Out of Nowhere
When Pacey decided to take his wife and unborn child away from Capeside and away from their drama, he had no idea they would be gone for nearly a month. He had no idea they would end up in Georgia and reconnect with one of his oldest friends. He had no idea they would make a new one either…
No, when Pacey Witter decided to take this crazy, irrational trip in the dead of winter, right before Christmas, right before Dawson and Anne's wedding, right before the expression of their love came into this world in the form of a baby boy, did he have only one thing in mind: loving Joey without fear or recrimination; without doubt or hesitation; completely and thoroughly, the way he promised he would when he gave his life to her with the words 'I do'. Although it seemed to be a mindless task at the ceremony of his commitment to her, life had an unfortunate way of tainting what was pure and passionate and turning it into something scary and dark. It was when his love for her and the child they had created became a fear that he knew something needed to be done and fast…
So, he did the only thing he knew how to do: run. He ran fast and hard, taking with him his heart and soul in Joey and their son. He knew it would be easier to love them away from his ghosts and away from the past that was constantly telling him he was inadequate. He was running away from the fear of his father and what that death meant for the future with his own son.
But what surprised him was how those demons and insecurities followed him and haunted him in Georgia. Reminding him that just because he was in another state, didn't mean these fears would just disappear. And just when the terror threatened to open up again and completely swallow him whole, he was saved. The woman he loved more than any meaningless adjective could possible express, reached out her heart and soul and saved him. She opened his eyes and made him see his future which was full of possibility and joy; not inadequacy and failure...
"You get to do all those things you wanted to do with your father. You get to take our son fishing on Devotion and teach him how to drive and talk to him about his first love… You get to do it all over again, only this time, you can get it right because YOU'RE the father"
Those words were more powerful than any fear that had temporarily possessed his body. A second chance was coming his way and he was going to do it right. He was going to be a great father and a better husband. He didn't need to be several states away from his home to do it anymore. The need to run no longer invaded his thoughts. He was ready to go home. He was ready to embrace his life with open arms and move forward. He was ready to meet his son.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
December 22 was a beautiful day with clear blue skies and a sun so bright that the heavens were shining through with eloquence and grace. At nearly 25 degrees outside some children were playing in the snow, building snowmen and forts and sledding down hills, while others stayed indoors building gingerbread houses with frosting, licorice, and colorful M&M's.
Four adults, outside a large blue house, got caught up in the warm atmosphere of the day and found themselves in a war with large, round, snowballs being the weapon of choice. Pacey hid behind a large Oak tree in Buzz's front yard wearing his grey coat, a black stocking cap and warm gloves that fit flawlessly over his large hands. He was perfecting the diameter of the freshly gathered snow in his hands, plotting his next attack against the women who had started this malicious battle. He was just about ready to come out of hiding when he was attacked from behind with two rounds of cold wet snow.
"Gotcha now Witter!" Joey yelled from behind him, throwing several rounds of snow at his back, leaving him little opportunity to retort. He dropped the snowballs that were in his hands and covered his face from the violent attack.
"You think you're pretty clever, do you Jo?" Pacey yelled as he walked through the line of fire to seek revenge against his enemy.
"NO! I think WE are pretty clever Pace," Joey corrected as Kris came in from the other side of the tree, throwing another round of snowballs at the front of his body. He was being attacked from both sides and had little opportunity to retort.
Suddenly, Buzz came out from behind a large bush with a handful of snow and threw it at Kris. Kris was completely unprepared for his attack and ended up falling to the ground while Buzz never relented on his attack with the fluffy, white snow. Somehow, he ended up throwing her over his shoulder, kicking and screaming, as he dragged her into the house.
With Buzz now taking care of Kris, Joey knew she was in trouble. She was out of the icy artillery that was her only defensive and the grin on Pacey's face told her that he was going to seek revenge. As Pacey began to take slow, steady steps towards Joey, she backed away just as steady.
"I want you to think very, very carefully about what you're getting ready to do Pace…" she declared softly with her hand out in front of her to emphasize her point.
Pacey's smug smile only widened when he saw her turn around to look for an escape route. That little glance away from him was her mistake. A very costly mistake, for Pacey took that opportunity and ran after her. And before Joey had a chance to comprehend what he was doing he had his arm wrapped securely above her bump and he took her down, cushioning her from the fall with his body. She began to laugh and writhe hysterically as he began to tickle her with one hand and shove snow down her jacket and shirt with the other.
"PACEY! That's COLD!" she shouted as she felt the frosty, wet snow trickle down her skin. "That's not fair! You're supposed to keep me warm not get me all wet and cold in this freezer out here!"
Pacey laughed and maneuvered out from under her. He balanced on his forearms above her and observed her beautiful face. Her nose and cheeks were rosy from the cool temperatures outside and her chocolate brown hair was fanned out on the snow below him with a few loose strands in her eye. He removed his grey gloves and gently moved the hair out of her eyes with his warm, soothing fingertips, "All is fair in love and war, Jo."
She smiled and licked her lips as Pacey took that opportunity to steal a tender kiss. He slowly moved his hand up to her cheek and caressed it with a velvet touch as his affectionate lips expressed what was deep within his heart. Passionate sparks were made in that kiss and suddenly they were very warm; forgetting that it was only 3 days until Christmas and only 2 days before Dawson and Anne's wedding.
Out of breath, Pacey finally pulled away from their warm, sensual kisses and opened his eyes. He felt his heart pounding fiercely in his chest as he stared down at the beautiful woman who was his wife and mother of his son. She was just as playful as the day he met her with only a little more fire in her fighting. If his love for her was a game he would lose his soul to her every time…
He gently traced her bottom lip with his thumb as a small smile formed on her face. She appeared to be happy and content in this moment feeling every unspoken word of affection in his touch and subtle caress. She felt like she was finally home again in his arms and was ready to conquer the world with him again...
She knew they were no longer going down separate paths, fighting to get back to each other through the dark clouds that had formed over the past few months; they were on the same path working towards the same goal: love, happiness, and becoming a family.
Just as the thick emotion around the two lovers consumed them, Kris came out of the house with her arms folded over her chest and a prominent scowl on her face.
"Hey guys, sorry to interrupt," Kris began in a tone that was laced in a mixture of pain and anger. "But I want to say goodbye to you guys before I leave... Something came up and… And I know you two are leaving us today, so…"
Pacey quickly moved off of Joey and stood up before reaching his hand out to help her up as well.
Pacey smiled and was getting ready to give her a proper goodbye when Buzz came out of the house and tried to apologize to Kris.
"Look I didn't know she was going to call!" he yelled desperately as he tried to put on a shoe, but stumbled as he tried to balance on one foot.
Pacey took Joey's hand as she looked at him questioningly. Apparently something happened inside the house between Kris and Buzz while they were still outside creating sparks on the thick blanket of snow outside.
The college kids had only recently discovered their attraction for each other a week ago (thanks to some helpful advice from Pacey to Buzz) and were only just beginning a relationship that Joey recognized to be pure and passionate; something that could quickly develop into a strong foundation for the future of the couple's lives.
Joey watched as Kris glared at Buzz and recognized that hurt look all too well… Buzz screwed up. And from what Joey could gather, it had to do with another girl.
"Did you figure out her name?" Kris exclaimed harshly, moving away from his advances. "Was it Rita or Tina? Or maybe it was Gina??"
Buzz sighed frustrated, "She was just this girl I met a few weeks ago… We weren't together then… You can't possibly be mad over something that meant nothing to me!"
"Oh I think I can!" Kris retorted with hate.
Kris let out a huff and turned to get in her car. Buzz just stood there, not sure what to do, and realized Pacey and Joey were watching the whole thing. His cheeks suddenly became red with embarrassment and he turned around to go back into the house.
Joey raised an eyebrow and looked up at Pacey who wore a smile that was up to no good…
"You got her?" Pacey asked quickly.
"You got him." Joey answered, before turning to find Kris in the car.
Pacey chuckled softly as he walked up the steps to Buzz's front door. This kid was definitely making the same mistakes he did when he was that age… Oh if he could only turn back time. Maybe then he and Joey would be married now with 3 kids instead of only expecting their first…
Pacey found Buzz in the kitchen grabbing an alcoholic beverage from the fridge.
"She is so frustrating sometimes!" Buzz exclaimed when he saw Pacey in the doorway.
"Yeah but that's the best kind of frustration…" Pacey countered.
Buzz ignored his retort and continued his rant, "We weren't together, Kris and I! So why does she make me feel like I cheated on her! I had sex with that woman almost TWO weeks ago!"
"Why did you sleep with that woman?" Pacey asked blatantly, trying to make a point.
"What?"
"Why did you sleep with that woman?" he repeated, "I know you couldn't have just fallen in love with Kris this week… You've been in love with her for a long time so there has to be a reason why you would sleep with another woman while you're in love with somebody else…"
Buzz raised an eyebrow, "A reason other than the obvious you mean?"
Pacey smirked, "Look, I've been there man… I have a pretty good idea of what was going through your mind that night-"
"-Or day" Buzz corrected.
Pacey laughed, "Or day, that you were with that girl. But Kris doesn't know that… Trust me, I'm still paying in subtle ways for my indiscretions from years ago – being in love with Joey and expressing it with other women…"
"Really?"
"Yeah…" Pacey answered with a small grimace, thinking about Audrey. "Just try to make her understand and don't let her push you away. She may be furious with you now, and you may think she has no right to be, but think about her with another man and that will put things in perspective for you…"
Pacey saw Buzz's face turn pale and his fists clench with that thought. Oh how he knew that feeling… All he had to think about was Eddie Doling and his insides would twist into an uncomfortable knot…
"Just don't let her get away Buzz… You'll regret for the rest of your life if you do…"
Buzz smiled slightly, "That's easier said than done Pace…"
Pacey laughed, "Your preaching to the choir with that one Buzz… I'm still figuring out how to keep Joey at an arm's length… It can be frustrating. Incredibly frustrating, but it's worth it… When you get through the final blaze and you're still together, stronger than ever, you realize that love can do the most amazing things…"
Buzz stood there, listening intently, and appeared lost in thought.
Just then, Joey came in followed by Kris who didn't look nearly as upset as she did only a few minutes ago.
"Well, I think this would be our cue to leave…" Pacey exclaimed, walking over to Joey with a smile on his face, "What do you say Jo? Ready to take on the open highway with me one last time?"
Joey rolled her eyes and took his hand, "I suppose… But if you start singing 'Love is a Battlefield' one more time I swear I'll dump you on the side of the highway without a second thought."
Pacey smirked, "It's Christmas time Jo. I think it's safe to say that the only song you'll hear me sing is, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer."
"Oh lord… Here we go," she exclaimed as Pacey pecked her cheek with a kiss.
After Pacey and Joey said their goodbyes to Kris and Buzz, promising to stay in contact, they settled in the warm jeep, ready to make their long trip back to Capeside; their jeep much more packed than when they started.
Now all they had to look forward to was Dawson's wedding, Christmas, and the birth of their baby... Little did they know that the fates had a little detour planned out before such events were to take place… Maybe even cause one of the events that they are anxiously waiting for to happen a little sooner than expected; or even wanted…
Yes indeed, the gods had a much different plan for the three Witter's traveling down the interstate northern bound. But are they ready for that adventure? Would they be ready for the choices they would have to make and the unfortunate consequences of such decisions? Would they be ready for the possible life and death situations? Only time will tell…
XOXOXOXOXOXO
At the National Weather Service headquarters in Raleigh North Carolina, two men were doing their daily observations of the atmosphere and changes within it. Everything appeared to be normal until one reading came in a little differently. And just when the forecasters were deciphering the first reading another abnormal reading came in...
"It couldn't possibly be that high," one man mumbled under his breath, adjusting the glasses on his face so he could look at the screen better.
After a few minutes of staring at it, realizing the reading was indeed accurate, he muttered almost incoherently, "Well, I'll be damned…"
"Gary!" yelled a tall muscular man in a suit holding a piece of paper in his hands. "Did you see the readings for this cold front that's going to move through?"
The man who was sitting in the chair, turned to look at the man standing behind him. "I did Chuck…"
"Well if this reading is true than you realize this could be worse than the blizzard of '23?" he exclaimed, almost in disbelief.
With that the man sitting in the chair grimaced.
"I have Beth out sending watches to the TV and Radio stations. We have to get people prepared before it hits, because once it does, I have a feeling that there isn't going to be any time to seek shelter…"
The man who was sitting in his chair suddenly tensed as he looked at the screen, "I just hope there is enough time… This storm came out of nowhere and is developing too rapidly…"
"I know…" the tall man answered, "This could become a disaster with all the people on the roads traveling for the holidays…"
The man sitting in the chair stood up suddenly, "We need to alert the governor. With a storm this strong he needs to be prepared to declare a state of emergency if it is necessary."
"Do you think we need to do that yet?" the tall man asked suspiciously.
"I would rather do it sooner than later..."
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Several loud shrieks interrupted a radio station playing Christmas tunes as a weather alert was issued:
"The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a Blizzard Watch for the majority of the state of North Carolina, including the cities of Raleigh, Charlotte, Columbia, and Augusta. A Blizzard watch means that conditions are favorable for a blizzard with wind speeds as high as 60 mph and heavy snow falling at 2-3 inches per hour. Visibility could be reduced to ¼ mile with temperatures reaching a dangerous low of negative 10 degrees... This storm will make traveling conditions very hazardous if not impossible. Please make the appropriate arrangements and stay off the roads…This Blizzard Watch remains in effect until the twenty-fifth of December so be prepared to take shelter should this watch be elevated to a warning…Stay tuned to KX-109.7 as we'll keep you updated on the progress of this storm…"
XOXOXOXOXOXO