He stands up knowing he has to at least give her this much." Sure Sara come here."
She walks slowly over to him and he opens his arms to her. She has dreamed of this day all of her young life. It was happening now, just not the way she had hoped. At least she would know what it was like to be in her dad's arms. The moment they embraced Dawson was lost. This young woman in his arms was his and Joey's daughter. How could he turn her away, how could he trun thier son away. In that moment he knew, he couldn't. He looks at Mitch and holds out his hand for him to join them. Mitch waste no time, he runs into his fathers arms with a huge smile on his face.
Joey is watching with tears in her eyes. She knows that the hug sealed the deal, her kids were going to know thier father. She could see the look in Dawson's eye, he would never turn his back on his kids.
He slowly bends his head down and plants a kiss on each kids head. " Oh Joey I don't want to miss another moment of thier lives I thought the best thing was to allow them to go back to what they knew, but I can't." He says with tears in his eyes
"Dawson, you don't have too it is up too you. It is now your choice. You deserve the right to know them as they deserve the right to know you. I am sorry for what you have missed, but I do have it all on tape, I know it isn't the same, but it is there if you want to see it."
"Of course I want to see them, I have missed so much. I never want to miss anything again. I am sorry for how i acted. Can you guys forgive me?" He says to Sara and Mitch but including Joey in it with a look.
Mitch and Sara both say yes, as Joey nods her head letting him know how she feels. Dawson can see the tears in her eyes. He realizes this is what she has truly dreamed about for all these years. Maybe he was being to hard on her, she only did what she thought was best. Can he really fault her for that, Maybe a little, but he was going to have to put it behind him for the sake of thier kids.
"So tell me what are you three doing tonight?" Dawson asks.
"Three?" Joey asks.
"Yes three, do you have anything special planned?"
"No just going out for dinner and then back to the hotel. This trip was a little unexpected and unplanned for. So we aren't doing a whole lot of site seeing." Joey explains
"Well how about this, I am haveing a little gathering at my place. We are launching a new series on T.V., it is called The Creek. Why don't you guys come, it will be fun, and i can show off my kids."
"Oh can we mom, please, please, please. We will be good the rest of the year, if you let us go." Sara and Mitch say at the same time.
Joey looks at the two of them and smiles. How can she tell them and Dawson no. "Are you sure we won't be any trouble or a burden?"
"Trouble, burden, Joey you three will never be either of those things, not to me. It is settled then. Do you think it would be ok if i kept the kids while you went back to the hotel and got ready for the dinner party?" Dawson asks Joey
"What about them, don't they need to change as well?"
"I'll take care of that if it is ok with you and them?"
Mitch and Sara are looking at thier mom with hopeful eyes they want to stay with thier father, and learn as much about him as they can. Joey can see it in thier eyes, she can't say no. " If they want to stay then they can." she finally says. They both run to her and give her a big hug while saying thank you. Joey sees the excitment in thier faces and knows they have what they want.
Dawson walks to his desk and pushes the intercom. "Yes Mr. Leery."
"Tina would you call Mark and ask him to come in here please."
"Yes right away."
"Joey think you can hang around for a little while?" Dawson asks her.
"Um-sure." She tells him. I hope he doesn't want to yell at me. I know what i did was wrong, but i hope that heart of his still knows how to forgive.
A well dressed man, well really a kid, he looks about 20, walks in.
"Mr. Leery, you sent for me?"
"Yes Mark, i would like you too meet my son Mitch, and my daughter, Sara."
"Nice to meet you." Mark says with a look of confussion.
"It is a long story Mark, but i am sure you will have a chance to hear it."
"Of course sorry for the stares."
"It is ok I had the same reaction. Would you do me a favor and give Sara and Mitch a tour of the place." It was more of a statement than a request.
"Sure follow me guys." He says as he leads them out. They are so excited that they are going to get to see the rest of the place. After they are gone Dawson turns his attention on Joey.
"So from what Sara was saying it has been kinda hard on the three of you. Why didn't you ever call Jo? You know i would have been happy to help."
"Because Dawson, the whole reason i left to have them is so you could realize your dreams. If i would have called you it would have ruined everything i did so you could."
"What about your dreams, Joey."
"Oh Dawson, I have my dreams and so much more. I am the editor for the paper, i have a nice house, good friends, and two of the greastest children, From the man i love and who's kids i wanted to bear. I would say my life in almost complete."
"Almost, what is it missing Joey?"
"My family back in Capeside, i haven't seen them in thirteen years. Then there is you."
"What about me Joey."
"Well, having you back in the kids' life. So they could get to know you and you them."
"I see." Dawson knows there is more to it than that but not too sure if he should say something or not. He has never given up hope of finding her and restoring thier relationship. He realizes he may not get another chace." Is that all, Joey or is there more?"
"What more could there be? I made a chocie i know that would alinate us for the rest of our lives. I did it for you, because i love you that much. I made my bed now i have to lay in it."
"And what if i say it may not be as bad as you think it is?" Dawson asks Joey with a gaurded look.
"I would say all of my dreams really have come true, But i know it can never be." Joey says with a down cast look.
Dawson has had enough of this it is plain she still love him, and even though he is angry she did this, he still loves her. 'Time for action old boy' He tells himself. With not another word he walks to her, grabs her arms and kisses her. It is a kiss that has been thirteen years in the making, and it shows. The passion behind it supprises even Joey as they both pull away and say "WOW."
"Are you still convinced it can never happen?" He asks her
"I'm not sure what to believe. You know i didn't come here for this reason. I did come to tell you about them. They want to audition for your movie and i figured it would be one way to break the ice. I never expected you too ever forgive me. Accept the children yes, want to spend time with them yes. Want me back in your life, was the farthest thing in my mind."
"Joey i never stopped looking for you, i never stopped loving you. All i have done these past thirteen years is search for you. Bessie even gave up. but not me. I couldn't understand how you could walk away from us. Now i know and even though it makes me angry that you did what you did, i love you even more for it."
With this statment Joey's head whips up, tears are in her eyes as she looks deep into the soul of the boy she knew so well in high school. There in that soul it is like she never left. All the love all the desires were still there. Her heart skips a beat when she realizes that her dreams could come true. Her and Dawson together again with thier kids with them, a real family.
"Dawson are you saying that there is a chance for us?"
"No Joey there is no chance there is only US." He says
That was the final straw, Joey felt weak and started to fall. Dawson grabbed her before she hit the floor. He carried her to the chair and sat her down in it. He slowly stroked the hair from her face in gentle slow brushes.
"Jo are you ok? Is there something wrong?"
"No i am fine Dawson, maybe for the first time in a long time i am fine." She says as she smiles at him.
God he has missed that smile, he can remember a time when he could get lost in that smile. In fact he was right now, all of the anger in him just vanished like it had never been there. How did she do that? He wondered to himslef. With that he reaches up and kisses her slowly and passionatly, just as Mitch and Sara walk back in from thier tour of the studio.