There was a familiar rush of cold air over his smooth boney face along with the feeling of falling into the soft chilly snow as the snowflakes settled around himself and his guest. He stood up and brushed himself off then turned to see Emily with a look of bewilderment as she got up slowly. She brushed herself off as well then took a few steps, looking around slowly.
Jack recognized that look, of joy as one tried to absorb the fantastic feeling that this place brought about. She turned back to him with a large smile on her face, "Jack this place is beautiful! I mean, I celebrated Christmas when I was a child but never in my dreams would I have gotten to see a place like this!" She said as she twirled around, arms outstretched as she let the flakes of snow fall on her dress, glistening like small gems.
Jack chuckled little inwardly, thinking back to his memories of when he had first discovered this place. The child-like wonder she showed as she looked about was refreshing, after spending so much time in a place where causing fear was the primary source of fun.
He smiled as he walked past her and down the hill towards the town, slowly turning back for a moment to say "well do you want to just stand there or do you really want to see Christmas town?" She laughed a bit and ran after him. Emily looked around at everything, eyes wide, pointing out things as they walked.
"Oh Jack look they have a bakery! Can you smell it?! Those cookie look fantastic! And look over there, those are elves! REAL elves! Everyone told me they were made up but there they are! " Jack laughed a she scrambled to point out all the wonderment of Christmas town. "You have no idea how similar your reaction is to mine, I actually began to sing , it was rather frightening. " He said with a smile. "really? You sprang into song?" Emily laughed , and Jacks smiled with a somewhat embarrassed look.
They stopped by the bakery and had a few of the lovely treats. Emily had a few wrapped up so she could take them to her friends in the land of the dead. The rest of the time they walked around looking at shops decorations and talking to the occasional passer by who wasn't alarmed by their presents in their town. Jack thought to himself for a moment then decided to speak up " Emily there is someone I want you to meet."
Then as they passed the massive factory, and towards the small wooden cottage, Emily squealed and grabbed jacks arms in excitement "We're going to see Santa? We are aren't we? Really? He's really there?!" Jack chuckled again, her excitement was wonderful to witness. "I'm not saying you just have to wait." She pushed him slightly and pretended to pout " Oh your cruel, just cruel."
Jack walked up to the door and knocked to the tune of jingles bells and was greeted by a small cheery elf. The elf smiled but jumped a little seeing Jack. Jack was surprised the creatures here weren't more used to him. "Dear boy, could you be so kind as to fetch Sandy Claws for us please? Tell him Jack would like him to meet someone." The little elf ran off and within a minute or two the Jolly man in red was coming towards them. He smiled upon seeing jack. "Jack! It's been sometime! How is Halloween town? Sticking to your own holiday I'm hoping " He said with a smile and a laugh as he walked out of the house and turned to have his eyes fall on Emily, standing to the side with her arms close to her chest, a small grin on her face as if repressing her joy. He looked at her slightly shocked at first, noticing that she did appear to be dead, but smiled warmly as he saw the child like joy that he cherished so much. "And who is this lovely lady Jack? One of your residents perhaps?" "No Sandy, this is Emily, she's a friend of mine from, the land of the dead." Santa looked back up at Jack "Land of the Dead? All these different places that I don't know about, I really am getting old." He said with a laugh as he walked up to Emily Extending his hand " It's a pleasure to meet you dear. " But before he knew it Emily had her arms wrapped her arms around him, and while he was taken aback at first, he laughed heartily and hugged her back. "Santa it's so wonderful to meet you!" Emily exclaimed, " It's been so long since I had a Christmas, you were so wonderful to me when I was young." She pulled away and shook the man of the elderly man she cared so much for. "Dear child, I should say it's wonderful to see you again, it's been a very long time and you looked very different then. But you're still the same sweet child at heart that I knew then."
Santa invited them in and Emily sat down with Santa and talked to him, for filling every child's dream as she asked every question about Christmas she has thought of in youth. Jack stood in the background, enjoying a delicious cup of Mrs. Claws coco as he looked about the cottage, noticing all the precious little Christmas nick knacks that had once consumed his mind. He looked to a photo on the book shelf, of himself, Mr. and Mrs. Claws and Sally. His face became stoic as he picked up the photo and his mind wandered to the time so long ago. The voices of that day drifted back into his head, especially that sweet voice he had loved to hear so much.
"Jack we're going to be late!"
Jack ran to catch up to her, stopping for a moment to catch his breath. He turned and looked at his beautiful Ragdoll, standing in the snow and it flew around her. Her eyes so large, as she gazed at him, her soft pale skin standing out against her lovely plump red lips. He smiled and kissed her cheek and she giggles slightly " What was that for? " she said as she grabbed his hand and began to walk. "Just glad I got so lucky, that all." They walked towards the cottage , greet by Sandy Claws as they got to the entrance. They greeted him with a smile and Jack introduced Sally to Sandy. They were soon joined by Mrs. Claws and they set out towards the large Christmas tree in the middle of town. Sandy sent the elves away so that they could take the picture. They four of them gathered in front of the lovely tree, holding their loved one in their arms as they smiled. The flash went off and the moment was captured forever. Jack thanked Sandy for taking the time out for the photo and was glad he finally has a picture where Sandy was smiling with him rather then upset like when Jack tried to take over Christmas.
They spend the rest of the day at Sandys cottage and they chatted for hours, discussing how each town was doing, how each holiday was and how preparations were coming along. The hours flew by and before they had realized it they had talked into the late hours of the night. Jack and Sally bid heir goodbyes and began to walk towards the Halloween tree.
As they approached the hill jack gently grabbed sally's arm and stopped her. "what is it Jack? It's rather late we should be getting ba-" but put his finger tips on her soft lips and smiled softly. "Sally, I need to tell you something, something very important." Sally looked up at Jack with those lovely large eyes as she waited for him to speak again. Jack waited a few moments, gaining his strength. "Sally, I used to feel like there was a void in my life. I used to feel like everything in my life, all my accomplishments and all of my fame were meaningless, because even with it all something was missing. I came to this place and found a feeling I never knew before, Love. Then I saw the beauty in you and truly knew what love felt like. I never want to loose this feeling, and I never want to loose you, so in my opinion, this is the most fitting place to ask" And with that he pulled a small coffin chapped box with a small silver latch on it. He opened it to reveal a stunning spider ring, made of silver, laced with black and blood red gems forming the body of the creature. "Will you take this ring, and promise to let me have you forever?" Sally covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes welling up with tears. "yes Jack of course!" She cried as she threw her arms around him.
Jack I love you.
Jack
"Jack! Are you quite alright deary?"
The voice snapped Jack out of his memories and brought him back to the moment. "Yes Mrs. Claws, I'm alright just…thinking." She smiled sadly as she saw the photo he held in his hand, watching as he put it back slowly. She put her hand on his shoulder and patted it, then walked back to the kitchen to attend dinner. Jack turned back to see Emily getting up, shaking Sandys hand one last time as she said her goodbyes. Sandy walked them to the door and wished them both a good night and Emily walked out, but Sandy stopped Jack. "I heard about what happened with your lovely wife and I just want to give my condolence." Jack half smiled then it faded " Thank you Sandy Claws." He said quietly as he walked out. Emily was outside waiting for him, and he walked somewhat solemnly towards her. "feel free to use any of the rides or rinks in town! You can use the skates at the rink if you put them back!" Shouted Sandy just before he turned around and closed the door. Emily smiled with glee and Jack did his best to smile back. "Is everything alright Jack?" Emily asked concerned. Jack smiled more brightly now, trying not to ruin the evening, "yes, just fine."
As they walked on they ended up coming to the frozen lake, which surprisingly had no one on it. "Let's take advantage of this good fortune." Emily cheered as she races towards the lack. She looked around to find that there happened to be an area where the skates were kept for the elves. Jack could only watch as she raced towards them looking through them, presumably to find a pair that would fit her "Emily I'm not really sure if we should." She giggled with glee and she brought over a pair for him and for her "Santa said we could use the rink didn't he? It would be a shame to not appreciate his hospitality."
Jack opened his mouth to argue but Emily was already lacing up her skates. He smiled a little and began to put his skates on as well. He laced up and looked to Emily who was elated, she grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the ice. She glided on as an angle floats to the earth, Jack however, was not quite so graceful. He stepped nervously onto the ice slipping and regaining his balance more then once. Emily was swirling around in the moon light as Jack struggled. She came over, her dress shining beautifully in the light and waited for him to become stable. " I must admit" , he stammered as he looked to his feet waiting for them to move improperly, " I'm not very good at this." Emily giggled softly and grabbed Jacks hand. "It's like walking, just move one foot in front of the other slowly" Jack did as she instructed and to his amazement, he began to skate across the lake. He could feel himself relax as she guided him around the lake. He allowed himself to smile and laugh a bit, and Emily smiled and laughed with him. They went around a few times and Jack was doing fairly well. Emily talked about how she used to skate when she was young and Jack listen and felt himself become calmer ,happier. He slipped slightly and gripped her hand a bit tighter and she laughed just a little as she pulled him back up.
Her grip stayed a bit tighter after that, but she continued with her story, Jack felt a warmth and joy at the feeling of her hand then couldn't help but feel a stinging feeling of guilt in his heart. His thoughts were interrupted as he slipped yet again, both feet flailing and he went, then firmly putting them on the ice. But the force of the fall and holding Emily's hand made him spin, and as Emily reached out for his other hand he found himself straightening up only to stop mere inches from Emily. They stared at eachother for e moment, neither willing to move. The snow feel silently all around them, more little gems falling all around Emily, on her dress in her hair, and on her soft blue face. But their moment was interrupted by the clock ringing 11 o cloak. They both broke their stare to look towards the clock.
"It's pretty late, we should be going" Jack said as he pulled away and skated towards the edge of the lake. Emily looked slightly disappointed and skated towards Jack. He sensed her disappointment, "Well we can't stay forever." She looked at him and gave a small smile as she proceeded to remove her skates and return them. Jack did the same and with that they headed back to the Halloween tree.
Emily looked to Jack as she walked, smiling as the while. She opened her mouth then closed it, opened it again and just help it open. Jack looked to her smiling slightly, " What is it Emily?" He ask curiously. Emily closed her mouth looking down at the snow then back at jack with a loving smile, "I really enjoyed this day with you Jack." He smiled at her "Yeah it's been a fun evening" He broke their gaze and walked towards the door opening it for Emily and as she jumped in and headed back towards his town, he wondered what he was jumping into and if he should be ashamed.