Rating: R

Summary: Christmas, 2011. This is the sequel to “Better Than Anyone’

Christmas is only a month away! Already. The song I’m using is by Mary Beth.

________________________________________________________________________

snow hasn’t stopped
it snowed when we got here
and all of our chances seemed in
but I’ve an idea
it might help us yet
its so very simple dear, why don’t we get…
snowed in

***

“I can’t remember seeing snow like this before,” Joey commented staunchly, rubbing the misted up car window and peering out onto the frosty roads. “White Christmas” drifted out of the car speakers.

“Its brutal,” Dawson agreed, squinting as they approached the familiar green street sign that indicated his old street. “We’re almost there, thank god.” Dawson took one hand off the steering wheel for a moment and squeezed her knee over her festive red slinky dress.

“Will your mom be mad we’re late?” Joey asked, rubbing her hands under the car heater. She reached for her leather gloves and slid them on.

“I don’t think so, I mean, not only did the plane come in late the roads are hell,” Dawson craned his neck as he turned the rented car up and into the (thankfully) plowed driveway. Joey was careful getting out, the ground was icy, and she hadn’t seen snow for almost a year, having been living in California.

She buttoned up her brushed suede brown coat and stepped carefully over lumps of ice, holding onto Dawson’s arm. “Want me to carry you?” he teased her, leaning down to kiss her lips, softly, before ringing the doorbell.

“Dawson, you’re ringing your own doorbell,” Joey said incredulously. “It just doesn’t feel right to barge in, though, it’s not really my house, its mom’s and Stan’s.” Joey just shook her head and reached down to take his hand. A few moments later, there were loud footsteps, and Lily flung open the door. Seven, blonde and as light as a sprite, she shrieked and catapulted herself into Dawson’s arms.

“Did you bring me presents?” she demanded, as Dawson lifted her up and Joey tweaked her nose. “You’ll see tomorrow, Lilly,” Dawson reminded her.

“Everyone is here. Mom is mad,” Lily told them sternly and Joey sent Dawson a ‘told you so’ look. “Surely not every---“ Dawson stopped when they entered the brightly lit and loud living room. His mom had told him it would be a ‘small gathering,’ small gathering his ass. Christmas lights hung from every corner, figs and holly spruced up every nook, and a huge Christmas tree stood proudly in the middle of the living room, as people socialized around it, drinking champagne and Gale’s famous eggnog. Presents were piled high and Dawson spotted several parcels with “Dawson and Joey” written on them in Lily’s childish scrawl.

He spotted Pacey almost instantly, lounging against the wall near the fireplace flirting madly with two blondes. The two blondes turned when Pacey waved, and they turned out to be Andie and Audrey. Audrey’s blonde hair was its usually golden and long, down her back, Andie’s was a more platinum silver which suited her green-blue eyes.

“What are you doing here?” Joey practically shrieked, rushing towards them, bringing them both in for a hug.

“Gale invited me!” Audrey explained, putting an arm around Joey’s waist. “When I heard you and Dawson were coming up I couldn’t resist. You guys are like, my family.” “I haven’t seen you since that night in Malibu…how’s Paris working for you?” “Le perfect, ma cherie,”

“Andie, you look amazing,” Dawson was complimenting Andie, “Are you still in Boston?” “I sure am,’ Andie kissed his cheek. “California agrees with you, Dawson. And Joey…’ Andie took her hands and held her at arms length. “Love is a good color on you.” Joey blushed and kissed Andie hello.

But not everyone was happy: Gale reprimanded them for not calling her. ‘I was worried sick,” she scolded them, dragging them into the kitchen to force eggnog down their throats. “You should have called me.”

“Our cell phones conked out…” Dawson explained weakly. “Ever heard of a payphone?”

“In this weather? No…” Dawson handed Joey a warm cup. “I think I know what they were doing,” Bessie said jokingly, walking into the kitchen and hugging her sister.

“Oh Bessie,” Gale looked embarrassed and quickly started to unwrap an apple pie. Dawson was still her baby son, and Joey her little surrogate daughter. When they stayed in his room on visits together she convinced herself they still watched movies all night. Never mind the lacy panties she had found stuffed under the mattress last time.

“Mmm Joey you feel a bit hot,” Bessie said, concerned, putting a cool hand on Joey’s forehead. “Are you coming down with something?” “Last I checked, no,” Joey said, sipping her drink.

“These kids,” Gale said, shaking her head. “You think you’re invincible. But too much running around, and not enough vitamins…” Joey and Dawson managed to make their escape by claiming they needed to put their coats away.

They found Audrey, Andie, Jack with Amy and Doug, and Pacey, all sitting on chairs on the newly built heated back porch, playing cards. After hugging Jack and Doug, who looked more cheerful than ever, they joined them, Dawson settling Amy on his lap and ruffling her blonde curls affectionately as Amy’s daddy won yet another round.

“Cheater!” Andie accused her brother, her pretty mouth scrunching up. Pacey laughed and nudged her in the rubs, “I think we have a sore loser.” “So Dawson, Joey what did you get me for Christmas?” Audrey asked slyly, flicking a long strand of hair behind her ear.

“You’ll have to wait till tomorrow,” they said in unison. “Yes!” Jack slapped his cards down and pumped his fist in the air.

Amy giggled and clapped her hands together. Dawson smiled down at her fondly.

****

Facing herself in the mirror after flushing the toilet, Joey smoothed a hand down her breast to her stomach. She wasn’t showing yet, but her dress had a crease in the stomach area where it usually lay flat.

She had known for almost two days now—well, instinctively. It had started with mood swings, then food tasted different, and then her period never showed up. She had officially known she was pregnant since this morning, when Dr. Roberts had called her to confirm the test. Now all she had to do was break the news to the father-to-be, Dawson. She wondered how he’d take it…excited, like in that way he got excited, all jumpy, or terrified, and all analytical, with a ‘I’ll make a crap father’ speech, and ‘ruin the kid.’ Well she’d do more damage than Dawson!

There was never any option she wouldn’t have this baby: she wanted it.

Maybe if she had become pregnant in high school, college, or early on in her career she’d have had an abortion, but not now. She was almost twenty-seven, she was in love and she had a good job at a publishing house in L.A. but the thing that really sealed the deal was seeing Dawson with Amy—he was so sweet, so tender, so loving. And how she came to be pregnant was even better—it was their baby. She smiled down at her stomach, and then brushed her hair and applied more lipstick. She’d tell him tonight, privately.

**** “So how long have you guys been together, exactly?” Jack asked Dawson, as they chopped up firewood. “Joey and I?” Dawson repeated, picking up a bundle and putting them on the ground. “Almost two and a half years, next summer.”

“Is marriage in the cards?” Jack inquired slyly, leaning on his axe. “We’ve talked about it for sure,” Dawson replied, “And it’s going to naturally be a progressive step for us, but right now we’re taking it slow. We just started living together, after all.”

Jack remembered the peril of the two of them living apart for almost a year and a half. How they did it was beyond him—but they were both obviously desperately unhappy, but stubborn, both refusing to leave their jobs, as if they had something to prove. Eventually, Joey left New York after getting her company to transfer her to their L.A based office and they’d been happily together in a nice house in Malibu for six months now. Personally, Jack thought it was about time they sorted their issues out. Now if only he and Doug could decide what level they were on. Doug hadn’t even moved in yet—although the whole town knew he was gay.

****

I’m sure that we could find something
To do
Just me and you
And a fire so bright
Glowing with light
So cozy and warm…
Snowed in
Why don’t you come over here
Next to me
Promise that we’ll be more than alright
****

Dawson wandered into the hallway, trying to find Joey, dusting his hands on his jeans. “Rocking around the Christmas tree” played from the stereo in the living room, Stan was boogying with Lilly and Gale took a picture.

Pacey was on the couch snuggling with Audrey, who was mouthing off about Parisians. “Hey guys.” Dawson walked over to them. “Anyone seen my girlfriend? About five feet seven, 125 pounds, confused expression…” “Haven’t seen her,” Pacey interrupted quickly, taking a swig of beer (One of the many men refusing to drink eggnog.) “Try upstairs,” Audrey said helpfully. “Or behind you,” Pacey pointed.

Joey came into the living room holding her nephew Alex’s arm.

“Hey you…’ Dawson handed Joey some punch. “Its alcoholic. Made special.”

“Oh,” Joey wrinkled her nose a little, “Oh um, not tonight. No alcohol, I think I’m coming down with something.” Alex ducked out of Joey’s arms and ran off outside to throw snowballs.

“Here.’ Pacey handed her a cold glass of coke, “Audrey hasn’t drunk it yet.” “I’ve been telling you about Paris, you idiot,’ Audrey pouted.

“And I’ve been incredibly enraptured,” Pacey replied candidly, patting her back. “Thanks Pace.” Joey sipped it. Dawson put the punch down, and shrugged. “Here.’ Joey grabbed it. “I think I saw Andie outside. I’ll give it to her.’ She waltzed off.

“Can’t seem to hold her down tonight, can we?” Pacey mused.

****

“Hey,” Joey greeted Andie, who was sitting on the porch swing in the newly converted heat-holding conservatorium, looking pensive. “Drink?” she handed Andie a cup of alcoholic punch.

“Thanks.” Andie moved over so Joey could squeeze in. “How are you? You look…kind of…sad,” Joey said curiously. “Oh its nothing,” Andie smiled, “Really. I’m just wondering how I got in this position again.”

“What position…”

“Loving someone who will never love me.” “Oh…” Joey bit her lip. She didn’t know what to say…Ouch. She had been in that position, though. She knew the horrible, torn up feeling inside.

“Who?” she broached tentatively. “It doesn’t matter.’ Andie patted Joey’s arm reassuringly. “Forget about me!” she swished her long, blonde hair and flashed her trademark Andie grin. “How have *you* been?”

“Um…things have been fine. Normal. Same as ever.” Great. Now both of them were holding back the truth. The good thing was, they both knew it.

****

Joey was coming back into the house when she ran into Pacey. “Have you seen Andie?” he asked her, steadying her shoulders. “Outside, I was just talking to her…” “Okay thanks…” he touched her arm affectionately.

“You look different for some reason, Jo…” he approached, looking at her appreciatively.

“I do?” Joey found herself blushing a little.

“Yeah. Glowy. Like you have a good secret…” Pacey said curiously.

“Well,” Joey lowered her voice and took a deep breath.

‘I think I might be pregnant.’ Pacey looked taken aback, his eyebrows raised. “Really? Are you…sure?”

“Actually, yes, I’m sure.” Joey laughed and hugged herself. “But don’t tell anyone yet. Dawson doesn’t even know, I’m trying to find a good time to tell him.”

Pacey was still shocked. He shook his head, dazed. “I can’t believe it. Joey Potter…pregnant. You’re going to be a mother.”

“I guess I am.” They smiled at each other, and the glow in Pacey’s eyes, which had looked upon her for the past year in a yearning way softened. Now he had truly lost her. But because he loved her and Dawson, and wanted them to be happy, he wasn’t bitter. Not now. Not after all they had been through.

He reached forward and hugged her, impulsively. She giggled, and hugged him back.

“Oh—oops! Interrupting a private moment?” Dawson had come into the hallway holding a plate of food. He looked a little confused. Looking at him, at the father of her baby, Joey felt a swell of love overcome her.

“No, its fine.” She untangled herself from Pacey, sending him a look, before putting her hand in Dawson’s.

“I better go…see what Andie is up too,” Pacey said tactfully, backing out the door.

****

They settled in the living room, in the only remaining chair, a red leather chair older than Dawson. He sat down and settled Joey in his lap, laughing, “Oof you’re heavy,” he joked. “Stop it,” she jabbed him in the chest. They kissed for a moment.

“I like this sweater.” She touched the sleeve of his soft navy blue sweater. “You bought it for me.” He played with her earlobe.

“That’s right, it was the only thing not on sale in the Bergdorf’s Christmas sale last year,” she chuckled, leaning in for another kiss. “Wanna go upstairs to my room? My old room, we can, uh, watch movies…’ he murmured huskily in her ear, cocking his brow suggestively, his hand sliding under over the top of her red dress. Joey remembered the last time she had worn this red dress, in March for Dawson’s birthday in San Francisco with Gale, Stan and Lily at the Renaissance hotel, where they had had two rooms down the hall from each other. She and Dawson celebrated his twenty-eighth birthday in style, and, all night, in various positions, after sharing a bottle of champagne.

“Hmmm which movie? Boogie Nights?” she quipped.

“That’s my favorite…”

“Daaaaawson,” Lily whined, pouting and sidling up to them.

“What is it Lily?” Dawson got a bit cranky when his sex life was interrupted. “You’ve barely said one word to me all night,” she scolded him. Joey smiled. Lily was a strong-headed little girl.

“Its okay.” She said to Dawson, kissing his lips. Lily covered her eyes. “I’m going to go help Bessie. But…I will see. You. Later.’

“You bet you will,”

Joey climbed off his lap and Dawson was about to get up too but Lily catapulted herself into her brother’s lap.

****

Pacey was still reeling with shock from Joey’s announcement when he found Andie sitting on the porch swing finishing a cup of alcoholic punch.

“Hey, where have you been?” he asked, settling down next to her and causing the chair to squeak. Oops. He chuckled and adjusted himself. He had put on a little bit of weight after he and Joey broke up. Andie cracked a smile.

Now *she* was looking tiny. Stress, from being one of the top doctors in the Massachusetts area, no doubt. But she still looked great, in mauve off the shoulder dress and a silvery-gray cardigan.

“I’ve been here. I just talked to Joey.”

“I know, I asked her.” Pacey shook his head in disbelief. “What? What is it?” Andie asked curiously. “Well she…” Pacey stopped and hesitated. Maybe he shouldn’t. He had no right too, after all.

“Is she pregnant,” Andie then stated/asked, smiling up at him. His wide-eyed look confirmed it. “Hey, I didn’t say anything,” he put his palms up.

“No, I guessed it before,” Andie played with the hem of her dress and Pacey’s gaze drew down to her legs. Sexy legs. He loved her legs.

“She had that…”

“Look.’ They both said together, and their gazes locked.

“Can I kiss you?” he then blurted out.

She raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me? What? No, you can’t…kiss me,” Andie laughed nervously, her cheeks flushing. “I was just…curious,” Pacey mentally kicked himself. Now she was going to bitch slap him.

“We’ve kissed before,” Andie reminded him.

“A lifetime ago,’ Pacey said quietly. “It feels like that, doesn’t it?” Andie agreed, staring outside at the falling snow. “Yup,” Pacey stretched his arm over the back of the chair.

****

there’s always lots to do
in our busy world
sometimes fate has other plans
and I’ll confess
I’m a happy girl
To be trapped in a cabin with my lover man
Snowed in
I’ll get a blanket,
You grab the wine

****

“Dawson…” Joey murmured in his ear. “Come with me.” She had his coat and nodded her head in the direction of the back door. Lily was now being occupied by Alex, they were free.

“Oh, whatever you say,” Dawson replied, putting down the beer he was holding and following her outside. Once outside he grabbed her and kissed her, and after shrugging his coat on, his hands ran all over her body. She laughed, realizing his misinterpretation. “Hmm, mm, Dawson, no, I want to tell you something.”

“Mmm, what?’ Dawson broke away from her, but held her to him, kissing her hair. She played with the upturned collar of his corduroy jacket, and inhaled his familiar, woodsy scent. It was snowing lightly, and the air smelt of sharp, fresh fragrant lilies. She wanted to remember this moment forever.

“You’re going to be a father, I’m pregnant,” she said slowly, watching his face carefully. His eyebrows raised and he stared at her, letting the news fill him, making sure it was real, and then he laughed, “Are you serious?”

“Deadly serious,” she slid her hands up his shoulders then put her arms around them and stood on tiptoe to kiss him. “I found out for sure this morning.” “I thought there was something suspicious going on,” Dawson said slyly, moving his hand down to her stomach. “You had this…look on your face.”

“I did?” Joey’s nose wrinkled. “Yes, the glowy-I-know-something look,’ he kissed her again, longer this time. “So how…when…” he broke away from her, and led her over to some wooden deck chairs, sheltered by the porch roof. He brushed snow off them and they sat down on one, side by side. “Well I thought about it when…obviously…my period didn’t arrive on time. And then I got really moody, more so…” she tugged Dawson’s sweater sleeve. “I got tests and it was confirmed. I’m six weeks pregnant.”

“Six weeks?” Dawson counted back in his head, and Joey shook her head. “So…you got pregnant after Thanksgiving?” “I guess so,” Joey smiled and leaned in to kiss him again. “This is so incredible,” Dawson murmured, brushing her nose with his and then nibbling her ear. “You have no idea how much I wished this would happen one day.” “Even before marriage?” Joey teased him.

“It doesn’t matter with us, does it?” he stroked her hair. “No.”

“I think the most incredible thing about this is that its something we made together…not you, or me, but us.” He touched her stomach again. “That’s pretty special.”

“Dawson?”

“Hmm?” “I’m freezing my ass off.”

On their way back inside, Joey noticed two familiar heads very close together on the porch swing usually reserved for late night kisses between herself and Dawson, and the sound of what was most definitely just that-- kissing.

“Andie? Pacey?” she couldn’t help but blurt out.

They broke apart guiltily like teenagers.

Pacey was him…the guy Andie loved. It was so obvious all along—she endlessly talked about him, and made weekend visits to Capeside despite her hectic schedule just to see him.

Andie recovered, and she quickly got up and walked back inside, her hand covering her mouth. Pacey was left wiping lipstick off his mouth. He looked up at Dawson and Joey who were looking

back at him.

“Andie!” he got up, calling her name, and followed her inside.

****

We’ll be just fine dear
Don’t you agree
snowed in to a cabin
made for two
snowed in…
we’ll be just fine here
don’t you agree
its almost a dream come true

****

When all the guests had left later on that evening, the Creek kids (and Audrey) remained to help Alex, Jack and Pacey build a small fire outside. The snow had stopped and now there was just a still chill in the air. Gale bought out cups of coffee (and tea for Joey.) Dawson and Joey told everyone else the news, and Gale cried happily, although she tried to hide it and claimed she had to go inside for more coffee.

“You’re going to be an aunt,” Joey told Lily, lifting her into her lap. “An aunt? But I’m not old,” Lily pointed out. “You’ll be old compared to the baby.” Joey replied, cuddling her.

“I know how babies get inside now,” Lily said authoratively. Dawson froze. “You do?” “Yup. When a girl and a boy love each other very much…” she recited, repeating the words Gale had told her last year, on her seventh birthday when she had asked. That was all she remembered, though.

“I wanna see the baby,” Amy toddled over to Joey and looked up at her with big brown eyes. “Not yet,” Jack told Amy, warming his hands on the flames. “We have to wait a while.”

“Come here, you,” Doug lifted Amy up onto his shoulders and she squealed, clapping her hands.

Andie and Pacey sat very close together but didn’t say anything, although they had identical smiles—slow, secretive. Joey sent Pacey a questioning look with a raised eyebrow.

“Okay we should discuss names,” Jack suggested, sitting down on a foldout chair and popping a marshmallow in his mouth.

“If it’s a girl, Jennifer, probably,” Joey said thoughtfully. “You’ve thought about it?” Dawson asked her in surprise. “Of course!”

“What about, for a boy, Pacey Jnr?” Pacey piped up. “Or E.T? What? They’re good,” he reacted to the groans.

“Oooh, I like Felicia, or Roxanne,” Audrey suggested.

More groans.

“Hank? Robert? Woodrow?” Jack threw his 2 cents in.

“Woodrow?” Andie shot back, “Jack they’re terrible names.”

“I’d like to see you do better, sis,” he poked his tongue out at her. “Well, Dawson, what do you think? Since you contributed to the making of this child,” Andie asked him with a smile.

“Me? Oh I don’t know,” he threw his hand in the air. “I’m all wiped out of names since naming every character on that damned snow.’

“Damned show? It kind of made you famous,” Joey reminded him.

“What about Mitch?” Lily said loudly. Everyone looked at her.

“That’s the name of my daddy,” she explained, as if none of them knew. “That’s a great name, Lily,” Andie said softly.

***

“Are you sure that didn’t…rattle the baby?” Dawson asked Joey, slightly concerned. He and Joey were wrapped up in blankets on the guest bed.

“I think if he or she had known what we just did it would rattle them, yes,” Joey laughed. She patted his face. “The baby doesn’t know what’s going on. Sex is healthy right up until almost the end, according to Gale’s Reproduction and Repercussion book which I still have.”

“You do? Is that the one with all the naked pictures of couples doing it?”

“Yeah.”

“Leave it out on the coffee table.”

“I will.”

They kissed again, longer this time. Joey then slid onto Dawson and leaned down to kiss him, grabbing her hair and pushing it over one shoulder. He grabbed her hips and lifted his, until he was inside her again.

Joey started to breathe a little faster as they picked up the pace, and he stared up at her, mesmerized, as she moaned softly and rhythmically, her hands on his chest. Neither of them even cared when the bed moved against the wall—usually they made love on the floor when they stayed here, but Dawson had been adamant that Joey was on the bed, to be more comfortable. He had been weary at first about even penetrating her too deep in case…well, in case the baby…felt it, or something. But it seemed Joey had gotten especially sexual since becoming pregnant. Her breasts were rounder, and she got aroused more easily. And…she got there faster, too. As Joey collapsed onto him Dawson continued to thrust quickly until he caught up with her.

“I can’t wait,’ he announced as soon as he got his breath back.

“For what?” Joey sighed into his chest.

“For the baby.” “Oh, that. Me too,” she giggled.

****

“We are in so much trouble,” Andie sighed, stroking Pacey’s hair. “We are? News to me,” Pacey said huskily, nuzzling her neck. He cupped her small, pale breasts with his large hands and pondered them. They were nice breasts, perfect, in fact. They made quite an attractive couple naked, actually, his dark skin contrasted with her pale skin nicely. It was a turn on. The entire evening had been a turn on. He had asked if she wanted to go home with him and even seeing her hesitate had been a turn on. They hadn’t even made it to the bed. They had made love on the stuffed blue armchair in the corner of the room. He loved how when she was having sex Andie looked right into his eyes, not saying a word, just breathing, then when she came she shrieked and they had toppled off the chair.

Andie rolled over, sighing again. He kissed her shoulder. “What’s wrong McPhee?” he played with her hair.

“I feel stupid because in the morning I have to go back to Boston, you will stay here, and you will still be in love with her.’ She said quietly.

“What?” Pacey exclaimed. “You will. You always were. Right now we’re just…slaves to passion.” “You have that right,” he turned her onto him and lay on his back, holding her hips.

“No, Pace, stop,” Andie sat up, only making the ache worse. He steadied her hands on his chest. “You love Joey Potter still, don’t you? Just tell me so I can get over you.”

“I don’t want you to get over me,” he said irritably, sitting up also. She slid off him and hugged herself, feeling cold.

“I promised myself I wouldn’t let sex interfere with us again. Not after last time,” Andie closed her eyes, remembering the passion-fuelled night they spent together while Pacey and Joey were fighting. She had felt so guilty afterwards she had told him not to see her again. When they had broken up, six months later, she went to see him in Capeside and from there they had patched their friendship.

“I love her, yes.” Pacey said slowly, putting his head in his hands.

“But…she was lost to me years ago. And not just when she and Dawson got back together. She was lost to me the moment she told me he was her soul mate, back in high school for fucks sake. You yourself told me. It’s just taken me ten fucking years to realize the most important thing about Joey Potter and me—there’s only room in her life for one guy. And that guy is not, and never will be me.”

“That doesn’t help us,” Andie pointed out softly, pulling the blanket up to her neck. “Why can’t we just work it out tomorrow?” Pacey pleaded. “Why can’t we just have a good night

of solid lovemaking?”

“I don’t know,” Andie shook her head. “I don’t know if I’m going to let myself get hurt again.” she took his face tenderly and kissed his lips. She then got out of his bed and searched for her clothes, putting them on quickly.

“Goodbye, Pacey.”

Of course, it was only when he woke up, and she was gone but her scent still remained on him that Pacey realized he’d made a mistake.

****

THE END