Jackie Burkhart skipped to the mailbox. She's getting married in 4 weeks.
Four weeks!
She opened the mailbox in a camisole night gown. Normally she wouldn't let anyone see her like this; hair in a messy bun, no make-up, and unflattering clothing (though Steven says it sexy) but she always has to check the mailbox for RSVPs in the morning. She grabbed the mail and scurried inside.
"Seven more RSVPs!" She sang outloud. She joined Steven in the kitchen and threw the rest of the mail without looking at it. She hugged him from behind while he was cooking scrambled eggs.
Three months pregnant and cravings were already hitting her hard. She particularly liked scrambled eggs and chocolate together. "Gross" Steven commented once, but the baby wants what the baby wants. He preferred the sex part that the baby brought at first.
"You know Jackie, there is other important mail in that pile." He said to her.
She let go of his back. "Yeah but my wedding kinda outshines bills." She shrugged and went to get two plates and sat them on the counter next to where he was cooking.
She got out orange juice and poured herself a glass. She craved coffee but she wants to keep herself as healthy as possible for her child. She rubbed her belly.
"Worried?" Steven asked. He put some eggs on the plates and carried them to the table.
She put the orange juice back in the fridge and joined him at the table. "I just want the baby to come out perfect." She said.
He grabbed her hand. "She'll be perfect."
"She?" Jackie asked with a smile.
"I just have a feeling about it." He said shrugging and let go of her hand."
She smiled wider and leaned forward, she softly grabbed his cheeks and kissed him.
"Promise me one thing?"
"What?" He was about to take a bite of eggs.
"You'll shave your beard before the wedding?"
He gave her a glare.
"What? I don't want to kiss carpet when we get married. And I want to see your face in wedding pictures. Please Steven?" She gave him the pout.
"Fine." He said grudgingly. "Two days before the wedding."
"Steven!" She shrieked. "What about the wedding pictures?"
He rolled his eyes. "Fine." He said defeated.
But he got to see her smile, so it was all good again.
She started blabbing about work so he decided to check the mail.
Bill, bill, 7th RSVP, letter, bill, fi- a letter.
He didn't recognize the location from where the letter came from. Maybe they got the wrong address. Curiosity got the best of him. He opened the letter with his hands, too impatient to grab the letter opener.
"We own a letter opener." Jackie said looking at him.
He mumbled a response and continued ripping the letter open.
She took a bite of eggs then looked at him. She saw every emotion fill his eyes, but most of all...hate.
"Steven."
He wouldn't look up. He wasn't even reading it. Just stuck on one thing.
"Steven." She said louder.
He tore his eyes away from the letter and looked at her.
"It's from Edna."
Before Jackie could react Steven got up, throwing the chair down in the process. He was quickly headed for the front door.
"Steven!" She called anxiously getting up too. "Steven where are you going?" He didn't turn around or answer just opened the front door.
"Steven! Please answer me." Desperation filled her voice. She was scared, he realized. He shouldn't act this anymore.
"I just need to clear my head. I'll be back. Okay?"
She walked closer to him and have him a hug.
His tense body melted into hers and gave her a slight hug back.
"Don't worry babe." He mumbled into her hair.
She let go of him and watched him get into the Camino and drive off.
He needs to do this, she thought.
She went inside and decided to clean up the forgotten breakfast.
The letter was nagging her though. She always a nosy person, it got the best of her at the wrong times.
She sat down and read it. And regretted it immediately. Edna had messy writing like Steven. Barely legible and rushed together.
And just like Steven, his mother's words cut through her heart like a knife.
"I hear your getting hitched. To a Burkhart of all people "
"Your drinking starts to act up, loose lips and loose fists."
"she'll leave you and leave you dead on the streets."
Her eyes start to tear up, but she couldn't stop reading.
"Even if she did bring you that happiness doesn't mean you should marry her. You belong with a woman who shares the same heart as you. Damaged and broken. Not a heart like hers that is glass and filled with rainbows. Don't ruin her Steven, she doesn't deserve it. I'm surprised you lasted that long. Or that your getting married at all.
It's very out of character for you. My main point is this. You Steven Hyde, ruin everything you touch. It's in your blood. No escaping who you are. You think that her light fixed your darkness? Your just gonna consume her light with your darkness."
He shouldn't read this. It'll ruin him, Jackie thought. But she knows she can't hide this from him either.
This cruel vile woman doesn't know Steven anymore. She's been gone and he's been happy and it's not fair that she gets to write this letter and ruin everything.
Remain calm for the baby. She sets down the letter and takes a shaky breath. A shower would help. Plus it will drown out her sobs.
