Author's Note: Hey again! This is a pretty long author's note, but I have to say what I have to say. I just want to thank everyone who reviewed these past couple of days. I was moved by your enthusiastic responses and ideas for the chapters. I can't tell you how much this means to me!
In response to patiens-liberi question, I did see the picture on his site, and then I came across a recent one where he looked a lot older. Scamley Elliot: Do not fear! This story is still being written! Zorrina: Thanks for the info! Getting back to the story, um, I love everyone who is reviewing!! I really appreciate it. I hope you like Chapter 14. (Wow!)
Disclaimer: I don't own Peter Pan. ::tear:: Haha!
Chapter 14: Heart to Heart
The ride home troubles Wendy greatly. Aunt Millicent does not cease to speak about Peter Eddington. She keeps ridiculing him and all Wendy can do is sit by and listen regretfully. She bites her tongue whenever Millicent critiques Peter. She does not know him personally, so how can she make these rude conclusions?
"Did you see him with the other young ladies! Preposterous! I know what he will become when he is older…" Millicent says spitefully, "a womanizer!"
"Aunt Millicent!" Wendy shouts unconsciously. George and Mary stare at their daughter; confounded by the way she is acting. She presses her lips together and folds her hands in her lap.
"What is troubling you, Wendy?" Mrs. Darling asks, her brown eyes filled with compassion. Wendy shakes her head. They will not understand her even if she does tell them. There are so many emotions that she cannot name them all. The carriage stops at the Darling house and George helps Wendy out. She climbs the steps to the front door, and waits for her parents to open the door. Nana is sleeping in the parlor when they walk in. She opens her eyes and looks at Wendy sleepily.
"THEY'RE HOME!" a loud voice bellows from upstairs.
"Animals," Millicent says under her breath as seven boys clamber down the stairs. John is the last one to come down, being as he is the only gentleman among his brothers. He fixes his glasses and looks at his sister. He sees that she was crying, but he does not know why.
Wendy greets her brothers warmly and starts to go upstairs. "How was the ball?" Curly interrogates.
"It was – wonderful," Wendy sighs. She takes off her gloves and glides up the staircase.
"I do not know what has come over that girl tonight. Going off with that Eddington boy for goodness sake's! He is in no way suitable for my niece, with that…hair, and the way he behaves, making her cry like that," Millicent criticizes. George swallows nervously and takes Mary's hand in his.
"Millicent, there is no need to speak that way," Mary begins. "It is late. I think you should go now."
"Humph, if that's the way you want it," she retorts and goes to the door. "Slightly, come along!" The boy sighs and looks sheepishly at the others.
"Good – bye chaps. I'll see ya in the mornin'!" he chirps and catches up with his mother.
"Safe home," George calls, feeling quite brave. The front door slams suddenly and the boys shake with laughter. Mrs. Darling smiles calmly and looks to the stairs.
"It is past bedtime, children," she says. Each of the brothers comes to give Mary a kiss on the cheek.
"Will Wendy be all right, Mother?" Tootles interrogates when it is his turn.
"She will be fine. Now, run along and go to sleep!" Mary chides jokingly and pats her son on the head. He is smiling broadly and heads to the nursery with the rest of the boys. Mary turns to her husband, giving him a pleasant kiss.
"There must be a reasonable explanation for all this nonsense," Mr. Darling gasps. When he sees the apprehensive look on Mary's face, he knows the truth. "Isn't there?"
"I shall talk with Wendy." Mary takes off her gloves slowly and goes to the stairs, interested to hear what her daughter has to say.
Meanwhile....
Wendy is lying on her bed, replaying all the incidents that have occurred that night. She has not yet taken off her gown; so many other things are on her mind. Her heart flutters and falls as she thinks about Peter. She can see his mocking smile still and his wondrous, searching eyes. Aunt Millicent should learn to keep her mouth closed. She shifts to her side so she can look out the window. How in the world could it have been he?
A knock on the door sends Wendy off the bed. She goes to answer it immediately and is surprised when she sees her mother standing there.
"Mother, is something wrong?" she whispers, knowing fully well why her mother decided to come.
"I was about to ask you the same question," Mary chuckles and closes the door behind her. "Might I help you with your corset?"
"Oh, yes, if you please," Wendy answers politely, though she feels the overbearing urge to tell her to leave her alone. She slips out of her dress and Mary starts to untie the fine cords. Wendy lets out a sigh of relief as she feels the corset loosen around her torso.
"Did you enjoy the ball?"
"Yes, very much."
"There were many delightful young men you danced with tonight. Did you like Philip Winston?" Wendy thinks about the man with the cold gray eyes. Was that Mr. Winston? No, I despised him, Mother, what did you think?
"He was…pleasant." There is a slight pause as she says this, as if she cannot find a proper adjective to describe him.
"Your aunt thinks highly of him, you know. He is to join the British Navy." Mary finishes with the corset and goes to fetch Wendy's nightgown. Wendy leans against the bedpost and takes her hair out of the clip. It falls in soft brown waves down her shoulders as Wendy falls deep into thought. She will never marry Philip, even if it means disappointing her family.
"That is Aunt Millicent's opinion, Mother. What of my other suitors? Does she not approve of them?" There is a trace of desperation in her voice that her mother can hear clearly.
"Some she approved of, some she did not. The Eddingtons' son took a great liking to you." Wendy blushes when she hears this. And I to him, Wendy ponders, making her redden all the more.
"Really? I did not notice," she lies terribly. Mary narrows her eyes at her and hands a white cotton nightgown over. "He is very nice."
"I am sure he is." Wendy touches the soft material to her cheek and clears her throat. "Wendy, I saw the 'kiss' on his mouth." Wendy's head shoots up suddenly.
"Aunt Millicent is sorely mistaken. Mr. Eddington is – he does not own one."
"You are a young woman, Wendy. You are maturing every day. Soon, you will be married and hopefully, your 'kiss' will be given to someone you truly love. You have already given that kiss to someone else, haven't you?" All Wendy can do is stare at her mother. Her fingers touch her rosy lips and she is reminded of what Aunt Millicent said when she was twelve.
"N- no, never have I given it away." Mary goes to her daughter and kisses her forehead.
"If you want to tell me anything about what happened at the ball, you can."
"I would take that into consideration if there was something wrong…but there isn't." A small smile lifts the corners of Mrs. Darling's mouth. "Goodnight Mother."
"Goodnight, Wendy." She goes to the door and looks back at the teenager. "Sweet dreams, my dear." She leaves the room and Wendy changes into her bedclothes. She snuggles under the covers, letting her eyes close slowly. Guilt is the feeling that replaces the anger and confusion. Wendy did not want to lie to her mother; it was a spontaneous decision. Peter is the one who deserved that kiss…and no one else. Does that mean he is the one for her…the one she will marry? Wendy slips away from consciousness as she thinks about this. Suddenly, she is not even there anymore, but floating in a whirlwind of dreams.
Author's Note: Okay, I hoped you liked it. I was going to add a part with Peter and his father, but this chapter was just too good for something to be added on to. I'll talk about Peter in the next chapter. That's it. I will update this story and my others ASAP. I've just had a lot of stuff to do. AngelicPirate signing off…
P.S. Okay one question, can Princess Tigerlilly grow up? I know it's Neverland and everything but there are still some adults. Can she? If you review or something, maybe you could add your thoughts in there? Thank you so much! Byee!