AN: So this is post 6x10, around a year after Dan and Serena got married. Any Derena in this will be shortlived, the endgame in this being Serenate. The only ships involving Blair is Chair- there will be no Dair at all. I really hope you enjoy this, please review! Thank you
It was when the yelling began that all seemed to fall apart. Serena had enough of it. Of everything. She'd thought Dan was forever. In fact, he was only a small fragment of her life, a person she'd hoped would soon be in her past. But every time those overwhelming thoughts would fill her mind, she'd only go back to Dan, back into his arms at night. But her forever with his was soon to fall apart, and there was nothing either could do about it.
As Dan clutched the glass of scotch in his hand, words tore through the space between them, his voice raised as he 'spoke' to his wife. His words, almost abusive. The honeymoon period was most certainly over, she thought to herself as she pulled her blonde waves into a thick knot, hurrying over to set the table.
She had to gather herself; she had no choice, really. In just over an hour, her and Dan's closest of friends would arrive, eager to celebrate their first anniversary. Chuck, Blair, Henry, Nate, Eric, Lily and her father. Even Vanessa had flown in from Spain where she now resided to surprise the couple. Only Nate was soon to spill to the blonde as soon as he heard the news of Vanessa's homecoming. Only days ago, Serena had imagined this night to be perfect. To say it was quiet was an understatement, especially when comparing it to past events. To host a good party was in her blood. Growing up, her mother would gladly invite anybody who was someone in their society, and Serena had undoubtedly inherited this trait from her mother.
"Dan.." She sighed, creasing a brow as she took a seat across from him. The apartment was dimly lit, the sun appearing to settle into the horizon as she glanced to the window. Nothing was the same was no spark; no fireworks. All they ever did anymore was pass small remarks between the two of them, sleeping as far away from each other as possible, both of them almost tumbling off the bed each night.
As tension grew, so did Dan's taste for a good drink. Marriage was something that had definitely changed him, and his new reputation in the area had definitely taken it's toll. No one ever suspected poor old lonely boy to be Gossip Girl. To be the one maliciously spreading hurtful lies about his own wife and her closest friends, and to only gain her trust in the end. To Serena, none of it made sense. It took her long enough to realise what exactly he'd done to her, as she scrolled through the Gossip Girl archives one evening when Dan was out. The things he said; the things he'd allowed to be said about her and those she loved. It was ridiculous; pathetic. When she had the nerve to bring it up, to ask him why, it was when the yelling started. Dan grew frustrated, throwing his hands up with a look of rage and frustration. He had no real answer. No answer that could ever bring her to forgive him.
Instead it continued. They'd become more distant as the days went by. It wasn't the fairytale ending Serena was hoping for.
"What?" The man lifted an eyebrow, taking a moment to glance at his wife, his focus still on the newspaper that lay on his lap. Serena stood up, her hands locked together as she nervously walked over to him.
"I think we should get ready. I have a suit laid out on the bed for you, if that's what you choose to wear, I mean." The man who now seemed so unfamiliar to her grunted, letting her know he'd heard her.
With a frown, Serena went to go get dressed. A lovely piece hanging over her chair which she'd tried on a few hours earlier. By the time she was ready, she walked back into the lounge room to see Dan was, too. He'd planted himself back in the same seat as before as Serena rushed over to see how the caterer was doing. The food would be ready in half and hour maximum, Serena expecting her guests in only moments time.
As predicted, the first to arrive was the Bass family. A wide grin spread across Serena's lips as Henry ran in to greet his aunt. "Henry, hello!" Serena said with a chuckle as the boy wrapped his arms around her, S kneeling down to his level. Holding onto him for a few moments, she soon let go, giving Chuck a big hug. "Serena.." her friend said quietly, smiling almost as wide as his son. When Blair entered, she rushed over to Serena, "Congratulations! You've managed to last a whole year with Humphrey." In an instant, Blair handed over a bottle of champagne to Serena, "I think you deserve a drink." Taking a shaky breath, she thanked the girl, Blair going to give her a tight squeeze as S placed the bottle on the table.
It was when Nate arrived that Serena felt an instant surge of nerves rush over her. Chuck was the first to get the door, giving him a firm handshake, "Nathaniel, I see you've finally decided to show up," he chuckled. "Glad to see you!" Nate replied as his glanced wandered to meet Serena's eyes. Her eyes instantly fell on his, her glance locking on him. How was it she felt so nervous? She'd known Nate since forever, and felt so comfortable around him. But lately, things seemed to be changing. She couldn't quite determine how she felt about the boy who had once stole her heart. But she was married to Dan, a fact she'd recently learned she wasn't too fond of. It was then she started seeing Nate a lot more, going to visit him as he worked and meeting him at the park on weekends. He was what made her feel good; he was the one to put her first. And she couldn't be anything but grateful. There was no way she could really thank him.
To Serena, the dinner was a blur. They all sat around the table, her strategically placed between Blair and Nate so nothing could happen between her and Dan. A few words of congratulations were passed around, and a toast of two was made. But all the girl could think of was her life before she met Dan. He did make her a better person, but it took her until now to realise she brought out the very worst of him. It didn't take her long to completely zone out, these thoughts swarming through her mind. She didn't know what to do. Dan chatted quietly with Vanessa at the other end of the table, Chuck and Blair were whispering something to each other, Nate was occupied with Henry and the rest of her family was on the couch. She just sat there, in some sort of a panic as she thought about the situation thousands of times over. "Blair," she turned to her friend, Serena's voice hoarse. As B instantly looked to her, she read the panic on Serena's face, "Your room. Now."