Finding Neverland Fanfiction

Started January 3rd 2005

Disclaimer: I do not own J.M. Barrie (darn) or any of the Llewylan-Davies children including their grandmother. They own themselves. I do own Rose and any other little character that pops up in this story. THANK YOU!

Chapter 1- One Fine Day

James Barrie sat on his usual bench in the park, writing of course. The sun shone brightly through the many trees that were scattered throughout the park. Little drops of dew sat daintly amoung the soft, green grass. James glanced up from his tattered book and watched Peter, George, Jack, and Michael Llewyen-Davies play gleefully in an open field with his Newfoundland dog, Porthos. Michael would throw a stick and Porthos would run and retrieve it. James smiled a wide grin which showed his gleaming white teeth. Watching the boys made James think of their deceased mother Sylvia. He still held a deep place in his heart for her. He had loved her very much. She had died a year earlier from a terrible sickness. Mr. Llewyen-Davies had also died 5 years ealier of cancer of the jaw. That being said, the boys' grandmother and himself were now their legal guardians.

James looked out across the park. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a woman sitting on a park bench holding a small book. A tiny dog sat loyaly on the ground by her side. She wasn't very pretty, but she wasn't horridly ugly. Her red-orange hair cascaded in loose, messy curls down to about her shoulder, and a bit longer down her back. Small freckles dotted her nose and cheeks. The woman's lips began to move. Curious, James got an idea.

"Boys! Come now. We are going to be late for tea with your grandmother."

The 4 boys reluctantly put down the stick and ran to James.

"Look at you boys! You're a mess!"

"Aw, Uncle Jim! We were having fun! You always say that if you're not dirty, you didn't have any REAL fun." John pointed out matter-of-factly.

"Yes, but your grandmother won't be very pleased with latest fashion you boys are featuring." The boys all laughed.

James put Porthos' leash on, and the five of them began to leave the park. James had hoped that the lady's dog would start a commotion of barking and howels as Porthos walked by. That way, he would maybe be able to meet the young woman. But instead, it was Porthos who began barking. The womans small, fluffy Bichon Frise got up on it's two hind legs and began to yip as well. Many people who were trying to enjoy a nice day at the park, turned their heads to see what all the fuss was about. James tried to steer Porthos away and the lady did the same.

"Whoa! Porthos!" James said, sternly.

Much to Barrie's discomfort of the situation, Porthos and the womans dog began to chase each other around James and the woman. Soon, the two were pushed together (much like in the movie 101 Dalmations when Roger and Anita were wrapped together).

"Oh miss! I'm truely sorry about all of this.. ruckus."

James gave the boys a look, and they immidiately began untangling the woman and James.

"Oh it's quite all right, sir. No troubles."

After the two were free, and able to breath again, James finally looked into the young lady's eyes. They were a mysterious shade of green with hints of blue. He also noticed the book she had been reading earlier on the bench.

"So, uh, what book are you reading?" he asked her.

The young lady looked up from straightening out her skirt.

"Oh, that. I'm studying that book. It's a script. I'm an actress just getting into the buisness."

James raised his eyebrows.

"Are you now? What play?"

"A Christmas Carol. I play Mrs. Cratchit."

"Very good."

There was a silence. between them. James finally introduced himself.

"James Matthew Barrie," and he stuck out his hand. A look of shock spread over the girl's face.

"Mr. Barrie? Oh its a pleasure to be at your aquaintence! I'm Rose O'Malley."

"It's a pleasure Miss O'Malley." and they shook both hands.

"I must say, I enjoyed reading Peter Pan immensley. It was a masterpiece in my opinion."

"Well, thank you very much Miss O'Malley."

James turned to the boys who were back to square one, playing with Porthos and Rose's dog. They were even more of a mess then they were before. James just laughed.

"Boys! Come along!" James called to them.

"Are they yours?' Rose asked politetly as she could.

A surprised James quickly answered.

"No, no, no, i'm just one of their guardians. Their mother died a year ago." James explained.

"Oh how awful!"

"Yes." James said quietly, then cleared his throat.

"Well, we better be going. We are probably are minutes late for tea. Will you uh.. be back tomorrow?"

Rose looked up from putting her leash on her dog.

"Of course. We always come to the park."

James shook Rose's hand once again.

"It was a pleasure, Miss O'Malley."

"Please, you may call me Rose. I prefer that much better." Rose laughed.

"Good afternoon Mr. Barrie," she said, and turned and walked away.

"Come Lily.." she said sweetly to her dog.

James watched her walk away. She was definitly someone he wanted to get to know better. He wasn't sure, but maybe, he thought, he was smitten.