BTS 10: Everything's Wonderful

Set-Up: I love how adorable Red and Kitty look when they go out for Valentine's Day in Donna's Panties (3.15). With all the drama between Eric and Donna, Kelso and Laurie, Jackie and Kelso, and Fez and Caroline in this episode, I just knew I had to write something about Red and Kitty's dinner and give their fancy outfits some attention. Earlier in the episode, Kitty is helping Eric cook dinner for Donna and he admits to his mom that he pulled down Donna's pants in the driveway. Kitty is no fool, and understands that Donna is not as fine as she claims to be. Later, when Red and Kitty get back from dinner, Red sits down with Eric to explain this to his son. So, this BTS drabble takes place during Red and Kitty's dinner, and Kitty tells Red about what Eric did and her concern over him not understanding that Donna is likely upset about it. Kitty's POV.

I wait until the waiter has finished clearing our dishes before reaching across the table to entwine my fingers with my husbands'.

"Thank you for taking me out tonight, Red." I squeeze his hand. "That was delicious."

Red's smile falters, and even in the flickering candle light I can see the way his eyebrows knit together in hesitation. "Yeah, well…"

"What is it?" I ask, confused.

Don't get me wrong, I loved having a house full of kids, and although he'd never admit it, I knew Red did, too. But sometimes it was nice to get away and just have dinner, the two of us. Red was always more relaxed when it was just the two of us, and he'd been a sweetheart all evening. So, this sudden change in his demeanor was unexpected.

Red considers his words before speaking. "It's just that…I wanted to take you out tonight so you wouldn't have to cook today," Red explains. "But then Eric got it in his head to cook for Donna tonight, and you offered to help him. And I know you Kitty, you probably ended up doing most of the cooking yourself."

"Oh, Red." I chuckle, removing my fingers from his so I can slap his hand playfully.

"It's not funny, Kitty. He ruined my Valentine's Day for you."

"Oh, he did not." I wave my free hand dismissively. "And anyway, Eric insisted on doing most of the cooking anyway." I pause, then add as an afterthought, "I really hope he did a good job, especially after what he did to Donna."

"What did he do now?" Red whines.

I hate to sour his mood further, but I knew I needed to tell Red. Eric hadn't believed me earlier when I insisted Donna wasn't as fine as she said she was over the whole pants-ing incident. Maybe he would believe Red.

"Eric…pantsed Donna in the driveway in front of Steven and Fez." I sigh.

"Dumbass," Red mutters. "And Donna bothered showing up to dinner tonight?"

I nod my head. "Well, that's just the thing. Donna insisted that she was fine, but I think…"

Red finishes for me. "We both know that she's not fine. Fine never means fine. And Eric's too much of a dumbass to know it."

I give Red a knowing look. "Something that runs in the family." He closes his mouth, humbled. "But, you've come a long way, which is why I think – "

"I'll talk to Eric," Red says, meeting my eyes.

A smile creeps onto my face. Red could be such a softie. He didn't like to see Eric and Donna fight any more than I did. And I'm suddenly filled with the most overwhelming love for my husband. I take in his dark navy jacket and his red tie that he chose to wear specifically to coordinate with my red dress. He took me out to this wonderful dinner so I wouldn't have to cook and was the most wonderful father to our kids. Red Forman was wonderful.

My eyes grow misty, and I dab at the corner of one of my eyes with my free hand.

"What's wrong?" Red asks, concern written all over his face.

"Nothing," I blurt. I smile. "Everything's…"

"Fine?" Red teases.

I can't help it. I burst out laughing right there in the middle of the restaurant, causing Red to beam, and my heart to swell.

"No," I say. "Everything's wonderful."