Once everyone has settled into the living room, all well away from Jareth, who had returned to his human clothing but hadn't bothered to change his appearance, which was quite surreal to them all.

He stood behind Sarah's chair, letting Sarah do the talking. His eyes kept sliding to Toby, who was glowering at him.

Sarah took a deep. breath, "I know you all have questions. What Toby said is right. Jareth is The Goblin King. Also, as a side note his Uncle Kris it really Kris Kringle. The real Santa, but that's beside the point."

Robert stood up angrily. "Sarah what the hell are you doing?! This...this...creature, this whatever from wherever, has been staying in my house, and you neglect to tell me? And you are marrying him? How did this happen? How is this even real?" He demanded. He wanted answers.

"He is The Goblin King." Mary stated. "I knew you weren't human, at least not completely human. You don't have the aura of a human."

"Mom?" Robert said. "You know of this...Goblin King?"

She nodded. "Of a sort. You know our family history. Sarah is wrong, though. He is very dangerous. He steals babies!"

Jareth crossed him arms, indignant. "I do no such thing, dear lady. I only take what is wished to me."

"The book..." Linda interjected. "I gave Sarah that book. The one I found."

Mary turned on her. "The one you took. Out of my attic. Robert I told you she was no good. This is her doing. That book has been in my family for generations. I wondered what happened to it."

"Everyone please." Karen intervened. "Let Sarah speak."

"Yes let me speak." Sarah said. "Yes, mother gave me that book before she left. I had no idea where it came from."

"I...found it when we visited their home before Sarah was even born." Linda explained. "Right after Robert and I started dating. I told you Sarah, I wasn't a good person, I was selfish and childish. I didn't know Robert and I would stick. When everyone was asleep I...I went into the attic. I was curious. I found the book. It was cute so I kept it. I didn't think anyone would miss it." Linda recalled. "I gave it to Sarah before I left for good."

"My da' told me to never ever say the words in that book that words were powerful." Mary replied. "I guess he was right." She looked at Jareth. "Now my granddaughter is bespelled by a...a...demon."

Jareth slumped. It is was always the same thing. He was a demon, evil, a villain. Now it may cost him Sarah.

He underestimated her in that moment, and was instantly regretful of it when she spoke again.

"He is NOT a demon." Sarah got up and went to stand in front of Jareth. "Or evil, or anything like that. He is a King, and he has a job, and it's to take unwanted children and find homes for them in HIS world. He is MY soul mate. I am not bespelled, Grams. Believe me I see him for what he really is. He is arrogant, full of himself, demanding, and occasionally unreasonable, not to mention stubborn as a damn mule. But damn it so am I. We were both lost, and lonely, and out of place everywhere we went. Now, only now, do we feel complete. Only with each other. For me and for him, it's a miracle we found each other. Proof it was meant to happen."

Jareth watched her proudly. How he loved this woman. "She is telling the truth. I assure you madam, I am no demon. I love Sarah with everything that I am, she is the only one in my world or any other that is the other half of my heart. This will always be. My magic has no power over her, as she deemed it so the night we met. She loves me of her volition. For it can be no other way in my world."

He turned to her and took her hands. "I am sorry I could not say the words you needed to hear. It was forbidden millennia ago for my people, when courting a human, to be the first to to declare our love. I'll explain the details later, but suffice to say, it was done for good reasons to protect both humans and Underworlders. I've wanted to say "I love you" to you for so long."

Sarah felt tears coming again but kept them at bay. "It's okay, Jareth, the important thing is, we can say it now and every minute of every day for the rest of time. I love you. I guess I wondered if it was something about me that was unlovable, since my mom left. Now I can see I was wrong too. Her issues were her own, and it wasn't me at all."

"How did this even happen?" Robert asked, interrupting their moment.

Sarah went and sat back down, looking at Toby. Her voice thick, dreading saying the words. "I wished Toby away." Her eyes were full of regret.

Karen's face turned red. "You WHAT?" Her eyes blazed at Sarah. "After everything I've done for you?! You sent my son off with this...person?!"

"I can't believe you Sarah!" Robert bellowed.

Toby said nothing, but walked to his sister's side. He slipped his small hand in hers. "It's okay Sarah. I know you didn't mean it."

Sarah grabbed him and hugged him. "But I did, Oh God I did, Toby. I was young and angry and hated that you were getting all the attention and I was spoiled and a brat. And I am so so sorry for that, but I promise I fought for you, and didn't give up. I got you back because the moment you were gone I realized how stupid I had been. I loved you then and I love you so much now. Please forgive me for that, and for the fact that that part of me isn't sorry because I found Jareth."

Toby hugged his sister back, then moved over to Jareth and looked up at him. "I remember you now. You were singing to me. I remember the goblins playing with me. I remember all the stairs. I was never scared of you though. You threw me in the air and caught me. I remember laughing, and everything."

Jareth crouched down to look him in the face. "I remember too, young Toby. You were a beautiful child. Once you stopped crying. I had thoughts of making you the Goblin Prince, for a short time. Unfortunately your sister was far too clever and persistent. If she hadn't have really really loved you she couldn't have won. Never in all my years have I seen someone so determined to right a wrong as her."

Toby looked from Jareth to Sarah and back again. "Really guys. It's okay." He smiled. "Hey, it's not every day you get to play with goblins. That's pretty cool."

He looked over at his parents "Don't be mad at Sarah, She won because she loves me. Jareth isn't evil either. He is kind of neat."

His eyes traveled back to Jareth. "Does this mean you'll be my brother in law?"

Jareth nodded.

"Awesome. Now maybe I can get that mean Jimmy Johnson back. He is always picking on me, saying I'm a sissy for liking art. Wait until I tell him my brother in law will turn him into a goblin." He said, his grin growing.

Sarah, Jareth and Toby all laughed.

"This is crazy." Robert said shaking his head. "We are all living in twilight zone. Mass hallucination or something. This can't be real."

He started pacing. "Maybe there was a gas leak and we are all in comas."

"Daddy. It's all true." Sarah urged him to believe her words. "Jareth is The Goblin King, from the Underground. He rules Goblin City and The Labyrinth. And I'm still marrying him. You better get used to it. I guess that will make me The Goblin Queen?" She turned to Jareth for confirmation. He nodded. "See, what more could you want for me?" She got up and grabbed her father's hand.

Robert's father had been silently watching the whole thing transpire, and took this chance to speak. "Robert, it seems to me, Sarah is an adult. If she wants to marry this...King Goblin, you really have no say in it. Take it from me, don't interfere. Remember when you were married to Linda here," He pointed at the woman next to him. "We didn't see Sarah until she was 5. Don't turn away and miss out on her life."

"I agree," Linda said. "As one who knows, don't do that. You can't get it back, and you spend your life with far too many regrets."

Sarah's father frowned. "I didn't say I was going to turn you out Sarah. It's just...this is so insane."

"Shall I? Jareth asked Sarah. She smiled at him.

Jareth formed another crystal, letting it grow to be the size of a beach ball. "Mr. Williams, take a look."

Inside the crystal was a view of a great maze, with the spires of a castle in the distance. "This is my kingdom." The crystal grew to envelop them all, until they were all standing on the side of a dusty hill, looking down. "Welcome to my World."

"Do you see? Daddy. It's very real. This is where I'm going to live. You're all welcome here once I do, but you don't have to come. I AM going to leave and marry Jareth." Sarah told her father.

Jareth shrunk the crystal back down until they were all standing in the living room above once more.

"Alright Sarah...if this is what you really want." Robert answered. "But give us all some time to accept this, okay?"

They hugged again.

Everyone came to surround the two and many tears were shed.

Mary carefully approached Jareth and peered up at him. "My people have spent all these years fearing you and your kind."

Jareth inclined his head. "We are aware dear lady. There is nothing to fear. We are much like humans, with all the fears, hopes and dreams. We all want to loved, and accepted. We all want to make a home with our beloved, and raise a family. I hope someday your people and mine can once again live side by side as it was thousands of years ago."

She listened closely. "You swear you don't steal babies?"

He laughed. "I swear it. All the children that are wished to me are given of the wishers free will. Only those that truly want them back can succeed, and the rest of the chldren are given fine homes underground."

She took his hand. "Promise me you will love my granddaughter and be good to her." She knew that words were important to Jareth's people, and binding.

"I promise on my life and my kingdom. She will want for nothing." He answered readily.

"Welcome to the family then, Goblin King." She replied.

"Jareth, please." He said to the small woman, chuckling.

Linda walked over to them. "Thank you for loving my daughter, however it came about. That you belong together is obvious." She looked to Mary. "I AM sorry, for everything. I made so many mistakes. But Robert and Karen belong together like Sarah and Jareth."

Jareth backed away and let the two women talk. They would never be friends, he mused, but at least they might declare a truce.

He went to stand by Sarah's side. She looked up at him and looped her arm around his waist. "I love you so much, Jareth. Thank you. I think it will be okay."

"As do I." he replied as he returned her embrace.

The celebration went deep into the night, until exhausted everyone went to bed. Robert's parents stayed in the guest bedroom downstairs, and everyone retired to their respective beds for the night.

Silently watching, Kris smiled his big smile, content that all wishes were granted, including Jareth's.

"And to all a good night, indeed." He said.

With a thought he was gone, flying home, the sound of bells signaling his departure.
********************************************************************************************************************

Sarah Williams married her Goblin King in the spring. Her family made the trip to the underground to attend.

After the ceremony, the happy couple stood in all their wedding finery greeting guests as they passed. As Karen and Robert approached, Sarah's smile grew.

Sarah embraced them both, thrilled they had come. "I'm so happy to see you!" She cried. She noticed her stepmother seemed a little ill. "Are you alright? i can get a healer..."

"No Sarah it's fine." Karen answered. "I'm not ill. Just a little queasy from the trip."

"Are you certain you are well?" Jareth asked with genuine concern. He had become fond of Karen and her "mother hen" ways. He was happy Sarah had such a person to care for her.

"Well, umm... " Robert started to speak but hesitated. Him and Karen looked at each other.

"What is it?" Sarah asked in a worried tone.

"It seems that the doctors were wrong about...well...I'm pregnant, Sarah." Karen said. "But I didn't want to spoil your day with my news. Today is about you."

"Oh my God." Sarah said. "Really?" She was shocked.

"Yes she is." said Toby from behind. "And it's a girl. Just what I need, another sister."

Sarah broke out of her daze. "That's wonderful! Wow! I'm getting baby sister!" She practically jumped for joy. "How far along?"

"That's the funny thing," Karen said. "By all accounts, I got pregnant around Christmas. Can you believe it?"

"My congratulations to you two." Jareth said. His uncle was nearby, beaming. Their eyes met in understanding. That was Karen's wish. "I'm sure the baby will be healthy and strong." Kris winked at Jareth.

Of course the baby would be fine. He would make sure of it.

Once more, a celebration occurred, as The Williams family officially welcomed not one, but two more to their clan that joyful day.

Needless to say the next Christmas and all other Christmases to follow would be as eventful and filled with joy as the very first Christmas The Goblin King spent with the Williams family.

~Fin~

Oh. I figured Karen is approximately 42-43 here, so still young enough to have another baby, if anyone is wondering.

MyraVallhallah: No offense intended of course, Jareth means it in playful way, and Sarah would only take it that way, same as 'wench" and "vixen" and all those types of words. Just something they do together in their private sexytimes ;) I'm not sure what side Kris is from, but Jareth's paternal side seems to fit more with my headcanon.
Honoria Granger: noted and hopefully corrected. I don't fly so not really up on how it goes exactly.
Rhihannon the Fairy: You're right I probably did. but I tend to get it out there and then go back and tweak it here and there, just my way I guess haha. As for the Irene vs Karen subject, well, that has developed into a bit of a debate in Laby fandom over the years, which is the "canon" name, but mostly either is acceptable, and it's author's choice. Frankly I just like the name Karen better.

Thank you to HachimansKitsune, Enchanted Peach Dreams, Sarahlouisdodge, annibale, raerae7273, Whyndancer, JediAvenger, Tange Lou, Lady Lannie Queen of Goblins, brienandrea20, VeraK, ariella21, TheLadyBookworm, comical freaka, PaleJewel1, and Guests for your sweet supportive reviews. I promise I cherish every one and all the support I've been given though this loong year filled with far too much sadness, and this terrible case of block that has plagued me.

Shout out to all my FB groups friends. The only way we've muddled through this past year is by sticking together and being there for each other to lean on. You all know who you are my Labyrinth sisters and brothers!

Happy New Year, and may it bring joy love and new beginnings for us all.

We still love you David, more than ever and you are our eternal Goblin King, up there between the stars. Our guiding light, our inspiration, our muse as we continue to write and go forward. May your spirit always shine brightly upon the world.