Jackie blew a bubble with her gum as she wiped down the counter and returned (against her manager's wishes) to the couch where her friends all sat, perching herself on a nearby stool uncomfortably. Donna curled her feet up at the far side of the sofa, squinting at the others.

"What you guys don't understand is, for us, kissing is as important as any part of it." She insisted, sharing a look with Jackie.

"Yeah, right!" Kelso scoffed from his chair before knitting his eyebrows slowly. "Wait...Y'serious?"

Donna shook her head and grinned. "Dude, what does Brooke do with you?" Kelso looked slightly worried.

"Oh yeah! Everything you need to know is in that first kiss." Jackie affirmed, tossing her hair over her shoulder and reaching for a pastry. Hyde smirked.

"Yeah, I bet you knew how charming Kelso was gonna be after you made out in the girls locker room "

"What?" Eric glanced up from his donut.

"I was trying to take a peak at one of the cheerleaders with their tops off." Kelso groaned. Jackie rolled her eyes.

"Well, I think, for us," Eric continued. "- kissing is pretty much like an opening act, y'know? I mean it's like the stand-up comedian you have to sit through before David Bowie comes out."

"Yeah, and-and it's not that we don't like the comedian, it's that-that... that's not why we bought the ticket." Kelso stammered.

Hyde shifted next to Donna and took a sip of her coffee. "The problem is, though, after the concert's over, no matter how great the show was, you girls are always looking for the comedian again, y'know? I mean, we're in the car, we're fighting traffic... basically just trying to stay awake.."

"Yeah, well, word of advice." Jackie snapped. "Bring back the comedian. Otherwise next time you're gonna find yourself sitting at home, listening to that album alone."

An awkward pause filled the air as he tried to avoid her sharp gaze. Donna exchanged glances with Eric.

"Hey." Kelso asked. "...Are we still talking about sex?"

Three's Company blared on the television set in Donna's apartment as she scrubbed at the table anxiously. Hyde lounged on an armchair while Eric and Fez sat on the couch, staring at the screen quizzically.

"Oh, I think this is the one where there's some kind of misunderstanding." Eric quipped.

Fez frowned. "Then I've already seen this one!" He turned off the TV. Hyde tutted and dragged himself up, taking a sip from his glass.

"Are you through with that?" Donna snapped.

"Yeah, I guess the swallowing slowed me down." He retaliated. Donna made a face and returned to scrubbing the kitchen.

"Hey, whose little ball of paper is this?!" She exclaimed. Eric turned around sheepishly.

"Oh, uh, that would be mine. See, I wrote a note to myself, and then I realized I didn't need it, so I balled it up and... " Donna glared daggers into him. " ...now I wish I was dead."

"What is the matter, Donna? Is it your time of month? Here, have a chocolate." Fez pulled a bar out from his jacket pocket and offered it to her.

"No." Donna sighed and turned to Eric. "Our moms are coming for a quick visit."

"Our moms?" Eric stood up. "Wait, as is in, our moms are coming to New York? When?"

"Oh, 6:00. It's 'girl's trip'. There stopping here before Philly. "

"What?"

"She didn't tell you?"

"I - Donna! I'm living in a studio. I just broke up with a lesbian. What am I supposed to tell her?"

"That you live in a studio and just broke up with a lesbian." Hyde smirked.

"Whatever. My mom is coming to town. She just got engaged. Again. I haven't seen her in months, Eric, and she's all Californian now. Nothing impresses her except valet parking and those little dogs you can dress up in public. And - " Donna faced the room. "Everyone has to be here, alright? Kitty made it clear on the phone."

"Great. As if I don't already got that at work. I'm a grown man. Jeez." Hyde groaned. Donna lightly smacked the back of his neck.

"Oh, poor little orphan boy, smothered by all the lo-ove..."

"Shut up."

"Hey!" Jackie entered the room, panicked and grasping at her fingers. "Has anybody seen my engagement ring?"

"Yes, it is beautiful." Fez assured her.

She rolled her eyes and groaned, reaching in between the couch cushions and shoving Eric and Fez onto their feet. "Oh, like I wasn't dreading tomorrow enough, having to give it back to him... 'Hi Barry! Remember me? I'm the beautiful girl in the veil who stomped on your heart in front of your entire family!' And now I'm gonna have to return the ring, without the ring, which makes it so much harder..." They stood awkwardly before Donna spoke up.

"Easy, Jackie, we'll find it. Won't we?"

"Oh! Yeah!" The boys sprung up and rummaged the room.

"Alright, when'd'ya have it on last?" Eric asked.

"Doy! Probably right before she lost it!" Fez exclaimed.

"You don't get a lot of 'doy' these days." Eric remarked.

"Ugh." Jackie stood up. "I know I had it this morning, and I know I had it when I was in the kitchen with..." She walked to the counter and bit her lip.

"...Dinah?"

"Shut up, Eric." She said nervously. "Ohhhhh, don't be mad..." Donna frowned.

"You didn't."

"Donna, I am so sorry, I swear - "

"I gave you one job!" She reached and held up the pan to the light, knitting her eyebrows. Hyde smirked while Jackie swatted at his shoulder and walked up to Donna.

"Oh, but look how straight those noodles are!" She pointed out and smiled.

"C'mon, Donna...you know that's not how you look in a lasagna for an engagement ring." Hyde prompted.

She set down the dish and clasped her hands together. "I...can't do it."

"Boys?" Eric gestured. "We're going in." They began to pick through the lasagna.

"Hey -" Hyde asked. "Wouldn't Italian food just remind her of your dad anyways?" Donna shot him a dirty look before going to answer the knock on the door.

A shell-shocked Kelso stood in the doorframe, not meeting her eyes. "Hey." He said unsteadily."

"What's the matter, Michael?" Jackie stood and walked over.

"Brooke's pregnant. Again." Donna's eyes widened.

"Found it!" Fez declared and grinned, holding up Jackie's ring.

"Oh, congratulations!" She squealed, throwing her arms around his neck. "Okay, but promise me you'll give them a better name this time. Like Jennifer, ooh, or Justin!" Jackie smiled and stepped back.

"Wow, congratulations!" Donna embraced him carefully. "But I thought - she was on the pill."

"She was! I think." Kelso's arms flailed as she stepped back, slightly concerned.

"Hey man, relax." Eric clapped a hand over his shoulder. "We're here for you. And it's not like this is your first time around, right?"

"Well, yeah!" He spluttered. "But, this time it's all formal and everything - we're married. Having a kid is like, way more expensive goin' to a strip club, Foreman." Donna snorted. "I - " He sat down. "It's just, we're not in the best place, right now, you know? I mean, we're fine, but we're not fine, and the economy - " Kelso threw his head back and groaned. Jackie rubbed his shoulder and spoke comfortingly with Hyde and Donna.

Eric turned to Fez. "He knows about the economy?"

"We should go to a strip club." Fez flashed a smile. "I know a few."

Hyde turned to Kelso. "Hey, man, listen, as long as you don't strand him for six days straight after track practice, you're gonna do great."

"This whole thing is gonna be fine, Micheal. You work at Rockerfellar."

"As a security guard."

"See, you wouldn't have this problem if you were rich."

"Hey, you aren't anymore either, Jackie." Hyde pointed out. She huffed and crossed her arms.

"Kelso." Donna spoke up. "It's gonna be fine. Just, make it through dinner, and we'll go through it with you, I promise."

He rubbed at his face. "Okay. Can someone tell me what a placenta is though? Cause last time, when I read the books, it just didn't make sense to me..." The whole group exclaimed and stood up, Donna rolling her eyes.

The apartment was quiet as they sat tensely in the living room. Jackie wore a strappy red dress and kitten heels while Donna had thrown on a blouse with belted black pants, which was slightly uncomfortable as she sat. Eric, Hyde, and Fez, all wore suits of some kind; Eric's was tweed with patches, and Hyde wore a Zepplin t-shirt under his. The doorbell rang and they all sprang up, Eric and Donna stumbling to answer the door.

"Hi!" Kitty sang, wrapped in wool and carrying multiple bags. She dumped them on the floor and gripped Eric until he yelped in pain, followed soon by a struggling Hyde.

Midge followed behind, wearing a fur jacket and smiling. "Hey, guys!" She quickly hugged Donna and Jackie while Kitty kissed all of cheeks.

"Ooh, it's cold out there!" Kitty exclaimed. "Donna, honey, would you mind helping me with the bags?"

Eric shrugged and clapped his hands together. "Hey, Midge!"

She paused while taking off her coat, then broke out into a smile. "Oh, sure!" Midge spun around and hung it on the rack. Hyde chuckled and Eric looked slightly crestfallen.

"Hi, Mrs Foreman." Fez grinned widely. "I won't kiss you this time, do not worry. Unless - "

"So, Kitty!" Jackie smiled brightly. "How are you, how's, uh, Red?"

"Oh good, good." Kitty smoothed her hair. "No new heart problems, of course, it's probably because he's retired!" She laughed.

"Probably because I'm not home and Laurie's in Europe." Eric muttered over his soda while Hyde raised his eyebrows.

"Yeah, um, in fact - Midge offered to show me around the coast. We were hoping to find someplace nice to retire. Maybe a vacation home, or something." Kitty glanced at Eric.

"Does dad know?"

"Oh, well, let's not worry about that!" Midge exclaimed. "Donna, set the table."

"Hm. What's that curry taste?" Midge inquired, nibbling at her spoon.

"Curry." Donna replied curtly. Kelso poked awkwardly at his food while Fez finished his second bowl, wiping his mouth with a hankerchief.

"Do you remember the Ludwins?" The big one had a thing for you, didn't she?" Kitty turned to Eric.

"They all had a thing for him. And they weren't the only ones..." Midge emphasized. Donna scraped at her plate tensely while Eric leaned his forehead against this hand and knitted his eyebrows, avoiding their gaze.

"I'm sorry, why is this girl going to call me?" Donna asked.

"Oh, she just graduated, and she wants to be something in writing, or news, or ... I don't know. Anyway, I told her you were an editor at a newspaper-"

"I'm not an editor at a newspaper, Kitty, I'm a staff reporter."

"Well, they don't have to know that..." Midge took a sip of wine. Donna winced angrily.

"Oh, well - and Steven, I heard you got promoted at your dad's company. We're so proud of you. You've done so well. Just don't forget us when your famous!" Kitty teased. Hyde plastered on a fake smile and nodded.

"I found a job too, mom, at Lincoln High School. In the English department."

"That's nice, dear." Kitty replied absentmindedly.

"This food tastes terrible." Fez muttered.

"Hey, she worked really hard on it, okay? Especially after Jackie spilled her 5 carat jewelry in the lasagna." Hyde whispered.

"8 carat." Jackie corrected."And don't remind me about tomorrow."

"Sorry, princess." Hyde teased made a face. Jackie stuck her tongue out at him.

"It's an orthodontist's office, so it'll be a bunch of twelve year olds drowning in their misery right there with ya." Eric snorted.

"Speaking of," Kitty turned to Donna, lowering her voice. "I'm not gonna tell you what Jackie's parents spent on that wedding... but forty thousand dollars is a lot of money!"

"So!" Jackie said loudly. "Brooke's pregnant!"

"Oh, that's amazing!" Kitty cried. "Good luck with two though. They're twice the trouble!" She giggled.

"Those Kelso genes really work, huh?" Midge took a bite of her asparagus. Kelso laughed weekly and gulped down his glass.

"Well, if you need any help, me and Red are just a phonecall away. Maybe a little closer in time." She giggled again.

"Yeah, mom, about that - why do you guys wanna move?"

"Well you know, honey, Point Place is a nice town. But it's no place to relax. Just last week, the police found a string of boogey traps set up in the Vice Principal's office? Apparently they'd been set years ago." Eric, Jackie, Donna, and Fez looked at Hyde, who simply raised his eyebrows.

"Well, you know, still - aren't you at least gonna keep the house?"

"Yeah, Mrs Foreman, I mean - didn't you say Red didn't even know about it yet?" Hyde asked.

"Oh honestly you two, it's like you don't even want us to move closer."

"I'm fine where I am." Midge spoke up. "Nothing beats Los Angeles. Last week, I saw John Travolta walking his Labradors down Pico Boulevard. It was amazing."

"More or less amazing then the other dog walkings you've seen?" Donna replied. Her mother scowled at her.

Central Perk at night was more or less the same as Central Perk during the day - quieter, but now with the same group of individuals that occupied its center on the daily. Kelso was on a stool with his legs on the arm of the sofa and his head against a pillow he had propped up on the counter, Hyde sitting on the top next to him. Fez and Donna lied on the couch, and Eric on the armchair, exhausted, while Jackie sweeped aimlessly around the room.

"You know, they never wanted to move out here when Hyde got the job." Eric complained.

"Well, maybe they just trust me more then you do."

"Whatever, you never went to college."

"Neither did you, Eric." Donna reminded him.

"Hey! Junior college, at least I tried halfway." He insisted.

"Boy, I know they say you can't change your parents,... boy, if you could - I'd want yours." Eric gestured to Hyde, who shook his head. He got up and clapped him on the shoulder before heading to the bathroom.

"Aye, I know - it's even worse when you're twins."

"You're a twin?" Kelso asked.

"Yes, back on the island. We don't speak. He's like this high-powered, driven, career type."

"What does he do?"

"He's a cartoonist."

Jackie put her mop against the counter and shoved at Kelso's legs. "All right, you guys, I kinda gotta clean up now."

"Goodnight." Kelso gave her a hug while Fez left a few quarters on the counter.

"When I was a kid, I was an only child, but I did have an imaginary friend, who... my parents actually preferred." Hyde furrowed his brows. Donna patted fondly him on the back as they walked out.

"Lights, please!" Jackie called out as they subsequently dimmed and the door shut.

Eric walked in from behind the counter and stopped short. "...How long was I in there?"

"I'm just cleaning up." Jackie remarked, brushing her bangs behind.

"Need any help?" He stepped toward the door.

"Uh.. okay, sure!" She handed him the broom and sat, flexing her shoes. "Thanks!"

"Okay then." Eric furrowed his brow and began to sweep. "So, you nervous about Barry tomorrow?"

"Oh.. a little.." Jackie muttered.

"Mm hm."

"Oh, a lot."

"Mm hm."

"So, got any advice? Y'know, as someone who's recently been dumped?" Jackie tugged at her scrunchie.

He stopped sweeping and laughed dryly. "Well, you may wanna steer clear of the word 'dumped'. Chances are he's gonna be this, this broken shell of a man, you,know -" Jackie winced. "- so you should try not to look too terrific, I know it'll be hard. Uh, or, you know - I'll go down there, and I'll give Barry back his ring, and you can go with Kelso and Brooke to the OB/GYN..." Eric pressed his hands against the back of the couch and groaned.

"Why are you going, anyway?"

"Hyde and Fez are working, and Kelso needs someone to hold his hand if he throws up." Jackie giggled, then faltered.

"Yeah, he's so worried. Ugh, when did it get this complicated?"

"Beats me." He sighed.

"Remember when we were in high school together?"

"Yeah. What a long, strange, trip it's been..." Eric recalled.

"I mean..." Jackie paused, remembering dreams that had long since passed through her memory, through that basement. "Didn't you think you were just gonna meet someone, fall in love- and that'd be it?"

He bit his lip and winced slightly. "Yeah. Yeah, I did."

"Oh! Man, I never thought I'd be here." Jackie leaned back into the couch, her head leaning on his hand.

Eric tutted. "Yeah, me neither."

The door of the hospital room burst open. "Sorry, babe, I'm late, I was stuck at work. There was this kid - guy - with a watergun, shooting at a statue - anyway. " A pale Kelso stumbled in in front of Eric and kissed Brooke on the cheek, content and glowing in her gown.

"Hey, Brooke!" Eric greeted and gave her a box of chocolates. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you so much!" Brooke smiled warmly. A giggle sounded from behind a curtain.

"Oh, is that..." Eric grinned as the giggling grew louder. He tugged at the curtain and managed to pry it from chubby fingers. "Hey, Bets!" The little girl squealed as he lifted her into her arms. "Long time no see. Are you excited to be a big sister?"

"Yeah, big time." Kelso exclaimed, kissing his daughter on the cheek. "How you doin', sweetie?"

"Brilliant." Brooke replied dryly before grinning.

"Aw," Kelso stroked her hair and spotted a medical instrument, picking it up. "He, look at this. Quack, quack quack, quack, quack..." Betsy giggled.

"Honey? That opens my cervix." He dropped in with a clatter onto the tray while Eric stifled a laugh.

Jackie sheepishly opened the door to Barry's office, wearing a loose cardigan over her clothes. Barry turned to face her, still working on a patient.

"Barry?" She asked.

"Come on in." He greeted.

"Are you sure?" She hesitated, tugging at her sweater.

"Yeah! It's fine, it's fine. Robbie's gonna be here for hours."

"Huh?!" The kid exclaimed. Barry ignored him and rolled towards Jackie, taking off his mask and grinning.

"So, how ya doin?" He asked enthusiastically.

Jackie paused and knitted her eyebrows. "I'm- uh- I'm okay... You look great!"

"Yeah, well - "

"Dr. Farber, Jason Greenstein's gagging." The intercom buzzed.

"Oh - back in a sec, Jacks." He spun around an left without so much as a second glance. Jackie squinted; the kid stared at her as she let her hair out of his ponytail.

"I dumped him." She snapped.

"So? Any names yet, guys?" Betsy tugged at Eric's hair as he spoke, while Brooke leaned against Kelso' arm.

"Well, I was thinking, Marlon -"

"Marlon?" Kelso asked.

"- if it's a boy. and Minnie if it's a girl."

"As in mouse?" Eric asked.

"As in my grandmother."

"Oh, alright."

"Well - " Kelso sat up. "What about something else? Like, what about Jack, or Chrissy?"

Brooke laughed. "Those are all Three's Company characters."

"Well what did you expect?" Eric grinned. "Say, Betsy, what do you want your sibling to be called?"

"Elmo."

"Well enough."

Jackie attempted to apply lipgloss from the flossing mirrors as the door opened and Barry walked in, still grinning. "Sorry about that. So. What have you been up to?"

"Oh, uh -" She twirled her hair. "Not much. I got a job."

"That's great!" He fixed some tools and nodded absentmindedly.

"Why are you so tan?" Jackie asked.

"Oh, I, uh- I went to Aruba."

She felt a pang in her chest. "Oh no, Barry - you went on our honeymoon alone."

"No, I went with uh - " He sat down on his stool. "Now, this may hurt."

"Me?" The kid asked.

"No .. I went with Mindy."

"Mindy?" Jackie cried, her brows creeping slowly to her hairline. "My maid of honor, Mindy?!"

"Yeah, well, uh, we're kind of a thing now." He stood up.

"Oh, well, uh -" Her voice grew higher as she grabbed his head. "You've got plugs!"

"Yeah!" He looked up at her and smiled weakly as she released. "Careful! They haven't quite taken yet."

"And you've got lenses! But you hate sticking your finger in your eye!"

"Not for her." Barry replied. Jackie bit her lip and turned away, sighing. "See, about a month ago, I wanted to hurt you. More than I've ever wanted to hurt anyone in my life. And I'm an orthodontist."

"Wow."

"You know, you were right? I mean, I thought we were happy. We weren't happy. But with Mindy, now I'm happy. Spit."

"What?"

"Me." The kid spit in the sink.

"Anyway." Jackie reached into her purse and held out the engagement ring. "I guess, this belongs to you. And thank you, for giving it to me. " She paused, truly meaning it.

"Well, thank you for giving it back."

"Chrissy Kelso? Chrissy Kelso? She'll have the same initials as your brother."

"Yeah, 'Cause Marlon's so much better. Do you want our kid to grow up and be the Godfather, Brooke?" She shook her head.

"I still think Elmo Kelso is in the running here." Eric high fived Betsy as the doctor walked in.

"Knock knock How are we today? Any nausea?" He asked cheerily.

"Yeah, a little." Kelso responded.

"Well, I was just referring to the mother to be. Lie back. You've done this before, haven't you?" The couple nodded eagerly. Moments later, the sonogram lit up, the sound of a heartbeat filling the room.

"Wow. Look at that." Eric remarked, holding Betsy up to the monitor - a tiny, grainy outline of a baby within Brooke's stomach.

"Oh my God." Her eyes welded with tears.

"I know." Kelso said quietly, squeezing Brooke's hand and glanced at Eric. "It's gonna be fine." He nodded.

"Well? Isn't that amazing?" Kelso gestured to Donna's screen frantically, displaying his secondborn onscreen. "Man, I never thought I was gonna have another one of those things!"

"Yeah, us either." Donna remarked.

"What are we supposed to be seeing here?" Fez listed his head.

"I dunno, but.. I think it's about to attack the Enterprise." Hyde sniffed.

"You know, if you tilt your head to the left, and relax your eyes, it kinda looks like an old potato." Jackie laughed .

"Then don't do that, alright?" Kelso responded. She shook her head and went to dial the phone.

"Hey, Mindy?" The whole room perked up. "Hi, it-it's Jackie. Yeah, I'm fine. I saw Barry today. Oh, yeah, yeah he told me. No, no, it's okay. I hope you two are very happy, I really do." Donna snorted. "Oh, oh, and Mind, y'know, if-if everything works out, and you guys end up getting married and having kids- and everything- " She paused. "I just hope they have his old hairline and your old nose." Jackie slammed the phone down as Donna grinned and Hyde and Fez began to clap. "Okay, I know it was a cheap shot, but I feel so much better now."

note: hi! thank you SO much for the reviews and feedback guys. it means the world to me. sorry it took so long to update, school's been busy and i had to figure out what to do with this particular storyline and how it fit in with the gang. it's not the last you'll be hearing of kitty, red, or perhaps laurie - who knows! in addition i have read your comments regarding shipping so i've modified the last and next few chapters to be more romantically neutral, to say the least - while acknowledging history. i would love it if you just left a comment with your preference, as i am still trying to plan what makes sense for this story and what readers want! it should be figured out within the next few updates, not to worry. like i said, your feedback means the world to me for every aspect, not just romantic, and i can't wait to continue this story with you. in addition, i've been thinking of starting a one shot series - same universe, but not in the same format, just snippets of their life in new york? let me know how that sounds. have an amazing week!