Authors note: This story was started before recent spoilers so as you can
imagine Jackie's being a nurse now turns my stomach but since its just a
freaky coincidence I will just roll with it like it doesn't matter. Since
this story started pre-spoilers Hyde also never cheated on Jackie.
TWO MONTHS LATER....
Hyde arrived to work at 8:00 a.m. as usual carrying a cup of coffee and a dozen doughnuts for the guys and his receptionist. He was in an uncharacteristic cheerful mood. Things with Jackie were going better than ever despite all of her pregnancy induced mood swings. She cried at the drop of a hat these days. Everything from movies, commercials, anything he said, or just for no apparent reason. He had gotten very accustomed to soothing Jackie out of her tears over the last few weeks. Last week Jackie had accidentally taken the wrong cough syrup and had cried for half an hour, afraid that their baby was going to be retarded. Hyde had learned to take these episodes with a grain of salt.
This morning though they had woken up early, made love, and then took a warm shower together which Jackie referred to as "Whale Washing". Jackie was none too thrilled with her newly expanded waistline but Hyde secretly was fascinated with her newly changed body. Strangely enough he felt very turned on by her newly rounded shape and by the fact that her body was going through all of these changes because she is carrying his baby. When she first started showing he had insisted that she let him look at her which she wouldn't allow at first but after he coaxed her a little bit she relented and let him see her changing body with no clothes and with the lights on. She looked at him like he was crazy when he told her he thought she still looked beautiful, after a few weeks though she forgot her inhibitions.
Hyde was relieved that finally they were becoming more relaxed and natural with each other. He had discovered that intimacy was the difficult part of any relationship, let alone one like theirs where they had been apart for years, changed in immeasurable ways as people, and carried enough emotional baggage for ten people between the two of them. Despite how quickly things had happened since their getting back together somehow they were managing to get into a comfortable rhythm again with each other. It hadn't happened overnight but everyday it felt more natural and right. That had to say something didn't it? Like it was meant to be. Hyde wasn't one to believe in that kind of hokey shit but with everything they had been though together and to somehow manage to find each other again and be this happy made one believe that maybe, just maybe, they were meant to be together.
Hyde's two mechanics, Mark and Caleb(Cal), were already going through their checklist, making sure everything was ready when they opened up at 8:30. Jenna, the receptionist, was at her desk, ready for the day to begin. They all dug into the doughnuts as soon as Hyde put them on the counter. Mark and Cal had worked for Hyde for 4 years and Jenna for 3 years. They had always been like a close knit family since they worked so many hours together in such small quarters but over the last 5 months or so things between Hyde and Jenna had been very strained and tense. Jenna had, over a year ago, made it known to Hyde that she would like to have a more than professional relationship. Hyde had as gently as possible told her that he saw her as a friend and an employee and felt it was best if it stayed that way. He also was not attracted to her but he left that out as to not add insult to injury. It had been blown off and he thought forgotten but ever since he and Jackie had gotten back together 5 months ago she had been really bitter and said little things that made him think she wasn't as happy for him as she pretended.
Cal and Mark, on the other hand, couldn't be happier for Hyde. They had seen him at his lowest and knew exactly how much difference getting back together with Jackie had made on his outlook on life. They had never seen him happier and were very surprised how much he was looking forward to getting married and having a baby, very different from the grumpy, cynical loner that had hired them several years earlier.
"Hey buddy, you're in an awfully good mood this morning!" commented Mark.
"Ya, what can I say, life is good" replied Hyde good naturedly.
Hyde noticed Jenna look away abruptly with a distinct scowl on her face but decided "Who gives a shit" and went to pull open the garage doors that let the general public know that they were open for business.
"We should be really busy today you guys. Those coupons start running in today's paper." reminded Hyde. "Jenna, if Jackie calls, come get me right away, she's supposed to let me know what time her Dr.'s appointment is later today."
"Sure Hyde" said Jenna in an emotionless voice.
SEVERAL HOURS LATER...
Jackie was sitting in her office taking a much needed break; trying to finish up some supply re-orders but was having difficulty concentrating. Today she was so happy she was almost giddy. Things were going so well she was beginning to think that maybe she was ready for her and Steven to finally cement their commitment to each other with a wedding. This morning had been so wonderful. He had been so tender and gentle with her when they made love. He wouldn't admit it out loud but he was really getting excited about the baby which she thought was so cute, of course she thought everything Steven did was cute.
As hard as it was to believe Jackie was beginning to realize that their relationship was even better than it had been the other time around. Maybe it was the years gone by, the separate lives, and the different life experiences that helped lend an added maturity to this second chance of theirs? What ever it was Jackie was just grateful that against all of the odds they had some how ended back up in each other's arms.
Jackie glanced up at the wall clock and noticed it was now 11:00 a.m. She had meant to call Steven earlier to let him know her Dr's appointment was at 1 p.m but had gotten sidetracked with other things. He was going to take her to the Dr. and then they were going out to have a nice big lunch since Jackie had to fast for her appointment and was already starving to death. Jackie was extra excited because today the Dr. would hopefully be able to tell them whether they were having a boy or a girl. It was nearly impossible to plan or decorate a nursery in unisex colors and Jackie couldn't wait to find out. Donna & Eric were expecting a girl and Jackie was hoping for a girl also. Jackie was so excited for Donna that she was throwing a surprise baby shower for her this coming weekend.
Jackie quickly dialed Steven's shop number.
"Hyde Auto Center, can I help you?" answered Jenna.
"Yes, Can I speak to Steven please?" said Jackie firmly, trying to be civil, due to the fact she hates Steven's receptionist with a passion. Having met Jenna a few times and speaking to her often, Jackie was not oblivious to Jenna's designs on her man.
After a few minutes on hold Jenna informed Jackie "I'm sorry Jackie, Hyde's busy right now but he'll call you later."
"Ok, but please tell him my appointment is at 1 at Dr. Camden's."
"Sure Jackie, no problem" said Jenna with fake cheerfulness.
Jackie hung up the phone somewhat puzzled and dismayed. Normally Steven dropped everything to take her calls, no matter what he was in the middle of doing.
2 HOURS LATER...
Hyde had just finished up a rather difficult brake and rotor job when he glanced at his watch and saw that it was getting rather late. Jenna should have come and got him to take Jackie's call but she had never come out into the garage to let him know that he had a phone call.
Hyde went into the office and noticed that Jenna had apparently gone out to lunch. He started rooting around Jenna's desk and found 2 messages that had apparently slipped Jenna's mind to give to him. The first message at 9:30 was to let him know that the ring was ready to be picked up at Larson's Jewelry. The second message was from 11:00 to let him know Jackie's appointment was at 1:00.
"1:00?!!, Dammit!" said Hyde out loud, realizing that there was no way in hell he could get through the traffic in time to get to her appointment but he was going to have to try anyway to explain what happened. He just hoped Jackie wouldn't be too upset with him. One thing he knew for sure though, a certain person was going to be in the unemployment line tomorrow.
TWO MONTHS LATER....
Hyde arrived to work at 8:00 a.m. as usual carrying a cup of coffee and a dozen doughnuts for the guys and his receptionist. He was in an uncharacteristic cheerful mood. Things with Jackie were going better than ever despite all of her pregnancy induced mood swings. She cried at the drop of a hat these days. Everything from movies, commercials, anything he said, or just for no apparent reason. He had gotten very accustomed to soothing Jackie out of her tears over the last few weeks. Last week Jackie had accidentally taken the wrong cough syrup and had cried for half an hour, afraid that their baby was going to be retarded. Hyde had learned to take these episodes with a grain of salt.
This morning though they had woken up early, made love, and then took a warm shower together which Jackie referred to as "Whale Washing". Jackie was none too thrilled with her newly expanded waistline but Hyde secretly was fascinated with her newly changed body. Strangely enough he felt very turned on by her newly rounded shape and by the fact that her body was going through all of these changes because she is carrying his baby. When she first started showing he had insisted that she let him look at her which she wouldn't allow at first but after he coaxed her a little bit she relented and let him see her changing body with no clothes and with the lights on. She looked at him like he was crazy when he told her he thought she still looked beautiful, after a few weeks though she forgot her inhibitions.
Hyde was relieved that finally they were becoming more relaxed and natural with each other. He had discovered that intimacy was the difficult part of any relationship, let alone one like theirs where they had been apart for years, changed in immeasurable ways as people, and carried enough emotional baggage for ten people between the two of them. Despite how quickly things had happened since their getting back together somehow they were managing to get into a comfortable rhythm again with each other. It hadn't happened overnight but everyday it felt more natural and right. That had to say something didn't it? Like it was meant to be. Hyde wasn't one to believe in that kind of hokey shit but with everything they had been though together and to somehow manage to find each other again and be this happy made one believe that maybe, just maybe, they were meant to be together.
Hyde's two mechanics, Mark and Caleb(Cal), were already going through their checklist, making sure everything was ready when they opened up at 8:30. Jenna, the receptionist, was at her desk, ready for the day to begin. They all dug into the doughnuts as soon as Hyde put them on the counter. Mark and Cal had worked for Hyde for 4 years and Jenna for 3 years. They had always been like a close knit family since they worked so many hours together in such small quarters but over the last 5 months or so things between Hyde and Jenna had been very strained and tense. Jenna had, over a year ago, made it known to Hyde that she would like to have a more than professional relationship. Hyde had as gently as possible told her that he saw her as a friend and an employee and felt it was best if it stayed that way. He also was not attracted to her but he left that out as to not add insult to injury. It had been blown off and he thought forgotten but ever since he and Jackie had gotten back together 5 months ago she had been really bitter and said little things that made him think she wasn't as happy for him as she pretended.
Cal and Mark, on the other hand, couldn't be happier for Hyde. They had seen him at his lowest and knew exactly how much difference getting back together with Jackie had made on his outlook on life. They had never seen him happier and were very surprised how much he was looking forward to getting married and having a baby, very different from the grumpy, cynical loner that had hired them several years earlier.
"Hey buddy, you're in an awfully good mood this morning!" commented Mark.
"Ya, what can I say, life is good" replied Hyde good naturedly.
Hyde noticed Jenna look away abruptly with a distinct scowl on her face but decided "Who gives a shit" and went to pull open the garage doors that let the general public know that they were open for business.
"We should be really busy today you guys. Those coupons start running in today's paper." reminded Hyde. "Jenna, if Jackie calls, come get me right away, she's supposed to let me know what time her Dr.'s appointment is later today."
"Sure Hyde" said Jenna in an emotionless voice.
SEVERAL HOURS LATER...
Jackie was sitting in her office taking a much needed break; trying to finish up some supply re-orders but was having difficulty concentrating. Today she was so happy she was almost giddy. Things were going so well she was beginning to think that maybe she was ready for her and Steven to finally cement their commitment to each other with a wedding. This morning had been so wonderful. He had been so tender and gentle with her when they made love. He wouldn't admit it out loud but he was really getting excited about the baby which she thought was so cute, of course she thought everything Steven did was cute.
As hard as it was to believe Jackie was beginning to realize that their relationship was even better than it had been the other time around. Maybe it was the years gone by, the separate lives, and the different life experiences that helped lend an added maturity to this second chance of theirs? What ever it was Jackie was just grateful that against all of the odds they had some how ended back up in each other's arms.
Jackie glanced up at the wall clock and noticed it was now 11:00 a.m. She had meant to call Steven earlier to let him know her Dr's appointment was at 1 p.m but had gotten sidetracked with other things. He was going to take her to the Dr. and then they were going out to have a nice big lunch since Jackie had to fast for her appointment and was already starving to death. Jackie was extra excited because today the Dr. would hopefully be able to tell them whether they were having a boy or a girl. It was nearly impossible to plan or decorate a nursery in unisex colors and Jackie couldn't wait to find out. Donna & Eric were expecting a girl and Jackie was hoping for a girl also. Jackie was so excited for Donna that she was throwing a surprise baby shower for her this coming weekend.
Jackie quickly dialed Steven's shop number.
"Hyde Auto Center, can I help you?" answered Jenna.
"Yes, Can I speak to Steven please?" said Jackie firmly, trying to be civil, due to the fact she hates Steven's receptionist with a passion. Having met Jenna a few times and speaking to her often, Jackie was not oblivious to Jenna's designs on her man.
After a few minutes on hold Jenna informed Jackie "I'm sorry Jackie, Hyde's busy right now but he'll call you later."
"Ok, but please tell him my appointment is at 1 at Dr. Camden's."
"Sure Jackie, no problem" said Jenna with fake cheerfulness.
Jackie hung up the phone somewhat puzzled and dismayed. Normally Steven dropped everything to take her calls, no matter what he was in the middle of doing.
2 HOURS LATER...
Hyde had just finished up a rather difficult brake and rotor job when he glanced at his watch and saw that it was getting rather late. Jenna should have come and got him to take Jackie's call but she had never come out into the garage to let him know that he had a phone call.
Hyde went into the office and noticed that Jenna had apparently gone out to lunch. He started rooting around Jenna's desk and found 2 messages that had apparently slipped Jenna's mind to give to him. The first message at 9:30 was to let him know that the ring was ready to be picked up at Larson's Jewelry. The second message was from 11:00 to let him know Jackie's appointment was at 1:00.
"1:00?!!, Dammit!" said Hyde out loud, realizing that there was no way in hell he could get through the traffic in time to get to her appointment but he was going to have to try anyway to explain what happened. He just hoped Jackie wouldn't be too upset with him. One thing he knew for sure though, a certain person was going to be in the unemployment line tomorrow.