A/N: I still unfortunately do not own That 70's Show, and I still cannot watch season 8.

Thank you to everyone who has favorited and followed this story. A special thanks to those who take time to review. I love reading them. It makes me feel like this story matters.

Chapter 7: Welcome Home, Dumbass

Making our way up the creaky wooden stairs I feel so confused. I am so tired and hungry. I cannot begin to sort out my feelings or where things stand with Steven.

I know he dreads facing the Forman's, especially since Mrs Forman is probably going to be a crying mess. Actually I know she is going to have an emotional outburst of some type. Every since Eric left for Africa, she has been a wreck. Then Steven up and left her without a word.

As we reach the top of the stairs Steven turns to me and pulls me into his arms. "Jackie I have missed you and I'm really sorry for what you are about to see, it's not going to be pretty. Red's probably going to stick a foot up my ass, and Mrs Forman is probably going to cry and hug a lot" he chuckles at that last part.

"Steven quit stalling and let's get this over with." I say as I push him towards the door. Following Steven into the Forman's kitchen, I am hit by what has to be the best breakfast I have smelled in about three weeks. All of a sudden I feel ravenous. Seems like my appetite is finally back. Funny how that coincided with my Puddin' Pop's return.

We make our way to the table to take our seats. Mrs Forman runs up to Steven and pulls him into a tight vice grip hug. "Oh Steven you are finally home" turning to Red "Look Red one of our baby boys is home." Taking a step back keeping her hands on his shoulders she takes a good look at him. Weeping she pulls him in for another hug, " Just look at you Steven you have lost so much weight since you've been gone. Don't worry about that though, I've made your favorite breakfast. I 'll fatten you up in no time."

Before Steven can reply to her Mrs Forman steps up to me pulling me into a warm embrace.

"Just let me have a look at you Jackie, how are you holding up dear, Oh my sweet girl, you just sit down and let me take care of you" she says with her trademark laugh.

I cannot help but wish this woman was my mother. What it would have been like to have had someone like her to depend on. It would have been so nice to have someone that would always love me no matter what.

As a child I had thought that my daddy had loved me like that but in the end I learned the hard way that neither of my parents were capable of the love and sacrifice that comes with being a parent. They had both abandoned me when I was 16. My father went to prison, and my floozy of a mother never bothered to come home. When she finally made an appearance it was short lived. As soon as the gravy train at Bob's ended she left me, again.

I take my seat at the table and I look around at the Formans and Steven. I realize that these people are my real family. These people have no reason to care about me, but yet they do.

Mrs Forman begins to serve breakfast when Mr Forman finally turns to Steven. I feel my heart drop. This can go either way.

" Well look at what the dumbass fairy went and dropped off at our house Kitty, a long lost dumbass" Red says.

" Red I am really sorry for leaving the way I did. I am sorry for worrying youuu- I mean Mrs Forman" Steven says apologetically.

" You should be sorry Dumbass. We know that you are grown up Steven, but in this family we just don't up and leave without a word, understood?"

Even though Steven is getting the 3rd degree he still has a small smile on his face. Maybe he is beginning to get it through his rock head that he is part of this family. "Yes Sir" Steven finally answers.

"I don't know how the Loud One let you out of that basement with your ass still intact, but let me tell you something dumbass, the next time you decide to go on a three week joyride leaving her here, crying all over me, I promise you this, you will get more than a foot in the ass" Red says angrily.

"Red that's enough of the A-S-S word at breakfast" Kitty says as she places a platter full of bacon, sausage links, and pancakes on the table.

I know that we have a long way to go before things are truly right between us, but as long as Steven is willing to work on our relationship, I can too. I mean what am I supposed to do, I love him.