CH. 4 Rocky Road & Finding Nemo

"Nic' have you seen my heels?" Lex called from her closet

"I think they're under your bed." Nicole said sitting up a little on her mom's bed.

They had been lounging around that morning watching movies and spending quality girl time together. Now they were getting ready for a late lunch with Serena and Blair at Cafe Carlyle. Lex had gotten Nicole dressed in a summer dress that was pale pink with black ballet flats. Her long hair was down in lose curls with a ribbon pinned in perfection. Lex was wearing a white flowing tank top, a bomber jacket, skinny jeans, white Palm Beach open toe pumps from Louis Vuitton. Her hair was naturally curly and to her waist.

"You ready Babe?" Lex asked Nicole walking out of the closet.

Nicole was already jumping off the bed heading for the doorway. Lex was laughing as she grabbed her purse and house keys. Her Grandparents had visited them the night before and were glad that she was adjusting well. She was enrolling in Columbia so she could get her degree in business and was going to go work for her Grandfather as a secretary while Nicole was in school.

"Mama how can we afford to go out?" Nicole asked on the elevator ride to the lobby.

"Well Baby you know Grandpapa is helping us out and I did have a little saved up before. But I'm getting a job when you start school next week." Lex said rubbing her daughter's back.

Nicole made a face and stuck her tongue out when her mom mentioned school. "Come on mom."

"You were in school in Wyoming. What's wrong with going to school here?" Lex asked looking at her daughter.

Nicole didn't say anything just looked out the window as the town car drove down the streets of New York. "Hey Babe, where did you go to?" Lex asked noticing Nicole's faraway look

"I love you Mama." Nicole said hugging her mother.

Lex wrapped her arms around Nicole and kissed the top of her head "I love you to Babygirl. How about I make you a deal? We go to lunch with Auntie S and Auntie B then we go home and lounge around in our sweat pants and t-shirts watching any movie you want to see?"

Nicole beamed at her mother and nodded her head in agreement. "Sounds great!"

"Alright what movies did you pick out?" Lex called from the kitchen where she was waiting for the tenth bag of popcorn to finish.

"It won't be a surprise if I tell you Mama. Hurry up!" Nicole said running into the kitchen.

Lex was about to answer when she heard someone knocking at the front door. "Hey Babe will you go see who that is?"

"Sure." Nicole said walking to the door "Hey Mr. Chuck! What are you doing here?"

Lex walked into the foyer to see Chuck standing outside the thresh hold of her apartment. She felt anger and sadness that he was there. She took a look at Chuck and saw that he was a mess. His hair was in a disarray, his eyes were red from either lack of sleep, drinking, or both.

"Nicole why don't you go get things set up while I talk to Mr. Chuck."

Lex watched Nicole shrug and walk back towards the living room. She then looked back over to Chuck and saw him still standing outside her door. "You can come in Chuck. My weapons are gone."

Chuck smirked a little at that. Her weapons always use to be things she could throw at him. He watched her as she turned around led him into the den. He wanted to reach out and touch her arm but she whipped around and looked at him expectantly.

"What are you doing here? I thought I made myself clear the other day." She said in an angry tone

"I just wanted to talk. I haven't seen you since that brunch and Serena won't tell me anything neither will Blair." Chuck said taking a step towards her. He was about to reach out and touch her arm when she stepped back from him.

"Well maybe that's because I don't want you finding me. As you can see Nicole and I have been doing well without you. What happened to your 'girlfriend'?" Lex asked

Chuck was getting angry all he wanted to do was come and make peace with her and try to be involved in her life and their daughters. But just like Blair, Lex made everything difficult. He took another step towards her and grabbed her arms.

"Look I came here to make peace, not declare war. But if you won't help me out a little Lexie then a war is what you'll get. I have a right to get to know my daughter." he said gripping her arms tighter.

"How dare you! How dare you come in here and threaten me with a war! I didn't even ask to see you. You have no right to try to waltz in here and think I'll give into your demands." Lex said throwing her arms out from his grasp before storming towards the door.

"Lex.." Chuck's voice stopped her from turning the door knob.

"Chuck I think you should leave. I have a movie to watch with my daughter. When you feel like actually showing me that I'm nothing than I may think about you being in Nicole's life. As for now, please leave." she told him while holding the door open. Once he left Lex went into the living room and saw that Nicole was sitting on the couch with a blanket over her and a bowl of popcorn in her lap. She sat down and Nicole snuggled into her lap passing her the popcorn bowl.

"Ready for Nemo's Great Adventure?" Lex asked hitting the play button and snuggling deeper into the couch.