Chapter Twenty-Four - Joey's P.O.V.
"Hey you two." Jen says smiling at us when we finally emerge from my room.
"Hey." We both say back, Pacey has his arms wrapped around me and he is looking over my shoulder at Jen and smiling back.
"You guys look happy." Jen says innocently, although we all know otherwise.
"So where is everyone?" I ask cautiously.
"Kitchen." Jen says simply.
"Well, I guess we better get in there if everyone else is waiting."
As we all take our places around the table. I notice all of the people I love are sitting here, and I realize what a wonderful holiday this is going to be. As the food gets passed around and conversations begin the noise increases and I smile truly grateful for all that I have. I look over a Pacey, reaching for the hand he has resting on my knee I squeeze it to get his attention. When he looks at me with those piercing blue eyes of his my heart melts a little more, I lean over and place a kiss on his cheek and whisper, "I love you Pace." Before turning my attention back to my meal, he just smiles at me and rubs his hand over my knee.
"So Joey, Bessie tells me you found your dress?" Bodie says from across the table.
"I did, but I can't tell you about it, so you'll just have to wait to see it." I say to him.
"Jo, do you really believe in that silly superstition?" Pacey asks.
"Yes, as a matter of fact I do. So you're going to have to wait till June to see it." I say sticking my tongue out at him.
"Jo, don't stick you're tongue out unless you plan on using it?" He warns, a sexy gleam coming into his eyes.
"You'll just have to wait and see, won't you Pace?" I say back under my breath.
"Geeze, don't you two ever stop? Wasn't this afternoon enough for you?" Jack teases from across the room. I immediately blush a deep red, and hang my head hoping that my hair will cover my face, while Pacey just grins proudly at him.
"Jack, leave them alone. They're young and in love so you know the answer is no. Besides its not like you and Tobey aren't all over each other every time you see each other." Jen says coming to my defense, and it's Jacks turn to blush furiously.
"So can you believe that tomorrow is Christmas Eve already?" I say, changing the subject.
"Where did the time go? It only seems like yesterday we were all gathered around this table giving thanks, and now it's Christmas." Bessie says.
"Um, after last night I was kind of wondering who was planning on going to the Leary's holiday party tomorrow?" Bodie asks quietly.
"I still plan on going." I say, "I have no intention of letting Dawson's arrogance ruin a wonderful holiday tradition." Everyone is looking at me a little shocked that after what he said and how upset I was about it, I was still planning on attending the party.
Jen is the first to recover and quickly adds, "Well, I bought a new dress for the party and I am going to wear it. So yes, I'm going too."
Soon everyone has said that they are still going I know that had I said no then none of them would have gone. Bessie begins to clear the dirty dishes from the table and asks, "So would anyone like some coffee?"
"Bess, have you ever know Lindley to turn down coffee?" Pacey says, while making a face at Jen.
"No, as a matter of fact, I haven't. Jen coffee?"
"Please, let me help you with the dishes." Jen says getting up to help her.
Soon we are again all gathered in the living room. The fire burning in the fireplace and the small multicolored lights on the tree are the only sources of light. Pacey and I are curled up together in one of the over sized arm chairs, Bodie, Bessie, and Alex are wrapped up in a blanket on the sofa, Jen and Grams on the love seat, and Jack is next to the tree in the other arm chair. We are all enjoying the silence and the scene, while we sip our coffee.
"Jo, look baby its snowing." Pacey says nudging me softly.
"Mm, it's always so much prettier here." I say watching the snow drift against the window and swirl in the darkness.
"Oh, snow, look guys." Jen says excitedly.
"Pretty isn't it?" I ask.
"Yeah, let's go play in it!" Jen says she's always loved to play in the falling snow.
"Why not." Jack agrees.
"Come on Jo, it'll be fun we can make snow angles, and stuff." Pacey says, the child inside of him screaming to come out and play.
"Fine." I sigh.
"Yay!" Jen says clapping her hands.
We slowly all get up from our places around the room and make our way to the front closet where we pull on all of our winter cloths. Stepping on to the porch I notice how quite it is.
"Hey, guys ever notice how when it snows the world gets really quite?" I ask.
"Yeah, it's weird. Like everyone is afraid if they make noise then the snow will go away." Jack says.
"Pfft! Let's go make some noise, and have some fun." Jen says running off the porch and into the dark.
I wrap my arms around Pacey and snuggle into him to fight off the chill in the night air. As we stand there in each others arms we watch Jack and Jen chase each other around the yard throwing snowballs at each other.
*Thwack* is the sound a snow ball makes as it hits me square in the back of the head, a few of the fluffy flakes falling inside my jacket making me shiver. I whirl around and see a sheepish looking Jack hiding behind one of the posts on the front of the porch.
"McPhee, you are so dead!" I scream tearing myself from Pacey's arms and taking off after him. As I run I reach down and grab a handful of snow to fashion my own weapon. Once I have it packed and shaped just right I hunt down my attacker only to find him cowering behind my fiance.
"Jack McPhee stop using my man as your personal shield, come out here and fight like a man!"
Pacey just laughs at me, while Jack peaks out from behind and throws another snowball at me, he misses by a couple of feet. Jen takes aim at Pacey, as he is the only one without a snowball in hand.
*Splat!* Right in the face. With a shocked expression on his face spits the snow out of his mouth and wipes the rest off his face, while we all laugh at him.
"Lindley!" he growls and bounding off after her, leaving Jack without a human shield. I take my shot and hit him in the shoulder. In the background I can her Jen begging for mercy as Pacey holds her down and it threatening to give her a face wash. Quickly I form another snowball and throw it at him, after all I have to save Jen, my aim is good and I get him on the back. He look up from Jen's writhing body and sees me smiling innocently at him.
"Oops!" I say with a giggle and take off the continue my war with Jack, Jen mean while has managed to break free enough so that she can roll over and get a mitten full of snow, she takes advantage of Pacey's weakened position and rubs snow all over his face.
"Arg!" he screams against the cold.
Jen gets up quickly and starts running. "Thanks Jo!" she screams in my direction.
"No problem, us girls have to stick together if we hope to win this." I say over my shoulder as I dive out of the way of an incoming snowball.
I reach the woods and decide to fortify my position; quickly I start making snowballs and stacking them at my feet. Pacey is looking for his next target, I crouch down behind the tree but he sees me. I grab a couple of snowballs and toss them his way, hoping to slow his advance but they both go wide.
"Potter, I thought I taught you better than that!" he calls as I grab more snowballs and move further into the woods.
"You did, I missed on purpose." I call, as I toss another snowball his way, this one hits his chest, he doesn't slow down any though he just keeps coming my direction. I grab my last remaining two snowballs and make a break for it, heading back towards the house down another path in the woods. Once I'm free of the trees I run as fast as I can through the six or eight inches of snow that cover the yard. His height however makes it easier for him to catch me, as he tackles me to the ground he turns me in his arms so I land on my back. As we hit the ground a cloud of fluffy snow goes up in the air. He stares down at me with passion burning in his eyes, as the snow settle back to earth I see the moon reflecting off the ones in his hair and feel them melting against my face.
"Jo, that wasn't very nice you know." He says.
"What wasn't?" I ask innocently. I love the way he has me pinned underneath him, my back is cold from the snow and my front is warm from the pressure of his hard body pressing against mine, we are both breathing hard from the effort of running through the snow.
"Helping Jen to escape back there, now you must be punished."
"Would it help if I said I was sorry?" I ask fully expecting him to wash my face with snow.
"Um, nope!" He smiles mischievously at me and reaches for a hand full of snow. I close my eyes and scrunch up my face waiting for the inevitable, and I am shocked when instead of cold snow I feel his warm breath on my face. I relax a little but still don't open my eyes. He lowers his cold lips to mine and kisses me breathless. I wrap my arms around his neck and open my mouth under his, immediately his tongue pushes into my mouth. I tighten my grip around his neck and pull him closer forcing him to shift his weight, as he does I feel his erection pressing hotly against my thigh, I move my leg bending it slightly so I can feel him against my core. He growls deep in his throat as I rock against him needing to feel him even closer. He pushes back against me rolling his hips a little creating wonderful sensation within my body, I moan his name against his lips as one gloved and reaches to cup my breast through my coat and sweater. I no longer feel the cold against my back, as Pacey slowly loves me with his lips. Suddenly I remember that we are not alone. I pull away from his kiss and lift my heavy eyelids to look into his eyes, I am met with so much love and passion there that I am tempted to forget where we are and take him right here, right now.
"Pace?" I speak his name as I run a hand through his hair.
"Yeah, Jo?" He asks softly.
"Um, where are Jack and Jen?"
Suddenly he remembers where we are, and what were doing and rolls from on top of me. Lying beside me he groans softly. "Jo, what do you say we turn in for the night?" He asks rolling his head sideways so he can look at me.
"But, I'm not tired." I say smiling wickedly at him.
"My point exactly." He raises an eyebrow suggestively at me.
"In that case bedtime it is." I pull my self up from the ground and offer him a hand up. Jen and Jack are making snow angles over the other side of the yard.
"Hey, guys were heading in." I call across to them.
"Okay!" They call back.
Back inside the house Bessie has hot chocolate waiting, I strip off my damp Jacket, hat, and scarf hanging them up to dry in the closet.
"I'm going to jump in the shower quickly to warm up, then I'm going to turn in early." I say winking at Pacey.
"Jo, I'll leave your hot chocolate in the bedroom." He says walking off.
"Subtle Sis." Bessie says from where she is sitting at the kitchen table going over the books.
"What, my ass is frozen. Excuse me if I want a warm shower." I say as she gives me her whatever you say look.
"Night Bess!" I say walking from the room.
After my shower, I step into our room with one towel wrapped around my head and another around by body to discover the room a glow with candles, music playing softly, and a steaming cup of hot chocolate on the nightstand. Changing into my pajamas and grabbing my brush I slide into bed and relax back against he headboard inhaling the sweet smell of chocolate. The door opens and Pacey slips inside locking the door behind him. His hair is damp, and his flannel pajama pants are low on his hips.
"Hey you!" he says softly climbing on to the bed facing me.
"Hey." I say back softly.
He just watches me as I drink the rest of my hot chocolate, his hand rubbing my thigh lightly. As I place the empty mug on the nightstand I reach for my brush and hold it out to him. "Would you?" I ask, feeling too lazy to brush the tangles out of my own hair. He takes the brush from me and I turn so he has access to my hair, carefully he brushes the tangles out, when he is finished he lays the brush aside and starts to rub my shoulders.
"Oh my god, Pace that feels so good." I moan as his strong fingers press into the tight muscles of my shoulders, releasing the tension I hadn't realized was there.
"Better?" he asks a few minutes later, stroking my arms.
I lean back against his chest and tilt my head back to place a kiss on his lips and say "Much, thank you."
"So you ready to turn in?" he asks softly kissing my shoulder.
"Surprisingly yeah I am."
"I'm not surprised you had a rough night last night, so how about we just relax and get a good nights sleep? Tomorrow will be crazy."
"Okay." I murmur sleepily as we lay down and he pulls the covers over us. He spoons against me, and kisses my head.
"Night Jo."
"Night Pace."
"Jen, help!" I call out late the next afternoon from my position in front of the vanity mirror in my room.
"What is it Joey?" She asks poking her head through my doorway.
"I need help with my hair."
"Okay, what are we doing with it?"
"I want to wear it up, all curly you know like how we did it for that Worthington dinner I went to at the beginning of the year."
"Sure, no problem." Jen smiles at me in the mirror. "Jo you really need to learn how to do this yourself."
"I know, but it's so much easier when you do it. Besides it'll look better if you do it."
"I suppose that you're right. Now where are you're hot rollers?"she asks. I point over to the dresser where they are plugged in and warmed up ready to use.
"So, how you holding up?" Jen asks returning with the roller to set my hair.
"I can't say I'm thrilled about having to deal with Dawson again tonight. I almost feel sorry for him; he hasn't grown up at all this last year. I just want him to accept that I am doing what makes me happy, finally."
"Don't worry Jo, we'll keep an eye out and if he starts to get to pushy we'll leave."
"Pacey promised me that he wouldn't leave my side tonight. He's so sweet."
"He loves you."
"I know, I forget sometimes how much."
Jen finishes setting my hair and wraps a towel around my head to keep the curlers in place while they cool. "Jo I need to go do my make-up, I'll be back in fifteen minutes to put your hair up."
"Okay. I need a snack so I'll meet you back here."
I walk towards the kitchen where Bodie is putting the finishing touches on the cake he is bringing with us to the Leary's.
"Hey Bodie!"
"Hi Jo, interesting look." He says indicating the towel wrapped around my head.
"Yeah Jen's doing my hair."
"Ah." he says as if that explains everything.
"Have you seen Pace?"
"He's out back building a snowman with Alex. Honestly I don't know who's having more fun."
"Thats easy, Pacey. He's just a really big kid at heart and playing with one makes him enjoy it even more. Are they're any of your oatmeal raisin cookies around?" I ask hopefully.
"Cookie Jar, fresh this morning."
"Cool, I need a snack". I say as I pour myself a glass of milk to go with the cookies. I grab a handful and head back to my room to start on my makeup.
Jen returns fifteen minutes later as promised hair spay in hand.
"So how are the rollers?"
"Cold, I checked a couple of minutes ago."
"Well then lets get started." She carefully pulls the rollers from my hair spraying each as she goes so the ringlets won't drop out too quickly. She pulls sections of my hair back securing them with bobby pins and more hair spray. A few minutes later she has created a cascade of curls that fall just to my shoulders, and she has left a few tendrils hanging down.
"Thanks Jen." I say as she applies a final coat of spray.
"No problem, you look great. I'll see you later." With that she slips out of the room, and I get up to find my dress.
Tonight I am again wearing a new dress I got this one in hopes of knocking Pacey's socks off. It's white and made of some kind of stretchy material so it hugs my body just right. It is sleeveless and has high collar that fastens around my neck, the back comes up just below my shoulder blades, the skirt falls to the ground and there is a slit up one side that comes up to mid-thigh. It is very classy, but also very sexy. I slip on my new garter belt and stockings, I have to forgo a bra because of the cut and fabric but I don't mind. Stepping into the dress I fasten the two buttons at the back of my neck and smile at my reflection in the mirror. A year ago I never would have dared to wear something this provocative, but now it just feels right. I have become more confidant and self aware, being with Pacey I no longer feel the need to slouch, as he is taller than me.
Stepping into my shoes, I gather my Jacket and purse ready to have what I hope will be an enjoyable evening.
I head for the living room where the others have started to gather; Jen and Jack are waiting both look stunning.
"Hi Guys."
"Hey Jo." They say in unison.
"So Jack how's Andie?" I ask. Jack picked her up from the airport earlier in the day and took her to Mr. McPhee's, but they are both going to be at the party later, and at the house tomorrow for Christmas dinner.
"She's good, Italy agrees with her." She looks so happy.
"That's good."
Just then the doorbell rings and Jack hops up to get it. A minute later he returns hand in hand with Tobey.
"Hey." I say waving to him as Jen rushes over to give him a hug.
"Hey." He says back, never one for big words or long conversations Tobey sometimes finds it hard to be around too many of us at one time. Finally freeing himself from Jens grip, he walks over to hug me.
"Merry Christmas." We both say and laugh at each other.
"Jo?" Pacey calls as he walks into the room dressed in his suit with his tie undone around his neck, one end in each hand and a confused look on his face.
"Yes Pace?"
"Wow!" he says looking at me, stopping dead in his tracks.
"You like?" I ask teasingly, executing a turn so he gets the full effect of the dress.
"Wow!" he stammers again.
"Pace, you already said that." I giggle.
"Yeah I know, but Wow!"
I laugh at him, knowing that I just knocked his socks off. "Tie trouble sweetie?"
"Yeah, how anyone does this successfully I'll never know."
"Come here." I say patiently.
He walks over to me, kisses me softly and smiles. I take the tie from him and tie it for him.
"You guys are so domestic." Tobey teases.
"Hi Tobey, Merry Christmas." Pacey says as I finish adjusting the collar on his shirt. Running my hands down his chest.
"Merry Christmas Pace."
Bessie walks into the room with her camera in hand and we all groan knowing that she is going to want to take a few pictures of all of us.
"Come on guys, just a couple I promise. I hardly ever see all of you looking so dressed up indulge me."
"Come on guys, the sooner we do this the sooner we can get going." I say already giving into the demands of my sister.
We all crowd around the fireplace and smile for the camera, she takes some of all of us, some of me and Pacey, some of me and Jen, some of the guys together; and before we know it she has used and entire roll of film.
Bodie, Grams, and Alex come into the room wearing their coats. Pacey helps me into mine and slips his own on.
"Shall we?" He asks offering me his arm.