Peter Pan never fell asleep. The sun had just set and Peter was not tired. He had gone to visit Jane at night before, perhaps he should go back as soon as possible. About a minute passed and Peter knew that they had to leave right away.
"Men, it's time to get up," said Peter loudly.
The Lost Boys quickly got up, although a bit tired having fallen asleep only minutes ago.
"What's wrong?" asked Nibs.
"Nothing, it's time to go. We're going to London tonight. Wendy will be our mother," announced Peter.
Tinker Bell began to glow red, irritated with Peter. Peter wouldn't look at her. He walked outside of the hideout with the other boys following.
"I'm hungr—"started Cubby, but was silenced when Slightly glared at him.
They walked quietly to where the ship was docked. It was now floating on the water. Peter looked at Tinker Bell, unsure what to say to her.
"We need pixie dust," said one of the twins during the silence.
All the Lost Boys looked to Tinker Bell. Without any sound, she dusted the entire ship until it floated. The boys boarded the ship and began to sail directly to London.
"When are we coming back?" asked Tootles in his little voice.
Peter frowned, unsure what to say. The Lost Boys looked at each other then back at Peter.
"Are we coming back?" asked Nibs.
"No," said Peter finally.
The Lost Boys were silent. None of them were quite sure how they felt about it.
"It'll be an adventure," said Tootles firmly.
Cubby nodded in agreement. The other boys frowned. Neverland had been their home. They had no family in London, at least in Neverland they had each other. Although Peter promised Wendy would be their mother, they had lived without a mother for quite some time now. Peter Pan seemed to have his mind made up, though, and none wanted to argue. Tootles and Cubby were the only ones who seemed to get used to the idea. Tootles was extremely easy going and enjoyed just about everything, so there was no surprise there. Cubby had it in his mind that mothers cooked a lot of good food for their children and decided Wendy would be the same.
Deep down, the boys felt relieved. Being only boys they had no way to ever grasp or describe the feeling, but it was there. Finally, they could grow up and live their lives, just like they were born to do. They had been taught by Peter, for many years now, that growing up was wrong. The children weren't exactly sure why Peter had changed his mind, but they would never question him. Peter Pan always ended up leading them to some sort of happiness.
Tinker Bell was furious at the decision. Peter Pan had not once consulted her. How could he do this to her? She could never live in London. To her, it seemed as if Peter Pan completely wanted her out of his life. It hurt.
"We'll dock this on the clock tower," said Peter as the city of London came into view.
"Do you know where Wendy is?" asked Slightly, nervous.
"I think so," said Peter, although uncertain. Peter Pan had no idea how long it had been since he'd spoken with Jane.
"Didn't you say Wendy grew up?" asked one of the twins.
"Yes, but she's still the same, sort-of," said Peter.
"How can she be the same if she's a grown-up?" asked the other twin.
"SHUT UP!" exclaimed Peter, suddenly fed up and stressed out.
None of the boys said anything. Peter Pan had a temper and many had learned it was much smarter to stay quiet. Peter felt guilty for snapping at them, but didn't say anything. He didn't know what to say, how to apologize.
The boys docked the floating ship at the top of the clock tower and flew down, using Tink's pixie dust. Tinker Bell followed, but didn't stay close to Peter. She really didn't know why she was following them in the first place, she couldn't stay here.
"Which way?" asked Cubby a bit nervously.
Peter frowned.
"This way," he said, leaping into the air and taking flight.
After about a minute of flying, Peter finally couldn't stand Tink's silence. He landed on the roof of a twin home, followed by the Lost Boys.
"Wait here," said Peter to the boys and indicated Tink to follow him. Peter flew to the next roof and turned to the small pixie.
"Tink, look, I'm going back to Neverland to say good-bye, after the boys stay here," explained Peter.
Tinker Bell jingled, put in a better mood by Peter's words.
"We'll have time just me and you," promised Peter, "but then I've got to come back here. You'll have to go back to the fairies."
Peter Pan felt sad all of a sudden. Tinker Bell saw the emotion in his eyes and immediately felt guilty. She could see Peter made up his mind. She needed to support him; it wasn't in her nature not to. The fairy nodded.
"Thanks, Tink," said the boy.
He flew back to the Lost Boys.
"Let's go, men," said Peter.
Peter's stomach flip-flopped as they neared Wendy's home. Would Wendy even be there? Peter's biggest fear was to come and have Wendy nor Jane living there.
The Lost Boys didn't have much to say, suddenly anxious. What would their new life be like in London? They had no idea, but if Peter was there then everything would be okay. Peter seemed to always make everything okay for them.
Finally, Peter found himself yet again on the same balcony that he'd met Wendy all those years ago. A sleeping figure could be seen past the translucent, white curtains. Peter carefully opened the door and indicated the Lost Boys to fly in, overtop of the sleeping figure.
"Jane?" asked Peter once all of the boys were inside.
The figure stirred, then turned around.
Peter frowned. Jane had grown much older; the wrinkles in her eyes were now obvious. How much time had passed? He studied her, angry she had grown again, before slowly realizing he wasn't looking at Jane. Wendy smiled at the sight of them.
"Peter Pan!" she exclaimed.
"Wendy…" he said, not knowing exactly what to say.
Tinker Bell began to glow green, slightly jealous at the memory of the little girl that made Peter's heart beat a little quicker. Wendy smiled looking around the room.
"Slightly, Cubby, Twins, Nibs, and of course Tootles!" welcomed Wendy.
At the sound of his name, Tootles ran over to Wendy and jumped in her arms. Wendy cuddled the boy for a moment, remembering her brief time in Neverland.
"Where's Jane?" asked Peter suddenly.
"Jane? She's on her honeymoon," said Wendy, all smiles, "Jane told me about her visit with you, Peter. I believed every word she told me. I was hoping with all my heart you all would come to me."
Slightly smiled and ran to Wendy, wanting a hug. The other Lost Boys followed, each wanting attention from Wendy.
"You'll be our mother?" asked Tootles sweetly.
"Yes, Tootles. I will be," said Wendy.
Peter frowned. He loved Wendy, even as an adult, she always believed in him. Something didn't feel right about him leaving now.
"Will you cook our meals?" asked Cubby eagerly.
"Yes, of course," said Wendy, very motherly, resisting the urge to laugh. Cubby had seemed to have developed a much stronger sense of hunger since she last encountered him. Neverland exaggerates one's worst qualities, she thought, but I will always love it.
After giving all the boys hugs, except Peter, Wendy turned to Tinker Bell.
"Oh, Tinker Bell, I've missed you," said Wendy.
Tinker Bell, no longer jealous, smiled and light bells could be heard. Wendy's smile broadened. Her ability to hear Tinker Bell meant she still believed.
"And Peter Pan, I may have missed you most of all," said Wendy, turning to the boy.
Peter, a thousand emotions running through his system, ran to Wendy and gave her a hug.
"I've missed you, too," said Peter. He suddenly frowned, remembering the Lost Boys would be watching. "Wendy, can I talk to you?"
"Yes, of course, Peter," said Wendy, curiously.
Peter led her out on the balcony.
"Wendy, I have to take Tinker Bell back," said Peter.
"You're leaving the Lost Boys here?" asked Wendy.
"Yes," answered Peter.
There was silence for a moment. Wendy's smile faded a little, and she looked around.
"I had this balcony built after Jane told me about her time in Neverland," said Wendy, as if Peter asked, "I was hoping you would stand on it one day."
Peter Pan just nodded, lost in thought.
"I'd better get going," said Peter Pan finally.
A tear fell from Wendy's eye. Tinker Bell flew out onto the balcony, knowing her and Peter would have to leave soon. Wendy heard the bells.
"Peter Pan, I have been blessed to have known you. It's been three times now, I know I've grown up, but really on the inside I haven't lost my hope I've had since I was a child. That's what you need to remember Peter… always have hope. When you lose hope you truly grow up, and that's what you're most afraid of," spoke Wendy.
"I'll see you again, Wendy," mumbled Peter Pan.
Wendy smiled sadly.
"Good-bye, Peter Pan. I've always remembered you, and now it's your turn to remember me. Always have hope," said Wendy.
Peter smiled confidently at her.
"Of course I'll always have hope, Wendy. I'm the best at having hope, because I'm the best at not growing up," he said.
With that, Peter Pan took off into the night sky, followed closely by Tinker Bell. Wendy shook her head, amused at Peter. Peter never really changed, she could never imagine him changing.
Wendy walked back inside and looked fondly at the Lost Boys. She had been mentally preparing herself ever since her conversation with Jane to be a mother to all these boys. In her heart, Wendy always knew that one day they would need her.
"Where's Peter going?" asked Nibs.
"Back to Neverland," said Wendy honestly.
"Peter's abandoned us!?" asked Slightly, horrified.
"No, he just has to say good-bye one last time. We'll be waiting here for him," said Wendy reassuringly.
The Lost Boys all stared at her, unsure of what to do or say without their leader there. Slightly still felt extremely skeptical, but couldn't do anything. The twins whispered to each other.
"Welcome to your new life," said Wendy, "You can sleep here for the night."
Wendy went to close the window, then looked up at the night sky. Up past Big Ben, she could see the second star to the right. For a moment she glimpsed a ship flying up towards the stars. She blinked and it was gone.
"Will you read us a story?" asked Tootles in his tiny voice.
Wendy's eyes lit up. Having raised two children herself, she was eager to have little ones again.
"I'm going to tell you a story about a boy who never grows up," she started.
The Lost Boys listened intently, excited to hear the story. Slightly frowned, though, wondering if they would ever meet the boy who never grows up ever again.
Author's Note: Thanks for reading! I personally had trouble actually writing this last chapter so I'm not sure how it turned out in comparison to the others. Reviews are always welcome :)