Author's Notes: I've never been to Paris, or anywhere in Europe for that matter. So I'm going to use what I know, and make the rest up. ^^
Disclaimer: These characters are property of NBC and their own creators; as is any piece of an episode needed for the chapter. I make no money from this. Any song lyrics used are also property of their own creator.
In Our Time
Part 4: Reflective Images
(September 22, 2021)
Karen woke up this morning to Jack snuggled warmly against her, and she smiled as she felt his fingers curl softly against her satin nightgown. She stayed quiet, waiting to see what he would do. She then felt his warm breath on the back of her neck, and a tender kiss at her shoulders.
"I know you're awake."
Karen sighed, "How did you know?"
"Your breathing changed."
Not surprising, Karen could practically feel her heart pounding in her ears at this moment. The trip so far had been wonderful. She had even gotten to talk to Mia the other day, who was happily driving Grace insane. This did seem to be exactly what they needed.
"Karen!!!!" Gin bellowed from downstairs.
Her sister seemed to be the only downside to this trip.
"You two better be getting up! I am not saving breakfast for you again! Hurry up!"
Karen groaned, rolling over to face Jack and bury her face in her pillow, "Jackie, you want to go to London today?"
Jack chuckled, knowing Karen was only suggesting it because she was desperate to get away from Gin.
"Sure."
~~~~**~~~~
Later that afternoon, Jack and Karen found themselves in the middle of London's Trafalgar Square, with the city bustling around them. Karen was desperate to go into Harrods's, but Jack's stomach had other plans. He was starving and all too happy when he spied a bakery across the way. After a quick parting kiss the two went their separate ways and agreed that Jack would grab a quick bite, and then come and join Karen.
I'll never get her out of there. Jack thought to himself. He walked through the front door of "Betty's Bakery", and was thankful to see that the line was short. A few people turned and looked at him when he walked in. He simply smiled and nodded, making his way toward the line. His mouth was watering at the site of the pastries in the case, everything looked delicious. He was only a few people away, when someone called his name.
"Jackie?"
It wasn't Karen, no, but it was female. And somehow familiar. He turned and looked around.
"Jackie!"
The woman's voice called again. He finally turned and met eyes with the dark haired woman standing in the doorway. She waved to him, a huge grin plastered on her face.
"Lorraine?"
Jack stepped out of line, and Lorraine skipped over to hug him as if they were good old friends.
"I can't believe this! What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Vacation. What are you doing here?"
"I live here. Now. Again. So what have you been up too? Did you ever hit the big time?"
"In acting? No. I still get work when I can, but…I came into some money several years ago and so, it's not like I need it."
"Oh really? Jackie-Boy's part of the upper crust society now, hmm? Guess you don't need that little tartlet Karen Walker hanging around with you anymore, do you?"
Jack didn't say a word, simply faking a smile.
"Why don't you let me buy you lunch?" Lorraine asked.
Tempting. But Jack knew better. Karen's wrath would rain down upon him if she had any idea he had shared lunch with Lorraine Finster.
"I can't. I'm here with…my uh…waiting for me, and I just came over to grab something really fast…"
"Oh? You're here with someone? A boyfriend?" Lorraine smirked.
"Not exactly."
~~~~**~~~~
Karen looked around the crowded department store, wondering why Jack hadn't shown up yet. How long did it take to grab a muffin and go? She was so accustomed to Jack being by her side so much of the time, even shopping without him felt empty.
She decided to head over to the bakery and get something to eat herself, then they could come back and shop together. As she walked out of Harrods's and across the street to the bakery, she caught a glimpse of Jack in the window, talking to someone. She could tell it was a woman, but who in the world would Jack know in London?
The bell above the bakery door chimed as Karen pushed her way in.
"Jackie?"
"Karen?"
Lorraine turned around, "Karen?"
"Lorraine?!" Karen exclaimed.
"What are you doing here?" All three parties said at once.
"Karen, I thought I was supposed to meet you in the store." Jack said.
"Well you were taking too long. I got lonely."
"Wait a minute." Lorrain looked back and forth between the two of them, "She's who you're here with?"
"Yeah."
"Oh. Well that's different. You made it sound like you were on some sort of romantic getaway."
"We are." Karen said, coming up and possessively putting an arm around Jack's waist.
"Oh. Oh well I didn't expect that."
Lorraine didn't at all know what to make of this new found information. And Jack could tell Karen was delighting in this, as her other arm pulled him in closer to her and she hugged him tightly. There was awkward silence hovering in the air for a few moments.
"So…" Jack muttered, trying to hint to Karen that they should leave.
"How's your father Lorraine?" Karen asked.
Jack was surprised she asked. Karen wasn't one to hover around old relationships, and so many years after Jack wondered if she even remembered his name.
"Oh, he died." Lorraine replied.
"What?" Karen's smug expression fell away. "When?"
"Almost two years ago now. Yeah, heart attack. One day, out of the blue, dead. I mean, it wasn't that big of a shock, really. He smoked, he drank, and he was at least 150. How old are you now, Karen?"
"Um, nice to see you Lorraine, but we have to go." Jack said, grabbing Karen's hand and pulling her toward the door.
"Already?"
"Yep. Sorry about your dad, see you around!"
Jack pulled Karen out onto the sidewalk, leading her over to where the traffic flow was low. He turned and met her eyes. Just as he suspected, she had a blank look on her face like someone had just shot her favorite puppy.
"Karen, it doesn't mean…"
"Finster died Jack! He died because he was old."
"Older than you!"
"Not by much."
"Karen, you're not old and you're not going to die. Men always die first, everyone knows that. So most likely I'm…"
"Going to die before me? Is that supposed to make me feel better?"
"Um…" Jack cringed, "Yes? No? I don't know. But Karen, you heard what Lorraine said. Finster was drinking and smoking all the way up to when he died, and you stopped your bad habits years ago."
"It doesn't always make a difference."
"So what? Are you just going to spend the rest of your life waiting for death to show up? Because it's going to happen Karen, we can't stop that. But we have to enjoy the time we have. Like now. We're in London, we're in Paris, we're together, and it's beautiful. Let's not waste it."
Karen cracked a small smile, "When did you get so well-spoken? Have you been reading?"
"Nah." Jack grinned, "Romantic comedies."
He pulled her to him and kissed her lips, the busy sounds of downtown London fading away.
~~~~**~~~~
That evening up in their room, Karen stood on the balcony overlooking the city, so brightly lit. She heard footsteps behind her, and smiled to herself when she felt Jack snake his arms around her waist and kiss her temple.
"You're beautiful."
"Jackie, I'm okay. I'm over what happened this afternoon, you don't have to flatter me."
"I'm not flattering you. I'm stating a fact."
"A flattering fact."
"Yes. But maybe…if you said something flattering back…"
"You make me laugh."
"Thank you."
"And you're amazing in bed."
Jack laughed softly, moving to stand beside her on the balcony. "You promise you're okay."
"Yes. I'm fine, honey."
"Good, because we've got plenty of time left here and we haven't really done anything but shop."
"You like shopping!" Karen gasped, lightly smacking his arm.
"I can shop at home!"
"Oh honey, you can't get these clothes at home."
"Karen…" He half-whined, half-whispered her name.
"What?" She turned to face him, and was met with his lips. Warm soft lips that caressed her own ever so softly, his hands against her face, the heat of his body radiating onto her making her insides grow warm. They parted briefly, long enough for Karen to reach out and grab Jack by the fabric of the sweater he wore.
That sly boyish grin flashed across his face, and she sighed, "I hate you."
"You lie. You love me."
"I do."
He swallowed his breath loudly.
"Hey Kare-bear, can I ask you something?"
"Anything poodle."
Whether it was the atmosphere of Paris, the way her kisses made him feel light headed, or the bright lights making him crazy, he didn't know. He was prepared for anything at this point, nothing changed, but he had to try one last time.
"Will you marry me?"
Karen was quiet, looking up at him with his eyes so full of hope and fear. Karen thought about Mia, waiting in New York for them. She thought about what Lorraine had said. For the past twenty years he had been with her. Why should the end be any different?
"Yes."
"Wait…for real?"
"Yes Jackie, for real."
She pulled him down into another kiss, leading him back into the room. The balcony door shut behind them, and they fell onto the plush blankets of the bed together, holding tightly.
