Author Note: ….poor Steven…he suffers and still loses Jackie!

T7S

Chapter 14 – A Folded Piece of Paper

T7S

Kitty was more than thrilled to throw the traditional Labor Day's barbeque at the Forman house. Her daughter-in-law was a very pregnant nine months along and her neighbor Midge was coming in at five months and glowing. The two women were discussing birthing methods with Brooke, while the guys drank beer and looked at Red's brand new 1985 Corvette convertible!

4-Hearts had been bought out by a national chain of automotive retailers and Jackie and Red took the money and shares of stock. Red's first purchase was his dream car of the future with all the bells and whistles. Jackie put her money down on a house near the Forman's. She told Kitty she would need a babysitter after all!

Randy became a close friend of Eric's while Kelso and Fez were excited to have nearly all the gang back together. Hyde showed up with Sam with the knowledge that if either one of them antagonized the pregnant women; they would be punished with both of Red's feet up the keester!

Kitty was fanning herself and drinking a Long Island Ice Tea when Samantha walked over. She politely excused herself from the other ladies and said, "Mrs. Forman. May Steven and I speak with you in the kitchen please?"

Kitty stood up and noticed that the happy conversations had quieted down. What was this about? She set her drink on the counter and turned around to look at Steven. "What can I do for you dears?"

Samantha put her hand on her hip and said, "Steven has this rash and he went to the free clinic and the doctor told him it was this." Sam handed Kitty a folded piece of paper. "We figured that since you were a nurse, you could explain what it is so he wouldn't be embarrassed."

Kitty looked at the folded piece of paper and said, "Oh my!" She looked at Steven. "Are there blisters?"

He looked like he wanted to crawl out of the room. "Yes. Okay? Yes and it hurts."

"Steven honey, does it hurt all the time?' Kitty asked delicately. He nodded his head. "Sometimes...it comes and goes...What is it?"

Kitty exhaled a long breath. "Now, I want you to go to a regular doctor for medication if this is what I think it is okay?"

"Okay, don't keep us in suspense." Hyde said nearly impatient and wanting to itch. Kitty handed back the diagnosis. "Son, it's called HHV-1." Then she whispered, "Its genital herpes."

"Well how the hell did I get it?" he asked more upset and embarrassed than angry. Kitty looked at both of them. "It's a sexually transmitted disease. Didn't I teach you about using protection? Both you and Eric? You must have slept with someone that didn't have any outbreaks at the time."

Hyde looked at Samantha who looked extremely guilty. "What! It was only one guy and only one time and he tipped real good!" she exclaimed in her defense then covered her mouth with her hand, "Oh god. That means I have it too?"

Kitty sighed, "Both of you need to go get checked and wash your hands a lot!" Now follow my example, then get yourselves to the doctor pronto!"

-o-

Eric and Kelso were busy dragging a Three Musketeers bar through the grass on a thread while making Fez chase it. Randy was cracking up when they saw an angry Hyde burst out of the kitchen. He whipped his glasses off and strode over to Eric.

"Forman. I'm only telling you this one time. Quit living in the past! Donna's dead and you have a beautiful girlfriend and a baby on the way. Live in the now! Marry her because you'll never find anyone like her for the rest of your freaking life!"

Hyde mumbled something angrily and hissed for Samantha to get in the car. She looked back at the group slightly ashamed. Jackie looked at Kitty for an explanation.

Kitty replied, "Honey….sometimes when you sleep with dogs, you wake up with fleas. BIG fleas ahahahaha…" Kitty nudged her husband, "I'll tell you all about it later."

Eric threw the candy bar to Fez and walked over to Jackie. "So what do you say, can I propose yet?" He ran his palm over her baby swollen belly and was rewarded with a kick. "A little someone already says yes."

Jackie grinned. Eric had tried proposing every week for the last five and she was having fun stringing him along but now he was asking in front of all her friends. "Are you SURE you're not marrying me because I'm rich and successful?"

Kelso laughed, "You're pregger's Jackie and you have big feet."

"Shut up Michael. You're ruining a romantic moment."

Eric knelt down and put a hand on her knee and looked up at her pretty face with the little baby-swollen nose. "I love you Jackie and I want you and the baby to make a family with me. I will never be unfaithful, I will never sleep with dogs, whatever that means…and I will always take care of you and our family."

Jackie touched his smooth face. His green eyes were so sincere and she could even imagine how handsome he'd be at 40 when their child graduated Point Place High School. "I would love to be your wife." She said softly.

Fez yelled, "What did she say?"

Brooke laughed, "Jackie said yes!"

Midge clapped. "Oh goodie….more babies on the block. I can be Aunt Midge and Bob can be….well, he can be Aunt Bob."

Eric laughed, "Uncle Bob it is." From his pocket, Eric fished out the diamond ring he had been carrying around for a month. He took Jackie's hand and slid the gold circle onto her tiny finger. "I love you so much."

She pulled down his head for a kiss and the diamond winked in the sunshine.

Red knew everything was going to work out perfectly. He probably would have never had a grandchild from Donna and Eric. Bob would never have gotten the chance to have another baby or reunite with his ex-wife. Steven found his happiness with Samantha but Kitty really needed to explain that one to him! Even Kelso grew out of his kettlehead phase.

Life was sweet. But sitting in the front seat of his brand new Corvette convertible – life was even sweeter.

The End.

A/N: I wanted to end on a happy note. No more angst or tragedies because this was so sad.

Thanks to all you WONDERFUL readers who took the time to review and care about the characters and the direction I took them in. You guys are AWESOME!

Until next time…..Use protection! Just kidding.