Author Note: …you have arrived….please wait for the ride to roll to a complete stop before exiting your car…..and thank you very much!

xXx

Chapter 20 – Different Kinds of Deductions

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Eric tried calling the cabin just before he left but there was no answer. He put his bags in the Honda and drove straight home. Fez was MIA but there was a note written in cemetery girl's handwriting that they would be back tomorrow. Eric smiled and called Jackie's house again. Still no answer. He noticed the light blinking on the answering machine and pressed the button.

"Hello Fez? This is Emily, from the speed dating party and I would totally love to take you to a Madonna's cover party this weekend cuz you know I'm so crazy about guys that wear leather pants and you have a nice ass okay so call me!"

Beep.

"Hello, this is Emily again. I have to cancel on the cover party cuz some totally lame girl told me it was a fake and I'm finally like getting my Chihuahua puppy and I want you to like go with me to the pet store just in case he's a biter you know? Call me!"

Beep.

"Eric, this is your Dad. I'm grilling burgers. Get over here for dinner or go hungry."

Beep.

Eric laughed. His dad was never one for leaving a great message – in fact he hated answering machines period. Okay, so he would totally have like dinner with the folks and come back and like call Jackie in the evening. Lame.

xXx

Jackie taped the bow to the top of the wrapped box as Red came through the front door. "Okay, I parked your truck in the neighbor's yard so are you two troublemakers done using me?"

Following him into the kitchen, Kitty laughed with delight. "You mean you don't want to be here when he hears the news?"

"No, I'm sure I'll hear it all the way out to the patio. Just do whatever it is you think you have to do." Red picked up the burgers and his spatula and headed for the patio.

Kitty opened the swinging door. "So were you able to get hold of your friend?"

Jackie smiled, "Yes, and he can start next week. He should be done by the end of August. Thank you for the idea, it was perfect."

"Ahahahaha, that's what I do! You give advice and I make plans. This baby is going to be so lucky to have such strong women in its life. A baby! I can't wait to call my sister Paula! Okay, you get off your feet and I'll let you know when Eric pulls up."

Jackie sat on the sofa and looked at Eric's surprise present. Brooke would have given her the safe sex talk but Jackie knew the odds were there when they did the deed and she really did think it was a safe time. Her life and future just changed quickly. Love Miss Hart really started to think about advice she gave to unwed mothers. Jackie Burkhart was now a statistic. Oh man!

xXx

Eric pulled up into the driveway and his dad immediately handed him a beer. "Just drink it, don't ask questions." Eric smiled and took the beer. This was a rare occasion so he didn't question it. He started to sit down but Red pulled the chair away. "Your mother wants to talk to you."

Eric opened the slider and his mom was at the stove humming something familiar when she saw her son out of the corner of her eye. "Oh honey!" She gave Eric a bone crushing hug. "I'm SO glad to see you." She said loudly.

"Mom.'." he huffed. Kitty let him go and wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. "You have a big present in the living room. I have to blindfold you."

He frowned. "Can't I just cover my eyes?"

Kitty wrapped a dishcloth around his head. "Not this time honey. Just walk straight ahead." She grabbed Eric's hand and led him into the living room and set him on the sofa. "Okay mom, can I take the rag off now?"

Kitty smiled at Jackie, "Count from ten sweetie. Do it for me."

Eric started the countdown while Jackie walked around to the back of the sofa. "…three….two….one." He pulled the dishrag off his face and a pair of soft hands covered his eyes. "Oh ho, I like this one." He knew those hands intimately and pulled her over the back of the sofa while she squealed with happiness. Damn he missed this face. He cupped her chin and kissed her softly. "I've been going crazy calling your house. You probably have five messages from me. Where were you?"

Jackie smiled and pointed to the gift wrapped box. "I have a little present for you."

Eric smiled. "That's cool because I have a little present for you too."

"You do?" she was clearly not expecting a gift!

"Do you mind if I go first?" he could feel the butterflies crashing into each other in his stomach. She had to say yes. She just had to. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the small box.

Jackie looked at it in shock. Was that what she wanted it to be? He flipped the velvet top open and heard,"…marry me?" He was asking her and didn't even know about her surprise! She was his Miss Perfect and it wasn't even 1990! She could feel a tear slide down her cheek. Her Mr. Right was right here and knew exactly what she wanted and needed.

Eric didn't know what to do. She was crying and looking at the box but saying nothing. Kitty popped her head in the door. "Did she tell you yet?"

Eric turned around, "I showed her the ring and she's just crying. Did I do it wrong?"

Kitty's eyes filled with tears. "You're proposing and you don't know?"

Eric shrugged, "I guess I don't know anything!" Kitty rushed over and gave Eric another bone crushing hug. "You are the best son ever!"

Jackie looked up and smiled. "Yes."

Eric breathed a sigh of relief. He took the ring from the box and slid it on her left hand. "I promise to be the best husband ever."

Jackie gave him a watery grin. "I know you will and I will love you forever." She kissed his mouth and Kitty had to turn away for a minute. "Jackie, give him your surprise."

Jackie laughed, "Mrs. Forman, Eric's gift was much better." Kitty looked like she was going to start scolding someone so Jackie grinned, "This is for you. It's like a two part gift."

Eric looked suspicious and pulled the huge box towards him. It was heavy and scotch taped like crazy. He tore through the wrapping paper and exclaimed, "A car seat?"

Jackie explained, "It's for the new car you have to buy."

He looked confused. "I'm buying a new car?" Jackie smiled, "Yes, because me and the baby would never fit in your Honda." Eric sat there dumbly trying to process what she just said. "What's wrong with my Honda?"

Red pushed the door open, "Jeez Eric, that tin can you drive in, do you really want your new baby to ride in it? Get a real car. You're going to have a family."

Eric blinked, "A baby?" Jackie nodded slowly. "Apparently when tax season was over, you and I made a new tax deduction."

A big smile filled Eric's face. "I'm gonna be a dad? Really?" Red came over and looked at the ring on Jackie's hand. "Did he give that to you before or after your news?"

She smiled at her future father-in-law, "Before."

Red grinned and clapped Eric on the back, "Not entirely a dumbass after all. Congratulations son. Kitty, let's give this pair some privacy."

"But Red, I'm going to be a grandma!"

"I know honey, and I'm going to be the crotchety old grandpa that spoils the kid rotten."

August 1987

Eric stood in the brand new constructed nursery. Mechanic Eddie's cousin, was a contractor and had done such a good job building the loft, Jackie had him build an extra bedroom that was done in record time. Jackie came up behind Eric, her rounded belly pressing against his back.

"He did a good job. Brooke and Michael are coming up this weekend to help paint and wallpaper." Jackie wrapped her arms around Eric's waist. "So you don't mind the new arrangements?"

Eric turned around and smiled. "Sweetie, it couldn't have worked out better if I tried. I love the Mustang and I love living here. I have more business than I could ever want."

Jackie pulled him towards the living room. "I have something else to show you." Eric sat down on the sofa. Jackie handed him a manila envelope. He opened it and found some legal documents.

"What's this?"

Jackie was nearly bursting with happiness. "We bought the house down the street from your folks. Remember that old house the Winston's lived in? It foreclosed and I made I bid. I hope you don't mind."

"You actually want to live by my parents?" This was a total 180 from when he was married to Donna. His fiancée truly liked his folks!

Jackie sat in his lap, "Of course. We have babysitters' just three doors down and plenty of privacy. The place needs a little fixing up but we can live there in the cold weather and up here in the warm weather."

Eric buried his face in her neck. She giggled, "It works out good, you can still do tax stuff in the early months and then we move back here and you do your regular work."

Eric looked up. "I love you so much. You would give up going south for the winter to stay with me?"

Jackie laughed, "Your dad twisted my arm on that. I really won't be able to fly then anyhow. But I think I would rather spend my time with you. Oh, and now we have two nurseries to decorate!"

"We will own two houses? Think of the tax deductions on that!" he laughed.

"Quit thinking about money. That's something you never have to worry about. I made some sound investments and we just need to worry about this little Jedi that gives me heartburn."

Eric laughed and pressed his palm against a pending light saber attack. Life was good.

October 1987

Kitty and Red thoroughly checked out the house. The floor plan was similar for all the homes on the street but Red wanted to make sure his grandchild was going to be safe. Kitty was just thrilled that the couple was moving in almost next door.

The moving van backed up into the driveway with the new furniture and Kitty directed the movers where to put the beds and other furnishings. Eric and Jackie were on their way off the mountain with a car load of belongings trying to beat an early snowstorm.

When the Mustang pulled into the driveway of their new Point Place residence, the lights were on and so was the heat. Eric came around to help a seven months pregnant Jackie out of the passenger seat. He opened the back door and the kitchen smelled like pot roast. There was a note from his mom that dinner was in the oven and the phone had been turned on early in the day.

Together, the couple wandered through their new house looking at the furniture they had bought through a catalog and were happy that it looked as good at the picture. The new house lacked a formal dining room, but did have a den that Eric and Jackie could use for an office. They climbed the steps and found that Kitty had already put linens on the bed and Red made sure the rooms had light bulbs.

In the two months since they purchased the old Winston's house, Eric's dad was a constant figure overseeing the remodeling of the broken fixtures. Kitty called the mountain every night to keep Eric apprised of the progress. The nursery had been painted a soft yellow and Kitty hung snow white curtains at the window. The crib was assembled and a changing table was set against the wall.

"Isn't this the most beautiful thing ever?" Jackie said softly.

Eric gathered Jackie in his arms. "Actually, you are the most beautiful."

Jackie smiled. When Eric said it like that, she really believed it was true.

December 1987

"…you may kiss the bride." Pastor Dave smiled. Eric pulled his new bride into his arms and kissed her with the same passion he felt in the old Chevy truck. Kelso started whistling and Fez shouted for them to get a room. Eric laughed as the new Forman's were surrounded by their close friends.

The original Forman house was hosting the wedding and Kitty made the wedding cake. Brooke was the maid of honor and Betsy was the flower girl. Fez and Kelso were both best man. It was a tiny ceremony, but to Jackie it was the biggest and best wedding she could ever hope for. Now she had a husband, a baby on the way and two houses. What more could a girl possibly want?

xXx

Dear Readers

Miss Hart has found her Mr. Right and married the man of her dreams. She is expecting a new family member shortly and wanted to share the news with her readers.

Remember, there is someone for everyone - even Miss Hart. She almost made the Miss-take of overlooking a friend from the past as an important person in her future.

Never take the people close to you for granted. Mr. RightNow may sound good on paper but let your heart tell you what your brain can't feel. Love is out there…you just have to let it find you.

Love Missus Hart.

xXx

Eric wrapped his arms around Jackie's shoulders. "Are you still working?" he said softly against her ear. She was amazed that he could still make her tremble like that!

"I was finishing my last article for the year. Why?"

Eric knelt on the floor. "I was saving this Christmas present for last." He handed a slim box to Jackie. "Another present?" She opened the gift to see a string of pearls against the velvet background.

"I don't understand. I already have freshwater pearls."

Eric smiled and replied, "This strand of pearls represents a man who found the love of his life at the top of a mountain. I was literally stranded in more ways than one and you saved me. Jackie, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be as happy as I am now. I just wanted to find some way to tell you how very much I love you and I swear I will always love you mountain goat."

With a tear finding its way down her cheek, Jackie laughed happily, "I will always love you too city boy."

The End

-T7S

A/N: Thank you for reading my friendship fic. It seemed to write itself and I had a great time doing it.

Also, a BIG thanks to my regular reviewers…you know who you are and thanks to the s1 zetaboards com/That70sFanFicBoard/index/ for keeping me inspired!