Why didn't you tell anyone?

It's not exactly something you put in your Christmas cards, you know?

We didn't want to burden any of you, I guess.

Joey, we're your friends…

Friends we've barely seen since we got married, Dawson.

Everything happened in such a hurry…

Yeah, well, I was pregnant, Dawson. Things kind of had to be expedited.

You still could have told me.

I know… I nearly called you dozens of times. But every time I tried I just couldn't.

What happened?

He was fine… he was a happy, healthy baby. A bit quiet, maybe… he didn't scream in supermarkets or restaurants like other babies. We just thought we had an angelic child.

But he didn't start talking when the time came, he just seemed to prefer playing by himself. It was like he didn't even know we were there. He wouldn't respond when we called his name, or react to loud noises, so we first thought he was deaf. We took him to see a few doctors and they said his hearing was fine. They suggested we try speech exercises with him but nothing worked.

When he was three he started having these screaming episodes, and the head banging began. Finally the doctors gave us a diagnosis and since then we've tried a series of different medications and therapies. Most days he's fine, but then others….

Pacey's wonderful with him. When the doctors finally told us Liam was autistic, and we found out everything that it can entail, Pacey quit his job to stay home and look after him.

What about you?

Pacey's always been able to deal with it better than me. He goes to the support groups and researches new treatments. He's taking classes on experimental therapies and education programs. I don't know how he does it.

Liam has no verbal skills at all. He can't handle human contact, even from his parents… I can't even hug my own son, Dawson. I don't know how to help him.

I don't know what to do anymore. I don't know how any of this happened or why. I don't understand it and I can't deal with it like Pacey can.

Joey, is everything all right with you and Pacey? The two of you seem… different.

Dawson, if you had married your boyfriend when you were just finishing college after an accidental pregnancy, gave up a career that you loved in order to take one that actually pays the bills, and had a child who turned out to have a pervasive developmental disorder that will deny him, or you, from ever having a normal life, how healthy do you think your relationship would be?

And how would you feel knowing that you couldn't even call your best friend and tell him every painful secret because of stupid adolescent bickering? You'd feel alone, Dawson. Trust me.

Jo? You here?

Joey?

Jo, I didn't think you were home. Didn't you hear me call you?

Hey, you okay? Still not feeling well? Joey, you should go to the doctor.

I did.

Finally.

Everything's all right, isn't it? You’re not sick are you? I told you, you've been studying too much… They're just finals, Jo, you don't have to kill yourself…

I'm not sick.

Good, because I can't afford to get sick and miss work. No spreading your pestilence to me, woman.

Okay, so what is it then? Why are you moping?

I'm not moping.

Let's get one thing straight, Potter. I know you. I know your moods. And this, my friend, is called moping. You did it for a week after we left Capeside and again when you got a B on that midterm. So what's say you and I go out, catch a movie and go to dinner and I will give you the Pacey J. Witter cure for moping.

(he leans down to kiss her neck)

And you'll even get the extra special treatment if you play your cards right.

Okay, what am I supposed to do? You tell me, huh?

Pacey, we need to talk.

God, what did I do?

This is serious.

Come on, Joey, you look like you're going to tell me you're pregnant or something. What's going on?

I'm going to tell you I'm pregnant.

Nice one, Jo. You really had be going there for a second.

You are joking, aren't you? You're not really pregnant?

Oh my God.

Yep, that was pretty much my reaction this morning.

We're going to be okay.

How can you say that, Pacey? I'm about to finish college. I'm supposed to be at the start of my career, not motherhood.

Joey, we'll be okay. We'll work everything out.

How can you be so calm about this? I have been a wreck all day, and in less than an hour you're perfectly okay with the fact that we're unexpectedly pregnant?

I guess I am.

How? How is that possible? You've been experimenting with drugs at the hospital, haven't you?

No.

Then how on earth can you be okay with this, Pacey? God, after everything I've done I've turned into my sister… knocked up out of wedlock and destined to spend the rest of my life in Capeside!

Joey, I'm okay with this because no matter what we decide to do, I love you. I have loved you for five years and I have to tell you, I don't plan on changing my mind any time soon. And while we didn't plan to get pregnant and the timing is lousy… the idea that you are carrying our child only fills me with the kind of happiness I only dream about. I can't help it.

But Pacey, we can't have a baby. I haven't finished my degree, I only have a part time job that pays next to nothing, and yours can hardly support three people.

True.

We live in a crummy apartment with faulty heating and an elevator that's broken half the time. You work shifts. We hardly see each other for days on end.

True.

Not to mention the fact we're only 22. We're way too young to be having a baby. Bessie would kill me. You know how paranoid she was when we started sleeping together. She didn't want me to end up like her, not when I had the chance to go to college and make something of my life.

True.

Pacey, you're not supposed to agree with everything I say! This is supposed to be an argument.

You want me to disagree with you? Sorry, Jo, but everything you just said is true.

So you think we shouldn't have the baby.

Well, I didn't say that. I agree with everything you said, but I also think there's a lot you forgot to mention.

We don't make enough to support a family. But I can get another job, and you could always take the internship at the gallery in Washington you turned down. You graduate in a few weeks. And there's nothing to say you can't start your career a little later than planned. There's still graduate school and your Masters when you're ready.

As for the apartment, we live here because it's close to campus and the hospital. We haven't signed a life-long lease, we can actually move. Pretty easily, in fact.

And, yes, we're 22, but it's not like we're kids, Jo. Sometimes I think we're too mature. Other people our age stay out partying all night… you, on the other hand, study every waking hour and are about to graduate with honors, and I work a 60 hour week.

So you see, there are solutions here. And there's a baby. A baby, Jo.

JOEY

Pacey, what about your paramedic training? You were supposed to start next year but if I take the internship and then maternity leave there's no way we can survive without at least one income… I've had my turn at college and you've supported me for four years. It's not fair.

PACEY

(he can't help but smile)

Jo, I haven't hung around for the last four years waiting for my turn. We're in this together. And whether or not I become a paramedic or spend the rest of my days emptying bedpans… I don't care as long as we're together.

You know, there are a lot of things in this life that I'm not sure of. I don't know what sort of career I'm going to have and I have no idea where I'm going to be in five years. And while these things may be scary for most people I'm not afraid. Because after everything that's happened in my life up until this point, there are two things I'm sure of.

(he leans in, his eyes fixed on hers)

I love you with everything I am.

What's the second?

I always will.

I'm terrified.

Me too.

I want to have the baby, Pace.

Me too.

Are we completely crazy for doing this? I mean, isn't this decision supposed to be harder?

Would you change your mind after a few days of moping around the apartment, going over things again and again?

No, I guess I wouldn't… I just didn't think I could make the decision so easily. I mean, four years ago in Capeside I would have agonized over this for weeks. And I know what I would have chosen…

And I probably would have agreed with you. But things change, Jo. We've changed.

I don't feel any different.

I must be a bad influence on you.

I wouldn't say that. I'd just say I'm lucky.

Although you did impregnate me, so I guess it is your fault.

Although none of this changes the fact that Bessie is going to kill me when she finds out. I can just hear the lecture now…

She'll be happy for us, you'll see.

No, she won't. She'll just say I'm making the same mistakes she did. I mean, I know she loves Alexander and Bodie but, given the chance, she would have waited to start a family.

Oh well, I guess having a baby out of wedlock is just what Capeside expects of the Potters.

Well, maybe we should do something about that.

Because this is one place in the whole apartment you don't go near.

What is it?

This is a bank passbook. I got it two years ago, and I've been putting what money I can into this special account.

Why?

For this.

It's not supposed to be the actual ring of course, more an idea… or an inspiration.

You were going to buy me a ring?

Admittedly I was planning this for a couple of years from now… mainly so I could get up the courage to ask you.

So?

So what?

You're still going to make me ask, aren't you?

I'm afraid so.

You're a cruel wench. You know this, right?

Okay then… If it makes it any easier, the answer is yes. And I don't need a diamond ring to persuade me.

Then Joey Potter, will you marry me?

Hmm, let me think about it…