Chapter 2
Donna Wants A Baby
Every Story Has An Arc
Thanksgiving 2000
Eric and Hyde unknown to the other one both ironically told Kitty that she didn't have to go through the trouble of preparing a proper Thanksgiving meal when her and Red just moved into their new place. Eric suggested they go out instead, Kitty said "No, it's not Thanksgiving if it takes place in a restaurant." and Hyde thought of getting takeout from one of those gourmet grocers and Kitty told him "Takeout is not an option for Thanksgiving." She was just happy that they were all coming, Eric knew Hyde was going to be there and he didn't say anything to his Mother and Hyde knew Eric was going to be there and he didn't complain to Kitty. She didn't ask about the house because she didn't need the stress. Eric was worried about Donna, she seemed more withdrawn and inward, he was used to her venting and shouting. He knew she was sad because her Father couldn't come to Florida to be with them. What kind of daughter mails a goody package for her Dad in Chicago for Thanksgiving? Eric tried to reassure her, but sometimes it fell on deaf ears. He also knew it was really Jackie's pregnancy that was making Donna feel depressed, but she didn't want to talk about it. Even when he tried to gently bring the subject to light, she would shut him up even by means of sex. Which sometimes in an odd twist of fate was the best it ever was. Donna was pretending to watch the in-flight movie, Eric knew it was just an excuse to put on headphones so she wouldn't have to talk and he pretended to be interested in the airline magazine. He held her hand the whole way but was concerned that she didn't seem at all responsive. Then he thought about if she was like this in front of everybody no one was going to have more questions than his Mother and no one was going to be more critical than Hyde especially if Jackie broke down and started crying. If he and Hyde fought over this they would never make up the way that Kitty wanted because his thoughts were on his wife. Eric knew Hyde would have the same mindset concerning Jackie. The flight attendant was giving the landing announcements which was unnecessary to anyone who has flown more than once. Donna took off the headphones and put her seat in the upright position.
"Finally, I thought we'd never get here." Donna huffed.
Eric wasn't sure if he should just nod in agreement or reply in words. He didn't want to do anything that would make her angry. He knew she wasn't cross at him, but no one wants to get someone's anger taken out on them.
"I know," Eric checked to make sure his seat belt was buckled. "Donna." He refrained from saying more words than necessary.
"And to think we have to do this again a month from now for f***ing Christmas!"
How could Eric respond to that?
Thankful
Jackie put the finishing touch of her lipstick on after she got Tiffany dressed. There was only one guest room in this apartment. Where were Donna and Eric going to sleep? She didn't dare bring that up to Steven she didn't want to hear his reply of where Eric would be sleeping. Steven purchased Tiffany an Aero bed.
"Mommy!"
"What is it, sweetie?" She put on a light dab of her cologne.
"Steven and Mr. Forman are watching football. It's boring!"
Jackie laughed, "I know. Did you help Mrs. Forman in the kitchen?"
"A little."
"Do you want a little blush on your cheeks?"
"No!"
Jackie thought back to when Tiffany was an infant and had no say when she got her nails painted ballerina pink for her holiday picture. She now understood Mrs. Forman's ramblings about all of them being "grown up"-Tiffany was still little and Jackie thought she was growing up way too quickly and wanted to keep her small forever.
"When Donna comes we'll see if she wants to go shopping." That wasn't likely, she hasn't phoned much and there was something lacking in that card she received that was signed by her and Eric.
"Shopping, eww!"
"Maybe, Eric will play with you." Now that they were married she prayed that, that wouldn't bother Steven. She hoped not. She did not want Tiffany in the middle of anyone's arguments.
Tiffany yawned and crawled on the bed.
"Do you want to take a nap, baby?"
"Yeah."
"Let's get you tucked in," Jackie put a light blanket over her and kissed her on the cheek, "When you wake up Eric and Donna will be here."
"Okay." Tiffany replied before falling asleep.
All that Eric hoped for was that everyone would get along with everyone else. That included himself and Hyde. He wouldn't start anything. He was beyond that. Hyde did know how to be cordial plus Jackie would not want him starting. They got along okay at Jackie and Hyde's surprise wedding but then again, it all happened so fast and there was no reception. The next thing Eric knew after Donna had a brief talk with his Mother they were ready to drive the five hours to St. Louis and after being in New York for a few days and flying to Wisconsin, that drive back home was hardly pleasant. He knocked on the door. 4C. His parents lived in 4C. His parents were apartment people. That was as wrong as a teacher who punishes the whole class from going on a field trip when only one student taped the centerfold from a porno mag on the blackboard. When Eric was on the plane he knew what the first five minutes of arriving would be like, Kitty giving him a great big hug and lots of kisses, a handshake with a nod from his Father, and a grumble from Hyde. He was right.
Jackie sat in the kitchen with her hands around the warm teacup.
"Hi, Jackie," Eric wanted to say more, but couldn't. He gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Happy Thanksgiving."
"Hi, Eric. Hello, Donna."
Eric looked at Donna it was one of those cases where five seconds felt like five millenniums.
"Hey, Jackie."
"I'm sorry there's only one guestroom, and I gave that to Jackie and Steven. You won't mind sleeping on the sofas in the living room?" Kitty asked, laughing a bit.
"It's all right, Mom."
"That's fine." Donna replied
Jackie had to break the ice. She understood why Donna was depressed and she wanted to remain understanding of the situation.
"I need to get some air, would you like to go shopping with me, Donna?"
"I think it's greed when stores that don't need to be open on holidays are open on holidays."
"Hi, Eric!" Enter Tiffany carrying a travel game "Hi, Donna!"
"Hi, Tiffany." Eric and Donna replied in unison. He hugged her.
"Will you play with me, Eric?"
Kitty thought that was cute. "Sure. Donna---" He didn't know what to say to his wife, he just knew that he had to say something to acknowledge the situation.
"Jackie, if you are going out-Is it all right if I crash in the guest room? I'm tired from the flight."
"That's no problem." Jackie replied gently.
"I'm sorry we don't have another guest room, those apartments were out of our price range." Kitty replied, sensing the tension.
"It's all right, Mom. We'll be fine." Eric kissed Donna on the cheek; Tiffany held his hand to lead him to the dining room table where they could play their board game.
"Be good, baby," Jackie kissed her, there was no two ways about it, she had to stop growing, "Where did I put my purse?" She thought out loud
"In the living room by Steven!"
Jackie had hoped that Tiffany would have started calling Hyde "Daddy" by now. It was going to take time and they didn't want to force her but Jackie thought it would be nice if she said on Thanksgiving. She hoped Donna wouldn't blow her top at the dinner table. Donna was not the type of woman who did things for dramatic effect. She really didn't want to go shopping alone but she figured she could look for some baby things that always made her feel better.
~Donna's dream flashback~
Donna was eight years old and saw the sign in big red letters. "No Girls Allowed". That was not fair. It was only Eric, Hyde, and Kelso. She played with them all the time, but whenever they went up to Eric's tree house they wouldn't let her in. She liked it best when Hyde and Kelso went home and it was just her and Eric playing in the basement or the living room. Mrs. Forman made the best cookies and cakes. He was different when he was with Hyde and Kelso. Almost mean like when he tried to scare her with a rubber spider. Please. It was a fake spider. But they did get Kelso with it later on and that was hilarious. She went up the ladder and didn't knock she just went in. She was a girl. To them she was the enemy.
"Hey!" They all said, sitting in the familiar albeit non-smoked filled circular pattern
"No girls allowed!" Hyde said-and watch Eric agree with him, just watch, Donna thought.
"I thought you were smart, can't you read Donna?" Eric said. She knew deep inside he wanted her to stay. Her Mother explained it to her last night.
She pushed Eric, god that was too easy, he didn't even try to fight her, and sat next to him.
"I'm staying!" Donna replied stubbornly
"Then we're leaving!" Kelso said trying to outdo Hyde and be the leader.
"If someone leaves it's going to be Donna!" Hyde said. Donna was cool FOR A GIRL but this was a boy's only tree house and seven years later they'd never ever kick a girl out of the room but for now they were eight years old and had no active hormones.
"We'll take a vote." Kelso said
"For someone so stupid sometimes you have good ideas." Hyde said
"Michael," Kitty called up, "Your Mom wants you to go home!"
"Aww! I'll be back don't vote without me!" Kelso exited the tree house.
"He loses his right to vote," Hyde said
"I vote for myself that I stay!" Donna replied sticking to her guns
"You can't stay! You're a girl! Your turn, Forman."
Eric held the deciding vote in his hands. "I'm sorry, Donna, but you can't stay."
She wasn't going to cry. Not in front of them. She stood up, "Fine! You guys are jerks!"
She made sure to kick Eric in the shin before leaving. Eric was always mean when he was with his friends.
After dinner at the Pinciotti house:
"Who was at the door?" asked Bob
"I don't know, they left this on the porch." Midge replied
It was a five cent chocolate bar. It had to be from Eric.
"That's for me, Mom." Donna took the candy bar and ran out the back door. She knocked on the Forman's kitchen door.
"Hello, Donna, what brings you by?" asked Kitty
"Hi, Mrs. Forman, may I see Eric?"
"Sure, honey. He's in the basement."
Donna quietly walked down the stairs to see Eric watching TV by himself. Thank god Hyde and Kelso were not there.
"Hi, Eric."
"Oh, hi, Donna." He had to act like he didn't care that she was in the room.
She sat next to him on the sofa to watch TV.
"Thanks for the candy bar," She opened it up and broke it in half
"I didn't leave you a candy bar." Eric replied obviously lying, she could tell. Boys did this all the time.
She tapped him on the shoulder and gave him half. She really liked Eric Forman and someday he was going to really like her too.
~End dream flashback~
It wasn't so bad Eric thought. He didn't know if it was because there was a child present or because his parents were getting older and they were in their new apartment in Florida but the actual Thanksgiving dinner went remarkably well under the circumstances. It was ten o'clock and Donna was taking a shower before bed and Eric was going through their shared suitcase to find a sweatshirt he noticed a letter sticking out from the bottom. It was from the University of Wisconsin and addressed to Donna. He didn't receive one so it couldn't have been about something that concerned all alumni. He didn't mean to reach for it and he didn't know what possessed him to open it and he certainly knew it was wrong to read someone else's (even if that someone else was your spouse and best friend) mail. He tried skimming to the important parts so it wouldn't count on reading Donna's letter but Eric knew that was bull****, he was reading Donna's mail. He just wanted to make all of her pain go away.
Tears
It was four forty-five in the morning when Eric opened up his eyes. Donna wasn't there. Donna wanted Eric to share a sofa with her. Eric was going to have to get his parents a sofa bed for Christmas. He grabbed his sneakers in the dark looking in the kitchen and dining area just incase Donna was looking for a quiet place to write. No sign of her. His instincts knew she wasn't in the apartment. He took the spare key that Kitty gave him earlier and put it in his pocket and quietly left. Once he got out of the elevator Eric didn't know where to look for her. He put his back to the colorful soda vending machine in the lobby and heard crying. He looked up and noticed the sign "Laundry Room" with a green arrow pointing right. He found Donna sitting on the floor, hands in her face, sobbing uncontrollably something he rarely saw her do.
"Donna," Eric did the first thing that came into his mind, he sat on the floor next to her and put his arms around her, "Let me help you. Get this out of your system, you'll feel better." He tried to soothe her. He held her tight. Resisting the urge to cry himself.
She cried in his shoulder for a good solid minute before Eric spoke first.
"Donna, remember what I told you about-----" He wiped away her tears with his hand.
She put a finger to his lips, "I know you're cool with things, but maybe, I'm not. Maybe, I cannot accept how certain things panned out for us. I want us to have a baby and I know it's childish to be jealous of Jackie because I am happy for her and Hyde, but I can't help myself, Eric. I love you so much and I want us to have a family of our own."
"I love you, too, Donna, you mean everything to me, and it has hurt me to see you like this. I want to have a child, too."
"I know you're worried about your time in rehab counting against you-I'm sure it won't."
"Times in rehab," Eric gently corrected. If it were only one time and one rehab center it wouldn't have worried him as much. "Donna, I read your letter." He blurted out because he didn't want to think about his problem with Cocaine.
"What letter?"
"From the University."
"Oh. I accidentally put that in the suitcase. I wasn't going to write my biography for the journalism alumni who's who but," She kissed him and stood up, "I feel so much better that I just might. Come on, Eric," She helped him up, "It seems wrong to be in Florida and not walk along the beach at least once. Let's see the sunrise---and Eric,"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you for always being there for me."
He thought he'd never see her beautiful smile again. To Eric Forman that was the sunrise.
"You know we're going to be greeted by my Mother as soon as I open this door." Eric took the key out of his pocket.
"It's okay, Eric actually I'm starving for one of your Mother's big breakfasts."
"And we both know the reason why!"
She playfully punched him the arm. "Eric, I'm warning you---"
"What?" He replied with his childlike eyes.
Eric opened the door he was more psychic than those fakers with one nine hundred telephone numbers.
"Oh, there you two are!" Kitty gushed
"We went for a walk on the beach." Eric replied
"I bet you two kissed!"
"Tiffany!" Jackie ran in the living room after her. "I'm sorry about that."
"That's all right," Eric said
"Jackie, may I talk to you for a minute?"
That was Kitty's cue to take Tiffany back to her pancakes, Eric didn't want to leave Donna, but knew she was going to be okay.
Jackie sat on the sofa. She didn't want to say a word until she knew what Donna wanted to say to her first.
"Jackie, I'm sorry if I've been acting like a bitch lately. I think it's great that you and Hyde are having a baby. I just was jealous of your pregnancy. Because I want to have a baby and I can't. Not physically."
"Oh, Donna," Jackie hugged her and was surprised that Donna let her. "I know and you have every right to be upset. You and Eric can always adopt."
"We've talked about that, but something doesn't seem right about it. I can't explain it."
"You know you can talk to me anytime."
"Mommy! Your breakfast is getting cold." Tiffany shouted from the kitchen
"I'll be there in a minute."
Donna stood up, "We can talk more about this later. I'm actually starving, myself. I haven't been good company to anyone lately, the fact that Eric has put up with my moods at all he deserves a medal."
"Our flight leaves tomorrow, would you like to go out for lunch today?" Jackie asked
"Sure. Is Hyde in the kitchen?"
"No, Steven's sleeping in. I have a feeling those two are going to make up soon."
"I hope so. I can tell it hurts Eric," Donna had to whisper the rest, "You have no idea on the weight he carries about-------" Donna stopped herself from saying the rest.
"Steven doesn't think so and that's why he barely tolerates Eric."
"This is not the place to talk about this. Let's save it for when we go out for lunch."
Jackie was glad that she and Donna had what finally could be called a real friendship.
"Is everything all right?" asked Eric, pouring hot water in a cup for Donna's tea.
"Everything's fine." She kissed him on the cheek
"THAT'S SO CUTE!" Tiffany laughed
"Donna, you barely ate your dinner yesterday, I hope that you are in the mood for some breakfast." Kitty piled her plate before Donna could respond.
"Trust me, she's hungry." Eric quipped
"I wouldn't mind more pancakes." Jackie said
"This will be your third helping, dear."
"I know, but I'm starving."
"That's because there's a baby inside!" Tiffany replied, dipping her bacon in the syrup.
"Where's Dad?" Eric asked
"Trying to read his paper in peace in our bedroom."
"Jackie, did you and Hyde decide on any names yet?" Donna asked, it felt good to eat again.
"You could do Luke if it's a boy and Leia if it's a girl." Eric offered
Donna threw a sugar packet at him, "Eric! You need to seriously get a life!"
But the truth was she loved it when he was goofy.
"Yeah, yeah, but you love me."
"Steven should be getting up soon, you don't mind I surprise him with breakfast in bed?" She asked Kitty
"That's fine, Jackie." Kitty was happy that both of her boys had great women in their lives.
"Is that how the baby gets inside?" Tiffany asked
Jackie blushed, "Tiffany! If you're done eating, wash your hands."
"Okay! Eric will you watch cartoons with me?"
Donna thought that was cute. She really could see him as a Father.
"Why not? I should've brought my Star Wars tapes."
"Not since 1977 that a day hasn't gone by--" Donna teased
"I heard that." Eric replied
"Today is black Friday who wants to go shopping?" Jackie asked while making a plate for Steven. He should have been awake by now.
"Not me." Kitty and Donna replied in unison. Donna had no problems with going out for lunch but did not want to go near a shopping mall today. Donna believed if you were organized and purchased your gifts as you thought about them during the course of the year there would be no reason for hustling around like a chicken with your head cut off just to get Christmas gifts. She was determined to make it a great Christmas for herself and Eric.
"Eric, if you and Steven are friends how come you don't talk?" Tiffany asked while the anvil was about to fall on the animated animals head. Smart kid.
"I don't know," he sighed, wishing he knew the reason why, "I don't know."
Every Story Has An Arc
Thanksgiving 2000
Eric and Hyde unknown to the other one both ironically told Kitty that she didn't have to go through the trouble of preparing a proper Thanksgiving meal when her and Red just moved into their new place. Eric suggested they go out instead, Kitty said "No, it's not Thanksgiving if it takes place in a restaurant." and Hyde thought of getting takeout from one of those gourmet grocers and Kitty told him "Takeout is not an option for Thanksgiving." She was just happy that they were all coming, Eric knew Hyde was going to be there and he didn't say anything to his Mother and Hyde knew Eric was going to be there and he didn't complain to Kitty. She didn't ask about the house because she didn't need the stress. Eric was worried about Donna, she seemed more withdrawn and inward, he was used to her venting and shouting. He knew she was sad because her Father couldn't come to Florida to be with them. What kind of daughter mails a goody package for her Dad in Chicago for Thanksgiving? Eric tried to reassure her, but sometimes it fell on deaf ears. He also knew it was really Jackie's pregnancy that was making Donna feel depressed, but she didn't want to talk about it. Even when he tried to gently bring the subject to light, she would shut him up even by means of sex. Which sometimes in an odd twist of fate was the best it ever was. Donna was pretending to watch the in-flight movie, Eric knew it was just an excuse to put on headphones so she wouldn't have to talk and he pretended to be interested in the airline magazine. He held her hand the whole way but was concerned that she didn't seem at all responsive. Then he thought about if she was like this in front of everybody no one was going to have more questions than his Mother and no one was going to be more critical than Hyde especially if Jackie broke down and started crying. If he and Hyde fought over this they would never make up the way that Kitty wanted because his thoughts were on his wife. Eric knew Hyde would have the same mindset concerning Jackie. The flight attendant was giving the landing announcements which was unnecessary to anyone who has flown more than once. Donna took off the headphones and put her seat in the upright position.
"Finally, I thought we'd never get here." Donna huffed.
Eric wasn't sure if he should just nod in agreement or reply in words. He didn't want to do anything that would make her angry. He knew she wasn't cross at him, but no one wants to get someone's anger taken out on them.
"I know," Eric checked to make sure his seat belt was buckled. "Donna." He refrained from saying more words than necessary.
"And to think we have to do this again a month from now for f***ing Christmas!"
How could Eric respond to that?
Thankful
Jackie put the finishing touch of her lipstick on after she got Tiffany dressed. There was only one guest room in this apartment. Where were Donna and Eric going to sleep? She didn't dare bring that up to Steven she didn't want to hear his reply of where Eric would be sleeping. Steven purchased Tiffany an Aero bed.
"Mommy!"
"What is it, sweetie?" She put on a light dab of her cologne.
"Steven and Mr. Forman are watching football. It's boring!"
Jackie laughed, "I know. Did you help Mrs. Forman in the kitchen?"
"A little."
"Do you want a little blush on your cheeks?"
"No!"
Jackie thought back to when Tiffany was an infant and had no say when she got her nails painted ballerina pink for her holiday picture. She now understood Mrs. Forman's ramblings about all of them being "grown up"-Tiffany was still little and Jackie thought she was growing up way too quickly and wanted to keep her small forever.
"When Donna comes we'll see if she wants to go shopping." That wasn't likely, she hasn't phoned much and there was something lacking in that card she received that was signed by her and Eric.
"Shopping, eww!"
"Maybe, Eric will play with you." Now that they were married she prayed that, that wouldn't bother Steven. She hoped not. She did not want Tiffany in the middle of anyone's arguments.
Tiffany yawned and crawled on the bed.
"Do you want to take a nap, baby?"
"Yeah."
"Let's get you tucked in," Jackie put a light blanket over her and kissed her on the cheek, "When you wake up Eric and Donna will be here."
"Okay." Tiffany replied before falling asleep.
All that Eric hoped for was that everyone would get along with everyone else. That included himself and Hyde. He wouldn't start anything. He was beyond that. Hyde did know how to be cordial plus Jackie would not want him starting. They got along okay at Jackie and Hyde's surprise wedding but then again, it all happened so fast and there was no reception. The next thing Eric knew after Donna had a brief talk with his Mother they were ready to drive the five hours to St. Louis and after being in New York for a few days and flying to Wisconsin, that drive back home was hardly pleasant. He knocked on the door. 4C. His parents lived in 4C. His parents were apartment people. That was as wrong as a teacher who punishes the whole class from going on a field trip when only one student taped the centerfold from a porno mag on the blackboard. When Eric was on the plane he knew what the first five minutes of arriving would be like, Kitty giving him a great big hug and lots of kisses, a handshake with a nod from his Father, and a grumble from Hyde. He was right.
Jackie sat in the kitchen with her hands around the warm teacup.
"Hi, Jackie," Eric wanted to say more, but couldn't. He gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Happy Thanksgiving."
"Hi, Eric. Hello, Donna."
Eric looked at Donna it was one of those cases where five seconds felt like five millenniums.
"Hey, Jackie."
"I'm sorry there's only one guestroom, and I gave that to Jackie and Steven. You won't mind sleeping on the sofas in the living room?" Kitty asked, laughing a bit.
"It's all right, Mom."
"That's fine." Donna replied
Jackie had to break the ice. She understood why Donna was depressed and she wanted to remain understanding of the situation.
"I need to get some air, would you like to go shopping with me, Donna?"
"I think it's greed when stores that don't need to be open on holidays are open on holidays."
"Hi, Eric!" Enter Tiffany carrying a travel game "Hi, Donna!"
"Hi, Tiffany." Eric and Donna replied in unison. He hugged her.
"Will you play with me, Eric?"
Kitty thought that was cute. "Sure. Donna---" He didn't know what to say to his wife, he just knew that he had to say something to acknowledge the situation.
"Jackie, if you are going out-Is it all right if I crash in the guest room? I'm tired from the flight."
"That's no problem." Jackie replied gently.
"I'm sorry we don't have another guest room, those apartments were out of our price range." Kitty replied, sensing the tension.
"It's all right, Mom. We'll be fine." Eric kissed Donna on the cheek; Tiffany held his hand to lead him to the dining room table where they could play their board game.
"Be good, baby," Jackie kissed her, there was no two ways about it, she had to stop growing, "Where did I put my purse?" She thought out loud
"In the living room by Steven!"
Jackie had hoped that Tiffany would have started calling Hyde "Daddy" by now. It was going to take time and they didn't want to force her but Jackie thought it would be nice if she said on Thanksgiving. She hoped Donna wouldn't blow her top at the dinner table. Donna was not the type of woman who did things for dramatic effect. She really didn't want to go shopping alone but she figured she could look for some baby things that always made her feel better.
~Donna's dream flashback~
Donna was eight years old and saw the sign in big red letters. "No Girls Allowed". That was not fair. It was only Eric, Hyde, and Kelso. She played with them all the time, but whenever they went up to Eric's tree house they wouldn't let her in. She liked it best when Hyde and Kelso went home and it was just her and Eric playing in the basement or the living room. Mrs. Forman made the best cookies and cakes. He was different when he was with Hyde and Kelso. Almost mean like when he tried to scare her with a rubber spider. Please. It was a fake spider. But they did get Kelso with it later on and that was hilarious. She went up the ladder and didn't knock she just went in. She was a girl. To them she was the enemy.
"Hey!" They all said, sitting in the familiar albeit non-smoked filled circular pattern
"No girls allowed!" Hyde said-and watch Eric agree with him, just watch, Donna thought.
"I thought you were smart, can't you read Donna?" Eric said. She knew deep inside he wanted her to stay. Her Mother explained it to her last night.
She pushed Eric, god that was too easy, he didn't even try to fight her, and sat next to him.
"I'm staying!" Donna replied stubbornly
"Then we're leaving!" Kelso said trying to outdo Hyde and be the leader.
"If someone leaves it's going to be Donna!" Hyde said. Donna was cool FOR A GIRL but this was a boy's only tree house and seven years later they'd never ever kick a girl out of the room but for now they were eight years old and had no active hormones.
"We'll take a vote." Kelso said
"For someone so stupid sometimes you have good ideas." Hyde said
"Michael," Kitty called up, "Your Mom wants you to go home!"
"Aww! I'll be back don't vote without me!" Kelso exited the tree house.
"He loses his right to vote," Hyde said
"I vote for myself that I stay!" Donna replied sticking to her guns
"You can't stay! You're a girl! Your turn, Forman."
Eric held the deciding vote in his hands. "I'm sorry, Donna, but you can't stay."
She wasn't going to cry. Not in front of them. She stood up, "Fine! You guys are jerks!"
She made sure to kick Eric in the shin before leaving. Eric was always mean when he was with his friends.
After dinner at the Pinciotti house:
"Who was at the door?" asked Bob
"I don't know, they left this on the porch." Midge replied
It was a five cent chocolate bar. It had to be from Eric.
"That's for me, Mom." Donna took the candy bar and ran out the back door. She knocked on the Forman's kitchen door.
"Hello, Donna, what brings you by?" asked Kitty
"Hi, Mrs. Forman, may I see Eric?"
"Sure, honey. He's in the basement."
Donna quietly walked down the stairs to see Eric watching TV by himself. Thank god Hyde and Kelso were not there.
"Hi, Eric."
"Oh, hi, Donna." He had to act like he didn't care that she was in the room.
She sat next to him on the sofa to watch TV.
"Thanks for the candy bar," She opened it up and broke it in half
"I didn't leave you a candy bar." Eric replied obviously lying, she could tell. Boys did this all the time.
She tapped him on the shoulder and gave him half. She really liked Eric Forman and someday he was going to really like her too.
~End dream flashback~
It wasn't so bad Eric thought. He didn't know if it was because there was a child present or because his parents were getting older and they were in their new apartment in Florida but the actual Thanksgiving dinner went remarkably well under the circumstances. It was ten o'clock and Donna was taking a shower before bed and Eric was going through their shared suitcase to find a sweatshirt he noticed a letter sticking out from the bottom. It was from the University of Wisconsin and addressed to Donna. He didn't receive one so it couldn't have been about something that concerned all alumni. He didn't mean to reach for it and he didn't know what possessed him to open it and he certainly knew it was wrong to read someone else's (even if that someone else was your spouse and best friend) mail. He tried skimming to the important parts so it wouldn't count on reading Donna's letter but Eric knew that was bull****, he was reading Donna's mail. He just wanted to make all of her pain go away.
Tears
It was four forty-five in the morning when Eric opened up his eyes. Donna wasn't there. Donna wanted Eric to share a sofa with her. Eric was going to have to get his parents a sofa bed for Christmas. He grabbed his sneakers in the dark looking in the kitchen and dining area just incase Donna was looking for a quiet place to write. No sign of her. His instincts knew she wasn't in the apartment. He took the spare key that Kitty gave him earlier and put it in his pocket and quietly left. Once he got out of the elevator Eric didn't know where to look for her. He put his back to the colorful soda vending machine in the lobby and heard crying. He looked up and noticed the sign "Laundry Room" with a green arrow pointing right. He found Donna sitting on the floor, hands in her face, sobbing uncontrollably something he rarely saw her do.
"Donna," Eric did the first thing that came into his mind, he sat on the floor next to her and put his arms around her, "Let me help you. Get this out of your system, you'll feel better." He tried to soothe her. He held her tight. Resisting the urge to cry himself.
She cried in his shoulder for a good solid minute before Eric spoke first.
"Donna, remember what I told you about-----" He wiped away her tears with his hand.
She put a finger to his lips, "I know you're cool with things, but maybe, I'm not. Maybe, I cannot accept how certain things panned out for us. I want us to have a baby and I know it's childish to be jealous of Jackie because I am happy for her and Hyde, but I can't help myself, Eric. I love you so much and I want us to have a family of our own."
"I love you, too, Donna, you mean everything to me, and it has hurt me to see you like this. I want to have a child, too."
"I know you're worried about your time in rehab counting against you-I'm sure it won't."
"Times in rehab," Eric gently corrected. If it were only one time and one rehab center it wouldn't have worried him as much. "Donna, I read your letter." He blurted out because he didn't want to think about his problem with Cocaine.
"What letter?"
"From the University."
"Oh. I accidentally put that in the suitcase. I wasn't going to write my biography for the journalism alumni who's who but," She kissed him and stood up, "I feel so much better that I just might. Come on, Eric," She helped him up, "It seems wrong to be in Florida and not walk along the beach at least once. Let's see the sunrise---and Eric,"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you for always being there for me."
He thought he'd never see her beautiful smile again. To Eric Forman that was the sunrise.
"You know we're going to be greeted by my Mother as soon as I open this door." Eric took the key out of his pocket.
"It's okay, Eric actually I'm starving for one of your Mother's big breakfasts."
"And we both know the reason why!"
She playfully punched him the arm. "Eric, I'm warning you---"
"What?" He replied with his childlike eyes.
Eric opened the door he was more psychic than those fakers with one nine hundred telephone numbers.
"Oh, there you two are!" Kitty gushed
"We went for a walk on the beach." Eric replied
"I bet you two kissed!"
"Tiffany!" Jackie ran in the living room after her. "I'm sorry about that."
"That's all right," Eric said
"Jackie, may I talk to you for a minute?"
That was Kitty's cue to take Tiffany back to her pancakes, Eric didn't want to leave Donna, but knew she was going to be okay.
Jackie sat on the sofa. She didn't want to say a word until she knew what Donna wanted to say to her first.
"Jackie, I'm sorry if I've been acting like a bitch lately. I think it's great that you and Hyde are having a baby. I just was jealous of your pregnancy. Because I want to have a baby and I can't. Not physically."
"Oh, Donna," Jackie hugged her and was surprised that Donna let her. "I know and you have every right to be upset. You and Eric can always adopt."
"We've talked about that, but something doesn't seem right about it. I can't explain it."
"You know you can talk to me anytime."
"Mommy! Your breakfast is getting cold." Tiffany shouted from the kitchen
"I'll be there in a minute."
Donna stood up, "We can talk more about this later. I'm actually starving, myself. I haven't been good company to anyone lately, the fact that Eric has put up with my moods at all he deserves a medal."
"Our flight leaves tomorrow, would you like to go out for lunch today?" Jackie asked
"Sure. Is Hyde in the kitchen?"
"No, Steven's sleeping in. I have a feeling those two are going to make up soon."
"I hope so. I can tell it hurts Eric," Donna had to whisper the rest, "You have no idea on the weight he carries about-------" Donna stopped herself from saying the rest.
"Steven doesn't think so and that's why he barely tolerates Eric."
"This is not the place to talk about this. Let's save it for when we go out for lunch."
Jackie was glad that she and Donna had what finally could be called a real friendship.
"Is everything all right?" asked Eric, pouring hot water in a cup for Donna's tea.
"Everything's fine." She kissed him on the cheek
"THAT'S SO CUTE!" Tiffany laughed
"Donna, you barely ate your dinner yesterday, I hope that you are in the mood for some breakfast." Kitty piled her plate before Donna could respond.
"Trust me, she's hungry." Eric quipped
"I wouldn't mind more pancakes." Jackie said
"This will be your third helping, dear."
"I know, but I'm starving."
"That's because there's a baby inside!" Tiffany replied, dipping her bacon in the syrup.
"Where's Dad?" Eric asked
"Trying to read his paper in peace in our bedroom."
"Jackie, did you and Hyde decide on any names yet?" Donna asked, it felt good to eat again.
"You could do Luke if it's a boy and Leia if it's a girl." Eric offered
Donna threw a sugar packet at him, "Eric! You need to seriously get a life!"
But the truth was she loved it when he was goofy.
"Yeah, yeah, but you love me."
"Steven should be getting up soon, you don't mind I surprise him with breakfast in bed?" She asked Kitty
"That's fine, Jackie." Kitty was happy that both of her boys had great women in their lives.
"Is that how the baby gets inside?" Tiffany asked
Jackie blushed, "Tiffany! If you're done eating, wash your hands."
"Okay! Eric will you watch cartoons with me?"
Donna thought that was cute. She really could see him as a Father.
"Why not? I should've brought my Star Wars tapes."
"Not since 1977 that a day hasn't gone by--" Donna teased
"I heard that." Eric replied
"Today is black Friday who wants to go shopping?" Jackie asked while making a plate for Steven. He should have been awake by now.
"Not me." Kitty and Donna replied in unison. Donna had no problems with going out for lunch but did not want to go near a shopping mall today. Donna believed if you were organized and purchased your gifts as you thought about them during the course of the year there would be no reason for hustling around like a chicken with your head cut off just to get Christmas gifts. She was determined to make it a great Christmas for herself and Eric.
"Eric, if you and Steven are friends how come you don't talk?" Tiffany asked while the anvil was about to fall on the animated animals head. Smart kid.
"I don't know," he sighed, wishing he knew the reason why, "I don't know."
