It was still early in the morning, so early the sun had not risen, when there was banging on the door. Wendy sat straight up and Peter sat up next to her, his hands soothing her hair back.
"Stay here, I'll be right back." He pulled on his leaf trousers, grabbed his sword, and hurried downstairs. Wyatt was already waiting with his hand on the doorknob and Peter put a finger to his lips as he pulled the door open. Two braves fell to their knees and lowered their heads.
"King Peter. There has been a terrible accident. Princess Tiger Lily asks that you come to the Village at once."
"Is Tiger Lily alright? Is my brother hurt?" Peter whirled around to see Wendy struggling down the stairs and he sheathed his blade.
"Dammit Wendy, what are you doing out of bed?"
"Is it John," she said anxiously, ignoring her husband.
"No. It is the Chief. Please come." Peter nodded and turned to Wendy, who was already pulling on a robe and a coat.
"Wendy-"
"Don't waste time, Peter. You know I'm coming with you." He huffed and shook his head as he shared a look with his son. They trotted after the Braves, Wendy slowing them down slightly. Peter was on the verge of offering to carry her but one look from her and he fell silent.
When they reached the Village, they could hear crying and saw Tiger Lily and her sister Dragon Fly kneeling in the center. They knelt before a cloaked figure with dark hair. Wendy's eyes widened as the figure turned, and with a shaking hand, pushed his glasses up his nose. Tiger Lily glanced around at the braves and the royal family.
"The great Chief Red Cloud Tecumpseh has joined the Great Spirits. Raise your swords to Chief John Red Arrow Darling." Wendy gasped and Peter gaped at his brother in law. The pale boy looked immensely uncomfortable as the Indian women painted new markings on his chest. Tiger Lily rose and took her father's grand headdress and stood on her tiptoes to put it on her husband's head. She dropped to her knees again as she chanted in their language. Peter, Wyatt, and Wendy knelt before John to signify his status. John cleared his throat and gestured for them all to stand. Chitsa, who had no idea what was going on, leaped into her father's arms and reached up to play with the feather headdress. Tiger Lily swept her away, scolding her lightly and carrying her off to play with the other children. John swallowed as he stood in front of his family. Peter and Wyatt helped Wendy to her feet and her hand went underneath her belly.
"John, what happened," Peter asked softly.
"Poison snake. The Chief was dead before they could even get him back to the Village. He had been bathing near the lagoon. Peter, mate…I can't do this."
"You can, John. There's no one better than you."
"I can think of many who are better than me. Lily's brothers, for instance. Why don't they become Chief?"
"Red Cloud must have said he wanted to pass his headdress to you. You are his chosen heir." John ran his fingers through his hair and shook his head.
"I'm not a Chief. I'm hardly a Neverlander."
"Rubbish," Wendy scolded. "You're as much as a Neverlander as I. And you and your family continue to serve the King of Neverland faithfully. There is no reason you should not step into his place." John gave her a weak smile.
"Your faith in me, dear sister, astounds me. I am terrified out of my wits."
"You think I didn't have my fears when they made me King?" Peter asked, chuckling lightly. "I was terrified. Still am, everyday, that I will let my people down. But you have a strong wife who can help you lead. It's how I get by." He reached down and grasped his wife's hand, giving her a sideways smile. John rolled his eyes.
"Oh very well, take that mushy stuff elsewhere, won't you? The Chief's funeral ceremony will be tomorrow."
"We will be here. Let us know if you or Lily need anything, alright?" John nodded, his hands moving up to steady the wobbly headdress. Wendy smiled as she straightened it and she kissed her brother on both cheeks.
"I am so proud to call you my brother, John." John smiled and stroked her cheek then turned back to the Braves and said something in their language. They bowed low and gripped their spears as they hurried off. Peter watched while John took charge of the Village…of his people, he realized with a start. He placed his hand at the small of Wendy's back and leaned in close.
"I think we can leave him to it. The Village seems to be in most capable hands." Wendy nodded and the three of them turned and headed back home, hoping the girls had not woken yet.
Peter insisted that Wendy go back to bed and she did so, though grumbling loudly. When Farrah and Addy awoke, Peter and Wyatt filled them in on what had happened and Farrah gaped at her father.
"Uncle John is Chief now?"
"Seems that way. Lily said that Red Cloud chose John ages ago. He was supposed to start training for it right after he married Lily but he chose to be a Brave, rather than the Heir. Guess Red Cloud didn't give him much of a choice."
"Poor Uncle John," Addy said softly. "I mean, it's a lot of responsibility."
"Well, as long as we're on that subject, there's something I'd like to discuss with you three." The children raised their brows and waited for their father to continue, all three looking wary.
"As you well know, your mother and I would like it if the three of you share the rule of Neverland. Wendy and I have split the island and divided it among you. The next royal babe will have a portion as well. However, it has come to my attention that I haven't really asked you what you wanted," his eyes softened and traveled over his three miracles. They rested on Addy and he smiled. "My sweet Adette. I know you don't really feel like you belong in this world, and I'm sorry for that. Wendy and I have agreed, if you so choose, you may go live with your Uncle Michael, who has agreed to become your Guardian until you are of age. You can go live in the mortal world." The children gaped at him and Wyatt and Farrah turned to stare at Addy, who was biting her lip anxiously.
"You mean it? You and Mother won't be angry with me…if I go?"
"We love you with all our hearts, my princess. We'll be saddened and will miss you terribly but you can come visit us anytime. We just ask that you wait until after the birth so that I can take you there myself."
"Oh Father!" She threw her arms around his neck and he held her close. Wyatt shook his head and Farrah elbowed him sharply.
"Ouch! What? I'm sorry, I just think this is a bad idea!" Peter and Addy turned to look at him and Wyatt held out his hands.
"I mean, Addy is a princess. A Neverland princess. To say she can go live in the mortal world is like…telling her she doesn't have to be a princess anymore. She's just relinquishing the throne."
"She is," Peter said calmly and Addy looked surprised. "Addy, you have to understand, to be a princess of your island means living on this island. If you choose to stay in the mortal world with the Uncles, then you are giving up all rights and your future as a ruler of Neverland. That being said, we won't expect you to return to the island if something happens to your mother or to me. You will not be expected to take your place on the throne. If you do think you want to rule alongside your brother and your sister one day, then you can continue your schooling in the mortal world and continue to live here and train to be Queen." Addy sat back in her chair, chewing on her lip, the way Peter did when he was pondering something. He reached out to smoothe her lip with his thumb and he smiled.
"Think on it. We still have some time before the royal babe is born."
"Not much time. Mum looks ready to pop," Farrah mumbled, glancing overhead.
"Well we need to finish getting everything ready then. I'm going to work on the nursery some more today. Wyatt, could you finish cleaning the kitchen?"
"Got it, Dad."
"Farrah, were you ever able to find that cradle we were looking for the other day?"
"I think you and Mum must have thrown it out. I can't find it anywhere. But SilverBell said she would be happy to have a new one made. I can go to her today and tell her." Peter nodded
"That's a good idea. I'm going to start on breakfast. Any requests?"
"Toast!"
"Neverberries!"
"Pancakes with neverberries!"
Peter chuckled as he ruffled Wyatt's hair and went to the kitchen to get started.
There was a soft knock on the door and Wendy sat up against the headboard as the door opened. Peter poked his head in and smiled when he saw she was awake.
"Hi," he said softly as he entered, holding a tray on his shoulder.
"Well hello. What's all this?"
"I thought I'd make breakfast for my perfect wife." He settled beside her and held the tray over their laps.
"Neverberry pancakes with fruit and juice. We have to keep that little one strong and healthy." His hand went to her stomach and she smiled as her hand covered his. She picked up her fork and devoured her breakfast while he watched her with a smile.
"Thank you, Peter. It was delicious." He grinned as his thumb raked over her lips, cleaning up the remaining neverberry juice. Her tongue darted out over her lips and his eyes darkened as he leaned in to kiss her. He tasted her lips, then her tongue and he moaned as she tasted like neverberries and the own sweetness he could only associate with his beloved wife. He quickly moved the tray to the side table before he pulled the covers back and knelt between her legs. Her hands grasped his curls as he planted soft kisses along her inner thighs, and she squirmed as he came closer and closer to her covered heat.
"Peter," she whimpered and he smirked up at her.
"Even after all this time, I will never get tired of hearing that."
So he drew out more whimpers and soft screams with his talented tongue and she rewarded him with loving caresses and gentle kisses.
Wendy was now on strict bed rest and Lily and Dragon Fly came to see her nearly every day. Wendy let out a sigh of frustration as Peter waited by the door until they finished their examination.
"It won't be long now, Wendy-bird."
"When? For gods sakes, it feels like I have been carrying this child forever!"
"Patience is the first thing a mother must have. You already have three babes, you should know they do things in their own time." Wendy crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the wall. Peter had to stifle his laughter as his wife was behaving like a petulant child. Lily shook her head as she and Dragon Fly exited the room.
"It should happen in a matter of days, Peter," she whispered. "Keep her calm and happy. Send word if she starts experiencing any pain or discomfort."
"Thank you, girls," he said as he squeezed both princesses' hands. They smiled and bowed their heads as they hurried back to their Village. Peter climbed onto the bed and bent down to nuzzle her face with his nose.
"Peter Pan, I am furious with you."
"What? Why?"
"You've put me into this state yet again! Four times, Peter! I am sick and tired and cranky and I look a mess!"
"Technically, it's only been three times," he pointed out, which earned him a sharp glare. "Come on, Wendy, I wasn't…I didn't get to experience this with the girls. I cherish each and every day of this pregnancy."
"Well I'm glad you do! Go do something useful. Bring me back some neverberries. A whole basketfull!" She grabbed the basket from the table by her bed and flung it at him. He leaped off the bed and ran out of the room and down the stairs, casting a frightened look over his shoulder.
"You ok, Dad?"
"I'm fine. Your mother…she just wants some neverberries." Wyatt chuckled at the look on his father's face.
"She's pretty scary, isn't she?"
"She wasn't this bad when she was carrying you," he lowered his voice.
"Well I'm too young to remember what she was like with the girls."
"Since I wasn't around for the majority of her pregnancy…" Peter trailed off, biting his lip. Wyatt knew a little about when he was a baby and his father had been presumed dead, but he didn't know how long Peter had been absent for.
"You didn't even know she was with child, did you?" Peter looked quickly at his son and frowned.
"She found out after I disappeared. And she was focusing on saving you from the Astrumi and the Fairies wanting to age you, to train you to become King…I don't even know if it was a normal pregnancy. I hope it was but she seems especially impatient for this one to be born."
"Then let's hope it's soon. Want me to go collect berries?"
"No, it's my turn to get out of the house! You keep an eye on your mother." Wyatt chuckled as his father rushed past him and leaped into the air.
When Peter returned with a basket overflowing with neverberries, Wendy burst into tears. Perplexed, Peter stood in the doorway and watched his wife cry.
"I'm sorry, I thought you wanted-"
"You're so wonderful, Peter. I'm sorry I'm so horrible to you," she wailed. He smiled softly and sat on the bed beside her.
"You're not horrible. I'm sorry this is such a miserable experience for you. But I can't wait to meet our little one."
"You truly mean that? You're happy about this?"
"Of course I am. I love you Wendy and I love our family. I'm just…I'm still scared. But I trust Lily and Fly to take care of you." He leaned over and picked a berry from the basket and held it to her lips.
"Freshly picked." She smacked her lips and closed her eyes.
"You really are too good for me, Peter."
"I think you have that backwards, my Queen."
