Author Note: …glad you're still with me here…it will get better…I promise

T7S

Chapter 07White Roses

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Most everyone stayed into the night. The friends helping Bob located Midge and arranged the quickest flight out. Pastor Dave made a personal house call to the Pinciotti home to aid Bob in working with some of the grief. Kitty was barely able to function anymore and Red slipped an arm around her waist and nudged her towards the door.

"Eric, honey…if you want to sleep over, the guest room has fresh linen."

He sat there, chin in his hands, his eyes slightly glazed. Jackie touched Eric's shoulder. "Hey." She said softly. He looked up and sadly shook his head, "So much for our little surprise."

Jackie looked around to see where Steven was. "We can announce later. Let's get through this. We all lost a dear friend. What a shock it must have been to find out that Randy was the guy she was sneaking around with."

Eric wanted to touch Jackie's face but didn't dare. "You know, a part of me feels like I should fight him….the truth is the Donna I knew, had let go of our relationship months ago. I miss the girl I grew up with." Screw Hyde and his possessiveness; he pulled Jackie into a hug. "Don't go too far that I can't reach you okay?" Eric whispered.

Jackie could feel the tears again and kissed his cheek. "I'm only a phone call away. Anytime you want to talk. I'm there."

Hyde walked up and took Jackie's arm. "Forman, I'm sorry man. We all loved big Red. Someone's gotta tell Fez. We'll see you tomorrow okay?"

Eric could only watch as his baby's mother was escorted out of the room by a man who cheated on her. At least Hyde had someone to go home with. Goodbyes were too hard and Eric's heart was empty.

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Red Forman was the strong one. He was the man who made the funeral arrangements, got Midge picked up from the airport and broke the news to a sobbing Fez. Kitty was beside herself baking cakes and pies – she was much worse than when Grandma Forman passed away.

-o-

Bob was just a father in a walking coma. He could barely function and Midge was a blubbering blonde crying machine. For once in his life, Michael Kelso was not a dumbass. Red was impressed when Kelso and his wife Brooke, organized the wake and spoke to Pastor Dave about the service. The couple contacted everyone in Bob's address book as well as the producers of the radio station.

-o-

Eric slept when he wasn't wandering around in a daze. At night, he would just collapse in the bed, hugging Donna's pillow to him, wishing he could talk with her one last time and make things right. Ask her why Randy Pearson? Tell her about his baby.

-o-

Jackie would lay awake at night, Steven's arm around her waist, his warm breath puffing against her cheek. For the past couple of days, he didn't go to work and he didn't have her smell on him. If she closed her eyes tightly, Jackie could almost imagine that they were still in their one bedroom apartment so desperately in love. That was a time when she was all he needed and conversations didn't need to be manufactured. But lately, he spent time at work or with WB and Angie while Jackie worked hard on 4-Hearts. Her little Auto Dressing business suddenly became huge. That was going to be all she had left to care for her and her baby especially when Steven found out.

Her slim hand lightly touched her belly and she wondered was this baby going to have her dark hair or Eric's light brown. "It" would definitely have green eyes and might be small. Eric was a medium framed guy and Jackie was small…maybe this baby would take after Grandpa Burkhart and be tall and sturdy…for a boy. Could she be a good mom to a boy? Jackie smiled as she thought of giving birth to a perfect little girl and how that perfect a baby would feel in her arms.

Jackie rolled over and looked at Steven's sleeping face. His slack features made him look so much younger. His business face always made him look angry. Jackie traced a finger down his cheek and along his jaw line. He hadn't shaved in a couple of days so the stubble tickled her fingers. This might be one of the last good times they slept together in the same bed. Slowly, she rolled up on an elbow and tenderly kissed his lips. She barely whispered, "Steven…I will always love you and there's a place in my heart that is only yours."

-o-

The funeral was set for that Friday. Pastor Dave was consoling the Pinciotti's who insisted on an open casket service but as they stood near their daughter's lifeless body, Bob could not stop the tears. The congregation lined up in pairs to pay their respects. Jackie and Steven were standing in line behind the Kelso's. The Forman's were next up to the casket.

Kitty marveled at the craftsmanship in the casket with was covered in a blanket of white roses. Bob had spared no expense with the antique white coffin. Shaded silver roses surrounded the width in cameos and the interior was lined with soft pink velvet. Donna looked like she was sleeping in a princess's bed and not a fancy box that would soon be covered with dirt. She lightly touched Donna's folded hands and said, "Honey, you will always be an angel. I'm going to miss your bright smile and sassy talk." She laughed a tear filled laugh. "We'll miss you down here sweetheart." Kitty looked at her husband who had tears in his eyes. He looked down at Donna, "What she said."

Red shook Bob's hand and pulled him in for a bear sized hug. Kitty touched Midge's cheek, "Anything you need, Midge. Red and I are here for you."

-o-

Eric stood at the side of the casket looking at the woman he loved for most of his life. Just days before they had been lying in bed talking about trading in the old Vista Cruiser for something modern. Donna always kidded him about the "love machine" and he would hold fast and tease back. She was so young and there were still so many things Donna would never get to do. Why hadn't he kissed her goodbye that morning? "…I'm late. Good luck with those interviews…" Those were the last words he said to her. No endearing sentiments – nothing that would let her know he still cared.

Eric touched Donna's soft red hair. She really did look like she was sleeping and all she needed was a kiss to wake up. "Donna, I got the promotion…just like you said I would." His throat tightened up and his vision got blurry. "You were my best friend and my girl friend and I don't know what to do without you." Eric fell to his knees and covered his face with his hands. He had betrayed Donna but then she betrayed him first and left him alone without telling him why.

-o-

Steven surreptitiously wiped his eyes while pretending to clean his shades. The black jacket and leather shoes were too tight and uncomfortable. Hell, funerals were a bitch and it was worse when the deceased was the first girl he ever fell in love with and danced his first dance with. Forman falling apart in front of the casket was not a pretty sight. Luckily, Red managed to drag his crying ass to the side.

Brooke and Jackie were whispering about something and all he wanted to do was run. Run to Milwaukee and hang with WB and drink beer or get high. Hit the sack with Sam so the realities of Donna's murder wouldn't be foremost in his mind. This tragedy spilled over from his professional life into his personal life. If he could get his hands on Malcolm Dillon, he'd kick his ass until that fucker was pleading for his life. Accidental shooting, my ass!

-o-

Kelso and Brooke stepped forward to pay their respects. "Donna." Kelso said in a reverent voice, "I'm sorry I never got to kiss you." He looked at Brooke when she nudged him. "What! I never did. I mean it's not like I didn't try!" Kelso touched the cold folded hand. "Big D, what I mean to say is I'm really gonna miss you. Forman's basement will never be the same." Michael Kelso wiped away a tear and stood up straight before stepping to Bob and crushing him in a sobbing hug.

-o-

Jackie had helped Midge select Donna's gown. It was a soft silk lavender burial dress. The colors flattered Donna's pale complexion. She looked so beautiful lying there with a silver crucifix resting against her chest. Jackie touched the soft pink cheek. She spoke softly so that Steven couldn't hear, "I'm gonna miss you lumberjack. I wanted to share something with you but I can only hope that you'll know my secret in heaven. I'll watch over Eric for you and then one day when we're all together, you can have him back."

Jackie wiped her cheeks and stepped towards Bob so Steven could say his respects. "Oh Bob, I'm so sorry. I know you keep hearing that but really…Donna was my friend and you were like my dad so - - so this is like losing my sister."

Bob hugged the smaller girl, "Oh Jackie. Thank you for helping Midgie pick out such a beautiful dress. My pumpkin looks perfect. If only she wasn't dead." Bob cried against Jackie's hair and Midge tugged on his arm. "Bob honey, you're gonna squish her. "

-o-

Steven stepped in front of the open casket and all he could think of was what a great burn this would be if Donna sat up right now. She was his closet female friend and he respected that she could kick his ass if she put her mind to it. She was so confident and funny and damn, he was going to miss her. Steven put his big hand over her folded one. "Dream on Donna. Dream on."

-o-

No one really paid attention to the last mourner in line. Randy was wearing a dark suit and wraparound glasses. He kept his head bowed and when it was his turn to pay his last respects, he only wept. Donna was his love. He was going to ask her to marry him. They had become so close and as he fingered the diamond engagement ring in his pocket, he remembered that it was right after that Fatso burger lunch, he was going to propose. Donna told him she loved him and that's all that was important. When he thought no one was paying attention, Randy slid the beautiful sparkling diamond on Donna's cold finger.

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A/N : This even made me tear up when I read it for a third time….thanks for sticking around!