Wendy Darling sat on the window sill of the nursery. Though the nursery wasn't her room anymore, she spent almost all of her time there. The nursery was now home to her eight brothers. Wendy only has two biological brothers, John and Michael. Her other brothers were adopted two years ago. Mrs. and Mr. Darling attempted to try to rename the six other boys, but to their dismay, the boys refused to be called by anything other than their original names. Wendy's brothers are named Tootles, Nibs, Curly, Slightly, and the twins. When the boys first came to live with the Darlings, the neighbors talked a lot and asked questions. But soon the boys were accepted into the society with open arms. Slightly and John were only thirteen but they were already taking just as many lessons as Wendy with Aunt Millicent. Aunt Millicent and Mrs. And Mr. Darling wanted their children to be proper and grown up by their fourteenth birthdays. Wendy turned fourteen three months ago, and her aunt was already taking about marriage and children.
Wendy stared at the second star to the right as it winked down upon her. Everyday Wendy though about Peter Pan, who decided to stay in Neverland two years ago, even though her, her brothers, and the Lost Boys had left. Wendy reached to her neck and fingered the acorn with a small hole in it from an arrow.
"Wendy, can you come down here please?" Mrs. Darling called. Wendy sighed and stood up. She crossed the room, navigating around the toys and wooden swords. Though her parents wanted her and her brothers to grow up, they still continued to stay up late and tell stories and sword fight. Wendy flung open the door of the nursery and was thrown into chaos. Seven of her eight brothers were screaming and running around the hallway, half dressed in suits. Wendy grinned. Her brothers were getting dressed for Slightly's fourteenth birthday tomorrow. Though they would never say it to their parents, they liked getting dressed in suits, but they didn't want Slightly to be considered an adult. This was obviously their way of protesting. Nana the dog was barking and running after them, trying to round up her brothers.
Wendy descended down the stairs and into the parlor. Mr. and Mrs. Darling sat on the couch while Aunt Millicent stood in the middle of the room holding up a beautiful blue silk gown. Wendy gasped, for the dress was absolutely gorgeous. Slightly sat in a dark corner of the room, trying to act like he was interested in Wendy's dress. He tied not to show it, but he was sulking because he didn't want to grow up so soon. Wendy put on the dress and the bodice fit tightly around her, but then shades of blue fabric flowed down to the floor. It was the perfect dress for dancing.
"Oh Wendy, you look so grown up!" Aunt Millicent gushed. Wendy winced. Though she was used to being told she was grown up, it always made her think of what Peter would say if he was here. And every time she thinks of Peter, she misses him even more. Slightly glanced up at Wendy and looked at her knowingly. All of the boys knew how much Wendy missed Peter, because they knew she missed him ten times as much as they did. Wendy began to take off the dress when Nana came rushing in with Curly. His tie was loosened and his face was flushed from running. The rest of her brothers ran in after him. Wendy slipped away from her family and went up to her bedroom. Mr. and Mrs. Darling said that her room is better than the nursery because she can decorate it however she wanted. Her room was almost the same size and shape of the nursery, but it couldn't be more different. The light didn't shine in through the windows, toys didn't scatter the floor, and fairytales didn't cover the book shelf. Wendy got dressed into her nightgown, which was more womanly than the night gowns she used to wear.
Her nightgown was a bright scarlet and was covered in silk, lace, and ruffles. It was strapless and a large black bow was tied on her waist. The dress hung to her curves slightly, unlike a child's gown which hung straight down. The boys often laughed at her when she wore the gown, but her aunt scolded them, saying that Wendy looked like a women. Wendy crawled into her stiff bed and said goodnight to her parents. She waited and hour or so, then she got out of bed and went into the nursery. Wendy entered and was immensely confused. All eight of her brothers where staring at the open window in awe.
"Boys, you know you shouldn't have the window open. Mother and Father will feel the cold and come in to check on you." Wendy said in a mothering tone. The boys didn't look over at her. They continued to stare out the window. Wendy marched over to the group and moved to shut the window. As soon as she touched the latch to close it, the boys began to yell at her not to. Wendy became a bit unnerved. Once she moved away from the window, the boys stopped. Wendy could only think of one reason why they would stare out the window, but she knew it couldn't be true.
"Slightly." Wendy said. "Why are you all staring at the window?" Slightly turned at Wendy and looked her directly in the eye.
"Tink." He said as if it explained everything. Slightly realized Wendy didn't understand so he continued. "We saw her outside our window". Wendy turned back to the window and gazed out intently. She searched the dark sky for the fairy, but she couldn't find her anywhere. Wendy moved toward the window again and began to pull it down. There was no reason why Tinkerbell would be here. Peter Pan hadn't visited the Darling children for two years. Why would he come now? The window was almost closed when it stuck. Wendy couldn't pull it down anymore.
The window flung back open and a dirty foot appeared. Wendy and the boys gasped and backed away from the window. Soon a boy stood in the window, covered in leaves. His blonde hair was tousled and his blue eyes glimmered with mischief. He stood with his hands upon his hips and he searched the group around him. When his eyes met Wendy's, time seemed to stop.
"Wendy!" Peter Pan exclaimed. "I have come for you and your brothers."