"Danny, how come you're moving?" Serena asked, a pout adorning her five year old face.

"I dunno. Daddy says something about his job, but I wanna stay here with you!" He kicked the soccer ball towards her, watching it bounce off her shin.

"You'll come back, right?" She asked before kicking it back.

He bobbed his head, smiling. "Yeah, I'll come back and we'll be best friends all over again!"

--

Daniel Humphrey stood as his father and grandfather approached him. His dad had called him the night before, saying that they needed to talk. "Hello Father, Grandfather."

They both inclined their heads, sitting down, allowing Dan to do the same. "Do you remember a certain girl by the name, Serena van der Woodsen?" Rufus asked, beckoning to a waiter at the same time.

Dan nodded, the thought of the girl that he had fallen for when he was five made his heart beat faster. "She and I were neighbors before we moved."

Henry nodded, smoothing his tie out. "Well Daniel, she has been your betrothed since the day you were born."

"My betrothed." Dan echoed slowly, wondering why he just found out. "Why wasn't I informed of this before?"

"We thought it would be best to let you live your life before settling down. It was your mothers decision." Rufus replied, sipping his cognac.

"Well, Daniel, what do you think?" Not even waiting for an answer, Henry continued. "Good? You wed in two days. We're flying to New York today."

"Three days? Grandfather, I can't just-"

"Daniel, please understand that what you're doing is not only for your benefit, but for ours."

Dan sighed, he was backed into a corner with not even a bleak way out. "I understand, Grandfather. I'll go pack."

--

Dan walked into the master bedroom of his new house, shocked. "There was no need to buy a house for me."

"Use this room well with Serena. You'll thank me when you have a child." Rufus stood proudly at the doorway, watching his son.

"When are we meeting them for lunch?"

"Ten minutes. I suggest you change into something appropriate." Rufus left the room, leaving Dan there in his slightly wrinkled suit.

Five minutes later, he stepped out onto the porch, watching the waves crash onto the beach.

"Daniel."

He turned at the sound of his name, seeing Serena's family. "Hello Mr. And Mrs. Van der Woodsen. Welcome to my new home." He shook hands with the smiling man and kissed Lily on the cheek.

"It has been forever since we last saw you, you have grown up quite nicely. Serena is down at the beach, she's a little wary of the marriage, would you please go down and convince her?" Lily asked, giving him no other option but to accept and take the picnic basket she was holding.

He disposed of his shoes at the steps of his house, immediately spotting the blonde girl sitting by herself. In two days, he told himself, she's going to be your wife. He padded near her, doing his best not to startle her. "Serena?"

She turned, and in that moment, Dan didn't see the beautiful girl who was crying on the beach, he saw his best friend from when he was five years old. His image was ruined as she murmured something so quiet, he barely heard it.

"Pardon?"

"I hate you." She sniffled, tossing a stone into the ocean. "Its all your damn faul-"

"I'm sorry about this, I know that you have a life and I do too. I tried to get you out of this, but our parents, they want us to have a child together and I guess thats the only way out to placate them and then you can happily divorce me."

"It won't work." She said in a muffled tone as she had buried her head in her knees. "You haven't seen the pre-nup."

His shoulders sagged, for she looked so vulnerable, so sad that he felt bad for simply being himself. "I'm really sorry. I guess there's not much I can do for you. I know you hate me, so I guess I'll see you at the wedding."

Dan walked back to the house, to over where their parents sat and took a seat by them. "Good news, Daniel. We've moved the wedding up, its happening tomorrow."

"Oh wonderful. Serena will be pleased." He lied, smiling.

--

"Daniel," Lily called, watching his dark head turn towards her. "I was wondering if I could discuss with you my expectations of this marriage."

"Of course Mrs. Van der Woodsen." He got up, shaking the sand from his shorts. "Before you continue, I'd like you to know that I will do everything in my power to keep your daughter happy."

"That's wonderful, but not exactly what I wanted to talk to you about." She paused, looking at him. "When you and Serena were born, your parents and her father and I wanted the best for you two. We had no way of guaranteeing you two a good life which is why you are arranged to be wed. We only ask for one thing in return."

"Which is?"

She laughed, throwing her head back. "Isn't it obvious Daniel? A child. That's all we ask."

His throat closed up, was she actually asking him to sleep with her daughter? "Um, I will do my best. It all depends on Serena."

"Daniel, I don't think you understand how important this marriage is. A child and if you wish, both of you could separate."

He nodded, thinking about how much he didn't want to have a child if that meant not being with Serena. "I understand and I will take what you just said into consideration."

She smiled, walking down the porch steps. "Oh and by the way, if Serena happens to mention anyone named Anthony, just ignore her."

He wanted to question her, but she was already out of sight. Shaking his head, he walked back into his house.