The More Things Change...
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Chapter One
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Ten Years After High School Graduation
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Gossip Girl here. Did ya miss me? Ever since high school graduation, our little Royal Family seems to have broken up. C and N hit up the West Coast, and word is N's been romancing a string of Hollywood hotties but is newly single. Hmm…maybe because his true soulmate's been far, far away all this time? Who do I mean? Wait and see…
C's had his share of drama of the baby-daddy variety, but apparently has become quite the father figure. And word is he's still carrying a major torch for a certain Upper East Side princess turned tycoon- ready to face your past, B? The British isles can't hide you forever...and neither can your quickie marriage to a man twice your age.
The only true happy ending I have to report so far is the Brooklyn-based S and D, whose wedding bells rang right after college. Yawn. Come on, S. I know you've got something for me...like why you've been skipping your midday martini lately?
And of course, the reason for this happy reunion- Little J's homecoming from a five-year stint in Paris. B's mommie dearest seems to think Little J's a visionary; but I've heard she's had her eye on more than just French clothes. But no true love yet, J? What's she waiting for?
Leave it to me to find out. You know you love me. XOXO Gossip Girl
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"Well, well. Serena Van der Woodsen-Humphrey. Is that what I have to call you now?"
Serena spun around, her face breaking into a wide smile.
"B!"
"In the flesh." Blair removed her huge designer sunglasses, grinning.
"Look at you, all fabulous!" Serena giggled, throwing her arms around her best friend.
"Hey, watch the clothes." Blair laughed, hugging her back.
"Ladies- your table?" Their waiter broke up the reunion, pointing towards a table near the window in the hotel restaurant of the Ritz-Carlton.
The two girls sat down, just taking each other in for a moment.
"You look so different. So domestic," Blair finally said.
"Is that bad?"
The waiter brought over their drinks, a martini for Blair and a water for Serena.
Blair thoughtfully stirred the olive in her drink.
"No, not bad. Just different. You don't want anything else to drink?"
Serena smiled, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Umm, no."
"Dan disapproves of your martini habit?" Blair rolled her eyes.
"Not exactly." Serena smiled mischievously, taking a sip.
"What then?"
"Come on, Blair."
Blair choked, her eyes wide.
"You're pregnant?"
"Shhh! I just found out yesterday. I haven't even told Dan yet."
"Serena! This is huge!"
Serena smiled.
"Yeah, just don't tell Gossip Girl. I'll be her favorite topic again."
"I guess she got all old and boring like the rest of us. I wonder if she still keeps that site up."
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I'm not going to say that didn't hurt, B. Old? That's why they made Botox, and you should know. Boring? Never.
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"Probably someone else took over her throne."
"Anyway, who cares about her? You're pregnant?"
"Yup. It's so weird. I know Dan's always wanted kids, but I was never sure."
"So what happened? Miss a pill or something?"
"B! I'm happy about this!"
"All right, all right. You can tell me if you're not, you know."
"No, I really am. Just don't say anything. Dan gets here today, and I really want to tell him myself."
"Of course. It will be great to see everybody again. I never really heard who's all coming."
"I know Dan's mom and dad are coming. I think Dan invited Vanessa too, so if she's not off shooting some documentary in India, she'll be here."
"Ugh. He's still friends with her?"
"Yeah. Whatever. Oh, and Nate and Chuck are flying in from California,"
Blair's eyebrows went together, "Chuck's coming? Here?"
"Yeah—is that not okay?"
"It's just- I haven't seen him since graduation."
"He's really changed, Blair."
"Ohh-kay."
"No, seriously. Did you know he has a kid?"
Blair set her drink down with a clatter, "What?"
"Yeah. You missed a lot while you were away, B. Chuck got married a couple of years ago."
"Married? Chuck Bass? No fucking way." Blair blinked in shock.
"I only met her once or twice. She was nice. An actress he met out in California. Anyway, they had a kid- a little boy, Theodore. He's four now."
"Cute name." Blair grinned a little tightly.
"Yeah. But it didn't work out with them. They got divorced last year. They split custody. Chuck was really broken up about it."
"Wow. That's a shock. I thought Chuck swore off having feelings."
"You may be surprised. It's been ten years, Blair. Maybe he deserves a second chance."
Blair didn't reply, taking another long drink.
Serena cleared her throat, "So how's married bliss for you and…James, right?"
"James McCallister. He basically owns London. It's fine." Blair looked out the window, fiddling with her huge diamond ring.
"Just fine?"
"Great. Fantastic. He wanted to come meet all of you, but he couldn't get off work." Blair said, smiling a little too brightly.
Serena nodded, but didn't look convinced.
"You have judging face because he's old, right?" Blair sighed.
"I don't have judging face. If you're happy-"
"I am. And so he's old, who cares? Oh, big shock, Blair Waldorf has daddy issues."
"Blair-"
"Besides, it could be worse. That could have been me carrying Chuck's devil spawn. I'm actually glad he ripped out my heart and stomped all over it. Perfect graduation present. Really a fitting ending to our little saga."
"Are you sure you're going to be okay seeing him?"
"Of course! Don't be silly." Blair waved her hand airily.
Serena suddenly looked over her shoulder, waving enthusiastically.
"There's Dan! Finally. Over here, babe!"
"More like baby-daddy." Blair grinned.
Serena shook her head warningly as Dan approached the table. Blair turned around, raising her eyebrows.
"Dan Humphrey, all grown up. Finally, those LL Bean pants and grandpa sweaters are age appropriate."
"Hey, Blair." Dan smiled, knowing insulting him was practically a term of endearment from Blair.
"It's good to see you." She got up, laughing and hugging him.
"Doesn't she look so Euro-chic, honey?" Serena laughed, kissing Dan on the cheek.
"If I knew what that meant, I'd probably agree." Dan shrugged, ordering a beer from the waiter.
"Speaking of Euro-chic, when does Jenny's plane get in?" Blair asked.
"Tonight at seven. I thought we could all meet at Butter downtown. Get drinks, dinner, catch up." Serena said.
"How long are you going to be able to stay, Blair?"
"I could only get away from work for a long weekend, so I have to leave Tuesday."
"Oh, B, that sucks! I was hoping we'd at least fit a shopping trip in- Saturday, maybe?"
"Yeah- you're going to need some new clothes soon." Blair said with a wink.
Dan looked between them.
"You need more clothes? How is that possible?"
"Blair's just kidding." Serena said, giving her a warning glance.
Blair smiled. It was good to be home.
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