Eric was beat from working and wanted to take a break but he knew he couldn't. He had to finish his commitment and have his degree. He had decided when they finished here he would go home to Point Place and teach. He didn't need a big city or huge bank account. All he needed was his family, well maybe not Laurie, and Jackie, the midget (yes he still called her that but she didn't mind usually because he used my midget). Eric had fallen hard for Jackie and the best part of his day now was seeing her smile. The best thing was she was smiling now more than he could ever remember.

They got home from teaching and Jackie went to cook and Eric went to get the mail. Eric found the letter from Donna. He was happy she had moved on and forgiven him and that she wanted to forgive Jackie. How would Donna write to or talk to Jackie? Where she wouldn't know where Jackie was or did Jackie care anymore?

Eric read the letter again and decide to let Jackie see it. He had no secrets from Jackie. Jackie said she would read it after dinner. She was almost done with making a simple dinner. Just some pasta salad and sandwiches. It was too hot to really have anything else.

Jackie and Eric had a delightful conversation over dinner. They were talking about their students and how they made them feel better when those kids succeeded. Finally Eric started cleaning up dinner and Jackie read the letter. She was beyond relieved that Donna was moving on. She feared that Eric might be tempted to go back to Donna if she really wanted him.

Jackie and Eric sat and talked about how Jackie could speak with Donna. The simple solution was just to have Donna go over to the Forman's and speak on the phone with Jackie. She wouldn't know where Jackie was. Jackie didn't want anyone else knowing where she was. She knew it wouldn't last forever but it was nice why it lasted.

Jackie decided to bit the bullet and call Point Place. Jackie got lucky and Mrs. Forman answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Hi Mrs. Forman, its Jackie. How are you?"

"Oh Jackie, I am good! Red is taking me out to dinner so I can't be too long."

"Is Donna there?"

"Let me check." Jackie heard Kitty yell down the basement stairs. Finally there was a voice "Hello?"

"Hey lumberjack! I heard you wanted to talk to me."

"Jackie? Where are you?"

"Somewhere safe. I am happier than I have been in a long time."

"Very secretive all of a sudden. I wanted to apologize to you for my treatment of you after Eric left. I was a complete bitch. I am sorry about that."

"It's ok Lumberjack! I knew you wouldn't be that way forever just felt like it."

"Yeah Midget. I miss you, you need to come visit. I am leaving for school hopefully after the new year."

"That's awesome! Where are you trying to go?" She was playing dumb.

"I want to go to NYU! I need to spread my wings like Eric did. Well maybe not as far. Hell like you did. You are braver than anyone left here."

"Thanks Donna! Hey I gotta run but I will call or write you later. I may send the letters to Forman's so I can keep my privacy. They know where I am but I am not ready for everyone to know yet."

"That's fine. Seriously come visit soon!"

"Bye Donna!"

"Bye Jackie!"

Jackie looked at Eric and said "That went better than I thought it would."

"Yeah. She is going to be pissed again when she learns you are here with me. I know it but I hope I am wrong maybe she grew some."

"Yeah I am not certain how to tell her. I don't know if I will tell the gang until we are home."

"I am fine with keeping you to myself forever."

"Oh really my nerd. You want to keep me forever?"

"Yeah think you could handle that?"

"Maybe!" Jackie leaned over and kissed him.

Eric returned her kiss and pulled her onto his lap. They were a couple now. He was hers and she was his. They sat and listened to the latest record his mother had sent him. It was some ABBA record, Jackie had gotten to his mother. Eric didn't care he was happy listening to it because his girl was happy.

Jackie saw Eric looking at her, she knew he was happy because of his sappy look on his face. To tease him she said "Hey if you see something you like you should make your move young Jedi."

Eric had to laugh at that. She had used Star Wars to tease him. It was something Donna never did. She hated that movie. Why he didn't know. "I already made my move. That's why I have my midget."

"That's right my nerd and don't forget you are lucky to have me."

"That is for sure. I have the most beautiful woman on the planet all to myself."

Jackie's heart swelled, he called her beautiful for the first time. God was she lucky to have gotten him. "Yeah well I got the newest and best stud on the planet all to myself."

Eric had been working out by doing push-ups and sit-ups along with running. He had changed his body from being way too skinny to have a solid build and now Jackie was taking notice of him. That made him feel good. To show off his new body, he threw Jackie over his shoulder and carried her to their bed. She had stopped sleeping in hers and moved to his for the past two weeks.