Sarah and Jareth were once again dancing under the painted night sky, their reflections against the gleaming marble floor following every turn and dip. Only this time, they were not alone. The ballroom was filled to the brim with guests from Jareth's kingdom, as well as their new friends from the Labyrinth.
They were surrounded by celebration on every side, including above their heads; fairies in full court grab flew happily through falling streamers and glittery confetti, which added the shine of magic to the crowd below.
As Jareth led her down the sidelines of the dance floor, Sarah overheard a snatch of conversation between Jeremy Hoggle and Sir Rudolph Didymus.
"I don't care what anyone says, I still want to take my repellant to 'em," the wizened gardner growled, swatting the air above his head as the fairies deliberately dove at him like Kamikaze bombers, snapping their tiny jaws and teasing grins on their faces.
Sarah laughed. At first she thought it would take some time to get used to her old chums in their original forms, but she had already adapted. They were still her friends.
"I love the sound of your laughter."
The husky, accented voice near her ear drew her attention back to the man who held her close. His eyes were drinking in the sight of her smile, and desire lurked just below their crystal depths. Her heart swelled with happiness.
"You know what I love?" Sarah confided, taking the opportunity to lean close, "I mean besides your kiss?" His desire was contagious.
Her saucy comment brought a wide grin to his face, caused that one eyebrow to rise deliciously over a silver-tinged lid.
"That," she admitted, her eyes zeroing in on his mouth. "You have the most amazing smile."
Unable to resist, he dipped his head and caught her lips, relishing the small moan that came from the back of her throat. For a few moments, Jareth lost himself in the feel and taste of Sarah. Unfortunately, it threw his timing off and they bumped into another dancing couple.
"Oh, pardon us," Sarah started and then did a double take. "DAD?!"
Her father, dressed to the nines in a blue and cream brocade waistcoat and polished boots, was pressed cheek to cheek with a sassy redhead that threatened to spill out of her jade green bodice at any moment. He seemed to be happily lost against Portia's ample bosom. They looked like…well like a couple of teenagers in the throes of lust. Sarah could spot the symptoms a mile away; she was going through the exact same thing with Jareth.
"Oh hi, sweetie." Sarah was sputtering in disbelief. "You? Her? Her and you?"
Portia cocked her head and drew her father deeper into the entwined embrace. "What can I say? He has great proportions." She and her dad started giggling, sharing a private joke that Sarah was pretty sure she didn't want to ever be clued in on.
"Does this mean…you and Toby are going to stay with us?" she interrupted the two lovebirds before they could do something that would warp her for life.
Her dad's grin was answer enough.
Jareth offered his hand, which his dad shook. They smiled formally, dropped hands, and the moment of male bonding was over. Sarah and Portia rolled their eyes before sweeping their respective partners back into a light waltz. They passed Toby, who was dressed like a Goblin Prince, his short hair in stylish spikes. He was enraptured with the antics of the Fireys, who were entertaining the crowd by juggling various body parts.
"By the way. I forgot to ask you something."
"Yes?"
He placed his lips directly next to her ear. "Will you marry me?"
Sarah's head reared back in surprise, her eyebrows raised all the way to her hairline. Her legs were numb and her stomach twisted in a knot as Jareth reached into his coat pocket and withdrew a delicate gold band. A miniature crystal orb, no bigger than the base of a pin, was set in the ring. She watched silently as he slid it onto her finger, and then pressed a chaste kiss into her palm.
"Be my wife, Sarah."
And she thought tears were saved for moments of sorrow.
A thousand remarks ran through her head. Sarah briefly considered breaking down into happy sobs but quickly threw the idea out. Jareth was waiting patiently with a growing look of anxiety on his face, so she said the only thing that seemed appropriate for mixed company.
"Yes." And she let herself be swept off her feet, her arms, body, and soul wrapped in Jareth's embrace. As the news was relayed around the celebration, a cheer went up that echoed throughout the Labyrinth.
"What do we do now?" Sarah asked, overwhelmed with love.
"According to the stories…we live happily ever after."