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Jackie couldn’t believe she let herself be this careless. She thought she’d matured since being with Steven, yet she found herself in this situation for the second time.
Suddenly Jackie was fifteen again, panicking as she wondered what the hell she was going to do because she was late. Really late.
A few key differences made this time more bearable than the last. The biggest one being: it’s with Steven, who she loves more than she ever loved Michael. Although, thinking back now, she’s not sure if she was ever in love with Michael.
Their relationship was juvenile – two kids clinging to each other because of surface-level attraction and popularity status. They grew comfortable with each other, dependent on one another to get by. It was far from healthy. Constant cheating on his end and settling on hers. They loved each other, but not a real kind of love. Nothing like what she felt for Steven.
He was unexpected. She’d spent the better part of early high school hating him, thinking he was nothing but a poor burnout who cared about no one but himself. But as she got to know him, she realized that was far from the truth.
He was deep, gentle. He cared for the people close to him with his entire being and protected them the best he could. He was open – especially when they were alone, and he let her see his heart, the things he kept hidden from everyone else. He was nothing like the mean boy her childhood self made him out to be, and she knew she could love him forever.
Going through this with Steven was the only thing keeping her sane. Yes, they were still young – they hadn’t even graduated high school yet, but she was sure they could handle this. They had to.
She found herself standing outside the basement door, nervously pulling at the sleeve of her red turtleneck as she psyched herself up to tell him that she was late. That she might be pregnant.
Jackie squared her shoulders as she walked into the basement. Her friends were hanging around different corners of the basement while he was sitting on his chair, looking down at the newspaper in his lap. When he saw her, he gave her a soft smile, and the nerves she was feeling started to dissipate.
She sat on the couch cushion closest to him and picked up a magazine off the coffee table. Eric was rambling on about Donna, and Jackie was half-listening as she flipped through the magazine mindlessly, trying to figure out how to bring up the issue to her boyfriend.
“Man, Donna is so awesome. She can afford to go to any school she wants but she wants to go where I go, just so we can be together,” Eric said in awe.
“Yeah, she is awesome,” Hyde began. “Why is she with you again?”
Jackie rolled her eyes in amusement. He’d never miss the opportunity to burn their friends.
“Cause a good girlfriend accepts her guy no matter what,” Kelso answered. “Jackie was always trying to change me. Grow up Michael, act your age Michael, stop shooting grandmother with the water pistol Michael,” Kelso mocked.
Jackie put the magazine down on her lap and looked up at him in annoyance. “She’s ninety two Micheal.”
“She had jam on her face!” Michael said defensively.
“Well, all I know is things with me and Donna are going really, really well. This is just about the point where I screw things up,” Eric said, sitting on the back of the couch.
“So don’t screw it up,” Fez simply stated.
“Fez,” Eric chuckled. “Oh Fez. If history has taught us anything, it is that screwing up is my nature. Do you know what I can do? Bank a little good will, do something nice. Buy her a present.”
“Yep she deserves it too. You know how many times I tried to grab her boob on the way to California?” Kelso asked.
Jackie tuned out the rest of his statement, not wanting to relive those first few days of the summer after he quite literally ran out on her. Hearing about it – even though she was happier with Steven than she ever was with him – was still hurtful.
“I gotta get Donna something really special. Something that reminds her that even though I’m an idiot, I’m an idiot who loves her,” Eric said.
“I got it!” Kelso announced. “A scented candle. Chicks can’t keep their shirt on around a scented candle!”
“Please,” Jackie rolled her eyes. “The battlefield of love is littered with guys who give candles. It’s expensive jewelry or nothing. If you can’t put a price tag on love then how do you know how much it’s worth?”
“Jackie, what kind of crap is that?” Hyde asked, standing from his chair. “You haven’t learned a thing from me.”
“Wait… Steven, what do you mean?” Jackie asked, her voice small.
“I mean romance was created by corporations to prey on losers that think buying nice things will make somebody love them. If you ever read anything besides what Donnie Osmond puts on his waffles maybe you’d learn something,” he scoffed.
Jackie rested her head against her hand, her heart racing as she considered what he said. Sure, she understood where he was coming from, but all she could think about was his downright refusal to buy her anything expensive. He didn’t say the words outright, but she knew what he was implying.
His rant stuck with her the rest of the day. She sat in her bed, trying to calculate just how expensive raising a child would be. What if it’s a girl? She’s gonna want nice clothes, bows for her hair, dollhouses like the ones Jackie had when she was a child. Not to mention the cost of actually raising a kid. If Steven didn’t wanna pay for much now, what would happen when the baby came? Would he refuse to buy his son or daughter the things they wanted because of his hatred for corporations?
Jackie shook her head at the thought. Steven was not Michael. He wouldn’t mooch off of her and sit back and do nothing. She knew that deep down. Maybe his rant was just what it was: a rant about jewelry.
Lying back on her bed, she hugged her flower pillow against her chest. She’d tell him in the morning when they were alone.
The atmosphere in the basement the following day wasn’t any different than it usually was. She half expected him to still be annoyed from what happened yesterday, so when he gestured for her to come to sit on his lap, giddy excitement filled her.
He placed a kiss on the side of her neck, a movement so quick no one else noticed it, and she settled in more comfortably.
Eric came into the basement and immediately addressed his girlfriend. “Donna, you me, tonight, the water tower. Make yourself foxy cause you’re getting something pretty special.”
“Really? A present? I will get foxy,” Donna answered, standing up.
“Oh and Donna, don’t forget to wear flats so that Eric can feel like the boy,” she teased, unable to help herself.
Hyde snickered behind her and squeezed her hip in amusement. Once Donna left, Hyde tapped her leg so he could get up.
“So Forman, finally broke down, huh? What’d you get her? Earrings, a little bracelet?” he asked.
“No, I got her way more than a piece of jewelry. I got her a gift that really says something.” Eric pulled out a little black box, and Jackie’s eyes widened almost comically. “A diamond engagement ring.”
The silence in the room was palpable before Kelso broke it.
“As a joke?”
“No,” Eric answered. “You guys, I’m gonna ask Donna to marry me.”
“As a joke?” Kelso repeated.
The guys all stood and placed the stupid helmet on top of Eric’s head. Eric tried to protest and tell them that he didn’t need this thing, that proposing to Donna was far from stupid.
He argued back and forth with his friends, trying to somehow convince them that this wasn’t stupid. That he and Donna already knew they’d be together, and it didn’t matter if it happened sooner rather than later.
Jackie admired how much Eric was willing to fight for this. She smiled softly to herself, imagining Steven saying things like this when she tells him about the pregnancy.
“Forman, you don’t get engaged when you’re happy. What’s the point? You do it when your backs against the wall and there’s no way out!” Hyde exclaimed.
Jackie felt her heart slowly beginning to sink.
“Like if the girl is pregnant,” he finished.
The entire room felt like it was closing in on her at that moment. Is that how he really felt? That being engaged to her would be a trap? That the only reason he’d ever propose is because she was pregnant?
She couldn’t stay here. She needed to leave and get as far away from her boyfriend as she could so she could think.
“Jackie, help me out here,” Eric whined, bringing Jackie out of her thoughts.
She shifted in her seat, trying not to let her emotions show. “Well, I think it’s beautiful….”
“Well then you’re crazy too,” Hyde deadpanned.
This was her opportunity to leave and figure out what the hell she was going to do.
“Look, Steven,” she said, standing up. “I am my own woman okay, I’m allowed to have opinions about jewelry. You… present hater!”
Jackie followed her outburst by storming out of the basement. The second she closed the door behind her, she felt tears well in her eyes. She cried before composing herself, going upstairs to just sit on the couch until Donna returned.
After a half-hour, the door to the kitchen opened, and Jackie perked up, thinking it was Donna. She deflated at the sight of Eric.
“I thought you left,” he commented.
“Yeah, well, I’m waiting for Donna to come back,” she answered.
Eric furrowed his brow. “Alright… are you okay? You look like you want to talk.”
Jackie shook her head.
“If you repeat this to anyone I’ll deny it…” Eric started. “I know I’m not Donna, but you can talk and I can pretend to not listen.”
Jackie’s lip quivered, and Eric sat next to her on the couch.
“I think I’m pregnant,” she whispered.
Eric’s eyes widened. “Oh God. Jackie, are you sure this isn’t like last time?”
She just shrugged. “I’m really late this time. Last time it was only a day or two, but it’s been over a week since I was supposed to… you know.”
Eric rubbed a hand down the front of his face. “Did you tell Hyde? Wait… it is Hyde’s right?”
Jackie smacked him in the arm. “Yes, it’s Hyde’s you dolt. And no, I’m not sure I can tell him.”
“Jackie, that's ridiculous, you have to tell him. He isn’t like Kelso,” Eric told her.
“I know that.”
“Then why don’t you want to tell him?” Eric questioned.
“You heard him down there. He’s gonna think I trapped him into this – into a marriage. He’s gonna propose because ‘his backs against the wall and the girl is pregnant’, not because he wants me, but because he feels obligated to be with me.” Jackie wiped the tears from her face, wrapping her arms around herself.
Eric wouldn’t necessarily say he and Jackie were close; hell, they spent half the time antagonizing each other to the point of no return. But she was still his friend – in some twisted sort of way. He was pissed for her, pissed that she was stuck in this situation, not knowing if Hyde would care.
“I’m sorry, Jackie. Do you want me to talk to him? I’m sure it’s not like that,” Eric said, giving his brother the benefit of the doubt.
“No,” Jackie declined. “No, it has to be me, I just can’t yet. I need time to figure this out. Promise me you won’t say anything?”
Eric nodded, squeezing her shoulder in support.
“Why is it that every time I’m in this situation it’s you I tell?” Jackie laughed tearfully.
“Last time was in the basement, this time in my living room… I wonder what the next one will be like,” Eric joked, chuckling when Jackie smacked him again.
Eric couldn’t help but be uncomfortable around Hyde. He knew something significant in his life – something that he would know if he wasn’t such an ass in the basement.
Eric knew how Hyde really felt about Jackie. He was privy to that information thanks to one very intense circle. He knew Hyde cared deeply for her – loved her even. But he also couldn’t deny that Jackie’s fears had some merit.
Hyde struggled with commitment. Bud and Edna were to blame for that. Eric honestly didn't know how news like this would make Hyde do or feel.
As they sat in the circle, Eric talked about the ring and Donna and all of his own fears, that is, until Hyde started speaking.
“It’s all about expectations, man. Like I’ve taught Jackie to think I’m rude, and inconsiderate. I can’t disappoint her because I’m always disappointing her!”
Eric glared at his brother, knowing damn well that was an exaggeration. Hyde didn’t remember, but that circle revealed much more than just Hyde’s feelings for Jackie. He told Eric about all the mushy things they do, how he was totally whipped. Hearing Hyde say this, especially with what he knew now, made Eric snap.
“Yeah? Well maybe you should stop disappointing her. Step up and be a better boyfriend, show her that you care damn it!” Eric yelled.
“The hell is your problem, Forman?” Hyde asked.
“You. Grow up!” Eric yelled, kicking his chair back as he stormed upstairs.
Donna stood at the top of the stairs, confusion written on her face. She followed Eric into the kitchen, crossing her arms when they stood by the fridge.
“What was that all about?” She asked.
“I can’t tell you. Gosh, he just pisses me off sometimes.”
“Well, Jackie is pretty high maintenance, Eric. She expects a lot from people. Sometimes a little too much, so I don’t blame Hyde for trying to get her to lower her expectations a bit,” Donna shrugged.
Eric looked at her incredulously. “That’s the thing Donna, he’s full of shit! He told me stuff in a circle one time that makes me look like a distant boyfriend! Jackie isn’t expecting too much from him, she’s just expecting him to step up and be a good father!” Eric burst out.
Donna’s jaw dropped, and a pained “what?” sounded from behind Eric.
He turned and came face to face with Hyde – his face pale, his sunglasses tucked into the neckline of his shirt.
“Jackie’s pregnant?” Hyde mumbled.
“She’s…” Eric trailed off. “She’s late, she doesn’t know for sure but… she thinks so.”
Hyde took a deep breath. “And why do you know this? Why am I just now finding this out? Why didn’t she tell me?”
“Because–”
“No, you know what, Forman? I’ll go ask her my damn self,” Hyde snapped, storming off toward the El Camino.
Jackie sat on the edge of her bed, thankful for the first time that her parents weren’t home to see her like this. She looked a mess, her eyes red and puffy from crying, her hair in a messy bun on top of her head. Her clothes from earlier were slightly wrinkled from being curled up under her covers.
She needed to figure out what she would do if she was pregnant. Maybe she could sell a few of her things to save some money? Of course, it wouldn’t be much, but anything would help.
Jackie jumped at the sound of her door opening. Hyde walked in and closed the door before turning to her, his eyes flashing.
“What the hell Jackie?”
“Steven? What are you–”
“You’re pregnant?”
Jackie froze. Stupid Eric.
“I- I might be. I’m late.”
Hyde squeezed the bridge of his nose between his fingers, inhaling sharply.
“Why didn’t you tell me? Why did I have to find out from Eric? He wasn’t even telling me, he was telling Donna and I had to overhear news about my own damn kid!” Hyde said before freezing. “Unless it’s not–”
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence Steven Hyde,” Jackie warned.
Hyde took another deep breath. “I'm sorry, okay? I don’t know what else to think. Why else wouldn’t you tell me.”
“Oh I dunno, maybe because of what you said in the basement? Does that ring any bells?”
Hyde’s face scrunched up. “Jackie, seriously? I didn’t mean it like that.”
“How else was I supposed to take it?”
“Maybe tell me what was going on instead of assuming I’d act like fucking Kelso?”
“I’m sorry, okay! But look at you right now, you’re not even the least bit happy about this!” Jackie cried out.
“Jackie, are you… we’re in high school. God you’re only a junior, this isn’t something we should be dealing with right now!”
“Dealing with?” Jackie repeated.
“Yeah, Jackie. Dealing with. Neither of us is ready to have a kid. We were just hounding on Forman because of his insane idea about marrying Donna–”
“You think marrying me would be insane?” Jackie cut him off.
“I didn’t say that.”
“That’s what you’re implying!”
“Yeah, Jackie, I think it would be insane for us to get married in high school. We barely have our own shit together, how are we supposed to raise a kid?” Hyde said.
She can tell he’s panicking, but her own hurt is pushing aside any concern she may feel for him.
“Whatever, Steven. You’re off the hook.”
Hyde whipped his head around to look at her. “What?”
“You’re off the hook. You don’t have to deal with any of this,” Jackie repeated.
She was so angry that she didn’t even realize the crushed look on his face. “Jackie, you don’t mean that, so don’t say it.”
Jackie felt her face heating up. “I can do this alone if this is such a problem for you.”
Hyde looked at her, exasperation firm on his face. “You can’t seriously think that I’d–”
“Just go, please? I just… I need some time alone.”
Hyde stood there hurt consuming him, before he backed out of her room.
Once her door was closed, Jackie curled back into her bed and cried.
After spending almost two hours crying and mulling over her argument with Steven, Jackie felt guilty. Not so much for asking for time to figure things out, but for pushing him away instead of letting him figure it out with her. For forcing him to leave before letting him speak.
Jackie found herself hesitant to walk through the basement door. What if Steven told her he thought about it and wanted to be off the hook? She couldn’t bear the thought of that.
Taking a steadying breath, Jackie walked inside. The basement was empty, and the door to Steven’s room was wide open, and that typically meant he wasn’t in there.
She sat on the couch, preparing to wait until he got back, when something caught her eye.
She sat closer to the edge of the couch, grabbing the newspaper that was on the table. It had multiple apartments for rent circled. They all had two bedrooms and were close to the Forman’s house.
On the other side, he circled places that were hiring, places that would definitely pay more than the Fotohut. Then, glancing over at the notepad next to the newspaper, there was a written list of items needed for a baby.
Crib
Stroller
Baby bottles
Onesies/clothes
Blankets
Jackie laughed, tears forming in her eyes as she traced her finger down the front of the paper. It was that moment when Steven reentered the basement, stopping dead in his tracks at the sight of Jackie.
“Hey,” he said softly.
Jackie lifted her gaze to him. “Steven, what is all of this?”
Hyde cleared his throat. “I figured we were gonna need our own place, you know? Can’t exactly raise a kid from a basement, or in your bedroom.”
Jackie put the notepad back on the table and approached him slowly. “Steven…”
“Jackie, I need to tell you something, and I need you to let me say it. No interruptions, okay? Just wait till I say it all because it's already hard enough.”
Jackie swallowed thickly, then nodded.
“I talked to Mrs. Forman – made her cry a little bit because she doesn’t want to think of her ‘babies having babies.’ She said all we need to do right now is go to the doctor and they can confirm if you’re really pregnant or not.”
Jackie opened her mouth to say something, but Hyde sent her a look before she could. She closed her mouth and gestured for him to continue.
“If the doctor tells us that you aren’t pregnant, I’m gonna be relieved. And I think you will be too because you know we are too damn young to have a kid. But…” he trailed off, scratching the back of his head. “If you are, I need you to know that I’m not gonna walk out on you. I’ll be there for all of it. I won’t be like my parents. I’m not gonna abandon you or our kid. I know I was acting like an ass, but I didn’t mean to upset you with what I said. I’m eighteen, Jackie. Getting married is the last thing on my mind right now, and Forman considering it is stupid, so I’m gonna say whatever I can to try and make him wake up.”
Jackie chuckled a little, and Hyde reached out and grabbed her hand. “I’m sorry I made you feel like you couldn’t tell me,” he said gently.
Jackie shook her head, a tear escaping through her lashes. “I don’t even think it was what you said. I think I was just scared. I’m sorry I told Eric before you, it wasn’t my plan, but he came into the room, and I was sad and he asked what was wrong and it just came out.”
“Hey, it’s okay.”
Jackie looked over her shoulder back at the table. “You’ve been preparing?”
Hyde’s face warmed up. “I told you, I’m not gonna abandon you.”
Jackie beamed at him, stepping forward and cupping his cheeks as she pressed a firm kiss on his lips. He exhaled in relief and kissed her back, trying to show in his actions his apology for his reaction – for making her question if he’d be there.
He rested his forehead against hers for a moment before intertwining their fingers and leading her out of the basement door.
Jackie plopped down on the cot next to Steven, curling into his side as he ran his fingers through her hair.
“So… how are you feeling?” she asked.
“How about you tell me how you’re feeling,” Hyde countered.
Jackie grinned slightly. “I’m pissed that I made this such a big deal only to find out my cycle is changing , but… I’m so relieved. We’re both so young and… I don’t know. I love the idea of being a mom, but I’m just happy it isn’t happening now, you know?”
Hyde pushed a piece of her hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear. “I know. Mrs. Forman’s reaction to you not being pregnant was pretty funny too.”
Jackie laughed. “I’ve never seen someone down that many celebratory margaritas in a row before.”
Hyde shook his head in amusement before pushing her head back down to his chest. “We just gotta be more careful. We can’t be worrying about this now.”
Jackie nodded. “All that stuff you said before – about not walking out on me – did you mean it?”
“I meant it.”
Jackie hid her smile by tucking her face in the crook of his neck. His promise further proved how lucky she was to be with him, and not Michael. Sure, Michael had no qualms about buying her jewelry, and he listened to everything she said, but he would have ran for the hills if she had turned out to be pregnant. Steven stepped up, and she could already feel her affections for him growing stronger.
Jackie stood from the bed abruptly and put her hand on her hip. Now that all the heaviness of the day was resolved, there was one thing she had to address. She was still Jackie Burkhart at the end of the day. Hyde lifted a curious brow and crossed his arms over his chest, seemingly aware of what she was about to say.
“Now that we don’t have to worry about a pregnancy anymore, I’ve been thinking about your conspiracy mumbo jumbo about presents and diamonds and buying me stuff, and I realized that all your paranoid delusional crap about romance, is just a coverup for you being cheap!”
Hyde blinked at her, his face showing how thankful he was that they could so easily slip back into their normal routine after the major scare they had experienced.
“Okay, first of all it’s not paranoid delusional crap. Advertisers spend billions to make you think I’m a jerk if I don’t buy you jewelry. And second of all, you’re right I am cheap,” Hyde smirked.
Jackie rolled her eyes, unable to resist crawling back into the bed next to him. “Well you know what, you better quit it cause I like to get stuff.”
Jackie wrapped her body around his, and as she hugged him, she looked up at his face from under her lashes. “Especially shiny stuff.”
Hyde held her close, rubbing circles on her back.
“Would you settle for a cheeseburger wrapped in tin foil?” he teased.
Jackie placed her head on his chest. “Well for you I will, but just know, I’m really lowering my standards.”
She knew it wasn’t true, today proved that better than she could have imagined. She also knew it wasn’t true when he replied, “That makes two of us.”
He kissed her chastely on the lips and Jackie shifted next to him to get more comfortable, her eyes fluttering shut.
When he thought she had drifted off to sleep, Hyde pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose, then moved his lips to her temple.
Jackie broke the silence by breathing out a soft laugh.
“What?” Hyde asked.
“You circled apartments in the paper for the two of us. You’re so romantic.”
Hyde froze, and with no real heat he said, “Shut up.”
Jackie said nothing and snuggled into him further, a content smile on her face as she fell asleep.