are you all right?"

He came over to her and she found she was trembling and didn't want to meet his eyes. This weekend, here in England, being together, was overwhelming all of a sudden. She felt the bed move and then a finger was under her chin lifting her face to look at him. Concern was written on his face, and she felt tears well in her eyes.

"What is it love?"

She shook her face free of his gentle touch. "I think it just caught up with me that we are together, here, acting married, in England doing such commonplace things as changing clothes in front of each other. I hoped, I dreamt of this. I just wasn't sure we would get here..."

She found herself folded in his strong arms. "April, my April, we are married and, of course we would get here....Speaking of changing clothes do you remember the first time you undressed me?"

She nodded, moved back and smiled at him. "How could I forget? I was bold and brave until we got to this stage," she waved her hand over his lower half, still in his undergarments, "then I completely lost my nerve."

"You were so sweet. I will never forget that day, how special you made me feel. Remember how I said it was like all the Christmas' and Birthdays wrapped up in one beautiful package?"

She nodded and he gently touched her cheek. "April, you are my gift, you always have been. These last few weeks Edmund has reminded me constantly of that and he chided me for squandering it. I have been blind and selfish."

"Peter, please stop apologizing. You are my gift too. The only one I have ever wanted. It is just going to take a while to get used to this, to us, here in England. But, I like it, very much."

She raised her eyes and gave him a smile. He kissed her briefly and took the black pants from her hands. He slipped them on, found a belt to match and then tucked in the shirt and turned holding his arms out.

"What do you think?"

"I think you look too good in a suit," she bit her lip, resisting the urge to run her hands over him. "What about shoes?"

He looked at her pointedly and she laughed. "That's right. We don't need shoes!"

He came over and knelt before her, "We could go out tonight, dinner and dancing, would you like that?"

She thought for a moment and then shook her head. "I'm not ready for that. I could cook for you and we could dance here to the wireless?"

"That sounds perfect. But you have to dress up too."

"Are you wearing that?"

"Why not? It fits," he said and chuckled. "Let's go see what is in Susan's closet for you."

Susan had always opened up her closet to April. And while April was a bit taller than her, usually the dresses fit well.

But April was faced with an unusual quandary. She found herself shy to be changing in front of him for some reason. While he had seen her many times in Narnia, the garments were different here and his gaze was hungry. As she pulled up the last nylon and attached the garter strap, she couldn't take any more ogling.

"Peter!" she finally said red-faced and a little exasperated. "You are supposed to be drooling over me when I am taking these off, not when I am putting them on."

He laughed softly and said, "You have to realize, my love, I have only seen some of these items once, when we returned from Narnia and were in the grove together. I was not paying any attention then."

His expression became pensive and she had to ask, "What else are you thinking about Peter?"

He stood and came over to her, put his hands on her bare waist and stretched them around to her back, pulling her very close. In her ear he said, "I am thinking about how much I look forward to taking them all off of you later!"

She blushed at that and closed the distance, putting her head on his shoulder. She sighed. How wonderful it felt to be in his arms.

~~0~~

Dressed in a flattering red dress of Susan's, she fixed a light and simple dinner. He helped her find a tablecloth and light some candles. He turned on the wireless in the living room and pulled out her chair. Sitting across from her, he smiled.

"This is nice. And, you look great!"

"Thank you. You look pretty fantastic yourself!"

"Soup and sandwiches never tasted so good."

"You are being too polite. I would have really liked to cook for you."

"I know love, and I appreciate it, but it wasn't worth the time to sort through the ration books and go to the store."

"Why?" she retorted playfully, "are you planning a full evening otherwise? Games, maybe? You and I have never played chess before."

He smiled and winked, "Chess takes too long."

"Oh, I see," she drawled, "you had other games in mind?"

"Yes!" he whispered and cleared his throat. "Are you finished?"

She stood and took their plates and bowls to the sink. He followed her and came up behind her and circled his arms around her.

"Being here this weekend, with you, is like a dream come true. Thank you for forgiving me, for being here with me, for loving me, and for letting me love you."

She turned in his arms and placed her hands on his chest, just as she knew he liked. "I couldn't imagine being anywhere else. Thank you Peter for not letting me walk away and for being patient with me."

"Shall we dance?"

"What about the dishes?"

"Let's leave them for later!"

"Perhaps I should take back that comment about patience."

He grinned and led her by the hand into the living room. He had dimmed the lights and moved a few pieces of furniture out of the way to create a space for them.

The announcer on the wireless was rattling off war news and he hugged her close waiting for the music to start. They were quiet, the news was sobering.

"Does it bother you to think of there being a war and you not involved in it?"

"Yes, in some ways, especially right after we got back. I hear the news and feel compelled to do my part. I think I felt that way even before Narnia though. Knowing I will be eligible in a few months is..."

His thoughts drifted off and she knew he didn't want to say the words that were in his head. "Peter, do you want to enlist?"

He looked at her. "Yes and no. If we hadn't patched things up...if you had walked away for good. Then, without a doubt yes. But I have you to think about now, and my father feels very strongly that I should go to University first. I...I wonder if I will feel like a coward doing that? I couldn't stand being apart from you. I would do it, but as Edmund keeps pointing out, I can't make much difference as a mere private. So, I will go to University and then perhaps enter as an officer if the war is still continuing and it sounds like it will be."

She let out the breath that she had been holding. "It was so hard to see you fighting in Narnia, and when you went away to fight the pirates, it was very difficult. I would not stop you if you felt the need to go, but I have to say that I am glad you will be with me."

He kissed her then and the wireless started playing a slow song, they were amazed to hear 'You and I', the same song they had sung in the shower. Peter started to sway with her and sang along in her ear. She was very glad they had stayed in tonight. She thought she could spend forever trapped in this very moment. The song ended and they pulled apart looking into each other's eyes. He tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear and pulled her face up for another kiss. She wondered if they would even make it through the dancing before they succumbed to the desire that was building between them.

Then, as if the wireless knew, it began to belt out "In the Mood', the most popular swing dance song of the day. He grinned at her and moved his hands. She smiled and nodded and he began to lead her through the steps. It was strange dancing like this in the living room with no one else around but fun too.

As Peter lost himself in the music her eyes drank him in. His lust for life, the passion he met everything with, even in just a simple dance, called to her. His eyes were bright and shining, hair that really needed to be cut was flopping around on his forehead. His strong arms and confident hands turning her to the next more complicated step. She had never watched him like this before and she was bewitched. He noticed her gaze and smiled as he lifted her up and around him. He pulled her closer during the dance than he was technically supposed to and chose the steps that would bring their bodies together the most. The song ended and he stopped in mid-lift with him holding her up, her legs around his waist.

She laughed, "Did you plan this?"

"Of course," he panted.

He dropped her down just a bit and she gasped as their bodies made contact, while his lips captured hers. Then an odd sound broke through their passion. It was the doorbell. A frown creased his brow and he put her down. She adjusted her clothing quickly as he made his way to the door. It was unnerving. They had been careful to keep the shades closed and the lights dim, the wireless was barely loud enough for them to hear. What would someone think to see them here together alone? She heard his voice and stepped closer to the foyer.

"Oh, Mrs. Grant. How kind of you to check on the house. Yes, my parents are gone, they will return soon. I know, they were not sure if I would be staying over the weekend. I'm sure that's why they didn't tell you I was home."

Mrs. Grant had edged her way into the doorway, and Peter couldn't keep her out without being completely rude. April could see him falter for words when Mrs. Grant saw April and was visibility startled.

"Please," he stated, finding his footing, "come meet my wife. Mrs. Grant, this is April. We eloped over the spring holiday."

Before the dumbstruck Mrs. Grant could speak April went over and held out her hand. "It is very nice to meet you. You are the Pevensie's neighbor right? You will have to excuse the lack of announcement about our marriage. In fact, it is very much a secret. Of course, our parents and siblings know, but you are the first to hear the happy news otherwise."

"Well...I..I never..." Mrs. Grant, their very kind, but nosy neighbor stammered.

Peter stepped over to April and took her hand, visibly showing off their rings. April grinned at his tactics.

"You even have rings! Well, I cannot fathom why Helen wouldn't tell me such news! You both are so...young!" She eyed April's mid-section suspiciously and April couldn't help the blush that formed at the insinuation.

Peter broke in, "Our official ceremony is not until after graduation. The wedding will be at April's home, some distance away, but I'm sure you will be getting an announcement."

He turned to April and smiled. She followed his lead and touched his cheek looking into his eyes. This performance was not unlike many they had to stage in Narnia for the doubting noblemen. Peter's tone was light, but the confidence and authority the words carried were of noble bearing and left no room for doubt or argument.

"You being our oldest and most trustworthy neighbor, having known me since I was five, will be delighted to realize that I have met the love of my life and that we married simply for love. We would welcome your congratulations."

The both looked expectantly at the neighbor who was agape. "Oh, of course...Peter...she is lovely and it is obvious you...care for each other. I will say good night then. And, do tell your mother I stopped by. Nice to meet you dear, and...congratulations."

As she spoke Mrs. Grant slipped toward and out of the door. Peter returned her goodbyes and gently closed and locked the door behind her. Slumping back against it he grinned.

"Well, I guess that cat's out of the bag! I'll have to leave a note for Mum who I am sure will get an earful when she returns. I really didn't want to tell her, but I couldn't have her thinking..."

"It's all right Peter. You made the best and only choice. Besides, it is the truth." She gave him a loving look. "It is very romantic to think about eloping in Narnia!"

He held out his hand and when April placed hers in his he pulled her to him. He stretched his arms around her waist and she molded her body to his. In a low voice he said, "You are my match in every way. Every time we have to do something like that, you never question me, it is like you can read my thoughts and know exactly what to do in order to compliment me and my efforts. It is amazing...my Queen!"

"We are one Peter, a part of each other."

She planted a kiss behind his ear and he gave a blissful sigh. Before she could continue he said, "Let's dance some more, shall we?"

She pulled back and smiled a yes. Peter gave her a wink. Another swing dance song was playing as they moved back into the living room. Peter's mood was playful and they laughed as they danced, the song ended with them spinning together.

"Whoa!" Peter exclaimed, swaying from dizziness.

She laughed at him. "That is the advantage of being a dancer, we know how to spin without getting dizzy."

Peter grinned at her. "I know how to make you dizzy."

"Oh no, you don't! You had your turn earlier!" she laughed and took a deep breath remembering his ministrations that had indeed made her head spin.

(Time to play the chapter song. ;) )

Smooth melodic tones came from the wireless.

"Ah, perfect!" Peter breathed, taking her in his arms.

She listened closely, the song, 'You Go to my Head' was playing. The rich alto, and slow strains that talked about being intoxicated was perfect and she bit her lip as his body pressed close to hers. Everything about him radiated strength. His arms, his chest and his legs against hers. They were barely moving and she was barely breathing.

"Peter!" she whispered as his lips caressed her neck.

He pressed her even closer and she raised to her tiptoes so his lips could reach her collarbone and a bit of her shoulder that the dress didn't cover. She swallowed hard and her eyes closed as the wonderful sensations rippled through her body. His lips were moving up her throat, behind her ear and to her jaw. He teased her lips with fluttering kisses and his tongue caressed her lower lip. She was indeed starting to feel lightheaded. Then his lips were on hers, coaxing moans from her as his kissed her deeper and deeper. The things he could do with his mouth... just the thought made her tremble in his arms.

He pulled back and she almost whimpered at the loss of contact. She opened her eyes and found him grinning at her.

"Told you!" he said wickedly.

She raised both eyebrows in mock surprise, "Are you teasing me?"

"Maybe..."

"You know what the punishment for that is, right?"

"Oh, I'm counting on it!"

"Peter! You are incorrigible!"

"Yes, and you love it!"

"Well...maybe!" and with that she pulled his head down and kissed him the way that he had her. Two could play at his game!

~~0~~

Sometime later, in the room that she used while visiting, their room, she supposed, clothing was strewn everywhere. He had enjoyed very much undressing her and his teasing had only gotten stronger until she had to "inflict" their agreed "punishment" upon him, which he enjoyed even more. Of course, he took care of her as well, gently and tenderly making love to her until she was ready to swoon. He had laughed at that word since princesses who wanted to be Queens would literally swoon before him because of their tight corsets when he was king the first time in Narnia. She looked over, Peter was contentedly snoozing next to her. She started to move closer to him, but the moonlight was too strong and drew her to the window.

The small back garden, starting to bloom and grow as the spring grew closer to summer, was bathed in a silvery wash. She sighed, if only they could stay like this. Tomorrow was Sunday and then it would be back to school. A flash of worry went through her, surely they would not be estranged this time. She didn't think her heart could take that kind of stress again. She looked over at Peter lying with his back on the bed, arm thrown over his head, a slight smile on his peaceful face. Was he dreaming about her?

She smiled, wanting to wake him, but knowing he needed to sleep. She went over and curled up next to him. He curved around her instinctively. She sighed again this time with contentment and fell into her deepest sleep since returning from Narnia.