The children were already with their uncles, laughing and joking when Nibs looked up and saw Peter and Wendy coming down the stairs.

"Well it's about time. Having a lie in, you two?"

"It was a really long day yesterday," Peter said with a shrug.

"Uh huh. Long night too, I imagine," Curly said, his eyes twinkling. Wendy looked around and frowned.

"Has anyone seen John?"

"Come to think of it, he's been gone an awful long time. He said he was going out to pick berries. That was about an hour ago." Peter turned to Wendy with a sly smile.

"Well boys, if you don't want to leave for London immediately, what would you like to do today?"

"We were hoping to explore the island a bit," Ben said, his mouth full of bread.

"And see how it has changed," Frank finished.

"Not a lot has changed, I'll warn you but you're welcome to stay as long as you want. Perhaps we can have a party at the Indian Village tonight. A celebration."

"And what are we celebrating," Wendy asked with a smile. Peter responded by grasping her waist and spinning her into his arms, leaning close until they were nose to nose.

"I'm celebrating having the most perfect family ever," he said softly before he kissed her.

"Ugh. DAD!" Peter grinned at his childrens' disgusted cries and winked at Wendy.

"Alright Wyatt, as the Prince and future King of Neverland, why don't you show your uncles all around? Lost Boys, file in and follow your leader." The former Lost Boys all saluted and sprang to attention. With a proud smile, Wyatt straightened up and let out a mighty crow that made Wendy and Peter grin broadly. They started to head out the house before Wyatt's arm sprang out and he gave a little bow.

"Allow the princesses to walk before you lads." The boys all bowed and allowed Farrah and Adette to skip the line and stand right behind their brother. Peter crossed his arms and watched his children lead his former gang. Wendy came up behind him and slipped her arms around his waist as they watched everyone file out of the house.

"I do miss those boys," she said softly. Peter turned to face her and took her hands.

"I meant what I said last night, Wendy. If you want to leave, I'll go with you. The kids can go to school and I suppose I'll have to find some sort of job…but we'll be a normal family." Wendy didn't know what to say; her heart raced for the man before her. She leaned forward and kissed him gently. He waited for an answer but she gave none.

"Why don't we go do a bit of exploring ourselves? We could go have a picnic on the beach. Or a nice long flight around Fairy Forest?" Remembering his promise, Peter nodded.

"I actually owe the mermaids a favor. Would you come with me to tell them a story?"

"A story? What kind of story?"

"One about me of course!" Wendy smiled and shook her head.

"Why did I even ask." Peter shrugged and took her hand. After giving her a bit of fairy dust, they flew to Mermaid Lagoon and rested on the rocks.

The Boys and the children heard Wendy's story about how Peter Pan cut off Captain Hook's hand and they all relaxed around her, staring up at her in wonder. No one more so than Peter himself, who watched his wife with a look of adoration and awe. When she finished her story, the mermaids demanded another and Wendy spent the rest of the day regaling them all with stories of Peter's heroic antics.

That evening was a celebration to be sure. Peter had found the boys fur capes and hats to wear and the Indians made them bead and shell necklaces to wear. Farrah and Adette adorned their faces with paint and fixed feathers in their hair. They all looked quite giddy as they made their way to the Indian Village and were welcomed with thunderous applause from their old friends. Wyatt landed in the middle of the Village looking like the spitting image of his father; he had a brand new leaf and vine outfit with red and brown leaves wrapping around his left arm. His golden curls were windswept and his cheeks were pink from his flight. Peter landed next to his son, his hands on his hips and a broad grin on his handsome face. He was clad in a new outfit as well, green leafy trousers that stopped above his knees, with a single strand of leaves running up his broad chest and wrapping around his bicep. His chest was bare save for a fur cape over his shoulders and on his head, he wore his crown the fairies had made him. His rippled muscles actually glistened in the firelight and he cast a very smug grin around at everyone. Everyone bowed low at something behind Peter and he whirled around to find his breath leaving him. Wendy landed gently, looking more beautiful than ever. Leaves and flowers encircled her slender frame and wrapped around her left shoulder, with lilies decorating her waist and chest. Her long golden tresses nearly touched the ground and she wore a crown made of vines and roses. He approached her and bowed low, kissing her hand. The Indians pulled them all into the circle of dance (Peter laughed aloud at how silly John looked, trying to keep up with Tiger Lily) until the Chief invited them all to sit and eat. It was a wonderful evening and it was made even more spectacular when John knelt before Lily holding a ring made of flowers in the palm of his hand. Taking her hand into his, he asked her to be his wife (assuring her he would get her a real ring when he returned to London to collect his things) Lily had let out a squeal and had nearly knocked him over with a passionate kiss; Wendy squealed just as loud and kissed Peter (Peter did not understand this but he didn't object it; it was just a girl thing and he had discovered long ago never to question girl things). While the boys and Wendy congratulated their brother, Peter approached Lily to hug her.

"I'm so happy for you, Lily."

"Thank you, Peter. I can't believe he's willing to leave his life in London to be with me." Peter glanced over at John, who was standing with his wife, and he smiled.

"The Darlings are a special kind of people. They're unlike anyone I've ever met." Lily's gaze followed his and she nodded.

"That's certainly true." Peter took a drink of water out of the bowl that Lily offered him and saw she was staring at him anxiously.

"What's the matter?"

"Peter, I have to apologize for yesterday." Peter frowned.

"What happened yesterday?" She stared at him in bemusement.

"You don't remember? Wendy went missing and you were out of your mind searching for her." Peter huffed; with everything that had happened in the last week, he had sort of forgotten about his wife being knocked out and tied to the bed. His face darkened.

"Oh. That." She nodded.

"I'm so sorry." He looked baffled.

"Sorry for what? It's not like you…" he trailed off, seeing her guilty face and his eyes widened.

"It was you?!"

"Whether you believe me or not, I was trying to help. As I told you, people don't really realize the extent of their love until they face losing that person. I wanted to jolt your heart is all, just make you think something had happened to her so that you would express to her how much you love and need her. I would never hurt my Queen. But I'm so sorry for scaring you and for betraying you both." Peter didn't know what to say; a part of him was livid that Lily had gone to such lengths. Another part of him thought she had a point. It had taken him losing her to understand that this was the life he wanted. He merely shook his head and patted her shoulder.

"Let's not speak of it again," he said quietly and she bowed her head in respect and thanks. Wendy rushed over to embrace her friend and the two girls slipped away, gossiping happily. John came over to get a drink of water and Peter clapped him on the shoulder.

"Neverland will be happy to have you, John."

"Thank you, Peter. I'm a fool for leaving her in the first place but I'm just glad I wasn't too late."

"You almost were. But I'm glad you came to your senses," Peter said with a smile.

"I have to admit, I'm a bit surprised that I'm allowed to stay. I thought you had a strict rule about grown ups."

"As long as you still believe and you keep your happy thoughts, you're still welcome here," Peter said with a shrug. "It takes a child's heart to find this place, a child's innocence so as long as you can always find your way to Neverland, you'll never truly be grown up." John glanced up at the stars and sighed.

"This will be difficult to explain to my family." Peter clapped his shoulder again.

"At least your brothers are behind you. You just need to convince your mother and I think she'll more than understand."

"I suppose it's not so much my family but Charlotte's family will be furious. Her brother already disliked me, I think." Peter's nose wrinkled in disgust at the mention of the man who almost married Wendy.

"Who cares? You don't have to worry about society anymore and Neverland is a place of freedom and paradise! You'll be much happier, I promise you."

"I don't doubt it," he said, smiling over at Lily. Peter glanced over and his eyes met Wendy's; they shared a loving smile before she went back to her conversation with Lily.