Author's Note: Well, here is the chapter that you all have been waiting for! I think this is the fastest that I have ever updated a story. Hopefully, it fulfills your expectations. Enjoy and please review!

Chapter 11

The Playwright and the Actress

Wendy gasped and stared incredulously as the usher beckoned them into the lobby. She knew that James Barrie had based his play off of her story, but to take the time to speak with her! And the actress as well! This was something that she hadn't expected at all!

Squeezing their way through the crowd, they reached one of the wide staircases that led up to the balcony seating. As they climbed, Peter asked, "Who's Mr. Barrie, Wendy?"

"He's--he's the playwright, Peter," Wendy answered. "He wrote the play."

"Oh," said Peter. "How does he know you?"

"Well, I met him in Kensington Gardens after I came home and I told him about you and our adventures," Wendy told him. "He turned my story into the play that we just saw."

"Really?" said Peter, delighting in the fact that she had told a story about him to a grown up.

"Yes," said Wendy. She paused and then added in a slight whisper, "Peter, you must promise that when we speak with Mr. Barrie, you will not talk about Neveland as if you live there or that you can really fly."

"But I do live on Neverland and I can fly!" Peter whispered back.

"Yes, but to him, you're just a fictional character and Neverland doesn't exist."

"But, I'm not a fictional character," said Peter who had no idea what that was, "and Neverland does exist!".

Wendy sighed, "Just let me do the talking, Peter."

"Okay."

They had reached the top of the stairs and the usher stepped aside to allow them to enter the balcony. Wendy entered first, her heart pounding nervously.

"Why, hello, Miss Darling," said a voice pleasantly. "Did you enjoy the performance of your marvelous story?"

Wendy looked to her left and saw that seated in two of the chairs in the front row were James Barrie and the actress who had played Peter.

Barrie rose to his feet and extended his hand to Wendy. He wore a black evening suit and his dark brown hair was slicked back from his face. His blue eyes sparkled as he smiled at her.

"It was wonderful, Mr. Barrie," Wendy replied as she released his hand. "I couldn't have asked for a better performance, thank you."

"Call me Jamie," said Barrie. "And don't thank me for the performance, thank Miss Nina over here. It was her fine acting that stole the show!"

As he spoke her name, the actress rose to her feet. She still wore her green costume and smiled kindly as she shook Wendy's hand.

"It really was my pleasure," she said. "Mr. Barrie told me how he had gotten the idea from you."

"Are these your parents?" Jamie asked, looking at the two Darlings and Peter who were standing against the wall. It was only when the two were shaking hands, did Wendy realize how very short James Barrie was. He barely came up to her father's shoulder.

"If I may ask, how is it that you know my daughter?" asked Mr. Darling once he had released Barrie's hand.

"Why, your daughter is reason we are all here tonight!" Jamie exclaimed. "She told me a wonderful story in Kensington Gardens about a boy who never wanted to grow up and lived with fairies. It was just the sort of story that I longed to write and make into a play. It was I, who sent you the tickets for tonight's performance and I do hope you enjoyed it!"

"It certainly wasn't what I expected," Peter murmured, glancing at Nina.

"This is Peter, Mr. B--Jamie," said Wendy. "He's a very dear friend of mine and has never been to the theater before."

"Really?" said Jamie, smiling. "And your thoughts on the play, my boy?"

Wendy's heart quickened; she could only imagine would Peter would say and prayed he would not reveal his true identity.

"Well, I--" Peter hesitated. "I didn't expect Peter Pan to be played by a girl!"

Jamie chuckled softly and then said, "Yes, but it had to be done. The harness that Nina uses would be very painful for a male actor."

Peter rolled his eyes and to Wendy's surprise, Nina Boucicault said, "You don't agree, Peter?"

"Well," said Peter slowly. "I think it would be fairly easy for a boy to fly, much more so than a girl."

"Oh, really? Well, perhaps one day Peter Pan will be played by a boy," said Nina with a smile.

"Let's hope that doesn't occur in the near future," said Jamie. "Otherwise, a very talented actress will be put out of a job!"

"What else did you think of the play?" Nina asked Peter. "Since this is your first time seeing one."

"Captain Hook was good," said Peter, "he was very scary, except to me and your swordplay was…alright, I guess."

"Peter!" Wendy cried.

"Oh, I'm not offended at all," Nina assured her. "We hardly put any formal techniques in the fighting. I suppose you could give me a few suggestions?" she inquired.

Peter shrugged. "Perhaps. But, you did a good job."

"Yet, you still think Peter Pan should be played by a boy?"

"Oh, yes!"

Nina smiled again and shook her head in amusement.

"Well, I shan't keep you much longer," said Jamie. "It is very late and I'm sure you wish to get home." He held out his hand to Wendy and continued, "Thank you very much for coming this evening, Miss Darling. It was wonderful to see you again and to meet your funny friend, Peter."

"Thank you, sir," said Wendy. "Perhaps I shall see you again in Kensington Gardens?"

"Perhaps," said Jamie, "and speaking of the Gardens…" He turned to Wendy's parents and said, "Would it be too much out of your way to make a quick stop at the park tonight?"

"Well, I think we really should--," said Mr. Darling began, only to be cut off by his wife.

"I don't think it would be too much trouble," said Mrs. Darling. "But must we go tonight?"

"Oh, yes, you must go tonight," said Jamie. "I believe your daughter--and Peter as well--may find something there that they might enjoy." He winked mysteriously at Wendy, who had no idea what he was talking about. She had been to the park many times before, what was so special about it tonight?

"How will we know where to look?" Wendy asked.

"Oh, there will be lights to show where to go," Jamie told her, "and when you get there tell them that James Barrie sent you."

"Alright," said Wendy, uncertainly.

"Well, as I said before, it was a pleasure seeing you again and meeting your family," said Jamie.

"A pleasure to meet all of you as well," said Nina. "I hope you come back to see another show, Peter, you would make a fine critic."

"Thank you," said Peter, wondering what a critic was.

Once everyone had said their goodbyes, James Barrie and Nina Boucicault led them down into the lobby and saw them into their waiting carriage. As they drove off, Wendy looked out the back window and watched as the playwright and the actress become smaller and smaller until they were swallowed up by the dark night.


Author's Note: James Barrie was literary the 'boy who never grew up' because at fourteen he stopped growing and remained five feet tall for the rest of his life.

Hopefully you enjoyed the chapter because it is the second to last one. Yes, this story is drawing to an end soon. Please review and sorry once again for the (sort of) cliffhanger!