April's POV
Spring of 1947, a little over a year later; April has just turned 22, Peter is 20, he will turn 21 in August.
Song: Tell your Heart to Beat Again by Danni Gokey

April tested out her ankle in the new heels she had bought last week. They felt strange and yet exhilarating at the same time. They seemed to mark the dawn of a new era in her life. She felt hope surge through her.

A year ago, she shuddered at the thought, she felt like her life was over. Her dreams were dead with the doctor's confirmation. She might dance again, but it would be in a club and for only a few minutes, not on the stage as a lead soloist. It stung, physically and mentally, and she was tempted to give up completely. But Peter, as his name meant, was a rock. Her Mum had constantly encouraged her telling her that she was young and had plenty of life to live. It was true. She had more blessings than she could count. So she had no choice but to stay in the light, out of the dark hole she was so afraid of, and to get better, literally one step at a time.

She had no idea why her dreams were taken, but she pressed on. It was Rebecca, who had been a source of constant laughter during her recovery, who had suggested the secretarial training. She and Scott had come over almost weekly to play cards with her and Peter. April was so grateful for their friendship.

It took over six months to fully walk again and then another six months in a training course. But now her first day on the new job was here. She smiled. She would be so glad to earn some money again. Peter had been such a champ, never complaining. He was about to complete his final year at University, was still working for the MP, and had picked up two evening/weekend jobs just to make ends meet. He was so tired. She could see it in his eyes and in the slump of his shoulders. Soon, he would be able to quit those jobs and would be graduating. He had an interview with a well-known law firm tomorrow.

She was confident he would get the Solicitor's job due to the excellence references he had obtained. The catch was, he still had the dream of being able to make a difference in this world. It was such a large world though. She hoped he would not be completely disillusioned. One does not lose a dream without retaining a few scars along the way. And one of April's scars was her doubt that good things never last forever in this world. Perhaps it was her injury that had affected her, or maybe, she was just growing up.

She stepped off the bus carefully. That was another scar, being even more conscious of that ankle, always. It didn't help that it ached when it was going to rain, or sometimes at night, she would dream of falling and crashing into a hard stage with music all around that never stopped.

She looked up at the large business building and then stepped through the doors with all the other workers in their suits and ties, hats and heels, ready to begin a new chapter in her life.

~~0~~

"Happy Graduation, Peter" she whispered into her sleeping husband's ear.

"Wha...huh?" he grumbled sleepily.

"It's your graduation day. You'd best get moving. We are having breakfast with your family and mine, remember?"

She watched as Peter's eyes opened wide and he nodded. Both families together. That would be a very rare occurrence. His parents were busy even after the war and they had just started to settle down and begin the next part of their lives. Edmund and Susan had graduated and were at University here in London. Lucy was ecstatic to be in her final year. She often claimed quite grumpily, and loudly, that life at school without them was worse than a black dwarves mine.

Tears filled April's eyes as she watched Peter walk proudly across the stage. He had graduated with honors, she wasn't quite sure how, but they also announced his future position. He had accepted the job with the prestigious firm he interviewed with and he was ready to make a difference.

The lunch with their families was fantastic. April's sister, Elisa, had grown even more precocious over the years and kept them all laughing. Her own parents were amazingly comfortable with her in-laws which meant she could enjoy the day.

~~0~~

A few months later...Late Summer 1947

"Wow, it's hot out there and in here!"

Peter breezed into the door taking off his tie as fast as he could.

"Hello darling," he said, softly kissing her while taking off his coat.

She smiled at him then turned back to the stove. The past few months had been like a strange yet wonderful dream. Their schedules finally had merged. They both worked during the day and had evenings and most weekends off together. To April it seemed an amazing thing and for once she was grateful for her injury. Peter had been able to quit the extra jobs and they were doing just fine financially.

"It is stifling in here, though. How can you stand over a hot stove like that? Let's open the window further."

"Oh, please don't Peter."

He looked at her quizzically. "Are you feverish and feeling chilled?" he asked coming over to feel her forehead.

"No," she laughed, pushing his hand away. "It's just the smell. The exhaust from the buses and all the cars. It makes me nauseous."

He nodded. "That is one thing that has for sure changed after the war. Since the rations on petrol have been lifted, there is a lot more traffic out there. It took me almost an hour to get home today. Let's go to the park for a walk after dinner. It should be cooler there."

She nodded at his suggestion and they sat down to eat. She was weary today and really just wanted to go to bed. The heat of the summer, the buses, the traffic, the people. She longed for the cool breezes of her forest. Sometimes she had an almost physical reaction when she thought of the Grove.

"Peter?" she asked tentatively.

"Yes, love," he mumbled as she shoved more potatoes in his mouth.

She laughed silently. He still ate like a growing boy. That was the one change in their financial situation that he liked the best, especially now that there were no more rations. He could eat as much as he wanted.

"Do you think this weekend we could go home? You know, to visit my parents?"

He looked up hearing something in her voice. He knew her so well. He waited silently, expectantly, watching closely, for her to finish her thought.

"I miss the forest. I have been thinking about the Grove lately."

His eyebrows raised and his eyes began to sparkle. It had been a while since they had been to the Grove. She knew what he was thinking.

That was the place in the New Forest where time stood still, where the pathway to Narnia was the thinnest- and deadliest - where the spirits of her dryad/human ancestors moved and swayed to an other-worldly breeze. It was their heaven on earth.

"I just really have a desire to be there again. I am so tired these days."

Now he looked worried. She didn't want him to worry. "I'm fine. I'm sure it's just the heat."

"Of course we can go. This weekend is our off Saturday, isn't it? I was just going to tell you, that big case we have been working on finished up earlier than we expected it to, so it shouldn't be a problem for us to catch the train right after work on Friday. Why don't you call your parents tomorrow and let them know?"

"That sounds blissful. Thank you."

"No, thank you," he said getting up to clear the table and coming around to kiss her on the cheek. He placed a hand on her shoulder as she started to rise but he gently pressed her back down in her seat.

"I'll get this. We'll stay in tonight and rest. The traffic should have calmed by now and perhaps there will be more of a breeze this evening."

~~0~~

April breathed deep. In fact, the minute she crossed the little bridge from her Mother's garden into the New Forest she felt better. She wondered if it was the dryad nature stirring within her.

They had just come from the train station. It was dark and after greeting her parents and Elisa she slipped out the back door. She hadn't meant to go further than the garden but the night sounds and the trees beckoned her. She had always felt safe in these woods, well, except for when the White Witch tried to come into their world through the Grove. She shivered and let that thought pass.

She heard footsteps behind her and turned expecting to see Peter. But it was her mother. Miranda Treed was the strongest woman April knew. She was quiet but very wise.

"April, are you okay?"

"Yes, Mum, just craving the forest. The city has been closing in on me lately."

"Hm, yes. I imagine so. You look a little pale. Is your ankle all right?"

"Yes, it is fine. I just feel...unsettled...like something is changing. Like there is something different about me, but I don't know what it is."

"Perhaps it is that for the first time, you and Peter seem to have a routine, a normalness about life that has never been there before."

"Perhaps... I have just been so tired lately and sensitive to the strangest smells..."

As April's words drifted around them, April's eyes got wide and Mother and daughter stared at each other.

"Is your chest tender?" her Mum asked quietly.

"Why, yes. Now that you mention it...You don't think?"

Miranda's smile grew larger than April had seen it in a long while. She gently placed her hand on April's cheek.

"Oh, my darling girl, I do think. I sensed something different about you when you first came in."

"But...but."

"Think, my dear. It has been almost a year and a half since you stopped dancing. Your cycles...?"

"Have been normal for about 6 months," April whispered.

A surging hope and joy rose up like a cresting wave within her. "Oh, Mum!" April turned and hugged her Mum tight.

"There you are!" From behind her came the voice she loved to hear.

Her Mum let go of her and squeezed her hand, winking at her in the dim light. She slipped softly back across the bridge toward the house.

"Am I interrupting?" Peter asked.

"No...Peter," April said tenderly and smiled at him with tears running down her cheeks.

"What is it, love? Are you well?" Concern filled his voice.

"Very well, Peter. In fact, I am better than I have been in a long time!"