The moon was full and bright, as it always was in the town of Halloween.

And around the cloudy sky, the bats, witches and goblins flew, demonstrating their most terrifying screams.

But Jack Skellington and Sally hardly noticed.

They stood beneath an old oak tree-one that had died many moons ago; it's bare branches spread out like thin, bony arms-lost in each other's eyes.

When the bats, witches and goblins flew away (giving Jack and Sally a moment of privacy), Jack slid his long, thin arm around the beautiful rag doll he loved so much and kissed her.

"I-I can't believe this is happening. I-I mean... I never realized-."

Sally smiled. "I can't believe it either. I tried to tell you how I felt before... so many times. I just-."

"I love you, Sally."

His sweetheart gasped at words he'd spoken for the first time, and he smiled as her white cotton cheeks turned a bright shade of pink.

"I love you too, Jack."

They kissed again and then held each other close beneath the huge glowing moon.

Sally rested her head on Jack's chest, sighing contentedly.

"This is way the afterlife should be."

"It's getting late." Jack said. "Shall I walk you home?"

Sally smiled, feeling suddenly shy. "All right... Jack."

Hand in hand they walked down the eerily dark path, lit only from the moonlight.

The walk seemed to take forever; as Sally's castle was quite a ways away.

But that didn't matter to Jack and Sally. They had finally found each other and wanted to spend as much time as possible together.

Unfortunately, they were often kept apart by the evil scientist Dr. Finklestein; a rather strange man from whom Sally regularly managed to escape.

All too soon they reached Finklestein's castle.

"Well... I guess this is goodnight." Jack said.

Sally sighed. "I guess it is. Goodnight Jack. Will I see you tomorrow?"

"Absolutely! There's a town meeting called by the Mayor at 9:30 in the morning, so-."

The seriousness in his voice made Sally laugh. "I don't mean that, Silly! I meant... Just the two of us?"

This time it was Jack's turn to blush; a rather unusual thing for a pumpkin king to do. It was a new emotion for him; this falling in love. But he wouldn't have it any other way.

"Oh..." He said. "I think that can be arranged. I'll see you in the morning."

Slowly he leaned over and kissed the beautiful rag doll once more.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Jack! I love you!" Sally called to him as he and his faithful ghost dog Zero disappeared into the night sky.

And then without anther word, she climbed up the rope that led to her room at the top of the castle where she could fall asleep in her bed...

And dream about the Pumpkin King whom she loved so much.