A/N: I know I usually alternate between point of views, but this chapter will be fully focused on Hyde and Jackie's relationship. In fact, most of the story will be focused on Hyde/Jackie relationship and Donna/Jackie friendship, but I think this is very clear by now.
This is a bigger chapter (I'm compensating for the last one) and the entire chapter will be narrated by Hyde.
Chapter twelve:
HYDE
Jackie and Donna are arriving any minute now, and I feel pathetic because I've never been more nervous and anxious in my life. Jackie will arrive with Donna, they're having breakfast with everyone, then I'm driving Jackie to Kenosha so we can visit her father in prison.
I've spent the whole week burying myself with work, I did all the boring crap I hate to do, trying to distract myself from the impending encounter I'll have with the father of the love of my life. Financial reports, sale information, new contracts with the suppliers, tax declarations…
The fact that I'm constantly working myself to exhaustion it's funny. I've never taken work very seriously, not at the FotoHut, not at the hotel, and not at the store, at least not until 6 months ago. Jackie always nagged me about work, she used to say that I was wasting my potential by slacking off and not taking this stuff seriously, and she was right.
When Jackie moved away and wasn't a constant presence in my life anymore, I missed her hard. Every time I went to Grooves, I could hear her voice in my head, nagging me, saying that I can do better, I should do better.
Funny how even when she wasn't in my life, she was still in my head, encouraging me to be a better man. She wasn't here, but I listened to her. I started to take work more seriously, I used to spend basically the entire day in the store, dealing with customers and hiding from Sam. I still spend most of my days at the store, but now I no longer need to hide from Sam because thank God she's gone.
I still have the troll doll Jackie gave me on my first day working with WB. It sits on my office desk. Whenever I see that doll I remember that someone actually believes in me, it motivates me to keep working, so I can be the man she always wanted me to be.
And thanks to Jackie, the store is a big hit. WB was so pleased, that a few months ago he gave me full ownership of the store, I was so excited, the first thought that came to my head was that I needed to tell Jackie. Then I remembered she wasn't with me anymore.
When I arrived at the basement that day, I nearly drank myself to death. I tried to convince myself that I was drinking to celebrate my accomplishment, but who the hell was I kidding? I drank that much because I was desperately missing Jackie. On that day, I asked Mrs. Forman for Jackie's number. I decided it was time to tell her everything, but Donna picked up and wouldn't let me speak to her.
Donna made the right decision that day. I was drunk out of my ass, and Jackie didn't deserve a drunk declaration of love. When I woke up the morning after, lying in the basement couch with a hangover from hell and a picture of Jackie in my hand, I looked at my surroundings and I realised how fucked up I was.
Working myself to death at day, drinking myself to death at night. That was my daily routine until Forman arrived from Africa.
When I finally got my head out of my ass and decided to do everything in my power to get Jackie back, I made a decision. I would cut back on drinking. Alcohol was what started this whole mess in the first place. Because of a drunken stupor I've married a stripper I barely knew and completely obliterated my relationship with Jackie. Of course, I was sober when I decided I would stay with her, and I blame that purely on my stupidity, but still, I'm not known for making the best decisions while drunk.
I'm sitting in my chair in the basement with Forman and Fez, Forman is on the couch, resting his injured foot on the coffee table and Fez is the lawn chair, eating a chocolate bar. Mrs. Forman kicked us out of the kitchen about 10 minutes ago, saying that she needed to prepare the dining room for the big breakfast she had planned for her two future daughters-in-law, she said she would send the girls down here when they arrive and we just shrugged and went downstairs, knowing better than to argue with Kitty Forman.
I'm tapping my foot nervously on the floor, I've spent 10 whole minutes trying to figure out what the hell I'm supposed to wear to meet Jackie's incarcerated father who she loves more than anyone. Concert tees were definitely not an option, and I refuse to wear a tie to visit someone in prison, so I decided I would wear a black button up shirt, the one I used for the double date with Kelso and Brooke. Jackie loved this shirt. And I feel like a chick for caring this much about my fucking outfit.
I'm trying my best to focus on whatever is on TV, but I can't stop thinking about Jackie. I considered dipping into my stash, I really did, but I do not want my hopefully future father-in-law seeing me for the first time while I'm high, that would definitely make a horrible first impression.
I hear a loud squeal of joy from Mrs. Forman and I know that the girls arrived, I feel really tempted to go upstairs and rescue Jackie from Mrs. Forman and Bob's hugs, but she probably missed them and if I go upstairs now Mrs. Forman will kill me. I direct my gaze to the stairs, waiting to hear the familiar noise from her heels, but so far, nothing.
Forman is also looking at the stairs, and Fez apparently didn't notice anything was different, because he has his attention divided between the TV and his chocolate bar.
I hear footsteps and I look back at the TV, why the hell am I trying to look indifferent? I'm not indifferent, screw this, indifference is one of the things that screwed my relationship in the first place, so I am going to fucking look at the stairs. Indifference my ass.
Jackie and Donna are coming down the stairs, and damn, Jackie looks absolutely gorgeous. I have the same reaction every time I see her, but still. Her hair is in a neat ponytail and she's wearing a black turtleneck sweater, complete with dark blue jeans and high heel boots. Man, I love when she wears high heel boots. I love the winter.
I smiled at her and I stood up, ready to give her a hug and feel her next to me again, but Fez beated me into it, engulfing both Jackie and Donna in his arms.
"My beautiful goddesses!" He exclaimed
"Hi Fezzie!" Jackie greeted him and hugged the foreigner back, so did Donna
"Fez…" Donna called him, trying to pry his arms off her gently "You're suffocating us"
"Oh, sorry" he smiled sheepishly and headed back to the lawn chair
Donna gave me a nod and a smile, and headed back to her boyfriend, giving him a peck on the lips. Are they boyfriend and girlfriend again? I never really asked Forman.
I walked to Jackie and pulled her into my arms, where she belongs. The smell of strawberries and vanilla filled my nostrils. It takes all of my willpower for me not to kiss her right now, like I used to do when we were together.
It hurts, saying were instead of are.
"Hi" I pressed a kiss on top of her head, ignoring the way Donna and Forman are smirking at us, I bring my head further down and whisper in her ear "I missed you"
I can feel the goosebumps in her arms, and I smile. She buries her head deeper in my chest and whispers back "I missed you too"
I could stay like this forever, seriously, but she pulled back and sat on the couch next to Donna. I sat back in my chair and looked longingly at Jackie, she should be sitting on my lap, leaning her head on my chest. But it's okay, she needs time and I will give her all the time in the world if she wants to.
Donna is snuggling next to Forman, who's grinning like a fool, his bandaged foot still propped on the table.
"How are you feeling?" Donna asked
"Well, at least now Red can't make me salt the driveway" He tried to crack a joke
"KIDS, BREAKFAST IS READY!" We hear Mrs. Forman yelling from upstairs and we all head into the dining room, the kitchen is to small for a big breakfast like this
We all sat down at the table, and I'm baffled by all the food. Mrs. Forman really went all out.
"I know it may seem like it's too much but these poor girls probably haven't eaten a decent meal since they left town!" Mrs. Forman defended herself as we all stared at the huge amount of food
"Actually, Jackie is not a bad cook" Donna said, making Forman chuckle in disbelief. I love Jackie, I really do, but the girl can't cook
"Yeah, remember when she baked those cookies for Hyde? Those things were like rocks" Forman commented and I smiled to myself remembering that day. Jackie spent the whole day in the kitchen with Mrs. Forman trying to learn how to bake my favorite cookies because she knew I was having a bad day, she was an amazing girlfriend and I just can't stop beating myself for taking her for granted.
"Hey, I'm a terrible baker, but I'm a decent cook!" Jackie defended herself
Well, I don't know about that. When Jackie and I started dating, she wanted to make me a romantic dinner at her place and she managed to burn pasta. We had to order pizza.
But her sandwiches were not bad. When I started working for WB in the office she often stopped by just to bring me lunch, whenever she did it made my day. Man, I really hated that office. She also used to bring me lunch at Grooves, a bright pink paper bag with a chicken salad sandwich. I really liked those sandwiches.
"It's true, you know, Jackie makes the best sandwiches" Donna says
"Making sandwiches is not cooking!" Mrs. Forman responded Donna, who just shrugged and Mrs. Forman looked tenderly at Jackie
"Jackie, before you leave I would like to teach you how to cook some basic things, okay?"
"Okay!" Jackie agreed promptly with a smile
Years ago I caught Mrs. Forman trying to teach Jackie how to bake a pie, it was the first day I wondered if Jackie's home life was as perfect as she used to say it was. The fact that Jackie's mother wasn't even around to teach her only daughter how to bake a pie intrigued me a lot. And Jackie ran to the only maternal figure she knew, Mrs. Forman, just like I used to do, just like I still do now.
Even though Jackie will probably enjoy the quick cooking lessons with Mrs. Forman, I can't help but feel a little bit jealous. I know it's sort of irrational but I want to spend as much time as possible with her. I thought about maybe taking her on another date tonight, but I don't think she'll have the time for it.
I glance around the table and I see everyone enjoying their breakfast, but I can't eat, I'm too nervous to eat. I'm meeting Jackie's father soon and I'm getting more and more anxious as the time passes. Mrs. Forman is making small talk with the girls, and everyone's attention is on them. I look at my watch and it's almost time to go, visiting hours start at 11AM and it's almost 10 now.
Jackie is sitting next to me, so I place my hand in her shoulder to get her attention and she looks at me.
"Hey, it's time for us to go, are you finished eating?" I ask her, she nods and gives me a small smile
We excuse ourselves from the table, everyone knows where we're heading so nobody asked questions. I take her to the Camino and I open the passenger door to her, it's such a small gesture and the smile she gives me everytime I do it makes my whole day.
We've been on the road for almost 30 minutes, and Jackie is looking at the window lost in her own thoughts.
"You okay?" I ask
"Oh, yes" she answers "It's been a while since I've seen my dad and I'm kind of nervous"
"Would you believe me if I say I'm nervous too?"
She gives me a small grin "Really?"
"I've spent almost 10 minutes deciding on what to wear, and I could barely eat breakfast"
She laughs "There's no reason to be nervous, Steven, I'm sure daddy's going to like you"
"Jackie, doll, I look like a delinquent, I was born poor and I broke your heart. I wouldn't judge the guy for not liking me"
"I already told you not to underestimate my dad, Steven" she looks seriously at me, then she smiles "I think it's cute, that you care about his opinion of you"
I know that's a good thing, but I can't help but feel a little embarrassed by her comment, I try to think of something else to talk about.
"Oh would you stop that? It's cute and you know it" she says, using her standard bossy tone that I love so much
"If you say so" I smile "We're here, doll"
I park the car and I open the door for her, her eyes are closed and she's taking a deep breath
"Jackie, are you okay?" I ask, concerned about her
"I'm fine, don't worry" she reassures me and takes my hand as I help her out of the car "I just have this really bad feeling, you know? Like something bad is going to happen"
I pull her closer to me and put my arm around her shoulders "Let's hope it's just a feeling then"
I've never visited anyone in prison before. Bud was arrested a couple times when I was a kid, but Edna never bothered to take me. I'm glad she didn't, this is a depressing place. I raise my hands to my face to remove my shades and I remember I haven't worn them at all today, they're still on top of my dresser at the Forman's. Jackie's grip tightens in my hand as a guard guides us to the visiting area.
I was still observing the place when I felt Jackie letting my hand go, I turned around and I saw her hugging an older man. Her father. Her head is buried in his chest and her body was shaking with sobs. They stay like this for a few seconds until a guard carefully separates them, Jackie looks at me and grabs my hand again, she guides me to her father and for the first time I get to take a closer look at the man.
Prison didn't have a nice effect on Jack Burkhart. I only saw him once, when the president visited Point Place, and he looks very different from what I remember. The moustache is gone, he looks a lot older, and skinnier, he also has a lot of gray hair. He looks tired.
I sit on the chair in front of him, next to Jackie.
"So, this is the famous Steven?" He asks, but not in a malicious tone, we shake hands and Jackie's smiling next to me
"That would be me, yes" I place my hand on Jackie's knee and she places her hand on top of mine, lacing our fingers together
"Nice to finally meet you" he says "My little kitten told me all about you"
I shift uncomfortably in my seat, I don't know what the hell am supposed to say after that. Luckily, Jackie realised my discomfort and dismissed his comment, changing the topic of the conversation.
"Daddy, I haven't seen you in so long"
"I know kitten, I really missed you" he looked tenderly at his daughter
"I'm sorry I haven't visited in a while, it's just that I'm living in Chicago now and I'm buried with work and…"
"It's okay, you're here now" he says "So, tell me everything about this new job of yours"
"Daddy it's amazing!" She started "They saw my public access show from Point Place and they wanted me to do something like that over there, kind of like a five minute slot on their morning show, but something happened and… I had to quit that job"
I know exactly what happened: me. I disappeared for weeks and she got so worried that she quit her job and she started frantically trying to locate me. And what did I do? I came back 'married' to a stripper. I'm a fucking asshole.
"But after a few weeks I called them, and you know how persuasive I can be, so not only they offered me my job back, but they kind of offered me a promotion" she continues "They offered me a position as a reporter, I used to think that it would be boring, but it's amazing, daddy! I prepare a script with a crew and then we shoot and it's awesome, it's way better than talking about clothes and makeup" she was beaming, and her father looked so proud of her. I'm proud of her too. She did the right thing by leaving Point Place.
"I'm so proud of you" her father says, grabbing her hand "I'm so lucky you turned out to be a good person, Jacqueline. God knows your mother and I weren't very present in your life" his brown eyes reflected sadness and regret
"That's not true, dad" she looked at her father with kindness "Maybe it is, from mom's part, but you were there most of the time when I was a child"
"I should've been there all the time, Jackie, but I've prioritized work and money, and you have no idea how much I regret this"
I observe the whole conversation quietly, respecting the moment between Jackie and her father, but we're still holding hands and I lightly tighten my grip on her hand.
"It's okay dad, really" she says
Her father sighed "Have you heard from your mother lately?"
"I haven't heard from her in months, the last time I talked to her she was in Brazil, but that was months ago"
"Does she even know you moved away?" He asks, frowning at his wife's lack of interest in his daughter's life
"I don't think so. I left a note at the kitchen counter before I moved, in case she came back, but I never heard from her again"
"I thought she was trying to make things right with you?" He asked, clearly puzzled by the turn of events
"She was, it lasted a month. Then she got tired and left me alone in that big house again, but at least she was sending money" Jackie answered
I can see that Mr. Burkhart is tense, it must not be nice, knowing your daughter was being neglected by her mother and not being able to do a damn thing about it "How could she do this twice?"
"It's okay dad, I don't even miss her, you know how bad she used to make me feel" she frowned and what? What the hell did Pam used to do that made Jackie feel bad and why the hell I don't know about it?
"Steven" her father called me "I never got the chance to thank you, for helping Jackie the first time Pam left"
"It's nothing man, I've been in her position before, I know how that feels and I wasn't going to let her go through it alone" I answer honestly
Mr. Burkhart furrowed his brow in confusion "You've been in her position before?"
"My dad - well, step-dad now - ditched me when I was 9, my mom ditched me when I was 16" I quickly explained "The Formans took me in, if it wasn't for them I don't know what would've happened to me"
"As soon as I get out of this place I need to pay them a visit and thank them personally for everything they've done for my daughter" He commented "Jackie tells me wonderful things about them"
"They're the best people I know" I added
"And your friends, honey? You told me you're living with the Pinciotti girl but you didn't gave me enough details in your letters" he asked
"Donna got into university in Chicago, I got the job there, so we decided to move in together. She took me in after everything that happened and she's the closest thing I have to a sister" Jackie said and I smiled, Jackie and Donna became really close after they moved to Chicago together, that's pretty cool. They've become really protective of each other too, they were friends before, but Chicago made them kind of like sisters.
"That's good honey, she seems like a nice girl. What about your other friends?"
"Well, Fez - the foreign one - works as a shampoo boy for the salon back in town, he seems kind of creepy but he's actually really sweet. Michael…" she starts but she's interrupted by her father
"Michael? Isn't he that doofus you used to date?" He asked frowning, and I repressed a laugh "Didn't he set our house on fire?" I snorted at his last comment and Jackie gave me a tiny slap on my chest
"Yes, that would be him" she answered her father "We broke up years ago before I started to see Steven, but Michael is not a bad person, he just was a really bad boyfriend" she defended Kelso "He was a cop…" she started but her father interrupted her again
"He was a cop? The doofus? He can't be trusted with a gun, the guy tried to put out a fire with booze for Christ's sake" I laugh at his sentence and Jackie tried to hide a smile
"That's one of the reasons why I don't trust the cops, anyone that leaves Kelso unsupervised with a loaded gun shouldn't be trusted" I say
"Amen to that" Jackie's dad agreed with me and Jackie rolled her eyes, trying to hide her amusement "You said he was a cop?" Her father asked
"Oh, yeah, he was kicked out of the force" Jackie says, and her father nodded "He works at the Playboy mansion in Chicago" her father grimaced "Oh, and he's a father now, he has a little girl named Betsy, and she's the cutest thing! Steven and I are her godparents"
Her father grinned at her last statement "A godmother? Look at you all grown up" he patted Jackie's hand "I still don't think that that boy should be allowed to reproduce"
I chuckle and add "Her mother is really smart, so I think the kid will be okay"
"And the Forman boy?" Her father asks
"Eric spent the last 6 months in Africa teaching underprivileged kids" she says and her father looks surprised "He's still twitchy and geeky but he's pretty nice, he dates Donna and he's like Steven's brother so he's pretty cool" I grinned devilish and she glared at me "Steven if you tell him I said this I'll kick you in the shins"
Her father chortled and I smiled at her "Yes dear"
"Good" she says, then she turns to her father "So, what's up with you, dad?"
Her father's face went serious out of a sudden and I feel Jackie tensing up "Actually there's something I need to talk to you about" he sighed "Do you remember how many years I still have left in my sentence?"
"You were sentenced to 9 years, you've done 2 already, so you have 7 years left" she answered
"Well, I was talking to my lawyer and he offered me a very nice deal" he says "If I transfer to regular custody, I'll be able to leave in 2 years. That's 5 years earlier, kitten"
Jackie's eyes are watering and I start to get worried, what's the big deal with this, isn't she supposed to be happy?
"No, daddy. You can't take that deal, you know you can't"
"Jackie, I want to be able to walk you down the aisle, I want to see my first grandchild being born, I want to be a part of your life and I can't do that from here" he says, and I'm still lost
Jackie noticed my confusion and tried to explain the situation "Before he was elected as a city councilman, daddy was a district's attorney. He's sent a lot of people to prison, and he made a lot of enemies, if he gets out of protective custody he will lose the protection he has and some people will try to get revenge" I nod in understanding and my thumb gently rubs her skin in circular motions "Daddy, you can't take that deal" she pleaded with her father
Mr. Burkhart looked intently at his daughter "Kitten, they have guards at regular custody too, I'll be fine" he tries to reassure her
"Yes, you will be fine because you won't take that deal, you can't, it's not worth the risk" her voice is trembling and I feel a pang in my chest, I can't see her crying, it always fucking kills me
"Well, I already took the deal, I'm being transferred on monday" he says, Jackie looks at him incredulously for a few seconds, and slowly buries her face in her hands, her body starts to shake with sobs, I pull her closer to my body and she buries her head on my chest, her father looks crushed at the sight in front of him, and I just keep running my hands on her hair, trying to calm her down
I can feel my shirt getting wet and fuck, I feel useless. I keep holding her until her sobs lessened, after a few minutes she raises her head out of my chest and tries to wipe the wetness off her face with her hands. After a while she gives up.
"Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom" she says and leaves without even looking at us. I try to stand up to follow her, but I hesitate because I'm pretty sure I've just heard Jack Burkhart calling my name
"Steven" I direct my full attention to the man and I sit back down on the chair "I know I wasn't the best father, but she's still my little girl. I know everything that happened between you two, she writes to me constantly, and you probably know how my little kitten likes to talk" he says and I cringe. She told him, this is it, he was waiting for Jackie to leave so he can kill me "I don't care about what happened in the past, I just care about Jackie and her happiness, so, if you're not serious about my daughter, leave her alone. If you are serious about her and plan on making her happy, then you have my blessing"
I sigh in relief, I was sure for a moment that he was going to forbid me to see her or something "Don't worry, I won't let her down ever again"
"Good" He looked around to see if Jackie was coming "Look, I need to ask you for a favor"
"Anything you want, man" I answer him honestly
He leans forward on the table and lowers his tone, making sure I'm the only one that hears him "I know I told Jackie not to worry earlier, but she had a point. There are a lot of people in regular custody that want to see me dead" he sighed "I'm counting on the guards to keep me safe but you never know… if something happens to me, I need to know you'll be there for her"
"Of course I will" I answered him, and I took a deep breath. I really hope nothing happens to Jackie's dad because I'm not sure if she's going to be able to handle it. I sigh, since I might not see him again, I need to ask him something very important "Mr. Burkhart I'm in love with your daughter" I blurt "We are not back together yet. Jackie's smart, I'm kind of on probation" I chuckle to myself "But when everything stabilizes with us and I feel like it's the right moment, I plan on proposing to her"
"I want to spend the rest of my life with Jackie and I know how important your opinion is to her, so what I'm trying to say is…"
Mr. Burkhart interrupts me with a small grin on his face "You're trying to ask for my daughter's hand in marriage?" He asks me and I nod "You have it, you're a fine young man" I feel a weight being lifted off my shoulders, before I could thank him, I hear the noise of high heels approaching us and now Jackie is sitting next to me again. I grabbed her hand in mine, and she managed to give me a tiny smile.
Her pretty mismatched eyes are red and swollen from all the crying, and she looks downright exhausted. It fucking breaks my heart, seeing her like this.
"Look dad, I'm sorry for storming out, it's just… I wish you had talked to me before you took the deal, maybe I would be able to convince you not to…"
"Kitten…" her father tries to speak, but Jackie cuts him
"It's okay, I respect your decision. I don't agree with it, but I respect it. I just love you so much, if something happens to you…" Her eyes are watering again and her dad takes her hand in his, looking deeply into her eyes
"Kitten, I want to do this, this is my decision, if something happens to me, that's on me, okay? But nothing will happen" he assured her
"You can't promise that, daddy"
"I will still write to you, every week, and I want you to come visit me more often" he gave her a small smile and she nodded
"At least once a month, I promise" she promises her dad, then we hear this loud noise, I presume that's the noise signalizing the end of visiting hours, because the guards are approaching the inmates and most of them are saying goodbyes to their families
We stand up, and Jackie moves to hug her father again "Please, be careful, for me?" She says and her father nods "I love you so much, daddy"
"I love you too kitten, it's going to be fine" He says, but I can sense the insecurity in his voice
Mr. Burkhart and I shook hands one last time before we left, he gave me a pleading look and I nodded, placing my arm around Jackie's waist and kissing her temple before we left. Silently assuring him that if something happens Jackie will be okay, because I won't leave her side. Her father smiled at us before he went back inside.
Ever since we left the prison, Jackie's been strangely quiet, and that's bothering me a lot. Like, a lot. I'm used to chatterbox Jackie, I know how to deal with a talkative Jackie, but I have no idea how to deal with a quiet Jackie.
We've been on the road for a while, I've just driven past the Point Place sign, but I'm not sure if I'm taking Jackie to the Formans like this, not now.
"Hungry?" I ask, she gives me a small smile and nods. She knows what I'm doing.
I stop at the Fatso Burger drive through, where the burgers are actually wrapped in tin foil. I order us some food then instead of going to the Formans I take a small detour.
I park the car at Mount Hump, well, not actually Mount Hump. See, when I took Jackie on our first date, I've found an isolated spot on Mount Hump, around here there are no panties stuck on the trees or condom wrappers on the ground. This is literally our place, we've been here many times during our relationship and when she left I came here quite often, it was the only place where I felt her presence.
When Jackie and I were together, she made me keep a blanket in my car, just so we can be more comfortable in situations like this. I reach under my seat and I find the blanket, untouched since the last time we used. It still smells like her.
I take her hand and guide her to the flatbed of my car, I spread the blanket and we sit down. She's still pretty quiet, but I decide I will respect that, she will talk whenever she's ready, no matter how much a silent Jackie freaks me out.
After we ate our burgers we lay down, holding each other. She's leaning her head on my chest, and I'm drawing circles in her back, enjoying her presence. I can't even describe how much I missed this.
I can feel my shirt getting wet again, I take a look at her face and she's crying softly, I can barely hear her sniffles. I pull her closer to me, trying to offer her the comfort the way she taught me to.
When her father went to prison and I shaved my beard off, Jackie was so fucking happy, she looked at me with those beautiful big eyes of hers and she gave me that 'you're my hero' look. I used to pretend that that annoyed me, but I loved that look. It was the first day I asked her to stay with me for the night, and in between makeout sessions I asked her what am I supposed to do whenever something bad happens again. She told me to just hold her tight. That's what I did everytime she was upset, and that's what I'm doing now.
"Am I overreacting?" I hear her asking me quietly
"No" I answer honestly "You have the right to be worried about your father"
She lifts her face off my chest and looks me in the eyes "What if something happens to him?"
"Then we will deal with it together, okay?" I run my thumb against her cheek and her skin is kind of cold. I sit down and pull her to sit between my legs, then I wrap us in the blanket, my arms are around her and she's leaning her head in between my shoulder and my neck.
Jackie and I were always touching each other, always. It was subtle, I don't think anyone besides us ever noticed it, no wonder why I always loved having her sitting on my lap. I'm so glad that Jackie is not depriving me of these touches now, because I don't think I would be able to be near her and not even hold her hand.
We stay like this for a while, in silence, wrapped in each other's arms, exchanging body heat.
"Thank you for being with me today" she says
"Anything for you, doll" I smile and place a kiss on her forehead "Your father is actually a pretty cool guy"
"I told you not to underestimate him" she smiles back "Can you come with me again next month?"
"Sure" I agree and she beams at me, God, she's so beautiful "Feeling better?"
"I'm still worried, but I'll be fine eventually" she says, then she lifts her head and kisses my cheek "Thank you, Steven, really"
Her kisses are fucking magical, man. I can always feel the places she kisses me tingling for hours afterwards. It's insane.
"Can we go back to the Formans now?" She asks "I'm freezing" she gives me a sheepish smile and a slight pout. I really want to kiss that pout away, like I used to, instead, I kiss her forehead and drive us back to the Formans, unfortunately I can't keep Jackie all to myself.
A/N: So… I kind of had to split this chapter, it was WAY too big. The next chapter will be narrated entirely by Jackie.
I know this story doesn't have a lot of angst, as I said before, I think that at this point Jackie and Hyde got tired of fighting and they just want to make things right again, they both recognize they still love each other and they want to be together, Jackie just needs her time. I'm sorry if you're disappointed by the lack of angst, but I don't know if y'all noticed, something big is about to happen that will kind of change the way the story is going.
PS: Now that That 70s Show is out of Netflix (I hate 2020), I would really love to know another website that I can watch the show with a good quality and with no viruses.
Next chapter will be up soon!
