CHAPTER 7

For the last time, they rode silently up the elevator to the ninth floor. As the doors parted, Jack took a tentative look into the hallway to make sure Will and Grace weren't prowling about. It would be extremely awkward to meet up with them now, but fortunately nobody was around. Their friends were probably getting ready for the theater date they thought they would be attending. Jack with Karen by his side, carrying the wine, walked quickly and quietly past the location of the former Café Jacques. They glanced longingly at the door of apartment 9C, a door they had entered and exited through so many times under happier circumstances. A door behind which at that very moment, Will and Grace were probably sharing some hilarious joke between themselves.

Jack unlocked his apartment door, then picked up Karen and carried her inside, kicking the door shut behind them, and right over to the sofa. He placed her gently on it. He thought she looked like a queen, not one of his former flings mind you, but a regal woman ensconced on her throne. He kissed her again. How could he ever have thought he'd be doing this with a woman…and Karen of all people?

"Oh, Jack, I don't know how you did it, but you've made me the happiest I could have possibly been tonight," she sighed. "Just let me get 'ready' now," she said as she stood and placed the wine on the table as she gave her new husband a peck on the forehead. She walked to the bed where her suitcase was waiting. She removed the black gown and pumps and took them into the lavatory. Jack was making his own preparations. He laid out the marriage certificate on the coffee table and wrote a brief note explaining the situation to anyone finding them, likely Will or Grace or both, when they came to pick them up to go out. He found the bottle of pills in Karen's luggage and also placed them on the table. He fished around in his cupboard and produced two champagne glasses, which joined the other things. He was just opening the wine when Karen reappeared in her black gown. She had done her hair in the familiar upsweep. She was gorgeous. Jack just gaped at his bride, totally oblivious to how handsome he was himself in his dark suit and boutonnière.

He jumped up and embraced his bride. "Can I have this dance, Mrs. McFarland?" he whispered. Without waiting for a reply, he led Karen over to his CD player and looked briefly through the disks. Finding the one he wanted, he slid it in the slot. The sounds of "Tonight I Celebrate my Love for You" swelled. Jack and Karen swayed gently to the music and moved slowly around the apartment to its tender message. Like the ceremony, it was over all too soon. Jack looked again into Karen's brimming eyes and gave her another tender kiss. Then she led Jack back to the couch. They sat down together.

"Ready, honey?" Karen sighed.

Jack just nodded as he turned his attention to the wine. He poured the two glasses and handed her one, then opened the pill bottle, hands trembling.

"Don't be nervous, Jack. I looked it up on the Internet - one pill for every 20 pounds. It will be quick and painless," Karen whispered.

Jack poured a half-dozen of the fateful capsules into Karen's hand and took eight for himself. They looked into each other's eyes. If only circumstances had been different. They put the pills into their mouths and swallowed them with sips of wine, then kissed each other again.

They placed the glasses back on the table and held each other's hands, Karen's head on Jack's shoulder and his head against hers.

"I love you, Karen," Jack whispered.

"I love you too, Jackie," Karen said softly.

"Who's yer daddy?" he gasped as his eyes slowly closed.

"You are," she sighed as her lids also became too heavy to keep open.

…………………………………………………………………………..

"Jack! Jack! Are you in there? Is Karen there? C'mon, we have to be at the theatre soon," Will barked at he stood impatiently outside Jack's door, knocking vigorously on it. Grace was right behind him, puzzled that Jack and Karen weren't ready. They knew what day and what time the tickets were for.

"Try the door," Grace suggested.

Will turned the knob, surprised at finding the door unlocked, and the two friends stepped into Jack's apartment…

(This is as far as I had taken the original story, but I've added another ending for those that need more closure. If you prefer to leave it at the original ending, stop here, otherwise, read the epilogue. If you do continue, let me know in a review which ending you prefer. Thanks!)