"It was something about the way that we were together. He stood out to me as someone singular and rare and beautiful, and I liked the way he was in the world. I liked the way he was with people. I liked the way he was with my son and the way he made me feel."

-Jennifer Connelly on her husband, Paul Bettany, being The One for her in Glamour Magazine

Sarah rolled her eyes when she saw Jareth around the corner of the hallway, who was grinning widely at Karen's announcement. Damn, now he's going to be even more cocky.

But, as much as she was trying to tell herself that, she was happy to see that his confidence was coming back. She had to restrain herself from launching into his arms, having missed him so much. "Hey Jareth," she greeted him with a warm smile.

She would never get tired of the way he looked at her like she was the only person in the room. The only person who mattered. He held the flower for her, almost shyly. "I got this for you. Your favorite."

Sarah took it from him, deciding to kiss his cheek, not caring that Karen was there. "That's very sweet of you, thank you." She turned around and gave him forget-me-nots, his favorite flower. "These are for you."

Jareth was touched. "You remembered."

"It would be ironic if I forgot, considering the name of the flower," she teased.

Beside them, Karen was staring with an open mouth. Sarah never showed such affection for a new boyfriend in front of them before. Then again, she also never brought someone so handsome or so charming before either. Karen could hardly blame her. She covered her mouth, doing her best to control how giddy she was at the sight of them.

The sound of small feet running across the hallway could be heard. The three turned, seeing Ben's face light up. "Mister Jareth!"

Jareth crouched down and picked him up, swinging him as the boy squealed. "Hello there! How are you, dear child?"

"I ate macaroni today," he said excitedly. "I miss you! Can we play with goblins?"

"Not today, unfortunately," Jareth said with a feigned pout. "The goblins are being very naughty right now. They used chicken eggs in catapults so now there's egg all over the castle wall. What a waste of perfectly good eggs too."

Sarah winced, not envying the poor soul who had to clean up after that. Probably Jareth himself since anyone else might have been pelted.

Karen laughed. "Oh how silly! Well Sarah, let me get your father and brother, then we can go out for brunch. Maybe a buffet?"

"On a normal day, I would say yes but not before my performance," Sarah grimaced at the thought, but tried to appear appreciative. "I'll end up throwing it all up before my performance. But brunch sounds good."

The car ride was full of Ben's incessant chatter, telling Jareth about his adventures with the goblins even though Jareth had been there for nearly every Goblin related event. Karen thought the whole thing was funny, commenting on how great it was that he was nurturing Ben's imagination. To which Sarah and Toby pointedly avoiding looking at each other for fear that they would end up laughing.

Robert was quiet, taking his time to study Jareth. He always did that whenever he met a boyfriend of Sarah's. Sarah was grateful that her father was never the kind of parent who would intimidate a potential boyfriend, who trusted her to make her own decisions. He was always polite, but sometimes, it was hard to read on what he was thinking.

"Let's sit by the window!" Karen moved to a cozy spot where they could look over the ocean.

"I don't know," Sarah said more to herself than to Karen. "This spot is kind of cold."

As soon as the word "cold" left her mouth, a warm jacket was placed on her shoulders. She turned to see Jareth, his hand gently on her back. He smiled warmly at her, and Sarah was so lost in his eyes that she almost didn't hear Ben calling for them to sit down as well. "Actually, never mind. It's lovely here, Karen."

Of course, Jareth being the gentleman, pulled out her chair and made sure everyone was seated before he sat down himself. Robert's eyebrows raised, impressed, but Jareth hadn't won him over yet. After all, these gestures meant nothing if the actual respect for Sarah wasn't there.

Jareth never felt nervous about "meeting the parents" before. Underground, he was a prince or king, a descendant of the highest ranking nobility in the faerie realm, even if his grandfather was now a disgraced king. Being married to the Goblin Monarch was not something to scoff at, even if it did hold stigma.

In that instance, the Erlking was right. Who was he without his title and magic powers?

During his time away from Sarah, he thought on this a lot. Though he was often very arrogant, it was a facade interwoven with insecurities that he wasn't good enough without it. He could usually sweet-talk out of most situations, but he didn't think it would work here, nor would he want it to. He wanted her parents to see exactly how he was, minus the fact that he was fae of course. That could come later. He recalled her discussing with him on what her therapist had told her, thinking about who she was and why she liked herself. He tried the exercise himself, feeling lighter the more he added to his list.

Now, seeing the adoration clear as crystal on Sarah's face, he could add something else to that list: his capacity to love the woman by his side and her family, including her son that he also grew to love. With her, he could shed his public persona and be himself.

Robert's expression softened as he looked at the light in Sarah's eyes. For the past two years, even when she smiled, he could see that there was a shadow, a sort of darkness that weighed her down. Her spirit was not broken, but it had been battered and bruised after Ethan died. Like everyone else who met the man, Robert adored Ethan. Not just because he was a good and honest man, but because he brought his daughter so much happiness. After his messy divorce with Linda and Sarah becoming lost, he had been a perfect addition to her life.

Now, seeing her with Jareth, Robert could see that she wasn't becoming her old self. She was entering a new phase in her life, a more sophisticated and confident phase than any other she had ever encountered before. And, it was clear as day that she was choosing Jareth to accompany her. After all, his daughter had always been picky with who she spent a significant amount of time with.

He observed Jareth, who respected whatever Sarah said, easily bantered with her, and gazed longingly at her when she wasn't looking. He was a little more reserved and formal when talking to him or Karen, but was making an effort. This, Robert admired, much more than smooth-talkers who placed value only in the superficial.

He still didn't quite understand Jareth. There was something almost wild about the man, something that, dare he think it, didn't seem quite normal. Not in a bad way, just is. As if he wasn't quite… human.

Ridiculous thoughts, of course he was human.

He decided that it was the way that Jareth carried himself. As if he knew that he was important, like royalty. Not because he was full of himself, but as if he knew it to be so. And yet, he had a rebellious streak that was clear in the way he dressed, showing that he would not bow to social conventions if he didn't want to.

A smile tugged on Robert's lips. No surprise, considering his daughter was the same way.

"Grampy?" Ben looked at him with those large, green eyes. Not dissimilar to Sarah when she was his age. "Can I get candy?"

"You little cheat!" Sarah clicked her tongue playfully. "First you go against my words to ask Jareth and now your Grampy?"

Ben made a face. "But that's what grandpas do! He said so!"

Sarah raised an eyebrow, to which Robert shrugged. "What can I say? It's a perk of being a grandpa."

Sarah facepalmed while Jareth laughed. His arm came to the back of her chair. She responded in kind, leaning against his touch.

Yes, Jareth definitely made her happy. It was still early to tell, and Robert wasn't the best at reading people, but so long as this man truly cherished his daughter, he was happy.

On the way to Sarah's performance, where she would be performing live and featured on the radio, Toby nudged Jareth. "My parents like you."

Jareth tilted his head to the side, his eyes not so easy to read now, which told Toby that the man was losing his confidence. "Is that so?"

"Totally. I mean, the way Dad was talking to you about his favorite movies and books without prompting? He wasn't just being polite like he is to most of Sarah's boyfriends. He really likes you. The only other guy he was like that to was-"

Toby clamped his mouth shut, turning red. God, why did he almost mention Ethan? There wasn't a need for it, just a habit. The last thing Jareth needed was to feel resentment or insecure.

Jareth's eyes were still unreadable. "To Ethan, right?"

Toby shuffled awkwardly. "Yeah. Sorry, I said it without thinking."

Jareth shook his head, eyes cast to the side. "You shouldn't have to avoid talking about someone important to spare my feelings." He tried to perk up, but his light smile didn't match his melancholic eyes. He knew Sarah meant it when she told him that he had all of her heart, but that didn't stop the insecurities he had. It was something he would just have to work on. "Besides, I've heard good things about him. If your father places me on the same level as Ethan, then it must mean I'm doing something right."

Toby tried to give him an encouraging smile. "You are. You care about my sister."

Jareth's eyes grew more and more intense, like the sun itself. Toby almost shielded himself from them. "I would do anything for Sarah. I love her with all of my very being."

"Hey guys!"

Sarah came walking towards them in a simple black concert dress. No jewelry saved a simple necklace Karen had given her. No elegant lace or patterns.

And yet, Jareth thought she never looked more beautiful.

"Shouldn't you be getting ready?" Karen asked, worried about the time, as she always did.

"I should," she turned to Jareth, who had the largest grin on his face. "But Jareth says there's a surprise for me."

Jareth made a show of pulling his arm up, turning his wrist to see his watch. "Surprise should be here in just about… now."

Suddenly, the doors opened to reveal four elegantly dressed people. Sarah stood there, dumbstruck as Jareth's family were dressed in human attire, strolling gracefully towards them.

"Oh my god," Sarah said with delight, unable to stop smiling. She turned to Jareth. "You invited your family?"

"Of course." He stood, placing a hand on her back. "They adore you and good music." He lowered his voice so that only she could hear him. "I could not invite your friends or goblins for obvious reasons, nor Lorraine, Samuel, and Mara as they have duties. But I have provided a way for them to watch you perform." He looked up to a crystal that was enchanted to look like a lightbulb.

She threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you. That's so thoughtful of you."

Jareth held her just as tightly. "For you, My Precious Sarah, I would place the moon in your heart if you asked it of me."

She looked at him for a moment, stunned at the words that he had once sang to her long ago. It was a reminder that they still had a lot to talk about. She pulled apart from him, then changed her mind for one last hug. "I know you would. And I would do the same."

His family came closer. "Robert, Karen," Jareth gestured to his family. "This is my family. My father, Julian. My mother, Iliana. And my siblings, Ruben and Ava."

"A pleasure to meet Sarah's parents!" Julian shook Robert's hand a little too excitedly. "Your children and grandson are a delight. You have done a wonderful job raising them."

"Oh, it's not all me," Robert flustered a bit, touched. "My wife here does a lot of it. I really can't take all the credit."

Iliana came to kiss Karen's cheeks, the latter surprised but not too phased at the open affection. "Lovely to meet you too! Are you here on vacation from England?"

Iliana smiled knowingly. "We have traveled far to visit Jareth. He informed us of Sarah's performance and just had to come and see her."

"So you've all met before?" Robert turned to his daughter, wondering why she didn't say anything, but didn't push it. If he did, Sarah would just retreat and that was the last thing he wanted her to do.

"Briefly," Ava answered. "But we do enjoy good music as well. Jareth tells us that she's a fine pianist."

"That's a lot of pressure," Sarah quipped, lightly shoving Jareth's arm with a grin.

"And how are you, young man?" Ruben greeted Ben, who was enjoying the busy atmosphere, despite being very sleepy and totally ready for a nap. "How are you?"

Ruben looked much less comfortable with Ben than most anyone else. Jareth had told Sarah that his brother wasn't used to small children, but wanted to prove that he was trying to do better. She appreciated the effort very much.

"Hi!" Ben bounced up and down. "I had pancakes today! They had blueberries and syrup, and I had bacon then Uncle Toby did a magic trick with cards but Mister Jareth used real magic and then I wanted candy so Grampy gave me candy!" His words rushed out in one breath, holding out the candy wrappers.

"Ben!" Robert laughed, albeit a little uncomfortably with Sarah folding her arms. "That was our secret!"

"Really Dad?" Sarah pursed her lips together. "You're spoiling him."

"Like I said, I'm the grandpa, that's my job." He poked the corner of Sarah's lips, making her smile.

"Hey you," Toby pointed at Ruben, looking deadly serious. "I want that chess rematch."

Ruben folded his arms, glaring at him. "Like I said, I don't play with cheaters who make up their own rules."

Robert was now even more confused. It was one thing for Sarah to not mention Jareth's family but Toby too?

"I told you!" Toby raised his voice. "I didn't make that up! But if you want to be a big baby, fine, we'll play without that rule." He held out his hand.

Ruben thought about it for a moment, taking Toby's hand to shake. "Deal. Only because I know I will win without you cheating."

"For the last time, I didn't cheat if I told you about it!"

Ava stood next to Sarah as Jareth was chatting with his mother and Karen. "You know, Sarah, Jareth's a lucky man."

She looked down at her shoes, something Ava found quite charming. It wasn't the feigned coy that fae ladies often did, but true modesty. "I appreciate that. I'm a lucky woman."

"You know, if he didn't want you, I would have taken that chance," Ava smirked, to which, Sarah laughed good-naturedly at the compliment, even blushing slightly. "You are very beautiful. Ruben would have done the same. But, I suppose we'll just have to settle with you courting Jareth and hopefully be our sister in the future."

Sarah was quiet for a moment. Courting. The word made her feel warm and happy inside. "I think we are, but I haven't really discussed it with him in detail yet."

Ava winced. "Ah, I thought he had already spoken with you. I have said too much. Forgive me."

Sarah grinned, the tension fading away. "There's nothing to forgive. We just haven't really had time to talk, but we will. I should thank you for giving me the heads up."

"Head's up? I'm not used to your human sayings!" Ava laughed with her, her smile so much like Jareth's. "Or technology. My gods, I saw your metal carriages that Jareth calls 'cars.' That is amazing."

"Excuse me?"

The two ladies turned, seeing a man with a lot of official badges on him. "Are you Sarah Williams? It's time for you to get ready."

"Yes that's me." She turned to the family. "See you all later!" She waved to them.

Ben came to hug her. "Bye Mommy!"

"Break a leg!" Julian called after her.

"Julian!" Iliana looked at him, shocked that he would say such a thing.

"Toby informed me that it's a common saying," he shrugged, grinning as his wife shook her head, her hand to her head.

"It's true..." Karen said carefully, eyeing them with suspicion. "I thought that England had that saying too?"

"I believe it's time for us to get ready," Jareth said quickly. He hoped that eventually, Robert and Karen would learn about the Underground, but not before he and Sarah were a bit more established. He leaned into his family. "You lot are horrible at keeping covers."

"Well, it's not like we venture to this strange world very often," Ruben huffed. "I still think humans are too uptight, but I have to admit, their world is charming. As are humans themselves. Don't you think so?"

"Of course he does," Ava butted in. "He's in love with a human."

Jareth said nothing, just looked ahead to where Sarah was positioned, giving her an encouraging wave. His sister was right, but he wasn't quite ready to talk about it to others until he really asked her to court him.

As for Sarah herself, she was struggling to fight against stage fright. No matter how often she performed in front of others, the terror would always seize her. What if she fainted? What if she threw up? Or even farted loudly by accident? What if she tripped? She tried to direct her ears, her eyes, even her body angle to that of the black and white keys, not the audience or the microphones surrounding her.

Sarah hardly paid attention to the announcer introducing her as a classically trained pianist under prestigious teachers who were prodigies themselves. She felt isolated from everything, under the scrutiny of the machines and professionals who would hear the notes she would weave from her hands.

For so much of her life, she felt alone. Even surrounded by people, there was an emptiness in her, a feeling of not belonging. Being with Ethan had made her happy, had given her that sense of belonging, because he never made her feel like she was second in his life. Having experienced that made his death hit so much harder.

Looking into the audience, she couldn't help but smile. Her parents were there. Her brother. Her son. Jareth and his family. Her friends and Goblins Underground tuning in to her performance.

She didn't feel alone anymore.

At the cue, she played her first piece: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 by Sergei Rachmaninoff with other musicians to accompany her. Rachmaninoff's first symphony had been insulted and received poorly in his time. He composed almost nothing for three years, falling into depression and writer's block. This second concerto was considered his comeback piece, and one of the greatest works in piano repertoire.

She couldn't have chosen a better piece.

She painted a tapestry of emotions, the colors of sound on the blank canvas of silence. As she often did when playing, she became lost in her own world, picturing the Underground and a second pair of kingly hands joining her in duet as they did during Yule.

At the last note, her family and Jareth's excitedly clapped, Robert holding up a giant sign with her name on it. He really did try his best and did love her very much, and for that, Sarah would always be grateful.

"She's very talented at the pianoforte," Julian praised her, leaning to Robert.

Robert bit the inside of his cheek. It didn't seem wrong, per se, but there was something… different… about Jareth and his family. "Yes, she is. I'm very proud of my daughter. Say, where in England are you guys from?"

Julian was spared from answering when Sarah came back, Robert being the first to greet her (only because Jareth had the grace to move). "You're amazing, Sweetie."

"Thanks Dad," she hugged him back. "Is that a camera?"

"Of course!" He proudly held it up, playing the recording. "I've been doing this since you were little. I'm not about to stop now."

Even though he was a little absent-minded at times and not the best at communication, he could see the way her eyes dropped with a hint of sadness as they swept around the crowd. "You're looking for her? And them, aren't you?"

She shook her head quickly. "It doesn't matter. All the people here are the ones who matter most to me. Who have my back." Besides, what good did it do for her to think of Linda and Ethan's family?

He put a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay to be sad too. But I'm glad you see that."

Karen handed her a bouquet of flowers. "I know how important and difficult it was for you, Sarah. Thank you for inviting us to be a part of your comeback to performing."

Sarah had grown close to Karen since her bratty teenage days, but there was something that she always held back from her stepmother. As to why, that was something she was going to work out next with her therapist.

Karen used to have vibrant blonde hair and walked around the house prim and proper, but now, her hair was silver and her walk was a little unsteady. Seeing how much she aged made her desperately want to change that. "You've always been there for me, even when I was an arrogant, selfish brat. Thank you, Ma."

"Oh, honey…" Karen sniffed, tears gathering in her eyes. Sarah had never called her anything besides her first name. "I don't know what to say. Just that I'll always be in your corner fighting for you." She pulled her stepdaughter in for an embrace.

"All righty, no more tears!" Robert held his camera up. "Let's take some pictures!"

He snapped Sarah and Karen together, cozying up like mother and daughter would. She always adored Sarah, and knew that if it weren't for Linda, Sarah would have accepted her sooner into her life. She was glad that they kept their relationship close all these years, even when things were difficult after Ethan died and Sarah harbored some resentment, she knew that Karen and Robert loved her and Ben. Seeing Jareth with Sarah made her so very happy. Like everyone else, she loved Ethan. He was one of the best people she knew. But there was something about Jareth that just seemed like the perfect fit for Sarah.

Jareth stood a little to the side as his brother was speaking with a very excited Ben about the Underground, Robert watching the two of them converse. Toby noticed, coming to stand by him. "Have any plans for tonight? Mom and Dad are planning on a dinner."

Jareth shrugged. "I had thought of taking your sister somewhere, but I don't want to intrude if she wants to spend it with you and your parents."

Toby rolled his eyes. First, she hides behind Ben. Now, Jareth was hiding behind her family. "Dude, just ask her out. It's fine, and my parents won't care."

Jareth made a face. "I have been called many names, but don't believe I've had anyone call me 'dude' while knowing exactly who I am before."

Toby turned around, leaning against a chair, smirking at Jareth obviously avoiding his question. "You know, for a Goblin King who's supposed to be powerful and scary, you're pretty chicken."

"That's how I feel!" Ava came behind Jareth, who was scowling at the both of them. "He may be the Goblin King, but to me, he's just my temperamental elder brother. Always in a mood."

"Are we talking about Jareth in a mood again?" Ruben joined them, making Jareth's frown deepen.

"Bawk bawk!" Toby flapped his arms, breaking down in laughter as Jareth gave him the middle finger.

"I have better things to do than to talk to you lot!" He turned on his heel, adjusted his collar, and walked to Sarah, who was now chatting with his mother.

"You know," Toby thought out loud. "I'd feel bad but it worked."

"Excuse me," Jareth interrupted the two ladies. "Mother, might I steal Sarah for a moment?"

Iliana stepped back, smiling knowingly. "You can steal her from me at any time, my dear."

His heart was going to burst at the large smile on Sarah's face. To think that he could make her smile… that he would never get tired of. He wanted to make her smile all the time. "Sarah, I was wondering, would you be available to accompany me for a dinner tonight? Just the two of us?"

Sarah's smile grew brighter. "Funny, I was going to ask you that. To treat you to something up here."

Jareth chuckled, taking her hand. "Perhaps next time?"

"Already thinking of a next time? I do love it when a man thinks to the future," she teased, kissing his cheek. "I'd love to."

He put his hand over hers. "Would having it Underground be all right with you? You can return at any time, we can come back tonight if you'd like. I know that the… recent events have left you nervous about Ben's safety."

She brushed a piece of lint off his jacket without thinking. "I would love to. Thank you for being understanding."

He kissed her hand. "Of course. I will send my family back and have everything set up. Dress for dinner, and I will be back here for you soon after that. I look forward to it."

"Okay you two, smile!" Robert held the camera up.

Jareth had his hands politely clasped in front, unsure of what position to take. Sarah looked up at him, sliding her hand behind his back. He grinned, moving his hand to hold around her waist, the other hand in his pocket. Robert captured the perfect shot of the two looking into each others' eyes. That photo would one day be the centerpiece of their living room.

"What exactly is happening?" Julian asked Toby, perplexed and intrigued by the small metal thing Robert was holding.

"Oh, he's just taking their picture with a camera," he explained. "It captures light."

Ava squinted. "Light?"

"Yeah. It takes an instantaneous picture. Or portrait."

Illiana's eyes widened in amazement. "Instantaneous? That is ingenious indeed! Perhaps we should have one of those. It would be nicer than to sit for hours on end for a painting to be done."

Ben came running in front of Jareth and Sarah. He bounced up and down, tilting his chin up. "Cheese!"

Sarah and Jareth both laughed, placing their hands on Ben's shoulders. "Cheese!" They repeated in unison.

Ruben made a face. "'Cheese?'"

"It's just a thing we say when we take pictures," Toby explained. He was honestly having fun showing them around, since it was so simple and it made him feel smart. He didn't realize how much of faerie culture he was thrust into without understanding it until he was back in his own world.

"Don't you say 'cheese in England?'" Karen hummed, confused. "I had a British classmate once who didn't find it odd."

"Oh no, we say something else," Ava tried to cover for her twin. "We say… chicken lips."

"Yes, that's right," the rest of Jareth's family agreed.

Karen blinked. "Chicken lips? But that doesn't really work as well as cheese… And chickens don't have lips…"

"Karen!" Robert called to her. "Come and take a picture with me and Sarah!"

When they left, Jareth's family and Toby all turned to Ava. "Chicken lips?" Toby questioned her.

"It was the first thing that came to mind," she shrugged. "And how does a camera work anyway?"

"You press a button and it captures what's in front of it."

"I mean the mechanism of it? How does it do that?"

"Uhhh…" Toby stammered. So much for feeling smart.

"I want to take a photo!" Julian grabbed Illiana's hand and went to stand next to Jareth and Sarah.

Ruben and Ava joined in, Toby going with them. There were a lot of combinations of photos taken that night, with Sarah and just her parents or just her and Ben, or her and Toby, or just Jareth's family (who never had a photograph taken before and just wanted a copy for themselves). Photos from this day would be forever memorialized in a family photo album. It would be forever treasured for years to come, full of the happiest memories possible.

After they left, Robert and Karen still had that look of suspicion on their faces. "I enjoyed their company but… they seem so weird. As if they came out of a Jane Austen novel with their talk of the pianoforte and all that," Robert hummed suspiciously.

"I'm starting to think that they're from another world," Karen agreed.

Toby and Sarah were, once again, avoiding each other's eyes.

"What does he do for a living?" Robert asked them. "I like to see what kind of person he is by seeing what he does for work."

"Dad, that means absolutely nothing in this economy," Toby groaned. "Some people work because they gotta work. As long as he's doing his best to take care of himself, does it really matter?"

"Well, he needs to take care of Sarah."

"I'm doing just fine, thank you very much." Sarah definitely didn't appreciate the way he was speaking. She knew it came from a place of worry, but it still didn't make her feel better. "I've been taking care of myself for a long time now."

Robert had the sense to look guilty. "I'm sorry, honey. I'm just curious."

She couldn't help but feel a bit bad. He was trying, and they still needed to talk things out. "I know, Dad. And I know that you just want to be in my life and know what's happening. You can't help but want your kids to be cared for. I know that now." She gestured towards Ben.

"Are you happy with him, Sarah?" Karen asked gently, not wanting Robert and Sarah to escalate things. "You seem so."

Sarah relaxed a bit. "Yeah, I am. Very much."

Karen nudged Robert, who cleared his throat. "I'm glad to hear it. You have a good head on your shoulders and of course, you know what's best. I just can't help but be an ornery old man and worry."

Sarah blushed a little, still feeling the kiss Jareth left on her hand. "Jareth actually asked me to join him for dinner tonight. I already accepted, but I wanted to ask you guys if you're okay since I'll be out of the house?"

Karen looked very much interested in this. "Don't you worry about us!" She exclaimed. "Go and have fun."

"Love you kiddo, have a great time. You deserve it," Robert said.

A few hours later, Sarah found herself wearing a simple floor length golden dress with heels, black underwear, and light makeup. She wanted to look nice but not do anything crazy. To appear as she was for Jareth.

She tucked Ben into bed, kissing him. This would be the first time she would be in a different building from him since coming back Above. It was a risk, a leap of faith, but she trusted not only Jareth's protections, but her family to be there.

Life was a risk. Always. And she was going to do her best to live it to the fullest anyway.

True story: my family and I had a photographer who had us say "Chicken lips" instead of "cheese" and it was very weird lol. Like, why would you say that when "Cheese" doesn't involve your lips moving? XD

The stuff about Rachmaninoff is real, and I thought it was the perfect piece for Sarah as a comeback! Take a listen to it too, it's awesome and incredibly difficult.

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Only a few left, I'm so happy to hear so many are enjoying this fic. It has been one of my favorite stories to write. Maybe even my very favorite, perhaps my magnum opus. To know that many resonate with the struggles Jareth and Sarah goes through is one of the best compliments I can get as an author. Thank you.