Title: Whither by Moonlight
Author: Squeezynz
Chapter: Four - Meet the Parents
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Author's Note: And you all thought I'd left town...that's on the list of things to do next week (moving house on the 16th)...but last week, well that was spent in Hospital having my gall bladder removed. Some fun that was (NOT). Very painful, but eventually lots of the good drugs as well as having an organ along with its contents of five, horse-chestnut sized stones taken away never to darken my pain threshold again. So now, after getting home on Friday 2nd(went in Sun 27th) I'm back.....and I see people have been busy with the fanfics. Great, starting to liven things up story wise around here. So, that's what I've been doing.....now on with the story.
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When Wendy arrived to fetch him, she paused on the threshold of the kitchen and stared. Sara was using a clothes brush to whisk the last of the golden trimmings from the dark shoulders of the jacket, her face expressing extreme satisfaction for a job well done. Peter had his back to Wendy, his hands reaching up to comb through the drying curls, Sara batting his hand away in irritation.
"For heavens sake, I just finished combing it, leave it alone!"
"That torture was combing? My heads throbbing with all the tugging!"
Wendy smiled at Peter's petulant voice, his profile turned to her as he glared up at the maid.
"Peter?"
Her quiet voice reached him and he instantly jumped up, spinning around, his eyes locking with hers as he adjusted the jacket self consciously until Sara batted his hands away before turning a beaming face towards Wendy.
"Whatcha think? An improvement I'd say!" Sara awaited Wendy's verdict eagerly.
Peter never broke eye contact with Wendy, his mouth lifting in a crooked smile as he gestured at himself.
"Will I do?"
Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, Wendy approached across the kitchen floor until she had to tilt her head to look up at him. Slowly she let her eyes wander over him, from his neatly trimmed blond curls, over his freshly shaved smooth cheeks, to the column of his throat, down his chest; encased in a crisp white shirt, down past his waist to the gleaming leather shoes shifting as he fidgeted under her scrutiny.
Bringing her eyes back up to his face, she smiled warmly.
"You look very handsome Peter."
"How do I smell?" His forehead wrinkled as he waited for her pronouncement. Wendy shot him a surprised look before leaning forward and sniffing. A scent arose from his warm skin, a mixture of her own rose-perfumed bath crystals and something else, a cross between sunshine and warm earth, a scent she only associated with Peter.
"Nice....you smell very.....nice." She watched as his expression lightened, Peter shooting Sara a grin before turning back to Wendy.
A bell jangled and Sara jumped.
"It's the morning room, your Aunt must want the tea tray. I must hurry, now shoo, both of you....get going!"
Peter held out his crooked elbow for her, Wendy only hesitating a second before slipping her hand into the crease, Peter drawing it close to his side where it nestled warmly.
Slowly they made their way along the corridor leading to the front of the house, the door to the morning room closed. Wendy paused outside, her body starting to tremble as she prepared to present Peter to her parents. Feeling the faint tremor, Peter pulled her hand out from the crook of his elbow and held it in his, pulling Wendy around to face him. He was feeling nervous too, but buried it under his concern for her.
"We could fly away now.......you only have to say the word."
"No....this is my parents Peter....they didn't get to meet you last time....and I don't want to give them the impression I'm ashamed of you....I'm not.....this was meant to be.....we were meant to be....and I couldn't ask for a more handsome, loving husband than you."
The impassioned speech drove all her nervousness away, leaving her eyes sparkling and her face glowing. Peter's face was full of pride and mischief, his mouth swooping down to cover hers in a kiss that cast all her doubts to the wind and left her breathless and pink. Satisfied, Peter grinned down at her before reaching for the door handle and pulling her through, their fingers entwined, unbreakable.
All eyes turned to watched them as they entered the room. Millicent was sitting in an overstuffed chair, perched on the edge, her hands clasped tensely in her lap. Mary was seated sideways on the sofa, her face calm, a small smile curling her lips. George was standing beside his wife, his back to the room, his hands clasped behind the tails of his jacket. At the sound of their entrance he turned slowly to face the room, his eyes skimming over his daughter, noting her heightened colour and kiss swollen lips before turning to peer at the young man standing tall beside her. Millicent rose to her feet, twisting her handkerchief between her fingers, her eyes darting over Peter's form, the first time she'd seen him with his clothes on. As Peter turned his bright blue-green gaze her way, Millicent felt an unexpected warmth coat her cheeks, shocking her. It had been years since anyone had made her blush, but this handsome young man, with his air of confidence and wild spirit had managed to make her feel young again, his eyes catching hers only for moment before passing on to Wendy's parents, but in that moment Millicent felt a glimmer of the natural charm the boy wore like a second skin. Recovering her poise she sank back to the chair and watched as Peter exerted his magnetism on her sister-in-law, Mary Darling as susceptible as any female, her eyes glazing over as Peter smiled with the full force of his personality, the poor woman obviously as smitten as her daughter, barely managing a weak response when Wendy introduced Peter to her mother.
Only George remained unmoved as Wendy drew Peter towards her Father. George had seen the reaction the boy provoked from the women in the room, his sister blushing like a school girl, his daughter gazing starry eyed and his wife, good Lord Mary was actually batting her eyelashes at the wretched stripling. Drawing himself up to his full height, he stood with his chin raised as Peter came to stand in front of him.
The two men faced each other, each appraising the other while Wendy twittered something that neither heard, too intent on taking the measure of the other.
Peter broke the impasse first. Thrusting out his hand he suddenly smiled at George Darling, making the older man blink as he found himself pinned in place by the force of that grin.
"I'm pleased to meet you.....er....sir." Peter said the words Sara had suggested as a starter. George's hand rose automatically and he found his fingers gripped in a hand that relentlessly shook his like a dog shaking a rat. Quickly stopping Peter's over enthusiastic greeting, he extricated his fingers and flexed them for a second while the blood flowed back. The boy was certainly fit and strong, his skin aglow with health and vitality.
"Er....yes, hello Peter.....it's a....well, its good to meet you at last. Wendy had often regaled her brothers with tales of your...er exploits." George coughed into his hand before tucking his arms behind himself once more, puffing his chest out and tilting his chin again. "But this latest......er......exploit." George felt himself flounder, clearing his throat as Wendy and Peter exchanged a look before turning to face George again. "What do you have to say for yourself, young man....it won't do....."
"Father.....please..."
Wendy felt Peter's arm stiffen as he reacted to her fathers bluster, the smile slipping from Peter's lips.
"I don't know what you mean.....what would I have to say for myself?"
"What do you have to say for disporting yourself with my daughter....do you mean to marry her or not?"
A groan was heard from somewhere behind them and Wendy saw, from the corner of her eye, her mother pass a hand over her eyes at her husbands bald words. Peter, surprisingly, took no offence at Georges words, the smile coming back to curve his lips as he squeezed Wendy's hand against his side once more.
"Yes....if by marry you mean do I want to take Wendy back to Neverland to live with me there forever.....then yes."
"Oh Peter...." Wendy breathed, her eyes widening as Peter glanced down at her.
"If you'll have me Wendy......because I want you....more than anything."
"Oh Peter.....yes....yes I do."
"Now hang on..." George blustered, feeling the control slipping from his fingers as the two young people in front of him retreated into their own world, hands clasped, Peter's head lowering as Wendy's raised her face to his. Millicent sat with her mouth open, frozen in her chair as Peter claimed Wendy's kiss, drawing her into his arms, oblivious of her fathers outraged gasp or her mothers romantic sigh.
"I say.....what the devil?" George spluttered, Mary rising to her feet and joining him, her arm slipping through his, drawing his attention away from the lovers.
"Oh George.....isn't it wonderful........they're in love......Oh my dear!"
"In love.....poppycock....what about Steven? She was in love with him only yesterday...." He made to move forward but his usually meek wife held him back with an iron grip.
"Wendy is old enough to know her heart, and you remember how she was when she came back that time.....I never thought she would get over him....and it's obvious she never did."
"But Mary....I mean really.......its indecent....aren't they ever coming up for air?"
"Oh George....are we really so old? Don't you remember when you first courted me....when my mother left us alone in the parlour?"
Tearing his eyes from the still embracing couple in front of him, George gazed into the warm brown of his beautiful wife's eyes and saw all the love she had for him, and that he had for her swimming in their depths. It left him speechless.
Wendy was almost swooning again, her head spinning as Peter seemed to suck her very soul through her lips, only his arm holding her up as she clung to his lapels. Opening her eyes, she blinked up at him as he released her mouth, their faces only a breath apart.
"Come away with me to Neverland.......be mine forever Wendy."
"Forever is a very long time, Peter....do you think it will be long enough?"
As their hearts slowed, Peter held her until she felt steadier, her breathing easier, her eyes less glazed. The rest of the world suddenly came into sharp focus, along with the realisation that they were not alone. Wendy blushed rosily, her cheeks hot to the touch.
Before anyone could speak or move the door opened and Sara appeared with the tea trolley. She surveyed the tableau for a second before speaking and moving further into the parlour.
"Tea anyone?"
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The evening progressed in stilted steps, Peter and Wendy exchanging desultory conversation with her parents with the occasional interjection from her Aunt. After an hour it was brought to a close, to everyone's mutual relief. They rose to their feet to escort George and Mary Darling to the front door, Sara having called a cab after disposing of the abandoned tea trolley.
As George pulled on his coat, Sara handed Mary into her cape before melting into the background as Wendy stepped forward.
Mary kissed her daughter affectionately, giving the girl a squeeze before releasing her. For a long moment Mother and Daughter gazed at each other before breaking away, Wendy to embrace her Father, Mary to approach Peter, her hand extended. To her surprise, Peter raised her gloved hand to his lips for a kiss across her knuckles, her eyes widening before she withdrew her hand. Hoping that her husband had been too busy to notice, Mary turned hurriedly away, fussing with her cape and adjusting her pert hat in the hall mirror.
George had Wendy's hands clasped in his, his pale blue eyes intense behind his round glasses.
"We'll be back around tomorrow to discuss the arrangements, my girl. I'll have no hole-in-the-wall affair, everything must be done properly."
"Of course Father...whatever you say." Receiving her Father's loving kiss on her brow, Wendy stepped back, her Mother kissing her fondly again before turning to leave. George didn't offer to shake Peter's hand again, merely nodding curtly, receiving a similar nod from Peter in reply.
In a flurry of goodbyes, the Darlings were gone and the door shut behind them.
"Oh lord.....well, I suppose that went as well as can be expected. Wendy dear, help Sara clean up, I have one of my headaches coming on and must away to bed. I'll see you in the morning....." With a handkerchief pressed to her forehead, Millicent made her slow way up the stairs, Peter and Wendy watching her progress before turning away to re-enter the front parlour. The door had only just shut behind her when Peter scooped Wendy up into his arms and swung her around the room, her arms winding around his neck as she gasped, her hair tumbling down in disarray as Peter whirled them over to the couch where he collapsed, Wendy ending up sprawled across his lap, his arms tight around her.
"Now can we go to Neverland?"
Finding herself pressed against his chest, her nose inches from his, Wendy could only stare into his darkening eyes, her breath hitching as she struggled to breath.
Wendy continued to be silent, her mouth trying to form the words, but her lungs incapable of drawing enough breath, Peter frowned, perplexed. As Wendy fought for a breath, Peter suddenly flicked his eyes down to her chest, understanding dawning as he quickly hooked his arm under her legs and flipped her onto the couch, his hand snatching the knife from the back of his belt, the blade slicing through the front of her dress and the stays constricting her breathing. With the release of her chest, Wendy sucked in a huge breath, her body arching as sweet air flowed into her lungs.
Peter watched her worriedly as colour surged into her face, her shaking fingers plucking at the edges of her ruined dress, only a thin chemise left to cover her breasts.
At that moment, Sara entered, saw Peter crouched over Wendy with a knife, Wendy's head twisting to stare at the maid as she stood in the doorway, her hands against her cheeks in shock.
"It's alright Sara.....I-I-couldn't breath....."
"Oh my gawd....I didn't know what to think. Oh your lovely dress is ruined.....!"
Peter sat back on the sofa beside her as Wendy struggled to sit up, clutching her torn bodice together in embarrassment.
"Rather a torn dress than suffocation...why do you wear that thing?"
Peter had tucked the dagger away out of sight and now stared at the two women, baffled as to why anyone would wear such a contraption.
"It's the......fashion." Wendy explained weakly, Sara backing out of the room and leaving them alone.
"Then its a stupid fashion.....you couldn't breath....when we go to Neverland you're not allowed to bring that with you."
"Oh.....when.....not if?"
"When........how long will it take you to pack?"
Amused at his dictatorial tone, Wendy sat on the edge of the sofa and fiddled with the frayed edge of her dress, the whole garment now very uncomfortable with her stays loose around her middle and only thin silk between her and the cool air. Peter's gaze had dropped to those busy fingers, a flame igniting as he suddenly stood up.
"You've had a busy day......you'll need to rest, I'll take you up to...er...bed."
Not waiting for Wendy to agree or disagree, Peter scooped her up and marched with her out of the room and up the stairs, Wendy catching only a brief glimpse of Sara's face peeping out of the kitchen door before Peter carried her across the landing and into her bedroom, kicking the door shut behind him. The room was in darkness, the lamps unlit, only the moon providing any light through the lace curtains. Peter set her on her feet, his back to the window so that the moon fell on her leaving him in shadow.
"Wendy?"
"Yes Peter?"
"Am I your husband now?"
"Yes Peter."
"Can we fly to Neverland tonight.....right now?"
"If you want to Peter......but I thought...." Wendy trailed off, shrugging her shoulder slightly so that the dress fell down her arm, another shrug doing the same for the other side. She heard Peter draw in a sharp breath as the moon gilded her upper body, now only concealed by the thin silk of her chemise. Lifting her arms slowly, she pushed at the skirt and shimmied it over her hips, the whole ensemble falling to the floor in a rustle of fabric, leaving her standing in her slip and stockings. Peter appeared frozen, his face in shadow as Wendy reached up to slip first one thin strap, then the other off her shoulder, letting them fall down her arms, bearing herself to the moonlight and his gaze. Sliding the silk over her hips she let it fall to the ground as she reached up to release her hair from the few pins remaining. Finally she stepped out of her satin shoes, kicking away the dress and petticoat to one side, leaving her standing in only her stocking and the silver moonlight, her skin feeling hot and prickly under its cold glare.
"You are so beautiful." Peter's whisper glided over her as she stood there, bathed in white, her head tilting up as Peter leant forward, his hands closing over her shoulders as his warm lips claimed hers, the kiss starting off light but quickly turning passionate as Wendy threw her arms around his neck, drawing him to her. With her arms around his neck, Peter placed his hands around her waist and lifted her, her legs wrapping around his hip as his arms held her plastered to his chest, their lips never parting. Peter carried her to her bed, laying her down on her back, her legs never letting him go so that he sank down on top of her, still fully closed, and now fully aroused as well.
Tearing himself away, Peter sat up and shed his clothes, both of them now bathed in the cool glow of the moon, all silver and shadows as Peter returned to his position between her legs, his lips tracing a burning path from her mouth, over her face and down her neck to her breasts, Wendy arching up to him, her fingers tangled in his hair as he suckled and bathed her with his lips and tongue. They came together like molten silver, hot and fluid, their bodies striving to become one as they panted and gasped their passion into each others mouths, hands gripping and moulding flesh as they stroked each other to fulfilment, the only witness the moon, the only sounds ones of love and need as they shuddered against each other, their hearts pounding out their completion of a race neither wanted to end.
Hours later, Peter opened his eyes and saw Wendy sitting at her desk, a loose wrap around her body as she wrote, the pen scratching against the paper in the light from a single candle. Turning on his side, he propped his head on his hand and watched her, the candle highlighting her hair, the moon long since risen above the rooftops, still casting its cold light overhead but not longer into the bedroom.
Peter remained silent, just watching her as she wrote, his eyes heavy lidded, a smirk painting his lips. As if sensing his stare, Wendy stopped writing and raised her head, her eyes glinting as she caught the look on his face.
"You are insatiable....just let me finish this...I'll be back to bed soon...."
"Your parents?"
"I can't go without leaving them something Peter......you are not meant for this world, there is no way we could ever live here, not in the way they would expect us to...and I-I don't want to live the way they expect me to......."
"But they are your parents...."
"Yes....and there's the boys too.....they deserve an explanation."
Rolling onto his back, Peter laced his fingers behind his head and stared up at the canopy over the bed. Wendy resumed her writing, the scritching of the pen the only sound in the room.
"Wendy?"
"Yes Peter?"
"I'd stay here.....in your world......if you really wanted me to."
Wendy stopped writing, her body suspended for a second before she breathed again, the pen resuming its passage across the page.
"No Peter.....this is not your world.....and once we are gone, it will not be mine either."
They lapsed into silence again. Eventually Wendy stopped writing and lay down the pen, blowing on the paper to dry the ink before folding it over several times and writing something on the cover. Getting to her feet she walked to the mantelpiece over the fireplace and propped the letter against an ornament where it would be spotted by anyone entering the room in the morning. Leaving the candle burning, she returned to the bed where Peter threw back the covers to welcome her. Slipping off the negligee, she lay down beside him as he replaced the covers before enfolding her against his warm body. They lay for a long moment, just savouring the feel of each other, Wendy listening to the beat of Peter's heart while he nuzzled at her hair.
"I'm ready to go Peter......."
"I know......we don't have to leave before dawn. Sleep....I'll wake you in good time."
Wendy snuggled under the covers, curling herself against his long limbs, her softness melting against his hard muscles.
"I love you Peter......"
"I love you to, Wendy....."
With a sigh, Wendy closed her eyes and slipped into sleep, Peter keeping watch over her as her breathing slowed and her body relaxed.
He stared into the darkness, watching the candle flicker briefly before going out, leaving only the wane of the moon to light the room. He would have to wake her in an hour or so, but until then he'd leave her to sleep. He hoped that his preparations in Neverland met with her approval, his teeth worrying his lip as he tried to think of how Neverland would compare with what Wendy had now. But it was useless to worry about it, she would be with him, that was all that mattered. She had said she loved him, and that was all he'd ever wanted.
The rest would be sorted out eventually.
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Ah well......from one life to another......from London to Neverland, what surprises await our intrepid lovers there.....read on and find out, me hearties.....onwards, fair traveller....onwards......
Author: Squeezynz
Chapter: Four - Meet the Parents
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Author's Note: And you all thought I'd left town...that's on the list of things to do next week (moving house on the 16th)...but last week, well that was spent in Hospital having my gall bladder removed. Some fun that was (NOT). Very painful, but eventually lots of the good drugs as well as having an organ along with its contents of five, horse-chestnut sized stones taken away never to darken my pain threshold again. So now, after getting home on Friday 2nd(went in Sun 27th) I'm back.....and I see people have been busy with the fanfics. Great, starting to liven things up story wise around here. So, that's what I've been doing.....now on with the story.
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When Wendy arrived to fetch him, she paused on the threshold of the kitchen and stared. Sara was using a clothes brush to whisk the last of the golden trimmings from the dark shoulders of the jacket, her face expressing extreme satisfaction for a job well done. Peter had his back to Wendy, his hands reaching up to comb through the drying curls, Sara batting his hand away in irritation.
"For heavens sake, I just finished combing it, leave it alone!"
"That torture was combing? My heads throbbing with all the tugging!"
Wendy smiled at Peter's petulant voice, his profile turned to her as he glared up at the maid.
"Peter?"
Her quiet voice reached him and he instantly jumped up, spinning around, his eyes locking with hers as he adjusted the jacket self consciously until Sara batted his hands away before turning a beaming face towards Wendy.
"Whatcha think? An improvement I'd say!" Sara awaited Wendy's verdict eagerly.
Peter never broke eye contact with Wendy, his mouth lifting in a crooked smile as he gestured at himself.
"Will I do?"
Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, Wendy approached across the kitchen floor until she had to tilt her head to look up at him. Slowly she let her eyes wander over him, from his neatly trimmed blond curls, over his freshly shaved smooth cheeks, to the column of his throat, down his chest; encased in a crisp white shirt, down past his waist to the gleaming leather shoes shifting as he fidgeted under her scrutiny.
Bringing her eyes back up to his face, she smiled warmly.
"You look very handsome Peter."
"How do I smell?" His forehead wrinkled as he waited for her pronouncement. Wendy shot him a surprised look before leaning forward and sniffing. A scent arose from his warm skin, a mixture of her own rose-perfumed bath crystals and something else, a cross between sunshine and warm earth, a scent she only associated with Peter.
"Nice....you smell very.....nice." She watched as his expression lightened, Peter shooting Sara a grin before turning back to Wendy.
A bell jangled and Sara jumped.
"It's the morning room, your Aunt must want the tea tray. I must hurry, now shoo, both of you....get going!"
Peter held out his crooked elbow for her, Wendy only hesitating a second before slipping her hand into the crease, Peter drawing it close to his side where it nestled warmly.
Slowly they made their way along the corridor leading to the front of the house, the door to the morning room closed. Wendy paused outside, her body starting to tremble as she prepared to present Peter to her parents. Feeling the faint tremor, Peter pulled her hand out from the crook of his elbow and held it in his, pulling Wendy around to face him. He was feeling nervous too, but buried it under his concern for her.
"We could fly away now.......you only have to say the word."
"No....this is my parents Peter....they didn't get to meet you last time....and I don't want to give them the impression I'm ashamed of you....I'm not.....this was meant to be.....we were meant to be....and I couldn't ask for a more handsome, loving husband than you."
The impassioned speech drove all her nervousness away, leaving her eyes sparkling and her face glowing. Peter's face was full of pride and mischief, his mouth swooping down to cover hers in a kiss that cast all her doubts to the wind and left her breathless and pink. Satisfied, Peter grinned down at her before reaching for the door handle and pulling her through, their fingers entwined, unbreakable.
All eyes turned to watched them as they entered the room. Millicent was sitting in an overstuffed chair, perched on the edge, her hands clasped tensely in her lap. Mary was seated sideways on the sofa, her face calm, a small smile curling her lips. George was standing beside his wife, his back to the room, his hands clasped behind the tails of his jacket. At the sound of their entrance he turned slowly to face the room, his eyes skimming over his daughter, noting her heightened colour and kiss swollen lips before turning to peer at the young man standing tall beside her. Millicent rose to her feet, twisting her handkerchief between her fingers, her eyes darting over Peter's form, the first time she'd seen him with his clothes on. As Peter turned his bright blue-green gaze her way, Millicent felt an unexpected warmth coat her cheeks, shocking her. It had been years since anyone had made her blush, but this handsome young man, with his air of confidence and wild spirit had managed to make her feel young again, his eyes catching hers only for moment before passing on to Wendy's parents, but in that moment Millicent felt a glimmer of the natural charm the boy wore like a second skin. Recovering her poise she sank back to the chair and watched as Peter exerted his magnetism on her sister-in-law, Mary Darling as susceptible as any female, her eyes glazing over as Peter smiled with the full force of his personality, the poor woman obviously as smitten as her daughter, barely managing a weak response when Wendy introduced Peter to her mother.
Only George remained unmoved as Wendy drew Peter towards her Father. George had seen the reaction the boy provoked from the women in the room, his sister blushing like a school girl, his daughter gazing starry eyed and his wife, good Lord Mary was actually batting her eyelashes at the wretched stripling. Drawing himself up to his full height, he stood with his chin raised as Peter came to stand in front of him.
The two men faced each other, each appraising the other while Wendy twittered something that neither heard, too intent on taking the measure of the other.
Peter broke the impasse first. Thrusting out his hand he suddenly smiled at George Darling, making the older man blink as he found himself pinned in place by the force of that grin.
"I'm pleased to meet you.....er....sir." Peter said the words Sara had suggested as a starter. George's hand rose automatically and he found his fingers gripped in a hand that relentlessly shook his like a dog shaking a rat. Quickly stopping Peter's over enthusiastic greeting, he extricated his fingers and flexed them for a second while the blood flowed back. The boy was certainly fit and strong, his skin aglow with health and vitality.
"Er....yes, hello Peter.....it's a....well, its good to meet you at last. Wendy had often regaled her brothers with tales of your...er exploits." George coughed into his hand before tucking his arms behind himself once more, puffing his chest out and tilting his chin again. "But this latest......er......exploit." George felt himself flounder, clearing his throat as Wendy and Peter exchanged a look before turning to face George again. "What do you have to say for yourself, young man....it won't do....."
"Father.....please..."
Wendy felt Peter's arm stiffen as he reacted to her fathers bluster, the smile slipping from Peter's lips.
"I don't know what you mean.....what would I have to say for myself?"
"What do you have to say for disporting yourself with my daughter....do you mean to marry her or not?"
A groan was heard from somewhere behind them and Wendy saw, from the corner of her eye, her mother pass a hand over her eyes at her husbands bald words. Peter, surprisingly, took no offence at Georges words, the smile coming back to curve his lips as he squeezed Wendy's hand against his side once more.
"Yes....if by marry you mean do I want to take Wendy back to Neverland to live with me there forever.....then yes."
"Oh Peter...." Wendy breathed, her eyes widening as Peter glanced down at her.
"If you'll have me Wendy......because I want you....more than anything."
"Oh Peter.....yes....yes I do."
"Now hang on..." George blustered, feeling the control slipping from his fingers as the two young people in front of him retreated into their own world, hands clasped, Peter's head lowering as Wendy's raised her face to his. Millicent sat with her mouth open, frozen in her chair as Peter claimed Wendy's kiss, drawing her into his arms, oblivious of her fathers outraged gasp or her mothers romantic sigh.
"I say.....what the devil?" George spluttered, Mary rising to her feet and joining him, her arm slipping through his, drawing his attention away from the lovers.
"Oh George.....isn't it wonderful........they're in love......Oh my dear!"
"In love.....poppycock....what about Steven? She was in love with him only yesterday...." He made to move forward but his usually meek wife held him back with an iron grip.
"Wendy is old enough to know her heart, and you remember how she was when she came back that time.....I never thought she would get over him....and it's obvious she never did."
"But Mary....I mean really.......its indecent....aren't they ever coming up for air?"
"Oh George....are we really so old? Don't you remember when you first courted me....when my mother left us alone in the parlour?"
Tearing his eyes from the still embracing couple in front of him, George gazed into the warm brown of his beautiful wife's eyes and saw all the love she had for him, and that he had for her swimming in their depths. It left him speechless.
Wendy was almost swooning again, her head spinning as Peter seemed to suck her very soul through her lips, only his arm holding her up as she clung to his lapels. Opening her eyes, she blinked up at him as he released her mouth, their faces only a breath apart.
"Come away with me to Neverland.......be mine forever Wendy."
"Forever is a very long time, Peter....do you think it will be long enough?"
As their hearts slowed, Peter held her until she felt steadier, her breathing easier, her eyes less glazed. The rest of the world suddenly came into sharp focus, along with the realisation that they were not alone. Wendy blushed rosily, her cheeks hot to the touch.
Before anyone could speak or move the door opened and Sara appeared with the tea trolley. She surveyed the tableau for a second before speaking and moving further into the parlour.
"Tea anyone?"
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The evening progressed in stilted steps, Peter and Wendy exchanging desultory conversation with her parents with the occasional interjection from her Aunt. After an hour it was brought to a close, to everyone's mutual relief. They rose to their feet to escort George and Mary Darling to the front door, Sara having called a cab after disposing of the abandoned tea trolley.
As George pulled on his coat, Sara handed Mary into her cape before melting into the background as Wendy stepped forward.
Mary kissed her daughter affectionately, giving the girl a squeeze before releasing her. For a long moment Mother and Daughter gazed at each other before breaking away, Wendy to embrace her Father, Mary to approach Peter, her hand extended. To her surprise, Peter raised her gloved hand to his lips for a kiss across her knuckles, her eyes widening before she withdrew her hand. Hoping that her husband had been too busy to notice, Mary turned hurriedly away, fussing with her cape and adjusting her pert hat in the hall mirror.
George had Wendy's hands clasped in his, his pale blue eyes intense behind his round glasses.
"We'll be back around tomorrow to discuss the arrangements, my girl. I'll have no hole-in-the-wall affair, everything must be done properly."
"Of course Father...whatever you say." Receiving her Father's loving kiss on her brow, Wendy stepped back, her Mother kissing her fondly again before turning to leave. George didn't offer to shake Peter's hand again, merely nodding curtly, receiving a similar nod from Peter in reply.
In a flurry of goodbyes, the Darlings were gone and the door shut behind them.
"Oh lord.....well, I suppose that went as well as can be expected. Wendy dear, help Sara clean up, I have one of my headaches coming on and must away to bed. I'll see you in the morning....." With a handkerchief pressed to her forehead, Millicent made her slow way up the stairs, Peter and Wendy watching her progress before turning away to re-enter the front parlour. The door had only just shut behind her when Peter scooped Wendy up into his arms and swung her around the room, her arms winding around his neck as she gasped, her hair tumbling down in disarray as Peter whirled them over to the couch where he collapsed, Wendy ending up sprawled across his lap, his arms tight around her.
"Now can we go to Neverland?"
Finding herself pressed against his chest, her nose inches from his, Wendy could only stare into his darkening eyes, her breath hitching as she struggled to breath.
Wendy continued to be silent, her mouth trying to form the words, but her lungs incapable of drawing enough breath, Peter frowned, perplexed. As Wendy fought for a breath, Peter suddenly flicked his eyes down to her chest, understanding dawning as he quickly hooked his arm under her legs and flipped her onto the couch, his hand snatching the knife from the back of his belt, the blade slicing through the front of her dress and the stays constricting her breathing. With the release of her chest, Wendy sucked in a huge breath, her body arching as sweet air flowed into her lungs.
Peter watched her worriedly as colour surged into her face, her shaking fingers plucking at the edges of her ruined dress, only a thin chemise left to cover her breasts.
At that moment, Sara entered, saw Peter crouched over Wendy with a knife, Wendy's head twisting to stare at the maid as she stood in the doorway, her hands against her cheeks in shock.
"It's alright Sara.....I-I-couldn't breath....."
"Oh my gawd....I didn't know what to think. Oh your lovely dress is ruined.....!"
Peter sat back on the sofa beside her as Wendy struggled to sit up, clutching her torn bodice together in embarrassment.
"Rather a torn dress than suffocation...why do you wear that thing?"
Peter had tucked the dagger away out of sight and now stared at the two women, baffled as to why anyone would wear such a contraption.
"It's the......fashion." Wendy explained weakly, Sara backing out of the room and leaving them alone.
"Then its a stupid fashion.....you couldn't breath....when we go to Neverland you're not allowed to bring that with you."
"Oh.....when.....not if?"
"When........how long will it take you to pack?"
Amused at his dictatorial tone, Wendy sat on the edge of the sofa and fiddled with the frayed edge of her dress, the whole garment now very uncomfortable with her stays loose around her middle and only thin silk between her and the cool air. Peter's gaze had dropped to those busy fingers, a flame igniting as he suddenly stood up.
"You've had a busy day......you'll need to rest, I'll take you up to...er...bed."
Not waiting for Wendy to agree or disagree, Peter scooped her up and marched with her out of the room and up the stairs, Wendy catching only a brief glimpse of Sara's face peeping out of the kitchen door before Peter carried her across the landing and into her bedroom, kicking the door shut behind him. The room was in darkness, the lamps unlit, only the moon providing any light through the lace curtains. Peter set her on her feet, his back to the window so that the moon fell on her leaving him in shadow.
"Wendy?"
"Yes Peter?"
"Am I your husband now?"
"Yes Peter."
"Can we fly to Neverland tonight.....right now?"
"If you want to Peter......but I thought...." Wendy trailed off, shrugging her shoulder slightly so that the dress fell down her arm, another shrug doing the same for the other side. She heard Peter draw in a sharp breath as the moon gilded her upper body, now only concealed by the thin silk of her chemise. Lifting her arms slowly, she pushed at the skirt and shimmied it over her hips, the whole ensemble falling to the floor in a rustle of fabric, leaving her standing in her slip and stockings. Peter appeared frozen, his face in shadow as Wendy reached up to slip first one thin strap, then the other off her shoulder, letting them fall down her arms, bearing herself to the moonlight and his gaze. Sliding the silk over her hips she let it fall to the ground as she reached up to release her hair from the few pins remaining. Finally she stepped out of her satin shoes, kicking away the dress and petticoat to one side, leaving her standing in only her stocking and the silver moonlight, her skin feeling hot and prickly under its cold glare.
"You are so beautiful." Peter's whisper glided over her as she stood there, bathed in white, her head tilting up as Peter leant forward, his hands closing over her shoulders as his warm lips claimed hers, the kiss starting off light but quickly turning passionate as Wendy threw her arms around his neck, drawing him to her. With her arms around his neck, Peter placed his hands around her waist and lifted her, her legs wrapping around his hip as his arms held her plastered to his chest, their lips never parting. Peter carried her to her bed, laying her down on her back, her legs never letting him go so that he sank down on top of her, still fully closed, and now fully aroused as well.
Tearing himself away, Peter sat up and shed his clothes, both of them now bathed in the cool glow of the moon, all silver and shadows as Peter returned to his position between her legs, his lips tracing a burning path from her mouth, over her face and down her neck to her breasts, Wendy arching up to him, her fingers tangled in his hair as he suckled and bathed her with his lips and tongue. They came together like molten silver, hot and fluid, their bodies striving to become one as they panted and gasped their passion into each others mouths, hands gripping and moulding flesh as they stroked each other to fulfilment, the only witness the moon, the only sounds ones of love and need as they shuddered against each other, their hearts pounding out their completion of a race neither wanted to end.
Hours later, Peter opened his eyes and saw Wendy sitting at her desk, a loose wrap around her body as she wrote, the pen scratching against the paper in the light from a single candle. Turning on his side, he propped his head on his hand and watched her, the candle highlighting her hair, the moon long since risen above the rooftops, still casting its cold light overhead but not longer into the bedroom.
Peter remained silent, just watching her as she wrote, his eyes heavy lidded, a smirk painting his lips. As if sensing his stare, Wendy stopped writing and raised her head, her eyes glinting as she caught the look on his face.
"You are insatiable....just let me finish this...I'll be back to bed soon...."
"Your parents?"
"I can't go without leaving them something Peter......you are not meant for this world, there is no way we could ever live here, not in the way they would expect us to...and I-I don't want to live the way they expect me to......."
"But they are your parents...."
"Yes....and there's the boys too.....they deserve an explanation."
Rolling onto his back, Peter laced his fingers behind his head and stared up at the canopy over the bed. Wendy resumed her writing, the scritching of the pen the only sound in the room.
"Wendy?"
"Yes Peter?"
"I'd stay here.....in your world......if you really wanted me to."
Wendy stopped writing, her body suspended for a second before she breathed again, the pen resuming its passage across the page.
"No Peter.....this is not your world.....and once we are gone, it will not be mine either."
They lapsed into silence again. Eventually Wendy stopped writing and lay down the pen, blowing on the paper to dry the ink before folding it over several times and writing something on the cover. Getting to her feet she walked to the mantelpiece over the fireplace and propped the letter against an ornament where it would be spotted by anyone entering the room in the morning. Leaving the candle burning, she returned to the bed where Peter threw back the covers to welcome her. Slipping off the negligee, she lay down beside him as he replaced the covers before enfolding her against his warm body. They lay for a long moment, just savouring the feel of each other, Wendy listening to the beat of Peter's heart while he nuzzled at her hair.
"I'm ready to go Peter......."
"I know......we don't have to leave before dawn. Sleep....I'll wake you in good time."
Wendy snuggled under the covers, curling herself against his long limbs, her softness melting against his hard muscles.
"I love you Peter......"
"I love you to, Wendy....."
With a sigh, Wendy closed her eyes and slipped into sleep, Peter keeping watch over her as her breathing slowed and her body relaxed.
He stared into the darkness, watching the candle flicker briefly before going out, leaving only the wane of the moon to light the room. He would have to wake her in an hour or so, but until then he'd leave her to sleep. He hoped that his preparations in Neverland met with her approval, his teeth worrying his lip as he tried to think of how Neverland would compare with what Wendy had now. But it was useless to worry about it, she would be with him, that was all that mattered. She had said she loved him, and that was all he'd ever wanted.
The rest would be sorted out eventually.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Ah well......from one life to another......from London to Neverland, what surprises await our intrepid lovers there.....read on and find out, me hearties.....onwards, fair traveller....onwards......