"Alright ladies, everyone look at the camera," the reporter called out to the mermaids. "Ready? One, two... actually, let's put the short one in the center."
Nerissa gasped. "What? But I'm always in the middle!"
"Sorry. That one's a better focal point."
Isla blushed as she moved to the center of the group, while Nerissa gave her a murderous look.
"Okay. One, two, smile!" The reporter snapped the photo and the mermaids moved out of their formation. Peter watched Meredith take a couple steps forward and promptly fall to the ground.
"Ugh. Walking is hard!" She complained.
The reporter frowned. "What does she mean by that?"
Cora, who had been watching off the to the side, quickly stepped over. "She just means that sometimes they tire their legs out so much in the water that it's difficult to walk."
The reporter seemed satisfied, and Peter and Slightly shared a look of relief.
The past couple weeks had been interesting as the mermaids transitioned out of their tails. After the kidnapping, they had decided that for the mermaids' safety, they should all have their tails removed. Lily had done some research and was ultimately able to perform the operation herself, which allowed them to take care of the issue privately. Slightly had designed some temporary mermaid tails for them to put on for the show, but the rest of the time they usually went around on their legs, which had taken some adjusting. They spent a lot of the day walking around Neverland and sometimes London, but all of them were still living in the lagoon. Except for Cora.
Cora had been acting as the mermaids' spokesperson for the past couple weeks, which was especially helpful since Slightly had finally agreed to allow some of the news outlets to have short interviews with the Neverland mermaids and photograph them. She had moved into an apartment in London and was spending a lot of time with Jack Baker, but in a few months she would travel to Mexico, where she had been recruited by a specialized team to help research dolphins.
Peter smiled as he watched Jack and Cora holding hands on the beach, and he suddenly wished that Wendy were there. He decided he'd visit her after he'd finished the morning's business.
"Okay, that's all we have time for," Slightly told the reporter, ushering him away from the mermaids. "We've got to get ready to open the park."
The reporter reluctantly packed his things and Slightly walked over to Peter.
"Hey, we've got that big birthday party today," Slightly said. "Are you going to go pick up the food?"
"I'm going right now," Peter assured him. "Hey Nibs," he called out, "could I get your help picking up some food from the bakery?"
Nibs, who had been whittling a stick with his knife, jumped up. "Sure, if you need help."
Peter smiled. He didn't really need help, he just wanted to bother Susan by bringing Nibs along. They went up the lift into London and walked several blocks to the bakery. It was early morning and there was a thick fog that obscured everything over three meters tall.
"What is he doing here," Susan exclaimed when they walked into the bakery.
"He's helping me pick up the sandwiches," Peter said innocently. "Are they ready?"
Susan gave Nibs a nasty glare and then disappeared into the kitchen. She came back with a few trays and set them on the counter. Peter filled out a form and paid for the food, then stacked the trays and lifted them up.
Nibs had been examining the pastries and he walked up to the counter. "Could I get one of those cherry jelly doughnuts, please?"
Susan raised her eyebrows. "Cherry? Are you sure?"
Nibs looked a bit confused. "Yes, cherry."
Susan crossed her arms. "It's just that not everybody likes cherry."
"I do. It's my favorite flavor."
Susan leaned forward. "Are you sure you wouldn't like that chocolate cake over there?"
Nibs glanced at the cake and shook his head. "What would I do with a cake? I'll just take the cherry doughnut, please. That's all I want."
A slow smile spread across Susan's face as she retrieved the doughnut and handed it to him. "You know, Nibs, the last time we spoke, I believe I forgot to give you my number."
Nibs stared at her. "I didn't ask for it."
"Well, you should have."
Several minutes later, after Susan had sufficiently affected Nibs with her powers of flirtation, they emerged from the bakery with the trays of food.
"Nibs, do you think you could take these down to Neverland?" Peter asked. "I'm going to stop by Wendy's house."
"Sure, whatever you need," Nibs replied, seeming a bit dazed as he took the sandwiches from Peter and headed down the street.
Peter glanced up at the fog that stretched like a blanket above him. With this kind of cover, no one would see me flying, he thought with a mischievous grin. Glad that he was wearing his flying suit under his clothes, he shed his outer layers and rubbed some pixie dust on himself. He ran towards a large building until he felt the opposing forces, then twisted and took off into the air.
Rising above the fog, he wove in and out of the spires and structures that were poking through the heavy mist. He arrived at Wendy's building and hovered at her window, tapping on the glass until she noticed him.
"Peter!" Wendy exclaimed, opening the window and pulling him inside. He was still floating as she reached up to kiss him. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him so that her weight brought him down to the floor.
"We do have a door, you know."
Peter and Wendy quickly pulled apart at the sound of Mrs. Darling's voice. She was standing against the wall, looking at them with an expression that was halfway between amusement and worry.
"I apologize, Mrs. Darling," Peter said. "It's quicker this way."
Mrs. Darling waved her hand. "Peter, how many times do I have to tell you to just call me Angela?"
"Of course. Sorry, Mrs. Darling." Peter replied with a wink.
Wendy laughed and took Peter's hand. "He's just trying to be respectful, mom."
Mrs. Darling raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure I believe that." She sat on the edge of Wendy's bed. "So, how is everything in Neverland?"
"It's great," Peter said. "Have you gotten a chance to come yet?"
Mrs. Darling nodded. "I've been twice now, and it looks fantastic." A sadness settled over her features. "Although, it seems a bit of the magic is missing."
Peter smiled. "You can find that magic during visiting hours at Belmarsh Prison."
At first Mrs. Darling looked scandalized, but then she inclined her head. "I suppose I could."
"I know the captain would love to see you."
"Perhaps." Mrs. Darling stared at the wall for a few moments and then stood up. "Well, I'll let you two get back to your innocent and very controlled kissing," she said with a meaningful look. Wendy blushed as Mrs. Darling headed out of the room, but still gave Peter a long kiss as soon as her mother was gone.
"What brings you here this morning?" She asked him.
It took a few moments for Peter to clear his head enough to answer her. "I was wondering if you'd like to fly to Neverland."
Wendy's eyes lit up. "I'd love to." She quickly went to change into her flying suit and apply some pixie dust, and then joined him on the window ledge.
Peter looked over at Wendy, remembering how he'd felt the first time he saw her. A lot had happened since then, but he was so glad he had lost his shadow all those months ago.
"Are you ready?" She asked, her blue green eyes shining.
Peter nodded and took her hand. She winked at him, and Peter laughed as together they jumped off the ledge and flew out the window.