Ch 7
Pacey grabbed Jen's hand before she entered the B and B late that night. Jack and Dawson had already gone home and Joey and Andie had already headed in to bed after saying goodnight to Pacey who had dropped them off. Jen turned to look at Pacey, unsure of what he might want but she saw the sadness in his eyes and knew he knew. "I was going to tell you," Jen assured him, "Tonight, I was going to tell everyone but I couldn't. We were all happy and then that whole thing with the boat. I couldn't."
"It's just going to hurt more in the end," Pacey pointed out, "The more you keep it a secret."
"How did you find out?" Jen's eyes began to tear up.
"I came by this afternoon, while you were out with Joe and Andie," Pacey replied, "I saw the bottle of medication in your room and then Grams told me."
"Pacey, I'm scared," Jen admitted and Pacey wrapped his arms around Jen and let her sob into his chest.
"I am too Jen," Pacey whispered, "I am too."
"What if I never get to see my daughter grow up?" Jen quivered as she pulled slightly apart from Pacey.
"Don't think of that," Pacey advised, "You're going to fight his and you're going to control it."
"I don't know if I can," fresh new tears began to fall and Pacey pulled her close to him again.
"Don't worry Jen," Pacey tried to calm her, "No one will let you give up, not me, not Grams, or Dawson, and especially not Jack."
"You can't tell anyone," Jen warned, "I'll tell them on my own."
"Do it soon," Pacey sighed, "Do it soon Jen. Before we all go home and this...this...gets worse." Jen nodded into his chest as Pacey kissed her lightly and led up the porch steps and into her room before tucking her safely into bed.
When Joey Potter woke up she didn't even bother saying good morning to either Andie or Jen but instead headed straight out the door of the B and B and headed to the Leery house. Once she reached it she climbed up the familiar ladder and stepped into the open window of Dawson's room where he still slept soundly. Joey climbed into bed next to him, laying on her back a second before turning to her side and staring out the window. Waiting for Dawson to wake up and see her here.
Finally, she felt him stir next to her and sit up in bed. "Joe?" he whispered in case she was asleep. Joey turned over and sat up, smiling at her old best friend.
"Good morning," she greeted.
"What are you doing here?" Dawson wanted to know.
"I came for a much needed visit," Joey informed him, gazing around the room, "Glad to see you kept the room the way it was after the movie."
"I didn't have the heart to change it," Dawson confided, "Making the movie reminded me of how many good times were shared in this room. I just couldn't take all this stuff down again."
"Well, the walls look better with the posters than white," Joey sat Indian style on the bed.
"I think so too," Dawson nodded, lying back down.
"We spent a good portion of our childhood in this room," Joey mused, "Our teenage years too. Every summer we would start our day off here and end it here as well. In between we'd run around the creek, but it always came back to this room."
"Except the summer you and Pacey got the chicken pox and when you got over it I got them," Dawson reminded her, "That was the only summer of our childhood that we weren't able to see each other at all for more than one day at a time."
"No, you didn't get to see either me or Pacey at all," Joey corrected, "I had the unfortunate fate of having to live with Pacey the two weeks we both had the chicken pox because the Witters didn't want Doug and Gretchen to catch them."
Dawson laughed, "That's right. Pacey moved into your place and I remember complaining that Pacey got to see you and I didn't. He was smug about it for a week after we were all over them."
"I was thinking about that yesterday," Joey admitted, "When I was out with Jen and Andie. We started by catching up and eventually it led to me talking about that. God, Pacey drove me crazy. He kept trying to remind me about the itch and then made fun of the way I looked."
"Your mom took so many pictures of that," Dawson smiled, "I remember my mom showing them to me so that I would stop thinking you died. I kept thinking that the chicken pox was going to kill you and I would end up with no best friends."
"I think Pacey would've driven me to my death before the chicken pox got to," Joey lay down next to Dawson, "He was always on my case."
"Big surprise when he fell for you," Dawson's tone held little anger towards the topic, but Joey could still sense what anger that was left.
"We don't have to talk about that," Joey told him. Dawson nodded thankfully. They talked a little longer and Joey was happy. They talked about everything in their lives and Dawson told Joey about living with Andie and his girlfriend. Joey could tell though that he still loved her. It was evident in his voice, in his words but Joey didn't know what to do about it.
Finally, she sat up again. "I've got to go," Joey announced, "I've got some other things I plan on doing and you must had tons of stuff to plan for the wedding tomorrow." Dawson nodded as they walked towards the door of the room where they hugged tightly and Joey tumbled down the stairs. Halfway to the door she stopped and waved at Dawson before disappearing out the front door.
When Pacey Witter woke up he found that he had fallen asleep on the floor of Jen Lindley's room at the B and B. A pillow lay propped under his head which he was thankful for or else he would've had a stiff neck. The rest of this body was in pain. Glancing at his watch Pacey was shocked to find that it was already noon. He had slept in for the first time since he had opened the restaurant. He sat up and noticed that Jen was still sound asleep in her bed. Quietly he got up and tried to sneak out of the room without waking her up but instead he tripped over her bag and crashed into the door. Jen sat up quickly, wide awake. "Morning," Pacey mumbled from the floor, "I mean, afternoon!"
"Real subtle Witter," Jen shook her head laughing, her long blonde hair askew, "You probably woke the whole house up."
"I'm betting they're already awake," Pacey sat up on the floor, rubbing his head; "After all, it's noon."
"Shouldn't you be at work then?" Jen enquired.
"Well, if I hadn't fallen asleep here my alarm clock would've woken me up by now," Pacey responded, "And I would probably be in less pain."
"Thanks for staying," Jen managed to smile, "I needed a friend. You're the first person outside Grams to know and it's been eating me up inside keeping it a secret. I just...needed to let it out and I didn't want to scare Grams."
"No problem Lindley," Pacey shrugged, "After all we've both had our fair share of secrets."
"Surprisingly most of them we shared with each other," Jen sighed, as she stood up and helped Pacey onto his feet.
"Well, we've got to tell somebody don't we?" Pacey pointed out. It was true though. He had shared a lot of secrets with Jen. He and Joey had confided in her about their relationship and then when Pacey moved to Boston it had been Jen who he had called first and now this was just one more thing to add on to things they shared. Pacey loved Jen but not in the way that he loved Joey. He loved her as a friend, as someone who he could trust to understand him when he couldn't turn to Joey to Dawson. Jen was a lot like Pacey and that was why they got along so well. "How about we go get breakfast?" Pacey offered, "I'm sure Mads will be fine with Grams for a couple more hours. Or, we could take her with us."
"I think I'll take her with us," Jen bounced towards the door, clutching the pill bottle tight in her hands, "Cover me?" Pacey nodded as the two walked out of the room and towards the kitchen. Only Bessie and Grams were home though, sitting on the front porch watching Alexander play with Madison and try to teach her how to say his name properly. Jen took her pills then ducked back into her room to hide them. In the meantime Pacey walked out on to the porch.
"Pacey, hey," Bessie greeted, "What are you doing here?"
"I spent the night on Jen's floor," Pacey announced, "Jen and I had a good talk last night and ended up falling asleep." Pacey and Grams locked eyes and Grams understood what exactly the two had been talking about.
"Okay, I'm ready to go," Jen announced appearing at the door, "Grams, I'm taking Madison out to lunch with Pacey."
"Alright," Grams nodded, "Have fun."
"We will," Jen kissed Grams on the cheek quickly before apologizing to Alexander for having to take Madison away.
"Bye," Pacey waved to Bessie and Grams as he and Jen waved as they jumped into Pacey's car and pulled away from the B and B. Bessie and Grams waved at them before the car turned onto the road and drove off.
Joey returned to the B and B to find Bessie and Mrs. Ryan out on the porch talking quietly together. Joey greeted them as she climbed onto the porch and pulled up a seat next to them. "Where've you been all morning?" Bessie wanted to know.
"I was visiting an old friend," Joey replied, "Climbed through the Leery window one last time."
"Sure it's the last time Joe?" Bessie asked.
"Yeah," Joey nodded, "I think it's the last time I go through the window."
"Well, I'm glad to learn that you've finally decided to learn to use the doors," Grams smiled. Joey knew that Grams had thought that Joey climbing into Dawson's window every night had been sinful. Joey grinned at the elderly woman. Grams held a special place in her heart. Joey realized that if Jen had never come to love with Grams she wouldn't have gotten to know and love Mrs. Ryan as much as she did now.
"Yes, well, I think I'm too old to be climbing through Dawson's window," Joey replied, "I've grown up."
"Well, it's good to hear," Bessie smiled at her sister, "After all I remember a little girl telling me that she would never grow up and I was getting kind of worried."
"Bess, I grew up a long time ago," Joey returned her sister's smile; "I only really realized it in Paris."
"What are you planning on doing the rest of the day?" Bessie questioned.
"I need to find a dress for Gale's wedding," Joey confided, "I left New York so quickly and I really didn't have anything...Do you know where Andie and Jen are?"
"Jennifer just left with Pacey dear," Grams replied, "And Andie and Jack left hours ago for school. Apparently Andie is interested in seeing Jack teach his class."
"Thanks," Joey sighed, "Looks like I'm on my own." Joey said goodbye to Grams and Bessie before heading off towards the shops in town. There had to be something for her to wear to this wedding, and the dress had to be perfect.
It was an hour later and Joey stood in a store surrounded by dresses. She had no idea what she was supposed to choose. There were so many beautiful dresses that it was hard to pick. She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and quickly chose number on her speed dial and listened to the slow rings. "Hello?" A perky voice finally picked up.
"Audrey, I'm desperate!" Joey exclaimed to her friend, "I need your help!"
"Alright Potter," Audrey replied, "You've got my attention. Does his have anything to do with the delectable Chris?"
"No," Joey bit her lip, "Chris and I...uh...we broke up yesterday."
"Joey!" Shock filtrated Audrey's tone, "You broke up and you didn't tell me the minute it happened. How could you?"
"Sorry, but I had other things on my mind," Joey apologized, she knew she should've called Audrey yesterday after it happened, but she just hadn't though to.
"Alright, so what is it?" Andie wondered.
"I need to buy a dress and I don't know what to do," Joey informed her friend.
"What's the occasion?" Audrey asked.
"Dawson's mother's wedding," Joey stated. All of a sudden she remembered she had also forgotten to tell Audrey that she was in Capeside and that Gale was getting remarried.
"What?!" Audrey cried, "Why do I not know these things?"
"Sorry," Joey apologized again, "Gale Leery is getting married to this guy named Thomas Marks and I'm in Capeside for the wedding tomorrow. Pacey, Andie, Dawson, Jack and Jen are all here too. You've never met Andie, she's Jack's sister. Pacey owns this restaurant called the Ice House and has a boat that looks exactly like True Love and I still love Dawson and Pacey. That about catch you up?"
"I can't believe you waited until now to tell me all this!" Audrey exclaimed, "Wait, Pacey owns a restaurant."
"Yeah," Joey replied, "It's amazing Audrey, you should see it, it the most beautiful thing. And the cooking is to die for."
"Sounds like the Pacey," Audrey laughed, "I wish I could see it. Too bad I'm stuck at Todd's latest movie in the middle of no where!"
Joey laughed along with her friend. It was funny how things worked out sometimes. After their little 'fling' at the end of Dawson's movie over four years ago Audrey and Todd had met up again in LA and during the past four years have been in a tumultuous relationship. Of course, Audrey had been following Todd along when he had to go on location for some movie or other. She insisted that she wasn't going to leave Todd alone to find another, younger model of her who wasn't as good in the sack as she was. Todd never really objected. "Well, you know you didn't have to go with him," Joey reminded her friend.
"You haven't seen the leading lady," Audrey reminded Joey, "I swear, she's giving me the evil eye, but I think Todd's happy about not having to deal with the screaming prima donnas that he dumps after one night."
"You know he can't find anyone better than you, you said so yourself," Joey pointed out, and then changed subject, "Now, back to the dress..."
"Okay," Audrey sighed, putting on her fashion tone, "Is the wedding outdoors or indoors?"
"Out," Joey informed.
"Nothing ball gown," Audrey advised, "Thin straps, long, tight, and navy. Navy always looks good on you, or red. Do you have a date?"
"Yeah," Joey enlightened, "I'm going with Pacey."
"Pacey Witter?" Audrey squealed, "I think you forgot that tiny detail before when you filled me in. You're going to Gale Leery's wedding with Pacey Witter?"
"Yes Audrey," Joey grinned imagining her friend's expression, "Look, thanks for the tips but if we keep this up my phone bill is going to be more than I make."
"Bye Joe and you better call me the minute anything happens," Audrey warned, "Or I swear I'm taking the next flight to Capeside and kicking your ass."
"Bye Audrey," Joey laughed and put her cell phone away after hanging up. Turning back to the dresses Joey grabbed a red and a navy and headed to the dressing room.
Jen and Pacey sat in the surprisingly busy Ice House early in the afternoon. They had squeezed into the only remaining open table and set up a high chair for Madison before Pacey ran off into the kitchen to check up on his chef. He wasn't cooking this meal, this time he was going to spend quality time with Jen. "Is it always like this?" Jen wondered when Pacey returned from the kitchen.
"Not always, but usually Fridays it a bit busier," Pacey plopped down into his seat, "Sure you're not going to be sick of this food by the time you leave?"
"Are you kidding?" Jen shook her head profusely, "Have you ever gotten sick of cheeseburgers?"
"The woman's got a point," Pacey acknowledged, grinning.
"So, do you have a date for the Leery wedding tomorrow?" Jen asked.
"What is it with you ladies?" Pacey smirked, "All of a sudden I'm a babe magnet?"
"Yes or no?" Jen sighed, sipping her drink.
"Yes," Pacey nodded, "Sorry Jen but Joey nabbed me first." Jen's eyes widened at the news. "Don't get ahead of yourself," Pacey advised, "It might seem like a choice but it isn't."
"How do you know?" Jen raised and eyebrow curiously, "I mean taking you to Dawson's mother's wedding seems like a choice to me."
"I just know," Pacey countered. Jen nodded in understanding.
"Looks like it's just me and Maddy then," Jen sighed, "Doug and Jack are all set up to go and Andie asked Dawson on the plane ride. Save me a dance?"
"Of course," Pacey winked as their meals arrived. Jen smiled at Pacey and they dug into their meal. Jen and Pacey each took turns cleaning the food off of Madison's mouth and hands until the meal was over.
When they finished, Pacey and Jen walked towards the entrance of the restaurant, Madison in Pacey's arms. They stepped outside and walked along the pavement, Jen stared out at the place she used to call home. She missed it here and she was glad that she had gotten this opportunity to return to Capeside and see all of her friends. Although she visited Pacey and Jack often she hadn't seen Joey, Dawson or Andie in years. "I'm glad you know Pace," Jen whispered, "Just having you know and be supportive helps a lot."
"Jen, you know that no matter what I'll be there for you and Madison," Pacey wrapped an arm around Jen, "You're one of my best friends and I would hate to see anything happen to you."
"I wonder what happened to that Pacey I met on my first day in Capeside," Jen mused with a small smile, "The obnoxious boy who would never cease to piss Joey Potter off. The boy I cast a love spell on when we were trapped on Wish Island and tried to have meaningless sex with."
"He fell in love," Pacey replied, "He fell in love with the one girl that was off limits and took off on a boat with her for the summer."
"I'm glad that we never had sex, "Jen mentioned, "It would've changed what we have now and probably what would've happened between you and Joey."
"You always knew I was in love with Joey, didn't you?" speculated Pacey.
"It wasn't hard to tell," Jen shrugged taking Madison from Pacey, "Dawson and Andie were blind not to see how meant for each other you were. Maybe still are."
"You're not the same Jen Lindley either," Pacey added, "You changed Jen from that day on the dock when Dawson Leery was mooning over you."
"Let's not tell anyone about this," Jen suggested, "Their hard hearted friends going soft."
"It'll be locked away with our revelations on True Love," Pacey assured her and the two headed down the streets of Capeside.
