hey everyone - chapter 9's up!!!!
Thanx very much to bigreader for reviewing!!!! thanx also to fantasy-forever127!!!! Aeris Tiniel Mirime - thanx so much for your great review, hope ya like this chapter!!!! rolletti - that was such a fantastic review - thank you so much!!!! Pupetta - hope this chapter doesn't disappoint!!! thank u!!!!
Peter drew back as mother and daughter embraced, there seemed to be some unspoken understanding between them that Peter himself did not yet comprehend. He stood for a moment, unsure of what was happening – was Wendy to remain here with her family, or, his heart lifted, was she returning with him to Neverland?
Mary sat back, brushing the tears from her daughter's face, there was a great aching inside her; her throat tightened with the terrible sadness that she would soon lose her beloved Wendy, but her heart lifted with joy in the knowledge that Wendy was to have what she had never allowed herself to have.
Wendy gazed at her mother; her eyes still dark with a shadow of doubt, "Mother?" she said, her tone questioning. Then Mary smiled, so sincere and lovely was the smile that it immediately dispelled all of Wendy's qualms and misgivings; she instinctively knew that everything was going to be fine.
Peter took an uncertain step towards Wendy, noticing the tears upon her face; he assumed a protective stance by her side, his hand unconsciously curling round his dagger at the thought of something distressing his Wendy.
Seeing the scowl pass over Peter's face, Wendy smiled and took his hand gently in her own, "Oh Peter, why do you frown so?" she allowed a soft laugh to escape her lips before continuing, "Do you not want me to return to Neverland with you?" Peter's eyes widened and he beamed at Wendy as he involuntarily rose up of the floor, he hovered for a few seconds before his smile faded and he peered anxiously into Wendy's eyes, "Are you sure Wendy? Is this really what you want? You know..." he paused, biting his lip, then continued unwillingly, his voice almost a whisper, "You do know Wendy...once we leave...you can never, never return..."
A touch of sadness swept briefly across Wendy's fair features, "Yes Peter, I know...but...this is the path I choose...this is what I desire...more than anything..."
Mary sat silently on the bed, watching the pair, tears trickled down her cheeks...but still...the smile on her face grew as she gazed at her daughter, it seemed like such a long time since she had last seen Wendy so happy, indeed it looked as though Wendy was lit up from a candle within...it touched Mary's very soul to see the blissful smile on her daughter's face and suddenly she knew that the price she had to pay for Wendy's happiness was worth it.
She became aware of Peter staring at her, a question in his eyes, she gently nodded her head, words were not needed, she moved her gaze to the open window.
Slowly Wendy stood up, the time had come to say goodbye, prolonging it any longer would make it all the more painful. Beside her, Mary had also rose to her feet, Wendy walked over to the window, the few steps she took seemed to stretch out before her, the window looming ahead...upon reaching the fluttering curtains, Wendy turned around, sadness seemed to envelope her heart as she peered about her. Sensing her pain, Peter softly laid his hand on her shoulder, his support strengthened her and she glanced at him thankfully. Turning at last to her mother, Wendy paused, reluctant to say goodbye for the last time...
Mary looked at her eldest child, desperately drinking in every last detail of this moment, Wendy stood before the window, the moonlight shimmering like stardust in her hair, the eyes which had been darkened with sadness since her return now shone a bright, vivid blue, filled with indescribable happiness and hope, Mary's eyes raked over the delicate features of her daughter's face and an overpowering weight settled upon her heart as reality hit her forcibly...this was to be last time she ever saw her darling Wendy...a convulsive sob escaped her lips and her shoulder's buckled as she drew a trembling Wendy into her arms.
Encased in her mother's embrace, Wendy shook uncontrollably, she breathed deeply, inhaling her mother's familiar, comforting scent, a mixture of lavender oil and sweet spices, she knew the aroma would stay with her always...she felt Peter grip her shoulder in sympathy. Wendy hugged her mother tighter, dreading the moment she would have to let go, her eyes burned with tears and her throat constricted painfully with the almost unbearable knowledge that this would the last time she would hold her mother...
Unwillingly, Mary gently extracted herself from Wendy's arms, as she did so she felt her very heart would break...it fluttered erratically against her chest. Tears now flowed unceasingly in a river down her cheeks, she ran her shaking fingers softly over her daughter's face, memorizing every line, every contour, every curve...she tenderly wiped away the tears that marked Wendy's face, at the same time tasting the brackish salt of her own tears as they fell slowly onto her lips. The moment was bittersweet, and it was one that Mary would treasure forever, it held the sorrow of goodbye...but it held the promise of a great happiness and Mary knew that no price was too high for her daughter's happiness...
Wendy gazed into her mother's eyes, unable to turn away, the warm brown eyes looked serene and at peace, there was no anguish or torment and this alone filled Wendy with a great calmness...but she still lingered beside the window a thought occurring to her, "Mama...what about father?"
Mary merely shook her head gently and pressed a finger to Wendy's lips, "I will explain all to him dear, but...I think it best if you delay no longer..."
Wendy nodded, she knew her mother was right, as much as she loved him...she knew that her father would never understand her need to be in Neverland with Peter...Mary was the only one who would ever truly understand...
Wendy took a deep breath and, smiling through her tears, she curtsied low to Peter who, his own lips curving in a familiar smirk, bowed gallantly to her and offered her his hand...
Standing on the brink on the windowsill, Wendy turned for one last time, tears were once more coursing down Mary's cheeks as she watched her only daughter prepare to leave, her shoulders shook with sobs as she raised her hand in a farewell gesture, she opened her mouth as if to cry out, but such was her sadness she could make no sound...an indistinct gasp left her as she rushed to the window, grasping Wendy's hand in her own, she kissed it softly and sweetly, managing to murmur, "My dearest, darling Wendy, never, never regret this...no matter what happens...never doubt your decision to leave...I will always, always love you..."
Wendy's lips trembled as her mother let go of her hand, through her sobs she cried out, "I love you mama...thank you..."
The gratitude in Wendy's voice was so great that Mary sank to her knees, praying with all her heart that Wendy would be happy, her breath left her in stilted gasps as she fought to control the desperate sobs that continued to engulf her.
Wendy, supported by Peter, slowly...slowly turned at last to face the open window, she breathed in the fresh night air, the coldness she found, not bitter, but refreshing and invigorating...
Wendy's head snapped up abruptly, "Peter!" she said in alarm, "I have no fairy dust...how am I to fly?"
Peter smiled and came to stand behind her, his hands resting lightly on her waist, "Do you trust me?"
"What?"
Peter moved his face closer and whispered in her ear, "Do you trust me?"
"Well...I..." Wendy smiled, her fears gone, "Why yes, of course I do..."
"Fill your head with the happiest thoughts you can gather..."
Wendy's smile faded, an unwelcome image appearing of her mother crouched on the floor, her body racked with sobs.
Seeing her face grow poignant and distressed, Peter shyly, softly, pressed his lips to her cheek, his smirk appearing as Wendy blushed, the smile back on her face...
Suddenly, without any warning, Peter rose swiftly into the air, Wendy let out a shriek of pure delight as she felt her feet leave the solid wood of the windowsill, rising into the air, Wendy left her troubles and worries behind her on the ground, an overwhelming feeling of bliss empowering her.
Peter grinned happily at Wendy's breathless joy, he crowed loudly, pausing briefly in the air as Wendy gazed around her. Her eyes scoured over the place that had been her home for nearly thirteen years, finally coming to rest on the open window, Wendy's eyes misted over and through a haze of unshed tears, she saw a tiny figure, barely visible, peering up into the night sky...
Wrenching her gaze away from her mother, Wendy let her eyes wander towards the heavens above, seeking out the star that seemed to shimmer and shine with a light none could rival, "Second star to the right and then straight on 'till morning..." Peter breathed in her ear. She turned to smile at him, the excitement rising in her, "Are you ready?" Wendy nodded her head vigorously, clutching her acorn in her hand.
She felt Peter's grasp on her tighten as he prepared to hurtle towards the stars...
The night flew by her, the wind whipping across her cheeks...but she refused to close her eyes against the stinging currents of air, which lashed out at her relentlessly, leaving her breathless...
Narrowing her eyes against the torrent of wind, Wendy stared, awestruck at the sights around her, having made this journey once before, Wendy thought she knew what to expect...but now...it was as though she was seeing everything for the first time...
Peter had long since left the lights of the town behind and they were now encased in the beauty of the stars, sparkling like a thousand diamonds, they flew higher...and higher...until the very heavens seemed to open...planets...stars.... moons flashed by Wendy in an oblivion until she found herself suddenly sheathed in a surge of colours and lights, a roaring filled her ears, so loud that she longed to cover them, but did not dare let go of Peter...the roaring became unbearable and Wendy shut her eyes as though to block it out...it grew louder...and louder until it filled her very head, and then...just as suddenly as it started...it stopped...
Wendy kept her eyes squeezed shut; shocked by the sudden silence...she could feel Peter gently descending and a warm glow seemed to sweep over her body as they got closer to the ground, her toes brushed over the grass as Peter landed and slowly, hesitantly, she opened her eyes...
Oh, the beautiful sight that meet her eyes...her gaze travelled over the land, she marvelled at each spectacular vision – the clear, light blue sky with white feathery clouds drifting idly across it...the emerald green vegetation with striking, exotic flowers...and last of all...the deep turquoise ocean, it's sparkling depths filled with enigmatic secrets and lore...the alluring colour of it exactly the same as Peter's eyes.
Wendy turned to face Peter, her face alight with happiness, she shook her head wordlessly, her joy was inexpressible, raising her arms Wendy simply embraced Peter, silently thanking him with all her heart for bring her back to Neverland...
She felt Peter's warm breath on her ear as he whispered softly, "Welcome home..."
Sooooooooooo...wat do ya all think?? Please review and let me know...k – I hav a bit of a problem – I don't know whether to leave my story there with that nice happy ending...or to continue it....so here's wat u (my wonderful reviewers) can do to help - simply let me know wat u all fink I shud do, k? If enough people want me to continue it...den I will, but if u want that to be the end...then I won't write another word of this story...promise...so PLEASE REVIEW...it's really important that u do – my story is in ur hands lol
Lots and lots of love
Bella xXx
P.S just incase u don't want me to write anymore, then can I just thank all the people who have taken the trouble to review – it meant sooooo much to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS EVERYONE!!!!