A/N: I just recently started watching Gossip Girl and fell in love with Lily and Rufus, they are so cute together. This story takes place around season 3 after all the William and Holland drama. I have only watched up to there, so I don't know what happens in later seasons. I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with Gossip Girl, please don't sue me! All I can give you is my crappy car and the two bucks in my wallet.
A clean slate. That is what they wanted, no needed. No more secrets, lies or hidden agendas. No more William or Holland and most importantly, no cancer. She thought they were done; certainly he wouldn't stick around after all she put him through. She forgets sometimes that he is different from all of her other husbands. He actually loves her enough to stay, to work through their issues together as a couple. They have loved each other for over twenty years and as he told her once, those years count for everything.
Lily Humphrey wakes up enclosed in the arms of her husband Rufus. She looks over at the alarm clock sitting on the bedside table and is disappointed to see that it is only 7 in the morning. With all the…ahem…activities her and Rufus were doing last night, she thought that she would wake up later. She turns slightly to face her husband who is still fast asleep and gives him a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you for giving me a second chance," Lily whispers to him. Rufus stirs a little bit and tightens his grip on her. Lily can hear the kids downstairs talking to each other over coffee and has the urge to join them. She gently untangles herself from Rufus and heads for the door. About halfway downstairs, Lily feels a wave of nausea crash over her. She runs back into her and Rufus' bedroom holding a hand over her mouth. Lily bends over the toilet and empties her stomach contents.
Ever since Lily left, Rufus has had a hard time falling asleep. He rolls over on his side and faces the wall. Suddenly, he hears their bedroom and bathroom door slam against the wall and a weird sound coming from the bathroom. Is that someone…throwing up? He slowly opens his eyes and rolls back over to get a look into the bathroom. He sees the back of his wife's blonde head hovering over the toilet. Rufus lurches the covers off of him and runs into the bathroom.
"Lil? Are you okay?" Rufus says with concern and rubs his wife's back. Lily dry heaves a few more times and leans against the bathtub, trying to catch her breath.
"Water," Lily croaks and makes a weak attempt to point to the sink. Rufus grabs a cup off the counter, fills it with water and hands it to her. She takes a few sips and wipes the sweat off of her forehead.
"That is the last time we are ordering Thai food I guess," Rufus jokes. Lily manages a small smile and sighs.
"At least you didn't get sick," Lily says and throws up again. Rufus feels her forehead,
"You don't have a fever, it's probably mild food poisoning," he diagnoses.
"Great, we had the same thing, how could you not be sick?" Lily asks and puts a hand to her forehead, confirming that she isn't warm.
"My digestive system hasn't rebelled yet I guess," Rufus says. Lily smiles and they sit in silence for a few more minutes, waiting to see if she is going to throw up again.
"Hmm…I think I am okay, I am still a little queasy but I don't have to throw up anymore." Lily says. Rufus stands up first and offers his hand for her to take. Lily, with Rufus' help, stands up slowly and looks into the mirror.
"Oh god, I look awful. I am going to take a shower. If the kids are still here will you tell them that I say goodbye?" Lily asks. Rufus laughs, only his wife would comment on her appearance, even though she just got done throwing up.
"Sure Lil, I'm going to go make us some breakfast," Rufus kisses her cheek and leaves her to shower.
Twenty minutes later, Lily comes downstairs feeling refreshed.
"I figured that after you were throwing up, you wouldn't want any waffles. So I made you some oatmeal," Rufus says from behind the counter and points to a bowl next to him.
"Thank you," Lily grabs it and sits down at the small dining table. Rufus finishes making his waffles and sets them on a plate.
"Oh Rufus, I forgot to grab something to drink. Can you get me some apple juice?" Lily asks as Rufus gathers the butter and syrup to take to the table.
"Apple juice? Are you sure you are feeling alright Lil? I have never heard you ask for apple juice ever, I don't even think we have any." Lily takes a bite of her oatmeal and shoots Rufus her trademark look.
"Aside from feeling as if I am about to throw up at any second I feel fantastic. Could you at least check for me?" Lily gives Rufus the puppy dog look she knows he can't resist.
"Fine, don't take any of my waffles," Rufus grumbles and gets up to look in the fridge.
"Thank you darling," Lily says sweetly.
"Sorry Lil, no apple juice. We will have to get some the next time we go out." Rufus says and rejoins her at the table with two glasses of milk.
"Milk is a nice substitute though," Lily says and takes the glass from him.
"So, what is the plan today on the Upper East Side? A debutante ball? Society gala? Charity function?" Rufus asks. Lily glares at him and takes another sip of milk.
"I have a quick meeting with Charles and then I want to get a dress for Eleanor's Christmas party. What about you?"
"I am not sure yet," Rufus says nonchalantly.
"Well that sounds fun,"
"At least it's better than a meeting with Chuck,"
"He's not that bad,"
"He seems to have a soft spot for you, Lil"
"Charles is a nice young man once you get to know him. Anyway, I should go get dressed. Can I count on you for dinner tonight?" Lily asks.
"Are you sure you are going to be able to eat?" Rufus asks.
"Good point. We will have to see, I'll call you later?" Lily asks.
"Okay," Rufus says and gives her a kiss on the lips. Lily heads upstairs to get dressed and then quickly heads out.
During her meeting with Chuck, Lily couldn't get rid of this nagging feeling that something wasn't right. As much as she wanted to pin her recent symptoms on food poisoning, it just didn't add up. After all, she and Rufus both ate out of the same containers and he isn't showing any signs of sickness. And what the hell was with the apple juice this morning? She hasn't wanted apple juice since…Oh god! Oh no! Oh shit! Could I be?
"Lily are you okay?" Chuck asks after noticing the faraway look in his adoptive mother's eyes. Lily breaks out of her gaze and paints on a smile for Chuck.
"Yes Charles, I am just tired. Is everything settled for the board?" Lily asks, trying to return to business.
"Yeah, they should be happy with the numbers," Chuck says. Lily grabs her purse and jacket off of the chair and stands up.
"Great, I have to go, but it was nice seeing you. Take care Charles," Lily hugs and kisses him on the cheek. Chuck gives her a suspicious look, but hugs her back anyway.
"You too, get some sleep," Lily heads out of Butter and into an awaiting car.
"Where to Mrs. Humphrey?" The driver asks.
"Take me to a pharmacy by the penthouse please," Lily commands. The driver does as he is told and twenty minutes later they pull up to a corner pharmacy.
"Thank you, I should be back in just a minute," Lily says and gets out of the car. She sneaks into the pharmacy, praying that she doesn't run into anyone she knows. The last thing she needs is this being the latest Gossip Girl blast and her family questioning her. Making sure that the coast is clear; Lily quickly pays for the test and gets back into the car.
Arriving back at the penthouse, Lily yells out her husband's name to no response. She spots a note on the counter and is happy for once that Rufus isn't home.
Lil,
I went to grab some lunch with Dan. I will be back in an hour or so.
Love,
Rufus
Lily decides that she needs to do this sooner rather than later. The quicker she gets it done, the quicker she can digest the results. Clutching the bag firmly in her hand, Lily walks up the stairs towards the master bathroom with a newfound determination. She takes the test, sets the timer for three minutes and waits. Lily paces, checks the timer, frowns and then paces again. Who knew three minutes would take so long? Finally, the timer beeps and Lily runs over to check the test on the counter. There it is that damn pink plus sign, a cross for her to bear.
"What the hell am I going to do?" Lily whispers to herself and sits down on the bathroom floor. She has no idea how Rufus is going to feel about this. A baby at their age? With six kids between the two of them, all of which are teenagers, Lily can't imagine raising a baby all over again. Unfortunately, there is no getting out of this situation. Should I tell Rufus? Lily asks herself. Of course as part of their clean slate agreement, they promised that they would be upfront and honest with each other. Obviously Lily can't hide it forever, but should she tell Rufus right away? And how would she tell him?
Should she just bring it up casually in conversation or do some grand romantic gesture? More importantly, how will Rufus take this news? Lily didn't give him the option twenty years ago with Scott, but Rufus wasn't her husband then. Knowing Rufus he probably is worrying about her right now. From the bathroom, Lily hears the elevator ding open. It has to be Rufus; no one else would just come in the middle of the day.
"Lil?" Rufus yells as he spots her Prada bag and burgundy jacket strewn about on the couch. Lily stands up and places the test in the bottom drawer of the vanity. I will tell him, just not yet, Lily says in her mind as she looks herself in the mirror. She walks out of their master bedroom and spots Rufus sitting on the couch.
"Hello darling…" Lily says as she walks down the stairs.
A/N 2: That's it for now. Let me know if you want more by reviewing my story! I hope I got all the details right, sometimes I forget a few things. Thank you for reading.