Disclaimer: I lay no claim on Dawson's Creek or any of its characters.

A/N: Once again thanks for all the great reviews and the great baby names. I think I have finally decided on both names. This is going to be a quick chapter - kind of a little wrap-up before the babies are born in the next chapter! I'm going to try really hard to finish that chapter and get it up as soon as possible. In the mean time, please read and review!

Chapter 5

When Pacey and Doug returned to the group, everyone was getting ready to leave. There were hugs and hand shakes all around and one last round of congratulations before the house was quiet again.

Joey yawned and stretched and looked at the clock. When she saw it was just past 7:00, announced to her children that it was bedtime.

Both Evie and Kyle groaned in response. "But Mom," Evie complained, "I'm not tired."

"Me either," Kyle declared, crossing his arms in a Joey-like fashion.

"Guys, what did we talk about today?" Pacey asked them. The kids looked at each other and then sighed before telling Joey goodnight and dragging their feet upstairs. "I'll be up in a minute or two to tuck you in," Pacey called after them.

"I can't believe how easy that was," Joey smiled.

"Yeah," Pacey said absentmindedly. He gave Joey a quick peck on the lips and promised to be right back. He headed upstairs to tuck in his son and daughter.

  

When Pacey came back downstairs, he couldn't help but smile at the sight before him. Joey had obviously planned on waiting for him to come back down but fell asleep.

Even though he was wide awake and not at all ready to go to bed, Pacey bent down to pick up his wife and carefully carried her to their bedroom. As he set her on the bed, she awoke. "Pace…" she yawned, "we can stay up… if you want to."

"No, it's okay, you need your rest. Why don't you go ahead and get changed and everything… then we can lie down." Joey nodded and after another enormous yawn, she headed for the bathroom.

When she reappeared, Pacey was waiting for her. Despite her protests, he guided her to the king-sized bed and tucked her in. "Are you comfortable?" Joey nodded. "Do you have enough blankets? If not, I can go get a few more."

"I'm fine Pace," Joey assured him.

"Are you sure? Do you need water or anything?"

"You know what, Pace, there is one thing I want."

"What's that?" Pacey asked almost eagerly.

"I want you to turn out the light, get into bed and hold me."

Pacey obliged slowly, not sure how doing all of that would help her. "Better?" he asked as he wrapped his arms around her and rested his hands on her belly.

"Much better, thank-you." Joey sank back into his loving arms. "Hey Pace… what gives?"

Pacey frowned. "What do you mean?"

Joey turned to face him with some effort and difficulty. "I understand that the doctor told you to take care of me but ever since you came in from talking to Doug, you've acted different…" She looked up in time to see a faraway look in her husband's eyes. "Pace?"

"Hmm?" He replied, coming back to the present.

"That's what I'm talking about… you were just a million miles away and when you're not so distant, you're clinging to me like glue."

"I don't want to worry you, Jo…" Pacey replied trailing off.

"Pacey would you just tell me! I'm worrying more right now, not knowing."

Pacey sighed and told her everything Doug had shared with him even though it was against his better judgment. When he finished, Joey looked up at him with glassy eyes. "I'm so sorry Pace," she replied sadly.

"It's okay, it's not like there's anything we can do to change it. I just wish I'd known before… You know it really answers a lot of questions for me. At least now I know why my entire family has treated me like a screw-up and a loser all of my life…" Pacey trailed off and then forced himself to continue, "Now that I know why, I don't blame them for treating me like they did… maybe I deserved it."

Joey looked up with fire in her eyes. "Don't say that!" she scolded. "You are not a screw-up! You had no control over what happened to your brother! If your family wanted to blame you for what happened, then that's their problem, not yours. Don't try blaming yourself either."

"You know," Pacey started, smiling genuinely got the first time since he discovered he was a twin, "this is why I love you so much. When I feel my worst, you know exactly what to say to make me feel better. I don't think I could live without you, Jo." Pacey looked down to find that Joey had fallen fast asleep. He grinned and kissed her forehead. He settled into his pillow and drifted off to sleep holding three of the most important people in his life in his arms.

TBC

A/N: What do you think? Just so you all know, this is like the calm before the storm… there's going to be tons of action and drama and anxiety in the next chapter! I'll update soon I promise.