2 AND A HALF YEARS LATER ...
The sun was starting to set and Karen reached for her cotton hoodie as a chilly breeze whipped through her. It was the end of Summer, and the warm days were giving in to chilly nights. She loved it here. The fresh sea air was so cleansing somehow. She always hated having to leave.
Henry loved it too. He hadn't left the beach all day, and Karen had practically had to drag him into the house when it was already past his bedtime. She'd helped him build a big sand castle and watched happily as he'd arranged his cuddly toys in it, talking away to himself, and his toys.
Henry was going to be a little heartbreaker for sure. He was a gorgeous little boy, with big brown eyes and cheeky adorable grin, just like Karen's, and he had her good nature to boot. But there was so much of Derek in him too - not least his wild and untamed hair, which Karen loved nothing more than to ruffle! He also had Derek's single-minded determination, which always makes Karen smile. Even though he was only 2, when he played a puzzle, for example, he wouldn't stop until he'd successfully completed it.
Karen had reservations about Henry following his mom and dad into the entertainment industry, but there was no getting away from the fact that he was a little performer. There was nothing he loved more than playing to the crowds!
"Promise me one thing" Derek had asked Karen a few days after Henry was born, as he sat up in his hospital bed gazing adoringly at his son in his arms. "Promise me sweetheart that you won't let this little fella become an obnoxious precocious kid. There's nothing I hate more than obnoxious precocious little child actors!"
Karen couldn't help but laugh. "I promise you sweetheart, but let's promise each other okay?" she said, kissing him gently on the lips and kissing her son tenderly on the forehead. "Our little family. I can't believe it."
"He's beautiful, just like his mommy." Derek grinned. "But I always knew he would be!"
"Hey gorgeous!" said a voice, stirring Karen from her thoughts.
"Hey" she smiled, uncurling herself from the swing chair as Josh walked over and squeezed himself next to Karen, kissing her tenderly on the cheek.
"Henry's just made me read 'I'm The Best' to him 5 times!" he laughed. "You'd think he'd be exhausted after today, but nope! That little boy never wants to sleep!"
Karen smiled at the thought. "I wonder who he gets that from! Did he go down alright?"
"Well, I left him lying in the cot having a conversation with Rosco" laughed Josh, referring to Henry's favourite toy, his cuddly little sheep.
"I live in fear of ever losing Rosco!" Karen smiled. "I can't believe the week is nearly over already!" sighed Karen. "It always goes too quickly. I've had a great week, thank you Josh."
"Look, why don't you and Henry stay a few more days. I hate the thought of you alone in that big apartment. And I'm not going to lie, Ana nags me a whole lot less when you're around!"
Karen laughed. "She needs to nag you to keep you on your toes Jennings! And you know whose side I'm going to take on this!"
"I'm pretty sure my ears are burning" said a familiar voice, as Ana made her way outside, large glass of red wine in her hand, and plonked herself down on Josh's lap.
"I was just telling your husband how he needs you to keep him in check!" Karen laughed.
"Too right I do!" Ana agreed, planting a kiss on Josh's lips. "So, did hubby here persuade you to stay a little longer? Come on girl, you've barely got here! And especially this weekend of all weekends. I know it can't have been an easy one for you."
"You either" said Karen. "Thanks, both of, but I really do need to get back tomorrow. I've got my meeting with Eileen first thing on Monday remember ... and if I don't get Henry away from here soon the sand will become permanently stuck to him!" she laughed. "Besides, the apartment never feels empty when Henry's there with me" she winked. "Thank you both for being the best godparents to Henry and the best friends a girl could ask for. I couldn't have gotten through the last couple of years without you."
"It's hardly a chore girl. And Henry is just so adorable, I'm permanently plotting ways to steal him! He's even making Josh broody!"
"Hang on a second!" said Josh defensively. "Just because I 'tolerate' Henry doesn't mean I want one of my own! At least not right now" he winked. "We've barely been married 5 minutes, and you have to remember that now I'm an A List actor in demand the world over I've got to take advantage!" he grinned.
"You never change" Karen laughed. "So in demand you've been chilling out in the Hamptons for 2 weeks!"
"Ignore him" said Ana, rolling her eyes, laughing. "This is all your fault girl by the way. You and your damned matchmaking. What was I thinking?!"
"Well I know when I'm not wanted" grumbled Josh, shoving Ana playfully off his lap. "I'll let you girls do what you do best and go prepare the dinner!"
"Thanks Josh, you're the best!" laughed Karen.
"Oh and bring the rest of the wine out will you lover?!" shouted Ana. "He needs to be told" she grinned, after Josh has done his duty.
Karen curled herself up with her newly poured glass of wine and rested her head on Ana's shoulder. "How is it I've done nothing all day and yet I feel exhausted!"
"It's this fresh sea air ... and a certain little boy called Henry! He's like the energiser bunny, he never stops!"
"Tell me about it. He gets it from Derek because he most definitely doesn't get it from me!"
Ana suddenly smiled to herself. "Remember that day Derek kept us all rehearsing for Hit List until 4 in the morning, and I told him we'd all collapse if we didn't go home and get some sleep and his response was "if that's what it takes!"
Karen laughed. "God, he was pretty terrible back then wasn't he!"
"Maybe, a little bit ... but I think it's just that he didn't have you to make him realise there's more to life than work ... and womanising" she laughed. "Plus, I'd never have been rooting for you both if I didn't think he was a good'un beneath that Dark Lord exterior! God you were in denial for long!"
"No I was not!" said Karen, giving Ana a playful whack. "And girl, you can't talk to me about denial when you and Josh were the epitome of denial!"
"No way, that wasn't denial. I truly did used to intensely dislike him!" she laughed. They were suddenly interrupted by the sound of Henry crying.
"You want me to go check on him?" asked Ana.
"No it's okay, I'll go!" said Karen, uncurling herself and making her way into the bedroom. Henry was standing up in his cot bawling his eyes out when Karen got there.
"Hey hey hey, what's all this racket about? You're meant to be sleeping."
"Mommy, Rosco's gone" he cried.
"What do you mean he's gone?" she said, looking around the room for his cuddly sheep.
"He flew and didn't come back"
Karen was trying hard to suppress a smile as she spotted Rosco lying on top of the cabinet where Henry had clearly thrown him.
"I tell you what buddy. Close your eyes, count to 3, and when you open them again Rosco might just have come home. Ready?"
"Yes" Henry sniffled, none too convincingly.
"Okay then ... Oneeeee, twoooooo, threeeeeeee, open your eyes!" Karen shouted, as Henry opened his eyes and squealed in delight to see Rosco sitting back in his cot. "Rosco! I love you Rosco" he said, cuddling him tightly and giving him a kiss on the nose. "Thank you mommy" he added.
"That's okay" she smiled, leaning over to cot to kiss him sweetly. "Now you lie down and go to sleep okay. Be a good boy. Goodnight sweetheart." she said as Henry lay back down and closed his eyes, and Karen covered him with a light blanket.
"All good?" asked Ana, as Karen made her way back outside to go and join her best friend.
"All good" smiled Karen, sitting herself back down. "I can't believe how much things have changed for us since the first day we met at dance class, raring to go and completely clueless! I'd never have imagined we'd be where we are now."
"Well I totally knew you were destined for Broadway stardom the first time I saw you and heard you sing!" so speak for yourself!" teased Ana.
"Girl, you and I know that this industry is 90% luck ... something smells good in there by the way! You lucked out with Josh and his cooking! Derek on the other hand ..." she smiled!
"Right girls! My culinary masterpiece is ready, if you two lovely ladies would like to make your way to the table. And yes darling, I have opened another bottle of wine" he said, winking at his wife as she gave him a playful whack around the ear on their way inside.
Karen couldn't help but smile watching her 2 best friends. Josh and Ana were great for each other. Something they realised themselves once they'd finally succumbed to Karen's not so subtle matchmaking. They were married within a year of the Tonys, with Karen as maid of honour. It was a beautiful little wedding, full of laughter and music. The only thing missing was Derek. He was too sick to attend, but Karen had recounted the day to him afterwards, and he was as happy as anyone for his friends.
After it became clear that Derek's first round of treatment hadn't worked, Derek was desperate that he and Karen got married as soon as possible. Maybe it was because Karen didn't want to face the truth, but she'd told him at first that she didn't need a ring on her finger to prove their love for each other.
"It isn't that sweetheart" he'd said. "But you don't know how many times I've dreamt of you being my wife. To finally have achieved something I'm unconditionally proud of. And I know you don't want to talk about this, but you know it makes sense for us to be married before, if ..."
The wedding itself was just a simple affair, but it was perfect. Karen and Derek and a few close family and friends (about 50 in all) at their favourite restaurant. The hospital had allowed him out for the day, and he made the most of his freedom, even managing a first dance with the love of his life to 'Unforgettable'.
"Thank you for making me the happiest man in the world" he'd whispered in her ear as they'd swayed to the bittersweet music.
"Right, all packed up!" said Karen, as she threw the final bag into the back of the car. "It's amazing how much stuff it takes to keep this little one in check! Henry, will you say bye and thank you to Auntie Ana and Uncle Josh. We're going now."
"Byyeee Auntie Ana. Byyyee Uncle Yosh" Henry said, as he made his way over to Ana and Josh for a goodbye cuddle.
"Bye buddy!" said Ana. "Now you take care of your mommy okay."
"Okay Auntie Ana."
"Right, come on you!" said Karen, lifting Henry into the car seat and strapping him in. "Thanks again guys, as always. Buzz me when you're back okay!"
"Will do. Drive safely. Love you!"
"Love you too."
It was a good journey back considering it was a Sunday, but by the time she got into the apartment she was exhausted. She wanted nothing more than to crawl up on the sofa with a good bottle of wine and relax. She gave Henry a bath and read him a few stories before tucking him under his blanket with Rosco.
"I love you my little superstar" she said softly. "And daddy does too. Always."
"Night night mommy ... Love you."
Karen made her way into the bathroom and ran herself a big soapy bath while she wearily undressed. As she slid into the bath she closed her eyes and finally let herself relax. She loved Henry more than anything but he was such a bundle of energy she was exhausted at the end of each day. She wished Derek was here.
Ana and Josh had been lifesavers these past few years, as well as Julia. Especially the first few months after Henry was born when Derek was too sick to be at home. She didn't know how she'd gotten through those days. Derek had wanted to be there for her, and Henry, and do all the things a new dad should do, but he was just too unwell. But his spirits were lifted everytime Karen took Henry in to see him in the hospital, and for an hour or so each day, they sat together as a little family, and it was perfect.
She was lost in her her thoughts when she was disturbed by a sound downstairs, and immediately sat up in the bath, her ears pricked. She would have shouted out but knew Henry was sleeping. Another noise set her heart racing, and she quickly got out of the bath, wrapping her bath robe around her.
"Hello?" she called tentatively, as she crept down the stairs. "Is there anyone there?" What the hell was she doing?! If it was an intruder they were hardly going to politely introduce themselves! "Hello?" It was then that she spotted the doors to the outdoor patio slightly ajar. She could have sworn she closed them before heading upstairs.
"Hello?" she called again, as she quickly pulled the patio doors a little further apart and stepped outside. Her heart skipped a beat in relief. The patio was empty.
"Karen, get a grip!" she berated herself, as she made her way back inside, locking shut the patio doors.
"You know, I remember the last time you said that. You were drinking yourself to oblivion in a New York bar, and I'm pretty sure that's the night I realised I was hopelessly in love with you!"
"Oh my god" gasped Karen, as she spun around in surprise and shock, to see her husband leaning against the pillar grinning at her, 2 glasses of champagne in his hand!
"Oh my, Derek!" she practically squealed. "What are you doing here?!" she said, as she raced towards him and flung her arms around him, kissing him passionately, running her fingers through his soft messy hair.
When they broke apart she playfully whacked him, but unable to hide the smile on her face. "Jesus Derek you scared me half to death! I was sneaking around thinking there was an intruder! You're not meant to be back for another week ... is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine darling" Derek smiled, stroking Karen's cheek tenderly. "I just missed my wife too much. I wanted to surprise you. And I know this weekend was going to be tough for you, being the anniversary of Kyle's death. I didn't want to be anywhere else. ... and I won't lie. Seeing you in this sexy bath robe is turning me on no end!" he grinned cheekily. "God I love you so much."
"I love you too! I've missed you. And Henry has. Don't ever go away for so long again!" she laughed. "We had a great time at Josh and Ana's though. Anytime you fancy buying a nice little cottage by the sea in the Hamptons you just let me know, okay?" she grinned.
"Okay" Derek laughed.
"So are you going to have to go back to London?"Karen asked.
"No, not for a few weeks at least. I got most of my business finished early, and we're still so much at the early stages with the musical there wasn't much to be getting on with at this stage. Other than wining and dining, but you know how much I hate schmoozing the industry big wigs! An evening celebrating with my wife was much more inviting."
"What are we celebrating?" Karen teased.
"Well ... I found us the perfect house. It's a gorgeous big Georgian terrace in Hampstead, with a beautiful walled garden that Henry will love running around in ... and it's not SO close to my mother that she'll be popping in every single day" he laughed. "The best thing is, it's for rent, but the landlord is looking to sell at some point, so if we like it maybe we can think about buying."
"Sounds perfect! Our new life in London! I can't wait." smiled Karen, leaning in to kiss Derek lovingly on the lips again, taking one of the glasses of fizz out of his hand.
"It's just a shame I'm not going to be able to enjoy this whole glass" Karen said teasingly, taking a little sip.
"What do you mean?"
"Well ... it's about time Henry had a little brother or sister to play with right?"
"Oh my god Karen! Seriously?"
"Scouts honour sweetheart" Karen grinned. "I've been going out of my mind waiting for you to come back so I could tell you!"
"I can't believe it" Derek smiled, peppering Karen with kisses. "They told us the chances of conceiving after all the treatment was so low, I'd never even dared myself to dream."
"Well, believe it sweetheart." said Karen, taking Derek's hand and placing it over her belly, as they rested their foreheads tenderly against each other.
"I still have to pinch myself that things turned out the way they have" said Karen, tears springing in her eyes. "I don't know what I've done to deserve this. I thought I was going to lose you, and now here you are, cancer free, and another addition to our little family."
"Hey hey!" said Derek, wiping away Karen's tears. "Don't cry sweetheart. Everything's okay now. We're okay, and we have our whole life ahead of us. You don't need to be scared anymore."
"I know" she smiled. "I love you so much."
They kissed each other passionately, and things were just getting heated when they were disturbed by the sound of Henry crying out in his bed, and they both looked at each other and smiled.
"He just hates being left out of the party" laughed Karen. "Come on" she said, taking her husband's hand and leading him up the stairs. "I've got a feeling this is going to be Rosco related!"
"Oh no doubts" laughed Derek. "No doubts whatsoever!"
As Karen led her husband into Henry's bedroom, she had never felt more content or happy. So much had happened in the last 3 or 4 years she would have thought it far fetched even for the plot of a musical! But through all of the highs and lows there was always one constant. Derek, and his love for her, and hers for him. She didn't know what the future held for them. But she knew that she couldn't worry about that now. Right now Derek was well, and that's all that mattered. Their present, and their beautiful little family. Julia had finally got her happy ever after!
THE END
AN: There you go guys. Another Cartwills story finished! I hope you enjoyed! I'd messed around with the ending so much, but when it came to it I had to give Derek and Karen their happy ever after! #cartwillsforever
However, I'm going to write another little story - basically the alternative ending to HSW which I had in mind, and had already half written, before I realised that Karen and Derek needed to be together. So this one will be Karen/Josh centric, so look out for it!
Oh and for anyone so inclined, check out the HSW Naughty Bits story in the M section, lol. Basically just some of the naughtier bits of the story! I'll try and add another chapter to that also.
Thanks again for reading and reviewing guys, as always. All your comments have been really appreciated! :) x