Project Restoration Chapter 10: and that's always been enough

Author's Note: Last Chapter. tear I was seriously tempted to re-angst everything up so this would not be the end, but alas, I've resigned myself to it being over. I've got a couple of other pieces I'm putting up, so please give them a try. I hope you like this ending. The last few lines are kinda sappy, but I liked 'em that way. I've really loved getting your feedback, so please don't hesitate to let me know what you think of this, good or bad. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: You can't always get what you want. So unfortunately, neither the show nor the characters are mine.

BASEMENT:

Eric had gotten off that plane wanting to get to his basement as quickly as possible.

Donna had sadly had to work, and his mom was cooking an enormous dinner, so Red picked him up, awkward hug and all.

But as they arrived home, to an empty kitchen, Eric never made it to the basement that night. Donna and Kitty really had both been at home finishing up the details of the Welcome Back surprise party that was waiting for him on the other side of the swinging door.

Everyone had been there. Well, everyone but Kelso who was in Chicago for another day, tying up loose ends. But even he had called so Fez could hold up the phone for him to yell, "Surprise!"

And Eric had hugged his mother to him as she cried happy tears. He had kissed Donna with the passion of months worth of missing her. He had given Red back his knife, and shook his father's hand like a man. He had stayed up at the party, telling his stories and showing his pictures, until yawns of exhaustion called him to bed.

So when he woke in the morning, after his mother's delicious breakfast and some mild banter with Laurie who'd returned for his party, he finally made it down to the basement.

And he thanked God it looked the same.

And jumping over the back his couch, he turned the TV on and settled in his spot, a huge smile never leaving his face.

It sure was good to be home.

HELLOS:

Donna had felt a little nervous about Eric's return. She had wanted the party to be perfect and wanted the moment he saw her to be magic. She tried to think of something cool to say, nothing came to mind. She tried to find the right look to give, but everything seemed lame. A simple "Hello" wouldn't be enough, so she searched her mind frantically. But sadly she still had no idea what she was going to do as they all crouched in the living room, in the dark, listening as Red talked a little louder than necessary coming through the sliding door to give them a cue. Suddenly, Eric came through the door and everyone jumped up in unison. Eric laughed and immediately went to hug Kitty who had been stationed right beside Red's chair. But then his eyes had caught hers, and everyone seemed to move out of the way as Eric crossed the room in slow motion. And as he reached her, standing beside the bar, mouth beginning to open to speak words she didn't know, he crushed his lips against hers, pulling her into him with a mind-blowing kiss.

They kissed for what felt like ages. Until finally Hyde yelled, "Get a room!" and they broke apart laughing. And arms wrapped around each other, Eric went on to greet his other guests.

And she never got a chance to say anything magical, not even a hello.

Now she bounded down the stairs excitedly, not able to get to the basement fast enough.

Opening the door she found him, sitting on the couch, as if he'd never left. And her heart felt like it could burst. He beamed at her brightly, but before he could say even say "Hello" her mouth was over his in a fierce kiss.

Actions speak louder than words anyway.

DIVORCE:

Most people are probably at least a little upset when they get a divorce, some even turning to alcohol to drink away their sorrow, their loss, their sense of failure or anger or betrayal. Not Steven Hyde. Oh, he had stopped by the bar on his way back from his lawyer's office all right. But his drink was a celebration. This just might have been the happiest day of his young 20 years.

It helped that Sam had taken it well. She had confessed that she honestly wasn't that surprised. And she was gone two days after they returned from Chicago. While he'd have been eager to pick up things with Jackie right then, she insisted they wait until everything was final. She would be no man's mistress. And so they hadn't shared a single touch in the past 2 months. Instead they'd just had longing glances and flirtatious bickering, as they each silently counted down the days until his divorce was official.

After his beer, which he consumed in a blissful blur, he'd hurried home even though he knew she wouldn't be there for hours. He sat in his chair, talking with Eric and Donna, playfully teasing Fez when he joined them in the basement, hoping that time would pass more quickly. After an afternoon that seemed like an eternity, he heard footsteps upstairs. His heart quickened its pace as he heart the door open and the sound of heels clicked down the stairs. He was afraid to look at first, it might only be Kitty, but when he smelled the familiar perfume he knew it was her. He got up, still without looking behind him, and pulled two Popsicles from the Deep Freeze. Finally turning around, he watched as she reached the bottom step. Her eyes looked at him, hopeful, loving. And he smirked at her coyly.

"You know," he said to the entire group, "it really isn't fair that I was the first one married and the first one divorced. The rest of you have so much potential, would you quit making me do all the work. I'm supposed to be the lazy one"

He smiled as he heard her squeal with delight. And her arms were around his neck in mere seconds. Her face was buried in his neck and he thought he might have felt the wetness of tears. She pulled back to look at him.

"Really? It's over?"

He nodded. And she placed a sweet and simple kiss on his lips. Then taking his hand, she led him to his chair and took one of the two Popsicles and seated herself on his lap.

He watched her happily watch TV, their hands still clasped together.

He never thought divorce could feel this good.

ENERGY:

Jackie had always told people the key to her many successes had always been her indescribable beauty. And while, she believed her looks had helped tremendously, she knew deep down her energy was the real secret behind the force that was Jackie Burkhart.

She was tireless when she wanted something. Nothing could slow her down when she was motivated. And after the Chicago trip she'd been brought back, full recovery, and they all seemed to marvel at the new burst of energy their friend had become.

She'd quickly set out to find a job, using her winning smile to make up for lack of experience and enlisting her authoritative voice to overshadow her young age. Success was inevitable and in only a few weeks she had been added as a field reporter for the highest ranked local news station. Within a month that station had been so impressed with her hard work, as well as with the ratings increase due to her obvious beauty, they had begun to allow her to fill in as anchor when the regulars were out sick or on vacation. It was only a matter of time before she'd be on in primetime, dazzling Wisconsin viewers with her charm and wit. Things were looking up for Jackie Burkhart and she couldn't help but contribute it to her positive energy.

She'd been working a lot lately, trying to stay busy so she didn't cave and run right into Steven's arms before he was available. She knew some may think she was being silly, Sam was gone and that was the important thing. But she wanted to know it was completely over, that the whole ordeal was behind them, before she let herself become completely attached again. It was getting harder and harder though. So when Steven had told her at Eric's party that his lawyer had called earlier that day and all that that implied, well she had been relieved beyond words. Finally, her life was starting.

So she walked down to the basement with all of her energy devoted to hoping it was done and she'd looked at him, by the freezer, willing some sort of confirmation.

And when she knew it was true her energy propelled her into his arms seemingly faster than the speed of light. And all she wanted was to stay right there forever.

And while she meant it when she said they needed to take things slow, she had to admit she could hardly wait to show him what else all her energy could do.

HOMECOMING:

Traffic had been crap. Betsy had been cranky. Prince had been antsy. And Brooke had still managed to sleep the whole way. The car ride from Chicago had been horrible for Kelso, and if he hadn't had the ability to remind himself it was all so he could go home, he might have given up and turned around. But he was going home. And that made it all worth it.

He was excited. Last night he had gotten to talk on the phone to everyone while they partied at the Forman's. Eric was finally home. Hyde thought his divorce was going through. Jackie's job was doing amazing. Donna could barely contain her happiness. And Fez had found that the only thing in the world better than chocolate itself was chocolate covered peanut butter and so his excitement was unsurpassable. He'd be home soon, able to make his way to the Forman's, grab a coke, and watch some sitcom with his best friends. His life was good.

Brooke had taken it all better than he'd thought. She agreed that Betsy needed both her parents around. And while she had no real preference on where they raised the child, she saw that Kelso obviously did. So they'd found a three bedroom apartment not far from Fez and Jackie. He was going to start going to school again, a veterinary program. And in the months it had taken to get everything squared away he had gotten to be right beside her when Betsy took those first steps.

As he pulled the car in, gently woke Brooke up, and proceeded to get his daughter out of the car, he felt so anxious to go over and see all his friends. So as soon as everyone was safely inside he was out the door again, calling to Betsy that he loved her and for Brooke not to wait up. He didn't even bother to take the car, he just bolted towards the basement.

Eager to celebrate his own homecoming.

RESTORATION:

Fez had always loved the idea of taking something old, worn, tired, and making it live and breathe again, beautiful. Like a fresh coat of paint on a long-lived-in house, or a nice wash and wax for the car after a long winter of mud and snow. There was much to be said for not giving up on something, but rather figuring out what's broken and fix it. Good as new. Maybe better.

And that's how he felt about his friends, sitting in the basement right now.

Kelso had burst in about an hour before, immediately grabbing everyone else's attention.

"Eric, is your mom home? Old Lady Wilson's german shepherd attacked me." Fez had felt bad, but he had to stifle his laughter. Kelso's right pants leg was missing a chunk of fabric and he could see a little bit of blood smudged on his friend's skinng leg. Apparently Kelso had decided to run over, and taking a short cut through some back yards had encountered Merci, short for Merciless, in a confrontational way. Eric too looked as if he was keeping some laughter in, but lead Kelso upstairs for Kitty to bandage. And when they come back the six of them had laughed as Kelso explained in greater detail just how the incident had happened.

Now they were all settled into a familiar routine. Jackie sat on Hyde's lap, his arm loosely circling her tiny waist, the fingers of their hands interlocked lovingly. Eric sat on the one end of the couch, arm on the back around Donna, who sat beside him with her legs crossed and her smile wide. Kelso was next to her, wearing a pair of Eric's pajama pants, mesmerized by the television and happily eating a Popsicle.

And Fez was in his chair. Happier than he could describe.

Randy had stopped by before, but seeing the whole gang together, seats all taken, he'd excused himself after about a half hour and Fez almost felt bad for him. Almost.

And Fez decided whoever once said, "if you love something let it go," was way off. If you love something, fight for it. Work at it, argue with it, change plans and swallow pride. Do whatever it takes until whatever was lost is restored. That's what you do when you love something.

And Fez smiled. That's what they all had done.