Disclaimer: I only own the story specific characters I created. The originals belong to Cecily von Zeigesar and The CW.

Seasons greetings everyone.

I'm giving you all a holiday gift in the form of a new story, hot off the presses.

As I've previously mentioned, this one will be focused more on the original characters I've created through my long running saga more than Chuck and Blair. It's still the continuation of their story though told through their daughter. Never fear the entire gang will make an appearance, or at least the characters I still like. I hope you all enjoy it.

One final thing before we get on with the story. I've messed with the timeline just a bit. Forgive me, but it's my story, my characters, therefore my rules. :)

Enjoy.

"Are you nervous for your first day, Charlotte?" Blair asked her oldest child when she joined her parents for a symbolic breakfast.

"So nervous," Charlotte poured herself a cup of coffee, her hands twitching nervously. She hoped her mother didn't see her.

It always took Chuck by surprise when he watched his daughter do something as adult as drink coffee. It was hard to see her as the adult she'd become, even in the stylish, power ensemble she'd put together with her mother the previous day.

"You should have seen how nervous your father was on his first day at Bass," Blair looked towards her husband in amusement, "He couldn't tie his tie to save his life."

"You were nervous for me," Chuck sent her a flirtatious wink.

"So nervous," Blair reached for his hand and kissed it softly.

"Any advice?" Charlotte asked her parents, ignore the current of electricity passing from one parent to the other. After nearly twenty-three years, she was immune to their flirting.

"Don't let yourself be intimidated," Chuck replied.

"Don't be afraid to pull rank either. You're Charlotte Bass. You're one step from the top office. Don't let people forget that," Blair added.

"One step," Charlotte repeated nervously.

"It's a short step but one you won't have to make for awhile," Blair stated.

"I hope not," Chuck snorted in amusement. "I'm not ready to retire yet…Char, don't let expectations get to you. You have time to learn everything you need before I'll hand over the reigns, and there will be people to help you get there."

Charlotte tempted a piece of toast, but didn't try for much else. She was simply too nervous for her first official day at Bass Industries. She'd done two summer internships under an alias so as not be given special treatment, but with her college degree now firmly in hand it was time to truly learn the ropes of the company she'd one day run.

"You have nothing to worry about, Sweetheart," Chuck reached for her hand and kissed it, "If anyone gives you any trouble, I will deal with it."

Charlotte rolled her eyes. The last thing she wanted to be was the girl who ran to daddy when someone hurt her feelings. She needed to earn everyone's respect and show them she could do the job. Her last name got her the position, but her intelligence was going to show everyone she was more than just the boss's daughter.

"You won't be the only new face in the office," Blair sipped at her cappuccino, "Eugenia's son, Eddie, is returning from London to start work at the main office. You remember him, don't you, Charlotte?"

"Vaguely," Charlotte tried to keep her voice even.

"According to your London head of operations, he's done great work," Blair told her husband, "Why did he return to New York? He was on the fast track."

"He's still on the fast track," Chuck replied, "I asked him to return."

"Because Eugenia asked you to?" Blair gave him a curious glimmer.

"Despite evidence to the contrary, I do run my business and my office," Chuck laughed, "My request had nothing to do with Eugenia pestering me weekly to bring her son home."

"Keep telling yourself that, Bass," Blair snickered.

"Are you about ready?" Chuck asked his daughter, "You don't want to be late for your first day."

"I'm sure the boss could provide me with a hall pass," Charlotte snickered.

"Go get your things," Chuck laughed, "I'll meet you in the lobby."

Charlotte went to the elevator and took it down two floors to her own penthouse apartment, which was a gift from her parents upon her graduation from Columbia with highest honors. Some would have felt being so close to her parents was their way of controlling her. Charlotte didn't feel that way at all. They respected she was a grown adult and let her come and go during her last summer of freedom.

Charlotte checked her appearance one final time and then grabbed her leather satchel bag, a graduation gift from her brothers, before meeting her father downstairs.

"You're a Bass, sweetheart," Chuck gave her a reassuring pep talk on the drive, "In the beginning, there might be some mistrust of you and your abilities, but you know the company. You know it in and out. It's in your blood. I trust you, Charlotte. I trust the company will be in good hands the day I decide to leave."

"Which hopefully won't be for a few decades," she gave a small smile.

"Never fear," he grinned, "I still have plenty of years left in me."

"Good," Charlotte bit her lip. "I liked it better when I went in anonymously. The expectations weren't as high."

"The only expectations are your own," Chuck took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze, "All I expect is for you to come in and learn, not take over."

"I want to do well for you," she replied.

"Do well for yourself," Chuck responded, "Charlotte, I want you to be happy. If being at Bass Industries is too much pressure, I want you to find something which will make you happy."

"I want to be at Bass," Charlotte shook her head, "Like you said, it's in my blood. I was born for this. I know this company inside and out. I'm ready."

"I'm proud of you, Charlotte," he kissed her hand, "I will always be proud of you."

"I know," she nodded. The car rolled to a stop outside Bass Tower. "When do I get my own car?"

"In a few years," he chuckled. The driver opened the door, and Chuck and Charlotte stepped out. "I'll see you for lunch in my office."

"Is that my father or my boss making the request?" she asked when they stepped into the building.

"Both," he smirked, "Enjoy orientation."

"Yeah right," she rolled her eyes and made her way to the Human Resources office to begin her employment.

"Charlotte Bass, it's been awhile," a familiar face greeted her when she stepped into the Human Resources office to see a red headed man in his late twenties, dressed in a finely cut suit in the waiting area.

"Eddie, is that you?" Charlotte took a seat next to him after checking in with the receptionist, "It's been what five years?"

"My college graduation party," he nodded, "Sorry, I couldn't attend yours."

"It's okay. I got your gift. It was lovely," she smiled, "Thank you."

"I can't get over how much you've grown," he gave her an appreciative once over, "You look every bit like your mother."

"Thank you," Charlotte beamed.

"How are your brothers?" he inquired.

"Good," she nodded, "Aiden just graduated from high school and will be started his training at the Culinary Institute of America. Brice is in France finishing his degree. He's practically engaged to his high school girlfriend, Colette. He's carrying on the family tradition of being completely devoted to his high school sweetheart."

"What about you? Any boyfriends or fiancés?" Eddie checked her finger for an engagement ring.

"No," she shook her head, "I was dating this one guy for awhile, but it didn't work out. He just wasn't the one…What about you? I bet the girls in London just fell at your feet."

"Didn't have the time," he shook his head, "I've been busy with work."

"That's no good," Charlotte shook her head, "My dad has always said its important to have a work and life balance. He took ten years off to raise us kids."

"Maybe someday," Eddie shrugged.

"How's Justin?" Charlotte shifted the conversation, "I heard he was stationed in Germany, I think it was."

"He's returning stateside soon," Eddie replied, "Mom is excited. She'll have both her sons in the same country for a change. He's hoping to reenlist when his commitment is up next year. Mom hopes he retires and goes into the private sector."

"He won't," Charlotte shook her head, "Dad said he's a career soldier."

"He is," Eddie confirmed, "So is his wife. Together they'll run the Pentagon someday soon."

"I don't have to ask about your parents," she smiled.

"No, you probably know them better than I do after five years away," he laughed.

Charlotte was taken aback by the sound of his laugh. It hit her how much of a crush she'd had on him when they were younger.

"Glad to be back?" she asked.

"Yes," he nodded quickly, "I've always been grateful for the amount of trust your father has shown in me. I hope I'll continue to do him proud with my new assignment."

"What brings you into HR?" Charlotte inquired, "They aren't making you go through the orientation again, are they?"

"No," he laughed, "There's some paperwork I need to sign, and then I'll be given the standard Bass Tower tour."

"I guess we'll be tour buddies," she smiled.

Charlotte was called into the office first to complete paperwork and to go over her job description. It all felt pretty frivolous, but she did it all without complaint. She was eager to get her career started.

Eddie kept himself occupied by fiddling with his phone, but he couldn't get Charlotte Bass off his mind.

They'd spent many holidays together when they were younger. The last time he saw her was at the annual Bass Christmas Ball a few years ago. He hadn't approached or asked for a dance as she'd been on the arm of her boyfriend at the time, but he'd wanted to. She'd matured so much from the little girl who had fawned over him.

"Mister Fraser, Ms. Williams is ready for you," the assistant pulled him out of his thoughts.

"Thank you," he dutifully followed the young woman to the office, ignoring the blatant flirting along the way.

"How was the tour?" Chuck asked his daughter when she came to his office for lunch. Eugenia had arranged for Charlotte's favorite Chinese dish to be delivered.

"Unnecessary," Charlotte expertly used chopsticks to eat her meal, "I've been running around these halls since I was a toddler. I think I know the building better than the woman who was showing it to me."

Chuck laughed as he took a bite.

"I ran into Eddie in HR," Charlotte stated.

"He stopped in here just before you arrived. He and Eugenia were going out to lunch," Chuck nodded.

Charlotte felt mild disappointment at having missed another opportunity to see him, but she suppressed the feeling for her father's sake. He was still the overprotective father he'd always been. She still thought it was a miracle he allowed her to date at all.

"It will be good to have him here," Chuck replied.

"Did you really bring him back for Eugenia?" Charlotte asked, "You can tell me. I won't tell Mom."

"I didn't do it only for Eugenia," he chuckled, "Eddie will be a great asset here in New York. It's an added benefit that it makes my assistant giddy with happiness."

"I forgot how cute he was," Charlotte decided to tease him a bit. "Good thing there are no fraternization rules in the employee handbook."

"I need to update that handbook," he muttered.

"You're so easy to get a rise out of," Charlotte snickered.

"Eat your lunch," he grumbled.

"Yes, Boss," she returned to her meal.

"Brice called this morning," Chuck stated, "He wanted to wish you luck."

"I got his text," Charlotte nodded, "It's going to be weird, him not joining me at Bass. I always figured I'd be fighting him for this office when the time came, or at the very least share the title with him."

"He caught the wine bug," Chuck replied, "I can't fault him for making his own path in life. That's what I've wanted for all of you…If Bass won't make you happy, tell me now, and we'll find what does."

"I want Bass," Charlotte shook off his offer, "I've always wanted Bass, since I was a little girl coloring at your desk when you came in for board meetings. This is our family's company, my company, and I intend to do just what you did, keep it as one of the most profitable and most generous companies in the world and a company our family can be proud to bear its name."

Chuck beamed with pride in response.

"I'd better get back to my office. I don't want my boss thinking I'm just here to collect a paycheck," Charlotte gathered her things.

"If Walters gives you any trouble, you send him to me," the proud papa told his daughter.

"I'll keep that in mind," she rose up quickly and pecked at his cheek. "Bye, Daddy, thanks for lunch."

TBC...

If you have any thoughts or comments, I'd love to hear them.