Chapter Text
Jack had been having such a good time in the mortal world on Halloween night, and he was irritated to be cut so very short. It was their first Halloween spooking together in centuries, yet Oogie was most insistent that they head back to Halloween Town despite the fact they'd only been out for a couple hours.
"But it's barely eleven!" Jack complained. "What, you're getting tired already? You're losing it, Crawly."
"No, we're gonna be late if we don't get back," Oogie said. "Now let's go."
"Late for what?" Jack asked.
But Oogie wouldn't answer. He only urged that they go back home, so Jack, reluctant but curious, gave in, and they headed for the closest cemetery. Oogie was practically bouncing as they got there, his face alight with a mischievous grin. He held open the grave and bowed.
"After you, Jackie," he said slyly.
Jack clicked his tongue then walked through the tunnel, Oogie following. When he walked out into the cemetery, he came to an abrupt halt as he looked around at the fully decorated graveyard. He took in the black rose arch and the chairs, and he was surprised to see the other leaders there. They had claimed they would be a bit late and that Jack should go with Oogie and enjoy himself. Jack looked around, and shook his head, bewildered. Then the Mayor hurried over, his happy face switching over to upset.
"Is that what he's wearing?" he asked Oogie.
"Nope," Oogie said. "I'll get him changed."
"Well hurry. Everything's nearly ready."
Before Jack could ask what in the world was going on, Oogie dragged him into the shadow realm. When they reformed in Jack's house, Jack stepped away and was about to ask what was going on when he saw that even his bedroom was decorated.
"What is going on?" he demanded, his voice rising with indignation.
"You're gonna get hitched, Jackie, now get dressed. Sally's waitin'."
Jack stared at Oogie in astonishment for several long moments. Then he shook his head and looked at the bed. A new spider silk suit, dyed a deep purple, lay on the blankets, and he stared for a moment.
"Did you just say I'm going to get married?" Jack asked blankly.
"I said you were gettin' hitched. Same difference," Oogie said. "Now get dressed. Your bride is waitin' to walk down the aisle."
A silly grin spread over Jack's face as he stared at his best friend. "You're serious," he said.
Oogie shrugged and gestured at the suit. "Get dressed, Jackie."
Jack burst out laughing and he couldn't stop as he stripped and pulled on his new suit. His mind couldn't comprehend that he was about to go from a bachelor to a married man without any time to process it. He hadn't mentioned the prospect of a wedding to Sally, not wanting to get her hopes up. As much as he wanted to marry her, he was reluctant to marry her without Riker's approval. He adjusted his bat tie, gazing at himself.
"Does everybody know?" he asked quietly.
"If you're worried about Riker, don't be," Oogie said, coming up behind him. "He organized the whole thing. You definitely have his blessing, Mr. Traditionalist."
Jack smiled. "What can I say? I've been around awhile."
Oogie laughed. "So have I, Creepy. Now, you ready to get hitched?"
"I guess I am," Jack said, practically glowing with pleasure.
They headed back into the shadow realm and dashed toward the cemetery. Oogie popped them up right under the black rose arch. Jack looked around, unable to believe how many people had come together to surprise him. When Eros noticed him, he walked over, his eyes shining with joy.
"Surprise," he said. "Now that you know what's going on, at least."
"I'll say," Jack said.
"Cupid here's gonna marry you," Oogie said.
Eros made a face. "I prefer Eros, thank you."
"Okay, Cupe," Oogie said, the mischievous grin back on his face.
Jack snickered. "Don't mind him. If you want him to stop, he will."
"I'll consider that. Now, what say we get started? Midnight's approaching fast."
"Sure," Jack said, giddy with excitement.
Eros gestured at Squanto, who nodded and pulled out a horn made from a bull's horn. He blew a long note, and when everybody turned to look, Eros gestured toward the chairs. There was a scramble before everybody was settled, their faces full of expectation. There hadn't been a wedding in Halloween Town for centuries. Most couples arrived already married, and the ones who were single were rarely in a romantic state. Couple that with the fact that it was their beloved Pumpkin King's wedding ceremony, and it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Psyche held a violin and began playing a spooky tune, silencing the crowd. Everybody turned to see Sally entering the cemetery on Riker's arm. He was walking with a cane, but the important part was that he was walking, and he met Jack's eyes and gave him a cautious smile. Jack smiled back then turned his gaze to Sally, and everything else fell away.
Sally was the most beautiful thing Jack had ever seen as she walked toward him. Her long, flowing spider silk dress was dyed black with purple highlights. Her veil was gauzy black, pinned into her long, beautiful red hair with a skeletal butterfly pin. The smile she bestowed upon him made everything he'd gone through to get here worth it. When Sally and Riker got to him, Riker handed Sally over then staggered over to sit in a chair. Sally beamed at him then they turned to Eros.
Though Eros was a great speaker and could dazzle anybody with his smooth, easy way of speaking, Jack and Sally didn't pay attention to him. Everybody else did, and they were astounded by his eloquence. To the Halloween Towners, Jack Skellington was the height of eloquence, but Eros was head and shoulders above him in this count. Eros could tell that Jack and Sally weren't listening, but he'd written out everything into a book that was his wedding gift to Jack and Sally. He knew better than anybody how to get lost in somebody's eyes, and he was glad to see it in Jack.
"And now, Jack, do you take Sally Finkelstein to be your wife?" Eros said, nudging Jack just a little before he spoke just to knock him back into reality.
"I do," Jack said at once.
"And Sally, do you take Jack Skellington to be your husband?"
"I do."
"Then by the power granted to me, I pronounce you boneman and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Jack sniggered at the slight alteration before he pulled Sally into a kiss. Sally clutched at him, and he grinned against her lips.
"Just wait until later," he murmured.
Sally's face practically glowed with embarrassment, even if she couldn't blush. But the secret smile on her face gave away that she was pleased by the promise, too.
"Congratulations, now let's eat," Oogie said from behind Jack.
Eros turned and glared at him. "Do you mind?"
"Yeah, cuz I'm hungry, Cupe," Oogie said.
Jack burst out laughing. "Let's eat," he said, and he watched his citizens get up, mumbling about Oogie being rude by interrupting.
"Well, how's married life treating you?" Oogie asked.
"You're impossible," Jack said.
"Yep. That's why me and the wheeler are going to be working together to rebuild a lot of his lab."
"You are?" Jack asked, and his face lit up.
"What can I say, Jackie? I think I need to be civilized a little. And he worked miracles with you."
"Thank you," Jack said sincerely. Then he turned to Sally. "Let's go talk to your father."
Sally nodded, and they walked over to Riker, the only guest that hadn't moved. He looked a bit tired, but he sat up when they approached.
"Lovely ceremony," he said.
"Thank you," Jack said, sitting down beside him. He gave Riker a hug.
"Anything for you, my boy," Riker said. "Guess you're my son-in-law now."
"I hear in-laws are terrors," Jack said solemnly.
"I hope I don't disappoint," Riker said, grinning.
"Oh, you two, stop that," Sally said. "How about some food?"
"I'll get it," Riker said.
"You're not balanced enough to carry a plate," Sally said sternly. "I'll get you something."
She breezed off, and Jack watched her go. "You've given me the greatest gift you could have, doc," he said softly.
"It doesn't make up for what I did," Riker mumbled.
"No. But I think we're going to be just fine from now on, don't you?"
"As long as you treat Sally well? Yes, I think so."
Jack smiled as Sally came back with a plate for her father. "Here. Some human food, too."
"Thank you, my dear. Now you two go enjoy your wedding."
"What about you?" Jack asked.
"I'll keep him company," Oogie said, coming over with a full plate. "Go on."
Sally pulled Jack away as Eros announced the first dance of the couple. Jack took Dally in his arms and began to dance. It didn't matter that she was clumsy and a bit awkward. Jack loved her because of that and so many other reasons that he couldn't count them all. As he twirled her around, he caught glimpses of the other Holiday leaders, who had become good friends despite their rocky beginning. Lock, Shock, and Barrel watched them dance, looking bored, dreamy, and happy respectively. Things between them and Jack had never been better, and he smiled at them. They smiled back. Then Jack saw Oogie and Riker talking, talking and not fighting, which was a miracle in itself. Then all his focus went to Sally, who gazed at him adoringly.
"I love you, Jack," she whispered.
"I love you, too, Sally Skellington," Jack replied and he kissed her again.
Surrounded by friends and family, he celebrated his marriage, dancing and talking and laughing with everybody. It was the best Halloween he'd had in over two thousand years, and it was only the start of the newest chapter in his life. He couldn't wait to find out what came next now that Sally was by his side.