Chapter Thirty Eight

Kindred

Jareth watched over Sarah until she had fallen asleep. He placed his arm over her, as he had done from the first night he had taken her to his bed. Each day she was more accepting of his presence. 'Sarah,' he thought to himself as he snuggled into her, 'you are so much more than a mere wife.' His hand rested on their child. 'You are the savior of a realm!'

When the sun rose Sarah awoke feeling not only refreshed but also invigorated. She looked at the man who still slept with that simpering grin. She smiled to herself as she rose from the bed and made her way to the bath. The water of the shower felt like heaven, as it splashed over her. She was not surprised when hands reached for her from behind. "Good morning."

"Good morning," he answered. "You're in a good mood."

"Yes, I am," she agreed. "So don't ruin it."

He laughed. "Not me, my lady!" He moved the sponge over her, looking at the wonderfully rounded belly. "We must make lots of children!"

"Can we get though the first one?" she laughed back.

"But you look so beautiful with a child growing within you!" He said proudly. "My child growing within you."

"Spoken like a true chauvinist." She teased. "You said in the throne room you liked having me what was it? Barefooted and pregnant."

Jareth laughed as well, "I'm so good with words."

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After the children had their breakfast, Willa brought them down to the garden. As she turned to leave, the King told her to take a seat. She seemed surprised.

Sarah gathered her children on the bench with her. "Mr. King and I have something we would like to tell you."

Jenny looked concerned for a moment, casting a dark look at Jareth. "Is he sending us away like daddy did?"

Jareth held out a hand to Jenny, then wrapped her into his arms. "Now Miss Jenny, could I ever do a thing like that?"

Jenny buried her face in his neck and hair. "Daddy did."

"I would never, could never do that. My life would be empty without you, your brother and your mother." Jareth reassured the child. "I adore you all too much to want to live without you."

"Then what it is?" Jenny wiped away her tears, "Last time Mommy used those words was when Daddy walked out on us."

Jareth puffed out his cheeks and let go the breath slowly.

Sarah shook her head, "We're not going anywhere. We live here now, and we will live here for a long time to come." Her voice was calm and assured. "No, what Mr. King and I want you to know is…you're going to have another brother, or sister soon."

"Brother," said Jareth firmly.

Sarah rolled her eyes. "I'm going to have another baby. You remember just before Gwynn was born? Well that's what's happening now."

Gwynn was all giggles. "Bebe!"

Jenny looked at her mother, then at Jareth. "Really?"

He nodded, then winked. "Really."

Jenny smiled and hugged Jareth warmly. "I'm gonna be a big sister again."

Jareth closed his eyes and felt the warmth of love from the child. "Yes, you are my little love."

Sarah smiled.

Jenny pulled back, "Are you my daddy now?"

"I am if you want me to be." He told her honestly.

Jenny flung herself against him. "Yes! Yes, please."

Sarah placed her fingers to her lips and felt tears sting her eyes.

Jareth gathered the child up into his lap. "Jenny, listen to me. In my heart, you and Gwynn have always belonged to me."

Jenny rested her head on his chest and looked at her mother, "Can we call him Daddy?"

Sarah nodded.

An unseen presence in the garden watched, and smiled quietly to himself.

Sarah took a deep breath. "If you ever have questions, we want you to come to us with them."

Jareth nodded, rocking his new daughter. "Things here are not as things were back where you lived before." He counseled. "Ordinary things here can do a great deal of harm."

Gwynn looked up a his mother, "Bebe?"

Sarah took his hand and placed it on her tummy. "Bebe."

Gwynn's eyes grew wide with a kick from his sibling inside their mother. Gwynn put his head to her tummy and said. "Bebe!"

Even Willa had to giggle at the antics of the little boy.

Jareth looked down at Jenny. "Any questions, moppet?"

"Nope." She sighed happily. "Everything is wonderful. It's like a wish come true."

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"He has made them his Kindred." The voice announced to Carlin.

Carlin looked up from his work. "Has he indeed?" a smile spread on his lips. "Good for him."

"She is indeed worth a small war," stated the voice.

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Jenny looked up at Jareth. "What is our name now?"

"Name?" He looked at Sarah.

"She means last name, you know. Like I was Sarah Williams, then I became Sarah…" she stilled as he raised his hand.

Jareth looked at Jenny. "You are Jennifer Goblinshimmer, Duchess of Goblin Holler. Stepdaughter to Jareth, Goblin King. Your brother will be known as Duke Gwynn Goblinshimmer, Duke of Thornhill. And your mother is Lady Sarah Goblinshimmer, the King's consort."

"Goblinshimmer! I love it!" Jenny giggled. "I was afraid you were going to call me Miss King."

"Parish the thought!" Jareth teased back.

"Goblinshimmer?" Sarah asked with some reserve.

"It was the last name of the last Goblin King, the last true Goblin King, not a Fae." Jareth explained. "I like the idea of resurrecting it. Our son will bear it as his last name."

"What are we going to name the baby?" Jenny asked. "We can't just call him, bebe." She teased Gwynn who was talking to his mother's tummy.

Jareth nodded. "Yes, Mommy, what do you want to name the baby?" He was enjoying putting her on the spot.

Sarah made a face at him, "Do I have to choose a Fae name or a Goblin name?"

Jenny wriggled her nose. "I don't think I'd like the baby to have a Goblin first name."

"I'll second that." Jareth raised a gloved hand.

"Well there's a name I'm fond of but…it's taken." She looked at Jareth.

"Jareth Jr.?" He suggested.

"No, I was thinking of Oberon, actually I like Auberon, the old Celtic way of say his name… and maybe give the baby a middle name of Goblin heritage, say Zuken."

"Prince Auberon Zuken Goblinshimmer… I like it!" Jareth declared. "Good thinking Sarah."

"Auberon?" Jenny said it once then gave thought. "Yes."

Gwynn just kept saying "Bebe."