Disclaimer: See chapter one. Reviews are encouraged, flames aren't.
Chapter 23: Take The Ribbon From Your Hair
"What's the catch? Did Linda put you up to this?" she asked.
"Not at all, dear Sarah. It is my treat for you and my dear cousin. Call it an early Christmas present."
Sarah looked from Cory to Jareth. Jareth's face was expressionless. He was mulling over something, she could tell. Closing her eyes, Sarah leaned her forehead against his shoulder and waited.
"We will go," Jareth said. "There had better not be any surprises, Cousin."
o0o0o0o0o0
Time was a strange thing to mortals. Sarah went through her classes marking time. True to the curse that Jareth had placed on Becka and Alec, they left her alone. It was as if the friendship they had shared didn't exist, for which she was very thankful. She could now get on with her life without worry. Sarah dorm mates seemed not to notice that Becka didn't bug Sarah, which made Sarah slightly suspicious that a certain Goblin King had something to do with it.
Christmas break was next week. Sarah didn't know what she was going to wear for the opening of her mother's new play. Christmas was a very magical time of year on Broadway. She was both excited and dreading the event. She hadn't yet forgiven her mother's words from last summer.
Then there was the fact, she just didn't know what to wear. 'We're talking about Broadway here,' Sarah thought staring into her bedroom mirror. She played for a moment with her hair, posing this way and that, like a kid playing at dress up.
"I like it down," came Jareth's voice behind her. His image didn't reflect in her mirror which was why she hadn't known he had been watching her. "Although you look exquisite standing there, I would like to know what is running through that pretty little head of your's? Shouldn't you be studying for your so call 'mid terms'?"
Sarah dropped her hands allowing her hair to cascade back down her shoulders, blowing out her cheeks, before turning to face him. "I have nothing to wear!" She whined the age old complaint. "Do I over dress? Go Bohemian? I don't want to be embarrassed or embarrass you. What do I do?"
She once more looked back into the mirror as he came to stand behind her. Pulling her against his chest, she could feel the heat of his body and as his hips brushed against her back, also she could feel something else.
Nuzzling her ear, he whispered, "Would you like me to dress you for that night, My Love? Do you trust me?" His hands spread across her stomach, moving seductively against her.
She could feel her knees go weak as her eyes closed. "I'm not some dress up doll, Jareth. Nor am I some Victorian courtesan."
"I agree, you are neither, Sarah. However, I do have definite ideas on how you should be dressed. Remember I said, allow me to rule you and I will be your slave."
"Remember, I didn't want you as my slave and I refused to allow you to rule me." She turned to face him as she heard him take a deep breath. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she looked up at him. "I love you."
His mouth claimed her's for a soul searing kiss. When the kiss ended, Sarah couldn't quite remember what they had been discussing. Oh right, Broadway, dress. Right.
"Alright, Jareth. You win. Anyway, you always did have the better fashion sense then I do."
"Of course, I do, Sarah, My Love. I am after all Fae and the Goblin King," he said with one of his trademark smirks. "Now, how about I take care of your clothes right now? I have this urge to see you without them on."
0o0o0o0o0
Sarah finished the last of her mid terms with ease. Professor Fiaich called Sarah into her office on the last day before Break.
"Sarah. A mutual friend thought I would be perfect to help you with a slight problem. I understand you are going to see your mother's new play. So he decided that I might help him," the professor said, pulling out a larger garment bag. "Let's have a look? It isn't often that my brother asks for my help and he seems to be doing it more and more of late."
Sarah took the bag and peeked in and gasped. "I. . .I can't wear this! This is too. . ."
The professor laughed. "It is, isn't it? Don't worry. You'll look breath-taking in it."
"If you are sure?"
0o0o0o0o0
"Sarah!"
"Toby!" Sarah scooped up her little brother into a huge hug, swinging him around and around.
Home was how she left it. Karen and her father glanced at each other exchanging that look that all parents do when they realize that their child had left childhood far behind. Sarah had grown up. She was a woman in every sense of the word.
"Sarah. Go get unpacked and come to the kitchen so we can hear all about school," Karen said, shooing her up the stairs.
Toby was trying to tell Sarah all about his adventures since he last saw her. Her room was the same, full of childhood memories.
"Sarah!" Toby said as he bounced on her bed. "Have you seen Jareth? He's stopped by a couple of times. Especially when I had a nightmare. He tells me all kinds of cool stuff."
Sarah whipped around, almost dropping what she had in her hands. "What!?"
"Yea," Toby grinned as he picked up her pillow to swing it at her. "He said that he'll get me a really cool present."
Sarah plopped into her chair in front of her vanity. "Oh Damn. . . He will be here for Christmas. How do I explain him to Dad and Karen?"
0o0o0o0o0
Dear Jareth,
I think I passed all my mids. Although, Psych may be a bit hairy. At least, I don't have to worry about Becka and Alec anymore. They have become such an item. There's a betting pool on what'll come first, the baby or the wedding. But we both know what that outcome will be, don't we? Maybe, I should place a bet and clean up. Nyahhh. That would be cheating.
The dress is gorgeous. I can't wait to wear it. For the first time in ages, I'm excited to see my mother on stage because you'll be there with me.
Life is so funny. Isn't it? Who would have thought that someone like you would be so interested in me?
0o0o0o0o0
For those that thought I made Jareth too god-like, I would point out that he is high Fae and a king of his own kingdom. He had the power to bless and curse mortals. Faeries would sneak into new married couples homes to bless it and that included having or not having children. Alec and Becka made the mistake of entering Jareth's kingdom and subjecting themselves to his rule. According to him, they got what he thought they deserved.
As for a pregnant Sarah, you'll just have to wait. I'm not sure how many chapters are left in this story. I have one last loose end to clear up. See if you all can figure it out.
Until next time. –GF