A/N. Another eagerly awaited update to my never-ending story. As many of you know, I am going to wrap up Try Again Today in the next week and was going to with this one too. However, because I suck at sequels, I don't want to put that kind of pressure on this one to finish it. If people are still reading it, then I will press on.
So Here We Are.
The sun was slowly setting over the creek, casting a red glow over the slowly rippling water. The night was warm, the wind soft and comforting and Joey Potter was sitting on her dock, lost in her daydream. It was the same daydream she had been having for weeks now, ever since her and Dawson had finally come together.
Standing together on her dock, gently holding hands like they did when they were teenagers, the turned to one another, the bright moonlight illuminating their faces.
'So, here we are…' Dawson said
'Yeah…we are' Joey said, overcome with a sudden shyness.
'We should really talk about what's going to…' Dawson began but Joey placed a finger over his lips.
'Let's skip the monologue for one night Dawson,' she said, leaning forward and brushing her lips across his.
The kiss gradually deepened, both of them losing themselves in the increasingly passionate embrace. Dawson fumbled in Joey's hair, pulling it loose from its pony tail so fell down her back as Joey cupped his face in her hands.
'God I've waited for this for so long…' Dawson said, his voice ragged.
'I know, I know. Me too…' Joey replied as he started to plant kisses along her neck, down her collarbone.
He bought his head back up to meet her eyes, intense with desire and longing. He kissed her again, full on the mouth. They kissed so passionately that their teeth kept colliding but this only increased the lust filled atmosphere swimming around them. She gradually pulled away from him, her breath so ragged her chest was rising and falling rapidly. She took his hand and led him towards the house, not looking backward. He followed obediently, taking in all he could of this night, this place, this time. They reached the front door and Joey slowly pushed it open, the lights dimly illuminating the space. He closed the door behind him and followed her further into the room. She turned around while walking, pulling him towards her until they were in each other's embrace once more, their mouths exploring each other's skin and taste.
Bit by bit, their clothing was shed. Joey noted how sculpted Dawson had become over the last ten years while Dawson saw that Joey had become a woman. And a mesmerizing one at that. They finally reached to stairs to the second level of the boat house, Joey down to just her underwear while Dawson stood in his jeans.
'Are… you sure…this is…what you…want?' Joey said, breathless, feeling Dawson rubbing his hands over her back as he continued to kiss her neck and shoulders.
'More than anything,' he said earnestly, staring deeply into her brown eyes again. Joey hesitated slightly but then grasped his hand and led him upstairs.
Suddenly the sound of tires on her driveway awoke her from her dream. She spun around and saw Dawson's truck pull up in the driveway, him smiling at her from behind the wheel. He got out and started to make his way towards her.
'Hey you,' he said, walking down the rickety old dock towards his soulmate.
'Hey yourself.' Joey said, shifting over to make room for him to join her. He kissed her softly, reawaking memories from her dream.
'So, how was your meeting with…hmm…' Joey said, forgetting the name completely.
'Nikki, you remember? From Junior year? Principle Green's daughter?' Dawson said, laughing good humouredly at his forgetful girlfriend.
'Sorry, brain not in gear today. So?'
'It went really well. She's interested in my proposition, liked the script and wants to see what she can do,' Dawson said calmly.
'That's great! So Nikki has her own film company?' Joey asked, taking Dawson's hand and squeezing it gently.
'Yeah, she started it up after she left college with some money she won in a film festival. She's been looking for something to work on for sometime now but has always put it off. I saw her about a year ago in New York on a trip once and she told me to contact her if I ever came up with anything.'
'Well at least that some hope! It's been mad here, Audrey is officially driving me insane. She had me at the hairdresser for 5 hours today, trying to decide what to do with my 'problem' hair,' Joey said, leaning on Dawson's shoulder.
'There's nothing wrong with your 'problem' hair. I love your 'problem' hair,' He kissed the top of her head affectionately and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
'Well Miss Bride of the year doesn't. She actually had the scissors in her hand, ready to chop it all off. I might shave my head to teach her a lesson,'
'I think that's a bit extreme. Where was Pacey when all this was happening?'
'Running away with passport and any sanity he may have left, if he has any sense,' Joey moved to stand up but Dawson pulled her into his arms.
'Where are you going? I haven't seen you in all of 12 hours. You're all mine,' Dawson said, kissing her bare neck.
'Mmmm, that sounds wonderful….' She said, closing her eyes.
'So, what do you say we retire to the house and lock the door,' Dawson said, his voice muffled but the intermediate kisses he was planting on Joey's face.
'We can't. Dinner at your mom's, remember?' Joey said quietly. Dawson stopped kissing her and pulled a frustrated face.
'Don't pull that face. You know why we have to do this. Now that Pacey knows, there's every chance he will tell Audrey and then everyone else will too. So we need to tell the people who we care about most first.' She reached up and kissed him softly on the lips.
'I know. How long have we got?'
'An hour…what are you thinking?'
'That's more than enough time to…'
'You dirty little man. I like your thinking. Last one into the house has to be Audrey's maid of honor,' Joey said, scrambling to her feet and running towards the house.
'Ah, no fair,' Dawson shouted after her, trying to get to his feet quickly enough to catch up with her. But by the time he was on his feet, she was standing in the doorway, pulling off her cardigan seductively.
Dawson slowed to a walk, enjoying the show she was putting on for him.
She pulled her hair out of it's ponytail and swung it around her head, it falling onto her shoulders. She then kicked off her trainers towards him, one of them flying past Dawson and landing in the creek.
'Dammit, I liked those shoes,' she thought to herself but tried to conceal her annoyance. Dawson hadn't really noticed, he was too transfixed on her. She caught his eye again and removed her belt from her shorts slowly, dropping it to the floor next to her cardigan. She placed her hands on the top of the zipper, making sure that Dawson was paying complete attention. Dawson was practically drooling with anticipation. She shook her head from side to side and run her hands towards the hemline of her vest top, pulling it over her head in one swift movement, leaving herself topless. Dawson stopped walking, taking in everything before him. Joey had stripped for him once before, when they were just 16. He had turned her town then; he was not that stupid now.
'Hello? Joey? Dawson!' a voice said from around the corner. Dawson's head swung around and saw Andie standing there, smiling her usual sweet smile. On hearing someone's voice Joey quickly found her top and pulled it back over her head.
'Andie?...Hi!... I..…umm… thought you weren't supposed to be here till tomorrow?' Dawson said, hugging Andie and turning her around so she was facing the creek.
'I know, but I hadn't come back in so long I wanted to give myself a chance to see everyone and everything. Plus it's crazy back at the apartment.' She said pulling away and looking around.
'Amy keeping everyone awake?' Dawson said, looking over Andie's shoulder to see if Joey was ready.
'No, but Jack is. He's the most paranoid man in the world when it comes to babies,' Andie said cheerfully, noting Dawson's flustered appearance. 'Where's Joey?'
'Joey? Umm, Joey is…'
'Right here! Andie, you're early,' Joey said, walking over and embracing Andie warmly. She was almost as flustered at he was.
'Did I interrupt something? I get the feeling you guys don't really want me here. I can go to the BB if you want?' Andie said, feeling slightly hurt.
'Of course you won't. I offered you a place to stay and a place to stay you will get,' Joey said, wrapping her arms around Andie's shoulder and leading her towards the house. 'So welcome to my humble abode…'
'So when are you coming here? I need you babe!' Audrey said down the phone, driving her car along the streets of Capeside like it was the Indy 500.
'Tomorrow morning, I swear. I didn't want to travel with Amy just yet.' Jen said, from her apartment in New York. In less than 4 days it had become bedlam, even with the help from Jack and Andie.
'Okay, well I need you urgently. Joey is still being all useless, refusing to cut her hair etc. I mean, is it to much to ask?' Audrey started her familiar rant.
'When you have a good 4 foot of hair like she does? Yes Audrey, it is a big deal. Just be patient,'
'Hey, now you're not all lumpy, is there any chance you can throw on a dress and… Audrey began, turning the car sharply into the Leery's driveway.
'No Audrey. NO. I am still plenty lumpy; it's just not as pronounced as it was before. You will have to settle with Joey and remember why you are doing this! It's not because of the dresses or the party. It's because you love Pacey and…'
'Sorry my love, I've gotta go. I've got the dressmaker on the other line. Be here early, I need you,' she said before disconnecting the call.
'I love you too Audrey,' Jen said, slamming the phone down. 'God, could that woman get any more self centered?'
'Yes, I'm sure she could, given the chance,' Jack said, balancing Amy in his arms with a bottle at the ready.
'Yeah well, she better snap out of this quickly. I would hate to have to dis-communicate her.' She said, lowering herself next to Jack on the sofa and watching as he started to feed her. 'You're so good with her,'
'That's what god parents are for. I'm super-jack,'
'Just try not to get the milk everywhere this time superman or we are going to have to throw the couch out.' Jen said, picking at a spot of dried milk from yesterday's evening feed.
'Look, you go to bed. We've got a long day tomorrow. I'll put her to bed,' Jack said, kissing Jen on the forehead.
'Are you sure? You're just as tired as me?' She said, yawning loudly.
'Yeah, but you are much more tired and you have to be the dutiful bridesmaid tomorrow. So? You going to let me help?'
'Okay. Just make sure you get some sleep yourself. Sleep tight,' Jen said, surrendering easily to the offer of help. She stood up and leaned over Amy. 'Night night sweetie, see you in 3 hours,'
'Night night mommy,' Jack said in a squeaky voice, smiling as Jen laughed softly. She kissed him on the forehead and made her way to her bedroom. The door clicked softly and Jack turned all his attention to the baby in his arms.
'Now little lady, tomorrow is a big day for you. We are going to Capeside.' Jack paused and looked at her chubby face 'What? Where's Capeside?' he said in mock horror.
'Well let me tell you. Once upon a time, there was a creek. And on that creek lived a handsome prince and his beautiful muse….'
'Thanks for having us over for dinner Gail, this is a lifesaver,' Bessie said, placing the plates on the table. Gail had agreed to make dinner for everyone that evening, as Bessie was completely swamped at the BB. Audrey had descended from New York, bringing with her more luggage that was strictly necessary. Pacey was also staying with them, at least until the night before the wedding. Audrey's family had booked the other 4 rooms but was not due until tomorrow, their list of requirements extensive enough that Bessie had ended up booking out the entire week to them.
'It my pleasure. I love seeing all the kids together. I'm sure that after this, we won't see much of them,' Gail said wistfully, looking over at Lily and Alexander playing the family room.
'What are you talking about? We have at least another 10 years with those two. And Joey is staying put. I'm sure Dawson won't go too far.' She ran a reassuring hand over Gail's shoulders and picked up the cutlery.
'I wouldn't want to deny my child his dreams, but I love having him around. I miss him when he is away,' Gail said, her eyes watering slightly.
'Well, let's enjoy it while we can. Anyway, you have Jen and Amy coming to stay with you. That must be exciting, a baby in the house again,' Bessie rattled on, oblivious to Gail's emotional state.
'I know. I have all of Lily's old things out already for her. I can't wait.' Gail said, her mood quickly elevating. 'Now where are those kids?'
'They will be here soon, they are unpacking Andie first.'
The screen door opened with a whoosh and Pacey walked into the kitchen, a worried look across his face.
'Psst, is she here?' he whispered, looking from side to side.
'Who?' Bessie whispered back.
'The Bride of Frankenstein.'
'Your beloved? She's gone out to sort a problem with the dresses. She said to start without us,' Bessie said loudly, walking over and embracing the young man.
'Phew, I'm not sure if I can take any more marching orders from the captain tonight.' He pulled a chair out at the table and slumped down.
'Call me an old cynic Pacey, but you don't sound like a man who is excited to be getting married in the next few days. You sound like a man who is about to be sent to the front line.' Gail said, ruffling his hair as she walked past, placing a large salad bowl in the middle of the already groaning table.
'Don't get me wrong Mrs. Leery I love her, more than I have ever loved a woman before. But dear lord, if she barks one more order at me…I might throw her in the creek, bouquet and all.'
'All brides are impossible before their wedding. Mitch practically ignored me for a whole month before the big day,' Gail said, recalling the distant memory of their first wedding ceremony.
'What happened?'
'Well he was very patient with me, said 'yes dear' a lot and laughed at me. I could have killed him. And then the night before the wedding, he took me aside and said he couldn't wait for me to be his wife. And I knew that all the little problems I had been creating with the cake and the dresses were just details compared to the big picture. I was getting married and I was missing it. Maybe a quick word might make things better?' She walked over to a picture on the wall, un hooked it and passed it to Pacey. It was her wedding pictures, from both of her weddings to Mitch, in an ornate silver frame. 'Worked for us,'
'Thanks Mrs. Leery,' Pacey handed the picture back to Gail, stood up and embraced her warmly. In many ways, she had been more of a motherly figure to him than his own had been.
'My pleasure Pacey,'
'Always with the older women, hey Witter?' Andie said, as she walked through the kitchen door and saw the two in an embrace.
'Shut it MacPhee,' Pacey said, releasing Gail and moving onto embrace her. 'Can't stay away huh?'
'Never' she said, embracing him warmly.
'Hey Mom,' Dawson said, walking into the kitchen, grocery bags in hand. Joey followed behind, carrying another bag of food.
'Darling, did you get…' Gail said, leaning over and kissing her son on the cheek.
'Yes, I got everything on the list. Can we help?' he said, lowering the bags onto the spare counter.
'No, all under control. Dinner will be ready in around 20 minutes. You could keep the kids entertained?' Bessie said, pointing at Alex and Lily looking bored.
'Can do,' Pacey said, grabbing Andie by the hand and dragging her over to the two waiting kids.
'So, how did the hairdresser go?' Bessie said, running her hand down Joey's sleek hair.
'Don't ask. Could you help me with it on the morning? Audrey has a dangerous glint in her eye and I don't trust that hairdresser. Bald…'
'Ahh I see, sure I can do that for my little sister,' Bessie said, pinching Joey's cheeks playfully.
'Wait a second. Bald? Why does that matter,' Dawson asked, confused by the turn in conversation.
'It's the same with everything. You don't get a tattoo done by anyone without one themselves…' Joey said
'Or a dentist with awful teeth…' Bessie continued.
'Or a hairdresser without any hair,' Gail concluded. The three woman looked at each other and nodded heads, acknowledging the commonly held belief.
Dawson looked at the three of them, shook his head and turned around to join the others. Joey smiled at her naïve boyfriend, prompting laughter from the other two women.
Dawson sat on the couch next to Pacey as he watched some kind of sport on the television, Andie playing with dolls on the floor with Alex and Lily.
'Hey man,' Pacey said, passing him a beer he had snuck from the kitchen.
'Hey. Have you ever heard about not getting your hair cut by anyone who's bald?'
'Yeah man. First rule of thumb. It's like not trusting a skinny food critic…'
'Or a badly dressed fashion designer,' Andie chipped in.
Dawson frowned, took a swig from his beer and closed his eyes.
