Chapter 10 - A Private Conversation

Trixie propped her head up on her hand, leaning heavily into it and stared vacantly into space… even magical lawyers were boring. She didn't think that the exaggerated snoring sound that she was thinking of making would be very polite to the wizened little creature what was pouring over an immeasurably long parchment scroll that stretched across her hastily cleared dining table. The top corners were weighted down with Trixies blender on one side and her motorcycle helmet on the other and the other end spilled off the edge of the table and piled on the floor in a messy heap. The little lawyer, Jareths lawyer, was taking an age to read over the very fine print of the contract that had been nutted out over the course of days. A tiny pair of half moon spectacles balanced precariously on the end of his bulbous nose, and he frequently had to stop to push back tonnes of wispy white hair that seemed to sprout from everywhere.

"By the time they get through with this the baby will be in college." Kelly whispered out of the corner of her mouth.

Trixie grunted in bored agreement.

Layla was dressed in her most formidable Donna Karan suit, she sat elegantly on side of the table with Kelly and Trixie, her hands folded gracefully on the table top in front of her. She was serving as council for Beatrix Tanner and she was going re-read the shit out of this contract once the hairy little twerp was done. She had already checked every possible clause for fault and loop hole, she had even quizzed the Goblin King and his 'lawyer' on the possibility of clauses and loop holes on the paperwork but sneakily hidden by magic… they were terribly affronted but she didn't care… She had a reputation to protect and she was going to make them wait while she went over it all again.

She was a property lawyer and Fae Relations were obviously not her speciality but she would ensure that her friend did not get trapped or lose her child to her… her… potential paternity suit? Layla snuck another look at the tall, utterly gorgeous King who stood haughtily at the head of the table, his fists arrogantly on his hips and his face the picture of impatience and irritation. He was impatient now, wait until she announced her intentions to go over the paperwork again.

It had been two days since Kelly and Trixie had shown up at her office, right before close of business, and told her about the unbelievable goings-on in Trixies flat. She had looked at both of them like they were quite mad.

Until HE had shown up. Poofing into existence in her office chair, looking for all the world like her most favourite wet dream come to life in midnight armour, oozing sex appeal and humming with an otherworldly aura. He filled her office with his presence as he reclined condescendingly in her black leather ergonomic chair.

Now, here she was – pouring over a magical contract with a troll or something… he looked like a hairy potato in a fancy bathrobe.

The hairy troll potato looked up from his perusal of the scroll and fixed Layla with a scowl.

"My client and I are content with the terms, my dear." He said condescendingly, his voice was like broken glass and rusty nails "What say you?"

Layla pushed her chair back slowly and elegantly rose to her feet, smoothing her suit as she did so.

"I will check over the paperwork once more before I advise my client in signing." She said smoothly.

The Goblin King growled angrily and crossed his arms across his chest, his eyes darkening in warning.

Layla straightened her spine and injected it with iron under that withering glare.

"Control your client, sir." Layla demanded, hiding her need to poo herself in fear very well.

"Highness… Please." The troll potato wheedled softly at his employer.

Jareth clenched his jaw and glared at each of the women sitting at the table in turn, his eyes coming to rest on Trixie. She looked tired and drawn. The last couple of days had been an ordeal for her and it was beginning to show. It can't have been good for the baby. He nodded his head and relaxed his tense shoulders. He took the few short steps to Trixies side and crouched down next to her as Layla took her place at the top of the contract and began to read, her pen clicking in her hand.

"Can I get you something for your comfort, my queen." He asked softly.

Trixie gave him an annoyed look. "A baseball bat and room to swing if you call me your queen again." She replied tersely.

The corners of his mouth hitched slightly.

"A bourbon, a blunt and a bean bag?" She asked hopefully when she saw that he was teasing her.

"How about a herbal tea?" He offered with a soft smile.

She sighed and rubbed her hand across her belly, today encased in a Lynard Skynard 'freebird' tee shirt, it was brightly tie dyed and the sleeves had been cut off to show her rounded arms. The prince was practicing for a UFC bout or something today, she didn't know if her insides could take the battering for much longer.

Jareth summoned a teacup, filled, steaming and smelling of chamomile.

"I hate tea." She groused quietly, giving the cheery little cup the stink-eye.

"It will relax you, Beatrix, drink it." He ordered, his voice still soft but brokering no argument.

Trixie looked sulky but she reached for the cup and took an obliging sip, while sneaking little looks at the King.

"Do you want to feel?" She asked hesitantly, offering an olive branch to her baby daddy.

"Feel?" He looked perplexed.

To his surprise, she took hold of one of his hands and lay it gently on her belly… any second now…

The Fae prince didn't disappoint, launching into fresh flurry of kicks. The Kings eyebrows disappeared up his forehead as he felt the little battle going on inside of his paramour. He removed his hand long enough to yank his thick leather glove from his long, supple fingers before laying them back over her tummy, his beautiful face dumb with wonder.

Trixie wanted to laugh out loud at the sappy look on his face, but was distracted by the loud buzzing that nauseatingly filled her head. The combined power of her magical son and his more magical father, mingling in the vessel that was her body was upsetting her equilibrium, making her stomach churn and her vision waver.

"Your Majesty… that is not wise." The troll lawyer warned sharply, observing Trixie swoon in her seat.

Jareth jerked his hand back from her and Kelly reached out to grab her shoulder.

"What did you do to her?" Kelly barked.

"I apologise." Jareth said, hurriedly tugging on his glove and reaching out to smooth Trixies hair back from her pale face. "I shouldn't have talked to him."

"You talked to him?" Trixie batted away both of their hands, her head now clear again, just the hum of the babys power remained.

"Hmmm, he's a bright wee chap." Jareth murmured proudly. "I forget how fragile you mortals are… when we are wed and you are infused with my magic, you will no longer be overwhelmed by it."

"You TALKED to him?" She blurted again in disbelief, "What did he say?"

Jareth seemed confused by her tone. "He said that he was content and that he liked it when you laughed…Have you not spoken to him yourself?"

Trixies bottom lip quivered, That was unfair "I can't…"

"Ahhh." He gave her a sympathetic look but did not continue. He instead stood up and took his place at the end of the table again and began to glower at Layla, willing her to read faster. The woman was such a Lawyer. He wanted to get his future queen and his son back to the castle beyond the Goblin City… He could make her want to stay, talking to her unborn son was just one thing he could do for her.

The contract they were about to sign gave him six weeks… he could convince her in six weeks… Hell, he could do it in two.