Part IV - 23: Slightly

Slightly gaped as he took in the enormity of his aunt's kitchen and the fine detail of the ornate table at which they were sitting. They had taken a cab back to his aunt's massive house. His aunt had spent most of the ride talking about the years they had spent trying to track him down and the means they had employed to finally find him. Now that her mouth was occupied with tea, he took the opportunity to ask a question, even though he thought he might have already guessed the answer.

"My parents, are they...?"

"Dead," Aunt Caroline said matter-of-factly. Across the table, Abigail's lip began to tremble. Aunt Caroline rolled her eyes. "Please don't start crying, Abigail. Your tears won't bring them back."

"I know," Abigail said quietly, "but this is the first Tom's heard of it. He must be heartbroken."

Aunt Caroline grunted and excused herself to get a biscuit. Slightly frowned at this exchange and looked over at Abigail. "How did it happen?" He asked her.

Abigail's eyes widened. "It was on that vacation in France, right after we'd left you at the petrol station. Mom and dad realized what they'd done, and they were about to turn around when another car came and hit us straight on. It killed them both instantly," she recounted with a quiver in her voice. "I was badly injured and spent several weeks in a hospital. Aunt Caroline came for me, and we tried to locate you, but it was as if you'd disappeared."

Slightly felt an emptiness in his gut. Abigail was right. He was sad to hear that his parents were dead. However, he had previously believed that they had abandoned him, so in an odd way, finding out that they had passed on was a bit of a relief. He turned his attention back to his sister. She had been six the last time he saw her, and she had spent all this time alone with their aunt. Slightly glanced over his shoulder and saw that Aunt Caroline was washing some dishes at the sink.

"Has it been alright?" He whispered to his sister. "Living with Aunt Caroline?"

Abigail smiled. "She can be strict, but really it's been wonderful."

"I've made sure Abigail has gotten everything she ever needed," Aunt Caroline called out from the sink.

Slightly blushed. "Oh, I didn't mean..."

"I have excellent hearing," the woman explained, tugging on her earlobe. "Like a cat." She walked back to join them at the table. "I'll admit I haven't always been the ideal guardian for dear Abigail, but I love her as my own daughter." Aunt Caroline rested her hand on Abigail's shoulder, then peered down at Slightly. "And I love you, too! You marvelous, impertinent boy! The real question is where you have been hiding all this time."

"It's quite a long story," Slightly warned.

"Well, we've been searching for you for years. I think we deserve to hear it."

Slightly began with the children's home in France, then told them how the Crocodile took him to Neverland and all the years he spent growing up and learning there.

"It sounds barbaric!" His aunt exclaimed.

"It sounds fascinating!" His sister countered.

He told them about the Crocodile's nefarious plans and her timely demise, about the reconstruction of Neverland and the restlessness of its occupants. He related how he had gotten hit by a car and wound up in a hospital with amnesia. He finally told them about the Mr. Capital competition and his plans for opening Neverland up to the public with the mayor's help.

When he finished, Abigail and Aunt Caroline were astonished.

"It seems more like a fantasy book than someone's real life," Aunt Caroline commented. "Are you sure you shouldn't go back to the hospital to have your head checked?"

"I wouldn't mind going back to the hospital," Slightly said, thinking of Lily, "but I'm certain this isn't just my imagination. You'll be able to see Neverland for yourself in a few weeks."

Abigail sighed dreamily and Aunt Caroline made a face.

"But now that we've found you, you'll live here with us, won't you?" Aunt Caroline asked, squinting at him as if she could draw out his answer.

Slightly blinked. He supposed he should have expected this, but he didn't. The house was certainly impressive, and he would love to spend more time with his sister, but Neverland was his home.

He opened his mouth, but Aunt Caroline held up her hand before he could speak.

"It's alright, I understand," she said with a nod of her head. "My humble house could never compare to a nostalgia-filled wonderland. I suppose you are of age, so you are free to make your own choices. But you'll visit often?" It was more of a command than a question.

"Of course."

*****

Slightly was eager to get back to Neverland, even though he wasn't particularly excited to find out what Tink thought of his plans, but he had one more stop to make. He walked into the hospital and was lucky to find Lily mopping the floor in the lobby. When she saw him, she brightened.

"Slightly! I had hoped to see you after the competition, but when I came out of the theatre I saw you running away from a crowd of girls."

"Oh, that," Slightly said, rubbing his neck and avoiding her eyes. "That was weird. I can't imagine what they wanted from me."

"Can't you?" Lily asked teasingly. "You were quite charming, you know."

Slightly snapped his head up. "Really?"

Lily laughed. "Yes! You were polished, and thoughtful, and your singing could melt any girl's heart."

Slightly took a step towards her. "Did it melt your heart?"

Lily smirked. "Maybe." Then she frowned. "But what have you been doing? I saw you on the news a little while ago. Something about an amusement park and the mayor?"

Slightly smiled. "Lily, this afternoon I finally remembered who I am and where I'm from. Would you like to see?"

She raised her eyebrows in curiosity. "I'd have to finish my shift first."

"I can wait."

Two hours later Slightly was lifting the manhole cover on Barrie Street.

"I know this is a bit unconventional..."

"It's okay," Lily cut in. "I've seen a lot of strange things in my life."

"Well, this might just take the cake," he murmured, motioning for her to descend into the hole.

They climbed down and stood on the iron bars. Lily's jaw dropped as she took in all of Neverland, her eyes darting to every feature. She turned to face Slightly, but at that moment, a small fairy flew between them.

"Slightly! I need to talk to you in central control NOW!" Tink yelled through her avatar. The fairy spun around and scanned Lily. "And bring your hussy friend with you."