AUTHORS NOTE: Thank you all with your reviews. I hope you like this
chapter. It might take me a few days with the next couple cos I've got
homework to do. Keep reviewing. Lou xx (.
Chapter 4
"Joey, its so great to hear from you! So what's eating you?"
"Ok Jen, before I tell you this you have to promise not to freak out at me or anything"
"Sure I promise, whatever.go on"
"Ok. Whoooh" Joey breathed, "When I was in England.. I. well.. I found out that I was pregnant."
There was silence and then."OH MY GOD! What happened.. are you ok?"
"I'm fine"
"Did you.. have it.aborted?"
"NO! I couldn't bring myself to do that Jen"
"So your pregnant? Oh God, your gonna be a mom, I cant believe this, how far gone are you, when's it due? Do you know if it's a boy or girl?"
"Erm, Jen. I'm not pregnant."
"What.. Oh, Joey I'm so sorry, are you Ok? . These things happen. I'm so sorry. I had no idea"
"What?" Joey was puzzled.
"My cousin miscarried too, last June, she's gonna try again though. Don't let this set you back Jo, I know it hurts but when the time is right, you have to try again, you can't let this put you off"
"Jen just stop!" Joey shouted at her rambling friend. "I haven't had a miscarriage"
"Then what's happened?" Jen was confused
"I've already had my baby"
"WHAT?!!!!"
"Now don't freak out, you promised.He was born in July, his name is Aaron and I love him"
"You're telling me that you've had a baby for five months and you didn't even tell me that you were pregnant?! I thought we were friends Jo.You could have told me"
"Jen, keep your voice down..is anyone else there?"
"No just me.why?"
"I just don't want everyone to find out yet, that's all. Ok, let me explain. I didn't tell anyone in America that I was pregnant, not even Bessie and Bodie. I didn't want anyone to know."
"Why? We wouldn't judge you Jo"
"I know you wouldn't. I'll have to explain everything later. as for me trusting you, of course I do Jen..your one of my best friends, I love you, don't be mad, please." Joey's voice began to wobble as she started to cry.
"Joey, sweetie, don't cry, please, it's Ok, you don't have to explain anything to me."
"I know." she carried on crying
"Ok, I'm coming back to Capeside"
"What? Jen you don't have to dothat"
"Yes I do. You're right. We are best friends. And friends are there for each other. Anyway, from the sounds of it you're an emotional wreck, and that is not the Joey Potter that I know and love. You need cheering up Missy, and I'm the one to do it," this caused Joey to smile, "Besides I need to meet the new hottie in the Potter family, and he needs to get acquainted with Aunt Jen".
"Thank you so much Jen, when are you coming?"
"I'll be there tomorrow morning. Erm, Joey?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I tell Jack and Grams? They'll find out eventually, plus you don't want to explain all of this again and again do you?"
Joey sighed. She'd known that by telling Jen she would have to tell other people too. Jen still lived with Grams and Jack was a frequent caller at their home.
"Ok. But don't tell anyone else. I can't have anyone else knowing just yet, Ok?"
"Ok."
"And please apologise to Grams for me.I know she won't like this"
"Ok, see yah tomorrow."
"Bye"
Joey hung up the phone hoping that this news wouldn't get back to Pacey. More people were starting to find out and it only took for someone to open their mouths too much for him to find out.
Joey woke to the sound of Aaron crying. It was 7.00am and had been the first night that he hadn't waken during the night. Joey felt better now than she had whilst she'd been in England. She was getting closer to relieving the weight from her shoulders and she had finally had a decent nights sleep.
Joey sung softly as she tended to Aaron, kissing him on each cheek. She stuck her tongue out at him causing him to giggle softly. Joey dressed Aaron in denim dungarees with ducks on the pockets, a light blue t-shirt and white and blue socks. "Aren't you a handsome devil", Joey cooed to him, "Aunt Jen is just going to fall in love with you. Lets see how long your outfit is going to last before it gets sick on it, shall we?"
Joey and Aaron went downstairs to the kitchen where Bodie was cooking breakfast "Yum, something smells good, what we having?"
"Blueberry pancakes" Bodie smiled.
"Yes! I haven't tasted any as good as yours in a long time"
"That's because there are none as good as mine" he grinned cheekily.
Bessie walked into the kitchen with Alexander following behind "hey Jo do you want me to take Aaron while you get dressed? Jen'll be here soon."
"Sure, thanks"
"OK, but you'll have to wait until after breakfast Jo, 'cos your pancakes are ready" Bodie said.
Joey had just finished feeding Aaron when she heard a car approaching the B & B. Looking out of the window she saw Jen getting out. She hadn't changed in the time that Joey had gone. She still had blonde hair and a curvy figure. She was grinning as Joey stepped onto the porch with Aaron in her arms. They ran to greet each other and managed to hug without hurting Aaron.
"How are you?!" they both said at the same time then laughed.
"Hello", Jen said to Aaron, "Aren't you just the cutest little thing" she cooed. Aaron smiled at her and reached for her hair making ooooohhh noises.
"He's got this thing about blondes", Joey explained, "can't get enough of their locks" she smiled down at her baby. Jen watched her with a smile.
"Gee, Jo, I can't get over it. You're a mum! It totally suits you. You're glowing"
"Thanks, you look pretty good yourself"
"Thank you kindly"
They stepped into the house with Jens luggage and started to catch up.
"So how's everybody been?"
"Well, nothings really changed. You know most of our news. Its not like we never talked or anything."
"I know but I haven't talked to anybody for a couple of months. When I first went to England I spoke to you guys regularly, but as I was close to giving birth I couldn't call as much. I was riddled with guilt for not telling anyone."
"Its Ok. Everyone forgives you for walking out on us..only joking - smile! God Jo, you need to cheer up"
"I know, I know. It's just that I'm dreading everyone finding out". She was also scared that Jen would be able to tell that Pacey was Aaron's father like Gail had done. Apparently though Jen wasn't very observant and hadn't noticed any resemblance. I'Gail must have been able to tell because she had seen Pacey when he was young' /IJoey reasoned.
"So when did you last see everybody?" She asked Jen. She was desperate to know about Pacey but couldn't ask directly otherwise she might rouse Jens suspicions. She hadn't spoken to Pacey directly since just after Aaron was born. They'd sent emails but only spoken once in that time. After giving birth, Joey found herself acting even more awkwardly with him than before. She knew their relationship was strained and that it was because they had slept together. For her the sex wasn't a problem in itself. She wished that her and Pacey could have gotten back together. She knew that they had a lot of history and people would say that getting back together wouldn't work but she knew that when they broke up, there had been a lot of feelings that hadn't gone away. No, having sex with Pacey hadn't caused the awkwardness, it wasn't even Aaron, it was her fear that he regretted that night and considered it as a big mistake.
"Well," Jen interrupted her reverie, "I saw Dawson about a month ago, when he came up from LA, I see Jack almost everyday, and I saw Pacey last week, for dinner with Grams."
"So, er, how are Jack, Dawson and Pacey?"
"Great. They are all doing great. Jack is very surprised but also exited by your news. He is dying to get out here and see you. He wanted to come with me today but I told him he couldn't 'cos we were having a girly day, but I said I'd ask if he could come up for the weekend, what do you say?"
"Yeah, I'd love that, he should come as soon as he can, we'll ring him later..So are any of you guys in relationships now?" It had been a question she had never asked Pacey in his emails, she didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable, and she was scared of the answer.
"Well, I'm kind of having a thing with this guy from work, Ben, he's so nice, really sweet - Grams approves of him. Jack is still single. He did have this thing going with a guy but it kind of fizzled out. Erm, Dawson, has had a girlfriend for the past 7 months, I suppose you know about her huh?"
"Liz? Yeah he's told me all about her."
"Does it bother you?"
"No. Not at all actually.Why? Does it bother you?"
"No. I'm fine with it. Can you believe we are both over Dawson Leery?"
"It is about time. I think we've both grown up. We aren't kids anymore you know?"
"I know. I mean you I have /I kids!"
Joey smiled. "So, is er, is Pacey in a relationship?"
"No actually. Can you believe it? I haven't seen him with a girl in the longest time. He may have had a one-night stand or something. he wouldn't tell me if he had. but I'm pretty sure he hasn't been in a relationship."
"Oh" Joey said nonchalantly. Relief coursed through her. She didn't think she would be able to cope with the added pain of Pacey having a relationship with anyone.
"Actually," Jen carried on, "Pacey hasn't really been so perky for a while. When you left I didn't see him for the longest time, and then when we did meet up he wasn't really happy. Did you two argue or something? 'Cos he didn't really talk about you and seemed to skirt away from any subject that mentioned the past like high school."
Joey winced. He didn't talk about her. Jen hadn't seen him after Joey left. He was ashamed. He wouldn't face what had happened. What if he hated her? How was she going to spring a child on him? Would he abandon Aaron? Would he reject her friendship? Tears began to fill her eyes. She stood up so Jen couldn't see.
"Would you like a drink?"
"yeah sure, thanks. So did you and Pacey argue?"
"No not at all. He might be mad at me but we didn't argue."
"Maybe he just misses you"
"hmmmm" Joey muttered.
It was only later that night when they settled down again that Jen asked about Aaron's father.
"So who was he?"
"Who was who?"
"Aaron's father. Who was he? Some English guy?"
"Erm, do we have to talk about this?"
"Well I think we should. You need to talk to someone and I'm as good as anyone".
Joey sighed. Jen continued, "This guy has hurt you hasn't he Joey? Did he know you were pregnant? Has he even seen Aaron?"
"We weren't in a relationship Jen"
"So it was a one-night stand?"
"Yup"
Jen frowned, "Well that's not like you, Jo. I hope you knew him well before hand"
"Please don't lecture me Jen, Ok?"
"Well, Joey, you need to be able to answer these questions some day yunno? Aaron is going to want to know who his father is and your going to need an answer lined up for him"
"Just lay off this subject Jen"
"Why?"
"Because I don't want to go into it" She shot back. The anger between them was beginning to rise as the argument continued.
"Why not?"
"Because its none of your business that's why!"
"Well don't come crying to me when Aaron wants to know who his father is and you don't have an answer for him!"
"I wont don't you worry!"
"I'm not. If you don't feel you can trust me with whatever it is your hiding then why did you call me in the first place?!"
"Because I needed to talk! I thought you'd understand"
"Well make me understand!"
"Shut up!"
"No I won't! Who is Aaron's dad?! What are you hiding Jo?! What is the big secret?!"
"There is no secret!" the shouting was getting louder as Jen and Joey continued to argue, going around in circles.
"Who's his father then?! Did you just sleep with a guy in a bar? Is that why you won't tell me?! Are you ashamed?!"
"Oh, you'd love that wouldn't you?! You wouldn't be the only scarlet woman of Capeside then would you Jen?! You don't have to worry anymore anyhow do you?! 'Cos you didn't get pregnant did you Jen?! I did! Little innocent Joey Potter, the girl from down the creek! I bet your loving this 'cos it makes you look good! It makes you look virginal!"
"This isn't about me Joey! This is about your son! Stop thinking of yourself and think of him!"
"I am thinking of him! I don't want him to be rejected by his father!"
"So his dad doesn't even know he exists! You've got to tell him! Who is he?! Is he from England?!"
"I can't tell you!"
"Yes you can. Who is he?! Did you know him long before you slept with him?!"
"Shut Up!"
"Tell me?!"
"NO!"
"Who?!"
"SHUT UP?!"
"Who?!"
"NO!"
"Who?!"
"PACEY!!!"
Chapter 4
"Joey, its so great to hear from you! So what's eating you?"
"Ok Jen, before I tell you this you have to promise not to freak out at me or anything"
"Sure I promise, whatever.go on"
"Ok. Whoooh" Joey breathed, "When I was in England.. I. well.. I found out that I was pregnant."
There was silence and then."OH MY GOD! What happened.. are you ok?"
"I'm fine"
"Did you.. have it.aborted?"
"NO! I couldn't bring myself to do that Jen"
"So your pregnant? Oh God, your gonna be a mom, I cant believe this, how far gone are you, when's it due? Do you know if it's a boy or girl?"
"Erm, Jen. I'm not pregnant."
"What.. Oh, Joey I'm so sorry, are you Ok? . These things happen. I'm so sorry. I had no idea"
"What?" Joey was puzzled.
"My cousin miscarried too, last June, she's gonna try again though. Don't let this set you back Jo, I know it hurts but when the time is right, you have to try again, you can't let this put you off"
"Jen just stop!" Joey shouted at her rambling friend. "I haven't had a miscarriage"
"Then what's happened?" Jen was confused
"I've already had my baby"
"WHAT?!!!!"
"Now don't freak out, you promised.He was born in July, his name is Aaron and I love him"
"You're telling me that you've had a baby for five months and you didn't even tell me that you were pregnant?! I thought we were friends Jo.You could have told me"
"Jen, keep your voice down..is anyone else there?"
"No just me.why?"
"I just don't want everyone to find out yet, that's all. Ok, let me explain. I didn't tell anyone in America that I was pregnant, not even Bessie and Bodie. I didn't want anyone to know."
"Why? We wouldn't judge you Jo"
"I know you wouldn't. I'll have to explain everything later. as for me trusting you, of course I do Jen..your one of my best friends, I love you, don't be mad, please." Joey's voice began to wobble as she started to cry.
"Joey, sweetie, don't cry, please, it's Ok, you don't have to explain anything to me."
"I know." she carried on crying
"Ok, I'm coming back to Capeside"
"What? Jen you don't have to dothat"
"Yes I do. You're right. We are best friends. And friends are there for each other. Anyway, from the sounds of it you're an emotional wreck, and that is not the Joey Potter that I know and love. You need cheering up Missy, and I'm the one to do it," this caused Joey to smile, "Besides I need to meet the new hottie in the Potter family, and he needs to get acquainted with Aunt Jen".
"Thank you so much Jen, when are you coming?"
"I'll be there tomorrow morning. Erm, Joey?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I tell Jack and Grams? They'll find out eventually, plus you don't want to explain all of this again and again do you?"
Joey sighed. She'd known that by telling Jen she would have to tell other people too. Jen still lived with Grams and Jack was a frequent caller at their home.
"Ok. But don't tell anyone else. I can't have anyone else knowing just yet, Ok?"
"Ok."
"And please apologise to Grams for me.I know she won't like this"
"Ok, see yah tomorrow."
"Bye"
Joey hung up the phone hoping that this news wouldn't get back to Pacey. More people were starting to find out and it only took for someone to open their mouths too much for him to find out.
Joey woke to the sound of Aaron crying. It was 7.00am and had been the first night that he hadn't waken during the night. Joey felt better now than she had whilst she'd been in England. She was getting closer to relieving the weight from her shoulders and she had finally had a decent nights sleep.
Joey sung softly as she tended to Aaron, kissing him on each cheek. She stuck her tongue out at him causing him to giggle softly. Joey dressed Aaron in denim dungarees with ducks on the pockets, a light blue t-shirt and white and blue socks. "Aren't you a handsome devil", Joey cooed to him, "Aunt Jen is just going to fall in love with you. Lets see how long your outfit is going to last before it gets sick on it, shall we?"
Joey and Aaron went downstairs to the kitchen where Bodie was cooking breakfast "Yum, something smells good, what we having?"
"Blueberry pancakes" Bodie smiled.
"Yes! I haven't tasted any as good as yours in a long time"
"That's because there are none as good as mine" he grinned cheekily.
Bessie walked into the kitchen with Alexander following behind "hey Jo do you want me to take Aaron while you get dressed? Jen'll be here soon."
"Sure, thanks"
"OK, but you'll have to wait until after breakfast Jo, 'cos your pancakes are ready" Bodie said.
Joey had just finished feeding Aaron when she heard a car approaching the B & B. Looking out of the window she saw Jen getting out. She hadn't changed in the time that Joey had gone. She still had blonde hair and a curvy figure. She was grinning as Joey stepped onto the porch with Aaron in her arms. They ran to greet each other and managed to hug without hurting Aaron.
"How are you?!" they both said at the same time then laughed.
"Hello", Jen said to Aaron, "Aren't you just the cutest little thing" she cooed. Aaron smiled at her and reached for her hair making ooooohhh noises.
"He's got this thing about blondes", Joey explained, "can't get enough of their locks" she smiled down at her baby. Jen watched her with a smile.
"Gee, Jo, I can't get over it. You're a mum! It totally suits you. You're glowing"
"Thanks, you look pretty good yourself"
"Thank you kindly"
They stepped into the house with Jens luggage and started to catch up.
"So how's everybody been?"
"Well, nothings really changed. You know most of our news. Its not like we never talked or anything."
"I know but I haven't talked to anybody for a couple of months. When I first went to England I spoke to you guys regularly, but as I was close to giving birth I couldn't call as much. I was riddled with guilt for not telling anyone."
"Its Ok. Everyone forgives you for walking out on us..only joking - smile! God Jo, you need to cheer up"
"I know, I know. It's just that I'm dreading everyone finding out". She was also scared that Jen would be able to tell that Pacey was Aaron's father like Gail had done. Apparently though Jen wasn't very observant and hadn't noticed any resemblance. I'Gail must have been able to tell because she had seen Pacey when he was young' /IJoey reasoned.
"So when did you last see everybody?" She asked Jen. She was desperate to know about Pacey but couldn't ask directly otherwise she might rouse Jens suspicions. She hadn't spoken to Pacey directly since just after Aaron was born. They'd sent emails but only spoken once in that time. After giving birth, Joey found herself acting even more awkwardly with him than before. She knew their relationship was strained and that it was because they had slept together. For her the sex wasn't a problem in itself. She wished that her and Pacey could have gotten back together. She knew that they had a lot of history and people would say that getting back together wouldn't work but she knew that when they broke up, there had been a lot of feelings that hadn't gone away. No, having sex with Pacey hadn't caused the awkwardness, it wasn't even Aaron, it was her fear that he regretted that night and considered it as a big mistake.
"Well," Jen interrupted her reverie, "I saw Dawson about a month ago, when he came up from LA, I see Jack almost everyday, and I saw Pacey last week, for dinner with Grams."
"So, er, how are Jack, Dawson and Pacey?"
"Great. They are all doing great. Jack is very surprised but also exited by your news. He is dying to get out here and see you. He wanted to come with me today but I told him he couldn't 'cos we were having a girly day, but I said I'd ask if he could come up for the weekend, what do you say?"
"Yeah, I'd love that, he should come as soon as he can, we'll ring him later..So are any of you guys in relationships now?" It had been a question she had never asked Pacey in his emails, she didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable, and she was scared of the answer.
"Well, I'm kind of having a thing with this guy from work, Ben, he's so nice, really sweet - Grams approves of him. Jack is still single. He did have this thing going with a guy but it kind of fizzled out. Erm, Dawson, has had a girlfriend for the past 7 months, I suppose you know about her huh?"
"Liz? Yeah he's told me all about her."
"Does it bother you?"
"No. Not at all actually.Why? Does it bother you?"
"No. I'm fine with it. Can you believe we are both over Dawson Leery?"
"It is about time. I think we've both grown up. We aren't kids anymore you know?"
"I know. I mean you I have /I kids!"
Joey smiled. "So, is er, is Pacey in a relationship?"
"No actually. Can you believe it? I haven't seen him with a girl in the longest time. He may have had a one-night stand or something. he wouldn't tell me if he had. but I'm pretty sure he hasn't been in a relationship."
"Oh" Joey said nonchalantly. Relief coursed through her. She didn't think she would be able to cope with the added pain of Pacey having a relationship with anyone.
"Actually," Jen carried on, "Pacey hasn't really been so perky for a while. When you left I didn't see him for the longest time, and then when we did meet up he wasn't really happy. Did you two argue or something? 'Cos he didn't really talk about you and seemed to skirt away from any subject that mentioned the past like high school."
Joey winced. He didn't talk about her. Jen hadn't seen him after Joey left. He was ashamed. He wouldn't face what had happened. What if he hated her? How was she going to spring a child on him? Would he abandon Aaron? Would he reject her friendship? Tears began to fill her eyes. She stood up so Jen couldn't see.
"Would you like a drink?"
"yeah sure, thanks. So did you and Pacey argue?"
"No not at all. He might be mad at me but we didn't argue."
"Maybe he just misses you"
"hmmmm" Joey muttered.
It was only later that night when they settled down again that Jen asked about Aaron's father.
"So who was he?"
"Who was who?"
"Aaron's father. Who was he? Some English guy?"
"Erm, do we have to talk about this?"
"Well I think we should. You need to talk to someone and I'm as good as anyone".
Joey sighed. Jen continued, "This guy has hurt you hasn't he Joey? Did he know you were pregnant? Has he even seen Aaron?"
"We weren't in a relationship Jen"
"So it was a one-night stand?"
"Yup"
Jen frowned, "Well that's not like you, Jo. I hope you knew him well before hand"
"Please don't lecture me Jen, Ok?"
"Well, Joey, you need to be able to answer these questions some day yunno? Aaron is going to want to know who his father is and your going to need an answer lined up for him"
"Just lay off this subject Jen"
"Why?"
"Because I don't want to go into it" She shot back. The anger between them was beginning to rise as the argument continued.
"Why not?"
"Because its none of your business that's why!"
"Well don't come crying to me when Aaron wants to know who his father is and you don't have an answer for him!"
"I wont don't you worry!"
"I'm not. If you don't feel you can trust me with whatever it is your hiding then why did you call me in the first place?!"
"Because I needed to talk! I thought you'd understand"
"Well make me understand!"
"Shut up!"
"No I won't! Who is Aaron's dad?! What are you hiding Jo?! What is the big secret?!"
"There is no secret!" the shouting was getting louder as Jen and Joey continued to argue, going around in circles.
"Who's his father then?! Did you just sleep with a guy in a bar? Is that why you won't tell me?! Are you ashamed?!"
"Oh, you'd love that wouldn't you?! You wouldn't be the only scarlet woman of Capeside then would you Jen?! You don't have to worry anymore anyhow do you?! 'Cos you didn't get pregnant did you Jen?! I did! Little innocent Joey Potter, the girl from down the creek! I bet your loving this 'cos it makes you look good! It makes you look virginal!"
"This isn't about me Joey! This is about your son! Stop thinking of yourself and think of him!"
"I am thinking of him! I don't want him to be rejected by his father!"
"So his dad doesn't even know he exists! You've got to tell him! Who is he?! Is he from England?!"
"I can't tell you!"
"Yes you can. Who is he?! Did you know him long before you slept with him?!"
"Shut Up!"
"Tell me?!"
"NO!"
"Who?!"
"SHUT UP?!"
"Who?!"
"NO!"
"Who?!"
"PACEY!!!"
