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eitakauhosj |
Re: Bump! | ||
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Bump!
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MissMistyLee |
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Awwww! I love this story. This chapter was really sweet, but I have to admit... You got me teary-eyed in the end. Great update! Can't wait for more!
~Misty~ |
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eitakauhosj |
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It's been a while. Update please.
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billiek26 |
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This is such an amazing story. I can't begin to tell you how much it has touched me. Joey and Pacey's relationship is so wonderful and the children
are just right. I love how Joey has fallen in love with Chloe and given her history with her own mother, the story is just poignant. Hurry with the next
update.
Loving John and Evangeline....
Loving Lorenzo and Skye.... Loving Pacey and Joey.... |
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eitakauhosj |
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What's going on here, update please.
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paceysmermaid |
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Thank you all for the wonderful reviews. It means a lot to me to know that there are people who actually look forward to my stories.
FOUR YEARS LATER The sunshine filtered through the trees surrounding the Capeside High School Football Field, casting a warm and inviting glow over the area.
As Pacey Witter ushered his wife, two youngest children, and the rag-a-muffin assortment of "adopted" aunts, uncles and grandparents onto the bleachers, he looked out over the sea of white folding chairs that had been set up on the football field. The American flag and the School flag fluttered softly in the breeze on either side of the podium where the principal and the class valedictorian would speak. This was only the second high school graduation Pacey had every attended, having sat here proudly last year as Alex graduated with both academic and athletic honors. While his own class was preparing o receive their diplomas, he had been on a plane flying to Florida to join the crew on Dean Kublick's yacht on their voyage to Greece. He had bribed Dougie with the latest Celine Dion CD to attend the ceremony and take pictures of Joey, their class valedictorian. He had called Dougie later that night to get a blow by blow account of the day plus a lecture on running away from his problems. He still had the pictures Doug had sent him at his first port of call. He had looked at them so often during the two years he was gone that they were actually dog-eared by the time he finally sailed home. It wasn't until years later when he called Doug to tell him that he and Joey were engaged that he found out what had happened after he hung up the phone that night. ************************************************************* "Pacey, I'm so glad you and Joey have found you're way back to each other. There was a time when I didn't think that would ever happen." "I'm so happy right now Dougie, I think I could even forgive Dawson for his role in our breakup in high school." "I never told you this before, Pace, but do you know where Joey spent graduation night." "I assume with Dawson," Pacey said sarcastically. "She put in an appearance at his party, but she spent the night in my apartment. She finally fell asleep in my arms after crying half the night because she missed you so much." "I never knew that," Pacey said quietly. "When she woke up the next morning, she made me promise not to tell you. She knew you had to deal with life on your own for awhile, but she loved you then Pace and lucky for you she apparently still does." ************************************************************* The motley Witter crew had arrived at the field almost an hour before the ceremony was to begin to ensure that they got the best seats in the house to watch Chloe graduate. They made their way to the first two rows of seats in the second level of the bleachers. Pacey and Bodie had discovered during the four years that Alex played football for the Capeside Minutemen, that you could see everything that was happening on the field from this vantage point. Pacey, Joey, Lily, JP and Grandma and Grandpa Jacobs took the seats in the first row with Bessie, Bodie, Alex, Jen, Jack, Doug, and Grams right behind them. This way, they could still chat with each other while they waited without having to yell down the end of the row. As they settled in for the hour-long wait, they all realized this was going to be a day full of memories of the young girl who had come to mean so much to all of them. Pacey chuckled to himself as he recalled the ride home from Rochester after Chloe's middle school graduation. ************************************************************* "Pacey, how old do I have to be to get a job at the Ice House?" asked Chloe from her seat in the back of the truck between the car seats holding her sleeping brother and sister. "Chloe, you don't need a job. We'll give you whatever you need, Pacey told her. ""Pacey, I have to work for my spending money. My mom always said that nothing in life comes free and if you work for something you want you'll appreciate it more." "Well then we'll give you an allowance for helping Joey with the kids." "I can't take money for spending time with the babies. Besides, didn't you and Joey have jobs when you were my age." "Well yeah, but that was different," said Pacey. "Why?" "Because it is," said Pacey unable to think of a better answer. It was all Joey could do not to laugh at him. "Don't worry Chloe," she said reaching back and squeezing Chloe's hand, "we'll work something out." Pacey just looked between the two of them shaking his head. "Why don't you just try to wake the kids for now and we'll stop for dinner at the next rest stop," he said knowing that this discussion was far from over.
When Pacey was walking back from the restaurant restroom, he could already tell something was up just by the way his wife and oldest daughter were giggling as Joey slid her cell phone back into her purse. "Okay, what happened in the five minutes I was gone that has you two acting like a couple of ninnies," he asked skeptically. "I got a job," said Chloe with a twinkle in her bright blue eyes. "Chloe, we're in the middle of nowhere. How in blazes did you get a job." "I called Aunt Bessie. She said I could work a couple of hours in the mornings, making beds and dusting rooms at the B&B." He looked over at Joey. "I suppose this was your idea." "I just suggested she talk to Bessie, she handled the rest of it herself," she laughed pointing to Chloe. Chloe was still giggling as she and Lily headed to the ladies room. "Let it go, Pace. At least we'll know where she is and whom she's with. Remember Rob from the Gas and Go." "Okay, you win this one," he said as he leaned in and gave her and JP and quick kiss. ************************************************************* Joey looked over when she heard him chuckle again. "Feeling a little better, are we," she asked referring to the conversation they had had earlier that morning. ************************************************************* Pacey was sitting on the end of the bed holding his socks, just staring off in space. Joey sat down beside him taking the socks and putting them on the bed beside her as she too his hand in hers. "Sweetie, we still have the whole summer with her before she goes away to college. Besides its not like we'll never she's going to be a million miles away. She's only going to be in Boston. Alex came home every weekend." "Yeah, and we all know that wasn't because he missed his parents, don't we," he said as his mind drifted back to the night he found Alex and Chloe in a passionate kiss behind the Ice House the week before Alex left for UMass on a football scholorship. Dropping the bag of trash he was taking to the dumpster, he exploded as he saw his sweet, innocent daughter in the arms of the only teenage boy he had ever trusted. "What the hell is going on here?" he shouted not even trying to keep his voice down. Alex and Chloe jumped apart but did not let go of each other's hand. "Um, Hi Daddy," said Chloe her eyes wary, her hand tightening around Alex's. "Don't you Hi daddy me, young lady. What is going on here?" "Uncle Pacey, let me explain." "You better explain! I trusted you with my little girl." As the words left his mouth, he couldn't help but remember a similar time in his life when he and Joey stood before an irate Dawson trying to explain their new relationship to him. "You can still trust me, Uncle Pacey. I would never do anything to hurt Chloe. I love her." "Oh really. And just how long has this been going on behind my back." Alex looked sheepishly at Pacey. Summoning up every ounce of courage that he had, he bravely faced the man who he loved as much as he loved his own father. "I think I've pretty much been in love with her from the first day we met, and I finally admitted it to her on New Year's Eve." "And what about you," he asked turning to Chloe. "Pretty much the same," she whispered. "But you dated Natalie for over a year," he said to Alex. "And you," he said looking over at his daughter, "You went to the prom with Andy Jackson. The words weren't even out of his mouth before it dawned on him that Andy was a good friend of Alex's and therefore the perfect setup. "How many girls did you date before you finally admitted to Joey that you loved her," asked Alex. "Please Daddy, don't be mad at us. I love him. I really do," pleaded Chloe. Pacey finally let out a long breath. "She's to young," he said to himself even though he knew he and Joey had been the same age as she was now when they fell in love. "Take her home, Alex," he said, "and make sure you go straight home. Don't make me have to call Joey to make sure you got there." "But we're the closing team tonight," Chloe said. "I'll do it myself. Just go home, now!" he said as he walked back inside the Ice House.
By the time he got home, he noticed that not only was Alex's car in his driveway but Bodie's as well. Joey came out on the porch when she heard his car pull up. "I see you've called in the troops to make sure I don't kill anyone tonight," he said when she walked out to meet him. She just shrugged her shoulders. "Don't worry. I've had a lot of time to think about this while I cleaned up." "And," she asked. "I guess if she has to fall in love with someone, at least it's someone who's worthy of her, but I don't intend to let them off that easily. They should have told us when this first started." Joey smiled as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "She'll always love you best." "I doubt that, but hopefully I'll come in a close second," he sighed as he put his arm around her and headed into the house. ************************************************************* Still holding Joey's hand in his, he leaned over to his seven year old daughter and said, "You're never going to fall in love and leave Daddy, are you Lil." "Never, daddy," she answered as she kissed his cheek and winked at her mother.
Pacey took his three and a ½ year old son from his brother and snuggled him on his own lap. "Hey there wiggle worm," he said using the nickname Chloe had given him years ago. "How much longer till the party," JP asked his dad as he wiggled over to the lap of Grandpa Jacobs. "Sorry, buddy, but we still have quite a while to wait until we can go home for that," he said as his mind drifted to the summer of another party. ************************************************************* It was the first weekend of July and Chloe had been working at the B&B for two weeks now. Pacey dropped her and the ten speed bike they had given her for her middle school graduation present off at Bessie's on his way into the restaurant. By eleven thirty, she was on her way back home for lunch with Joey and rhe kids, before they would head to the creek for an afternoon of swimming or over to visit Grams and feast on fresh squeezed lemonade and homemade chocolate chip cookies. On rainy days they would go to the Ice House and have lunch with Pacey. Since the little ones had been staying up later at night, due to the longer summer days, and sleeping later in the morning, nap time had been shifted to around three o'clock which gave the four of them plenty of time to play after lunch. While the little ones napped, Chloe usually made her way over to the football field to watch the late afternoon practice and then she and Alex would bike back to the B&B or the Witter's for dinner before they met up with their friends. "Be home by nine," Pacey had told them the first night Alex suggested they head into town. Curfew isn't until ten during the summer, Uncle Pacey," Alex reminded him. "Maybe in Capeside curfew is ten but in the Witter house curfew is nine o'clock. You can hang out here till ten if you want to, but Chloe will be in her own yard at nine. Take it or leave it." "But Uncle Pacey.." "Alex, it wasn't that long ago that I was hanging out in town on a summer night. I know what goes on in town at night. My daughter will be home by nine or she just won't go." "We'll see you at nine," Alex sighed as he and Chloe headed out the door.
After that night, usually at least four nights out of seven, the gang just hung out in the Witter's yard. Pacey sometimes wondered during that firsst summer if maybe he should raise Chloe's curfew till ten, especially when he noticed how much soda and snacks those kids went through every week.
Miranda and the Rileys along with Grandma and Grandpa Jacobs arrived the second week of July for Chloe's fourteenth birthday party. Pacey and Joey had planned a barbecue inviting both their families and all the friends Alex had introduced Chloe to since she had arrived in Capeside. The party was a big hit, the row boat Pacey and Joey gave Chloe left her Speechless, and the fact that her grandparents were staying the week in her room while she and Miranda camped out in sleeping bags in Lily's room thrilled her beyond compare. Miranda stayed until the middle of August sharing Chloe's job and half of her paycheck at Chloe's insistance. It had been a slow, lazy and fun filled summer and Pacey didn't think his life had ever been more perfect. ************************************************************* Joey smiled as she watched the first of the graduates march solemnly onto the field. It would be a little while until they saw Chloe as she would be at the end of the line. When Pacey had gone to the Court House in Rochester to have his name added to Chloe's birth certificate, Chloe had insisted on having her name officially changed to Chloe Jacobs Witter. It was as Chloe Witter that she had registered as a freshman at Capeside High School. She had been so excited about starting high school. Joey and Jen had taken her shopping in Boston and gotten her a new wardrobe, a little more sophisticated than the jeans and T-shirts she usually wore in middle school. The first week of school, she came home every day bursting with excitement. She could hardly wait to tell Joey everything that had happened during the day and then happily repeated it all again when Pacey came home at dinnertime. So it totally threw Joey the day she came home crying and ran straight up to her room with Alex close behind her. "What happened," a shocked Joey asked Alex. "I don't know. When I came out of school, she was already crying and Billy Caulfield and his friends were walking away from her and they were all laughing." "Those Caulfields have been a pain in my ass since kindergarten," snapped Joey. "Listen Alex, I have to go upstairs to Chloe, will you call Pacey and then stay down here with Lily and JP." When Pacey came bursting through Chloe's bedroom door ten minutes later, Joey was still trying to find out what had happened. "What did he do to her?" Pacey asked Joey as he took a seat on the other side of the bed. Joey shrugged her shoulders. "All I know so far is that Billy Caulfield was involved." For the next ten minutes they sat there on the bed, Chloe between them as the patted her back, and whispered soothing endearments as she cried herself out. When the tears finally eased up, Chloe sat up and took a deep cleansing breath. "What happened, baby," Pacey asked as he handed her a tissue from the box on the night table. She wiped her eyes and blew her nose before letting out on last sob. "I didn't even know who he was. He came up to me while I was waiting for Alex. He said, Look guys, it's Pacey Witter's little bastard. Then they all started laughing." Pacey jumped off the bed, "I'll kill him." "Sit down, Pacey," Joey said sternly. "You're just upsetting her more." "Is that all they did?" asked Joey. She shook her head. "He said things about you and my mom." "It's alright sweetie. Tell me everything," said Joey softly. "He said I guess my brother was wrong. Apparently Pacey Witter really did shag the old lady before he hooked up with the drug dealer's daughter. Then he said you were one sexy little number and he wouldn't mind getting a taste of you." Joey reached over and grabbed Pacey before he could make it to the door. "Let me go, Joey. I'm going to kill that little son of a bitch." "Please Daddy, don't," screamed Chloe. And with those three little words, the whole atmosphere in the room changed. Joey looked up at Pacey and watched as his smile began to grow. She knew that smile, that special smile that lit up his face like the Fourth of July at the happiest times of his life. Until now she was the only person who had ever really seen that smile. She saw it the night she said yes to his marriage proposal, the afternoon they faced each other and exchanged wedding vows, and the day Lily and JP were born. He sat back down on the bed totally floored. Chloe just stared at him, stunned at the sudden calm that had come over the room. "That's the first time you ever called me Daddy," he whispered, the awe evident in his voice. She gave him a hesitant smile. "You have no idea how happy that makes me." Joey had tears in her eyes as she watched Chloe throw her arms around Pacey. From that moment on, Pacey was simply Daddy to all three of his children. ************************************************************* Chloe had made Pacey and Alex promise not to do anything to Billy. She just wanted to forget about it. She did agree to let them know if he bothered her again and Alex made it his mission to make sure that for the rest of the year, she would never be alone with Billy Caulfield or any of his friends.
Pacey had promised Chloe he wouldn't confront Billy but it didn't prevent him from telling Doug what had happened. Doug had been livid that the Caulfields would dare to hurt someone in his family again and made it a point to pull Billy over for the least little infraction every chance he got.
Grams, who had been sitting between Jen and Alex grabbed both of their hands as they saw Chloe walk out and take her seat with the rest of her class. "Doesn't she look lovely," she whisperd to Alex. She still couldn't believe how much she had come to love these two young people. She was ashamed of herself when she remembered how self-righteous she had been the day she was called upon to help deliver Bessie Potter's baby in the Leery living room. As the saying goes, its never too late to learn something new and with the help of her granddaughter Jennifer and her friends, she had definitely become a more tolerant and compassionate person. Jennifer and her friends had brought so much happiness back into her life as she watched them grow in fine upstanding young adults. But she held a special place in her heart for Alex and Chloe. When she had returned to Capeside after spending six months in Boston undergoing cancer treatments, the two teenagers had come by every day after school. They ran errands, did yard work, and sometimes just sat with her while she told them stories about when she was a young girl before the invention of TV and computers and Ipods. She told them about the time she sneaked out of the house to see Frank Sinatra with her friends. She told them about her days as an army nurse during the war and how she had met her husband when he was one of her patients and they fell in love and married after the war. He was the one who brought her here to Capeside as a young bride. She told them every day that they should be out enjoying their youth instead of spending all their free time with a old lady but they just laughed and showed up the next day anyway until she was feeling well enough to start going out on her own again. Even after Alex went away to college, they still made it a point to have dinner with Grams at least once a month when he came home to visit.
Doug had tuned out most of the principal's speech while he watched his brother beaming with pride as he watched the daughter he didn't even know he had until she was thirteen but who was now a beloved member of his family. Since the day he had told Pacey about Joey's graduation night visit, his relationship with his brother had improved to the point where he now considered Pacey one of his best friends. He cherished the times he got to spend with his nieces and nephew and spoiled them every chance he got. As much as he loved Lily and JP, he enjoyed a special friendship with Chloe. Maybe it was due to the fact that he could do more with her than play Candyland or peek-a-boo. Chloe adored old musicals having watched them from the time she was little with her mom, and she and Doug would rent the classics like "Brigadoon" and "Oklahoma" and have a junk food and movie night. When Capeside High did "The Sound of Music" her junior year, she won the role of Maria vonTrapp and while Pacey built sets and Joey helped sew costumes, it was Doug who ran lines with her every night and coached her through every song. It was one of the proudest moments in his life when Chloe announced from the stage that she could never have done justice to the role if it wasn't for the untiring help of her Uncle Doug.
As Chloe walked up to the principal to receive her diploma, Pacey glanced over at Charlie and Maggie Jacobs. These two people had come to mean so much to his family. They had accepted him into their lives without question and loved his two younger children as much as they loved their real granddaughter. It was Maggie who told Pacey one afternoon when the two of them where sitting out in the Witter yard watching Chloe push Lily and JP on the wooden swing set he, Doug and Jack had built last spring that it wasn't blood that made a family but love. "We're family, Pacey. You, Joey and those three children over there are more of a family to Charlie and me than our own daughter. You call every week, you come to Rochester to see us, you've welcomed us into your home. I can't remember the last time Rachel called just to ask how we were doing. Even when we call there, she acts as if we're bothering her. It's love that makes a family, my boy and you've given our Chloe a beautiful one and Charlie and I are so greatful that you've allowed us to be a part of it." "Ah, Maggie," Pacey said with tears in his eyes, " we're the ones who are lucky to have you. You could very well have made it difficult for me to move Chloe from Rochester. I know she would have stayed there if you hadn't approved of the move. I can't imagine what Lily and JP's life would be like without their Grandma and Grandpa. They adore you. Joey and I, well neither one of us had parents or grandparents we could turn to when we were kids. The day we meet you and Charlie, we knew what it was like to have someone who cared, someone who loved without restrictions. We got more than we ever bargained for the first time we went to Rochester. We got a family and we love you more than you'll ever know."
As Chloe, the last of the graduates to receive her diploma, waved it in the air the whole Witter crew rose to their feet cheering so loud they almost drowned out the closing ceremonies.
"Tamara would have been so proud of the wonderful job you did with our girl, Pacey," said Charlie as he handed JP to Maggie and wrapped Pacey in one of those so called manly bear hugs.
"Well," said Pacey before he could start crying himself, "Let's go find our girl. We still have lots of celebrating to do tonight."
As they headed out of the stadium, they all realized just how enriched their lives had become since the Thursday afternoon that Chloe showed up on the Witter doorstep.
Last Edited By: paceysmermaid
01/23/08 12:56:45.
Edited 1 times.
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Redfish74 |
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Loved the update.
A lot's happened in the past 4 years. Can't wait for the next installment. Chocolate Heart PJamas Creek Ho #74---Keeper of Pacey's fishing trophy Truelover #74 Lover of Pacey and Joey Hugs
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fel617 |
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great update
chole and alex seem like they will be a good match come back soon |
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pjer19 |
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i read this last night i thought it was very good!!! i hope theres more of this story, because this is one of my favorite stories!! i loved it more please?!
It was the end of something simple and the begininng of everything else.
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eitakauhosj |
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Awwww, this is beautiful.
Alex and Chloe? That was a surprised. I didn't see that coming, but awww they're so cute. ... and of course I love a very protective Daddy Pacey. Come back soon for more please. |
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billiek26 |
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That was such a wonderful update. I love the family they've created. I hope there's more story, because this is an amazing one.
Loving John and Evangeline....
Loving Lorenzo and Skye.... Loving Pacey and Joey.... |
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eitakauhosj |
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This has been a while too since the update, isn't time for one?
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paceysmermaid |
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A special thank you to all of you who have shared this story with me. Thank you so much for your reviews. They mean more to me than you will ever know.
Chloe looked out from her bedroom window into the Witter backyard, a small smile on her face as she watched Pacey walk between the rows of white folding chairs, straightening one, wiping a blade of grass off another. He stood at the end of the row, assessing his work before moving on to the next row. She looked over her shoulder when the door opened. Joey walked in and carefully laid the veil she had just steamed a few wrinkles out of on the bed beside the same wedding gown she had worn fourteen years earlier when she had married Pacey by the creek of the B&B. Walking over to Chloe, she wrapped her arm around the girl's slim waist as Chloe rested her heads against Joey's shoulder. They both looked down into the yard and giggled as they watched Pacey go about his chair inspection. "I think he's even more nervous than I am," laughed Chloe. "He just wants everything to be perfect for you. After all, it's not everyday the top chef from Boston's Ice House marries the number one draft pick from the New England Patriots." "I don't know about the top chef thing," said Chloe, "but he hasn't stopped talking about how smart the Pats were to choose Alex as their new quarterback." "Don't let him hear you say that. He thinks you're the only chef in all of New England who is better than him." "He always has been the modest one, hasn't hear," laughed Chloe. Looking down at Pacey again, Joey said, "You should have seen him before he and I got married. Uncle Doug threatened to handcuff him to the bed if he didn't calm down and go to sleep. Uncle Jack was ready to hog tie him with the phone cord if he didn't stop calling to make sure he still had the rings. Aunt Bessie finally had to take the phone off the hook at the B&B because he keep calling over there to make sure I hadn't changed my mind." "I can't believe I'm getting married today. If it wasn't for you convincing me to give Alex another chance, it might not be happening at all." ****************************************************************************************************************** It was the end of Chloe's second year of college. She and Miranda had both been accepted at the University of Massachusetts and had been roommates since freshman year thus fulfilling one of their childhood dreams. The fact that Chloe's boyfriend Alex Potter-Welles also went to school there had in no way influenced their decision to apply there, or at least that's what they told people. She and Alex were walking across campus towards her dorm to pick up her duffle bag so they could head home to Capeside for the weekend. "Hey Al," yelled a voice behind them. Turning around, they saw two of Alex's teammates and four scantily clad girls hanging from their arms. "We're heading over to The Tap for a few brews, want to join us," asked the broad shouldered fullback. "Please come with us, Alex," said the blonde in the skin-tight skirt and extremely snug T-shirt. "You can even bring you're little friend along ." Chloe glared at the girl who just looked smugly at Chloe in her preppy little skirt and J Crew sweater as she puffed her chest out just a little more. "Sounds like fun. Let's go for a little while, Clo." "But Alex, we're supposed to be heading home tonight." "So no big deal, we'll just go tomorrow," he dismissed her request lightly. "But I already promised Lily I'd be there tonight. She's looking forward to it." "For God's sake Chloe. Can't you just forget about Capeside for a while and have a little bit of fun." "I'm very sorry, but watching you and your friends get drunk isn't my idea of a fun evening," she said anger creeping into her voice. "I'm not going to get drunk. It's just a few beers. Loosen up a little," he sighed. "Maybe you'd prefer I acted like one of those football groupies over there," she said nodding towards the four half dressed girls. "At least they know how to kick back and relax after a long week." "Well bt all means Alex, go kick back and relax with your friends," she said as she turned around and headed towards her dorm alone. Alex stood there for a minute looking between Chloe and his friends. "I'll call you in a few hours to set up a time to leave tomorrow." "Don't bother," she said but he had already turned towards his friends and didn't even hear her.
When Alex called Chloe around ten o'clock, and didn't get an answer, he figured she was still upset with him so he called Miranda's cell phone figuring they were probably together. Last year Miranda had gone home with them to Capeside every other weekend, but she had met a nice guy in her economics class in October and now preferred to stay at school to be with him on weekends. Occassionally, the four of them would go to Capeside together, but Jason usually worked weekends and Miranda enjoyed spending whatever free time he had on weekends with him.
"Hey Miranda," Alex said when she answered the phone. "Is Chloe there with you." "No," she said with a little edge to her usually soft voice. "It's almost ten thirty, where the hell is she," he asked suddenly worried. "She was pretty upset when she got back to the dorm earlier. She called home to tell her folks she wouldn't be coming home tonight and Pacey came and picked her up about two hours ago." "Oh shit," sighed Alex. "You said it," said Miranda as she hung up on him.
The phone call that Pacey had been expecting since they got home finally came around eleven o'clock. "Hi Uncle Pacey, can I speak to Chloe," asked a weary Alex. "No," said Pacey. "Excuse me," said Alex. "I said no, Alex. Joey has finally gotten her calmed down and I won't have you upsetting her again tonight." "I just want to talk to her for a minute." "Not tonight. I'll let her know in the morning that you called but I'm not waking her tonight." "What have I done," Alex asked himself as he heard Pacey hang up the phone.
When Chloe came downstairs the next morning, she found Joey and Pacey sitting quietly at the kitchen table drinking coffee. "There's my girl," said Pacey as she walked into the room. "I have all the ingredients ready for your favorite breakfast; French toast and sliced bananas. "I'm not very hungry," she said as she accepted the cup of coffee Joey handed her. "A good breakfast will make you feel better," Pacey reassured her as he began dipping raisin bread into the milk and egg mixture. "Fine," she sighed as she slipped into the seat beside Joey. "Where are the kids?" she asked looking into the family room. "Uncle Doug came and picked them up about an hour ago. He's taking them to the Science Museum in Boston for the day." "On family Saturday," questioned Chloe. "We all thought a little peace and quiet would be nice today," said Pacey as he lifted the first slice of French toast from the
griddle.
"Yeah," said Pacey sheepishly. He was with me at the Ice House when Joey called and asked me to go pick you up." "Who else knows." "No one, not even Lily and JP. We just told them you weren't feeling good and needed to rest today," said Joey. "Listen honey," said Pacey setting the plate down in front of her, "Alex called last night after you fell asleep. Now I'm sure he's going tpo come by today to try to apologize for last night. If you're ready to see him, I'll let him in. If not, we can take Sweet Dreams out for her first sail of the season. "Let me go change. I'll be ready to go in ten minutes," said Chloe as she carried her plate over to the dishwasher. The three of them were on the boat by eleven with Chloe at the wheel. Joey had suggested years ago that Pacey teach Chloe to sail thereby giving Chloe a chance to have Pacey completely to herself for a few hours on Sunday afternoons. They sailed to Martha's Vineyard, toured the shops and had a late lunch before heading back to Capeside.
As they walked up the path towards the house, it was evident by the vase of flowers on the front porch, that Alex had stopped by. "Daisies," said Chloe as she lifted one out of the vase, her eyes filling with tears. "Of course he'd bring her daisies," thought Pacey. "They are her favorite flower." He remembered how she had cried that first Valentine's Day she lived with them when he had come home from the restaurant with roses for Joey and daisies for Chloe and Lily. "Why don't you take them inside," suggested Joey. Chloe just nodded as she picked up the vase of flowers and walked into the house. Joey turned to Pacey. "Pace, why don't you call Doug and see what time he's bringing the kids back. You could invite him for dinner and then maybe go down to Dewey's and pick up some lobsters for the grill. "If you want lobster, why don't we just tell him to meet us at the Ice House for dinner." "Because sooner or later, Alex is going to find her and neither one pof us knows what will happen when he does. If they're going to break up, I'd just as soon it happened in private instead on in a crowded restaurant." "Or a crowded boat," Pacey winced as he remembered how much their breakup at the senior prom had hurt Joey. It still surprised him that she was able to forgive him for embarrassing her that way. Taking her hand in his he raised it to his lips tenderly kissing each finger.
Realizing where his thoughts had drifted at her last statement, she squeezed his hand as she leaned over and placed the softest of kisses on her lips. "I know you, sweetheart. I love you, too" The stood there starring at each other for a few more minutes before Joey said, "I better go make sure she's okay." "Right. I'll call Doug and then head over to Dewey's." He stole one more kiss before he turned and headed for the car.
When Joey went inside the house, she found Chloe sitting on the sofa in the family room. The vase of flowers sat on the coffee table in front of her. "What am I going to do, Joey," she sobbed, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Oh honey, I wish I could tell what to do," said Joey taking a seat beside her on the sofa, "but this is one decision you have to make on your own. I can tell you though that all men are idiots. They act before they think, whether they're seven or twenty-one or thirty-six or even older than that. They don't mean to hurt us, they just don't think first." "But Daddy never" "Oh sweetie, as perfect as we like to think Daddy is, he's no different than any of the others. How many times have we eaten dinner without him because he forgot to call and tell us he was running late. Remember when he wanted to beat up Billy Caulfield. He would have too without even thinking about it if we hadn't stopped him first. And what about that time he and Uncle Bodie planned that fishing weekend on Aunt Bessie's birthday. They're still paying for that one. They act first and when they have time to think about it, they regret it but by then the damage is already done." Chloe sniffled as she wiped her eyes with the tissue Joey handed her. "What you need to do now is ask yourself if you love Alex enough to overlook his selfishness and concentrate on his good qualities." "Like you do with Daddy." "Believe me, he overlooks a lot of my not so favorable traits as well. That's what love is all about. Seeing someone's imperfections and knowing you couldn't live without them, faults and all." "What if I know I really love him but I'm just not ready to forgive him yet." Joey laughed as she put her arms around Chloe hugging her close. "I don't think letting him stew for a few days will kill him. You know what, maybe tomorrow, you and I could take a short road trip to Rochester. We could leave early in the morning, stop and visit your grandparents and Paige and Rick and then I could drop you off at school on Monday night." "Could we really do that, just the two of us," asked a now excited Chloe. "Sure. Pacey can spend the day with Lily and JP tomorrow and get them off to school on Monday morning and then they can hang out at the Ice House or with Aunt Bessie until I get home." "I love you, Joey," said Chloe throwing her arms around Joey's neck.
Maggie and Charlie had been thrilled to see "their girls" as they called them and Paige had insisted that they stay with them overnight. It had been a fun relaxing two days and the two of them laughed and giggled like teenagers all the way back to Boston.
With his girls off on their Rochester adventure, Pacey was the one who answered the door when Alex showed up Sunday morning. "She's not hear Alex," said Pacey as he stood in the doorway. She and Joey left for Rochester about an hour ago." "Okay," sighed Alex as he turned to leave. "As long as you're here, come on in. I'll make you some breakfast while we talk," said Pacey. Talking to his girlfriend's father wasn't exactly what Alex had in mind after a sleepless night but he didn't see that he had much of a choice. As Pacey chopped ham and vegetables for omelets, Alex waited patiently at the table for the awkward conversation he knew would come with his eggs. Pacey set up snack tables in the family room for Lily and JP explaining to them that they could watch cartoons while they ate since he needed to talk privately to Alex in the kitchen. Setting the plate in front of Alex, Pacey sat down across from him. "Okay Alex, I'm not going to tell you how disappointed I am with you right now because I'm sure you already know that. What I am going to say is that I don't care that I've know you since the day you were born, or that I'm married to your aunt, or that your parents are two of my closest friends, if you ever hurt my little girl again, I'll beat the shit out of you. I hope you understand what I'm saying because I don't ever again want to see her crying the way she was Friday night." "Yes, sir," said a humbled Alex. "Girls have very fragile egos, Alex. They're hurt easily. Someone very special once told me that when you're in a relationship you have to always remember that you're thinking for two. I know sometimes it's hard but if she's really worth it to you, you'll try to think before you act." "I try to remember that. And Uncle Pacey, she's worth everything to me. I can't imagine life without her. "Good. I'm glad we got this straightened out, said Pacey slapping Alex on the back. Now eat your breakfast before it gets cold."
Pacey answered the phone when Chloe called Tuesday night. "Hi Daddy. Can I talk to Joey." "Sure," moaned Pacey. "After all I'm just the guy that pays your tuition at that fancy college you go to. No need to talk to me. It's just Joey, Joey, Joey." "Dad," laughed Chloe. "How are you? I miss you. You're the best dad in the whole world. Thank you so much for sending me to this wonderful college." "That's better," Pacey said laughing out loud as he called Joey to the phone.
"Oh Joey," said an extremely happy Chloe, "Alex was waiting for me when I got back to my dorm after my six o'clock class. The poor thing looked awful. He said he hadn't been able to sleep since Friday night. We talked half the night and everything is okay again. He said he was sorry for hurting me and that he loves me and I do love him Joey, and you were right. I can't let one unhappy moment ruin all the good times we've had together.
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As they watched Pacey move to the next row of chairs, Joey giggled and said, "What do you say we go make a pot of tea and drag him inside before he rearranges the whole yard. By the time the teapot whistled, Lily and Miranda had joined them in the kitchen. Pacey sat at the table, his hands wrapped around his warm mug as he watched the four girls chattering and giggling. He loved every one of them with his whole heart and would gladly have given his life for any one of them. He smiled over at Joey, his wife, the love of his life. She looked every bit as beautiful as she had the day he fell in love with her as she sanded the chipped paint from the sides of the True Love. It still amazed him that she had given him a second chance when he finally sailed back into Boston after his stint on Dean Kublick's yacht. She had forgiven him, loved him and married him and he knew his life would be worth nothing without her. He watched Chloe as she laughed at something Joey had said. He didn't even know what it was as he really wasn't paying attention to the conversation. He remembered how scared he had been the day she showed up on their doorstep nine years ago. He had no idea at the time how much one lonely frightened little girl could change his life. He couldn't imagine his family without her in it. Lily and JP didn't even remember a time when Chloe wasn't their big sister. He didn't feel he had had nearly enough time with her yet and now today he was going to have to give her away to another man. He knew he wasn't ready but he had promised Joey he wouldn't do anything to ruin Chloe's day. He had never in fourteen years of marriage, broken a promise to Joey, but this one was going to be the hardest promise he ever had to keep. His eye shifted to Lily, his baby girl who at age seven had promised him she would never fall in love and leave him. At twelve, she was already almost as tall as her sister and had her first crush on the new sixteen year old busboy at the Ice House. Luckily for him, the boy never looked twice at the boss's little girl otherwise he would have been out the door as fast as Pacey could throw him. And finally there was Miranda. She had been a part of their lives as long as Chloe had. She had spent a portion of every summer with them. They shared birthdays, holidays and vacations with her and her parents, and he loved her as much as he did his own daughters.
"Pacey, Paceeeey, Pace," Joey finally shook his shoulder to get his attention. "Honey, come on. We have to start getting ready. You still need to take a shower and help JP get ready while I help the girls." He entwined his fingers with hers as they headed up the stairs. "You going to be okay," she asked giving his hand a little squeeze as they reached the top of the steps. "Yeah. It's just that they're growing up so fast, Jo. Chloe's getting married today, Lily's already in middle school, even our baby is in school all day now." "I know, sweetheart. I wish we could stop time too, keep them our babies forever but no matter how hard we try, they're going to grow up. We just have to be thankful that we have such a great relationship with them. We're luckier than a lot of parents, Pace, and they're certainly luckier than either one of us was as kid." "You always did know how to put things in perspective," he said leaning over kissing her softly. "I love you," he said as he headed towards the bathroom. She smiled as she watched him pull the T-shirt over his head revealing his broad muscled back before she headed to Chloe's room.
Joey could feel the tears welling up in her eyes as she stood ion the doorway watching the three girls. She was happy for Chloe. She knew how much she and Alex loved each other, but after today this house would no longer be home to Chloe and she was going to miss her so much. "Hey Mom," smiled Lily as she spotted Joey. "You're just in time to do up all those tiny buttons on the back of Chloe's dress. Joey blinked away her tears and smiled. "It will be my pleasure," she said as she walked up behind Chloe. She helped Chloe with her buttons, zipped up the back of the pale blue bridesmaid dresses Lily and Miranda were wearing, and wove daisies through the two girls' hair before putting on her own sea blue tea length dress. "You look so beautiful," she said as she made each girl spin around so she could get a full view of them. "Just wait till Daddy sees all of you." She hugged Lily and Miranda. "Would you two mind if I had a few minutes alone with Chloe," she asked. "We'll be waiting downstairs," said Miranda as she hugged Chloe and dragged Lily out of the room. Joey walked over to the bed and opened the bag she had left there earlier and lifted a black velvet jewelry from it. "Come sit," she said patting the space beside her on Chloe's bed. Taking Chloe's hand, Joey's eyes misted again. "You look so beautiful. You're mother would have been so proud of you. I know I am. You're been a daughter any family would be proud to claim as their own. You're not only beautiful, but you are so brave. I knew that the first day you showed up on our doorstep. You were so scared, you had no idea what to expect and you came anyway. You have brought so much joy into our lives. I can hardly remember when you weren't an important part of our lives. I don't think Lily and P realize how lucky they are to have a sister like you." "Oh Joey, I love you all so much. I don't know how I would have survived without you after my mom died. I would never have bee happy at Aunt Rachel's. You never made me feel like I was a disruption in your life the way she did. I know I was a complete shock to all of you but you just accepted me, gave me a home, loved me like I had every right to be here." "Oh honey, you belonged here just as much as Lily and JP. Your dad and I love you so much, which is why I want you to have this. She opened the black box and lifted out a delicate silver bracelet. "This belonged to my mom. I was wearing it the night I realized how much I loved your father." "Oh Joey, I can't take this. You should save this for Lily." I already have something set aside for her. I want you to have this." She lifted Chloe's arm and hooked the bracelet around her wrist. Chloe threw her arms around Joey. "I love you, Joey. If I couldn't have my own mom, I so glad I had you. A knock on the door interrupted their hug. "You girls ready," asked Pacey. "The photographer is here and he wants to take a few pictures before the ceremony begins. "We'll be right there," sniffled Joey. "We just have to fix our make up." Pacey could tell Joey was crying and as much as he wanted to hold her, he knew if he saw the two of them crying, he would too. "I'll see you down there then," he said as he moved away from the door. Pacey's heart skipped a beat as the two of them walked down the steps. "I don't think I've ever seen two more beautiful women," he said as he took each of their hands in his. He kissed them both before pulling them against his chest and just holding them close to his heart. "Ready to get this show on the road," asked the photographer. "Yeah, we're ready," sighed Pacey giving them each one more hug. A few minutes later, JP looking so grown up in his tux, strutted with all his nine-year old pride down the aisle, as he walked his mother to her seat.
Pacey stood on the enclosed back porch, holding his daughter in his arms. "Are you sure you want to go through with this," he asked Chloe. "Because if you have any doubts, we don't have to walk down the aisle. It doesn't even matter how much money we've spent on this wedding, if you change your mind, we'll just walk right back into the house." "I love him, Daddy, as much as you love Joey. Don't worry. I know I'm making the right decision." "Always remember how much we love you and that our door is always open for you. Just promise me you won't forget about us when you're an old married woman." "Daddy," she smile, "I love you to much to ever forget about you. You gave me this perfect life where I felt loved and cherished. How could I ever forget that." She reached up to wipe a tear and Pacey's cheek and that's when he noticed her wrist. Taking her hand in his he kissed the fingers that curled around his hand. She noticed his eyes shift to the bracelet. "Joey gave it to me. It was her mom's. She said she was wearing it the night she fell in love with you." "I remember," he said the words catching in his throught. Running his fingers along the bracelet he said, "It's still simple, elegant, beautiful; just like you, just like Joey." He smiled as he looked down into her sparkling blue eyes. "Well, my girl, let's go get you married," he said as he took her arm and led her out the door to give her to the man who loved her as much as he did.
It had been a beautiful ceremony and as he stood beside Joey watching as his little girl married the love of her life, he didn't even try to hide the tears that were running down his cheeks. He watched from the sidelines as Chloe and Alex shared their first dance as husband and wife. He pulled Joey in front of him, wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered in her ear, "I hope they will always be as happy and in love with each other as I have always been with you." "How can they not be," she said looking over at Bessie and Bodie who were also beaming with pride today. "They've both been raised in families where they've always been surrounded by True Love." Pacey couldn't help but smile as he led his true love out to the dance floor to extend their best wishes to their daughter and the nephew who was now their son.
Last Edited By: paceysmermaid
02/13/08 14:53:36.
Edited 4 times.
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Redfish74 |
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What a wonderful ending.
I so loved this story. Chocolate Heart PJamas Creek Ho #74---Keeper of Pacey's fishing trophy Truelover #74 Lover of Pacey and Joey Hugs
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sarammlover |
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OMG....what a perfect ending!!!! I loved it. You did such a wonderful job with this story. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!! Hugs, Sara
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fel617 |
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great ending to a great story
thanks for all your hard work and finishing come back soon |
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pjer19 |
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oh wow!! i loved it!! i would like to read maybe an epologe or something!! great work tho!!
It was the end of something simple and the begininng of everything else.
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eitakauhosj |
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Wow! Hate to see this end, but I so love the ending.
Hope you come back for more stories. Thanks |
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eitakauhosj |
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Are you planning to write another story? I have to re-read this chapter again, today. Awww, miss this family.
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POTL FAN |
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This was a great story with a perfect ending. I hope you write more stories.
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