Disclaimer: I don't own Will and Grace or its characters. The chapter
title is a song by Paul McCartney that I don't own.
Chapter Fifty-One
Distractions
As the month of February went on and March started, Katherine found herself spending a lot of time with Christopher. They would meet for lunch during the week sometimes, or else they would go to a bookstore together.
The two of them had long since become friends, and they had taken to calling each other by their middle names.
Every time Christopher called her Emma, Katherine had to shake off a little pang of guilt. She knew she should have told Christopher that her husband usually called her by that name when they made love. She never did though, and found that she enjoyed Christopher calling her Emma.
On the second of March, Katherine ran into an old-fashioned bookstore and coffee shop where she was meeting Christopher to spend the afternoon with him. She walked to the back of the store where the supernatural books were and called softly, "Paul, over here."
Christopher turned and spotted Katherine, smiling broadly. He motioned her over to him and said, "I found a really fantastic book on ghosts in the Caribbean."
"You're a doctor, why do you read so much about ghosts and witches and those kinds of things?" Katherine asked, following him to the front so he could pay.
"Wait till we get outside," Christopher answered, smiling back at her. He paid for the book and then led her outside. "Where are we going to first?" he asked as he hailed a taxi.
"I don't know, you want to go to lunch now?" Katherine asked.
"Sure, I know just the place," Christopher said as they got into the back of the cab.
~~~
As they ate lunch at a deli, they chatted about the upcoming party that Karen was going to hold for Jack's birthday.
"Is it a surprise party?" Christopher asked.
"No, Kare knows that Jack would have found out about it as soon as she thought of it," Katherine answered, smiling.
"Are you sure it's alright if I come?" Christopher asked before he took a final bite of his sandwich.
"Of course, I asked Kare and Jack myself," Katherine said.
"Well, I may have to leave early," Christopher warned. "I'll be on call all of that day."
"That's alright," Katherine said.
Christopher smiled and then reached out, brushing some crumbs off of her cheek and lips. "Sorry, I didn't think you'd notice them Emma," he said, looking a little guilty.
"Thank you Paul," Katherine said, trying to sound reassuring. Deep inside though, her heart was pounding like crazy and the skin where he had touched her was tingling slightly.
They left the deli a few minutes later, both of them very quiet. Without speaking to each other, they walked toward Times Square.
~~~
Later that night, Katherine entered hers and Edward's penthouse. She hung her coat in the closet in the foyer and then walked to the dinning room where the others were eating dinner. "I'm so sorry that I'm late," she said as she kissed Amber and then Patrick on their cheeks. She down in the chair next to Edward and started eating.
"It's alright Katherine," Edward said. "Did you have fun with this friend of yours when you had lunch with him?"
"A little bit," Katherine said uneasily. She didn't want to mention that she and Christopher had spent the afternoon together.
"Good," Edward said. "Well, now that you're here, we should all discuss what to get Jack for his birthday. It is in ten days."
"I was thinking we could buy him a digital camera," Katherine commented.
"Does he have a computer?" Edward asked.
"Karen does, but of course, it's his as well," Katherine said, smiling.
"What about a mini ipod along with the camera?" Amber then suggested. "Uncle Jack always tells me how much he likes mine."
"Good idea love," Katherine said to her daughter. "I'll go out to the store during my lunch break tomorrow and buy one for him."
~~~
The next day, Katherine went over to her sister's penthouse before leaving for work. After saying a quick "Buenos Dias" to Rosario, she hurried up to the second floor and to Sophia's room.
"Hey Kat, shouldn't you be at Grace's office?" Jack asked as she hurried inside the bedroom.
"Hi Jackie-boy, listen do you think I could talk with Karen alone for a while?" Katherine asked.
"Go on Jackie," Karen said as she put Sophia down in her crib. "Get Ebie something to drink while Kath and I talk." When he had left the room, she immediately turned to her sister.
"I'm going out to buy Jack's present," Katherine said softly. "I wanted to you to come with me that way I'll be sure to get him something he likes."
"Okay, when are you going to go?" Karen asked.
"During my lunch break," Katherine said, glancing at her watch. "I'll call you once I've eaten." She gave her sister a quick kiss on the cheek and then left the room hurriedly.
Jack, having heard Katherine leave the penthouse, went back up to Sophia's room, helping Elizabeth up the stairs. "What did she want Kare?" he asked as he let Elizabeth run over to her mother.
"It was something about the party in a couple of weeks," Karen said, picking up their older daughter. "She and I are going to grab some things for it during her lunch break."
"I had to leave the room for that?" Jack asked, sounding surprised. "Oh, I know what she talked to you about," he then said, a smile spreading over his face.
"Good for you poodle," Karen said absentmindedly as she took the stuffed dog from Elizabeth's outstretched hands.
"Tell me Kare, what'd she get me?" Jack said, sitting on the floor in front of Karen.
"No honey, I don't know," Karen said, setting Elizabeth on the ground.
"Aw, come on Karebear, please?" Jack asked resting his head on her knees, his lower lip sticking out.
Karen sighed and said, "I really don't know Jackie, believe me. And if she did tell me, I wouldn't tell you."
"Why not?" Jack asked, still pouting.
"If I told you, it would take all the fun out of your opening your presents," Karen said, sliding down to sit next to him. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply for a few minutes.
"I guess I can wait," Jack said a little breathlessly. He didn't sound happy, but he wrapped his arms around Karen's waist and pulled her to him, kissing her again. "I wonder what you got me," he said when they pulled apart.
"Uh-uh Jackie," Karen said, smiling up at him. "You'll find out in two weeks."
Jack smiled broadly and kissed her lips gently before Elizabeth grabbed onto one of his arms so he would play with her for a while.
~~~
Two weeks later was Jack's birthday party, and at five o'clock Karen and Jack were in their bedroom so they could get dressed.
"Come here Jackie," Karen called from her closet. "I've got your first present in here if you want it."
Hurrying over, Jack stopped in the doorway and was surprised to see that Karen was already dressed.
"Jack-" Karen started to yell again. She turned around and saw that he was in the doorway. "I didn't see you poodle, come and get your present."
"Oh," Jack said, shaking his head. "I thought this was my present." He put his hands on Karen's hips and then kissed her gently on the lips a few times.
Karen wrapped her arms around his neck and giggled as he started to kiss her neck. When he started to run his fingers over the fabric of her dress, she said, "I think you like my dress Jackie." She was wearing a black dress very similar to the one she'd worn to his thirtieth birthday party.
"Yep, it's pretty," Jack said, stepping back and eyeing her breasts. "These aren't gonna fall out during the party are they?"
"Of course not," Karen said, taking his hands. "The only person who'll see them outside this dress will be you later on tonight." She stood on tiptoe a little and nipped his right ear lobe slightly.
"Be careful," Jack warned as he shuddered slightly. "I may just throw you onto that chez lounge there and fuck you senseless."
"Well, I wouldn't want to make you miss your own birthday party," Karen said, her eyes sparkling slightly. She let go of him and then walked over to where a box was sitting on top of the chez. "I got this for you to wear tonight at the party," she said, picking it up and handing it to Jack.
Taking off the lid, Jack looked inside and grinned at Karen. "This is perfect for tonight. Thanks Karebear," he said, leaning over and kissing her cheek.
"Go and put it on honey," Karen said, pushing him playfully out. "I want to have time to admire my big strong man in the suit that I bought for his birthday."
Jack looked back and Karen and flashed her a big smile before going over to his closet to change.
~~~
At eight fifteen, Jack and Karen were waiting in the living room for the first of their guests to arrive.
Jack was wearing the very expensive Armani suit and tie that Karen had bought him. He had Elizabeth on his knee and was tickling her lightly.
"Oh Jackie-boy, stop tormenting the poor girl," a voice said from the doorway of the living room.
"Hi Kath!" Karen said happily, getting up and going over to her sister. After she kissed her on the cheek, she asked, "Why are you so late?"
"Well, Edward had to go back to the firm," Katherine said, sounding disappointed.
"On a Saturday night?" Jack asked he stood up with Elizabeth in his arms.
"I know, it sounds odd, but they said it was a dire emergency," Katherine said, shrugging. "But I do bring Happy Birthday wishes from my husband Jack."
"Thanks Kat," Jack said, grinning. He then handed Elizabeth over to his sister in law as the doorbell rang once again.
For the next fifteen minutes, the bulk of the guests arrived, and the penthouse was soon bustling with about twenty five people.
A catered dinner was served, and Elizabeth was taken by Rosario to the kitchen so she could eat without getting her little red dress too messy.
Karen, when there was a moment during the dinner where no one would notice her missing for a few minutes, stole out to the kitchen so she could check on Elizabeth.
"What are you doing here lady?" Rosario asked as Karen walked into the kitchen. "You should be out there eating with your husband."
"We wanted to check on Ebie and eat with her," a voice said behind Karen before she could answer Rosario. It was Jack. He smiled at Karen's surprised expression and then put his hand on her back, leading her over to the table where there daughter was eating spaghetti from a bowl with her hands.
"Well, at least she's not getting that dress dirty," Karen said as she sat down in the chair next to the high table. She picked up a napkin and tried to wipe some of the sauce off their daughter's face, but didn't have any luck.
"Just leave it Kare," Jack said from the seat he was sitting in, on the other side of the high chair. "Rosie will clean her up once she's done eating."
At that moment, one of the help came over and set two plates down on the table in front of Karen and Jack, and the two began to eat.
~~~
After they had finished, Karen was about to take Elizabeth out of her high chair when Katherine came in, followed by Christopher.
"Sorry to intrude you guys," Katherine said, seeing the questioning look on her sister's face. "But Chris has to go and he wanted to speak with you before he leaves."
"I just wanted to say thanks for letting me come," Christopher said quickly. "And that I'm real sorry to leave so soon."
"That's okay, nice of you to stop by at least," Jack said with a grin, getting out of his chair and shaking Christopher's hand.
"Yes, I left you a gift Jack, I'm not sure if you'll like it, but if not, you can always return it or something," Christopher said. He nodded to Karen and then said goodbye before turning and leaving.
"I came in because your guests are wondering where the heck you guys have disappeared to," Katherine then said once he was gone.
"Oh, guess we'd better go back out there Kare," Jack said. He handed Karen the black silk shawl she had been wearing draped over her arms and then kissed Elizabeth on the forehead.
"Rosie, get out here and clean Ebie up so she can come back to the party!" Karen yelled.
They hurried back out to the living room as Rosario walked into the kitchen, grumbling. But as soon as she picked Elizabeth up out of her high chair, a small smile spread across her face. "Vamanos chiquita," she said, taking the baby over to the small bathroom in the back to wash her up.
~~~
After Jack had opened all the gifts that had been piled next to the grand piano, he sat down at it and played for a while as the other guests mingled and talked.
"So Karen," a friend of Jack's asked, coming over to her. "How does it feel to be the one person to make Jack McFarland finally settle down?"
Karen, who was a little annoyed at the question, smiled slightly and said, "It's a great feeling, because I'm so shallow that I only dated and married Jack to make him settle down with me and have two beautiful little girls."
The man's face flushed, but he kept a smile on his face. "That's great," he said. A few minutes later he was leaving the room and the party, saying he felt unwell.
Jack, who had stopped playing the piano, came over to Karen and put and arm around her waist. "Let that be a lesson to the rest of you guys," he said, obviously referring to his gay male friends that had come to the party. "My wife may be tolerant of you, but say any word against the fact that we're married, and she'll be all over you... And not in a good way either."
As the guests laughed, Karen lightly slapped Jack's chest and then kissed his cheek softly.
"So Karen, Jack, where are your daughters?" a woman, a friend of both of them, asked. "I've been dying to see the two of them."
"Well, Sophie; Sophia; the younger one is asleep," Karen answered. "And our oldest should be coming back right now."
Just as Karen said that, Elizabeth hurried into the room and went straight to Jack, grabbing his leg so she wouldn't fall.
"Come here little one," Jack said, leaning down and picking her up. He put her on his hip and then said, "This is Elizabeth."
"Hi," Elizabeth said, opening and closing her hand to the guests to say hello.
"Oooh Jack, she's so sweet!" one of Jack's gay friends squealed. "She's such a gorgeous little girl, look at those eyes!"
Jack and Karen glanced at each other and smiled, feeling very proud of their daughter.
~~~
That night at midnight, once all the guests had left and Katherine, Will and Grace said their final goodnights, Karen stole up to their bedroom while Jack went to the kitchen to drink some water.
He went up the stairs, yawning slightly, and decided to go and check on their daughters. He went into Elizabeth's room first and adjusted the blanket around her. After watching her sleep for a few minutes, he left and then went to Sophia. He rand his hand lightly over her dark brown hair and then smiled. He really was a lucky man.
Another yawn reminded him that he should go to bed before he fell asleep on the floor of their daughter's room. He went out into the hallway and then over to the bedroom. Not looking up, he closed the door behind him and then locked it. Jack finally glanced up and stopped dead in his tracks.
"Oh my god..." he murmured, completely surprised. Karen was lying out on the bed in front of him on top of the covers.
She was completely naked, save for her high-healed Prada shoes.
"Kare, are you... drunk?" Jack asked after she opened her eyes slightly, showing him that she was still awake.
"No honey, I only had that one glass of wine and a sip of champagne at the toast," Karen said, slowly sitting up. "You saw."
"Yeah, but y- you're naked," Jack said, finding he was having trouble speaking.
"Happy Birthday poodle," Karen said, smiling. She rested her hands back on the mattress. Finally, getting a little annoyed with Jack not moving, she sat up again and then let her hair down from its upsweep. When it was hanging loose around her face, she said in the most seductive voice she had ever used with Jack, "Help me take these shoes off Jackie."
Shaking his head, feeling like he was in a trance, Jack walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge, near Karen's feet. He reached over and unbuckled her left shoe first, and then her right one. When they were both thrown down onto the floor, he quickly took off his jacket and tie and then started kissing Karen's leg.
Karen, anticipating what he might do, reached down and pulled him up to her. "Not tonight Jackie, it's your birthday," she said.
"Then can I just be inside you know?" Jack said, cupping her right breast in his hand.
"You don't want me to...?" Karen asked, trailing off at the end as she put her hand on his groin.
"No Kare, another night," Jack said. "Help me with my clothes."
They quickly got his shirt and then the rest of his clothing off until he was naked as well.
Jack kissed Karen deeply before spreading Karen's legs. Before he entered her, he took her right leg and then lifted it up, placing it on his shoulder.
"Jackie, what are you doing?" Karen said a raspy kind of voice as he entered her slowly.
"Just trying out a new position," Jack said, grunting a little as he waited for their bodies to become accustomed to each other's.
"But you said you didn't-" Karen started to say.
"I thought it wouldn't hurt to remember one of the easier pages," Jack said, pausing before he started thrusting in and out of her. "If you feel any pain, we'll stop okay?"
"Don't worry Jackie," Karen said, smiling up at him. "Just move."
Smiling, Jack did so and leaned down, sucking on each one of her breasts furiously as he thrust in and out of her.
Karen closed her eyes tightly, feeling the most incredible pleasure. This was one position they would definitely have to do again in the future. As time went on, Karen finally moved her other leg and put it over Jack's other shoulder.
Looking up from her breasts, Jack smiled at her and then thrust into her deeply one last time, making them both reach the edge.
"Ohhh god Jackie... fuck... JACKIE!" Karen screamed as she climaxed.
At the same time, Jack started to yell, "Oh god Kare... Yesss, oh, KARE!" He then slumped forward on her body as she moved her legs down from his shoulders. "Are you okay?" he asked after a couple minutes.
"I'm perfect Jackie, but we have to remember to try it that way again," Karen said, running her fingers through his hair. "I love you poodle."
"I love you too Karebear," Jack sighed, resting his head on her stomach and tracing his fingers lazily over the skin there.
~~~
In late April, Jack had to leave the penthouse at ten o'clock in the morning. It was the first dress rehearsal for 'Chicago' and he absolutely had to be there. He was very reluctant about leaving Karen and the girls.
Karen, while assuring him they would miss him terribly, told him that he had to go to this dress rehearsal since he was one of the main characters. "And besides poodle," she said as she helped him put on his jacket. "We'll have plenty of time to spend together once the play starts."
So Jack was riding in the limo, staring out at the people on the sidewalks as he went to the theater. A block or two from his destination, Jack was completely shocked to see two people that he recognized, and even more surprised to see they were in a very passionate embrace. He sat back in his seat as the limo passed them and thought about whether or not he should tell Karen about what he'd seen.
While Jack was in his dress rehearsal, Katherine and Edward were walking to Central Park, where they were going to spend the day out on the lake in a boat they had rented.
The idea had been Christopher's. "I can't imagine a better place for two book hungry people to spend time together reading than in a boat in the middle of a lake," he had said when Katherine asked him about the idea.
They spent hours in that boat, sometimes reading, but mostly talking with each other as the afternoon passed them by.
As they were leaving the park to go to their respective homes, Katherine stopped Christopher before going to the subway station. "I had a very lovely time Paul," she said, smiling up at him. She gave him a long hug before running out of his embrace, her cheeks extremely flushed and her mind whirling with conflicting thoughts of her husband and her best friend.
Christopher looked down at the ground for a few minutes after she had left, trying to remember the smell of her perfume. With a shake of his head, he looked back up and then walked to the curb to hail a taxi, trying to ignore the fact that he was so deeply in love with a married woman.
~~~
After helping Karen put their daughters to bed, Jack quietly took her arm and gently led her over to their bedroom.
"What's wrong Jackie?" Karen asked. She had been suspicious ever since he had come home from the dress rehearsal, he had been quiet all through dinner and afterwards, which was worrying her.
"I need to tell you something Kare," Jack said once they were in their room. He closed the door behind Karen and then led her to the bed, where they sat on the edge. "I saw two people together and... it looked like they had just kissed each other, very deeply. O-or if not, they were hugging each other very tenderly."
"Jackie, what are you talking about?" Karen asked, completely confused. "Who are you talking about?"
"I saw Kat and Christopher," Jack said, looking down at his hand entwined in Karen's.
"And you think they were hugging each other... like we hug each other?" Karen asked, completely surprised.
"Yeah," Jack said, quietly.
"Oh my god, I knew it, she's having an affair!" Karen cried standing up. She started pacing the room, talking quickly. "I need to talk with her and see if I can't convince her to stop. Eddie is so in love with her. Oh no, Eddie." She glanced at Jack and said, "You know what we need to do?" she asked.
"What?" Jack asked hesitantly.
"Tell Eddie," Karen said. "I'll call him right now." She hurried past Jack towards the phone when Jack grabbed her wrist. "What are you doing poodle, let me go."
"Kare, don't call him," Jack said, ignoring her request.
"What?" she cried in surprise. "Are you crazy Jackie, a marriage is at stake, my sister's marriage, I've got to tell Eddie about this affair that why he has a change to save it."
"This is not something that you need to meddle in, like you do with everything in your sister's life," Jack said, sounding a little irritated.
Karen turned to her husband, her mouth opened in shock. "I do not meddle in my sister's life!" she cried out loudly.
"Oh you do Kare, believe me," Jack said. "And you do the same to me and Grace and even Will sometimes. And while it's helpful now and then, it's not good."
"What the hell, I'm not meddling, I'm helping you all," Karen said, sounding as angry as Jack now.
"If that's how you think of it you should see a damn shrink," Jack said, letting go of her wrist.
"Get out of here Jack, I don't want to sleep next to a man who doesn't appreciate the fact that I have feelings for my little sister and that I try to help her any way I can," Karen hissed, her eyes narrowed.
"Fine, I wouldn't want to sleep next to an ice cube tonight," Jack said. He went to the bed and grabbed his pillow before leaving the room. He went down the stairs and straight to the media room where he lay out on the couch there. As he closed his eyes, trying to calm down from the argument, he wondered briefly why he'd come down here instead of to one of the guest bedrooms.
The thought of sleeping in a bed brought his mind back to Karen and he groaned, turning over. He tried falling asleep, but every time he was just about to, the fact that he wasn't with Karen in their bed jolted him awake. Finally, after a half hour of tossing and turning, he gave up and left the media room with his pillow in his hand.
"Jackie?" a teary voice said to him as he started up the stairs.
Jack looked up in surprise, to find Karen standing at the top of the staircase, tears falling down her cheeks. "Oh Kare..." he began, running up the stairs. When he reached her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him. "I'm so sorry about what I said," he murmured to her tenderly.
"I'm sorry for yelling poodle," Karen said, pushing back from him enough so she was looking up at him. "I think you're right though, I do meddle in Kath's life too much."
"But this is something serious, if you think you should-" Jack started to say.
Karen placed her fingers on his lips and said, "Never mind poodle, besides, we don't even know if Katherine and Christopher are even having an affair. And I would hate to make Eddie become suspicious of her if nothing's even happening."
They stood there at the top of the stairs for a few minutes before Jack said, "Is it alright if I sleep with you tonight?"
"Of course honey, it is our bed," Karen said, smiling up at him.
Jack then lifted Karen up into his arms and he carried her back into their bedroom, closing the door behind them with his foot. He walked over to their bed and lay her down on it.
"I love you," Karen said earnestly as they began to undress each other quickly.
"I love you too Kare," Jack said. He moved his head down when they were both naked to start sucking on her breasts, when she stopped him.
"Hold on Jackie, I want to say that I'm sorry," Karen said. She pushed Jack up so he was sitting up and then, running her hands down his bare chest, placed her mouth around his member.
Groaning with pleasure, Jack put his hand on the back of Karen's head and clenched his other one into a fist. After fifteen minutes or so, Jack found he could take it anymore and he achieved his release, moaning loudly.
Karen lifted her head and then lay back on the mattress as he was recovering.
When he was breathing normally again, Jack opened his eyes and stared down at his wife, shocked to see that she was touching herself. "Oh my god," he said huskily. "Jesus, Kare you look like a goddess." He quickly knelt down and moved her hand from her entrance, replacing it with his mouth. He worked quickly with his tongue; stroking her and making her arch her body and moan.
"Ohhh Jackie," Karen finally said about ten minutes later in a long drawn out moan as she reached her peak.
Waiting a few minutes, Jack got up and then lowered his body on top of Karen's. "I adore you," he whispered as he very slowly entered her with his member.
Surprising herself, Karen felt a tear fall down her cheek as she responded, "I adore you too Jackie."
Jack placed his hand on her cheek and then licked the drop of water before it could fall off of her face. Kissing her deeply, he then started to thrust in and out of her, moaning as he felt the friction between them.
Karen placed her hands on either side of Jack's head and then led him down to her breasts. "Suck them Jackie," she demanded vehemently in between moaned.
Not hesitating at all, Jack descended on her left nipple and enveloped it in his mouth sucking on it insatiably.
While he was doing that, Karen took the opportunity to place her hands on his back and she started to unconsciously scratch his skin lightly.
Groaning out loud, Jack pumped in and out of Karen harder and harder, feeling himself become even more aroused.
They rolled over on the bed, going back and forth as they tried to bring one another to their peaks.
After Jack settled back on the headboard, Karen moving up and down on him, he felt her start to tighten around him and he closed his eyes tightly. "Kare... he groaned breathlessly.
"Oh Jackie, Jack, I- I'm so... oooh JACK!" Karen moaned in total abandonment and ecstasy, throwing her head back as they both finally climaxed at the same time.
Jack placed his mouth on Karen's breast and sucked it for a minute before letting go and yelling with complete passion and euphoria, "Kare, fuck I love you so much! Oh god, KARE, KAREN!"
Once she was sated, Karen slumped onto Jack's chest and sighed happily. "They're right; make up sex is always the best."
"You are so unbelievable Karebear," Jack said. He ran his hands from her breasts down her sides and to her ass where he cupped the cheeks with his hands. "Think we should take a bath?" he then asked.
"Hmm," Karen said, kissing his shoulder. "How about both?"
Jack smiled and then got off of the bed, holding Karen on him so he was still deep inside her body. As she wrapped her legs around his waist, he kissed her neck and walked into the bathroom.
They would make love, once in the shower and then in the tub, before they returned to bed and made love for most of the night before falling asleep early in the morning in each others arms.
Chapter Fifty-One
Distractions
As the month of February went on and March started, Katherine found herself spending a lot of time with Christopher. They would meet for lunch during the week sometimes, or else they would go to a bookstore together.
The two of them had long since become friends, and they had taken to calling each other by their middle names.
Every time Christopher called her Emma, Katherine had to shake off a little pang of guilt. She knew she should have told Christopher that her husband usually called her by that name when they made love. She never did though, and found that she enjoyed Christopher calling her Emma.
On the second of March, Katherine ran into an old-fashioned bookstore and coffee shop where she was meeting Christopher to spend the afternoon with him. She walked to the back of the store where the supernatural books were and called softly, "Paul, over here."
Christopher turned and spotted Katherine, smiling broadly. He motioned her over to him and said, "I found a really fantastic book on ghosts in the Caribbean."
"You're a doctor, why do you read so much about ghosts and witches and those kinds of things?" Katherine asked, following him to the front so he could pay.
"Wait till we get outside," Christopher answered, smiling back at her. He paid for the book and then led her outside. "Where are we going to first?" he asked as he hailed a taxi.
"I don't know, you want to go to lunch now?" Katherine asked.
"Sure, I know just the place," Christopher said as they got into the back of the cab.
~~~
As they ate lunch at a deli, they chatted about the upcoming party that Karen was going to hold for Jack's birthday.
"Is it a surprise party?" Christopher asked.
"No, Kare knows that Jack would have found out about it as soon as she thought of it," Katherine answered, smiling.
"Are you sure it's alright if I come?" Christopher asked before he took a final bite of his sandwich.
"Of course, I asked Kare and Jack myself," Katherine said.
"Well, I may have to leave early," Christopher warned. "I'll be on call all of that day."
"That's alright," Katherine said.
Christopher smiled and then reached out, brushing some crumbs off of her cheek and lips. "Sorry, I didn't think you'd notice them Emma," he said, looking a little guilty.
"Thank you Paul," Katherine said, trying to sound reassuring. Deep inside though, her heart was pounding like crazy and the skin where he had touched her was tingling slightly.
They left the deli a few minutes later, both of them very quiet. Without speaking to each other, they walked toward Times Square.
~~~
Later that night, Katherine entered hers and Edward's penthouse. She hung her coat in the closet in the foyer and then walked to the dinning room where the others were eating dinner. "I'm so sorry that I'm late," she said as she kissed Amber and then Patrick on their cheeks. She down in the chair next to Edward and started eating.
"It's alright Katherine," Edward said. "Did you have fun with this friend of yours when you had lunch with him?"
"A little bit," Katherine said uneasily. She didn't want to mention that she and Christopher had spent the afternoon together.
"Good," Edward said. "Well, now that you're here, we should all discuss what to get Jack for his birthday. It is in ten days."
"I was thinking we could buy him a digital camera," Katherine commented.
"Does he have a computer?" Edward asked.
"Karen does, but of course, it's his as well," Katherine said, smiling.
"What about a mini ipod along with the camera?" Amber then suggested. "Uncle Jack always tells me how much he likes mine."
"Good idea love," Katherine said to her daughter. "I'll go out to the store during my lunch break tomorrow and buy one for him."
~~~
The next day, Katherine went over to her sister's penthouse before leaving for work. After saying a quick "Buenos Dias" to Rosario, she hurried up to the second floor and to Sophia's room.
"Hey Kat, shouldn't you be at Grace's office?" Jack asked as she hurried inside the bedroom.
"Hi Jackie-boy, listen do you think I could talk with Karen alone for a while?" Katherine asked.
"Go on Jackie," Karen said as she put Sophia down in her crib. "Get Ebie something to drink while Kath and I talk." When he had left the room, she immediately turned to her sister.
"I'm going out to buy Jack's present," Katherine said softly. "I wanted to you to come with me that way I'll be sure to get him something he likes."
"Okay, when are you going to go?" Karen asked.
"During my lunch break," Katherine said, glancing at her watch. "I'll call you once I've eaten." She gave her sister a quick kiss on the cheek and then left the room hurriedly.
Jack, having heard Katherine leave the penthouse, went back up to Sophia's room, helping Elizabeth up the stairs. "What did she want Kare?" he asked as he let Elizabeth run over to her mother.
"It was something about the party in a couple of weeks," Karen said, picking up their older daughter. "She and I are going to grab some things for it during her lunch break."
"I had to leave the room for that?" Jack asked, sounding surprised. "Oh, I know what she talked to you about," he then said, a smile spreading over his face.
"Good for you poodle," Karen said absentmindedly as she took the stuffed dog from Elizabeth's outstretched hands.
"Tell me Kare, what'd she get me?" Jack said, sitting on the floor in front of Karen.
"No honey, I don't know," Karen said, setting Elizabeth on the ground.
"Aw, come on Karebear, please?" Jack asked resting his head on her knees, his lower lip sticking out.
Karen sighed and said, "I really don't know Jackie, believe me. And if she did tell me, I wouldn't tell you."
"Why not?" Jack asked, still pouting.
"If I told you, it would take all the fun out of your opening your presents," Karen said, sliding down to sit next to him. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply for a few minutes.
"I guess I can wait," Jack said a little breathlessly. He didn't sound happy, but he wrapped his arms around Karen's waist and pulled her to him, kissing her again. "I wonder what you got me," he said when they pulled apart.
"Uh-uh Jackie," Karen said, smiling up at him. "You'll find out in two weeks."
Jack smiled broadly and kissed her lips gently before Elizabeth grabbed onto one of his arms so he would play with her for a while.
~~~
Two weeks later was Jack's birthday party, and at five o'clock Karen and Jack were in their bedroom so they could get dressed.
"Come here Jackie," Karen called from her closet. "I've got your first present in here if you want it."
Hurrying over, Jack stopped in the doorway and was surprised to see that Karen was already dressed.
"Jack-" Karen started to yell again. She turned around and saw that he was in the doorway. "I didn't see you poodle, come and get your present."
"Oh," Jack said, shaking his head. "I thought this was my present." He put his hands on Karen's hips and then kissed her gently on the lips a few times.
Karen wrapped her arms around his neck and giggled as he started to kiss her neck. When he started to run his fingers over the fabric of her dress, she said, "I think you like my dress Jackie." She was wearing a black dress very similar to the one she'd worn to his thirtieth birthday party.
"Yep, it's pretty," Jack said, stepping back and eyeing her breasts. "These aren't gonna fall out during the party are they?"
"Of course not," Karen said, taking his hands. "The only person who'll see them outside this dress will be you later on tonight." She stood on tiptoe a little and nipped his right ear lobe slightly.
"Be careful," Jack warned as he shuddered slightly. "I may just throw you onto that chez lounge there and fuck you senseless."
"Well, I wouldn't want to make you miss your own birthday party," Karen said, her eyes sparkling slightly. She let go of him and then walked over to where a box was sitting on top of the chez. "I got this for you to wear tonight at the party," she said, picking it up and handing it to Jack.
Taking off the lid, Jack looked inside and grinned at Karen. "This is perfect for tonight. Thanks Karebear," he said, leaning over and kissing her cheek.
"Go and put it on honey," Karen said, pushing him playfully out. "I want to have time to admire my big strong man in the suit that I bought for his birthday."
Jack looked back and Karen and flashed her a big smile before going over to his closet to change.
~~~
At eight fifteen, Jack and Karen were waiting in the living room for the first of their guests to arrive.
Jack was wearing the very expensive Armani suit and tie that Karen had bought him. He had Elizabeth on his knee and was tickling her lightly.
"Oh Jackie-boy, stop tormenting the poor girl," a voice said from the doorway of the living room.
"Hi Kath!" Karen said happily, getting up and going over to her sister. After she kissed her on the cheek, she asked, "Why are you so late?"
"Well, Edward had to go back to the firm," Katherine said, sounding disappointed.
"On a Saturday night?" Jack asked he stood up with Elizabeth in his arms.
"I know, it sounds odd, but they said it was a dire emergency," Katherine said, shrugging. "But I do bring Happy Birthday wishes from my husband Jack."
"Thanks Kat," Jack said, grinning. He then handed Elizabeth over to his sister in law as the doorbell rang once again.
For the next fifteen minutes, the bulk of the guests arrived, and the penthouse was soon bustling with about twenty five people.
A catered dinner was served, and Elizabeth was taken by Rosario to the kitchen so she could eat without getting her little red dress too messy.
Karen, when there was a moment during the dinner where no one would notice her missing for a few minutes, stole out to the kitchen so she could check on Elizabeth.
"What are you doing here lady?" Rosario asked as Karen walked into the kitchen. "You should be out there eating with your husband."
"We wanted to check on Ebie and eat with her," a voice said behind Karen before she could answer Rosario. It was Jack. He smiled at Karen's surprised expression and then put his hand on her back, leading her over to the table where there daughter was eating spaghetti from a bowl with her hands.
"Well, at least she's not getting that dress dirty," Karen said as she sat down in the chair next to the high table. She picked up a napkin and tried to wipe some of the sauce off their daughter's face, but didn't have any luck.
"Just leave it Kare," Jack said from the seat he was sitting in, on the other side of the high chair. "Rosie will clean her up once she's done eating."
At that moment, one of the help came over and set two plates down on the table in front of Karen and Jack, and the two began to eat.
~~~
After they had finished, Karen was about to take Elizabeth out of her high chair when Katherine came in, followed by Christopher.
"Sorry to intrude you guys," Katherine said, seeing the questioning look on her sister's face. "But Chris has to go and he wanted to speak with you before he leaves."
"I just wanted to say thanks for letting me come," Christopher said quickly. "And that I'm real sorry to leave so soon."
"That's okay, nice of you to stop by at least," Jack said with a grin, getting out of his chair and shaking Christopher's hand.
"Yes, I left you a gift Jack, I'm not sure if you'll like it, but if not, you can always return it or something," Christopher said. He nodded to Karen and then said goodbye before turning and leaving.
"I came in because your guests are wondering where the heck you guys have disappeared to," Katherine then said once he was gone.
"Oh, guess we'd better go back out there Kare," Jack said. He handed Karen the black silk shawl she had been wearing draped over her arms and then kissed Elizabeth on the forehead.
"Rosie, get out here and clean Ebie up so she can come back to the party!" Karen yelled.
They hurried back out to the living room as Rosario walked into the kitchen, grumbling. But as soon as she picked Elizabeth up out of her high chair, a small smile spread across her face. "Vamanos chiquita," she said, taking the baby over to the small bathroom in the back to wash her up.
~~~
After Jack had opened all the gifts that had been piled next to the grand piano, he sat down at it and played for a while as the other guests mingled and talked.
"So Karen," a friend of Jack's asked, coming over to her. "How does it feel to be the one person to make Jack McFarland finally settle down?"
Karen, who was a little annoyed at the question, smiled slightly and said, "It's a great feeling, because I'm so shallow that I only dated and married Jack to make him settle down with me and have two beautiful little girls."
The man's face flushed, but he kept a smile on his face. "That's great," he said. A few minutes later he was leaving the room and the party, saying he felt unwell.
Jack, who had stopped playing the piano, came over to Karen and put and arm around her waist. "Let that be a lesson to the rest of you guys," he said, obviously referring to his gay male friends that had come to the party. "My wife may be tolerant of you, but say any word against the fact that we're married, and she'll be all over you... And not in a good way either."
As the guests laughed, Karen lightly slapped Jack's chest and then kissed his cheek softly.
"So Karen, Jack, where are your daughters?" a woman, a friend of both of them, asked. "I've been dying to see the two of them."
"Well, Sophie; Sophia; the younger one is asleep," Karen answered. "And our oldest should be coming back right now."
Just as Karen said that, Elizabeth hurried into the room and went straight to Jack, grabbing his leg so she wouldn't fall.
"Come here little one," Jack said, leaning down and picking her up. He put her on his hip and then said, "This is Elizabeth."
"Hi," Elizabeth said, opening and closing her hand to the guests to say hello.
"Oooh Jack, she's so sweet!" one of Jack's gay friends squealed. "She's such a gorgeous little girl, look at those eyes!"
Jack and Karen glanced at each other and smiled, feeling very proud of their daughter.
~~~
That night at midnight, once all the guests had left and Katherine, Will and Grace said their final goodnights, Karen stole up to their bedroom while Jack went to the kitchen to drink some water.
He went up the stairs, yawning slightly, and decided to go and check on their daughters. He went into Elizabeth's room first and adjusted the blanket around her. After watching her sleep for a few minutes, he left and then went to Sophia. He rand his hand lightly over her dark brown hair and then smiled. He really was a lucky man.
Another yawn reminded him that he should go to bed before he fell asleep on the floor of their daughter's room. He went out into the hallway and then over to the bedroom. Not looking up, he closed the door behind him and then locked it. Jack finally glanced up and stopped dead in his tracks.
"Oh my god..." he murmured, completely surprised. Karen was lying out on the bed in front of him on top of the covers.
She was completely naked, save for her high-healed Prada shoes.
"Kare, are you... drunk?" Jack asked after she opened her eyes slightly, showing him that she was still awake.
"No honey, I only had that one glass of wine and a sip of champagne at the toast," Karen said, slowly sitting up. "You saw."
"Yeah, but y- you're naked," Jack said, finding he was having trouble speaking.
"Happy Birthday poodle," Karen said, smiling. She rested her hands back on the mattress. Finally, getting a little annoyed with Jack not moving, she sat up again and then let her hair down from its upsweep. When it was hanging loose around her face, she said in the most seductive voice she had ever used with Jack, "Help me take these shoes off Jackie."
Shaking his head, feeling like he was in a trance, Jack walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge, near Karen's feet. He reached over and unbuckled her left shoe first, and then her right one. When they were both thrown down onto the floor, he quickly took off his jacket and tie and then started kissing Karen's leg.
Karen, anticipating what he might do, reached down and pulled him up to her. "Not tonight Jackie, it's your birthday," she said.
"Then can I just be inside you know?" Jack said, cupping her right breast in his hand.
"You don't want me to...?" Karen asked, trailing off at the end as she put her hand on his groin.
"No Kare, another night," Jack said. "Help me with my clothes."
They quickly got his shirt and then the rest of his clothing off until he was naked as well.
Jack kissed Karen deeply before spreading Karen's legs. Before he entered her, he took her right leg and then lifted it up, placing it on his shoulder.
"Jackie, what are you doing?" Karen said a raspy kind of voice as he entered her slowly.
"Just trying out a new position," Jack said, grunting a little as he waited for their bodies to become accustomed to each other's.
"But you said you didn't-" Karen started to say.
"I thought it wouldn't hurt to remember one of the easier pages," Jack said, pausing before he started thrusting in and out of her. "If you feel any pain, we'll stop okay?"
"Don't worry Jackie," Karen said, smiling up at him. "Just move."
Smiling, Jack did so and leaned down, sucking on each one of her breasts furiously as he thrust in and out of her.
Karen closed her eyes tightly, feeling the most incredible pleasure. This was one position they would definitely have to do again in the future. As time went on, Karen finally moved her other leg and put it over Jack's other shoulder.
Looking up from her breasts, Jack smiled at her and then thrust into her deeply one last time, making them both reach the edge.
"Ohhh god Jackie... fuck... JACKIE!" Karen screamed as she climaxed.
At the same time, Jack started to yell, "Oh god Kare... Yesss, oh, KARE!" He then slumped forward on her body as she moved her legs down from his shoulders. "Are you okay?" he asked after a couple minutes.
"I'm perfect Jackie, but we have to remember to try it that way again," Karen said, running her fingers through his hair. "I love you poodle."
"I love you too Karebear," Jack sighed, resting his head on her stomach and tracing his fingers lazily over the skin there.
~~~
In late April, Jack had to leave the penthouse at ten o'clock in the morning. It was the first dress rehearsal for 'Chicago' and he absolutely had to be there. He was very reluctant about leaving Karen and the girls.
Karen, while assuring him they would miss him terribly, told him that he had to go to this dress rehearsal since he was one of the main characters. "And besides poodle," she said as she helped him put on his jacket. "We'll have plenty of time to spend together once the play starts."
So Jack was riding in the limo, staring out at the people on the sidewalks as he went to the theater. A block or two from his destination, Jack was completely shocked to see two people that he recognized, and even more surprised to see they were in a very passionate embrace. He sat back in his seat as the limo passed them and thought about whether or not he should tell Karen about what he'd seen.
While Jack was in his dress rehearsal, Katherine and Edward were walking to Central Park, where they were going to spend the day out on the lake in a boat they had rented.
The idea had been Christopher's. "I can't imagine a better place for two book hungry people to spend time together reading than in a boat in the middle of a lake," he had said when Katherine asked him about the idea.
They spent hours in that boat, sometimes reading, but mostly talking with each other as the afternoon passed them by.
As they were leaving the park to go to their respective homes, Katherine stopped Christopher before going to the subway station. "I had a very lovely time Paul," she said, smiling up at him. She gave him a long hug before running out of his embrace, her cheeks extremely flushed and her mind whirling with conflicting thoughts of her husband and her best friend.
Christopher looked down at the ground for a few minutes after she had left, trying to remember the smell of her perfume. With a shake of his head, he looked back up and then walked to the curb to hail a taxi, trying to ignore the fact that he was so deeply in love with a married woman.
~~~
After helping Karen put their daughters to bed, Jack quietly took her arm and gently led her over to their bedroom.
"What's wrong Jackie?" Karen asked. She had been suspicious ever since he had come home from the dress rehearsal, he had been quiet all through dinner and afterwards, which was worrying her.
"I need to tell you something Kare," Jack said once they were in their room. He closed the door behind Karen and then led her to the bed, where they sat on the edge. "I saw two people together and... it looked like they had just kissed each other, very deeply. O-or if not, they were hugging each other very tenderly."
"Jackie, what are you talking about?" Karen asked, completely confused. "Who are you talking about?"
"I saw Kat and Christopher," Jack said, looking down at his hand entwined in Karen's.
"And you think they were hugging each other... like we hug each other?" Karen asked, completely surprised.
"Yeah," Jack said, quietly.
"Oh my god, I knew it, she's having an affair!" Karen cried standing up. She started pacing the room, talking quickly. "I need to talk with her and see if I can't convince her to stop. Eddie is so in love with her. Oh no, Eddie." She glanced at Jack and said, "You know what we need to do?" she asked.
"What?" Jack asked hesitantly.
"Tell Eddie," Karen said. "I'll call him right now." She hurried past Jack towards the phone when Jack grabbed her wrist. "What are you doing poodle, let me go."
"Kare, don't call him," Jack said, ignoring her request.
"What?" she cried in surprise. "Are you crazy Jackie, a marriage is at stake, my sister's marriage, I've got to tell Eddie about this affair that why he has a change to save it."
"This is not something that you need to meddle in, like you do with everything in your sister's life," Jack said, sounding a little irritated.
Karen turned to her husband, her mouth opened in shock. "I do not meddle in my sister's life!" she cried out loudly.
"Oh you do Kare, believe me," Jack said. "And you do the same to me and Grace and even Will sometimes. And while it's helpful now and then, it's not good."
"What the hell, I'm not meddling, I'm helping you all," Karen said, sounding as angry as Jack now.
"If that's how you think of it you should see a damn shrink," Jack said, letting go of her wrist.
"Get out of here Jack, I don't want to sleep next to a man who doesn't appreciate the fact that I have feelings for my little sister and that I try to help her any way I can," Karen hissed, her eyes narrowed.
"Fine, I wouldn't want to sleep next to an ice cube tonight," Jack said. He went to the bed and grabbed his pillow before leaving the room. He went down the stairs and straight to the media room where he lay out on the couch there. As he closed his eyes, trying to calm down from the argument, he wondered briefly why he'd come down here instead of to one of the guest bedrooms.
The thought of sleeping in a bed brought his mind back to Karen and he groaned, turning over. He tried falling asleep, but every time he was just about to, the fact that he wasn't with Karen in their bed jolted him awake. Finally, after a half hour of tossing and turning, he gave up and left the media room with his pillow in his hand.
"Jackie?" a teary voice said to him as he started up the stairs.
Jack looked up in surprise, to find Karen standing at the top of the staircase, tears falling down her cheeks. "Oh Kare..." he began, running up the stairs. When he reached her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him. "I'm so sorry about what I said," he murmured to her tenderly.
"I'm sorry for yelling poodle," Karen said, pushing back from him enough so she was looking up at him. "I think you're right though, I do meddle in Kath's life too much."
"But this is something serious, if you think you should-" Jack started to say.
Karen placed her fingers on his lips and said, "Never mind poodle, besides, we don't even know if Katherine and Christopher are even having an affair. And I would hate to make Eddie become suspicious of her if nothing's even happening."
They stood there at the top of the stairs for a few minutes before Jack said, "Is it alright if I sleep with you tonight?"
"Of course honey, it is our bed," Karen said, smiling up at him.
Jack then lifted Karen up into his arms and he carried her back into their bedroom, closing the door behind them with his foot. He walked over to their bed and lay her down on it.
"I love you," Karen said earnestly as they began to undress each other quickly.
"I love you too Kare," Jack said. He moved his head down when they were both naked to start sucking on her breasts, when she stopped him.
"Hold on Jackie, I want to say that I'm sorry," Karen said. She pushed Jack up so he was sitting up and then, running her hands down his bare chest, placed her mouth around his member.
Groaning with pleasure, Jack put his hand on the back of Karen's head and clenched his other one into a fist. After fifteen minutes or so, Jack found he could take it anymore and he achieved his release, moaning loudly.
Karen lifted her head and then lay back on the mattress as he was recovering.
When he was breathing normally again, Jack opened his eyes and stared down at his wife, shocked to see that she was touching herself. "Oh my god," he said huskily. "Jesus, Kare you look like a goddess." He quickly knelt down and moved her hand from her entrance, replacing it with his mouth. He worked quickly with his tongue; stroking her and making her arch her body and moan.
"Ohhh Jackie," Karen finally said about ten minutes later in a long drawn out moan as she reached her peak.
Waiting a few minutes, Jack got up and then lowered his body on top of Karen's. "I adore you," he whispered as he very slowly entered her with his member.
Surprising herself, Karen felt a tear fall down her cheek as she responded, "I adore you too Jackie."
Jack placed his hand on her cheek and then licked the drop of water before it could fall off of her face. Kissing her deeply, he then started to thrust in and out of her, moaning as he felt the friction between them.
Karen placed her hands on either side of Jack's head and then led him down to her breasts. "Suck them Jackie," she demanded vehemently in between moaned.
Not hesitating at all, Jack descended on her left nipple and enveloped it in his mouth sucking on it insatiably.
While he was doing that, Karen took the opportunity to place her hands on his back and she started to unconsciously scratch his skin lightly.
Groaning out loud, Jack pumped in and out of Karen harder and harder, feeling himself become even more aroused.
They rolled over on the bed, going back and forth as they tried to bring one another to their peaks.
After Jack settled back on the headboard, Karen moving up and down on him, he felt her start to tighten around him and he closed his eyes tightly. "Kare... he groaned breathlessly.
"Oh Jackie, Jack, I- I'm so... oooh JACK!" Karen moaned in total abandonment and ecstasy, throwing her head back as they both finally climaxed at the same time.
Jack placed his mouth on Karen's breast and sucked it for a minute before letting go and yelling with complete passion and euphoria, "Kare, fuck I love you so much! Oh god, KARE, KAREN!"
Once she was sated, Karen slumped onto Jack's chest and sighed happily. "They're right; make up sex is always the best."
"You are so unbelievable Karebear," Jack said. He ran his hands from her breasts down her sides and to her ass where he cupped the cheeks with his hands. "Think we should take a bath?" he then asked.
"Hmm," Karen said, kissing his shoulder. "How about both?"
Jack smiled and then got off of the bed, holding Karen on him so he was still deep inside her body. As she wrapped her legs around his waist, he kissed her neck and walked into the bathroom.
They would make love, once in the shower and then in the tub, before they returned to bed and made love for most of the night before falling asleep early in the morning in each others arms.