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The following day, the news spread around about Bethany and Peter's actal wedding. Wendy found that it was on the same day of her betrothal gathering. She held back tears as Wendy rode to her parent's house where her gathering would be placed. Her best friends and Millicent would stay over with them. Wendy sobbed over her Mother later, who gave a forlorn look to her husband.

Clearly, Wendy did not want this.

Her brothers and friends tried to cheer her up, the guests would be arriving soon, as would Byron.

Inside the old nursery, Wendy sat on her childhood bed as Donna curiously looked into drawers.

"So, you don't want to wed him?"

Wendy shook her head, "No. I don't love him. I-"

Donna looked at her intently and she shook her head, "Nevermind..."

She shrugged and looked at the bottom chest, inside was a old umber-colored acorn on a chain. Donna made a face, "I'll throw this piece of trash out for you." Wendy's blue eyes glanced at it.

"NOOOO!"

Shegot up quickly and seized it, cradling her 'kiss' in her slender hands, "Don't touch it! Don't you ever touch this, it's not yours!" Donna backed away, raising her hands in defense, "Whoa. Ok Wendy...ok."

Breathing hard, Wendy turned her back to her and gently stroked it, touching the hole encarved in it.

This 'piece of trash' saved her life once upon a time. When an arrow struck her breast in Neverland, it hit the acorn on her neck instead herself.

Wendy whimpered, "O Donna, my heart is breaking so!" Her best friend comforted her with a simple hand gesture to her shoulder, "Wendy, if you don't love Byron Buron, then don't marry him." Wendy gaped, "But Aunt Millicent and my parents...?" Donna's colbalt eyes grinned, "If they like him so much then they can marry him. You don't, forget them. If you love Peter Pan as much as I think you do, then you'll stop at nothing to tell him."

Wendy sighed. Love?

Love.. .

She murmured to herself, "Love." Donna said, leaving, "I'll see you downstairs." She left in a swirl of green petticoats and Wendy closed her eyes, regaining her composure.

She dressed in the traditional ivory ruffles and greeted everyone with a forced warm smile.

Wendy welcomed the guests, conversated with them, ate the dinner, and danced with Byron. After, he inclined for a kiss and she stepped away gracefully, "Excuse me." As Wendy went upstairs, the boys looked on at Byron with malice.

She locked herself in the nursery and looked for her acorn necklace. Wendy fumbled for it as it plomped under the cabinet. She rolled her eyes and got onto her stomach, reaching for it in the darkness. Papers brushed against her hand. Wendy pulled them out along with her acorn and blinked very bewildered.

It was her Father's handwriting.

His secret dreams!

Wendy gently looked upon a single paper, it read that he wished to become a writer when he was older. A shudder seeped down her spine and Wendy shivered, looking at the next piece of paper. She covered her hand over her mouth. It was a drawing made by her when she was fourteen, the afternoon before her first adventure to Neverland. Wendy clutched it to her chest and closed her eyes as another forgotten memory took her -

- She stitched another row of cloth and looked over her sewing to Peter, who was sitting in his chair and surrounded by the boys. They talked over him loudly. A smile appeared on her lips as Wendy bent over to her croucheting once more. Tootles shouted gleefully, "Father, dance! Please, O, please Father?" He pretended to look appalled, "O, no! I shall not without an partner!" Peter looked to her across the room and got out of his chair. Her heart began to beat like a racehorse.

His hand found her shoulder, "Come dance old lady." Wendy grinned, trying hard to not look to pleased, "Of course." Peter took her hand and led her to the fireplace, they bowed to each other as the boys watched excited. Being the best dancers, they were nimble and graceful as their footsteps grew more slow.

Peter and Wendy looked down, their arms locked around each other, though they were nothing more then children; something was happening.

Everyone but them could see it burning in their hearts and pulsing from their eyes. Tinkerbell tried in vain to stop them but Nibs had a tight hold on her, knowing what she'd do. They left them alone and Wendy said, finally looking into his beautiful wide eyes, "Do you love me Peter?"

A long moment passed and he murmured so softly in her ear, that it took a minute to understand clearly, "I will always love you Wendy as long as the wolves howl to the moon and the stars shine bright above the heavens..."

Wendy knew what she had to do.

She ran out of the room, slowing down and walking into the large room filled with gossiping guests.

Wendy tapped her glass goblet and every eye turned on her. She winked at her friends. Donna gave her a thumbs up as Susan looked up confused and perfectly content of being so.

Wendy cleared her throat, "I extend my thanks to everyone who attend tonight's gathering. I have something that must be said." Her parents and Millicent glanced at each other, shrugging. Wendy smiled, "I have grown up in three years from the age of fourteen and have graciously entered adulthood with the help of many. But there are somethings I shall never forget, the carefree rememberance of my childhood. The grand adventures that were waiting for me," The boys grinned, "Something's I cannot overlook and I cannot live without."

She turned to Byron, "I won't marry you Byron Buron. I am in love with someone else. I am deeply sorry for not saying it sooner." Wendy stepped down, hurrying out the doors and snatched the car keys. Donna, Susan, and the boys cheered loudly as most of the adults gasped in horror. Mother Darlinghide a smile behind a powdered handand Aunt Millicent passed out cold on the floor.

Wendy was soaked from the heavy rain as she entered the car, starting the engine. Pausing, Wendy pulled her acorn necklace round her neck and put the car in reverse.

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