Chapter 7- One year later
The sound of laughter that filled the early summer air was music to Hyde's ears. After the ups and downs of one difficult year, he finally heard laughter again, a sign of true happiness and contentment.
"Come one Steven…hurry up!" A breathless Jackie giggled as she ran to meet Hyde. He grabbed his girlfriend and kissed her long and tenderly. He didn't care who saw them. Hyde loved Jackie and that was all that mattered. A year ago Hyde would have shied away from any form of emotion, hiding behind his sunglasses. But a year has the power to change everything, and this past year had. As it had eased a mourning girls pain, it had taught Hyde to grow up and live his life the best he could. He had always thought the phrase "living in the moment" was a stupid and sappy thing to do but now he had adopted it as his new motto…of course he would never tell anyone.
Jackie and Hyde walked hand in hand towards St. Christopher's cemetery. Today was the one year anniversary marking the day Pamela and Jack Burkhart were buried. It also marked the day Jackie began to heal and today was the first time she managed the courage or strength to visit her parents graves.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" They stopped outside the gates of the graveyard. Hyde was, as usual, worried about Jackie.
"Yes, I think I'm finally ready but it's something I have to do on my own." Jackie's clam face reassured Hyde that she was okay.
"Sure I'll just take a walk." He squeezed her hand before turning away.
"Steven…" Hyde quickly spun around, expecting Jackie to change her mind…."I'll be fine." Hyde nodded and smiled as Jackie walked away.
Through the rows and rows of headstones Hyde walked. Stopping ever so often to read an inscription he let his mind wander, revisiting events of this past year. A memory of Jackie clinging to a photo album, curled up in a ball crying, filled his head. That wasn't long after the funeral when her wounds were still fresh. Then another came to him, it was the first time Jackie had smiled in three months… Kelso had fallen down the stairs. Finally the image of Jackie when she had been ready for their relationship flashed in his mind. He had been sitting on the couch in Forman's basement watching TV when she came in, sat on his lap and simply kissed him. She had fallen asleep in his arms that night and they never moved till morning.
Hyde had become so engrossed in his memories that he didn't notice Jackie standing in front of him.
"Steven." Although her voice was barley a whisper it startled Hyde. He looked down at Jackie, her face was streaked with tears.
"Hey, are you alright?" Hyde reached out to Jackie and she took his hand.
"Come see it." Slowly she led Hyde to a secluded area of the cemetery. There beneath an oak tree stood the double headstone of Jackie's parents. It was simple but beautiful and there was a special inscription underneath their names. It read, "Our hearts are saddened by their passing, but Jack and Pamela rest forever more, watching us from heaven at the table of our Lord."
Hyde felt Jackie's head rest on his shoulder.
"Are you sure you're okay?" He looked into Jackie's eyes. Surprisingly enough there were no tears.
"You know Steven, when I chose that inscription for the headstone it meant nothing to me. I just chose it because I had to make a quick decision. Now it brings me comfort because I know it's true. I'm tired of crying. Now that I have finally summoned the courage to deal with these last emotions, of coming here, I can completely move on with my life." Jackie's voice was not a whisper, it was strong and clear and true.
"You are the most amazing person I know, you know?" Hyde gazed in awe at the woman before him.
"Come on Steven," She teased and playfully pushed him, "you wanna go tell that to the guys in the basement?"
"Whatever you want." Hyde laughed and pushed Jackie back.
Together they walked out of the cemetery, both knowing that the road ahead was much smoother than the one they were leaving behind.
Okay everyone here it is…finished! Hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. This was my first fanfic and I'm thinking of writing another evolving Jackie and Donna. It will be about a subject close to my heart so we'll have to see. Anyway, thanks to everyone who read and reviewed, your comments and encouragement meant a lot.