Chapter 11: Forever in Neverland
A/N: I decided to combine the last two into one chapter. Thanks so much for loving and reviewing this fic! You guys are my candle in the wind! Thanks so much again!!!
There was silence the whole journey home. And soon, much too soon for Peter, they had arrived at Wendy's window. He set her down carefully inside, and hovered just outside.
"Please understand why I have to do this," She whispered.
He looked everywhere but in her eyes.
"I'll never forget someone like you," She said softly. "I'll tell the world your story, I promise."
Peter cupped her face and stared into her eyes. He then kissed her softly on the lips. "I don't want to forget you Wendy."
"Look in your heart, and I'll always be there," She whispered with a sob, and pulled him close.
"How does my story end?" He asked.
Wendy dried a few tears, "It doesn't, Peter. Not as long as children are innocent."
He grinned.
There was a sad pause between them.
"It is nearly morning," He said. "I better go…"
"Wait," She said and grabbed his hand. "I want to hear it just once."
"Hear what?"
"Tell me you love me, Peter."
He stared deep into her eyes. "I don't know much about love, Wendy. I don't want to know much. And if this pain inside of me is love, I don't want it." He put a hand over his heart. "This pain."
She covered his hand with her own. "Love is letting go," She whispered. "I have that pain too."
They embraced for what seemed like hours. But then, the morning sun had risen. It was time. They kissed one last time, and in the pale grey of the morning sky, he reached out with his hand and drew a heart in the clouds. Wendy smiled, tears blurring her vision. "Oh, the cleverness of you!"
He grinned, waved one last time, and was gone. Wendy stared after him, a part of her dying. But on those cold lonely mornings that she would wake up, and run to her window hoping to find him, a cloud would shape into the heart Peter left behind.
And Wendy made good on her promise. She became a great author. Not only did she know the stories, the world knew as well. Her first book's title: Peter Pan and Wendy.
Peter had not returned for Wendy's marriage to a writer like herself. And he didn't return for the birth of her only daughter, though she hoped he would. It had been so long ago that she had last seen him, that she feared he did forget her. But she would never let him leave her heart. Now, many years later, as she lay on her deathbed, a tired and happy old woman, she thought of her childhood with a smile. Peter had saved her in every way a person could be saved. He had shown her how to live, how to be a classic heroine in a world full of men. And she had saw the same adventurous young woman in her own daughter, and her new grand daughter. And Peter had also allowed her to grow up, to live her life and fulfill her dreams, and she was eternally greatful. She would never forget the boy with the cocky grin.
A cool burst of wind blew her window open. Wendy turned, and found herself staring at the same young boy that had taken her away so many years ago. "Peter," She had whispered to him.
He grinned, hopped off the window, and was by her side. "Wendy," He said sadly.
"I've grown up," She told him, "And I'm nearing the end of my life."
"I've missed you," He said, taking her hand. "I don't want you to die."
"Ah," She told him, "It's a mystery of life. But I am glad I got to see you again."
Tears were trailing down his face.
"Don't cry for me, Peter. You allowed me to live, and for that I am ever eternally thankful to you."
"But I need you, Wendy." He said. "I want you to come back to Neverland with me."
"I am far too old for adventures now, Peter," She said.
"No you're not," He whispered into her ear. "Neverland knows no boundaries. All you have to do, is believe."
Tears began to trail down her face as well. "Oh Peter, I never stopped believing."
He grinned. "Come away with me," He said, and reached for her hand.
Wendy didn't know how she knew, but she always trusted Peter, and she was sure there were magic to his words. She sat up, and took his hand.
Heat flooded through her entire body. It was as if time was turning itself back. Her thin gray hair was becoming golden and thick, and down to her waist. Her old, tired face was becoming soft and youthful. And the light that had been gone from her ocean eyes was now alive and vibrant.
Wendy looked down at her transformation. She was just how she was when she was thirteen.
"Oh, Peter!" She cried, and through her arms around his neck.
He buried his face in her hair.
"I've lived my life," She said, tears choking her voice. "And now I'm ready to spend my eternity with you."
He grinned, and pulled her into a kiss. His lips made her tingle all the way from her mouth to her toes. It was just how she remembered.
And together they flew into the night, Wendy held tightly in Peter's arms to the place where children are kings, and dreams are made.
The end
Sobs uncontrollably Thank you all so much again from the bottom of my heart! Hope you enjoyed this story as much as I did!-Diane