Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or any of its characters. I simply own a copy of J.M. Barrie's book and a copy of the 1953 Disney movie - Peter Pan; both of which were my inspiration for this story.
Chapter 1: Second Star to the Right
"Where mommy, where?"
"Over there," she said pointing to the clear night sky, "second star to the right."
"I see it," the little boy said quietly. He leaned back into his mother's arms as they looked out his bedroom window, observing the beautiful night sky above them, scattered with hundreds of twinkling stars. Only one star, however, stood out to the mother and child.
"He really lives up there … with the lost boys?" the little boy asked.
"Yup," his mother said, wrapping her arms around his tiny waist. "With Tinker Bell & Captain Hook too, baby."
She looked down at her seven year old, eyes shining bright with wonder and excitement. She loved him at this age, where they could sit together every night on the window seat before bedtime and gaze up at the stars while she shared stories of adventures in Never Land. Kurt listening to her every word, eager to learn everything about the boy she called "Peter."
"Mommy, why does he live up there and not down here?" Kurt asked, rubbing his eyes.
"I don't know." Elizabeth said thoughtfully as she snuggled her son up against her chest. "He never did tell me." Kurt let out a big yawn, his little body drooping into her arms as he tried to stay awake.
"It's time for bed my love, come on." She gently lifted the sleepy child off her lap and onto his feet. He took one more glance out the window before allowing her to guide him to his bed.
"Will I meet him one day, mommy? Do you think he will take me to Never Land too?" Kurt asked as she pulled the sheets back and he climbed into bed, lying back against the pillows.
"Of course you will baby," Elizabeth said as she pulled the blankets up to his chest and tucked him in. "All you have to do is believe … and know his real name."
"Why do we call him Peter Pan if that's not his real name?" Kurt asked sleepily rolling on his side to face his mother.
"I don't know." Elizabeth sighed, glancing down at her nearly unconscious son. "He didn't tell me that either." She smiled and bent down to kiss his chubby little cheeks and pert little nose.
"Sweet dreams of Never Land, my love," she whispered, tucking him in snugly once more. She made sure to check his nightlight before walking over to the open window.
Staring at the familiar bright star in the sky brought back memories of her many adventures in Never Land. Adventures, she wondered, if Kurt would ever get the chance to experience like she did. She glanced back at her sleeping child in bed and wished he could remain this age forever. She was pleased with how Kurt turned out - a happy and carefree child that she and her husband raised together, despite becoming parents at the tender age of 17.
It wasn't easy at first, when their families turned their backs on them, leaving them stranded and living in Burt's truck. It was only when they were married a few months later that their parents took them back in, praising them both "for doing the right thing."
In that time before Kurt was born, Elizabeth had to grow up fast - almost too fast. While preparing herself for motherhood, she almost forgot about the darling boy she spent her summer nights with. The boy with hazel eyes, dark curly hair & beautiful smile. The boy who would sing duets with her at a drop of the hat. The boy who chased fireflies with her in the Never Land fields at dusk. The boy who became her best friend & protector - until one day he could no longer be there for her.
She remembered that night when he came to her window right after Kurt was born. He was shocked to find a newborn baby in her arms and a sleeping husband in her bed.
"You grew up!" He cried. "You promised you would never grow up!"
He fled shortly after - their sobs nearly waking Burt up from his exhausted sleep. The next morning, she moved with her new family into a place of their own. In the beginning, she often wondered if he knew where to find her, or if he went to her childhood window every night, waiting for her to come home like he had done so many nights before. A few months after she was settled in the new home, she took Kurt to visit her parents, only to find that they turned her room into a home office. She realized then that he knew she would never be coming back. Her days of flying off to Never Land long forgotten with the new life she now lead.
She spent that night crying silently so as not to wake her sleeping baby and husband. She worried as time went on if she would forget him, like most children had. She feared her mind would turn him into nothing more than a distant legend that so many others thought he was, once they stopped believing. Her fears were put to rest the following day when she unpacked the rest of her things she brought from her parents house. He had left one final memento in her music box - the one that they spent so many hours singing and dancing to under the moonlight. She clutched it firmly to her heart, knowing it was his final plea - begging her not forget him or their time spent in Never Land. She vowed at that moment she wouldn't. She would always remember him. She would always believe.
Thus began her stories to Kurt every night, sharing the adventures of Peter, his Lost Boys and their many run-ins with Captain Hook. Every story flashing before her eyes as if she was there - as if he werethere. By the time Kurt could talk, he knew the entire story of his mother & Peter; knew almost every adventure and every detail about the boy whom his mother called her bestfriend. A friendship, she explained, that began with one simple promise - to never grow up.
Now, as Elizabeth stared at her sleeping boy, she wished more than ever he would remain a child forever. But even she knew that all great things must eventually come to an end. She knew that one day; Kurt would grow up into a fine young man, meet a dashing boy (she knew) and start a family of their own. She only hoped that he would have at least one chance to meet the boy she spoke of so fondly and to see for himself her real childhood home. But in order for that to happen, she would have to come face to face with him - after all these years.
But there was time.
There was plenty of time.
Kurt was only seven and most children had until their eighteenth birthday, if not sooner, before they were forced into adulthood and slowly stopped believing.
Elizabeth sighed and closed the window. She made sure to put the child safety locks in place, remembering the numerous times she found Kurt asleep on the window seat, having moved from his bed to fall asleep under the twinkling starlight. She held her hand up against the window, stroking the precious star with her finger, remembering her final promise to her beloved childhood friend.
And, as she did every night before she went to sleep, she brought her fingers up to her lips to place a gentle kiss and then back to the window where the bright star gazed down upon her. One final happy little thought and then she bid her friend a final farewell for the night - wherever he may be.
"Sweet dreams, Blaine."
Author's Note: So here is my first attempt at writing Klaine fan fiction. Peter Pan is my favorite Disney movie in the whole wide world & after falling asleep watching the movie (for the billionth time), I had a dream of the entire movie with Klaine in the mix. Also, big thanks to Danicadaisy for offering to be my beta for this fic! So far she loves it and I hope you will too!