Chapter 5
Restitution
Author's note-I hope everyone likes the story so far. I have strived for a semblance of realism in everything I have written-but realized sometimes too much of angst and strife thrown into our stories can make it seem just as "unreal" as if it were too happy and perfect. There has to be a balance of both the positive and negative aspects involved to keep it real. Keep reading, reviewing, and writing. Thank you!!~Carol
The Gift
Jackie didn't want to tell Donna where she was going she didn't want to verbally admit it to even herself afraid that the slightest mention would jinx the whole thing. When she heard Donna and Eric finally get out of the bathroom she knocked on the door and said,
"Donna, I need to talk to you so hurry up and get dressed. I'll be in my room."
'Is it about me?' Eric thought
"Wonder what she wants?" Donna asked Eric as she put on her jeans which would have stuck to her body if it weren't for the fact she wore them today.
"Prob-"
Jackie knocking on the door again interrupted Eric.
"Donna, how long does it take you to get dressed?"
"All right, Jackie," Donna threw on her shirt. "I'm coming."
"I thought you all ready did that?" Eric replied quietly buttoning up his shirt.
Donna looked over and smiled, "Eric! You're so bad." She kissed him on the lips before seeing what Jackie wanted.
"I'm worried about the kids," Kitty told Red over a late lunch
"They haven't called in a few days."
'Thank god' Red thought as he tried to eat his sandwich in peace.
"They're fine, Kitty."
Kitty didn't tell Red but she had a dream about Eric and Donna fighting. She normally wasn't one to believe her dreams but it just seemed so real. She couldn't make out what they were arguing over but it was intense. She wanted to make sure their wedding was still on. She was also worried about Steven she hasn't heard from him in awhile either.
"How do you know, Red? Are you psychic?"
'Oh, crap' "Oh, crap."
"Okay, Jackie what is so important?" Donna came into her room to find Jackie changing of all things to a smaller suitcase.
"Maybe, I should ask you, where are you going?"
"That's not important for you to know right now, but I need you and Eric to do me a favor."
"I was going to ask you if we could stay an extra day?" Calling Eric's workplace was extremely uncomfortable and she hoped his supervisor bought the excuse she made up. 'The airline messed up on our tickets' Indeed.
"You can stay as long as you want, Donna. But if you do have to leave can you take Tiffany with you to St. Louis for a few days?"
"What? Why? Where are you going?"
"I'd rather not say, but I won't be gone long. Please? I'd rather she stay with you guys than the neighbors."
Donna didn't mind watching Tiffany and she knew Eric wouldn't mind seeing as how the two children (one of them 39) got along well with each other. She wouldn't press Jackie on where she was going. She did wonder if it had anything to do with Hyde?
"I suppose it's okay."
"Thanks, Donna! You're the best." Jackie hugged her and kissed her on the cheek.
Hyde wrapped the last stack of one hundred dollar bills with a thick elastic band and put it in the wall safe of the master bedroom and covered the safe with his Ferrari picture. He hated being alone. How in the hell did this happen? Not too long ago he was at least producing records. Maybe he shouldn't have left London? No-he and Jackie got back together. And Forman turned into a little drug-addled prick. Who'd have thought that? If he was married to Donna he wouldn't have acted like a silly little boy who had to get his way. That's exactly what that relationship was about and the fact that Donna took him back so quickly was probably due to the immense guilt she had over the dill hole keeping a ten bob up his nose*. He wasn't thinking of Donna in the romantic sense, his heart belonged to Jackie. Realizing there was a time when he was younger and the thought of loving Jackie would have been a death sentence in Hell. He felt as he grabbed a music magazine off his bed that Donna could do a lot better than Eric Forman. This was supposed to be a nice country get-away for himself and Jackie and now he was bored beyond belief. It was for the best though. He thought he'd be a lousy stepfather to Tiffany. Who needed the agro of putting up with Donna visiting Jackie with the Coke head in tow? Hyde put his magazine down and opened the drawer of his end table-he knew what he could do.
It wasn't the same 360 when you are alone.
When Donna told Eric about the favor Jackie had asked of them he left her in a state of confusion as he walked to Jackie's room and knocked on her door.
"Come in, Donna."
"It's Eric." He opened the door.
"Did Donna---?"
"Yeah. It's nothing like that, Jackie. I don't mind babysitting for you. Tiffany's a nice girl. But-after what I did---you still trust me with your daughter?"
"Eric, you made a mistake. It happens. I wouldn't have asked Donna and yourself if I didn't trust the both of you."
"Thanks." He gave her a small hug and laughed.
"What's so funny?"
"That we've come to a point where we are actually friends, I used to think you were snobby and shallow."
Jackie laughed. "And I thought you were a geek. I never would have hung out in your basement if it wasn't for the fact Michael groan hung out there."
"I would've kicked you out if Kelso wasn't there."
"What are you guys talking about?" Donna came in
"You have a keeper here, Donna."
"Who'd have thought Jackie Burkhart would be my friend and Steven Hyde my enemy?" Eric laughed again which caused Jackie to laugh over the absurdity over it all.
"Okay, I missed something." But it was good to see Eric laughing.
Eric went over to Donna and kissed her. "Listen to Jackie, I'm a keeper!"
"Yeah both of you need the rubber room!" Donna replied, "Eric, if you tickle me you are going to be sorry!"
"And this is punishment? Come on, Jackie let's get her! She can't fight the both of us off!"
For a brief moment it felt like the old times in the basement.
2 hours later
"We didn't buy any souvenirs." Eric said to Donna, as they were packing their suitcases to return to St. Louis so they wouldn't have to do it in the morning.
"You mean you didn't buy the Darth Vader wearing an I-Love-New-York shirt key chain from the airport shop?"
"You made that up! But they should make those." Eric replied doe-eyed.
"Eric get a life!" Donna threw a pillow at him.
"Knock-knock," Jackie breezed in with Tiffany behind her. "I already packed Tiffany's suitcase so you won't be rushed."
"Where are you going, Mommy?" she asked again
"On a little trip, sweetie, but I promise I'll be home soon," 'Hopefully, with Steven', "I'm sure you'll have lots of fun staying with Donna and Eric. I have to leave now so give Mommy a big hug and kiss."
"I love you, Mommy."
"Love you, too, sweetie."
Within the snap of a finger Jackie with miraculously only one suitcase was out of the apartment and in a taxi.
Donna looked at the clock.
"Are you hungry, dear?"
"Actually, I'm starving-----"
"Not you, Eric. Tiffany, what time do you eat supper?"
"When the little hand is on the six."
"Let's see what your Mom has in the kitchen?"
"Can I stay with Eric?"
"Sure." Donna wished she had the rapport with children.
Eric finished packing except for the clothes he was going to wear tomorrow.
"Are you not sick anymore?"
'Huh'? Thought Eric
"Mommy said you were sick and I had to be quiet this morning."
'Oh, she means you were passed out from your Coke binge'
He tried to smile to reassure her, "I'm better."
Donna came back in the guest room, "There's nothing. Why don't we go out to the Hard Rock?"
"That's a good idea, Donna." Eric wondered how come there wasn't a Star Wars themed restaurant? He'd buy stock in it!
"What's the Hard Rock?" asked Tiffany
"A awesome rock and roll themed restaurant and you don't have to wear a dress and Mary Jane's! But you should wash up before we go."
"Okay!"
"Where do you think Jackie is going?" asked Eric in a whisper
"I don't know, but wherever she is going she was in a mighty hurry to get there."
It was only a few hours drive from the car rental station at JFK to the rural Pennsylvania countryside but Jackie got lost twice and needed to stop in a rest area to make a cell phone call to see how Tiffany was doing. Eric and Donna took her the Hard Rock Café. She also needed to eat a little something and settled on a truck stop which was against her character and she quickly downed her cherry pie and coffee and quickly left, as the gazing eyes of the truckers made her feel very uncomfortable. She wasn't as big as Donna, but she knew she could defend herself if she had to. Steven taught her how. She saw a mailbox it said Hyde and a piece of duct tape over the rest. She got out of her car and peeled back the tape--& Jackie.
She felt a lump grow in her throat but got back in the car and headed up to the cottage.
"Aww". She said aloud, it was a quaint little country cottage that she always thought would be perfect to make babies in. Not like the hotel suite in Paris where Tiffany was conceived. All the lights were off and she thought what if Steven wasn't home? But then she saw his car parked along side the house. Jackie parked as soon as she got to the unpaved driveway and turned off the car. She hoped she was doing the right thing. She loved Steven in much the same way Eric loved Donna. She may not have developed a drug habit but if she didn't have a daughter to raise she might have become a societal alcoholic and designer pill popper. She loved him very much but it didn't mean he was going to recipicate. Jackie got out of the car and took her suitcase out of the trunk. She walked to the front door and put her hand on the knob-it was open. The year 2000 and the door was open. She took a deep breath and opened the door as quietly as she could.
There were two lit long white tapered candles on the wooden fireplace mantel. She was afraid to make a move but silently as possible got ready for her gift to Steven.
"Eric, get the door." Donna grumbled shoving him thinking there was a knock on the front door.
"W-what?"
Eric got out of bed almost bumping into the wall. It was Tiffany holding the unicorn Jackie gave her.
"I had a bad dream, Eric!"
He picked her up, "You want to sleep with us?"
"Yeah!"
"What was your dream about?"
"Some monster was chasing me!"
'Probably, Hyde' Eric thought
"Is everything okay?" Donna tried to sit up.
"Yeah. Tiffany just had a bad dream."
"May I have a glass of milk?"
'Good luck getting it off Donna at eleven o'clock at night!' Eric thought.
"Of course, sweetie."
"Thank you." She replied like Jackie taught her.
"You're in with Big Red." Eric replied good-naturedly.
"You're silly, Eric." Tiffany said back. Even though she liked Eric and Donna she still wanted to be back in her New York City apartment with her Mother.
Jackie checked her hair in her compact mirror. Another reason she was so late getting here, but she wanted to get her hair put up in a French braid and decorated with babies' breath. She had the idea when she crossed the Pennsylvania state line and scrambled to find a decent hairdresser but had to go to one of those cookie cutter places that Donna went to. They did an okay job she supposed, but she wanted this moment to be perfect. She slipped into a knee length ivory chemise with thin straps that criss crossed in the back. This was the most brazen thing she had ever done. She took out her a bottle of perfume that Steven had bought for one of her Christmas presents when they had started dating. Their was only a little bit left and she only wore it on special occasions. She slid the crystal stopper down the nape of her neck and her pulse points. Knowing this was either the beginning (again) or the very end of the Jackie and Hyde story. Jackie didn't know where the master bedroom was so she just let herself go down a natural path and the familiar scent of what the Forman basement used the smell like. She hated him still doing that. She hadn't touched a joint in decades, the only vice she had was a little problem with diet pills seven years ago.
She got to the end of the hall and put her hand on this doorknob feeling like a little Alice in Wonderland. Her heart ached a million little pieces seeing Steven sleeping. The only light coming from two large candles. The ones she picked out for him many moons ago. There were beer bottles on the end tables and the ashtrays filled the air with the scent of waning weed. She walked as if she were in slow motion and slid in the bed making sure when he opened his eyes she would be over him. She put her lips to his and kissed him. Awake the Zen prince.
Hyde's eyes blinked open. He had to be dreaming but it certainly felt like it was real. He was going to say something but Jackie put a finger to his lips. He put his hands on her shoulders praying to God (and he never did much of that in his life) that this was not a dream. Their bodies went into a natural, beautiful rhythmic swirl. He had his Tiny Dancer back. When it
was all over he let himself silently cry in her arms that night.
Next day:
Eric was making breakfast for Tiffany as Donna slept in for a few minutes before he had to leave for work. He had the coffee pot on hoping the aroma would wake her up. Although the coffee did absolutely nothing to him as it was decaffeinated. Ever since graduating college Donna got swept up in the '80s healthy eating revolution. Even at the Hard Rock Café she had a turkey burger took it off the bun and only ate that the lettuce and tomato and drank a bottled water.
"Hi, Donna!" Tiffany said finishing her cereal.
"Hi, Donna!" Eric said back, kissing her good morning as he put his yellow cereal bowl in the sink. He's had that bowl since he was three years old.
"Doesn't Eric look cute?" Tiffany asked Donna clearly her Mother's daughter.
"He's a real stud muffin!" Donna laughed
"Quit holding back and say what you really feel," Eric kissed Donna on the lips and Tiffany on the cheek, with the child there it was like being in someone else's family portrait. "I'll see you later."
Some couples were not meant to have children.
"Call me at lunch time." Donna said as she escorted him out the door. He did look adorable in his suit.
"Bye, Eric!" Tiffany waved.
The phone call
While Donna was working on a freelance article for an arts and entertainment St. Louis weekly and Tiffany was taking her nap her cell phone rang.
"Hi, Donna." Jackie said in a content voice
"Hi, Jackie-Now do you care to tell me what this was all about?"
"Yes! I'm sorry for not telling you before. I just didn't want anyone to know about my idea."
"Care to tell me now?"
"I am in Pennsylvania."
"Why?"
"Because Steven bought me a cottage! And I came here to surprise him and we had a wonderful night-and I got him to agree on the double wedding, too! Even though he doesn't want to talk to Eric again. He said he'll do it for me, Tiffany, Mrs. Forman, and you."
"Are we sure we want to put them in a room together?"
"Steven apologized for what happened that night. Is Tiffany up from her afternoon nap?"
"No. Do you want me to wake her up so you can talk to her? She misses you."
"I know. I miss her, too. I'll call back later-Steven says he has a surprise for me, so I have to go now. I'm so happy I got my Steven back!"
"That's great, Jackie," Donna replied "I'll talk to you later."
She was unsure about the double wedding. She was going to have to talk to Eric about it and hoped for the best.
Jackie rested her head on Steven's chest tracing his scar with her finger making sure not to irritate it.
"Steven, Donna has me wondering if maybe the double wedding isn't such a good idea after all? Maybe, I shouldn't have brought up the idea again."
"You have my word that nothings going to happen between me and ERIC."
"I know, Steven. Donna's going to talk to Eric tonight about it."
'Great,' Hyde thought, 'That dill hole can either make or break the day'
"Regardless, we're still getting married on that day." Hyde did not care what Forman had to say about it.
Donna made an early dinner for Tiffany and put her to bed after Jackie phoned in again. Eric would be coming home from work soon. She put the salad on the table.
"Hi, honey, I'm home."
"Ssh, Ward, I put the Beaver to bed." Donna kissed him. This was going to be difficult.
"Why so early?"
"So we could have an adult dinner." Eric was no dummy, he was knew Donna since they were little kids in Point Place.
"And talk about something, right?"
"Yeah-Jackie called."
"Oh, where did she have to go that was so important?" Eric asked-wishing for a glass of wine and nothing more.
"To find Hyde. Seems he bought her a cottage in Pennsylvania and he was hiding out there. Too make a long story short-Jackie persuaded Hyde to have the double wedding after all---"
"And now it's up to me, and if I say no, I'll be the bad guy," Eric sighed, "I love you, Donna. I'll do it for you. My Mother wants this double wedding too. But I hope you aren't expecting Hyde and me to kiss and make up?"
"No. Jackie and I both accept the fact that it's up to the both of you."
Great how this news falls when he had one of his support group meetings tomorrow night.
Eric kissed her and looked up, "Donna, I think our dinner is burning."
"Damn! I forgot about the chicken." Donna turned the oven off and took out the burnt cookie sheet. This was for the garbage can now.
"The salads fine, sit down, relax."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm not hungry-I had a big lunch." She didn't know if he made that up or not because of her news.
Even if Hyde and Eric didn't want to speak to each other at least they both put their feelings aside for the women in their lives.
It was a start.
"Did you finish your article today?"
"Yeah. Tiffany was good. Jackie's picking her up tomorrow."
'With Hyde?' Eric thought. Even though he did have the nine to five excuse known as work and the seven to eight excuse of his support group.
"By herself, Eric."
"How did you know what I was thinking?"
"You aren't the only one who knows the other one. She wants to help me pick out a wedding dress."
"Why aren't you going to wear the wedding dress you wore the first time we got married?"
"That's too formal for a second wedding, don't you think?"
"No."
"Maybe-but we shouldn't try to out do Jackie and Hyde."
'He's ruining it all ready and I'm supposed to keep my ****ing cool, when it's my wedding, too?'
"I just want you to have the wedding you deserve. Not some cut-rate it looks like we got married in a Vegas chapel wedding." He picked at the salad with his fork.
"I know, I love you for it. I'm sure your Mother has definite ideas for this wedding."
Donna got up and rubbed his shoulders.
"You have my word nothings going to happen between me and Hyde." Eric replied not realizing those were the similar words that Hyde had said to Jackie only hours earlier.
It was a start.
Author's note-I hope everyone likes the story so far. I have strived for a semblance of realism in everything I have written-but realized sometimes too much of angst and strife thrown into our stories can make it seem just as "unreal" as if it were too happy and perfect. There has to be a balance of both the positive and negative aspects involved to keep it real. Keep reading, reviewing, and writing. Thank you!!~Carol
The Gift
Jackie didn't want to tell Donna where she was going she didn't want to verbally admit it to even herself afraid that the slightest mention would jinx the whole thing. When she heard Donna and Eric finally get out of the bathroom she knocked on the door and said,
"Donna, I need to talk to you so hurry up and get dressed. I'll be in my room."
'Is it about me?' Eric thought
"Wonder what she wants?" Donna asked Eric as she put on her jeans which would have stuck to her body if it weren't for the fact she wore them today.
"Prob-"
Jackie knocking on the door again interrupted Eric.
"Donna, how long does it take you to get dressed?"
"All right, Jackie," Donna threw on her shirt. "I'm coming."
"I thought you all ready did that?" Eric replied quietly buttoning up his shirt.
Donna looked over and smiled, "Eric! You're so bad." She kissed him on the lips before seeing what Jackie wanted.
"I'm worried about the kids," Kitty told Red over a late lunch
"They haven't called in a few days."
'Thank god' Red thought as he tried to eat his sandwich in peace.
"They're fine, Kitty."
Kitty didn't tell Red but she had a dream about Eric and Donna fighting. She normally wasn't one to believe her dreams but it just seemed so real. She couldn't make out what they were arguing over but it was intense. She wanted to make sure their wedding was still on. She was also worried about Steven she hasn't heard from him in awhile either.
"How do you know, Red? Are you psychic?"
'Oh, crap' "Oh, crap."
"Okay, Jackie what is so important?" Donna came into her room to find Jackie changing of all things to a smaller suitcase.
"Maybe, I should ask you, where are you going?"
"That's not important for you to know right now, but I need you and Eric to do me a favor."
"I was going to ask you if we could stay an extra day?" Calling Eric's workplace was extremely uncomfortable and she hoped his supervisor bought the excuse she made up. 'The airline messed up on our tickets' Indeed.
"You can stay as long as you want, Donna. But if you do have to leave can you take Tiffany with you to St. Louis for a few days?"
"What? Why? Where are you going?"
"I'd rather not say, but I won't be gone long. Please? I'd rather she stay with you guys than the neighbors."
Donna didn't mind watching Tiffany and she knew Eric wouldn't mind seeing as how the two children (one of them 39) got along well with each other. She wouldn't press Jackie on where she was going. She did wonder if it had anything to do with Hyde?
"I suppose it's okay."
"Thanks, Donna! You're the best." Jackie hugged her and kissed her on the cheek.
Hyde wrapped the last stack of one hundred dollar bills with a thick elastic band and put it in the wall safe of the master bedroom and covered the safe with his Ferrari picture. He hated being alone. How in the hell did this happen? Not too long ago he was at least producing records. Maybe he shouldn't have left London? No-he and Jackie got back together. And Forman turned into a little drug-addled prick. Who'd have thought that? If he was married to Donna he wouldn't have acted like a silly little boy who had to get his way. That's exactly what that relationship was about and the fact that Donna took him back so quickly was probably due to the immense guilt she had over the dill hole keeping a ten bob up his nose*. He wasn't thinking of Donna in the romantic sense, his heart belonged to Jackie. Realizing there was a time when he was younger and the thought of loving Jackie would have been a death sentence in Hell. He felt as he grabbed a music magazine off his bed that Donna could do a lot better than Eric Forman. This was supposed to be a nice country get-away for himself and Jackie and now he was bored beyond belief. It was for the best though. He thought he'd be a lousy stepfather to Tiffany. Who needed the agro of putting up with Donna visiting Jackie with the Coke head in tow? Hyde put his magazine down and opened the drawer of his end table-he knew what he could do.
It wasn't the same 360 when you are alone.
When Donna told Eric about the favor Jackie had asked of them he left her in a state of confusion as he walked to Jackie's room and knocked on her door.
"Come in, Donna."
"It's Eric." He opened the door.
"Did Donna---?"
"Yeah. It's nothing like that, Jackie. I don't mind babysitting for you. Tiffany's a nice girl. But-after what I did---you still trust me with your daughter?"
"Eric, you made a mistake. It happens. I wouldn't have asked Donna and yourself if I didn't trust the both of you."
"Thanks." He gave her a small hug and laughed.
"What's so funny?"
"That we've come to a point where we are actually friends, I used to think you were snobby and shallow."
Jackie laughed. "And I thought you were a geek. I never would have hung out in your basement if it wasn't for the fact Michael groan hung out there."
"I would've kicked you out if Kelso wasn't there."
"What are you guys talking about?" Donna came in
"You have a keeper here, Donna."
"Who'd have thought Jackie Burkhart would be my friend and Steven Hyde my enemy?" Eric laughed again which caused Jackie to laugh over the absurdity over it all.
"Okay, I missed something." But it was good to see Eric laughing.
Eric went over to Donna and kissed her. "Listen to Jackie, I'm a keeper!"
"Yeah both of you need the rubber room!" Donna replied, "Eric, if you tickle me you are going to be sorry!"
"And this is punishment? Come on, Jackie let's get her! She can't fight the both of us off!"
For a brief moment it felt like the old times in the basement.
2 hours later
"We didn't buy any souvenirs." Eric said to Donna, as they were packing their suitcases to return to St. Louis so they wouldn't have to do it in the morning.
"You mean you didn't buy the Darth Vader wearing an I-Love-New-York shirt key chain from the airport shop?"
"You made that up! But they should make those." Eric replied doe-eyed.
"Eric get a life!" Donna threw a pillow at him.
"Knock-knock," Jackie breezed in with Tiffany behind her. "I already packed Tiffany's suitcase so you won't be rushed."
"Where are you going, Mommy?" she asked again
"On a little trip, sweetie, but I promise I'll be home soon," 'Hopefully, with Steven', "I'm sure you'll have lots of fun staying with Donna and Eric. I have to leave now so give Mommy a big hug and kiss."
"I love you, Mommy."
"Love you, too, sweetie."
Within the snap of a finger Jackie with miraculously only one suitcase was out of the apartment and in a taxi.
Donna looked at the clock.
"Are you hungry, dear?"
"Actually, I'm starving-----"
"Not you, Eric. Tiffany, what time do you eat supper?"
"When the little hand is on the six."
"Let's see what your Mom has in the kitchen?"
"Can I stay with Eric?"
"Sure." Donna wished she had the rapport with children.
Eric finished packing except for the clothes he was going to wear tomorrow.
"Are you not sick anymore?"
'Huh'? Thought Eric
"Mommy said you were sick and I had to be quiet this morning."
'Oh, she means you were passed out from your Coke binge'
He tried to smile to reassure her, "I'm better."
Donna came back in the guest room, "There's nothing. Why don't we go out to the Hard Rock?"
"That's a good idea, Donna." Eric wondered how come there wasn't a Star Wars themed restaurant? He'd buy stock in it!
"What's the Hard Rock?" asked Tiffany
"A awesome rock and roll themed restaurant and you don't have to wear a dress and Mary Jane's! But you should wash up before we go."
"Okay!"
"Where do you think Jackie is going?" asked Eric in a whisper
"I don't know, but wherever she is going she was in a mighty hurry to get there."
It was only a few hours drive from the car rental station at JFK to the rural Pennsylvania countryside but Jackie got lost twice and needed to stop in a rest area to make a cell phone call to see how Tiffany was doing. Eric and Donna took her the Hard Rock Café. She also needed to eat a little something and settled on a truck stop which was against her character and she quickly downed her cherry pie and coffee and quickly left, as the gazing eyes of the truckers made her feel very uncomfortable. She wasn't as big as Donna, but she knew she could defend herself if she had to. Steven taught her how. She saw a mailbox it said Hyde and a piece of duct tape over the rest. She got out of her car and peeled back the tape--& Jackie.
She felt a lump grow in her throat but got back in the car and headed up to the cottage.
"Aww". She said aloud, it was a quaint little country cottage that she always thought would be perfect to make babies in. Not like the hotel suite in Paris where Tiffany was conceived. All the lights were off and she thought what if Steven wasn't home? But then she saw his car parked along side the house. Jackie parked as soon as she got to the unpaved driveway and turned off the car. She hoped she was doing the right thing. She loved Steven in much the same way Eric loved Donna. She may not have developed a drug habit but if she didn't have a daughter to raise she might have become a societal alcoholic and designer pill popper. She loved him very much but it didn't mean he was going to recipicate. Jackie got out of the car and took her suitcase out of the trunk. She walked to the front door and put her hand on the knob-it was open. The year 2000 and the door was open. She took a deep breath and opened the door as quietly as she could.
There were two lit long white tapered candles on the wooden fireplace mantel. She was afraid to make a move but silently as possible got ready for her gift to Steven.
"Eric, get the door." Donna grumbled shoving him thinking there was a knock on the front door.
"W-what?"
Eric got out of bed almost bumping into the wall. It was Tiffany holding the unicorn Jackie gave her.
"I had a bad dream, Eric!"
He picked her up, "You want to sleep with us?"
"Yeah!"
"What was your dream about?"
"Some monster was chasing me!"
'Probably, Hyde' Eric thought
"Is everything okay?" Donna tried to sit up.
"Yeah. Tiffany just had a bad dream."
"May I have a glass of milk?"
'Good luck getting it off Donna at eleven o'clock at night!' Eric thought.
"Of course, sweetie."
"Thank you." She replied like Jackie taught her.
"You're in with Big Red." Eric replied good-naturedly.
"You're silly, Eric." Tiffany said back. Even though she liked Eric and Donna she still wanted to be back in her New York City apartment with her Mother.
Jackie checked her hair in her compact mirror. Another reason she was so late getting here, but she wanted to get her hair put up in a French braid and decorated with babies' breath. She had the idea when she crossed the Pennsylvania state line and scrambled to find a decent hairdresser but had to go to one of those cookie cutter places that Donna went to. They did an okay job she supposed, but she wanted this moment to be perfect. She slipped into a knee length ivory chemise with thin straps that criss crossed in the back. This was the most brazen thing she had ever done. She took out her a bottle of perfume that Steven had bought for one of her Christmas presents when they had started dating. Their was only a little bit left and she only wore it on special occasions. She slid the crystal stopper down the nape of her neck and her pulse points. Knowing this was either the beginning (again) or the very end of the Jackie and Hyde story. Jackie didn't know where the master bedroom was so she just let herself go down a natural path and the familiar scent of what the Forman basement used the smell like. She hated him still doing that. She hadn't touched a joint in decades, the only vice she had was a little problem with diet pills seven years ago.
She got to the end of the hall and put her hand on this doorknob feeling like a little Alice in Wonderland. Her heart ached a million little pieces seeing Steven sleeping. The only light coming from two large candles. The ones she picked out for him many moons ago. There were beer bottles on the end tables and the ashtrays filled the air with the scent of waning weed. She walked as if she were in slow motion and slid in the bed making sure when he opened his eyes she would be over him. She put her lips to his and kissed him. Awake the Zen prince.
Hyde's eyes blinked open. He had to be dreaming but it certainly felt like it was real. He was going to say something but Jackie put a finger to his lips. He put his hands on her shoulders praying to God (and he never did much of that in his life) that this was not a dream. Their bodies went into a natural, beautiful rhythmic swirl. He had his Tiny Dancer back. When it
was all over he let himself silently cry in her arms that night.
Next day:
Eric was making breakfast for Tiffany as Donna slept in for a few minutes before he had to leave for work. He had the coffee pot on hoping the aroma would wake her up. Although the coffee did absolutely nothing to him as it was decaffeinated. Ever since graduating college Donna got swept up in the '80s healthy eating revolution. Even at the Hard Rock Café she had a turkey burger took it off the bun and only ate that the lettuce and tomato and drank a bottled water.
"Hi, Donna!" Tiffany said finishing her cereal.
"Hi, Donna!" Eric said back, kissing her good morning as he put his yellow cereal bowl in the sink. He's had that bowl since he was three years old.
"Doesn't Eric look cute?" Tiffany asked Donna clearly her Mother's daughter.
"He's a real stud muffin!" Donna laughed
"Quit holding back and say what you really feel," Eric kissed Donna on the lips and Tiffany on the cheek, with the child there it was like being in someone else's family portrait. "I'll see you later."
Some couples were not meant to have children.
"Call me at lunch time." Donna said as she escorted him out the door. He did look adorable in his suit.
"Bye, Eric!" Tiffany waved.
The phone call
While Donna was working on a freelance article for an arts and entertainment St. Louis weekly and Tiffany was taking her nap her cell phone rang.
"Hi, Donna." Jackie said in a content voice
"Hi, Jackie-Now do you care to tell me what this was all about?"
"Yes! I'm sorry for not telling you before. I just didn't want anyone to know about my idea."
"Care to tell me now?"
"I am in Pennsylvania."
"Why?"
"Because Steven bought me a cottage! And I came here to surprise him and we had a wonderful night-and I got him to agree on the double wedding, too! Even though he doesn't want to talk to Eric again. He said he'll do it for me, Tiffany, Mrs. Forman, and you."
"Are we sure we want to put them in a room together?"
"Steven apologized for what happened that night. Is Tiffany up from her afternoon nap?"
"No. Do you want me to wake her up so you can talk to her? She misses you."
"I know. I miss her, too. I'll call back later-Steven says he has a surprise for me, so I have to go now. I'm so happy I got my Steven back!"
"That's great, Jackie," Donna replied "I'll talk to you later."
She was unsure about the double wedding. She was going to have to talk to Eric about it and hoped for the best.
Jackie rested her head on Steven's chest tracing his scar with her finger making sure not to irritate it.
"Steven, Donna has me wondering if maybe the double wedding isn't such a good idea after all? Maybe, I shouldn't have brought up the idea again."
"You have my word that nothings going to happen between me and ERIC."
"I know, Steven. Donna's going to talk to Eric tonight about it."
'Great,' Hyde thought, 'That dill hole can either make or break the day'
"Regardless, we're still getting married on that day." Hyde did not care what Forman had to say about it.
Donna made an early dinner for Tiffany and put her to bed after Jackie phoned in again. Eric would be coming home from work soon. She put the salad on the table.
"Hi, honey, I'm home."
"Ssh, Ward, I put the Beaver to bed." Donna kissed him. This was going to be difficult.
"Why so early?"
"So we could have an adult dinner." Eric was no dummy, he was knew Donna since they were little kids in Point Place.
"And talk about something, right?"
"Yeah-Jackie called."
"Oh, where did she have to go that was so important?" Eric asked-wishing for a glass of wine and nothing more.
"To find Hyde. Seems he bought her a cottage in Pennsylvania and he was hiding out there. Too make a long story short-Jackie persuaded Hyde to have the double wedding after all---"
"And now it's up to me, and if I say no, I'll be the bad guy," Eric sighed, "I love you, Donna. I'll do it for you. My Mother wants this double wedding too. But I hope you aren't expecting Hyde and me to kiss and make up?"
"No. Jackie and I both accept the fact that it's up to the both of you."
Great how this news falls when he had one of his support group meetings tomorrow night.
Eric kissed her and looked up, "Donna, I think our dinner is burning."
"Damn! I forgot about the chicken." Donna turned the oven off and took out the burnt cookie sheet. This was for the garbage can now.
"The salads fine, sit down, relax."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm not hungry-I had a big lunch." She didn't know if he made that up or not because of her news.
Even if Hyde and Eric didn't want to speak to each other at least they both put their feelings aside for the women in their lives.
It was a start.
"Did you finish your article today?"
"Yeah. Tiffany was good. Jackie's picking her up tomorrow."
'With Hyde?' Eric thought. Even though he did have the nine to five excuse known as work and the seven to eight excuse of his support group.
"By herself, Eric."
"How did you know what I was thinking?"
"You aren't the only one who knows the other one. She wants to help me pick out a wedding dress."
"Why aren't you going to wear the wedding dress you wore the first time we got married?"
"That's too formal for a second wedding, don't you think?"
"No."
"Maybe-but we shouldn't try to out do Jackie and Hyde."
'He's ruining it all ready and I'm supposed to keep my ****ing cool, when it's my wedding, too?'
"I just want you to have the wedding you deserve. Not some cut-rate it looks like we got married in a Vegas chapel wedding." He picked at the salad with his fork.
"I know, I love you for it. I'm sure your Mother has definite ideas for this wedding."
Donna got up and rubbed his shoulders.
"You have my word nothings going to happen between me and Hyde." Eric replied not realizing those were the similar words that Hyde had said to Jackie only hours earlier.
It was a start.