Chapter 9: Mrs Darling's Conjecture

Morning arose. Underground cozy children slept.

Peter awoke first. He was just about to fly out of his hammock when he felt a weight slightly atop him. It was Wendy.

She looked so peaceful, sleeping on his shoulder. Peter didn't want to wake her from whatever dream she was having, but they had things to discuss due to Captain Memo.

Peter growled. Captain Memo. It was obvious he was a codfish. Wreaking havoc on Neverland, forcing him to team up with Hook, and worst of all… causing Wendy to worry.

To worry about grown-up things.

Peter had promised Wendy that in Neverland she'd "never have to worry about grown-up things again".

He didn't want to break that promise.

Suddenly he felt Wendy squirming and then she sat up. Surprised as to where she was, Wendy seemed to process her current location and their current situation. Realization dawned on her. "Peter!"

"Shh Wendy," Peter rubbed her hand. "It's okay."

"No! Peter I…" Wendy lowered her voice. "Peter I need to go home."

Peter grinned. "Nnnnope! Wendy, ya can't. Not until we figure out this whole Memo thing. You've helped me start this and you're gonna help me finish it."

Wendy struggled out of the hammock, feet sliding into her slippers. "Peter I've got to read the newspaper and see-"

"Newspaper?"

"Yes, Peter the newspaper." Wendy looked in the looking glass as she arranged her hair and bow, and fixed her ringlets.

"Whatsa… a… newspaper?"

Wendy turned to Peter. "Peter, think of it like… well the news. What has happened, and what may happen, or just what is going on."

"And why do ya need to see a… newspaper?" Peter also flew out of the hammock, his shoes still on, and he landed in front of Wendy, fiery hair ruffled.

Wendy leaned on her tiptoes and arranged Peter's hair and plopped his hat on. "Because Peter. If theirs a pirate ship on London shores, then it will be in the newspaper. And on the front page as well. I'll check to see if the Pirate Ransom is in Neverland, then London by using the newspaper, and then perhaps I can-"

"Alright, I get it, Wendy." Peter grinned as Wendy looked baffled then recognized she had once again been talking "too much." Wendy walked out of the room, then stopped and smiled shyly at Peter. "Peter, thank you for building me a hammock."

Peter puffed with pride. "'Course Wendy! Wouldn't want ya to feel all uncomfortable-"

Wendy smiled. "Thank you, Peter. Now if you don't mind I really must be going-"

Peter laughed. "Sure, Wendy."

"Are the boys awake yet?"

Peter peeked into the Lost Boy's makeshift room. They all lay snoring. "Not up yet."

Wendy sighed. "Well Peter, do wish them a lovely day. Tell them I'll be back soon. And don't let them rebuild the parlor just yet, they need their rest. I'll help when I get back."

Peter nodded with a mock salute. "Yes ma'am!"

Wendy giggled. "Well, Peter. Won't you fly me back?"

Peter picked her up and together they flew back to the Darling nursery window. It was open, not barred thank goodness.

Wendy turned to Peter as he sat her on the windowsill. "Peter I…"

"Wendy!"

"Umph!" The force nearly caused Wendy to nearly leap out the window. Peter caught her and Wendy smiled.

It was Micheal, the person who had flown at Wendy. His small hands clasped her waist as he eagerly grinned at her. "You came!"

"Of course, I came back, Micheal." Wendy hugged him, as John rushed over to greet her as well. "Wendy! And Peter." John saluted as Peter grinned back. "Hiya John."

"What happened to the ship?" Micheal bounced up and down on the window seat as Wendy reached to steady him.

"I'll tell you," Wendy said. It was still sunrise, and Wendy spotted their alarm clock (a similar model to the one Tick Tock Croc had swallowed). It read 8:00, and breakfast was served at 10, but there were morning routines to be done. It was the m custom and Mary Darling liked things just so, and George Darling strived to be as proper as possible.

Turning to Peter, his fiery red hair blending in with the rising sun. A smidge shy, Wendy turned to Peter. "Well, I uh, I suppose you oughta check on the lost boys."

Peter shuffled. "Ya sure ya don't need any help?"

Wendy shook her head. "Everything seems under control at the present moment. But I promise you I'll return to Neverland soon and help you with the boys."

Peter nodded. He bowed at her hat and all. "Till later ma'am."

Wendy smiled and curtsied. "Thank you, kind sir."

With a smile and crow (that was perhaps a bit loud a few neighbors woke up), Peter flew off to his Never Never Land.

Leaving Wendy clutching her acorn kiss as she watched from the window.

But this time she knew he'd come back.

"Wendy." John had a grin on his face. "Have you been most endeared by his intentions? Are we safe to call it love?"

Wendy stopped. Horrified (and praying it wasn't obvious) she looked in disbelief at John. "John! How could you- no of course not- John! That is completely, positively, and most certainly, out of line. What would mother say? What if they hear? Mother and Father, I mean. They'll think- goodness! John I-"

Wendy pushed her bangs up and walked right into the sight of her mother. In the doorway. Kiss twinkling and eyes wide open as she stood there in her robe.

Wendy gasped.

Mrs Darling had known something peculiar was going on.

Wendy hadn't been the same since that one night. She was dreamier, more reserved, and positively romanticized. Mary knew it was normal for young girls to have fancies for young boys, and Wendy was indeed a hopeless romantic (some fairy stories being disappointing on certain endings). So was Wendy in love?

Mary had seen Wendy blush (particularly at the librarian's grandson), and she did tend to be quite a romantic soul.

But this day had confirmed all of Mary's suspicions.

She had opened the nursery door to find her children, out of bed, and looking out the open window. Wendy had refused to keep the window barred ("He might come back!"). Despite Mary's suspicions, she had consented despite the very improper implications of the situation. And now once again, they were looking out the window, Wendy with a curious expression.

Mary this time recognized it immediately.

Wendy was indeed in love.

But who could it possibly be?

Mary was taken aback. Leaving Nana to help the children do their morning routine, she took more thought to this.

Was it the librarian's grandson?

Perhaps.

Mary shook her head. She would talk with George about this, then confirm it with Wendy.

Mary was trying to be as good as a mother her children believed her to be (they thought she was the best mother in the whole world), and Mary wanted to live up to that.

And now she had her conjecture.

The librarian's grandson is a reference from the Twisted Tale Straight Until Morning. It did have a few quibbles in my opinion but overall it was still enjoyable.