Eric told his dad they would like to buy the house from them. Red made them a deal that they would pay exactly what it took to get Red and Kitty a little ranch house or condo downtown. Red liked the idea of a condo because then he didn't have to worry about maintenance and could have more time for things he wanted to do. Eric promised to let Red use the garage when he wanted so long as Eric wasn't already in there.
Red found the perfect Condo downtown on the first day of looking. It was a little two bedroom place that had a great view of Main Street. No more freezing to watch the Christmas parade for him. He could sit in his chair and be toasty warm. The closing date was quickly set for the first Monday after New Year's. That made it January 5, 1981.
The wedding plans were coming to together for the young couple. Pastor Dave agreed to do the Ceremony for a piece of wedding cake. They could use the church since Eric was a member. Jackie found a reception hall at the old Point Place Elementary School. It had been renovated and made into a meeting venue. They rented the old auditorium so there could be dancing. Kelso would be best man and the only groom's man since Jackie was only having Brooke as her maid of honor. Donna was not being invited since she was still being a bitch. Red agreed to give Jackie away as long as she was certain she wanted to marry his dumbass son. Jackie always laughed when Red called Eric a dumbass now. It went from being an insult to being a term of endearment.
Three days before the wedding and with Red and Kitty packing up to move to their new condo. Eric had told them they didn't have to be packed right away but Red insisted or as he put it Kitty would never leave. Aunt Paula arrived, Kitty was thrilled her sister was there. Aunt Paula brought a big present for Jackie and Eric. She had heard through Kitty, that not only was her nephew getting married but expecting his first child. Aunt Paula liked to spoil her niece and nephew whenever she could. So she bought Eric and Jackie a brand new nursery set of furniture. Jackie was floored by the gift and gave Aunt Paula the biggest hug.
Eric was more than ready to be married to Jackie. He pretty much already consider himself married except for the paperwork. Jackie was even more excited than Eric since she really had no family. Red and Kitty had always treated her like one of their own anyway.
Donna had been avoiding Eric and Jackie like they had the plague. Randy had noticed it when he first arrived. He wasn't certain what had happen but something massive had. Randy would catch Donna looking out the windows of her dad's house at the Forman's. Finally he got sick of her games and said "Donna, tell me what the hell went on before I got back here."
"Nothing!" Donna replied
"Bullshit! You have been depressed and staring at the Forman's house. What happened or I will walk next door and ask them?"
"Randy, it's complicated and I embarrassed myself. I will get over this once we get back to New York and I am not coming back here."
"Donna these are your oldest friends, how many embarrassing things have you done with them? They will forgive you."
"Dammit Randy! I made a fool of myself after Jackie told me she was marrying Eric. I accused her of stealing Eric even though I am with you. Happy now!"
Randy knew getting her mad at him would give him the truth. "Donna, it must have been a shock to hear because from what I was told they weren't the best of friends. We're together now so don't worry about them. We can head back tomorrow if you want?"
"No I have to face them again before I leave. I am no chicken. Come with me?"
"You want me to go over to your ex-fiancée's house with you to face him and his new fiancée?"
"YES!"
"That's weird but ok."
Jackie was taking the trash out when Donna and Randy popped out of the bushes.
Randy said "Hey Jackie!"
"Hi Randy."
Donna starred at Jackie and Jackie didn't budge an inch. Eric saw Donna and some guy he didn't know and wandered out the sliding door.
Jackie said "Donna what do you want now? To insult me again? To accuse me stealing Eric again?"
Eric waited for the reaction, he knew he could get to Jackie before Donna did anything.
"No Jackie! I am sorry for that. It's very weird that you two are together. I had been seeing things in New York before I came home. I swear I saw Eric leaving Tiffany's and then getting off the subway. I also swear I heard him propose to you in Central Park."
"That's because you must have Donna. We came home through New York." Eric said
Donna and Randy looked at him. Eric walked over to Jackie. Jackie continued "He got my ring at Tiffany's knowing how much something that would mean to a girl like me."
Donna was getting angry again. She had to push her anger down. Why was Jackie being with Eric making her angry?
Randy said "You must be Eric, I heard a lot about you."
"You must be Randy and I heard a lot about you too."
"You came home through New York?"
"Yes! It was cheaper to fly in there and drive back."
"So I wasn't seeing things? You were really there?"
"I guess so. We never saw you so I can't say for certain."
Donna finally calmed down. She hadn't been seeing things. She thought she had been losing her mind so that was part of her problem. Eric and Randy getting along too helped.
Jackie spoke "Randy you are welcome to come to our wedding. It's on New Year's Eve."
Donna's anger was coming back now. "What about me?"
"No!"
"What do you mean no?"
"You are a bitch and said I stole Eric from you and that was not true. You owe me an apology."
Eric and Randy were holding their breath. Donna huffed and spun around and left.
Randy chased after her. Eric turned to Jackie and said "Well then?"
Jackie hugged Eric and said "No apology no wedding for her!"
