Chapter 6

Joey didn't notice the person standing behind her straight away. She sensed his presence before he made himself known. Standing on the lawn outside the Potter B&B was Pacey Witter, her one true love.

"Wow Jo, you're really looking great"

"T-thanks Pacey, so do you"

"Well.Come here and give me a hug Potter"

Blushing Joey stepped down the stairs and embraced him, "It's great to see you, it really is Pace" she said with tears in her eyes. "I've missed you"

"I've missed you Jo" He whispered leaning his chin on her hair, adding in a voice she could barely hear, "More than you know".

They pulled apart, smiling nervously at each other.

"So, er, shall we go inside and catch up?" Pacey asked

"NO!" Joey answered, a little too quickly. "I thought we could take a walk"

"That would be great,"

'That was close' Joey thought silently. She couldn't have Pacey seeing Aaron before she had told him.

They walked together in silence. "So, how've you been?" Pacey asked when they stopped to sit on a bench.

"Alright I suppose. I've been fine"

"You don't sound so sure. Wasn't England everything it was cracked up to be?"

"It was fine. It wasn't brilliant, it wasn't bad.to be honest the only thing that was really good about it was meeting a new friend, Miranda, we grew really close... H-how about you?"

"Well, I haven't really got much to report, nothing exiting has really happened to me while you've been gone. I've just been plodding along. It's been quite dull really." He smiled cheekily.

"Are you happy?"

He looked down, "The truth?" Joey nodded, "Well, the truth is no. I'm not happy. The only happiness I get is from hearing from old friends." He looked Joey in the eyes, "I'm real glad I heard from you Potter, I really am."

Joey caught her breath. He was speaking so tenderly. Like her call did mean a lot to him. She had to tell him now. It was the only way. She had to be truthful with him. He deserved to know. She had to stop being selfish. This wasn't about her. This was about Aaron.This was about Pacey.

"I have to tell you something." She stared right into his eyes, tears welling.

"What is it Jo, what's wrong?" He touched her cheek tenderly "Don't cry".

She pulled away. Moving herself to the other side of the bench.

"What's going on Joey?"

"I haven't told you something Pace. something that happened while I was in England. I kept meaning to tell you. I really did. I just couldn't bring myself to do it."

"Tell me then Jo. What's the big deal" he was looking confused and nervous at the same time, "have- have you got a new b-boyfriend?" he couldn't look her in the eye, he almost seemed scared of her answer.

"No, I haven't got a new boyfriend Pacey" relief washed over his face but it turned serious when he saw Joey's expression, "I've got a baby".

There was complete silence as what Joey said registered on Pacey's face.

"A-a baby - baby? A crying baby? With diapers and formula?" he stuttered

"Yeah. A bay. I've got a son. He's called Aaron"

A shot of pain went through Pacey's face as he contemplated her news. "S-so you have had a relationship since you've been in England then. I mean. Aaron's father. Is he.is he involved with him?"

"No" she looked steadily at him, "I haven't had a relationship in England. Aaron's father isn't involved with him... H-he's five months old Pace. I got pregnant before I left for England. Y-your. your Aaron's father Pacey. that's what I'm trying to tell you.You have a son".

There was silence then shock filled Pacey's face. "WHAT?!"

"P-Pacey, p-please don't be mad. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have told you." Joey had tears streaming down her face as she tried to explain. They were both standing up, facing each other.

"WHY THE HELL DIDN'T YOU TELL ME JOEY?!" Pacey blew up. "WHY DIDN'T I KNOW ABOUT THIS?"

"I didn't want to trouble you with it. I wanted you to get on with your life. to not be tied down."

"What did you think I'd do Jo?! Did you think I'd tell you to get rid of him?! . You thought I'd abandon you both didn't you Jo?!. Jesus! I thought you knew me better than that. I thought you believed in me."

"I do believe in you Pace. I was scared. So scared. I didn't know what to do. I know I was selfish. I was thinking of myself. Please understand", She sobbed.

Pacey calmed down when he looked at her face. He couldn't stand to see her so upset. It was just the shock to find out he was a father. He had a son. It was too much to muster. He'd had no idea. He knew things were strained between them but he had put that down to the long distance thing.and. well, he thought he might have over stepped the boundaries the night that they slept together. He hadn't wanted to push Joey into anything she didn't want; yet he felt that he had. Pacey had wanted Joey for so long, and the prospect of her going away had brought home them feelings. To know that he wouldn't see her for over a year and that she would be starting a new life with new people was too much for him to bear. The next morning he had so wanted to ask her to stay. to stay with him. but he couldn't ask her to put her life on the line for him. She probably didn't even feel the same way. Pacey thought that she had put that night down to drunkenness and he had pretended to agree with her. It hurt him too much to know that she thought of it as a mistake; thought of him as a mistake. So he ignored it. He denied all of his feelings for her and pretended everything was normal. The only problem was that he had found it hard to carry on with his life. He'd tried new relationships, but nobody compared to her, and they fizzled out after a couple of dates. He worked most of his time and his social life consisted of nights with Jen, Jack and Grams. It wasn't exactly the most exiting lifestyle for a 20-something male.

Now as he looked at her he knew why everything had been strained between them. Joey was offering him a new start. Aaron could turn his life around. He was part of him. He was his flesh and blood. Pacey could be a good father, he knew that. He hadn't had the best upbringing but he knew how to make his son feel loved and wanted. He wouldn't turn his back on his responsibilities. He would find a way to overcome this shock. Pacey would make everything all right.

"I can't believe this." Pacey broke the silence, "I just can't believe I've got a son."

Joey looked at him, "I am sorry Pace. I wanted to tell you-"

"I deserved to know this Jo. You shouldn't have kept this a secret" hurt flashed in his eyes, "I could have been there for you Jo."

"I know. It-its just I didn't want you to feel obligated to me.to us. I knew you'd take responsibility but I didn't want you to do it because you felt you had to.I wanted you to do it because.because you wanted to."

"I want to be there Aaron. I want to see him. I need to see him. Please"
AUTHORS NOTE: I hope this is what you wanted. I wanted to have Pacey angry for more of the time but I didn't want him to come off as the bad guy. I hope you got that he is hurt by Joey's secrets but he also wants to make things right. he still cares a lot for her. Next few chapters should see them getting together. Might get another chapter out this weekend. Can't do them during the week 'cos I'm revising for my exams. Thank you for all of your reviews!!!!! Lou.