Author's Note: Hello, everyone and welcome back to the latest installment of I Just Wonder!
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, mine is going good.
It took me a while to get around to writing the new chapter, but finally I pulled myself together. And I thank you once again for your patience.
As always, thank you to retro mania, Crimson Commander688, and Sarah West 94402343 for the reviews. I hope you enjoy the new chapter. And thank you to those who favorited and followed the story.
The title of this chapter is a reference to the song Jack's Lament from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Sleeping Beauty & Enchanted don't belong to me nor retro mania. All rights go to Disney. Some OCs are retro mania's and some are mine.
On with the show!
Chapter 20
Jack is currently sitting in his office, doing paperwork. After Aurora left with her aunts and prince, the mood had become somber. Everyone went on about their day, preparing for acts, Jack even allowed Annie to perform with the clowns, to help take her mind off Aurora.
Speaking of which, Jack tried to do his tasks, but all he could think about is Aurora. More than likely, Aurora is probably having a good time with Philip on a date. And the next, she'll be home with her parents.
Jack's mind thought back to the brief conversation he had with Holly and Seymour.
"Say, Jack, what was that all about; you apologizing to Aurora and her aunts?" Holly asked.
Jack exhales.
"Last night, I tried to convince Aurora that Philip is not coming. We both got into an argument about it, I made her angry and even Aurora's guardians called me out on it." He explained.
"Why would you do that?" Seymour questions.
"I just don't want Aurora to be hurt and disappointed like I was in the past. I offered to help her adjust to life in Vegas." Jack admits.
"Jack, I understand you were trying to help, but Aurora's aunts were gracious enough to stay for one day. What more do you want?" Holly asks.
"She's got a point there." Seymour adds. "Not only is it not fair for Aurora's parents to be worrying about her all the time; but it's also not fair to Vanessa."
The more Jack thought about it, the more he realized that he was trying so hard to make Aurora be a part of his world.
But it could never work, for they were from two different worlds. Aurora still had parents, while Jack did not.
"I was the one who had it all," Jack began to sing in his head.
"I was the master of my fate
I never needed anybody in my life
I learned the truth too late
I'll never shake away the pain
I close my eyes but she's still there
I let her steal into my melancholy heart
It's more than I can bear."
Jack thought of his parents (whom he missed terribly) and his ex-girlfriend, Katrina Banks, who broke his heart by leaving him. He hadn't been the same and then Aurora came along. Her bright, bubbly persona and optimism (on life and love) gave Jack a different outlook on life. And while Aurora was charming, lovely, confusing, infuriating and wonderful; she started to bring down the walls Jack put up to protect himself.
"Now I know she'll never leave me
Even as she runs away
She will still torment me
Calm me, hurt me
Move me, come what may
Wasting in my lonely tower
Waiting by an open door
I'll fool myself, she'll walk right in
And be with me for evermore."
"We're of different worlds, Jack." Flora's words from last night echoed in Jack's mind. "She's a princess, betrothed to Prince Philip. And you have a girlfriend who loves you, despite your practicality." The red fairy had a point as well, Jack and Aurora were two very different people, and they deserved to be with their respective partners.
"I rage against the trials of love," Jack continues to sing.
"I curse the fading of the light
Though she's already flown so far beyond my reach
She's never out of sight."
"So, I hate to disagree with you ladies, but most marriages are considered a success if they manage not to end, period. Forget about happiness." Jack's own words rang.
"Maybe that's common in your world, Jack. But in our world, things are very different. Marriages do last and there's love and happiness." Flora's voice countered.
Had he been blinded by his own cynicism, all this time? Maybe there's some truth in what the fairies and Aurora were trying to tell him about love, after all.
"And dreams do come true. And maybe something wonderful will happen." Aurora's voice adds.
"Now I know she'll never leave me
Even as she fades from view
She will still inspire me
Be apart of everything I do
Wasting in my lonely tower
Waiting by an open door
I'll fool myself, she'll walk right in
And as the long, long nights begin
I'll think of all that might have been
Waiting here for evermore." Jack finished on a high note in his mind.
For a moment, he is in a daze. But then he remembers what he's supposed to be doing.
"Snap out of it," Jack said to himself. Oswald will be by the office at any moment and he'll be asking about the paperwork. As Jack went back to work, he made up in his mind that he'll focus on attending the masquerade ball, tonight with Vanessa. And whatever happens next, regarding their future together, they'll take it from there.
A/N: And that concludes this chapter!
Originally, Jack wasn't going to sing in the story. However, as I was developing previous chapters, I came up with the idea of Jack singing "Evermore". And since Jack's face claim is Jonathan Groff, he should have a song (despite Jack's practical and cynical personality).
As for the name of Jack's former girlfriend, I was trying to think of a name and I finally settled on Katrina Banks. Katrina is a nod to Katrina van Tassel from the Sleepy Hollow segment of The Adventures of Ichabod & Mr. Toad. I personally love that movie. Banks is a reference the Banks family from Mary Poppins. Interestingly, in the original Enchanted movie, the last name of the divorcing couple Robert works with is Banks.
Anyways, up next, Aurora and Philip are on their date (with the three fairies in tow), Aurora suggests they attend the masquerade ball. Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather reluctantly agree. Unlike in Enchanted, where Giselle & Morgan go shopping for a dress with Robert's credit card; Merryweather will make a dress for Aurora to wear at the ball. Annie will also be in the chapter.
Until then, see you next time, bye!