AN: Ok I am so sorry about my lack of updates but I had so much much work to do recently and I just kind of let it get away from me! The good news that this is quite long as a chapter and the other one genuinely is underway, and I promise it won't take as long! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own any familiar characters of the series Gossip Girl.

"Happy Birthday darling," Dan grinned as he sat down on Brooke's bed with a tray of waffles and hot chocolate. "I brought you your favourite."
"Mmm... What time is it?" Brooke groaned, stretching and yawning as she shuffled into an upright position.
"Just after ten-thirty, your sister figured it was late enough to wake you." Brooke gave a playful glare at her sister who stuck out her tongue before launching herself onto the bed beside her sister, almost knocking the tray in the process.
"Happy Birthday sis!" Darcy grinned, hugging her sister. "Here you go!"
"Oh Darc, thank you!"
"You haven't even opened it yet so don't thank me! For all you know it could be a box of dirt or something!" Darcy said, rolling her eyes. Dan laughed, imagining the sheer look of horror on his daughter's face if that was actually the case.
Brooke couldn't hep herself from ripping off the paper eagerly.
"It was the one Mom wore," Darcy explained as the perfume box fell onto her sister's lap.
"It's true, I don't know how many times I picked it up at an airport on my way home from book tours. She wore it all the time," Dan said nostalgically.
"Darcy, it's amazing, I love it. And you sis," Brooke grinned, pulling her little sister in for another hug.
"I'm glad you like it," she blushed. "Anyway, open Dad's. I know you'll love it! At least you better after all that time he made me spend looking around the store!" Brooke laughed at her sister, before smiling gratefully at her father as he handed her a gift bag.
"Oh my God!" she exclaimed seeing the blue box. "Daddy!" she squealed.
"Honey, you might want to open it first!" Dan teased. Brooke nodded, carefully pulling the ribbon so that it opened, and lifting the navy velvet box from the famous blue one. Opening the box she let out at gasp as she saw the dragonfly pendant.
"Now if you don't like it we can go to th-" Dan began but was cut off by his eldest.
"Daddy, it's beautiful! I absolutely love it!" she gushed. "Here!" She shoved the breakfast tray at Darcy before jumping out of bed and hugging her father tightly.
"Well, I'm glad," Dan smiled. "Your sister did help pick it out."
"He's lying. I stood there bored," Darcy laughed. "Even ask B! We ran into her there and she couldn't believe Dad picked it out all by himself!" Brooke laughed too.
"Anyway, Darcy, let your sister eat her breakfast, us plebs will go dine on an equally delicious breakfast (if I may say so myself) in the lowly servants' quarters that is the kitchen," he mocked in an affected, posh accent causing Darcy to giggle.
"Dad, you know Downton Abbey finished like twenty years ago right?" Brooke teased.
"Whatever you say Brookie, today is your day!"

"So the girls are going bowling and then they'll come back here for a slumber party, you've said you're organising that, and Dad and Lily and everyone are coming about eight for cake, I ordered one from that bakery she likes. What time will you be here?"
"How about if I just make sure I'm there before the girls get back? Also I have gift bags, just like the ones I had at my parties," Blair said, clearly delighted with herself.
"Uh, right. I'm assuming everything inside is appropriate?" Dan couldn't help but ask causing Blair to burst into laughter.
"Humphrey please, you do realise I'm a parent too?"
"Sorry, I just hope she has a good time. Last year they just went and caught a movie and had food at her favourite restaurant, while you, Jenny, Nate and I discreetly watched everything from two tables over."
"Your little girl is growing up Humphrey! Won't be long until she's off looking at colleges like Bella is. It's crazy how the time flies," Blair said with a nostalgic sigh.
"Don't scare me Blair, I can't believe she's fifteen already! And Darcy is thirteen!"
"At least you're not the parent of a twenty year old! That makes me feel crazy old!" she exclaimed. Dan laughed.
"Well may I say for a woman of your age, you're looking well. You know, if Henry was to do the same as his parents, and have a kid at twenty-two, you'll be a grandmother by next year!" he said deviously, knowing well it would annoy her.
"Not even funny Humphrey. I'll see you later!" she growled, hanging up the phone. Dan chuckled as he pocketed his cell phone.
"What's so funny Dad?" Brooke asked, coming from the study with a stack of books in her hands.
"Oh just your Aunt Blair, without meaning to be obviously!" he joked. "What have you got there?"
"Photo albums. From when we were younger. Darcy and I decided to have a look at them before going to visit Grandpa Rufus if that's ok?"
"Of course sweetie. In fact, do you mind if I join you girls?"
"I was hoping you'd say that! You'll know the stories behind the ones we don't remember."

The next hour was spent nostalgically flipping through photos of their childhoods.
"Oh my God, I'd completely forgotten about that little swimsuit!" Brooke laughed, seeing a picture of her on the beach, sitting with her mother in their swimsuits eating ice-cream cones. She must have been about two in it.
"You were about two and a half. It was our first time going to the Hamptons all four of us. Look, this is from the same day," he said, pointing to a photo of Serena standing at the edge of the sea with Darcy in here little sunhat and short sleeved one piece. "I remember Serena made me lather you in sunscreen every half hour!" he chuckled, squeezing Darcy's shoulder.
They flipped through the rest of the photos from that holiday, bringing Dan back to their first trip as a family of four…

"Dan, can you grab that suitcase?" Serena called out from the hallway.
"Jesus Serena, there'll be nothing left in the house! We're going for a week, or two not a year!" Dan joked, lugging the case out to the car.
"Dan!" she scolded, "Language in front of the girls please!"
"Sorry sweetie," Dan said, placing a kiss on her pouting lips as he walked past, causing her to laugh her adorable four-year old laugh that still made Dan's heart to melt.
"Have you packed everything for yourself? Swim trunks, toothbrush, razor, enough boxers?" she asked, only half joking.
"Babe, I've packed for myself every time we've went on vacation, and it's always you who ends up forgetting something."
"Well what shirts have you brought? And last time you didn't bring any sweater for when it got chilly and ended up wearing that horrific brown thing you found in the wardrobe instead until I forced you to buy a new one!"
"Well if the worst happens, there are stores there, which you will no doubt visit with Blair during our stay! Now do you have everything? Phone charger? Laptop? Brooke's Barbie movie for when she needs to come out of the sun for a while?"
"Yes genius, and about two dozen books to read to her. Now can you make sure everywhere is locked while I get the girls out of the playpen and buckle them into their car seats?"
The next ten minutes had been spent with the last minute grabbing of a few items, as well as the picnic Serena had prepared for the car journey, and with the alarm set, the Humphrey clan were finally on their way.
"Sorry I was so stressed back their," Serena said sheepishly.
"S, don't worry, I've been through two pregnancies with you, that was nothing!" he joked, reaching across to caress her hands. "Now I just hope those two will fall asleep during the car ride!" he said, giving a glance in the rear view mirror, where Darcy was drooling all over her teddy bear (teething), and Brooke was pretending to herself that she could read by improvising her own version of "i like you forever, I love you for always'. Serena looked over her shoulder and chuckled at the sight, then turned to face Dan and grinned, bringing their entwined hands to her lips and kissing his knuckles.

The vacation was successful. Their days were passed on the beach with the girls, trying to stop Darcy from eating sand, and splashing in the rock pools and the shallows with Brooke. They also relaxed by the pool in the house that they were renting with Blair and Chuck, and Nate and his girlfriend of the time, Rosie. Chuck spent five days, returned to the city for a few days work, and then returned for another five days, while Blair stayed with the kids for the full two weeks. Nate and Rosie had intended on staying a week but following a fight she stormed back to the city, followed by Nate, who broke up with her, before returning and enjoying himself far more. That may have had something to do with the fact that Jenny surprised them all with an impromptu visit though. On the second last night of vacation Jenny volunteered to watch the girls while Dan and Serena went out for the night, and Nate eagerly volunteered to provide backup, so they went out for dinner together at a new French restaurant that opened up recently along the beach.
"This is nice, going for dinner, just the two of us," Dan smiled towards the end of the meal.
Serena nodded in agreement, "Much as I love B and Chuck,it's nice to be alone. And Nate and his model of the month do sort of kill the romance at times," she said wrinkling her nose and causing Dan to laugh.
"Did you notice the way Jenny still looks at him?" he asked suddenly, "Or am I just being an over-protective brother?"
"No, I've noticed," she admitted. "But have you seen the way he looks at her? I haven't seen him a happy as he has been in the past week in anybody's company since, well…" she blushed.
"You," Dan finished for her with a small smirk. She nodded sheepishly.
"Anyway, enough about Nate and Jenny, how have you been enjoying our vacation?" she asked.
"It's been almost a perfect two weeks," he said with a smile.
"Almost?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, I wouldn't have minded a few less nights when Brooke didn't share our bed," Dan winked. Serena laughed.
"Well Mr. Humphrey, the vacation isn't over yet! And I may have had the exact same sentiments, which is why I asked Blair earlier to relieve Jenny and Nate of their duties at midnight and take over. And why I reserved us a room in the B&B we visited the last time we came down just the two of us," Serena said seductively, trailing her fingers up his arm. Dan almost choked on his water.
"You done with that?" he asked, pointing to her créme brulée. She smirked, taking the last forkful into her mouth before allowing herself be dragged by Dan, who had dropped enough bills to pay for the meal and a generous tip, out of the restaurant onto the beach.
"Wait a second Dan, look up at the stars, aren't they amazing?" she laughed giddily as he picked her up and swung her around.
He looked up contemplating them before looking back at her and answering with a smile, "Not as good as what's in front of me. Have I told you how ravishing you look this evening?"
"Only about ten times, but I don't mind you saying it again," Serena teased, although he noticed her slight blush. "Have I mentioned how hot you look in that shirt? … But if memory serves me, you look even hotter without it…" she said, trailing her finger up his neck.
He kissed her eagerly.
"We… should really get to the B&B…" she mumbled.
"I happen to remember that my favourite Fourth of July took place right here on this beach. Or at least it finished here! We were both in white, remember?" he smirked.
"You might need to remind me." And remind her he did.

"That was a great vacation," he said, smiling and feeling a blush cross his face as he remembered his and Serena's date night. "Anyway, we better go over to Dad's, I old him we'd be there half an hour ago!"
"Why does he want us calling Dad? I mean, he and Lisa are coming over later aren't they? And Lily and everyone?" Brooke asked.
"Of course, do you think they'd miss it?! He just can't wait that long to see you," Dan said with a wink. "So grab your coats and let's rock and roll."
"Want me to ring a cab? Or are we Subway-ing it?" Darcy asked.
"Subway," Brooke decided, causing a smile from Dan.
"Do you girls know," he began as they walked out the door, "That the first time your mother rode a subway was with me? Blair wouldn't touch her for the entire day afterwards! And oh God the ordeal Nate had when trying to get her to ride one!" Dan laughed, as did the girls. They loved when their father told them stories fro his younger days, especially the ones with their Mom, Nate and Blair in them.

Arriving at the loft, they were greeted by the smell of waffles.
"Think you could handle another one to keep the old man happy?" Dan asked Brooke.
"If you don't I will," Darcy grinned.
"Well, the day that's in it, I might just manage!" Brooke joked.
"There are my two favourite teenagers on the planet!" Rufus grinned when they entered the loft, hugging them tightly immediately. "Happy Birthday Brooke!"
"Thanks Grandpa!" she smiled. "Hey Lisa!" she called, walking further into the loft, followed by Darcy, once she had given her grandfather another squeeze.
"And hello to you too Dad," Dan joked sarcastically.
"Dan my boy! How are you?"
"Good. I can't believe Brooke is fifteen, but otherwise I'm fine!" he joked. "How are you doing?"
"Pretty great," Rufus admitted sheepishly. He often felt guilty that he had been lucky enough to love again after splitting up with Lily, and Alison, while his son had been widowed at thirty-six, and seemed to have never even entertained the idea of finding someone to love again.
"I'm glad to hear it," Dan smiled, patting the older man on the back. "Hey Lisa."
Lisa who had been hugging and chatting to the girls looked up and gave Dan a warm smile which he returned. "Hey Dan! Sit on down, I'll make you all some tea or coffee!"
Dan liked Lisa, a lot, but he had to admit that he considered Lily more a part of his family than Lisa, probably because due to Serena, he still saw her as often as he had when she and Rufus had been married.

Over waffles and hot drinks, they chatted and caught up. Rufus didn't travel into the city half as much these days so mostly he saw his kids and grandchildren when they visited on weekends.
"Now Brookie, I think it's about time I gave you a little something to celebrate the birth of my first grandchild! Give me a second."
"Grandpa, there was no need, honestly," Brooke blushed.
"Oh don't give me that! Besides, I didn't exactly buy it for you."
Rufus emerged from the office carrying a guitar case. Brooke's eyes lit up.
"This," Rufus said, handing her the case, "Is the guitar I got when I turned fifteen. It's also the first guitar I ever played in a real concert with 'Lincoln Hawk'. I figured the next musician in our family should have it!" He was of course referring to the fact that while music had never really been a passion of Dan's, his eldest granddaughter had definitely inherited his talent. He'd started teaching her when she eight and she'd been spending a lot of time at the loft while Serena was in hospital, and Dan went to visit without the girls. She's learnt quickly and had continued to play even when her mother died and they didn't go to Rufus' as often. She loved to sing and play guitar, and even though she would never dream of telling her father or Blair this, she often whispered tales of what she'd do when she was a famous musician into her sister's ear at night. It's not that Dan wouldn't support her, but she knew he'd want her to focus on her studies first so as to have a back-up plan. And she knew Blair would shudder at the thought of tour buses and sweaty shows, not to mention the fact that she had taken a particular liking to the country genre. What she didn't know yet was that Blair would actually understand completely, having briefly envisioned herself performing to crowded arenas, during her tee years.
"Go on, open it!" he smiled. She carefully laid the case on her lap and took out the guitar.
"Grandpa, thank you so much. This is… incredible! Are you sure?"
"Of course! Hopefully though you'll have more success than I had!" he winked. "I had it spruced up a little too- new strings, got the wood treated, a pic, and Lisa helped me pick a nice girly strap. You should be good to go. It's not new but it's a goo-"
"It's a million times better than a new guitar!" Brooke beamed. "It's amazing, thank you so, so much." Handing the guitar to Dan she got up and hugged first Lisa, and then Rufus giving him an extra long and hard squeeze.
"How about a tune?" Rufus suggested.
"A duet?" Brooke asked grinning widely as she raised a brow.
"Oh alright," Rufus agreed. "Song?"
"I Told You So?" Brooke suggested eagerly.
"That's ancient!" Rufus teased, "and it's Country!"
Brooke simply smirked, "It's my birthday! Besides I know you can play it, and it's like the first male/female duet I could think of!" she defended.
"It wasn't originally a duet you know! Randy Travis just really liked the sound of Carrie Underwood singing it so they released a duet version."
"God I can't imagine it sounding a quarter as good without Carrie!" Brooke said astonished.
"How are your music choices so old fashioned?!" Dan chuckled.
"I blame you and mom for always picking the CD or music station," Darcy decided, receiving support from her sister.
"Alright, just sing already!" Dan joked.
Brooke began to pluck the strings, Rufus joining in, but Dan could only watch his daughter in awe at how at ease she seemed, at the brightness in her eyes. He knew that look. It was like when Serena got really into something. Pure excitement and joy. He smiled as he watched his little girl perform and thought to himself how lucky he was to have her and Darcy, and that they looked so like their mom, giving him constant reminders of her every day.

AN: I hope you enjoyed this chapter! There's quite a sizeable flashback which some of you prefer more than others (Dair and Derena fans are welcome here!), and I know there's no Dan/Blair interaction but the next chapter will contain a lot of Blair so fear not! I am so grateful to anybody still reading this, I would understand completely if you had given up! (But please don't!) Thoughts? Opinions? Let me know!
Thanks and see you soon!