Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Author's Note: Hello Everyone! Holy Macaroni ! I am really, really, really late with this new chapter huh? A whole month without an update? I am so so so very sorry. School and finals really got in the way but now I'm on vacation till the middle of January and I'm hoping to get ahead with my fics before class starts up again so that this won't happen again. Just gotta get myself on a normal sleeping pattern, right now its like I got to be at 6 in the morning and wake up and 3 in the afternoon. Not good I know. But it's just something else I gotta work on. Couple of notes I am soo very very sorry once again for not updating in so long I hope you all can forgive me. This new chapter is pretty long wink wink. Thank you so very much for all your support and reviews they really help me keep going and I hope I haven't lost too many of you readers. Also please remember I am not a doctor no am I going to school to be one…I am still watching House M.D. though, the man's a genius! But anyywoo thanks again, please forgive my tardiness, hope you like this chapter! Enjoy!
"Fifteen."
"Two."
She tried again. "Ten."
"Three." He replied in his Zen manner.
"Eight."
"Four."
"Six." She said, still not giving up.
"Five."
"Fine."
Hyde smirked as he finally got his surrogate mother to agree on a number—it felt like they'd been arguing about it for more than hour—he was even happier that he had been the one to give the number and not the one to given in on the number. Little did he realize Kitty was only seconds away from making that same offer.
It had been a while since Kitty had taken possession of Hyde's camera, and she still had yet to give it back. She was happy behind the camera and giving her second son a taste of his own medicine. It wasn't that she didn't like the idea of the video, or even making it, she really did love it, however she wasn't so thrilled at the fact that since early noon Hyde had yet to turn the machine off.
"So you get five questions to ask me." Hyde repeated, making sure that he got what they had agreed on on film, "And sine you've only got five, I'm sure you'll wanna take your time. Think of some really good questions, and in the mean time I can…"
The curly-haired young man reached out to get back his camera only to have it pulled back and farther away from him before he could finish his sentence.
"What are you going to tell my future grandchildren about me?" Kitty questioned, she didn't need anytime to think of any of her five questions, "Your children, Eric's children…any of them."
Trying to keep Zen and have his answers be as short as possible, so the questions would come faster and he could be back behind the camera soon, Hyde shrugged his shoulders.
"Nothing." He replied "That's what this videos for. They ask and we'll pop in the tape."
Kitty furrowed her brow from behind the camera as she shook her head slightly, "What if you can't find the video? Or they've already seen it. What are you going to tell them then."
Hyde avoided eye contact with Kitty and the camcorder and then let out a very audible sigh. If there anything he hated more than being infront of a camera, it was being asked these 'deep, emotional' questions. And what he hated even more than both those things together, was thinking about what thing would be like when Kitty wasn't here anymore.
He knew it was inevitable—everyone died—and there was a good chance that the cancer would be the thing that would take her life, he knew all that…but that didn't mean he liked thinking about it. He couldn't think about it. It was too depressing and painful.
But here he was now being asked to think and talk about it by Kitty herself. It was time to face his fear…well part of it.
"Uh…I don't know Mom." He mumbled still not looking at the camera, "I'd tell them lots of stuff."
You could hear Kitty's smile as she asked "Like what?"
"Like…"Hyde sighed again, "How you were strong through the whole cancer thing, and never gave up…how you were strong through pretty much everything and were the one to keep us all together…"
A tiny smile began to form on Hyde's lips; he was finding it a bit easier as he realized he didn't have to think about Kitty being gone to answer the question he just had to think of some important things about her, things he thought about whenever he thought about when he thought of her now. Yet still his gaze remained on his clasped hands.
"I'd tell them how you were a mom to all of us basement kids. And how you and Red took me in and made me feel like I was part of your family even before I moved in."
Slowly Hyde moved his eyes away from his hands and looked at Kitty, "And how I thought you were the only woman ever worthy enough to be called Mom." His smirk grew, "And how you made the word's best brownies."
"Oh Steven." Kitty said obviously touched by his words and feeling as if she were about to cry, "That is just so sweet."
Hyde shrugged his shoulders, "Yeah well…"
"But your still not getting this camera back Mister." She teased still sounding close to tears.
"Gave it a shot." He replied with a playful smirk.
0o0o0o
"You think she told Red yet?" Jackie asked.
She and Eric were sitting at the kitchen table; they had stood by the telephone for a few minutes waiting for any indication that told them they needed to dial that last one. But it never came. The two decided that either Laurie was probably taking some time before going in to see Red and Kitty or Red had reacted a lot calmer to the news. Each of them were going with the first choice.
"No, we'll know when Laurie told Dad. Believe me we'll know. See when Laurie tells Red one of these three things will happen." Eric paused for dramatic effect, "We'll hear Red's shouting of obscurities. Mom or Laurie will yell to us to call an ambulance. Or Red will march down here with his hunting rifle looking for Fez."
Jackie did her best to stifle a giggle with her hand at that last one, but she couldn't get rid of her smile no matter how hard she tired. And that made Eric smile right back.
Shaking her head and still fighting her smile, Jackie started to speak again, "It was so weird tonight though with the whole Laurie thing. And I don't just mean her being here and having Lucy and the rest of her story, I mean…I just…I've never felt sorry for Laurie! But right now when she was talking to us, I did. I really did, I helped her out and was nice to her. I've never been nice to Laurie…well unless you count that trip to Van Stock…"
"You think it was weird for you? At least you two have Van Stock. Laurie and I have never ever been nice to each other." Eric stated trying to out beat how weird Jackie felt about the previous situation, "We have baby picture of me pulling Laurie's hair. And…I am ninety eight percent sure she tried to smoother me with a pillow when I was an infant and sleeping in my crib."
Again Jackie giggled at the argument Eric was making and was sure he had made up.
"You think I'm making it up, but I still have nightmares from time to time!" he declared pointing his finger in the air.
This caused Jackie to laugh even harder and after a few seconds Eric couldn't help but join in in the laughter. It always felt so good to laugh. And he was sure if it was because of what was going on with his mother or because he was with Jackie but these days when he laughed it felt better than it had before.
Jackie flashed him a small smile, once their laughs dimmed out, "This has really been one crazy weird night, hasn't it?"
"Yeah, well a crazy and weird night is pretty much a definite deal when going on a date with Eric Forman." Eric replied with a shrug of his shoulders, "Which is usually the main reason a date with Eric Forman happens less often then a lunar eclipse."
Though Eric had said his words in a joking matter, he himself was laughing a quick laugh, the statement did not sit well with Jackie. She couldn't understand why a guy like Eric would have such low self-esteem. All of those jabs from Red in the past couldn't have done all of that, and besides even then Eric had Kitty there smothering him—her way of trying to make things better.
The brunette tilted her head to the left, wearing a serious expression her face, "You really need to stop talking like that."
"In English?" Eric asked playfully with a pretend frown, "Well I guess I could talk in Spanish or French…but I don't really know any. In fact the only language I know how to speak is English…well unless you count the ones in Star Wars. But really to choose just one…it's too hard."
Jackie did not look very amused, and if her face wasn't enough to show it her tone sure did the trick.
"Ha ha ha." She said sarcastic, "I'm serious Eric, you really need to stop talking so negatively about yourself."
Sensing that joking time was over Eric looked down and fixed his gaze on the table top while listening to whatever Jackie had to say this time.
"You're a really great guy. Your family sees it, your friends see it, I'm sure people in Seattle see it…" she was cut off for a few seconds by Eric's quick scoff, but then quickly picked up where she'd left off, "I'm almost positive your students see it."
That last sentence made Eric feel a slight tug at the corners of his mouth. Still, he contained the grin and continued to look away from Jackie's eyes. However by not looking at Jackie, he wasn't able to notice that she saw his actions. Nor was he able to see her hand reach over and place her delicate, soft hand over his own.
"I see it." Jackie stated and then gave his hand a small squeeze, "It's time you did too."
This time Eric had to look away from the old table and over at Jackie, his newly formed smile meeting hers.
"Jackie," he began to say—not to protest or argue but to tell her what her words meant to him. No one had ever said something like that to him. And he was really enjoying the feel of her holding his hand, he'd yet to let go.
Jackie shook her head not letting him go on, "And I may have said that this night has been 'crazy and weird.' But, it's been one of the most fun nights I've had in a long time."
A wave of relief washed over Eric and he nearly let out a matching sigh. He was quite relieved to find out that Jackie had fun tonight even if it had been a crazy and weird night. He himself felt the same way. And a part of him wished that his previous and few dates from Seattle had been able to find some sense of fun in the crazy weird nights they'd had with him, but that was just a little part of him. The rest of him was just glad Jackie had found some sense of fun in their night together.
"You know," Eric began to say as a playful smirk began to make its way to his lips, "I think I know something that will make this night even funner and better than it is now."
Curiously, Jackie raised an eyebrow, "What?"
"A kiss." He answered a bit smugly.
The former cheerleader let out a tiny little laugh that cause her shoulders to drop a bit before titling her head to the side and giving Eric coy-like smile.
"Eric, I told you remember? Any kiss we have tonight will be our 'Goodnight Kiss' and our date will be over." She reminded and gave a quick pause then shrugged her shoulders, "But if you're ready for our date to be over…"
Jackie then leaned in towards him, her eyes closed and her pretty pink lips pouted and ready for a kiss. The sight was very tempting and the memories of their previous kisses made things even worse for poor Eric. Luckily he found enough strength and swiftly pulled himself back and away from Jackie.
"No! No! Wait!" he almost shouted while placing his outstretched arms infront of a now giggling Jackie, "Ok what if…"
The wheels in Eric's mind were spinning as he desperately tried to come up with an idea. He really, really wanted to kiss her. But he really, really, really didn't want their date to be over just yet. He had to come up with something…
"Oh ok I know!" he said as an idea came to him, "What if we have a small little kiss now as a kinda…'Sneak Peak' to the 'Goodnight Kiss?' You know to kinda hold us…ok me over till then. What do you think?"
A well manicured index finger rested itself against Jackie's cheek while she started to think. She was in the same place Eric really. She wanted to kiss him, but wasn't ready to say 'goodnight' and end the evening…When was the last time that had happened? She had to ask herself. Still just because she wanted to kiss him as much as he wanted to kiss her didn't mean she had to let him know that.
"I guess we could do that." She replied nonchalantly before putting in a twist, "But you'll have to earn it."
"Deal." Eric quickly agreed taking Jackie aback.
Wide eyed with surprise Jackie stared back at him "Wh…what?"
"I said 'deal." Eric repeated trying not to show his amusement at her reaction, "Now close your eyes."
"What?" she asked still feeling confused. One little pep talk and now low self esteemed Eric Forman was turning into a regular Evel Knievel!
"Close your eyes."
"Why?"
Eric smiled as he stood up from his seat, "Just trust me."
Jackie stared at Eric and his mischievous smile for only a second or two before doing as she was told and shutting her eyelids over her eyes.
Her actions made Eric's mischievous smile turn into one of happiness. He asked her to trust him and she did. Just like that! If this had been Donna he'd asked to close her eyes and trust him she'd still be questioning his motives. That was getting even clearer to see and even better to know.
"But I'm telling you now Forman," Jackie spoke, stopping Eric from taking another step to the side door. He looked back around and saw her eyes were still closed and she was pointed a finger in his direction, "You kiss me while my eyes are closed like this and dates over!"
Eric nodded, "Noted."
For at least three minutes or so Jackie sat in the empty kitchen with her eyes closed. She could only assume the kitchen was empty thanks to two things: one she'd heard the glass door be pushed to the right a minute or so ago and since then the room had been calm and silent. She couldn't help but wonder what exactly Eric was up to and decided to let her mind wander and explore a few ideas.
Soon though Jackie was pulled out of her thoughts as she heard foot steps and then the slight squeak of the green cushioned kitchen seat.
"Ok." Eric's voice soon followed, "You can open them now."
Not having to be told twice Jackie's eyes fluttered open to a sight she wasn't expecting to see in front of her. She rapidly blinked her mismatched eyes to make sure what she was seeing was real before reaching out and to touch the figure that was on the round tabletop.
Of course it wasn't just some figure.
It was a small figure with wavy brown hair, a blue dress with matching bow, and white shoes and socks. It was the doll she had always wanted. It wa steh dolls he had showed Eric today at the toy store. It was Darling Daisy.
"I know you said She should be given to you by someone special and I thought we've known each other for a pretty long time and we…well we weren't the best of friends but we were still kinda friends during that time."
"And now we've got this going on between us…I just thought I was maybe special enough to be able to give you this doll." Eric rambled on trying not to show how nervous he was and actually doing a pretty decent job on it—he had yet to twitch once—he shrugged his shoulders, "And if not…I don't know…maybe…someday I will."
Jackie was listening to every word that Eric had said but still couldn't seem to find her voice and instead just continued to run her hand over the baby doll.
"Maybe not." He added when he realized how needy that last statement had sounded, the last thing he wanted to do was freak Jackie out, "Either way…no matter what happens…I really think it's about time you got your dream doll."
At last Jackie looked away from Daisy and looked at Eric; her hand however continued to run along the soft cotton of Daisy's dress.
"You…you…you…"Jackie struggled for her words still, now even more so after hearing Eric's touching words.
"Actually it's one 'you.'" Eric stated in attempt to make a joke, "And usually there's a 'thank' before for it."
Instantly a grin broke onto Jackie's face, "Thank you, Eric." She said in a sincere tone before changing it to a more inquisitive one, "How did you get her? I was with you the whole time."
"Not true." Eric was quick to remind with a lifted, pointing index finger, "Remember when we were inline and I told you to hold my place because there was a smudge on the Han Solo box and I was gonna go get another one? Well instead of getting another one I put them back and…"
"Got me Darling Daisy." Jackie finished for him and when he nodded her heart swelled, "Oh Eric, that is so sweet! You put back your dolls to get my doll."
The smile on Eric's face soon dropped, "No. I put back my action figures to get your doll."
"Right." Jackie agreed not sounding very convinced as she pulled the doll into her lap and softly brushed its hair with her hand.
"Hey don't think I spent all my money on you, missy!" Eric pretended to sound upset, "I also bought myself a Star Wars puzzle that I saw at the register."
She shook her head slightly, "I don't care what else you bought, Eric." She smiled her bright, beautiful smile, "You bought me Darling Daisy. You have no idea how much this means to me. Thank you, Eric."
"You're welcome, Jackie." he said returning the smile that soon turned into his playful one before, "Now I believe this knight has earned a small token of gratitude from a certain damsel...and I'm not talking about one of those handkerchief things either." He quickly added
"I believe you're right." Jackie agreed smiling still before she placed her new doll back on the table and leaned in towards her hero.
Eric soon began to do the same, ready to meet her in the middle and receive his reward. However just before Jackie's lips touched his, Eric rapidly pulled back catching Jackie off guard.
"Hold on a sec." he told her.
Frowning with confusion Jackie watched Eric turn his attention to the doll he'd just bought her. He grabbed Darling Daisy in an almost cautious way and turned her so that she was no longer looking at them and instead was facing the opposite way.
His actions made Jackie giggle and it wasn't until Eric was sure the doll couldn't 'see' them that he turned his attention back to Jackie.
"I may have bought her for you, but she still scares the hell out of me." He confessed.
Jackie stopped her giggling but kept her grin in place, "Didn't I already tell you, you talk too much?"
Eric thought back to when he'd been told that before by Jackie and then the kiss that soon followed, that made his return smile grow even more. His smile didn't last very long though, because only seconds later his mouth was being covered by hers.
It seemed like their lips had just made contact when the swinging door to the kitchen was swung pen. Not wanting a repeat of what happened the night before or to upset the person who was walking into the room even more—the heavy stomps told them exactly who it was—the couple hurriedly pulled apart and landed back into their respective seats as they tried not to look too guilty.
Though it really didn't matter what they looked like, Red probably wouldn't have even noticed their lip lock if the hadn't pulled out of it. He just stomped his way through the kitchen and to the garage, muttering words that only a few could be made out by Jackie and Eric. Those words being mostly in the curse word area.
Silently both Eric and Jackie watched Red make his way out to the cold as he practically slammed the sliding door behind him.
Eric carefully looked over at Jackie, "I guess someone should go talk to him."
"Yeah." Jackie nodded.
With a small sigh Eric slowly began to stand up from his seat but Jackie beat him to it as she popped out of hers.
"I'll go." She announced, sending him into a shock.
"What?"
Jackie released a sigh, she really didn't want him to get upset with her, "Look Eric, I know you wanna help…and it's great that you wanna talk to your dad but…I think I should handle this. Ok?"
Ok? Was that ok? Was it ok if she went to go talk to an angry Red and try to calm him down instead of him doing it? That was more than ok!
"Yeah, no, sure." He nodded still a bit startled, "Uh good luck."
"Thanks." Jackie replied with a tiny smile as she put on her coat.
After buttoning a few of the buttons Jackie headed over to the glass doors, trying to think of what the best way to do this would be. It was not going to be an easy task. Not at all. But there was one thing she could do that help make things a bit easier…
Not missing a beat Jackie stopped just two steps before the side door, swiveled herself around and walked over to the brown refrigerator. Eric followed her as her heels clinked on each tile she stepped on. She reached into he icebox and retrieved two cans of beer before turning back around and retracing her steps to the sliding door.
Eric continued to watch Jackie until she was outside and had closed the door behind her, then he silently wished her another good luck and turned himself away from the glass door. As soon as he did so, he nearly jumped out of his skin as he found himself staring face to face with the Darling Daisy Doll.
"Didn't I just…"he started to ask and then tried to remember if he had seen Jackie move the doll again. He couldn't and that scared him even more. He jumped out of his seat and slowly back away from the doll.
"I'm getting away from her." He said out loud before pretty much pushing open the swinging door and running into the next room.
0o0o0o
Laurie smiled as she watched the scene in front of her. And how could she not, really? Her mother and daughter were smiling and laughing as they engaged themselves in one of Lucy favorite games—Patty Cake.
As she watched the two, Laurie reminded herself once more that this was why she was here. This was why she had finally brought herself to making this trip after all these years. She wanted her mother to meet Lucy and she wanted Lucy to meet her. She wanted them to get to know each other and talk…even if it was just a little bit. A little bit was a lot better than nothing, and Laurie wanted to make sure they both knew about each other.
That was what was important to Laurie.
It didn't matter that her father was angrier with her than he had ever been. That he had stomped off after scolding her and cursing in front of her daughter. She didn't care what he thought of her or Lucy right now…at least that's what she tried get herself to believe. But in the end couldn't.
"And put it in the oven for Baby and me!" Kitty and Lucy happily sang together finishing their game with giggles.
It hadn't taken the two of them to connect and Laurie was almost surprised by how fast Lucy warmed up to Kitty, then again she was her mother and Lucy's grandmother. Laurie only wished things had gone this way with her father as well. Sure it was a long shot, but crazier wishes had been made she was sure.
Laurie smiled at her cheerful daughter and then looked at Kitty, her smile fading away slowly, "Daddy's really upset with me isn't he?"
"Yes Laurie, he is." Kitty nodded.
"Well thanks for the sugar coding, Mother." Laurie said with deep sarcasm while resisting the urge to roll her eyes.
"Laurie, you're an adult. You have your own daughter. I don't think I have to sugar code anything any more." Kitty stated in a firm voice but when she saw her daughter look away almost shamefully, she continued, "But I also don't think you have anything to worry about."
Cautiously Laurie looked over at her sick mother, hoping she would continue.
"Your father won't stay mad at you for too long. He never could really." Kitty added.
The last few words brought a smile to Laurie's face. She always been a daddy's girl with Red, she always got what she wanted when she wanted it and in his eyes she could do no wrong. This time though, Laurie had a good feeling things wouldn't play out that way this time around.
"He just needs to take sometime to think about everything." Kitty went on, grabbing Laurie out of her thoughts, "You have to remember how crazy and difficult this past week has been for him."
"One minute he's in New York catching up with old war buddies, the next Steven's calling him up and telling him about me and then he flies home early only to find Eric and all of his friends are staying here. And I can tell he hasn't been sleeping very much, who knows when or what the last thing he's eaten was." Kitty rambled on, worry starting to show in her voice. Her husband wasn't taking care of himself now, who knew how bad he would get when she was gone. Quickly she shook her head out of her concerns and went back to what she was talking to her daughter about, "Now his daughter's home with her own daughter that he never knew anything about."
"He just needs to take some time to himself and calm down a little." Laurie listened as he mother talked, "It's better for his heart this way too."
Another pang of guilt hit Laurie as she was once again remind that she was the cause of her father's heart attack all those years before. Her and Fez. Again. When they'd announced their marriage, done only to keep Fez in the country. And here she was with Fez's illegitimate daughter after being 'missing' for almost seven years.
It really didn't seem fair now that Laurie thought about it. Her father was always the one, and some times the only one, who saw the goodness that was buried deep, deep, deep inside her. Yet she never really did anything that would make him proud of her. Maybe having and raising Lucy by herself but now she realized that was a tough call.
"Laurie, honey." Kitty called out when noticed how silent the young blonde mother had been, "It's ok, everything going to be ok. Your father is going to come to his senses and soon he'll be welcoming both you and Lucy with open arms."
Laurie smiled at that thought before looking at Lucy who was still holding her Grandma Kitty's hand.
"Oh and he's going to be so proud of you when he sees what a good mother you are to Lucy here." Her mother went on to say, "It wouldn't take him very long to notice it either. I saw it almost as soon as you walked into the room with her."
The smile on Laurie's face grew and she was now fighting back tears that were forming in her eyes. Never before had she wished so much that she'd told her parents about Lucy sooner.
"Thanks Mommy." She managed to squeak out before giving her mother a hug.
Kitty smiled and returned the hug, trying to remember the last time her daughter had hugged her like this—not counting the welcoming hug they had exchanged minutes before. It had been a very long while.
"Ok. That's enough talk about your father." Kitty said after the two women pulled out of the embrace, "I wanna spend some more time talking to my granddaughter."
0o0o0o
The cold winter air blew another chilling breeze causing Jackie to shiver slightly and pull her jacket closer to her. She was now wishing she had put on her gloves before grabbing the cold beer cans from the fridge and then coming out into this freezing weather.
As she walked farther away from the patio and closer to the driveway, Jackie saw the man she'd considered her father for years now and shook her head while walking closer to him. He was exactly where she knew she'd find him. Under the hood of the immobile Vista Cruiser. What had her moving her head from left to right was the fact that Red was out here in this cold without a jacket or even a vest.
"Do you want me to bring you out a jacket?" she asked from behind him in a soft voice so that she wouldn't startle him.
"No." was the quick response she received.
"Aren't you cold?"
"No."
There was a silence that fell over the duo. Jackie was trying to figure out what would be the best way to approach the much needed to be talked about subject. Should she just come out and talk about it head on or slowly build up to it?
"Do you wanna talk?"
"Jackie, in all the years you've know me when have I ever wanted to talk?" Red answered Jackie's question with his own, all the while never looking up from the engine.
She knew how true that was and she nodded her head along in agreement, "That's true." She paused, "Do you want a beer?"
This time Red looked up and over at the small young woman, he saw the two beer cans in her hand and gave the slightest of smiles.
"Now that's something I'll rarely turn down." He said aloud.
"I know." Jackie smiled an almost evil-ish smile at the older man's out stretched hand that was just waiting for one of the beers, "Which is why you'll get the beer after we talk."
The small grin on Red's face soon dropped and disappeared only to be replaced by a well known scowl.
"Forget it." He muttered and moved his attention back to the vehicle, "I'm not even thirsty."
Jackie rolled her eyes behind his back and placed the two canned beverages on his work bench in the garage—being sure to keep them closer to her and not him. She knew Red was always a stubborn one, so she really wasn't surprised by his behavior now, and it did help her realize she'd be doing this the long way.
"How's it going with Vista Cruiser?" she questioned while looking over Red's shoulder trying to get a glimpse of what he was doing.
"Like the piece of crap it is." Red grumbled back an answer as he used his wrench to turn a part inside the car, "I'm just about ready drop the damn thing off at the town's dump."
Jackie shook her head trying to fight back her grin, "You always say that."
"I do not." He argued, straightening himself out and moving away from the car.
"Yes you do." Jackie insisted, "But then a second later when I start doing something it, you push me aside and take over, and long gone are your thoughts of giving up on this car."
"Yeah, well…not this time." Red replied in a tone that showed his defeat more than his anger like before.
Still Jackie wasn't convinced that he was serious this time around, but she decided to play along.
"If you say so." She said in almost a singing tone of voice.
Red raised a suspicious eyebrow that only seemed to rise up higher when Jackie began to make her way to the old car. He wondered what she was up to.
With a smile playing across her lips, Jackie walked to the Vista Cruiser and looked inside the opened hood. Scanning her mismatched eyes over the various parts, Jackie suddenly noticed something near the carburetor. She reached over for one of Red's tools and then began to tinker with the piece.
"So I'm guessing you know about Laurie's little surprise, huh?" she asked, following his example of never looking away from what was under the hood.
Red continued to watch Jackie's actions, his angry scowl gradually turning into a more curious one. He hadn't thought about doing what she was doing now, and he wasn't quite sure why he hadn't. Then mere seconds later Red did just what Jackie said he would do. He grabbed the tool from her hands, pushed her aside and took the task in his control.
Jackie had to smile as she was gently pushed out of the way, though she was still interested in his answer to her question.
"She's not that little." He commented, his voice sounding slightly muffled thanks to the fact that he was looking inside the car again, "The kid's gotta be at least three or four."
"Yeah." She agreed with a nod, "She's a cutie though, isn't she?"
"She…" Red stopped himself before he could give a proper answer, slowly he turned away from the carburetor and to the tiny brunette at his side, "Don't you have something else to do?"
Jackie looked inside the kitchen, through the glass doors, and found it empty except for Darling Daisy on the table. She had no idea where her date had run off to. And Laurie was probably still up with Kitty, so she wasn't need there. The only thing Jackie that needed to do, that she could think of was talk to Steven, but she still wasn't ready to do that.
"Yeah." She nodded again, "But it's funner being out here and bugging you."
Red rolled his eyes and moved his attention back to the Vista Cruiser just before mumbling a sarcastic, "Great."
Jackie's smile stayed in place as she quietly waited a few minutes before she moved on to her next question.
"Did Laurie tell you who Lucy's father is?" Jackie asked in a calm manner. She was pretty sure she knew the answer. The part of his reaction that she and Eric had caught was pretty big hint. However there was still that tiny bit of chance that he didn't know and maybe if she told him, he wouldn't get too upset.
"The foreigner." Red simply replied.
Jackie's eyes widened with surprise. That was it? The foreigner? No Sqanto, Alibaba, Tonto, sneaky, bastard, dumbass foreigner? Just the foreigner? And he hadn't even shouted nor did he seem all too angry when he said it. Suddenly Jackie realized what had really gotten Red so upset. It had nothing to do with Fez…well he didn't play the biggest role in it at least.
"Wait a minute." Jackie said stepping closer to him, "This isn't about Laurie having Fez's baby is it?"
"Six years Jackie. She'd been gone six years. Off in some place that must not have had telephones because she never called or sent one letter." Red said answering Jackie's question and forgetting about the vehicle in front of him.
"Did she tell you her whole story?"
"No. Because I didn't want to hear it." He replied as he walked away from the car and over to his work table in the garage, "I don't have to hear it to know what happened. She ran off to God knows where, did who knows what, met up with the foreign kid and then had his kid, all the while never contacting me or Kitty to let us know we were grandparents or to let us know that she was just ok!"
Jackie just stood in her spot, not saying a word, letting Red get out what he needed to.
"Where was she when you and Steven finally got in touch with her?" he asked, sounding abit calmer than he had seconds ago.
"Um…" Jackie stuttered, trying to come up with a good answer. She didn't want to tell Red Laurie had been in Milwaukee the whole time, especially since he hadn't heard Laurie's complete story—she wanted Laurie to tell him. "We uh…we didn't get in touch with her. She came on her own."
There was a loud clanking noise of metal hitting metal as Red angrily tossed the tool in his hands with his other tools. The noise startled Jackie and she gave a quick jump, realizing the answer she thought was the best really wasn't at all.
Not knowing what to do Jackie stood motionless, watching Red's back, waiting for him to speak.
"She knew this whole time." He said, still processing this new piece of information, "And still she never called and continued to stay away. Just like her brother."
"But Red, Eric did call. And he came to visit when Mom was feeling well. He wasn't as bad as Laurie." Jackie was quick to defend younger Forman man from the older one.
Red shook his head turning around and running his hand over his face as he sat down on the bench, "They still stayed away when Kitty need them all because they were scared and didn't think they could deal with this whole cancer thing."
"They get their dumbass side from me." He shared with Jackie when he looked up at her.
Jackie sat herself down beside her surrogate father and place her small arm around his shoulders in hopes of comforting him.
"But you've been here with Mom, Red. Every step of the way." She reminded.
Red turned to look at Jackie and she noticed most of his gruff, tough anterior was gone.
"That's not the part I'm talking about, Jackie."
Jackie furrowed her brow just abit at Red's words. Then it hit her. If he wasn't talking about them staying away he meant the part about them being scared and not knowing if they were strong enough to deal with Kitty's cancer. And that meant that he, Red Forman, had been scared and worried that he wasn't strong enough to help Kitty through the cancer…maybe he still felt that way at times, she knew she did.
At the feeling of the tug on her heart, Jackie put her other arm around Red pulling him into a hug and not caring if he pulled away like he would do when she was younger. She had a pretty good feeling that he wouldn't do that this time. And she was right.
"I just wish Laurie would have called…at least once. Even if she had talked just to Kitty and told her about Lucy." Red added his voice remaining soft, "You know how Kitty's always felt about having grandkids."
Jackie nodded her head against Red's shoulder. Of course there was Little Betsy, but she wasn't technically a Forman though Kitty still loved her like one. Still Jackie knew how having her own grandchild to spoil and bake cookies for was one of Kitty's dreams.
"You know Red, I know your upset and you'll probably be upset with Laurie for awhile." Jackie began to say as she gently pulled out of the hug and looked at Red, "But I really think you should talk to Laurie and listen to what she has to say. Listen to her story. You may not want to hear it and you may not like some parts, but it's important that you do listen. For you, for Laurie, for Kitty, and now even for Lucy."
Red stared back at Jackie, taking in her words but not yet responding to them.
"Plus you know Laurie's always been your favorite." She added before quickly adding in one more thing, "Well right after me, of course."
The older man couldn't hold in his small chuckle at that last part.
"Alright Jackie." he agreed, "I'll think about it."
Jackie's grin grew, she knew he wouldn't think about it because his mind was made up already and he'd be talking to his daughter when he had the chance.
"Now." Red said clearing his throat and regaining his gruff tone of voice, "We've finished with all that mushy talking crap, so give me my beer."
Jackie let out a laugh before reaching over and retrieving the two beers, that thanks to the weather had remained in their cold state. She handed one to Red and kept one for herself.
The cracking sound of the beer cans being opened filled the air and was then followed by a silence as both parties took a sip from their cans.
"So," Red began after he finished his sip, "you and the other Looney Toones put an end to whatever it was you were fighting about?"
For quite a few seconds Jackie remained quiet. She didn't know what to say. Of course they hadn't resolved anything. Eric hadn't talked to Donna, she still hadn't talked to Steven, and they still hadn't heard anything from Randy. But Jackie couldn't tell Red this because then she'd have to explain the whole situation…then again he would find out eventually…but after everything with Laurie, the last thing he needed today was more drama.
"I thought you said we were done with all the mushy talking crap?" Jackie teased as an attempt to change the subject.
"No. We're done talking about the mushy talking crap you wanna talk about." Red informed with a stern look in his eyes, "Now it's my turn. Answer the question."
Jackie sighed as her try failed her, "Well sorta…"
"Sorta?" Red repeated looking at the young woman who was looking down at her beer can, "There's no 'sorta' Jackie, it's either 'yes' or 'no.'"
"Then…"she drifted off for a second or two, "No. No we haven't."
"No?"
"No." Jackie repeated with a shake of her and then took a deep breath as she got ready to explain, "It's just…it's not as simple as you think Red."
Red frowned slightly but didn't say anything and instead waited to hear what Jackie wanted to say.
"You see…it's…we…I've…" Jackie stopped her stammering and closed her eyes for a few seconds as she took in a deep breath, "I think I'm falling in love with your son."
Speechless and shocked, Red slowly lowered his beer can from his lips and stared at a very nervous looking Jackie.
'This night just keeps getting longer and longer.' He thought to himself.
Author's Note: And that would be Chapter 33 of "Two Weeks" Finally! Hope you liked!
BTW it looks like i won't be updating again until next year...lol doesn't that sound so far away haha.
Will Red talk to Laurie? Will we ever hear from Randy again? What will Red have to say about Jackie's confession? What will Eric say if he finds out? Will he find out? And is Darling Daisy really that scary? Confused you won't be after the next chapter of "Two Weeks"
Until next time, thanks for reading, hope you liked, please review and lemme know what you think, stay tuned, take care, please forgive my tardiness, and have a nice day!