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. And two of the songs
are from Paul McCartney and one from U2 which I don't own.
Chapter Fifty-Six
Heaven on a Sunday
As August was nearing its end, the weather became hotter and hotter in New York City, sometimes reaching the nineties. While a lot of the city was staggering under the heat, having to stay in the city, Karen and Jack were trying to plan a weekend vacation to get somewhere cooler.
One afternoon, Jack and Karen were in their bedroom, sitting with their daughters in front of a fan that was blowing down on them.
"You don't want to fly down to Florida?" Jack asked, looking at the piece of paper he was holding. Earlier that morning he had made a list of places where he and Karen could go with their daughters.
"No Jackie, it's going to be even hotter there," Karen said, holding Sophia's hands as she walked a few steps around her.
"Okay, then how about California?" Jack asked as he crossed off 'Florida' from his list.
"Poodle, why don't we try and go up to the Hamptons?" Karen asked. "If we're going to be gone for only the weekend, then why should we go someplace out of the way?"
"Sounds great," Jack said, crumpling up his list and tossing the paper towards Elizabeth.
"Don't Daddy," Elizabeth giggled as she threw the paper back at him.
"I'll call Kath and ask her if she'll let us use her and Eddie's house for when we go," Karen said, handing Sophia to Jack. She got up off the floor and got the phone that was next to the bed. She dialed Katherine's cell phone and put the phone to her ear.
"Katherine O 'Neill speaking," Katherine said when she answered.
"Hi Kath it's me," Karen said.
"Oh, hey Kare," Katherine said. "Is anything wrong?"
"No, I'm fine, and Jackie and the girls are okay," Karen said, smiling. "I just wanted to ask you a favor."
"What is it big sister?" Katherine asked in mock suspicion.
"Jackie and I want to leave the city with Ebie and Sophie this weekend," Karen began. "We're going to the Hamptons and we want to use your house there if it's okay."
"Phew, I thought it was going to be something really bad," Katherine said teasingly. "Well, I'll need to talk with James, but I'm sure it'll be alright."
"Okay, call me later once you talk with your husband," Karen said.
"You four are welcome to come down to the penthouse to join us for dinner tonight," Katherine said.
"We'll see Kath," Karen said. "Bye."
"Cheerio Kare," Katherine said.
"What did she say?" Jack asked as Karen sat down next to him on the floor.
"She's going to talk to Eddie," Karen said, kissing Jack's cheek.
"And what are we going to see?" Jack asked.
"What... oh, Kath invited the four of us for dinner tonight," Karen said, a little confused at first.
"You don't want to go?" Jack said.
"Of course I do, but I'm not going to say yes without consulting you first," Karen said, taking Elizabeth into her arms as the girl walked to her.
"Thanks for valuing my opinion... most of the time," Jack said with a smirk.
"Funny poodle," Karen said, hitting him lightly on the arm.
"Come on Kare, let's go out for some ice cream," Jack said, standing up with Sophia in his arms.
"Aw poodle, I don't want to go out there," Karen said, whining a little as she stood up as well.
"Isn't the limo air conditioned?" Jack asked as he pulled Karen out of the room with his free hand.
"Oh, I thought you were going to be crazy and say we should walk," Karen said laughingly.
Jack, laughing with her, put his arm around Karen's waist and led her out of the penthouse.
~~~
That night, Katherine was getting dressed for dinner when her husband walked into their room. "James! I thought you'd be working late tonight," she exclaimed.
"I was able to finish," Edward said, smiling at her. "I guess Karen and Jack are coming?"
Katherine glanced down at her outfit and laughed. "Yes love, they're coming," she said. She turned back to the mirror, smoothing out the dark green blouse she was wearing with black trousers and then went over to her husband.
"Oh, I got your message about them using the house for the weekend," Edward said as they hugged. "And it's fine with me if they stay there."
"Good, I'll tell them when they get here," Katherine said, smiling. She pulled her husband closer to her and they kissed passionately before they were interrupted by the doorbell ringing downstairs. "That's them," she said, pulling away from the kiss.
"I'll take a quick shower and then change my clothes," Edward said, kissing her hand as she started to leave the room.
Katherine went down the stairs as one of the help was opening the front door. "Hullo you guys," she said, giving Karen a hug when she got to them.
"Hi Kath, take Ebie for me," Karen said.
"Where are your children?" Jack said as they walked over to the living room.
"Amber is spending the night at a friend's house, and Patrick is on a camping trip with his science class for this week," Katherine said as they sat down.
"Hello Karen, Jack," Edward said as he hurried into the room. "I'm sorry I'm late, but I just got back from work."
"So what's the story on us being able to use the house?" Karen asked.
"You can use it," Katherine said with a smile. She took Sophia from Jack; having handed Elizabeth back to Karen; and placed the baby on her knee. "Is she walking a lot now?" she asked.
"Yes, and I have a really hard time keeping up with these two," Jack said with a smile.
"And Sophie likes to follow her sister everywhere," Karen said. "I caught her trying to go down the stairs with Ebie, luckily I stopped her."
"Oh man, you should have heard Sophie crying about that," Jack said.
The four of them shared a laugh before a maid came into the room and announced that the dinner was ready.
~~~
Gathering in the living room again after the meal, Katherine suggested that she and Jack play a few songs for the benefit of their spouses and the little girls.
"Sure, just as long as we both do an even number," Jack said.
"Two?" Katherine suggested.
"Okay, go first Sister Katherine," Jack said, pushing her gently to the piano.
"I've got a new song, it's really great," Katherine said as she set up her sheet music and lyrics in front her. She started playing the intro to the song and then started to sing.
I feel such sorrow,
I feel such shame.
I know I won't arrive on time
Before whatever out there is gone.
What can I do, that day is done.
It's just a promise that I made
I said I'd walk in her parade.
Hot scalding tears I thought would flow.
Still in my heart they'll never show.
That day is done, that day is done,
You know where I've gone
I won't be coming back
That day is done.
Well I recall, the time and place
When they announced her precious face.
I thought at once my heart would burst,
Still every time is like the first.
There was applause when she stepped up.
I wished that I could interrupt
I made no sign, I made no sound
I know I must stay underground.
That day is done, that day is done.
You know where I've gone
I won't be coming back,
That day is done.
That's why she walks, or so they say.
She always knew just what I needed.
Now if she would, just look my way
One time before they proceed.
She sprinkles flowers in the dirt
That's when a thrill becomes a hurt,
I know I'll never see her face.
She walks away from my resting place.
"God Kath, that's so depressing," Karen said as soon as her sister was done.
Katherine turned to her and stuck her tongue out.
Karen stuck her own tongue out back at Katherine and then said, "Do something that's a little more happy honey."
"Okay, try this one Kare," Katherine said, turning back to the piano. She then started to play and sing that lasted for about one minute.
Ou est le soleil
Dans la tete,
Travaillez.
The room was silent for a long time as Karen stared at her sister who had turned to face her. "Oookay," Karen finally said, drawing out the word in a long tone of voice. "Jackie, honey, it's your turn to play."
Laughing slightly, Jack went over to the piano while Katherine sat next to her husband on one of the couches. "This is probably what you wanted Kare," he said just before he started to play.
In a little while
Surely you'll be mine
In a little while... I'll be there
In a little while
This hurt will hurt no more
I'll be home, love
When the night takes a deep breath
And the daylight has no air
If I crawl, if I come crawling home
Will you be there?
In a little while
I won't be blown by every breeze
Friday night running to Sunday on my knees
That girl, that girl she's mine
Well I've known her since,
Since she was
A little girl with Spanish eyes
When I saw her first in a pram they pushed her by
Oh my, my how you've grown
Well it's been, it's been... a little while
Slow down my beating heart
A man dreams one day to fly
A man takes a rocket ship into the sky
He lives on a star that's dying in the night
And follows in the trail, the scatter of light
Turn it on, turn it on, you turn me on
Slow down my beating heart
Slowly, slowly love
"Much better poodle," Karen said, grinning broadly.
Jack turned to give her a wink before going on to play a piece from Schubert next, his concentration entirely on the keys in front of him as he played the nearly ten minute long piece of music.
~~~
That weekend, Jack and Karen were on the O'Neill's private beach in the Hamptons. It was Saturday afternoon, and they had been there since Friday morning.
While Karen was lying out under a bench umbrella on a lounge chair, Jack was making a sand castle with the help of Elizabeth and Sophia.
"Watch out for the waves Jackie," Karen said at one point. "They look like they're getting closer."
"You know that we should teach them to swim Kare," Jack said.
"We can sign Ebie up for classes after her birthday," Karen said simply.
Jack nodded and then helped Sophia put a leaf on the top of one of the towers of the castles.
While they were doing that, Elizabeth got up and went over to her mother. "Mama, come see," she said, pulling Karen's hand lightly.
"Okay, hold on a second honey," Karen responded. She got up and made sure the sarong she was wearing was tied tightly around her waist. She then took Elizabeth's hand and walked over to the sand castle.
"Hey, nice of you to join us," Jack said, smiling at her.
"Looks like you're done," Karen said, looking at the castle as she sat down.
"Yep, I swear Kare, our Ebie is going to turn out to be an architect or something," Jack said with a grin.
"Mama, Daddy, watch!" Elizabeth then cried. With her parents watching, she smashed one of the walls of the castle flat.
Karen started to laugh at the surprised expression on Jack's face. "Oh poodle, it's not the end of the world," she said once her laughter had stopped.
"Oh I know, I just didn't think she would destroy this," Jack said with a grin on his face. He put his arm around Karen as Elizabeth started to knock down the rest of the castle, Sophia soon copying her sister. "This was a really great idea," he said.
"It is, I love being here," Karen said, smiling at Jack. "Just the four of us."
"Kare," Jack said, leaning close to her head and whispering into her ear. "Can it be just me and you later tonight?" As he asked this, he ran his hand up and down the skin on her back and making her shiver slightly since she was wearing a bikini.
"Of course Jackie," Karen said. She pulled Jack's head to hers and they kissed deeply; until a wave came up to where they were sitting, getting them and their daughters wet.
"Ah!" Jack cried out in surprise as he and Karen grabbed one of the little girls and stood up.
"I told you to watch out for those waves Jackie," Karen said as they walked up to the lounge chairs.
"Yeah, well I was busy," Jack said defensively.
"Doing what?" Kare asked, a faint smile appearing on her face.
"Inspecting your lips," Jack said with a serious expression, making Karen start to laugh loudly.
~~~
That night, Karen snuck out of hers and Jack's bedroom to go down to the kitchen. She hurriedly went to the freezer with a bowl and got something out of it before going back up to the room.
Jack was sitting on a chair in the balcony, looking at the night sky and glancing at the bonfires that could be seen on other beaches near by. He knew Karen had left the room, and he heard her come back inside a few minutes later.
"Hey Jackie," Karen called.
"Hey what Karebear?" Jack asked after he had gotten off the chair and was standing in the bedroom.
"It's just us two now you know," Karen said, lying out on the bed.
Jack pretended to glance around the room and then nodded. "Okay, so what do you wanna do then lover?" he asked, walking over to the bed.
Karen giggled and grabbed Jack's arms, pulling him down on top of her. She kissed his lips deeply for a few minutes before pulling away. She reached over to the nightstand as Jack untied her sarong; she grabbed the bowl she had gotten in the kitchen.
"What's that?" Jack said.
"Just lay back and close your eyes," Karen said, pushing Jack off of her. When he did what she said, she picked an ice cube up from the bowl. She then leaned down and placed a soft kiss on Jack's bare chest, not having to worry about a shirt since he was still wearing his swimming trunks from that afternoon. She took the ice cube and then ran it down his chin, down his neck and then onto his chest.
Shivering, Jack opened his eyes and saw that Karen had a bowl full of ice cubes. "Kare, that's freezing," he gasped.
"That's the idea honey," Karen said, smirking as she circled his nipple with the half melted ice cube in her hand.
After a while of watching this, Jack grabbed her wrist and then took the ice out of her hand, throwing it onto the floor along with the bowl. He pulled her down on him tightly and kissed her deeply.
"Hmm, Jackie..." Karen breathed as they both sat up and Jack started to take off the bra part of her bikini. "You don't want to use the ice on me at all?"
"In a minute," Jack mumbled, cupping her exposed breasts with each hand. He brought his mouth down on the left one and sucked on it feverishly, running his tongue over and around the nipple.
Karen looked down and watched Jack as he eventually moved to her other breast and she but her lip, suppressing a moan. When she finally couldn't take it anymore, she moved Jack's head from her breast gently and pulled his lips to hers.
While they kissed each other fervently, Jack pushed the both of them down to the mattress so their heads were now at the bottom of the bed. As they kissed, he reached between their bodies and removed the bottom of Karen's bikini as she pulled off his swim trunks.
"I love you Jackie," Karen said breathlessly when Jack pulled away, her lips now swollen from their kissing. She watched as he reached over the side of the bed after throwing their clothing onto the floor.
"And I love you Kare," Jack said, coming back onto the mattress. He then placed his hand on the top of Karen's left breast and smiled.
"Jackie!" she cried out as she felt the ice in the palm of his hand on her breast.
Jack laughed slightly and then leaned down, kissing Karen's lips softly. He then moved his hand from her breast, down to her stomach.
Lifting her head up, Karen watched as Jack ran his hand with the ice in his palm all over the skin on her abdomen. She closed her eyes tightly, biting her bottom lip again; the mixture of cold from the ice cube and the heat from Jack's hand driving her insane with desire. When the ice was nearly gone, she grabbed his other arm and pulled him to her. "Jackie," she said, her voice thick with lust.
"What do you want Kare," Jack said, his own voice husky.
"I need you in me... now," Karen answered, almost moaning the words.
"Anything for you," Jack mumbled as he got on his hands and knees so his body was hovering over hers. With Karen helping to guide his member, he then lowered himself down onto her, entering her slowly.
Closing her eyes when Jack was fully inside of her, Karen sighed in a kind of mixture of happiness and contentment. She opened her eyes as he started to thrust in and out of her, watching as he closed his eyes tighter and tighter whenever he pushed into her.
A long time later, his breathing was getting harsher and Jack opened his eyes and saw with some surprise that Karen was staring back at him. "Jesus Kare... y-you're eyes," he managed to gasp out as he started thrusting faster.
"What?" Karen said in between quick intakes of air. She hissed a little as she felt herself start to tighten slightly.
"You're so... beautiful," Jack said. He thrust out one more time and then back in, causing both of them to reach the edge.
"Oh, oh Jackie, Jack!" Karen cried as she climaxed around him, her eyes closed tightly now.
"God... Kare," Jack said, saying her name in a low husky whisper as he climaxed in her.
When they were both sated, they stayed as they were; Jack on top of Karen and their bodies backwards on the bed, their heads being at the bottom.
"A really, really good idea poodle," Karen said, kissing Jack's forehead.
"We need to get good ideas a lot more," Jack said, lifting his head so they could kiss.
They kissed fervently for a long time until they made love once more, this time more slowly and keeping their lips close to each others. When they finished a long time later, they fell asleep together, not even bothering to cover their naked bodies up since it was still warm inside the room and they were both almost dripping with sweat.
~~~
On the second of September, Karen was sitting at her desk in Grace's office, a thick Vogue magazine open in front of her. She wasn't really looking at the magazine, even though there was a really cute blouse that she liked in there.
"Kare, I've walked past you two times in the past hour and a half and you're still looking at that same page," Katherine said, getting a stool and putting it next to Karen's desk, sitting down in it. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing Kath, I'm just waiting for one o'clock to come," Karen said, looking at her watch for the millionth time that morning. "I miss my poodle and our girls."
"They'll be here in ten minutes Karen," Grace said from her desk. "And then we'll go."
Karen rolled her eyes and sighed saying, "Okay Grace."
Katherine laughed and then looked at the pages in the Vogue. "Oh man, look at this skirt," she said, pointing to the left page.
"I know Kath, it's awful," Karen said, glancing down at the magazine. She suddenly heard footsteps coming closer to the office, and she leapt out of her seat.
"What's wrong Karen?" Grace asked, looking over at Karen with a worried look on her face.
"Hi Grace, Katherine...Karen," Will said as he walked into the office.
"Hey," Zach said, walking inside next, nodding to Karen and Katherine.
"Hello everyone," Edward said, holding Elizabeth in his arms. As he gave the little girl to Karen he said, "Don't worry, he's coming right now."
Jack then came into the room, holding Sophia, and went straight to Karen, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek.
"Are you guys done with the PDA yet?" Will asked, rolling his eyes.
Glaring at his friend, Jack said, "Yeah, let's go before I start throwing insults at you chunky."
The group left the office and then went down to Karen's limo where they all got in before driving over to Central Park and to the restaurant where they were going to celebrate Elizabeth's birthday with lunch.
At the end of the meal, Karen handed Elizabeth over to Grace saying, "I figured I should let her godparents have some time with her since it's her birthday."
As Grace was holding the little girl she said, "I can't believe she's three years old already."
"I know, she is such a cute girl," Will said, taking Elizabeth's hand.
Laughing, Elizabeth reached out and grabbed Will's nose, pretending to take it. "Nose!" she said, still laughing.
"Oh man, I knew that was going to come back to haunt me when I did that to her when she was younger," Will said.
Everyone around the table laughed as Will started to try and get his 'nose' back from Elizabeth. The girl was stubborn though, and wouldn't give in no matter what her godfather said.
"Oh no Will," Zach said in mock horror. "You're not going to have your gorgeous nose, how awful!"
Elizabeth giggled at Zach's dramatic delivery and waved her arm in the air.
"Hey little one," Jack said, and the girl immediately stopped laughing and looked at him, a serious expression on her face. "Give your Uncle Will his nose back; it's just about the only thing he's got that'll redeem the chunkiness."
Karen burst out laughing next to him, and she had to cover her mouth with her hand. "I'm sorry Wilma, but that was very funny."
"Thanks Karen," Will said, making a face at her. "Well at least I've got my nose back," he then said as Elizabeth pressed her hand on his nose. "Thank you Ebie."
~~~
After lunch, Jack, Karen, Elizabeth and Sophia separated from the others since Jack had a gift to give them that was on the other side of the park. They went in the limo and when they got out, Karen was surprised.
"A carriage ride poodle?" she asked, sounding taken aback but pleased.
"Yep, a gift for the four of us today," Jack said as he helped Karen into the carriage first. He then handed her Sophia and then put Elizabeth in before getting in himself.
The carriage started and Karen leaned her head on Jack's shoulder as he settled on the seat next to her. "This is great Jackie," she said.
"I'm glad that you like it," Jack replied. He put his free arm around Karen, his other one holding on to Elizabeth.
The carriage went around the park twice before stopping by the limo. Jack helped Karen out along with his daughters and then they got into the limo to head back home.
"Say thank you to your daddy girls," Karen said to Elizabeth and Sophia as the limo drove down the street.
"Thank 'ou Daddy," Elizabeth immediately said, hugging Jack around his neck.
"You're welcome little one," Jack said, smiling and kissing her cheek.
"Dada!" Sophia then cried from Karen's arms.
"Give her to me Kare," Jack said.
"Can you hold them both?" Karen asked, hesitating a little at first. When he nodded, she handed the baby over to him.
Jack had a wide smile on his face and he kissed Sophia's cheek and then Elizabeth's again. "Come here Kare," he then said to his wife.
Karen went over to him and sat on his right side, next to Elizabeth. "We love you Jackie," she said with a smile as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"And I love my three girls," Jack said, turning so he could kiss the top of Karen's forehead. He then handed Elizabeth to her and immediately put his free hand under Karen's chin and pulled her lips to his and they kissed deeply for a long time.
~~~
"Are we going to let Ebie open her presents now?" Jack asked anxiously that night.
"Yes poodle, I just wanted to make sure all our presents for her are there," Karen said, sitting down next to him on the couch. She took Sophia from Jack and said, "Why don't you help her with unwrapping them Jackie?"
"Okay," Jack said excitedly. He got off the couch and sat down on the floor next to Elizabeth, who had a small hill of presents next to her.
With Jack helping once in a while, it took Elizabeth almost an hour to open the gifts she had received from everyone besides her parents. She had gotten an assortment of things, like a few DVDs from Grace and some clothes from Katherine and Edward and a lot more stuff.
"Okay, have her go in order of smallest gift to biggest," Karen said to Jack as she moved to sit in the armchair next to the two. She moved Sophia so the baby's head was resting on her shoulder and the baby was dozing soon after that.
Jack gave Elizabeth the smallest of the five gifts and then gave her the rest. The first was a pair of earrings; they were small silver disks with tiny diamonds and emeralds in a mosaic-like design. The second were three jeweled hair clips since Elizabeth's hair length now ended just below her ears. After that was a set of books; Jack's idea; and then a stuffed teddy bear, a little bigger then Sophia's. The second to last gift, but the fifth one Elizabeth opened, were two dresses; one that was pink, white and red for the summer and then a dark blue and silver one for the winter.
"Is everything ready in her room now Jackie?" Karen asked after they had all admired the dresses.
"Yeah, want to take her now?" Jack asked. When Karen nodded, he picked Elizabeth up and they all went to the stairs.
"Let me put Sophie to bed before we go in Jackie," Karen said when they got to the closed door of Elizabeth's room.
A few minutes later, she returned, and Jack said to Elizabeth, "Okay little one, you have one more present inside your room, but you need to close your eyes to get it."
The little girl immediately did so and then covered her eyes with her hands.
Giggling, Karen opened the door to the room and went inside first. She looked around and smiled, everything was finished.
"Okay Ebie," Jack said. "Open your eyes."
Elizabeth moved her hands and then opened her eyes. When she saw the bed, her blue eyes went wide and she gave a little squeal of delight. "My bed?" she asked her parents.
"Yep," Karen said as Jack put the girl on the ground. "You're growing up, so you get a bed now."
The little girl hurried over to the bed and ran her fingers along the carving on the side of the sleigh bed. "What this?" Elizabeth asked, pointing to a kind of net that was attached to the left side of the bed.
"That's so you don't fall," Karen said, lifting Elizabeth onto the bed. "See, the wall is on the side, and then this is here so you'll stay in the bed all night."
"Thank 'ou," Elizabeth said solemnly after sitting on the mattress for a few minutes. She stood and went over to Karen, wrapping her arms around her mother's neck.
"You're welcome honey," Karen said, hugging her back. She then handed the little girl over to Jack.
"I know you'll have a lot of good dreams in this bed Ebie," Jack said, throwing her up in the air slightly before hugging her.
Elizabeth nodded enthusiastically in agreement and then yawned.
"Oh, looks like we should get her to bed," Karen said, taking her from Jack. "I'll get her changed while you check on Sophie poodle."
"Okay, I'll be right back," Jack said, he tugged at the little French braid Elizabeth had in her hair and then left the room.
~~~
Once they had put Elizabeth to bed, Jack and Karen stayed in the room to make sure that their daughter would fall asleep. To their surprise, because they had expected Elizabeth to be scared, she went to sleep very quickly. After waiting for a few minutes to make sure she didn't wake up, Jack and Karen left Elizabeth's room very quietly, going to their own bedroom.
"That was a fun birthday," Jack commented as Karen went over to her dresser.
"Much better then last year when we went to the zoo," Karen said, smiling as she undid her bun and then brushed her hair.
Jack walked over to her and put his arms around her waist. "Our girls looked as beautiful as their mom today... and they do everyday," he said, kissing her neck lightly.
Laughing, Karen leaned back into him and started to say, "I was thinking about if we make love tonight-"
"If, what you don't want to have sex with me?" Jack said, pouting slightly.
"Oh poodle," Karen said exasperatingly as she turned to face him, putting her arms around his neck. "Of course I want to have sex with you; I always do."
"Good, so what were you going to say?" Jack asked as he kissed her cheek softly.
"I wanted to do something different," Karen said mischievously.
"Like what?" Jack asked, anticipation spreading through his body.
"Come here and I'll show you Jackie," Karen said. She let go of him and then pulled him by the arm over to the bed. "Lay down with me poodle," she said as she got on the mattress after taking off her high-heeled shoes.
"This is what you wanted to do?" Jack said as he laid his head on his pillow, facing Karen who was laying on hers.
"Not yet honey," Karen said, scooting over closer to him. "I wanna do something we haven't done for a long time." With that, she pressed her lips to his, only brushing them lightly before pulling back and then lightly kissing him again and again.
When Jack tried to make their kisses more passionate, he was surprised when Karen said, "Easy Jackie... slowly honey." He then realized what Karen wanted to do that night and he smiled, feeling excitement at the thought. He put his hand on Karen's upper arm and stroked it gently as they continued to kiss softly.
Karen sighed in between kisses and put her hand on his cheek. "I love you Jackie," she said.
"Oh Kare, I love you too," Jack said, his voice heavy with emotion.
Smiling, Karen kissed him again, this time pushing her tongue into his mouth.
Moaning lightly, Jack rubbed his own tongue against Karen's then moved his hand from her arm to her side, stroking her there lightly.
As the two kissed passionately, they ran their hands over each other, not yet bothering to take off their clothes.
After about fifteen minutes of that, Jack unbuttoned Karen's blouse and then stroked her back before unhooking her bra. He helped her sit up so he could take off the clothes and then they lay back on the bed. They continued to kiss and he started to run his fingers over her breasts softly before going down to her stomach.
When they pulled apart to breathe, Karen pushed Jack gently on the mattress. She kissed his cheeks and forehead a few times while she unbuttoned his blouse and took it off. "I love you poodle," Karen murmured as she lightly kissed his bare chest.
Jack pulled Karen onto his body and they resumed their soft, gentle kissing from before.
After a while, Karen pushed herself up and sat on her knees. "I don't think I can stand this for much longer Jackie," she said, looking down at him.
"Yeah, come here and help me with my clothes," Jack said.
Karen went down and took off Jack's trousers and boxers as he took off her skirt and panties. When they were both naked, Karen lay back on the bed, waiting for Jack.
Jack got up immediately and went over to her, lowering himself down to her. He kissed her gently as he entered her with his member quickly. He pulled away from her lips and then started to thrust in and out of her slowly, kissing her breasts before sucking on the nipples.
"Oh, oh Jackie," Karen moaned, running her hands up and down his back, scratching the skin there lightly.
After about twenty minutes of pumping in and out of Karen's body a little more quickly, Jack turned over so that she was on the top. "Your... turn Kare," he said breathlessly, putting his hands on her waist.
Putting her hands over Jack's, Karen started to move up and down his member. She went slowly at first, but then as the moans of Jack's mouth came to her ears, she started going faster.
"Ugh, oh Kare," Jack grunted, moving his hands up to her back. "Please..."
"Hmm, what... what is it Jackie," Karen said, placing her fingers on Jack's abdomen. "What do you want your 'Karebear' to do?"
"Faster Kare," Jack moaned, his body breaking out in sweat. "I want you to fuck me."
"Oooh, Jackie... yesss, yesss," Karen hissed as she started to move a little more quickly, sweating herself now. "But you have to do the same... to me."
"I will, I will," Jack groaned, digging his fingertips into her back lightly.
"Jackie... oh I think I'm going..." Karen said about ten minutes later after going faster and faster. She suddenly threw her head back and then cried out in ecstasy as she climaxed around him, "Oh Jackie, Jackie... fuck! JACK!"
Jack hissed slightly before opening his eyes and almost screaming as he climaxed inside of Karen, "Oh my god Kare... ugh, ugh oh god damn... oooh KARE!"
Karen's shoulders slumped forward when she was sated. She stared down at Jack and smiled at him. "I love you," she said softly.
"I love you Kare," Jack said, sitting up and kissing her deeply. He ended the kiss a few minutes later, but he didn't move his lips from hers. He waited for about five or six more minutes before he gently pushed Karen back on the mattress and following her so he didn't leave her body.
"Mmm," Karen said as Jack started to suck on her right breast. "Don't forget you have to fuck me."
"What do you think I'm going to do?" Jack asked, looking up from her breasts. He let his fingers wander down her leg and he gently stroked the skin.
"Hurry up then Jack," Karen said urgently.
Jack smiled and then kissed her deeply while he thrust in and out slowly once. Spurred on by Karen's moan, he then started to go quicker.
Karen looked up at Jack and she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Jackie," she whispered slowly.
"What?" Jack asked, looking down at her. He seemed to read what she wanted in his eyes and so he pumped in and out faster.
Moaning wildly twenty minutes later, Karen wrapped her legs around Jack's waist, and he seemed to go deeper inside of her. She gasped and then dug her nails into his back and screamed his name over and over as she climaxed.
Jack let out a very long moan as he watched Karen and felt her climax around him, and then he felt himself achieve his release. As he yelled Karen's name, Jack continued to thrust in and out of her body frantically.
They almost collapsed from exhaustion once they were both satisfied. Neither of them moved, just taking comfort from each other as they recovered from their love making.
"It was a very good day poodle," Karen said, lifting her hand up and starting to stroke Jack's hair.
"You are amazing Karebear," Jack said, lifting his head up and looking at her. He kissed her lips softly before getting up and pulling out of her body very slowly.
Karen gave a little sigh of disappointment and then got up to follow Jack. "I wish we didn't have to sleep," she said as she lay down next to Jack.
"I know, me too," Jack said as he pulled the covers up over them. "But if we didn't get any sleep, we wouldn't be able to make love... or fuck either."
"That's true," Karen said with a little giggle. She went over to him and then snuggled up on his chest after kissing him deeply.
"Good night Kare," Jack said.
"Night my big strong man, sweet dreams," Karen said. She closed her eyes and then fell asleep almost immediately.
Jack took a little longer to sleep, and he lay there with his arms tight around Karen's body. He glanced down at her and smiled tenderly as he gently brushed some hair from her forehead. "I love you Karen McFarland," he whispered after he kissed her temple softly.
Karen, half asleep, mumbled what sounded like "I love you Jack McFarland," before she buried her face even deeper in his chest, going back to sleep.
With a small smile on his face, Jack closed his eyes and very quickly joined Karen in sleep.
Chapter Fifty-Six
Heaven on a Sunday
As August was nearing its end, the weather became hotter and hotter in New York City, sometimes reaching the nineties. While a lot of the city was staggering under the heat, having to stay in the city, Karen and Jack were trying to plan a weekend vacation to get somewhere cooler.
One afternoon, Jack and Karen were in their bedroom, sitting with their daughters in front of a fan that was blowing down on them.
"You don't want to fly down to Florida?" Jack asked, looking at the piece of paper he was holding. Earlier that morning he had made a list of places where he and Karen could go with their daughters.
"No Jackie, it's going to be even hotter there," Karen said, holding Sophia's hands as she walked a few steps around her.
"Okay, then how about California?" Jack asked as he crossed off 'Florida' from his list.
"Poodle, why don't we try and go up to the Hamptons?" Karen asked. "If we're going to be gone for only the weekend, then why should we go someplace out of the way?"
"Sounds great," Jack said, crumpling up his list and tossing the paper towards Elizabeth.
"Don't Daddy," Elizabeth giggled as she threw the paper back at him.
"I'll call Kath and ask her if she'll let us use her and Eddie's house for when we go," Karen said, handing Sophia to Jack. She got up off the floor and got the phone that was next to the bed. She dialed Katherine's cell phone and put the phone to her ear.
"Katherine O 'Neill speaking," Katherine said when she answered.
"Hi Kath it's me," Karen said.
"Oh, hey Kare," Katherine said. "Is anything wrong?"
"No, I'm fine, and Jackie and the girls are okay," Karen said, smiling. "I just wanted to ask you a favor."
"What is it big sister?" Katherine asked in mock suspicion.
"Jackie and I want to leave the city with Ebie and Sophie this weekend," Karen began. "We're going to the Hamptons and we want to use your house there if it's okay."
"Phew, I thought it was going to be something really bad," Katherine said teasingly. "Well, I'll need to talk with James, but I'm sure it'll be alright."
"Okay, call me later once you talk with your husband," Karen said.
"You four are welcome to come down to the penthouse to join us for dinner tonight," Katherine said.
"We'll see Kath," Karen said. "Bye."
"Cheerio Kare," Katherine said.
"What did she say?" Jack asked as Karen sat down next to him on the floor.
"She's going to talk to Eddie," Karen said, kissing Jack's cheek.
"And what are we going to see?" Jack asked.
"What... oh, Kath invited the four of us for dinner tonight," Karen said, a little confused at first.
"You don't want to go?" Jack said.
"Of course I do, but I'm not going to say yes without consulting you first," Karen said, taking Elizabeth into her arms as the girl walked to her.
"Thanks for valuing my opinion... most of the time," Jack said with a smirk.
"Funny poodle," Karen said, hitting him lightly on the arm.
"Come on Kare, let's go out for some ice cream," Jack said, standing up with Sophia in his arms.
"Aw poodle, I don't want to go out there," Karen said, whining a little as she stood up as well.
"Isn't the limo air conditioned?" Jack asked as he pulled Karen out of the room with his free hand.
"Oh, I thought you were going to be crazy and say we should walk," Karen said laughingly.
Jack, laughing with her, put his arm around Karen's waist and led her out of the penthouse.
~~~
That night, Katherine was getting dressed for dinner when her husband walked into their room. "James! I thought you'd be working late tonight," she exclaimed.
"I was able to finish," Edward said, smiling at her. "I guess Karen and Jack are coming?"
Katherine glanced down at her outfit and laughed. "Yes love, they're coming," she said. She turned back to the mirror, smoothing out the dark green blouse she was wearing with black trousers and then went over to her husband.
"Oh, I got your message about them using the house for the weekend," Edward said as they hugged. "And it's fine with me if they stay there."
"Good, I'll tell them when they get here," Katherine said, smiling. She pulled her husband closer to her and they kissed passionately before they were interrupted by the doorbell ringing downstairs. "That's them," she said, pulling away from the kiss.
"I'll take a quick shower and then change my clothes," Edward said, kissing her hand as she started to leave the room.
Katherine went down the stairs as one of the help was opening the front door. "Hullo you guys," she said, giving Karen a hug when she got to them.
"Hi Kath, take Ebie for me," Karen said.
"Where are your children?" Jack said as they walked over to the living room.
"Amber is spending the night at a friend's house, and Patrick is on a camping trip with his science class for this week," Katherine said as they sat down.
"Hello Karen, Jack," Edward said as he hurried into the room. "I'm sorry I'm late, but I just got back from work."
"So what's the story on us being able to use the house?" Karen asked.
"You can use it," Katherine said with a smile. She took Sophia from Jack; having handed Elizabeth back to Karen; and placed the baby on her knee. "Is she walking a lot now?" she asked.
"Yes, and I have a really hard time keeping up with these two," Jack said with a smile.
"And Sophie likes to follow her sister everywhere," Karen said. "I caught her trying to go down the stairs with Ebie, luckily I stopped her."
"Oh man, you should have heard Sophie crying about that," Jack said.
The four of them shared a laugh before a maid came into the room and announced that the dinner was ready.
~~~
Gathering in the living room again after the meal, Katherine suggested that she and Jack play a few songs for the benefit of their spouses and the little girls.
"Sure, just as long as we both do an even number," Jack said.
"Two?" Katherine suggested.
"Okay, go first Sister Katherine," Jack said, pushing her gently to the piano.
"I've got a new song, it's really great," Katherine said as she set up her sheet music and lyrics in front her. She started playing the intro to the song and then started to sing.
I feel such sorrow,
I feel such shame.
I know I won't arrive on time
Before whatever out there is gone.
What can I do, that day is done.
It's just a promise that I made
I said I'd walk in her parade.
Hot scalding tears I thought would flow.
Still in my heart they'll never show.
That day is done, that day is done,
You know where I've gone
I won't be coming back
That day is done.
Well I recall, the time and place
When they announced her precious face.
I thought at once my heart would burst,
Still every time is like the first.
There was applause when she stepped up.
I wished that I could interrupt
I made no sign, I made no sound
I know I must stay underground.
That day is done, that day is done.
You know where I've gone
I won't be coming back,
That day is done.
That's why she walks, or so they say.
She always knew just what I needed.
Now if she would, just look my way
One time before they proceed.
She sprinkles flowers in the dirt
That's when a thrill becomes a hurt,
I know I'll never see her face.
She walks away from my resting place.
"God Kath, that's so depressing," Karen said as soon as her sister was done.
Katherine turned to her and stuck her tongue out.
Karen stuck her own tongue out back at Katherine and then said, "Do something that's a little more happy honey."
"Okay, try this one Kare," Katherine said, turning back to the piano. She then started to play and sing that lasted for about one minute.
Ou est le soleil
Dans la tete,
Travaillez.
The room was silent for a long time as Karen stared at her sister who had turned to face her. "Oookay," Karen finally said, drawing out the word in a long tone of voice. "Jackie, honey, it's your turn to play."
Laughing slightly, Jack went over to the piano while Katherine sat next to her husband on one of the couches. "This is probably what you wanted Kare," he said just before he started to play.
In a little while
Surely you'll be mine
In a little while... I'll be there
In a little while
This hurt will hurt no more
I'll be home, love
When the night takes a deep breath
And the daylight has no air
If I crawl, if I come crawling home
Will you be there?
In a little while
I won't be blown by every breeze
Friday night running to Sunday on my knees
That girl, that girl she's mine
Well I've known her since,
Since she was
A little girl with Spanish eyes
When I saw her first in a pram they pushed her by
Oh my, my how you've grown
Well it's been, it's been... a little while
Slow down my beating heart
A man dreams one day to fly
A man takes a rocket ship into the sky
He lives on a star that's dying in the night
And follows in the trail, the scatter of light
Turn it on, turn it on, you turn me on
Slow down my beating heart
Slowly, slowly love
"Much better poodle," Karen said, grinning broadly.
Jack turned to give her a wink before going on to play a piece from Schubert next, his concentration entirely on the keys in front of him as he played the nearly ten minute long piece of music.
~~~
That weekend, Jack and Karen were on the O'Neill's private beach in the Hamptons. It was Saturday afternoon, and they had been there since Friday morning.
While Karen was lying out under a bench umbrella on a lounge chair, Jack was making a sand castle with the help of Elizabeth and Sophia.
"Watch out for the waves Jackie," Karen said at one point. "They look like they're getting closer."
"You know that we should teach them to swim Kare," Jack said.
"We can sign Ebie up for classes after her birthday," Karen said simply.
Jack nodded and then helped Sophia put a leaf on the top of one of the towers of the castles.
While they were doing that, Elizabeth got up and went over to her mother. "Mama, come see," she said, pulling Karen's hand lightly.
"Okay, hold on a second honey," Karen responded. She got up and made sure the sarong she was wearing was tied tightly around her waist. She then took Elizabeth's hand and walked over to the sand castle.
"Hey, nice of you to join us," Jack said, smiling at her.
"Looks like you're done," Karen said, looking at the castle as she sat down.
"Yep, I swear Kare, our Ebie is going to turn out to be an architect or something," Jack said with a grin.
"Mama, Daddy, watch!" Elizabeth then cried. With her parents watching, she smashed one of the walls of the castle flat.
Karen started to laugh at the surprised expression on Jack's face. "Oh poodle, it's not the end of the world," she said once her laughter had stopped.
"Oh I know, I just didn't think she would destroy this," Jack said with a grin on his face. He put his arm around Karen as Elizabeth started to knock down the rest of the castle, Sophia soon copying her sister. "This was a really great idea," he said.
"It is, I love being here," Karen said, smiling at Jack. "Just the four of us."
"Kare," Jack said, leaning close to her head and whispering into her ear. "Can it be just me and you later tonight?" As he asked this, he ran his hand up and down the skin on her back and making her shiver slightly since she was wearing a bikini.
"Of course Jackie," Karen said. She pulled Jack's head to hers and they kissed deeply; until a wave came up to where they were sitting, getting them and their daughters wet.
"Ah!" Jack cried out in surprise as he and Karen grabbed one of the little girls and stood up.
"I told you to watch out for those waves Jackie," Karen said as they walked up to the lounge chairs.
"Yeah, well I was busy," Jack said defensively.
"Doing what?" Kare asked, a faint smile appearing on her face.
"Inspecting your lips," Jack said with a serious expression, making Karen start to laugh loudly.
~~~
That night, Karen snuck out of hers and Jack's bedroom to go down to the kitchen. She hurriedly went to the freezer with a bowl and got something out of it before going back up to the room.
Jack was sitting on a chair in the balcony, looking at the night sky and glancing at the bonfires that could be seen on other beaches near by. He knew Karen had left the room, and he heard her come back inside a few minutes later.
"Hey Jackie," Karen called.
"Hey what Karebear?" Jack asked after he had gotten off the chair and was standing in the bedroom.
"It's just us two now you know," Karen said, lying out on the bed.
Jack pretended to glance around the room and then nodded. "Okay, so what do you wanna do then lover?" he asked, walking over to the bed.
Karen giggled and grabbed Jack's arms, pulling him down on top of her. She kissed his lips deeply for a few minutes before pulling away. She reached over to the nightstand as Jack untied her sarong; she grabbed the bowl she had gotten in the kitchen.
"What's that?" Jack said.
"Just lay back and close your eyes," Karen said, pushing Jack off of her. When he did what she said, she picked an ice cube up from the bowl. She then leaned down and placed a soft kiss on Jack's bare chest, not having to worry about a shirt since he was still wearing his swimming trunks from that afternoon. She took the ice cube and then ran it down his chin, down his neck and then onto his chest.
Shivering, Jack opened his eyes and saw that Karen had a bowl full of ice cubes. "Kare, that's freezing," he gasped.
"That's the idea honey," Karen said, smirking as she circled his nipple with the half melted ice cube in her hand.
After a while of watching this, Jack grabbed her wrist and then took the ice out of her hand, throwing it onto the floor along with the bowl. He pulled her down on him tightly and kissed her deeply.
"Hmm, Jackie..." Karen breathed as they both sat up and Jack started to take off the bra part of her bikini. "You don't want to use the ice on me at all?"
"In a minute," Jack mumbled, cupping her exposed breasts with each hand. He brought his mouth down on the left one and sucked on it feverishly, running his tongue over and around the nipple.
Karen looked down and watched Jack as he eventually moved to her other breast and she but her lip, suppressing a moan. When she finally couldn't take it anymore, she moved Jack's head from her breast gently and pulled his lips to hers.
While they kissed each other fervently, Jack pushed the both of them down to the mattress so their heads were now at the bottom of the bed. As they kissed, he reached between their bodies and removed the bottom of Karen's bikini as she pulled off his swim trunks.
"I love you Jackie," Karen said breathlessly when Jack pulled away, her lips now swollen from their kissing. She watched as he reached over the side of the bed after throwing their clothing onto the floor.
"And I love you Kare," Jack said, coming back onto the mattress. He then placed his hand on the top of Karen's left breast and smiled.
"Jackie!" she cried out as she felt the ice in the palm of his hand on her breast.
Jack laughed slightly and then leaned down, kissing Karen's lips softly. He then moved his hand from her breast, down to her stomach.
Lifting her head up, Karen watched as Jack ran his hand with the ice in his palm all over the skin on her abdomen. She closed her eyes tightly, biting her bottom lip again; the mixture of cold from the ice cube and the heat from Jack's hand driving her insane with desire. When the ice was nearly gone, she grabbed his other arm and pulled him to her. "Jackie," she said, her voice thick with lust.
"What do you want Kare," Jack said, his own voice husky.
"I need you in me... now," Karen answered, almost moaning the words.
"Anything for you," Jack mumbled as he got on his hands and knees so his body was hovering over hers. With Karen helping to guide his member, he then lowered himself down onto her, entering her slowly.
Closing her eyes when Jack was fully inside of her, Karen sighed in a kind of mixture of happiness and contentment. She opened her eyes as he started to thrust in and out of her, watching as he closed his eyes tighter and tighter whenever he pushed into her.
A long time later, his breathing was getting harsher and Jack opened his eyes and saw with some surprise that Karen was staring back at him. "Jesus Kare... y-you're eyes," he managed to gasp out as he started thrusting faster.
"What?" Karen said in between quick intakes of air. She hissed a little as she felt herself start to tighten slightly.
"You're so... beautiful," Jack said. He thrust out one more time and then back in, causing both of them to reach the edge.
"Oh, oh Jackie, Jack!" Karen cried as she climaxed around him, her eyes closed tightly now.
"God... Kare," Jack said, saying her name in a low husky whisper as he climaxed in her.
When they were both sated, they stayed as they were; Jack on top of Karen and their bodies backwards on the bed, their heads being at the bottom.
"A really, really good idea poodle," Karen said, kissing Jack's forehead.
"We need to get good ideas a lot more," Jack said, lifting his head so they could kiss.
They kissed fervently for a long time until they made love once more, this time more slowly and keeping their lips close to each others. When they finished a long time later, they fell asleep together, not even bothering to cover their naked bodies up since it was still warm inside the room and they were both almost dripping with sweat.
~~~
On the second of September, Karen was sitting at her desk in Grace's office, a thick Vogue magazine open in front of her. She wasn't really looking at the magazine, even though there was a really cute blouse that she liked in there.
"Kare, I've walked past you two times in the past hour and a half and you're still looking at that same page," Katherine said, getting a stool and putting it next to Karen's desk, sitting down in it. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing Kath, I'm just waiting for one o'clock to come," Karen said, looking at her watch for the millionth time that morning. "I miss my poodle and our girls."
"They'll be here in ten minutes Karen," Grace said from her desk. "And then we'll go."
Karen rolled her eyes and sighed saying, "Okay Grace."
Katherine laughed and then looked at the pages in the Vogue. "Oh man, look at this skirt," she said, pointing to the left page.
"I know Kath, it's awful," Karen said, glancing down at the magazine. She suddenly heard footsteps coming closer to the office, and she leapt out of her seat.
"What's wrong Karen?" Grace asked, looking over at Karen with a worried look on her face.
"Hi Grace, Katherine...Karen," Will said as he walked into the office.
"Hey," Zach said, walking inside next, nodding to Karen and Katherine.
"Hello everyone," Edward said, holding Elizabeth in his arms. As he gave the little girl to Karen he said, "Don't worry, he's coming right now."
Jack then came into the room, holding Sophia, and went straight to Karen, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek.
"Are you guys done with the PDA yet?" Will asked, rolling his eyes.
Glaring at his friend, Jack said, "Yeah, let's go before I start throwing insults at you chunky."
The group left the office and then went down to Karen's limo where they all got in before driving over to Central Park and to the restaurant where they were going to celebrate Elizabeth's birthday with lunch.
At the end of the meal, Karen handed Elizabeth over to Grace saying, "I figured I should let her godparents have some time with her since it's her birthday."
As Grace was holding the little girl she said, "I can't believe she's three years old already."
"I know, she is such a cute girl," Will said, taking Elizabeth's hand.
Laughing, Elizabeth reached out and grabbed Will's nose, pretending to take it. "Nose!" she said, still laughing.
"Oh man, I knew that was going to come back to haunt me when I did that to her when she was younger," Will said.
Everyone around the table laughed as Will started to try and get his 'nose' back from Elizabeth. The girl was stubborn though, and wouldn't give in no matter what her godfather said.
"Oh no Will," Zach said in mock horror. "You're not going to have your gorgeous nose, how awful!"
Elizabeth giggled at Zach's dramatic delivery and waved her arm in the air.
"Hey little one," Jack said, and the girl immediately stopped laughing and looked at him, a serious expression on her face. "Give your Uncle Will his nose back; it's just about the only thing he's got that'll redeem the chunkiness."
Karen burst out laughing next to him, and she had to cover her mouth with her hand. "I'm sorry Wilma, but that was very funny."
"Thanks Karen," Will said, making a face at her. "Well at least I've got my nose back," he then said as Elizabeth pressed her hand on his nose. "Thank you Ebie."
~~~
After lunch, Jack, Karen, Elizabeth and Sophia separated from the others since Jack had a gift to give them that was on the other side of the park. They went in the limo and when they got out, Karen was surprised.
"A carriage ride poodle?" she asked, sounding taken aback but pleased.
"Yep, a gift for the four of us today," Jack said as he helped Karen into the carriage first. He then handed her Sophia and then put Elizabeth in before getting in himself.
The carriage started and Karen leaned her head on Jack's shoulder as he settled on the seat next to her. "This is great Jackie," she said.
"I'm glad that you like it," Jack replied. He put his free arm around Karen, his other one holding on to Elizabeth.
The carriage went around the park twice before stopping by the limo. Jack helped Karen out along with his daughters and then they got into the limo to head back home.
"Say thank you to your daddy girls," Karen said to Elizabeth and Sophia as the limo drove down the street.
"Thank 'ou Daddy," Elizabeth immediately said, hugging Jack around his neck.
"You're welcome little one," Jack said, smiling and kissing her cheek.
"Dada!" Sophia then cried from Karen's arms.
"Give her to me Kare," Jack said.
"Can you hold them both?" Karen asked, hesitating a little at first. When he nodded, she handed the baby over to him.
Jack had a wide smile on his face and he kissed Sophia's cheek and then Elizabeth's again. "Come here Kare," he then said to his wife.
Karen went over to him and sat on his right side, next to Elizabeth. "We love you Jackie," she said with a smile as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"And I love my three girls," Jack said, turning so he could kiss the top of Karen's forehead. He then handed Elizabeth to her and immediately put his free hand under Karen's chin and pulled her lips to his and they kissed deeply for a long time.
~~~
"Are we going to let Ebie open her presents now?" Jack asked anxiously that night.
"Yes poodle, I just wanted to make sure all our presents for her are there," Karen said, sitting down next to him on the couch. She took Sophia from Jack and said, "Why don't you help her with unwrapping them Jackie?"
"Okay," Jack said excitedly. He got off the couch and sat down on the floor next to Elizabeth, who had a small hill of presents next to her.
With Jack helping once in a while, it took Elizabeth almost an hour to open the gifts she had received from everyone besides her parents. She had gotten an assortment of things, like a few DVDs from Grace and some clothes from Katherine and Edward and a lot more stuff.
"Okay, have her go in order of smallest gift to biggest," Karen said to Jack as she moved to sit in the armchair next to the two. She moved Sophia so the baby's head was resting on her shoulder and the baby was dozing soon after that.
Jack gave Elizabeth the smallest of the five gifts and then gave her the rest. The first was a pair of earrings; they were small silver disks with tiny diamonds and emeralds in a mosaic-like design. The second were three jeweled hair clips since Elizabeth's hair length now ended just below her ears. After that was a set of books; Jack's idea; and then a stuffed teddy bear, a little bigger then Sophia's. The second to last gift, but the fifth one Elizabeth opened, were two dresses; one that was pink, white and red for the summer and then a dark blue and silver one for the winter.
"Is everything ready in her room now Jackie?" Karen asked after they had all admired the dresses.
"Yeah, want to take her now?" Jack asked. When Karen nodded, he picked Elizabeth up and they all went to the stairs.
"Let me put Sophie to bed before we go in Jackie," Karen said when they got to the closed door of Elizabeth's room.
A few minutes later, she returned, and Jack said to Elizabeth, "Okay little one, you have one more present inside your room, but you need to close your eyes to get it."
The little girl immediately did so and then covered her eyes with her hands.
Giggling, Karen opened the door to the room and went inside first. She looked around and smiled, everything was finished.
"Okay Ebie," Jack said. "Open your eyes."
Elizabeth moved her hands and then opened her eyes. When she saw the bed, her blue eyes went wide and she gave a little squeal of delight. "My bed?" she asked her parents.
"Yep," Karen said as Jack put the girl on the ground. "You're growing up, so you get a bed now."
The little girl hurried over to the bed and ran her fingers along the carving on the side of the sleigh bed. "What this?" Elizabeth asked, pointing to a kind of net that was attached to the left side of the bed.
"That's so you don't fall," Karen said, lifting Elizabeth onto the bed. "See, the wall is on the side, and then this is here so you'll stay in the bed all night."
"Thank 'ou," Elizabeth said solemnly after sitting on the mattress for a few minutes. She stood and went over to Karen, wrapping her arms around her mother's neck.
"You're welcome honey," Karen said, hugging her back. She then handed the little girl over to Jack.
"I know you'll have a lot of good dreams in this bed Ebie," Jack said, throwing her up in the air slightly before hugging her.
Elizabeth nodded enthusiastically in agreement and then yawned.
"Oh, looks like we should get her to bed," Karen said, taking her from Jack. "I'll get her changed while you check on Sophie poodle."
"Okay, I'll be right back," Jack said, he tugged at the little French braid Elizabeth had in her hair and then left the room.
~~~
Once they had put Elizabeth to bed, Jack and Karen stayed in the room to make sure that their daughter would fall asleep. To their surprise, because they had expected Elizabeth to be scared, she went to sleep very quickly. After waiting for a few minutes to make sure she didn't wake up, Jack and Karen left Elizabeth's room very quietly, going to their own bedroom.
"That was a fun birthday," Jack commented as Karen went over to her dresser.
"Much better then last year when we went to the zoo," Karen said, smiling as she undid her bun and then brushed her hair.
Jack walked over to her and put his arms around her waist. "Our girls looked as beautiful as their mom today... and they do everyday," he said, kissing her neck lightly.
Laughing, Karen leaned back into him and started to say, "I was thinking about if we make love tonight-"
"If, what you don't want to have sex with me?" Jack said, pouting slightly.
"Oh poodle," Karen said exasperatingly as she turned to face him, putting her arms around his neck. "Of course I want to have sex with you; I always do."
"Good, so what were you going to say?" Jack asked as he kissed her cheek softly.
"I wanted to do something different," Karen said mischievously.
"Like what?" Jack asked, anticipation spreading through his body.
"Come here and I'll show you Jackie," Karen said. She let go of him and then pulled him by the arm over to the bed. "Lay down with me poodle," she said as she got on the mattress after taking off her high-heeled shoes.
"This is what you wanted to do?" Jack said as he laid his head on his pillow, facing Karen who was laying on hers.
"Not yet honey," Karen said, scooting over closer to him. "I wanna do something we haven't done for a long time." With that, she pressed her lips to his, only brushing them lightly before pulling back and then lightly kissing him again and again.
When Jack tried to make their kisses more passionate, he was surprised when Karen said, "Easy Jackie... slowly honey." He then realized what Karen wanted to do that night and he smiled, feeling excitement at the thought. He put his hand on Karen's upper arm and stroked it gently as they continued to kiss softly.
Karen sighed in between kisses and put her hand on his cheek. "I love you Jackie," she said.
"Oh Kare, I love you too," Jack said, his voice heavy with emotion.
Smiling, Karen kissed him again, this time pushing her tongue into his mouth.
Moaning lightly, Jack rubbed his own tongue against Karen's then moved his hand from her arm to her side, stroking her there lightly.
As the two kissed passionately, they ran their hands over each other, not yet bothering to take off their clothes.
After about fifteen minutes of that, Jack unbuttoned Karen's blouse and then stroked her back before unhooking her bra. He helped her sit up so he could take off the clothes and then they lay back on the bed. They continued to kiss and he started to run his fingers over her breasts softly before going down to her stomach.
When they pulled apart to breathe, Karen pushed Jack gently on the mattress. She kissed his cheeks and forehead a few times while she unbuttoned his blouse and took it off. "I love you poodle," Karen murmured as she lightly kissed his bare chest.
Jack pulled Karen onto his body and they resumed their soft, gentle kissing from before.
After a while, Karen pushed herself up and sat on her knees. "I don't think I can stand this for much longer Jackie," she said, looking down at him.
"Yeah, come here and help me with my clothes," Jack said.
Karen went down and took off Jack's trousers and boxers as he took off her skirt and panties. When they were both naked, Karen lay back on the bed, waiting for Jack.
Jack got up immediately and went over to her, lowering himself down to her. He kissed her gently as he entered her with his member quickly. He pulled away from her lips and then started to thrust in and out of her slowly, kissing her breasts before sucking on the nipples.
"Oh, oh Jackie," Karen moaned, running her hands up and down his back, scratching the skin there lightly.
After about twenty minutes of pumping in and out of Karen's body a little more quickly, Jack turned over so that she was on the top. "Your... turn Kare," he said breathlessly, putting his hands on her waist.
Putting her hands over Jack's, Karen started to move up and down his member. She went slowly at first, but then as the moans of Jack's mouth came to her ears, she started going faster.
"Ugh, oh Kare," Jack grunted, moving his hands up to her back. "Please..."
"Hmm, what... what is it Jackie," Karen said, placing her fingers on Jack's abdomen. "What do you want your 'Karebear' to do?"
"Faster Kare," Jack moaned, his body breaking out in sweat. "I want you to fuck me."
"Oooh, Jackie... yesss, yesss," Karen hissed as she started to move a little more quickly, sweating herself now. "But you have to do the same... to me."
"I will, I will," Jack groaned, digging his fingertips into her back lightly.
"Jackie... oh I think I'm going..." Karen said about ten minutes later after going faster and faster. She suddenly threw her head back and then cried out in ecstasy as she climaxed around him, "Oh Jackie, Jackie... fuck! JACK!"
Jack hissed slightly before opening his eyes and almost screaming as he climaxed inside of Karen, "Oh my god Kare... ugh, ugh oh god damn... oooh KARE!"
Karen's shoulders slumped forward when she was sated. She stared down at Jack and smiled at him. "I love you," she said softly.
"I love you Kare," Jack said, sitting up and kissing her deeply. He ended the kiss a few minutes later, but he didn't move his lips from hers. He waited for about five or six more minutes before he gently pushed Karen back on the mattress and following her so he didn't leave her body.
"Mmm," Karen said as Jack started to suck on her right breast. "Don't forget you have to fuck me."
"What do you think I'm going to do?" Jack asked, looking up from her breasts. He let his fingers wander down her leg and he gently stroked the skin.
"Hurry up then Jack," Karen said urgently.
Jack smiled and then kissed her deeply while he thrust in and out slowly once. Spurred on by Karen's moan, he then started to go quicker.
Karen looked up at Jack and she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Jackie," she whispered slowly.
"What?" Jack asked, looking down at her. He seemed to read what she wanted in his eyes and so he pumped in and out faster.
Moaning wildly twenty minutes later, Karen wrapped her legs around Jack's waist, and he seemed to go deeper inside of her. She gasped and then dug her nails into his back and screamed his name over and over as she climaxed.
Jack let out a very long moan as he watched Karen and felt her climax around him, and then he felt himself achieve his release. As he yelled Karen's name, Jack continued to thrust in and out of her body frantically.
They almost collapsed from exhaustion once they were both satisfied. Neither of them moved, just taking comfort from each other as they recovered from their love making.
"It was a very good day poodle," Karen said, lifting her hand up and starting to stroke Jack's hair.
"You are amazing Karebear," Jack said, lifting his head up and looking at her. He kissed her lips softly before getting up and pulling out of her body very slowly.
Karen gave a little sigh of disappointment and then got up to follow Jack. "I wish we didn't have to sleep," she said as she lay down next to Jack.
"I know, me too," Jack said as he pulled the covers up over them. "But if we didn't get any sleep, we wouldn't be able to make love... or fuck either."
"That's true," Karen said with a little giggle. She went over to him and then snuggled up on his chest after kissing him deeply.
"Good night Kare," Jack said.
"Night my big strong man, sweet dreams," Karen said. She closed her eyes and then fell asleep almost immediately.
Jack took a little longer to sleep, and he lay there with his arms tight around Karen's body. He glanced down at her and smiled tenderly as he gently brushed some hair from her forehead. "I love you Karen McFarland," he whispered after he kissed her temple softly.
Karen, half asleep, mumbled what sounded like "I love you Jack McFarland," before she buried her face even deeper in his chest, going back to sleep.
With a small smile on his face, Jack closed his eyes and very quickly joined Karen in sleep.