Chapter Three

A week later, Pacey was a nervous wreck as the Ice House officially opened for business. He had spent the week preparing menus, getting the kitchen finalized and training up the staff. Pacey had sent out invitations to family and friends within Capeside and had put flyers up so everyone was aware of the special event.

It was 7 O'clock, when Pacey opened the doors and was amazed by the sight before him. There were at least 50 of Capeside's residents waiting for the doors to open. "Welcome to the new and improved Ice House" He greeted them all "Please come in and celebrate with a glass of champagne!"

The crowd cheered and chatted excitedly as they all piled into The Ice House. The party was in full swing when Jack, Jen and Grams arrived.

"Pacey! This looks amazing!" Jen said as she pulled him into a hug.

"Yes, it does it indeed" Grams said smiling and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Thanks Mrs. Ryan, Jen" Pacey grinned broadly "so glad you could make it…"

"We wouldn't have missed this for the world" Jen replied.

Doug arrived shortly after, with his and Pacey's Mom and Pacey was surprised to see also a couple of his sisters, he may have been getting on better with Doug these days but there was still some unresolved issues with the rest of this family, especially since their Father died last year.

"Pacey!" Doug shouted across the crowds to where Pacey was standing behind the bar. Pacey ran towards him and without hesitation flung his arms around his older brother. "Doug! Thanks for coming Man"

"Hey! No probs!" Doug replied as he returned Pacey's hug. "Besides I've invested in this place, had to come to the opening night and to make sure it's a success!" he joked. "See you brought Mom with you…" Pacey said as he looked in the direction of their Mother.

"Yeah, she's just as proud you know….." Doug said defending her. "Hmmm, well you show it more than she does, but the fact that she's here is a start I guess"He said as he walked over to her.


As the evening wore on, the champagne was flowing and the Capeside Community was in full conversations, like Grams with Gale Leery meeting her new boyfriend.

Doug was sitting at the bar, observing one of the proud moments of his life: Pacey playing the host, mingling with the guests and managing the staff at the same time. Jack went to the bar to find Doug sitting there with a big grin on his face staring in Pacey's direction.

"I never thought I would see you smile about something that Pacey has done!" Jack shouted over the hubbub.

Doug turned round and met Jack's eyes once again; he swallowed hard as he was taken by surprise how enticing they are.

"Me too!" was all Doug could muster, why am I having such problems communicating with him? Doug thought to himself. He's just one of Pacey's friends? Why does this man before me take my breath away?

"I bet!" Jack replied

"Yeah, he has done really well for himself" Doug finally managed to say after coming back from his inner thoughts.

Jack and Doug found themselves talking for most of the evening and were one of the ones left near closing time. Slowly the residents of Capeside left The Ice House, until it was just Pacey, Doug, Jen, Grams and Jack.

"Well dears" Grams said "it's time I was off to bed….I'm not getting any younger you know" She said with a twinkle in her eye.

"Grams, your forever young, you know that" Jen joked "but yeah I need to turn in too, I'm bushed, it's not easy you know partying when your preggers!" She said and when Pacey and Doug glared at her she realised she had forgotten to tell them her news!

"Oh yeah Jen's pregnant!" Jack said bemused.

"Wow, Jen! Congrats! How did that happen?" Pacey said as he went to hug her.

"Thanks Pace, but surely you know how babies are made right!?" Jen joked and when Pacey pulled a face she added "I will tell you about all tomorrow, right now I need to sleep!"

Grams and Jen left leaving just Pacey, Jack and Doug. Pacey said he needed to finish up in the kitchen so Doug and Jack spent the rest of the time chatting some more.

Jack was walking back to the Potter B & B, reliving the night and thinking how easy Doug was to talk to…he never really had so much of a proper conversation in the whole time he knew him but didn't think he was that easygoing from the times he has spent time with him Maybe I have a new friend!? Jack said to himself as he got into bed and before long he was fast asleep.