"Joey!" exclaimed Jack, running up to hug Joey and ends up lifting her off the ground in a huge bear hug. "We weren't sure you would make it into town."

"And miss catching up with everyone? Never!" said Joey, laughing as Jack put her back down. "Plus I heard it's some little girl's birthday party." She picks up Amy from the blanket on the floor. "Wow, I see her every other weekend and I swear she grows each time."

"She is getting big." said Doug, entering the house carrying two cake boxes just picked up from the bakery. "Little help please, little brother?" Pacey grabs the smaller box on top and follows Doug into the kitchen.

"Where's everyone else?" asked Joey, looking around.

"Down at the Ice House. It's closed for Amy's birthday." said Jack, packing up a diaper bag. "Our place is always a mess and a half and Pacey volunteered it. I swear he has to make zero money closing it all the time for the gang."

"Yeah and you guys ask." said Pacey jokingly, rejoining Joey. "The profit is in the tourist season anyways." He puts an arm around Joey. "Bessie and Gale have the keys, but we probably should head over before the party starts without little Amy. Plus the rest of the food is there."

A few hours later, Pacey manages to steal a moment alone with Joey in the kitchen.

"Packed house!" said Joey, putting down a stack of dishes. Despite not working as a waitress in years, she could feel old habits dying hard. "While I miss everyone dearly, it's quieter in here." She rubs her head. "I love everyone, but a packed restaurant is always headache-inducing."

"Speaking of quiet, you didn't tell me the news. You hinted at some earlier from Bessie." said Pacey, loading the dishwasher. "You're killing me, I have to know."

"Well, remember how my mom gave Bessie our childhood home when she died?" said Joey, opening up a bottle of water from the fridge. "Well it's been gifted to me. And speaking of houses, you brat, you didn't let one word in that Bessie and Bodie moved into Gram's old place."

"Can I help it if I had other things on my mind?" said Pacey with a wink and then dodges a carrot tossed at him by Joey. "Plus it's your sister - I guess I had figured she told you."

"Well Bessie did have a good idea. You are always complaining your apartment in town sucks. You could move in." said Joey, taking a seat on the counter. "At least there would finally be room for some of my stuff to stay and less taking it back and forth via train."

"Sure you wouldn't mind?" said Pacey taking a seat next to her. "Though I will say I do pick up after myself better than I did when we were first dating."

"Pretty sure Gretchen did all the cleaning then." laughed Joey. "But yeah, I'm serious." She hands him one set of the keys. "Move in any time. Though we'll have to get some more furniture."

"Hey Pacey, the birthday girl is getting a little sleepy. Should we bring out the cakes?" said Gale, entering the kitchen. "Oh sorry, am I interrupting?"

"It's fine." laughed Joey, jumping down to the floor. "We were just talking."

"Yeah Doug has the cakes right here." said Pacey, picking them up from the counter across from him. "Meet you out there, Joe?"

"Definitely." said Joey. She glances around the kitchen as Gale and Pacey leave, shocked how much it both has changed and not changed since she worked there. She takes a final look and leaves the kitchen, bumping into someone, causing them to drop their drink.. "Ah, so sorry. I can be a klutz sometimes." She grabs a rag and bends to start wiping it up before seeing who it is.

"You never have to say sorry to me, Joey." said Dawson, giving Joey a smile. "And let me help you with that."