Better than Soulmates

Pacey never thought he would see Capeside again. He had thought that many times over the years, but after Jen died he vowed that he was done with the city where he had spent most of his life, and he was confident he would be able to keep that vow.

But then along came Miss Josephine Potter, and as she had often done over the years she screwed it all up for him. She just had to choose him over Dawson when they both declared their love for her. He just had to fall in love with her. And for the first time in his life, Pacey actually did things right, managed a long-term relationship, and just had to ask Joey to marry him.

"Come on, Pacey, if you don't hurry up we're going to be late!" A lot had changed over the years Pacey had known Joey, but some things always stayed the same. Patience was never one of her virtues.

There was a time when he would have stalled at this point, just so he could see Joey's face turn that extra shade of red, but he knew how important this night was to her, so he finished tying his tie and rushed out into the living room of their apartment.

"All right Jo, here I am, ready to go. Sorry to keep you waiting."

"It's ok Pace, I'm just nervous about tonight. I've dreamed about this night my entire life, and it's freaking me out now that its actually here."

It was a big night for Pacey as well, but he wasn't about to tell Joey that. For Joey, it was the culmination of a lifetime's dream, the publication of her first novel. For Pacey, it was the night he intended to propose. Though he knew Joey loved him and assumed she would say yes, he was terrified. But for now, he would have to put up a good front to support Joey.

"Don't worry Jo, the novel's done, it's being published, there's nothing to worry about anymore. Plus, I know I'm no literary scholar, but I think the book is good. Really good.

Pacey wasn't just playing the supportive boyfriend, he was telling the truth. He had never been much of a reader, but Joey's novel had touched him in ways he never thought possible. It was no surprise to him that Joey's novel was getting published, nor that it was getting such a big push from her publisher.

"But Pace….," Joey said, ready to dispute her own impending success.

"No more 'But Pace's' Joey, we're late already, we need to get going, you're not famous enough yet to be considered fashionably late." Pacey grabbed his coat and guided Joey out of the room.

"All I'm saying is that I think it could've gone better Pacey. The night wasn't perfect, not by a long shot."

"Yeah, you're probably right. Instead of just everyone at the party adoring your book, including the top critics and publishers in New York, I suppose the valet at the front could've been glowing. And call me crazy, but there's a chance our limo driver, paid for by YOUR publishers, hasn't even read the book. So you're right, evening ruined, total disaster."

"Pa-cey, they all have to pretend to like it, that's what these people do. They sit around at parties and tell the writer how great they are, then at the next party, when I'm not there, tear me down to pieces."

"Jo, the fact that they even had a party for you means they've got big plans. Not everyone of the street gets their own party, with complimentary limousine service and everything. And even if everyone at that party mocks the book, it couldn't matter less. The book's being published. The common people will be the judge. And let me tell you something, Josephine Potter. You're anything but common, so I'll tell you from all the "plain folk" all around the world, your book is amazing."

Joey was silent as they climbed the last set of stairs. Other boyfriends may take this to mean they had convinced her of their rightness, but Pacey knew Joey well enough to know she just didn't want to fight anymore.

As they approached the door to the apartment they shared, Pacey suddenly realized he was about as nervous as he had ever been in his life. He had spent the entire night guiding Joey through the party that he hadn't stopped to think about the life-changing moment he was one door away from.

When they finally reached the door (after what felt like a million more flights of stairs than usual to Pacey) Joey retrieved the key from her purse, unlocked the door and pushed it open. The apartment was completely dark.

"That party wore me out. I want to just kick off these shoes and sleep until as late in the morning as humanly possible."

Joey flipped on the lights, and then quickly gasped. Their apartment had been turned into a greenhouse, filled with hundreds, seemingly thousands, of roses.

"Joey, I'm sorry, but tonight, I just can't honor your wishes and let you head off to bed that quickly. I hope you'll forgive me."

"Pacey, I… I…" Joey was at a complete loss for words. She finally managed to turn herself around to face Pacey, only to find him down on one knee.

"Joey, ten years. Ten years. That's how long I've been thinking about the possibility of this night. And over those ten years, I've had considerable amounts of time to think about what I might say. I need that kind of time, because words don't come to me quickly like they do to you. Until five minutes ago, I thought I had figured out what I wanted to say to you, perfected my speech. I practiced in front of the mirror, and I even wrote down a copy and stuck it in my pocket in case I forgot. But then it came time, and I realized the perfect words don't matter, because no words can even come close to describing how I feel about you. So I'll just stay simple, the way that suits Witter men. Josephine Potter, I love you. Will you marry me?"

Joey stood there looking at Pacey, tears forming as he made it through more of his speech. Just as he was getting out the word "me," she ran at him and hugged him as hard as she could.

"Of course I'll marry you Pacey! Of course!"