Chapter 01 – How it started

New Year's Eve 1979 – Eric had been flying all night and his plane was delayed. He could just hear his dad complaining about the inconvenience and anticipated a couple of boots in his ass when he got home. His flight landed and as predicted, no Red Forman. Eric counted the bills in his pocket and hailed a cab for the ride home.

Wearily, he strode up the driveway to find the love of his life standing by the Vista Cruiser. She looked lost in thought and oh so beautiful. She wasn't aware that he was watching her until he cleared his throat and said, "Happy New Year."

She looked at him, a big smile forming on her lips. She listened to some awkward excuse about a late flight before grabbing his face in her hands and kissing him welcome home.

"God Eric I missed you so much!" she kissed him again and the winter cold left his bones to be replaced by the warmth of the love she still had for him. He hugged her close. "Donna, I didn't really mean to break up with you. I – I wasn't thinking. I just didn't want to hold you back."

Donna looked into his emerald green eyes. "You dill hole, the only thing that would have held me back was not having you in my life." She kissed his face with butterfly kisses – so happy he was back.

*

In the wee hours of the New Year, Eric and Donna drove to Niagara Falls to elope instead of starting college in Madison like she planned. "Oh God, our parents are going to kill us! You're mom didn't get to take wedding pictures!" Donna said nervously as the Vista Cruiser pulled into the Forman driveway. The newly married couple was exhausted after the 18 hour road trip.

Donna noticed that her dad was packing up the moving van. "Crap, Dad's moving today. I forgot! Eric, I'm supposed to be in Madison!"

Eric kissed his bride. "It's okay sweetie, let's go talk to your dad and tell him he has a new son-in-law."

*

Pow! Bam! Eric went down in round one of Eric Forman meeting Bob Pinciotti's fist. His curly black hair shook in anger. "Do you know how much money University classes cost? Do you realize I will not get my full refund because you two kids decided to get married?"

Donna had never seen her dad so angry! "Dad! Quit hitting Eric. This was my idea too. He's wanted me to marry him forever and well, we did it!"

Bob hissed through his teeth, "Are you pregnant too?"

Donna was shocked. "What? No! Eric just came back and we decided to elope! Daddy, I'm sorry we didn't tell you first. Come on, you're a father-in-law now. Make nice with Eric."

Bob shook his head sadly. "Donna, I'm not going to say I'm happy about this because I'm not. I'm still moving to Florida but you can live here until the house sells. I'll leave you the number of the realtor but you two should look for an apartment very soon. I'm going upstairs to pack my clothes. "I'll call you from Orlando. You better go make nice with Red and Kitty."

*

Kitty cried and Red walked out of the kitchen talking about different types of things that should go in Eric's ass besides his foot. Donna felt extremely uncomfortable and left Eric to deal with his mom while she sought out Hyde in the basement.

"Mom, you knew I was always going to marry Donna."

Kitty wiped her eyes, "Eric – where are the wedding photos? Who was going to make the cake? My only son gets married to that whore! Do you know she slept with Randy while you were gone?"

Eric was aware that Donna had a semi serious relationship but he didn't want to dwell on it. He was finally married to the love of his life – just like they planned it as sophomores at Point Place high school!

Kitty glared at him, "You broke up with her! Now you want her back? Eric, how could you?" Kitty picked up her vodka tonic and stormed out of the kitchen.

*

"Yeah, my dad wasn't real thrilled. He's letting us stay in the house until there's a buyer."

Hyde started laughing. "Man Donna, I always thought you were smarter than that! So you're going to be the little woman who stays home and keeps house? Ha Ha – this is some elaborate burn isn't it? Where's Eric – I can see him planning this one for months!"

Donna smacked Hyde on the arm. "Look, shut your pie hole. This is a wedding band and we drove to Niagara Falls – and IT WAS REALLY ROMANTIC!"

Eric came down the basement steps, "Yep, mom did not take it well and Red is putting on the biggest boot he can find."

Hyde looked at their dismal faces and laughed until he cried. "Married? Donna Forman? Oh my God, I'm gonna piss my pants!"

*

Nine Months Later

Robert Anderson Esq. – Eric looked at the name of Donna's attorney on the letterhead. He knew they were headed here and he almost felt relieved. After months of being apart from the love of his life, Eric thought that marriage would fill the emptiness in both their lives. Hell, they wanted it and craved it but in the end, the magic just wasn't there. The terms of the divorce were simple – no spousal support and a 50/50 dissolution of combined assets.

They had spent the last six months of their whirlwind marriage avoiding each other. When they were dating, they always had somewhere to go home after a fight or misunderstanding. While married, they woke up together, went to work, ate together, slept together and Donna was bored out of her mind.

All those months apart before the marriage, in no way prepared them for living together 24 hours a day; it was a nuclear meltdown waiting to happen. There just wasn't enough love left to carry the marriage. Donna and Eric sat down one night and bared their souls and cried some tears at their perspective failures as a spouse. They had a candid talk about how teenage dreams and romances didn't really carry over well into the real world. Donna agreed and they parted as friends – well as much as they could be considering how the last few months went! Donna decided to move to Florida and live with her dad and go back to school.

Eric decided to see if his folks would let him move back home. At least he still had his job.

*

The divorce was final in spring of 1982. Eric moved into the same apartment building as Fez and Jackie. He had a small little bachelor unit like Fez and that was just fine. He was single – divorced – on his own and actually happy!

His meager belongings consisted of the contents of his old bedroom. All the old furniture and everything else had belonged to Donna or Bob. When the Pinciotti home sold, the realtor got rid of all the remaining furniture. So it was back to a twin bed that doubled as a sofa, a chair and his color TV. A simple life but Eric was finally content.

The Happy Day's Hotel in Kenosha needed a night auditor and Eric's math skills were sufficient enough for the evening shift. This actually worked out great because he liked staying for the later shift and sleeping in during the days. Donna had been a workaholic – up at 4:00 a.m. and in bed at 8:00 p.m.

Eric's current shift was 7:00 p.m until 3:30 in the morning. It actually took him a while to get used to the shift hours, but he liked working with the skeleton crew late at night and could see his folks once in a while during the afternoon. The only drawback was he missed hanging out with his friends.

Hyde still lived in the Forman's basement. Jackie had a two bedroom apartment on the same floor as Fez and Eric but she was hardly ever home and Kelso and Brooke lived in Chicago. Still, he had his own apartment, his own car and a job that could lead to better things. Eric Forman had a future.

*

"What do you mean the Royal Suites can't accommodate 200 people?" Jackie screeched into the telephone. "They had no problems last week with the motivational speaker did they? That was easily over 300 people!"

She threw her purse on the sofa and stomped over to the kitchen table to her day planner. "George, I've booked this room from you for my last six weddings. Why are you bumping me out now?"

Jackie listened to the half assed excuse the hotel manager gave her and she replied, "Look, its 200 guests and at least half of them will be spending the night. The bride wants to use your banquet hall for the reception. George, let me have this room on Saturday and I promise not to book your hotel for the next year."

On the other end of the phone, faceless George agreed to her terms. "Thank you George. Yes, you'll get a percentage of my fees." Jackie hung up the phone. Crisis averted and now she could dive into the newly delivered bridal magazines.

*

Eric was sitting in Fez's apartment drinking a beer. He finally got a Friday night off and deliberated going to a movie or hanging out with a friend. Fez won. "Eric, it is good that you live in Kenosha. Point Place is nice but there are more girls in the big city. Maybe you'll find someone to replace Donna."

Eric smirked, "I'm not looking to replace Donna. I still love her – I think I'll always love her but man, we never should have married!"

There was an insistent knocking on the front door. Fez looked out the front window and nearly squealed. "Jackie! My goddess! Come in out of the cold." Jackie was vigorously rubbing her cold hands and stomping her boots. "Why is it still snowing in March? God, I'm freezing."

She stepped in the tiny apartment, "Oh Eric, I didn't see you!" She quickly walked over and enveloped her old friend in a gentle hug.

Eric felt stiff. Jackie Burkhart was never really his good friend; they merely tolerated each other and essentially grew up together in the basement. She sent some letters to him in Africa but that was pretty much all the contact they had with each other.

"I knew you lived in the building, but this is the first time I've seen you." She sat on the edge of the futon sofa. "Fez, are you busy tomorrow?"

Fez sighed, "You have another wedding?"

Jackie grinned. "Well, I'm a wedding planner slash event organizer. Yes. The bride, her mom, mother of the groom and three bridesmaids all need styling. I can get you $400 for one morning of work."

Fez's eyes lit up – that was a good morning. "Well, it's supposed to snow, how far away is the wedding?"

Eric watched the drama unfold. "They're using a limo to drop them off and pick up – you just have to make them beautiful."

Fez almost blushed. "I always make women beautiful. You should see my Rhonda."

Eric coughed. "Rhonda? You're dating Big Rhonda?"

Jackie smirked, "Eric, where have you been? Rhonda teaches water ballet and is just gorgeous!"

Eric digested that information. "Jackie I just got divorced – I've sort of cocooned myself. What are you doing as a wedding coordinator? I would have thought you would have been married yourself!"

The pretty little brunette leaned back on the futon, "Well, I'm never getting married because I don't need the heartache but that doesn't mean I can't make other people's weddings memorable. I noticed that you and Donna didn't have a ceremony."

Fez grinned. "Good burn Jackie." Fez said handing her a beer. Eric frowned at his friend. "Well, we were being spontaneous – it just happened."

Fez sighed, "I miss Donna sometimes. She had such wonderful red or blonde hair….."

Jackie rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Hey, I'm getting claustrophobic in this closet. Come to my apartment in an hour and I'll make us some dinner."

Jackie bounced up to her feet. "I'm making tacos!" Fez clapped his hands happily.

Eric said, "Do we really want to eat at Jackie's? I mean I can't afford food poisoning."

She glared at Eric. "Yeah, then just stay home and have another TV dinner you loser!" She opened the door against the cold weather. "Besides, my place is bigger and warmer!"

Eric asked his friend. "Again, do we really want to eat at Jackie's?"

Fez laughed, "Yes my friend. She can really cook! Miss Kitty gave her some lessons while you were in Africa."

Eric smiled, well then it couldn't be too bad!

*

Jackie's two bedroom apartment was much bigger than the bachelor Eric lived in. She actually had a separate kitchen, a small dining room and two bedrooms. Eric noticed that the second bedroom was filled with gowns and fabrics and a working desk. "This is your office?"

Jackie smiled. "That is the hub of my business. I usually work from home so it just made sense to kick Fez out and use his room for my fabrics. Sorry Fezzie."

Fez smiled, "That's okay Jackie. I get more action now that I live alone. Besides, you were a terrible roommate!"

Jackie grinned. "Just because I wouldn't let you spy on me naked doesn't make me a terrible roommate!"

Eric laughed; he missed this kind of friendly banter between friends. "So Jackie, how long have you been planning weddings?"

Jackie put the hamburger in the frying pan and started chopping onions. "About a year and a half - its great money and I get to be creative. I make the most memorable weddings and Fez does the hair and makes a great profit for his salon."

Eric never realized that just because his world stopped at the divorce, the rest of his friends would go on and have wonderful lives without him. Even Hyde in the basement of his parent's house was making frequent trips to Las Vegas to see his ex-wife Samantha, who he never really married.

The onions were cooking and some minced garlic scented the air. Eric's stomach grumbled, he really did miss home cooking. "Jackie can I help you?"

She smiled, "Sure, you can slice tomatoes and clean the lettuce. Fez, why don't you set the table?"

Dinner was great – Eric was getting tired of eating dinner at the hotel and he couldn't cook worth a damn at his apartment. He probably would have just ordered another pizza if he was at home right now. Fez rubbed his belly and yawned. "Jackie, I have to go – I'm making beautiful women in the morning so I'll say Good Day!"

Jackie smiled as she watched Fez walk out of the apartment they used to share. She turned her gaze towards Eric. "So newly divorced Eric Forman…what have you been doing with yourself?"

Eric felt like a deer in headlights. He was alone in an apartment with Jackie Burkhart and no other person to buffer him! "Er, I'm a night auditor at the Happy Day's Hotel."

He saw her eyebrow lift. "Go on…" she encouraged him as she got up to make coffee. "What does an auditor do?"

Eric never had anyone express in interest in job before, this was awkward! "I post the financial information of the day, credit card receipts and cash and then check that against the price of the rooms rented, I make sure everything balances. At the end of my shift, I have a report ready for the day manager to review."

Jackie pushed a mug of hot coffee across the table toward him. "So you're the guy that slips the bill under the door every morning, eh?"

Eric smiled. "That's me! I'm also I charge of the mint that you find on your pillowcase at bedtime."

Jackie smiled. "You are not. That's Housekeeping's job."

He grinned. "Okay, you're right, but I like to think that I take care of the budget that provided the money to buy the chocolate mints."

"Dream on Forman." She laughed. "So… you're a numbers guy. That fits you – you were always good with math."

"Numbers never lie." He agreed.

"Do you have any other aspirations?" she asked sipping some hot coffee.

"Well, I'm aspiring to be the hotel manager. That old guy makes big bucks and he's not a great manager, if you know what I mean."

"Yeah, I've been dealing with George Lamons over at Royal Suites and he is a pain in my ass. I've had six parties over there and I know he gets a cut of the money. Plus, like you said, they make big bucks!"

That got Jackie thinking – Eric worked at a hotel with large banquet halls.

Eric was thinking – Jackie could hostess wedding receptions and he could get a cut- plus if it booked people in the hotel, he could advance to that ultimate position of Hotel Manager!

They both looked at each other – conspiring how to approach the topic that was foremost on their minds. Jackie smiled – she decided she would just show up at Eric's hotel and see the rooms before she made a pact with the devil.

Eric smiled and decided he would call George Lamons and see how well her parties went over before he made a pact with the midget devil of his youth!

Eric downed the last of his coffee. He thanked Jackie for the great meal and promised to stop by more often. She walked him to the door and after he stepped out in the freezing cold, he heard the soft snick of the lock being turned and he hurried to his apartment.

*