A/N: Alright, this chapter is a bit about Jareth, but mostly about Sarah's family and the lady herself, and their reactions to Sarah's accident. Enjoy!
Also a big thank you to Labyrinthlover30 for your helpful comments and critiques-I appreciate it so much! :)
Disclaimer: Honestly; a job with the Jim Henson Company would be a dream come true. Or even just to hang out in the Jim Henson Co. studio for five minutes. Or seconds. I'm flexible like that. Anyway, that'd be so great. *Wistfully sighs* Aw well... On with the story! ;)
Blind
Chapter 3: The King's Gift, and The Williams Family
"What about these ones? They're pretty!"
Suggested the mirror to a pensive Jareth, who slowly shook his head in the negative. "They are-but not part of the message-and more importantly, not what she would want." He waved his hand before the mirror and the image changed to reveal something else.
"Those are nice! If you use the white ones, I think the message will be complete." Called a voice from across the room in suggestion. Jareth glanced over at it and then studied the image on the mirror once more, tilting his head to one side thoughtfully.
"Yes, I think so, Tick-Tock. Thank you."
'Tick-Tock' was an old dark wooden cuckoo clock. He had three cast iron pendulums instead of two. They hung down from the base, each one lower than the last. On two of the pendulums, there was a different metal medallion of a small goblin's head. The third-and lowest pendulum-was a metal medallion of a black chicken. The medallions and pendulums themselves had been flattened until they were nearly paper thin; making it possible for all three to move freely without fear of bumping into each other. The clock's face was a dirty ivory color and the black cast iron hands were all crooked and zig-zagged wildly before actually pointing at the correct time. The frame of the face itself was wobbly looking, curving in and out and looking elegant in comparison to its haphazard hands. Sitting beneath the face was a pair of black, paper thin, cast iron arched double doors which were now opened.
Tick-Tock's pendulums ticked and tocked a rhythm in a pleased way, and his voice resounded from inside the opened doors. "Anything for the King, Your Majesty."
The mirror shot Tick-Tock a dirty look, but the clock was far too pleased with himself to care what she thought. "There. That should do it. I'll add a few things and send it on its way." Jareth said, and made a few more gestures. Then with a wave of his hand the image cleared, sending whatever it was away to its destination.
The mirror asked, "Does this mean that you've figured out a method? Are you going to go?" Jareth looked at the mirror's worried face in amusement. She was afraid of another day with the goblins. Tick-Tock was safe and sound high above any goblin's reach-but Mirra the mirror-at her place lower on the wall, was very much amongst the rowdy creatures.
"My dear Mirra, will you miss me terribly?" He teased her coyly, and if the mirror could blush, her cheeks would've been redder than a ripe tomato. As it was, the metal of her cheeks only darkened a few shades-which was impressive; considering she was cast iron. Jareth chuckled, then turned serious. "In answer to both of your questions: yes I have, and yes I am."
He could tell that she was bordering on asking him to remove her, but that she hadn't yet worked up the courage to do so. Jareth had been waiting for her to ask-he wasn't going to suggest it, though. She had to make the choice herself. But it didn't appear that today was that day. So Jareth said, "If either of you need anything you may call me-but only if it's very important. I don't want to be called back here because the goblins smeared raspberry jam on someone's frame or pendulums. Unless you're in true physical danger, you're not to call. Am I understood?" He said firmly, and the two hurriedly replied.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Jareth folded his arms and tilted his head up a bit with a sigh, closing his eyes. The day had hardly begun, and already he felt exhausted. "Good," He said at length; rubbed his face with one pale hand, and excused himself from the room.
The king then made his way to his chambers to prepare. A great many things needed to be planned-this was going to be an interesting venture.
Robert Williams-father to both Sarah and Toby, and husband to Karen Williams-was sitting at his desk at the law firm where he worked, when he got the call. It was the most terrifying call he'd ever received in his life. His little girl, his Sarah, had been in a terrible accident and he was needed right away. Immediately after the call, he'd called his wife and informed her of what had happened. Informed her that Sarah had been hit by a truck and was in the hospital, and Karen had been as horrified as he was. He was comforted with the knowledge that Karen cared a great deal for Sarah.
But Sarah and Karen's relationship hadn't always been as pleasant as it was now. When Sarah was fifteen, she and Karen had not gotten along at all. But then it seemed almost over night that Sarah's attitude had changed and she opened up to her stepmother. It was still a gradual process, but it shocked both of the adults when Sarah greeted them when they returned from their date one night, asking how it went and if they enjoyed themselves. His daughter also made a great many friends that year, and even had a few dates that preceded a few-to her father's sudden dismay-boyfriends. None had lasted very long, though. When asked about it, Sarah would say that they weren't mature enough and only wanted one thing; and she wasn't going to give that away to just anyone. It had to be the one she chose to marry.
This was music to her poor father's ears.
Shortly after high school, Sarah had moved halfway across the country to further her education and get a job. He and Karen both had been proud and happy for her, but they also missed her. She visited at holidays, but was growing increasingly busier, it seemed, by the day. And when she finished school and started to work full time for an advertising agency, it was even more rare for them to see her at all. So Sarah instead got into the habit of calling them whenever she could. She kept them updated on her life, and they kept her updated with theirs.
How Toby was growing up into an intelligent young man, how Karen had begun a popular book club, and how Robert had been promoted to a high position at his office. She'd been happy for them, but Robert could tell that hearing how they were all doing made her miss them all the more.
The man was pulled back from his thoughts by his wife's worried voice over the phone. "Robert? Hello? Are you going to fly over and see her?"
Robert shook himself out of his thoughts and rubbed his face with his hand at the growing headache building up from a foundation of anxiety. "Yes, and once she's able to, I'll fly back here with her to our hospital so we're nearer to her."
Karen Williams had just finished her book club meeting for the week, when her husband had called. Precariously balancing a tray of tea cups and the remnants of tiny sandwiches and desserts, Karen had a bit of trouble managing it through the two-way swinging door leading into the kitchen. The phone rang just as she was almost through it and she nearly dropped the tray entirely. "Oh!" She huffed, and hurried as fast as she dared to the sink to set the tray beside it, before snatching the phone's receiver up from off of its cradle on the counter.
"Hello!" She said breathlessly, and then her husband's voice croaked and Karen stood still in alarm.
"Karen, something's happened to Sarah."
Karen felt herself go cold. Sarah? Karen promptly made a consciously careful beeline for one of the counter's cushioned barstools, taking the phone cradle with her. "What's happened to Sarah?" She gasped.
Robert took a deep breath and began to explain. "She was crossing the street while out for a morning jog, when a truck driver coming up the street didn't see her in time to stop, and ran into her. She'd had her headphones in and hadn't heard him when he honked. The trucker stayed with her until the ambulance arrived. I can't express how grateful I am to him for taking care of her for that short time." Karen nodded to herself in the same relief.
"So are you going to go and see her?" She asked, but Robert had fallen silent on his end of the line. "Robert?"
There was still no answer and worry clouded her voice. "Robert? Hello? Are you going to fly over and see her?" Robert breathed shakily, the air rustling against the phone, and he replied.
"Yes, and once she's able to, I'll fly back here with her to our hospital so we're nearer to each other."
Karen nodded to herself. "I'll get a bag ready for you—come home and eat before you go up. You'll be no good to Sarah if you're half-starved." Robert gave a faint chuckle, thankful his wife thought of these things.
"I will. Thank you, Karen."
Karen then spent the next hour anxiously packing a suitcase for her husband for his trip to see Sarah. She'd been relatively calm over the phone—but it was the shock of the news that kept her that way. Now that she was no longer on the phone, the reality of the whole situation really hit her, and she sat at the counter crying for a while. Eventually she pulled herself together, remembering she had promised to pack a bag-and began worrying about what he would need; and if Sarah would need anything. At last she called her friend, whose husband traveled out of town frequently. Her friend, Sophie, calmed a tearful Karen down and walked her through what was most important to pack, and any other 'just in case' things.
Everything was ready for her husband, and at a last moment's thought, Karen hurried up to Sarah's old room—which had been converted into a guest room a little while after she had moved out—and got out a box of her old things. She put Sarah's favorite stuffed bear, Lancelot, whom Sarah had given to Toby until he got old enough that he deemed himself 'too old for it' and Karen had put it in a box of Sarah's old things, hoping that her step daughter might someday want them for her own children. Besides Lancelot, she laid an old comforter out on the bed, and Karen wondered if she wasn't being a bit silly in doing this. But she wanted Sarah to know how much they cared for her. At last everything was as ready as she knew how to make it, and she hoped it would be enough until they knew more about Sarah's condition.
Ten-year-old Toby Williams was tired. Really tired. So tired, that he found himself struggling to keep his eyes open. He sat in his fifth grade classroom to one side of the room, furthest from the door. They were going over the math they had begun learning the day before. The teacher-Mrs. Stevens-who was a thin, middle aged woman with golden brown hair sparsely streaked with fine silver hairs, was up at the chalkboard writing down multiplication problems. She was pretty and kind, and never yelled at the children unless they were doing something dangerous. All of her students loved her.
But today Toby was exhausted. He'd woken up in the middle of the night with a terrible dream that now he couldn't recall. All the boy could remember was that someone had taken his sister far away-and that the someone had odd eyes and wild hair. But Toby couldn't remember anything else about the face. As a result, he was terribly tired and desperately wishing class would be over soon. Unfortunately, his class still had about three hours before school was over for the day.
Toby gave a great yawn, not realizing how loud it was. His friend next to him nudged him and flicked his eyes at the teacher. Toby quickly covered his mouth and ducked his head, sending his own wide eyes up to Mrs. Stevens. She turned around at the sound with her eyebrows raised a little, but when she saw his reddening face, she smiled a little at him and then turned round to continue the lesson. Toby exhaled quietly in relief and gratitude at her not calling him out or being cross with him. He then went back to his lesson.
A knock on the door made everyone in the room look up, and the principal's secretary poked her head inside. "Excuse me Mrs. Stevens, but I need Toby Williams to come with me." Mrs. Stevens, concerned, but not one to pry, nodded and gestured at Toby. "Toby, go ahead with Ms. Madison." The secretary, Ms. Madison, looked around, and saw Toby when he gathered his things and stood up. She smiled a little at him and opened the door further so that he could step out into the hallway. His mother was standing there waiting for him, looking pale.
A week had passed after Toby's Father got the call that something had happened to Sarah. He flew to the hospital she was being cared for in and stayed there a full week and a half. Finally his father had brought Sarah back to their town's hospital, and the day after that, Toby and his mother, Karen, went up to see them.
Toby and Karen's shoes met with the hospital's cheap linoleum floor with a swift beat made up of worry and anxiety. He and his mother were walking down a hospital hall on their way to see Sarah. Eventually they came to a door that was partially opened, and Toby could hear that Sarah and their father were speaking, but he couldn't make out what they were saying.
All he did know when coming up here, was that Sarah had been in an accident-and that something was wrong with her-but his mother failed to elaborate on exactly what was wrong with her. But now that they were here, he hoped he'd be able to get some answers. Karen knocked on the door, and then they both stepped inside.
The first thing Toby noticed was the three bouquets of flowers on the hospital room's rolling table-which currently sat by the door and blocked his view of the majority of the room. The first he'd find out later was from the truck driver, and it consisted mostly of a variety of colorful daisies, with a card apologizing and saying that if Sarah ever needed anything, to let him know. The second bouquet was from Toby's father. It was one of the more extravagant 'get well' bouquets from his preferred flower shop, and the second largest of the three.
Toby stared in awe at the third. It was an elegant and simple bouquet, but also the largest. The most interesting thing about it was the tall, elaborately carved crystal vase that held the flowers. It sparkled subtly, casting tiny diamond shaped specks of light throughout the partially lit room. The vase held red peonies, white heather, and white gardenia; and the little specks of light from the vase shone up at the flowers and made them look as if they glowed. All combined, it looked very ethereal, and was without a card. Toby's mother gazed in wonder at it as they were coming in.
Robert heard their arrival and came over to greet them, hugging his wife tightly and sighing in relief, his heavy shoulders easing as he spoke hushedly. "I'm so glad you're here."
Karen returned the hug and replied. "I'm glad we were able to come and see her." Robert then pulled away, and she looked around the room.
Her eyes were again pulled to the sparkling bouquet. "Honey-did you bring those ones?" She whispered to her husband, and Robert shook his head lightly.
"No, and none of the nurses seem to know where they came from, either." He looked to the flowers, himself, saying. "They're beautiful, aren't they?" Karen nodded silently.
While this exchange was happening, Toby was busy looking around at the large room. It was filled with morning light from the sun outside, making the crystal vase shine even more. Then at last his eyes fell upon his injured sister, and Toby's stomach dropped and his face paled. She looked horrible.
She had scratches and bruises and her right arm was bandaged, and she was laying back in her bed, cocooned in blankets and pillows and looking as pale as the sheets she was wrapped up in. The large bandages around her head and over her eyes were what scared Toby the most. Karen led Toby to Sarah's side, and he looked her over again and his face wrinkled, tears pricking his eyes. The dark haired woman didn't need to be told who it was to know that it was Toby. She'd already turned her head towards him at the unmistakable sound of little feet, and Sarah smiled at him. "Hey Tobes."
Toby gulped and smiled faintly back, clutching her pale hand between both of his tightly. "Hi Sarah..." Sarah shifted in the bed, then, saying to Robert.
"I'd like to sit up, Dad." Her father moved forward and helped Sarah into a sitting position, while he directed Karen to use the bed's remote to raise the head of the bed and Robert eased Sarah back into the pillows there. Sarah relaxed into the bed with a sigh, her face creased with light lines, revealing her to be in pain. But they, too, lifted away and she smiled toward Toby, her hand gripping his as though to reassure him.
"How's school? Are you helping Karen out at home?" She asked, and the way she said it, made Toby feel a bit better. She sounded alright, at least. Toby nodded and responded.
"School's ok-my teacher, Mrs. Stevens, is really nice."
Sarah's smile widened into a grin. "I remember her! Does she still make her funny little cartoons on one side of the chalkboard?"
Toby's eyes brightened a little and he grinned back. "Yeah!" Sarah laughed and replied,
"Those always made me laugh." Toby nodded, and Sarah spoke again. "So are you helping Karen out at home?" She questioned. The blonde boy turned his head to look at his mother shortly before returning his gaze to his big sister.
"Yeah, I get to mow the lawn now, and I help mom with chores."
Sarah nodded, satisfied. "That's good-you keep that up, alright?" She said it in a half-serious voice, and Toby rolled his eyes in an attitude mastered only by ten year olds. But his saddened eyes and grimly set lips belied his tone of joking irritation.
"OK, Sarah. I promise."
Sarah's smile curved up in one corner into a smirk briefly before the room fell silent. They were thinking about what to say next. At last Toby quietly asked. "Sarah, what happened to you?" Sarah's smile fell a fraction, before she pressed her lips together in a thin line.
Before Toby and Karen arrived, Sarah and her father talked over what she was going to do after she was released from the hospital. She couldn't continue in her job, which required sight and swift mobility-two things that she would never again be able to do, according to the doctor. "You'll have to learn to walk with a cane, and for the first several months, it would be good to stay with someone who can help you manage the everyday things," The doctor had advised calmly.
'Everyday things!' Sarah thought bitterly. 'Won't I even be able to get dressed by myself anymore?!'
"We'll take care of her."
Robert reassured both the doctor and Sarah, the latter protesting, "Dad, I don't want to be a bother-"
Robert interrupted her firmly. "Sarah, you're no bother-and don't ever think that you are-it's no problem." Sarah fell silent and the doctor continued.
"That'll be best, I think. You'll want to continue physical therapy at home once you leave here. Once a week a physical therapist will visit you, and you'll be given exercises to practice by yourself or with your family's assistance, to help strengthen your leg. And being that your leg isn't too terribly damaged, it'll likely only be a couple times that the therapist visits you. Your fractured arm with heal without too much trouble, its cast will ensure that over the next couple of months."
The Williams' listened grimly, and the doctor kindly offered. "I am truly sorry for your loss. I know it seems hopeless-but this tragedy could open up a whole new world for you." Sarah thought on his words, but was more than a little bitter, and her bitterness toward the situation grew with every passing second. A whole new world would be opened to her? What kind of world would be better than the one she'd grown up in? One which was full of vibrant color and life?
What world could ever replace the one she'd had-one that had blessed her with the opportunity to see the faces of her loved ones-to see Toby as he grew up into a young man. She'd never experience that now. She'd never experience anything that could possibly replace those precious-and now forever lost-moments.
"Don't give up hope, Miss Williams; you're a strong woman. I believe you can do anything if you only decide to try." Despite the doctor's kind words, Sarah only felt anger and despair. How could she not give up hope? Sarah pressed her lips thin together to evade crying, and the doctor excused himself, promising to come back and check on her after a little while.
Her father spoke soothingly to her, "Don't worry, Sarah-there's some hope, after all! Always a silver lining-you mustn't forget that." He meant it to be encouraging, but Sarah felt anything but encouraged. She turned her head away from him, taking her hand back from his and swallowing the lump forming threateningly in her throat.
He was hurt-she could tell from the strained silence-and he sighed quietly. "Are you hungry? How about I find you something to eat?" Sarah didn't respond, and silence reigned, until his chair squeaked as he stood. "I'll go and see what I can find. I'll be right back, sweetheart." Her father said it softly, then slipped out of the door. The hurt in his voice was potent, and Sarah felt horribly guilty at how she'd treated him. None of this was his fault-and she had no right to take her anger out on him; especially now when he had so generously offered to take her in. Sarah decided she'd apologize when he came back.
Across the room there was a faint sound like something glass being set down on something wooden-the rolling table, maybe? And afterward, a flowery smell flowed from where the sound had originated; filling the room with a pleasant but light scent.
Sarah jumped at the sound, and her heart thudding, she called warily. "Hello...?" There was no answer. Had she imagined it? The sweet smell reached her and she felt herself relax a little. Footsteps entered the room, and her father's surprised voice questioned her.
"Sarah, are you alright? What's wrong?" Sarah didn't understand his surprise, until she realized that the sound that had surprised her, had frightened her so much, that she had jerked upright in bed. Why had it scared her?
Robert paused, then asked. "Sarah, did someone come in while I was gone?"
Sarah's lips turned down into a quizzical frown. "No, why?"
Robert stepped closer to the bed and answered. "There's a bouquet of flowers sitting next to mine on the rolling table." Sarah's frown deepened. Was that the sound she'd heard? Had someone just put the flowers down and left? That seemed an odd thing to do. Her dad sat on the edge of the bed beside her.
"I don't know-I heard a sound but no one spoke. Maybe a nurse brought it?" Sarah suggested doubtfully, and her father agreed.
"Could be." But he sounded just as doubtful as she felt.
Sarah replied. "I don't know who they'd be from, otherwise. I haven't had time for a boyfriend-not with how busy I am-" She stopped, and Sarah amended her statement, "-was." An awkward silence fell, until her father lifted it away.
"Oh, I almost forgot! I was able to find us some peach yogurt!" She could hear the smile in his voice and he shifted on the bed so he was facing her fully. "Here, do you want it?" Sarah hesitated. In truth, she hated anything with peaches in it. Ever since that night-"Sarah? Are you ok?" Robert's worried voice interrupted her thoughts and she forced a smile.
"Yeah. That sounds good, Dad. Thanks." She put her hands out and he carefully placed a plastic cup in one and a plastic spoon in the other. She hated peaches, but her Dad went to all that trouble just to get it for her, so she'd eat it.
They spent the next couple of hours discussing what they'd be doing for her at her father's home and decided they'd have to figure it out more when they got there. In the meantime, Sarah called her boss-who had been managing the mess at work-this time it being carpet choices and wall repairs, and not gallons of sewer water, she was dealing with. Sarah's nose wrinkled at the thought in sympathy. They'd have to gut the rooms to replace the sheetrock of the walls. Otherwise the smell would never go away. Because of this, it turned out that regardless of Sarah's own personal position, the business would be closed for several weeks-if not months. Her boss said they were likely to rent another building for the time being, and Sarah wished her luck, while her boss offered assistance with anything, should Sarah need it.
Sarah had also gotten in touch with her friends where she'd been living, and they all regretfully pitched in to help pack up her things, giving her treats and gifts in the hopes of lifting her spirits. Robert thanked them gratefully and hired a moving company to deliver everything to Sarah and her childhood home. Now all that was left was to heal and have hope that things would work out for the better.
Later when Toby and Karen arrived, it was pure torture for Sarah. She hadn't seen her brother in so long-and she'd forgotten until he arrived, that there was no possible way for her to see his face ever again. It took every ounce of courage in her to not break down into tears.
They talked, and when she jokingly reprimanded him, he'd replied in his own tone of joking irritation. "OK, Sarah. I promise." Sarah's smile curved up in one corner into a smirk briefly before Toby quietly asked. "Sarah, what happened to you?" Sarah's smile fell a fraction, before she pressed her lips together into a thin line.
He continued. "Why do you have bandages over your eyes?" Sarah squeezed her little brother's hand and smiled sadly.
"It's because I can't see anymore, Toby. When I was in that accident, I hit my head and my eyes were hurt." Sarah said, to which Toby cried in horror.
"Wait, so you mean-you'll never be able to see me, or mom and dad-again?"
Sarah nodded, then added with a feathery touch of humor in her tone, in an attempt to lighten the suddenly gloomy mood, "Yeah, which means you guys can make as many funny faces at me as you want, and I'll never know it." She grinned but it was more of a grimace, and Toby's voice shook with disapproval as he said loudly.
"Don't say that, Sarah! It's not a joke!"
Sarah jumped and her heart sunk in regret, her lips curving downward in a grimace. "Toby!" Karen chastised him, but Sarah shook her head swiftly in the negative, holding tightly to Toby's hand-she was afraid he'd pull away.
"No, it's fine Karen. He's right." Sarah frowned seriously. "I'm sorry Toby, you're right. It's not a joke and I shouldn't treat it like it is-but I said it because I didn't want you to worry."
The doctor returned just then, cutting their conversation short. "Well, it looks like you're able to go home now, Ms. Williams." Sarah felt a surge of relief, until he continued speaking. "I'll have the nurse come in to remove your bandages from around your head and eyes before you do, though." Sarah felt suddenly nervous. What would her face look like? She knew she wouldn't be able to see her face-and while that hurt, it was nothing to how concerned she felt about how it would look to her family, and how'd they react.
The doctor then addressed Sarah's father directly, "Mr. Williams, would you please follow me? I'll need you to sign the discharge papers, and to collect your daughter's belongings. Her father responded.
"Of course." He paused briefly, "Toby, why don't you come with me? You can help me with Sarah's things, and tell me about your week." Toby grudgingly agreed, promising Sarah in a quiet voice.
"Don't worry, Sarah, I'll hurry!" The sister's heart warmed, and she smiled in amusement at her little brother, though he was entirely serious.
"Alright, Toby." He released her hand and left with their father and the doctor.
"He looks up to you, do you know that?" Sarah turned her head toward Karen in surprise. Her stepmother had been standing beside Toby at Sarah's bedside-and for a guilty moment, Sarah realized that she had forgotten Karen was there. The injured woman had been so focused on Toby, she'd temporarily forgotten anyone else was there. She wondered if it wasn't the pain of her injuries, clouding everything but what she was most focused on.
"Does he?" Sarah breathed at last, and Karen replied.
"He talks about you constantly to his friends and teachers. About his 'awesome big sister'. I don't think a day goes by that he doesn't mention you or ask if you've called. He was really scared for you coming up here. He's been very brave."
Sarah smiled. "That sounds like Toby. He's the bravest little boy I know." Karen laughed lightly, and a knock on the door announced the nurse.
She greeted them and set out everything she'd need, then removed the bandages with alacrity, only pausing to cut parts of the bandages off-very carefully so as to avoid cutting Sarah-and she was soon finished. Karen gasped, "Oh, Sarah!" The nurse hurriedly explained sympathetically to a suddenly worried Sarah.
"The truck hit the right side of your head. You'll have a scar from your right temple all the way over onto the side of your head above your ear, after the stitches are removed-which will be roughly about a week or more from now." She added at the end, when Sarah began to ask. She then continued. "The hair's been cut away from that area to aid in stitching it up, so it'll grow in a bit crookedly."
Sarah could hear Karen trying to quiet her own tears, and at last Sarah hesitantly opened her eyes. She had to blink and look around to be sure her eyes were even really opened-everything was black as pitch to her. Her eyes felt stiff and tacky, and in the end she still wasn't quite sure that they were truly opened. So she asked wearily. "Are they really open?"
Karen sniffed. "Yes, Sarah, they're open." Sarah reached up to touch her face, and at last covered her eyes with her palms, blinking her eyes slowly open and closed to feel the lashes as her eyelids opened, just to verify it for herself.
The nurse was silent until after their exchange, and after Sarah's exploration of her damaged eyes. "I'm going to wash your face, miss-the surgeon leaves behind an antibiotic sort of lotion after surgery." Sarah nodded silently and the nurse went to the restroom attached to the hospital room to get some wet and dry towels. She returned and washed Sarah's face carefully and then dried it. "There! Much better. My goodness, you're beautiful, miss!" The nurse praised, and Sarah blushed, feeling awkward.
"Thanks..." She certainly didn't feel beautiful-particularly not then when she felt so grimy. The nurse seemed to have read her mind, because she told Sarah she could bathe as soon as she got home; but to have help washing her hair so as to avoid touching the stitches. Karen offered to help with it, and Sarah was grateful. Her hair dirty was one of the things Sarah couldn't stand. The nurse then excused herself, saying good bye, and Sarah and Karen sat in silence, just thinking of the future.
At length, Karen spoke, "I meant to tell you, Sarah, that Toby's right about that joke. You shouldn't say things like that. With Toby, you have to be more straightforward and honest with him, or else he won't trust you; and I know that's not what you want." Sarah's heart clenched painfully at the thought. Toby not trusting her would be unbearable.
"What I want is to protect him from this as much as I can!" Sarah said in frustration.
Toby's voice reached out to them from across the room in indignation, and Sarah jumped. "Mom's right, Sarah. I'm big now. You don't need to protect me anymore."
Sarah tried to interject. "Toby, I'm-"
Toby cut her off, coming closer as his father was pushing in what sounded like a wheelchair. "-going to be fine. You've protected me long enough-I think you need to let me protect you."
A/N: Daw, Toby's almost all grown up. I debated briefly on his age, but ten seemed a good number. I wanted him to be 'the protector' for his big sister. Little boys like to be responsible; and by helping his sister, it also gives him a chance to prove he's no longer a child. Toby's a big boy now, people!
Also, I like to leave little 'easter eggs' in my writing, so the flowers in Jareth's bouquet for Sarah have these meanings:
- White Gardenia: "You are lovely", they're also a symbol of "secret love". (Hint hint, nudge nudge)
- White Heather: Protection from danger.
- *Red Peony: Devotion.
- The message through them being: "You are lovely, and I will protect you from danger."
Isn't he so sweet? ;)
*A big thank you to STift1981 for pointing out the peony confusion! Thanks so much! :D
Disclaimer: Pretty sure I don't own it.