Once Upon A Time

A/N: I know this took awhile, but I couldn’t really come up with ideas. I want to eventually get across that, yes, Sarah is just a child. She is still the spoiled little girl who wished her brother away, she hasn’t had time to really get over that yet.


And while she is madly in love with Jareth (who isn’t?), it is a love influenced by teenage emotions, which is why it is so deep and why she had sex with him so quickly. I mean, when you’re a teenager all your emotions are so intense; It is all intense hate, intense jealousy, intense love. She will end up growing up, eventually, not saying she will fall out of her intense emotions.


This chapter is about Sarah’s mother, Linda and how her relationship started with Robert (Sarah’s father), it also tells why she [Linda] left. I want to thank all those who review, they make me feel all fuzzy inside when I see new ones.

Chapter 4: The faults of the Mother


Linda O’Shea had always wanted to be a poet.


Words swirling in her head, tempting her to write them on paper, on her hand, on anything. Once in first grade she had written a poem in class, straight down her leg in bright purple ink, as she murmured: “Mermaids frolicking in poppy fields”, Over and over again.

She had always lived life with a passion. Knowing it was the only way to live.

So when she met Him, it was no surprise that she instantly fell in love. He had been her English teacher, she was only a sophomore; Flighty, and a dreamer if you asked her guidance counselor. He was so handsome back then, like a hero in a romance novel, only without the long hair and overabundant, bulging muscles.


She would stare at him in class, her eyes glassed over, fantasies circling in her head; Them in a small garret in Paris, eating only peanut butter and yogurt, going to the Louvre and seeing the masters, late night readings at cafe’s and bars.


Mr. Williams at first had taken it as an intelligent child, who actually paid attention in class. Of course he had noticed her, she was beautiful. Her dark hair long to her thighs, that flawless face and curvy body. Long, pale legs incased in nothing.


She wore vintage lace gowns and flower wreathes in her hair, boys her age couldn’t appreciate her uniqueness. They couldn’t appreciate her goddess like features.


Her poems were so lyrical, as though she spent her time in those shimmering, swirling worlds. He hadn’t spoken to her outside of schoolwork, he never knew how drastically that would change.

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I had been called in to Mr. Williams class after school that day to discuss my latest work. I walked in chewing my lip, a nervous habit I couldn’t break.

Mr. Williams classroom was by far the most imaginative in the school.


Mardi gras beads, drama masks, movie posters as borders along the tops of the walls. Sylvia Plath and Allen Ginsberg watched the students from their homes on the wall. M.C. Eschers ‘Relativity’ was taped to the front green board. Books on Mythology, fairy tales, the holocaust and hundreds of others sat in the tall bookcases. All the desks were painted different colors.


I tiptoed in so my Moroccan sandal’s wouldn’t smack loudly against the linoleum floor. He was bent over his book; his face lined with awe as he devoured it’s pages. I couldn’t help but stare longingly at him, I sighed in pleasure when he smiled.


His face cleared as he looked up. He grinned at me as he placed the book down.


“Miss. O’Shea.”


He gestured to the chair placed in front of his desk, I floated over. He picked up a paper and sat on the edge of his desk, in front of me. He handed me the paper; it was my latest poem, “27 Names for Tears.”


‘Dewdrop, Liquid Woe, Salt Crystal, Spirit Wash.’


“What was the assignment?” He asked gently, “To write a short story in first person.” He nodded. “This isn’t a story.” I sucked my bottom lip into my mouth, his eyes followed it, “Well it is in first person, and it’s a narrative.”

“But I didn’t ask for a narrative.”


I shrugged, “It is from the girls point of view, so she thinks in poetry. So in a way, Mr. Williams, it is a story. About the girl at her mothers funeral.” He smiled at my logic, “Robert. Call me Robert.”


I looked down, blushing, his scent engulfed me: Laundry detergent, chapstick, clean sweat and coffee. I wanted to burrow into his chest and take his scent into my pores, let it entwine itself into my being.


“All right, Linda.” I looked up, wishing my hair hid my hopeful eyes. “I will let you get away with your narrative this time, but not again.” I nodded shyly. He took my paper and put it down, then smiled largely. At me. My heart fluttered uncontrollably.


His teeth pearled at me from under thin lips. “There’s a reading tonight,” He started, I stared in confusion. “Uhm, at The Victorian. They are allowing amateur poets a chance to do readings. I will be there, I thought you might be interested.” I nodded, dazed.


---------------


That night she had wished with everything in her tiny body, that he would want her. That he would become desperately in love with her. She promised to give up anything if she could have him for awhile. Her way with words, her life, everything. If only she could have him.


Too bad she didn’t know who was listening.

-----------------


He had come to the reading, his eyes tenderly intoxicating as they devoured me standing on stage, reading. The Victorian was a gathering of beat-nicks, actors and goths, bopping their heads, guzzling coffee and snapping their fingers.

After I finished he waved me over, “That was amazing, I always thought you should read in front of others. Share your work.” The tips of my ears burned. My face flushing pink, I cursed my pale skin; which darkened so easily.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me with him, his palm was soft and dry; cool. That night we roamed around the city, haunting the parks, the water fountains and carousals. We lay on the grass renaming the stars.


Soda bottle.


Gila monster.


Nessie.


Mab.


He rolled onto his side, looking me over, I fastened my gaze up on the polished sky, unable to look at him, his hand crept over to rest on my stomach, rubbing in circles. He moved closer, his lips against my ear, whispering, “I want you so bad, but I know shouldn’t,” He rubbed his face against my neck, the whiskers scratching delicately; continuing, “We can’t do this.”


I closed my eyes, chewing my bottom lip, “Why not?” I whispered.


His lips moved against the skin of my neck, I turned my head, our lips fused together, tongues probing and pressing and swirling and I was in heaven.

--------------

Class was so awkward now, he stood at the front of the class avoiding my eyes or not looking at me at all. When school ended I would go to his class under the pretense of studying.


Instead of meeting him at school, today he had asked me to come to his house.


I stood in front of the white door, straightening my dress and brushing my hair behind my ear.

He lived in a typical neighborhood, not like I would have expected from him. I knocked nervously, the door jerked open quickly, a hand popped put and pulled me in. I was jerked up against a muscular body, lips landing on mine.


Shivers going up and down my spine, he dumped me on his couch, breathing heavily, “God your beautiful.” I opened my arms, holding them out to him. He laid himself on me, gently rubbing the tip of his nose against mine, his breath warm on my lips.

Our kisses were deep and heartfelt, I felt loved, wonderful.

“I love you.” I whispered softly.


He froze on top of me, pushing himself up on his elbows, his eyes wide and confused. He rolled off me, “You should go.” I couldn’t breathe.


Oh god. Oh god.


“Why?” I whispered, I thought he wanted me. He turned his back to me, shuffling papers on his desk, “I have grading to do, and you have that paper due date coming up.” Jumping off the couch and throwing the door open, I ran home.


Perhaps I was flighty. To unrealistic.

When I reached my home I heard arguing, my parents where at it again, I didn’t want to go in; I would probably hear them say they wished they had never met, never had me.


Where could I go, what could I do?


I ended up at The Victorian, it wasn’t so magical any more, full of college students and their whiskery, bourbon drinking professors, with goths in their full black garb; writing how the world is a misconception perpetrated by outlandish longings.

A boy was playing bongos in a melancholy tone upon the stage, his deep, soulful eyes devouring me the moment I stepped in. The beat picked up, pounding, coursing. I sat on one of the couches in the back, watching him. Desperately trying to fasten on to something real.

Abruptly he finished, handing the bongos to a friend, he walked directly towards me and sat on the couch, his thigh tight against mine. He leaned into me, “You’re gorgeous.” He murmured, our eyes caught, his face just shadows to me; my mind on Robert.

“I’m Erin.”


“Linda.” I whispered, what did anything matter anymore? After all, Robert didn’t love me.


Nothing mattered.


“You want to get out of here.”
I nodded, he grabbed my hand and led me to the parking lot, he opened the door to his car and I scooted inside. He sat next to me and I knew what he wanted, his hands cupped my face his lips captured mine; I had only ever kissed Robert, so my movements were a bit awkward. After breaking for air we both scrambled into the back seat.


His hands moved against me, pressing to the mounds of my breast , our lips groping each other. He ground his hips hard against mine, I could feel his desire; I arched against him, offering my neck, his teeth nibbling my earlobe, his chest pressing into mine. “Erin.” I groaned, as he moved rhythmically against me.

He pushed my dress to my neck, sucking on my breast, pulling my panties down with one hand and pushing his own bottoms down with the other. “Do you have a co....” I started, he fastened his lips to mine, interrupting me, “We don’t need one baby, you’ll be fine.”


No, no this was wrong, I didn’t want to lose my virginity in the back of a car, to a guy who’s name I just learned.


“Wait,” He covered my lips with his own again, pushing his hand in between my legs, as he grasped his penis pushing it in circles against my clitoris, making me wet.


God, I was in trouble, this had to stop, I didn’t want this to happen.


I tried to wiggle away, but he liked that, groaning and pushing against me harder, all of a sudden the door cushioning my head pulled open and arms grabbed me from Erin.


“GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM HER!”


A familiar voice shouted loudly in my ear. ‘Robert!’ My thoughts sung. Erin glared at the man who was much to young to be my father (being in his early twenties), while pushing himself back into his pants.

“This is none of your business, she and I were just having fun.”


Robert sneered, “I know for a fact she wouldn’t be screwing around with you.” He said as he fixed my dress roughly, “She was doing this of her own free will.” Erin gloated, nodding his head toward the café, “Lets go back inside, Linda.” He said, taking his eyes from Robert and looking at my blushing form.


Robert looked at me, disbelieving Erin’s words, “Why would you be with this guy, Linda?” He asked softly.


I wanted to cry, he had told me to leave, he hadn’t wanted me anymore.


“I met Erin inside.” I said by way of explanation.


Robert jerked me toward him, “We are going back to my place.”


Erin’s eyes widened in understanding, as his gaze moved between Robert and I. Robert dragged me to his car and unlocked it, pushing me inside.


---------------

Robert didn’t talk to me until we were inside his house, I could feel waves of anger rolling off him.


“So this is how you are going to get back at me? Letting some random guy fuck you in the back of a car? What the hell were you thinking Linda?” He had never spoke so crassly before, not to me. I looked down, fiddling with the bottoms of my long hair, I glared up at him in sudden confidence, “You didn’t want me anymore.” I accused.


His mouth opened in disbelieve, as he shook his head at me. “I never said I didn’t want you anymore, Linda.” I prayed my eyes didn’t show the hope I was feeling too blatantly. He pulled me toward him, “You didn’t let him did you? I stopped you before he...” I nodded, blushing. He leaned down, pressing his lips against my own, they pushed and prodded, devouring mine as he pulled me down upon his chaise.


---------------

6 Month’s later

It kicked again as I lay on my back, reading, “The Complete Collection of Brothers Grimm” I giggled at the motion and placed my hand on my swollen stomach, “Calm down baby.” I whispered.


Hearing a soft knock on the front door, I slid to the side of my bed and waddled to my own door. I placed my ear to the door, listening, “GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!” I heard my mother yell, “Look, I just wanted to see her.”


Robert!


I flung open my door and rushed out as quickly as my oversized body would allow. Mom stood, holding the door open, seething, her face purple. Robert had a large bunch of sunflowers in his arms, his face desperately looking past my mother for me. I grinned largely and placed my hand upon my belly,


‘Daddy’s come to see us!’ I tried to share the thought with my baby.


“Haven’t you done enough? What, older women wouldn’t give it to you so you decided to stick it in some kid?” My mother snapped, I gasped in anger.


“Mom! Leave him alone.” God, didn’t she understand we loved each other? I pushed past her and smiled at Robert, she slunk away, grumbling, “Your lucky we’re not pressing charges.” Robert paled at that, I stretched my hand out to comfort him, “She’s just saying that.”


He grinned and wrapped his arms around me, than went down, eye-level with my bulging tummy his hand stroked as he whispered in awe, “Hi baby.” It kicked in response and he laughed in joy. Then his face sobered as he looked up at me, “I wanted to talk to you,” He looked back where my mom was parked in front of the television, “Without someone listening.”

He pulled me out the door, then pressed his lips to mine, I sighed eagerly wrapping my arms around his neck. He pulled back, “I really wanted to talk Linda.” He said smirking, I nodded and pressed my lips to his urgently. He pulled back again, “Really.” I nodded and bit my lip, wanting him to kiss me, “I want our baby to be born with my last name.” He said.


I nodded again, then my eyes widened in understanding, “Your sixteen now,” he started, referring to my birthday, which had just passed. “You don’t have to ask your parents permission.” I stopped him with my mouth and whispered, “I want to.” He grinned.


-------------

‘His apartment will be small with all three of us living there.’ I thought while rubbing my stomach, it had been a quick wedding and my parents hadn’t even shown up.

My eyebrows were knit in worry as Robert searched through the want ad’s. The school had fired him when they found that he had gotten me pregnant. I kissed his ear encouragingly and he looked up.


Bags plumped under his eyes, his face was a wan grey color, “I have a job interview, in a little bit. I have to get ready.” He said, rubbing his hand along his face and sighing tiredly. He got up and left the room, closing the door. I pushed my hair behind my ear in agitation, I was too pregnant to work and still in school. “I wish there was something I could do.” I whispered.


“It seems to me that your wishes are made too lightly.” A voice whispered behind me. I whipped around about to scream loudly, but I had no voice. It had stopped in my throat, I grasped at my neck in desperation, looking at the man who sat ever so comfortably upon our worn couch.


His hair was the purest sunlight I had ever seen, golden streaks raining through it. It lay in fluffy disarray down to his shoulders. His skin was like white sand on a beach, smooth, pale and unblemished. His eyebrows were swept up in pointing wings, his eyes...


Blue and brown, how strange.


One pupil was dilated, I shivered in surprise. His pink lips compressed in a hard line at my reaction, those strange eyes darting to my plump abdomen. “Your wish has been granted of course,” He said, standing gracefully. My head jerked to the side at a high pitched giggle and the snap of a closing drawer. “What was that?” My voice sounded hysterical.

“The goblins.” He said, “I try to discourage them from coming, but they never listen.” He raised an eyebrow and heaved a long suffering sigh. He began to walk around the room, picking up this cup or that book on his way. “Now to get on to my payment.” My breath came in heavy spurts, “What are you talking about? Who are you?”


He grinned, his pointy eyeteeth winking at me, sweeping hie shining cloak aside, he gave a deep bow. “I am called the Goblin King, the Creator, High King, or Jareth. But as a mere mortal, you will address me as His Majesty.”


He insolently waved a gloved hand in the air, a leather bound, scarlet book appearing in his palm. He held it out to me, his eyes twinkling maliciously. “A gift. For the child.” I reached out, brushing my fingers against the gold lettering, “Labyrinth,” I whispered, “What is this?”


“Part of your wish.” His eyes were fastened upon my stomach, I rested a hand over it protectively. “Your wish to help your husband. Your wish to have your husband.” I raised my eyebrow in suspicion, “Why are you helping me?”


He ignored me blatantly, “Your husband will be receiving a call from a ‘Harvard University’ in an hour or so, offering a career in literature. This should fulfill your wish.” My heart lept in joy, this would solve so much. Robert would be so happy to work at Harvard! “Of course, the payment I mentioned is needed for this to occur.” I nodded my head, “Anything, I’ll do anything.”


He pointed to the coffee table Robert and I had retrieved from the curb of someone’s home, on it was a yellowing parchment and feather quill. Numerous signatures were written in different hands. “Sign your name and it will be done.” My hands shaking I picked up the quill and in a looping hand, I signed it.


He began rolling quickly, almost nonchalantly he said, “When she is ten you will leave her and the father. All contact between you will be forbidden, I will send artifacts to you as gifts for the child. That book is the first present. You must leave within seventy-two hours after her tenth birthday. Tell no-one this, or I will take away everything. I have reason to believe your daughter is someone I knew.”


The shock set quickly into my bones, “NO!” I screamed, but he was gone. With no sign that he had been there, except for the red book. Robert came in, taking a look at my horrified face he ran over to me, holding me in his arms. “What’s wrong?” He said desperately.


When the phone started ringing, I began to sob in fear.

A/N: This is the first part in this chapter, the next will take awhile. Read and Review!!