Author Note: ….a plan is set in motion…
T7S
Chapter 26 – Evil Stepmother?
D & C
"I talked to my dad today. They live right next door."
"Oh Donna, I'm so excited. I didn't think I'd want to see her but well, I was young then and we were just starting out."
Donna ran her fingers through the cap of sort black hair and smiled. "I can almost laugh when I thought Eric was going to ask me to marry him and take care of a baby. Can you see me as a parent?"
Chelsea looked at her girlfriend. "Honey, you are so smart and patient. You would make a great mom. God, I don't even know what he named her."
"I can find out if you want." Donna offered.
Chelsea wiped a tear from her eye. "No. I think I want to be surprised. If I knew it, then I'd meet her with certain expectations and then be sad if she wasn't what I thought. I know that sounds callous but it's so weird to end up where all of this started."
Donna wrapped her arms around her girlfriend's waist and kissed her cheek. "Two weeks – we just have to wait two weeks. Dad's getting the bedrooms fixed up so when you're not staying at your aunt's house, you're staying with me."
"What about when you see Eric again. Do you still have feelings for him?"
Donna looked at Chelsea – that never occurred to her. "I have no idea. I mean I almost married him at one point and he went to Africa for me…I really don't know. But I do know that I love you so very much."
"God, I love you too. I can't wait to go!"
T7S
Jackie made lists of reasons why she couldn't marry Eric for this pretend situation and each reason was just an excuse because she was afraid. She had always wanted to be a wife but the forever kind of wife. Not an imaginary partner that filled a need. She wanted to be loved and desired. Well okay, Eric desired her and there were no problems in that department!
She contemplated calling her girlfriends but they needed to be surprised by her decision. Brooke had a great relationship with Betsy…Jackie could model after that but she was going to be that dreaded step-mother. Every children's story had one – the evil step-mom. The mom that gets stepped on – was that what she really wanted?
Jackie recalled how wonderful it felt to hold little Gabby's head in her shoulder and smell the baby shampoo in her hair. It was nice to be wanted in that way.
She looked at the clock on the wall and decided she'd wing it. She would look at Gabriella, the subject of this whole marriage thing, and see how she felt the little girl. If she couldn't get along with child then this whole this was for naught.
J & E
Eric was pacing the living room while Kitty and Red were watching a nature program. He couldn't believe his parents weren't worried about this! What if Jackie decided to say no? How was he supposed to protect Gabriella from Chelsea – what if Sophia hired a high paying lawyer to fight him on this? "Da?" Eric looked up to see Gabby scooting down the stairs on her bottom. "Up!'
Eric lifted his daughter high into the air and she shrieked with excitement. He gave her an airplane ride through the living room and stopped in his tracks when Jackie opened the kitchen door.
"Hey." He said breathless.
"Hey yourself." She smiled back. "I need to talk to Gabriella. Can we have a minute?" Eric lowered his daughter to her feet and when Jackie held out her hand, Gabby latched on and said, "Bye Da!" They disappeared into the kitchen.
Red looked at his wife and son, "What are you waiting for? Let's go listen!"
Jackie set the little girl at the table and sat in a chair next to her. She smiled and Gabby smiled back. "Do you know my name?"
Gabby nodded, "Key-key. Mommy."
Jackie smiled – she remembered Key-key. "Do you want me to live with you?"
Gabby nodded. "Home?"
"Yes, right here with grandma and grandpa. Is that okay?"
"Okay." Her little voice replied. "Da?"
"Yes, here with your dad too. I would be like your step-mom." Jackie hated the way that word felt in her mouth. Gabby shook her little head, the black hair swinging in her face. "No step. Mommy!" She slid out of the chair and ran to Jackie pressing her face into Jackie's sundress. She looked up and gave her a smile with those adorable baby teeth. "Gabby mommy?"
Jackie could feel her heart melting. How could such an innocent child pick someone like Jackie Burkhart to be a mother? Did this kid know something she didn't? "Yes, I would like to be Gabby's mom."
Suddenly the living room door swung open and all three Forman's fell into the kitchen in one big heap. Red jumped to his feet, red faced with embarrassment, "Kitty! What did I tell you about eavesdropping?"
Kitty ran over and hugged Jackie, "Oh you dear girl! Thank you! I've got a wedding to plan. Just make sure you clear your schedule for next Saturday!" Eric walked up behind his mom and kissed Jackie's cheek, "I'd like to thank you later."
"I think maybe I'll let you." Jackie smiled.
T7S
For Kitty Forman, this was the best week of her life. First she reconciled herself to the idea that she wasn't losing a son but temporarily gaining an employed daughter she didn't have to look after. Pastor Dave was available that Saturday and offered his services for free just as long as he got some of the wedding cake.
Laurie and Fez began the slow transfer of Jackie's belongings from the apartment to Eric's bedroom. Laurie found out that she liked the fact that from above the salon, she could see everyone on Main Street and there were stores within walking distance - sort of New Yorky for a small town.
Red made sure that his only task was getting the booze and the champagne which he completed with a single phone call to Buzz at the liquor store. The shopping trip to the jewelry store with Eric only took ten minutes and they were out of there with the perfect ring.
Jackie broke the news to Rhonda and Brooke and both girls agreed that Brooke would be the Maid of Honor but Rhonda would be the sexy bridesmaid. Eric asked Kelso to be the Best Man and his friend Cap to be an usher.
Bob was given the back story that Jackie and Eric had been dating for months and just decided it was time to tie the knot. Eric knew that anything Bob learned would go right back to Donna so it was best to keep him vague about the details. Bob was just happy to be invited!
One of Jackie's favorite customers gave her a special deal on the wedding cake and her husband owned a nice lake front timeshare in Kenosha they could honeymoon in. Jackie was amazed at the generosity of people when they learned she was planning a quickie wedding. Of course their first question was, are you pregnant? She could happily say the answer to that was no.
The Wednesday before the wedding, Brooke drove up and took Rhonda and Laurie to meet Jackie at the mall to pick out a wedding gown. Jackie had made it easy by choosing a palette of pastel colors. The girls just had to pick a color and help her decide on the empire waist dress or the hourglass wedding gown. Betsy and Gabriella's flower girl outfits were bought off the rack.
Angie Carter from Doggie Treats, had a sister that owned a flower shop and gave her a deep discount on the wedding flowers. Eric and Red got fitted for their tuxedos and all that was left was the reservations for the hotel Meridian Acorn room for the wedding/reception.
Jackie was in her apartment on that Thursday night packing the rest of her belongings. She and Brooke were spending Friday at the Meridian hotel so Eric wouldn't see the bride before the wedding. She looked around her little apartment and only hoped Laurie would take care of it. Maybe this was just a short period in her life and she would eventually move back. Maybe….it would just work out and she would love Eric like a good wife should….maybe.
The buzzer alerted Jackie that Eric was at the door. He mentioned stopping by on his way home from work. She pressed the release button and heard him running up the stairs. He pushed his way in and just grabbed her in an embrace kissing her like he hadn't seen her since last week!
"Whoa! Hey…what's this all about?" she asked breathlessly.
Eric smiled in her colored eyes, "I missed you. I can't wait for us to be a family. I swear my mom is singing and Dad's smiling and it's all because of you."
Jackie smiled ruefully, "Well, I'm glad it's working out. So there's no more information about Donna?"
"Bob said she confirmed her flight and they'll be landing next week on Saturday so we have one week after the wedding to get a routine established that makes it look like we're a real family."
Jackie moved to the chair and sat down, "Yeah Eric, about that. I've been thinking and well…besides being scared to death, it all feels so fake. I feel like I'm in a movie and no one gave me the script!"
Eric moved to chair where he knelt down beside her and pulled something from his pocket. "Would this help?" He pulled out a small velvet box and lifted the lid. The sparkle of the diamond twinkled and Jackie gasped. "I didn't think I was going to get a ring! God Eric, this is no Cracker Jack ring either!"
Eric carefully removed the ring from the box and took her small hand in his. "Jackie Burkhart…that's you." He smiled. "Would you do me the honor of being my wife in this weird Forman family situation? I've told you once….I already love you and my daughter loves you but this is entirely up to you. Will you marry me?"
Jackie was so conflicted. Did she love him? Really truly love him enough to make the lie seem real? Eric gently pushed the diamond ring on her finger and it was a perfect fit. The glinting facets seemed to mock her – are you a gambler – are you willing to give a try or are you going to run away?
Jackie lifted her face and allowed her eyes to lock with Eric's. She could see how much this mattered to him and it was only temporary right? She sighed inwardly and put on a happy smile. "Yes, I'll marry you."
But why did it feel like the floor just fell out from under her feet?
T7S