A/N: happy friday! heres Hyde's first Betsy shift...
and once again, thanks for all the comments and follows and such 3
The next morning, Jackie shows up at Eric Forman's basement with Betsy. She carefully carries her down the steps along with a diaper bag of Betsy's stuff strapped over her shoulder. Upon opening the door, she's greeted with the sight of Hyde sitting in his usual spot, watching TV with an orange popsicle in hand. The spot where, once upon a time, she used to sit on his lap.
"Oh hey," he lazily greets, barely looking up from the TV, and Jackie wonders who's the real child here. She sets Betsy down and the girl walks over to Hyde.
"Unca 'Teve!" Betsy exclaims, smiling.
"Hey kid," he smiles back, lifting her up and placing her on his knee. The little girl reaches for his popsicle and he lets her have it. When he notices her struggling with her one good hand, he helps her hold it.
With the two year old occupied, Hyde turns to Jackie. "Soo," he says, a slight tone of teasing in his voice, "how'd it go?"
"Well Steven, it actually went very well," she says proudly. He probably didn't think she could do it, that she would've come crawling to the Forman's for help. Well, he was wrong. "As you should have expected," she adds, smirking. She's relentless, he should know that by now.
He shrugs. "What can I say, I'm surprised you got her here in one piece. Wait, was her arm broken before?" he jokes, and Jackie rolls her eyes. He's teasing, but at least she can tell it's just that- teasing. Ever since the funeral he's been a bit nicer to her and she figures that whatever moment they'd shared in Kelso's room that day made him feel a little guilty. A little. Either way, the joking is nice. It almost feels like they're actually good friends again.
"We'll just see how you do over these next few days," she challenges.
"We will indeed," he shoots back, challenge accepted.
Jackie glances down to where he's holding Betsy. "You're off to a great start, so far you have your hand covered in popsicle juice," she points out, laughing.
Hyde cringes, suddenly hyper-aware of the sticky orange juice now running over his hand. There's also juice all over Betsy's face and hand. He has no idea how she managed to do so much damage in such a short amount of time.
"Okay, that's enough for you," he says, taking what's left of the popsicle from her, "It looks like you got more on you and me than you did in your mouth."
Betsy just smiles innocently and flexes her hand, opening and closing it as she explores the feeling of the stickiness.
"Great, now we have to clean her up," Jackie complains, picking up Betsy and taking her upstairs while holding her as far away from her own body as possible.
Hyde throws the popsicle away and follows the two girls into the kitchen upstairs where Jackie sets Betsy down on the counter beside the sink. He rinses his own hand while Jackie starts wiping Betsy's face and hand off with a wet rag. It's weird for him to see her act so gentle and mothering. Even if he can hear her saying "ew ew ew" to herself as she does so. He's horrified to find himself thinking the sight is endearing. He turns away, distracting himself by getting a bottle of soda from the fridge.
"So Betsy," he says once Jackie is finished cleaning her off, "I guess I should show you your new room, huh?"
"Another new room?" Betsy asks, thinking of the new room she was given at Jackie's apartment less than a week ago.
"Yeah, you need some place to sleep when you're here with me," he explains. "Come on, it's upstairs."
He lifts Betsy off the counter and sets her on the ground, leading her and Jackie upstairs to Laurie's old room. At first Red had protested to Hyde turning Laurie's room into a nursery, saying that his own little girl needs a place to stay if she ever needs to move back in, but Kitty reminded him that she's been living on her own for a few years now and is doing just fine. Eric also protested at first, complaining that a "baby" would be sleeping next door to him and would keep him up at night with her crying. Hyde was able to convince him of the idea by agreeing to also sleep in Laurie's room when Betsy stays over, so she doesn't bother anyone else if she cries or needs something.
When he opens the door, Betsy lets out a squeal of delight. "My crib! And blankie!" she exclaims, running over to it and grasping the bars.
"Yeah and that's not all," he says, opening up one of the dresser drawers, "Your old clothes are here too."
The little girl goes over to the dresser to peer into the drawer and see for herself. Her smile grows wider.
"And," he adds, "I brought your toys."
Betsy spins around to face him. "Mary Jane?" she asks hopefully.
"Yep, including Mary Jane," he says, reaching into a box and pulling out the stuffed bunny that Kelso had bought- and named- for her.
"Mary Jane!" Betsy cries grabbing the stuffed animal and hugging it to her chest, "Thank you, Unca 'Teve."
"Anything for you, Doll," Hyde replies, smiling.
Meanwhile, Jackie has been watching this whole interaction in disbelief. "Wait, so you-" she starts to ask before Hyde cuts her off.
"I went back to Kelso and Brooke's place, I still have the key he gave me, and I got some of Betsy's stuff. I figured she would want to have the things she's familiar with while she gets used to being in a new place. Don't you agree?" he asks, clearly feeling like the superior godparent.
"Yeah, I guess," Jackie responds casually, but she's mentally kicking herself for not thinking of that. Now Betsy is going to enjoy being at the Forman's more than being at her apartment, and her plans of outshining Hyde are looking dim.
Well, no matter. Stuff doesn't buy love, Hyde had been the one to teach her that. So stuff certainly doesn't make one a good 'parent' either; it's about what you do that counts. Besides, it's not a competition. She has to keep reminding herself that. Competitiveness is just in her nature, especially when it comes to Steven.
"I brought some things in case you needed them," Jackie says, gesturing to the pink bag still slung over her shoulder, "but it looks like you've got it covered."
"As you should have expected," Hyde smugly responds, throwing her own words from earlier back at her.
How did I ever put up with this man as my boyfriend? Jackie thinks to herself, feeling annoyed. "Well, I should get going. I have a photoshoot later that I need to get ready for," she says, ignoring Hyde when he rolls his eyes.
She crouches down to Betsy's level, who's currently sitting on the floor with her toys. "Betsy, I'm leaving now. But I'll see you in a few days, okay?"
"Okay," she says.
"Be good for Steven- or not," Jackie says cheerily, giving Hyde an evil smile. She then gives Betsy a quick kiss on the head. She stands back up and turns to Hyde, "Try not to let her get into your stash."
"Will do," he snorts, imagining the sight of a high toddler.
As she heads out the door, Jackie waves to Betsy, "Bye!"
"Byeee!" the little girl clumsily waves the best a two year old can.
Once Jackie is gone, Hyde looks down at Betsy. "Looks like it's just you and me, kid," he says, but she just continues to happily play with her toys on the rug.
"This is gonna be easy," he says to himself as he takes out his Rolling Stones magazine and flops onto the bed.
Later that day, Hyde and Betsy are back in the basement watching TV. Eric is also there now, warily eyeing Betsy as she sits on Hyde's lap.
"I don't think she likes me," Eric complains.
"You always say that," Hyde rolls his eyes.
"Yeah, because it's always true! She's always...looking at me weird," he says defensively. He shoots Betsy a sour look back.
Hyde sighs and repositions Betsy in his lap. "Okay, kid. Do you not like your Uncle Eric?" he asks.
Betsy waits a minute before shaking her head, and Hyde laughs.
"See? She admits it," Eric says before asking her, "Why don't you like me?"
"You look funny," she explains.
Hyde howls with laughter as Eric turns red. "BURN!" Hyde yells, knowing how proud Kelso would be right now.
"Whatever. Why would I care what a two year old thinks of me?" Eric tries to playoff the insult.
"Because you're you, and you totally do care," Hyde continues to laugh.
Man, maybe he's really going to enjoy this after all. He can teach Betsy to be just as cool as him and to make the best burns on Forman. Hell, she's off to such a great start he might not even have to do much teaching at all. As long as Jackie doesn't influence Betsy with her own mindset, he's good to go.
Oh, who is he kidding? Of course Jackie is going to influence Betsy, she'll probably groom her into being a mini Jackie. Hyde shudders at the thought. He'll just have to make sure his impact on Betsy during her time with him overrides any hold Jackie might have over her. Somehow.
This train of thought is pissing him off. He needs a hit.
"Hey man," he says to Eric, "what time is your mom supposed to get home?"
"Uh, she should be home by now. Why?"
"Great, I just need her to look after Betsy for a bit," he explains, standing up with said child.
Eric drapes one arm on the back of the couch as he turns in his seat towards Hyde. "You wouldn't happen to be passing Betsy off to my mom so you can do a round in the circle, would you?" he asks, knowing Hyde too well.
"Maybe. With my best friend, of course," he adds sweetly.
"This better not become a habit!" Eric calls after him as he makes his way to the stairs.
"It won't," he assures.
It will. He's counting on it.
And it works just as easily as he thought it would.
"Oh there's the little munchkin!" Kitty gushes when Hyde walks into the kitchen with Betsy.
She immediately reaches for the toddler and takes her from Hyde. "Oh, you are just the cutest little thing!" She tickles Betsy's belly and the little girl giggles. Kitty never fails to make her laugh.
"How's your first day going, daddy ?" Kitty teases Hyde with her classic laugh.
Hyde cringes. One, he doesn't want to think of himself as a father. And two, that just sounds weird no matter how you interpret it.
"Please don't call me that, Mrs. Forman."
"Oh, alright, I know you're new to the whole thing. But how's it going so far?" she asks.
"Fine, fine. It's all good," he answers, "Listen, I was just wondering if you could watch her for a bit while Eric and I take care of something?"
"Well, of course! I'd love to," she smiles, "You know, I think this whole Betsy-living-with-us-arrangement is going to be so much fun. I do miss having a little one around."
Yeah, that's what I'm hoping for, Hyde thinks.
"I'm sure you do. Thanks a lot, Mrs. Forman," he says.
"No problem," she replies as Hyde takes off down the basement steps to get high with his best friend.
This parenting thing isn't going to be so bad after all.
A cloud of hazy smoke fills the basement a few minutes later as Hyde and Eric form a mini circle. Smoke also fills their minds as they begin to feel the comforting high hit their systems. It's a peaceful, private moment between the two friends. Usually there are more of their friends sitting in the circle with them, but living together has given them more opportunities to do this one on one than the others, oftentimes late at night when one or the other can't sleep. It's kind of like a special bonding time for them, and to be honest they both enjoy it when it's just the two of them.
"Ah, I needed this, man," Hyde says, grinning.
"Hyde, you always say that," Eric cheekily points out.
He shrugs. "Yeah, but I really mean it this time. I've been watching a two year old all day."
"So what, you had to sit a kid down in front of Sesame Street with a bottle of apple juice and now you need to smoke it off?" Eric asks.
"Pretty much, yeah."
"Oh okay, Daddy. I can't wait to see how you handle a serious situation when one arises."
"Forman, don't call me that. It's weird. And I'm not even a dad, I'm a godparent and a legal guardian- completely different things."
"Whatever you say, but I still think it's adorable," Eric teases, "And I'm so proud to see Little Orphan Hydie all grown up and raising a kid of his own. Well, not his own- but you know what I mean. To be honest, I never thought I'd see you with a kid at all." He starts laughing, the drugs causing him to lose both focus and seriousness.
"You know who I never thought I'd see with a kid?" Hyde interjects his rambling. "Jackie. Sure, she talked about it a lot, but I kind of thought it just wouldn't happen. I mean, who would be insane enough to want to have a kid with her?"
"Uh, you would," Eric scoffs and then giggles again.
"No, I really wouldn't," Hyde insists.
"Oh come on, I bet you're secretly thrilled to be playing house with her. All this domestic stuff is bound to bring you two closer together, right?"
"Well, I don't want it to, but I'm afraid that that's exactly what's going to happen," Hyde shares.
"Oh my God, you still love her, don't you?" Eric's smiling wide now and he pokes his friend's arm. He's had his suspicions for a long time, but the whole Jackie experience is a sore subject for Hyde and so he tries to avoid bringing it up.
"No, I don't," he says firmly while glaring at Eric, but his face turning red isn't from anger. This conversation is one that he's had with himself in the back of his mind more times than he can count, and he just wants it to end. He doesn't want to think too hard about it because he's afraid of the truth.
"You do! Man, I knew it."
Hyde rubs his temples. "Forman, I swear to God, if you don't stop talking about this right now I will hurt you and then you'll be the one keeping Betsy up with your crying."
"Fine," Eric agrees, shooting him a knowing glance before letting his stoned mind wander to something else. "Okay so back to Sesame Street , what's up with Bert and Ernie? They're like, not straight, right?"
"Unca 'Teve?" Betsy's voice drifts from the crib, through the darkness and over to where Hyde's laying in Laurie's old bed.
"Betsy, shut up and go to sleep," he responds. He's already gotten her a sippy cup of water and answered a million questions, and now he's tired and just wants to sleep.
There's silence and he thinks she's finally given in, but just when he's about to drift off to sleep-
"Unca 'Teve?"
He groans and opens his eyes. "What do you want?"
"Can you tell me a story?" she asks sweetly.
"No."
"Pwease?"
" No. "
"But Daddy always tells me a story…"
Shit. She just had to say that, didn't she? Whenever Betsy mentions Kelso or Brooke it hurts. It hurts him to be reminded of his dead childhood friend and it hurts him to be reminded of what Betsy's been robbed of. And it's not just any kind of hurting, it's a special kind of hurt. It's like a wound that keeps reopening and just won't heal. Hyde doesn't know if he'll ever get over it.
He sighs. "If I tell you a story do you promise to shut up and go to sleep afterwards?" he asks. He knows he'll end up doing it either way, but if he can get anything good out of this situation he will.
"Yes," Betsy answers, and Hyde's not sure he believes her but it doesn't really matter.
"Okay," he agrees reluctantly. He never thought he'd be doing this, and if any member of the gang finds out about this he's a dead man. He sighs deeply again and starts the story the only way he knows how. "Once upon a time there was a uh-"
"A princess!" Betsy says for him.
"Okay, sure. There was a princess. And-"
"Was she pretty?"
"Very, and she knew it, too. The whole kingdom did. She had beautiful dark hair and dark eyes," he describes. He folds his hands behind his head, staring up at the ceiling as he thinks of what else to add. "She was smart and fearless, and she had the brightest smile you could imagine."
"But she was also loud and bossy," he continues, starting to realize the image sounds all too familiar but unable to stop himself from letting it happen. "Then one day she fell in love with a peasant boy, and he loved her too. They went to dances- uh, I mean balls- and made each other happy. The peasant boy taught the princess to not care about money so much, and the princess taught the peasant boy to not push people away."
"Then what happen?" The question comes from Betsy, her voice weak with sleep making it obvious that she's starting to drift off.
Hyde lowers his voice so as not to rouse the sleepy girl. "Well, they both messed up. The princess did something to hurt the peasant boy and so he did something stupid. Very stupid..." Hyde clears his throat. "Then they both went their separate ways and the princess is doing just fine without him. In fact, she never really needed him. Maybe she never even loved him at all." He frowns.
"And as for the peasant boy, well," Hyde concludes, his voice dropping to a mere whisper as he thinks back to his conversation with Eric, "he never stopped loving the princess."