Are you happy now

Part one

By Anne Gooding

Summary: This story focuses on the children of the gang at Dawson’s fortieth (that’s right, 4-0) birthday party, plus the gang themselves. And they are no less dysfunctional. Sequel to “Always” and “Home”

Class: D/J and P/A for all you closet P/Aers.

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“Oh my god.” Dawson’s voice boomed off the walls of the bathroom, and Joey, who was tightening the belt around her robe, rushed in—“What’s wrong?”

“Is that a gray hair?” Dawson, still only dressed in a towel, damp from his shower, pointed to what could have been a single gray hair near his temple. Joey rolled her eyes. “Dawson.”

“This is the end. This is when I start to go bald…grow love handles…my butt drops…it doesn’t matter how many sit-ups I do or how many miles I run, I’m…” “This wouldn’t have anything to do with the fact you’re turning forty this Friday, would it?” Joey said tiredly, leaning against the bathroom sink.

“Oh, nothing to do with it at all,” Dawson replied sarcastically, reaching for his razor. He patted his stubbled chin. “Maybe I should grow a beard.”

“No.” Joey said firmly, shaking her head. “I’m not kissing a beard. And…when did you care so much about your butt?” she grinned salaciously, reaching down to pat it.

“This is serious.” Dawson said, trying to sound like it, reaching down to peel her hand off him. But he couldn’t. He and Joey started to laugh together.

“You’ll always be handsome to me.” Joey murmured, sitting up on the bench, wrapping her legs around him, pushing the bathroom door shut with the tips of her toes.

“You don’t seem to age yourself,” Dawson said huskily, undoing her bathrobe and adjusting his towel so it fell to the ground. “We can’t…” Joey said reluctantly. “I have to meet Amy for lunch in less than an hour…” “You can spare fifteen minutes…” Dawson cajoled. “I need a confidence booster.” “Now there’s an excuse I haven’t heard in a long time.”

****

Sixteen, sandy-haired and handsome in a way that was almost dangerous, Mitch Leery sneaked into the kitchen with the cake, making sure his dad wasn’t there, and on his mom’s instructions he hid it in the back of the fridge.

His little sister Amelia pitter-pattered into the Spanish tiled kitchen, cute and brown-eyed with brown bangs, Amelia had turned three recently and was zooming around the house on her little legs like a bicycle. “Hey Mellie.’ Mitch picked her up. “Lets go watch cartoons, ‘kay?”

She nodded solemnly, rubbing her eyes, still sleepy.

Where was his mom? Usually she was out making breakfast, dressing Amelia and making a hundred phone calls. His parent’s bedroom door was shut and Mitch decided he wasn’t going to go in there. No way. It was gross, what his parent’s got up to, especially being almost in their forties. Definitely not normal. Jennifer *never* complained about her parents—they were probably a bit more discreet.

****

Jennifer stole into the bathroom, to check her hair. She was a mixture of her parents good breeding, with fine blonde hair, big brown eyes and curves that she definitely didn’t inherit from her mom, who was skinny. Sometimes she hated how she was ‘all boobs’ and then other times…she didn’t mind.

She wondered if she looked different, if her father, who could usually read her very well, could read her now, if he could tell she was no longer a virgin.

But he just smiled at her good morning, and patted the top of her head fondly before going to pour himself some coffee. Her mom then bounced into the kitchen, fresh and pretty in a blue shirt and jeans, her blonde hair swaying around her shoulders. “Good morning honey…” she smiled at Jennifer, and then wrapped her arms around Pacey’s shoulders.

“Eurgh,” Jennifer wrinkled her nose and hastily grabbed an apple, escaping from the kitchen. Pacey sleepily accepted Andie’s kisses, bewildered by her chirpy manner, yet not surprised at all. She liked to kiss and cuddle him a lot after a night of sex, which was getting increasingly difficult to manage, with a three year old, who liked to catapult onto their bed whenever he could, a fifteen-year-old sulky teenager and two unruly sons between 10 and 12 just down the hall.

“Oh…Jen…” Andie called over Pacey’s shoulder.

“What, mom?”

“Don’t ‘what’ me, young lady. Have you got everything for the trip up to New York?” “What do I need?”

“Change of clothing, shampoo, toothbrush…” “Yes…” Jennifer said impatiently, going back to her room to pack. She may have acted begrudgingly, but she was excited about Dawson’s 40th. She loved New York, for one, and…of course…Mitch. Blushing just thinking about him, Jennifer wondered if he had changed too. It had only happened three weeks ago. She hadn’t seen him since the day afterwards.

****

Amy, eighteen, blonde, green-eyed and svelte, wrapped a pink cashmere scarf around her neck and braved the windy New York afternoon from her upper west side apartment she shared with Jack and his partner, Ross, alone since her grandparents moved permanently to the Hamptons.

She usually caught a bus to Columbia where she was a freshman, and hung out with friends in clubs and café’s all over the upper and middle Manhattan area. Today, she was meeting Joey for lunch on Fifth Avenue. Getting out her cell-phone, she automatic-called Dawson and Joey, who had a new, larger place on the Upper East Side—quite fancy, but then they could afford it. “Hello?” Dawson’s deep voice answered the phone.

“Hi, Mr. Forty year old,” Amy teased him.

“Stop, please. I think I found a gray hair.” “You’re so paranoid.”

“That’s what Joey thinks.” “Is she there?”

“Nope—just left.” “Okay, cool, I just called to check she remembered.”

“Lunch with you? Yes. Mitch dragged himself along too, as a warning…”

Amy groaned inwardly, and Dawson, noting her quietness, chuckled. “Want me to have a word with him?

”No, its fine,” Amy smiled. “I just don’t…want him to get the wrong idea, you know.” “Yeah, I know. Nothing more annoying than a sixteen year old following you around.”

They said their goodbyes and Amy hailed a cab.

****

“Hi sweetie.’ Joey hugged Amy, and Mitch waved.

Joey didn’t look a day over thirty-five. Amy hoped she would look like *that* when she turned forty. “Hi guys.” Amy said cheerfully. Hmm. Mitch looked different. Was it his hair? Whatever it was, he was looking much more hunkier. Not that he hadn’t before---he had always been a dreamboat, but now he looked more—adult.

Amy enjoyed teasing him, and Joey joined in, but because hot sophisticated Amy was there, Mitch didn’t mind so much. But he did mind when his mother talked about—

“We’re leaving Mitch by himself in September.” “Oh really?” Amy looked amused, her full lips curling.

“Dawson and I are going to Paris for two weeks…’ ”Oh I love Paris.’

“I know you do…” Joey laughed. “…and Amelia will be with us, but because Mitch has midterms, he’ll be in the city…’ Joey fondly ruffled her son’s hair and he pulled away, annoyed.

“Its not like it’s a big deal.”

“Oh, but it is,” Amy said brightly. “All alone in a big apartment in New York? The responsibility…”

Mitch rolled his eyes. He didn’t come here to be made fun of. He went there to talk to Amy like they used to, when they were younger and she wasn’t some hotshot college student. Just because she spent her senior year of high school in Paris, it didn’t mean she was above him. Besides, he was going to Yale. And he wasn’t a virgin anymore. Mitch straightened his shoulders and leaned back in his chair, concentrating on the busy sidewalk outside the café.

Amy lit up a cigarette.

“Amy…” Joey admonished softly, but Amy just shrugged, “What can I say? I picked it up in old Paree.”

Mitch chuckled.

Joey slyly watched Mitch and Amy out of the corners of her eyes. They were cute, but Joey didn’t want Mitch getting involved. Amy was not only older but on a completely different path. He had grown into a handsome young guy and girls tended to give him a lot of second looks—Mitch could have had any girl he liked. And Jennifer Witter? She was totally in love with him. Joey hoped Mitch wasn’t going to go in over his head.

****

“Daddy, I want to go to the zoo.” Amelia said loudly and sternly when Dawson picked her up and carried her into her bedroom to get dressed. “The zoo?” Dawson’s brow wrinkled. “Honey we haven’t got time to go to zoo today.” Yesterday she wanted to go to ‘disney wand’ and Dawson promised when she was older and could appreciate it more. He wished Mitch wouldn’t teach her how to demand. He claimed Amelia had ‘baby rights’ whatever that meant.

“Tell you what, pumpkin…” Dawson carried her over to the window. “We practically live in a zoo. Just a zoo of people.”

Amelia giggled, not quote sure what her dad was saying. After Dawson helped her get dressed in her favorite pair of overalls, he made her breakfast of squashed fruit and milk, and watched her sloppily eat, fondly. She was such a beautiful child. He didn’t know how an ogre like himself managed to make two gorgeous kids. Definitely Joey’s genes. Amelia had dark, soft wispy hair and big brown eyes, almost a carbon copy of her mom. She’d be a stunner. Dawson dreaded the day she bought home some tattooed rock star.

Mitch had his own sandy-colored hair and eyes but that’s where the similarities ended. His features weren’t as defined; he had a more Leonardo DiCaprio thing going rather than a Russell Crowe. Dawson and Mitch got along quite well these days. They had clashed a bit during his mid-adolescent phase, but once he turned fifteen they began to understand each other.

Mitch wasn’t as analytical, or idealistic, preferring to do things spontaneously and having no interest in the arts—directing or writing, instead preferring football and mathematics and watching “Rocky” or a Western over “E.T.” Dawson hadn’t realized it before now, but Mitch Jr was extremely similar to Mitch Senior —his grandfather. Despite the differences with his son, they respected each other, and that was what the important thing was.

****

_____________________________________________________________________

By six, the guests started to arrive, and their loft-type Upper East Side apartment began to fill up with old and new friends and family.

The Witter’s arrived at 7, and Joey showed them to their guest room, happy and giddy and kissing and hugging everyone, on her second glass of champagne and planning to stop there.

“Hi Mitch.” Jennifer said what was (In her opinion) an embarrassingly high-pitched voice. “Hi Jennifer.” Mitch kissed her cheek and took her jacket.

“Do you want a drink?” “Um, sure…’

“Nothing alcoholic…” Pacey warned. Jennifer nudged her dad, mortified.

Pacey clapped Dawson on the back in the kitchen, laughing, “Well, well, forty. I think Dawson Leery will finally have a chance to grow up.” “Don’t count on it.” Joey joked on her way out, carrying plates.

“Here.” Pacey handed Dawson some carefully wrapped gifts. Andie hovered while he unwrapped them, since she had bought them, and was pleased when Dawson seemed content with a French dictionary (Joey laughed when she saw it, she spoke fairly good French herself) and a picture in a wooden frame—a picture of them all as teenagers in that month when they were all dating peacefully and nothing too dramatic had happened yet.

Dawson hugged Andie warmly, knowing she had gone to trouble to find it.

Outside, Mitch handed Jennifer a coke, craning his neck to see if Amy had made it yet. Jennifer cleared her throat and was about to say something when Lily, Mitch’s aunt, threw her arms around her nephew. Twenty-three year old Lily was a vision of laughter and smiles, with the requisite blonde hair the Leery children seemed to have.

Mitch hugged her back. “So—any presents for me?”

“I’m a poor struggling artist, Mitchy.” Lily teased, but she was serious. She hugged Jennifer too. “Wow, Jenny, you look…great.” Lily said breathlessly. She had run up the stairs from the cab, too impatient to wait for the lifts. She then spotted Pacey, Jack and Audrey talking by the doorway and changed direction.

“Do you…want to…talk?” Jennifer asked Mitch nervously as soon as lily was out of earshot. “Uh…sure.”

Mitch led Jennifer to his room.

****

By nine, the apartment was filled with people, talking, eating, drinking and dancing. Friends from L.A mixed with friends and family from New York and Boston and Capeside. Amelia, who was supposed to be in Jennifer and Mitch’s care, wandered into the living room. Frightened by the noises of people talking and laughing and with no sight of her daddy’s familiar smile, she burst into tears.

Pacey, who was nearby, excused himself from talking to Audrey and Jack and picked her up. “Hey sweetie.” Amelia wailed even harder. Audrey ‘awwed,’ and tousled Amelia’s curls. Jack pretended to steal her nose but for that he received a smack from Amelia who rubbed her eyes, incensed.

“Ouch.” Jack and Audrey laughed, and Pacey shook his finger. “She doesn’t like you. Lets go find your mommy.”

He found Joey and Dawson in a romantic moment, slow-dancing and talking by the big window that overlooked the park. Joey had her arms entwined around Dawson’s neck and was gazing at him, and he in turn gazed down at her. For a moment, Pacey could see their innocent fifteen-year old faces. He couldn’t believe Dawson was forty…and that he himself, Pacey, was at the party, that they were all still friends, twenty-odd years later.

“Hey…this little one escaped.” Pacey slipped Amelia between her parents and she sniffled, resting her head against her daddy.

“Thanks Pacey…’ Joey smiled, tickling Amelia’s little waist. Amelia let out a small indignant wail then she clung to Dawson.

“Ever since she was born…” Joey shook her head. “She knew who her daddy was. Didn’t you?” she patted Amelia’s bottom then attempted to untangle her from Dawson. “I’ll put her to bed.” “I’ll go with you.” Dawson said, smiling. “Okay…”

****

After soft words and a small-made-up story by her parents—about talking fruit—they were desperate—Amelia fell asleep, clutching her favorite toy, a pink pig called Birdie. “Nice voice for the jalapeno,” Joey teased her husband softly as she shut Amelia’s bedroom door behind them. “Hey, it’s a Mexican vegetable.” “It’s not even a fruit and it’s not pronounceable.” “And she fell asleep, didn’t she?”

Dawson cornered her in the hallway, which was cut off from the rest of the party. He kissed her neck, and Joey sighed, “Oh you’re so good at that.” “Mmm.” His hands danced down her back and onto her bottom. “And that.” “Lets hide for a while.” Dawson suggested. “Lets make love during the party like we used to.” “Not when we’re hosting it, Dawson.” Joey giggled. “Besides, our room is close to the living room…”

“You should be thankful your old, gray haired husband still wants to have ‘fun’,’ Dawson joked as they made their way back to the party. Joey nudged him, rolling her eyes.

There was a thud from Mitch’s room, and Joey, without a thought, turned the doorknob and walked in to see what he was getting up to. When he was little he and Jack Jr and Charlie would do dangerous things like making fireworks or throwing water bombs out onto unsuspecting passerbies from twenty-three levels, no less.

The room was dark except for a slither of light coming from a streetlamp, and there were unmistakably two people on his bed.

“Jennifer?” Joey exclaimed.

****

Dawson shook his head as he poured himself a beer. The party was still going on, people didn’t seem to want to leave, so they weren’t going to pressure them into doing so. And it was only 11pm.

Joey was in the foyer, chattering to some of their friends. She looked nervous, though, and kept touching her mouth or her shoulder. Pacey was in Mitch’s room, giving Mitch and Jennifer ‘the talk’ for the third time. He and Joey had done it first, and then Andie, and now Pacey. Dawson had been worried for Mitch’s safety when Pacey had found out about them—doing it—on Mitch’s bed. He had stared at Mitch, a wild look in his eyes, and Dawson had noticed the large window behind him and had intercepted.

They had ‘hooked up’ while camping. Of course…he and Pacey had taken the boys--Pacey’s sons Jack and Charlie and Mitch camping in Maine. Jennifer, who was granted special permission to go on the ‘boys’ camp had trailed along, claiming boredom with Spring break in Capeside. She had had a small tent all to herself but obviously the tent had been big enough for two people, if they lay on top of each other…

Oh, ugh. Dawson made a face thinking of his son… oh god, don’t go there. It was too weird. Sixteen and no longer a virgin…his son had done what he had tried to do. He just hoped he was smart and had worn a condom. He remembered how hard it was to commit to memory protection when you were hot and steamy—god, he and Joey had barely remembered in time the first time they did it.

Jeez…the last thing they needed was a teenage pregnancy on their hands.

“You look perplexed.”

Dawson looked up to see Amy in the doorway, smiling.

“Oh.” Dawson let out some breath.

“Hey you…you’re here late.” “There was a spring break party. I then couldn’t get a cab and…”Amy shrugged. “Well, here I am,” She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss. “Happy birthday.”

“Thanks.” He took the gift she held out and opened it, forcing a big smile on his face even though he had just found out his son was doing Pacey’s daughter.

“Wow…” Two prime tickets to one of his favorite bands’ concerts. “Thanks.” “No problem. You can take Joey. Or whoever.”

Amy played with her pink scarf and then slowly took it off.

It was warm in there.

“So…what’s up? What’s with the ‘I’m- struggling-to-look-fine face? You know, for a forty year old you scrub up like a shiny nickel,” Amy said slyly.

Dawson chuckled, “Thanks sweetie. But…well…its something else.” He hesitated, then lowered his voice and said through his teeth, “Joey and I walked in on Mitch and Jennifer…you know, playing doctor, or whatever you kids call it today. And its not the first time they’ve…”

“Oh.” Amy was surprised she was surprised. But she was. Mitch and Jennifer? Weird. They had all practically grown up together, after all. And what was weirder…Jennifer wasn’t a virgin anymore. While she, Amy, was, though no one knew it, except maybe Jack. Just another secret Amy preferred to keep.

**** New part

“Joey?”

Dawson approached his wife carefully. She was rinsing the dishes, but was obviously upset. “What’s wrong?” he wrapped his arms around her. “Nothing.” Joey attempted to wipe her eyes and patted his arms.

“You can tell me.” “Well…I was just remembering how Mitch used to eat grass. Remember that? He’d stuff it in his little mouth…whenever we were in Capeside visiting Jen.”

“Yeah,” Dawson said wryly. “And remember when he was born, how he looked right at us when they put him in my arms?” Joey smiled through her tears.

“Yeah…” he massaged her shoulders. “And his first day of first grade, when he screamed his little head off and we had to peel his little fingers off my leg?”

“Joey, honey, you need to cut the umbilical chord.’ Dawson said half-jokingly. “Its not that easy.” Joey sighed. “He was…the thing that brought us together. If it wasn’t for Mitch we would be blind and foolish and too proud to be together…”

“He’s not dying, Jo, he’s just…growing up.” Dawson nuzzled her neck, moving his hands down to her stomach. “He’s not a kid anymore. How much champagne did you have tonight?’

“More than I should have,” Joey admitted. “I’ve never been good at holding my liquor.”

“Come on…we’ll do them in the morning.” Dawson coaxed her, turning off the tap. He suggestively cupped her breast. “Lets go to bed.”

“Tonight?” Joey looked pained. “Not tonight. Not after…that.” Joey wiped her hands on a towel. “It is a little…weird, I agree…” Dawson said, nodding. Joey started for their bedroom. “And I got a Brazilian and everything, just for you tonight, for your birthday,” she continued.

“Well maybe its not that weird I mean he’s sixteen and when we were sixteen we did the same thing…” Dawson said hurriedly, following her into the bedroom.

“I don’t think so.” She said, before closing the door behind them.

****

After settling the boys to bed in their sleeping bags in the den, Andie went to find her daughter. She passed by the kitchen to see Dawson nuzzling Joey’s neck as she washed dishes. Shaking her head ruefully, Andie went out onto the wraparound balcony, where Jennifer was reading on one of the deck chairs, a red blanket wrapped around her.

She looked up, and her eyes widened when she saw her mother.

“Oh mom…”

Andie put her index finger to her lips and smiled, “Don’t say anything.” She sat down next to Jennifer, holding her hand. “We’re just worried, that’s all, honey. We’re not critical of your choices…except your choice to…well, you know, act out your choice here in someone else’s home.” Andie said calmly. “You were also supposed to look after Amelia—she was petrified when she didn’t see anyone she knew.”

“We weren’t thinking,” Jennifer sighed. “It just happened. We were…’ she blushed and hesitated, but something in her mom’s eyes made her go on, “We were just talking, and watching TV…Frasier or something…and it literally just happened. We didn’t plan it, and then…” she closed her eyes. “Joey and Dawson walked in.”

“So it’s not your first time, I gather.” “No.” Jennifer looked down at her book. “We’re not even dating. I don’t even think he likes me that much.”

“Oh Jenny…” Andie hugged her, “That can’t be true at all. You would never…he would never…” she bit her lip. Well, she didn’t know. She couldn’t imagine making love to someone she didn’t’ love.

“I guess it was more out of curiosity,” Jennifer said thoughtfully. “Than anything else. Besides…he’s totally infatuated with Amy,” Jennifer shrugged, “I guess I thought this way I’d be getting a part of him.”

Andie was always impressed with her daughter’s articulate words and expressions, but this time she was saddened. She knew how painful unrequited love was. “But its not always the best part,” Andie advised her daughter. “One day you’ll get the whole package…that’s what you deserve.”

“Hmmm its what you deserved,” Jennifer murmured against her mother’s sleeve. She knew all too well the story of her father and Joey.

****

Pacey couldn’t sleep. Next to him, Andie snored lightly. Between them, Billy slept on his front, sucking his thumb.

Pacey could hear what sounded like lovemaking but what was probably just innocent-- Dawson and Joey laughing softly-- and it made him feel a little…ill. That or too much beer and the knowledge their son had violated his daughter, and that they didn’t seem too concerned. She was still a little girl, for Christ’s sake, still called him daddy and sat in his lap, had gotten her braces off last year.

He could still remember the day she was born. He had cried he had been so emotional. Seven pounds, big brown eyes, a cupid bow mouth. She had looked right into his eyes and Pacey had fallen like a ton of bricks. He showed her off to everyone—his baby, *their* little girl. She was the first person to love him selfishly, completely, without question. He had dreaded the day she would leave, would love another man if not equally but more than him, and yet believed it wouldn’t come, not for a while, anyway.

And like how Mitch’s dad had swooped in and taken Joey away from him, Mitch was now taking his daughter.

****

Mitch knew he had fucked up, big time. He hated himself for it too. He had become the guy he hated—the typical ‘guy’ the guy who fucks a girl then doesn’t call her. Jennifer meant more to him than that, but…at the same time…she didn’t. She was a good friend. One of his best. And he was definitely attracted to her. But he didn’t want to date her. Not now. He liked her more as a friend, as the girl he told everything too. The girl he dated had to be more…mysterious. Exciting. Spontaneous.

Someone like Amy.

Or this girl at school, Maureen. They had hooked up in the bathroom at his best friend Lance’s party some months ago. She was a bit more attainable than Amy…and his parents would think he and Amy together would be practically incest, anyway, because they like, grew up together. But she was so hot.

God damn it, he hated being sixteen.

**** ....

The next morning, the Witter’s left. They didn’t leave New York straight away, though; they spent some time in Central Park and then went to a Yankee’s game before heading back to Capeside. Joey was relieved, Pacey was relieved, and Mitch was relieved, though as soon as Jennifer left he sat down at his dad’s laptop and wrote her a long, if maybe a little unreadable e-mail.

“Be careful what you write in those,” his mom warned him gently, putting a glass of orange juice next to him. “Dad already told me what you did,” Mitch said, grinning. Joey huffed, “He’s probably told you every single embarrassing thing I’ve done, hasn’t he?” “Not everything. I get some from Pacey or Jack…by the way…you dated Jack?” Joey threw a cushion at him and Mitch’s laughter followed her out of the office.

Mitch turned back to the screen, rubbing his chin in thought. “I really care about you. I love you but I don’t want to date right now, I’m too busy.’ He read out loud softly.

He sounded like such a creep. Ugh. He saved the e-mail then clicked the laptop off. As he did, he heard Amy’s familiar throaty voice in the hallway.

“I need to talk to Mitch,”

His heart jumped. She needed to talk to him!

Joey led Amy into the office, her eyebrows raised at Mitch. She then walked away, closing the door discreetly.

Amy put her hands on her hips.

“How could you do that to Jennifer?”

“What?” Mitch blinked.

“I spoke to her this morning. Told me how you blew her off.”

“Whoa…I did not blow her off,” Mitch retorted, holding his hands up.

“You like, slept with her then never called. I didn’t think you were like that. I thought you were better than that. I care about Jennifer too much for her to be hurt by you. Grow up, okay?”

Mitch was left speechless as Amy walked out of the office, and waved to Dawson and Joey. “Stay for breakfast?” Joey invited. “Classes,” Amy said regretfully. “See you later. Bye Dawson.” “Bye Amy.”

****

“I think Amy has a crush on you.” Joey said as soon as Amy left. Mitch wandered out of the office, dazed, and into his bedroom. “What?” Dawson said absent mindedly, flipping the paper. “Actually, I’m pretty sure she does…” Joey continued thoughtfully. “That’s absurd. I could be her father,” Dawson said solidly, putting the paper down and reaching for the coffee pot.

“I’m sure its just a little crush…I mean…an older, handsome, powerful man like yourself…you must get plenty of women throwing themselves at you and girls crushing on you,” Joey said slyly, sipping her tea and pretending to read the arts section of the times. Dawson raised his eyebrow. “I’ve never noticed.”

“Whatever…”Joey crossed her legs, letting her dressing gown slide up her thighs. Dawson noticed and he put the paper down a little to get a better look. Joey laughed, “You’re hopeless, Dawson.” Amelia, who was messily eating mashed bananas and oatmeal, flicked her spoon and a dollop of banana-oatmeal surprise landed on Dawson’s newspaper.

“Thanks sweetie,” Dawson said, wrinkling his nose and wiping it off with a napkin. “Eurgh.”

****

Christmas Eve

“Ohhh, how adorable,” Andie cooed, gazing at a photograph of Amelia asleep on the train from Paris to the country, her small face squashed on Dawson’s shoulder.

She was flipping through photos of their trip to France in September. “This one is cuter.” Joey handed Andie one of Amelia sleeping on Dawson’s chest on a hammock in the country.

Andie ‘awwed’ again and Dawson and Pacey rolled their eyes in unison.

“And don’t forget these…” Dawson handed Andie a bunch, “Amelia sleeping on the plane, in the hotel room, on top of the Eiffel tower…”

Andie and Joey laughed as Pacey said jokingly, “I don’t think Amelia was taken with France.”

They had all congregated at Pacey and Andie’s house, which used to be the Leery house for Christmas. It wasn’t as if they all woke up one morning and decided to spend Christmas together, it slowly just became that way. The incident in March hadn’t been forgotten but they had all been through far worse, of course. Although sometimes, Dawson would see Pacey eyeing Mitch dangerously and he’d have to change the subject, suggest dessert or move them away from big windows. “I’d bet if Charlie hooked up with a girl when he’s fifteen Pacey would congratulate him,” Andie murmured to Joey.

“Oh, completely,” Joey murmured back. “Its just because his little girl is a girl.”

Pacey’s little girl was rapidly changing into a young woman, though, and everyone could see it. She had finally cut her long blonde hair and now it was in waves down to her shoulders, and the pink cashmere sweater Joey had gotten her for her sixteenth birthday set her brown eyes off perfectly. She had grown a few inches in the last six months, and was talking about what colleges she wanted to go to, which countries she wanted to visit. When she smiled, glimpses of Andie could be seen—endearing, hopeful and sunny—and when she was thoughtful, glimpses of Pacey would come to the surface, sometimes taking Andie or Joey by surprise. At dinner that evening, Joey offered to write her a letter of recommendation for Worthington, as she was alum, and Jennifer accepted happily.

“At least I can see someone I know going to my school,” Joey said ruefully, looking pointedly at Mitch. He shrugged, “Yale had the best programs for me, mom.” His girlfriend, Maureen, laughed, “You just like the fact Edward Norton went there.”

“Ah, is that it?” Joey said, reaching over to ruffle his hair. “Not the hair,” Dawson said mockingly, as Mitch fended her off. Jennifer smiled briefly, picking at her pumpkin pie, not noticing when Mitch looked at her. His girlfriend, Maureen, a pretty raven-haired teen model whose parents were spending Christmas in Spain, noticed and twitched her mouth.

“Okay…time to make a toast.” Gale announced, squeezing Lily’s hand and holding up her wine glass. “To not only Christmas, one of the few times of the year when everyone comes together, but for Dawson and Joey’s fifteen year anniversary.”

“Fifteen years?” Dawson exclaimed, and Joey laughed and punched his shoulder lightly, leaning forward to kiss him.

Everyone else raised their glasses and did a toast to the couple, who kissed again, Dawson putting his arm around his wife and nuzzling her neck. Mitch shuddered, and Jennifer sighed.

****

“What are you listening too?” Jennifer jumped. She was outside, on the porch steps, listening to her CD player.

“Oh! Mitch. You scared me. Just an old CD…my dad’s, actually.” “Wow. 1999. Ancient.” “I know.”

“And what’s this?’ he tapped the round disc man. “A discman. I borrowed it from your dad. It’s a portable music player.” “Huh. Its so big for something portable.”

Jennifer cracked a smile. “So…what are you doing out here? Where’s Maureen?” She rubbed her gloved hands together, and her breath made rivulets of steam in the air. “She’s inside.” He said simply.

“Ah.” Jennifer turned the volume up on her CD player. She really didn’t want to talk to him right now.

“Are you mad at me or something?”

“What?’ Jennifer turned off her disc man reluctantly.

“Are you mad at me,” Mitch repeated, sitting down next to her.

“Gosh, why would I be mad at you?” Jennifer said sarcastically.

“You are.” Mitch confirmed, raking a hand through his hair. “Why…?” as soon as he said it he regretted it.

“Why?” Jennifer repeated slowly, then loudly, “Why? Oh my god you are dense.”

“I’m not dense, I’ve been accepted to Yale,” he retorted.

“On early admission, I know, I know. Please! So, its okay you slept with me then ignored me then started dating some model and not even telling me. We’ve been friends for years and you’re too good to tell me?”

“That’s not true…I didn’t mean to hurt you…”

“Bullshit.”

“Hey! What’s going on out here?”

Joey and Pacey had cornered the porch, and were looking concerned. They had heard the argument when they had gone outside to get some more firewood for the fireplace.

“Nothing.” Mitch mumbled, not looking at his mom or at Pacey.

Jennifer sighed and looked up at the sky.

“Well, whatever it is, sort it out before you go back inside,” Joey said, crossing her arms. “This is Christmas. There’s no…dysfunction in the house on Christmas Eve.”

Pacey nodded vigorously in agreement. There would be no repeats of crumbling walls.

“What were you two fighting about, anyway?” Pacey asked, sending Mitch a curious look verging on menacing. Mitch flinched and muttered, “Nothing.” as Jennifer said, “What do you think?”

“Please sort it out.” Joey patted Mitch’s back. “‘After all, I know that sex doesn’t bring people together, it tears them apart.”

“Mom.” Mitch went red, and Pacey looked away. Jennifer blushed also.

As Pacey and Joey walked back inside, balancing firewood in their arms and sending disapproving looks over their shoulders, Mitch mumbled, “Your dad really has it in for me.”

“You think?” Jennifer stalked past him.

****

“Everything okay?” Dawson asked Joey later on that night when they unlocked the door to one of the B & B guestrooms, where they were staying.

“I think so.” Joey smiled, ruffling Amelia’s curls. Amelia was fast asleep in Dawson’s arms.

“We should care that Mitch and Maureen are sharing a room, but I’m too exhausted. I can’t keep running after that boy,” Dawson chuckled, gently laying Amelia down on the small mattress that had been set up for her in the living room, which was adjoined to their bedroom.

“Sometimes I can’t believe I’m a father sometimes. I mean I still learn things. I still get shocked.”

“I think that’s what parenting is all about,” Joey smiled tiredly. “I don’t like to think of Mitch…with his girlfriends but we can’t exactly stop him. He has to find his own feet. He’ll be in college soon.”

“Shit.” Dawson peeled off his jacket and sweater and lay down on the bed. “We’re gonna be parents of a college kid.”

“Well we have been married fifteen years…” Joey murmured, taking off her shoes and jacket and joining him on the bed.

“Unbelievable.” They kissed. Then Joey jumped off the bed and went to retrieve something in her bag.

“For you…” she handed him a card and a drawing.

“Mmm.” He sat up on his elbows. The drawing was of the two of them laughing together at prom. “I changed it a little from the picture but it’s more or less the same.” Joey said, pointing down where Dawson’s hand could be seen on her waist.

“Its amazing. Have I told you lately how talented you are?’ he kissed her nose.

“Not enough!” Joey teased him, leaning on her hand. “So, where’s mine?”

“I forgot.”

Joey’s eyes widened. “You did not!”

“I did not.” Dawson laughed, getting off the bed and patting her butt. “You’re so gullible.”

Joey unwrapped his present slowly, and picked up some framed pictures of Mitch and Amelia. They looked professional and natural, Mitch dipping Amelia into the creek, the yellows and greens of the reeds and the trees behind them glowing gold in the summer afternoon sun. The other one was of Amelia on the grass, clutching wildflowers and staring down at her bellybutton, fascinated by it. They must have been taken last summer.

Joey was so moved by the picture of Amelia she put a hand to her mouth and just smiled at her husband, who shrugged, “Well? What do you think? You hate them. I took them myself, with that old camera.”

“No I love them. I can’t believe how beautiful they are.” Joey hugged him, her voice catching a little.

“Thank you.” They looked at each other for a long, passionate moment, and then Joey slipped off the bed and quietly went to check on Amelia. Her little girl was sleeping as Dawson had predicted, her eyelids fluttering with every breath she took. Joey closed the door softly after her, and joined him back on the bed.

****

“Wow.” Joey said breathlessly, staring up at the ceiling, holding the sheet to her body as she panted for air. “We haven’t done it like that for…a while.” “You mean…so seriously?”

“Yeah…’ Joey touched his chest gently. “Where did that come from?” “I think it came from here tonight.” Dawson said, caressing her breast. “My boob?”

“Your heart, Jo.” “How corny.’ “I know, but good, huh?” “Mmm, very.” She snuggled into the crook of his arm.

“I hope we didn’t wake Mellie.” “You know she sleeps like a log…with her little butt in the air…sucking her thumb…”

Joey giggled, “I know…”

She stroked his forehead. “Have you ever wondered what would have happened if we hadn’t kissed on the porch that summer?” “That was some kiss. God…” Dawson shook his head. “I have no idea. I can’t imagine not being

with you.”

Joey couldn’t either. She couldn’t begin to think of him with other women…with someone else knowing his slow, deliberate movements, receiving his kisses, his thrusts, his love…she couldn’t imagine not have building a family, a home, a life with him. She turned her chin up to tell him that, but he was already asleep, worn out.

**** __________________________________________________________________

*Christmas day*

"We come bearing gifts!" Jack and Amy called the next morning, early, just as Pacey stumbled down the stairs, Andie following, rubbing her eyes.

Jack Jr and Charlie had already emptied their Christmas stockings, and were playing with their stuff in front of Charlie Brown's Christmas Special. Amy handed them two packages, and then pranced over to Jack and Andie handed them their presents also.

This was tradition with Amy, every Christmas since she was small she had dressed up like an elf (she tried to get Jack dressed as Santa but he vetoed, saying he wasn't *that* gay) with a big red and green hat with a bell and then she would give everyone their gifts. She used to get jealous if someone else gave them gifts so usually Joey would wait until she was asleep before giving out presents. Not now, of course, Amy could handle the competition.

Jennifer was already up, being an early riser (strange for a fifteen year old) and eating breakfast. Amy hugged her tight, and gave her a Barney's bag. "Wow." Jennifer pulled out a pink cashmere scarf and a bottle of perfume. "Thanks guys."

"Jack picked out the scarf." "I can tell, it's beautiful," "Jen, why are you eating now? Can't you wait until mommy cooks breakfast for all of us?" Andie said, wrapping her arms around her daughter. "Mom." Jennifer looked up at her mom, allowing her to kiss her, but nothing more. "I'm hungry *now*." Pacey had already started to get the food out of the fridge. "Will you be hungry enough for your dad's famous omelet?"

"Yes.' Jennifer promised him, getting up and putting her bowl away and kissing him on the cheek.

**** "They're heeere," Amy announced from where she was sitting, by the fireplace where she was finishing knitting a sweater for Jack that he knew about and that Amy hadn't had time to finish. Grams had taught her great grand daughter how to knit when she was eight. Grams had passed away only six years ago and everyone still missed her.

Dawson and Joey were trudging through the snow up the house, Dawson holding Amelia who looked so cute in a red coat, Mitch and Maureen

following behind.

"Who is that?" Amy asked curiously, pointing to Maureen from the window.

"Mitch's girlfriend." Charlie said, making a face but not looking up from his mechanical cars.

Amy looked at Jennifer, but her face showed nothing. She was cutting up tomatoes for her dad and concentrating on not cutting her fingers.

Amelia bounced through the door first, excited, her brown hair tousled, a snowflake lying on a curl, red-cheeked and warm in her new red coat. Jack picked her up and swung her around and Amelia squealed.

"Hey princess."

"Don't give her any ideas," Joey smiled, kissing Jack's cheek. "Merry Christmas! Amy, you still have that hat?"

"Surrre do." Amy got up and kissed Joey, then Dawson, and then she picked up Amelia. "Don't you look cute?" she then fixed her eyes on the raven-haired girlfriend who was looking nervous under Amy's scrutiny.

"Hi, I'm Amy." "Maureen Johnson." "Her father owns Johnson's" Mitch offered, talking about a popular coffee chain. "Oh, *that* Johnson?" Amy smiled tightly. "Hm—mm." Maureen tickled Amelia's feet. Amy walked away, taking Amelia with her.

****

"Hi Jennifer."

"Hi." Jennifer didn't look up from her cooking, she knew it was Mitch. `Merry Christmas."

"I got you a present."

Pacey, who was dicing fruit, raised his brows but said nothing.

"Oh." Jennifer looked up, and wiped her hands on a towel. "Thanks." She took the package and opened it.

Silver and turquoise earrings. "From when I was in Mexico," Mitch explained, trying to smile at Pacey. In return he got another intimidating glare. Okay. Maybe not today…

"They're gorgeous. I love silver and turquoise." "I know you do." Of course. She put them in, and tilted her head, "What do you think."

"Gorgeous."

He didn't mean just the earrings, but of course, she didn't know that. She smiled and went back to her cooking.

****

"I think Pacey hates me, Dad." Mitch said to Dawson as they walked from the house to the shed to get some more firewood.

"He doesn't hate you, he just doesn't like you," Dawson replied simply, but with a smile. "You had sex with his only daughter, Mitch, what did you expect?" "Yeah, but you don't glare at Jennifer and threaten to throw her out of windows, from twenty-three story buildings, I might add!"

"Its different," Dawson hesitated. "I know its old fashioned but its still different. And also maybe my temper isn't as bad as it used to be. And hey…" he opened up the shed which used to be his, "I know how you feel. I was sixteen not that long ago…tortured by your mother…all that angst…god I was horny…of course it's not that different now that we're married, in the bedroom I mean…" "Dad!"

Dawson laughed. He loved to freak his son out. "What! I'm telling you the truth."

"I've already accepted you and mom had sex to have me, I don't want to find out you still do it and in what kind of freaky capacity."

"Okay, okay. Anyway. As I was saying…' Dawson hoisted some firewood up into his arms. "I know what its like to be a confused teenager, and judging from my experiences, the sixteen year old in me is applauding you for getting laid this soon. The forty year old is kind of concerned, though, that you're getting in over your head. I did it first when I was…"

"I don't want to know," Mitch said quickly. "Eighteen.' Dawson finished. "With Jen."

"Oh god…Jen?" Mitch stopped, stunned. "Really? Amy's mom?"

He had seen pictures. She was a total babe. Or…had been. He then did a double take. Oh, weird. Both of their firsts had had the same name. His dad didn't seem to catch on, though, he was edging out of the shed, his arms full. "All the advice I can give is, wear a condom, don't hurt Jennifer ever again or Pacey will drown you in the creek and never sleep with someone else if you already have a girlfriend. Learnt that the hard way." Dawson shook his head.

"What are you talking about?" "Nothing." Mitch shook his head and closed the door behind them. His dad was insane. Or just had had too much punch.

****

Amy was on her way to the bathroom when she heard murmuring and kissing noises in the hall closet. Oooh…who could it be? Giggling to herself she went to the bathroom then sneaked out and waited to see who would come out.

Jennifer and Mitch? Pacey and Andie? Mitch and that model?

God she hated her.

The door opened and Joey walked out, adjusting her skirt. Amy, who was behind a door, got sweaty palms. Was Joey having an affair? Amy knew it was awful but sometimes she wished she would…just to make things more interesting. But no, Dawson walked out behind her, zipping up his pants.

Amy went red. She couldn't deal with *that*. Dealing with Andie and Pacey, Mitch and Jennifer having sex was fine, but Dawson and Joey? For some reason it made her…feel weird.

She waited until they were downstairs before moving, and when Amy started to climb downstairs she realized there were new people here with new commotion. A blonde woman and a brunette guy and another blonde woman were standing in the hall, hugging and kissing. Joey practically jumped on the brunette man, and Amy squinted her eyes curiously—who was it?

She rounded the corner and waited for introductions. One of the women was Lily, pretty in a red sweater, she was holding Gale's hand and Dawson's at the same time—how cute, their little family—and the other woman was Audrey, Joey's college roommate, Amy remembered her from the summer they all spent at Cape Cod a few years back.

Joey noticed Amy and turned to the man she was hugging, her eyes changing knowingly.

"Don't you remember who this is, Mellie?" Joey cooed, picking up her daughter and handing her to him. "This is your cousin, Alex."

Oh.

Alex, twenty-six, tall, dark skinned and of course, handsome, adored his aunt Joey and she in turn adored him and had missed him while he was on his trek in Nepal, before that his trek to Kilamanjaro, before that…well…he wasn't around much. Amelia disappeared in Alex's arms; he was the tallest and largest of all the men in the house (thanks to his dad, Bodie.) Lily was now holding his arm, cooing at her niece, and Amy wondered if they were dating. They looked close and like a very good couple, she was small and blonde, he was big and…well… black. It was almost adorable, if he wasn't so hunky and Amy was jealous.

Now Joey was making introductions, and she turned to Amy. "Alex…this is Amy Lindley. You remember…Jack's daughter." Alex turned to apprise Amy, and stopped. "Wow." Alex blurted out, staring at her, and Jennifer laughed, before covering her mouth. Amy blushed and Joey smiled knowingly. "Hi." He recovered, shaking her hand. He shook his head. "I am such a dork. Its just…the last time I saw you, you were like, ten."

Lily rolled her eyes. "You are the *biggest* dork, Alex."

Jack glared curiously at Alex.

****

"She's eighteen, Alex." Lily said teasingly, reaching up to tousle his hair. They were scraping snow off their boots out on the patio. "You're eight years older than her."

"Stop it." Alex tugged her pony tale. Lily smacked him on the butt. "Come on, let's go back inside."

They were best friends, inseparable since they were four, but unlike their predecessors, they had never dated. They had wanted to, and had actually slept together a few times (thanks to being drunk and other moments when passion seized them, usually before Alex went off somewhere dangerous) but they were always just too freaked out to date. And he was away a lot, being a nature photographer working for National Geographic, she in California finishing her master's degree.

Of course, there was always time, and Alex sometimes couldn't imagine not marrying Lily one day, and having six kids. In the meantime, Amy was awfully cute yet seemed mature beyond her years. Maybe when Jack wasn't around he could try hitting on her.

Macking on other women kept his friendship with Lily exciting, anyway.

****

"I think someone is jealous," Lily whispered in her brother's ear. She was sitting in his lap by the Christmas tree as everyone prepared dinner and opened more presents. Outside, it was snowing.

"Who?" Dawson asked, tugging Lily's perky pony tale. "Stop that. At least five people have done that today," Lily exclaimed. Amelia giggled from where she was playing with rolled up bits of wrapping paper, and she toddled forward and yanked.

"You!" Lily picked her up and tickled her, and Amelia shrieked, delighted.

"Mitch," Lily continued softly, tickling her niece. "He's totally glaring at Alex and Amy.' "You mean…Alex and Amy are…" "Flirting? Yes."

"Do you…mind?' Dawson looked at her quizzically. He knew something of their relationship, his mom gave him most of the details of Lily would spill occasionally.

"Nah. Its not serious." Lily flickered her eyebrow. "Keeps things… stimulating, you know?"

"Somewhat." "At least she's not giving *you* goo goo eyes." "Joey thinks so too," Dawson said, shaking his head. "What ridiculous bull. I could be her…" "Father, I know. Like that makes a difference."

"Any room here for me?" Joey stood over them, smiling.

"Sure is." Lily announced, climbing out of Dawson's lap.

"I'm going to go catch up with my nephew."

Joey replaced Lily and turned her head to accept Dawson's kiss. "Mmm this may be the most interesting Christmas yet," she said gently, her doe eyes flickering in the direction of Amy and Alex, who were deep in conversation by the window.

"Judging from what we did in the closet a few hours ago I'm going to have to agree with you." Dawson whispered in her ear.

"I meant with Amy," Joey laughed, turning and putting her arms around him, kissing him. "Now I have you all to myself."

****

Usually, Mitch and Alex got along well—they were cousins after all, and Mitch looked up to him. Alex was way cool, knew about all the cool music, had been in lots of death defying situations and attracted all these women. But then of course, there were the times when Mitch just got jealous of his older cousin for how much smoother and smarter he was. Women just loved him. Okay, he was twenty-six and Mitch was only 16, but it was still enviable. What if he was never like that? So, it wasn't enough since Alex had arrived Maureen had been all flirty, but Amy was following him around too?

Mitch got sick of all the fawning after a while and went to join his dad, Jack and Pacey in a game of pool. Playing cheered him up a bit, he was good at pool and he managed to kick Pacey's ass, winning the bet for a cask of beer, but his dad stepped in so Mitch asked for $20 from Pacey instead. Pacey demanded a rematch, but Amelia walked into the room and demanded attention which all the men gave her, so Mitch got away with the $20.

He then went to find Audrey so she could boost his ego, but she and his mom and Andie had all gone ice skating, leaving the guys in charge. Soon the house was a mess, forts being built up everywhere by Jack Jr and Charlie, Amy and Maureen hanging on Alex's every word and Lily and Gale baked pies and looked after Billy, who wanted to help bake. (Like his old man, Pacey had said proudly)

Mitch's heart began to hammer in his chest like he did when he was nervous when he found Jennifer sitting in her room, reading. Okay, so he didn't just `find' her there, he went looking for her.

"What do you want?" she said, without looking up, chewing on a strand of her ash blonde hair. Her big brown eyes flickered over the book. Mitch had always thought she looked like Jodie Foster, one of his favorite classic movie stars, even with brown eyes. Right then, she looked…amazing. So…bookish. Intelligent, funny. Smart. Sweet. His first lover. Everything Maureen wasn't.

And she still had the earrings on.

"Nothing." He stood in the doorway.

"Then go play pool or something.' "I don't want to." "Where's Maureen?' "With Alex." Mitch put emphasis on `Alex' and slumped down in one of her fluffy beanbag cushions on the floor.

"Oh, are you jealous or something?" Jennifer said lightly, putting down her book and sitting up.

"No." Mitch retorted. Jennifer put her hands on her hips. "Okay, maybe a little," Mitch admitted. "But only because he's this total lady's man dare devil. But you know what I realized?" "What?" "I don't care that Maureen has a crush on him." "Gee, that's healthy." Jennifer got up and began to clear books off her desk, clicking her tongue.

"But if you had a crush on him…" Mitch licked his lips and sighed, "I would be really jealous."

Jennifer's eyes widened, but she didn't move. "Hmm," she managed to say.

"So, whatever that means…" Mitch slowly got up and began to walk out. "Wait." Jennifer turned around.

Mitch waited.

She walked up to him, stood on her tiptoes (she was 5'4, he was 6'0) and kissed him, softly. He kissed her back, liking it. She pulled away after a few moments, smiling, touching her lips. "I just wanted to see what I'd feel." "And?"

She shrugged, "Wouldn't you like to know." "Hey." Mitch grinned, and he leaned down to kiss her again. "My dad will chop your thing off if he catches us," Jennifer whispered.

"It'll be worth it," Mitch whispered back.

****

“Its such a beautiful day.” Andie sighed happily, clutching Joey and Audrey’s hands as she skidded over the ice. “Miss Lithium, it’s verging on snowstorm,” Audrey joked. Joey and Andie exchanged quick looks, but luckily Audrey didn’t notice. She didn’t need to know Andie was actually once *on* lithium.

“So how are you?” Joey asked, skating after Audrey, her scarf flying. It had been her idea to go ice-skating.

“I am fine,” Audrey smiled, taking Joey’s hands and twirling her around. “I’m great.” Her eyes sparkled, Joey suspected new boyfriend.

“What’s his name?”

Andie skated up to them and listened in, curious.

“Ben.”

“Ahhh…” Joey laughed, “Just Ben? What does he do?”

“Ben Lewis. He’s an investment banker. But a nice one. And a cute one. Not a weird one like Bret. He just got divorced, as did I, so…” Audrey shrugged, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “Its perfect.” “So…do you have plans with him?” Joey asked, leading them over to a hot chestnut stand.

“Plans?”

“You know, like for marriage…kids…that sort of stuff.”

“Oh please, I’m practically menopausal, darling. Not all of us spring forth babies from our wombs in our late thirties like you two, either that or your husbands have super sperm, and albeit at the same time which is still kind of creeping me out, I suspect some kind of Children of the Corn deal…”

“Audrey! What about marriage, then? And you know, you are *not* menopausal. Not yet. I hear stories of women all the way up to 46 having babies. It’s becoming more common…with these new procedures…” Joey said seriously, warming her hands on the cup of warm nuts. “Even so, I don’t really feel I need to have children,” Audrey said thoughtfully. “I didn’t need children to validate my life. I have a great job, a great boyfriend, I travel…and I can always baby sit your kids, seeing you two will probably get pregnant again in your early forties and start a small football team.”

Andie laughed, “Audrey it wasn’t like that. It was a total fluke. It will not happen again.”

“Yeah, we were in different countries when we conceived,” Joey pointed out. “I know, I’m just kidding. Where has your sense of humor gone?” “Its still here.” “I know it is bunny.” Audrey hugged Joey.

“So…what was your ex-husband like?” Andie asked inquisitively.

“He seemed perfect,” Audrey said reticently. Joey shook her head, knowing the whole story.

“You know…divorced, so it wasn’t like he was some freak who couldn’t get a date. So he takes me out to dinner, flies me to London to see the opera in his private jet, is dynamite in bed—until he wants to do the alternative thing.’ Audrey taps her nose.

Andie and Joey looked at her blankly.

“You know…he wanted to have sex with me in the backseat of my car.” “He wanted to have sex with you in the backseat of you car?” Joey wrinkled her brow.

Andie covered her mouth and giggled.

Audrey laughed, “Uh…yeah. You know, the *other* way. Popular in Brazil.” Joey still looked puzzled, so Andie and Audrey skated on and Audrey told the rest of the story of how Bret the Investment banker was a total jerk in the end, and finally, Joey blushed and skated hurriedly up to them.

“Ohhhh.”

“I’m guessing you and Dawson never tried it.” Audrey smiled. Andie giggled again.

“Not exactly,” Joey was still red. Audrey couldn’t believe it…twenty-two years later and it was as if she had asked if Joey had ever had an orgasm in their dorm room again.

“Its not my thing either, don’t worry.’ Audrey patted her arm.

“Eurgh, can we get off this topic of conversation?” Joey asked.

“If done properly, yes,” Andie and Audrey said together, laughing.

“I don’t believe this,” Joey said sternly, but fighting a smile on her face. “Almost forty years old and we’re still acting like sorority girls.’

“Oooh coffee.” Audrey said, spotting a coffee vendor on the side of the public skating rink. “We should think about heading home,” Joey called out, testing the air with her hand. “Its probably going to be kind of unpleasant tonight.” She then turned to Andie. “Did you and Pacey ever do it?” she asked slyly. “Do what? Oh. I don’t kiss and tell, grrls.” Andie laughed and skated off towards the coffee guy.

Audrey and Joey linked arms and giggled again. “See what happens when we get together? This is why we live in different areas,” Joey said between giggles. “We talk about *altern-ative* sex and we laugh a lot.” “And we drink copious amounts of coffee,” Audrey added as she and Joey limped with laughter to

the coffee stand.

****

“Where were you?” Maureen asked curiously when she saw Mitch trying to sneak into the kitchen. “Uh…upstairs.” “You were kissing Jennifer, weren’t you?” “Huh?” Mitch didn’t think he had heard right. “Your lips are swollen. I’m not stupid. You’ve been staring at her all day. It’s over, Mitch Leery. You have way too many women in your life, and I’m not one of them. Clean up your act!” She pushed past him outside.

“I sometimes don’t believe Mitch was the product of Dawson’s loins,” Audrey murmured to Joey and Andie as they watched Mitch sigh heavily and Maureen slam the back door. They were surprised when they saw a taxi already waiting. She had planned her little breakup with him, and they had just come in and had heard everything. “He’s so…” “Different,” Joey finished quietly. “Are you sure he’s not Pacey’s?”

“Audrey!” Andie and Joey exclaimed at the same time, and Audrey raised her palms in peace.

They had just finished hanging up their coats when the lights flickered. The wind had started to pick up outside, and Andie rushed into the kitchen to make sure Billy was safely inside. He was sitting next to a newly baked apple pie, a smudge of flour on his cheek.

“Did you have fun?” Dawson walked into the hallway and enveloped Joey in a hug. “You smell like beer.” She grazed her nose on his chin. “Yeah…I had a few.” “Few?” “More than a few…it’s the holidays…” “Dawson, are you sure Mitch is your son? He sure isn’t acting like it lately,” Audrey said reprovingly, eyeing Mitch. Mitch reddened.

“I’m pretty sure. He’s blonde like me.’ Dawson winked at Mitch. “I don’t know where he got that from if not from me.”

“He makes a good point,” Audrey winked at Joey and disappeared into the kitchen. The lights flickered again, and Joey was about to say, ‘Maybe we should find some candles…when the lights flickered out completely, and the house was plunged into darkness.

****

The house was dark but noisy, and Andie fumbled in the kitchen drawer for some candles. She then felt a man’s hands on her waist and she jumped. “Geez!”

“Andie?” “Pacey?” she began to be able to see the faint outline of him. “Yes…” his hands swept up her body and he squeezed her breasts. “Pacey!” Andie shrieked. “What? I want to make sure it’s you. Now I know it is.” “You are unbelievable. Billy is right here. I think.” She reached for him, and felt some soft hair and a floury cheek and picked him up.

“Here, go with daddy while I find candles.” “Hey boy.” Pacey picked up his youngest son and edged his way around the table, but not before kissing Andie on the side of the mouth and reaching below to cup her ass.

“Pacey are you drunk?” “What? No…” “I can’t think why else you’d be feeling me up in the middle of a storm.” “Just a few beers, honey. I’m just remembering other blackouts. The blackout three years ago, for instance…nothing to do…the kids were at camp…the moon was full…” Pacey grinned.

“Nine months later…’ “Okay I get your point darling,” Andie laughed, poking him in the stomach with a candle. “Ooh, Andie, that turns me on.” “Stop it!” She chased him out.

****

After candles had been lit in the living room, everyone assembled there and just waited out the storm. Drinks and food were passed around and Andie soon started to teach the kids Christmas Carols. Amelia sung louder and more ear piercing then everyone until Dawson picked her up and fed her some pie.

Jennifer and Mitch played poker with Amy, Alex and Lily. They kept brushing hands ‘accidentally.’ And at one point, Mitch looked over and saw Pacey looking menacing through candlelight and that totally freaked him out, so he moved away from Jennifer a bit. Dawson then sent Pacey a quick reproving look, and Pacey sighed and paid more attention to Billy, who was trying to tell a story about a boogieman under his bed.

With Amy, Alex and Lily, it was a different story. Amy kept looking at Alex, Alex looked at Amy, then he looked at Lily, and Lily just looked at the cards and whooped all their asses, winning by a long streak, her blond pony tale flicking with every successful move. As they were playing cards, Lily was talking about how she and Alex were called ‘ying and yang’ at high school because they always hung out and she was small and white and he was big and black. Jennifer and Mitch laughed along with the story but Amy was too busy staring at Alex.

Audrey was helping to feed Amelia, and Joey looked on, smiling, from where she was sitting close to Gale and Dawson. She then looked over at Amy, and was transfixed to see Amy’s face glowing in the candlelight, and for a moment, she was Jen. Dawson and Pacey saw it too, and they were quiet. But only for a second, and then the weirdest Christmas of their lives (After Audrey’s little accident, which she asks them not to remind her of) continued.

****

One year later, everything changed.

First, Mitch graduated from high school and entered Yale in the fall, and so there was an empty bedroom in Dawson and Joey’s apartment, and according to Joey, she felt ‘empty’ inside, sometimes. Dawson encouraged her to keep trying with the snipping away of that umbilical chord. It seemed like he found it easier to cope, but sometimes he would wander into Mitch’s room and sit on his bed, lost in his own thoughts and memories of the little boy who charged into their lives seventeen and a half years ago, changing the outcome of what could have been a disaster.

Mitch and Jennifer were still…’together’ although Pacey encouraged Jennifer to accept Worthington and be in Boston instead of NYU (less closer to New Haven and Yale) and Jennifer agreed with him, she and Mitch stayed close. Joey reminded them that she and Dawson were on separate coasts and still managed to get married in the end. She neglected going over the whole fighting, not talking and affair thing, though.

Amy spent the remaining years of her college education in the Sorbonne, Paris, where she ended up dating an aristocratic Frenchman, much to the delight of Jack, who visited her often. She and Alex dated briefly, but Amy came to the conclusion he and Lily had some kind of soul mate thing going on, and after talking to Pacey who swore he had experience in this, she decided to back out.

Not long after Amy and Alex broke up, Lily and Alex got engaged before Alex set out on a trek to Kenya, and after getting her masters degree, Lily moved to New York at Dawson’s encouragement.

Audrey laughed all the way home when Pacey called her and announced Andie was pregnant again, some weeks after the blackout. He was hoping for a girl and got his wish when Grace Gretchen Witter was born.

And Dawson and Joey prepared to raise another child—Amelia-- from scratch, and even talked about moving from the city back to Capeside.

Maybe.

THE END