Ch 23

The next morning was warm and sunny, and Sarah took her time waking up. She cracked open her eyes, momentarily confused as to her surroundings before she remembered falling asleep on the couch with Jareth.

She turned her head to see him already awake and looking at her. "Morning love," he said with a grin. "You look cute in the morning, with your hair all messed up." She grinned back at him. "You think your hair looks any better?" She laughed as he attempted to smooth down his wild blond mane. "Stop that, you look gorgeous." She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek before getting up off the couch.

"Hey, where are you going?" he pouted, trying to pull her back down. She laughed and slapped his hands away. "Quit it, let me get up to use the bathroom."

Helet her go and watched as she made her way to the bathroom. Waking up next to her was a wonderful feeling, and he couldn't wait until it happened every morning. He had never been happier than he was now.

He stretched lazily as he heard Sarah turn on the shower. He settled himself into the pillows on the couch and flicked on the television. He had always found TV to be quite entertaining, and he was content to flip through the channels.

Sarah laughed when she emerged from the shower a short time later and saw him engrossed in a home makeover program. "You thinking about redecorating the castle anytime soon?" she teased him. He hadn't heard her approaching, and he jumped a little when she spoke. He flushed slightly at what he had been caught watching. "No. It's just that once I turned this show on, I have to watch it till the end to see how everything turns out."

She laughed again, and went and sat next to him. They snuggled up next to each other until the show was over. Then Sarah got up to make them breakfast. When they were done eating, they headed back to the couch. "I just feel like being a bum today," Sarah said, enjoying the feeling of being lazy with Jareth. "Plus, we have to work out a lot of details about the wedding. I don't even know how an Underground wedding works! I'm assuming there aren't any churches or anything?"

"No there aren't," Jareth replied. "But Underground weddings don't differ greatly from Aboveground weddings. They're usually held outside-we can hold ours in the garden of my castle. And any member of nobility can marry two people. If we want, I can even have Bayron marry us."

"I like that idea," she said, fantasizing about what her wedding would be like. Unlike many girls, she hadn't really given getting married much thought, and she realized she had no idea how to plan a wedding. She got a little bit worried, and then she suddenly thought of her parents. What the hell were they going to say about this? She'd have to explain who, and what, Jareth was, and she had the feeling they wouldn't accept the news as calmly as Julie had. She felt all her excitement slowly drain away as she contemplated this dilemma.

Jareth noticed her change of expressions. "Love, what's wrong? You're not having second thoughts, are you?" He was teasing, but a small part of him worried that was true.

"No, Jareth, it's not that," she said, looking troubled. "It's my parents. I haven't even thought about what they're going to say about this. I'm going to have to tell them about you, and they're not gonna believe me. What am I supposed to do about them? I can't get married and not have my parents at my wedding!" she was getting herself worked up, and Jareth hugged her, trying to calm her down.

"Shhh, darling, don't worry so much. Your parents invited us over to dinner, so call and ask if we can come by tonight. We'll tell them the truth and hope for the best."

Sarah sighed. He made it sound so simple. Well, she supposed it was that simple. What choice did she have, really, other than to just tell her parents the truth? And if she wanted Jareth with her, they'd have to do it tonight, since he had to go back home soon. Before she could talk herself out of it, she got up and grabbed the phone. She spoke to Karen briefly, and Karen said it would be fine if they stopped by for dinner. Sarah hung up and looked at Jareth. "Well, there's no turning back now."

Jareth held her close. "Sarah, your parents are good people. I have faith that they'll understand. Besides, think how excited Toby will be. He'll get his chance to visit the Labyrinth.

Sarah brightened at the mention of her brother. "Yeah, I know that I can at least count on him to be supportive. Oh, I just really hope it goes okay." She looked at the clock, which read 10 a.m. "We don't have to be there until 6, so I have lots of time to work out what to say." Jareth smiled at how nervous she sounded.

"Don't do that, you'll just make yourself more nervous. Just sit here with me and try to think of something else. Like, for instance, your wedding dress?" He figured most women would love to talk about their choice of wedding gown, and he figured right.

Sarah decided he was right, and she'd do her best to concentrate on other things. "I know exactly what I want my dress to look like. I want to look like I did at the ball, after I ate that peach." She looked confused for a second. "Wait, that ball was real, wasn't it? I didn't just dream it?" She had never been quite sure of that.

"No, it was very real," Jareth replied. "And you looked incredibly beautiful then, too. I can get that dress made for you if you'd like. It wouldn't be a problem at all."

"Thanks, I'd like that." She gave him a kiss, then sat back and started daydreaming about her wedding day.