Six months later:
Peter was back at Oxford with Wendy. He was retaking a course or two which he had failed because of his time spent in Neverland, but he was working hard on his grades. It got tiresome when all he wanted to do was spend time with Wendy, but that wasn't always possible.
One Friday afternoon, his phone rang and he assumed it was Wendy. Sometimes it was Mrs. Darling to check on him or to ask him over for the weekend, but other than that it was usually Wendy. He answered the phone with a smile, "Wendy?" There was silence for a moment and then a response, "Uh…no it's George."
Peter did a double take! This was the first time ever that Mr. Darling had phoned him and called himself by his first name to Peter. Peter was a bit shocked and finally responded, "Mr. Darling…what a pleasant surprise." He still had the feeling that Mr. Darling wasn't so sure of him, so this phone call was entirely unexpected.
George mumbled awkwardly on the other end, "Peter, my wife suggested that maybe I need to get to know you without the family being around." Peter grimaced, not liking the sound of this. Mr. Darling grumbled, "I blatantly refused to do so because I said I'm sure you'd like it about as much as I do." Peter laughed and replied, "You've got that right." Mr. Darling actually laughed and said, "So on my wife's behalf, I'd like to come and visit the campus tonight. Maybe take you out for a drink?"
Peter thought about it. Wendy had been insisting for the last little while that Peter needed more one on one time with her father. She had she felt neither of them were making an effort to be on better terms. Peter finally agreed, "Alright. Let's do it. Do you know the Craft Bar?" Mr. Darling replied quickly, "Indeed I do. Should we meet there?" Peter nodded and asked, "Tonight? At six?" Mr. Darling replied promptly, "Good idea. I'll see you then, Peter." Peter smiled and replied, "Thank you for trying." Mr. Darling paused for a minute before replying, "I'll see you then," before hanging up the phone.
Mr. George Darling:
George was waiting for Peter Pan in the bar at the exact time mentioned. He was going to get to know the boy who had been dining in his home for months now. Yet he barely knew anything more about him other than his first name. George Darling didn't pry much into his children's lives. Having so many of them, it was often difficult to keep track of whom was dating whom and each individual persons back story.
But with his daughter it was different. The guys could take care of themselves. Wendy would have to be provided for. He was sure she'd be having her own job one day-that he had no doubt- but he still wanted someone who could care of her no matter what the financial state. She seemed besotted with this Peter bloke and he wanted to know more about him too. Mary had implied the other evening that she thought it was quite serious between these two. This statement had made George feel nervous and this had gotten him to reach out to Peter first. He had hoped the boy would man up and speak to him first, but oh well…
George waited in the bar which was relatively empty for a Thursday evening. He'd ordered a glass of wine in the meantime and was waiting for the boy. The music wasn't deafeningly loud thank goodness as with most bars.
Finally, George saw the boy walk through the entrance. He was sitting closer to the back of the room and Peter made his way over. George got up, held out his hand to shake it, as was customary, and Peter did so. George asked Peter, "What a drink? It's on me." Peter looked surprised again and replied in a mumble, "Um…thank you." The waitress came and ordered the drink.
Peter:
Peter couldn't remember a time he had phone more nervous than sitting at table with Wendy's father in the middle of a semi-empty bar. He had ordered a glass of wine, feeling like it might help calm his nerves. There was an awkward silence between them that lasted far too long and then George finally spoke, "My wife seems to be under the impression that you are very serious about Wendy."
Peter hadn't expected this. This was why the old codger had come down here? To tell Peter he couldn't marry Wendy…he felt his heart sink. Instead he just nodded, "I'm very much in love with her and I always have been. Ever since I can remember." swallowed and Peter could see that he wasn't sure what to say next. He took a swig of wine and asked, "So I shouldn't be expecting this relationship to end anytime soon?" Peter shook his head and whispered, "Not where I'm concerned and I think it's the same for Wendy too. We've been apart for too long to be separated again."
Mr. Darling frowned and asked, "What do you mean by that?" Peter worried that maybe he had said to much. He sighed and said, "Mr. Darling, I'd like to share with you where I came from, but I very much fear that you will not believe me." George sized him up and then he sighed, "Let me order a few rounds of beer before we go into this. And dinner on me."
Peter nodded and they ordered burgers and beer between the two of them. George downed the whole glass of wine before Peter began explaining the time he'd been to Wendy's room and the moment he had first met her…
Mr. George Darling:
George couldn't quite wrap his head around what this boy was telling him. He said his surname was Pan. Peter Pan? From Wendy's fantasy stories that she'd always told Michael and John? He was having a hard time digesting that this place called…He interrupted Peter quickly, "Sorry so are you telling me that this place called Never…whatsit?" Peter seemed to be becoming impatient with him but he was trying to hide it. Peter sighed, "Neverland."
Peter nodded and George frowned, "And that is where you were a boy for many years and you could fly before you met my daughter…and…" Peter finished his sentence, "And I fell in love with her when I was twelve years old and so I started growing up."
George felt skeptical to say the least. Peter sighed and said, "Listen, I didn't want to tell you for this very reason. I knew you wouldn't believe me and if I was in your shoes, I probably wouldn't believe you either. But Michael and John as well as all of your other children and Slightly believe because they've shared the journey with me. I'm not asking you to believe it…I'm just telling you the truth…"
George frowned and held his hand up to stop the boy from making false accusations. He was about two glasses of wine and one beer in now so he said slowly, "I never said I don't believe you, boy. It's just very difficult to process. I'm sure you can understand that. I'm not one to easily believe in fantastical things. I've been telling Wendy she's got a wonderful imagination for years. But now that you're telling me the same story she tells all the time…I'm not sure what to believe anymore."
George sighed. He felt like his brain was exploding from too much wine and beer. He needed it though if he was going to have any chance of understanding this boys story. He placed his head in his arms and Peter asked worriedly, "Mr. Darling, should I call you a cab?" George grunted and shook his head, "No, Peter. I'm fine, thanks. Just give me a minute." His head was throbbing. He rubbed his temples and said, "You're telling me that my daughter has not been lying all along?" Peter shook his head and replied, "You can ask Michael and John, or anyone one of your sons. They'll tell you the same thing." George grimaced and asked, "And your fairy who died twice?" Peter smiled and replied, "She's back to life. All the fairies are back in Neverland." George sat up and called the waitress.
Peter:
Peter still wasn't sure if Mr. Darling believed him. When he called for the waitress he assumed the conversation was over and he had had enough of Peter's so-called make believe story. He sighed and shook his head as he said slurring his words, "Canwe have thebill please ma'am?" She nodded and replied, "Certainly, sir."
George nodded and said, "I think I will need to call a cab. Thanks for sharing your story with me." Peter frowned and shrugged, "No problem." They were silent and George sighed, "Give me time, Peter. It's a lot to digest in one setting." Peter nodded and smiled a little, "No problem, Mr. Darling." George rolled his eyes, "Please just call me George. Mr. Darling is making me feel old every time you say it." Peter couldn't help but laugh at that.
A/N; Hi All! So I thought it would be cute for Peter and Mr. Darling to have some bonding time. What do you think? Thanks to all of my wonderful reviewers and supporters. I'm going to do a long list of shout outs because it's been a long time coming. Thank you to: lostboyfan8797; LightAngel; JaxJax; Imaginative-Believer; fluffybuttercup; Guest; and Emma for the last several comments! You guys rock! Let me know what you think? I really enjoyed writing this chapter. Just gives a different perspective on George I think.
