Author Note: It's a real date folks and it covers two chapters – next chapter is just smutty so you may have to put on some boots! The rest of this chapter is lots of dialog moving the story along…..

Chapter 25 – No More Practice Dates!

Eric leaned back on the sofa. "Take your time. We don't have to be there until seven." She finally found her shoes under the bed. Slipping into the pumps she straightened her dress while looking in the mirror. Did she look pretty enough? Was her hair going to fall out of the pins? God, why am I so freaking nervous? She grumbled and clenched her fist. She took a deep calming breath and rolled her neck. It's just Eric, he can wait. Oh my God it's Eric and I can't make him wait!

Eric looked up when the bedroom door opened. She breezed through, did a little pirouette and said, "Do I look okay?"

Did she look okay? Is the sun hot in June? Did Kitty Forman make the world's best brownies? "You, look great." He got up off the couch and walked to the door. Jackie grabbed her matching clutch and smiled as Eric opened the door for her. He leaned in close and Jackie thought he was going to kiss her. "You smell nice."

She was startled that he didn't even try to kiss her. "Um, well thank you." She locked the door behind her and Eric held her hand as they walked downstairs and to the car. He unlocked the passenger side and waited until Jackie slid in then he closed the door.

"Can I ask where we're going?"

Eric looked sideways and smirked, "Nope, it's a surprise. No begging for hints!" He put his arm on the back of the seat as he reversed from his parking spot. Jackie was very aware of the heat from his arm near her shoulders.

"So… your first real date?" She asked as a conversation starter.

"Nah, I've had practice." He teased as he looked over and winked.

*

They drove through the city fairly quickly and parked the Vista Cruiser near a restaurant by the Kenosha Lake Michigan Boardwalk. There were plenty of couples besides themselves looking for that special restaurant or spot to sit and enjoy the setting sun. Eric stepped up to the maître de and gave him his name and they were whisked outside to a nice table on a deck overlooking Lake Michigan.

Large white sails fluttered in the breeze and people on the decks of their boats were waving as they neared the shoreline. Eric pulled out a chair for Jackie and she sat down slightly stunned. "This is so beautiful; I never knew this was here."

Eric sat across from her and smiled as a waitress came by to light several tea lights and give them a drink menu. "Eric, I'm going to pass on the alcohol – I can't take another hangover like that again."

"Well, how about a single glass of wine? I'm not going to try and get you drunk."

"Okay, but make sure it's the least alcoholic one they have okay?"

*

They ate their dinner in a comfortable silence watching as the sun slipped down over the horizon to be chased by the moon. The table tea lights were dimming just as the bushes and the pergola overhead came alive with twinkle lights. Eric knew Jackie would be surprised because they were the same type of lights she had used at the party.

She looked at him with glowing eyes. "How lovely this is! Did you know they did this?"

Yes, I checked it out earlier. "No, I didn't but it is certainly nice." There was some soft music playing through the outdoor speakers. "Would you like to dance?"

Ever the gentleman, he took her hand and led her across the wooden deck to an area with other dancing couples. She put her hands on Eric's shoulders as he dropped his hands to her waist. "Did you like your dinner?"

She smiled up at him. "Yes I did – I think I caught a bit of a buzz from that champagne." Was it really the champagne of just being close to him that was making her high? She didn't care, he was a great dancer and the music was perfect, the lights were so pretty – she sighed and pressed her face against his shoulder.

Eric swayed to the music just enjoying the feel of a beautiful girl in his arms. Scratch that, it was Jackie Burkhart, the previously snobbish, girl he used to despise and for reasons why, he couldn't even remember! This moment right now seemed like one of those cheesy Hallmark commercials and he loved it.

The song had ended, but they didn't let go. Eric bent his head and kissed her temple – she closed her eyes and smiled. "Eric, this has been the nicest date I've ever been on." He squeezed her close, "Me too – but are you anxious to go home or something?"

She looked up, "No, I just thought we we're just having dinner…"

"There you go assuming…." He teased gently, "I thought we could take a walk on the pier and just enjoy the night air."

"I'd like that." She replied.

*

"So, while Deirdre is opening the first gift her water breaks. Luckily your mom was there and calmed everyone down. Deirdre's mother came to help her change clothes and then the girl goes back out and finishes opening presents, has cake and then is rushed to emergency. She had a little girl about two hours later."

"When was this?" Eric grinned. They had reached the end of the pier and were leaning over the rail looking at the jetty as boats sailed by. "I think you were in Africa about six months or so and your mom was helping me with a baby shower. Eric, you should have seen her, she was the epitome of cool, calm and collected."

"And she was sober?" he joked.

Jackie swatted his arm. "You goof, she doesn't always drink – she really loves to create and have fun. I think that's why she bakes so much."

"Can I ask a forbidden question?"

"Ask away."

"Did Donna ever do anything with my mom? You know, hang out, and help her out – that kind of stuff?

Jackie stopped to think. "Well, she did hang out with Randy and Steven and Samantha. Sometimes Michael came by and Fez, you know he's always everywhere. But no, Donna never really left the basement. I think perhaps at the annual barbecue that Mr. Forman and Bob were always dueling over she hung out. Personally, I think your mom didn't mind."

Eric sighed; he didn't think Donna and his mother would ever really have gotten along even if there was not divorce. Don't think about the ex-wife! "So Kelso left to hook up with Brooke?"

Jackie smiled. "Yeah, Brooke lived with her mom in Chicago and Michael wanted to spend time with Betsy. He tried so hard to be a great dad."

"Wow, I did miss a lot and thanks for being honest with me."

Jackie turned her back against the water. "Have I ever been dishonest with you? Maybe insulting, but I was trying to help. Back when I was bratty little kid I mean." Eric touched her cheek, "We picked on you all the time – maybe because you were younger and we were bored and you were easy. But you did give back as good as you got!"

Jackie smirked, "I had to – it was burn or be burned."

Eric pulled her in for a hug. "I can't believe I never really looked at you before. I mean looked at you as more than a friend."

"Hey, don't go getting all sentimental. Everybody knew it was you and Donna forever but she was a restless spirit."

"Don't I know it? Hey let's not talk about exes and talk about me and you." He pressed his forehead against hers. Her eyes were dark and glittered in the moonlight. She scooted closer until he could feel all of her against his body.

She said so softly he almost didn't hear. "Eric, do you remember our conversation about you and me maybe…possibly…becoming something?"

Eric smiled down at her, "I think you said, if you and I are going to be…anything and yes I remember. Why are you asking?"

"Well, I'd like…for us…to become…" she answered biting her lip.

He answered hopefully, "A couple?" Yes, please say yes! She nodded her head. "I will totally understand it if this is too soon for you but you've been divorced for a long time and..." And he was kissing her mouth so hard and his hands were everywhere. She was stunned by this new aggressive Eric but very encouraged and intrigued by it. He caught his breath and wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

"Eric, I want us to do this slowly. I don't want another broken heart."

"Neither do I."

"This means you can't go dating other girls." She warned. He cupped her cheeks. "Neither can you – I mean no dating strange guys." She smiled. "I don't want to date anybody else."

"Good." Eric's heart was soaring. This was more than he could have hoped for.

She kissed his mouth and whispered low in his ear, "I'm kind of high maintenance but I'm totally worth it."

He shivered, "I know and I think I can make you happy." She bit his earlobe. "You better or I'll have to make you uncomfortable."

He pulled back and looked at her smiling eyes. 'But I like it when you do that!"

*