A/N: Big thanks to itsnotrightbutitsokay for reviewing!
A/N #2: Like I mentioned before, I am not a medical doctor. So the medical stuff in this chapter I either made up or learned from TV or reading.
A/N #3: I have written in this chapter an emotional side of Karen we never saw on the show. Since this is a fan fiction, I claim artistic license to write this emotional side of Karen. So don't beat me in your reviews about that :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Will and Grace or its characters.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Reassurance
The next morning, Jack and Karen were sitting in the waiting room of Karen's doctor, waiting to be called to meet with Dr. Tucker.
Karen was staring blankly at the TV set hanging from the wall in front of their seats, clutching Jack's hand tightly.
Although her rings were pressing onto his skin, Jack didn't say anything to Karen, he just squeezed her hand back. After watching Karen for a few moments, Jack said, "Why didn't you say something about this earlier?" He was referring to her fears about the delivery.
"I don't know," Karen answered. "I guess I was just so happy with being pregnant at first that I forgot about the dangers."
The door to the office opened and a nurse called out Karen's name.
Both Jack and Karen stood up and walked over to the nurse, Karen saying, "My husband and I want to speak with Dr. Tucker."
"This way," the nurse said, nodding her head. She went through the doorway, Jack and Karen following her to an examining room. She let them inside and said, "The doctor will be here as soon as he finishes with his appointment."
When the nurse had closed the door behind her, Karen got up on the examining table and motioned for Jack to stand next to her. "Don't sit down yet poodle," she said, taking his hand and gripping it tightly for a moment.
They only waited for ten minutes before Dr. Tucker opened the door and walked into the room.
"Ah, Mr. and Mrs. McFarland," he said, setting the papers he was carrying on the counter next to the sink. "Why have you come in today so soon after your last checkup?"
Jack started speaking first. "My wife and I are worried about whether her age will be a factor in harming her or the baby," he said.
"I'm very scared about this," Karen said, tears filling her eyes and falling down her cheeks. "I've read that there's a possibility of either the baby or me dying during the pregnancy. I don't want to die and leave my husband or lose my baby." She suddenly burst out crying and covered her face with her hands.
Jack quickly put an arm around her and hugged her tightly until she got her tears under control, looking a little teary eyed himself.
"Yes," Dr. Tucker said with sympathy, nodding his head in understanding. "While it is true that older women and their babies are more at risk during pregnancy, it's not something that has a major effect. And I don't think you need to worry too greatly about you or your baby for the time being."
"But what if there's something wrong with the baby now? How can you be so sure I don't need to worry?" Karen asked anxiously.
"Well, let me ask you a series of questions that will help me see if there are any risks to you, and then I'll give you an ultrasound so we can check on the baby," Dr. Tucker answered. "Now keep in mind I won't be able to tell what the sex of the baby is yet."
Karen nodded, as did Jack, as she said, "That's fine, I just want to make sure the baby's okay."
"Alright, then I'll ask you some questions, and answer them truthfully," Dr. Tucker said. He reached over to the pile of papers next to the sink and pulled one out. "First, when was the last time you drank alcohol? And by that I mean straight, not watered down or anything like that."
"Probably early January," Karen answered after thinking for a moment.
Dr. Tucker nodded and wrote something down on the paper before continuing. "Are you taking any medication right now?"
"No," Karen answered.
"Are you a smoker?"
"No, I quit last year."
"Have you taken part in any strenuous exercises since becoming pregnant or..."
~~~
Fifteen minutes later, Dr. Tucker had finished asking Karen questions from his paper, and he said, "Well it looks like you yourself are fine so far. Since I saw you last week for a check up, I don't need to do that stuff again." He stood up and told Jack and Karen, "I need to go get the ultrasound equipment. Mrs. McFarland, if you'll please lie down on the table before I begin that would be helpful. I'll send a nurse in to prepare you before I return with the equipment." With that, the doctor left the examination room.
"I'm so glad I got rid of my liquor and pills," Karen said as she lay back against the table.
"I know, and I'm glad you haven't sneaked any of that stuff since then," Jack said before kissing her forehead.
"We're going to be able to see our baby Jackie," Karen said, not sure whether she was anxious or excited.
"I'm sure the baby will be fine if you are," Jack said comfortingly before a nurse came into the room.
"Good morning," the nurse said pleasantly. "Dr. Tucker said you're getting an ultrasound today?"
Jack and Karen nodded, worried looks on both their faces.
"Okay, well then, I just need you to lift up your blouse and push you pants down enough so your stomach is out," the nurse said, draping a white cloth over Karen's pants.
Karen quickly did as the nurse asked and covered her blouse with a second white cloth the nurse had given her.
Dr. Tucker came into the room just then, wheeling an ultrasound machine. He said to the nurse, "Set that up for me and then go see Pete in lab."
With a quick, "Yes, sir," the nurse got the ultrasound machine up and running before she left the room.
"Alright Mrs. McFarland," Dr. Tucker said. "What I'll do is put this jelly stuff on your abdomen. And just a warning, this stuff is cold."
As the doctor put the clear jelly thickly on her stomach, Karen shivered slightly, squeezing Jack's hand.
"Okay, you're all set," Dr. Tucker said. He picked up the instrument attached to the machine by a cord and placed it on Karen's stomach. He pushed it around while looking at a tiny screen near him until he said, "There it is."
Karen and Jack looked up at the screen, but they couldn't see anything but gray, white and black lines that looked they were moving.
"Let's see, this looks to be one of the feet," Dr. Tucker said, peering intently at the screen. "And I count, one...two...three...four....five toes."
"Wait, where is the foot?" Jack asked, thoroughly confused.
Dr. Tucker looked back at Karen and Jack and smiled. "Sorry, I was so focused on making sure everything was fine with the baby I forgot I would need to point some things out to you both."
"Never mind that," Karen said, letting go of Jack's hand and putting her hand on his chest. "Just check and make sure the baby's okay and then tell us what's there."
"Sure," Dr. Tucker said. He moved the instrument on Karen's stomach and said, "Alright, I see the head.and it looks like its developing perfectly." After studying the ultrasound for twenty minutes, he finally said, "Well, your baby is perfectly fine Mr. and Mrs. McFarland."
Karen closed her eyes tightly in relief and felt tears fall down her cheeks. She was a little startled when she felt Jack kiss her forehead. She opened her eyes and saw that he was smiling broadly even though he had tears in his eyes too.
"Would you like me to print out a few of the ultrasound pictures?" Dr. Tucker asked quietly. "I can tell you what's in them once they're printed."
"Please," Karen said quickly.
Dr. Tucker hit a few buttons on the machine before turning it off and standing up. He then wiped of the jelly from Karen's stomach with a towel and said, "I'll be back in a few minutes."
When the doctor had left, Karen pulled down her blouse and zipped up her pants before getting off of the table. She immediately wrapped her arms around Jack's neck and buried her face in his shoulder as she cried softly.
"God, what a huge relief," Jack said as he held Karen tightly. "Are you okay Kare?"
Karen pushed back a little from him and said, "I'm okay, just happy that the baby's fine."
Jack hugged her tightly. "That was our baby," he said in an awed tone of voice.
"I know, it was amazing, wasn't it Jackie?" Karen asked, smiling up at him.
Kissing a tear that was falling down her cheek; Jack reached into his jean pocket and took out a handkerchief, handing it to Karen.
A few minutes later, Dr. Tucker returned to the room and said, "Why don't you come over to my office where there's better light to see the pictures."
Jack and Karen followed the doctor over to his office where he had them sit down and he handed them a few ultrasound pictures. As the two looked over them, the doctor pointed out different features that were visible.
"I hope that you'll remain calm for the rest of your pregnancy," Dr. Tucker said, sitting behind his desk after all the pictures had been looked at. "For the sake of your health and the baby's health."
"What about when I deliver the baby?" Karen asked.
Dr. Tucker sighed and said, "I can't really tell you anything until it actually takes place. But taking into account your answers to my questions and the ultrasound, I can be almost sure the delivery will not have any problems."
~~~
When they got back to the penthouse, Jack had Karen rest in bed for the remainder of the day.
"How are you feeling," Jack asked her after they had eaten lunch on the bed.
"I'm a little less scared," Karen answered truthfully. "But I'm still worried about the delivery." She finished the last of the chamomile tea Jack had made her and then lay down on the bed.
Jack got off of the bed and pulled the covers over Karen. He kissed her deeply for a long time before pulling back and saying, "I love you," he whispered.
Karen ran her fingers down Jack's cheek and said, "Love you too."
Leaving the room so Karen could sleep for a while, Jack decided to call Katherine over so Karen would have more than just his comfort.
~~~
Coming out of a deep sleep, Karen heard a familiar voice and she opened her eyes. "Kath?" she said, seeing her sister sitting at the window seat with Jack.
"Hullo Kare," Katherine said after she had gotten up from the window seat and sat on the edge of the bed.
"What are you doing here?" Karen asked, confused.
"Your husband called me and told me that you're worried about the baby and yourself," Katherine answered.
"Oh," Karen said quietly. She was quiet for a moment before looking up at her sister and asking, "How did Amber's mother die? You never really said why exactly."
Katherine looked uncomfortable for a moment before asking, "Are you sure you want to hear about that?" When her sister nodded, she sighed and said, "There were a couple of reasons why Rosalyn died when she gave birth to Amber. The major one was she was cut at some point and she bled to death before the doctors could stop the bleeding."
Karen seemed to go a little pale, but she told Katherine to continue.
"Rosalyn was also severely underweight for a pregnant woman," Katherine said sadly. "She weighed only one hundred and seven pounds when Amber was born. And there's also the fact that she was simply a petite woman. Her body was just not able to withstand delivering a child."
"Oh god," Karen murmured. She grabbed her sister's hand and squeezed it tightly.
"But don't worry, that that will happen to you Kare," Katherine said reassuringly. "You are the complete opposite of Rosalyn. I don't have any doubts as to whether you'll deliver this baby successfully."
Sitting up in the bed, Karen hugged Katherine tightly before turning to Jack. "I want to go out for dinner poodle," she said.
"Sure, whatever you want to do Kare," he answered.
"Will you and Amber come?" Karen asked Katherine.
"Yes, we'll come," Katherine said. "If you'll excuse me, I need to get something to drink."
"I'll come with you," Jack said. "Do you want anything Kare?"
"Just some ginger ale," Karen answered.
As she and Jack walked down to the kitchen, Katherine asked him, "Did the doctor give you any pictures from the ultrasound?"
"Yeah, he did, they're upstairs in the room if you want to see them," Jack said he got a bottle of water and a can of ginger ale from the refrigerator. He got a glass and was about to leave when the doorbell suddenly rang. "I'll go get that." He left the kitchen and went to the front door, opening it.
"Hello, I need to speak with Karen Wa... I mean McFarland," the man on the other side of the door said.
"Who are you?" Jack asked.
"I'm Edward O'Neill," the man answered.
"Oh, come on in," Jack said, stepping back. Karen had told him about this lawyer from Will's firm who was so interested in Katherine. "My wife is upstairs if you want to speak with her."
"If it's not too much trouble," Edward said.
Jack nodded and led him up the stairs to the bedroom. "Karen," he said when he got into the room. "Edward O'Neill is here and wants to talk to you."
"Hi Eddie," Karen said, wondering why he was there. "What can I do for you?"
Clearing his throat nervously, Edward said, "I was wondering if I might have the phone number of your sister Katherine. I... I would like to take her out sometime in the future."
"What's going on here?" Katherine said, coming into the room suddenly. "Oh, hello Mr. O'Neill, how nice to see you again."
"Ah, Ms. Riley," Edward said in surprised. "Um, I was wondering if I might ask you something."
"Of course, what is it?" Katherine said.
"Well, if you'd like, maybe we could go out for dinner and a movie sometime," Edward stammered out nervously.
"Oh, n-" Katherine started to say.
"She'll go," Karen said quickly. "When are you planning on going out?"
"It won't be for a month or so," Edward said. "I have some business to attend to in Europe. Would you really like to go out Ms. Riley?"
Glancing at her sister briefly, Katherine turned back to Edward and studied him for a moment.
The man was tall, about as tall as Jack was, with long slender hands which Katherine knew immediately as 'piano hands' like her own. He had slightly wavy, light brown hair that was very short. And he had wide, cerulean blue eyes.
"Yes, I should like to go," Katherine said, giving up. She took out a business card from her purse and handed it to Edward. "My cell phone number is on there. Call me when you've returned and we'll schedule a night when we're both free."
Taking the business card from her, Edward allowed his fingers to lightly brush Katherine's hand. "I'll talk to you in a month Ms. Riley... Katherine."
"I hope you enjoy your trip Mr. O' Neill," Katherine said firmly.
Nodding to Karen and Jack, Edward left the room quickly before leaving the penthouse.
"Never do that again," Katherine said, after waiting a couple of minutes, to her sister. With that she said a quick goodbye to Jack and Karen before returning to her apartment.
~~~
Later on that night, Karen and Jack got back to the penthouse after having dinner at Katherine's.
"Well at least you know she's not mad at you," Jack said as the two of them got ready for bed.
"Oh, I don't care if she's mad at me," Karen said, crawling into the bed. "At least I got her a date."
"You're so charitable, Kare," Jack said as he got into bed.
"I know poodle," Karen said with a smile. "I've always helped my friends that are in need."
Jack smiled and kissed her deeply for a long time. He ran his hand up her thigh, pulling up her nightgown. He then pulled back and shook his head. "Sorry," he muttered.
"Sorry for what?" Karen asked, confused.
"We should just get some sleep," Jack said. He was about to reach over and turn off the lamp on the nightstand when Karen grabbed his arm. "What?" he asked, looking back at her.
Karen didn't say anything, but she pulled him back on the bed and kissed him on his lips before kissing him all over his face. She unbuttoned his pajama shirt and said, "Make love to me my sweet Jack."
"Are you sure?" he asked, surprised.
"Mmm-hmm," Karen said nodding her head. "I need something to make me forget I was so scared."
Jack smiled and had Karen sit up so he could pull off her nightgown. When he saw that she wasn't wearing anything under the nightgown, he grinned. "You were already planning on doing this tonight," he said.
"Yep," Karen said, kissing him on the lips before helping him pull off the rest of his clothing.
Nuzzling and kissing her shoulder, Jack made love to Karen very gently. While doing so, he was vaguely aware of her hands in his hair messing it up.
Just before she reached her edge, Karen pulled Jack's head up to hers for a passionate kiss. When she pulled away, she gave a loud moan of pleasure and fell back against the pillows.
Jack, meanwhile, buried his face into Karen's neck and gave a muffled groan of ecstasy. Not even waiting to catch his breath, he moved over to the other side of the bed.
"Thank you Jackie," Karen said, resting her head on his chest and putting her arms around him.
"Are you okay?" Jack asked as he pulled the covers over them.
"Of course, I'll be fine," Karen answered.
"Kare, I was thinking..." Jack started to say. "Maybe we should cut down on the number of times we make love, just until after the baby's born."
"I was thinking that too," Karen said, surprising Jack. "I just wasn't sure if you would want to do that."
Smiling, Jack kissed her forehead softly before wrapping an arm around Karen's body. His hand naturally rested on the top of Karen's stomach, and he stroked the skin softly with his thumb.
"Good night Jackie," Karen said, kissing his cheek.
"'Night Kare," Jack answered. He let go of her and then sat up taking the covers off of himself and Karen. While she watched him with a confused look on her face, he kissed her stomach and whispered, "Good night."
Giggling slightly as Jack settled back in the bed next to her, Karen snuggled on top of his chest and kissed his chin. "I love you," she whispered, closing her eyes.
"I love you too," Jack said, his hand again resting on Karen's stomach. "Both of you."
A/N #2: Like I mentioned before, I am not a medical doctor. So the medical stuff in this chapter I either made up or learned from TV or reading.
A/N #3: I have written in this chapter an emotional side of Karen we never saw on the show. Since this is a fan fiction, I claim artistic license to write this emotional side of Karen. So don't beat me in your reviews about that :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Will and Grace or its characters.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Reassurance
The next morning, Jack and Karen were sitting in the waiting room of Karen's doctor, waiting to be called to meet with Dr. Tucker.
Karen was staring blankly at the TV set hanging from the wall in front of their seats, clutching Jack's hand tightly.
Although her rings were pressing onto his skin, Jack didn't say anything to Karen, he just squeezed her hand back. After watching Karen for a few moments, Jack said, "Why didn't you say something about this earlier?" He was referring to her fears about the delivery.
"I don't know," Karen answered. "I guess I was just so happy with being pregnant at first that I forgot about the dangers."
The door to the office opened and a nurse called out Karen's name.
Both Jack and Karen stood up and walked over to the nurse, Karen saying, "My husband and I want to speak with Dr. Tucker."
"This way," the nurse said, nodding her head. She went through the doorway, Jack and Karen following her to an examining room. She let them inside and said, "The doctor will be here as soon as he finishes with his appointment."
When the nurse had closed the door behind her, Karen got up on the examining table and motioned for Jack to stand next to her. "Don't sit down yet poodle," she said, taking his hand and gripping it tightly for a moment.
They only waited for ten minutes before Dr. Tucker opened the door and walked into the room.
"Ah, Mr. and Mrs. McFarland," he said, setting the papers he was carrying on the counter next to the sink. "Why have you come in today so soon after your last checkup?"
Jack started speaking first. "My wife and I are worried about whether her age will be a factor in harming her or the baby," he said.
"I'm very scared about this," Karen said, tears filling her eyes and falling down her cheeks. "I've read that there's a possibility of either the baby or me dying during the pregnancy. I don't want to die and leave my husband or lose my baby." She suddenly burst out crying and covered her face with her hands.
Jack quickly put an arm around her and hugged her tightly until she got her tears under control, looking a little teary eyed himself.
"Yes," Dr. Tucker said with sympathy, nodding his head in understanding. "While it is true that older women and their babies are more at risk during pregnancy, it's not something that has a major effect. And I don't think you need to worry too greatly about you or your baby for the time being."
"But what if there's something wrong with the baby now? How can you be so sure I don't need to worry?" Karen asked anxiously.
"Well, let me ask you a series of questions that will help me see if there are any risks to you, and then I'll give you an ultrasound so we can check on the baby," Dr. Tucker answered. "Now keep in mind I won't be able to tell what the sex of the baby is yet."
Karen nodded, as did Jack, as she said, "That's fine, I just want to make sure the baby's okay."
"Alright, then I'll ask you some questions, and answer them truthfully," Dr. Tucker said. He reached over to the pile of papers next to the sink and pulled one out. "First, when was the last time you drank alcohol? And by that I mean straight, not watered down or anything like that."
"Probably early January," Karen answered after thinking for a moment.
Dr. Tucker nodded and wrote something down on the paper before continuing. "Are you taking any medication right now?"
"No," Karen answered.
"Are you a smoker?"
"No, I quit last year."
"Have you taken part in any strenuous exercises since becoming pregnant or..."
~~~
Fifteen minutes later, Dr. Tucker had finished asking Karen questions from his paper, and he said, "Well it looks like you yourself are fine so far. Since I saw you last week for a check up, I don't need to do that stuff again." He stood up and told Jack and Karen, "I need to go get the ultrasound equipment. Mrs. McFarland, if you'll please lie down on the table before I begin that would be helpful. I'll send a nurse in to prepare you before I return with the equipment." With that, the doctor left the examination room.
"I'm so glad I got rid of my liquor and pills," Karen said as she lay back against the table.
"I know, and I'm glad you haven't sneaked any of that stuff since then," Jack said before kissing her forehead.
"We're going to be able to see our baby Jackie," Karen said, not sure whether she was anxious or excited.
"I'm sure the baby will be fine if you are," Jack said comfortingly before a nurse came into the room.
"Good morning," the nurse said pleasantly. "Dr. Tucker said you're getting an ultrasound today?"
Jack and Karen nodded, worried looks on both their faces.
"Okay, well then, I just need you to lift up your blouse and push you pants down enough so your stomach is out," the nurse said, draping a white cloth over Karen's pants.
Karen quickly did as the nurse asked and covered her blouse with a second white cloth the nurse had given her.
Dr. Tucker came into the room just then, wheeling an ultrasound machine. He said to the nurse, "Set that up for me and then go see Pete in lab."
With a quick, "Yes, sir," the nurse got the ultrasound machine up and running before she left the room.
"Alright Mrs. McFarland," Dr. Tucker said. "What I'll do is put this jelly stuff on your abdomen. And just a warning, this stuff is cold."
As the doctor put the clear jelly thickly on her stomach, Karen shivered slightly, squeezing Jack's hand.
"Okay, you're all set," Dr. Tucker said. He picked up the instrument attached to the machine by a cord and placed it on Karen's stomach. He pushed it around while looking at a tiny screen near him until he said, "There it is."
Karen and Jack looked up at the screen, but they couldn't see anything but gray, white and black lines that looked they were moving.
"Let's see, this looks to be one of the feet," Dr. Tucker said, peering intently at the screen. "And I count, one...two...three...four....five toes."
"Wait, where is the foot?" Jack asked, thoroughly confused.
Dr. Tucker looked back at Karen and Jack and smiled. "Sorry, I was so focused on making sure everything was fine with the baby I forgot I would need to point some things out to you both."
"Never mind that," Karen said, letting go of Jack's hand and putting her hand on his chest. "Just check and make sure the baby's okay and then tell us what's there."
"Sure," Dr. Tucker said. He moved the instrument on Karen's stomach and said, "Alright, I see the head.and it looks like its developing perfectly." After studying the ultrasound for twenty minutes, he finally said, "Well, your baby is perfectly fine Mr. and Mrs. McFarland."
Karen closed her eyes tightly in relief and felt tears fall down her cheeks. She was a little startled when she felt Jack kiss her forehead. She opened her eyes and saw that he was smiling broadly even though he had tears in his eyes too.
"Would you like me to print out a few of the ultrasound pictures?" Dr. Tucker asked quietly. "I can tell you what's in them once they're printed."
"Please," Karen said quickly.
Dr. Tucker hit a few buttons on the machine before turning it off and standing up. He then wiped of the jelly from Karen's stomach with a towel and said, "I'll be back in a few minutes."
When the doctor had left, Karen pulled down her blouse and zipped up her pants before getting off of the table. She immediately wrapped her arms around Jack's neck and buried her face in his shoulder as she cried softly.
"God, what a huge relief," Jack said as he held Karen tightly. "Are you okay Kare?"
Karen pushed back a little from him and said, "I'm okay, just happy that the baby's fine."
Jack hugged her tightly. "That was our baby," he said in an awed tone of voice.
"I know, it was amazing, wasn't it Jackie?" Karen asked, smiling up at him.
Kissing a tear that was falling down her cheek; Jack reached into his jean pocket and took out a handkerchief, handing it to Karen.
A few minutes later, Dr. Tucker returned to the room and said, "Why don't you come over to my office where there's better light to see the pictures."
Jack and Karen followed the doctor over to his office where he had them sit down and he handed them a few ultrasound pictures. As the two looked over them, the doctor pointed out different features that were visible.
"I hope that you'll remain calm for the rest of your pregnancy," Dr. Tucker said, sitting behind his desk after all the pictures had been looked at. "For the sake of your health and the baby's health."
"What about when I deliver the baby?" Karen asked.
Dr. Tucker sighed and said, "I can't really tell you anything until it actually takes place. But taking into account your answers to my questions and the ultrasound, I can be almost sure the delivery will not have any problems."
~~~
When they got back to the penthouse, Jack had Karen rest in bed for the remainder of the day.
"How are you feeling," Jack asked her after they had eaten lunch on the bed.
"I'm a little less scared," Karen answered truthfully. "But I'm still worried about the delivery." She finished the last of the chamomile tea Jack had made her and then lay down on the bed.
Jack got off of the bed and pulled the covers over Karen. He kissed her deeply for a long time before pulling back and saying, "I love you," he whispered.
Karen ran her fingers down Jack's cheek and said, "Love you too."
Leaving the room so Karen could sleep for a while, Jack decided to call Katherine over so Karen would have more than just his comfort.
~~~
Coming out of a deep sleep, Karen heard a familiar voice and she opened her eyes. "Kath?" she said, seeing her sister sitting at the window seat with Jack.
"Hullo Kare," Katherine said after she had gotten up from the window seat and sat on the edge of the bed.
"What are you doing here?" Karen asked, confused.
"Your husband called me and told me that you're worried about the baby and yourself," Katherine answered.
"Oh," Karen said quietly. She was quiet for a moment before looking up at her sister and asking, "How did Amber's mother die? You never really said why exactly."
Katherine looked uncomfortable for a moment before asking, "Are you sure you want to hear about that?" When her sister nodded, she sighed and said, "There were a couple of reasons why Rosalyn died when she gave birth to Amber. The major one was she was cut at some point and she bled to death before the doctors could stop the bleeding."
Karen seemed to go a little pale, but she told Katherine to continue.
"Rosalyn was also severely underweight for a pregnant woman," Katherine said sadly. "She weighed only one hundred and seven pounds when Amber was born. And there's also the fact that she was simply a petite woman. Her body was just not able to withstand delivering a child."
"Oh god," Karen murmured. She grabbed her sister's hand and squeezed it tightly.
"But don't worry, that that will happen to you Kare," Katherine said reassuringly. "You are the complete opposite of Rosalyn. I don't have any doubts as to whether you'll deliver this baby successfully."
Sitting up in the bed, Karen hugged Katherine tightly before turning to Jack. "I want to go out for dinner poodle," she said.
"Sure, whatever you want to do Kare," he answered.
"Will you and Amber come?" Karen asked Katherine.
"Yes, we'll come," Katherine said. "If you'll excuse me, I need to get something to drink."
"I'll come with you," Jack said. "Do you want anything Kare?"
"Just some ginger ale," Karen answered.
As she and Jack walked down to the kitchen, Katherine asked him, "Did the doctor give you any pictures from the ultrasound?"
"Yeah, he did, they're upstairs in the room if you want to see them," Jack said he got a bottle of water and a can of ginger ale from the refrigerator. He got a glass and was about to leave when the doorbell suddenly rang. "I'll go get that." He left the kitchen and went to the front door, opening it.
"Hello, I need to speak with Karen Wa... I mean McFarland," the man on the other side of the door said.
"Who are you?" Jack asked.
"I'm Edward O'Neill," the man answered.
"Oh, come on in," Jack said, stepping back. Karen had told him about this lawyer from Will's firm who was so interested in Katherine. "My wife is upstairs if you want to speak with her."
"If it's not too much trouble," Edward said.
Jack nodded and led him up the stairs to the bedroom. "Karen," he said when he got into the room. "Edward O'Neill is here and wants to talk to you."
"Hi Eddie," Karen said, wondering why he was there. "What can I do for you?"
Clearing his throat nervously, Edward said, "I was wondering if I might have the phone number of your sister Katherine. I... I would like to take her out sometime in the future."
"What's going on here?" Katherine said, coming into the room suddenly. "Oh, hello Mr. O'Neill, how nice to see you again."
"Ah, Ms. Riley," Edward said in surprised. "Um, I was wondering if I might ask you something."
"Of course, what is it?" Katherine said.
"Well, if you'd like, maybe we could go out for dinner and a movie sometime," Edward stammered out nervously.
"Oh, n-" Katherine started to say.
"She'll go," Karen said quickly. "When are you planning on going out?"
"It won't be for a month or so," Edward said. "I have some business to attend to in Europe. Would you really like to go out Ms. Riley?"
Glancing at her sister briefly, Katherine turned back to Edward and studied him for a moment.
The man was tall, about as tall as Jack was, with long slender hands which Katherine knew immediately as 'piano hands' like her own. He had slightly wavy, light brown hair that was very short. And he had wide, cerulean blue eyes.
"Yes, I should like to go," Katherine said, giving up. She took out a business card from her purse and handed it to Edward. "My cell phone number is on there. Call me when you've returned and we'll schedule a night when we're both free."
Taking the business card from her, Edward allowed his fingers to lightly brush Katherine's hand. "I'll talk to you in a month Ms. Riley... Katherine."
"I hope you enjoy your trip Mr. O' Neill," Katherine said firmly.
Nodding to Karen and Jack, Edward left the room quickly before leaving the penthouse.
"Never do that again," Katherine said, after waiting a couple of minutes, to her sister. With that she said a quick goodbye to Jack and Karen before returning to her apartment.
~~~
Later on that night, Karen and Jack got back to the penthouse after having dinner at Katherine's.
"Well at least you know she's not mad at you," Jack said as the two of them got ready for bed.
"Oh, I don't care if she's mad at me," Karen said, crawling into the bed. "At least I got her a date."
"You're so charitable, Kare," Jack said as he got into bed.
"I know poodle," Karen said with a smile. "I've always helped my friends that are in need."
Jack smiled and kissed her deeply for a long time. He ran his hand up her thigh, pulling up her nightgown. He then pulled back and shook his head. "Sorry," he muttered.
"Sorry for what?" Karen asked, confused.
"We should just get some sleep," Jack said. He was about to reach over and turn off the lamp on the nightstand when Karen grabbed his arm. "What?" he asked, looking back at her.
Karen didn't say anything, but she pulled him back on the bed and kissed him on his lips before kissing him all over his face. She unbuttoned his pajama shirt and said, "Make love to me my sweet Jack."
"Are you sure?" he asked, surprised.
"Mmm-hmm," Karen said nodding her head. "I need something to make me forget I was so scared."
Jack smiled and had Karen sit up so he could pull off her nightgown. When he saw that she wasn't wearing anything under the nightgown, he grinned. "You were already planning on doing this tonight," he said.
"Yep," Karen said, kissing him on the lips before helping him pull off the rest of his clothing.
Nuzzling and kissing her shoulder, Jack made love to Karen very gently. While doing so, he was vaguely aware of her hands in his hair messing it up.
Just before she reached her edge, Karen pulled Jack's head up to hers for a passionate kiss. When she pulled away, she gave a loud moan of pleasure and fell back against the pillows.
Jack, meanwhile, buried his face into Karen's neck and gave a muffled groan of ecstasy. Not even waiting to catch his breath, he moved over to the other side of the bed.
"Thank you Jackie," Karen said, resting her head on his chest and putting her arms around him.
"Are you okay?" Jack asked as he pulled the covers over them.
"Of course, I'll be fine," Karen answered.
"Kare, I was thinking..." Jack started to say. "Maybe we should cut down on the number of times we make love, just until after the baby's born."
"I was thinking that too," Karen said, surprising Jack. "I just wasn't sure if you would want to do that."
Smiling, Jack kissed her forehead softly before wrapping an arm around Karen's body. His hand naturally rested on the top of Karen's stomach, and he stroked the skin softly with his thumb.
"Good night Jackie," Karen said, kissing his cheek.
"'Night Kare," Jack answered. He let go of her and then sat up taking the covers off of himself and Karen. While she watched him with a confused look on her face, he kissed her stomach and whispered, "Good night."
Giggling slightly as Jack settled back in the bed next to her, Karen snuggled on top of his chest and kissed his chin. "I love you," she whispered, closing her eyes.
"I love you too," Jack said, his hand again resting on Karen's stomach. "Both of you."