Back to Alternative Life Styles
Disclaimer: As always, I do not own Dawson, Joey, Pacey, Jen, or any other members of the Capeside contingent.
Author's Note: This is the final part to this series, due to time constraints and severe writer's block. I am fast-forwarding four years from where Deep Breaths left off. Enjoy! And please send me feedback!
Joey was helping her daughter get ready for bed in their Los Angeles home. Across the hall, Dawson was helping their son.
"Mommy?" Mackenzie said.
"Yeah honey?"
"Tell me the story about how you met daddy."
Joey smiled as the memories came flooding back. She sat down on her four-year-old's bed and started to tell her the most wonderful bedtime story she knew…
Across the hall…
"Daddy?" Taylor said.
"Yeah buddy?"
"Tell me the story about how you met mommy."
Dawson smiled at his young son as he thought back to that day so many years ago…
Flashback…
"No mommy! I don't want to go!"
Gail Leery gently pushed her protesting four-year-old son through the preschool doors. "You'll be fine honey. You'll make lots of friends," she reassured him.
"No I won't. I want to go-" he stopped himself short and stared at the door.
"Mommy, take me back home right now," the pretty little brunette demanded of her mother. Her face turned red and she started to cry in frustration.
Dawson didn't know why, but he didn't like the fact that she was crying so he made his way over to the girl, forgetting about his mother.
"Hi, my name is Dawson," he introduced himself while reaching into his pocket. "Do you want some Reese's Pieces?"
Joey's tears subsided. She smiled shyly at him. "Sure," she said as he placed a few of the candies in her hand. "Thanks."
"What's your name?" Dawson asked her.
"Joey," she replied.
"Joey is a boy's name," he laughed.
"Well, my real name is Josephine, but so help me God, if you call me that, I'll break your arm," she threatened.
"No problem Jo."
Joey smiled. Very few people called her "Jo." She felt bad that she had threatened him.
"Have you ever seen E.T.?" Dawson asked her.
"Yeah! I love that movie!"
"Well, maybe you can come to my house someday and watch it with me," Dawson offered.
"Sounds like fun. Where'd my mom go?" Joey asked, suddenly noticing the absence of her mother.
"I guess they left," Dawson noted. He didn't care though. He felt right at home with Joey. Joey felt the same way about him. They stared at each other for a brief second until they were interrupted.
"Dawson, what are you staring at Pippy Longstalkings for?" the little boy asked, pulling on one of Joey's braids.
They both broke away from the stare and looked to the source of the voice. Joey glared at the brown haired boy.
"Whoa, Dawson. She looks mean!"
"Shut up Pacey. Joey, this is my friend Pacey. Pacey, this is Joey," Dawson said.
"Joey! Ha! That's a boy's name!"
"Really genius? Thinks for pointing that out. Not that it's any of your business, but my real name is Josephine. Joey is my nickname, that I suggest you use," Joey spat out with her face reddened and her fists clenched at her sides.
The boys stared at her, surprised at her outburst.
"Whoa, Josephine. Calm down!" Pacey said. Noticing her growing anger he corrected himself, "Joey, I mean. I mean Joey."
"Thank you," Joey said with satisfaction.
"Okay class. It's time to start! Everyone gather around on the rug," The teacher announced.
The class congregated on the large, colorful rug. The three friends stayed together.
"Okay, my name is Mrs. Anderson. Welcome to preschool! We're going to start today by going around and telling everyone our names. Let's start with you," Mrs. Anderson said as she pointed to a brunette girl.
"I'm Abby Morgan," she stated proudly.
"I'm Grant Bodean."
"My name is Warren Gary."
The class continued to call out their names in this fashion. Soon, it was Joey's turn. She stood up shyly and said in a voice barely above a whisper, "Joey Potter."
Her name received a few stifled giggles from the class because of the masculinity of her name. Joey blushed furiously. Seeing this, Dawson spoke up, "Actually her name is Josephine, but calling her Joey is easier. She's my best friend. My name is Dawson Leery."
Joey smiled gratefully at him. He made her feel special. She was surprised that he called her his best friend for a few reasons. They had only known each other for about twenty minutes and also because it wasn't a very popular thing to have a girl as a best friend. Despite all of this, she instantly felt that same way about him.
"And I am Pacey Witter. No need for applause," Pacey announced.
"Don't worry," Joey muttered causing the class to laugh. She instantly felt bad for saying it when she saw the dejected look on his face. "Sorry, but that was for the Pippy Longstalkings thing. Even?" she whispered.
"Never!" he said, grinning from ear to ear.
The class then had an introduction to the classroom. Mrs. Anderson showed the kids around the play area, the reading area, the time out area, and finally, the learning tables. Mrs. Anderson explained that there would be five students to a learning table. Joey, Dawson, and Pacey quickly claimed a table as their own. They were soon joined by two other students.
After a lesson in handwriting and a quick introduction to math, the kids had free time.
"Wanna play house?" Joey asked as she looked at the play kitchen and dining set. The boys looked doubtfully at her. Noticing their inhibitions, she said, "Come on, it will be fun!"
"Fine, but I get to be the Dad," Dawson agreed.
"Well, that makes me the mommy. You can be our son or our dog, Pacey," Joey said, "But I think that you'd make a better animal."
"Very funny. I think I'll be the son."
"Okay. What should we name our son?" Joey asked Dawson.
"Umm, how about Josh. He looks like he could be a Josh," Dawson said thoughtfully.
"Yeah, I like that name. How about you, Josh?"
"Sounds good mommy," Pacey said in a baby voice.
Soon, the three friends were acting out the roles of a family as if they were actually a real one. From that day on, whenever they "played house," Pacey's name would be Josh and Joey and Dawson were his parents. That day, the three friends became a family of sorts. They established a bond that could never be broken, only strengthened…
End flashback…
Mackenzie grinned at her mother, "I love that story."
Joey smiled, "I do too. And I love you too Macey Rose, but it's late. Time for bed."
"Tuck me in?"
"Surely. Snug as a bug in a rug," Joey said as she tucked the blankets tightly around her daughter and placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Night mommy. I love you."
"Night sweetie. I love you too. I'll send daddy in to say good night."
"Okay."
Joey walked across the hall to her son's room. She remained silent and watched the exchange between father and son.
"Thanks Dad. I like that story," Taylor said.
"Me too Tay. Ready for bed?"
"Yeah. Tuck me in?"
"Sure buddy. Snug as a bug in a rug," he said as he tucked the covers tightly around his son.
"Night Daddy. I love you."
"Night Taylor. I love you too. Mommy will be in to say good night in a few minutes."
"Okay."
Dawson stepped into the hall and was greeted by his wife.
"Hey darlin. Time to switch?" Joey asked.
"Almost," he said as he wrapped his arms around her waist and lowered his mouth to hers. They broke away a few minutes later, breathless. They looked into each other's eyes and Joey ran her fingers through his blond curls and Dawson brushed a long strand of her brown hair from her face.
"I love you," Dawson told his wife.
"I love you too. Meet you in the bedroom in five minutes," Joey said as she placed a departing kiss on his lips.
He smiled as he stepped into his daughter's room. He looked at her and saw Joey. Mackenzie resembled her mother in every way possible.
"Hi daddy," Mackenzie said with a grin on her face.
"Hey there Macey Rose. All ready for bed?"
"Yup! Snug as a bug in a rug."
"Are you sure? Well we can fix that!"
"No daddy!" Mackenzie laughed, knowing her father's intentions.
Dawson tickled his daughter and she broke into a fit of breathless giggles. "Stop Daddy! Stop!"
"Okay, okay." Dawson relented. He tucked her back in tightly under the covers. "There. All better."
"Thank you. Good night Daddy."
He placed a kiss on her forehead and said, "Good night princess. I love you."
"I love you too."
Dawson shut off the light, closed the door, and made his way to the master bedroom.
Meanwhile…
Joey stuck her head into Taylor's room. She stared at him for a few minutes. He looked exactly like Dawson did at four years old with curly blond hair and big blue eyes. Despite his young age, he also shared his father's ambitions and dreams.
Noticing his mom at the door, Taylor greeted her, "Hi mommy."
"Hey Tay. All set for bed?"
"All tucked in!" he replied.
"I see something that's missing!"
"Oh yeah! How could I forget?"
"I'll get him for you," Joey said. She went to her son's dresser and picked up the collector's E.T. doll.
"Here ya go honey," Joey said.
"Thanks mommy."
"You're welcome. Comfy?"
"Yup."
"Alright then. Good night honey. I love you," she said as she placed a kiss on his forehead.
"Night mom. I love you too."
Joey turned off the light and gently closed the door. She quietly made her way to her husband.
After a few minutes, the door to Mackenzie's room opened. The little girl tiptoed across the hall to her brother's room and cautiously opened the door.
"Is the coast clear?" she whispered.
"Yeah, come in. So do you think that worked?"
"Oh yeah. Whenever they tell us that story, they don't come out of their bedroom for hours. I wonder what they do in there for so long," Mackenzie said thoughtfully.
"I bet they do all that kissey stuff. Yuck," Taylor made a face.
"Yeah. So put in the movie!"
"Did you bring the Reese's Pieces?" Taylor asked his twin.
"Yup, right here," she replied holding up the bright orange bag.
"Good," he said as he got up to press play on his VCR. Mackenzie climbed into bed with her brother and they continued their parents' tradition of movie night.
In the master suite…
Joey stepped out of the bathroom that adjoined the master bedroom after freshening up a bit.
"Do you think that the kids are asleep?" she asked.
"Not a chance. They're probably in there deliberately disobeying us and watching E.T. We should have never gotten him that VCR," Dawson said.
"So, should we enforce our parental authority and stop them?" Joey asked as she moved closer to her husband. She put her hands on his chest and slowly moved them down to the waistband of his boxers.
"Um, yeah. Definitely," he said as her hands slowly moved farther down in his boxers. "Well, maybe we should," he continued as her hands reached their final destination. "Nope. Definitely not. It can definitely wait until morning," he managed to choke out before capturing her lips with his. They soon fell into the rhythm that they both knew so well, yet it always felt new to them both.
Nine months later…
"Okay honey. Just one more push. Make this one count!"
"Easy for you to say. Your job was done nine months ago!"
"Hardly," Dawson muttered under his breath.
"I heard that," she said as she clenched his hand tighter and prepared for the final push.
Soon the delivery room was filled with tiny screams and Joey was holding a little eight-pound bundle. Dawson crouched down next to Joey and was tenderly stroking the baby's cheek.
"We did it again Jo. Look at how perfect he is," Dawson gushed.
"I know. Why don't you go out to the waiting room and give everyone the good news," Joey suggested.
"Okay. I'll be right back."
"Hold on a sec buddy…I love you," Joey said.
Dawson bent down to kiss his wife and said, "I love you too." He placed another kiss on the baby's head and made his way to the waiting room.
When he got to the waiting room, he peeked his head around the corner to observe the scene unnoticed. He saw all of the people that mattered the most to him. On an oversized chair, his twins sat chatting about a movie that their "Uncle Pacey" had taken them to earlier that day, to get them out of the hospital for a few hours. Next to the twins, sat Pacey with a little boy who was the spitting image of him at one-year-old. He bounced the little boy on his knee and the little boy laughed gleefully at his Daddy. Jen sat watching her two favorite men, all the while rubbing her very pregnant belly. Across the room sat the Capeside contingent, who had flown out to LA to be there to witness the birth of the new addition to the Leery/Potter families. Bessie, Bodie, Alex, Mr. Potter, and Mr. and Mrs. Leery were all chatting and eagerly awaiting the new arrival.
"Daddy!" Mackenzie shouted when she saw her father peeking around the corner.
Dawson came out fully into the room bearing a huge grin on his face.
"Is it a boy or a girl, daddy?" Mackenzie asked eagerly.
"You have another brother, princess," he said as he scooped his daughter up with one arm.
"Yes!" Taylor said, pumping his fist in the air.
Dawson laughed and managed to scoop his son into his free arm. He received hugs and congratulations from all around. He answered all of the questions such as the baby's weight and height, as well as questions about Joey's well being.
"What are you guys going to name him?" Bessie asked.
Pacey spoke up before Dawson had the chance to, "You guys finally have your Joshua."
Everyone except Dawson, Mackenzie, and Taylor looked at him confusion. Noticing this, Mackenzie filled in the blanks. "When Mommy, Daddy, and Uncle Pacey were little, they used to play house. Uncle Pacey was their son and they named him Josh."
"So why didn't you name Taylor, Josh?" Gail asked.
"I don't know. I guess we didn't really think about it until the kids started to ask us about our childhood and that was a big part of it," Dawson reasoned. "Besides, we like Tay just how he is, don't we buddy?" Dawson asked as he tickled his son.
Taylor laughed and told his dad to stop. After his dad relented he asked, "Can we go see the baby?"
"Sure. She wants to see everyone but she's tired, so we have to make the visit brief."
The whole clan trudged into Joey's room. Normally, the hospital wouldn't have allowed it, but Dawson had pulled some strings and made it possible.
"Mommy!" the twins screeched at the sight of their mother. They ran over to her and stopped short when they saw their new baby brother.
"Whoa. He's tiny," Taylor said amazed.
"Duh genius. That's why they call him a baby," Mackenzie said knowingly.
Pacey laughed. Mackenzie reminded him so much of Joey. "Give him a break Macey Rose," he defended Taylor.
"Baby?" Pacey and Jen's son, Charlie, asked.
"Yeah honey. That's what's in mommy's tummy right now," Pacey explained to their one-year-old son.
"Stomach?" he asked with a horrified expression on his face.
"The baby just stays there for a little while until he or she is big enough to come out and play with you," Jen explained as well as she could.
The grandparents stood around gushing at their new grandchild and Bessie talked to her sister about the trials of the birthing process. After about a half-hour everyone decided to leave and give the family some time alone.
The twins sat on both sides of their mother looking at Joshua Patrick. After a while, Mackenzie asked, "Can I hold him?"
"Sure," Joey said, "You have to sit on the couch though, okay?"
Both of the kids sat down on the couch and Dawson brought Josh over to Mackenzie's waiting arms. Dawson got out his video camera and videotaped the first exchange between siblings. She held him apprehensively but carefully and spoke in a soothing voice, "Hey there Josh. I'm your big sister Mackenzie, but you can call me Macey. Everyone else does. Gosh you're cute."
"I wanna hold him!" Taylor said.
Macey carefully put the baby in her twin's arms and started to play with Josh's feet absentmindedly. Taylor stared in awe at the little baby in his arms. "Hey Josh. I'm your big brother, Tay. We're going to have a lot of fun buddy," he said.
Joey and Dawson looked on with love. "Dawson," Joey said, "Turn that thing off and come here."
Dawson obeyed his wife and moved to the bed. No words needed to be spoken between the two. They knew what the other was thinking. Everything was perfectly complete. They had created a family out of the love that had started when they were only four years old. It was a love that would never end and it was a love that they passed on to their children. They sealed their unspoken words with a perfect kiss. Life had turned out perfectly for the too tall girl from the wrong side of the creek and the romantic dreamer that she loved…
EPILOGUE
Jen and Pacey had a little girl, named Katie, two months later. Jen and Pacey were both successful in their occupations and in their family.
Mackenzie and Taylor both followed in their father's footsteps and became Hollywood legends; Mackenzie as an actress and Taylor as a director. They also found their soulmates and had marriages similar to their parents.
When Joshua was twenty-two years old, he married his high school sweetheart, Katie Witter, making the Leery and Witter family in-laws.
Dawson won two Academy awards in his life for directing. Joey continued to teach third graders throughout his life. They encountered tough times in life, but they were always happy and their love grew more and more everyday. Dawson died at the age of 87. Joey followed in his footsteps two weeks later and was greeted at the gates of heaven by her beloved Dawson.
THE END
Author's Note #2: Okay. So the ending was a little corny but I couldn't help it. Send me feedback! (But not if it's bad!) Send comments to: Lizzie