I'll post another chapter on Sunday! I just want to thank all of you who reviewed! You guys are great! A little sexy/a little fluffy here!
Chapter 13:
That evening as Jackie was driving to pick Eric up she decided she would wait until after they got home from Michael's before she told him about her visit from Donna.
The rest of her and Donna's conversation had been relatively safe, mostly focused on Donna's wedding plans. When Donna finally left, Jackie felt like she had accomplished something important and she was proud of herself for being honest.
"Hi," Eric said, as he jumped into the car when Jackie pulled up to the front building of his department. He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
She smiled, "Hi, how was it today?"
"Good," Eric said, "I'm excited to start. I got to take over a class for another professor today to see how I'd do and I didn't mess up once!"
He sounded so excited that Jackie couldn't help but be excited right along with him.
"That's great, Eric. I knew you'd do well!"
Eric smiled, "Yeah, but I couldn't wait to see you. I missed you."
They had just stopped at a red light and Jackie turned towards him.
"Oh, Eric, that's so sweet," she grabbed his face and kissed him, "I missed you, too."
They started to make out and only stopped when the car behind them honked for them to move forward.
Somehow they made it to Kelso's house without causing any car accidents.
Jackie stopped Eric before they reached the door.
"Eric? Should we tell them about… about us?" Jackie asked, her eyes shining with some anxiety, afraid that she was wrong to think that there even was an "us".
Eric leaned close to her and kissed her with all the comfort and reassurance he could. He wrapped his arms around her small frame and looked down at her with a small smile.
"We can wait a little while if you want, I mean there's conversation starter, right?" Eric said, "Hi, Kelso, Brooke. Yeah, I know I just got back from Africa, but I got a job, am staying in Jackie's apartment, and we slept in the same bed last night! How are you?"
Jackie giggled, "Yeah, let's wait a little while."
Eric leaned down and kissed her again.
They walked into the Kelso household to be greeted Kelso and Brooke.
Jackie went straight over to Brooke who was sitting in the living room cuddling a small bundle wrapped in pink.
"Hi, Dani," Jackie whispered, "I'm your Auntie Jackie." She kissed the small, sleeping baby on the head and gave Brooke a hug, "Good job, mama."
Brooke smiled, "So, Eric is going to stay with you?"
Jackie nodded, "Thought it would be easier on you guys."
Brooke smiled, "Easier on him, I'm sure. He didn't come all the way from Africa to stay in the same house as a screaming newborn."
"Where's Betsy Boo?"
"Asleep, apparently having a new little sister takes a lot out of her," Brooke smiled.
On the other side of the room Kelso had greeted Eric with a hug, "How are you, man? Look at you, you're all scruffy and… brown! You look rugged! I bet the chicks were all over you!"
Eric shook his head, "Just taking a little advice from you, Kelso."
"I'm glad you're staying," Kelso said, he looked over his shoulder at Brooke and Jackie,
"Hanging out with two chicks all the time can drive a guy nuts."
"What about the other guys on the force?"
"They're all old… and ugly," Kelso said with a shudder.
Eric laughed, "Oh Kelso, Kelso, I'm so glad you're still the king. And I mean that."
Kelso beamed.
They all sat down to a dinner of take out Chicago style pizza, catching up and just laughing and having a good time. Jackie and Eric took their leave when baby Dani started to fuss about two hours later.
"Don't even try to cook anything on Thursday," Jackie was telling Brooke as they were saying goodbye, "I'm coming over early and I'm doing everything."
She turned to Kelso, "Congratulations, again, Michael, you're a great father."
"Awww, Jackie…" Kelso said, as he hugged her.
"I won't even look at the kitchen," Brooke promised.
Eric said good bye to Brooke and Kelso and he and Jackie turned to leave. Once outside they grasped hands and began to walk the three blocks back to Jackie's apartment. They were walking fast because of the cold and also because they were both looking forward to something else…
They made it up the stairs to Jackie's apartment and almost as soon as Jackie had the door locked up, Eric spun her around and started kissing her.
Jackie laughed, "Eric!" She kissed him passionately, exploring his mouth with her own, enjoying the feel of his fingers threading through her hair and sliding her coat off her shoulders. He moved his lips to her neck as he shrugged out of his own jacket.
"Eric," Jackie said breathlessly, "Eric. I have to tell you something."
Eric lifted his head, "Why, oh, why do I always get the women who want me to stop all the time?" he asked the heavens, "Why God? Why?"
Jackie shook her head and smiled, "I'm sorry, but this is important."
She motioned for him to follow her. They sat down on the pull out. Jackie kicked off her shoes and Eric followed suit, she lay back against the pillows and he lay down beside her so they were facing one another. Eric picked up her hand, which was idly toying with the sheets.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Donna came by today."
She watched for any reaction from him, but none came.
"What did she want?" he asked, looking into her eyes and kissing the fingers of the hand he was holding.
"To ask me to be her maid of honor," she said.
When he looked at her quizzically she gave him a run down of their whole conversation. She left out the part about admitting she was falling in love with him. She was still unsure of how to tell him herself, but her heart was fit to burst if she didn't do it soon.
"Oh, well, now the question is: are you alright?" he asked, sliding his fingers through her silky, black hair.
Jackie closed her eyes as he played with her hair, she felt so happy and safe and the fact that he was concerned about how the visit made her feel sent her heart soaring.
"Yeah, I really have put it all behind me. I want to do it because I have moved on and- well, Eric?" she asked. "Are we-? Are you and I-?"
"Together?" he asked.
Jackie nodded shyly.
Eric dragged a finger along her cheek, "Do you want to be?"
"Yes," she whispered softly.
Eric felt his heart beat a little faster, "Me too, Jackie."
Jackie smiled and pushed his shoulder so that he was lying flat on his back. She rolled off her side and right on top of him. Eric groaned lowly in response. His arms going immediately around her as her lips crashed down on his. He opened his mouth as her tongue snaked between his teeth, massaging his.
Her hand raked through his hair and came to rest on his chest where her small fingers began to flick open the buttons of his shirt. His heart began to race and while he did not want to rush her he could not deny that he want her… badly.
Eric's feelings for Jackie were firmly in a territory he was unsure she could reciprocate but he knew he had to tell her… and soon.
Her hands had opened most of the buttons and were now smoothing across his bare chest. She managed to wrestle the shirt the rest of the way off, her hands explored the smooth plane of his back. He allowed her to have her fun for a few more minutes before he rolled them over so he was on top. Jackie giggled and let him kiss her softly.
"Jackie…"
Jackie responded by wiggling under him, trying to pull her own shirt off. Eric helped her pull it over her head. She lay beneath him in a pink bra and her black slacks.
"You're beautiful," he murmured as he place kisses all along her collarbone. Jackie whimpered.
He pulled back a little.
"We don't have to do this now," he said, not wanting to rush her and risk damaging a very, very good thing.
Jackie nodded and smiled, "I know, but I do want to, you know, in the near future."
Eric trailed a row of kisses down her neck and smoothed his hands over her bare sides. He kissed her passionately once again, earning a whimper of approval from the petite brunette.
Jackie snuggled up to him, pressing her face into his neck. She closed her eyes and breathed in his scent; happy in the knowledge that a man could both respect her and make her feel so many wonderful things.
She was definitely looking forward to taking this newly formed relationship further.