Jack and dally have been busier than ever with Halloween right around the corner. They felt terrible for not being able to spend as much time as they normally do with Wednesday but she seemed content with the mild solitude. Filling her time when she isn't in school with reading or experimenting or taking care of her spider collection.
By Jack always makes time to walk her home. Although she would never admit it or come to them for help, she's had nightmares and fears walking home from school. He just knows. She won't ever say that she's scared but he can tell in the way she's asks if he will be there for her after school. Her shoulders just a little hunched in and eyes nervous but to those that don't know her she would look stoic as ever.
So he makes sure he's there to take her to and from school, even if it takes time out of work. He can't stand the thought of her walking home alone and terrified of being taken again.
Since she has gotten used to her new, stitched up, stuffed legs she asked if she could have that stitching in other places as well. Jack and Sally were reluctant at first but when she claimed it would help scare people come Halloween, well, they couldn't argue with that logic.
She got stitching on her arms, across her face and down her neck. She adored how it looked and was very excited for Halloween. She was excited to scared people alongside Jack, using her as a lure to attract people that Jack would scare to bits.
One night when they had time to sit down and spend time together. (Technically dinner time since Wednesday chose to eat ) she spoke up. "When we visit the real world, may I visit my family?" Jack smiled. "Of corse! I'm sure there missing you as much as you miss them." Sally smiled as well. "I think they'll be very happy to see you." Wednesday was not sure what to say about it so she stayed silent, eating the food Sally made her.
A week later Halloween was upon them and everyone in town was celebrating and parading. Jack kissed Sally goodbye for the night. "Please don't worry about us. I'll keep an eye on our little Wednesday." He said, seeing her walking behind Sally, giving him a look. He was sure there was an eye roll in there. He smiled. Sally frowned. "But if they want to keep her? Surely once they know she can visit they'll want to."
Wednesday spoke. "I'l explain to them then why I can't stay." Jack kissed Sally's head. "See? You have nothing to worry about. Wednesday and I are going to make a great team. Come along Wednesday, I'l lead you to the real world." Wednesday took his bony hand in hers, allowing him to lead.
Everybody cheered when they saw them. Wishing them good scares and many screams. Jack waved and greeted everyone as he lead he and Wednesday to the portal to take them to the real world.
Once there Jack lead her to a semi-populated part of the woods. They were in a small town that had forest around it and though it. Perfect for scares.
They soon made a plan. "Il sit near that tree. It's near enough to people they should spot me and come to help. Then you can scare them once there close enough or think it's the right time." "Perfect! Let's get to work!"
Wednesday went to the edge of the woods. There was many trick or treaters in the small community walking about. Wednesday sat by a tree with a hunch, looking in need of help. She knew Jack was close by.
It wasn't long before they got some people. Two kids dressed as a ghost and werewolf.
"Dude, maybe we should call your mom. Or an ambulance. She looks bad." "Let's check her first idiot." They walked closer. The one dressed as a ghost being braver, getting very close to Wednesday. "Hey. You ok? Hey!" He went to touch her when she snapped to attention, grabbing his hand tightly. He screamed when he saw her stitched up face.
Then there was hand on the werewolf. He looked, seeing a tall, slender figure with a skeletal face. He screamed, backing away, tripping over himself, dropping his bucket of candy. The other was sobbing as he got out of her hold, grabbing his friend. "Let's get out of here!" They ran as fast as there little legs would take them.
Once they were out of sight Jack laughed. "That was easier then I thought." Wednesday agreed, reaching her hand to Jack to help her up. Even though she has gotten used to her new, light-as-a-feather-legs it still made it difficult to get up if she's fallen or sat on the floor. Jack helped her before speaking. "Should we think of a new plan?" "I think il observe you for a while. I'd like to see how you woke alone." "Fair enough. Let's go to a new spot."
They moved and she observed from a small distance seeing him work and seeing several children and adults alike sob and scream and run with fear and icy terror from the pumpkin king.
After a small while they went back to the lure and worked together before the night was done.
Once the night was done and the streets were quiet Jack looked to her, helping her stand. "Shall we go to your parents house now? I'm sure they'll be thrilled to see you." She nodded, cursing inwardly at her nerves.
She held his bony hand as they walked though the forest. Each step making her more and more nervous. She dosnt think she's ever been nervous in her life and now she's shaking as she walks to her parents home.
Jack noticed. "Wednesday, are you ok?" She wasn't sure what to say. So she remained quiet. Jack stopped, kneeling down to her level and speaking softly. "You know it's ok to be nervous. I'm sure they'll be a little shocked to see you but once they know it's really their little girl they'll be so happy." She remained quiet still but her shaking seemed less. Jack continued. "It's ok to miss them as much as they must miss you."
"I have you and sally now. There's no reason to miss them." Jack smiled sadly. "But we're not them. We're not here to replace them. They were your parents Wednesday. As much as Sally and I care for you were not your parents. You lost them just as they lost you." This time Wednesday looked up at Jack. "I never thought of it that way." Jack stood, holding her hand. "See? You have nothing to fear or be nervous about. Now show me the way to there house."
Wednesday lead him to the mansion, a feeling of nostalgia and longing filling her as she saw the dark mansion. They got though the metal gate easily
Once inside the gate Jack spoke. "Il be right here. I'd hate to intrude on this moment for you." Wednesday nodded. He had a point and she wasn't sure how her parents would react to him. She wasn't sure how her parents would react to her. But it didn't help her nerves. She walked up to the small dark porch and took a shaking, stitched up hand to the doorbell, ringing the familiar fog horn sound.
Moments later the door opened. It was lurch. "Hello lurch. May I see my parents?"
Lurch seemed amused, a very small smile on his face as he nodded and grunted in agreement, exiting back inside to retrieve her parents.
It was moments later she heard the rushed footsteps of her father. Still ever the snappy dresser and oiled back hair. He seemed shocked. "Wednesday? Is it really you?" He walked closer. She wasn't quite sure what to say, so she started with a simple greeting. "Hello father."
A startled laugh erupted from Gomez who quickly kneeled down, hugging his lost daughter tightly. She let herself melt into the hug. Not wrapping her own arms around him, even in life she wasn't one for affection. While hugging her his happy laughter turned to happy tears. Wednesday then saw her mother behind him. Her eyes watery but a small smile on her stoic face.
Gomez pulled away, not even ashamed for the tears that were rolling down his face. "Darling, how are you here? We lost you." "It's a long story father. But I can't stay long." Mortisha spoke. "But you've just got here sweetheart. " Gomez spoke then, looking at Wednesday's face more closely. "What's happened to your face?"
Before Wednesday could call for Jack to help explain everything she was suddenly tackled hugged by her brother who nearly made them fall with his bear hug and tears. As he cried on her shoulder she simply patted his back. "There there Pugsley. " "I miss you." He said though his tears.
Gomez spoke then, now standing, having been pushed out of the way by his son. "We've all missed you. Please, tell us how you're here? Why can't you stay?"
Wednesday managed to detach herself from her brother, signaling for Jack from the gate. "I have a friend who can explain everything."
Once Jack was in view, taking long strides up the gravel driveway. Pugsley gasped and Gomez laughed with amazement. "Your a tall one. What's your name?"
Jack smiled. "Jack Skellington sir. I'm sure this must be very strange to you." "Nonsense! Please, come in and tell us how Wednesday got such a tall friend." Wednesday looked up at Jack. "Do we have time? Won't Sally worry?" Jack nodded and spoke. "I also told her we were visiting here tonight. She's aware we'l be later." Jack was then lead inside by an excited Gomez and Pugsley.
Mortisha made some food for Wednesday while Jack and Gomez talked for what seemed like hours. Wednesday had never been so happy to eat in her life. She hadn't realized how much she missed her mothers cooking.
"we had just grown so attached to her, and she became attached to us. We couldn't let her be adopted by any one else." Gomez chucked. "Thats a quite a bit of trouble she caused for you." "but we wouldn't have it any other way. Sally and I are very happy with her." Gomez stuck his hand out with a proud smile. "I'm glad my Wednesday has someone so protective to look out for her." Jack smiled, shaking his hand. His bony hand wrapping around Gomez's hand entirely. "Thank you sir." Gomez smiled. "Let me show you around. I think you will like the place. And please, you and Sally and Wednesday are always welcome. I'm sure Lurch will be happy to have someone at eye level to talk to. Right lurch?" He looked over his shoulder at Lurch who was walking by who grunted with an amused smile. Pugsley ran by with his arms filled with costumes. Jack watched as he went to Wednesday who, in his mind, seemed all to eager to play with him, taking a costume and going with him. He smiled at the sight.
While walking thought the dark, almost maze-like house they ran into a shorter, bald and pale man. Gomez grinned. "fester! My dear brother, come meet our new guest!" Fester looked up, gasping. Gomez put an arm around his brothers shoulder. "Fester Meet his highness the pumpkin King, Jack Skellington." Jack smiled, feeling humbled. "Please, it's just Jack. You flatter me." Suddenly Wednesday and Pugsley ran past. Wednesday shouting something about paying debts and blood oaths swinging a sword. Fester gasped, pointing. "Gomez! Thats…thats…" Gomez nodded. "Wednesday, shes visiting with our dear friend jack. Come tour with us, we'l tell you the whole thing."
Four hours and many conversations later Jack and Wednesday had to go. Wednesday got hugged by everyone of her family. Mortisha kissed her head before standing. "Please, visit again. We miss you very much." Wednesday spoke. "It's not up to me." She looked at Jack. Jack smiled. "How can I say no to that? Of corse we'l be back! And next time I'l bring Sally, I'm sure you'd love her Mortisha." Mortisha smile, standing next to her husband. "I'm sure we will get along beautifully. Until next time."
Wednesday and Jack went back to Halloween town. The crowds still parading and cheering as they reentered. Sally came running to him, hugging Jack. "Oh you were gone for so long! Is everything ok?" Jack smiled. "Everything is splendid! In fact I think theres a family trip in order real soon. Lets go talk all about it." Wednesday followed, watching them. Thinking that her new family and her blood family are one. They all love each other and get along great. She actually felt excited for the next trip. And living with Jack and Sally didn't hurt so much anymore. didn't feel like something was missing. Now, it feels as thou all the puzzle pieces have come together.