Oh, that was not a twist I was expecting, but it makes it even more special (and ties in so well to the theme) to have this be Mr. Pevensie's dream. I could picture the scene really vividly because you describe it so well (I especially liked Susan frowning when Edmund got too close with the bell :)). A lovely story; well done!

I wasn't expecting an installment from Helen's POV, but I'm glad you included it...she must have been struggling so much trying to hold her family together, and it's sweet to get a glimpse of her and her husband when times were simpler.

I like the little call back to the candle from Peter's section - that was a nice touch. Poor Edmund...you can really tell he's hurting here, and it reads very much like how he seems to be at the beginning of LWW. He's got that echo of "I need to be strong" that the older two have as well (as seen in his reflection on seeking his parents' comfort), but his response is still that of a boy who is having a hard time keeping a stiff upper lip, and he's not really quite able to pull it off like Peter and Susan.

Really liked the tie-in of the photograph we see in the opening scene of LWW too - great detail.

Aww this was such a cute installment - Lucy's whimsical and childlike way of looking at the world was very evident in this POV, and I really liked how comforting the dream section felt. (Also...I had to laugh at your opening Author's Note ;)).

This was very Susan - all of the focus on practical considerations (the cold, the logistics of Mr. Pevensie's present, the plum pudding). Like Peter, she's trying to be brave for her family, but I sensed a little more emotion in Susan's POV (though in my mind, she's outwardly calm even as she's feeling frustrated or worried, so one wouldn't necessarily even know what's going on inside).

Nice parallelism with the contrast of the cold closing the first section and the memories of warmth closing the second section.

I feel for Peter here, trying to be the strong one and take care of his siblings while he's missing his dad just as much as the rest of them. The second part - a dream, I'm assuming - had a really surreal quality to it where there are those very concrete, recognizable details and yet little bits of it that don't quite make sense. Curious to see how this will tie in!

Beautiful

And it was all their dad's dream! What a delightful twist!

I love this chapter and the entire story. You did a simply wonderful job of not only pulling in "I'll be Home for Christmas if only in my dreams" but also the simple and true reason for Christmas. As someone who was in a military family and did in fact experience Christmases (sometimes multiple Christmases in a row) where my dad wasn't able to be home for Christmas, this is really poignant for me. I applaud your efforts on this lovely Christmas tale and how you showed it not only from the homefront or the warfront but from both perspectives.

Overall, a marvelous effort, m'dear.

Lady A

Aww, Edmund. He's trying so hard to be brave (even if he is mad about a lot of things) and he really does just miss his dad.

I'm shocked a "Socks" reference didn't make it in this chapter. ;)

Onward we go.

That was quite the sneaky little "Socks" reference there. I adore Lucy.

*clicks to next chapter to search for the reason behind the bell*

I love Susan and her knitting (forgot to mention this for the first chapter) and the reference to "Socks" is great.

Little!Peter and Little!Susan are just too cute! Hehehe, Peter hiding his eyes when his parents kissed. Very cute. :D

Aww, this such a wonderful bittersweet beginning. I love how Peter dreams about his dad.

On to the next chapter!

Lady A

Lovely conclusion! Glad I found time to read it! :)

What a wonderful story to help everyone to remember the true meaning of Christmas. I really enjoyed reading the different perspectives in each chapter, especially the last. :)

Merry Christmas and God bless you.