Blair sat at the royal dining table, across from Princess Sophie and Louis' sister Beatrice, picking at her dinner plate while the three sat in relative silence. She no longer liked them and well, she was pretty sure by this point that they had never liked her, even before the wedding disaster. She had to admit, as much she enjoyed Louis being gone lately on "royal business," she definitely was not fond of these awkward dinners alone each night with his mother and sister.
Blair had noticed Princess Sophie had just opened her mouth to address her when a male servant approached with a cordless phone.
"Sorry to bother, however there is have a phone call – from the States. The caller says it's urgent," the man proceeded.
"An urgent call from the States?" Princess Sophie wondered as she began to reach for the phone.
"Yes, Your Highness, however this call is for Madame Blair," the man clarified as he turned towards Blair, who received a glaring look from Sophie.
Carefully, Blair took the phone, nervous as to who could possibly be calling her from the States and at the palace no less. It must be very urgent for them to call on this line, she wondered to herself, afraid that something had happened to her mother, Serena, or especially Chuck.
"Hello?" she nervously spoke into the phone, noticing that both Sophie and Beatrice were intensely watching her, curious also as to who was calling for her there and why.
"B! I'm so glad I finally reached you! I hope you don't mind – I tried your cell numerous times with no response so I got this number from your mother," Serena quickly explained once she heard Blair's voice.
"S, it's okay – what's going on? Is everyone okay? They said it was urgent," Blair urged her to go on, still unsure as to why Serena was calling her.
"It's... it's my grandma – CeCe passed away late last night," Serena finally managed to get out before a few sobs escaped.
"Oh, S... I'm so sorry! I didn't even know she was sick again!" Blair exclaimed, a bit surprised by the news. Last she had heard, CeCe had been in remission and doing quite well.
"Neither did we... it's a long story but... mom and I were able to be there with her before she passed," Serena continued to lightly sob.
"S..." Blair spoke, her heart sinking as she wished she could be there for her best friend, wrapping her arms around her in a tight, comforting embrace. "How... how is your mom doing? And your... your brothers?" she carefully asked, dying to hear of some news about Chuck, but not wanting to be obvious about it due to her present company and the possibility that the phone was tapped.
"Mom... she's handling it okay but is a bit of a mess, all over the place like she was after Bart died. It doesn't help that Aunt Carol's here... fortunately she has Rufus to help her out. Eric's on his way home from school but other than that I haven't heard too much from him yet and Chuck... he seems to be taking it alright but then again he's been trying to keep himself busy and distracted these days anyway..." Serena's voice trailed.
"I guess that's good to hear..." Blair replied. She knew Chuck and CeCe hadn't been particularly close, however she did notice that he was often amused by the old broad and her antics.
"B, I know it's a lot to ask... but I could really use you here – is there any chance you could make a visit soon?" Serena suddenly questioned, breaking Blair out of her train of thought. "I'm not sure when Grandma's wake is going to be but knowing her, I'm sure it'll be in the next few days..."
"S, consider me on the next plane out," Blair declared without even thinking it over twice and completely ignoring the looks of displeasure and disbelief that Sophie and Beatrice were now giving her.
"Oh thank you, B! We've missed you so much, it'll be great to finally see you again!" Serena happily exclaimed, smiling for the first time in the last twenty-four hours.
"No problem, S – of course I'll be there! Your family is like a second family to me," Blair reminded her.
"True... I know mom will really appreciate it too, as well as-"
"S," Blair interrupted her immediately, knowing full well who's name she was about to speak. "Let's keep this a surprise between us, okay?"
"Oooh okay, B – it'll definitely be a pleasant one, that's for sure!"
"Definitely," Blair replied at once. "I'll see you soon – consider me packing my bags," she declared as she hung up the phone, handed it back to the servant, and scooted her chair away from the table. "If you'll excuse me," she addressed her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, swiftly tossing her napkin on the table as well once she stood.
"And just where do you think you're going?" Princess Sophie demanded to know as Beatrice sat staring at her in disbelief.
"To pack – Serena's grandmother just passed away and my friends need me," Blair firmly responded.
"And you expect us to just allow you to come and go as you please? This is your home now, Blair," Princess Sophie was quick to remind her.
"Louis comes and goes all the time – I've hardly seen my dear husband since we've returned from our honeymoon and you can't possibly expect to keep me held prisoner here," Blair quickly spoke in return before an idea occurred to her. "You know... the Van der Woodsen's are a prominent family in New York and everyone knows of my close connection to the family – don't you think the press would wonder why their close family friend – a new Princess of Monaco no less – didn't make an appearance, to pay her respects and offer the family her dearest condolences?" she stated with a slight grin, knowing that would help her win her case.
"You do raise an interesting point..." Princess Sophie decided after a moment of letting Blair's words sink in and thinking them over.
"However, what about your Royal Coronation once my brother returns next week? There is still so much left to be done..." Beatrice interrupted, getting the impression that her mother was about to give in to Blair and she just couldn't have that.
"Beatrice is correct, dear – we still need to finish the preparations for that," Princess Sophie agreed. "Your dress needs a final fitting, there is still much to go over with the caters and staff... and interviews with the press..."
"Which can all be done and taken care of when I get back," Blair was quick to state. "The wake should be soon, knowing CeCe and her wishes..."
"Fine, you may go," Princess Sophie finally conceded, much to Blair's delight.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Blair smiled with a slight curtsey towards her mother-in-law.
"Mother!" Beatrice gasped.
"But," Sophie immediately continued. "You must return in 72 hours – three days should be enough time for you to console your friends and win over any questioning press."
"Plenty of time," Blair smirked as she turned to walk away. She would be on the next flight she could get and while it wasn't nearly as long as she would have liked, three days was definitely better than nothing.
"Coffee?" Chuck inquired in a silly British accent as he stepped into the kitchen and found a rather confused looking Nate rummaging through the cabinets. "Top drawer," he offered up as Nate gave him an even more confused look. "It relaxes me to watch Anita Dust," he confessed as Nate finally found what he was looking for.
"I did not need to know that," Nate laughed in response. "What's got you in such a good mood? Skyped with Blair lately?" he couldn't help wondering.
"I wish, but sadly no," Chuck sighed at the reminder. "However I did recently find out who actually sent Gossip Girl the infamous video of Blair and I at the Royal Wedding..."
"Oh?" Nate questioned, his curiosity piqued as he watched Chuck work the coffee maker for him. No matter how many times he had been shown, he could never remember how this particular machine worked.
"That Hump – Humphrey," Chuck revealed at once.
"What? No way! Dan?!" Nate gasped in disbelief.
"He was only too happy to let Serena and me take the fall so he could worm his way into Blair's broken heart," Chuck explained. "Unfortunately for him, when she finds out the truth, any chance he ever thought he had with her will be completely destroyed."
"I don't know Chuck, what's the point? She already chose you, why bother with Dan?" Nate couldn't help wondering.
"Why not? He clearly didn't have a problem pinning the video on Serena and myself... who's to say he won't try to go after her once he finds out what we all already know?"
"Which is...?"
"That she doesn't actually care about Louis and her marriage is actually a sham she's faking for a year just to get out of having to pay the dowry. You really don't think he'll try something once he finds out?"
"But again, what's the point? She already chose you, buddy," Nate proceeded to point out to him.
"A lot can happen in a year..." Chuck unfortunately recalled for him. "And besides, I'm tired of Serena and I getting blamed for something we didn't do."
"Well, I would suggest taking the high road, but it seems you've already made up your mind," Nate stated as he took a sip of his drink.
"Duly noted, however if you'll excuse me... I'm late for family brunch," Chuck pointed out as he noticed the time.
"S, I'm stepping off the plane right now – is family brunch still happening as usual? I figured I'd stop by and surprise everyone," Blair announced with a smile on her face and bounce in her step as she made her way off the aircraft.
"Well... everyone is on their way however I wouldn't exactly call it brunch-" Serena started, a bit overwhelmed by what she had walked into when she arrived at her mother's, opting to wait down in the lobby until other members of her family arrived.
"Perfect!" Blair declared at once as she finally set foot at the arrival gate. "I'll be there shortly! You haven't told... anyone... that I'm coming have you, S? You know I want it to be a surprise..."
"No, B, I haven't said a word," Serena confirmed. "However speaking of a certain anyone... he's here right now so I should probably go..." she informed her as Chuck entering the lobby caught her eye. Blair's heart couldn't help skipping a beat as she heard his voice greet Serena through the phone.
"Blair?" a semi-attractive woman inquired with a heavy French accent as she entered the terminal.
"As should I, S... I'll see you soon," Blair assured her as she quickly hung up and curiously approached the woman. "Yes? And you are...?"
"I'm Estee from the American Embassy – the Royal Family has assigned me to be your Royal Minder while you're visiting the states," the woman informed her. Blair couldn't help but make a face of disappointment. "Believe me, princess – the feeling is mutual. I would much rather spend my time elsewhere than watching after you."
"So then don't – I can assure you, I won't be needing your services during my stay. I can perfectly take care of myself just fine and the paparazzi isn't an issue," Blair told her, hoping this really wasn't happening. The last thing she needed was spy for the in-laws, reporting her every move. She would never get a chance to be alone with Chuck.
"Nice try, however they pay me quite handsomely and obviously there's some reason they requested my services... now, if you don't mind – there is a town car parked out front, where are we headed?"
Blair could only sigh in annoyance as she gathered her things and proceeded to the exit. Her new Royal Minder hot on her heels.
This isn't happening, she thought to herself.
"Everything okay?" Chuck wondered as he walked into the lobby of Lily's building and found Serena waiting, quickly putting away her cell phone.
"Hm? Oh yeah... just had to take a phone call..." she covered, knowing her stepbrother was extremely observant.
"What are you doing down here? I thought there was family brunch this morning?" he questioned, confused as to what was going on.
"Oh, there's a lot more than just brunch going on upstairs, I was just waiting down here to warn you all... you'll see for yourself," Serena said with a slight laugh.
"Is Donut Dan here yet?" he had to ask, preparing himself ahead of time for quite a confrontation.
"Why? Planning on tormenting him a little?" she chuckled at the thought.
"Maybe just a little... you'll know soon enough why," he assured her.
"Oookay... well, he's not here yet but I'm sure he will be soon enough," she stated, curious as to what Chuck was referring to. "Let's go upstairs – you've gotta see this," she told him as she linked an arm through his and led them towards the elevators.
"This is..." Nate started as he looked around the room.
"Quite a funeral," Lola finished for him as they all gathered around the buffet.
"This is definitely grandma," Eric couldn't help pointing out as he too took in the commotion around them.
"While I get the Irish theme and the whiskey and Guinness... I am a bit surprised she didn't insist they serve gin as well – it was always Grandma CeCe's drink of choice," Chuck added as he helped himself to a strawberry.
"Of course you would know," a familiar voice happily spoke up from behind them, causing Chuck's ears to perk up.
"B! You made it!" Serena squealed, thrilled. Chuck turned around just to see his love and his stepsister together in a sisterly embrace.
"I told you I'd be here," Blair smiled as she looked around at the group.
"Oh wow! Blair! Good to see you!" Nate exclaimed as he reached over to give her a friendly hug as well. "Lola, this is the infamous Blair," he introduced her.
"Aren't you the Princess of-" Lola started, a bit surprised.
"Yes, yes I am," Blair interrupted, already growing tired of being referred to in that way. She was Blair Waldorf damnit – not just a Princess. "But let's not talk about that... who are you?" she had to ask.
"Lola is my girlfriend," Nate clarified.
"And also my cousin – the real Charlotte Rhodes," Serena continued for him.
"The 'Real' Charlotte Rhodes?" Blair inquired with a raised eyebrow.
"It's a long story," Eric spoke up.
"Ah, well... I'm sure you'll all fill me in sooner or later... Eric, S... my deepest condolences," Blair regretfully told them as she gave Eric a side squeeze before turning her attention to the only one in the room who truly mattered to her at the moment. His eyes were already locked on her.
"Chuck..." Blair greeted him with a subtle grin.
"Blair..." he greeted her in return in the same way, unsure of how to proceed since technically they were in public and the eyes of everyone in their group were all now focused on them in anticipation.
It was Blair who made the first move, embracing him like she had Serena. She figured she had already hugged Nate and Eric, to not do so with Chuck would seem suspicious, right?
"I've missed you," she whispered in his ear, just loud enough for him alone to hear.
"I've missed you too," he sighed with a whisper as he tightly held her in his arms, breathing in her signature scent he had missed all too much.
"Ah-hem," a voice coughed from behind them all a moment later, causing Blair to stiffen before gently pulling away from Chuck.
"How forgetful of me," Blair stated as she remembered her Royal babysitter had tagged along. "Everyone, this is Estee... she apparently is my Royal Minder while I am in the states," she explained as she rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Estee... this is everyone."
"Pleasure to meet you all," Estee exclaimed as she made note of everyone, especially a certain dark-haired young man who hadn't taken his eyes off of her charge since she announced her presence.
"Minder? Like a babysitter?" Nate absentmindedly questioned as he pieced it together. "Wow... that sucks."
"Yes, it does... Estee, seriously – you don't need to follow me everywhere! I'm at a wake for crying out loud!" Blair pointed out, growing even more annoyed by the woman's presence.
"Yes, well... wherever you go, I am under strict orders to follow," Estee reminded her.
"Fine, but in that case – go fetch me a drink," Blair sighed as she leaned up against the buffet and looked around. "This really is some wake..." she couldn't help commenting. "Is that... Georgina? What is she doing here?"
"She came with Ivy," Chuck spoke up.
"And Ivy is...?"
"The girl from my community theatre group back home that my mother paid to play me," Lola bitterly explained.
"Right... and you're the real Charlie Rhodes?" Blair asked, trying to get it straight.
"Yeah, however I prefer to go by Lola," Lola informed her.
"Oh! Lemme give you the tour, before things get too crazy around here," Serena announced as she leaped forward and began to pull Lola away from the rest of them.
"Is it even possible for things to get any crazier?" Lola couldn't help wondering as she reluctantly followed Serena.
"Okay, so... obviously we have a problem," Blair announced once she noticed Lola was gone and Estee was distracted at the bar across the room.
"I'll say – they assigned a babysitter to you..." Chuck stated in disbelief. Even he hadn't thought of that possibility.
"Exactly... you know what this means, right?" she asked as Chuck nodded, knowing exactly what she was thinking, both of them turning their attention towards Nate.
"What? Why are you both looking at me like that?"
"Nate... we need you're help," Blair got right to the point. "We need you to distract Estee."
"Oh c'mon! I'm in a new relationship and honestly, I really like her!" Nate quickly spoke.
"Please Nate? Just distract her long enough for us to sneak away undetected?" Blair pleaded with him, desperate to get away from the woman so she could act natural with her friends.
"Besides, you still owe me for the Valentine's Day party," Chuck reminded him as he took a sip of his drink.
"Ugh, fine!" Nate gave in, knowing Chuck was right. "But what am I going to tell Lola? I'd hate to jeopardize things with her even more... she's already pissed at me for bringing her here today."
"Just explain to her later what's going on and that you were merely helping out your friends," Blair offered hopefully.
"Alright, fine – but after this... Chuck we're even," Nate demanded as Chuck simply nodded in agreement.
"Meet me in the office upstairs in five?" Chuck suggested to Blair with a smirk.
"See you in five, Bass," she confirmed with a smile as she watched him make his way through the room. "Eric, you'll be the look out," she decided, turning her attention to the younger Van der Woodsen.
"Wait, what?" Eric questioned, caught by surprise as he wasn't aware he was involved in Chuck and Blair's affair.
"Stay by the top of the stairs and if anyone starts approaching the office... start shouting out classic lines," Blair suggested.
"Here you go, Blair," Estee stated as she handed Blair a glass. "Where did everyone go?"
"Oh you know, people to visit with, things to see..." Blair stated as she watched Chuck make his way up the stairs, turning Estee's attention towards elsewhere in the room. "By the way, this is Nate Archibald – perhaps you've heard of his grandfather, William Van der Bilt?"
"Sounds familiar..." Estee admitted as Blair proceeded to pass her off onto Nate.
"Did I ever tell you about the time Nate went skiing in the Alps?" Blair began, setting things up for Nate to take over.
"Well I wouldn't exactly call it skiing... LaCrosse was more my thing," Nate joined in, knowing exactly what to do. "I'm sure being from Europe, you're probably more familiar with the Alps than I am..."
As Nate led Estee to a place where they could sit and chat, Blair took that as her opportunity to sneak away.
Blair could feel her heart racing as she eagerly and anxiously made her way up the stairs, consciously making an effort not to run up them as she knew that would only draw attention to herself, despite every instinct in her body urging her to go to Chuck as fast as she could.
As she entered the room that was once his father's office, she could no longer contain the smile that broke out across her lips when she spied him sitting on the plush black leather sofa, scotch in hand, waiting for her.
She had no sooner shut the door when she suddenly felt herself being spun around, his arms around her, holding her tightly to him, walking her backwards against the door while his lips and warm breath grazed her neck.
"God I've missed you," he sighed as he breathed in her scent. "So much."
"I've missed you too," she purred with closed eyes, entangling her fingers in his hair as she felt his lips delicately laying kisses along her neck while one of his hands worked its way up her silky smooth thigh. "Chuck..." she managed to breathe with abated breath.
"Blair..." he responded without losing focus. That is, until he felt her pull him by the back of his hair, forcing him to look at her.
"I love you," she spoke once she had his attention, her eyes searching his for a response, despite already knowing the answer.
He didn't even need to say it, instead responding with a passionate, all-consuming kiss which she instinctively returned.
The next thing she knew, she was slowly falling backwards onto the couch with Chuck falling on top of her, their mouths and tongues still dancing with each others.
Reaching up, Blair quickly helped Chuck push off his suit jacket before removing his signature bowtie and undoing the top buttons of his dress shirt, her thumb pausing to stroke the top of his chest hair. Not knowing when they might have another chance alone together, she wanted to savor every moment, reacquaint herself with every part of him.
"I checked my messages on my way over here," she spoke while her body was arched up against him, suddenly remembering the news she had to share with him. "There was one from Cyrus."
"Yeah?" Chuck managed to question while his mouth was pressed against her skin, trailing kisses along her collarbone.
"Yeah..." she managed to breathe, curling her toes in pleasure as his lips hit the spot on the nape of her neck that drove them both crazy. "He... he may have found a loophole in my prenup."
"Really?" Chuck paused, but only for a moment before sliding his hand inside her blouse and returning his lips to her skin, gently kissing the top of her slowly heaving breast.
"Mmm... yes..." she tried to proceed, her eyes closed as his touch intensified. "Apparently since because we signed it in Monaco... but got married in... in the US..."
"You can contest it," Chuck finished for her, pausing once more, much to her dismay.
"We can try," she confirmed, lifting her head just slightly to see why he had stopped.
"That... is... the best news... I've heard all day," he replied between kisses. "When will he know for sure?"
"He's supposed to be speaking with them this afternoon so hopefully by the end of the day everything will be settled," she smiled at him.
"Thank god," Chuck remarked before diving back into things with another passionate kiss, both of them getting lost in the other.
That is, until someone began knocking on the door.
"Blair? Are you in there?" the familiar male voice spoke from the hallway, causing them both to stop and tense up.
"Dan?" Blair called back, confused as to why he would have sought her out.
"You gotta be kidding me," Chuck muttered with a sigh as he rolled to Blair's side.
"Yeah, it's me – is everything okay?" he asked through the door, genuine concern in his voice.
"Um, yeah... just... just give me a second," Blair spoke quickly, wide-eyed with fear as they both heard him fiddling with the door handle. Blair silently said a thank you to the powers that be for reminding her to lock the door. "Chuck – hide!" she commanded in a whisper, sitting up instantly, nearly causing him to fall off the couch.
Not needing to argue, Chuck quickly got up, grabbed his bowtie and suit jacket and rushed to the closet all while Blair stood and took a moment to straighten her outfit and attempt to fix her hair before finally opening the door.
"Blair? What's going on? Is everything okay?" Dan wondered as he noticed she looked a bit flustered.
"Everything... everything's fine, Dan – is there something you need?" Blair demanded to know, not meaning to come off as rude, however she was a bit annoyed that he was interrupting her time with Chuck.
"Where you... talking to someone in here?" he pried further as his eyes darted around the room, looking to see who it was Blair had been conversing with as he could have sworn he heard voices before he knocked.
"I... I just came up here to check my messages," Blair lied. "Cyrus had called earlier while I was on the plane and I'm waiting to hear back from him," she specified.
"Oh, okay... well, I gotta say, I wasn't expecting to see you here," Dan admitted with a shy smile as he proceeded past her, into the room.
"Yes well, my best friend's grandmother did pass away... what kind of friend would I be if I wasn't there for her in her family's time of need?" Blair quickly shot back. She knew he suspected something was going on.
"Right, right..." Dan agreed as he realized that of course she'd be there. It was silly of him to think otherwise. "So... how are you doing?" he asked as he took a seat on the couch that was recently occupied by her and Chuck.
"Aside from the fact that I'm stuck in a sham of a marriage for a year? Great," Blair stated, growing more annoyed and just wanting him to leave already. Small talk with Dan Humphrey was not on the agenda for her short visit home. "I can see you still haven't managed to get to a barber," she pointed out as she noted the mass of out of control hair on his head. "Is there some reason you followed me up here or have you taken up stalking since I've been gone?" she demanded to know.
"Yeah... look, Blair... about what happened at the hotel the last time we spoke... I'm sorry about what I said, it's just that I wanted to make sure you were going to be okay. You seemed pretty upset that night."
"No I know, and no need to apologize Humphrey – you were being a good friend, helping me out. I appreciate that,"
"If there's anything you need... anything I can help with at all... let me know – please. I did get to know Louis pretty well in the months leading up to the wedding. Despite everything... I do still care about you and worry about you..." he offered up.
"Dan..." Blair sighed, having had enough as she closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Look, thanks again for all your help that night... and numerous times before then, however it's really not necessary... I can handle Louis and his family. It's only for a year at most and so far so good."
"So far so good?" he inquired with a skeptical look. "If you're sure Blair – I just want you to be happy."
"Well like I said, aside from being married to Louis for a year, I am," she stated matter of factly, hoping he'd get the point and leave already.
"Really, Blair? How is that even..." Dan spoke but pausing the moment he laid eyes on the near empty glass of scotch sitting on the coffee table in front of him. "Chuck..." he slowly uttered as he pieced it all together.
"What about him?" Blair wondered, growing even more irritated by Dan's presence with every passing second.
"You... you came up here to be alone with Chuck, didn't you?" Dan accused as he rose to his feet. Shit, Blair cursed to herself as she noticed Chuck's glass of scotch now in Dan's hand. "That's why you're managing so well, isn't it? You're having an affair with him, aren't you?"
"Dan..." Blair calmly began, hoping she could still deceive him into thinking otherwise. "That's mine-"
"Since when do you drink scotch?" Dan called her out immediately. "Chuck, you can come out now!" he exclaimed as he noticed the closet in the room.
"Great..." Blair uttered, knowing they were caught. "Dan, not so loud!" she snapped at him as Chuck finally made his presence known. "Dan, it's not what you think..." she started to protest only to receive disbelieving looks from them both – Dan not believing her for a second and Chuck not believing she was actually going to try telling him otherwise now. "Okay, technically it is," she conceded, knowing there was no point in trying to lie anymore to Dan about it.
"Humphrey I swear to god – if you speak a word of this to anyone..." Chuck started to threaten.
"You'll what? Banish me to Brooklyn? Hardly unlikely considering my dad's married to your stepmom," Dan replied nonchalantly.
"I'll have Gossip Girl reveal to everyone that it was you who sent in the video from the wedding," Chuck announced without hesitation.
"What?!" Blair gasped in disbelief. "Dan, is this true?"
"Blair, I can explain," Dan attempted to speak,
"And he was all too pleased to let Serena and I take the rap for it," Chuck pointed out, happily adding fuel to the fire. There was no way he was going to let Dan get in Blair's good graces ever again.
"Exactly! You let me blame my best friend and my ex for something they didn't do!" she continued laying into him.
"Excuse me? Ex, Blair? Really?" Chuck couldn't help asking, a bit taken back by her words.
"Semantics, Chuck," she quipped before turning her attention back towards Dan. "I can't believe you!"
"Blair I was only trying to help you!" Dan snapped back, finally trying to make his point.
"Help me?" she scoffed in disbelief. "You embarrassed me in front of 400 guests at my own wedding! You made me the target of tabloids and TSA agents! Do you realize that you single-handedly put the bars on my gilded cage, Humphrey?!" she hissed in anger.
"I know I should have told you the truth right away, but I swear I never meant to hurt you," he started once more. "But I spent every day leading up to that wedding listening to you say that you had to marry Louis even though you didn't love him. I couldn't stand to see you so unhappy. I swear, I only thought it would stop the wedding – I never thought you would leave it with me!"
"I call bullshit," Chuck muttered as he resumed his seat on the couch, finishing off his glass of scotch.
"Says the man that showed up to his ex's wedding," Dan huffed. "Like you weren't there to try and stop it either!"
"I was, however her mother herself brought me there," Chuck casually responded.
"Will both of you just stop?" she requested, growing frustrated over the situation they were now in.
"Uh... uh... Breakfast at Tiffany's! Gentlemen Prefer Blondes!" they heard Eric calling out in a panic from down the hallway.
"Oh no..." Blair sighed, knowing that what was about to happen couldn't be good. "Dan – not a word!" she growled as she proceeded to quickly smooth out her outfit and her hair once more.
"Blair, you look fine," Chuck tried to assure her, however he was just as nervous.
"Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend!" Eric yelled out as he entered the room just behind Estee. "I tried," he sheepishly spoke with a shrug.
"There you are!" she exclaimed as she found Blair. "I was starting to wonder where you had wandered off to..." she said as she glanced around the room, noting both Dan and Chuck's presence.
"Yes, I... came up here to check my messages," Blair lied once more as she produced her cell phone for Estee to see.
"With Dan and Chuck, I see..." Estee remarked curiously.
"Not... initially, no," Blair lied once more.
"Right... well, your messages wouldn't have anything to do with your stepfather's attempt at tricking the Royal attorney into annulling your marriage now would it?" Estee pried, much to Blair's surprise as she didn't think the Royal Minder knew anything about it. "Boys, give Blair and I a moment please," she instructed as one by one, they filed out until Blair was alone with the Royal spy.
"How did you..."
"I know plenty, Blair," Estee quickly spoke. "Like the fact that your stepfather's plan will never work."
"Wait, what? But it makes perfect sense..." Blair tried to protest.
"Blair, Blair... his plan might not work, but I can assure you, mine will – we can help each other, you and I," Estee continued.
"Go on..." Blair pressed her.
"I also know what it's like not being able to be with the one you truly love," Estee went on. "You don't want Louis – that's been made quite clear to me considering I was given very specific orders to keep an eye on you around a certain Chuck Bass and Daniel Humphrey. However I do want him," she admitted.
"You and Louis?" Blair questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"The Prince and I... we're very close," she began to explain. "We grew up together in fact however my station always prevented me from being a suitable choice for Your Highness... that is until..."
"Until I came along," Blair stated.
"Precisely," Estee confirmed. "You're a public relations disaster and compared to your Sarah Ferguson swan-dive I'm Kate Bloody Middleton."
"So you really think the Grimaldi's will welcome Louis' loyal and loving social secretary as a replacement?" Blair couldn't help wondering.
"I know Louis would," Estee replied matter of factly. "Sorry..."
"No, no... it's fine," Blair confessed. "Oddly enough, I just want us both to finally be happy."
"It's worth a shot," Blair heard a voice speak up from the doorway only to turn and see Chuck standing there, having held back in the hallway, overhearing everything. "It can't hurt and it's not like there's really anything more to lose," he pointed out as he walked back into the room and took a seat. "The worst they can say is no."
"Make the call," Blair decided after mulling it over momentarily, taking a seat on the couch herself. Soon her nightmare would be over.
Or so she thought.
"Well?" Blair was quick to ask the moment Estee hung up her phone.
"I'm sorry to say they refused," Estee casually responded as she slid her phone back into her purse.
"Damnit!" Blair cursed under her breath.
"Maybe Cyrus has had better luck," Chuck offered up, still hopeful.
"Actually, I doubt that," Estee continued. "Now that they know you're trying to broker a deal to get out of the marriage, they're most likely going to be paying extra attention to details such as what's in your prenup," she pointed out. "Sorry! But it also looks like that Georgina woman's tip did help me narrow down who exactly I should keep an eye on," she declared with a slight grin.
"No..." Blair softly cried as she realized what had just happened. "That bitch!"
"If I were you two, I'd be careful," Estee warned.
"Look lady, I don't know what Whoregina told you or what you think you know, but you have no proof of anything nor will you," Chuck snapped back, going on the defensive.
"Oh really? Well I do find it quite telling that you stuck around while Dan went about his business-" Estee taunted.
"Enough!" Blair screamed in frustration, springing up from her seat on the couch, pushing past both Estee and Chuck as she stormed out of the room. She tried her best to fight back her tears as she quickly made her way down the stairs, back to CeCe's wake. Knowing she couldn't leave just yet, her mind raced to think of somewhere private she could go to collect her thoughts.
Before she knew it, she found herself in Chuck's old bathroom.
With the door locked, she sat on the edge of the sink, thoughts swirling through her mind like crazy and tears slowly streaming down her cheeks. She was unsure as to why though. She knew part of it was for fear of what the Royals would do if they found out about the affair she was having with Chuck. They would publicly humiliate her, ruin her reputation, as well as her mother's in addition to bankrupting her for the dowry.
Why did you marry Louis?! Why didn't you just run off with Chuck instead?! A pact with God... what the hell were you thinking, Waldorf?! She thought to herself. Her criticizing thoughts were only then interrupted by the sound of a phone vibrating in her purse.
Quickly realizing it wasn't her main phone, she reached inside her purse once more and retrieved the secret phone Chuck had provided her with.
Where did you disappear to? Please don't tell me you left already.
In your old bathroom. Knock twice so I know it's you.
It wasn't long before she heard those two soft raps on the door.
"Hey," Chuck delicately spoke as she carefully opened the door, so as to make sure a certain French woman hadn't followed him. "Coast is clear, I made sure she didn't see me slip away," he assured her as he gently stepped into the room.
"Good," Blair remarked as she once more locked the door behind him before hopping back onto her spot on the edge of the sink. "Chuck, she knows..." Blair sighed as she closed her eyes, trying once more to fight back her frustrated tears. "And I know you're just going to insist we pay the dowry and get it over with but-"
She was interrupted by the soft touch of his lips upon hers.
"Blair, she doesn't actually know a thing," he told her as he gently pulled his lips away from hers a moment later. "She bluffing and trying to make us think she knows something when really she doesn't know a thing. We've been careful, she has nothing on us aside from her own hunch," he reminded her as he leaned in and kissed her once more. God, how he missed the taste of her lips.
"But what if-" Blair started once more between kisses.
"Blair," Chuck sighed in slight annoyance as he stopped and rested his hands on the surface next to her thighs. "Look, I know you haven't exactly been on your game in some time, but you're telling me Blair Waldorf, the Queen of Constance, doesn't recognize a bluff? And an amateur one at that?" he questioned with a raised eyebrow.
Blair bit her bottom lip in response, hesitant to respond. While he was right, she had been off her game for quite some time, she hated to admit it out loud. And the fact that she hadn't caught onto Estee merely bluffing just to scare her into giving up the truth... well, it was embarrassing.
"Okay, Bass... if you're so sure... then what's our next move?" she slyly questioned with a seductive grin in a whispered voice, her breath on his ear as she leaned in and spoke.
"Well... if you're still adamant about me not paying the dowry... then we might as well carry on with our original plan," he spoke with his own smirk before closing in the distance between them. This time with heated passion, pressed against each other, wrapped in the others arms.
Always thinking a step or two ahead, Chuck momentarily reached over and turn on the sink faucet, hoping that the running water would drown out some of the noise they tended to make, should anyone approach the door, buying them some time.
"I love you, Chuck," she breathed as she gripped the back of his hair, his lips trailing along her neck, working their way along the spot that drove them both crazy.
"I love you too," he uttered in response, his lips working their way back up towards her luscious lips while his hand began to wander up her thigh and under her skirt. It didn't take him long to find her scrap lace barrier, quickly but carefully sliding it down between them, letting the piece of fabric fall to the floor all while she hastily began unbuttoning his shirt once more, their lips never breaking for anything more than air.
God, she's so wet, he thought to himself as he reached up her inner thigh once more, gently stroking her lower lips over and over, causing her breath to continuously hitch. He couldn't help but slightly grin at the sight of her, arching backwards in pleasure, one hand on the sink for support while her other holding onto him under his open shirt collar, her eyes closed as she tried not to moan too loudly. No matter what the tabloids printed, he was thrilled to know that he was the only one able to give her such intense pleasure like this.
With that, he took his free hand which was already wrapped around her back and pulled her towards him, their foreheads touching as she opened her eyes once more. His eyes locked with hers, they drew even closer and then caught each other in yet another passionate, scorching kiss.
Chuck had just reached down between them to help her with his belt buckle when there was a quick set of knocks on the door followed by a female with a thick French accent demandingly calling "Blair? Are you in there?"
"Fuck..." Chuck quietly groaned as he dropped his head to her shoulder, his heart and libido both sinking in the same moment. Twice now? He thought to himself. "This can't be happening..." he heavily breathed, trying to calm himself down.
"What Estee?" Blair shouted back in response, her fingers gently stroking through the back of Chuck's hair in a comforting motion. She could tell he was just as frustrated, if not more so than she was.
"Is everything okay, Blair? Can I come in?" Estee questioned from the other side of the door.
"I'm in the bathroom, Estee!" Blair shrieked at her in disbelief. "I think I can handle using the restroom just fine by myself and I doubt the Royals pay you enough to help with that!" she retorted, clearly annoyed. "How did you even know to find me in here?" she demanded to know.
"Why the GPS on your phone, of course," Estee simply stated.
"Of course – the Grimaldi's would have given you the ability to track me," Blair grumbled. "So you tracked me to the bathroom?!"
"I just wanted to make sure there was no funny business going on... between you and Chuck, as he's gone missing as well it seems..."
At that, Chuck looked up at Blair, curious as to what she was going to come up with in response.
"Funny business... like what, Estee? I have more class than to hook-up with anyone, let alone Chuck Bass, in a bathroom," Blair declared, causing both her and Chuck to have to stifle a laugh.
"Then why is the water running, Blair?" Estee boldly asked, causing both Chuck and Blair to pause dead in their tracks.
Just then though Blair had an idea as she pushed Chuck away from her, quickly hopping off the edge of the sink, splashing her skirt with water. Unsure of what she was doing, Chuck merely allowed her to take charge of the situation, letting her push him into the corner behind the door, catching her discarded panties as she tossed them at him before opening the door halfway.
"If you must know, after I stormed out of the office upstairs, I bumped into someone and their drink spilled on me – I came in here to try and wash it out before it severely stained, figuring it was a more appropriate place to do so instead of taking up the main bathroom guests were using," Blair snapped at her minder, making it clear that she was fed up with her. "Is there anything else you must know?" she demanded impatiently, leaving Estee speechless. "No?" Blair pressed her after a moment of no response. "Alright then, if you don't mind, I'll be saying my goodbyes before leaving and retiring to my mother's. Feel free to follow me if you must, however I hope you have your own transportation," Blair barked as she turned the bathroom light off and shut the door behind her, hoping that Estee was too distracted to think twice about checking the bathroom for herself.
"Yes... yes, Blair," Estee mumbled, completely caught off guard by this strong, confident and in control side of Blair she was just now seeing. She wondered if the Royals knew about this side of her. She had to believe not as she couldn't see Louis ever falling for such an openly strong-willed woman.
Unable to find Serena, or Nate for that matter, and wanting to avoid a run-in with Georgina or another one with Dan, Blair quickly found Lily, gave her condolences and made her way to the exit. All with Estee silently hot on her heels. As they road the elevator down together in silence, Blair angrily began to think to herself. If Chuck and I are to have any uninterrupted time alone together, this woman needs to go, she decided as she began to brainstorm ways – both practical and non – to get her out of the way without raising any suspicions.
Left in the dark, Chuck smiled to himself as he recognized Blair's bitchiness and confidence returning. He had to admit, he was quite proud of how she stood up to the woman. It was a nice change from the Blair he had grown used to over the past year or so, letting Louis' family call the shots and dictate everything for her.
He was pulled out of his thoughts by the sudden vibration of his phone in his pocket.
My mother's house. Tonight. I'll text you when the coast is clear.
I'll be waiting, he responded with a smile as he made his way out of the bathroom, rejoining everyone at the wake. His girl was beginning to return to her old wonderful self and she was definitely up to something.
Chuck would be lying if he said he wasn't a little bit nervous as to what he was going to walk into the moment he stepped off the Waldorf elevator. While Blair had assured him numerous times on his way over that everything was taken care of and that the coast was clear, he couldn't help but still be on alert.
"Mister Chuck!" a familiar polish accent squealed in delight as he entered the penthouse. The next thing he knew, the stout maid had him in a firm embrace.
"Dorota," he carefully responded in greeting as he awkwardly wrapped his free arm around her, not one for easily showing open affection with anyone but Blair and not wanting to crush the small bouquet of peonies he had brought with him. "What happened to the French pain in the ass?" he quietly questioned, curious as to just what was going on.
"Miss Estee asleep in living room," Dorota proudly boasted only for Chuck to give her a concerned look. "Miss Blair learn that Miss Estee drink evening tea every night so... I may have slipped some of Miss Eleanor's Xanax in it. Miss Estee sleep for long while, giving Mister Chuck and Miss Blair plenty of time to catch up," she further explained with a wink, causing Chuck to relax as he peered around the corner into the living room to see for himself that the Royal Minder was indeed completely passed out on the lounger. "Miss Blair upstairs, waiting for you, Mister Chuck," Dorota informed him, drawing his attention back to why he had come in the first place.
Chuck nodded in thanks as he quietly made his way up the staircase, heading to a room it seemed like he hadn't been allowed in in ages.
As he slowly turned the doorknob and entered, he couldn't help but shake his head at the sight before him. There was Blair, the only love of his life and object of all his affection, dressed in a matching white silk and lace bra and panty set, matching thigh-high stockings with a sheer white robe and nothing else but his ring dangling from a chain around her neck, lounging on top of her bed, with what else but Breakfast at Tiffany's playing on her laptop.
"Don't you ever get tired of that film?" he questioned with slight grin as he stepped further into the room. Realizing she must not have heard him come in, he watched as she quickly sat up at attention, a smile growing on her lips and her eyes lighting up at the sight of his presence.
"It's a classic," she firmly responded. "You can never get tired of the classics," she stated while motioning for him to come join her on the bed.
He closed the door behind him, making sure to lock it as well just to be safe, before making his way across the room, sitting on the edge of the bed to remove his shoes and handing the bouquet of peonies to her before joining her side. She quickly accepted the flowers and set them on the end table beside the bed before then snuggling into him as he slid an arm around behind her, drawing her even closer.
"So your brilliant plan was to have Dorota spike her tea, eh?" he had to ask as they laid together, watching the movie just like old times.
"It worked, didn't it?" she replied, annoyed that he was even questioning her method.
"Is that going to be your plan every time she's around? Have Dorota drug her? You know she's bound to catch on eventually," he had to point out.
"We'll see," Blair merely stated as she snuggled in closer, resting her head on his chest. He couldn't help placing a firm kiss on the top of her chestnut curls.
"How long do you think she'll be out for?" he curiously pried.
"One alone knocks mother out for a good 6-8 hours... I can only imagine how long two will last – I'm guessing til at least noon tomorrow," Blair informed him, causing him to sigh in relief as her fingers absentmindedly traced circles along his chest. "And I plan on staying holed up in here with the door locked for the remainder of my 72 hour visit... I hope you'll join me?" she requested with a smile on her lips as she was soothed by the rhythmic rise and fall of his breathing chest against her.
"Of course," he simply answered with a smile of his own before delicately taking her hand in his, bringing it to his lips, softly kissing her knuckles as he closed his eyes. While it wasn't as much time as either of them would have liked, so long as Dorota could keep the Royal Minder away, it would be more than enough time to curb their hunger temporarily, he thought to himself as he began to doze off with her.
Together in each others arms, it was the first sound, solid night of sleep either of them had gotten in months.
AN: Thank you to everyone who read, reviewed, followed and favorited! Glad to know you guys are enjoying the story! Also thank you to everyone who's messaged me here and elsewhere over the past few months, inquiring about when my stories will be updated - I do appreciate it! No, I'm not giving up writing nor am I dead (much to the dismay of my trolls lol) - just been busy with life in general =) As some of you noticed, I posted a new one-shot last week in addition to finally updating this one. Chairytale is next on the list as the next chapter is in progress (17 pages already and still going!) and will be updated soon! Also, stay tuned for the next chapter in this one! If you liked it, lemme know! If you have constrictive feedback, that's welcomed too (although if you're going to claim OOC, please provide why you think so) otherwise "you suck" comments are just wasting your time and providing me with free laughs at the fact that you're still taking the time out of your day to read and comment on my work despite claiming you hate everything I write ;-)