I'm ready to finish this story and so I apologise for lack of updates, I just haven't been inspired lately. But here we continue…
Chapter 21:
It was two and a half hours later that very satisfied fliers, Jackie and Eric, stepped off the plane and into the muggy and rainy weather of Miami, Florida.
"What did I tell you, Eric? The weather here is just terrible in the winter! We'll have to come out for another visit when the weather is sunny. Can you imagine how much more beautiful I will be compared to all those sluts on South Beach?" Jackie was saying animatedly, as they walked towards baggage claim.
Eric smiled indulgently, "Don't I know it, Jackie."
Jackie smiled up at him, "So is that a 'yes'?
"Is what a 'yes'? Eric asked the dark haired beauty beside him.
"That you'll bring me back here for a vacation?"
"Absolutely, do you think I'd turn down the opportunity to see you in a bikini?"
"Eric Forman!" Jackie laughed, and playfully nudged him.
After they had located their luggage, Eric had loaded a hand trolley with the three bags Jackie had insisted on bringing and his own suitcase. They exited the airport and stood out of the rain under an awning and hailed a taxi.
"This is it," Jackie reminded him, once they were safely inside the cab and out of the raging storm. "No turning back, Eric. Are you nervous?"
Eric shrugged, "I'm used to the 'foot-up-the-ass' threats from Red, it should be fine. To tell you the truth the only thing I'm really worried about is my mom's reaction."
"Yep, you'll be driving Kitty back to the bottle in no time," Jackie said with a smirk.
"Ha ha. Real funny, Jackie."
"You're well versed in the art of handling your mother's hysterics as well. We can do this… right?"
Eric kissed her on the tip of her nose, "Right."
"Christmas at the Forman's," Jackie said, leaning into Eric and pulling his arms around her,
"Always was one of my favourite times of year."
"Just Christmas, or Christmas at the Forman's in particular?" Eric asked.
"Both," Jackie admitted. "I love Christmas because it's a time for family and friends."
"Don't forget shopping," Eric was toying with a lock of Jackie's hair, his eyes closed.
She laughed, "Yes, and shopping. But honestly, I always loved being at your house for Christmas. You guys are a real family. It was nice to be included in something that normal."
Eric opened his eyes, "Jackie-"
But she shook her head, "No, it's okay, Eric. It's no secret that my parents sucked. I'm just saying that I always loved being part of your family. Family matters a lot to me and I… I hope I get to stay part of the family."
Eric felt a drop of wetness on his arm that was around her shoulders. He lifted her chin, her eyes were sparkling with tears.
"You really mean that?" he asked quietly.
Jackie nodded, "I do."
Eric felt a crackle of energy, that could be contributed to the lightning laden air outside, shoot between their locked eyes. But he knew it was something more. He was sure that she felt it too because she jumped a little in his arms.
He leaned forward and kissed her hard. Jackie responded, wrapped her arms around his neck and pulling him as close to her as she could get him without actually occupying the same space.
She felt for a moment that he was going to say something more but he didn't. Instead he picked up her hand and began to trace patterns onto her palm. She felt a small pang of disappointment. She felt sure she knew what he was going to say. Knowing that she shouldn't push the issue she contented herself with being cuddled in the backseat of the cab and watched as the palm trees rolled past the rain-streaked window.
Thirty-five minutes later their cab pulled into a middle-class housing development in suburban Miami and parked in front of a two-story brick house with a green roof and shutters. No cars were parked out front but Jackie knew Red would not hear of leaving any car of his out in the rain.
"Alright, buddy. That'll be nine sixty-five. Do you need help with your bags?" the cabbie asked.
Eric handed him the money, "Yeah, just to the front door, if you don't mind."
Jackie unfurled her pink umbrella and tried to shield Eric from the downpour, as he and the cabbie struggled with the bags. The attempt was futile as they both ended up drenched anyway.
After the cab driver left, Jackie and Eric were left to stand on the Forman's doorstep, huddled together under Jackie's umbrella.
Jackie looked to her boyfriend, her teeth chattering slightly, "Aren't you going to ring the doorbell?"
"Just trying to remind myself why we are here," Eric said with a weak chuckle.
Jackie stood on tiptoes and kissed him, "You can do it, baby. Now hurry, my hair is drenched."
Eric pressed the button and they heard the resounding bells inside the house.
"Coming!" yelled a high, feminine voice.
Eric reached down and grabbed Jackie's hand in his, she squeezed reassuringly but her own heart was thumping wildly inside her chest. She could not imagine why she should be so nervous but she felt that she wasn't the only one. Eric looked rather pale and stoic.
The knob turned and the door was flung open to reveal Kitty Forman. Petite, blonde, and looking just as Jackie remembered. Jackie offered her best smile and tried to glance at Eric.
But she didn't even get a chance before Kitty screeched and pulled the both of them in off the doorstep.
"OH MY GOD! MY BABY! RED! MY BABY IS HOME!" the hysterical woman yelled, flinging herself into Eric's arms. Jackie was jostled aside and she tried not to be offended.
After all, Kitty had not seen her son in over two years.
As Kitty cried, she hugged and kissed her son who was attempting to speak, "Mom… mom. Ow! Mom!"
"MY BABY! MY BABY!"
Just then Red Forman appeared in the living room. He looked a little older but from what Jackie could tell by his facial expression, the same old Red.
"Kitty, let go of the boy. Hey! Ever hear of a phone, dumbass?" he said to Eric, as he attempted to pull Kitty off of him.
"I missed you too, Daddy," Eric said sweetly.
Red pointed a finger at him, "Don't start with that smart mouth. I'll put my foot so far up your ass you'll wish you stayed in Africa."
Kitty had managed to compose herself enough to notice Jackie standing off to the side,
shivering from the cold of the rain.
"Jackie? Honey, what are you doing here?" she sniffled, still holding as tightly to Eric as if she had claws.
Jackie shifted slightly on her feet and looked to Eric for help with the explanation.
"Well, uh-"
Eric immediately broke in, "She's here with me, Mom. Jackie and I are together."
"Together?" Kitty repeated, "What do you mean 'together'?"
"Just what I said, Mom. Jackie is my girlfriend."
Several things happened at once. Kitty gasped and gaped from Eric to Jackie and back again.
Red looked nonplussed but glance back over his shoulder toward someone else who had just entered the room. And the person, who had just interrupted the Forman's reunion with their son, exclaimed:
"She's your what??"
Jackie and Eric both turned toward the source of the voice.
"Oh my God," Jackie squeaked.
"Hyde?!" Eric exclaimed.