CHAPTER 20 - The Holidays.
THE NEXT MORNING JACKIE WAKES UP TO THE SOUNDS A VERY EXCITED FEZ SINGING CHRISTMAS SONGS IN THE SHOWER. SHE LAUGHS ENJOYING THE FOREIGNERS ENTHUSIMS TOWARDS CHRISTMAS. SHE CHUCKS ON LONG BLACK SKIRT AND RED TOP AND FINDS A COAT TO WEAR OVER AS IT'S COLD OUT. THEN SHE HEADS TO THE KITCHEN AND MAKES HER AND FEZ A CUP OF COFFEE EACH.
FEZ:
(Sweeps Jackie up in a hug) Good morning my goddess isn't it a wonderful day.
JACKIE:
I just love your enthusiasm you know. Here's a coffee,
THEY SIT THERE DRINKING THERE COFFEES TAKING TURNS GUESSING WHAT MRS FOREMANS COOKING FOR THE DAY AND WHAT SORT OF PRESENTS EVERYONE WILL GET. JACKIE CHUCKS ON SOME LIGHT MAKEUP WHILE FEZ DOES HIS HAIR AND THEY HEAD OFF TO THE FOREMANS. MRS FOREMAN HAD KINDLY INVITED THE TWO TO SPEND CHRISTMAS WITH THEM AS THEY BOTH DON'T HAVE FAMILIES AROUND.
THEY PULL UP AND SEE MR FOREMAN AND STEVEN SITTING AT THE TABLE DRINKING COFFEE WHILE MRS FOREMAN IS WHIPPING UP SOME CHRISTMAS PANCAKES. FEZ WALKS IN A GIVES MRS FOREMAN A HUG JACKIE DOES THE SAME AND GIVES MR FOREMAN ONE, THEN SHE SITS DOWN NEXT TO STEVEN AND GIVES HIM A KISS ON THE CHEEK AND HE PUTS HIS ARM AROUND HERE.
KITTY:
Merry Christmas Dears, Here's some coffee so use can warm up it's absolutely freezing out there this morning.
FEZ & JACKIE:
(Both agree) Thanks Mrs. Foreman.
KITTY:
Oh I'm so happy use could join us today. If only Eric and Laurie could be here. (Looks sad).
RED:
The house is still crowded with kids anyway, maybe one day I'll finally get some peace and quiet.
KITTY:
Red Foreman you take that back
THE ALL EAT THEIR PANCAKES AND THEN HEAD INTO THE LIVING ROOM TO OPEN THEIR PRESENTS. THE FOREMANS HAVE GOT EACH OF THE KIDS SOMETHING SMALL, STEVEN A NEW JACKET AND A COUPLE SHIRTS (THIS TIME MRS FOREMAN KEPT IT SIMPLE), FEZ A HOME SHAVING SET AND THEY GOT JACKIE A PINK THEMED ESSENTIALS TOOL KIT. THEY WERE ALL HAPPY WITH THEIR GIFTS KNOWING HOW MUCH THOUGHT MRS FOREMAN HAS PUT INTO EACH OF THEM, REST OF THE GIFTS WERE HANDED OUT AND EVERYONE WAS STILL PLEASED. JACKIE AND HYDE LEFT EACHOTHERS INTILL LAST HYDE WENT FIRST AND SMILED WHEN HE OPENED HIS, IT WAS THE LATEST LED ZEPPELIN TAPE WHICH HYDE HAD YET TO GET FOR HIMSELF AND ANOTHER ONE LABELLED US. HE LOOKED AT JACKIE QUIZZACALLY AND SHE EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS A COLLECTION OF SONGS THAT THEY HAVE GOOD MEMORIES TO WITH A SOFT SMILE. HE SAYS HE LOVES IT AND LEANS OVER AND GIVES HER A KISS. JACKIES MOUTH FALLS OPEN WHEN SHE SEE'S WHAT HE'S GOT HER, SHE GENTLY PULLS IT OUT OF IT'S BOX AND JUST STARES AT IT THEN AT STEVEN.
JACKIE:
W w what?
STEVEN:
(Getting a little nervous) It's a necklace with a promise ring on it, It's to show how serious I am about you doll.
KITTY:
Oh my that's so romantic.
FEZ:
Oh Hyde you big softie.
HE GRIMACES AT THEIR COMMENTS BUT KEEPS HIS EYES FOCUSED ON JACKIE TRYING TO READ THREW HER NOW BLANK EXPRESSION.
JACKIE:
I thought you didn't buy jewelry.
STEVEN:
It antique so it's not pricey and it was the only way I could think to let you know how I'm feeling. Do you like it?
JACKIE:
(Smiling softly, feeling her wall starting to break away) Oh Steven I love it.
THEY KISS TENDERLY SMILING INTO EACHOTHERS EYES AND STEVEN PLACES THE NECKLACE AROUND HIS DOLLS NECK KISSING HER NECK TENDERLY AFTER HE CLAPSES IT SHUT. JACKIE SMILED THNIKING MAYBE THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO BE DAY TO DAY, MAYBE THEY COULD ACTUALLY LAST FOREVER WHICH IS ALL SHE REALLY WANTED.
...
AFTER LUNCH STEVEN, JACKIE AND FEZ HEAD DOWN STAIRS AND ARE JOINED SOON BY A TIERD LOOKING DONNA.
DONNA:
Ugh Dad went all out this year for Christmas I honestly don't think he could fit anymore lights on the property. You guys are lucky you missed this morning at my house.
JACKIE:
I can only imagine. (Hyde nods in agreement, and fez gives Donna a sympathetic hug).
DONNA:
You guys had a circle yet? I could really do with one.
THEY ALL GET INTO POSITION AND START.
DONNA:
Christmas just doesn't feel the same without Eric being here you know.
STEVEN:
I get what you mean man
JACKIE:
Any word from the string bean yet?
DONNA:
He's supposed to be ringing tonight.
FEZ:
Ooo that'll be good it's been so long since I've heard his voice.
THE REST OF CHRISTMAS GOES QUITE SMOOTHLY. THEY ALL MANAGED TO GET TO TALK TO ERIC ON THE PHONE, BUT SADLY GOT SUCKERED INTO SINGING CHRISTMAS CAROLS WITH MRS FOREMAN AND BOB THEY STOOD AROUND GLOOMILY SINGING "Rocking around the Christmas Tree" WHILE RED SAT IN HIS CHAIR LAUGHING AT THE MISERY ON THE KIDS FACES.
...
THE LAST NIGHT OF 1979 APPROACHED FAST AND EVERYONE WAS EXCITED FOR KITTYS PARTY LATER THAT NIGHT FEZ AND JACKIE WERE ONCE AGAIN GETTING READY TO HEAD OVER TO THE FOREMANS WHEN THEY HEARD A KNOCK ON THE DOOR.
FEZ:
(Looking confused) I thought we were meeting Hyde and Donna at the Foreman's?
JACKIE:
(Looking equally confused) We are?
KELSO:
Hello is anyone gonna answer the door?
FEZ:
(Really excited) KELSO! (He runs to door and throws it open hugging his friend) What are you doing here?
KELSO:
(Pats Fez on the back) It's good to see you buddy, I spent the day before with Brooke and Betsy so I could see in the New Years with you guys.
JACKIE:
Hey Kelso (gives him a quick hug) How is my god daughter?
KELSO:
She's good you'll have to come and see her.
JACKIE:
I will do.
KELSO:
It's good both her god parents are back together again.
JACKIE:
(Smiles) It is.
KELSO:
You guys have any beers? lets have one and get this party started before we head over to the Foreman's.
FEZ AND JACKIE NOD AND THEY SIT ON THE COUCH AND HAVE A BEER CARRYING ON CATCHING UP.
OVER AT THE FOREMANS STEVEN IS HELPING MRS FOREMAN AND DONNA ENTERS THREW THE SLIDING DOOR.
DONNA:
Hey Mrs. Foreman, Hyde. Do use want a hand.
KITTY:
Yes please that'd be nice Donna.
DONNA:
Where's Jackie and Fez?
STEVEN:
They are running late, Fez is probably having another hair emergency.
DONNA:
Poor Jackie.
KITTY:
It took me forever to help poor Jackie get the glue out of his hair.
HYDE AND DONNA CHUCKLE. OUT OF THE BLUE A TAXI TURNS UP IN THE DRIVE.
KITTY:
(Confused) I thought Fez was driving him and Jackie over?
STEVEN:
He was?
ERIC EMERGES OUT OF THE CAB AND MRS FOREMAN AND DONNA SCREAM RUNNING OUT THE DOOR AND THROW THEIR ARMS AROUND HIM.
KITTY:
(Screaming Hysterically) My Babies Home!
ERIC:
(Laughs lightly) Hey mom
DONNA:
Omg Eric what are you doing here, I can't believe it.
ERIC:
I couldn't stay away from you any longer I just missed you so much..
DONNA:
I love you Eric.
ERIC:
I love you to
THEY KISS PASSIONATLY. STEVEN WALKS OUT AND PATS ERIC ON THE BACK.
STEVEN:
Good to see you man.
ERIC:
Good to see you to, Glad to see you've sorted your shit out.
STEVEN:
Yea I defiantly needed to.
ERIC:
Yea you did I may of called Jackie the she-devil but even she doesn't deserve that.
RED WALKS OUT OF THE GARAGE TO ALL THE COMMOTION.
RED:
Oh good god your back.
ERIC:
Good to see you to dad.
JACKIE, FEZ AND KELSO ALL PULL UP.
DONNA:
Is that Kelso?
STEVEN:
It is (he walks over and greets Kelso and then kisses his doll hello).
FEZ:
Eric Your home! This is perfect the whole gang is back together!
THEY ALL GO DOWN AND HAVE A CIRCLE LIKE OLD TIMES AND THEN HAVE DINNER AND PARTY WITH THE ADULTS FOR REST OF THE EVENING INTILL THE COUNT DOWN. THEY ALL CHANT 10. 9 . 8 . 7 . 6 .5. 4 .3. 2 .1 HAPPY NEW YEARS. DONNA AND ERIC HUG AND KISS PASSIONATLY. RED AND KITTY KISS AND MICHAEL HUG AND BOB SMILES AT EVERYONE. STEVEN DIPS JACKIE AND KISSES HER.
STEVEN:
Happy New Years Doll
JACKIE:
Happy New Years Pudding Pop.