Episode Eighteen "Surprise!"
Pacey woke up and like most mornings, lately, he went straight to the mailbox to see if his letter had come yet. Sifting through the pile he sighed as he prepared himself for another day of waiting. But near the bottom of the stack of bills was the letter had been waiting for, the BU stamp clear on the white envelope.
Pacey took the letter and quickly tore it open, but as he was about to pull the letter out he froze, unable to do it. He was too nervous to see for himself.
He took the letter with him as he headed for Drue's room. It was still early and as usual he was sound asleep. Pacey barged into the room making no attempt to be quiet.
"Drue!" Pacey said, but his roommate didn't stir. He walked over to the curtains and opened them, letting the bright sunshine in and he could see Drue start to move. "Drue!"
"Leave me alone, Pacey!" Drue mumbled, pulled the covers over his head to block the sunlight.
"Drue, wake up it's here!" Pacey said, walking over to Drue's bed.
"What's here?" Drue said, turning onto his back and opening his eyes slightly.
"My letter. What else?" Pacey said, still clutching the envelope.
"And? What does it say?" Drue sat up in bed, more interested now.
"I don't know. Haven't read it yet."
"So I'm guessing you woke me up at this godforsaken hour to read it for you?" Drue said, not amused.
"Pretty much."
Drue glared at Pacey and took the letter from him. He hated being woken up, but this was worth it. Pacey's nervousness had even made Drue a little anxious over the last few days. Pulling the letter out of the envelope he started reading.
"Dear Mr. Witter. We are pleased to inform you that your application has been accepted and…"
"Accepted? I'm in?" Pacey said, still not believing.
"You're in!" Drue confirmed as Pacey scanned the letter for himself. "This is so great. We'll be at college together."
"Oh my god!" Pacey instinctively gave Drue a manly hug, but then quickly pulled away.
"Hey now, no need to get all mushy on me Witter. We all knew you could do it."
"Yeah, I just can't believe it. Everything is finally going right for me. It seems a little too good to be true, you know?"
"You do know that you have to actually attend classes now? And study." Drue said as if Pacey hadn't realized that.
"Yes Drue. Unlike you I do intend to go to class."
"Hey! I go." Drue protested, and Pacey gave him a look. "Sometimes… When Jen is busy."
Pacey laughed as he got up to tell the one person who would be as happy as he was to hear the news.
-&-
"So, Brenda said a romantic evening would be a good idea. I think I have it all planned, but I'm not sure if he wants…" Jen stopped her ramblings for a second and looked at Jack, who wasn't listening. "Jack!"
"What? Oh, I'm sorry. You were saying?"
Jack realized he was being unfair to Jen and tried to concentrate.
"Are you okay?" Jen asked her best friend.
They were at the mall shopping for Drue's birthday present. Jen had been telling Jack her plans for Drue. But Jack's mind wasn't on anything she was saying.
"I'm sorry. You wanted my help in getting Drue's present and all I've been doing is sulking."
"It's okay. I'm more worried about you."
"I'm alright. It's just…David still isn't talking to me." Jack sighed. "I've left him a ton of messages and I went over a couple times, but he's never there, or he's not answering the door."
"I'm sorry, Jack. But you have to understand David's point of view, he must be really hurt. You told him you would break up with Tobey and you didn't."
"But I just couldn't. Tobey was talking about our ten month anniversary and I didn't even realize it had been that long. I feel so lousy. I just couldn't do it over the phone."
"Are you still going to break up with Tobey?"
"Yes. No. I think so." Jack said, not really sure.
"But David doesn't think so. He thinks you couldn't do it and you won't ever be able to."
"Maybe he's right."
"Well then you can't really blame David for being upset." Jen said softly.
"I know. It's so messed up." Jack sighed. "I feel bad, this day was supposed to be about you and I've just been going on about my problems."
"Hey, your problems are my problems." Jen said. "And I think I just found a solution to my earlier problem." Jen grinned as she stared at the shop in front of her. Jack followed her line of vision and looked shocked.
"A sex shop? You're not serious are you?"
"Come on." Jen laughed as she pulled Jack towards it.
-&-
Pacey went straight to Joey's dorm knowing she would still be there right now. When he reached her room the door was slightly ajar so he opened the door quietly. She was sitting on her bed, her back to the door and didn't notice him standing there.
He could see she was deep into her drawing and smiled. He loved the look she had on her face when she was really concentrating. He couldn't see her face right now, but he could just picture her.
He walked closer and came up behind her and whispered in her ear. "Boo!"
"Pacey!" Joey quickly turned and smiled. She closed her sketchpad and hugged her boyfriend. As they broke apart he tried to grab the pad away from her.
"I think I should be able to see it now." Pacey said as he tickled her trying to get it out of her hand. She moved and ended up lying flat on her bed with Pacey straddling her and tickling her mercilessly.
"Pacey! Pacey stop!" Joey screamed in between laughter.
Pacey held her arms down, but instead of taking her sketchpad he leaned down and kissed her making her even more breathless than before. Finally, he pulled away and she looked up at him.
"I have a present for you." He told her and she rose her eyebrows.
He took the letter that had been folded up out of his back pocket and handed it to her. She looked at him quizzically before she noticed the BU stamp on the envelope and from Pacey's attitude she knew he had done it.
"Is this what I think it is?"
"It is indeed." Pacey grinned.
"Oh Pacey!" Joey hugged him fiercely, really happy for him. "This is so brilliant."
Joey kissed him just as passionately as he had kissed her a few minutes earlier. He got so lost in her that he lost his balance and fell back on the bed, Joey landing on top of him.
"I'm so happy for you." The huge grin on her face letting him know she was proud of him.
"It's only school." He tried to downplay. "I just took an extra year to get my ass in gear."
"It's not just school, Pace. It's what you wanted. And you took charge of what you wanted instead of letting other people tell you, you couldn't do it." She kissed his forehead and he smiled, pulling her closer to him.
After a few minutes Joey got off him and held her hand out for him to stand.
"Come on, let's go for a walk." Joey said as she slipped her shoes on.
Pacey picked up her sketchpad which had fallen on the floor and handed it to her. Joey rose her eyebrows. "What?" Pacey asked innocently.
"You didn't even try and sneak a look at it."
"I don't need to. I already know whatever it is, it's beautiful." Pacey said softly and was surprised to find Joey walking over the top of the bed and jumping into his arms suddenly. "Whoa there, Potter."
"Have I told you lately how wonderful you are?" She said as she kissed him.
"Not lately." Pacey grinned.
"Okay, just checking." Joey joked as she moved away from him and opened the door.
"Come on, Potter, let's go have some fun."
-&-
"So, what are we doing tomorrow?" Drue asked his girlfriend casually. He and Jen were cuddled up on the couch in his apartment watching a movie on TV.
"I don't know. Whatever I guess." Jen said, pretending to not remember what tomorrow was.
"Whatever?" Drue said, hurt.
"Yeah. Why is it something special tomorrow?" Jen asked, trying to hide her smile.
"No. I guess not." Drue turned back to the TV trying to hide the disappointment he felt. He couldn't believe Jen had forgotten his birthday.
Jen waited a few minutes, sensing the wheels spinning in his head. She couldn't believe he actually thought she would forget his birthday. "Drue?"
"Hmm?"
"I just remembered, I can't do anything tomorrow."
"What?"
"I'll be too busy celebrating my very gorgeous boyfriend's birthday and in between all the celebrating and lovemaking I probably won't have any free time." Drue grinned suddenly.
"That's okay. I just remembered I'm busy too."
"That's okay then." Jen smiled and turned back to the TV.
This time Drue waited a few minutes before speaking up. "Jen?"
"Hmm?"
"There's going to be lovemaking?" Jen laughed as she looked at her boyfriend.
"Well that depends on how good you are." Drue laughed and stood up. "What are you doing?"
Drue smiled and then leaned over and picked Jen up into his arms. "I think we need to practice the lovemaking, just so you remember exactly how good I am."
"But the movie…" Jen protested weakly but Drue just shut her up with a kiss.
Jen held him tight as he carried her into his bedroom, dropping her only when he had reached the bed.
-&-
The next morning Drue woke up with his arms around his girlfriend. She felt him wake and turned so she was facing him, planting a soft kiss on his lips.
"Happy Birthday." She greeted and he pulled her close.
"Best birthday I've ever had." Drue mumbled as he kissed her, moving his lips over her neck.
"Drue…" She moaned, but pulled away.
"Hey!" Drue protested as she got out of bed, leaving him alone.
"You'd think that after last night you'd be a bit tired." Jen joked as she dressed.
Fully clothed now she leaned over Drue and kissed him thoroughly, giving him a real birthday kiss. He moved his hand through her hair and he knew he would never tire of this, of her.
"Now, have a quick shower and we can get on with the festivities." Jen said as she pulled away.
"But I like these festivities." Drue tried but Jen just laughed.
"Come on sleepy head. What kind of birthday is it if you spend all day in bed?"
"A pretty damn good one." Jen laughed, walking towards the door. "Hurry up hotshot." She called over her shoulder as she went to make breakfast.
-&-
Pacey and Joey had spent last night out celebrating Pacey getting into college when Joey got an idea. Pacey deserved to be shown just how proud everyone was of him. He deserved a party. She had realized that it was Drue's birthday today and then the idea of a joint party hit her.
She knew Jen was planning a surprise romantic evening, but a party wouldn't hurt. It would be nice for the girls to do something for the boys since they were always spoiling them.
It was her plan that led her to the boy's apartment that morning. She had walked to work with Pacey and then headed to the apartment, knowing that was where Jen would be.
"Is Jen here?" She said when Drue answered the door. In her excitement she forgot that half the reason for the party was because it was Drue's birthday.
"Hey Drue. How you doing? Happ…" Drue mocked before Joey cut him off.
"Oh my god. Happy Birthday!" Joey hugged Drue quickly, realizing her slip just in time.
Drue grinned as he pulled away from her. "Thanks. But it's obvious that you're here for my better half and not to wish me a happy birthday." Drue teased.
"Of course not. I just don't like to admit that I like you." Joey joked as she walked inside. Jen was sitting at the table and it was obvious that Joey had just interrupted their birthday breakfast.
"Hey Jo." Jen greeted.
"Hey. Sorry for ruining your breakfast." Joey apologized.
"Don't be. We were finished anyway." Jen got up and Drue went to clean up the dishes, knowing Joey was here to see Jen.
"I need to talk to you, in uh…private." Drue rose his eyebrows and she continued. "It's err…about some work I was having problems with."
Jen looked confused, but followed Joey into Drue's bedroom. "What's wrong?" Jen asked
"Nothing. I had an idea. You know Pacey got into BU, right?"
"Yeah, it's great." Jen beamed.
"Well, I want to throw him a party. You know, to show we all care and are happy. And since it's Drue's birthday today, I thought we could do it today. Make it a joint thing."
"That's a great idea, but I already planned this whole thing for tonight."
"Yeah I thought you might. But I was thinking you could do both. Start with the party and then you and Drue can leave when you need to?"
"Hmm, it could work. But it's kinda last minute."
"Come on Jen, it'll be great. We haven't had a party in forever and I think we could all use some fun." Joey begged, but Jen didn't need much convincing.
"Okay I'm in."
"Great. Now here's what we're going to do…"
-&-
Brenda put the phone down after talking to Jen, pausing for only a second before picking it up and dialing again.
"H'lo." Noah answered and Brenda smiled at his voice.
"Hey cutie. What are you up to?"
"Dreaming about you." Noah said easily.
"Obviously. What were you doing before that?"
"I'm always dreaming of you."
"Liar." Brenda laughed. "What are you doing tonight? And don't say dreaming of me."
"Well, in that case my calendar is free. Why?"
"It's Drue's birthday today and Pacey got into BU so Jen and Joey are throwing them a surprise party." Brenda told him.
"Cool."
"Yeah, it's kind of last minute, but they'll pull it off. So, do you want to come?"
"Sure." Noah agreed. "Are we going together?"
"Naturally." Brenda smiled and for safe measure added, "As friends of course."
"Right." She winced as she heard the tone in his voice. "I'll pick you up?"
"Yeah. And remember, it's a surprise so don't spill anything to Pacey."
"I won't. I'll see you then."
"Bye Noah."
Brenda hung up the phone and sighed. She was really scared that the more time she spent with Noah the more she was complicating her life, but she couldn't seem to stop herself.
-&-
"So I hear congratulations are in order."
"How did you know?" Pacey looked up at Noah and rose his eyebrows.
"Word travels fast in your circles." Noah reminded him. "Brenda told me. You must be pretty psyched."
"Yeah. I never thought I'd be this happy over school but I want this. I know I want to do something with my life and I'm finally doing something about it."
"Good for you. I guess you won't be the boss around here next year then?"
"No. I'm gonna work as manager till the end of the summer, but then they're getting someone new in."
"Well, you can be a lowly worker with me." Noah laughed.
"That's the plan. I'll still need to work. So, how are things on the Brenda front?"
"Great…"
"Why do I sense a but coming?"
"I'm really starting to like her and it's becoming hard to keep my distance."
"But you knew when you went into this that she wasn't ready for anything." Pacey reminded him.
"I know. And I thought I could just be friends. But it's hard. I just end up flirting with her and she doesn't really discourage it. I know she feels something which makes it even tougher."
"Are you sure you're not confusing friendly banter with flirting?"
"No. She definitely feels something. But she's holding back. I can tell."
"Even if she does feel something, she might not be ready to feel it. Maybe you should talk to her. Be honest about your feelings." Pacey suggested.
"Maybe your right."
-&-
Joey was in the kitchen sorting through the bags of food she had just picked up at the store when she heard the door. She quickly grabbed the various finger foods and drinks and stuffed them into the closest cupboard before exiting the kitchen.
"Pacey!" Joey smiled when she spotted her boyfriend. "What are you doing here?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing." Pacey said suspiciously.
"Me? I just came to uh…get my watch."
"Your watch?"
"Yeah. I left it here." Joey lied and then continued before he could question her further. "So, what are you doing home?"
"Nothing much."
"Well, why not? Have you seen Drue today?"
"No. Not yet."
"No? Pacey, he's your best friend and you haven't even spoken to him on his birthday?" Joey scolded.
"What? He's probably busy with Jen."
"Even so. You should call him. Take him out for a birthday drink." Joey suggested a little too enthusiastically.
"What's wrong with you Jo?"
"Nothing. I just don't want Drue to think you forgot his birthday. I remember you being a little upset when your best friends forgot."
"Yeah, but you actually did forget."
"Details, details. Go on, call him." Joey said, pushing him towards the phone.
"I am. Jeez Potter, bosy much?" Pacey joked as he went to pick up the phone.
-&-
"A trip across country? A car? A million dollars?"
"You do realize I'm not made of money, right?" Jen teased. They were sitting on the beach together and Drue was trying to guess what Jen's surprise was.
"I'm all out of ideas." Drue said as he turned and moved up his girlfriend's body slowly. She smiled as he reached her face and kissed her softly.
"I guess you'll just have to wait and see." She said laughing.
"Come on Jen! You're killing me here." Drue moaned. He took her hands and put them above her head, pinning her to the ground. "I bet I could make you talk."
"You can try anything you want Valentine, but I'm not saying a word."
"Are you sure?" He said as he leaned in and kissed her neck.
"You can do that all you want. I'm not saying anything. Except that you might scar the kids around here for life." Jen laughed as Drue moved off her, pouting now. "Aww my little baby, stop pouting."
"You're evil."
Jen was about to respond to that when Drue's phone started ringing. He picked it up and answered as Jen stuck her tongue out at him.
"Hello."
"Hey Drue, it's Pacey. Happy Birthday."
"Thanks man."
"So, what you up to today?" Pacey asked. Joey was still standing there telling him to take Drue for a drink.
"Nothing much. I'm just hanging with Jen at the beach."
"Do you want to meet for a drink later?" Pacey asked, but Joey was already telling him to go now and not later.
"Sure, hang on a sec." He turned to Jen and told her Pacey wanted to meet for a drink and Jen knew her plan was in action. She quickly told him to go and meet now.
"I can meet you in half an hour if you want." Drue said.
"Great, I'll see you then."
Drue hung up and turned to his girlfriend. "Why are you so keen to get rid of me?" Drue asked his girlfriend.
"I'm not. But we have plenty of time to spend together today, you should spend some time with your other friends." Jen reasoned.
"I guess." Drue said as he and Jen got up and gathered their things together.
-&-
"I swear, I had to practically force Pacey to pick up the phone." Joey said, looking up at the banner she had just hung up on the wall, checking to see how straight it was. "How's that?"
"A little to the left." Jen said as she went into the kitchen to get the snacks.
Joey got up onto the chair again and adjusted the banner. "I know what you mean, Drue wanted to spend all afternoon on the beach."
"Men." Joey commented, moving the banner one last time. "Now?"
Jen came back from the kitchen and looked up. "Perfect." Joey smiled and took Jen's hand to help her get off the chair.
"How much longer do you think we have?"
"About an hour I'm guessing."
"Good." Joey looked around and assessed the situation. The decorations were mostly finished; two banners with the words 'Congratulations' and 'Happy Birthday' and a few balloons around the apartment.
"Knock, knock." Joey and Jen turned around as Stacy and some of her friends came in carrying bags of wine and six packs of beer.
"Stacy!" Joey walked over to her roommate and took some of the bags.
"Now this is the stuff parties are made of. Erik's downstairs bringing up the keg." Stacy said.
"Great!" Jen beamed.
"It looks great guys." Stacy said and she looked around. "Too bad it's going to get messed up tonight."
"Yeah. We have to be careful. You know how the boys are about their apartment." Joey commented and Jen just looked at her.
"Joey! Our boyfriends would have trashed the place by now if we didn't keep them in line." Jen said laughing.
"So when's this party kicking off?"
"Soon." Joey said, looking at her watch.
"Which reminds me. I have to go home and get ready." Jen said as she went to pick up her things.
"You still haven't told me what you've got planned for tonight." Joey said suspiciously.
"It's a secret." Jen grinned.
"Come on, you can tell me, I'm your best friend."
"Sorry. I don't want to spoil it."
"Sneaky."
"You'll just have to wait until tomorrow."
"Fine, but I expect full details." Joey warned and Jen just laughed.
-&-
An hour and a half later the party was in full swing. Various friends of the whole gang had arrived, including some who weren't friends. Jen and Joey were proud of the turnout, on such short notice, although they shouldn't have really been that surprised.
Jen had returned from her dorm wearing a short black silk dress. Her soft blonde curls cascaded around her face, her makeup subtle. She'd taken her time getting ready for tonight.
Joey was wearing a baby blue skirt with a white top. She left her hair down and only wore a hint of makeup. She was too busy getting everything ready for the party to spend too much time on her looks, but she knew that Pacey loved this skirt on her.
"Jen!"
Jen looked towards the door and saw Brenda walking in, Noah following closely behind her.
"Hey what's up?" Jen said, smiling at them. "Noah, how's it going?"
"Great." Noah answered. "Sorry we're late, but your friend, here, spent about three hours getting ready."
"Noah!" Brenda hit him in the stomach. "Don't listen to him." She insisted.
"What? It's true! I had to practically zip you up and drag you out of the room."
"Zip you up, huh?" Jen raised her eyebrows.
"He's kidding. Tell her your kidding!"
"What? But I did…" Brenda stepped on his foot. "Oww!"
"Looks like a great party, how long till you expect the guest's of honor to show?" Brenda asked, ignoring Noah.
"Soon." Jen said.
She looked over Brenda's shoulder and saw Jack hanging back from the crowd, drinking a beer. Then she looked over at the door and saw David walk in. Damnit.
"Excuse me. I'll catch up with you later, okay?" She said to Brenda as she headed towards Jack.
She approached Jack and watched as his face fell when David walked straight past him to talk to someone else.
"Hey."
"Hey, Jen."
"I'm sorry." She apologized.
"For what?"
"Inviting David. I didn't think. I know you two are having problems."
"No, he should be here. I'm the one who messed up."
"You didn't mess up, Jack." Jen said, putting her arm around him a little.
"I did. I'm stuck in this place where everything is messed up and I don't know what to do about it. All I know is that I miss him."
"Why don't you tell him that?"
"He won't listen."
"Then make him listen. Don't give up." Jen said strongly.
"I guess."
"No, I guess. Go and do it now." Jen said just as the music stopped. "Or maybe not right now."
"Shh… they're coming." Joey called as she put the phone down. It was lucky she had decided to call Pacey to see where he was. "Somebody hit the lights."
Everyone stood still and Jen went to turn the lights off. As the boys walked towards the apartment the sound of their footsteps got louder.
"So, what have you got planned for the rest of the night?" Pacey asked as they walked up to their apartment. He took out his key and put it in the door.
"I'm not sure." Drue frowned as Pacey turned the key and opened the door to the apartment. "Jen has this whole--"
"SURPRISE!" Everyone shouted when Drue hit the lights.
"…planned." Drue finished his sentence in shock.
Pacey and Drue just stood there and surveyed their apartment. The banners and decorations hanging on the wall, music playing, the beer. And the two people behind it.
"Happy Birthday, Sweetie," Jen said, hugging Drue and giving him a kiss on the lips.
"How come I didn't know about this?" Pacey complained to his girlfriend.
"Because it's for you too silly." Joey said in a playful tone and then pointed to the 'Congratulations' banner on the wall. "I just wanted you to know how proud I am of you."
Drue and Pacey just looked at each other, still in shock. Then they turned and grabbed their girlfriends to show them just how much they appreciated it.
-&-
"So, are you having fun?" Brenda asked as she danced with Noah. He was holding onto her waist and she had her arms stretched out around his neck as they swayed to the song.
"Of course. I'm at a party, dancing with the most beautiful girl here."
"Really? I thought you were dancing with me." Brenda mumbled and Noah rolled his eyes.
"The real question is whether you're having fun."
"Oh I'm having a lot of fun." Brenda said smiling.
&
Unfortunately Jack wasn't in as good a mood as some people at the party. He walked straight past the dancing pair and looked around for David.
He had been ignoring Jack all night, but Jack couldn't let the night end without talking to him. He needed to explain. He needed to make it up to him. He needed him.
"David!" He called when he spotted David across the room, but he didn't hear, or maybe he was pretending not to hear.
Jack walked over to him and as soon as David saw him coming he tried to walk away.
"David, please!" Jack said grabbing his arm.
"No. Jack, please leave me alone." David said, in an almost pleading voice.
Seeing Jack was too hard. He knew if Jack just said one thing to him he would just be convinced to hang on a little while longer when he knew in his heart that Jack wasn't going to ever be with him.
"I just want to explain." Jack said, not letting go of David's arm.
"And I can't let you."
"Why not?"
"Because if you explain I'll want to believe that you still want to be with me when I know that you'll never break up with Tobey."
"I will!" Jack said on instinct.
"No, you won't." David said almost sadly. "And I don't want you to, not if that's not what you want to do. I don't want my feelings for you to come between your relationship with Tobey." David explained and Jack didn't know what he could say to convince him.
He didn't know if there was anything he could say. And as David walked away from him again, he realized there wasn't much else he could do. There was only one person he wanted to see now. And he was miles away.
&
"So, Miss Sneaky," Pacey said as he danced with Joey. "When exactly did you plan all this?"
"This morning."
"All this in one day?" Joey nodded. "I'm impressed."
"Well you're pretty impressive yourself."
"Me? Nah." Pacey joked.
"You are." Joey said sincerely as she moved her hand across his face, kissing him softly. "And I love you."
"Love you too."
-&-
"Jen!" Drue grabbed his girlfriend's waist as she breezed past him.
"Hey gorgeous." Jen said, turned into his embrace. "Having fun?"
"Yeah, it's really great." Drue laughed as he thought of something. "We have a habit of throwing each other birthday parties."
"Yes we do." Jen grinned. "Except I think I should get more credit since I actually threw your party on your birthday."
"True."
"Your party was more of a devious plan to get me to notice you." Jen grinned.
"It worked." Drue pointed out.
"Until you ruined it by handing over…"
"Okay that's enough of a trip down memory lane." Drue said quickly, not proud of the memory that came next. Jen just laughed.
"What? You did."
"Okay, but we don't need to think about that today."
"You're right, we don't." Jen grinned and leaned in to kiss him passionately. Finally, they pulled away and Drue looked at her lovingly.
"This was a great surprise, I really had no idea."
"Oh, this isn't your surprise." Jen said.
"It isn't?" Drue looked confused. "Then what is it?"
"You'll find out soon enough. In fact," Jen glanced at her watch. "You'll find out very soon. Let's go."
"Go? Where are we going? I've only been here a couple of hours and this is my party." Drue said but Jen was already pulling him towards the door.
"Do you want your surprise or not?" She asked.
"Lets go."
-&-
"Jo, don't you think it's a bit rude to come in here after Drue and Jen disappeared. This is supposed to be our party." Pacey said as Joey pulled him into his bedroom and closed the door.
"Not that I'm complaining," Joey walked into the room and started rummaging through Pacey's closet while he continued. "…but I don't think having sex while so many people are outside is such a good idea."
"Eww, Pacey!"
"What?"
"I'm not having sex with you now."
"Oh." Pacey stopped for a second. "Hey, why not?" Joey just laughed.
"I brought you in here to give you something." Joey said, pulling something big out of his closet where she had put it while the party was on.
"Is that…?" He guessed as she took out something, which looked suspiciously like a drawing board.
"Yeah." Joey said as she lifted the cloth that was covering her painting.
Pacey looked at it in awe. It was a painting of the two of them. They were holding each other and Pacey didn't know how to describe it. It was simply beautiful.
"Do you like it?" Joey asked, unsure.
"Do I like it? Jo, I love it." He admired, tugging her towards him and hugging her tightly.
"I thought you could have it, you know to keep in here or whatever…"
"I would love to have it. A Potter original. I'll keep it forever…or until the day it's worth millions for being one of the first big creations of the famous Joey Potter and then maybe I'll sell it."
"Pacey!" Joey laughed.
-&-
Jen had her hands over Drue's eyes as he attempted to walk while crouching low enough for Jen to reach his eyes. They were walking down the beach and Jen really wanted to laugh at him.
"Jen! This is stupid. You could have at least remembered a blindfold."
"Hey. Quit complaining. I was bound to forget something in all this organizing."
"I promise I won't look. Just let me stand upright."
"You promise?" Jen said as they stopped.
"I promise."
"Okay, but no peeking." Jen warned, finally taking her hands from his eyes. Instinctively Drue was about to open his eyes. "Uh uh!"
"Sorry." He closed his eyes again and Jen took his hand and led him to his surprise, occasionally glancing at him to make sure his eyes were still closed.
Drue already knew they were at the beach, and he could tell they were getting closer to water as the sound of the waves crash against the shore got louder. Whatever she had planned, he knew he would love.
"Okay, you can look." Jen said finally and Drue opened his eyes.
"Jen." He said a grin plastered all over his face.
A blanket was spread on the beach, two plates neatly laid out, and a basket in the middle. It was exactly like their first date.
"I just thought…" Jen tried to explain, but Drue silenced her with a kiss.
"I love it." Jen grinned as they sat together.
They started eating, and talking quietly. Drue couldn't imagine a better birthday. Just being able to spend it with Jen was perfect. Everything she had done for him today just made him realize even more how lucky he was.
"For our first date, you surprised me here, so I thought it would be romantic to surprise you the same way." Drue smiled.
"You know, we really have to stop stealing each others ideas though." Drue joked. "Infact now that I think about it, you're the one doing the stealing."
"Well Drue Valentine original ideas are just too good to not use again." Jen grinned.
"I'm sure you could come up with better."
"I like borrowing from you."
Drue smiled and then remembered something she had said earlier. "So, when do we get to do that lovemaking thing you promised?" he joked.
"Anytime you want sweetie, anytime." Jen grinned as she leaned into him. She was about to kiss him, but instead she looked into his eyes and repeated something he had asked her before.
"Can I kiss you now?" She whispered sweetly.
"I thought you'd never ask." Drue grinned.
Jen laughed, surprised that he remembered what she had said to him on their first date. She leaned in and kissed him deeply and he knew that this was definitely the best birthday ever.
-&-
The party ended hours later. Brenda and Noah had danced together most of the night and now at two am they were ready to fall asleep.
He walked with Brenda up to her dorm room. She held her heels in one hand and the other hand was around Noah's arm as she leaned on him from support.
"Are you drunk?" Noah asked, as she stumbled slightly.
"Noooo." Brenda said trying to be serious, but she wasn't serious enough to convince him.
"Right."
"I'm not!" Brenda said, as they stopped outside her room. She looked at him and pouted. "You don't believe me."
"I do." Noah said, trying to keep a serious face.
"You don't." Noah took a deep breath as Brenda took a step towards him. She was sticking her tongue out slightly and he had to try very hard to look away.
"You should uh…open the door."
"Right." Brenda nodded and turned to the door.
She fumbled with it, trying to calm herself down. She could feel Noah's warm body standing right behind her and the temptation to just give in to her desires was almost too much. She wasn't so drunk that she didn't know it would be wrong and she knew she would regret it in the morning.
"So…" She turned to him after finally managing to get the door open.
"So…" Noah mimicked.
"I had a lot of fun tonight." Brenda said, smiling at him nervously.
"Obviously, you were with me." Brenda laughed.
"Are you ever going to be serious in your life?"
"Hey! I was being serious." Noah joked.
They stood there for a couple of seconds and then Noah realized how late it was getting.
"I guess should…" He gestured to leave.
"Yeah, maybe you should."
"We don't want to wake the neighbors."
"Right." Brenda agreed nervously.
"I'll call you tomorrow?" he said and she nodded.
On instinct he leaned in to kiss her goodbye on the cheek and the small contact suddenly made them stand still. Noah looked into her eyes and then without thinking they both leaned forward and their lips met.
The kiss was filled with passion and lasted only a few seconds, but it felt like eternity. Finally, they pulled away and Noah took a step back. She smiled at him shyly, not knowing what else to do.
"Goodnight, Noah." She said simply and he smiled back.
"Goodnight."
-&-
The next morning Drue turned over in bed, groaning as the banging got louder. He could've sworn he hadn't drunk so much that his head would be pounding.
He pulled a pillow over his head and the banging could still be heard, and it finally clicked that the banging was actually coming from the door and not his head.
He sighed and opened his eyes slightly. The place next to him was empty, Jen had already left. It couldn't be that late. He squinted to look at the clock. Eleven am. Damn.
He was the only one home and the banging didn't seem to be going away. Still half asleep he got out of his bed, wearing only his boxers and not bothering to put any clothes on.
He walked through the living room which was still a mess with empty bottles and trash all over the floor. Stepping over it he finally made it to the door, ready to kill whoever was on the other side.
"Drue Valentine?" Drue frowned at the person he saw. A girl holding a baby boy in her arms.
"Yes?" Drue said, not knowing how she knew him.
"You don't recognize me, do you?"
"Uh…" Drue tried to remember why she seemed a bit familiar, but he was still too half-asleep to think.
"We uh…" The girl started and then stopped. "I've got something I need to tell you."
"What?"
"Well someone I'd like you to meet really."
"I don't understand." Drue looked even more confused as she gestured to the boy in her arms.
"This is Ryan, my son. Actually your son too. He's our son."
And now Drue could safely say that he was fully awake.
-&-
To Be Continued…