A/N: Well here it is, the last chapter. I just want to thank everyone who
reviwed this story here in the past (hopefully they'll come back soon :).
Also,
I would greatly appreciate it if my readers could give me a review of the
whole story, and things like your favourite parts and stuff like that.
Thanks in
advance for the readers who do that!
A/N #2: This chapter kind of close up some stuff, and it also conviniently opens up some things that I will adress in the sequel which I will hopefully be able to post soon. And remember folks, the sequel to this will have JACK AND KAREN GETTING TOGETHER (---for those of you who might have forgotten ;). Another thing I'd like to mention, the epilogue here isn't much, just a way for me to wind up the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Will and Grace or its characters.
Chapter Ten Sister's Acceptance
"Are you sure you'll be okay by yourself Kat?" Will asked.
"That's the third time you've asked that Will, and for the third time, yes, I shall be fine," Katherine asked.
Grace glanced at Will and shrugged.
"I won't try anything, I promise," Katherine then said.
"Okay Kat," Will said. "You have the number to my office and my cellphone right?"
"Yes, and I've the number to Grace's office," Katherine answered. "I'll call if I need anything."
"I'm going to get going then," Will said. "Bye you guys."
"I would stay Kat, except I've got to go over to the Robson apartment today," Grace said.
"I know," Katherine said. "I'll be okay though, I'll just rest and get
some reading done."
"Alright," Grace said, getting up from the couch and picking up her coat. "I'll se you later."
"Bye Gracie," Katherine called as she left.
~~~
Karen woke up at ten thirty and discovered that Jack was gone. She got
out of the bed and hurriedly changed into a skirt and blouse before going downstairs. "Rosario," she said to the maid. "Where's Jack."
"He took little Amber to school," Rosario answered. "And he said he would be back soon."
Karen nodded and decided to go back to her room and watch t.v. until Jack came back. She was at the stairs when she heard the front door open and Jack called out to her.
"Let's go Kare and stop for some breakfast," he said.
"Are you going to buy poodle?" Karen asked.
"Oh Kare, you know I'd buy you a trip to the Fiji islands, but I just don't have the money," Jack answered, giving her his 'puppy dog' look.
Karen sighed and said, "Let me get my coat and then we'll go Jackie."
~~~
Jack opened the door to Will's apartment and let Karen walk inside first. "Kat, are you here?"
"Hi Jack, I'm out on the terrace," Katherine called out.
Karen stopped dead in her tracks and turned to Jack. "I'm scared Jackie," she said.
"Just go out there and tell her that you believe her," Jack said, walking up to her and giving her a quick hug.
"Thanks poodle," Karen said, kissing him on the cheek. She turned around and walked over to the terrace. She stood in the doorway for a moment, looking down at Katherine. Obviously she and Katherine didn't look alike, but Karen had noticed that they both had the same nose and chin, from their mother. "Hey," she said quietly.
Katherine looked up and was a little surprised to see Karen in the doorway. "Oh, hello Karen," she said softly. "Come and sit, please."
Karen walked onto the terrace and went over to the wooden chair that was in front of Katherine. "What are you writing?" she asked, noticing the pad of paper and pencil in her hands.
"Oh, I'm not writing," Katherine answered smiling. "I've been drawing."
Karen nodded and then she cleared her throat. She wasn't sure how to begin, so she remained quiet, trying to think of what to say first.
"Did Jack show you the letter from your mother?" Katherine suddenly asked.
"Yeah," Karen said, relieved that Katherine had started. "He did. And I do believe you now Katherine."
"Why didn't you believe me before?" Katherine asked softly.
"I never had a close relationship with our mom," Karen answered. "And for some reason I thought that you would be like her."
"Oh," Katherine said, seeming to be at a loss for words for a moment. She was pleased that Karen had said, 'our mom,' instead of 'my mom.' "Well, since I have no idea what she is like, I can assure you that it is not likely that I am like her," she said.
"So," Karen said, smiling. "I guess we're sisters then."
"Yes, I suppose we are," Katherine said. She stood up from her chair and waited for Karen to do the same. "Thank you for finally believing me Karen," she said. Then she put her arms around Karen and gave her a long hug.
Karen was a little taken back by the hug, but then she put her own arms
around Katherine's shoulders and returned the hug.
"Are you guys alright?" Jack said, coming onto the terrace. He saw the
two embracing and said, "Oh, sorry. It was too quiet and I thought Karen might have thrown you over the side Kat."
Karen and Katherine pulled apart and they both started laughing.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Jack asked, noticing the tears in both pairs of eyes.
"We'll be fine," Karen said.
"Yes, we shall," Katherine said, echoing her sister.
"Well why don't you make some coffee Kat and we can go inside were it's
warm!" Jack said.
Katherine laughed and walked passed Jack and into the apartment.
"See, I told you she would forgive you Kare," Jack said to Karen.
"I didn't think it would be that easy," Karen said. "Maybe she's not really s-"
"Karen, don't start acting paranoid," Jack said, scolding her lightly.
"Come on, let's go inside. Oh, and you two should do something together one of these days."
"But Jack-" Karen began.
"No buts Kare," Jack said. "You need to make it up to her and that's the best way to do it."
Karen sighed and then said, "Alright, maybe I can get her to go shopping for some new clothes for her."
"Sounds good," Jack said, taking Karen's arm. "Now go ask her what she
thinks."
~~~
Epilogue Two Weeks Later
"Good morning Gracie," Katherine said, walking into Grace's office.
"Hi Kat," Grace said. She looked up and saw the outfit that Katherine was wearing. "Nice blouse," she said. "Is it one that Karen bought you?"
"Yes, one of the few items that we both actually agreed upon on that horrid shopping day," Katherine answered grimacing at the memory.
Grace laughed and said, "You never really told us much about what happened that day. And Karen hasn't said anything either."
"Well, let's just say that on the ride back home in the limo, I was almost ready to drink some scotch," Katherine said.
"And I almost got you to Kath," a voice said behind the two women.
"It was horrible for you to force the liquor on me when I was so tired Kare," Katherine said, turning around and smiling at her sister.
"Wow, you actually wore one of the outfits I bought for you," Karen said, walking over to Katherine and looking at the blouse. "I think that it would have been better in the red color though."
Katherine just shook her head and laughed softly. "Are you ready for the park though?" she then asked.
"I guess," Karen said, walking back to her desk and sitting down.
"Oh, about that Kat," Grace said. "I can't go, Will and I are going to
see 'Matchstick Men' at three."
"That's quite alright," Katherine said.
"Okay, well then, let's get working," Grace said, clapping her hands together.
~~~
At two fifteen, there was a noise outside the office that sounded like someone was galloping up the stairs.
"That Jack?" Grace said, looking down at her watch.
"Good afternoon, fair ladies of Grace Adler designs," Jack said, coming
into the office, Amber on his back.
"Glad to see you made it Jack," Katherine said.
Jack knelt down and let Amber let go of him. She ran to Katherine and gave her a hug. "We going down to the park Mummy?"
"If your Aunt Karen is ready, we are," Katherine said.
Sighing, Karen stood up and pulled on her coat. "Let's get out of here," she said.
"Bye you guys, have fun!" Grace called after the four of them as they went out of the office.
~~~
Later that night, Karen, Jack, Katherine and Amber were at Karen's penthouse. They were in the media room, Jack and Amber playing video games.
"Why do you still have the game system?" Katherine asked.
"My stepkids had another one at their mom's, so they just left it here," Karen answered, eating an olive from her martini.
"You know Kare, I would hate to think of the condition your liver is in
right now," Katherine said suddenly.
Jack looked over at Karen with a surprised look on his face.
"Oh honey," Karen said, waving a hand in the air. "Don't try and preach to me. A lot of people tried that and , obviously it didn't work. I mean,
the only way I'd stop is if I was pregnant, and that's not going to happen any time soon."
"Yes," Katherine said, glancing over at Jack, who's attention had returned to the video game. "Well it's getting late and Amber has school tomorrow." Katherine stood up from the couch she was sitting on.
Amber put down the video game controller and went over to where Karen was sitting. "Thank you for letting me play Auntie Karen," she said. Then she
stood on her tip toes and gave Karen a small kiss on the cheek.
"You're welcome Amber," Karen said, ruffling the girl's black hair slightly. "And I'll be picking you up after school tomorrow and we'll go clothes shopping."
"Thank you Auntie!" Amber said excitedly. Then she looked over at her mother and asked, "Is it all right Mummy?"
"It is," Katherine answered. "But please remember Kare, she's only six
years old and she does wear a uniform at her school."
"Don't worry honey," Karen said, putting her martini down and getting up. "I'll see you at the office tomorrow."
"Good night Kare," Katherine said.
The two sisters hugged quickly, and then Amber and Katherine left the room.
Jack and Karen looked at each other for a moment before Karen spoke, "I
never really thanked you Jackie"
"You don't have to," Jack said. "I was just being a friend because... 'That's what friends are for!'" he said, singing the last part.
Karen rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "Well thank you anyway poodle."
"Lunch tomorrow?" Jack asked.
"Like always," Karen answered.
"Good night Karebear," Jack said, kissing her cheek. Then he left the room and went to join Katherine and Amber in the limo for the ride home.
After he had left, Karen at back down in her chair and picked up her martini, but she didn't drink it. She spent a long time in the armchair that night, thinking over her sister and another person who had been on her mind a lot lately- Jack.
~~~
The ride back to 155 Riverside was quiet as Amber quickly fell asleep while she was sitting next to Jack. The girl was now sitting on his lap and her head was resting on his shoulder.
"Do you want me to take her?" Katherine asked Jack.
"No, it's okay," Jack said. "She's a beautiful girl."
"Yes, that she is," Katherine said, agreeing.
"She's not yours though, is she?" Jack asked quietly.
"I adopted her," Katherine said. "My best friend in York died when she
gave birth to Amber, and in her will, she left Amber to me."
"Does Amber know?" Jack asked.
"She does," Katherine said. "She's an incredibly smart girl, and guessed a few months ago that her black hair didn't come from my family. Jack, may I ask you something?"
Jack looked up at Katherine, surprised at the quick change of subjects.
"Yeah, sure," he answered.
"Would you ever want to have a child of your own?" Katherine asked. "And I don't mean by adoption."
"Well, sure, if it was as wonderful as Amb, then yes," Jack answered.
Katherine smiled knowingly and then turned to look out the window. "We're home," she said.
Inside the apartment building, Jack insisted on carrying Amber up to Will's apartment.
"So how was the park?" Will asked when Katherine had entered the apartment.
"Shh, Katherine said, putting a finger to her lips and then stepping aside so Jack could walk in.
"Want me to take her into your room?" Jack asked.
"Give her to me, I'll change her into her nightclothes," Katherine said, taking the still sleeping Amber from Jack.
"So how did everything go today?" Will asked Jack when Katherine had left.
"Pretty good," Jack said, going to the refrigerator and grabbing a bottle of mineral water. "Karen wasn't too happy about being in the park, but she
and Kat got along pretty well."
"She really wasn't happy about the zoo," Katherine said, coming into the room.
"Yeah, she looked really out of place with her fur coat," Jack said, smiling at the memory. "I'm going to go. See you guys tomorrow."
"Good night Jack," Katherine said.
"Night," Will said.
When Jack had left Karen quickly made a cup of tea and sat at the table
next to Will. "You've the crossword Will?"
"As I always do," Will answered. He pulled out a piece of newspaper and grabbed a pen.
This was a nightly ritual for both of them, ever since Katherine had explained to Will that she and her adoptive father had done this with the London Times crossword puzzle. Will had offered to share the crossword puzzle from the New York Times with her.
An hour later, Katherine yawned and said, "Well I best get to bed."
"Yeah, I'm going to turn in too," Will said. He got up from the table and put the pen and newspaper away. "So everything turned out great for you."
Katherine laughed and said, "Of course it is, why do you say that?"
"Just making sure," Will said.
"I'm not going to do anything as stupid as that again Will," Katherine said, touching the large band-aid on her wrist that had replaced the gauze.
"Anyway," she said as they walked to their rooms, "I've my daughter, my three best friends and my sister who isn't treating me like a stranger. I'ven't a reason to try and kill myself again."
"You put things in perspective so well," Will said.
"Thank you kind sir," Katherine said, smiling and give a half bow.
Will laughed and said, "Good night Kat."
"Night Will, sweet dreams," Katherine said, going over and hugging him.
The two parted and went into their separate rooms, resigning themselves
to the inevitable slumber that eluded their other friends that night, Karen and Jack.
The End
A/N #2: This chapter kind of close up some stuff, and it also conviniently opens up some things that I will adress in the sequel which I will hopefully be able to post soon. And remember folks, the sequel to this will have JACK AND KAREN GETTING TOGETHER (---for those of you who might have forgotten ;). Another thing I'd like to mention, the epilogue here isn't much, just a way for me to wind up the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Will and Grace or its characters.
Chapter Ten Sister's Acceptance
"Are you sure you'll be okay by yourself Kat?" Will asked.
"That's the third time you've asked that Will, and for the third time, yes, I shall be fine," Katherine asked.
Grace glanced at Will and shrugged.
"I won't try anything, I promise," Katherine then said.
"Okay Kat," Will said. "You have the number to my office and my cellphone right?"
"Yes, and I've the number to Grace's office," Katherine answered. "I'll call if I need anything."
"I'm going to get going then," Will said. "Bye you guys."
"I would stay Kat, except I've got to go over to the Robson apartment today," Grace said.
"I know," Katherine said. "I'll be okay though, I'll just rest and get
some reading done."
"Alright," Grace said, getting up from the couch and picking up her coat. "I'll se you later."
"Bye Gracie," Katherine called as she left.
~~~
Karen woke up at ten thirty and discovered that Jack was gone. She got
out of the bed and hurriedly changed into a skirt and blouse before going downstairs. "Rosario," she said to the maid. "Where's Jack."
"He took little Amber to school," Rosario answered. "And he said he would be back soon."
Karen nodded and decided to go back to her room and watch t.v. until Jack came back. She was at the stairs when she heard the front door open and Jack called out to her.
"Let's go Kare and stop for some breakfast," he said.
"Are you going to buy poodle?" Karen asked.
"Oh Kare, you know I'd buy you a trip to the Fiji islands, but I just don't have the money," Jack answered, giving her his 'puppy dog' look.
Karen sighed and said, "Let me get my coat and then we'll go Jackie."
~~~
Jack opened the door to Will's apartment and let Karen walk inside first. "Kat, are you here?"
"Hi Jack, I'm out on the terrace," Katherine called out.
Karen stopped dead in her tracks and turned to Jack. "I'm scared Jackie," she said.
"Just go out there and tell her that you believe her," Jack said, walking up to her and giving her a quick hug.
"Thanks poodle," Karen said, kissing him on the cheek. She turned around and walked over to the terrace. She stood in the doorway for a moment, looking down at Katherine. Obviously she and Katherine didn't look alike, but Karen had noticed that they both had the same nose and chin, from their mother. "Hey," she said quietly.
Katherine looked up and was a little surprised to see Karen in the doorway. "Oh, hello Karen," she said softly. "Come and sit, please."
Karen walked onto the terrace and went over to the wooden chair that was in front of Katherine. "What are you writing?" she asked, noticing the pad of paper and pencil in her hands.
"Oh, I'm not writing," Katherine answered smiling. "I've been drawing."
Karen nodded and then she cleared her throat. She wasn't sure how to begin, so she remained quiet, trying to think of what to say first.
"Did Jack show you the letter from your mother?" Katherine suddenly asked.
"Yeah," Karen said, relieved that Katherine had started. "He did. And I do believe you now Katherine."
"Why didn't you believe me before?" Katherine asked softly.
"I never had a close relationship with our mom," Karen answered. "And for some reason I thought that you would be like her."
"Oh," Katherine said, seeming to be at a loss for words for a moment. She was pleased that Karen had said, 'our mom,' instead of 'my mom.' "Well, since I have no idea what she is like, I can assure you that it is not likely that I am like her," she said.
"So," Karen said, smiling. "I guess we're sisters then."
"Yes, I suppose we are," Katherine said. She stood up from her chair and waited for Karen to do the same. "Thank you for finally believing me Karen," she said. Then she put her arms around Karen and gave her a long hug.
Karen was a little taken back by the hug, but then she put her own arms
around Katherine's shoulders and returned the hug.
"Are you guys alright?" Jack said, coming onto the terrace. He saw the
two embracing and said, "Oh, sorry. It was too quiet and I thought Karen might have thrown you over the side Kat."
Karen and Katherine pulled apart and they both started laughing.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Jack asked, noticing the tears in both pairs of eyes.
"We'll be fine," Karen said.
"Yes, we shall," Katherine said, echoing her sister.
"Well why don't you make some coffee Kat and we can go inside were it's
warm!" Jack said.
Katherine laughed and walked passed Jack and into the apartment.
"See, I told you she would forgive you Kare," Jack said to Karen.
"I didn't think it would be that easy," Karen said. "Maybe she's not really s-"
"Karen, don't start acting paranoid," Jack said, scolding her lightly.
"Come on, let's go inside. Oh, and you two should do something together one of these days."
"But Jack-" Karen began.
"No buts Kare," Jack said. "You need to make it up to her and that's the best way to do it."
Karen sighed and then said, "Alright, maybe I can get her to go shopping for some new clothes for her."
"Sounds good," Jack said, taking Karen's arm. "Now go ask her what she
thinks."
~~~
Epilogue Two Weeks Later
"Good morning Gracie," Katherine said, walking into Grace's office.
"Hi Kat," Grace said. She looked up and saw the outfit that Katherine was wearing. "Nice blouse," she said. "Is it one that Karen bought you?"
"Yes, one of the few items that we both actually agreed upon on that horrid shopping day," Katherine answered grimacing at the memory.
Grace laughed and said, "You never really told us much about what happened that day. And Karen hasn't said anything either."
"Well, let's just say that on the ride back home in the limo, I was almost ready to drink some scotch," Katherine said.
"And I almost got you to Kath," a voice said behind the two women.
"It was horrible for you to force the liquor on me when I was so tired Kare," Katherine said, turning around and smiling at her sister.
"Wow, you actually wore one of the outfits I bought for you," Karen said, walking over to Katherine and looking at the blouse. "I think that it would have been better in the red color though."
Katherine just shook her head and laughed softly. "Are you ready for the park though?" she then asked.
"I guess," Karen said, walking back to her desk and sitting down.
"Oh, about that Kat," Grace said. "I can't go, Will and I are going to
see 'Matchstick Men' at three."
"That's quite alright," Katherine said.
"Okay, well then, let's get working," Grace said, clapping her hands together.
~~~
At two fifteen, there was a noise outside the office that sounded like someone was galloping up the stairs.
"That Jack?" Grace said, looking down at her watch.
"Good afternoon, fair ladies of Grace Adler designs," Jack said, coming
into the office, Amber on his back.
"Glad to see you made it Jack," Katherine said.
Jack knelt down and let Amber let go of him. She ran to Katherine and gave her a hug. "We going down to the park Mummy?"
"If your Aunt Karen is ready, we are," Katherine said.
Sighing, Karen stood up and pulled on her coat. "Let's get out of here," she said.
"Bye you guys, have fun!" Grace called after the four of them as they went out of the office.
~~~
Later that night, Karen, Jack, Katherine and Amber were at Karen's penthouse. They were in the media room, Jack and Amber playing video games.
"Why do you still have the game system?" Katherine asked.
"My stepkids had another one at their mom's, so they just left it here," Karen answered, eating an olive from her martini.
"You know Kare, I would hate to think of the condition your liver is in
right now," Katherine said suddenly.
Jack looked over at Karen with a surprised look on his face.
"Oh honey," Karen said, waving a hand in the air. "Don't try and preach to me. A lot of people tried that and , obviously it didn't work. I mean,
the only way I'd stop is if I was pregnant, and that's not going to happen any time soon."
"Yes," Katherine said, glancing over at Jack, who's attention had returned to the video game. "Well it's getting late and Amber has school tomorrow." Katherine stood up from the couch she was sitting on.
Amber put down the video game controller and went over to where Karen was sitting. "Thank you for letting me play Auntie Karen," she said. Then she
stood on her tip toes and gave Karen a small kiss on the cheek.
"You're welcome Amber," Karen said, ruffling the girl's black hair slightly. "And I'll be picking you up after school tomorrow and we'll go clothes shopping."
"Thank you Auntie!" Amber said excitedly. Then she looked over at her mother and asked, "Is it all right Mummy?"
"It is," Katherine answered. "But please remember Kare, she's only six
years old and she does wear a uniform at her school."
"Don't worry honey," Karen said, putting her martini down and getting up. "I'll see you at the office tomorrow."
"Good night Kare," Katherine said.
The two sisters hugged quickly, and then Amber and Katherine left the room.
Jack and Karen looked at each other for a moment before Karen spoke, "I
never really thanked you Jackie"
"You don't have to," Jack said. "I was just being a friend because... 'That's what friends are for!'" he said, singing the last part.
Karen rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "Well thank you anyway poodle."
"Lunch tomorrow?" Jack asked.
"Like always," Karen answered.
"Good night Karebear," Jack said, kissing her cheek. Then he left the room and went to join Katherine and Amber in the limo for the ride home.
After he had left, Karen at back down in her chair and picked up her martini, but she didn't drink it. She spent a long time in the armchair that night, thinking over her sister and another person who had been on her mind a lot lately- Jack.
~~~
The ride back to 155 Riverside was quiet as Amber quickly fell asleep while she was sitting next to Jack. The girl was now sitting on his lap and her head was resting on his shoulder.
"Do you want me to take her?" Katherine asked Jack.
"No, it's okay," Jack said. "She's a beautiful girl."
"Yes, that she is," Katherine said, agreeing.
"She's not yours though, is she?" Jack asked quietly.
"I adopted her," Katherine said. "My best friend in York died when she
gave birth to Amber, and in her will, she left Amber to me."
"Does Amber know?" Jack asked.
"She does," Katherine said. "She's an incredibly smart girl, and guessed a few months ago that her black hair didn't come from my family. Jack, may I ask you something?"
Jack looked up at Katherine, surprised at the quick change of subjects.
"Yeah, sure," he answered.
"Would you ever want to have a child of your own?" Katherine asked. "And I don't mean by adoption."
"Well, sure, if it was as wonderful as Amb, then yes," Jack answered.
Katherine smiled knowingly and then turned to look out the window. "We're home," she said.
Inside the apartment building, Jack insisted on carrying Amber up to Will's apartment.
"So how was the park?" Will asked when Katherine had entered the apartment.
"Shh, Katherine said, putting a finger to her lips and then stepping aside so Jack could walk in.
"Want me to take her into your room?" Jack asked.
"Give her to me, I'll change her into her nightclothes," Katherine said, taking the still sleeping Amber from Jack.
"So how did everything go today?" Will asked Jack when Katherine had left.
"Pretty good," Jack said, going to the refrigerator and grabbing a bottle of mineral water. "Karen wasn't too happy about being in the park, but she
and Kat got along pretty well."
"She really wasn't happy about the zoo," Katherine said, coming into the room.
"Yeah, she looked really out of place with her fur coat," Jack said, smiling at the memory. "I'm going to go. See you guys tomorrow."
"Good night Jack," Katherine said.
"Night," Will said.
When Jack had left Karen quickly made a cup of tea and sat at the table
next to Will. "You've the crossword Will?"
"As I always do," Will answered. He pulled out a piece of newspaper and grabbed a pen.
This was a nightly ritual for both of them, ever since Katherine had explained to Will that she and her adoptive father had done this with the London Times crossword puzzle. Will had offered to share the crossword puzzle from the New York Times with her.
An hour later, Katherine yawned and said, "Well I best get to bed."
"Yeah, I'm going to turn in too," Will said. He got up from the table and put the pen and newspaper away. "So everything turned out great for you."
Katherine laughed and said, "Of course it is, why do you say that?"
"Just making sure," Will said.
"I'm not going to do anything as stupid as that again Will," Katherine said, touching the large band-aid on her wrist that had replaced the gauze.
"Anyway," she said as they walked to their rooms, "I've my daughter, my three best friends and my sister who isn't treating me like a stranger. I'ven't a reason to try and kill myself again."
"You put things in perspective so well," Will said.
"Thank you kind sir," Katherine said, smiling and give a half bow.
Will laughed and said, "Good night Kat."
"Night Will, sweet dreams," Katherine said, going over and hugging him.
The two parted and went into their separate rooms, resigning themselves
to the inevitable slumber that eluded their other friends that night, Karen and Jack.
The End