Chapter Nine – Dinner with Peter
"Hurry," Tiger Lily urged them, constantly looking over her shoulder as she led them through the gates and out onto the pier.
Wendy clutched Mikey in her arms, following the girl's gaze. So far, nothing had come after them, but shrieks, moans, and growls shook the air from the North of the island, bursts of light and lightning joining the symphony of odd sounds.
"Wendy, what's wrong?" Mikey whispered, his eyes scanning the air.
"I don't know," she whispered back. "Don't worry, everything will be all right." "I hope."
Latched to the dock was a pirate galleon, rocking slowly in the waves. Tiger Lily wasted no time in sending a sharp whistle and an Indian holler. At once, a face peered over the side, squinting at them. "Bloody Injun!" the pirate snapped. "I'm takin' me nap!"
"Nap when you're dead," the princess snapped. "Shade's back. We've got to get them to the mainland!"
"SHADE?!" the pirate yelped, jumping to action. "C'mon, boys! Man the sails! Get the gangplank here!"
Within moments, the plank was lowered and set, enabling the children to get on board and huddle by the mast. Tiger Lily, however, lingered on the pier.
Jon glanced back, nearly yanked away by Nana's eagerness to get off the island. "Lily!" he called to her, his brows furrowing behind his glasses. "Aren't you coming?"
"Can't," she shook her head. "My people need me. I have to check on Peter and the others, too." With a reassuring smile, she promised, "Tink will see you soon to check on you once you've reached the mainland. If you see the thick smoke headed for you, hide in the brig until help comes."
"What if help doesn't come?" Fred asked to no one in particular, voicing their fears.
"What about you?!" Jon called out as the pirates pulled up the plank and anchor.
"I'll be fine," she smiled, waving. "Good luck…until we meet again!" With that, she took off running back to the gates, the neon sign flickering as she ran below them.
Jon watched with a heavy heart, his stomach twisting. From what he understood, there was a dangerous creature attacking the island and they were running away while she stayed behind. "It's not right…what if she's hurt?!" Frowning, he returned to his sister, accepting her embrace.
"Hey, don't worry," Violet said softly. "She seems pretty tough. I'm sure they'll be fine."
Grasping the acorn button hanging from her neck, Wendy kept her gaze on the island as it back smaller and smaller. The Lost Boys were on there…Tiger Lily…Tinker Bell…Peter…
Turning away, she bit her tongue anxiously, praying that in the end, all would be well.
The ride through the murky depths seemed to endure hours until they reached the other side. The gangplank was lowered once more, and they departed, heading down the dirt path, away from the docks.
"Omigod, I'm like NEVER coming back here EVER again!" Mandy gasped, placing her hand over her heart. "Like, my hair's a total mess and my feet are like killing me!"
"Told you wearing wedges was a bad idea," Asher rolled his eyes, adjusting his glasses. "Well, at least it's over."
"Yeah, let's get outta here," Fred agreed. Turning, he stretched his arm, Mandy ready to grab it. However, he offered it to Wendy, causing the blonde girl to fume and cast the evil eye towards the other female. "C'mon, Wendy," he said, a smile on his lips.
Her hands full with Mikey and Jon, she nodded, not noticing his hand and moving on, making it appear as though he was offering his assistance to the goth female. Violet blinked at his hand, raised an eyebrow, and after shaking it once, she followed Wendy and the boys, letting Nana led the way home. Fred sighed, irritated, before going after them. Mandy ground her teeth, stomping behind them, very unladylike.
Arriving at Heather Avenue, Asher excused himself and went home. Fred began to offer his services to walk the Darlings back when Mandy began to swoon, acting as though she wasn't feeling well.
"You'd better take her, Fred," Wendy urged him. "She does look tired. Violet and I will take the boys home. We'll see you on Monday."
Before Fred could protest, Mandy gripped his arm, swaying precariously on her heels. Violet snickered as they continued, leaving the awkward couple behind. "Let's hurry before he decides to follow us anyway." Making their way through the empty streets, she glanced about, sensing another presence. "Hey, is it just me, or…?"
A ball of sparkling lime light flew to them in a great swoop from the greenery that surrounded the city. She flitted tiredly, landing on Mikey's head.
"Tink?" Violet asked, poking the ball of light.
The fairy waved her off, trying to sleep on the boy's head.
Mikey giggled. "Silly! What're you doing in my hair?"
"Tinker Bell," Wendy whispered, looking around cautiously. "What happened? Did you come alone?"
A few soft chimes and a nod assured her that she hadn't been followed.
"Where's Peter?" she asked, her heart frozen in panic.
Forcing herself to sit up, the fairy pointed back in the direction of the island.
"Is he…?" Jon started.
Tink interrupted him with a thumb's-up, collapsing on Mikey's head and closing her eyes, breathing gently as she fell asleep.
"Thank goodness," Wendy sighed. Hugging her baby brother and placing the fairy in her purse, she led everyone home, unlocking the door and turning on the lights. "Dad?" she called out, letting everyone in before bolting the door once more. "Dad, are you home?"
Nana took off running through the house, relieved to be back.
"Guess he's out for the night," Jon sighed. "Probably won't be back 'til morning…as usual."
"Wendy, I'm hungry," Mikey said, rubbing his belly.
Kissing his forehead and setting him on the floor, she said, "Ok…let's see what we've got." Rummaging through the cabinets, she scavenged for food, groaning when she found chips and crackers. "I need to go shopping for groceries tomorrow."
"Hey, what about this?" Violet asked, pulling out macaroni from another cabinet. "Do we have any cheese?"
"I think so," Wendy nodded. "It'll have to do. Boys, have a fruit while you're waiting. This shouldn't take too long." Placing her purse on the table, she took out a clean towel and created a cushion for Tinker Bell, giggling when she heard musical snores.
"Y'think there's enough for all of us?" asked Violet, frowning at the measurements as she prepared a pot of water.
"We don't have much else," Wendy shook her head. "I have to admit, I'm dying for a burger."
"Yeah, me too," Violet sighed. "Oh, well. This'll be ok."
Cooking the meal in silence, the girls prepared the table and kept an eye on the boiling water. Wendy racked her brain for something else to eat with the pasta but couldn't seem to think of anything. "I don't suppose corn would help…?"
"On the cob?" Violet asked hopefully.
"No," Wendy shook her head. "Just the frozen kernels."
"Oh…oops. Well, better than nothing," the other shrugged. Biting her lip, she gazed out of the kitchen window, her eyes scanning the dark sky. "…do you think they're ok?"
"Fred and the others?" Wendy asked, surprised she had suggested an idea.
Violet laughed, shaking her head. "No, no! I mean the Lost Boys and Ruff."
"Oh," Wendy giggled. "I'm sure they're all right…" Following her friend's eyes, she sighed. "I truly do hope they are. Especially little Gip."
"I can't believe they've got a baby in the group! Who've thunk it?" Violet snickered. "I never imagined Peter Pan as the fatherly type."
Draining the pasta, Wendy could see the boy's impish face floating in her mind, worry bubbling in her stomach. "I hope Peter's ok…"
The sound of Nana's barks made them jump, the brothers' cheers and laughs intermingling with the dog's howls.
"What on earth…?" Wendy started, her brows furrowing. Leaving behind the meal, she headed up the steps, Violet close in tow. Placing her hand on the boys' door handle, she gave a gentle tug, gasping when she saw a fourth figure in the room. "Peter?!"
She could scarcely believe her eyes – Peter Pan had found them, and was being attacked with slobbery kisses from Nana. He laughed gleefully, his pearl-like teeth showing, and gently shoved the dog off of him.
"How'd you find us?!" Mikey squealed in delight, tackling the boy from behind.
"I already knew where you lived," Peter chuckled, allowing the boy to piggy-back on him as he ruffled Jon's hair.
"Wait, you already knew where they lived?" Violet asked, raising an eyebrow. "Stalker much?"
Ignoring her comment, Peter grinned at Wendy, stretching out his free hand to her. In it was a bulging paper bag, a greasy, meaty, mouthwatering scent emancipating from it.
"What…?" she started, stunned.
"You said you wanted burgers. I brought you burgers," he stated simply as a child would. "I thought you'd be happy."
She blinked at him, recalling her words nearly twenty minutes ago, and began to laugh. "I did ask for burgers, didn't I?"
"Seriously, though, that's kinda creepy," Violet said, Jon nodding his agreement. "How long have you listened in?"
"Not long," Peter shrugged as Wendy took the food. "I came here, heard you say you wanted food, went and got it, and came back."
"Well, either way, thank you," Wendy smiled, leaning forth and placing her lips onto his cheek. "We can eat this with the macaroni. All right boys, come downstairs. You, too, Peter." Before turning away, however, she wrapped her arms around his neck and embraced him tightly. "Thank goodness you're all right," he heard her whisper. Drawing away quickly, she tucked her hair behind her ear and took off, blush tinting her cheeks again.
The feel of her soft lips on his cheek had made him freeze, his heart suddenly speeding. He felt his face become warm suddenly, and a cocky grin stretched over his lips. It was a good thing Tink was fast asleep in kitchen, otherwise Wendy's head would probably have been ripped off by now. Flying off the ground, he followed the girls, Mikey still placed comfortably on his back, and met them downstairs.
"I'll finish the pasta, you finish setting the table," Violet nodded to Wendy.
"Ok. Jon, feed Nana, won't you?" Wendy asked, pulling out another dish from the cupboard for Peter. She watched in wonder as Peter slowly swerved in the air of the living room, causing Mikey to laugh in delight. Pan's eyes twinkled as he made his way around the room and back into the kitchen, grabbing the boy and placing him in a chair.
"Wendy, can I have milk?" Mikey asked, already grabbing the burger placed before him.
"Yes, and don't eat just yet," she scolded him. "Wait until everyone's seated."
Violet smiled as she watched them, setting an equal heap of the cheesy food on each plate. Wendy didn't seem to realize how much of a mother she was to these boys. Heaving a sigh, she was grateful to have found someone like Wendy. She was sweet, easy to talk to, and true to herself. Taking her seat, she couldn't help noticing how Peter instantly took the open spot next to Wendy, causing her to smirk.
"Mikey, would you like to say the prayer tonight?" Wendy asked.
Nodding vigorously, the little boy folded his hands together and closed his eyes, looking both adorable and comical. "Dear God, thanks for the yummy food we're going to eat, and thanks for all the fun we had on Never-Neverland, and thanks for bringing us home safe…OH! And thanks for Peter! We're really glad he's here with us."
At the boy's words, Peter glanced over at the child, a soft smile on his lips. His green eyes then drifted to Wendy, who offered a shy smile as she blushed yet again.
"A-MEN!" Mikey announced at last with much enthusiasm. "Let's eat!"
At once, the boys dug in, ravenous and delighted. Wendy grimaced at her brothers' behavior, which only served to make Violet and Peter laugh.
"Manners, boys," Wendy told them.
"So, Peter, what happened back there? Are the boys ok?" Biting her bottom lip, she added, "…Is Ruff ok?"
"Of course he's ok," Peter chuckled, chewing contentedly. "They're all fine. Nothing we couldn't handle."
"What happened?" Jon repeated Violet's question, still suspicious that he wasn't giving the full story. "Lily told us-"
"Lily? You mean, Tiger Lily?" Peter asked, raising an eyebrow in amusement. "Funny, she was calling you 'Jonny' back on the island. Fancy her, do you?" He laughed as Jon's face became beet red. "It's alright, she likes you, too!" Catching his breath, he sighed, running his fingers through his hair and becoming serious. "I'm not sure how much Tiger Lily told you."
"Not much," Violet shrugged.
"Just that Shade is an enemy to everyone on the island, he's after you, and he is strongest at night and can become human during the day," Wendy informed him.
Nodding, Peter took a bite of the sandwich and chewing pensively, driving Jon up a wall as he impatiently waited for an answer. "Shade was an ordinary human years ago. He got involved with a wicked man and killed him, stealing his book of spells."
"Book of spells?" Violet echoed. "Like a wizard?"
"Something like that," the boy answered, smiling as Tinker Bell yawned and stretched. "Hello, Tink. Had a nice nap?" She chimed something which made him laugh, flew to his plate, and snatched a cheese-coated noodle.
"So, what happened?" Jon asked. "To Shade?"
"He gained power and managed to capture me," Peter shrugged, leaning back in his seat. "While I was caught, he tried to destroy Neverland, but it didn't work, and I escaped. I banished him and kept his book. The End," he said cheerily.
"But, that's not right," Wendy shook her head, her brows furrowed in frustration. "Why is he here now? And how did you get here?"
"That, Wendy lady, is a story for another time," he chuckled, noting how curious she was.
"What happened back at the island?" Mikey persisted. "Did you fight Shade?"
"Of course," Peter grinned. "It was awesome!" Leaping into the air, startling the girls, he began to reenact his stunning display of bravery and wit as he battled the imaginary pillar of smoke. Mikey and Jon laughed at his antics, ducking each time he sent his imaginary sword in their direction. Tink rolled her eyes and continued eating, un-amused. At last, Peter gave a bow, graciously accepting the boys' applause, and took his seat once again, finishing his meal.
"All right boys, it's getting late," Wendy said, shaking her head with a smile. "Put your dishes in the sink and go upstairs."
Jon complied, but Mikey dallied. "Can Peter sleepover tonight?" he begged, latching onto the boy's leg. "Pretty please, Wendy?"
Patting the child's head, Peter picked him up and shook his head. "No, Mikey, I'd better not. I have to get back anyway."
"Ohh! But stay for a story, won't you?!" the child insisted. "Wendy tells great stories!"
It was as though he'd triggered the magic words. Raising an eyebrow, a grin stretching over his mouth, he looked up at Wendy. "Does she?"
Feeling her face become flushed, she looked away and began to rinse the dishes. "No! No, not really. I just tell them stories to help them fall asleep."
"That's why they're fun," Jon smiled.
"C'mon, Wendy. Just one story?" Violet grinned, ganging up on her with the others.
Looking at face in the crowd, Peter's stood out the most to Wendy. It was as though she could remember his face from somewhere, long ago…
"I…suppose one wouldn't hurt," she said finally, admitting defeat.
The boys cheered, running upstairs at once. Peter remained with the girls, helping them put the soiled dishware and cutlery away. "Tink, keep an eye on 'em, won't you?" he said, motioning towards the stairs. Huffing, the fairy said a few choice words but darted away.
"What does she say when she…y'know, tinkles?" Violet asked, watching as a trail of sparkling light vanished after the fairy's flight.
"Usually very unpleasant things," Peter chuckled. "She's not very polite."
"Thank you again, Peter," Wendy said, closing the dishwasher before drying her hands. "…for saving us and getting us back."
"And for the burgers," Violet added gratefully.
"And for the burgers," Wendy smiled, nodding in agreement.
Bowing, he responded, "My pleasure." With a wink and a smile, he excused himself, going upstairs to see what the boys were up to.
Looking over to Wendy, Violet whispered, "So, what do you think really happened with this Shade guy and Peter?"
Shaking her head, Wendy frowned. "I don't know…but I have a feeling we'll find out soon enough."