Will walked into their bedroom, after a quick check on Emily, and he smiled at the sleeping form of his lover. He knew that the last week or so had been difficult on her, healing from the loss of their baby. She didn't talk about it, but he knew how much it hurt, and of course it did.

He didn't want to bother her with it, but he was hurting too. Ever since he was old enough to think about it, he had wanted to have a family. He loved Emily with all his heart, but the idea of having another child, a son, was more exciting than he could have ever imagined. He stripped down to his boxers and crawled into his side of the bed, kissing Karen's cheek and pulling her close.

He had been meeting with his publisher to rework his contract. His book was quickly rising in popularity, and he wanted to be sure he would be paid fairly. He was also given a deadline for his next book. It was an exhausting process, but he already loved it more than being a lawyer. It kept him feeling fresh and new, a challenge around every corner.

Karen sighed in her sleep, moving slightly. He felt her bandage covered hand grasp his over her stomach as she cuddled closer to him. He could smell the shampoo from her bath and took a deep breath of the scent. His lips moved to touch her cheek once again and he slowly began to kiss her neck. He moved over her a little more and ran his hand through her hair while he continued his journey down her neck.

"Get off me, honey." She pushed him away and rolled over onto her stomach, subconsciously. He chuckled and laid his head on his pillow, allowing himself to succumb to dreams.

----------

"You yelled at me." He was dressing, getting ready to take Emily to school, when she woke.

"I haven't said anything yet." She was confused, eyes still blurry from sleep. She propped her head up on her elbow and watched as he slid into a pair of pants.

"Last night when I came home, you yelled at me. You told me to get off you." She gave a small giggle, noticeably fake, and laid her head back against the pillow.

"Sorry." He pulled a shirt over his head and shrugged. It never sounded sincere when she apologized, but he assumed it was because she didn't really know how.

"Do you want to walk to school with us?" She only scoffed.

"What do you think?"

"I think you need to stop spending all day in bed." She rolled her eyes and turned away from him. It was too early to fight, and she would have rather gone back to sleep. "I'll make breakfast when I get back, and maybe by then you'll be up."

"Doubt it." And with that, she closed her eyes and went back to sleep as Will sighed and left to help Emily.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Jack walked into Will and Karen's bedroom and tilted his head at the sight. Will had called earlier and told him that he needed help because she wouldn't get out of bed. She wouldn't even wake up for long before finding sleep again. Jack knew that she was feeling depressed, but he also knew that she would only feel better if she let it all go. She had barely left her bed in two weeks.

"Karebear, wake up." He moved closer to the bed and touched her shoulder. "Karen."

"What the hell do you want? I'm sleeping."

"You always sleep, so I want you to get up. We're going out tonight." She opened her heavy eyes and met his gaze, blankly.

"I've got Emily, Poodle, I can't go out. Take Will and Grace."

"I am, but you have to come too. Will's mom will be here in an hour." He grabbed the blanket from her chest and tossed it to the foot of the bed, revealing her to him. He blushed a little when he realized that she was only wearing a thigh-length tee-shirt and a thong. "Sorry."

"It's not like you haven't seen me before." She shrugged, but still didn't move to cover herself. "You can call her back, honey. I'm not going."

"Yes you are."

"No, Jack, I'm not." Their voices had an edge to them, but he tried his hardest not to get frustrated. He had to continue reminding himself that she wasn't in the best mindset at the moment. Since he knew she didn't mind him seeing her practically naked, after all they had showered together before, he wrapped an arm around her stomach and pulled her from the bed. "Let go!"

"We're picking an outfit." She struggled to get away from his arms, but he forced her into a headlock and led her to the closet. She kicked and tried to slap at him in her attempt to break free, but he had her held strongly in place. She did manage to bring him to the floor, but his headlock remained tight.

"Damn it, Jack!" At the sound of the scuffling, Will rushed into the bedroom. He stopped at the sight before him, Karen and Jack in a small wrestling match, and he smiled. Even after all the passing years, the two friends never ceased to humor him. "Will, help!" Instead of watching her struggle, he shrugged and left the room, closing the door behind him. She was stunned and her voice was extremely angry. "Will!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

She sat at her vanity with her arms folded over her chest, pouting as if she were Emily. Jack had physically dressed her, and he was currently straightening her hair. She had been no help to him at all, not even giving him the satisfaction of knowing that she really liked her dress and makeup that he picked out. Even though she was dressed and nearly ready, she still didn't want to leave. All she wanted to do was sleep.

"There." He straightened one last strand and sprayed a little hairspray on her hair. "You look hot, Kare."

"Okay." She shrugged and stood from the chair, walking over to her bed. He groaned as he watched her flop down onto her stomach, completely unwilling to leave her bed.

"Karen, we have to go. Stop being such a child." She didn't answer, and he left the room with the slamming of the door. He was gone for over five minutes and she was actually beginning to think that he was going to leave her alone. She sighed and began falling into a small slumber.

"Karen, darling, I'd like to speak with you." Marilyn walked over to the bed and sat on the edge, her eyes on Karen's face. They were soon met by a pair of hazel eyes and the women looked at one another for a moment.

"Mrs. Truman, I appreciate you coming all the way over here, but I'm not going anywhere tonight."

"Yes, you are, dear." She then did something that surprised Karen more than she would have said; she lay down on the bed next to her, their faces only inches away. Karen was suddenly glad that she had just brushed her teeth, with how close their faces were. "I know you're having a hard time, but these things do happen."

"I know you're trying to help, but I'm fine."

"Sleeping more than taking care of your child is not fine." She narrowed her eyes.

"I'm not a bad mother."

"You're feeling numb right now. Its difficult to understand how something that was a part of you for so long could suddenly be taken away, but moving on is what makes you stronger."

"I just need some time alone."

"If you take time alone then you'll lose yourself and the people you love."

"How do you…"

"My husband found his mistress, Tina, after I had my miscarriage." Karen was shocked. It wasn't like Marilyn to just express a hidden emotion like that so she knew that the rare moment was time to listen and take note. "I handled it just like you are now, only I didn't have anyone to give me advice. I lost all sense of myself, and I slept for days in a row. It took me over a year to let it go and get back on with my life. But, Karen, you have a little girl who you risked your life and the life of your unborn child to save. She needs you to raise her and be strong for her. So, if there is any one person you need to get up for, do it for Emily, and do it now. You don't get this time back."

She raised a hand and wiped a tear from Karen's cheek, which she wasn't aware of. After a look of understanding, she leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the dry cheek. She then stood from the bed and left, just as quickly as she had appeared. Karen was left to think.

----------

She descended the stairs with a small, yet forced, smile on her lips. Will walked over to her, before she was noticed by anyone else, and took her hand in his. He leaned forward and whispered into her ear.

"We don't have to go if you don't want to." She pulled away and pecked his lips.

"I'm going to get drunk tonight, honey." He smiled and fixed a bit of her mascara that was still wet at the corner of her eye. "We're going to let go."

"I love you."