Chapter Twelve

The next morning, while Hilary was still asleep, I went to talk to mom in private. I wasn't really sure what to say, but maybe she could help me make my decision.

"Mom can we talk?" I asked as I sat beside her on the sofa.

"Sure hon." She turned off the TV.

"You know the walks I've been taking?"

"Yes," she smiled. "I knew there had to be something more to those walks than just exercise."

"I've been meeting someone."

"A he?"

"Yes."

"What's his name?"

I ignored her question.

"Mom, I love him." I told her.

"I wish you had been honest with me before, but I'm very happy for you." She smiled. "When do I get to meet him?"

Again I ignored her.

"He wants to marry me, but he lives far away. I can't decide whether to go or stay." I said.

"You have to find the answer in your heart. Find out how much you really love him, and if you can live without him." Mom looked at me seriously. "Is there a reason I haven't meant him?"

"He's...older." I said.

"How much older?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Um...you know him."

"I know him?" Mom started guessing names.

I kept shaking my head to her guesses. I decided not to tell her any more.

"I'll tell you who he is after I make up my mind." I told her.

"Okay," mom said obviously not happy. "Good luck."

She kissed me and I went back to my bedroom. After a lot of thinking and searching my heart, I realized I couldn't live without Jareth. I loved him too much. I went to the computer and wrote him, telling him to meet me that night because I had made up my mind. I decided that after I met with him and told him, I would take him to mom and tell her.

That night I went to our spot to meet him. He was waiting for me. I kissed him and we sat down. I took a deep breath.

"I've done a lot of thinking, and I've decided that I love you too much to let you go. I want to be with you forever, if you still want me." I smiled softly at him.

He smiled at me and kissed my forehead.

"Of course I still want you. You will be a wonderful Queen and I can't wait to be your husband." He said sweetly.

Now came the tough part.

"We need to go see mom and tell her." I told him.

His smiled disappeared and he nodded.

"Now?" he asked.

"Might as well." I shrugged.

He flew above me as the owl and we went over to my house. I walked in.

"Mom?" I called.

"Yes?" she appeared from around the corner.

"I made up my mind. I can't live without him and I'm going to marry him."

"Well, can I meet him before then?" mom smiled.

"You can meet him now." I said as I took a deep breath.

I opened the door all the way and stuck my head out.

"Come on in." I told him.

I moved out of the way and Jareth walked in through the door slowly. I can't describe my mom's expression. It was a mixture of surprise, horror, and anger.

"Now mom, stay calm. I wouldn't love him so much if he hadn't changed. He's different than he used to be. He treats me wonderfully. He..." I was stopped by mom turning to me and glaring.

"How dare you let him step foot in this house. What is wrong with you?" Mom started yelling. "He's evil! He's tricked you! You don't know what you're doing."

"You don't know what you're talking about!" I yelled back. "You're not even listening to me or giving him a chance."

"You are not marrying him and that's final!"

"May I say something?" Jareth asked.

"No!" Mom yelled at him.

"I don't want to cause a fight between you two." Jareth spoke anyway. "I never meant to cause either one of you pain. I will leave now, if that is your wish."

"Yes it is. Go!" Mom said to him pointing at the door.

"No stay!" I yelled at him.

Jareth just kind of teetered not knowing what to do.

"Mom, if you kick him out, I'm leaving with him." I threatened.

"You most certainly are not young lady!" Mom said sternly.

"I'm 18 now, mother. I can do what I want."

"If you walk out that door don't expect to come back."

As we all just stood there a moment, Hilary came in, woken up by the yelling. Mom went back in the bedroom with Hilary to tuck her back in. I grabbed Jareth's hand.

"Let's go." I told him.

"I don't know if you should leave like this." Jareth said quietly.

"We are leaving now." I said sternly.

Not wanting to argue, he walked with me out the door. When we did, we appeared in his castle. The goblins were standing around looking at me and I collapsed on the ground crying.