Author Note: I'm having such fun!
Chapter – Twelve - As If!
In the Burkhart Baby project quest, Jackie and Eric discovered the missing key element to their problem was the lack of theme music. Just doing it was just sorrowful, but when Eric brought over the soundtrack to various movies, they had no difficulties finding the mood. The soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever was a double dose of love with the Bee Gees singing How Deep is Your Love and If I Can't Have You. Jackie was very passionate about music.
They took to the drive in again to see Valley Girl and Eric found a new appreciation for Modern English singing I Melt with You and Love my Way with the Psychedelic Furs. Jackie thought young Nicolas Cage was sexy and Eric could totally understand Valley-speak – it was like talking to Jackie all over again!
They had just finished watching Risky Business and Eric was humming Phil Collins "In the Air Tonight" and holding his girl in his arms. Jackie thought Tom Cruise was cute but too young and that was all right for Eric because he was in her bed and with him.
She snuggled against his side and ran a soft palm over his chest. "Eric – I just want to say that these past few weeks have been the most passionate and terribly romantic days I've experienced in a long time. Thank you."
"Why are you thanking me? Are we breaking up or something?"
She rolled over onto his chest. "No, I thought we couldn't be romantically involved and friends at the same time and I was wrong." She nipped his collar bone with her teeth. "You are a wonderful guy."
Eric smiled, his green eyes shining, "Well, I'm glad you think so. So let me ask you a question."
"Ask away my geek boy."
"Since we have carnal knowledge of each other - quit giggling - can we officially start dating like a real couple? I mean what if we're in a public place and I want to jump you?"
Jackie's eyes widened in surprise, "You'd do that? You are so naughty. Yes, we can be a real couple but just remember that I'm still a successful business woman."
"As if you'd let me forget that." He laughed.
"As if!" she replied kissing him on the lips.
*
Eric was getting ready for work and making some toast for the drive whistling a Phil Collins tune when Hyde staggered into the kitchen. "Forman, why are you so happy man, its six freaking o'clock in the morning."
"Good morning to you man. I'm having a great week. Plus its Friday so that means the weekend is free."
Hyde rummaged for a beer in the fridge, 'Hey, Sam and I are going to Madison to see Donna and Randy – wanna hitch a ride? I don't think you've seen Donna since you've been back."
Eric bit into the toast. "Nah, I've got some plans and besides, Donna's married now. I think she should spend time with Randy and not have me there to remind her of her past."
Hyde popped the top of the beer can, "Well, I'm married and that doesn't stop me from hanging out. If you change your mind, we're leaving at eight. See ya Professor."
Eric watched as his old friend took a beer and went back to bed. Eric found it sad that Steven was wasting away his life at 23 when he could have been such a success with his record store. Oh well, you play the hand life deals you.
*
Jackie woke up and felt horrible. The cramps reminded her that the Burkhart project was still in the works and she wished that she and Eric hadn't stayed up so late last night. She was exhausted. Today was a beautiful Autumn weekend and they were going to drive up the shore towards Milwaukee and rent bikes. Mother Nature had a different plan.
Damn.
She rolled over and went back to sleep. Eric could go without her.
*
Kitty was packing a basket lunch for Eric. "You've hardly been home lately. Are you and Jackie getting along okay?" Kitty didn't want to ask how the baby making was progressing but she was excited nevertheless. Eric grinned, "We're great in fact we are officially – a couple!"
"Oh honey, that is so wonderful. Just so you know, Steven and Sam will be gone all weekend if you want to bring Jackie over. I haven't seen her in weeks and I just miss the girl."
"Okay mom, I'll swing her by – but don't bring up the "project" okay? She's very sensitive about that."
"All right, but I'm a mom and a nurse, so I am interested. Just don't tell your father, he still thinks its nonsense." Eric hugged his mother, "I need to get a move on – we're taking a drive up north today."
*
Eric knocked on her apartment door and heard loud cursing; some furniture banging and then Jackie opened the door still in her pajamas. "Good morning?"
She glared at him and stepped aside so he could come into the apartment. "I don't feel good today and I'm extremely bitchy. So there – you've been warned."
Eric smiled, "Can I make bitchy Jackie some coffee?"
"Please and I'll try to be nicer." She plopped down on the sofa and groaned. "How late did we stay up last night?"
Eric didn't want to brag but yesterday he outdid himself three times and he was rather proud of his accomplishment, "I got home around 2:30 this morning."
"Then how the hell are you so chipper? I didn't sleep well at all!" Eric brought two cups of coffee into the living room. "You'll feel better on a nice long bike ride by the shoreline."
She pushed her tousled hair out of her face. "About that… I shouldn't go bike riding today. It's a girl thing." Eric looked puzzled, for a minute. "Eric, you have a sister…a mom…don't make me say it."
"Oh. OH! Okay – well, my mom wanted to know if you wanted to visit – Hyde and Sam are going to be gone all weekend."
Jackie wasn't sure she wanted to go anywhere right now. "Well, I guess we could hang out at your house, do you think your dad could look at my car? It's been making this tapping noise and I can't figure out what it is."
"I think my dad would be happy to get away from my mom for a while. You want to meet me there?"
"Sure, I really need to shower oh! I can bring my new sketches! I did one of your dad this time."
'Can I see it?"
"No, not until Mrs. Forman sees it first." She smiled. Maybe it would be a good day after all!
*
Eric ended up helping his dad diagnose Jackie's Lincoln. "This isn't good; she's going to have to start thinking about getting a new car. This beauty is on its last legs." Red wiped his wrench on a rag and placed it back in his toolbox. Eric shut the hood, "She's not going to want to hear that."
Red smirked, "Well, she took good are of it and frankly I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did. I'll look around to see if I can get her any deals."
"Thanks Dad. I'm sure she would appreciate it."
*
Mrs. Forman, I have a new sketch I want you to see. It's one I'm thinking of putting in next years show. I want to know what you think."
Jackie opened her portfolio case and slid out her latest sketch. It was a younger Red Forman wearing a white Navy uniform with the required navy cap sitting on his head. She drew him with one foot on the rung of a ladder looking back at the artist. His arms were strong and Kitty could almost see the muscles that would pull him up onto the deck of the ship. It was so much like she remembered her husband back in the forties when they first met. She sighed and held the drawing close to her heart.
With a tear in her eye she said, "Don't sell this one. I love it. I absolutely love it."
Red and Eric walked into the living room, "What do you love Mom?" Kitty ran over and jumped up to kiss Red on the cheek. "Oh, I love my husband. Look Red." She held out the drawing for Red's opinion. "Hey, I was a good looking young man, but I don't remember this."
Kitty smiled, "Jackie drew it. She's entering it next year. It looks so much like you that I'm falling in love with you all over again!"
"Oh jeez Jackie, look at what you've done now!"
*
Kitty was thrilled to make dinner for her son and his new girlfriend. "Red and I are having a small Thanksgiving dinner this year. Luckily, Steven and Samantha are having dinner with Bob Pinciotti at Donna and Randy's. So Jackie, will you come?"
She smiled at Mrs. Forman; it was so like her to include Eric's friends in celebrating all of the holidays. "I'd love to Mrs. Forman." Eric squeezed her hand under the table and Jackie grinned. Red rolled his eyes, "No hanky panky under the kitchen table you two."
Kitty was happy that her meatloaf special was a success. Eric helped clear the table while Jackie gathered all of her portfolio pictures into a pile. "Jackie, you're going to have to get another car."
She turned around to see Mr. Forman in his green chair. "So the Lincoln is dying? I made sure I kept up on all the maintenance and oil changes…"
"No, you did the right things; there are just too many miles on the old girl. You'd have to rebuild the entire motor and I just think for your safety, that there are newer models of cars that you can get for the same money." She sat down on the couch. "Gosh, I hadn't budgeted for a new car."
Red unfolded his newspaper. "I'll keep an eye out on a deal for you – how's that sound."
"Thank you Mr. Forman." She slid her pictures into the portfolio and kissed Red on the top of the head. "I'll see you later!"
Jackie stepped into the kitchen and smelled the most horrible stink of her life. The meatloaf special began to roil in her stomach. "What is that smell?"
Kitty looked up. "Smell? Oh, maybe I need to run the garbage disposal. Hahaha. I try to only run it once a day, it's so loud." Kitty ran some water down the drain and the disposal churned a whole days worth of trash. "There is that better?"
Jackie sniffed and could still smell it. "No, I think I'm going to get some air." She did not want to throw up Mrs. Forman's meatloaf, it didn't taste good the first time and would surely be worse a second time! Jackie hurried to the glass door and went to sit on the back patio.
Eric came in from the basement. "Why's Jackie outside?" Kitty looked at the poor girl; she was as white as a sheet. "She said she needed some fresh air. Why don't you go check on her?"
Eric slid open the doors and sat in a chair next to his friend. "Are you okay?"
She looked up, "How is your stomach?"
"Fine, why?"
"I don't think I liked the meatloaf special too much." She confessed. Eric smiled, "That's because you put catsup on top. Mom puts it inside, that's what makes it special."
"Oh, Eric, I think I'm gonna hurl." And seconds later, Kitty Forman's meatloaf special ended up in the bushes. She wiped her mouth and sat back down quite embarrassed. "Please don't tell you mom. She was so happy that we ate it. I guess I'm not a meatloaf kind of girl."
Eric tugged a lock of her hair. 'That's okay; I have the same problem when she makes salmon surprise!" Jackie wasn't sure that he didn't just make that up, but it relieved her conscience. "Your dad told me the bad news about my car. I guess I can use some of my Burkhart fund and get a newer used car. I thought I still had some extra miles on it, but oh well."
She patted his hand. "I'm going home; I think I'll lie down until my stomach settles. Next time, let's make sure she doesn't make meatloaf okay?"
Eric was going to kiss her but she pulled back, "Stop, I smell like vomit. I'll just owe you a kiss okay?" He smiled. "Are you sure you're okay to drive back?"
"Yeah, I don't think it's going to breakdown now but probably next week. Hey, call me later tonight okay?"
"You bet I will!"
*