Chapter 7

London 2006 - Right before Christmas

 

Joey sighed, trying to focus on the task she had at hand, which was very simple indeed, just reading some old books, but it seemed harder as the minutes passed by. It had been 3 days since Pacey last called her, making her feel uncomfortable. She trusted him, but this long distance relationship thing was killing her, New York was a big city, full of beautiful women ready to jump in a charming guy like her boyfriend. And now three days of no words at all, and right before Christmas. She missed him, she had to come back, after the wonderful summer they had, to finish her internship, but for the first time in her life she was really scared of losing him. How long would take him to find an attractive woman that would be close to him, not the whole Atlantic apart? Decided not to give in to such depressive thoughts, she headed to a nearby café to buy some cappuccino. Completely absorbed in her thoughts, she missed the tall guy dressed in a suit that was coming in the opposite direction, pouring all her coffee on him.

 

“I’m so sorry, sir,” she mumbled, gasping with surprise when she felt strong arms around her.

 

“God, Potter, I knew you hated this suit, but not this much,” Pacey was looking at her face with an amused smile on his lips.

 

“Pacey? What? How?” She was confused. “Why haven’t you called?”

 

“Jo, I wanted to surprise you, just that. Is there anything wrong with me showing up with no warning?”

 

She could see in his eyes the same doubts she had earlier. “No. I’m happy you’re here,  I really  missed you, Pace.”

 

 “So, why no welcome kiss?”

 

“Better not. We shouldn’t be kissing on the street, you know what happens when we kiss after long times without seeing each other.”

 

“Jo?” He was doing it...the puppy eyes thing.

 

“Ok, ok, you big baby,” she smiled and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

 

“I crossed the Atlantic just for this? I’m going back to New York right now…” He was caught off guard with Joey kissing him in a way that only she could, so sweet, and full of love, passion and longing. They stared at each other, until both started to laugh. Joey grabbed his hand happily, walking back to her small apartment. Once there, door locked, they couldn’t hold themselves, kissing, hugging, revealing in each touch how much they missed and needed each other. They stumbled across the room, until they fell on her bed, and Pacey started to laugh.

 

“What? Why are you laughing?” Joey asked, intrigued.

 

“I just realized that we didn’t even talk and we are here, on your bed. It makes a guy wonder if I’m not more than a sex object to you.”

 

“Pacey, I haven’t seen you since August, why waste time?” she asked, nibbling his earlobe.

 

“Good point , Potter, good point,” he agreed, his lips traveling on her neck.

 

Later that day

 

Joey lifted her head that had been resting on Pacey’s shoulder. He was still sleeping, his face looking much like when he was a kid, tired from the trip and from their lovemaking. She couldn’t believe how long took her to realize that no place in the world would be better then this, his arms, the soft sound of his heart beating beneath her. It amazed her how he was always there for her, heart in sleeve. A long time ago, he thought he didn’t deserve her, but now the only thing she could do was think it was just the other way around. A smile came to her lips, when she felt his hands wandering on her back.

 

“Hey, already awake?” she asked, tilting her head to see his eyes.

 

“I can’t sleep that much, not when I have this gorgeous woman in my arms,” he kissed her gently.

 

“Hmmm, flattering, Mr. Witter, really flattering.”

 

“It’s absolutely the truth, Jo,” he stated. “Happy?”

 

“I could go singing on streets of happiness. “ I thought you’d forgotten about me, you haven’t even sent me a greeting card,” she pouted.

 

“I couldn’t forget you, Joey, and it’s been only 3 days, sweetie.”

 

“It’s an eternity when I don’t talk to you.”

 

“And right now you’re not only talking. And instead of a simple greeting card, I brought you myself and a gift.”

 

“A gift? Will I have to wait until Christmas?”

 

“If you are a good girl, I’ll consider giving it to you sooner.”

 

She kissed him,  her hands on his face, and then whispered, “Is this enough for a good girl?”

 

“Yes, it is.” He left the bed, looking for something inside the pocket of his discarded jacket, while Joey just stared at his naked body, smiling.

 

“What?” he felt her eyes on him.

 

“You do have a nice ass, you know?”

 

“I have nothing but agree.  Here is your present.”

 

“Plane tickets?” Her mouth dropped when she noticed the destination.  Paris.

 

“Well, it seemed a good idea, you, me; Christmas and New Year in Paris. Do you like it?”

 

“Liked? I loved it, Pacey.” She didn’t know why, but the intense way he was looking at her gave her an odd feeling he was up to something else, but she quickly put that in the back of her mind. She was finally fulfilling her dream of going to Paris and it would be with the man she loved.