AN: Sorry it's been so long guys. Things have been kinda crazy (working double shifts and writer's block for this story) and I've been working on my Sherlock fanfic. But I finally found my notes for this story so here's an update. And we've only got like 6-ish chapters left now, so we're getting down to the wire here guys. Reviews make me very happy and inspired :). – Kay xoxo

Chapter Twenty

Music and laughter echoed out of the house behind Jill as she ever-so-slyly snuck out of her home. Even though she was the bride to be and it was her rehearsal dinner, no one would notice that she wasn't inside for a while. They were all too busy cooing over her fancy out of towner fiancé.

But Jill had needed to get out of there. No matter how much she had tried to escape her impending wedding, her father had prevailed. Her wedding was tomorrow and Jill was trapped. Pitch and Sandy had been supportive and helpful the past few weeks, but it seemed that she would soon lose them as well. Once she was married, she was considered an adult in the world of childhood spirits.

The brown haired girl looked over her shoulder before entering the woods, just to be safe. If anyone saw her escaping, it would not end well. Odds are someone would think she was sneaking off to see some clandestine lover and she'd end up locked away until the wedding in the morning. And she didn't relish the idea of spending her last night with Pitch locked in her room all night.

She brushed past the first ring of foliage, unknowing of the tall figure stalking behind her.

JSVJSVJSVJSV

"Pitch! I'm here!" Jill called out as she reached the clearing. It was dimly lit, the only light coming from Manny hanging overhead, but Jill hadn't been afraid of shadows since she was nine. Having the boogeyman for a best friend did that.

Pitch melted from out of her own shadow, a malevolent grin upon his face. He ducked into the shadow of a nearby tree before tackling the young girl in a tight embrace. Her giggles echoed through the glen, bouncing off of the trees like a tinkling of bells.

The two collapsed on a nearby log, still snickering like hyenas. Jill was going to miss this, the surprises, the laughter. The feeling that she was finally home.

"So how is the beautiful bride to be?" Pitch asked, trying to keep his voice light. But Jill could hear the pain behind the words. She wasn't the only one who wasn't ready for their friendship to be over.

"Horrible. Pitch, I don't want to do this," Jill said, misery again taking over. "I'm only fifteen. I'm not ready to be a wife or mother? It isn't fair."

Pitch wrapped his arms about her, stroking her hair as tears fell from her chocolate eyes. He'd never admit it, but his own golden ones misted over as he contemplated not having this for the rest of his life as a Spirit of Childhood. Jill had brought a spot of light to his darkness and was the only person who truly believed in him. He wasn't ready to lose that yet, not after only seven years.

"You'll do fine, Jill," he finally said. "You are a brave and kind young woman. Any child would be lucky to have you for a mother. And Sandy and I can still check in on you; we can't talk to you anymore, but we can still see you. If that pompous idiot lays a hand on you, we'll be there, even if you don't know it. I promise you that not-so-little Jill."

Jill cracked a watery smile before the Nightmare King tensed. His eyes glazed a bit, like he was zoning out. She knew what that meant: a child somewhere was nearly ready for a nightmare. Meaning he had to leave.

"I'll be right back, Jill." He promised, getting up.

Jill got up as well and hugged her friend. "I'll be waiting."

Pitch stalked over to the shadows of the trees before disappearing into them. It hopefully wouldn't take too long; for some reason he didn't feel comfortable leaving her in the clearing like that.

Jill sat back down on the log, her white gown flowing out around her. It was beautiful out tonight; the stars were shining, the wind was floating through the trees, rustling their leaves and –

CRACK!

Jill's head swung around to face the tree line she had exited from earlier. Something was exiting the trees. It couldn't be Pitch; nightmares were never finished that quickly. He would be there at least another fifteen minutes.

Her whole body seized up as a light haired figure came toward her. She shook as a cruel smile spread across a sculpted face.

"Hello Jillian," the voice of Garrett Blyth said, his eyes glinting with dark intent. Her fiancé had followed her to the glen. And no doubt, he had heard everything that had just been said.