This is the last chapter of the main storyline! There will be an epilogue but this is basically it. If you have any questions, concerns, or requests, please let me know in the reviews and I might include it. I have the epilogue pretty mapped out but I'm towing with the idea of doing a sequel. I think you can probably figure out what that would focus on. I'm still on the fence and it wouldn't be completed or even started any time soon, but still, someone's opinion might sway me. Anyway, enjoy!
"Please let me redecorate," Jackie said looking around the small and dirty room.
"No, Jackie," Hyde said sitting on the bed and trying to pull her down next to him. Now that he had found his own room at the Formans he was hoping to make the most out of it. They had been making out on Forman's bed for the past few weeks and, even though it was a wicked burn, he was happy to finally have his own bed.
"Pleeeease," Jackie said turning towards him with a pout.
"No, you're going to make it all girly and crap."
"I promise I won't make huge changes just a few little things," Jackie said pushing him back against the wall and sitting down on his lap straddling him. "You'll barely notice."
"I don't know Jackie," Hyde said hesitant but losing his willpower as she started to kiss his neck.
"Please, Puddin' Pop," Jackie said moving her hips and pushing herself down hard on him.
"Okay, a few changes, but nothing too extreme and no pink," Hyde said through a grown.
"Yay," Jackie said clapping her hands in victory. She pulled away from him slightly as Hyde became the one trying to seduce her slowly kissing her neck. "I can't wait. It's going to look amazing."
"Not too much, Jackie," Hyde said but she just nodded and continued to look around the room. He decided he needed to get her head in the game again. He held her close and flipped them over so she was underneath him and he was leaning down from above her. She let out a laugh looking up at him and pulled him down for a kiss. The redecoration quickly leaving both their minds as the kiss turned deeper.
Hyde's shirt was off and his hand was under Jackie's skirt when his door burst open. Eric had his hand thrown over his eyes as he came into the room.
"Whatever you two were doing," Eric said stumbling over clothes on the floor. "Stop it now."
"Get out," Jackie said still under Hyde and looking like she wanted to murder Eric.
"I can't. Family dinner, now," Eric said. "Red wants you upstairs."
"You should go," Jackie said looking up at Hyde and pointedly ignoring Eric.
"My mom said there's plenty if you want to stay and she'd love to have you," Eric said. When Jackie and Hyde both gave him an odd look, he added, "Her words not mine."
"Eric you look ridiculous with your hand thrown over your face," Jackie said. "I guess since Mrs. Forman already went to all the trouble..."
"Great," Eric said. "So fix whatever state of undress you two are in and get upstairs. My mom's almost finished setting the table."
As soon as Eric stumbled his way out of the room, Hyde rolled off Jackie. He started searching for his shirt as she straightened out her own clothes. After a quick look in the mirror, they both headed upstairs. Everyone was already in the dining room and sitting around the table waiting for them.
"Sorry, we're late," Hyde said sitting down.
"Too busy making little bastard babies," Laurie taunted as she scooped green beans onto her plate.
"Whatever," Jackie said rolling her eyes. "Mrs. Forman, can you pass the gravy?"
"Sure honey!" Mrs. Forman said happily ignoring Laurie's rude comment.
"You did have the door open, right Steven?" Mr. Forman asked.
"Of course, sir," Hyde said nodding.
"No you didn't," Eric said with a chuckle, which quickly turned into a grunt as Jackie kicked him under the table. "I mean no you didn't just…pass the gravy."
"Nice save, Eric," Laurie said.
"Door open, Steven," Mr. Forman said. "I don't want you two doing anything inappropriate under my roof."
"Yeah we're a good household here," Laurie said.
"Laurie, you're only good at one thing and it's certainly not very appropriate," Hyde said. Red gave him a harsh look. "It won't happen again, Red."
"Good," Red said with a nod.
The table fell into a comfortable silence with just the noise of utensils hitting plates. Hyde reached under the table and let his hand rest on Jackie's thigh. At the contact, she shifted her chair closer to him. Jackie was happy to be a part of the nice family moment.
"Dad, can I borrow 20 bucks?" Eric asked breaking the silence.
"Why do you need 20 dollars?" Red asked.
"Prom's this Friday and I was going to get Donna a corsage," Eric said not looking up from his food.
The bite Hyde was about to take stilled halfway to his mouth. His body tensed and he slowly turned towards Jackie. She kept eating at the same pace but her head was slightly lower than it had been a moment before.
"The prom is this Friday?" Hyde asked looking to Jackie for an answer, but it was Eric who confirmation.
Hyde had had no idea. He saw a few signs around school but he kept forgetting to ask Jackie about it. And he thought he had plenty of time. She hadn't said anything so he assumed it was far off.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Hyde asked Jackie.
Jackie just shrugged. Her eyes were downcast and he knew she wasn't going to budge in front of the Forman's. As soon as the meal was done, Hyde, Jackie, and Eric headed towards the basement. The voices of their friends could be heard before they even reached the stairs. Hyde held on to Jackie's hand the whole way. When they made it to the bottom step he pulled her towards his room ignoring her look of confusion.
"We'll be in my room," Hyde said closing the door.
Their exit was accompanied by oohs and ahs and Fez making kissing noises. Hyde's mood was too dark to address any of them. He couldn't understand why Jackie hadn't mentioned the prom. She had been so eager the year before and now she didn't even mention it. It was uncharacteristic and it worried him.
"Why don't you want to go to the prom?" Hyde asked as soon as the door was closed.
Jackie went to the bed and sat down looking up at him. Hyde remained standing in front of her.
"Who said I don't want to go to the prom?"
"Do you want to go?" Hyde asked confused by her answer. "You haven't mentioned it."
"I was going to tell you to ask me but the date was set right when you moved in with the Formans and then it just seemed less important. The last thing you wanted was for me to force the prom on you again like last year."
"But you want to go?"
"Of course I want to go."
"Then we'll go."
"But you don't want to go," Jackie argued back.
"I never said I didn't want to go," Hyde said.
"You want to go to the prom?" Jackie asked doubtfully.
"Well, no," Hyde said scratching the back of his head unsure of how he had gotten himself into this position. "But you want to go and I'll go if that's what you want."
"Really!" Jackie exclaimed looking up excited.
Hyde looked down at her and smiled. The last thing he wanted to do was go to a stupid high school dance but he didn't want her giving up things that made her happy. Especially since she'd been there for him so much over the past few weeks getting settled with the Formans.
"Jackie Burkhart," Hyde said leaning down and putting a hand on her face. "Will you go to prom with me?"
"Oh Puddin Pop!" Jackie said before leaning up to kiss him.
She pulled him down on the bed with her and kissed him deeply. After a few minutes of enjoying the kiss, he pulled away.
"Does that mean yes?" Hyde said joking.
"Of course it means yes!" Jackie said and then leaned in for another kiss.
"You look sharp, son," Mr. Forma said.
"Thanks, dad," Eric said making a pose.
"Eric, I was talking to Steven," Mr. Forman said glaring at his son. "I told you not to wear all white. Unless you're a sailor it's just not something you do."
"Donna likes it," Eric said smoothing his coat down with his hands.
"Of course she does," Hyde said rolling his eyes. Then with a sheepish smile, he looked towards Mr. Forman and thanked him.
"I'm going to go get Donna and then we can take off," Eric said to Hyde. "We'll swing by and pick up Fez, then Kelso, and then the she-devil before we head to the dance."
"Sounds good. Jackie said she'll be ready by 8, which means she'll probably be ready by 8:20, so we have plenty of time."
"Actually," Mr. Forman said. "I thought you might want to take your own car Hyde."
"I don't have a car," Hyde said confused.
"No, but Kitty and I are planning on staying in for the night so the Toyota is free if you're interested."
"Really?" Hyde asked in disbelief. "You don't mind?"
"Kitty thought it would be nice for you to pick Jackie up and drop her off like a good old fashion date," Mr. Forman said. "Don't think too much about it. It was Kitty's idea."
"Thanks, Red," Steven said. "That'd be great."
Hyde couldn't believe what Mr. Forman was offering. Jackie would have been fine getting picked up with the gang, but this was so much better. He had never picked Jackie up and taken her out. They'd been dating for months and this would be the first time he wouldn't have to rely on her dad's car or Forman for a ride. He felt a small ping of pride at the thought and he pledged that as soon as he got a car he would take her out properly. They'd go to a nice restaurant and maybe he'd even get her flowers.
She had him so whipped and, as mad as he was about it, he wouldn't change it for anything. The only saving grace was that he had enough self-control and Zen to keep it to himself or only occasionally letting it out around Jackie.
After a few more goodbyes and pictures for Mrs. Forman, Hyde got in the Toyota and started driving towards Jackie's house. He was going to be early but he didn't care if he needed to watch her get ready for half an hour. Hyde still felt uncomfortable in the rich neighborhood but the streets were now familiar. As he pulled up in Jackie's driveway he noted that her father's car was parked out front. He shouldn't have been surprised her father had continued to be a thorn in their side and seemed to always be present.
Hyde parked, looked at himself in the reflection of the mirror and walked up the stairs. When he knocked he expected a housekeeper to answer or maybe a long delay until Jackie poked her head out half ready and urging him to quickly come inside. Instead, when the door opened Hyde came face-to-face with Mr. Burkhart.
"Who are you?" Mr. Burkhart asked abruptly. "What are you doing here?"
"Hi, sir," Hyde started. "I'm Hyde. Jackie's…ugh boyfriend. We're going to the prom."
Hyde motioned to his suit as if that was evidence of his intentions. Mr. Burkhart glared at him from behind the door. After a moment of slowly looking him up and down, Mr. Burkhart finally seemed to approve and let him in.
"Get in. Quickly now," Mr. Burkhart said. "Jackie is upstairs."
"You're okay with me going up there?" Hyde asked confused.
"Sure, I have some work to do. I'll be in my office," Mr. Burkhart said walking away.
Hyde was beyond confused. Mr. Burkhart had basically kept Jackie locked away but now he was fine with Hyde just wandering into her bedroom. He decided not to overthink it. Instead, he took the stairs two at a time and lightly knocked on Jackie's door. He could hear her girly music blaring and after a moment he realized she probably couldn't hear him, so he slowly opened the door.
She was sitting in front of the mirror applying makeup to her already made up face. As soon Hyde saw her he lost all coherent thoughts and the breath left his lungs. She was beautiful. She was always beautiful of course, but today she was perfect. Her prom dress was white with jewels on the front and on the straps that went around her neck. Her hair was down with one side pushed back and she had on some kind of glossy lip gloss that made her lips look irresistible.
"Hey," Hyde said finally after realizing that he couldn't just stand in the doorway for much longer without looking like a total creep.
Jackie turned around looking surprised, "You're early."
"Yeah, Red gave me his car," Hyde said coming into the room and taking a seat on the bed. "It's just us for the night."
"Really? That's perfect!" Jackie said excitedly clapping her hands and turning around to face him. When she met Hyde's eyes she paused and hesitantly asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You just look really beautiful," Hyde said in a low voice.
"How beautiful?" Jackie said with a coy smile. She stood up and slowly walked up to Hyde.
"You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," Hyde said in complete earnest.
He felt her pushing him back further on the bed and then settling into his lap straddling him. One of her hands into to the side of his check and the other rested on his shoulder. His own hands found their spot on her hips pulling her closer. Hyde leaned down to kiss her fully. Jackie responded with a moan and he quickly deepened the kiss pushing his tongue into her mouth.
Jackie's hands moved under Hyde's jacket slowly pushing it off his body. Hyde had her dress bunched up so that his hands could make direct contact with her thighs. She started grinding down on him and unbuttoning his shirt.
"Jackie, the prom," Hyde said pulling away from her. "And your dad is downstairs."
"He is?" Jackie said pulling away fully from his mouth.
"Yeah, he let me in," Hyde said looking at her confused face. "You didn't know he was down there?"
"No, I guess I should have assumed he doesn't leave the house too much anymore, but he didn't say anything to me."
Hyde lightly touched her cheek and pushed some of the hair out of her face. He didn't know what to say. Her parents were as bad as his, but unlike Jackie Hyde had no idea how to comfort an abandoned teen.
"Let's get out of here," Hyde finally said. "You'll feel better when you can judge all the other girls' dresses."
"Yes, I will," Jackie said lifting her chin.
She stood up and went to the mirror to fix her makeup and hair. Hyde let out a groan and fell back on the bed. She was going to take forever. He looked over to Jackie in her nice white dress. He thought of her wearing a white dress similar but instead of walking into prom she'd be walking down an aisle towards him. He smiled at the idea and then a second later realized what he had been thinking about and shook his head. Marriage? That was seriously far off if it was ever even a possibility, to begin with.
"I'm ready to go," Jackie said standing up from her vanity.
"Good," Hyde said jumping slightly at her voice. "Good, yep that's cool. Let's go."
Jackie gave him a weird look but didn't say anything. She grabbed his hand and started walking down the stairs. She stopped them at the bottom in front of two intimidating doors that Hyde knew led to her father's study. After a second's hesitation, she pushed them open.
"Daddy?" Jackie said timidly.
"Yes," Mr. Burkhart said from behind his desk.
"I'm headed out to the prom," Jackie said taking a step towards him. "With Steven, my boyfriend. I told you about him, remember?"
"Sure, sure," Mr. Burkhart said.
"Nice to meet you…again," Hyde said sticking out his hand for her father to shake.
"Again?" he said looking down at Hyde's hand but not moving to take it.
"We meet at the door," Hyde said. "You let me in."
"Right," Mr. Burkhart said finally shaking Hyde's hand. "I didn't realize you were my kitten's boyfriend. I suppose it's fine as long as you aren't a Kelso boy."
"Yes, you said that," Jackie said darkly.
"Not a Kelso," Hyde said feeling awkward and ignoring the fact that he had already introduced himself as Jackie's boyfriend at the door. "We should probably be going."
"Before you go," Mr. Burkhart said stopping them. His voice seemed to lower and he looked at Jackie with an odd expression. "Steven, was it? You take good care of her."
"Of course, sir," Hyde said slightly confused by the serious tone Mr. Burkhart had shifted to. "Always," Hyde answered firmly.
"Good," Mr. Burkhart said. "Have fun at the homecoming."
"It's the prom, daddy," Jackie said.
"Right, have fun at the prom," Mr. Burkhart said with a dismissive motion of his hand.
Jackie and Hyde left silently. They went to the car and Hyde went around and opened the car door for her. After she slid in he closed the door and went around to the other side. He felt and looked slightly awkward performing the chivalrous acts, but after the awkward interaction with her father, he thought Jackie deserved the extra effort.
"Your father is kind of an ass," Hyde said after he closed his own door. "But we should take his advice. Let's have fun tonight."
"You're right," Jackie said with her forced smile. "Let's have fun."
"One more thing before we go," Hyde said twisting his body around to reach in the back seat. He heard her shriek as the corsage came into view. It was a red rose and perfectly matched the tie he had on. Hyde carefully opened the clear box and pulled the delicate flower out. Jackie flung her wrist out and Hyde put it on. Jackie admired it lovingly.
"I love it, Steven," Jackie said finally looking up from the flower. "Thank you!'
She leaned over and gave him a sweet kiss. Her smile was no longer the fake cheerleader smile and instead the heartfelt and uninhibited grin that meant she was truly happy.
"Let's go to prom," Jackie said.
"All right," Hyde said with a small smile resigning to his fate. He started the car and headed towards his second prom with Jackie Burkhart.