Living Arrangements
Summary: Sequel to Just Another Day - Craziness ensues as Hyde decides to move in with Jackie, much to the dismay of The Forman's and a surprise visitor brings up back memories for Jackie. Will Hyde be able to save her this time?
Disclaimer: Alas, I do not own a single thing.
a/n: review, enjoy – nice long chapter.
Chapter Six
That Good
Dinner at the Forman house had been eerily quiet until Steven Hyde slipped in through the sliding door, looking cool as a cucumber as he settled into his chair.
Kitty bawled immediately, plunging her fork into her food. Eric groaned. Laurie smirked. And Red turned a page in the paper, ignoring everyone and everything as he enjoyed his meal.
"Sorry I'm late." Hyde apologized quickly, slightly uncomfortable by Kitty's behavior.
"So," Laurie piped up, swallowing down some of her food, "Did you knock Jackie up?"
All eyes landed on Hyde, who simply shook his head in disgust.
Red sighed with contempt and Kitty continued to poke her food, while Eric and Hyde exchanged amused looks. Laurie pushed on...
"So why the hell are you moving in with her?"
"Because..." Hyde muttered, attempting to eat his dinner even though he was full from his dinner with Jackie.
Laurie rolled her eyes at his response, and was about to open her mouth and continue when Eric gave her a threatening look. She shut her mouth and rolled her eyes again, then excused herself, staring down at Hyde with anticipation of some sort of burn, but she got nothing. She poked his back gently.
Hyde turned around, giving Laurie a weary look.
"I'll miss you." Laurie said quickly, with a lackluster look.
Kitty, Red, and Eric all gaped at Laurie, who blushed and ran out the sliding door before anything else could be said.
Hyde smiled to himself and continued to poke at his food.
The rest of dinner was eaten in silence, until Kelso stormed in from downstairs.
"Hello Mrs. Forman, you're looking quite lovely today!" Kelso gushed as he took Laurie's seat. Red gave him a sideways glance and Kelso pushed himself as far away from Red as he could.
"Help yourself, Michael." Kitty said, handing him the bowl of mashed potatoes.
Kelso dug in, and stared at everyone as he munched down his food.
"Why's everyone so quiet?" Kelso asked, globs of potatos in his teeth.
He looked at Eric first, who shrugged. Then Kitty, who pushed her chair back and left the room, bawling.
"Hyde?" Kelso asked, poking his friend gently with the end of his spoon.
"Pipe down, kettlehead." Red said loudly, throwing the paper down on the table and heading after Kitty.
Kelso shrugged, taking some of Red's leftovers and placing them on his own plate as Eric groaned.
"Well," Eric muttered. "That was the last supper."
"Man," Hyde groaned in return. "Just because I'm moving out doesn't mean I'll never be over for dinner."
"Yeah," Kelso said in between swallows, "Cause Jackie won't be making his meals, that's for sure!"
Hyde smiled at Kelso, since this statement was very true.
"Speaking of Jackie..." Eric said. "Donna was supposed to be here for dinner, but at the last minute Jackie called with some sort of dire emergency. Do you have any idea what that's about?"
Hyde nodded as he stood up and pushed his chair in.
"Are you gonna tell us?" Kelso asked loudly.
"You'll find out soon enough." Hyde muttered. "Right now," He cast a look towards the living room. "I should go talk to your mom." He patted Eric's shoulder as he left his friends and took a seat next to a blubbering Kitty. Red was on her other side, but stood up as soon as Hyde walked in and left the two alone.
"Mrs. Forman..." Hyde groaned, placing his arm around her. He wasn't sure what to say, but felt the words come out naturally, "I'm going to miss you."
Kitty looked up, smiling vivaciously and squeezed Hyde's cheeks. "Well," She huffed, letting the last of her tears come out, "You can always come by if you need anything...laundry, recipes," She paused to stand up, squealing slightly, "Love."
"I could use some advice right now, actually..." Hyde said, standing up so he could face her.
Kitty patted his hand, urging him to continue.
"Jackie's mom is coming back next week."
Kitty's jaw dropped and she stared at Hyde with disbelief. "Poor Jackie."
"Yeah..." Hyde continued, "She's kind of in denial. She's trying to ignore it..."
"Well, I mean, her mother's..." Kitty frowned. "She abandoned Jackie in her time of need. She's not very motherly at all."
"I don't know how to make things ok." Hyde said, his voice shaky with concern.
"Sweetie," Kitty put her arms on Hyde's shoulder, tiptoeing to reach his height. "Sometimes the best way to help people is by not helping them at all. When I'm upset, Red just sits by me...and sometimes, that's enough."
"But Jackie's not really like most girls, Mrs. Forman."
"True..." Kitty frowned and then smacked her lips in realization, "Buy her jewelry!"
Hyde laughed at this idea and headed off to the basement, pondering how much that ring Jackie was eyeing at the mall last week cost and if he could afford it.
He knew he probably couldn't afford it.
But he also knew that he could find a way...
For her.
**************************
"Jackie, if your emergency has anything to do with your hair or Donny Osmond, I will slap you!" Donna screamed as she barged into Jackie's room. "Oh my god..."
Donna froze at the sight of Jackie, who was sitting cross legged on her bed, her make up streaming down her face, her hair thrown back lazily. She was swaying slightly and had the saddest expression Donna had ever seen.
Donna sat down slowly on the end of the bed, noticing that Jackie was holding a letter, gripping onto it tightly.
She looked up at Donna steadily, handing the letter to her, without saying a word.
"Oh my god..." Donna muttered, as she read the letter, throwing it aside and wrapping her arms around Jackie. She patted Jackie's head gently, muttering, "It's ok", over and over again.
***************************
"So, Hyde, man, please tell us what's going on with Jackie." Fez said, after being filled in by the others.
Hyde sat down in the circle, licking his lips slowly, "Jackie's mom is coming back next week."
Kelso grinned, Eric smiled, and Fez just had a dazed expression on his face.
"She's really upset." Hyde continued. "She locked herself in her bedroom after I found out. She wouldn't even say goodbye to me."
"How'd you find out?" Eric asked.
"Get this..." Hyde started, "Her mom's been sending her letters every month for a few months now. Jackie doesn't even read them."
"Jackie's not really good when it comes to her parents." Kelso said on remembrance, "Kind of like you."
"Match made in hell." Fez laughed.
Hyde smirked, "I hope Donna's having better luck then I did."
***********************
Donna reread the letter again while Jackie went to the bathroom to clean up.
To Whom It May Concern:
Mr. Burkhart shall be released from his state penitentiary in exactly one week. Please come by to pick him up at exactly 8:30 AM on the 15th. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Thank you for your cooperation,
The Wisconsin Bureau Of Corrections
Donna blinked widely in astonishment. Not only was Jackie's mom coming back next week, as Jackie had told her a few days ago, but her father as well. What Donna didn't realize was that Jackie was crying out of happiness. The two people who had abandoned her would be back in her life and Jackie had this novel idea that maybe they could be a family again.
Jackie reentered the room, slipping on a sweater and peevishly settling down next to Donna. Her eyes weren't red anymore and she wasn't as sad looking or disheveled.
"Did you tell Hyde?"
"I just opened it a few minutes after he left."
"But he knows about your mom..." Donna concluded and Jackie nodded, sadly.
"I kind of stormed out on him when he found out, but yeah."
"Well Eric will be happy about this." Donna laughed as Jackie gave her a confused look.
"...Now Hyde won't have to move out."
Jackie's eyes bulged in realization. "Oh my god. You're right."
Jackie stood up, pacing the room slowly as she thought out loud, "I mean, the whole reason he was moving in was because they were gone and now that they're coming back, he won't want to move in and well, I really don't need him to..."
Donna nodded sheepishly, checking her watch slowly.
"I promised Eric I'd come by after dinner..." Donna said slowly, and Jackie smiled and nodded.
"I kind of want to be alone anyway." Jackie said, walking Donna towards the door. "Don't tell Hyde...I want to tell him myself."
"Of course." Donna insisted, giving Jackie a reassuring hug as she left the house.
Jackie closed the door behind her and sighed, marching up the stairs happily.
Her family was finally coming back together...
So where would her boyfriend fit in this picture?
*******************
"You know," Kelso laughed as he switched the channel on the tv. "Life was so simple back in high school."
Eric kicked Kelso's leg gently out of his way as he sat down on the couch beside him, checking the door to see if Donna would rescue him soon.
"Man, we only graduated last year." Hyde muttered, leaning back in his chair.
"So?" Kelso muttered. "It was like... my biggest worry back then was which cheerleader to screw around with or how many firecrackers can I fit into a toilet."
"And now?" Fez asked.
"Now it's...which college girl can I screw around with and how many stink bombs can I fit into a toilet."
"Yeah, Kelso, you've matured a whole lot." Eric said dryly as Kelso nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, cause college chicks are way harder to get in the sack then high school girls."
"Right." Hyde groaned as Donna came in, taking a seat by Eric.
"Hey." Eric said happily, giving her a tiny kiss.
"Hey." Donna replied, a look of worry on her face.
Hyde watched her, waiting for her to say something about Jackie and how she's holding up, but was growing impatient as Donna and Eric rambled on about each other.
"Is she ok?" Hyde blurted out, rolling his sweaty palms over his jeans to calm down.
"She's...well..." Donna shrugged. "You should go over there. You guys...should...talk..."
"Uh oh." Kelso laughed. "She's breaking up with you."
Hyde frogged Kelso in the arm as he headed towards the door.
"She's not breaking up with him, you idiot." Fez muttered. "They are in love..." He threw some kissy noises in Hyde's direction, causing him to grunt in annoyance as he left the basement.
So what if he was in love with Jackie...he liked being in love with her.
He liked that feeling he got when it was just the two of them or when she smiled at him or when she gave him that look that made him feel like nothing was impossible...
God, he was turning into the biggest sap, Hyde thought to himself.
But he didn't mind...
And he couldn't wait till he moved out of the basement and into Jackie's house.
So he could feel that good all the time.
Cause only she can make him feel *that* good.
Summary: Sequel to Just Another Day - Craziness ensues as Hyde decides to move in with Jackie, much to the dismay of The Forman's and a surprise visitor brings up back memories for Jackie. Will Hyde be able to save her this time?
Disclaimer: Alas, I do not own a single thing.
a/n: review, enjoy – nice long chapter.
Chapter Six
That Good
Dinner at the Forman house had been eerily quiet until Steven Hyde slipped in through the sliding door, looking cool as a cucumber as he settled into his chair.
Kitty bawled immediately, plunging her fork into her food. Eric groaned. Laurie smirked. And Red turned a page in the paper, ignoring everyone and everything as he enjoyed his meal.
"Sorry I'm late." Hyde apologized quickly, slightly uncomfortable by Kitty's behavior.
"So," Laurie piped up, swallowing down some of her food, "Did you knock Jackie up?"
All eyes landed on Hyde, who simply shook his head in disgust.
Red sighed with contempt and Kitty continued to poke her food, while Eric and Hyde exchanged amused looks. Laurie pushed on...
"So why the hell are you moving in with her?"
"Because..." Hyde muttered, attempting to eat his dinner even though he was full from his dinner with Jackie.
Laurie rolled her eyes at his response, and was about to open her mouth and continue when Eric gave her a threatening look. She shut her mouth and rolled her eyes again, then excused herself, staring down at Hyde with anticipation of some sort of burn, but she got nothing. She poked his back gently.
Hyde turned around, giving Laurie a weary look.
"I'll miss you." Laurie said quickly, with a lackluster look.
Kitty, Red, and Eric all gaped at Laurie, who blushed and ran out the sliding door before anything else could be said.
Hyde smiled to himself and continued to poke at his food.
The rest of dinner was eaten in silence, until Kelso stormed in from downstairs.
"Hello Mrs. Forman, you're looking quite lovely today!" Kelso gushed as he took Laurie's seat. Red gave him a sideways glance and Kelso pushed himself as far away from Red as he could.
"Help yourself, Michael." Kitty said, handing him the bowl of mashed potatoes.
Kelso dug in, and stared at everyone as he munched down his food.
"Why's everyone so quiet?" Kelso asked, globs of potatos in his teeth.
He looked at Eric first, who shrugged. Then Kitty, who pushed her chair back and left the room, bawling.
"Hyde?" Kelso asked, poking his friend gently with the end of his spoon.
"Pipe down, kettlehead." Red said loudly, throwing the paper down on the table and heading after Kitty.
Kelso shrugged, taking some of Red's leftovers and placing them on his own plate as Eric groaned.
"Well," Eric muttered. "That was the last supper."
"Man," Hyde groaned in return. "Just because I'm moving out doesn't mean I'll never be over for dinner."
"Yeah," Kelso said in between swallows, "Cause Jackie won't be making his meals, that's for sure!"
Hyde smiled at Kelso, since this statement was very true.
"Speaking of Jackie..." Eric said. "Donna was supposed to be here for dinner, but at the last minute Jackie called with some sort of dire emergency. Do you have any idea what that's about?"
Hyde nodded as he stood up and pushed his chair in.
"Are you gonna tell us?" Kelso asked loudly.
"You'll find out soon enough." Hyde muttered. "Right now," He cast a look towards the living room. "I should go talk to your mom." He patted Eric's shoulder as he left his friends and took a seat next to a blubbering Kitty. Red was on her other side, but stood up as soon as Hyde walked in and left the two alone.
"Mrs. Forman..." Hyde groaned, placing his arm around her. He wasn't sure what to say, but felt the words come out naturally, "I'm going to miss you."
Kitty looked up, smiling vivaciously and squeezed Hyde's cheeks. "Well," She huffed, letting the last of her tears come out, "You can always come by if you need anything...laundry, recipes," She paused to stand up, squealing slightly, "Love."
"I could use some advice right now, actually..." Hyde said, standing up so he could face her.
Kitty patted his hand, urging him to continue.
"Jackie's mom is coming back next week."
Kitty's jaw dropped and she stared at Hyde with disbelief. "Poor Jackie."
"Yeah..." Hyde continued, "She's kind of in denial. She's trying to ignore it..."
"Well, I mean, her mother's..." Kitty frowned. "She abandoned Jackie in her time of need. She's not very motherly at all."
"I don't know how to make things ok." Hyde said, his voice shaky with concern.
"Sweetie," Kitty put her arms on Hyde's shoulder, tiptoeing to reach his height. "Sometimes the best way to help people is by not helping them at all. When I'm upset, Red just sits by me...and sometimes, that's enough."
"But Jackie's not really like most girls, Mrs. Forman."
"True..." Kitty frowned and then smacked her lips in realization, "Buy her jewelry!"
Hyde laughed at this idea and headed off to the basement, pondering how much that ring Jackie was eyeing at the mall last week cost and if he could afford it.
He knew he probably couldn't afford it.
But he also knew that he could find a way...
For her.
**************************
"Jackie, if your emergency has anything to do with your hair or Donny Osmond, I will slap you!" Donna screamed as she barged into Jackie's room. "Oh my god..."
Donna froze at the sight of Jackie, who was sitting cross legged on her bed, her make up streaming down her face, her hair thrown back lazily. She was swaying slightly and had the saddest expression Donna had ever seen.
Donna sat down slowly on the end of the bed, noticing that Jackie was holding a letter, gripping onto it tightly.
She looked up at Donna steadily, handing the letter to her, without saying a word.
"Oh my god..." Donna muttered, as she read the letter, throwing it aside and wrapping her arms around Jackie. She patted Jackie's head gently, muttering, "It's ok", over and over again.
***************************
"So, Hyde, man, please tell us what's going on with Jackie." Fez said, after being filled in by the others.
Hyde sat down in the circle, licking his lips slowly, "Jackie's mom is coming back next week."
Kelso grinned, Eric smiled, and Fez just had a dazed expression on his face.
"She's really upset." Hyde continued. "She locked herself in her bedroom after I found out. She wouldn't even say goodbye to me."
"How'd you find out?" Eric asked.
"Get this..." Hyde started, "Her mom's been sending her letters every month for a few months now. Jackie doesn't even read them."
"Jackie's not really good when it comes to her parents." Kelso said on remembrance, "Kind of like you."
"Match made in hell." Fez laughed.
Hyde smirked, "I hope Donna's having better luck then I did."
***********************
Donna reread the letter again while Jackie went to the bathroom to clean up.
To Whom It May Concern:
Mr. Burkhart shall be released from his state penitentiary in exactly one week. Please come by to pick him up at exactly 8:30 AM on the 15th. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Thank you for your cooperation,
The Wisconsin Bureau Of Corrections
Donna blinked widely in astonishment. Not only was Jackie's mom coming back next week, as Jackie had told her a few days ago, but her father as well. What Donna didn't realize was that Jackie was crying out of happiness. The two people who had abandoned her would be back in her life and Jackie had this novel idea that maybe they could be a family again.
Jackie reentered the room, slipping on a sweater and peevishly settling down next to Donna. Her eyes weren't red anymore and she wasn't as sad looking or disheveled.
"Did you tell Hyde?"
"I just opened it a few minutes after he left."
"But he knows about your mom..." Donna concluded and Jackie nodded, sadly.
"I kind of stormed out on him when he found out, but yeah."
"Well Eric will be happy about this." Donna laughed as Jackie gave her a confused look.
"...Now Hyde won't have to move out."
Jackie's eyes bulged in realization. "Oh my god. You're right."
Jackie stood up, pacing the room slowly as she thought out loud, "I mean, the whole reason he was moving in was because they were gone and now that they're coming back, he won't want to move in and well, I really don't need him to..."
Donna nodded sheepishly, checking her watch slowly.
"I promised Eric I'd come by after dinner..." Donna said slowly, and Jackie smiled and nodded.
"I kind of want to be alone anyway." Jackie said, walking Donna towards the door. "Don't tell Hyde...I want to tell him myself."
"Of course." Donna insisted, giving Jackie a reassuring hug as she left the house.
Jackie closed the door behind her and sighed, marching up the stairs happily.
Her family was finally coming back together...
So where would her boyfriend fit in this picture?
*******************
"You know," Kelso laughed as he switched the channel on the tv. "Life was so simple back in high school."
Eric kicked Kelso's leg gently out of his way as he sat down on the couch beside him, checking the door to see if Donna would rescue him soon.
"Man, we only graduated last year." Hyde muttered, leaning back in his chair.
"So?" Kelso muttered. "It was like... my biggest worry back then was which cheerleader to screw around with or how many firecrackers can I fit into a toilet."
"And now?" Fez asked.
"Now it's...which college girl can I screw around with and how many stink bombs can I fit into a toilet."
"Yeah, Kelso, you've matured a whole lot." Eric said dryly as Kelso nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, cause college chicks are way harder to get in the sack then high school girls."
"Right." Hyde groaned as Donna came in, taking a seat by Eric.
"Hey." Eric said happily, giving her a tiny kiss.
"Hey." Donna replied, a look of worry on her face.
Hyde watched her, waiting for her to say something about Jackie and how she's holding up, but was growing impatient as Donna and Eric rambled on about each other.
"Is she ok?" Hyde blurted out, rolling his sweaty palms over his jeans to calm down.
"She's...well..." Donna shrugged. "You should go over there. You guys...should...talk..."
"Uh oh." Kelso laughed. "She's breaking up with you."
Hyde frogged Kelso in the arm as he headed towards the door.
"She's not breaking up with him, you idiot." Fez muttered. "They are in love..." He threw some kissy noises in Hyde's direction, causing him to grunt in annoyance as he left the basement.
So what if he was in love with Jackie...he liked being in love with her.
He liked that feeling he got when it was just the two of them or when she smiled at him or when she gave him that look that made him feel like nothing was impossible...
God, he was turning into the biggest sap, Hyde thought to himself.
But he didn't mind...
And he couldn't wait till he moved out of the basement and into Jackie's house.
So he could feel that good all the time.
Cause only she can make him feel *that* good.
