Original A/N: I don't own Will and Grace, I just like writing it. In order to understand some parts to this story please read my other W&G story "The Misunderstood Siblings." (Originally published on 3/18/07)
New A/N: So this is obviously a sequel to my other Will & Grace story, "The Misunderstood Siblings." In honor of Will & Grace returning to our screens, I should edit my old W&G stories – they really needed it. So I hope you guys like the updated version of this story. Let me know what you think! (Edited 9/3/17)
It's a Wonderful Will
"You know, Will, I still can't get over the fact that you and Karen are related," Grace popped a piece of a muffin in her mouth. Will, Jack, and Grace were eating breakfast in Will's apartment. It was a few days after Will and Karen told everyone else that they found out they were brother and sister.
"I know, it's really weird," Jack agreed and snatched Will's muffin from his hand before he could take a bite.
"Jack, you know I was about to eat that right?" Will asked.
"Yeah, I know. You should be thanking me, Truman. If you eat too many of those muffins you'll get fat… or wait you already are," Jack retorted and took a big bite out of Will's muffin. Will just rolled his eyes at Jack's teases.
"Well as much as I'd love to stay here and let you both eat all my food, I've got to get to work. I'll see you guys later," Will got up and headed to the door.
"Bye," Jack and Grace waved in unison. As soon as Will opened the door, he was greeted by Karen and Rosario.
"Hey, Wilma," Karen greeted.
"Sis," Will returned and continued out the door to the elevators.
"Where's she off to in such a rush?" Karen asked.
"He had to go to… what's it called again, Grace?" Jack couldn't think of the word.
"Work," Grace finished, "You know some people actually do it."
"Maybe you should try it some time, chica. It can do a person good," Rosario took a seat on the couch. Karen came further into the apartment and walked over to Jack.
"Hey, Poodle, I'm not doing anything today. Do you want go do something fun?" Karen asked.
"Karen, what are you talking about? You work with me … as my assistant," Grace said and added 'as my assistant' after Karen looked confused.
"What are you talking about, honey" Karen was still confused.
"Just forget it, go with Jack. Maybe I'll actually get some stuff done," Grace gave Karen permission to do whatever she wanted to do with Jack.
"I've got to go to work. When you guys are done stealing our stuff, please just lock up afterwards, Will and I would appreciate it."
Grace left, leaving the trio inside.
"Rosie, why don't you go back to the manse and start cleaning something? Jack and I have some important stuff to do," Karen made hand motions for Rosario to get out of the apartment.
"Okay, lady, fine with me, the more I don't have to breathe in your alcohol breath the better," Rosario left with Jack and Karen following behind, but not before Jack grabbed something off the coffee table before exiting.
~W&G&J&K~
"What do you mean? Am I off the case?" Will had his hand on his hip. He raised his voice over the phone.
"Okay, fine. Thank you for considering me as your attorney, goodbye," Will hung up the phone.
"This day has been just great. If it gets any better, tonight I'll be sleeping on a bed of nails."
"Who you talking to?" Jack asked entering Will's office unannounced with Karen behind him.
"Nobody. I've just been having a really lousy day," Will raised his fist to his forehead in exasperation.
"Anything I can do to help? Money perhaps? That always makes Jackie feel better," Karen wanted to make him feel better.
"No thanks, Karen," Will turned down her offer.
"Well at least I asked," Karen looked to Jack, "I guess nothing pleases her."
"I'm just ready to go home. What did you girls do all day? Or Karen, are you still on lunch?" Will made a move to grab his jacket to go home. It was way past lunch and closing time for Will's office.
"No, honey, I didn't go to work today. Grace said it was okay, well not so much as being okay but as she wanted to get some things done," Karen answered with a little giggle. Karen walked out with Jack and Will following. Will closed his office door heading home with one of his best friends and half sister.
~W&G&J&K~
"Hey, Gracie," Will entered the apartment. They took Karen's limo home. Will had his eyes closed the whole time. He was ready for this day to be over. First Jack stole his breakfast, then for some reason he couldn't get his office door open, he knocked his coffee over on his keyboard when he was eating his lunch, and then to top it all off, he got kicked off a case that he was looking forward to.
"Hey, Will, what are you doing home so early?" Grace greeted, coming from the bedroom hallway. She just had her robe on. Jack and Karen followed Will inside.
"I just wanted to get home. I want this day over already," Will didn't notice Grace's attire, but Jack and Karen sure did.
"What's with the unusual fashion don't?" Karen gestured to Grace's robe in a circular motion with her finger.
"Yeah, what's with that?" Jack was just as intrigued. Will was on the the phone that nobody but him heard ringing. He was talking to whoever was on the other end.
"Uh, I'm entertaining," Grace was trying to hint that there was a man in the other room.
"Ohhhhhhhhh," Karen and Jack replied in unison as realization hit.
"Help me get him out of here while Will's distracted on the phone," Grace pleaded. "He's already having a bad day."
"No kidding, he's with you, honey," Karen retorted. She rolled her eyes and scoffed at Grace.
"Not the guy in my room! Will. He's having a hard day, I can tell," Grace was offended and nodded at Will with her head. She was holding her robe together with both her hands. She grabbed the ties to tie it together.
"I'll help," Jack ran into the other room.
The next thing everybody heard was a man yell from another room. Will had just hung up the phone before he yelled and was already angry from the conversation he just had, but when he heard the yell, he was confused as well as angry.
"What the hell was that?" Will asked. Grace just smiled innocently as Jack and the mystery man approached.
"I'm just gonna go," the man quickly kissed Grace and ran out the apartment door with his pants half on.
"I'm sorry, Will," Grace apologized. What she was apologizing for, she really didn't know, but Will seemed to need an apology from somebody.
"No, Grace! No apologies! I have had the day from hell and things just keep going wrong. Some people just act like I don't exist!" Will was so frustrated.
"I just got a call from my brother who's mad at me because I forgot to get him a birthday present. That caused the rest of my family to get a little mad at me thinking that I'm ignoring them!"
"Some people steal my food! Others try to make me feel better with money! Then there are others who have different men come and go from this apartment so often, they give the arrivals and departures from an airport a run for their money!"
"Geez, Will, no need to get hysterical!" Grace was hurt. She stomped off to her room and slammed the door.
"Yeah, Truman, some of us try to do you a favor," Jack stomped off in the same direction as Grace, opened her door, and slammed it once more. Grace opened the door back up, pushed Jack out into the hallway, and slammed the door once again. Jack then went into Will's bedroom across the hall and slammed that door.
"Karen… please," Will pled. He was starting to regret yelling at his best friends. He really didn't mean to take out his frustration out on them. Karen didn't say a word and strode over to Will's bedroom to join Jack.
Will sighed, a single tear rolled down his cheek, "I'm sorry, guys. Maybe you guys might have been better off if you never met me. Hell, maybe my family might have been better off if I was never born."
Will crawled onto the couch, laying down, and started to cry, closing his eyes. He fell asleep as a bright white light filled the room. It spread all over the apartment and slowly, the rest of the world.
~W&G&J&K~
Morning came around. Jack headed into the kitchen and opened the fridge to get some breakfast. Will woke up at the sound of Jack's entrance. He began to stretch. He rubbed his eyes and looked over to the kitchen where Jack was still in the fridge.
"Morning, Jack," Will got up off the couch, "Listen, I'm sorry about last night."
At the sound of Will's voice, Jack spun around in shock and screamed. Will held his ears at the high pitch sound.
"Don't take anything! There's nothing worth stealing here! Well, except for maybe the television, the stereo, the expensive jewelry, or the money that's stuffed away," Jack pleaded.
"Jack, what are you talking about? Why would I steal from my own apartment?" Will had no idea why Jack was acting so strangely. He started for the kitchen and Jack backed up against the fridge.
"Who are you and how do you know my name?" Jack was frightened.
"Very funny, I already said I was sorry. Please stop acting like you don't know me," Will made his way to the fridge and opened it on Jack. Will furrowed his brows at the unusual contents, "Hey, where are my water bottles?"
"What water bottles?" Jack asked. The longer he could keep this maniac calm, the safer he would be, at least until he yelled for Grace.
"My water bottles! The water bottles I keep in the fridge for whenever I get thirsty," Will explained, "I know you didn't take them. I know Grace didn't take them and I definitely know Karen didn't take them – she doesn't drink water."
"How do you know all those names? Are you a stalker?" Jack interrogated this stranger.
"Jack, enough already with the 'who are you' and 'how do you know my name' thing," Will had just about enough.
"Grace!" Jack yelled for her. He couldn't take it anymore. This guy was really starting to freak him out. Grace came running out of her bedroom. She was still in her pajamas.
"What?! I was enjoying a great dream," Grace came into the room, her eyes still closed and her hair messed from sleep.
"There's a crazy man here," Jack tried to subtly acknowledge Will with his head. Grace had her eyes open but still didn't notice Will yet.
"Yeah, I know I'm talking to him," Grace rubbed her eyes. It took her a second, but she finally noticed Will.
"Who the hell are you? Get out of my apartment!" Grace hit Will hard in the chest with an open fist.
"Ow! Grace, what's the matter with you? Jack, Grace, have you two gone mad?" Will rubbed his chest.
"Just answer two questions for me… how did you know our names and who are you?" Grace started to calm down. Will was beyond confused at this point.
"O-kay," Will sat on the couch with Jack on one side of him and Grace on the other.
"I know both your names because, oh, I don't know we've been friends for over fifteen years since we were in college and since you were in high school," Will started but didn't get a chance to finish because he was interrupted by Grace.
"College? I've never seen you before in my life. And I'm pretty sure Jack hasn't either," Grace interrupted. Will looked back and forth between his best friends. What the hell were they playing at?
"Me either. What's your name?" Jack asked.
Will was still very confused, but decided to play along, "My name is Will Truman."
"Well, uh, Will, maybe you're going through a nervous breakdown and you're mistaking us for some other people," Grace reasoned.
"Righttt," Will still didn't understand what was going on, "Maybe Karen will remember me. You two do know Karen, right?"
"Do you mean Karen Walker?" Grace looked over uneasy at Jack.
"At least you two know her," Will replied sarcastically.
"Of course I know her. She pays for this apartment, so I can live here," Grace replied, "And Jack has a relationship with her."
"Jack has a relationship with her? What kind?" Will asked.
"Wait, don't answer! See, if you don't know then that proves you don't know us," Jack pointed accusingly at Will.
"No, I was just thinking a friendship, but sometimes with the way you two act I wouldn't be surprised if it was something else," Will responded.
"See, Jack, he does know something, but I still don't understand why you know us and we don't know you," Grace said. "Maybe we should call Karen and tell her to come over here."
"No need, Ms. Ampler, I'm here," Karen got Grace's last name wrong as usual. Why was Karen being so formal?
"Oh, Mrs. Walker, hi," Grace started to dust off the couch with her hand and motioned for her to sit down.
"Hello, Jack," Karen smiled flirtatiously.
Will couldn't help but think, "At least something is normal around here."
Jack just smiled at her a little uneasy.
"Hi," Jack greeted.
"Oh, hello," Karen noticed Will, "Who are you?"
"Well, it's official. All three of them have gone nuts," Will thought.
He didn't voice his thoughts, but instead said, "Will Truman, nice to meet you."
"Likewise," Karen said a little more flirtatiously then she did with Jack. That alone made Will a little uneasy - mostly because it was Karen and of course the newfound knowledge that he was her half brother, not to mention the fact that he was gay.
"I have your monthly rent, for you two to live here," Karen handed Grace a check and went back out the door without even saying goodbye.
"Monthly rent?" Will was still confused.
"Yeah she pays for us to live here," Jack grabbed the check from Grace's hand and set it on the dining room table.
"You know, I don't know what it is, but I feel like I can tell you anything," Grace said. She looked over to Jack to make sure he wasn't listening, "I think that Jack has a thing for Mrs. Walker."
"Why do you keep calling her Mrs. Walker?" Will asked, "And Jack having a thing for her? That's impossible, the only thing Jack could have for Karen would be friendship."
"Well it's just respectful to say her title," Jack came back over to Will and Grace, "What, you call her Karen? "
"Of course I call her Karen. Sometimes I call her Satan and she calls me Wilma," Will shrugged.
"And she lets you? That's just weird," Jack replied.
"No more weird than Grace's idea that you'd have a thing for Karen," Will retorted.
"Why would it be that weird?" Grace wondered. The three of them were standing by the dining room table.
"The most obvious thing of Jack being, oh, I don't know gay!" Will had enough of this weird act.
"What? Jack's not gay," Grace scoffed. Jack's expression was of shock and confusion all the while thinking how this man could possibly know.
"Jack not gay? That's the funniest thing I've ever heard," Will started laughing.
"I am," Jack said.
"What?" Grace asked.
"I am gay, Grace… I just – I just haven't come out of the closet," Jack was serious, "I don't have any other gay friends so I figured what was the point in being out if I couldn't be out with somebody else?"
"Wow, well, Jack this doesn't change my opinion about you. You're still a great guy," Grace gave him a hug from the side.
"Okay, now I know something is off. First you two act like you don't know me, then you call Karen, Mrs. Walker. She didn't call anybody "Honey" or Jack "Poodle" and I think she may have looked sober," Will knew that something was terribly wrong.
"Did you do anything different before you woke up and scared me half to death?" Jack wanted to help out.
"Before I fell asleep, the four of us had this really big fight. When I was by myself I thought that maybe all of your lives would be better if you never met me… and maybe my family would be better off if I was never born," Will confessed.
"You should never say that about yourself. Every individual is important to the world in their own unique way," Jack said. Will was expecting him to start bursting out with laughter like he did with Karen when they said anything serious, but he didn't. This time he was actually trying to be helpful.
"I know this sounds kind of science fiction-y, but do you think that maybe you got transported to a world where you don't exist? So you could see how we would be living if we never met you," Grace reasoned.
"You're right, it does sound out there, but really that would be the only explanation. The other explanation would be that everybody has gone insane," Will said.
All of a sudden, Karen walked back in the apartment and sat down on the couch.
"Was there something else, Mrs. Walker?" Grace asked. Will looked at her strangely. He still wasn't used to her calling her that.
"No, I just wanted to sit here and be around normal, average, everyday, poor, don't-have-any-lives, kinda people," Karen answered.
"Oh, okay," Jack and Grace said in unison. This must have been a normal occurrence for the trio.
Will couldn't take it anymore. He had to ask what was going on and try to figure out a way to get back to his world, "Karen, what's the matter? The last time you wanted to hang out with us it was because Stan's mother was in town."
"How do you know about that? I've never seen you before in my life. And you know intimate details about me! Are you a stalker?" Karen was clearly appalled.
After a moment, she smiled and patted him on the back, "Good work".
"No," Will shook his head, "This is gonna sound weird, but I don't know how else to explain it. I'm from another reality where I exist and all four of us are great friends. And recently, I found out that you're my half sister."
"What did you say your name was again, handsome?" Karen was suddenly intrigued.
"W-W-Will Truman," Will answered with a slight stutter. He was a little taken aback when Karen called him handsome and he was also nervous to find out that maybe he had existed in this world and something had gone wrong.
"Truman? I met my biological father a few weeks ago. His last name was Truman. He said he had a wife and two sons. They said they were going to have a third child named Will when they found out that it was going to be a boy, but there was a miscarriage," Karen explained.
"So, that's what happened in this reality," Grace said. It was a little far-fetched to consider the possibility that there were alternate dimensions out there, but what other explanation could there be for the man in her apartment?
"Wow, I… uh wow," Will's eyes starting to get a little watery.
"Sorry, Will," Jack said.
"Hey, wait a minute, if your name is Will Truman then how do you exist?" Karen asked.
"Karen, I just explained it to you. I'm from another world where I exist. Now, I have an idea to get me back to my world and I'm going to need everybody's help. I think if I maybe help straighten out all of your lives, I'll go back. Or if you guys think that you really need me, I'll go back," Will theorized.
"Okay, whatever you say, my non-existent half brother," Karen patted him on the shoulder.
"We'll help too, as much as we can," Grace gestured to herself and Jack, "Our alternate selves are very lucky to have you as a friend."
"Thanks, now where should we start to get me back?" Will was ready to put his plan into motion. Grace sat down next to Karen and Jack leaned on the arm of the couch as they all started to think.
"Maybe if we did stuff with you that you do with them, that might trigger something," Jack suggested.
"Good idea. It's worth a shot… Karen, start insulting me," Will turned to Karen, "God, I never thought I would want to hear her insult me."
"Honey, I can't," Karen started, "Wait, why did I just say honey?"
"No, it's good. You always call people honey. That's a start," Will said and turned to Grace, "Grace, this will sound weird, but what's weird anymore? Give me a hug and a kiss and say 'you're my best friend'."
Will spread his arms out waiting for a hug.
"Um… okay. Are you sure our relationship in your world isn't more than friends? Especially since you asked me to kiss you," Grace eyed him suspiciously but walked over to Will. He stood up after Karen had called him honey.
"Oh yeah, sweetie, I'm sure," Will gestured with his hands for her to come hug him.
"O-kay," Grace was still a little suspicious, especially after Will called her sweetie. She hugged him and kissed him lightly on the lips and then said, "You're my best friend."
"Thanks and now, Jack," Will started, but was interrupted by Grace.
"Will, are you sure there isn't anything more? I mean why else would you ask me to kiss you?"
"Yes, I'm sure, Grace, because I'm gay," Will told her. As soon as Jack heard those words, his whole face lit up. He was so relieved to finally have a gay friend even if he was going to be going back to his reality soon.
"Now, Jack, say something you think is witty to me and make fun of me somehow," Will ordered.
"I can't make fun of you," Jack said, "There isn't anything to make fun of… But if I had to find one thing it would be that you're a little chubby… you have an extremely large forehead, you might lose your hair when you're older and would you like to go out sometime?"
"Thank you. What?" Will realized what the last thing Jack said actually was. His best friend just asked him out. Did his Jack feel that way? Or maybe since this Jack hadn't known him that long, he was just going for the first gay guy he saw. Though, it would explain all those years ago when Jack said he loved him.
"What what? I didn't say anything," Jack acted oblivious.
"Jack, you just asked me if I'd like to go out sometime," Will repeated Jack.
"I did not!" Jack denied it, "But would you like to?"
Jack bit his nail and swayed back and forth waiting for Will's answer in anticipation.
"I'm sorry, Jack, no. You may have just came out in this world, but in my world you've been out since like preschool, and it would just be too weird. You're like my gay best friend, and not anything else," Will wanted to let this newly-out Jack down easily.
"Okay… I guess that's fair. I mean I'm one hell of a catch, and you'll be leaving pretty soon to get back to your reality. If you started to fall in love with me, you couldn't have me and then it would lead to one emotional goodbye… I understand," Jack patted Will on the back.
Will let out a breath, "Well, you've all done things that you usually do with me. Why aren't I back home?"
"Maybe it has something to do with your family," Karen suggested, "Did you leave them on a bad note too?"
"Sort of… One of my brothers got mad at me because I forgot his birthday and didn't get him a present. That caused the rest of my family to forget because I'm always the one that reminds them and that made my whole family mad at me," Will explained.
"Maybe I do need to talk to them to clear my conscience. And give them some peace to know that somewhere their third son actually exists in another reality. I think maybe I need to clear my conscience with you guys and perhaps straighten your lives out too."
"That could work," Grace agreed, "Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go get dressed because I actually have a job." Grace headed to her bedroom to go get dressed.
"She getting ready to go to her office?" Will asked.
"Office? What office?" Jack asked.
"Grace Adler Designs. She's an interior decorator… or in this world is she not an interior decorator?" Will couldn't imagine Grace being anything other than an interior decorator.
"No, she works at a fast food joint, and I'm unemployed. That's why Mrs. Walk… uh Karen has to pay for our rent," Jack caught himself before he called Karen "Mrs. Walker" again. He liked the idea of calling her Karen or maybe one day, even "Kare."
"Well that should be the first thing I should try to fix," Will said, "How about you, Jack, what can I do to help you out?"
"I've heard him in the hallway before when I come to give them their monthly check. He sings. Maybe he could be a singer or an actor," Karen suggested.
"Yeah, yeah that's it. I never thought I'd say this to you, but you should act, Jack. And maybe have a cabaret act called… Just Jack!" Will made the 'Just Jack' hand motion.
"You know, I've actually thought about that before, but never got a chance to share that idea with anyone," Jack said.
"Just Jack! That sounds perfect. Thanks, Will," Jack tried out the hand motion. He gave Will a hug out of appreciation.
Will returned the hug with a pat on his back and a smile on his face, "No problem, buddy. My pleasure."
Karen smiled at the nice moment before her.
Grace emerged out of the hallway to the bedrooms with a burger costume on.
"Oh, Grace, what's this all about? What's going on here? What's happening?" Karen asked. She sounded more like Will's Karen. It seemed the more Will was around, the more these versions of his friends started acting like his friends of his world.
"I never really realized how much I affect them," Will thought, "Karen is starting to act more like my Karen."
"Karen, you know what my job is. I have to stand out of the restaurant and welcome them in. I know I love food but this is ridiculous," Grace looked down at her outfit, "This was not my dream job."
"Well, Will here says that in his reality you're an interior designer with your own business called Grace Adler Designs," Jack pointed to Will. He got up and stood next to Grace. She really did look ridiculous in that outfit. For once, everyone was in agreement about Grace's outfit.
"Really? That's what I've always wanted to do, but nobody ever encouraged me to pursue my dream," Grace brushed a stray hair behind her ear.
"And Karen is your assistant, although she really doesn't assist as much as she sits there doing nothing: popping pills, drinking alcohol, taking Jack to really long lunches, and flipping through magazines," Will told her.
"I better get going. I'll see you later, Jack. I don't know if I'll see you later, Will," Grace turned to Will, "So, if this is a goodbye, thank you."
She leaned over to give him a quick peck on his cheek. They ended up at an awkward angle thanks to the burger costume.
"See you, sweetie," Will kissed her back, "But I do think I'll see you later because I don't know how I'm going to contact my family without freaking them out."
"You'll think of something," Grace assured him, "Bye, guys!"
"You know, Will, I could contact your family for a get together here," Karen suggested, "And I won't tell them about you until the last minute. Or I could just get your parents to come if your brothers are busy. They're not the best half brothers you could have."
"That's a great idea. Maybe you're right, maybe it'd be better if it were just my parents so I don't give my whole family a heart attack," Will replied.
"I wish I had a family. Sure, I have my mom and, I mean Grace is like my family and I'm sure in the future Karen will be more of one," Jack started, "You really can't be one because you'll be going home soon, but you'll be in my thoughts. I just want someone to love who shares my blood and not just my parents."
Jack let out a long sigh.
"I'll be your family, honey," Karen was sounding more and more like Will's Karen, "And I'm sure Will can be a really distant friend."
"Yeah," Will agreed.
There was a knock at the door.
"Who could that be?" Jack got up to answer the door. When he opened it, there was a teenager at the door.
"Hi, I'm looking for Jack McFarland," the boy said a little uneasily.
"Why does he owe you money?" Jack took a step back.
"No."
"Did he steal one of your jokes for something?" Jack asked.
"No."
"You missing a scooter you weren't really using anyways?" Jack lifted an eyebrow.
"No," he shook his head.
"Look no more because you've found Jack McFarland," Jack presented himself in a little pose. Will covered his smile with his hand. He knew exactly who this young man was because he already knew him in his universe.
"My name is Elliot," Elliott started, "About thirteen years ago I know you donated your stuff to a stuff bank. My mom used it because she wanted a baby real bad… um, I'm your son."
"Oh my god, honey, that was quick," Karen broke the awkward tension, "You were just talking about wanting a family, your own flesh and blood, and there he is!"
"Elliot," Jack stuck out his hand, "It's very nice to meet you."
"You too," Elliot was in awe.
"This is my friend Karen," Jack gestured to Karen, "My friend Grace is at work and this is my new friend Will. He's only going to be in town for a little while."
Will and Karen waved and smiled at Elliot when Jack introduced them.
"Well, I met you," Elliot smiled.
There was a long pause before Elliot broke it again.
"Well, I need to get home to get started on my homework. I guess I'll see you around?" Elliot sounded hopeful.
"I'll see you around," Jack smiled.
"See you later," Elliot waved and headed back out the door.
"Wow, so you have a son, Jack. That surely filled that void in your life, huh?" Karen asked. Jack just nodded numbly.
He turned to Will, "Hey, Will, in your world do I have a son?"
"You do. When Elliot came in, I knew who he was," Will replied, "I love that you get to be a father in both worlds."
"Soooo, back to the matter at hand," Karen looked to Will, "When do you want me to call your parents for a get together?"
"If you want, you can call them now and arrange a dinner party or something here later," Will said, "That is, if Grace and Jack don't mind."
Never in a million years did Will ever think he'd have to ask Jack for permission for anything.
"Fine with me. I'm sure Grace won't mind either," Jack said, "But we better order out… Grace can't cook."
"I know, I usually do all the cooking around here," Will said, "Something tells me there isn't much food in the apartment. If you want, I can stop at the grocery store and pick some stuff up so I can whip something up for later."
"Or I could just ask Chef to bring something over," Karen started. Will shot her a 'don't spoil this for me I want to do this' look.
"But you really look like you want to."
"Great, I'll go get some groceries for dinner later. Karen, you can call them for a little dinner party. I'm sure they don't have any plans tonight. These two worlds can't be too different, right?" Will was already on his way out the door.
"Right, I'll call, you get the food and cook it and everything will be set," Karen flipped out her cell phone, "7:30 okay?"
"Sure. I'll be back in a few," Will called back before closing the door behind him. Jack walked back over to the couch and sat down next to Karen. He couldn't help but lean in and eavesdrop on the conversation between Karen and George Truman.
"Hello?" George Truman answered his phone. Marilyn came up behind her husband to find out who was on the other end.
"Yes, this is Karen Walker. I met you recently. My mother is Lois Whitley," Karen said, "Listen, I was thinking it would be a great idea if I could meet your wife and have a little dinner party at a friend's house."
"S-Sure," George looked to his wife. He knew she was listening. She nodded. He had just told her about his love child the previous day. "Yes, we'd love to come."
"Great. It's tonight at 7:30," Karen told him.
"Let me just check that time is okay," George replied. He covered the receiver, "Honey, is 7:30 for dinner with Karen okay?"
Marilyn nodded.
"Yeah, Karen, that's fine. Will you be our only dinner companion?"
"Actually we'll be eating at my friend's apartment with three other people," Karen replied, "It's apartment 9C at 155 Riverside Drive."
"Okay, see you then," George answered. They both said their goodbyes and hung up.
"They're going to get a surprise tonight," Jack commented, "Finding out their unborn son is alive and well from another universe? Weird."
"Stranger things have happened, Jackie," Karen sighed.
"True," Jack agreed.
"Ooo, I called you Jackie. My first nickname for you," Karen squealed excitedly. She wound Jack in a hug and bounced up and down on the couch laughing at the new stage in their friendship.
~W&G&J&K~
Will came back with his arms full with bags of food.
"That was quick," Jack said, "I thought food shopping always took like three hours."
"That's because when Grace food shops, she sniffs all the food to see how good it is and ends up taking that long," Will was struggling with the bags, "You gonna help me?"
"Oh, sorry," Jack jumped up and took the smallest bag from Will's hand. Some things never change. Will trudged over to the kitchen with the rest of the bags before finally setting them down.
"Everything set with my parents for later, Karen?" Will began to take the items out of the bag. Jack took out whatever was in his bag and started eating it.
"Yeah, it's all set," Karen replied, "Hey, honey whatcha eating?"
"I was chust eading what wush in da bag," Jack's mouth was full of cookies.
"Jack, I bought that for Grace because I know how much she loves snack foods," Will scolded him, "Oh well, you probably would have eaten it anyway."
"What are you going to make tonight?" Jack's mouth was now clear of food. He walked over to the Will and Karen in the kitchen.
"I was thinking of making some chicken with potatoes and a vegetable," Will took out the remaining groceries.
"That sounds good, honey," Karen leaned against the kitchen counter.
"Really? I thought you didn't eat solid foods," Will said.
Karen was offended, "What? Of course I eat solid foods. It's not like I drink all my meals."
"Sorry, Karen, I keep forgetting that I'm not in my reality," Will apologized. Karen waved it off. It wasn't that big of a deal.
"You don't need to apologize, Will," Jack put his hand on his shoulder, "And might I say, I hope you get back to your own world safe and sound."
"Thank you," Will was touched.
"And might I say that my alternate handsome, handsome self is very lucky to have you as a best friend," Jack smiled. Will put his hand over Jack's and gave him a smile as another thank you.
"Yeah, honey and my alternate rich, beautiful self with a killer rack is lucky to have you as a friend and half brother," Karen came up on Will's other side and leaned her head on Will's shoulder.
Again, Will just replied with a smile and took his hand off Jack's and patted Karen's head. Jack's hand remained on Will's shoulder.
"I'm home," Grace burst through the door still dressed in the hamburger costume. The poor costume had been through the ringer. The stuffing was half torn out and the meat of the burger was bent out of shape. The sesame seeds were hanging off the bun of the costume. Will, Jack, and Karen immediately stepped out of their group hug to go over to Grace.
"Did you have a nice day?" Jack tried sweetly though Grace was clearly upset.
"What do you think?" Grace spat and stomped off to her room to change. Will smacked Jack.
"Ow! What was that for?"
"Did you really have to ask her that? You can tell she's had a bad day. Now, whatever you do, stay out of her way. When she's had a bad day, watch out. Don't get on her nerves and stay clear of the pathway to the fridge," Will warned him.
"I know, Will," Jack rubbed the sore spot where Will hit him, "Did you forget that I live with her?"
"Sorry," Will apologized. He had momentarily forgotten again.
"It's okay. You probably keep forgetting we're not really the same friends you've always known," Jack accepted Will's millionth apology, "We probably look like their twins."
"You do," Will started to put some of the groceries away into the fridge, "And now that you three are starting to act like my friends, it's a little more disorientating."
Grace came back into the living room dressed in her usual way.
"That was one of the worst days of my life," Grace plopped down on her couch facing Will's direction.
"What happened?" Will asked, "I'm sure it has to be an interesting story based on how your hamburger looked."
"It's no joke, Will," Grace assured him.
"Sorry, go on."
"Well, you know where I work, right? Never mind, no you don't. I work where there are a lot of rowdy little kids. Their excuse for attacking me was that they were hungry," Grace mocked them and used air quotes.
"They pretty much tackled me and tore out my stuffing. I even got a bunch of french fries stuck in my hair," Grace took one out, "So, what's going on with you? Have you figured out exactly how to get back to your world?"
"We're gonna have a dinner party here so I can tell my parents that somewhere in another universe their third son exists and is happy with great friends," Will replied, "Hopefully that'll do the trick so I can get home. Cause no offense to you guys, but I miss my friends."
"None taken," Grace was intrigued when she saw Will cooking, "You a good cook?"
"Wellllll, I don't want to brag," Will smirked, "Yes."
Grace's face lit up.
"Really? Well then I'm going to look forward to this dinner after the day I had," Grace gave Will a side hug and a smile.
"Why, honey, what happened?" Karen was clearly not paying any attention to Grace's story.
~W&G&J&K~
Will finished cooking for their little dinner party. Everyone changed into some nicer clothes except for Will. He just ironed out the suit he had slept in from the night before since he had no other clothes here. Clearly the Jack of this world had to get some nice clothes for himself since he didn't have Will to steal his clothes.
"Everything is set. I hope everything is going to go smoothly," Will finished setting the table.
"Sure, Will, everything will be fine. The food smells delicious and you look great," Grace assured him.
"We're sure gonna miss you when you go home," Jack's voice broke a little.
"Don't worry, Jack, you guys will be in my thoughts," Will patted him on the shoulder. "It's 7:30. Where are they? I hope they didn't get lost or something bad happened."
Will looked at his watch nervously and tapped his foot impatiently.
"Geez, Will, I'm sure they're coming. They might have left late or something. Are you a control freak or what?" Karen tried to calm Will down. Will just gave her a glare and didn't even bother to respond. There was a knock at the door.
"There they are," Will looked to the door and gulped. "I hope I don't freak them out too much."
Karen got up from where she was sitting and answered the door.
"Hi, come on in," Karen welcomed George and Marilyn into Grace and Jack's apartment.
"Thank you," George entered the apartment with his wife at his side. Her arm was around George's.
"These are my friends. This is Grace, Jack, and Will. Will will only be staying in town for a little while," Karen introduced everybody. When Karen said everyone's names they smiled and waved at their guests. Will smiled and waved a little uneasily. It was very strange to be introduced to his own parents.
"Nice to meet you," Marilyn and then George said.
"Won't you please sit down?" Grace gestured to the table where they would be eating their dinner. George and Marilyn accepted and sat down next to each other. Will didn't want to overwhelm them too much and sat across from them. Karen sat next to George, Jack next to her and Grace sat next to Marilyn and Will.
"Well here we are," Jack attempted a start of a conversation.
"Yup," Grace looked over to Will, waiting for him to start.
"Well, uh… let's eat," Will chickened out. What he wanted to say really shouldn't be done on an empty stomach anyway.
"Mmmmm this is so goooooooodddddddddd," Grace moaned after she took a bite.
"I agree. This is delicious. I wish I could cook this well," Marilyn took another bite.
"Who made this?" George asked.
"I did," Will spoke up.
"Well, it's just delicious," Marilyn praised. "None of my boys can cook this well… You know, you look a little familiar, have I met you before?"
"Actually, I think maybe you have," Will summoned a little confidence to tell his parents what he needed to do to hopefully get back.
"It'll come to me," Marilyn smiled.
"Will, was it? Karen said you're only staying in town for a little while," George took a drink, "Where do you live?"
"I actually don't live that far away," Will replied, "Mo- Uh, Mrs. Truman, you had boys that don't cook that well, how many boys do you have?"
"We have two boys. We were going to have a third son, but… I'd rather not talk about it," Marilyn put her hand to her forehead. She was a little uneasy about that subject.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring anything up that would make you uneasy," Will apologized. Of course he did want to address that subject further.
"So what happened?" Jack asked. He didn't want them to stray too far away from the subject or else Will might never get home.
"She said she didn't want to talk about it," George defended his wife, but she patted his arm.
"It's okay, sweetie, if I want to deal with it I have to talk about it."
George gave her a smile and placed a comforting hand on hers.
"We were going to have another little boy, and were going to name him William," Marilyn explained, "But something happened during my eighth month and well, I had a miscarriage."
Will couldn't help but get teary eyed. Marilyn noticed him.
"Oh, it's all right. I've gotten past it, hon," Marilyn noticed Will was starting to cry, "Just because you have the same name doesn't mean you have to get emotional on my behalf."
"No, you don't understand," Will pushed past the lump in his throat, "I better say this and get it over with."
"What don't we understand?" George asked. Grace, Jack, and Karen decided to stay quiet in order for Will to say what he needed to in order to clear his mind and return home.
Will stood up, "I don't know how to explain this, but the baby you were talking about… William, uh Will… I'm him."
George and Marilyn looked upset. How could he even say something like that?
"Look, mister, I don't know what your game is here, but-" George started to yell. Marilyn started to tear up, but Will kept on.
"I know this sounds crazy, but please just let me explain. I don't know how to explain this but… I'm from an alternate universe. I know, I know, it sounds like something from the Twilight Zone, but I'm serious. I don't know how it happened. My name is Will Truman and I'm your son. I exist in another world. I thought I would be able to put your minds at ease knowing that the son you were not able to have exists in another world."
Will had George and Marilyn's full attention. Tears formed in their eyes. In fact, there wasn't a dry eye in the apartment – though Karen and Jack tried to cover them.
"It does sound insane, but something tells me that you wouldn't make anything like that up," George said, "Plus, call me crazy, but I think you look a little like me."
"I can't believe I'm about to say this, but how'd you get here?" Marilyn asked. She could see some of herself in the man in front of her too.
"That's something else I don't know how to explain. Before I got here I had a big argument with you two and them," Will said, "I went to sleep angry thinking that all of your lives would be better if I never came into it… but now I really regret it. I really miss everybody and I didn't even realize how much I affected everyone I love."
"All lives are important, honey, and if my other self is anything like me, it was just anger in that moment," Marilyn stood up and came around the table to stand next to Will, "There is no way I could stay mad at my son for long."
"That's right, Will," Grace agreed as she stood up, "And I'm sure our alternate selves were only mad for that instant. If you've been a friend to them for over fifteen years like you've been a friend to us for just one day… well, I'm sure they couldn't have been mad for long."
"Thanks, guys, I love you all so much… I never realized how important I am to all of you," Will had tears forming in his eyes once again, "I really am going to miss these versions of you when I get back. Can I take a picture or something?"
"Great idea, honey, here you go," Karen took out a camera from her fur jacket. Apparently every version of Karen had everything and anything in her jacket.
"It's on a timer so we all can be in the picture."
While Karen set up the camera, everyone scurried into a position for the picture. As soon as it was set up, Karen crouched down next to Jack and smiled just as the picture snapped. Two seconds later the picture oozed out.
"Thank you, Karen," Will took the picture from its slot and put it in his back pocket with his wallet.
"No problem, Wilma," Karen replied.
"We're sure gonna miss you," Jack gave Will a giant bear hug. Suddenly, Will started to fade from view before he became transparent like a ghost.
Will looked down at his hands. His voice faded away, "Goodbye, everyone. I love you."
The last thing Will saw was all of his friends and family's eyes full of tears as they waved at him.
~W&G&J&K~
"Will? Will, wake up," Grace gently shook Will awake. Karen and Jack stood behind Grace.
"Huh? What? Grace," Will was still a little disoriented. He got up and hugged Grace. He was back on the couch where he fell asleep the night before.
"We just wanted to apologize for slamming all the doors," Jack said.
"Forget that! Come here, buddy," Will grabbed Jack and squeezed him in a big bear hug.
Will grabbed Karen and Grace for one giant group hug, "Come here, you guys."
"What's the matter with you, Wilma?" Karen eased her way out of the group hug.
"Nothing," Will stopped hugging, "I just realized what a wonderful life I have."
"Listen, Will, we're all really sorry for everything we did that got you so upset," Jack apologized again, "Lord knows you don't need any more stress wrinkles."
"Jack," Grace smacked him.
"No, no, that's okay, Grace. Everything's okay," Will was elated, "Make fun of me all you want. Steal all the food you want. I don't care if I go hungry, as long as you're happy. Grace, you can have all the guys you want over and Karen you can give me money to cheer me up anytime you want to."
"What happened to you, honey?" Karen took a step back.
"Nothing, Karen, I'm just glad I exist!" Will exclaimed and let out a whoop.
"What do you mean by that?" Grace wondered.
"I guess I just had a really weird dream is all," Will shook his head. Was it a dream? It seemed so real.
"Hey, Truman, what's that sticking out of your back pocket?" Jack pointed to Will's back pocket, "I know it isn't money. It's not green and I didn't take it."
"Oh, it's-" Will took it out of his back pocket. It was the picture he and the others took in the alternate universe.
"It's just a picture," Will quickly stuffed it back in his pocket so nobody else could see.
"Okay, well anybody want dinner? I'm starved," Grace didn't give the picture a second thought.
"Sure," Will followed Grace over to the dining room table. Jack and Karen followed him.
"You know, Will, I was so mad at you before, but now for some reason I'm just glad you exist and that we've been friends forever," Jack commented.
"Me too. I'm glad we're all friends and I'm really happy to be alive. I love you all," Will smiled. Everyone returned his smile with one of their own and sat down at the table ready to eat.
Will silently pulled out the picture from his pocket, stealing a glance at it and whispered to himself, "Love you guys too and miss you."
Nobody else heard him as they were engrossed in their own conversation. Will put the picture away and joined in the conversation his friends were having. He really did have a wonderful life of friends and family who loved him.
THE END
Original A/N: I hoped you guys liked my second Will and Grace story. Please read and review, I really appreciate it. Stay great and everybody still remember to love Will and Grace and Jack and Karen. :)
New A/N: Wow, well this one needed a major editing too. So glad to say that my writing skills/ideas have matured quite a bit. Hope you guys still liked it. Let me know. And don't forget to check out the return of Will & Grace coming back on September 28, 2017. :)