The Primal Saviour

Chapter Seven

Avery's POV

We raced aboard the Jolly Roger as Emma shouted for her son's whereabouts and Neal quickly called us over to a spot behind the ship's wheel. I cast a quick glance at all the Lost Boys gathered on the deck and smiled slightly, fondly remembering all the fun and joyful days I had shared with these hooligans. But back then, I was a hooligan myself.

Returning my focus to my sibling, I grinned in relief when he suddenly snapped open his eyes and shot up to embrace both his mothers.

"I'm sorry."

He rasped quietly.

"I wanted to save magic. I wanted to be a hero."

The rest of us chuckled slightly or shook our heads and Neal even passed a comment.

"There's plenty of time for that."

"Now it's time to rest."

Mom agreed.

"Wait!"

Henry protested and we waited patiently, urging him to continue.

"Avery?"

I smiled gently and kneeled down next to Emma, showing him that he had my full attention.

"Did you remember your connection to Neverland?"

The atmosphere turned tense and I glanced at my sister and my mothers, all four of us wearing uncertain faces.

"You know, Henry, maybe we should talk about this la-"

Mom #2 started but was cut short by Mom.

"No."

She interrupted and we stared at her, puzzled.

"Henry deserves to know."

Her tone was firm.

"You all deserve to know. And you, Avery."

She addressed me and smiled reassuringly.

"You deserve to have the burden lifted off your chest. And who can help you get rid of a burden better than your own family?"

I nodded at her words and swiftly narrated my entire tale in two minutes, already having anticipated the astonished stares that I was about to receive from Neal, Dad and Hook.

"Life over there was just an illusion. An illusion that played with my heart and finally broke it."

A tear slipped down my cheek, but the pad of a thumb wiped it away. I looked up to see that it was Dad.

"Perhaps it was for the best."

He cupped my face in his hands.

"Because look where it ended you up. With us, in a real life and in a real family."

"Yeah, you got away from that son of a bitch. Twice now."

Neal chuckled.

"Just like me."

I raised a brow, making him promise me that he was going to have to tell me about his own Neverland mishaps some time or the other. I obviously hadn't been present there when he had arrived. Henry tightly hugged me and I smiled, stroking his hair.

"Welcome back, young sir."

I grinned up at Hook as he winked at me.

"Only the best for our guest of honour, eh? Captain's quarters."

He nodded at the door and I slowly helped Henry to his feet.

"C'mon. I'll tuck you in."

Mom #2 offered and my smile grew, remembering all those nights when she used to put my bro to sleep after soothing his nightmares.