Author`s note: Yay! I`m so excited because in this chapter we actually get to meet Jareth`s parents hehehehhehe enjoy….

Love without your heartbeat

Chapter 9

Sarah squealed as he slipped the ring on her finger. "Jareth I`m so happy" He smiled, leaning in and kissing her passionately.

"Sarah, you have just made me the happiest man in this universe. Now if I`m not mistaken, we still have a good two hours before my parents arrive, so I believe now would be an excellent time to start celebrating." Sarah arched an eyebrow.

"Celebrating? In what way?" He pressed hot kisses up her neck, until she groaned.

"Oh, I don`t know" he murmured, guiding her towards the bed.

"Jareth…" He pulled back slightly. "I don`t think…..I mean….I want to…..so badly" Jareth grinned at that last part. "But…..I think we ought to be proper about this. I mean…..we shouldn`t….right before your parents get here. And I think we should wait until after we`re married. I know this isn`t something you do down here, but up there, it`s more traditional to wait." She squirmed, waiting for him to hate her.

"Open your eyes, love" he breathed. She slowly opened her eyes to see a bemused expression on his face. As if reading her mind he said "I don`t hate you Sarah. I could never hate you. As much as I may not like it, you have made a wise decision I think. But know this…the second we get out of the wedding ceremony….I want you." Sarah nodded her head, still battling her desires down. He chuckled at her face and kissed her nose. "Now, I think my parents will be arriving soon. We best make ourselves presentable." Sarah practically leaped out of his arms running to the mirror and began furiously scrubbing at her face. She tried to fix her hair, still mussed from kissing, but it stubbornly remained unkempt. She sighed in frustration and turned to Jareth.

"Oh…look at you! Did I do that?" Jareth`s coat was on the floor, his hair equally mussed (only on him it looked good), his shirt ripped slightly. Feeling a little bit guilty, she picked his coat off the floor and helped him into it.

"Are you ready?" Sarah sucked in a breath.

"No" she answered honestly. Jareth chuckled again.

"Well that`s just too bad" He snapped his fingers, and in seconds they were in the entrance hall. A skinny little goblin waddled in.

"Announcing the King and Queen of the Underground" he called. Jareth squeezed my hand comfortingly. A strong, muscular looking man with kind eyes strode in, arm in arm with a beautiful blonde woman. They both wore circlets, and were dressed exquisitely, he in gold and she in silver. Jareth stepped forward his hand outstretched to shake his father`s hand, when the man pulled him into a bear hug.

"My son! It`s been so long!" Jareth rolled his eyes.

"Father, I just saw you last week if you`ll recall" The King`s brow furrowed.

"A week is a long time in my life! Especially when mine is close to ending!"

"Darling, don`t talk like that" the Queen said softly, patting his arm.

"Mother…."

"Jareth!" she had tears in her eyes. "It`s always lovely to see you dear. Now where is this young lady we`ve been hearing so much about?" Sarah scooted ever so slowly towards the door. Jareth whirled around and caught her arm.

"Oh no you don`t" he said, his eyes twinkling. Sarah smiled and let him lead her to his parents.

"Mother, Father, this is Sarah Williams. She and I are engaged." The Queen clapped her hands then she swatted Jareth.

"I didn`t even know you were courting! So this is the Sarah that beat the Labyrinth! My, my! Oh how brave." She nudged the King. "Harold!"

"What? What!"

"This is Sarah Williams. Jareth`s fiancée. The human girl who beat the Labyrinth" she repeated patiently.

"Oh. Right, yes, yes. Very impressive." Sarah smiled.

"Thank you very much." The Queen let out a squeal.

"Oh! This is so exciting! My son engaged at last!" she looped her arm through Sarah`s. "And between you and me it`s about time too." Sarah stifled a laugh and shot a glance at Jareth.

"What do you mean? There`s never been anyone….." The Queen shook her head.

"No. I tried. Really I did but he said they had no….imagination. I don`t know. I worried about him. But I`m not worried anymore. He has obviously opened up to you in a way that he never did to me. That`s how I know you`ll take care of him." Sarah was touched. She clasped the Queen`s hand.

"I will. I promise."

"Thank you" She turned to Jareth and his father, who were talking politics.

"So you see I just don`t think the dwarves will be willing to negotiate….." The King let out a booming laugh.

"And that`s where you`re wrong, you see the dwarves…" The Queen rolled her eyes.

"What are you men still doing here! Shoo! Shoo! Us girls need some alone time to talk wedding details. Run along! Run along!" Sarah smiled and stifled a laugh.

"Father, why don`t we adjourn to my study, and leave the ladies be"

"Excellent idea, son, excellent." They strolled off arm in arm, with the King still chattering away to Jareth about the politics of the underground. The Queen turned to Sarah

"So tell me what are your plans for the wedding?" Sarah was caught off guard.

"Ummmm. I, well…" The Queen clasped her hands together and wagged a finger at Sarah playfully.

"Now, now now Sarah! You know these things have to be planned ages in advance! I`m thinking a year….maybe two to prepare…." Sarah choked.

"A year?" The Queen patted her hand.

"Don`t you worry about a thing darling. Leave everything to me. This is going to be the biggest event in the Underground since my coronation!" Sarah was getting paler by the minute.

"Okay…" She squeaked. The Queen smiled and trotted off to the kitchens to discuss the wedding cake with Lena. Sarah slumped against the wall, her head in her hands. This was going to be a very long lunch.