Pacey Witter sighed heavily as he took the key out of the ignition. He closed his eyes and rested his head on the steering wheel for a moment. This day had been coming for a long time and it was time to face the music. He got out of the car and walked slowly to the front door. He paused momentarily before taking a deep breath and reaching for the doorknob.
2 months earlier:
"Mr. Witter, your wife is on line 2." Pacey's assistant buzzed him and Pacey couldn't help but sigh.
"Thank you Marie." He said as he picked up the phone. "What is it Andie? I've got a ton of work to do."
"Hi Hon, I'm sorry to bother you but I just wanted to remind you to stop by the store on your way home and pick up some candles." Andie McPhee-Witter said sweetly and Pacey felt bad about snapping.
"Candles?" He asked, uncertainly.
"Yes, candles for the cake Pacey." Andie sighed, frustrated. "Jessica's birthday, you forgot didn't you?"
"No I didn't forget." Pacey tried to backtrack but Andie knew better.
"Pace, you are going to be here aren't you?" Andie asked and Pacey was quiet. "Pacey, she's your daughter and all she wants for her birthday is for her father to be here."
"Of course, I'm going to be there Andie." Pacey silently cursed himself. "I just may be a little late."
"How late, Pace?" Andie's tone was not happy.
"Only maybe a half-hour…." Pacey told her quickly. "I have one late meeting and then I'll be on my way I promise."
"Do you really promise Pacey?" Andie asked him coldly. "If I push everything back a half-hour, will you really be here?"
"I promise." Pacey told her again. "I won't let Jessica down again, I swear."
"OK Pace." Andie finally conceded. "So, you'll be here by 7:00?"
"7:00 on the nose." Pacey glanced at his watch; it was almost 6:00.
"I'll see you when you get here." Andie paused for a moment. "I love you Pacey."
"I love you too." Pacey hung up the phone as he stood up, reaching for his jacket. There was somewhere he had to be and he had to get there soon. He opened the door to his office and walked out, pausing at his assistant's desk. "If my wife calls again tell her I'm out of the office meeting clients."
"But I don't have any appointments set up for right now Mr. Witter." Marie checked the calendar before looking back at Pacey.
"Just do as I ask Marie." Pacey said before walking away, knowing that Marie assumed he was going off to meet another woman. It wasn't exactly true but it wasn't exactly false either. But he couldn't tell Andie what he as doing, she wouldn't understand. Hell, he didn't even completely understand it. All he knew was that it was something he had to do.