Author Note: …take a deep breath…..and hold it!

T7S

Chapter 12– What a Surprise

T7S

"He's back. He's back, he's back – Steven was back home!" was a continuous chant that resounded through Jackie's mind….."He's back…."

Hyde tightened his bolo tie and looked at Casey and Laurie sitting in nice clothing actually behaving themselves. "Okay look. Mick is in the passenger seat. I'm going to call him at some point and then, only then, I want Laurie to come in first. The Garden Room. Can you remember that?"

They both nodded. "Casey, give Red time to recognize Laurie and you come in maybe ten minutes later. Any attempts to run and Mick has my authorization to shoot you in the kneecap. Got it?"

Hyde was trying not to laugh. No one had a gun, but the expression on their faces was priceless. "Okay, I'm going in, and you wait for my call."

Jackie watched from the plate glass window as Steven emerged from the depths of the Hummer and walked to the entrance of the restaurant. She was flying on a cloud. He had all of his hair! He looked so handsome and striking and where did he learn to dress so well?

She took a deep breath and stood at the end of the table. She just wanted to take a few moments to watch Steven enter the room and make sure Mr. Forman got to see him first. She would just devour him with her eyes. Ben nudged her with his shoulder, "Aunt Jackie, who is that?"

She sighed. "That's Steven Hyde."

"Dad's old stoner friend? Cool." Ben grinned and walked up to introduce himself.

-o-

Walking into the Garden Room seemed like a step back into time. There was good old Kelso stuffing olives in his cheeks while laughing at something Eric was saying. What the fuck kind of hat was Forman wearing? Hyde looked at Kitty. Mrs. Forman looked so tiny and age had made her a little stooped over but there was still that sparkle in her eyes that he missed.

It was like everything started to happen in slow motion….Kitty was hugging him, a young Eric Forman was shaking his hand. Kelso was spitting out olives and flying across the table for a hug. Brooke stood up and wiped green olives off her dress while reaching for a hug.

This table was an octopus of arms! Steven knelt down next to Red's chair. "Hey old man. I thought I'd drop in and crash your party."

Red's face lit up like a 100 watt bulb. He smiled and his eyes were bright. "Steven!" Memories of this boy raced through the old man's head. There were so many events and mischief reminders that Red could hardly contain them all. He finally said, "You're not still being a dumbass are you?"

Hyde laughed and hugged the thin body of Red Forman. Whispering so only Red could hear, he said, "I love you Dad."

Red tried to pretend he wasn't crying so he hugged Steven extra hard and Hyde felt the rusty old tear on his collar. "I missed you son." Choking around the big lump in his throat, Steven replied, "I missed you too."

"Oh, darn….Jackie? Where'd I put my camera?" Kitty was looking through her voluminous handbag. Jackie was standing against next to the chair at the end of the table when Steven looked up.

That was the moment Steven forgot to breathe.

-o-

Time had slowed for Jackie too. She saw Steven walk in the room looking like some handsome corporate executive. He was tall and sexy and solid. Steven seemed to exude a powerful aura and everyone seemed to gravitate towards him. It was only when he had that short moment with Mr. Forman that the suit came off and he was one of the gang again.

Michael was being his old silly self trying to stuff his face and Eric was trying to impress the pretty girl. Brooke was rolling her eyes at her husband's antics but Red…..he looked the happiest of all. Jackie hadn't seen that grin in years!

Of course Kitty was crying and hugging and wiping the noses of every one around her. Jackie started crying just because it was just so beautiful - the family reunion of the Forman's and their adopted orphan. Then Steven looked at her.

That was the moment Jackie forgot to breathe.

-o-

His booted feet started walking towards the end of the table – or was he floating towards this brunette vision in a slinky red dress? God he missed those sparkling mismatched eyes that were smiling at him! She looked good. No. She looked edible and he was a starved man.

Jackie watched Steven come to her. He was coming to her. That had been a dream a long time coming! He was smiling and staring and he reached out a hand to take hers and she was tumbling back to her youth when sparks flew at a touch. Steven squeezed her fingers and her heart melted. He lifted her hand and kissed the knuckles and she was still in love again. Bone melting, heart stopping love.

"Please tell me you have a dental plan." It just popped out of her mouth. Where it came from she had no clue.

Steven laughed that low sexy laugh she heard over the telephone. "Please tell me you don't need a dental plan because I've got a great health plan and I belong to AARP."

Together they laughed at the silliness of being older and still, his hand never left hers. She was in awe of how much more handsome Steven had become. He was stunned by her beauty and how the years had only enhanced what nature started.

"I believe there's something you wanted to do…something you wanted to say to me." Steven smiled gently. Jackie's mind was racing – what the hell was it? Aaahh!

"I believe you said you couldn't wait to hug me…kiss me and tell me in person how much you missed me. I'm here to collect."

She moved into his arms like a magnet seeks steel and he just felt so right. He smelled of clean linen and soap and God, her blood was pounding. Softly, he tipped her chin and his lips brushed hers. The earth tilted on its axis and tumbled out of orbit.

This slow lingering passionate kiss was years in the making and it was full of words unspoken and promises yet to be made but it was theirs. This was the kiss that should have happened 30 years ago but they were both too immature to appreciate each other. Steven loved the way her long lashes rested delicately on her cheeks. The years had been so kind and she wasn't the overweight skunk head she pretended to be. She was a stone fox!

Those gorgeous eyes fluttered open. "I needed that." She smiled. "And I missed you."

Suddenly, arms where pulling the wannabe lovers apart. Brooke took Jackie's arm and Kelso was pulling on Hyde. "Hey, we're all friends here; you guys can get mushy later."

Steven held up his hand, "One second. I have a surprise." He quickly dialed a number and said, "Now." Then put his phone back in his pocket. He took Jackie's hand and walked her towards the front of the table.

"Sorry Red, I had to have my gift for you delivered." Hyde smiled. Red didn't know what he was talking about but watched as Steven politely held out Jackie's chair while she sat down.

"Forman, what is that shit on your head?"

Eric pulled the hat down lower. Ben laughed, "Yeah, tell my dad he does NOT look like an older Justin Timberlake, would ya?" The table erupted in laughter and from the corner of his eye, Hyde saw his little convict enter the room.

"Red. I'd like you to see my gift to you."

A small voice said, "Hi Daddy." The room went silent as all heads swiveled towards the doorway. Laurie Forman was still beautiful in the Forman way, but she looked tired and resigned. Red turned around his chair. "Laurie? Honey?" Laurie sobbed and ran across the restaurant floor and hugged her dad

Kitty covered her mouth and wept. As much trouble as Laurie had been over the years, she was still her daughter and she wasn't dead! Red had tears streaming down his cheeks. Laurie patiently wiped them away. "Oh daddy…I missed you so much. I'm sorry I ran away. I love you. Please….please forgive me."

Kitty got up from her seat and wrapped her thin arms around her husband and long lost daughter. This was the best possible Father's Day gift in the world.

Jackie could feel dampness on her cheeks and wiped the tears with the back of her hands. She turned to Steven. "How did you do it?"

Steven smiled. "Oh, I have a couple reunions left in me."

Kelso stood up and shouted, "AWESOME! It's my big brother!" His arms flaying like a monkey, Michael Kelso ran across the room and leapt onto his big brother Casey and he held on for dear life. Casey carried his brother to the table. Michael was crying and Casey was trying to remain stoic but it had been too many years and he missed his family.

Brooke stood up, "Welcome home Casey."

T7S