Author Note: ….sometimes wrong decisions are made with the best of intentions….Donna!

T7S

Chapter 38 – Announcements

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Jackie was floating on a cloud. Brooke was complaining that Jackie had the best of both worlds. "I loved being pregnant and my diamond was so tiny that I had to get a thinner band so people could see it…..then Eric gives you the biggest honking engagement ring ever!"

Jackie looked over at her driver. "I'm going to have a little baby. Tabitha had told me that a leap year is special and that good things happen – this is 1980 and I'm remembering who I am or was….whatever….it's all good. Next year Eric and I will have a little baby that looks like both of us." Jackie looked out the windshield, "Oh wow, this is huge. Can you imagine what the Forman's are going to say? They'll be so excited!"

Brooke smiled at her little friend. The scary thoughts would come later like I'm responsible for this tiny life and will I be good enough to raise a baby? Who gets up for the 2:00 a.m. diaper changing? Jackie shouldn't worry; Eric was going to do just fine as a dad.

"I just have to find the right time to tell him. I want this to be special. It's all I ever really wanted…a home and family and now I have both and my friends live right next door!"

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Bob had beat Red to the punch and organized the July 4th barbecue. He did it on the premise that Donna wanted a party and Red could be in charge of the beer. There was also going to be a television put on the patio so they could watch the game. It was major league baseball but it was still sports. Kelso and family were invited and Fez could show up if he got a ride.

Jackie had a hard time hiding her smile and every now and then Eric would say, "What's up with you?" She would dismiss him with a wink and reply, "It's a... girl thing….but I love you anyways." He would laugh and pull her in for one of his patented love hugs. Jackie adored being held in his strong arms and how those long fingers made her feel so good.

The day of the barbecue, Fez showed up in a taxi begging a ride from Eric or Kelso. "Dude, all of Betsy's stuff is taking up the back seat. Ride with Eric."

"But Eric has the devil dogs!" Fez complained. Jackie was putting the ice chest in the trunk of her car. "Fez, my dogs aren't going. You can ride with us." Fez grinned, "In that case, I shall share my candy with you and NOT Kelso."

"What?" Kelso said excitedly, "Just because I have a little car doesn't mean you can hold me candy hostage! That's just not….fair. Brooke! I need something chocolate!" Then Kelso stalked into the house. Fez turned to Jackie. "Thank you.

-o-

Donna was setting out the cutlery and Hyde was helping fold napkins. "I have an announcement and I need your help." She looked over at her curly headed friend, "Stop. You're not going to try and force a memory are you?"

Steven looked around. "Look, all I need is for you to distract Eric for about ten minutes. I'm certain I can remind Jackie of a few years of her life in that time."

Donna sighed, "And if she still doesn't remember?"

"I'll let it go. I promise. Just help me out this one last time." Hyde's plea sounded so earnest Donna agreed. "You know you're gonna owe me. Right?"

"Of course. Just get me those ten minutes." Hyde heard Bob hollering his name and quickly ran to the kitchen. Donna thought it was just a waste of time but then it was Steven Hyde's time to be wasted. Kitty and Red came around the fence and Donna smiled as Kitty made a big deal about the decorations. Red held up his six pack and Donna pointed towards the ice chest.

"Donna, it's just lovely. I think the little cannon shaped candlestick holders are just precious!" Donna was pleased that Kitty was pleased. The sound of a car pulled up and Kelso shouted, "Let the party begin!"

Kitty smiled, "I'll just go get the baby before Michael finds the sparklers." Brooke and Kelso rounded the fence and greeted the Forman's, Donna and Bob. His wig was shaking with excitement. It had been a long time since he hosted an event. "Brooke, you are looking as lovely as ever."

"Thank you Mr. Pinciotti. I'm going to put the playpen in the kitchen if that's okay with you."

"It's A-Okay. I love babies." Bob looked at his daughter. "I said I LOVE babies."

"I heard you the first time dad!" Donna laughed. A second car pulled up and the doors slammed as Fez shouted, "I smell cake!"

Jackie twisted her diamond around so she wouldn't ruin the surprise for the Forman's and smiled when Eric took her hand. Donna kissed Eric on the cheek and Jackie jumped up and hugged her favorite red head. "You have to tell me all about school! I'm thinking of taking business classes." The two linked arms and Jackie nearly pulled Donna to a pair of chairs under some shady trees.

Eric greeted Bob and Red tossed him a beer. "Hey….thanks Dad." Red nodded and settled in to watch the beginning of the baseball game. Kitty hugged her son and explained, "I'm going to be in the kitchen with Brooke and the baby."

Kelso, Fez and Eric were left to their own devices. Kelso looked around, "I've got a book of matches and a brick of firecrackers in the trunk of my car….what do you guys think?"

Fez wasn't keen on watching Kelso play with fire and Eric ginned. "What were you planning?" Kelso laughed, "I was thinking of putting them under a can and when Bob walks by….."

Eric chuckled, "Bob would flip his lid."

"Bob could have a heart attack! Don't do it Kelso! What would Betsy say?"

"Ga-ga goo-goo? C'mon Fez, she's still a baby and its firecrackers and it's the freaking Fourth of July!"

Fez crossed his arms. "I like Bob and I will tell him. Think of another plan." While the guys argued about the best way to blow up the explosives, Hyde came out of the Forman kitchen, walked through the garage and caught Donna's eye over the hedge.

-o-

Donna didn't feel comfortable dropping an unsuspecting Jackie into Hyde's clutches. Her dad had explained how the amnesia worked and if Hyde screwed this up, Jackie could possibly wig out and Donna adored this new mature Jackie Burkhart! She sighed deeply, "Hey Jackie….Hyde wanted to talk to you privately for a couple of minutes….do you mind? He's in the Forman's garage."

Jackie shrugged. "I don't have any memories….yet….I guess it can't hurt. Could you tell Eric for me? We have something to tell his parents later and I don't want to ruin the surprise."

Donna felt bad – bad like sending a lamb to slaughter but she had been Hyde's friend longer than she had been Jackie's and she made a promise….."I'll let Eric know you'll be right back."

Jackie smiled, "You know...I think I can tell you the surprise."

Donna was startled. Jackie Burkhart had a surprise and wasn't just blurting it out? This was refreshing. "What's your surprise?" Jackie held out her left hand where the huge diamond appeared to float against her palm. "Eric proposed and I said yes. Isn't that great?"

Donna felt her throat get tight – it wasn't from jealousy….she knew Eric could be a romantic guy – it was just that this seemed so right. Jackie and Eric made the perfect pair and why didn't anyone see it over the years? Jackie wanted a home and a family and that's the same thing Eric always wanted. They were both a couple of old fashioned lovebirds and where Donna had to fight for her freedom and choices, Eric would always want to get married. On the same hand, Jackie would try to trick Hyde into marriage but he wasn't ready for that.

Jackie and Eric Forman. Jackie looked at Donna's face. "I would love it if you were my maid of honor."

Donna put a hand over her heart. "Really?"

Jackie's eyes were sparkling. "Only if you promise not to wear plaid." Donna laughed and pushed the younger girl towards the Forman's garage. "You goon, see you in a few minutes."

Jackie laughed and waved as she disappeared through the hedge.

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Steven looked around the garage and grinned. He had two chairs sitting across from Red's small work table which he had covered with a lacy tablecloth. There was a bucket of ice and a couple of beers chilling and some Led Zeppelin playing softly in the background.

A knock on the door startled him. Making sure his shirt was tucked in and there wasn't any dust on his pants, he hurried to open the door. There she was looking as fresh as a summer flower. Her long brunette hair was pulled back in a soft braid and some errant strands hung near her temples. Hyde wished he could just tuck that behind her ear. She looked so beautiful.

"Hello Steven Hyde. Donna said you wanted to talk to me."

Hyde's mouth went dry and instead, he gestured towards the makeshift table. Jackie smiled and took the seat closet to the door. He sat down across from her and all his rehearsal topics were just tossed out of the window. She looked around the garage and sighed and finally her blue green eyes settled on his face. "So….how is the music business?"

He laughed. "It's good. I'm making changes at the store…updating the inventory."

Jackie replied, "Good. That's good."

"Jackie….how are you? I mean really?"

It was just so odd to be looking at this stranger who had known her intimately and yet she was having an inane conversation. "I'm good. I have my partnership in the diner that I'm learning about…my dogs are great….Eric's great." She smiled as she said Eric's name and that just made Hyde's stomach clench.

"Can I ask you a question?" he asked hesitantly. Jackie smiled, "Sure, I'm an open book."

"While I realize you don't have all your memories back, what has everyone else told you about me?"

She reached across the small table and squeezed his fingers. "They told me that we had a great love hate relationship and that you had been married."

"Damn." He muttered softly. "I as hoping no one would have brought that up."

"It's okay Steven Hyde. That's in the past. What we have now is the future."

"You see….that's the problem. I don't want a future if you're not in it." Hyde confessed.

"Oh my," Jackie exclaimed. "That's going to be a problem."

-o-

Eric walked into the kitchen to grab some chips and asked his mom if she had seen Jackie. "Well, she was in the backyard talking to Donna."

Donna saw Eric waving at her and she whispered, "Crap." She waved back, "Hey Eric….thanks for checking on my dad. He's worried about the party."

Eric frowned. "He didn't seem worried. Say, have you seen Jackie?"

Donna caved. "Eric sit down, I have to talk to you." Eric sat in the chair opposite his ex-girlfriend."

"You sound so serious. What's up?"

"Well, in hindsight, it was probably one of the stupidest things I've ever done, but Hyde wanted a few minutes alone with Jackie. I kind of helped arrange it."

"Oh Donna…no."

The disappointment in the tone of his voice made Donna feel worse than anything she had ever done in her life. "I'm sorry Eric….Jackie had just asked me to be her maid of honor and…."

"Where is he?" Eric asked determinedly.

"I'll show you." She had to make sure Hyde didn't ruin Eric's happiness. "Follow me."

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