It was the last of Wendy's childhood days in the Darlings beloved home, and as she had to get up early at 6am she knew she wouldn't get a proper chance to say her final goodbye's to her beloved brothers- so she crept as silent as a wisp of wind into the nursery and gave a delicate last kiss on the forehead of each sweetly snoring boy- first the ever-so-unusual Nibs, then soft hearted Tootles, the two mischievous twins, now named Robert and Robin as now none were under the threat of Peter to demand that they be one and the same.
Lastly Wendy said her silent farewells to little Michael, her secret favorite as he was the youngest and probably the only one left who still dreamt sweet and innocent dreams of Neverland. Then John, she felt a twinge in her heart when she remembered that this was to be his last night in the nursery- for once she had left her Ladies room would be transformed into a Gentleman's room just for the already well grown-up John. Ah John, he had forgotten about Neverland so long ago, always keen, too keen, to grow up.
Wendy had said her goodbyes to Slightly last night at the dinner- but regretted that he was not here in the nursery this dark morning.
'Ah well' she thought, and with a sniff turned her entire body abruptly from the stained glass window. She did not want to have to say goodbye to those memories again- she had dealt with them last night.
But wait.
What is this we see around the brave Wendy's neck, hidden inconspicuously underneath the cream laced neckline of her dress is Wendy's kiss. Possibly she has worn the little acorn so long she just forgets. Possibly she has already forgotten it's significance- so did not throw it out of the window along with her key. Possibly, but we know better.
As Wendy began along the corridor she glanced down over the banister at her parents.
"Come now my darling- oh just look at you. My little girl all grown up! I've dreaded this day for so very long. Oh dear Wendy, do you remember once when we were in the garden, and you picked that flower…and I…oh I…" Mrs. Darling sobbed at the sight of her darling daughter descending the stairs towards her and Mr. Darling.
"Now now dearest- our Wendy is a young woman now- a very accomplished young woman, something to be proud of- not to weep over. And hush- lest you wake the boys! This will be so much harder with an army of tearful youngsters." Mr. Darling said as he cradled his distraught wife's head on his shoulder in a warm and comforting embrace.
"Not to worry mother- here." Wendy said as she took her mother from her fathers embrace and into her own. " I shall always be your little girl."
"My brave Wendy." Mrs. darling cried- but in a much more hushed tone than before.
Mr. Darling was full of concern for his lovely wife to see the fearful recognition of the importance of those words in Wendy's eyes- she was not her mothers brave Wendy. This made Wendy cry all the tears she'd managed to hold back for so long. They were tears for leaving home, leaving her mother and father, and her lovable brothers she has yet so very much to learn about, and to leave her childhood, but most of all to leave behind Peter.
'Oh Peter! How will he find me if I leave! I cannot leave!' Wendy screamed inside her thoughts.
"Mother I cannot possibly do this- you do not understand! I cannot leave- he needs me to be here!" Wendy cried through her sobs.
Luckily, for Wendy's pride, Mr. And Mrs. Darling assumed by 'he' Wendy had meant Michael, her brother whom she had a very strong attachment to- and they misconstrued her desperate pleas as those of a frightened little girl not wanting to finally grow up. Oh how little they knew.
"Come now my dears- it is time to go." Mr. Darling, the only one in this early morning trio at the foot of the stairs who seemed to be actually handling the situation, soothed. Inside of course- he most certainly was not handling it. But being a proper gentleman, he could very well continue as ever.
Wendy wrapped herself up tightly in her brand new white coat, trimmed the softest of white furs and lined with the smoothest of white silks. She gave herself a little hug and stepped through the heavy wooden front door her father currently held open, and down the cold, grey steps towards the carriage that was presently being loaded with luggage.
Once inside the horse-drawn taxi the driver politely closed the door after them- climbed to his perch and spurred the horses on. On towards the train station. Straight on 'till morning.
