Not long after that day in the park they were married. Planning began immediately and after much discussion and arguing, they settled on the perfect place. The ceremony was set for the Bethesda fountain in Central Park with the reception at Tavern on the Green, fitting seeing that this was where they met again, by accident, almost three years ago. To pull it off, Dawson called in some favors and had the fountain and a path leading up to the restaurant completely closed off so tourists or other resident would not wander in on or interrupt their ceremony. The wedding was set for June, a nice warm day, not too humid so the guests could sit comfortably on the chairs that were set on the warm cobblestone around the fountain. The fountain served as the backdrop behind the alter, where they recited traditional vows in front of a little over one hundred people, strictly family and close friends.

When the priest said, "husband and wife," Dawson and Joey stared at one another, still in shock that this day was here, that they were finally together. They probably would have stayed staring at one another, holding hands when Matthew chirped in "kiss her" from the sidelines, serving dutifully as the ring bearer. Without turning to look at his sons giggle and childish smile or the guests that laughed and clapped, egging him on, Dawson leaned in and kissed her, wrapping his arms around her as her arms found themselves around his neck. They continued to kiss, getting lost in one another and this perfect moment when Matthew pulled on Dawson's pant leg saying, "okay stop," catching more laughs from the crowd and then everyone clapped loudly. Holding hands as they floated back down the aisle, they went immediately to the horse-drawn carriage, waiting to take them down the path Dawson had closed off to the restaurant, with decorated golf carts waiting to take the guests behind them.

Neither Dawson nor Joey could stop grinning or laughing, never letting go of each other's hand or missing a chance to sneak in a kiss now officially as husband and wife. Matthew was content to stay with Gail, Lily, Bessie and Bodie, watching his mom and now dad enjoy themselves, laughing and acting happier than anyone had ever seen them.

The restaurant was decorated with candles, flowers and Christmas lights, along with the strands of Chinese lanterns that hung over the patio, where the guest gathered, waiting for the happy couple. When they finally appeared, standing thisclose to one another, Dawson's arm around Joey's waist, the guests started clapping again, taking pictures as they waved and kissed again in front of everyone. The sit-down dinner was ready, but everyone watched as the couple started to dance, slowly, holding each other close, swaying to the music. Matthew watched happily from Lily's lap, pointing out his mom to her and saying that his mom was the prettiest woman alive. Finally taking their seat at the main table, dinner was served and everyone chatted amongst themselves, still sneaking glances over at the happy couple, who were in a world of their own.

When dinner broke up and people began to mingle and dance, Ron slithered over to Joey, slimely asking if she wanted to dance, which Dawson allowed, but only if Ron kept her within his viewing distance. To both their surprise, Ron was a complete gentleman, treating Joey with respect and kissing her hand, rather than trying to stick his tongue down her throat. While dancing he leaned in and whispered something to Joey before returning her politely to her husband.

"I've seen the change in Dawson since he met you Joey," Ron said softly. "Congratulations on your marriage and I hope to continuously to see these positive changes in our guy."

As the night wore on, Dawson and Joey rarely left each other's side, breaking to speak with guests, but always looking at one another in the process. Before Matthew left with Lily to go to bed and then to Capeside while they were on their honeymoon, Joey pulled her son onto the dance floor, trying to dance with him. Watching him focus completely on dancing with his mother, Dawson laughed and joined them, pulling Matthew into his arms and wrapping his arm around Joey again so they were dancing together, the new family.

They cut the cake, feeding it to each other politely, before Joey sneakily slapped some icing on the side of Dawson's face, causing him to begin tickling her and making her squeal in protest. Just before midnight they left together in a car to the Plaza hotel, where they would spend the night before leaving the next morning for an island in the Caribbean. Joey threw the bouquet, which Lily caught with one hand while holding a near sleeping Matthew in her arms. Lily refused to leave before the bouquet toss so poor Matthew was barely conscious when he finally go to leave.

When they arrived at the Plaza, still glowing and wired from the days events, they were quickly escorted up to the corner honeymoon suite, boasting views of the park, the place they were married in earlier that day. Unbeknownst to Joey, Dawson set up the room with roses and daisies, accented with soft candles and lights. Removing her veil gently, placing it on the chair, they stared again at one another unsure what to do now, full of emotion and love for one another. With a gentle laugh at their mutual nervousness, they began walking toward one another until they met, Dawson taking her in his arms and dancing softly with her. Without saying a word, they kept dancing until Joey pulled back, placing her hands on the sides of his face and kissing him so softly on the lips he thought this was all a dream. He wondered for a minute if it really was a dream and he would wake up alone in his apartment and he would never have re-met Joey and they wouldn't be together. Even if this was a dream and he did wake up from this alone, he would hunt her down wherever she was. What he felt for her at that minute was too pure and too strong to deny and life without again.

After their night together, the first as husband and wife, Dawson woke early again, grabbing a robe from the bathroom and settling himself in a chair across from the bed where he watched his wife sleep soundly. Looking at his watch, he noticed they had to wake soon to make their flight. Crawling back into bed, he woke her with kisses and they reluctantly pulled themselves off each other to get their things together, changing clothes and leaving in a car to the airport. There was traffic the entire route to LaGuardia but the new Mr. and Mrs. Leery didn't really notice because they were too busy wrapped up with one another in the back, toasting their new life together as a family.

They were supposed to be gone for two weeks, but they missed their son too much and flew him out to join them after a week. Joey assured Bessie and everyone that it would be cheaper to fly Matthew to them rather than call four times a day to check in with him and hear his voice. So Matthew joined them and Dawson moved into full husband and father mode, taking Matthew fishing, swimming and searching for shells to give Joey at the end of the day. And after another week of family fun, they all returned home to New York and to their townhouse, together.

For another year they were blissfully content together, settling into a routine of taking Matthew to school, eating dinners and breakfasts together with Dawson and Joey meeting up at lunch almost every day for food and sometimes "lunches at home." Joey went back to work at her publishing office, enjoying the success of her books while working on a new one part- time. Dawson and Joey began adoption proceedings on Matthew, legally making Dawson his father. As part of the process, Joey had to attempt to find his father to see if he would sign over his parental rights, but they never did find him, delaying the process a bit. When it was finally official that Matthew was Dawson and Joey's, they celebrated, going out to the park and for dinner, with Matthew introducing everyone to his new dad. It was after a year of this new routine that Joey found out she was pregnant again with another boy. Dawson was elated at the impending birth, being as active as he could with the pregnancy but also making sure Matthew was involved and not left out accidentally with the preparation. When James Mitchell Leery was born at Lenox Hill Hospital, Dawson was with Joey through everything, running down the hall to announce the arrival to a small waiting crowd of friends and family, taking a nervous Matthew with him to meet his new brother and see his mother.

The view in this Lenox Hill Hospital room was truly a sight to see. Joey, still tired from delivery, sat up in bed, holding baby James in her arms as Matthew leaned over to see him, playing with his toes and trying to make him laugh. Dawson stood back for a minute, looking at his wife and children together before joining them. Leaning over Matthew to look at the baby, Dawson caught Joey looking at him with her tired eyes, smiling at him happily. He smiled back, feeling content and whole inside, kissing his wife's forehead and lips softly, whispering "I love you," to her, pressing his forehead against hers and listened with his eyes closed to the new baby and Matthew, who was trying to still make the newborn laugh. One of the nurses came to check on them and take James to the nursery for awhile so Joey could finally get some sleep. Before James disappeared though, Dawson gave the nurse his camera and she took a picture of them around Joey's hospital bed. With James now in the nursery and Matthew staying with Gail, who came up for the birth, Dawson slowly wandered back to her room, watching his wife dozing off.

"Tired dad?" she laughed, struggling to keep her eyes open.

"Yeah it's been a trying day," Dawson said, smiling when Joey snorted in disgust.

"Want to lay with me for awhile?" she asked softly, making room for him next to her on the somewhat small hospital bed. He nodded and made his way over, laying on his side, resting his head on her chest so her chin rested on the top of his head. Laying like this, he knew would have cramps and kinks in his arms and legs, but that didn't matter at that moment.

"I love you," he whispered, running his hand over her swollen but reduced stomach.

"I love you too," she said, wrapping her arms around him, tousling his hair.

"You and me Joey," he said, pulling back to kiss her softly on the lips.

"Always," she said, kissing him back before they fell asleep together.