Title: Time goes by
Author: Emily
Email me: (P/J story) Pacey loses some one close to his heart, who will be there for him…
Disclaimer: Don't own em' well except for Sarah
A/N: Okay I know I haven't updated in a while…okay in forever! but I was hesitating on wether to continue this fic, I am completely grateful for all the kind reviews that put a huge smile on my face. Thank you so much! The feedback helps so much Please continue to Read and Review :)
"Joey will you get that?" Pacey Witter called from the kitchen once he heard the doorbell ring. "Joey?" He called again. No answer. He sighed dropping the sandwhich he was in the middle of making. People could have the worst timing. "Jo? You here?" He called up the wooden stairs.
He shrugged no one could keep tabs on that girl. The door bell rang once again. "Coming!" He called making a mental note to disconnect the doorbell. He swung open the door, revealing a familiar face, that reminded him so much of Sarah.
"Hey Pace." The blond smiled, He grinned "Mandy, it's great to see you… C'mon in." He opened the door wider allowing access.
"Thanks." Her green eyes darted around the house, "I haven't seen you since… you know." She fidgeted nervously. He nodded, "The funeral. I know I'm sorry I should have contacted you-
She cut him off "No don't apoligise, I understand." She said. She paused then smiled softly "How have you been?"
He sighed heavily running a hand through his brown hair "I'm fi-… I'm managing."
"Everything looks exactly as she kept it…" She traced a the frame of a picture of Pacey and Sarah cuddling on the hammock.
"Yeah I like it this way." He said taking the frame and placing it back on the table. Silence followed. "Have you had lunch yet?" He asked.
Pacey opened a can of coke watching Mandy's figure out on the porch, she reminded him in every way of Sarah, they had the same bouncy blond curls, same shaped face, green eyes… in a way it almost comforted him to see Sarah in Mandy.
It also reminded him of what was missing from his side, the essence that was empty from his life, the warm body missing from his bed. No one could understand how much he was devoted to Sarah, but Mandy's arrival had made him realise something.
This summer, with Joey here and being able to breathe and start living again. It was helping, he was dealing with the death of his wife. He no longer felt as if he was betraying her, every morning he thought of her, every sunset reminded him, the house was a constant reminder. But no longer was he crying at the lonliness and the guilt for going on had left.
Joey made him laugh in this beautiful carefree way, her friendship was something he could not go on without. Things had changed he was working, sailing, smiling again… he was living. And Sarah, well in away she never left him because he was surrounded by her.
The house hadn't changed he wouldn't dare move any of her belongings, they were her's this house represented her, everything she had been about. Her humour, her creativity, her good heart… her spirit. To change any of that would be taking all that he had left of her.
"Pacey?" A hand touched his shoulder wearily.
He almost jumped at the contact, "Jo! There you are, where have you been?"
She glanced out the window leaning over him "So, who is she?" She asked suspiciously.
"Calm down Sherlock, she's family." Pacey told her. "Sarah's sister Mandy." He explained sighing.
"Hey you ok Pace?" Her brown eyes searching his. He nodded "Yeah I'm ok, just to see her, she looks so much like Sarah, it was a surprise to find her on my doorstep."
"How close were they?" Joey asked stuffing her hands in her jeans gazing up at him.
"Close as sisters are, Mandy wasn't around when Sarah was sick, she was travelling Europe, Sarah didn't want her to know that she was sick because she knew that Mandy would have come straight home to be by her side and Sarah didn't want to disrupt her travels." Pacey explained his face screwed up in pain from reminicing of those times.
"Pace I'm sorry I didn't mean to bring up- Joey started, nervously brushing her hair behind her ear.
Pacey shrugged "Joey don't apoligise. I can always talk to you."
She smiled softly, "Well I'll keep out of the way." She turned to leave but he caught her elbow gently.
"Jo, don't leave, have dinner with us." He asked.
"Are you sure, I don't want to intrude, you guy's might want to talk." Joey said unsure.
"Listen I want you there, please?" Pacey pleaded with her.
Joey nodded smiling softly, it didn't take much convincing lately she felt herself being reminded of Pacey of her childhood. The guy that rowed across the creek to comfort her, drove her to see her dad in prison and who did so many other countless acts of kindness and of love.
The Sun was setting, candles were lit on the porch the three sat the table was array with various types of food and bottles of wine, the candles flickered in the soft warm breeze.
"She was beautiful on her wedding day, married on the small church in town and then we had the reception on the beach, oh she was so beautiful I never have seen her look as radiant as she did that day." Mandy's eyes shined with fesh tears at the memory of her sister's wedding.
Pacey took a deep breath remembering then took the wine bottle and poured Mandy and Joey a fresh glass of white wine, "So Mandy any future travelling plans."
Mandy smiled softly, "Well Im looking into buying a new house, with Matt."
Pacey's eyebrows rose and he grinned "And who may Matt be?"
Joey slapped his arm playfully, "Don't be so nosey Pacey." But she smiled at his mischievious behaviour.
Mandy laughed "Pacey how long have you and Joey known each other."
"Too long." Joey rolled her eyes playfully.
Pacey grinned, "She used to follow me around the creek doe-eyed."
Joey's mouth dropped "I think you have it backwards you were always after me, continuously trying to kiss me, hit on me-
"Hey hey hey I think you and that great imagination of yours have become delerious." His eyes sparkled playfully.
She nodded "Oh I see I imagined all those failed attempts of kissing me and grand gestures."
Pacey laughed "Im going to clear up before there is hair pulling and the Potter scowl reappears."
She swatted him once again and Pacey gathered the plates, forks and knives he cleared the outside table leaving the two women sitting on the porch in the candlelight.
Mandy smiled softly at Joey, "How long have you loved him?"
Joey looked shocked and swallowed her wine slowly. "Excuse me?" She frowned.
Mandy brushed a strand of hair behind her ear "You make him happy, you make him laugh, there are sparks there."
Joey looked down her curtain of brown hair hiding her face from view, "I care about him so much."
"Do you love him?" Mandy asked without hesitation.
"Yes." Joey said softly her brown eyes sincere as she pulled her wool jumper closer to her for warmth.
Mandy reached across and took her hand, "Sarah would want him to be happy, she wouldn't want him to be alone."
Joey smiled softly at her, her gentle grip released Joey's hand. Pacey interrupted them from the kitchen "Would anybody like some coffee?" Joey stood up, "Yeah but I'm making it your coffee tastes like crap." She poked him in the ribs and sauntered into the kitchen. "What?" Pacey exclaimed and chased after her into the kitchen.
Mandy watched her brother-in-law laugh at the kitchen window as he argued with Joey on how to make the perfect cup of coffee. Mandy opened her bag and took out the carefully folded letter addressed to her she opened it carefully and with her fingers traced the carefully written words Make sure he's happy and not alone Mandy looked up as tears fell onto her cheek and she smiled.
A/N: okay so is it worth continuing? Let me know!
