A/N: So this is the last chapter :( I'm sad to see this one go, it has been such a blast to write! I want to thank every single person who has taken the time to read through it, and an even bigger thank you to all those who reviewed! I definitely wouldn't have been motivated to finish it if it weren't for all of you! I hope you've all enjoyed reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it!
Chapter Thirteen – Finally
Five years later.
The gang was once again assembled together at the Forman's residence. It had been almost a year since they had seen each other; all of them had either moved away or were moving on with their own lives independently of the group. Contact was still made frequently, and visits were often scheduled as none of them had moved too far away, but the gang from the basement wasn't really the gang from the basement anymore. They had all grown up.
Donna and Eric had been married for three years and were currently living in a two-bedroom apartment in Madison. Eric was teaching history at the local junior high, and Donna was the manager of the local radio station there. Kelso had recently moved into Brooke's new house in Chicago to be with her and Betsy, and the two were contemplating an engagement in the near future. Fez was still living in Point Place where he owned the hair salon and was currently dating one of the shampoo-girls, Mandy; he often visited Red and Kitty. And Hyde and Jackie, they had been living in Jackie's apartment in Chicago for almost five years. Jackie was a reporter for WBBM (she had thankfully patched up her relationship with Daniel after the whole broken-nose incident) and Hyde had recently opened up a Grooves record store in downtown Chicago, leaving the old store in Point Place to Leo, who, surprisingly, ran it rather smoothly.
Still, even though their lives had taken them down different paths, in a way, the basement gang would remain just that. They were all still very close friends, and so they had gathered this day, in the place where they had each grown up, to come together once again.
Kitty was busily making her third batch of ambrosia salad, while Donna stood nearby, putting the finishing touches on the gigantic tossed salad. Seated at the kitchen table were Eric, Fez, Mandy, Kelso, Brooke, and six-year-old Betsy, who was keeping herself occupied by playing with her father's favorite yellow bouncy ball. The atmosphere was anxious as they waited for the other two members to arrive, the only sound the clock on the wall as it slowly ticked the minutes by.
"When are they supposed to be here?" Eric asked again.
Donna rolled her eyes, not even bothering to look up from her task to answer her husband. "The same time as when you asked ten minutes ago."
Eric grinned sheepishly. "And what time was that again?"
Kitty sighed and glanced at her son. "Two o'clock, Eric, now just relax. They'll be here."
Just then, Red walked into the kitchen, dressed in his uniform. "Kitty, I don't see why we have to have this here. This is supposed to be my day. I'm the Veteran!"
Patting her husband comfortingly on the back, Kitty reasoned, "It's still your day, Red, it's just not all about you anymore!" She laughed her signature laugh and turned back to her salad as Red grumbled and grudgingly left the kitchen.
"There!" Donna cried triumphantly, "I'm done!"
Kitty glanced over and smiled, placing a hand on Donna's shoulder. "Very good, Donna! It looks delicious."
Donna nodded and glanced around the kitchen eagerly. "Okay, so we still need to make the burgers, right? I could get started on those."
"No!" Kitty and Eric cried at the same time, rushing over to her.
Donna glared at them. "And why not?"
Mother and son exchanged a look, and Kitty said, "Red always makes the burgers, and he's already upset about us 'ruining' his special day, so he'd…well, he'd just have a fit if he didn't at least get to grill something."
"Okay," Donna said. "Then how about the potatoes? I could make the baked potatoes."
Again, an anguished "No!" echoed throughout the kitchen.
Donna's eyes narrowed. "What's wrong now?"
Kitty nudged Eric, who stepped forward slightly, offering his wife a nervous smile. "Well, sweetie, we uh…" he looked around the kitchen frantically for something, and suddenly snatched up a shiny bag. "We need you to set out the chips!" he cried triumphantly.
"The chips?" Donna said, annoyed.
Kitty nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, yes, the chips. That's a very important job." Off of Donna's disbelieving and angry glare, she laughed nervously.
Donna placed her hands on her hips and stared at them. "Why don't you guys want me cooking? I'm a good cook. Remember that time I made you dinner, Eric? Chicken Pinciotti? That was great!"
Eric's stomach lurched at just the mention of the horribly undercooked dish, but he plastered a fake smile on his face and lied, "Of course it was, honey, but…"
"So why can't I make the potatoes?"
Eric buckled under her stern gaze, finally spilling forth the truth in an anguished cry, "Okay, okay! Donna, Chicken Pinciotti was the worst dish I've ever eaten. The chicken was oozing…"
"It's called marinade, Eric," Donna snapped.
"No, it's called blood," Eric quipped, and shuddered at the memory. "Donna, we just…we want this dinner to go perfectly for Hyde and Jackie, and to do that, we need you to stay far, far away from all foods that need to be cooked in any way, shape, or form."
Donna opened her mouth to retort, but the familiar sound of the El Camino made all of them freeze instantly.
"Oh, they're here!" Kitty squealed excitedly, clapping her hands. "Everyone, quick, take a dish outside!" She frantically started passing out dishes to them all, even handing Betsy the chip bowl to carry outside, then followed them carrying her famous ambrosia salads. Red was already in the backyard, the burgers sizzling on the grill, as Kitty ordered the others around. Once all the side dishes were on the picnic tables, she hurried about, pushing past the guests to straighten tablecloths and streamers. She was still hustling around when Jackie and Hyde strolled into the Forman's backyard, Hyde's arm casually draped around Jackie's waist, a dish held in Jackie's hands.
"Mrs. Forman, the place looks wonderful!" Jackie exclaimed, glancing about approvingly at the array of red, white, and blue streamers, balloons, and shiny plastic cutouts of stars.
Kitty finally stopped rushing about, coming to a stop in front of the couple and grinning widely at them. "Jackie, Steven, it's so good to see you again! Oh, and you brought…"
"Dessert," Jackie said proudly, handing the dish to Kitty.
Kitty glanced down at the glassware covered with tinfoil apprehensively. She had tried teaching Jackie to bake on several occasions, all with less-than-desirable results and barely-edible food.
Seeing her panicked look, Hyde mentioned, "They're brownies, Mrs. Forman, and I made them."
Kitty laughed her signature laugh and trotted over to the picnic tables with the dessert. Jackie gave Hyde a quick kiss on the lips and then headed into the crowd to greet everyone.
"Brownies?" Eric commented as he came up behind Hyde. "Man, the last time you made brownies, my dad ended up selling my car."
Hyde chuckled and turned around to give his friend a manly hug. When he pulled away, he assured, "Don't worry, man, I've got that secret ingredient in my pocket."
"Uncle Hyde!" came a tiny voice, and Hyde whipped around just as Betsy came racing towards him. He bent down and scooped her up. "Hey there, baby doll."
Kelso's frantic cries of, "Betsy! Come here, baby!" were then heard as he made his way through the crowd of people. As he spotted Hyde and his daughter, his face broke into a relieved smile. "Man, thank God you found her, Hyde. Brooke would've killed me if I'd lost her again."
"Again?" both Eric and Hyde cried.
Kelso rolled his eyes. "Hey, the first time wasn't my fault, okay? Leo was supposed to be watching her and then he wandered off! And the second time I fell asleep, and then the third time…well, I got sorta distracted…"
Eric shook his head as Hyde handed over the little girl. "Man, why the hell is Brooke thinking of marrying you?"
"Daddy's man-pretty!" Betsy squealed happily, grinning up at her father.
"Oh, God, Kelso, what have you been teaching her?" Hyde scolded.
Kelso ignored him and set his daughter gently on the ground. "Go find Mama, Betsy," he said, then patted her behind and watched her race off to find Brooke.
"So where's Fez?" Hyde asked, looking around for the foreigner.
Eric stood on his tiptoes and searched the crowd, finally pointing when he spotted the dark head of their fourth friend. "He's over there, with the women."
Kelso and Hyde shook their heads in disapproval as the three of them headed over to rescue their friend from the presence of the women. When they reached him, he looked deep in conversation with Brooke, Donna, and Mandy.
"So Jackie doesn't know anything?" Mandy was saying excitedly.
"Nope, she hasn't got a clue!" Donna replied, barely able to contain her own excitement.
"And this was the day of their first date!" Fez piped in happily.
"That is so romantic!" Brooke added dreamily.
"Excuse us, ladies," Kelso interrupted, using his macho-voice. "We're here for Fez."
Fez glanced up at his three friends and frowned slightly. "But I was enjoying the girl-talk."
Hyde reached over and grabbed Fez's arm, practically dragging him away. "Sorry, Fez, we're doing this for your own good."
Kelso looped an arm around his best friend's shoulder as Hyde pulled him along, adding, "It's not good for you to spend so much time with the women, Fez."
Eric waved at the three women as he followed Kelso and Hyde, calling over his shoulder, "Go on about your business!"
Donna, Brooke, and Mandy watched them for a second and then huddled back together to resume their conversation, their voices hushed whispers so as not to be overheard. That's how Jackie found them a few minutes later, and she squealed in excitement and rushed to them, nudging her way into the circle.
"Okay, who are we gossiping about because I have seen a lot of crazy outfits here today," she said eagerly.
The other three looked helplessly at each other, floundering for a name. At the same time, they shouted three different ones, and instantly their faces turned bright red.
Jackie barely noticed, nodding her head. "Yeah, yeah, I've seen all three of them, and I've gotta say, they could've at least dressed up for the occasion. Okay, so Veteran's Day isn't the most fancy of holidays, but still, show a little pride, girls! Am I right?" She glanced around at her three companions, who immediately broke into nervous laughter and nodded their heads in agreement.
Meanwhile, in the basement, Hyde was lighting up his "secret ingredient." As he inhaled the smoke deeply, he looked around at his three friends and grinned. "So, fellas, today's the day."
Kelso shook his head, frowning slightly. "Hyde, man, I can't believe you're gonna propose to Jackie. I mean, you've only been living together for what, five years? That's not nearly enough time to decide you want a lifetime commitment to someone. Just look at Brooke and me. We've been dating on and off for like, six years now, and we just now moved in together."
"Aren't you two thinking of getting engaged soon?" Eric asked, confused.
"Well, yeah," Kelso replied and shrugged. "But that's still like another year or two in the future."
"Perfect!" Eric cried, flinging his hands up in the air. "That'll give her enough time to come to her senses."
Kelso frowned and then quickly turned back to Hyde. "Okay, well then think of it this way, from now on, Jackie is the only girl you'll ever have sex with…ever!"
Hyde sighed. "Kelso, I've only been sleeping with Jackie for about five years now."
"But a lifetime's a lot longer than five years, man!" Kelso cried defensively.
"Don't listen to him, Hyde," Eric cut in, waving dismissively at Kelso. "You're gonna love married life."
Fez nodded. "Yes, marriage will be great. Sex with your wife whenever you want it!"
Hyde cocked his head as he looked at his friend. "Uh, Fez, that's not really a perk of marriage. I've pretty much been able to have sex with Jackie whenever I want since we started dating."
"Oh, sure, rub it in!" Fez shouted, folding his arms angrily across his chest.
Eric looked around at his friends, grinning. "Hey, I just realized I'm the only one here who's never nailed Jackie."
"You're missing out, man," Kelso said.
Hyde punched him hard on the arm.
"Ow!" Kelso cried, grabbing his injured limb. "Damn, Hyde, I was giving Jackie a compliment!"
Hyde held up a finger, pointing to each of them as he stated firmly, "There will be no more dirty talk involving my soon-to-be-wife." He paused and smiled, adding, "Unless it's me doing the talking."
"So Hyde," Eric said, returning to seriousness, "you sure you're ready for this?"
Smiling, Hyde patted his pocket where the engagement ring was hidden. "Oh yeah, I've been ready for a while, man."
"And you're sure she's gonna say yes this time, right?" Eric asked, his face a little worried. "'Cause the last two times you've tried to propose, well, they haven't really worked."
"Just needed the right moment," Hyde replied and stood. "And this feels like it, boys."
The other three stood as well, each smiling happily at their friend as he ascended the basement steps. They followed him silently as he weaved his way through the crowd of people, his feet inherently leading him to her. They watched as he knelt, in front of them all, and proposed to her, just the way she had always dreamed. They clapped as she leapt into his arms and kissed him hard on the mouth, taking his breath away. And later, when the others had gone home and the basement gang was once again reunited, they rejoiced, knowing they had all found exactly where they belonged.
A/N 2: So, what'd you think? I hope you liked it, and thanks so much again for reading! I also wanted to ask your opinions on my newest idea for a fic. I would like to do a series of one-shots in which I will take an actual episode from the show and rework it to make it J/H fluff. I have several episodes so far from seasons one and two that I would like to redo, but I don't want to fit them together like a story where one leads to the next and so on. They will each be stand-alone pieces; I just wanted to fit them together because there will hopefully be a lot of them and I don't want to post that many one-shot pieces separately. It'd be easier to put them all together and have each chapter just be another one-shot, possibly spanning all the way till the end of the series, but the episodes will get thinner once J/H get together, leaving me only the angsty ones to remake into fluff. I know that several episodes have already been redone, and a few people have redone episodes and then worked them into stories, but that's not really what I'm trying to do so hopefully it'll be different from what you may have already read. However, if you don't like the idea, just let me know and I'll probably just pick my favorite episodes and post them separately as one-shots. So thank you again for reading!