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Chapter Eight
Wendy led Peter through the house and out to the veranda. Thankfully, it was a warm night. They sat down together at a small table.
"You baffle me," Wendy said.
"That wasn't my intention," Peter replied. "I'm still figuring things out."
"What have you figured out so far?"
"I've lost you once. I'm not going to let it happen again."
"Peter, you do realize what you must do?"
"Yes, and I'm willing to do it. For you. If this…" He motioned to himself and the way he was dressed. "…is what it takes, then so be it."
"Just remember one thing. I didn't fall in love with a boy who is wealthy and sophisticated."
Peter smiled. "You are quite an amazing person, Wendy Darling."
"As are you, Peter Pan."
They leaned in towards each other, about to share a kiss when they were interrupted.
"Ahem."
Wendy and Peter quickly pulled away from each other and turned to see Mr. Darling standing at the back door.
"What do we have here, then?" he asked.
Peter stood. "Mr. Darling, I presume?"
"That would be correct, young man."
Then Peter walked over to Mr. Darling. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Peter Pan."
"Nice to meet you." Then the two shook hands. "You're a friend of Wendy's?"
"I guess you could say that."
"Well, would you mind if you and I talked alone?"
Peter glanced at Wendy, and she gave him a reassuring nod. He looked back at Mr. Darling. "No, I don't mind."
Mr. Darling led Peter back into the house and into his office. He motioned to a chair and Peter sat down. Then Mr. Darling started to lose his cool demeanor. He braced his hands on the window sill.
"I have heard much about you," Mr. Darling said after a long silence.
"I'm sure you have, sir."
"Are you everything they've said? All the stories, are they true?"
"Yes, sir."
Mr. Darling turned to face him. "You haven't returned until now."
"No, I haven't."
"Why not?"
Peter sighed. "Mr. Darling, Wendy made the decision to leave Neverland and come back home. My decision was to let her go. It was a very difficult decision to make and one that I struggled with for a long time."
"Now that you've returned, what do you intend to do?"
"We are already friends. With your approval, I would like to court her."
"Young man, I have seen the pain that you caused my daughter. However, I know that nothing would make her happier than to have you back in her life." He was quiet for a moment. "Do you intend to marry my daughter?"
"In the near future, yes. Marriage is forever, and I do hope to have Wendy in my life for that long."
"How can I be sure that what you say is true?"
"With all due respect, sir, you don't have to see something in order to believe it."
Mr. Darling thought for a moment. "For a boy who won't grow up, you certainly are mature."
Peter grinned. "Thank you, sir."
"Boy, you and I are going to see a lot of each other. Perhaps you should call me George."
"So, I have your approval?"
Mr. Darling nodded. "If you are going to court her, do it properly. No more of this sneaking in through her window at night."
Peter nodded. He stood and the two shook hands. Then Peter left the office, shutting the door behind him. He turned to see Wendy standing in the hallway.
"You heard all that, didn't you?" Peter asked.
Wendy smiled at him. "I told you the walls have ears."
Then the two embraced each other.
"I love you," Wendy whispered.
"I love you, too," Peter whispered back.