*- this is part 3 of "In My Sister's Place"

Two years. That was how long had passed since you and Jareth had confessed your love for one another. You had chosen to remain in your world until Sarah and Toby were just a little older. Jareth, while upset, understood and agreed to wait for you for a little while longer. You didn't give him an actual timeline, telling him he would know when you were ready.

Jareth, for his part, visited you as often as possible along with a few goblins. He could never stay too long as the Aboveground made his powers slightly weaker. He was needed in the Underground with his people. Jareth told you he brought them because they begged, but you were sure it was because he wanted you to get used to each other as you soon would be, in his words, their queen. Sometimes, when Jareth was feeling generous, the little goblins would visit on their own. That was how you got the idea to at least try to surprise Jareth.

During a visit with the goblins and Hoggle, they told you that Jareth was planning a ball to celebrate some milestone or other(you'd forgotten what exactly). That was when you got your idea. You were going to the ball without Jareth knowing. Or at least that's what you hoped to do. You weren't sure how you could without using his magic, but you'd decided that it was time to finally join him in his realm. After all two years for you was probably a lifetime for the Goblin King and you knew he missed you as much as you missed him.

As you prepared yourself for the night to come, memories of your time in the Labyrinth flooded your mind. You still got shivers whenever you thought about how Jareth had held you that day in the ballroom. A hundred years could pass and you probably would never forget it. Luckily, you would soon be in his arms every day.

The night of the ball, a few of the younger goblins had managed to convince Jareth to let them visit you. When the magic took them back was when you would join them and, hopefully, surprise your love. Your stomach was in knots as you waited. Would Jareth be angry? Or would he welcome you with open arms? You were still unsure about the whole "being destined for a Fae" thing. Shaking off your insecurities, you took the hand of one of the goblins as they began fading from the room.

When you looked around once more, you were in the castle you'd left behind so long ago with your mask held in your free hand. The goblins motioned for you to put the mask on before leading you to the ballroom. When you entered, you were easily able to spot Jareth. After all, he stood taller than most of the goblins and the few others there. Fae you assumed, did not share his unique personal style.

As if your presence called to him, Jareth turned his head slightly. His gaze found yours and you swore his entire face lit up. He didn't even offer an apology as he left his current conversation and made his way over to you. You giggled to yourself when he approached. "Do my eyes deceive me or has my vision truly been blessed tonight, my love?"

"What was the point of wearing a mask?" you asked out loud. Jareth laughed. "Mask or no, no one can come close to your beauty. You are more radiant than any diamond." You felt yourself flush at his words. "May I have this dance?" he asked, offering his hand. You took it and let him pull you close. A happy sigh escaped you.

"I missed you," you confessed. Jareth held you even closer. "And I you. Have you come to stay?" he asked, his voice full of hope. You smiled at him. "I have. If you still want me to." He leaned in and pressed a kiss to your forehead. "A thousand lifetimes could come and go and I will always wish for you to be by my side, my queen."

Words faded while you and Jareth circled the floor of the ballroom, his steps confidently leading your not-always-graceful ones. Between dances, Jareth introduced you to the other Fae and some goblins you had not met. You had been worried the others of his kind wouldn't like you, but they were surprisingly kind to you. All Fae took the meeting of mates very seriously.

The ball lasted several hours, but despite your sore feet, you couldn't wipe the smile off your face. You felt like you were where you belonged. In Jareth's arms. As the ball began winding down, sleep seeped into your bones. "Tired, precious?" Jareth whispered in your ear as you bid goodnight to the last of the guests. You shook your head as a yawn tried to force its way out of your mouth.

"You need rest." You shook your head again and clung to him. "You need not worry, Y/N. I will not go far and we have, after all, all the time in this world and the next to be together." You didn't argue and let Jareth lead you from the ballroom to the room you assumed would be yours. When he tried to leave, you gently grabbed his arm. "Stay?" He beamed at you and nodded. "Very well. If it means you will sleep." He tapped your nose before you walked over to the bed. You didn't care that you were still in your gown. You just wanted sleep and Jareth.

Jareth did care, however, knowing that you would not be comfortable. So he helped you find something suitable to wear(turning away when you changed) and changed his own clothes before joining you in the bed. As you snuggled close to him you were happier than you'd ever been.