DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GOSSIP GIRL OR ITS CHARACTERS. ALL ORGINIAL CHARACTERS, HOWEVER, BELONG TO ME!
February 2018
Elderly and tender Mrs. Mitchell had worked for the Children's Aid Society for over 15 years. She was a new widow: her husband dying from lung cancer mere months ago. She had also been childless for more than twenty years, for both of her sons were killed during Vietnam. It was the old woman's loneliness that drove her to help New York City's children in need. There was no worth in going home anymore. Currently, Mrs. Mitchell was working in a state foster home in Brooklyn, helping to make sure that each child got their deserved meal and loving care. As she sliced apples onto colorful plastic plates, a little head of blonde hair raced toward her.
"Mrs. Mitchell! Mrs. Mitchell! Someone's at the door!"
"What's that, dearie?" She turned up her hearing aid. "I didn't quite catch-,"
"A man is at the door! I climbed the step ladder and looked through the peephole! He looks like someone from TV!"
"What?"
The boy drew in air to yell, "SOMEBODY'S AT THE DOOR!"
Mrs. Mitchell gave a tut of disapproval. "Kevin, dear, there's really no need to yell. I'll get it! I'll get it!"
Kevin Turnage did not cry or even look ashamed. He merely smiled the same knowledgeable smile that could make a person believe he knew everything about them. The old woman rubbed his head affectionately before hanging up her apron. Now, she could hear the loud, urgent knocks from downstairs. Frowning, she tutted again. That poor door wouldn't last if that ruffian kept beating on it. They still needed to get it replaced from after the break-in last month.
Mrs. Mitchell's brown cheeks puffed with anger. Thank God the buglers only took money, but still! Robbing from a children's home! People these days!
The knocks grew louder each passing second. Wailing cries soon came from the nursery upstairs. She sighed, "Kevin, dear…"
"I'm on it!" He rushed up the stairs like lightening, but then, hesitating, he came back down. "Mrs. Mitchell, can I get Jinx to help me?"
The black woman nodded while rubbing her temples. The babies' cries were giving her old ears a real beat7ing. Besides, she trusted little six year old Kevin, and it would be good for Jinx to spend time with him. Maybe she'd learn to open up a little.
The knocks came again, drumming like a bombardment.
"I'm coming! Hold your horses now! I'm coming!"
Mrs. Mitchell opened the door, intending to give the loud perpetrator a piece of her mind, but was frozen by fierce dark brown eyes. The man in front before her was not the typical sort one saw around the area. Though breathless and eager, he stood straight with an almost regal bearing that spoke highly of his upbringing. He was extremely handsome in an aristocratic way with stylishly messy hair that matched his eyes, chiseled features, pale skin, and a dashing smirk. Not that she cared, but Mrs. Mitchell had the hunch that this man came from a different side of New York.
No wonder Kevin thought he came from a movie.
"Are you Cassandra Mitchell?" His voice was smooth yet husky.
She recovered from her shock. "Yes, I am. But…I think you may have the wrong address. The modeling agency is three blocks down if that's what you're looking for, dearie."
"Unfortunately, I am in the right place." He gave the streets around him a disparaging survey, "and I've had enough of models right now. May I come in?"
"Sure…of course."
Chuck Bass, normally, was never so polite to strangers, especially those he had just met. However, this woman and her God-forsaken orphanage had something that he desperately wanted. Stepping inside, he tried and failed not to wrinkle his nose. The place was moderately clean, but he wouldn't be surprised if a cockroach came scurrying over his top-of-the-line Nikes. And, it could never compare to his permanent suite at the Palace Hotel, or the new place he had purchased out west.
Yes, that's right. Twenty-seven year old Chuck Bass, Upper East Side born and raised, was leaving New York with no plans of looking back.
But not without his necessities.
Mrs. Mitchell appeared uncomfortable. "If I'd known you were coming, I might have tidied up a bit more. Would you like something to drink or-,"
"No thanks." It probably wasn't safe to eat anything here, he thought. "I'm afraid I can't stay long."
"Really now?"
Chuck pressed on urgently. "Do you have a girl by the name of Jinx? I have to see her now."
The old woman laughed with lightness, even though a hint of trepidation lay in her tone. "Now, sir, I don't even know your name much less your purpose-,"
A piece of paper was impatiently shoved into Mrs. Mitchell's face. Eyes widening, she grasped it and read in fascination.
CERTIFICATE OF BIRTH
It is hereby certified and solemnly attested that
Jinx Charity Bass
was born at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston
at 7:36 a.m., this 9th day of March2013.
Father: Charles Bartholomew Bass. Mother: Blair Cornelia Waldorf.
For a moment, she appeared unable to speak. Then, she glanced up at Chuck expectantly. "I take it you're the father?"
He nodded.
"Her mother is-,"
"Listen. Jinx's mother," His tone became as frigid as ice, "doesn't want to be involved in her life. She made that perfectly clear when she was born. But, I want my girl back."
Mrs. Mitchell's eyes narrowed. "The poor thing's been alone for five years…why come now?"
"Look, can we skip the interrogation, lady? I have less than an hour to catch my flight outta here! Just tell me where Jinx is!"
Though old, Mrs. Mitchell had never been the backing down type. "Mr. Bass, if that's really who you are, I can't just let you strut in here and walk out without any proof or identification-,"
"Daddy!"
Both froze. A small and adorable girl with short brown curls stared up at the man in awe. She was dressed plainly in a pink Strawberry Shortcake shirt and holey denim jeans, but the outfit didn't dim the brilliance of her cornflower blue eyes. Until now, Mrs. Mitchell had never paid attention to the girl's elegant features. Indeed, the curve of her smile, pale skin, and high cheekbones uncannily resembled those of her father, the same father whose throat had become clenched with emotion.
Chuck didn't dare take eyes off his daughter. He hadn't seen her in five years, and back then she was only a mewling newborn. A week after giving birth, Jinx's mother had sent her off into foster care with neither his consent nor knowledge. But Chuck, busy with graduating from Princeton and a long line of beautiful women, had not put up much protest. Now five years later, NYC and the sight of Jinx's mother with another man was too much for him. He immediately snatched up the opportunity to represent his father's billion-dollar empire in Los Angeles at first offer.
Chuck wasn't sure if he could ever put down his womanizing ways, but at least he could start over as a father.
"She recognizes you." The old woman whispered in astonishment as Jinx came running into her father's arms. "Must be the instincts I read about in Parenting Magazine…."
Chuck, however, wasn't paying her the least bit attention. "You've gotten so big!" He lifted Jinx so she could meet his eyes. "You know you and I are gonna have a lot of fun. We've got to make up for lost time. How does California sound to you?"
She giggled in approval, throwing her arms around his neck.
"Cool, huh? I'm…I'm pretty new to this dad thing. So, when I screw up, let's just pretend it never happened. No boys though. The last thing I want is you replaying my high school days. But, to make up for it, my credit card is yours for the taking."
Mrs. Mitchell interrupted. "She'll get spoiled."
"My flight leaves in twenty minutes. We have to hurry." Chuck spoke as if he hadn't heard her. "My lawyer will come by soon to handle all the paperwork." He then gave his trademark smirk. "Since you do such a wonderful job around here..."
As she gazed in confusion, Chuck reached into his back pocket while still managing to balance Jinx. He took out a fancy ball-point pen and what Mrs. Mitchell realized to be his checkbook. Before she could protest, Chuck quickly wrote out a check. The large amount of zeroes on the tiny paper nearly made her old heart stop.
"One million dollars." He confirmed, adopting a low whisper. "My lawyer will also be happy to draw it up in writing that your establishment receives 300,000 each year until Jinx turns 21…if you do something for me."
"I-I…" Mrs. Mitchell appeared rather hesitant. Finally, she gave a sigh of defeat. "Well, if you insist."
"Trust me I do."
April 2018.
It was nearly two months later when Mrs. Mitchell received the second surprise of her life. She was standing outside of the foster home, watching the grumbling construction workers with an eagle eye. Repairs and renovations to the building were scheduled to be completed by mid-June. Because of the dangerous tools scattered about, Mrs. Mitchell had sent the older children outside to play to their heart's desire. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be done for the babies, so the old woman had been flying in and out from the nursery all day.
'The poor things,' thought Mrs. Mitchell as loud hammering pounded on the ceiling. 'They aren't used to all the racket…not that I am either.'
"Well ma'm," The construction manager moved beside her, holding the blueprints open. His charming Southern drawl was strong. "Once we get everythang tidied up, looks like you're gonna have a mighty fine place. It feels nice helpin' out them poor kids. Ya'll still want me to take a look at that ol' stove?"
"Actually, I want it replaced with thisone I saw in the paper."
The managed let out an impressed whistle. "Electric Double Wall Oven? Those come pretty expensive nowa-,"
"We can handle it." The old woman spoke swiftly as if wanting to put a bad thought out of mind. She then felt a little hand tugging on her skirt. "Yes, Kevin dear?"
The boy's amber eyes were calm. Again giving his trademark grin, he pointed behind them at two immaculate ladies that Mrs. Mitchell somehow hadn't noticed. The first, a blonde, was almost impossibly beautiful with silvery hair, navy blue eyes, and a winning smile. She carried what Mrs. Mitchell recognized to be a very expensive Coach bag, but paired it alongside a plain white t-shirt and ordinary-looking jeans that fit her slim figure attractively. The overall effect, however, was entrancing in an odd way.
"Hi," She greeted Mrs. Mitchell cordially, offering her hand. "Are you Cassandra Mitchell?"
"Yes, I am." The older lady patted the small boy's head. "Kevin, why don't you go clean up for dinner while I talk with our guests?"
As Kevin made a face before running inside, the blonde giggled. "Cute kid. He reminds me of my niece Veronica. I'm Serena Humphrey by the way."
"Don't you mean Serena van der Woodsen?"
She closed her eyes in suppressed irritation. "I'm married now, Blair. Have been for almost five years…"
"Whatever."
The second woman's attitude reeked of a privileged upbringing. She wore a creamy white Chanel suit with a wide-brimmed hat and large sunglasses that better fit an Audrey Hepburn movie. Peering over the shades, she surveyed Mrs. Mitchell, then the streets around her with a snobbish expression soon appearing on her fox-like face. Although extremely attractive, she didn't possess the same blatant beauty as the blonde. Her brown hair was much shorter and curlier. Also, she seemed to be the same height as Mrs. Mitchell-around 5'6"-and had brilliant, piercing blue eyes.
The old woman seized up inwardly. Cornflower blue eyes…
"I'm sorry," Serena gave the brunette a hard nudge. "This is Blair Archibald. Blair, this is Mrs. Mitchell."
Blair rolled her eyes. "FYI, I can hear perfectly well." She gave the renovating building in front of them a critical once-over. "So this is where you dumped my baby at, S? Couldn't you at least stay in Manhattan?"
Mrs. Mitchell seized up again, but this time with a chill of dread. Before she could speak, however, Serena turned to reprimand her best friend.
"I didn't dump her here, B, and it's not like you gave me a lot of options!"
"But Brooklyn?"
"Where else was there? It all happened right after college, and I'd just moved in with Dan!"
She frowned. "Well, it's not my fault Cabbage Patch refuses to upgrade!"
"But, it is your fault Jinx doesn't even know what her mother looks like!"
A deafening, uncomfortable silence passed between the two. Serena, realizing she had gone too far, blushed with shame during which Blair pretended that the crack in the sidewalk was the most interesting thing around. Mrs. Mitchell, on the other hand, barely took notice. Her face began to take on a grey tinge as buried memories jumped into the forefront of her mind.
"But he said…she wouldn't…the mother…" The old woman was mumbling wildly, trying to make sense of it all. "Blair…Blair Waldorf!"
The brunette looked up in surprise. "How do you know my maiden name?"
Her world suddenly came crashing down. He had practically promised the mother would never return! Never be interested! Never care…it was what made taking all that money so much easier. Mrs. Mitchell's frantic dark eyes settled on Serena. Now she recognized her. She had been the one to drop the squealing baby Jinx into her arms, and leave with only giving the child's name.
Then, Mrs. Mitchell focused her attention onto Blair. Even though she possessed many of her father's features, little Jinx was almost a carbon copy of her mother. What was she supposed to say to the woman?
"Um, yes, it sounded familiar." Mrs. Mitchell uncomfortably decided to tell half the truth. "I believe I read your name on Jinx's birth certificate…before she was adopted."
Both ladies froze in shock, sharing an uneasy glance with each other. Then Blair, with tears sparkling in her eyes, removed her sunglasses and asked, "How is that possible? I-I thought this was foster care!"
"Yes, it is. But, I'm afraid the state has tons of children in the system, and a lot of foster homes are not even close to what you see here. Whenever we have an opportunity to put a child in a good home, we can't really say no."
The wounded expression on the brunette's face was almost too much to bear. Mrs. Mitchell was forced to look away. This deal, she reminded herself for strength,was for the good of the children
Serena, in pity, embraced her friend. "Who adopted her?"
"It was years ago, dear. I don't remember their names, but I do know that they loved her like she was their own. The couple that took her in couldn't have children, you see. They wanted to move out to Cali…Connecticut when the paperwork was done…I'm-I'm sorry."
With that, Mrs. Mitchell scurried inside before the guilt overcame her. From the calls she received, the old woman knew Mr. Bass deeply loved his daughter. She also knew inside that she had done the right thing for Jinx and the children. But right now, all she needed was a good cry in bed. It was what she had done after Vietnam, after her husband's funeral, and what she would do now.
Yes, after a good cry, things would be better in the morning.
They were now in a sleek Rolls-Royce that was heading for the Archibald residence. As they passed over Brooklyn Bridge, the blonde let out a depressed sigh. Dan was currently in Germany to write an article on the European Union. She would have gone with him for mental support, but Blair had called in a panic the night they were to fly out. Serena's lips curled into a smile. Dan was so excited to be living his dream of being a writer, and not just any writer, but a reporter for The New York Times! And then he was also working on a sure-to-be-bestseller novel while she scored big roles on screen…life was just perfect right now.
The blonde sighed again. If only it were that way for Blair.
"B…" Serena patted her friend's arm. "You heard the lady. Jinx is happy. She's loved. Please stop crying."
"What am I supposed to do?!" Blair sobbed wildly. "Jump for joy? Nate and I would've loved her more than some old farts in Connecticut! If I knew she'd be gone forever, I would have never given her up!"
"You were scared, remember? You couldn't raise a baby and finish Yale at the same time."
She gave a pitiful hiccup. "I know…"
"And sorry to burst your bubble," The blonde laughed lightly, "but Nate isn't that cool. He would never raise another man's baby."
"He wants another kid." Blair began to wring her hands. "S, you know what the doctor said. Giving birth to Jinx and Leighton so close together wasn't good for me. I can't-,"
"do this to Nate. It's not fair to him or you, B." The normally playful Serena was grave. "I know you were gonna lie and say you had no connection to Jinx. But, Nate would have found out. Just like he found out about you and Chuck in high school. Don't do that to yourself."
Blair, realizing she looked like a maudlin fool, began to get herself together. She smirked weakly at Serena's comforting words while wondering where the party-hearty It-Girl she knew in high school had gone. Everyone was so different now, even her.
"Cabbage Patch must be having an effect on you." The brunette grimaced. "Did you have to sleep with him though?"
"Cabbage Patch is my husband!" Serena swatted at Blair. "It's not like you let me tell the details anyway. I, on the other hand, could probably write a book on your sex life."
Though her face felt wet and painfully tight, she managed to smile in gratitude. "Thanks S…for everything."
"You know you love me, B."
They laid their heads on each other's shoulder, feeling unwatched for the first time in years. The once omnipotent Gossip Girl had stopped uploading her dreaded blog of rumor and scandal as time went along. The last entry she wrote was about three months ago when Chuck Bass loaded into his private jet and took off into the unknown, never to be heard from again. Perhaps Gossip Girl had grown up too…they were never able to find out who the bitch was and maybe that was a good thing.
Serena's cell phone rang loudly from her pocket. Before she could move, Blair snatched it first. Looking at the number glaring on the cover, the brunette opened the phone haughtily.
"How's my favorite goddaughter doing in Germany? Have you met any cute boys yet?"
"Blair! Don't encourage her!" Laughing, Serena grabbed her phone back. "Hey Chloe…I'm glad you're having a good time, baby. Maybe you can convince your cheapskate dad to build a summer house over there…" She giggled as Dan's voice yelled in the background. "Tell him I resent that!"
Blair rolled her eyes as Serena listened attentively to her three year-old daughter's innocent escapades in a foreign country. She removed her own cell phone from a limited-edition Prada bag that had a wait list at Sak's from here to Morocco. Leighton or Nate would be calling her pretty soon. Both of them liked to keep tabs on where she was at all times.
Staring out the window, Blair had to admit that Brooklyn was beautiful in its own hip way. Not that she'd ever say it aloud. Manhattan and its Upper East Side would always be her home. It was just a shame she couldn't share it with all of her loved ones. Maybe it was just best to leave the past in the past, and be grateful they were living out the fairytale lives they were born to have.
Blair knew she had found her happy ending.
"Hey Max!" Serena, now off the phone, yelled for the driver's attention. "I love this song! Turn it up!"
The song soon blared from the limo's radio. Blair and Serena, best friends forever, began to dance in what they knew was now the old school way.
I ain't got no money.
I ain't got no car to take you on adate.
I can't even buy you flowers.
But together we be the perfect soul mates...
Oh baby, it's alright now, you ain't gotta flaunt for me
If we go touch, you can still touch my love, it's free
We can work without the perks just you and me
Thug it out till we get it right
Blair got her happy ending, alright, but this was reality. And in reality, happy endings had a way of coming around to bite you where you least expect it.
Hey Everyone! This is my first Gossip Girl fanfic and I'm so excited about it! The idea fell into my head while I was watching the 1st season finale! Don't forget to review & tell me what you think! Hopefully, I'll have the next chapter up soon!