"Wendy, come here darling," Wendy heard her mother call.
"One moment mother!" Wendy called. "Then, Captain Hook raised his sword and was about to bring it down on Peter Pan's chest when…"
"Wendy Darling come at once!" her mother called again.
"Quick finish the story Wendy," said Michael.
"I'll have to leave you in suspense Michael. I'll be right back," she said and kissed his head.
Wendy Darling smoothed out her white dress and straightened the blue bow around her waist. She hurried down the stairs and fixed her curls.
"Mother?" she called.
"In the family room dear," her mother responded.
She walked in and saw that Mary and George Darling were both sitting down and were looking at her.
"Have I done something wrong?" Wendy asked cautiously.
"No dear of course not," said Mrs. Darling and she stood and took Wendy's hands and led her to the chair next to hers. "Your father and I have been talking dear."
"About what?" Wendy asked.
"About you and how beautiful you are…and how you've grown up quite a bit. You are sixteen now, and that is a very wonderful age to be," said her mother.
"It doesn't feel any different from other ages," Wendy said.
"Wendy dear, when I was your age I met your father and we were married a few months later. We were both wondering if you maybe had any proposals from anyone," Mrs. Darling wondered.
"Proposals? To marry?" Wendy asked.
"Yes darling, or just any gentlemen who have tried to woo you."
Just outside of the window, Peter Pan watched Wendy and her parents closely. He always watched and listened. He was never seen or heard.
"N-no," Wendy said. "And I don't want any. I'm not ready to be married mother."
"Marriage is for grownups," mumbled Peter sourly. He didn't want Wendy to grow up ever. He would never admit it to anyone, but he had a very big crush on Wendy Darling. Was it her blonde hair? Her blue eyes maybe? No, it was everything about her. Her hair, her eyes, her quirky personality. He had a crush on it all. So to Peter, thinking that his Wendy could belong to some other man made him sour.
"Well it's high time that you start to think about it young lady," said Mr. Darling.
"But father, I-I can't," Wendy said. "I-I'm saving myself."
Peter leaned a bit closer to the window so he could hear what exactly Wendy was saying. Tinkerbell flew up to him and listened with him.
"For who Wendy?" asked Mrs. Darling.
Wendy looked down. She knew that Peter Pan was listening. She could feel his presence. He never showed himself to her. She hasn't seen him since their adventure in Neverland. "Y-you don't know him," said Wendy.
"Give us a name at least," said Mrs. Darling.
Peter looked at Tink then back at Wendy. Who could she possibly be saving herself for? Who could be better than Peter Pan?
Wendy looked up at her parents, "Peter Pan."
Tink jingled angrily and Peter turned a deep shade of red. But he couldn't help but smile.
Mr. Darling scowled and Mrs. Darling sighed.
"Peter Pan? Peter Pan? It's always Peter Pan. That is your answer to everything. Peter Pan is not real Wendy. How many times must we tell you?" demanded Mr. Darling.
Peter did not like Mr. Darling one bit. Mr. Darling was the exact definition of a grown up. He was so strict and never had any fun.
"But he is real father. John, Michael, and I went to…" started Wendy before her father cut her off.
"Neverland and fought with Captain Crook and flew around with pixie dust!" yelled Mr. Darling.
"It's actually Captain Hook father," I corrected.
"Whatever! It's the same things over and over Wendy. It's over, done, forever. If you speak the name Peter Pan again, I'll send you straight to the asylum, maybe they will put reality into your head."
"George!" yelled Mrs. Darling.
Peter turned red from anger and he tried to open the window but little Tinkerbell held him back.
"Peter no! You promised!" jingled Tinkerbell.
"I don't know what else to do Mary. I mean it Wendy. Say Peter Pan just one more time, or Neverland, or pixie dust, or Captain Hook and off to the hospital you go!"
"Please father, don't do this. Don't take this away from me," Wendy begged.
"My decision has been made."
Tears welled in Wendy's eyes and they fell out and splashed onto the rug. "Yes sir," Wendy said quietly and then she ran out of the room and up into her bedroom.
Peter flew back to Wendy's window and Tinkerbell followed.
Wendy collapsed onto her bed and buried her face in her pillow and she wept.
Wendy no longer lived in the nursery and John was going to move out of it next year. Michael would be alone in the nursery. But he would still have Nana to keep him company.
Wendy heard the door open and John and Michael walked in with Nana trailing behind them.
"Wendy?" asked Michael.
She sat up and wiped her eyes.
"Will you finish the story Wendy?" asked Michael.
Peter thought the little boy was right. He wanted to hear the rest of the story too. Wendy couldn't possibly listen to her grown up father. She loved telling stories about Peter Pan.
"Michael, you know what father said," said John.
"You both heard?" Wendy asked.
John nodded sadly.
"But what about the story?" Michael asked.
Wendy smiled and cupped his cheeks in her hands. "You know how the story ends Michael. Why don't you tell me?" she asked.
"Peter Pan wins doesn't he?" asked Michael.
"Good always wins," Wendy said.
"Then you will be able to tell us Peter Pan stories. Because you're good, and good always wins," said Michael.
Wendy looked at John. He shook his head sadly.
"I'm sorry Michael…I…I can't," Wendy said.
Peter felt complete despair wash over him and he took off flying so fast that Wendy's window flew open.
Wendy gasped as the shutters hit the wall. The cold night air flew inside, but that was all. She walked over to the window and looked outside. She knew that Peter was upset with her. But what was she supposed to do?
"Is it Peter, Wendy?" asked John.
Wendy sighed and looked at the second star. Then she grabbed the handle of the window and pulled it closed.
"Not anymore John," Wendy said.