A Child Forever...

And so it was that Peter Pan became the story that you all know. Upon hearing their decision, the lost boys, John and Michael decided to do so as well, and they spent every winter and fall in the land of the never more. Eventually, the Darling parents slipped into death, and the house was left to Wendy. She wrote her novel about her amazing adventures in the Neverland, and published it with the title Peter and Wendy. The royalties of which ensured that none of them would ever have to venture into an office.

Time passed by, and each one of them eventually grew older and were blessed with images of themselves of a time of innocence and fun, children of their very own. Slightly married at what seemed to his wife as age twenty-two, and had two sons, Nigel and Christian. Nibbs and a Tootles each had one, Lacey and Charles. Curly had four, Moira, David, Brighton and Anya. The twins had two and three, Vincent and Jack, Angela, Bell, and Philip, with one set of identical girls Mila and Nina.

John, being one to like the proper life, studied abroad in America, where he fell in love with a young lady with chocolate eyes and milky brown skin, known as Eagle of Grace by her kin. Three children out of this marriage, did come, Mary, Diana, and Tobias. Michael, oddly enough, married last, at the apparent age of 31, but whose progeny outnumbered any one, with Celeste, Kevin, Byron, Julianne, Megan and little Timothy.

As for Wendy and Peter, it is obvious to know that they wedded, at the seeming age of 19 and 20, although it was most likely nowhere near correct, and she gave birth to a girl, Jane, as lovely and wise as her mother, with golden locks and a mesmerizing stare, and a boy with eyes of forest green and his uncle Michael's fire-red hair, and a spirit so like his father's, that he was named as he, Peter .

A wild bunch, these children were, especially when all together in one floor. All of their children would drift into slumber at night with Wendy's tales of swordfights, pirates, fairies and mermaids dancing in their dreams, forming visions of wonders they ached to see. Each one committed every syllable to memory, so when any of the adults would pause in attempt to recall a name, a sunrise, or a gliding wind, the children would yell out in chorus the word at the edge of their parent's tongue. And so, it was only expected that the parents would barge in to their nursery's one night and see only empty beds with tiny hand prints traced in golden dust along the ceiling trailing to an open window. Thankfully, for the parents, they always returned, even after months of absence, with new stories of their wild adventures, pleading Wendy to sow them into the tapestry of her own.

However, Wendy and Peter's son was too much like his father, and upon the night of his twelve year, he decided that he did not wish to grow any older, and so his very own fairy came and took him away to the Neverland.

Of course, Wendy and Peter were sad to know that their son was gone, but Peter could not help but smile as he read the simple note left on his bed.

Dear Mother and Father,

I want always to be a boy and have fun.

Peter

Wendy shed a few tears, as she stared out the window, seeking out her son's figure against the moon's glow, when Peter came up behind her, still holding the note and placed his free hand around her waist.

"He'll be fine..." he said simply.

Not removing her eyes from the luminous night, she curved up the right edge of her lip and said, "I know...I'll miss him though..."

"The promise of eternal childhood is very luring...he being my son, could not help but go..." he said, as he wiped her tears away with his hand.

She sighed and turned with a gleam in her eye and asked "Do you regret your life here, away from the wonders that your child will now see?"

Peter smiled and looked out the window, at the far away glimmer that once was his home. There was no more need for swords and daggers in his life. No more Indians and Pirates or fairies and mermaids. Such things are for the young...but young at heart as he always remained, such things would never fade. A twinge of jealousy rippled through him, as he thought of his boy swimming amongst the Neverland clouds. But as he turned his gaze to his wife's sapphire eyes, he simply thought that this was the only place for him. Blessed be the innocence of a child and the paradise that belongs to him, but in heaven are those that find a love as enchanting as theirs.

"No...not now...not ever...I would never trade my time in the Neverland, but here is where I belong. You changed me, Wendy lady...for the better I am not sure...but you did...and Neverland gods forgive me...but this is my home."

It would have been all too easy for Peter and Wendy to set out in search of their son, but you see, they both new all too well the magic of the Neverland was addicting and truly fun. He had made his choice, and they would not make him come back, but they forever more left his nursery window open, so he would know that he would never be forgotten.

Oh, but do not be saddened by this, for although he never did return to stay, he did visit quiet often. Of course, he had to, his sister and cousins were still about, hungry for more of the Neverland's skies and the magic of its plush forests and crystalline waters. But afraid of the power his mother had on the boy who vowed to never grow old, he never stayed to feel their embrace. Instead, upon their window sill, while deep in slumber they remained, he would place a leaf of a hue only those that had flown to the stars would know. A greeting of sorts, to show that he was well in deed.

And so, Peter's son lived in blissful childhood for years unknown, assembling his very own collection of lost boys. No day too boring. No night too dull. He soared carefree, but never forgetting his legacy, for around his neck, with a silver chain, he always carried his parent's kisses. An acorn, a thimble, a memory incased, of the boy whose crow still echoes in the glistening night, and the girl that made him want the greatest adventure of his life. Such was his existence in a world of fun and every new adventure a tribute to his father.

And so it continued, generation after generation...and so it will go on...for all children grow up...but childhood will forever go on...

The End