Changing Toward Love

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Notes of the Authoress Anthy: Hurray for posting within a decent time! Yatta! My boyfriend is coming here (to Wisconsin) on Thursday *dances!* ... so all in all, I'm cheerful. If you're fond of humor, read this chapter twice or something, because it's all you'll be getting from me for awhile (at least, in such a focused amount). I love everyone, and thanks for the beautiful, kind reviews. ^^

Disclaimer: No, I don't own the book or the movie(s), but whoever does should be so proud (James M. Barrie, I mean you)! Please, don't sue me. ;_; I am just a poor romantic!

And now the story!

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It was with an anxious heart that Peter followed Mr. Darling down the stairs, his footsteps heavy and unconsciously slow. Under normal circumstances, he would have never consented to willingly spend time alone with Wendy's practical, stern father. He tried to avoid him as best he could, actually.

On this particular morning, however, Mr. Darling had the upper hand over Peter- he knew something that he did not. Lead by his insatiable, youthful curiosity, Peter really had no choice. He was following the older man for the sole person of discovering the mystery of his rapidly changing body and upsetting, albeit strangely pleasant, dreams.

Perhaps this was why he was so pale as Mr. Darling opened the door to his office, holding it open for Peter as he passed through. Inwardly, Peter braced himself, slightly nervous- who knew what the older man was going to tell him. Maybe, just maybe, he had broken after all.

Right then, said Mr. Darling in a slightly apprehensive voice as he walked to his desk. Have a seat.

Peter sat down awkwardly in a cold burgundy leather office chair, fighting his simple urge to run as quickly as possible out of the office, or rather fly like mad through the window in a rain of shattered glass. Though he really had little idea what this little chat was actually going to entail, he still felt nervous and much, much too warm. He shifted his weight uneasily in the uncomfortable chair, waiting.

said Mr. Darling at last. Peter failed to say a word, fidgeting in the chair and wordlessly staring at him with a slightly perturbed expression. I suppose I should start by saying that nothing at all is wrong with you. This is a perfectly normal err experience for a boy your age. Especially a boy your age

That's, ahh, said Peter hesitantly. Good to know ...

replied Mr. Darling, shuffling random papers nervously. Is it true that you honestly don't know anything about err this topic?

Obviously not, said Peter indignantly. After all, if he did, he wouldn't have been so curious as to be willingly sitting through this conversation. Mr. Darling frowned, disturbed that he'd have to start at the beginning.

he began in a shaky voice, Err I like to explain this the way my father first explained it to me. The ahh first thing to know is that every girl has a flower.

A what? Peter asked, frowning.

A flower! snapped Mr. Darling. Yes, a flower. A very special flower.

Peter thought about this, applying it first to Wendy, as she was the only girl that occupied his thoughts. He knew she didn't carry hers around with her maybe she kept it hidden away in one of her drawers?

Err go on, requested Peter impatiently, when Mr. Darling failed to keep talking.

he said very quickly. And every man has a a watering can.

A watering can? Peter repeated slowly, frowning. He knew that he had never owned a watering can, not even in the Neverland he'd never had the patience to grow anything. Everything he had eaten that wasn't meat he had simply found by wandering around in the forest. If every man had one, why didn't he?

Maybe he was still a boy, and not quite a man yet, he reasoned. This comforted him somewhat.

Yes a watering can! Must you make me repeat myself constantly?!, Mr. Darling snapped in a shaky voice. And when a man waters a girls' flower, her seeds grow, and then-

interjected Peter. They have seeds too? You didn't mention any-

The seeds go with the flower, said Mr. Darling in a half-miserable, half-furious voice. And so, if a man takes a woman's flower, and waters her seeds so that they grow-

A man takes the flower from her? Peter asked, slightly confused. He thought on what Wendy's flower must look like a white rose, he decided. A white rose with blue around the edges, a soft, warm blue like her eyes.

Well, yes, and a woman gives it to him, Mr. Darling stuttered, beginning to blush. A woman has only one flower. It's very, very precious, and that is why it is only given after marriage, with love and commitment present. Do you understand?

said Peter. In reality, he was horribly confused, but he hoped that by agreeing Mr. Darling would go on to explain what he actually needed to know. Err yes.

said Mr. Darling. He smoothed the papers on his desk and suddenly looked up, his eyes boring into those of Peter. He winced, shifting his weight uneasily in his hard leather chair- that look, however pathetic coming from Mr. Darling, still made his insides curl.

Which brings us to a much more important subject, Mr. Darling said, his dark eyes suddenly cold.

Peter sighed in relief, glad that the real conversation was about to start.

At this exact moment, Wendy was walking past the office door, having just left the kitchen. Her arms were filled with medical supplies – a cold wet cloth for Peter's forehead, a new bandage to replace the old, a thermometer to make sure his temperature was not much too high (at which point we might need to take him down to the hospital, she thought miserably), and on a wooden tray, breakfast- scrambled eggs that had gone cold, bacon that was moist but cold as well, and lukewarm orange juice. Her mind was completely focused on Peter's health, her heart worrying more and more with each beat

And so it was that when she passed the office door and heard his voice, she was shocked. He was feverish! He needed to be upstairs in bed! She set her burden on the floor next to the office door and raised her hand to knock, ready to drag Peter back upstairs as quickly as possible.

Which brings us to a much more important subject.

Wendy frowned at her father's voice, recognizing that tone all too well. It was the voice he used to reprimand the boys whenever they did something horribly bad- that time Nibs had managed to tuck a dead frog's corpse tightly in Aunt's garter when she had fallen asleep knitting while watching them, for instance. This time, however, this same tone- it was even more severe.

Well, go on, tell me, said Peter impatiently, eager to know more about this perfectly normal mystery of growing older.

If you ever, said Mr. Darling slowly, in a cold, dark voice, Ever so much as look at my daughter in a way that is in any way associated with the conversation we have just had, you will regret it.

Wendy gasped, pressing her ear hard to the door to hear more, longing for Peter's reaction. She cursed her father; how could he go so far as to actually threaten Peter, who had done nothing? She frowned a bit at this he had done nothing.

What you mean, look at her flower? Peter asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

How dare you insinuate such a vulgar concept! Mr. Darling roared, standing to hover over his desk in an extremely intimidating fashion. Peter frowned, unthreatened but slightly perturbed.

Wendy blinked slowly as her mouth dropped open. Her flower? Was her father referring to her virginity? Inwardly, she groaned she remembered from their why are wedding dresses always white? conversation that Peter had absolutely no concept of a virgin.

She felt herself blush red at this thought of Peter and her virginity in the same sentence, shifting her feet uncomfortably as she willed her stomach to stop flip-flopping. As her blush deepened, she scolded herself she couldn't possibly be thinking about them like that?

Ehrm, sorry, said Peter, frowning deeply. I won't I swear.

You had better not, growled Mr. Darling. I would talk to you more about this, but I'm really not very worried. After all, you won't be spending much time with Wendy, come a few weeks time

What are you talking about? Peter asked, his voice much quieter than he had intended. Of course I'll spend time with her, I

She'll be a very busy woman, said Mr. Darling in a slightly sad voice. Setting up her new household and all. And oh, the honeymoon she'll be away a week for that

What's a honeymoon? Peter asked regretfully. Maybe he could convince her not to go he would miss her if she had to go away

A honeymoon is when a man and woman who have just married spend some special time away with one another, said Mr. Darling, frowning. They'll be visiting France for eight days Paris, you know, romantic city and all

Peter didn't know where Paris was, and he didn't care. What mattered was what a honeymoon meant he cringed at the definition, his lips beginning to tremble.

When is Wendy having her marriage? he cried out suddenly, his hands clutching the hard, polished wood of his chair.

You don't know? asked Mr. Darling, looking slightly insulted. Why, two weeks from tomorrow!

Two weeks from tomorrow, Peter repeated in a whisper to himself. How how far away is that?

Fourteen days, not counting this one, replied Mr. Darling with a deep, disappointed frown.

Only fourteen? Peter questioned softly. Mr. Darling nodded gravely, pointing to a calendar that hung on his office wall.

That's too soon, Peter said desperately to himself. Fourteen days was not long at all! She she couldn't be married so so soon

Mr. Darling said hesitantly, deciding to ignore Peter's last comment. In any case, in two weeks she'll be away in France with Caleb, and after that, she'll be busy moving everything into the new house, setting everything up properly, and then-

She's moving into a new house? Peter cried, his eyes growing moist at all these horrible thoughts. Mr. Darling stared at him as though he were insane, then nodded slowly.

Of course she's moving into a new house, he said incredulously. Did you really think that she and Caleb would live here as man and wife? Honestly.

But but, Peter stuttered, frowning deeply and shaking his head. I'll still see her, won't I? I'll

She'll be very, very busy, Mr. Darling repeated in an annoyed tone. She'll hardly have any free time, being a new wife certainly no time to play foolish games with you

But I'll visit, Peter insisted. A warm, wet tear slid down his cheek.

What, fly in through the window into her bedroom? Mr. Darling said, holding back a laugh. Peter frowned, not sure what to say.

I suppose I will, he said defiantly, though in reality his voice sounded timid and weak.

Well, that would certainly surprise Caleb, wouldn't it? Mr. Darling said, now laughing openly. He leaned back in his chair, raising an amused eyebrow.

She'll be sleeping in the same bed as him? Peter said in a half-disgusted, half-miserable voice. Mr. Darling once again frowned with disbelief.

Of course, he said slowly, as if by speaking slowly Peter could better understand his words. They'll be married.

I'll I'll visit through the front door then, Peter continued in a desperate, pleading voice.

Oh, I'm sure Wendy will have time to entertain the family with a dinner once a week or so, Mr. Darling said with a fond smile. But other than that no, oh no. She'll be much too busy to host frequent visitors especially you, I imagine. You seem to take an especially large amount of effort to spend time with

Peter pleaded, his voice shaky. I I'll miss her

Oh, so will I, so will I, said Mr. Darling reflectively, smiling in a melancholy way. My only daughter, all grown up but it has to happen some day, doesn't it? Ha Caleb is a fine match for her. I'm sure that she'll be happy, once she adjusts

Wendy, her ear still pressed to the thin door, blinked, freeing a warm tear to slid down her cheek.

Why why is he a good husband for her? Peter asked, feeling his chest begin to slowly expand with the ache, an ache filled with longing and desire, loneliness and pain doubt and hope anger

said Mr. Darling proudly, He's an intelligent man with sound judgment, wealthy he'll be able to give Wendy a good future, a bright future

I hate him, Peter said suddenly.

Mr. Darling stared at him, his eyes stunned and slowly growing cold. Excuse me?

I said I hate him, muttered Peter. Every time I look at him I get a sick feeling in my stomach. There's something wrong about him.

Is there? Mr. Darling questioned angrily. I'll have you know that I would not have my daughter marry someone inadequate! My Wendy deserves the best, and I have found her the best!

He scowled, his flame-filled eyes boring into those of Peter, who tried to stare back proudly, but managed only a sad glance in his direction.

You are a selfish, insolent boy who cannot accept that the world does not always work in your favor, Mr. Darling said shrilly, his face red. If you are going to live with us, you must realize that you cannot have everything you want. Wendy is no longer your childhood friend. She is a woman, and soon, she will be a married woman with children of her own to care for! If you cannot accept that, then then go back to wherever it is you've been all this time!

Peter felt his fingers begin to shake as he continued to grip the sides of his chair. His lips trembled, his emerald eyes unusually dark he thought about this, knowing that it was exactly what he had planned to do the night before.

The dream flooded his mind Wendy, her hair wild, her head in the curve of his shoulder smiling up at him happily, her eyes bright as he had only seen them five years ago completely unbarred from him, himself relaxed, his happiness sourced from hers and he knew, then, that he would not leave until she was gone.

I will only leave, he said slowly. If Wendy wishes it.

Then stay, said Mr. Darling icily. But do not dare to interfere with this wedding. It is what's best for Wendy. Only you refuse to see that.

Peter frowned, angrily staring at Mr. Darling. He thought he knew what was best for Wendy, but he didn't. What was best for Wendy, he knew, was happiness- her old spirit. He remembered her when she was happy, when her soul had been carefree, her eyes clear and bright. Now, that old flame had nearly been stifled ... her eyes were dull and distant, her soul tied to so many bonds that it was a wonder her body could move about at all. She was no longer happy, and he was sure- nearly- that marriage had something to do with it.

If only she didn't love him, maybe he could but no, he could not.

Still, he would not leave, would not surrender to Mr. Darling's judgment. He sat angrily in his seat, waiting.

asked Mr. Darling, waiting for Peter to speak. He did not.

Outside the office door, Wendy had laid her forehead on the cool, dark wood as she cried, stifling her sobs to be as quiet as possible. It torn her apart to hear those words, to hear that Peter had managed to see through her mask, had somehow realized despite his innocence the source of her pain. He was not the only one who refused to see what was best. On the outside, yes, she accepted it, but on the inside, her heart screamed that it was wrong. So very wrong.

said Mr. Darling, when Peter continued only to stare. This conversation is over. Please leave.

Peter stood in a flash, pivoting on his heels to rush as fast and as angrily as possible from the office without another word.

Wendy, hearing the screech of the chair against the wood floor as Peter stood, hurriedly stepped back from the door and gathered up the things she had been carrying up to her patient. Taking them, she hurried across the front room, hiding in a shadowy alcove near and slightly under the stairs.

She watched from there as Peter slammed the office door, walked heavily up the stairs and disappeared into her bedroom, allowing the door to shut loudly behind him.


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End Chapter Sixteen

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Ending Notes: All right, the humor is over for now. ^^ The next chapter is one in which Peter and Wendy actually communicate *dances* and confront each other *yay!* ... I don't know why I'm cheering, it's not like the story is ending or something ... I guess I'm just happy to revert back to emotional writing. Expect what you're most likely not expecting.

P.S: Sexuality poll : peterloveswendy.8k.com ... CTL website, unfinished. Thank you to everyone who took the poll, or is going to take it! Much love!

Please come back and read the chapter in Peter and Wendy confront each other! I'll post it, uhm ... well ... I don't know when, but when I do, please do read it. ^^ It probably won't be for awhile, as I'm a bit busy, but you never know ...