A/N: Enjoy! I'm sorry it's not exactly what I wanted but I'm working on not overanalyzing what I write.
"Hmm, yes I can do that. A dozen roses for this upcoming Friday," Jareth repeated, scribbling down on his notepad. He was leaning over the front counter, pressing the landline to his ear so he didn't miss a word Mr. Brooks said. "Hmm? Oh, I'm sure she's going to love them. Yes, you too, have a good day."
He sighed, putting the phone back as he added the order to his growing list. He wanted nothing more than to close up for the day but the phone was ringing nonstop and the latest tourist group coming for Santa's workshop next door were set to come in the next ten minutes. They always came by and purchased some of his winter bouquets and dried flower ornaments.
It was a few days before New Year's Eve and the shop was busy. Sarah had come over again with a handful of books this time, and had offered to help before he'd shooed her away. He wanted her to enjoy her time off and though he wanted her with him every chance he could, he knew he shouldn't be too selfish.
After the disastrous Christmas dinner with Sarah's family, she had only been back over there twice. The rest of the time she spent either catching up with old friends or with Jareth in his flower shop.
He pulled out the pocket watch in his waist coat and smiled to himself. Only an hour left until he could close up and spend the rest of the evening with Sarah. His eyes turned down to the small present sitting under the register. It was a lovely sunflower brooch that he intended to give Sarah tonight. They had agreed to give each other something small and light, mostly due to Sarah's upcoming flight back to London. Jareth tried not to dwell to much on that. They hadn't spoken of what that would mean for them yet.
The bell above the door chimed and Jareth looked up to see a charming young man enter. "Welcome to Labyrinth. Is there anything I can help you find?"
"Hi. Actually, I was wondering if there was someone I know here," the young man said, glancing around. "Wow, there's all kinds of flowers here."
Jareth bit his tongue. It wouldn't do to inform this customer that was the point of a flower shop. "Yes, we carry local and foreign varieties of popular blooms. If you're looking for a specific kind that you don't see here, I have several contacts that can get me anything you might need. But you're looking for someone?"
"Oh, yeah that's right. It's my old friend Sarah. I heard from her mom that she may be here and she asked me to come talk to her," the man said, sticking his hands in his pockets. He was young, right around Sarah's age and from the puppy look on his face, Jareth wondered what kind of friend he was.
"I see. Please wait here for a moment."
The proprietor left the young man in the front room as he went to the back parlor. Sarah was sitting in her favorite chair, sipping on some tea and flipping through the pages of Pride and Prejudice. She set the book down on her lap as he walked in, grinning at him.
"Hey there. Are you all done? Do I finally get you to myself?"
"I wish, darling. There is someone here for you."
Sarah's brows furrowed. "For me?"
"Yes," Jareth gritted out. "There is a young man who is eagerly waiting for you. He said your mother sent him here to talk to you."
"That's strange. I can't think of anyone who I haven't already seen who'd come here-ah." Sarah took in a deep breath and set her book and tea down on the coffee table. "That son of a bitch."
"Pardon?"
"Sort of short, brown hair, and rocks back in forth with his hands in his pockets?"
"Well, yes."
"It's Mark, a friend from when I was in school. Well, friend is a strong word. He liked me for many years, and when I said no to going on a date with him, he turned into a whiny brat. My mother was always very fond of him for some reason I will never understand," she explained, getting up and stretching a bit. Her burnt orange sweater rode up a bit and Jareth looked away from her creamy skin.
He cleared his throat. "I'll get rid of him then."
"Oh, it's okay. I've been lazing about all day. The least I can do is take out the trash for you." Sarah reached over and smoothed the front of Jareth's shirt. Once she finished, she got on her tiptoes and kissed him sweetly. She pulled him along, keeping a firm grasp on his hand as she entered the front room.
Mark shot up from his spot near the poinsettias and Jareth frowned at the dirt now on the ground. It looked like one or two were missing as well.
"H-Hey Sarah! Wow, look at you! I heard you were an actress now but you really look like one. I heard you were in London now," Mark said excitedly, coming up and holding his arms up. When Sarah didn't step any closer to give him a hug, he lowered his arms awkwardly.
"Mark, it's been a while. What brings you into the shop?"
"Oh, you know, just in the area. I was wondering if you'd like to come down the street with me, grab a cup of cocoa and talk about the good ol' days." Mark glanced at the tall man behind her. "Sorry, invites only for Sarah."
Jareth gave him a sneer, delighting in the way the young man stepped back. "I gathered that."
"I'm good. If you're not going to buy anything, you should leave. Jareth and I are closing up soon so we can spend some time together," Sarah answered, wrapping an arm around Jareth's waist. She fiddled with the button of his waist coat, giving him a wink. She looked back at Mark with an expectant look on her face.
Mark seemed shocked and his ears turned a bright red. "Are you two together?"
"It's none of your business, but yes. And you can tell my mother that too. I know she sent you here to snoop."
"No, I-"
"Go, Mark. While I'm being nice."
"I can't believe you're with the town florist," Mark sneered. "Your mom was right. You've really fallen from grace."
Jareth removed Sarah's arm from around his waist and stepped forward into Mark's space. "I suggest you leave now. Or I will physically remove you and toss you on the street."
Mark stumbled backwards into the front door. "Whatever! I can do better than you anyway, Sarah!"
"And yet here you are," she shouted back, placing her hands on her hips. She watched Mark leave in a huff, and shook her head. "I'm sorry, Jareth. It seems my family can't stop embarrassing themselves, even when they're not around."
"You can make it up to me," Jareth said, locking in the front door and flipping the sign to CLOSED. He pulled Sarah into his arms and said, "Shall we go to the parlor?"
"I'd be furious if we didn't," she whispered against his lips.
A/N: I'm sorry I definitely thought I uploaded this at the same time as I did Play Me th8is morning, but I hadn't. I blame the sleep deprivation of school and work. Next chapter will be up 10/27!