Author's Note: It's been years since I've written FF, but this idea popped in and refused to let go. Just a fun little romance plot. Also an attempt to brush up on my writing. So it should improve as I go along ;)
Disclaimer: None of this is mine, except for a few minor characters. Do not be deceived.
oOoOoOoOo
Sarah felt a small tug of nausea when the door clicked open.
"Hey babe, I'm home early!" The tall blond in jeans and a button down poked his head in Sarah's office, leaning down to kiss her quickly.
"Owen, I thought you had a 5 o'clock meeting?" she asked, trying not to let the disappointment show in her voice.
"They rescheduled. Figured I'd grill up some salmon for us? Maybe mix you a quick martini?" Owen winked at her and she felt the all too familiar guilt.
"Sounds great, babe. I've got a few more hours to put in here; a drink would be nice." Sarah waited until she heard cabinets opening in the kitchen before letting out a sigh. Owen was a great guy. They've all been great guys she mentally admonished herself. So what the hell is wrong with me?
oOoOoOoOo
Sarah felt she'd found a healthy balance after her adventure in the Labyrinth. She looked after Toby, learned to adapt to her stepmother, but didn't allow their schedule to dominate her life. She kept in touch with her friends, maintaining the magic in her life that she still needed, but learning to look for adventure in her own world as well.
That was what drew her to professional research. In college she had a great time studying history, literature, even trying her hand at writing with a Creative Writing minor. What she found she loved the most about writing papers was the research, piecing together a tapestry of information. It seemed a natural conclusion to get her masters in Library & Information Science. She spent an internship working as a Children's Librarian, but it wasn't challenging enough for her. After earning her degree Sarah tried her hand at professional research and after a solid two years of hard work she had earned serious acclaim as a "hacker." By 26 she was flying all over the world, meeting clients and taking on whatever jobs suited her fancy. Part of her acclaim came from her ability to learn and synthesize information almost immediately. After all, she told clients, I don't have to know everything; I know how to find it.
Work was fun, exciting, and challenging. Men, on the other hand, had just been a challenge. Sarah had cycled through boyfriend after boyfriend. It always started the same: That initial thrill when you can't wait to see them, then the height of being "in love" when the sex is amazing and you can't imagine being without them. It could last for several months, sometimes a year or more, but then it always ended the same. Everything would be fine and then one day she would start to feel anxious when they called. She would spend more and more time alone until finally she broke it off. This trend continued for years until one Sunday when she and Owen were enjoying brunch at her parents' house.
"Sarah, how long have you been with Owen now?" Karen asked as they washed dishes.
"Oh, um, about 5 months now." Sarah said.
"Hmmm…and how much longer before you run away from this one?"
Sarah put the plate back in the sink so she wouldn't be tempted to throw it. "Not cool, Karen. You know I'm not ready to settle down. I'm too young anyway."
"Sarah, you're not that young anymore. I mean, you're closer to 30 than 25. I know how much your work means to you, but don't let your youth slip by and find you've pushed everyone away from you." Karen looked askance at her stepdaughter, waiting for an outburst. However, Sarah was gazing at the wall, her expression thoughtful.
It was shortly after that conversation that Owen suggested they move in together. Sarah, 28 years old and still in the height of "the sex is good and I want to be with him always" phase decided to throw caution to the wind and go for it. They found a cute 3 bedroom cottage to rent. Sarah had her own office, a large desk that was constantly covered in paperwork and her trusty laptop. The walls were lined with bookcases with the exception of the far wall where Sarah mounted her childhood vanity mirror. Owen thought it oddly charming.
As for Owen, he was 34, tall and blond (like all of her boyfriends, Karen pointed out) and wonderful. He was an amazing cook, self-taught, and loved literature as much as she did. He was an architect, flying all across the country handling projects. He respected her space, but thanks to both their flexible schedules, was often able to travel with her and vice versa. Sarah knew that the two of them together made sense to anyone looking on the relationship. Living together should have been an easy, natural next step.
It was an unmitigated disaster.