Chapter 8
After they finished their drinks, they took turns showering and changed into something more comfortable.
Sarah in jeans and a green sweater and Jareth dark brown slacks and a silky white button down shirt.
Jareth put on his heavy coat and helped Sarah with hers.
Arm in arm they walked through the light snowfall over to the main lodge where a dinner buffet was being held in the dining room.
"Sarah Jean!" As soon as they came through the door, her Aunt Minnie had her in a tight hug.
"Aunt Minnie, how are you? Are you feeling better?" Sarah asked when her aunt stepped back and as she shrugged off her coat. Jareth took it from her and hung the coats on the rack by the door, then stood behind her quietly.
Minnie's sparkling green eyes took her in then widened slightly seeing Jareth. "Aye, lass, feelin' fine. And who is, this handsome fellow?"
Jareth extended his hand and bowed. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, dear lady. I am Jay King, lovely Sarah's paramour. I hear the old world in your accent, from whence do you hail?"
"Sarah's man you say? Good good. I hear a rumor as such. Scotland is ma' home, born and raised. Moved ta' the states around Sarah's age with my a ghrĂ idh* for work, gone near 20 years now."
He smiled, lifted her hand and kissed it gently. "Tis a shame, a beauty such as you should never be alone." He winked, and she blushed.
Sarah watched as the elderly woman's eyes lit up. Jareth was already charming one of the hardest to charm in her family. Her aunt had no qualms about speaking her mind.
" Hey, Sarah Jean. " Came a voice from the side.
Sarah groaned internally, Gordon. Her aunt was really a great aunt, sister of her paternal grandmother, and Gordon was her nephew on her husband's side and as such they weren't blood related, so he thought that meant he could creep on Sarah and it was okay. He used her middle name in such a way that he knew drove her nuts, she only tolerated it from Minnie as she had always called her that.
"Cousin Gordon." She said tightly, trying not to wince when he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.
"You look absolutely scrumptious." He said with a skeevy grin.
Sarah shivered in revulsion.
Jareth slid between them, holding out his hand and smiling in such a way that was not at all friendly and more predatory, liky a lion eyeing its prey. "I am Jay, Sarah's boyfriend, we haven't met yet." It came out a low growl.
Sarah noted Jareth looked like he'd rather shake Gordon by the neck than the hand.
She tried to keep from smiling at Gordon's rather shocked face. "Um, hey. I didn't know Sarah had a boyfriend. That's new." He put his hand is Jareth's gloved one. Jareth gave his hand a good squeeze.
Gordon gulped.
"I've heard about you, however, Cousin Gordon, and have been certainly looking forward to meeting *you, " Jareth got what he knew was uncomfortably close to the man. "Perhaps we can chat later."
There was a long uncomfortable moment until Sarah took pity on Gordon. "Okay, hey, lots of people I need to introduce you to, Jay, let's go make the rounds."
Jareth dropped the man's hand as Sarah's arm threaded through his. "Of course, my love, lead the way." He turned but held the other man's gaze a few more seconds. And just for a flash, let the man see a hint of his true self. Not enough to know what he saw, or *if* he saw, but enough to cause him an unexplained feeling of fear of the King. "Have a good evening." He said in a sing-song voice, ending in a small chuckle.
"You about made him piss himself." Sarah whispered with a conspiratorial giggle. "I enjoyed that far more than I should have."
"Say the word, precious, and he'll be wallowing in the bog for eternity."
Sarah wrinkled her nose. "I don't know if even Gordon deserves that. Ugh."
"We'll have to agree to disagree." Jareth answered. "Shall we?" He gestured to the rest of the family milling about.
Sarah nodded and led him around the room and introduced him to every relative. The aunts and Sarah's grandmother were easy to charm. The Uncles were a bit harder but Jareth handled them all marvelously. Sarah had never seen her Uncle Jesse, Karen's stepbrother, so much as smile, yet Jareth manged to get him doubled over with laughter. Things were going great until the wait staff started handing out drinks. Sarah groaned as she saw Aunt Pearl and Uncle Bobby both grab glasses. "Oh no." She groaned.
"What is it, love?"
"They're already drinking. This won't end well." Sarah sighed as she and Jareth followed everyone to the large dinning table to take their seats.
After some brief argument as to who was sitting where, it seemed quite a few wanted suddenly Jareth at their side at the huge table, everyone took their seats. Those under the age of 13 were placed at a smaller table on the other side of the room, much to Toby's annoyance. Sarah asked Karen if he could sit next to her instead so they could visit, and she reluctantly agreed. Toby gave her a grateful look.
Before anyone could start eating, Karen stood with her champagne flute in hand. She clinked her fork against the glass to get everyone's attention. "Hello everyone, first I wanted to thank you all for joining us here. I know it was a bit further to travel this year for our family gathering, but I'm sure we all need the vacation and this resort is beautiful. Now let's enjoy this feast the wonderful staff has prepared and have a glorious weekend."
She lifted her glass in the air and everyone mirrored her with cheers. Before Karen had a chance to fully sit down, Irene stood up. "Before you all begin eating, I'd like to say a few things. Firstly thanks to my sister Karen for organizing this whole trip, even it if was last minute and on the worst weekend for traveling..."
Sarah groaned internally as she listened to Irene go on and on. Irene always had to open her mouth about something.
Karen was probably already fuming and Sarah was certain to hear her rant about it later. Irene always tried to outdo her sister.
Seeing the frustrated look on her face, Jareth leaned over and whispered, "Everything alright, love?"
Nodding, she whispered back, "Yeah, just Irene causing drama as usual."
"Finally," Irene turned her attention to Sarah and Jareth, "I'd like to welcome Jay to our little gathering. Its about time Sarah started dating, though no clue how she hooked such a catch." Irene's irritating laugh caused Sarah to clench her fists. "Its too bad we're not at Karen's house this weekend. I'm sure you would have a ball looking through the photo albums. I absolutely adore the photo of little Sarah completely naked in the wading pool out back with her absentee biological mother Linda..."
Before she could continue to embarass Sarah, Jareth stood up and interrupted. "Sorry to be rude and cut in, but I have a few things to say. First thank you all for allowing me to be here during your family holiday. Second I'm honored that Sarah felt comforable enough to bring me along. We haven't been together a year yet, but she's already made me a very happy man. I look forward to becoming much closer to her and all you over this weekend. Now let's enjoy this feast before it gets cold."
As Jareth sat, everyone cheered and began digging in. Sarah reached over and placed her hand on his. When he glanced her way, she mouthed a silent "Thank you." He simply smiled and interlaced his fingers with hers.
They held hands like that until Sarah wanted a drink of water. Even then she let go reluctantly. Jareth had been chatting with one of her uncles to his left and stopped to smile at her as she let go.
He was left handed and she was on his right, which meant no awkward elbow jostling while trying to eat. But she noticed he was able to maneuver himself so it never seemed to be an issue.
"Pass the mashed potatoes, would you Sarah, geez." Toby's voice next to her cut through her thoughts. "I've asked you 3 times. Quit making goo goo eyes about your boyfriend."
Sarah hurriedly picked up the bowl in front of her and it nearly slipped from her fingers, yet there was a firm hand to prevent that. "Careful, Sarah." Jareth said. "You wouldn't want to deprive food to a growing boy. They can get touchy." He laughed.
"Um yeah. Here Toby." Sarah passed the bowl to her brother who rolled his eyes. "You're going to fun to hang out with this weekend." He grumbled.
"As a matter of fact, young man, we were hoping you would go exploring with us tomorrow." Jareth said across Sarah. "We were just discussing how your sister wanted to get in some time with her brother this weekend. "
Toby's eyes brightened but he wrinkled his nose. "Not if you're going to make out the whole time."
"Toby isn't quite there yet." Sarah said quietly to Jareth, then turned to her brother. "We promise. No making out. Maybe a little hand holding, but nothing you could call gross."
Toby thought a moment. "Well, okay, I'd like that."
He tucked back into his food, seemingly content.
"So Sarah" Irene's nasally voice cut through the chatter from across the table. "Wherever did you find this gorgeous hunk of a man? He doesn't seem your type. I always figured you'd end up with someone...more ordinary. Like a librarian or a lawyer at your father's firm."
"At my regular coffee shop." Sarah answered. The details of their well rehearsed background story came automatically.
Irene looked disappointed, like she wanted some salacious gossip like Sarah became a call girl and Jareth hired her a la "Pretty Woman."
Sarah smiled at the thought.
if Irene only knew.
"My Sarah is no ordinary girl, so nothing is extraordinary enough for her...even me." Jareth interjected.
He leaned in and kissed her cheek, and whispered in her ear. "Hope you don't mind me breaking your rules for a little peck."
Sarah blushed and looked at him through her lashes. "I don't mind."
To Irene it looked merely like two lovebirds cooing, and she let out a dissatisfied sigh. "Anyway..." She turned to Aunt Minnie, whom she inexplicably thought was hard of hearing. "Minnie! How is that high blood pressure of yours doing?! Hope you aren't going to keel over while we're up here!"
Minnie looked like she might want to throttle the woman, but politely answered all her loud questions for the sake of peace.
Sarah just shook her head at the display of rudeness, her step aunt always managed to stir up trouble.
The rest of dinner went by without too much drama. Aunt Pearl began to get a little tipsy and start spouting her usual religious jargon, but her clothes remained on. Uncle Bobby was a little belligerent, but nothing out of control.
After dinner Irene wanted to speak with Sarah and Karen. "Great," Sarah mumbled. "Wonder what drama she wants to cause now?"
Jareth patted her leg as he leaned closer. "Shall I help you avoid her?"
"Karen would kill me if I left her alone with her." Sarah was trying not to laugh at the thought. She couldn't help but wonder what Jareth might do.
"I believe I can handle her if she comes after you." Jareth whispered. "Besides you have a very tired boyfriend who needs your loving care." He added as he waggled his eyebrows.
Shaking her head, Sarah laughed lightly and poked him. "You're hopeless."
"Is that a yes?"
Before Sarah could respond, Irene spoke up. "And just what are you two giggling about over there?"
"Merely discussing the various activities we plan to enjoy tomorrow, such as building snowmen with young Toby." Jareth smiled.
"Snowmen?" Irene laughed. "He's going to be far too busy tomorrow for such nonsense."
"Busy with what?" Robert questioned.
"Why, his skiing lessons of course. I signed all the children up for lessons."
"I don't wanna ski!" Toby protested.
"Come now, Toby. That's no way to act. This is a ski lodge, what else are you going to do here?" Irene gave him an annoyed look. "No you'll love it once you learn what to do."
"Irene if Toby doesn't want to..." Karen started.
"Do you really allow a child to dictate his itinerary to you?" Irene sounded almost insulted.
"No, but we don't force him to do this he doesn't want to do either." Robert spoke up.
"Too bad, I've already paid for all the lessons. He will report to the beginer's course at 9am." Irene replied.
"I won't do it!" Toby shouted before storming off.
"Really, Karen, you need to have better control over that child." Irene stated before sipping her wine.
"I'll go talk to him." Sarah offered as she stood.
Jareth grabbed her hand before she could dash after her brother. "Take the lad to our cabin, I shall join you momentarily, love." Sarah nodded and took off to catch up to Toby.
They all watched Sarah leave and turned their attention back to Irene. "Now just who all did you get lessons for?" Aunt Minnie asked.
"Just the children!" Irene practically shouted at Minnie. "Any adults needing lessons can sign up tomorrow."
"Well you won't see me out there." Uncle Bobby stated plainly. "My fluffy ass will be in that hot tub. And if I'm lucky I won't be alone. There were some cute snow bunnies up at the hotel bar." He chuckled to himself.
"Irene, I appreciate you trying to help, but you should have checked with us before signing Toby up for lessons." Karen told her.
"Just get your money back. I don't think Toby will agree to the lessons." Robert added.
"No can do. No refunds." Irene huffed. "You tell that ungrateful little brat that he will be there or I'll drag him out of the cabin by his ear."
Jareth stood and grabbed his coat. "I've heard enough. Toby will only take the lessons if he chooses to do so." Irene started to argue but he held his hand up and stopped her. "As for your money, I shall reimburse you if that is what is needed. The lad said clearly he had no desire to ski. The fact that you went against his wishes clearly shows you're either hard of hearing or just a bitter, domineering shrew of a woman." Irene glared at him as he spoke, but the rest of the family was silently cheering him on. "Now I'm going to check on Sarah and her brother and whatever you wished to speak to Sarah about can wait. I may be the stranger of the group, but I will not allow anyone, not even members of this family to disrespect or bully my precious Sarah or young Toby." Jareth bowed to Karen and Robert and added, "You're son is welcome to stay in our cabin tonight if he wishes to. If not I will escort him to your cabin by at an appropriate hour."
"Thank you, Jay." Robert smiled. He might not like Sarah dating as most fathers do, but he certainly couldn't hate a man who put Irene in her place.
"Goodnight, Jay." Karen called after him.
Jareth waved to them as he headed for the door. Once outside, away from prying eyes, he summoned a crystal. "Fidget." He spoke unto the crystal.
Soon a grey Goblin appeared. "Yes, Kingy?"
"Gather the others and be ready when I call. I have a job for you in the morning." Jareth said softly. He gave his trusted subject the information he needed to pass on, then Fidget bowed and disappeared. "I believe its time the goblins learned to ski." He smirked as he headed for the cabin.
It was quiet when Jareth let himself in, but Toby was sitting on the sofa, with Sarah's consoling arm around him.
"Toby may remain here tonight if he would like." He said as he hung up the coats. "Your stepmother gives her permission."
"Thank you." Sarah answered without looking.
The king walked around and sat in the chair to the side of the couch. "Toby, it will be fine. You don't have to ski if you don't want to. Your parents said so. I offered to repay your aunt for the lessons."
"My aunt hates me." Toby mumbled.
Sarah gave him a squeeze across his shoulders. "It's not just you. I thinks just jealous of your mom."
She looked up to address Jareth. "She's been married a bunch of times and really resents Karen and dad having a good marriage. Her kids even dislike her. The twin boys you saw? She only has them 1 or 2 weekends a month and whichever holidays it's her turn for every year. Karen says she was the one that was the popular girl, most likely to succeed, all that, but her life didn't turn out the way she wanted so she pisses on everyone else's. Well Karen would never word it that way really but you get my drift. "
"Ahh yes. I do, sibling rivalry can be tricky." Jareth nodded." You'll be happy to know I may have said something I should not have."
"What?" Toby asked, suddenly very interested and not nearly as morose.
"Uhhh, never mind." Sarah said quickly. "Go wash your face. I'll get you set up on the couch tonight, but we'll all be going to bed early."
Toby left the room and Sarah moved closer to get the story from Jareth who told her what happened after she had left.
"Now, why doesn't Toby want to ski?" Jareth asked. "Children are typically gung-ho to go out and do such activities."
"Dont tell him I told you, but he is super scared of heights. Skiing down a hill really frightens him. He's always been like that."
A memory crossed Jareth's mind of himself playing with Toby, throwing him into the air and catching him. He wondered if that had anything to do with it. He winced inwardly.
"If he wishes I will teach him myself. He will be in no danger with me. I'll speak with him."
"I doubt he'll want to, but okay. These cabins are set up so we can use the phone and dial an extension to call each other, I'll just let them know Toby is sleeping here."
She did so and a few minutes later her father was at the door, dropping off Toby's toothbrush and pajamas.
He handed them to Sarah, waved to Jareth relaxing in the chair with a drink, and said goodnight.
By then Toby was coming out of the bathroom.
" Here, go brush your teeth and change, I'll get the extra blanket and pillows out of the linen closet and make your bed."
The boy sighed but did as he was told.
"It looks as if I won't be sleeping on the couch." Jareth observed with a smirk.
"No, but you *will* be on your best behavior, as good as you can manage anyway." Sarah told him. "I can't imagine these walls are exceptionally thick."
Jareth finished his drink and stood. "I promised I would be didn't I? It is you, precious, that has the power to change the rules. So I can only respond in kind. You behave, and I'll behave." He stretched and yawned. "I believe I will change and go to bed. You get your brother settled and join me at your will. Tell Toby goodnight for me." With that he disappeared into the bedroom and closed the door.
Sarah made up the couch and tucked her brother in, though he grumbled about being too old. She turned the lights off but the ambient light through the windows meant it wasn't completely dark.
When she went into the bedroom Jareth was already under the blankets and turned away from her side, breathing evenly.
She debated what nightwear to choose. She had a silky nightgown which she didn't know why she bothered bringing, and blue flannel pajamas. With Toby in the next room flannel was the safe choice.
But what about when Toby wasn't here? that little voice in her head asked.
"Don't even go there." She whispered to herself.
She went to the bathroom and changed, brushed her teeth, and crawled into bed as close to the edge as possible.
"Go where?" Jareth asked from across the bed.
"I thought you were asleep." Sarah asked.
"My senses are such that another person entering my sleeping chamber will wake me instantly. For obvious reasons."
Sarah giggled. "I promise I won't assassinate you. Be too hard to explain."
"Ha, true. It's nothing personal just instinct. If we shared a chamber all the time my senses would adjust to your constant presence and it wouldn't happen."
"Well, let's just take this one night at a time. Good night."
She got comfortable and closed her eyes.
"Sweet dreams, Sarah." She felt the mattress move as he resettled.
A few minutes later she spoke again. "Jareth?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you. For everything."
"You're welcome, dearest. Now sleep, you're keeping me awake."
But she could hear his smile in his voice.
"Sweet dreams right back at you then." she answered.
They both fell asleep smiling.
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A/N Since so many have been remarking about the subject, just noting that the story was pre-written several months ago for this occasion, thus the daily updates. All the LFFL authors thank you for your support and lovely comments! List of all contributing authors will be at the end :)
beloved in Scottish Gaelic*
