There's always a happy ending for a Corpse Bride.

I don't own anything but my OC's.

Chapter 9

Next morning, Bonejangles woke up after a rather fitful sleep. He stretched and grinned when he remembered the date tonight. He journeyed downstairs to the bar, only to find his brother behind the counter, cleaning up from last night. BJ raised his imaginary eyebrow. Oliver was early, but never this early.

"Morning, Big Brother." Oliver greeted. "Will we have the pleasure of you and your lady's presence again tonight?"

"Course, Ol." BJ said, all the while thinking 'if only you knew.' "But ya know, Ol, ya don't have to check on me every five minutes."

"I know, Big Brother. It's just, with father and mother gone, I feel like it's me who's supposed to be the protective one." Oliver smiled at his sibling.

BJ smiled back. Good kid…

Bonejangles wished he could spend some time with Oliver. But with his new relationship, he wouldn't have the chance.

BJ looked at the pub's door longingly, wishing he could go and see his girlfriend. (Bloody hell, he had to get used to calling her that.)

"Go see her."

Bonejangles snapped out of his daydreams. "What?"

"Go see her." Oliver repeated.

"I can't now." BJ said. "Not yet. I'll go see 'er soon, though."

Oliver nodded and headed into the kitchen.

BJ sighed. He had to get his brother a girlfriend, just so he'll be as happy as Bonejangles is with Emily.

Emily got up bright and early, wondering what she should pack for the picnic. After all, what food would you pack for someone who, when they eat it, it falls out of their ribcage? She was so looking forward to tonight's date, a chance to be alone with Bonejangles. It was so wonderful how she felt so alive in his company. It was just such a pity she had to meet the love of her life in the afterlife. After all, Bonejangles would've made a great father. Emily could picture it. Them, alive. Their wedding day, their honeymoon, the birth of their first child, their small family taking a walk through the park. She could picture it all. If she had met him then, and if they fell in love then, she wouldn't have met Barkis and he wouldn't have killed her. Emily would much rather elope with Bonejangles then Barkis.

Emily found herself staring at the photo of living Bonejangles sadly. She ran her fingers down his face. When she heard a knock at the door, she quickly put the photo under her pillow, put the hamper in the cupboard and rushed to the door. She pulled it open.

"Good morning, Bone-" She paused her greeting when she saw who the visitor really was. Or visitors.

Mary and Jazz stood on the other side of the door.

"Expecting BoneJ, eh?" Jazz asked, grinning her skeletal grin.

"Um…No…" Emily replied.

"I know when you're lying, Emily." Jazz said.

"Can we come in?" Mary asked.

"Oh, of course." Emily moved out the way as her best friends entered her home.

"So," Mary began. "You and Bonejangles, huh?"

Emily nodded.

"Oh, Emily!" Mary hugged her excitedly. "I'm so happy for you!"

"Mary," Emily laughed. "We're not getting married."

"But I wouldn't be surprised if Bonejangles went down on one knee soon." Mary released her.

Emily blushed. "He did say that if we were to be with each other for the rest of our afterlives, then he would be happy."

"Can you work on his brother for me?" Mary asked shyly.

Jazz chuckled in the background. "Knew it…" She murmured.

Mary shot her a look.

"What do you mean?" asked Emily.

"Ain't ya worked it out yet, Emily?" Jazz shouted from across the room. She grinned. "Mary fancies Oliver!" She sang.

Mary shot her a look of hatred and blushed profusely.

"Oh, Mary!" Emily said. "I had no idea! Wouldn't it be great if you two got together? Double dates!"

"Don't make fun of me, Emily." Mary sighed.

"Oh, I'm not, Mary. Really I'm not. But it would be fun. You and me and the brothers, double dating. After all, you're like a sister to me."

"What am I, then?" Jazz asked.

"A little girl version of Bonejangles." Emily giggled, quoting her boyfriend.

Jazz smiled. "No, I think that makes me the lonely one."

"What about Fletcher?" Mary asked.

"Fletch?" Jazz's eye widened. "Nah, Fletch is jus' a friend. Has been since we were livin'."

"Friendship blooms into something greater." Mary said.

Jazz scoffed. "Ever occur to you that I'm twelve years old?"

Mary scowled at her.

"Why don't you ask Ol out on a date?" Emily asked, quickly changing the subject before they could get into a fight.

"Can you imagine what he would say?" Mary said. "He would laugh me out of the bar."

"Now, now, Mary." Jazz spoke up. "I know I said BoneJ and Ol ain't nothin' alike, but if BoneJ didn't laugh at Emily, then Ol wouldn't laugh at you. That's the thing they have in common."

"Still don't think he sees me as girlfriend material." Mary said.

"Ol doesn't think of anyone as girlfriend material." Jazz said. She paused. "That came out wrong…"

"Not helpful, Jazz." said Emily.

"I didn't mean it like that!" Jazz exclaimed. "I'm jus' sayin' that Ol loves science. BoneJ's the one who loves girls."

"So, what you're saying is there's no point in bothering with him." Mary sighed sadly.

"Never give up hope, Mary." Emily said. "I didn't with Bonejangles, and now look at us. As happy as two peas in a pod."

Mary smiled. "Thanks, Emily." She gave her best friend a hug.

"Don't I get a hug?" Jazz asked.

Mary released Emily. "Why should you?"

"I helped."

"With what? Crushing my dreams?"

Jazz huffed. "No need to put it like that…"

"Anyway, enough about my problems. I came round to help you with your dressmaking." said Mary. "So, let's have some lunch, then we'll get on with it."

"Ok," said Emily. "I'll warm up some soup and then we'll get on with things."

After clearing away the two soup bowls, Emily got out the dress she was making and she and Mary spent the rest of the day happily sewing away and chatting about everything under the sun while Jazz laid back on Emily's bed engrossed in a book until she eventually nodded off.

Emily had been so engrossed in things with Mary that she didn't realize how time had flown by and suddenly there was a knock at the door.

Emily jumped up and opened the door. "Hello, Bonejangles." She greeted, stepping back to let him in.

Jazz sat up, bleary eyed, "What time is it?" She asked.

"Time we were going, I think." laughed Mary.

"Don't rush off on my account," said BJ.

"Nice clothes by the way, BoneJ." Jazz complimented. "Bit smart for the bar, ain't it?"

BJ nodded, trying not to give anything away, "I'm dressin' for my lady." He said. "Not my public."

Bonejangles' waistcoat was black and his shirt was crisp and white. His trousers were brown and his shoes were leather.

"Right," Mary said, trudging over to him. "Listen here, Large Jaw," She grabbed him by his black tie. "If you break Emily's heart, I'll scatter your bones so well, not even your brother will be able to find them. Understand?"

BJ nodded.

"Ok," She smiled. "Have a nice evening with your lady, Bonejangles." She turned to the female skeleton. "Come along then, Jazz, time for us to go."

Emily showed them to the door and, after they left, turned to BJ, who was rubbing his lower jaw.

"Is my jaw really that big?" He asked worriedly.

"No," laughed Emily. "But you know those two will head straight to the bar and tell everyone that we're on our way."

BJ smiled and said. "Then they'll 'ave a long wait for the floor show tonight, won't they, babe?" He turned back to the door. "I'll go an' check if the street's clear, then we'll 'ead off, ok Em?"

"Ok," said Emily, getting the picnic hamper from its hiding place.

With the coast clear, they headed off into the night, arm in arm, both looking forward to their evening together.

The moonlight shone upon the opening in the woods, trees surrounding the small space. A red and white checked blanket sat upon the grass and on top of that were Bonejangles and Emily.

BJ's arm was around his girl's shoulders while her head rested on his shoulder. Both of them wished they could stay like this forever, just content to be together.

"Let's eat," said Emily, beginning to unpack the hamper. "I know it'll just fall through your ribcage, but I thought you might want to try something."

"Sounds good to me." Bonejangles said, leaning in and giving Emily a kiss on the cheek.

"You know, Bonejangles," Emily said. "Mary's got a crush on your brother."

BJ chuckled. "Thought she did."

"Do you think she stands a chance with him?" Emily asked.

BJ shrugged. "Dunno. Ol's never really been into romance. Been tellin' 'im 'e should get a girlfriend, but 'e keeps sayin' 'Science is my love, Big Brother'."

"It's a pity," said Emily. "I'd like to see Mary happy."

"Jus' because it's worked out for us," said BJ. "Doesn't mean it'll work for everyone, Em, and I'm not sure we should be interferin' in other people's love lives. After all, we didn't like the fuss everyone was makin' about us two gettin' together. Besides," He kissed Emily on the cheek again. "We're getting a little alone time, we shouldn't be focusin' on someone else's love life."

Emily raised her eyebrow. "Don't you want your brother to be happy?"

"He is 'appy. 'e said the only thing that could make 'im happier is if our parents came back." He paused. "That and if someone found out how to duplicate people!"

Emily giggled. "Ok, enough of other people. Let's just get back to enjoying ourselves."

"Are ya happy, Em?" asked BJ, seemingly smiling.

"I'm happier now then I ever was when I was alive." Emily smiled and cuddled up to her boyfriend once more. "If only we'd got together when we were alive, instead of wasting so much time."

BJ hummed thoughtfully. "That would've been nice. If only you didn't get killed by Barkis and I didn't get killed by Russell…"

Emily turned her head to him. "Russell?"

BJ stiffened. "Don't remember much about 'im, but apparently we hated each other. 'e killed me."

"Oh…" Emily whispered, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry, Bonejangles."

"What for? It's not like it's your fault 'e killed me." BJ said. "Besides, in a way, we should be grateful. If they didn't kill us, we wouldn't have met each other. We'd probably be married to other people."

Emily nodded. "True."

"Anyway, this is supposed to be our romantic picnic an' here we are talkin' about murder! Not very romantic, is it?" He said, laughing.

"Bonejangles, do you remember anything from when you were alive?"

BJ stiffened once more.

"I'm sorry, BJ, have I upset you?" Emily asked worriedly.

"No, Em. I don't remember much. Ol told me we travelled to London after our parents…uh…kicked the bucket…"

Emily saddened. Oliver told her their parents died when they were young. It just made her upset knowing Bonejangles and Oliver had to grow up without their parents.

"What about you, Em?" Bonejangles asked. "What were you like?"

Emily shifted slightly. "There's not much to tell. I grew up as a rich girl, lots of men admired me-" She paused when she felt BJ shift uncomfortably. Jealousy. "None of them were men I really liked then…Barkis came and…" She stopped there and stared at the ground. "Well, you know the rest…"

BJ saddened and wrapped both his arms around her, attempting to comfort her.

Emily gripped his tie.

"It's ok, Em," BJ said softly. "Ya got me now."

"I know," said Emily. "That almost makes me feel grateful to Barkis. If he didn't kill me, then I wouldn't be here with you."

"Yeah, I guess, in some kinda strange way, I'm grateful to him too. If it weren't for 'im, I wouldn't 'ave my Emily."

"Bizarre, isn't it? How something so awful could bring such happiness?"

"Yeah."

Out of the corner of his eye, BJ spotted a rose growing in one of the bushes. He glanced at Emily, only to see her watching the moonlight. He plucked it from its bush and held it in between his index finger and thumb. Its petals were red and delicate. He held it out to her.

Emily looked in his direction, only to find him holding out the flower. She took it from him and smiled. She held it gently. Emily glanced at BJ then placed the rose beside her leg. She turned to BJ and cupped his face gently and kissed him fully on the teeth of his bottom jaw. She slid her arms around his neck. After a long kiss, she nestled her head on his shoulder and sighed contentedly.

Emily smiled and looked into BJ's eye and eye socket, cupping his chin. "I love you."

BJ just stared at her, not saying a word.

"Am I moving too fast for you, Bonejangles?" asked Emily.

"No, like I said before, jus' can't believe you wanna be with me."

"Why do you put yourself down so much? Oliver adores you, the guys in the band all look up to you, Jazz thinks the world of you. We can't all be wrong, can we?"

"Ya didn't mention yourself." BJ pointed out.

"What?"

"You didn't mention yourself. You told me about Ol, the band and Jazz, but you didn't mention yourself."

"I've already told you how I feel. I was just pointing out how the others feel too. Obviously, you're a very nice skeleton!" She giggled.

"I guess I'm just not used to people bein' nice to me. Sure, I've got my fans, but they jus' like me for my singing. Not for me."

"Now, Bonejangles, you know that's not true. Everyone admires you." Emily paused. "Is it because your father walked out, or is because your parents left?"

"I jus' feel that everyone wants me to suddenly become my dad. I mean, he was a skeleton too."

"I don't want you to become your father, I want you to be you. I love Bonejangles Skeleton, not…" She waited for him.

"Danny." BJ said. "That's my dad's name."

"Ok. I don't want you to be Danny. I want you to be you."

BJ seemed to smile. "Thanks, Em." He paused. "Ya know somethin'?"

"What?"

"Before my mom left, she said one day, I'll find that one perfect gal who would love me for me 'n' not my talent." He pulled Emily into a hug. "An' I think I've found 'er."

Emily smiled a heart-warming smile. "You don't know how good it is to hear you say that."

"I mean it, Em, you're the only girl for me."

Bonejangles took off his hat and placed it on Emily's head. Fit like a glove.

They spent the next few hours chatting, eating, cuddling and, occasionally, kissing.

When the sun began to rise, they decided to head home.

A few yards from Emily's door, who should they bump into? Oliver!

"Hey, Brother." Oliver greeted, crossing his arms. "Where've you been? Enjoying a picnic?" Oliver nodded at the hamper in Emily's hand. "Is our company not good enough for you two?"

"Don't be mad, Ol," said Emily. "We just fancied some time alone without everyone watching our every move."

"Being a couple is new to us, and we-" BJ said but was soon interrupted.

"What did you say when we were alive?" Oliver snapped.

"What?"

"What did you say when we were alive?" Oliver repeated.

"I dunno, Ol. What did I say?" BJ asked, his anger beginning to rise. Emily glanced worriedly at BJ then at Oliver.

"You said no secrets between us!"

"There is no secret! We jus' wanted some time alone!" shouted BJ.

Emily gripped BJ's shirt. "Bonejangles…" she whispered. "Please don't argue…I never meant to come between you two."

"Sorry, Emily." said Oliver. "I know you're not trying to come between us really." Oliver saddened and stared at his feet. "It's just hard sharing my Big Brother…"

Bonejangles seemed to smile and removed his hand from Emily's shoulder. He walked over to his younger brother. "Come 'ere." he said, hugging his brother.

"Sorry, Emily. Sorry, Brother." Oliver said. "Maybe I'm a little jealous."

"Nothing to be jealous of." said Emily. "We three are family."

Bonejangles turned to her, keeping one arm around his brother's shoulders. He stretched out his other arm to invite her into the hug. Emily smiled and walked over to the brothers and wrapped her arms around them both. BJ put his other arm around her, closing the hug.

"It's getting late," said Emily. "And I need sleep."

"That's fair," Oliver said.

Emily laughed. "But I want you two to come 'round for dinner tomorrow night. Do we have a date, guys?"

"Sure do." said the brothers in unison.

"Night, Em." said BJ, kissing her.

"Night, Bonejangles. Night, Oliver." Emily whispered, opening her door.

As she went in, she turned to see the brothers walking down the road with their arms still around each other's shoulders.

Oliver stared up at the ceiling while he laid in bed. His eye was half closed and his blazer was on the floor. His brother had gone home long before Oliver had gotten to his house. Oliver shook his head. "Something is going to go wrong very, very soon." He closed his eye, feeling the tears threatening to pour out. "Big Brother…" He paused and flinched. "He's coming."

Author's note:

Hope you liked this chapter. Took a while to write it, but I had severe writer's block. Ooh! Cliff Hanger! Who's this 'he' Oliver says is coming? Whoever it is, Oliver seems scared for his brother's safety.

Poor Oliver…feeling jealous about sharing his brother…

Next chapter will be up as soon as possible!