Since I didn't post for a few days I'll post this one in order to catch up with the days! If I get more reviews, I will publish another chapter tonight!

December 28th

"Are they still yelling?" Sarah mumbled.

"It sounds like it." Linda rolled her eyes.

Robert and Karen were yelling their heads off, but now they've calmed considerably.

Sarah had been hoping for a nice dinner with family. That is, until Karen got notice that her older sister was in town. If people thought Karen could be bossy at times, it was nothing like her older sister, Aunt Ivy. Ivy wasn't just bossy, she was rude and biased, always having to compare her two daughters to Sarah. They came in town on a whim and manipulated Karen to have dinner on a short notice.

Besides Sarah's stubborn years, Ivy was a sticking point between Robert and Karen. The woman was someone Karen has grown up to love but that couldn't be said for anyone else. Robert told her to tell her sister they had plans but Karen was such a push over with her.

"Karen, you're going to wear yourself out. Buy a pizza or something." Linda offered.

"No no it's okay, she's my older sister and I'll take care of the food." She felt embarrassed, having to prove that she was capable of cooking such a meal. "I'm just sorry, you were here for a nice dinner and Sarah invited Jareth-"

"Hey I can tell him to come at a different time. Lie and tell him I'm sick or something." Sarah offered.

"I can take care of it, please. Let him come." Karen told her.

Sarah sighed. Karen, much like Jareth, had a lot of pride. She did not want to disappoint people.

"Then let us help cook." Linda said. "You don't have to make one specific dish. Come on Sarah, let's make our bean casserole." She dug in the pantry for some ingredients.

Karen said nothing but handed them the tray for the casserole anyway. She gave them a silent look of thank you as the mother and daughter worked. Robert came in a few moments later to help Karen make some food.

Sarah felt a bit worried. Her mother was a kind person but Linda could also be quite snappy. Karen was very much a pushover with her sister and Linda had yet to meet her. She was afraid of her mom yelling at Karen's sister which may disrupt the good relationship she had with Karen and everyone else in her immediate family. Sarah told Jareth of the situation and he said that he didn't mind at all, he just worried about being a burden for Karen. Sarah told him that he wouldn't be a worry for them as they had planned for him first.

The doorbell rang and Sarah went to go answer it, knowing that it was Jareth arriving early.

"Good evening, Precious." He smiled and kissed her quickly before any of her family could see.

"It is very much a good evening with you here." She quipped. He looked so good and she felt so much pride in being able to kiss him. She ushered him in. "Come in from the cold."

She closed the door and smelled something sweet from him. She then noticed that he was carrying something under his arm. "What's that?"

"Banana bread, mother's recipe." He showed her. And boy did it smell good.

"I was considering peach cobbler though." He winked at her.

"And I would've killed you." Sarah took the bread from him and kissed his cheek to show him she was just joking. Boy did he smell good!

Jareth looked into the kitchen, the three adults frantically making food. "I guess I should go and help."

"Nuh uh! You're the guest." Sarah said adamantly. "And you made banana bread."

"It's truly alright, I don't mind." He said.

"We're almost done with the first few parts, gotta just put some stuff in the oven." Sarah said but Jareth followed her anyway.

"Well hello Jareth!" Linda waved at him. When he wasn't looking, she winked at Sarah. "And Sarah, what's that?"

"Jareth made banana bread." She said proudly.

"Oh it was nothing. My mother's recipe." Jareth tried to look humble but he puffed out his chest in pride instead.

"Well a man who can cook! How nice." Karen commented. "Robert is also an excellent cook. Every person should know how to cook, man or woman."

"I try." Robert beamed at his wife with love in his eyes. "Nothing beats Karen's cooking though."

"Sarah's pumpkin scones were delightful. Did you teach her?" Jareth asked the parents as he washed his hands.

"Nope, all on her own." Linda beamed at Sarah proudly.

"So, the story about setting the stove on fire?" Jareth looked to Robert knowingly.

"Oh gosh no." Sarah slapped a hand on her forehead. "Jareth!"

Robert laughed. "During that time, it was just me and Sarah living together. Sarah was so sweet, wanting to cook food for me and she got some meat or something stuck in the burner? Anyway she didn't turn off the stove and I came home, finding my little girl wearing some cardboard shield that she had made to look like a knight for a school project. She had on my old football helmet and looked ready to fight the fire but I found her hiding behind the couch."

"That is the most adorable story I've ever heard." Jareth put a hand on the counter, facing Sarah.

"It's embarrassing." Sarah said quietly.

"But it's so you." Jareth reasoned. "And you were a child." He loved seeing her little blush on her cheeks.

Sarah looked at him shyly, so not used to any man looking at her with such sincere adoration in his eyes. Oh how she loved him and would kiss him if it weren't for her family. The way he looked at her with such ease and the hint of glitter in his hair made her so happy.

Karen nudged Robert at seeing Sarah smile at Jareth. Both recognized the look of mutual affection they had for one another and knew that it wouldn't be long before they were serious, if they weren't already.

Toby came zipping down. He gasped at Jareth. "Hi Jareth!"

"Hello Toby." He crouched down to the boy's height.

"You spend a lot of time with him." Toby told Sarah, pointing at Jareth. "Is he your best friend?"

Sarah put an arm around him. "No one is my best friend above you."

Toby looked pleased with that. "Jareth is cool though. I think you're good for Sarah." He said.

Both Jareth and Sarah's hearts warmed at this. The fact that her whole family approved of Jareth meant the entire world to her.

Not a few moments later, the doorbell rang. The whole family gave a collective sigh when Karen went to go answer it.

"Well hello Karen!" Ivy hugged her sister. "Oh thanks for inviting us over so thoughtfully!"

Sarah shared an annoyed look with her dad. Linda looked a bit awkward and Jareth wasn't exactly sure what to do.

"Hi Aunt Ivy." Sarah greeted her, then turned to the twin girls. "Hey Brittany, hey Brenda."

Brittany and Brenda were fraternal twins. Both gorgeous but in different ways. Brittany was smaller, almost "pixie-like" as people in their high school had called her and a cheerleader. She was blonde with grey eyes and a charming smile. Brenda was equally gorgeous but was tall and stockier though still lithe, a talented dancer and played rugby too.

What they both had in common was that they were as devilish as their mother.

Ivy was also divorced, much to her annoyance as she always wanted to one up Karen. Karen was single for so long and she had made fun of her younger sister for marrying a man with a daughter and an ex wife who was a broadway star and budding Hollywood Star, telling Karen she was a second choice. Now the tables have turned with Ivy being divorced.

"What brings you in town?" Sarah asked Brittany.

"Oh, Mom just wanted to say hi. See how you're all doing." Her eyes perked at seeing Linda. "Ms. Williams! Nice to meet you!"

Oh and that. With her mom being famous, no doubt the girls wanted to get her autograph and be on her good side.

"You too." Linda said awkwardly. She didn't mind meeting fans but this was weird seeing as this was a family function.

"I am such a big fan of you!"

And on and on Brittany went, knowing things about Linda's career that Sarah didn't even know. It was such a weird feeling.

Brenda spotted Jareth and licked her lips. "And who might you be?"

Sarah's mind flashed back to when she was in the Labyrinth, when she saw Jareth sandwiched between two women. The feelings of jealousy overcame her and she scrunched her nose annoyedly. She went over to Jareth's side and took his hand in hers. They had been careful to not show too much physical affection but she couldn't help it. "Jareth, this is Brenda. Brenda, this is Jareth. He's my…"

She trailed off a bit. Jareth raised his eyebrows at her, a small smile tugging on his mouth.

Sarah blushed at his gaze. They had only been on their first date a couple of days ago. They still didn't have that talk of where they stood though. "Um, Jareth is my date."

There, that seemed good enough. Not too pushy but also honest.

As for Jareth, he looked proud at the fact that he was her date. He intertwined her fingers in hers. "Pleased to meet you, Brenda." He said politely with all his kingly grace.

Brenda looked up and down the king, making Sarah clutch him even closer to her. "You actually have a date? Is this some kind of joke?"

Sarah was taken aback. "Why would this be a joke?"

Brenda laughed and trotted away to greet Karen.

Sarah looked down sadly but Jareth tilted her chin up. "She just can't contemplate how I was able to get someone so beautiful to be my date."

Sarah smiled a little. "Thanks."

He held his arm to her. "Let's go eat dinner. I can't wait to taste the delicious food that was made for us tonight."

Jareth helped Robert set up another table next to their usual one to accommodate the extra bodies while Sarah set up the chairs, Linda and Karen bringing in the food and Toby setting the table. Jareth put his hand on Sarah's lower back in quiet affection and pulled out a chair for her. Robert gave his look of approval to the man who was being a gentleman to his daughter.

All throughout dinner, Brittany and Brenda kept trying to ask Linda advice on acting and even dropping hints about taking a photo with her. Ivy tried to put insults on Karen and Sarah was trying hard to deflect these conversations seeing as Robert would getting quickly annoyed. Toby chatted with Jareth about trains and owls at one point.

"So, Sarah, how is school going for you?" Ivy asked her.

"Good." Sarah said. "I started working at the university's hospital, doing some research on neurobiology."

"Hmm, you must be very smart." Ivy said but without sincerity in her voice.

Linda frowned. She had never met Ivy or her daughters but she could see how Sarah and Karen both were shifting uncomfortably in their seats. As an actress, she wasn't just good at acting but being able to see when someone was acting terribly. She looked at Robert and saw her ex looking at his sister-in-law with extreme caution.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that." Sarah said modestly.

"Nonsense, you would have to make up for that somehow. We all can't have everything!" She laughed.

Jareth tried to signal Sarah to stop herself by squeezing her thigh but she took the bait. "What do you mean? Make up for what?"

"For the fact that you can never hope to live up to your mother's fame, talent, or her beauty." She gestured to Linda. "So you have to find your niche."

Sarah started to feel sick. Though her mother wasn't too famous to the point of having the paparazzi following her everywhere, she was famous enough by name that certain tabloids gossiped about Sarah, speculating what she wanted to do. Sarah has considered acting when she was young just as she has considered music for a career but she opted out of those things simply because she didn't want to.

She felt a gentle squeeze in her hand.

Jareth.

He moved his hand so he had it around her shoulders protectively. He made sure everyone could see him look at her as if she was the most precious gem in the world. In fact, to him, she was.

"Life isn't about being the best at everything. It's about finding what you're good at and using those talents. Sarah is very special, very kind and very talented in her own right. She doesn't have to be her mother because she is herself. And I wouldn't have it any other way." His voice tapered off.

Sarah looked at his face. Jareth gave her a lopsided smile. He may have been speaking to Aunt Ivy but he was looking at her the whole time. She bit her bottom lip and looked at him gratefully. "Thank you, Jareth." She said.

After dinner, Sarah and the twins were putting away the dishes. Brittany glared at her.

"Why can't you just share your mom?" She demanded.

"Excuse me?" Sarah gawked at her. "Share my mother? What on earth?"

"You know what I mean. You keep trying to talk to her and not let us do it. You know I'm trying to become an actress." She seethed.

Sarah tilted her head curiously. "But you're a business major. You're trying to get into acting?" That was news to her and it certainly made sense. She wanted connections and Linda was a good way to do it.

"Stop being so jealous that YOU can't act." Brittany slammed the dish towel on the floor. "Don't take the opportunity away from me."

Sarah wanted to laugh. She was talking to Linda because she was her MOTHER and because she could see that her mom detested these brainless jerks. "I don't think you realize that she's MY MOTHER and today was supposed to be our regular dinner with her before she went on tour for Cats. She's a human being not something for YOU to use!"

Brittany huffed and angrily set a dish to dry.

Brenda was quiet for a while then she scoffed at Sarah. "I bet Jareth isn't even your boyfriend, you're just bringing him here to make you look good."

"I never said he's my boyfriend, just that he's my date." Sarah glared Brenda. Why did they have to be so nasty? "Is it so out of the realm of possibility that I could be dating a man like him? Hmm?"

"Who would want to be with you anyway?" Brenda sneered. "You're pretty, sure. But you're this weird nerd, obsessed with fairy tales like you were when you were a kid. All your boyfriends leave you. You think this one is going to stay?"

Sarah was shaking now. With anger or with deep sadness she didn't know. She only had enough energy to tell herself to calm down and to hold back her tears as she finished the last of the dishes, not caring about the scalding hot water on her hands.

"You're pathetic." Brittany laughed. "Remember when Jordan asked ME to prom?"

That was it. Sarah ran off. She passed by her family and went upstairs, not saying a word to them.

Jordan was someone she had a crush on her junior year of high school and while he wasn't her official boyfriend, he sure acted like it. Brittany was over and Sarah had expected Jordan to ask her to prom but instead, he asked Brittany and Sarah heard from her friend that Jordan said that Brittany was prettier than her. She knew he wasn't worth it but it made her doubt her ability to find anyone who would love her.

If only she knew that she had already found him.

Jareth stood up immediately. "Sarah?"

But she had run before she could hear him.

The twins came in, an irritated yet smug look on their faces.

"What happened to Sarah?" Robert asked with a hint of threat in his voice.

"Oh, she's just being a dramatic little brat. Accusing Brittany of things." Brenda said.

"She thinks she's SOOO smart being a neurobiology major." Brittany mocked.

Jareth was about to yell when Linda stood up, a finger underneath Brittany's nose.

"Listen here, you little self absorbed brat." Linda sneered. "My daughter is a million times better than you'll ever be. She's smart, she's kind, she's thoughtful, and she isn't a liar to get what she wants unlike you two." She faced Brenda. "Insult my daughter again and I don't care if this isn't my own damn house. I will kick you to the curb. Got it?"

Robert and Karen sat there in shock. Linda was always, always the gracious host and was always so poised especially because she had to deal with the media. But when it came to Sarah, well, she was as mama bear as she could get.

Linda dramatically turned from them and was about to go upstairs when Ivy came in.

"Hi all, what happened? I was using the restroom." She said in a cheery voice.

"You're one to talk." Karen mumbled but otherwise said nothing. She was holding onto Robert's hand, the couple proud of seeing the twins being put in their place and by their idol no less.

Linda rolled her eyes and made way to go upstairs to see Sarah but Jareth put a hand on her arm. "You rest yourself. Allow me."

She was about to protest but she looked into his bright blue eyes. They were the eyes of a knight in shining armor, the eyes of someone who cared deeply for Sarah. She wanted to give Sarah a mother's love but she stepped aside. There comes a point where even though you could always use a mother, sometimes you need to get the significant other to be involved. Plus, there was something about him that nearly demanded respect as if he had some sort of kingly authority.

"Go." She patted his back, letting him see in her eyes that the fact that she was letting him go meant that she trusted him to take care of her daughter.

Jareth nearly ran up to see her, taking two steps at a time. He reached her room and gave a small knock. "Sarah? Precious?"

The door gave away, opening just a crack. "Hey."

"Hello." He leaned against the frame. "Won't you let me in?"

She hesitated for one second, then opened up the door to let him in.

The door clicked closed and Sarah was going to take him to sit down by her bed but Jareth had other plans. The king gathered her into his arms, one hand on her upper back and the other around her waist. She automatically put her head on his chest and he put his chin on the top of her head.

They didn't need to say anything, they just held each other. His arms felt so large around her smaller body. She smelled the unique peaches and cinnamon spices on him and relaxed fully into his embrace, letting him hold her up. She loved the feeling of this, just being against his body and feeling the literal and metaphorical warmth radiating from him.

Jareth kissed her head a few times and rubbed small circles into her back. His touches seemed to travel from that spot to all over her body, calming her and keeping her sated. After a few moments of this, he pulled back, hands on her upper arms and looked at her face. He saw the tears flowing down her cheeks.

Slowly, he pressed his lips to her cheeks and kissed the small river of tears away. Sarah put her hands on his chest and moved them up to his shoulders to hold herself up as he tasted her tears to wipe them away.

"Oh Sarah." He whispered into her neck. "My Precious, sweet Sarah…"

His lips found hers and Sarah reciprocated gladly. She could taste her salty tears on his lips and while that might've been weird, she found that she didn't mind so much. It was comforting, actually, to know that he cared enough for her to literally kiss her tears away.

When they pulled apart, Jareth rested his forehead on hers and held her hands, enjoying the quiet understanding between them.

"Thank you." She gave a tiny smile.

"Now whatever for? I very much enjoyed kissing you too." He teased her a little and moved a loose strand of hair from her face.

"You don't even know what happened. You just came here, to make me feel better. That's never happened before with anyone else." She said quietly.

"That's because I -" He paused for a moment. He was about to say that he loved her but he didn't want to scare her away. "Because I care about you."

"Are we moving too fast?" She asked him meekly. This was not how she had expected to have the conversation but she said it already and it was too late to take her words back.

"That depends on who you ask." He took her hand and lead her to the bed, himself sitting on the chair by her vanity. "My people move quite fast in relationships. And I don't want you to feel uncomfortable."

Sarah fiddle with the loose thread in her dress. "I just want to be sure, you know? For me, relationships always have the possibility of leading to forever. That's a while."

"Not that long at all, actually." He traced her palm comfortingly. "But yes, I know what you mean."

If it meant that they could be together for eternity, what was a few years for him to wait for her?

Sarah told him of what transpired downstairs. He didn't say anything, just listened to her and calmed down his boiling anger at the two girls and gave her comforting kisses now and then. Somehow, he moved onto her bed and put his arm around her, her head on his shoulder.

"You know that while I've dated, but it's still new territory. And you're a king, Jareth." She said. "I don't know what being with you all entails."

Jareth sighed. "It would indeed involve politics and petty court members internationally, but you already are in my world. My people adore you, Sarah. Just as I do. Ignore those brats and know that you are worth a thousand gems to me."

Sarah blushed but gave another reason. "And you're immortal. I'll be gone in roughly 50 years or so." She said.

"There is a way to expand your lifespan to be as long as mine, and you've already proven your worthiness as my champion." He said to her. "I want this to work out. More than I have with anyone else."

Sarah leaned back and searched his eyes. "Really?"

"Really."

They kissed again, and Sarah made a small squeal in her throat when he hugged her tight.

"You already know a bit of how my kingdom works. You've helped me in some things and have wise ideas about politics even if I cannot share everything with you. All the things about court ediquette and whatnot, hell I don't even follow." He chuckled.

"From the way you sit on your throne, thats clear enough." She laughed.

"Then we will go slow. We can take time. Ten years or even fifteen is nothing, Sarah." He said. "And we have all that time still together."

Sarah felt so appreciative of everything he said. "You offered me my dreams once. Are you offering them again?" She smoothed his hair down.

"I offer you not just your dreams, but mine. I have wanted you for years and I still do."

"So, are you my boyfriend now?" Sarah asked with a blush on her cheeks.

"I do wish there was a better term for I am no boy, but yes. I suppose that's what it is." He smiled. "So that means that the goblin king is finally courting after so long."

"Wow, he must have someone very special." Sarah laughed.

They shared one more kiss before going downstairs.

—

"Ah, there you two are. We were about to go and find you." Robert gave them a look, though he knew no funny business happened.

"Thanks for giving us the time, Dad." Sarah hugged her father. Robert could see that she had been crying. He looked at Jareth and gave him a grateful smile. For a man to learn how to comfort his lady was the mark of maturity and real love.

"Of course, my princess." He patted her head. "By the way, Toby wants to know if you want to have a snowball fight. Brenda, Brittany, and Ivy say no and me, Karen, and your mom all say yes. Toby wants to know what you guys think."

Jareth had a feral grin. A snowball fight? Perfect. "I think that sounds like a fantastic idea." He said confidently.

Sarah looked at him, a little worried. She knew that look, it was the look right before he sent the cleaners after her.

Robert went to tell Toby the good news and Sarah eyed Jareth. "I know that look."

"No one insults me or the things and people I care about without retribution." He licked his bottom lip. "And besides, Sarah, I know you wouldn't approve of me sending them to the bog."

They bundled up, the twins complaining about the cold and Sarah grinning. "Scared, you guys?"

"Oh shut up, you know we will win." They snarled.

They divided up into three teams. Jareth, Sarah, and Linda on one. Toby, Robert, and Karen on the other. And lastly, Ivy, Brittany, and Brenda in the third.

It was clear that the whole time, the twins were trying to aim at Sarah. But no matter how hard they tried, they always missed.

Jareth was definitely using magic to defeat the snowballs from Sarah.

Sarah looked at Jareth, the king winking at her before making another snowball and hitting them as hard as he could.

"Okay you're cheating somehow!" Brittany screamed.

"How would I be cheating? The terms of the game is to just throw snowballs and not cause bodily harm, no?" He grinned.

"UGH!"

However, he did NOT protect Sarah from any hits from her own family.

"GOTCHA!" Toby got one directly at Sarah's face.

"Toby! Not on the face!" Karen scolded him.

"It's alright." Sarah went to wipe it off but Jareth did it for her. He held her back gently and wiped the snow off her face with his gloved hand.

Right as Robert got one on his shoulder.

"FIGHT ME!" Jareth yelled enthusiastically as he threw one back at Robert.

This went on for quite some time and the evil twins with their mom found more snowballs hitting at them than expected.

"I think we have been imposing onto your hospitality enough, Karen." Ivy said with a very prim and proper voice. "I'm going to take my girls and go stay at Mom and Dad's."

"Have a safe trip!" Karen waved after them.

Now that those three devil women were gone, they were able to have some fun. Toby showed Jareth how to play some video games and then they all had some dessert. Robert discussed with Jareth about gardening, a hobby of his. Linda told Jareth about her time playing Madame Guiry when she was on broadway for Phantom of the Opera. Karen got the banana bread recipe from him.

And Sarah just felt so happy that the most important people in her life were sitting in one room.

Too soon, Jareth had to leave.

"Thank you for the lovely dinner." Jareth said to Karen.

"Oh thank you for coming! And for the banana bread." She waved at him sweetly. "Don't be too long before you come back."

"Thank you for taking care of Sarah." Robert said quietly so no one could hear when he shook Jareth's hand. He gave the king a smile to show his utmost approval. "Anyone who treasures her as you do makes me happy."

"To know that she is so loved makes me happy too." Jareth assured him.

"It was wonderful to meet you." Linda told him. She leaned in close. "My daughter really likes you, I can tell. Please take good care of her." She put a hand on his shoulder.

"I promise." He told her.

"Come back and hang out with us more!" Toby begged him.

Jareth ruffled his hair and promised him he would.

Then there was Sarah. She asked for a little time outside alone with him and her parents allowed her to.

Jareth looked at her fondly. In the soft light from the stars, her raven black hair reflected those same lights as if she was made from the stars themselves. Her eyelashes fanned across her cheeks and her jeweled eyes gazed at him longingly. Her hands were clasped in front modestly.

"Thank you for coming." She said to him. "I had a wonderful time with you. I'm so happy that everyone likes you."

Jareth would usually make some comment about how it was normal for everyone to like him, but his teasing pride got stuck in his throat. Instead, he said, "I am glad too. And tomorrow, you will charm my family right away, you know."

Sarah blushed. "I sure hope I do."

"You will. You've charmed me, you know."

Sarah tiptoed and kissed his cheek. "I know."

Leaning in, they shared another earth shattering kiss. Jareth breathed in her honey and lavender scent, letting go of her lips to kiss down her neck and shoulder. He sighed and pulled away but still had his hands on her hips. "I'll see you tomorrow, Precious."

"See you. Go home safe okay?" She touched his shoulder gently.

"I will." He blew her a kiss and Sarah "caught" it and pressed her fingers to her lips to show she reciprocated.

Inside, all of Sarah's parents were discussing together about how much they liked Jareth. All of them said the same thing, that there was no doubt that this young man loved their daughter with all his heart.

So I hope that you enjoyed seeing the family liking Jareth! The mean cousins are based on real people. Their descriptions are actually based on these nice twins from my high school and the names are changed and attitudes came from different people LOL. I got bullied in high school for stupid things so this is kind of a flashback for me. And Jareth is a sweetie so there's that! Thanks again and review please!