Oh my god.. A Baby?
Joey couldn't get her head around this... Yes she envisioned her life full of children with Pacey, but so soon? The thought left Joey abit queasy. At least though, she had a better reaction compared to her scare back in High school. She laughed to herself at the thought. At least she didn't suspect she was pregnant this time!
Joey wondered down the streets of Capeside, wondering if she should stop for a drink. A sudden thought crossed her mind : Jen. Jen would know what to do, she had been through it all already, and raised a gorgeous baby girl all by herself. Jen's wise words and sense of humour helped Joey out of anything, and right now, she missed her friend more than ever. Tears sprung to her eyes, thinking about Jen, and how she so wished that she could tell her best friend the news. Joey was struck with another thought, how she longed to tell her Mother. This was too much, Joey thought, I need to sit down! Joey headed towards the nearest cafe, and sat down at a free table.
Joey sat in the corner of the cafe, her head full of emotions and she wasn't sure what to do. She daydreamed back to her high school days, thinking of the last time she thought she was pregnant. She was so scared then, so young, so why was she frightened again now? She didn't need to be, her and Pacey were together, happy and secure. But what if they weren't? What if Pacey wasn't 100% happy with being with Joey right now? What if he thought things weren't going as well as he hoped? What if he felt too pressured with the wedding, the move, work, and now a baby? Arghhh! Joey thought, this is way too much. A short vibration was felt in her pocket, and she whipped out her cell phone. She looked at the caller display , 'Pacey'. Nope, she couldn't tell him yet . She ignored the phone until it went to voicemail.
'Joey?' She looked up to see who had called her name, and was surprised to see Eddie there. 'Hey Eddie... what are you doing here?'. She felt she had to be friendly, she had no choice really, especially as if he was dating Andie.
'I'm just trying to get some writing done, I've got some new ideas I thought I would write down, and now I find that this is definitely one of the quietest cafe's in town. You look like you have a lot on your mind, is it ok if I join you?' Eddie had an expectant smile on his face, and Joey felt like she didn't really mind that much if he joined her or not. 'Of course, sit down, please,'. She let a relaxed smile take over her face, and welcomed him to sit next to her.
'So Joey, whats new with you? I haven't really had the chance to talk to you properly. What's been going on in your life? Did you ever get that trip to Europe in?' Eddie smiled expectantly at her again. It was almost as if he was willing her to talk to him, like he expected her to run out that door any second , not giving him a second glance. Something, Joey was thinking of doing at that very moment.
'Yeah I did actually, I went that Summer to Paris, worked in a couple of Cafe's out there, toured the museums, stood under the Eiffel Tower, just took it all in I guess.. I went by myself too, guess It was always going to be a solo trip for me.' Joey smiled at the memory of that Summer. She loved every second of it. She finally got to see Paris, without Dawson stopping her, Eddie stopping her. She felt free and happy. 'Life's been pretty hectic too really. I finished my degree, moved to New York, and then Jen died and everything went wrong. But I guess that's when I found myself back to Pacey, and I stayed in New York for a while, but decided to move to Capeside again and be with Pacey here. New York was getting on my nerves anyway', Joey added with a small laugh. Eddie smiled at her joke, it was nice to see her smiling again. She seemed down when she walked into the cafe. 'How's things for you Eddie? Hows your dad?'.
'Oh my dad's great, everythings been great for me. The travelling, I miss it. I guess I love feeling free and having no responsibility. I met Andie though, and she's so funny and smart, and I think she's a great match for me. I hope that she thinks the same things about me too, I feel like this could be it you know? And what a small world!' Joey smiled at Eddie. She knew she could be friends with him, although Pacey probably would be against it. He's trying so hard not to show his jealousy, but sometimes, Joey could just see it in his eyes, he wasn't too happy about Eddie being back in town.
'So what's up? You seem really down today, and you look abit lost...', Eddie continued, hoping Joey would tell him what was wrong. 'You want to tell me about it?'
'Ah, It's something I should tell Pacey first really, no offence...' Joey bantered back, she really didn't want to have this conversation with Eddie , it would be whole heartedly unfair, and Pacey would be so hurt if he knew she told Eddie first. She gave him a small smile to show that she wasn't being unfair, but that small didn't really meet her eyes. He gave he a sideways look, noticing the look of fear in her eyes. He could tell when she was hiding something, even after all these years. Eddie joked, 'Oh, you're not pregnant are you? Sounds serious', he gave with a wink, but his smiled dropped off his face when he realised that she shuffled her eyes down to the floor, tucking her hair behind her ears. Something she always did. 'Shit Joey, you're pregnant?'. Great, Joey thought. I'm so lame at hiding my feelings even Eddie can guess. Great. 'Yeah... look Eddie I would really appreciate it if you wouldn't tell Andie... or anyone about this, like I said... It's only fair If I tell Pacey first.. you understand that right?' Her eyes started to well with tears, she really didn't want to have this conversation.
'Oh Joey, of course I won't say anything. It's my fault for guessing. I guess congratulations are in order! I take it you're not happy about this? I mean, otherwise you'd be down the street running to tell him... don't you think?' Joey looked up at him, and contemplated this. It was true, if she was overjoyed, she would have ran straight to Pacey, told him the news, or picked up the phone call from him earlier. The underlying problem here was fear. Fear of the unknowing. Fear of rejection. Fear of... everything.
'I just, I am happy, I just... I don't know. I guess I don't think I'm ready for this yet.' Joey started to ramble. ' I know that I do want to be a mom, and Pace will be the perfect father, but what If he doesn't want this? What if this is too much? What if he leaves me alone to be a single parent? I just, don't know. I feel that everything is perfect right now, and this would spoil it, or make everything just go wrong. Sorry Eddie, I'm rambling. I just... Argh. I don't know.' Joey shuffled uncomfortably in her seat.
'Joey, you're not scared about this at all . I can tell, you want to be a mom. Just look at you, you're glowing, and you may not know it yet, but this will be the best thing that will happen to you. I'm sure of it. And, as for Pacey, I don't know the guy too well, but from what you and Andie have both told me he sounds like the perfect guy. He asked you to marry you, you moved back to Capeside to be with him, he loves you, I can tell.' Joey smiled, 'How can you tell?' Eddie paused for a second, and looked up at her softly, and stated, 'He looks at you, the way I used to look at you.' Joey paused too, looking at him, not sure what to say. Eddie cleared his throat, 'Anyway, I know he does, and I'm sure your fear is coming from just not knowing what's going to happen in your future. But that's always the funny thing about surprises. They may be a surprise, but it will be the most wonderful surprise to come your way... And I'm sure that Pacey will be even more in love with you when he finds out that you carrying his child. Why wouldn't he? Just look at you.' Joey smiled at Eddie, with tears in her eyes. 'I think...that was the nicest thing you've ever said to me. Thank you. I really mean it. After everything, I'm glad we could be friends.' Joey leant over the table, and gave Eddie a quick, but meaningful hug. 'Thank you Eddie.' Eddie leaned back into the hug. 'You're welcome. Anyways Joey, I've got to run, got to meet Andie . We will catch up soon ok? Email me if you need any advice, it's the same as always.' Eddie winked at Joey, and waved his goodbyes, and was out the door.
Joey looked at her phone, with a smile on her face. Eddie had cheered her up, and she was grateful for his kind words. She flipped open her cell, and listened to the message Pacey had left.
'Hey baby, I'm just calling to see how things went at the doctors. I'm guessing you're still there, so let me know when you're all done and I'll come home to meet you, or you can come by the Icehouse if it's early. Anyway, hope you're ok. I love you. Speak later, bye.'
Here it goes, thought Joey. I need to tell him. He'll be happy. I know he will. With that thought, Joey headed towards the door, down the road, and towards the Icehouse.
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