Chapter Twenty-Seven - Pacey's P.O.V.

*2 Months Later*

"Hey Pacey." Lindsay says as we are both checking our mail for the day.

"Hey Linds, how are things? I haven't seen you in quite a while."

"That's not my fault, I still live here." She says giving me a wink.

"Yeah, I know. Sorry, it's just easier most nights to stay with Jo. What can I say I'm a sucker for my girl."

"Totally understandable, besides we've all been a little busy what with mid-terms coming up. So how are your classes this semester?"

"They are harder than last semester, but I'm managing. In-fact I was just about to head over the Engineering building, I've got a couple more classes this afternoon and then I'm done for the week.

"How about I walk over with you? I've got some lab time I really should put to use."

"That'd be nice, so hows Matt?"

"He's good, he started working at this cyber cafe place just off campus, they need someone to work on their computers after hours, fix any problems that come up, that type of thing; and since he's good at that stuff he decided that a little extra cash would be handy."

"Sounds interesting, and you anything new with you?"

"Nope, same old, same old. It's really kind of sad. I talked to an old friend from back home for the first time in months and neither of us had anything interesting to say, it was kind of funny actually. What about you, between school, work, Joey, the wedding, and your boat there has to be something interesting happening with you."

"Not really, Joey, Jen and Bessie are the ones in full wedding mode. As long as I show up on time, wear what I'm told, and remember to say the right words that's all I really care about, the rest is just for Joey. I really just want to start spending the rest of our lives together."

"Pace, I think you're well on your way to that. When was the last time you spent a night at the dorm?"

"Um, sometime before Valentines day, I think. I went up there one day last week to do some studying between classes and I looked around and realized exactly how much of my stuff is already over at the house."

"Yeah, since my room mate flaked and dropped out, Matt's stuff keeps moving it's way into my room, not that I mind. I like having him close."

As she is talking I notice a tall greasy haired blonde walking across the quad. Dawson has not tried to contact any of us since Christmas, but I can't help but have an uneasy feeling where he is concerned. I've seen him around campus a couple of times now and whenever I see him he is always alone. I wonder if he has even made any friends in the two months that he has been back. He's heading over the arts building, as I watch him disappear inside and hear Lindsay asks me something.

"Huh, what?" I ask sheepishly.

"I asked what you're plans are for the weekend? You seem distracted what is it?"

"Dawson, I just saw him again, and I don't really know what our plans are, why?"

"Well there's a party at one of the frat houses tomorrow and I was wondering if you and Joey and the rest of your motley crew wanted to come out and blow off a little steam before mid-terms?"

"Sounds great, I'll ask everyone at home tonight."

"So how are things with Dawson? Jo told me all about him showing up at her sisters on Christmas Eve and all."

"I don't really know, I talked to his parents when we we're home but they don't really know anything more than the rest of us. He hasn't tried to talk to anyone since he transferred here, but I think he's planning something and it makes me nervous, which honestly is why I spend so many nights at the house. I don't trust him. Joey made it clear to him that she doesn't want to see him but he has a way of not listening when things don't go his way. So I like being close to her, I feel better knowing that she is safe."

"It sounds like this guy is a little crazy. Well, I have to get to the lab, call me I've got my phone on me."

"Okay, see you later." I say continuing on towards the engineering building.

Three hours later after two particularly boring lectures I make my way over to the house.

"Hey Honey, I'm home!" I call in my best Fred Flintstone voice as I walk through the door Joey has only one class on Fridays and it in the morning so I know she's at home.

"In here Pace!" I hear Joey call from the kitchen.

"So ladies what are we up to this afternoon?" I ask looking at the table that is covered in magazines and books, before I lean down and kiss Joey hello.

"Flowers, what do you think of this?" Joey asks handing me a magazine and pointing to an archway covered with flowers.

"It's nice, what is it?" I ask.

"That is an arbor, and we are going to stand beneath it when we say our vows."

"Okay." I say grabbing a muffin out of the box on the counter; I can always count on grams to have home made cookies, or muffins around to snack on.

I watch as Joey rolls her eyes at me.

"Baby you know I don't care about this stuff, all I care about is that you and I are there, that we are surrounded by our friends and family, and that we live happily ever after and of course getting some." I tease winking at her.

"Pace is that all you ever think about?" Jen asks.

"Jealous Lindley?"

"Hell yes! Don't get me wrong I love the independence of being single, but I want a man. I look at you two and see how much in love you are with each other and I want it." She sighs forlornly.

"Jen, you'll find the right guy, he's out there just wait and see." Joey says comforting her friend,

"I know. I just miss it that's all."

"Well how about we cheer you up by taking you to a party tomorrow night?" I ask.

"There's a party, will there be cute guys there?" she asks smiling at the idea.

"Well it's a frat party so I would assume so, but I don't really notice if guys are cute or not. Baby you want to go?" I ask Joey who is again pouring over the clutter on the table.

"Yeah, I guess I could do with a night out." She is cutting out the picture she showed me earlier and is adding it to the wedding scrapbook so she can show the florist what she wants when she meets with him.

"Great, I'll call Linds and let her know the good news."

I walk over to the phone hanging on the wall and dial Lindsay's number, after three rings I get her machine.

"Hey, it's Pace. I talked to the girls and we're on for the party tomorrow night. We'll meet you at the dorm around ten."

"How is Linds?" Joey asks after I leave my message, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"She's good, I talked to her for while today. Matt's got a new job, she said he's busy but that he'll be there tomorrow."

"Good I haven't seen either of them since before Christmas." Jen says.

"Yeah, we've all been busy." I say. "Jo are you guys done here?" I ask.

"I guess, why?"

"I just want to spend some quality time with you." I say wiggling my eyebrows at her.

"Do you two ever stop?" Jen asks.

"No." We both say together.

"Come on Jo, I've had a long day how about we take a nap before dinner."

"Sure you go up, I need to clean up this mess before Grams comes home."

"K, don't be long; I'll be waiting. I kiss her cheek and head up the stairs."

I close the door to Joey's room, which is really now our room I realize as I look around and see so much of both of us in here. Stripping down to my boxers I collapse onto the bed and groan tiredly. A few minutes later I hear her come into the room, I can feel her eyes on me.

"Potter are you going to stand there all afternoon, or are you going to join me in this bed?"

"I was just admiring the view." She says. I can tell she's smiling, even though I haven't looked at her.

I push myself up on my elbows and look over my shoulder at her. "I knew you couldn't resist my butt."

"Pace, your butt really isn't that amazing ya know."

"Whatever Woman, now get over here."

She walks over and sits on the bed looking at me, as she smiles my heart melts and I know that there is nothing I wouldn't do for this woman.

"So how was class today?" She asks.

"Long and boring, but that's nothing new. How was your class?"

"It was good, I worked on my painting a little before I came home. So are we really napping or was that something you made up to get me alone for a while?"

"I really want to take a nap, but if you want we can do something else."

She shifts her weight and moves to lie down next to me; she leans into me and kisses me softly. I roll over onto my back and wrap my arms around her, pulling her closer to me.

"Mmm," she murmurs ending the kiss "a nap sounds good, I love the feeling of being in you arms."

I pull one of the pillows more securely under my head, as she rests her head against my chest.

"I talked to Bessie earlier today, she wants to know when we were planning on coming back down to talk to everyone for the wedding. We only have a little over three months and we still have so much to do."

"You'll get everything done in time baby, it will be beautiful."

"Yeah I know, so Bess said she talked to Doug and that he said your mom misses you."

"Jo, please let's not get into this now okay. Things are getting better with me and them, but I'm not exactly ready to welcome them all back into my life."

"I know. I just wish that things were different sometimes. Doesn't it bother you that we are getting married and neither one of us has invited our parents."

"Actually, I was thinking about that, and I'd really like to send Mom and Doug invitations."

"Oh Pacey! That's so great. I'll add them to the list later." she says hugging me.

"So can we sleep now please?"

"Sure."

We snuggle closer together and drift off to sleep; I wake up about an hour later and can hear Grams, Jack and Jen moving around the house downstairs. I should probably get up and help them with dinner but as I look over a Joey who is curled up on her side facing me with her hands tucked under her head as a pillow, and that soft smile on her lips I know that I'm not going anywhere until she wakes up. Reaching out one hand slowly I trace the lines of her face softly and wonder what she is dreaming about. As I remove my hand, she sighs and shifts closer to me as if sensing the loss of contact in her sleep.

"I love you Josephine." I whisper moving to get more comfortable. I love watching her sleep; it always reminds me of just how much she trusts me, and how comfortable she is in my presence. Her eyelids flutter open and she looks up at me, her eyes soft with sleep, she smiles when she sees me watching her.

"Hey Baby."

"Mm, time is it?"

"A little after six, dinner will be ready soon."

"How long have you been awake?"

"A few minutes maybe, I don't really know I was watching you."

"I know. I always know when you're watching me."

"You do?"

"Yeah, I just get this warm feeling all over and I know that someone loves me very much."

"Good, you're supposed to feel that way. What do you say we go help out down stairs?" I get up from the bed and start to pull my clothes on before looking over at her and smiling. She is still lying on the bed, her hair is fanned out around her, and she is watching me. I am amazed at how sexy she can be without even trying.

"What?" I ask.

"Nothing, just thinking about how sexy you are."

"I was just thinking the same thing Potter, now lets get a move on."