Bringing together what should have always been

AN: Please note I do not have a Labyrinth Beta. All mistakes are mine. This is for my friend Jessa Lynn, since like me, she like fics on the Labyrinth XD

Rated M for later chapters

Chapter 5

Jareth watched as Sarah silently went through her day. He noticed she bought a new digital camera and was constantly taking pictures with it. Mostly, they were of her dad and Toby together. Her dad didn't seem to mind as much as Karen minded. He heard Karen telling Sarah to stop being a nuisance. Still, Sarah took pictures, much to Jareth's delight. She seemed determined by something and to him; it made her even more beautiful.

Sarah had purchased a new camera that weekend before and started taking pictures. She wanted to make a scrapbook of her father for her and Toby to look at after he was gone. Karen was forever getting mad over it, and Sarah took pleasure when her dad told her to keep taking the pictures, stating he approved of her new hobby. One comment ran through her mind more than others.

"Karen, leave Sarah alone. She's not bothering me and since she is home a lot helping us with Toby, I think her new love of scrapbooking is a fun way for her to keep her youth yet be more adult. It is something she can do at home and something that might get her out of the house more. I encourage her new hobby"

Sarah never told her father the reason she started scrapbooking was because she knew he was dying, but if it helped get Karen off her ass, it was much appreciated. Her father was so excited about her new hobby that they got Toby bundled up and Robert had taken her to the hobby shop in town and bought her all kind of stuff for scrapbooking. Different colored paper for backgrounds, little stickers and letters for the pages, a scrapbook tool set and even a couple of books for Sarah's finished products. But she knew Karen had been upset when she had to stop the fight between her and her dad before they had even left.

"Robert it is worthless to spend a lot of money on a hobby the child will probably give up soon. This is ridiculous!"

"Karen, I want to spend some time with Sarah. It is not a crime to want to do something with my daughter. Please don't start a fight"

Sarah had rushed up and quickly defused the situation, but Karen had still given her an evil eye afterwards.

"Karen, you do so much. How about me and daddy take Toby with us, and you give yourself a spa day. A massage, a Pedi and Mani, maybe get something new done to your hair. We can even shopping tomorrow for Toby if you like. I'll spend today with daddy and tomorrow with you. Christmas will be coming soon and it won't hurt to look around and see what Toby might like"

Karen had perked up with the idea of shopping, but the look on her face said she would do it without Sarah, which was fine with her. It just gave her more time to prepare. Two days had already gone by and she was no way prepared to live in the underground. She had a lot of thing already hidden in the bedroom her and Toby shared, but she also had a lot more to do. She needed to find her dad's old photo albums from when he was younger and with her mom. She knew how to get them, but she first had to get her dad alone and the right time to bring it up. She got her chance at the scrapbook isle. There was a variety of different books there to theme and she saw one book that caught her eye.

The book was pink and silver and said 'Mommy and her princess'. The one next to it said 'Daddy and his little slugger'. Sarah knew her father was watching her as she looked at the two books. She went to reach for the father and son one when Toby, who was currently sitting on her hip, grabbed the mommy and daughter one. He looked at Sarah and said.

"Sarah, you and mommy"

Sarah just laughed and took the book. She knew want she said next might come off cruel but it needed to be said.

"Thank you Toby but no. I don't have any pictures of my mommy and me when I was a baby. Remember we have already gone through this. Linda was my mommy, Karen is your mommy. But we both have the same wonderful daddy and that is what matters."

But what Toby said next shocked both Sarah and Robert. It also had Sarah quickly correcting her little man.

"No. Karen bad, you good. You my Mommy Sarah"

It took Sarah a moment before she could respond, and it surprised their father at her response.

"I know Karen can yell and be mean at times, but she is your mommy. She gave you life. "

Toby just crossed his little arms and pouted.

"No, Sarah is my mommy. Sarah gives Toby her heart and love. Karen don't"

It broke Robert's heart to hear his son say that but watching the way Sarah was able to handle Toby; he knew what the boy was saying. Sarah was loving and kind. She handled all of Toby's whims and wants and considered him before doing anything. It was then he saw it. Sarah may have never given him life, but she was his mother all the same. Because she gave not only herself, but she also gave her love, her heart, and her soul to Toby. Sarah was more of a mother to him than Karen was and she didn't even know it. Well, if that is what Toby wanted, that was what Toby was getting.

Surprising his daughter, he bought both books, stating that he had old photo albums hidden in his room of Sarah and Linda back in the day, even pictures of himself and Linda when they were dating. Afterwards, Robert took his daughter and son shopping for clothes. While Sarah would always pick the cheaper things these days, Robert insisted she get some good clothes. She would be graduating soon and needed a few good suits for interviewing colleges. After that was done and he had got his daughter some clothes and other girly items, they headed off to the children's section of the mall. As Robert expected, Sarah seemed to come alive more.

She had bought a pad and pen from the hobby and stationary shop and was writing ideas for Christmas. She looked at coats and clothes since the weather was soon going to turn cold. He watched as she looked at everything before considering it. She was like a picky mother, making sure she was not only getting a deal, but also that her child could wear it and use it. She ended up picking up more clothes for Toby than herself.

Afterwards, they stopped at a local department store to buy shoes. He watched as Sarah picked out shoes Toby could wear and grow into, but also something she knew he would love. When she came up with How to Train Your Dragon shoes, the little boy squealed with delight. When it came to her, she picked a pair of tennis shoes and a pair of flats. Robert wanted to push it, but decided not to. They then went to the toy section and Sarah asked father if he could take Toby by the bikes for a moment. Robert didn't mind but Toby did. Sarah convinced him with a form of bribery Robert couldn't help but laugh at.

"Go with Daddy for a moment Toby so I can look at something for your birthday. Maybe afterwards I can buy some ice cream"

That seemed to work and it didn't get past Robert that a salesman came out a moment later and picked up a red tricycle and wagon before taking it to the back. Sarah returned fifteen minutes later while putting a long piece of paper into her pocket. He knew what she did. Sarah had put in a Christmas and birthday layaway since Toby's birthday was in November. They picked up their ice cream before heading home. Robert was surprised on how well Sarah handled everything and got everything done quickly.

Robert wasn't a foolish man; he knew he was sick and worried over what would happen if he died. It was something he was going to have to look into soon. He wanted to make sure Karen couldn't hurt his daughter or son. It was time to put his law degree to the test.

In his throne room, Jareth watched Sarah with her brother and dad having a day of shopping and noticed the older man's thoughts. Jareth knew from looking at him something was wrong with his health. He also saw the layaway Sarah had put in for Christmas and birthday for Toby, but nothing for herself. This upset Jareth and made to a point to remember to have something delivered to her special for the occasion. Why her father couldn't see what was in front of his face upset him, but there was nothing Jareth could do about it. All he could wish for was Sarah's happiness. He loved her that much.

Queen Gwenivere walked the gardens with her daughter Queen Christina as they watched Christina's youngest children play around. The children were far enough ahead were they could speak with out being heard. It didn't really surprise the high queen when her daughter told her who Jareth's beloved was. She also understood the problem. Placing a hand on her daughter's arm, she turned toward her.

"Christina, I know you want to help but you have to understand. Sarah and Toby can only come back if someone else wishes them both away. How do you plan for that to happen? And how are you sure she would come with herself and the boy and leave that life behind?"

Christina knew this was coming and responded with a small laugh. Looking at her mother, she spoke as much of the truth as she could at the moment. She still had to defend herself and Christopher. She couldn't risk her father's wrath on him yet.

"Let's just say I have a friend aboveground that will help me with that. To the question of would she come, I have already spoken to the Labyrinth's champion, Sarah. She loves Jareth just as much as Jareth loves her. She is getting ready for the return as we speak. I will reveal my entire plan once the children go to sleep. I don't want them to see what I have to show you"