Author's Note: Thanks to everybody who reviewed and answered the Tigerlilly question! I'm grateful for the feedback. All right, what chapter is this? Oh, Chapter 15! I do hope you enjoy reading it. This is a long one and there's a lot of dialogue, but it's important for the story and everything.

Chapter 15: Expectations and Invitations

Peter does not know how he got into this conversation with his father. He is sitting in the parlor with Henry, discussing the ball. Apparently, his parents saw him with Wendy. It is getting quite late and Peter does not care to talk anymore. The light is dimming in the room, which makes his already tan skin seem darker. His eyes are heavy with sleep and his head lolls to one side in an attempt to get into a comfortable position.

"Now, son, how do you feel about this young woman…Ms. Darling? Your intentions were irrefutable at the ball." Henry demands. Peter sighs, drumming his fingers on the armrest.

"I am fond of her, Father. She is the type of girl I would like to marry," he answers. She is the girl I would like to marry, Peter thinks. Henry gets up and paces back and forth. He begins to speak, but he does not make eye contact with the teenager.

"When I was your age, I was the same way…you know, feeling a great attraction to the opposite sex. You are…growing up and experiencing… new emotions in your life. All young men do. Then, my father had this same talk with me and I took on a great amount of responsibility." Peter nods in agreement and props himself up on his shoulders. These 'new emotions' are evident when he is with Wendy.

"So, what are you implying?" Peter responds derisively. He receives a thwarted look from Henry.

"Your mother and I think it is time for you to start searching for a wife." Peter looks up at him in shock. "A man of your status is expected to marry well. We know you are gallivanting around with all these young ladies… yet sooner or later you must settle down. This ball was a chance to introduce you to potential brides."

"Marriage? …That is an important step in anyone's life," Peter whispers. Normally he is so sure of himself, but in this moment, a panic rushes over him. He never really thought of the prospect of 'settling down'. Adolescence is already hard enough –now this? Will he be able to provide for his bride…will it be an arranged marriage? Will Wendy be his wife? Will he have children? He is thinking too much about his future, even though it is not so far away. He sits back on the settee and tries to clear his mind.

"This should not come as a shock to you. Young men your age are already engaged," Henry explains nonchalantly.

"I suppose. What do you think of the Darling family?"

"They are an upright group, I can say that much about them. Their daughter would not be a good match with you, being as they are not wealthy." Peter clenches his fists in anger.

"You had an arranged marriage with Mother?" Peter questions. The tension in his voice is rising fast.

"Yes, I did, but I grew to love her…just as you will with your wife. Mrs. Darling married Mr. Darling because of love, I think."

"I'll marry because of status? I will not be able to get to know my bride until after we're married?"

"Yes, son. These days it is the custom." Peter stands up in dissatisfaction. He cannot take this anymore. If he marries, it will be out of love.

"What does it matter if it's the custom?! What if it turns out that my wife and me are complete opposites! We will live an unhappy life just because society expects us to! I'd rather marry because of love!" Peter has lost all of his composure in this upheaval.

"Love is not an option," Henry replies in a reserved tone.

"Then I'll make it an option!! I'll marry Wendy and it won't be because of status or money!" His blue-green eyes are that of two separate storms swirling ominously. He resembles the boy he once was, cocky and jealous, yet he has a young man's voice that is trembling with perseverance. Patricia appears at the top of the stairs and leans forward to look at her husband and son. She has already changed into her nightclothes complete with a matching robe. She holds onto the exquisitely carved banister and observes Peter with worried eyes.

"Why are you yelling? What has happened?" she states. Henry strolls into the hallway and glances up at his wife.

"Nothing, Patricia. We were discussing something," he assures her, flattening his frazzled black hair. Peter rolls his eyes and heads up the stairs.

"Don't walk away from me, Peter," his father warns.

"I'm done talking to you," he concludes. Peter peers at his mother and she touches his shoulder soothingly. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, darling," she murmurs. A fatigued grin crosses his lips and he goes into his room. The window is wide open; the curtains are fluttering in the breeze. He is loosening his tie when he notices how bright the stars are. Which one was second to the right again? He watches them for a while before closing the window and pulling the curtains together. A fleeting wish to return to that magical place crosses his mind, but it only lasts so long. He can hear his father and mother arguing downstairs. He already knows the subject of their dispute. As soon as his head hits the pillow, he falls into a deep and dreamless sleep.

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The days after the ball move quickly. Wendy resumes her lessons with Aunt Millicent, which are dreadfully boring if I do say so myself. Wendy finds solace in her journal, which she keeps hidden from her aunt and the rest of her family. There, she records all her thoughts and ideas for the novel she wants to write. Though Aunt Millicent does not believe that this profession will take her far, Wendy's imagination reaches new heights every minute. In addition to sewing and behaving properly, she is becoming a fantastic writer.

Peter continues to work in his father's office, filing documents and learning more about the family business. Henry has become withdrawn from his son. He is probably still trying to forgive Peter after that unfortunate 'talk' Saturday night. Peter keeps his mouth shut and hopes that he will see Wendy soon. He usually sneaks out of work when his father is not looking and wanders around the streets of London.

This particular Monday afternoon, he slips out of the Eddington building unnoticed. Charlie has come to meet him, also sneaking out of his job at the doctor's office.

"Hey, over here!" Charlie calls from the other side of the street. Peter waves to him, a carefree grin spreading across his face. He dodges the numerous pedestrians and horse-drawn carriages that fill the lanes.

"Afternoon," Peter greets as they begin their journey down the city streets.

"Did anybody find you out?"

"No. Everyone seemed to be arguing over something or another. I left before they brought me into it."

"I left when my dad was taking care of a patient. He said I had to watch and learn because I would have to do it when I get older. Me? Taking care of sick people? Not my area of expertise. I just took off without a word. He'll give me hell when I get home…" he sighs and Peter nods.

"Watch out for that pigeon," Peter smirks. The bird is flying aimlessly towards them and Charlie stops.

"What pigeon – AHHHH!" Charlie shouts as the pigeon flies right into his face. Feathers drift onto Charlie's clothes as he fights off whatever is attacking him. Peter ducks as the bird flaps its gray and white wings and swoops over his head. "Damn bird!" Charlie bats at the air, even though the pigeon is long gone. People stop to watch this amusing scene excitedly.

"That pigeon," Peter says condescendingly and Charlie wipes his face.

"That thing flew into my face! It was attacking me!!"

"Duck next time," Peter offers. "I've never heard you scream like that. It sounded more like Evelyn's scream than yours."

"Shut up, Peter. That thing could've torn my eyes out."

"Not likely." Peter chuckles and they continue on their way. Charlie is wiping off feathers and complaining about London wildlife when Peter sees something out of the corner of his eye. He gaze falls on four women in a nearby teashop, enjoying gossip and their afternoon tea. One of them he recognizes immediately as Wendy. She looks to the other women occasionally, nods and laughs, but Peter can see she is not content. Her aunt is sitting across from her, the sullen woman that she is.

"What has your interest?" Charlie asks, following his friend's gaze.

"I'm thirsty," Peter blurts and hurries over to the other side of the street. Charlie runs after him, puzzled by this sudden need.

"Come out with it! Come on, tell me!"

"It's Wendy. I danced with her at the ball," Peter whispers, stopping in the foyer of an adjacent store.

"Oh right, I danced with her. Let me guess…you fancy each other?" Peter nods and leans over to see if she is looking in his direction. He presses himself against the wall and inches his way to the shop door. "Why don't you just go and say 'ello Wendy, I really fancy you'?"

"Her aunt hates me," Peter grumbles.

"Oh yeah. That's always an obstacle to overcome. At least her parents don't -"

"Pretty sure they hate me too," Peter finishes hesitantly and pulls the door open. The welcoming bell tinkles above him and some people look up to see who it is. He smiles at them and finds a table…right behind Wendy.

"There, right behind her?" Charlie peeps. Peter keeps his head down as he walks past the ladies and their dubious stares. He takes his seat and Charlie sits in front of him. "Shall I order some tea and cake?"

"Whatever you want," Peter speaks in a low tone and Charlie goes up to the counter. Peter sits back and listens to the conversation of the women behind him. To his surprise, they begin to talk about the ball.

"That introductory ball was wonderful, wasn't it!" one of the women exclaims.

"Yes, yes, it was," Millicent agrees.

"You looked absolutely beautiful, Wendy."

"Thank you," her soft voice answers.

"The Eddington boy was very popular that night," another woman says.

"Too popular," Millicent grumbles.

"What is wrong, Millicent?"

"I was disappointed in the way he behaved and dressed. He does not take care of himself; he does not brush his hair, he does not know what the impact of his actions will have on the rest of us and he does not know what he is wearing every morning! I thought the Eddingtons would have a little more sense before plucking that boy from the streets. Don't you agree Wendy?" There is silence for a long time. Peter looks at the table in front of him, waiting for what she will say. Inside, he is distraught.

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Wendy wishes she did not have lessons with Aunt Millicent. She wishes she had told her aunt that she did not want to have tea with the rest of the ladies. Then, she would not have to answer this question and Peter would not be sitting a few inches away from her.

She knew it was he when he entered the teashop. Even though he kept his head down as he passed, she knew. Her heart was and is thumping madly as she tries to think of a decent response. She cannot believe Aunt Millicent has gone this far in describing every one of Peter's flaws. She does not know that Peter is listening to their conversation. Wendy touches the frilly lace of her gloves and folds them in her lap. Her sky blue eyes are wide and submissive as she clears her throat.

"No," she says inaudibly. She lifts her head slowly and feels like a true, honest adult.

"What's the matter, girl? Cat got your tongue?" one of the women laughs.

"Wendy, don't you agree with me? Speak up now," Millicent declares. Wendy's eyes soften and she looks over her shoulder. If she speaks her true feelings, her aunt and her friends will think she is both rebellious and ungrateful. If she agrees, she will fulfill their expectations and be the perfect young woman.

"Yes," Wendy answers loudly, deeply regretting it. That is not how she truly feels, far from it. She does not hear anything from Peter and Aunt Millicent relaxes.

"See, she is smart…she answers when spoken to, she is obedient and pretty," Millicent brags. Wendy smiles weakly.

"She will be the perfect bride," another one says. "You know what you should do, you should have a gathering at your brother's house and invite all the well-known couples over. Small talk will help them decide on a husband, I'm sure." Millicent ponders this idea for a minute and agrees.

"That is a brilliant idea, Cathy! I will go talk to George and Mary immediately! We must be leaving, anyway, to look at new dresses." Millicent gets up and Wendy follows her. "Good day!" As Wendy puts on the itchy blue hat Millicent gave her for her birthday, she peeks at Peter. Charles Malcolm is with him and they are drinking tea.

Please do not take what I said to heart. I did not mean it; Wendy prays and walks out with Millicent.

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Peter is not in the mood for tea anymore and Charlie is trying to figure out why.

"Was it something they said?" Charlie persists.

"Yes. I don't understand why she would agree," Peter falters and rests his head in his hands.

"Well you know what they say…" Charlie sighs, sipping his tea rather noisily.

"What?" Peter asks sarcastically. All he needs is advice from Charlie, who shall we say, isn't the best at making people feel better about themselves. Peter waits for an answer, but does not get one. Just as he is about to forget Charlie's attempt at help, he says something.

"Behind every snooty girl, there is a snooty overbearing aunt making her that way." Peter looks up at his friend and chuckles to himself. "I'm not joking. That's what I've heard."

"Wendy's not like that," Peter snaps. "Tell me, Charlie, am I too full of myself or I don't take care of my well-being?"

"Yes, you are egotistical, and yes, you should cut your hair."

"No, I'm not!"

"See, there you go, acting too defensive all the bloody time. Take a breath. This is constructive criticism…I don't want to get on your bad side. I'm trying to be a good friend." Peter gets up spontaneously and leaves the teashop, much to the dismay of Charlie. Maybe he should improve his self-image, and he knows just where to start.

He gets his beloved, disheveled locks cut off at the local barbershop. It looks quite nice now, as a matter of fact. His parents hardly recognize him when he steps in the doorway.

A couple of days later, his parents receive an invitation to the Darling family gathering. One can only hope that Henry gives in to Peter's constant, but polite demands to accept this wonderful request.

The reader will be pleasantly surprised that the Eddingtons do decide to go and this act will open up many new opportunities for the relationship between Peter and Wendy.

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Author's Note: Wow, that was a lot of writing. 7 pages this chapter took up! The story's not over, I just ended the chapter like that because I couldn't find anything else to write. It seems like Peter was doing quite a bit of yelling. Raging hormones, perhaps? Teehee, thanks for all the great reviews people!! Bye!