Thanksgiving

"Good Morning, Happy Thanksgiving!" Blair squealed as she skipped into the Van der Woodsen-Humphrey's penthouse, pastry tray in hand.

Rufus is in the kitchen doing some finishing touches and Eric is helping his mother with table placements.

"Happy thanksgiving, Blair you're early." Lily states not surprised to see her, Blair blushes slightly skipping to set her tray atop the kitchen counter.

"I know, but I'm so excited to see Serena! Is she here yet?" Blair gushes, craning her neck round to inspect. Eric grins at her joviality and Lily smiles.

"Yes, but unfortunately she's still sleeping. She got in pretty late last night."

"But it's Thanksgiving let's go wake her!" Eric rushes out, pulling Blair towards the stairs.

"Don't do that!" Lily shouts at them but they're both already running taking the steps 2 and 3 at a time squealing.

"They missed her Lil." Rufus grins at her.

"I know." Lily shares a grin with her husband.

Eric and Blair throw open Serena's door with a bang and she barely budges, undeterred they both take a running leap, pouncing on to the bed squealing.

"No!" Serena shoots up disoriented and tries to get away but Eric and Blair envelope her into a group hug.

"Serena!" They squeal and Serena groans. "I was sleeping!" Serena voice comes out gravelly from sleep as she tries to pull away again.

"But it's Thanksgiving!" Eric and Blair shout in unison.

"OMG! I know but it's not Christmas and we don't get presents. Please let me sleep." Serena begs still lethargic from travelling the night before.

"No!"

"We missed you S!" Blair whines as they finally pull away so they can breathe, Serena rolls her eyes and glances at the clock which reads 11:27 AM.

"MOM!" Serena screams at the top of her lungs, falling back into her pillows dramatically.

"Please don't shout I'm right here darling." Lily announces from the doorway and Jenny peeks in over her shoulder. Serena cracks an eye open to look at her mother, perfect pout in place.

"I was sleeping. It's way too early for dinner." Lily grins at the petulant girl displayed before her despite the young woman's age.

"Sweetheart they missed you. I'm sure each of your friends will arrive early today so you might as well start the day now."

"It's true." Blair and Eric state once more in unison and smirk evilly at Serena and she rolls her eyes.

"Do I atleast get breakfast?" Serena pouts once more at her mother and flutters her eyelashes dramatically. Lily bubbles with laughter and shakes her head.

"There's a plate made up for you downstairs. Eat then shower."

"Fine!" Serena huffs and then pounces up onto Eric and Blair pushing them back onto the bed. "I missed you too!" She screams as she squeezes them both, littering their faces with kisses as they hug her back laughing. Lily smiles and leaves them too it, leading Jenny downstairs.


"How do I look?" Serena asks as she gives a twirl showcasing the blood-orange mini bubble dress she paired with opaque tights and shiny pumps.

"Very cute." Blair compliments as they link arms and exit the room.

"Happy Thanksgiving!" The voices of Chuck and Nate register and the girls ran to the stairs squealing.

"Chuck! Nate!" The girls chant and launch themselves into both men's arms once they're close enough and spin them around laughing.

"They've been squealing all morning haven't they?" Eleanor asks grinning over a glass of cider with Rufus and Lily.

"They have." Lily and Rufus confirm in unison.

"Serena Van der Woodsen in the flesh." Nate states as he puts Serena down to look at her.

"The Non-Judging Breakfast Club reunites!" Blair squeals with a grin pulling Serena and Nate into a group hug with Chuck and her blocking the walkway.

The elevator dings and Dan exits with Vanessa and her mom; all glance curiously at the enthusiastic hugging young adults.

"Oh don't mind them, welcome! Happy Thanksgiving!" Lily steps up always the gracious host and pats the reunited friends' shoulders. "Please hug away from the walking area." The teens all break apart and step to the side and smile at the new arrivals.

"Happy Thanksgiving!" They all state in unison to one another with false cheer.

"Great it's Brooklyn." Blair mutters softly under her breath but all of her friends can hear her as they move towards the couches after sharing awkward hugs with everyone.

"You look great." Dan whispers into Serena's ear as she pulls away and she responds with a smile. "So, let's all catch up. I feel disconnected from everyone." Serena states and leads the way towards the couches.

Blair sits at the end next to Chuck and Serena squeezes in between Chuck and Nate. Serena instantly turns to lean against Nate and crosses her legs over Chuck's lap.

"Really Serena? The guests are beginning to arrive." Lily chastises her daughter in disgust.

"My legs are crossed, my skirt's over my knees, and I'm wearing opaque tights. Plus Chuck's a perfect gentleman!" Serena retorts quickly with a muffled yawn.

"Serena Celia Van der Woodsen!" A new voice carries into the room, sharp with reprimand and Serena falls off the couch in her hurry to right herself causing all of the teens plus Lily to chuckle.

"Grandma!" Serena quickly stumbles to her feet, she tugs on her dress glaring at everyone before rushing to hug her grandmother. "You're here!"

"Honestly Serena, you're a young woman!" Cece scolds her granddaughter and Serena blushes.

"You're looking great." Serena speaks over her grandmother with an embarrassed smile.

"Hey Grandma." Eric cuts in to save Serena.

"Eric! How's my grandson?"

"Excellent." Eric answers automatically, clasping his grandmother's hand to lead her to his mother.

"Smooth." Chuck states loud enough for Serena to hear as she turns back to her friends.

"Shut up." Serena glares at Chuck and swats him hard as she passes him.

"Looks like we're all here, let's start dinner!" Rufus announces!