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Thank you all for the reviews. I know I haven't been the absolute best at posting, but that's going to change now. After all, there's only four more chapters and I adore chapter nine. You'll plotz when you read it.
You'll probably plotz over this one was well. Major JH going on and a bit of a surprise at the end.
Please send in baby names. I love them all and though I won't be able to use them in chapter nine, I am currently doing ten and fresh out of inspiration after eight chapters.
THE
NAME GAME
CHAPTER 7
Disclaimer: Look at Prologue
Landon Cole.
Sounded like a man's name. Land, she liked for a popular teenager's name. Lando, Landie, and Land-Land made good baby names. Landon was a nice gentlemanly husband name. One who had two kids and a loving wife. Jackie hesitated. A boring job though, like Wall Street, and though he was popular, he wouldn't be a daredevil. Though Kitty probably didn't want a daredevil, that quality was important to Jackie and she wanted her kid to have a cool job and fun life.
God, names were hard.
Adrian was still passing her notes, though it had been two weeks since the incident with her father. Jackie hadn't even looked at a bridal magazine. She had no idea what she was going to do, but she knew that having Adrian Parke would ruin her chances of ever finding actual love.
"Jackie, I want to set you up," Donna said early that day. She was bursting with glee, "I think you could find your Prince Rainer,"
"Perfect guy huh?" Jackie sighed, curiosity getting the better of her, "Who is it?"
"You'll find out, if you show up at Te Amoras," Donna said, "Eric and I are paying-" She hesitated, "The first 50 bucks anyway," She added grudgingly, knowing how high prices could be up there. Eric had made her agree on a cash limit for the two, even though the future of The Basement Gang was at stake. This didn't mean that they were together again though. Just preserving the future for them to all be together. Donna wasn't ready to get back together with Eric just yet.
"That's a romantic restaurant," Jackie admitted, "I wanted to go there, but Michael and I had already broken up when it opened,"
"So, what's stopping you now?" Donna asked
She laughed, "Nothing. Just-" She frowned, "Well, today's Steven's night. He and I have a routine,"
"Oh, I already told him you were changing your plans," Donna said cheerfully, "So he's decided to go with Kelso and Fez to Jeff's party,"
She nearly squealed inside, hearing that Jackie was hesitating for Hyde. ;This was going to work out better then she thought.
"Donna, not that I don't appreciate this, but you aren't exactly my first choice in looking for a hot guy. After all, you could've had Steven, but you chose Eric," She sighed, "Eric's like one of these sad skinny trees in winter that no one wants as a Christmas tree,"
"He's gifted in certain areas," Donna defended, "And I'm dating Casey now,"
"Don't tell me any more," Jackie said, shuddering, "The doctor said I can't be scared too much. The Jaws thing alone was enough,"
"Look, will you go?" Donna asked, "You can look pretty, get a free dinner at a fancy place, and admit that Donna does have good taste in guys,"
"Does he know about the baby?" Jackie asked softly
Donna nodded, "Come on Jackie, this is probably the last date you'll have before that baby makes you too fat to wear a little black number-"
"I already am!" Jackie said crossly, "I can't fit in any of my tight fitting clothes, I pooch out up here," She pointed a finger at her breasts, "And I'm worried it'll harm the baby,"
"How about the blue maternity dress you bought?" Donna asked
"Still a little too big," She admitted, "I can't wear it without it slipping down and showing off my tan in all its glory,"
"Well-" Donna frowned, "You tan topless?"
Jackie nodded, "Only in my room under a sunlight at night during summer. Tan lines are so out, Donna," She rolled her eyes
"There's something I didn't want to know," Donna said cheerily, "Look, just find something and come to Te Amoras at quarter to seven. Your prince should be waiting," She ran off, not letting the smaller girl get something in.
Lorenzo Basil.
Jackie smiled. Perhaps it was just the Italian restaurant speaking out to her. She loved that name though. It sound nice to say, just curl out the 'Renzo' alone made it sound pretty. And usually Basil would be classified over 'geek', but it was a nice middle name and ethnic enough to fit Lorenzo.
Lorenzo. Renzo, Enzo, Lorie.
No. She was NOT having a kid with the possibility of sharing the same name as the wench that called herself Laurie Forman. Not even with a cute first name like Lorenzo.
She was waiting for her date. He was late, by three minutes. Well, she had actually shown up five minutes early, so he still had two minutes before she decided she had been a victim of came in, saw her, and left. She was hot, but the tummy sort of diminished the hotness-in her opinion. Not that she didn't like pregnancy. Pregnancy suited her.
Elijah Darien
Hyde had been told at the last moment that he was being taken on a date with Jackie. Eric had given him a hundred bucks that he knew Donna was making him give. Restaurants weren't his thing, but neither was letting Jackie down. Apparently she was looking forward to this.
Not that he would know. Eric had assaulted him after school and made him 'hang out' in the basement, like old times, before being pelted with the news of his and Jackie's date. Damn Forman. He always knew how to get Hyde to do stuff.
He put on a black pair of pants, shiny black shoes, a black belt, and a dark green button up, complete with tie. Donna had forced the sunglasses away from him and made him change from his black shirt to the green one, despite his protests. All she needed to say was that Jackie would be hormonal if he showed up in the same color. Damned Jackie.
It was the baby. Hyde convinced himself. He didn't want to hurt a woman that was carrying his baby, physically or emotionally. He remembered that she was having an aversion to cologne and liked his soap and peppermint smell better.
He really had no reason to eat peppermint now, but he still did. Habit, and Jackie loved his minty smell. The piney smell that she insisted was there, he couldn't detect. He never could. Apparently it was there though, and Hyde didn't really care. Long as she was happy and that baby was healthier then Superman (When he's not around kryptonite)
Hyde was nervous. He even bought a few daisies off a street vendor. Walking up to her, he wondered why he was nervous. Her back was to him, so she hadn't seen him yet. He tossed the flowers onto the table and slid in the seat opposite from her.
"How are you?" He asked softly
Jackson Ripley
No. Too Jack-The-Ripper.
Jackson Alexander
Better. But it didn't seem quite perfect.
Jackie smiled and took the flowers, smelling them, "They're beautiful, Steven," She giggled, "I knew it was you when I smelled pine and peppermint," She admitted, setting down the daisies.
"You seem to have superhuman smell these days," He told her, smiling.
Jackie chuckled. She didn't see this side, where he pulled down his walls with reckless abandon unless Steven was mind smashingly drunk.
"Are you drunk?" She asked, though she didn't smell any beer on him
He shook his head, "Had a beer earlier, but that's it," He held up his menu and made a face, "I don't understand Italian,"
"I'll order," Jackie said, curious, "So, you knew it was me?" She asked, feeling something very odd in her tummy. Something she'd never felt before-not even with Michael.
He nodded, finding it difficult to turn Zen without his glasses, damn Donna.
"Do you really think that Donna thinks we belong together?" She asked
"I think she doesn't want you to leave her," Steven said honestly, "If you marry someone else, you won't come and hang out in the basement,"
"I haven't been to the basement in ages," She pointed out and he sighed
"That's more of a temporary thing. Marriage is so final," He explained
Jackie nodded, "And if Donna picked Michael, he'd probably cheat on another girl during his bachelor party,"
Hyde decided not to say anything to this. It was hazardous territory, where they were.
"And since Eric's taken and I think of Fez as a girlfriend, you were the only one left," Jackie sighed, "Steven, do you want to be here?"
Hyde took a deep breath, "I don't know-"
"God," Jackie leaned back in her chair
"Let me finish, woman," He smiled and took her hand, both teenagers ignoring the sparks, "I don't know if we belong together, but I'm here to stay as a father to that kid of yours,"
"Yeah?" She smiled
He nodded, "I didn't have a good dad. No reason why we should let history repeat itself,"
She smiled, "I didn't have good parents either," She rubbed his hands lightly, "Thank you, Steven," She whispered, both of them looking into the other's eyes, smiling and content.
Philip Konstantin
If Red couldn't take Basil, Jackie wondered how he would react to a Russian middle name of a structure holy to the very Commies he had tried to gun down. Better not risk it. And Phil had never sounded right to her.
"Hello," A soft voiced waitress came up, smiling, "Here is your bread-" She put down a basket of bread and a plate of butter, "And would you like to hear the specials or just order?"
"Order," Jackie smiled, looking at her menu. Steven looked at her, liking the dress she was wearing.
"Nice dress," He said, smirking lightly. Jackie laughed
"Thank you," She said and looked up at the waitress, "I will have a water with two lemons and Steven will have-" She looked at him, "Jack Daniels, right dear?"
He nodded. Better to tell her after the pregnancy that his favorite beer was Miller. No reason to upset a hormonal woman right now. Even though Jackie's hormones didn't kick in as often as most women's hormones, her attacks could be worse then ten of Kitty's.
"For appetizers, we would like-" Jackie looked down the menu, making humming noises. Steven smiled. Jackie had little quirks like that, that only he seemed to know about because no one had the time to just look at her.
"The deviled eggs," She giggled, "I still love these eggs." Turning to the next page, "And for entrees, I will have the lasagna and Steven will-Have you had Italian food before?" She asked him
He shook his head, "Kitty doesn't cook ethnic," He reminded her
"Fine," Jackie sighed, "Steven will have the risotto and steak, and for dessert," She turned to the last page, licking her lips, "Ah! Gelato, of course!" She laughed and handed back the menu.
"If you ordered snail," Steven said, "I'm kicking Forman's ass,"
"Why?" She asked
"Because I don't kick girl's asses. Since Donna is a girl, and set this up, I'm kicking the second best thing to Donna-Forman,"
"I ordered you rice and steak," She rolled her eyes, "You are sharing, by the way," She added, taking a piece of bread.
Zachary Braveheart
Braveheart was a good middle name, but it was a code name, not appropiate for a baby. It was almost as bad as middle naming a little boy, 'Inspektor.'
"Do you have to marry him?" Steven asked, after they had a conversation about who was better, The Osmonds or Led Zeppilin-Hyde didn't understand how it started in the first place anyway.
Jackie sighed, "My dad will disown me, and this is a moment where I need his money, even though I have a job and an apartment that's apparently free-I still don't understand how you pay for it," She added
"Landlord's a pot addict," Hyde explained, "It was a fair deal, I'd give him my connections and he'd give me a three year lease. Kelso sort of lied earlier, since Red and Kitty were there. They did cut my already cheap rent in half though,"
"Are you still smoking weed?" She whispered, not wanting anyone to overhear.
He shook his head, "Sold the last of it months ago. Sometimes I still go down and bum a smoke if I really need some,"
"Thank you, for the apartment," Jackie said, smiling, "That doesn't stop me from being dependent on my father, though," She admitted, "I still need his money for baby things and other stuff that would take me three weeks to get at my job. Plus, I'm starting to have an aversion to cheese, which isn't helping matters,"
"So quit," Steven said, "I bet someone as cute as you can find another job in record time,"
Jackie smiled, "You think I'm cute?"
"No," Steven said, pulling out his mask-Hyde.
"You think I'm cute," Jackie giggled, and Steven liked her smile. It seemed just right, despite how mouthy she was.
"It was the beer," He defended, holding up his glass. Jackie had been drinking water.
Jackie started to cry and Steven got up from his seat to comfort her. She seemed to cry for the oddest reasons these days.
"I don't know," Jackie told him, about why she was crying. Her hormones were a mess.
Dustin Jared.
Like she would have a kid with the name 'dust' plus an in. She didn't want her kid to be dirty. Jared was a nice name though, but not of middle name quality.
Steven and she had only seemed to grow closer together as the wedding loomed. It was only a month away now. Jackie always had to use Zen whenever the topic of the wedding or Adrian came up. However, that didn't stop Steven from seeing that there were torn up bridal magazines in her trash can.
He smiled, glad that Jackie was just as against this. What he didn't understand was why Adrian. He was such a man-slut in a way that Kelso seemed like a nun. Only, all the girls didn't believe the rumors and they all thought he was a virgin, as he told them each on various dates. Sensitive, kind, and gentle were the main words describing him for these young ladies, while the men preferred man-slut pretty boy.
Many girls had of course, 'deflowered' him. Adrian was so skilled though, that he told them all to keep it quiet. If one of them said that they had slept with him anyway, no one would believe them. The girls that he had already slept with, would just scoff and glow inside. They were the only one.
If he wasn't rich and titled, no one would give a crap about him, Steven knew. Kelso had tried once to be a virgin, but he had tried it with a girl he had already done it with and forgotten. What an idiot.
Marc Caleb
"Jackie," He smiled, seeing her run a hand over her fattening tummy. It wasn't out of control yet and could be hidden by some of her baggier clothes.
"Steven," She said, unhappy, "Daddy called again. He says that I have to go on a date with Adrian,"
He nodded, "Want me to come?" He offered, smiling
"I don't wanna get married," Jackie said, kicking her bed, angry.
"I don't want you to, either," He told her, giving Jackie a rub down her back, that always soothed her.
"Then," Jackie turned to him, eyes shining, "Steven, I just had the most perfect idea!"
"Yes?" He asked, waiting
"Let's get married," She clapped her hands, her eyes sparkling
"Why?" Steven asked
"Daddy can't disown me then," She explained, "And we can annul the marriage after the baby's born!" She laughed, "Come on, Steven. My baby won't be born out of wedlock and Daddy will have no reason to disown me,"
"Jackie," He protested
"Besides you could be the father, which makes it even better!" She said, jumping a little. Steven steaded her. He didn't want Jackie jumping.
"And if Kelso ends up being the father?" He asked
"Daddy won't want me to marry him," Jackie said cheerfully, "He likes you though,"
"Really?" Hyde asked
"Well no, but if I butter him up enough, he will," Jackie shrugged, "Please Steven?" She asked, pulling down her lower lip.
Hyde sighed and Kelso walked in. Well, he actually did his customary Kelso-slam, running to the middle of the room to get an audience.
"What's up?" He asked, having nothing to share,
"I'm getting married to Jackie," Steven said, "Do you mind?"
He shook his head, "It's cool man," He grinned, "Does this mean that Jackie's not leaving us?"
Jackie shook her head and hugged Steven tightly.
"You wanna get married now?" He asked, looking at his watch, "We can go to City Hall and Kelso can be the witness. And then I can find some priest,"
Jackie nodded. She already knew that if she went with Adrian, she'd have her lace and tulle dress, her fantasy wedding. But, if she went with Steven, she'd have a shot at a real life and finding actual love.
"I don't want to get married inside City Hall," She admitted
"How about Mt. Hump?" Kelso suggested, standing up, "I can round up the gang and find Pastor Dave,"
"No," Steven shook his head, "Better no one knows until the deed's done," He explained, "I don't want anyone making me sane again until Jackie's my wife for the next five months,"
"Fine," He said, "You bring the marriage stuff. I'll get Pastor Dave and meet you at Mt. Hump,"
"Try to get rid of as many people as possible," Jackie added
"Will do," Kelso kissed her on the cheek, grinning, "Congratulations, Mrs. Hyde,"
"Soon to be, Mrs. Hyde," Jackie laughed. Jackie Hyde. That sounded better then Jackie Burkhart.
Zeke Hawthorne
No. Jackie shook her head forcefully. She was holding a bouquet of limp daisies that Kelso gathered for her. Hyde had bought two rings from the 50 cent toy machines in front of the grocery store. Two pieces of plastic that Jackie would've died wearing before.
"It's only for five months," Steven said gently, "Then we'll spilt and you can marry a better guy with all the time you need,"
Steven had let her change into her favorite dress-the same blue one she had worn for their so-called date two weeks ago. The daisies shook in her hand and had one tucked by her ear. She was nervous and excited at the same time. She of all people, was eloping.
Chandler Kent
Chandler sounded like a fancy boy name for a duke. Kent. That was Superman's last name. Nice combination, but Jackie didn't want a duke or Superman. What she did want, Jackie wasn't sure.
"I do," she said softly, jarring Steven out of his thoughts. Kelso cheered, clapping his hands and Jackie giggled.
"Do you, Steven Hyde, take Jacqueline Burkhart, to have and hold. For better or worse. For richer or poorer. In sickness or in health, til-" He frowned, "Til this baby is out, do you part?"
They had explained their situation, and though Pastor Dave didn't like this, he went along with it, because they really didn't seem to have any other choices.
Hyde smiled and looked at Jackie. She had made him change into his nice black pants and a button down shirt. At least he was allowed to go tie-less and wear his glasses. Pulling them down, he looked at Jackie, "I do,"
"By the State of Wisconsin, I now pronounce you man and wife," Pastor Dave said cheerfully, "You may now kiss the bride.
Kelso was taking pictures. He grinned.
"Go on, Hyde! Jackie's a damn good kisser!"
"Shut up, Michael," Jackie said, blushing. She leaned into Steven and he leaned into her, both of them tentative to touch the other's lips. Then after what felt like ages, they connected, only to release seconds later.
Steven had to admit, she was a good kisser. It felt nice, their kiss.
"This is the first time you two have kissed each other?" Paster Dave asked
"Sober, yeah," Steven said
"Ah, young love," He smiled, "I wish you both happiness and best of luck to your baby," He looked at all three of them at saying 'your baby'.
"Thanks, sir," Steven said, and looked at Jackie. The sun was setting, so at least Jackie had gotten married at the right time.
"You two wanna go home?" Kelso asked, smiling,
"Don't you have a hot date?" Jackie teased him
"Nah, I blew her off for this," He explained, "How about a mini reception?" Kelso suggested, "I can go to the store and buy a cake. Hyde can provide the music,"
"At Grooves?" Steven asked, looking at his watch. He sighed
"Why not?" He looked at Jackie who laughed
"Tomorrow," She said, "I want to go to bed, but let's do it tomorrow,"
He nodded, "That sounds good,"
Lucas Edward
No. She still wasn't naming her kid after Eric "I wanna do Luke" Forman. And Ed was still reminding her of Mr. Ed the talking horse.
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Told you it was a surprise you'd plotz over. I love that word, plotz.
As for chapter nine, I offer this teaser (and if you don't know the significance of this name, then you've lived under a rock, what can I say?):
Shiloh Nouvel
