Thanks to all of you who remember this fic, and have bared with me all of these months when it was on hiatus.
Chapter 7: The New Mother
The next morning brought Wendy more sickness, and more reason for Peter to believe she should remain in bed. And it continued like that, for seven mornings straight. Wendy did as much as she could for the children, but they were so in awe over Amanda, they hardly noticed her. Wendy noticed Ben's pants were ripped and offered to sew them, but he merely shook his head and handed them to Amanda. She told Flower her hands were dirty and to wash them, but Flower pretended like everything was fine until Amanda told her to do so. The children wouldn't even eat Wendy's cooking anymore, and when she offered to tell them a story, they refused, waiting for Amanda's.
The only comfort Wendy had was that at night, Amanda was put back in her cage.
On the morning of the eighth day, Wendy had just finished getting sick when Peter found her outside again. "Wendy," He said sadly.
"I'm fine, Peter."
"No you aren't."
"Just get the children ready for their lesson. They haven't had one in a long time. After that, I'll go see Tiger Lily's tribe, I promise."
Happy with her response, Peter went inside to gather the children.
Down on the 'Roger, Wendy was having a hell of a time getting them to listen to her. Ben and Arrow pretended to be Babes McGee and Hook and fought each other, Petal and Flower chatted excitedly with Tinker Bell, and the others raced around the cabin.
"NOW REALLY!" Wendy yelled. "Quiet down! NOW!"
They all stopped and stared at her. Oh great, she had resorted to yelling. But what other option did she have? "I want all of you to sit down, grab your slates, and do the problems I have listed. Is that clear?!"
Dirt gave a small sob. Petal walked over and wrapped an arm around him.
"Oh," Wendy made a move toward him.
"Don't touch him!" Blue yelled. "We want Miss Amanda! Miss Amanda is a better teacher than you!"
The other children cheered.
Wendy couldn't believe this. The sweet little girl with a fever Peter had brought to her was gone. She knew Blue was jealous of her, but this was too much. Just too much.
"She doesn't make us have lessons!" Ben cried.
They cheered again.
"Well Amanda isn't here," Wendy said, and scooped up Dirt. "So I suggest you all listen to me, and do as I say."
"Is there a problem?" Amanda entered the cabin. The children got to their feet and embraced her. Dirt pulled out of Wendy's arms and ran to Amanda. "I'll take it from here,"
"Excuse me, but I am in charge of the lessons," Wendy said. "You just better leave. Maybe go back to your cage."
"No!" The children cried, hanging onto Amanda.
Amanda smirked at Wendy. "Fine, I'll leave. Who wants to come with me and hear a story?"
The children raised their hands.
"Follow me." Amanda said, and the kids piled out after her.
Wendy's blood was boiling. "Children! Blue! Arrow! Petal!" She called to their retreating backs. All that was left in the cabin was Tinker Bell and Wendy. Much to her surprise, Tinker Bell flew down, sat on Wendy's shoulder and patted her face with a pitiful expression.
Peter sat with Wendy while the Chief examined her. After a long while, he spoke, and Tiger Lily translated, "Chief says there is no illness in you."
"No illness?" Wendy asked. "Then why…?"
"Chief says no illness."
And so, Peter and Wendy left discouraged.
"I talked with Amanda about earlier today," Peter told her as they walked back to the hollow. "But I agree with her, Wendy."
Wendy turned to him with a demonic glint in her eye.
He put up his hands defensively. "I mean, the children are like me, Wendy. They don't need lessons."
"Well excuse me for wanting them to get an education! They used to love their lessons! And you used to agree with me until she showed up!"
Peter sighed, and Wendy started to cry.
"I don't trust her, Peter," She sobbed, "I really don't."
Peter closed his arms around her.
"Send her away."
"I'm so tired of fighting about this!" He yelled. "I want her to stay, so she's staying! I am the king here, and everyone listens to me!"
"The king, oh really?" Wendy spat. "You don't understand what it's like to make decisions with someone else! You can be the king all you want. Remember that when you're sleeping alone."
And that night, she slept in the nursery on the floor.