Disclaimer- Thanks for reading! Sadly, I don't own gossip girl.
Taken completely by surprise, Serena blinked and stared at the woman, trying to place her. The image she had of her mom passed through her mind, and she wondered how on earth they were connected. Misreading her confused look, the woman quickly clarified.
"Lily Rhodes. Or maybe she mentioned me. Claire Tala...No? Oh well." she gave Serena a fleeting smile, than in an instant, a look of understanding crossed her face and she laughed.
Serena gave her a brief smile as well, glad the woman seemed to understand; she certainty didn't.
"Or," she added mischievously, "Lily Humphrey. You're her daughter, right?"
"I am her daughter." Serena confirmed, thinking her mom had some explaining to do, then added, suddenly annoyed, "Serena Van der Woodson, it's nice to meet you." The woman took her hand and shook it, the words 'Van der Woodson' on the tip of her tongue. Seeing the question in her eyes, Serena said, a little more directly than necessary. "Dr. William Van der Woodson is my father. And was my mother's first husband. I'm sure she'll be delighted to meet you."
"Is she not in?" the woman asked. Serena could see surprise, and a little bit of hurt hidden in her eyes.
"No." Serena added, more gently. "But you're welcome to wait for her if you like. I think she said she was going to see Bart, she shouldn't be more than half an hour."
"That's ok," the woman said quickly, "I can come back later." She hesitated a minute, than said "I'm not sure if she mentioned me before; but I traveled with her and Rufus, when Lincoln Hawk was on tour a long time ago." she smiled for a second, then added "I was in the city, and I though I might stop and say hi; we used to be pretty close. Besides, I still have the documentary I made and gave to her, she left it behind when she left." She gave a surprised Serena a memory stick, then added "In case I don't see her before I go, do you mind letting her know I stopped by and said hello?"
"Sure." Serena said.
"Thanks." the woman smiled, turning to go. Then paused, and said, "You look just like her." she smiled. "It was great to meet you, I hope I'll see you again soon."
She gave a brief wave as she rounded the corner, leaving the floor.
~xxx~
Lily Van der Woodson stood on the corner of first and seventeenth, feeling foolish as she gazed up at the half hidden art gallery. Traffic zoomed by and pedestrians walked purposefully past her, as she pulled her Louis Vuitton handbag closer to her and wondered, again, why on earth she had come. Hadn't she made her intentions clear already. She doubted he would be happy to see her. And what on earth was she doing in Brooklyn. It was so...well..so like him.
Besides, she liked Bart, really, not just because he had money. She was happy with Bart. Well, maybe not right now, but that would come. She sighed; three divorces had taught her otherwise. And Rufus was different. She closed her eyes, even if it was for the best, it was difficult to let him go.
"Lily?" She jumped, "You don't normally come down here."
Vanessa, a colourful bag over one shoulder, and black, dangling earrings, gave her a confused look, "Are you looking for Dan?"
"Oh, Vanessa. You startled me. Serena actually. She has a date with Dan this afternoon, and I wanted to catch her before she left. Evidently, I was too late". Technically, it was true, even if not entirely so. Serena did have a date with Dan.
"Why do you need to find Serena?" Vanessa asked. Lily bit her tongue, and Vanessa quickly added, "I understand if it's personal... I think Dan said he was taking her out for coffee. I you like, I can show you the shop."
Relieved, Lily said quickly, "No, thank you Vanessa. I wouldn't want to make you late for work." She smiled "I can just call her."
Vanessa nodded, and said "If I see her, I'll let her know you were looking for her."
Lily smiled. "Thank you, that would be wonderful."
With a wave, Vanessa turned, heading up the steps to the gallery. Lily could hear Rufus as the doors opened, then swung shut again. She stood, looking at the gallery, as the New York city life continued behind her.
