Hi!
Thank you for kindness in your reviews.
I'm sorry for every single error.
Be forbearing. :):)
Take care! and see you soon!
One Day (Part 4)
Flashback
"Humphrey, come on." She stood in a doorway with her arms crossed. "We are going to be godparents. We have to buy a present for a baby together."
"Blair…" He almost whined. "Just go shopping without me, as per usual."
"No." She said demandingly.
He rose to his feet begrudgingly and twenty minutes later he found himself in front of Bergdorf Goodman. "I'm not going there."
Blair's eyes flew in his direction. "And why is that?"
"I've never been here… and…"
Blair just laughed lightly. "There's a first time for everything." She shook their linked hands. "Come on, it's not a devil's residence or something, it's just department store."
Then he saw Blair being in her element. She listed out to him places where they should go and leaded him there by a hand basically. She stopped holding him only when she reached a first store. "Just take a look around here, I will be right back."
She left him alone. That was a store with baby clothes, that's for sure but it was so neat and tidy that he wasn't sure he could touch anything. There was also no one in there what made this place even creepier. When he was ready to go in Blair's direction, shop assistant stopped him. "Are you lost, sir?" She asked him forcing her politeness.
"Actually, I…" He lifted his hand to wave at Blair.
"I think you are lost, sir." She said pushing him slightly out of the store. Right in that moment he had a vital slideshow of Pretty Woman movie particularly a scene when snobbish saleswomen were kicking Julia Roberts out of the boutique.
"Hey Humphrey!" He heard cheerful voice of his girlfriend.
A woman stepped back and smiled brightly at Blair. "Miss Waldorf, how nice…"
Blair threw her the fakest smile and turned her attention to Dan. "What do you think about it?" She showed him an infant playsuit and mouthed 'no, no, no' shaking her head when a woman turned to him.
"I do not think I like it." He played along.
"I do not think I like it either." She put it disrespectfully down and approached to Dan. She wrapped her arm around his waist and kissed his lips. "I really like how companionate we are." Her genuine smile faded when she eyed a woman. "We are going to be godparents."
"Congratulations." A woman said way too excitedly. "I assume you are here for…"
She was ready to guide them around but Blair interrupted her quickly. "We were about to do a solid shopping in your store…" She waved a hand nonchalantly not leaving Dan's side even for a second. "Right Daniel."
"Yes, we were." He grunted.
"But a variety of items is so poor and disappointing, not to mention the service." She accented. "You will lose all your clients if you don't improve some things. I suggest interpersonal relations course and interior designer, for starters." She sighed proudly. "Have a nice day ma'am."
"Blair."
"Hmm." She hummed innocently.
"You don't have to defend me... We could have just left…"
"Humphrey you are so humorous. You really think I've defended you?" She giggled, hitting his arm harmlessly. Dan just rolled his eyes. "I had to bring that bitch to her heel. She should be grateful that somebody wants to visit that piteous, overpriced shop. Even if someone is you." Dan sighed helplessly. "Snobs everywhere, I swear I hate them." She declared.
"What we actually want to buy…" He changed a subject skeptically.
"Dorota said that we can buy an outfit for Anastasia."
"So why am I here? You are not going to let me choose anything anyway."
"When you stop complaining and have a good offer, maybe I will…"
"So that's it. Outfit is a present." Hopefully he thought that maybe miraculously he would be able to afford it.
"No this is what we are responsible for. Present we are getting at Tiffany's."
When Blair finally found acceptable in its quality store, she was choosing clothes for god knew how long. They both were attended perfectly by shop assistants so was greatly appreciated by Blair. He really tried to be present among those infant dresses but when he was informed about price of lace socks for newborn baby he choked and changed his current location to a book section.
Leaping at the opportunity Blair grabbed some things for herself during their way to Tiffany's. Dan opened the door for her and walked inside right behind her carrying all her bags.
They were greeted professionally by elderly man, who was the suave, sophisticated and classy clerk. Dan relaxed a bit.
"We are looking for a gift…" Blair said confidently.
"What's an occasion, miss?"
"Christening. We are going to have a goddaughter." She smiled. "I was thinking about a necklace. But I'm not sure… something timeless."
"Maybe those with cross pendant or an angel."
Blair grimaced disapprovingly. "She is going to be christened not a nun."
"Of course. Maybe butterfly or flower. Exquisite diamonds evoke the almost real beauty of a blossoming flower." Blair shook her head 'no' decidedly. Only heart locks, anchors, keys and bows… who would want to have it, she thought. "I suppose script with a letter won't be accepted either." An elder man said warm-heartedly. "Maybe something catches your eye, sir." He turned to Dan sincerely. He was the first person who didn't mind his worn jeans and lack of credit card. "Except this young lady, of course." They both blushed a bit.
"I was thinking that maybe this one." Blair approached them closer very interested. A man unlocked glass drawer and showed them golden necklace with small heart pendant. "It's discreet, without unnecessary ornate but also splendid and very peculiar. It is suitable for a child, for a young girl and for an adult woman. That's what you mean by timeless, right?" Blair nodded, he smiled. "It will suit Ana."
"Exactly. This collection was inspirited by the 19th-century scrolled iron gates of lavish estates and secret gardens. What make it so special and original." He sounded like promotional description.
"Humphrey, you are shopping rocket." Blair said very impressed and laughed lightly. "We will take it. It's pretty much what we were looking for." She paid for it not even looking at a price.
"Well, well that's impressive. Maybe I'll let you buy things for our daughter. One day." She said when they were outside of a store.
"I'm glad you've added 'one day'." She rolled her eyes. "First things first. Let me save some money for your engagement ring ok." He said half-jokingly.
"By the way, how are you doing with that?" She clung to his arm tighter and narrowed her eyes.
"I broke my piggy bank…"
"And how much can I count on?"
"$197 in change."
"Oh you are a rich man." She rubbed his arm tenderly while they were walking down the street.
"There is no denying… That should be slated for my trip around the world but fine… I will spend it on you." She laughed so adorably, so freely. She leaned her head back, squinted her eyes and showed her dimples. He should make her laugh more often just for that view. "In that pace you can expect a ring like those at Tiffany's in next century, and only with the wind of prosperity at my back."
"I believe you can find something graceful and in reasonable price much sooner." She kissed his cheek.
"But honestly Blair. These 200 dollars will be my first installment rather for you." She looked at him clueless. "I have to pay you back for the present."
"Don't be silly." She ended the conversation. "Just take me home." Dan turned them in penthouse's direction. "No. Loft."
"Why is here so empty?" Blair asked when they were getting ready to sleep.
"Jen is in Hudson. Dad is on a date."
"With Lily." She said excitedly.
"Yeah."
"How have they even met?" She asked mostly herself.
"They know each other 20 years…"
"What? I thought it's new thing."
"No. They were dating before. Dad said it was pretty serious relationship, but she left him when Lily's mother said that she would disinherit her, so…" He trailed off. "Misalliance."
"Well." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Thank god I'm smarter than Lily." She arched her brows and smiled brightly.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
"I really think we should talk about that."
"Really money bothers you so much?" She said in disbelieve. "You pay for some things I pay for another. Everything is balanced out."
Dan sighed. "Not money. I'm scared that you will regret it. All of it. Yale. Living in Brooklyn… you are going to sacrifice a lot, I'm not sure you are aware of it. And I know how important luxury, comfiness and fashion are for you… You didn't even check a cost of your purchases…"
"That's not entirely true." She protested. "That's my parents' money, not mine. They gave me it to shut me up. I'm buying expensive things because I can… not because I necessarily need them. I extract everything I can from it, with premeditation."
"Blair…" He didn't like when she was saying that.
"You know what is important. Life is important. Love is important." She said fondly. "I've planned everything. Even our life in poverty." She said playfully because she knew it's not going to be that bad.
"You get used to different life Blair." He said softly. "My life won't change, but yours... yes."
"Dan. I already live like you. And I like how simple it is. And it's not like we are going to starve to death. Maybe we won't be able to do shopping at Tiffany's anytime soon. But we will someday. With our own money." She smoothed his frown forehead. "My life and my love are with you." She kissed his lips and he kissed her back. "Don't worry."
"Care to familiarize me with your plans?" He finally asked.
"Sure." She made herself comfortable in the bed. "But those are very ambitious plans, be prepared."
"I am all ears."
"I've talk with my banker." Dan raised his brows. She ignored that. "And he informed me that money for college is mine, they need to be used only for study obviously, but my mother has basically no rights for it. So her threats about cutting me off a college fund when I go to other university than Yale are empty. She legally can do absolutely nothing, but I have to try to not piss her off until November. With my 18 birthday I will be free."
"That's good." He exhaled with relief. "That's really good." They both got to Yale, but Dan didn't get a scholarship. Without a flick Blair transferred to Columbia. Dan was guilty that because of him she turned away from her dreams.
"Yeah." She said happily. She was so positive about their future. "I've already apply for an internship at W. And let's face it, they have to accept my application." She said surely. "So I'm going to work there during summer. Then maybe they will hire me, so with starting salary it will be easier. I can also help you at the café while Vanessa's stay in Barcelona. I've spoken about that with her mom."
Dan widened his eyes. "You don't have to, Blair."
"Why?" She asked half offended. "I'm hard-working. And you know I can do it."
He lay down on his side watching her closely. "I know." He smiled lovingly. "But you don't have to." He grabbed her palm and kissed it.
She smiled back and sighed. "I have also project in my head I'm going to realize during college. But shh… I'm not saying anything about it yet." She smiled. "And you…" She accented happily.
"Me?"
"You are going to publish that book you have in your drawer. And everybody will love it. And it'll be bestseller. So you will write another one… and another. Then you signed a movie deal…" She lay next to him facing him.
"That's really big perspective… so you better slow down because we both end up disappointed…" He chose to not get his hopes up. So what, they are happy? So what, they don't disturb anybody? So what, they have their own life? Always there is someone who throws a punch with no reason.
She noticed his skepticism. "Dan. Just give us some faith." She said almost pleadingly. "Life is what you make it. Everything is in our hands. And everything is going to be fine." He pulled her closer to him. "Ouch." She grimaced in pain. "My back is killing me."
"Back? Are you 18 or 78?" He joked. "No surprise when you've walked in heels all day long." She rolled her eyes in annoyance but still nestling to him. "Just sleep that off." Dan took a cover and wrapped it around them.
"I love this place." She said after a while. "It's so safe." She trailed off. "I have to thank your dad that he trusted us and allowed me to move in here."
"You are family. They all treat you like a family member." He kissed her forehead and embraced her tighter. She fell asleep with smile on her face.
.
.
.
Blair was sitting at the table, fidgeting nervously. It was breakfast time so there were a lot of comings and goings in the café. She was afraid and dying in anticipation at the same time.
What if he went to a bad family? What if they kept the fact of adoption from him? What if he has struggled with it whole his life? What if this situation damaged him? What if he was hurt? What if he was unhappy? Thoughts, fears and regrets swirled in her head.
Forgiveness would never come to her. She wept her tears.
She just wanted to take him home, take care of him and forget what have happened to them.
She was not sure what she should tell him. Memories from before 18 years tore her heart apart. She was dealing with that pain every single day and she was scared of his questions, of her near breakdown…
She glued her eyes on the entrance and waited eagerly. "Hey! Philip! Over here." She stood up and beckoned to him and he came to stand next to her. "Hi. Sit down please."
"Thanks." He sat down and unzipped his jacket.
"They have really good omelets, maybe…"
He shook his head 'no'. "I'm not hungry." He smiled.
"Of course. Dan would never let you leave without breakfast."
"But tea would be great..." When waiter came to them with their mugs, he started shyly. "Dan said he used to work here."
"Oh yeah with Vanessa, our friend, it's her parents' place." She sipped her tea. "We spent a lot of time here." Philip looked at her hopefully, encouraged to ask further. Blair noticed it. "Your parents aren't ecstatic about it, probably…"
"They didn't know that I's coming here to meet you. But they conjectured. I spoke with them earlier over the phone. They are very understanding so… They will join me in New York in a few days, with my sister."
"You have a sister?" She asked, trying to sound casual.
"Yeah. Olivia is younger than me, one year, but we went to school together." He explained shortly.
"Oh that must be fun."
"It is more jauntily, I guess." He smiled. "And she isn't adopted." He added.
Blair shifted awkwardly. "Umm. About that…" Philip looked at her curiously. "Does it give you any difficulties… in life?" He narrowed his eyes quizzically. "I mean… umm." She rubbed her forehead nervously.
"My parents are great, if that's what you ask. They never favored any of us. They are very supportive and loving. And I appreciate everything they are doing for me. And they never made me feel reject or different in any form." Blair nodded abruptly half relieved half hurt. She should be great and supportive and loving… mother. "But it doesn't mean that I've never felt this way."
Blair looked at him alarmed and instinctively grabbed his hand. "What? Why?" When she noticed his discomfort, she pulled back.
"I knew I'm adopted before they told me. It was not surprise to me. They both are blonds with blue eyes. My sister looks the same. And they all have dimples in their chins, which is impossible to not inherit." He looked like the spitting image of Dan and her. Blind man would see that. He didn't look at her. His voice was shaking. It was as much hurtful to him as to her. "I was just wondering how it's possible that they wanted me and…" He didn't finish.
She looked away and wiped her tears. He got it all wrong. "I wanted you." She proclaimed. "When I found out I was pregnant I breathed a sigh of relief. Dan, our baby and me was my dream which just came sooner to me." She didn't care how naïve she sounded. She was naïve back then though. "I knew it would be hard, but we would make it." Philip was so confused, it made her even sadder. "It was not my choice." She said bitterly.
"Blair! Blair honey, is that you?! Oh my god!"
"Mrs. Abrams…" Blair stood up and the woman pulled her in for a hug.
"It's been ages!"
"Yeah, it's just how things happened…"
"I have to call Vanessa, maybe you could catch up, while you are in New York?"
"Of course… of course. I would love to."
"And you must try our blackcurrant pie."
"You don't have to…"
"Coming right up!" When she set two massive pieces of cake in front of them, she said. "I have weird impression that our Danny is sitting here…" The woman laughed lightly. "You are strikingly similar to our friend." She said to Philip harmlessly. "Never mind." She waved her hand dismissively. "See you soon then and bon appetite."
Philip was still waiting impatiently for Blair to continue. But she didn't. She focused on her pie avoiding further explanation.
He shook his head with disappointment and disbelieve. He was here to found out who his biological parents were, when they decided to give him away. What reasons they have?
Too young.
Immature.
Poor.
Pathologic.
Etc.
So maybe he could appreciate his current life even more and stop wondering about his presumptive alternate life.
"You are mad." Blair said diffidently.
"No, I'm not." He actually was.
"I can see…"
"I don't understand." He dropped his fork. "You both declare that you loved each other and you were able to face a world together… But a baby was too much for you apparently." He concluded. "You didn't even talk to Dan." He added in a low voice.
"It was not my choice!" She repeated more firmly but very emotionally.
After a long moment of silence. She asked him casually about school and college plans, his family and France. He answered politely but in formal tone.
He cannot comprehend this situation. Why didn't she want to talk openly? Her behavior was so odd. So odd.
But he was sure one thing. Knowing that they didn't want him was easier to deal with. Now he still didn't know much except that Blair actually cared about him… and had no idea what to think.
"I know you stay in a hotel, but maybe you would want to come to my apartment." Blair said when they walked out of a café. It's not her apartment, but she couldn't care less about Nate right now.
"No. I don't want to disturb."
"You don't. I would love to." He shook his head. "Ok. Ok." She said disappointedly. "Is there any chance that we can stay in touch somehow?" She asked shyly. "To talk more…, for instance."
"Ok."
"I'm not ready, but…"
"You will explain to me everything."
She nodded. "I promise." She smiled. "Philip suits you."
"Excuse me?"
"Philip suits you more than Samuel." She admitted while he stopped in his tracks shocked. "I gave you Samuel as a name. Sam." She said dreamily. "For three days I had you, you were Sam, the most precious baby in the world."
.
.
.
When Philip came back to the loft. Dan asked a couple of subtle questions, trying to know how was his meeting with Blair, but Philip wasn't very talkative. Dan assumed that he needed time to digest what had happened. He needed that too. But he hoped they could talk, not only about it, someday.
He offered a stay at loft but Philip declined. He asked Dan if he wouldn't mind to meet his parents, because they wanted to get to know Dan and Blair. Dan accepted. Philip promised him to stay in contact. With shy 'see you soon' Philip left Dan's place.
When Dan Humphrey dared to think that he finally started quite stable period of his life, Blair Waldorf turned it upside down. Once again. But this time in a way that it never was going to be the same again.
"Hi Dan!" Rufus greeted him with a smile, slightly surprised by his visit.
"Oh hello Daniel." Lily said. She was sitting on the couch. Maddie was sleeping next to her.
"Hey." Dan said blandly. He turned to a wet bar. "Can we talk dad?" He asked already holding two glasses and a bottle of scotch.
"Sure." Rufus grunted. They exchanged meaningful looks with Lily. In the office Rufus regarded his son carefully. He seemed to be… earnest, restive and… devastated. Dan poured himself a whole glass. "It's not lemonade…" Rufus warned him concernedly.
Dan drank it up almost in a one gulp. That amount of strong alcohol caused only burning throat and choking cough. Dan pushed a bottle away. Apparently he couldn't even get drunk today. "I have a son." Rufus sank deeper in his chair, his mouth was agape. Dan decided to continue before his father could make some false assumptions. "He is 18 years old. Blair gave him up for adoption without my knowledge."
Rufus blinked uncontrollably for a couple of seconds. History repeats itself. He wouldn't wish something like this even on his worst enemy. And here, his own son was going through that hell. "At least you didn't find out 5 minutes before your wedding." He tried to add some humorousness, futilely. Dan glared at him firstly, but then his eyes filled with sympathy. Their fates crossed in so many points. "I know how awful it is. I know." Rufus said softly.
Dan stayed that night at Rufus'.
Maddie was delighted.
.
.
.
tbc