Better than Soulmates

Chapter 3: Family

Pacey and Joey decided it would be easier to handle their various families separately, so while Pacey and Doug went to deal with the Witter clan, Joey was dropped off at the Potter B&B with Bessie, who still didn't know about the engagement.

"Joey, you're going to have to make some more trips to Capeside soon," Bessie said as she prepared a snack for her and Joey. "Alex misses you, and so do I."

"Well, I guess since you put it that way, and since Alex is my favorite nephew, I suppose Pacey and I can make a few extra trips down. After all, I'll need to stay in contact with my future matron-of-honor."

"You're darn right, and if I don't start seeing more of you and Pacey soon I'm going to New York and…" Bessie stopped midsentence and set down the food in her hands. "Joey?"

"Yeah Bess?" Joey said innocently.

Bessie slowly turned around to see Joey smiling and nonchalantly holding out her left hand. Then Bessie screamed with glee, then ran over and squeezed Joey as hard as she could.

"OhmygodwhendidthishappenIcantbelieveitImsohappyforyouguys," Bessie screamed, her words a jumble.

"Whoa Bess, settle down," Joey managed to get out, though the air was being squeezed out of her. "And, you know, could you LET ME BREATHE!"

"Sorry Jo, its just not everyday I find out my baby sister is engaged," said Bessie, slowly relinquishing her grasp.

"Mom?" Bessie's son Alex had appeared at the kitchen door, accompanied by his father Bodie. They had both been drawn in by the screams.

"Sorry guys, I guess I gave you a bit of a fright."

"What's going on?" asked Bodie. "And try to tell just us, and not all the guests of the Potter B&B."

"Joey's engaged!" Bessie said as softly as she could.

"Congratulations Joey!" Bodie walked over and gave her a much more relaxed hug.

"Yeah, way to go Aunt Joey!" Alex exclaimed, also giving her a hug.

"So when's the big day?" Bessie asked. "Are you having the wedding here or in New York? Big wedding or small wedding?"

"Bessie, I know you've got a million questions, but you're going to have to wait just a little bit longer. We're having a huge party tonight at the Ice House. Audrey's in from New York, Dawson's flying in from L.A., everyone will be there. All questions will be answered then."

"I can't wait!" Bessie went over to Joey and hugged her again. After a moment of silence, she said, "Seriously, I can't wait. Tell me now!"

"So are you nervous about seeing a certain someone?" Bessie asked as she and Joey walked towards the Ice House. They had left Bodie and Alex to take care of the dinner customers at the B they would come to the party after taking care of the paying customers. Bessie was relishing the opportunity to get Joey alone before the party.

"A certain someone, Bess? Do you have anyone specific in mind?"

"Don't play dumb with me Joey, you know exactly who I'm talking about."

"Bessie, two years ago we put all that love triangle garbage behind us. Dawson still has a special place in my heart. He's my soulmate. But what Pacey and I have is better than soulmates. Dawson understands all this, and I promise, there is no more awkwardness between us."

"If you say so. It just seems like it would be awkward telling him the big news."

"I'm sure he'll be happy for us, and that's it. Oh look, we're here. Darn. I was so hoping to keep this conversation going."

"Ok Joey, message received, it's your business. I won't bother you about it anymore."

"Thanks."

The sisters walked up to the Ice House, finding that Doug and Pacey had already arrived. Bessie walked up to Pacey and gave him a hug. "Congratulations Pace. I know you had it in you somewhere."

"Thanks, Bessie. Glad to hear you approve."

"Approve? Pacey, if you hadn't done it soon, I was going to drive down to New York and force you to go to a jewelry store at gunpoint. I've been waiting for this day to come for years."

Within an hour the party had really kicked into gear, with old friends and family gathered to celebrate the engagement. Over at one table former sheriff John Witter bounced his adopted granddaughter Aimee on his lap, as her parents Jack and Doug watched on from across the table. Next to them, Audrey was having an animated discussion with Pacey's sister, Gretchen. Alex and Bodie had arrived, and Alex was off playing with Lily Leery. In another part of the restaurant, Joey and Pacey were being congratulated by Gail, her husband Stan, and Grams. It seemed like only one person was missing…

"Dawson!" Joey exclaimed, as she saw her soulmate and best friend walk up the stairs. She ran over to give him a hug. "I was starting to think you had forgotten about us."

"Are you kidding me, I would never miss this. I'm just used to being in Hollywood. An hour late there is basically two hours early."

Pacey followed closely behind Joey, and after she let go of Dawson, the two friends embraced.

"Congratulations to both of you. I'm so happy for you guys. I booked my plane tickets back here the second I got off the phone with you."

"How was your flight in?" Joey asked. "I think you get the award for person who traveled the furthest to get here tonight."

"It was a pretty smooth flight. Fortunately, I had some good reading material for my flight." From behind is back, Dawson brought out a book: Creek Songs by Joey Potter. "I heard that it had just come out, and luckily the Barnes and Noble I went to happened to be stocking a few copies. I read it on the plane and was blown away. So I was hoping to get the author's autograph."

Joey blushed a deep shade of crimson. "It really wasn't that great. There were tons of problems with it I wish I could go back and change. You were always the more creative of the two of us."

"Joey, I created a melodramatic teen soap. What you did, it's art. There's no comparison."

"Thanks, Dawson. I still don't completely believe you, but that means a lot coming from you."

"So speaking of melodramatic teen soaps, how is The Creek going for you? How's life in L.A.?" Pacey asked.

"The show's good, same with life. Though some days I feel like I don't really have a life outside of the show."

"Dawson, are you still married to that show?" Joey asked. "Eventually you're going to have to go out and get a life, meet someone, fall in love, the works."

"Actually, I've made some progress in that area. I have been seeing someone for the past few months."

"I want to know everything! What's her name? What does she look like? Is she an actress? Someone you met on the show or one of your other projects?"

"Actually Jo, those questions are pretty easily answered. The thing is, you kind of already know her. And, she's just walking up."

"Hey guys!" a familiar voice exclaimed, and Joey and Pacey's draws dropped in unison.