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Author's Note: Surprise! Okay not really a surprise since it is Monday but remember I said I might not be able to post today cause of me going out of town but I did so surprise! Lol Thanks so much for all the reviews you guys, I'm sorry I didn't get to message some of you this last week just flew by for me and this week is gonna be a little hectic too, my first midterm for college algebra, 'yippee.' Just another reminder I am not a doctor the only person in my family who is in the medical field is my uncle and he does something with the blood or something. Thanks again for all the reviews and I hope you'll continued to review, cause those things really keep me going! Thanks again and Enjoy!
Kitty shook her head as she looked at the camera, "I never smothered you kids."
"Ha." Red said from his chair, causing Kitty to look his way and send him a glare.
"What was that, Red?"
Hyde swung the camera just in time to see Red give a small smile as he looked away from his paper and over to Kitty.
"Nothing, sweetheart."
The camera moved back to Kitty, who was still looking at her husband and not looking very convinced. She shook her head before looking back at Hyde and the camera.
"Well if I did smother you all, it was only because Red was so tough on you kids."
"I had to be tough." Red called out and the camera moved back to him, "The world is a tough place, Kitty. I was getting them ready for it. You were the one who hurt them with all of those damn hugs."
Hyde moved the camera back to Kitty just before she could answer.
"So the world is a place that has no hugs?" she asked with a frown.
"No." Red replied, "But it should be."
"Oh, Red…"
And then they were off. Hyde did his best as he moved the camera back and forth making sure to film the person who was talking and still be able to catch the reaction of the other person.
"And this kids." Hyde said as he continued to swing the camera from Red to Kitty "Is the weekly debate of 'The Right Way to Raise Kids.'"
He filmed a few more seconds of the argument before speaking again.
"Can you believe they raised seven kids, together?"
Kitty sighed and raised her hands up, stopping Red from saying anymore.
"Ok, ok. You can say what you want, Red." she finally gave in, "But it won't be important, because this is my video and it's what I say that is important."
One more time, Hyde shifted the camera back over at his surrogate father and caught him rolling his eyes in annoyance.
"And I think it is important to hug your children and show them just how much you love them. Babying them every once in awhile is ok." she went on, "Because if you don't, they could turn into a grumpy old man."
Kitty sent her husband a knowing look and Hyde laughed. However, he didn't move the camera to Red's direction because Kitty had already started talking again.
"And you're never too old to be babied."
"Come on, Mom." Hyde said as he got ready to disagree, "I know me and Jackie and everyone else haven't reached that age…and we probably won't for a long time. But there's gotta be some cut off point, right?"
"Nope." Kitty answered with a shake of her head, "The law may say that you're adults but you all will always be my little babies."
~*~
It was well into the afternoon now. Everyone had gone off to do just what they had said they would do, during breakfast. Donna and Randy had left to The Hub. They also planned on visiting the old radio station Donna use to work at after wards. The Kelsos and Fez had left to Funland. Betsy was happy to go but Kelso and Fez seemed to be even more excited.
With more than half of the group out of the house, the remaining three went on to do their own things. By themselves.
After his exit from the kitchen during breakfast, Hyde had gone up to visit with Kitty. About an hour and a half later he had decided to come downstairs, to let Kitty get some rest and so he could give calling Red and Laurie another try.
Eric was keeping himself entertained in the basement by watching TV on the old set. He wanted to stay as far away from Hyde as he could. It was his own good.
Jackie, meanwhile, was up in the kitchen. She had cleared up the table and attempted to sweep up the floor, but after missing the dust pan three times she put the broom away and pulled out the latest issue of People Magazine.
In between articles though, Jackie would get up and check to see where Hyde was. She knew he was still mad at Eric—heck a blind and deaf man could figure that out—but she also knew that Eric had to see his mother. Even if he didn't want to.
After finishing a review on the new movie, 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off,' Jackie dog-eared the page and stood up to walk over to the swinging door.
Ever so carefully she pushed open the door and stuck her head out to find Hyde standing in the room with the telephone against his left ear and his back towards the stairs. Good so far. Now all Jackie had to do was listen to his side of the conversation to find out just how much time she had to get Eric out of the basement and sneak him past Hyde and up to Kitty's room.
"Red Forman." Hyde repeated into the receiver, "He's there for a veteran's convention." there was a pause and then Hyde's frustration made it's way out, "No, I don't know what room he's in, but I know you people do."
"So…No. No, don't put me on hold. I have something extremely important to tell him. You can't put me on hold. Don't…." Hyde tried to stop the person on the other end but failed and instead heard the waiting music instead of a person trying to contact Red.
"Damn it." Hyde grumbled and then waited in silence for a few seconds before the tune began to catch on.
"Don't tell me what it's all about." he sang in annoyance before getting into it, "Cause I've been there and I'm glad I'm out. Out of those chains those chains that behind you, that is why I'm here to remind you…"
Jackie covered her mouth to try and stifle her laugh as she watched her ex-boyfriends performance. She practically used all of her strength to pull herself away from the scene and over to the basement.
"Hey Eric," she called down the wooden stairs, "there's some new spoilers for the new Star Wars movie in this magazine!"
Not two seconds later Eric was at her side trying to catch his breath.
"I knew that would get you up here." Jackie smirked, "Come on."
Eric furrowed his brow, he thought he was coming up here to get some juicy details about Star Wars. Following Jackie would not lead him to anything that dealt with Star Wars. He was sure of it.
"Wait Jackie, where are we going?" he asked as followed behind Jackie while she walked through the dinning room and to his father's den.
"Sh!" she told him glaring back at him, "Do you want to see your mother or not?"
"What about Hyde?" Eric asked not answering her question, because he didn't know if he was ready to see his mother just yet.
"Sh!" she told him again before looking out through the entrance of the den and into the living room.
Hyde was still on the phone, still singing along to the waiting tone. Eric followed Jackie's eyes and saw his adoptive brother and held back a laugh. Though he couldn't stop himself from smiling and wishing he had a camera.
Eric felt a slight nudge on his left shoulder and looked over to see Jackie moving her head towards the staircase with her index finger over her lips. Eric nodded, he had no idea what had caused him to do so, but he did. Then Jackie took the lead up the stairway with Eric not far behind.
They managed to go up the stairs quickly and quietly and most importantly unnoticed by Hyde.
"Ok, go on." Jackie said to Eric once they were in front of Kitty's room.
Eric stared at the closed door. He couldn't bring himself to turn that knob and go inside; he didn't know what he would find on the other side. Of course it would be his mother, but would it really be her? Would she look so sick and frail that he wouldn't be able to recognize her? Maybe she wouldn't even want to see him; it had been a while since his last visit.
He couldn't do this it was too soon.
He sighed, "Jackie…"
"Fine I'll go in first." she told him, sounding slightly annoyed.
That wasn't exactly what he had planned, but it did sound better than going in alone. Wait he'd rather go into a room with Jackie than go in alone? When did that start happening?
He watched her walk closer to the door and just before she pushed open the door, she swung around, gave Eric a serious look and pointed her finger at him. She kind of reminded Eric of Red. Except maybe not as scary.
"But you better not take off." she told him, "I'll chase after you and I'm wearing my pointy shoes!'
That was all Eric needed to know. He rapidly nodded his head up and down causing Jackie to smile before she turned her attention back to entering Kitty's room.
"Wait here." She ordered and then open his mother's bedroom door and stepped inside, making sure to close it behind her.
"Hey Mom." Jackie greeted with a smile once she was in the room, "How are you feeling?"
Kitty smiled, not her usual Kitty smile but a still a smile. She had been writing something down on a yellow legal pad but stopped and put it face down on the night stand when Jackie came in.
"I'm doing alright, dear."
"Good." Jackie nodded before hopping onto the bed beside her, taking Red's usual space. She smiled largely at her adoptive mother, "Guess what I did."
Kitty turned towards the tiny brunette and tried to hide her frown with an uncertain smile, "Jackie sweetie, the last time you said that, you had done the laundry and had turned everyone's whites pink."
"But they were clean." Jackie was quick to remind.
"Yes they were." Kitty smiled back and patted the young girls hand, "Now what did you do this time?"
"I got a surprise for you." she sing-songed with a grin as she climbed off the bed before she headed back to the door she had come through.
Kitty watched with a frown, wondering just what Jackie was talking about. Jackie slowly pulled the door open and revealed to Kitty a sight she had longed to see for months.
Kitty's frown immediately disappeared and shock took its place before a large Kitty like smile replaced that. Eric just stood in his spot, a tiny smile on his face.
He raised up his opened left hand, "Hey Mom."
"Oh Eric, my baby!" Kitty cried as her eyes became glassy with tears.
Kitty then threw the covers off of her legs and slowly started to climb out of bed. Eric watched wide-eyed as his mother took a few steps toward him and looked over to Jackie. He didn't know if her walking was normal, if she was even supposed to be walking. But instead of catching Jackie's eyes he found that she was already at his mother's side.
"Mom no, you have to get back into bed." Jackie said holding onto Kitty's IV free arm.
"Oh Jackie, I'm fine.' Kitty argued, "I want to go welcome my baby boy. He hasn't been home in months, he deserves a good ol' motherly welcoming."
"But you shouldn't be…"Jackie began to protest.
Eric noticed the obvious trouble Jackie was having and he could tell more would probably come. He didn't want that, so he decided to step in.
"Um ok." he said getting the two women's attention, "Hey Mom, how about I meet you in the middle?"
Kitty smiled and nodded, "Ok."
Kitty took only a few more steps forward while Eric made his trip longer and faster. He had noticed that Jackie apparently didn't think it was a good idea for Kitty to be moving faster or more than she should—and so he decided to try to keep her from doing so.
As soon as Eric was close enough to her, Kitty wrapped her arms around his neck and used all her strength to hug him towards her. All her strength budged him only a few inches. Eric was surprised at how weak his mother actually was, but he didn't want her to know, so he leaned down and hugged her back hopping he didn't hurt her.
Jackie watched from the side. She smiled at the scene, proud of herself for helping create it.
"I knew you'd come." Kitty whispered to Eric while she continued to hold onto him.
Eric remained silent. He didn't want to tell her the truth about him almost not coming, how he wouldn't even be here if Jackie hadn't scarred him over the phone. Instead he just tightened his grip on her.
"Mom," Jackie called out in a soft yet still firm voice, "I think you should lie back down."
Kitty slowly let go of her son and then looked over at Jackie. She sighed and shook her head before getting back into the bed with some help from Jackie.
"My little watchdog." Kitty joked to Eric as she gestured towards Jackie who smiled and went back to standing off to the side.
Eric smiled and took a seat at the foot of the bed.
"Ha ha." He said as he pointed at the brunette, "She called you a dog."
"You better watch it, Eric." She told him with her arms crossed over her chest, "My bite is even worse than my bark."
The mocking smile he had on before vanished at Jackie's words. What did she mean by that? Was that like a real warning? Was it a threat? Did she really bite? Wait was it some kind of sexual comment? Did she…"
"Eric." Kitty called for the fifth time, at last getting his attention.
"I'm sorry, what Mom?" he asked with a confused scowl after shaking his previous thoughts out of his head.
"I was asking how you were."
"Oh." He answered with a nod and then realized he hadn't exactly answered the question, "Oh! Oh yeah, no I'm good."
His mother smiled, "Good."
"Yeah." Eric smiled back, "How about you Mom, how are you?" before Kitty could answer Eric realized what he had asked wasn't the greatest question, he quickly tried to cover himself but that was easier said than done. The two women frowned as he rambled on. "No I mean, I know how you're doing. I meant you look good…I mean no you don't. I mean you do but…"
"Eric, Eric, honey." Kitty interrupted as she put her hand over his, getting him to quiet down, "It's ok. I know what you're trying to say."
Eric frowned. He didn't even know what he was trying to say, "You do?"
"Well, I think I do." Kitty answered honestly with a small smile, "But I don't want to talk about me. Let's talk about something else."
Eric nodded, that seemed like a good idea. But how could they not talk about her and…this whole thing. It was like an elephant in the room. But if he had avoided it for this long, he shouldn't have too much of a problem. Except for one.
"Like what?" he asked
"Well…" Kitty thought for a few seconds, "Oh I know. How's your class doing?"
"They're great." Eric smiled as he thought about his fifth grade class over in Seattle; they were a great group of kids. He loved that class and they loved him. His classroom 203 was more of a home than the place he was actually living was.
"They're all passing too with high A's and B's." He told his smiling mother, "Well except for one kid, but he eats glue so I don't think it's really all my fault."
Kitty smiled and nodded along as Eric continued talking about work over in Seattle.
"Oh and yours truly is up for teacher of the year." Eric proudly shared as he puffed up his chest out some.
"Oh sweetie, that's wonderful." Kitty said as she gestured for Eric to move closer, when he did she enveloped him in another hug, "I'm so proud of you."
Eric smiled as he pulled out of the embrace, "Thanks Mom, but I haven't won yet."
"But you will."
"Maybe." He shrugged, "I mean I did have something that the other two teachers didn't have."
"What was that?" Kitty questioned.
"Perfect attendance."
Kitty's smile fell and a feeling of remorse came over her, "Oh honey, I'm…I'm sorry." She shook her head, "If I hadn't gotten so sick you wouldn't have had to fly all the way out here. You could be in class and still have your perfect attendance. And you'd have a better chance of getting that award."
Eric frowned in his mother's direction for a few seconds. He didn't want her to feel bad about getting her getting sick. He looked over at Jackie or some help, but she just lifted her hands up in a way that let him know she was staying out of it.
"Mom, it's ok." He tried to reassure her, "Really. Those guys have missed like fifteen and seventeen days. I'm only gonna miss like two."
Both Kitty and Jackie looked at him.
"Two days?" his mother asked.
"Yeah." Eric nodded, "Well maybe three, since I got here yesterday…"
Kitty looked over at Jackie giving her a 'He was here yesterday and you didn't tell me' look, but Jackie kept her eyes on Eric. He hadn't mentioned this two days deal to her before.
"See I'm gonna go back to Seattle late tomorrow night. Then I'll go to school, teach Thursday and Friday." Eric began to explain, "Then I'll get back on a plane Friday night and I'll be here for the weekend or you know until Sunday because that's the day I'll leave so I can be back in Seattle for Monday."
Jackie's frown deepened with each word Eric said. She couldn't believe he was going to leave, tomorrow to top it off. Everyone else had made plans to stay at least for the whole week, but Eric, Kitty's son was leaving tomorrow. She shook her head and looked over at Kitty, luckily she didn't look to upset; too bad she couldn't say the same for herself.
She released a deep, loud, upset sigh before exiting the room. Eric frowned and turned around to catch the end of Jackie's exit. Why was she mad? Why was she more upset than his mom?
"You're coming back though, right?"
Eric turned back around to face his mother. She looked at him with sad almost wishful eyes. He couldn't tell her 'no,' even though he wasn't exactly sure he could make himself come back here again. He'd had a hard enough time this time around.
But slowly he nodded, "Yeah."
"Good. That's all I need to know." Kitty told him before letting out a small laugh, "Now come on, let's finish talking. Are you still living in that little room?"
"Apartment." Eric corrected with a smile, his old place had been pretty small. He had to set up his bed in the living room "And no. I am still living in the same building, but I've got a different place. It's a two bedroom."
Kitty smiled, "Ooh fancy."
"Yeah, I turned the extra room into this Star Wars shrine. All Star Wars all the time…" He continued to ramble on.
Kitty listened to her son talk on about his favorite room in his new place, when suddenly she felt a familiar pain. But just because it was familiar didn't mean she had gotten used to it. She closed her eyes and frowned abit while her hand grip tightly to the sheet that was covering her.
"I guess I should've brought pictures. It's so cool Mom…Mom?" he finally noticed the discomfort Kitty seemed to be in, "Are you ok? Do you need me to get Jackie?"
Kitty shook her head and took a few minutes before answering, "I'm fine, Eric. Keep telling me about your room. I'm listening."
Eric watched his mother for a few seconds. She never opened her eyes back up and the distress expression her face was showing did little to ease his nerves. But she wanted him to keep talking about his Star Wars stuff. He could do that.
"Ok well um." He cleared his throat, "It's got some posters of the movie. And I put in all of the action figures I've got of the characters. Oh I've gotta get some of the ones I left here. And I've…"
He drifted off as he noticed that the pain his mother was feeling wasn't going away. Her deep breaths and even deeper frown told him that it was only getting worse.
"I've gotta get outta here." He said out loud with a shake of his head as he stood up from his seat on the mattress.
Kitty waited a few more seconds, for the pain to subside. It was taking longer than usual. Though the pain had yet to go away, Kitty called out her son's name in hopes of stoping him; however by the time she opened her eyes Eric had already left the room.
Author's Note: There you go Chapter 6 of "Two Weeks" Hope you liked!
Be sure to check in next Monday to find out where Eric went!
Until next time, thanks for reading, hope you liked, please review and lemme know what you think, stay tuned, take care, and have a nice day!