Before I Say I Do
Chapter Three: Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
"What're you doing here?" Jackie asked, a shocked expression still on her face.
"I came because my baby girl is getting married," pam answered enthusiastically and as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Jackie gave an odd look. "Well, yeah. So?"
"Did you really think I'd miss my daughter's wedding? Or not want to be a part of it at least?"
The last person that Jackie would expect to make an appearance was her mother. Sure, the two had reconciled with each other in the late seventies, but they didn't have that mother-daughter relationship people all wished for. By the time the year 1980 came, the two really only talked to each other about once or twice a month. This had pretty much stayed the same as the years progressed on. The two weren't close, and at times were almost like total strangers. That's just how it ended up being for the two, and neither of them had given any indication that they minded that.
And now Jackie regretted that she told her mother about the engagement and the newly started wedding planning.
"Mom, I only told you about this cause I didn't think you'd come," Jackie said honestly.
Pam gave a confused look. "Why would you think that, sweetheart?" she asked.
The others present all exchanged dumbfound looks. "Maybe because you left her years ago," Donna suggested, feeling the need to defend her best friend.
"Now, now, Donna," Kitty tried a bit desperately, trying to find something to say, "While this is true… Pam's still Jackie's mother."
Brooke raised her hand slightly. "From what I've seen, Mrs. Forman, you're more of a mother to her, to be honest," she informed quietly, as not to throw any more fire onto the flame.
Kitty put a hand over her heart, obviously touched by the young mother's words. "Well, thank you, Brooke."
Jackie rolled her eyes slightly and quickly. "Mom," she said sternly, "I didn't want you to come."
Pam gave a hurt look. "But, Jackie," she tried, "I'm your mother."
"Well, you never really acted like one before, so why start now?" Jackie gave one last glare, then stormed away.
-/-/-
"Bob, what the hell are you doing here?" Red asked, not hiding the annoyance in his voice.
Like established, Bob Pinciotti was the absolute last person Red wanted to see at the moment. It was bad enough that he was walking into a department type store, looking for wedding related items, with a group of men. That was already a pretty big annoyance and embarrassment. But now the fact that Bob Pinciotti was there with them- that made it even worse for him. It was an obvious thing that the elder Forman was annoyed with the situation as a whole, so the fact that there was now a whole other factor added to the already annoying situation- he felt like he was in a nightmare.
Bob gave a look like the answer was staring them all right in the face. "Isn't it obvious, Red?" he asked, "The kids are gettin' married."
Red looked unimpressed. "And what does that have to do with you?" he asked.
"Well, Red- Jackie did live in my house for a good long while."
"And your point is?"
"Oh, come on, Red," Bob tried, "I'm really good at this wedding stuff.'
"As obvious by that green and gold tux back when you and Midge renewed your vows," Red reminded.
Bob held out his hands in question. "It was for the Packers! I thought you of all people would've respected that."
It was unanimous that no one respected that wedding decision. Even when they were still in the seventies and the actual wedding was going on, no one appreciated the color scheme. Sure, it was great when actually watching the Packers on television playing a game, and those colors were on a jersey or jacket- but when at a wedding where the groom was wearing those colors on his suit, the bridesmaids wore it on their dresses, and nearly all the decorations were the same color… well, that was a bit much. Frankly, it was quite blinding at the time.
"I don't mind," Hyde shrugged nonchalantly.
"Fine," Red grumbled, "But you try to get me into a green and gold tux again, my foot'll be up your ass."
Bob smiled. "Aw, thanks, Red," he said genuinely, then headed into the store.
Eric nudged his best friend. "You really think that was a good idea, Hyde?" he asked quietly.
Hyde smirked a bit. "Who knows? But you gotta admit- it'll be a hell of a thing to see."
"Good point, let's go."
-/-/-
"Jackie, wait!"
Jackie couldn't handle her mother being there, so she just ran. She was mad at her mother for a few reasons. One: she had just decided to shop up out of nowhere. Two: she just left years ago, and didn't really come back. Three: she didn't act like a proper and good mother should! A lot of the time, she seemed to act more like a college girl on spring break than a woman who was getting to be near forty- or whatever her mother was turning! But instead of being in Mexico- though she was at one point- or in Fort Lauderdale, she was in Point Place!
"Jackie," Donna called as she followed after her friend, "Will you just stop?"
"No, Donna, I won't," Jackie said angrily as she turned around to face the redhead.
"Jackie, come on. Just tell me what's up."
"I don't want to."
Donna gave a stern look. "Jackie, you're being ridiculous! Look, just tell what the problem is, and I'll stop, okay?" she tried.
Jackie gave her an annoyed look, sighed and rolled her eyes. "Fine!" she agreed, "It's my mom."
The redhead was silent for a moment, a weird look on her face. "Yeah, I kinda figured that."
"Do you want to know what my problem is or not, Donna?"
Yes and no, she thought. "Alright, alright. I'm sorry, go ahead."
"Look, I told her about the wedding last time I wrote to her and talked to her, which I wish I didn't now. She can't just show up, acting like she genuinely cares about what's going on."
"How do you know she's not genuine?" Donna asked.
"Don't be ridiculous, Donna," Jackie said, "She's not, trust me. She's here for a specific reason, and it's not cause I'm getting married."
"Well, then why's she here?"
"Well… ok, I don't know the exact reason yet- but I'll figure it out."
"So is she staying or not?" Donna asked, her patience beginning to run a little thin.
"Give me one good reason I should let her stay."
Donna gave a weird look. "Oh, I don't know- maybe cause she's your mother?"
Jackie scoffed loudly and threw her hands in the air. "What an expected excuse. Who's side are you on here, Donna?"
"Look, Jackie- I'm not happy about the fact that she left you when your dad went to prison, ok?"
"He's not in jail, Donna! He's helping natives!"
"Whatever. Either way, I'm not thrilled with her either for that. But she's still your mom, I guess."
"What's your point?" Jackie asked, shaking her head slightly in annoyance.
Donna took a breath. "What I'm saying," she begun, "Is that you should at least be thankful your mother's here. My mom didn't really help out when Eric and I got married, cause she didn't wanna risk something with my dad. Be thankful your mom wants to help out."
Jackie really didn't want her mother to stay for the wedding planning. Why should she let her mother stay? She was never around for anything else- so why should this be any different? She knew her lumberjack friend had a good point, but their relationships with their mothers were different. She didn't want her mother to ruin their and how they were going. No one ruins Jackie Burkhart's wedding. For crying out loud, she's Jackie Burkhart! If anything, Jackie Burkhart's wedding would be perfect!
"Ugh, fine!" Jackie finally caved, "But I'm only agreeing cause you talked about your mom not being there when you wanted her to be. And you owe me!" She then walked back toward the original group.
Donna took a heavy sigh. Why did I agree to be involved in this wedding? she asked herself as she followed after her short best friend.
Woot woot, chapter three! I think this chapter gave a good sense of nostalgia rom the show and memorable scenes and scenarios from the show. What did you think of Bob and Pam being back? And what do you think will happen when they find out the other is there?
You won't find out for a little while longer, but it'll happen. Don't worry.
Also, I hope everyone is doing amazerful.
Next update should be in another two to four weeks- no less, no more. Hope you enjoyed the chapter, and peace from all the hippies of the world. =^-^=