Chapter 26. April showers
Linda had been expecting some kind of fallout, some kind of notice in the papers to the unusual birth. After all it's not everyday a baby is born in a stalled elevator at Macy's. Nor is it everyday that the mother is the daughter of a Soap Star.
After calling Robert to let him know about the baby, and that Sarah was fine, Linda warned him that she had noticed press people there and was sure there was bound to be some mention of the birth in the papers. Robert told her he could care less about what the press thought; all that mattered to him was that Sarah was safe and sound. He and Karen were going to make plans to come to the city to see the girl Sunday.
Fred and Doris had come home with them from the hospital. Fred hovered over Sarah and the baby like a protected guard dog. Once Sarah and the boy were settled in the apartment he relaxed just a bit. Doris convinced him it was safe to let Sarah rest, and that having coffee down in Linda's place was better than just sitting in Sarah's parlor.
Linda wondered if Fred was going to be alright, he had formed such a strong attachment to Sarah, and now the baby. She called Magda, who called Dido, and they flocked to the brownstone along with Peter who was with Magda and Kevin and his new wife. By evening it was beginning to look like a theater revival instead of the coming home of a new mother and her baby. Jeremy served coffee and tea, and stronger spirits and passed out cigars to anyone who was accepting them. He was enjoying the surrogate grand dad position he'd sort of inherited. The celebration of the birth of little Joey as he was not being called went on into the wee hours of the morning. One by one they were allowed to visit Sarah once she awoke; each getting a little peep at the little darling boy.
Dido swept into the room bedroom where Sarah was propped up on the bed holding her baby. She took a seat on the bed and held her hands out expectantly, as if it were her natural right to hold the child. Sarah handed the baby over to the woman without protest or argument. Dido began to speak to the wide eyed and alert baby in Russian. She looked at the new mother with a gleam in her eye. "You look none the worse for wear." She commented in her usual manner. Sarah blushed and Dido kissed the baby. "Auntie Dido has many little gifts for you, my darling boy."
Magda came into the room with Peter Hobson when Dido had left. Both fussed over the baby and made cute little faces and noises, causing Sarah to get the giggle fit. The last to sit with Sarah was Fred. He took her hands into his and didn't say a word, he just looked at her and the baby he'd witnessed being born.
At long last everyone who had to went home. Jeremy stayed, as he often had, giving support and comfort. Linda slept a few hours cuddled against him, until the first light of dawn came creeping in her window. She rose quietly, trying not to disturb the man still asleep in her bed. Something about him being there just seemed so natural to her and she didn't really want him to leave. On cat like feet she crept to the front door knowing the early morning addition of the city paper was going to be waiting for her.
She had expected news, but not a headline. On the front page was a picture of Sarah, the baby and Linda herself on her knees in the elevator. The headline read, 'Actress Sarah Williams, daughter of Actress and soap star, Linda Williams gives birth in elevator of Macy's Flagship store.'
Linda noticed that Fred's head had been cropped, and no mention of him nor of the woman in the elevator with Sarah was evident. She read the little article frowning, the last line in the piece giving her something to worry over. It was a question, where was Robin Hayden and why was he not with the actress all of New York had known was his beloved and adored darling?
Linda went to the kitchen to put the coffee pot on and found Jeremy already doing the job. "Did I awake you?" Her voice held real regret.
"No," he said convincingly. "I had a sudden urge for coffee." He looked at the way she was holding the paper. "Something in there upset you dear?"
Tossing the offending paper on the kitchen table, Linda huffed. "They are speculating the father is Hayden."
Jeremy laughed, none too quietly. "Hayden? Sarah could barely stand to be on the same stage with him!"
"I know that, you know that…" she pointed to the paper. "But the idiots in the press don't seem to. "
Jeremy shrugged, "I'll bet it goes back to him making sweet nothings to that girl reporter who was so enamored with him."
"Robin Hayden, and speculations about him, is not something Sarah needs to deal with not now." Linda leaned on the man who was always there for her, no matter what.
Strong arms closed around her, "Linda, you can't protect her, it's not right." He advised carefully. When she looked at him with an astonished gaze he continued. "I know you want to make this easier for her, but you can't…. she's a grown up now… with a baby of her own… she has to protect herself and Joey… you can't do it for her. Not you, not Robert or Karen or me."
Linda nodded.
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Sarah slept lightly, her instincts keeping her alert for the baby. Dark shadows and images in the room moved on silent feet. They gathered about the baby's crib and watched over him with devotion.
The man with the crystal in his hand watched over the sight, Sarah sleeping and Goblins keeping vigil over her and their son. "Thank you Nicole," he said as the dark haired woman joined him in the throne room.
"He's a beautiful baby," the girl announced. "What a shame you were not there."
Jareth looked over at her, "It serves my purpose to have been absent."
"Purpose? Or your stupid need to exact revenge?" Her voice held more anger than Jareth had ever heard from her. "There are times when I don't know what you are thinking! You used my mother, and her circumstances… and me… and you used Sarah."
The Goblin King looked at his sister with unapologetic eyes. "I have my reasons, sister."
Nicole clenched her beautiful hands into tight fists. "I doubt it!"
Jareth had never dismissed Nicole; he had always listened to her and been more giving to her than any other Fae in their respective parent's court. Just now he could not afford to be so generous. He lifted his hand, flicked his wrist and the girl vanished from where she stood. Sent back to the isle of Avalon and no allowed re entry to the Goblin Courts until the King so allowed. Not even Oberon could over ride his banishment of the girl. The only Fae the King of the Goblin would never dare banish was Oberon himself. Jareth knew his father would not interfere nor intercede; he counted on his father being of a solid mind. The High Queen had evoked the edict, and Oberon would not interfere. The edict would stay in force until the confinement was ended… Beltane… Jareth counted the days. He could wait…
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Robert parked his car on the curb outside the Brownstone. He helped Karen out of the car and handed a small box to Toby to carry up the steps. He and Karen unpacked the rest of the things they'd brought with them. Gifts from friends and business partners and even clients who'd watched Sarah grow up. Toby ran up the steps as soon as Linda had come to the stoop, he called out excitedly and Linda caught him up in tender arms. Karen waved as Robert unloaded the trunk.
"What a haul!" Linda called down to her counterpart.
"This is just the start of it!" Karen called up to the actress.
Robert mumbled and grumbled as he unloaded box after box. "It'll take three trips to bring everything that was sent."
Linda hugged Toby as Jeremy moved down the stairs to lend a hand. "Karen, go up and visit Linda, Rob and I will get the rest." He said quickly. When Karen had gone up, Jeremy leaned in. "Robert," his using the other's proper name startled the other and drew attention. "There's a storm brewing."
"Over," Robert asked quietly turning his attentions back to the trunk.
"The press is making it out that Robin Hayden is the father of Sarah's baby." Jeremy warned.
Turning to look at the actor, Robert saw concern on Jeremy's careful features. "And you're sure there's not a chance?"
"Not in hell!" Jeremy said loading up his arms with packages to be taken up. "But in this business a lie can become a truth. You're a lawyer, and I think you should at least warn Sarah so she can take precautions."
"Good thinking Jeremy." Robert loaded his arms as well, paused and gave a reflective smile to the other. "You really do look after her don't you?"
"She may not be my daughter by blood…." Jeremy said softly. "But she's my daughter by love. I love Linda, Rob, always have, and always will… no apologies on that… She's Sarah's mother, and I've had the… profound opportunity of watching her grow into womanhood…and now motherhood herself. I love her as if she were my daughter."
Robert looked at the gifts in their arms, "Family." He snickered. "What a strange and wonderful thing it is."
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Karen had placed the boxes down and moved to Linda's side. "You look worried Pal o mine."
Linda turned and moved into the open arms of her ex-husband's new wife. "I'm so glad you and Robert are here…we are going to need you."
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Toby had not waited, but had run up the stairs to Sarah's place and had gone in unannounced. He held the box in his hands. "Sarah?" He called out to her.
"In here," she said calmly from the bedroom.
Toby entered and watched as his sister finished nursing the baby. "We're here." He said as if it were the most normal thing in the world to watch her feed the baby. "Does he have a name?
"Joey," Sarah said placing the bundle over her shoulder to burp. Once he'd made a loud sound both she and Toby giggled. She placed the babe upon her bed and smiled down at her brother. "Well, Uncle Toby, what do you think?"
Toby, now on his belly on the bed looked at the wide eyed boy who looked back at him with almost a wistful smile. "I like him, he smells nice, not all stinky like Tommy's little brother."
Sarah giggled, "Oh really?" Kissing the baby on the forehead, Toby lay beside the baby telling him all the things they would do together. Sarah leaned back and thought of how lucky she was to have such a fine family, and the old guilt of what she'd done rose up. How could she have been so selfish as to wish a sweet child like Toby away? The guilt brought tears to her eyes, tears she was quick to wipe away as Robert and Karen entered the bedroom to see their grandson. Robert smiled as he picked up the baby and held him, but Sarah read something in her father's body language. "Daddy?" she placed her hand on his sleeve. "What's wrong?"
Her father shook his head, not wishing to speak of the trouble in front of Toby. "Later, dear," He said quietly.
Sarah looked over at her mother, her body was tense and Sarah felt her throat tighten. Karen led Toby out of the room after half an hour, saying that Uncle Jeremy wanted to make breakfast for him. Sarah looked at her mother and father. "Has something happened to Jay? Did you hear something?" Karen went to the parlor where she'd left the morning paper and then when she returned to the bedroom handed it to the girl. Sarah read and groaned; "Oh for the love of God!"
Robert, still seated on the bed, placed a hand on his daughter's arm. "Your mother and I want you to know we don't believe a word of that."
Sarah looked at the little silver ring on her hand. "This baby belongs to Jay King, not Robin Hayden." Green eyes turned to gaze at her father. "I swear it, Daddy."
"I believe you, but…" He cautioned holding her arm. "The press is having a field day, and your mother worries that Hayden might try to cash in on the publicity."
"Let him just try," Sarah said thinking of dipping the arrogant man in a certain bog.
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The first full week in April after having been to the doctor and having gotten a clean bill of health, Sarah walked the baby though Washington Square Park. Joey was bundled up in the pram, and Sarah was enjoying the first signs of spring in the air. Trees had taken on that reddish haze they get just before their buds burst into the first shoots of leaves. Old men, bundled in heavy coats and hats were sitting in the park playing chess. One or two tipped his hat to the young mother walking her infant son. One old man she'd seen often on her walks asked how old the babe was and she informed him that Joey was just a little over a week and a half old. They warned her not to stay out too look as the weather could take a chilling turn. She assured them she would keep aware.
A cold specter moved through the park, watching the mortal girl. Icily she crept past the baby in the pram, causing Joey to start to fuss. Sarah quieted him with little effort, and took a seat on the park bench. She leaned over the pram and whispered to her son. "Your daddy is going to be so surprised." A flash caught her attention; she looked up to find herself being swarmed by three zealous photographers and a few reporters as well.
"Miss Williams, Miss Williams!" They shouted in unison.
Sarah feared they would unsettling the baby; "Please, do quiet down," she requested. "The baby…"
"Have you heard from Robin Hayden?" They asked over and over.
Sarah could see she'd get no peace and rose from the park bench and began to walk the baby back the direction of her mother's Brownstone. It aggravated her no end that they just followed. She was sure they didn't mean to be pesky but they were getting in the way of her getting up the stairs. She held the baby so he was covered up, and asked them to just please leave her alone.
A man rushed forward and pushed himself through the crowd. He was coming at her too fast for Sarah's comfort. She pulled the baby close when the man shoved something into her face. "This is for you Miss Williams, you've just been served." Bulbs flashed and voices called out, as Sarah reeled.
Fred appeared out of nowhere, ordering the crowd to disperse. He ushered Sarah into the house and then took the pram around to the service porch. When he returned to the front of the house he ordered the last of the press boys off the property. He entered the front door to find Sarah sitting on the stairs with the summons in her hand. She looked up at him, for a moment she said nothing then in a whisper voiced her worst fear. "Hayden is taking me to court…he's claiming to be the baby's father…."
Fred read the summons. "This is for Monday… family court…He moves fast this Robin Hayden… Well I'll represent you and Joey." He took her hand. "Don't worry."
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On Monday morning when Sarah arrived at the court house on Fred's arm there were reporters and photographers everywhere. Fred frowned as he moved forward, the clerk said something to him and he frowned deeper. Off to the side stood Robin Hayden on his arm was a blond sporting a very large ring. Fred collected the papers the clerk handed him and taking Sarah's arm ushered her through the gauntlet of flashing cameras and reporters questions. He didn't say a word to her and was glad she was following his lead and keeping silent. Once in the car and on the way back to the Brownstone he turned to the girl, his face grim."Sarah, I think you'd better call your father… this one is out of my league."
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Sarah was alone in her apartment as the spring storm hit. Lighting flashed out side the door, and Sarah held her son close. Tears began to form as she whispered. "I'll never give you up."
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Jareth watched with a menacing gleam. He smirked, and tossed the now very fractured and deformed sphere upward. He caught it and laughed, when no one laughed with him, he looked at the Goblins who were looking at him uncertain of what to do. He pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered in annoyance; "Well, laugh."
One Goblin cackled and the rest slowly joined, all keeping an eye on the King. Ready to stop at a moments notice, that moment came quickly. "Shut up!" He shouted at them. He sat down in the throne and grumbled. "I have to think."
Nicole stood out in the hall; she motioned Hoggle and Sir Didymus to keep hidden. He was up to something and the less they had to do with it the better off they'd be.
Jareth looked up, grabbing at one popeyed little Goblin he growled. "Were is Hogshead?"
Nicole motioned for them to run and hide, the hidden panel slid back in place and she moved toward the throne room as if just arriving. "Well, what have we here?"
The Goblin King glared at her, "Have you been hiding my subjects from me, sister dear?"
Nicole ignored him and plucked the crystal from his grip. "A messy bit of business this," she looked at Sarah clutching the child tightly. "She's not going to be likely to throw herself at you just for saving her, you know."
"I have no desire for her to do any such foolish thing." His face twisted in pleasure as he thought of his plans for Sarah Williams.
Nicole tossed the orb back to him. "She really is too good for you." She said as she headed for the exit.
"I know," Jareth sighed. "But she is my equal… her eyes can be so…cruel…"
Nicole halted, and turned to stare at him. "You're in love with her."
Unabashed the Goblin King looked at her, inclined his head and smiled coyly. "I never said I wasn't." Looking then to the crystal in his gloved hand he muttered. "However, love aside, no one beats the Goblin King, not even Sarah Williams…" He murmured to the crystal in a dark and dangerous tone; "Too old to turn, but no longer too young to keep… my precious."
