Joey and Dawson sat under the stars contemplating for what must have been the thousandth time the circumstances that brought them together, as well as, what lay ahead for their future, would they be happy? Neither was sure, but they prayed to everything high and holy that together they could overcome all. They said goodnight and went their separate ways after a sweet, gentle kiss by Dawson’s house. As Joey got into her rowboat, she thought about the situation with Warren and how people had reacted to the thought of her being pregnant. Most seemed disappointed, but none seemed totally shocked, except Abby. Maybe they just expected it from the girl whose father was in jail for drug trafficking and who lived with her sister who got pregnant by her black boyfriend and wasn't married to. Joey was scared to death by the thought. She had totally freaked out when Bessie was in labor and it took Dawson's consoling to help her through it. She
couldn't stand putting herself through the pain her mom and sister had both gone through. Why am I thinking like this? she thought. Why can't I just accept the fact that maybe, just maybe, the gods were kind enough to give her a bit of happiness and joy without the prospect of tragedy?
Inside, she knew the reason was experience. Every time she got happy something, no matter how small, would drag her down. To go through so much heartache at such a young age made Joey develop a thick skin with a very fragile heart. As her rowboat reached her house she heard Alexander crying, as always. She desperately needed some sleep, so she quickly went to the video store to rent the English Patient, again. Inside, she found none other than Pacey. He was still reveling in the fact that he was right about her and Dawson.
"So how is one half of my favorite couple?" he asked jokingly.
"Just fine thanks." she said, not in the mood to argue.
"You OK, Jo? I don't think I've ever heard you let go of an insult.
What's wrong?" he asked, genuinely concerned.
"Everything, nothing, I don't know."
"Wanna talk about it?"
"Not really. I just want to escape my life and go live on an island in the Caribbean." she said without too much enthusiasm.
"Well say hi to Gilligan for me, but before you leave just talk to me cuz I know it's about Dawson and you won't talk to Dawson about Dawson. So unless you want to go visit Little Miss New York, I suggest me." Pacey said logically.
Joey sat down next to Pacey and proceeded to tell him everything that was on her mind...everything.
"OK, here goes. I slept with Dawson and we both really loved it and we both really love each other. But, since I've gone through such hell in my life I can't help but think that something bad will happen. Ever since it happened, I just haven't felt right, you know? I know we can't get any
STD's or anything since we were both virgins, unless he didn't tell me about any experiences he had with Jen. It's just that all we've ever been told about having sex and the dangers and such, it scares me, that I may actually become one of those statistics. I think I'm gonna end up pregnant, and drop out of high school and Dawson will stay with me for a few years and then leave once he realizes how bleak and desperate his life would be supporting me and our child at such a young age. I'll end up fat and alone and eventually kill myself because the love of my life didn't
stay with me." Joey said, crying at this point.
Pacey lifted her chin up and brushed away her tears.
"Jo, nothing is gonna happen to you. Dawson loves you, you said it yourself. You know Dawson isn't like one of those guys who would leave you if anything happened. Dawson has been there for you ever since you forgot your teddy bear for show and tell in first grade, remember? Nothing has changed. When I first had sex with Tamara I was scared to death that something like that would happen. But, I also had to deal with anyone finding out. You could tell the world that you are in love with Dawson and people would just smile and applaud you. I know that you have had a tough life Jo, but that doesn't mean that you won't ever get happiness. OK, will you trust me?"
"I want to Pacey, I really do. But I can't help that feeling that I have in the pit of my stomach that is telling me that something isn't right. I think my female intuition has kicked into overdrive and is
screaming at me for something."
"Well, whatever happens, always know that you can turn to me for anything, K? No matter what time of day, although it may not be a good idea to come over to my house after about 11 cuz Deputy Doug might try and shoot you for fear that you will steal his Barbara Streisand CD that he
worships!" Pacey said with a laugh. Joey hugged Pacey and went home, with the English Patient.
Luckily, the tape worked, as always, on Alexander and they were both out within five minutes.
Joey dreamed about her and Dawson’s wedding. They were standing on the beach surrounded by their family and friends. Joey was wearing a white sundress, no shoes, and a wreath of white flowers in her hair. Dawson was dressed in a navy jacket and khakis and had never looked better. They were so happy, until Joey looked down and saw her stomach was containing an object about the size and weight of a bowling ball. With that, Joey woke up screaming. Bessie rushed in and tried to comfort her. Miraculously, Alexander stayed asleep, as did Bodie. So, Joey and Bessie decided to have a late night girl to girl chat over some chocolate ice cream. Joey told Bessie everything that she had told Pacey, including her sleeping with Dawson and her fears that she was pregnant. Joey expected Bessie to be furious, but instead her motherly instinct kicked in, and she comforted her baby sister. She told her about when she first thought she was pregnant and how glad she was when she wasn't. And though, she would be soon, she knew that it was a miracle instead of a curse. Bessie asked Joey if she knew for sure that she was pregnant and Joey told her that she didn't have any of the outward signs, but described that "feeling". Bessie automatically understood and told Joey not to worry, it could just be love.
Joey wasn't sure because she thought that love would feel different, not so painful. Bessie's brilliant advice to Joey was to just enjoy her life, her new love, and until she had more evidence of being pregnant, not to worry about it. However, if Joey really wanted her to, they could go to the clinic to get birth control, just to make sure. Joey thanked her for being such a sweet, understanding sister and they went back to sleep.
A few weeks later, Joey was very worried. She now had several of the symptoms of being pregnant and immediately told Bessie, after she freaked and ran to Dawson.
"DAWSON!!!!" Joey screamed into his window
"What Jo, what's wrong?" he asked scared by the look on her face.
"Dawson, we gotta talk. We may have a problem. I think I’m pregnant."
"Oh my god, Jo I'm so sorry. Are you sure?"
"No, not completely. I haven't told Bessie yet, I thought that it was better that you knew."
"Well, I'm not letting you go through this alone. Let's go tell Bessie together, K?"
"I really don't deserve you Dawson, you treat me so good." Joey
said on the verge of tears. They walked out of Dawson's house hand in hand towards the
Icehouse.
"Bessie?" Joey asked in a small voice.
Bessie turned around and saw the serious expression on both their faces and immediately knew what was going on. Listening to what they had to say, her suspicions were confirmed. Together, the three of them drove to Capeside Drugs and purchased a home pregnancy test. They went back to Joey's house and while Joey was taking the test, Dawson and Bessie talked. Dawson was trying to tell Bessie how much he loved Joey, how he would never leave her, how careful they were, etc. And Bessie just looked at him lovingly and told him that there was nothing he could say that she didn't already know, she could see it in both his and Joey's eyes.
Just as Bessie was saying this Joey walked out with the test in her hand.
"Well?" Dawson asked.
"I don't know, we have to wait a few minutes."
She set the test in the middle of the table, sat down next to Dawson with their hands intertwined tightly with each others, looked up at Bessie, and together the three of them waited.
"OH MY GOD!!!!!!" Joey screamed. Dawson looked at what Joey had been looking at and screamed with her. They both jumped up and kissed each other out of pure joy. All of her fears had been released, she was free. She wasn't pregnant.
Bessie had tears streaming down her cheeks, as did Dawson and Joey. They all shared a moment of relief and then Dawson and Joey excused themselves to go for a walk. Somehow, they ended up at the ruins and thought about how much their lives could have changed if the test had turned blue. One simple piece of plastic with chemicals inside it could have determined the rest of their lives. They just sat their and enjoyed each others company. Joey told him about her being on birth control so that they wouldn't have to go through this again, as long as they were careful. They promised each other that neither would ever let anything happen to each other, and they
would be together forever. They sealed their promise with a simple kiss that they both knew would last forever.
Standing behind them, was Pacey and Jen. They had witnessed this whole scene, inadvertently of course. Pacey had told Jen how worried he was about Joey and they decided to check on them. Both Dawson's parents and Bessie and Bodie said that they had gone for a walk to think, which
obviously meant they were going to the ruins. Pacey and Jen smiled at each other and turned and walked away, hand in hand, off on a date of their own.
What will happen between Pacey and Jen and how will Dawson and Joey react to the whole thing?
Stay tuned for part five: Major Revelations
Send all questions and comments to jporter2@airmail.net
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