Epilogue
And so Dawson and Joey's lives truly began.
Without the fear that had held them back before.
The biggest fear having been realised when they lost each other.
Of course it wasn't easy. Two blissful weeks hidden in a rental house in Capeside soon came to an end and both of them had to re-enter the real world, Joey going back to New York and Dawson heading back to LA to try and organise his divorce to Gretchen.
Not that she had made it easy. Devoid of any friends, as the Hollywood circle moves quickly from friend to friend, she turned to the only thing she knew would help her.
4 television interviews and several print articles later, everyone knew the 'truth'. That Dawson had been seeing Joey behind her back for the entirety of their marriage and that she was 'forced' into a relationship with Ira to plug the desperately lonely hole in her life. For a while she was the toast of Hollywood again, her old friends calling her and offer's for television shows flooding in.
It didn't last for long. Audrey's Broadway career had gone from strength to strength and she was cast as the lead in the film version of her musical. When giving an interview she revealed at lot more than anyone was expecting, mostly Gretchen.
'So were you shocked by the breakdown in the Leery's marriage?' Jenny Silvers had asked her during an E exclusive interview.
'Not at all. She had been sleeping with Ira for the length of their marriage,' she had answered casually.
'That's not what she is saying. How did you know?'
'Well, lets say I saw her get more than a dance from Mr Lowenstein at her wedding…'
Even Dawson was shocked by that one. The interview continued with the truth about Joey and Dawson.
'So you had a close relationship with Joey Potter over the last 10 years. Is it true about her affair with Dawson Leery?'
'Absolutely not. I lived with Joey in New York and at no point did she even speak to Dawson, let alone do the nasty! She wanted to give Dawson the chance to work at his marriage, despite her feelings for him,'
She had later gone on to reveal to Dawson that it was her that had hired the P.I who took the photo's that finally caught them out. Handing Dawson a big file, full of other pictures and audio tapes, she smiled and ruffled his hair.
'That should help you with the divorce honey,'
And it did, the transcripts were made open to the public and had vindicated Dawson and restored him as an up and rising star. It became very clear that Gretchen wasn't the wronged woman she had made everyone think she was. Dawson, in the circumstances, was more than generous with her settlement. It meant she wouldn't have to work again. But then, he kind of knew, she would never be able to work in the town again. So she quietly dropped out of the media circus, crawling back to Capeside to beg forgiveness from her family. Not that it was readily coming. And so she got in her expensive car and drove away, not to be seen again.
Things for Joey changed swiftly too. Her boss, finally tired of her celebrity status, issued her a warning, which she took…and then quit her job. She packed her apartment, put all of it into storage and travelled to LA to finally be with the man she loved.
They finally got married at the ruins in Capeside, after much bargaining and finally having to buy the place from the elderly owner. It was a simple wedding, with no one from Hollywood there…well except Audrey who was maid of honour. They laughed and danced late into the night and the little girls got to wear non itchy bridesmaid dresses.
So when time came for the pair of them to decide what to do, it seemed so obvious that they couldn't believe they hadn't thought of it before. Joey wrote a long and thoughtful script from Dawson's old beach house (which Dawson managed to buy back from the owners) and Dawson helped to turn it into a screenplay. They pitched it to several Hollywood players and then Spielberg, who insisted on making it. 2 long years later, 'And so it is' was made and released, re-launching Audrey onto the world stage once more and the unknown Debbie Wheeler from Capeside. It turned out she was a wonderful actress. The film went national and was extremely popular.
And so that brings us to tonight.
Joey sat next to her husband, reaching over and squeezing his hand gently as the beautiful young actress crossed the stage towards the podium, in his hand was a cream envelope.
'Talent is said to be 5 inspiration and 95 perspiration. Tonight we celebrate the inspiration and perspiration of the following writers. Here are the nominations for Original Screenplay.
Maria Adair for Protect and Serve
Francis Bretagne for Expiration Date
Michele Gondry for The World End
And Josephine Potter for And so it is.
And the Oscar goes to…Josephine Potter,'
Joey leant over and kissed her husband deeply, pulling away to see the smile on his face. The crowd behind her cheered loudly and got to their feet.
'Unfortunately Josephine Potter could not be with us this evening, but I know I speak for Joey when I say she is thrilled and wants to thank me for everything,' Audrey said through the television, winking at the camera. The auditorium at the Kodak theatre laughed loudly.
'She is currently at home with her friends and family and the newest arrival Louisa. Hi Louisa, it's your aunt Audrey!'
Joey laughed loudly at Audrey pulling faces to the camera. The TV makers were obviously humouring her. She looked down at the new born baby in her arms. Louisa had surprised everyone, including most of PR people who worked for Joey and Dawson's company. 5 days before they were both due at the Oscars, Joey having picked out a sensible maternity evening dress made for her by Valentino, she went into labour during her brief visit to Capeside before taking the train back to Hollywood. Caught completely off guard, she ended up having the baby on the floor in the Gail's family room, the same place that Bessie had given birth years before.
'So let me finish by saying that Joey, of course, thanks her scrumptious husband Dawson and her friends and family. I'll see you soon Bunny with this!' she said, holding the Oscar in the air.
The music started again and Audrey walked elegantly off stage with the Oscar. Joey mused that things couldn't have turned out better. The thought of being in front of everyone at almost 9 months pregnant frightened her. Let alone the thought she might have won!
'So, I now have a pair of Oscar winners for children!' Gail exclaimed, draping her arms across both of their shoulders while starring down at her first grandchild.
'I'm so happy for you guys!' Jack said, kissing Joey on the check and shaking Dawson's hand vigorously.
'Thanks. It's all a bit too much at the moment!' Joey said, brushing a tear away from her face. 'I'm just going to put her to bed for the rest of the show, I'll be right back,'
'I'll do it! I don't mind,' Gail said enthusiastically.
'No, no. Stay, I won't be a second.' She said, getting to her feet and making her way to the staircase.
'Congratulations Dawson, you must be so proud,' Doug shook his hand.
'It's not every week your wife gives birth to your first child and wins an Oscar. But that's Potter for you, always over achieving' Pacey said, slapping him on the back.
'I am proud of her. It's been such a huge change over the last few years. I'd never thought I'd be here,' he said thoughtfully, hearing Louisa cry slightly. 'I'm going to go check on her, excuse me,'
Joey was leaning over the cot in Dawson's room. His mother, still unable to let go in some respects, had not changed the room since he changed it for his film years ago.
He snuck up behind her and kissed her on the neck, wrapping his arms around her. She leaned back and sighed deeply.
'This feels so weird…' she murmured.
'I know. But the Oscar thing wears off quickly, believe me,'
'Not that. Being a mom. Having her here with me. It's just…wow! You know what I mean?'
'Yeah I know…expect the part of being a mom…' he laughed.
Joey slapped him playfully on the arm and laughed too.
'Is she asleep?' Dawson whispered.
'Yeah, just about. Lets go join the others, see how the film does with the other nominations,' Joey grabbed his hand and led him out of the room, closing the door quietly.
'Wait, before we join the others, I just wanted to tell you how proud I am and that I love you so much,' Dawson kissed her on the lips, running his fingers through her now long hair.
'I love you too Dawson,' she whispered, their foreheads touching.
'Hurry up you two, it's the best director award,' Andie cried from downstairs.
But the two didn't move, not even when the cheer erupted from downstairs. And again when a second cheer went up several minutes later.
Their foreheads touching, their fingers entwined and their hearts joined forever, they stayed still for a long time.
'I love you Joey,'
'I love you too Dawson,'
