Author Note: Lots of dialog and some good advice

Chapter 22 – Welcome to Kenosha

Brooke unbuckled a sleeping Betsy from the car seat. She lifted out her daughter and handed Jackie the key to her new home. "Brooke, this is gorgeous and you have a gated yard. Betsy gonna love it!"

Brooke smiled. "The yard was what convinced us to rent here. Plus it's only a ten minute drive from the Zoo and Michael's sister Elizabeth."

"Huh, I met her once but Michaeal never told me her name. Unfortunately you're not too far from Casey either. "Jackie unlocked the front door and waited until Brooke walked in to the empty living room. 'Damn it's big in here! "

Jackie wandered around two find it was a nice sized two bedroom house with a gorgeous fireplace. "Brooke this is going to be so nice in the winter." Brooke grinned, "The kitchen is first class, all new appliances and the washer and dryer have their own room!"

Betsy woke up and wiggled to get down. She found her running legs and started chasing shadows around the room. "Do you want to get some boxes now or discuss your issue?"

Brooke grinned. "Let's get some boxes so we have a place to sit."

*

The moving van backed into the driveway next to Jackie's Mustang. Fez's car was nowhere to be seen. Kelso looked at Eric who was looking at him and they both said, "He's lost."

Kelso saw shadows in the living room. "Eric, what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Sure man, what is it?"

Kelso paused. "You know how I kept asking Brooke to marry me? Even after Betsy was born she wouldn't marry me. Dude, this time she said yes!"

Eric was glad for his friend. "Kelso, that's great. What changed her mind?"

Kelso scoffed, "She said I've matured. Yeah, right me - the kettle head? I thought she was thinking about someone else but she kissed me and we did it – I mean we always do it but this time it was different."

"Don't need details buddy. So what did you wanted to ask me because I have experience about?"

"Don't tell Brooke but I'm scared to death. What if I end up like you and Donna? I don't mean it in a bad way but man; you guys were the perfect couple. I don't want to screw this up. I love her - and my Betsy's totally awesome!"

"Kelso, you'll be a great husband. Me and Donna - We got married for all the wrong reasons – we both wanted something different from a marriage and it just didn't work out – but look at you and Brooke. You've been together almost three years and she loves you. You can't turn down a love like that."

Kelso looked out the window and smiled. "Yeah, she's the best."

*

"Spill it already." Jackie instructed her brown haired friend. Brooke was sitting on a box for the bedroom. She sighed happily. "I finally told Michael yes, that I would marry him."

Jackie squealed and hugged her friend. "Oh, you have to let me do the wedding!"

"Of course, but that's not why I need your advice. Do you think he's stable?"

"Like mentally?" Jackie smirked.

Brooke swatted at her, "No silly girl, stable as in able to be a family man? I feel like I can finally trust him and he tries so hard to make me happy. Now with this new job…I think we have a future together."

"Brooke, I think he worships the ground you walk on and if let him, you guys will be together forever. Trust me; he's matured a lot since high school."

Brooke bit her lip, "He wants Hyde and Samantha at the wedding."

Jackie cringed inside, but put on her happy face. "We can arrange that."

"He also wants Donna and Bob. He asked for Kitty but not Red so I don't what that is all about."

Jackie laughed. "Mr. Forman scares him. I can take care of that for you too."

Brooke gave her best friend a hug. "I'm excited and scared and look – I'm living in Kenosha!"

*

"Hey, this may not be what you want to hear, but I told Brooke I want the gang at my wedding."

Eric looked up, "What?"

Kelso grinned, "Hey, I grew up with Hyde and Donna – all you guys. I want you there to see me marry Brooke. I need your help getting them to come back."

Eric winced at the thought of Steven Hyde coming back and what effect that would have on Jackie but then what would she think if Donna was here also? This was going to be very ironic – two ex's at a wedding…."I'll see what I can do to get Hyde out here."

"And Samantha – I know you don't know her but she's smoking hot and I want a lot of hot ladies at my wedding."

"Kelso you ape, you're wife is supposed to be the only hot lady at your wedding." Eric chastised.

"Hey, it's my wedding so I get to help pick the guests. I mean if Brooke lets me!"

Eric punched his friend in the arm. "Let's unload – I still have work in the morning!"

*

Eric left after the van was unloaded. Fez finally found the house and complained that he was ditched although he smelled heavily of Rhonda's perfume. Jackie stayed to help set up the Betsy's room for the night.

Kelso came out on the porch and slung an arm over her small shoulders and said, "Jackie…this could have been you and me some day."

She laughed, "Michael, back in the day you would have been happy with a box of puppies. Look at you now…you are a grown man with a baby and a beautiful fiancé. Brooke is so happy."

Kelso looked at her, "You know, you are one of my best friends – for a girl – and I gotta look out for you right?"

She turned her head to look up at him. "Okay….and?"

"This thing you and Eric got going on? Be nice – Donna was my friend too, but she hurt him."

Jackie smiled softly, "I'm not going to hurt him. I think he might be the one. I just don't want to rush into anything."

"Good, take care of Jackie Burkhart first or Brooke will kick my ass!" Kelso laughed and Jackie pushed him off the porch and into the hedge. "You goon, I thought this talk was for my well being!"

Kelso jumped to his feet. "Well, yeah that too! But you gotta go now and take Fez cuz me and Brooke are gonna get busy!"

Jackie laughed, "You get rid of Fez and I'm going home!" She yelled her goodbye to Brooke and headed to her car.

*

Jackie packed her bag with swatches and some of the new lace from the convention and grabbed her day planner. Olivia Steele sent a new client and Jackie was anxious to meet her. Vicki Jacobs lived in an upscale neighborhood in Kenosha. The houses were brand new and elegant – money was living here.

She parked her little Mustang in the U-shaped driveway and knocked on the big oak doors. A uniformed maid opened the door and showed her the way to the living room. Introductions were made and Jackie got right down to business.

"Mrs. Steele told me this was a baby shower. May I ask how far along you are? I mean you're hardly showing at all."

Vicki smiled. "Oh, I wouldn't ruin my figure with a pregnancy. I have a surrogate. We are seven months along right now and I also want this to be a baby shower/bridal shower."

Jackie nodded her head – this was new! "And the bridal shower is for…"

"Me! I'm getting married to Bill. Aunt Olivia doesn't really approve but she wants to be a great aunt so much."

"How does Bill feel about having the combo-parties? Sometimes the men like to be involved with the baby gifts."

"Oh, this is not Bill's baby. It's his brother David's."

Jackie shook her head as if to get the cobwebs out. "Um, okay, let me see if I got this right. It's your brother-in-law to be's baby with a surrogate and you're marrying Bill?"

"Yes! You are the only one that understands! Aunt Olivia was so great in recommending you! Here's my guest list and I want a male stripper. Make him a doctor…no – make him a carpenter – they are so sexy. Oh, and the baby is going to be a girl so I want lots of pink fluffy girly stuff."

Jackie let Miss Vicki rant on about the incidentals while she tried to wrap her head around this surrogate and does the girl get invited or just the mom-not-to-be? Hmmmm. "Okay, I'm going to assume you already have your dress picked out and all of that right?"

"Yes, oh, I'll need an excellent hair dresser for the party. I want some pink highlights in my hair for the baby. Do you know anyone?"

Do I know anyone? Hello? Fez? "Yes, I know an excellent stylist who makes house calls. "Okay Vicki, let me make some calls and if you have any special location in mind, let me know and I'll get back to you by Thursday, does that work for you?"

"That would be so great! I'll call you if I remember anyone not on my list."

*

Jackie's first stop of business was Fez's salon. She remembered his comment about hat hair and this would be the perfect time to get a trim and solicit his help for the party.

"Oh, Jackie – you're just in time. I have no customers now. Would you like some candy?" She smiled and shook her head no as she sat at the shampoo sink. "I have some business for you, possibly BIG business. Are you interested?"

Fez threw a smock over her blouse and started rinsing her dark brown hair. "Jackie why are you not using that conditioner I gave you? I'm seeing split ends!"

"I missed a couple of times." She closed her eyes as his magic hands shampooed and massaged her scalp. This was the reason Fez got big money for doing hair. He had the best shampoo hands in the business.

"How big of business are we talking?"

"It's a very wealthy family and they are having a bridal shower. The bride to be wants pink highlights. Her girlfriends want something unique."

Fez grinned. "I love doing colored highlights. I'm still waiting for some pretty lady to let me do a Mohawk! But sadly, it only the guys…Yes, I'm interested."

He hustled her over to his personal station and started trimming her hair. "Also, Fez wants to know why you and Eric are seeing each other and not telling Fez!" He tugged on a wet lock of hair and looked at her in the mirror.

"Hey, don't pull …you brown bully! We're not seeing each – yet. We're friends. I like him."

"Don't give me your I-like-him theory. I'm a guy and either we like you or love you. Just ask Rhonda. We lust all the time."

"Fez, you don't get it. I'm protecting myself this time. I don't want to be some rebound girlfriend. I've been there."

"Jackie, don't you think maybe my friend doesn't want to be a rebound boyfriend? Maybe he's scared too."

Jackie looked at Fez in the mirror. "Damn, how did a foreigner like you become such a hairdressing genius?

"It's just my way. Maybe it's all the candy!"

*

Jackie spent most of the day at the library looking up what a surrogate was. She had a clue but thought that she might want to include the poor girl somewhat in the party. She learned that it's not a common method of having a baby but the surrogate is paid pretty well. Okay, maybe leave out the surrogate.

Her next research took her to a women's only dance club. The owner recognized her immediately and invited her back to the office. "We have several beautiful exotic male dancers and a complete repertoire of costumes. So your young lady is looking for a doctor or carpenter? Let me get my assistant."

The owner of Fancy's Dancers called down to the floor. "Bridget? Could you bring up Joe and Steve? Yes, I know but I have a potential job pending here."

"Miss Burkhart, something to have your party consider is if they want the dancers hairless or with minimal chest hair. There's been a big interest in no chest hair lately. I sent out half of the crew to get waxed monthly."

Jackie's first thought was Ouch! She asked about the cost. Fancy replied, "I charge $300 per dancer for a four hour show. It your party wants total nudity, its $500." Fancy leaned forward, "Totally worth it."

Jackie bit her cheek. "What does a show consist of?" Fancy grinned, "Anything you want. We have the regular dancing, like those Solid Gold Dancers on TV or the guys can dance to jazz, rock and roll, pop, whatever music you like. They will even strip or whatever….."

There was a knock on the door and two gorgeous men at least six feet tall, blonde, muscular and with great smiles came into the room wearing loin cloths. Jackie gulped. Yikes!

"Joe, this is Miss Jackie Burkhart and Jackie this is Steve – they are my star dancers and your party would not be complete without these two gentlemen. Boys, give Jackie a little 15 second show."

Jackie saw one bouncing loin cloth, squeaked and covered her eyes. "That's great! Enough! I'll hire them."

Fancy winked as the two men walked out the door. "Okay honey, let me know when the party is and I'll get costumes ready. Oh, take these." She handed Jackie four tickets.

"Come to my club on Friday and watch the show, and then you'll have a better idea of what we have to offer."

Jackie didn't realize her hands were sweating. This was dangerous territory! She heard Fancy's laugh as she ran out the door.

*