After returning from Neverland I collected my brothers. And we stayed with Belle's father so as to not return to Pan's hollow.

Belle and her new husband were off on their honeymoon, and were not to be disturbed, even though they were only a bit away, as they were honeymooning in their castle.

I sat at the kitchen counter and watched the rain splatter against the window as I nursed a cup of tea, gloomily realizing that I could be honeymooning in a castle too...

But those were the kind of thoughts I shoved far deep into the recesses of my mind. Right beside the feeling of Peter's lips on mine.

'Papa' as he had insisted us calling him. -(Tearfully telling us that he had always wanted a larger family. But that all his hopes were crushed when Belle's mama died.)- Papa walked into the room and seemed to read the gloomy state of mind I was in.

"I know that look..." He smiled sadly.

"Hmm?"

"Longing." He replied simply, getting the kettle and a mug ready for some tea.

I took another sip from my cup.

"You know this might not be my place to say..."

I glanced up at him.

"Go on," I sighed.

"You are allowed to feel the way you feel." He said.

"I beg your pardon?"

Gene smiled at me. "I know love-sickness when I see it."

"Gene. He killed my parents." I replied darkly.

The teacup he was holding clacked loudly as the tea spilled over the counter.

He hissed through his teeth and grabbed a towel to mop up the tea. "I thought your parents died in a car accident."

"It was caused by a ...Deer. But a strange one, that I saw him with later."

"Are you quite sure it was him that did it?" He replied from his place on the ground.

"I... well mean it could have been his shadow..."

"Shadow??"

"Um... his evil twin."

Gene sighed heavily. "Well at least you're safe now..."

I was shocked when I admitted, "But I miss him."

"I know dear, but it was for the best. You'll find someone else."

"Do you believe in soulmates?"

"Yes..." I could tell he was thinking of his wife. "I do."

"Well... I think he was mine." I whispered.

The doorbell rang, cutting off the rest of our talk.

I stood up and walked to the door, thankful for the timely interruption.

"Toodles?" I gasped.

A familiar bashful look spread across his face, as he peeked up at me through blonde eyelashes.

"Hello Wendy-Lady."

"How nice to see you... er... are you alone?"

"Yes, Peter thought that would be best." He replied scuffing his boot against the ground.

I bit my lip to hold in a sarcastic comment.

"Well, why don't you come in for some tea?" I smiled.

"Alright, but I can't stay long..."

"Then why are you here... if not for a visit?"

"I was meant to give you this..."

He handed me a letter, closed with a green wax seal.

"It's from Peter" He spoke, confirming my suspicions.

... I abandoned him at the door, ripping open the letter on my way to my seat.

"Wendy,

I'm told you saved my life. And for that I wish to thank you. Why you would put yourself at risk to come save me I will never understand. But I do not like to be indebted. Enclosed is some money for you and your brothers, it should be more than enough to get you back on your feet again... and put you all through school. I understand that's important to you. I... am sorry.

Best Wishes,

His Royal Majesty, Peter Pan, King of Neverland, "

I threw the letter on the ground.

"I'm sorry?!" I growled.

Toodles and Gene blinked at me.

"He kills my parents and quite possibly my gran and all I get is a halfhearted written apology!?"

"He didn't kill your parents miss! Nor your gran."

"But I saw-"

"You saw his shadow."

I gaped like a fish.

"He figured if you and Peter never fell in love he'd be safe. He'd not die.... But... well he did miss."

"He died?"

"When you kissed Peter... POOF!" He exclaimed, miming an explosion with his hands.

I paled.

"So he's in love with you too!" Gene exclaimed.

"It doesn't matter. I can't marry who he is. And I can't ask him to grow up either. Toodles please tell Peter that I deserve more than this apology ... But I won't accept his money." I gestured to the letter.

" But I expect nothing. Perhaps it's time to move on to a new chapter. And keep the past in the past..."

I handed Toodles the letter, and reached into my pocket and pulled out the Thimble.

"Be sure he gets this okay?" I whispered, blinking back tears.

He nodded and after Gene gave him a bag of cookies, he left.

Years passed and honestly Neverland seemed to fade much like a nightmare does in the morning light.

But ever since I sent that letter back, things got better for us.

The boys did well in school, Finn was a supportive and kind friend. He encouraged me to continue working towards my bachelors of English degree.

Heck, I even got a scholarship.

And then after all I'd seen. I started to write.

~-~

Sunlight streamed through the window, as I ripped back the gauzy white curtains.

Beams of light from the rapidly setting sun turned the sitting room pink. I pulled my rolling luggage into the corner of the room neatly. Letting out a sigh, and pulling my hands through my hair.

The floorboards creaked under my feet as I made my way into the kitchen.

It had been years... eight to be precise. Since my brothers and I had made it back home safely.

Eight years since I had last seen... him.

My brothers were now in college.

John was now a Professor. This of course came as no surprise to anyone who knew him. He lived far away from this little town. And that made me feel very safe. He had a girlfriend now and had been with her a few years. She would be his fiance soon... (If all went according to his plans.) Only Michael and I knew this.

Speaking of Michael. He was hard at work in the world of art. Painting mostly. But he'd use any medium he could get his hands on. He did well, with a few of his paintings already having prominent places in galleries as far away as France. People jokingly would tell us he had been gifted by the Fae... We never laughed at those jokes.

And as for me. I'd finished my paper... Got my English degree. And written a successful book... I bet you could guess the topic... That's right.

The Fae.

But they always say to write what you know right?

And so now, after finishing my book tour. I was finally back in Pan's hollow.

I didn't really know what to do now...

I threw my purse on the faded white kitchen table, and my book slid out, stopping before the edge of the table. I shrugged, set some water to boil in the kettle on the stove, and made my way upstairs to wash my face and get some Pajamas on.

I washed the grime off my face with some lavender scented soap, and shivered as a breeze lifted the white curtains in the bedroom behind me.

I patted my face dry, shut the window, and changed into an old blue tee shirt, and some grey leggings.

I ran my hand down the faded floral wallpaper as I walked down the stairs.

Humming to myself as I made my way into the kitchen.

Suddenly, my heart began to beat double time...

My eyes flickered over to the kitchen window... The window I was sure I hadn't opened when I arrived home.

The night had fallen outside, the sun finally disappearing between the trees. And all the forest noises were present.

I chided myself for being childish as I made my way over to the kettle that was threatening to boil over, and removed it from the heat.

I was reaching for a mug when the wind picked up, howling through the eaves... And the sound of a million tinkling bells resounded from the back garden.

"No!" I whispered, rushing back to the stove and the shaker of salt that sat there.

My trembling hands wrapped around the cylinder of salt as I slowly made my way to the back window.

I pulled back the lacy white curtains and peeped over the window sill into the liquid black night.

Two bright green eyes blinked back at me.

I shrieked and fell over backwards taking a chair down with me.

A lithe figure hopped in through the window and landed in the darkness of the kitchen.

"Bloody hell!!! Peter?!" I exclaimed.

"Well yes, who else are you expecting?~" He replied playfully.

"Nobody rude enough to watch me, then jump in a window." I snarked.

He smiled at me and extended his hand to help me up.

I rather rudely ignored it, heaving myself to my feet with the help of the kitchen table.

Peter awkwardly righted the chair, as I moved round to put a table's worth of space between us.

"What do you want, why are you here?" I asked shortly.

Peter sighed, running a hand through his hair. Then rounded the table to come closer to me.

I put my hand out palm facing him and the other holding my salt shaker.

"Don't make me use this..." I threatened.

He glanced at the salt in my hand as I backed up and flicked on the light-switch. Peter stood frozen in the middle of my Gran's kitchen. I took a moment to study his handsome features in the better lighting.

Though I knew I shouldn't be... I was surprised that he looked so young. The only testament to his aging was the sober look on his face.

"Sit." I commanded, gesturing to the table with my salt-laden hand.

He obeyed, and that's when I knew he must be serious.

"Why are you here?" I repeated.

"I..." Peter sighed heavily. "I missed you."

I scoffed. "You have a funny way of showing it! Telling your guards to kill me!"

"You left me at the alter!"

"I saved your life!"

Peter seemed to have no reply to that, and I gloried in my success.

"Then you left again..." He seemed on the verge of tears.

The triumphant smile left my face.

"I did what was right for my brothers." I replied, setting down the salt shaker and crossing my arms over my chest.

"But your brothers are grown up now Wendy..."

I made my way to the cupboard and pulled out an extra mug, getting the tea bags as Peter finished his sentence.

"You can do whatever you please now."

He stood up and walked closer to me.

"And who says I'm not happy now?" I retorted. "You don't know me Peter... we've hardly spent a week together total."

I chanced a look over my shoulder and caught a glimpse of Peter's trademark cheeky grin.

"What told me you aren't happy? How bout' that thimble you gave me in the Field?~"

"That... was a distraction . I was trying to keep you focused on me so Finn could escape... he was in the forest."

"Oh." Peter sounded a little dejected. "Fine... but you can't deny this..."

I spun around with our teas, and nearly dropped both cups in surprise.

He brandished my book in the air with a quirked brow.

"So what? I wrote about my adventure to Neverland. You live in a very different world than this one and I thought people would find it interesting." I rambled.

"Wendy. I read the book. It's a romance novel."He retorted smugly, rounding the corner and walking closer to me.

"People like romance! My publisher practically demanded it..."

He was now standing close enough I could kiss him.

And I won't lie and tell you the thought didn't cross my mind.

I refused to meet his eyes.

Thankfully my phone rang, cutting the awkwardness short.

"Hold on." I spoke to Peter.

I checked the face-plate... No... worst timing ever.

"Hey Wendy!" A familiar voice chirped on the other end of the line.

"Hey Finn..." I replied awkwardly.

Peter pulled away, face contorting into a scowl.

"Did you just get home?" Finn asked.

"Yeah."

"You know I could have picked you up from the airport no problem."

"No you couldn't have! You had the kids."

Peter stood up and started to pace the room. Sending a nervous glance to my left hand occasionally.

"It would have been no trouble."

"It's fine really! Yes sir, we're all good over here!" I replied brightly.

There was a pause.

"... Did you just say we?"

"Pardon?" I squeaked.

"You just said 'we' ... Wendy who's there with you?"

"Nobody! It's just me! I'm just tired's all!"

"You're a terrible liar Wendy... it's Peter isn't it?!"

"Finn..." I spoke warningly.

"I'll be right over."

The phone made a noise as he disconnected.

I huffed, blowing a strand of hair out of my eyes.

"Well Peter, whatever you came here for you better do it quick." I giggled.

"Why because your husband's on his way over?" He snarled.

"Husband?!" I exclaimed.

Peter looked at me as if I told him the sky was red, "Finn!" He shouted.

"You think we? That I - " I laughed nervously. "Nooooo... no no no. They aren't our kids! They're his sister's! And well... just no..."

"But you were going to marry him were you not?" Peter frowned.

I giggled. "Oh Peter... Let's just say you aren't the only man I've left at the altar..."

A grin curved up his face. "Then you are free?"

"As a bird!"

Peter pulled me into a quick kiss.

"Peter!" I blushed, shoving him away. "Did you come here to talk or not!?"

"Alright sorry... I'll say my piece..."

He took a deep breath, as if gathering his courage, then got down on one knee.

"Wendy Moira Angela Darling, I feel as though my soul is no longer mine. You have changed the way I see the world and I am all the better for it. I understand now what I did wrong. And in keeping you in Neverland against your will I realize I might have ruined any chances I had with you. But I beg you now, not as a king, nor a prince, but as a man with a broken heart. Be my beloved. Or stay here on earth and break my heart... Know that your choice is final. If you refuse... I will never bother you again."

"Do you love me Peter?" I whispered.

"With all my heart." He replied earnestly.

"Do you love me Wendy?" Smirked Peter.

"I do. It's always been you." I smiled.

He closed the space between us and pressed his lips to mine in a chaste, childish kiss. Before putting his forehead on mine.

I felt as though I was floating.

I giggled as he pulled away, grabbing my arm and pulling me to the door.

"Finn will be here any moment... Let's go!" he exclaimed.

I dug my heels into the floor, "Wait! What about my brothers? I can't just leave they'll be worried sick!"

"Then leave a note!" he replied, bouncing on his heels.

"And I want a real wedding. With a wedding license and everything!"

He put his hand on his chest in mock pain. "You don't trust my word?"

"My love you're a Fae..." I replied dryly.

"Ah, right."

"And I want to come back in a week with you, for you to apologize to my family and friends. You have to have a good relationship with them. And you can't expect me to stay in Neverland all the time. You can't just keep me to yourself, you must share."

He huffed like a child. "Fine!"

And I want all of this in writing. But for now I'll take your signature on a piece of my note.

The note was hastily written, and signed by both of us, and by the time we were done our tea there was a banging on the front door.

"Come on Wendy!" Peter exclaimed.

"Wendy! Don't do this! Please he's tricking you you wont be safe!" Finn begged.

I stood staring at the two men I loved, and pondered the two relationships.

One a friendship that grew over time, that I knew I'd never be able to leave behind fully.

And the other, wild and free. With all the passions of a smothered youth. That had wrapped itself snugly around my heart.

And I knew where my steps would lead.

I took the stairs two at a time.

Ran to Gran's room.

And jumped out the window.

.

.

.

Peter was right there to catch me, as we floated towards the gate.

He smiled brightly and took my arm, as I opened the gate for the last time.

Giggling like two children, we fled into the woods. But I took great comfort in knowing we'd be back. And so what if I was a child of two worlds. That suited me just fine.