Chapter 7: Four years later
Meagan hummed the pumpkin song to herself as she helped her parents hang ornaments on the tree. "Mama, papa, can I stay up with you both tonight? Please? I want to see Sandy Claws." Sally looked at Jack. "Hmm...Well he is your godfather...And you are twelve years old now...What do you think, Sally?" Sally smiled. "I think she's waited long enough." Meagan gasped. "Really?! I can stay up? On Christmas Eve?!" Jack chuckled, reaching down to tap her nose. "Yes, pumpkin, you can." Meagan squealed in excitement. "YAY! OH THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!" She hugged both of her parents, her loose, pumpkin orange curls bouncing as she herself bounced. Her hair now fell to the middle of her back. She let go of them and grabbed the lights from the box. Sally helped her wrap them around the tree.
When she got near the top she handed them off to Jack. He smiled, finishing with the lights. "Now it's time for the star." Meagan grabbed the gold star from the box and held it up. Jack picked her up, holding his arms over him so she could reach. She carefully put the star on top, making sure it was balanced. Sally clapped. "Great job, everyone. It looks beautiful!" Jack set Meagan down. "Now we have to cook our Christmas Dinner. You girls ready?" Sally nodded. "Of course! Lets go." She held Meagan's hand, while Jack held the other. She smiled as they walked to the kitchen. Meagan let go and ran to the cabinet, pulling out several ingredients, setting them on the counter. Sally pulled a large Ham out of the fridge while Jack grabbed the potatoes and the Peeler. He proceeded to Peel them while Sally began prepping the Ham, unwrapping it. Meagan grabbed a large bowl and began putting in the ingredients. She grabbed eggs from the fridge and cracked them, letting them fall into the bowl. She added water and grabbed a wooden spoon to mix it up. Sally grabbed the honey and poured a light layer over the ham, walking over to the fruit basket and grabbing a pineapple. She cuts the skin off carefully, then sliced it into rings placing them on the ham neatly. She then slid the ham into the oven and shut the door, setting the temperature. Jack finished peeling the potatoes and grabbed a knife, cutting them into pieces. Sally grabbed an electric mixer and poured the potatoes in, turning the machine on. When the cut potatoes were all mashed up, Sally poured them into a bowl. Meagan dumped her mix into a pan and handed it to her mother, who then slid it into the oven. Jack started to cook some corn on the stove and Sally pulled out her ingredients for pumpkin pie. "Yay! Pumpkin pie!" Meagan exclaimed in excitement.
She eagerly helped her mother mix everything in, then made some dough and rolled it out with a rolling pin. Sally placed the dough in a pie tin ands scooped the mix into it, evening it out and trimming the excess dough on the edges. Meagan watched as she put it in the oven. Meagan summoned some fire, breathing it over the Ham after two hours so it would get done faster. Her mother and father supervised her so she wouldn't get hurt. "Splendid job controlling your pumpkin fire, pumpkin!" Jack complimented. Sally giggled. "Just like you, Jack."
...
An hour later they had finished eating. Meagan picked up some ham and gave it to Zero, who lie floating beside her chair. He barked happily and ate it. "Mama can I give some ham to Kitty?"
"Sure sweetie, just be careful." Meagan nodded and picked up another piece, getting up and running to the door. She opened it and whistled. "Here, Kitty! I got some food for you!" At once a thin black cat stepped out of the bushes, purring as she rubbed against Meagan's legs. Meagan crouched to pet Kitty, pulling the ham into small pieces and holding out her hand. The cat ate from her hand piece by piece, purring as she did. When she was done, Meagan went back inside, closing the door.
...
A couple hours later, Meagan stood in the town square with her parents, wearing a Sandy Claws dress similar to her mother's, but stopping mid knee. She had a bow made of Holly and green ribbon in her hair, holding onto her parents as the town celebrated, singing Christmas carols together.
"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh, hey! Dashing through the snow, in a one horse open sleigh. Over field fields we go, laughing all the way! Bells on bob tail ring making spirits bright. What fun it is to ride and sing A sleighing song tonight.
Oh jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way! Oh what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh, Hey! Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way! Oh what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh.
A day or two ago I thought I'd took a ride And soon Miss Fannie Bright Seated by my side. The horse was lean and lank. Miss fortuned seemed his lot. He got into a drifted bank. And we got upset
Oh jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way! Oh what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh, Hey! Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way! Oh what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh
A day of two ago The story I must tell. I went out on the snow And on my back I fell; A gent was riding by In a one-horse open sleigh. He laughed a there I sprawling lie But quickly drove away.
Oh jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way! Oh what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh, Hey! Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way! Oh what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh!"
When the zombie band finished playing the song, the townsfolk cheered and applauded. "Great job everyone!" Jack said. "Now head on to your homes! Sandy will be here soon!" As everyone left, Meagan followed her parents home. Once inside, they sat on the couch in the living room.
Meagan sat between her parents and waited infront of their chimney. Despite her eagerness, she fell asleep. She wasn't sure how long she was asleep, but she woke up when she heard her parents say her name. She opened her sockets to see a round, bearded man shorter than her mother in a bright red suit. She gasped, staring in awe. "You're...You're Sandy Claws! My godfather! It's an honor to finally meet you!" Jack and Sally hugged her as Sandy laughed heartily. "Yes, Meagan I am. My you sure have grown haven't you? Have you been good this year?"
"You know I have because you're Sandy Claws! You know who's been naughty and who's been nice!" Sandy laughed, holding his belly. "That's right! She's definately got brains on her, Jack."
"Thank you, Sandy. She's bright for her age."
"That she is. Oh! Before I forget!" He reached into his bag and pulled out several presents, putting them under the tree. He then filled each stocking. Meagan picked up a plate of cookies and a glass of milk. "Here, Sandy! Mama and I made these for you!" "That's very nice of you both. They look delicious!" Sandy grabbed a cookie and ate it, then took a drink. "Are they good, Sandy?" Meagan asked. He smiled. "Yes, they are very good. Enjoy your Christmas, Skellington family! I have many more presents to deliver!" He walked into the chimney and held his nose, floating up and out of sight with his bag. "Merry Christmas, Sandy Claws!" Everyone called after him. Jack picked up Meagan. "Alright, pumpkin time for bed..."
"Aww...Okay papa." Sally followed them up the stairs and helped Jack tuck her into her bed. They both kissed her goodnight and Jack handed her her vampire Teddy bear. She snuggled against it and shut her eyesockets. "Merry Christmas, sweetheart..." Sally smiled. Jack put an arm around Sally's shoulders, smiling as well. "Pleasant dreams, pumpkin...We both love you very much...Goodnight." Meagan smiled as she started falling asleep. "I love you guys, too...Goodnight..."