A/N: Here is the second chapter. I just want to say a big huge THANK YOU to all those who reviewed this story and took time to write a comment. It means a lot to me. I'm sorry it took me long time to update. I got my wisdom teeth taken out, so was not available to write anything. I have later chapters already written, so it should not take me forever to update ;)
In one of the reviews, someone seemed confused at the mention of bringing Andie back. I just want to make clear that this story is based after the series finale. The real series finally, not the tv version. If you haven't bougth the dvd, you should. You should also know that Andie did come back for the series finale, it was however cut for the tv version. She came to the hospital to see Jen and she talked with Pacey. It was cute. Seriously, the dvd is really worth every penny it costs.
Disclamers: I don't own them, of course. The song "Butterfly Kisses" is not mine either.
Please read and review. Reviews are very very very appreciated.
Joey had been staring at the tv for almost two hours. She had cleaned the appartment, baked muffins, and washed three loads of laundry. She had been in Capeside for two weeks and was starting to get bored. At first, she had helped Pacey at the restaurant. The high school kids he usually hired for the summer rush had finals and were not yet available. However, everything was now under control. Tourists were in for the summer and the restaurant did not need her. She did not want to get bored. She didn't want those weeks of bliss and pure joy to turn to boredom. She wanted the thought of having her life finally where she wanted it to be to be enough. She hated herself for not being able to keep the happiness going. Well, no. She was happy. Pacey made her happy. Everything about him, about them, was perfect. It was everything else that wasn't all that perfect. She did not have a job and had never really treasured the housewife role.
She needed something to do. She needed some kind of a plan. The ringing of the phone interrupted her thoughts.
"Hello."
"Joey! Hey, it's Jack. How are you?"
"I'm alright. How is the little family?", she asked with a smile, thinking of the happy little family that Jack, Doug and Amy formed.
"We're good. Actually, I wanted to ask you if you could maybe watch Amy. I know you said you would, so I was wondering if that offer still stands".
"Yes. Please, bring her over. She can even spend the night if you guys want some, you know, alone time". Joey loved the little girl. So did Pacey, but Pacey loved every kid and every kid loved him.
"Hmm. Actually, I was just going to ask you to watch her for a few hours. But the idea of the night off is probably not bad either. Are you sure you don't mind?"
"I'm very positive about that. I would love to spend some time with her. I know Pacey would too."
"Okay, well... that 's great then. I'll be there in about 20 minutes".
"Ok! Great! See you then" Joey hang up, smiling.
Joey buckled Amy up in her car seat and drove to the Icehouse. Pacey saw them get out of the car. He looked at Joey. She was wearing a pink skirt and a black tank top, her hair was up. She took his breath away. She always took his breath away, no matter what she wore and he felt she always would. She picked Amy up from the back seat and walked toward him, smiling.
"Amy!" The little girl turned toward him and smiled. She reached out her arms toward him and he picked her up. "Hey gorgeous..." He crawdled Amy to his side and bent down to give Joey a kiss. "How was your day?".
"Boring. But then Jack brought Amy over and she made it all better. She's spending the night." Joey looked up at him and ran a hand through Amy's hair, smiling.
Pacey looked at her with a look of concern on his face. He frowned a bit.
"You were bored?"
Joey walked around him to the bar and sat on a stool. She asked Anna, the bartender, for a glass of water. Pacey took the stool beside her, sat Amy on the bar and turned toward Joey, waiting for her to answer. She was staring at her glass.
"Well... the place is clean, the laundy is done, I've baked muffins. Rasberry, you're favorite kind. I also watch Jerry Springer. Then I watched the Young and the Restless and if you should know, I think Damon and Phyllis are perfect for each other." She finally looked at him with a little smile. He felt his chest tighten and this feeling of panick in the pit of his stomach. He was afraid of that. He was afraid she would get bored and resent moving here. He had made no sacrifices this time. She had made them all. She had quit her life in New York and moved here, without thinking twice. She usually always thought twice about everything. She was regretting it. It killed him inside to think that she did.
"Pacey?"
"Hmm?"
Joey looked at him and saw the look on his face. He thought she was not happy with him. She hated herself for making him think that.
"Pacey, that's not what I mean. I'm happy with you. Every second that we spend together is perfect. I look at you and I have butterflies, Pace. After all these years, you still make my knees go weak when we kiss. I just... I just need to find something to do while I'm not, you know, looking at you or kissing you." She shot a teasing smile his way, leaned forward and pressed a reassuring kiss on his lips. She pressed her forehead to his. "I love you, Witter. Nothing will ever change that. Okay?"
He looked her in the eyes. "Okay".
"Great. I'm starving. Are you going to feed us?" She raised her eyebrows at him, picked Amy up from the bar and sat her on her laps.
"Oh yeah." He got up, shot them both a smile and walked toward the kitchen, a little relieved, but still wishing there was something he could do.
Pacey closed the door behind him and walked to the couch. He sat beside Joey and put his arm around her. She leaned into him.
"She's sleeping?"
"Yes. I recited the English Patient. I swear, it's the best bedtime story ever. Kids always fall for it".
Joey smiled up at him. She put her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.
"It's not the story, Pace. It's you they fall for..."
He kissed her head, grinning. They both fell asleep peaceful in each others arms.
Pacey was at the grocey store when Jack came over to pick Amy up the next day.
"So? How did it go?" He raised Amy into his arms, obviously ecstatic to see her.
"Well it went very well. She's a sweetheart..."
"Oh, yes."
"She reminds me of Jen... is that crazy? I mean, she's just a baby." Joey asked him, staring at the blonde little girl.
Jack looked at her too, a sad smile on his face.
"No, it's not crazy. It's the smile. They have the same smile. It's a daily remember. This kid smiles all the time".
"Jack, how are you doing, really?" Joey sat on the couch and Jack sat across from her.
"I'm okay. It's just that sometimes it's harder than I would like it to be. I mean, I'm trying to avoid the subject most of the time because it makes me sad and I hate being sad. I've spent weeks on end in sadness."
"Oh. Okay, I'm sorry." Joey gave him a little smile of apology.
"No. It's alright. I just... I don't want Amy to forget Jen. I know we have that video that Dawson made of her, and I would love to talk to Amy about Jen. I want her to know how she was, who she was. I really would. I'm just having a hard time doing it. It's, hmm.." Jack's voice broke, tears rolled down his cheeks. Joey had tears in her eyes as well. They thought that time would make it easy, but it was just as hard. The thought of Jen not being with them was horrible. However, what was even harder was the thought of Amy growing up without a mother. Jen had been a great mom. Joey knew that Jack and Doug were awesome with her, but she also knew how hard it was to go through life without a mom. She at least had had vivid memories of her mother. Amy would not, did not.
They sat in silence for a few minutes. Suddenly, Joey turned to Jack, a jubilant look on her face.
"What?" Jack asked her, wiping the tears from his face.
"Oh my God. I just had an idea. If you don't mind, and I really hope you won't, I'd like to write a book. Or many little kids books."
"Hmm. Okay. Why would I mind?" He looked confused.
"Right. Hmm, I think I know how to make sure Amy doesn't forget Jen. I'll write her a few bed time stories, with drawings and all. About Jen. And how she was and what she wanted Amy to know. We knew her, we can pass that knowledge of her down to Amy."
Jack's eyes lit up and swell up with tears again.
"Jo, if you could do that, it'd be amazing. Seriously. It's brilliant. And I know that Jen's biggest fear was that Amy would grow up alone, that she would not belong. And to know that you would spend time writting stories so that Amy knows what her mother was like would have made Jen so happy."
Joey smile at him and looked down at Amy. The little girl was playing with Jack's shirt sleeve, content with her little game. "Butterfly Kisses" was playing softly in the background.
I must have done something right
To deseve a hug every mornin'
And butterfly kisses at night
Sweet 16 today
She's lookin like her mama
A little more every day
"Jack, she's going to know Jen. We're not going to let her forget or grow up without that knowledge. I promise you that."
Jack nodded and wrapped Joey in a hug.
