Disclaimer: I don't own Will and Grace or its characters.
Chapter Forty-Three
July Trip
It took some time for Karen and Jack to forget their fears from when Karen had had the false contractions. Throughout her fourth month, Karen paid close attention to her body and went to her doctor often, Jack going with her every time.
As June wound down, the two began to relax a little more as nothing worse happened to Karen or the baby.
Katherine, who always seemed to be cheerful and happy on the outside, tried to ignore her depressed feelings and spent more time with her sister. She helped Karen and Jack buy new furniture for the baby. She also began to think of ideas of how to design the room, as Karen had hired her to do so once again.
~~~
The last Saturday of June, Karen was woken up by voices going outside hers and Jack's bedroom. Getting out of bed slowly, touching her slightly bulging stomach, Karen walked over to her closet so she could get dressed.
"You think she's awake?" Katherine asked as she sat down on the window seat in Elizabeth's room.
"I'm sure she heard us talking," Jack said, sitting in the rocking bench with Elizabeth in his arms.
"Couldn't you guys keep it down?" a voice said from the doorway.
Katherine and Jack turned their heads and saw Karen standing there, smiling at them.
"Mama," Elizabeth said. She struggled out of Jack's arms and when he set her down on the floor, she walked over to her.
"Good morning Ebie, honey," Karen said, picking up the girl. She kissed her daughter's cheek and walked over to the rocking bench.
"I know it's early Kare, sorry about waking you up," Katherine said, smiling at her sister.
"That's okay Kath," Karen said, smiling as Elizabeth grabbed some strands of her hair. "But I hope you're going to tell me why you're here."
"Edward needs to go to his mother's home in the Hamptons and make sure it's being kept in good repair," Katherine said. "We talked about it and I got the idea of the four of us taking a four day weekend to go out there for the Forth of July."
"How big is the house?" Jack asked.
"About seven or eight rooms I believe," Katherine said. "So if you two want to spend the weekend on your own, I believe that can be done."
"What about the kids?" Karen asked, shifting Elizabeth to her other arm.
"Well, I'm having Amber and Patrick's nanny watch them for Thursday and Friday," Katherine said. "And then the last two days, Will and Grace agreed to go to the penthouse and watch them."
"And what are we going to do with Ebie?" Jack said, looking at Karen.
"Can we leave her with your kids that weekend?" Karen asked her sister.
"Sure, so does that mean you guys are going to go with us?" Katherine asked.
Jack glanced over at Karen and she smiled. "Of course honey, I want to go and see this house of yours," she said.
"It's not my house Kare, it's Edward's," Katherine pointed out softly.
"Kath, when you get married, what's yours becomes your husbands and the other way around too," Karen said.
"Are you serious?" Katherine asked, looking at her sister in surprise.
"Yeah, when we got married," Jack said. "Kare got my martini glasses."
Karen giggled slightly and leaned against her husband's arm.
"When did you have martini glasses?" Katherine asked.
"I bought them when I moved into the old apartment," Jack said. "For Kare to use when she came over."
Katherine nodded absentmindedly and then stood up. "Well, I suppose I should go. I need to tell Edward you'll be coming with us and get the other things ready," she said.
"When are we going to leave?" Jack asked as he and Karen got off the bench.
"This coming Thursday," Katherine said as she walked out of the room. "Edward is going to rent a car for that day." She saw her sister was about to say something and she cut her off. "I don't want to take one of your limos Kare. It's going to be just us this weekend."
"Alright, alright Kath," Karen said, rolling her eyes. "I'll see you tomorrow at Grace's office?"
"If you end up coming at all," Katherine said, grinning wryly. She hurried out the front door to avoid her sister's mock-punch and walked toward the elevators, laughing loudly. "Bye you guys."
"See you later Kat," Jack called.
"Bye!" Elizabeth said, waving her hand.
"What do you want to do today poodle?" Karen asked as they walked up the stairs.
"I've got a surprise," Jack said cryptically. "Get Ebie dressed and then we'll go."
Karen smiled and gave him a long, lingering kiss on the lips. Then she hurried into Elizabeth's room so she could get their daughter dressed.
~~~
Two hours later, Jack and Karen; Jack carrying Elizabeth; were walking through Central Park. They had taken Elizabeth to a playground in the park and then went to lunch in a small bistro just outside the park.
"It's such a pretty day," Karen said, taking Elizabeth from Jack. She kissed their daughter's cheek and settled her on one arm.
"I know, I wanted to bring Ebie back here since it's been a while," Jack said, reaching out and grasping Karen's hand.
"Are we going back home now?" Karen asked as Jack pulled her down a path that led further into the park.
"Not yet, I wanna do one thing that I've never been able to do before," Jack said.
They walked through a wooded area in silence until they came out of the group of trees to the lake.
"Jackie, did you rent a boat?" Karen asked, knowing the answer already.
"Yep," Jack said, a grin lighting up his face.
Karen giggled and then followed him over to a small wooden dock where a rowboat was tied up. She handed him Elizabeth and stepped carefully into the boat, taking the girl back so Jack could get in.
Before he sat down, Jack untied the rope and pushed against the dock gently so they drifted off into the water. He then sat down and took the oars, rowing out towards the middle of the lake.
"This was a good idea poodle," Karen said, smiling. "It's beautiful out here."
"I thought that more people would be here," Jack commented, letting go of the oars so they could float around for a while.
"It doesn't matter," Karen said. "I like it right now; just the three of us."
Jack smiled widely and reached out, touching her cheek. "You mean the four of us Karebear," he said.
"That's true Jackie," Karen said, touching her stomach briefly. She leaned forward and they kissed deeply until they were interrupted.
"Dada, bird," Elizabeth cried suddenly, patting her father's cheek.
Pulling away from Karen slowly, Jack smiled and then kissed their daughter's forehead. "Where Ebie?" he asked.
"Bird," Elizabeth said again, pointing to the water.
"That's right honey," Karen said, when she and Jack spotted the ducks in the water about five feet away from their boat.
"Hey, didn't we have some bread left over from lunch?" Jack asked suddenly.
"I think so, check my purse Jackie," Karen said. "Ebie, stop moving or else you'll scare the birds away."
"Yeah, here we go," Jack said, pulling out a roll of sourdough bread from the leftover bag. He ripped off a couple of small pieces and put them in Elizabeth's hand. "Okay Ebie, it's time for me to teach you to throw," he said.
"Jackie honey, I don't think you and that verb go together too well," Karen said, laughing slightly.
"Oh yeah? Just watch," Jack said, he took a piece of bread and threw it out towards the ducks. It landed in the water, a few feet from the boat.
"Not bad poodle," Karen said, sounding impressed. "Alright Ebie, your turn now."
Elizabeth raised her arm and threw the bread crumbs over to the ducks that had gathered three feet from them to get the bread Jack had thrown. When she saw the ducks hurriedly eating the bread and splashing water, she clapped her hands and shrieked with laughter.
Karen smiled and took the roll from Jack so she could give more crumbs to their daughter.
Jack sat back and watched as Elizabeth kept throwing bread crumbs to the birds and Karen as she gave her the crumbs. When the roll was almost gone, he leaned forward and placed his hand on Karen's stomach. "Let's go home now, okay?" he asked, glancing up at her.
"Yes Jackie, it's going to get crowded in a while probably," Karen said, smiling tenderly at him.
Taking the oars, Jack rowed back to the dock so they could leave the park.
~~~
That Thursday, Karen was busily getting all of Elizabeth's things together before she and Jack left for the Hamptons. "Jackie, where are you?" she yelled as she put some of the baby's clothes in a Louis Vitton bag.
"Right here Kare," Jack said, hurrying into the room. "What do you want me to do?"
"Get Ebie dressed because I'm not going to have anytime," Karen said. "I need to put some things in my suitcase still."
"Sure Kare," Jack said. He picked up Elizabeth from her crib and took the outfit Karen handed him. As he got their daughter dressed, he watched as Karen ran around the room, grabbing this and that and putting it into Elizabeth's bag.
"Okay, I'm all done with her stuff," Karen said. "Tell Rosario to take the bag down to Kath and Eddie's."
"Why don't I just take it down with me and I can take Ebie too?" Jack asked since he had finished dressing Elizabeth.
"Oh, sure poodle, tell Kath I'll be there in a few minutes as soon as my stuff's all packed," Karen said. Without waiting for a response, she walked quickly out of the room.
Jack picked up the Vitton bag and walked out, as he went down the stairs, he saw Rosario walk into the living room and he called out to her. "Karen will probably be calling you to help her with the luggage Rosie," he warned as he walked out of the penthouse.
In Katherine and Edward's bedroom, they were closing up their suitcases and saying goodbye to Amber and Patrick at the same time.
"I want you two to try and comfort your cousin this weekend," Katherine said as she followed Edward down to the foyer of the penthouse. "She'll be missing her mum and dad I'm sure."
"And who'll comfort us?" Amber asked.
Katherine turned to her children in surprise. Before she could answer that, the doorbell rang and Edward opened the door.
"Hey Eddie," Jack said, walking inside. "I brought the baby and her stuff."
"And Kare?" Katherine asked.
"She'll be here in a few minutes," Jack said. "Just needed to pack a couple more things for this weekend."
"Edward, go on and tell Theo we'll be leaving in about five minutes," Katherine said to her husband.
"Your nanny's a man?" Jack asked, surprised.
"Theodora," Amber said. "She doesn't like her name."
"That's a cool name though," Jack said. "Catherine Zeta-Jones played her in-"
"The Haunting," a voice said, coming into the penthouse.
"Hullo Kare," Katherine said, smiling at her sister. "Hi Rosario."
Rosario didn't say anything, pulling two very heavy suitcases. "That's it lady, I'm going back to my room," she said before turning and leaving.
"I better not come back on Sunday and see you didn't clean Jackie's piano Rosario!" Karen called out. "So," she said, turning back to everyone else. "When are we going?"
"As soon as we say goodbye to the children," Katherine said. She then took Amber and Patrick to the side of the foyer and knelt down so she could speak with them privately.
"Okay Ebie, you be a good guest here," Jack said, holding her close to him and kissing her cheek a few times.
"Give her to me Jackie," Karen said, holding her arms out to him. Once Elizabeth was in her arms, she smoothed out her dark brown hair. "Don't miss us too much honey, we'll be back soon." She kissed their daughter softly on the forehead.
"If everyone's ready, we can go," Edward said, walking into the foyer with the nanny.
"Is this Elizabeth?" Theodora asked, taking the baby from Karen.
"Yeah, if she starts crying, let her cousins play with her and she'll stop," Jack said.
"Let's go before traffic gets too bad," Katherine said gently as Edward finished saying goodbye to their children.
"Bye Ebie," Karen said as they walked out the front door.
"We love you Ebie," Jack said, turning and waving goodbye to their daughter.
~~~
Three hours later, the four arrived at Edward's mansion on the beach in the Hamptons.
"Yep, I'd say the traffic was worth this," Jack said as he looked around.
"A Tudor house decorated by an Irish woman," Katherine said. "I love it Edward."
"I thought you'd find the humor there Katherine," Edward said, smiling at her. "Okay, I'll lead you guys to the rooms."
They all picked up their suitcases, Jack taking his own and Karen's, and headed up the staircase towards the bedrooms.
Edward took Jack and Karen to theirs first. "Every room in this house is a specific color, taken from the area," he said as he opened the door and let the two inside. "Yours is forest green."
"Wow, this is really nice," Jack said.
"Why don't we all unpack and then get some rest until about four?" Katherine suggested.
"Are you still going to have tea here?" Karen asked as Jack set her suitcase up on the bed.
"Of course Kare, and you guys can come if you want to," Katherine said, smiling.
"We'll have it out on the terrace," Edward said. "Come on Katherine, I'll show you our room."
They left then, closing the bedroom door behind them.
"I wouldn't have picked this color," Karen said, putting her hands on her hips and looking around the room. "But it's pretty."
"I wonder what kinda view we got," Jack said. He walked over to the French doors directly in front of the bed and opened them wide. "Man, look at this Kare."
Karen walked over to stand next to him and smiled. "We've got our own balcony," she said.
"Maybe we'll be able to see the fireworks from here," Jack said, putting his arm around Karen's waist.
"I hope so, that way it's just me and you Saturday night," Karen said, kissing his cheek.
"Let's go unpack so you can get some sleep Karebear," Jack said, smiling down at her.
"You're taking a nap too," Karen said sternly. She giggled as he rolled his eyes and then stepped away from him, walking into the room so she could unpack her suitcase.
~~~
On Saturday, Jack brought up the idea of the four of them going down to the beach in front of the house for the day, until the fireworks that evening. "I brought my swimming trunks," he said, grinning.
"I did too," Edward said. "I'll go."
"I shall as well, I heard it's supposed to be frightfully hot today," Katherine said, smiling.
"Um, I'd like to go, but I think I'd scare everyone with this belly," Karen said, putting her hand on her stomach.
"It's a private beach Karen," Edward said, smiling at her.
"It is?" Karen asked, surprised. When Edward nodded, she said, "Okay, guess I'm going too."
"Great, I'll pack some lunch for us to eat out there," Katherine said, getting up from the couch she was sitting on.
"I'll go and help," Edward said, following her to the kitchen.
"Come on Kare, let's go change," Jack said, helping her out of the armchair.
~~~
A half hour later, Katherine and Edward walked out on the beach to where Jack and Karen were already laying out on some lounge chairs he had brought out.
"Are you guys going to go in the water at all?" Katherine asked as she set up her own lounge chair.
"I am, but I wanted to soak up some rays first," Jack said.
Karen laughed and said, "You're not going to get a tan poodle. I made you put on the sunscreen with me remember?"
"I can pretend though," Jack said, grinning back at her.
"Well I'm going in," Katherine said. She stood up and walked towards the water. She went into the water up to her ankles and looked around her.
"How is she doing Eddie?" Karen asked, watching her sister kick the water.
"Okay, she hasn't cut herself in a long time," Edward answered, watching his wife with loving eyes. "But she doesn't sleep too much anymore."
"I'm gonna go in the water Kare," Jack said suddenly. He jumped off his chair and kissed Karen on the lips before he hurried out to the water. "Hey Sister Katherine," he called as he went over to where she was standing. "I think you forgot to take your shorts off."
"No, these are my bathing shorts," Katherine said. "I've always worn them over my bathing suit while I swim." With that she suddenly jumped into the water, going under an incoming wave.
Back on the sand, Karen watched her husband go into the water little by little until he too went underneath a wave.
"Karen, do you mind if I ask you something?" Edward asked.
"What's that?" Karen asked distractedly.
"How did you and Jack meet?" Edward said.
"Kath never told you about that?" Karen said, looking at him in surprise. When he shook his head, she smiled and then proceeded to tell him about her and Jack's first encounter.
When she was done, Edward grinned and asked, "Did Jack ever try to bump stomachs with anyone else after that?"
"I think he asked Grace once, but she didn't do it," Karen said, her gaze returning to the ocean where Jack was swimming.
Chuckling, Edward shook his head. Then he grew a little serious and said, "Kath did say one thing to me about the time you guys first met. She told me that you and Jack were pretty much destined to be together, the moment you bumped stomachs."
Karen laughed and nodded, "She's probably right."
~~~
After lunch had been eaten, Katherine tried to get her sister to go into the ocean with her. "Come on Kare," she said. "You don't have to go in all the way, just to your waist."
"No Kath, that water is way too cold for me," Karen said, putting her sunglasses back on.
"Oh, alright," Katherine sighed, giving up. "Want to come with me Edward?"
"Sure, why don't we swim over to those rocks over there?" he asked as he followed his wife to the sea.
"Aren't you going to go back in the water poodle?" Karen asked Jack, who was sitting next to her on the edge of the lounge chair.
"I want you to come with me," Jack said, a pleading look on his face.
"At five months pregnant?" Karen said. "No way Jackie."
"That's an awful excuse coming from you Kare," Jack said. He turned his bottom lip out and then begged, "Please?"
Karen looked at him for a moment before sighing and taking off her sunglasses. "Fine, I'll go, but I'm not going in all the way," she said as Jack moved so she could get off the chair. She stood up and untied the sarong she had been wearing to cover her belly. "Alright Jackie, let's go."
Grinning like a little boy, Jack took Karen's hand and walked quickly down to the water.
"Where's Kath and Eddie?" Karen asked as they stepped into the water.
"I think that's them over there," Jack answered, pointing to some rocks further down the beach.
Karen placed her hand to shade her eyes and she saw a splash of blue against the gray rocks. "Yeah, that's her- ah!" she said, crying out in surprise when Jack lifted her up and carried her deeper into the water. "Jack, I told you I didn't want to go in all the way," she complained, hitting his shoulder playfully.
"Whoops, guess I forgot," Jack said, grinning mischievously. He then set Karen down and put his arms around her waist.
"Ooo, this is too cold," Karen said, grabbing onto him. She shivered for a few moments and the felt a familiar movement in her womb. "Jack-" she said in surprise before another movement occurred.
"Are you okay?" Jack asked, immediately worried.
"No, no, I'm fine Jackie," Karen said, she placed a hand on her stomach and then smiled up at him. "Our baby just moved."
"It did?" Jack asked, his mood swinging quickly to excitement. "Lemme feel!" He let Karen put his hand on her stomach and smiled when he felt a tap underneath it. "God that's so amazing," he said, sounding awed.
"Even though it's our second-" Karen started to say.
"It's still incredible to feel," Jack finished for her.
Smiling, Karen wrapped her hands around his neck and hugged him tightly.
When they pulled away a little, Jack titled her face up to his and he put his lips on hers, kissing her deeply for a long time.
~~~
That night, after eating dinner in a restaurant with Jack and Karen, Edward and Katherine walked down the main boulevard of the town until the fireworks were scheduled to start.
They looked into the windows of the various shops and stepped into a bookstore that was still open.
"Hello," the storekeeper said, looking up as the bell above his door rang. "Oh my, Eddie O'Neill?"
"Hey Johnny, it's nice to see you again," Edward said, a wide grin on his face. He walked over to the man and shook hands with him.
"The last time you were here, you were just ten years old," Johnny said. "How have you been?"
"I'm doing well," Edward said, he turned back to Katherine. "Johnny, this is my wife Katherine. Katherine, this is Johnny Leary. He was a good friend of the family's when we came here in the summer."
"Nice to meet you ma'am," Johnny said, shaking her hand.
"A pleasure sir," Katherine said. "If you'll both excuse me, I'd like to take a look at the books." She smiled at Johnny and then walked further into the store.
"Well Eddie, I knew you were going to marry a British girl some day," Johnny said.
"Yeah, you always told me that," Edward said.
"Any kids?" Johnny then asked
"Two, Amber and Patrick," Edward answered.
Katherine walked down a row of books, looking idly at the titles. She turned the corner at the end of the aisle, and was surprised to run into someone. "Oh, I'm sorry- Chris?" she said in surprise.
"Hello Katherine," Dr. Christopher Stiles said, smiling at her.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, a smile stretching over her face.
"My sister planned a family reunion," Christopher said. "I had to hold it here in my summer home since it's the largest." He looked down at her and asked, "How have you been?"
"Well as can be expected," Katherine said smiling.
"Katherine, the fireworks will be starting soon," Edward said from the front of the store.
"Oh, I suppose I must go," Katherine said. "It was wonderful to see you again Chris. Call me once you return to the city and we'll do something together okay?"
"Sure," Christopher said.
Katherine hugged him and was going to give him a friendly kiss on the cheek when Christopher turned his head. She ended up placing a soft kiss on his lips. "Uh, I-I must be off," she stammered, blushing a little as she stepped away from him. "I'll talk to you later Chris." She then hurried out of the aisle towards her husband, wondering what had just happened, and why her lips still felt like they were tingling.
~~~
Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Karen was sitting in an armchair Jack had brought out onto the balcony for her.
Jack walked out and handed her a glass of iced tea and some fruit salad Katherine had made earlier. "So you're craving fruit this time?" he asked as he sat down in the chair next to hers.
"Yep, and thank god, because I would have a hard time taking the weight off after the baby's born if I was eating other stuff," Karen said. She ate a few pieces of watermelon before putting one to Jack's lips.
Smiling up at her, he opened his mouth and let her place the piece in his mouth. As she pulled her fingers out, he ran his tongue along her index finger.
"Wait until the fireworks are over before we start poodle," Karen said, smiling.
Jack nodded, and then turned his attention back to the ocean in front of him.
A few minutes later, out on a small cove that ran all the way to the ground, the fireworks that had been set up there started shooting up into the air.
Karen took Jack's hand in her own and placed the fruit salad bowl on the table. She settled back in her chair and watched the show.
While the grand finale was going on, Jack was startled when Karen sat on his lap. "What is it?" he asked, looking up at her.
"Just go back to watching the fireworks Jackie," Karen said.
Turning his attention back to the multicolored fireworks going off above the water, Jack nearly jumped when he felt Karen's tongue on his ear lobe. "Kare-" he started to say.
"Shh, don't pay any attention to me," Karen whispered into his ear.
Jack tried to do as she said, but it was hard with her nipping at his ear and wriggling around in his lap. When the last firework had gone off, he turned his attention to her and kissed her roughly. He then unbuttoned her blouse and was surprised to see she had nothing on underneath it.
"I took it off when you got me my drink," Karen said, giggling at his reaction.
"Okay," Jack said in a drawn out way. He was too enthralled by the fact that Karen's nipples were standing erect in the cool air.
"Are you just going to stare at them like you did when we first made love Jackie?" Karen asked.
Not wasting another second, Jack descended on her left breast and took the nipple into his mouth, sucking on it eagerly.
Karen sighed and put her arms around Jack's shoulders and sighed in contentment. She was a little surprised when she heard the rumble of thunder and then felt the rain falling down on them.
Jack pulled away and immediately picked Karen up in his arms, taking her inside. "That was close, you could have gotten soaked," he said, putting her on top of the bed. "I better bring the armchair in," he then said reluctantly. He went back out onto the balcony and brought the chair in. He was going to close the French doors when Karen stopped him.
"Just leave it open poodle," she said. "It feels nice after being hot all day."
Hurrying of to the bed, Jack climbed on top of it and said, "Should we continue what I started earlier?"
"Please Jackie," Karen said.
Jack smiled and then put his lips down on Karen's right breast this time, sucking on it. While he was doing that, he quickly took off the rest of Karen's clothes. He moved from her breasts when she was naked and placed a tender kiss on her stomach before going to her leg and kissing the skin on her thigh. He then gently pulled her legs open and slipped two of his fingers in her.
Karen groaned in pleasure and gripped the mattress tightly as Jack moved his fingers in and out of her slowly.
He kept going until he felt Karen was reaching her edge. Then he removed his fingers, which made Karen protest.
"You're an awful tease poodle," she said as he moved up to her and kissed her cheeks softly.
Jack grinned and then helped her sit up so she could remove his own clothes.
Tossing the last bit of his clothing on the floor, Karen reached down and started to run her fingers around his member, teasing him with gentle touches.
"Ohh, you're just plain evil Kare," Jack groaned.
Not saying anything, Karen kept running her fingers around him. After a few minutes, she pulled away and lay back on the mattress. "I want you in me Jackie, now," she said forcefully.
"Yeah, I think I want to do that too," Jack said. He quickly moved so he was hovering above her body and then lowered himself to her.
Karen put her hands on Jack's hips, watching as he entered her gently with his member. She found herself gasping for breath; she had never been so turned on, watching him enter her.
"Are you...okay?" Jack asked, when he was fully in her.
"Fine, just, just...move," Karen panted out.
Nodding, Jack pulled out a little and then went back in, causing them both to gasp from the pleasure. Kissing her neck, Jack then picked up the pace, thrusting in and out, in and out of his wife. He groaned a little bit as she pulled his lips to hers and they kissed roughly.
"Oh, oh Jackie," Karen murmured through her swollen lips. "I love you, oh god, Jackie!" she then cried as she climaxed around him.
Jack thrust in one last time and cried out Karen's name as he exploded deep inside of her. A few minutes later, he got off of her and lay down next to her.
"I wish you would lie on top of me after we make love Jackie," Karen said, moving over to him, snuggling on top of his chest.
"I don't want to risk hurting the baby," Jack said simply.
They fell silent then, listening to the rain falling outside, and they both fell asleep a few minutes later.
~~~
A crash of thunder woke the two up suddenly and they sat up in bed at the same time.
"Wow, that was really loud," Jack said.
"I hope it wasn't too close," Karen said worriedly.
Jack turned to her and asked, "You're afraid of thunder?"
"A little," Karen said. "But don't you dare tell anyone-"
Kissing her deeply, Jack pushed her back down on the bed. "Don't worry," he said when he had pulled away from her. "I like to be the only one to see you looking so vulnerable and innocent."
"Me and innocent don't belong together," Karen said, turning so Jack was on the mattress and she was straddling him. She reached down between them and stroked his member while she guided it to her entrance. She stopped when the top of his shaft was just brushing her entrance and asked, "Am I so innocent Jackie?"
"Oh god no!" Jack gasped out. He tried to move his body up so he could enter her, but Karen wouldn't let him. "Come on Kare, please," he begged.
Karen didn't respond, and she continued to stroke him. Finally, she lowered herself down onto his now throbbing member and she sighed in satisfaction as he slid into her.
Jack sat up and pulled Karen so he was inside of her all the way. "I feel like teasing you really badly tonight," he whispered into her ear as he helped her move up and down on him.
"You do that and I'll make you sleep on the balcony naked," Karen groaned as he started to fondle her breasts.
"I guess I'll be a good boy then," Jack murmured, lowering his mouth and taking her left nipple into it.
Karen was gasping and panting as they made love, running her hands up and down his back. She felt her body start to break out in sweat as the minutes went by without either one of them reaching their release.
After about forty minutes, Jack gripped Karen's hips and moved her up and down on his member more quickly then she had been before.
"Jackie, I think it...Oohh!" Karen groaned when she finally climaxed.
Placing his head on top of her heart, Jack felt his body shudder slightly as he achieved his release and climaxed inside of her, moaning her name. "God Kare, I love you so much," he whispered as they sat, trying to calm down.
"I love you too," Karen said tenderly, kissing the top of his head.
After a while, Jack helped her off of him, sighing a little in disappointment when he was out of her. He grabbed the comforter and lay down next to Karen, saying, "You better get covered, you're all sweaty and I don't want you to get sick."
"And I don't want you to get sick either poodle," Karen said as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"It doesn't really matter if I get sick," Jack responded, holding her tightly to him.
"It does to me," Karen said indignantly.
"Okay, okay Karebear, I'm covered so I won't get sick either," Jack said soothingly.
"Thank you Jackie," Karen said. She kissed his jaw a few times and said, "Good night poodle, I love you."
"I love you too Kare," Jack said.
They were both lulled to sleep quickly, listening to the rain and each others heartbeats, snuggled up close together.
~~~
After that weekend, Karen and Jack went to see Dr. Tucker for Karen's monthly check up.
As the doctor was looking at the baby with the ultrasound, he asked, "Will you want me to let you know what sex the baby is?"
Jack and Karen looked at each other and Karen said, "We want the sex to be a surprise this time."
"Alright," Dr. Tucker said easily. "Well, everything looks perfect here and you're doing well yourself Mrs. McFarland. I'll print out the pictures and have them for you at the front desk when you're ready to go."
Once he left and Karen was straitening out her blouse, Jack asked, "Are you sure you're okay with not knowing if our baby is a boy or girl?"
"I told you poodle, I want to be surprised this time too," Karen said, kissing his cheek. "It's fine." She took his hand and led him out of the examination room so they could get the ultrasound pictures of their baby.
~~~
In the limo on the way back to the penthouse, Jack rested his head in Karen's lap and placed one hand on her stomach. He smiled when he felt the movement under his hand. "We should try thinking up some names this time Kare," he said.
"Okay, I already have a few," Karen said as Jack sat up.
"What are thy?" he asked, putting his arm around her shoulders.
"If it's a boy, I like Nicholas or Sean," Karen said. "And if it's a girl, Victoria or Caroline."
"Those are great," Jack said, smiling.
"Do you have any?" Karen asked looking up at him.
"No, but I'll get some as soon as I take a look at that baby names book we have at home," Jack said.
Karen giggled and then kissed him deeply on the lips as the limo continued on to their penthouse.
Chapter Forty-Three
July Trip
It took some time for Karen and Jack to forget their fears from when Karen had had the false contractions. Throughout her fourth month, Karen paid close attention to her body and went to her doctor often, Jack going with her every time.
As June wound down, the two began to relax a little more as nothing worse happened to Karen or the baby.
Katherine, who always seemed to be cheerful and happy on the outside, tried to ignore her depressed feelings and spent more time with her sister. She helped Karen and Jack buy new furniture for the baby. She also began to think of ideas of how to design the room, as Karen had hired her to do so once again.
~~~
The last Saturday of June, Karen was woken up by voices going outside hers and Jack's bedroom. Getting out of bed slowly, touching her slightly bulging stomach, Karen walked over to her closet so she could get dressed.
"You think she's awake?" Katherine asked as she sat down on the window seat in Elizabeth's room.
"I'm sure she heard us talking," Jack said, sitting in the rocking bench with Elizabeth in his arms.
"Couldn't you guys keep it down?" a voice said from the doorway.
Katherine and Jack turned their heads and saw Karen standing there, smiling at them.
"Mama," Elizabeth said. She struggled out of Jack's arms and when he set her down on the floor, she walked over to her.
"Good morning Ebie, honey," Karen said, picking up the girl. She kissed her daughter's cheek and walked over to the rocking bench.
"I know it's early Kare, sorry about waking you up," Katherine said, smiling at her sister.
"That's okay Kath," Karen said, smiling as Elizabeth grabbed some strands of her hair. "But I hope you're going to tell me why you're here."
"Edward needs to go to his mother's home in the Hamptons and make sure it's being kept in good repair," Katherine said. "We talked about it and I got the idea of the four of us taking a four day weekend to go out there for the Forth of July."
"How big is the house?" Jack asked.
"About seven or eight rooms I believe," Katherine said. "So if you two want to spend the weekend on your own, I believe that can be done."
"What about the kids?" Karen asked, shifting Elizabeth to her other arm.
"Well, I'm having Amber and Patrick's nanny watch them for Thursday and Friday," Katherine said. "And then the last two days, Will and Grace agreed to go to the penthouse and watch them."
"And what are we going to do with Ebie?" Jack said, looking at Karen.
"Can we leave her with your kids that weekend?" Karen asked her sister.
"Sure, so does that mean you guys are going to go with us?" Katherine asked.
Jack glanced over at Karen and she smiled. "Of course honey, I want to go and see this house of yours," she said.
"It's not my house Kare, it's Edward's," Katherine pointed out softly.
"Kath, when you get married, what's yours becomes your husbands and the other way around too," Karen said.
"Are you serious?" Katherine asked, looking at her sister in surprise.
"Yeah, when we got married," Jack said. "Kare got my martini glasses."
Karen giggled slightly and leaned against her husband's arm.
"When did you have martini glasses?" Katherine asked.
"I bought them when I moved into the old apartment," Jack said. "For Kare to use when she came over."
Katherine nodded absentmindedly and then stood up. "Well, I suppose I should go. I need to tell Edward you'll be coming with us and get the other things ready," she said.
"When are we going to leave?" Jack asked as he and Karen got off the bench.
"This coming Thursday," Katherine said as she walked out of the room. "Edward is going to rent a car for that day." She saw her sister was about to say something and she cut her off. "I don't want to take one of your limos Kare. It's going to be just us this weekend."
"Alright, alright Kath," Karen said, rolling her eyes. "I'll see you tomorrow at Grace's office?"
"If you end up coming at all," Katherine said, grinning wryly. She hurried out the front door to avoid her sister's mock-punch and walked toward the elevators, laughing loudly. "Bye you guys."
"See you later Kat," Jack called.
"Bye!" Elizabeth said, waving her hand.
"What do you want to do today poodle?" Karen asked as they walked up the stairs.
"I've got a surprise," Jack said cryptically. "Get Ebie dressed and then we'll go."
Karen smiled and gave him a long, lingering kiss on the lips. Then she hurried into Elizabeth's room so she could get their daughter dressed.
~~~
Two hours later, Jack and Karen; Jack carrying Elizabeth; were walking through Central Park. They had taken Elizabeth to a playground in the park and then went to lunch in a small bistro just outside the park.
"It's such a pretty day," Karen said, taking Elizabeth from Jack. She kissed their daughter's cheek and settled her on one arm.
"I know, I wanted to bring Ebie back here since it's been a while," Jack said, reaching out and grasping Karen's hand.
"Are we going back home now?" Karen asked as Jack pulled her down a path that led further into the park.
"Not yet, I wanna do one thing that I've never been able to do before," Jack said.
They walked through a wooded area in silence until they came out of the group of trees to the lake.
"Jackie, did you rent a boat?" Karen asked, knowing the answer already.
"Yep," Jack said, a grin lighting up his face.
Karen giggled and then followed him over to a small wooden dock where a rowboat was tied up. She handed him Elizabeth and stepped carefully into the boat, taking the girl back so Jack could get in.
Before he sat down, Jack untied the rope and pushed against the dock gently so they drifted off into the water. He then sat down and took the oars, rowing out towards the middle of the lake.
"This was a good idea poodle," Karen said, smiling. "It's beautiful out here."
"I thought that more people would be here," Jack commented, letting go of the oars so they could float around for a while.
"It doesn't matter," Karen said. "I like it right now; just the three of us."
Jack smiled widely and reached out, touching her cheek. "You mean the four of us Karebear," he said.
"That's true Jackie," Karen said, touching her stomach briefly. She leaned forward and they kissed deeply until they were interrupted.
"Dada, bird," Elizabeth cried suddenly, patting her father's cheek.
Pulling away from Karen slowly, Jack smiled and then kissed their daughter's forehead. "Where Ebie?" he asked.
"Bird," Elizabeth said again, pointing to the water.
"That's right honey," Karen said, when she and Jack spotted the ducks in the water about five feet away from their boat.
"Hey, didn't we have some bread left over from lunch?" Jack asked suddenly.
"I think so, check my purse Jackie," Karen said. "Ebie, stop moving or else you'll scare the birds away."
"Yeah, here we go," Jack said, pulling out a roll of sourdough bread from the leftover bag. He ripped off a couple of small pieces and put them in Elizabeth's hand. "Okay Ebie, it's time for me to teach you to throw," he said.
"Jackie honey, I don't think you and that verb go together too well," Karen said, laughing slightly.
"Oh yeah? Just watch," Jack said, he took a piece of bread and threw it out towards the ducks. It landed in the water, a few feet from the boat.
"Not bad poodle," Karen said, sounding impressed. "Alright Ebie, your turn now."
Elizabeth raised her arm and threw the bread crumbs over to the ducks that had gathered three feet from them to get the bread Jack had thrown. When she saw the ducks hurriedly eating the bread and splashing water, she clapped her hands and shrieked with laughter.
Karen smiled and took the roll from Jack so she could give more crumbs to their daughter.
Jack sat back and watched as Elizabeth kept throwing bread crumbs to the birds and Karen as she gave her the crumbs. When the roll was almost gone, he leaned forward and placed his hand on Karen's stomach. "Let's go home now, okay?" he asked, glancing up at her.
"Yes Jackie, it's going to get crowded in a while probably," Karen said, smiling tenderly at him.
Taking the oars, Jack rowed back to the dock so they could leave the park.
~~~
That Thursday, Karen was busily getting all of Elizabeth's things together before she and Jack left for the Hamptons. "Jackie, where are you?" she yelled as she put some of the baby's clothes in a Louis Vitton bag.
"Right here Kare," Jack said, hurrying into the room. "What do you want me to do?"
"Get Ebie dressed because I'm not going to have anytime," Karen said. "I need to put some things in my suitcase still."
"Sure Kare," Jack said. He picked up Elizabeth from her crib and took the outfit Karen handed him. As he got their daughter dressed, he watched as Karen ran around the room, grabbing this and that and putting it into Elizabeth's bag.
"Okay, I'm all done with her stuff," Karen said. "Tell Rosario to take the bag down to Kath and Eddie's."
"Why don't I just take it down with me and I can take Ebie too?" Jack asked since he had finished dressing Elizabeth.
"Oh, sure poodle, tell Kath I'll be there in a few minutes as soon as my stuff's all packed," Karen said. Without waiting for a response, she walked quickly out of the room.
Jack picked up the Vitton bag and walked out, as he went down the stairs, he saw Rosario walk into the living room and he called out to her. "Karen will probably be calling you to help her with the luggage Rosie," he warned as he walked out of the penthouse.
In Katherine and Edward's bedroom, they were closing up their suitcases and saying goodbye to Amber and Patrick at the same time.
"I want you two to try and comfort your cousin this weekend," Katherine said as she followed Edward down to the foyer of the penthouse. "She'll be missing her mum and dad I'm sure."
"And who'll comfort us?" Amber asked.
Katherine turned to her children in surprise. Before she could answer that, the doorbell rang and Edward opened the door.
"Hey Eddie," Jack said, walking inside. "I brought the baby and her stuff."
"And Kare?" Katherine asked.
"She'll be here in a few minutes," Jack said. "Just needed to pack a couple more things for this weekend."
"Edward, go on and tell Theo we'll be leaving in about five minutes," Katherine said to her husband.
"Your nanny's a man?" Jack asked, surprised.
"Theodora," Amber said. "She doesn't like her name."
"That's a cool name though," Jack said. "Catherine Zeta-Jones played her in-"
"The Haunting," a voice said, coming into the penthouse.
"Hullo Kare," Katherine said, smiling at her sister. "Hi Rosario."
Rosario didn't say anything, pulling two very heavy suitcases. "That's it lady, I'm going back to my room," she said before turning and leaving.
"I better not come back on Sunday and see you didn't clean Jackie's piano Rosario!" Karen called out. "So," she said, turning back to everyone else. "When are we going?"
"As soon as we say goodbye to the children," Katherine said. She then took Amber and Patrick to the side of the foyer and knelt down so she could speak with them privately.
"Okay Ebie, you be a good guest here," Jack said, holding her close to him and kissing her cheek a few times.
"Give her to me Jackie," Karen said, holding her arms out to him. Once Elizabeth was in her arms, she smoothed out her dark brown hair. "Don't miss us too much honey, we'll be back soon." She kissed their daughter softly on the forehead.
"If everyone's ready, we can go," Edward said, walking into the foyer with the nanny.
"Is this Elizabeth?" Theodora asked, taking the baby from Karen.
"Yeah, if she starts crying, let her cousins play with her and she'll stop," Jack said.
"Let's go before traffic gets too bad," Katherine said gently as Edward finished saying goodbye to their children.
"Bye Ebie," Karen said as they walked out the front door.
"We love you Ebie," Jack said, turning and waving goodbye to their daughter.
~~~
Three hours later, the four arrived at Edward's mansion on the beach in the Hamptons.
"Yep, I'd say the traffic was worth this," Jack said as he looked around.
"A Tudor house decorated by an Irish woman," Katherine said. "I love it Edward."
"I thought you'd find the humor there Katherine," Edward said, smiling at her. "Okay, I'll lead you guys to the rooms."
They all picked up their suitcases, Jack taking his own and Karen's, and headed up the staircase towards the bedrooms.
Edward took Jack and Karen to theirs first. "Every room in this house is a specific color, taken from the area," he said as he opened the door and let the two inside. "Yours is forest green."
"Wow, this is really nice," Jack said.
"Why don't we all unpack and then get some rest until about four?" Katherine suggested.
"Are you still going to have tea here?" Karen asked as Jack set her suitcase up on the bed.
"Of course Kare, and you guys can come if you want to," Katherine said, smiling.
"We'll have it out on the terrace," Edward said. "Come on Katherine, I'll show you our room."
They left then, closing the bedroom door behind them.
"I wouldn't have picked this color," Karen said, putting her hands on her hips and looking around the room. "But it's pretty."
"I wonder what kinda view we got," Jack said. He walked over to the French doors directly in front of the bed and opened them wide. "Man, look at this Kare."
Karen walked over to stand next to him and smiled. "We've got our own balcony," she said.
"Maybe we'll be able to see the fireworks from here," Jack said, putting his arm around Karen's waist.
"I hope so, that way it's just me and you Saturday night," Karen said, kissing his cheek.
"Let's go unpack so you can get some sleep Karebear," Jack said, smiling down at her.
"You're taking a nap too," Karen said sternly. She giggled as he rolled his eyes and then stepped away from him, walking into the room so she could unpack her suitcase.
~~~
On Saturday, Jack brought up the idea of the four of them going down to the beach in front of the house for the day, until the fireworks that evening. "I brought my swimming trunks," he said, grinning.
"I did too," Edward said. "I'll go."
"I shall as well, I heard it's supposed to be frightfully hot today," Katherine said, smiling.
"Um, I'd like to go, but I think I'd scare everyone with this belly," Karen said, putting her hand on her stomach.
"It's a private beach Karen," Edward said, smiling at her.
"It is?" Karen asked, surprised. When Edward nodded, she said, "Okay, guess I'm going too."
"Great, I'll pack some lunch for us to eat out there," Katherine said, getting up from the couch she was sitting on.
"I'll go and help," Edward said, following her to the kitchen.
"Come on Kare, let's go change," Jack said, helping her out of the armchair.
~~~
A half hour later, Katherine and Edward walked out on the beach to where Jack and Karen were already laying out on some lounge chairs he had brought out.
"Are you guys going to go in the water at all?" Katherine asked as she set up her own lounge chair.
"I am, but I wanted to soak up some rays first," Jack said.
Karen laughed and said, "You're not going to get a tan poodle. I made you put on the sunscreen with me remember?"
"I can pretend though," Jack said, grinning back at her.
"Well I'm going in," Katherine said. She stood up and walked towards the water. She went into the water up to her ankles and looked around her.
"How is she doing Eddie?" Karen asked, watching her sister kick the water.
"Okay, she hasn't cut herself in a long time," Edward answered, watching his wife with loving eyes. "But she doesn't sleep too much anymore."
"I'm gonna go in the water Kare," Jack said suddenly. He jumped off his chair and kissed Karen on the lips before he hurried out to the water. "Hey Sister Katherine," he called as he went over to where she was standing. "I think you forgot to take your shorts off."
"No, these are my bathing shorts," Katherine said. "I've always worn them over my bathing suit while I swim." With that she suddenly jumped into the water, going under an incoming wave.
Back on the sand, Karen watched her husband go into the water little by little until he too went underneath a wave.
"Karen, do you mind if I ask you something?" Edward asked.
"What's that?" Karen asked distractedly.
"How did you and Jack meet?" Edward said.
"Kath never told you about that?" Karen said, looking at him in surprise. When he shook his head, she smiled and then proceeded to tell him about her and Jack's first encounter.
When she was done, Edward grinned and asked, "Did Jack ever try to bump stomachs with anyone else after that?"
"I think he asked Grace once, but she didn't do it," Karen said, her gaze returning to the ocean where Jack was swimming.
Chuckling, Edward shook his head. Then he grew a little serious and said, "Kath did say one thing to me about the time you guys first met. She told me that you and Jack were pretty much destined to be together, the moment you bumped stomachs."
Karen laughed and nodded, "She's probably right."
~~~
After lunch had been eaten, Katherine tried to get her sister to go into the ocean with her. "Come on Kare," she said. "You don't have to go in all the way, just to your waist."
"No Kath, that water is way too cold for me," Karen said, putting her sunglasses back on.
"Oh, alright," Katherine sighed, giving up. "Want to come with me Edward?"
"Sure, why don't we swim over to those rocks over there?" he asked as he followed his wife to the sea.
"Aren't you going to go back in the water poodle?" Karen asked Jack, who was sitting next to her on the edge of the lounge chair.
"I want you to come with me," Jack said, a pleading look on his face.
"At five months pregnant?" Karen said. "No way Jackie."
"That's an awful excuse coming from you Kare," Jack said. He turned his bottom lip out and then begged, "Please?"
Karen looked at him for a moment before sighing and taking off her sunglasses. "Fine, I'll go, but I'm not going in all the way," she said as Jack moved so she could get off the chair. She stood up and untied the sarong she had been wearing to cover her belly. "Alright Jackie, let's go."
Grinning like a little boy, Jack took Karen's hand and walked quickly down to the water.
"Where's Kath and Eddie?" Karen asked as they stepped into the water.
"I think that's them over there," Jack answered, pointing to some rocks further down the beach.
Karen placed her hand to shade her eyes and she saw a splash of blue against the gray rocks. "Yeah, that's her- ah!" she said, crying out in surprise when Jack lifted her up and carried her deeper into the water. "Jack, I told you I didn't want to go in all the way," she complained, hitting his shoulder playfully.
"Whoops, guess I forgot," Jack said, grinning mischievously. He then set Karen down and put his arms around her waist.
"Ooo, this is too cold," Karen said, grabbing onto him. She shivered for a few moments and the felt a familiar movement in her womb. "Jack-" she said in surprise before another movement occurred.
"Are you okay?" Jack asked, immediately worried.
"No, no, I'm fine Jackie," Karen said, she placed a hand on her stomach and then smiled up at him. "Our baby just moved."
"It did?" Jack asked, his mood swinging quickly to excitement. "Lemme feel!" He let Karen put his hand on her stomach and smiled when he felt a tap underneath it. "God that's so amazing," he said, sounding awed.
"Even though it's our second-" Karen started to say.
"It's still incredible to feel," Jack finished for her.
Smiling, Karen wrapped her hands around his neck and hugged him tightly.
When they pulled away a little, Jack titled her face up to his and he put his lips on hers, kissing her deeply for a long time.
~~~
That night, after eating dinner in a restaurant with Jack and Karen, Edward and Katherine walked down the main boulevard of the town until the fireworks were scheduled to start.
They looked into the windows of the various shops and stepped into a bookstore that was still open.
"Hello," the storekeeper said, looking up as the bell above his door rang. "Oh my, Eddie O'Neill?"
"Hey Johnny, it's nice to see you again," Edward said, a wide grin on his face. He walked over to the man and shook hands with him.
"The last time you were here, you were just ten years old," Johnny said. "How have you been?"
"I'm doing well," Edward said, he turned back to Katherine. "Johnny, this is my wife Katherine. Katherine, this is Johnny Leary. He was a good friend of the family's when we came here in the summer."
"Nice to meet you ma'am," Johnny said, shaking her hand.
"A pleasure sir," Katherine said. "If you'll both excuse me, I'd like to take a look at the books." She smiled at Johnny and then walked further into the store.
"Well Eddie, I knew you were going to marry a British girl some day," Johnny said.
"Yeah, you always told me that," Edward said.
"Any kids?" Johnny then asked
"Two, Amber and Patrick," Edward answered.
Katherine walked down a row of books, looking idly at the titles. She turned the corner at the end of the aisle, and was surprised to run into someone. "Oh, I'm sorry- Chris?" she said in surprise.
"Hello Katherine," Dr. Christopher Stiles said, smiling at her.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, a smile stretching over her face.
"My sister planned a family reunion," Christopher said. "I had to hold it here in my summer home since it's the largest." He looked down at her and asked, "How have you been?"
"Well as can be expected," Katherine said smiling.
"Katherine, the fireworks will be starting soon," Edward said from the front of the store.
"Oh, I suppose I must go," Katherine said. "It was wonderful to see you again Chris. Call me once you return to the city and we'll do something together okay?"
"Sure," Christopher said.
Katherine hugged him and was going to give him a friendly kiss on the cheek when Christopher turned his head. She ended up placing a soft kiss on his lips. "Uh, I-I must be off," she stammered, blushing a little as she stepped away from him. "I'll talk to you later Chris." She then hurried out of the aisle towards her husband, wondering what had just happened, and why her lips still felt like they were tingling.
~~~
Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Karen was sitting in an armchair Jack had brought out onto the balcony for her.
Jack walked out and handed her a glass of iced tea and some fruit salad Katherine had made earlier. "So you're craving fruit this time?" he asked as he sat down in the chair next to hers.
"Yep, and thank god, because I would have a hard time taking the weight off after the baby's born if I was eating other stuff," Karen said. She ate a few pieces of watermelon before putting one to Jack's lips.
Smiling up at her, he opened his mouth and let her place the piece in his mouth. As she pulled her fingers out, he ran his tongue along her index finger.
"Wait until the fireworks are over before we start poodle," Karen said, smiling.
Jack nodded, and then turned his attention back to the ocean in front of him.
A few minutes later, out on a small cove that ran all the way to the ground, the fireworks that had been set up there started shooting up into the air.
Karen took Jack's hand in her own and placed the fruit salad bowl on the table. She settled back in her chair and watched the show.
While the grand finale was going on, Jack was startled when Karen sat on his lap. "What is it?" he asked, looking up at her.
"Just go back to watching the fireworks Jackie," Karen said.
Turning his attention back to the multicolored fireworks going off above the water, Jack nearly jumped when he felt Karen's tongue on his ear lobe. "Kare-" he started to say.
"Shh, don't pay any attention to me," Karen whispered into his ear.
Jack tried to do as she said, but it was hard with her nipping at his ear and wriggling around in his lap. When the last firework had gone off, he turned his attention to her and kissed her roughly. He then unbuttoned her blouse and was surprised to see she had nothing on underneath it.
"I took it off when you got me my drink," Karen said, giggling at his reaction.
"Okay," Jack said in a drawn out way. He was too enthralled by the fact that Karen's nipples were standing erect in the cool air.
"Are you just going to stare at them like you did when we first made love Jackie?" Karen asked.
Not wasting another second, Jack descended on her left breast and took the nipple into his mouth, sucking on it eagerly.
Karen sighed and put her arms around Jack's shoulders and sighed in contentment. She was a little surprised when she heard the rumble of thunder and then felt the rain falling down on them.
Jack pulled away and immediately picked Karen up in his arms, taking her inside. "That was close, you could have gotten soaked," he said, putting her on top of the bed. "I better bring the armchair in," he then said reluctantly. He went back out onto the balcony and brought the chair in. He was going to close the French doors when Karen stopped him.
"Just leave it open poodle," she said. "It feels nice after being hot all day."
Hurrying of to the bed, Jack climbed on top of it and said, "Should we continue what I started earlier?"
"Please Jackie," Karen said.
Jack smiled and then put his lips down on Karen's right breast this time, sucking on it. While he was doing that, he quickly took off the rest of Karen's clothes. He moved from her breasts when she was naked and placed a tender kiss on her stomach before going to her leg and kissing the skin on her thigh. He then gently pulled her legs open and slipped two of his fingers in her.
Karen groaned in pleasure and gripped the mattress tightly as Jack moved his fingers in and out of her slowly.
He kept going until he felt Karen was reaching her edge. Then he removed his fingers, which made Karen protest.
"You're an awful tease poodle," she said as he moved up to her and kissed her cheeks softly.
Jack grinned and then helped her sit up so she could remove his own clothes.
Tossing the last bit of his clothing on the floor, Karen reached down and started to run her fingers around his member, teasing him with gentle touches.
"Ohh, you're just plain evil Kare," Jack groaned.
Not saying anything, Karen kept running her fingers around him. After a few minutes, she pulled away and lay back on the mattress. "I want you in me Jackie, now," she said forcefully.
"Yeah, I think I want to do that too," Jack said. He quickly moved so he was hovering above her body and then lowered himself to her.
Karen put her hands on Jack's hips, watching as he entered her gently with his member. She found herself gasping for breath; she had never been so turned on, watching him enter her.
"Are you...okay?" Jack asked, when he was fully in her.
"Fine, just, just...move," Karen panted out.
Nodding, Jack pulled out a little and then went back in, causing them both to gasp from the pleasure. Kissing her neck, Jack then picked up the pace, thrusting in and out, in and out of his wife. He groaned a little bit as she pulled his lips to hers and they kissed roughly.
"Oh, oh Jackie," Karen murmured through her swollen lips. "I love you, oh god, Jackie!" she then cried as she climaxed around him.
Jack thrust in one last time and cried out Karen's name as he exploded deep inside of her. A few minutes later, he got off of her and lay down next to her.
"I wish you would lie on top of me after we make love Jackie," Karen said, moving over to him, snuggling on top of his chest.
"I don't want to risk hurting the baby," Jack said simply.
They fell silent then, listening to the rain falling outside, and they both fell asleep a few minutes later.
~~~
A crash of thunder woke the two up suddenly and they sat up in bed at the same time.
"Wow, that was really loud," Jack said.
"I hope it wasn't too close," Karen said worriedly.
Jack turned to her and asked, "You're afraid of thunder?"
"A little," Karen said. "But don't you dare tell anyone-"
Kissing her deeply, Jack pushed her back down on the bed. "Don't worry," he said when he had pulled away from her. "I like to be the only one to see you looking so vulnerable and innocent."
"Me and innocent don't belong together," Karen said, turning so Jack was on the mattress and she was straddling him. She reached down between them and stroked his member while she guided it to her entrance. She stopped when the top of his shaft was just brushing her entrance and asked, "Am I so innocent Jackie?"
"Oh god no!" Jack gasped out. He tried to move his body up so he could enter her, but Karen wouldn't let him. "Come on Kare, please," he begged.
Karen didn't respond, and she continued to stroke him. Finally, she lowered herself down onto his now throbbing member and she sighed in satisfaction as he slid into her.
Jack sat up and pulled Karen so he was inside of her all the way. "I feel like teasing you really badly tonight," he whispered into her ear as he helped her move up and down on him.
"You do that and I'll make you sleep on the balcony naked," Karen groaned as he started to fondle her breasts.
"I guess I'll be a good boy then," Jack murmured, lowering his mouth and taking her left nipple into it.
Karen was gasping and panting as they made love, running her hands up and down his back. She felt her body start to break out in sweat as the minutes went by without either one of them reaching their release.
After about forty minutes, Jack gripped Karen's hips and moved her up and down on his member more quickly then she had been before.
"Jackie, I think it...Oohh!" Karen groaned when she finally climaxed.
Placing his head on top of her heart, Jack felt his body shudder slightly as he achieved his release and climaxed inside of her, moaning her name. "God Kare, I love you so much," he whispered as they sat, trying to calm down.
"I love you too," Karen said tenderly, kissing the top of his head.
After a while, Jack helped her off of him, sighing a little in disappointment when he was out of her. He grabbed the comforter and lay down next to Karen, saying, "You better get covered, you're all sweaty and I don't want you to get sick."
"And I don't want you to get sick either poodle," Karen said as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"It doesn't really matter if I get sick," Jack responded, holding her tightly to him.
"It does to me," Karen said indignantly.
"Okay, okay Karebear, I'm covered so I won't get sick either," Jack said soothingly.
"Thank you Jackie," Karen said. She kissed his jaw a few times and said, "Good night poodle, I love you."
"I love you too Kare," Jack said.
They were both lulled to sleep quickly, listening to the rain and each others heartbeats, snuggled up close together.
~~~
After that weekend, Karen and Jack went to see Dr. Tucker for Karen's monthly check up.
As the doctor was looking at the baby with the ultrasound, he asked, "Will you want me to let you know what sex the baby is?"
Jack and Karen looked at each other and Karen said, "We want the sex to be a surprise this time."
"Alright," Dr. Tucker said easily. "Well, everything looks perfect here and you're doing well yourself Mrs. McFarland. I'll print out the pictures and have them for you at the front desk when you're ready to go."
Once he left and Karen was straitening out her blouse, Jack asked, "Are you sure you're okay with not knowing if our baby is a boy or girl?"
"I told you poodle, I want to be surprised this time too," Karen said, kissing his cheek. "It's fine." She took his hand and led him out of the examination room so they could get the ultrasound pictures of their baby.
~~~
In the limo on the way back to the penthouse, Jack rested his head in Karen's lap and placed one hand on her stomach. He smiled when he felt the movement under his hand. "We should try thinking up some names this time Kare," he said.
"Okay, I already have a few," Karen said as Jack sat up.
"What are thy?" he asked, putting his arm around her shoulders.
"If it's a boy, I like Nicholas or Sean," Karen said. "And if it's a girl, Victoria or Caroline."
"Those are great," Jack said, smiling.
"Do you have any?" Karen asked looking up at him.
"No, but I'll get some as soon as I take a look at that baby names book we have at home," Jack said.
Karen giggled and then kissed him deeply on the lips as the limo continued on to their penthouse.