Author's Note: I am so sorry! I took some time to pour over the story and redo this final chapter. What I had written up just didn't fit the vibe, but honestly if I keep editing I'm just going to spiral. So please enjoy the revenge of a smart assistant.
It was still early in the morning when Sarah rose from her bed. Her feet padded across the hardwood floors, stepping around all the creaks so as not to wake her slumbering bed partner. Jareth lay shirtless, the blankets curled around his legs and his mess of a hair spread across the pillows. The weight of his confession and his nonexistent self care over the last few days had finally caught up to him and Sarah had barely managed to get him into bed before he slipped into sleep. Her heart squeezed painfully at the desperate look in his eyes when she had rose to change. "Don't leave me, please," he had begged her. Only when she was in his embrace again did he calm down.
Though sleep had claimed him quickly, the same could not be said for Sarah. She had tossed and turned, wondering what she should do to fix this mess and protect her family. Her Jareth.
She flipped the lights on in her walk in closet and looked around. Ten years of customer service to the elite had steeled her nerves to handle a potentially hostile mother in law to be. Sarah dressed herself in the armor of an office worker. A turtleneck and plaid skirt were pulled from her closet and adorned with practice ease. She put to use the surplus of jewelry gifts and picked out the largest diamond ring she could find. It adorned her left hand and she picked up her heels from their stand. She glanced once more at Jareth before heading out into the brisk morning.
It should have surprised her when the security desk handed her back her all access pass, but it didn't. It should have surprised her that every single employee she passed greeted her cheerfully, but it didn't. No matter what Adelia King thought, Mendax Industries was as much hers as it was the Kings'. Now it was hers to take back. She glanced down nervously at her hand one last time before taking in a deep breath. There's no turning back now. The elevator door dinged and she stepped back out onto the 13th floor.
"Good morning, welcome to-Sarah?"
"Hi, Irene. I'm sorry to drop by without a warning but can you do me a favor?"
"Yeah, yeah of course. Oh, you have no idea how happy I am to see you! Is Mr. King with you?" Irene looked haggard, her eyes flickering around nervously. "Ever since he left, Mrs. King has taken over his duties. It's never been this bad, but she's even worse than Mr. King! Half of the IT department threatened to quit when she demanded they reinstall the landlines. Don't get me started on the uniforms. I look terrible in pink."
"He's coming back, better than ever. But first, I need to handle Mrs. King," Sarah reassured. "Get the others in on this too. Contact the Council and Mr. Oberon and say that an emergency meeting's been called. Say that Jareth was the one who called it. Hoggle is keeping an eye out at the front desk and will alert you when they all arrive. I sent a text to Jareth and when he gets here, get him changed into the emergency suit I keep in my office. I'll take care of Mrs. King myself. Ludo down in IT is all set to remove her credentials once she runs out, and she will be running out of there. Make sure you stay out of the line of fire on this one."
Irene had scribbled all this information down on her notebook but stopped and looked up. "Welcome back, Miss Williams."
Sara held up her left hand. "It's soon to be Mrs. King. Shh, don't squeal! She'll hear and what's the fun of it if I don't come as a surprise? Go now, get everything readied."
The (reinstated?) executive assistant to Jareth King squared her shoulders and shoved open the large doors to his office.
"Yes, yes, Mr. Von Brassovelt, I've got it all under control. The Council and I are meeting next Monday and the contract with Brassovelt Industries will be renewed. Hmm? My son? Oh, no need to worry about him. He will do as he is told." Adelia King drummed her hands along the desk, a smile spreading across her dark pink lips. It was the best thing for all that the no good assistant had quit, leaving her son devastated. Sure, he pined for her now, but once it got through to him that she was not coming back, the marriage between Jareth and Claudia could be arranged. The brainless girl was still in a state of hysteria and it would take a lot of convincing, but nothing money wouldn't fix. Besides, there were plenty others if Claudia still refused to. who wouldn't marry the heir to Mendax Industries?
The doors of Jareth's office slammed open and the older woman shrieked in the most undignified of manners. Standing in the doorway was none other than Sarah Williams, hand on her hip and head cocked to the side in a manner too similar to her son's for Mrs. King's tastes. "My, my, what do we have here?"
"What are you doing here? Security! Security!" Adelia pressed the call button but to no avail. "I'll call you back, Dean, there is a trespasser in my office!"
Sarah strolled over and crossed her arms, a thin smile on her lips. Where was the young girl who had beamed at Mrs. King every time she saw her gone? The woman who stood in front of her sent a shiver down her back. "You're in my seat. Get out."
"How dare you talk to me in such a manner?! Just who do you think you are?!"
"The new Mrs. King," Sarah drawled out. She sounded bored with the conversation already, and held out her hand to examine her nails. Her left hand.
Mrs. King's eyes bulged dramatically at the site of the 4 carat diamond ring on Sarah's finger. "What?"
"Oh, do you like it? It's just one of many that Jareth has given me. He couldn't decide which he liked best so he bought them all." That wasn't much of a lie, knowing that ostentatious man. Sarah was enjoying the gaping fish look on the older woman's face. "Now, I believe I told you to get out of my seat."
"No, no, I ordered him not to! He has a duty to this family! To Mendax Industries!"
"When has Jareth ever done something someone told him to do?" Sarah's eyes narrowed. "Except when you threaten the very person who he cannot live with out."
The realization finally came across Mrs. King's face and Sarah felt power. She clapped her hands together and continued, "Now, do get out of my seat. I have a lot of work to do."
"Whatever that boy has gone and done does not change the fact that I am a shareholder in this company!"
"Were. You were a shareholder."
"What?"
"You should consult a thesaurus. I am certain there is another word you could use."
"What are you going on about?" Mrs. King shrieked.
A cold, cruel smile formed on Sarah's lips. "Do you remember when you had Jareth sign the CEO contract last year? In preparation for Mr. Oberon's retirement? Well, he made me read every single line of it. At first, I thought he was a sadist, and I'm sure that's not far from the truth, but it dawned on me that it had just what I needed."
"What?"
Sarah sneered and quoted, "Article 16, Section B, Paragraph 2 of the Mendax Industries CEO contract. The Family Share Clause. 'At the time that a new CEO for the company is selected, they are to inherit a share of the company. Should no shares be available, all King family members will concede their share.' I believe you were the one who put that clause in back when you became the CEO over your brother. Easy to insert clauses with no one's objection when everyone's busy looking for your recently missing brother."
Silenced filled the room. Sarah leaned in close.
"Get out of my chair."
Irene smiled nervously around the room and repeated once more, "Thank you so much for you patience but it'll only be a moment more."
"Whatever is going on?" Director Rio asked.
"Yes, why did we have to come in so frantically?" Director Hyde grumbled. "I was enjoying my lunch at Elixir."
The other directors muttered their agreement, looking around anxiously.
"I promise everything will be answered in just a moment," Irene soothed. The door to the conference room opened and Jareth enter, to her eternal relief. "Mr. King, thank you for joining us."
"Good morning everyone," Jareth answered cheerfully. The gathered directors stared at him in shock. They had heard of his decline following the quitting of his assistant, but here he stood in his defiant glory. He had unbutton his clean white shirt to reveal the King family medallion on his chest, and removed the suit jacket to personalize his look.
"Jareth, you're better," Director Morpheus grinned, his tousled black hair down into his eyes. "Trying a new diet?"
"Yes, a good night's rest next to the love of your life tends to do that to you," Jareth drawled coyly.
"Why did you call this meeting?" Director Rio interrupted. She had not become nicer in her later years.
"You wound me, Rio, I thought you enjoyed my meetings." Jareth clutched his chest mockingly. He walked past them and sat down at the head of the table, grabbing the glass of peach wine Irene poured for him. "Though if I'm honest, I'm not entirely sure what's going on."
"What is this about?" She repeated, more aggressively this time.
The doors opened again and in strode Sarah, carrying a stack of papers in her arms. "I can answer that for you all. Please, have a seat. Irene, make sure no unwanted guests disturb us."
"Yes, Miss Williams."
"My precious Sarah," Jareth breathed, straightening up in his chair. Sarah let him take her hand in his and watched as he kissed each finger and then the ring she had put on that morning.
"Is that-?" Director Hyde gasped. He sat down into his chair, his hand over his heart.
"Isn't it lovely?" Sarah crooned, handing out the stack of papers.
"My congratulations and utter dismay," Director Morpheus said, winking at Sarah. Jareth glared and wrapped his arm around her waist, yanking her down into his lap. "Watch yourself."
"Anyway," Sarah continued from Jareth's lap, "I would like to introduce your largest shareholder."
They all stared. Jareth stared.
"Ah, no," Sarah laughed uncomfortably. "It's not me. It's Mr. Jareth King."
"Me?" Jareth pointed to himself, tilting his head. Sarah sighed, praying for patience.
She read them all the CEO contract with the highlighted clause. Slowly, each and every one got that face of realization. All except Morpheus, who burst out into laughter.
"Hmm," was all Jareth said, but she could see the gears turning in his head. She wondered to herself just what he was going through, especially concerning his parents. It's not easy for family laundry to be aired out, even if those who it was aired out to signed iron clad nondisclosure agreements. She settled closer against him, not missing the way he tightened his grip around her waist and his hand settled on her knee.
"We can continue to discuss, but it'll be pointless. Everything seems to be in order. Congratulations, Mr. King. And soon to be Mrs. King," Director Rio added. "If that is all, I will be leaving."
The other directors rose and congratulated the pair. Director Hyde couldn't stop his blubbering, and Sarah just handed him the box of tissues instead of pulling each one out. Director Hyde was every the romantic.
Director Morpheus kissed Sarah's cheek. "Congrats. If you change your mind and divorce that maniac, I wrote my number in your planner."
"Get away from her," Jareth hissed.
"You can't keep her locked up, cousin. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to check the security cameras in your office. I want to see Aunt Adelia get taken apart by your bride."
Once the door shut, she turned around to Jareth. "You shouldn't let him goad you," Sarah chided, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I should wring his neck with the way he speaks to you. Cousin or not."
"Vice president or not," Sarah corrected.
"Yes, well, we'll see about that," Jareth mused. His eyes, those wonderful eyes, met hers and she was a bit surprised at the tenderness. "So, Mrs. King, huh?"
Sarah blushed a deep red. She pulled away and began ringing her hands. "I-I'm sorry for not asking, but you were sleeping so well and I wanted to get this taken care of. I knew she was going to do something if-"
"Oh, darling, I could never be mad at you. It fills me with joy seeing you wear one of my many presents. I do wish I had gotten a chance to ask, but I'll take you giving me the company as a yes to my unasked questioned."
"I thought the bright lights shining into my house was you asking me to marry you," Sarah quipped.
"Hmm, yes, I suppose," Jareth said, pressing a kiss to her lips. She returned it eagerly, losing herself in his sinfully good ministrations.
Sarah yelped as Jareth lifted her up and placed her on the conference table. "Jareth!"
He pushed her down until her back met the mahogany. Her turtleneck was shoved up roughly, and her skirt followed soon. Her emerald eyes widen as Jareth gripped her thigh in his hand and sunk his teeth into the pale white skin. "Allow me to ask in the correct manner."
***************************** THREE YEARS LATER********************************
Black heels clicked along the marble floors of the 13th floor of King Energy Incorporated, the world leader in cutting edge renewable resources. At the front desk, two ladies stopped conversing at the elevator ding. Irene, director of operations, motioned the training secretary to stand.
"Good morning Mrs. King. May I take your coat?"
"Good morning, Jessica. Yes, thank you. Awful weather today, isn't it? Is Mr. King in?" Mrs. King handed over the lavender rain coat, revealing her plum sleeveless dress. The gold medallion shown brightly against the color.
"Yes, ma'am. He arrived shortly after dropping off the twins at the daycare downstairs. I have your day of planner here for you," the girl squeaked out. She had been selected as the assistant to the legendary Sarah Williams, now Sarah King. She had been terrified at first, but with Irene helping guide her and Mrs. King's gentle but necessary corrections, she was on her way to being an excellent assistant.
"Thank you, sweetie. Hmm, everything looks good for today. Oh, my father in law is stopping by with his latest paramour," Sarah informed, rolling her eyes. "When he arrives, please let us know. We'll be having lunch with them at Elixir."
"Yes, ma'am."
"That'll be all for now, thank you." Sarah browsed through the tablet as she continued towards the once foreboding black doors at the end of the hallway. With all the technology upgrades Ludo had enthusiastically installed ("just no fax machines, Miss Sarah"), the doors opened automatically once in range of her access card.
Sitting at his desk knitting, Jareth King smiled broadly at the sight of his beloved wife and mother of his children. "My precious Sarah."
"Jareth, what on earth is in your hands?"
"I've taken up knitting. Father showed me this lovely cap he made for Adeline and Hugo and I've decided to make them a matching coat," he answered, his eyebrows drawn in as he concentrated on the row he was on.
She opened her mouth to scold him but decided against it. The twins would look lovely in the coats, if they turned out to be such. But Jareth had a penchant for being good at everything he did, so she had no doubt her husband would succeed. It wasn't as if Jareth was shirking his work either. There was a neat stack of signed paperwork waiting for her signature in the tray.
"Oh, well, I guess I'll have to keep the what happened to Brassovelt Industries to myself then," she said nonchalantly. She had walked around the desk slowly, moving behind his chair to lay her head on his shoulder.
Jareth smirked. "Nice try, but I've already seen the news. Nice touch with the racketeering charges."
Sarah blinked innocently. "I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about."
"Of course."
She hesitated for a moment before deciding to ask anyway. "Did you see the verdict for your mother?"
Her husband sighed and set down the half finished sleeve. He turned his chair towards her and Sarah used the opening to sit on his desk. Jareth's eyes darkened momentarily, but he did nothing besides holding her left hand in his. Their matching silver bands shown brightly under the office lights.
"She made her bed and must lie in it." It was all he said and Sarah knew at that moment that there was nothing else that Jareth would say about it. Adelia King had been divorced by Oberon after it was discovered she was taking bribes from Brassovelt Industries to merge their companies. Though it couldn't be proven, there was strong evidence that she had been involved in the disappearance of her brother as well. It was this that made her only son ban his mother from ever seeing her grandkids and his family again.
She couldn't help herself but leaned forward to kiss him softly. "I still love you."
"And I you, my darling. Now, would you like to try your hand at knitting?"
"I'll stick with managing your company for you."
"Our company, my darling, our." Jareth corrected.
"Ours," Sarah agreed, leaning down and kissing the daylights out of her husband.