Loving the Hard Times
Chapter 3
I woke up the next morning to "I Love Lucy" re-runs on the couch in Pacey's arms. After the initial confusion over how I ended up there I remembered us watching tv last night, and how tired I felt. I knew Bessie wouldn't be very happy about this, but it felt so good I didn't want to move. I settled back into his arms for a few more minutes until I knew I had to leave. Gently I removed his arms from around my waste trying to no avail not to wake him.
"Jo" he whispered.
"Yeah Pace?"
"Where are ya going? Come back to sleep it's too early."
"You don't know how much I would love to do that sweetheart, but unfortunately Bessie is not going to be happy about our little sleepover and I have to try and get back before she notices I'm gone. That is if she hasn't already."
He reached up to grab my hand saying, "Don't I at least get a goodbye kiss?" then he pulled me down to the couch and our lips touched softly. The kiss deepened, and I did not want to leave. I knew I had to stop now or I wouldn't leave. "Pacey" I managed between kisses.
"What?"
"I realllllyyyy have to go" I said pulling away. "You should come over later though. I think we should tell Bessie. What do you think?"
"Yeah ok I guess its best not to wait too long. What about everyone else?"
"I don't know maybe we should just tell a few people for now. Wait till school is over for the rest."
"Yeah alright we could do that. I'll come over after I stop by Dougies house to pick up some stuff, around like 1 and we can tell Bess then. Is that ok?"
"Sounds good. I'll see you later. I love you Pacey."
"I love you too." He said, then he put his head next to my stomach and whispered, "and I love you too." That was so cute. I gave him a quick kiss and ran out the door hoping I wasn't too late to get into my house unnoticed.
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Luckily this morning Alexander decided to sleep in, and everyone followed his example. I did not however avoid the inevitable comments on how I got in so late last night. The morning was hell. Alexander was running around with his friends making a ton of noise, and my head was killing me. Then I felt completely sick to my stomach all morning and I had to try to pretend nothing was wrong.
I was relieved to hear Pacey's voice talking to Bessie at the door, but then I remembered why he was here, and I ran into the bathroom. I could hear Bessie say something about me not feeling well as I was leaning over the toilet. That was definitely an understatement. I turned around to see Pacey standing behind me with an incredibly concerned look in his eyes. I could only look for a few seconds before I had to face the toilet again. He kneeled down next to me and pulled the hair away from my face saying, "God Jo, why didn't you call me? Are you alright?"
I started to feel a little better, the fact that my stomach was empty probably being the cause. I turned towards him and said, "I'm fine pace, just a little morning sickness."
"Are you feeling better?"
"Yeah I think ill be alright for a while."
"Why don't you take a shower, it might make you feel better." He said, then he kissed me on my head, and turned on the water, running his hand underneath it to make sure it wasn't too hot. When he was satisfied he stood up to leave the room.
"Thank you Pacey."
"Just feel better Potter. I'll be playing with Alex" With that he shut the door, and I was left to my shower and my thoughts.
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I came out of the bathroom to find Pacey and Alex running around the living room playing some sort of tag, and Bessie attempting to get them to settle down. He is going to be a great dad I thought to myself. Aside from the fact that he is going to keep the kid completely wound up all the time. He looked up and saw me standing in the doorway, watching them and said, "Alex my man I've got to go talk to Aunt Joey now. I'll see ya later buddy!"
"Bye Pacey" he said before running outside to find some friends to play with.
Then Pacey walked up to me and gave me a hug, pulling back to say, "Feeling better?"
"Yeah, I'm just nervous." I said knowing that the sick feeling in my stomach was no longer from morning sickness.
"It will be alright Jo. I think it will feel better once it's out in the open."
"Yeah, I just don't want to deal with the initial reaction."
"Well, I'll be right with ya, are you ready?" He asked taking hold of my hand and tangling our fingers together.
"Now or never." I said trying to sound confident, but failing miserably. I looked toward the kitchen, "Hey Bess, can we talk to you for a minute?"
"Yeah just a second Joey, I've got to get dinner started."
"Ok we'll be in the living room." Pacey and I went and sat on the couch waiting for her to join us. I looked at him, and I know he could see the apprehension in my eyes. Then he looked at our hands, and gave mine a squeeze. How does that always make me feel better? Finally Bessie entered the room, and I told her she should probably sit down.
"What's going on you two? Going on another sailing trip this summer or something?" she asked.
"Not exactly" I replied. "I guess I should just say it; Bessie, Pacey and I, we're having a baby."
She just looked at us, staring for what seemed like an eternity, but was probably only a few minutes. Then she looked down, and when she looked up again she had tears in her eyes. "How could you do this Jo? You were supposed to get out of here. You were supposed to make something of your life." I could barely hear her, but her whispers spoke volumes. Then she got up and walked out of the room.
My cheeks were wet, and I realized I had started crying too. Pacey put his arm protectively around my shoulder and pulled me close to him so I could cry on his shoulder. We sat like this for a while before I pulled away a little, and somehow he knew what I was going to tell him. I needed some time to work everything out with my sister.
He started to wipe the tears from my eyes with his thumbs and said, "I think I'm going to get going, maybe start my job search. I'm sure everything will be ok with Bessie, that was just her first reaction. Remember she knows what it's like. Call me if you need anything, or else I will call you tonight." Then he looked deep into my eyes, and said, "I know you will work it out." And even though I was extremely upset I believed him. Then he gave me a kiss on the cheek, and got up to leave.
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I decided to give us both a little time to clear our heads before trying to talk to her again, so I went outside and sat on the edge of the dock to be with my thoughts. I always find this to be incredibly relaxing. About an hour later I felt footsteps behind me, and then Bessie sat down next to me. I waited for her to speak first.
"I know how scary this is Joey. I want you to know I reacted the way I did because I love you, and I just want you to have everything I never got to have. I'm not saying I don't love my life. I would never give up what I have with you or Alexander, but there's always that little part of me that wonders what could have been. I don't want you to have to do that. I'm here for you though. Whatever you need. I know you and Pacey are in love, and we will make this work. I love you little sis." Then she put her arm around me and pulled me into a hug.
"I love you too Bess, and I am scared. I'm scared out of my mind, but I want you to know what makes me know it will be ok is you. You have been so strong, and I know if you can do it I can too."
"Well all Potter women are tough, it's a gift. We got it from mom."
I smiled at this and said, "Well my tough self is starving, can we go eat?"
She looked at me and laughed, "always thinking about your stomach." Then she stood up and offered her hands to help me up, "Lets go preggers."
"You are not calling me that" I said, standing up and acting irritated.
"Oh yes I am preggers." She said walking towards the house. I just rolled my eyes seeing I wasn't going to win this battle.
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A/N I hope you liked this chapter! I kind of had writers block for a few days there….I'll try to update soon…
