A/N: Thanks to itsnotrightbutitsokay for reviewing the last chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own Will and Grace or its characters.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Romantic Day and Night
Once Christmas and New Year's had passed, things became almost normal for Jack and Karen.
Karen still hadn't gotten pregnant, but she wasn't as worried about it as she was before. Instead of concentrating on getting herself pregnant, Karen looked out for her sister as Katherine entered her fifth month of her pregnancy.
~~~
"Hi Kat, how's the baby treating you today?" Grace asked as Katherine entered the office.
"Not too bad," Katherine answered. She walked over to her desk chair and sat down gratefully.
"Kath honey," Karen said as she watched her sister. "You're how many months now? Six? Seven?"
"I'm five months Kare," Katherine said, as she put her hand on her stomach which was very big for the trimester she was in. "And that's what I wanted to talk to you two about."
"What is it?" Grace asked, concerned.
"Well I went to my doctor for a check up yesterday and she said I've got twins," Katherine said, smiling.
"You're joking right Kath?" Karen asked, laughing slightly.
Katherine shook her head and said, "That's why I'm so big Kare. I've got two babies instead of one."
Karen's eyes widened in shock and she pretended to faint, slumping down in her chair.
"You're such a bloody fool Kare," Katherine said, laughing a little.
"What was Edward's reaction when the doctor told you guys about the twins?" Grace asked.
"He wasn't there with me, he had a meeting to go to," Katherine said.
"Your husband didn't go with you?" Karen asked in surprise.
"No, I told you, he had a meeting to go to," Katherine said calmly as she started drawing on a piece of paper. She looked up at Grace and then glanced at Karen. "Oh for heaven's sake, Edward said he was going to make it up to me tomorrow on Valentine's Day."
"Oh, well then that's good," Karen said, turning her attention back to her magazine.
"Why is that good Karen? Edward should have been at the doctor's with her," Grace said, looking over at her assistant.
"Because honey, if he's going to make it up to Kath on Valentine's Day, it means something really expensive and really nice," Karen said, smiling at Grace.
"Right," Grace said, rolling her eyes. She returned to her work and started looking through a book of patterns.
"So what are you doing tomorrow Grace?" Katherine asked a few minutes later.
"I don't know, Will is taking Zach out for dinner somewhere," Grace said. "I figured I would just go to the movies or something."
"Oh...well, if you do go," Katherine said awkwardly. "You should go see 'Troy' it's supposed to be really good."
"I might Kat, thanks," Grace said, smiling at her.
~~~
The next night, Katherine was sitting in the family room of Edward and her penthouse. She was watching Amber and Patrick as they played a game of Life. All of a sudden, she felt a faint fluttering in her belly and she placed her hands there.
"Mummy?" Amber said, looking up at her. She stood up from the floor and went over to the couch Katherine was sitting on.
Patrick followed her and sat down on the edge. "Are you okay Ma?" he asked, looking concerned.
"It's alright," Katherine said reassuringly. She reached out and smoothed down Patrick's hair. "The babies moved for the first time just now."
"Oh," Amber said. She got up and then walked back to the game.
"Amber, come here," Katherine said, surprised at the way her daughter had just acted. When Amber didn't move from where she was standing, Katherine said a little more forcefully, "Amber Roxanna O'Neill, come here now."
"Yes Mummy," Amber said in a small tone of voice. She walked slowly to the couch, keeping her eyes on the ground.
"Now Amber love and you as well Patrick," Katherine said, putting her hand under her daughter's chin and lifting her head up. "I know the both of you aren't very pleased with the coming of these babies. You're worried your father's attention and mine will be focused only on them once they are born."
"Oh Ma, no of course not!" Patrick said, blushing a little.
"Hush Patrick, I ken how the both of you feel," Katherine said. "And you should know that your father and I will always love you no matter what. And I will always love you two as much as if I had borne you myself."
"I'm sorry Mummy," Amber said quietly. She glanced over at her brother and they seemed to communicate with their eyes for a moment. "Wait here Mummy, we'll be right back." She then ran out of the room and Patrick followed her quickly.
Katherine sat back against the couch and smiled, closing her eyes. She was extremely tired from her check up the other day still and she felt unusually weak. She was about to fall asleep when a sudden loud bump made her open her eyes.
"Sorry Katherine," Edward said sheepishly. He had knocked a book onto the floor. He walked over to her and sat on the edge of the couch. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm doing as well as can be expected Edward," Katherine said, smiling at him and taking his hand. She then placed it on her stomach and said, "Keep very still for a moment."
Edward did as she said, and in a few minutes he felt a tiny bit of movement under his hand. He smiled up at his wife and said, "That was incredible Katherine. A wonderful Valentine's Day present."
"Oh Edward, that's not your present," Katherine said laughingly.
"Well that's all I want or need on this day," Edward said, lifting his wife's hand and kissing the top softly. "You and our children in perfect health." He glanced around the room and said, "Speaking of our children, where are Amber and Patrick?"
"We're right here Daddy!" Amber exclaimed as she and her brother ran into the room. She hurried over to Edward and gave him a hug. "Here Daddy, I made this for you at school yesterday," she said as she handed him an envelope.
"Thank you Amb," Edward said, kissing her cheek.
"Here Mummy, I made this for you," Amber then said, giving Katherine a little box wrapped with blue tissue paper.
"Thank you love," Katherine said as Patrick then handed her an envelope. She opened the envelope and took the card that was in the envelope and smiled. 'I always loved when my mummy sang this lullaby to me,' she said in Irish Gaelic to Patrick. 'Thank you so much, it's a lovely card.' She pulled Patrick to her and kissed his cheek softly.
"Open mine now Mummy!" Amber said impatiently.
Katherine chuckled and then took off the tissue paper and opened the box. She took a picture frame out of the box and smiled at the photograph inside the frame. "It's lovely Amber, thank you," she said, smiling at her daughter. The picture was of her and Amber at Eadoin when Amber was two years old.
"Alright you two," Edward then said after he had thanked them both for the card they gave him. "I'm taking you all out to eat tonight at whatever restaurant you three want to go to."
"Can we go to the Hard Rock Café?" Amber asked instantly.
"Aye Ma, I want to go there too," Patrick said enthusiastically.
"Would you mind going there tonight Katherine?" Edward asked.
"Of course, I don't feeling like getting so dressed up tonight, so it's perfect," Katherine said, smiling at him.
"Okay, we'll go in an hour then," Edward said, smiling back. "Amber, Patrick, I'm going to give your mother her gifts from me. So I want you to go play in either one of your rooms until we have to go."
"Yes Daddy," Amber said. She hugged her mother quickly and got the board game she and Patrick had been playing with earlier. Her brother followed her out of the room and they both walked upstairs.
"Well, give me a minute and I'll get your presents," Edward said. He leaned forward and kissed Katherine's cheek before getting up.
"Since I can't get up love, do you think you could grab your gift for me?" Katherine asked. "It's hiding behind the plates in the hutch."
"Of course, I'll be right back," Edward said.
Katherine sighed and closed her eyes again, trying to rest a little before her husband came back. When she heard his footsteps a few minutes later, she opened her eyes and hoped she didn't show how tired she was.
"Here you go Katherine," Edward said, smiling as he placed a small shopping bag full of presents on her lap.
"Edward, this is far too much!" Katherine exclaimed, picking up the first thing on the top, a heart shaped box with chocolates in them. "And I only got you the one gift!"
"It's alright love," Edward said. "I told you all I wanted was you and the children healthy." He leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips. "Now, open your presents."
"Alright, alright," Katherine said, smiling. She set the box of chocolates to the side of her and then picked up the first gift.
Twenty minutes later, once Katherine had opened all her presents, Edward opened the one she had given him. When he opened the small velvet box, he stared at what was inside for a while, surprised.
"Do you like it?" Katherine asked anxiously.
Edward took out a silver id bracelet and looked at the plate. Etched on it was: Katherine Emma O' Neill and underneath that was her birth date. "This is great Katherine," Edward said reassuringly. "I love it." He hurriedly put it on and then hugged his wife gently. "I love you," he said.
"And I love you Edward," Katherine said, smiling brightly. She then hugged him closer to her and kissed him deeply.
~~~
Ten o'clock that night, Jack and Karen returned to their penthouse after eating dinner at a new restaurant.
"Is Ebie sleeping?" Karen demanded as Rosario walked down the stairs and into the entryway.
"Yes Miss Karen," Rosario said annoyed. "I wouldn't wake up little Ebie while she was sleeping you know."
"Oh yeah, well then you just..." Karen began.
Rosario immediately started saying something about caring for children at the same time and they argued for a few minutes.
"Whoa, wait a sec you guys," Jack said, grabbing his wife's shoulder. "You're going to wake Ebie up!"
"Okay Rosario, get out of here before I have you wash the carpets," Karen said, kissing Jack's cheek.
"Goodnight Mister Jack, Miss Karen," Rosario said. She left the room and muttered something in Spanish under her breath.
"So what now poodle?" Karen asked when they were alone.
"Well, I was going to get something for dessert since I didn't let you have any at the restaurant," Jack answered.
"Good," Karen said. "While you go get that, I'll go check on Ebie."
"Meet you in our room," Jack said as he walked toward the kitchen.
Karen walked up the stairs and then over to Elizabeth's room. She went to the crib and looked down at her daughter. Smiling tenderly at her, Karen straightened out the blanket and then leaned down, kissing her cheek softly. She stood back up and then went over to Jack and her bedroom. She was surprised to see that he was already sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard. "That was fast," she said, walking over to him.
"I told Cook before we left what I wanted before we went to the restaurant, so it was ready when we came back," Jack said, smiling at her. He held his arms out to her and pulled her close when she came to him. "God Kare, I love you so much," he whispered as he nuzzled her hair with his cheek.
"I love you too Jackie," Karen answered quickly. She pulled away so she could kiss his lips softly. "Did you get me a present or anything for today?"
Jack laughed and said, "Of course Kare, but I wanted to wait until we had dessert to give them to you."
"Okay, what are you waiting for then Jackie?" Karen asked impatiently.
"Alright, take it easy Karebear," Jack said, smiling. He reached over and grabbed one of the plates that were on the nightstand. He handed it to Karen and took the other one for himself.
"I love chocolate dipped strawberries poodle," Karen said as she picked one up off of her plate.
"I know, that's why I told Cook to make them," Jack said.
They ate the strawberries in silence and then ate the pieces of chocolate on their plates.
"Now are you going to give me my gift poodle?" Karen asked, once again impatient.
"Yeah, let me go get them," Jack said. He got up off the bed and then left the room quickly. When he came back, he was carrying a bouquet of red, crimson and pink roses and a small box. "Here you go Kare," he said, handing both things to her.
"These are beautiful poodle," Karen said, smelling the roses deeply. "I love roses."
"I know Kare, that's why I got them for you," Jack said smiling. "Open your present."
Karen set the flowers on the nightstand and then turned her attention to the box. It was covered in velvet, so she knew automatically that it was jewelry. She opened the lid and gasped in surprise when she looked inside. "Poodle, these are beautiful," she whispered. She ran her fingers over first the earrings, which were pearls in a teardrop shape with a small diamond above them; then the bracelet, which were pearls alternating with diamonds and sapphires. The necklace though, was the most spectacular of the set. It had a strand of pearls that went high up on the neck, and then hanging under that was a strand of pearls with a large diamond in the middle; a sapphire in a teardrop shape hanging down from it.
"So you do like them?" Jack asked as he watched her.
"Of course, they're wonderful," Karen said, putting her arms around him. "Will you put on the necklace for me Jackie?"
Jack smiled and took the box from Karen. He pulled the necklace out and then turned back to Karen, who had turned around so he could put it on. He placed it around her neck and then kissed the nape of her neck, causing her to shiver slightly.
"Thank you poodle," Karen said, smiling at him. "I love it." She turned back to him and kissed him deeply, her arms around his neck.
When he pulled away from her, Jack pushed her down onto the mattress and he was about to start undressing her when he paused. "Kare, I just got a crazy idea," he said.
"What's that?" Karen asked.
"Wanna play a game of strip poker?" Jack asked, grinning down at her.
Karen thought about that for a moment before smiling. "Go get the cards poodle," she said, sitting up.
Jack left the room and ran to the living room, grabbing a deck of cards. When he came into the room, he sat across from Karen on the bed and started to shuffle the cards. He dealt them and then picked up his two cards. He was about to look at them when Karen stopped him.
"How about a new rule Jackie?" she asked. When he nodded, she said, "The winner has to take the piece of clothing off the loser."
"Good idea," Jack said. He took a look at his cards and kept a straight face while he really felt like laughing. He had two kings in his hand, and unless she had a pair of aces, he would be taking off Karen's blouse in a minute.
"Um, Jackie, we don't have chips to bet with," Karen pointed out.
"Then this will be quick," Jack said. He took the deck of cards next to him and lay three cards face up on the bed; a king, a two and a six. "Okay Kare, what do you have?" he asked, feeling anxious.
"Nothing," Karen said. She put down her cards which were a ten and a five. "What about you?"
"Three kings Kare," Jack said, not able to contain his smile.
Karen sighed and said, "Okay honey, then come up here and take off my shirt."
"No, I think I want to see you take off the shirt yourself," Jack said, smiling at her.
"Fine poodle, but I think you'll be sorry you didn't take it off yourself," Karen said. Then without removing her necklace, she very slowly and seductively unbuttoned her shirt and then pulled it off.
Jack picked up the cards on the bed as Karen threw the blouse to floor. He could feel his heart beating a little more quickly now. He shuffled and then handed the deck to Karen. "Loser deals," he said.
Karen smiled at him and took the cards. She knew her little show had pleased him and she was hoping that she would be able to do it again. She loved making Jack look at her like that.
~~~
A half hour later, Karen lost yet again and was forced to take off her last piece of clothing. Standing naked before Jack, she leaned down and kissed him deeply.
Jack grabbed her around the waist and led her over to the bed, setting her down on it gently until she was lying below him. "You always look fabulous in whatever outfit you wear Kare," he said huskily. "But you are breathtaking when you're wearing nothing but pearls and diamonds."
Karen smiled and then reached out to Jack, pulling him down for a kiss.
Trailing kisses down her chin, Jack ran his hand along her waist until he reached her thigh. Sliding his palm across, he then spread her legs apart slightly and then slipped two fingers inside his wife.
"Ohhh," Karen moaned in doubled pleasure as Jack then started to kiss the skin at the base of her breast.
Jack started to move his fingers in and out of Karen slowly, taking special care to rub her most sensitive spot gently. While he was doing that, he ran his tongue up her breast and then enveloped the nipple in his mouth, sucking on it lightly.
"Jackie...Jackie...please...faster," Karen moaned, arching her body a little.
"Not yet Kare," Jack said as he moved to her other breast, biting the nipple lightly before sucking it.
"Ah! Poodle, not so hard," Karen gasped, running her fingers in his hair.
Jack let go of her breast after a few moments and then he went down her body, kissing her gently. He withdrew his fingers from her and then quickly, before Karen could protest, placed his mouth there. He licked her slowly then, and then he eventually started speeding up as she kept moaning for him to do so.
Karen grabbed the sheets of the bed and tangled them in her hands as she felt herself climax a few minutes later. Breathing hard, she slowly raised herself up on one elbow and looked down at Jack. "Come here poodle," she said.
Smiling, Jack sat up and then reached over to the roses and took a crimson one from the bouquet. He turned back to Karen and then but the blossom to her nose so she could smell it. After she had done so, he then brushed the rose down her cheek and then to her chest. When he reached her breast, he grazed her right nipple softly with the flower. When the nipple was erect, he leaned down and covered it with his mouth, teasing the other nipple with the rose now.
Groaning, Karen reached down and pulled Jack's face up to hers, kissing him for a long time. When they pulled away, she asked, "What about you poodle, do you want me-"
Jack quickly kissed her before she could finish her sentence. "I wanted to make sure you're ready for me Kare," he said, looking at her seriously.
Karen smiled and said, "Oh honey, I'm always ready for you. Now let's get those clothes off!" She sat up and helped him pulled off his shirt and the rest of the clothing he was wearing. When that was done, she immediately reached out and ran her finger around his nipple.
"Hey, no fair!" Jack cried. "I want to play with your boobs Kare."
"You were doing that a second ago Jackie," Karen said. She then leaned forward and placed a small kiss on the nipple. "Okay poodle," she said, laying back. "The girls are all yours, have fun with 'em."
Jack grinned and clapped a little before bringing his mouth down on her left nipple. He sucked on it eagerly while he placed his hand on the other breast, kneading it lightly.
Kissing the top of Jack's head, Karen reached down and started running her fingers up and down his member. When he shuddered slightly, she smiled and then started to move her fingers around it more quickly. As he started to reach his peak, Karen pushed Jack off of her and then flipped him over so he was on the mattress. She went down to his shaft and placed her mouth around it, teasing him with her tongue.
"Ugh...my god Kare..." Jack grunted. "Oh...Kare, I'm going too- Ahhh!" he yelled as he achieved his release.
Smiling, Karen licked his member one last time before moving up so she could lie down next to Jack.
"I married a fucking goddess," Jack said, looking into her eyes.
"And I married a very well-endowed man," Karen said kissing him deeply.
"I don't think I can tease you anymore Kare," Jack said as she started to stroke his bottom lip with her tongue. "I want to be in you, now."
"Then what are you waiting for poodle?" she asked him, pulling away.
Jack didn't need another word of encouragement, and he quickly rolled on top of Karen. He kissed her shoulder as he came down; entering her slowly even though he wanted to drive into her as fast as he could. When he was inside of her fully, he opened his eyes and looked down at his wife. He brushed her closed eyes with his lips as softly as he could, and then started to thrust in and out of her.
Karen sighed with satisfaction when she felt Jack start to move and she opened her eyes so she could look at him. She was surprised when she saw his blue eyes staring back at her. "Oh...Jackie," she breathed. She felt like she could read his mind, he was staring at her with such an open and loving expression on his face. She was going to try to say she loved him a long time later when she felt herself climax and she arched her body up to his, screaming his name in release.
Watching his wife cry out his name in such a wanton matter made Jack suddenly reach his own edge, and he huskily yelled her name over and over until he was sated. He collapsed on top of her breasts and breathed in deeply.
"Poodle, what were you thinking while we made love just now?" Karen asked when her breathing was normal again.
"The first time I had sex with you," Jack said, lifting his head up so he could look at her.
"I was thinking about that too," Karen said, smiling. "I remember when you came inside me that first time; you had the most content expression on your face, it was so adorable."
"You should have heard what I was thinking when I first entered you," Jack said, kissing her neck. "I felt like I belonged there, and I still do Kare."
"How come you weren't too awkward when you started to go into me?" Karen asked.
"I've seen movies and stuff, I wasn't clueless about how to have sex with a woman Kare," Jack answered.
"But emotionally?" Karen said.
"Yeah, I wasn't expecting to feel as good as I felt, making love to you," Jack said. He lifted his head up a little more and kissed Karen's lips deeply. When he pulled away, he then said, "And I knew that I wanted to have you again and again after that first time Kare."
"Me too Jackie," Karen said. She then squeezed her legs together slightly. "So make love to me again my big strong man."
Jack smiled and putting his arms under Karen, lifted her up with him as he sat up. He placed his hands on her ass and started to move her up and down on his member while he sucked on each of her breasts.
Karen didn't hold back and let out numerous groans of pleasure as Jack made love to her, moving faster and faster. A half hour later, she climaxed and pulled him down on her breast even more, crying out his name and moaning as loud as she could.
A second later, Jack hit his peak and gripped Karen's ass more tightly with his hands. He pulled away from her breast and screamed out her name until he was completely spent.
"Oh, Jackie, I forgot to give you your present," Karen said when they had both recovered.
"No, you gave me it already Kare, twice," Jack said. He blew on her nipples softly then, trying to tease them up again.
"I want to give it to you though Jackie," Karen said, kissing his forehead. She got off of him and then hurried over to the dresser next to the bay window. She opened a drawer and then took out a small box. She hurried back to the bed and got under the covers next to Jack. "I didn't really know what to get you this year poodle," she said.
"Whatever you give me is always fabulous Kare," Jack said as he took the lid off of the box. He pulled out a little photo album and then opened it. Inside it were pictures of him, Karen and Elizabeth from the past year. "This is great," he said, smiling at Karen. "It's fantastic."
"Oh good, you like it," Karen said in relief, leaning against him. "There's something else in there too poodle, don't forget to look.
Jack looked down into the box again and saw a small wallet sized picture of Karen and Elizabeth. "Now I have a picture of my girls to carry around with me all the time," he said, looking at Karen. He put the album and picture on the nightstand. "Thanks Karebear, I love you."
"I love you too Jackie," Karen said. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply as he pushed her down onto the bed.
~~~
On the last day of the month of February, Jack and Karen were awoken at three am by the phone next to their bed ringing.
Even though Karen was closer to the phone, she turned over and buried her face in Jack's bare chest.
Yawning, Jack reached over blindly and picked up the phone, turning it on. "Hello?" he asked.
"Jack...Jack it's Edward," the man said on the other end.
"Eddie, what's wrong?" Jack asked, noting the distressed tone of voice his brother in law was using.
"Y-you need to wake up Karen and come down to St. Stephen's hospital," Edward answered.
"Hospital?" Jack asked, sitting up suddenly.
Karen, who was now fully awake, looked at her husband and asked, "Jackie, what's going on?"
"Eddie, what happened, why are you at the hospital?" Jack asked, putting his arm around Karen's bare shoulders.
"I-it's...oh god," Edward started to say before he broke down, crying. "Katherine, Jack, it's Katherine," he managed to choke out. "You b-both better get down h-here, it's bad."
Disclaimer: I don't own Will and Grace or its characters.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Romantic Day and Night
Once Christmas and New Year's had passed, things became almost normal for Jack and Karen.
Karen still hadn't gotten pregnant, but she wasn't as worried about it as she was before. Instead of concentrating on getting herself pregnant, Karen looked out for her sister as Katherine entered her fifth month of her pregnancy.
~~~
"Hi Kat, how's the baby treating you today?" Grace asked as Katherine entered the office.
"Not too bad," Katherine answered. She walked over to her desk chair and sat down gratefully.
"Kath honey," Karen said as she watched her sister. "You're how many months now? Six? Seven?"
"I'm five months Kare," Katherine said, as she put her hand on her stomach which was very big for the trimester she was in. "And that's what I wanted to talk to you two about."
"What is it?" Grace asked, concerned.
"Well I went to my doctor for a check up yesterday and she said I've got twins," Katherine said, smiling.
"You're joking right Kath?" Karen asked, laughing slightly.
Katherine shook her head and said, "That's why I'm so big Kare. I've got two babies instead of one."
Karen's eyes widened in shock and she pretended to faint, slumping down in her chair.
"You're such a bloody fool Kare," Katherine said, laughing a little.
"What was Edward's reaction when the doctor told you guys about the twins?" Grace asked.
"He wasn't there with me, he had a meeting to go to," Katherine said.
"Your husband didn't go with you?" Karen asked in surprise.
"No, I told you, he had a meeting to go to," Katherine said calmly as she started drawing on a piece of paper. She looked up at Grace and then glanced at Karen. "Oh for heaven's sake, Edward said he was going to make it up to me tomorrow on Valentine's Day."
"Oh, well then that's good," Karen said, turning her attention back to her magazine.
"Why is that good Karen? Edward should have been at the doctor's with her," Grace said, looking over at her assistant.
"Because honey, if he's going to make it up to Kath on Valentine's Day, it means something really expensive and really nice," Karen said, smiling at Grace.
"Right," Grace said, rolling her eyes. She returned to her work and started looking through a book of patterns.
"So what are you doing tomorrow Grace?" Katherine asked a few minutes later.
"I don't know, Will is taking Zach out for dinner somewhere," Grace said. "I figured I would just go to the movies or something."
"Oh...well, if you do go," Katherine said awkwardly. "You should go see 'Troy' it's supposed to be really good."
"I might Kat, thanks," Grace said, smiling at her.
~~~
The next night, Katherine was sitting in the family room of Edward and her penthouse. She was watching Amber and Patrick as they played a game of Life. All of a sudden, she felt a faint fluttering in her belly and she placed her hands there.
"Mummy?" Amber said, looking up at her. She stood up from the floor and went over to the couch Katherine was sitting on.
Patrick followed her and sat down on the edge. "Are you okay Ma?" he asked, looking concerned.
"It's alright," Katherine said reassuringly. She reached out and smoothed down Patrick's hair. "The babies moved for the first time just now."
"Oh," Amber said. She got up and then walked back to the game.
"Amber, come here," Katherine said, surprised at the way her daughter had just acted. When Amber didn't move from where she was standing, Katherine said a little more forcefully, "Amber Roxanna O'Neill, come here now."
"Yes Mummy," Amber said in a small tone of voice. She walked slowly to the couch, keeping her eyes on the ground.
"Now Amber love and you as well Patrick," Katherine said, putting her hand under her daughter's chin and lifting her head up. "I know the both of you aren't very pleased with the coming of these babies. You're worried your father's attention and mine will be focused only on them once they are born."
"Oh Ma, no of course not!" Patrick said, blushing a little.
"Hush Patrick, I ken how the both of you feel," Katherine said. "And you should know that your father and I will always love you no matter what. And I will always love you two as much as if I had borne you myself."
"I'm sorry Mummy," Amber said quietly. She glanced over at her brother and they seemed to communicate with their eyes for a moment. "Wait here Mummy, we'll be right back." She then ran out of the room and Patrick followed her quickly.
Katherine sat back against the couch and smiled, closing her eyes. She was extremely tired from her check up the other day still and she felt unusually weak. She was about to fall asleep when a sudden loud bump made her open her eyes.
"Sorry Katherine," Edward said sheepishly. He had knocked a book onto the floor. He walked over to her and sat on the edge of the couch. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm doing as well as can be expected Edward," Katherine said, smiling at him and taking his hand. She then placed it on her stomach and said, "Keep very still for a moment."
Edward did as she said, and in a few minutes he felt a tiny bit of movement under his hand. He smiled up at his wife and said, "That was incredible Katherine. A wonderful Valentine's Day present."
"Oh Edward, that's not your present," Katherine said laughingly.
"Well that's all I want or need on this day," Edward said, lifting his wife's hand and kissing the top softly. "You and our children in perfect health." He glanced around the room and said, "Speaking of our children, where are Amber and Patrick?"
"We're right here Daddy!" Amber exclaimed as she and her brother ran into the room. She hurried over to Edward and gave him a hug. "Here Daddy, I made this for you at school yesterday," she said as she handed him an envelope.
"Thank you Amb," Edward said, kissing her cheek.
"Here Mummy, I made this for you," Amber then said, giving Katherine a little box wrapped with blue tissue paper.
"Thank you love," Katherine said as Patrick then handed her an envelope. She opened the envelope and took the card that was in the envelope and smiled. 'I always loved when my mummy sang this lullaby to me,' she said in Irish Gaelic to Patrick. 'Thank you so much, it's a lovely card.' She pulled Patrick to her and kissed his cheek softly.
"Open mine now Mummy!" Amber said impatiently.
Katherine chuckled and then took off the tissue paper and opened the box. She took a picture frame out of the box and smiled at the photograph inside the frame. "It's lovely Amber, thank you," she said, smiling at her daughter. The picture was of her and Amber at Eadoin when Amber was two years old.
"Alright you two," Edward then said after he had thanked them both for the card they gave him. "I'm taking you all out to eat tonight at whatever restaurant you three want to go to."
"Can we go to the Hard Rock Café?" Amber asked instantly.
"Aye Ma, I want to go there too," Patrick said enthusiastically.
"Would you mind going there tonight Katherine?" Edward asked.
"Of course, I don't feeling like getting so dressed up tonight, so it's perfect," Katherine said, smiling at him.
"Okay, we'll go in an hour then," Edward said, smiling back. "Amber, Patrick, I'm going to give your mother her gifts from me. So I want you to go play in either one of your rooms until we have to go."
"Yes Daddy," Amber said. She hugged her mother quickly and got the board game she and Patrick had been playing with earlier. Her brother followed her out of the room and they both walked upstairs.
"Well, give me a minute and I'll get your presents," Edward said. He leaned forward and kissed Katherine's cheek before getting up.
"Since I can't get up love, do you think you could grab your gift for me?" Katherine asked. "It's hiding behind the plates in the hutch."
"Of course, I'll be right back," Edward said.
Katherine sighed and closed her eyes again, trying to rest a little before her husband came back. When she heard his footsteps a few minutes later, she opened her eyes and hoped she didn't show how tired she was.
"Here you go Katherine," Edward said, smiling as he placed a small shopping bag full of presents on her lap.
"Edward, this is far too much!" Katherine exclaimed, picking up the first thing on the top, a heart shaped box with chocolates in them. "And I only got you the one gift!"
"It's alright love," Edward said. "I told you all I wanted was you and the children healthy." He leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips. "Now, open your presents."
"Alright, alright," Katherine said, smiling. She set the box of chocolates to the side of her and then picked up the first gift.
Twenty minutes later, once Katherine had opened all her presents, Edward opened the one she had given him. When he opened the small velvet box, he stared at what was inside for a while, surprised.
"Do you like it?" Katherine asked anxiously.
Edward took out a silver id bracelet and looked at the plate. Etched on it was: Katherine Emma O' Neill and underneath that was her birth date. "This is great Katherine," Edward said reassuringly. "I love it." He hurriedly put it on and then hugged his wife gently. "I love you," he said.
"And I love you Edward," Katherine said, smiling brightly. She then hugged him closer to her and kissed him deeply.
~~~
Ten o'clock that night, Jack and Karen returned to their penthouse after eating dinner at a new restaurant.
"Is Ebie sleeping?" Karen demanded as Rosario walked down the stairs and into the entryway.
"Yes Miss Karen," Rosario said annoyed. "I wouldn't wake up little Ebie while she was sleeping you know."
"Oh yeah, well then you just..." Karen began.
Rosario immediately started saying something about caring for children at the same time and they argued for a few minutes.
"Whoa, wait a sec you guys," Jack said, grabbing his wife's shoulder. "You're going to wake Ebie up!"
"Okay Rosario, get out of here before I have you wash the carpets," Karen said, kissing Jack's cheek.
"Goodnight Mister Jack, Miss Karen," Rosario said. She left the room and muttered something in Spanish under her breath.
"So what now poodle?" Karen asked when they were alone.
"Well, I was going to get something for dessert since I didn't let you have any at the restaurant," Jack answered.
"Good," Karen said. "While you go get that, I'll go check on Ebie."
"Meet you in our room," Jack said as he walked toward the kitchen.
Karen walked up the stairs and then over to Elizabeth's room. She went to the crib and looked down at her daughter. Smiling tenderly at her, Karen straightened out the blanket and then leaned down, kissing her cheek softly. She stood back up and then went over to Jack and her bedroom. She was surprised to see that he was already sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard. "That was fast," she said, walking over to him.
"I told Cook before we left what I wanted before we went to the restaurant, so it was ready when we came back," Jack said, smiling at her. He held his arms out to her and pulled her close when she came to him. "God Kare, I love you so much," he whispered as he nuzzled her hair with his cheek.
"I love you too Jackie," Karen answered quickly. She pulled away so she could kiss his lips softly. "Did you get me a present or anything for today?"
Jack laughed and said, "Of course Kare, but I wanted to wait until we had dessert to give them to you."
"Okay, what are you waiting for then Jackie?" Karen asked impatiently.
"Alright, take it easy Karebear," Jack said, smiling. He reached over and grabbed one of the plates that were on the nightstand. He handed it to Karen and took the other one for himself.
"I love chocolate dipped strawberries poodle," Karen said as she picked one up off of her plate.
"I know, that's why I told Cook to make them," Jack said.
They ate the strawberries in silence and then ate the pieces of chocolate on their plates.
"Now are you going to give me my gift poodle?" Karen asked, once again impatient.
"Yeah, let me go get them," Jack said. He got up off the bed and then left the room quickly. When he came back, he was carrying a bouquet of red, crimson and pink roses and a small box. "Here you go Kare," he said, handing both things to her.
"These are beautiful poodle," Karen said, smelling the roses deeply. "I love roses."
"I know Kare, that's why I got them for you," Jack said smiling. "Open your present."
Karen set the flowers on the nightstand and then turned her attention to the box. It was covered in velvet, so she knew automatically that it was jewelry. She opened the lid and gasped in surprise when she looked inside. "Poodle, these are beautiful," she whispered. She ran her fingers over first the earrings, which were pearls in a teardrop shape with a small diamond above them; then the bracelet, which were pearls alternating with diamonds and sapphires. The necklace though, was the most spectacular of the set. It had a strand of pearls that went high up on the neck, and then hanging under that was a strand of pearls with a large diamond in the middle; a sapphire in a teardrop shape hanging down from it.
"So you do like them?" Jack asked as he watched her.
"Of course, they're wonderful," Karen said, putting her arms around him. "Will you put on the necklace for me Jackie?"
Jack smiled and took the box from Karen. He pulled the necklace out and then turned back to Karen, who had turned around so he could put it on. He placed it around her neck and then kissed the nape of her neck, causing her to shiver slightly.
"Thank you poodle," Karen said, smiling at him. "I love it." She turned back to him and kissed him deeply, her arms around his neck.
When he pulled away from her, Jack pushed her down onto the mattress and he was about to start undressing her when he paused. "Kare, I just got a crazy idea," he said.
"What's that?" Karen asked.
"Wanna play a game of strip poker?" Jack asked, grinning down at her.
Karen thought about that for a moment before smiling. "Go get the cards poodle," she said, sitting up.
Jack left the room and ran to the living room, grabbing a deck of cards. When he came into the room, he sat across from Karen on the bed and started to shuffle the cards. He dealt them and then picked up his two cards. He was about to look at them when Karen stopped him.
"How about a new rule Jackie?" she asked. When he nodded, she said, "The winner has to take the piece of clothing off the loser."
"Good idea," Jack said. He took a look at his cards and kept a straight face while he really felt like laughing. He had two kings in his hand, and unless she had a pair of aces, he would be taking off Karen's blouse in a minute.
"Um, Jackie, we don't have chips to bet with," Karen pointed out.
"Then this will be quick," Jack said. He took the deck of cards next to him and lay three cards face up on the bed; a king, a two and a six. "Okay Kare, what do you have?" he asked, feeling anxious.
"Nothing," Karen said. She put down her cards which were a ten and a five. "What about you?"
"Three kings Kare," Jack said, not able to contain his smile.
Karen sighed and said, "Okay honey, then come up here and take off my shirt."
"No, I think I want to see you take off the shirt yourself," Jack said, smiling at her.
"Fine poodle, but I think you'll be sorry you didn't take it off yourself," Karen said. Then without removing her necklace, she very slowly and seductively unbuttoned her shirt and then pulled it off.
Jack picked up the cards on the bed as Karen threw the blouse to floor. He could feel his heart beating a little more quickly now. He shuffled and then handed the deck to Karen. "Loser deals," he said.
Karen smiled at him and took the cards. She knew her little show had pleased him and she was hoping that she would be able to do it again. She loved making Jack look at her like that.
~~~
A half hour later, Karen lost yet again and was forced to take off her last piece of clothing. Standing naked before Jack, she leaned down and kissed him deeply.
Jack grabbed her around the waist and led her over to the bed, setting her down on it gently until she was lying below him. "You always look fabulous in whatever outfit you wear Kare," he said huskily. "But you are breathtaking when you're wearing nothing but pearls and diamonds."
Karen smiled and then reached out to Jack, pulling him down for a kiss.
Trailing kisses down her chin, Jack ran his hand along her waist until he reached her thigh. Sliding his palm across, he then spread her legs apart slightly and then slipped two fingers inside his wife.
"Ohhh," Karen moaned in doubled pleasure as Jack then started to kiss the skin at the base of her breast.
Jack started to move his fingers in and out of Karen slowly, taking special care to rub her most sensitive spot gently. While he was doing that, he ran his tongue up her breast and then enveloped the nipple in his mouth, sucking on it lightly.
"Jackie...Jackie...please...faster," Karen moaned, arching her body a little.
"Not yet Kare," Jack said as he moved to her other breast, biting the nipple lightly before sucking it.
"Ah! Poodle, not so hard," Karen gasped, running her fingers in his hair.
Jack let go of her breast after a few moments and then he went down her body, kissing her gently. He withdrew his fingers from her and then quickly, before Karen could protest, placed his mouth there. He licked her slowly then, and then he eventually started speeding up as she kept moaning for him to do so.
Karen grabbed the sheets of the bed and tangled them in her hands as she felt herself climax a few minutes later. Breathing hard, she slowly raised herself up on one elbow and looked down at Jack. "Come here poodle," she said.
Smiling, Jack sat up and then reached over to the roses and took a crimson one from the bouquet. He turned back to Karen and then but the blossom to her nose so she could smell it. After she had done so, he then brushed the rose down her cheek and then to her chest. When he reached her breast, he grazed her right nipple softly with the flower. When the nipple was erect, he leaned down and covered it with his mouth, teasing the other nipple with the rose now.
Groaning, Karen reached down and pulled Jack's face up to hers, kissing him for a long time. When they pulled away, she asked, "What about you poodle, do you want me-"
Jack quickly kissed her before she could finish her sentence. "I wanted to make sure you're ready for me Kare," he said, looking at her seriously.
Karen smiled and said, "Oh honey, I'm always ready for you. Now let's get those clothes off!" She sat up and helped him pulled off his shirt and the rest of the clothing he was wearing. When that was done, she immediately reached out and ran her finger around his nipple.
"Hey, no fair!" Jack cried. "I want to play with your boobs Kare."
"You were doing that a second ago Jackie," Karen said. She then leaned forward and placed a small kiss on the nipple. "Okay poodle," she said, laying back. "The girls are all yours, have fun with 'em."
Jack grinned and clapped a little before bringing his mouth down on her left nipple. He sucked on it eagerly while he placed his hand on the other breast, kneading it lightly.
Kissing the top of Jack's head, Karen reached down and started running her fingers up and down his member. When he shuddered slightly, she smiled and then started to move her fingers around it more quickly. As he started to reach his peak, Karen pushed Jack off of her and then flipped him over so he was on the mattress. She went down to his shaft and placed her mouth around it, teasing him with her tongue.
"Ugh...my god Kare..." Jack grunted. "Oh...Kare, I'm going too- Ahhh!" he yelled as he achieved his release.
Smiling, Karen licked his member one last time before moving up so she could lie down next to Jack.
"I married a fucking goddess," Jack said, looking into her eyes.
"And I married a very well-endowed man," Karen said kissing him deeply.
"I don't think I can tease you anymore Kare," Jack said as she started to stroke his bottom lip with her tongue. "I want to be in you, now."
"Then what are you waiting for poodle?" she asked him, pulling away.
Jack didn't need another word of encouragement, and he quickly rolled on top of Karen. He kissed her shoulder as he came down; entering her slowly even though he wanted to drive into her as fast as he could. When he was inside of her fully, he opened his eyes and looked down at his wife. He brushed her closed eyes with his lips as softly as he could, and then started to thrust in and out of her.
Karen sighed with satisfaction when she felt Jack start to move and she opened her eyes so she could look at him. She was surprised when she saw his blue eyes staring back at her. "Oh...Jackie," she breathed. She felt like she could read his mind, he was staring at her with such an open and loving expression on his face. She was going to try to say she loved him a long time later when she felt herself climax and she arched her body up to his, screaming his name in release.
Watching his wife cry out his name in such a wanton matter made Jack suddenly reach his own edge, and he huskily yelled her name over and over until he was sated. He collapsed on top of her breasts and breathed in deeply.
"Poodle, what were you thinking while we made love just now?" Karen asked when her breathing was normal again.
"The first time I had sex with you," Jack said, lifting his head up so he could look at her.
"I was thinking about that too," Karen said, smiling. "I remember when you came inside me that first time; you had the most content expression on your face, it was so adorable."
"You should have heard what I was thinking when I first entered you," Jack said, kissing her neck. "I felt like I belonged there, and I still do Kare."
"How come you weren't too awkward when you started to go into me?" Karen asked.
"I've seen movies and stuff, I wasn't clueless about how to have sex with a woman Kare," Jack answered.
"But emotionally?" Karen said.
"Yeah, I wasn't expecting to feel as good as I felt, making love to you," Jack said. He lifted his head up a little more and kissed Karen's lips deeply. When he pulled away, he then said, "And I knew that I wanted to have you again and again after that first time Kare."
"Me too Jackie," Karen said. She then squeezed her legs together slightly. "So make love to me again my big strong man."
Jack smiled and putting his arms under Karen, lifted her up with him as he sat up. He placed his hands on her ass and started to move her up and down on his member while he sucked on each of her breasts.
Karen didn't hold back and let out numerous groans of pleasure as Jack made love to her, moving faster and faster. A half hour later, she climaxed and pulled him down on her breast even more, crying out his name and moaning as loud as she could.
A second later, Jack hit his peak and gripped Karen's ass more tightly with his hands. He pulled away from her breast and screamed out her name until he was completely spent.
"Oh, Jackie, I forgot to give you your present," Karen said when they had both recovered.
"No, you gave me it already Kare, twice," Jack said. He blew on her nipples softly then, trying to tease them up again.
"I want to give it to you though Jackie," Karen said, kissing his forehead. She got off of him and then hurried over to the dresser next to the bay window. She opened a drawer and then took out a small box. She hurried back to the bed and got under the covers next to Jack. "I didn't really know what to get you this year poodle," she said.
"Whatever you give me is always fabulous Kare," Jack said as he took the lid off of the box. He pulled out a little photo album and then opened it. Inside it were pictures of him, Karen and Elizabeth from the past year. "This is great," he said, smiling at Karen. "It's fantastic."
"Oh good, you like it," Karen said in relief, leaning against him. "There's something else in there too poodle, don't forget to look.
Jack looked down into the box again and saw a small wallet sized picture of Karen and Elizabeth. "Now I have a picture of my girls to carry around with me all the time," he said, looking at Karen. He put the album and picture on the nightstand. "Thanks Karebear, I love you."
"I love you too Jackie," Karen said. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply as he pushed her down onto the bed.
~~~
On the last day of the month of February, Jack and Karen were awoken at three am by the phone next to their bed ringing.
Even though Karen was closer to the phone, she turned over and buried her face in Jack's bare chest.
Yawning, Jack reached over blindly and picked up the phone, turning it on. "Hello?" he asked.
"Jack...Jack it's Edward," the man said on the other end.
"Eddie, what's wrong?" Jack asked, noting the distressed tone of voice his brother in law was using.
"Y-you need to wake up Karen and come down to St. Stephen's hospital," Edward answered.
"Hospital?" Jack asked, sitting up suddenly.
Karen, who was now fully awake, looked at her husband and asked, "Jackie, what's going on?"
"Eddie, what happened, why are you at the hospital?" Jack asked, putting his arm around Karen's bare shoulders.
"I-it's...oh god," Edward started to say before he broke down, crying. "Katherine, Jack, it's Katherine," he managed to choke out. "You b-both better get down h-here, it's bad."