A/N: This chapter is rated M for a character death (It's not what you think)... Sorry I didn't get this out sooner! Honestly I didn't think it would be this long, but I am hoping to go back to my regular "length" in the next chapters… There was just so much going on in these last two chapters it was hard to cut anything… So, again thanks for the reviews! They really help me to know if I'm going in the right direction. I will update next weekend, but as always, if I'm able to sooner… So hope you all have a wonderful week. :)
The Mysteries of Life and Death
Pacey sat on the passenger side of the large truck that pushed the snow out of the way, so they could make their way back out to look for Daniel Richardson. The state patrolman he had met earlier was driving and it was then he realized he didn't even know the stranger's name. He looked out the window and could hardly see what was in front of his face; the snow was coming down so thick. He had a bad feeling that this was probably a mistake, but Mathew needed him; he needed a father.
"Just out of curiosity man," Pacey began as he grew concerned watching the snow fall faster and the wind carry it down so that there were large drifts collecting on the ground, "How do you know where we're going? I mean, I can't decipher the road from the grass, so how do you know where we're at?"
The state patrolman smiled at Pacey and it was then that he saw how big and burly he was. He never noticed before, since he was so worried about getting Joey and the Richardson's to safety.
"See this little gadget right here?" the old, burly man wearing a heavy jacket and warm black stocking cap, pointed to a small black machine.
Pacey nodded and took a close look at the screen. There was a map on it with a moving dot following one of the roads.
"This little lifesaver is a GPS tracking device," he explained, handing the little tracking device to Pacey, "We are here and this is the road, so that's how I know where we are and where we're going."
"But I thought all the electrical lines were down?" Pacey asked logically, amazed the small machine was working so well.
"They are, but this is battery operated and gets information from the satellites overhead."
Pacey nodded with understanding and handed the small gadget back to the officer. They sat in silence for a while. Pacey thought about Mathew's pleading eyes and Joey's demands for his safe return, while the officer pulled out a jacket from behind the seat.
"Put this on," he instructed, handing the large black coat to Pacey.
"I don't need it," Pacey explained, pointing at his own jacket.
"Yes you do," the officer insisted, "This is a thermal jacket that was made to keep men warm during such cold temperatures. So take it."
Pacey complied with the man's request and put on the jacket. It was then he saw "North Carolina State Trooper" on the front and almost cringed. He should've known that one day he would be in a uniform; it was his destiny as a Witter…
"Your old man Sheriff Witter's son from the Cape, aren't you?" the officer asked, watching Pacey struggle to put on the jacket.
Pacey turned to look at the man questioningly. Sure his father was well known in Capeside, maybe even in some parts of Massachusetts, but in North Carolina?
"Yeah…" Pacey answered hesitantly. "You knew him?"
"Knew him?" the officer laughed, "Hell, we went through training together! I helped him get into the academy after he failed 3 times!"
Pacey's eyes grew big, "Three times? He told me he only failed once…"
The man shook his head as he laughed, "That's typical John Witter for you… Never admitting he actually failed something…"
Pacey let out a sarcastic huff and looked out the window.
"So are you his youngest boy?" the officer continued, watching Pacey appear uncomfortable.
"You could say that…" Pacey answered with hostility.
"Well, then it was you your mother was carryin' when I met your old man…" the officer explained. "He told me he had 3 kids and was expectin' his fourth soon. He said he knew you were a boy…"
Again, Pacey couldn't help the sarcastic tone that laced his voice, "Well that's not what I heard…"
"Well you heard wrong because Jonathon Witter was adamant… He was having another son who was going to carry on the Witter name and take over his position as Sheriff one day."
"I think you're confusing me for my older brother Doug…" Pacey explained, "He's the Sheriff… Not me…"
"No I met Douglas," he answered with a smile, "John never thought Doug had it in him to be the town Sheriff, that's why he was excited to have another son…"
Pacey looked at the stranger in bewilderment. Doug was always, ALWAYS the favorite son; the one who was destined to follow in their father's footsteps and "carry on the family name", not Pacey… Pacey was the disappointment… the screw-up… the black sheep of the family…
"What's your name again?" Pacey asked, wanting to see if it was familiar.
"Oh, sorry…" the officer quickly apologized, extending his hand to Pacey, "The name's Riley. Ken Riley…"
Pacey shook Riley's hand, but didn't recognize it.
"I never found out whether or not John's prediction was right," Riley explained, "But now I guess I know…"
Pacey merely nodded and looked out the window.
"How is your old man these days?" Riley asked out of curiosity.
Pacey grimaced slightly, "Oh… Well, he's uh… dead…"
Riley suddenly looked pained, "I'm sorry son… Your father was a good man and a pleasure to work with. I'm sure he's very proud of you…"
Pacey was uncomfortable and didn't like this conversation in the least.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
"Pacey!" Joey choked out as a contraction hit her full force. She clenched her lower abdomen with her right hand and tried to work through the pain that wasn't supposed to be happening for another 8 weeks.
Mathew was sitting beside her with wide eyes, wondering what was wrong with her.
"Mrs. Witter?" Emma asked with urgency, watching Joey try to work through her contraction. She quickly put Sophie on the loveseat in the corner of the room and instructed Mathew to go keep an eye on her. She then moved to Joey's side to help her. She kneeled down in front of her and took her hand, "How long has this been going on?"
Joey could only mumble as panic began to sink in. She couldn't be having her baby. Not now, not like this. She began to pant as the pain slowly began to intensify.
"Remember your breathing, Mrs. Witter," Emma instructed as she felt Joey squeeze her hand.
Joey shook her head and spoke almost incoherently, "It's too soon… The baby's not ready and Pacey's not here."
Emma tried to smile reassuringly and sat on the couch beside Joey. She put her arm around her shoulders to sooth her nerves, "How far apart are your contractions?"
Joey shook her head, still in denial and on the verge of tears, "I'm not having contractions… It's too early! The baby's not ready!"
"It's going to be okay, Mrs. Witter," Emma said with a false bravado, anxiety starting to settle in.
Emma knew Joey was in labor and began to subconsciously look around the room for options. She needed to get Joey to a hospital. Just because she had given birth two times, didn't mean that she knew how to deliver another woman's child. She had to think and quickly.
She swiftly found her cell phone and began to dial 911. There was no dial tone and when she looked at the screen it read, "No Service."
Emma took a deep breath and walked over to Mathew, who was watching his baby sister on the loveseat just as he was told.
"Baby," Emma said softly to her little boy as she lifted him onto the oversized chair with his little sister, "I need you to be a big boy and help me watch Sophie. Do you think you can do that for me?"
Mathew nodded and looked cautiously at Joey. "Does she have a tummy ache Momma?"
Emma smiled and smoothed out her son's wild brown hair, "She's going to be ok Baby, but don't worry about her. I just want you and Sophie to sleep. You hear me?"
Mathew nodded again, still watching Joey whimper with concern. "I'll be a big boy Momma… Just like Daddy."
Emma kissed her son's forehead as she felt a worried tug on her heart for her husband's safety, "Yes Baby, just like your Daddy."
Mathew laid down beside his sister and put his arm around her protectively. So far, Sophie hadn't picked up on the distress going on around her and had nodded off to sleep. With the two children taken care of, Emma had to come up with something to do for Joey.
Watching the fear and panic spread across Joey's face as she realized she was in labor, Emma decided there was nothing she could do but wait and hope that somebody would come out and help them… And hopefully soon or Emma would be delivering Joey's baby – something that neither woman wanted...
XOXOXOXOXOXO
As Pacey and Riley made their way back through the snow to search for Daniel, the van Pacey and Joey saw earlier that evening, came into view, which signified the place to start their search. Riley pulled over to the side of the road and handed Pacey a long black flashlight.
"Take this. And the rules are that we stick together," Riley explained, "And if something happens to one of us, we go back to the truck and radio in for some help, but we stay together…"
Pacey nodded and lifted the hood of his jacket, prepared to enter the cruel cold of the blizzard outside. Riley opened his door first and Pacey followed suit. Soon, Pacey's skin was enveloped with the freezing cold temperatures, biting his skin, making it difficult to breath. He put the scarf over his nose and mouth to block out the chill and followed Riley to the van.
Sure enough as the men looked inside, there was no one to be found.
"So where do we go from here?" Pacey yelled over the howling storm, barely able to see the man in front of him.
"We go out a ways," Riley shouted in reply, pointing towards some trees ahead. "We've got the GPS system so we won't get lost."
Pacey nodded and they began their journey, tracking through the snow, toward the small woods ahead. The pure white snow was so heavy and high, that it was up to the men's knees as they stomped through it. A couple of times, Riley grabbed Pacey's shoulder as he fell over in the unstable snow.
After only walking a few feet into the woods, the men were getting tired. However, the trees allowed some protection from the strong winds and allowed them to save some of their energy.
"Did you hear that?" Riley asked loudly, looking around the woods for the source of the noise he heard.
Pacey shook his head. Not only had he not heard any sounds, but he was starting to feel his feet go numb. Yes indeed, Daniel Richardson's fate was not looking good at this point. Not looking good at all…
After waiting for Riley to decide the noise he heard was nothing, the men trudged ahead. Pacey looked from side to side, searching for any sign of a man in distress. It was extremely difficult to see with only two flashlights to guide them through the darkness. But something shiny on the ground caught Pacey's eyes. He stopped suddenly and walked over to examine the silver medal object. It was a watch, which was a good sign. After all the snow that had fallen since they first came out here, meant that the watch was fresh. It had to be or else the snow would have buried it.
"Good!" Riley exclaimed, taking the watch from Pacey with his gloves on, "You've got your father's knack for finding evidence!"
Pacey ignored this comment and looked around the small, snowy area for anymore signs of Daniel. He thought about calling his name, but that would take up so much energy and with the loud noise of the storm, it would be pointless…
"Look!" Riley yelled with enthusiasm, pointing at some colorful material close to a tree. The bright yellow clothing stuck out like a sore thumb in the white snow and immediately the men raced over to see what it was.
Pacey let out a relieved sigh when he saw a man lying under the tree, surrounded by snow.
"Daniel Richardson?" Riley called out, before they reached the man.
The new stranger looked up at Pacey and Riley and smiled, "Yes! I'm right here!"
When Pacey got to the man, he noticed his left foot was twisted at an odd angle under the tree. "You're hurt?" he asked, assessing the situation.
Daniel nodded, "I tripped over the tree stump back there, but don't worry about me… I need your help finding my wife and two children."
Pacey shook his head as he helped Daniel up, "Don't worry about them. They are safe in a cabin with my wife."
Daniel's face relaxed with this knowledge, "Oh, thank God…"
Suddenly there was a loud rumble and the ground shook slightly. Pacey moved his flashlight around the woods to search for the source of the commotion when Riley yelled, "GET OUT OF THE WAY! MOVE!!"
"What the hell…?" Pacey mumbled just in time to see an ocean of snow tumbling down the hill and rushing directly towards them like a flood of water; an avalanche quickly coming their way.
Pacey turned to go right holding onto Daniel before Riley came running and shoved them both out of way, "NO SON! Go this way!!"
Pacey didn't need to be told twice and helped Daniel through the snow and up to higher ground, just as the flood gates came rushing past them – destroying everything in its path. The heavy snow hit the trees with such a force, that the snow that had collected on the branches above the men began to fall down.
There was a large jagged icicle that was falling fast for Pacey's chest. It was sharper than a knife and would kill the man that was punctured with its icy force. Riley looked up in time to watch it fall for the young man who had so much to live for. Images of the young man's pregnant wife filled his mind. They were still so young...
It was one of those moments in time where a hero was made. Riley didn't think about the fact that he was sacrificing his life for Pacey's, he just knew this man had a family and a baby to live for. He was old and had lived a relatively long and prosperous life… So without a second thought, Riley shoved Pacey out of the line of fire and took the jagged icicle that was meant for Pacey's heart – effectively saving his life.
Pacey and Daniel watched in horror as the sharp piece of ice cut through Daniel's chest.
"NOOOO!" Pacey yelled in shock. But it was too late. The damage was already done.
Daniel and Pacey knelt down by Riley's side to help him, but it was too late. The blood was gushing from his chest and creating a small red stream on the snow around them.
Riley merely smiled as he lied on the ground, preparing to take his final breath.
"Why did you do that?" Pacey shouted in shock. That should have been him on the ground preparing to die, not this old man who had sacrificed his life for Pacey's.
"Take care of your family son…" Riley instructed, suddenly wishing he would have put on his bullet-proof vest.
"Hang on man! Just hang on!" Pacey yelled in a panic, looking for anything to help him.
Pacey looked at Daniel, "Can you help me carry him back?"
Daniel nodded and grabbed his feet. Pacey grabbed his shoulders. As they attempted to lift the large man from the ground he yelled in agony.
"Just go!" Riley instructed. "Call for help and then get back to your families…"
Pacey shook his head, "I'm not leaving you here."
Riley smiled and took Pacey's hand, "It's okay son… There's nothing you can do now."
Riley's breathing became very shallow and Pacey refused to give up on him, "Don't do this Riley! Hang on!"
Pacey and Daniel watched in horror as the hero took his last breath, departing this world for another…
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Joey's mind was reeling as the pain wracked through her body, creating a sense of panic for the mother-to-be. There was no doubt that after 8 hours of contractions every 6 to 8 minutes apart that Joey was in labor… As much as she would like to deny it and pray that it'll just go away, these pains were becoming more intense and closer together. She could no longer deny her fate: she was going to have her baby, and she was going to have it in an old cabin with no medical treatment whatsoever. Emma Richardson was her only lifeline. And this realization devastated Joey.
"Pacey," Joey whimpered through the pain, trying to tell herself that he was going to be okay and that he would get back in time to see the birth of his child.
She was lying on her side, on the large brown sofa with tears in her eyes and a heavy gray blanket over her body, shielding her from the cold. She had been struggling through her contractions for most of the night and was becoming really tired. The urge to sleep slowly overwhelmed her and the fear of not being able to, fed her growing trepidation.
After Emma settled Mathew and Sophie on a cot by the fire, hours ago, she made a permanent spot on the loveseat beside Joey. Her mission, to help Joey in any way she can. Unfortunately, there was very little she could do, except talk to her, offer her hand in support, and occasionally look outside for any sign of the men's imminent return.
She wasn't sure what the future held for her husband and the men that went looking for him, but she had to be strong. This new stranger, who was giving birth, needed someone and she was the only option Joey had…
As Joey struggled with her latest contraction, Emma caressed her face with a damp washcloth, trying to cool her skin. The water pump inside didn't work because the pipes were frozen, so she had to collect some snow from outside and put it in a pot by the fire so it would melt. It was a desperate measure for water, but they were in a desperate situation...
"Pacey," Joey mumbled again weakly, her eyes shut tight this time. He was the only person she could see in her mind as she fought through each contraction and each time she called his name.
She needed him to be with her. She needed him more than she ever thought possible. He promised they would finish this together but where was he? What was taking so long? Every hour made his safe return less likely and it terrified her.
"Do you know what you are having?" Emma asked quietly, trying to get Joey to think about something other than her pain.
Joey's breathing slowly began to return to normal as she answered, "I'm having a boy."
Emma smiled and moved the damp hair away from Joey's forehead, "Little boys are precious… Daniel was ecstatic when he found out I was having a son. I sometimes worry what he would have thought if we would have had Sophie first and then Mathew. But I suppose that's every man's dream, right? To have a son to carry on the family name…"
Joey smiled slightly, "Yeah, I think so…"
"So what are you going to name him?"
Joey grimaced with this question. Here she was in labor and didn't even have a clue what she was going to name her son. She had tried to get Pacey to agree to something but he wouldn't cooperate. Now, she feared her son would be born premature and nameless…
"We haven't decided on anything yet…" Joey answered in a trembling voice from fear and fatigue.
"Oh, don't worry Mrs. Witter…" Emma quickly comforted, "We didn't come up with the name Mathew until after he was born and Sophie was the name we found at our baby naming shower…"
"You had a baby naming shower?" Joey asked, recalling the last one she went to was Lily's. Ironically it was at that same baby naming shower that she thought she was pregnant with Pacey's child and was completely freaked out because she couldn't get a hold of Pacey… It would be a little less than 10 years later before that situation would become a reality...
"Oh yes…" Emma explained, "I had such a hard time coming up with the name Mathew that I knew for my next child I was going to need some help… So the baby naming shower really helped me come up with something unique and something I liked."
Joey didn't have time to respond as another set of contractions began to take over her body.
Emma looked down at the watch on her wrist and saw where it was 4:23 AM, exactly 4 minutes since her last contraction. They were coming faster now, which means that it wouldn't be much longer…
"Hold on Mrs. Witter," Emma soothed, wiping the cold sweat off her forehead with the damp washcloth again, "It'll be over soon…"
Suddenly, Joey felt a gush of liquid escape her body and moaned.
Emma smiled and caressed her hand, "It's okay Mrs. Witter... You're water just broke... Your baby is definitely coming now..."
Joey closed her eyes and whimpered, still trying to fight a contraction, but it was becoming more difficult. She felt a constant ache in her lower back and whenever a contraction would hit, it would be almost unbearable to get through it. Now, she was starting to feel a concentrated pressure on her pelvis. All of these sensations combined to inflict havoc on her exhausted body, which was just a reminder that she was nowhere near a hospital and far away from any drugs that could provide the sweet feeling of relief.
Joey moaned painfully and grasped Emma's hand. Time meant absolutely nothing to Joey when she was having a contraction. The pain that only lasted for 60 seconds in reality, felt like 10 years for Joey…
Emma kept talking to Joey and encouraging her, though she knew from experience that those words were meaningless when a woman is in that kind of pain. She couldn't imagine having to go through either one of her labors without Daniel or the drugs, but this incredibly strong woman beside her was doing it.
"You know when the contractions became unbearable for me when I was in labor with Mathew, I would just start talking to him and somehow that seemed to ease the pain," Emma explained as she massaged Joey's lower back.
Joey wasn't able to answer Emma because she was too busy trying not to yell or cry, both of which seemed really appealing.
"Talk to your baby, Mrs. Witter," Emma instructed with a soft, encouraging voice, "See if it will help…"
Joey was afraid that if she would actually open her mouth and attempt to say something, any words that she could possibly form would not be decent and would most definitely corrupt the little ears of the children sleeping on the cot by the fire… So, she just shook her head 'no' instead and bit her tongue.
"I understand," Emma said with a smile, taking Joey's hand and letting her give it a good squeeze, "Believe me it was only 6 months ago I was in your situation and when I wasn't talking to Sophie, my husband was getting an earful…"
Joey finally felt the pain ease and wanted to cry. As much as she appreciated what Emma was doing for her, it should be Pacey sitting beside her getting an earful and having the bones in his hands crushed with the force of one of her squeezes. But he wasn't. And she didn't know if he would ever come back…
Emma saw Joey's tears and felt bad, "Oh Sweetie, I wish I could tell you this gets easier but I don't want to lie to you…"
Joey shook her head weakly, "It's not that… I mean it is… It's just that I wish Pacey was here. He's going to miss everything. And it's early, too early for my baby to come. What am I going to do? What if he doesn't make it and I'm all alone? What if my baby and my husband don't make it?"
Emma swallowed hard, not sure how to answer those questions or fears. She said the only thing she could think of, the only thing that would get them by, "We just can't think about those things right now. We'll take the tragedies when they come, but for right now we have to focus. You on having this baby and me on helping you deliver this baby safely…"
Joey closed her eyes. She was never a person to just stay calm and let whatever happens in life happen. From working hard to get a scholarship into Worthington, to the very day that she got her job as an editor for the Booktastic Publish Co., Joey had made her own future. So now that she had no control over her son's destiny or her husband's she felt like she was trapped. And all she could do now is watch as the impending doom lured dangerously close overhead.
She needed Pacey and if for nothing else then to just tell her not to worry so much. He was always so laid back and knew how to make her feel better; even in the most horrible situations.
She began to whimper softly as another crash of reality pulsed through her body, reminding her that she had a job to do. Whether Pacey was there or not, this baby wanted out. And today he was coming out whether the doctor books claimed he was developed enough or not.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Pacey and Daniel could hardly see as they made their way through the snow and towards the cabin. Both men were exhausted, both mentally and physically, but the sounds of being with their families helped them trudge on through the thick white ocean of snow.
They would have made it back to the cabin faster if they wouldn't have had to wait for the emergency crew to come and pick up Riley's lifeless body. Pacey had never been this close to death and would never forget the man who saved his life.
"Are you sure we didn't just pass this place?" Daniel asked with impatience, struggling to see the road ahead of them.
Pacey nodded, "Yes I'm sure… See?" he explained as he pointed to the GPS machine which showed their location, "It says here we're right on target. We only have a mile to go."
Daniel shook his head, "I just don't trust technology… That's what got me into this mess to begin with…"
Pacey smiled when he saw a very dull light ahead, "I bet that's the cabin…"
"Yeah and just as the sun decides to come up…" Daniel said sarcastically, "You'd think it would have been too much trouble to ask for it to come up a little early this morning? Maybe then we could've gotten home a little faster…"
"Yeah, but look at the bright side…" Pacey began as they got closer to the cabin, "At least we actually made it back..."
"That's true…" Daniel acknowledged, recalling how Riley wasn't as lucky.
Pacey pulled the maintainer over with ease in front of the cabin and breathed a sigh of relief. He kept his promise to Mathew and to Joey. He found Daniel, so Mathew could have his daddy and he made it back to Joey alive so he could be a father to his own son – all thanks to Riley…
With a renewed sense of stability, Pacey hopped out of the large truck enthusiastically and helped Daniel out on the other side. With Pacey's help, Daniel was able to hop to the cabin and limp inside.
When Pacey first entered the small cabin, a wonderful wave of heat caressed his face and the sweet smells of wood burning from the fire inside, enveloped his senses. He closed his eyes briefly, enjoying the wonderful sensations of being in a safe place when a woman's voice interrupted his glorious return to safety.
"DANIEL! Oh thank God!" Emma gasped from the couch and ran to embrace her husband. She hugged him fiercely and temporarily forgot all about the woman on the couch who was in some serious agony at that moment.
Pacey smiled as he watched Emma and Daniel's teary reunion, not even noticing Joey on the couch with her face contorted in pain. It wasn't until Joey moaned from the intense throbbing from a contraction that Pacey noticed her.
To say he was shocked to see her pale, panting, and in pain would be an understatement. It took him a moment to comprehend why she was in that position on the couch and why she appeared to be so weak and frail. But when he finally understood, it was like a rush of adrenaline flooded his body.
"Joey!" he yelled in alarm, rushing to her side, "Joey, my god… Are you in labor?"
Normally, Joey would have a witty comeback for such an obvious question, but after nearly 12 hours of hard labor, the only thing she could do is nod.
Pacey knelt down by her side and brushed back her hair with his left hand and took her free hand with his right. She had dark circles under her eyes and appeared to be worn out. Her face was flushed and dewy as she tried breathing through her most recent contraction.
Pacey looked over his shoulder at Emma and asked, "How long has she been like this?"
Emma turned around slowly, but still had a good hold of her husband as she answered, "All night, pretty much since you guys left yesterday evening."
Pacey grimaced when he realized how long she had been in labor. "We need to get you to a doctor Joey. Do you think we can make it?"
Joey squeezed Pacey's hand, "We need to go now!"
That was all the encouragement Pacey needed as he watched Joey struggle through the contraction. He hated seeing her in this condition, in this obvious state of agony and fought the urge to panic. He had to remain calm or they would never get to the help she so desperately needed.
After about a minute of watching Joey be tortured with labor pains, Pacey was able to help Joey up so they could go out to the jeep and to the hospital. She leaned on his shoulder as he held her up with his arms, slowly walking her out to the haven that would usher her and his son to a hospital – hopefully still as one body instead of two.
Emma knew Pacey would need help in case Joey wouldn't be able to make it all the way back to town before she delivered her son. So, she gathered up her two sleeping children and followed Daniel outside so they could help the Witters.
Pacey was relieved to see the Richardson's walk out to help him. He wasn't sure how he would have driven the jeep AND helped Joey as she delivered their son if the time actually came to be. So he was grateful for all of their help.
Watching Daniel carry sleeping Mathew while Emma held baby Sophie made him realize what Joey was doing. She was giving birth to their son and soon he would be able to hold him, and rock him, and become the father he was destined to be. A wave of excitement suddenly hit him as he helped Joey into the backseat. She was having his baby… Joey, the same woman who had captured his heart, his soul, and his last name was giving birth to their son and nothing would ever compare to the rush of adrenaline that he felt in that moment, realizing what was happening to their small family.
Joey began to whimper and moan in pain and Pacey was unsure of what to do.
"Don't you dare leave me back here, Witter," Joey snapped, watching him eye the front seat for refuge.
"I won't Joey, I promise," he assured her, hoping Daniel could drive them so he could be in the backseat with Joey.
Daniel smiled at Pacey as he put Mathew in the middle of the front seat and buckled him up. Emma put Sophie close to her brother and put the seatbelt around her small form. Normally, they would never dream of putting their children in the front seat, nonetheless without a car seat either, but this was an emergency and they had no choice in the matter. Their safety seats were still in the van which was several miles from the cabin, so they just had to make do with what they had.
Pacey gave Daniel his car keys and got into the back with Joey while Emma got into the front next to her children. Daniel got into the driver's seat and away they went, in search of the nearest town with a hospital so Joey could deliver her son with a medical staff present.
Pacey sat behind Joey as she leaned back against his chest for support. He wrapped his arms around her and caressed her abdomen, trying to ease the pain she was feeling. However, at this point, there was very little he could do to actually help relieve her discomfort. Although that didn't stop him from trying.
In between contractions, Pacey felt Joey's body relax, so he gently stroked her shoulders and arms, trying to help her get more comfortable.
Joey closed her eyes, praising the small amount of relief his affectionate caresses provided for her body and whispered in a raspy, trembling voice, "We didn't even make it to our Lamaze classes Pace…"
Pacey smiled and kissed the top of her head, whispering just as softly, "Well I think our son agreed with me and thought $200 was too much money, just to have some lady teach you how to breathe…"
Joey opened her eyes and glared at him. But then she smiled. This was the kind of mental relief she needed and only Pacey could give that to her.
"I mean, I've mastered the art of exhaling years ago," Pacey continued with his banter, "It's the inhaling that sometimes trips me up… But I manage."
Joey suddenly tensed and closed her eyes, "Oh God Pace…"
"It's ok Jo," Pacey soothed, moving his hands to her swollen tummy to help her through it.
"I gotta push, Pace…" Joey said suddenly with urgency and panic.
Pacey looked out the window and saw nothing but the white snow surrounding them, not a town or building in sight.
"Hold on Jo…" Pacey replied in a voice that he hardly recognized.
"I can't Pacey!" Joey exclaimed sitting up slightly, bracing herself to bear down.
Pacey took a deep, uneasy breath and wished Daniel could drive a little faster as he watched his wife prepare to push.
Emma immediately understood Joey's sudden impulse and quickly crawled over the seat to help. She positioned herself at the end of Joey's legs and tried to explain what she remembered of her own birthing experiences.
"Okay Joey, I'm ready down here so just push whenever you feel your next contraction… And Pacey, when she starts to push, just start counting to ten and then Joey will stop once you reach ten," Emma explained, hoping she was remembering everything correctly.
Pacey grimaced. This was not the way he imagined Joey giving birth to their son. He never imagined when he bought this jeep brand new, nearly 4 years ago, that it would be the place where his first born child would come into the world. But then again, 4 years ago he didn't think he would be married – and to Joey of all people. But he tried to make the best of the situation they were in and held her close as she tensed in his arms and gave her first official 'push' in the delivery of their son.
Pacey watched her push in silence until Emma looked up at Pacey in bewilderment. He didn't understand her look until Joey stopped pushing and turned to glare at Pacey, "I know you've had trouble in math in the past, but do you think you can manage to count to ten for me?"
Pacey chuckled softly, realizing this might not be the best time to slack off in his "supportive husband and father" duties, and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "I can do that Jo, just tell me when…"
Well "when" came rather quickly and before he knew it he was reciting the first 10 numerical numbers of the mathematical system, saying it over and over again, watching as Joey came closer and closer to completely delivering their son in the backseat of his jeep.
Joey started to get tired as she pushed for the sixth time since she initially began. Among the different cycles of pushing, Pacey whispered several words of encouragement to Joey, trying to give her the strength to keep going. He brushed the long brown tresses away from her face as he began to count for her next round of pushing.
The last push was very progressive as Emma announced she could see the head. With this news, the anticipation in the car became thick. Pacey was anxious and nervous at the same time, watching as Joey prepared to push again. It was only a matter of minutes now before the person he helped create made his entrance into the world.
"You're doing great Joey," Pacey exclaimed anxiously, showing his support with several light kisses on her cheek.
Joey closed her eyes and prepared for the final stages of delivery, while Daniel declared they were in town now.
Basically, in this moment, it was a race against the clock to see who or what would come first: the baby or the hospital.
As Daniel turned the corner on Crescent Drive, Joey felt a powerful contraction and began to push.
"This is it Joey," Pacey said in an unnaturally high voice, forgetting to count – not sure at this point if he would be able to anyways as the anticipation reached a new peak.
Emma smiled excitedly, "Good Joey! The head's out! One more push and it's all over!"
Pacey smiled and felt his heart beat faster. He never knew the seconds to go by so slowly as he waited for Joey to recover and give one final push. He kissed her right cheek and whispered intimately into her ear, "I love you, Josephine. Now just one more and you'll be a mother and I'll be a father… You can do it Jo… I'm so proud of you… Now make us parents."
The adults in the backseat were so focused on what was happening around them that they hardly noticed they were at the Emergency Room in the hospital. Daniel quickly got out and searched for help.
Meanwhile, Joey struggled to sit up slightly. She took a deep breath and grabbed Pacey's hands. She gripped them tightly as she gave her one last productive push, effectively bringing their son into the world.
Pacey watched with deep emotion as the Earth seemed to stop spinning and all the evils in the world completely vanished; his son finally making his entrance into the world via Joey.
Emma quickly picked up the tiny form and placed him on his mother's tummy. Joey immediately began sobbing – feeling mixed emotions of joy, relief, and extreme worry as she looked at her son for the first time.
Pacey held Joey, who was cradling their son for the first time, and gazed at the life they had created through glistening eyes.
No words could possibly describe the emotions a person feels as they first lay eyes on their precious newborn. For Pacey and Joey, their newborn baby boy was the physical representation of the true love they've felt for each other since high school and maybe even long before that… New baby Witter was created in a moment of pure ecstasy, love, and devotion between Pacey and Joey and his new life was the most perfect symbol of their everlasting bond.
Pacey never completely understood what becoming a father and having a family meant until he laid eyes on his son. His heart expanded in ways that he never knew was possible. It was a love so deep that it was almost painful to care for another life as he cared for his son in that moment.
Then he looked at his wife, who was extremely tired, sweaty, and as clichéd as it might sound: more beautiful than he had ever seen her before. She was so strong and he was overwhelmed with the knowledge that somehow he had part in making this miracle. They had created something so wonderful that he couldn't imagine going through it all with any other woman. They were eternally connected now through the tiny form resting in Joey's arms and there was never a more perfect place to be.
Unfortunately, these few precious moment between Pacey, Joey, and their new baby was quickly interrupted when 2 men and a nurse came out to the jeep with a stretcher, prepared to take Joey and the new baby into the hospital to finish everything up. It wasn't until Pacey felt Joey and the baby leave his arms that he was taken out of his dream state.
He quickly got out of the jeep and followed the stretcher that carried his wife and son into the hospital; slowly sobering up with each step he took.
He listened as the nurse asked Joey questions like, 'how far along were you' and 'when did your contractions begin'. It was then that he realized how small the baby was in Joey's arms. In fact, he was the smallest little baby Pacey had ever seen before, so small that he would easily fit into a shoebox.
They made their way into a private room and the baby was quickly taken from Joey's arms. Pacey quickly stood by Joey and grabbed her hand for support as they watched a team of nurses and doctors tend to their newborn.
Pacey looked at Joey - who only a moment ago was crying with joy – and is now crying from fear as they continued to watch strangers work with their precious baby. It was the most unnatural feeling in the world to have your new baby ripped from your arms and given to complete strangers who you know nothing about and they know just as little about you.
Pacey tried to wipe away Joey's tears with an affectionate hand as she began to sob uncontrollably. When he leaned over to give her a reassuring kiss, she grabbed his neck and pulled him down to her, refusing to let go of him. He held her, knowing that was all he could do to calm her fears; the same fears that were making Pacey feel uneasy and wanting nothing more than to see his son back in his mother's arms again.
Suddenly, Pacey couldn't feel his legs and could swear his heart stopped beating when a doctor announced his son wasn't breathing. Joey gasped in his ear and quickly released him as she turned to look for her son. It was then he realized he never heard him cry.
At this point, everything seemed to be a blur. So many different people in such a confined space, all working around a table where their son was lying helpless and weak and all the new parents could do was watch.
In a matter of moments the baby was gone and taken to another room in a rush to save his life. Pacey had never felt emptier as he did when the doctors took his son out of the room and away from him and Joey.
He glanced down at his wife, who was trembling, and saw the same look of dread on her face that was probably on his own as well… He gently picked up her hand and gave it a soft squeeze before grazing it with a tender kiss. It was then that he realized how shaky she was and became concerned. Everybody was so focused on the baby that they forgot to check on Joey to see how she was recovering. When he looked down at the white sheets that covered the lower half of her body, he realized she was bleeding and started to panic.
Everything had happened so fast earlier that he didn't even remember the medical staff cutting the umbilical cord. Alarmed, Pacey told Joey he would be right back and found a nurse to check on his wife.
After a quick exam from the nurse, Pacey was asked to leave as she called a doctor in to help Joey.
"Pacey don't leave me here," Joey pleaded thickly, as tears fell freely from her eyes. She grabbed his hand with such desperation that he couldn't leave her like that, even if he tried.
When the nurse demanded he leave as another doctor entered the room, Pacey knew he didn't have a choice. He gave her a kiss and tried to wipe away her tears with his thumb, "I love you Jo. I'll be just outside, I promise. I'm not leaving you."
"I love you too, Pacey," Joey exclaimed through sniffles, as the doctor finally pulled a curtain around her. The nurse pointed towards the door and told him to wait in the waiting room for someone to update him.
Again, Pacey couldn't feel his legs as he found his way to the crowded waiting room – far away from his wife and son. He collapsed on one of the numerous green chairs in the small waiting area that was meant for pure torture and felt extremely helpless.
It was overwhelming to experience something so magical and perfect with his wife just moments ago, only to have it ripped away and forced back down to the cruel realities of life. One in which he had to worry about the safety of his wife and child, and pray that they would both make it through okay.
He swallowed hard as every emotion in his body seemed to surface with his thoughts and all of a sudden he was in tears. He didn't realize how hard he had been fighting to keep it all in until he sat down and actually processed everything that had just happened.
It was not only a beautiful day, but it was a dark day as well... And now all he could do is wait and pray. That was his only lifeline because everything that mattered to Pacey was within the walls of this hospital and if he lost either one, he felt like he would quite literally cease to exist… And what man would want to live in such a purgatory?
XOXOXOXOXOXO