Author Note: It's getting interesting!
Chapter 25 – Hospital for Two
Nancy Stone announced that the judges were getting ready to perform the final walk through for the winning exhibit. The lights dimmed and Jackie could feel herself holding her breath. Eric hugged her from behind while they waited for a decision from the judges. Brooke grabbed Jackie's hand. "This is so exciting – all these famous people and I'm drinking expensive champagne!" the girl was bubbly with excitement.
Nancy tapped the microphone and announced that the ribbons had been placed and everyone was free to see the winning entries. Eric turned Jackie around, "I'm nervous for you but let's go see who won." Eric steered Jackie towards the line to view the victors. The fifth place winner went to an unknown artist but Jackie recognized a great picture when she saw one. The competition was tough this year!
Kelso hollered out, "Jackie! Eric's boxers got fourth place!" Eric could only groan as every person in the gallery now knew he was the dude in the underwear picture. Jackie and Brook giggled profusely. The third place ribbon went to a wall hanging that everyone agreed merited the award. Two rows back Jackie was thrilled to find that 'Sketching the Sketcher" from her point of view, received second place. She bounced on the balls of her feet trying to kiss Eric's cheek. "I won! I won!"
The first place ribbon went to Eleanor, the ceramics teacher, for her collection of belly casts. Brooke smiled at Jackie, "Your baby belly lives on forever Jackie!"
"I Know!" she practically screamed. Eric was the proud husband. As other artists came by to see the winning exhibits live model, he made sure no stranger tried to touch her stomach, though many tried.
*
The two couples left the exhibit and went to a diner for because Jackie was having cravings. Kelso had enjoyed hanging out among the elite crowd because he knew he was looking good. Brooke looked so pretty by his side. Eric was thinking of all the what ifs….what if he hadn't come back from Africa when he did – he would never be dressed up and on the town with his wife and best friends. What if Jackie had never so desperately wanted a baby – he would never be so in love with the infant that belonged to him. What if…Jackie never really loved him?
None of that mattered now, he knew she loved him and this feeling he carried in his heart was the dictionary definition of was love was. His best friend who had been there for him all his life was sitting at the table eating a banana split in his tuxedo. The lovely Brooke Kelso was licking fudge from a spoon and trying to move her sundae away from Jackie's wandering spoon. Eric grinned and dug into his strawberry shortcake. How much better could life get?
*
Memorial Day was a beautiful hot day and Red Forman was at his best wielding spatulas and tongs. Kitty put on a fresh apron and curled her hair; Pastor Dave was coming along with Eric's friends. Jackie was sitting under an umbrella sweating to death. Fez would bring her cool rags to wipe her face with but she really just wanted a beer. She kept reminding her self that in three weeks or so she could have a cold frosty moist beer – the decaffeinated soda's and water were tasteless. She sighed, the burgers smelled so wonderful but Red was taking forever to cook them.
She shifted in her chair and wiped her face. Maybe it would be cooler down in the apartment. She started to get up but Brooke came over to sit next to her. "Michael's chasing Betsy with the hose and I didn't want to be in the line of fire. So, how are you feeling?"
Jackie glared, "I'm more pregnant than an elephant – how do you think I feel?" Brooke grinned, "Is Jackie a little cranky this afternoon?"
"Of course, I'm always cranky! I can't sleep, I've got a backache, and I'm so hungry I'm going to eat a raw hamburger if Mr. Forman doesn't hurry up." Jackie complained.
Kitty heard the rant and came outside laughing. "Oh honey, it's just for a little while longer and you'll have a beautiful little baby to complain about. Hahahaha. You won't be able to sleep, you'll still get backaches and you can only eat after the baby does. This is just so wonderful!"
Eric came over drenched from head to toe. "Kelso found me hiding behind Betsy." He explained. Jackie laughed, he looked so miserable, 'Eric, don't you know she's only like two feet tall?" Eric stepped over and shook his hair spraying water droplets all over the girls. "How about I get the hose on you?" Jackie squealed with laughter and Brooke ran into the kitchen. "You wouldn't dare!"
"Kelso! Hose! Over here now!" Eric hollered.
Jackie's eyes got big and she struggled to get out of the chair. "No! I'll call your dad!" Eric laughed and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, dropping a kiss on her neck. "You owe me Missy!"
Eric turned and Kelso doused him again with the hose. "Dude, you didn't say where…" Eric reached over and frogged him on the arm. "You jerk; I meant bring me the hose!"
"Duh! Well, say it next time. I'm a detective in training, not a mind reader!" Kelso stalked off with the hose still running. Red came out and didn't even ask why his son was soaking wet or his daughter-in-law was laughing her head off. It was Memorial Day – that explained it!
*
Dinner was excellent and everyone was fat and happy. Red was discussing the Green Bay Packers versus the Detroit Lions with Pastor Dave. Kitty was cleaning up the serving dishes when Brooke and Jackie offered to help her. 'No no, girls, it's okay. I got it. You just enjoy yourselves." Jackie figured since she was already up she might as well get a light jacket.
She was halfway from the picnic table to the kitchen door when she froze. Something felt different – she put her hands on her stomach and felt the baby move – that was okay. She closed her eyes and took a mental inventory – she was standing in a puddle. Damn. She looked down and realized her water broke. Shit.
"Um, Eric?" she called out softy, trying not to alarm anyone. Kitty came out of the kitchen and saw Jackie standing all alone and looked like she was in shock. "Jackie - honey are you okay?" Kitty followed Jackie's eyes to the ground. "Oh, your water broke. ERIC!" she hollered. Jackie winced at the scream.
Eric waved at his mom. "Eric, Jackie's water broke." Kitty said excitedly.
Kelso started laughing, "Jackie broke her water. Ha ha."
The table froze. This was it! The baby was coming!!! Eric leapt over the picnic bench and was instantly by her side. "Jackie, what do you want me to do?"
"Can you take me downstairs to change? I don't want to get the car seat wet." Eric looked at his mom. "She has at least an hour before the contractions start. It'll be okay." Kitty explained.
Eric swept her up in his arms and carried her in the house. Red and Pastor Dave stood up. "Well, it's gonna be a long night!"
*
Eric was trying not to panic. Jackie was calmly changing her clothes and he was searching for the hospital bag. She pointed to the nursery and went to put her hair in a ponytail. Eric got the doctors number from the refrigerator and called Dr. Harper. He assured Eric that everything was fine and it was perfectly acceptable to be early or late of the due date. Dr. Harper's obstetrician would meet them at Point Place Hospital.
She was standing there looking as beautiful as always. "So we're going to have a baby." He pulled her tightly into his arms, and kissed her softly on the forehead. "I'm going to be with you every step of the way."
"You promise?"
"I give you my word," he solemnly promised. "Let's go meet this baby!"
*
With Jackie and Eric off to the hospital, Red helped Kitty finish cleaning up after the barbeque. Kitty paused, "You know Red …I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. Eric is going to be such a great father. Just like you were all those years ago."
Red smiled at his wife, "Don't ever tell Eric. I want him afraid. He needs to be tough these days but yeah, he'll be a great dad." Red stuffed a trash bag in the can and heard a noise at the side of the house. He walked over to chase away the Anderson's cat only to find a drunken Steven Hyde leaning against the wall. "Oh - hey Red. How ya been?"
Red glared at his slovenly appearance – it looked like he hadn't bathed since last week and he was scrawnier than usual. "I'm good Steven, how have you been?"
Kitty heard voices and peered around the corner. "Steven! Where have you been honey?"
"Mrs. Forman. I – I've been around. Say, have you seen Jackie? I gotta talk to her." Kitty knew she had to contact W.B. and get this boy in the clinic. This might be the only chance they had.
Red replied, "She's at the hospital."
Kitty stepped forward and put a hand on his arm. "Do you want a ride to the hospital? You can see her there." Red looked at his wife like she was crazy.
Hyde ran a hand through his ratted hair. "I'm not cleaned up. Maybe I could shower in the basement."
Red coughed, "I'm working on the plumbing right now. I'm sure you look fine. We'll take the Vista Cruiser."
Kitty smiled kindly. "Steven, do you want something to eat?"
"No, I'm good. I just need to talk to Jackie." He fell back against the wall. Kitty took his arm and led him to the car. "Let's go to the hospital honey and you can talk to Jackie."
While Red warmed up the car Kitty excused herself to get her purse from the kitchen. She was calling W.B. with the clinic's address while she watched Steven napping in the backseat of the Vista Cruiser. Now life was getting interesting!
*