Part 1/4: "Made of Honor"
Setting: Post 5x10 "Riding in Town Cars with Boys"

"Thank you, Humphrey. For everything."

They were standing on the sidewalk outside of his loft and Blair's hands were cupped into Dan's as she gave him her set of keys.

Chuck woke from his coma about a week ago. In spite of losing her baby, Blair still constantly prayed for Chuck, spoke to him often, stayed by his bed side for days at a time, and one day when she touched his hand he woke. The way Blair put it, it was all so beautiful. They held each other and she cried. They talked about life and death, and the cruelty of it all ending at anytime. Apparently they realized they couldn't wait another second. Chuck told her they should be the ones getting married and he proposed. She called it off with Louis, and just like that Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf were engaged.

"Of course."

Dan was sincerely happy to see the smile on Blair's face, it looked like she was so sure of what she finally wanted. She was there to pick up the last of her things from his loft. She was moving out.

"Let me know if you ever need anything else," he said.

"Actually. There is one more thing."

Dan looked at her and he could feel himself fighting to not to let any sort of disappointment of her leaving show on his face.

"I spoke with Chuck and…Dan, you're the reason we're together now and, I couldn't thank you enough," she said with a smile.

She continued, "You've been a real friend to me Humphrey," she said seriously as she put her hand on his chest and Dan's heart begins to race, "I know this might seem unconventional, and Serena is still my maid of honor, but I was wondering if you would be…my man of honor."

There was no hiding it. Dan's eyes grew wide in his shock.

"Oh wow. Uh, that's uh…" is all he could let out.

"I know. It's crazy, but please say yes. I know I haven't been the best friend to you lately, but it would mean a lot to me. We wouldn't be getting married if it weren't for you. What do you say?"

Dan's common sense knew it was obviously a terrible idea to be in the wedding party for a girl he was in love with, plus, Jenny had forced him to watch that crappy Patrick Dempsey movie, "Made of Honor" over the summer and this situation was sure as hell vastly more complicated and would probably not have quite as happy an ending in store for him.

"Um, ok. Why not?" he said forcing a smile. Despite Dan's ability to usually make intelligent decisions, there was no saying "No" to Blair anymore.

"Great!" she said with excitement, "I promise no minion tasks and I'll make sure you won't be emasculated in any way" she smiled.

Oh God. What did he get himself into?


"It's beautiful, B." Serena's voice echoed down the church's nave.

They were at St. James' Catholic Church on Madison Avenue and Blair had brought him and Serena as her co-maid, man…well…people of honor and Chuck had brought Nate as his best man. Blair began walking them towards the altar, hand in hand with Chuck. Serena frantically taking notes as Blair pointed and instructed on entrances, exits, and duties. Dan droned out Blair's voice as he stared through the stained glass windows.

"Humphrey!" Blair said sternly, he finally turned around.

"Did you hear what I said? You'll be standing here, behind Serena and keeping an eye on the side door for any reporters that try to sneak in."

"Oh, right. Sure." Dan said distractedly.

Blair continued moving along with the group while Dan continued looking at the stained glass window. Chuck let the group go ahead as he steps next to him.

"Daniel. Something on your mind?"

"What? No. No. Sorry." Dan breaks away from the window and looks at Chuck.

"You seem…distracted." He says in his low whispering voice.

"No, it's uh. My art history class…I was just thinking about if these windows are more influenced from the Gothic or Baroque style…or if it's more of a" he rambled while nervously gesturing with his hands.

"Let me be more transparent. Given our last real conversation a few weeks ago, I worry you might still have feelings for my beautiful fiancé."

Dan puts his hands in the pockets of his coat, "Uh, no actually. No. I couldn't be happier for you two…honestly." Dan can feel his words are half true and half a lie.

"Good." Chuck nods, "Blair told me how you helped her come to a decision, and as much as it pains me to say this. You are a friend, Humphrey. To both of us."

"Right." Dan nods uncomfortably.

"Speaking of which, I suppose it will be interesting to see whether you choose to attend the bachelor or bachelorette party." Chuck smirks.

"Yeah, probably neither. Who would've thought Blair would be one for breaking stereotypical gender role traditions."

Chuck smiles and puts his hand on Dan's shoulder, "Come. Blair's probably waiting for us."


It was a Sunday and Dan was in his kitchen making waffles, and as he throws the measuring cup into his sink full of dirty dishes he notices Blair's bottle of L'Occitane shampoo next to his dish soap. He smiles to himself. The rest of his loft was sadly completely void of Blair's belongings.

The loft door swings open.

"You really should keep this locked Humphrey. One can only imagine what sort of repugnant intruders are lurking around Brooklyn."

"Nice to see you too, Waldorf" he says as he's setting his waffles onto a plate.

Blair inhales, "Mmm, you know if there's one thing I miss about this place, it is your Sunday waffles."

Dan smiles, "There's enough for two."

Blair sits on the bar stool, "Actually, I was hoping I could steal you away for the day. Serena is in the middle of some sort of scheme with Nate to take down Gossip Girl, and I have some important wedding errands to run."

"Mmm, what happened to no emasculating? What about Penelope or one of your other minions?" Dan asked.

"I am meeting Vera Wang today for my last fitting and then sampling macaroons for the dessert bar at Maison Laduree. My minions hardly have the politeness or palette to be of any use. Plus it might be helpful to get a man's opinion" she smiled.

"Fine." Dan said, "But first things first." He pushed a plate of waffles towards her.

Blair smiles and rolls her eyes.


After riding the elevator 23 floors, Dan and Blair reach Vera Wang's private wedding gown salon.

"You must be Blair Waldorf," said Vera sharp in her black dress, and striking long black hair.

Dan thought it was cute that Blair was so enamored by a fashion designer.

"Vera! Oh, it's so amazing to finally meet you!" she said smiling ear to ear as they kissed each other on the cheeks.

"How is Eleanor?" she asked.

"She's wonderful." Blair beamed.

"And this must be Prince Louis?" she asked as she faced Dan.

"Oh. No! No…just a friend. I'm Dan. Humphrey." Dan hurriedly corrected.

Vera looked confused as Blair held the smile on her face.

"Oh well, forgive me, as I don't keep up with the tabloids much. I'm sure I'll get to meet the Prince another time." Vera finished.

"Actually, I'm not marrying Prince Louis anymore. I'm engaged to Chuck Bass, the owner of The Empire Hotel" Blair said with a smile.

"I see." Vera said confused.

"I'm sure your design will still make Blair…more beautiful than Kate Middleton." Dan said nervously, as the three of them then laughed uncomfortably.


Dan was standing outside Blair's dressing room as he nervously paced around the store.

Blair spoke from behind the curtain, "My father and Roman should be flying in next week. It'd be lovely for you to meet him."

"You must be excited to see him." Dan said as he picked up a white satin shoe on the display.

He hears the sound of the curtain open and he slowly turns around.

Blair lets out a breath, "So? What do you think?" she says with a smile.

She's standing there on the pedestal in her white wedding dress flowing out from her waist, her hair waved and in a pony tail, and the dressing room lights shining on her. He swears to himself she is the most beautiful thing he's ever seen.

Dan stares at her intently and he feels a sharp pang in his heart knowing he should be shutting these feelings off.

"Wow. Blair, I…" he says speechlessly.

A moment passes and Blair asks with a smile, confused, "What is it? Is it the lace?" she looks down at her dress.

"Nothing. It's not the dress. It's just…you in it. That's all." He continues to stare at her.

"Well that's good," she says looking down at her dress, then looking up at Dan through the mirror with a smile on her lips.


The night before her wedding, the elevator door rang.

"Daddy!" she squealed with delight as Harold came through the elevator door.

"Hi sweetie!" he said with joy in his voice as she ran and hugged him, and he twirled her around like she was still his little girl.

As they sit at the dining table talking, Blair and Harold snacked on the pastries he brought from Paris. Blair finally asked, "Where's Roman?"

"About that…" he says as the smile on his face fades.

"Roman and I…ended things."

"What?" Blair puts down her éclair. "What do you mean? What happened?" she asked with concern.

"Roman. He…was not faithful to me."

"Daddy…I'm so sorry, I had no idea…"

"It's for the best. Our relationship was always full of drama…it was…other male models…I do believe we were meant for each other but…I think I loved him most when he wasn't mine, or when he was about to leave…or when it seemed like he changed. We were never really good when we were together."

Blair's heart sunk, and her eyes began to water.

"Oh, please darling. Don't let this affect your wedding. You and Chuck have known each other almost your whole lives. The two of you have a completely different relationship than Roman and I."

Blair wiped a tear from her eye delicately and smiled.

"You are going to make a beautiful bride my sweet." He said as he touched her cheek.


After a night of tossing and turning, it was the day of her wedding.

"Dorota, how did you know that Vanya was the one for you?" Blair asked as she looked into the mirror while Dorota buttoned the back of her dress.

"Honest, I not like Vanya at first, but he love me like…like best friend. He love, unconditionally. Like when I tell him I first pregnant, he not run, he very much there for me,"

Blair scrunches her eyebrow in response and sees Serena walk by the doorway, "Serena!" she calls out.

"Oh my God, B!" Serena comes back in the room, and puts the 3 flower vases she is barely able carry in her hands down on a table.

"You look so beautiful" she squeals as she touches Blair's face with both her hands.

Blair's face is tense but she forces into a smile. "Thanks S. Can you please go find Dan for me?" she says stressed.

The giddiness on Serena's face fades as she gives a quaint, "Sure."


They are alone in her changing room.

"Humphrey I need you to tell me I'm making the right decision!" she says frantically pacing.

"Blair. Blair…what's going on? Where is this coming from?" Dan says as he touches her arm, and gestures for her to sit down.

Blair takes a moment and sits, and gives out an exasperated sigh. "I can't tell you right now, just…I need to know…that he loves me" she finally lets out. She sounds vulnerable like she's about to break.

"Blair, of course he loves you. That's why he's marrying you. What's wrong? Do you want me to get him?"

"No! No. He can't see me until it starts. Just…please go see what he wrote for his vows. You're a writer…I'm sure you can gauge how he feels. Just please, come back and tell me if he really loves me."

Dan argues, "Blair, you don't need to…"

"Dan. Please. It's my day. I need to know…"

Dan drops his head and gives a reluctant, "Alright."

Eleanor stops at the doorway where they are talking, "There you two are! The photographer is waiting. Come!" she motions with her hands impatiently. Blair gets up and passes her mother with a stoic face and Eleanor glares at Dan as he walks past, "You look lovely Mrs. Waldorf" he smiles.


They are taking pictures of Blair's bridal party in the church. They're lined up. Dorota. Dan. Serena. Blair. Penelope. What's her face. Dan can't help but think that each flash of the camera is more humiliating than the next. Him standing there next to his ex-girlfriend now step sister and next over, the girl he is let's face it…still in love with. He looks over at Blair between shots who is still smiling radiantly, despite her unusual melt down confession just a moment ago. Each of the bridesmaids takes turns taking pictures with just Blair in front of the altar. The photographer calls out, "Ok. Now the young gentleman."

Dan steps up next to Blair. He awkwardly puts his hand around her waist, and she does the same to him. Dan can feel his heart beat out of his chest. This really was a terrible idea. The photographer's camera flashes continue and Dan feels like he's going to be sick.

"Don't look so grim Humphrey. I might have these pictures forever" Blair says as she holds her smile.


Dan sets out on his task for Blair. He knocks on the door of the room where Chuck would be getting ready. "Hello?" he says. He opens the door and it's empty. He walks around the room and along the counter there's an open bottle of scotch, a half filled glass cup, a box of Cuban cigars, a very expensive looking watch, Chuck and Nate's spare clothes lying around and Chuck's wallet. Dan curiously opens Chuck's wallet and sees a picture of Blair. Dan guessed it was from when she was 19. He smiled to himself. As he put the wallet down, Dan's eye finally catches a small piece of paper with Chuck's almost illegible writing on it. He picks it up and reads.

He reads how Chuck fell in love with Blair when he was 17 and clueless. How even then, he quickly and suddenly wanted to give her the world, and conquer the Upper East Side with her. He read about Bart's passing and Blair's support. He read his sincerest apology for the pain that he caused her all through the years. He read that it was Blair who pulled him out of the darkness. Blair who brought out what was good in him. He read that Blair was the reason his life was saved, twice. Finally, he read his promises to be a better man to her for the rest of her life.

When Dan finished, he realized. Chuck loved her. There was no room for a lonely boy from Brooklyn in her fairytale ending. It might have been selfish, but Dan couldn't stand the thought of watching them get married. This whole day, this whole thing hurt too much. He had to get out of there.

Serena saw him with messenger bag in hand, walking down the stairs hurriedly.

"Dan! Where are you going? The wedding is starting in like an hour." she asked insistently as she followed him.

"Serena. Please, just…tell Blair that Chuck does love her and that I'm really sorry, but I had to go" he said still walking away.

"What? Dan. No! You have to be here. Seriously, we need you. Where are you going?" she asked desperately.

"I…I don't know. Tell her there's been an emergency with Jenny or something and I'm headed to the airport" he says as he tries to wave down a cab.

"Dan. Wait." They finally stopped walking, "Does this have anything to do with you and Blair?"

He lets out a sigh, and before he gets in the cab says, "Bye Serena."

As the cab drives away, Serena puts her hand on her head in frustration.


"He what!" Blair exclaimed.

"Yeah. I guess there was an emergency with Jenny or something…He wanted me to tell you that Chuck really loved you and he was sorry but he had to go."

"You mean to tell me that Little Jenny Humphrey who has been irrelevant for the past year is still ruining my life from 3,000 miles away?" her voice was really rising.

"I am going to kill Dan Humphrey." She sounded pretty serious.

"Blair, don't be too hard on him. He's..." she stops and it's quiet for a second.

"He's what?" Blair asks.

"Nothing." Serena says defeated as she looks away.

"Serena." Blair sits down in front of her and puts her hands on hers. "What is it?"

Serena looks at Blair seriously and hesitant, like she's deeply searching for something.

"I shouldn't tell you. At least not today."

"You can tell me anything. I'm already freaking out as it is. I can't walk down the aisle if I know there's some sort of secret looming."

Serena lets out a sigh, "Dan...he...I think he's in love with you."


During the ceremony, Blair runs out of the church. She looks around frantically and sees the car that says "Just Married" on the rear window. She doesn't know what the hell she's doing, why she's doing it, or where she's going.

She shuts the car door.

"Are we expecting your husband?" the driver asks confused.

"No" Blair says out of breath.

"Uh, ok. Where to miss?"

At that moment she hears her phone gives a single chime from her gown's pocket. She reads a gossip girl post with a picture of Dan, in his tux sitting in an airport chair looking away.

"Spotted. One formally dressed lonely boy alone in an airport terminal headed to London. Has our very own cupid given up on seeing the happy ending he helped create? Looks like some men aren't really made of honor."

"JFK." She tells the driver.


Dan sits in his airport chair reading. He bought a last minute flight to London thinking visiting Jenny might actually do him some good with getting over Blair. As he is reading, he hears the sound of a woman's heels clicking on the floor, like someone's running.

He looks to the left and Blair is running towards him. Wedding gown, tiara, heels and all. When they make eye contact she stops, he gets up and they slowly walk towards each other.

"Blair…" he starts. He's completely and utterly thrown for a loop. He wonders if he's dreaming.

"I uh…" she starts, "Serena, told me why you left" she said softly.

"Yeah. Jenny…she"

"No." She interrupts, "She told me the real reason you left."

"Oh." Dan says quietly, "Um, is that why…you're here?" He thought to himself that that was really a stupid question.

"No…" she looks around confused, "Yes…I don't know. Maybe."

"What happened?" Dan asked her, concerned.

She takes a breath and looks down as she fiddles with her hands.

"I found out yesterday that my father and Roman…ended it." Her eyes are glossy with tears forming.

"Oh God, Blair…you should have told me." He comes closer to her and hugs her, and she takes a breath and relaxes into him.

"He was devastated. With Louis, I was the one who couldn't promise that I'd never leave him…but, how do I know that Chuck won't leave me?"

"I read his vows Blair. He does love you."

She shakes her head, "When they opened the church doors, I saw him smiling at me from the altar. He's changed into this man who I've always wanted him to be, but then I realized I've only ever loved him for who he was before. We've only been together for a short while since he's changed and…I'm not sure how we work together. Everything was just moving so fast with Louis, losing the baby, the crash…" She pauses, "Serena telling me about you…"

Dan looked at her earnestly.

"So I ran…" She finished.

He put his hand on her shoulder. He looked around and people were staring at her, some teenagers taking pictures on their phones.

"I had to book a flight to London for them to actually let me in here. Can I go away with you?" she asked.

"Of course."


Dan offered her a change of clothes he had in his bag. She came out of the bathroom practically drowning in his flannel shirt and sweats. Dan smiled trying not to laugh.

"Not a word Humphrey" she said sternly, wedding dress hugged in her hands.

"What are you going to do with that?" He asked.

"This is a one-of-a kind custom Vera Wang wedding gown. I can't very well leave it here for some…coach flying commoner to auction it off on Ebay. I'm taking it with me."

He laughed tilting his head back. "Let's go Waldorf. Plane's boarding."


They're sitting in their row of seats. The plane wasn't too full so Dan talked to a few of the people on board so he could sit with Blair. She was by the window, Dan in the middle, and the dress in the aisle seat.

Blair slides her phone open to check the time and sees a picture of Chuck on her phone's background. She lets out a breath, sets her phone down on her lap and looks out the window away from Dan.

Dan takes hold of her hand.

"Hey. It's ok. You'll figure it out."

She turns her head around to Dan, tears in her eyes.

"Thank you Dan. For everything," she says with a smile forming on her lips.