Meant To Be

by NintendoGal55

AzureNintendo. Sequel to "Pumpkin Petals". After Jack and Sally finally get together after the fiasco of Christmas, they share their lives together through their loving courtship, and even more. They're simply meant to be. T for mild sexual content.

1. Valentine's Day Part 1

NintendoGal55: Here it is, folks! The first chapter of our lovely little sequel to Pumpkin Petals! :D We'd love to thank all of our reviewers for their wonderful support and enthusiasm for the story!

So, this story will follow Jack and Sally's courtship at different intervals, and of course some other elements, too. ;)

Azure129: YAY, SEQUEL :D Omg, seriously, we had such fun with this and if you like just awkwardness and adorableness then I think you guys will like this story ;) Please R&R! Love you guys!

An extra note, because this chapter became WAY too long, I split it into two parts. :) This is part one! Part two will be here soon.

We do not own the characters. Tim Burton, the master himself, owns it all.

The song I Want Love is from Silent Hill 3. Lyrics and song belong to composer Akira Yamaoka and writer Joe Romersa.

XXX

Time passed, as it usually did, between Halloweens in Halloween Town...Only now the townspeople had other Holidays by which to judge their time. Yes, after that whole 'Christmas nightmare' Santa and Jack had made a point of visiting all of the other holidays and their leaders to get everyone acquainted with everyone else and everyone else's traditions. So now time could be judged by those other holidays as well. So Christmas, naturally was done...

And a month or so had passed, and now it was actually time for the next holiday: Valentine's Day. And just like with Christmas (though not NEARLY as insanely or dangerously), Halloween Town had decided to celebrate a little. And so now it was Valentine's morning and...if there was one person in the town more than eager to be up and celebrating...it was Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King. And he had been up for hours, while a certain someone else in his house slept peacefully, bringing every power of his to bear to make this first holiday since their love had begun the most perfect day of the year.

So on that lovely morning, it wasn't long before Sally was soon roused from her peaceful slumber. Just as promised, she was given her own room, which was done up pretty nice! For a rag doll living in Halloween Town, of course. She had a brand-new sewing machine, which Jack had given her after she'd moved in, much to her delight. Along with that she had boxes and hangers of all kinds of fabrics and patterns to make clothes and other things with, a bookshelf for her books, a desk to write on and sketch any new designs she had, and a cute little chair by the window where she could look out while reading.

Life was wonderful for her here.

Now it was Valentine's Day, the Holiday dedicated to love. That was the first thought that entered her mind when she awoke.

The second...was that she had slept in. Slept in? Her screaming alarm clock didn't even go off! Why didn't Jack wake her up?

Sally got out of her bed, and smoothed her white nightgown. She still wore her original patchwork dress, which just worked for her fine, but she made herself some new clothes for special occasions. This lovely nightgown was one of them.

Taking a spidery black robe, she put it on over herself, and exited her room, looking for Jack.

"Jack? ...Jack, hello? Where are you?"

Jack, hearing her voice calling his name, quickly scrambled to put the finishing touches on everything he could think of. And then he instantly dashed out of the kitchen, a large, covered silver tray in one hand and a fresh black rose in his other hand, and a pink and white apron over his usual dapper suit. "Ah-ah-ah..." he shook his skull, his smile beaming, "You get right back into your room, my lovely Sally. You'll spoil all my plans if you don't...You should know that." He chuckled and then gently began to nudge her back in the direction of her doorway as best he could. "Unless you forgot what day it is...I hope you didn't, Sally..." he added with a small grin and meaningful gaze at her.

"Oh..." Sally's eyes widened, and she giggled. "I didn't forget, Jack...of course not. I just...didn't think you'd let me sleep in like that. I was a little puzzled." She smiled and headed back toward her room, with Zero following at her heels.

Jack just chuckled more. He paused for a moment at her doorway and glanced down shyly, and then after a breath he managed to take a few steps inside. Sally had been living with him for a couple of months now in this little room and even though he was more than used to her lovely presence...he considered her room her private space and always felt a little...shy about the idea of entering it...But just for today at least he felt it was more than called for for him to take a few steps inside. She sat down on the edge of her bed and Jack approached and then gently placed the silver tray in her lap. "I let you sleep in because I needed time to cook you a lovey romantic breakfast for you to eat in bed...Oh and also to find and pick you this..."He next gently placed the black rose into her hands. "A frightfully beautiful rose for a frightfully beautiful girl..." He winked at her and then stood up straight, smiling brightly. "And Sally, also, is that robe new? It's splendid. You're so talented, my darling..." He looked at her lovingly, clasping his hands together over his heart.

"Oh, Jack...this is..." Sally couldn't even finish her sentence as she beamed up at him. "Thank you so much, Jack. This is wonderful..." She smelled the rose, and then then indicated her robe. "Oh, yes...I just finished making it yesterday... I'm glad you like it, Jack..."

"I adore it, my love. It's positively dreadfully delightful..." He chuckled a little. "And you're welcome, Sally. But after all this IS our first Valentine's Day together and the first one for our town in general...Of course I wanted to do something special. And I have our whole day planned. You'll eat your lovely breakfast, you'll get dressed and then we'll spend the whole day together...We'll do whatever you like and we'll end the day by visiting Spiral Hill. Just you and I..." He gazed down at her as warmly and lovingly as anyone ever could gaze at anyone else.

Sally giggled and clapped her hands a little like an excited child. "That sounds wonderful, Jack... Valentine's Day sounds just so sweet! I'd love nothing more than to spend this day with you like this..."

"Perfect!" Jack smiled in delight and then took a step back. "Now, you eat and enjoy your rose and get dressed and I'll just be waiting for you. I'll miss you, my Sweet Sally..." He winked at her, stepping back out of the room and holding onto the door to close it.

"Oh Jack..." Sally giggled and smiled more, waving her little hand. "I'll miss you too...I won't be long, I promise..."

His smile grew. "I know...I'll see you in a little while, my spooky Valentine..." He blew her a little kiss and then let her door shut behind him. For a moment he just rested with his back against the door and let out a blissful sigh, closing his eyes. 'I love her...so much...' He chuckled a little to himself and then opened his eyes and raced off through the house again, taking off the apron finall as he prepared to clean up a little and to prepare for their outing today.

Sally happily ate at her breakfast, which was absolutely delicious. She helped with most of the cooking, but on his own, he was an excellent cook. She always enjoyed what he'd prepare. It never failed to make her feel special that he would go to all this trouble just to make her smile.

After all, she loved to do the same. She was just amazed at how easy he was to please! Any little thing she did just made him burst with happiness! It was adorable. She loved being able to make him smile, too.

After she finished eating, and placed the lovely black rose into a vase with some water, Sally got dressed. She put on a bright red dress which still contained patchwork along the skirt, brushed her hair, and made sure her stitches were nice and strong. She put on her socks, and then her shoes, before taking a small spider, heart and pumpkin necklace, and placed it on around her neck.

Taking one more look at herself in the mirror, Sally left her room and came out into the hall. "Jack? Jack, I'm ready now. Where are you?"

"Hmm mmm..." Jack cleared his throat a little to bring attention to himself as he slipped out of his own room door. He glanced down with a modest smile. He was waring his usual style of suit but this one had some red mixed in with the black. In addition, his usual little bat bowtie was replaced by a black heart one. "I-I'm right here, Sally..." He glanced up at her. And then for a moment his eye sockets went totally wide and he gulped. "W-Wow...you look...beautiful, S-Sally..." He just continued looking at her with such fascination.

"Oh...well I...thank you..." Sally rubbed her arm a bit, giggling. She took a better look at him, and was in awe at how different, but so nice he looked! "You look very nice, Jack..."

Jack blinked and swallowed again...then a bashful litlte smile came to his face. "Um...th-thank you, Sally..." He took a few steps over toward her. "So...shall we go then?" He held out his arm for her to take and hold on to.

"Yes, let's go!" Sally grinned, looking as if her mouth stitches were threatening to burst. She took his arm, and sighed happily. Valentine's Day was already looking to be a wonderful day.

Jack's skull grin went about as wide as could be as well. He nodded. "Alright then, my darling." He led her eagerly over to the staircase and then down it and out their front door. He shut it behind them and directed her down the drive in front of their house to the front gate, but paused before exiting through that.

"Before we go..." he smiled and turned her around to face the outside of their house, "What do you think, Sally? I had Lock, Shock and Barrel help me with it..."

The entire observatory house was covered in streamers and ribbons of pink and red with a large "J+S" written with some of the darkest red ribbon.

"Oh!" Sally exclaimed in surprise, bringing her hand to her mouth. She stared with wide eyes, amazed at the entire look of it. "Oh my! Jack...this is...this is lovely... I can't believe you all did this! It's so sweet..." She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, Jack..."

Jack's grin picked up very considerably on one side (specifically on the side of his skull which she had kissed). "U-Um...I'm happy you like it." He chuckled goofily a little. From behind some crumbled stone wall, Lock, Shock and Barrel peeped out and giggled to themselves at the sight of the happy couple. Jack glanced at them and gave them a grateful grin and a wink and thumbs up. They disappeared again. He turned to Sally, still in a bit of a daze. "So, um...where to to start our day, Saly?" he asked lightly.

"Oh..well...why don't we take a walk through town, and go to the witches' shop? They said they're having a special on Valentine treats that they wanted everyone to try." Sally suggested.

Jack smile more. "That sounds lovely, Sally. Let's go and get started. We only have this one day per year for Valentine's day, after all." He winked at her and began to lead her through the gate.

"Yes, of course... It's still quite amazing, how a day is dedicated to love like this..." Sally giggled. "I can hardly wait to see it all!"

Jack just sighed and leaned against her a little as they walked on. "Yes, a whole day...all about love..." He smiled to himself and did his best not to chuckle as he added. "Huh, I'm surprised I didn't pick THIS holiday to try and steal instead of Christmas..." He almost broke into laughter as he added with a little shrug, glancing at her, "Well there's always next year, I suppose." He winked.

Sally blinked at this and even laughed a little bit. "That...that would certainly be a different ordeal altogether! I might not even know what I would do!"

"Oh, well...I'd probably have this town painting itself pink and making boxes of scary chocolates, and then I would ask Santa for a ride to earth and try to shoot people with love arrows I stole from Cupid...and as for you..Hmm...well, you would probably know better than me, as usual, and realize that chocolates shouldn't be filled with spiders and slime and then you would find another perfect way to fix the mess my enthusiasm had made...and then you would pick a flower on a hill...and I would shyly ask to sit beside you...gaze into the stars...because we were meant to be...my sweet Sally..." He was smiling dreamily now and he pulled her all the closer as they walked, lost in a memory for a moment.

This made Sally think for a moment, and giggle at the idea of what could've happen if Jack had tried to steal Valentine's Day, just visualizing all the craziness that would've ensued. Even to steal Cupid's love arrows! How hilarious that would be, even though wrong. "Oh Jack..." She murmured as she too was lost in the sweet memory of last Christmas, when she had gone up to Spiral Hill with her little flower, and he had followed her and expressed his own affections for her...it was a memory she would forever keep close to her heart. "Then I suppose I would have happily accepted that...and then share some chocolates, and...make those...Valentine things...?" Her curiosity and dreamy smile were combining into one by now, neither one fighting to overpower the other.

Jack nodded, his eyes closing a little in happiness. "Yes...and then I would ask you to be my Valentine...and I would hope that you would say yes..." he gave a small goofy little chuckle, "And then we would go back to our house...and then I would put one arm around you...and gently hold your head and hair with the other...and look into your lovely eyes..." He snuggled his chin against her head a little...his lovely, lovely, lovely Sally..."

"I'll be your Valentine, Jack...I'd always be your Valentine." Sally cooed sweetly, giggling as she leaned closer to him too.

"Look! It's Jack and Sally, the mushy saps!" Came a childish shout from nearby.

Childish laughter was heard. "I told you they'd be making googly eyes the minute they came outside! You owe me five bucks!"

"Oh hush! Let 'em be all mushy!"

Jack stopped walking, as did Sally, and he blinked and instantly snapped back to reality and OUT of the sort of memory/daydream/'possible plan of action for right here and now' about kind of taking and holding and kissing Sally. He took in a sharp breath and swallowed and cleared his throat, stuttering at first in surprise. "I-I, um...heh..." He grinned. It was taking him a second to get it together.

"...You can come out now." Sally said to what looked like the air.

"Awww...and we were TRYING to be stealthy!" Pouted Lock as he, Shock and Barrel emerged from behind a row of trashcans.

"You're about as stealthy as a blue pumpkin in the pumpkin patch!" Shock stuck her tongue out.

"That doesn't even make sense!" Lock groaned.

Jack, finally okay again, closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh, then he opened his eyes again and addressed the children with a smile. "Children...now, I'm glad you're having a fun Valentine's day and thank you again for helping me decorate my house...but if you please, Miss Sally and I would like to finish our walk...'alone'..."

The three children just giggled to each other though and didn't make a move to depart.

They were still giggling and making little jokes and teasing gestures, and Jack, meanwhile, just sighed and was seriously considering clearing this throat and pulling out one of his very scary faces to frighten the children into order…but still it was Valentine's Day and he didn't want to bring scariness into this if he didn't have to. Then he smiled at a small, kind of cute idea. "Well, boys…" he went over to Barrel and Lock and put a hand on either one of their shoulders, "In the middle of all this teasing of me and Miss Sally I hope at least one of you found time to get Shock something for Valentine's Day. She is a young lady after all. Unless of course…" he straightened up and crossed his arms over his chest, "…you three are always teasing Miss Sally and I so that you can avoid the idea of maybe ending up just like us one day." He smiled down at the three children.

Shock's eyes widened and she blushed a bit, feeling appreciative of his compliment about the fact that she was a young lady. Going along with it, she turned to her companions, hands on her hips. "Hey, yeah...how about that? You're both guys and I'm a girl, so gimme some chocolate!"

"As if!" Lock gagged, holding his throat. "I don't want to end up like that! Ewwwww!"

Sally giggled. "You know children, he's quite right. There's no reason you can't make Shock feel special. She is your friend, isn't she? Don't you want to make her happy?"

"...Well...um..." Lock rubbed the back of his neck, while Barrel just snickered.

Jack smiled a little more at the children, finding this whole thing rather adorable now. "Yes, it's always nice to make friends happy...and especially lady friends. And as for 'ending up like us', you know, it really isn't so bad, boys..." he held Sally's had a little more tightly, "...It's just...one of those things that you usually don't know you wanted until you have it. And besides, when Miss Sally and I act all 'mushy' together..." he rolled his eyes at the cute, immature phrasing, "...it actually makes both of us feel very nice...and I really do enjoy her sweet company so much." He turned to look at her. "Happy Valentine's Day, my darling." He gave her a small kiss on the cheek and then let out a breath and spoke again to the children, though he didn't take his eye sockets off of Sally. "You see...nothing to be afraid of." He chuckled a little to himself.

Sally giggled, kissing him on the cheek as well. "Happy Valentine's Day, darling..."

"Ewww! Are you gonna do that all day?" Lock made a face again.

"Why no. We're only going to spend the entire day telling each other how much we love one another..." Sally said half-jokingly, and batted her eyelashes at her lover.

Shock giggled. "Well boys, ya know...I sure wouldn't mind feeling special, too!"

Lock blinked and rubbed the back of his neck again. "W-Well what do you want US to do about it? Tell you you're pretty and junk and start giving you kisses?

Barrel crossed his arms over his chest. "Yeah, and next you'll be wanting one of us to start 'wuving' you too?" He batted his eyelashes sarcastically and chuckled.

"Hmph!" Shock crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, I never! You two are pathetic little jerks! At least Jack knows how to be romantic like a real gentleman!" She giggled and smiled over at Jack, something in her eyes flashing just a touch fangirl-ish for a moment.

Jack blinked but then smiled at the cute little compliment and nodded at her in return. "Thank you, Shock. I can't take all the credit though—Sally helped give me a lot of practice at being romantic and a gentleman." He held her a little more closely.

"Jack, you were always such a gentleman." Sally pointed out, smiling. "Even before...I came along."

"AHA! You see? Geez, I hardly ask you pathetic jerks for much!" Shock stuck her tongue out. "I just want to be appreciated for what I do!"

"I don't think that's too much to ask, boys." Sally said in a mild scolding tone. "There's nothing wrong with telling a good friend how much you appreciate them."

Jack nodded in agreement with Sally. "Yes, nothing wrong with at least one little display of affection...and especially today. After all, it IS Valentine's Day...A day of togetherness and warmth and passion and love and-"

"Oh for crying out loud, enough already, you're going to make us puke!" Lock suddenly cried out with a cringe! "Look, fine, here, if it'll shut you up…" He let out a breath and turned to Shock with a weak scowl. "Shock, you…a-are…not the most ANNOYING girl on the planet…"

"Yeah…" mumbled Barrel, joining in with an eyeroll but speaking with a touch of sincerity nonetheless, "And I guess looking at you doesn't make us want to puke ALL the time!"

Lock scowled at Barrel. "Barrel, that was lame!"

Barrel scowled right back at him. "YOU'RE lame!"

"Yeah, well, she still probably liked MY compliment better!"

"Did not! You can't do anything right—how the heck do you think you can pull off making a girl happy?"

"Oh that's it!"

"Bring it on!"

Suddenly the boys were in a mini fistfight over her!

"Oh come on!" Shock groaned, palming her face.

"Boys!"

Lock and Barrel, now holding each other's collars with their fists in the air, both looked at Sally in completely surprise. The soft-spoken rag doll had NEVER raised her voice. Shock was even pretty...well, shocked.

"That is no way to behave, especially not on Valentine's Day. It's not a competition either, how can you think that? Love of any kind comes from your heart." Sally said more calmly now. "Please don't fight. It's Valentine's Day. A day not just for people in love...but people who love others too. You three certainly don't fall out of the spectrum."

Shock blinked, looking at Jack as he looked on with widened eye sockets, and giggled. "Guess she's right..."

"Now, please apologize to her." The rag doll went on gently.

Barrel just let out a sigh but then finally did mumble to Shock more sincerely than sarcastically, "Fine…We're sorry, Shock."

Lock nodded. "Yeah…sorry…" He looked down sheepishly, digging one of his feet into the ground a little.

Shock just blinked a few times and shrugged, but then said quietly and politely back with a nod, "Apology accepted…dummies…" She had to add the last little insult—it was just her style. Though it had been mumbled out even more softly than the 'apology accepted part'.

Jack just smiled at the sight and then leaned over and whispered into Sally's ear. "You see, my sweet Sally, I knew you could be scary when you wanted to…Normally the only thing that whips the three of them into line like this is one of my Pumpkin King faces but you did it with just a word…" He sighed dreamily. "You really are the only one clever enough to be my Pumpkin Queen, aren't you?"

Sally blinked and looked away shyly as she giggled, playing with a few strands of her hair. "W-Well I...I..." She hadn't even thought about what she was doing, it had just been instinct to raise her voice a little so that she would get their attention. Scary? She had managed to scare them, AND keep them in line? All just because of a disciplinary instinct?

"Well...I suppose I learned quite a bit from the master." She said softly.

"Hey! We're still here, you know!" Lock said loudly. "All right fine, we'll leave you alone so you can smooch some more. C'mon...let's go get some chocolate...or something."

"Okay! See you later Jack, bye Miss Sally!"

Jack gave them a little wave, though mostly right now he was occupied with being kind of goofily slouched over with a little grin on his face and his eye sockets half lidded in bashfulness and love. 'The m-master...' She really was so adorable...his adorable and secretly scary Sally...He was sort of ready for the kids to leave now because Lock's whole 'smooching' suggestion definitely had possibilities right now.

"Yeah guys, let's bail!" added in Barrel, meanwhile, to the announcements of his friends, and then he ducked away with a grin and scurried off into the woods.

Shock and Lock nodded, and Shock was about to duck away and out of sight as well when she was stopped by a quiet little voice from the little boy next to her.

"U-Um…Shock?" asked Lock, not looking up at her.

Shock blinked and looked at him with impatient curiosity. "What, dummy?"

Lock shrugged. "Uh…Happy Valentine's Day!" He suddenly leaned over and kissed her cheek, and then pulled back with a mortified scowl. "And DON'T say a word about 'that' EVER or I'll drop you in Oogie's old acid vat! Besides, I just did it to shut you up! Now let's GO already!" He stuck out his tongue at her and then ducked away and scurried off into the woods to follow after Barrel.

Shock stared in...shock, as she brought a hand to her cheek. She giggled, grinning widely as she went after her friends. "Wait for me, you dummies!" Yes, they could be jerks and were annoying 99% of the time...but Shock wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. Not ever. She could never imagine her undead life without them.

Sally waved at the kids as they departed, smiling softly. They are good kids...they just need some guidance sometimes. At least they are no longer under the control of that horrid Oogie Boogie. She turned to Jack, and giggled at his posture. "...Jack? Are you all right?"

Jack just chuckled a little and nodded. "Yes..." he glanced to the side bashfully, "I just didn't realize you considered me 'the master' of scaring." He grinned at her, raising an eyebrow.

"You're the Pumpkin King." She said, almost reminiscent of the time she had tried to do so upon his Sandy Claws dress up. "Of course you're the master. ...Even if you weren't...I would still consider you to be the master..." Sally giggled and squeezed his shoulder. "And well...when you live with someone for so long, you pick up a little on their...mannerisms."

Jack just continued smiling at her curiously, and now his grin picked up seriously on one side. "Sally, Sally, Sally...hidden somewhere in all that love for me...there's a tiny bit of a Pumpkin King fangirl, isn't there?" He glanced away with a touch of shyness. "And also...it's nice to know that our living together is getting us used to one another. I like observing little things about you too, Sally."

"Awww...Jack... Do you?" Sally giggled, looking at him fondly, before taking his hand, gently squeezing. "All right...maybe there is a bit of a fangirl in me."

Jack smiled more, squeezing her hand back. "I like your fangirl...She's very subtle...going and winning my heart before I find out about her..." He nuzzled a little closer to her. "And...as for my 'observations' of you...of course I like having them, Sally. The way you smile all the time...unless you miss a stitch in sewing something and then the most adorbale little frustrated pout comes to your lips...The way you always love having new and different outfits for new and different times of the day-your little white nightgown to sleep in, the black spider web robe to walk around the house in when you wake up in the morning, your patchwork dress for when you're busying yourself all day, and then all those pretty little special outfits you make for pretty little special occasions...The way you sometimes just sit and brush your hair and gaze out of a window for hours with such a peaceful look on your face, and all I want to do is ask you what you're thinking about but I don't want to disturb anything about you in that moment so I never do..." He gave a small kiss to the top of her head. "I love having little observations like that...and all about my 'fangirl' Sally." He chuckled.

"Oh..." Sally giggled, smiling all the more, flattered that he really seemed to pay attention to her and get to know her mannerisms a little. She couldn't help but mumble "Do I really do that...?" in reference to how she pouted whenever she made a mistake in her sewing. "Well, Jack...It's so sweet that you pay attention. I-I certainly pay attention to you a lot... You know...the way you're in deep concentration when you're looking over your plans for next Halloween...or the way you scratch your skull with such an adorable frown when you're trying to work things out...and the way you seem to smile and look brighter than a Christmas light...whenever I come into the room..." She giggled bashfully at this. "Then of course when you're practicing scary faces in front of the mirror, the way you do all you can to make sure each one is just right and precise."

She looked up at him, gently touching his skull with her free hand. "There's so much more, of course. But one I love the most is the way you treat everyone, and myself. Everyone looks up to you, being the Pumpkin King...but none the less, you have never once forced your power on anyone without a good reason or treated anyone badly, not unless they deserved it and pushed you too far. It's...incredibly noble, Jack...the way you think of the entire town as a family, the way you want to be their friend and protector...it's so sweet. I love that about you..."

Jack was just grinning dreamily at her again. All of those little things he did that she had been seeing but never letting on about noticing...It made him feel so warm inside that she cared about every little thing about him that much. And then that last thing about him being the Pumpkin King...her calling him noble... "Oh Sally, I...I could never force anything onto anybody...and especially never you. I've just always wanted everyone to be safe and happy. And now...along with that...I have you very specifically to keep safe and happy...What more in the whole world could I ask for as the Pumpkin King?"

He let out a small sigh, his smile still remaining though, and then added, "And besides, Sally, you heard my lament...my song last Halloween in the graveyard...about how I would give up being the Pumpkin King if I only could...and that includes the potential power I have with it too. It's only the reminder Oogie gave me about how I have to be here to protect my 'family' that really made that wish go away a little...But you're the real missing part, Sally-having you around has made being the Pumpkin King a joy for me again...It's made everything a joy, actually." He looked lovingly into her eyes.

"Jack..." The ragdoll murmured lovingly before she just lost it. Sally threw her arms around his neck, going high enough for her feet to be lifted off the ground and kissed him lovingly. She didn't even care that they were out in town, where some could see them. She just loved him so much! So much... Everything about him that he possessed was nothing short of wonderful to her. Even today she had to ask what she did to deserve someone like him... To think she helped the Pumpkin King himself remember and realize his purpose, and why he loved being of that figure to the people. She read stories about horrid rulers, tyrants... He was neither of those things. Jack was...a great ruler, friend, protector...and lover.

Pulling away, but still hanging off him a bit, she smiled in absolute love. "I love you, Jack...I love you so much. I'm glad you're the Pumpkin King...I know everyone agrees...and I'm glad...so glad you're with me." She had so much more to say, but she just kissed him again.

His eye sockets were just wide and he was just standing there in shock and surprise for a moment at her sudden (and unexpected) actions 'I...she...I..." Suddenly he smiled wide and scooped her up in a tight hug, spinning her a litle. "Oh Sally..." And then he let out a breath and put her down, only to spin her around and dip her back in his arms. "Now that kiss wasn't fair-I wasn't ready yet. And also...I'm thrilled to be the Pumpkin King for you, Sally...and I'm elated that you'll be the Pumpkin Queen for me one day. Oh my funny little Valentine..." And then he leaned in and kissed her tenderly, savoring having completely anticipated it now and also having the chance to lengthen it a litle.

"Mm!" Sally's eyes went wide at his equally bold action. She was already scolding herself inwardly for being too bold, too unfair...and now he was taking revenge! Sweet, sweet revenge...

Upon parting, she looked up at him with surprise, her breathing laboured. "Gosh...Jack...you're being quite bold..." Then again, I guess I am, too...

He just smiled down at her, something warm and passionate in his eye sockets that rarely came, but when it did...Look out! He just released a deep sigh, still holding her dipped back, and replied in a low, quiet voice, "I suppose I am...But after all, it is Valentine's Day...so please don't worry, my precious little pumpkin princess ...you're in good hands." His grin picked up a little on one side. "After all, I'm 'the master' remember?" He tried not to chuckle.

"Of course..." Sally murmured, quite enraptured and lost in love. "...Where am I again?"

Jack felt his bones starting to warm and tremble. It was rare that they had moments this...intense. And rare also that she got this lovesick with him...like he was saying things like this to her out of the blue before their confessions of love or something instead of now when they were all but bethroved. "You're right here with your scary Mr. Skellington, Sally..." he whispered to her, still smiling down at her dipped back face and form. "And he's right here with you, my extra sweet little Sally..."

"Mmm...of course, Jack..." She murmured softly, touching his face with one hand. "I..I'm right here with you, too..."

"Love! Jack in love!" Behemoth shouted excitedly from nearby.

"Quiet, you bonehead! They'll hear you!" Said Clown, smacking him upside the head.

And indeed they did hear them because Jack was so startled that he actually lost his balance with the dip and not only dropped Sally but fell right to the ground and half on top of her too! If he had blood he would have blushed! It was one thing for him and Sally to get seen by other people smiling at each other and holding hands and acting cute but...it was another to be seen by people when he was sort of...letting some of the cuteness of it all slip away to something a little more...intense. "S-Sally, maybe we should..." Suddenly Jack blinked and recalled that he had indeed dropped her and also that he was half lying on her. "Sally!" he propped himself up on his elbows to look down at her. "Are you alright?" he asked with so much sincerity and concern.

Sally nodded, brushing little caught pebbles off her head. "Yes...I'm all right, Jack... Are you okay?" She looked up at him with concern.

"Sorry about that!" Clown called to them. "You guys okay over there?"

"A-Alright, Sally...Sorry about that. A-And yes, I-I'm fine..." Jack replied with sheepish embarrassment. Then he quickly got himself up and helped pull her up as well, dusted himself off, and then finally cleared his throat and turned back to Clown and Behemoth. "U-Um yes, you two, we're fine. Hope you're having a happy Valentine's Day! Sally and I will, um...see you around town then, I guess...after our walk...alone...heh..." He smiled and hoped he was getting the message across while still being polite. "Come along, Sally..." He began to pull her along a little.

"Goodbye!" Sally waved to them before following alongside Jack.

"See ya guys!" Clown waved, so did Behemoth. "And be quiet next time, moron!"

"Me sorry..."

Jack just let out a deep, mortified sigh as they walked on, and closed his eye sockets, dragging his free hand down his skull face. "Okay...I need to learn to not let myself get carried away in the heat of the moment when we're outside...I keep forgetting how small this town is-someone else is always bound to be around or at least watching whenever we're together."

Sally squeezed his hand in reassurance, looking concerned. "It's not your fault, Jack...if anything, I'm the one to blame...since I started it. I'm so sorry. I got carried away..." She looked away in shame, exhaling.

Jack blinked and instantly stopped their walking. His eye sockets were wide and he spoke reassuringly...though he couldn't bring himself to turn around and make eye contact with her. "S-Sally! Don't apologize! Y-You're not the one wh-who...dipped you back and kissed you and...and said things like 'my extra sweet Sally'..." He felt his breaths becoming shallow at the memory of having done that to her. He felt so funny thinking about it and yet he...liked it. It was very confusing for him.

"Oh, but you wouldn't have done that if I hadn't been so...f-forward..." Lowering her voice, she said, "Not that I didn't...like it...of course..."

Jack shrugged and shook his head a little, managing to just barely glance at her now at least, though his eyes mostly remained down. "N-No, you...weren't forward. You just kissed me...Small and sweet and simple. Perfectly normal. I'm the one who...um...brought more into it. I apologize, Sally, I-" He stopped then for a moment, something finally sinking in despite his fluster. It actually made him smile a little, his grin all small and goofy. "B-But, um...I'm happy you liked it. I liked it too..." he added bashfully.

"Okay..." She murmured, and exhaled, finally looking at him completely. "But it's all right, Jack...don't be hard on yourself."

Jack blinked at the suggestion at first, but then just smiled warmly and nodded. "Thank you, Sally...That...reminds me of what I was so distraught about ruining Santa's holiday and almost getting him hurt by Oogie and you told me it would all be okay now and that Santa would set things right." He squeezed her hand a little. "And...also...you don't be hard on yourself either, Sally. After all, what's so wrong about a pretty young woman wanting to kiss the man she loves on Valentine's Day?" He gave her a wink.

Sally's eyes went wide, but she giggled and smiled. "You're right...and well, what's wrong with a handsome man dipping the woman he loves on Valentine's Day?" She had no idea what made her so bold today. What was up? Not only did she allow herself to raise her voice, even just a bit, to keep the rambunctious trio in line...but now this? All of this?

I need my stuffing examined... She thought, blowing a strand of her hair out of her eyes.

None the less, she felt better, a lot more reassured and less tense. ...Kind of. The fact he had fallen on her after dropping her...it still hadn't left her mind. There was just something about it that screamed real intensity, and she didn't understand why. What was so intense about that position? Since when was lying down such a...weird thing?

Sally was quite confused, and made a note to herself to try to look up that information. Since Jack did have a variety of books on many topics, maybe she would find something about later on when they'd get back home.

But what was it? Why did it feel so wrong? Yet so right? She was so lost in thought, she didn't notice nor hear Jack speaking to her.

"W-Well, I...I suppose you're right too...After all, you really are the woman I love, and...if you would like to think of me as a handsome man then I...guess I can't argue with the opinion of the Pumpkin Princess..." Jack had just barely been able to make this soft reply. Now that they were alone again...and now that she had just called him a handsome man...he was back to being consumed by a certain degree of fluster that he had never known in his existence until she had come along. Not that it was a bad thing, of course...No...nothing bad about feeling your bones tremble and warm, feeling your breaths become shallow, feeling your skull unable to help smiling...And it also wasn't helping matters that Sally was...really getting into the romantic swing of things today. That pretty new red dress, those extra loving looks from her...and the way she seemed to be going between completely just melting for him to all but suggesting that he melt for her, and then back again... He decided that, if this was the effect Valentine's Day had on girls, he liked it...a lot. 'I really should have stolen this holiday instead of Christmas, shouldn't I have?' He almost chuckled to himself at the small joke. And then his smile also grew a little more as he recalled, along with all of the other nice things that seemed to be happening between himself and Sally today, that small heated moment of theirs just now...He almost sighed a little though: after all it really had been a shame that it had been interrupted, even though he wasn't sure where it had been going...though, he could feel in his bones, it had been some place new...and, well, as he had learned this past winter what with his discovery of Christmas and everything, he...really did like new things.

But then to have collapsed all but on top of her when it had ended! He almost cringed at the idea-he felt so embarrassed at his clumsiness...but also at having gotten into that close of a position to her...and also at the fact that sort of knew, somewhere deep in his bones, that if Behemoth and Clown hadn't been there to shoo away, he might have...lingered a little...just resting upon her and looking down into her lovely face, with her red yarn hair fanning out behind her like a Valentine's Day halo...Just like something out of a dream.

As a result of all these thoughts of his, Jack didn't much notice Sally not responding to what he had said about her being right about their heated moment probably not being a huge deal, just as Sally hadn't much noticed his comment to her about it in the first place due to her own distracted thoughts.

The couple were lost in their thoughts, so much so that it took the Mayor waddling up to them with a big grin on his face and some parchment under his arm, to snap them back to reality.

"Jack! Jack my boy, and Sally too! How happy that I ran into you both!" The Mayor said in delight.

Sally blinked, looking down at the Mayor in surprise, and managing to push her distracted thoughts aside for the time being. "H-Hello Mayor...what can we do for you?"

"Oh, I only wanted to inform the two of you that we are going to have a town gathering at town hall today at three! We have a special treat all planned out, and I was hoping you two would be able to attend! It would be an honour for the Pumpkin King and his Pumpkin Princess to be present on our town's first new holiday celebration, and Valentine's Day, no less! So it's perfect!" He said excitedly.

Jack blinked and came out of his thoughts as well. He processed the mayor's request and then cleared his throat and smiled. "Oh well, of course, mayor, Sally and I would be happy to attend!" He looked to Sally and added politely and sincerely, "As long as you want to, Sally, and don't have any other plans for us around that time..."

"Oh, no, I think it would be fine for us to go." Sally nodded with a smile. "It sounds like a lovely idea, Mayor. We'll be there."

"Wonderful! Oooh, so much to do! So much to do! Happy Valentine's Day, you too!" He tipped his hat to them before waddling off to his hearse that was parked nearby.

"A little town gathering celebration for Valentine's Day..." Sally mused out loud. "That certainly sounds to be a wonderful event!"

Jack nodded with a smile. "Yes, I'm very happy everyone is looking forward to celebrating another new holiday so much. Besides, I think it's good for them to have other things to fill their time with between Halloweens. And especially since none of them are lucky enough to have a Sally to fill their days with like I do..." He took her hand again, giving it a little squeeze. He let out small, blissful sigh.

"The days between Halloweens used to just drag by, Sally...but now between the other Holidays and you, it'll be Halloween again before I know it, won't it?" He chuckled a little.

"It certainly will, Jack. I think you're right, participating in the other Holidays will certainly give everyone something to do and think about, that way their minds aren't continuously focused on Halloween. By the time it comes, it seems to have come so much faster." She smiled brightly. "I think this has been a wonderful decision, Jack. It really brings...a lot of flare to here."

"I completely agree, Sally." He nodded and started to lead her on in the direction of the town again. He chuckled a little. "I mean, before all of this I don't think most people in Halloween Town even knew the color pink existed! Or that there was such a thing as kissing...Kind of like me before visiting Christmas Town." He smiled a little sheepishly. "So I think it'll be very healthy for them all to gain some new experiences and perspectives on what makes a holiday."

"Oh yes, that's true, too..." Sally smiled as she thought of what he meant about the colour pink. When the Mayor had presented her with some pink, bright red and white fabrics, she was just delighted! The colour pink was adorable! Very soft and bright, and just a sweet little touch to make something soft and warm. "I can hardly wait to see how the other Holidays will turn out."

Jack nodded and, almost reading her mind, added, "Yes. And I'll be sure to get you new fabrics of all of the other Holidays' colors so that you can make as many festive outfits as you want to, Sally. And then the two of us can decorate our house all year round with trappings of all the special days of the year. It'll be just wonderful." He smiled brightly.

"Horribly wonderful!" She added, clapping her hands a bit like a young child. "Shall we go, Jack? I can already smell the treats from here."

Jack laughed at her adorable enthusiasm. "Of course!" He paused in his walking for a moment, causing her to pause as well. He grinned just a little smugly. "Would you like to race?" He knew it was a silly question as she never did like to race him at this point in their courtship, since considering Jack's longer legs and incredibly longer stride, he always beat her.

"Jack! You know I can't run well!" Sally gave a little pout. "You have longer legs than I do and are so gracefully fast. ...Oh, but all right." She just never could deny when he wanted to have some fun. After all, he never did it to humiliate her or to make her feel bad. It was all just to be silly. "You're on. Just do me a little favour, and take a peek through the window to see what they have laid out, and tell me when I catch up, all right?"

He laughed at her cute little request and nodded. "Of course. Anything for the Pumpkin Princess." He winked at her. And then he grinned and faced forward toward the town. "Ready..." He waited of her to get ready and say 'set'.

Sally pouted yet again, but nodded as she placed one foot forward. "Set..."

Jack saw her pout...and smiled more...an idea coming to him. "Go!" he suddenly yelled! But then before Sally could even take a step he had scooped her up in his arms and was running through the woods toward town with her. "You know, I think we might actually tie this time, Sally." He laughed a little and winked down at her as he continued running with her.

"Jack!" Sally squealed in surprise, her little hands clasping his neck as her eyes widened in fright. "What in the world are you doing?" Wasn't this technically cheating?

"It's Valentine's Day and I was talking to Cupid and he said recommended spontaneity as part of celebrating this holiday so, I figured, why not?" He grinned more down at her. "Besides, I don't to have to waste time on this special day waiting and waiting and waiting for my Sally to catch up with me." He laughed a little to himself. "And also...maybe I just like holding you..." he added with a shy little glance away from her.

Sally stared at him for a few moments, before soft giggles escaped her. Yes indeed, there was never a dull moment with Jack around. He always knew how to shake things up and even dramatize a bit...it was all just part of his charm. And she loved him for it. "Oh Jack...you're terrible. Just terrible. What am I going to do with you?" She said sweetly.

Jack gave a little shrug, still darting gracefully through the woods with her. "I don't know...I guess you'll just have to stay by my side forever and ever to keep me from being 'terrible' all the time..."

"That's it?" Sally smiled, giggling. "All right, Jack. If you say so."

He chuckled a little. "You're too kind, my sweet Sally. I just hope you won't get bored with looking after me...I know, at least that I'll never get bored looking after you..." He gazed down at her so lovingly. They were in sight of the town and the Witches' Shop now.

"Of course not, Jack." Sally promised. They'd only been living together for a couple of months now, and she was nowhere near about to change her mind. She loved it! She loved their little routines, she loved doing things within the household (such as her sewing), and she certainly loved their alone romantic moments together. She could do that forever, and never be tired of it. "I never will."

Jack began to slow his run so that now he was just walking calmly and slowly with her. They were close to their first destination for today, after all, and also he just wanted to savor holding her for a little bit longer. "Oh Sally..." he sighed, smiling happily down at her, "I will never be bored with you either...Taking care of you, living with you, loving you...has been the greatest joy of my existence. I have never been happier. Ever." He spoke sincerely, tenderly, lovingly...and all of it so very true.

Sally melted and snuggled against him a little, taking advantage of his slowing pace. "I've never been happier either, Jack. There's nothing I want more than to live by your side, as I had been the past few months."

Jack's smile grew, and he felt something warm inside of himself as she cuddled closer to him. "Sally?" he whispered to her quietly, stopping for a moment before they officially entered the sphere of the town.

"Yes?" She smiled at him more, curious.

Jack paused for a moment, unsure of how to put it...especially since they hadn't talked about the subject (joking or not) since Christmas and their love confessions. "You know...um...according to Santa and Cupid too...people who really want to stay by each other's sides forever...usually...get married. Um...and just out of curiosity...your answer that you would give to a...p-proposal of sorts from me...it hasn't changed from what it was the day I feel in love with you...has it?" He felt so very strange and unsure right now. He didn't even know why he was specifically bringing this up here and now. But now he had and so he awaited her response.

If there was one thing Sally knew for sure, even right now, was that she could not bear to imagine a life without Jack. She'd wanted this for so long, ever since she met him, even when she realized she loved him. Now that she had it, and it would only progress further...she did not want to stop in the middle of the road, or turn back. Plain and simple, Sally loved him more than anything. It wasn't about being the Pumpkin Princess, the girlfriend of Jack Skellington himself, or even one day being the Pumpkin Queen. It was never about that. All that mattered was that she was with him. Sure, she lived a life of luxury, especially since Jack loved spoiling her, despite she didn't ask for a lot. But that also didn't matter. She loved their home very much, but they could easily be living in a cramped abode or a cardboard box, together, and she would still be happy. She wanted her life with him like this, nothing in the world would change her mind.

"It hasn't, Jack. Not in the least." Sally assured, smiling and kissing his cheek. "I love you, and I'm here to stay."

"I...I...Sally..." Her sweet kiss...holding her in his arms...Valentine's Day...her response...He could feel it about to bubble out of himself without any warning or preparation...No plans, no big romantic setting, no ring on him to speak of...but he could feel the question about to literally pop out of his mouth...and the image of Sally in a white, gothic wedding gown that was now flooding his mind wasn't helping. "W-Will you..." he barely whispered, and he wasn't even sure if she had heard it, it had been so soft.

"Come one, come all! Taste our new Valentine concoctions! Spider chocolates, love potion brews, heart shaped cakes...and shaped like the organ, not like one of those flowery valentine hearts! And complete with blood red frosting!" The witches, obviously having caught sight of Jack and Sally approaching their story, had come out to make this announcement!

Jack was snapped out of everything and right back to reality. He looked to them with a start, holding Sally closer in his surprise. "U-Um, of course, ladies!" he called out to them. "We'll be right there...just one moment, heh!" he added a little sheepishly.

Sally blinked in surprise, having not expected this at all. She wondered what Jack was saying, despite she could barely hear what he had tried to utter. None the less, she nodded toward the witches with a wave of her hand. "Sh-Shall we go, Jack?"

With a small gulp, Jack nodded. "Y-Yes, um...let's go..." He placed her down gently and securely on the ground and then began to walk with her toward the shop, all the while consumed in thoughts. 'Have I gone out of my skull? What was I thinking, almost asking her to...to...A-And in the middle of a forest of all places? And without any ring...And with no idea how to even go about a marriage ceremony or just what marriage really means...' Jack had done some research on the subject of course-mostly via talking to Santa.

After all, Santa had Mrs. Claus and she was his wife so..Jack had figured on him to be the best source to go to. And Santa had explained things to a degree-when you really loved someone you asked them to marry you, and then the two of you dressed up and had a ceremony, and during that ceremony you promised to be together and love each other forever...and then you kissed...and then you were bonded as closely to that person as it was possible for anyone to be with another person. Santa had said that it was deeper than just loving Sally and taking care of her like he was now...but he had refused to speak farther on the subject than that. With a smile, the bearded man had simply ended by saying that Jack would understand better from experiencing it all first hand rather than being told about it.

Jack, now, just sighed to himself at the memory of the conversation. He would have to do more research into this marriage thing. And then perhaps he would feel himself to have more of a right to propose to Sally.

They came to the witches' shop, and as well as inside, they had samples of their Valentine goods strewn about on tables outside the store too. A few townsfolk were already gathered around, sampling and observing the treats with awe.

"This is simply horrible!"

"Oh yes, horrific! Just darling!"

"I want to try some, mama!"

Sally smiled at this. She couldn't help but agree with Jack at what he said earlier, about how nice it was to see everyone so enthusiastic about a new holiday. Now that things were handled with a lot less of a mess or fiasco, it was going a lot better and everyone seemed to grasp it a lot better. Even so, much like before, they continued to warp it with their perspective of Halloween, but this time it was a lot more balanced. Keeping the original spirit of Halloween in tact but also combining it with the original customs of the said holiday. It was quite a balance Sally never thought to be possible, but it seemed to work just as well, which made her glad to see.

"Ah! Jack and Sally, I knew you two would be out today." Came a voice.

Sally looked to her right, coming to see Dr. Finkelstein being pushed over by his caretaker and lover, Jewel. She smiled to them kindly, waving. "Hello, Dr. Finkelstein, Miss Jewel. How are you today?"

"Just super! It's quite nice to see some of my Valentine handiwork coming to fruition." The doctor grinned.

It seemed odd, the way things turned out between them as well. A couple of weeks after Sally moved in with Jack, she actually went back to the doctor's lab to try to seek out some proper closure with him. Much to her surprise, he had sat her down with some tea, and the two had a good, long talk. She never would've thought this would happen, but it did. Dr. Finkelstein had admitted to his faults and the way he treated her. Having Jewel around surely helped him to realize it. Sally realized Jack had been right. The doctor truly did love her like she was his own daughter. He just never came to terms with it, or even how to express it. In fact, the feelings were so alien to him that he repressed them with his rough and gruff attitude toward her. But in the end, after she was gone, he realized how much he missed her. How much she really was just more than a tool to him.

He missed her kindness, her gentle demeanor and how reliable she could be. He knew she wasn't evil, she didn't poison him with the Deadly Nightshade out of cruelty. She was just impatient, restless, and didn't know what else to do. Yes, he regretted all he'd done in treating her. But now, he wanted to make it up to her. He wanted to be the proper father figure to her. Sally was amazed at his development, it seemed so out of character.

Then again, Jewel was quite a positive influence on him, wasn't she?

Since then, the two got along better than ever before. It wasn't perfect, but they had a much better relationship. He became a bit of the father she never did have.

Jack smiled at Dr. Finkelstein, addressing him as well. "Doctor, what a pleasant surprise..."

Jack too had sort of 'buried the hatchet', as it were, with Dr. Finkelstein. Of course, knowing the difficulties Sally had had with the old doctor, part of Jack had resented him a little but...his gratefulness to Dr. Finkelstein for making Sally in the first place was so strong that he could never really hate him or anything (not like he had hated Oogie Boogie, for instance). And then now, seeing Sally on such better terms with Dr. Finkelstein, Jack figured it was best to promote this goodwill between all parties involved. And besides, it was also nice to see Dr. Finkelstein and Jewel together...and Jack couldn't help but think, with a hopeful secret grin to himself that...perhaps Dr. Finkelstein had repeated the happy accident of creating a lovely and... loveable female creature...and this time for himself...particularly in regards to that second characteristic.

"Hello Jack, my boy!" Dr. Finkelstein replied with a nod and a smile. "It's good to see you out and about again. You've been much more sociable ever since Christmas-I'm happy Sally's had such an effect on you."

Jack nodded and smiled a little more. "Yes, she's a very valuable companion for me, and she does me good every day. I really will never be able to thank you enough for her creation." He smiled warmly.

"You have a lovely dress, Sally. I take it you made it yourself?" Jewel questioned the rag doll, smiling.

Sally nodded. "Oh, yes. I did actually. Thank you very much, Miss Jewel."

"Sweet Sally, how many times must I tell you? You don't have to call me that." Jewel chided gently.

Indeed, even Sally and Jewel got along very well, becoming somewhat of a mother figure to her. Jewel was quite a bit like Dr. Finkelstein, though she was implanted to have differences in personality and quirks, of course. She was maternal, and very much an excellent caretaker. When Sally patched things up with the doctor, she decided it was best to get to know Jewel as well.

"I'm sorry...I suppose old habits are hard to break." Sally said softly. "I love your shawl, it's lovely. Did you make it?"

"I did, in fact. It took me three weeks! But it was a piece of spider cake." Jewel winked at her.

Unlike Sally, Jewel couldn't sew at all. She was, however, a master at knitting, which she did very often in her spare time. She made hats, sweaters, scarves, anything you could imagine! She even made some things for Sally and for Jack too, as tokens of her gratitude for them being so warm and welcoming to her post-conception. She taught Sally how to knit, and she picked it up rather well.

Their exchange continued and Jack smiled more and more as it went on. He really loved that Sally had a nice friend like Jewel to talk with and relate to. It was very sweet watching them chat and get along. He was very grateful for the company for his Sally.

Dr. Finkelstein speaking interrupted his thoughts on the subject. "Well, I'm glad to hear you're enjoying your time with her, my boy. She seems happier with you. And Jack I told you, you don't have to thank me for her creation..." Despite always saying this to him, Dr. Finkelstein always smiled with a certain degree of pride whenever the point got mentioned: after all he HAD invented the Pumpkin King's Pumpkin Princess...He felt it the crowing feather in the cap of his accomplishments.

Jack just smiled, and responded as usual, "I know, Dr. Finkelstein...but thank you anyway just the same..." He clasped Sally's hand and held it close, savoring the warm and precious feel of it in his own.

"You are indeed a lucky skeleton, Jack my boy." Jewel cajoled, playfully patting his skull. "You two are still coming for tea tomorrow, yes?"

"Oh, of course." Sally smiled and nodded, squeezing Jack's hand gently. "We wouldn't miss it."

"Splendid! Come dear, let's go inside and see what these witches have. I'm sure there will be much to see." Jewel took the handles of the doctor's wheelchair, and winked at Jack and Sally. "You two have a lovely day. And take care of her, Jack. Or you'll be hearing from us."

"O-Oh, um..." Jack smiled a little bashfully for a moment but then just waved back at them and replied, "Of course...I'll take care of my sweet Sally everyday..." He squeezed Sally's hand a little again and then let out a happy sigh and finally he turned to her. "Well...shall we head inside as well then, my darling?" He gestured forward with a slight bow.

"Certainly, Jack." Sally smiled brightly with a nod. "Let's go inside."

Jack gave her a gentle pull along and right away both of them were inside of the bustling shop. Townspeople were moving to and fro, sampling new delicacies, purchasing new items. It was quite a bustle of Valentine pink and red...mixed with Halloween red and black and slimy green, but not more than was necessary to just remind everyone that this was still Halloween Town of course. Jack turned to Sally with a smile. "What would you like to look at first, Sally?"

"Oooohh...there's just so much!" Sally beamed, taking it all in. One thing that caught her eye, upon hearing one of the witches mention, were the candy hearts in the shape of actual human hearts. They came in different sizes, so it wasn't too much or too little. "This one!" Sally took a small one off the sampling table, and took a bite. It was sweet, but with just the right amount of a bitter, dreadful taste that everyone in this town adored. "Mmmm...Jack, you must try this!"

Jack chuckled a little. "Alright, Sally..." He gave a nod and stepped over to where she was. Inside he was positively elated with how happy she was right now-he had known deep in his bones that the Holidays now sharing with one another would be a good thing for everyone on all the worlds, but to see this good effect first hand and on his sweet Sally no less? It was such a pleasure to him that he couldn't describe it, even if he tried. Now beside Sally he took one of the chocolates she had indicated and tried it. He didn't eat much, being a skeleton, but still these were absolutely delicious and he didn't mind this sample and wouldn't have minded a few more besides. "Mmm...scrumptious!" he commented, swallowing.

"Isn't it?" Sally smiled all the more and finished hers. She looked among the table for something else to try. The same heart-shaped cake was present in small slices on little Halloween plates. "Ooh!" She picked it up, with the plastic orange fork and tried some. "Oh my! Scrumptious... Mmm...Jack? Want to try a piece?" She placed some more on the fork, holding it out to him.

"Maybe just a small bite...I don't want to fill up too quickly, after all." Jack was about to reach out and take the fork from her to try the cake when, at his affirmative response about wanting to try some, she beat him to the punch and reached out and popped the bite of cake right into his mouth all on her own! Jack's eye sockets went wide and he chewed and swallowed almost without realizing. "U-Um...thank you, Sally..." His smile went a little goofy and he glanced to the side. "Delicious again..."

Sally giggled at his response. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Jack..." She finished the slice, and then slinkered over to one of the pay counters. "Excuse me, I'd like to purchase a couple of candy hearts, and the heart cake, please."

"Of course!" Said the witch running that counter, proceeding to hand her a few boxes in bags. "As part of our special, you can take home some of the other little treats!"

"Oh, thank you!" Sally smiled, and payed the witch with some money Jack had given her for the day. "Keep the change..."

"Oooh, you're quite generous Sally! Thank you!" The witch winked at her, putting the money away into the brand new demonic cash register.

Jack was still just enjoying feeling nice inside about Sally feeding him like that. It was so sweet... 'Just like her..' He watched as she happily talked with the witches and purchased some of the treats with the bit of money he had given her: she was always so hesitant about using it anyway-heck, she had flat out refused any money from him the first day they had lived together, and only after a TON of gentle coaxing and Jack assuring her that one of his talents was NOT picking out fine fabric and well made sewing needles had she agreed to small sums whenever it was necessary.)

"Have a good day...and thank you so much." Sally waved to the witch, and rejoined Jack with her purchases. "I bought a few of the candies and treats...I hope that's all right, Jack... We can share them, of course...I bought enough for us both."

He just sighed and smiled at her. "Sally, of course it's all right. That's why I brought you here in the first place-to get you some things to celebrate today and to make you happy..and to make us happy. And look, that's exactly what you did by buyig those treats. I couldn't have asked for anything more from this trip."

"Right...of course..." She brought her hands behind her back and giggled. "I suppose you're right, Jack... Ooh! The fabric store is having a sale on Valentine fabrics and patterns, as well as some spools and thread! I wanted to get some, before they run out!" She grabbed his hand and immediately hurried outside, acting like a young child on their birthday. Something about everything happening, the cheery wonders of the holiday was just so infectious, and she felt so energetic about it. She had to express it!

Jack let himself be pulled along, and with a merry grin on his face the entire time! He loved how full of life and loved she seemed, and he loved that he had been part of helping bring this holiday to their town that was contributing to her acting in such a way. "Of course, Sally!" he assured her as she pulled him along to the shop. "I love when you buy new fabrics...It means I get to see you in more pretty outfits..." He chuckled a tiny bit to himself. And really it was hard to think of anything cuter than when she would finish something and wear it happily around the house or out to town, savoring her little accomplishment, though always so modestly as she never bragged about having just sewn such new items or how much work it had taken.

Sally giggled, smiling as she looked back at him, slowing just a bit. "Thank you, Jack..."

Upon reaching the store, her favourite in town, of course, she immediately set to browsing the selections. The fabrics, donated right from Valentines Town itself, courtesy of Cupid, were all in an array of colours, sizes and patterns. Sally wasn't much of a shopper herself, not unless she needed to buy something. But when you had her in the right mood, and she wanted to buy some fabric, she could go at it for quite some time.

Sally happily bought some spools of red, pink and white thread, along with some impulse buys of orange, black and yellow. She had so many design ideas running through her head, she couldn't wait to get started later. The store gave her a discount, since she often let them use her clothing samples as examples of what the fabrics would look like when they become full clothing.

Buying a few yards of bright red, pink, white, and also some black and orange, she also bought a few patterns she'd been looking for.

"Oh, I'll need this one...and this one...oh yes, and this one too..." She held up two different samples of pillow fabric to him, smiling. "Which one do you like better, Jack? This one," She held out the bright red one with pink hearts. "Or this one?" The other one was white, with red swirls. She was looking to make Valentine pillows with these. Often on when Jack accompanied her to buy fabrics, she liked to ask for his opinion on what fabric or pattern worked for whatever. She valued his opinion very much, and liked to see what he thought of it.

Even if he'd insist that his opinion meant very little, and she would insist otherwise.

A smiling Jack just looked back at her and said very familiarly (as he always said it at first when she asked him his opinions on these things), "Sally, you know I don't know the first thing about sewing and fabric...and you also know that every fabric you sew with transforms into something beautiful...Are you sure Halloween Town's professional seamstress needs the Pumpkin King's silly old opinion?" He smiled warmly at her.

"Well of course, Jack...You know I like to hear your opinion." She said bashfully. "Please? I like to have a second pair of eyes, you know that. ...And well, I trust you the most. I know you can make wonderful decisions. You've helped me before. Remember?"

She recalled about a month ago, when Clown had commissioned Sally to make him a new bed pillow. She had bought six different fabrics, and he had wanted her to surprise him. Sally really liked one in particular, which was brown and had gold trim edges. Jack had told her that maybe another fabric, which was yellow and gray, would work a lot better for the pillow. But Sally politely disagreed at first. But when she made the pillow with the second fabric to see what it would turn out to be, she realized he was right.

Jack nodded, still smiling. "All right then..." He looked carefully at the two fabrics. "Well...personally I prefer the one with the red swirls...It sort of reminds me of the blood red decorations for Halloween...So I suppose it appeals to the Pumpkin King in me." He smiled a little at the idea. "But," he then also added, glancing at the other fabric now, "I really do think there's been a scarcity of pink in this town...and I do love hearts...Such a warm shape.I guess that appeals to the 'man in love' in me." He smiled at Sally again. "I'm sorry, Sally, I wish I could be more help, but I'm afraid, considering how much this holiday is growing on me, I'm just as stuck as you are. So why don't you get both, if you'd like, and whichever one you don't use for pillows, you can use for something else to celebrate this day?"

Sally blinked, looking at the two fabrics, and laughed a bit. "I think your'e right...they seem to appeal to the different sides of all of us! I think I will get them both." She made a note of how many yards to get of them both with her little notebook she now carried around.

After a few more minutes, she placed the orders she needed for the fabric to the shopkeeper, who promised that they would be ready for pick up the next day. She payed him, and then was ready to leave.

Now done, and back outside, Sally eagerly took his hand again. "Jack, why don't you pick what we do next? I'm sure you have some ideas, don't you?"

Jack blinked but then smiled at her considerate offer to let him pick their next activity. "Well...actually there's only one big thing I really would like us to do today, but...we can't do it until nightfall..." He shrugged a little, glancing away with a coy smile and purposefully being mysterious. "But...until then, well...the bookshop has started importing a lot of books from the realms of the other holidays and I was sort of hoping to find some on this particular holiday especially. A-After all, um...like we've both said, this whole love thing is still very new to us...It would be nice to have a few references to go to just to better understand certain parts of it all that might come up. So, would you accompany me there now, Sally?" He held out his arm for her to take, looking at her with a shy though sincere little smile.

Thinking over what he said (not that she was hesitating!), Sally smiled and nodded immediately, taking his arm with her free hand. "Of course, Jack! That sounds like a lovely idea... I'd love to see what they have about all of this."

Jack beamed a little and began to head over in the direction of the bookshop with her. "I'm happy you're curious too...I, um...try to talk to Santa and now every once in a while Cupid about these things but...the two of them seem to think that experience is the best teacher, so they're always very close-lipped. So a book or two to have on the subject really would be nice in a pinch."

"Oh, yes... and maybe it will even give us a clue of other things we could do when next Valentine's Day is here." She paused a moment, thinking. "It would certainly be interesting to read of the origins of Valentine's Day...it's really quite fascinating if you think about it."

"Yes..." Jack nodded to her, "A day all about love...and specifically about that...special kind of love that you and I share...Oh my Sally..." he chuckled just a tiny bit, "if there wasn't already this wonderful day dedicated to how we feel about one another, my next project would be to invent a holiday to do just that. I think I would make it be on December 26th...since that was the first full day of our relationship the way it is now." He sighed nostalgically at the memory.

"Ooohh..." Sally giggled at this, smiling a lot more. "Jack, that would be really sweet... Ooh! Just a minute...there is some kind of thing that happens on the 26th of December. I believe in some places they called it...Boxing Day. Huh, a day about boxes?"

Jack blinked and looked at her curiously but then just laughed. "Hmm, I'm not sure what that might be about, actually...But more things for us to look up in the bookstore, right?" He winked at her.

"Yes, of course!" She nodded, and leaned against him a little. "Jack...maybe tonight...could we possibly do some reading research by the fire, together...like we sometimes do? The Mayor said it will be cold tonight, after all..."

Sally was leaning against him, she was smiling up at him, she was making another selfless and sweet request...and also she was asking him to do something he simply loved doing. Of couse he would acquiesce. "That sounds lovely, Sally. I like when we do that too...Just you and I together...and sometimes you even let us sit very close with my arm around you. I-I like those nights the best..." he added in a quiet and shy voice.

"Me too..." The rag doll said softly, exhaling a bit. "It's moments like those...that I can never forget..."

Jack let out a small, blissful sigh. "I can never forget them either...my funny little Valentine..." They had reached the front of the bookstore but Jack didn't make a move to go in yet, too distracted with daydreams and memories of his 'funny little Valentine' to notice too much.

Funny little Valentine. Sally giggled at his little pet name for her. He always sometimes called her a funny little something, since they became friends, and most especially since their courtship. Funny little Princess, funny little Sally, funny little friend, funny little doll, and so forth. It was so cute. She couldn't help but be amused by them.

"Jewel always told me that in life...sometimes the most simple moments are what you remember and cherish the most..."

Jack chuckled a tiny bit. "Oh Sally...you taught me that lesson long before Jewel could have taught it to you...When you got me out of that Christmas mess and showed me that I didn't need to add reindeer and presents and tinsel and red and green lights to my life to make it worthwhile again...I just needed to add you. One little perfect thing." He leaned over and gave her a small, loving kiss on her cheek. "And I do cherish you...very much."

Sally giggled, smiling all the more. "I cherish you too, Jack...more than you know."

Jack smiled more. "Well then...why don't we step inside of the store and find a few good books on love...and then tonight when we go home we can cherish each other on the couch together just like we planned?" He squeezed her hand a little.

Sally gave a nod and snuggled into his side a bit. "Certainly, Jack."

Jack's smile grew about as wide as it could go at the feeling of her being so close and how soft she could feel holding against him like that: the red and black fabric of her dress, and the blue fabric of her skin warming his bones. "U-Um...splendid, Sally..." And then feeling about as giddy as could be, he walked gently with her at his side into the bookstore.

Though not as busy as the candy store or the fabric store today, there were still quite a few townspeople in this shop as well. Jack gave a sigh and glanced around at the different labels atop the bookcases designating what kind of literature was contained therein. There were, of course, rows and rows and rows on Halloween and Scaring and Potions, etc...But there was a new aisle as well now and that was where they were headed. The sign over the top read "The Other 6 Holidays". Jack began to lead Sally in that direction.

"I'm very very happy we have so much more information on the other holidays now, Sally. It's going to satisfy so much of my curiosity..." He chuckled a tiny bit and glanced at her. "The only downside is that since I don't have to intrude upon the other holidays anymore to learn about them, you won't have to save me from my own enthusiasm much anymore." He winked at her.

"Anything you say, Jack." Sally giggled, winking back at him. "But perhaps there may always be something else I can help you with."

She looked along the shelves, finding books upon books about the other Holidays. She knew the names of them by now, but not so much about them per say.

One book in particular was titled Thanks to Thanksgiving. She pulled it out, seeing that it was a book about that Holiday that intrigued her. Something about its title, having Thanks in the title.

Because it was Valentine's Day, a few shelves were stocked entirely with the Valentine's Day books. Origins, stories, rhymes and poems, reference books for decorations, you name it! She found one about suggestion for patterns and things she could make threw sewing, and immediately picked that up too, thumbing

through it with eager curiosity.

"Oooohhh...!"

Jack smiled at her already having found something she liked, and then went to look at the bookcase himself. He skipped passed the volumes on decoration and fictional stories...he was looking for something more scientific. He wanted to know about the essence of the holiday, the spark that made it work, especially since, seeing as it was a holiday about love, it might help explain to him that spark between himself and Sally. Sadly though nothing about the 'formula' for Valentine's Day or love seemed to be there. Still though his eyes did light on at least one volume that he took in his hand to examine. Valentine's Day: A Complete History. He thumbed through some pages of the very, very, very large volume, and smiled and nodded. It seemed full of facts and dates and historical contexts, and

if there was one thing Jack had a habit of relying on when all else failed and puzzled him, it was fact and reason. "Yes, this should do nicely..." he said quietly to himself under his breath as he closed the book and held it under one of his arms. He glanced at Sally but she still seemed eagerly absorbed in her sewing book so he chose not to interrupt her for the moment...He just let her read on happily, and admired the lovely sight of her smiling face.

Sally grinned, and shut the book before she could spoil it any more, she wanted to buy it and be surprised by all the patterns and designs she could try with it. This book will be so useful! I'll have to remember to buy others like this for the other Holidays, too. With both books tucked under her arm, she took one more look to see what else she could find.

One book in particular caught her eye. It was titled Love To Be In Love. It wasn't a Valentine book, it just happened to be in this particular section since the holiday was about love.

Was it a book about love? Did it have all the answers? She was quite curious.

An idea came to her. Sally made sure Jack wasn't looking, and quickly grabbed the book. Since it was smaller than the other two books she selected, she hid it between them, just as he turned back around to look at her.

"Did you find anything, Jack?" She asked innocently, hoping he didn't notice.

Jack nodded with a smile, approaching her with the large volume he had selected still under his arm. "Yes, only one thing but...I think it should explain this holiday about as thoroughly as anything else could. And what interesting little things did you find, my Sally?" He leaned down and glanced at her books, trying to get a peek at the spines to see the titles.

"Oh, I bought a book about designs and patterns I could use in making various Valentine paraphernalia." Sally said with an excited smile. "And these two others, just a couple I've been meaning to buy but haven't had a chance to do so."

"They sound very nice, Sally... And hmm..." he grinned a little, "A book sewing...new cloth to sew with...those chocolates we bought that I'm sure will give you plenty of energy...Why do I have a feeling that you're going to be spoiling me with new beautiful red and pink curtains and pillows and blankets and pajamas for the next few weeks...?" He chuckled a little and raised an eyebrow at her.

"You know me too well, Jack..." Sally couldn't help but say, giggling and covering her mouth with her free hand. She too, definitely had fun spoiling her beloved with her sewing creations.

"Well, I'll look forward to all of it...and especially to seeing you in all the pretty dresses I'm sure you'll make for yourself too..." He glanced to the side with a touch of bashfulness and an amused little grin.

"I'll be sure to model them for you..." She said shyly, giggling. That was one thing she liked doing, when she made new outfits either to sell or for herself, she would put them on and model them for him, making it that he was the first to see her in them. She knew he liked that a lot.

A kind of a goofy chuckle escaped Jack at her words and he was still glancing downward bashfully. "Th-That'll be...very nice...S-Saly..." he finally managed to mumble out, lost in little daydreams of Sally in pink and red and hearts...doing that cute little thing she always did whenever she came out in a new dress for him to see-smiling brightly at him and then twirling around once, holding the end of her skirts up in one of her hands.

Sally smiled more, and giggled again. "I hope it will be, Jack. ...So...did you want to get anything else?"

"Hmm?" Jack merely mumbled, still kind of wrapped up in his thoughts...and now thinking of how they would cuddle together tonight on the sofa and imagining how nice that would be with her in a new long pretty nightgown covered in hearts of love.

"Jack? ...Hello?" She waved her hand in his face again. She always did wonder what was going on in his head when he slipped off into trances like that. Then again, since she too was guilty of daydreaming and spacing out, she figured that was the case.

"Huh?" Jack blinked at the movement of her hand in front of his face, and then he instantly snapped back to reality. "Oh! Um..I...um..." he cleared his throat and smiled sheepishly and did his best to brush off the awkward moment, "Yes, Sally, heh?"

"I was wondering if you had anything else you wanted to get." She said with an amused smile. Not one to make snappy remarks, she kept them to herself and just smiled at him as she waited for his answer.

"Oh, um...no, no...I'm ready to go if you are." He let out a breath and his smile relaxed a little. He was happy she hadn't said anything about his little 'zoning out' just now-perhaps that meant she hadn't noticed. And also he...wasn't too keen on the idea of having to explain to her, if she had asked what was on his mind, that he had just been thinking about her in some kind of pretty heart covered nightgown snuggling with him on their couch. With a small swallow, Jack put the image aside for now and came fully back to the present. He turned his attentions back to Sally once again. "Come on, Sally, let's go...the sooner we pay, the sooner we can get to reading these books and maybe we can figure out more about love and the...special love between the two of us." He smiled a little more.

"All right, Jack." Sally giggled, nodding her head. "Let's go then, I have what I wanted to get, too..." She wondered what was on his mind, but figured it was best not to pry. After all, she would never be able to explain even half the things that went on in her mind!

Jack nodded and hooked his arm with hers. "Alright then..." He led them over to the front counter to check out. He placed his large book on the table and began to search in his pocket for the correct amount of money while Sally placed her few volumes up there as well. Finished finding what he was looking for, Jack placed his money on the counter. "Here you go, Mr. Hyde. And I'm happy to see the section on books from other worlds is flourishing nicely."

"Thank you, Jack!" said the biggest Mr. Hyde. (more)

"Yes!" added the middle sized one in a higher pitched voice, as the big Mr. Hyde took of his hat to reveal him. "We've been selling a lot of books about the other worlds!"

"Yup!" added the smallest Mr. Hyde in an even higher pitched voice, as the middle sized Mr. Hyde took off his hat to reveal him. "Ever since Christmas, everyone's been curious about the other holidays and how to celebrate them!"

Jack just smiled and nodded. "Yes, all of our worlds are certainly getting along, aren't they? I'm just happy that everyone is enjoying sharing and learning about each other so much."

"I agree," Sally chimed in with a smile. "It's been very fascinating."

Jack nodded and then gave a small wave to the Mr. Hydes. "Well, we'll see you later, Mr. Hyde. And Happy Valentine's Day!" Jack began to merrily lead Sally to the store exit now, his one arm still hooked with hers.

"Yes, bye, Jack and Sally!" called out all three Mr. Hydes in unison as Jack and Sally stepped out of the door and back into the town streets.

"There they are!"

Almost instantly, the bratty trio were upon them again, this time wearing more Valentine-oriented outfits, but still equipping their usual masks.

"Hold up a second!" Shock held up one hand. "You're not going any further!"

Sally sighed, trying to be patient. "All right children, what is it that you want?"

"We want to know something!" Barrel jittered around and grinned. "We wanted to if Miss Sally-"

"You idiot! I'M supposed to ask it!" Shock smacked him with her mask.

Jack sighed and did his best to be patient and not to put Lock, Shock & Barrel to rights with a firm, frightening gesture...though it was a little hard considering how many times so far today the children had found a little way to interrupt his and Sally's romantic day. Instead, he chose to just employ a firm voice and steady gaze with them for now. "Lock, Shock, Barrel...Sally and I have a lot of plans for today, so please just tell us what is on your minds. And one at a time if you don't mind." He looked at them sternly but fairly.

"Oh, fine!" Lock pouted.

"We wanted to know if Sally could take off her head!" Shock grinned.

"Take off...my head?" Sally asked quizzically. "I'm afraid I don't follow."

"Jack can do it!" Lock said. "Can you? You cane take all your other limbs off!"

"Oh...well I don't know..." Sally said honestly. "I never tried."

Jack blinked, looking at the trio curiously. "Children, why in the world would you want Sally to take off her head?"

"Duh! 'Cause we want to know, of course." Shock giggled. "Aren't YOU curious, Jack?"

"It never crossed my mind..." Sally gave a little shrug. She put her bags down on the ground for a moment. "All right, if I try it, will you three please try and find something else to do?"

"Yes!" The trio said in unison.

"All right." The rag doll sighed, shaking her head. She then undid the stitches around her neck slowly and carefully,detaching her head from her neck. She then lifted her head off with both her hands, holding it to one side. Her eyes blinked, her mouth still moved, clearly unaffected by it.

"Well, it seems I can." Sally's head said. "I never would've thought."

Jack blinked several times, holding up a hand for a moment and a small frown coming to his face. "Sally, are you sure that...I mean, are you positive you're alright...doing that?" He looked at her with a touch of unavoidable worry.

"Oooohhhh!" The kids grinned. "Hey, if you hold it by your hair, you'll look like a shrunken head!"

"I feel fine, Jack." Her head smiled. She placed her head back on her neck, and took out her needle, thread, and proceeded to sew her head back on, holding it down with one hand. Once her head was secured back on her shoulders, she put the needle and thread away. "Well, I must say...it felt different, but it looks like it doesn't affect me, either."

"That was cool! You should do that next Halloween!"

"Yeah! That would be horrible!"

Jack, meanwhile, just let out a small sigh of relief and smiled at the sight of her returning to how she normally looked. Not that he didn't approve of experimentation with scaring and seeing what you could do with yourself, especially since everyone in Halloween Town had different abilities and talents in that area, but seeing Sally actually taking off her head couldn't help but worry him just a tiny bit even though he knew it was harmless (and even though he knew he had taken off his own head enough times in front of her...mostly to show off a tiny bit sometimes, he had to admit to himself sheepishly.) But anyway he was glad Sally was back to normal. He turned back to the children. "Yes, children, it would be very scary for Miss Sally to take off her head or one of her legs or arms or

anything like that, and I'll certainly keep it in mind for next Halloween. In the meantime though it 's still Valentine's Day so...if it pleases Miss Sally I'd rather admire her in whole instead of in pieces." He smiled a little more. "And speaking of it still being Valentine's Day...don't you three look nice in your new outfits. And you look especially pretty and horrifying at the same time, Miss Shock." He gave her a slight nod, trying not to chuckle to himself too much at the strange sight of the trick-or-treaters all decked out in red and pink and hearts.

"Well...we...we didn't want to look out of place for our pranks!" Shock said with a blush, putting on her mask to hide it.

"Yeah, what she said!" Lock stuck his tongue out. "C'mon guys, we got some things to do!"

The trio waved and then ran off toward the forest, all of them giggling like crazy.

Sally smiled a bit, shaking her head. "What are we going to do with them, I wonder..."

Jack's smile picked up a little on one side. He watched the kids depart. "To be honest, I've half thought of adopting them sometimes..." He gave a small chuckle at the idea.

"Oh...I suppose I half thought of it too..." Sally admitted, smiling a little more.

Jack chuckled a little more, still looking off in the direction the children had gone. "Hmm...Imagine that...The two of us trying to find time to sip tea and read and sit together...with the three of them running around and jumping on the furniture and setting each other on fire and who knows what else..." He was doing his best not to laugh fully now.

Sally laughed just a bit at that, shaking her head. She hadn't even thought very much about the idea of being a parent. She didn't even know if she could reproduce. She never asked Dr. Finkelstein about it, either. It was far too embarrassing.

"It would certainly be a challenge." She admitted.

"You would be a very nice mother, Sally..." Jack made the observation before he could really think to stop himself, he had felt so relaxed and so amused now thinking of something like trying to keep Lock, Shock and Barrel in line 24 hours a day. The comment had slipped out of the mouth of his skull though and now Jack blinked and swallowed and waiting to see how she would take being told something like that.

"...You think so?" She didn't look at him much, she was a little lost in the fairly overwhelming thought. The idea of them with a little skeleton offspring running around even entered her mind, with Lock, Shock and Barrel playing with it...

She shook her head of it.

"I-I...well...yes..." Jack managed, clearing his throat, his eyes suddenly finding the grey cobblestone pavement underneath their feet rather interesting... "You...I-I mean...You're patient and kind and selfless and loving...I...You would be beautiful as a mother, Miss Sally..." Jack knew he was flustered right now-very flustered. Because it was only when very flustered taht he added the formal Miss to her name even though it was just the two of them talking.

Sally too, found the cobblestone under their feet VERY lovely to look at, as she felt as if she would blush. "Thank you Jack...you...you would...m-make a great...father one day..." She then cleared her throat. "We should keep going, um...Jack..."

Jack was busy blinking a lot and feeling a funny feeling in his bones right now though so he didn't really hear that last thing she had said. 'Father'...He...had only ever thought of...an image of Sally smiling and cradling something small in her arms. He had never really thought about himself being a father though really. And she thought he would make a great one...one day... 'One day...' Those last two words were flustering him the most though...since it suddenly dawned on him that they implied it actually...definitely happening one day. 'W-Well I...certainly got us started on an i-interesting topic of conversation today, didn't I, heh?'

"...Jack? Jack?" Sally picked up her bags and came around to his front, gently touching his jaw with her free hand. "Darling, are you all right?"

"Y-Yes! U-Um, I mean...yes, I'm fine, darling..." Jack released a deep breath he hadn't realized he had been holding. "I was just...thinking..heh..." He cleared his throat...and did his best not to get distracted wtih 'thinking' again at the feeling of her hand still touching his skull. "A-Anyway, I...I think it's almost three o'clock...sh-should we go to the town hall for that concert the mayor mentioned, Sally?" he managed to ask in as confident and casual a voice as he could muster.

Relieved, she nodded and kissed his cheek sweetly. "Of course, Jack. It sounds like a wonderful idea."

"Uh, great! Well, let's go then!" Jack announced, probably a bit too enthusiastically but he really did want to move on from this whole...mother/father moment they had just had. He definitely needed some time to think about things and to sort out his feelings on the matter. And he should also probably find time to work out when it might be best and right to ask her to marry him first of all..

But anyway, back in the present and reality he hooked arms with Sally again and began briskly leading them across town to the City Hall. "I'm sure this will be a splendid way to end our afternoon, Sally.." he talked on, some of his normal calmness and casualness returning now.

"Oh yes Jack, I think it will be!" Sally agreed, feeling the awkwardness pass over them. But she knew she would have to think of it later, of course. But that was for later. Now was the time to have some fun. "I never would've thought we would try something like this...though I suppose it makes sense, doesn't it...?"

Jack nodded. "Yes, it's nice to have visitors from the different worlds coming to see the town. And music would be a wonderful thing to share between our worlds." He smiled more, looking at her as they walked. "Sally, you have a lovely voice...You should sing for one of the other worlds for Halloween one year."

"Oh...well I...I..." Jack was indeed the only one, aside from the band players, who ever heard her sing. Sally felt nervous, looking away. "I...I...maybe...but I'm not that good..."

Jack smiled more at the sight of her shyness. He spoke gently and tenderly. "You know...if you're nervous about performing...it's understandable, Sally. It's been centuries and I still get nervous before every Halloween performance, actually..." He chuckled a little and then went on. "But really, Sally...your voice is as clear as a full silver moon on a crisp autumn night, it echos like a moaning wind through willow trees, and it sounds sweet and delicate like the sinewy fibers of a gossamer spider web. It's haunting, Sally...and it moves me so very much every time I hear it."

Humbled and touched, Sally looked up at her love with shy smile, managing to compose herself a bit. "Thank you, Jack...Well...perhaps I could try...sometime..."

"Only if you want to, my sweet singing Sally...Otherwise, I'll be happy enough to be the only one priviledged enough to hear your pretty songs..." He cuddled a little against her as they walked on.

Sally giggled bashfully and snuggled against him a bit too, savouring the sweet feeling. "Anything you say, Jack...I'm sure we'll see what's to come as time goes on..."

He nodded, snuggling with her more. He really liked snuggling. "Yes...next Halloween will certainly come sooner than we think, I'm sure...And at the very least if you don't want to do a concert for a whole other world...I hope deep down that you'll maybe...sing with me during the Halloween Parade here...but only if you want to, sweet Sally..."

It sounded intriguing, so she smiled and nodded a bit. "Of course, Jack...I think either way..I can try it..."

Jack's smile grew and his eyes lit up. "Wonderful!" He gave her a kiss on the cheek as they reached the front steps of the Town Hall. "Oh Sally..." he paused there walking and turned to face her for a moment. "How did I ever get through a single holiday before I had you? You make them all worthwhile."

"You make them worthwhile, too, Jack...you've made everything worthwhile since I met you." Sally said softly, and a bit shyly. "I may not have been around as long as you have...of course...especially before we met...but even I...sometimes wonder how I ever did make it through my days without you."

Jack just smiled down at her, feeling so at peace inside of himself. Looking at her like this reminded him of that Christmas Eve night on Spiral Hill...and the two of them admitting that they were meant to be. "I love you so much, Sally...Pumpkin Princess Sally..."

Sally smiled back with so much love and adoration, as she moved a bit closer. "I love you too, Jack...Pumpkin King Jack..."

Jack's bones trembled a tiny bit. He liked when she called him the Pumpkin King. For a moment, Jack forgot they were in town...and he could see only her before him...and feel his bones warm with something from her. "Sally..." he whispered under his breath in happiness as he came closer to her too, his eye sockets going half lidded.

"Yes, Jack? Dearest, sweetest Jack...?" Sally felt her bags gently drop to the ground as she came closer to him, her own eyes half-lidded as well.

That trembling, warm feeling was going like crazy through his bones. "To me...you're already my Queen..." And then, letting the private little romantic thought slip out to her, he closed his eyes and went forward and placed his mouth upon hers, feeling that funny kind of love between them just swirl through himself.

A soft sigh escaped Sally's nose as she immediately brought her hands to his skull, kissing back immediately and sweetly. Even one of her legs rose up!

The scene was witnessed by a few townsfolk standing nearby, and they all just watched the adorable spectacle of love on Valentine's Day. Above them on the town hall's entrance way, was a huge heart reading Happy Valentine's Day, as if it were floating right above them.

Jack just sighed as well, practically ready to collapse at the feeling of her holding his skull like that...Those soft, fabric little fingers of hers gently pressing against the cool bone. He loved with things happend spontaneously with them like this. He loved to kiss her so very much...and on Valentine's Day...and he loved that he had finally at least had it in him to tell her that she was already his Queen to him...no question. She was the one, the only one. It was just a matter of making it official one of these days...

His Queen! He thought of her as his Queen! Even if they were far from official, it was still such a sweet thought. Sally could barely contain herself as they embraced and shared a sweet kiss, after such a sweet sentiment. He was the only one, that she knew since the beginning of their courtship. Even before. That very night in the graveyard, when she overheard his lament, she knew there was a connection between them. It was all part of what made her love him even more. And today, those feelings intensified, if that was even possible.

Valentine's Day was truly a wonderful Holiday indeed. It really was.

Jack continued to press his mouth tenderly to Sally's for a few precious moments longer until finally he had to separate from her or risk just collapsing from happiness. He still held her close, taking small shallow breaths. His eye sockets opened only half way and he just smiled at her so happily. He couldn't help but paraphrase a question she had asked earlier in the woods as part of another rather 'intense' moment between them "Wh-Where are we, again?" He chuckled goofily...and in truth he really wasn't sure. He was mostly just thinking about her and only her.

Sally giggled, unsure of how to respond since she was a little bit gone at the moment. "I think we're...here. Yes...here, Town Hall...Jack... Right?"

"Hmm...?" He chuckled a little more. "Oh...Sorry, I just...you're very, um...'distracting', Sally...did you know that?" He gently twirled some of the strands of her yarn hair around his bony fingers. "Most of the time I can't even look away from your pretty red hair...It's the loveliest color of anything I've ever seen in our world."

"Well...well I..." Sally looked away a bit shyly. "I don't mean to be so distracting, Jack...I'm sorry..." She couldn't even admit that she too, found him to be distracting. But never once did she find that to be a bad thing.

Jack chuckled warmly and leaned closer to her, looking at her with a curious smile. "And why in the world would you be sorry for that, my sweet Sally?" He smiled a bit more shyly and added quietly. "After all...maybe I like being distracted..." He twirled a few pieces of that hair of hers more snugly around his bony fingers. She really was the prettiest thing ever...Prettier than Christmas trees or snow or Christmas lights...Pretty and haunting at the same time. She was perfect.

"Oh...well...me too." The rag doll murmured, looking at him at the corner of her eye with a smile. "Jack...maybe we should go inside...not that I wouldn't rather do this..."

Jack just sighed. "Yes...I know...There's a concert now, isn't there?" He was coming more and more back to reality. "I suppose I'll just have to wait until we're happy at home again to spend more private time together with you, won't I? Oh well..." He hugged her close with a big smile for a moment and then released his embrace and, still holding her hand, began to lead her up the steps of the town hall. "I'm sorry if I...got a little 'too' distracted..." he mumbled quietly to her, with a small, shy smile on his face.

"Don't be sorry, Jack..." She kissed his cheek, squeezing his hand. "Don't ever be sorry with being tender and sweet..."

Jack's smile grew. "Oh! Um...alright then, Sally..." They had reached the doors of the town hall and now Jack paused and opened the door with his free hand, bowing low to her. "Ladies first."

Sally giggled at his usual gentlemanly demeanour ("But I'm only being nice!" He'd insist), smiling fondly as she thanked him sweetly before heading inside. A few of the townsfolk were already seated among the chairs and benches, while the Mayor was reading off some paper at the podium. He looked up, and his happy mood face switched back.

"Jack! Sally! You two made it! Oh no no, don't just sit anywhere, you two are very important, please, sit here in the front row!"

Jack blinked several times and was instantly holding up one of his hands with a polite smile. "Uh, Mayor, that's very kind of you but really, we'll be f-"

"Oh don't be silly, my boy!" the Mayor announced with a hearty laugh. "Right over, you two!" The mayor gestured to the front row and instantly a spotlight was on the area...and in the middle of the front row were two high-backed, gothic looking, almost regal chairs! Like they really were for 'Pumpkin Royalty' or something. "Come on, everyone, encourage the kids!" the Mayor added jovially. Instantly all the townsfolk were up and enthusiastically nudging Jack and Sally right over to the seats.

"Oohhh..." Sally couldn't help but admit that the chairs were indeed very lovely. If this had been a year or two ago, she would have instantly agreed with the Mayor about them being suited for royalty.

As much as she did, she could not believe they would go to this much trouble.

She could only imagine what it would be like if they truly did get married and became the Pumpkin King and Queen.

"Oh, but we...I..." Sally began, but her protests were drowned out by the excited cries of the other people nudging them to their seats.

Pretty soon, the two were plunked onto the regal chairs.

"Only the best for the Pumpkin King and his Princess!" The Mayor grinned. "Now then, places everyone! The concert will begin in a few minutes!"

Sally cringed a little, and whispered toward Jack. "Um...Jack...was this really necessary? Not that these chairs aren't lovely, of course..." She placed her bags under her chair so they would be out of the way, and played with her hair nervously. "But well...you are the Pumpkin King...I suppose there isn't much else we can do."

Jack swallowed and looked to her with a small smile though also there was genuine concern and even some guilt in his features and tone. "Yes, you're right, we probably just have to go along with it-that's how I've always handled things over the years. But, I'm sorry that you have to be thrust into the spotlight too like this just because we're together..." He placed a hand atop on of hers as it rested on the armrest of her chair. "I don't mind when our friends get a little...enthusiastic about things some times. I'm used to it. But I wish you didn't have to feel uncomfortable too."

Sally exhaled, and looked down at his hand on hers for a moment, and looked over at him with a smile. "Oh, Jack...as much as I do not prefer to be the centre of attention... It's something I'm willing to face if it means I can be with you. You are the Pumpkin King, but I love you first and foremost. I suppose...I just have to get used to it, too. It's only been a couple of months, I'm sure in time I'll be able to handle it as well as you can, Jack."

Jack's smile picked up a little, though the touch of worry underlying it could not help but linger. "Alright, Sally. If you're sure... But if anything ever makes you very very uncomfortable at all, please just let me know. I'll talk our way out of it, and the townspeople will understand, alright?" His smile was bright and happy again now. "Oh and also, I...I-I'm sorry that 'Pumpkin Princess' thing spread around town so quickly..." he glanced away sheepishly. "I suppose I should have only called you that in private rather than public too. That term spreading is probably a big part of the reason why they all sort of want to 'worship' you too, Sally."

"I...I will, Jack, I promise..." She murmured, and leaned her head on his shoulder. "You don't have to worry about it...In a way I can't say I'm surprised...it makes sense, doesn't it? I can see why it all caught on quickly...and everyone notices me now." She then felt a strange, warm feeling inside of her...and then...felt her cheeks get hot.

Sally was blushing.

Jack, looking at the stage and not at her (and therefore not noticing anything out of the ordinary) just enjoyed the feeling of her head resting against him, and he allowed his head to lean a little against the top of her head as well, enjoying the feel of the yarn against the smooth bone of his skull. "Okay...I'll try not to worry, Sally...And at least we always have privacy at home. That's nice, isn't it?" He was just smiling and content, not noticing a thing strange in the world.

"You're right, Jack...It's always lovely." She whispered, turning her hand to squeeze his and sighing happily.

Jack nodded, snuggling his skull more against the side of her head now. "Yes, it's..." He paused for a moment and blinked. Heat? He felt...heat. Light, soft but still heat...and stronger than just that general warmth that Sally's fabric always seemed to have. He sat up a little and turned to look at her and blinked! Her bluish cheeks were almost...rosy! "S-Sally..." he blinked several times and addressed her seriously, all the while keeping his voice low so that no one around them would see and notice and make a fuss, "Y-Your face...A-Are you alright?" He felt a worried lurch go his rib cage-if something was wrong with her what would he do? He had never felt so...well...scared before in his entire life!

"Huh?" She looked at him, puzzled and curious. "Why, yes...I'm fine. Why?" She did feel the heat in her cheeks, but figured it was just her material and stuffing getting really warm. "I-Is there something on my face?"

"No, I...well, I-I mean, you're...Your cheeks are...glowing...this rosy color...and..." He reached out and hesitantly touched one of them and then pulled it back as his touch to her cloth skin proved the sensation to him again, "...and they feel...warm..." He looked at her in puzzlement.

"I...ohhhh... Then that means... You remember last week, Dr. Finkelstein had me create a potion, that would make as if a creation like me...had a makeshift bloodstream? I...I think I..." She looked down a bit, blushing more. "...Tried some...to see what it would do. I'm so sorry Jack...I wanted to tell you sooner, I didn't think it would work or do anything noticeable."

He continued looking at her curiously for a moment more. Then he hesitantly reached up touched her face again...though this time instead of just lightly brushing her cheek with the tip of his finger, he slowly fully cupped the entire side of her face in his bony hand. He remained like that for a moment. "Are you...sure this is safe for you, Sally?" he asked quietly, looking deeply into her eyes.

"I think so...I feel all right... Um...I think Jewel said that this was what people did when they were...something called blushing." Her cheeks grew rosier at his action. "I read about it a lot in stories...they all say someone blushes or their cheeks grow rosy, but I've never quite known what it meant."

'Blushing.' Yes, Jack had heard of blushing...he had even seen it too, in Christmas Town. Everyone with rosy cheeks, and especially people kissing under mistletoe. And she did say she felt all right...and obviously both the doctor and Jewel were part of this and seemed on board with it...So he supposed that made it safe and alright.

It was just...he had only just found his Sally and her existence always seemed a little threatened to him in many ways-she was a rag doll, stitched together. Seams could snag and burst, limbs could fall off, something could cut her fabric flesh. He worried: he couldn't help it. But, he reminded himself once again, Sally felt fine and this experiment seemed scientifically sanctioned so...he did his best to put aside all of that worry for now and to just be supportive. He smiled, pressing his bony fingers even more against her hot cheek, savoring the heated feel of the familiar fabric. "Sally...as long as you're happy...and as long as you're safe...then I love this new piece of who you are just as much as all the other pieces. And also...you look very pretty when you blush, Sally...It's like watching two little fresh roses grow out of the snowy blue of your face. It warms my bones a little..." he admitted shyly.

All those times Sally WOULD have blushed if she could...now she really was. Her cheeks pinkened all the more and she looked away a little, giggling. "I'm glad you do like it, Jack...really..."

"Attention everyone!" The Mayor suddenly announced from the stage. "It's time, the moment you've all been waiting for! Our town gathering of our first Holiday ever celebrated since Christmas! Valentine's Day!"

Everyone cheered and hooted, clapping their hands, paws or flippers.

"And do we have a treat for you today! A wonderful music band right from Valentines Town!" The Mayor announced gleefully. "Let's give a cold and scary welcome to Flowery Hearts!"

The curtain rose, revealing the pink, red and white colours of the band, hailing right from Valentines Town. The lead singer and guitarist was a young woman, with hair that was dark red, almost brown, dressed in the same Valentine colours, with piercing blue eyes.

However, unlike the other Valentine angels...she didn't have wings. It was odd, but no one said anything of it.

"Hello, Halloween Town! Hope you're having a scary day on Valentine's Day! And boy have we got something for you! This is a song for all you ladies, 'specially for the lovely Pumpkin Princess over there!"

The spotlight shone on Sally, making her eyes widen and sink in her seat a bit, waving slightly. If there was one thing she didn't like, it was being the centre of attention. Despite that it was expected, given that she WAS indeed the Pumpkin Princess, and it brought certain responsibilities.

"Now, our song is called I want Love! All right, let's do this. One, two, three, four."

The curtain rose, revealing the pink, red and white colours of the band, hailing right from Valentines Town. The lead singer and guitarist was a young woman, with hair that was dark red, almost brown, dressed in the same Valentine colours, with piercing blue eyes.

However, unlike the other Valentine angels...she didn't have wings. It was odd, but no one said anything of it.

"Hello, Halloween Town! Hope you're having a scary day on Valentine's Day! And boy have we got something for you! This is a song for all you ladies, 'specially for the lovely Pumpkin Princess over there!"

The spotlight shone on Sally, making her eyes widen and sink in her seat a bit, waving slightly. If there was one thing she didn't like, it was being the centre of attention. Despite that it was expected, given that she WAS indeed the Pumpkin Princess, and it brought certain responsibilities.

"Now, our song is called I want Love! All right, let's do this. One, two, three, four."

The band started to play out the song, which seemed to start very slow, and very whimsical, like a wistful lullaby, and the lead singer played out a slow guitar strum before beginning to sing.

"I want a cup that overflows with love
Although it's not enough to fill my heart
I want a barrel full of love
Although I know it's not enough to fill my heart

I want a river full of love
But then I know the holes will still remain
I need an ocean full of love
Although I know the holes will still remain..."

The music grew more intense and strong, as did the lead's singing, as her voice grew lower and louder, when earlier on she was singing more softly, but still strong.

"And this Swiss cheese heart knows
Only kindness can fill its holes
I'd love to dry my tears
As pain disappears

I need a miracle and not someone's charity
One drop of love from him and my heart's in ecstasy
The high that is sending me is most likely ending me
I need a miracle and not someone's charity, now."

The band kicked into an intense instrumental, most especially emphasized by the lead singer's guitar performance. She played out some kind of a tune, though loud and energetic, was something of a haunting tune going to something different. Needless to say, everyone was quite delighted and blown away. It wasn't terrifying, but it was no less thrilling.

It was a while before she sang again,

"Fill up my heart with love
Oh you'd be amazed at how
Little I need from him
To feel complete here and now

Stirring within me are these feelings I can't ignore
I need a miracle and that's what I'm hoping for

I need a miracle and not someone's charity
One drop of love from him and my heart's in ecstasy
The high that is sending me is most likely ending me
I need a miracle and not someone's charity, now

Oh baby baby...

My baby...

Anybody's love but his
Will never fill this place within me now
Doctor give me what I need
To free my heart from misery..."

Jack had turned his sights and thoughts from Sally for the moment to observe the band and for the time they played he almost forgot about his worries over her entirely. The Valentine's Day band was sensational and the entire town seemed to be thoroughly enjoying them and Jack was very pleased that the performers had brought such joy to all of his extended family. As they finished now the crowd clapped and howled and screeched wildly in approval and Jack clapped as well. "Bravo! Excellent!" he called out enthusiastically. He then turned his sights back to Sally with a smile. "Wasn't that wonderful, Sally?" He noticed that her blushing had ebbed for the moment and he breathed out a small sigh of relief that all seemed to be going well on that front..

Sally nodded quite a bit and clapped her hands enthusiastically. She loved the song. It was nicely performed, and was definitely about desiring someone's love, and yet it even held something haunting to it. It was subtle and more of an undertone, but it was there. Everyone else seemed to agree as they all applauded the band excitedly.

Sally definitely loved it, and couldn't help but feel that in a way, it spoke to her somehow. So much of the lyrics just screamed exactly what she once felt, or even still was feeling right now. What stood out to her were definitely a few of the lines referring to how much "his" (whoever "his" was in the original song) love was all that was needed.

"Thank YOU, Halloween Town! Coming to you from Valentine's Town!" The lead singer grinned. "I'm Flower Heart, and it has been a pleasure performing for you!"

As the rag doll eyed the wingless Valentine Angel, she wondered...was the song more about her own personal experience? It was intriguing.

"It was lovely, Jack... I never heard such music before..." She admitted, smiling more and feeling her cheeks grow hot. "They were fantastic..."

"Yes. I'm happy you enjoyed yourself so much, Sally..." Jack turned to look at her and he blinked once more at seeing her face turn that rosy color again. It was such a curious color...and yet so beautiful on her. He smiled, a thought occurring to him. "You blush a lot, don't you, Sally?" He almost chuckled. She really did seem to do it a lot now that she could.

"Well...I...I suppose if I was able to before...I would be..." She said softly, the blush adding even more to how bashful she looked. "I can't control it...it just kind of does what it wants..."

He smiled more. "It's very sweet, you know...It's like getting to see every time something makes you very happy. I'm...sort of happy you can't control it, actually..." he admitted sheepishly.

Sally giggled, knowing full well what he meant by that. Did he just fish for ways to make her look cute? It sure seemed like it, and it was impossible not to find it so silly and adorable. "It wouldn't do me any good if I could, really... So..." She blushed a bit more, her fingers nervously playing with the patchwork skirt portion of her dress. "I suppose it's a good thing, too..." Hey, if it was able to make her man smile, why not?

She was so cute sitting there and coyly admitting that she liked her blushing just as much as he did. Feeling a small, bold impulse, Jack reached out and gently took her hand that was playing with her skirt, and held it close. "I just hope that your face doesn't overheat the next time we kiss..."

The idea made her cheeks seem to grow even more pink as she covered her mouth with her free hand, giggling. "Well, for my sake...I hope it doesn't, either..."

Jack smiled a lot, and it was taking everything he had not to chuckle right along with her. "See, I can't even say nice things to my Pumpkin Princess without you getting all warm...What if you just melt or something the next time we kiss?" he teased with an eyebrow raised.

"Oh...well I certainly hope I don't..." Sally looked at him with a sweet smile.

"All right everyone, listen up!" The Mayor announced. "The band, and of course Miss Flower Heart will be taking questions and offering autographs back stage! Do assemble to the backstage room in a completely disorderly...I mean, orderly fashion now!" Said the Mayor from the stage. "And Sally! Miss Flower Heart has requested to see you right away in her dressing room! Jack, do come over here a minute, please!"

Jack blinked. "Oh, um...certainly, mayor..." Jack stood up, but hesitated of course to look back at Sally. "Will you be alright alone, Sally?"

Sally gave a short nod, but she looked very nervous. She didn't have trouble going around town and interacting with the townsfolk these days, but meeting new people, and doing it alone, overwhelmed her a bit. "Oh, I'll be all right, Jack... I suppose I just have to get used to meeting and greeting people...even on my own...don't I?"

Jack nodded with a smile, though a touch of worry couldn't help but still be in his features. "Yes, I suppose..." He let out a breath, the worry leaving his face and smile. "Just be yourself, Sally. You're very kind and loving. And remember Santa Claus liked you when he met you so I'm sure Miss Flower Heart will too."

But I was with you... She nearly said, but decided not to burden him with her shyness. "That's true... Well...wish me luck, Jack..." She managed to smile.

He let out a breath and then bent down and put his hands on her shoulders, looking into her eyes. "Luck, my perfect Pumpkin Princess..." And then he leaned in and gave her a tender kiss on her blushing cheek. He pulled back and then stood up, gave her a small nod and a little wave, and then left to join the Mayor.

Sally touched her cheek where he'd planted a little kiss and giggled as she blushed all the more. She felt a lot better (though did not know why he called her perfect...), and slowly headed toward the dressing rooms located backstage. Everyone she passed immediately moved out of her way, making some hellos and compliments toward her.

It sure is different...ever since I became the "Pumpkin Princess", everyone knows of me... Sally thought, and soon came to one of the dressing rooms. The old, black, ricketed Halloween door had a small flower on the doorknob. Raising her little fist, she knocked twice.

"Hello! Come on in!" Said the cheery voice from the other side.

With a small, nervous sigh, Sally brushed her yarn hair behind either of her ears, straightened the front of her dress as best she could, and then folded her hands in front of herself and timidly entered. "H-Hello, um...I'm Sally...It's a pleasure to meet you." Now inside she quickly gave a small bow. "Um...let me welcome you to Halloween Town." She glanced up and was instantly almost mesmereized by all the pinks and whites and reds and shining, sparkling decor of Miss Flower Heart's dressing room.

"Miss Sally!" Flower Heart went over to her with happy excitement. "I'm so glad to finally meet you! I've heard so much about you, Miss Sally." She was wearing a different dress than when she performed. It was pink, with a red sash tied around the waist, and since her skin was very pale, it added the white. Her hair was now pulled back into a ponytail, with a few heart clips holding back her jaw-length bangs that framed her pale face.

"Oh!" Sally blinked several times. 'H-Heard about me...?' But how... "I, um...y-you've heard about me, Miss Flower Heart?" Sally asked timidly. After all, half the people in Halloween Town hadn't really heard of or noticed her until the Christmas escapade a few months ago, but for people in other towns to already know about her? It seemed almost unbelievable.

"Of course, silly!" She giggled madly and gave Sally a big hug, then pulled away. "You see, I'm one of Cupid's apprentices. I manage his flowers and plants, since that's truly what I love to do. I can't fly or shoot love arrows like the other Valentine angels can." She pouted a little but smiled again. "So I was with Cupid when he met Jack! Oh, he is such a charming skeleton! Oh, Sally...you were all he talked about! He's said nothing but wonderful things about you. He would just smile and light up the minute you were mentioned! It was so adorable! I've lived in Valentine Town all my life and I see love every day...but that love, was just so sweet. You're a lucky lady, Sally. And I don't just mean that because he's the ruler of your very town! Goodness no! It's that he truly loves you so much...it's wonderful." Flower Heart smiled more. "Could I...possibly ask you a favour, Miss Sally?"

Blushing. Sally was blushing about as much as she ever could. Jack talked about her to other people! Other HOLIDAY LEADERS that he met? He gushed about her, lit up about her, said wonderful things...he...She blinked several times and put a hand to her forehead, feeling dizzy for a moment. "I-I, um...th-thank you? A-And...did you say a favor?" She tried to speak back to Miss Flower Heart normally but her knees were a little wobbly.

"Awwwww! Blushy!" Flower Heart gushed, giggling and acting like a child. "So cute!" She laughed and composed her. "I'm so sorry, Miss Sally. Am I making you uncomfortable? I don't mean to! I just get excited. But yes! Yes, I would like to know if you would sign an autograph for me."

Sally blinked a few times but finally managed to take a breath and compose herself fully again. "I...N-No, no, MIss Flower Heart, you're not making uncomfortable, I just...um...I'm a little shy, I guess...That's what Jack says anyway..." She swallowed, feeling herself blush a little more for a moment, but then she managed to calm it down and look to Miss Flower Heart once more. But then the blushing returned as she recalled the favor she had just been asked. "M-My autograph?" She looked at Miss Flower Heart in puzzlement. 'Why would anyone ever want that?' Certainly Jack got asked for his autograph a lot...but hey that was because he was the Pumpkin King! He was practically royalty! But she was just...royalty by association, and really just a quiet little rag doll. So why would anyone want her autograph?

"Don't be modest, Miss Sally!" Flower smiled, waving her hand dismissively. "I know it may seem odd, being royalty by association and all...but it's not just about that, silly. I just truly admire you, Miss Sally. You're a wonderful person...and in all honesty, you're like me. You aren't like the rest of the monsters here, yes?" When Sally shook her head, she went on. "I am not like the other Valentine angels in Valentine Town. I don't have wings, so I can't fly. I can't shoot an arrow, nor do I possess the right power to inflict the power of a love arrow! My hair is brown, not red, and my eyes are blue, rather than white or pink. I'm quite strange, you see." She then practically danced over to her dresser, picked up a piece of Valentine stationary, and a quill pen, before dancing back over to her. "And I was like you, so shy and quiet. And I always felt so different from the others. Cupid took me under his wing, and since then everyone has been respecting me and sweeing me...it's quite overwhelming, isn't it? I was always a wallflower! So would you sign an autograph for me? Please?"

Sally, with a bashful yet sympathetic little smile, just nodded a little and then took the quill and paper from Flower Heart. She leaned the paper against the flat surface of the wall and wrote on it as mest a message as she could manage to think up.

To Miss Flower Heart...Thank you for making me feel like a special part of your visit to Halloween Town. And also...even if your hair and eyes are a little different from the other Valentine angels, I think you're one of the prettiest creatures I've ever seen. Good luck with everything. ~Sally, The Pumpkin Princess.

Sally had definitely debated for several seconds adding 'Pumpkin Princess' to her signature but, caught up in the giddiness of meeting her new friend and how nice she was and finding out about how much Jack gushed about her, she just couldn't help adding the bit of flair to the end of her message. She handed the paper and quill back to Flower Heart with a shy smile. "Here you go, Miss Flower Heart. And thank you for wanting my autograph. You're very sweet and kind."

"Oh, thank you, Miss Sally! You're the sweetest!" Flower Heart gushed, and read the message. Her eyes widened and she smiled more. "Awwwwwwwww! Thank you!" She hugged her tightly. "You truly are the highlight of my visit here! I'm so glad to have finally met you! Jack was right...you're the sweetest and most amazing young lady. I certainly hope life treats you well here!"

A baby's soft crying and cooing was then heard from a corner of the room, surprising Sally.

"Oh!" Flower Heart placed everything down and went over to a small bassinet. "Oh sweetie..." She then pulled a baby Valentine angel out from the bassinet, gently cuddling it.

The baby had a patch of yellow hair, stunning blue eyes like his mother, and was wearing a red pair of onesies with white hearts printed all over them. He even had tiny little sprouting angel wings!

Sally blinked several times in wonder at the sight and blushed lightly. "Ooo..." she cooed quietly to herself. She took a step forward but would not go any further toward it, in awe as she was at the sight. "Flower Heart..." she whispered gently, "Who...is that?" She couldn't think of any other way to ask the question about this strange little child here now.

"This is Henry! He's my baby!" Flower Heart gushed. "This is Miss Sally, sweetheart! She's the Pumpkin Princess!"

Baby Henry looked over at Sally and smiled.

"Awww! He likes you, Miss Sally! He normally doesn't take well to strangers. Everyone here scares him! But he was never afraid of Jack, which was quite surprising!"

Sally just continued to look at the baby in curious wonder. "Jack..." she whispered to herself. Jack had seen the baby too... "But...Miss Flower Heart...where did you get him from?" The question popped out of Sally's mouth before she could stop it, and then she instantly blushed and looked down shyly. "I-I mean...if you don't mind my asking of course..."

Flower Heart giggled. "Jack asked the same thing! Well you see Miss Sally, we angels in Valentines Town are much like humans in the sense of being anthropomorphic! I had a baby the very same way a human female would! Pregnancy! He grows in my belly for nine months, and then after he's ready to come out, I give birth! Oh, what am I saying? Would you like to hold him?"

Sally's eyes went wide and she blushed. "H-Hold...um...a-alright..." she said before she could chicken out of the opportunity. She held out her arms. Inside, her thoughts raced a little. 'Jack asked the same question...about the baby...' She thought about that random chat she and he had gotten themselves involved in earlier that afternoon...about adopting and children and her being a good mother and him being a good father...Her knees were starting to shake again so she put the thought aside for now and summed up all of her strength and courage for holding the baby.

"Here you are!" Flower Heart gently placed Henry into Sally's arms. "Be sure to hold and support him from the bottom and along his upper body!"

Henry did squirm a little in being within unfamiliar arms that didn't offer human warmth, but he soon relaxed and cuddled into Sally.

"Oh..." Sally sighed out airily as the little baby calmed and cuddled against her. It felt...so nice holding his weight and warmth...keeping him safe in her arms. She supported him as firmly as she could and then even started rocking him a little, almost on instinct. "He's...perfect..." was all she could comment with an adoring smile on her face.

"Isn't he?" Flower Heart giggled, awed at the sight. "Gosh Miss Sally...you look so lovely holding him there...oh...you would make a wonderful mother one day, if that's not too bold to say."

Henry cooed at the rag doll, looking up at her with curious, wide, innocent eyes. He then grabbed onto her finger with his little hand, holding on with all of his strength, giggling and smiling as she rocked him.

At Flower Heart's comment, Sally just blushed and her eyes went wide. "I...well, um...th-thank you, Miss Flower Heart...that's sweet of you to say..." She rocked the baby a little more, and a small frown stole to her face. "I...might...like to...be a mother...if I could..." she finished quietly. And for a moment she imagined rocking a little skeleton child in her arms. The idea of that image might have seemed creepy to non-Halloween people but to her it wasn't...It was an image of a smiling cute little baby skeleton. It made her shake all over in potential happiness.

Quickly though the image faded and Sally took in a sharp breath and came back to reality and blushed like crazy at the mere idea of what she had just been privately thinking about! She gave the baby another rock and then offered him back to his mother. "Um...here you go, Miss Flower Heart. Thank you for letting me hold him. He's lovely...A-And I'm happy he liked me...and Jack too..." She played with her hair a little in shyness.

"Oh, you're welcome, Miss Sally!" Flower Heart took Henry back from her, snuggling him. "You bet he liked you two! You see...we Valentine Angels really have a way of telling how people are and how they act. And one thing we see the most is how genuine a sweet love they feel is. He's already kicking into his instincts...so he feels that you're very sweet and loving, and that's why he really liked you."

Sally blinked and blushed and looked down, clasping her hands in front of herself again. "Th-Thank you, Miss Flower Heart...and Henry..." she replied shyly.

"Da da daaaa..." Henry replied, giggling.

"You're very welcome! Oh! And I almost forgot." She picked up a Valentine card from her table and handed it to her. "Here! This is for you! I made it myself. That's another custom on Valentine's Day, you give your loved ones a nice card!"

Sally blinked and took the card. She smiled in awe at how beautiful and intricate it was-so very lovely and covered in lace and sparkles and silk. It was simply a big heart with a message written in the center in beautiful cursive writing. To Miss Sally, the Valentine Angel of Halloween Town, Love Flower Heart...and Henry! Sally practically beamed at how sweet it was. "Oh thank you, Miss Flower Heart!" And instantly Sally was across the room and hugging Flower Heart and baby Henry with a happy smile.

"Oh!" Flower Heart was surprised, but giggled and enveloped her into a hug as well, while Henry snuggled in between both of them. "Oh, you are just so welcome, Miss Sally! It's my pleasure! We're so very happy you like it!"

"I love it!" Sally let out a happy sigh and then released Flower Heart and Henry.

"Oh Flower Heart...I'm very very happy all the holidays could meet like this. I'm very glad to know you and now Henry too."

"Oh, so am I, sweet dear Sally!" Flower Heart beamed. "I never would've thought this could happen! But oh, it has! And it was wonderful meeting you and everyone! It truly was! Ohh, you must come to Valentines Town one day! I would love to have you!"

Sally smiled even more. "I would love that very much, Flower Heart. Thank you." She nodded. She glanced to the side a little shyly. "Might I bring Jack one of the times I come to see you? I'd like to visit there with him one day..."

"Oh, absolutely! Yes yes! With your sweet love, you two would flourish!" Flower Heart giggle. "It will be wonderful to see you two! Cupid would love it as well!"

"Thank you...I'll be sure to mention visiting to Jack then." Sally beamed. "I'm sure he'll be thrilled about a trip!" And Sally was thrilled as well! She had never had a chance to travel to the other worlds yet-and to travel to a world full of love...and with Jack...It was a dream come true! It was then though that thinking about Jack made Sally blink and realize how long she had been absent from him now with her visit to Flower Heart. She looked at her new friend with a touch of remorse. "Oh Flower Heart, I just realized, I've been visiting here for so long and I'm sure Jack must be missing me by now. And I'm not even sure when we're supposed to meet up again or where. I should probably go now...but it was such a pleasure meeting you...both of you!" She smiled and nodded at Flower Heart and baby Henry.

"Awwww..." Flower Heart giggled and grinned. "Goodbye, Miss Sally! It was wonderful meeting you at last! I hope to see you soon! Say bye bye, Henry!" She tooked her baby's little hand and waved it.

"Ba baa..." Said Henry, gurgling and giggling.

Sally giggled at the sight and gave him a little wave back. "Bye bye..." she cooed lovingly. Then she gave a wave to Flower Heart. "And goodbye, Flower Heart, and have a safe trip back to Valentine Town!" Flower Heart waved back at her and then Sally shut the door behind her and left (tucking her Valentine into a pocket in her dress) to look for Jack, feeling very strange and warm and happy inside.

After a few moments, Sally came back around and onto the stage, finding Jack there. He was looking around, for something or..her? She beamed and trotted back over to him.

"Jack! Jack...have I kept you waiting long? I didn't mean to...I suppose I got caught up in my little visit with Miss Flower Heart..."

Jack just beamed at the sight of her. "Oh Sally of course you didn't keep me waiting! I'm just happy you enjoyed your visit with her..." He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a quick hug and then pulled back. "I thought you might like her...I met her when I was at Valentine Town. And she really did seem excited at the idea of meeting you back then when I told her about you."

Blushing, Sally nodded a bit as a smile pulled at her mouth. "She...she did say that, yes... She said she met you, and that you..." She cleared her throat to keep herself from going on. "Er...met with Cupid like you said you did and that you even got to see her baby. ...He really wasn't afraid of you?" She smiled.

Jack smiled bashfully and cleared his throat and shrugged. "W-Well, um...no." He chuckled a little. "Come on, Sally...if anyone knows that I can be just as soft as I can be scary, it must be you..."

"Of course I know...I just found it very surprising none the less. The fact that we look different from them? Oh, but you're right! He must have seen what a kind person you are, that's what she said, yes..." She giggled. "He's absolutely perfect..."

Jack smiled more, tilting his head to the side. "Do you really like him that much, Sally?" He chuckled a little. "I know he must have liked you..." He looked at her adoringly.

"I certainly do, he's adorable, and such a sweet little baby..." Sally giggled, smiling more. "Yes...he seemed to like me. Miss Flower Heart even seemed to think so... He was quite...quite cuddly."

Jack chuckled a little, liking her word. He nodded. "Yes, I found him quite 'cuddly' too, Sally. They have...very beautiful babies in Valentine Town, don't they? It's a very loving lovely place."

"Ohhh..." Sally murmured, clasping her hands. "I would love to go see it sometime...with you, of course..." She blushed at the idea. "I'm sure Miss Flower Heart would love it, too."

Jack nodded. "Then we'll go...As soon as there's a lull between holidays we'll take a lovely, long visit there. And then maybe I can take you around to see the other Holidays too. Oh Sally, you'll adore Christmas Town...I practically fell in love with it the first time I saw it. But yes, Valentine Town first." He reached up and brushed some of her yarn hair from her face and behind her ear. "It'll be a wonderful trip together."

Sally beamed, and reached up to gently caress his skull with her hand, as she blushed a bit more. "That all sounds wonderful, Jack...I'm very much looking forward to it all." She was excited to see Christmas Town, to see what it's all truly like! And Valentine Town, that would be beautiful too! Oh, she couldn't help but feel giddy at how the holidays had all come together like this!

XXX

End of part one! Stay tuned for part two. :)