Chapter 12: Sylvia

"Where's James?"

"He's sleeping, thank God."

"What's wrong with him?"

"We don't know yet."

"How's Charlotte?"

"Shattered. Absolutely crushed. They're best friends, you know. And the wedding is so close. She won't leave him for a minute, not even to eat or sleep."

Charles and Mrs. du Maurier sat in the parlor, talking quietly. By now, the boys were aware that something was wrong. They tiptoed quietly around the house and whispered when they had to talk. For the time being, their childhood, and Aunt Charlotte's as well, for that matter, had been put on hold.

"Can I see Charlotte?" Charles asked.

"Of course. Come right this way."

Sunlight poured through the open window. The breeze was a bit chilly, but at least there was clean air circulating through the room.

Charlotte was in a chair next to the bed. She looked exhausted, but was apparently practicing for the "till death do us part" portion of the wedding vows.

Porthos, James' loyal dog, lay stubbornly at the foot of his master's bed, also refusing to move.

"How are you holding up?" Charles asked, going to stand by Charlotte's chair.

"I'm fine," she assured him.

"You don't look fine," he said, nodding pointedly at her disheveled hair, rumpled skirt, and unusually red eyes.

"Yes, well." She sighed. "I'm just worried about him. And the children can't be children knowing that something is wrong." She turned her face away to hide the tears, but she couldn't stop her voice from shaking.

"My God, I've never been so scared in my life, Charles. What would happen if he died? What would happen to me? And he keeps asking for Sylvia. He's delirious. He keeps shouting her name. He's done it four times already. Sylvia. Sylvia. Why doesn't he want me? Shouldn't he be shouting my name? Shouldn't I be the one he thinks of?"

"He'll want you," Charles tried to convince her. "Just be patient." He patted her shoulder and left.

Charlotte waited until she heard the front door close. Then she turned slowly to face the man she was supposed to be marrying in less than a week. He didn't move, but she still hoped that he could somehow hear her.

"My God, James. What's the matter with you? I'm so scared. Why Sylvia? Why not me? We're getting married in six days, James. It won't work unless you're there too. I know you're in Neverland, and you're probably sitting there having a good laugh with Sylvia and the Lost Boys. But you were going to wait for me, remember? You weren't supposed to do anything without me. You promised. Think of the boys, James. And Emma. We need you now. You can't leave yet."

Mrs. du Maurier had encouraged Charlotte to pray for James. Charlotte did not believe in prayer. God had never answered her before? Why should he start now?

Even if she did believe in prayer, God was not the right Being to pray to on behalf of James. As far as Charlotte knew, there was no such Being. Unless—of course. It was so simple. She ought to have thought of it sooner.

Charlotte got up and stood in front of the open window. She whispered something inaudible, hardly moving her lips. Her eyes remained fixed on a barely visible star rising in the North.

Hope you all liked it! Chapter 13 will be up soon, hopefully.

Once again, I'd like to thank all who reviewed:

Dawnie-7, InNeverland, KatrinaKaiba, and TheatrePirate. You guys are wonderful for reading this and sharing your opinions with me. I don't know whether I'd have the motivation to do this if it weren't for you.

By the way, any thoughts on Johnny Depp being passed up for Best Actor again? Please share; I'd like to know that I'm not the only one who is extremely angered by this.