Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
5 days later(Saturday Evening)
Jackie and Kaitlyn were sitting on the floor playing with a new toy that she had just received from her Grandma Burkhart. "Kate, where does this one go?" asked Jackie. Kate shuffled the shaped block with her pudgy little hand several different places and finally got it into the right slot. Proudly she smiled up at her mother. "Good girl!" laughed Jackie. Just then they heard the key in the door. Kate squealed "Da Da!" "Yes baby, I'm sure that's your Daddy" said Jackie, smiling at her daughter's excitement.
"Hey Steven, they let you go early huh?. I've got your clothes to wear tonight laid out on the bed."
Hyde gave Jackie a quick kiss and then picked up Kate, tickled her, and then kissed her cheek. "Hey Monkey, whatcha been doing?" asked Hyde. Kate yelled "Da Da!" Hyde then got a goofy proud grin on his face and put Kate back on the floor. "Well, I'm going to take a quick shower so we go over to the Forman's early. Forman & Donna should be over there by now." said Hyde.
Jackie replied "Yes, they're there now, Donna called me earlier to let me know they got there."
Hyde looked at Jackie questioningly and asked "Did you tell her?"
"No, I figured we would tell everybody together later tonight to get it over with." answered Jackie.
"It won't be pretty babe. I know Red's reaction will be "You dumbasses!"
"Yes, I already figured that out." agreed Jackie apprehensively. "Steven, hurry up and take your shower so we can all finish getting ready. I still have to finish getting Kate's new outfit on her." says Jackie.
"Oh let me guess, your mom came by today." said Hyde sarcastically.
"Don't start!" said Jackie warningly.
Twenty minutes later Hyde emerged from their bedroom dressed and ready to go. Jackie had just finished changing Kate's diaper and dressing her in a new pink dress. Jackie stood up and handed Kaitlyn to Hyde. "Here, entertain your daughter, while I go finish getting ready." requested Jackie.
"Well don't take all night." grumbled Hyde.
"Steven, I'll just be a few minutes."
Half an hour later the Hydes arrived at Red & Kitty's. Kitty came to the door beaming ear to ear. "Give me that baby!" ordered Kitty laughingly. Kate giggled good naturedly at Kitty. Red, sitting on the couch, smiled and greeted Hyde and Jackie. Hyde sat down beside Red on the couch and smacked him on the shoulder affectionately. "Hey Red, what's new?" enquired Hyde.
"Oh not much, just getting balder and balder everyday." complained Red.
"Oh Red, stop whining about your hair!" laughed Kitty.
Just then Donna & Eric came in from the kitchen. Eric gave Hyde a hug and slapped him on the back.
"Hey Man, long time no see. How's married life treating you? Oh ya, your ball & chain is the room so you're probably not at liberty to answer." laughed Hyde sarcastically.
Eric scowled at Hyde. "Shut up Hyde!, Are you trying to get me killed?!" exclaimed Eric warningly. "Hey man, don't forget your lovely little ball and chain is sitting right over there." laughed Eric.
"Touche." remarked Hyde.
Donna & Jackie were talking about Donna's journalism classes and how interesting her classmates and professors were. Jackie listened intently and somewhat enviously. "So Jackie, what have you been up to lately." asked Donna.
"Oh you know, the usual. Keeping Steven in line, Kate, and working a few nights a week at the mall." laughingly remarked Jackie. Jackie anxiously looked at Hyde who was still smirking about the "keeping Steven in line" comment. Donna noticed Jackie seemed a little nervous and on edge but didn't say anything.
"Hey Jackie, Lets go down to the basement and catch up on girl talk." suggested Donna. Jackie went over to where Kitty was sitting and gave Kate a quick kiss and followed Donna to go down to the basement.
They clomped down the stairs and sat on the couch. They sat quietly for a few minutes and then Donna finally broke the silence. "Ok, spill it! What's wrong? You acted weird when I called you earlier and upstairs you were acting like you're here for the spanish inquisition."
"Oh Donna, what could possibly wrong? My life is perfect. Remember? Jackie avoided Donna's eyes and stared straight ahead to the still turned off television.
"Jackie, Cut the crap!" demanded Donna. She and Jackie stared at each other for a few minutes and then like a lightening bolt it finally occurred to Donna what could have Jackie so freaked out. "You're Not!" yelled Donna.
"What are you talking about Donna?" asked Jackie guiltily.
"You're pregnant again, aren't you!" accused Donna, watching her friend intently.
Jackie had a definite deer caught in the headlights look written all over her face. Instead of denying it she just shook her head to confirm Donna's suspicions.
"Oh my God, What did Hyde say!?"
"Actually he's taking it a lot better than I thought he would. Steven's the one who calmed me down about the whole thing." explained Jackie.
Donna stared at Jackie in complete shock. "When are you due?"
"June 14th, but maybe May since I had Kate early." answered Jackie
"Who else knows?" enquired Donna, still in shock that her suspicions had turned out to be correct.
"Just you, Steven, and my mother."
The latter shocked Donna. "You told your mother?! How did that go?"
Jackie frowned, "Not too great. She offered to pay for an abortion but when she saw the look on my face she said that she was just kidding but I know that she wasn't. She said to me "Jackie, how is your life going to get better if you keep having children with that man?" replied Jackie sadly.
Donna looked horrified and asked "Did you tell Hyde she said that?"
Jackie laughed sarcastically "Are you crazy! He'd never let Kate go over there again! As it is my Dad is just now finally coming around to accepting our marriage. Steven hates how my Mom is always buying Kate tons of toys and clothes."
"Well Jackie, it makes him feel like shit because he's working his ass off to support you guys."
"I know, believe me, I know. I don't let her buy anything for me, just Katie." said Jackie defensively.
Their conversation was interrupted by Hyde & Eric coming down the stairs who then sat down beside their wives. Donna smirked at Hyde and then remarked "Hey Hyde, anything new & exciting going on in your life?"
Hyde looked over at his wife and figured out that she had told Donna. "You told her?" questioned Hyde with raised eyebrows.
"She figured it out." answered Jackie.
Eric chimed in "Figured what out?!" Donna turned to Eric and announced "Jackie & Hyde are going to have another baby!"
Eric was just absolutely stunned. "Oh Man, Hyde, you stud!" laughed Eric.
Hyde scowled at Eric and then yelled "Shut up Forman!"
"So, When is the new little bundle of joy due?" enquired Eric.
"June" answered Jackie & Hyde simultaneously.
"Does Mom & Dad know yet?" asked Eric laughingly.
"No we're saving the best for last." said Hyde sarcastically.
"Oh Man, Hyde, You are so screwed! Red is going to read you the riot act.!" remarked Eric warningly.
Hyde frowned "I know that, but he really needs to learn to back off man! She's my wife, not some girl I knocked up!"
"I know that, but you know how Red is." commented Eric.
Just then Kitty opened the upstairs door and shouted down "Kids!, Dinner is ready!"
Everybody sat down to the table with Kitty & Red sitting at the far end opposite each other with Eric & Donna on one side and Hyde & Jackie facing them with Kate in a high chair between Jackie & Kitty. They were all noisily passing around dishes and chit chatting happily. Red turned to Hyde and asked "Steven, how's everything going at work."
"Great, Red, They're considering me for a supervisor's job that pays a whole lot better." answered Hyde enthusiastically.
"Great, great!" Red slapped Hyde on the shoulder proudly. Kitty turned to Jackie and beamed happily "You must be so proud of Steven!"
"Yes, I am very proud of him. I couldn't ask for a better husband." She looked lovingly at Hyde as he looked back lovingly also, but was slightly embarrassed with everybody looking on.
Kitty began chatting with Jackie animatedly "When do you want to get together to plan Katie's party?"
Jackie considered it for a moment and then answered "How about Thursday night? I don't have to work that night. I was thinking we could have a Strawberry Shortcake theme since that's so cute and popular for little girls now." Kitty smiled "Oh my, that'll be so adorable, ha,ha,ha."
Steven looked over to Jackie and whispered in her ear that he was going to tell everybody their news now to get it over with. Jackie reluctantly nodded her head in agreement. "Red, Mrs. Forman. Jackie & I have some news. Jackie's pregnant. We're going to have another baby in June." said Hyde who was watching cautiously for Red's reaction.
Kitty & Red sat and stared at Jackie & Hyde in absolute "you could hear a pin drop" silence. Breaking the silence Kitty began laughing. "Ha,ha,ha, Oh how wonderful! Isn't that wonderful Red!"
Red glared at Kitty and shook his head in disbelief and then stared back at Hyde & Jackie with disapproval. "You Dumbasses!" shouted Red(As predicted!). "Steven, this isn't Arkansas! You'd better get a damn bigger house for the 13 kids you idiots are going to end up with."
Kitty yelled "Red! Shut it! A baby is always a blessing. If it was anybody besides Steven & Jackie I'd worry, but they both love each other so much and have done just wonderfully with our little Katie. They'll be fine!" Red looked at Kitty in disbelief that she was scolding him in front of everyone.
Jackie was looking very upset and a few tears had fallen down her cheeks. Steven noticed this and put his arm around her and glared at Red. Kitty took Jackie's hand and patted it reassuringly. "Its wonderful Jackie! You're a terrific mother and I'm sure this baby will be every bit as wonderful as Katie."
Jackie nodded, feeling somewhat better. Red turned to face Eric & Donna. "Now don't you two get any ideas. You still have 2 years of college left."
"Believe me, I've heard enough of Jackie's giving birth horror stories. That's birth control it itself." replied Donna. Red frowned and said "Well, it's a shame Jackie didn't learn enough from it herself."
That remark infuriated Hyde. "Red, can you please can it! I don't want you upsetting Jackie anymore tonight. She's been upset enough about this as it is. Red looked a little ashamed and said "Sorry Steven, I'm just worried about what you kids have gotten yourselves into."
"Red, We're fine. We can handle it. I'm going to start making more money at work and Jackie can work part time now and after the baby's born, so we'll be alright financially."
"Your right Steven, I'm sorry." said Red apologetically. Jackie looked a little relieved and went back to feeding her daughter her jarred baby food.
After dinner Jackie and Donna helped Kitty clear the table and got the dishes started while Hyde took Kaitlyn into the living room to watch Football with Red & Eric. Kate began to jabber away "da da, da da, da da." Eric smiled, "Wow Hyde, I didn't know that she's talking already!"
Hyde smiled proudly. "Yep, she started that last week and now we can't get 10 minutes of quiet."
Red smirked knowingly "Your kids learn how to speak, and then talk back, and its all down hill from there."
Hyde put Kate down on the floor and she began to crawl around the floor and pulled herself up to investigate the television. "Katie, Stop that." corrected Hyde as Kate began to twist the knobs on the TV. Kate dissolved into hysterical tears because her beloved daddy had scolded her. "Come here you big actor" Hyde turned to Eric and Red and commented "She can go from giggles to tears in 2 seconds flat." Kate crawled back over to Hyde and pulled herself up by grabbing his legs. He picked her up, hugged her and all appeared to be forgiven.
Jackie walked back into the room. "Are you men torturing my baby in here?" Kate saw her mother and reached up for Jackie to pick her up. "I think somebody's crabby because she's tired and has a new tooth coming in. Steven, her teething ring is at home and we need to get her put to bed, so we really should get going."
Hyde nodded in agreement. "Hey Forman, Why don't you & Donna come over for lunch tomorrow before you head back to school." invited Hyde. "Sounds cool man, See you then." agreed Eric.
Later on the way home Steven commented that it wasn't as bad as he though it would be. "Steven, it was still pretty bad."
"Hey that's Red for you, he'll never change." replied Hyde.
Jackie nodded "I know, I could never hold a grudge against him because of all he's done for you, Steven."
"I know, he's been a hell of a better father to me than Bud ever was, and Kitty's ten times the mother Edna ever was." Jackie shook her head sadly in agreement.
Kitty was in the kitchen finishing cleaning up the last of the dinner dishes when the phone rang. "Hello, Forman residence" answered Kitty cheerfully.
"Hello, Mrs Forman?" "Yes. Can I help you?" enquired Kitty, curious about who is calling.
"Would you happen to have Steven Hyde's phone number or address?"
"Yes, Steven's number is 555-7858. He hasn't lived here in over 2 years. Who is this?"
"This is his mother, Edna."
Just then the line disconnected.
5 days later(Saturday Evening)
Jackie and Kaitlyn were sitting on the floor playing with a new toy that she had just received from her Grandma Burkhart. "Kate, where does this one go?" asked Jackie. Kate shuffled the shaped block with her pudgy little hand several different places and finally got it into the right slot. Proudly she smiled up at her mother. "Good girl!" laughed Jackie. Just then they heard the key in the door. Kate squealed "Da Da!" "Yes baby, I'm sure that's your Daddy" said Jackie, smiling at her daughter's excitement.
"Hey Steven, they let you go early huh?. I've got your clothes to wear tonight laid out on the bed."
Hyde gave Jackie a quick kiss and then picked up Kate, tickled her, and then kissed her cheek. "Hey Monkey, whatcha been doing?" asked Hyde. Kate yelled "Da Da!" Hyde then got a goofy proud grin on his face and put Kate back on the floor. "Well, I'm going to take a quick shower so we go over to the Forman's early. Forman & Donna should be over there by now." said Hyde.
Jackie replied "Yes, they're there now, Donna called me earlier to let me know they got there."
Hyde looked at Jackie questioningly and asked "Did you tell her?"
"No, I figured we would tell everybody together later tonight to get it over with." answered Jackie.
"It won't be pretty babe. I know Red's reaction will be "You dumbasses!"
"Yes, I already figured that out." agreed Jackie apprehensively. "Steven, hurry up and take your shower so we can all finish getting ready. I still have to finish getting Kate's new outfit on her." says Jackie.
"Oh let me guess, your mom came by today." said Hyde sarcastically.
"Don't start!" said Jackie warningly.
Twenty minutes later Hyde emerged from their bedroom dressed and ready to go. Jackie had just finished changing Kate's diaper and dressing her in a new pink dress. Jackie stood up and handed Kaitlyn to Hyde. "Here, entertain your daughter, while I go finish getting ready." requested Jackie.
"Well don't take all night." grumbled Hyde.
"Steven, I'll just be a few minutes."
Half an hour later the Hydes arrived at Red & Kitty's. Kitty came to the door beaming ear to ear. "Give me that baby!" ordered Kitty laughingly. Kate giggled good naturedly at Kitty. Red, sitting on the couch, smiled and greeted Hyde and Jackie. Hyde sat down beside Red on the couch and smacked him on the shoulder affectionately. "Hey Red, what's new?" enquired Hyde.
"Oh not much, just getting balder and balder everyday." complained Red.
"Oh Red, stop whining about your hair!" laughed Kitty.
Just then Donna & Eric came in from the kitchen. Eric gave Hyde a hug and slapped him on the back.
"Hey Man, long time no see. How's married life treating you? Oh ya, your ball & chain is the room so you're probably not at liberty to answer." laughed Hyde sarcastically.
Eric scowled at Hyde. "Shut up Hyde!, Are you trying to get me killed?!" exclaimed Eric warningly. "Hey man, don't forget your lovely little ball and chain is sitting right over there." laughed Eric.
"Touche." remarked Hyde.
Donna & Jackie were talking about Donna's journalism classes and how interesting her classmates and professors were. Jackie listened intently and somewhat enviously. "So Jackie, what have you been up to lately." asked Donna.
"Oh you know, the usual. Keeping Steven in line, Kate, and working a few nights a week at the mall." laughingly remarked Jackie. Jackie anxiously looked at Hyde who was still smirking about the "keeping Steven in line" comment. Donna noticed Jackie seemed a little nervous and on edge but didn't say anything.
"Hey Jackie, Lets go down to the basement and catch up on girl talk." suggested Donna. Jackie went over to where Kitty was sitting and gave Kate a quick kiss and followed Donna to go down to the basement.
They clomped down the stairs and sat on the couch. They sat quietly for a few minutes and then Donna finally broke the silence. "Ok, spill it! What's wrong? You acted weird when I called you earlier and upstairs you were acting like you're here for the spanish inquisition."
"Oh Donna, what could possibly wrong? My life is perfect. Remember? Jackie avoided Donna's eyes and stared straight ahead to the still turned off television.
"Jackie, Cut the crap!" demanded Donna. She and Jackie stared at each other for a few minutes and then like a lightening bolt it finally occurred to Donna what could have Jackie so freaked out. "You're Not!" yelled Donna.
"What are you talking about Donna?" asked Jackie guiltily.
"You're pregnant again, aren't you!" accused Donna, watching her friend intently.
Jackie had a definite deer caught in the headlights look written all over her face. Instead of denying it she just shook her head to confirm Donna's suspicions.
"Oh my God, What did Hyde say!?"
"Actually he's taking it a lot better than I thought he would. Steven's the one who calmed me down about the whole thing." explained Jackie.
Donna stared at Jackie in complete shock. "When are you due?"
"June 14th, but maybe May since I had Kate early." answered Jackie
"Who else knows?" enquired Donna, still in shock that her suspicions had turned out to be correct.
"Just you, Steven, and my mother."
The latter shocked Donna. "You told your mother?! How did that go?"
Jackie frowned, "Not too great. She offered to pay for an abortion but when she saw the look on my face she said that she was just kidding but I know that she wasn't. She said to me "Jackie, how is your life going to get better if you keep having children with that man?" replied Jackie sadly.
Donna looked horrified and asked "Did you tell Hyde she said that?"
Jackie laughed sarcastically "Are you crazy! He'd never let Kate go over there again! As it is my Dad is just now finally coming around to accepting our marriage. Steven hates how my Mom is always buying Kate tons of toys and clothes."
"Well Jackie, it makes him feel like shit because he's working his ass off to support you guys."
"I know, believe me, I know. I don't let her buy anything for me, just Katie." said Jackie defensively.
Their conversation was interrupted by Hyde & Eric coming down the stairs who then sat down beside their wives. Donna smirked at Hyde and then remarked "Hey Hyde, anything new & exciting going on in your life?"
Hyde looked over at his wife and figured out that she had told Donna. "You told her?" questioned Hyde with raised eyebrows.
"She figured it out." answered Jackie.
Eric chimed in "Figured what out?!" Donna turned to Eric and announced "Jackie & Hyde are going to have another baby!"
Eric was just absolutely stunned. "Oh Man, Hyde, you stud!" laughed Eric.
Hyde scowled at Eric and then yelled "Shut up Forman!"
"So, When is the new little bundle of joy due?" enquired Eric.
"June" answered Jackie & Hyde simultaneously.
"Does Mom & Dad know yet?" asked Eric laughingly.
"No we're saving the best for last." said Hyde sarcastically.
"Oh Man, Hyde, You are so screwed! Red is going to read you the riot act.!" remarked Eric warningly.
Hyde frowned "I know that, but he really needs to learn to back off man! She's my wife, not some girl I knocked up!"
"I know that, but you know how Red is." commented Eric.
Just then Kitty opened the upstairs door and shouted down "Kids!, Dinner is ready!"
Everybody sat down to the table with Kitty & Red sitting at the far end opposite each other with Eric & Donna on one side and Hyde & Jackie facing them with Kate in a high chair between Jackie & Kitty. They were all noisily passing around dishes and chit chatting happily. Red turned to Hyde and asked "Steven, how's everything going at work."
"Great, Red, They're considering me for a supervisor's job that pays a whole lot better." answered Hyde enthusiastically.
"Great, great!" Red slapped Hyde on the shoulder proudly. Kitty turned to Jackie and beamed happily "You must be so proud of Steven!"
"Yes, I am very proud of him. I couldn't ask for a better husband." She looked lovingly at Hyde as he looked back lovingly also, but was slightly embarrassed with everybody looking on.
Kitty began chatting with Jackie animatedly "When do you want to get together to plan Katie's party?"
Jackie considered it for a moment and then answered "How about Thursday night? I don't have to work that night. I was thinking we could have a Strawberry Shortcake theme since that's so cute and popular for little girls now." Kitty smiled "Oh my, that'll be so adorable, ha,ha,ha."
Steven looked over to Jackie and whispered in her ear that he was going to tell everybody their news now to get it over with. Jackie reluctantly nodded her head in agreement. "Red, Mrs. Forman. Jackie & I have some news. Jackie's pregnant. We're going to have another baby in June." said Hyde who was watching cautiously for Red's reaction.
Kitty & Red sat and stared at Jackie & Hyde in absolute "you could hear a pin drop" silence. Breaking the silence Kitty began laughing. "Ha,ha,ha, Oh how wonderful! Isn't that wonderful Red!"
Red glared at Kitty and shook his head in disbelief and then stared back at Hyde & Jackie with disapproval. "You Dumbasses!" shouted Red(As predicted!). "Steven, this isn't Arkansas! You'd better get a damn bigger house for the 13 kids you idiots are going to end up with."
Kitty yelled "Red! Shut it! A baby is always a blessing. If it was anybody besides Steven & Jackie I'd worry, but they both love each other so much and have done just wonderfully with our little Katie. They'll be fine!" Red looked at Kitty in disbelief that she was scolding him in front of everyone.
Jackie was looking very upset and a few tears had fallen down her cheeks. Steven noticed this and put his arm around her and glared at Red. Kitty took Jackie's hand and patted it reassuringly. "Its wonderful Jackie! You're a terrific mother and I'm sure this baby will be every bit as wonderful as Katie."
Jackie nodded, feeling somewhat better. Red turned to face Eric & Donna. "Now don't you two get any ideas. You still have 2 years of college left."
"Believe me, I've heard enough of Jackie's giving birth horror stories. That's birth control it itself." replied Donna. Red frowned and said "Well, it's a shame Jackie didn't learn enough from it herself."
That remark infuriated Hyde. "Red, can you please can it! I don't want you upsetting Jackie anymore tonight. She's been upset enough about this as it is. Red looked a little ashamed and said "Sorry Steven, I'm just worried about what you kids have gotten yourselves into."
"Red, We're fine. We can handle it. I'm going to start making more money at work and Jackie can work part time now and after the baby's born, so we'll be alright financially."
"Your right Steven, I'm sorry." said Red apologetically. Jackie looked a little relieved and went back to feeding her daughter her jarred baby food.
After dinner Jackie and Donna helped Kitty clear the table and got the dishes started while Hyde took Kaitlyn into the living room to watch Football with Red & Eric. Kate began to jabber away "da da, da da, da da." Eric smiled, "Wow Hyde, I didn't know that she's talking already!"
Hyde smiled proudly. "Yep, she started that last week and now we can't get 10 minutes of quiet."
Red smirked knowingly "Your kids learn how to speak, and then talk back, and its all down hill from there."
Hyde put Kate down on the floor and she began to crawl around the floor and pulled herself up to investigate the television. "Katie, Stop that." corrected Hyde as Kate began to twist the knobs on the TV. Kate dissolved into hysterical tears because her beloved daddy had scolded her. "Come here you big actor" Hyde turned to Eric and Red and commented "She can go from giggles to tears in 2 seconds flat." Kate crawled back over to Hyde and pulled herself up by grabbing his legs. He picked her up, hugged her and all appeared to be forgiven.
Jackie walked back into the room. "Are you men torturing my baby in here?" Kate saw her mother and reached up for Jackie to pick her up. "I think somebody's crabby because she's tired and has a new tooth coming in. Steven, her teething ring is at home and we need to get her put to bed, so we really should get going."
Hyde nodded in agreement. "Hey Forman, Why don't you & Donna come over for lunch tomorrow before you head back to school." invited Hyde. "Sounds cool man, See you then." agreed Eric.
Later on the way home Steven commented that it wasn't as bad as he though it would be. "Steven, it was still pretty bad."
"Hey that's Red for you, he'll never change." replied Hyde.
Jackie nodded "I know, I could never hold a grudge against him because of all he's done for you, Steven."
"I know, he's been a hell of a better father to me than Bud ever was, and Kitty's ten times the mother Edna ever was." Jackie shook her head sadly in agreement.
Kitty was in the kitchen finishing cleaning up the last of the dinner dishes when the phone rang. "Hello, Forman residence" answered Kitty cheerfully.
"Hello, Mrs Forman?" "Yes. Can I help you?" enquired Kitty, curious about who is calling.
"Would you happen to have Steven Hyde's phone number or address?"
"Yes, Steven's number is 555-7858. He hasn't lived here in over 2 years. Who is this?"
"This is his mother, Edna."
Just then the line disconnected.