AN: I OWN NOTHING OF THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS FRANCHISE!!!!

Chapter One: A Long-Awaited Relationship

Jack and Sally had helped save Christmas for the time being, but now they had to settle for organizing their own lives after the fiasco that was Jack's Christmas. Jack had found the something in his bones that was missing, and he couldn't be happier with Sally. Sally herself still lived with Dr. Finklestein, who know considers Sally his daughter and not his creation, and her new 'step-mother' Jewel. Sandy Claws had gone back to Christmas Town with the promise that he would return soon to the insane asylum that is Halloween Town. Lock, Shock, and Barrel, now that there was no Oogie Boogie to serve, had turned to live in the town, under the conditions that they not torture anymore holiday figures.

Jack and Sally had begun their long-awaited for relationship and were enjoying every minute that they had together. Jack had waited until Halloween night the very next year to ask Sally to marry him. Sally had accepted his offer knowing that every other female in Halloween Town would happily kill to be asked for their hands by the Jack Skellington. They had since set the date for their unification into their lives together as a married couple. They had chosen Christmas Eve for their wedding; what better day than Christmas Eve? Now it was only three days until the wedding.

Sally looked into the cracked mirror on the crooked vanity table before her as she brushed through her long, flowing, red hair. Her dark brown eyes seemed to sparkle with a happiness that had only just seemed to shine after she had met Jack. She set her brush down and reached for her single, black ribbon that hung from a corner on the mirror. She carefully tied her hair back, a single lock falling along the side of her cheek. She took the red lip-stick next and carefully painted her lips, her eyes following the movements of her hand in the mirror. Next, she took the single sewing pin from the vanity and touched up any of her loose stitches. She was just about finished when a cry from the floor below caused her to jump.

"Sally!" Dr. Finklestein called. She could hear as the wheels of his chair creaking slightly as he was pushed up the long, twisted, ramp, most likely by Jewel. She stood and straightened her patch-work dress as he entered her room.

"Yes?" She asked in her sweet voice that sounded nothing like a normal Halloween Town maiden voice. The doctor sported his usual attire and toothy scowl. Jewel gave Sally a small smile that Sally returned.

"Jack is here to see you." The doctor explained in a growling voice. He didn't much approve of the relationship. Not on behalf of Sally, but Jack. He thought that he deserved better, better than his creation at least. Even he had to admit though, after seeing Jewel, that love can work in abrupt and mysterious ways. Sally tried not to look excited at this news. She waited until the doctor and Jewel left before she quickly tucked away her belongings on her vanity into her drawers. She could hear Jack's footsteps as he climbed the stairs up to her bedroom in a tower of the mansion. She turned to face the door quickly as Jack opened it. He entered smiling and carrying a bouquet of black roses. Sally smiled and accepted the flowers, taking a breath of their aroma; they smelt of blackberry and vanilla. She set them aside on the dresser. Jack took a step forward and reached out and took her small hands into his bony ones. Sally gratefully drew herself into his long, skinny, arms.

"I've missed you Sally, a month is entirely too long to be apart." Jack told her as he took in the familiar scent of her hair. Sally smiled into his chest.

"I've missed you too Jack." She admitted to him, burying her head in his bony chest. 'More than he could know.' She added in thought.

"It's just one more sign that we're simply meant to be." He told her fondly as he remembered their first kiss together on that Christmas night not so long ago atop Spiral Hill.

"Jack, I've been wondering…. What if our wedding night turns out to be like last Christmas? What if it turns out all wrong?" Jack pulled her closer in their embrace and held her tightly.

"Sally, I won't let anything like that happen ever again; especially not to you. Besides, Sandy will be there." Sally hoped he was right.