Thanks go to everyone who reviewed, and I am so glad that my writing brought so many of you to tears…may not be the last time…that's all I'm saying!
Thanks also to Pam, for beta-ing this for me…no matter what you say Hunny, I'll always need your advice!
Enjoy…we're nearly at the end.
Unforgettable Moments
Unforgettable, that's what you are
Unforgettable though near or far
Like a song of Love that clings to me
How the thought of you does things to me
Never before, has someone been more
Unforgettable…
(Unforgettable, Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes)
When Stan had come miraculously back from the dead; her very own Lazarus, it had taken quite a lot of time for her to forgive him. Not nearly as long as it would have taken had she more time. That had been the main reason for her acceptance of him back into her life. He'd been such a large part of her life, both physically and metaphorically. There had been so many times when she wouldn't have survived with out him, and though there had been just as many where she'd had to do just that, she knew that this time it wasn't about survival, it was about enjoying what she had. And what she had was a recently returned Husband whom, despite everything, she had greatly missed. Throughout the years she'd had as many regrets as she needed, she'd not wanted to add another one to the list.
So Stan had moved back in, taking up more than his fair share of space in her life and bringing the Stepchildren around her once again. Of course they had taken longer to forgive the betrayal of their father, and she'd known that their eventual reunion had only occurred in response to the revelation of the return of her illness. But she'd not worried, it had been a start after all, and if anything good was to come from her death, it would be that her family was brought together again.
The following weeks had passed faster than she'd expected. Jack had spent every free moment with her, something she'd appreciated more than he knew. Though telling him had been one of the hardest acts of her life, it had also been one of the best, for it had brought them closer than she'd thought possible. Still, as the days had gone on, she'd seen how restless he was getting without a date, and so finally; tired and frustrated with Jack's reluctance to leave her alone, she'd organised a date for him herself and pushed him forcibly out of the Manse and in to the strong arms of a cute guy. Will and Grace had planned another of their infamous Game Nights and Stan had taken the kids out for an evening of Bowling and Steak, which she had graciously declined to join in with. Her excuse of being far too tired not even a lie. So, feeling far less than ideal and having a penthouse empty but for herself and the staff, she'd settled in for a quite night of Ben and Jerrys and sappy movies. It should have been the perfect evening for everyone.
: flashback :
The movie played out on screen, the star-crossed lovers partying once more, each destined for different things in different places, but fated to meet again years into the future. It was a well kept secret; Karen's love for romantic comedy. It was only on nights when she was alone, and feeling down that she'd pull the movies out of the hidden safe in the Movie room. Not that she was feeling particularly sad right then, but she did feel more than a little under the weather. She'd have to make an appointment with her doctor tomorrow; it wouldn't do to come down with something now.
Karen turned away from the screen as the heroine wept desperately into the shoulder of her domineering father, and looked across the coffee table to where the ice cream sat; its contents warming up to room temperature; melting to a cool chocolate mush. Suddenly feeling overheated, she reached across to grab it, hoping to bring her temperature down with it. It took more out of her than she expected to move, and she slowly pulled herself back until she was resting against the sofa cushions once again, breathing heavily as she tried to catch her breath. She could feel her heart beating erratically, and winced as it pounded against her rib cage. Using energy she didn't have she slid down until she lay flat atop the sofa as it became harder and harder to draw in much needed air. The corners of her vision began to fade away, blackness moving in and distorting her view. As darkness overcame her, her last view was of her beloved maid hovering above her, frantic worry set into her features. Karen tried to smile, to reassure her Rosie, but it was no use, her body wouldn't respond to her, and with one last futile attempt she slid into unconsciousness.
: kw :
Rosario lay knitting on her bed, the small Television; a recent addition to the room, blared out in front of her, as the soap opera drew to a close for the evening. Stretching as she stood, she switched it off, mumbling to herself about how stupid the plumber was in thinking that by sleeping with his brother's wife he could get revenge. It wouldn't work; the marriage had long ago dried up anyway. Thinking of soap operas and things that had dried up, Rosario remembered the evening her boss was currently having. She couldn't believe that Karen's illness had returned again, this time fatal. But she had accepted that it had, and was going to make sure that until she no longer could, she would provide her Miss Karen with anything she needed.
Heading for the Movie room, Rosario stopped suddenly and counted in her head. It had been thirty minutes since she'd last checked in on Karen, which meant that she must have finished her drink by now. Turning in the corridor and moving towards the kitchen, Rosario was already mentally preparing a drink in her head.
She entered the empty kitchen and easily found the ingredients for Karen's favourite Martini. After mixing it up and pouring it into one of the many glasses, she headed once again for the Media room, a quite hum escaping her lips.
The room seemed quite as she opened the door, and she waited to hear the characteristic laugh that should have come after the joke on screen. Hearing nothing, Rosario pushed the door fully open and silently approached the couch, wondering if the brunette was asleep. Finally reaching the sofa, she peered over it, and came face to face with a sight that sent shivers down her spine, and caused the drink to slip helplessly from her hand, hitting the floor and splintering into tiny pieces. Rosario didn't notice, her attention fixed as it was on the struggles of her friend.
"Miss Karen! What is wrong? What can I do?" She tried to gain a response, but her questions met silence, and she watched in horror as Karen's eyes slipped shut and her body grew still. Scrambling around the sofa, she leant in against Karen's chest hoping against hope for a sign that all was not lost. Finding a slight rise and fall, she leapt up and ran for the phone, wishing the ambulance were already there.
: kw :
Stan leaned back into the plastic bench, watching as Mason sent another ball straight into the gutter. He had to hide a smile at the faux sympathy Olivia was showing, and nodded in fake pride himself, as Mason looked over at him. It was nice spending time with the two kids again after being away from them for so long. The only person missing from their family bonding session was Karen.
He'd missed her so much over the last few years, and to finally be able to come back to her, and have her in his life once again, only to find out that she wouldn't be there for long; it nearly killed him. It also intensified the guilt he felt at having to leave and lie in the first place. That he'd forgotten about the possibility of a return of her illness spoke more about his amazing capability for denial than neglect of his wife. He knew he still had a lot of making up to do before he could even begin to work through the guilt, but Karen had forgiven him and he wasn't going to let her down again. Not now, not ever again. The months to come would be hard for them all, but rising to take his turn, he promised himself and his newly re-united wife that he would be strong for the both of them.
Olivia watched her Father bowl, and sipped on her soda. It was still weird to see him alive. It had taken her and her brother so long to get over his death, that it made it harder to be happy that he was back and had lied to them. They had forgiven him though, more for Karen's sake than their own. She needed her family together and supporting her, even if she didn't tell them that herself. Feeling Mason move up behind her, she smiled and lent into his shoulder.
"What'ya thinking Liv?" His voice was deeper, still prone to cracking occasionally, something that Olivia loved to laugh at with her Step-Mother.
"Just thinking about how weird it is that Dad's actually alive. I guess it's a good thing that he came back now, while Karen is still…you know." She couldn't say the words, and Mason looked down at her in sympathy, he knew exactly how she felt. When they'd lost their Father, they'd lost their Mother as well. Karen had been more of a Mother to them than their real Mother; after all, they'd spent most of childhood growing up with her. And now, to have both people back, only to learn that, before they could get re-adjusted, they'd lose Karen again, it was a little too much to take in.
All 10 pins fell in the wake of their Father's ball, and just before he turned around to join them once again, Mason pulled his sister into a tight hug, whispering in her ear.
"It'll be okay Liv, remember what Karen told you, us Walkers are strong, we can make it through anything. Besides what's that Latin phrase she gave us? Something about Love always existing in memory. She's right."
Olivia leaned into the hug, and smiled a bittersweet smile at his words, absentmindedly twisting the ring Karen had given her around her finger.
"You're right Mase. Besides, she's got a while left before…" She was cut off by the ringing of Stan's mobile phone. Half listening she was soon at full attention at the tone his voice took on.
"Stanley Walk…Rosario is that you? Slow down, I can't understand what you're…Karen? What's happened? Oh my God, where are you? Okay, okay, stay with her, the kids and I will be right there." Shutting the phone, Stan looked over at his children, unable to hide the horror on his face. They had to get out of there now.
: kw :
"So I'm trying to find a better way to see Cher, and this idiot in a totally uncoordinated outfit comes by and stands right in front of me. I mean this guy just did not seem to understand how important it is to see the woman! Who wears Kmart trousers to the Goddess's show? Jack are you hearing me?"
Jack looked up sharply from the serviette he'd been absently studying.
"Huh?"
His date looked resigned as he sighed, having suspected long ago that Jack had his mind far away. His bet was that it was on the woman who had set him up on this disaster of a date.
"Look Jack, it's obvious you don't want to be here, I mean I don't know all the background, but you obviously love this woman…Karen was it? So maybe you should be spending this date with her."
"Wait James, no, it's not like that. Karen is really ill, and I just, well I'm worried about her, I don't want anything to happen to her while I'm not there." Jack sighed himself, wishing he was back at the Manse with his Karebear. This was the longest they'd been apart since she'd told him she was dying. And she'd been in his thoughts all night.
James sighed again and leant across, taking one of Jack's hands in his own. He didn't know the extent of Jack's relationship with this Karen, but he could see that there were real emotions involved, and as a counsellor he was well versed in helping people work through problems.
"Jack, I know you're worried, but if anything was to happen, and I'm not saying it will, it will happen whether you are there or not. You can't expect your presence to change the will of fate. Things happen when they happen. The only thing you can control is how you react. Now Karen obviously wanted you to enjoy yourself tonight, and she definitely doesn't feel slighted by you coming out with me. She organised it after all, so please, just relax and have some fun. And I promise; I'll have you back to her before eleven." It was his compromise and he could see that his words had had a good affect.
Jack smiled seductively and leaned in across their still joined hands.
"I'm not so sure I want to be with her tonight, I think there are better places I can think of being." James's words had really cheered him up, and they were true, nothing he did would stop anything from happening to Karen; he should know that by now. Besides, he was being paranoid. Karen had months still in front of her, and she was still in pretty good health.
As James leant in to meet Jack's lips he was stopped by the shrill ring of a mobile. Jack pulled back and grabbed the phone from his pocket, sending an apologetic look across the table to his date.
"Jack's pants how may I…Mason? Mason you're going to have to slow down, I can't understand you. Did you say you were on the way to the hospital? Oh my God, is Karen okay? Look, tell your Dad I'll be there as soon as I can, I'll get Will and Grace and meet you at the Hospital." Jack hung up, pulled on his coat and stood up, all in one quick movement. Suddenly realising he wasn't alone, he merely glanced at James, not truly seeing him, and headed for the exit.
"I've gotta go. It's Karen she's…I've just got to go."
Before James could react, Jack had left his sight. His thoughts a jumble of emotions, he needed to get to the hospital, he needed to see Karen.
: kw :
"Cheese, the French, oh okay, me after two hours at the gym..." Grace's face lit up suddenly as the answer came to her.
"Things that smell!" Will threw down the card and steadied himself as Grace flew into him, nearly toppling them both to the floor. When Grace released her grip, they both turned expectant eyes on Rob and Ellen, as they waited for their total score. They weren't really worried; they hadn't lost at this game since…well ever.
Rob looked up first, his face grim, they'd lost again. He feared to imagine what Grace's reaction would be. Hers was always the worst. Ellen looked up, her face just as dire, and she swallowed heavily.
"Three hundred points to you, and a hundred and fifty points to us." Both winced as twin screeches of joy and triumph sprung from the direction of their friends.
When they had calmed down, Will moved over to the refrigerator, pulling out the chilled bottle of wine Karen had given to them. It had shocked him at first; that she would be giving away alcohol, but she'd told him that it was a bribe. He could have the wine so long as he promised not to disturb her tonight. It was an expensive bottle of wine, and he had been able to tell that it was important to her that she have the night to herself, so naturally he'd accepted the bribe and organised the games night to keep Grace occupied.
It was funny how much Karen had been in their thoughts the last few weeks. They'd all made an extra effort to spend time with her, all the while trying to make it look as though they were acting completely normal. He wasn't sure how successful they had been.
Looking over at the couch, he saw Grace staring off into space again, a distant look on her face. She'd been doing that a lot lately, and he knew that when she drifted like this, her mind was on her friend and assistant. As hard as it had been for him to come to terms with Karen's looming death, he knew it was harder for Gracie. She'd known Karen better for far longer than he himself.
Grace snapped back to reality as she felt a cool glass being placed in her hand. She accepted it with a smile and understood what was behind the light squeeze Will gave her hand. She knew she had been thinking about Karen far too much lately, but she couldn't help it. It was a lot to take in after all. She watched as Will took his seat, and laughed as the phone began ringing the moment he raised his glass to his mouth.
Feeling uncharacteristically charitable, Grace waved her hand to still his movements, and rose to answer the phone herself.
"Will and Grace's apartment, Grace speaking. What? Jack you're going to have to speak slower and a little louder I can't hear you. You're where? The subway? Why? What, wait. Karen's on her way to hospital? What the Hell happened? No look, we'll meet you there. No Jack I'm sure she'll be fine. It's not your fault, just get there as fast as you can and we'll see you there." She hung up, the sound of Jack's desperate words still ringing in her ears, as she stared blindly at Will, not noticing Ellen and Rob as they rushed out of the apartment themselves. Will approached her and grabbed her in a tight hug. It only lasted a second, before they both pulled apart and flew into action. They needed to get to the hospital fast.
: end flashback :
tbc.
Tell me what you think…it's all written up now, so as soon as I get all of those lovely reviews the next chapter can come out.
