Chapter 2: Surprise, Surprise

Author's Note: Hey everyone, I'd like to apologize for those of you who read Chapter 1 before I got to put in scene breaks. I had in the original document to shift scenes and didn't notice until after I posted the story that they hadn't stayed in the uploading process. I'm an idiot. And now I see the little insert line button in the document preview so I assure you, it won't happen anymore. This chapter is Hyde's POV. They are going to alternate between him and Jackie from here on out. So long as you don't all like review that you hate it and that I suck at talking like Hyde. As always, let me know what you think. Your opinions mean the world to me. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Not mine.

I can't believe she just left. I mean we're having a baby, I'm sure there's something we should be talking about. I don't know exactly what, I'm zen and that has prohibited me from having a lot of baby experience. But when you find out your having a baby with an ex-girlfriend you should probably have some sort of long talk, right?

I think I need a beer.

And she wasn't going to tell me? What the hell is that about? My fists are clenching at the thought of her keeping this from me.

I definitely need a beer. I need to just mellow. Because getting all fired up is not going to help anything, Zen has never let me down. Well, almost never.

Heading to the kitchen, sure she's told Donna and Fez already, assuming she's told Kitty.

Still, I have to admit, I'm a little caught off guard that Red is sitting at the table, looking as if he's been waiting for me.

I guess he knows.

Red has a soft spot for Jackie. Few people are aware enough of Red's capability of expressing any emotions other than anger or disgust to notice. But he's genuinely liked Jackie ever since that day she helped him in the garage. Sure, he flinches when she hugs him. But it's really just for show. And while he means it wholeheartedly when he calls her "the loud one," it's more of a pet name than anything else. He had told me once that he thought Jackie was a keeper. I take my time getting my beer. This talk might not end well.

"Steven."

I sit down and look attentive, but I don't bother saying a word. Red's in lecture mode, he probably wouldn't even hear me.

"You're essentially a man now. You are married, you have a steady job. And I hope you realize for the most part I've stayed out of your life's business when it has come to your decisions. You haven't always made good choices, but they've always been your choices and I can respect that."

I swear if he says the words "accepting responsibility" I will get up and leave.

"But part of being a man is sacrificing your happiness in choices, for the good of those who depend on you. I'm not telling you what to do, son. But I hope you take your time in making the upcoming hard decisions. For your own sake, and for Jackie's. And this baby's."

He gets up and pats my shoulder paternally.

I'm relieved that he didn't need to call me a dumbass at all.

I guess I could do a lot worse than trying to be a father like Red Forman.


I haven't seen Jackie in two days, and we really haven't talked in a week. Not since that day in the basement. I heard she found not one job, but two. A receptionist during the day in a doctor's office, a waitress at a truck stop a little out side of town at night. She's never ceased to amaze me. Once upon a time she'd never in her worst nightmare work either job let alone both. But she's stronger than anyone realizes. And she'll do what she has to do. And she'll look great doing it.

I know she's working, or I wouldn't have agreed to coming over to the apartment. I'm not sure what to say exactly, so I'd rather wait to see her. That way the ass inside doesn't do anything I'm too proud to apologize for.

I knock and impatiently wait for Fez to answer.

I sit on their couch while he goes to grab some beers and snacks.

Looking around I can see Jackie's Woman's touch. Matching throw pillows. A vase full of flowers. Little things that would make her feel at home.

And I notice a stack of books on the coffee table. Reading down the sides, each one has the word "Baby" in the title. The top one is Naming Your Baby for Success. I flip through and notice that she has made little notes by names, stars for if she likes it, hearts for if she loves it, question marks if she's unsure. I smirk as I notice Erica is starred. I'm sure Forman would love that. The spawn of Satan named for him.

I glance at the next book down and my amusement fades. Single Parenthood: A Tough Job, but Someone's Got To Do It. The idea of Jackie buying this book, convinced she'll be doing this on her own makes me feel like shit. Does she honestly think I don't want to help? This baby was a surprise, and I'm sure I didn't look ecstatic at the news. But I'm not going to pretend I don't have a part to play in this. And damn it, unexpected will not equal unwanted or unloved. I was that unwanted child, and I know first hand no kid deserves that. And that's what my absence would say.

I'm going to be there. Every step of the way. Whether she likes it or not.

Fez returns and sits the beer on a coaster on the table. Coasters were more of Jackie's doing I assume.

He seems to see that I'd been paging through her books.

"She's doing good, you know. Already going full force, reading everything she can, making sure nothing else comes as a surprise." He paused to take a sip of beer before continuing, "Did you know in a few months her breasts could be twice the size they are now?" Fez's smile was almost creepy, but it made me laugh.

I place the naming book on top again, purposely hiding the title below it.

"She have any names she's leaning towards?"

Fez seemed excited to talk about such things, he's such a girl sometimes.

"Well yes, sort of. She's still thinking about if it's a boy, but if it's a girl she really likes Stephanie Kathleen. Maybe call her little Kitty."

I like the idea.

Steering back to a more masculine topic I ask Fez about his current girl situation, but I can't help but steal an occasional glance at the coffee table. Maybe I do know what to say to Jackie.