MADISON, WISCONSIN

NOVEMBER 3RD, 1981

2:16 p.m.

LOCATION: Somewhere near UW

"Ugh, that bitch Janet better not use my changing room. I'm gonna have to air it out for days just to get rid of that knockoff Channel she drowns herself in." Jackie huffs in annoyance, touching up her lipstick through the mirror of her compact. They're currently on the way to Donna and Eric's apartment; if they can find it.

Steven had practically dragged her out of bed the morning after he visited his father. It was unsettling to see him so weirdly determined about their trip back home. A week earlier than they planned, nonetheless. Despite the fact that they both had work, he managed to convince her to take some time off so that they could start looking for new places to live. It was so out of the blue that she wasn't sure her boss would approve of her abrupt vacation, but she seemed to have already been prepared to cover her spot on the show.

"When we come back, I'm gonna be so pissed if she replaces me," She scowls imagining the smug look on that bimbo's face as she sits in Jackie's spot for the daily report. "I'm already going to be on thin ice with the network, now that I've got to mention maternity leave."

"Will you chill out? You're not going to be replaced." Hyde sighs in frustration. He had been listening to her yap and complain the whole ride to Madison.

"And how are you so sure of that?"

"Good ol' nepotism, doll." He shoots her a blank look before turning back to the traffic in front of him. Did that sign say Garden Grove Avenue? Shit, he missed a turn. "W.B. owns half of your sponsors, there's no way someone is taking your job."

His fiance doesn't seem to be as convinced. "I know that! But Steven, the entertainment business is very cutthroat. If you're not perfect and prompt at every shoot, someone is always there ready to jump in front of you." She looks out at the window forlornly. "I just started co-hosting, what's going to happen when I start showing?"

As they hit another red light, he reaches over to hold her hand. "We're not even sure we want to stay in Milwaukee, right? So, we'll figure something out later. Let's just focus on breaking the happy news to the dork brigade."

Jackie smiles and squeezes his hand. She loves how confident he is in their future now. It finally feels like she has a real partner in this relationship, one that won't run away from all the uncertainties they're facing. It makes the butterflies in her tummy flutter, even more, when he doesn't let go of her to change gears on the clutch.

They spend the next half hour driving around the campus to find their friends' place. Admittedly, they haven't been here to visit them for months. Foreman and Donna were enjoying the privacy so much that it got easier to keep putting off their hangouts. That's why they opted to surprise them rather than call ahead. They weren't going to weasel their way out of this one.

The only con to their plan was the possibility of getting lost. Which was definitely the case now.

It takes several slaps to the shoulder before Hyde admits defeat and pulls over to ask for directions. Thankfully, a guy with a mohawk the size of the Sear's Tower points them to the right street that will take them to Foreman's building.

Two flights of stairs later, they make it to a door with the numbers 402 nailed to it. He knocks a couple of times before a stunned redhead unlocks it. She barely steps out of the way in time as Jackie rushes past her, hands clutching her crotch. "MOVE! MOVE! GOT TO PEE!"

"The hell? Hyde, what are you guys doing here?!" Donna yells, a little perturbed and a bit concerned that Eric might not be out of the shower yet.

"Nice to see you too, Big D." Steven coughs out. He tosses their bags on the floor before plopping down on their loveseat. "See you got some new digs. Respect ya for not letting Foreman paste his space nerd crap on the walls."

Donna crosses her arms and scoffs. "Gee, thanks. Now, will you mind telling me why you and your little imp just showed up unannounced?" She smirks before taking a seat at the breakfast nook to the side of him.

"Well, the missus and I were in the neighbourhood and thought we'd say hi." He retorts dryly with a shrug.

The college student rolls her eyes. She intends to spit a little sarcasm back at him but is interrupted by the sight of her best friend and (half-naked) boyfriend walking into the living room.

"Donna, will you please explain to me why, as I was done sudsing up my body, that I find this demon woman..." He pauses and glances back at the brunette, who has settled down on her intended's lap. "Relieving herself in front of me?"

"I saw his weenie."

Not even ten minutes in their apartment and she already regrets not looking through the peephole in her door. Snorting, Donna replies. "Don't ask me, they just showed up and made themselves at home."

Eric nods, sounds about right. "Suddenly, I've gained sympathy for my father." Oh, how the tables have turned. He clears his throat and waves a little awkwardly to his adopted brother. "By the way- Hey, long time no see, pal."

"How's it hanging, Foreman?" Hyde's eyes drift to the tiny towel wrapped around his friend's waist and winces. "Wait, don't answer that."

"Ok! Officially going to put on pants now!"

After they were all done laughing at his expense, Foreman returned to join them, full attire and all. "So, now that we're all situated here," Eric cocks his head to the side, gesturing to the other couple in the room. "To what do we owe the displeasure of your visit today?"

"You have plans or something, geek?" Jackie grunts. They should be so lucky to still have friends as hot as they are, especially in a place like this.

Eric gulps. "Um, we were gonna do some homework together. Maybe order a pizza?" Ok, so they didn't exactly have a night out on the town planned.

"Huh, all we need is a shower full of beer and it's almost like we're in high school again." Steven absentmindedly runs his hand up and down his chick's thigh. "Anyways, we wanted you guys to be the first ones to know about some stuff that's been going on."

"Well, besides your dad and sister." Jackie reminds him.

"Eh, third and fourth place ain't so bad." Hyde pauses. "Way better than Foreman's ever gotten in any competition."

"Alright alright, enough with the burns. Can you bozos just spill your big secret already?" Donna requests tiredly.

Jackie and Hyde exchange glances, genuine smiles growing on both of their faces. "We're going to have a baby."

"..."

The silence in the room is palpable.

"This is the part where you guys congratulate us."

Donna is the first one to recover. "Uh, Jackie, can I see you in the kitchen for a sec?" She coughs out as she grabs her best friend by the wrist and pulls her up.

"Hey! Watch it, lumberjack!" The petite woman yells as she's being dragged. "Baby on board!"

"The hell is that about?" Steven furrows his eyebrows, confused. Actually, he's somewhat annoyed too. They shared some life-changing news and their friends were acting like they asked them to swing.

Eric just chuckles nervously.

"You're pregnant too?!" Jackie gasps.

After grabbing a couple of pops from the fridge, the redhead sits across from her. She nods tensely before passing her one. "I'm really sorry, Jackie. I wanted to call you as soon as I found out," Donna sighs. "But we decided to wait until we were in the clear before we started telling anyone."

Worry and surprise immediately set in. "Are you ok?" Jackie reaches over to grasp her hand. What would they need to be cleared from?

Smiling, she gives her a reassuring squeeze back. "Yeah, we're fine. It's just with school and finding out about this kid, I've been stressed. The doctor was concerned about my health so he suggested we just lay low for a while."

Realization hits her. "So that's why you've been avoiding everyone!"

"You know how much Eric sucks at keeping his mouth shut." Donna sniggers. "And as for why we haven't been home..."

"Mrs. Foreman would have smelled it on you," Jackie answers right away, face full of understanding. That lady was as perceptive as she was crazy at times.

"We're not even engaged!" Donna throws her hands up exasperatedly. "Sorry for stealing your thunder by the way." She chuckles dryly.

"Well actually, now that you mention it..." Jackie shifts in her chair uneasily.

Hope this isn't too short! Didn't want to compact everything into this chapter.

Let me know what you guys think! :)