I really have to thank those who reviewed...I had this on my computer for ages, and it's really good to share it again.

Disclaimer: I think it's pretty clear by now I don't own them :p

Part 18

Pacey's POV

I look at the beautiful woman walking beside me, wondering how she got me into this. Not really wondering , I know the answer. She gives me the eyes, those beautiful brown eyes of hers, and I'm putty in her hands. She calls it making amends with my past, so that's why she's dragging me to the airport, sending me off to New York. And I know she's right. She's my ultimate challenger, the one always forcing me to stay on the right tracks.

Like last Christmas when she forced me to go to Capeside with her and face all our old friends. Awkward, yes. It had been less than a month since we had got together, and I had no desire at all to go sit with the old gang, I admit. I was pretty scared to face Bessie's wrath for leaving Joey pregnant, but her eyes told me all. She wanted me by her side; it would be a difficult time for both of us. My first Christmas without Sam. Her tenth Christmas without our son.

It was more surreal than angst. Everybody seemed more surprised to see me by Joey's side, with Bella than anything else. One or other bitter word cut by Joey's glares and a promise of never losing contact anymore.

I went with her to the cemetery, holding her under the snow, her tears mixed with mine as I visited my son's grave for the first time. I won't deny I felt a tug, the old feeling of running away from there and all the memories, but she held my hand, making me stay. One look of her eyes, her fingers entwining with mine, and I'm unable to deny her anything.

I even agreed to go to a grief therapist right after we got together. The most important night of my life. Of our lives as she usually says. The night where we poured out our hearts, leaving the past where it belongs. As Jo says, it doesn't matter anymore how or where we run, what matters is that now we run together.

I don't think I'll be ever able to describe in words how it felt to have her in my arms. How it feels t to make love to her night after night since then. But you know what I love most? The mornings. When she's still asleep and amazes and scares me how much I love her and then she opens her eyes, it's almost like I can see her soul through her eyes, her love shining in a lazy smile.

I didn't need to ask her to move in. Joey said she had promised she would never leave, and so she did.
Technically, I did, because I moved to her apartment. It didn't feel like we were rushing things, we had waited too long to be together. We arranged our schedules, and I can spend more time with my daughter.

And again Joey was right; I was holding something with Bella. I was just scared to lose her, like I had lost her sister. A stupid child fever almost drove me over the edge; I was like one of those freaking parents who go running to the doctor at the first sneeze. And even being a doctor, I froze, overreacted. I took her to the ER, and under Joey's worried stare, I started rambling about how many awful diseases she could have, until she called me to my senses. Of course, that, besides having a whole hour in therapy to talk about that, it became one of her favorite teasing themes too.

"Dada!" A tiny voice brings me back from my daydreaming. I turn to Joey; she has a playful smile on her lips.

"You really spaced out there, Pace." She hands me Bella.

"I'm missing my girls already, Jo." I kiss her forehead softly.

"Pacey, it's just a weekend. We'll be waiting for you in Capeside." She gives me a peck on the lips. "Now hurry or you're gonna miss your plane."

"I wish you would come with me. Both of you." I hold her close to me.

"We already had this talk. It's something you have to do on your own. When Bella gets older and able to understand, she will go with you. Now go, before I ask you to stay."

"Would you?" I whisper into her ear, knowing perfectly the effect it has on her.

"You know I would. I will miss my punching bag," she smirks.

I kiss my girls once more, turning around to see Joey waving and turning to her own departure gate. I stuff my hand in my jacket's pocket, patting the small square box I have in there. I need the final closure before setting sail for my future.

New York is a weird city. I have been out of here for almost a year and it still looks like no time passed at all. The same busy streets, too many people. I chuckled at my worries, calling Bessie's as soon as I got into my hotel to check upon Jo and Bella, relief washing over me as I heard their voices though the phone. I know it's an irrational fear, but it gets better everyday. One day after the other, I find my inner peace.

I make my way through the cemetery. One-step after the other. I try to find my breath, a sudden wave of panic taking over me. Memories of the last time I had been here freezing me. How I wish Joey were here with me, but even though she's not physically, I know her heart is, and the idea soothes me.

I get closer to the gravestones placed side by side, my eyes gazing the inscriptions. Margaret Eliza Witter, beloved wife and mother. Samantha May Witter, my beloved angel. I kneel on the grass, trying to find the words I need to say, emotions running wild, bringing unwanted tears.

"Hi, ladies. It took me a while to gather courage to visit you." I sniff, that's not how I planned it at all. "I missed you. "I glance at Maggie's grave; I know it's her I have to talk first. "Hi, Mags. I don't know even where to start. Perhaps, apologizing for being a jerk when you needed me. For being careless with your heart. For cheating on you with Ashley. For never showing you how much I cared. Because believe me, Mags, I did care for you. You gave me the gift of life, two beautiful lives in form of our daughters, and I will be eternally grateful for them and for all the loving and care you had for me all the time we were together. I'm sorry if I wasn't what you deserved, if I never showed your importance in my life properly, but never think I didn't care. You have a special place in my heart, and you won't be forgotten, I promise. Our daughter, the one you gave your life for, will learn everything about the wonderful woman her mother was. If you could only see her, Maggie. Bella is growing up to be as beautiful as you, blondie."

I brush away my tears, breathing deeply before I continue, this time with Sam.

"Hi, Sammy, it's Daddy. I miss you a lot, angel. I miss every smile, every freckle on you little nose, every time I tucked you in bed. You will always be here with me, in my heart and in my mind. No one can replace you. I like to think that by now you've met your big brother Dylan where you are, and you're both good friends, watching over me, his mom and your sister like our guardian angels. And I have a request for you, munchkin. Watch over mommy for daddy, ok? Take care of her for me, sweetie."

I lift from the ground, my heart much lighter than before. Again, Joey was right; I had to do this alone. I sigh, before talking to Maggie once more.

"I know I'm repeating myself, but I'm really sorry for never giving you my whole heart. But to tell you the truth, it was never mine to give it away. You used to say I was restless, that I was always talking about moving, but I guess it was only my heart wanting to come back where it belonged. I found my true north in Joey, Maggie, my home at last. I had to tell you that, I owed it to you. I just hope you will understand."

"I have to go now, but I promise I'll be back, and bring Bella to meet you both, to tell her your story, our history together. Maggie, take care, sweetheart. Sammy, daddy loves you, and don' forget what I asked you, k? Say hello to Dylan for me, angel."

I start to walk away, and I feel a soft breeze on my face, like a light touch. The feathers of an angel. I smile, knowing in my heart that they understand and are happy for me. Now its time to go back home. To Joey.

Joey's POV

I know I'm fidgeting. Pacey should be here by now, he called me just to tell he would be late. Go figure what he has planned on that twisted mind of his. A surprise. He knows how much I hate surprises and do it on purpose. By the way, what am I doing here? Capeside High ten-year reunion, that's being held a year later only God knows why. We were never the school spirited kind of students, why that now?

"Joey, your feet are going to make a whole under the table,"Jen teases me.

"I'm just worried about Pacey; he should be here by now."

"You're just anxious to get your hands on him again." Jack keeps on the teasing game.

"Oh, shut up you two." I crane my neck, scanning the crowd, but with no luck in finding him. I sigh, trying to create a conversation. "So, Andie and Dawson weren't able to come?"

"One of the actors Andie works with is currently casted in Dawson's new movie and theyr'e shooting in Australia right now,"Jack answers me.

A weird thought flashes inside my head. Dawson and Andie, that would be a great couple. Two blonde annoying people with control issues. The perfect ending to our sad incestuous group.

"So Andie and Dawson together in Australia, huh?"

Jack and Jen look at me, like they're hiding something.

"How did you guess? That's my part, Joey," Jen exclaimed.

"I just guessed, those two working together, would fit perfect."

Jack shrugs, mumbling something that sounded like I don't wanna my sister to be Dawson's flavor of the month, and Jen starts teasing him, but for me, the world stops when I feel a hand on my shoulder. A touch that it's enough to make me grin without even looking at him.

"I've been meaning to ask you something all night, Potter. Would you like to dance with me?" He is grinning at me, looking happier than when he left for New York.

"I'd be honored." He takes my hand, leading me to the dance floor, his arms around me as we sway along the soft music. " missed you, Pace."

"I missed you too, sweetheart." He gives me a quick kiss, and I'm perfectly aware of the eyes staring at us in surprise, but the only thing I'm able to do when I'm this close to him is smile.

"How was it?" I ask, seeing a trace of pain on his features, my hand touching his cheek, trying to ease all his suffering. He turns his head, kissing my palm before answering.

"Painful, but you were right, Jo, it had to be done. I feel a lot better now."

My reply is cupping his face between my hands and kissing him with all the love I have for this man. My friend, my lover, my confident, my heart.

"Whoa, Potter. What was that for?" He chuckles embarrassed, but I see in his eyes how much he enjoyed the kiss.

"For being you, Pace. For how much I missed you and for you finding the peace your heart needed."

"When you talk like this, you make me want to kneel in front of you and ask you to marry me right now."

I stare at him in surprise. Although we have been living together the past months, the M word has never been spoken before. He chuckles nervously at my surprise and I don't know why, I suddenly feel dizzy. It's something in his eyes that is giving him away. He really means those words. He leans closer, whispering in my ear, making my knees go weak.

"You wanna know what took me so long to come from the station? I was thinking about a million different ways to ask you a simple question. But my mind was a big blank. I never really did this before, so I wanted it to be romantic and sweet and everything by the book, but you know what? I realize it doesn't matter where or how. What matters is what I feel for you. And all can be summed in one word: Love. I'm not asking you to share your life with me, you already do that. I'm not asking for your heart either, because we're only one heart already. I'm asking simply for your love, as we both shall live."

I fight back the tears, as I stare at him, I mutter one single word.

"Yes."

"Potter, I didn't finish it yet." He kisses my forehead, leading me outside. We pass through our friends, I know they're wondering what's going on, but later they will know anyway.

Pacey takes me to the parking lot outside, still holding my hand. He cups my face between his hands and starts talking again.

"Now that we dont have an audience." He winks." Joey, you have been my dream girl for half of my life, maybe even before that. You are my world. My life begins and ends in you. We had a long road to come to this point, we went through heartache and pain, but this is what made us us. Made us stronger. And this is how we're even stronger: together. I need you, Jo, as my love, my friend, my partner in crime." He clears his throat. "And I will need you for a long time."

Like a dream, I watch him kneel down before me, taking a small box from his pocket, showing me the most beautiful ring I have ever seen.

"What I'm really trying to say with all this rambling, is Josephine Potter, will you marry me?"

"My answer is still the same: yes, Pace." I can't fight the tears anymore. He stands up, sliding the ring on my finger, kissing me repeatedly times, whispering I love you between each kiss.

I look at him in awe when we come down a bit from our happiness, and I know it's time for a final secret to be revealed.

"Pace?"

"Yes, sweetie?" He's kissing my neck now.

"Would you take me to the docks?"

"The docks, Jo? Why the docks? " He stares at me confused.

"You will know when we get there," I say trying to sound mysterious.

"Jo, all I want is go back to the B&B, kiss my daughter good night and ravish my beautiful fiancée,"he whines.

"Please?"

"No, Jo, not the eyes."

"Please?" I start to kiss his neck. Two can play this game.

"Ok, I give. But you will have to reward me for that later, Potter."

"I so intend to, Mr. Witter," I smile slyly.

We go to the docks and we stop in front of a well-known boat slip where an old friend waited for us. He turns to me confused.

"Jo, is that True Love?"

"You see, Pace, when you told Doug to sell the boat, I had to do something about it. I couldn't let my dearest memory go to a person who would never understand the meaning of this boat in my life. So I bought it and Bodie took care of her for me all this years. All the summers I came home, I used to spend them on her; it was my way to stay connected with you."

"I never thought," he mumbles. "I thought I had lost True Love."

"You always had it, Pace, it was only being kept safe till we were ready for it."

He hugs me close, lifting me on his arms. I hand him the boat keys.

"You're not going to say anything?" I ask him.

He doesn't say a word, he jumps to the boat, but when I try to follow he stops me.

"Uh, uh, Potter." He motions with his hand.

"Permission to come aboard?"

"Permission granted." He takes my hand, pulling me to the security of his arms.

"Now what, Pace?" I lift my head to look into his eyes.

"First, I'm going to take her to the open sea and then, I will throw you to the fish," he teases me.

"Pacey Witter, don't you dare," I play along.

"So I will have to settle for just ravishing you then." He shrugs, before kissing me.

I realize that it doesn't matter how hard we fight our hearts, how many ways we try to escape from our feelings, destiny will always bring you back to the point where you should be. I don't know what would've happened if I had gone with Pacey the first time he left, or if I had asked him to stay, but I have this gut feeling that somehow, I would end up right here, in his arms. This is my world now and I wouldn't exchange it for nothing.

Pacey's POV

So this is how a dream come true feels like. It's better than a dream, because this woman I have in my arms now, is my reality. You might ask me if I could change my past, if I would change it. My answer is no. Because I lived, the best way I could. I had pain and suffering, but I had happy moments too. And I ended up right here, where I was supposed to be since the beginning. With her. With Joey. My world.