Chapter One
Blair ran her manicured fingers across the buttery soft caramel-colored dress. She looked over it, noting the delicate lace trimming the bottom, and the slight dip at the top. It was perfect. She needed to look amazing at Chuck's dinner party tonight. She whisked it off the hanger and floated to the Bendel's dressing room where Serena was trying on a tight red dress, waiting for her. Blair ran into a dressing room and slipped out of her blouse and skirt. She pulled the dress over her head and the satin settled. She stepped out of the dressing room.
"Oh my god, B! That dress looks fabulous. You have to buy it, Chuck will love it!" squealed Serena. Blair looked in the mirror, noting how the fabric clung to her waist and hugged her in all the right places. The color of the dress brought out the flecks of caramel in her eyes, making her look more sophisticated and poised.
"Hmm." muttered Blair, containing the squeal of approval she wanted to let out. "Not sure." she said fake-doubtfully.
"B, that dress looks fabulous on you! You'd be crazy not to buy it!" encouraged Serena, pushing the hair out of her eyes.
"Well, it's acceptable. And the color does look amazing with my eyes." she noted.
"Acceptable? You look hot, B. Chuck is going to die when he sees you. It seems like just yesterday you two got married…but it was really two years ago, can you believe?" Serena remembered in amazement. Blair absentmindedly turned the Tiffany's diamond engagement ring on her finger, remembering the day Chuck proposed.
As the Yale Class of 2013 ran out across the campus one last time, Blair felt her heart leap. She had done it. Gone to Yale and graduated, her life-long dream. Serena was there, her mom, her dad, his husband, Dorota, Nate, even Dan Humphrey. There was only one person missing who she had been wishing would show up the past four years. Chuck. Though she had tried to stop it, she loved him. She loved him now, and if she didn't do something about it soon, probably the rest of her life. She pushed back her brown curls and ran into someone.
"Chuck!" she breathed, seeing who it was.
"Blair. Long time no see."
"I-I did-I mean, Chuck, h-how are you?"
"Does it matter? Walk with me." he whispered, grabbing her hand. He brought her to a bench and sat her down. He felt for the small box in his pocket, not entirely sure how to phrase it.
"Blair. I haven't seen you for a while. And I wanted to say that-oh the hell with it. I love you and I never stopped. And I know I'm a jackass for leaving you, but if you marry me you won't have to worry. I'll always be here."
Blair struggled to find words to respond. She was furious. How dare he leave for four years and show up at graduation, asking for marriage? She couldn't find an appropriate verbal response, so instead she just kissed him.
Blair sighed, recalling that day and all the memories it held.
"Yeah, seems like just yesterday, S. And you're married to. Six years ago. Tied the knot with," Blair gulped, forcing a smile "Humphrey. How delightful. And then along came Jacob."
Oblivious to the fake sweet meaning behind Blair's words, Serena smiled and played with the sapphire engagement ring on her finger. Then she said "Come on. We've got to get these dresses before you change your mind. Let's go."
