I could hear music filtering through the door. It's one of those oldies, although I'm not really sure if you can even call it that, but it's one of those songs that can get stuck in your head for days, and you don't even know the title.

The bag of groceries in my right arm gets transferred to the left as I dig around in my purse. I take out my key ring, picking out the newest in a bunch of about a dozen faded copper and silver keys.

The music gets louder the second I step into the apartment. I slip the strap of my bag off my shoulder and dump it on one of the cushy chairs, eyeing the sketches I'd been working on last night which were still on the low coffee table in front of the couch.

My footsteps slow down as I approach the kitchen, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips in anticipation of what I'd see.

He's standing at the center counter, stirring some concoction in a bowl and cheerfully bobbing his head to the song while singing under his breath. His glasses are perched on his nose and he squints a little as he consults the recipe book propped up beside him before adding some pepper to the bowl.

I walk in with my eyebrows quirked from curiosity and an uncontrollable grin on my face. "Pace? What are you doing?"

He looks up. He grins back, still singing, and comes over to take the groceries from my arms and twirl me around once in an impromptu dance. "… you're just too good to be true, can't take my eyes off of you…"

Laughter bursts out of me while I continue to stare at him as if he's completely lost it. "Sweetie, are you okay? Maybe you're coming down with something," I reach up to touch his forehead, feeling for his temperature.

He sighs in mock exasperation before letting me go. "Man, you get off work early to surprise your girlfriend by making dinner, and what do you get? Nothing but ridicule."

"Aww," I say sympathetically, still laughing. I kiss him quickly on the lips. "Seriously, Pace, I thought I was going to cook tonight. I even went shopping."

"Thus the term 'surprise'," Pacey replies, going back to his stirring. "And I went shopping, too, so I guess for once my cupboards are actually going to be full."

"For once." I echo, watching him. "Maybe I should take some to my place, just to remind myself that I still live there." I smile at him teasingly. In the two months that we've been together, I've stayed at my apartment a total of about nine days.

"Just say the word, Josephine, and I would gladly help you haul your stuff back to your apartment. Especially your clothes, which are starting to crowd my closet."

"But how would you survive?" I counter sweetly.

He chuckles, conceding this round, and nods toward his bedroom. "I found something this afternoon. It's on the bed."

"Did Jen call yet?" I ask him as I head out of the kitchen.

"Yeah, she and John'll be here by seven. I got an e-mail from Dawson," he continues. "They've started planning the wedding. I think you, Jen, and Andie are going to be bridesmaids. In pink dresses."

I laugh softly to myself, pulling my shoes off as I enter his bedroom. It catches my eye right away - a slender, dark blue leather-bound book looking worn and old lying on the corner of the white mattress. My breath catches at the same time that my heart constricts achingly in my chest.

I sit gingerly on the bed, looking at the book, and take it slowly onto my lap, holding it as if it would crumble in my fingers at any minute.

Capeside High School Tricorn 2001. The golden lettering has faded with age, no longer standing out the way it did against the dark blue background of the yearbook's cover.

What had I written him? I stare blankly at the wall opposite the bed, remembering.

Pictures and notes pass before my eyes as I leaf through the book, nothing really registering until I come across my own image smiling at me in black and white. Trembling hands smooth down the page as I read what I wrote, knowing every word in my heart before they are even processed in my head.

You will always be in my heart, Pacey. Whatever happens, and no matter what we do. 'Til we meet again.
Love, Joey

"I guess you were right."

I hurriedly wipe away the wetness in my eyes at the sound of his voice. He's standing near the door, looking at me with a small smile on his face, and I smile back widely as happiness begins to overflow within me.

"You'd be like heaven to touch, I wanna hold you so much…" I can't help laughing as I sing, probably off-key, and he laughs along with me.

He pulls me to him, chest to chest, before twirling me around again. Then he takes me into a low dip, his arm supporting my back, his smile just a breath away from mine, his deep voice humming softly along with the music.