Chapter 4: Two years later

"Come on honey! Smile for the camera!" Jack said. His wife Sally sat on the floor, holding Meagan up on her feet by holding her hands. Orange curls framed her skull as she giggled. Jack took the opportunity and pointed the camera in his hands, snapping the picture. "Great job, pumpkin! Come to papa, hon. You can do it!" Sally let go of the little skeleton, watching closely. Jack set down the camera and held out his arms. The toddler was two years old now, and had yet to take her first steps or say her first words.

She swayed, stretching out her arms. She tried to walk forward but fell to her knees, crawling across the rug to her father. Jack picked her up and held her close. "You almost did it, honey. Good try. You'll get the hang of it." Jack said, tapping her nose. She grabbed his finger and tugged on it. Sally smiled, standing up and walking over. She stooped to kiss Jack on the cheek, then kiss Meagan's skull. "Come on you two, it's lunch time." Jack stood up and carried their daughter into the kitchen, setting her down in her highchair. Sally walked over to one of the cabinets and pulled out a jar of mashed pumpkin. She opened it and handed it to Jack, picking up a spoon. "Thank you, Sally." Jack smiled.

He scooped up a spoonful and held it towards the child, who turned her head. "Come on, sweetie, it's good for you! Look it's the train! It needs to go into the tunnel, but the tunnel won't open. Open for the train, please?" She shook her head and turned the other way. Jack brought the spoon closer. "It's good, see?" He ate the spoonful, then grabbed another spoonful. Meagan waved her small arms around and hit the jar, knocking it from Jack's hand. Sally gasped as it landed on his skull, covering him in the mashed food. The little girl laughed, clapping happily. Sally couldn't help but laugh as well. Jack wiped some of the food off his skull. "Okay, let's try something else..." He set the jar on the table and looked around. Sally walked over with a cloth and proceeded to wipe off the rest of the food. Meagan swiped up some pumpkin and ate it, giggling. Sally smiled, taking the jar. She sat down and spooned some up, feeding it to her daughter. Meagan ate it with no resistance. "Good girl, Meagan! I guess you wanted mama to feed you, huh?"

"Mama..." She copied. Sally dropped the jar and spoon in shock. "Jack, did you hear that? Her first word!" Jack hurried over. "I heard! She said mama! Oh Pumpkin Princess, I'm so proud of you!" He picked her up and held her up in his arms. "Can you say papa?" "Papa...!" "Sally she said papa!" "Oh this is so amazing, Jack!" Sally hugged him tight. Jack grinned and set her down. "Do you want to try walking again?" She nodded again.

Jack stepped back and knelt, holding out his arms. Sally sat down on the floor, helping her stand up. The toddler swayed, trying her best to keep her balance. She took a step forward, taking her time. "That's it, Meagan! Come on you can do it! Come to papa." She another step forward, then another, this time a little faster. With each step she moved faster, not stopping until she grabbed her father, hugging him. "That's my little pumpkin princess! Great job, sweetheart!" Sally kissed their daughter, taking her from Jack and hugging her. "We're so proud of you, honey! Come on now, it's time for your nap." Meagan clung to her mother as Sally and Jack headed upstairs into the nursery. She laid her down in the crib. It was black, with a mobile consisting of bats, spiders and pumpkins hanging overhead.

Jack grabbed the cob web blanket and pulled it over her, tucking her in. He then grabbed a vampire Teddy bear and she grabbed it, hugging it to herself as she got comfortable. Sally stood by the crib beside Jack as they both kissed her. "A lullaby will help her sleep better, my love." Sally smiled, starting to sing with Jack. "Hush little pumpkin, don't say a word. Mama and papa will buy you a mockingbird. And if that mockingbird don't sing, mama and papa will buy you a diamond ring.

And if that diamond ring turns brass, mama and papa will buy you a looking glass.

And if that looking glass gets broke, mama and papa will buy you a billy goat.

And if that billy goat doesn't pull, mama and papa will buy you a cart and bull.

And if that cart and bull turns over, mama and papa will buy you a dog named Rover.

And if that dog named Rover won't bark, mama and papa will buy you a horse and cart.

And if that horse and cart fall down, you'll still be the sweetest baby in town..." When they finished, they saw that their child had fallen sleep and smiled. "Just think Sally...One day I'll step down and our little girl will take the crown..." Jack said. Sally looked at him softly. "She will make a splendid Pumpkin Queen..." Jack kissed her, taking her in his arms lovingly. She held onto him and kissed back. She pulled away and leaned on his chest. "Oh, Jack, everything is perfect...Just, perfect..."

"Yes, my beloved friend...It sure is..."

"The brat continues to grow...And the moment of my my payback draws nearer as well...I continue to bide my time and lie in wait. Those blasted Skellingtons won't leave the girl alone! All I need is for them to leave for just one moment...Then I could have one of my monsters-" Oogie Boogie stopped himself when he felt a tugging. He looked down at his foot to see an infant no older than a year with messy brown hair and light green green eyes tugging on one of his threads. He grunted. "Alistar, don't touch daddy's threads! You'll pull my skin apart! Where are those good for nothing minions?!" As if on cue a red skeleton walked in, stooping to pick up the little boy. Oogie glared at the skeleton. "You goons are supposed to be watching him! Don't let my son wander off!" Oogie raised a non-existent brow as he caught a scent. He sniffed the air and moved closer to Alistar, stopping near his diaper.

He made a face and pulled back, holding a nose that wasn't seen. "And change his diaper, that smell is too rotten even for me! Why are you still here?! GO!" Oogie yelled. The skeleton jumped up, turning around to scramble off. Oogie scoffed before turning around and snatching a bug off the wall. "A villain just can't find any good help these days..." He opened his mouth and tossed the bug inside as it squealed, chewing it loudly.

A/N: Thanks for continuing to review everyone! Oogie has a son, now! A cute little baby boy! Thanks to my awesome sister and fellow Killjoy Breanlt for letting me use Alistar! Thanks Angel! You're the coolest, best sis ever! Stay beautiful and keep it ugly, Adrenaline Angel! Keep running from the pigs and rebel! Killjoys forever!