Darklady: Hello everyone sorry for taking so long . . . completely my fault. But the important thing is that I'm here now right?
Jareth: I suppose . . . unless of course the Chatper is a complete waste of time . . . than it doesn't really matter at all does it?
Sarah: Do you think you could be the least bit civil?
Jareth: I was being civil . . . honestly civil.
Darklady: (rolls eyes) Don't worry about it Sarah's he's right. Alright everyone big hand to my beta GraceRichie without whom this silly chapter would still be sitting in my harddrive ) Thanks Sweetie I owe ya one.
Jareth: (whispers to Sarah) Do you think that maybe we should be working more for this GraceRichie.
Sarah: (Shakes her head) No her story is doing just fine without you mucking it up.
Chapter 15 (The Party Part1)
Rin's surprise, Jaerth's present
Sarah looked at Jareth curiously as she looked from her front door, to him and back. She could hear the sound of the wind blowing, a cat crying, the neighbors having an argument over whether the 49er's or the Giants were the better team. It was normal, too normal, SOMETHING was up. "Jareth what's going on?" Jareth looked to Sarah, an innocent smile lifting his lips while his eyes dance with amusement.
"Why Sarah Williams, I'm sure I don't know WHAT you're talking about." He said with mock innocence.
"Listen here Goblin King, those charming BS excuses and faces may work for Fae women and even a few Mortal, but NOT on me." Sarah watched with a smile as Jareth's quickly turned to a frown.
"Sarah that is NOT proper language for a Lady." He paused, all fun again. "Now close your eyes and no opening them until I say." Sarah arched a brow, but promised and closed her eyes, allowing Jareth to lead her.
As Sarah closed her eyes she opened herself up to the world. In the house was the feeling of excitement and love. Were Karen and her father back? Was something up with Toby? As she heard the door knob turn she strained to hear. The house was quiet, up until Jareth closed the front door. The latch on the door was like a button…or the detonator for a megaton bomb, because as the door clicked shut the house exploded.
As soon as the door shut, the house boomed with 'Happy Birthdays!' Sarah jumped, falling back into Jareth's laughing chest. With her eyes still closed she found it difficult to give him a proper death glare. 'It's not my birthday.' She thought to Rin confused.
'Of course it is little one. Today is November 22; you were brought into this world 17 years ago this very day.' Sarah felt her heart STOP.
'Daddy and Karen got married today. That can't be…can it?' Sarah was pulled from her thoughts with Rin when she heard James.
"Sarah why haven't you opened your eyes?" James asked with mock hurt in his voice, Sarah couldn't help but smile at the picture in her mind.
"I promised Jareth I wouldn't open my eyes until he said." She could HEAR James pout. "He hasn't said to open them so . . ."
"Jareth tell her she can open her eyes." James said with true upset.
"Of course, Sarah you may open your eyes now," Jareth whispered against her ear.
Sarah opened her eyes and immediately felt her heart swell. The house was done in her favorite colors and at least 20 people filled the house. Her heart sang as she realized that ALL of them were REALLY happy to see her. She couldn't help the breathless gasp at the assault of feelings. Though for years to come she would kick herself for sounding like one of those silly teenagers. "Who did all this?" She asked looking to James.
"Well Jareth and I did the decorations, Sam and the band did the food, Mom did the cake and everyone brought gifts." James said with a smile. Sarah turned to Jareth, truly shocked.
"YOU helped do this?" Jareth smiled at his shocked chosen and pulled her into a tight hug, making sure only Sarah could hear when he spoke.
"Actually your friends helped out quite a bit, Hammle, Ludo, Didymus and most of the goblin army that you nearly destroyed." He said with a cheeky smile.
"Remind me later to thank them." Sarah said before turned and seeing them before her. "OH MY GOODNESS!!" She squealed happily running to the closest of the three to hug, which just so happened to be Ludo.
Ludo, even to Sarah, appeared as a 5 year old boy with red-orange hair, brick colored eyes and a pudgy, freckled face. His teeth, as Sarah noticed, were still LUDO…over sized canines that looked as though they could cut through rocks, if they weren't already his friends. "Happy Birffday, Sawah," he said as he hugged her with all the strength of his true form. Sir Didymus was next.
He appeared to look like a middle aged man. He was at least 5'8, his hair orange with white eye brows and mustache. His nose, probably the most…intriguing of his features, was large, but somehow fit his human glamour. His smile, though charming and friendly, was lined with sharp teeth not like Lilli's but like…well a fox. He stood just above Sarah's height and found it a terrible bother, but decided that he could stand to be a giant for his lady. "Happy Birthday, Lady Sarah," he said with a bow over her hand. Hoggle stood behind the knight waiting penitently for his turn with his friend.
Hoggle stood just below Sarah's height, as was usual. He looked like a wizened old grandpa, slightly balding, creased skin, big nose, and twinkling eyes. He smiled a set of perfect dingy teeth. Sarah knelt to hug him as tightly as possible, not caring whether Jareth liked it or not. "Happy Birthday, Little Lady," he whispered in a watered down version of his accent.
"How? Who? HUH?" Sarah stuttered, wiping tears from her eyes and looking from one friend to the next. Hoggle pointed to Jareth and spoke with a look of…managed contempt.
"He is how, he is who. He let us help with the decorations and then used a glamour spell so we could be here for the party," he said with a slight tinge of suspicion on his Scottish tongue. Sarah turned and locked her curious gaze with Jareth's calm stare.
"Why?" She asked, confused.
"Because I love you and if Hymen and the lot make you happy then I will do my best to get along with HIM." Jareth said with a smirk.
"Hymen?" Sarah asked with a smirk of her own.
"Baby steps, I believe is the saying." He threw back with a chuckle playing in his voice. Sarah shook her head, then reached up and pulled his lips down to hers, laughing when the crowd around them erupted into HOOTS and whistles.
"Thank you." She whispered, meaning it with every fiber of her being.
Jareth watched as Sarah moved through the party, thanking and greeting people as she went. Jareth watched his chosen and his subjects as they traveled through the room speaking with and meeting various people, except for Ludo. Though large and frightening to most, Ludo was still quite young for his species and AS SUCH kept close to either Sarah or himself. At the moment Jareth and Ludo stood beside the piano watching Sarah as she greeted her guests.
That was where James' parents caught sight of him. Mrs. Wagner was the female version of her son. Her jet black hair was shoulder length and ruthlessly straight, her eyes were the same storming water as her son's, the only TRUE difference was her womanly figure and her height as she stood a good 5 inches taller than her son. Her husband Mr. Wagner was roughly the same height give or take and inch. Unlike his wife and son, however, Mr. Wagner had hair the color of a fine sherry with light green eyes and sun kissed skin. Both parents, however different they might have looked, could be seen in the boy. His mannerisms and movements were entirely his father, while he looked like his mother.
"Hello, you must be Mr. King." Mrs. Wagner said, holding out her hand for him to shake. "I'm Marah, James' mother." Jareth kissed the woman's hand with a smirk.
"I can see now where James gets his charm and please, call me Jareth." Mr. Wagner smiled from his spot next to his wife and put his own hand out to be shaken.
"Watch it pal, she's taken." He stated good naturedly. "I'm Peter, James' father." Jareth shook the man's hand with a firm grip and a smile.
"And now I know where the lad gets his death grip." Jareth said, flexing his hand with a smile. "I am quite pleased to meet you both." Jareth said honestly, all the while keeping a careful eye on Sarah.
"So how long have you known our Sarah?" Marah asked, noticing Jareth's body tense momentarily. Jareth smiled and kept his mask of perfect charm in place, as the voice in his head growled 'MINE' not for the first or LAST time.
"Well I've known Sarah for years, but only recently have we started to truly learn about one another." Jareth answered carefully before leaning down to the ginger haired boy at his side. "Go to Sarah, I'm sure she would be happy to see you," he whispered to Ludo, not wanting the young creature around in case he lost his temper.
"And what are your plans?" Peter asked once Ludo was standing with Sarah.
"Plans for what Peter?" Jareth asked, holding back a smirk as the man took a sip of his drink.
"Plans for your relationship with Sarah? Does Robert know that you are dating?" Peter asked innocently.
"Actually I haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Williams, but my plans for Sarah?" Jareth glanced to Sarah and caught her eye, smiling at her Jareth turned back to Peter and Marah who seemed to be eagerly waiting his answer. "I will say I have no REAL plans for my life with Sarah, I fear if I were to make them she would put them all to hell in the first few moments of their lives. I have HOPES, but I make no plans with her. I do not want to make her feel as if I'm forcing anything on her. I will wait forever if that is what she wants." Marah seemed pleased with Jareth's albeit, unusual, but heartfelt answer, while Peter stood shocked.
"Then what are your hopes for yourself and Sarah?" Marah asked, trying her best not to laugh at her husband.
"My hopes are to marry Sarah when she is ready, but for now I am happy to just be with her. To see HER happy, healthy and safe." Peter and Marah nodded, believing Jareth to be sincere and truly in love with their 'adopted' daughter.
"I like you Jareth, you're a little old for Sarah in my book, but you seem like a proper gentleman." Peter said, wrapping an arm around the Goblin King with a smile and open affection.
Sarah and James watched as Mrs. and Mr. Wagner spoke with Jareth. Neither nervous, but both cautious. Sarah smiled and turned to Bobby when she realized that her foster parents agreed with her choice. Now she just had to deal with her over protective 'big brothers'. With Ludo still planted at her side, content to merely be clutching her leg, she faced the Neanderthals. "Bobby I mean it STOP!" Sarah said, growing a bit frustrated.
"I can't help it Sarah. You're like my little sister and I don't wanna see you hurt. He seems legit…BUT…I'm still worried about ya." Bobby said in his 'please don't be mad for caring' voice. It was James, who spoke next.
"Actually Bobby from personal experience I know that Jareth has a better chance of getting hurt than Sarah." James said with a smirk.
"What makes you say that?" Sarah asked, arching a brow to her best friend.
"From what I heard 'Sar Bear' you have ALREADY shown Jareth what a tigress you can be." James answered with a smile, making everyone around him nod in agreement. Everyone that is, except Sarah.
"'Sar Bear'? You haven't called me that since fourth grade and I couldn't stand it THEN! Besides James, you know just as well as I that I do NOT sharpen my claws on a person for no reason." Sarah threw back, taking a sip of her drink. It was apparently everyone's turn to agree with Sarah as the circle of men bobbed their head like oversized birds. "Now if you'll excuse me I have to use the little girls' room."
Sarah closed and locked the door to the bathroom, needing a moment to herself. She had sent Ludo back to stand with Hoggle and Didymus, truly needing the time alone. After finishing and washing her hands, she found she couldn't stop staring at her reflection. She examined her face carefully, missing nothing and yet…it seemed…SOMETHING. From her careful search she found nothing different about her appearance. Maybe it was in the way she moved, the way she spoke…but no. She felt the same and did nothing different, but that wasn't completely true.
She was doing something different, she was opening up to people. She was finally starting to feel like she could talk to people, be around people and not get hurt. At the realization Sarah found herself smiling. 'You should do that more often, little one. The world brightens to see you happy.' Rin said with a smile in her own voice.
'You're wrong Rin, most people find my smile…unnerving.' Rin laughed at Sarah's comment.
'I can understand why that was said.' Rin said playfully. For a just a minute Sarah wished she could flick Rin for her comment. 'If you continue to think such violent thoughts you will not get MY birthday surprise.' Rin had tried to sound serious, but found she couldn't keep the amusement from her voice.
'What's your surprise?' Sarah asked, changing her mind a moment later and rewording her question. 'What surprise could you have for me Rin?' Sarah asked with a grin.
'More than you are ready to know, but this particular surprise is very much on its…actually, little one, it's here.' Sarah felt anxiety bubble up in her stomach as Rin informed her of the 'surprise's' arrival.
'Alright I'm staying here now.' Sarah said, sitting herself on the closed toilet. Her…'plan' was short lived however when Mrs. Wagner came and knocked on the door.
"Sarah sweetheart you…umm…I think you're going to want to come and see this," she whispered in a shocked voice.
"What is it Mrs. Wagner?" Sarah asked, moving quickly to unlock the door.
"I don't think I should tell you, just come and see." The exited woman said as Sarah opened the door. The older woman grabbed the younger's hand and pulled her to the living room.
Sarah watched as the party guests crowded around two new women. The first one Sarah could get a glance of was a bit older than herself, though not by much. She was the same height as Sarah and dressed rather casually, a pair of khaki slacks and a hunter green blouse. Her eyes and face held amusement and apprehension as she scanned the room with an efficient cursory glance. Her eyes were a strange, yet beautiful, mix of greens, golds, and even bit of red, like the hazy days between Summer and Autumn when the leaves were just starting to change. Her hair was a curly mass of auburn that leaned more towards the red and her skin was a creamy peach. Plainly put, she was gorgeous. She looked like a woman, not like a pencil or a stick. She had breasts and hips and wasn't shy or upset in the LEAST to let people know that.
The woman seemed to be scanning the party, looking for something or someone. She had moved over half the room when her eyes caught Sarah's. She smiled sweetly, but nervously, as though she was trying to relax both herself and Sarah with that simple curve of lips. She turned slightly, her eyes still watching Sarah, as though she thought Sarah might run or disappear. Tapping the woman beside her, she whispered something and pointed towards the confused birthday girl.
As the bodies parted and both women came into view, Sarah's heart stopped. The woman that was now walking carefully towards her was elegant and appeared serene. With her pale skin, 50's pinup quality figure, perfectly cut dark hair and jewel eyes, she was the tantalizing beauty every critic, journalist, and lover had ever said she was. Her voice was just as EVERY ONE of her co-actors had said; a link to a soul that could cause great pain and pleasure.
"Hello Sarah." Linda Williams was the perfect older version of Sarah, like looking in the mirror twenty years down the road. Sarah Williams had always dreamed of the day she would meet her mother again, but now as she stood before her in flesh and blood Sarah found she couldn't speak. Linda looked at her daughter with tear filled eyes and a proud smile lighting her face. "You're so big." She stated with a hysterical giggle. Sarah bit down on her tongue and tried to keep herself from loosing control, tried to keep from saying words that would cause her mother pain, but quickly lost her battle.
"That happens in the space of ten years. A lot of things happen." Sarah said with a hitch in her voice and a lump in her throat. She wondered where Jareth was, she really needed to feel his strength beside her. Linda looked down to her twisting fingers and nodded, looking back to her daughter with fat tears spilling down her cheeks.
"I know Sarah and I know there are things I missed, things that I royally messed up…things I said that I NEVER should have said. Sarah I can't…I can never expect you to forgive me. I can never expect you to because I can't even forgive myself, but I'm asking you to try. Sarah please try to forgive me…or at least give me another chance. I was young and STUPID and heartless to shrug off my greatest gift without a thought. I can't believe I said those things to you, my baby, my perfect angel. You did nothing to deserve them and I want you to know that. You were everything…ARE everything I could EVER ask for. I let you grow up without a mother; I wasn't there for all the kisses and hugs you should have gotten from me." Linda moved closer to her daughter, neither remembering nor caring about the others in the room.
"What do you want me to say Mom?" Sarah asked, her voice choked with tears and her heart twisted violently in her chest. "Do you want me to tell you that it's alright…you didn't miss much? Do you want to hear that it's fine that you didn't call ONCE for my birthday, that I didn't even get a letter from you saying that you loved me or missed me?" Linda shook her head fiercely at Sarah's words.
"NO Sarah, I don't want you to say that because I know it's not…it is NOT okay. It will never be ok, but I want a second chance. I know I missed a lot, but I want to be your mom. I want to call you on your birthday, to write you letters, to kiss you and hug you and tell you how much I love you and how happy I am that you are in my life. I want to hold you and laugh with you…I want you to trust me the way a daughter should trust her mother. Will you give me a second chance Sarah? Will you give US a second chance?" Sarah stood stock still. Was her mother really there? Had she really come back after more than a decade of NOTHING? Sarah realized sometime later that her thoughts must have been showing on her face or in her eyes as the other woman, the one Sarah had seen first moved to Linda's side.
"Sarah, I'm Gabrielle Mitchell, I'm your mother's personal assistant. Can I say something?" Gabrielle asked in a careful voice, as though afraid she could push Sarah the wrong way with just her tone.
"It would seem, Miss Mitchell, that you already have, but yes…go ahead." Sarah said without the intention of sounding cross or perturbed, but it was simply reflex she just spoke. She had to give the girl credit for not wincing, but merely speaking.
"Sarah, my mom and dad split up when I was very young too. They both said some pretty bad things, both to myself and each other, but they never apologized, never came back. They dumped me on my grandparents and split, but I'm telling you now…if EITHER of them had come back and asked for a second chance, I would have at least TRIED. No girl wants to go through life without a mom, Sarah." Sarah stared at Gabrielle, the new-comer in her mother/daughter world. Sarah bit her cheek as she realized that the lady was right, how many times had Sarah wished her mother would come back, that she could have just one more minute with her?
"I guess we could try, but you have a lot to make up for. I have to learn to trust you again and I'm not saying it will be easy…not saying that I'LL make it easy, but I'm willing to try." Sarah said as she finally freed the tears that had been burning at her eyes. Linda nodded to her daughter, tears falling just as freely down her own face.
"Can I give you a hug?" Linda asked tentatively, not wanting to push Sarah farther than she was willing to go. Sarah couldn't help the dry laugh that escaped at her mother's request.
"I think I'd like that." Sarah admitted, trying to wipe the persistent tears from her face.
As Sarah and Linda pulled apart both felt laughter bubble up and out of them. Linda stood for a moment staring at her daughter, her hands lightly stroking Sarah's face lovingly.
"You are more than I ever dreamed." She said with a distant look, only to jump back to herself a moment later with a startling 'OH!' "I…or WE have a gift for you." Linda said, gesturing to Gabrielle behind her and back to herself. "Do you want us to get them now? Or should we wait?" Sarah tried to wipe the salty tracks from her face as her mother waited for her answer.
"Umm…I guess you should get it now." Sarah answered with a nervous laugh.
"Alright, be right back." Linda said placing a gentle kiss on her daughter's forehead, before turning and pulling Gabrielle from the house by her captive hand.
Sarah watched as her mother and assistant made their way to the front door and out it. Seizing their moment, James and Jareth moved next to Sarah, both worried about the young woman. Sarah looked from Jareth to James and back, wrapping an arm around both and pulling them both into a tight hug. "Sarah are you alright?" James asked, watching his friend with a critical eye.
"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" Sarah asked, looking at her long time friend slightly confused.
"Sarah your mother just popped in after 12 years of absence. Are you telling me that has NO effect on you?" James asked, growing more and more concerned.
"I'm still in shock…I think. Ask me later and we'll see if I'm ready to breakdown." She answered calmly and deadly serious. "But you know what you could do for me?" James shook his head. "You could get me another drink. I think I'm going to need one." James laughed, relaxing at Sarah's request.
"Alright Sar."
Jareth watched James' retreating form, waiting to speak until the young man was well out of range. Pulling Sarah close he studied her face. He could tell that for this moment she was on cloud nine. Her mother was back, her friends had thrown her a party, the likes of which she had never seen and she was safely wrapped in his welcoming arms. He couldn't help the smirk that lit his face at the purely egotistical thought. "Sarah love, are you really alright?" He asked, pulling her away just enough to look in her eyes.
"I'm fine Jareth just a little…surprised. I never REALLY thought I'd see her again." Sarah admitted, her gaze turning to the direction her mother had gone and was now coming from.
Out of the corner of his eye Jareth watched as Linda and Gabrielle came back into the room, both carrying a gift. Behind Sarah he could hear Sir Didymus starting to slip into stories of his knightly duties. Rolling his eyes Jareth kissed Sarah on the forehead and reluctantly stepped away. "Your mother and her assistant are coming and I must have a word with Didymus and Gabble." Sarah smiled as she kissed him lightly on the lips.
"Hoggle, Jareth. H-O-G-G-L-E." She said, standing up for her friend.
"Yes, yes…that's what I said." Jareth waved with a wink as he walked away.
Jareth watched as he pulled Didymus and Hoggle away for a word. He watched Sarah carefully until he saw Jesi standing close by. He wouldn't say that he didn't trust Linda and her assistant, but he would not leave Sarah alone with her mother. Not until he was SURE Sarah wouldn't end up hurt again.
Sarah heard Sir Didymus as Jareth pulled him away. "Forgive me dear lady, but the King has need of me." Sarah rolled her eyes with a smirk. That was Didymus…ever the valiant knight. Linda and Gabrielle stopped in front of her, baring their gifts, Linda's eyes glowing with unimaginable pride.
"Do you think you could open this one now?" Linda asked, still unsure if she was pushing her daughter too far. Sarah looked from her mother to the small box and back.
"Umm…I guess." Sarah took the box from her mother, noting that most of the room had stopped what they had been doing to watch. The box was small just large enough to cover the palm of her hand. It was a small silver thing, etched with Celtic symbols that Sarah couldn't remember the meaning of. Opening the small box Sarah felt her breath stop.
The ring, like its box, was etched silver, the same Celtic symbols donning it as the box. A brilliant sapphire sat between two diamonds, looking ethereal and untouchable. Sarah looked to her mother and saw her look of complete and utter happiness. "This ring, Sarah, belonged to my mother. She gave it to me with the promise that as long as I wore it she would be watching over me." Linda took the box from her daughter's hand and removed the ring. Taking Sarah's hand she placed it gently on her daughter's finger, admiring how perfectly it fit on her hand. "I want you to have it." Sarah shook her head, moving to pull the ring off.
"No Mom, it belongs to you, Nanna gave it to you." Sarah stammered, feeling guilty about taking something that meant so much to her mother.
"You're right she did and I'm sure that she would be more than pleased to see it on you." Linda soothed, holding Sarah's face in her hands. "It's the only thing in this world that could even TRY to come close to how much you mean to me. I want you to have it." Linda said with a smile. "Besides it looks better on you, and unlike myself, it fits you perfectly. I've never been able to get it on my pudgy fingers." Sarah laughed at her mother's comment; Linda Williams did NOT have pudgy fingers.
"Thank you Mom." Sarah said, hugging Linda to herself. Smiling as Linda whispered another 'I love you'. Again Sarah heard Sir Didymus' voice, he was speaking with Jareth. 'Dear Gods, this is going to be a long night.' Sarah thought.
"Of course my lord…." The rest was cut off, most likely by Hoggle or Jareth slapping their hand over the poor knight's mouth. Gabrielle who had apparently disappeared to place her gift with everyone else's, came back as Linda was hauled away by Mr. and Mrs. Wagner. The young woman's face a mask of confusion.
"I guess people talk like that here too." She said almost to herself. Sarah however heard the comment and turned to give Gabrielle her own look of confusion.
"Where have you heard…?" Linda came back interrupting Sarah's question, apparently to Gabrielle's relief.
"We have been hearing quite a bit of the old medieval talk, haven't we Gabby?" Linda said, practically answering Sarah's question.
"Really why is that?" Sarah asked.
"New movie set in 16…something or other." Linda answered, not quite sure what year they were supposed to be in.
"Early 1500's," the girl her mother affectionately called 'Gabby' corrected. "It's about the whole Anne Boleyn scandal." Sarah accepted her explanation; it was well known that her mother loved to star in the older set movies.
The three women spent a good deal of time talking and getting to know on another. That is until Marah came over and demanded Sarah blow out her birthday cake. Everyone in the house piled into Karen's large kitchen, trying to find the perfect spot to watch the birthday girl make her wish.
Jareth and James stood beside the cake, with just enough room between them for Sarah, but Sarah had noticed neither of them ANY of them. Her eyes were locked on the cake, the likes of which she had only seen at weddings. A 6 layer cake sat in the middle of the table, with weaved looking frosting and waterfalls of white chocolate and cherries down the sides. Sarah turned quickly to Marah and hugged her till she couldn't feel her arms.
"Thank you Mrs. Wagner, it's perfect." Sarah pulled away from the older woman and moved to stand between her Goblin King and best friend.
"Alright you three, after Sarah nods signaling that she's made her wish I'M going to count. On three you'll each blow out a side of the cake, cause Sarah can't do it ALL by herself." Marah said with a laugh.
"Are you ready to make your wish Sarah?" Jareth asked with a devilish smirk.
"What would I…I want Toby here." She said with a sad smile.
"You could wish for him to here for your birthday. I think that's perfectly safe love." Jareth whispered in her ear, so no one else would hear.
"I don't think I'll be wishing for ANYTHING, but I can and will hope that he and Daddy will come home." Everyone stood watching as Sarah closed her eyes 'hoping' her father and baby brother would make it to her birthday party. Sarah, Jareth, and James blew out the candles on Sarah's cake, turning the kitchen into a concert hall as darkness swallowed the room.
When the lights were back on Sarah found herself surrounded by her friends and family, true her father and brother were missing but they would come home soon enough. For now she was happy with her mother, her best friend and the most wonderful Goblin King she could ever ask for.
Jareth, James and Sarah were given the first slices of cake as the line formed. It was supposed to go, get your cake, your fork, and move back to the living room. But it seemed Jareth had another plan for his little love. As she came out of the kitchen Sarah felt someone pull her towards the entrance way, than up the stairs to her room. "What the…?" She started.
Jareth scooted Sarah into her room, closing, but not locking, her door as he moved into the room. He looked at his chosen with a deep pride in his heart, she was more than he could have ever hoped for in a mate. "You might want to open…or rather, receive my present without an audience, my heart." He said with a deepened smirk. Sarah did her best to look suspicious, holding a large slice of chocolate cake, but found it quite difficult.
"And what could your present possibly be?" She asked with a worried voice, as her heart began to race.
"Sarah please do calm down, I only want you to see your present in it's true form…but if you'd rather see what everyone else does…." Sarah watched him as he spoke, something about the way she looked at him told him that she was learning more than NORMAL women, be them mortal or magical. His Sarah was unique.
"What did you get me Jareth, a dragon?" She asked with a challenging stare.
"No Sarah of course not…maybe some other…no." He answered with a thoughtful look. Out of the air he pulled a crystal, the scene feeling strangely familiar to both. Sarah took a step back as she watched him manipulate the crystal has he had once before.
"Jareth…?" He smirked as he stood with the crystal dancing from one had to the other and back. "Jareth if you throw another snake at me…I promise you won't like what I throw back." Jareth held the crystal in one hand, while the other turned into a lone finger pointing in amused sternness.
"Now Sarah I believe I learned from THAT lesson if no other." Jareth threw the crystal in the air, neither surprised when a medium sized box floated down into his waiting arms. He watched with amusement as she fought with her will power and curiosity. "Do you want it?" He asked, smirking when he was rewarded with an eye roll.
"Jareth if you're going to give me a present then give it, other wise…." He couldn't help but feel a bit…put out that she didn't want to play, but it seemed a bit fair.
"Very well then my love, here is your present." Jareth placed the box on her bed. The medium sized box was white with a single silver bow on the very middle of the top.
Jareth watched happily as Sarah stalked carefully towards the box on her bed. Her movements, he noticed were slow, careful, light. As though her body was readying to pounce or flee. That was why she loved cats so, he mused, because she, in some part, was just that. A cat. He smiled, mentally gloating about a gift she had yet to even open.
As she eased up the lid, the box jumped and jiggled. Sarah dropped the lid back into place as she sprang back a few steps, her eyes narrowing at the now freely moving box. As the lid rose and she watched two rather large white and black striped paws pop out the front. Jareth watched as the tension and unease flowed from her young body, like water off the mossy rocks.
Sarah watched as the furry paws were followed by a head. A pink nose, violet eyes, and a face that made her anxious to see it was real. The tiny tiger cub came carefully, but clumsily, onto the bed, flipping onto her back as the box toppled over. The tiny creature turned its head staring at Sarah curiously as it righted itself.
The little cub was gorgeous, white and black. It was larger than most or rather ALL tiger cubs she had seen. Its eyes as well, were unusual with their intriguing shade of purple. Sarah found though she wanted to take her eyes from the cub she could not, so her question was asked as her eyes remained locked on the animal. "What is it Jareth?" She asked moving slowly closer to the bed.
"Your 17th birthday present. James told me that you are fond of tigers." Sarah laughed at his choice of words.
"Fond is to pale a word, ADORE I'm sure is what he used." Sarah said, sitting carefully on the bed a few feet away from the cub.
"Yes actually now that you mention it, I believe that adore was the word used." Jareth said with a smile sitting on the same side as the female tiger cub. Picking her up, Jareth wrestled with her, trying simultaneously to keep either himself or the cub from being harmed.
"Jareth what is this?" Sarah asked again, letting the cub sniff her fingers.
"This Sarah is my birthday gift to you. A white, Labyrinthine tiger cub." He said as the little thing fought to be in Sarah's arms. Letting her go, Jareth watched as the little creature moved carefully and purposefully towards her mother. Sarah smiled as the cub curled up in her lap and fell asleep, with her hand stroking her soft fur.
"Jareth…." She whispered, careful not to wake the sleeping baby in her lap. "Aren't tigers a bit dangerous? I mean how will WE hide her? How will we deal with her attacking someone? What about Toby?" Sarah's mind raced to think of all the horrible things that could happen to her pet, her little brother, her family when the cub in her lap grew.
"Sarah be calm, I would never endanger the lives of those you hold dear. Besides my dear, this little girl is unlike normal tigers." Sarah looked at Jareth confused by his last statement. "Listen Sarah, Labyrinthine tigers are quite different from the tigers of your world. On her own this little one will be able to hide her true appearance from mortals, appearing as an average house cat…or kitten for now. She will grow Sarah and as she does she will learn, she will seem quite human, having reactions and feelings to YOUR emotions." He looked down to the sleeping bundle of fluff on her lap and smiled. "But for now my love I believe you should choose a name for your new companion."
Sarah looked down at the oversized powder puff. She was gorgeous, small, and yet big, warm and trusting. Sarah watched and started at her as she thought about her name. Merlin, oddly enough had NOT been Sarah's idea, no the over grown hair ball had been named by her father. This time the name would fit the being that wore it. "What do you think about Alexandra? Alex for short." Sarah asked Jareth with a smirk.
"I think that is the prefect name for her." Jareth praised, touching the cub's head. At Jareth's touch Alex woke with a jump, she looked at the Goblin King then back to her mother and purred as if to say 'Yes?' Sarah smiled and pulled the babe into her arms laying a kiss on her nose. All three jumped slightly when James burst through her bedroom door.
"Hey Sarah Mom wants to…" James turned to Sarah and Jareth and instantly went pale. "Umm…Sarah not for nothing, but have you noticed that you're holding a tiger cub?"
Darklady: Alright what did we think?
Sarah: We think that james is a little DUH. Did you notice?
Jareth: (nods in agreement) I must admit . . . it did seem abit . . . dumbassish.
Darklady: (raises eyebrow in confusion) Dumbassish? Is that even a word.
Ly: When you're King whatever you say is correct grammer.
Sarah/Darklady: Nuh huh!
Ly/Jareth: Yuh HUH!
Darklady: Alright whatever . . . Everyone there is a link in my bio that will send you to a painting that my dear Sister Grace did for the chapter titled 'James' where Sarah draws a picture of Jareth gazing out a window. . . Takes a look Ks? Alright don't forget to review . . . I'll be catchin ya's later! Byes