As the dust settled and the last of guests had gone home or to their rooms at the B&B, Joey and Pacey were snuggled up by the fire at the B&B relaxing after a very busy day.

"Today was perfect," Joey said with a happy sigh.

"Speak for yourself. You weren't stuck wearing that awful tie!" Pacey retorted, giving her a playful jab.

"Hey-," was all Joey could get out before being interrupted by a few familiar voices. Grams and Bessie found their way into the room.

"How are Mr. and Mrs. Witter this evening?" Grams asked playfully as she finds her way to the rocking chair.

"I don't know, you'd have to give my parents a call," Pacey quickly responded with a laugh.

Shortly after, Andie and Jack wandered into the kitchen for something to eat, but, after hearing the voices and the crackle of the fire, they ended up in the living room.

"Grams, what are you still doing up?" Jack asked curiously.

"I haven't slept much these days, and the idea of sitting by the fire seemed more pleasant than my cold dark room."

"Anyone want hot chocolate?" Bessie asked the group.

A flurry of "yes" and "please" responses resounded from the group. As she headed to the kitchen, there were more footsteps on the stairs and soon Dawson and Gale came into the room.

"Insomnia affecting you guys too?" Joey asked.

"Yeah and apparently it's contagious," Dawson responded with a smile.

"Would you like some hot chocolate?" Andie asked Dawson and Gale.

After both say yes, Andie followed Bessie into the kitchen to help make the hot chocolate. When they returned, Bessie handed out the mugs with help from Andie and everyone found a spot around the big fire place. Jack and Dawson passed some pillows and blankets around to help everyone get comfortable.

"Ah, hickory," Grams said while taking a big whiff of the warm air.

"You know what this smell reminds me of? It reminds me of the last time we were all here." Andie remarked.

"The last time we all were together ," Dawson agrees with a somber tone.

"So much has happened since then," Jack said, his eyes turning misty.

"Babies have been born," Gale says, thinking of Lily and Amy.

"Weddings have been thrown," Joey adds, thinking Gale's as well as her own earlier that day.

"And loved ones have passed away," Pacey finishes, as tears begin to fill everyone's eyes, while they think of Mitch and Jen.

"It's not quite the same without them here," Grams says while rocking in her chair.

"Amy is the spitting image of her mother," Gale says, trying to make the subject happier, as a tear-filled smile appears on Jack's face.

"I'd like to propose a toast," Dawson begins, "Some of us are connected by blood, some by marriage, and some by dear friendships, but I am so honored to consider all of you my family."

"Cheers!" they all respond as they clink mugs.

"Not as good as the Oscar speech, Dawson, I must say, or the one earlier today," Joey says with a laugh that spreads through the whole group.

"Thinking back on that weekend with Mr. Fred Fricke," Pacey begins, "I have a confession to make. Grams that night told us how you know that you really love someone when you can sit by the fire all night watching them sleep. Well the next night, Joey, I came in to talk to you and you were sleeping by the fire. In that moment, I remembered what Grams had said and so I just sat down in that chair and watched you sleep. All night."

All eyes were on Joey as her eyes got big. Pacey did the one thing that few were able to do, render Joey Potter speechless. All she could muster was a barely audible,

"What?!"

After a few moments she regained her composure. Everyone listened intently as their conversation continued.

"What are you saying? Did you know then that you loved me?"

"Actually I think I knew before then," Pacey admitted, before taking a sip of his hot chocolate.

"When?" Joey asked plainly.

"When you and I took those dance lessons. More specifically, when you and Dawson caught me…and Jen…in the coat room," Pacey stumbled over the last few words at the thought of their dearly departed friend.

"Wow," Joey said barely making a sound, "You did all those wonderful things for me. How could I have been so blind, Pace? How could I have been so surprised when you kissed me by the road that day?"

"You know me, Jo; I tend to keep everything inside," Pacey replied while he blushed.

Silence falls over the group as they take in the glow of the fire.

"I think it's time I turn in," Grams said as she breaks the stillness, "Goodnight"

"Let me help you," Bessie offered, "See you all in the morning."

"Honey, I'm going to head up as well," Gale said to her grown son, who couldn't remind her more of his late father, "Goodnight everyone."

"Goodnight," Dawson, Andie, Jack, Joey, and Pacey respond, nearly in unison.

The five friends sat by the fire for a few moments in silence.

"We've all come a long way since the last time we were here," Andie said to break the silence.

"Especially you, Dr. McPhee," Pacey responded with a wink.

"You have too, Pacey. The Icehouse is huge success and your new restaurant in New York is expected to be equally successful," Andie reminded him.

"What about Joey? She's one of the most requested editors in the City!" Pacey added proudly.

"We can't forget Jack! He's the youngest professor in the English department at Boston Bay," Joey interjects, "Jen would be so proud."

"I know she would," Jack responded, "Dawson finally got work with Spielberg, his idol. No surprise that film won an Oscar."

"That was definitely an opportunity of a lifetime," Dawson replied, "No matter what we've all accomplished this place will always be home."

"Here, here," The group said as they raise their nearly empty mugs of now cool hot chocolate.

"Speaking of home, we have some news," Pacey began while looking at his new wife, "Jo, do you want to tell them or should I?"

"Go ahead, Pace," Joey replied with a grin.

"As much success as we have there, it's not home. We've decided that we are going to move back to Capeside. It's the only place that really feels like home for us," Pacey said with a smile.

"What about the restaurant?" Andie asked.

"I offered to make my manager a partner and he agreed so he is going to oversee the place and I'll stop in on occasion to check in. I have full confidence in him," Pacey answered confidently.

"What about editing, Joey?" Dawson inquired.

"There is a think called the internet. I can work on my computer through email. I can meet with people when I go into the city with Pacey," Joey replied.

"I think it's great, you two! Congratulations! When will you be moving?" Jack added.

"As soon as we can," Pacey responded.

"We have some more news," Joey piped in.

"Are you sure you want to tell everyone now?" Pacey interjected.

"They are going to figure it out eventually, Pace," Joey pointed out.

"Okay, go ahead," Pacey responds reluctantly.

"Well, we're pregnant!" Joey says excitedly while rubbing her not-yet-showing belly.

"Congratulations!" The other three said as they raised their mugs.

"To the new family," Dawson said as he led the clinking one last time.