April's POV
Fall of 1949, April is 24, Peter is 23 (a year and a half later). Sabrina is 18 months.
Song: Gift of Friend by Demi Lovato

"That's it, my sweet girl, come to Mummy."

Giggles ensued as Sabrina toddled around the coffee table holding her tiny stuffed bear.

"I'm going to catch you," April lilted pretending to chase her almost 18-month-old daughter around the room. Soon Sabrina rocked and sat heavily on her diapered bottom giggling too hard to run any more. April scooped her up and tickled her tummy laughing right along with her.

She loved being with her daughter. After the loss of their first baby, the time with her daughter meant so much. It seemed like a miracle each day. And when she was exhausted and exasperated and unable to do any task that took longer than five minutes, she remembered the pain and the anguish and it renewed her strength to enjoy each precious minute.

She placed her on her hip and moved to the kitchen. "Your daddy will be home soon and we need to stir the pot for his dinner."

"Dadddeee," Sabrina yelled.

"Yes," April laughed, "Daddy."

She smiled. Watching Peter with Sabrina was a gift. His smile was always huge no matter how hard his day or how frustrating the traffic was. He always made a big deal of out his coming home, swinging her up in his arms and tossing her toward the ceiling. That was something that always scared April, but she tried to hold her tongue. My goodness, she would think, if this man can wield a broadsword with deadly precision, how much more in control is he with his daughter?

Peter's work was going well. He was making a name for himself in the firm and was progressing smoothly through the ranks. He enjoyed it for the most part but got frustrated at the minor, seemingly petty cases he was placed on. He wanted challenges, large pressing issues, ones that would make a difference for many people. Those cases required seniority though and he would have to put in his time. His goal was one day to run for office and be a Member of Parliament, maybe even Prime Minister. She shook her head at that thought, it was too far away.

He always made time for them though. With his family in town, especially Susan, they had ready and willing babysitters and would go out or stay in one night each week. They had taken Sabrina to her parents of course and spent time in the Grove as well. What a gift that place was.

She smiled absently thinking about it until she felt a sharp tug.

"Ouch, little girl. My, your grip has gotten stronger."

She untangled the wad of hair from Sabrina's pudgy little fist and heard the giggles again. She hoped Sabrina would always love to laugh.

"I'm home! Where are my girls?" Came the usual call as Peter walked into the room.

Sabrina became all arms and legs as she frantically tried to get to her Dad. April almost dropped her but Peter was there to manage the flailing girl.

"Trying to swim already, are you? Do you like to fly? Let's go for a gryphon ride!" Sabrina squealed and held out her arms. Peter lifted her and walked around the room swooping and turning with her laughing all the way.

April quickly put dinner on the table. As they ate Peter was unusually quiet, yet every time she looked at him there was a happy twinkle in his eye that was not usually there after a long day at the office.

"Peter?" she asked.

"Soon, love. I have a letter to show you. I'll read to it you while you get Sabrina quieted for bed."

The excitement in Peter's voice had her tingling. It had to do with Narnia, she could feel it. Perhaps their girl could manage an earlier bedtime tonight.

Peter's deep voice filled the room as Sabrina took her night time bottle and her eyelids became heavier hearing the comforting drone of her father's reading voice.

Dear Peter, It has been some time since I have had the pleasure of conversing with you and your lovely wife about otherworldly things. I mentioned that over tea with Polly Plummer last week. She had the brilliant idea of hosting all of us at her house in the country just for fun and to talk over Narnian related topics. Also, I have a feeling we might be needed there soon and I wanted to speak with you in particular. I have also sent this letter to your brother Edmund and sister Lucy. I understand that Susan wouldn't want to join us, so you will understand my not sending her an invitation. You are aware of your cousin Eustace and Jill Pole's adventures so I have included them as well. It shall be a meeting of the 'Friends of Narnia' if you will. Please advise if you and April can come next weekend with the return post or by wire. Yours Sincerely, Digory Kirke.

"Oh, Peter! How delightful! Did you reply?"

"Immediately. Doesn't that sound like fun?"

"Wonderful!"

~~0~~

"And then Puddleglum turned to me and said..."

April, having heard this particular story of Eustace's three times, took the opportunity to look lovingly around the table. They were lingering after desert, just enjoying each other's company. This weekend had been fun. It was a relief of sorts to be with people who believed as you and loved to talk about it. She had seen Polly Plummer, or Aunt Polly, as they called her only a few times, but was always amazed at how Polly's eyes twinkled with laughter and wisdom. Both her and Professor Kirke's hair was white and the Professor's beard quite long. It was amazing to think they had been there when Aslan created Narnia. They had watched the very lamp post that she had touched grow in the fertile Narnian soil. She loved to hear their stories.

She liked Eustace and Jill's stories too. They were funny telling them together, both would try to talk at the same time and the correct the tiniest detail over each other constantly. Edmund was always trying to get the facts out of them and the whole routine was comical. It had been a year since Eustace and Jill had returned from the latest Narnian adventure where they rescued Prince Rilian. What a harrowing tale that had been with giants and snakes and under-ground kingdoms. It made her adventure seem quite pale in comparison.

She glanced at Lucy, whose eyes were shining at the thought of the most positive of the negative natured Marshwiggles. And, of course, April's eyes lingered on the sleeping bundle of Sabrina on her doting aunt's shoulder.

Peter leaned over and whispered, "Should we be concerned that Narnian stories put our daughter to sleep almost instantly?"

April chuckled and responded, "That just means that her dreams are filled with the best adventures ever."

He reached over and intertwined their fingers slowly. A tingle ran up her arm. After all this time, his touch could affect her profoundly.

"Perhaps," he spoke into her ear, "we should plan an adventure for ourselves later while our daughter dreams of Narnia?"

She was about to reply when Peter tensed and sat straight up with his hands on the table. She was instantly alert. The others were too. Eustace, Lucy, and Jill leaped to their feet, Jill screamed a bit, Polly gasped and the professor knocked his wine glass off the table. She looked over and saw it fall, heard the glass breaking and then raised her eyes taking in the vision the rest of them had already seen.

There, in the corner, stood a man, or a ghost, dressed in traveling Narnian clothes with a look of authority about him. However, there was a desperation in his countenance that was utterly compelling and made her instantly long to know what he needed.

Peter remained still through it all and clenched his fist hard on the table, always in control during most crises.

Peter's voice sounded loud, clear and was full of kingly authority in the shocked silence of the room.

"Speak, if you're not a phantom or a dream. You have a Narnian look about you and we are the friends of Narnia."*

The figure remained silent and desperate looking. As the silence ran on, chills formed over April's body.

Peter rose to his feet. "Shadow or spirit or whatever you are, if you are from Narnia, I charge you in the name of Aslan, speak to me. I am Peter, the High King."*

When it became obvious that the figure would, or could not speak, everyone started talking at once. Then the image started to fade and vanished into nothing.

April stared at where the man had been. Certain she had seen him, she began to tremble. Peter glanced down and drew her up against him.

"What do you think it means Peter?"

Peter looked over to Digory who was sitting next to him and they nodded. She knew then. It was what Professor Kirke had been thinking, what had prompted them to be called here together. Someone in Narnia needed their help!

* Quote taken from C.S. Lewis' The Last Battle, Chapter 4. Peter's first quote in the book states "the seven friends of Narnia." But with April and Sabrina there, it actually makes nine. The beauty of fan fiction.