Author Note: All of the activities pre-wedding - fluffy little chapter. (I'm not good at Spanish – don't kill me!!!
Chapter 46 – Date Night
Eric laid half on and half off the sofa. His tuxedo was all over the floor and Jackie lay panting on his chest. "God, I guess I have to add tuxedos to the list of things that get you excited." Eric muttered breathlessly. She raised her head, "Only if Eric Forman is dressed in one."
Eric laughed, "We definitely have to do that again!" Jackie nipped his chest with her teeth. "There's always Friday night after the wedding…."
"Woman! I only have so much Eric Forman to go around!" Eric teased. Jackie sat up on his stomach. "Well, then maybe you want to rest up because I love wedding parties! All those handsome men in tuxedos and shiny shoes and dancing and music…." Eric rose up on his elbows. "Am I competing with someone Missy?"
Jackie wrapped her arms around his neck, "No, I'm just letting you know that Friday is going to be a very long night. Just make sure you're ready willing and able." Eric growled playfully and Jackie kissed him long and hard. "I love you Forman."
"I love you Burkhart!"
*
Wednesday came too soon. Hyde never had a chance to look at the brochures and he had that 3:00 o'clock appointment. Maybe he could just wing it this afternoon. He had spent much of Monday afternoon revisiting the old garage catching up with his old friends. He learned that Roger had been killed when his car was sideswiped by an 18-wheel truck. It was a sobering reminder that life was short.
He parked across the street from the storefront and crossed the icy pavement. The little bell tinkled and Annie looked up and smiled. "Estefan, you came back. Did you look at the brochures?"
Hyde slipped into the chair and pulled the papers out of his hand. "I can't decide. I think I need more help."
Annie smiled. "Always glad to help. Are you coming from somewhere special?" Hyde lifted an eyebrow, "What makes you think that?"
She pointed to his clean tee-shirt and dark jeans. "You dressed up." She teased. "Plus…Creo que usted guapo…."
Hyde looked at her. "What did you just say?" She grinned. "I think you are handsome." Hyde almost blushed. "Well, I clean up nice – what can I say? Annie, do you think you could show me some of the restaurants in this brochure? I can't tell a lot by the pictures, I need to see the menu and the view from the restaurant – that kind of stuff that makes it memorable."
Annie was thrilled. Jackie had told her that on occasion she would be taking clients to locations and to keep track of the mileage so she could be reimbursed. "Let me get my coat. I know of three excellent places to start."
Annie took him to the Lady of the Lakes hotel. The dining room there had an excellent view of Lake Michigan and the colorful boats that dared the winter cold to sail on the waters. Hyde walked to the window and looked at the boats. This was nice – smelled good – not too big of a place. Jackie might like it.
Annie brought over a menu and they looked at the entries offered and the prices. Hyde didn't know if he could afford something this pricey but he wasn't going to tell Annie that just yet. "This is a nice restaurant. Do they get real busy in the evening?"
Annie looked at the size, "Well, not often. It's more of you need a reservation so you can spend 20 minutes or 3 hours if you desire. Notice how the booths are surrounded by the potted plants? It's more for privacy than decoration."
Hyde thought that was pretty clever. Annie pointed to the piano corner. '"They also have a piano bar so you can have drinks there or request a song to dance to."
"How many people book this restaurant? I want your honest opinion."
Annie thought back to what Jackie had taught her. "We use it for anniversary parties, couples getting engaged, Valentines Day is always popular because there are more boats at night. But, the menu is a better price range for some people."
"Hmmm. Yeah, I saw how expensive the champagne is." He replied. Annie took the menu from his hand. "That is not to say that I can't get you some champagne at a discount."
That sounded like something Jackie would say! "My wallet could use a discount once in a while!" he exclaimed. Annie laughed and walked back to the dance floor. "Estefan, come here." Hyde turned and saw her standing in the middle of the floor. He walked over, his boots tapping on the wooden floor. She held her arms out. "Pretend to dance with me."
"There's no music." He said obviously. Annie was not to be dissuaded. "There's always music in your heart." He pressed his hands to hers. "Now, pretend we're dancing and listen to the sound of your feet on this floor."
Annie led the typical box step dance sans music and Hyde could hear a rhythm in their steps. She smiled prettily. "See, when your zapato's – your shoes, hit the floor, you are making music." Hyde thought that was pretty cool. "Yeah, I get it. Okay, let's try the next restaurant."
Steven "Estefan" Hyde spent the remainder of the day with Annie Morgan in the study of restaurants and other romantic places.
*
Hyde got off work early on Thursday with the intent of visiting Fez again, but Fez begged off because of the work leading to Kelso's wedding the next day. So, his El Camino found its way back to the event store.
Annie was wearing a pretty little dress with dark leggings. "Estefan, if you keep coming here, people will start to think you are es novio!"
Hyde looked at her. "You do realize I don't speak Spanish right? You could be cursing at me right now and I wouldn't know it."
Annie laughed, "I'm sorry, it slips out sometimes. I said people will start to think you're my boyfriend." Hyde frowned. She didn't have a boyfriend? Annie Morgan was too nice of a girl to stay home alone every night.
"Hey, I made a reservation at that Lady restaurant. I want you to come with me to test drive it. But order cheap because I'm saving my money."
Annie's eyes crinkled, "Estefan, are you asking me out on a date?"
Hyde blinked. It did sound like he just asked her on a date! Damn! "Well – yeah, sort of. You're the only one I know or even like, that I'd want to eat with. We'll just get a salad. With no cucumbers."
Annie laughed. "What time is your reservation?"
"It's at 6:00 o'clock. I mean, I'm not an impulsive guy; I have to try stuff before I buy it. What if this place looks nice but the service sucks?"
She held up a hand. "No, I really understand. I'd be happy to go with you. Let me call my mother to baby sit. Do you mind?"
Hyde had almost forgotten about her daughter. She came back out with her purse. "Would you mind following me home so I can drop off my car? " Hyde shrugged. "No problem, I'll be waiting outside.
Hyde was warming up the El Camino while Annie locked the doors hugging her arms against the cold. She crossed the street to where her little green VW was parked. She drives a stick. Cool. She was out on the road faster than he anticipated.
*
"Brooke, I just talked to Kitty – your veil came out perfectly and she's bringing it to the church tomorrow." Jackie looked in the mirror and could see Eric sitting on the bed behind her. "Okay, I'll see you tomorrow at noon. I love you too!" She hung up the phone and caught Eric looking back at her in the mirror. She pulled her blouse over her head. "You like what you see?"
He crossed the bedroom in a couple of steps and smiled back at her in the mirror. Without saying as much as a word, he pulled her hair away from her neck and pressed a greedy kiss to the tender spot just below her ear. "Eric, how am I supposed to get dressed for dinner if your mouth is attached to me like a leech?" she teased.
He reached around and twisted the snap on her bra and pulled the straps off, "So now I have to wear the strapless dress?" He kissed her jaw and her throat until she hummed with bliss. "Eric, I'm so sorry to tell you this, but our reservations are for 6:00 and we have one half hour to get ready and be there."
Eric groaned. "I only need five minutes." Jackie let a small smirk of satisfaction flit across her face. "Oh poor baby, it's just dinner with your parents. I think you can handle it."
He looked at her face in the mirror. "You are still wicked. Wicked. Mean and evil."
"That's why you love me so much!"
"Yeah, you got me whipped." He said with a gleam in his eye.
*
Kitty and Red loved the small diner. Red loved that Jackie had given them a Thursday Night Special coupon for a free dinner each month. The owner's daughter loved the engagement party Jackie had arranged and Red was the recipient of the gift book. This was the only time Red Forman got to eat steak.
They had their regular table near the window and saw Eric and Jackie when they pulled up in Eric's Camaro. Kitty squeezed Red's hand. "You know, I bet that after the Kelso wedding, that Eric might ask Jackie to marry him. Look how good they are together."
Red watched the expressions on their faces and could tell they adored each other. "It's a bet. If he doesn't ask before the year is up, I get steak twice a week. If he waits until next year, you can feed me cabbage."
"Oh Red, I was thinking more along of a money bet. Like I'll bet fifty bucks."
Red grumbled. "Oh all right. Fifty bucks." The said couple walked through the doors and found the Forman table immediately. Red kissed Jackie on the head and Eric hugged his mom. As soon as they sat down, the conversation inevitably turned to the wedding that occurring the next day.
*
"Estefan, come here." Hyde stepped into the kitchen of the small duplex. There was a little girl sitting at the table playing with her macaroni and cheese. "Jessie, this is Estefan, mama is going with him to a restaurant tonight. Your abuelita will watch you. That's her grandmother."
Hyde smirked, "I figured that one out on my own. You know she looks a lot more like you than Roger. Too bad about that."
Annie shrugged. "It was good I think she wasn't born. How can you miss something you never really had or maybe thought you had?" Truer words were never spoken. Just minutes later, Annie's mother came into the house and more introductions were made.
"Estefan, this is my mother, Gloria – mom, this is Estefan Barnett." Gloria smiled politely. "Honey, do you mind if I take Jessie to my house? I'm still working on that quilt. I'll bring her back tomorrow night."
Annie was relieved. She had to work the Kelso wedding tomorrow and not having to worry about her daughter was much appreciated. "Thanks mom. We have to go." She took Hyde's hand and led him out of the little duplex. Hyde noticed that she was a take-charge kind of girl. He kind of liked that.
*
"I'm not supposed to say anything but I wanted to get your opinions on something." Jackie told the table group. Eric and Red knew it was wedding related and they both rolled their eyes. Jackie kicked Eric in the shin, "Pay attention. As I was saying, instead of the traditional limo ride from the church to the reception, I booked a white horse and carriage!"
Kitty gasped. "That is so romantic!"
Jackie squealed. "I know! Brooke is going to love it."
Red deadpanned. "Yeah, and Kelso will be riding the horse." Eric started laughing. "Good one Dad."
Kitty frowned. "Red, this is serious. Think how beautiful, a horse and carriage, the snow lightly falling on the bride and groom…oh Jackie this will be just wonderful. I can't wait to see it. I have extra film in my camera."
*
The maître de at the restaurant recognized Annie; giving the nicest window seat to Hyde and his date. Hyde felt slightly under dressed but didn't let it bother him too much. Annie was pointing out how the boats would sail by with their lights on and at dusk, it was easy to see the triangle sails. Hyde was impressed.
The waiter came over with tall glasses of ice water and the menus. He smiled cordially and pivoted on his heel and quietly departed. Hyde motioned to the waiter, "See how stuffy he was? Not polite at all."
Annie gently chided, "He's being professional. He does that because he thinks we might be having an intimate conversation and does not want to intrude."
Hyde thought about that. "Cool. Okay, I can live with stuffy waiters. Let me have a look at the menu." He looked back at Annie. "What kind of intimate conversation."
She rolled her eyes. "Estefan, for all he knows you could be asking me to meet your mother or marry you or something."
"Oh." Hyde clamped his lips shut. That kind of intimate – not after sex intimate conversation, big difference. Annie looked back up at his pensive expression. "Are you fine? You look concerned."
Hyde stared at her big brown almond shaped eyes. "No, I was confused about that intimate word; I thought you meant something else." Annie laughed. "If my English confuses you, let me know – sometimes the words come out and mean something else."
Hyde smiled. "No that's okay. Your English was perfect – my brain was fogged or something. Damn, I didn't know there were so many different kinds of salad. Help me pick one. I don't know Cobb from Caesar without a picture menu."
Annie laughed; Estefan was so funny and didn't even know it. She gently explained the differences and included a salad dressing lesson as well. After a few minutes, Hyde was a very informed salad connoisseur. "So you're saying I can order the radicchio lettuce salad with my ranch dressing on the side."
She clapped her hands. "Perfect. No one would ever guess you didn't know that."
"Hell, I always thought a salad was just lettuce and tomato with dressing. This is cool." The piano bar started to play and Hyde grinned. Okay, that was a little romantic – he could handle a little Billy Joel type music.
"So do we have to order right away or can we try that box step dance again?"
Annie smiled. "You remembered! Hey, very good and I'll let you lead this time okay?" Hyde stood up and bent his elbow. Annie noticed that he shined his boots. He led her to the dance floor where she put her hand in his and the other on his shoulder while his spare hand fell to her waist. She was just the right height where he could look her in the eye or the forehead. She whispered, "Step forward, step right, step together…." Hyde fell easily into the dance and gave her a little spin.
He had to admit he was enjoying himself. They had one more dance and went back to the table. The waiter came over promptly to take their order. Hyde ordered the Cobb salad and Annie asked for the grilled chicken with no cucumbers. Hyde smiled. Okay, so this was a date – no one said that he couldn't see other girls while pursuing Jackie did they?
*