Author Note: So Hyde is back and has an agenda…pay close attention to this fluffy little chapter…the plotting continues...
Chapter 44 – Using Fez
It was the last Saturday before the Kelso wedding. Eric woke up early noticing that the apartment was a little cooler than ordinary. He carefully slid out of bed and went into the living room. It had snowed overnight and was lightly snowing now. Everything was blanketed in white and quiet.
Eric smiled at how something so ordinary became extraordinary when he saw it through Jackie's eyes. She had been complaining about the rain and was anxiously waiting for it to snow. Eric promised to take her ice skating at the first snowfall and she bowled him over with kisses.
He clicked on the thermostat to warm up the apartment and filled the coffee maker for later that morning then he headed back to the bedroom. Jackie had rolled over to lay in the warm indentation left by his body. She was shivering a little as he slid in beside her. Instinctively, she sought his body warmth and snuggled against him.
Eric could smell the new flowery shampoo scent in her hair and her skin was soft and warm and he could feel himself getting aroused. Down boy! Too early in the morning! Eric closed his eyes and thought about how the past weeks had been so wonderful. Jackie's promised 'bitchy' episodes usually only happened when he left the toilet seat up in the middle of the night. Eric smiled; even then they kissed and made up quickly.
He moved the hair off her neck and kissed her just below the ear. She trembled slightly. He ran a light finger over the curve of her face and down her throat and over her collarbone. He kissed her bare shoulder and hugged her tight as he felt himself falling back asleep.
It seemed like he'd only been asleep for seconds when Jackie started squealing and jumping on the bed. "Eric, wake up! It snowed! "She jumped up against to look out the window, "C'mon, baby it snowed!" Eric opened his eyes to see her beaming expression. She tugged his hand and led him to the living room. She opened the drapes and gasped at the huge expanse of white. "I can't even see my car!"
She turned around and hugged him. "What time are we going?" Eric feigned ignorance. "Go where?"
She glared at him but a twitchy little smile let him know she wasn't angry. "You promised."
He smiled. "Ice skating – let's get some breakfast and find out where it's safe. I don't think I want to go swimming today."
"Oh goody! I love skating – it's like dancing on ice!" She was quickly shedding her clothes and dashing for the shower. Eric shook his head at her silliness and went to pour a cup of coffee.
*
The El Camino pulled into a parking space that wasn't covered in snow. He looked at the apartment complex that housed three of his friends. Fez lived in apartment 204 which of course had to be upstairs. Hyde didn't see the Vista Cruiser and didn't know what Jackie drove so he would just make this little visit to see Fez and get a layout of the area. Who knows maybe an empty apartment would magically show up?
*
"Hyde…nice to see you friend. Come in to my apartment of love." Hyde looked for an unloved place to sit. He found a metal folding chair by a small table. "Yeah, I had to get out, Red was started to make chores for me. Its Saturday man, I need a day off."
Fez made some cocoa and squeezed some canned whipped cream on top. "You want some chocolaty goodness?"
"Nah, I'm good. Say I was wondering if you could show me around town a little? I want to make some signs to advertise the store. Kenosha's just a few minutes from Point Place and I gotta make some money."
"Aiiy, that is so true friend. Have you had breakfast?"
"I'm still good. How about you finish your drink and we take a drive?"
Fez grinned. "Okay, but I'm taking you by Rhonda's."
"Hey, I got no problem with that."
Fez smiled – it was good to have a friend to hang out with that was single.
*
Thud. That was Eric's third time falling on his butt. He struggled to his feet but his coordination wasn't at its best. Jackie's giggling didn't help matters much. She glided over to take his gloved hand and help him back to his feet. "Oh Eric, quit showing off – you're making me look bad!" she teased.
"I'm making you look bad! Skate over her so I can frog you Missy." She laughed joyfully as she skated backwards just out of reach. Eric chased her out on the ice and she grabbed his hand and they skated together like they were dancing. Eric hadn't done this since he was a kid and the fact that he had the wind blowing through his air and his face was freezing did nothing to diminish the fact that it was exhilarating. Jackie let go of his hand to do some little spins and gracefully skated back to him nearly knocking him over.
He reached out and wrapped his gloved fingers around her arms and pulled her closer, their tufts of breath warming the air. She was so lovely, her face all pink from the exertion and her eyes bright with excitement. He caught her chin with his fingers and brought her even closer for a kiss.
Jackie felt dizzy from the spins and from Eric's hands on her arms and his velvety tongue swiping her upper lip. She wrapped her arms around his neck and his hands went to her waist to keep her close. "God I love you so much." He whispered by her ear then finding a throbbing pulse in her neck he kissed her there – feeling her pulse quicken.
Her heart felt like it was going to explode. Eric's warm breath was on her neck and he was saying the sweetest words like they were a song. She moaned into his mouth and kissed him back, pressing herself against his chest. "I love you too Eric."
Eric took her hand and twirled her away and pulled her back with a grin. "Unless you want to make love on the ice, you better start skating. I'm giving you a five second head start!" Jackie squealed with delight and headed towards the car.
*
There were few people out on the road but that didn't stop Eric from taking Jackie to their favorite little diner for some cocoa and pastries. The tires on his camaro hugged the road and the drive was very smooth. Eric chose a booth with padded seats since his dignity had been bruised three times already.
"So do you want whipped cream or marshmallows this time?" He asked.
"Guess."
Eric smirked, "Not this time, Missy, because whatever I guess, you'll get the opposite." She pouted, "Spoilsport. I was going to surprise you and get both."
Eric laughed. "I never would have guessed that one. Hey, what is it I have to do on Monday?"
Jackie pushed his shoulder, "Final fitting for your tuxedo silly. The wedding is Friday, remember? Are they going to hassle you at work because I could make some calls…."
Eric grabbed her hand, "No, I remembered and I don't need you to go bitchy on anyone at this time okay?"
There was a loud skidding sound coming from outside the diner and then a blaring horn honking. Jackie and Eric looked around their booth to see a familiar El Camino fishtailing down the icy street. They looked at each other.
"Shit."
"Crap."
"I love you."
"I love you more."
"This doesn't change anything." He said more for himself than for Jackie.
"If he ruins the wedding I'll kick his ass with my pointy boots." She promised. She looked at Eric who gave her a tentative smile. "Now that's something I'd like to see."
"Why do you think he's back?"
Eric shrugged. He had an idea but didn't want to get Jackie upset before the wedding. She already had a lot on her mind with the planning and organizing and didn't need to worry about Steven Hyde making a play for her. Furthermore, why was he in Kenosha?
*
Steven dropped Fez off back at the apartment and still no Vista Cruiser. "Hey, can I come visit you during the week? It'd be cool to drink a couple beers after work."
"Oh Hyde, I don't know, I'm going to be busy getting ready for Kelso's wedding. I have lots of clients that are getting perms and high lights. Maybe next week."
Shit. "Okay pal, maybe after the wedding. I got your number – I'll call you!"
Fez waved as Hyde backed out and into the street then he hurried to his apartment to get out of the cold. How odd that Steven Hyde wanted to be his friend after all this time?
*