This chapter hasn't been beta-ed, sorry for the mistakes.:S
Disclaimer: I do not own original Gossip Girl characters or plot, no copyright infringement is intended.
RECAP OF THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER: February 2012, Chuck and Blair are officialy together for three years and they are celebrating their third anniversary. Scene takes place at the Palace hotel, at the Van der Woodsen-Bass suite. Chuck has planned the perfect night and it seems to be until now.
February 4th 2012, Chuck's bedroom.
Blair was wondering for how long they had been lying silently on his bed. Fifteen minutes? Thirty? An hour? She truly did not know but she did not care either. She was too absorbed in tracing Chuck's lax muscles with her fingers, as much as he was into playing with her dark curls. They both loved their after sex peaceful moments. Skin against skin, legs intertwined, listening to each other's breath, feeling each other's chest rising and falling against their own. The most original and simple way to be happy, lying in your lover's protective and treasuring arms. Because it was definitely what she felt in such moment: utter happiness and love. In his arms she felt secure, as if nothing could happen to them or disturb them. She could spend hours like this, memorizing Chuck's flawless features.
Her stomach did not agree with her and decided to tell her as it grumbled loudly. Chuck chuckled at the sound and lifted her head so that they could stare at each other.
« Hungry? » he simply asked.
« Actually starving. Any solution? » she replied smoothly.
« Hum, I think there's a delicious dinner that is waiting for us, I would not like you to miss any bit of it » he offered, kissing softly her forehead.
They grudgingly got up. He smirked as she went out in the corridor in her underwear, looking for her dress and shoes, but she did not mind. After all, he had enjoyed her little surprise. That was even an understatement; he had been extremely turned on. She knew exactly what to do to catch his eyes and subdue him. But she couldn't boast much because the other way round was true as well. In the end she was often begging him for her release. She smiled widely as she replayed the tape of their mind-blowing night, and felt free as she knew that the best was about to come with the dinner.
Chuck watched Blair leaving the room, walking as provocative as she could to get her clothes. It bothered him slightly. There was something with her gait that always aroused him but he couldn't put a finger on what it was exactly. Maybe the swaying in time of her hips reminded him of his Russian nanny rocking him. Or it was perhaps her perfect butt swaying like a hypnotizer's pendulum. He couldn't tell. He just knew that every single feature of her body was perfect for him, everything seemed to fit for his own as if they were complementary pieces of a jigsaw. She was intoxicating. As far as he could remember, she was the only girl that made him stir so easily or satisfied him so much, and yet he had slept with countless women since he was twelve.
Besides, he had never enjoyed taking care of a woman -or anyone for that matter- whereas with Blair it was different. It felt natural. He was attentive to any of her wishes and wanted to make her happy. If she was blissful, then he was as well. Nothing was more valuable to him than one her of bright loving smile. Every time she grinned that way, he felt his heart becoming fonder. And she was giving him back all his attentions. However don't believe it, they were not an orderly couple. A loving couple for sure, but witty and scheming. Their relationship was based on their mutual understanding, they knew each other better than anyone else, and their banter gave rhythme to their daily lives. He could never get enough of their wagers. Every time she lost the bets it was a jubilation for him to see her sulking, but compelling to do whatever he wanted. She never backed down from a challenge.
Speaking of the Devil, he heard her going downstairs and thought that it was better for him to join her. He readjusted a last time his shirt and jacket and grinned at his image in the mirror. After all, the night was only beginning.
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Even in his dreams, Chuck could not have thought of a better dinner. All the courses were exquisite, the champagne was exhilarating and Blair was in very good mood. He was eyeing her so intensely that he could coin the word "eye-raping" to describe more accurately the intensity of his gaze upon her. She was responding by caressing slowly and smoothly his whole leg with her bare foot and smiled at him innocently, which drove him crazy. What they had was chemical: each glance, each gesture, each intonation was more intense, more urgent than with anyone else. He would have already assaulted her if their witty banter did not ask him to focus so much on his retorts.
When she finished her cake in a treat moan, he decided that it was time to get serious. He poured some vintage champagne in her glass and cleared his throat.
« I'd like proposing a toast. I want you to know that since this very special day three years ago, you have proved me day by day that we could be happy together, in our own way of course. I am still Chuck Bass, but a Bass doing his best not to disappoint you or hurt you as I did in the past, even if it's not working all the time. I would be insane without you in my life…because you are the only who knows how to take care of the butterflies» he paused and lifted his glass, « Happy anniversary Blair ».
Chuck Bass had never been sentimental, but she knew that when he took off his armor of coldness and cynicism -even for a few seconds- and showed his feelings, he truly meant what he said. His speech grasped her guts, making her feel queasy and her throat sour with the remains of the dinner, because she felt the same towards him. Since February 4h 2OO9 -her greatest day ever until tonight- when she had finally told him those "three little words", they had never left each other. It had not always been a bed of roses because he was Chuck Bass and she was Blair Waldorf. But they sincerely loved each other and had managed to work it out, through their stubbornness, jealousy, insecurities and games.
They clinked their glasses and started to drink silently. Neither was willing to break the respectful silence until he dared to say a word.
« Blair, I think it's time for you to get your pres… » , but she did not let him finish his sentence. She leaned forward to reach his lips and brushed them softly.
She sat back in her chair, smirking, and announced triumphantly « Me first ». She grabbed her cell phone and dialed a number. « Blair Waldorf calling. Could you bring to the Bass suite what had been delivered for me this afternoon? Thank you ».
He eyed her questioningly but didn't say a word. They remained silent, assessing each other, and a minute later the doors of the elevators opened. She got up to welcome three employees, each one pushing a cart. Chuck came closer to see what present she had bought him. On the two trays of each cart were put four big boxes. He raised an eyebrow, not understanding what it was.
« Chuck Bass, you're from this moment forward the happy owner of twenty four cases of the oldest and finest scotch ever produced. I hope you will take your time to enjoy them as they deserved to be and not knock them back » she said excitedly.
« Wow Blair, this is, uh, amazing. Thank you, I am not sure I am worthy of that gift » he answered astounded. He was indeed a connoisseur of scotch and had always bought good ones, but never this one. He had always thought that such a delicate alcohol could not be appreciated by a man with boozing and womanizing ways like he used to have.
« Of course you worth it » she replied, pretending to be annoyed.
He bent towards her, wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his head in her hair. God, she smelled so delicious! He barely kissed her neck and whispered in her ear « I could not have thought of a better present, now it's my turn ». He took her hands and lead her to the sofa, where she sat obediently.
« Please keep your eyes closed » he demanded, « I will be back in a minute ».
He went to his father office and unlocked the safe. He took out a black box and opened it one last time to admire the gift. It was one of the most beautiful piece of jewelry he had ever seen, and the fact that it was his mother's dearest belonging meant the world for him. He then held his hand to his pocket, and clenched it around the tiny metalic object. If she hadn't still understood how vital she was to him, Blair would in a few minutes from now. He could not wait to see her reaction.
That's not saying much that Blair couldn't wait anymore as well, only her good manners had forced her to remain sat on the couch, but truthfully she would have wanted to run after him and immediately discover the present. She was jumping up and down with impatience, stamping her feet hardly on the floor to get rid of the overwhelming excitation. When she heard him coming back to the living room and kneeling by her side, her heart leapt in her throat.
« Open your eyes Blair » he asked, his voice hardly containing his excitement.
He knew exactly what reaction he expected and it was surely not this. As soon as her eyes fluttered open, the flame in them vanished as well as her glowing smile. Her face only read one expression: utter sadness.
When she saw the beautiful pearl and diamond earrings that Chuck was offering her, Blair felt her world falling apart. That was not at all what she hoped he would gave her. These earrings were the most beautiful she had ever seen, plus she knew they were his mother's wedding earrings. They meant something special to him, offering them to Blair was a real love proof, though she expected something else really special. Feeling his expectant glance piercing her soul, she knew that she had to regain her composure. Her behavior was completely unladylike, all she may do was hurting him by her lack of joy.
« Oh Chuck they are magnificent! Thank you so much! » she exclaimed, her voice breaking at the end. She threw herself at his neck and embraced him because she did not want him to see her holding back tears.
Chuck pulled her out of his embrace, took the earrings and put them on Blair's ears. He contemplated her. With the exception of her glassy eyes that clearly pointed out her grief, she was perfect. He smiled kindly and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He felt bad to see her so disillusioned because he knew exactly what she wanted. But he was almost going to give it to her. He opened his mouth to allay her fears but she cut him in, immediately standing up and heading to the mirror above the console table.
« I love them, really!» she assured him, a tremor in her voice.
She looked at her image. Tears were slowly streaming down her cheeks, blurring a little her vision, the salt prickling her soft skin. In a weak attempt she tried to smile. This was after all a wonderful present, the one she expected would be for another time. But she couldn't help the sob escaping her throat, it was beyond her will. She didn't even notice Chuck standing by her side.
« Please, Blair... » he soothed.
« I thought I had been clear! It has been three years now, it is time! Time for us to commit Chuck! » she cut sharply.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed it!:D Thanks for the reviews, that's so nice!
