Thank you to everyone who has continued to review. I apologize that my replies have been slow and few and far in between, but do know that I am reading and appreciating each and every one of them. Real life has been very busy, but I am still making a point to put time aside to try and write.

Special thanks to my beta and friend, Scattered Logic.

This chapter has been edited of sexual content for ff.net. to read the author version please visit the UC homepage.

Chapter 30: It's only forever, not long at all

Despite the trouble that Mrs. Henry caused both Jareth and Sarah, she was the first one in the small group that gathered to rush up to the newlyweds. She gave Sarah a hug, sweeping her into her arms. As the older woman pulled back, Sarah noticed the tears in her eyes.

Mrs. Henry turned to Jareth and gave him a stern look. "She's your wife now. You had better take care of her or you'll have me to deal with."

Jareth bit back a tart reply. It was his wedding day, he told himself. He nodded politely.

Mr. Henry was next in line to give Sarah a hug. He pulled her close and, after releasing her, limped to Jareth to shake his hand. He wished Jareth the best of luck with his new wife.

Jacob hugged Sarah next and, looking deep into her eyes, told her, "You look very happy."

She nodded and smiled. She realized that Jacob had cared for her and some part of him probably still did. He had made a very unselfish decision in stopping his pursuit and allowing Jareth to take over.

She stepped forward and hugged him tightly. "You're a good man, Jacob, and I will never forget what you've done for Jareth and me." She pressed a soft kiss on his cheek and then stepped back to stand beside Jareth.

Sarah was surprised when Jacob patted Jareth on the back and then gave him a hearty handshake. The two men had become friends in a short amount of time and it pleased Sarah.

Thomas gave Sarah and Jareth each a quick hug and then rushed off to bug Ellie and Abigail about when the food was going to be ready to eat. They shook their heads at him and told him to pester his mother, which he did.

Ellie smiled shyly as she stepped in front of Sarah. "Congratulations on your wedding," she offered softly.

Although Sarah and Ellie worked together, they never talked very much. The young black girl was quiet and shy.

Sarah was in such a wonderful mood that she reached forward and pulled the girl into her arms.

Ellie was tense at first but relaxed and hugged Sarah in return.

Sarah stepped back and smiled warmly. "Thank you so much for preparing the food for our wedding. Both of you," Sarah said, extending her thanks to Abby who stood behind Ellie.

"It was a pleasure," Abigail told Sarah. She stepped forward and gave Sarah a light hug before introducing her husband and her boys.

Sarah had never met them as while Abby worked at the house the rest of her family worked in town for the blacksmith. Abby's husband, John, was a tall man with a deep voice. He shook Sarah's hand and smiled warmly. Their children, Alan and William, were around 4 or 5 years old. Both boys shook Sarah's hand, politely congratulating her on her marriage.

After the congratulations were completed, the minister politely bid everyone goodbye, the music started up and some people took to dancing under the apple trees. Sarah and Jareth stood on the outskirts and watched their guests.

Sarah smiled as she looked over at her husband. Jareth smiled in return.

"I never imagined that my wedding would be like this," Jareth told her softly.

"Is it better or worse than you imagined?"

Jareth leaned over and kissed Sarah's cheek. "Much better. I often dreamt of a lavish ceremony with people that I don't know. Other times, I dreamt of a ceremony with no one but my bride and I. I started to make myself believe that my real wedding would be similar to that."

Sarah frowned. "A wedding with no guests, but why would you think that?"

Jareth sighed. "I am not popular in the Underground. Most of the Fae do not associate with me." Jareth shrugged. "I had decided that no one would attend or everyone would attend, but only for the food and wine."

Sarah squeezed his arm in reassurance. "Unfortunately, many people attend human weddings for the same reason. A free meal and drink. I never understood why people who were not very friendly with the married couple were invited."

Jareth gave her a lazy smile. "Well, we don't have to worry about that. We are familiar with everyone who is here."

Sarah nodded and allowed Jareth to pull her closer to him.

* * *

It wasn't much later that Ellie and Abigail announced that the food was ready and everyone eagerly sat down.

Bowls and plates were passed around and, as Sarah passed Jareth the gravy bowl, she began to laugh softly.

He knew exactly what she was laughing at.

"I shall pass," he told her, his serious expression breaking into a grin.

Sarah laughed and passed the bowl to Mr. Henry who was waiting to pour it over his turkey.

"No gravy is a wise decision," Mrs. Henry laughed. "Otherwise your wife's first task would be cleaning it from your clothes."

The musicians, Stephen, Mark, Peter and Louis looked confused so Mrs. Henry filled them in on Jareth's little accident with the gravy the last time they'd had turkey.

Jareth took it in stride on the outside, but Sarah could tell that he seething on the inside.

A few moments later, as the gravy bowl was passed along again, there was a shriek and Mrs. Henry leapt up from the table. The front of her dress was covered in gravy.

Jareth tilted his head and gave a hearty laugh.

"My Lord, how did that happen?" Mrs. Henry stared down in confusion at the gravy dripping down her dress. "I'd better get this cleaned up." Flustered, she left the table quickly and began walking toward the house.

The table had grown quiet as people were not sure how to act and began to eat.

Jareth was trying to hold back his laughter and was failing miserably.

"It wasn't very funny," Elizabeth spat from across the table. "Her dress is most likely ruined."

Jareth tilted his head back and looked at the blonde woman down the length of his nose. "I thought it was rather amusing and appropriate. She should not have been making fun of me. She got what was coming to her."

Elizabeth huffed at him and started eating her meal again. The rest of the table started having light conversations about things in town or families they knew and the incident was forgotten.

Jareth felt a heavy stare upon him and glanced over to notice that his wife was glaring at him. She was the only one who knew what he meant by 'she got what was coming to her.'

"Jareth, you didn't? Please tell me that you didn't," she whispered, sounding upset.

Jareth wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin and dropped it onto the table. "Tell you that I didn't do what?" He smiled innocently

Sarah sighed. "That you didn't drop the gravy bowl on Mrs. Henry," she said in a whisper though gritted teeth.

"Sarah, you know me," he told her, waving a hand at her.

"I do know you and that's what worries me."

"It was a harmless prank. It's our wedding day and I'm allowed a little fun." When Sarah's upset expression didn't waver, Jareth said, "Don't let this spoil the day for us. I would hate for us to quarrel on the happiest day of our lives."

Sarah sighed, knowing that he had a point. She began to eat her meal and didn't say another word.

* * *

Mrs. Henry returned about 15 minutes later in a clean dress. She sat down and ate her meal as if nothing had even happened.

Peter and Jareth were discussing music and Sarah looked around the table.

People who were not eating were talking and, as she glanced around, she noticed two empty chairs. She scanned the table again and realized that Jacob and Mr. Henry were missing. She looked around the yard for them, but they were nowhere to be seen.

Conversations went on for most of the afternoon and Sarah was worried when Jacob and Mr. Henry didn't come back right away. It wasn't until it was starting to grow late that she saw them appear, walking from the house to join the group. They mingled and acted as if they had never left.

Mrs. Henry and Ellie lit some lanterns as the sun set. The soft orange glow was beautiful and very romantic.

Sarah searched for Jareth. He had been speaking with the musicians as well as Abigail's husband, John, about horses. Sarah had spent her afternoon with the women and she was really tired of hearing Elizabeth whine how it wasn't fair that William wasn't there with her.

Sarah glanced around, but Jareth seemed to have disappeared. She frowned.

* * *

Jareth stood some distance away from the group. He was glancing at the sky, watching the stars begin to appear one by one as the dark of night brought them to life. He twirled a crystal in his hand and thought briefly about all that had happened during his stay in the mortal world.

He smiled as he thought of Sarah and all of the struggles that they had been through. It was a miracle that they had made it this far. But they had.

With his magic growing stronger, it had made Jareth anxious about getting home. He wanted to restore the Labyrinth and live in his castle with his new wife, his Queen.

His smile widened as he thought of Sarah. He would never have believed he would fall so deeply in love with someone, and a mortal at that.

"That is amazing. Where did you learn to do that?"

Jareth jumped at the sound of a voice and the crystal in his hand fell to the ground, shattering everywhere. He spun to face the person who had startled him.

Jacob was standing a few feet away and he was looking at the broken glass now covering the ground at Jareth's feet.

"You shouldn't sneak up on people like that," Jareth snapped.

"I apologize. I was so intrigued by what you were doing that I didn't even think that you might not have heard me."

"Well, I didn't hear you," Jareth practically growled.

"Where did you get that glass sphere from? Calvin in town has been trying to make something like that for years. He wants to make a candelabra for his mother but he hasn't mastered blowing glass into the shape of a perfect ball. You couldn't have gotten it from him."

"I didn't get it from him."

"Then where?" Jacob asked curiously.

"It doesn't matter. It's broken now." Jareth sounded agitated.

"You have my apologies. I didn't mean to startle you." Jacob looked apologetic.

"What's done is done. What did you want?" Jareth asked a little coldly.

"Your wife was looking for you. She is a little worried," Jacob informed him.

Jareth nodded and strode past Jacob toward the light and sound of the celebration still going on.

Jacob watched Jareth go and then glanced down at the glass on the ground, except that it wasn't glass anymore. It was some sort of glittering and sparkling mass. A few moments later, it was gone completely.

Jacob blinked and rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was seeing things. He had seen the glass ball shatter on the ground. But now it was gone.

Jacob turned around and watched Sarah rush up to Jareth and hug him. Jacob suddenly had an uneasy feeling.

* * *

After a few more hours of laughing, dancing and eating the party was finally beginning to wind down. Thomas kept yawning, as did Abigail's boys. Ellie and Abigail had cleaned up the dishes with Mrs. Henry so everyone began to bid each other good night. The musicians packed up their instruments in their wagon and rode toward town.

Sarah and Jareth followed the Henrys into the house. Jareth leaned close to Sarah and whispered seductively, "What is your preference, my dear? Your room or mine?" He was grinning and staring intently at her and Sarah felt herself flush. It was fairly obvious why he was asking.

"Neither."

Jareth and Sarah stopped walking and both looked in front of them to see who had answered the question.

Jacob stood with his hands on his hips. "Neither," he repeated.

"I beg your pardon?" Jareth replied.

Jacob didn't say another word, but simply gestured for Jareth and Sarah to follow him. They followed out of curiosity, occasionally glancing at each other.

Jacob led them through the living room, up the stairs to the second floor and then to the end of the hall where the stairs that led to the attic were located.

Sarah gave him a puzzled expression. "I don't understand why you led us to the end of the hallway."

Jacob merely smiled and then walked up the few stairs to the attic door. He swung it open and then stepped inside.

Sarah and Jareth looked at each other.

"Jacob, we don't have time for foolish games. If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to spend some time alone with my wife."

Jacob didn't answer and Jareth moved up the stairs, taking two at a time. His eyes widened as he peered into the attic looking for Jacob.

"What is it?" Sarah asked as she followed him. Her brows drew together in confusion as she glanced around. Most of the clutter that had been in the attic was gone. It had been cleaned and emptied out. "I don't understand what the attic has to do with us? Who cleaned it out and why is the bed from Jareth's room up here? And that's my dresser." She pointed to the dark oak dresser that had been in her room that morning.

"What is the meaning of this?" Jareth asked.

"This is your new room. Being newly married, I'd assume that you would wish for privacy and you shall have it up here." Jacob smiled.

"When did you…how…why?"

Jacob laughed as Sarah stumbled over her words.

"You did this during the reception, didn't you?" Sarah asked.

Jacob laughed. "You're too smart for your own good. Yes, my father and I worked quickly to get it finished. We started cleaning the attic at the beginning of the week when we learned of your engagement. While you were busy enjoying your wedding, we did some rearranging. It still needs minor work. Some color to brighten it up. The fireplace will need to be cleaned out so you can use it on cold nights or….other times," Jacob hesitated.

"This is a gracious gift," Jareth said in a pleased tone as he gazed around.

"You're welcome."

Jareth looked at the young man and nodded.

Jacob stared at Jareth long and hard before he returned the gesture. "Well, I am sure that you are both tired from the excitement of the day. You'll find that your clothes and belongings are all here. Um…Goodnight, " he bid nervously.

He turned to leave but was not able to escape as Sarah rushed toward him and hugged him. There were tears in her eyes. "Thank you. For everything," she told him as she pulled back from the embrace.

He gave her a nod and a sad smile. He looked at Jareth again, confusion clouding his eyes before he departed, closing the door behind him.

Jacob walked down the stairs and stepped into the hallway. He turned back toward the attic door and with a heavy sigh went to his own room.

* * *

Jareth snapped his fingers and the candles on the dresser sparked to life. They bathed the room in a soft orange glow.

Sarah walked around the room, inspecting their new space. There was the bed, her dresser, a tall bureau as well as a bookshelf, desk and two chairs.

She stopped in front of one of the two small windows in the attic. One window faced the west while the other faced the east. They would need curtains to keep the sun out though decorating soon became the farthest thing from her mind.

Her heart began to race as she watched the light of the moon shining on the small pond in the side pasture. She could hear the sound of Jareth's boots hitting the wooden floor as he walked toward her. She knew what came next and even though she and Jareth had had sex before, she couldn't help being nervous.

Jareth stepped up behind her, his arms wrapping around her waist as he nestled his face into the hollow of her neck. He kissed the soft skin and then frowned as he pulled her closer. "You're tense…Is something wrong?"

"N-no."

"Look at me," he ordered softly.

Sarah turned slowly in his arms and hesitated before she looked into his eyes.

He stared at her intently for a few moments and he didn't like that she looked away. He raised a hand to her face and gently brushed his thumb over her cheek. She looked into his eyes briefly again.

"You're nervous."

She nodded very slowly.

"There is nothing to worry about, Sarah," he soothed. "We have done this before."

She lowered her head. "I know," she whispered.

Jareth reached for her chin and raised it with his fingers. "Then what is that frightens you so?"

Sarah took Jareth's other hand into her own and positioned his palm over her stomach. "This is what frightens me."

Jareth nodded in understanding. He lowered the hand from her face. "Close your eyes."

"Why?" she asked in slight alarm.

"Just trust me. Close your eyes."

Sarah did as he asked and closed her eyes. Moments later, a tingling sensation could be felt at her midsection directly beneath Jareth's hand. The sensation intensified and then disappeared.

"Open them."

She did and her brows drew together. "What did you do?"

"I eased your fears," he told her and he removed his hand. His voice had taken a seductive tone again and desire shone in his eyes.

Sarah gazed at him intently. "Th-that's it? It's that simple?"

Jareth nodded and reached for her hand, taking it in his. He gave it a light squeeze before he lifted it to place it on his chest. He stepped forward and Sarah closed her eyes as his face lowered to hers.

His lips brushed hers lightly. She responded instantly to him, the hand at her side joining the one resting on Jareth's chest.

Jareth's hands slid down Sarah's side and settled on her waist. He pulled her closer, desperate to feel the warmth of her body against him. A few moments later he led her toward the bed.

After their love making, no words were spoken and only breathing could be heard. The moonlight shone through the window to the east and bathed part of the room in its eerie blue glow.

Jareth's fingers trailed lightly over Sarah's chest, between her breasts and down her stomach. He rested his palm on her belly, wondering if this was what it felt like to create a child. His thumb continued to move over her skin and it was with great sadness that he remembered the spell he had placed on her.

"There's always forever, not long at all…" he thought.

Thinking of the possibilities of the future, Jareth smiled against Sarah's neck and drifted off to sleep.