She jumped out of the shower and carefully dressed, making sure not to wake Lily. She applied her make up and pulled her hair up. When she finished, she glanced in the mirror. Simple khaki pants and a white shirt over her sleeveless light blue sweater. Well it's okay I guess. She gently sat on the bed and woke Lily.
"Hey Lily-bear. It's time to get up." Joey said softly as she caressed Lily's back. Lily rolled over and smiled up at Joey. Jen popped her head in.
"Hey, I'm off. You two have a good time tonight." Jen then looked right to Lily. " I'm pretty sure you might want to get up, there is someone down stairs who needs to wake up, you think you can handle that for me?" Jen waved and was off.
Lily's eyes open wide after what Jen said. "Is Dawson still here?" she sat up quickly. Joey nodded. Lily shot up and jumped down to the floor.
"You know what though, we need to change your clothes before we wake him up, these ones look a little dirty." Joey said as she handed Lily a fresh change of clothes. While Lily undressed, Joey suddenly realized she hadn't told Dawson or Audrey about the night's festivities. She quickly grabbed the phone off her desk and phoned the hotel.
She had them ring Audrey's room, but there was no answer. She left a message at the desk for her to call as soon as possible. Dawson on the other hand, would be finding out very soon. Lily had finished changing, and Dawson's slumber was about to be abruptly ended, most likely due to blunt force of his sister jumping on him. Joey smiled,
Hope he's ready for her.
Lily made it down the stairs quickly. She leaned over her brother and kissed him on the cheek. Then she whispered into his ear, "Wake up sleepy head." His eyes slowly opened and focused on the loving character sitting in front of him.
Joey arrived downstairs as Dawson started to stir around. Slowly waking up, he realized where he was at and sat up quickly. He looked down at his watch, to say the least he was a bit stunned that he had slept so long. "I am so sorry, it's just that..."
"Dawson there is no need to apologize, it was fine. Really." Joey hadn't let him finish his sentence. She smiled at the Lily and Dawson. Lily had crawled up into his lap. "I figured you might need some rest."
"Thanks Joey, I guess I didn't realize how exhausted I was." He suddenly noticed both Lily and Joey were in a different set of clothes than earlier. "What are you two all dressed up for?"
"Actually, I was just coming down to talk to you about that. We are going out for dinner, something special. I was wondering if you would want to tag along."
"Umm." Dawson looked down at his attire, His jeans were, well at least they were still clean. He was wearing his charcoal gray turtleneck, his leather jacket, not exactly his best selection but he really didn't have much choice.
Joey noticed Dawson examining his attire. "Dawson, you look fine. Come on, I wasn't going to tell you, but David is asking Jen to marry him tonight. We're all going to meet them at this restaurant after the fact, kind of like an impromptu engagement party."
"Wow, I don't know, I mean I don't even know the guy. I'm not sure that I of all people should be going."
"Dawson, Jen would be ecstatic if you came, she's going to kill me, but maybe you can be my other bodyguard." Joey laughed quietly.
"Other bodyguard?" Dawson smiled.
"Well what do you think that Lily is coming for? She's my protection." Joey winked at Lily. "So are you coming with us, or do I have drag you out of here by your hands and feet?" Joey asked. Lily watched attentively waiting for Dawson's answer.
"Well I guess, if you think that the services of two Leery's are needed. I better come along. Just in case." Dawson teased. He tickled Lily until she was laughing out loud.
"Well then, let's get going. We have to be there by 6pm, so let's get on the road." Joey said as she waited for Lily and Dawson to met her at the door. She locked the door and they were off to find the rest of the gang.
As they arrived at the restaurant Joey looked around, looking for a familiar face. Jack spotted them as they walked in. He rushed over to them.
"Hey good to see you made it." Jack said as he extended his hand out to Dawson. "Hey they haven't arrived yet, were all kind of hanging out over here in the back until they get here."
They all followed Jack back to large table near the back of the restaurant. Pacey an Andie stood up to greet everyone. Jack had carried Lily back to the seats and stood her up on the chair next to him. "Well how is our favorite princess doing today?" He turned to Joey. "I am assuming you know the plans, I just figured we hang low here in the back until they got here."
"Well that is the only thing I can think of. He knows were here, I told him we would be here when they arrived. I'm actually surprised that they haven't made it here yet. I was scanning the parking lot as we came in." She sat down next to Lily with Dawson on the opposite side of her. Lily was seated next to Jack. Pacey was seated next to Dawson and Andie was beside him, across from her brother.
As quick as she sat down, Joey stood up and excused her from the table to go make arrangements with the maître d' . As she walked across the room, an unnoticed set of eyes watched her carefully. Dawson shook his head and focused in on Pacey, who was talking to Lily.
"So Lily, tell me did you see those tigers today?" Pacey asked enthusiastically.
Lily nodded and smiled widely. Dawson chuckled. "The tigers and every other animal known to man." Everyone laughed with him.
"So tell me Miss Leery what other animals were interesting today?" Jack asked. He smiled quietly as he watched her contemplate her answer.
"The elephants were nice, and we saw the baby giraffe, I liked that too. My favorite animal today was the polar bear." Lily was so animated, she entranced everyone. "They are so silly, and you know what, they have their pool. We watched them go swimming."
"I never remember the zoo being so exhausting." Dawson said.
"I understand, all to well Dawson. I myself have tried the zoo experience with the two of them. I really have no clue how Joey keeps up with her." Jack replied.
"How I keep up with who?" Joey asked as she took her seat at the table.
"I was just agreeing with Dawson, on how exhausting one of your outings with Lily can be. I didn't even get started on the trip to the aquarium, now that was a long day." Jack answered. Joey shoved his arm playfully.
"You are such a wimp." Joey teased jack, then turned o Dawson. "And you, gee can't keep up with your little sister." She winked at Lily, who in return giggled.
Their conversation was interrupted by the maître d', "Excuse me, but the party you have been waiting on has arrived." Joey looked up at him then to Jack and smiled. She was obviously about the get emotional, she tightly bit down on her bottom lip. They all stood up and headed toward another table upfront. Dawson carried Lily. Jack had wrapped his arm around Joey, both very anxiously to see Jen's reaction. As soon as Jen saw them she ran to them, and the three embraced. Jen quickly kissed both Jack and Joey on the cheek. With shaky hands she slowly extended her left hand.
Happy tears began running down her face. "Can you believe this?" Jen asked. Her tears weren't the only ones, Joey too, had started to cry and tightly embraced Jen. Jen then once again kissed Jack and Joey before taking a seat at the table. There was much commotion at first, everyone stood up one at a time and embraced the newly engaged couple.
Unknown to the rest of the group, Joey had arranged for a few bottles of champagne be brought over. As the waiter brought them over Joey smirked over towards Jack.
"You think your so sneaky don't you Joey." Jack laughed.
"Hey, don't pick on Joey, with out her, I'm not sure I could've had everything go so smoothly tonight." David said then he leaned over and kissed Jen.
"So you all knew about this?" Jen giggled. Joey smiled to herself for a moment, she hadn't seen Jen this happy in years, and she just glowed.
"Well actually, we just found out today, I guess David and Joey have been conspiring for a while though." Jack teased.
"Really so, Joey how long have you known?" Jen asked playfully.
"Well a little before the first payment was made on that rock over there on your hand." Joey couldn't help but laugh.
The night went beautifully, by 8pm, thing were dying down and Lily was beginning to show signs of boredom. Jen stood up first, "I really just would like to thank you, all of you for being part of this special night." David stood up next to her and wrapped his hand around her waist. Jen once again became a little teary eyed.
Okay there is more soon....really!!! I hope there weren't too many typos... I didn't proof read it so...my fingers are crossed!!! Hope you loved it!!!