Forgetting Neverland

 

Wendy’s eyes fluttered open and she immediately winced at the pain her body was in. She felt as if someone had torn her in half and her hands rested on her large belly. But her belly was not large anymore and she sat straight up in panic, looking around frantically.

“My baby! Where is my baby? Peter? Are you here? Oh god, where am I?” She noticed very little in her state of panic but saw she was in a teepee. The flap of the teepee opened and Tiger Lily peered in.

“Ah Wendy-bird has opened her eyes! You rest for many days.”

“Tiger Lily? Is that you?” Tiger Lily bowed her head.

“It has been many moons since I last see you, Wendy-bird. Time changes you.”

“It’s not just time that has changed me. Tiger Lily, what has happened? Where is my baby? Is it alright? Is Peter alive? Where is he? Where am I?” Tiger Lily put a finger to her lips and gently patted Wendy’s arm.

“Sit, Wendy-bird, and rest. You are still tired. Baby is fine. You have healthy baby girl three days ago.”

“Three days ago? A baby girl?” Tiger Lily left the teepee for a second then returned with a heavy-set woman who held a bundle of blankets in her arms. The blankets moved and Wendy gasped as the woman laid the baby in her arms.

“Beautiful child with hair red as sun.” Tears streamed down Wendy’s face as she stared into the face of her child. Tiger Lily was right; the babe had a little tuft of blazing red hair on her head. There was no doubt in the world who the father was. Wendy looked up at Tiger Lily and wiped her tears away.

“Is he alive?” She motioned for Wendy to follow her as she exited the teepee. She led Wendy through the Indian village and to a large teepee beside a roaring fire.

“Come.” Wendy entered the tent behind Tiger Lily and started to cry all over again. Peter lay there covered by a deerskin blanket, his face pale and his eyes closed. Some sort of skin was covering his throat and a tiny bag of something rested on top of it.

“Pan very weak but alive. He no speak. Hook does much damage.” Tiger Lily knelt at Peter’s side and adjusted the bags of herbs on his neck and chest.

“Our medicine man help Pan with powerful herbs and magic. I leave you with him now.” Wendy held her daughter close as she lowered herself to the ground beside Peter.

“Tiger Lily,” the girl stopped with her hand on the flap of the teepee. “We owe you our lives.” Tiger Lily smiled and left them alone. The baby slept in Wendy’s arms so she gently stroked his cheek with a single finger, trailing over his lips and chin.

“Peter?” His eyes opened slowly and she lowered her head in prayer for his life. He smiled when he saw her, his hand going to her cheek. She closed her eyes at his touch.

“Oh Peter. Don’t ever scare me like that again.” Peter’s hands went to his throat and he looked sad.

“Don’t try to speak, Peter. Tiger Lily said you couldn’t just yet. But you will, love. It will come back to you.” Peter sat up slowly and looked around, then looked at Wendy in puzzlement.

“The Indians saved us. They attacked the pirates and brought us here and saved your life. They also helped me.” She then lowered her arms and brought the baby into Peter’s sight. His eyes widened when he saw what was in her arms and tears formed in his eyes. He looked quickly at Wendy then back to the little girl. His heart did a little dance when he saw her red hair. Now they knew. In their hearts, though, they had always known.

“Would you like to hold her?” It was the most perfect moment as Wendy put their daughter in his arms for the first time and he stared at her with the most loving gaze imaginable. No words were needed as the little family sat there in love and silence. Peter knew one thing to be true; he was no longer a little boy. Peter Pan was becoming a man.