Pan's Never-Neverland

Epilogue

Epilogue

5 Years Later…

"Mommy! Mommy! I wanna go on the merry-go-round!"

Margaret Berri smiled as her little boy, Gip, tugged her hand, his blue eyes shining with excitement. He practically lived in Never-Neverland, but he never grew tired of it.

Since Peter Pan's last visit, they opened the park and added new technology as well as exciting rides that people of all ages could enjoy. Not only that, but they hired spirited, dedicated actors to play the parts of the Neverland inhabitants. It was as if the magical, mythical island truly did exist on this earth. Thanks to the money and paperwork Peter had left them, business was booming, and Jaime had quit his job to dedicate his time to the park and his family. It turned out to be the right decision, for everyday something new happened.

As promised, Jaime made sure that the Children's Hospital back in England received a hefty portion of what they earned. They were extremely thankful, though they wondered how and why the park owners continued to do so. When anyone asked Jaime or Margaret, they would respond, "Peter Pan asked us for this little favor. How could we refuse?" Of course, everyone pooh-poohed the reply, but the Berris always had a knowing look in their eyes.

Nothing had been heard of from the missing Darling children, Violet Shields, or the Seaworths. Many believed they had been kidnapped or left town without a single word. The mystery remained, and most likely would for all of time.

"Hey, you!"

Turning around, Gip smiled upon seeing two familiar faces. "Hi Fred! Hi Mandy!"

They smiled back, embracing the boy and his mother. Fred had gotten scouted out at a game during his senior year in high school, earning a generous scholarship and was now on his way to becoming a professional football player. Mandy, on the other hand, found that she was interested in studying the stars, sky, and planets, and was working on her degree in astrology. Of course, on the side, she was babysitting Gip. Having been together for five years, Fred and Mandy were still going strong.

"How's Jaime doing?" Fred asked, ruffling Gip's midnight curls.

"He's busy," Margaret smiled. "But he's fine."

A woman dressed as a fairy walked by, waving at them with a bright smile on her lips.

"I'm still amazed at what you've done with the place," Mandy confessed, taken in by the sights, sounds, and smells. "It gets better and better every time."

"We try," Margaret laughed. "The forests and lagoon were just redesigned. You should check it out before you leave."

"Mommy, can I go get a balloon?" Gip asked, pointing at a pudgy pirate he knew as his next door neighbor.

"Ok, but remember to say 'thank you,'" his mother chided him.

"Ok!" Running off, he greeted the man with a chirp, earning his balloon and thanking him. As he began to walk back, a ball of green, sparkling light whizzed back, grabbing his attention. "Huh?" he said, following the lively light with his eyes. "Wow!" Without a second thought, he went running after it, his balloon lazily swiveling as he tugged it along. Past the carousal he ran, past the shooting galleries, and past the Mermaid Lounge until at last the light came to rest upon a statue of Peter Pan. Gip gazed at the light, squinted, when he could make out a tiny face staring at him.

"You're a fairy!" he exclaimed, pointing at her. She bowed to him, making him laugh. As he bowed back, the balloon's ribbon slipped through his fingers. "Oh no!" he cried, desperately reaching for it when a hand from behind grabbed it.