A/N: this is a bit overdue, so i apologize. i had some trouble with this chapter for some reason / BUT I kinda am excited about the next one...


Week Three

Day One

"Okay, Promiscuous Pink or Pretentious Purple? Ooh! Or Seductive Silver?"

Donna stares at the nail polish colors Jackie is holding out towards her. "I'll never understand why they give nail polish such ridiculous names. Who even comes up with those?" They're at the salon since Jackie dragged her here to spend her time off. Usually, she tries to avoid doing these kinds of activities with Jackie, knowing just how out-of-hand she can get, but she figured her friend deserves a little treat.

Jackie gives her an exasperated look. "Just answer the question, Donna. Which one do you think will highlight my natural beauty the most?"

She resists the urge to roll her eyes. "Go with the silver."

"Okay, now choose a second color," Jackie demands.

She sighs. "Pink."

"Great, thanks!" Jackie puts the silver and pink polishes back on the shelf, left holding only the purple. She begins to make her way over to the set of chairs where the nail specialists are waiting.

Donna's face scrunches in confusion as she follows her. "Jackie, why did you bother asking me which color to choose if you're not gonna listen anyway?"

"Oh, I did," she reassures her. "See, I still don't really trust your style, so I figure my best bet is to go with whatever color you don't choose."

Donna nods with a tight smile. "Right. Of course."

The two friends seat themselves in the set of comfy chairs and hand the nail technicians the polishes they chose. Jackie insists they go all out and get both manicures and pedicures today, so the technicians start with their toes. The experience is a bit foreign to Donna, but it's not exactly unpleasant.

Jackie leans back, settling into a comfortable position, and closes her eyes. "You know, I really am glad you're doing this with me today. I know we've had some rough patches, but after everything, we're still friends and I'm thankful for that."

Donna looks over at her friend, a bit surprised by her words. The brunette rarely expresses her softer feelings so bluntly. She certainly agrees with the statement; the two of them are quite literally opposites, which has caused some tension, especially in the time following Eric's leave for Africa. At some point, they had barely been friends at all. Yet, here they are, at the salon together. They've managed to overcome their differences and remain in each other's lives. Until now she hasn't realized just how lucky and grateful she is for that. "Yeah, me too."

"So how's it going living with Eric?" Jackie asks, changing the subject.

"It's going well, I feel like we're actually real adults for once," Donna answers. "We still have a few trips planned before summer ends. We didn't go on as many as we thought we would because, well, you know."

Jackie nods in understanding, not needing her to elaborate. Eric got a job as a teacher at the local school and the couple planned on using the summers to fulfill their dreams of traveling. Of course, this year didn't go as planned with Kelso and Brooke's deaths. Jackie suspects Donna's taking it a lot harder than she lets on. "There's always next year; you should start planning now."

"Oh, trust me, I am," Donna assures her. "I'm thinking about going backpacking through Europe."

"With Eric?" Jackie raises her eyebrows. "Good luck."

"If I have to carry him along with my backpack, I will," Donna laughs and Jackie joins in. She watches the nail technician delicately work on buffing and painting the toenails on her left foot. "I still can't believe Hyde gave you some time off like this," she says to Jackie. "That is so sweet of him!"

"Yeah," her friend replies, biting her lip anxiously.

"What's wrong? Do you not agree?"

"No, I do. That's the problem."

"I'm not following."

Jackie sighs. "These past few weeks...he's been so sweet and responsible. I've been seeing a mature Steven, a Steven who's actually trying his best. And lately, I don't know, I've been having these moments where I look at him and I just think to myself, 'this is the Steven I've always believed in and hoped for, the one I always wanted to be with.' Then I think 'so what's stopping me?' And I hate that the thought even crosses my mind." She covers her face with her hands as if ashamed or embarrassed. "Oh, these feelings are so confusing and I don't know what to do about it."

Donna reaches over and gently peels back one of Jackie's hands from her face, revealing her friend's eye. She laughs softly. "Jackie, it's okay. You're allowed to feel these things."

Putting her other hand down, Jackie frowns at Donna. "Am I, though? I told him I'm not ready for a relationship with him again and that I don't know if I ever will be, and I meant that. After that one kiss at the park, I realized I respect myself too much to take him back so easily."

"And you haven't," Donna points out. "You won't . When I told you to be careful before, I just meant that I want you to be really sure before you give him another chance. That's all." She shrugs. "So far it sounds like he's been doing all the right things to make you be more sure. It's more than okay to feel whatever it is that you're feeling along the way of your decision."

"But I shouldn't want him back at all," Jackie explains. "Like, I shouldn't even be slightly considering it."

Donna stares at her, suddenly reminded of her relationship with Eric and how they are somehow back together. It hadn't been easy for her, but she's happy with how things managed to turn out. "Some feelings don't die, despite how much we may want them to," she says softly. "Plus, people can change, believe it or not. You did. And I really think Hyde has changed- or is changing."

She's silent, pretending to fixate her attention on the pedicure in progress.

"Listen," Donna continues, "all I'm saying is you should relax and not worry about it. If he really wants you back and, more importantly, if he really deserves you back, he'll continue to be a better version of himself. Let him show you who he can be for you and Betsy; it's up to him to make it clear. And then, I think you'll know when- or if- you're willing to take him back."

Jackie looks up, a mischievous glimmer in her eye. "You're right, I should see what else I can get him to do for me first. You know, see how far he'll go, how desperate he really is," she jokes.

"I didn't mean to take advantage of him," Donna laughs.

"Why shouldn't I?" she asks, tilting her chin up. "It's the least I deserve. I don't know what it'll take for me to be satisfied after everything he's done."

"What, do you want him to get on his knees and beg for forgiveness? Or buy you an entire jewelry store?"

"It would be nice."

Donna laughs and shakes her head. "Okay, well, good luck with that."


"Tell me why we're going to hang out at my parents' house a week after I moved out?" Eric asks Hyde from the passenger seat of the El Camino. "I have my own place now."

"Because unlike your 'own place' your parents' house actually has food and enough furniture to sit on," Hyde replies snarkily. "And also your mom said she has a surprise for me and Betsy"

Eric straightens up in his seat. "Wait, really? Just you and Betsy, or did she include me?"

He shakes his head. "Sorry, man. I think by now you should know they like me better than you."

"Yeah," Eric agrees with a sigh. The car pulls into the Forman's driveway. "I don't know what I did to deserve it though."

"Be a disappointment, maybe?" Hyde teases as he turns off the ignition and gets out of the car.

"Hey-" Eric protests, scrambling to follow Hyde out of the car. He fumbles with the seatbelt, trying to release himself but he only succeeds in causing the safety restraint to lock up. "Damn it, I am a disappointment."

Hyde opens the back door of the car and starts to unbuckle Betsy from her car seat.

"Oh, you're here!" Kitty claps, coming out of the house just as Hyde is setting Betsy on the ground and Eric has managed to free himself from the car. "Red, they're here!"

"Hi, Mom," Eric greets his mother.

"Oh, Eric you came, too. I'm so glad, I want you to see what we have for Betsy as well." She impatiently looks back towards the house. "RED, HURRY UP!"

"Alright, Kitty, I'm coming. Jeez," he says as he appears in the doorway. "Hello, Steven. Eric," he greets stoically. Then a smile spreads across his face as he catches sight of Betsy, leaning down closer to her short stature. "Hey there. We have something to show you, do you want to come see it?"

The toddler shyly looks up at Hyde, who nods at her in encouragement. "Yes," she replies.

Kitty takes her hand. "Let's go look then, it's in the backyard." She and Red then begin leading the child around towards the back of the house.

Eric and Hyde exchange a brief look of confusion. The backyard? They rarely go back there, sometimes they forget they even have a backyard. What could be back there for Betsy? Eric shrugs and follows his parents, Hyde doing the same.

When they reach the backyard, they're greeted with the sight of a brand new playground, complete with a slide, a couple of swings, and a set of monkey bars. There's also a sandbox underneath the slide structure. Red is already helping Betsy climb up to the top of the slide.

Eric and Hyde stare in surprise. "A playground?" Eric asks in disbelief.

"Yes!" Kitty squeals. "Your father made it himself. He's been working on it for two weeks."

"How come he never made me a playground? Why does Betsy get one if I didn't?" Eric pouts.

"Eric, honey, don't make this about yourself," Kitty chides. She reaches out and gently touches his arm. "You can think of it as your playground too if you want."

"Mom, I think it's a few years too late for that."

"Are you sure?"

" Yes, " he stresses. Then he looks back over to the swingset and considers it. "Well…" he heads over to one of the swings.

Hyde turns to Kitty. "Wow, Mrs. Forman. This is really nice of you two."

She waves it off. "Oh, it's nothing. But now you and Betsy have an excuse to come visit Red and me, and you don't have to go all the way to the park so often."

"I don't need an excuse to visit you guys, you're good company on your own," he assures her. "But thank you. Really."

"Oh, you know, we just wanted to do something for that sweet little girl. Red and I have been feeling a little lonely without you and Eric around, and we figured this way maybe Betsy would want to come over more often," she explains. "And of course, it'll be nice for any other grandchildren- if we ever get any."

"I think Eric has some growing up to do before then," he jokes, watching Eric on the swing.

Kitty laughs. "Well, I wasn't just talking about Eric, you know."

"Don't tell me you're counting on Laurie, 'cause I hate to tell you this, but-"

She shakes her head. "No, I was thinking more about you and Jackie."

"Mrs. Forman-"

"Oh! I'll be right back, I'm gonna go inside and make us all some lemonade," she says, cutting him off.

After watching her disappear into the house, Hyde makes his way over to Eric, taking a seat on the swing next to him. HIs best friend slows down so he can come to a stop next to him.

"So I think it's safe to say my parents have entered Grandparent Mode already, most likely a side effect of us moving out," Eric says.

Hyde snorts. "Yeah, ya think?"

"Just let them have fun with it," he says with a shake of his head. "If we're lucky, it'll keep their attention off of us for a little while."

"Yeah," Hyde agrees, watching Betsy have fun with Red. "About that, your mom kind of insinuated something about me and Jackie."

"Oh, yeah, she's really hoping you two are gonna work things out and get back together soon," he responds.

"Mm."

"What, I thought you wanted that, too."

"I do, it's just…"

"Just what?"

Hyde sighs. "Look, I messed up what Jackie and I had like, ten times over. She specifically told me that she doesn't know if I can ever convince her I can be trusted not to mess up again. And in all honesty, I agree with her. So…"

"Soo?"

"So I agree with her!" he repeats. "And I'm respecting her boundaries. Right now I'm just trying to prove to her and to myself that I can shape up. That's all."

They're both silent, watching as Betsy goes down the slide giggling.

After a long moment, Hyde speaks up again. "If there's even the slightest chance she'll take me back, I'm gonna do everything I can to make it happen. I need her to understand that I won't mess up again." He can't mess up again; he doesn't think he'd be able to live with himself.

"Hyde, I hate to say it, but I think telling her that and being open about your feelings is a part of that," Eric advises.

"You think so?"

"Yeah, sorry, man."

"Damn it. You're probably right."

"Also, you have a cute toddler on your side- use it to your advantage!" Eric reminds him. "It'll get you points, trust me."

"Yeah, okay, I'll keep that in mind," he deadpans.

Once again, the two young men fall silent for a few moments. Eric breaks the spell by turning to Hyde. "Hey, do you wanna see who can jump off the swings the farthest?" he asks.

His best friend turns to him as well, the corners of his lips twitching up into a slight smile. While he appreciates having deep discussions with Eric, he most appreciates the way he can distract him from whatever might be weighing heavily on his mind. He's been doing it since they were kids and somehow always seems to know when he needs it. "Forman, you've been losing at that since we were six."

"Aaannd now I'm twenty-one; I think I've gotten better by now, so you better watch out," Eric warns.

"You're on."


Jackie comes home the next morning to find the apartment empty. Curious as to where they went, she looks around, brow furrowed. When she walks into the small dining room, her gaze falls on a bouquet of flowers resting on the table. There's a piece of paper placed on top of the bouquet, so she picks up the note to read.

Jackie,

Hope you enjoyed the time off and are well rested- you deserve it. I'm taking Betsy to Grooves to take care of something, we'll be back later. Chores are done, enjoy the rest of your toddler-free time while you can.

Hyde

She does feel well-rested, she observes. As much as she understands the pleasant rarity of toddler-free time these days, she really does miss the little girl whenever she's not around. Jackie moves on to read a side note written at the bottom of the page.

Betsy and I picked these flowers for you. I'd be lying if I said we both didn't miss you .

Jackie bites her bottom lip, but it's not enough to hold back the smile she's fighting. She picks up the flowers. they're not professionally arranged, that's for sure; a few stems are broken and some weeds had accidentally gotten mixed in. She doesn't mind in the slightest; in fact, she thinks it adds character. They're far from perfect, but they're beautiful and genuine just the same because of the thought behind them. Yes, they're a little dirty and broken, but they're trying hard to be something more. Just like the man who picked them for her.