AN: Monday update, I have several chapters already written out. Thanks for the feedback and reviews.
Steven Hyde found himself sitting in the Foreman's kitchen with the three adults in his life. He had come over after his talk with WB to apologize for how he had acted. Kitty invited him to stay for dinner, he was surprised that WB had come over. Apparently WB was talking to Bob when he came over.
As they started to eat meatloaf that Kitty had fixed, Red spoke up, "Look Steven you can stay here till you find an apartment."
"Thanks Red, I was going to talk to Kelso and see if there is any apartments available where he and Fez live."
With that the three older adults looked at each other, Randy was going to be staying in Point Place for a while, Jackie if she ever came to Point Place would probably stay with her cousin.
WB broke the silence that had hit, "Look I'll call someone I know and see if I can find you something a little nicer than those apartments."
Red spoke up, "I don't think you would get along with their landlord, he's a little fruity. I had him convinced Kettlehead and Tonto are a couple." He thought back to the conversation he had with Fenton when trying to get the boys a place to live. He wasn't sure if Fenton would rent to Steven and if Steven would be comfortable with a landlord that might hit on him.
"Yea, I don't know if I could live close to Fez and Kelso anyways"
"Well grab your stuff and you can go back to the basement for now."
WB watched him go out to his car, "I hate to say this, but I had a feeling that Jackie was pregnant before she told us. Last week she was in the hospital for a few days, James told me it was a stomach bug and she was dehydrated."
Red looked at the well-dressed man, "I wondered what had caused her to give the ultimatum and had wondered if she was pregnant. I don't blame her how she handled it, she's young and she's scared."
"Well I told Bob about giving the condo to the girls, I had bought it thinking of Steven working at headquarters and needing something closer, before I bought the store here. I think Bob and the boys are going to get the rest of Jackie and Donna's stuff and drive it and Donna's car this week. I am going to make some changes, get the one room ready for the baby. Randy said he talked to Kelso about waiting till they were in Milwaukee before giving Steven the letter. I think that is a good idea."
Kitty had been busy cleaning the kitchen up, "I am off tomorrow and will spend the day fixing food for the girls."
They heard the basement door, and quit the current conversation.
"I am going to go to the hotel for the night. I am going to meet with Steven and Randy tomorrow to work out hours and everything between those two." WB said standing up.
Kitty went over, "You let me know if you need any help, I'll have food ready for when Bob and the boys leave"
Red stood to shake WB's hand, "Stop by tomorrow, I have something in the garage I want you to take with you. You'll understand tomorrow"
WB nodded in understanding, and headed down to the basement. Steven was sitting in his normal chair all alone. With his head in his hands.
"Steven I am going to stay in a hotel here, I'll meet with you and Randy in the morning to go over hours and then see what hours you two can work out."
The next day found Jackie in a hospital gown on the table in the doctor's office, Donna sitting in a chair. Donna thought if she wasn't so worried about Jackie she would find it funny to find Jackie in the gown. The girl was too skinny to be as pregnant as she was, it was like she had lost weight when she should be gaining.
The doctor walked in, "Miss Burkhart, looks like you have gained two pounds since you was released from the hospital that is good, you just need to keep it up. Hopefully the morning sickness is about over. How has the stress?"
Jackie looked at Donna, "Yea not the greatest, but doing better. This is my friend Donna, we are going to move in together in Milwaukee. Do you think that would be OK, and is there a doctor you could recommend?"
The doctor was checking her heart rate and lungs, "Do you think it will be easier in Milwaukee?"
Jackie took a deep breath, "Honestly yea, I will have more support there. My friends are like family will be closer. My baby's grandfather lives there with his daughter, so I'll have them to help." Taking another deep breath, "Plus if the baby's father wants to be part of the baby's life then it might be a little easier than if we lived in Chicago."
The doctor did nothing but nod at this, he didn't ask questions, but a young girl here without at the boy said a lot. He spotted a broken hearted girl easily. He just hoped everything would work out.
"I'll give you a name and number for a friend of mine in Milwaukee, let me know and I can send your records to him. Now if you can lay back and raise your gown, we are going to listen to the heartbeat."
Jackie looked and beamed at Donna. Donna was excited as well. This was a major appointment, and Jackie was sharing it with her. Then Donna felt a twinge of guilt, Hyde should be here to hear his child's heartbeat for the first time, but she silently told herself that Hyde had to grow up. He had hurt the mother of his child too much. She, along with the rest of the gang wasn't sure Hyde was ready to be a father. Kelso wasn't either and it wasn't until the chewing out Brooke gave him after the boys had that full day of burning out, followed by the day that they had lost Betsey only to find her with Leo. Kelso shared with Jackie and Donna that day that he thought of how Leo had told them he had a son the day he gave Hyde the El Camino, but he had no idea where his son was. No one even knew how old his son was or how to even try to find him. That was the wakeup call for Kelso. Donna knew Jackie was right in picking him to make sure he read the letter and confronting Hyde. Hyde also had accepted the responsibility of being godfather to Betsey.
Donna was brought out of her thoughts by what sounded like a horses running, it was amazing. Jackie had a look of utter bliss, the beat sounded fast, that was good.
"Um Jackie, I am not sure if I am hearing an echo or two heartbeats. I am going to see if I can get you over to the ultrasound room and take a look. If it is twins you might need to see the doctor in Milwaukee sooner than expected. I want him to keep an eye on you, I'll have my nurse call to schedule the appointment to make sure we get everything transferred."
"What exactly is an ultrasound?" Donna asked, she had never been through any of this before, and never had an interest in medicine or science, the most she knew was x-rays due to the guys falling off the water tower.
"We will take and be able to see the baby or babies, movement and everything. We wouldn't be able to this early, but in a few weeks we would be able to possibly see the sex. Go ahead and get dressed, we will just have you lift your shirt and lower your pants in the other room. I'll send a nurse to get you when we are ready."
Jackie looked at Donna, "What am I going to do if there are two babies? I am still not sure I am ready for one"
"Jackie how many ever babies you pop out you won't be alone. If we have to get Eric to come back early from Africa to be a live in nanny or whatever we will do it"
The thought of Eric as a nanny made Jackie smile. "Thank you lumberjack, I don't know what I would do right now without you. I'd hug you right now, but the nurse would walk in and probably get the idea we were a couple or something. They wouldn't think that if you didn't wear such manly tops."
Donna laughed as Jackie got dressed. She wasn't sure if these mood swings she was going through was pregnancy related or what, it seemed like she was an emotional pendulum. Though if she would admit it herself, she felt the same. She wished they could go back to Point Place, Kitty would be more than happy to help with the baby, or babies. She had a feeling that Kitty would be making several trips to be with them in the future.
The nurse came to take them to the ultrasound room. Donna took Jackie's hand to show her her support.
As she laid back the doctor began to point out things on the screen, "Yes you have two babies, looks like they are in their own sacks so not identical. That means you could have one of each sex, or two of the same but you will be able to tell them apart easier. I am going to have my nurse call Dr. Jones in Milwaukee and make an appointment for you in two weeks. Here is his information" he said as he handed her a piece of paper with the doctor's information. "Keep trying to eat, I am going to put you on iron, these babies are a little small but we can fix this and get them caught up. I will send your chart to Dr. Jones. The nurse will come back with you appointment time and your prescription."
After the doctor left Jackie was wiping the gel off her belly one last time.
"So should I write Eric and tell him he needs to get his butt back here that we have a job for him?"
Jackie couldn't help but smile, she wasn't sure how this would work out, but she knew she had her friends.
"I don't know you guys lost Betsey, can Eric take care of even one baby, much less two?"
"There was a time right after we started, Laurie was babysitting. The girl had problems putting the diaper on her. I actually stepped in and did it. Eric thought that was the greatest thing, not that I had just gotten a story in the school newspaper. He had imagined me being a stay at home mom with twins, yea I turned it around I was working and he was the stay at home dad."
"At least you two would talk about the future, I tried that once with Steven. My version we lived in a mansion, Steven's I was fat and were still living in the basement. I have tried to talk to him with a different idea, I mean that was when you all took your SATs right after my dad…but I my ideas changed. I saw more of us living in a house like the Foreman's. Steven running the store, I would help with the books, maybe have a crib in the office." She starting to try and stop the tears, "At least that was the thought when I found out I was pregnant."
Donna went over and pulled her friend into a hug, "It will work out"
"Yea with him and his wife. Though she didn't look to smart"
The ride home Donna thought back to their conversation, did her and Eric really talk about the future? They planned the wedding but not really anything after, not the important stuff. Maybe they can talk about that stuff through their letters. What was the point of expecting a future with someone if you couldn't plan that future with them? She hoped she would have time that night to write a long letter to Eric. Sure she had made a big decision moving to Milwaukee when he had planned on Madison, but he had left for Africa without talking to her about it.
"I am going to work on a list of stuff I need Michael to get out of my house in Point Place when I get home. If there is anything you need I can add it, I think he is coming down to see Betsey before helping us move. I think if they can take care of our stuff from Point Place, it isn't like there is much here."
"OK, I know dad is supposed to pack up the rest of my clothes, I could add my books, records and my record player. I know I need to write Eric and let him know what I am doing. I might not write him again till we get settled in Milwaukee."
"I would have your dad tape you boxes up good, keep Fez and Michael from going through your underwear. You remember when I moved in. I think I was missing 3 pairs!"
"So is your rocking horse joining us?" Donna asked remembering when she moved in with her.
"Of course, it will go in the nursery though." She paused as she was thinking, "Do you think I should tell Kitty?"
"About the twins? Yea, but you don't have to do it right away."
WB got everything settled with Randy and Steven and drove over to the Foreman's, Red was in the garage.
"Hey, well I think they are going to be able to work together without killing each other. At least for now, Steven decides he wants to find Jackie and Randy not telling him might cause an issue."
"Knowing what he put her through, I understand her staying away. We are all in for an interesting year at least. Look I had fixed this up a few years ago, Laurie and Eric both used it. I had gotten it back out and a new coat of paint when Kitty thought she was expecting again, I didn't handle it well. But I found this and fixed it up, Kitty was going through the change she was never pregnant. I actually made this when we were expecting Laurie. I didn't handle her telling me back then I was going to be a father well then either. I guess you can say this has been I am sorry I am ass. But I want my first grandbaby to use it. Steven has been like another son, and Jackie has been like a daughter. You know she is the best when it comes to helping me work on cars?"
"That girl is full of surprises. I'll get this set up in the master bedroom for her."
Just then Kitty came bursting out of the house, "Red, OH WB, I am glad you are here. Jackie just called, TWINS! They found out today she is having twins" Kitty then realized she was out in the open, and looked around in case someone that shouldn't know yet wasn't around. Then realized what they were loading into WB's car. "Oh Red you big softie, you are giving Jackie the kids bassinette?"
"Yea and sounds like I better get started on another one," Looking at WB, "I'll see if I can get it done before the boys take the girls' things to the condo"
WB nodded, "Well I am going to drop this off and then let Angie know the news."
"Drive safe" Red said as WB pulled out of the drive. "OK Kitty, you need to tone down the happy. Don't you have cooking to do?"
"Yes, I have to get everything ready for when the boys are ready to leave." Kitty turned and ran into the house.
Red went and sat on a bench in his garage, where had everything gone wrong? He thought he had raised Eric and Steven to be good boys. Eric seemed like he was finally get his act together, maybe using the college money for his shop was for the best. Eric needed world experience, and he was honest with himself that the military would not work with Eric, but this program would. He just hated he felt like he failed with Steven. He had tried to be a father figure to the boy since Bud had taken off years ago. Sitting in the garage he remembered that day he worked with Jackie, and when Steven saw her roll out from under the car he knew the boy was in trouble when it came to that sprite of a girl. Took them long enough, it hadn't been smooth and he knew it wouldn't be for them, but he thought that he had helped with Steven growing up ready to take on responsibilities. To find out how childish he had been, when he thought Steven the smartest and most responsible one of the boys that crowded his basement. When that girl said they had gotten married, he saw the look in Jackie's eyes, he knew there was no way in hell he would pick that stranger over the girl he had grown to care about like a daughter. He hated kicking Steven out, but if he was staying with the tramp that followed him, it made it easier. He was just glad Steven found out right away that she was scamming him. He just worried if Jackie would hold on to her resolution to have no contact with Steven. He wanted it to work out for the two of them, and now that there would be twins in the picture, but he couldn't blame Jackie. He would go to the hardware store tomorrow, maybe he could get Steven to help him make the second cradle. He might not know that he is even working on a cradle for his own child.
Randy went to his apartment that night after closing Grooves, he would make a quick trip tomorrow to Chicago, he would check with Jackie and Donna and make sure everything was ready for them to leave. He stopped by Fez and Kelso's apartment. Both boys were sitting watching Three's Company.
"Hey man, you look like you could use a beer, help yourself." Kelso said as Randy let himself in. Randy went and grabbed a beer and sat on the couch with Fez, Kelso had chair. "Tough day?"
"It was all a scam, that chick followed him didn't really marry him, just thought he had more money and was younger than her actual husband. You don't know how much I wanted to beat the crap out of him. I don't know what I am going to tell Jackie." Randy explained.
"Dude you could use a circle, but I promised Brooke I wouldn't do that anymore. I almost lost rights to see Betsey when she found out we got so bad a few months ago I tried to call the White House about a death ray or something. Man the girls were upset with us that day, and then let it slip to Brooke what happened. Jackie is probably deciding how much she can trust Hyde with a baby. I mean he was so drunk in Vegas that he believed he had gotten married." Kelso paused a little, "Honestly you would think that as long as Jackie and I have dated, even been friends I would know what to tell you. But this is something maybe more for the Foreman's to help with. I'd try to kick his ass, but that hasn't worked out really in the past."
"No it hasn't and I know better than to try myself." Fez said.
"Look thanks for the beer, I am going to head to bed, I am going to try and get an early start tomorrow so I can be back in time for work. If she asks I may tell her. But I really don't want to, not right now. Kelso something that might have to be brought up when you give Hyde that letter, she's been in the hospital. Stress and morning sickness, if she doesn't want to see him then that is her call. She is doing it to protect not just herself but the baby, not just emotionally."
With that Randy let himself out the door. Kelso and Fez sat there thinking of what Randy had said.
Kelso got up and started pacing, "Geeze, I didn't know. I don't know if Brooke even knew, but she might have kept it from me so everyone else wouldn't find out." He sat heavily on the couch, "Stress is not good for pregnant women, I remember those classes and books I went to with Brooke, some of it was scary. A woman could miscarry or give birth prematurely, neither is good outcomes for the baby. We have to make sure Hyde doesn't find Jackie until she is ready." Kelso got more serious than Fez had ever seen him, "Fez we have to do everything we can to protect Jackie and the baby from Hyde. He might not be physically abusive to her, but emotionally can be just as bad."
"Ayi, you know I am no good at secrets, but for my goddess I will."
After watching TV for a while, they heard a knock on the door.
Fez got up to answer and was surprised to find Hyde there.
"Hey hadn't seen you guys much since I got back. Thought we could hang out and have a circle or something."
Fez and Kelso both exchanged glances, neither had done a circle since Brooke came down and lectured Michael about growing up and being a father and not some burnout. The point was driven home when he found Leo with Betsey.
"Um Hyde I have stopped doing that, heck I just have a beer or two. Not only am I a cop but a father and I have responsibilities. Brooke is letting me spend more time with Betsey and I don't want to do anything to jeopardize that."
Hyde looked at Kelso like he had grown two heads. "Man seriously? It isn't like Brooke or Betsey is here?"
Kelso stood up and faced Hyde, "Really? Aren't you the one that told me I should do what was right for Brooke and the baby? Aren't you the one that held me accountable to step up? So there wasn't another baby out there being raised by a single mother, that a child needed their father in their life so they wouldn't turn out like you!" Kelso was getting angry at his friend, seeing the hypocrisy in all he said. He had wanted Kelso to step up, but in the end Hyde wouldn't follow his own advice. "Look maybe because I am older than the rest of you, maybe because I became a father, or maybe the realization of what my job is, but I have to grow up. I want to be a man that my daughter is proud of not embarrassed by."
"Whatever, guess I don't have to share and will just go somewhere else." Hyde turned to leave. But at that moment Kelso felt rage he had never felt before.
"You going to go back to Vegas find someone else? You had the best there is and because you were stupid you have lost her. You lost everything you could have had with her. But I guess if anything you will have your Zen to keep you company the rest of your life. And now you will have to only wonder what Jackie is doing because even if she keeps in contact with the rest of us, there is no way in Hell we are going to let you know anything about her! I just hope she eventually finds someone that will love her the way she wanted you to love her, that will protect her the way she wanted you to protect her. But I guess it was all a joke for you, were you just using Jackie to burn me? Because the other night you proved to all of us she didn't mean anything to you. Damn you couldn't read all of her letter. She had to face losing her grandmother alone, she went to that motel hoping you would show up and be there for her. Randy had stuck around with Jackie so she wouldn't be alone but just like when you saw Jackie comforting me all those years ago and stormed off and screwed the nurse you had to storm off. At least I never deliberately cheated on Jackie to hurt her. I was just stupid and horny. Heck I knew Jackie's parents cheated on each other, heck my dad has his secretary. I just thought Jackie would understand. But you knew how it hurt her, hell she ran to you each time. But you had to screw with her didn't you? I don't know why you stuck around her as long as you did. But I'll be damned if I am going to be a burnout dad like Bud Hyde"
At that Hyde pulled back his fist and threw a punch at Kelso, but Kelso's police academy training kicked in, he was able to duck the punch and land one on Hyde. The glasses broke causing a cut under his eye. Fez jumped up, and got between the two.
"Enough, Hyde I think you need to go home, let Miss Kitty look at your eye. If you want to spend the rest of our life as a burnout that is fine, but we are not going to."
Hyde made his way back to his car, he got in and noticed the cut. The one thing he knew he was not going to go to Kitty. He saw Donna's car in the driveway and thought he would see if he would help him out without doing something to his other eye. He knocked on the door and was surprised to see Bob.
"Hey Hyde what are you doing here?" Bob asked, he was upset at how this boy had treated his dearest friends and the girl that was like another daughter to him.
"Um is Donna around?" He could tell Bob was ready to blacken his other eye.
"No she's not. She left to check out some colleges, she is thinking in enrolling in this summer. Figured she could start university while she waited for Eric to get back, no sense staying here."
Hyde felt his heart sink, everyone was leaving him. "What school is she looking at?"
Bob had already gone through this with Donna, a list of schools she had applied to, in different cities, all but the one she was planning on. "Well there is Northwestern, UW, University of Michigan and I believe Notre Dame, and a few others."
Hyde turned and looked at Donna's car in the driveway, something wasn't right. "How is she getting around?" Motioning her car.
"Oh she has a friend she is with"
Hyde figured Bob wouldn't admit it but that Jackie and Donna were together in the Lincoln. "OK, if you talk to her tell her I miss her"
Bob was getting upset, he knew the boy wasn't dumb and figured out that the girls were together. But that he said nothing about Jackie the girl he had gotten pregnant, this was enough "Yea I am sure you miss Donna" and Bob Pinciotti slammed the door in Hyde's face.
Defeated he made his way to the Foreman's kitchen where he let himself in. Kitty was cleaning up from dinner. "Steven I have some leftovers I put away if you are hungry." Then she looked up and noticed his face, "Steven what happened?"
"I guess Kelso finally was able to get me back for all those times I got him, must have learned something in the police academy he ducked my punch and landed his on my face, broke my glasses."
"Well serves you right wearing those damn things inside and at night." Red had sat unnoticed at the table reading his paper.
"Sit down and let me get the first aid kit and see what we can do." Kitty said motioning him to sit while she went to get the kit. Kitty started to clean up the cut. "I am going to put some cream on it then it is going to need a butterfly bandage, but you shouldn't need stitches."
"Man I would have loved to see Kelso land that punch on you" Red said almost smiling at the thought. "What plans do you have tomorrow Steven, I could use some help on a project in the garage."
"I am opening the store till Randy gets in, then I have the rest of the day free."
"Ok when you are done, meet me in the garage."
Hyde went down to the basement, ready to smoke up and get some sleep. He looked at himself in the mirror in his room, he needed his glasses. He remembered he had bought a two a few months ago after spending a day with Jackie while she watched Betsey. The little girl grabbed his glasses and messed them up.
He thought back to that day, it wasn't long after Kelso had decided that him and Jackie would be Betsey's godparents. Kelso had Betsey for the weekend and got called into work, Jackie volunteered to watch her Goddaughter and somehow Hyde was in the basement with Jackie and the mini Kelso. Jackie surprised him how good she was at taking care of Betsey, feeding her baby food, changing diapers. It was after Kelso picked Betsey up that everything went to hell. He had told Jackie that they agreed not to talk about their future and if she said anything about what the names of 'their' kids would be he was done. Jackie didn't say anything but got up and left the basement. After that day things were tense between them. Not long after that was when she lied to him about that job offer and gave him that ultimatum. He wondered what would have happened if he had read the rest of that letter. He didn't know why but he went to find the letter. He sat on his cot, he pulled the crumpled piece of paper.
Steven,
I am sorry I have to leave for Chicago this morning.
That is where he had stopped and crumbled the letter, now he couldn't believe he never went back to read the rest. Even after he decided to go to Chicago he never pulled the letter out.
I am sorry I lied to you, though I can't believe anyone would actually believe I would get a job offer based off the cable access show. My life is getting turned upside down, I just wanted to know if you saw a future with me, we would get married someday. I never expected a proposal from you. I know you spent your night drinking, I am scared that is all you want to do in your future is drink and just use me for my body. Lately I have questioned if you love me, if you have ever loved me.
Yes I am going to Chicago, my grandmother is dying. If you sober up enough and want to come be with me I figure I would stay in a motel or something, I figure you might not be comfortable staying with my aunt and uncle's house with all the people that will most likely be there. I'll call the Foreman's with where I am staying and let them pass that on to you.
I know that lie and the ultimatum was stupid, but honestly I am scared. Scared I have been in a relationship that I want more of than you do. We are back to where we were right after Christmas, we haven't talked, you refuse to talk and well things are not going well for me. I am soon to be homeless and I need help. I need to know if you are going to be there for me or if I am totally on my own. There is so much we need to talk about, but if you can't talk about it, maybe this is it for us. I can't do this anymore, my love isn't enough if I don't have yours. I am constantly pouring everything into this and I am getting nothing in return.
Jackie
Hyde sat there, he wondered what was going on with Jackie. He felt the need to go check on her and make sure she was OK. He slid out of the basement and to his car. Completely forgetting his conversation with Bob he drove over to the Burkhart mansion. He saw no lights on, and made his way to the front door, unsure if Pam or Jackie would even let him in, but he stopped when he saw a notice of foreclosure. He read the notice using his lighter. They had two weeks to move their belongings before eviction took effect. His mind went back to the letter, she had told him she was soon to be homeless. He hadn't noticed it before. Pam wasn't here, then he wondered how long Pam had been gone. He made his way around back to the tree he had used that first year they were together, he climbed up to her room.
Letting himself in, he walked over and flipped the light, nothing happened. How long had the electric been out? He knew where she kept candles and went and lit two on her dresser, with the mirror there it helped spread the light. There was a lot of things in boxes her bed was made, he noticed his t-shirt he gave her laying on the bed. A picture of the two of them their first Thanksgiving was on her night table. He found the box of all the stuff she had put up in his room when she had done the redecoration, he was walking out with that box. Then he saw another box, it was her Steven Box. He sat down on the bed and went through it, pictures foil wrappers. Her grasshopper necklace he had given her that he thought she had taken off since he gave it to her. Then he found something that shifted his world, he had never seen one up close before but he knew it was a pregnancy test, he would only guess there would be only one reason to keep a test, it was positive. He turned it over, Jackie had taken and put a date on it 3/30/79, the day before they watched Betsey, days before she gave him the ultimatum. Things were beginning to click, especially everything Kelso said to him tonight. Kelso knew about Jackie, he had a feeling every one of them knew. He grabbed both boxes and blew out the candles he let himself out the back door making sure to lock it behind him. He had an ex-girlfriend to find. And some people to confront.