Love Is

Part 2

Twenty minutes after Jen and Joey had gone to get dressed, Audrey and Bessie entered Joey’s old bedroom carrying some glasses of champagne.

“You both look totally ravishing.”  Audrey stated on seeing Jen and Joey with their milky latte colored bridesmaid dresses.  As she handed one of the glasses to Jen she noted the questioning looks she was getting from both Joey and Jen.

“What?”

“Are you going to drink that?”  Jen asked as she quickly eyed the glass before looking at Joey.

“Here you are Audrey dear.”  Grams said as she entered the room carrying a champagne glass with orange juice, interrupting the tension that seemed to be momentarily clouding the room.

“Nope, just good old OJ for me.  I thought it would be a classy touch if my closest friends could join me in a toast to my…” She paused for a brief moment thinking of how to phrase it and lighten the mood at the same time.  “…impending doom!”

“Audrey?”

“It’s ok.”  Audrey assured them both.  “I know you were just looking out for me.”

“Joey?”  Bodie called from the hallway.

“Yeah.”

“It’s Dawson again.” 

Joey rolled her eyes causing Jen, Audrey and Grams to laugh as she replied.  “Tell him he’s not to talk to Audrey.”

“He wants to talk to you this time.”

“Oh.”  Joey mouthed silently as her face brightens up.

“Whole different kettle of soulmate, isn’t it?” Audrey asked smirking.

“You betcha.”  She replied before exiting the room.

“It’ll always be like that with them, won’t it?”  Audrey asked Jen, both of them knowing at one point they both have envied what Dawson and Joey had.

“Well, it’s been like that ever since I’ve known them.  Why would you expect it to be different now?” 

“I don’t know.”  Audrey shrugged her shoulders.  “Because lives change.”

“That somehow never really seems to apply to those two.”

“I guess.”

“Aunt Audrey!”  A three year old brown haired little girl exclaimed on entering the room, running to Audrey, throwing her arms around her leg.  She lets go of Audrey’s leg and Audrey bent down so she could scoop the little girl into her arms.  “I missed you!”

“Aw.”  Audrey cooed.  “I missed you too Sugar.”  She replied, causing the little girl to giggle.  “And when did Miss Annabelle get here?  Last I heard you were hiding from Daddy and he couldn’t find you.”

“Daddy brought me over.  I was hiding in the closet.”  Annabelle replied as she touched a tendril of Audrey’s hair.  “Your hair is all pretty.”

“Thank you Sweetie.”  Audrey replied walking towards the window.  Once there she catches sight of Dawson and Joey by his car.

“And your eyes are all sparkly.  Aunt Bessie, I want to be sparkly.  Can I be sparkly?”  She called over Audrey’s shoulder to Bessie, before she indicated to Audrey that she wanted to be put down.  Once back on the ground Annabelle glances at Jen, tilting her head to the side and then straightening up again.  “Your dress is real pretty Auntie Jen.  Just like Mommy’s.”

“Why thank you.”  Jen replied curtseying causing Annabelle to giggle more as she skipped over to Bessie.  Jen approached the window upon seeing the worried look on Audrey’s face and she moved to stand behind Audrey.

Jen looked to where Audrey was looking and saw Dawson and Joey talking, it appeared to be about something serious as the expression on Dawson’s face was one of worry, or maybe it was more a look of relief.  In the time Audrey had been standing there looking out of the window Dawson and Joey have hugged twice, he had run his hand through his hair three times and Joey’s hands where now in his.

“Audrey?”  Jen whispered, shaking Audrey from her moment of reverie. 

“Do you think he’s here calling it off?”  Audrey said her voice barely audible.

“No!”  Jen replied adamantly as Dawson and Joey hugged again.  Joey appeared to be cupping his check as she said something to reassure him.  Then they kissed and Dawson tightened his embrace as Joey tiptoed a little. 

Both Audrey and Jen backed away from the window, feeling as though maybe they have seen something they weren’t supposed to see.

“Okay Audrey, let’s get this dress on you.”  Grams stated as she reentered the room. 

*****

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