Joey suddenly felt nervous when she stood in front of her house that she shared with Pacey. What was she going to say to him? Would he listen? Was it too late? She sighed to herself, kicking herself mentally for letting it get this far. She got her key out of her pocket, unlocked the door, and let herself in.

Joey walked hesitantly around the house, afraid of what she might find. Everything was still the same, apart from a pillow and blanket on the couch? I wonder who's been staying here? She thought, and a thought suddenly sprung to her. She walked into the bedroom, and saw that the bedroom looked untouched, the same as it was after she had made the bed, not him. Tears immediately invaded her eyes, as she realised Pacey couldn't sleep in their bed without her.

'Pacey?', she croaked out, as she walked around the house, struggling to hold it together. There was no reply, and she admitted defeat as she realised he wasn't home. She sat down in the armchair, and contemplated what Bessie had told her on the flight home.

'I'm Glad you decided to come back Jo, I just wish you had realised it before I literally had to drag you home kicking and screaming', stated Bessie, looking at her with a grimace on her face.

'I know, I feel like just screaming for wasting so much time. I am so stupid Bess. I mean, It's Pacey. The guy I hated for years! He teased me for years, he used to grate me the wrong way for so long. Then when Dawson decided that I needed looking after, Pacey came into my life in a different light. Since then, I guess I've seen him in a different light. When we broke up the first time, I tried to make him 'safe' in my life, someone who didn't hold my heart. I guess it really didn't turn out that way.'

'Do you think Pacey would have ever been safe for you Jo?'

'No. I mean, how can you forget your first love?'

'I thought Dawson was your first love?' Bessie asked with interest.

'Ok, well I guess that Dawson was that first, giddy, childlike love that will remain close to me. But Pacey? He challenged me in ways I thought were never possible. He pushed me to bring out the best in me. He loved me for who I was, not some made up beauty that is what it took for Dawson to finally see me in the way I longed for , for so long. He's made me laugh, cry , happy, sad. He has my whole heart. Hey, he even brought out other Joey.'

'Other Joey? Dare I ask?' Bessie teased slightly.

'Ha, other Joey. Well. That's not go there. But I'm not talking about that Bess, I mean he just made me believe in myself to have this confidence that I could do great things.'

'Jo... have you ever sat down, and told Pacey all of this?' Joey contemplated this for a second, and looked at Bessie with a saddened look on her face.

'No. I just obviously just expected him to accept it because that's how it was supposed to be.'

'Aren't those the words he shouted at you, at Prom Jo? See the reoccurring pattern here?

Joey sat in the armchair, knowing that Bessie was right all along. Yes, of course she told Pacey everyday that she loved him. But had she truly ever showed him? No. He deserved better than that. He showed her everyday how much he loved her, and he was the most important in her life, and she never showed him in any way. She shook her head violently. She left her case in the lounge, as she headed back out the door, determined to find him, determined to show him how much she loved him.

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Joey contemplated going to The Marina, but she knew he wouldn't be there, if he couldn't share their bed without her, there was no way that he would go near the ocean, their boat.

She stood nervously outside the Icehouse. Not sure if she really wanted to enter. She remembered Bessie saying that he had thrown himself into work, so she was pretty sure he was definitely inside.

Before she entered, she heard a short cough behind her. She turned around and saw Doug and Jack standing there.

'Oh my god guys, It's great to see you again!', Joey started, with a huge smile on her face. They both fell into her hug, happy to see her back again.

'Joey, how have you been? I'm glad you are back, you look radiant!', said Jack, smiling softly at her.

'Thanks. I've been ok... I've... I've missed Pacey so much, I think it's time to come home.' She gave a short nod towards Doug. He put his hand on her back, and rubbed it affectionately.

'We're glad your back Joey. We really have missed you. Obviously, Pacey more than any of us. He's been a wreck. I know what he did was wrong Joey, but no one hates him more than himself right now. Does he know your back?'

'No he doesn't. And for the record, I forgive him, and myself completely. It just took me a long time to see it. I guess I've always been kinda slow?' Joey teased, smiling brightly at them both. God, why had she stayed away so long? She missed everyone so much!

'Ha. Have you...er... spoke to .. Eddie? He and Andie are still hanging around here. We've both spoken to Andie, and she refuses to see the truth, she doesn't believe that Eddie would have said all those things, and she still stands by his side. I can't seem to kick sense into my sister!' Jack furiously shook his head, the disgust in his features evident.

Joey had shivered slightly at Eddie's name. She had completely forgotten that coming back here would be around him too.

'I have nothing to say to that man. I will never forgive him for what he's broken. But trust me, my words will be shown in actions. I'm sure that I will bump into him sooner or later. Prick'.

'Shall we go in Jo? Are you ready to face Pacey?' Asked Doug, reaching for the door.

Was she ready? Hell yes.

'Of course. But, I have a favour to ask you guys.' Joey asked nervously.

'Yeah Joey?'

'Could you introduce me? Well, not introduce me, but mention that someone is here to see him? I don't think I've got enough confidence to just stroll in there, I might literally faint or something.'

'Of course Joey,' laughed Doug, as he lead the way into the Icehouse.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Doug knocked on the door of Pacey's office.

'Pace?'

'Go away'. Was the response from the other side of the door.

'Pacey, It's Doug and Jack, can we come in?'

'No. I said go away.' Joey rolled her eyes slightly, he was just as stubborn as her.

'Pacey, we're not taking no for an answer.' Doug opened the door, and saw Pacey sitting at his desk in the dark.

'Pacey, what are you doing sitting in the dark?' Stated Doug as he switched on the light. Doug took one look at Pacey and gasped. 'Pacey, you look like shit!'

'Thanks Doug. I told you to go away, so what exactly are you doing in my office?' Pacey spat in their direction. Joey winced slightly behind them. Oh god, she thought, if he is like this with me, I don't know what I'm going to do.

'Well, I have a special delivery I thought you might like.'

'No. Now go away.'

'Stop being so stubborn, Pacey! You really want this special package.' Joey rolled her eyes at Doug behind him.

'No. I told you not to come in. I don't want to be FUCKING disturbed. Will you Fuck off? Please? I'm asking nicely.' Doug stood shell shocked for a second. He turned to Jack, unsure of what to say next. Joey had had enough.

'Hey. Don't talk to your brother like that!'. Joey spoke, coming in between Doug and Jack, showing Pacey that she was there.

He looked up at his desk, completely stunned. His eyes burned into hers, as there was silence in the office.

'Jo...?' Pacey finally spoke, softly and with love his in voice. Joey felt relief inside of her, he wasn't going to speak to her the same way.

He took one long look at her. God, she was beautiful. Her stomach, stood out large and proudly, showing everyone that she was carrying his baby. He had missed her so much, he didn't realise he could love someone so much.

'Doug... I'm sorry..I didn't mean to snap like that,', replied Pacey, genuinely apologising for the way he spoke to the people he loved.

'No worries. We were just delivering your package. Now that you've seen it, we'll be sitting at a table, enjoying the dinner we originally came in for. Speak soon Pacey.' Doug nodded towards his brother, and then turned towards Joey, and whispered softly in her ear. 'Good luck...and take it easy on him. He loves you, you know.' She smiled back at him, 'I know'. Joey turned back towards Pacey when Jack and Doug had closed the door behind them.

'How... how have you been?' asked Pacey.

'I've been ok. I feel a lot better, there was just one thing missing.' Joey replied, staring deep into his blue eyes, which were swimming with emotions.

'Yeah? What's that?'

'You.' She moved towards him, so they were only inches apart, and flashed him a shy, lopsided smile.

'Joey..I...' He shook his head, not sure what to say. He didn't want to be a burden in her life, and she knew it was time to come clean to everything.

'Look Pacey, you need to listen to me carefully. Because I have a lot to say to you.' He stared at her for a short few seconds, his breath slightly ragged as she was so close to him, her scent already driving him finally gave a short nod, urging her to continue.

'I know I always tell you that I loved you, but I never showed you anything more than that. Maybe it's because I've always had this fear that everyone I love leaves me, so why should I show more than just love? If I open up to someone enough, they'll leave me, and I'm left open and wounded, unable to shut my heart completely.'

'Jo... I always said I wouldn't leave you...'

'I know, Pacey, but you did. At Prom , remember? Look, I don't want to talk about the past, but I gave you my heart, body and soul, and you left me. I missed you so much, I literally felt my heart breaking in pieces. It took me so long to get over you Pacey, that I don't think I actually ever did. When you came to Boston, when I saw you on that boat that first time, I fell in love with you all over again. Actually , that's a lie... I fell more in love with you than before. I couldn't ever fall in love with you again when I was already head over heels for you.'

He stood there slowly looking at her, not sure what to say. 'Why.. why didn't you ever tell me this Jo?'

'Because I wasn't ready to be back with you. I forgave you for what you did, but I couldn't forget. And I was so heartbroken I found it impossible to ever open my heart to you again, with the fear that you could damage it again beyond repair.' She took a step closer.

'Pacey, you have been this huge presence in my life. I can't even begin to explain to you, how much I love you. I... I have been head over heels in love with you since I was a kid, and it took time to develop, grow, and blossom into this great love that it is today. No matter what you say about Dawson being my soulmate, he is my soulmate as a great friend. My close companion who will always stay my best friend no matter what happens in my life. But you, Pacey, you are my one true soulmate, that I will love completely till the day I die. I trust you so much it actually hurts inside. I trust you not to leave my side, to betray me, to break my heart into pieces again. Because, I've already given you my whole heart, and I can't take it back. I don't want it back. Because that means that I have given up on us. And I won't. Ever. I love you too much to ever let go someone as beautiful as you.'

They both stood there staring at each other , tears shining in their eyes.

'Jo.. You know I love you so much, but I always seem to be a burden in your life, and all I ever want is for you to be happy, whether that be with or without me. But these days, it feels like you would be happier without me, as you deserve so much better than me, after what I said to you. I will never forgive myself for what I said to you. You deserve so much better than that Joey, you deserve so much better than me.'

'Pacey! Do you hear yourself? How can I deserve better than you, when you are the best thing that ever happened to me? What you said, was harsh, but from the way I was acting, I probably deserved it. I gave you nothing to prove to you that I wasn't being deceitful in anyway. And I let you feel that betrayal, and for that, I couldn't forgive myself for so long. I couldn't forgive myself for the way I have treated you . That's why it's taken so long for me to come back to you. But I was always going to come back to you Pace. I have spent my life running away from true love, all I want to do now, is run to it.'

'You.. how can you blame yourself Jo? I said those disgusting words to you, You deserve so much better...' Pacey trailed off... his head about to burst from holding the tears that were threatening to fall. God, this woman, was the only woman in the entire world who could reduce him to tears.

Joey was starting to get angry.

'Pacey! Stop it! I don't deserve better than you. You are the person who deserves better than me. No, I take it back, we deserve each other wholly. I love you Pacey. You are the only person who challenges me in ways I didn't know were possible. You bring out the best, and worst of me, and you still love me completely. I trust you with my life, I would give up my life for you. I ... I can't explain any better than that. But I just know I need to show you how much I love you more, and I promise I will spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you.'

Joey took one step closer, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

'And you Pacey, will be the best Father any child will ever know. I want to spend the rest of my life making babies with you, as I can't think of anyone better suited for the father of my children.'

'Jo...'

'Pace. No matter your childhood, the way your family treated you, you always deserved better. The love that you never got from your family, the love you always desired, I know that you will give all that loved you craved to our children. Because Pace, you have the biggest heart, and our kids deserve to have the best Daddy. I love you Pacey, and our children will love you unconditionally, no matter what. Don't let that fear overtake your love Pacey. I know that you are afraid you won't be able to show that love to your children as you didn't get shown how. But Pace... you already show me unconditional love, without anyone ever showing you. And I don't think there's anyone else out there who can light up my heart the way you do, with or without a loving family, our own family is the most important thing life can bring us.'

Pacey cracked, tears falling from his eyes, following Joey's declaration. She was right, he was afraid of not being a good enough father, but he was going to do the best god damn job possible.

'Jo..'

'Shut up and kiss me Pacey.' He smiled at her words, and leant into her, giving her a soft, loving kiss on her lips. She returned his kiss, deep and full of love. After several minutes, he pulled away, and rested his forehead on hers.

'So, what are we going to do here now , Potter?'

'Well, we've got to sort out our wedding, which is a week away!'

'What? You still want to marry me?'

'Of course! Why wouldn't I want to marry you? Bessie has been stubbornly planning our wedding, and basically all we have to do is turn up. Although I need to buy a wedding dress, although I guess It doesn't matter what I wear, I will look hideous.'

'Ha, hideous? You could wear a bin liner and still look beautiful.' His eyes were shining with love. He had his girl back in his arms. His life couldn't get any better than this.

'I love you Potter.'

'I love you too baby. I love you so much. Oh and Pace?'

'Yeah?'

'I have spent the last several months keeping everyone's hands off my stomach. Your baby is desperate to meet you, and I wanted you to be the first to say hello. I 'd appreciate it if you would say hello now, before he or she kicks out my stomach.'

Pacey suddenly felt nervous. He was going to feel his baby move for the first time. He moved his large hand down to where Joey was guiding to him, and felt his baby move underneath his hand. He moved his hand around her stomach, and was amazed when the baby followed his touch.

'Oh God, Jo...', he started, his voice cracking with emotion. His waver of emotion sent a sharp tug at her heart.

'He or she knows who their daddy is.'

He looked down at her, smiled, and dropped to his knees, and placed his head against her stomach.

'Hey baby, Nice to finally meet you properly. I bet you think I'm a deadbeat Dad right now, as I haven't been around much. And I wouldn't blame you, but I promise you, from now on, I am going to be the best daddy any child can have. I will love you so much, when you're old enough to live your own life without us, I will find it incredibly hard to let you go. Because you will always hold a huge candle in my heart. I love you so much already little baby, and I can't wait to meet you, you are so lucky to have this woman as your Mom. She has taken so much care of you already, and I'm starting to already get jealous about the amount of love that will surround you once you are born.'

He looked up at Joey, and saw she was crying. She loved him so much, why did she ever walk away?

'Come on Pace, let's go out and join Doug and Jack, and enjoy the rest of this night.'

She took his hand, and they walked outside together, heading towards their table.

Everything was perfect, but she knew, that things wouldn't be 100% until she had her way with Eddie.

She was afraid to mention his name around Pacey, without him falling back into a dark trance. Yes, she told him how she really felt, but she was yet to prove it wholly. But she was going to. She was determined to prove to Pacey how much he really meant to her. And if that meant bringing down Eddie? Then so be it.

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