Chapter 9

Hyde stormed into the basement, slamming the door behind him. He was consumed with anger at himself, Jackie and the manufacturers of his boots which were chafing him painfully after two hours of fruitless searching. So engrossed was he in his inner tantrum that he completely missed Fez fidgeting nervously on the couch until he said "Hyde – ".

"Not now, Fez."

"Wait, Hyde, there is something I must tell you – it's about Kelso and Jackie."

Now he had Hyde's attention. "What is it?"

"I knew Kelso was trying to win Jackie back but I thought it would come to nothing like all those other times. But then this real estate agent called the other day which made me suspicious and I found a receipt from Ashtons Jewellers and when Kelso brought home that dog last night I knew this was serious."

"Fez, quit babbling. What does one of Kelso's dates have to do with anything?"

Fez drew a long breath and began at the beginning.

Meanwhile…

"…and then he called me a spoiled brat and I told him he didn't love me and he didn't deny it and I told him I deserved better and I glunk id bover."

"What was that last part, baby?" Kelso inquired as the remainder of Jackie's sentence was lost against his tear-soaked shoulder.

"I said I think it's over," Jackie repeated, raising mournful red eyes to Kelso.

Kelso took Jackie's cold face between his two hands and smiled into her eyes. "A wise person once said "When one door closes God opens a window."

"What does The Sound of Music have to do with anything?" Jackie quizzed.

"Come with me. There's something I have to show you." Kelso took Jackie' hand and led her from the park. They walked for 20 minutes until they found themselves standing on one of Point Place's prettiest streets.

"Do you know where we are, Jackie?"

"Of course. Jamison Avenue."

"Do you remember how when we were together and we'd walk down a street like this you used to critique all the houses, giving them new paint jobs or tearing down front porches."

Jackie gave a watery chuckle. "Yeah, that was fun."

"We used to play a game – which house would we live in when we got married. You would really get into it. The place had to be just perfect and we didn't see many houses that met your specifications."

Jackie smiled. "I remember you would take any beaten down old shack so long as it had a big back yard to keep a dog in."

"Now, I know you are as much a dog person as me, Jackie. You would never have been attracted to me in the first place if you weren't," Kelso said with a rueful grin.

Jackie laughed. "This new self-awareness of yours is unexpected. I hope it's not contagious – I don't think I'm ready to admit I am less than exquisite."

"You don't have to," Kelso said, his brown eyes filled with tenderness. Jackie began to feel like she was on the edge of a precipice and did not know which way to fall. "Ah, here we are."

"Oh, the house with the green shutters! This was always my favourite!" Jackie noted a large "For Sale" sign posted in the front yard. "Look, it's up for sale."

"Well, that's not entirely accurate," Kelso said, unfolding a large red sticker from his pocket. He peeled off the backing and slapped it onto the sign.

"Sold?" Jackie read in puzzlement. "Michael, I think we're getting past the stage when defacing other people's property is funny."

"Don't worry, I have a perfect legal right to put that sticker on that sign. Now let me show you around my new house."

"What? Michael, are you serious? Oh my God!" Jackie squealed as Kelso slid a key into the front door lock. As he led Jackie into the house, for once she was bereft of words. He showed her through each beautiful room, pointing out the polished Oregon pine floors and leadlight windows, the immaculate kitchen and charming dining room, the bay window with the reading annex with a view of Mount Hump. When he opened the back door to show her the landscaped backyard, a shining red blur raced up the back steps and jumped excitedly up and down in front of her.

"Oh, Michael, he is gorgeous," Jackie breathed, petting the Irish Setter dog which was frantically trying to lick her face. "But I don't understand. How did you do all this? Why?"

"The stock market has been very kind to me this last month. I put the deposit down on this place yesterday but I have the money so it will be ours free and clear after the paperwork has gone through."

"Ours?" Jackie repeated blankly.

"You didn't think it was a coincidence that I chose this place, did you? Jackie, I know what you need to make you happy better than Hy-… anyone else ever could," Michael said. "I can offer you everything you ever wanted, sweetheart – the house, money, a dog and someday as many rugrats as you want." Michael slipped a hand into his pocket and brought out a velvet covered ring box. "I'm ready now, Jackie," he said solemnly as he flipped open the latch to display a dazzling engagement ring to her amazed stare. "I love you. I want to be with you – always."

Jackie felt as though she was playing a frantic round of musical chairs and the music had just stopped. As she looked around at all her dreams come to life, she wondered if she was actually awake, so unreal was it to suddenly have all her wishes answered all at once. When Michael gently pulled her into his arms, she made no protest but followed as unresisting as a dancer caught up in a dance. There was a strange inevitability to this; the happy ever after the princess steps into at the end of the story. As Michael's lips descended on hers, she offered her mouth to him unresisting.