Silver and Gold
December 23
Jackie had the best intentions for the Christmas holidays. She wanted to open up
her and Phillip's spacious yet comfortable upper middle class haven to her best guy
friend in the whole world, his new lady friend, and her godson. The
Burkhart/Jennings home was a traditional red brick slice of Americana pie. Nothing
went the way it was supposed to go today. Phillip just 'had to' jet to New York City
for an important business meeting as Eric rolled his eyes over the egg nog and
thought to himself 'what dillhole has a business meeting two days before
Christmas?'
"I'm fine, really I am." Jackie replied like a modern day Stepford Wife as she made
Eric go into the den to wrap his Christmas gifts, as they weren't allowed to bring
sealed packages to the airport.
"Are you sure you don't want to talk about---"
"No, Eric, wrap your gifts."
"Okay. Don't tell Paige what I got her."
She smiled. "Your secret is safe with me."
When Jackie closed the cherry wood French doors she let her eyes mist over and
almost tripped over Jacen who was sulking on the stairs.
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay, Jackie. I want to go home."
She sat next to him.
"What's wrong, honey?"
"It's Paige."
"Did you two have a fight?"
Then Jackie thought Eric would have mentioned that to her.
"No, not per se."
She put her arm around the young boy as he rested his head on her shoulder.
"What is it then?"
"It started a few months ago when Paige came back to Dad—and I was happy for
him, honest, Jackie. They spent the whole day in bed while I was at the mall with
Mindy and Tony."
"What happened?"
"I know it sounds like I'm whining like a baby, but I can't help how I feel. Dad said
and remember Jackie this is AFTER we almost lost our relationship with each
other…."
"Take your time, Jacen. What did Eric say?"
"He said 'later on you can tell me about the mall' and as I told Mindy that night when
we talked about it on the porch—it's not part of the plan. I wouldn't be surprised if his
Christmas present to Paige is for her to move in. She still hasn't found work since
she lost her job at the library. She's collecting unemployment. Am I a bad kid for
thinking like this?"
"No, you're not bad, honey. I'm sure it's been difficult to get used to these
changes."
"She's speaking for Dad now. I mentioned inviting Mindy along—God, we weren't
going to have sex, I just wanted her to come with us on the trip and she said no.
Then when I asked Dad, he showed me all of the bills saying that the names on them
are 'Eric Forman not Jacen Forman'. I mean we weren't going to have sex and you
have enough guest rooms here. What's the big deal?"
"I don't know, honey. I wouldn't have had a problem with it."
"I like Paige, she's nice, and makes Dad happy, but at the same time she's going to
take him away. I can feel it. When we go out sometimes, I can't sit in the front
passenger side anymore. She'll move in, he'll propose, and they'll get married. And
I don't need a mother…I already have you, Jackie, my godmother. I wish you were
my mother."
"Jacen, you are such a sweet boy. I love you very much. You are like the child I never
had. I am sure that Paige loves you too, as I know your father does. They are only
looking out for your best interests as much as it may suck. I know that you really care
for Mindy, and I trust that you wouldn't have done anything. But you have to respect
your fathers, and Paige's wishes if she should become your mother. She's a really
good person Jacen. She loves your dad a lot. He deserves that, doesn't he?"
"Yeah Jackie, he does deserve it. I'll try, but it will be tough. I am used to it just being
dad and me. We are very close. I don't want to lose that."
"Eric doesn't either, but he also needs to have a close relationship with her, he
needs a kind of love that you can't give him."
"I know. I'll try. I just don't want to lose my Dad. I almost did once before and it's the
worst feeling ever."
"I know, baby. That won't happen again because you and Eric love each other too
much."
"Do we really have to wait until after dinner to eat the chocolate cake, Jackie?"
"No, go in the kitchen and help yourself. I better see how your Dad is doing with his
wra---never mind."
"I know he got me a software program. Thanks for the talk, Jackie."
"Anytime."
Jackie stood up when she heard something drop and she turned her head to look up
the stairs.
"I-I dropped my book." Paige wanted to crawl into a cave.
Jackie walked up. "How much of that did you hear?"
"Most of it. I better finish wrapping my gifts." She tried her best to hold back the
tears.
"He likes you, he just needs time to adjust."
"Even you said to Jacen the changes are difficult. Are you calling me difficult,
Jackie?"
"No, I am not. Look Paige, this boy has been through hell.
He worships his father, and he feels a little jealous so bear that in mind."
"I understand that. But he's always going to run to you and resent me. This is my
first Christmas with Eric and Jacen and you knew this. You probably only wanted us
here to take your mind off of your farce of a relationship with Phillip. We should be in
Point Place together as a family instead of in this upper middle class empty house
catering to your loneliness."
"Paige was that necessary? I've been nothing but nice to you. I am perfectly aware
that this your first Christmas with Eric and Jacen that is why I suggested that you all
come here."
"I think that you are washed up beauty queen busybody who likes to control people.
Just because you have money does not make you better than anyone else."
"Wait a fucking minute okay? Before he was your boyfriend, Eric Forman has been
my best friend for years and I am Jacen's godmother."
"As long as he can run to you and you call me difficult, he'll never see me as
someone to love. I'll always be the enemy. You are all about control. You always
have to have your way."
"I DO NOT! I was trying to make Jacen see that you are a good person."
"Come off your fucking high horse Jackie! You want Jacen all to yourself."
"Paige, you are being such a BITCH right now!"
"Woah! Hey! What's going on here?" Eric came out of the den holding the tape
dispenser.
"Ask Jackie since she probably wishes that she married you!"
Paige ran up the stairs. She couldn't bear to face Eric.
"What happened?"
"She overheard me and Jacen—no, go to your girlfriend Eric she'll tell you. Right
now, I'm going to join your son for a piece of chocolate cake. You need to stay
partial."
He gently grabbed her arm.
"Jackie, whatever this fight was about you should cut Paige some slack. She didn't
even want to come on this trip. She's trying to make the most of it."
"Go talk to her Eric."
Eric realized he still had the tape dispenser in his hand and placed it on the stairs as
he went up to one of the guestrooms. He knew his mother would have liked the pink
floral wallpaper. He went to open the door of his and Paige's room.
"E—eric! You can't come in, there's presents on the bed!"
"Are you all right, honey?"
She covered the boxes including the perfume she got Jackie with the big cobalt blue
comforter.
She wiped her eyes and faced her boyfriend.
"Why are you crying?"
"It's nothing."
"What were you and Jackie arguing about? All she said was that I have to be partial
and that you overheard her talking to Jacen."
Paige and Eric sat down on the large hope chest as she hoped that honesty would
be the best policy.
"Oh honey," he held her hands, "I love you. I'll talk to Jacen…"
"No, Eric, he has to love me on his own."
"I know, but I'll let him know that he is loved and always will be. As for you and
Jackie, I have known Jackie forever and she would never try to take him away or be
a mom. I think you and Jackie need to talk things out. I can't have my two favorite
women fighting with each other."
She placed her hands on his broad shoulders.
"For you, Eric, I will try." She kissed him on the forehead
"I love you, Paige."
"I love you, too," She stood up "And no looking under the covers!"
He crossed his heart. "I promise."
She couldn't resist running back to him to give him a hug.
"Thank you. I just want us to be a family."
"I know. So do I."
"Do you think I should give Jackie her perfume now?"
"She probably would like that."
"Okay, dear, no peeking!"
"I won't."
"I feel bad. I shouldn't have snapped at Jackie, but when you are mad you say things
that you don't mean."
"Believe you me, Paige, I understand. I used to major in footinmymouthitis"
"Do you think she'll forgive me?"
"There's only one way to find out, m'lady."
Eric had walked with Paige to the kitchen so she could talk to Jackie who
finished her piece of chocolate cake and was on to peanut butter kiss cookies.
"Where's Jacen?"
"He went upstairs to his room."
"Okay, then I'll leave you two ladies alone to talk."
Eric was certain that they'd work things out. He didn't want to know the complexities
of female relationships. Not only did Jackie have to deal with Donna running off with
Hyde but she had to lose her friend Donna also.
As time went on Eric thought the pain of Jackie losing Donna as a friend hurt more
than the loss of being Steven Hyde's girlfriend. He hoped that Paige and Jackie
could be friends.
Eric knocked on the door as he opened it.
"Jacen, we need to have a talk."
The bathroom door was open and Eric didn't know what possessed him to walk in.
He just assumed he was brushing his teeth or some other mundane thing like
choosing tomorrow's socks.
"Jacen, we n---Oh shit!"
"Dad!" Jacen wanted to die.
Eric turned around as his whole face went crimson.
"I'll be in the room."
Eric tried not to think of his sweet little boy growing up but he wasn't little and sweet
was beginning to be optional. He sat on the chair and cracked his knuckles as he
waited for his son to finish washing his hands.
"Jacen, how long does it take you to wash your hands?"
"Dad, can we not talk about what you think you saw?"
Eric laughed. "I did come up here to talk about something else, but—"
"No, buts. I'm not a pig, Dad."
"I didn't say you were."
"I'm not like those other guys."
"What other guys?"
"The guys that you know to Playboy. This is all about Mindy. And I know what you
are thinking."
"You do?"
"Yeah, that it is about sex, but it's not. I mean not in the way you think. It is my
release, that's all. I have our first time planned after I propose to Mindy at the senior
prom. That is why I wanted her to come on the trip with us because I had no intention
of doing it. It's not time for that. That's what life is about Dad making plans and
following through with them. I have never told you this before, but I keep a notebook."
"Jacen, I think you are too young to be thinking this far ahead. You have to
concentrate on school and your grades."
"I knew you wouldn't understand. I mean I'm going to stop someday."
Eric let out a small laugh "If you can stop more power to you. No, I do understand
son. I am concerned about this notebook you keep. I would never infringe on your
privacy but may I see it?"
"Yeah, I have no secrets, Dad. You mean you still?"
"Yes…"
"But you have a girlfriend!"
"That doesn't matter."
"That is highly disgusting."
"Aren't you glad you asked?"
"No."
Eric was surprised to see the worn green two-subject notebook. Jacen must have
started this journal years ago. The drug stores name that was on the tablet has been
out of business about five years ago.
"First page, Jacen Forman age eight. Mindy Swanson moves next store. I am in
love. I'm going to marry her someday."
"See Dad? Even then I knew."
Eric sighed as he flipped ahead
"Jacen Forman age ten. Ten is when I'll start reading more serious books. No. I
don't want to read those crappy juvenile Star Wars books Dad reads. I started
carrying Mindy's books a few weeks ago when I turned ten."
"Are you mad?"
"No. I just realized your small handwriting must drive your teachers crazy."
"At least I don't bring a gun to school."
"Thank god for that. Your thirteenth birthday entry."
"What's wrong with it?"
"You had it in your words when you were officially going to start um, you know."
"Ma---"
"I know how to say it, Jacen."
"You are mad at me, I can tell."
"No, I'm not angry at you. Not at all, son. But, just tell me what else do you have all
planned out?"
"My school, my college, when Mindy and I will buy a house and have kids. I even
took the liberty of making a plan for you and Paige."
"Is it in this notebook?"
"No, it's at home. I started putting some of my notes on floppy disk. It's more
timesaving. But, I believe it is best for all, if you and Paige get married after I
graduate from high school and if she can still reproduce have a child then, if not you
can adopt one."
Eric was dumbfounded. Part of Jacen's journal was like looking into a mirror he
always saw Mindy as a Donna-lite and no good could come from all these extensive
plans he's been cooking up since he was eight years old. It was a car wreck waiting
to happen and one that he couldn't save him from because sometimes you have to
let your children make those mistakes.
Then there was his general planning over every detail of his life and the life of his
father. Granted, Eric was not always the most spontaneous person on the planet but
he never had his life mapped out so thorough.
"Jacen, I know you see things the way you want to see them, but my life may play out
differently then what you may have planned and yours might take different twists and
turns too."
"Not if you plan it the way you want it to go."
"Okay, how do I word this? Sometimes it is okay to have a plan and a list of goals
can be very admirable."
"Is this where you stick a 'but' in?"
"Yes. But it is also important to think with your heart, sometimes you make the best
decisions thinking with it instead of your brain."
"Are you going to tell me to think with my member next?"
Eric laughed. "No, that will only get you into trouble."
"I'll try, Dad, but I like to be in control of a situation."
"Try to live your life Jacen, instead of making notes on how you want it to go. You
may surprise yourself."
"Not to change the subject but you said you came up here to talk to me about
something?"
"Yes. Paige overheard your conversation with Jackie earlier."
"Oh. Are you angry with me?"
"No. I love you son and maybe I say it too much. But that's because the only time my
father ever said it to me was when he was hopped up on novacaine."
Jacen smiled a bit, "I love you too, Dad, and I don't hate Paige…When you gave me
the brush off that day I felt pushed away. The first words out of your mouth would
have been 'how was the mall?' not 'later on tell me about the mall.' I mean I LET
YOU have sex all day in bed."
"You let me? That's funny Jacen. You know I would never push you away. I'm not
going to tell you what to say, but I hope that you will talk to Paige later."
"Okay."
Eric stood up. "You never have to worry about me forgetting you. You are always
going to be a part of my life."
"I'm glad."
They shared a hug.
"Dad, before you go, uh, wait."
"What is it?"
"In the bathroom, please. This is going to be embarrassing."
"Jacen, you can talk to me about anything."
"I know, but I have to show you……."
"Is this about before?"
"Kind of."
"Maybe this will help." Eric undid his belt and thought there was no way in hell he
could ever have had a moment like this with Red.
"Yes, you are. Are you worried about things?" Eric pulled his pants back up.
"Yeah, I am. Tony is the same age as me and he's BIGGER than me." He
complained as he fixed his belt.
"You'll get there. Don't tell me you have that penciled in too?"
"Kind of."
"Every guy is different and you will be fine. As I said you'll get there."
"See you don't have to worry about me having sex there's nothing there to have sex
with!"
"Someday you will look at this and laugh, son, I promise. But even so there was no
way I was going to allow Mindy to come on this trip. When you become a father of
your own children you will understand why."
"I suppose."
"Would you like to watch a movie before dinner?"
"No, thanks Dad. I think I'll talk to Paige now. I don't want her thinking that I hate her.
I just---I'll miss us."
"Great. And we're not going anywhere, okay?"
Jacen smiled as Eric put his arm around him as they walked out of the bathroom. It
was hard to do things without a written plan in mind but in certain areas like 'Dad's
Girlfriend' he was going to try his best. As he agreed with Jackie his father did
deserve all the happiness in the world.
"Okay, Dad."
"Oh and one more thing."
"What is it, Dad?"
"Always and I mean always lock the door."
MidnightChristmas Eve
Paige couldn't sleep. She felt more confident about her future relationship with
Jacen after they had a little talk about things before supper.
She assured him that no matter what happens she would never take his time away
from his father. He really was a sweet boy. Jackie however was another story,
despite the General Foods International Coffees and another confection it was clear
to Paige that they were only going to tolerate each other because they both loved
Eric and Jacen. She said she liked her perfume, but Paige knew it would be thrown
in the bottom of her beauty drawer with all the products and potions that she had no
idea of ever using.
She rested her head on Eric's chest afraid of their future. She always believed in the
"one day at a time" motto. She never wanted to think about a life without Eric.
"Are you still awake, honey?"
"Eric," Paige's heart jumped into her throat, "I thought you were asleep."
"I was for a little while. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, no, kind-of?"
"What's wrong, Paige?"
"I hope Jacen realizes that I would never keep him away from spending time with
you."
"He knows. You're freezing. Come here."
Eric cuddled Paige in his arms.
"I'm trying not to worry, Eric."
"It's going to be all right. I promise."
He kissed the top of her head. She didn't want to tell him that Jackie seemed to only
half accept her apology and they were going to pretend to get along for the sake of
the two special men in their lives.
"Goodnight, Eric." She gave him a quick kiss on the lips, "I love you."
"Night, sweetie. I love you, too."
It was seven thirty in the morning when Jackie handed Eric a bundle of twenties
and asked nicely if he and Jacen would pick out the Christmas tree.
It was a crisp thirty degrees and the weather report said to expect a white
Christmas.
"Dad, this sucks."
"I thought you liked Christmas, son?"
"I do, but not picking out the tree when it's freezing cold outside."
He made sure his black wool cap was covering his ears.
"How is this tree?" Eric pointed to the Douglas Fir
"Is it cheap?"
"Twenty-nine dollars." He replied while looking at the sticker
"Buy it, Dad, I'm freezing!"
"Jacen, you live in Wisconsin, how come this weather is bothering you so?"
"I don't know. I guess I just miss home."
"Me too."
"After we strap this to the rental car can we go out to lunch with the rest of Jackie's
money?"
"Yes, we can go out for lunch. No, we will not do it with the rest of Jackie's money."
"Okay, I'll tell the guy in the check shirt that we're ready to buy the tree."
His son hit it on the head. He just wanted to be at home in Point Place with Jacen
and Paige. Not that he didn't want to be with Jackie, he just wished he could be
alone with his son and new girlfriend for their first Christmas together so that they
could start to be a family.
11:45PM
Paige sat on the white loveseat in the living room admiring the Douglas Fir that
Eric and Jacen had picked out. They had fun decorating the tree. Paige did find it
cute that Jackie persuaded Eric to make a popcorn string which he enlisted Jacen
to help him with. It looked like it was ripped from the pages of an urban catalog with
silver and gold bows, clear lights, popcorn strings, silver tinsel, and crystal colored
ornaments adorning the branches and boxes of presents most from the shopoholic
known as Jackie Burkhart under the tree.
"Hey," Eric came in with two clear mugs of heated apple cider, "Here's a drink for
m'lady."
She smiled, "Thank you, Eric. The tree is beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as you are. Kiss?"
"You never have to ask."
Paige stirred the cider with the cinnamon stick, "Is Jackie mad that we wanted our
alone time?"
"No, she understands. At least I hope that she does."
Paige stood up and put her cup on the mantle of the non-working fireplace.
"Close your eyes, Eric."
"But it's not Christmas yet." He almost bit his tongue; he realized a statement like
that is probably what made Jacen plan his whole life in a notebook from A-Z.
"It will be in a few minutes, so close them."
He put his mug on the floor.
"Okay."
"I figured we could open up one of our gifts."
She handed Eric a small box wrapped in silver paper with a big amethyst bow on the
top right hand corner.
"I can't wait to see what it is," Eric tore the paper off, "Wow! GI Joe trading cards
from 1991, needless to say I had a great reason for not buying these when they
came out. Thank you, dear." He kissed her on the lips, "Now close your eyes."
"Eric, you forgot where you hid it?"
"No, I didn't…Jackie just put a big box in front of it."
And the box was marked 'Jacen'. He could only imagine what was inside.
"Here it is.."
"You picked out the pink and floral paper out by yourself?"
"Sure did."
"Oh my god Eric you remembered!"
On one of their early dates Paige told Eric how when she was a little girl she used to
have a "Katie Doll" and while she didn't play with the doll much. She always liked to
wear even as an adult the cordial cherry perfume that was in the plastic heart shaped
bottle with the name "Katie" emblazoned in perky red cursive on the white heart
decal in the center of the bottle.
"I'm glad you like it."
"Like it? I love it!" she gave him a big hug. No one ever went out of their way for her
like Eric Forman did and she would always be forever grateful for that. "I love you,
Eric." she kissed him on the lips, "Let's do it here."
"Under the tree?"
"Yes," she opened up the perfume and placed it behind her ears, "Grab those
pillows that are on the other loveseat."
"Are you naughty are you nice?"
"Both."
Paige grabbed the dusty rose blanket that was on the floor.
"What if I told you, you have another 'Katie Doll' perfume waiting for you back in Point
Place?"
"You didn't?"
"I did. I'd figured you'd like to keep that one as a collectible."
She gently pushed Eric down on the plush rug.
"Eric Forman you are the best boyfriend ever," she lavished him with kisses as the
bell from the Grandfather clock almost scared the both of them half to death. "Merry
Christmas."
He laughed as he unbuttoned her nightshirt, "Merry Christmas, darling."