Disclaimer: I don't own.

Author's Note: Yay, I finally finished it! I'm sorry it's taken awhile. I've been seriously unmotivated. I'm a bit burnt out, which I hope ends soon. :( Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this Christmas fic, and I hope everyone had wonderful holidays! Thanks so much for the reviews!! They're better than Christmas candy. :) And less fattening.

Warning: Language

Just Ask Santa

Here Comes Santa Claus

December 25, 1986, 5:45 am

Jackie woke in her husband's arms, facing him. Surprisingly, considering his reaction to her last night, his arms enveloped her tight against him. Their lips were little more than an inch apart, and that closeness made her shiver. It felt so good, his breath on her, his heart pounding in rhythm with hers. No wonder she hadn't slept well in California; she'd been so cold without him, and not just physically. She inched forward and kissed him softly. "Steven." She kissed him again, and moaned softly when he began to respond to her.

His mouth opened, his hands on her back gripped harder until she could feel his fingertips beneath her skin. His tongue slipped into her welcoming mouth, dancing desperately as if searching for the home it had lost. She pressed herself to him, and his chest vibrated with a half breath, half groan. She didn't want it to end, but it did, and reluctantly she opened her eyes. She was frightened of what she'd see, of the coldness and bitterness that would completely shield his love for her.

His eyes opened, and her heart skipped a beat. They weren't completely frozen. There were specks of anger and resentment, but also, more than she'd dared to hope for, darts of affection. She relaxed a little, and smiled. She ran her fingers up his naked back and neck and into his hair. "Merry Christmas, Puddin' Pop," she whispered.

Hyde blamed his slight smile and the fact that he wasn't tearing his hands off his wife on his morning surge of testosterone. "Yeah," he mumbled, his eyes fixed on her face. Damn it, she was beautiful in the morning. Sleepy eyes and pouty lips, mussed up hair, flush in her cheeks. Damn it, no! I'm pissed at her! Didn't matter to his hand. It moved down her back to her rear and moved in tiny circles over the firm, flannel covered flesh. It had been too long. A week was too freaking long to go without waking up with her this way.

"I bet Keefer will be up soon," Jackie whispered.

His son's name was enough to chill his quickly heating Jackie-lust, and he let go of her. He rolled over, out of her grasp. "Yeah, so if you want him to find you under the tree, you better get down there."

After a moment of staring at the husband who'd gone cold, Jackie sighed and got out of bed. "Yeah, I better." She went to the closet, opened it, and took out her robe, but even when she put it on, she shivered. A robe, no matter how fluffy and pink, didn't compare to Steven's arms.

"Jackie."

She turned and found him sitting up in bed, and shifted with sudden discomfort beneath her belly. Why did he insist on sleeping with no shirt on? His biceps and chest, naked, the dusting of hair on his skin that was so damn sexy…. She flushed, and when he smirked, she shrugged. No use pretending he didn't turn her on just by being there.

"I'm still pissed as hell at you."

She rolled her eyes. "Steven…"

"But I'm…" His turn to shrug. "I'm also…you know…glad…you're…" Hyde pointed at her then rolled his eyes. Over the years he'd gotten better at talking, but at times, times like now, he just couldn't. "Whatever."

Jackie smiled. Good thing for both of them she could read him when his voice went AWOL, or else their marriage would have failed years ago. She went back to the bed and crawled towards him. Maybe it wasn't going to be that hard. Apparently, one night of sleeping with her in his arms had loosened his anger a little bit. And knowing it restored her confidence in her Jackie-magic. "I'm glad I'm home, too, baby," she breathed, catching his lips in a sweet and lingering kiss. "And don't worry. You won't be pissed at me by tonight." She winked at him. "Give me a few minutes before you bring him down."

Hyde watched her leave, her hips swaying sexily in the way that said she had her mojo back. He shook his head. He was in trouble if she had her mojo back. Big, big trouble. Yeah, his anger wasn't going to last the day if she had her way.

And she just about always had her way.

A few minutes later, Hyde softly opened the door to his son's bedroom, and immediately, his heart flip-flopped. Keefer sat on the floor under his window, his head resting on the seat of a chair. He was sleeping, and Hyde chuckled silently. He must have spent half the night searching the dark sky for Santa's sleigh. He walked over and crouched down. "Hey Keef," he said in a low voice, gently shaking his son's shoulder. "Keefer, wake up, buddy."

"Santa?" The little boy's eyes opened wide, and he scampered sleepily up on the chair to press his hands against the window and peer out. "Did I miss him?"

Hyde grinned at his son's small back. It still amazed him that he and Jackie had made this tiny person. He figured it always would. "Yeah, I think you did, but I bet he left you some amazing presents under the tree. Wanna go see?"

Keefer turned, his smile huge, his hands clapping together, his eyes live with light. "Mommy! I get to see Mommy!" He jumped down off the chair, his sleepiness abruptly forgotten, and he grabbed Hyde's hand. "Come on, Daddy! Lets go, lets go!"

Hyde laughed out loud and stumbled after his son. Like his mom, Keefer was surprisingly strong, especially when determined and motivated by an anticipated present. As Keefer tugged him down the stairs, Hyde's smile faded. It was a damn good thing Jackie was home, because otherwise…

"Daddy! Hurry UP!"

Didn't matter. All that mattered was that his son was just about to get almost all he wanted for Christmas.

Joy to the World

December 25, 1986, 6:05 am, the Hyde living room

Neither Hyde nor Jackie had remembered to get the camera, but neither of them needed it. Hyde knew he'd never forget the wonder and pure happiness in their son's eyes, the same look Jackie had when he'd proposed to her and every time he managed tos say something sweet and open to her. Jackie's eyes filled with tears at the slight shock masking her baby's face, as if he couldn't quite believe it, just like his daddy always looked when she told him she loved him.

"MOMMY!"

Hyde's hand fell to his side as Keefer let go and ran to Jackie, but he hardly noticed. And despite himself, when Keefer catapulted himself into her open and waiting arms, he had to swallow several times. A mother holding her child. She was crying, and he felt his hands start to shake. When her closed eyes open and met his, he had to raise his hand to his mouth. All the doubt, all the anger, it seemed muted to the point of disappearing. She loved their son, her son, and he felt it, even from ten feet away.

Jackie reluctantly let Keefer pull away, and she smiled at her baby. "Hi, Keef," she whispered, her voice broken. She stared at his face, full of Steven's features, his blue eyes shining like Steven's did on rare occasions, and she knew instantly that she'd made the right decision. The only decision possible.

Keefer grinned. "Mommy, Santa brought you home!"

She nodded. "That's right. Santa brought me home. Because you were such a good boy this year!"

Keefer turned around. "Daddy, come here! Santa brought Mommy! I told you he would!" He turned back to Jackie. "Mommy, I missed you!"

And he was in her arms again. Jackie held him tight and rocked him, unable to stop crying. "I missed you too, little guy. I missed you so much I couldn't stand it!" She kissed his cheek over and over again, until he began giggling and pulled out of her hold. She laughed, for the first time in too long, a genuine laugh.

Keefer pulled away again and patted her shoulders. "Daddy missed you too, Mommy." He nodded. "I know 'cause I heard him talking with Uncle Eric and he said his peanuts was gonna shrivel up and die if you didn't come home soon." He made a face. "I don't like peanuts. 'Cept to throw at Betsy." He nodded, his bright smile returning. "She don't like peanuts in her hair! And I like throwing 'em in there!"

Jackie raised an eyebrow and looked at her husband, who was suddenly looking anywhere but at her. "Steven J. Hyde, you said that? In front of your son?" She had to struggle not to laugh.

Keefer giggled. His daddy was in trouble, 'cause Mommy said his whole name. He knew, because when he was in trouble, Mommy always said Keefer Steven Hyde. "Did I burn Daddy?" He ran over to Hyde and tugged on his father's sweat pants. "Daddy, did I burn you?"

Hyde leaned down to hoist his son up. "Yep, buddy, you sure did," he said, grinning. Smart kid. Tell Mommy what he'd heard Daddy say, then laugh when Daddy got in trouble. Definitely a smart, burn-appreciating kid. Definitely his kid. Jackie laughed, and he tossed an amused smile her way.

"I burned Daddy! I burned Daddy!" Keefer patted Hyde on the cheek. "BURN!"

Hyde raised an eyebrow at his wife. "Yeah, he isn't hanging out at Kelso's house anymore."

Jackie, who had been trying to stand up, collapsed to the ground in laughter, and Hyde half glared, half grinned back at her.

Yeah. His kid.

"Okay, Keef, why don't you see what else Santa brought you? Like, that bike looking thing over there." Hyde lowered Keefer to the ground, and the tyke scooted over to where his unwrapped "Santa" presents were.

"A BIKE!"

Hyde walked over to his wife and held his hand down to her. She took it, and he helped her up. She was still giggling, but as soon as their eyes met, her giggles turned into sobs. "Jackie," he said quietly. She put her hands on his chest, and he gently wiped tears off her cheeks. "Come on, Tink. Shhh." He lifted her chin and pressed his lips to hers. In an instant, the kiss was deep and slow, and he was lost in the heaven of finally tasting her mouth, her tongue, her breath again.

"Momma?"

Steven's kiss left Jackie delirious, and she had to force herself to break it when she felt her son pulling on the side of her robe. She cleared her throat, barely able to see through tear filled eyes foggy with passion she had to keep at bay for the time being. Keefer sometimes called her "momma" when he was sad or worried, and so she smiled reassuringly at him. "Yeah, baby?"

He shuffled on his feet and sighed. "When are you gonna hafta go away again?"

The words from her baby's mouth, in his sweet little voice, were daggers in her heart, and she pulled away from Steven. She crouched down and put her hands on the small waist in front of her. "You know what, Keef? I'm not. I'm never gonna leave you and your daddy again. Never."

Hyde frowned as Keefer's face lit up in a huge smile. Damn it, why in the hell was she lying to him? Making him promises she couldn't keep? And damn it, why was he himself hoping she was telling the truth, when he knew better? He opened his mouth to either cuss or yell at her, he wasn't sure which, but she looked up at him and spoke before he could.

"I quit my job." Jackie smiled at her husband even as her eyes again filled with tears. "I…I just…" She took a raspy breath. She'd come so close to losing everything she'd ever wanted, everything that made her whole. "I can't do it anymore. I can't be away from you anymore. So I…quit."

Hyde swallowed a few times and slowly gave her a half-smile. His heart raced.

She wasn't going to leave anymore; the glow of happiness in her eyes, happiness to be home and with her husband and son, he knew she was telling him the truth.

"You think you'll be able to handle me always being here, Steven?"

The notes of her voice trembled, she was unsure. She wanted to know if he was still angry at her. He nodded and his smile widened. "Yeah, I think I can deal with that," he said, his voice choking slightly. He reached down and put his hand on her the back of her head. "If I have to."

Jackie giggled, Keefer giggled, and Hyde chuckled.

The perfect Hyde family Christmas.

Silent Night

Four hours later

Jackie felt drowsy as she sat on the couch, curled up next to her husband and warmed by the arms wrapped around her. He held her tight, like he was afraid if he let go she'd disappear, and it made her feel nearly drunk. Her head rested on his shoulder, and they watched their son sleep. Keefer lay on the ground near the tree, amidst all his presents, and Jackie thought she could watch his gentle and steady breathing for the rest of her life. For the first time that morning, their house was quiet but for the soft Christmas music playing on the stereo.

Hyde rubbed his wife's thigh. "So, you quit?"

Jackie nodded. "Yep. Right in the middle of a photo shoot." She lifted her head and looked at Steven. "She was really mad, told me I'd never work in television again."

Hyde frowned. Yeah, he was glad she quit. Ecstatic that she quit. But a little nag of guilt pulled at his gut. She loved working in television. And he wondered if he'd been a typical chauvinist pig that made his wife quit her job because it was inconvenient for him, the kind of guy Donna always griped about.

She seemed to sense his thoughts, because she waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, don't worry, Steven. If I wanna go back to work, I'll be able to after she leaves the station. I already talked to the producer, and he said they're definitely gonna offer me another show when she's gone. And no traveling further than Milwaukee." She turned her lips to his shoulder and kissed him. "So if you were getting used to the bachelor life, you better just forget it. That's over with."

A brilliant smile that made his heart melt, and he nodded. "Yeah, well, I guess I can handle that. If I have to."

Jackie sat up, and she scooted closer to her husband. Her expression became serious, and she looked straight and deep into Steven's eyes. "Steven," she said quietly. "I just want you to know that nothing, no job, no anything, is more important to me than you and Keefer. Than our family. That's why I quit, because I just…I have to be here. I know I haven't acted like it, but…" Her voice cracked. "I really love you and our baby more than anything else, Steven."

Hyde did his best to smile, but the emotions swimming inside his chest, the relief, the love for this woman he needed so much to be truly happy, made it hard. "Good to know," he said, rather lamely. But she smiled again, and as always, she understood him perfectly. He leaned down and kissed her until they both heard a little boy stirring.

"Mommy? Daddy?"

Jackie held out an arm towards their son, and Keefer scooted over to them. He climbed up on her lap and settled himself half in hers, half in Steven's. She beamed down at him. "So, did you get everything you wanted for Christmas, Keefer?"

Keefer nodded. "Yep! Well, 'cept one thing." He pouted slightly, and Hyde chuckled. He didn't use it as often as his mom, but that pout was definitely a gift from her. "I wanted a baby sister. Like Katie."

Jackie glanced at Steven.

Hyde wondered what the gleam in Jackie's eye meant.

She turned to Keefer and smiled. "You know, sometimes Santa can't give good little boys everything they wanted at Christmas. Sometimes he has to wait a few months. So…"

Again, she looked at him, and Hyde arched an eyebrow. What in the hell was she up to?

"I think maybe you're gonna get a little sister…or a little brother…in about seven months. Just in time for summer."

Keefer squealed, and Hyde felt his eyes nearly bulge out of his head. His stomach dropped to the ground, like the rush of the going down the highest, most thrilling roller coaster hill in the world.

She leaned up and brushed her lips over his, though he was so stunned he couldn't move.

"Merry Christmas, Steven."

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

December 25, 1986, 5:30 pm, the Forman house

"Guess what, Grandma? Mommy's gonna have a baby!"

It was practically the first thing out of Keefer's mouth, and he said it loud, so everyone heard. Jackie and Hyde found themselves attempting to take off their coats and set down their bags of presents while trying to accept congratulatory hugs and kisses at the same time. Jackie caught her husband's eyes, and winked as she hugged Donna. He winked back, still tingling with the news she'd given him just a few hours ago.

A few minutes later, Hyde stood with his mom, watching the kids play, watching his wife flit around the room, her vibrancy more beautiful, more alive than the lights on the tree.

Kitty smiled at him. "So, I guess maybe Santa Claus does exist, huh, Steven?"

Hyde smirked. "Mom, Santa had nothing to do with Jackie coming home. She came home all on her own. I mean, he didn't bring her home in his sleigh."

He got a light elbow to the side. "Steven Hyde, don't be so literal. Santa may not be a real person, but he exists. Santa is love and kindness and caring, the love that keeps us all together even when some of us are bitter and angry Grinches." She gave a pointed look across the room at her husband, then at him. "Did you ever think about that?"

Hyde shook his head, grudgingly admitting that his mother maybe had a point.

"Maybe you ought to start believing in Santa. Seems to me, he's been very good to you this Christmas, Steven, what with Jackie coming home, and OH!" She clapped her hands excitedly. "A new grandbaby on the way!"

She kissed his cheek and floated away, leaving Hyde to stare at his wife with a reluctant, slight smile. Huh.

Maybe Santa had brought him everything he wanted for Christmas after all.

An hour later, Jackie came up to him, a teasing smirk all over her lusciously painted lips. "So," she purred, moving in close and sliding a seductive hand up his chest. "I was kind of wondering if your peanuts is still all shriveled up."

He smirked. "Why don't we sneak out of here, go home, you put on that red lace thingy and we'll just see about that?"

She pressed herself to him tight, but far too briefly, and he narrowed his eyes when she pulled away. She glanced over her shoulder at Bob Pinciotti, dressed up as Santa Claus. "So you want me, huh?"

He nodded his head once and tried to pull her back, but she pulled away again.

"Then you better just ask Santa for me." Her hand slid down, over his stomach, over the fly of his jeans, and then she flounced away.

He shook his head and watched her backside swaying, a wicked grin on his face. His wife was such a damn flirt. And oh, how she'd pay for that little taunt later on.

An hour later

Jackie tugged on Steven's hand, trying to get him off the couch. "Come on, Steven. Dance with me." She pushed her lower lip out. "Eric's dancing with Donna!"

Hyde sighed and shook his head. "Oh, fine," he grumbled as he let her tug him to his feet. He'd had a few beers. "But only for one song, so you better enjoy it."

Ella Fitzgerald began to sing about sleigh rides, and soon, Jackie was laughing as her anti-dancing husband perfectly executed jitterbug type moves, swinging her out and twirling her back into him. They danced, and when she looked down next to her, she laughed harder and patted Steven's chest. "Look at that. Look at your son. He's trying to be just like you."

Hyde looked, and found that Keefer was dancing with Betsy, copying his daddy's moves and trying to twirl the taller and older girl under his arm. He laughed too; it was so damn adorable. And when Keefer and Betsy both grinned and waved, proud of themselves, he waved back, giving his boy a thumbs up. He turned back to Jackie. "Yep, that's my boy. Hooked up with the prettiest chick in the room."

Jackie chuckled and stepped closer to her husband. "Yeah. He's gonna marry Betsy someday, I bet."

Hyde frowned. "No way. Man, she's Kelso's kid! And Kelso is…well…an idiot."

"Yeah, but she's Brooke's daughter too. And Brooke is smart."

Hyde nodded. "True. And hot." Jackie hit him, and he laughed. "Okay, fine. Not hot."

"Daddy! I wanna dance! I wanna dance with you and Mommy!"

Hyde picked up Keefer, and he slung his arms around both parents' shoulders. He grinned back and forth between them as the family began swaying to the music. "I love Christmas! And Santa! I love Santa! I wanna have Christmas again!"

Hyde and Jackie gazed at one another.

"Merry Christmas, Mommy! Merry Christmas, Daddy!"

And they spoke to their son together.

"Merry Christmas, Keefer."

Merry Christmas To All

Four hours later, the Hyde bedroom

Jackie lay on top of Steven, staring down at him as their breathing began to slow, the sweat began to dry. His hands kept her there, and she had absolutely no desire to move. She brushed a damp lock of his hair off his forehead. "Well, I'd say that your peanuts are in very, very good shape," she teased him sweetly. "God, Steven." She closed her eyes and shivered; the passion was still lingering in her body.

Hyde smirked up at her. "Yep. You have a really good affect on my peanuts, babe." His smirk faded, and he sighed. "Jackie…"

The sudden seriousness of his expression puzzled her. "Yeah, Puddin' Pop?"

"I just…" He rolled his eyes. "I'm just…" He bit the bullet. Might as well make her happy. After all, she'd made him happy tonight. In more ways than one. "I just want you to know that…Santa brought me all I wanted for Christmas this year."

Jackie furrowed her brow. "But I know you wanted that car radio, and I couldn't get it. I'm sorry, Steven, but I didn't want to get the wrong one, so I thought I'd wait and you could go with me…"

"Jackie. All I wanted for Christmas…" He shrugged and rubbed her back. "Was for you to be here. And you're here." His hand slipped around to her belly, and his heart skipped ten beats. "And a baby….really?"

Jackie giggled. "Yep, really! I mean, I haven't been to a doctor yet, but Steven…I know. I can feel him. Or her." She shook her head and stared at him, her husband. They'd been through so much together. And he was still here, though she'd nearly screwed it all up. "Oh, Steven, I love you so much."

Hyde smiled. "I love you too, Tink."

A knock on the bedroom door and the call of a little voice interrupted their kiss. "Mommy? Can you come read me another story? 'Cause I can't sleep!"

The parents laughed, and Jackie glanced over her shoulder. "Can I bring Daddy?"

"Yep! 'Cause Daddy does the voices! He's a good big bad wolf!"

Jackie grinned at Hyde. "Yep. Yep, you are."

He smacked her rear end. "Get dressed, babe."

"Okay, but later on, I think we might have to play Little Red Riding Hood."

Hyde nodded, grinning wickedly. "Damn right we will!"

An hour later, somewhere above the Hyde house

Santa Claus smiled. It had been a challenge, this one, making that little boy's Christmas wishes come true. He'd had to start well ahead of time, a few months back, and as he gazed down at the family, all that work had been well worth it. Three people, a daddy, mommy, and in between them, the little boy, lay on a twin sized bed, all three sleeping, all three smiling in their slumber.

Another job well done.

He brushed his hands together and shook the reins of his sleigh. "On Dasher, On Dancer, On Comet, on Cupid. Let's go!"

The reindeer began to move, and Santa took one last glance over his shoulder.

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night."