Chapter 23
It was a beautiful winter morning. The sun shone brightening the white blanket of snow covering the ground. Dawson was first to wake up- with a smile on his face. He looked over at Joey, who was sleeping soundly on her back. She used to sleep on her stomach, but Dawson noticed since the pregnancy, she had began to sleep on her back. He just sat there for a few minutes watching her sleep, wondering how he had gotten so lucky. Maybe this really was their 'happily ever after.' Of coarse he'd never verbalize the thought, for fear that if he said it, it'd jinx everything.
His stomach grumbled as he smelt his mother's cooking downstairs. He leaned over and kissed Joey and her stomach softly before putting on some clothes and heading downstairs.
"Morning honey!" Gale said happily as she stood over the stove, Lily beside her. Dawson smiled at the sight of his little sister helping their mother cook pancakes. Lily turned around, a huge grin on her face-along with pancake batter-that broke his heart every time he saw it. She was going to be a heartbreaker when she grew up.
"Good morning, Dawson! Mommy and I are making breakfast!" she explained happily.
"I see that," he said as he walked over to the two, kissing his mother on the cheek quickly, then giving his sister one on the cheek as well.
"You've got pancake mix all over you," he said as he wiped some off her face. She giggled.
"Mommy let me mix the stuff in the bowl," she explained, pointing to the large bowl beside his mother. Dawson smiled as he shook his head and laughed. He wondered if he'd wake up to Joey and their child doing this.
"Yeah, they do this some mornings, I usually come down to a messy kitchen," John said, looking up from the paper.
Dawson smiled. "I bet."
"Where's Joey?" Lily asked suddenly, realizing Joey's absence. Dawson opened his mouth to answer, but stopped when he saw his sister's eyes grow wide and brighten.
"Joey!" she exclaimed. Dawson turned around to see Joey walk into the kitchen. He smiled as she walked over to him, putting an arm around him and yawned.
"Hi Lily," she said warmly.
"She's helping mom make breakfast," he explained, as if it wasn't obvious.
"Oh you are, are you?" Joey asked.
Lily nodded her head quickly. "You can have more so the baby can have some too." Joey smiled.
"Well thank you." Lily paused for a second, thinking.
"Does the baby like pancakes?" she asked. The adults laughed.
"I'm sure it does," Dawson assured his little sister. She smiled and turned back around to watch Gale flip the pancakes.
"So what are your plans today?" Gale asked the two of them. Dawson and Joey just looked at each other, not exactly sure what their plans we're.
"Not sure yet. We're probably just going to venture around town for a while," Joey explained. "Maybe shop a little for some baby stuff."
"Oh yeah, that's right, don't let me forget; you guys are talking the crib with you," Gale said.
"My crib?" Lily asked. Joey walked over to Lily, and bent down; as best as she could.
"Is it alright if we take your old crib for the baby?" she asked. "Cuase the baby needs a place to sleep and you've already got a big girl's bed," she explained. Lily thought for a second.
"Okay, I guess I can let the baby have it," she said. Joey smiled.
"Thank you," she said, the two then hugged.
Joey giggled as she walked on the right side of Dawson, swinging a plastic bag of baby necessities they had just picked up in town.
"Did you really have to pick up all that stuff?" he asked. Joey gave him a look.
"Dawson, we need all this stuff for the baby," she reminded him, turning around so she was facing Dawson, yet walking backwards.
"Alright, alright," he said, giving in. "Jeez, this kid making me poor and it's not even born yet," Dawson said.
Joey stuck her tongue out just as she felt herself bump into someone. She quickly whirled around.
"Oh, I'm so sorry…" she trailed off as she looked up and realized who it was; taking a step back, towards Dawson.
"Pacey, hi," Joey said, slightly taken back. She didn't expect to see him; or literally run into him for that matter.
"Hey guys," he said, putting his hands in his coat pocket.
"Hey," Dawson said, smiling. Pacey's gaze fell onto the bulge underneath Joey's winter coat. He hadn't seen her since they had talked that day at the Ice House; she was barely along in her pregnancy then. Now she was noticeably pregnant, and seemed to be glowing.
"Wow Jo, I gotta say; pregnancy suits you," Pacey said.
Joey smiled at Pacey's compliment as Dawson snaked an arm around her. "Thank you Pace." The three fell silent.
"So, you guys picking up some post-Christmas gifts or what?" Pacey asked, smiling as he motioned to the bag Joey was carrying. Joey looked down and smiled.
"No, actually we we're just picking up a few things for the baby," Joey explained. Pacey nodded.
"Already, huh?" he asked.
"Well the baby's due in April, so.." Joey trailed off.
"Wow," Pacey said. He smiled, looking at the two of them and realized just how happy she looked; she was glowing. And Dawson… he was grinning like an idiot. He had had some time to think after he and Dawson talked on the phone a few weeks back, most of his anger gone realizing he was never the 'one' for Joey. He had only hoped he was, but he realized their time together was done; it had been for a while now.
"Well uh.. I gotta get going. Got a few things to do for the Ice House," Pacey explained. "But it was nice running into you guys," he said quickly.
"I think Joey did most of the 'running into'," Dawson said, picking on Joey, "But yeah, it was nice to see you Pacey."
Pacey smiled. "So how long are you two going to be in town?" he asked curiously, not completely wanting to leave, but knowing she should.
"We're leaving tomorrow," Joey explained.
Pacey nodded. "Well have a safe trip back," he said.
"We will, bye Pace," Dawson said, extending his left hand. Pacey looked down at Dawson's hand and smiled before shaking it.
"See you guys later," Pacey said before continuing on his way. Dawson and Joey just stood there for a second, Dawson's hand still around her.
"Wow," Dawson said, finally. "Dare I say things may work out between the three of us?" he said. Joey rolled her eyes and swatted his arm.
"Oww, why'd you do that for?" he asked.
"You probably just jinxed us," Joey said as the two started walking once more. Dawson laughed as they continued their walk, hand in hand.
One Week Later…
"I still don't see why you've gotta go," Joey pouted as she sat on the couch, flipping through a magazine. Dawson smiled as he put down his suitcase. He and Joey had discussed the fact that he still had to make a trip back to L.A. to get the rest of his stuff from his old apartment and to check up on the show. Joey hadn't enjoyed the idea of Dawson being gone for up to a week, and Dawson knew it.
"I'll be back before you know it," he promised as he sat down beside her, putting his arm around her.
"But you'll miss the six month prenatal appointment," she reminded him.
"I know, but I promise I'll make it up to you when I get back," he said, not knowing what he'd do yet to make it up to her.
"Promise?" she asked, looking up at him.
"Promise," he assured her. She smiled as he leaned forward and kissed her. After they broke off their kiss, Dawson groaned, resting his head on the back of the couch.
"I don't want to go," he groaned. "Why is it every time I'm supposed to get on a plane, you make me not want to."
Joey laughed. "I can drive you, you know. The offer still stands." Dawson shook his head as he got up from the couch.
"No, you see, if I'd have to say goodbye to you and our unborn child at the airport… I probably wouldn't be able to get on the plane," he explained. Joey laughed once more.
"Alright, fine. Get outta here," she said. "Although this will probably be the last time I ever see you. You'll fall in love with some beautiful blond while your down there. Then I'll be alone, raising our child alone here in New York while your leading a high profile life in L.A," she said.
Dawson rolled his eyes. "Drama queen."
"I know," Joey said, grinning.
"I promise I'll call you as soon as I land," he said, holding up his cell phone.
"Kay'" she said. Dawson smiled and leaned down for another kiss before leaving. He couldn't believe how hard it was for him to leave. He was going to be gone only three days, a week tops.
Dawson sighed as he stood at the gate, ready to board the plane. His every thought on Joey and how much he'd miss her for the few days he'd be gone. Not being able to take it any longer, he took his cell phone out and dialed their home number.
"Hey, it's me."
"Dawson, why aren't you on the plane?" she asked. "Ohmigosh, your not on your way home, are you?" she asked.
Dawson laughed. "Don't give me any more ideas," he said. "No, I as just standing here thinking about you and needed to hear your voice," he explained.
"Aww," Joey said on the other line. "Dawson, your sweet and I love you but… the sooner you get on that plane the sooner you'll get back," she told him.
"I know," he said. "Alright, I gotta go. I love you."
"I love you too." Dawson stuck the cell phone back in it's case and paused before boarding the plane.