"William, you know that I promised Susan that we would be there to see them off - we've been planning this for months!" Elizabeth snapped as she gathered up her coat and purse. "I just can't understand why you are putting up such a fuss!" Sarah stood in the corner, confused as to why Elizabeth's friend need to been seen off at the airport. After all, it wasn't like her husband wasn't going to be there - he was going with her. Snatching up her keys, Elizabeth turned to her husband with a challenging look on her face.

Sighing, he shrugged at Sarah and grabbed his coat. Elizabeth gave a triumphant smile as she leaned over to kiss Michael in his highchair. She strode out of the room without even acknowledging Sarah's presence. Her father walked back into the dining room, kissing first Michael goodbye and then Sarah. "I promise, we won't be gone long." He whispered quickly as he left. She could hear her stepmother yelling from the driveway for him to hurry. Then the front door slammed closed and once again they were alone.

Michael giggled as Samson padded into the room, looking contentedly at his food bowl. The dog began to munch on his food, wagging his tail happily. Sarah rolled her eyes and poured cereal into a bowl. She ate quickly, knowing that once the baby was done there would be no peace.

A few uneventful hours passed by, filled with entertaining Michael when there was a knock at the door. Instantly Samson's fur bristled and he followed Sarah to the door. She was surprised to see their new neighbor standing on the porch, his mismatched eyes dancing in the sunshine. "Hello again, my dear." He greeted her in his rich voice. "All alone again?" His eyebrows wrinkled as he scrutinized her face.

"Yes, my father and Elizabeth had a previous engagement." She explained. "Can I help you with something?" His eyes sparkled with mischief. "You might." He said, searching her face. "But you're probably busy with your brother so I'll come back later." The man moved toward the stairs and was quickly descending them before she could respond.

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Jareth walked slowly back the way he'd come, humming to himself. It won't be long now, my love. His thoughts were jubilant as he considered what was coming next. Soon you will be aware of me and grow weary of this dull life. And then you will call on me to take away the burden forced upon you. He glanced back at the house with the young girl watching from the doorway.

Strange, that yet again she did not resemble his Sarah. His Sarah had quickly won his heart with her beauty and it wasn't long before they were making plans. He had gone away to make a beautiful place for them to live, yet she was gone when he returned. Her parents said she wanted to stay with them, with her baby brother but he just couldn't believe it. Perhaps it was true, what the others had said; perhaps she had grown tired of him and wished to remain with her family. He sighed and waved away the thoughts and memories. But no matter, that time was long gone and only the future lay ahead. And in it, Jareth saw nothing but happiness.

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Closing the door, Sarah glanced down at Samson. He whined softly. "I know, I think he's a little strange, too. But also... a little sad." The dog waggle his tail in response. Shaking her head, she returned to the front room with him following. Once she hit the doorway, she was relieved to see Michael asleep in his playpen, sucking his thumb. Slowly backing up, Sarah retrieved a book from her room and settled in to wait for their parents return.

The peace lasted for only a few hours. Before long, Michael was crying and Sarah could do nothing to stop him. She tried feeding him, changing him, rocking him but nothing worked. Finally she just laid him in the playpen and let him scream for a few hours. Soon Samson abandoned her for the quiet upstairs and she tried to focus on something else but all the wailing had given her a horrible headache. Finally she just couldn't take it anymore. "I wish the Goblin King would take you and make you one of his goblins!" She cried out.

Instantly, she regretted her words and gathered him into her arms. "Shh, it's okay. I didn't mean it." She soothed as she patted him. "Of course you did." Came the suave voice from behind her. "You always mean it, Sarah." She clutched Michael closer and turned. Behind her stood the man from her dream, the Goblin King!