The sun crept in and nearly blinded the sleeping lovers. Peter groaned and pulled the pillow over his head but Wendy sat up and glanced out the window.

"Peter, we need to get up. There's much to be done."

"Another hour, Wendy, please," came his muffled voice and his arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back down to him. She smiled and shook her head.

"The King does not sleep in."

"He does when he was out flying all night with his queen."

"And whose fault was that? You cannot ignore your royal duties, Peter, you have obligations." Peter flung the pillow aside and glared at her.

"Don't use those adult words with me, Wendy. I may have grown up but I am not nor will I ever be a man." Wendy merely rolled her eyes and shook her head. Her husband was hundreds of years old, but aside from that, he had just stopped growing again a few years ago. She knew herself to be turning twenty-seven later that year but she still looked as she had done when she was twenty-one. In truth, Wendy was a bit afraid to return to London to see her family. She knew they had aged and she had not and she didn't know how to feel about that really. She had never imagined marrying the eternal child, Peter Pan. But she had never imagined he would grow because of his love for her. Peter failed to realize, as many young men do, that age is just a number and it was his actions that made him a man. Wendy stared at him and thought he had become a remarkable man but she knew he still hated that word, after all these years. So she merely shook her head and pushed the blankets aside.

"Very well, I'll go to the Indian Village and check on Lily. I suppose after that I'll ask the fairies for some dust to get me to London—"

"You'll do no such thing," he said, pushing the blankets aside. Ignoring his unclothed state, he jumped to his feet, his hands going to his hips. "I thought I told you I would go to London to talk to your family."

"Not if you lie around in bed all day," she said turning away from him, hiding a smile. Peter opened his mouth to argue but his eyes narrowed and he crossed his arms.

"You tricked me."

"I thought no one could trick the great Peter Pan," she said with a broad grin as she turned back to him. Peter tapped his fingers on his arm.

"No one can. For some reason, though, I fall for one woman's guile. Only one woman knows my weaknesses." Wendy reached back to lace her dress and nodded.

"Just as one man will always hold my heart." Peter flinched at the word but Wendy reached for him and pressed her lips to his, her hands on his cheeks.

"It's not a boy that rescued me, has given me everything, would die for me, and holds my heart. A boy wouldn't be able to feel what you feel."

"I guess you're right…but I still don't like the word," he pouted slightly. Laughing, she kissed him again.

"Get dressed while I make the children some breakfast. We can take them to the Fairy Glade while we go check on Lily." Peter nodded and opened a drawer for a clean set of trousers. Wendy went to the kitchen and smiled when she saw the cookies were gone and the dishes were all cleaned. Shaking her head, she set to work on breakfast and glanced up awhile later when her family shuffled in. Wyatt's curls stood on end just as his father's did and he rubbed at his eyes.

"It's too early Mum."

"No lie in today, I'm afraid. We're taking you to the fairies while we go to the Indian Village."

"Will Aunt Lily be alright?" Farrah asked, taking a piece of bacon. Wendy sighed.

"I don't know. We've never heard of anything like this happening before."

"Mother, did you ask Father about school yet?" Adette said in a low voice. Wendy shot her a warning look but Peter entered the room, his brow raised.

"What about school? Ew, I don't like that word either."

"That's because you never went," Wendy said, pouring juice into their glasses. Peter wrinkled his nose in disgust.

"Why would the Prince of Neverland need to go to school?" Wendy rolled her eyes and shook her head. Farrah giggled.

"Daddy, does that mean we won't have to go either?"

"It most certainly does not," Wendy said sharply before Peter could reply. "You still need to be educated."

"As Dad just said, why would the Prince of Neverland need to go to school," Wyatt said with a smirk. Wendy shot Peter a glare before she set a glass in front of her son.

"You three are born of two different worlds. Education meant a great deal to me and to my society and I would like my children to be educated."

"I am educated! Reyna is teaching me how to speak mermaid and where to find the best shells. Black Arrow teaches me how to track and hunt, Aunt Lily teaches me—"

"I meant learning about things ASIDE from Neverland," she said huffily. Only Adette looked excited. Farrah and Wyatt both went pale and looked to their father pleadingly.

"You won't let her send us to school, will you Daddy?" Peter's eyes flew to Wendy, who was giving him a stern look. He swallowed.

"We'll discuss it later. Eat your breakfast. Your mother worked hard on this neverberry juice."

"I know it's your favorite," she said quietly, taking the hint to drop the subject. Adette finished chewing her food and leaned in close to her father.

"Father, I want to go to school in London." Peter nearly spit out his juice and Wendy closed her eyes, groaning.

"Excuse me?" Adette's eyes flew to her hands in her lap and she bit her lip.

"I just meant…I'd like to leave Neverland. For a time. And see what else is out there." Peter's eyes widened.

"You're a Princess. The mortal world isn't supposed to matter to you."

"But it does," she protested. "I don't belong here! I belong in London, like Mother did. You and Farrah and Wyatt are all alike and belong on this island but I'm like Mother. I belong in society and sophistication." Peter glanced quickly at Wendy and his face went red.

"Your Mother doesn't belong to that world anymore either. She belongs here, in Neverland, with me. As do you. I don't want to hear anymore about you leaving. Is that clear?"

"Father—"

"IS that clear?" Adette's lip trembled and her head hung low.

"Yes Father." Peter watched her for moment, then resumed shoving food into his mouth. Wendy calmly folded her hands on the table.

"As your father said, we'll discuss this later," she said quietly.

"There's nothing to discuss. She's not going to London."

"Peter—"

"I'm the King and I'm saying she will not go to London!" The children all looked down, sensing their father's anger. But they also knew their mother and knew she would not take this bullying. Peter often forgot who he was talking to, until she would forcefully remind him. It's one of the things he loved about her…that she would dare to talk back to him and argue with him. It's what made her his equal, his soul mate. She had done it as a child and she still did it after being married to him for so many years.

"Children, go wash up before we take you to the Fairies." Recognizing their mother's tone, all three of them hopped down and ran upstairs. Wendy crossed her arms and Peter did the same. They glared at each other for a moment before Peter uncrossed them and played with his fork.

"Wendy—"

"Don't Peter," she said dangerously. "I am not one of your subjects you can order around. I am your wife."

"As you constantly remind me," he said, huffing and resting his head in his hand. Wendy looked as if she had been slapped.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Exactly what I said! You think I don't know who you are? I know you're my wife but those are our children and we make the decisions together."

"Too right we do. So why would you say that she is not going when we haven't discussed it?"

"Discussed it? Wendy, she's a Princess of Neverland! What would she do in London? WHY would she go to London?"

"To live her life! In case you haven't noticed, your daughter is miserable in Neverland. Farrah and Wyatt are always lording their powers over her and she feels like she doesn't even belong here. Why not give her a chance to experience something different? Something real? It wouldn't be for a long time."

"And what happens when she meets someone who wishes to marry her and grow old with her? She will grow old and she will die! A daughter of Pan, growing old. Away from Neverland." He looked horrified at the very thought. "No Wendy, I'm sorry but I can't let that happen. I won't let that happen. Adette will stay here and learn to rule alongside her sister and brother."

"You have just sentenced your daughter to a lifetime of heartache and loneliness," Wendy said in a deadly whisper. Peter's face was stone as he crossed his arms again.

"Unhappy she may be, but she'll be alive and close to us."

"People can die from heartbreak, Peter. Why can't you understand? She wants to find love someday. Just like we did." Peter froze and caught tears in his wife's eyes. She wiped at them with her sleeve but turned away and hugged herself.

"You never wanted to leave. You never wanted to find love. You never wanted to grow up. But you did. And I never thought I would find this kind of love, the most amazing kind of all. But I did. Now she wants to experience life and find love of her own. Where will she find that in Neverland? You really want to deny your daughter what we share? The greatest gift of all?" Peter closed his eyes, feeling the truth of Wendy's words pierce his heart. He stared at her back for the longest time before crossing to her and slowly turning her back around. His finger traced her cheek as he gazed into her eyes.

"Of course not. I want her to be happy and I want her to have what we have. But Wendy…we lived in that world. We know how terrible it can be."

"It has some wonders to it too, Peter. I'm not saying we must send her away immediately but I am saying I wish to discuss this at length at a more appropriate time and I wish for you to give it some real thought." He nodded, brushing a curl out of her eyes.

"Alright. I'll consider it. I don't think I can object to that perfect face that is giving me such pleading looks." Wendy smiled and shrugged.

"Welcome to my world." Grinning, he leaned down and kissed her sweetly.

"I knew it was impossible for you to deny me anything," he whispered against her lips. Her eyes flew open and she stared at him in mock shock.

"You arrogant little—"

"Careful what you say to the King of Neverland. I have a much better use for those busy lips of yours," he swooped down on her and pressed his lips against her protesting mouth. He felt her become limp and pliable in his arms and he pressed himself more into her, his hands roaming her body. Wendy reached up and tangled her fingers in his hair, making him moan and press into her more.

"Mum! Dad! Gross!" Peter and Wendy broke apart to find their children staring at them in horror; actually, Farrah was looking away and Wyatt was holding his hands over his eyes, looking like he was going to be sick.

"Do you guys have to do that in front of us?"

"You just got here," Peter said with a shrug. "And anyway, the King and Queen can do whatever they like."

"Don't start teaching them that, Peter," Wendy said, hitting him gently. She pulled away from him and finished packing her supplies she was taking to the Indian Village.

"Everyone ready?"

"Mum, why can't we come to the Village with you? We want to see Aunt Lily."

"We don't know if there are any more dangers and you'll be safe at the Fairy Glade."

"Mum! Dad says I'll be King soon. I should be going with you." Peter crossed his arms and shook his head.

"Not that soon, son. And you still have a lot to learn. Like listening to your mother."

"Why? You didn't have a mother to listen to," Wyatt mumbled. Wendy shook her head.

"That's beside the point. You're acting like a child, not a prince. Until you start acting like the future King of Neverland, you'll stay with your sisters and be protected." Wyatt rolled his eyes but said nothing. Peter shot Wendy a smile, which she replied to by shaking her head.

"He's as bad as you used to be," she hissed in his direction. He merely held up his hands as if to say "your point?" Wendy flung a bag over her shoulder and tucked her sword into her belt.

"Peter, the fairy dust please." Surprised, Peter stopped and frowned over his shoulder.

"I usually just carry you in my arms."

"I can fly myself, Peter. I don't need you carrying me everywhere." Peter's throat stuck a bit but he handed her the velvet bag he kept for emergencies and she sprinkled a bit over her head. The royal family rose into the air and flew straight to the Fairy Glade. The Queen of the Fairies bowed low when she saw them approach and Wendy followed suit.

"Queen Wendy, it is so good to see you out and about."

"Yes, I suppose it has been awhile since I have gotten out of the house, Your Majesty. We are on our way to the Indian Village to check on Tiger Lily."

"Majesty, would you be so kind as to watch over the children? Tiger Lily is usually the one to watch them but…" Peter trailed off, looking uncomfortable and the Queen nodded.

"Of course, Peter. Your Highnesses need fear nothing."

"Thank you. And one more thing. Wendy would like a message sent to her family."

"A message? To London?" he nodded and the Queen looked uncertain.

"They will not be able to understand us, Peter. Perhaps you should be the one to carry a message to her family."

"The Lost Boys could always understand Tink."

"That was before they grew up, Peter. Do not forget how many years have passed in the mortal world. Grown ups forget about fairies and such. I do not believe they have forgotten but they will certainly have forgotten our language." Peter felt angry for some reason. Age again. He was getting tired of it.

"Fine. I'll go." He turned to his family and sighed. "Wait here for me, Wendy. I won't be long."

"Tell them I love them," she said softly and he nodded before jumping into the air and soaring through the clouds.

"Prince Wyatt," a tinkling voice broke the tense silence.

"Silver Bell!" Wyatt held out his hand for the fairy to land in and smiled. "Mum, this is my new friend Silver Bell. Tinkerbell was a friend of hers."

"Pleasure to meet you, Silver Bell," Wendy said with a smile.

"Queen Wendy, an honor," the fairy bowed her head. "I shall forever know you as the Wendy-bird." Wendy laughed and shook her head.

"That was when Tink hated me and had me shot out of the air." Silver Bell smiled a sad smile.

"She never hated you, Majesty. She was jealous, yes, but she knew that you and the Prince…pardon me, the King, are meant to be."

"I wish I still believed that," Wendy said faintly. The fairy started in Wyatt's hand.

"Beg pardon?"

"Nothing, nothing. Er, children, behave yourselves for a moment. I'll be right back." The Queen of the Fairies watched with a worried frown as the Queen of Neverland excused herself from the group and hurried away from the Glade, clutching her sword tightly.

April, ahhh that's awesome! You're going to have so much fun with that role, I'm super jealous! Definitely keep us updated :-)

I finally finished my Tinkerbell/Terence fic so I can start giving this one more time. I'll try to post a bit more this weekend.

Keep those reviews coming!