Chapter 9
Reunited (And It Feels So Bad)
Jackie's POV (third person)
Jackie couldn't believe her dream was finally coming true she was about to marry the love of her life Steven Hyde. Anti-Establishment guys like Hyde did not go for perky former cheerleader types who had drive an hour on her wedding day for a certain lipstick shade. She didn't hear a word the Priest said knowing that once they got over the "Just Cause" hill they were going to be Mr. and Mrs. Steven Hyde and Tiffany would have a real Father in her life. It was like a scene from a movie everyone did seem to really move in slow motion. The door swung open and there was her first real teenage sweetheart Michael Kelso. He was still very much man-pretty especially with his modern hairstyle and designer suit. Her heart was in her throat as she called his name. She was shocked seeing him there after all the years of hatred but with him contesting her marriage to Hyde he had to have been sorry for everything terrible he had ever done. Then Steven's face got all red and his eyes downcast and he said to her
"Jackie, do you want to be with Kelso? If so speak now or forever hold YOUR PEACE."
Her daughter was crying and hiding behind Eric.
"Steven, Michael-I---Donna---"
"If you need to talk to Donna about it then you don't want to marry me." Hyde shot back.
Donna motioned for Eric to take Tiffany outside she didn't need to see or hear this. Which was fine by Eric he really could care less about Kelso proclaiming his ever-dying love to Jackie.
Kitty went up to Hyde his eyes like glass.
"You three should go somewhere private to talk about this." Kitty said
"No, Mrs. Forman, if Jackie's first thought isn't to marry me then what is there to say?"
He was waiting for Kelso to scream, "Burn!" But he didn't. That was a very long time ago when he didn't have problems like this and he only had to wonder why his parents were losers of society and why Forman had the better parents?
"Steven, that's not true," Jackie started to cry
"I agree. The three of you should sit down and talk about it." Donna said
"Why don't you go off into the sunset with your star spangled powder addict of a husband?"
"That was uncalled for." Donna replied, still holding her bouquet.
"Okay, okay-this is enough-I want everyone involved to follow me now." Kitty instructed taking charge over the Priest.
"Ssh," Eric held Tiffany who was crying he took her to the back of the building where they'd have their bazaars in the summer. "It's going to be okay."
"Is Mommy and Steven getting married?" She asked
"I don't know, sweetie. Do you want to go for a walk?" There was a diner on the corner that served good desserts.
"I have to stay for pictures, Eric."
"Did your Mommy bring extra clothes for you?"
She nodded yes as he wiped away her tears with his hand.
"Come on. You change and we'll go for a walk and then," He didn't want to lie to her, "Hopefully, you can get dressed up again for some pictures."
"Okay, Eric."
Kitty made sure to sit between Kelso and Hyde as they found a little office area they could use for their meeting. Jackie was too nervous to sit and stood in a corner looking at Donna for emotional support who sat down at the desk. She tried not let Hyde's remark bug her, she knew he was hurting but that was no reason to say what he did about Eric.
Kitty nervously poured water into the paper cups that were on the table.
"Let's talk about this calmly like rational adults."
"He's not rational, Mrs. Forman-You don't love, Jackie. She's just a conquest to you."
"You don't know what you're talking about, Hyde."
"Donna---"
"There you go again with the 'Donna'." Hyde replied frustrated
"I think I'm going to be sick."
Donna helped her to the bathroom that was adjacent to the office.
"Now, Michael you cannot just come here and announce your love for Jackie without a reason as to why." Kitty said, holding Steven's hand.
He needed the support and almost wished Mrs. Forman was thirty years younger, he'd marry her in a heartbeat, as she was the only woman to truly give a damn about him.
Tiffany dressed herself in her pull on jeans over her tights with the blue, pink, and purple flower appliqués that Jackie thought made a cute touch, a black t-shirt with the same flower design, and her Mary Jane's. Eric held her hand as they walked.
"Eric! Hey!" Said a familiar voice
"Fez?"
"Yes, Fez has come all the way back to Point Place with his friend Kelso to win back the lovely Jackie."
"Mommy's marrying Steven!" Tiffany huffed
"Who is this?"
"Jackie's daughter, Tiffany."
"Oh-and where are you two off to?"
"Just for a walk."
Just then Eric heard the faint shrill of a voice running towards them becoming louder by the minute.
"Ay-no."
"Uncle Fez don't leave without me." She was seven years old and looked like a female version of Kelso.
"This is Jackie Kelso."
Tiffany processed the name in her brain. "Jackie's my Mommy's name!"
"My Dad came all the way here from Buffalo to marry Jackie!"
Tiffany started to cry again. "No! Steven's marrying Mommy! Eric."
Eric picked Tiffany up.
"Dad says Hyde is a loser. We're rich. Dad's made a fortune in home improvements." She stretched out her words to show she was smarter than the rest.
Eric mentally rolled his eyes, "Fez---"
"I know. Come on, Jackie. Let's play hide and seek again-and this time you have to find your Uncle Fez."
"I'm only giving you to the count of five," She turned around to face the big Oak tree, "Because you're bigger and don't need the ten."
"I don't like her." Tiffany whispered when they got across the street.
"I know. She's not as nice as you." Eric said hoping he could make her feel the tiniest speck better.
Hyde crushed his paper cup as if it were Kelso's head. Jackie and Donna were still in the bathroom talking about the situation. Whose heart did Jackie belong to? If she had to talk about it then that meant she had reservations and Steven Hyde didn't want to be somebody's leftovers. If only he could be a fly on that wall.
"Do you feel better?" Donna asked
"I didn't puke all over my gown did I?" Jackie asked, examining herself in the mirror
"No."
"I don't know what to do, Donna. I love Steven you have to know that. And I always thought I hated Michael-but for him to come here and object to this wedding-doesn't that tell you he's changed?"
"Uh-no. Jackie, I hate to break your fantasy thoughts, but you have to ask yourself why did Kelso come back? Why now on your wedding day?
I'm not saying he doesn't love you, maybe he really does, and who am I to judge? I'm just saying you have to figure out why he's here objecting to you and Hyde getting married." Donna looked at her ring. It didn't seem fair for her to be married to Eric today and Jackie not married at all.
"I don't want to go back out there-"
"Jackie, you have to."
"No, Donna, I'm going to be sick again."
This was shaping up to be a glorious day Donna thought.
Tiffany scraped the small sundae cup with her spoon moving the ice cream but not eating it. Eric just drank a soda. He thought maybe if he took her out to the diner she'd eat something.
"I'm not hungry." Tiffany said
"It's okay," Eric unwrapped his napkin trinity and took out his spoon, "Let's see if I can help you with this."
"I want to see Mommy!"
"Sure, sweetie."
"I have to use the bathroom." She whispered like Jackie taught her.
"Don't talk to strangers." He said for no reason. He was sure Jackie told her that by now.
"I know that!"
Eric realized from the time Kelso interrupted the ceremony to now he didn't have the urge to get high at all. That wasn't to say he wasn't going to feel something gnaw at him later on but right now the only thing that mattered was making sure Tiffany was going to be all right. He did feel out of place in the diner as he was the only one here wearing a tux. Which got quite a few looks and giggles from the patrons.
Tiffany came back her hands all wet because she couldn't reach the automatic dryer. Eric handed her a napkin.
"Let's go see your Mommy."
"Thanks for the ice cream, Eric." Even though she didn't eat it, she was raised to say her 'please's and 'thank you's'.
"You're welcome." Eric wished she was his daughter. He wanted a child in the worst way but he didn't want to dwell on that topic for fear of the Bolivian marching powder coming back into his life. He had to stay sober for Donna.
"You bastard!" Hyde stood up half wanting to punch Kelso the other half tired of having to solve his problems in that way.
Jackie and Donna came back in the room to hear that remark.
"I don't feel good------"
"Oh, Jackie," Mrs. Forman stood up and felt her head, "You're burning up. Let's get you in bed."
"But-but-"
"No buts."
"My wedding day is ruined." She cried
Before Hyde could reply to that logic Eric came in with Tiffany.
"Mommy!"
"My baby," She picked her up and despite being sick kissed her on the cheek,
"I missed you."
"You're hot!"
"I know, I'm sick."
"I'm going to tell Red to bring the car out front, we'll put you in a warm bed Jackie."
Hyde didn't go near Jackie he just stayed in his spot.
"Dad, Uncle Fez won't give me twenty dollars!"
'So this was the brat' Hyde thought
"I gave her money yesterday and she wasted it on candy." Fez came in trailing behind
"You own a candy company, man," Hyde needed to change the subject, "You could've given her the candy for free."
"And eat into the profits? You son of a bitch." It was good to have Fez back.
"He said a bad word." Tiffany said
"Donna, will you and Eric-oh your honeymoon---"
"It's okay, we'll watch Tiffany." Donna said
'No honeymoon?' Eric thought
"That was bull****." Hyde replied
"Here, Jackie," Jackie turned around and realized Kelso was talking to his daughter. "Don't waste it this time."
"Thanks, Dad, you're the best!" She hugged him tight and pulled on Fez' arm so he could take her to the mall.
Jackie started to sneeze, Donna handed her a box of tissues that was on the bookshelf.
Hyde got up he needed to get out of here the awkwardness of the situation starting to get to him.
"I'm going."
"Steven," Jackie sneezed again, "Where are you going?"
"Like you care." He replied hurt not looking at anyone in the room and instead just focusing on the door that led him to a false pretense of freedom.
Eric took of his tie as Donna and his Mother were helping Jackie get out of her wedding ensemble and into her pajamas. He looked at his finger and was grateful that he at least got to marry Donna today. Although like Tiffany he felt terrible being gypped out of his wedding pictures. Kitty did take a few pictures during the ceremony but there were no after ceremony pictures and that was a let down. He wondered if anyone videotaped it? Imagine having someone object to your marriage on videotape. He threw his jacket on the bed not caring if it got wrinkled when the door opened and Hyde stumbled in drunk.
"H-ey Forman, you got any powder on you?" Hyde almost tripped over his own feet and landed on the bed.
'Yeah, I carry it on my person just for the hell of it' Eric thought. Even though Hyde was drunk that was a stupid question to ask.
Hyde's last stuttering words were something along the lines of "You got to marry Donna, you bastard." before passing out.
"What happened in here?" Donna asked, wanting to change into more comfortable clothes herself.
"Hyde came in here drunk and said I was a bastard for marrying you." Eric threw his cummerbund on the floor next to his tie.
Eric kissed her, he was sick of the whole day being about Jackie's interrupted wedding there was another couple that day who did happen to get married.
"I love you, Donna."
"I love---cake."
"Oh, we're going to play do you remember, now?" Eric said. Donna never forgot a thing. "and yes, I do remember saying that-here's a newsflash Donna," Eric did his over excited hand and face gestures which made her laugh, "I was a kid. Kids do stupid things! Who'd have known that?"
"You're so cute, when you get all wound up and twitchy." She put her arms around him.
"I'm glad someone thinks so."
They kissed each other as they fell on the floor.
"What about Hyde?" Donna asked
"He's drunk and passed out, who cares?"
"But the door isn't locked!" Donna started to unbutton his shirt despite her concern for being caught at any minute.
"So? I love you and cake so there." Eric stuck out his tongue at her as their honeymoon was spent in his old childhood bedroom, on the floor with no blankets, pillows, or candles, the house filled with people and with his former best friend passed out drunk on his bed. Oh happy days.
Kitty was pacing, a little slower than she used to but pacing just the same, she couldn't believe what Michael Kelso had done and that boy had done some strange things over the years but showing up at her house without pants on or having sex with her s*** of a daughter was hardly the same as what he told them today. Red, of course, was not listening. He took his suit off, dressed in normal clothes and plopped himself down to watch television as if nothing happened. Kitty was the one who had to tell everyone to go to the reception hall as it was all paid for. If Michael wanted Jackie because deep in his mind he needed a mother figure for his unruly child that was no reason to interrupt that beautiful wedding ceremony over. Kitty stopped her pacing and trying to get a response out of Red and went to the kitchen to get another bowl of chicken noodle soup into Jackie who barely touched the first one. Kitty put the soup on the tray along with a glass of orange juice for later and some new over the counter cough and stuffy head medicine. She didn't know where Steven was but could've sworn she saw him enter the house. She wanted those two to be married almost a little bit more than, and God forbid her for thinking it, Eric and Donna.
"Mommy's sleeping." Tiffany whispered
Kitty put the tray down on the side table. "You shouldn't be in here, Tiffany, you'll get what your Mommy has."
"I don't care."
"Would you like some soup and crackers?"
"I guess." She was kind of hungry now that more time had passed.
"Okay, Let's go downstairs."
"Yes, Mrs. Forman. Where's Eric?" Tiffany asked
"Sleeping." She knew that was a lie.
"I bet Eric and Donna played kissyface!" Tiffany said in the perfect children's innocence.
"Would you like a grilled cheese with your soup?"
"Half, please." That's what her Mother did when they went out for lunch together.
Kitty took the bowl off the tray as her and Tiffany headed downstairs.
Next Day
Eric woke up early to find Kelso in the kitchen pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"What are you doing here, man? If Hyde sees you here-"
"I wanted a free breakfast."
Eric poured himself a cup as he continued, "Um, you do know your daughter thinks you're rich doing home improvements?"
"Can't I still have a free breakfast? Your Mom makes the best scrambled eggs."
'Oh brother'
"I don't care." Eric replied as Kelso went upstairs to use the bathroom and was annoyed that he left his jacket on the floor for anyone to trip over
'Merry Christmas, Eric'! He heard someone coming down the stairs and quickly put his find in his back pocket.
"Good morning, Son." Kitty kissed him on the cheek
"Morning, Mom. You do know Kelso's here? He wants breakfast. He's a moron." Eric replied as if he were 16 and not 40. And who'd have thought
Kelso would dabble in---
"Eric," Kitty waved her hand in front of his face causing him to jump to the ceiling, "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing."
"What you would like for breakfast?"
"Nothing. I had coffee. Listen if Donna gets up early tell her I went to get a newspaper."
"We get the newspaper."
"The Point Place Gazette is not a real newspaper, Mom." Eric replied, giving his Mother a quick peck on the cheek before heading out the door. She wondered where he was off to so early in the morning?
Hyde opened up his eyes. He felt like crap today. His head felt like it was going to pop off his shoulders and roll down the stairs. There was a knock on the door and he realized he passed out in Forman's old room. He quietly said "Come in" it was probably Mrs. Forman with something for his head.
"Hi, Steven."
"Hi, Tiffany." Did she come in here on her own or did Jackie make her do it?
"How are you? Donna told Mrs. Forman that you are sick, are you sick like Mommy?"
Hyde didn't realize that Jackie really had a bug.
"Jackie's sick?"
"Yeah, she's got a fever!"
Hyde tried to get out of bed but the throbbing pain in his head made it impossible.
"Can you see if your Mommy wants to come visit me?" Hyde asked
"Okay! Mommy's putting her make up on." Leave it to Jackie to put on her cosmetics while having the flu.
"---And thank you, Kelso." Eric whispered to himself as he closed the car door, folding the Chicago Tribune and placing it under his arm.
"Where did you run off to?" Donna appeared out of nowhere and scared him.
"You know between you and my Mother scaring me, I'm going to have a heart attack." Eric said, noting the irony in his mind.
"Hardly." Donna kissed him on the lips.
"Didn't you see my Mom this morning? I went to get a real newspaper."
"I have something to tell you-Kelso's a slob he leaves everything, everywhere."
'Uh-oh'.
"Listen, Donna, I---"
She interrupted him, "Sorry, Eric, me first. I couldn't help but notice the address label on an envelope he had by his side during breakfast-it comes from one of Jackie's ex-husbands conglomerates.Somehow, someway Michael 'the dim-wit' Kelso knows upper crust business moron Brad Worthington. I think there's a connection. And I'm going to tell Jackie about it before she does anything stupid," Donna started to laugh, "Sorry, I didn't let you get a word in edgewise. What were you going to say, Eric?"
"Nothing," he put his hands on her shoulders and kissed her, "I love you."
"Aww," she kissed the tip of his nose, "You're sweet. I love you, too. I promise when this mess settles we'll have a real honeymoon."
"That'd be nice, you talk to Jackie, I'm going to make sure Kelso is out of here before Hyde comes downstairs, the last thing this house needs is another fight."
They walked inside together. He hated having to tell her half-truths but he'd be extra careful this time. Eric just had to find the correct balance.
Jackie was crying in between her sneezes when Donna came in.
"Oh my God, what happened?" Donna came in the room with the glass of orange juice Mrs. Forman made her take upstairs.
"Mommy and Steven had a fight." Tiffany said from under the covers.
"Tiffany, why don't you go look for Eric? I'm sure he'll play with you." Donna didn't want to say what she had to say with the little girl present. Although she already did know her biological Father was a bad person.
"Okay, get better, Mommy!" She kissed Jackie on the cheek.
"Be good, sweetie." Donna waited for Tiffany to have completed the short run down the stairs and closed the door.
"Kelso knows Brad."
Jackie laughed, "Whose Brad? My ex-husband? No way!"
"I saw the address on a letter Kelso had on the table earlier."
"Brad owns and has holdings in many corporations. Are you sure it wasn't a billing statement?"
"Jackie, don't be naïve." Donna sighed. Today was going to be another long day.
Eric thought he was going to have to fight tooth and nail to get Kelso out of the house but he said he had to go back to his hotel anyway to see his daughter and to hang around with Fez in the pool area. He also didn't think Kelso would agree to his other request.
"Oh-you took it!"
"I wish I knew your whereabouts in the mid '80s." Eric joked
"Come by later. I'm staying at the Holiday Inn in Kenosha. Room 302."
Eric found it strange that Kelso did not mention Jackie during this whole conversation nor when he snuck in the house for breakfast earlier did he even ask about her or run upstairs to see her. She would be better off with Hyde, Eric reasoned but he wasn't God and couldn't make those things happen.
"Later." Kelso waved from his rental sedan. This was definitely not his Thunderbird.
Eric went back inside the house to rejoin Donna. This sucked. They never should have had a double wedding with Hyde and Jackie. He could feel his whole body tense up and all he could do now was take a deep breath and count the hours.
Four hours later:
Eric couldn't believe it-After driving her Dad back to Chicago, Donna was summoned by Jackie again, His Father was talking (yeah, right, since when did Red Forman talk on purpose about feelings?) to Hyde, and Kitty had to go to the grocery store and some other errands that would bore a child so Eric had to take Tiffany with him when he went visit Kelso. It's not that he didn't love the child but this was no place for her to be not for the reason he was going. She also didn't like Kelso's loud daughter. 'Just be careful, Eric-and it'll all be fine.' He thought.
"You were right, Donna!" Jackie sprang up from the bed cold or no cold and put on her robe.
"What happened?" Donna sat on the edge of the bed.
"I made some phone calls and Brad does know Michael. His secretary told me Michael made some bad investments and when Brad realized who Michael Kelso was-" Jackie started to cry, "He might still love me, Donna, but to interrupt this wedding was all Brad's idea. I f***ing hate him."
"I'm so sorry." Donna replied.
"I'm sorry Michael lost his wife to cancer but I'm not going to replace his dead wife-and if he came all this way looking for that to happen, well, it's not going to."
"Finally, you're speaking sense."
"Where's Steven?"
"Downstairs with Mr. Forman."
"Get him, Donna. I want to change into some clothes."
"I'm glad. You two went through so much to get back together, if you didn't make it-I was going to be very upset." Donna said.
"So was I." Jackie whispered as she tried to figure out what she was going to wear.
"I don't want to play with you!" Tiffany pushed Jackie Kelso she might have been younger and smaller but she was full of might like her Mother.
"Fine. I'm just going to tell my Dad." Jackie ran the other way.
"Eric," Tiffany whined, "I want to go home." She opened the door to the adjoining room that belonged to Fez and saw Eric do something she didn't quite understand.
"Eric?"
'Oh, sh**.' "Tiffany," Eric's palm hit the mirror and blood started to ooze out. "Can you get me a washcloth in the bathroom?" 'F***'.
Tiffany came back with a washcloth and some band-aids that she saw lying on the counter.
"Thanks. I'm okay, sweetie," 'F***' "This is important, Tiffany. You can't tell anyone what you saw. They'll all get angry at me." 'I'm a dick for putting this on a child's shoulders'.
"Why?"
"Because they don't understand, I need to---This makes me feel better. You want to help me put the band aids on?"
"Sure."
"Remember this is our little secret."
She nodded. Those words would come back to haunt Eric Forman later.
Hyde sat on Laurie's old bed waiting for Jackie to come out of the bathroom. How long did it take her to get dressed?
"Jackie," Hyde called out "How long does it take you to get dressed?" He knew she was still a bit under the weather but he actually saw her once take ten minutes to decide on a sweater.
"I'm almost ready, Steven." She spritzed on her namesake perfume. She put on a simple light blue sweater and a khaki colored skirt.
"You look nice." He said
She ran to him and put her arms around him, "I'm so sorry about yesterday. I never wanted to go back to Michael. I was just shocked that he showed up. I'm sure you know that was all Brad's doing and playing on Michael's insecurities over his dead wife and I'll deal with the both of them later. But I do want to marry you, Steven. I love you so much." She rushed her words so she could kiss him passionately even though she still wasn't over her cold.
"I love you, too, Jackie-We pretty much have the house to ourselves so if we can't have the wedding yet, let's just skip to the honeymoon. Wedding's are conspiracies by the government anyway to change your tax bracket."
"Oh, we're SO getting married, Steven!"
He smiled to show he was only joking, "You're cute when you're feisty." He carried her to the bed and they made love the whole afternoon.
Supper time
"Eric should be back by now." said Donna trying to eat her salad. It was only herself and the Forman's at the dinner table as Jackie and Hyde were busy occupying themselves upstairs.
"Forty years old and still quite the dumbass." Red quipped, couldn't he pick up a telephone?
"Red, that's enough." Kitty replied putting more mashed potatoes on Donna's plate wondering about Eric's tardiness herself.
Kelso and Fez took Jackie-Eric thought of calling her Jackie Jr. so there'd be no confusion. Then he realized that was a very high thought to have. Tiffany wanted to go back home an hour and a half ago and she fell asleep on the big bed watching TV as Eric sat on the chair making sure he was fully down before getting in a car with a child. He'd have felt even more awful if they got into an accident. Who would have thought that Kelso would dabble in the fresh fallen snow? He was recreational like all the others but Eric realized in the part of his brain that thought of Donna and responsibility that he had to be recreational too if he didn't want to lose her, his job, or spending time with Tiffany. He felt so terrible that she caught him doing a line. He didn't want to put that weight on her little shoulders and hoped to God that he didn't take away her innocence in one fell swoop.
"Eric," Tiffany rubbed her eyes, "Can we go home now?" She was quite cranky.
He looked at himself in the mirror. His eyes were normal, he didn't look like he touched any drugs. He had to work on his demeanor or Donna (or his Mother) could figure it out in heartbeat.
"Yes, we can go now. I'm sorry we couldn't leave sooner, but I didn't feel well."
"Are you better, Eric?"
He sighed knowing that he had to lie because children didn't need to know the harsh cold true facts of life.
"Yeah. I just had a stomach ache. Let's go home, it's dinner time 'actually past it, dill hole' I bet you're starving."
"Your Mommy cooks good!"
"Yeah, she does," Eric tried to smile, "Do you want a soda from the vending machine?"
"No, thank you."
Eric felt terrible but not terrible enough to throw away his begotten stash.
"Donna, where in the hell is your husband?" Hyde said from the Forman kitchen in a rather rude way as Donna turned off her cell phone there were no messages from Eric.
"I don't like what you're implying." Donna did not want to fight with Hyde which was why she let it rest about him visiting Eric just and buying Cocaine just for him to dispose of it.
The backdoor opened and Tiffany ran to Hyde.
"Hi, Steven!"
"Hi---"
Jackie came in at the sound of her daughter's voice.
"There you are, sweetie," Jackie turned the microwave to heat up Tiffany's plate, "Your dinner will be ready soon."
Eric came in and hoped it wasn't written all over his face. "Hi, Donna." He kissed her on the cheek, "Sorry, Jackie that Tiffany and I are so late."
"We watched cartoons." Tiffany said sitting down not realizing she was covering for Eric.
"That's fine." Jackie said, she trusted Eric with Tiffany.
Eric went to the fridge because he knew Donna wasn't going to make him a plate. He was surprised his Mother didn't leave him one. He took out a soda and a loaf of bread.
"Eric, what happened to your hand?" Donna noticed
'Be cool, Eric' "By an angry wire hanger. Maybe, Joan Crawford was right about them?" He joked to try and deflect from the situation. Tiffany squirmed in her chair, Eric lied to Donna.
Hyde whispered something to Jackie and after he kissed Tiffany on the head he seemed to have sprinted out of the kitchen.
"We all know what that was about." Eric said the picture of calmness as he took a butter knife out of the drawer.
Jackie chose not to reply as she got the milk out of the refrigerator and poured Tiffany a cup as the microwave went off.
"Now you finish your dinner and I'll fix you a bubble bath." Jackie said to Tiffany, Eric wished Donna had said that to him.
"You want to watch TV?" Donna asked Eric. This was some honeymoon!
Eric grabbed his plate and soda can, "Sure."
Jackie watched Tiffany take small bites of her food and thought maybe she was coming down with her cold.
"Are you okay, honey?"
"Yeah, Mommy."
'I'm a prick' Eric thought before going into the living room with Donna.
Through Donna's Eyes
12AM
Donna woke up at midnight when she realized Eric was not in the bed next to her. She didn't want to admit it but that whole pre-wedding episode bothered her with the vodka, he wasn't drunk and they were miniature bottles but it was the principal involved. Today he acted very strange, he didn't look high, he didn't look like the zoned out monster that was behind the Club Sapphire when she found him last year and he was so strung out that he was beating up a homeless man for five dollars and he punched her in the eye. Maybe, it was all in her mind. Eric never could handle stress well. He reached his breaking point when they finally divorced after he thought they were getting back together from their separation. Donna felt terrible about that. She put on his robe because it made her feel comfortable and it smelled of his cologne. If he went out on a Coke run she didn't know what she was going to do. She loved him for so long and she never wanted to be without him. She opened the bedroom door and heard a noise from downstairs. She walked quietly and the first thing she saw was a children's book on the end table. Eric was rocking a sleeping Tiffany in the rocking chair that Hyde bought for Kitty a few years ago for Christmas. He
was crying. Softly. Not the happy, grateful tears of their wedding but sorrowful tears like when someone that you love very much dies.
"I'm sorry that I scared you, Tiffany," Donna couldn't breathe, she felt as if she was being frozen on the spot. "I didn't mean it."
Donna heard steps from behind her, so she quietly moved to the side room. It was Hyde. 'Great' Donna thought.
"Damn it, Forman. You seem to think you are Tiffany's Father."
"I-" Hyde ignored the tears that flowed down Eric's face.
Hyde took Tiffany out of Eric's arms, "You are pathetic, man."
"Shut up," Eric hoped Hyde couldn't see his tears in the glow of the nightlights that Kitty had strategically placed, "Tiffany came downstairs and wanted me to read her a bedtime story. Maybe you are just jealous that
she came to me and not you?" Eric whispered sharply.
"F*** you, man." Hyde didn't even wait for Eric to reply he just took Tiffany upstairs with him, who was sleeping like a log and didn't know any of this was taking place.
When Hyde was gone Eric took out his old friend, Donna was too paralyzed to do anything, she never saw him actually do the act. Her eyes watered when she saw Eric do a line. She forced herself to quietly go upstairs while his back was still turned. That's why Eric and Tiffany were late coming back, he got Cocaine from Kelso (?). He was high and didn't want to drive with Tiffany in the car with him and he waited for himself to come down. That's all she could figure out at the moment. When Donna got under the covers of Eric's old bed, she cried, until she heard him come in the room fifteen minutes later. He put his arm around her and kissed her on the cheek. She pretended to be asleep.
"I love you, Donna." 'Till death do us part'
'I love you, too, Eric, for better or worse, in sickness and in health'. She silently replied.
Next day:
Jackie looked at Hyde sleeping he was so beautiful and content the burdens of his life lifted off his shoulders during slumber. She couldn't imagine a life without him. They'd get married soon she was sure of it but she had to deal with Michael Kelso today. Tiffany was up early and Jackie got her dressed and sent her downstairs to Kitty and Red for breakfast. Jackie didn't want to look too good for Kelso, but screw it she was beautiful and would look amazing in a paper sack and tangled hair. She wrapped her powder blue floral print scarf around her neck and walked over to Hyde.
"I love you, Steven." She lightly kissed him on the cheek.
She took her train case containing her important cosmetics into the bathroom, the door was locked, and Jackie wasn't used to waiting for a bathroom.
"Donna, how much make up do you need? You go for that Earthy lumberjack look."
The door opened, "It's not Donna, it's me."
"Hi, Eric. Good morning." He didn't look very happy and he was remarried to Donna, he should be doing cartwheels.
"Hi," he replied quietly, "Tell Donna, I'm going back to bed."
Jackie wondered what was up with Eric's mood? She hoped it had nothing to do with Steven. It was like one Hatfield fighting with one McCoy. She twisted her face at the Southern reference. Jackie wasn't a racist person she just disliked stupid inbred hillbillies who always seem to come from "Down
South." Jackie was about to go in the bathroom when she saw Donna come up with two cups of tea.
"Hi, Donna, I ran into Eric he told me to tell you he's going back to bed."
"The hell he is."
"What's wrong? You two just got married! You two are the most neurotic couple that I know of. And how come you aren't on your honeymoon? You shouldn't not have a honeymoon just because Steven and I didn't get married."
"Jackie," Donna didn't want to start a fight with her she meant well, but Donna was in no mood to hear it, "Please." Donna went to Eric's old room and thought for the first time-there was no reason for them not to not be on their honeymoon now-the crisis of Jackie, Hyde, and Kelso was over. Why not go on with their honeymoon as planned? The worst of the interrupted wedding was over. They didn't need to be here. It would also do Eric a world of good.
Closure
Jackie swirled her spoon around her coffee cup. She didn't have to do this, but she figured both her and Michael did stupid things over the years and she was only thinking of after adolescence. She told Steven last night in bed that she was going to do this and she was waiting for his protest but he only replied, "That's fine." Because he was confident that Jackie was not going to dump him for Kelso.
"Hi, Jackie."
"Michael."
"You look pretty."
She smirked even though it was true. "Thanks. I just want you to know Michael that I didn't have to come here to talk to you, but I wanted to. I'm not dumping Steven for you or to replace your wife. So, if that's what you think this talk is about, I might as well leave now."
"I realize that." He softly whispered making him seem for the first time actually grown up. Jackie pushed her coffee cup away, she couldn't drink anymore.
"I'm sorry that your wife died, what was her name?" Jackie asked
"Leigh."
"You only have one daughter?"
"Jackie."
"Yeah?"
"No, that's her name."
Michael made sure his daughter was named after her? She wanted to ask how did he manage that but she refrained. He turned out okay she supposed and was still getting by on his looks and freebees.
"Um, I hate to cut this short, but I really have to---"
"Get back to Hyde?"
Jackie stood up, "As a matter of fact yes, Michael. And my daughter, too." She didn't know whether to kiss him on the cheek or hug him. She settled for neither. She quietly said goodbye as she left him speechless at the table. If he knew how he was going to feel about her later on in life he never would have been such a teenage jerk all those years ago.
"Eric!" Donna whipped the covers off his body and watched him grunt and crawl in the fetal position.
"No, you're getting up."
"Donna---" 'I need to get high'
She handed him a cup of tea, "I was thinking about it, Eric and since the worst of Jackie's interrupted wedding is over, we can go on our honeymoon after all."
"I really don't feel like it, Donna. I say we just go back to St. Louis. If that's okay with you." He didn't look at her. He couldn't.
"Eric, I saw you last night."
"What?"
"I saw you do a line last night." She wouldn't bring up what Tiffany had walked in on. He felt enough guilt over that she was sure. She put her tea cup on the dresser and crawled back in the bed next to him.
"I'm not going to deny it. Yes, I did." He put his head down.
Donna put her arms around him, "I love you, Eric. Stewing in bed all day is not going to help you, and you know it. I'm going to trust that you'll dispose of the rest all by yourself."
He kissed her on the lips, "I think I will get dressed. And to tell Mom we're leaving for our honeymoon." He faked the joy in his voice. Yeah, he'd dispose of the Coke all by himself-straight up his nose. He hated himself for it, but such was life. 'That's what Donna gets for marrying an addict' he thought.
"Red, it's in the paper!" Kitty went in the living room with the mornings newspaper for her husband to see
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Jackie's POV (third person)
Jackie couldn't believe her dream was finally coming true she was about to marry the love of her life Steven Hyde. Anti-Establishment guys like Hyde did not go for perky former cheerleader types who had drive an hour on her wedding day for a certain lipstick shade. She didn't hear a word the Priest said knowing that once they got over the "Just Cause" hill they were going to be Mr. and Mrs. Steven Hyde and Tiffany would have a real Father in her life. It was like a scene from a movie everyone did seem to really move in slow motion. The door swung open and there was her first real teenage sweetheart Michael Kelso. He was still very much man-pretty especially with his modern hairstyle and designer suit. Her heart was in her throat as she called his name. She was shocked seeing him there after all the years of hatred but with him contesting her marriage to Hyde he had to have been sorry for everything terrible he had ever done. Then Steven's face got all red and his eyes downcast and he said to her
"Jackie, do you want to be with Kelso? If so speak now or forever hold YOUR PEACE."
Her daughter was crying and hiding behind Eric.
"Steven, Michael-I---Donna---"
"If you need to talk to Donna about it then you don't want to marry me." Hyde shot back.
Donna motioned for Eric to take Tiffany outside she didn't need to see or hear this. Which was fine by Eric he really could care less about Kelso proclaiming his ever-dying love to Jackie.
Kitty went up to Hyde his eyes like glass.
"You three should go somewhere private to talk about this." Kitty said
"No, Mrs. Forman, if Jackie's first thought isn't to marry me then what is there to say?"
He was waiting for Kelso to scream, "Burn!" But he didn't. That was a very long time ago when he didn't have problems like this and he only had to wonder why his parents were losers of society and why Forman had the better parents?
"Steven, that's not true," Jackie started to cry
"I agree. The three of you should sit down and talk about it." Donna said
"Why don't you go off into the sunset with your star spangled powder addict of a husband?"
"That was uncalled for." Donna replied, still holding her bouquet.
"Okay, okay-this is enough-I want everyone involved to follow me now." Kitty instructed taking charge over the Priest.
"Ssh," Eric held Tiffany who was crying he took her to the back of the building where they'd have their bazaars in the summer. "It's going to be okay."
"Is Mommy and Steven getting married?" She asked
"I don't know, sweetie. Do you want to go for a walk?" There was a diner on the corner that served good desserts.
"I have to stay for pictures, Eric."
"Did your Mommy bring extra clothes for you?"
She nodded yes as he wiped away her tears with his hand.
"Come on. You change and we'll go for a walk and then," He didn't want to lie to her, "Hopefully, you can get dressed up again for some pictures."
"Okay, Eric."
Kitty made sure to sit between Kelso and Hyde as they found a little office area they could use for their meeting. Jackie was too nervous to sit and stood in a corner looking at Donna for emotional support who sat down at the desk. She tried not let Hyde's remark bug her, she knew he was hurting but that was no reason to say what he did about Eric.
Kitty nervously poured water into the paper cups that were on the table.
"Let's talk about this calmly like rational adults."
"He's not rational, Mrs. Forman-You don't love, Jackie. She's just a conquest to you."
"You don't know what you're talking about, Hyde."
"Donna---"
"There you go again with the 'Donna'." Hyde replied frustrated
"I think I'm going to be sick."
Donna helped her to the bathroom that was adjacent to the office.
"Now, Michael you cannot just come here and announce your love for Jackie without a reason as to why." Kitty said, holding Steven's hand.
He needed the support and almost wished Mrs. Forman was thirty years younger, he'd marry her in a heartbeat, as she was the only woman to truly give a damn about him.
Tiffany dressed herself in her pull on jeans over her tights with the blue, pink, and purple flower appliqués that Jackie thought made a cute touch, a black t-shirt with the same flower design, and her Mary Jane's. Eric held her hand as they walked.
"Eric! Hey!" Said a familiar voice
"Fez?"
"Yes, Fez has come all the way back to Point Place with his friend Kelso to win back the lovely Jackie."
"Mommy's marrying Steven!" Tiffany huffed
"Who is this?"
"Jackie's daughter, Tiffany."
"Oh-and where are you two off to?"
"Just for a walk."
Just then Eric heard the faint shrill of a voice running towards them becoming louder by the minute.
"Ay-no."
"Uncle Fez don't leave without me." She was seven years old and looked like a female version of Kelso.
"This is Jackie Kelso."
Tiffany processed the name in her brain. "Jackie's my Mommy's name!"
"My Dad came all the way here from Buffalo to marry Jackie!"
Tiffany started to cry again. "No! Steven's marrying Mommy! Eric."
Eric picked Tiffany up.
"Dad says Hyde is a loser. We're rich. Dad's made a fortune in home improvements." She stretched out her words to show she was smarter than the rest.
Eric mentally rolled his eyes, "Fez---"
"I know. Come on, Jackie. Let's play hide and seek again-and this time you have to find your Uncle Fez."
"I'm only giving you to the count of five," She turned around to face the big Oak tree, "Because you're bigger and don't need the ten."
"I don't like her." Tiffany whispered when they got across the street.
"I know. She's not as nice as you." Eric said hoping he could make her feel the tiniest speck better.
Hyde crushed his paper cup as if it were Kelso's head. Jackie and Donna were still in the bathroom talking about the situation. Whose heart did Jackie belong to? If she had to talk about it then that meant she had reservations and Steven Hyde didn't want to be somebody's leftovers. If only he could be a fly on that wall.
"Do you feel better?" Donna asked
"I didn't puke all over my gown did I?" Jackie asked, examining herself in the mirror
"No."
"I don't know what to do, Donna. I love Steven you have to know that. And I always thought I hated Michael-but for him to come here and object to this wedding-doesn't that tell you he's changed?"
"Uh-no. Jackie, I hate to break your fantasy thoughts, but you have to ask yourself why did Kelso come back? Why now on your wedding day?
I'm not saying he doesn't love you, maybe he really does, and who am I to judge? I'm just saying you have to figure out why he's here objecting to you and Hyde getting married." Donna looked at her ring. It didn't seem fair for her to be married to Eric today and Jackie not married at all.
"I don't want to go back out there-"
"Jackie, you have to."
"No, Donna, I'm going to be sick again."
This was shaping up to be a glorious day Donna thought.
Tiffany scraped the small sundae cup with her spoon moving the ice cream but not eating it. Eric just drank a soda. He thought maybe if he took her out to the diner she'd eat something.
"I'm not hungry." Tiffany said
"It's okay," Eric unwrapped his napkin trinity and took out his spoon, "Let's see if I can help you with this."
"I want to see Mommy!"
"Sure, sweetie."
"I have to use the bathroom." She whispered like Jackie taught her.
"Don't talk to strangers." He said for no reason. He was sure Jackie told her that by now.
"I know that!"
Eric realized from the time Kelso interrupted the ceremony to now he didn't have the urge to get high at all. That wasn't to say he wasn't going to feel something gnaw at him later on but right now the only thing that mattered was making sure Tiffany was going to be all right. He did feel out of place in the diner as he was the only one here wearing a tux. Which got quite a few looks and giggles from the patrons.
Tiffany came back her hands all wet because she couldn't reach the automatic dryer. Eric handed her a napkin.
"Let's go see your Mommy."
"Thanks for the ice cream, Eric." Even though she didn't eat it, she was raised to say her 'please's and 'thank you's'.
"You're welcome." Eric wished she was his daughter. He wanted a child in the worst way but he didn't want to dwell on that topic for fear of the Bolivian marching powder coming back into his life. He had to stay sober for Donna.
"You bastard!" Hyde stood up half wanting to punch Kelso the other half tired of having to solve his problems in that way.
Jackie and Donna came back in the room to hear that remark.
"I don't feel good------"
"Oh, Jackie," Mrs. Forman stood up and felt her head, "You're burning up. Let's get you in bed."
"But-but-"
"No buts."
"My wedding day is ruined." She cried
Before Hyde could reply to that logic Eric came in with Tiffany.
"Mommy!"
"My baby," She picked her up and despite being sick kissed her on the cheek,
"I missed you."
"You're hot!"
"I know, I'm sick."
"I'm going to tell Red to bring the car out front, we'll put you in a warm bed Jackie."
Hyde didn't go near Jackie he just stayed in his spot.
"Dad, Uncle Fez won't give me twenty dollars!"
'So this was the brat' Hyde thought
"I gave her money yesterday and she wasted it on candy." Fez came in trailing behind
"You own a candy company, man," Hyde needed to change the subject, "You could've given her the candy for free."
"And eat into the profits? You son of a bitch." It was good to have Fez back.
"He said a bad word." Tiffany said
"Donna, will you and Eric-oh your honeymoon---"
"It's okay, we'll watch Tiffany." Donna said
'No honeymoon?' Eric thought
"That was bull****." Hyde replied
"Here, Jackie," Jackie turned around and realized Kelso was talking to his daughter. "Don't waste it this time."
"Thanks, Dad, you're the best!" She hugged him tight and pulled on Fez' arm so he could take her to the mall.
Jackie started to sneeze, Donna handed her a box of tissues that was on the bookshelf.
Hyde got up he needed to get out of here the awkwardness of the situation starting to get to him.
"I'm going."
"Steven," Jackie sneezed again, "Where are you going?"
"Like you care." He replied hurt not looking at anyone in the room and instead just focusing on the door that led him to a false pretense of freedom.
Eric took of his tie as Donna and his Mother were helping Jackie get out of her wedding ensemble and into her pajamas. He looked at his finger and was grateful that he at least got to marry Donna today. Although like Tiffany he felt terrible being gypped out of his wedding pictures. Kitty did take a few pictures during the ceremony but there were no after ceremony pictures and that was a let down. He wondered if anyone videotaped it? Imagine having someone object to your marriage on videotape. He threw his jacket on the bed not caring if it got wrinkled when the door opened and Hyde stumbled in drunk.
"H-ey Forman, you got any powder on you?" Hyde almost tripped over his own feet and landed on the bed.
'Yeah, I carry it on my person just for the hell of it' Eric thought. Even though Hyde was drunk that was a stupid question to ask.
Hyde's last stuttering words were something along the lines of "You got to marry Donna, you bastard." before passing out.
"What happened in here?" Donna asked, wanting to change into more comfortable clothes herself.
"Hyde came in here drunk and said I was a bastard for marrying you." Eric threw his cummerbund on the floor next to his tie.
Eric kissed her, he was sick of the whole day being about Jackie's interrupted wedding there was another couple that day who did happen to get married.
"I love you, Donna."
"I love---cake."
"Oh, we're going to play do you remember, now?" Eric said. Donna never forgot a thing. "and yes, I do remember saying that-here's a newsflash Donna," Eric did his over excited hand and face gestures which made her laugh, "I was a kid. Kids do stupid things! Who'd have known that?"
"You're so cute, when you get all wound up and twitchy." She put her arms around him.
"I'm glad someone thinks so."
They kissed each other as they fell on the floor.
"What about Hyde?" Donna asked
"He's drunk and passed out, who cares?"
"But the door isn't locked!" Donna started to unbutton his shirt despite her concern for being caught at any minute.
"So? I love you and cake so there." Eric stuck out his tongue at her as their honeymoon was spent in his old childhood bedroom, on the floor with no blankets, pillows, or candles, the house filled with people and with his former best friend passed out drunk on his bed. Oh happy days.
Kitty was pacing, a little slower than she used to but pacing just the same, she couldn't believe what Michael Kelso had done and that boy had done some strange things over the years but showing up at her house without pants on or having sex with her s*** of a daughter was hardly the same as what he told them today. Red, of course, was not listening. He took his suit off, dressed in normal clothes and plopped himself down to watch television as if nothing happened. Kitty was the one who had to tell everyone to go to the reception hall as it was all paid for. If Michael wanted Jackie because deep in his mind he needed a mother figure for his unruly child that was no reason to interrupt that beautiful wedding ceremony over. Kitty stopped her pacing and trying to get a response out of Red and went to the kitchen to get another bowl of chicken noodle soup into Jackie who barely touched the first one. Kitty put the soup on the tray along with a glass of orange juice for later and some new over the counter cough and stuffy head medicine. She didn't know where Steven was but could've sworn she saw him enter the house. She wanted those two to be married almost a little bit more than, and God forbid her for thinking it, Eric and Donna.
"Mommy's sleeping." Tiffany whispered
Kitty put the tray down on the side table. "You shouldn't be in here, Tiffany, you'll get what your Mommy has."
"I don't care."
"Would you like some soup and crackers?"
"I guess." She was kind of hungry now that more time had passed.
"Okay, Let's go downstairs."
"Yes, Mrs. Forman. Where's Eric?" Tiffany asked
"Sleeping." She knew that was a lie.
"I bet Eric and Donna played kissyface!" Tiffany said in the perfect children's innocence.
"Would you like a grilled cheese with your soup?"
"Half, please." That's what her Mother did when they went out for lunch together.
Kitty took the bowl off the tray as her and Tiffany headed downstairs.
Next Day
Eric woke up early to find Kelso in the kitchen pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"What are you doing here, man? If Hyde sees you here-"
"I wanted a free breakfast."
Eric poured himself a cup as he continued, "Um, you do know your daughter thinks you're rich doing home improvements?"
"Can't I still have a free breakfast? Your Mom makes the best scrambled eggs."
'Oh brother'
"I don't care." Eric replied as Kelso went upstairs to use the bathroom and was annoyed that he left his jacket on the floor for anyone to trip over
'Merry Christmas, Eric'! He heard someone coming down the stairs and quickly put his find in his back pocket.
"Good morning, Son." Kitty kissed him on the cheek
"Morning, Mom. You do know Kelso's here? He wants breakfast. He's a moron." Eric replied as if he were 16 and not 40. And who'd have thought
Kelso would dabble in---
"Eric," Kitty waved her hand in front of his face causing him to jump to the ceiling, "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing."
"What you would like for breakfast?"
"Nothing. I had coffee. Listen if Donna gets up early tell her I went to get a newspaper."
"We get the newspaper."
"The Point Place Gazette is not a real newspaper, Mom." Eric replied, giving his Mother a quick peck on the cheek before heading out the door. She wondered where he was off to so early in the morning?
Hyde opened up his eyes. He felt like crap today. His head felt like it was going to pop off his shoulders and roll down the stairs. There was a knock on the door and he realized he passed out in Forman's old room. He quietly said "Come in" it was probably Mrs. Forman with something for his head.
"Hi, Steven."
"Hi, Tiffany." Did she come in here on her own or did Jackie make her do it?
"How are you? Donna told Mrs. Forman that you are sick, are you sick like Mommy?"
Hyde didn't realize that Jackie really had a bug.
"Jackie's sick?"
"Yeah, she's got a fever!"
Hyde tried to get out of bed but the throbbing pain in his head made it impossible.
"Can you see if your Mommy wants to come visit me?" Hyde asked
"Okay! Mommy's putting her make up on." Leave it to Jackie to put on her cosmetics while having the flu.
"---And thank you, Kelso." Eric whispered to himself as he closed the car door, folding the Chicago Tribune and placing it under his arm.
"Where did you run off to?" Donna appeared out of nowhere and scared him.
"You know between you and my Mother scaring me, I'm going to have a heart attack." Eric said, noting the irony in his mind.
"Hardly." Donna kissed him on the lips.
"Didn't you see my Mom this morning? I went to get a real newspaper."
"I have something to tell you-Kelso's a slob he leaves everything, everywhere."
'Uh-oh'.
"Listen, Donna, I---"
She interrupted him, "Sorry, Eric, me first. I couldn't help but notice the address label on an envelope he had by his side during breakfast-it comes from one of Jackie's ex-husbands conglomerates.Somehow, someway Michael 'the dim-wit' Kelso knows upper crust business moron Brad Worthington. I think there's a connection. And I'm going to tell Jackie about it before she does anything stupid," Donna started to laugh, "Sorry, I didn't let you get a word in edgewise. What were you going to say, Eric?"
"Nothing," he put his hands on her shoulders and kissed her, "I love you."
"Aww," she kissed the tip of his nose, "You're sweet. I love you, too. I promise when this mess settles we'll have a real honeymoon."
"That'd be nice, you talk to Jackie, I'm going to make sure Kelso is out of here before Hyde comes downstairs, the last thing this house needs is another fight."
They walked inside together. He hated having to tell her half-truths but he'd be extra careful this time. Eric just had to find the correct balance.
Jackie was crying in between her sneezes when Donna came in.
"Oh my God, what happened?" Donna came in the room with the glass of orange juice Mrs. Forman made her take upstairs.
"Mommy and Steven had a fight." Tiffany said from under the covers.
"Tiffany, why don't you go look for Eric? I'm sure he'll play with you." Donna didn't want to say what she had to say with the little girl present. Although she already did know her biological Father was a bad person.
"Okay, get better, Mommy!" She kissed Jackie on the cheek.
"Be good, sweetie." Donna waited for Tiffany to have completed the short run down the stairs and closed the door.
"Kelso knows Brad."
Jackie laughed, "Whose Brad? My ex-husband? No way!"
"I saw the address on a letter Kelso had on the table earlier."
"Brad owns and has holdings in many corporations. Are you sure it wasn't a billing statement?"
"Jackie, don't be naïve." Donna sighed. Today was going to be another long day.
Eric thought he was going to have to fight tooth and nail to get Kelso out of the house but he said he had to go back to his hotel anyway to see his daughter and to hang around with Fez in the pool area. He also didn't think Kelso would agree to his other request.
"Oh-you took it!"
"I wish I knew your whereabouts in the mid '80s." Eric joked
"Come by later. I'm staying at the Holiday Inn in Kenosha. Room 302."
Eric found it strange that Kelso did not mention Jackie during this whole conversation nor when he snuck in the house for breakfast earlier did he even ask about her or run upstairs to see her. She would be better off with Hyde, Eric reasoned but he wasn't God and couldn't make those things happen.
"Later." Kelso waved from his rental sedan. This was definitely not his Thunderbird.
Eric went back inside the house to rejoin Donna. This sucked. They never should have had a double wedding with Hyde and Jackie. He could feel his whole body tense up and all he could do now was take a deep breath and count the hours.
Four hours later:
Eric couldn't believe it-After driving her Dad back to Chicago, Donna was summoned by Jackie again, His Father was talking (yeah, right, since when did Red Forman talk on purpose about feelings?) to Hyde, and Kitty had to go to the grocery store and some other errands that would bore a child so Eric had to take Tiffany with him when he went visit Kelso. It's not that he didn't love the child but this was no place for her to be not for the reason he was going. She also didn't like Kelso's loud daughter. 'Just be careful, Eric-and it'll all be fine.' He thought.
"You were right, Donna!" Jackie sprang up from the bed cold or no cold and put on her robe.
"What happened?" Donna sat on the edge of the bed.
"I made some phone calls and Brad does know Michael. His secretary told me Michael made some bad investments and when Brad realized who Michael Kelso was-" Jackie started to cry, "He might still love me, Donna, but to interrupt this wedding was all Brad's idea. I f***ing hate him."
"I'm so sorry." Donna replied.
"I'm sorry Michael lost his wife to cancer but I'm not going to replace his dead wife-and if he came all this way looking for that to happen, well, it's not going to."
"Finally, you're speaking sense."
"Where's Steven?"
"Downstairs with Mr. Forman."
"Get him, Donna. I want to change into some clothes."
"I'm glad. You two went through so much to get back together, if you didn't make it-I was going to be very upset." Donna said.
"So was I." Jackie whispered as she tried to figure out what she was going to wear.
"I don't want to play with you!" Tiffany pushed Jackie Kelso she might have been younger and smaller but she was full of might like her Mother.
"Fine. I'm just going to tell my Dad." Jackie ran the other way.
"Eric," Tiffany whined, "I want to go home." She opened the door to the adjoining room that belonged to Fez and saw Eric do something she didn't quite understand.
"Eric?"
'Oh, sh**.' "Tiffany," Eric's palm hit the mirror and blood started to ooze out. "Can you get me a washcloth in the bathroom?" 'F***'.
Tiffany came back with a washcloth and some band-aids that she saw lying on the counter.
"Thanks. I'm okay, sweetie," 'F***' "This is important, Tiffany. You can't tell anyone what you saw. They'll all get angry at me." 'I'm a dick for putting this on a child's shoulders'.
"Why?"
"Because they don't understand, I need to---This makes me feel better. You want to help me put the band aids on?"
"Sure."
"Remember this is our little secret."
She nodded. Those words would come back to haunt Eric Forman later.
Hyde sat on Laurie's old bed waiting for Jackie to come out of the bathroom. How long did it take her to get dressed?
"Jackie," Hyde called out "How long does it take you to get dressed?" He knew she was still a bit under the weather but he actually saw her once take ten minutes to decide on a sweater.
"I'm almost ready, Steven." She spritzed on her namesake perfume. She put on a simple light blue sweater and a khaki colored skirt.
"You look nice." He said
She ran to him and put her arms around him, "I'm so sorry about yesterday. I never wanted to go back to Michael. I was just shocked that he showed up. I'm sure you know that was all Brad's doing and playing on Michael's insecurities over his dead wife and I'll deal with the both of them later. But I do want to marry you, Steven. I love you so much." She rushed her words so she could kiss him passionately even though she still wasn't over her cold.
"I love you, too, Jackie-We pretty much have the house to ourselves so if we can't have the wedding yet, let's just skip to the honeymoon. Wedding's are conspiracies by the government anyway to change your tax bracket."
"Oh, we're SO getting married, Steven!"
He smiled to show he was only joking, "You're cute when you're feisty." He carried her to the bed and they made love the whole afternoon.
Supper time
"Eric should be back by now." said Donna trying to eat her salad. It was only herself and the Forman's at the dinner table as Jackie and Hyde were busy occupying themselves upstairs.
"Forty years old and still quite the dumbass." Red quipped, couldn't he pick up a telephone?
"Red, that's enough." Kitty replied putting more mashed potatoes on Donna's plate wondering about Eric's tardiness herself.
Kelso and Fez took Jackie-Eric thought of calling her Jackie Jr. so there'd be no confusion. Then he realized that was a very high thought to have. Tiffany wanted to go back home an hour and a half ago and she fell asleep on the big bed watching TV as Eric sat on the chair making sure he was fully down before getting in a car with a child. He'd have felt even more awful if they got into an accident. Who would have thought that Kelso would dabble in the fresh fallen snow? He was recreational like all the others but Eric realized in the part of his brain that thought of Donna and responsibility that he had to be recreational too if he didn't want to lose her, his job, or spending time with Tiffany. He felt so terrible that she caught him doing a line. He didn't want to put that weight on her little shoulders and hoped to God that he didn't take away her innocence in one fell swoop.
"Eric," Tiffany rubbed her eyes, "Can we go home now?" She was quite cranky.
He looked at himself in the mirror. His eyes were normal, he didn't look like he touched any drugs. He had to work on his demeanor or Donna (or his Mother) could figure it out in heartbeat.
"Yes, we can go now. I'm sorry we couldn't leave sooner, but I didn't feel well."
"Are you better, Eric?"
He sighed knowing that he had to lie because children didn't need to know the harsh cold true facts of life.
"Yeah. I just had a stomach ache. Let's go home, it's dinner time 'actually past it, dill hole' I bet you're starving."
"Your Mommy cooks good!"
"Yeah, she does," Eric tried to smile, "Do you want a soda from the vending machine?"
"No, thank you."
Eric felt terrible but not terrible enough to throw away his begotten stash.
"Donna, where in the hell is your husband?" Hyde said from the Forman kitchen in a rather rude way as Donna turned off her cell phone there were no messages from Eric.
"I don't like what you're implying." Donna did not want to fight with Hyde which was why she let it rest about him visiting Eric just and buying Cocaine just for him to dispose of it.
The backdoor opened and Tiffany ran to Hyde.
"Hi, Steven!"
"Hi---"
Jackie came in at the sound of her daughter's voice.
"There you are, sweetie," Jackie turned the microwave to heat up Tiffany's plate, "Your dinner will be ready soon."
Eric came in and hoped it wasn't written all over his face. "Hi, Donna." He kissed her on the cheek, "Sorry, Jackie that Tiffany and I are so late."
"We watched cartoons." Tiffany said sitting down not realizing she was covering for Eric.
"That's fine." Jackie said, she trusted Eric with Tiffany.
Eric went to the fridge because he knew Donna wasn't going to make him a plate. He was surprised his Mother didn't leave him one. He took out a soda and a loaf of bread.
"Eric, what happened to your hand?" Donna noticed
'Be cool, Eric' "By an angry wire hanger. Maybe, Joan Crawford was right about them?" He joked to try and deflect from the situation. Tiffany squirmed in her chair, Eric lied to Donna.
Hyde whispered something to Jackie and after he kissed Tiffany on the head he seemed to have sprinted out of the kitchen.
"We all know what that was about." Eric said the picture of calmness as he took a butter knife out of the drawer.
Jackie chose not to reply as she got the milk out of the refrigerator and poured Tiffany a cup as the microwave went off.
"Now you finish your dinner and I'll fix you a bubble bath." Jackie said to Tiffany, Eric wished Donna had said that to him.
"You want to watch TV?" Donna asked Eric. This was some honeymoon!
Eric grabbed his plate and soda can, "Sure."
Jackie watched Tiffany take small bites of her food and thought maybe she was coming down with her cold.
"Are you okay, honey?"
"Yeah, Mommy."
'I'm a prick' Eric thought before going into the living room with Donna.
Through Donna's Eyes
12AM
Donna woke up at midnight when she realized Eric was not in the bed next to her. She didn't want to admit it but that whole pre-wedding episode bothered her with the vodka, he wasn't drunk and they were miniature bottles but it was the principal involved. Today he acted very strange, he didn't look high, he didn't look like the zoned out monster that was behind the Club Sapphire when she found him last year and he was so strung out that he was beating up a homeless man for five dollars and he punched her in the eye. Maybe, it was all in her mind. Eric never could handle stress well. He reached his breaking point when they finally divorced after he thought they were getting back together from their separation. Donna felt terrible about that. She put on his robe because it made her feel comfortable and it smelled of his cologne. If he went out on a Coke run she didn't know what she was going to do. She loved him for so long and she never wanted to be without him. She opened the bedroom door and heard a noise from downstairs. She walked quietly and the first thing she saw was a children's book on the end table. Eric was rocking a sleeping Tiffany in the rocking chair that Hyde bought for Kitty a few years ago for Christmas. He
was crying. Softly. Not the happy, grateful tears of their wedding but sorrowful tears like when someone that you love very much dies.
"I'm sorry that I scared you, Tiffany," Donna couldn't breathe, she felt as if she was being frozen on the spot. "I didn't mean it."
Donna heard steps from behind her, so she quietly moved to the side room. It was Hyde. 'Great' Donna thought.
"Damn it, Forman. You seem to think you are Tiffany's Father."
"I-" Hyde ignored the tears that flowed down Eric's face.
Hyde took Tiffany out of Eric's arms, "You are pathetic, man."
"Shut up," Eric hoped Hyde couldn't see his tears in the glow of the nightlights that Kitty had strategically placed, "Tiffany came downstairs and wanted me to read her a bedtime story. Maybe you are just jealous that
she came to me and not you?" Eric whispered sharply.
"F*** you, man." Hyde didn't even wait for Eric to reply he just took Tiffany upstairs with him, who was sleeping like a log and didn't know any of this was taking place.
When Hyde was gone Eric took out his old friend, Donna was too paralyzed to do anything, she never saw him actually do the act. Her eyes watered when she saw Eric do a line. She forced herself to quietly go upstairs while his back was still turned. That's why Eric and Tiffany were late coming back, he got Cocaine from Kelso (?). He was high and didn't want to drive with Tiffany in the car with him and he waited for himself to come down. That's all she could figure out at the moment. When Donna got under the covers of Eric's old bed, she cried, until she heard him come in the room fifteen minutes later. He put his arm around her and kissed her on the cheek. She pretended to be asleep.
"I love you, Donna." 'Till death do us part'
'I love you, too, Eric, for better or worse, in sickness and in health'. She silently replied.
Next day:
Jackie looked at Hyde sleeping he was so beautiful and content the burdens of his life lifted off his shoulders during slumber. She couldn't imagine a life without him. They'd get married soon she was sure of it but she had to deal with Michael Kelso today. Tiffany was up early and Jackie got her dressed and sent her downstairs to Kitty and Red for breakfast. Jackie didn't want to look too good for Kelso, but screw it she was beautiful and would look amazing in a paper sack and tangled hair. She wrapped her powder blue floral print scarf around her neck and walked over to Hyde.
"I love you, Steven." She lightly kissed him on the cheek.
She took her train case containing her important cosmetics into the bathroom, the door was locked, and Jackie wasn't used to waiting for a bathroom.
"Donna, how much make up do you need? You go for that Earthy lumberjack look."
The door opened, "It's not Donna, it's me."
"Hi, Eric. Good morning." He didn't look very happy and he was remarried to Donna, he should be doing cartwheels.
"Hi," he replied quietly, "Tell Donna, I'm going back to bed."
Jackie wondered what was up with Eric's mood? She hoped it had nothing to do with Steven. It was like one Hatfield fighting with one McCoy. She twisted her face at the Southern reference. Jackie wasn't a racist person she just disliked stupid inbred hillbillies who always seem to come from "Down
South." Jackie was about to go in the bathroom when she saw Donna come up with two cups of tea.
"Hi, Donna, I ran into Eric he told me to tell you he's going back to bed."
"The hell he is."
"What's wrong? You two just got married! You two are the most neurotic couple that I know of. And how come you aren't on your honeymoon? You shouldn't not have a honeymoon just because Steven and I didn't get married."
"Jackie," Donna didn't want to start a fight with her she meant well, but Donna was in no mood to hear it, "Please." Donna went to Eric's old room and thought for the first time-there was no reason for them not to not be on their honeymoon now-the crisis of Jackie, Hyde, and Kelso was over. Why not go on with their honeymoon as planned? The worst of the interrupted wedding was over. They didn't need to be here. It would also do Eric a world of good.
Closure
Jackie swirled her spoon around her coffee cup. She didn't have to do this, but she figured both her and Michael did stupid things over the years and she was only thinking of after adolescence. She told Steven last night in bed that she was going to do this and she was waiting for his protest but he only replied, "That's fine." Because he was confident that Jackie was not going to dump him for Kelso.
"Hi, Jackie."
"Michael."
"You look pretty."
She smirked even though it was true. "Thanks. I just want you to know Michael that I didn't have to come here to talk to you, but I wanted to. I'm not dumping Steven for you or to replace your wife. So, if that's what you think this talk is about, I might as well leave now."
"I realize that." He softly whispered making him seem for the first time actually grown up. Jackie pushed her coffee cup away, she couldn't drink anymore.
"I'm sorry that your wife died, what was her name?" Jackie asked
"Leigh."
"You only have one daughter?"
"Jackie."
"Yeah?"
"No, that's her name."
Michael made sure his daughter was named after her? She wanted to ask how did he manage that but she refrained. He turned out okay she supposed and was still getting by on his looks and freebees.
"Um, I hate to cut this short, but I really have to---"
"Get back to Hyde?"
Jackie stood up, "As a matter of fact yes, Michael. And my daughter, too." She didn't know whether to kiss him on the cheek or hug him. She settled for neither. She quietly said goodbye as she left him speechless at the table. If he knew how he was going to feel about her later on in life he never would have been such a teenage jerk all those years ago.
"Eric!" Donna whipped the covers off his body and watched him grunt and crawl in the fetal position.
"No, you're getting up."
"Donna---" 'I need to get high'
She handed him a cup of tea, "I was thinking about it, Eric and since the worst of Jackie's interrupted wedding is over, we can go on our honeymoon after all."
"I really don't feel like it, Donna. I say we just go back to St. Louis. If that's okay with you." He didn't look at her. He couldn't.
"Eric, I saw you last night."
"What?"
"I saw you do a line last night." She wouldn't bring up what Tiffany had walked in on. He felt enough guilt over that she was sure. She put her tea cup on the dresser and crawled back in the bed next to him.
"I'm not going to deny it. Yes, I did." He put his head down.
Donna put her arms around him, "I love you, Eric. Stewing in bed all day is not going to help you, and you know it. I'm going to trust that you'll dispose of the rest all by yourself."
He kissed her on the lips, "I think I will get dressed. And to tell Mom we're leaving for our honeymoon." He faked the joy in his voice. Yeah, he'd dispose of the Coke all by himself-straight up his nose. He hated himself for it, but such was life. 'That's what Donna gets for marrying an addict' he thought.
"Red, it's in the paper!" Kitty went in the living room with the mornings newspaper for her husband to see
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