The tips of his fingers curled over the top of her own, leaving his thumb to trace her veins on the back of her hand. Cautious and gentle, his thumb whisked over her sensitive skin. In the flickering light, Wendy could just make out the dirt under his thumbnail. Her eyes traveled up to his wrist. The sight of the wiry red hair on his forearm flooded her cheeks with warmth. She'd never seen any man, other than John, with bare arms—it bordered the line of impropriety.
"I daresay...my hands are bigger than yours now." His rumbling voice sounded near her shoulder before pulled his hand from hers and splayed it on her lap.
Wendy looked back at their hands. She stretched out her fingers beside his lumpy knuckles. "Much bigger now, Peter," she whispered. She could feel the heat from his palm even through her petticoat and it made her heartbeat race.
"Just don't look at me yet. Even Tink took a while and she's the one who helped me. Boy, was she mad when I asked!"
His juvenile words in masculine tenor made Wendy giggle.
"Oh, hardy har-har," he said, shifting closer on the bed. They were nearly touching sides now. "You try having an angry fairy buzzing your head, shoving pixie dust inot your mouth. It took me hours to explain everything to her. She's so stubborn." Peter huffed hard enough to swing Wendy's hair from her shoulder.
"I'm sorry I caused you so much trouble. I really didn't think you'd go through with it, but I'm glad you did."
"Well, I told you I would and I don't break my promises." She imagined his face, indignant at her unfaithfulness. He probably had his eyebrows drawn together and looked a bit fussy.
Peter flipped his hand over on her lap, palm up and scooched it underneath Wendy's. She mirrored his movement, showcasing the difference in their hands: his calloused and creased in dirt, hers lithe and supple.
"We will need to leave soon. I don't want to be trapped here as a grown-up. The fairies only gave me until morning to bring you back."
"Oh." Her eyes still on their hands, Wendy's heart galloped faster still.
"You said you would come back to Neverland with me if I grew up, Wendy."
"I did."
"So pack up your stuff and let's go then."
Wendy curled her hand into a ball in the palm of Peter's hand. She would never have to be alone with Fitzsimmons again or fear Father's displeasure at her actions. Mother would never her about her waistline. She would miss seeing Nibs, Curly and the boys during holiday from the school Aunt Millicent had sent them to board, for they still had a lot of catching up to do. Michael's war cries would never interrupt her thoughts. And John…
"Peter, do you have your hat?" The last word fell flat from Wendy's lips, as she turned towards him with her idea. She found herself eye level with his lips and glanced up to the loveliest pair of green eyes she'd ever seen, shining in the candlelight. "Oh, hello," her breathless words tumbled out.
His grin tipped up the corners of his eyes. Shadows danced across freckles scattered from the tip of his nose across the entirety of his face. Suddenly, the ginger eyebrows furrowed. "I'm ugly, aren't I? Tink said so."
"No. I…I…I wouldn't say that." Wendy slapped her mouth closed before she blurted out his handsomeness. Gathering her thoughts, she smiled. "You're just Peter, only bigger." She reached up and pushed the floppy red hair from his forehead.
"Oh good. I would hate to be hideous. Here's my hat." Wendy looked down as Peter dropped his wadded up hat onto her lap. "It's too small now, anyways. What do you need it for?"
She plucked the red feather from the band. "I need to let John know where I'll be and that I'm alright."
When Wendy stood up, Peter popped up next to her. "I am taller than you now, too," he crowed in a whisper, stretching his neck even though he stood a half-a-head taller than her.
"Yes, but you're still a boy in there." Wendy poked his temple with the tip of her finger. "Now be quiet. I have to sneak into John's room."
"I am good at sneaking, Wendy."
She sized him up. "You cannot sneak as a grown-up. You must wait here for me." Wendy moved towards the door before Peter could respond. She turned and pressed a finger to her lips as a reminder to the boy in his brand-new, grown-up body.
Slinking down the hall, avoiding the creaking floorboards, Wendy let herself into John's room. His window was pushed open and tears sprang to her eyes. John snorted and turned over. Surely, he would understand. She tucked the feather into the top right corner of his dressing mirror. Eventually, he would see it and know she was safe…and happy. As an afterthought, she swiped the top hat perched above the feather before she fled back to her bedroom.
Peter sat cross-legged on her bed, bouncing his oversized frame. "I'm hurrying," she whispered, wrenching a small suitcase from the closet.
"Not too heavy!"
In went her sewing kit and unmentionables. Shoes, in case she ever needed them. Jewelry to trade with the Indians and in case Peter needed to be ransomed from the pirates. Her hairbrush, pins and ribbons nestled below a couple of folded dresses. Fitzsimmons' ring tucked into the side pocket—Tinkerbell would love the sparkling diamond.
"I feel like I'm missing something." Wendy murmured, fastening the clasps on her case, holding John's hat against the handle.
"Forget them, Wendy." Peter's quiet words brushed against her ear. His body grazed hers from behind. Goosebumps shot down her arms. "Forget them all. Come with me where you'll never, never have to worry about grown-up things again."
Wendy turned and slipped her hand into his, relishing the warmth emanating from his skin. "I'm ready to go. Take me home to Neverland, Peter."
Hurray! FFN seems to have fixed its problems (for now). Thank you to those who have taken the time to leave reviews. I've just rewatched the movie and will be working in a few details. Ta-ta for now! ~JS
