A 3-part series written for Chuck and Blair Anniversary 2013. Sometimes a little rooftop rendezvous is all you need to make a bad day better.
In finding the perfect couple to show off their most exquisite engagement ring, Harry Winston couldn't have done better than Chuck and Blair Bass. They were the poster couple for love and luxe, a walking billboard of Modern Fairy Tale meets Old Hollywood with a dab of Greek tragedy mixed in for flavor.
People wanted to see them, to be them.
But in terms of generating repeat business, the bread and butter of any century-old jewelry empire, no one could touch Lillian Rhodes van der Woodsen Mueller Bass Humphrey Bass...soon-to-be van der Woodsen again.
At this moment, the Elizabeth Taylor of the Upper East Side was seated in her daughter-in-law's penthouse suite, formerly Eleanor Waldorf's Manhattan living space, excitedly waving a hand adorned with yet another stunning sparkler at her shocked blonde daughter and equally surprised hostess.
"At first I was worried it might be a bit too soon, with Bart having been gone again for only a year," Lily mused, "but when William popped the question at the Shepherds' Reconciliation Party…well, it seemed like the perfect time to celebrate new beginnings and I just couldn't say no." She twisted the ring on her finger, allowing the light to catch all the facets in the pink diamond that highlighted her softly flushed cheeks. Even on her fifth time around, Lily was a blushing bride.
"When are you planning on having the ceremony?" Blair inquired with eager interest, as Serena tried to shake off the bemusement she felt at hearing her parents' unexpected news. She had known they were enjoying their rekindled relationship, but it was still a bit of a surprise that they were considering taking it to the next level again.
"Oh, we haven't really planned that far ahead yet. I don't even know where we'd have the service…," Lily's voice trailed off as her mind drifted into the land of wedding planning.
"I'd love to host it for you!" two voices volunteered at once.
Blair's eyes shot to Serena. What was she doing? Had she even been paying attention to anything Lily was saying? Serena had appeared for all intents and purposes to be woolgathering, lost in her own little world, and she'd chosen now (of all times!) to rejoin the conversation?
"We could have it at Grandmother's house in the Hamptons," Serena smiled as she made the suggestion. She had recently come into possession of the family landmark. Ivy Dickens, inexperienced in the ways of money management, had neglected to pay the property taxes and Chuck had snapped up the property for a bargain price at the tax sale. He'd then gifted it to his adopted sister. "I was looking forward to throwing another of Grandmother's famous White Parties this summer, and a wedding would be the ultimate White Party, wouldn't it?" Her smile became even wider as she warmed to the idea and its possibilities.
"The wedding should be here, in Manhattan," Blair interjected. "Lily and William are very much a city couple. I was thinking we could have it at one of the reception rooms at the Empire, one with a dance floor. Maybe at midnight on New Year's Eve, to celebrate the new beginning…." Blair's party-planning wheels began to turn. "Besides, warm summer air means melty cake." She turned up her nose in distaste.
"But Blair, it's my parents! Don't you think it would be kind of poetic for their eldest child to host the celebration of their new start?" Serena gave a sentimental sigh as her eyes misted.
Oh, she could not be playing the family card, but she so clearly was. "I am every bit as much a part of this family as you are!" Blair looked down pointedly at her own ring and sat as straight as possible.
Serena sighed. Even after a year of marriage, the honeymoon glow had not abated one bit from Mrs. Blair Bass. She was like a cat in cream. Chuck and Blair had embraced their newly wedded state and power couplehood like Hollywood royalty strutting down the red carpet. No Upper East Side party or Manhattan business event or charity benefit gala was complete without a sighting of the Basses, perfectly outfitted and coiffed, with linked hands and wide smiles. Brad and Angelina had nothing on them. Any day now, Serena expected Blair to adopt Chuck's signature phrase and begin purring, "I'm Blair Bass" as she smirked at all the lesser mortals on the planet.
She was not jealous of her new sister-in-law, Serena told herself. Well, that wasn't strictly true. Who couldn't help being a little envious of that kind of radiant joy? But Blair and Chuck deserved it, their current bliss, after everything they'd been through the past couple of years before their marriage. Serena herself was happily ensconced in her own renewed relationship and she was in no hurry to get to the altar. Let Chuck and Blair worry about running their empire and being a celebrity couple 24/7. Serena was perfectly content to freelance for the Spectator and enjoy date nights with Dan. And even if her personal relationship with her father was not everything she would've liked it to be, well, he made her mother happy and she wanted to celebrate with them. What on earth was wrong with that?
A phone chirped and Lily smiled as she excused herself to take the call, oblivious to the tension that was continuing to escalate between the two girls.
"I know you're part of the family, B, and I'm so glad that you are." Serena gifted Blair one of her trademark sunny smiles.
Blair tried to ignore her best friend's beaming face; it would only distract her and she intended to win this fight.
"Look, S, parties are our thing. But you go to them, and I throw them. Remember the Waldorf soirees? The Kiss on the Lips party? Parties are about details. Do you really want to spend your parents' wedding day running around confirming with caterers, fighting with florists, managing musicians? Or do you want to relax and just enjoy the experience?" Only Blair could manage to be both condescending and cajoling at the same time.
"Do you think I can't handle it?" Serena's chin stubbornly jutted forward and her mouth set into a firm line.
"Serena…" Blair's attempt to soothe Serena was interrupted by Lily rushing in and collecting her purse, while nodding to Dorota to indicate that she'd need her coat from the closet.
"Sorry, girls, we'll have to discuss this another time. William wants me to meet him right away, so I'm off." She kissed each girl on the cheek and was gone in a cloud of expensive perfume and anticipation. She didn't even notice the stony-faced stares on the pair she left behind.
"Serena…" Blair began again, more gently this time.
"No, don't even bother. I don't care. It's not about the details or being part of the family or being a new bride, it's about the power for you." Serena stood up and quietly walked to the elevator, blonde waves bouncing and oversized handbag tucked under her arm. The only outward sign of the turmoil within was her determined poke at the elevator button before the door whooshed open and then closed again.
Blair sighed. Only Serena could make storming out in high dudgeon look like a saunter down the catwalk during Fashion Week.
TBC
A/N I plan on posting a new chapter each day. Reviews make me smile.