A/N: And here is what you've waited for: The sequel to Stars of Time! It's not very long, but I hope you all enjoy this, as I did writing it!
Disclaimer: I really, REALLY wish I was the genius who invented Peter Pan, but I didn't.
Heart of Neverland
Chapter 1: Last Embrace
The corners of my mouth twitched upward at the sight of Nana saying good-bye. My wife was just getting used to being back home once again, and now she had to leave for Neverland. I couldn't stay here, Neverland needed me, to stay alive. So Wendy was coming back with me as my wife. Nana's ears were droopy, and her soft brown eyes were sad to see her friend and former charge leave. Her paws dragged in misery, because before Wendy had left with me for the second time, they had been as close of friends as a loving dog and young woman could be. Mrs. Darling hugged her daughter for the third time with eyes glistening. Mr. Darling embraced her gruffly, but turned away quickly when tears began to brim in his eyes too. John and Michael were much more cheerful. They sprang together for one group hug with Wendy, then jumped on me.
"Good-bye Peter! Come back soon!"
"Don't have too much fun without us!"
"And, oh, take care of Wendy."
"Don't worry about her, boys. I'll take care of that. Good-bye!" I hugged them one last time, then turned to Mr. and Mrs. Darling. I shook Mr. Darlings hand firmly and whispered steadily, "I'll do my best to do everything you would do for her and more. Good-bye sir."
"I'm sure you will," he replied, "Good-bye Peter." Mrs. Darling, since the moment I had set foot in their house, had been the most gentle, caring, and woman who had ever been like a mother to me. I was truly sorry to leave her. At last, I brought myself to step away from her embrace. I smiled and then went to the group of Darling boys. Each of them stared sadly. It would be a very long time before I saw them.
"Well, good-bye. Curly, Nibs, Slightly, Tootles, and Twins- Pockets and Thud. And Rolly." I hugged each of them in turn, and Rolly extra long. "Have courage," I whispered to him. He was the most recent of the Darling adoptees. My face could feel oncoming tears, so I quickly hugged Aunt Millicent and walked out the window before those tears arrived. I sat on the roof to wait for Wendy. She came out, smiled, and took my hand.
"I'm going to miss them," I said.
"We'll see them again," Wendy murmured in my ear. She rested her forehead on mine and whispered, "Come away. Come away with me to Neverland!" Grinning at the familiar provocation, I stood on the roof and puled Wendy gently into the air.
"The stars are calling you, Wendy."
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We both heard Nana barking at the same time. I looked to Peter to see what he was thinking. He looked doubtful. Just as I looked away, he dropped back down into the house. I waited while listening to a hurried conversation and a rush of footsteps towards the window. After a few moments, Peter emerged with another suitcase and a leash in his hand. I cried out when I saw Nana following him, flying! My Nana was coming with us!
Peter grinned again. Peter raised an eyebrow amusedly and zigzagged towards the newly bright second star to the right. I flew straight after him, coming alongside Nana and petting her behind the ears. The Neverland star made me smile at it's brightness, my old friend and companion at night. Stars around us swirled as we flew through the sky. Each was a familiar face that kept watch over us on our travels. I saw the first rays of light touch the horizon of the Earth's form.
"Here we go!" I held all the more tightly to Nana inbetween us, and Peter's arm slid around her tightly. We rocketed forward, breaking through to Neverland. Nana whined at the sensation. Sighing happily, the reflection in the water of the stars gave way to morning sun, and the ice gave way to warm water. Snow melted and flowers opened on the spot, and animals shook themselves sleepily.
It reminds me of me. Peter warms the island, and me alike. My foot trailed in the water, but it was cold. I jerked my foot back out, and frowned.
Maybe it just hasn't warmed up yet. I pushed it to the back of my mind.
Peter was grinning again. My mouth curved into a smile as well. We were technically on our honeymoon. No one would be disturbing us for quite sometime. Peter's eyes were glinting mischievously. I knew that look. Each of us landed in turn in front of the hollowed tree we had selected for spending our week of relaxation. The fairies had prepared the inside for us in our absence. Peter held his arms out in a, "you first" gesture. Cautiously, I stepped into the house and looked back at him suspiciously. Nana sniffed the tree and lay down just outside it.
The inside of the tree was magnificent. It was lit with long candles, a down filled blanket on the bed, fur carpets, and a bell on the wall for a servant. I felt an excited squeak well up in my throat. This was going to be the perfect honeymoon. I began to hum...