This is a prompt I was given from Ivan for his birthday. The prompt was Chuck and Blair have a major fight and their children and loved ones help get them back together. It was supposed to be a one shot but as is typical with Chuck and Blair they took over and it ran away from me. So I decided to make it a multi chapter fic. It's probably going to be three or four instalments. The hardest part of putting this together was trying to think of a disagreement big enough to cause C&B to be at odds for any length of time. Hopefully what I came up with seems believable. As always I set it in my "White Lies and Dark Secrets" universe. A huge thank you to Mary for giving me her valuable input on this; I owe her. Her stuff is found under her penname scarlett2u and Ivan's can be found under Chucklaus. Review if you want and nothing belongs to me except original characters. Thank you!
To the outside world there were few families more perfect than the Bass family. Charles and Blair Bass were the king and queen of Manhattan. They had successful, thriving careers and three healthy, beautiful, intelligent children. Their lives were charmed with their gorgeous pre-war townhouse and full staff. They were the society pages favorite topic. No party was complete without the Basses on the guest list and no one else ever threw a party quite like the two of them. Their invites were coveted and to be left off the guest list meant you may not be invited to anything else all season.
Even the Bass' marriage was one that most couples aspired to. The sight of the two of them in their matching outfits was enough to bring an audible sigh to any room they entered. They were perfect together and the love between them was palpable. There wasn't an UES wife who didn't wish that her husband would look at her the same way Chuck looked at Blair. And while most husbands were known to have a fling or two there was never any question about Chuck's loyalty. He was faithful through and through and everyone knew it.
To the outside world the Bass' never had a single worry between them. But no one ever really knows what happens behind the castle walls and even perceived perfection has its moments of complications.
Their problems started the day Robert Minton, the Chief Financial Advisor for Waldorf Designs, stopped by Chuck's office. The man had sat down across from Chuck dabbing at his forehead, nervously, with his cotton handkerchief. He always appeared a bit nervous especially around Chuck.
"Mr. Bass, I appreciate you meeting with me today. I know how very busy you are."
Chuck nodded. "It's not a problem, Bob. I only have about twenty minutes before I have to go to a meeting, so if you could just get to the reason for your visit I would appreciate it."
The man slid the handkerchief back into his pants' pocket and pulled some files out of his briefcase. "Mr. Bass, I came here because I have a major problem. Mrs. Bass is not heeding any of my advice or warnings and Waldorf Designs is in huge financial-"
Chuck held up his hand cutting the man off mid-sentence. "Bob, my wife and I have made it a practice not to interfere in each other's businesses. It's what has kept our home life so peaceful. I don't plan on altering that at this time."
Bob stood up and placed the files on Chuck's desk. "I understand that Mr. Bass but you are my last resort."
"Is it that bad?" Chuck's forehead wrinkled in confusion. How bad could it really be?
"It's worse." He sighed. "Look I know I'm probably going to lose my job once Mrs. Bass hears that I've come here but I had to do something drastic. I care too much about the company I have worked at for the past twenty-five years. I also respect Eleanor way too much not to try everything possible."
"Why not take this to her?" Chuck reached out for the files pulling them across the desk to himself.
"Why worry her any longer than I have too? This is beyond Eleanor at this point." He straightened his tie.
Chuck took a deep breath. "I'll look this stuff over but I can't make any promises."
Bob bent over picking up his briefcase. "That's all I can ask for at this point. Thank you, Mr. Bass."
Chuck flipped open the top file. "Bob," the man hesitated at the door, "I appreciate you looking out for my wife's livelihood as well as you are. Honesty isn't always found in business these days."
"I only hope I've done enough." He pulled the door open and walked out.
As Chuck scanned the first file he realized this was bad and he told his assistant to cancel his meeting.
A half hour later and Chuck knew it was beyond bad it was horrendous. They had expanded too fast; opened one too many boutiques and started too many side lines. It was a matter of more going out than coming in. Blair had never been one to understand this concept. She spent what she wanted and never had to concern herself with whether the money was there or not because it always was. Once they married that was compounded and easier than ever. There was nothing she couldn't buy. Their funds were unlimited. What she didn't realize was this didn't extend to Waldorf.
He knew her financial team had to be warning her of the fiscal problems her decisions were causing but he also knew his wife. Whenever she heard something she didn't like she ignored it; pretended it didn't exist. And now quite obviously it had caught up with her.
His first instinct was to rescue her. Give her all the cash she needed to run the business as she wanted. Of course he knew that Blair would never stand for that not to mention the heat he'd take from his own advisors. The second thought was to get Blair to confide in him. Then the door would be open for him to help strategize which he realized was his best course of action. But after a week of gently prodding she had said nothing. Clearly her head was firmly in the sand.
So he decided to stand back and let the cards fall where they may. He'd be there when things folded to support her and help her in any way she asked. This was her business and he had to respect that.
He was settled in his decision until a week and a half later. He arrived at the atelier to surprise Blair and take her to lunch. She had been so busy with resort wear that he hadn't seen her as much as he'd like.
As he entered the atelier he was surprised to see his ten year old daughter sitting at the design table drawing. She was so engrossed on what she was working on that she was oblivious to everything around her. Her brow was wrinkled in concentration and her brown curls were hanging loose around her bent head.
He watched her for a minute as she continued to draw. Finally setting her pencil aside she lifted her paper looking over whatever she had created. She nodded her head once in approval and her curls bounced.
"Edna, I'm finished. Come look!" She held the paper out for the seamstress who had been next to her pinning a beaded gown.
The older woman leaned over Cordelia inspecting her paper. "Well done, Miss Cordelia. You most definitely have your grandmother's talent. That dress is beautiful."
Cordelia beamed as she basked in the woman's praise. "I want to be a designer just like Grandmere when I grow up."
Edna placed a hand on her hip smiling. "Waldorf Designs will be lucky to have you. Why don't you go pick out some fabric and trimmings from the overstock?"
Cordelia excitedly tossed the drawing aside and pushed her chair back. It was then that she noticed her father. "Daddy!" she rushed around the table hurrying to her father.
Chuck was taken back to a time when she would run to him and he would scoop her up into his arms and hug her. Sadly those years were gone now; she was too big for all that. He embraced his daughter in a tight hug kissing her on top of her curls.
"Hello, princess."
Cordelia looked up at her father and Chuck was struck, as he always was, at the resemblance to Blair. Their eyes were an identical deep, dark brown not to mention the matching dimples.
"What are you doing here, Daddy? Shouldn't you be at work?" She placed a hand on her hip, again, just like his wife.
"I came to take Mommy to lunch. Although I think the real question is what are you doing here, young lady? Shouldn't you be in school at the moment?" He looked down at her in faux sternness.
She rolled her eyes. "Dad, what have I been talking about for the past two weeks?" She waited a second before answering herself. "Taylor Swift's fitting. Ring any bells?" She looked at him like he was an idiot. "It was this morning and she was beautiful and perfect."
Chuck smiled as his daughter gushed. He had forgotten today was the day. It was a major coup that Taylor had chosen the fashion house for her Grammy dress. Blair had been almost as excited as their daughter.
"I can't believe I forgot," Chuck smacked his forehead in pretend exasperation.
Cordelia rolled her eyes again. It was her new thing and Blair had been complaining about not knowing where she'd learned it. Chuck remained silent instead of informing his wife it was exactly what she did whenever she was annoyed with him and didn't want to listen to what he had to say.
Cordelia took a deep breath. "How can you forget about something like that?" She then moved on. "I helped pin her dress and she took a picture with me and signed my CD plus she promised me tickets and backstage passes on her next tour." Cordelia finally paused to take a breath.
Chuck ran a hand over the back of her head before resting it on her shoulder. "She sounds like she was very nice."
"She was and so pretty. And the dress made her look like an angel. It was beautiful." Cordelia sighed dramatically as she stared off obviously reminiscing about the dress.
It was right at that moment when Chuck realized he would step in to save Waldorf Designs. He had no choice. How could he look in his daughter's eyes one day and tell her he stood by and did nothing while her legacy disappeared? The answer was he couldn't.
"Would you like to go to lunch with Mommy and me?"
Cordelia pulled herself from the memory she was lost in and smiled brightly. "Yes please, Daddy." She then took his hand and began to lead him towards Blair's office. "Let's go tell Mommy and she can show you the picture. Can we go to the Four Seasons? I want cotton candy."
Chuck squeezed his daughter's hand tightly as he followed her across the atelier and into Blair's office. His wife's wrath would be worth enduring if it meant securing his daughter's future; besides Blair could never stay angry at him for very long.
Little did he know how wrong he was.
He decided he'd confront her before the end of the day. Make it quick like ripping off a Band-Aid best to do it fast and all at once. So later that night they arrived home from a dinner party and Chuck, after locking up and checking on the children, entered their bedroom to find Blair in their large dressing room seated at her vanity brushing her hair. She had already changed into a gorgeous silk nightgown and had removed her makeup. He loved the way she looked without anything on her face. She was so naturally beautiful and even though he had told her that a thousand times before she always rolled her eyes at him telling him he was biased.
He stepped behind her searching her reflection in the mirror. There was a part of him that wanted to forget the financial problems of Waldorf Designs and take her to bed instead. She looked so young and innocent and he knew that once he confronted her the chances of sex were going to be slim to none.
He rested both his hands on her shoulders. Blair met his gaze in the mirror and slowly set her hairbrush aside. He leaned down placing a kiss to her cheek. She reached up touching his cheek in return.
"Out with it, Charles." She raised her eyebrows at his reflection.
He stood back up sighing. How did she always know exactly what he was thinking? "I need to speak to you about something serious." He turned from her, walking out of the dressing room and into the master bedroom. He began to pace back and forth at the foot of the bed.
She followed right behind him stopping a few feet from where he was pacing. "Chuck, what's wrong? You're starting to scare me."
He stopped pacing and turned to face her. "You know I love you more than anything else in this world, right?"
She approached him reaching out and taking his hand. "Of course." She squeezed his fingers encouraging him to continue.
It was all the encouragement he needed. "Bob Minton stopped by my office a few weeks ago and-"
"Stop it," she cut him off letting go of his hand. She glared at him. "Tell me you are not bringing up business in the privacy of our bedroom."
"I didn't know where else to bring it up. I tried to get you to talk to me a while ago and nothing."
Her face was turning red with indignation. "How dare that snivelling little weasel run to you?"
"Don't attack Bob for doing his job." Chuck reached up untying his tie.
"His job? Last time I checked his job was with Waldorf and not at Bass or am I mistaken?" She didn't wait for his answer. "This is my business not yours. We have spent the last fifteen years keeping business out of our marriage and I don't plan on changing that now." She stepped around him and angrily ripped back the covers from her side of the bed.
Chuck stopped removing his cufflinks to stare at her. "Blair-"
"I'm handling it. That's all you need to know." She crawled into bed punching her pillow several times before rolling onto her side and turning out her light.
Chuck stared at her back for a minute before heading into the bathroom. He knew that when Blair was done, she was done. Obviously he had to take more drastic measures.
When he lay down next to her ten minutes later he attempted to put his arm around her which she angrily shoved from herself. Sighing he turned off the light. He hoped after a good night's sleep she would see reason and she'd realize she was wrong.
Unfortunately when she entered the dining room for breakfast the next morning she was anything but apologetic or reasonable. She kissed each of the children good morning before requesting her yogurt and fruit.
Cordelia ever the observant one said, "You forgot to kiss Daddy."
Blair arranged her napkin across her lap. "No I didn't. Daddy isn't getting a kiss this morning and he knows exactly why."
Cordelia glanced at her father who was sipping his espresso staring at her mother. "Daddy, did you do something wrong?"
Chuck tore his gaze from his wife and looked over at his daughter setting his cup onto the saucer. "No, I did not, Cordelia. I was trying to be helpful but your stubborn mother refuses to understand that."
Cordelia looked back over to her mother. Blair took a spoonful of yogurt. "Cordelia, your father is trying to assert himself where he has no business. That's the problem."
Ned, always the peacemaker, piped up, "Maybe if you work as a team it will fix the problem. That's what Ms. Roberts tells us."
Chuck smiled at his son. "You're very smart, Ned." He looked over at Blair who was angrily stirring her yogurt.
Ned always happy to receive his father's praise continued, "The more help you get the better. It's sorta like last week when I couldn't finish my puzzle and Uncle Nate helped me."
Blair sighed dramatically. "Neddie, it's sort of and not sorta and that is sometimes true but sometimes too much help can cause more problems and confusion. Mommy already has a team of people to help her so she doesn't really need any more help especially while at home." She stressed that last word.
"Except for when she doesn't listen to said team and some people have no choice but to bring it up at home," Chuck mumbled under his breath.
"But Daddy is smarter than any team. You should try and listen to him." Ned turned his blue eyes to Blair.
Chuck feeling vindicated leaned back in his chair smirking; this would be the icebreaker. He'd buy the kid that motorized scooter he had been asking for that Blair wouldn't allow. He would owe him if he was able to crack through her anger. Blair couldn't ever resist those baby blues.
Blair threw her napkin next to her plate and finally looked at Chuck. Glaring at him she stood up. "I've lost my appetite." She turned from the table without another word.
Henry turned to his father, "You're going to pay for that one."
Chuck was thoroughly annoyed. "Finish your breakfast," he responded curtly. He stood up tossing his napkin aside as well before following his wife out of the room.
Henry rolled his eyes as he picked up his fork and took a bite of his pancakes. "I don't know what's worse; the fighting or the constant kissing."
Ned wrinkled his nose. "The kissing definitely."
Cordelia had a worried look on her face. "What if they get divorced?"
Henry snorted. "Don't be so dramatic, Cor. They're not getting a divorce. They're having a disagreement. You know them in two hours they'll be back to the kissing."
Cordelia wanted to ask what made Henry the expert but she didn't want to talk about it anymore. Missy Hendricks' parents had just gotten a divorce and Missy was miserable. She had to go to Florida with her father and his new girlfriend for Christmas; it was horrible.
Cordelia didn't want to spend Christmas in Florida.
Chuck followed Blair all the way back up to their bedroom. He shut the door none to gently as he entered the room.
Upon hearing the noise Blair turned around. "Slamming doors now? That's mature." She crossed her arms in front of herself.
Chuck came across the room in a flash. "Are we really speaking about maturity right now? I'm not the one ignoring her husband at the breakfast table in front of her children. You're acting like a child. I'm trying to help you. Why can't you accept that for what it is?"
"I don't need your help. I told you I was handling the situation. This really isn't any of your business." She uncrossed her arms taking a deep breath. "Now if you'll excuse me I need to go fire Robert Minton. I won't tolerate traitors in my company."
Chuck grabbed her arm as she started to pass by him. She looked appalled. "Unhand me right now."
"You fire that man and he will be working at Bass within the hour." He hadn't loosened his grip.
"Of course he will. You love to surround yourself with adoring fans and he clearly thinks your God so…" She tried to pull her arm free to no avail.
"Are you telling me you are going to fire a man who has done nothing except have your back for the last fifteen years just to spite me? That is truly the height of stupidity."
She raised her eyebrows as she ripped her arm free from his grasp. "Oh, so now I'm stupid as well as childish. Are there any other insults you'd like to hurl my way?"
He stared at her intently. "I could think of a few."
"You really are an ass sometimes."
He reached out taking both her upper arms in his hands. "I think I prefer it when you aren't speaking to me."
She plastered a sweet, fake smile on her face. "As do I."
He squeezed her gently pulling her a bit closer. "I should turn you over my knee."
"You wouldn't dare." Her eyes narrowed in challenge.
"Wouldn't I?" He searched her face a second or two taking in her look of arrogance. He was then struck with the need to do exactly what he had said and before she had time to react he was sitting at the foot of their bed with her lying across his lap.
She screamed in protest as he flipped the skirt of her dress up. He was thankful she wasn't wearing one of those tight, pencil skirts that drove him wild.
"Charles Bartholomew Bass, I'm warning you."
His right hand settled on her lower back preventing her from raising herself up as his left hand lifted into the air. "What? You'll ignore me." His hand fell across her lace covered bottom.
Blair let out a squeal. He realized it wasn't a squeal of protest. He smirked as he lowered his hand again; this time a bit harder.
"Or maybe you'll storm out of the room like a two year old." His hand came down again.
Blair squirmed a bit on his lap and he was sure she could feel his arousal. Was she trying to purposely entice him? His hand came down a fourth and final time. The smack was like a crack of thunder. Blair gasped audibly.
He grabbed the lace of her panties and pulled them aside appreciating the sight of her gorgeous ass turning a light pink. He caressed her left butt cheek. The skin was warm to his touch. By now he was hard as a rock.
Blair realizing she was free pushed herself up shoving the skirt of her dress down. She was slightly winded as she ran a hand through her hair which was now in complete disarray.
She glared down at him. "Sometimes I really hate you."
He reached out placing his hands on her waist and pulled her between his now spread thighs. "And sometimes the feeling is mutual." His hands skimmed up either side of her waist, cupping her breasts before reaching the neckline of her dress. He hooked his fingers into it and tugged hard tearing it as he pulled it down to her waist.
She gasped and next thing he knew her fingers were shoved into his hair and her mouth was on his. His hands went up under the hem of her dress. He cupped her bottom squeezing hard. She hissed against his mouth. He pulled her even closer as she reached down between them unbuckling his belt and opening his pants.
She reached into his boxers stroking his hard cock. He tore her panties off as she straddled his thighs releasing him from his pants. Without missing a beat she lowered herself onto his raging hard on. Once he was buried to the hilt inside, her head fell back as she moaned his name.
He kissed the exposed skin of her neck. She pulled tightly on his hair as he continued a trail of kisses along her throat towards the sensitive skin between her neck and shoulder. He tightened his grasp on her waist holding her still. He held her in place letting her feel him completely inside her. She was so tight and hot wrapped around him. He bit down hard before allowing her to move again.
She gasped before covering his mouth with hers. She grabbed onto the back of his dress shirt as she began to ride him hard.
This wasn't making love; this was frantic, passionate sex. No endearments were whispered and no loving gazes were exchanged. Blair buried her head into the crook of his neck as she came and didn't raise it until he had come thrusting deep inside her.
They both remained that way for a minute before Blair stood up yanking her dress down. She stared down at him breathing hard. "This changes nothing."
With that she turned around marching into the bathroom slamming the door. Chuck stared at the closed door for a second before standing up and righting his own attire.
"I didn't expect anything else," he mumbled. It was going to be a long day.