So…Jackie's pregnant. Hyde just hoped that Brad didn't know, otherwise he'd never be out of her life. Kitty's face had been somber upon exiting the room after her exam. Kelso told her that she was pregnant and Mrs. Foreman almost started to cry. She said that if Jackie's baby had a chance then Jackie really shouldn't be moved anymore than she has been. She also needs plenty of rest, the bags under her eyes were evident even with a swollen black eye. The girl was an exhausted mess. Kelso had apparently had the piece of mind to pack a few things, mostly because he had already had to change her once before they left Chicago since they'd been mangled and bloody. Kitty left to continue getting things ready upstairs and make some soup for Jackie when the gang started to file in again.
Eric and Donna came from downstairs only a few moments after Kitty had ascended them giving Hyde and Kelso no time to talk.
Eric: Okay, what did you do Kelso? My mom is cooking more furiously than ever!
Donna: Seriously, it's gonna be like a ten course meal. She's even making soup!
Eric: Yeah, who the hell wants soup on Thanksgiving?
Hyde: It's for Jackie.
Eric: What? Jackie came? Where is she?
Kelso: Shhhh…She's sleeping in Hyde's bed.
Donna raises her brows: What about her boyfriend? Well…wait I guess that boundaries never mattered anyway.
Hyde was already in his own little world, zoned out completely.
Kelso: Donna, you don't know anything.
Fez walks in.
Fez: Oooh! I want to know!
Eric: Fez, quiet! Jackie's sleeping!
Fez: Oh…my…God must have the holidays confused because this is what I wanted for Christmas! Kelso and Jackie are both home!
Kelso: Aww thanks Fez, but I'm sure you didn't ask for this. Jackie's been—
Hyde: Beaten. Where the hell does Brad live?
The rest of the gang is stunned but before Hyde reaches the door he says something that stops him.
Kelso: Man, he's in jail! You can't go messin' some guy up when Jackie needs you.
Donna: Wait, why would Jackie need Hyde?
Fez: She needs someone who would never hurt her little heart. What she needs is Fez.
Red comes downstairs.
Red: Hey idiots, I can hear you all the way upstairs. That girl does not need to be awakened by monkey sounds!
The kids begin to file upstairs, Hyde is last and Red stops him.
Red: Kitty will bring you down some food later, someone needs to stay with Jackie.
Hyde opens his mouth to speak but Red just glares at him and Hyde returns to basement. He goes to his door and opens it slightly. He drags his chair in from the basement and sits by her. He sits there for a few hours just letting his mind drift as he watches her sleep. He remembered everything. The way she would sleep resting just the top of her head on his arm and how she would roll over and kiss it in the morning. Or the way she would sometimes cry after they did it and she thought he'd fallen asleep. They were tears of joy and she would whisper that she loved him. Kitty brought down a tray of turkey, the drumstick was his, and even some pumpkin pie. She set the tray down on the small table and took his hand to squeeze for a moment.
Kitty: Steven, when she wakes up you'll need to go upstairs and get the soup off the stove. It's hot so be careful.
Steven nodded his head and started to eat his dinner. When he was done he came to a decision about what to do and picked up a magazine to occupy his mind instead of the regretful past. It was another few hours and Hyde could tell the house had been emptied. Jackie's eyes were closed but she stretched out and moaned to signal her awakening. She opened her one good eye and sat still for a moment. Then she began to sit up and looked around frantically. When she saw Hyde she sat there staring but when she opened her mouth to speak Hyde interrupted.
Hyde: Here (he fluffed up a pillow for her). Just sit up and I'll be right back.
He left the room before she could respond. A moment later he came down with a tray of soup and a big glass of milk with a straw. He set the tray down and held out the cup to her. When she lifted her hand to reach it, he saw that one wrist was bandaged and the other had a splint over a broken finger. He sighed deeply and held the glass out to her. She gulped down a few sips and started to pull away.
Hyde: Finish it Jackie.
Jackie did so slowly. After finishing the glass Hyde set it down and started on the soup. He would take a spoonful, blow on it and feed it to Jackie. The whole thing seemed humiliating to her and her face reddened as did his.
Jackie: I can take care of myself Steven.
Hyde: Yeah, it looks like you did a great job of that.
He held out another spoonful but Jackie turned away. Hyde let the spoon drop back into the bowl and got up to leave. He slammed the door and sat down on the couch. He watched tv. He was already tired from the day so sleep found him almost immediately. After Jackie had finished half the soup she set the rest aside and tried to go back to sleep but a nagging problem kept her awake: she had to pee! Finally, she took off the covers and stepped onto the floor wincing. Everything was aching. She went to the door and it creaked open. She saw Steven stir and look over his shoulder at her. His eyes got wide as he took in her pained face.
Hyde: What the hell is the matter with you? (He rushed over and picked her up carefully and his voice softened) Now, what do you need?
Jackie was extremely thankful for the relief but blushed profusely.
Jackie: (whispers) I have to go to the bathroom.
Hyde smirked and brought her to the bathroom but when he got there he frowned. Now what was he supposed to do? He didn't look at her as he spoke.
Hyde: Pull down your pants and I'll put you on the seat.
Jackie: Steven!
Hyde: You're not supposed to stand up, you might loose the ba—
Jackie: Fine!
Jackie did as she was told and awkwardly finished the task. Hyde picked her up again and brought her back to her room.
Jackie: Steven, I'm sorry you had to find out like this.
Hyde stared at her.
Jackie: It's just I thought you'd be so angry and I was scared to tell you and then Kelso was gone and I thought that would buy me some time and—
It all snapped into place for Hyde. This wasn't Brad's baby, it was Kelso's. She had been cheating on him all along. His face turned Zen.
Hyde: Well, you can't change the past.
Jackie looked at him relieved.
Jackie: Oh thank you so much for understanding you have no idea how scared I was that you would leave me again for Sam and—
Hyde: What? Listen Jackie, just get some rest okay, you can talk about the baby and the father in the morning. You need to go to sleep.
Hyde wasn't making any sense out of Jackie and figured maybe she'd taken a hit to the head too. They both fell back to sleep. Jackie immediately and Hyde after some circle time.
The next morning Kelso and Fez filed in at around 9am. Hyde and Jackie had just gotten back from the bathroom and he was on his way down with a glass of milk and a muffin.
Kelso: Hey, how is she?
Hyde: She's alright.
Fez: I cannot believe that my beautiful princess is going to have a baby!
Kelso: Yeah, did she tell you about that?
Hyde: Yeah man, she told me. I'd be hurt if but it's not really worth it, so congratulations.
Kelso: What? Hyde I have a baby! And there is no way it could be mine.
Hyde: But, she said it's not Brad's and—
Fez: It's yours you luck sonofabitch!
Hyde: No, cause see she told me it's Kelso's.
Kelso: Man, I haven't been with Jackie since she was like 16!
Hyde: Cut the crap I walked in on—
Kelso: Me coming out of the shower after Jackie got 'morning sick' all over me! It was gross man, what was I supposed to do?
Hyde: Wait so Jackie's pregnant with my baby?
Jackie from the other room: Steven? I need a trash can now!
Hyde rushed into the room and stuck out a trash can just in time for Jackie to yak. Fez held out a washcloth and she wiped her mouth. She smiled weakly at him.
Jackie: Thanks. Sorry, this is so gross. Oooh a muffin!
Kelso chuckled slightly and pat Hyde on the back: Congratulations man!
