Chapter 13

Thanksgiving 1979

"My boobs hurt." She whined, rolling meatballs between her palms. Her pregnancy was giving her a rough time right now. Her morning sickness had finally subsided, but all the second trimester symptoms were hitting her full force. Kitty, in her bathrobe and slippers pulled the turkey out to baste it for the first time that day.

"Oh, dear, that's the joys of pregnancy!" Kitty giggled. Jackie frowned. "Well, frequent nose bleeds and sore nipples aren't really a joy for me." She whined again, shifting in her seat. Her small stature meant for a rough pregnancy, and she wasn't even halfway done yet. Eric sauntered through the door carrying bags.

"I did it. I found the one place that's open on Thanksgiving." He glared at Jackie, before handing her a package of Twizlers.

She squealed. "Oh, I'm so excited."

"Next time, can you crave something more exciting than those. They're like plastic spaghetti. Figures the devil such as yourself would like them." He fake gagged. She rolled her eyes, chucking a meatball at him, and it landed between his eyes.

"Mom, Jackie's trying to give me salmonella!" He whined. She giggled.

"At least I'm awake and alive enough to do anything." She pouted.

And, it was true. The last three months had been nothing but tiredness and sickness. Now, however, she felt somewhat on top of the world. Even if she hadn't been sleeping. She lay a hand over her swollen tummy. She actually looked pregnant now. Before, it was like she had maybe just gained some weight. Now, though, you could tell.

Donna filed in the door, carrying a tray of mince pies. "Happy Thanksgiving!" She smiled. Kitty cheered. "Oh my goodness, you're here! I didn't expect you after..." She trailed off, awkwardly. "You're here!" She cheered again.

Donna gave a tight smile. "Eric and I are friends again, Kitty, it's okay." The older woman pursed her lips into a weird smile, and nodded. "Nice. That's so nice." She laughed, backing away.

"I should go get dressed."

The room was silent, and Jackie looked up from the table, moving her hands in a grabbing motion. "Wow, it's almost like you can just feel the awkward." She spoke sarcastically. Donna rolled her eyes.

"I'm sorry about her." Eric apologized.

"Jackie or your Mom?" She quirked a brow.

He glared at the brunette. "Both."

Jackie scoffed, rolling another meatball in her hands. "You do not apologize for me. I speak the truth. It's awkward as hell to be around you too." She finished the meatballs, and placed them in the fridge, before turning her nose up. "If you need me, I will truthfully be in my bedroom." She told them, before strutting away dramatically.

"Okay, Fez." He taunted her further.

She turned back. "I said, good day, dweeb."

She had already showered that day, so she took the curlers out of her hair to dress herself for the holiday. Her outfit consisted of a burnt orange dress with pleats, and a pair of cute fall boots, since she was starting to swell in her feet. Her baby bump poked out enough to notice that she was pregnant. She curled her hair, and swiped on her makeup, giving herself a smile in the mirror.

"I can do this." She nodded at herself.

November 1984

"She's awake." The doctor told him, smiling.

"She is?" He asked, surprised. "I, listen. I don't think I should be the first one she see's."

"Is your name Steven?" He asked, and he nodded, confused.

"She actually asked for you by name." She told him. He furrowed his brows, but followed her down the bleak halls. The room was dark when the doctor let him in, and the door was immediately closed behind him. She was facing the wall, with her eyes closed.

He sat down beside her.

"Jackie?" He asked tentatively, keeping her voice low. She opened her eyes. Well, one eye, the other was swollen shut. He swallowed thickly at her appearance.

"Do I look that bad?" Her voice was hoarse, and small, and he almost wanted to turn around and go back into Foreman's room. He shook his head, and gave a tight smile. "You look beautiful." She nodded.

She placed a hand over her belly. "I told them I was pregnant, I-"

"You're pregnant again?" He asked her, and she tilted her head.

"What do you mean again, Steven?" She asked. "I'm just glad you're home for the birth of our son. Well, I think he's a boy, but Eric is convinced it's a girl. And Red? Oh, he's so mad-"

"Jackie, slow down. What year do you think it is?"

"Steven, don't be ridiculous." She rolled her eyes. "They told me I was in a coma. I know what you're trying to do."

"Jackie, I'm being serious." He told her, grasping her hand. Tears welled up in his eyes. "What year do you think it is?"

"Nineteen seventy-nine?" She answered, but it came out sounding like a question.

He smiled, but it was forced. "I'll be right back."

She frowned. "Where are you going?"

"To the bathroom." He told her gently. "I'm not going anywhere else."

His footsteps were quick, as he rushed down to the nurses station. "Excuse me?" He asked, tone even, even though his hands shook with anxiety.

"Yes, sir, how can I help you?" One of the younger nurses asked. Her name tag read Genevieve.

"My friend, Jackie Burkhart..." He told her. She nodded. "Motor vehicle accident? Sedan versus telephone pole? High speed velocity? Coma?"

"Yes, checks all the boxes. She's awake, but... She thinks it's 1979. She thinks she's still pregnant."

"So she's not pregnant?"

"I'd like to think not. I'm not sure, but she thinks we're still together." He told the nurse, voice shaky.

"My name is Gen, I'm her nurse, actually. The doctor overlooked this. Go figure." She spoke, lamely, before smiling. "I'll go run a diagnostic myself, and then I'll have Dr Sheets, her new doctor run an evaluation." He nodded.

"Thank you." He smiled. She nodded, sympathetically. He trudged over to the pay phone.

"Hello?" Kitty's soft voice rang out over the reciever.

"Kitty... Mrs Foreman, I-" He got out, blinking his tears back. "Steven, what's wrong? Is everything okay?" She asked, concerned. He sniffled, letting out a sob.

People were looking, but honestly, he didn't give a fuck.

"No, everyone is okay. Well, Jackie's awake, but she..." He choked on another sob.

"Sweetie, I'm sure-"

"She doesn't remember. She thinks it's nineteen seventy-nine. What-" He took a deep breath. "What about Ty?" He sniffled.

"Oh, sweetie." She cooed softly. "Red and I are on our way."