As Joey reached the door, Jen had made her way down the steps. When Jack's eyes met with Jen's they both realized who it was at the door.
"Joey... "They both said in an attempt to prepare her for what surprises were hiding behind the door. Unfortunately they were to late, Joey opened the door.
"Bunny" Audrey screeched as she quickly embraced Joey. Joey was shocked.
"Audrey what are you doing here?" Joey asked, laughing. But before Audrey could answer Lily caught a glimpse of the person still standing outside, still unseen by Joey.
Lily shot up and was running toward Dawson. He quickly whisked her up into his arms.
"Dawson, you're here!!" exclaimed a clearly thrilled Lily.
Everyone behind them quickly stood up to greet the guests. Joey stepped back from Audrey and looked behind her to see Dawson and Lily. He gently kissed Lily's cheek and turned to Joey. He couldn't help but smile.
Joey stood staring at Dawson until Audrey grabbed her hands.
"Well I guess this is when I should say 'Surprise'." Audrey giggled. Joey leisurely shook her head.
"Yeah, I would say so." Joey reached over and hugged Audrey once again. "Wow it's so great to see you. You look breathtaking!"
"You look pretty amazing yourself." Audrey slowly slipped off her coat. Joey quickly grabbed her coat and held it.
Dawson had been entertaining a very content Lily.
"Are you all done?" Lily asked Dawson.
"Yup, and I get to stay home for a while and play with my favorite sister." He said as he placed her back down on the ground.
"You silly, I'm your only sister." She giggled and started pulling his hand. She quickly was right by Joey's side. Jack nudged Jen's side, he bit down on his lower lip, and they both could see that Joey was caught off guard. She looked a little apprehensive about the circumstances. Luckily Lily was there, she helped ease the situation slightly.
"Audrey you remember Lily." Joey said motioning over too Lily. "Lily this is one of my closest friends Audrey."
"Well aren't you turning into a gorgeous little girl," said Audrey as she leaned down to come to Lily's eye level. "You sure are growing into a big girl."
Lilly nodded happily. "I turn four next week."
"Well I guess this is the day of mystery guests." Joey said as she turned around to face Jen and Jack. They both shot back a cheesy grin. She turned around and greeted Dawson.
"Why isn't this a surprise, umm, nice to see you Dawson." She smiled and reached to shake his hand.
"Hi Joey." He said as he quickly took the offered handshake. A part of him was slightly let down. Here was the one person whom he considered one of his best friends, she only offered a mere handshake, no embrace, just a handshake. "So how are you doing?"
"Good and yourself?" Joey answered as she scooped up Lily.
"Pretty good." Dawson couldn't help but look at Joey as she leaned over and picked up Lily. They rubbed noses and laughed. There was a bond there, he could see it. It didn't bother him, in contrary he found it comforting. It surprised him, only months before he was jealous of Joey and Lily. Every time he heard Lily talk about Joey, a part of him felt like he was being replaced. Being there and seeing the two of them together, something changed inside of him.
They all walked into the living room and were sitting down. Lily kept moving from the couch with Joey to Dawson's lap. Audrey was rambling on at the speed of light. Even Andy was in awe.
"Anyway I just decided why not just go for it and just head out here a few days early. Then I ran into Mr. Hollywood at the hotel. I drug him along, actually technically he brought me, that car is incredible."
Pacey glanced at Dawson and smiled. "So Mr. Hollywood is driving in style these days."
"It's a rental, believe me I don't have anything near that nice in LA."
Lily was sitting on Joey's lap and leaned over and whispered into her ear, "Do we still get to go to the zoo?" Joey smiled and nodded. Lily shot her a smile that was one of pure excitement. Then Lily looked over towards her brother and whispered again to Joey. "Can Dawson come with us?"
Joey shifted her weight, took a deep breath before answering Lily. She glanced over at Dawson.
"Sure, why don't you go ask him." She whispered into Lily's ear. Lily looked up with wide eyes and smiled at Joey. She hugged Joey tightly around the neck before she skipped over to her brother's lap. Dawson at the time was involved in a conversation
with Pacey.
"Well not that I don't completely enjoy this little reunion, I got to go check in at work, make sure everything is okay." Jack stood up and grabbed for his coat.
"Hey I thought you were off, that was part of the deal." Jen stood up.
"Yeah, you know how hard it was for me to hand over final edits to Eric. Jack you cooked up this little deal." Joey teased knowing that Jack would eat it up.
"Well maybe I just cooked this deal up to see what you two actually look like in the morning." He laughed. "I have seen it now, and well ... I guess it was an adventure best not taken. "He continued to laugh. Jen smirked and winked at Joey. Joey nodded. As Jack reached for door he was pelted with pillows from the couch. Not only had Jen and Joey started throwing but even Lily joined in the fun. The other four just smiled and laughed. Jack escaped but not before peeking his head through the door.
"I'll be back soon." He said then stuck his tongue out and laughed and quickly shut the door. The three girls were laughing heavily. Joey and Lily joined Jen in picking up the pillows.
"Gee you guys always this much fun?" Audrey laughed. Joey looked around the room.
"You notice that there isn't anything breakable in this room. We've learned from our mistakes and removed all hazardous objects." Joey smiled at Lily as she set the last pillow on the couch. "It's more fun when you don't have to worry about breaking something."
"Potter you act like this is a usual event here." Pacey looked at both Joey and Jen. They both were smiling. Jen plopped into the recliner and Joey set down on the floor.
"You mean you actually think that the three of us would ever act so childish." Jen answered with a serious tone, trying to keep a straight face. "It happens at least once a week." She laughed out loud.
Lily had once again made her way to Dawson's lap. She looked over at Joey and Joey nodded. With that Lily turned towards her brother.
"Joey is taking me to the zoo today." She stated proudly.
"Really well sounds like you have quite an adventure today." Dawson said admiring Lily's excitement.
"I asked Joey and she said you could come too, so will you come with us please. Pretty please." She said stressing her desire for Dawson to join them. Dawson looked down at Joey on the floor. She could see the question written all over his face.
"Are you sure it's okay if I tag along with you two?" Dawson asked first looking at Lily then Joey.
Joey nodded and Lily bounced on his lap.
"Of course silly, you can see the tigers with me." Lily answered.
Jen stood up and turned to Audrey. "You still want to go shopping with me, I mean it's just as exciting as the zoo." Jen laughed.
"Eww and the beast that lurk around every corner." She turned to Joey, "Well dear I am off to run some errands with Jen, and you three just have toodles of fun at the zoo."
"Well hate to sound like everybody is deserting you guys but we are going to go check in with the caterers." Pacey said as he pulled up Andie off the couch.
"Jen, where is that checklist. "Andie asked.
Joey realized what she talking about. "I have it on the refrigerator, I'll grab it for you."
"No that's okay, I've got it." Andie answered.
Joey sat bewildered at all the commotion as everyone left. Leaving just Dawson, Lily and herself. She stood up and looked around quietly, looking somewhat baffled.
"Joey something the matter?" Dawson asked.
"Umm, did I miss something, when did Jen and Audrey plan to go shopping? Did I miss an entire conversation?" Joey said as she walked over and grabbed a backpack.
"Well actually you did miss that conversation. We kind of stopped in last night, you two had already fallen sleep."
Joey stood still for a minute. She walked across the room and picked up Lily's shoes. She walked over to Lily and sat down to put her shoes on.
"Wait a minute, you two were here last night?"
"Actually everybody was here, Pacey and Andie were already here when we got here." Dawson answered Joey, watching as she laced up the shoes. Lily quickly jumped up.
"Is it time to go now?" She pulled on Joey's hand eagerly.
"Hmmm, I don't know. Let's see do we have the backpack. Yup. Let's see I need to find the keys and grab our coats and were all set."
As Joey walked across the room she grabbed the keys and their coats. She handed one to Lily, Dawson helped as Lily put it on. Joey slipped on her coat and grabbed the backpack.
"Ready?" She asked Lily and Dawson.
"I guess I'm ready as I'm going to be." Dawson answered. Lily on the other hand didn't need to speak to convey her answer, she nodded and ran to the door.
"Well I guess were off then." Joey said as she opened the door and motioned for the other two to exit. She closed the door and they were on their way.
More really soon I promise...I just need a nap!!! See you all soon!!!