Chapter 19. Visiting Santa

Returning to the brownstone after the parade ended and having thanked Fred and Doris for their hospitality, Sarah was glad to be home. She wondered if she'd made a mistake in accepting the offer from Fred Jr., and worried that he would misinterpret her acceptance of the offer. She looked at her mother's dining room, being readied for dinner. The apartment smelling of turkey and other foods cooking, "I'm going up to my place to lie down for a bit," she called out.

Linda looked at Jeremy who shrugged. "She seemed fine, she enjoyed the parade… and Fred Jr. is coming by tomorrow to take her and Toby to Macy's to see Santa."

Robert looked up from his paper, "I beg your pardon? Fred who?"

"Fred Greeley Jr. the son of my lawyer… you know Fred Greeley," Jeremy waved at Robert who nodded and returned to his paper.

Karen was in the kitchen door. "I'm not sure that's such a good idea," she protested softly. "Sarah's very fragile, even if she does not appear to be so."

Linda nodded in agreement. "What possessed you to introduce her to Freddie?"

"He does not like being called that anymore," Jeremy warned his lady. "He's all grown up and a law partner now, Linda." He placed an arm about her. "I just thought he'd be nice company for Sarah. Someone closer to her own age, someone she could talk to."

Linda and Karen both looked at him with open expressions of doubt on their faces.

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Sarah lay down on her bed, pulling on her ear. She could still hear the shattering sounds of glass. No, not just glass, the sound was distinctive. It was crystal. She could swear she'd heard the sounds before. She raked her memory, trying to recall where, and when. Tired and feeling a bit disjointed and out of sorts, Sarah closed her eyes hoping sleep would find her. Find her it did, but it brought with it troubling dreams.

She was lost, the room was dim and there were dozens of stairs going every which way. She gazed about trying to remember what it was she was looking for, or rather who. She walked up one set of stairs and then another, wondering why this seemed so familiar. Then it struck her, where she was, and why. "Toby!" she cried out backing away from the stairs. She looked franticly about the dim chamber, but there was no child beside herself there. The bump moved, and Sarah stared down at it. "No, No! You can't have my baby! I didn't wish this child away." She cried out.

"Give me the child." a voice demanded harshly.

Sarah backed up to the wall of the chamber, closing her eyes. "No!" She placed both hands over the bump in effort to protect and hide it. She felt the wind and then the flutter of soft fabric touching her face and arms.

"You're no match for me." He taunted. "Give me the child."

"No," she whispered. "No…" her hands tightened on the bump.

Warm breath was at her ear, "I offered you your dreams…."

Sarah's eyes shot open, and she sat up bathed in sweat. The sound the sound of crystal shattering; and the spicy smell that filled the air, she knew them, and where they came from. "Jareth." She said aloud knowing she was alone. "Oh dear God, it's the Goblin King… and he's after my baby!" She placed her hands on the now quiet bump. "Over my dead body! Do you hear me Goblin King in your castle beyond the Goblin City? OVER MY DEAD BODY!"

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Jareth lay in the darkness of his bed chamber, the only light coming from the crystal orb in his gloved hand. He peered into its depths, and smiled tauntingly at the young woman who had fire and determination in her eyes. "Now that would be a terrible waste, Sarah." He taunted. "I have much better plans for that oh so delicious body, your life giving body." He placed his lips to the orb. He began to hum the notes of the song he'd sung to her, he knew she's hear fragments.

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Robert came up to the tell Sarah dinner was ready. He was surprised to find her pacing the parlor. "I thought you were resting," he said watching her.

Sarah looked over at him; her face suddenly seemed to lighten. "Daddy," she scratched her head, "I'm all a muddle."

"Hormones," he said extending a hand out to her. "Your mother was an emotional mess when she was four or five months along. She would cry for no reason, and then pace…" He recalled. "Karen on the other hand was a serene as if she'd just won the lottery. Every woman is different."

"I had a nightmare," she confided. "I thought someone was trying to take the baby from me."

Placing a fatherly kiss to her brow, he promised. "I'd never let that happen."

'You couldn't stop this, not even if you wanted to,' she thought to herself, but said to him. "Thank you Daddy."

Down stairs the dinning room was ready, the food was being brought to the table and Toby was making demands. Robert gave him a sharp tap on the bonnet and the boy settled. Jeremy smiled as Linda and Karen placed the last items on the table. Linda told Robert to take the seat at the head of the table and the family joined hands for the blessing.

Robert cleared his throat; "ll the world is God's own field
Fruit unto his praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown
Unto joy or sorrow grown;
First the blade, and then the ear,
Then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of the harvest! grant that we
Wholesome grain and pure may be.
"

Linda smiled and turned to Jeremy. "That's part of a tradition from Robert's family."

Karen nodded and wiped a tear from her eyes. "It's a wonderful tradtion."

"Wholesome grain," Sarah whispered as she placed her hands on her belly. "Fruit unto his praise to yield."

Robert looked over at her, "I guess children are at that."

Toby looked at them all as if they had lost their minds. "I want a drumstick!"

Robert looked at his boy and scoffed. "You can't eat a whole drumstick!"

Karen and Linda both giggled madly, enjoying the banter between father and son. Only Jeremy noticed Sarah was not also enjoying the banter. She had a troubled expression on her pretty face. Her eyes met his, and after registering something akin to capitulation, she blinked and her face smoothed looking peaceful again. Jeremy wondered if it were an act, if it were, she was a far better actress than he's suspected.

Jeremy watched her during dinner, being careful not to look like he was. "Wonderful mean, Karen, Linda…. Just wonderful," he praised them as they cleared the dishes. "And I'm much too stuffed for pie."

"That's why we don't serve desert until later." Karen announced.

Robert nodded, "I have to let my dinner settle as well."

Toby yawned and stared at the half a drumstick still sitting on his plate. "May I be excused?" he asked.

Sarah edged out of her seat, "I'll take him," she said to her mother and stepmother. "Come on Toby, a nice little walk will do us both good."

Robert looked out the window, "Sarah, it's starting to snow," he warned.

"We're just going down to the Arch, and then we'll be back." Sarah said confidently.

Karen called from the kitchen; "Bundle up, you two."

As they strolled down the lane, Sarah clutched Toby's little hand tightly. When they reached the arch Toby smiled strangely. "I love that arch." He said at last.

"Really?" Sarah looked down at him.

He nodded, "I remember it… or one like it."

Sarah lost her smile for a moment, looked at the arch and gripped his hand. "Let's go home."

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Stormy eyes twinkled, dancing with delight at the boy's words. He hummed as he gazed into the orb. Knowing the girl would worry. "Don't tell me truth hurts…" he murmured.

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Fred Jr. arrived at ten the next morning, and was assaulted by the boy the instant he walked into Linda's home. After being asked if he wanted coffee, the man shook his head. "I think it's more important for this one to see Santa. Where's Sarah?"

The young woman was coming down the stairs from the upstairs apartment. "Right here, Fred."

He turned to look at her with his dark chocolate eyes, "Sarah!" he greeted her with warmth and excitement. "I must say you look wonderful!"

"Thank you kind sir," she said truly pleased with his complements. Walking past him she directed her next comments to Karen. "We'll make sure he does not over do the candy and sweets that will be there. And I'll keep you posted as to what Santa says to him."

"Get a photo!" Karen begged. "Have one of the two of you taken for me!"

Fred grabbed the boy's hand, and tugged him toward the front door. "Come along, Sarah." He called over his shoulder as they moved down the hall to the front door.

Sarah moved quickly to keep up with them; however she slowed down when she reached the steps outside. Fred was getting Toby in the backseat of the car, and turned to offer her a hand when she reached the car. "My lady, your carriage awaits you."

Sarah put a hand on his sleeve. "Don't call me that," she warned.

Looking at her with astonishment, he cleared his throat, "I'm sorry."

She frowned, "I… just don't, okay?"

"Yeah fine," he opened the passenger's door and watched as she slipped into the seat. Coming around to the driver's side, he pulled into traffic and drove in silence for a few blocks. Mulling it over he finally looked at her quietly he asked; "Was it what he called you?"

Sarah looked at him, raised a brow. "He?"

Looking in the rearview mirror, and seeing the boy busily looking out the window, he nodded. "He," pointing to the bump he added. "The Daddy."

"No!" she protested, looking over her shoulder at her brother, she cleared her throat. "No, he didn't call me that." She looked out the window to prevent any more unwanted conversations. However her mind was racing trying to remember if Jay had called her anything at all. In the few conversations they'd had, she could not remember him address her in anyway.

Fred waited until they were walking through the isles of the store's eighth floor heading toward where Santa's throne was visible. He hooked his arm into Sarah's. "So who called you my lady?" he asked in an exasperated huff.

Sarah looked up at him, it was not Fred's fault and she patted the hand he hooked into her arm. "An old friend… a gentlemen who is most likely no longer with us. I lost track of him some time ago… he was… a knightly character, and he called me my lady… It feels wrong for anyone else to use that phrase."

"I understand," Fred said relaxing. "And about the other matter… don't worry about it."

Sarah wondered if this is what it felt like, swallowing one's pride. "Thank you." She said quietly as they got into line with Toby. "This feels so familiar."

"It should, they shot the old movie here you know, the one with Natalie Wood." Fred pointed around the staging area of the Santa land. "Some things should never change. I use to come here with my sister." His features softened with memory. "Even when things were really tough, when my dad gave up his partnership and started his own practice… This place, this got us though the tough times." He inclined his head toward the man seated on the throne. "And they've got the best Santa in the world."

Sarah looked toward the man who seemed to look up and smile towards her. "He sure looks like Santa, or what Santa should be."

Fred Jr. laughed. "I swear this guy is Santa, he always seems to know just what to say."

As they edged their way up, Sarah wondered if they were going to mind her request for two pictures one with Santa and Toby alone, and one with her. She watched as happy faced children leaped off the lap of the jolly older man, who was watching as they snaked their way forward. When it was their turn at last, Toby rushed forward. "Hiya Santa!" he greeted the older man.

"Well, look who we have here!" Santa reached down and in an instant Toby was on his lap. "My my how you've grown my boy!" He held the child gently. "So, now tell me, have you been a good boy this year?" He raised a brow as Toby was going to say he had been, and the boy took a deep breath.

"Not always… but I'm trying." He sighed. "It's not always easy."

Santa hugged the boy, "I know," he agreed. "It gets hard for adults as well. So what would you like this year?"

"I'd really like an electric train!" Toby gushed. "And a dog."

"You had a dog," Santa said quietly.

"But he was old…and… and…" Toby looked down. "He had to go away." He whispered.

Sarah's heart went to her throat, Merlin, her dog, had died just before she'd left for spring break. She wondered how the man had known to say what he had.

"Well, I'll see what can be done." The man said. "Now smile for that young man with the camera…" he smiled too. "Now one with big sis, yes?"

Sarah blinked, "Yes, please." She moved to stand at Santa's side, but the old man put Toby on his side and pulled Sarah into his lap.

"All comfy?" He snickered and nodded to the photographer. When Sarah began to rise, he whispered. "Wouldn't you like to tell me what you want, Sarah?" The girl froze in mid rise, turned and stared open mouthed at the man. His eyes twinkled, as he winked at her. "It's alright, my dear."

She sat quiet for a moment, "Santa," her voice was a soft suppurate.

Eyes filled with merriment became serious. "I'll see what I can do." He promised. The girl nodded, as he allowed her to rise. One gloved hand held her wrist as the other placed something in her hands. "Never stop believing Sarah." He said.

They were in the elevator before Fred could ask what the old man had given her. She opened her hand to reveal a small crystal sleigh bell. Fred looked at the bell and whispered. "I've never seen anything like it."

Sarah closed her hand, "I believe, I believe… I believe."