OMG I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to update. If you're still reading this know that I plan to spend the summer finishing this. One or two more chapters and the Zennie part of the story is done and the alternate end should begin.

We've Only Just Begun

April 12, 1980.

He wonders if he should have kissed her but decides that holding her as they slept on the couch and the hug they shared before she boarded the plane was enough. It would have been wrong to kiss her while she held Maddy and they still felt raw from the night before.

She wonders how she would have reacted if he tried more. She could see in his eyes he wanted more, but she's glad he didn't go for it. She wants their first kiss after the Chicago and stripper disasters to be happy, a kiss when everything is forgiven and well in the past; not the day after a big argument or while she's still legally married to someone else.

They continue to talk after their time in New York. He continues to open up. She is not as insecure and demanding. Every day they feel better about each other, though as with everything in life, some days are better than others.

April 30, 1980

"What's wrong, doll?"

"Nothing."

"Wanna try selling that again 'cause I ain't buying? "

"Just tired… today was a lot."

"And I expected you would fight with Peter or talk my ear off or something."

She sighs. "I don't want to fight with him again and it's the right thing. It's just sad for me to testify that we want Russ' petition approved when I want to keep Maddy and then… I'm busy when I wish I could spend more time with her before she goes."

"I thought you liked college and the treasurer job."

"I do! I love having people to talk to, places to be... things to do. But when the petition is approved Maddy will leave and she sleeps in my room and is here if Peter has to stay out at camp overnight. I don't know if class, the wives club and hanging out with him when he's free will be enough when she's gone."

"You wish you wouldn't have to give her up until you moved back?" he asked with hesitation. He can't help the twinge of pain that comes at the idea of her coming back still married and with custody of Maddy. He's not sure if he could keep his cool with Mercer if they moved back into the mansion together.

"No, puddin', I want to go back to Wisconsin a single woman. It's just hard. But I'll finish class. Russ will get Maddy back. Peter will get his new rank. And I'll go home to the college in Kenosha and you and see her then."

"And you're okay with that?"

"Yes. I'm more than okay with that."

And that's how it happened. It took three more weeks for Peter to get ranked a specialist and assigned to training in Tacoma starting in September. Jackie finished her first quarter in college with an A in her accounting course and Hyde couldn't have been proder. A few weeks later Russ got notice that he'd regained custody of Maddy pending visits from a social worker to his home and monthly follow-ups with officials from social services for at least a year.

June 19, 1980 - Richmond International Airport

"Goddess!"

"Fezzy!" Jackie holds her dear friend tightly.

"How is married life? Are you so happy? You have to tell me everything!"

"How is life in Point Place? And with a boyfriend? Is he great to you? Because if he isn't, his shins are mine!"

"Hi Jackie," Russ greets with a smile.

"Hey boyfriend who better treat my friend like a king." They hug each other with Maddy in Russ' arms. As they separate the baby holds onto Jackie's hair and suddenly, "Mah mah."

"Oh my God!" Jackie says with a smile but tears in her eyes.

"First real word," Peter says with a smile and rubs Jackie's arm. "She loves you."

Russ looks at the girl in front of him. "You're her mama. Thank you."

June 20 - Virginia Beach, Virginia. It's a perfect day to tan, enjoy the ocean and celebrate Peter's birthday.

"So you're not really marr-" Jackie puts the hand she's not using to hold Maddy over Fez's mouth.

"Shut your pie hole! Someone from the base may be around."

"We're at the beach!"

"The one most popular for personnel to come with their families!"

"Fine!" Then he starts to whisper. "So you're telling me this whole marriage thing has been a sham to keep Maddy from going to the system?" Jackie nods. "And you're back together with Hyde?" She nods with a smile and he looks annoyed. "Ai! No one tells me anything! I need my God and some ice cream!"

"But Fez -"

"I said my God and ice cream!" He yells as he heads to where Russell and Peter are throwing a football. Jackie can't help but grin at her friend's antics and decides to sit and coo at Maddy. It's been a fun day at the beach and they'll go out to dinner later.

June 22, 1980 - Foreman basement.

Donna, Hyde and Eric are watching Gilligan's Island.

"There is the man that has to confess!" Fez accuses the moment he walks in.

Hyde looks at him and rolls his eyes. Jackie already told him that she had told Fez.

"What's up buddy?"

"Well, Eric, that is a good question. Why don't you explain it to us, Hyde?"

"Whatever."

"You serenading son of a bitch!"

Donna smiles and looks at Hyde. "Fez knows?"

"Someone doesn't know how to shut her pie hole."

"Fez knows what!" Eric asks annoyed.

"Oh, my clueless friend," he smiles, satisfied he did know before someone else. "I know that Hyde chased after Jackie. He went to Chicago and serenaded her and danced to the glorious sounds of ABBA in a hotel lobby before she went to Virginia."

Eric laughs. "Good one. I thought you said Hyde sang and danced to ABBA with the devil."

Donna stands and starts singing. "If you change your mind, I'm the first in line. Honey, I'm still free. Take a chance on me!" Then she makes kissy noises.

"Get bent."

"Oh my God you did!" Eric yells.

"They are back together!" Fez adds. "And have kept it secret for months! Months! Except Donna knew!"

"You knew! But… she's… umm… MARRIED!"

"Pipe down Erica!"

"It's not a real marriage," Donna and Fez say at the same time.

"Oh so you think because you're back to red you get dibs on my Goddess." He says with his hands on his hips. "I'm the first person she told that wasn't there to see everything! And I'll have you know I still win the battle of the shopping and the gossip! I know when the divorce is getting filed and when she's coming back. And she'll come to my God's apartment first to see our baby! I win! Good day!"

"But Fez-"

"I said good day!" he yells and heads out of the basement.

August 22, 1980. Hyde's apartment.

He can't stop pacing. He looks at his watch and it's already almost seven. What could possibly be taking this long? And then he hears the knock on his door and moves to quickly open it.

"Hi," she says with a smile.

"Hi," he answers. "Come in," he adds, moving out of the way.

"Were you waiting for me?"

He tries to look cool. "No."

"Really?"

"Really, but if I had been waiting your lateness would have been kinda cruel doll."

"Oh puddin'! You were waiting for me!" she says, putting a hand to her heart.

"Whatever. Was the flight late?"

"No."

"Was there traffic?"

"Nope," she giggles.

"Did Mercer drive like a grandma or did you just take too long hanging with Maddy?"

She laughs. "Peter is a great driver and I only held my little girl for a little while. You know, you could ask me why I was late and kept my poor puddin' pop waiting," she teases. He gives her an annoyed look and she laughs some more. "We stopped at the lawyers office."

"Uh?"

"Surprise!" she says filled with excitement as she pulls a large envelope out of her big purse. "We signed the papers before we went to see Maddy." He is stunned. "Steven?"

"Uh?"

"We signed the papers. The lawyer has to file, but unless something goes weirdly wrong… it's done."

"You're single?"

"Technically divorced but -" She never finishes that sentence. His lips are on hers and she can't think about anything but him. His mouth seems desperate, his tongue demanding and then he parts from her and she's left breathless. She opens her eyes and sees an expression so un-Hyde like she beams. His eyes are filled with pure joy but he seems a bit worried.

"I know we agreed to take it slow-"

"Shut your pie hole," she orders and pulls him to her. They kiss and kiss and can't seem to stop. She stays the night and as much as they tried to keep things slow the night brought them the kind of pleasure they hadn't allowed themselves to feel in over a year.

September 15, 1980. Abbot's Karaoke Bar and Grill.

"So, how does a year later feel?" Jackie asks.

He smiles. "Still two jobs and making money from tunes and lyrics. No girlfriend, but I got my brother back and managed an eight month old fake marriage that didn't burn me. The crazy girl that was my fake bride is one of my best friends and her and my brother somehow tracked down and gave me back my Fender. And I'll be back on base in less than a week. Not bad. You?"

She is smiling. "I got my old friends back and made new ones that mean the world to me. Got to be a foster mom. Legally divorced before my twenties... not a point of pride, but I honestly don't care. I have a job and my old house bills get paid. School is going great and I got my puddin' pop back."

He snorts at that. "Puddin' pop."

"Shut up! He's been trying so hard and we love each other."

"He better be trying or I'll kick his ass."

"He knows. But he's trying for me not because he's scared of you."

"You really trust him."

"I do. He called me long distance every day. And he's opening up during our therapy and he's been…" She sighs with a dreamy smile. "Great."

"His phone bill must have been insane."

"I know! He spent money on me. He so loves me."

Peter laughs and brings up his beer. "To a much better day than last year"

"To a year of friendship."

They drink and just hang out. Then, "Sweetheart! Last I checked I ain't paying you to drink with the boy."

"Then it's a good thing I got done with my shift thirty minutes ago, old man."

He looks at her annoyed and then sighs. "That dilhole is on the schedule and missing work again, isn't he?" She nods.

"You need a hand?" Peter asks.

"Two since Jessica called in sick. What do you say to some overtime?" he asks, looking at Jackie.

"That's cool." She turns to Peter. "Bet I can get more tips."

"You're on."

September 23, 1980

Between classes, a three hour lunch shift at the bar and her birthday dinner at the Forman's it has been a long but wonderful day. Steven was driving her home but then she realized… "Steven, why are we by your apartment?" He shrugs and smirks. "Do you have a surprise for me?" He smirks some more. "You do! Is it a t-shirt?"

"We're a bit beyond that."

"Uuuhhhh, is it a glass unicorn?"

He laughs and shakes his head no as they park. "Come inside doll."

She practically jumps out of the car in excitement. "Are you going to cover my eyes?" she asks, bouncing a little.

He smiles, picks her up and carries her to the building on his shoulder. "Steven!"

Once they turn on the lights in the apartment and he sets her down she sees a scented candle, a pink cupcake and a small rectangular box on the center table.

"Steven?" she says nervously.

"It's not that. I know we're not ready."

She lets out a breath and then smiles. "Yet?"

He nods. "Not yet." He picks up the box. "Happy birthday doll."

She smiles and puts her hands on her chest, "For me!"

He laughs and opens it. Inside there is a unicorn keychain with a key. "Steven?"

"Look Jackie… I made a lot of mistakes..."

"Puddin' there's -"

"No let me finish. I made a lot of mistakes and you gave me a chance to make up for them and learn and… be better. And you shouldn't be living alone in that house and I… " He looks all flustered and she smiles. "You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Yeah," she says with a smile. "Now say whatever it is."

"Jackie, I love you."

"I love you too."

"Would you move in with me?"

"For my birthday? For a week?" she asks sassily, grabbing the key from him and putting her arms around his neck.

He rolls her eyes. She looks at him expectantly. "Forever."

"Forever? Promise?"

He nods. "Promise…. 'nilla, don't ever leave me."

"Never."

That night she sings in bed for him again and he promises to never let her go. A few months later he asks what he once went to Chicago to ask her for and she says yes.

I'm so thrilled to be writing again. Please review it means the world. Also, I promise I won't disappear again. I had some health problems and had to manage that with work, school, and life. Then the world sorta fell off its axis with everything that is happening. If you've lost someone to this virus I'm so sorry and my heart is with you. I've had family and friends get sick, share nightmare stories from working in healthcare, and military relatives serve in hot spots and constantly at risk. This story is helping me escape the hurt and anger I feel sometimes. I've been blessed that all my friends and family who got sick recovered and at the most needed oxygen, but I've had other friends who weren't so lucky and lost uncles, grandparents and friends and it seems like a lot of the world is forgetting that and trying to move on to make money. Anyway, I'm getting passed that by writing, working, making art, and rewatching old shows on Netflix. Just heard Hyde telling Erick to write "Things my father threatened to put in my ass. Chaper 1: His foot." Man this thing can make me laugh.