She drove home in complete silence. She couldn't help but come down on herself for letting it all out and now that it was out she still wasn't sure about the forgiveness part. She might have forgiven him right then and there if she hadn't been served with those papers but now the papers only made her feel more ashamed that she let her feelings out. She tried really hard but he kept pestering her into telling him what was wrong and at that point she couldn't take it anymore.
All that she hoped for now was some piece and quiet away from him. Now that he had decided to battle her for custody, she couldn't leave the states. She really didn't feel like fighting him anymore because she was tired of doing just that; she was beginning to feel like maybe she should just give in and let him have Marissa; but if she did that she would be all alone once again. Marissa filled the emptiness inside of her; and that was something she needed. She called her mother-in-law unwillingly to tell her about the court papers; she purposely left out what happened between her and Hyde. As usual, her mother-in-law gave her a lecture about Hyde and that if she didn't watch it she would loose Marissa forever. She then gave her the family lawyer's number. Mrs. Morrison was on the phone in seconds and already halfway through planning how they would attack on Monday when the doorbell rang.
Jackie tried her best to ignore it but whoever it was wouldn't go away. She hoped that it wouldn't be Hyde or Eric; she didn't want to have to look either one of them in the face after what had happened. When she opened the door she got the surprise of her life.
"You should have seen it Donna; it was awful." Eric said to Donna.
"Why what did you do?" Donna asked.
"I did nothing but Jackie let Hyde really have it; that wasn't even the worst part because after she had told him what the problem was it seemed like maybe they would talk things out but as soon as Hyde followed Jackie out to her car she was served with court papers and now the custody hearing is set for Monday." Eric said.
"So then nothing has really changed between them?" She asked.
"Actually something has changed." Eric said.
"What is it?" Donna asked.
"Well before Hyde had thought that Jackie was completely over him but it turns out that she still loves him after all these years. See what did I tell you; I knew that she still loved him now all I have to do is..."
"Eric I think you've done enough already; I think it's time that you let them deal with this on their own." Donna said.
"But Donna I was just getting started." Eric said.
"Well I think it's time to stop. They need to deal with this on their own. If you force one of them it might just end up being more disastrous than you think." Donna said.
"Man why do always have to ruin all of my fun?" Eric asked.
"Because it's fun." Donna said.
He had an important decision to make he had to make it fast preferably before Monday. He had two choices to make to either take Marissa and turn down the job offer that he received earlier or take the job offer and leave Marissa and Jackie behind for good. Either way it wasn't a win, win situation for him. If he took Marissa from Jackie than he would have to live with the fact that he hurt her once again but if he didn't take her then he would have to live with the fact that he had lost Marissa once again; because this job wasn't located anywhere near the United States. Whatever he decided to do he would in the end loose out.
If those court papers hadn't have come he probably would have forgotten all about the job. He would have tried to make amends with her and maybe in time she would have forgiven him but they did come and now he had another hard decision to make. He picked up the phone and began to dial.
Jackie stood there in shock at who was standing at the door. She gave a small smile and quickly embraced the stranger. He smiled back at her and she helped him bring in his bags. He came inside and sat down on her couch.
"Daddy it's been such a long time." Jackie said.
"I know it has and I'm very sorry for what has happened to you." Her dad said.
"When did you get out?" Jackie asked.
"I just got out a few days ago." He said.
"Do you need money? Is that why you're here?" Jackie asked him.
"Of course I don't need any money; I've got money stashed all over the country! I came to see you." He said.
"I'm so glad you're here." She said and then hugged him.
"So what's new with you?" He asked her.
"I've got to go court on Monday." She said.
"For what? Are you in trouble Jackie?" He asked her.
"No daddy I'm not in any trouble at all. Hyde's suing me for full custody of Marissa and Monday starts the trial." Jackie said.
"Don't worry about him; he'll never be able to hold himself up in court." He said.
"I know that; he'll never be able to beat me." She said.
(Monday morning.)
Hyde had woken-up earlier than usual; on his way to the court house all he could think about was the decision he had made and whether it was the right one or not. Mr. Arson had met him at the court house and they proceeded in together. When he got into the courtroom he saw Jackie and her lawyer already seated. Behind Jackie was her mother-in-law, who Hyde thought was a total bitch, and her father; not mention a few of her mother-in-law's snobby rich friends. He wished that he had support like that; he knew that Eric would be there but he didn't expect to find Eric's parents, Donna, Kelso, and Fez all sitting on his side as well. He looked over at Jackie but she sat there motionless and expressionless. Mr. Arson and Hyde took their seats and waited for the proceedings to begin.
Hyde had thought that she hadn't notice everyone on his side but when he wasn't looking she quietly turned around to see them all sitting on his side. She turned back around. She was wanted to cry because although she had her mother-in-law and her snobby rich friends, and her dad, she didn't have what she wanted the most and that was them. Mrs. Foreman was touching his shoulder with words of encouragement while Kelso said in his loudest voice that Jackie was going to loose because she was the biggest looser ever.
"Some friends they are." Her mother-in-law said.
"I don't know what you're talking about Dianne." She said.
"Of course you do; even you can't be as ignorant as you pretend to be. They could care less for you." Dianne said.
"I really don't care; oh look here comes the judge." Jackie said and then rose from her seat.
Hyde sat nervously in his chair; he knew what his decision was and he knew what he had to do.
"Your honor; I have a request." He said interrupting his lawyer before he could make his opening arguments.
"What is it Mr. Hyde?" The judge said.
"I would like you to reward full custody to Jackie. She deserves to have Marissa full time." Hyde said.
Everyone looked at him stunned. Even Jackie's bitching mother-in-law couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at him. Eric and Donna sat there speechless while Kelso turned to Mrs. Foreman and quietly asked her if this meant that Hyde had lost to Jackie? The judge gave a small speech and then awarded full custody of Marissa to Jackie. Her supporters gathered around her to congratulate her; her mother-in-law told her it was probably because he was too scared to compete against her.
As Hyde was leaving the courthouse, he heard Jackie calling his name; he turned around saw her running to him to catch up. He stopped and waited for her to catch her breath. He knew what she was going to ask him and he had prepared an answer for her.
"So why did you just give up?" Jackie asked.
"Well, I was thinking about what you said about it always being my decision and I realized that you were right; it had always been my decision. I knew that taking Marissa from you would be my decision and I knew that it would be hurting you again so I decided that I couldn't do that again. Look Jackie, I can't change the past. I wish I could but I can't. I knew in my heart that I couldn't take Marissa away from you because I had done enough damage to you. I don't know why I did what I did but I did and I'm truly sorry for hurting you and for making you hurt all these years. Jackie before I get in this car and leave, I need to tell you something. Since I decided not to fight you for Marissa, I've decided to take a job writing and filming for National Geography. I'm leaving tonight for Africa and I don't know when I'll be back. Please tell Marissa that I love her and that I'll miss her and tell her that I'll never stop think about her. Goodbye Jackie, I hope things work out for you." Hyde said.
"Steven wait." Jackie said.
"Yeah Jackie." He looked at her.
"I forgive you." Jackie said.
Before Hyde could say anything to her, her mother-in-law was dragging her away from him and give her a lecture about staying away from him. He was Donna and Eric coming up to him so he got in the car and left. He didn't want to deal with any of them; he had a lot to do before he left that night. He pulled away but not before taking one last glance at Jackie; after all it might be the last time he would get to look at her.
It was eight o'clock at night and Hyde had just arrived at the airport; his flight was leaving in ten minutes and he had to hurrying and check- in. He quickly made his way to the gate and was about to get on the plane when he felt someone tap his shoulder. He turned around to find Jackie with a bag holding Marissa.
"Jackie what are you doing here?" He asked her.
"Steven, I went home today and instead of feeling happy and rejoicing I felt guilty and alone. I want to be a family with you and Marissa and if that means going to Africa with you then that's what I'll do because I do love you. So can we accompany you to Africa as a family?" Jackie asked.
Hyde thought for a moment but the answer was already obvious to him; he smiled back at her and took her hand. All three of them boarded the plane together as a family.
All that she hoped for now was some piece and quiet away from him. Now that he had decided to battle her for custody, she couldn't leave the states. She really didn't feel like fighting him anymore because she was tired of doing just that; she was beginning to feel like maybe she should just give in and let him have Marissa; but if she did that she would be all alone once again. Marissa filled the emptiness inside of her; and that was something she needed. She called her mother-in-law unwillingly to tell her about the court papers; she purposely left out what happened between her and Hyde. As usual, her mother-in-law gave her a lecture about Hyde and that if she didn't watch it she would loose Marissa forever. She then gave her the family lawyer's number. Mrs. Morrison was on the phone in seconds and already halfway through planning how they would attack on Monday when the doorbell rang.
Jackie tried her best to ignore it but whoever it was wouldn't go away. She hoped that it wouldn't be Hyde or Eric; she didn't want to have to look either one of them in the face after what had happened. When she opened the door she got the surprise of her life.
"You should have seen it Donna; it was awful." Eric said to Donna.
"Why what did you do?" Donna asked.
"I did nothing but Jackie let Hyde really have it; that wasn't even the worst part because after she had told him what the problem was it seemed like maybe they would talk things out but as soon as Hyde followed Jackie out to her car she was served with court papers and now the custody hearing is set for Monday." Eric said.
"So then nothing has really changed between them?" She asked.
"Actually something has changed." Eric said.
"What is it?" Donna asked.
"Well before Hyde had thought that Jackie was completely over him but it turns out that she still loves him after all these years. See what did I tell you; I knew that she still loved him now all I have to do is..."
"Eric I think you've done enough already; I think it's time that you let them deal with this on their own." Donna said.
"But Donna I was just getting started." Eric said.
"Well I think it's time to stop. They need to deal with this on their own. If you force one of them it might just end up being more disastrous than you think." Donna said.
"Man why do always have to ruin all of my fun?" Eric asked.
"Because it's fun." Donna said.
He had an important decision to make he had to make it fast preferably before Monday. He had two choices to make to either take Marissa and turn down the job offer that he received earlier or take the job offer and leave Marissa and Jackie behind for good. Either way it wasn't a win, win situation for him. If he took Marissa from Jackie than he would have to live with the fact that he hurt her once again but if he didn't take her then he would have to live with the fact that he had lost Marissa once again; because this job wasn't located anywhere near the United States. Whatever he decided to do he would in the end loose out.
If those court papers hadn't have come he probably would have forgotten all about the job. He would have tried to make amends with her and maybe in time she would have forgiven him but they did come and now he had another hard decision to make. He picked up the phone and began to dial.
Jackie stood there in shock at who was standing at the door. She gave a small smile and quickly embraced the stranger. He smiled back at her and she helped him bring in his bags. He came inside and sat down on her couch.
"Daddy it's been such a long time." Jackie said.
"I know it has and I'm very sorry for what has happened to you." Her dad said.
"When did you get out?" Jackie asked.
"I just got out a few days ago." He said.
"Do you need money? Is that why you're here?" Jackie asked him.
"Of course I don't need any money; I've got money stashed all over the country! I came to see you." He said.
"I'm so glad you're here." She said and then hugged him.
"So what's new with you?" He asked her.
"I've got to go court on Monday." She said.
"For what? Are you in trouble Jackie?" He asked her.
"No daddy I'm not in any trouble at all. Hyde's suing me for full custody of Marissa and Monday starts the trial." Jackie said.
"Don't worry about him; he'll never be able to hold himself up in court." He said.
"I know that; he'll never be able to beat me." She said.
(Monday morning.)
Hyde had woken-up earlier than usual; on his way to the court house all he could think about was the decision he had made and whether it was the right one or not. Mr. Arson had met him at the court house and they proceeded in together. When he got into the courtroom he saw Jackie and her lawyer already seated. Behind Jackie was her mother-in-law, who Hyde thought was a total bitch, and her father; not mention a few of her mother-in-law's snobby rich friends. He wished that he had support like that; he knew that Eric would be there but he didn't expect to find Eric's parents, Donna, Kelso, and Fez all sitting on his side as well. He looked over at Jackie but she sat there motionless and expressionless. Mr. Arson and Hyde took their seats and waited for the proceedings to begin.
Hyde had thought that she hadn't notice everyone on his side but when he wasn't looking she quietly turned around to see them all sitting on his side. She turned back around. She was wanted to cry because although she had her mother-in-law and her snobby rich friends, and her dad, she didn't have what she wanted the most and that was them. Mrs. Foreman was touching his shoulder with words of encouragement while Kelso said in his loudest voice that Jackie was going to loose because she was the biggest looser ever.
"Some friends they are." Her mother-in-law said.
"I don't know what you're talking about Dianne." She said.
"Of course you do; even you can't be as ignorant as you pretend to be. They could care less for you." Dianne said.
"I really don't care; oh look here comes the judge." Jackie said and then rose from her seat.
Hyde sat nervously in his chair; he knew what his decision was and he knew what he had to do.
"Your honor; I have a request." He said interrupting his lawyer before he could make his opening arguments.
"What is it Mr. Hyde?" The judge said.
"I would like you to reward full custody to Jackie. She deserves to have Marissa full time." Hyde said.
Everyone looked at him stunned. Even Jackie's bitching mother-in-law couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at him. Eric and Donna sat there speechless while Kelso turned to Mrs. Foreman and quietly asked her if this meant that Hyde had lost to Jackie? The judge gave a small speech and then awarded full custody of Marissa to Jackie. Her supporters gathered around her to congratulate her; her mother-in-law told her it was probably because he was too scared to compete against her.
As Hyde was leaving the courthouse, he heard Jackie calling his name; he turned around saw her running to him to catch up. He stopped and waited for her to catch her breath. He knew what she was going to ask him and he had prepared an answer for her.
"So why did you just give up?" Jackie asked.
"Well, I was thinking about what you said about it always being my decision and I realized that you were right; it had always been my decision. I knew that taking Marissa from you would be my decision and I knew that it would be hurting you again so I decided that I couldn't do that again. Look Jackie, I can't change the past. I wish I could but I can't. I knew in my heart that I couldn't take Marissa away from you because I had done enough damage to you. I don't know why I did what I did but I did and I'm truly sorry for hurting you and for making you hurt all these years. Jackie before I get in this car and leave, I need to tell you something. Since I decided not to fight you for Marissa, I've decided to take a job writing and filming for National Geography. I'm leaving tonight for Africa and I don't know when I'll be back. Please tell Marissa that I love her and that I'll miss her and tell her that I'll never stop think about her. Goodbye Jackie, I hope things work out for you." Hyde said.
"Steven wait." Jackie said.
"Yeah Jackie." He looked at her.
"I forgive you." Jackie said.
Before Hyde could say anything to her, her mother-in-law was dragging her away from him and give her a lecture about staying away from him. He was Donna and Eric coming up to him so he got in the car and left. He didn't want to deal with any of them; he had a lot to do before he left that night. He pulled away but not before taking one last glance at Jackie; after all it might be the last time he would get to look at her.
It was eight o'clock at night and Hyde had just arrived at the airport; his flight was leaving in ten minutes and he had to hurrying and check- in. He quickly made his way to the gate and was about to get on the plane when he felt someone tap his shoulder. He turned around to find Jackie with a bag holding Marissa.
"Jackie what are you doing here?" He asked her.
"Steven, I went home today and instead of feeling happy and rejoicing I felt guilty and alone. I want to be a family with you and Marissa and if that means going to Africa with you then that's what I'll do because I do love you. So can we accompany you to Africa as a family?" Jackie asked.
Hyde thought for a moment but the answer was already obvious to him; he smiled back at her and took her hand. All three of them boarded the plane together as a family.