Chapter 66: Graduation Gift
Robert and Toby arrived at the castle the night before the thirteen days of celebrations were scheduled to begin. Unfortunately, Sarah didn't have much time to spend with them (and apologized profusely for it) but they were quite happy to be shown around by Sir Didymus, Ludo, and Hoggle. Bevelyn also came to stay at the Castle that night, to keep Sarah company (and to help keep her calm; she was so nervous her stomach hurt), and she chatted quite happily with Sarah's father and brother.
After dinner that night, Jareth invited them all into his study, where he threw himself sideways into a chair and began spinning a couple of crystals. He didn't talk much; Sarah, Robert, and Bev made themselves comfortable and carried the conversation while Toby stared entranced at the model of the labyrinth.
At some point, Robert asked, "So, can anyone tell me and Toby how to behave at a royal wedding in fairyland? We're gonna look like a couple of country bumpkins, here."
"Yeah, and is it going to be all grownups there?" Toby wanted to know.
That was all the opening Jareth needed. With a wink at Sarah and a warning glance at Bev, he suddenly sat up and hurled one crystal at each male. "Catch!"
Toby gasped and almost went down, his white-knuckled grip on the edge of the model the only thing that kept him upright while Robert collapsed silently onto Bev's shoulder.
Toby recovered first, swaying a little and then shaking his head to clear it. "Whoa, Jareth, warn a guy next time, huh?"
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Before they all separated for the night, Robert drew Sarah aside and handed her a flat parcel wrapped in brown paper. "It's kind of a late graduation present," he told her. "I know your head's kind of being turned with all this royal wedding folderol—and I'm really happy for you about that, sweetie—but I didn't want your graduation to be overshadowed by it. I know you worked really hard for that degree, and I want you to know how proud I am of you."
Sarah smiled shyly at her father and then opened the parcel. Inside, carefully framed inside a beautiful silver filigreed frame, was her degree. Awarded to Sarah Renee Williams, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She gasped. "Dad! It's gorgeous! Thank you so much!" She threw her arms around him. "I know exactly where I'll hang it, too." She grinned at the thought.