Chapter 29
December 31st, 1981
"Welcome to Point Place, Wisconsin!" Michael read from the sign as he steered the van he had rented for the journey back to their hometown.
"Thanks for the update, Kelso," Eric said from the back of the van where he and Jackie had spent the ride.
"Finally!" Jackie said, "I don't know how much more of your singing I could take, Michael."
"The girls love when he sings to them," Brooke said from the passenger seat, looking over her shoulder at her daughters, who were tucked into their car seats in the first bench seat, "Right, Betsy Pie?"
Betsy giggled, "Daddy sing!"
Jackie groaned and covered her ears as Kelso broke into another chorus of "Puff the Magic Dragon".
Eric put an arm around her, "It's okay, baby. Ten more minutes and we'll go get settled in our hotel room." He raised his eyebrows at her, "Then we'll have some noises I know you love."
Jackie couldn't help but smile, "Naughty."
Brooke looked back at them, "Nuh-uh, you two. We only have time to check into our rooms and get ready for the rehearsal."
Eric groaned this time, "Do we have to go to the rehearsal, I mean really, how hard is it to remember how to walk down the aisle and stand at the front?"
"Eric," Jackie said, "Wedding rehearsals are essential. It's your last chance to identify any issues that need to be taken care of. Please remember that for when we get married. Do you want anyone ruining our day by tripping in the aisle because they didn't practice?"
Eric laughed but when she gave him a stern look he stopped.
"No, of course not, sweetheart," he said, "I want it to be perfect."
Jackie smiled and nodded, "And it will be… or else."
Eric smiled, "It will."
"Have you guys decided on a date yet?" Brooke asked.
"Sometime in April," Jackie said matter-of-factly. She pulled a small notebook out of her purse, it was pink and decorated with purple butterflies surrounding the title "My Wedding Planner". "I'm waiting to see if we can book the Harmony Room at the Hilton for the reception."
"Ooh, fancy," Brooke said.
Jackie nodded, "Well, when I called my dad in- well, you know where, I told him that Eric and I were getting married he said he had a trust fund in the bank for me that didn't get seized like everything else. So I'm using part of it to create my dream wedding!"
"Yeah and he barely objected to her marrying me!" Eric said sardonically.
"Oh, please. No matter what he said, he couldn't convince me otherwise," Jackie said.
"Aww, thanks, baby," Eric said kissing her.
"Yeah, don't take it personally, Eric," said Kelso, "I think that guy objected to anyone who even looked at his daughter."
Jackie nodded in agreement, "Though with some more than others he had reason to." Giving Kelso a pointed look in the mirror.
Kelso shrugged, "It's alright. Brooke doesn't object to me, right, sweetie?"
She laughed, "Not at all. And my dad loves you, so it all worked out for the best."
"Exactly," said Jackie.
"So you said you are using part of the money for your wedding," Brooke said, "what are you using the rest for?"
Jackie and Eric exchanged a look.
"Well, we decided that we want to buy a house," Eric said.
"That's great!" said Brooke, "Have you looked around yet?"
Jackie shook her head, "We haven't had time, but I doubt we'll do much looking around."
"Why?" Brooke asked, confused.
"Because I already know which house I want. You know which one I want, too," Jackie reminded her.
"Oh! You mean the ranch-style house, don't you? Brooke asked, "The one with the pond and all those trees around it."
Jackie nodded, "That's the one. It's been on the market the whole time I've been in Chicago. It's been waiting for me, I know it."
Everyone laughed.
"Well, that's good. It's not too far away, so we'll still see you guys right?" Brooke asked.
"Of course, you will! Just as much as you do now. Eric's going to buy us a car," she smiled at her fiancée. "Besides I will need you more than ever these next couple of months, Brooke."
"For what?"
"Well, the maid of honor should help with all the wedding planning. You'll be my maid of honor right?"
"Of course, Jackie!" Brooke said with a smile. "You're not going to ask Donna to be your maid of honor?"
Jackie frowned a little, "While I'm flattered she asked me to be hers, she hasn't been there for me the last three years. And you have, Brooke. You're my best friend!"
"You're my best friend too, Jackie," Brooke said.
"Okay, okay. Enough, giggling, ladies," Kelso said, "We're here!"
The rehearsal at the church had gone well. Randy's best man turned out to be his brother, Jackie was relieved. Seemed Donna and Hyde both forgot to mention he was in the wedding party, but he ended up paired with Brooke. While she had made her peace with Hyde, she still wished to avoid any unnecessary situations, especially ones that might continue to bring up past pain.
Jackie did notice Hyde appeared to be much less sulky, in fact, she'd go as far to say he looked happy, than he had when she had seen him at the Forman's. She noted that today was supposed to have been Sam's due date, she wondered if maybe that had something to do with it.
Eric was sitting in the first pew on Donna's side with Laurie, his parents, and Bob. Kelso and Fez were asked to be ushers and so stood at the back of the church. Jackie caught Eric's eye and mouthed "I love you." He smiled and returned the gesture. Soon it would be her, standing up in front of everyone in a wedding dress reciting her vows to the man she loved.
After a raucous rehearsal dinner/New Year's party at the hotel restaurant, during which Kelso had unwittingly knocked over a flambé, sending a near by table up in flames, Jackie and Eric stumbled through the door to their hotel room, locked in a passionate embrace.
Everyone had been toasting the couple and ringing in the New Year. Jackie and Eric had consumed a fair share of wine at dinner and when being yelled at by Red to "get a damn room", after their rather explicit midnight kiss, they had made their exit and walked the short distance from the restaurant to their room.
"Mmm, Jackie," Eric slurred slightly, as they kissed in the doorway.
Jackie giggled and hiccupped, "Bed, now."
They managed to get the rest of the way into the room, Eric slammed the door behind them.
Jackie screeched when Eric picked her up and carried to the bed, swaying a little but making it without dropping her.
They fell onto the bed, kissing and pulling clothes off.
"You're so beautiful, how can you want to marry me?"
"Because I love you, silly."
Eric nodded, "That's a good reason."
Jackie laughed and kissed him.
The next morning dawned too soon for both Jackie and Eric. They spent most the night making love despite knowing they'd have to be up early.
At seven am Jackie reluctantly wiggled out of Eric's embrace. Donna would be getting ready in one of the rooms in the hotel, she had to be in the room by eight to have her hair and make up done by the stylist Donna hired.
She stepped into the shower, letting the warm water wake her up and sooth her slight hangover
The curtain was pulled back and Eric got in with her, kissing her shoulder.
"Mmm, good morning," Jackie said.
"Yes, it is," Eric said, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her back against him.
Jackie gasped, "Eric, I have to be in Donna's room in thirty minutes."
He kissed her neck, just below her ear and she shivered.
"What the hell, we have time," Jackie said, spinning around in his arms and putting hers around his neck.
She opened her mouth under his and allowed herself to be backed up against the wall of the shower. Steam rose up all around them, heightening Jackie's awareness of Eric's body pressed against hers.
He smoothed one hand down her back and stopped behind her thigh, encouraging her to wrap her legs around him. She obliged immediately. Eric caught both of her legs in his hands as he continued to kiss her, leveraging her against the wall.
Jackie was shaking with anticipation. The water, making their bodies slippery and warm, kicked her desire up several notches. She tightened her legs on Eric, indicating that she was ready.
Keeping one arm around her bottom, Eric used the other to guide himself into her. He exhaled forcefully and dropped his head into the crook of her shoulder. Jackie shuddered and whimpered, digging her nails into Eric's back a little.
Their coupling was slow and deliberate. Both reveling in the sensation of the other. The water and steam a warm cocoon around them and their world. Jackie moaned and Eric picked up the pace a little, sensing her need to find release.
"I love you," he whispered against her throat as he attacked it with kisses.
She took a shaky breath as waves of pleasure washed over her. Her orgasm triggering his and both of them falling over the edge together.
Eric held Jackie against the wall of the shower for a few more minutes before she was steady enough to stand on her own.
She looked up at him and pulled his face to hers for a kiss.
"I love you too."