Chapter 35

Thank you guys so much for your reviews and commitment to reading my story. ::slumps down into chair:: Dear or dear, I've got so much to do! I've never planed a wedding! ::palms thunk on forehead as I shake my head:: This is going to be the end of me ::faints::

::bucket of ice water dumps on head, coughs and chokes:: HEY!! Who?!

::Jareth stands above me with feet spread apart and hands placed on his hips with brow arched:: Melissa, I can not have you sleeping at a time like this. I as well as all that have been following this story are waiting for you to finally get to the honeymoon.

::glares at Jareth as I toss my wet hair away from my face:: Watch it tights boy or you aint getting any for the honey moon. I'll just write you having problems getting it up so to speak. ::laughs as Jareth goes pale::

::mask of indifference quickly hides his moment of horror:: You would not dare. The others that have been following this have been looking forward…

::holding up my hand I stop him from commenting further:: Then you better be on your best behavior.

::a wicked sparkle gleams within his eyes as Jareth steps up to Melissa:: Of coarse if you are having problems with writing the honeymoon I'm sure that I could assist you in getting past that writers block of yours.

::now its my turn for discomfort as I flush crimson:: Uh… uh…I…well…um… ::very tempting but the hell if I'm going to let him know that!:: Jareth ::cough:: I'll let you know. Err… I mean that wont be… ::oh shit I've dug my hole haven't I?::

::a low deep sensuous chuckles from deep within his throat escapes his lips as he lightly pushes back my hair behind my ear:: Of coarse then I can not promise to be on my best behavior. I am but a call away. ::disappears with a burst of glitter and light, glitter thankfully dissolving as it hits the floor:

:: fans self:: Whew! I think it's a little hot in here ::gulp:: Hehe! He was just kidding, I'm sure…right? Oh dear. ::cough:: Um, read and enjoy and tell me what you think. ::continues to fan self thinking about…cough:: No nonono… must not go there…Mind out of gutter. Think of other things. Butterflies, diamonds, Jareth in those very revealing tight pants of his…::smacks head:: STOP! ::walks out of room grumbling about tempting Goblin Kings and there oversized egos::

Chapter 35

Entering the throne room they were greeted by Fayla as she had been waiting for him. Smiling at the breathtaking couple that the two made, Fayla awaited their attention.

Sarah's wonder at what Jareth was up to left her as soon as she saw her friend waiting in the throne room. She immediately returned Fayla's smile and was about to say something when Jareth beat her to it.

Seeing Fayla waiting Jareth nodded his head, "Fayla, have the arrangements been made?"

Bowing slightly, her smile never leaving her lips she answered, "Yes, they are as we speak preparing the setting for the wedding tomorrow." Looking to Sarah she continued, "And we should have the dress ready for a fitting later this evening."

Sarah wondered what it would look like but trusted that what ever Fayla had picked out for her it would be lovely. Suddenly she was all too aware of the butterflies that had formed within her stomach. How many people would be there, all their eyes focused on both her and Jareth? The thought was a bit nerve wracking.

"Thank you Fayla. We will be leaving to visit Aboveground to retrieve her parents and should be back well before the fitting and dinner. Please see to it that we have the two rooms ready for their arrival."

Fayla bowed to her King, having been made aware of his attentions for extra guests, "It will be ready for them when they arrive." Making her exit from the throne room Fayla stopped for a moment before Sarah, "Lady Sarah after you return when you are ready please send for me so that we can begin with the fitting of your dress." With a wink she whispered, "Everything will work out fine. Good luck with the reunion."

"Thanks," Sarah mouthed as Fayla curtsied slightly and made her exit. Looking back to Jareth she watched as he was playing with one of his crystals yet his eyes never leaving her form causing her to blush slightly.

Holding his free hand out to her he asked, "Shall we go and see your parents?"

Realizing that what they were wearing would not exactly pass as normal Sarah asked as she reached for his hand, "Shouldn't we change? I mean we'd look out of place if we showed up looking like this."

Taking her hand in his, Jareth's grinned a look flashing in his eyes that told her that he knew something she did not, "Trust me, they will not notice."

Before Sarah could ask what he meant by that she felt the room shift, a familiar pulse of what she concluded magic filling her. Blinking, they stood outside the cabin, the smell of country air and of hay and horses coming to her senses. Sarah had missed this place; a part of her wished to go see her horse and go for a ride, it had been so long.

Jareth new what she was thinking even though she had not voiced it, he was quite aware of her love for this place and that she probably missed the nightly rides that she would sneak out to take. With a smile he whispered in her ear, "Do not worry, you will be able to visit here any time that you wish."

Looking to Jareth, Sarah smiled with relief, she had wondered about that but was hesitant to ask, "Thank you." Looking to the door of the cabin she squeezed Jareth's hand, "Okay lets do this."

Sarah could feel her heart pounding as they approached the door, suddenly wondering if this was such a good idea. As Jareth reached out to knock on the door and watched as the door slowly opened she knew that it was too late to back out now.

Hearing the expected knock upon the door Karen did not hesitate to open it. Tidying up her short hair she grabbed the handle, taking a deep breath before slowly opening the door. She couldn't have them thinking that they were counting every minute until their arrival!

Opening the door she was genuinely happy at seeing Sarah and opened the door wider, "Sarah, it is so good to see you! Richard, Sarah's here!"

Sarah was a little stunned at the way Karen had so warmly greeted her and was even more stunned when Karen took her by the wrist beckoning her to enter. Looking back at Jareth she could not read his expression as he followed her in and decided to try and concentrate on breaking to her parents the news. There was a small part of her that wondered why Karen had not mentioned anything about their clothing.

Richard watched as Karen pulled in his daughter and was delighted to see her, he had not realized just how much he missed her until he saw her come through that door. Sarah looked amazing; his little girl was not a little girl anymore. There was a happiness within her eyes that he did not see when she had left and it was something that he hoped would never fade from his daughter's eyes.

Rising from the couch he took Sarah in his arms, hugging her as if he had not seen her in a year, "Hey, I've missed you!"

At his words Sarah tightened her hold on her father, oh how much she longed to hear that from him! Her father had so rarely showed his feeling for her and at his display she felt words catching in her throat. She had missed him too. Sarah was quickly distracted by her suddenly overwhelming emotions when something plowed into her from behind hugging her legs.

Turning, Sarah's smile widened at the sight of Toby looking up to her with a big grin on his face, "Sissy!"

As soon as her father released her she turned and picked up her little brother in a hug, "How's my little monkey? Oh boy you're heavy! You're getting too big for me to pick up anymore!"

Toby giggled in return, "You silly!" turning his head to the strange man that had come with his sister, he felt as if he had seen him before but wasn't sure. Pointing to the stranger Toby asked, "Who that?"

Jareth had watched the whole display with amusement; Sarah had so much love for her family, especially Toby. As he watched her and Toby interact he knew that she would be visiting Aboveground quiet frequently and that he was probably going to have a young visitor running around the castle on occasion.

Before Sarah could answer Toby's query, her father walked up to Jareth, holding out his hand to shake, "You must be the fiancé Sarah had wrote us about. Jareth, isn't it?"

Jareth smiled accepting Richard's hand with a firm shake, "Yes, it is an honor to meet you Richard."

Karen approached Richard's side, "I hope that the trip here was pleasant. Welcome and consider our home your home. Please let us have a seat and get to know each other better."

Pleasantly smiling to both he looked toward Sarah, whose expression was one of complete bewilderment, "I'd like that."

What was going on? Sarah had watched the whole exchange with complete and utter bewilderment. Both her father and her step-mother were acting as though it was perfectly normal that she and Jareth were dressed in medieval apparel, Karen was practically beaming and her father was… well her father but still! Toby getting a little too heavy to hold, Sarah put him down and settled for holding his hand.

This stranger bewildered Toby, he was so familiar and there was something magical about him as well. Whatever his bewilderment of this stranger was Toby knew that he liked him. Silently, he watched as the adults talked to one another and kept a hold of his sister's hand.

Looking up at his sister he immediately climbed into her lap as they all sat on the couch, he had missed her so much. It wasn't the same without Sarah around to help hide dinner when his mom cooked. He missed being able to sneak up on her and tackle her or the times when she would take him riding with her. He missed the stories she would read him sometimes at night and sometimes she would recite stories not having to read them from a book making those places she described seem so real. Toby often wished to go to those places.

Balancing Toby on her lap, Sarah's mind was filling with questions and she wanted to pull Jareth into the next room so that he could explain what was going on. Her parents already knew about the engagement and they were not even making a fuss as to the suddenness of their betrothal. What was going on?

Jareth was enjoying this visit quiet immensely; both Karen and Richard seemed very agreeable and kind. He wondered absently if Toby remembered anything from his last visit to his kingdom and noticed Toby's silence and he could see the boy staring at him in wonder. If he didn't remember him Toby most certainly felt that he was familiar.

Richard held Karen's hand in his as he studied the man that was going to be taking his daughter away from him. As likable as Jareth seemed a part of him could not help but feel a bit jealous of the fact that he was going to be taking Sarah away from him. Yes she would visit but she would no longer be living with them and so far away.

Shifting uncomfortably in his seat Richard asked, "So Jareth the letter says that you live within an estate in England?"

At this question Sarah's brow raised, much like a certain Goblin King and looked to Jareth. Jareth, not at all fazed by such a question, as he was the one responsible for the two's knowledge answered, "Yes, it's more of a castle than and estate and is in an area far away from any neighbors. I inherited it from my father."

Karen beamed, "It sounds lovely! We followed the instructions you left us and are ready to go whenever you are."

Oh, Sarah had enough of this! Gently pushing Toby off of her lap she smiled to her parents taking Jareth's hand in hers, "Can you excuse us for a moment?"

Not allowing her parents time to question Sarah took Jareth's hand and pulled him with her making her way to her bedroom. She encountered no resistance or protest from his person making her grateful. Pulling him into her room she quickly closed the door and looked to him with hands on hips, "All right Jareth, spill! What the hell did you do?"

With a chuckle Jareth stepped up to her, placing his hands on her waist and bringing her closer to him, "Sarah, do you trust me so little?"

Sarah was not at all pleased with his answer and expressed her displeasure with her best, "You better tell me what you did or so help me you are dead," kind of look.

Knowing that she was not going to leave the room without him explaining Jareth sighed, "Very well, I had sent them some peaches…" before she could yell at him he held up his hand, "do not worry, they were perfectly harmless. Their purpose is to make it so when they see the Underground and its inhabitants that the will see them as ordinary people and nothing more. Also they are aware that we have known each other for a long time, which is in a way true, and therefore our engagement seems perfectly acceptable."

Leaning against the door Sarah took all of this in, trying to process what he was telling her. In all words Sarah should be seething that he failed to share this crucial information with her before they had arrived! Shaking her head she glared at Jareth but was unable to fight the smile that tugged at her lips, "You could have warned me you know. So that's why they haven't asked about why we look like we stepped from the middle ages. Jareth you are the most…"

Kissing her lightly on the lips Jareth chuckled, "Devious, brilliant…"

Sarah couldn't help but laugh as she playfully hit his chest with the back of her hand, "Don't forget modest!" Jareth grinned at her sarcasm as she continued, "So Mr. Brilliant, just how exactly are you going to convince them that a trip to "England" is going to take a flick of your wrist and not a tedious long flight?"

Bending down to kiss her once again, yet more deeply than before he pulled away after a passionate moment, "Why Sarah, I would think you would have deduced the answer to that question by now!"

Leaning against him Sarah laid her head on his shoulder, "Magic, of course." Looking up at him she studied his smooth, perfect face for a few moments before adding, "I love you."

Jareth kissed her tenderly on the lips before returning, "And I love you. Now should we not be returning to your parents in the main room? Who knows what conclusions that they have come up with for us being gone for so long, and in your bedroom non the less."

Narrowing her eyes playfully she pushed him away, "Oh, you are impossible!" and opened the door before he could reply.

Following Sarah close behind he leaned into her ear to whisper, "Ah, but that is part of my charm!"

Sarah giggled as she shook her head and rolled her eyes. Entering the living room she saw Toby giggling as he squirmed in her dad's lap. Karen, her dad, and Toby were a picture and she wondered for the first time what it would be like to have a family of her own. Sarah shook her head from such thoughts; she was not ready to have children, not yet anyway.

Seeing Sarah and Jareth returning Richard stood propping Toby on his hip, "We're ready to leave whenever you two are."

Taking Sarah's hand Jareth approached them with a nod of his hand, "Very well."

Jareth's movement was so quick that Sarah had barely glimpsed the crystal that he had tossed before the room was flooded in glimmering bright light. Sarah blinked, it taking her a moment to get her barring before the room they were standing in became clear. They were not within the throne room but one of the greeting halls of the castle.

Richard yawned as he looked at the large hall that they were in, he felt exhausted having been on a plane for hours and the drive over was long as well. With a silent whisper he had to admit that the place was impressive.

Karen looked at their surroundings with open mouth, she had never seen such a place and it was breathtakingly beautiful. Sarah had definitely hit pay dirt, but Karen would never outwardly say that. Mentally she giggled at her own thoughts, one thing was for sure: Sarah would most definitely be well provided for.

Toby's jaw was hanging wide open; he couldn't believe it! They were standing in there in the living room and then Jareth had tossed a crystal up in the air and there was a bright light before they were here. Slowly Toby's head tilted up to the side looking at Jareth with wide eyes, he could to magic! Cool!

Sarah watched as her father and stepmother gaped at their surroundings and then to Toby. She held her hand to her mouth to hold back the giggles that threatened to escape at the expression she saw on Toby's face. Thankfully Karen and her father were to preoccupied to notice Toby's present expression of wonder.

Seeing Toby looking up at him with such open awe Jareth chuckled as he crouched down to be eye level with the boy. Making sure that his parents were not paying attention he made a crystal appear within his hand as he whispered to Toby, "I have a present for you Toby. See this crystal?" he began to weave it across his fingers then over the curve of his hand, over his arm and then allowed it to rest within his palm, "It's a very special gift that I would like to give to you. Whenever you have need of me or your sister all you need is call. But you must take good care of this. Can you do that Toby?"

Wordlessly Toby accepted the crystal into his small hand as he nodded, his eyes glued to the object in awed silence. Sarah watched the exchange and walked up to them before kneeling before Toby, "Hey kiddo, lets not tell mom and dad what just happened. I don't think that they would understand magic like you and me."

Toby smiled as he whispered, so that mom and dad wouldn't hear, "Ok, this is so neato! So those stowies were real?"

Sarah ruffled his short blond bob before pinching his nose, "Yep, sure is and you can come and visit me anytime that you want."

Jareth looked to Sarah taking her hand in his, squeezing it lightly, "That's right Toby, you are more than welcome to come to visit anytime, as long as you have that crystal we will always be within reach."

Seeing that Sarah's parents were most probably tired from their…trip Jareth rose to his full height, Sarah following suit, to get their attention. Clearing his throat Jareth regained Richard and Karen's attention, "I know that you must be tired and have already made arrangements for your stay. Shall we?"

Both Karen and Richard nodded in answer, both wanting to sink into bed and go to sleep. The wedding was tomorrow and they wanted to be well rested for that day. Richard was especially looking forward to walking his daughter down the isle. They both literally drank in their surroundings, never have seen the inside of a castle before. As they reached their room they wished Jareth and Sarah goodnight before they went to their rooms. Jareth had already explained that the door on the far right led to Toby's bedroom as Sarah hugged her little brother goodnight."

As the door was clicked opened Sarah leaned against him, "Thank you Jareth. This means so much to me that they can be here and that Toby can come to visit. I don't think I could bare it if I had to leave them totally behind."

Wrapping his arm around her waist he led her down the hall towards her rooms, "I would never think of taking you away from your family Sarah. As I had told you once before, you have only need ask it of me and I will see that it is done. Now, lets get you to your room and I will send word to Fayla that we have returned."

Stopping at the door of her room Jareth stroked the side of her cheek; "I'll see you at dinner later tonight, love." Taking both her hands in his he kissed each in turn before placing a loving kiss upon her lips, "Until then I will think of nothing but you."

Sarah watched him as he left a huge grin on her face, that Fae had a way of mesmerizing her. Tilting her head to the side she softly spoke to herself, "Oh, as much as I hate that he has to leave, I love watching him go!" Laughing at herself Sarah pushed herself into the bedroom; she never knew how true that little phrase was until just now. Closing the door behind her she wondered when her mind started to go in the direction it went when she was around him.