The apartment door swang open, as Riley and Matt ran down the hallway, in fits of giggles, as they crushed on the couch and absorbed themselves in the afternoon television shows. Joey and Jen walked in more slower than them, tired from working all day, arms filled with various bags and papers.
�I don�t know how you can do this all the time, I only do this part-time, and I get exhausted!� Joey signed as they passed the couch and heading into the kitchen, dropping all there bags and papers on the counter. Jen laughed, Jen and Andie had been pregnant at the same time, and gave birth only a couple of days apart from each other, from then on Riley and Matt hadn�t spent much time apart.
�Just because Riley hates you now, doesn�t mean she�s going to hate you forever!�
�God I hope so, I just wish she could trust me, you know!� Joey signed again, brewing a pot of coffee.
�You know she does, she loves you!� Jen reassured, seating herself down at the counter.
�Not enough, to realise that I may not be going anyway, but I don�t want to replace her mother!� Joey rubbed her forehead, grabbing mugs from the top cupboards and milk from the fridge.
�Be patient, she�ll come around!� Joey let out a laugh, as she poured the coffee into the mugs and finally letting herself relax since she had got up that morning.
�That�s exactly what Pacey�s been telling for the last month and a half!�
�Well it�s true, Riley is a smart kid but unfortunately she takes after her parents in the stubbornness area, among other thing!� Jen reached over and took her mug with a reassuring smile; Joey smiled back gratefully. The silence lay thick in the air, the only sounds that were heard were the ones the cartoon characters made as Joey and Jen continued to drink there coffee, well into the evening. After Jen and Matt left after much struggle on the children�s side, Joey set about making dinner. The radio was turned on somewhere in between, and the melodies played softly against the cool breeze floating in by the kitchen window.
�Riley,� Joey checked the oven and then walked into the living room, �could you set the table up for dinner, please!� Riley was still slumped on the couch watching television having not moved since Matt had left. She turned her head and glared at Joey before getting up and doing as she was told. Joey smiled, �Thanks,� walking back into the kitchen.
Joey was putting the final touches on their dinner, when Pacey walked in the door quietly, kissing Riley on the head before entering the kitchen. He took silent steps towards Joey, who was stirring something is a pot at the stove, her back to Pacey and Riley who was now standing in the doorway watching.
�Riley,� Joey spoke not turning around, Pacey stopped, �Are you done yet, your dads going to be home soon!�
�Almost!� Riley whispered, a wide grin spreading over her face, as her father winked at her and then continued on his way towards Joey. When he was right behind her, he made a signal towards Riley, �Joey, can you help me!� Joey signed dropping what she was doing and as she turned around, Pacey lunged at her.
�Arrrr�� Joey jumped in surprise, before rapping his arm around his neck, �Pacey!� Pacey twirled her around a few times in the air before placing her safely down again, Riley started to giggle before running up to Pacey and latching onto his leg.
�Hey partner!� Pacey laughed picking up Riley, �we make a good team, don�t we!�
�Your silly Daddy!� Riley poked him in the chest as he bounced her around the kitchen. Joey rolled her eyes and went back to preparing dinner for them.
�Did she give you any trouble?� Pacey asked after he had put Riley back on the ground, and had run into the living room. Joey started putting the food on their plates as Pacey wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder.
�Nope!� Joey turned her head and reached her hand up, bringing his lips to hers, closing her eyes. The kiss was warm and gentle, Joey lingered a moment before pulling away, a smile spread across her face as she re-opened her eyes, rubbing her lips together before going back to what she was doing. Joey bit back a laugh at the look of surprise on Pacey�s face as she moved away, towards the sink.
�What was that?� Pacey lent against the counter trying to keep control of himself.
�I thought it was pretty obvious what that was Pace!� She smiled at him before taking the dishes into the other room, where Riley was sitting at the table patiently waiting. She placed one of the plates in front of her and the other next to her, before retrieving the other two. As she bypassed Pacey, who stood still, he grabbed her arm and pulled her into his arms. �I love you!� she whispered before leaning in to kiss him again.
�I love you!� Pacey grinned pulling away. The front door open and slammed closed shortly after. Annabelle was home, �Maybe if we stay still they might not notice us!� Pacey whispered when Joey tried to move, she stopped and grinned back at Pacey.
�Hey Riley, you�ll never guess what happened to me today!� Annabelle hung her winter coat by the front door, before walking towards the table, smiling.
�What, you got asked to that stupid formal� Riley shrugged with a giggle at her sister before reaching for the bread in the middle of the table, �That�s old news!� Annabelle stopped short at the table in surprise.
�Who told you?� Annabelle sat down next to her sister, helping her with the bread.
�Joey!� Riley munched on the bread.
�Where is Joey?� Annabelle noted how quiet it was.
�With Dad!� Riley pointed towards the kitchen.
�Oh!� Annabelle smirked and shook her head.
Pacey smirked himself, playing with a piece of Joey�s hair that had fallen in front of her face as he continued to hold her against the counter top.
�The foods getting cold!� Joey whispered biting her lip not really wanting to move.
�Yeah!� Pacey kiss her forehead before letting her go, she picked up the remaining two plates and took them to the table, Pacey following slowly behind, rubbing his neck with his hand.
�Annabelle!� Joey smiled setting the plates down, and sitting herself down.
�Joey, Dad!� She smirked again, looking at her father that smiled in return as he sat down next to Joey, �Joey can�t you keep a secret?� Joey looked up at her confused, �You told Riley about the winter formal�
�Oh that-�
�You forget who you are talking to Annabelle, Joey couldn�t keep a secret to save her life!� Pacey interrupted smirking to himself and got a whack in the shoulder from Joey.
�I can too!�
�You can�t, you have to tell Jen everything!� Pacey dug into his food, as Joey shook her head at him, �Let me prove my point, how did Riley here find out about this formal thingy?�
Riley started to giggle, as Joey started shaking her head, �I was telling Jen that -� she rolled her eyes looking at Pacey, �You happy now mister!�
�Very much so!� Pacey grinned back with a mouth full of food
�Pacey!� Joey laughed and gave him another shove, resting her hand on his shoulder
�You still love me though!� Pacey turned and raised an eyebrow at her, leaning in towards her. Annabelle at this point shook her head knowing what was going to happen.
�Your such a dork!� Joey smirked, and they kissed, Riley groaned in disgust.
�Guys, could you not do that at the dinner table!� Annabelle signed looking over Riley�s disgusted expression, �We are trying to eat here!�
Pacey chuckled lightly when he pulled away from Joey and grinned before looking over at his daughters across the table, �Sorry sweetheart!� he told Riley, reaching over and pulling her hands away from her eyes and holding one of her hands safely in his own.
