Her heart beats a complicated rhythm. Mary gives Wendy a look as she withdraws, taking the tea things with her. It takes all of her will, but Wendy stands, brushing away a cascade of crumbs. Her chest is so tight, she can barely breathe. The whole house waits, holding its breath. It’s time to grow up. Past time, really.

Wendy thinks of the first time she flew, holding Peter’s hand, falling into the sky and waiting to see if the wind would catch her. It has to be the same now; she must believe that when she steps into the unknown, the love, the family, the life she’s built for herself will be there to catch her. She may have lost Neverland, but she stands to gain so much more. A life without secrets. The truth laid out between her and Jane and Ned. It is the same with Ned and Jane as it is with Mary. In order to truly choose each other, there cannot be secrets. Once Ned knows who she truly is, Wendy has to believe that he will still choose her, and they will continue to love each other as they always have. The way she chose him when he gave her the secret of Henry. It will bring them closer together than they ever were.

She can do this. Wendy Darling, the girl who learned to fly, who survived, who refused to be afraid.

Wendy lifts her chin, straightens her spine, and steps into the hall where her husband and daughter are waiting. Ned and Jane look to her, expectant, wary. Wendy tries to smile. She opens her mouth to speak, the truth gathered up and heavy on her tongue, ready to step into the sky, trusting she won’t fall.

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments