Disclaimer: Sighing

Chapter 23.

Christmas Day

It was Christmas Day and it had been almost 8 months now since she had been raped. Time really flies sometimes.

All four friends were at Karen's mansion, sitting on the floor by the fireplace next to a big, decorated tree.

Karen was really enjoying herself in the warm embrace of the fire and her three best friends. She was really feeling better now, almost normal, though the incident had put a permanent scar on her heart and could anytime be ripped open again.

A big, roaring fire was burning and the four was sitting and just enjoying each others company. They all had a glass of eggnog in their hands and were talking.

"Karen, you seem to do fine nowadays" Grace said.

"Yeah honey, I'm feeling better, almost normal now" she answered.

"Yeah, you do. We all love you and are proud of you" Will said and kissed her cheek.

Jack and Grace agreed nodding.

"Thanks honey" Karen answered and looked down into her glass of eggnog, blushing slightly.
Will always said that he loved her and was proud of her. He of course said that to make her feel better, she thought. Sometimes though, when the two of them were alone together in the same room, she couldn't help but feel something between them.

After the rape and the abortion, she had changed drastically. She had stopped taking her pills and she had stopped drinking so much, only an occasional glass of wine to dinner or for company-drinking. Her name-calling and insults had faded away, only occasional were said sometimes.

"You have really changed too Karebear" Jack said and took her hand in his. "Your namecallings and insults have stopped. I miss them" he pouted a little.

"Oh Jackie, I can call you names if you want" she laughed at him.

"Yeah, like can you say one now?" he smiled.

"Oh honey ... well...no" she said and shook her head.

"Why not?" Jack pouted again.

"Because now is not the right time, and I don't keep them in storage" she answered.

"You could've fooled me" Grace smirked.

"Hey hey hey" Karen said and smacked her arm. "Don't get me starting on what you wear."

"She's back" Grace said in a singing voice.

Jack and Will just laughed, and Grace filled in soon after. Karen just looked at them first but then she also started to laugh before getting up off the floor. She left the room only to return with some christmaspresents for them all.

"So, guys I know it's only Christmas Eve, but I want to give these to you know."

She handed them out and looked at them opening their gifts with anticipation.

"Oh my God. Karen, you shouldn't have" Grace gasped when she saw the beautiful dress in her gift.

It was a long, black dress with a low cut showing just enough cleavage, no sleeves.

"Thank you so much Karen" she said and gave her friend a hug.

"No problem honey" Karen smiled and returned the hug.

Will opened his and the inside of his gift revealed a long, black, Armani leather coat. He loved it immediately. Leather and Armani, what could be better?

"Thank you sweetie" he said and kissed her cheek. "It's beautiful, exactly what I want."

Jack opened his and gave out a shriek which got everybody's attention.

"A Rolex and an Armani suit? Karen, you shouldn't have. I love it." Jack said and kissed her cheek, followed by a hug.

"I wanted to poodle" Karen answered. "I wanted to give these gifts to you to show you how much I really appreciate you all being there for me, even when I don't wanted you to be. You have been a huge support during this year for me, not only for being there when Stan died but also for being there when I got raped and had the abortion."

That was a long speech for being Karen. They all looked at her all stunned.
"That's what friends do Kare" Grace said. "They stick by each other through thick and thin."

"Grace is right, Kare" Will said. "We're always going to be here for you as we are with each other too."

"Thanks honey" Karen said and made a toast. "To friends."

"To friends" the other three said and all four clunk their glasses to the others.

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A/N I know that this chapter would've been a perfect end to it, but this story don't want to leave me at the moment. There seems to be more in storage for our favourite four people. Sorry for the short chapter. R&R please..you like?