Ch 52

When they reached the dining room, Sarah gazed around in wonder. It had been decorated earlier that day, and flowers and glittery streamers were everywhere. A buffet-style dinner was laid out against an entire wall, and Sarah laughed to see goblins running and jumping around, helping themselves to the food.

"I told them they could come to the dinner, since they have tried so hard to make your visits here enjoyable," Jareth told her as he saw her watching the goblins. "Needless to say, they're pretty excited." Just then, the goblins noticed that they had entered, and they immediately started clapping, glad to see their nice new Queen, the one who had made their formerly mean King so happy.

Sarah smiled at them all, and spent a few moments speaking with a few of them. Then turned her attention to dinner. She and Jareth grabbed plates of food and settled into conversation with their guests. Sarah had to giggle as she saw her father eyeing the goblins warily. "They're harmless, Dad!"

Sarah noticed that Merelinda was not at the table, and figured she must have slipped away after the ceremony. Sarah wasn't too disappointed she had left; who knew what kind of complications could have arisen had she stayed? She forced her thoughts from Merelinda and concentrated on her guests.

Sarah soon became aware of soft music playing in the background, although she couldn't tell where it was coming from. Julie and Bayron had gotten up and were dancing merrily around the room, showing everyone that Sarah and Jareth weren't the only happy newlyweds, and Sarah smiled at her friend, glad she was having such a good time.

Suddenly, the music changed, and Sarah's eyes widened as she recognized the song.

There's such a sad love
Deep in your eyes, a kind of pale jewel
Open and closed within your eyes
I'll place the sky within your eyes

Jareth held out his hand to her, and she stood up and wrapped her arms around him. They danced slowly around the room, lost in each other.

There's such a fooled heart
Beating so fast in search of new dreams
A love that will last within your heart
I'll place the moon within your heart

"I love you," she murmured, her head against his chest. He tightened his arms around her waist and held her close, remembering that dance so long ago, when he had sung her these same words, hoping she would love him.

As the pain sweeps through
Makes no sense for you
Every thrill has gone
Wasn't too much fun at all

He held her tight, content in the knowledge that she despite what had happened all those years ago, she was his now, to love for all eternity.

But I'll be there for you-oo-oo
As the world falls down

Falling…falling in love

"I will always love you, Sarah," he whispered, his lips next to her ear, and she shivered at the sensation of his breath on her neck.

I'll paint you mornings of gold
I'll spin you Valentine evenings
Though we're strangers till now
We're choosing the path between the stars
I'll leave my love between the stars

They stayed wrapped up in one another long after the song ended, and everyone at the table was watching them, misty-eyed, glad for their happiness. Everyone stayed late into the evening, and it wasn't until Toby was sound asleep in his chair that they began to yawn themselves. Couple by couple, starting with Sarah's parents, the guests excused themselves, and Sarah and Jareth soon found themselves alone.

Sarah looked into his eyes, her heart pounding. Without waiting another second, she pressed her lips against his in a passionate kiss, one which he returned just as passionately. He ran his hands up and down her back, and she pulled him closer to her, pressing her body up against his.

Suddenly, they were in their bedroom, and Sarah glanced around in surprise before pulling Jareth back to her. He laid her gently down against the soft pillows and kissed her, caressing her face. With a wave of his hand, Sarah's wedding gown was hanging neatly in the wardrobe, and she was clad in nothing but her underwear.

"Hey, that's not fair," she mumbled against his lips, and he smiled at the familiar words. She quickly starting pulling off his shirt, and he stood up to help her. Slowly, he slipped out of his shirt, and then slid his pants down his muscular thighs until he was wearing nothing. Sarah stared at his magnificent form, marveling that this beautiful man was hers, and then he was on top of her, trailing kisses up and down her neck. She slid her underwear down her legs, kicking it off the bed, and then they were joined as one, lost in the sensations their movements brought. As they found their release in each other, they both felt the incredible joy that comes so rarely, a joy only felt by two people deeply, truly in love, who will love each other for the rest of time.