Author's Note: Hello everyone! HUGE thanks to everyone who reviewed! BIG hugs! Thanks to everyone who agrees that Peter Pan is cute! Hehe! I am happy that everyone is enjoying the story. 56 reviews, whoa! I had immense writer's block because I have soo many ideas and it's so confusing setting everything up. Thankfully, I passed it somewhat and managed to write a decent chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter 12: Darling Occurrences
Millicent watches Peter Eddington walk away from her niece. She sees him gazing back at Wendy from time to time, which she does not tolerate in the least. Millicent does not trust this young man in the least. She saw the pained expression on Wendy's face when he whispered in her ear. Millicent was and still is fuming over this rude introduction. This is why she sends Philip Winston over to save the night. He is nineteen and wants to join the British Navy. He comes from a respectable family and will make a suitable match with Wendy.
"Do they not make a perfect couple?" Millicent asks Mary Darling proudly. From where the adults are standing, Wendy looks fine. If they are any closer, they will see the look of pure disappointment on her face as she dances with Philip. Mary nods, wondering why Wendy was crying. She could not bear to see her daughter in such a state and she wanted to help her. When they arrive home, she must discover the truth. She has to.
********************************
"You are a spectacular dancer, Wendy," Philip compliments, leading Wendy through the crowd. Wendy can feel Peter's eyes on her and she peers over the man's shoulder. Where he is she does not know. Philip shifts to his side so Wendy cannot see. She glares at him, her clear blue eyes meeting his steel gray ones.
"I would like you to address me as Ms. Darling…and I am fully aware that my aunt sent you," she says politely, but firmly. "If you do not mind, I must speak with my friend." She begins to pull away and Philip clutches her hand in a possessive manner.
"As a matter of fact, I do mind. The song has yet to end. I am sure that vulgar boy you were dancing with was not your friend."
"I beg your - " Wendy begins. She cannot finish her sentence because Philip twirls her around and catches her in his arms. She turns her face away; her cheeks are flushed in anger. Wendy thinks about Peter. Her head is swimming with all sorts of questions. How did he get here? How did he become one of the Eddingtons? Why did he decide to grow up? Wendy is looking forward to speaking with him again. Hopefully, this man will not intrude on their conversation again.
********************************
"Peter?" Evelyn asks in a sweet voice. "Will you dance with me again?" Peter groans as Charlie goes to shoo his twin away. He is lingering with Charlie near the orchestra.
"Stop bothering him, Eve. There are some fine gentlemen over there," Charlie waves his hand over to the other side of the room. Peter leans against an ivory pillar and watches a perfect example of sibling rivalry unfold. Their bickering reminds him much of how the Lost Boys used to act. Those memories seem so far away.
"If you believe they are so 'fine', why don't you dance with them yourself?" Evelyn snaps, folding her arms across her chest. Her red hair is pulled up underneath a bright tiara and it seems as though she is on fire. Her white puffy sleeves make her look all the more threatening. Charlie's brown eyes widen and Peter bows his head.
"Get the bloody hell out of my sight," Charlie says through clenched teeth. Evelyn gasps in horror as he says this and she gazes at Peter helplessly. Perhaps he should do something. Charlie looks like he has had enough of his sister.
"I'm not leaving until Peter gives me an answer," she replies simply. "You should watch that mouth of yours, Charles. Mother would not approve." Charlie rolls his eyes, casting a cold glance at Evelyn.
"Once again, it will be a pleasure to dance with you Evelyn," Peter replies. He takes the girl's hand in his and brings her out among the people. Evelyn sees the girl Peter was dancing with earlier. Evelyn feels a pang of jealousy in her heart because she is nothing like Wendy Darling. She saw the way Peter looked at her and whispered to her. How could he have done such a thing? He never did that to me. Peter glances at the teenager and sees that she is deep in thought. He wants to cut Wendy's dance with that horrible man. She does not look very happy. The song ends after a few minutes and Wendy curtsies to her partner. Peter leaves Evelyn with her parents and approaches his main interest cautiously.
He eyes the Darlings through the crowd, chatting with another couple. Wendy is walking around the ballroom, occasionally looking around for Peter. He touches her arm when he is closer and she turns around. A relieved smile spreads across her matured face as they meet for a second time.
"Good evening," he greets in a sophisticated manner.
"Good evening to you too," Wendy replies, sighing contentedly. She wants so much to embrace him or to kiss him, but she cannot bring herself to do it.
"We have much to talk about, don't we?" Peter asks. Wendy nods and he reaches for her hand. Their fingers intertwine as he leads her away from all the dancing. Wendy does not see her parents or Aunt Millicent anywhere, which she is thankful for. They stop behind a Grecian – style column and Wendy looks up at him, still in shock. He is here, standing right in front of her and she does not know what to say. "Are you all right, Wendy?"
"Yes, well, at least I think I am. This whole ball feels like a wonderful dream, and - I feel like I'm going to wake up and you won't be there," Wendy explains all in one breath. She feels embarrassed by what she said and she looks at the floor. "Forgive me for that sudden outburst."
"Actually…I feel the same way," Peter answers and they stare into each other's eyes. Peter's hand reaches to touch Wendy's cheek, his heart pounding furiously. Wendy feels faint and it is not because of her corset. He wants to kiss her desperately, to tell her how he really feels. He strokes her cheek for a moment before letting his hand drop to his side. Wendy feels her knees buckling underneath her. His greenish blue eyes soften and Wendy sees his lips. The hidden kiss she gave him on Hook's ship can be seen at the corner of his mouth. She smiles sweetly when she sees it, remembering those childhood memories.
"Will you tell me about life after Neverland?" Wendy asks.
"What would you like to know?" Peter asks, sporting a cocky grin.
"Everything," Wendy answers.
********************************
Author's Note: I hope it wasn't too bad. It was kind of short and ended abruptly. There'll be more Wendy/Peter stuff next chapter. If you don't already know, I absolutely love reviews. (Who doesn't love them?) I also like constructive criticism. Stay tuned for the next chapter, which will be up soon. It will be named "Peter's Story". Bye for now!
P.S. Peter Pan DVD comes out in two days!