Hi again everyone! Thanks for the reviews, and the birthday wishes!!! Two more chapters to go!!!
Chapter 21: Pack Up Our Old Dreams and Our Old Lives
Wendy carried her son toward Mister and Mrs. Newman- her future in-laws. She followed her mother who was carrying her daughter. Peter sat across from his parents, next to Mr. Darling. Alice reached for Jane, while Mr. Newman waited expectantly for Andrew, but Wendy held onto him.
"Wendy," Her mother snapped, "Give Andrew to Terrence."
Wendy reluctantly handed over her son. She watched as these strangers cuddled her children. "I was wondering if I could have a word with Mr. and Mrs. Newman alone. Peter, would you stay?"
He nodded, and reached for her hand. Mary and George left them alone.
"What would you like to talk to us about, dear?" Mrs. Newman asked, rocking Jane.
"I think we got off on the wrong foot earlier," Wendy started, "You see, Peter and I have been through so much together, and now that we can finally settle down, we're being ripped apart again."
Mrs. Newman's jaw set in a firm line, "Excuse me, dear… it's Wendy, right?"
Wendy nodded.
Alice continued, "My son has been missing for years, and now that I found him, you want me to leave without him? How dare you---"
"Peter just isn't your son. He's not the same little boy you lost all those years ago! Look at him! He's a young man, and not only that, he's a father. Think about your grandchildren! Why are you going to rob them of a father? Why are you going to put your happiness over Peter's?"
"Wendy's right," Peter finally spoke, "I don't want to go. I want to stay here with her."
"You don't know what you want," Mrs. Newman said.
"Yeah?" Peter asked quietly. "Why do you think I left? Why do you think I ran away? Because you were always controlling my life."
"That was my job, I'm your mother!"
"You never asked once what I wanted!" Peter shouted.
There was a silence for a long time, and when Wendy spoke, she was nearly in tears, "Please. Please, be reasonable. You've been in England all of this time, why not stay?"
"Tired of the rain," Terence finally spoke too.
"I understand this situation," Mrs. Newman said with a quivering voice, "But you're just kids. What are you going to do with these children? Watch them have children at the age you were?"
"Do not doubt our abilities as parents, you just met us," Wendy snapped.
"That's what I mean. Peter, we don't even know you anymore." Alice said.
"I'm not a child anymore, Mother. I know what I want. I love Wendy, and I love our children. If you deny me the opportunity to watch them grow up, I will never forgive you."
"Let him stay, Alice." Mr. Newman said, "We can visit at Christmas."
"Whose side are you on?" She bellowed in reply.
Wendy paced her bedroom nervously. She hoped her talk with Peter's parents had done some good. The door opened, and Peter walked in, looking grim.
"Well?" She whispered, fearing the answer.
He shook his head, "It's no good, Wendy. I'm leaving in two day's time."
Wendy dashed to Peter, circled her arms around his neck, and sobbed. "No…"
Peter fastened his arms around her, and sighed.
"After everything we've been through…"
"I know," He whispered, "I know."
"What about Andrew and Jane? We were going to get married, we were going to start our new life. You belong here."
"Why don't you come with me?" He asked. "We have more than enough money…"
"But what about my parents?" She asked. "Sure they could visit, but with seven kids?"
Peter ruffled his hair with his hands. "I never knew it would be this complicated."
"Unless…"
"What?"
"We run away… tonight. We get married tomorrow morning." Her eyes were now alive and bright.
"And Andrew and Jane? What do we do with two infants?"
Wendy was close to tears again. "We have to try!" She thought a minute, "We take them with us."
He stared at her. "Wendy…"
"Do you love me?"
"You know I do."
"Then you'll come with me. We'll run away, it'll be fine!"
"And where are we going to go?" He loved Wendy dearly, even in her bout of insanity.
Wendy paused, and bit her bottom lip. "An inn."
"And who would rent a room to two young adults with children?" He scrubbed his forehead, "are those places even safe?"
But Wendy wasn't listening. "John's an altar boy at St. Michael's. He'll help us, I know it."
"Wendy---"
"Please, Peter."
"Alright," He said, pulling open a drawer and yanking diapers out. "Alright."
"I know you're tired of running," She whispered, grabbing his hand. "But it's the only plan we've got."
He kissed the crown of her head in reply. "Start getting the kids ready."