Description: My version of Joey and Pacey's break up at Prom and the after math.
Author's Note: This story with be updated regularly
Disclaimer: I only own the story not the characters besides Steven.
Chapter #4
(A month later; Joey's pov)
" Joey? Hey! Didn't think that I would ever run into you again.", I hear a familiar voice greet from behind me. Freezing in my tracks at the sound of his voice, I turn around slowly and am face to face with Steven. Great, of course I would run into him at the grocery store. Why wouldn't I? Seriously hope that I will not have the pleasure is seeing Pacey once more. It is bad enough I spent two days bawling my eyes out after our last run in. All I wanted was to get a little shopping done, feed Emily and maybe take her to the park before we both took a nap. So much for a nice fun afternoon with my daughter.
" Steven...hey.", I smile while taking a quick look around. Thankfully I see Pacey no where in sight. Maybe this is my lucky day. I can deal with running into Steven, he is actually sort of sweet in his own way. Please just tell me that he is not with Pacey. Not sure I could handle another run in with him. The last one nearly ruined me. On the upside, it is nice to see Steven. He seems fairly harmless. The was a brief moment when I thought he might have been hitting on me but now that I know that is not the case, it wouldn't be torture to spend a little time with him.
(Steven's pov)
" Relax, Pacey doesn't grocery shop. That's my job Jo.", I tease with a smile when I notice her glancing around. She really does not want to see Pacey again anytime soon. Guess I can't really blame her. Pacey told me what went down at their senior prom, if I were Joey? I would want nothing to do with him either. What the hell was Pacey thinking ever letting a gem like Joey go? This girl is beyond beautiful and she chose him. If I would Pacey, I would have done whatever it took to keep her by my side. This said, I know there will never be anything between Joey and I besides friendship. Pacey is a good friend and my roommate. While I might be insanely attracted to Joey, I would never do anything to jeopardize our friendship.
" Oh, thank God. He is sort of the last person I want to have a run in with.", laughs Joey with a breath of relief. I figured as much. Hell, I saw how much it killed her to see him that night. When I last saw Jo, she had tears in her eyes. The girl looks beautiful with a smile on her face not tears in her eyes. While I know it would mean the world to Pacey if he could just tell Joey once and for all how he feels. I am not sure she wants to hear anything more that he has to say. Why would she? Dude all but tore her heart out, tossed it on the ground and then stomped on it in front of literally everyone at prom. That had to have hurt like hell. How could he have done that to Joey?
" Is that your daughter? She is gorgeous Jo.", I gush with a wide grin making it's way across my face. Wow, she looks almost exactly like Joey...and a little like Pacey. You know if I hadn't known any better, I would swear that little girl is Pacey's. The resemblance between the two of them is remarkable. Then again, that little girl is not Pacey's. He never mentioned having a little girl and I am sure Joey would have said something to him were she his. Still, I cannot get over how much she looks like the both of them. She even has Pacey's eyes. This is so weird.
Picking up her daughter from the shopping cart, Joey places a gentle kiss on her cheek," This is my little Emily. She's just a little over two years old. we're just picking up some food for the week and then I was thinking of taking her to the park."
Smiling when Emily grasps hold of my finger, I let her play with my keys when she grabs for them," Sounds like a blast Joey. I know that she's obviously not, but I just can't get over how much she looks like Pacey."
" ...Oh, God. Look, please don't say anything to him Steven?", pleads Joey with a panicked look in her eyes. Momentarily confused by her reaction, shock takes over as I slowly put the pieces together. Wow, this actually is Pacey's little girl? Joey had his kid and never said a word to him? Oh, damn. That is cold, even for her. Then again, I guess that it makes sense. Pacey is the one who wrote her off. Why would she let him know he was the father of her child? How could Pace have not suspected though? Seriously, they break up and nine months later Joey has a baby? Who else could have possibly been the father? Joey does not seem like the type to sleep around. How am I not supposed to tell him that he has a daughter though? He's my friend.
" Oh my God, Pacey has a daughter? How could you have not told him Joey? Don't you think this is something he deserves to know? I'm sure had he known he would have been there for the both of you.", I reason with a shake of my head. How am I supposed to keep something like this from Pacey? This is something he should know about. Then again who am I to tell Joey what to do. If she wanted Pace to be apart of her daughters life I am sure she would have said something long ago. While I am not going to say anything to him, I think that it is time Joey does. How could she keep this from him for as long as she has? He has a right to know this little girl is his. Hell, if my ex had my kid I would want to know. All I can do is hope Joey will do the right thing here.
" I don't want him to be there Steven. That is the whole reason I lied and told everyone Emily was the result of a drunken hook up that never happened. How could I ever trust Pacey after the hell he put me through at prom?", exclaims Joey in agitation in her own defense. While I might not agree with her reasoning, I suppose that I could see where Joey is coming from. Who wants to have a baby with someone that tore their heart out? I sure as hell wouldn't if I were in her shoes. Guess that I am not telling Pacey. This just does not feel right though. Look at this adorable little girl, she needs to have a father figure in her life. While I am not going to say anything, I will strongly suggest that Joey does. She might not want to hear it but this is something he should know about.
" Look, Joey. I am not going to say anything. But I really think that you should. Pacey has a right to know that he has a kid.", I argue with a defeated sigh. With a shake of my head, I stare at the little girl cradled in Joey's arms. Wow, hard to believe she is actually Pacey's. While I might understand the reasons Joey felt it necessary to lie to Pace and everyone else, I also think it is about time she told him the truth. Were Pacey to know he had a little girl? Something tells me he would do just about anything to take care of her. It is not like he couldn't afford to either, the guy owns a restaurant.
Placing Emily back in her baby seat, Joey finishes the last of her grocery shopping," I'll think about it Steven, but I am not making any promises."
Following Joey to the check out line, I help her unload her cart," I never expected you to Jo, hows about are we both put away our groceries I treat you and Emily to a nice picnic."
" Guess maybe I would be up for that.", acknowledges Joey with a reluctant nod. Glad to see she is considering talking with Pacey finally. With hopes maybe I could even get the ball rolling and convince to a bit more. This picnic would be the perfect opportunity to do so. Plus, I do sort of enjoy Joey's company. What guy in their right mind wouldn't though. Have you seen her? The girl is beyond beautiful. It is near impossible not to find excuses to want to spend time with Joey. While I know she is spoken for, a guy couldn't help wondering what it would be like to have a girl like her.
" Cool, I will pack sandwiches. Don't worry about a thing.", I insist as I walk Joey to her car. This earns a smile from her. Helping her put everything in the trunk, I wait as Joey buckles Emily into her baby seat. I really cannot get over how much that little girl resembles both Jo and Pacey. He would be over the moon to know he had a kid. Pacey loves kids, hell how many times has he offered to help babysit my nephews with me while they're in town? To be honest, Pacey is like a big kid himself. Which is why I think if Joey told him about Emily that he would be an amazing father to her. It is going to take a lot of convincing but I have no doubt I will be able to convince Joey of this.
" I'll see you in a bit then Steven….thanks.", adds Joey in a quiet voice before placing a shy peck on my cheek. My entire body tenses when she does this. Had I only turned my head a mere few inches our lips would have met. Oh boy, is this picnic a good idea? It is not exactly a secret that I am into Joey. What if the feeling is mutual? Pacey would kill me if he thought I were trying to snag Joey from him. This really isn't the case though, if anything I am just trying to help the guy. Pace is my best friend, I could never betray his trust like that. …
