Position

Jareth's eyes held that unmistakable gleam of amusement.

I glared at him. "You think this is so funny, do you?"

His lips twitched up. "I merely noted that perhaps this situation encourages you to spend more time resting than you might otherwise be inclined towards."

"Said while failing to hide a fiendish grin."

The grin materialized, sunlight glinting off his teeth. "I can neither confirm nor deny the presence of such an expression."

"Jareth. Really."

"Mmm?" He sat blithely cross-legged on a wisp of nothing, bouncing gently in the breeze, clearly so amused he could barely contain it.

I suppressed a growl. "I'd smack you, but I'd have to get up to do it."

"Ah, sweet promises, Sarah mine. Alas, for you need to stay off your feet as much as possible."

I tried not to grind my teeth. It was an effort. "I have things to do. A very active toddler son to manage! I can't just recline like some high-born Roman lady all day!"

"Can't you? Surely carrying triplets warrants some accommodations. Besides, I think one of those couches the Romans favored would suit you nicely."

"Argh, Jareth!"

"Argh what, Sarah? Your human doctors — the ones you so clearly mandated above the faerie midwives on hand here — prescribed bedrest, a decidedly non-vertical position, to manage the current complication. Not gadding about."

I closed my eyes briefly. "How am I supposed to take care of Feanor while reclining on this Roman couch you have in mind, hmmm?"

"Breathe, love. Let your thoughts settle for one moment and it will come to you."

"Now you're just trying to be irritating."

"On the contrary — I have natural talent. Trying is rather unnecessary."

I ground my teeth before I could stop myself.

"Sarah." A chord of unmistakable command wove through his voice. "Breathe."

"I so hate you right now."

"All well and good. Breathe. And then ponder your current predicament for one minute without interruption." He shifted his position in the air to mirror mine, stretched out gloriously length-wise in the sunshine, one eyebrow raised.

Oh. "Right. So how long would it take to rig me up a magical floating couch that can keep up with our toddler son?"

"Not long at all, my dear. I can even give it wings and whatever other embellishments tickle your fancy."

"I take it back about the hate. You're the best ever and I love you dearly."

"Very glad to hear it, Sarah mine."