Making it Work. Chapter One

Making it Work

Chapter 1

The King Comes to Call

                Sarah loved living in D.C. Her parents weren’t overly thrilled about her moving more than an hour away, but when she told them it was either Washington or Washington State they quickly learned to love the idea. The initial year out gave Sarah her first real taste of independence which she hated and loved simultaneously. For starters, transitioning to life on her own wasn’t easy. Sarah lived in a cramped apartment with a crappy roommate. She worked late every night and saved as much money as she could. For twelve months she focused only on school and survival, escaping the small quarters that she couldn’t bring herself to call home to explore the beautiful city whenever she could. It was hard at first and nothing like the exciting life she had envisioned back in Pennsylvania. But she knew, nothing good came without working for it first.

    By year two, Sarah had a firm grip on the chaos of her surroundings and as she celebrated her 20^th birthday she set her sights, not on surviving, but on thriving in the big city. Two years prior were spent in high school earning as many college credits as possible. So when most of her peers still had half of their university left to finish, Sarah was already walking across that stage, diploma in hand and inspiration in her heart. With a few helpful connections from her father and a lot of personal determination, Sarah was able to find a job pretty quickly. She still remembered holding that first big paycheck in her hand. It was like standing on the threshold of adulthood and someone finally handed her a key.

    Year three and the roommate was left behind, a nice apartment was acquired and Sarah finally started seeing her life the way she had imagined. Like this bedroom for example, with its ochre stained wood molding and beautiful balcony French doors.

    In the cool pool of moonlight she shifted under a mountain of comforters and down. A touch of winter air kissed the bare skin on her neck and pulled Sarah from her dreams and reminiscing. It was probably around four in the morning, but she didn’t need to see the clock to know that. Still sleep-drunk, she scooted to the edge of her queen sized bed, mumbling something like, “close the door behind you.” There was a soft click followed by the shushing of feathers. The mattress depressed and Sarah smiled as the warmth of a solid body curled protectively around her. Two arms held her safe and tight, two hands cupped and caressed her, two lips whispered against her ear, making Sarah’s heart flutter enough to chase her sleepies clear away.

    “Mmmhh-my queen.” His rich voice murmured. He nuzzled his nose against the ocean of her raven curls.

    “Hi sweetie.” Sarah said, her voice groggy and low. “Did you fly in ok?”

    Jareth kissed her neck, “Perfectly.” He kissed her shoulder, then her cheek and the corner of her jaw. Sarah made a happy sound, like a muffled “hmmf!” but even with her back against him he could still hear her smiling and he felt the warmth of joy that radiated from her small body. Straining slightly to twist her head around to face him -despite his tight and unrelenting hold- Sarah met his lips in an over the shoulder kiss. It was a quick hello, as if to say, ‘I’m so glad you’re here. How was your day? Please stay forever’. Sarah let out a long sigh, hugged his arms where they held her, and pressed her face deep into her pillow.

    “I can let you sleep if you want.” He said, noting how tired she seemed to be. But she just shook her head.

    “No, I’m good. Just give me a minute to wake up. What did you do today? How is everyone?”

    “They’re fine. The little one is always asking about you.”

    “Which little one? They’re all little.” Sarah mumbled.

    “The ugly one.”

    “Hoggle. And don’t call him that,” She yawned, a big yawn that made her muscles tremble, “it’s not very nice.”

    “That’s why I called him the ‘little one’ first.” He said and gave her a squeeze.

    “Right. Sorry. What did Hoggle have to say?” 

    “Something about finances, I don’t know. I told him you’d be fine and not to worry.”

    Sarah turned, eyeing him over her shoulder. He arched a brow. “What?”

    “Can you…”

    “What…”

    “…Just, I don’t know, not be so rude to my friends? I know they’re technically your subjects but it won’t kill you to give them a little more respect.”  Jareth gave her a look that was both surprised and impressed.

    “Well?! Is that an order, my queen?”

    Sarah elbowed him gently, “It’s a request, you jerk, be a good boyfriend and be nice.”

    “Nice hasn’t always been my specialty.” Jareth said as she rolled back. She took his hand from her chest and brought it to her lips.

    “You’ve shown some real improvement,” Sarah said kissing his knuckles. “I’m proud of you.”

    “Thank you sweetheart.” He moved closer, wrapping one of his legs around her. “How was your day? Is that bastard still overworking you?”

    “You mean my boss? No. He’s just making sure the gallery will be ready in time. We only have two more weeks before the big New York Times review.”

    “So I’ll see even less of you then?” Jareth asked, his grip on her tightening.

    “Perhaps. It’s fine though. I like working this hard.”

    “I know you do. I’ve always admired that in you.”  Sarah opened her eyes. Freeing herself from his grasp she turned around in the great king’s arms and granted him the gift of her glowing smile.

    “Wow,” she said, propping her chin upon her fist, “that’s surprisingly selfless of you. And kind…I’m impressed Jareth.” The Goblin King flashed his classic, crooked smile. His gloved hand found the dip of her waist, pulling their bodies closer on the bed.

    “I’m capable of thinking of others. Though I don’t like the idea of someone else taking up all your time, I am happy to see you succeed.” Sarah stroked his face and slowly brought her lips to his. Even after three years, every kiss with this immortal creature still made her heart race and her fingers tremble. His lips were as cold as ice, freezing the very breath within her lungs; while the rest of him sent fire searing through her veins, setting ablaze the wild wanting in her heart.

    “Besides, it’s good practice,” he whispered in the break between their fevered breathing, “for when you take the throne.” The words made Sarah shiver. But she stopped, pulling away slightly from his advances. Jareth looked at her with those dazzling eyes, puzzlement swirling in their depths. He knew she didn’t like that subject, but it was something he couldn’t keep from mentioning. It was all Jareth wanted, and Sarah wanted it too it was just… something about accepting that fate, that part of their future together, it made her uncomfortable. The discussion they had shared countless times before was the only thing left standing between the complete union of their hearts. He would do anything to knock the barrier down, but Sarah was always there to build it up again, smiling sweetly before saying, “Not yet.”

    She lowered her eyes and bit her lip, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to ruin the moment.”

    “No.” He said and cupping the back of her head placed a firm kiss lovingly upon her brow. “You didn’t, love. Not in the least.” Drawing her in to the warmth of his bosom, the king of goblins cradled his mortal queen.

    “It’s…not that I don’t want that, you know I do.” She spoke into the plume of feathers and the bounty of silks.

    “I know.”

    “I dream of that life every night. I think about it every day. I find myself wanting it so badly, that I fear what will happen when it’s finally time. If I rush into this fantasy… I’m afraid that the reality of my life will leave me behind.”

    “You know this decision is not an all or nothing, Sarah. You can come back and see your family, whenever you want. I visit you all the time in the above ground, there’s no reason you cannot do the same.” As Jareth stroked her hair, Sarah finished the conversation in her mind.

    But there are long and complicated ceremonies the first year, with no mortal excuse yet for why I would be missing during that time. My family can’t attend our wedding. My friends could never visit to see our new home. There are responsibilities to being queen that require attention and dedication; leaving on a whim would rarely be an option. And we still haven’t worked out the proper alibi for my parents.

    Sarah sighed, cursing the same old problems. She couldn’t help but feel it was her fault. Her inclination to put off these issues and dwell on happier things was no way to solve them. They wouldn’t disappear just by sweeping them under the rug, even if she wished with all her power that they might. But with the stress of balancing work, a social life and time with her visiting Goblin King, all Sarah wanted to do was enjoy the moments she had, and not ruin it with what-ifs and maybe-nots.

    Pulling her face from its hiding place she looked at her lover, demanding his gaze.

    “Thank you,” Sarah said, “For always being patient with me.” 

    Jareth smirked, “Have I always been patient?” he asked teasingly. “I think I can recall a few spats that almost ended with you over my shoulder and a shotgun wedding to follow.”

    Sarah laughed, “You retch! You wouldn’t dare.”

    “Oh wouldn’t I?” The question barely left his lips before Sarah found herself flipped on her back, her hands on either side of her head pinned to the mattress. The glint in his eye made her blush but she tried her best to pull her arms free.

    “No. You wouldn’t!” she sang, wiggling with glee under his touch. Jareth used his knees expertly to push Sarah’s legs apart as he slyly slid down over her. The blue and green stare was bright with mischief and delight and as he inched closer and closer to her mouth Sarah couldn’t help but hold her breath, waiting and wanting. He never broke eye contact, kissing her once with lips of velvet that slid over her skin like rain.

    “Well maybe not…” he said, his breath on her chin making her tingle. “But that doesn’t mean… I can’t… do… this.” Before she could think his hands were on her, running up and down her vulnerable skin, tickling her furiously. Sarah shrieked with laughter, pulling her arms in and clenching them at her sides. Trying her best to ball herself up and roll free, she found she was trapped in a fit of ecstatic joy, twisting and laughing and pushing him away.

    “You have no power over me!!!” Sarah screamed, but this time the words were utterly in vain.

    Jareth’s playful touches melted into tender caressing and as the moon fell from its perch in the sky he kissed and worshiped every inch of Sarah’s body. The King and Queen made love in the black depths of a deep winter’s night. Their passions transformed Sarah’s simple bedroom into the grandest chamber in creation and in their climax the stars shone brighter and the universe spun around them. Sarah fell asleep to the lullaby of “I love you”s, serenaded by her sweet, ivory king.

    *

    When Jareth opened his eyes it was to the blinding light of morning. He cursed, flinching at the glare of natural sunshine. Jareth hated that Sarah’s room faced the sunrise, in the underground things were never so bright and painful. Quickly he flung out his hand, causing the curtains to magically draw together, dulling the intense blaze.

    The Goblin King sat up. Rubbing his eyes he looked around and noticed that among the missing glove on his right hand and the wild disarray of sheets, Sarah was not lying next to him. This wasn’t surprising. It was Wednesday, which meant that his betrothed would be on her phone in her home office scheduling her stupid boss’s morning appointments before running out the door to catch the train downtown. These were far from acceptable conditions for a Goblin Queen to be, but they had an agreement: Sarah was allowed to live her life her way above ground with the understanding that she would accept the royal way (his way) once she took the throne.

    If it ever happens, Jareth grumbled to himself. He was not a morning person.

    Getting up, the lengthy immortal sought out his trousers. Loosely tying the draw strings he ruffled a hand through his hair and shuffled down the hall to find the bathroom.

    Sarah was in the kitchen, a phone between her shoulder and her ear as she poured two cups of steaming black coffee.

    “Hi Mr. Blake, this is Sarah Williams, Peter’s assistant.  I’m calling to reschedule his morning massage session? Yes, he’d like to push it back to two-thirty…. Ok. Is Sasha available then? She’s not… Well how about Allen-what’s his name? …o-oh good. Yes, that would be perfect… Alright…Alright, thank you, I’ll schedule it in…. Thank you, goodbye.”

    She hung up the phone and grabbed the creamer from the fridge, just as a flash of yellow light flared from the hallway bathroom. The Goblin King emerged a second later, shirtless, glistening and now magically groomed.

    “Morning, love.” He said, his voice low and sexy with sleep. Sarah met the sauntering king and kissed him, thankful that the morning magic left his mouth tasting like a minty forest of freshness. She handed him his coffee and took a sip from her own.

    “Good morning. Sleep well?” She asked, quickly checking the time on her phone.

    Jareth downed the full mug, oblivious to its scalding temperature, “Blissfully well. You?”

    “Ah! I slept like a rock. Thanks for that, by the way! You really knocked me out. I’ve been needing a good night’s sleep.” As she spoke, Sarah had set down her mug and was now moving from room to room, sending emails on her phone and grabbing things here and there to throw into her purse.

    Jareth scratched his side and went to refill his cup, “Mmmh, my pleasure. You know I’m always there for you darling. If you ever need a mid-afternoon shag to help you through day, I will appear in a second, just for you.”

    “You’re so considerate!” She shouted from another room.

    “Yes. I. Am.” Jareth swallowed his second full cup and fell onto the sofa. Flicking a finger he turned on the TV, letting the channels flip by. When he settled on a nature program about wild grizzlies, the Goblin King looked around, flexing his hands as if he was missing something.

    “Flick-Wick!” he called, and instantly a tiny goblin scurried out from under the couch.

    “Yis master?” The dust sprout said, perking its large bat-like ears in anticipation.

    “Get me something to eat.”

    “Yis master.” In a flurry of fur she ran off to perform her task, almost crashing into Sarah’s ankles as she came around the corner. Three years of this had made Sarah almost trip resistant. Stepping over small scurrying creatures was now a daily skill, evident in the easy way she maneuvered around the house goblin even in three inch heels.

    She followed the tiny thing into the kitchen, shutting the refrigerator door before it could open.

    “Nope. Go to the cupboard.”

    “But the master…” Flick-Wick gestured toward the living room.

    “He can have dry cereal. You’re not allowed in the fridge and you know it. Now scoot!” Sarah slid the small goblin across the tiled floor with a gentle push of her boot.

    “Sarah let her be! I want her to make me an omelet!” Jareth called from the couch. Poor little Flick-Wick was getting very confused, freezing with a box of biscuits in hand to look nervously from one master to the other. Sarah pulled her lunch from the crisper and placed it in her oversized purse, turning then on her heel to face her drama-King.

    “If you think letting that little monster use my stove is a good idea, then baby you’ve got another thing coming –No offense Flick.”

    The small goblin shook its head, “No. No offense.”

    “She’ll be fine!” Jareth shrugged, “She’s a house goblin, it’s what she does.”

    “No, burning things and leaving freakishly large hairballs around my apartment is what she does!...Again no offense Flicky, I know you can’t help it.”

    “See? She can’t help it.”

    “But you can!” Sarah said, moving herself between her lover’s eyes and the distraction on screen. “Jareth, come on. I’m running late and I don’t have time to joke right now.”

    “I’m not joking.” He said, giving her a look of innocence.

    “Then tell me you know better than to let that happen while I’m gone. Please, sweetie, I just got new curtains from the last ones she singed.” Sarah looked at Jareth with a subtle plead in her eyes. 

    He stood up. “Of course, my love. I know that’s one of your rules and I’ll respect that. Sorry to have teased you.” He pulled her in for a kiss, knowing that its effect would help her to let this matter go. Sarah melted into it and after a few tantalizing seconds forced herself to pull away.

    “Ah! If I don’t leave now I’ll stay here forever.” She gave him a quick hug and went to the door, grabbing her keys and coat on the way. “Ok! Thank you, sweetie, I love you! Have a great morning and I’ll see you… when? Tonight?”

    Jareth followed her to the hall but stayed back a ways, watching her get ready to go. “Yes, I think I’ll stay here today if that’s alright. Be here when you get back so we can do dinner.” He stood with his hands on his narrow hips, cocking his head ever so slightly. She stopped in the doorway and stared at him, just for a moment, taking in the glorious splendor of the man that would be waiting for her when she came home. He was too beautiful for words, and she knew with all her heart that she loved him.

    “I’d like that.” She said, smiling in the glow of the morning light. “Bye, handsome. Have a good day.”

    “You too, love.” With that she closed the door and disappeared, leaving her poor apartment defenseless to the wicked mercy of the lone Goblin King.