Chapter 8
Four years later
Pacey looked down, as he did many times a day, at the gold band adorning his left hand. It had been there for six months. He shuffled himself in the vans drivers seat and then pulled over to the side of the road. Reaching over he shook Joey's shoulder, running his hand down her arms and then catching hold of her hand that wore a ring that matched his.
"Jo," he smiled at her moan, and then again at the way her hands rubbed her protruding stomach. Oh it was a smallish bump, but he loved every ever expanding bit of it. She'd started throwing up four months into their seven month honeymoon in his expertly refurbished van (he wasn't above self-congratulations). She'd taken a test at his behest although they both knew it would be positive. Looking at Bert, the mongrel dog, sat at Joey's feet he smiled again. Bert had been the first thing that bound them together as a family. After the release of Dawson's film things were tough, but through all the media attention, the hospital gossip, he and Joey had grown ever stronger. Everything between them grew stronger, and the ridiculous, heart stopping desire and love for her, just never ever faded. He figured that was a good thing, so after a couple of years he bought her Burt. Burt would live at his place but it was her dog. When he'd introduced her to the gorgeous fur ball of a puppy, the name Burt had been a little joke of his, but she had immediately latched onto the name and the puppy that bore it. Within weeks he suggested she move in and she jumped at the chance. It was a time of change for all of them. Joey moved in with Pacey, Jen moved in with Drue a couple of blocks away and Doug and Jack finally moved in together, taking over the lease of the place opposite Pacey and Joey. It had worked out incredibly well.
The proposal, well that had been tricky. He'd wanted it to be classic and yet unique, which of course it was, when she dropped to one knee and asked him to marry her after the worlds worst date. She'd stolen his thunder but he couldn't really care less and said yes provided he could buy her a ring. Granted, he may have gone a little overboard when he gave her the ring, but who could blame him. It had taken a lot of work to find the right ring, not just any old single solitaire but something worthy of Joey, simple and yet beautiful. He then couldn't deal with just handing it over, so he organized a treasure hunt. The treasure hunt was great as they spent a weekend travelling here there and everywhere, visiting all the places that meant something to them. They'd ended up at her sisters place where he'd buried the ring under an X. Turns out Bessie and Bodie hadn't passed the memo on to Sam and Rebecca who'd dug up the ring and made a whole other treasure hunt. Well, they'd found the ring in the end, and he liked to think he remained very calm in the face of losing the perfect ring for his girl.
The wedding, that actually had been perfect. They'd chosen a winter wedding which seemed strange but suited their travel plans best. In fact what had seemed a strange decision was actually perfect. They got married in Boston, Joey couldn't face a Capeside wedding. Bodie had given her away and the twins and Jen had followed her up the aisle. It was small, intimate, perfect, simple. Really, really simple and the best day of his life.
The honeymoon had been something they'd both dreamed up. They wanted to take the van and go wherever they wanted. Wherever they wanted had been as far south as Mexico, as far west as the entire west coast. And as far north as the Northwest Territories. They'd travelled the mid lands, the deserts, through mountains and plains. They decided to see the southern states and spent the 4th of July at Quay West, before heading north along the eastern seaboard. Until this point.
"Jo," he shook her shoulder again.
"Mmmm, hey Pace," she looked around as she woke up, saw the Welcome to Capeside sign, and then gave him a positively wanton look.
"No," he flushed red, "I woke you because we're here not to do that, here again," he was now turned on.
"Oh," she looked disappointed and pulled his hand to her mouth giving his finger a provocative kiss.
"Now you know better than anyone Potter, that I would love to take you back there and ravage you but...I think we have a history of getting caught on this particular patch of road..."
"And yet you always pull over here," she pointed out with a sultry little smile before grabbing his t-shirt in her fist and pulling him towards her kissing him deeply and with intent. Whilst Pacey was all for the hormone induced aggressive sex Joey was so fond of since she'd gotten pregnant, he knew there was a cop always roaming this stretch of road from repeated experience. But she was kissing him like it was never going to end, her hands unplugging her belt until she was sliding onto his lap. And then, of course, the banging on the window. It was inevitable. Pacey wound down the window.
"Officer Wolf," he gave the guy a big grin. Even Chris hid a smirk.
"Every time," he mused. "It's been a while though?" There had been a definite softening in the way Chris treated them since Creekside came out. Joey actually gave the guy a smile, a sort of soft smile before she looked at Pacey and bit her lip.
"Something about this patch of the road. We apologize and we'll get going," Pacey gave Chris a charming, engaging smile, the sort of smile that got Pacey out of all sorts of trouble.
"See you the next time you're back, same place I'm sure! And congratulations for the wedding and the baby," he gestured to Joey's belly.
"Thanks," she smiled and slid off of Pacey as Officer Wolf moved away.
"Anything to say Joey?" Pacey gave her a pointed look.
"I know I said he'd never catch us again..."
"Vowed after the incredibly naked last time..."
"So I admit he got a bit of an eyeful..."
"My ass," Pacey gave her a stern look but she grinned.
"Your mighty fine ass," she clarified and he laughed.
"Let's say we get to your sisters Potter, park a little way up the drive and then I'll show you my mighty fine ass?"
"Yes please," she plonked back in her seat.
"You know it's really quite incredible that he manages to be on this bit of road, every single time we are. I know Capeside is small..."
"But you'd think he'd have better things to do?" She rolled her eyes and Pacey hit the breaks, pulling them back to the side of the road.
"You rolled your goddamn eyes honey, and now you're going to unplug your belt, go to the back of the van, take off all your clothes, and you missy, you are going on top, so it is your ass he sees when he inevitably comes knocking on the window again," he waited expectantly - she knew exactly what the eye roll did to him.
"Ok," Joey laughed at his expression and scrambled through to the back of the van, when her bra hit him in the face he scrambled after her.
"You're crazy Potter," he groaned as she taunted him, kissing his neck, and holding herself just out of reach.
"Just fine with the fact that he might see my ass and I get to do this," and she slid onto him, pushing her body down so he was deep inside of her. Pacey groaned, unable to help himself.
"Again," he begged when she didn't immediately move. Much to his relief she complied. "Well I like this," he waggled his eyebrows at her as she moved on him, more cowgirl style than he was used to.
"Get used to it, the bump is in the way," she moaned. "And touch me," she grumbled, grabbing his hand and moving it between her legs.
"Oh man," whenever she did that Pacey found self control a challenge.
"Joey," she told him patronizingly, "my name is Joey."
"I could get used to this," Pacey groaned again.
"Yeah, apparently you will, this and the sight of my butt," Joey moved and gave him a saucy look.
"This pregnancy thing is so...so awesome," Pacey have her clit an expert flick.
"It goes some way to making up for the dry spell that inevitably follows the baby," she moved and he focused on her, determined to make sure she came too.
"There'll be a dry spell?" Pacey feigned shock.
"You betcha," she grinned and he smiled back and then she did some little move, a sort of turn of her hips and he cried out coming hard, fast and totally by surprise. She looked positively delighted with herself so he proved a point by moving his fingers just so until she collapsed next to him with a contented moan.
"I love you," he told her, looking at her large brown eyes, eyes he could drown in. Man he was a total sucker for his wife, totally, one under percent awed by her.
"Mmmm," she tucked her head against his chest, her arm snaking round him, her naked form pressed along his body.
"You make me laugh but we called Bodie from the road...I'm pretty sure you want muffins whilst they're hot?" he kissed her shoulder and she grudgingly opened an eye and looked at him.
"Fine," she grumbled, and threw on a pair of leggings, his old hockey shirt and absolutely nothing else. Pacey gulped. Now he was screwed at focussing through catch up.
Bessie practically wet herself with excitement over the sight of Joey's stomach. They'd decided to keep it a secret and let the bump speak for itself when they returned. Bodie didn't hold back and hugged both Joey and Pacey before bringing out a tray of muffins.
It was later that Pacey realized his fantasy of years earlier was finally coming true. Bessie had put the twins to bed after a loud, funny meal where Joey and he made everyone laugh with tales of their travels. Bodie had cooked with Pacey's help and then inevitably they'd ended up cleaning up as well whilst the girls read the kids stories. It was a little later with the warm sun setting over the creek, when he and Bodie were sat on the porch with a beer that Pacey realized life was actually pretty near perfect. The girl of his dreams, was also the girl of his reality, and she was real, not a fantasy of love at first sight. A reality of a brutal past but one that she healed from every day.
"So...I need to tell you something..." Bodie stated.
"Bessie's pregnant? Yeah I kinda figured that out," Pacey gave him a grin.
"Well yeah, but no, that's not it..."
"Congrats," he told his brother-in-law who grinned back at him. Then he sobered up,
"No, Dawson is back in town."
"This town?" Pacey squeaked.
"Yep. Came over yesterday and and apologized. Asked for Joey's contact details. We said no, but we did say that when she came through on the way back from her honeymoon we would mention it to her. We decided to mention it to you first."
"I'm perfectly capable of handling news like that," Joey spoke from behind them. "I'm not a fragile little girl in need of protecting." She was angry. Pacey had been on the receiving end of Joey's anger enough times to recognize it - they were normal after all and could bicker plenty good.
"He knows that hon," Pacey attempted and she turned her glare on him, hand on hip. Boy was she hot.
"Oh really, so why is he out here discussing it with you?" She was practically shooting lasers from her eyes. Pacey really wished she wasn't just wearing his hockey shirt and leggings as he felt a familiar pulse thrum through his body.
"Because he cares about you," Pacey stated.
"Well in case you all missed it I dealt with my past. I confronted Dawson, I told my friends the truth, I fell in love. I have even managed to have a healthy, happy relationship with the most perfect guy in the whole world. I'm having a baby for goodness sake. I am ok."
"But you weren't Joey. Not for years," Bodie looked down, "and...well...neither were we..."
"I know," Joey calmed down instantly and tears filled her eyes. She slipped onto Pacey's lap, his arms wrapping around his wife, holding her close.
"I'm sorry," Bodie told her.
"No I am. Though you didn't need to do it, I can understand why you would talk to Pacey first."
"What else did he say?" Pacey asked.
"Just that. He's at his mom and dads."
"Ok," Joey frowned but remained silent.
"I'm going to go see Bes," Bodie stood and Joey caught his hand,
"Congratulations Bodie. I'm really happy for you guys."
"Thanks Jo, the feeling is mutual," he squeezed her hand and headed inside.
For a long time they sat together in silence, watching the sun drop off the edge of the world.
"It really is beautiful here, you know Potter."
"I know," she sighed. "I used to think it was some sort of cruel irony to live such an awful life somewhere so beautiful, but now I'm kind of glad."
"You are?" Pacey never failed to be interested in what she had to say.
"Yeah...I think had I lived somewhere ugly, and my early life being so ugly, maybe it would have been harder to move forward, to see the beauty in anything. It's funny, but since you, I see beauty in everything."
"Well now that's just about the nicest thing...ever," Pacey pressed his lips against her neck.
"You've turned me into one of those people, the ones so in love they're saps."
"Pleased to hear it," he kissed her neck again.
"I want to see Dawson," she stated and he tensed. "And I want you to come with me. Would you do that?"
"Yeah," he said simply.
So Pacey found himself sat at the kitchen table of a house not dissimilar to the one in the movie. He had rowed Joey there, something she had thoroughly enjoyed.
They'd travelled there early and it must have been only nine when they knocked on the door. A pretty, middle aged woman answered. For several moments she stared at Joey, shock and guilt on her face.
"Joey," she hugged his wife close and then held onto her shoulders taking a good look at her. "You're beautiful Joey...and pregnant!"
"Hi Mrs Leery," Joey sounded about fifteen even to Pacey's ears.
"Gale, call me Gale, you're a grown woman," Gale ushered them into the house and shut the door.
"This is my husband, Pacey Witter," Joey held onto his hand tightly.
"It's so nice to meet you," Gale looked him over, Pacey could feel her eyes running up and down him even though he was looking at the guy approaching them.
"Joey," the man gave her a big smile, "wow, it's been years..."
"Hi Mr Leery," Joey smiled a quick smile.
"This is Joey's husband Pacey," Gale introduced and before he knew it they were sat around the table drinking coffee (tea for Joey.)
"What is it you do Pacey?" Mitch broke the slightly awkward silence that had fallen.
"I'm a doctor. I work in the paediatric emergency unit most of the time."
"Wow," Mitch whistled and Gale gave him an impressed smile.
"And you Joey?"
"I'm a nurse actually. I work in the paediatric wards. I was in emergency like Pace, but I moved into the wards. I wanted to focus on long term treatments."
"You've done so well with your life Joey," Gale couldn't hide the surprise.
"Don't sound so surprised," Joey arched her brows at the older woman.
"I didn't mean to sound condescending but you went through a lot."
"I know," Joey said simply, "actually we were wondering if Dawson was here? He wanted to see me."
"Well he should be home any minute. He was walking his sister to school."
"He has a sister?" Joey's eyes widened.
"Yes, rather late in the day we gave him a sister, Lillian..."
"Like my mom," Joey frowned.
"We were best friends," Gale stated as the front door opened.
"I'm back guys, one Lily safely delivered."
"You have a guest honey," Gale called.
"Joey," Dawson stood in the kitchen and stared, full out stared. Pacey couldn't really blame the guy, Joey was worthy of a good stare with her long brown hair, tanned skin, and sparkling eyes. She also looked extremely good in her skirt and halter top combo. "Wow...you look amazing utterly beautiful." For the first time since Pacey had heard of Dawson, the guy seemed like a polite, nice guy, someone he could imagine would have appealed greatly to a young Joey.
"Apparently I glow," she rolled her eyes and Pacey gripped her hand pointedly, she shot him a little smile.
"You do, you do," Pacey agreed.
"But then again they say all pregnant women glow," she gave a dismissive shrug.
"I'm biased but you definitely glow more than most," Pacey stated.
"You do Joey. When is your baby due?" Dawson asked and Pacey caught a hint of something in his tone.
"Around Christmas," she said.
"Mom, dad...I don't suppose I could have a few minutes with these guys?" Dawson looked at his parents who stood and made a polite exit.
"You wanted to talk?" Joey stated.
"Yeah," Dawson's eyes shifted to Pacey, taking him in, eyes appraising.
"Pacey Witter, Joey's husband," he stated unable to get rid of the hard note in his voice.
"So here it is," Dawson sat down at the table and looked at Joey. "I'm sorry. I'm not just sorry for making Creekside but for everything. I don't think I'll ever be more sorry in my life than I am about how I messed things up with you. You were right...when you came to me I didn't believe you. I knew you were scared but I never really thought your dad had done it to you when you were thirteen. I saw you beaten but...and this is the bit it's hard to admit, my sheltered life didn't give me any capacity to think such things might have been true."
"You were a child as well Dawson," Joey told him.
"A spoilt one. I loved you Joey, I did and I'm ashamed to admit I believed rumours, rumours that you told stories. It was only as an adult that I came to realize the evidence I'd witnessed and what it really meant," Dawson took a deep breath. "I can never really apologize enough for not giving you the help and support you needed, for not taking you away that night, for letting you know I didn't really believe you. I also said some awful things to you for which I am truly sorry." Dawson took several deep breaths.
"Lastly, that I made the movie. That I took things so private and made them public, that I put things in that film under the guise of creative licence...well nothing can ever make up for that. So I wanted to give you this..." He handed Joey a cheque. "That's every bit of profit I made from Creekside. You can have the oscar as well."
Joey looked at the cheque and handed it to Pacey. The figure was huge, many millions. They wouldn't take it. He knew that.
"I'm happy Dawson. I don't want the money. The apology I'll take."
"Shouldn't you ask Pacey?"
"She doesn't have to. We don't want it," Pacey said sincerely.
"I don't want it either."
"Ok...split it up for charities. That's what I want," Joey looked at Pacey and he nodded.
"Do you know which ones?" Dawson asked and Joey nodded reeling off rape support charities, the Trevor project, cancer research and homelessness charities.
"Can you do that?"
"Yes," Dawson nodded. "I'll do it in your name."
"No anonymously."
"Ok."
"I'm glad we spoke," Joey smiled at him and stood to leave.
"I'll never forgive myself," Dawson said abruptly.
"Oh but you must," Joey reached a hand across the table that Dawson took. "You were a child and the issues I was facing were not childish ones. You were my best friend. I couldn't have got through without you. That's why it hurt...when in the end you didn't believe me, that you thought I could do..." Joey trailed off.
"I'm sorry."
"Stop saying sorry and forgive yourself. I forgive you."
"Even for the movie? I can't blame that on my youth."
"Actually that movie kind of resolved a lot of things for me. It was a terrible...terrible to endure, and you got a lot wrong...but it helped me move on. I am happy Dawson. Pacey is a good man and he makes me laugh, he makes me feel loved, and he makes me trust. I'm capable of loving when I'm with him. Hear me when I tell you I forgive you because it's the truth."
"Thank you Joey," Dawson seemed on the verge of tears.
"Now you said something about an Oscar?" Joey gave him a pointed look and then smiled, until he smiled back.
"Sure," he chuckled and left the room, retuning a view moments later with the statue.
"For the baby's room," she stated and then handed it to Pacey.,"goodbye Dawson," she hugged him quickly and then took Pacey's hand again and they walked to the door together. Dawson watched them to the rowboat but nothing more was said. He even stood and watched them row away.
"You are the most amazing girl in the world," Pacey said at length.
"The guy was struggling. He needed me to let him know that."
"What the heck are we going to do with the statue?" Pacey frowned.
"Sell it to fund juniors college when the time is right?" she suggested.
"Melt it down and make a "special" bowl for Burt?"
"Golden knobs on our bedstead?" she smirked.
"Oooh, I know, a figurehead for my boat."
"Love it...or the van?" Joey's eyes flashed.
"Melt it down and make Oscar cutlery?" Pacey grinned. On this game would last them a lifetime.
"Toilet brush handle," Joey beamed and he threw himself at her kissing her.
"You are a total goof," she giggled returning his kisses.
"You married me," he defended.
"I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
"You getting sappy on me Potter?" He nuzzled his face into her cleavage.
"Never," she rubbed the short hair at the back of his neck, calm as the drifted in the creek.
"Course not."
"I was just thinking...imagine if you'd grown up here in Capeside? What if you had been friends with me as well as Dawson? Would things have been any different?"
"I imagine we'd have had some dodgy triangle of a relationship with you wanting Dawson and me wanting you. You'd have come good in the end of course. Too smart not to," he gave her a big smile which she returned.
"I do consider myself to be incredibly smart," she informed him.
"You are incredibly smart, and kind, and wonderful," Pacey gave her a look, a look she had to know very well because he gave it to her often. "Were you even a little tempted to take the money?" he smiled.
"Not even a little," she shrugged. "You and I do well enough and why mess with the reality of what we're building together? That kind of money would be fun but it wouldn't be real. This statue however," she looked at the Oscar that had been dumped on the bottom of the boat, "that baby will make a wonderful door knocker when we finally buy a house."
"The perfect candle stand for dinner parties?" Pacey suggested.
"Maybe we should donate it to the children's ward dressing up box?"
"That's a nice idea, but no. This baby is surely going to put to best use as a paperweight."
"You're a doofus," she smirked and looked pointedly to the oars, "now get rowing Jeeves, I want to go home."
"Home to here or home Boston?"
"Home Boston. I'm dying to see the guys and we have to visit your mom and pops to. I believe you stupidly arranged the sib dinner for tomorrow, so it's going to be busy."
"I can't believe we start back at work next week."
"You've had nine months off," she teased.
"I just love being with you."
"And I love being with you," she leant across the boat and gave him a quick kiss.
"Come on then wifey, let's get you home."
"You're going to have to carry me across the thresh hold you know?"
"I already did that," he complained.
"But not at our home, that was across the threshold of the van, and you fell. I still have a scar."
"Not my most elegant maneuver."
"So you owe me, a proper threshold carrying."
"I can manage that," he smiled at her.
"Good," she looked around her then back at him. "I love you."
"And I love you."
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