Chapter 3

Joey pulled up outside of the Potters B & B. Bessie wasn't expecting her and she knew that that wasn't the only surprise her sister would be getting that night.

Undoing her seat belt, she turned to the passenger side where Aaron was sitting in his car seat and said, "Well, here we are, home sweet home, lets go and see your aunt Bessie shall we?" Leaning over, she unclasped his seat belt and lifted him onto her lap, "Here goes", she muttered.

She stepped into the B&B with Aaron in her arms calling hello. A five-year- old Alexander came running to the door to see who was there. He spotted Joey and ran to her shouting "Aunt Joey! Aunt Joey!" Bodie came out of the living room as he heard Alexanders shouts. His face showed shock as he registered Joey.

"My god, Jo, what are you doing here?" his shock changed as he smiled warmly, then looked down at Aaron. "Wh-who's that?" he stammered, stepping forward to have a closer look. "Is-is he yours?.'cos he sure looks like you Jo"

"Yeah he is mine Bodie.. Where's Bessie I think we all need to talk"

"She's in the kitchen, lets go and find her shall we. Jo?"

"Yeah?"

"He's beautiful"

"Thanks"

They found Bessie with her back to them in the Kitchen. Joey coughed then said "Hi, Bess, I'm home." Bessie turned around at her sister's voice. She had a large grin on her face as she saw Joey standing there.

"Joey why didn't you tell us you were coming? We could have met you at the airport." It was only after she said it that Bessie saw Aaron. "er Jo, who's is that baby?"

"He's my baby Bess, he's your nephew."

"WHAT?!"

"Bess, look, I'm sorry. I couldn't tell you. I know it's a shock. I didn't know what to do, I couldn't tell anybody."

"Let me get this straight. You have had a baby all this time and you didn't even let me, your sister, know. I talked to you three days ago Joey! Three days and you didn't say anything. Come to think of it, I talked to you almost every week since you have been in England! You never let on to me that you were even PREGNANT!"

"Bess. I'm so sorry. I was scared. I thought you'd make me come back ...I thought.." Joey started to cry. She couldn't go on. She had thought that Bessie would tell Pacey but she couldn't tell her sister that.

"Who's the father, Joey? Or was it just some random guy? Is that the reason you don't want me to know?"

Joey started crying even louder, "Is that what you think of me Bessie. Do you think I'm some kind of slut?!" Aaron started crying. He sensed his mothers discomfort and was scared by the raised voices.

"Ok, why don't we all calm down here? Joey why don't I take the baby and get him settled why you to talk?" Bodie asked.

"Thanks Bodie." She snivelled. Kissing Aaron on the head, "See you soon, pumpkin"

Bessie watched quietly. "I can't believe you didn't tell me about him Jo. I thought we were close. I thought you trusted me" tears were falling down her face.

"It wasn't about you Bess. I wanted to tell you so many times but I couldn't. It was my problem, no one else's. I couldn't burden you with it."

"Your problem huh? We're sisters Jo. We share each others problems."

"I know"

"Did you think I'd be mad at you?"

"Well you would be wouldn't you?"

"Yeah, of course," Bessie smiled, "But, I've been in the same boat Jo, you helped me through it when Alex was born, I wouldn't have passed judgement."

"Thank you"

"What's my nephews name anyways?" Bessie smiled

"Aaron..Aaron Jacob Potter"

"That's real nice. He sure is a cutie"

"Thank you"

"So who is the father? Do I know him? Is he from England? Does he know about the baby?"

"He doesn't know about Aaron"

"Who is he?"

Joey turned away from Bessie. Avoiding eye contact.

"Jo?... Did you get pregnant in England?"

"No, I must have been pregnant before I left. Aaron's father is one of the reasons I stayed so quiet. Why I didn't tell anyone."

"I know him don't I, Jo?"

Again, Joey turned away.

"Speak to me...Is it Dawson?"

"NO!"

"Who then. You might as well tell me. I'll probably be able to tell once I get a closer look at him"

"Yeah you probably will"

"Wait a minute..Is it..Is it IPacey/I?"

Joey started crying again. She sat down on a chair at the kitchen table and held her head in her hands.

"It is isn't it?"

"Yes..Pacey is Aaron's father" She was sobbing now, loud sobs that made her shoulders shake. Bessie went to her side. Kneeling down on the floor, hugging her.

"Shush Jo, its OK, it'll be fine"

"What shall I do? He's going to find out I was pregnant now that I'm back. He's going to find out."

"Why don't you tell him Jo? He deserves to know. Why haven't you told him already?"

"He might reject Aaron. It might spoil both of their lives"

"Is that the only reason? Or is there something else?"

"No..He..He. might reject both of us..Aaron .and me."

"Do you still love Pacey, Joey?"

"Yes, yes, I do" She started crying again. Leaning into Bessie for comfort.

"I knew it."

"What? How did you 'know it'?"

"I knew you still loved him after you broke up, when he was with Audrey."

"Well, you might have let me know Bess, seen as I had no idea!"

"I knew you'd figure it out someday..You have to tell him, you know that Jo, don't you? He deserves to know. He's not a bad guy. He may like what he hears, you never know."

"Yeah. Let me just put it off for a bit OK?"

"Sure"

That night Joey went to bed knowing that she would have to face Pacey sooner or later.

*********************************************************************

The next day, Joey, Bessie and Bodie caught up on everything that they had missed, over breakfast.

"Yunno, anybody who looks at Aaron will probably be able to tell that Pacey is his father. He has Pacey's smile and his eyes. He probably has his mischievous streak as well. You'd better watch this one Jo", she said stroking Aaron's hair, causing him to giggle.

"I know.I'm going to have to keep my eye on him, especially when he learns to walk! I think he's going to be a ladies man!" Joey smiled, sadness just glimmering in her eyes.
Joey was walking to the store with Aaron in a pushchair when she heard her name being called. She turned around to see Gail Leery making her way across the road with Lily walking beside her.

"Damn it" Joey muttered.

"Joey, I didn't know you were back in town! Last I heard you were still in England. When did you get back?" Gail exclaimed, giving her a hug.

"I just got back last night. How are you?"

"I'm great thanks-"

"Look at the baby Mummy" Lily interrupted.

"Are you babysitting for someone?" Gail asked, indicating Aaron in the pushchair, "He sure is a cutie"

"er, no Gail I'm not...he's..he's mine...This is my son, Aaron" Joey blushed looking down."

"Oh my lord! I'm sorry, I never even knew you were pregnant."

"erm, nobody did, I'm afraid. I kept it a secret. I'd really appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone about him just yet. Until I can let people know myself"

"Sure Joey. This sure is a surprise. I can't believe it. Why didn't you let anyone know?"

"I didn't know how. I have issues, what can I say" Joey smiled uneasily. She remembered Bessie's words from that morning, would Gail notice the similarity between Pacey and Aaron? Apparently she hadn't or at least she didn't let on that she had.

"OK, I'll see you later" Gail said.

"Bye..and thanks, I'll tell everyone soon, honest."

"you should..and Jo?"

"Yeah?"

"I think you should tell Pacey about the baby.if I'm right in what I'm thinking"

"WHAT?! Er.what do you mean?"

"Shush, Joey" Gail smiled as she was about to cross the street, "You don't have to explain anything to me, bye"

Gail knew. That was all Joey needed. She couldn't have Dawson finding out that Pacey was the father or her child before Pacey actually found out himself. She needed to talk to Pacey soon. It hadn't been her plan to let him know he was Aaron's father straight away, but if Gail could see, then anyone may be able to tell. She planned to let him know as soon as she got herself settled to the idea. First, she decided, she would have to talk to a friend. She had to get at least some of what she was feeling off of her chest.

Once back at the B & B, Joey picked up the phone and dialled Boston.

"Hello"

"Jen? It's me, Joey. I'm back. I'm in Capeside. I need to talk"