Disclaimer: I own nothing, nothing.
Author's Note: Hello All! Did you miss me? I know I missed you guys! I am soo sorry fro not updating last week. Time just got away from me. But I did use my time wisely this last week, when I didn't post. I'm close to finishing up the next chapter. However that doesn't mean I'll be posting that later this week, but it does mean I'm getting ahead an d perhaps no more later updates! Just in time for summer right? Can't believe it's already here. Can't believe this is the last update I'll be making while im in high school. Pretty sad. But onto good news, the chapter is pretty long! Yay! Now please remember I am not a doctor, or a nurse, or work in a hospital. And thanks so much for your reviews and support! It means so much to me! Now you've waited long enough go on, read and Enjoy!
"But I still don't get how you knew it was us who'd painted the water tower." Hyde said from behind the camera, "We talked about that place…at all!"
Kitty just smiled, "A mother knows, Steven." She explained, "Remember that."
"She may not have to hear it or see it. She doesn't even have to have any clues at all. She just knows."
0o0o
Thursday morning came and Eric was quick to wake up. His body was quickly getting used to the new time zone, it had lived in for so long.
Him being comfortable with the time change wasn't the only reason for his quick awakening. He was actually feeling a lot better than he had when he had first arrived back in Point Place. He'd talked things out with Hyde, Jackie was going to help him out with his mom, and he was gonna see his mom later on today…along with his dad.
Actually those last two things still had him shaking abit, but not as much as the second thing on that list.
Though he was sure Jackie would keep her word, and would in fact help him, he had yet to get use to the devil helping him.
Climbing out of Jackie's luxurious bed, Eric head over to the corner of the room to get his change of clothes.
It wasn't until he was inches away from where his suitcase was supposed to be, that he remembered why he had slept in his clothes from yesterday.
Jackie.
Eric sighed before looking at himself in the full length mirror of the closet door. He looked pretty decent, luckily he hadn't gotten his shirt or jeans too dirty yesterday. But he did still need to brush his hair and teeth. He bent down to get his toiletries, only to pop back up with a deep glare on his face.
The Devil.
He thought to himself before deciding that Jackie's idea of keeping his luggage hostage was ridiculous and exiting the bedroom.
He kept his thoughts on finding Jackie and figuring out what he was going to say to her to get his stuff back—or at least his tooth brush—as he headed for the stairs while also trying to be quiet for anyone who was still asleep.
By the time he was at the staircase and had climbed down the first two, he had a pretty good plan. However, when he looked to his right he forgot every detail about it. Some could even say he might have forgotten how to walk, as he had stopped in his tracks and watched the scene before him.
It was Donna and Randy again. They were asleep on the sofa bed, but unlike yesterday when the only contact had been Randy's arm on Donna's waist, this mornings' had much more.
Randy's arm was around Donna's shoulder, holding onto her unlike the draping it had done yesterday. And Donna was snuggled up against him, her head resting on his shoulder. And while Eric wasn't very close to the couple, he could see the slightest smile on her lips.
It was so fait that even if someone was closer to them, they wouldn't be able to recognize it; but Eric could. He'd know Donna for almost his whole life and he may not have always know when she was upset, but he knew she was happy. And right now, she was happy.
Eric looked down at his feet, forcing hem to go down the remaining steps, while at the same time reminding himself to stop looking in that direction in the mornings.
As Eric entered the kitchen the glass side door was being slid open by the brunette he'd been looking for seconds ago.
Jackie didn't seem to notice him, and Eric was slightly grateful for that. If she had seen him, she would have also caught the smile of on his face that he still wasn't quite sure how it'd got there.
This sight had been a lot better than the previous one he'd just seen. There was no ex of his being held by another man and being happy about it, it was just Jackie in her winter coat and matching hat and gloves, entering the kitchen with two large white boxes with green polka dots on them.
"Hey." He called out frowning abit as he recognized where the boxes had come from, "I thought you said no repeats on the takeout food? I bought doughnuts yesterday."
Getting over the startle Eric had given to her, Jackie looked over at him.
"This is not a repeat. You bought Dunkin Doughnuts. I bought Krispy Kreme. Which everyone knows is so much better." She told him in a matter of fact tone as she placed the boxes on the table and then turned back to him, "And by the way, good morning to you too."
"Morning." He said with a smile, and then let it fall, "And a doughnut's a doughnut. And even if they weren't, Dunkin' Doughnuts could kick Krispy Kreme's ass. Dunkin' Doughnuts has the word 'doughnut' in it. Both those words in Krispy Kreme are spelled wrong."
"Oh really?" Jackie asked angrily taking off her coat, "In Krispy Kreme's they have a window so you can see how the doughnuts are made. You can make sure they're not putting anything in the doughnuts and that creepy hairy acne person isn't making them. Dunkin' Doughnuts doesn't…I don't even wanna think about what happens back there."
Eric took a step closer to the brunette, it was fun fighting little meaningless fights. And this was what he was use to doing with the devil.
"Dunkin' Doughnuts," he began, "has coffee."
Jackie's eyes widened abit. That was true. And while Krispy Kreme had coffee, it was really nothing compared to Dunkin' Doughnuts. Thinking quickly, she grabbed one of the rectangular prisms off the table and opened up the lid to show off twelve different delicious looking doughnuts.
"Look at this." She ordered him, "See how fresh and nicely put in these doughnuts are. Unlike old squashed up ones you bought from your precious Dunkin' Doughnuts yesterday."
Eric looked at the assorted parties but he couldn't help but let his eyes drift upwards abit and catch a glimpse of Jackie's low cute green sweater. Quickly he looked back at the round pieces of bread.
"What do have to say to that Forman?" she asked intimidating.
"I…" Eric struggled, the image of the 'V Cut' in Jackie's top was suddenly the only thing his mind seemed to be able to focus on, "I like your doughnuts."
Jackie grinned proudly, as if she knew what he had really been talking about, and closed the cardboard box back up. Feeling more than abit embarrassed, Eric avoided Jackie's eyes and prayed for an asteroid to hit or something to explode…anything that would keep them from going into an awkward silence that he knew he would try to end by saying something stupid.
Well it wasn't an asteroid, but the person who was emerging from the basement looked about ready to explode.
Eric and Jackie watched as Fez marched into the kitchen, fuming as he talked into himself in his foreign language. Though neither one of them knew exactly what it was Fez was saying, they had a good feeling it wasn't anything cheerful.
The young foreign man stomped over to the cabinets and grabbed a coffee mug, then went over to the coffee pot. He lifted the pitcher over his yellow cup, but nothing came out; causing him to slam the coffee maker back on the counter look up and utter more words Jackie and Eric didn't understand, while moving his hands up in the air.
He was beginning to remind his friends of Ricky Ricardo and they had to cover their mouths to keep from laughing.
"And good morning to you Fez." Jackie greeted with a smile, that she tried to keep from turning into a fit of laughter.
"And what is so good about it?" Fez asked angrily, "Nothing, I say! First my back hurts because of the lumpy couch I am sleeping on. Then it was cold last night because I am sleeping in a basement. It is a school day so there are no cartoons on except for the damn educational ones. And…Oo doughnuts!"
Fez's vent was right away forgotten, when he saw the flat box on the table and rushed over to it.
Jackie's smile grew as she saw the excitement on Fez's face and the smile gone from Eric's.
"Ha-ha." She said to Eric, teasingly before walking closer to Fez.
"And not just any doughnuts, Fez." She said over her friend's shoulder as he tried to select the perfect doughnut, "Krispy Kreme doughnuts."
Fez nodded and took a seat in the kitchen chair infront of the doughnut box, to get a better view. "I know, it's ok. I like these too."
"Too?" Jackie and Eric asked at the same time. One tone happier than the other.
"Yes." Fez again nodded, finally looking up from the assorted treats, "I like the other doughnuts that Eric brought yesterday, better. But these are still good."
A grin soon broke out onto Eric's face at the same time that Jackie's seemed to have disappeared. And seeing Jackie's gloating expression fall from her face made Eric's grin grew even more.
Not being able to contain himself, he leaned closer to her, "Ha-ha."
Jackie whipped her head around to face Eric. Her mismatched eyes showing both her annoyance and her anger, and getting Eric to keep his comments to himself. With a scowl still indented on her forehead, Jackie turned to her candy-loving friend.
"What do you mean you like Dunkin' Doughnuts better than Krispy Kreme? Krispy Kreme's doughnuts are so much sweeter!" Jackie argued, "You're Fez! Mr. Sugarman! How can you like Dunkin' Doughnuts better than Krispy Kreme?"
Fez looked up at his goddess, frightened by her outburst on doughnuts. "Krispy Kreme's doughnuts are…too sweet." He explained in a shaky voice, "They hurt my tummy."
Eric held back a laugh as he watched Jackie's expression completely fall and show complete disbelief, while Fez rubbed his stomach like a smile child.
"Oh, I am not Mr. Sugarman." Fez continued, "I prefer, Mr. Candyman. That way my theme song can be the one from Willy Wonka." The foreign man then proceeded to sing the famous song. "Who can take a sunrise, sprinkle it with dew, cover it in chocolate and a miracle or two? The candyman. The candyman can."
"The candyman can cause he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good!" Little Betsy Kelso sang as she ran into the room and over to Uncle Fez's lap—both her parents close behind her.
Brooke smiled at looked over at Eric and Jackie, "Bet you guys can't guess what movie plays, almost nonstop in our apartment."
"Um I'm gonna go with…Mary Poppins?" Eric guessed playing along with the game and causing the two women to laugh.
"No!" Kelso answered with a large scowl, obviously not catching Eric's tone. "It's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, duh! Besides Mary Poppins is scary. I mean come on, a woman riding an umbrella and…Awesome doughnuts!"
Kelso's statement against Mary Poppins was soon forgotten as his eyes landed on his best friend and daughter and most importantly what was infront of them. The box of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.
Jackie smirked as she watched her ex-boyfriend rush over to the breakfast she had bought. She had a good feeling that she knew which kind of doughnuts Kelso liked best. Taking a quick look at Eric through the corner of her eyes, she took a step closer to the kitchen table.
"Oh Michael, you liked the doughnuts from Krispy Kreme?" she asked innocently.
"Uh…" the pretty man paused for dramatic-ness, "Yeah!"
Eric furrowed his brow at Jackie who was smiling away as she tilted her head to the side. She really was determined to show him that Krispy Kreme doughnuts were better than Dunkin' Doughnuts…too bad that would never happen. With a grin on his face, he took a step forward.
"So if you had to choose," Eric began to say, ignoring Jackie's curious eyes, "who has the better doughnuts, Dunkin' Doughnuts or Krispy Kreme?"
"Krispy Kreme."
"Dunkin' Doughnuts." A foreign voice called out at the same time.
Slowly and at the same time Kelso and Fez turned to look at each other, glaring as they did so.
"Krispy Kreme." Kelso repeated.
Fez frowned, "Dunkin' Doughnuts"
"Krispy Kreme!"
"I said Dunkin' Doughnuts!" Fez declared.
"Oh yeah?" Kelso asked, "Well you know what I say…"
As Eric and Jackie watched their two friends fight over the best doughnuts—as poor Betsy sat in the middle—their smiles faded away. As did their interest in the argument. Seeing it being fought this way, showed how pointless it was. After all they had a rule growing up in the basement, if Kelso and Fez took the time to argue over it, it was really just too pointless.
Brooke shook her head as she watched her husband and his friend, "Well my day has officially started."
Jackie and Eric both laughed at Brooke's statement—that was very much telling the truth. Just when Brooke joined in in the laughter, Betsy jumped out from in between her arguing relatives and ran to her mother's side.
"Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!" the little girl called as she tugged at the bottom of Brooke's red blouse.
"And it looks like it's gonna be a regular one." Brooke said to Eric and Jackie before turning to her daughter and changing her voice to a softer, sweeter tone, "What is it, sweetie?"
"I want chocolate milk!" Betsy replied happily, however her mother's expression did not match her tone.
"What's the right way to say that Betsy?"
"Um…" the littlest Kelso thought for a few seconds, "Can I have chocolate milk? Pwease!"
Knowing it wouldn't help Betsy remember her manners, Jackie and Eric tried their best not to laugh or even let a smile escape onto their lips. But that little girl was just too cute. Jackie had to smile, she was her goddaughter after all! And she didn't feel so bad when Brooke turned towards her and she saw her own small smile.
"Jackie…"
"The milk and chocolate syrup are in the fridge." Jackie said with a nod to the fridge.
Brooke smiled back at the tiny brunette before walking over to the brown refrigerator to get the ingredients for her daughter's, who wasn't so far behind, chocolate milk. She made it to just a few steps away from the icebox, when Jackie stopped her.
"Brooke, wait." She called out over the doughnut argument that was still taking place, "Why don't you let me get Betsy's milk? That way you can relax a little bit longer and she is my goddaughter."
"I don't know…" Brooke said with uncertainty.
She had heard the horror stories of Jackie's cooking and had even been a victim of some of the holiday 'treats' she sent out with Mrs. Forman. Sure chocolate milk was easy to make, but so were rice-krispy-treats. The ones she sent them for Halloween proved that they'd been a difficult task for Jackie.
"Come on Brooke, who ruins chocolate milk?" Jackie questioned not expecting an answer.
But got one anyways.
"The same person who ruined instant coffee." said Eric.
Jackie outstretched her arm to smack the back of smirking Eric Forman's head, but got cut off by Brook lifting up her own hands in the air.
"Ok, ok!" she called out to Jackie, "You can make Betsy her chocolate milk. Just don't start fighting with Eric. I can only handle one fight so early in the day." She finished as she motioned to where Fez and Kelso were.
"Thank you Brooke." Jackie replied with a smile and then turned to Betsy, "Come on Betsy, you can help me make your milk."
Eagar to do the mixing part of the chocolate milk, Betsy clasped her little hand over Jackie's and the two walked over to the fridge. Brooke smiled at the moment glad her daughter could spend a little quality time with her godmother.
"See how she took Betsy?" Eric asked, tearing Brooke's eyes away from Betsy and Jackie, "She did it so she can make sure she's doing it right."
Not two seconds after the words left his mouth, two things happened. Brooke gave a small giggle and a flying dish towel collided with the side of his face.
"I heard that." Jackie informed from behind.
Eric smiled shyly and shrugged in Brooke's direction and she smiled back. Then the two of them became quiet and went back to watching Kelso and Fez's debate. That is until Jackie and Betsy with a nice cold glass of chocolate milk, complete with Krazy Straw, returned to the table.
"Tada!" Jackie proudly exclaimed as she gestured to Betsy happily sipping her beverage through the straw. She pointed her index finger at Eric, "Now you can't say that I don't know how to make anything. Because I just made chocolate milk!"
"Hold on a minute Julia Child." Eric said, stopping Jackie's rambling with his hand, "Betsy, how is it?"
The little girl stopped her drinking and let go of the straw. She looked up at her godmother and then at her Uncle Eric.
"I'm still alive." She said nodding her head.
"Burn!" Kelso shouted not missing the chance to call out his daughter's burn, but then went back to his argument. "But Krispy Kreme has two 'K's and Kelso has one!"
Jackie stared over at the tall man, and angry expression on her face. Then she realized he wasn't the one who she should be mad at, he wasn't the one who made the burn. So Jackie turned to Betsy, but just seeing her continuing to drink her milk reminded Jackie that she couldn't even try to get mad her.
No, she knew who she should be upset with. And she turned her head to look over at him.
"Listen here Forman, I…" Jackie began, putting her right hand on her hip and using her left hand to point at her 'enemy.' When she raised up her left hand a bit higher she caught a glimpse of her watch, "I have to make the coffee before Steven gets up."
Brooke noticed Eric's face show alarm when Jackie said the words. At first she was abit confused as to why he made that facial expression, but then she remembered his comment from earlier about Jackie ruining instant coffee. So far Brooke had been lucky enough not to taste the infamous coffee, and she'd kind of like to keep it that way.
"Um Jackie, what if I made the coffee instead?" the tall brunette stopping Jackie from grabbing the coffee pot, "You did get Betsy's milk for me."
Jackie frowned slightly, "Yeah, but that was so you could relax."
"And I am! Now it's your turn to relax. Let me make the coffee." Brooke began, already walking over to where Jackie was, "You go sit down, spend some more time with your goddaughter. Burn Eric a couple of times."
"Well," Jackie said as a smile crept on to her lips, "if you insist."
Jackie then made her way back to the round table, leaving Brooke to prepare the coffee. She never noticed Eric turn back to Brooke and mouth the words 'You are a saint.' Instead Jackie just sat herself down in the chair beside Eric and pulled Betsy into her lap, all the while with an evil-like smile on her face.
"Morning you guys." A new voice greeted the group.
A few 'good morning's and 'morning's were said in response to Donna's greeting as she and Randy walked into the kitchen.
Jackie turned herself around abit in her seat, "How did you guys sleep last night?"
"Pretty good." Randy informed with a nod, before his eyes drifted off to where Kelso and Fez were still arguing, "Score, doughnuts!"
The feathered-haired man quickly made his way over to the battlefield, his mind set on getting a doughnut; however as he paid closer attention the fight, Randy couldn't help but share his opinion.
"You guys are both wrong." He said, standing between both men and reaching in for a doughnut, "The best doughnuts are the ones from bakery at the grocery store in Rhode Island."
Together Fez and Kelso frowned at Randy. Kelso couldn't believe he liked doughnuts from a grocery store and Fez had to fight back the urge to push Randy away and snatch the box away. But they were only Krispy Kreme doughnuts, so he let it go.
Randy picked up a regular glazed doughnut out of the box and grinned as he reached in for an identical one, "Hey guys look, if you turn the over like this, They're boobs."
That did it for both Kelso and Fez. They had been the one to make that discovery!
With angry glares on their faces, the two men looked up at Randy who just continued to smile. They then stood up out of their seats and headed for the basement. Fez leaded the way into the lower level of the house with Kelso not too far behind.
But just before Kelso disappeared into the basement, he came running back to the table and snatched one of the boxes of doughnuts before sprinting his way out of the room.
The actions had pretty much been ignored. Randy had just shrugged and then taken a bite out of his breakfast. Brooke went on with the making of the coffee. Eric was talking to Betsy about her milk. And Donna started up a conversation.
"Hey Jackie, I was kinda wondering if you could help me with something." the tall blonde started to say as she walked closer to Jackie.
Sensing that this could take awhile, and he wasn't exactly comfortable with being so close to Donna especially with her fiancé on the other side of him, Eric excused himself and walked over to where Brooke was standing.
"Sure." Jackie nodded as she played with Betsy's hair, "What is it?"
"Well I know we're here for Mrs. Forman, but you did say we shouldn't spend all of our time with her because she doesn't want that." Donna began and Jackie nodded again, "So I was kind of hopping you could maybe go shopping with me and help me pick out stuff for the wedding. Help me plan the wedding."
"Oh my God, really?"
Donna smiled, "Yeah. I mean that is what a Maid of Honor does right?"
"You want me to be your Maid of Honor?" Jackie asked with wide eyes. Sure she and Donna were close, but over the years they had sort of drifted apart; Jackie had never imagined being asked to be her Maid of Honor again.
"Do you know another midget who'd be interested in the job?" Donna asked teasingly.
"No, no. I would love to be your Maid of Honor!" Jackie replied with a big smile on her face—she loved weddings. "Wait the bride's maid dresses aren't gonna be plaid right? Eh, I'm sure I can pull off either way. Oh Donna this is gonna be so much fun!"
Donna laughed, he was happy to see her friend so happy. These few days she'd been here Jackie hadn't exactly been the same Jackie from high school which was actually pretty good. Still it was nice to see the old Jackie come out for a little bit.
"Yeah," Donna agreed, "and I figured we could bring some stuff to Mrs. Forman too and get her opinion on stuff. You know how she's always liked weddings and planning parties."
Jackie smiled and nodded, "I think she'd love that idea."
"It's not gonna be some huge ball but I really want to have everyone part of it." Donna explained before remembering something else, she turned around to where Brooke and Eric were standing.
After hearing Donna's words, Eric froze and he was relieved to here his ex-girlfriend called out Brooke's name instead.
"I hope I can count on you as a bride's maid."
Brooke smiled, "Sure."
"And Betsy," Donna said turning back to Jackie and the little girl in her lap, "you could be the flower girl."
Betsy smiled largely, "I like flowers."
The was the last part of the conversation Eric heard, because after that Jackie started rambling about dresses and shoes and then napkins. Eric didn't have time to worry about that. His mind was on a bigger concern.
Donna wanted everyone part of her wedding. Was he part of everyone? Did she want him part of the wedding? Did she even want him at the wedding. An ex at your wedding…awkward.
Before Eric could let his imagination run off to anywhere else, the swinging door was pushed open and the member of the group they had yet to see that morning walked in.
"Hey guys." Hyde greeted as she shuffled into the kitchen, receiving a few greetings as well.
"Do you want some coffee?" Brooke asked getting the needed mugs from the cabinets.
Hyde shook his head, "Nah, I'm good."
"Jackie didn't make it." Eric informed in a whisper.
"Oh." Hyde said before a grin broke his face and he looked back at Brooke, "I'll take two cups then."
Jackie snarled at the curly haired man, not bothering to respond to the comment. She had better things to do.
"How's Mom?" she asked.
"She's doing good." Hyde nodded as he opened up the box of doughnuts Kelso had left behind, "Better than yesterday."
"Really?" Eric asked right away, in an almost excited voice.
Hyde had forgotten about his deal he'd made with Eric last night, and the way Eric had asked the question did little to ease his surprise.
"Um yeah. But she's still feeling pretty bad and she's tired…"
"Steven." Jackie called out in a warning tone, interrupting Hyde from going on.
Hyde sighed and looked from Jackie to Eric, "But you can see her."
Eric smiled, surprising himself. He was still nervous about seeing his mom and explaining to her about him running off, and he still wasn't comfortable seeing her looking so frail. But after talking to Hyde and especially Jackie, he knew he had to see her. And he really did miss her.
"Later." Hyde continued, breaking Eric out of his thoughts, "She's asleep right now. But it has to be before three."
"Why three?" Randy asked curiously.
"That's the time Red's flight gets in." Hyde explained, "Which remind me, Jackie you've gotta pick him up."
Jackie frowned slightly, "Me? Why me? You were the one who called him."
"You're his favorite." He replied with a shrug similar to the one she would use when she'd tell people she was Red's favorite.
Not completely happy with the fact that she'd have to go pick up Red from the airport, Jackie sighed, "Fine."
"Granpa Red's a surprise, Uncle Hyde!" Betsy reminded her godfather, causing everyone—but Hyde—to frown.
Brooke took a step closer to her daughter, "Betsy, did you know about Grandpa Red coming before Mommy and Daddy did?"
"Yup." Betsy nodded her head "Uncle Hyde said he's a surprise for Granma Kitty. He gave me cake."
Betsy's mother shifted her eyes upward, away from Betsy and over to Hyde who simply smirked.
"Kids say the darndest things don't they?" he asked, hoping not to get in trouble about that last part,
"But she's got a point." Hyde went on, realizing that if he changed the subject, the cake might be forgotten. Besides this was pretty important anyways. "Mom doesn't know Red's coming home yet. She doesn't even know I called him."
"She didn't want us calling him and telling him what was going on." Jackie informed to those who didn't know, "She didn't want him to worry and rush home."
"Like he's doing now?" Donna half questioned half stated.
"Right."
"Wait," Eric started, "but she's gonna see Dad today anways…"
"Red said he's make up some story to tell her about him coming home early." Hyde informed, "So in the meantime, don't say anything. And if she asks, just pretend like you don't know anything."
"We need to keep Mom happy and comfortable." Hyde repeated what Red had told him over the phone, "If she found out I called Red, she'll get mad and I'm…"
"Steven!" Kitty could be heard from upstairs, in an anything but a happy tone.
"In trouble."
Author's Note: And that would be Chapter 16 of "Two Weeks" Hope you liked!
Does Donna want Eric part of her wedding? What will happen when Eric sees Kitty? Does Kitty know that Red's coming? When is Red getting home already? And who does have the better doughnuts? Confused? You won't be after the next chapter of "Two Weeks"
Oo quick little note asking for your help if it's not too much trouble. I'm having a bit of a problem coming up with the Kitty and Hyde scenes at the beginning. I have a few ready to go, but they're for special chapters. It would men a lot if I could get some suggestion on questions Hyde could ask, topics they could discuss or anything you'd like to see in the video. And of course you'll get credit for it in my Author's Note. Thanks in advance!
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!