AN: Happy Monday, things are still going well and I am still ahead in chapters. It is helping sticking to my Monday posting schedule. But I know author's notes is not what people really want to read, so on with the story.

Jackie stared at the letter, it wasn't much, but for Steven it was a lot. Part of her wanted to believe he meant what he said, but another part knew she couldn't trust him. Her trust had run out. She remembered reading Gone with the Wind in high school, in the end despite over twelve years Rhett's love for Scarlett had run out. She often wondered how that could happen. Right now she understood Rhett a little. But Rhett had always held his love back, never really letting Scarlett know how he really felt about her. She tried to never let Steven wonder that she loved him, though like Rhett Steven did hold himself back, she was never sure how he truly felt about her. For some reason he acted as if she was still in love with Michael despite her always telling him otherwise. It wasn't like she was like Scarlett, with Steven while in love with Michael. She had liked the movie, but the more she read it in high school and thought about it now, it wasn't a love story. Shouldn't a love story end with them living happily ever after? Why did the story end there, shouldn't there be a story of them working back to each other? She needed some other romance or something to read, she decided she would ask either Brooke or Donna, there had to be a great romance story out there for her to figure it out. It seemed like her and Steven's relationship ended just as abruptly as Scarlett and Rhett's, Steven might as well said he didn't give a damn that night in the kitchen with all the words he said to her.

Her hand went to her stomach, despite everything, she knew their story wasn't over. She laid down putting the letter back on her night stand, turned out the light and thought of the babies. She was scared of being a mother, but figured if Michael Kelso could actually become a decent father there was hope for her. She thought of her conversation with WB, these babies won't be Burkhart's or Hyde's they will be Barnett's and will carry on a legacy set by their great-grandfather. Before the move to Wisconsin, Pamela Burkhart used to brag of having married to a man whose family was old money and could be traced back to the Mayflower. The history lesson from her family was not of the risks her ancestors took in the voyage to the new world, no Pam's family history lesson was all about how they became rich and that they had stayed rich for generations. How her family was also rich and sent her out east to school where she met Jack Burkhart and made sure he married her. It wasn't till her high school history class she learned the reasons and the dangers of the Mayflower voyage. But by then her mother was busy with her vacations and her father busy working all the time. Then when her father got arrested she learned that old money can one day run out. That it can take just one generation of overspending, under working, bad investments and illegal embezzlement to wipe out generations of work. No the line that was traced back to the Mayflower was tainted, but the line of which the children would know their paternal grandfather was built out of hard work and against discrimination. Most of her Burkhart ancestors would roll in their graves to know that she was carrying babies of a bi-racial father. But she didn't care, she didn't care when she first met WB with Steven, she only hated how he had thought Steven was only after the money, which had been her thing. But not really, she just wanted Steven to have a decent biological parent. She figured that her parents would more willingly approve of her relationship with Steven when they learned he had a rich father. It didn't hurt that Jackie did find WB attractive, he wasn't like George Jefferson, or the other black TV dads she had seen, and in a predominantly white small Wisconsin town that was all she really had to go on, she at least didn't state it out loud like Eric and even Mrs. Foreman did. After dinners Steven had with WB, they would lay on his cot and he would share stories WB had told him of his family, the struggles of starting Grooves. How despite he wished he had known about Steven sooner, it would have been difficult for him growing up with everyone knowing he was biracial, that maybe despite the life he did have with Edna it was best that he didn't grow up in that racially charged environment. She knew that money doesn't always mean a happy life, it would have been easier for Steven to have money, but it could have meant other problems. He wouldn't be her Steven if he had grown up any different, she had tried to get him to understand. She never knew if he understood what she meant. She decided she would write a letter back to Steven. Before she went to sleep.

Steven,

I am happy that you are going to work on yourself and be better, I don't know if that will change anything between us. I can't take the hurt and disappointment anymore. I am sorry if you feel like you are paying for Michael's, my parent's as well as your mistakes, but a girl can only take so much. It seems like with you every time my hopes are up, immediately you do something to crush them. You have no idea how much it meant to me that you showed up, but then left just as quickly when nothing happened. Or when you finally came home to the Foreman's only for your wife to show up. Randy has told me that it wasn't real, but it isn't so much the reality of your marriage rather your actions. Part of me would love to take off and kept the babies from everyone. To stay away from you and protect our children from whatever downward spiral you are on. But I couldn't do that to the Foreman's that have been like second parents to both of us, or even WB who didn't know for 19 years about his son. I guess that was the major part that kept me from hiding away from everyone, was knowing what you and WB had been through. When I first found out I was pregnant I was scared of telling you, but I knew that with Red and WB as fathers to you, there should be no worries. Of course it didn't help after watching Betsey…

This isn't something I planned, I hope you know that. But I am going to love these babies like no other baby has been loved. There was a short time I thought I wouldn't want to be a mother right now, but honestly I think this might be my only chance. There is nothing left of my heart to give to another guy. There is no prince charming or happily ever afters like the story books I read as a little girl. More like the ending of Gone with the Wind, the woman pours out her heart to the man she loves and he responds with 'I don't give a damn' leaving Scarlett crushed on the steps. Look I have so many things to figure out, and I am thankful for Donna for being there for me. I am sure you have figured that much out. We are settled, going to be starting work and Donna will be starting school soon. I guess one thing I want you to know is I have talked to WB and well I don't want my children to carry the name Burkhart or Hyde, none of those have warm feelings. These are WB grandchildren and if there is at least one boy I want them to carry the name Barnett. I have not thought of names as of yet, I guess I will let you have some say, but I draw the line that my children will not carry the name Hyde that is reminders of dead beat parents that walk out of their child's life so easily, and Burkhart is not much better. But you can add racial bigots to the Burkhart name as well. At least the Pearson side, minus my mother is not like that. I don't know what would have happened to me if they had been.

I don't know what good it will do other than we can discuss baby names and such. I can let you know I am going to my new doctor next week. As of now we are all healthy the doctor was just a little concerned that I am not gaining weight, but until lately I haven't been able to keep much down when I have tried to eat. Mrs. Foreman has taken care of that with a ton of dishes and goodies she sent with Bob and the boys. I'll let you know any changes about the babies. Right now they know they are not going to be identical so I could have a boy and girl or two of each. I may find out in a few weeks, the doctor I last saw said they have a thing called an ultrasound that will be able to look at the babies, and could possibly tell in pictures. I will let you know when I know more.

Jackie

Jackie would give her letter to Randy in the morning, but first she needed sleep. It seemed that the boys were all tired and wasn't hearing a lot of noise, for that she was grateful.

Jackie awoke the next morning having had a pretty good night's sleep. She got up and put on a robe and went to make breakfast. She decided on bacon and pancakes. She had everything started, she had put the coffee on and the bacon and started on the pancake batter when Randy came in, he had already gotten dressed and had his bag that he sat by the door. Jackie was glad they would have this time before everyone else came in.

"Randy I have a letter for Steven if you can give it to him. I guess we can correspond through letters, I mean if he wants to know what is going on with the babies and such. WB is going to talk to your dad about how I can give the twins the last name Barnett, since I don't want Burkhart or Hyde. I passed that information on to him, not sure how he will take it. I mean technically he isn't a Hyde, and Hyde and Burkhart is not names to be proud of."

Randy took the letter from Jackie and put it in his pocket, "I'll give it to him tonight. Is that what you and WB talked about last night?"

Jackie continued to fix pancakes, while Randy fixed a cup of coffee, "Yea we talked about that, and about Grooves. How he wants it to be a legacy passed to his grandkids. He wants me and Donna work at Grooves on a new idea he has, it actually sounds pretty cool but I am not going to say anything else until we have talked more, especially see what Donna thinks."

"Ok, I won't say anything. Do you think you can handle letters from him?" Randy was worried about how Hyde was acting as if he wanted Jackie back and he didn't want his cousin hurt again.

"I think I am going to have to be, unless I cut him out of our kids' lives, and you know I can't do that. No matter what he has done to me I can't keep his kids from him, not after what he went through with WB."

"Just make sure you take it easy, and do what the doctors tell you to do. We don't want you in the hospital until it is time for those babies to be born."

"I know, for the most part I don't even know that it will be too taxing on me. And WB knows what I have been going through, some of it might not even happen till after the babies are born. Thank you for everything, I know living in Point Place after living in Chicago isn't exactly what you had planned in your life."

"Honestly I don't know what I want to do in life, so WB giving me this opportunity has been nice. I wouldn't mind if he moved me to another store to run. Of course I wouldn't mind moving to work in the offices in Milwaukee either."

Jackie looked at her cousin, "So you want to be closer to Milwaukee for me or to be close to Angie?"

Randy couldn't hide his smile, "I've known Angie it seems most of our lives, I guess over the last year changes in our relationship have started. When you told me she was dating Kelso, you have no idea how much I wanted to charge into Point Place and get her away from him. I was upset of the thought of him treating her like he did you and jealous at the same time. I am just relived it didn't work out, though I'll admit that I was the one that put the bug in WB's ear to maybe move her back to the headquarters, I love her but she had no taste in music."

Jackie looked at him, "I had wondered if you had anything to do with her moving back to Milwaukee. I never had told Steven really about you, I guess he didn't talk about his family at least not until WB and Angie and I really didn't talk about mine. He knew I had granny and family in Chicago, but never really talked about how close we were. And WB didn't say anything about his relationship with your dad so I never did either. It was funny, when Steven met WB for the first time in the Foreman's living room, I was just shocked that who he was. Then I got so mad at him for how he treated Steven."

Randy was shocked, "So you never told him that you had known his dad before he did?"

"Nope and it became a little inside joke between us after he really started building a relationship with his son. When he gave Angie and Steven keys to Grooves, I informed him he would need to make extras of everything. Later Steven had taken back his key from me, but WB had already given me a key."

"WB is going to be a great granddad."

"I think he and Mr. Foreman are going to fight for that title." Jackie said thinking of the two cradles in her room.

"Too bad granny didn't live long enough to see her great grandbabies" Randy said sadly.

"Yea, I know. I had told her about the baby before…she told me I would be a wonderful mother just don't do anything my own mother did"

"That sounds like something granny would say."

Jackie and Randy had moved to the table others seemed to still be sleeping when Bob came in to join them, Jackie was glad that unlike when he was at his house even with her living there he was dressed and not just wearing a robe and boxers.

"Jackie everything smells good, too bad you couldn't cook this good a few years ago."

"Sorry Mr. Pinciotti, just started with my aunt and granny's recipes."

Bob smiled at her, "You are going to make a wonder mother and wife"

Tears formed in her eyes, "a mother yes I hope to be a wonderful mother, but I doubt I will ever be a wife. My main focus is going to be on my babies. They maybe all I ever have"

Bob was not one to hold back tears when upset, was hurting for this girl. He had practically seen her grow up to the woman she was now. It hurt that the girl that had dreams of love and marriage and happily ever after was gone. He took her hand, "Don't say that"

Jackie pulled away, "I used to think that, wanted …" she could say his name, it hurt too much, "wanted others to believe it, but I know that doesn't happen for everyone. Mr. and Mrs. Foreman are the exception. They have what I had wanted, I think what most of us that spent so much time in that basement has wanted."

"I understand, heck it is what I wanted to, I just chose a woman that wanted more than that. I just hope Donna doesn't settle with Eric and want more down the road, I don't want to see either of them do that."

"They seem to be communicating better with the letters and what they want for the future, I think Eric being away from everyone will help him to grow up. And who knows maybe by the time he is done they might have their future figured out."

"Jackie I still have hope you and Steven will make your way to each other."

Jackie looked at him, "No I don't think so, I didn't want to back him into a future he clearly didn't want. Now it would only be for the babies and he would come to resent me later. I would rather he leave now than wait for him to leave later like Midge did with you. Or worse yet be like my parents. Happily ever after doesn't always work out."

"Jackie you and Donna were made for happy ever afters, but remember there are often battles to be fought before that happens."

Donna walked in to hear her dad say the last thing, and she just stood there and thought about it, fairy tales weren't her favorite growing up, but her mom always read them. As she grew up fairy tales seemed so cheesy, not real life. But as she stood there and thought of her dad's words, there was a battle before they got to their happy ever after, it was true. For the first time in Donna's life she had a new outlook on fairy tales. All the fairy tales had something they had to overcome first. Love wasn't simple, and love could be a fairytale, but they had to overcome whatever obstacles were in their way before they got to the happy ever after. She had hope for her and Eric, this year apart would help them both grow as individuals and even though apart she felt they were already growing closer. And for the first time she thought that maybe there was hope for Jackie and Hyde. Though Hyde had to fight a lot of dragons that stood in his way to win Jackie's heart again. But she had faith in Hyde that he really did love Jackie. Donna snuck back to her room, she wanted to give Hyde some advice. She wouldn't betray Jackie and tell him where they were, but she wanted to see if he really did love Jackie and if he was ready to finally put the Zen away, stop caring about his rep and do what he should have done months ago.

Donna was busy writing in her room as the guys started to stir.

"Hmm, I smell pancakes!" Fez popped up from his spot on the floor. "Who is cooking pancakes?"

Randy got up and started to throw on clothes, "Probably Jackie, mom taught her a few things, I know she was going to make sure she fixed something that wouldn't cause us to take Kelso to the ER because he apparently can't remember what he's allergic to. At least that is what Jackie said."

Kelso was still laying there, "Yea I can't help it if I can't remember I can't eat eggs, I need a girl like Jackie or Brooke to keep me from eating stuff I am not supposed to."

Randy just shook his head, how was it that he even got girls like Jackie, Brooke or Angie to like him in the first place? At least Jackie and Angie were done with him. "Get up and let's get going, I want to eat and get on the road."

"Yea, I didn't get to talk to Brooke last night, Betsey's first birthday is coming up and we are trying to figure out a party for her."

"Yea a party!" Fez was excited as he got his stuff together.

"Um Fez we have to figure out where we are going to have it and who to invite, I mean Betsey's godparents should be there, but well we are both at a loss of what to do."

"Aye, I didn't think about that, see that is why you should have had me be Betsey's godfather!"

"Fez, I thought I was doing good picking Jackie and Hyde."

Randy putting his stuff away, looked at Kelso and asked, "Why did you ask them? I mean it seems odd to ask an ex-girlfriend to be godmother to your child?"

Kelso sat on the floor and the other guys sat down with him, "Look I understand what the responsibilities of being a godparent are, if something ever happened to Brooke and me…honestly Jackie and Hyde I just knew they would make sure Betsey never felt what they did growing up. Jackie has so much love to give, even when a person doesn't deserve it, she has such a rainbow filled look at life, or at least she did. Hyde kept her grounded, when I realized it was really over between Jackie and I and Hyde was much better for her than I ever was back after we graduated, I finally saw how much they really had in common, things about Jackie's life that I never let myself see, or she hid from me. She didn't keep things like that from Hyde, or at least he was able to see through her mask. Isn't that what a person needs? To have that person that sees the real them and not some fake mask they put on in front of the other? Jackie never let that mask down around too many people, actually she is just letting the rest of us see it."

"My goddess has been trying for so long to have us all believe she had the perfect life"

"I told her a while back when Pam showed back up and she moved back in, that she was going to have to be real or the lies she tried to believe would crush her. I hate that I was right."

"My goddess will rise again, like a Phoenix, and she will be stronger from it. She is stronger and smarter than even she knows she is."

Randy stood up, "That I believe she is, now let's get food and get back. Kelso maybe you should mention Betsey's birthday party to Jackie and see what she has to say about it. Maybe she will let you know what she wants to do."

The guys made their way into the kitchen just as Jackie was putting the pancakes on the table. As the guys took seats, Kelso looked at Jackie, "Hey Brooke and I are wanting to give Betsey her first birthday party, we had thought about doing it in Point Place since most of our friends and family live there. Do you think you and Donna could come?"

Jackie had started to sit down, "I want to be there, but we will have to work something out, I don't think I'll be ready to see Steven yet."

Donna who had been walking back to the kitchen and heard the conversation, "What if we go, but we hang out at Randy's apartment until Hyde has made his appearance and left?"

Randy jumped in, "Doesn't the complex have that party room you could use for the party? Fenton shows it to me when he was showing me the place, it would be perfect for a kid's party. Once Hyde leaves, one of us can go up to my apartment and get Jackie and bring her down. She can stay with me while she's in Point Place and Donna can stay with her dad, we can make sure she doesn't have to see Hyde."

Kelso looked around and figured it was worth a shot, he hadn't figured out where to hold the party anyway since his parents' house was a still a disaster, he had been the only one to have moved out completely. "That sounds great, I wonder why Fenton didn't show us that room?"

Donna laughed, "Fenton doesn't like Fez so that is probably why."

Jackie joined in with laughing with Donna, "Yea but Fenton does like Michael, but Michael won't go anywhere alone with Fenton."

"Man this is the trouble with being as good looking as I am, everyone wants me, even dudes" Kelso gloated.

Jackie was first one to react to this comment, "Michael I believe I can say for everyone in this room, none of us want you." The others nodded in agreement.

Breakfast was ate, and Donna went and met the guys at the van, "Randy can I talk to you for a second?"

Randy went over to where Donna was away from the others, "sure"

"Look I know Jackie has a letter for Hyde, and well I wrote him something this morning. I hate how closed off Jackie is getting, I understand and yea I'll do everything I can to keep them apart for Betsey's party, that isn't where they need to confront each other, but the both should be there for their goddaughter."

"I understand, honestly I just hope they can work things out myself at least where they can be in the same room, or this will get interesting shuffling babies back and forth between them."

"Yea not something I am looking forward to, I don't know but I have a feeling Hyde does really love Jackie and has just been scared. Maybe them starting to write letters to each other will help, but I know it isn't going to be easy or quick for either of them."

"No as much as we want to get over all this drama, it isn't. Thanks for being such a good friend to Jackie, you don't know how much it means to me to have someone watching out for her."

"I haven't always been the best friend I should have, I mean letting Kelso come with me to California wasn't one of my brightest moves, though I guess in the end it worked out, or at least I hope it works out. I wish I would have been more supportive of Hyde and Jackie when I found out. But I am doing everything to make it up to her. She was there for me every time Eric did something stupid. She's always been there for me, and at times I was too stupid to realize it."

"Well if you need anything make sure to call, you know all of us care for you both. I can't wait to meet Eric when he gets back."

"Yea he'll love to have someone that likes Star Wars and all that other stuff that everyone makes fun of him about." Donna laughed, she found out mainly through Jackie that Randy and Eric had a lot of common likes in movies and music.

They all said their goodbyes and the guys loaded into Kelso's van for the trip back to Point Place.

Jackie and Donna met with WB a few days later and he laid out the plans he wanted for Grooves, he wanted for them to have their own music magazine. He wanted Jackie to come up with the layout and Donna to help with stories and ideas for the magazine. It would be something they would work on before they started publishing. Jackie was excited and Donna was stunned, of course her dream job was to write for Rolling Stone, but this would be pretty close. WB encouraged her to go on with her classes and would work around her school schedule. He had a friend that worked in the magazine business that would come and show Jackie the main layout ideas for magazines. The girls started spending the next week brainstorming story ideas for the magazine.

Randy when he got back to Point Place got his stuff put up and grabbed some food before he went into Grooves. He was glad Hyde was still around ready to give him the letters.

Hyde noticed Randy walk into the store, "Hey did you guys get them settled?" He hated he didn't get to be part of getting the girls settled in their new place, one of the girls being the love of his life who was carrying his children, the other being one of his oldest best friends.

"Yea, I think they are going to be OK. They have jobs lined up I believe, though they don't have all the details worked out."

Hyde was upset, Jackie shouldn't worry about working, she should be taking care of herself and the babies. "Why is Jackie working?"

"Look Jackie isn't one to sit around all day doing nothing, but this job I believe is flexible with her doctor's appointments and everything. Look both Jackie and Donna gave me letters to pass on to you."

Hyde felt his heart skip, Jackie had written him back. He still didn't like the thought of her working, part of what held him back from proposing was he wanted to be doing better at the store to support her, as dated as that concept sounded.

Hyde took the letters, and with not wanting to wait till he got home, but wanting privacy went to read the letters in the privacy of his office.

Jackie's letter made him feel crushed, there was what seemed like little hope for them to get past their mistakes, he wanted to be part of Jackie's life, not just their children's lives. He was paying a heavy price for the hurt he kept throwing at her for no reason. She didn't want to have the babies carry the name Hyde. He thought about it, at one time he remembered seeing her notebook with Mr. and Mrs. Hyde back when they were in high school. He could have freaked but he had noticed other girls had done the same thing with their boyfriends, well minus Donna. She might be one to keep her last name or hyphenate her last name, she wasn't ever the one for fairytale dreams.

Jackie had a point, these were not Hyde's, but they would be Barnett's, and if there was a boy it should carry on the Barnett name. He wouldn't argue that. He figured there would be enough arguing on the first and middle names of the twins.

He then proceeded to read Donna's letter.

Hyde,

Look I know for the most part we both are the most cynics in the group, especially when it comes to love. But yet somehow we both ended up with the most optimistic in love people. At times I have often wondered how I ended up with a guy like Eric, I look at my parents' crazy relationship and I am often afraid of what can happen. I know Eric looks at his parents' relationship and has hope that everything works out. Jackie despite it all, still looks at the Foreman's as the ideal relationship, I guess if we were all honest with ourselves we all think the same thing. As gross as it might be to the rest of us they are still madly in love with each other. I mean there was a reason Kitty thought she could be pregnant years ago, not to mention Eric walked in on them once several years ago. Then Kitty was ready to forget her baby boy's birthday because Red got the green light to have sex again. Yea I might have thrown up a little, but the truth is that is what I want. I want to be old and still in love with Eric as I am now. It might be hard to be apart right now, but for us to get to that we have to get through this time so we can have the rest of our lives together. I listened to my dad talk to Jackie this morning, something that I never had really thought about the fairy tales that mom used to read to me growing up, probably something most mothers did, or I Jackie's case her nanny, anyway as I grew up and was seeing my own parent's relationship and well others around I thought back it was all a lie, there is no happy ever after. It is amazing that after all my dad has been through he still believes in it. I know we used to pick on Jackie for believing those lies, but my dad pointed out that before the couple gets to their happy ever after they have obstacles to face, dragons, witches and the like to overcome. Hyde I know we think alike over many things and are both cynical, we see the cheesy fairytales and scoff, but today I sat and thought about the fact there was a fight to be won before they got to the cheesy love's first kiss and happy ever after.

I'll be honest for the first time I feel like I am stretching my wings and working towards a future. I am so glad that Jackie convinced me to come with her, I feel like I can do more than just sitting around Point Place. Eric is doing something with his life, while I was upset and such at first I am finally understanding him. Despite it all he is Red Foreman's son, I am just glad he is doing this path and not signing up for the military, while I wouldn't mind the adventure of traveling military bases is not what I picture. Eric is still Eric but his letters he seems more grown up, more experienced with life.

Jackie is maturing too, but she has been for the last several years, especially after her father's arrest. Part of me hurts that she has to grow up, she has basically lost both her parents, god I could hit Pam Burkhart if I ever see her again. Jack is not much better, Jackie told me she will never visit him in prison again, and prays that he doesn't find her when he does get out. I am not sure that might be part of her getting out of Point Place. I think I have heard her talking to someone about changing her name, the girl doesn't want either of her parents to track her down. I know Randy is just waiting for Pam to show back up in Point Place looking for Jackie, if only to see about getting money from her since her Jackie's granny cut Pam from her will and left it to Jackie. So well if Pam shows up at Grooves, at least you are not going to be able to lie when you tell her you don't know where Jackie is. And don't be too surprised if she is ecstatic that you two broke up. Though if Randy is there that might raise more questions, and I am not sure how he will react.

But back to what I really want to say, sorry I took a jump from the tracks there, but I want you to be honest with yourself. Is Jackie worth fighting for? Do not let the babies be part of that answer, because if any of this is for the babies and not Jackie herself nothing you do will work. That spoiled beautiful princess we grew up with has some serious insecurities. I am sad to say I didn't see it until recently. I can't believe I didn't see it back when we graduated, it was part of her summer of choosing herself. God what feminist am I if I don't see the insecurities in another woman, especially one that is as close as a sister to me? She went about it the wrong way, but I can see where she was coming from now. She was trying to see if you that totally hides his emotions really cared for her, you are one of the most closed off people I know. Eric was so worried for both you and Jackie before he left. I know they have become close friends over the years, Eric has looked at Jackie as a little sister, especially after she kicked Laurie's ass that time. Eric was worried something would happen and you would do something stupid again like after you saw Jackie with Kelso after Fez's sex dream. I don't know if I have ever felt Eric so angry after he found out what happened. He was mad that you left without a word to Jackie or his parents, who as he put it treated you better than him most of the time. Think about it Hyde, how did you feel that time when Eric took off without a word to me or his parents? What if he hadn't called? Hell even I took off without telling anyone, but I called when I got to California to let my dad know I was OK and with mom. It wasn't as entertaining to see her stress baking/cooking with Eric in Africa, Jackie with her family in Chicago, and you who knew where. I am not sure I would have done what I did, taking off with Jackie, if Eric hadn't talked to me on the way to the airport, he made me promise whatever happened I would be there for Jackie, and if I wasn't he was going to send for her to come to Africa with him, before he would let her be alone. Yea, not sure that would have worked, but I promised Eric. Eric may seem a scrawny geek, but the boy has a heart of gold, and a loyalty that has no bounds. I know these past months have been hard for him, to be far from all of us and to have loyalties tested. He has always had hope that when it came down to it you would do the right thing. Hyde please do the right thing for once in your life. If for a while it is only letters to Jackie, let her into that cold heart of yours. That girl has been trying to reach it for so long. I know right now it seems like she has given up, but I can't help but feel this is your dragon, your obstacle to get you to your happy ever after. For once in your life be a true man and fight for your chick, and this isn't some fight of a guy that is hitting on her, this time I feel like you are going to have to fight ever instinct you have grown up with, your own insecurities, how scared you are of true commitment. Show Jackie that you really do love her, you see a future with her. Let her know you strive to be the man that she has always seen you to be. I am not going to tell you where we are but I will do my best to encourage you, but I will also protect her, if you do anything like that Jackass you were that last night. Trust me when I say you will wish you were dead when I get done with you if you do anything to hurt her again. But I have a feeling you won't. Jackie may have lost her faith in you for the time, but I have faith you will do what is right.

Donna

Hyde sat there, he was seeing why Foreman's letter was so cruel. He had pushed the buttons he should never have pushed. Donna was right, Eric was Red Foreman's son. She was also right that had Foreman not called that night after he took off before the wedding he would have been ready to beat the crap out of him for doing that to Donna and Mrs. Foreman, and it would have been worse had he been gone as long as he had been. He knew when he got back to his room he was going to pull out some kids' books that where in boxes stored away, he knew from when Jackie would get bored and go through them there were several of the classic fairytale books that had been Laurie's. Some that he knew had been made into movies, but he wasn't about to watch some cartoon, he could look at those stories and no one would know. For the first time ever he felt he was preparing for a battle of his life, and he was fighting himself, just like Donna said, he had to overcome all that crap that had been ingrained into him growing up, all the stuff that Bud and Edna had told him. He wasn't going to be just like Bud. Bud hadn't even really raised him, and wasn't even his father. He was going to be a man like Red Foreman and William Barnett, he was going to love Jackie like Red loved Kitty, he was going to take care of those in his life just like Red and WB did. He wasn't going to give a flip about his badass, Zen rep. Why did he care what other's thought of him anyway? His true friends would be there and back him if he stepped up and did what was right with Jackie, they would probably respect him more if he did. He remembered that despite everything, back when everyone knew Kelso was cheating on Jackie, despite the bro code, they didn't respect him, and when he did step up and do the right thing with Brooke and Betsey they finally started to respect him more. There was only one thing Hyde decided he wanted more than respect from his family and friends, and that was Jackie's love, and if he got the chance again he would treat it as the precious gift it was.