Hahah I feel like I need to post after your most recent reviews- please don't come bursting down my door after this chapter :-P Sorry it's a short one. I will definitely write more this week!

:-)

The next morning, the Darling household was bustling. Mrs. Darling decided to let her little bride-to-be sleep in a little extra, which was a good thing since the bride-to-be was curled up in the arms of another man. A very naked man who held onto her with the tightest grip possible. Wendy yawned and readjusted her head, feeling his chest move up and down as he slept. She raised her head to look at him and found herself captivated. She had always thought he was a very handsome youth but now as a man, he was extraordinary. He looked to be about the same age as she was now, if not a little older. His chest was rippling muscles, his face was chiseled and more defined, and his body was something to be gawked at. Wendy was enchanted and softly stroked his cheek with her finger. She leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on his cheek.

"I love you too. But you're too late. I have to marry Henry." She kissed his lips very softly as tears welled in her eyes. "Please forgive me."

Peter awoke to find the sunlight pouring into the room and the space beside him empty. He sat up and looked around, his fingers running through his hair. He called her name as he tossed the blankets back and his feet touched the cold floor. A note lay on the desk with the acorn necklace on top of it.

My hidden kiss shall always belong to you. If you would like to see Wendy Darling one last time, meet me at the Church. If I do not see you before the ceremony, I hope to one day see you in my dreams.

Love, from Wendy

Peter held the acorn in his hand and stared at the note in horror.

"No," he said softly before he grabbed his suit and took off through the open window.

Wendy gazed sadly at her reflection. The gown was stunning, the headdress and the necklace she wore made her look like royalty. But the blank expression on her face made her look as if she were the walking dead; her face was pale and her eyes were sad. She glanced down at her ring and closed her eyes. She wished with all her might that things could be different. It didn't seem fair, having Peter come back into her life only for her to lose him again. And this time, it was for good. The moment she'd marry Henry, she would grow up and leave childhood behind forever. And what is Peter Pan if he is not adventure and childhood and escape? She turned around and saw her mother and Charlotte coming toward her. Her mother had a broad smile but Charlotte looked as condescending as ever.

"Oh my darling, you look so beautiful."

"It's a nice enough dress, I suppose. But what have you done with your hair?" Wendy bit back the retort she longed to throw at the girl and grasped her mother's hands.

"Thank you, Mother. I think I'm ready."

"Charlotte will go on in then and we'll call you in a moment. Your father is just outside." Wendy nodded and turned back to the mirror. Something behind her caught her eye and she turned suddenly to find Peter climbing through the window. He straightened up and his eyes widened, fixated on Wendy. She looked as she had for their wedding party but something was missing; Peter's eyes traveled up and down and came to rest again on her face. Her smile. She looked so unhappy and Peter took a step toward her.

"You're really doing this." It wasn't a question but a statement of acceptance. Peter had known from the moment he had found his kiss on the desk that she had made up her mind. And he wouldn't say anything to change it. He was too late. She had moved on and now, he was about to lose her forever. Death would be welcome after that, he decided.

"I'm sorry Peter. You know how I feel about you, how I'll always feel about you. But it's too late. It's over." Peter watched her as she straightened the train of her dress and picked up her bouquet. He walked over to her and slipped something off his hand. He opened her hand and placed it in her palm. Wendy frowned and held it up to her face. It was a golden band with words inscribed all around it. She glanced at Peter and when he nodded, she held it up to read the tiny inscription.

"To love will be an awfully big adventure," she read aloud before looking up at him again. Peter nodded.

"That's my wedding ring from you. It's been reminding me all week that everything I know and remember is real. You gave that to me after I almost died in your arms. I love you so much Wendy and don't want to live if you don't love me back. I want you to keep this. Just a little reminder of what we once had. Trust me, it was pretty amazing." Tears streamed down her cheeks as she held the ring in her hand and Peter reached out to stroke her cheek. Wendy looked up at him and his gaze held hers. With her eyes moist from tears, they seemed to sparkle with a light Peter had only seen in the stars. He suddenly gasped and he took a step back.

"The stars," he whispered.

"What?" Wendy sniffed and rubbed at her nose. Peter shook his head and stepped toward her again, his hands going to her shoulders.

"Look at me," he said gently. She gazed up at him, her eyes wide and twinkling. Peter saw the stars in her eyes and knew this was it.

"The stars are shining brighter than they ever have. The stars in your eyes. I have loved those eyes from the moment I saw you. I'm ready to give everything up for you. This it it. Choose me, Wendy. Marry me instead. I beg of you."

"Peter—"

"You love me, I know it. Just say it. I just need to hear it."

"I…" he nodded, waiting for her to continue. She bit her lip and thrust herself upon him, her lips crashing against his. He held her tight and kissed her back, pouring all of his love into that kiss. The door opened and they heard someone exclaim, "what on earth!" They broke apart to find a red-faced Henry standing in the doorway.

"Take your hands off my wife, this instant!"

"The wedding hasn't happened," Peter said smugly, his hands still at Wendy's waist. Henry yanked out a sword from his belt and held it in front of him. Peter looked vastly amused as he released Wendy and took a step away, pulling out his dagger and twirling it round and round.

"Henry, don't," Wendy said softly.

"Silence Wendy. This doesn't concern you."

"It most certainly does concern me! Put your weapons away, both of you." Peter obeyed and slid his dagger into its sheath. Henry lowered his sword but did not put it away. Wendy slowly walked to Peter and took his hand.

"I can't," she whispered, her eyes welling with tears again. Peter's wide eyes held hers as he shook his head. She took a step away from him, toward Henry and stifled a sob. Peter merely stared at her for a moment before she took Henry's arm and turned away. He suddenly felt a pain unlike anything he had ever experienced. Crying out, he went crashing to his knees, his hands gripping his chest. Pain ripped at him from the inside and out and he whimpered helplessly, as he spread out on the floor. Wendy had heard his cry and turned back to find him writhing on the floor; releasing Henry's arm, she ran to Peter's side and knelt beside him.

"Peter, what's happening?" Peter didn't answer but he held out a shaking hand toward her, hoping to caress her cheek one last time. He gasped as he realized his hand had disappeared; he was literally fading away. Wendy let out a scream as she realized it too and she grabbed at his shirt.

"What is happening Peter? Why is this happening?"

"You…turned away from me when I…confessed my love…now…I'm dying," he said between pained breaths. He wished Henry would just run him through with his sword; this was worse than anything he had ever felt. It was the pain of heartbreak and of loss. Wendy sobbed as she clutched his suit, pulling him into her.

"This is my doing?"

"Don't be sad Wendy," he said weakly. "I was born…the day you loved me…and your l-love made me want…to grow up. Th-thank you for giving me that, Wendy." He was disappearing quickly and Wendy shook her head frantically.

"You can't leave me like this, Peter. Don't you dare leave me like this." She shook him roughly as he closed his eyes and took a breath. The pain was starting to subside as there was very little left of him now. Panic-stricken, Wendy watched as his lower body disappeared and he faded into nothingness. His head rested in her lap and she stroked his face, as he was bathed in her tears.

"Peter, please don't die. I do love you. I have always loved you. You have to know that." He managed a weak smile as he shuddered in her arms. Lowering her head to his chest, she sobbed into his suit and her hand stroked his cheek. Suddenly gasping, she leaned back and stared down at him. Would it work? It had worked in the past…perhaps it would be powerful enough to save him again. She lowered her head, closed her eyes, and pressed her lips onto his. Holding onto his face with both hands, she kissed him like she had never kissed him before and focused every single thought on him, pouring her very life source into him.