AUTHORS NOTE: WAAAAAHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! I'm so happy! I live in England so I didn't see the finale. I'm desperate to watch it. I'm waiting for the transcript of 624 to become available but I know what happened. P & J are just made for each other!

Chapter 7

Joey made her way through to the kitchen going through the day's events in her mind. It was such a relief to get the burden of the secret off of her shoulders. She knew Pacey was angry with her and that he was disappointed by the way she had treated him. She knew however that he also understood her behaviour. Joey had a feeling that he was going to be able to forgive her for the wrongs that she had done to him. Her only anticipation now was the meeting between Pacey and Aaron. She knew that he was great with kids, as Dawson once said "Pacey is great with kids, probably because he still a big one himself" but this meeting between them was important to their future relationship as father and son.

Bessie came running out of the kitchen as soon as she heard Joey enter, "How was it? Did you tell him?"

Joey sighed, then gave Bessie a small smile, "He knows Bess. He's coming to see Aaron tonight."

Jen came up behind Joey. "How did he react? Did he get really angry?" she asked concerned.

Joey turned around and smiled at her friends concern. "He did get angry - as you'd expect. But, I think he understands why I didn't tell him. He's really disappointed in me for keeping Aaron a secret but I think he feels worse because he thinks I felt like I couldn't confide in him . He wants to see Aaron. He's coming around at 7.00."

Jen smiled at Joey reassuringly, "Well, I know Pace and I think he does understand the situation you were in. I'm sure he will forgive you, if he hasn't already"

"Thanks, Jen" She turned to go upstairs while Bessie went back into the kitchen.

Jen watched Joey go. "Of course he'll forgive you" she whispered, "He loves you Jo".

Pacey walked through town thinking about his son. It was such a shock. In the past, he had pondered over what his reaction would be if he found out from one of his ex's that he had a child, but he never thought it would actually happen. He was surprised that he wasn't in the slightest bit unhappy. He was disappointed that he had missed out on the first few months of Aaron's life and that he had missed Joey's pregnancy but he wasn't scared about the years to come . in fact . he was exited. Pacey had always wanted children. He wasn't the tough man he sometimes pretended to be. He used to fantasise about him and Joeys children . about them growing old together . but when they broke up, it seemed that she had given up all of her feelings for him and it appeared that they would never rekindle their old flame. With Aaron, Pacey would have a little piece of Joey with him forever. "Pace!" someone shouted over to him. Pacey looked up to see Jack McPhee waving at him.

"Jackers!" he smiled back - walking over to him. "What're you doing back here?"

"I'm . here to see someone actually"

"Ah, Joey?"

"Whhheeeewwww." Jack breathed, "You know she's back. I just wanted to make sure that she had told you she was home"

"Yeah she has" Pacey watched, amused as Jack stared back at him.

"So er . have you seen Joey?"

"Yep. I saw her this morning. Jack?"

"Yeah Pace?"

"You don't need to look so worried. I know about the baby"

A look of relief passed over Jacks face. "Oh good. Can you believe it? Joey has a baby! Have you seen him? Did she tell you who the father is?"

"I haven't seen Aaron yet no. I'm meeting him tonight. And I agree, it is pretty unbelievable that Joey is a mother"

"I never thought that she would be the first one to have a baby did you?"

"Nah, I didn't."

They walked to a nearby café and pulled up a seat outside. They each ordered a drink.

Jack took a sip out of his coffee. "So, do you know the story with the father?"

Pacey looked him in the eye. "Why do you?"

"I have no idea. Jen wouldn't tell me on the phone. She says it's not her secret to tell. I wonder if it's some guy in England."

Pacey smiled, gulping down his Coke. Jack continued speculating about Aaron's father. He looked up suddenly, "You don't think."

"What? I don't think what?"

"Well, you don't think it . could . it could be."

"Who?"

"Dawson?"

Pacey spat out his coke as he started to laugh.

"What? What's so funny?" Jack asked in surprise, "It's possible you know."

"No it isn't" Pacey smirked

"Why isn't it?"

"Dawson wasn't near Joey when she got pregnant."

"And how do you know that Oh-wise-one?" Jack asked sarcastically.

"Because I know who the father is", he answered smugly.

"What? You knew all of this time and you didn't tell me?"

"Mmm hmm" Pacey nodded.

"Who? Do I know him?"

"Yep"

"Come on man tell me"

"You really want to know?"

"Yes!"

"Really-really?!"

"YES!"

"Me."

"What? Could you repeat that please?"

"Me"

"You? Hmmm. Well. That's a turn up for the books. I never expected that"

"No. You expected Dawson" Pacey smirked.

Joey looked up as she heard a knock at the door. Pacey. It was 7.00. It had to be him. From what Jack had told her when he arrived Pacey seemed to be pretty relaxed with the idea of having a son and that he had been joking around with him. That was a relief. If Pacey were relaxed about Aaron it would make it easier for everyone.

"Hey" Pacey said when she opened the door.

"Are you nervous?"

"Erm you could say that yeah" Pacey smiled, running his hand through his hair.

"It'll be fine . I'm real glad that you want to meet him"

"Of course I want to meet him. I'm just a bit nervous that he wont like me."

Joey smiled, "Of course he'll like you Pace. Besides. He has no choice. He's five months old - he has no escape if you start doing your nervous- joke thing."

Pacey followed Joey into the kitchen living room where Jen was playing with Aaron. Pacey just stared. Aaron. His son. He was beautiful. He couldn't believe it. This little thing was his. His flesh. His blood. What a miracle.

"Hey Pace" Jen waved, it looked like she had greeted him more that once.

"Oh, er, hi Jen"

Jen passed Joey her baby and touched Pacey on the shoulder. Pacey didn't take his eyes off of Aaron once. "Do you want to hold him?" Joey asked.

"Y-yes. Yes please"

"Here you go." She passed Aaron over to his father. The baby laughed as Pacey stared down at him, jiggling him up and down. Tears came into Pacey's eyes as he watched his son, "My God. He's perfect Jo."

Joey smiled as tears ran down her cheek. It was such a happy sight. She had longed for this. For Aaron to be with his father. It looked as if Pacey wanted this. That he wanted Aaron to be part of his life.

Pacey wiped the tears away and smiled, "how can you feel this much love for someone you just met? It's a miracle. He's a miracle"

"I know. I know. He has so much of you in him"

"He does. And you. No wonder he's beautiful, look at his parents" Pacey joked.

Bessie, Bodie, Jen and Jack were watching from the hall, unseen. Pacey and Joey were so close, with Aaron between them. 'It would make such a good photograph' Jen thought to herself, 'the perfect family picture'.

Pacey looked down at Joey smiling. She was so beautiful. Even more so than he remembered. He wanted her so much - mind body and soul.

Joey looked up at him and saw the love in his eyes. Butterflies began to flutter in her stomach as they leaned in towards each other.

The four people in the hall held their breath simultaneously as the couple lent towards each other.

A kiss. A perfect kiss. They had waited so long to have a kiss like this. They pulled apart and looked at one another. Both of them smiled then leant in for another one.

Their friends (and family) smiled at one another as they walked away. "Damn it!" Jack muttered, reaching in his pocket.

"What's wrong Jack?" Bessie asked.

"I owe Jen 10 bucks. I didn't think they'd kiss for another couple of days."

AUTHORS NOTE: This isn't the end. There's probably another chapter to go. Hope you enjoyed it.