Thanks again to all of you who have taken the time to read, review, favorite and follow. I'm still appreciative =).

That 70's Show and it's characters still do not belong to me. Enjoy!

Chapter 7

September 12, 1981

The next several weeks flew by and summer was soon coming to an end. Initially, there was still a bit awkward between them but as the weeks progressed Hyde and Jackie had found a pretty good rhythm to spending time together. They found themselves in each others company at least four times a week. Jackie and Julian were now familiar faces down at Grooves and Hyde was a regular for dinner at the Burkhart residence. This particular Saturday, the trio were going to be together once again. Hyde had invited Jackie and son over for lunch. He was feeling slightly anxious since it was her first time at his place and due to important matters that he needed to discuss with her. He hoped that everything went smoothly.

Jackie and Julian arrived by cab around 11:30. Hyde had offered to come pick them up but Jackie insisted on getting there on her own since he was providing lunch. When the cab pulled up to Hyde's building, it was certainly not what she was expecting. The building was very upscale and looked to be recently built. It was in a very nice area of the city overlooking the Mississippi River. She sat Julian down in his stroller and walked into the building. It looked even better inside. She was greeted at the front desk by the security guard.

"Good day ma'am. Welcome to the Ivory Towers. May I ask who you are here to see today?" said the gentleman.

"I'm Jackie Burkhart here to see Steven Hyde." Jackie replied.

"Very good. I'll let him know you have arrived." He stated as he picked up the phone and dialed. He spoke briefly then turned back to Jackie. "Why yes Ms. Burkhart, Mr. Hyde is expecting you. Take the elevator to the 21st floor and the door is 21D."

Jackie finally made her up and Hyde was waiting for her once she got off the elevator. "Hey Jackie." he said as he greeted her. He bent down and patted Julian on the head in his stroller. "Hey Jules."

"Jules?" Jackie asked surprised at his new nickname for her son.

"Yeah. I figured he needs a cool guy nickname. Julian is a cool name with the ladies but it's not gonna scare any tough guys away." Both Hyde and Jackie laughed.

"Ba…ba" Julian gurgled out reaching his hands up toward Hyde. He had grown quite attached to him over the past few weeks.

"Well it looks like he approves of his nickname." said Jackie.

"Come here little guy." Hyde bent down and picked Julian out of his stroller. "Follow me. My place is right over here." He said as he led them to the apartment.

Hyde let her inside and right away Jackie's jaw dropped. She was absolutely stunned. The apartment was breathtaking. It was extremely spacious, modern, pristine and decorated very tastefully. Once she finally closed her mouth she spoke up. "Wow! Steven this place is amazing!" We've been having dinner and my crappy apartment and we could've been eating here? Are you sure you live here?" she joked.

"I think so but if not someone's gonna be pissed once they find out I've been camping out here for the last three month." he said laughingly.

He gave her a tour of the apartment. Jackie noticed how big all the rooms were. The whole place was about three or four times bigger than her whole apartment. There was a huge living room with very high ceilings and huge windows that let in the sunlight. It had a door leading to small terrace that overlooked the river and the city. There was a formal dining room, a small office area in the front and a half bathroom. The kitchen was filled with the latest appliances and was also pretty big with a breakfast nook for eating. The hallway led to the laundry room as well as two impressive sized bedrooms on each side, which were currently set up as guest rooms. There was also a full size bathroom. At the end of the hall was a staircase, which led to a door of a loft like area that contained the master bedroom. The bedroom was huge and contained it's own bathroom, a full sized walk in closet and long bow windows a beautiful view. There was another small area on the other side of the bedroom, which had a staircase that led back down to the living room.

Hyde had been hesitant about bringing Jackie here at first because he didn't want to come off as pretentious especially since she was living rather modestly. But as they gained a more comfortable flow in their new friendship, he knew that she would enjoy spending time here so he finally offered an invitation. "Honestly it's a bit much for my taste. You know I'm used to living in a basement with a cot. WB bought the place when we decided to open a store here in the city and he insisted on me staying in it so..here I am." He explained as he saw her still trying to take it all in.

"I think it's great. You grew up pretty rough at Edna's and put a lot of years in the basement. I know you're not the type to care to care where you lay your head but this is nice. You deserve this so enjoy it." She told him sincerely.

"Yeah well thanks." he said awkwardly. "Alright so go make yourself comfortable. Lunch is just about done." He handed Julian back to her and headed to the kitchen.

The trio finished eating lunch and convened to the living room. Julian was now napping on the love seat and Jackie and Hyde were sitting on the couch watching television. Jackie had her eyes on the screen but she kept noticing him glancing at her. She could tell he wanted to say something but in usual Hyde fashion was finding trouble. After about the ninth glance she finally decided to call him on it. "Is everything okay?" she asked.

"Um yeah why?" he nervously responded.

"Well you keep looking at me like you have something to say so spit it out." she laughingly.

"I guess you caught me. Okay well the thing is, as you know the store is opening in two weeks and WB is throwing a big grand opening. I invited the whole gang and the Formans down for that weekend for the big opening and I was kinda hoping that you would come too." He gave her a sheepish look knowing what her response would more than likely be.

Jackie immediately felt nervous. As much as she missed the old gang, she was nowhere prepared to see them anytime soon. "Look Steven as much as I am extremely proud of you and what you're doing with the store I don't think I can be there. I'm just don't want to see anyone yet. I hope you understand."

"I had a feeling that's what you were gonna say. I don't expect this to be easy for you but don't you think its time you at least let them know you didn't just fall off the earth. Even though things weren't that great when you left they still miss you and would be happy to see you." he tried to reason with her.

Jackie jumped up from the couch "No I'm not ready. I really hope you don't get mad over this but I can't. I just can't"

"I'm not mad Jackie. I just think that it would be good for you so spend time with them again." He stood up, grabbed her hand and led her back to the couch. "Listen I know things were strained with everyone when you left. I get that but when I was at my lowest point last year those people, the ones who could be aggravating and infuriating are the same ones who had my back when I needed them the most. When they all should've given up on me they didn't. They fought for me and with me and I wouldn't have come thru it without them. Jackie they're my family and as much as you may not want to admit it they're yours too." Hyde saw that he was getting thru to her but he needed to drive his point home. "And what about your son? Yes Julian has you and you're a terrific mom but you're all he's got. He's probably never gonna have his real grandparents around. You and I both got dealt a crappy hand when it comes to our real families. They left us and if it weren't for our surrogate family, the Formans and the gang, things would've been a whole lot worse. He deserves to have a family who will love him and those guys will. You just have to be willing to give them a chance."

By this time the tears were flowing from her eyes. Jackie realized just how right he was. Her son had absolutely no family in his life. He didn't have a father and because she was estranged from her parents there was no one else on her side of the family in which she kept in contact. She never intended for her life to turn out like this. When she was dating Hyde she knew that they would have the Formans and WB if they ever had children but that time had come to an end. Afterwards she still expected to be married once she had a child and that her child or children and husband would be her family and her husband's family as well if he had one but that wasn't the case now. "Oh my God. My baby doesn't have a family. I never even thought about it. If something were to happen to me he would have no one." she cried.

"But it doesn't have to be that way. He can have an aunt Donna and uncle Eric, uncle Fez and uncle Kelso and I know Red and Kitty would just adore him." he told her assuredly.

"And what about you? Does he have you too?" she asked hopeful that Hyde would be willing to remain a part of Julian's life as well.

"Of course he does for as long as you'll both have me. The little guy has really grown on me. He's a great kid." he told her.

"Thank you. That means a lot to me, to both of us. Julian is quite fond of you as well."

"So will you at least think about it? You don't have to decide today." He was hopeful that maybe his words had gotten thru to her.

"I'll think about it I promise. It's not that I don't want to see them. I just don't want them to see me like this. This isn't how I expected my life to turn out; a single mom working at a crappy dinner just to make ends meet. I thought things would be different ya know?"

He did know. He knew that was the main issue she had with seeing the old gang. Jackie had always been a proud person and she hated to be pitied. She wouldn't want them feeling sorry for her or looking at her differently because of her current situation. He understood how she felt and was prepared with a solution to help her. "Hey Jackie. There was something else I wanted to talk to you about. How would you feel about getting back into television again?"

"I'd love to but I don't know it's possible right now. I looked into getting another production assistant job once I had Julian but the only positions open called for me working 60 or more hours a week and there was no way I was leaving my baby for twelve or more hours a day. I haven't really looked into it much after that." she replied.

"Well how would you feel about possibly working as an assistant on Wake Up Minneapolis? One of WB's good friends, Jeff Hunter, run things down at the station and he told me they're looking for someone. I got in touch with the old cable station back in Point Place and got some of your old tapes and he wants to meet with you next week if you're interested." Hyde told her. The truth was Hyde had contacted WB to see what he could do to help Jackie get back to what she loved doing. He hated seeing her struggling doing something she didn't like.

Jackie could hardly believe what he was telling her. She started jumping up and down on the couch like a kid at Christmas and grabbed him by both of his hands. "Are you serious? Please tell me you're not kidding." she yelled sounding like the loud girl everyone knew back in Point Place.

He laughed at her eagerness "I'm dead serious. He's expecting your call Monday."

Suddenly there was a small cry coming from the loveseat. Jackie with her loud display of enthusiasm had woken up Julian. She ran over to him and picked him up. "Oh baby, mommy's sorry. She just got a little excited cause she might be getting a great new job." she said as she rocked him gently and brought him back over to the couch with her. "Steven oh my goodness! What am I going to wear? I don't have anything to wear."

"How could you not have anything to wear? You had more clothes than everyone I knew put together."

"Well I couldn't bring all my clothes with me when I moved here and even though I lost my baby weight things fit a little differently now. I'm a little bigger in certain places." she said shyly.

Hyde looked her up and down and grinned "Yeah but in all the right places."

"Shut up you pig." she laughed as well and swatted his arm.

"Alright well how about we go shopping to find you something to wear then?" Hyde asked. Jackie was always down for a good shopping trip but her finances were extremely tight at the moment. He could sense her apprehension and knew it was probably not something she could afford to do right now. "And it's my treat by the way." he told her.

"So you want to go shopping with me and you're paying? I'm convinced you've been replaced by a pod person" she joked. "But seriously Steven not that I'm ungrateful or anything I just have to ask why are you doing all this for me?"

He couldn't tell her the full truth, which was that he felt totally responsible that her life had turned out the way it had since she got pregnant from a one night stand trying to block out the pain that he had caused her. And because of it she's stuck at a job she hates and is barely making ends meet. He very well couldn't tell her about the guilt that haunts him every time he sees her in her work uniform or notices her struggling to pay for something so he decided on telling her only part of the truth. "It's because I know you aren't happy do what you do now. You weren't meant to be serving food to people or sweeping hair or any of other jobs like that. You're meant to shine Jackie. I know I wasn't as supportive as I should've been when we were together and I'm sorry about that. As your friend, I want to be better at it and anything I can do to help I will. So come on. Let's hit the mall. We'll call it payback for those boots you got me all those years ago." he said smiling at her.

She looked at him and in that moment she realized just how much he had grown up. Steven had always been protective of his friends but now he was giving and thoughtful. He had become or was well on his way to becoming the man she always knew he could be. She was fighting hard not to get too emotional again. She pulled herself together and finally replied "Well alright then. Let's go." She put Julian in his stroller and gathered all their belongings. Once they got to the front door she turned to him and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you Steven." she said simply.

He nodded and they headed out the door.

September 15, 1981

The skies may have been a bit overcast that day but anyone who saw Jackie Burkhart would've thought it was a bright sunny day. She had an exuberant smile on her face. For the first time in a long time she felt energized and alive. As she made her way down to Grooves she was bubbling with eagerness. She entered the building looked for Hyde who was over at the counter training a new employee. She hurried over to him and tried her best not to interrupt but with her being so eager to tell him her good news and never having been one with patience she burst out in excitement. "I got the job!"

Hyde looked upon hearing her voice. He noticed how she was beaming. He always thought she was the most beautiful when she was smiling in such a way that way she was at that moment. He got lost in his thought momentarily until he heard her calling him.

"Steven. Did you hear me? I got the job!" she said once again.

He shot her the biggest smile he could. "Really? That's so great Jackie!" He told his employee to take a break and then stepped from behind the counter and greeted her with a hug. "Come on let's go to my office you can tell me all about your new job."

They made their way back to the office and sat down. "Ok so fill me in. How was the interview?"

"Oh my God Steven the interview was awesome. I met with the WB's friend Mr. Hunter and two of the producers from the show. They said they saw the tapes you sent them from my show and they loved my energy. They want to start me as an assistant and have me learn the ropes. If I pick up well and learn quickly I'll have a chance for advancement that could lead to some small segments on the show. They will also pay for any communications classes I want to take and the best part is the hours. I go in at 4am but get done by noon every day and no weekends!" she exclaimed.

Hyde had never felt more proud of her than at that moment. "Jackie I knew they would love you. I'm so happy for you. You're gonna do great. I just know it."

"I just want to say thanks again for your help with this. You've been really great over these last few weeks and I appreciate everything you've done for me and well, I've been doing some thinking over the last few days. Maybe it is time to come face to face with everyone again. I do miss everyone and you're right. Julian does deserve to have a family. I just hope they're willing to accept us." Jackie realized some of her relationships with the gang needed repairing, mainly her and Donna and her and Fez but she was willing to try because that's you do for family.

"Of course they'll accept you. You're Jackie Burkhart. You can win over anyone." He kidded. "They're just gonna be happy to know where you are and that you're doing fine."

"Yeah I'm just a little nervous about seeing everyone but I'm looking forward to it. When do they arrive?"

"They'll get here on Friday afternoon. WB has a dinner planned that night for everyone. Saturday is the grand opening celebration. Then I'm not really sure what we're doing on Sunday just yet." Hyde told her.

"Well do you think on Sunday that maybe we could have a birthday party for Julian since he turns one on the 28th? I haven't planned anything to do for his birthday yet and I think it would be nice to have everyone there to celebrate his first big day." Jackie asked hopefully.

"I think that's a great idea Jackie. We can use my place for the party if you'd like and I'm sure we can talk Mrs. Forman into baking a cake and some other stuff." He truly missed her cooking and figured that would be a perfect excuse for her to christen his kitchen.

"Okay great. I'll pick up the decorations. I'm actually getting excited now. Yay!" she said happily. "Well I'd better be heading home now. Are you swinging by for dinner tonight?"

"Yeah but how about me, you and Jules go out for dinner tonight instead so we can celebrate your new job?" he asked.

"Really? Oh my goodness. Why yes that sounds great." she said as she clapped her hands and jumped up and down.

"Cool. I'll pick you guys around 6:30."

Jackie left Grooves and Hyde sat back in his office chair. He let out a breathe of relief grateful that she had gotten the job. Things were finally going well between the two of them. He was seeing more and more glimpses of the perky, talkative, determined to take over the world girl he knew from back home. She was slowly but surely becoming his Jacks again.

As always, thanks for reading.