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Tempest - Epilogue
Ten months later... ANDIE MCPHEE "Things have really happened for me since Jack moved in almost a year ago. Paul's uncle says I'm so close to getting my first million that I might as well going around telling everyone I'm a millionaire, then go buy a beautiful mansion on the hill. No thanks. I'm happy where I am. I never thought I'd make so much while I was still so young. (Although I must admit that I've dreamt about it more than a few times.) "Speaking of Paul, I ran into him at work. He was buying a 'talking' book and a teddy bear for the toddler who was holding his hand and falling over every couple of steps she took. He saw me and smiled. He dropped her off at the 'Kiddie's Korner' in the store, then came over and offered to buy me a coffee. I reminded him that there was no point in paying, as I owned the place, but he insisted on paying anyway. Some things never change. "He explained to me that the sweet little girl who he was with... she was his daughter. I was crushed. Not because I wanted to have his children or anything like that, but because I'd missed out on this huge part of his life! He was married? He had kids? When did this all happen? "Anyway, he went on to explain that he married seven months after we broke up, and their child was born ten months later. He didn't cry once throughout the whole story, which I found incredible considering what a sob story it was. He's still a very strong, determined man. "Apparently, one night, just three months after the baby was born, his wife finished work late as usual, then stopped off at the supermarket to buy nappies and baby wipes. As she left the carpark, wiping the foggy windscreen, a black car came speeding around the corner and... well... you know the rest. "He seems to be handling it REALLY well. We've become pretty good friends. I won't deny that there have been a few 'moments'. You know, those times when you just look into their eyes and you see everything you used to see - and it's all still there. But I know it's over. He's a father. And I don't want his child to grow up calling me 'Mom'. She deserves to know who her real mother was. And from what Paul has told me, she was a great woman. "Jack's still living with me. Things can still be awkward at times. I guess that's my fault. I lied to him about Pacey and Joey. I said that I went back to the restaurant where we ran into them, and it definitely wasn't Pacey and Joey. He was skeptical at first, but he seems to believe me now. Maybe he just wants to believe me. "I really hope Pacey's 'third time' theory was right. It's weird to think that I could meet him tomorrow, or we may not meet until we're seventy. "I know that it's just wishful thinking, but I'd love to believe that one day we'll all have a happy, joyous reunion. "Whatever."
JACK MCPHEE "Unlike Andie, I haven't experienced much in the last ten months. I'm still living with her in Boston, and I'm still working for her too. Carol still works with me, but she stopped talking to me after I, uh, slapped her friends. "As it turns out, it wasn't Pacey and Joey. It was her brother's friend, Brett, and his girlfriend, Natalie. Both Andie and Carol confirmed that for me. Embarrassing? Yep. Do I regret slapping someone who I didn't know because I mistook them for someone else? You bet. Am I relieved that I slapped the wrong person? OH HELL YEAH! If I ever discovered that they really were alive, I would do something a whole lot worse than slap them! "But really, it was stupid to think that they would still be alive. I know them better than that. They would never do anything that they knew would hurt us so badly. "I KNOW that they're dead. "Living with Andie has it's downside. Her ex, Paul, is ALWAYS over. I know she's falling for him again, and I can't help but feeling that I'm holding them back. Also, he has a DAUGHTER, who seems to think Andie is her mother. She loves Andie, and Andie loves her back. I know that may sound good, but it's not. One day, Andie's going to leave him (or vice-versa), and this poor child is going to miss her 'mom'. "I spend a lot of time hanging out at bars (to give them some time alone), but I haven't met anyone. No one seems to approach me these days, and I just can't be bothered approaching them. Maybe I'mn destined to live off of my sister forever. "James always told me that the most important thing was that I could honestly say I had no regrets... "But I can't. Not anymore."
JEN LINDLEY "Ha! And I thought my life was busy BEFORE Little Jenny came along! Jean is always at the restaurant, I'm there most of the time too, except I spend most of my time sitting in the back room breast feeding our beautiful daughter. Our beautiful daughter who is ALWAYS hungry/thirsty/tired/bored/in need of a diaper change. Just think about it - in seven months there'll be TWO of them! "That's right - I'm pregnant again. Geneviere is going to have a little brother or sister. It's going to be tough having two children around, but we'll manage. I've already set up a business over the internet in an attempt to make more money. That way, I can look after the children at home and still make money at the same time, Jean can work (sixteen hour days), and I can see him when he gets home at ten o'clock. What choice do I have? "Dawson left France eight and a half months ago. In that whole time I've only heard from him twice. The first time he simply sent me a copy of a tourist brochure (which was so thick it could practically be a book!) featuring some of his photos from his trip here. There were several photos of Little Jenny in there. The second time, he sent me a postcard while he was on his honeymoon. Although I must admit, I haven't been that great about keeping in contact either. "Yes, he did find out about the discussion I had with Melissa (in private). Yes, he was mad. But he forgave us, and he sees it as good news now. I'm happy for him. "My run in with Dawson just goes to show you that it really IS a small world, and it's only a matter of time before the big reunion. "I used to think of that as all being a dream. A stupid, childish dream. Now I believe that it really could happen."
DAWSON LEERY "I seem to have come to peace with a lot of things in the past year. I've settled down with Melissa in her childhood home. I'm glad I'm back in America. France was exciting and all, but it wasn't home. Neither was Capeside. Sure, I was born and brought up in Capeside, but that doesn't make it home. This is home. This is where I belong. "Ten months ago, Melissa shared something with Jen before she shared it with me. That really hurt me. She would rather trust a totoal stranger than trust me. Why? Why did she tell Jen she was pregnant? She later explained that she was scared of how I'd react, because things were really happening for me. My career was taking off and so forth. I sat down with and said, "Honey, that's sweet, but it's also insane. I'd much rather have a kid than a career." All I could think was, 'I'm gonna be a daddy!' "Melissa and I got married five months ago. It was a huge church wedding with all our friends and all of Melissa's family. I wish my parents could have been there. Our son was born just a month and a half ago. Christopher. He's my world, and I'd do anything for him. I can't describe the feeling. I have a kid! I'M A FATHER!!! "You won't believe who I saw on the side of a bus a couple of days ago. Christabel! Apparently, she's modelling to pay for the photography course she's taking. It's also a great way to get to know people in the business. I like to think that I was a part of this. That I inspired her. "When I think about it, if we wanted to have a reunion, we could. It's not as impossible as it seems. I know where to find Jen. I know what number to dial if I ever want to 'have a chat' with Jack. And I think he knows what to do to contact Andie. He hasn't actually said that he has, but I just have this feeling. And there you have it... Jen, Jack, Andie and I. "It doesn't feel complete."
JOEY POTTER I watched him hugging his friends. I knew that leaving them to live with me in the city was a very hard thing for him to do. We had a few arguments about it, but I'm really glad that, in the end, he agreed. Isabelle walked up to me and hugged me. "Will I see you there?" I asked. "I wouldn't miss it for the world," she replied, smiling sadly. I climbed into the passengers' seat of Pacey's old bomb of a car. ("We're selling it to the wreckers when we arrive in the city," I keep telling him. I think he has some kind of emotional attachment to this car. He loves it.) I shut the door as I waved to his friends, who had also become MY friends during the past few months. We drove out of Isabelle's driveway and continued down the bumpy road until we reached the highway. All of his possessions were in the boot. I could tell that he was sad. He was leaving his 'family'. Sure, we'd be back for holidays and long weekends, but still... I understand that it's not the same. - I sipped my tea as I looked over his shoulder. His pen flew across the paper. Something that had happened today had obviously inspired him. "You coming to bed?" I asked him. He didn't stop writing as he answered, "Separate beds, remember Nat?" Nat. I've gotten used to that by now. He kept writing. He doesn't tell me much about his 'story', or whatever it is. All he says is that one day, it'll make us rich. So basically, I'm stuck working my butt off until he finishes and he sells whatever it is. I don't worry about it too much. I believe that his book will be successful. Even if it's not written by a professional, he's put so much passion into it, it couldn't possibly fail. I pull up my blanket and snuggle up under the covers. Separate beds. "Not for long," I thought as I looked down at the beautiful engagement ring on my hand before turning off the light.
PACEY WITTER I looked out at the small bundle of happy, excited people. Isabelle, Chris and John. They were the only people here for me. The other few people were here for her. They were all very different people, but they had one thing in common... they were here to support us. People began to take seats, their conversations temporarily shut down. Chris took his place beside me and that series of simple notes always played at weddings began to play. Simple, yet beautiful. Like her. And as I thought that, she appeared. Stunning in a long, simple, shimmery satin crisp white song. Half of her hair was tied up, the rest of it flowing freely, the soft, relaxed curls blowing in the wind. We had both agreed that s small outdoors weddding was the way to go. Big fancy weddings intimidate me. I get the feeling the intimidate her, too. She stopped when she reached me, snuck a small smile my way, then turned to say our vows. That's when I noticed it. The bouquet consisted only of daffodils. Daffodils. I smiled at her again. She knew I'd been touched by her simple gesture. Everything after that seemed like a blur. Before I knew it, we'd said our vows, the rings were on our fingers and I was kissing her. She threw the bouquet. I didn't care where it landed. I, Brett Younger, was married to Natalie Evoleurt. Mr Brett Younger and Mrs Natalie Younger. Sometimes I wish I'd taken her name... True love. It's what Joey and Pacey once shared, and it's what Natalie and I share now. I fell for Natalie long before I knew that Joey was still alive. That Joey was a part of her. And I know that whether I married 'Jo' or 'Nat' it would've been the right decision either way. I hope that things stay exactly as they are right now. Me, and my beautiful bride.
2011 Dawson Leery chatted away to a certain dear old friend who still lived in Paris. Melissa walked up to him and threw an envelope on the table beside him. "Really, Jen?...Have you got any dates set for your trip?...Soon?" He opened the envelope and quickly skimmed through the letter. "How about next month, Jen? Would that suit you?...I know it's very soon, but... well, check with Jean-Luc. See what he says..." "Can you promise to be nice to him when I DO come to America," Jen asked. "I'll try." "Why did you hate him anyway?" "I didn't hate him. There was just something about him that irked me." Jen laughed. "Hang on, Jen. I've got a call on the other line. Can you hold?" He pressed the red button on his phone. "Hey Dawson." "JACK! You got the invitation too, didn't you?" "What invitation?" "So you... didn't get it?" Dawson asked. "I guess that figures... after all... you officially changed your name. I didn't. I guess they tracked me down." He laughed. "I guess you can't escape Capeside High." "Capeside High!? What do they want ten years from... oh." Jack realized what happened. "So.. are you going?" Andie walked into the room. "Who's going to what?" "Uh," Jack bit his lip awkwardly. "2011. Reunion time, baby!" "Pacey..." she breathed, for she was the only one who knew that they were still alive...THE END
That's it! No more. I seriously doubt that there will be a sequel, but I've left it like that so that you can all imagine the future however you want it to be. For the final time, thank you very much for reading this. I hope you enjoyed it. [email protected]
