Chapter Three
(Professor to the Rescue)
It was just after 3pm when Professor Marley Madison pulled up to the Williams house. She knew Sarah would still be at school so this was the perfect time to speak with the girl's stepmother.
She parked her Silver Jaguar in the driveway and headed for the door. She walked up the couple of steps and crossing the doorbell waited patiently for Mrs. Williams to answer the door.
"Professor Madison?" Diane said surprised to see her.
"Hello Diane. May I have a moment?"
"Sure come on in," She said opening the screen door. Professor Madison wiped her feet on the mat and entered the Williams Victorian styled home. "Sarah isn't here."
"Yes I know. I wanted to speak to you without her around."
"Is something wrong?" Diane asked taking a seat and gesturing for the older woman to sit and join her.
"No. I've been asked to go to London over Christmas break and bring the Drama club with me to perform a Christmas Wish."
"That's wonderful!" Diane said. "How exciting for the club. What does this have to do with Sarah though? She's not actually part of the Drama club."
"Yes I know the universities rule you must be a junior," The professor said annoyed. "I would still like to take Sarah with me. She's very helpful to the Drama club and Professor Jennings is all for it." Diane went to speak but Marley spoke first. "Her me out before you make a decision." Reluctantly Diane agreed.
"I understand you are all planning to go to your parents for Christmas."
"Yes we are."
"I also know your parents are not very welcoming to Sarah. This would give you the opportunity to have a calm family Christmas with your parents and Sarah a chance to see London. Especially after her mother flaked out on her last year. I'll take very good care of her and I know she'd love it. Wouldn't it make things easier for all of you with your family as well?"
Diane thought for a minute. She hated to admit the professor was right. While she and Sarah got along very well now Diane's parents were not welcoming toward the dark haired girl. As much as she wanted a family Christmas she knew deep down Sarah would be miserable with them.
"Alright Sarah can go with you. She would have more fun helping the Drama club than listening to my mother rant she doesn't like her," Diane sighed. "I'll get her father to agree. We're going to be gone for two weeks though."
"Actually we'll be leaving the morning after they get out of school for vacation," Professor Madison informed the dark blonde woman. "We aren't scheduled to get back till the day before we get back. It won't be a problem. If nothing else she will stay with me till she's where she belongs."
"Alright. I'll tell Sarah tonight."
"Excellent!" Marley said and rose to her feet. "Thank you Diane this will mean a lot to her." Diane nodded and Marley headed out before the dark haired girl returned home. Smiling happily she headed home; the High Princess would be pleased.
Sarah was beyond excited about going to London over Christmas break. Not only was she going to get to hang out in London but she was going to help out with the Drama club and she Thought Professor Madison was one of the best English professor's ever.
The dark haired girl didn't know how she'd gotten so lucky but she didn't care. She could do everything she was supposed to and look for a way to the underground as well. Sarah was going to find her way back to Jareth no matter what.
"Come in," She called hearing a knock on her door as she packed for the trip she'd take in only a couple days.
"Packing again?" Diane commented. "Haven't you already packed and repacked three times?" The woman asked amused.
"Six, but who's counting?" Sarah and Diane both giggled.
Diane walked over and hugged the young woman she'd finally become close to. "I wanted this to be a family Christmas but I know you wouldn't have fun there. I'm glad to see you so excited about your trip. Professor Madison seems very nice and… she certainly seems to like you."
"Yeah Professor Madison is great!" Sarah said openly praising Marley. "She's so interesting in class and…"
"I didn't think you had a class with her."
"Technically I don't but she lets me listen in and participate during her Folklore class," the dark haired girl said with a guilty smile. Diane smiled. Something told her the girl wasn't supposed to be in the class but the professor was essentially sneaking her in.
"Here," The woman aid taking out a small velvet box from her blazer pocket. "Open it?" She said seeing the girl's surprised face.
Slowly Sarah opened the box to reveal a Beautiful emerald and diamond ring. The center of the ring was a diamond. Diamonds surrounded it. A row of emeralds that made the shape of a heart followed after and then another row of diamonds. "So you'll know no matter whether we are together or apart we love you." Taking out the ring the woman put it on her right ring finger.
A few tears rolled down Sarah's cheeks as she clung to her stepmother. "You'll never know how much this means to me." Diane hugged her back before leaving the room. Sarah looked down at the ring on her right hand. Even in the underground she'd have a part of her families love with her.
Author's Note: I know this chapter is short but the next one will be longer; it will also take Sarah to England. Those of you wondering yes Luna will accompany her.