Chapter 14. May we be truly thankful
They lay entangled in each other's arms on the hillside, not in any rush to end the moment. Darkness swept over them like an old familiar friend and a slight chill came with nightfall. Jareth rolled to the side and sat up, looking down at the valley and the lights of the homes coming on and staying on. "I suppose you are getting hungry." He said.
"A little," Sarah admitted timidly. "It's been hours."
"Riha won't be waiting will she?" He asked having thought of the Irish girl for the first time.
"No," Sarah sat up, her shoulder pressed against that of the man's beside her. "I left her a note when I changed. I told her to eat as I was not sure when you'd bring me back or even where you were taking me." She smiled shyly.
He smiled as well. "Do you like it?" He asked pointing about the hillside."
"It's wonderful." Her voice wavered, "But you know that."
Nodding he laughed softly. "It's always good to know someone else agrees." He stood up and held hands out to help her to her feet. "This place means a lot to me, Sarah. I want it to mean something to you as well."
"It does." She promised looking about one more time. "How far do the boundaries go?"
"Most of the hillside," He said as he began to wave his hand from one direction to another. "It was part of one of the old coal mines here about. Over though that stand of trees where the path winds is a little cabin, it's all that's left of the mine camp that was set up here. The mine was closed even though the hillside is rich in coal… the main mine went bust and this little branch was closed up as well. There are still some shafts drilled down into the hill, most have been covered over." He pulled her into his arms. "Would you like to live up here? I've plans to build a real house… that old cabin is just not big enough."
"You would live up here, in your castle looking down on the valley?" She nuzzled against him as she looked down on the valley. "How like you, Mr. King."
He laughed gently, "Ah Sarah, we could be very happy in our castle, you and I…and our children."
"Children?" She looked at him a bit bemused. "Jareth, let's not get ahead of ourselves shall we?"
Mismatched eyes twinkled in the darkness. "I'd make a very good father." He said with confidence. "I'm wonderful with children."
Sarah rested her head back against his chest. "We've time…all the time in the world…there's no rush to go planning our family out just yet." Part of her was excited by his talk of a house and family. "Tell me about our house." She whispered.
Arms tightened their grip about her waist. "Our house is built like a fortress, like its part of the hillside it's self. The rooms are filled with light and love." He murmured into her ear. Slowly he turned her away from the vista below and toward the bike. "I need to get you back to school." He said firmly.
Sarah zipped up the jacket, took the helmet as it was handed to her and looked one more time at their special spot. Moments later they were roaring on the road headed back to the school.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Riha had left the Library more confused than when she'd gone in. None of the information seemed to make any sense. She'd jotted down cryptic notes in her native Gaelic, knowing few if any other at the school could read the old language. Arriving at the studio she found Sarah's note and smiled. Jareth was wasting no time in his preset of Sarah, Riha noted. Something inside her wanted to warn the young man that he was going after quicksilver and that Sarah's fate had been sealed by the Gods long ago. Another part of her wanted the handsome biker to sweep Sarah off her feet and change fate, challenge it for the love of Sarah.
Because Karen had stocked the Kitchenette with so many things, Sarah and Riha often didn't bother with going to the refectory for dinner. They would eat something simple in the quiet of the studio. Riha opened a can of soup and was heating it up when Sarah walked in looking dreamy eyes. "Did you have a nice ride?"
Sarah nodded as she unzipped the jacket. "Look at what he gave me," she spun around so the fringe would flutter.
"Very nice, would you like some soup?" Her cousin asked as she ladled the hot broth into bowls.
"Thanks." Sarah took the bowls to the table and sat down. "What do you think of him?"
"Jareth?" Riha took her seat. "I think he's very nice to us. Why?"
Sarah looked down at her bowl, then up at her cousin. "He made me make a promise under the stars tonight." She bit her tongue. "He made me promise to give myself to no other."
Riha sat quiet for a moment. "And did you?"
Sarah nodded. "Riha, it's so strange…I've never even had a boy friend before…and now I've got this …man who's telling me about the house he's going to build and the children we are going to have…and….I don't know what all."
Riha snickered. "And you like it."
"Yes." Sarah leaned back in the chair. "I do." Closing her eyes she said. "It all feels so …right…. So comfortable… so familiar. It's like I know him already…. Like part of my soul knows him, trusts him, and …"
"Loves him?" her cousin offered.
Sarah nodded.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Megan walked alone, thinking as she went past the familiar places in on the campus. There had to be a way she could get even, not just with that insipid Sarah, but with that jerk King as well. She knew she'd have to be careful, but she also knew if she planned it right she could kill two birds with one stone. Like most of the other students she was looking forward to the long weekend away. Her parents would give her freedom to do what ever she wanted. She would take that extra day and plan out her revenge on Sarah, and King and then find a way to fix the Irish girl for good measure.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
The weather had turned cold and damp by Thursday when Sarah and Riha returned to the studio after classes to pickup the laundry bag and head to the station for the train ride back to Sarah's family home. It was no surprise to find Jareth there, as his men were working on the renovations. It was a surprise to find him standing with Conner who'd brought a car to ferry the girls over to the station in comfort. Jareth teased it would be more fun to take the bike, but was informed that Riha's cast would not go well hanging off the bike.
At the station Jareth teased Sarah about sending Riha down to her parents' place and she should stay at the school. Sarah pretended to be shocked at the suggestions. The train arrived on time, and Conner took Riha to her seat. Jareth kept Sarah on the platform for a moment longer.
"I'm not kidding, you should stay we could have a picnic up on our hillside." He said holding her hands to his heart.
"A bit cold and wet for picnics on a hillside," Sarah looked at the rain pouring off the station roof. "Don't you think?"
"Ah but we have a nice dry little cabin, with firewood in the fireplace, just waiting for us." He crooned suggestively.
Riha opened the window of her seat. "Sarah…" She called concerned.
"I'll be right there." Turning to Jareth she murmured. "I have to go."
"I know." He looked disappointed but kissed her cheek and sent her on her way.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Karen made good on the offer of a shopping spree. They began on Friday morning at a little store Karen knew of that was going out of business thanks to the larger stores in the new mall. They made unique purchases at prices that were beyond reason. Karen spoiled the girls all weekend long until it was time to drive them back up to the school. Before leaving Karen promised that the following weekend would be another shopping spree. Robert reminded the girls that they were going to be coming on the midday train on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and then would spend the next two weekends at school.
Sarah showed her father the calendar they were keeping and sent her father back to his car feeling he had managed to keep her from spending too much time in the company of that man.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Conner pulled the car into the lot and made a face. "That group of girls standing there could be trouble," He said to Jareth sitting in the passenger's seat.
Jareth recognized two of the girls. "Not if we're smart. Watch and learn junior." He stepped from the car, walked to where the night watchman was standing and spoke to him. The night watchman left then came back a few moments later. Jareth smiled and watched as the girls came out of the building and came down to the car.
Conner smiled as Riha replaced Jareth in the front passenger seat. Jareth and Sarah took the back seat sitting a respectable distance until Conner pulled the sedan out onto the highway. Jareth waited for a block then moved closer to where Sarah was seated.
"Where are we going?" Sarah asked.
"Millhouse," Jareth said. "It's always quiet on Sundays, and we'll have the place pretty much to ourselves. Your place is under surveillance, and I think for the sake of your reputation we'll keep our dates in public."
"This is a date?" Sarah blinked.
An arm went over her shoulder pulling her closer as a hand caught her chin. "Damn right it's a date," He kissed her gently. "Of course I'm not sure if those two are chaperoning us or we them…" He teased.
Riha giggled at something Conner whispered.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
The time to the last day of school before the Thanksgiving break flew by. Sarah and Riha were on the train with others also returning home for the weekend. It had been three days since Sarah had seen Jareth. She spent the time working on more of the inherited art, but also on an original piece that was inspired by the hillside that Jareth loved so.
At home Sarah and Riha both helped with the holiday meal, lending a hand where ever Karen needed one. However it was more like going though the motions. Even Toby's antics didn't really make the girls laugh. Robert, watching the big game on the television didn't really seem to notice the girls' demeanors. Sarah went to sit on the porch with Riha while Robert continued to watch the big game. Karen had taken Toby up to his room.
Riha sat on the stoop beside Sarah, "Look at the two of us…this is pathetic!"
Sarah nodded. "As if we can't go a few days with out the boys… pathetic is right."
Riha pulled her self upright, "Well I say we do something about it."
"What did you have in mind?" Sarah loved that the other girl's accent deepened when she got determined.
"I say we forget all about them for the rest of the weekend and …" Riha turned her head at the sound of auto pulling up and a door slamming. Conner was coming towards her quickly.
Sarah looked to see both the men alight from the car and head toward the. "They came here…." Sarah tapped her cousins' arm excitedly before rushing to the open arms of the tall lean blond.
Jareth kissed her, not caring if the entire world was watching. Looking deeply into her green eyes he whispered. "May the good Lord make us truly thankful."
"Amen." She whispered pulling his face to hers again.
Robert, watching from the living room window, looked over at the smug expression on his wife's face. "Ok, I can see he cares…." He shook his head quietly. "But he's still too old in my opinion."
Karen looked out the window at the girls and their beaus. "I'm afraid your opinion doesn't count here, dear."