A Place to Call Home-Part XII
I finished the fic a while ago, just never got around to posting it. I haven't edited it so if it's rough that's why. Also I know there is a lack of Lily/Alex in the last part, but I am planning on writing a fic for them someday. Not sure when, but eventually. So on with the fic. :D
I’ve come home to you.
“Where are my earrings?” Joey asked a Dawson threw on his black dinner jacket.
“What earrings?”
“The diamond ones your mom gave me last Christmas.”
“Oh, the one I let you borrow at the anti-prom?” He raised his eyebrows.
She made a face, “Don’t play coy, Dawson. Where are they?”
He grinned sheepishly, “Oh gee I don’t know.”
She playfully poked him in the stomach, “What do you have up your sleeve Leery.”
He shrugged in feigned innocence, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She pinned him against the closet door, “Where are they,” she let her breath flutter across his lips. She wet her lips and leaned in, but didn’t touch him. “Well….” She waited and felt him tremble slightly. She held back a triumphant grin. It wouldn’t be long now.
“Check my sock drawer,” he caved, but as she pulled away, he grabbed her wrist and traded positions with her. He felt her heart hammer beneath his chest and pressed a light kiss to her cheek before moving away.
“You’re a sly one, Mr. Leery,” She grinned.
He winked at her before exiting the bedroom. Spielberg barked happily as he entered the living room. He jumped off the couch, but when Dawson leaned down to pet him he leapt back onto his previous perch. Dawson laughed, “I don’t have time to play right now, Joey is about to discover her surprised.” As soon as the words left his lips he heard her gasp of surprised before she rushed into the room.
“Dawson it’s beautiful,” she smiled.
“What is?” He asked casually. Instead of speaking she held out a silver chain with a single square diamond that dangled at the bottom. “Oh that,” He frowned, “That was for my other girlfriend, don’t know how it got in your earring box.”
She jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow, “Very funny, Dawson.”
“I know it’s almost Christmas and it may be a little extravagant….”
“It’s perfect.” She beamed at him as she held the necklace out to him, “Please clasp it for me.” She turned around and he slipped the necklace around her neck. Her hair was swept up in a chignon with tiny fake diamonds in the bobby pins that held it up. Her dress was long and black, simply cut, but she exuded elegance and beauty. His eyes roamed over her lovingly and his heart squeezed at the vision before him. She was a dream come true.
She turned around and smiled. A long time ago she had believed diamonds didn’t suit her, but with age came appreciation and understanding. He had always known that beneath her tough exterior lived a woman of elegance, beauty, charm, and a love for life. Diamonds weren’t flashy or overstated. They were simple and in that simplicity lived a rare beauty. She now understood what he had seen in her so long ago. She liked seeing herself through his eyes; eyes that always held love for her even when she was at her worst. She pressed her lips gently against his, getting lost in the moment until Spielberg barked at them.
They both laughed and said, “We have to go anyways.” He turned to get her long, black trench coat and she noticed the way his simple black suit hugged his body. She grinned appreciatively as the fabric swirled around his muscled legs and back. The sight of him never ceased to take her breath away. He turned around and helped her slid the coat around her body, buttoning it while she put on her black leather gloves. She tucked her arm through his and they stepped out into the cold night. It hadn’t snowed yet, but she hoped it would tonight. There was something beautiful and magical about the snow. Something about it seemed almost untouchable and sacred.
Our hearts make us feel at home.
Jack and Doug pulled up at the same time Dawson and Joey reached the end of their driveway. Dawson opened the small cars backdoor and Joey stepped in with a smile. Dawson slid in beside her easily. “Hey,” Jack and Doug said at the same time. They smiled back and chatted as Doug drove them to a fancy Italian restaurant in the middle of Capeside.
Doug and Dawson hopped out of the car quickly when they stopped, wanting to open the door for their significant other. Joey and Jack looked at them adoringly and let them escort them inside the restaurant. Joey wasn’t accustomed to Dawson opening doors for her because she had always prided herself on being an independent woman, but tonight was different. She wasn’t Joey the artist with paint on her clothes and in her hair. Tonight was a night of magic and discovery. She had protested about dressing up at first, but at Dawson’s insistence and secret grins she had ceased her complaints.
The moment she took her jacket off Doug noticed her necklace. He tapped Jack on the arm playfully, “We’ve been together too long for him to buy me diamonds.”
Jack chuckled, “You’re lucky I let you listen to show tunes in the car.”
“You could learn to be a little more cultured,” Doug grinned with a twinkle in his eyes.
Joey and Dawson looked at each other, sharing an amused smile. Jack noticed their exchange, “And I thought we were the old married couple.”
They frowned at the same time, “What?” their voices blended together.
“Knowing looks, similar expression, finishing each other’s sentences.”
“And this is new?” Joey raised an eyebrow.
Jack laughed, “Maybe a few centuries ago.”
She waved her hand to dismiss the conversation, “Where’s the waiter? I’m starving.”
“Such a ravenous appetite,” Jack joked. “She never used to eat this much.”
“She was married to my brother,” Doug commented wryly. It had been awkward for him to see Dawson and Joey together at first, but after he had talked to Pacey about it, he had felt more at ease. Pacey was happy and that was all he had wanted for his brother.
“Hey,” she said weakly, “don’t get me started on how much this one over here eats.” She pointed at Dawson.
“I didn’t say anything,” Dawson said in mock defense.
“I know what you were thinking,” Joey rolled her eyes at him and gave him a toothy grin.
“Well if we’re going to discuss dirty secrets,” Doug joined in with a mischievous grin.
“Where is that waiter?” Jack said loudly as they all dissolved into light chuckles.
“We may just get kicked out of here for being too noisy,” Dawson laughed.
“Us noisy?” Joey raised her eyebrow, “Never.”
The waiter approached their table with an agitated look on his face. He took their orders as quickly as possible and rushed away. “I don’t know what made us think we’d fit into a place like this,” Dawson shrugged.
“We do look the part,” Doug smiled at them easily. He enjoyed nights out like this.
They grinned at each other over the table. “So where’s Amy this fine evening?” Dawson broke the silence as he took a small sip of the white wine sitting before him.
“At her friends house,” Doug and Jack said instantaneously.
“Or at least that’s her cover story,” Joey teased.
Jack and Doug looked at each other worriedly, “She is her mother’s daughter.”
“But her parents were nothing like the two of you,” Dawson reassured them.
“She looks more like Jen everyday,” Jack said with a tear in his eye. Doug squeezed his shoulder comfortingly.
“She’d be proud of the way you take care of Amy,” Dawson smiled and lifted his glass, “To Jen.”
Everyone followed suit and clinked their glasses, “To Jen.”
Home is where our journey ends and begins again.
Joey tucked her arm around Dawson’s and snuggled even closer to him as the frozen wind blew across her face. Her teeth started to chatter, “Maybe this walking home thing wasn’t such a good idea.”
He glanced down at her as she slightly shook. “You only have yourself to blame.” He winked.
“Very funny Dawson.” She shivered, “ I didn’t realize how cold it was out here.”
He laughed lightly and pulled her closer. “Why did you want to fight the weather?”
“I think living with you has made me a romantic sap.” She chuckled, “I was hoping for snow.”
“What’s this, Joey Potter loves snow?”
“There’s something magical about the first snowfall.” She gazed up at the sky wistfully, “I remember when we were eight, it snowed so hard we were out of school for a week.”
“Seeing you skate across the creek was priceless.” He laughed.
“My butt was red for a month,” her eyes glistened in the moonlight, “not sure if you were worth it or not.”
“I didn’t need you to help with the snow fort I was building.”
“Sure Dawson, we all know your dad built it. You just take credit for it.”
“Well I did direct the building,”
“Some things never change,” she winked.
“I seem to remember you charming my mother into making you hot coca, couldn’t take the biting cold. Complained about the ice and the possibility of frostbite. Cynic.”
They laughed at the shared memory, as she pressed closer to his warm body. The cold was seeping into her bones. She hadn’t anticipated it being this frigid so early. The walked the rest of the way home in comfortable silence. They had never needed words to fill the silence and with time these moments became more common. Instead of feeling dread at the silence, they marveled over the emotions they could sense in the other person. Simply being close to one another was all they needed in moments like these.
Joey tried to break way to open the door, but Dawson held her back. She looked at him quizzically, but the moment their eyes connected she sensed a change in him. Something was about to change between them, she could feel it in the very depths of her soul. They stood surveying each other for several moments. Dawson released her arm and cradled her face with his gloved palm. She closed her eyes at the contact, savoring his touch. “I love you, Jo.” His words were quiet, but full of emotion. “I’ve always loved you.”
She opened her eyes, smiled, and lightly touched the hand on her face. “I love you too.”
“We’ve grown together this past year. We’ve grown within ourselves and in our relationship. Our connection has always been strong, but it has only strengthened with time. Things have been far from perfect, but in that imperfection we’re found happiness. You have always been my family, my supporter, my best friend, and now my lover.” Dawson bent down onto his knee and held her hand lightly. Snowflakes started to fall from the night sky. Dawson reached into his pocket and retrieved a velvet box. “You’ve been everything to me, Jo, for so long, but something has been missing. We don’t need a piece of paper to bind us because our souls are seared together, but I would be honored if you’d be my wife.” He looked up at her with his heart in his eyes.
Joey stared down at him in astonishment. The diamond ring in the box wasn’t large, what she had always wanted. It sat alone on a silver band. Simple and tasteful. She had never expected this and she didn’t know what to say. She felt snowflakes caress her face and tears filled her eyes, “Yes,” She whispered and with tears in his eyes he slid the ring onto her finger.
He leapt up and swung her into his arms. He pressed his lips against her ear, “Are you sure?”
She leaned back and smiled, “I’ve never been more sure of anything.” She yelped in glee as he began to spin around. “You’re the only one who can make me cry this way.”
“You’re the only one I’ve ever wanted.” His eyes roved her face lovingly and he pressed his lips against hers as the snow fell around them. It was a world of magic, forgiveness, and love. After so many years they were finally home.
I’ve come home to you.
“Where are my earrings?” Joey asked a Dawson threw on his black dinner jacket.
“What earrings?”
“The diamond ones your mom gave me last Christmas.”
“Oh, the one I let you borrow at the anti-prom?” He raised his eyebrows.
She made a face, “Don’t play coy, Dawson. Where are they?”
He grinned sheepishly, “Oh gee I don’t know.”
She playfully poked him in the stomach, “What do you have up your sleeve Leery.”
He shrugged in feigned innocence, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She pinned him against the closet door, “Where are they,” she let her breath flutter across his lips. She wet her lips and leaned in, but didn’t touch him. “Well….” She waited and felt him tremble slightly. She held back a triumphant grin. It wouldn’t be long now.
“Check my sock drawer,” he caved, but as she pulled away, he grabbed her wrist and traded positions with her. He felt her heart hammer beneath his chest and pressed a light kiss to her cheek before moving away.
“You’re a sly one, Mr. Leery,” She grinned.
He winked at her before exiting the bedroom. Spielberg barked happily as he entered the living room. He jumped off the couch, but when Dawson leaned down to pet him he leapt back onto his previous perch. Dawson laughed, “I don’t have time to play right now, Joey is about to discover her surprised.” As soon as the words left his lips he heard her gasp of surprised before she rushed into the room.
“Dawson it’s beautiful,” she smiled.
“What is?” He asked casually. Instead of speaking she held out a silver chain with a single square diamond that dangled at the bottom. “Oh that,” He frowned, “That was for my other girlfriend, don’t know how it got in your earring box.”
She jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow, “Very funny, Dawson.”
“I know it’s almost Christmas and it may be a little extravagant….”
“It’s perfect.” She beamed at him as she held the necklace out to him, “Please clasp it for me.” She turned around and he slipped the necklace around her neck. Her hair was swept up in a chignon with tiny fake diamonds in the bobby pins that held it up. Her dress was long and black, simply cut, but she exuded elegance and beauty. His eyes roamed over her lovingly and his heart squeezed at the vision before him. She was a dream come true.
She turned around and smiled. A long time ago she had believed diamonds didn’t suit her, but with age came appreciation and understanding. He had always known that beneath her tough exterior lived a woman of elegance, beauty, charm, and a love for life. Diamonds weren’t flashy or overstated. They were simple and in that simplicity lived a rare beauty. She now understood what he had seen in her so long ago. She liked seeing herself through his eyes; eyes that always held love for her even when she was at her worst. She pressed her lips gently against his, getting lost in the moment until Spielberg barked at them.
They both laughed and said, “We have to go anyways.” He turned to get her long, black trench coat and she noticed the way his simple black suit hugged his body. She grinned appreciatively as the fabric swirled around his muscled legs and back. The sight of him never ceased to take her breath away. He turned around and helped her slid the coat around her body, buttoning it while she put on her black leather gloves. She tucked her arm through his and they stepped out into the cold night. It hadn’t snowed yet, but she hoped it would tonight. There was something beautiful and magical about the snow. Something about it seemed almost untouchable and sacred.
Our hearts make us feel at home.
Jack and Doug pulled up at the same time Dawson and Joey reached the end of their driveway. Dawson opened the small cars backdoor and Joey stepped in with a smile. Dawson slid in beside her easily. “Hey,” Jack and Doug said at the same time. They smiled back and chatted as Doug drove them to a fancy Italian restaurant in the middle of Capeside.
Doug and Dawson hopped out of the car quickly when they stopped, wanting to open the door for their significant other. Joey and Jack looked at them adoringly and let them escort them inside the restaurant. Joey wasn’t accustomed to Dawson opening doors for her because she had always prided herself on being an independent woman, but tonight was different. She wasn’t Joey the artist with paint on her clothes and in her hair. Tonight was a night of magic and discovery. She had protested about dressing up at first, but at Dawson’s insistence and secret grins she had ceased her complaints.
The moment she took her jacket off Doug noticed her necklace. He tapped Jack on the arm playfully, “We’ve been together too long for him to buy me diamonds.”
Jack chuckled, “You’re lucky I let you listen to show tunes in the car.”
“You could learn to be a little more cultured,” Doug grinned with a twinkle in his eyes.
Joey and Dawson looked at each other, sharing an amused smile. Jack noticed their exchange, “And I thought we were the old married couple.”
They frowned at the same time, “What?” their voices blended together.
“Knowing looks, similar expression, finishing each other’s sentences.”
“And this is new?” Joey raised an eyebrow.
Jack laughed, “Maybe a few centuries ago.”
She waved her hand to dismiss the conversation, “Where’s the waiter? I’m starving.”
“Such a ravenous appetite,” Jack joked. “She never used to eat this much.”
“She was married to my brother,” Doug commented wryly. It had been awkward for him to see Dawson and Joey together at first, but after he had talked to Pacey about it, he had felt more at ease. Pacey was happy and that was all he had wanted for his brother.
“Hey,” she said weakly, “don’t get me started on how much this one over here eats.” She pointed at Dawson.
“I didn’t say anything,” Dawson said in mock defense.
“I know what you were thinking,” Joey rolled her eyes at him and gave him a toothy grin.
“Well if we’re going to discuss dirty secrets,” Doug joined in with a mischievous grin.
“Where is that waiter?” Jack said loudly as they all dissolved into light chuckles.
“We may just get kicked out of here for being too noisy,” Dawson laughed.
“Us noisy?” Joey raised her eyebrow, “Never.”
The waiter approached their table with an agitated look on his face. He took their orders as quickly as possible and rushed away. “I don’t know what made us think we’d fit into a place like this,” Dawson shrugged.
“We do look the part,” Doug smiled at them easily. He enjoyed nights out like this.
They grinned at each other over the table. “So where’s Amy this fine evening?” Dawson broke the silence as he took a small sip of the white wine sitting before him.
“At her friends house,” Doug and Jack said instantaneously.
“Or at least that’s her cover story,” Joey teased.
Jack and Doug looked at each other worriedly, “She is her mother’s daughter.”
“But her parents were nothing like the two of you,” Dawson reassured them.
“She looks more like Jen everyday,” Jack said with a tear in his eye. Doug squeezed his shoulder comfortingly.
“She’d be proud of the way you take care of Amy,” Dawson smiled and lifted his glass, “To Jen.”
Everyone followed suit and clinked their glasses, “To Jen.”
Home is where our journey ends and begins again.
Joey tucked her arm around Dawson’s and snuggled even closer to him as the frozen wind blew across her face. Her teeth started to chatter, “Maybe this walking home thing wasn’t such a good idea.”
He glanced down at her as she slightly shook. “You only have yourself to blame.” He winked.
“Very funny Dawson.” She shivered, “ I didn’t realize how cold it was out here.”
He laughed lightly and pulled her closer. “Why did you want to fight the weather?”
“I think living with you has made me a romantic sap.” She chuckled, “I was hoping for snow.”
“What’s this, Joey Potter loves snow?”
“There’s something magical about the first snowfall.” She gazed up at the sky wistfully, “I remember when we were eight, it snowed so hard we were out of school for a week.”
“Seeing you skate across the creek was priceless.” He laughed.
“My butt was red for a month,” her eyes glistened in the moonlight, “not sure if you were worth it or not.”
“I didn’t need you to help with the snow fort I was building.”
“Sure Dawson, we all know your dad built it. You just take credit for it.”
“Well I did direct the building,”
“Some things never change,” she winked.
“I seem to remember you charming my mother into making you hot coca, couldn’t take the biting cold. Complained about the ice and the possibility of frostbite. Cynic.”
They laughed at the shared memory, as she pressed closer to his warm body. The cold was seeping into her bones. She hadn’t anticipated it being this frigid so early. The walked the rest of the way home in comfortable silence. They had never needed words to fill the silence and with time these moments became more common. Instead of feeling dread at the silence, they marveled over the emotions they could sense in the other person. Simply being close to one another was all they needed in moments like these.
Joey tried to break way to open the door, but Dawson held her back. She looked at him quizzically, but the moment their eyes connected she sensed a change in him. Something was about to change between them, she could feel it in the very depths of her soul. They stood surveying each other for several moments. Dawson released her arm and cradled her face with his gloved palm. She closed her eyes at the contact, savoring his touch. “I love you, Jo.” His words were quiet, but full of emotion. “I’ve always loved you.”
She opened her eyes, smiled, and lightly touched the hand on her face. “I love you too.”
“We’ve grown together this past year. We’ve grown within ourselves and in our relationship. Our connection has always been strong, but it has only strengthened with time. Things have been far from perfect, but in that imperfection we’re found happiness. You have always been my family, my supporter, my best friend, and now my lover.” Dawson bent down onto his knee and held her hand lightly. Snowflakes started to fall from the night sky. Dawson reached into his pocket and retrieved a velvet box. “You’ve been everything to me, Jo, for so long, but something has been missing. We don’t need a piece of paper to bind us because our souls are seared together, but I would be honored if you’d be my wife.” He looked up at her with his heart in his eyes.
Joey stared down at him in astonishment. The diamond ring in the box wasn’t large, what she had always wanted. It sat alone on a silver band. Simple and tasteful. She had never expected this and she didn’t know what to say. She felt snowflakes caress her face and tears filled her eyes, “Yes,” She whispered and with tears in his eyes he slid the ring onto her finger.
He leapt up and swung her into his arms. He pressed his lips against her ear, “Are you sure?”
She leaned back and smiled, “I’ve never been more sure of anything.” She yelped in glee as he began to spin around. “You’re the only one who can make me cry this way.”
“You’re the only one I’ve ever wanted.” His eyes roved her face lovingly and he pressed his lips against hers as the snow fell around them. It was a world of magic, forgiveness, and love. After so many years they were finally home.