“Morning,” Joey mumbled as she walked into the kitchen the next morning, still in her pajamas.

“Well, well, well, she finally decides to join the world of the living,” Audrey said.

“Speaking of which; what’s wrong with this picture?” Joey asked. Audrey looked at Joey confused.

“What do you mean?”

“Audrey, this is the second morning in a row that I’ve gotten up and…..your already awake!” she explained.

“Well, might I remind you who’s the pregnant one here?” Audrey answered. “I mean, don’t women in your condition sleep in later or something like that?” she asked.

“Audrey, it’s not a condition,” Joey said. “But yes, sometimes you may feel the need to acquire more sleep. At least I do.”

“Well there ya go then, your question is answered,” she said quickly as she took another bite of cereal. “Besides, it’s like eleven-thirty.”

Joey moaned as she sat down at the table.

“So… how was your date last night with Dawson?” Audrey asked, unable to wait any longer for the details.

“It was good,” Joey said. A beat.

Audrey looked at her. “Joey.“

“Audrey.“

“You told the guy you were having his baby. You two, Dawson and Joey, have a baby. And all you can say about the event was that it went ‘good‘!”

“Do you have to be so dramatic this early?” Joey whined. Audrey looked at her with a pleading expression.

“I went to his office, told him I was pregnant, we ended up talking at his house, and later on he took me to dinner.” She paused. “And before he dropped me off here last night he asked if he and I could spend today together. No big deal.”

“Not that big of a deal? Bunny! I think you’ve got a huge case of denial on top of being pregnant,” Audrey told her.

“Why would I be in denial?” Joey asked.

“Because for the first time in a long time, everything in your life is coming together,” Audrey explained. Joey sat there for a second, knowing Audrey was right. Right about it all.

Joey cleared her throat. “Um…. Speaking of which, I know we haven’t had a lot of time to do things or go places together but…I have to leave tomorrow morning; back to New York.” Before Audrey could respond, Joey’s cell phone rang from the other room.

“What is that noise?” Audrey asked.

“Crap that’s my phone!” Joey said as she got up and quickly ran to answer it.

Joey quickly got to the phone by the fourth ring. “Hello?”

“Joey?” A familiar voice asked. Joey stood there for a moment, frozen in her place.

“Dad?” she said, not quite able to believe it was her father.

“Hi honey,” her father said warmly. “I hope I didn’t catch you in the middle of something. Your sister gave me your number.” he explained.

“No, you weren’t interrupting anything,” she said.

“Ok, good.” There was a pause. “Joey is everything ok; are you ok?” he asked.

“Is that why you’re calling?” she asked.

“Joey, I’m your father; I worry about you,” he said. Joey wasn’t sure if it was her hormones, or if he sounded like he really meant it, but she felt bad for acting cold towards him.

“Dad I’m fine. I’m just…busy with work is all,” she explained. “I have to get going though.”

“Alright sweetheart. I love you.”

Joey paused a moment. “Love you too, Dad.” She sighed as she placed her phone back on the small night stand. She did love her dad, but the strain in their relationship caused her to hesitate whenever telling him that she loved her. Just another way to keep y heart safe, she thought to herself before heading back into the kitchen where she had left Audrey.

“Well that was an exciting phone conversation,” Joey said sarcastically.

“Why, who was that anyhow?” Audrey asked.

“My father,” Joey said casually. Audrey’s jaw dropped.

“Your father?” Joey nodded. “What’d he want?”

Joey shrugged. “Wanted to see if I was ok,” she explained.

“Well did you tell him about the baby?” she asked.

“Nope,” Joey said as she sat back down.

“Joey!” Audrey scolded. “He’s your father.”

“I know, I know. Bessie gave me the same speech before I left,” Joey assured Audrey. “I’ve got a lot on my plate as it is, let alone add an estranged father to the mix.”

“Alright, I get it. I’m just looking out for ya Bunny,” Audrey told her. Joey smiled hearing the nickname Audrey had given her. Three years after College and she still called Joey by her nickname. “Yeah, I know you are.”

As if on cue, there was a knock on the front door.

Audrey grinned. “Company. I love company!” she said as she got up and headed for the door. Joey rolled her eyes as Audrey disappeared from the kitchen.

“Joey, it’s for you!” Audrey announced. Joey frowned as she got up and walked towards the front door where Dawson was standing.

“Hey you!” Dawson said warmly as Joey walked over to them.

“Hey,” she said smiling.

“Joey had a late start this morning, so she’s running a little late,” Audrey explained.

“Wow, I feel over dressed. Is this a sleepover party?” Dawson joked as he noticed both women were still in their pajamas. Joey looked down, totally forgetting.

“Not like he’s seen her in less,” Audrey muttered under her breath. Both Dawson and Joey heard her. Dawson smiled and looked at Joey, causing her to turn red. She smiled, feeling slightly embarrassed she was still in her pajamas and it was past noon.

“Yeaaah…. Hey, are we in a hurry?” she asked.

Dawson laughed. “Not really,” he assured her. “It’s ok, we got time.”

“I’ll be one sec.” she promised before rushing off towards the guest room, leaving Dawson and Audrey alone.

“I’ve got some coffee going if you want a cup?” she offered.

“I’d love one, thanks,” Dawson said as he followed Audrey into the kitchen.

“So..” Audrey began as the two of them leaned against the counter. “How you been?” Audrey asked.

“I’m doing well,” he said as he placed his mug down on the counter beside him. “Things are really good as of a few days ago,” he added with a huge smile on his face.

“Yeah, she has that tendency to brighten up your day, doesn’t she?” Audrey said.

“Yeah she does,” Dawson said honestly. “I’m really glad things are starting to look up for us.”

“As am I,” Audrey said smiling as well. “The two of you deserve happiness after all this time,” she put her cup down as well and turned to face him.

“Yeah.” Dawson’s face then turned serious. “I just hope this time is different,” he admitted.

“What are you talking about? Dawson, you know Joey loves you,” Audrey said.

“That I know. That was never the problem.” he sighed. “I just… I couldn’t handle it if she decides this time that I’m really not the person she’s meant to be with,” he explained. “Especially not when there’s a baby in the picture now.”

“Dawson if there’s anything I know for sure about Joey, it's that you're it for her. You’ve always been ’the one.’ She’s just as scared as you are, she’s just good at hiding it. You of anyone should know that,” she said. Dawson smiled and rubbed the back of his head.

“Yeah, I’m pretty familiar with that aspect of Joey,” he assured her. Audrey smiled. As if on cue, Joey walked into the kitchen.

“I’m ready if you are,” Joey said.

“You two kids get out of here. There are much hugs and kisses and time to be spend between the two of you.” They both smiled.

“What are your plans for today?” Joey asked, feeling bad that she hadn’t really spent much time with Audrey while she was there.

“Oh, I’m going to be causing lots of trouble; you know me,” she said smiling. Joey rolled her eyes.

“Why aren’t I seeing you guys leaving?” Audrey asked.

“Well, you heard the woman Dawson, let’s get going,” Joey said. Dawson leaned over and Jugged Audrey.

“Thank you,” he whispered. Audrey smiled.

“Bye guys! Have fun!” she said as the two of them left.

“So what are our plans?” Joey asked curiously as the two got into the car. Dawson smiled.

“You were never able to wait, were you?” he remembered as he drove away from Audrey’s apartment smiling.

“You sure you’re feeling well enough to be up and about?” Dawson asked looking over at Joey in the passenger‘s side.

Joey smiled at Dawson‘s concern. “Dawson, I’m pregnant, I’m not dying.”

Dawson grinned. “Right.” Joey smiled.

“But yeah, I’m feeling fine,” she assured him after a few seconds of silence.

“Good to hear,” he said. Dawson paused. “You know, I have to admit; with what little I remember of when my mom was pregnant; I had a totally different picture in my head this morning on my way to come pick you up,” Dawson admitted.

“You mean, you thought I’d be in the other room throwing up,” Joey said.

Dawson laughed. “Something like that, yes.”

“Well, the morning sickness is lessening. I mean, I do still have it, but…” she paused. “I dunno, sometimes I don’t have it as bad some mornings, other mornings, I won’t get sick, I’ll just feel like crap,” she explained.

“Sounds like fun,” Dawson said sarcastically.

“Oh yeah, high quality.” Both Dawson and Joey laughed.

A few minutes later, Dawson rounded a corner. “Alright, we’re here.” Joey looked out the window.

“Dawson, not to sound too much like a tourist, but where’s here?” she asked as she got out.

Dawson grinned. “We are at a park,” he said as he reached for her hand and began to walk towards the grass. Joey looked at him suspiciously as they walked. They reached an area with a large blanket already laid out and a picnic basket in the middle. Joey looked at the area Dawson had decorated, then back to him.

“I figured since we used to do this all the time I’d be kinda nice just the two of us…” he trailed off, more interested in Joey’s reaction. “Plus, it’s not like we can do this too many more times it being September.“ Joey looked back at Dawson and smiled.

“Kinda hokey, don’t you think?” she asked, trying to keep a straight face.

Dawson grinned, remembering that day. “Yeah, that’s exactly what I think.” Joey smiled and leaned forward to kiss him.

“Alright, now it’s time to eat,” Joey said as she let go of Dawson’s hand and sat down on the blanket. Dawson smiled as he sat down beside her and opened the basket, pulling out food in containers.

“Now keep in mind, this was a little short notice,” he warned. “I got some Chicken, potato salad-” He pulled out each food as he went. “And for the occasion I packed…Baby carrots.” Joey smiled as tears formed in her eyes. Dawson looked at her worriedly; putting the food down beside him and moving closer towards her.

“Jo, what’s wrong?” he asked as he brushed away a tear. “Was it…something I said?” he asked. Joey shook her head quickly.

“No, it’s just… this is…so incredibly sweet,” she said smiling.

Dawson laughed. “You had me worried there for a second.” The two got their plates together and began eating. Dawson watched as Joey ate happily.

“What?” she asked a little while later as she realized he had been watching her eat. Dawson smiled as he put down his empty plate. Most of the food was now gone from the basket.

“It’s just…” He paused. “I’m trying to think if I’ve ever seen you eat that much in one sitting,” he said.

“Sue me, I was hungry,” she said smiling.

“That I can see.”

Joey looked at him shocked, trying to hold back a smile. “Well you can blame the large amounts I have and will consume during the next seven months to your child; which by the way, was hungry as well.” Dawson grinned as she leaned back into his chest. The two sat that way for a while, both gazing at the scenery while resting on their blanket.

“It’s so beautiful here,” Joey said finally.

“Yeah,” Dawson agreed. “But unfortunately, we have to get going.”

Joey turned and frowned at him. “We do?”

“Yup,” he said as he got up and began picking things up. Joey sighed and began to help him pick up.

“You know, we could stay here the rest of the day and I’d be ok with that,” Joey assured him. Dawson smiled at her efforts as the two folded the large blanket.

“I’m sure you would,” he said. The two finished and packed everything in the car.

“Dawson?” Joey asked a few hours later. After the picnic at the park, they had just driven around L.A. stopping at every place that looked interesting. It was now night fall, and Joey sat in Dawson’s lap with a thin jacket on.; the two sitting on the blanket beside the car.

“Yeah?”

“What are we going to do?” she asked. “I mean, I’m getting on a plane tomorrow morning back to New York.“ Dawson went silent for what seemed to be an eternity for Joey.

“Somehow we’ll make this work,” Dawson said.

“But how, Dawson? I mean, I have a life back in New York.” she paused. “And you have one here. I just don‘t….. I don‘t know how we‘ll make this work.”

“Joey, I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but I have all the faith in the world in us,” he admitted honestly. “As for our lives and where were going to live… I think I have a solution to all our problems.” Joey looked at him almost worriedly.

“You do?” Dawson nodded.

“I’ve been thinking; what If I get someone else to run the show; maybe wrap it up. That way there I wouldn’t be tied down with running the show.” Joey froze. She knew this would happen; Dawson was giving up his dreams for her and their baby.

“No, Dawson-” she began.

“That’d be perfect, Jo. Think about it! I mean, you know I’ve been saying how running this show is costing me my personal life and my sanity. I set out to make movies, and here I am writing a teen soap.

This way here, we can be together, and… it’s not like I’m canceling the show. Just someone else will be directing it,” he said, excited about the idea. “I mean, I don’t know, maybe I’ll wrap it up this season, I’m not sure yet.”

“Dawson, I don’t know,” Joey admitted.

“Don’t know about what? This is perfect, I mean…don’t you want us to be together?” he asked.

“More than anything in the world,” Joey admitted. “Just not at the expense of your dreams.”

“But that’s just it Joey; this isn’t my dream. I mean yeah, I enjoy running the show-most of the time anyway, but that’s not my dream,” he explained. “Besides-” he cupped her cheek. “I love you more than any dream in the world could offer. You and this baby are my world and if that means giving up some show so that I can be with you; I’d give it up any day,” he finished, smiling. Joey smiled as she held back tears for the second time that day. Dawson noticed and brushed a stray tear off of her face.

“Is Joey Potter crying?” he said softly, smiling.

“Damn hormones,” Joey cursed, causing Dawson to laugh.

“So are you going to get weepy on me all the time now?” Dawson asked. Joey playfully hit him on the arm. Dawson smiled and pulled her into a loving hug and kissed the top of her head.

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