A/N: Big thanks to Tiffany and itsnotrightbutitsokay for reviewing! I very
much appreciate it!!
A/N #2: I introduce another character here, Edward O'Neill. He's my own creation though, and he'll be important later on in the story :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Will and Grace or its characters.
Chapter Twenty-One
Apprehension
One morning in April, Karen noticed that her stomach was sticking out a little as she was getting dressed. Smiling, she pulled on her shoes before going out into the room.
Jack was sitting on the edge of the bed, yawning while he was tying his shoes. He looked up as Karen walked in and immediately noticed her stomach. "You're starting to show Kare," he said, smiling.
"You can tell?" Karen asked, surprised.
"Oh come on," Jack said as she walked over to him. "I've seen this body naked and dressed for a long time now. I can tell you're showing."
Karen smiled and covered Jack's hand that was on her stomach. "Pretty soon I'll need to get some new clothes," she said.
"Hmm," Jack said, thinking for a minute. "Why don't we go shopping on Saturday when we're both free?"
"Perfect," Karen said.
Jack leaned forward and placed a small kiss on Karen's stomach. He stood up and said, "I better get going or else the director's going to yell at me again for being late." He gave Karen a deep kiss and left the room, saying, "I'll see you later tonight Kare."
~~~
"Grace," Katherine said that afternoon at the office. "I need to leave early today."
"Oh, you're pulling a Karen?" Grace asked, smiling.
"Hilarious Grace," Karen said from her desk where she was painting her nails. "You should do stand up."
Laughing slightly, Katherine shook her head and said, "I need to go over to Will's office. He and I have a few papers we need to go over."
"Oh, right," Grace said. "He told me you would be going over there today."
"Yeah, and I need to go now," Katherine said. "Is it all right?"
"Sure and why don't you take the rest of the day?" Grace said. "You've been looking a little pale lately."
"Thanks Gracie," Katherine said, going over and getting her coat. She said goodbye to her sister and Grace and walked out of the office, over to the stairs.
"Kath, wait a sec," Karen called behind her, hurrying down the stairs.
"What's wrong?" Katherine asked.
"Nothing, I just felt like taking the rest of the day too," Karen said, looping her arm through her sister's.
"And what, you're going to come with me to Will's office?" Katherine asked incredulously.
"Sure, it's not going to take that long," Karen said. "And after we can go pick up Jackie and then go out somewhere fun."
"Okay, but I have to pick up Amber at three," Katherine said as they walked over to the limo that was pulling up to the curb.
"That's fine Kath, the more the merrier," Karen said as she got into the limo, her sister following.
~~~
Katherine was the first to go into Will's office, and he greeted her pleasantly. When Karen walked in behind her, he frowned and said, "What are you doing here Karen?"
"Kath and I have the rest of the day off," Karen answered. "So I thought I would join her."
"You know that she and I have some really important things to go over," Will said.
"Yeah? What's you're point Wilma?" Karen asked indifferently.
"This meeting is meant for me and my client only," Will said, a little irritated.
"Well I am your client too honey," Karen said, sitting down in one of the chairs in front of Will's desk.
"It's okay Will, just let her stay," Katherine said. "She'll space out once she realizes what we're talking about."
Still looking annoyed, Will pulled out a file and opened it, taking a piece of paper out. "Your brother faxed this over yesterday," he said, giving the paper to Katherine. "It states that his heir or heirs will directly inherit your family's manor instead of you."
"Yes, Robert and I discussed this a while ago," Katherine said, taking a pen out of her purse. "I'd like to stay here in the States instead of having to go back to York to take charge of the manor should anything happen to Bobby." She signed the paper at the bottom and handed it back to Will.
"Ok," Will said, looking a little surprised. "Now there's the matter of your will, you said you wanted to update it?"
Karen, who had only pretended to space out by looking out the window, suddenly paid closer attention to what was going on.
"Yes, I kept putting off where Amber was to go if anything happened to me," Katherine said.
"Okay, well right now you've got custody of her going to Grace and me," Will said, reading over the will.
"I want to change that to Jack and Karen," Katherine said softly. "Don't take offense Will-"
"No, it's okay," he said quickly. "I thought you would want her to go with her aunt." He wrote something down and then smiled. "Well, unless there's anything else, we're done."
"That's all at the moment Will," Katherine answered.
"Oh, there's a new lawyer that joined the firm today," Will said absentmindedly as he straightened up Katherine's papers and file. "His name's Edward O'Neill."
"I've seen that look before Will," Katherine said, grinning. "He's cute then?"
"Very," Will said smiling.
"Grace'll be happy to hear the details," Katherine said, glancing at Karen. "Right now I better go before my sister's eyes get stuck in place."
"Don't worry Kath," Karen said, turning to the other two. "I'm back."
The two got up from their chairs and left the office, Katherine saying goodbye to Will. She opened the door and was about to go through when she bumped into a man who was coming inside.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry sir," Katherine said when she noticed she had knocked a stack of papers the man had been carrying to the floor.
"It's okay, no harm done," the man said, kneeling down and picking up the papers. When Katherine started to help him, he said, "Oh no, it's quite-" He stopped abruptly when he looked up at Katherine.
Will, who had walked over to the doorway, said, "Edward, everything okay?"
Katherine handed the last of the papers to Edward and stood up as he did so too. "Everything's fine Will," she answered. She turned towards Edward and said, "I really am terribly sorry." She trailed off, looking at Will questioningly.
"Oh! Kat, this is Edward O'Neill," Will said hurriedly. "Edward, this is Katherine Riley, my client. And this is her sister, Karen McFarland."
Edward's gaze turned from Katherine and settled on Karen. "Mrs. McFarland I know already," he said, smiling slightly at her.
"How's your mom Eddie?" Karen asked wryly.
"She's her same old crabby self," Edward said. "I didn't know you had a sister."
"Well when did you get back?" Karen said.
"Three weeks ago," Edward answered. He noticed Katherine and Will's confused looks and said, "Karen and my mother know each other from some high class parties. So I know Karen from that." He then looked over at Katherine again and said, "I need to speak with you about some things Will. It was a pleasure to meet you Ms. Riley."
Katherine nodded her head. "The same Mr. O'Neill." With that she and Karen left the office.
~~~
On the way to the theater, Karen said, "Did you see the way Eddie looked at you Kath?"
"What are you talking about Kare?" Katherine asked, looking out the car window.
"Oh honey, don't pretend you're stupid, he was practically drooling over you in the office," Karen said.
"That's nice," Katherine said, her voice expressionless. "But I've no interest and besides, I'm sure Will'll be asking him out soon."
"I don't know, the way he was staring-" Karen started to say.
"Just stop Kare," Katherine said quickly, sounding annoyed. "I really don't want to hear it right now."
As the limo stopped in front of the theater where Jack's play was, Karen sighed, she wanted to press her sister about Edward, but knew it wouldn't do any good. Like herself, Katherine was very stubborn when she wanted to be. "Stay in here and I'll go get Jackie," she said before going out the door
~~~
Later that night, Will was telling Grace about Katherine giving custody of Amber to Jack and Karen over dinner.
"Funny she didn't tell me about that," Grace said, wiping her mouth with her napkin.
"Yeah," Will said a little distractedly.
"Uh-oh, what's wrong?" Grace asked her best friend.
Will sighed before saying, "Remember I told you that a new lawyer came into the firm?"
Grace gasped and said, "Oh my god, you asked him out?"
"Yeah, I did," Will said dejectedly.
"Oh, did he..turn you down?" Grace asked gently.
"Not really," Will said. "He told me he wasn't gay."
"Oh Will, I'm so sorry," Grace said, taking his hand and squeezing it.
"Nah, it's okay," Will said, taking a sip of wine. "To tell you the truth, I think he was very interested in Kat."
"Really?" Grace asked, surprised. "Where did they meet?"
"At the office today," Will said, smiling. "Kat bumped into him as he was leaving."
"And did she seem interested in him at all?" Grace asked anxiously.
"Nope, she was her normal polite British self," Will said.
"She has told us she's not a lesbian right?" Grace asked.
"Yes, she did," Will said. "It must be something that happened to her."
Grace sighed and said, "I just hope she can get over it and find someone who makes her and Amber happy."
"I'll drink to that," Will said, raising his wine glass.
Grace picked up her own and they touched glasses before each taking a sip.
~~~
At ten o'clock, Karen was in the bathtub, lying back with her eyes closed. She was about to doze off when Jack came into the bathroom.
"Sorry Kare," he said apologetically. "But I was wondering if you were still in the tub, I was getting worried."
"Why, have I been in here a long time poodle?" Karen asked.
"Twenty minutes," Jack said, sitting on the edge. "And that's usually how long it takes for us to take a bath together."
"I guess I need to justify myself then," Karen said. She reached out and grabbed a handful of Jack's sweater before pulling him in the tub with her.
"Ahh!" Jack yelled as he was submersed in the water and bubbles. "Kare, you got my clothes soaking wet!"
"Oh relax Jackie," Karen admonished. "They'll dry out." She pushed him to the other side of the tub and then sat on his lap as she pulled off his sweater.
"That was my favorite sweater Kare, and it's going to shrink now!" Jack said angrily.
"What a shame," Karen said absentmindedly as she unbuttoned his shit.
"Kare.." Jack started to say before her lips pressed down on his. He put his arms around her and pulled her closer to him, being careful not to squeeze her too tightly.
After they kissed for a long time, Karen pulled back a little and said, "Why do you still have your pants on?"
"Because you pulled me in here," Jack said, a little irritated.
"Mad at me?" Karen asked him, brushing his lips with the tip of her tongue.
"Not when you do something like that," Jack answered before kissing her deeply again.
While Jack kissed her neck and jaw, Karen hurriedly unzipped his jeans and purred, "Happy to see me Jack?"
"I always am," Jack said, he kissed Karen on the lips, sucking them into his mouth and biting them so they became swollen. Then, with Karen's help, he pulled off his soaked jeans and boxers, throwing them on the floor next to the bathtub. And with Karen still on his lap, Jack eagerly made love to her.
Karen moaned and gasped as Jack sucked on her neck. She put one hand on the back of his head and then lifted his head up so his lips were on hers once again.
Jack pulled back from the kissed and then trailed kisses down Karen's chin and neck before reaching her breasts. He bit and sucked lightly around the edge of them as Karen sighed in pleasure. Sticking his tongue out a little, he moved from the base to the top of one breast before taking it into his mouth, sucking lightly on it.
Biting her swollen bottom lip to keep from screaming, Karen clutched at Jack tightly, almost delirious at the feeling of him sucking lightly on her breast. She closed her eyes tightly before she hit her edge, moaning loudly in pleasure and ecstasy.
Jack pulled away from Karen as he himself yelled out Karen's name in a state of euphoria. Sighing in pleasure, he leaned forward and rested his head on top of her shoulder.
A few minutes later, they were sitting together in the tub still, Karen leaning against Jack's chest. She yawned slightly and then smiled as she felt Jack's hands come around and rest on her stomach.
"Four months," he said into her ear, kissing the lobe. "It's going to be forever until the baby comes."
"Oh god, I hope not," Karen said. "That would be hell."
"You know, I never hear you complaining about the baby or anything," Jack said.
"I want to get out," Karen said, avoiding the question. She stepped out of the tub and toweled herself dry before pulling on a robe and leaving.
When Jack came out, with his robe tied tightly on him, he went straight to the bed where Karen was laying on her side. "Kare, you're scaring me," he said as he got on the bed. "Is anything wrong with the baby?"
Karen turned over and looked up into Jack's worried blue eyes, and she sighed. "Nothing's wrong with the baby," Karen said. "But.. I'm scared about whether or not this will be an easy birth. I've read that women my age have more difficult pregnancies. What-" Her eyes suddenly filled with tears and she sat up, clutching at Jack. "What if I die giving birth?"
"NO!" Jack yelled forcefully. "You won't Kare, you won't die. I won't let you die." He hugged Karen tightly and then said, "We'll go to the doctor's tomorrow and talk with him about this together, okay?"
Karen didn't say anything, but nodded. After a few moments, she lifted her head up and kissed Jack softly on the lips. "Thank you so much poodle," she said quietly.
"You're welcome Kare," Jack said after giving her a deep kiss. "Let's get some sleep."
With that, they lay down on the bed and snuggled up together as closely as they could, facing each other, their unborn child still in Karen's womb in between them.
A/N #2: I introduce another character here, Edward O'Neill. He's my own creation though, and he'll be important later on in the story :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Will and Grace or its characters.
Chapter Twenty-One
Apprehension
One morning in April, Karen noticed that her stomach was sticking out a little as she was getting dressed. Smiling, she pulled on her shoes before going out into the room.
Jack was sitting on the edge of the bed, yawning while he was tying his shoes. He looked up as Karen walked in and immediately noticed her stomach. "You're starting to show Kare," he said, smiling.
"You can tell?" Karen asked, surprised.
"Oh come on," Jack said as she walked over to him. "I've seen this body naked and dressed for a long time now. I can tell you're showing."
Karen smiled and covered Jack's hand that was on her stomach. "Pretty soon I'll need to get some new clothes," she said.
"Hmm," Jack said, thinking for a minute. "Why don't we go shopping on Saturday when we're both free?"
"Perfect," Karen said.
Jack leaned forward and placed a small kiss on Karen's stomach. He stood up and said, "I better get going or else the director's going to yell at me again for being late." He gave Karen a deep kiss and left the room, saying, "I'll see you later tonight Kare."
~~~
"Grace," Katherine said that afternoon at the office. "I need to leave early today."
"Oh, you're pulling a Karen?" Grace asked, smiling.
"Hilarious Grace," Karen said from her desk where she was painting her nails. "You should do stand up."
Laughing slightly, Katherine shook her head and said, "I need to go over to Will's office. He and I have a few papers we need to go over."
"Oh, right," Grace said. "He told me you would be going over there today."
"Yeah, and I need to go now," Katherine said. "Is it all right?"
"Sure and why don't you take the rest of the day?" Grace said. "You've been looking a little pale lately."
"Thanks Gracie," Katherine said, going over and getting her coat. She said goodbye to her sister and Grace and walked out of the office, over to the stairs.
"Kath, wait a sec," Karen called behind her, hurrying down the stairs.
"What's wrong?" Katherine asked.
"Nothing, I just felt like taking the rest of the day too," Karen said, looping her arm through her sister's.
"And what, you're going to come with me to Will's office?" Katherine asked incredulously.
"Sure, it's not going to take that long," Karen said. "And after we can go pick up Jackie and then go out somewhere fun."
"Okay, but I have to pick up Amber at three," Katherine said as they walked over to the limo that was pulling up to the curb.
"That's fine Kath, the more the merrier," Karen said as she got into the limo, her sister following.
~~~
Katherine was the first to go into Will's office, and he greeted her pleasantly. When Karen walked in behind her, he frowned and said, "What are you doing here Karen?"
"Kath and I have the rest of the day off," Karen answered. "So I thought I would join her."
"You know that she and I have some really important things to go over," Will said.
"Yeah? What's you're point Wilma?" Karen asked indifferently.
"This meeting is meant for me and my client only," Will said, a little irritated.
"Well I am your client too honey," Karen said, sitting down in one of the chairs in front of Will's desk.
"It's okay Will, just let her stay," Katherine said. "She'll space out once she realizes what we're talking about."
Still looking annoyed, Will pulled out a file and opened it, taking a piece of paper out. "Your brother faxed this over yesterday," he said, giving the paper to Katherine. "It states that his heir or heirs will directly inherit your family's manor instead of you."
"Yes, Robert and I discussed this a while ago," Katherine said, taking a pen out of her purse. "I'd like to stay here in the States instead of having to go back to York to take charge of the manor should anything happen to Bobby." She signed the paper at the bottom and handed it back to Will.
"Ok," Will said, looking a little surprised. "Now there's the matter of your will, you said you wanted to update it?"
Karen, who had only pretended to space out by looking out the window, suddenly paid closer attention to what was going on.
"Yes, I kept putting off where Amber was to go if anything happened to me," Katherine said.
"Okay, well right now you've got custody of her going to Grace and me," Will said, reading over the will.
"I want to change that to Jack and Karen," Katherine said softly. "Don't take offense Will-"
"No, it's okay," he said quickly. "I thought you would want her to go with her aunt." He wrote something down and then smiled. "Well, unless there's anything else, we're done."
"That's all at the moment Will," Katherine answered.
"Oh, there's a new lawyer that joined the firm today," Will said absentmindedly as he straightened up Katherine's papers and file. "His name's Edward O'Neill."
"I've seen that look before Will," Katherine said, grinning. "He's cute then?"
"Very," Will said smiling.
"Grace'll be happy to hear the details," Katherine said, glancing at Karen. "Right now I better go before my sister's eyes get stuck in place."
"Don't worry Kath," Karen said, turning to the other two. "I'm back."
The two got up from their chairs and left the office, Katherine saying goodbye to Will. She opened the door and was about to go through when she bumped into a man who was coming inside.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry sir," Katherine said when she noticed she had knocked a stack of papers the man had been carrying to the floor.
"It's okay, no harm done," the man said, kneeling down and picking up the papers. When Katherine started to help him, he said, "Oh no, it's quite-" He stopped abruptly when he looked up at Katherine.
Will, who had walked over to the doorway, said, "Edward, everything okay?"
Katherine handed the last of the papers to Edward and stood up as he did so too. "Everything's fine Will," she answered. She turned towards Edward and said, "I really am terribly sorry." She trailed off, looking at Will questioningly.
"Oh! Kat, this is Edward O'Neill," Will said hurriedly. "Edward, this is Katherine Riley, my client. And this is her sister, Karen McFarland."
Edward's gaze turned from Katherine and settled on Karen. "Mrs. McFarland I know already," he said, smiling slightly at her.
"How's your mom Eddie?" Karen asked wryly.
"She's her same old crabby self," Edward said. "I didn't know you had a sister."
"Well when did you get back?" Karen said.
"Three weeks ago," Edward answered. He noticed Katherine and Will's confused looks and said, "Karen and my mother know each other from some high class parties. So I know Karen from that." He then looked over at Katherine again and said, "I need to speak with you about some things Will. It was a pleasure to meet you Ms. Riley."
Katherine nodded her head. "The same Mr. O'Neill." With that she and Karen left the office.
~~~
On the way to the theater, Karen said, "Did you see the way Eddie looked at you Kath?"
"What are you talking about Kare?" Katherine asked, looking out the car window.
"Oh honey, don't pretend you're stupid, he was practically drooling over you in the office," Karen said.
"That's nice," Katherine said, her voice expressionless. "But I've no interest and besides, I'm sure Will'll be asking him out soon."
"I don't know, the way he was staring-" Karen started to say.
"Just stop Kare," Katherine said quickly, sounding annoyed. "I really don't want to hear it right now."
As the limo stopped in front of the theater where Jack's play was, Karen sighed, she wanted to press her sister about Edward, but knew it wouldn't do any good. Like herself, Katherine was very stubborn when she wanted to be. "Stay in here and I'll go get Jackie," she said before going out the door
~~~
Later that night, Will was telling Grace about Katherine giving custody of Amber to Jack and Karen over dinner.
"Funny she didn't tell me about that," Grace said, wiping her mouth with her napkin.
"Yeah," Will said a little distractedly.
"Uh-oh, what's wrong?" Grace asked her best friend.
Will sighed before saying, "Remember I told you that a new lawyer came into the firm?"
Grace gasped and said, "Oh my god, you asked him out?"
"Yeah, I did," Will said dejectedly.
"Oh, did he..turn you down?" Grace asked gently.
"Not really," Will said. "He told me he wasn't gay."
"Oh Will, I'm so sorry," Grace said, taking his hand and squeezing it.
"Nah, it's okay," Will said, taking a sip of wine. "To tell you the truth, I think he was very interested in Kat."
"Really?" Grace asked, surprised. "Where did they meet?"
"At the office today," Will said, smiling. "Kat bumped into him as he was leaving."
"And did she seem interested in him at all?" Grace asked anxiously.
"Nope, she was her normal polite British self," Will said.
"She has told us she's not a lesbian right?" Grace asked.
"Yes, she did," Will said. "It must be something that happened to her."
Grace sighed and said, "I just hope she can get over it and find someone who makes her and Amber happy."
"I'll drink to that," Will said, raising his wine glass.
Grace picked up her own and they touched glasses before each taking a sip.
~~~
At ten o'clock, Karen was in the bathtub, lying back with her eyes closed. She was about to doze off when Jack came into the bathroom.
"Sorry Kare," he said apologetically. "But I was wondering if you were still in the tub, I was getting worried."
"Why, have I been in here a long time poodle?" Karen asked.
"Twenty minutes," Jack said, sitting on the edge. "And that's usually how long it takes for us to take a bath together."
"I guess I need to justify myself then," Karen said. She reached out and grabbed a handful of Jack's sweater before pulling him in the tub with her.
"Ahh!" Jack yelled as he was submersed in the water and bubbles. "Kare, you got my clothes soaking wet!"
"Oh relax Jackie," Karen admonished. "They'll dry out." She pushed him to the other side of the tub and then sat on his lap as she pulled off his sweater.
"That was my favorite sweater Kare, and it's going to shrink now!" Jack said angrily.
"What a shame," Karen said absentmindedly as she unbuttoned his shit.
"Kare.." Jack started to say before her lips pressed down on his. He put his arms around her and pulled her closer to him, being careful not to squeeze her too tightly.
After they kissed for a long time, Karen pulled back a little and said, "Why do you still have your pants on?"
"Because you pulled me in here," Jack said, a little irritated.
"Mad at me?" Karen asked him, brushing his lips with the tip of her tongue.
"Not when you do something like that," Jack answered before kissing her deeply again.
While Jack kissed her neck and jaw, Karen hurriedly unzipped his jeans and purred, "Happy to see me Jack?"
"I always am," Jack said, he kissed Karen on the lips, sucking them into his mouth and biting them so they became swollen. Then, with Karen's help, he pulled off his soaked jeans and boxers, throwing them on the floor next to the bathtub. And with Karen still on his lap, Jack eagerly made love to her.
Karen moaned and gasped as Jack sucked on her neck. She put one hand on the back of his head and then lifted his head up so his lips were on hers once again.
Jack pulled back from the kissed and then trailed kisses down Karen's chin and neck before reaching her breasts. He bit and sucked lightly around the edge of them as Karen sighed in pleasure. Sticking his tongue out a little, he moved from the base to the top of one breast before taking it into his mouth, sucking lightly on it.
Biting her swollen bottom lip to keep from screaming, Karen clutched at Jack tightly, almost delirious at the feeling of him sucking lightly on her breast. She closed her eyes tightly before she hit her edge, moaning loudly in pleasure and ecstasy.
Jack pulled away from Karen as he himself yelled out Karen's name in a state of euphoria. Sighing in pleasure, he leaned forward and rested his head on top of her shoulder.
A few minutes later, they were sitting together in the tub still, Karen leaning against Jack's chest. She yawned slightly and then smiled as she felt Jack's hands come around and rest on her stomach.
"Four months," he said into her ear, kissing the lobe. "It's going to be forever until the baby comes."
"Oh god, I hope not," Karen said. "That would be hell."
"You know, I never hear you complaining about the baby or anything," Jack said.
"I want to get out," Karen said, avoiding the question. She stepped out of the tub and toweled herself dry before pulling on a robe and leaving.
When Jack came out, with his robe tied tightly on him, he went straight to the bed where Karen was laying on her side. "Kare, you're scaring me," he said as he got on the bed. "Is anything wrong with the baby?"
Karen turned over and looked up into Jack's worried blue eyes, and she sighed. "Nothing's wrong with the baby," Karen said. "But.. I'm scared about whether or not this will be an easy birth. I've read that women my age have more difficult pregnancies. What-" Her eyes suddenly filled with tears and she sat up, clutching at Jack. "What if I die giving birth?"
"NO!" Jack yelled forcefully. "You won't Kare, you won't die. I won't let you die." He hugged Karen tightly and then said, "We'll go to the doctor's tomorrow and talk with him about this together, okay?"
Karen didn't say anything, but nodded. After a few moments, she lifted her head up and kissed Jack softly on the lips. "Thank you so much poodle," she said quietly.
"You're welcome Kare," Jack said after giving her a deep kiss. "Let's get some sleep."
With that, they lay down on the bed and snuggled up together as closely as they could, facing each other, their unborn child still in Karen's womb in between them.