Wendy was infinitely saddened by the news that John and Tiger Lily had shared when Peter and John had walked back to the group. She was heartbroken. She would not see the baby; she would not get to hold the sweet squalling child in her arms. She would miss her brother tremendously and her new best friend. But she knew what was right for her, and Peter felt the same. They were going to leave to go home.
Tiger Lily surprised her by sliding her arms around Wendy and squeezing her tight. "I will miss you my sister," she said.
Wendy couldn't speak. She nodded her head as Tiger Lily drew herself away. John, unable to meet her eye, stood quietly next to his Indian Princess.
She huffed. "John Napoleon Darling, give me a hug this instant!" He smiled and drew her into his arms.
"I love you Wendy," he whispered into her shoulder, which was awkward considering how tall he was now.
"None of that," she sniffed and patted his back. "We'll save the goodbyes for later. I can't bear it right now." She let him go and smiled at the two of them as he walked back to put his arm around Tiger Lily.
"We're going to go for a walk Wendy. Tell the others so they don't worry?" asked John. She nodded, and watched as John took Tiger Lily's hand to lead her into the forest.
Wendy dried her tears, wanting to make sure that the lost boys were not startled by her distraught face. She wanted to remain calm, so they would make the right decision for them, not be influenced by her feelings. They walked into the clearing where the boys had made a fire. Peter was stoking it when he saw Wendy's face. "Alright boys, time for bed!" he commanded. They groaned but started to put out the fire and bedded down on the various pine needle mattresses they had made.
"Wendy, we made this one for you," said the twins, pointing to a misshapen pile of needles with a large leaf laying over them. She smiled.
"I'll be there in a moment," she said.
Peter took her hand and led her into the trees. "Wendy," said Peter tenderly. "Are you having second thoughts?" He moved a strand of hair out of her face.
"No. No, not really. I just want to have it all, but I know that I can't. When should we tell them Peter? I don't think I can stand this much longer." She rested her head against his shoulder.
"Soon. Tomorrow. And we should leave the day after that." She nodded. She stayed there letting the warmth from his body be her comfort. He was sure, and she let that assurance be enough for her.
"Where did Tiger Lily and John go?" he asked suddenly looking around.
Wendy sighed. "They took a walk to do God knows what in the woods."
Peter laughed. "Why are you upset? We do God knows what too," he said sliding his hands down to cup her rear.
"I don't want to think about them doing… that. He's my brother," she wrinkled her nose. Peter laughed again.
"Then we won't think about them right now." He bent to meet her mouth, sliding his lips over hers. She lost her breath with the force of his kiss. She had just wound her arms around him when she felt a tug on her dress.
She jumped and looked down at Michael, rubbing his eyes with his fist, his teddy bear in the other.
"Wendy, I can't sleep. I had a bad dream."
Wendy sighed, and both she and Peter knelt down beside him.
"What was the dream sweetheart?" She pulled him into her lap.
"I dreamt that something terrible happened to Neverland." He rubbed his eyes and leaned back against Wendy.
"What happened?" she asked warily.
"I don't know. I couldn't see. I just knew something bad happened. And I was older."
"Well," said Wendy rocking him. "It was just a dream Michael, nothing is going to happen."
Michael yawned. "Can I sleep with you and Peter?" he asked, his head lolling with sleep.
Wendy looked at Peter, and he shrugged with a sort of inevitability. Wendy could deny Michael nothing, and it seemed as though he'd have to wait to be with her again. His very blood ached without the skin to skin contact if they went too long without touching. But soon he'd have her for life as his wife, and they could touch all of the time. His stomach flipped with the idea of it.
Peter slung Michael over his shoulder gently and grasped Wendy's hand.
He led them back to the campsite and gave Michael back to Wendy, going to a nearby tree to gather some people sized leaves to lay them over the top of them. He slid down behind Wendy, his arm around her.
He thought about tomorrow. Peter didn't know how the Chief would react to the news of a pregnant daughter. It was going to be an interesting day whatever the outcome.
He didn't know who would be coming with them. He hoped that they all would. He wanted them all to live out their lives together. But he also had a guess as to who would stay. And it broke his heart.
I didn't leave you! This is a filler kind of chapter, and I'll have a long one coming up! Thanks for being patient with me! -Alice