Eric Forman sat in his apartment in Nairobi. It was one of the last nights he would spend here. He would soon being going home. Thankfully his parents hadn't moved to Florida. He has been gone four and half years and experienced a lot of those years. He had broken up with Donna for two reasons. She was cheating on him with Randy and because he met Marie. His father would have called him a dumbass because she was Russian, but only by birth.
Marie's grandfather had snuck her out of Russia after her parents were picked up by the KGB. He didn't know why but he wanted his granddaughter to have a future. He made his way to Kenya since it was out of the way and really since they weren't the US the Russians didn't care. He applied for and received citizenship for both himself and his granddaughter.
Eric met Marie on the day he arrived in Kenya. She worked for the teaching program and met all the new teachers. Eric was instantly in love with Marie. She was drop dead gorgeous. He broke up with Donna six months later. He waited to be certain of his feelings even though he never did anything until he broke up with Donna. Marie has struck by how different Eric was from every other guy. Most guys tried everything to get her into their bed. Eric treated her like a princess. Eric was a good guy.
Eric and Marie were married on New Year's Eve 1980, a year after he could have gone home. Eric didn't tell his parents because they couldn't have afforded to fly over. Marie and Eric welcomed their daughter in June of 1982, Alexandra Marie Forman. Eric was in college at Nairobi University. He was close to finishing, he would be done next year. They had planned on returning to the US. Her grandfather was planning to come along. He didn't want to be away from his granddaughter. That had been their plan. The plan blew up in Eric's face the night after Eric finished his last exam.
Marie and her grandfather Serge were out taking care of some business he had. Their car was hit by a Semi-truck. They were hit head on and killed on impact. Eric was crushed. He wanted to call his parents but he couldn't. They would come running but the cost for them kept him from calling. Eric began tutoring the American Ambassador's son. Eric had to bury Marie and her grandfather, he also needed to get the estate settled. Eric had no idea about what his Grandfather in-law did, but he found out her grandfather had saved close to a quarter of million dollars. Eric was shocked. Why it was a lot of money, Eric was going to use most of it for Alexandra, or Lexi as Eric called her.
Eric had kept in touch with his parents and two of the old gang. Kelso wrote about once a month or at least Brooke did. The other would surprise you, it was Jackie Burkhart. She wrote Eric on a weekly basis. Eric never told her he got married or had a child. Not that he was sorry either had happened. Eric had written Jackie two weeks ago to ask for her number. He wanted her help in surprising his parents with coming home. However he would have to tell Jackie about Lexi. He had the letter in his hand and tore it open, she had given him the number. He called, it was late in Kenya but early evening in Point Place.
"Hello?"
"Jackie, Its Eric!"
"Oh my god Eric! How are you and why did you want my number?"
"I am good. I wanted your number because I have a small favor to ask."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, I am coming home and want your help in surprising my parents."
"You could have written to ask me for that help."
"Well I am not coming home alone."
"WHAT!"
"Jackie, promise me you won't tell my parents please."
"Ok I promise but who are bringing with you?"
"My daughter!"
"You're what?"
"My daughter. Now hush and I will tell you the story."
Jackie agreed and Eric told her the story. Jackie was shocked Eric survived losing Marie. The old Eric wouldn't have. He must have grown up some. She agreed to buy a toddler bed, training potty, and car seat for him and he would repay her once he got home. He tried to tell her he would get a hotel but she wouldn't have it. She had a two bedroom condo and Eric could have the guest room. He would be arriving the on December 23rd, or two days. He would surprise his parents for Christmas Eve. Jackie always spent Christmas with the Formans. Hyde had disappeared to New York with WB in 1980 and Fez went along with him to do the hair for their music videos. Donna had left Wisconsin and ran back to California and her mom. Kelso was in Chicago and working with the Chicago PD.