This is it! I really cannot thank you all enough for coming along on the ride with me. I hope you really like this ending, it just felt right to me. It's T rated (hopefully standing for terrific and not tedious).
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Also, to those of you who have left reviews and set this story as a 'favorite': You are awesome! You have no idea how much your reviews mean. Even though the story is (nearly) done, I still enjoy hearing what you think of it. So - if you're reading this now and you have a few moments to let me know what you thought, please review :)
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CHAPTER 20
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Three quarters of the way into Eirc and Donna's wedding the bride and groom are three sheets to the wind. Twirling in a circle to admire her own dress, Donna careens towards the wall, narrowly missing her tiny maid of honor.
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"Jackie, everybody has been asking me for your number tonight" Donna squeals.
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"Aww. did you break it to them that I'm seeing somebody?" Jackie asks, pretending to be touched.
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"To hire you! People love this dress. I love this dress!" she shrieks drunkenly.
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"I do have to pat myself on the back for this one. I mean, I wasn't sure I could make you look feminine, but I totally pulled it off. Yay me!" she cheers, then immediately notices Donna's angered expression.
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"Of course, the dress only works because the bride is so beautiful. I mean, you're the only one who could really pull it off" she forces a smile, hoping she's laid it on thick enough to have assuaged her tall friend. Jackie knows more than anybody that a drunken bride is only one rung lower on the terror ladder than a rogue elephant, and they shut down whole villages for those. "Did I mention you're glowing?"
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"I can't believe you're actually leaving tomorrow" Donna pouts, her mood swinging wildly toward the morose. There was a time when she may have taken the little midget for granted, but now she's painfully aware of how much she's going to feel Jackie's absence and she finds she is genuinely saddened to lose the company of her old friend. "Is Hyde driving you?" she wonders.
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The little pixie shakes her head no. "He offered, but I'd rather take the bus. If he drives, I'll probably refuse get out of the car" she smiles sadly.
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In a moment of lucidity, the newly dyed redhead pulls the tiny brunette into a warm hug. "Hey. I know I wasn't very encouraging before, but I really do think you guys are good together. As unlikely and bizarre as your love is for each other, I can see you going the distance," she tells her as she plants a kiss on her cheek.
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"You really think we'll make it?" she wonders hopefully.
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"Who knows? Maybe I'll be handing out the programs at your wedding next year" she winks.
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A tipsy Eric finishes chicken dancing with Fez and stumbles over toward his bride.
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"I think Eric might be interested in twitching next to you during the next song" Jackie says as she weakly points to Donna's new husband while he 'dances' toward them 'seductively'.
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"May I have this dance, m'lady?" he asks as he bows in her direction.
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Donna giggles and bows back to him. "But of course, m'hubby."
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Jackie's face mirrors her repulsion as she bites back a killer burn. Behind her, she feels two strong arms envelop her waist and a familiar warm body press against her firmly.
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"I know how hard that was for you" he laughs hotly into her ear, sending a shock of heat directly to her loins.
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She leans back into Hyde's embrace. "No, you really don't. Eric was chicken dancing and then he called her m'lady, then she said m'hubby and then they bowed at each other like those freaks who work at the Renaissance fair! It was a perfect storm of wrongness" she shudders, burying her face into the side of his neck.
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"Let's get out of here" he suggests, now gripping her hips.
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The customary tingling starts to form in the base of her stomach as she feels him harden against her.
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"Steven! We're in public!" she snaps, both embarrassed and aroused at the same time.
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"Things are going to get X-rated here in a minute" he whispers, which only makes the tingling inside of her body increase. "Come on baby doll" he growls into the crook of her neck, knowing her weakness for having this spot tended to. "This suit doesn't have a lot of give" he complains.
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She giggles then turns to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Poor puddin' pop. Somebody should really help you out of those tight pants" she purses her lips seductively.
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He hovers his lips above hers without touching. "Are you that special somebody?"
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She licks her lips. "I could be, if you'd maybe..."
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He rolls his eyes and groans, kicking himself for not anticipating one of her unreasonable conditions. He sighs. "Go on" he encourages warily with heavy-lids.
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She closes her eyes and waits for the music to change, then smiles as the DJ plays the song "Alison".
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Hyde's expression becomes tender as he watches his girl sway back and forth in time to the music with her eyes closed. In every situation, she somehow manages to feel things more deeply than anybody else around her. She's as electric as a third rail and he can't help but venture a little too close to the tracks, regardless of the personal danger he faces. The risk is worth it, he decides. For her, it's worth it.
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He grabs her hand and leads her out to the dance floor. He can feel her smile warming him from behind, and there's no feeling greater to him than making her happy. If there's one thing he's realized over the past few months it's that when she's happy, it makes him happy. As the old saying goes, happy wife, happy life. Wait-did he just say wife?
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Jackie tucks one arm under Hyde's and wraps it around his back, the other she rests in his strong hand. She buries her face into his chest and breathes deeply. God she's going to miss his smell. She wonders briefly how long his scent will stay on the t-shirts she plans to steal from him to take to Chicago with her.
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He pulls his face close to hers and feels her soft skin against his scruff. "You finally got to dance to this."
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"I did" she smiles against his cheek. "I'm having fun, but it's kind of anticlimactic after having you serenade me with it."
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"I never serenaded you" he claims, making a disgusted face.
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"What is it called then when a man sings a love song while playing an instrument to woo the woman he cherishes above all others?" she persists.
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"I'm allergic to 70% of the words that just came out of your mouth right now" he grumbles as she laughs heartily at his discomfort.
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Brooke quickly walks over to the couple and tries to hide behind Jackie.
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"You realize Jackie's no good for hiding anything besides a small dog, right?" he asks Brooke. "Who are you trying to shake?"
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The statuesque beauty steps over to hide behind Hyde. "My husband" she whispers aggressively.
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"What did that dipshit do now?" he asks, surveying the room.
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Brooke shakes her head in horror, unable to speak.
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Jackie has an epiphany. "Oh God Brooke, he's not trying to dance with you, is he?"
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The librarian looks up with frightened eyes and hisses "Yessss. He's waiting for a fast song!"
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"Steven, we have to help her!" the ex-cheerleader decides immediately.
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"Where is he now?" he squints, trying to find his friend.
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Just then, the music changes and (Just Like) Starting Over by John Lennon comes on the speakers.
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Our life together is so precious together
We have grown, we have grown
Although our love is still special
Let's take a chance and fly away somewhere alone
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Kelso emerges seemingly from nowhere onto the dance floor and spots Brooke immediately, who audibly groans and reluctantly takes his hand.
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It's been too long since we took the time
No-one's to blame, I know time flies so quickly
But when I see you darling
It's like we both are falling in love again
It'll be just like starting over, starting over
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The dance floor clears as people try to get out of the way of Kelso and his flailing limbs. Brooke, who has had her toes stepped on repeatedly, is practically in tears, while her husband is under the impression that the floor has cleared due to his dancing prowess and he amps up his performance to play to the crowd.
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"I can't watch" Jackie gasps, burying her face into Hyde's palm.
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"How can you not watch? It's like a car accident on the wrong side of the road in slow motion. And in reverse!" Eric utters, mystified.
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"Somebody should do something!" Donna decides, her eyes watering from laughing.
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"What?" Hyde grimaces.
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"What indeed." Eric seconds.
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"I'll do something!" Fez offers bravely.
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"No, you can't, Fezzy. It's too risky. You could lose an eye or have your toe broken!" Jackie pleads with the tan foreigner.
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"I could never leave a beautiful woman in danger, so I'm going to dance" Fez adopts his 'stallion' face.
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Jackie panics. "But Fez-"
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"I said dance!" he screams, holding his hand up to block her as he expertly boogies onto the dance floor.
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Everyday we used to make it love
Why can't we be making love nice and easy
It's time to spread our wings and fly
Don't let another day go by my love
It'll be just like starting over, starting over
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Fez dances over to a relieved-looking Brooke and asks Kelso if he can cut in. Michael agrees, and Fez elegantly spins Brooke around the dance floor until she is back in the safe confines of her friend's arms.
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"Oh thank God!" Jackie blurts as she wraps her arms around the older girl.
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"Holy crap. He's going back in" Donna remarks, amazed.
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"That is one brave bastard" Eric says as he tries to repress a sniffle.
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Why don't we take off alone
Take a trip somewhere far, far away
We'll be together all alone again
Like we used to in the early days
Well, well, well darling.
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Fez approaches Kelso, and soon the two men are vigorously dancing together, having the time of their lives.
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"Should this concern me?" Brooke wonders aloud.
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"Probably" Hyde says as he draws Jackie closer.
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Donna finally snaps. "That's it! I'm going Bridezilla on those two motherfuckers!"
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Jackie mouths the words 'rogue elephant' to the rest of the gang and they give Donna a wide berth.
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Suddenly, the music cuts out and a record is thrown to the floor with a crash. Donna grabs the DJ mic and announces "It's time to throw the bouquet".
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Jackie is visibly uncomfortable at the mention of the bouquet and tries desperately not to make eye contact with Hyde.
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"Jackie, aren't you going over there?" Brooke wonders, knowing how much her little friend likes both marriage and flowers.
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"No, I'm cool" she responds, nonchalantly, garnering looks from her best friend and boyfriend.
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"You can't let Laurie catch it" the tall girl says snidely as she eyes Eric's sister, who is currently an inebriated mess and is hitting on Kelso.
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"Laurie's so drunk she couldn't catch a cold" Hyde cracks. "I can't believe you'd turn down an opportunity to increase your odds of getting hitched" he turns to his doll.
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She pulls Hyde off to the side feeling slightly hurt. "I don't need it, okay? I mean, I do still want to get married one day and have a family, but I don't need you to prove that you love me with a ring. I know."
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He cradles her face in both of his hands and then kisses her. "Come on. Let's get out of here, okay?"
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Jackie nods as Hyde scoops her up and runs out of the wedding hall with her in his arms.
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Watching this commotion, Kitty and Red exchange knowing looks. "I told you it was just like fishing" he smiles as his wife kisses his cheek.
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The next afernoon, the El Camino speeds into the parking lot of the bus depot and the motor cuts out.
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Jackie sits in the passenger's seat, motionless, staring at the floor.
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"So..." he says tensely.
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"So..." she breathes hard.
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Hyde leans over and grabs her hand. "Come on baby, your bus leaves in 20 minutes" he prods. "It's not going to get any easier if we drag it out."
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She sniffles a bit and then nods in agreement. "You're right, but I'm not getting out of the car.'
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"What if I bribed you?" he offers.
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She smiles and looks a him adoringly. "You came prepared, didn't you?"
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"I figured you'd dig your heels in at some point" he says.
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"You bought me shoes?" she asks with hopeful eyes.
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"No. I have something better for you" he announces, holding a large padded envelop aloft.
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"Ooh, is it a present?" she chirps excitedly.
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He chuckles for a moment at her enthusiasm and then nods. "Yeah, it's a present."
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"Can I wear it?" she asks, pushing for more details.
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"Sure, I'd like to see you in it" he says somewhat seriously.
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"But it's not shoes...is it shiny? Ooh Steven, is it earrings?" she squeals, practically vibrating with excitement.
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"This isn't 20 Questions, doll" he smirks.
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"If I remember correctly, we never did finish my game of 20 Questions" she says petulantly as she runs her fingers down the valley of his chest until she hits the waistband of is jeans. "I think you owe me one" she smiles, batting her eyes at him. "I quite liked the physical attention you gave me while we were doing that game."
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"I think you just liked the game because it was all about you" he opines while running his finger down the valley of her chest in echo.
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"That too" she grins.
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A bell chimes to alarm riders that the bus will be departing in 10 minutes.
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Jackie looks up at her Puddin' Pop with sad eyes and pouts. "I don't want to leave you."
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"I know" he responds softly as he brings her into his chest.
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He nervously presses the large envelope into her hands, wrapping his own around hers to make sure she has a good grip on it. "Now remember, don't open this until you get to Chicago, okay?"
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She nods.
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"Promise?" he confirms.
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"I promise" she says as the word catches in her throat. "I love you, Steven. I'm going to miss you like crazy," she sniffs as tears start to flow generously from her eyes.
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He smooths her hair down and kisses the top of her head. "I love you too, kiddo" he whispers.
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She looks up at him expectantly.
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A smile breaks. "And I'll miss you too" he sighs. God, what a pain in the ass she is.
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She kisses him slowly and passionately, trying to get enough affection to make it last for the whole ride.
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"I think I should board now. It's kind of torture being out here with you and I mean that in the kindest possible way" she confesses.
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He leans to kiss her again. "I know".
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"See you on the flip side" she jokes as she heads toward the bus.
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"Yes you will, baby" he smiles to himself as he waves her off.
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Jackie takes her seat on the bus and watches Hyde walk slowly towards the parking lot. She then immediately turns her attention to the padded envelope in her hands and rips open the top.
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"As if I could wait three hours" she scoffs, wondering what the point was of Hyde's stupid rule.
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The first thing she pulls out is an envelope that says "Open Me First". Her brow crinkles and she laughs a bit at this. Steven knows how much she loved "Alice in Wonderland" as a kid.
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She tears into the envelope and pulls out a crumpled sheet of notebook paper inside. On it are the 20 Questions that Hyde jotted down to ask her on that fateful Christmas. She smiles fondly as her eye is drawn to #2, which asks to know what her guilty pleasure band is. Her skin grows hot again at the memory of how that Clash shirt really got him going.
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Jackie skips down to #10 and is relieved she can finally admit that her answer is Steven Hyde without the shame that would have accompanied that response six months ago. She hopes to God he finally realizes it too.
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As her finger skims down the page, she notices that #20 was never filled in. They only made it as far as #19, but she figured he had at least thought of a question to ask her.
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A bit miffed, she pulls out the second envelope that says "Open Me Next" and she feels like a school girl all over again, having a cute boy slip a love note into her locker.
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With one swipe, she opens the letter and then pulls out the white cardstock inside. As she unfolds it, she's astonished to find question #20 written in Steven's messy handwriting on the inside.
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"Question #20 – Will you marry me?"
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Jackie's breath hitches as she slides her hand inside of the envelope one last time, only to pull out a black ring box with the words "Open Me Last" written on top.
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Tears fills her eyes as she stuffs it all back into the big envelope, grabs her bag and screams "I'm getting off!" just as the bus driver is about to shut the door.
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Jackie runs as fast as she can toward the parking lot, praying that she hasn't gotten there too late.
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As she rounds the corner, she finds her boyfriend, leaning casually against his beloved El Camino, smirking away as smug as ever.
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Realizing she's been set up, Jackie drops her bags and delivers a flying kick to Hyde's right shin.
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"Ouch! Jesus Jackie!" he growls as he leans over to rub his leg.
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"Steven J. Hyde, you are a jerk! You set me up! You knew I couldn't wait until Chicago to open that envelope!" she hisses.
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"Well, yeah. I mean, you are Jackie Freakin' Burkhart" he mocks.
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"Well if you think I'm going to be proposed to on a public bus, with the groom not even present, and without even one stupid flower..." she groans, suddenly cut off as Hyde leans into the window of his car and presents her with a bunch of red roses.
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She tries to stay mad, but even she can't manage to resist all of this. She takes the flowers from him and smells them. "They're beautiful. Am I that predictable?"
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Hyde shrugs. "I prefer you that way" he says as he pulls the ring out of the envelope and gives her a serious look. "I know I'm a pain in the ass, but you are too, and I really don't think it's fair for us to, you know, inflict our madness on anyone else in the general population - so it would kind of be a public service for us to, um, get married. Or whatever."
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She shoots him a withering look.
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He continues, trying a different tactic. "Jackie, you're the best person I know and also the most infuriating, but you make me happy."
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She looks astonished.
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"Yeah, I was surprised too" he says. "Most of all though, I love you doll, and just so you know, I do see a future with you. In fact, I really don't see me having one without you."
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Overwhelmed by his words, Jackie is crying now. "If you think, for one second, that I'm letting you come anywhere near me with that ring until you get down on one knee, you are sorely mistaken, mister!" she warns.
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Hyde rolls his eyes, grabs her left hand and sinks down onto one knee. "Jacqueline Beulah Burkhart, will you marry me?" he asks as he slips the ring onto her finger.
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She pretends to deliberate for a moment then screams "Yes!" and leaps into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist and peppering his face with fevered kisses.
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He holds her chin steady and kisses her sweetly, over and over again until their lips are swollen and chapped.
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"What am I going to do about school?" she frets. "I missed my last bus. And now that you've finally given me something shiny it's going to be even harder for me to leave you."
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Hyde opens the door to his Camino and ushers her inside. "I'm gonna drive you to Chicago".
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She looks at his excitedly "You are?"
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He nods. "And I'm also staying there with you, at least for half of each week. I called Angie and she's agreed to help me out part-time until you finish school."
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Jackie is silent for a moment, other than the sound of her tears hitting her pink plastic makeup case.
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Hyde brushes her tears aside with his thumb and holds her hand. "What's wrong?"
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She shakes her head. "I'm just so happy! I really never thought I'd be happy again after...you know."
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"Me too" he says as he kisses her hand and shifts the Camino into drive.
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As Hyde pulls out onto the highway with Jackie by his side, he realizes that she may be right about some people being like magnets crashing into one another. Perhaps they are polar opposites who can't stay away from each other - - -and so what if he's the negative to her positive charge? Together they make a pair and it works. Why question it?
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THE END!
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A/N -Whew! I'm Done!
Epilogue coming next! Was the end everything you hoped it would be? Did this zenfic satisfy your J/H itch? Please let me know by leaving a REVIEW! Thanks again for all of your support.