Chapter 11

Scene 21

Forman Living Room

Christmas Eve

THE CHRISTMAS TREE IS IN THE CORNER, GARLAND AND ICICLES HAVE BEEN HUNG ON ALMOST EVERYTHING ELSE, CREATING A WHITE & SILVER WONDERLAND. TINY TWINKLE LIGHTS ARE ON THE RAILING UPSTAIRS. EVERYONE IS STANDING AROUND AT VARIOUS PLACES IN THE LIVING ROOM.

Donna:(awestruck) I can't believe how beautiful everything is

Eric:Getting any ideas?

Donna:Eric, I just decided to take on three more years of school. I'm not in any hurry to tie the knot. And we're not the best at this anyway.

Eric:No, but Hyde & Jackie have the right idea. Engagements just long enough to get a license & rings. Then do the deed.

Donna:(laughs) they've got that covered.

Kitty:(arranging gifts by the tree) Christmas Gifts on the outside, wedding presents on the inside

Fez:Ooh, this is just like the dance from West Side Story

Red:(annoyed) I love wedding rehearsals. They're so….boring

Kitty:We all know you feel that way Red. That's why we went through most of it when you and Bob were at the Liquor Store.

DOORBELL RINGS; RED GOES TO ANSWER IT AND IS STUNNED. WB IS STANDING THERE, WITH JACK BURKHART, JACKIE'S FATHER, FRESH FROM PRISON. HE STILL HAS THE MUSTACHE, BUT IS DRESSED CASUALLY.

Jackie:Oh My God…..Daddy!(Jackie runs to her father who has just entered the front door with W.B. She's crying, but is so happy and throws her arms around him.)

Jackie:How…How…did this happen?

Jack:You are marrying an amazing young man, kitten.

EVERYONE TURNS TO LOOK AT HYDE

Hyde:(uncomfortable) WB helped.

Jack:I've got a 24 hour furlough so I can spend Christmas Eve with my little girl and then walk her down the aisle tomorrow.

WB:But no funny stuff. I called in a few favors to pull this one off. (Hyde goes over and shakes his hand, which gets pulled into a hug. Hyde whispers something in WB's ear. They both smile. Everyone else is hugging Jack.)

Kitty:Come on Jack, I've never seen you this skinny. How about some cookies and eggnog?

Jack:Sounds good. It's been along time since I felt like celebrating anything.

Kelso:(following Kitty & Jack) What's it like in the joint, Mr. B? Are you anyone's wife?

Hyde:We'll be there in a second

EVERYONE TAKES OFF FOR THE KITCHEN EXCEPT JACKIE & HYDE

Jackie:Steven….(she's still crying) I…I…(starts towards Hyde)

Hyde:It's okay doll. It's my wedding present to you.

Jackie:Nobody has ever done anything like this for me.

Hyde:(takes Jackie into his arms) Shhhh…baby, it's going to be alright. I thought about what you were saying the other night. No matter what, he's your father. And as much as you love Red & Bob, it's no replacement for what you've wanted… (Smiling) Black Jack walking you down the aisle to the burnout that knocked you up.

Jackie:(looks up at Hyde) You're right…this is everything I've ever wanted. Especially you. (tears are still falling from her cheeks)

Hyde:(wipes away some of the tears on Jackie's cheeks and tries to make Jackie feel better) Hey, I'm just glad that he's in for fraud, not murder. The whole term "shotgun wedding" could have given him some strange ideas. Fraud is just a conversation starter.

Jackie:(clutches Hyde's arms and looks him right in the eye) I love you, and I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you as happy as you've made me right now.

Hyde:(obviously moved. He gently grabs her cheeks and places a soft kiss on her lips, which quickly turns passionate.) So, let's spend some time with your dad and then head downstairs to see how we're going to go about starting that.

Jackie:(laughing) Do you ever stop?

Hyde:(smiling) Nope… (They start walking towards the kitchen holding hands, but Hyde suddenly stops before they get to the door)… (serious) Jackie?

Jackie:Yes Steven?

Hyde:I love you too. (They kiss again)

Scene 22

Forman Kitchen

Hyde & Jack are finishing their Christmas Cookies; everyone else has left the kitchen and is getting ready for bed or has left for the evening.

Jack:You might not think I have the right to say this, after what I've put her through, but I expect you to take care of my little girl.

Hyde:You don't have to worry about that.

Jack:Red & Kitty tell me you own a record store.

Hyde:Yes. Grooves. (getting uncomfortable with where this conversation is going)

Jack:Any other long term plans?

Hyde:(jaw starting to clench) My long term plans are simple, Jack. Just being with Jackie and our baby.

Jack:(apologetic) I didn't mean to offend, Steven. Please understand. I've changed a lot since I went to prison. But something will never change. I want my little girl to be happy & well taken care of. (sadly) I know I let her down. And I'll never forgive myself for that. That's why I don't want to see her be unhappy again.

Hyde:(still angry) I don't either. She and that baby are my whole world. And no one is ever going to hurt them.

Jack:I know. And I'll always be grateful to you for getting me here for the ceremony. I was just curious.

Hyde:(softening) Nothing wrong with being curious. But we'll be fine.

Jack:I'd like to stop by, once I'm out, to see my grandchild. And you & Jackie.

Hyde:Jackie would like that. (pauses) We all would like that. (Jack extends his hand to Hyde, who shakes it)

Jack:Thank you. And Thank God you're not a doofus, like Michael.

Hyde:(Laughs) Yeah, Kelso's got that market cornered for all of us.

JACKIE COMES UPSTAIRS TO THE KITCHEN FROM THE BASEMENT WEARING HER ROBE

Jackie:My two favorite men. Goodnight Daddy (kisses him on the cheek)

Jack:(kisses her on the cheek) Goodnight kitten. I'll leave you two alone. (exits towards living room)

Hyde:(leans back in the chair and smiles) Do I get a goodnight kiss?

Jackie:(sits on his lap) Pudding Pop, you can get whatever you want. (they kiss)

Hyde:(puts his arms around Jackie's waist) Quite the night, huh?

Jackie:Unbelievable. Thank you. And tomorrow is going to be even better.

Hyde:(raises an eyebrow) Really. How's that?

Jackie:I'm letting you sleep tonight. Because you're not going to get any sleep tomorrow.

Hyde:Probably a good idea then. But you're staying downstairs with me, right?

Jackie:Of course.

Hyde:Didn't want you pulling any of that 'Can't see the groom before the wedding crap'

Jackie:I think we've seen about all the bad luck we can get.

Hyde:Yeah.

Jackie:(jumps up from Hyde's lap) WAIT! STEVEN! You remembered. You remembered a wedding superstition. You've been reading AND listening. (starts clapping)

Hyde:(goes into denial mode) No I haven't

Jackie:(puts her hands on her hips) Yes you have

Hyde:No, I haven't

Jackie:(pouts) Oh don't even argue with me. We both know I'm right.

Hyde:(gets up and puts his arm around Jackie) Fine. You know, I've been napping while you've been shopping…so I'm not THAT tired.

Jackie:(smiles) Couple of hours be ok?

Hyde:(smirking) If you're referring to sleep, yeah. Otherwise…No.

Jackie:Come on baby; let's see if Santa left you anything you can unwrap early. (Starts off for the basement. Her robe comes flying up and hits Hyde in the face)

Hyde:(calling after her) Hey, I want to unwrap my present...(Hyde stands at the top of the stairs, takes the robe off from his face and can be seen gazing longingly at Jackie making her way downstairs) Whoa. (He takes off downstairs. All that can be heard is the thunderous sound of boots running downstairs and then hysterical giggles from Jackie)

Chapter 12…..They're getting married in the morning…..