Epilogue

David Thomas Witter was an attentive baby. He stayed awake longer than his siblings had when they were newborns, and his round emerald green eyes were always open and focused on whatever he fixed his gaze upon. He was also born with a head full of black curly hair, to the delight of his parents, who hadn't wanted to send pictures of him to relatives until he grew some.

"It'll probably fall out." Joey said in disappointment, softly stroking the baby's silky dark curls as she gazed at him.

"Nah, it won't." Pacey replied, bending down and softly kissing his little forehead.

"I wanna hold him." Aliya piped up.

"No, me."

"Mommy, she's always holding him," Aliya complained. "It's my turn. I wanna hold him."

Pacey looked at both girls. "Mommy's going to hold him for now. He's trying to go some sleep."

Casey frowned. "He was just asleep," she said in annoyance. "Why does he sleep all the time?"

"Because being born is a very tiring process. He's only a day old," Pacey answered her, ruffling her dark hair and grinning at Aliya, who was pouting in defeat. "You'll get to hold him tomorrow. Aliya first, and then Casey."

"Why can't we hold him now?" Casey challenged.

"Because it's almost your bedtime."

Casey's protest was interrupted by the arrival of Bessie, Bodie and Alex. Casey and Aliya grinned and ran to Alex and Bodie. Aliya favored Bodie, while Casey grabbed Alex's hand. "Look, I have a new little brother." She said in excitement, tugging him into the room.

"But we gotta 'shh'," Aliya said, putting a finger to her lips from her new perch in Bodie's arms. "He's gonna take a nap."

Bessie was holding a huge bouquet of flowers and she rushed to Joey's side to coo at the baby whose birth she was unable to witness because they were vacationing in California when Joey went into labor, two weeks ahead of schedule. Pacey relieved her of the bouquet and set it on the table beside the countless others. Troy bought flowers, as did Jen, Jack, Andie, Dawson, Doug, and Gretchen, who were all in town for the occasion. Their marriage counselor, who they'd gone to wanting to make sure their near-divorce would never happen again, also sent over an arrangement, and they were touched. They'd stopped seeing him after three months, but they checked in with him every once in a while. He was a really nice guy, and he helped them work out any lingering resentments.

After the prolonged visit from Bessie, Joey was tired. Casey and Aliya were curled up together in a chair by the window, fast asleep. Baby David was nodding off in his father's arms. Joey leaned contentedly back against the pillows, watching Pacey walk slowly back and forth across the room, rocking the baby from side to side, and murmuring soft words to him.

"I can't believe how happy I am right now." Joey remarked quietly, smiling adoringly at Pacey, who looked up at her and grinned.

"I know." He agreed, gently sitting the baby in the bassinet by the bed. "I couldn't be happier . . . Unless . . ." A dark cloud passed over his face.

"Unless L.J. hadn't died." Joey filled in for him softly, stretching a hand out to him. He took her hand and she pulled him towards her. He settled down on to the bed next to her and drew her into his warm embrace.

"Yeah." Pacey nodded. They shared a moment of shared melancholy and Pacey inhaled deeply.

"He's in good hands now, Pace." Joey soothed him. He nodded again and held her closer.

"I just miss him."

Joey kissed his shoulder caringly. "We all do."

Pacey looked at his daughters and then over at his newborn child. Then he focused on Joey. He raised a hand and slid his fingers into her hair. His Joey. He loved her so much, and never again would he take her and his children for granted. Never again.

Joey pressed her head against his hand, snuggling against him. She was eternally grateful to Jen. Had she not intervened, Joey would have made the biggest mistake of her life. And if Dawson hadn't asked Jen to help her, she wouldn't have intervened at all. Pacey, who had been told of Dawson and Jen's actions, gave Dawson a heartfelt apology. It took a little while, but after Dawson graciously forgave him for beating the shit out of him and believing that he would betray him by sleeping with Joey, they were closer than ever. Pacey asked Dawson to be the baby's godfather and he happily accepted. And Jen was honored to be his godmother.

Joey grinned. They were definitely a family again, and nothing or no one would come between them.

A nurse knocked discreetly on the open door with yet more flowers. She came into the room and handed the bouquet of lilies to Pacey, who had reluctantly disentangled from Joey to see who sent them. "Would you like me to take the baby with me now or should I come back?" The pretty young nurse asked.

Joey smiled at her, glanced at the clock on the wall and shook her head. He'd have to leave in another ten minutes anyway. "You can take him now," she said halfheartedly. "It'll save you a trip."

"How much did he eat?" She asked, consulting Joey's chart. Joey told her and she nodded, satisfied.

"Good." She took the bassinet and headed to the nursery.

Joey looked at Pacey, who was returning from the table where he'd put the flowers. "Who were they from?" Joey asked smiling at him and patting the space beside her. "They're pretty."

"Melanie." He answered, sitting down next to her, carefully searching her face to see any change in expression.

Joey raised an eyebrow up an inch. "That's nice," she said calmly. "How'd she know?"

Some time ago, she'd insisted on meeting Melanie and Tara, telling Pacey that she wanted to meet the person who helped him through the hard times. Joey and Melanie were a little cool towards each other at first, but they found it hard to dislike each other by the end of their dinner.

"The card says that she saw an announcement in the art section of a newspaper." Pacey answered.

"Oh." Joey said, surprised that there was one. Troy must have said something; or maybe not, as Joey was making quite the name for herself in the art world. Either way, Melanie was a nice girl, but she still had lingering feelings for Pacey and Joey could sense it. And although Joey trusted him completely, she did not like it that another woman was a source of comfort for her husband while she was away; and in order to put it in perspective their counselor suggested Joey remember that she was away because of her own need to seek the comfort of her friend. Put in that perspective, Joey recognized her jealousy for what it was and was able to dismiss it.

"Maybe one day you guys will be great friends. Like Thelma and Louise." Pacey teased, trying to gauge her reaction to Melanie's gesture.

"Don't count on it." Joey snorted.

"I'll stop being her friend if you'd like." He offered, nuzzling against her neck and planting a soft kiss there. "She only texts me now and then, I can ignore them."

Joey rolled her eyes. "Stop saying that. I know you would. But I don't mind. After all, she's the one who 'continually tried to save our marriage', as you put it." Joey said without a hint of bitterness, but with a slight waver because the kisses Pacey was giving the side of her neck were making her heart beat faster.

"You sure?" He asked, worried, lifting his eyes to hers, not wanting to jeopardize their harmony even slightly. "I don't want to cause any problems, Jo."

Joey pretended to glare at him. "Pacey, if you don't shut up and kiss me, then we'll have some problems."

Grinning at her, he bent his head to happily obey her command. "Yes, ma'am."

*~*~*The End*~*~*~

Author's Note: I just wanted to thank everyone for reading this story. And I have to say a special thank you for everyone who contributed feedback. I really appreciate every word. Thank you so much. - T