Binky hesitantly approached his new mother and tugged on her dress. She looked down, surprised, but then scooped him up into her arms. Binky's arms went around her neck as he realized he quite liked being held and hugged like this. The other boys looked jealous; they wanted to be held by Mother as well. Peter made his way over to them and watched Wendy with Binky. No doubt about it, she would make a wonderful mother, both to the Lost Boys and whatever children they would have one day. Wendy caught Peter's eye and set Binky down.
"New Lost Boys?"
"Yep. Wendy, this is Ace, Pockets, Teddy, Prentiss, Cubby, and this little one is Binky." Wendy gave them a curtsy, which surprised the boys.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all, boys. I'm Wendy. I suppose Peter has told you about me?"
"Just that you're going to be his wife and fit with him and tell us stories and be our new mother," Prentiss exclaimed. Wendy gave Peter a patronizing look but he merely grinned and shrugged.
"What does it mean, fit with?" Teddy asked again. Peter and Wendy quickly looked at each other and both went red.
"Boys, show Mother the gift you made her!" The boys all looked immensely proud of themselves as they thrust some sort of statue into her hands. It had to be Peter; no one else had that proud stance but the carving was so messy that his face could not be recognized and one of his legs was longer than the other. Peter, with his hands on his hips, grinned and winked at Wendy.
"I've never looked better, eh Wendy?"
"How clever! Thank you boys. I shall treasure it always!"
"I did most of the carving," Ace said smugly. Wendy made a note never to ask Ace to carve anything for her.
"Alright boys, go find something to do. I want to dance with my bride." Peter took Wendy's hand and lead her away from the boys, toward the middle of the glade.
"Do you remember the last time we were here?"
"Of course. You bowed and I curtsied. Then you took my hand and started flying me up. Everything was perfect for those few moments." Her face fell slightly, thinking of the horrible words he had said moments after their dance but Peter seemed to know what she was thinking and his hand went to her cheek while his other hand rested on her waist.
"And look how much has changed. I love you, Wendy. Now dance with me." He bowed low, as he had done that first night and she curtsied in return. They joined hands and she rested her other hand on his shoulder. Peter gazed into her eyes as he took her by the waist and moved slowly, dancing across the forest floor until he gently lifted her into the air and held her close. The fairies remembered that night well and recreated it perfectly; they floated around the couple, glowing brightly and adding more beauty to the atmosphere. Wendy was lost in Peter's loving gaze and this time, she knew he wouldn't turn her away. He raised them higher into the air until they were silhouetted against the moon and the fairies followed them, slowly revolving around the couple.
"So, Peter. What are your real feelings now?" Peter, who remembered that night as well, shook his head.
"Ask me again."
"Ask you what?"
"The last time we were here. What you asked me then. Ask me again." Wendy closed her eyes, for a second, imagining they were four years younger and he would refuse her touch, deny his love, and fly away. When she opened her eyes, she saw Peter watching her expectantly.
"What do you feel? Happiness? Sadness? Jealousy? Anger?...Love?"
"I feel them all, Wendy." Wendy looked puzzled. Peter bit his lip but continued his explanation.
"Happiness is a given. Sadness, because I remember what I said to you and how I hurt you. Jealousy because there was always that chance that you would find a husband and close your window. Anger at Hook for kidnapping you and for what he said to me. And love? I feel love most of all. It's making my heart feel like it will burst from my chest. I do feel, Wendy. I feel it all." Wendy wasn't sure what to say to this but Peter needed no words; he leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. Suddenly, the fairies all scattered in opposite directions and Peter broke the kiss, looking around frantically.
"What is it, Peter?"
"I'm not sure. The fairies are bothered by something. Let's get back to Elphame and Tink." But the two fairies appeared at their sides, looking anxious.
"Peter, you and Wendy return to your house immediately."
"Why, what's happened?"
"We're not sure but there is a force here that would do you both harm. Please go home and stay inside until I or Tinkerbell comes to you." Peter frowned.
"Elphame, this is our wedding. I'll fight whoever or whatever is here!"
"Peter, now is not the time to be brash. Go home with your wife and do your duty to protect her. If you stay and fight, you put her in harm's way." Peter recognized the truth of the Queen's words and gingerly nodded in agreement.
"Fine but if I haven't heard from you by morning, I'll come back here."
"We'll let everyone know. Hurry, and be safe." Wendy looked worried but Peter rubbed her arms comfortingly and shook his head.
"There's nothing to be afraid of, Wendy. I'll protect you."
"I know, Peter. But what on earth is wanting to do us harm? You have enemies other than Hook?"
"Only the Pirates are against me and I've banished them to the Coast. If they think they can harm me, they're wrong. Come on, let's get back to the house." Saying a quick goodbye to the Lost Boys, Peter and Wendy flew back to their little house and landed in front of the door, which had been knocked off its hinges. Peter's face darkened as he took a step inside, Wendy right behind him with her hand covering her mouth. Peter drew his sword and looked around.
"Do you have your sword with you?" he whispered over his shoulder.
"Peter I'm in a dress. Where would I put it?!"
"Women," he muttered, shaking his head.
"Hey!" But Peter shushed her and took her hand, gripping his sword with his other hand. Whoever had broken in had made a mess of things. The table was turned over, bowls smashed on the floor. When they entered the bedroom, Wendy gasped in horror. Her trunks had been rummaged through and her things were strewn all over the floor. Her journal was lying in torn pages, some of her clothes lay ruined, and the dresser was tipped over. Peter grew red with anger.
"Who would do this," Wendy said quietly.
"Doesn't matter. I shall run him through."
"Peter…I don't want to stay here tonight. Is there somewhere else we can go? Somewhere safe?" Peter was about to say he would never run but with a glance over his shoulder, he saw how terrified she looked and that she was about to cry.
"Of course. Let's go."
"But shouldn't we-?" she made to step toward her ruined belongings but he grabbed her hand and pulled her back.
"Leave it. We'll clean it up tomorrow. Let's get out of here."
"Do you think someone is still in the house?" she lowered her voice to a whisper.
"We won't wait around to find out. Come on." He hastily scooped her up and her arms went around his neck, her neck burrowed in his chest. Glancing at the chaos one last time, he flew from the house and soared high above the trees, looking down below him, for what, Wendy had no idea. They flew for quite awhile until Peter landed on a rocky ledge that lead into a cave. He suddenly wished he had thought to bring a blanket for Wendy; he could sleep on the hard ground with no trouble but his wife was delicate and he was sure she had never slept on the ground before in her life.
"What is this place?" She asked, looking around.
"Dead Man's Cave. We play Hide and Seek here all the time. But it leads to more caves and becomes very confusing if you don't know where you're going. We'll be safe here. In the morning, we'll go back to the Glade and see if Elphame knows anything." He removed his wedding cloak and draped it around her shoulders.
"I wish I had brought you something soft to sleep on."
"I don't mind," she shrugged and Peter knew she was lying. But he didn't press the subject and he lowered himself to the ground, bringing her down with him. It was their wedding night but both of them had important matters on their minds and so instead of spending a night in wedded bliss, they fell asleep quickly, Wendy resting her head on his sturdy chest and his strong arms wrapping around her tightly, holding her to him.
"Wendy?" he said quietly in the darkness.
"Mmhm?" she replied sleepily.
"I'm glad I'm finally your husband." Wendy could only nod in slumber, though her heart was just as glad as his was.