The Chief regarded the two young people sitting in front of him. They had said they wanted to discuss something, but neither had spoken since they sat down. He could wait. He was a patient man. He would never tell them, but he took immense pleasure in prolonging the awkward silence that made John shift in his seat.
He remembered the day he sat down in front of his blessed wife's father, and asked for her hand in marriage. He was already a skilled Brave who had proven himself a man, destined to lead the tribe, and yet he had never been more scared in his life. He'd remembered thinking he'd rather have faced a rabid bear than talk to her father. And now he was in the opposite position, staring down his future son in law, willing him to prove himself a real man by withstanding this rite of passage. They'd told him the story already, of how they'd defeated Hook together, and what a hero John had been. But this one more test would give the Chief the answer he desired.
"Great Father," began Tiger Lily. "We have something to tell you; something of grave importance."
The Chief only stared on.
John swallowed hard. "Sir, I love your daughter very much. And you can certainly acquiesce from that statement that sometimes when a man, or a boy in my case I suppose, or rather, I am a man now, loves a woman, one who looks like your daughter, well, he can't help himself really…"
Tiger Lily clapped her hand over John's mouth, stopping his helpless ramble. "Father I am with child," she said.
John only looked at her in horror, and then at the Chief with a flinch.
They Chief's eyes grew wide with shock. It was not what he expected to hear. He knew for certain that these young people loved each other, but they had taken their love so far, so quickly? He rose to his feet, and John closed his eyes, waiting for him to grab him by the throat and throw him across the room. He waited several seconds, and when that didn't happen, he allowed himself a tiny peek, only to see the Chief standing against the wall of the longhouse, his forehead against his arm.
"Father, I did not mean for this to happen. I know that you may want to banish me. It is your right," said Tiger Lily standing, her arms firmly at her sides. She would not cry whatever the outcome.
There was silence for what seemed like forever. The Chief sighed.
"So, there is to be a child. With this one…" he trailed off.
"Yes Father," she said.
"And you choose him from every man? All of our Braves? Even over Pan?"
Tiger Lily looked down at John still sitting and reached for his hand. "I do. With all of my heart."
The Chief turned around slowly, and took a deep breath. He narrowed his eyes at the young man, now hastily standing to his feet, intertwining his fingers with Tiger Lilys. John tried to square his shoulders best he could and meet the Chief's gaze.
The older man came forward to stand in front of him, examining his countenance and his eyes, as John barely breathed, praying for the Chief to at least leave him alive. Then he found himself wrapped up in huge bear arms, and slapped on the back congenially. The wind was knocked out of him with each hard, albeit friendly, blow.
"My son! You've proven yourself worthy. You're braver than most to stand in front of me with this news," He held the boy at arms length and slapped him again on the shoulder. "You've not abandoned my daughter when you could have fled back to your own country. I'm eternally grateful for that."
"Then you do not disapprove Father?" asked Tiger Lily, clasping her hands together in hope.
He turned to her abruptly. "Of course I do!" he exclaimed. "Make no mistake, I disapprove of your conduct entirely. But I do give my consent." They smiled at each other. "However you are not to do what you have already done again until after the wedding."
"Well now sir, shouldn't that be up to us…" began John adjusting his spectacles until the Chief turned his eyes in warning to John's words.
"Yes sir, of course," he said quickly. "Of course you're right."
"You shall be married soon young buck, and the waiting will make that night all the sweeter. But first we must train you in the warrior's style. You will not become a great Chief's husband if you do not first know our tribe and our ways."
"Me father?" asked Tiger Lily.
"Of course," he said. He pulled Tiger Lily into a tight embrace. He pulled away, his hand on her face. "You've not only been born into it, you've proven yourself. No father could be prouder."
She hugged him, burying her face in his chest. She wiped her eyes and took his hand. "Now father! I have another surprise for you!" said Tiger Lily excitedly.
"Daughter, I am not sure I am able to take on another surprise," he said, his hand over his heart in amusement.
"You will like this one." She went to the doorway of the longhouse, and pulled back the bearskin flap. In walked a man who looked remarkably like the Chief only twenty years younger.
"What is this Tiger Lily?" asked the Chief eyeing the young man in front of him.
"Father, I would like you to meet your great Grandfather, my great, great Grandfather, Soaring Eagle," she said threading her arm through his and leading him toward his Grandson.
...
The boys could only stare at Peter and Wendy after they had told them the news of their departure. They sat in one of the tee pees, waiting for John and Tiger Lily to finish telling their news to the Chief.
"What will become of us Peter?" asked Curley.
"Well my darling," said Wendy kneeling in front of him. "You may come with us if you wish. I so hope that you do, but it's up to you. John is staying behind with Tiger Lily, and you will live with him if you stay."
They looked around in stunned silence at one another, still processing the news.
"I want to go home Wendy," said Michael. "I miss Mother." He sniffled, and climbed up into Wendy's arms. Tootles joined him, and Peter picked him up. Tootles patted Peter's face, and hugged him around the neck.
"I want to be with you," he said.
"Oh, Tootles, I hoped you would," said Peter hugging him back.
"When are you leaving?" asked Slightly.
"Tomorrow," said Peter. "We'll get our affairs in order, and then go to London tomorrow."
"Can we think about it?" asked the twins in unison.
"Of course! Of course my dears, take as long as you wish," said Wendy.
Peter chimed in, "But like I said before, we're leaving tomorrow. You need to decide by then."
The boys nodded gravely.
"Let's leave them to discuss it Peter, we needn't rush them with us standing here."
She placed Michael on the ground, but he refused to let go of her neck, so she picked him up again and went outside. Tootles refused to leave Peter, so he followed Wendy out the flap, and left the boys to solemnly discuss their decision.