Hi everyone! Welcome to the official beginning of the story! I've read tons upon tons of fanfictions, those in the Peter Pan genre especially, but this is my début to Fanfiction :) Reviews would be greatly appreciated!
"Wendy!" Mrs. Darling's voice called from the parlor. "Hurry up, dear, or we'll be late!"
"Coming!" Wendy replied as she fastened the clasp of her necklace. She sighed deeply then gazed upon her reflection in the vanity mirror.
The Darlings were attending yet another ball. Mr. and Mrs. Darling, along with Aunt Millicent, could hardly get enough of the invitations. To Wendy though, it seemed that her life revolved around parties. Ever since she had turned sixteen, when she had been introduced to society through a grand ball, Wendy had been to at least a hundred parties. Or so it seemed. She had met sophisticated, elegant ladies whom she was expected to be exactly like. She had danced with charming, handsome gentlemen and of the group she was expected to choose a husband. Any other girl would have been in heaven.
Wendy thought it was all rather boring.
It wasn't that she never enjoyed herself at parties. More often than not, she did have a pleasant time. But the only thing that ever changed about balls and parties and galas was the food. Sometimes not even the people. She had met Simon Richards at the last four parties. Wendy did not suspect their meetings a coincidence.
Her parents and aunt were anxious for Wendy to name a husband. They were gracious to allow her to choose, which Wendy was thankful for. Some of her friends' parents had selected husbands for them already. But Wendy had dreams and ambitions. Currently she was drafting the second part of her novel. How could she focus on marriage and husbands when there were so many adventures to be recorded?
She knew she must marry one day. It was a lady's duty. Not to mention being a mother was one of her dreams. But would married life give the time for writing? Would her husband approve of her novel? The thought worried Wendy.
Tugging her gloves over her fingers, Wendy rose from her bench and went to the parlor to meet her family.
"Oh, Wendy, you're breathtaking!" Mrs. Darling gushed.
"Thank you, Mother," she said. Wendy wore a baby blue gown that flattered her figure and made her blue eyes pop. Her honey curls were piled on the top of her head. The acorn kiss was not around her neck that evening.
"Well, we mustn't dilly-dally or we'll be late," Mr. Darling announced. Mrs. Darling placed her hand in the crook of her husband's elbow as he escorted her out the door. Wendy followed along with her brothers, each dressed in a fine suit.
At one point, every boy had despised buttons and cufflinks and bow ties. But now they found the fashion tolerable.
"Are you excited, Wendy?" John asked.
"Frankly, no. All these parties are the same. You'd think people would get tired of hosting them," she replied.
"Simon Richards will be there tonight. Does that excite you?" John asked, raising his eyebrows and smiling knowingly.
"Simon Richards is a wonderful gentleman and I am happy to be his friend," Wendy said.
"Well, Simon likes you," Slightly said, joining the conversation. "He has no interest in being friends."
"This could be an opportunity for you, Wendy," John said.
Wendy frowned. "And what exactly does that mean?"
"You're going to have a husband one day," Slightly said. "Whether you like it or not. We're all expected to marry but you are especially. Simon would be an excellent husband."
"Not to mention Mother and Father adore him," John added.
Wendy huffed. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize it was any of your business!"
"Sorry," Slightly muttered.
"We're just saying. Time is ticking. Simon won't be on the market forever." John said.
"Your concern is appreciated," Wendy said. "But I really don't need my little brothers pressuring me. Mother, Father and Aunt do enough of that already," she sighed. "Life is so complicated now. Do you remember when we were little and had not a care in the world?"
"I remember!" Michael exclaimed. "Wendy, you'd tell us stories all the time,"
"And we'd act them out," Nibs added.
"Those were the days," Curly mused.
"But we've grown up now," said John. "Those fantasies are gone,"
"I dream of them sometimes," First Twin said.
"Me too!" agreed Second Twin.
"I do too," Tootles nodded. "They're wild! I had one last night where I was fighting pirates,"
"I was an Indian brave in one of mine," said Michael. "And I could fly! It was fantastic."
Wendy smiled. She and her brothers very rarely spoke of their childhood adventures anymore. It was a comfort to know they remembered a little.
When they arrived at the party, the Darlings were led to their dining table. The ballroom was crowded with people chatting and laughing. Wendy scanned the room. Almost instantly, as though he had placed himself in her line of vision, she spotted Simon Richards. He smiled broadly at her, and made to come over. Wendy smiled back politely, yet dreaded conversing with him.
"Good evening, Wendy," Simon said. "It's a pleasure to see you here tonight."
"And you as well, Simon," Wendy replied. She glanced at her siblings who were watching her with big eyes. "Er . . . you remember my brothers?"
"Of course," Simon nodded to them.
"And my parents and aunt,"
"Good evening," Simon flashed the adults a charming smile. They greeted him eagerly and dove into conversation about his family and the party. Wendy sipped from her water-glass, hoping that her parents and chatty aunt would keep him occupied.
When Simon broke away from her parents, he turned directly to her. "Will you dance with me, Wendy?" he asked.
"Of course," she nodded, rising to her feet and following him to the dance floor as a waltz began. He held her waist while she held his shoulder, their free hands clasped together.
"You look beautiful," he said.
"Thank you," Wendy smiled.
"Are you enjoying the party so far?"
"I've only just arrived," she reminded him.
He blushed. "Oh . . . right,"
"I'm sure my time will be pleasant, though,"
"I'm sorry to have snatched you up like this, Wendy. I must admit I was . . . very excited when I saw you," Simon said with a bashful smile.
Now it was Wendy's turn to blush. "Oh . . . er . . . thank you. It's always a pleasure to see you as well,"
"Wendy, I've been thinking," he began. "You and I have been acquainted for some time now. I don't really know how to say this without sounding awkward," Simon laughed lightly. Wendy's heart pounded. He seemed to be waiting for her to respond.
"You can say it," she said in what she hoped was an inviting tone.
"Well, what I want to say is . . . I am quite fond of you Wendy Darling, and I would like to court you." Simon smiled broadly.
"Court me?" Wendy gasped. Her feet stopped moving. Simon stopped as well, watching her closely. She blushed. Simon Richards was interested in marrying her. It was shocking and at the same time expected. Even John had mentioned Simon's intentions.
"Your parents approve," he mentioned. "They told me you would be delighted."
Wendy was tongue-tied. "Oh . . . did they? . . . Well, I'm flattered . . . I need a drink," she said quickly.
"Of course," Simon nodded. Then he left. Wendy took a seat in a spare chair. Her heard raced. She could feel the heat in her cheeks. Thoughts swirled around in her head, nearly making her dizzy. Simon would be back any moment, expecting an answer. Marriage was her duty. Yet it seemed so . . . soon. Her novel wasn't close to being completed! She couldn't possibly refuse his offer, though. Her parents and aunt would be so disappointed. Wendy sighed deeply to calm herself. Why was life so complicated?
"Here you are," Simon handed her a glass of water. She accepted it gratefully and took her time downing the contents. He sat beside her. For a while neither of them spoke.
"So . . . have you thought about my proposal?" he asked.
"Oh . . . right . . . yes, I have," Wendy stammered, staring into her empty glass. "I am flattered, really . . . and I do think you are a wonderful man . . . but perhaps we could . . . postpone our courtship?" she smiled hopefully.
"Why would we do that?" asked Simon.
"Because . . . well . . . we're young . . . and we have dreams . . . do you have dreams, Simon?"
"Yes. To be a successful provider for my wife and children," he said.
"Oh," Wendy tugged her gloves anxiously. "Well that's a perfectly reasonable dream,"
"Do you have a dream, Wendy?" asked Simon. "Because women of society are not supposed to have their heads in the clouds."
"You sound like my family," she muttered.
"Well," said Simon with a sigh, rising to his feet. "If you happen to change your mind, I'd be thrilled." Then he said goodbye politely and disappeared in the crowd. Wendy sat there for a few moments, processing what had happened in such a short amount of time. Eventually supper was served, forcing her back to the table with her family.
"So, Wendy," Aunt Millicent smiled broadly. "Did you and Simon talk about anything interesting?"
Wendy put down her fork and wiped her mouth to buy time. "He mentioned courtship," she mumbled.
The table was buzzing the moment her words were out. Mostly it was Aunt Millicent, raving about what good news it was. A sick feeling formed in the pit of Wendy's stomach. She considered, for a moment, rushing right back to Simon and accepting. How would her family react to what she had done?
"But," Wendy said, captivating her family's attention. "I didn't accept."
Silence. She glanced up to meet her parents' eyes. Disappointment in her father's. Confusion in her mother's. Aunt Millicent was fuming.
"What do you mean you didn't accept?" she asked. "Why wouldn't you accept? Simon Richards is just the thing this family needs! He is the perfect husband!"
"Aunt," Mrs. Darling spoke calmly. "Why don't we give Wendy a chance to explain. I'm certain she has a very good reason," She met Wendy's eyes.
"The truth is," Wendy admitted. "I don't want to get married yet,"
"It isn't a matter of wanting," snapped Aunt Millicent. "You know very well that you must marry one day. There could not have been a more golden opportunity for you and you've thrown it away!"
"Wendy," said Mr. Darling. "I don't understand. Why don't you want to get married? Do you not like Simon?"
"No, I do," she replied honestly. "But there are . . . things I want to do before marriage."
"We've discussed this, Wendy," Aunt Millicent said. "That silly novel of yours was a childhood fantasy. It's time to move on and grow up."
The boys, who had sat quietly the entire time, stared at their plates. Wendy took a sudden interest in her meal. The table was quiet for most of the night. When the party was over, Wendy was beyond relieved. She dashed to her bedroom and changed into her nightgown. The night's events had left an uncomfortable feeling in her stomach. It reminded Wendy of guilt. She overheard the adults murmuring in the parlor.
"What are we going to do?" Aunt Millicent wailed. "She's not only embarrassed us but embarrassed Simon as well."
"I'll speak with his parents," Mr. Darling suggested. "Perhaps we can get them to reconsider,"
"I don't think the Richards are our problem," Mrs. Darling said. "What about Wendy?"
"Leave her out of it," replied Millicent. "She has taken advantage of your kindness and the Richards,"
"We want what's best for her," Mrs. Darling reminded them. "I want to see her settle down with a husband as much as you, but I want her to do it at her own pace,"
"Mary, we've given her more than enough time," said Mr. Darling. "She must be married. The sooner the better."
Wendy didn't hear the rest of the conversation. She went to her brothers' room, the former nursery, and poked her head in. They were preparing for bed.
"Boys?" she said softly. "Do you think I made a mistake?"
"I thought it wasn't our business," John teased.
"Do you believe you've made one, Wendy?" Michael asked.
"I wish I didn't," she replied. "But I feel so confused. I thought for sure that when Mother and Father told me I could choose my husband that I'd find a man whom I loved unconditionally. I haven't yet, and I fear my time is running out."
"I don't want you to get married!" Tootles exclaimed, hugging her waist. "Then you'll have to leave,"
"You can't leave us, Wendy," agreed Curly.
"We'd miss you!" added Nibs.
She smiled. "I'd miss you, too,"
"You're our mother, remember?" First Twin said.
"What would we do without you?" Second Twin said.
"Remember the stories you'd tell us?" John asked.
"Yeah, the ones about pirates!" Slightly exclaimed.
"And Indians!" added Michael.
"And mermaids," Wendy giggled.
They spent the rest of the night reminiscing in their childhood stories and games. When they said good night and Wendy went to bed, she felt considerably better. However a bitter-sweetness hung in the air. To her delight, her dreams were marriage-free.
The lights turned off in the Darling house. London twinkled against the ink-black sky. But then the night was illuminated by shooting stars, dancing and racing across the dark. The shooting stars found the Darling house and swept into the nursery. Quietly and gently, fairies sprinkled their golden dust over nine sleeping forms. The stars lifted each one out the window and carried them against the wind's back to a certain star, second to the right . . .
Oooooooh! What's gonna happen next? Review and find out! :)