Chapter 2

It wasn't an easy decision to come to but Joey knew that she didn't want to force Pacey into anything that he couldn't handle. He had been working hard to become a success and the knowledge that he had a child could push him back into the immature teen he used to be. It was also a selfish decision to make, because Joey knew that she couldn't face having the baby or herself being rejected by him.

Joey decided to keep her pregnancy a secret from her family and friends, at least for the time being. She didn't want to face all the questions that she would get asked and she was scared that the news of her pregnancy would get back to Pacey. It wouldn't take him long to figure out that he was the father of her child if he heard about the baby, she had been single for months and she wasn't the type of girl to have one night stands.

Her fear grew as the pregnancy progressed and somehow, she never managed to tell anybody in America about it. Each time she talked to Bessie or Jen she knew she had to tell them, but she broke into a cold sweat and never managed to get the words out. She knew she was making a big mistake by not telling anyone but she couldn't bring herself to do it.

Joey made many friends in England and grew especially close to Miranda, her colleague. She was from a place called Yorkshire and her quirky personality immediately meshed with Joey's. Miranda helped Joey through her pregnancy and grew to be one of her dearest friends. With Miranda's help, she began to get exited about the baby and was looking forward to its arrival. Together they poured over baby books and analysed the positives and negatives of various names. They wondered over the sex and measured Joeys growing stomach at every opportunity.

When she was six months pregnant Joey said, "I think you should be this baby's honorary father, who needs a man?" Miranda looked up at her friend and caught a glimpse of the pain that Joey was feeling.

"Why don't you call him, Joey? You know you're still in love with him." She sighed.

"I do call him, sometimes"

"You know what I mean. Tell him about the baby."

"You know I cant. I don't want to ruin his life. This is my problem, not his."

"Its his responsibility as well Joey. Maybe you're underestimating him. I think, from what you've told me, he loves you too. Think about the book he gave you, that was so thoughtful"

"I'm not telling him, forget it. We've been awkward enough after that night, I don't want to make things worse." She sighed, tears forming.

"Ok, Ok, I give in. Just tell me one thing,"

"What?"

"You do love him, don't you?"

Joey was quiet for a moment then looked her friend in the eye and said, "I don't think I've ever stopped loving him." She began to cry, silent tears. Miranda went over to her and hugged her, stroking her hair in comfort.

"Don't worry Joey, everything will be all right."

And it was. Joey gave birth to Aaron in July and Miranda was with her, supporting her through it. Joey thought of Pacey that night, wondering what it would have been like if he knew about the baby, if he knew she still loved him.

It had been impossible to tell if Aaron looked like Pacey in those early days. I'Anybody who can tell with new babies must have good eye sight'/I, Joey decided, he was born with a head full of dark hair and large dark eyes, which could have come from his mother or father. It was only as the months grew that Joey saw highlights of Pacey, in the baby's face. When Aaron first smiled, it reminded her so much of him that she burst into tears.

Joey loved her son so much. She was finding it difficult to cope with her job and the baby but she didn't want to give in. Joey Potter had always been a fighter and she wasn't going to break now. She'd been working from home in the final stages of pregnancy and FOX Publishing agreed that she could continue in that manner until Aaron got older, then he would be able to go in the crèche while Joey worked part time.

Aaron was four months old when Joey realised that her contract was nearly up and she would soon have to go home and face the music. A date was agreed upon and the flights were booked. Joey and Aaron's belongings were packed and all her loose ends were tied up.

Joey stood in the airport and hugged Miranda goodbye, "Call me, yeah?"

"Sure will, bye sweetie, I'll miss you."

Miranda turned to Aaron and blew a raspberry on his cheek, tickling him, causing him to giggle. "See yah later little dude, I'm gonna miss you, you know."

A call announcing Joeys flight was announced . "Bye then."

"Yeah bye". They hugged again, each one crying. "Don't forget to visit, 'kay?" Joey said.

"I won't, don't worry".

They finally parted and Joey went to board her flight, knowing that she and Miranda would always have a bond because of Aaron. ********************************************************************* Joey had finally arrived back in America after catching two transfer flights. The airport was bustling with people as she made her way towards the luggage carousel. She was tired; she hadn't slept on the plane as she was dreading the third degree she was going to get once she returned to Capeside. Joey had been travelling for almost a day as she made her way from London to America. It hadn't exactly been comfortable journey especially considering she had a five-month-old baby to take care of.

Once she had claimed her baggage she made her way to find her hire car. It was going to be a long evening she decided.
AUTHORS NOTE: I hope this was ok for a second chapter. Please review if you liked it.