A Place to Call Home-Part V
On with the fic, nothing else to say. XD
We can’t hide from the truth that lives at home.
Lily looked out her bedroom window when she heard Dawson’s voice. “He’s with Joey,” She announced to Alex who was sitting on her bed, reading a book.
He didn’t even glance up, “And has been for the past month.”
Lily looked at him impatiently. “They keep doing this friend dance. It’s annoying.” She walked over to the bed and sat down next to him. She draped her arm around his neck and pressed her face next to his. “Is that book more interesting than me?” She pretended to pout.
He laughed and laid the book aside. “I’m sorry,” he grinned at her sheepishly. “Why are you so fixated on them anyways?”
“I want my brother to be happy,” She said matter-of-factly, “Don’t you want Joey to be happy?”
“Of course, but I don’t know if he’s what she wants.”
Lily rolled her eyes, “Isn’t it obvious? The way they look at each other and all this time they’ve been spending together…”
“They were best friends for the majority of their lives,” He reminded her.
She sighed in frustration, “Haven’t you seen the Creek?”
“Only a thousand times, you’ve made me watch it until I was so sick of sub-text I had to stay home to recuperate.” She jabbed him the ribs. “Hey, I was just kidding.”
“My point was that this friends thing is a farce. They used to be madly, passionately in love with each other. They won’t admit it, but the Creek is proof. The only ones they’re fooling are themselves and you.” She stuck her tongue at him.
“The key word in your statement Lil is 'was.' A lot has happened since then.”
She waved her hand, dismissing the thought. “What’s meant to be will always find a way and they are destined to be together.”
“Then let fate handle it.” He brushed a strand of hair out of her brown eyes.
“Fate is too slow.”
He laughed, “For someone who tries to be such a realist, it sounds like you have a soft spot for love. A tinge of a dreamer hiding beneath those cynical eyes.”
She turned her head and looked into his eyes, “I learned from the best.”
No matter how much our home changes, our heart always lies there.
Joey peered into Bessie’s refrigerator and scrunched up her face. What could she pack to eat? What would he like? She started moving bottles and jars around on her search. Alex walked into the sunny kitchen and frowned at her backside. “Hey, Joey, what are you doing?” He leaned against the counter across from the refrigerator and crossed his legs.
“I’m packing a picnic lunch for me and Dawson,” she said into the refrigerator.
He smiled to himself, maybe Lily was right. Maybe his aunt did have a thang for Dawson. From what he knew, Dawson was a good guy. Intelligent, eloquent, polite, and soft-spoken. He was almost the polar opposite of Joey, but it worked. “Really, I didn’t know you were dating,” He said slyly, Lily was going to be so pleased with him when he told her about this later.
Joey snorted, “Please, don’t get started on that. Dawson and I are just friends.”
“Usually picnics lead to other things.” He said matter-of-factly.
Joey emerged from the refrigerator with potato salad and a packaged of sliced ham. She raised her eyebrows, “Oh really? And how would you know that?”
He blushed; maybe he shouldn’t have said that. “I….uh…well, you see.”
Joey laughed, “It’s okay, I was your age once.” She paused, “And now I’m officially old. I thought I’d never live to see the day where I’d utter that sentence.” She shook her head and placed the food into the cooler on the counter. “This can’t be enough food,” she mumbled to herself, “Dawson eats more than this.” She scrunched up her face in thought.
Alex walked over to the cabinet beside the stove and opened it. “We do have chips you know,” he said as he handed her a bag of sour cream and onion potato chips.
“That’s perfect!” She smiled. “What are your plans for the day?” She asked casually.
“Lil and I are going to go see the Lord of the Rings.” He grinned.
“Haven’t you seen that already?”
“Only a million times.” They both laughed. He looked at his watch, “I have to go, don’t want to be late for the movie.” He called over his shoulder as he rushed out the door.
Joey smiled and shook her head. In some ways he reminded her of Dawson at that age. Dawson. They had spent almost all their time together in the past month. She felt like she was getting to know someone she had never met. Everything he said and did fascinated her. He wasn’t the Dawson she used to know, but she could still see the boy he used to be floating beneath the surface. He had grown more emotionless and cynical in his old age. She felt as if he were blocking his heart from her, but every once in a while, she could feel his warmth. More than anything she wanted to be close to him again. The way she used to be. She missed who they used to be, but in some ways she felt they were better now. Even though she was glad to have him back in her life, something was missing. She wasn’t entirely sure what that was or maybe she wasn't ready to admit it.
You can’t fight the desire to go home.
Dawson turned away from the blinding sunlight that streamed into his bedroom window. He wasn’t ready to get up. He had been sleeping better these days. Insomnia no longer plagued his nights. He closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep. She was there in his dream; beautiful, elegant, and radiant. She wore a sweet smile for him. Only him. Sudenly she was moving away from him, running as fast as she could into the arms of another.
He bolted upright in bed, covered in sweat. Being here with her was becoming painful. He was glad they had reconnected, but the closer she got to him, the more afraid he became. It seemed like every time they grew close she left him. Either for a dream or someone else. His heart was becoming too involved. He had to stop it before he got hurt again. Before he did something to hurt her. He couldn’t stay in Capeside forever….he had always planned on going back to L.A. eventually. After he regained his inspiration and passion for film. She didn’t fit into his life anymore, he couldn’t let her.
He threw the thin sheet that had been covering his sleek body off and got up. The cool morning breeze flowing in the window hit his bare body and he shivered. He opened his closet door and threw on his black silk robe. He walked into the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee. Whoever invented the automatic coffee maker was a genius. He still liked his coffee black…well he didn’t really like it, he just figured it would build his character. He took a sip and cringed, awful stuff.
Today he wasn’t going to see Joey. They had to spend some time apart, they were becoming too close. There was no use in lying to himself. He felt the tension between them. The mixture of passion and tenderness that swirled through them each time they touched each other. Just being her friend was more difficult than he had thought it’d be. She had always been the expert at denying her feelings for him whereas he had a harder time with it. He had kept a part of himself cut off from her, but the more time they spent together the more she chipped at the wall of his resistance.
Time apart was exactly what they needed. Maybe it’d give him time to clear his head and think about things logically. He raised his coffee mug to take another swallow when he heard the doorbell ring. Who could that be? He thought to himself as he walked over to the door. He opened it to see Joey standing on the porch with a cooler.
She smiled, “I thought we could go on a picnic.”
“A picnic?” He frowned.
“Yeah, we haven’t been since we were kids and it’s a beautiful day. ”
“Yeah….sure…sounds fun.” She really knew how to ruin his plans to stay away from her. How could he refuse her offer? She looked so beautiful and radiant just like in his dream. Her face seemed to be shining with an inner light. She was different these days, not as anal and wound up. She was relaxed and displayed the characteristics of a dreamer. He had wondered what had changed, but he was afraid to ask. Afraid to care more than he wanted to.
“You may want to change first,” she winked and took in his state of undress. Muscular legs, lean body, sleek. Everything a woman dreamed of. As she stood surveying him she could remember the feel of his body against hers that night in her dorm room. His lips on hers….She shook her head. She shouldn’t think about things like that. He had made it obvious he didn’t feel that way about her. Or did he? Did he feel the same way she did when their hands would accidentally brush?
He blushed, wondering if she could tell the robe was the only thing he had on. “Come on in while I change into something more comfortable.” He winked and she laughed.
Everyone has their own home.
Alex knocked on the Leery’s front door and Gail answered. “Hello, Alex, Lily will be down in a few minutes.”
“Thanks,” he smiled and followed her inside.
“How’s your aunt doing? I haven’t seen much of her or my son for that matter. She has been monopolizing all his time.” She chuckled as he sat down on the couch. “No that that is anything new.” She sat down in the chair across from him.
“So it’s true then?”
“What?”
“That the Creek is about Dawson’s relationship with Joey,” It wasn't in his nature to be so blunt, but he had known Gail a long time, she wouldn't find his question out of line.
“Yes it is.”
“Do you think,” he hesitated.
“That they’re in love?” Gail interjected and Alex nodded shyly. He hated to stick his nose where it didn’t belong. Her eyes softened, “Yes I do. Those two have been through a lot of ups and downs. They remind me of my late husband, Mitch, and me.”
“Lily thinks they are meant to be.”
Gail laughed, “She’s more of a dreamer than she lets on."
He smiled, “Yeah she is, I admire that about her.” They shared a knowing look as Lily came down the stairs. Gail went into the kitchen to give them privacy. Lily slid onto the couch next to Alex and slid her arm through his. “I have some good news for you.”
“We don’t have to see that movie again?” She teased.
He made a face, “No, your brother and my aunt are on a picnic.”
Lily shouted in glee, “Yes! It’s only a matter of time now.” She threw her arms around Alex and gave him a kiss. “Just like you and me, they’re meant to be.” She said softly.
We can’t hide from the truth that lives at home.
Lily looked out her bedroom window when she heard Dawson’s voice. “He’s with Joey,” She announced to Alex who was sitting on her bed, reading a book.
He didn’t even glance up, “And has been for the past month.”
Lily looked at him impatiently. “They keep doing this friend dance. It’s annoying.” She walked over to the bed and sat down next to him. She draped her arm around his neck and pressed her face next to his. “Is that book more interesting than me?” She pretended to pout.
He laughed and laid the book aside. “I’m sorry,” he grinned at her sheepishly. “Why are you so fixated on them anyways?”
“I want my brother to be happy,” She said matter-of-factly, “Don’t you want Joey to be happy?”
“Of course, but I don’t know if he’s what she wants.”
Lily rolled her eyes, “Isn’t it obvious? The way they look at each other and all this time they’ve been spending together…”
“They were best friends for the majority of their lives,” He reminded her.
She sighed in frustration, “Haven’t you seen the Creek?”
“Only a thousand times, you’ve made me watch it until I was so sick of sub-text I had to stay home to recuperate.” She jabbed him the ribs. “Hey, I was just kidding.”
“My point was that this friends thing is a farce. They used to be madly, passionately in love with each other. They won’t admit it, but the Creek is proof. The only ones they’re fooling are themselves and you.” She stuck her tongue at him.
“The key word in your statement Lil is 'was.' A lot has happened since then.”
She waved her hand, dismissing the thought. “What’s meant to be will always find a way and they are destined to be together.”
“Then let fate handle it.” He brushed a strand of hair out of her brown eyes.
“Fate is too slow.”
He laughed, “For someone who tries to be such a realist, it sounds like you have a soft spot for love. A tinge of a dreamer hiding beneath those cynical eyes.”
She turned her head and looked into his eyes, “I learned from the best.”
No matter how much our home changes, our heart always lies there.
Joey peered into Bessie’s refrigerator and scrunched up her face. What could she pack to eat? What would he like? She started moving bottles and jars around on her search. Alex walked into the sunny kitchen and frowned at her backside. “Hey, Joey, what are you doing?” He leaned against the counter across from the refrigerator and crossed his legs.
“I’m packing a picnic lunch for me and Dawson,” she said into the refrigerator.
He smiled to himself, maybe Lily was right. Maybe his aunt did have a thang for Dawson. From what he knew, Dawson was a good guy. Intelligent, eloquent, polite, and soft-spoken. He was almost the polar opposite of Joey, but it worked. “Really, I didn’t know you were dating,” He said slyly, Lily was going to be so pleased with him when he told her about this later.
Joey snorted, “Please, don’t get started on that. Dawson and I are just friends.”
“Usually picnics lead to other things.” He said matter-of-factly.
Joey emerged from the refrigerator with potato salad and a packaged of sliced ham. She raised her eyebrows, “Oh really? And how would you know that?”
He blushed; maybe he shouldn’t have said that. “I….uh…well, you see.”
Joey laughed, “It’s okay, I was your age once.” She paused, “And now I’m officially old. I thought I’d never live to see the day where I’d utter that sentence.” She shook her head and placed the food into the cooler on the counter. “This can’t be enough food,” she mumbled to herself, “Dawson eats more than this.” She scrunched up her face in thought.
Alex walked over to the cabinet beside the stove and opened it. “We do have chips you know,” he said as he handed her a bag of sour cream and onion potato chips.
“That’s perfect!” She smiled. “What are your plans for the day?” She asked casually.
“Lil and I are going to go see the Lord of the Rings.” He grinned.
“Haven’t you seen that already?”
“Only a million times.” They both laughed. He looked at his watch, “I have to go, don’t want to be late for the movie.” He called over his shoulder as he rushed out the door.
Joey smiled and shook her head. In some ways he reminded her of Dawson at that age. Dawson. They had spent almost all their time together in the past month. She felt like she was getting to know someone she had never met. Everything he said and did fascinated her. He wasn’t the Dawson she used to know, but she could still see the boy he used to be floating beneath the surface. He had grown more emotionless and cynical in his old age. She felt as if he were blocking his heart from her, but every once in a while, she could feel his warmth. More than anything she wanted to be close to him again. The way she used to be. She missed who they used to be, but in some ways she felt they were better now. Even though she was glad to have him back in her life, something was missing. She wasn’t entirely sure what that was or maybe she wasn't ready to admit it.
You can’t fight the desire to go home.
Dawson turned away from the blinding sunlight that streamed into his bedroom window. He wasn’t ready to get up. He had been sleeping better these days. Insomnia no longer plagued his nights. He closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep. She was there in his dream; beautiful, elegant, and radiant. She wore a sweet smile for him. Only him. Sudenly she was moving away from him, running as fast as she could into the arms of another.
He bolted upright in bed, covered in sweat. Being here with her was becoming painful. He was glad they had reconnected, but the closer she got to him, the more afraid he became. It seemed like every time they grew close she left him. Either for a dream or someone else. His heart was becoming too involved. He had to stop it before he got hurt again. Before he did something to hurt her. He couldn’t stay in Capeside forever….he had always planned on going back to L.A. eventually. After he regained his inspiration and passion for film. She didn’t fit into his life anymore, he couldn’t let her.
He threw the thin sheet that had been covering his sleek body off and got up. The cool morning breeze flowing in the window hit his bare body and he shivered. He opened his closet door and threw on his black silk robe. He walked into the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee. Whoever invented the automatic coffee maker was a genius. He still liked his coffee black…well he didn’t really like it, he just figured it would build his character. He took a sip and cringed, awful stuff.
Today he wasn’t going to see Joey. They had to spend some time apart, they were becoming too close. There was no use in lying to himself. He felt the tension between them. The mixture of passion and tenderness that swirled through them each time they touched each other. Just being her friend was more difficult than he had thought it’d be. She had always been the expert at denying her feelings for him whereas he had a harder time with it. He had kept a part of himself cut off from her, but the more time they spent together the more she chipped at the wall of his resistance.
Time apart was exactly what they needed. Maybe it’d give him time to clear his head and think about things logically. He raised his coffee mug to take another swallow when he heard the doorbell ring. Who could that be? He thought to himself as he walked over to the door. He opened it to see Joey standing on the porch with a cooler.
She smiled, “I thought we could go on a picnic.”
“A picnic?” He frowned.
“Yeah, we haven’t been since we were kids and it’s a beautiful day. ”
“Yeah….sure…sounds fun.” She really knew how to ruin his plans to stay away from her. How could he refuse her offer? She looked so beautiful and radiant just like in his dream. Her face seemed to be shining with an inner light. She was different these days, not as anal and wound up. She was relaxed and displayed the characteristics of a dreamer. He had wondered what had changed, but he was afraid to ask. Afraid to care more than he wanted to.
“You may want to change first,” she winked and took in his state of undress. Muscular legs, lean body, sleek. Everything a woman dreamed of. As she stood surveying him she could remember the feel of his body against hers that night in her dorm room. His lips on hers….She shook her head. She shouldn’t think about things like that. He had made it obvious he didn’t feel that way about her. Or did he? Did he feel the same way she did when their hands would accidentally brush?
He blushed, wondering if she could tell the robe was the only thing he had on. “Come on in while I change into something more comfortable.” He winked and she laughed.
Everyone has their own home.
Alex knocked on the Leery’s front door and Gail answered. “Hello, Alex, Lily will be down in a few minutes.”
“Thanks,” he smiled and followed her inside.
“How’s your aunt doing? I haven’t seen much of her or my son for that matter. She has been monopolizing all his time.” She chuckled as he sat down on the couch. “No that that is anything new.” She sat down in the chair across from him.
“So it’s true then?”
“What?”
“That the Creek is about Dawson’s relationship with Joey,” It wasn't in his nature to be so blunt, but he had known Gail a long time, she wouldn't find his question out of line.
“Yes it is.”
“Do you think,” he hesitated.
“That they’re in love?” Gail interjected and Alex nodded shyly. He hated to stick his nose where it didn’t belong. Her eyes softened, “Yes I do. Those two have been through a lot of ups and downs. They remind me of my late husband, Mitch, and me.”
“Lily thinks they are meant to be.”
Gail laughed, “She’s more of a dreamer than she lets on."
He smiled, “Yeah she is, I admire that about her.” They shared a knowing look as Lily came down the stairs. Gail went into the kitchen to give them privacy. Lily slid onto the couch next to Alex and slid her arm through his. “I have some good news for you.”
“We don’t have to see that movie again?” She teased.
He made a face, “No, your brother and my aunt are on a picnic.”
Lily shouted in glee, “Yes! It’s only a matter of time now.” She threw her arms around Alex and gave him a kiss. “Just like you and me, they’re meant to be.” She said softly.