Chapter 18 – Home Sweet Home

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Jackie had just dropped Eric off at his parents' home and was on her way back to her apartment to get ready for the evening's date. She couldn't help but think of how yummy he looked at the airport and reminisced a little about the Valentine's Day slow dance. Those butterflies were chasing each other in her tummy. It felt wonderful to be on the verge of romance once again – but different. This time Jackie was an actual adult. Not an adult by means of legal age – but as a woman who knew the difference.

Jackie parked her car in the assigned spot and hurried to her apartment. She wanted a soak in Calgon's bath beads and needed to condition her hair. This was going to be a special dinner – no blind dates, no Betsy, no food with the Forman family. This was strictly a dinner with a very handsome man.

She shivered in delight. Eric Forman would never know what he was in for!

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Eric gave his mother the perfunctory kiss and hug and hurried down to his room. He wanted to make reservations and needed to take a good shower before his date with Jackie. Kitty stammered, "Okay honey….we'll talk later."

Eric smiled over his shoulder and ran down the stairs. He had just the place in mind and found that he was actually anticipating an event rather than disdaining it. Was that florist still located on Larson Avenue? Did they still make corsages? Eric fumbled around the basement until he located the slim telephone book. So much to do and so little time!

Two hours later and Kitty was still in the kitchen as she watched with a stunned expression as her son emerged from his room dressed in a nice sports jacket and dress pants. His face was smiling and his eyes were shining with some inner happiness.

"All right, where's my son and what did you do with him?" she teased.

Eric grinned. "I really had a breakthrough this weekend and tonight I'm taking Jackie out on a dinner date."

Kitty lifted a brow. "Really? I knew you two were spending a lot of time with Betsy….I didn't even think about the possibility of…."

He smiled broadly, "She gives me feelings that I had forgotten about and I feel good around her. I don't think I had that with Donna. Mom – I think I could be falling for her."

That made Kitty smile. "You have grown so much since that first day you came back. Look at you all dressed up and handsome. I guess all you needed was some time."

Eric nodded in agreement. "Well, time and some good friends. Speaking of friends, where is Betsy?"

"Oh, Michael and Mercy took her to the park. They'll be back in a few hours. Betsy's trip to her grandmother's house was really good for her."

"Yeah, I was worried that she wouldn't come back, but I think Kelso is finally becoming the dad he was meant to be." Eric was strangely proud of his lanky friend. He knew Michael Kelso had it in him, but to hear his mother agree…well, that was a pretty great confirmation.

"Okay, so I look alright?" Eric asked for his mother's professional opinion. He had hoped the dark brown jacket would look serious enough to not be considered work clothes or suit material. Jackie noticed what he wore and Eric needed to make sure he was eye-pleasing.

Kitty smiled at her son's vulnerability and assured him that he looked handsome. "Now if you would only cut your hair."

Eric laughed, "I kinda like it as is, but if I do cut it, you'll be the first to know."

"Have a great evening Eric. Your father and I will see you tomorrow."

(✿◠‿◠)

Jackie changed her outfit three times before settling on a demure spaghetti strap gown. It was a dark glossy shade of purple that matched her pumps and the new handbag she had bought on sale at the mall. Her hair was pulled back with simply curled tendrils adorning her temples. As Jackie reapplied her lipstick, she noticed that her cheeks were pink without any added blusher. She had nature using excitement as a beauty aid.

Two raps at the door and Jackie took a deep breath before her composure came back. With a smile, she opened the door to find a fresh bouquet of flowers greeting her. That was unexpected! Eric lowered the flowers and Jackie's mouth fell open when she saw how stunning he looked in his causal wear. He could have stepped right off of a magazine cover.

"Umm….yeah….so these are for me?" she asked stupidly.

Eric feasted on the beautiful dress and how bright Jackie's eyes were shining. Those full lips – could he just kiss her now? He blinked, "Oh! Yes, and I got you a corsage."

Her eyes widened. A bouquet AND a corsage? How romantic! She watched as Eric clumsily opened the flower box and she extended her arm so he could slide the flowery bracelet onto her wrist. The tiny nosegay bouquet of miniature roses and freesia were fragrant as well as wonderfully arranged. The bright white of the freesias complemented the color of her dress.

"You are so thoughtful!" Jackie exclaimed. She opened the door wider to allow Eric entrance. "Have a seat while I find a vase."

Eric perched on the edge of her sofa and watched as she reached for a glass container in the kitchen. He loved the Jackie has dressed so elegantly. Little did she know that they were dining at a dinner theater in Kenosha to be followed by dancing on the shores of Lake Michigan with a starry night in the background. He smiled as he thought about the kiss goodnight.

It was going to be a great good night kiss!

(✿◠‿◠)

The table was tiny and the little glass candle was but a mere flickering flame. Dinner consisted mostly of small appetizers that they shared and Jackie wouldn't have had it any other way. The dinner show was an abbreviated version of the old Broadway "South Pacific" with a look-a-like Peggy Lee singing "I'm Gonna Wash that Man Right Outta My Hair".

They were holding hands.

Eric felt like he was in a bubble of happiness. There was a permanent smile etched into his chiseled cheeks that would surely leave laugh lines when he got older. With Jackie, there was no pressure to be something he wasn't. He wasn't this scrawny guy with small wrists any longer. He was grown and experienced and while his changes were seen physically, it was his heart that was still fragile. Jackie had this extraordinary ability to dash his heart to pieces if she wanted.

He hoped she wouldn't; he liked being in her company. Eric liked looking at her and talking to her. He liked the way she smelled and the sound of her voice. He liked the way she listened when he spoke.

He liked her.

Eric Forman really truly liked her. Or was it more?

(✿◠‿◠)

The car radio was playing Foreigner's "Waiting for a Girl Like You" with the speakers on loud while Jackie was slow dancing with Eric on the pebbly beach of Lake Wisconsin. Her arms were around his waist and her face resting against his chest. Eric's warm breath chuffed the top of her head – it was a pleasant feeling.

Eric could feel this sense of well-being wash over him that was like a reawakening of his spirit. Coming to grips with the loss of his friends and students in Africa was an emancipation feeling from the months and years of self-imposed pity. But, the feeling of holding Jackie - his best friend – his everything, in his arms was an entirely different sensation altogether,

Her body fit against his like a hand to a glove. Jackie smelled so wonderful and her warm parts fit his cold parts until it was as if they were only one person dancing to Foreigner under the midnight stars. Jackie would remember it as magically wonderful. Eric would remember it as fulfilling. Two lost souls that found each other on the banks of Lake Michigan one starry night.

Jackie loved that as Eric held her against him, his fingers were moving through her hair, over her bare shoulders and warm on the skin of her back. If her flesh could sing it would be an operatic aria so loud people would be crying for an encore.

The song ended and was replaced by a long haunting horn from a ship on the water. Jackie blinked and looked up at Eric who only gazed at her with dark eyes. She could feel a quiver in her stomach. "Um…Eric….this thing…."

He looked down with a bemused expression. "What thing Jackie?"

"Us. This….whatever you want to call it….is it going somewhere?" she asked expectantly.

He smiled, "Oh yeah….I'm hoping it really is. Although, I'd like us to take our time – not rush anything. I've done that before and missed out on so much." He smoothed the dark hair away from her face, "You don't mind doing… things….slow….do you?"

Jackie beamed and wrapped her hands around Eric's neck. "Nope, I like to take things slow too. I mean we didn't get to where we are by taking the fast lane did we?"

Eric gently kissed her lips and brushed the tiny nose with his own, "Nope, I think we are taking things perfectly well."

Jackie's hands moved over his shoulders, down his back and stopped at his belt line. "Well, just so you know…I'm a girl and we sometimes get impatient…but, I'll do my best. I know you still need some time."

He cupped her cheek with his big hand, "No worries….it will be completely worth it." The fog horn wailed again as Jackie pulled his face down for another kiss. "I'm counting on it!" she teased cheekily.

(✿◠‿◠)

Kitty couldn't stop the tears. "Don't worry Grandma Kitty. I'll still be here while Daddy works." Betsy said reassuringly. Kitty smoothed the curly hair away from the tiny little face. "Well, who's going to be making cookies and treats with me now that you're moving away?"

Betsy tilted her head sideways and answered, "Uncle Eric. He's always eating."

Red chuckled. "Good observation Betsy. Tell me more about this bedroom you get all to yourself."

Betsy started to explain about where she was putting her Barbie's when Kelso came through the kitchen door with an overflowing box of toys. "Well, that's it. AND…" he sounded proud as he continued, "I even vacuumed the carpet. " He set the box on the floor and to Red Forman's surprise, gave the old man a hug. "Thanks for letting us stay here Red."

Kelso turned and kissed Kitty on the cheek, "You are the best mom ever!"

Kitty smiled, "We're going to miss you Michael. Just make sure that we see this little girl while you are working. I still have a lot to teach her."

Kelso grinned. "You will and staying here was the best time ever. I got to save enough money to rent a real house with two bedrooms and you cooked us a butt load of food…"

Red cleared his throat at the word "butt load" but Kelso laughed, "I mean lots of casseroles that I can heat up for dinner. And we met Mercy and her family. I think me and Betsy are going to do just fine."

Kitty smiled and wiped a tear. "Well, I'm glad we could help and we certainly love this little girl. Michael, just keep being a great dad and everything is going to work out just fine." She hugged Michael one last time and he grinned, picking up the big box and motioned for Betsy to follow.

"I'll drop her by on Monday. I'm back on day shift for a while."

Red was still trying to recall if Kelso had glued, cut or stapled any part of his body to Forman property and the answer was no. Surreal. He shrugged his shoulders, "Well okay Kelso and thanks for paying rent!"

Kelso yelled from the driveway, "No problem!"

Red could still feel the $300 deposit in his pocket that hadn't made its way to the bank yet. "Kitty? How about I take us out for a nice steak dinner tonight?"

She looked at her husband like he was joking. "Dinner? Just us?"

"Just me and my best gal." Red smiled. "Now why don't you run upstairs and make yourself all pretty while I'll make reservations."

Kitty almost tittered, "Oh Red!" she kissed the top of his balding head and ran out of the kitchen. "We haven't gone out to dinner in ages!"

(✿◠‿◠)

Eric dialed the number without thinking – he knew it by heart. It was answered on the first ring. "Hello?"

"It's me."

"Eric! I already said yes to your parent's Memorial Day barbecue. What else did you want?" Jackie queried.

"Well, tonight. I've got nothing going on and my folks are out….wanna watch some television?" Please say yes.

"I'm sorry." Jackie replied. "It's movie night at Fez and Steven's. I'm bringing the pizza." She waited for a response but knew that this was one of Eric's last barriers he hadn't been able to overcome. "Tell you what. I'll save you some pizza and stop by after the movie's over. Will that work?"

Eric felt bad that the situation warranted some cold pizza and Jackie's company in such a way. He had thought that the baggage was gone. He'd been out in public, amongst crowds, mingling in usually uncomfortable settings but this….this was his last hurdle. Eric remembered a conversation he shared with Jackie earlier in the year:

..… Jackie propped herself up on elbows. "You need to work on your skills Eric. I understand it's been a while since….Egypt…but I'm an American girl. You asked me what I want. I want a boyfriend that I can take out in public. I know you have a ways to go before you get there, but I want to be able to swim in a pool with my boyfriend, make out in a movie theatre….go dancing at a nightclub….all those things that you can't give me…yet."

….. . "Mostly, I want you to be able to spend the evening at Steven and Fez's and we can all watch a movie together. Those are the things I want."

The real question was….had Eric Forman put all his demons aside so he could be a real boyfriend? Could he be the kind of guy and woman like Jackie Burkhart deserved? This was meditation time. Time to dig into his gut and find out what his real problem was.

(✿◠‿◠)

Jackie opened the lids of two steamy pizzas. The aroma of cheese and spices filled the smoky air of the apartment. "So…I brought the food, did any of you remember to bring me a diet Coke?"

Fez grinned, "In the fridge. Hurry, Hyde got a great movie in the mail yesterday." Jackie set the pizzas on the coffee table and walked into the familiar kitchen to retrieve a plate, a glass and some ice. She pulled a can out of the six-pack and poured the diet drink into her ice filled cup. At least she wasn't going to get pizza grease stains on her pants!

"So what's the movie?"

Hyde tossed the VHS box. "Weird Science." He grinned, "Kelly Le Brock…she's worth the whole movie."

Fez took the movie cover from Jackie's hand, "Oh ho! I love my Rhonda, but this Kelly….she gives me needs."

"Ugh." Jackie groaned. "Can we just watch the movie? I have a date afterwards and I need to save a piece of pizza."

Hyde lifted a brow. "Forman?"

Jackie smiled a little smugly, "Yes, and don't go messing it up for me. He's come a long way since Africa. I'm giving him room to grow."

Hyde peered at his ex-girlfriend over his glasses – she wasn't the only one that had grown over time. "Well, like I told Eric – if you break his heart – I'll have to kick your ass."

Jackie grinned. "I love you too Steven."

(✿◠‿◠)

His finger hovered over the doorbell. This was stupid. He shouldn't be nervous! He could remember his mother back in October: "Okay honey, but remember, you can't just hide down here. You have to get out and meet people." Then he remembered his reply. "I know mom. I know." Eric answered reassuringly. "I just need some time."

Time was up. This was do or die. This was make it or break it. Eric took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. There was a commotion and sounds of footsteps running to the door. Hyde stuck his head out of the frame. "Forman?"

Fez hollered, "Lemme see!"

Jackie pushed her way under Steven's armpit and looked shocked. "Eric? What are you doing here?"

He smiled lightly and held up a box. "It's called Star Wars Episode VI – Return of the Jedi and it's on VHS. I've never seen it before." He slyly winked at Jackie.

Hyde grabbed his old friends arm and pulled him into the apartment which smelled vaguely familiar. "Welcome buddy. Fez, get the man a beer!"

(◠‿◠)

Loner. Not with a bubbly Jackie Burkhart happily kissing his face.

Hermit. Not while standing in the middle of the apartment that replaced the old Forman basement.

Coward. Not this guy. This was a guy who had some sensitive issues to get over and with the help of his parents, a six year old and a lovely brunette – Eric Forman had finally been emotionally rescued.

Really, what more could a fellow want?

Then End.

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AN: I tried three different endings until I was satisfied that this pleased me best. Thanks to Caroline for the challenge and happy summer to all 2017! Happy Father's Day!