IAN: Okay, Dawson arrives in this part! Wasn't planning on there being
such a long time till he arrived but I just got caught up in things!
Hee./I
"Clayton, come on, please don't do this to me. We need to go into town."
"But I wanna watch cartoons!" The child before Andie pouted and sat down on the sofa refusing to budge.
"I know, but you can't right now. You can watch cartoon's later. We have to go out now."
"NO!" Clayton stomped his feet turned away from his mother.
"CLAYTON TIMOTHY MCPHEE I AM NOT IN THE MOOD TO BE DEALING WITH YOUR LITTLE TANTRUM RIGHT NOW! GO UPSTAIRS AND GET DRESSED! NOW!" Andie shouted she'd been trying not to loose her cool but it had been almost twenty minutes of fighting. The funeral was tomorrow and the past few days had been a rush of meeting people who'd arrived in town and sorting out the last minute details. Apart from Henry and Jen she'd barely seen any of her friends, the occasional time she'd bump into Joey in town, or Pacey would call to check up on her but apart from that she'd spent the past couple of days in her own little world. She was vaguely aware of the fact that Dawson was due to arrive in town today. A production he was on was just letting out and he was due in town any time.
"NO!" The four year old scream at his mother and turned to face the TV once again. Andie sat down and let her head fall to her hands, she understood that all this couldn't be easy for Clayton, he must of found everything that was going rather strange. Being dragged to a new place, meeting new people.
"Fine Clay, you win." Andie stood up defeated and walked out of the living into the kitchen and sat down at the side.
"Andie?" Jen said walking in and placing her hand on Andie's shoulder. "Are you okay?" Andie felt the tears welling in her eyes as she turned to face Jen.
"I'm fine" She answered her voice small and unconvincing.
"Andie." Jen said her tone pleading with her friend to be honest.
"Oh I don't know, it's all so hard. I miss him so much." Andie said letting the tears fall, falling into her friends arms.
"Me to." Jen whispered into Andie's hair. The two blondes stood for a good ten minutes, letting their cries be heard through out the house.
"Mommy.." A voice broke them a part. "Mommy, I'm sorry. I didn't want you to cry." Clayton ran into the kitchen attaching himself to his mothers leg, tears running down his chubby cheeks.
"Oh sweetheart, it wasn't you." Andie said leaning down and picking him up. "Mommy's just very upset today."
"Hey Clay." Jen called the child's attention. "Do you want to stay here with Henry and I'll go to town with your Mommy so you can watch cartoons." Clayton's eyes light up and he wriggled down his mothers body.
"YEAH!!" The child grinned running out of the room.
"I couldn't help but over hear you two arguing earlier, I came down to offer my solution when I found you in here."
"Thanks. It wasn't like I particularly wanted Clayton to come with me while I made sure everything was in check. I just didn't know what else to do."
"You've got support now Andie. You've got to remember that." Jen answered smiling.
"I know, it's just hard to get used to!"
"Yes well, I expect the favour returned." Jen said patting her stomach. The pair smiled at each other. "Do you want to leave now?"
"Yeah, that would be good." Andie said.
Andie and Jen walked out of the church after checking over the details. They walked down the street in silence for a few moments, each contemplating their own thoughts.
"I don't feel old enough for this." Jen said finally breaking the silence, Andie looked at her with a questioning glance as they both sat down on one of the benches along the street. "Being pregnant, married, planning my best friend's funeral." She added remorsefully.
"I know." Andie said solemnly. "Especially being back here again. In New York I felt so much older, I completely forgot how young I was, but being back here, I feel sixteen again."
"We've all grown up, it's hard to believe. I don't think for any of us it is what we envision, well maybe apart from Dawson." Jen said with a small smile as she rubbed her stomach.
"I hate to say it. I mean I love him more than anything he's my world but, sometimes I feel like I would of made something of myself if I hadn't had Clayton so young."
"Andie you did make something of your self, look at you, you're a wonderful mother, a successful career woman.."
"But I'm not happy." Andie said regretfully her voice child like and cautious, "I promised myself I'd be happy. I promised myself I'd be happy when I was free of my dysfunctional family, I promised I'd make a life for myself. This life wasn't exactly my dream, and I wouldn't care but.I'm not happy." She said again looking down at the ground. Before giving Jen a chance to answer she stood up "We should probably get back" Andie stated, "I'll go get the car and pick you up, I remember what it's like trying to walk when you're pregnant!" Andie added a small laugh at the end of the sentence, an unconvincing one that unconsciously showed Jen that she was still dwelling on their conversation.
"Andie!" Andie turned as she heard her name being called across the carpark stopping her hand in the motion of unlocking the car she saw Pacey jogging across to her. "Hey" He said slightly out of breath.
"Hi." Andie answered, she felt awkward and couldn't find anything else to say as she looked at Pacey.
"So, how are you?" Pacey asked leaning against the car.
"I'm okay, Kinda in a rush though, not to be rude, it's just Jen's waiting for me to pick her up."
"Oh" Pacey's face shown obvious disappointment as he stood up and placed his hands in his pockets. "No, that's cool, tell Clay I said hi!" He started to walk off when Andie called after him.
"You know, you could come back to the house if you wanted. Tell him yourself" Andie wasn't quite sure where the words had came from, she felt almost as if someone else had said them for her. "That's, you know, If you're not busy or anything."
"Actually, I kind of..." Pacey started his sentence reluctantly but was cut off by a shrill voice ringing his name across the carpark.
"Oh Pacey! There you are! You just ran off and I didn't know where you'd got to! I was talking to myself!" The busty brunette slid her arm into Pacey's and offered Andie her hand. "Ashleigh."
"Andie" Andie said taking the girls hand and shaking it forcing a smile.
"Oh." Ashleigh faces contorted into the one of sympathy Andie was becoming accustomed to. "I'm so sorry to hear about your brother"
"Thank you" Andie replied pulling her hand away from the girls. "Well I um, best be getting back to Jen. Nice meeting you Ashleigh. I'll see you soon Pacey."
Pacey stood watching Andie turn away, his hand limp in Ashleigh's as she held onto it tightly. He felt his chest tighten as he watched the blonde climb into her car, a sadness sweep over him as she turned the key and the all too familiar memory of her leaving him once again settled into his mind. He turned his gaze from the brunette to the blonde and back.
"Okay, Spill, you've barely said a word since you got the car!" Jen said as Andie turned the car into the drive of her home.
"Sorry" Andie said casting the other girl an apologetic smile.
"Don't apologise! Just talk to me!" Andie looked at the woman sat next to her and opened her mouth, unsure of what to say. A smile of relief spread across her face as she caught a familiar figure out of the corner of her. turning the keys in the ignition and climbing out of the car she ran towards the person wrapping her arms around them.
"Hi" Dawson said laughing lightly as he hugged Andie and smiled at Jen. "Wow, you're so big!" He said as he released Andie from his arms and moved towards Jen.
"Why is that the first thing people say to me now!" Jen said in mock anger as she hugged in her friend. Andie watched as Jen and Dawson made their way into the house and sent a silent thank you to Dawson for his timing. Watching Pacey with Ashleigh had stirred up her already complicated feelings. On the drive back she wasn't able to shake the need she felt to be the one in his arm. She was still trying to convince herself it was only because of her vulnerable state as she walked into the house to the sound of the phone ring.
"Hello?" She answered sighing lightly as she was brought out of the her thoughts, a mixture of relief and regret spreading through her.
"Hi Andie, it's Pacey. Look, I'm really sorry about earlier. I wanted to come back with you I swear. It's just with Ashleigh being around and I didn't think you'd appreciate having strangers in your home you'll have enough of that tomorrow and.."
"Pace isn't the babbling my territory?" She said laughing lightly "Dawson just turned up and Clayton has done nothing but talk about having his Uncle Pacey read him to sleep again so why don't you come back later." *and I'd love to see you.* she added silently
"Sounds Great" Pacey said his grin practically beaming down the phone line.
"Well I'll see you later" Andie said with a smile
"Bye McPhee"
"Bye Pace" Andie said lightly before hanging up the phone. She stood for a moment relishing in the effect his voice had on her a smile playing on her lips before turning into the living room.
"Moooom!" Clayton called as she walked into the room. "Did you know Dawson knows 'Benja'!" his face lit up as he referred to his favourite movie character of the past year.
"Actually it's the guy who does the voice for..." Henry started but soon went quiet when Jen glared at him.
The next couple of hours was taken up with Dawson catching Andie, Jen and Henry on his life and Clayton's incessant questions about Benja. "I should really get dinner started." Andie said as she began to pull herself off the choice
"Sit back down McPhee!" Everyone's glance followed to the door where Pacey was stood holding Pizza boxes and grinning. "Good to see my timing is as impeccable as always." He placed the boxes on the table and watched with amusement as both Clayton and Jen dived towards them. "Dawson my man! Good to see you!"
"Uncle Pacey!" Clayton said excitedly tugging on Pacey's trouser leg as he stuffed Pizza into his mouth with the other hand. "Dawson knows Benja!"
"Woah, awesome. Why don't we get him to tell us everything he knows huh?" Pacey said picking Clayton up and placing him next to him as he took a seat next to Dawson. Andie, as she found herself doing on numerous occasions stood in the door and watched as Pacey related to her child in a way she'd never seen a man do before. He reminded her of the playful and protective way Jack had acted around Clayton but there was some else there, something only Pacey could bring to the mix.
Pacey starred in awe as he watched Clayton's face light in up in excitement as Dawson regaled him with tales on the cartoon dog. He watched as the young innocent features, so similar to the ones he had memorised years ago showed excitement and anticipation. Out of the corner of the eye he noticed Andie hadn't moved since he arrived. He turned his head and smiled at her as she looked intently in on the scene before her. He was rewarded with a smile a slight blush at the embarrassment at being caught and he couldn't help but noticed how beautiful she looked, over come with the urge to kiss her he never took his eyes from hers, starring at her, a million silent ones moving between them.
Andie found herself paralysed as she looked into Pacey's eyes. Something she'd experienced before but never thought she'd be grateful for until now, for the paralysis was the only thing that was stopping her from moving across the room and placing her lips atop of his. After a few seconds, which seemed like an eternity to Andie, she found her feet again and turned quickly and walked to the kitchen. Grabbing onto the edge of the kitchen table she s let out a staggered breath. "What are you doing McPhee." Asked out loud to the empty room. "You're not a child anymore! You are not supposed to ruled by your hormones!" She let out a low growl as she sat down and laid her head on the table.
"Andie?" Raising her head up off the wood Andie turned to see Dawson stood behind her looking concerned.
"Oh Hi Dawson. Did you want a drink?" Andie asked snapping back into hostess mode and standing up walking over to the cupboard "No, I'm fine, I just wanted to check that you were okay?"
"Me? Oh I'm fine." Andie said pulling glasses out of the cupboard and taking them over to the sink.
"If you're fine, why are you washing clean glasses?" Dawson said motioning to where Andie was scrubbing soapy water into the glasses she'd just taken down.
"Ummm.." Andie gave a sheepish smile as she shrugged.
"Don't worry, it'll be our secret. Do you want to talk about it?"
"No, honestly. I'm fine, just a little sketchy, nervous about the funeral tomorrow." Andie supplied, guilt washing over her as she lied, she SHOULD be nervous about tomorrow, she SHOULD be thinking about her recently deceased brother, not fussing over a teenage romance of the past. Andie frowned at her thoughts. "Why don't you go back into the living room and I'll bring some drinks through for everyone." Andie said motioning for Dawson to leave and picking up a cloth to dry the glasses.
The evening passed quickly. Everyone caught up on Dawson's life and general sociable chatter filled the house. Andie pointedly avoided any contact with Pacey unsure of how another moment like earlier would affect her.
"I really should get going." Dawson announced at around 8pm. "I want to go see Joey before I go back to the hotel for the night."
"I think we'll come with you. If that's okay?" Jen questioned Dawson
"Yeah, of course" Dawson said standing up and making his way to the door. Jen and Henry followed in suite and the trio said their goodbyes before leaving.
Andie picked up Clayton as they stood in the doorway waving goodbye. "I think someone should be getting to bed?"
"What? Maaaaa"
"No complaining or Pacey won't read you a bedtime story." Clayton looked over his mothers shoulder to Pacey to confirm the story.
"Yeah, listen to you mom." Pacey said with a grin as Clayton clambered down his mothers body and ran up the stairs shouting promises of putting on his pyjama's.
"Sorry if I put you on the spot there." Andie said as she shut the door and turned to Pacey.
"No, of course not! You know I'd love to do it." Andie smiled a grateful smile at Pacey before he turned and ran up the stairs shouting to Clayton that he was coming.
About 15minutes later Andie made her way upstairs after clearing the glasses and pizza boxes. She stopped outside Clayton's ajar door listening to Pacey's voice as he answered one of Clayton's questions about the book, it reminded her of the eagerness Clayton when get in his voice when Jack was around. Feeling sobs choke up her throat she ran down the hall to her room slamming the door shut she curled up on her bed and let the tears fall, wet mascara falling from eyes and staining the sheets.
Pacey tugged the sheets up tighter around Clayton's sleeping forms and switched off the light smiling at the young sleep form as he closed the door over. He began to make his towards the staircase when he heard a sniffling sound come from behind a familiar door. Tentatively he opened the door. "Andie.." he called into the darkness moving towards the bed he sat down next to the shaking body. "Andie?" he asked again as the small body drew away from him as the bed sagged under his weight.
"Leave me alone Pacey." Her voice was small, quiet, as if it were a million miles away and not a few short inches.
"No Andie." His voice was definitive as he took her into his arms and pulled her too him, stroking her blonde hair as she choked away the remaining sobs.
"Why do you do that?" She asked still facing away from him.
"Do what" He asked quietly unconsciously continuing to stroke her hair.
"Insist on comforting me."
"I don't like seeing you sad. I see you upset and I can't help myself trying to make you feel better"
"I miss this Pacey.." Andie admitted before she could stop herself.
"You miss what?"
"Oh, um nothing forget I said anything" Andie said trying to pull herself from his embrace only for Pacey to tighten his arms.
"Andie." he coaxed, a knowing tone in his voice, a tone she recognised that she wouldn't get away from.
"This, this closeness between us, I.I haven't experienced anything like it since. I'd forgotten how accustomed I'd became to it."
"I miss it too Andie." Pacey moved his hand to Andie's face and turned it to toward him. He looked down into her eyes and lowered his face to hers kissing her lips softly before breaking apart to gauge her reaction.
"Pacey I."Andie looked him her eyes a mixture of wanting and confusion.
"Shush" he said placing a finger on her lips and kissing her deeply with the passion of years of unconscious pining. He shifted there bodies to he was on top of hers, his weight resting on his arms placed either side of her, he broke the kiss when breath prevented either of them from continuing and looked down into her eyes, waiting for some kind of sign to continue. Never breaking eye contact he almost missed the barely audible reply she gave to his questioning gaze.
"Make love to me Pacey."
Andie wasn't sure how much time had passed when woke, reluctantly untangling herself from the strong embrace and tearing her naked form from warm body next to her she creep out of the bed, wrapping a robe around herself she sat in the chair placed opposite beside the window. She gazed at the clock which read 3.15am. She looked at Pacey's sleeping form and sighed looking at the smile on his lips as he stretched out in her bed his body entangled in the sheets.
"Hey" He whispered to her smiling.
"I think you should leave." Andie said back, her voice level matching the whisper but without the warm tone his had had.
"Oh."
"It's just that, with Clay, I mean I know he likes you and everything but I don't like him waking up to men in the house."
"Do this kinda thing often do you McPhee" Pacey grinned jokingly
"Pacey." Andie said her tone serious her eyes averted from his.
"Oh, eh, Sure Andie. Whatever you want." Pacey answered confused climbing out the bed and pulling his clothes on. "Do you want me to come by the in the morning?" He asked her walking round the bed towards her.
"No, I'll just see you at the church." She turned away from him and looked out of the window. "Goodbye Pacey."
"Bye Andie.." Pacey said softly, wondering what was going on.
Andie let a single tear fall down her cheek as she watched Pacey climb into his car and drive off into the night. "What have you done this time Andie.." she asked herself as she watched the car disappear round a corner.
IAN: Sorry it took so long to get out, hope it was worth the wait, Please leave a review! xXxDawn/I
"Clayton, come on, please don't do this to me. We need to go into town."
"But I wanna watch cartoons!" The child before Andie pouted and sat down on the sofa refusing to budge.
"I know, but you can't right now. You can watch cartoon's later. We have to go out now."
"NO!" Clayton stomped his feet turned away from his mother.
"CLAYTON TIMOTHY MCPHEE I AM NOT IN THE MOOD TO BE DEALING WITH YOUR LITTLE TANTRUM RIGHT NOW! GO UPSTAIRS AND GET DRESSED! NOW!" Andie shouted she'd been trying not to loose her cool but it had been almost twenty minutes of fighting. The funeral was tomorrow and the past few days had been a rush of meeting people who'd arrived in town and sorting out the last minute details. Apart from Henry and Jen she'd barely seen any of her friends, the occasional time she'd bump into Joey in town, or Pacey would call to check up on her but apart from that she'd spent the past couple of days in her own little world. She was vaguely aware of the fact that Dawson was due to arrive in town today. A production he was on was just letting out and he was due in town any time.
"NO!" The four year old scream at his mother and turned to face the TV once again. Andie sat down and let her head fall to her hands, she understood that all this couldn't be easy for Clayton, he must of found everything that was going rather strange. Being dragged to a new place, meeting new people.
"Fine Clay, you win." Andie stood up defeated and walked out of the living into the kitchen and sat down at the side.
"Andie?" Jen said walking in and placing her hand on Andie's shoulder. "Are you okay?" Andie felt the tears welling in her eyes as she turned to face Jen.
"I'm fine" She answered her voice small and unconvincing.
"Andie." Jen said her tone pleading with her friend to be honest.
"Oh I don't know, it's all so hard. I miss him so much." Andie said letting the tears fall, falling into her friends arms.
"Me to." Jen whispered into Andie's hair. The two blondes stood for a good ten minutes, letting their cries be heard through out the house.
"Mommy.." A voice broke them a part. "Mommy, I'm sorry. I didn't want you to cry." Clayton ran into the kitchen attaching himself to his mothers leg, tears running down his chubby cheeks.
"Oh sweetheart, it wasn't you." Andie said leaning down and picking him up. "Mommy's just very upset today."
"Hey Clay." Jen called the child's attention. "Do you want to stay here with Henry and I'll go to town with your Mommy so you can watch cartoons." Clayton's eyes light up and he wriggled down his mothers body.
"YEAH!!" The child grinned running out of the room.
"I couldn't help but over hear you two arguing earlier, I came down to offer my solution when I found you in here."
"Thanks. It wasn't like I particularly wanted Clayton to come with me while I made sure everything was in check. I just didn't know what else to do."
"You've got support now Andie. You've got to remember that." Jen answered smiling.
"I know, it's just hard to get used to!"
"Yes well, I expect the favour returned." Jen said patting her stomach. The pair smiled at each other. "Do you want to leave now?"
"Yeah, that would be good." Andie said.
Andie and Jen walked out of the church after checking over the details. They walked down the street in silence for a few moments, each contemplating their own thoughts.
"I don't feel old enough for this." Jen said finally breaking the silence, Andie looked at her with a questioning glance as they both sat down on one of the benches along the street. "Being pregnant, married, planning my best friend's funeral." She added remorsefully.
"I know." Andie said solemnly. "Especially being back here again. In New York I felt so much older, I completely forgot how young I was, but being back here, I feel sixteen again."
"We've all grown up, it's hard to believe. I don't think for any of us it is what we envision, well maybe apart from Dawson." Jen said with a small smile as she rubbed her stomach.
"I hate to say it. I mean I love him more than anything he's my world but, sometimes I feel like I would of made something of myself if I hadn't had Clayton so young."
"Andie you did make something of your self, look at you, you're a wonderful mother, a successful career woman.."
"But I'm not happy." Andie said regretfully her voice child like and cautious, "I promised myself I'd be happy. I promised myself I'd be happy when I was free of my dysfunctional family, I promised I'd make a life for myself. This life wasn't exactly my dream, and I wouldn't care but.I'm not happy." She said again looking down at the ground. Before giving Jen a chance to answer she stood up "We should probably get back" Andie stated, "I'll go get the car and pick you up, I remember what it's like trying to walk when you're pregnant!" Andie added a small laugh at the end of the sentence, an unconvincing one that unconsciously showed Jen that she was still dwelling on their conversation.
"Andie!" Andie turned as she heard her name being called across the carpark stopping her hand in the motion of unlocking the car she saw Pacey jogging across to her. "Hey" He said slightly out of breath.
"Hi." Andie answered, she felt awkward and couldn't find anything else to say as she looked at Pacey.
"So, how are you?" Pacey asked leaning against the car.
"I'm okay, Kinda in a rush though, not to be rude, it's just Jen's waiting for me to pick her up."
"Oh" Pacey's face shown obvious disappointment as he stood up and placed his hands in his pockets. "No, that's cool, tell Clay I said hi!" He started to walk off when Andie called after him.
"You know, you could come back to the house if you wanted. Tell him yourself" Andie wasn't quite sure where the words had came from, she felt almost as if someone else had said them for her. "That's, you know, If you're not busy or anything."
"Actually, I kind of..." Pacey started his sentence reluctantly but was cut off by a shrill voice ringing his name across the carpark.
"Oh Pacey! There you are! You just ran off and I didn't know where you'd got to! I was talking to myself!" The busty brunette slid her arm into Pacey's and offered Andie her hand. "Ashleigh."
"Andie" Andie said taking the girls hand and shaking it forcing a smile.
"Oh." Ashleigh faces contorted into the one of sympathy Andie was becoming accustomed to. "I'm so sorry to hear about your brother"
"Thank you" Andie replied pulling her hand away from the girls. "Well I um, best be getting back to Jen. Nice meeting you Ashleigh. I'll see you soon Pacey."
Pacey stood watching Andie turn away, his hand limp in Ashleigh's as she held onto it tightly. He felt his chest tighten as he watched the blonde climb into her car, a sadness sweep over him as she turned the key and the all too familiar memory of her leaving him once again settled into his mind. He turned his gaze from the brunette to the blonde and back.
"Okay, Spill, you've barely said a word since you got the car!" Jen said as Andie turned the car into the drive of her home.
"Sorry" Andie said casting the other girl an apologetic smile.
"Don't apologise! Just talk to me!" Andie looked at the woman sat next to her and opened her mouth, unsure of what to say. A smile of relief spread across her face as she caught a familiar figure out of the corner of her. turning the keys in the ignition and climbing out of the car she ran towards the person wrapping her arms around them.
"Hi" Dawson said laughing lightly as he hugged Andie and smiled at Jen. "Wow, you're so big!" He said as he released Andie from his arms and moved towards Jen.
"Why is that the first thing people say to me now!" Jen said in mock anger as she hugged in her friend. Andie watched as Jen and Dawson made their way into the house and sent a silent thank you to Dawson for his timing. Watching Pacey with Ashleigh had stirred up her already complicated feelings. On the drive back she wasn't able to shake the need she felt to be the one in his arm. She was still trying to convince herself it was only because of her vulnerable state as she walked into the house to the sound of the phone ring.
"Hello?" She answered sighing lightly as she was brought out of the her thoughts, a mixture of relief and regret spreading through her.
"Hi Andie, it's Pacey. Look, I'm really sorry about earlier. I wanted to come back with you I swear. It's just with Ashleigh being around and I didn't think you'd appreciate having strangers in your home you'll have enough of that tomorrow and.."
"Pace isn't the babbling my territory?" She said laughing lightly "Dawson just turned up and Clayton has done nothing but talk about having his Uncle Pacey read him to sleep again so why don't you come back later." *and I'd love to see you.* she added silently
"Sounds Great" Pacey said his grin practically beaming down the phone line.
"Well I'll see you later" Andie said with a smile
"Bye McPhee"
"Bye Pace" Andie said lightly before hanging up the phone. She stood for a moment relishing in the effect his voice had on her a smile playing on her lips before turning into the living room.
"Moooom!" Clayton called as she walked into the room. "Did you know Dawson knows 'Benja'!" his face lit up as he referred to his favourite movie character of the past year.
"Actually it's the guy who does the voice for..." Henry started but soon went quiet when Jen glared at him.
The next couple of hours was taken up with Dawson catching Andie, Jen and Henry on his life and Clayton's incessant questions about Benja. "I should really get dinner started." Andie said as she began to pull herself off the choice
"Sit back down McPhee!" Everyone's glance followed to the door where Pacey was stood holding Pizza boxes and grinning. "Good to see my timing is as impeccable as always." He placed the boxes on the table and watched with amusement as both Clayton and Jen dived towards them. "Dawson my man! Good to see you!"
"Uncle Pacey!" Clayton said excitedly tugging on Pacey's trouser leg as he stuffed Pizza into his mouth with the other hand. "Dawson knows Benja!"
"Woah, awesome. Why don't we get him to tell us everything he knows huh?" Pacey said picking Clayton up and placing him next to him as he took a seat next to Dawson. Andie, as she found herself doing on numerous occasions stood in the door and watched as Pacey related to her child in a way she'd never seen a man do before. He reminded her of the playful and protective way Jack had acted around Clayton but there was some else there, something only Pacey could bring to the mix.
Pacey starred in awe as he watched Clayton's face light in up in excitement as Dawson regaled him with tales on the cartoon dog. He watched as the young innocent features, so similar to the ones he had memorised years ago showed excitement and anticipation. Out of the corner of the eye he noticed Andie hadn't moved since he arrived. He turned his head and smiled at her as she looked intently in on the scene before her. He was rewarded with a smile a slight blush at the embarrassment at being caught and he couldn't help but noticed how beautiful she looked, over come with the urge to kiss her he never took his eyes from hers, starring at her, a million silent ones moving between them.
Andie found herself paralysed as she looked into Pacey's eyes. Something she'd experienced before but never thought she'd be grateful for until now, for the paralysis was the only thing that was stopping her from moving across the room and placing her lips atop of his. After a few seconds, which seemed like an eternity to Andie, she found her feet again and turned quickly and walked to the kitchen. Grabbing onto the edge of the kitchen table she s let out a staggered breath. "What are you doing McPhee." Asked out loud to the empty room. "You're not a child anymore! You are not supposed to ruled by your hormones!" She let out a low growl as she sat down and laid her head on the table.
"Andie?" Raising her head up off the wood Andie turned to see Dawson stood behind her looking concerned.
"Oh Hi Dawson. Did you want a drink?" Andie asked snapping back into hostess mode and standing up walking over to the cupboard "No, I'm fine, I just wanted to check that you were okay?"
"Me? Oh I'm fine." Andie said pulling glasses out of the cupboard and taking them over to the sink.
"If you're fine, why are you washing clean glasses?" Dawson said motioning to where Andie was scrubbing soapy water into the glasses she'd just taken down.
"Ummm.." Andie gave a sheepish smile as she shrugged.
"Don't worry, it'll be our secret. Do you want to talk about it?"
"No, honestly. I'm fine, just a little sketchy, nervous about the funeral tomorrow." Andie supplied, guilt washing over her as she lied, she SHOULD be nervous about tomorrow, she SHOULD be thinking about her recently deceased brother, not fussing over a teenage romance of the past. Andie frowned at her thoughts. "Why don't you go back into the living room and I'll bring some drinks through for everyone." Andie said motioning for Dawson to leave and picking up a cloth to dry the glasses.
The evening passed quickly. Everyone caught up on Dawson's life and general sociable chatter filled the house. Andie pointedly avoided any contact with Pacey unsure of how another moment like earlier would affect her.
"I really should get going." Dawson announced at around 8pm. "I want to go see Joey before I go back to the hotel for the night."
"I think we'll come with you. If that's okay?" Jen questioned Dawson
"Yeah, of course" Dawson said standing up and making his way to the door. Jen and Henry followed in suite and the trio said their goodbyes before leaving.
Andie picked up Clayton as they stood in the doorway waving goodbye. "I think someone should be getting to bed?"
"What? Maaaaa"
"No complaining or Pacey won't read you a bedtime story." Clayton looked over his mothers shoulder to Pacey to confirm the story.
"Yeah, listen to you mom." Pacey said with a grin as Clayton clambered down his mothers body and ran up the stairs shouting promises of putting on his pyjama's.
"Sorry if I put you on the spot there." Andie said as she shut the door and turned to Pacey.
"No, of course not! You know I'd love to do it." Andie smiled a grateful smile at Pacey before he turned and ran up the stairs shouting to Clayton that he was coming.
About 15minutes later Andie made her way upstairs after clearing the glasses and pizza boxes. She stopped outside Clayton's ajar door listening to Pacey's voice as he answered one of Clayton's questions about the book, it reminded her of the eagerness Clayton when get in his voice when Jack was around. Feeling sobs choke up her throat she ran down the hall to her room slamming the door shut she curled up on her bed and let the tears fall, wet mascara falling from eyes and staining the sheets.
Pacey tugged the sheets up tighter around Clayton's sleeping forms and switched off the light smiling at the young sleep form as he closed the door over. He began to make his towards the staircase when he heard a sniffling sound come from behind a familiar door. Tentatively he opened the door. "Andie.." he called into the darkness moving towards the bed he sat down next to the shaking body. "Andie?" he asked again as the small body drew away from him as the bed sagged under his weight.
"Leave me alone Pacey." Her voice was small, quiet, as if it were a million miles away and not a few short inches.
"No Andie." His voice was definitive as he took her into his arms and pulled her too him, stroking her blonde hair as she choked away the remaining sobs.
"Why do you do that?" She asked still facing away from him.
"Do what" He asked quietly unconsciously continuing to stroke her hair.
"Insist on comforting me."
"I don't like seeing you sad. I see you upset and I can't help myself trying to make you feel better"
"I miss this Pacey.." Andie admitted before she could stop herself.
"You miss what?"
"Oh, um nothing forget I said anything" Andie said trying to pull herself from his embrace only for Pacey to tighten his arms.
"Andie." he coaxed, a knowing tone in his voice, a tone she recognised that she wouldn't get away from.
"This, this closeness between us, I.I haven't experienced anything like it since. I'd forgotten how accustomed I'd became to it."
"I miss it too Andie." Pacey moved his hand to Andie's face and turned it to toward him. He looked down into her eyes and lowered his face to hers kissing her lips softly before breaking apart to gauge her reaction.
"Pacey I."Andie looked him her eyes a mixture of wanting and confusion.
"Shush" he said placing a finger on her lips and kissing her deeply with the passion of years of unconscious pining. He shifted there bodies to he was on top of hers, his weight resting on his arms placed either side of her, he broke the kiss when breath prevented either of them from continuing and looked down into her eyes, waiting for some kind of sign to continue. Never breaking eye contact he almost missed the barely audible reply she gave to his questioning gaze.
"Make love to me Pacey."
Andie wasn't sure how much time had passed when woke, reluctantly untangling herself from the strong embrace and tearing her naked form from warm body next to her she creep out of the bed, wrapping a robe around herself she sat in the chair placed opposite beside the window. She gazed at the clock which read 3.15am. She looked at Pacey's sleeping form and sighed looking at the smile on his lips as he stretched out in her bed his body entangled in the sheets.
"Hey" He whispered to her smiling.
"I think you should leave." Andie said back, her voice level matching the whisper but without the warm tone his had had.
"Oh."
"It's just that, with Clay, I mean I know he likes you and everything but I don't like him waking up to men in the house."
"Do this kinda thing often do you McPhee" Pacey grinned jokingly
"Pacey." Andie said her tone serious her eyes averted from his.
"Oh, eh, Sure Andie. Whatever you want." Pacey answered confused climbing out the bed and pulling his clothes on. "Do you want me to come by the in the morning?" He asked her walking round the bed towards her.
"No, I'll just see you at the church." She turned away from him and looked out of the window. "Goodbye Pacey."
"Bye Andie.." Pacey said softly, wondering what was going on.
Andie let a single tear fall down her cheek as she watched Pacey climb into his car and drive off into the night. "What have you done this time Andie.." she asked herself as she watched the car disappear round a corner.
IAN: Sorry it took so long to get out, hope it was worth the wait, Please leave a review! xXxDawn/I