Here we go another chapter! Not too sure about this one but I'm going to go with it and see how it lands. As always any and all reviews are so appreciated. I do not own Gossip Girl even though I wish I did!
All hell had broken loose. Blair couldn't believe that just fifteen short minutes ago she, her parents, Cyrus and Roman were having a quiet, peaceful dinner and with five simple words "Chuck Bass is the father" total pandemonium had erupted.
She had arrived at Charles de Gaulle right on time and had the taxi take her directly to the restaurant. Of course, her mother always punctual was waiting with Cyrus at the bar.
"Blair, darling, I hope that's travel bloat and not excessive wedding cake tasting that's caused this plumpness." Those were her mother's first words to her as she kissed her cheek and pinched the side of Blair's waist.
Cyrus kissed her next. "Oh, Eleanor she looks beautiful as always."
Leave it to Eleanor Waldorf to reduce her to a fifteen year old insecure girl again.
They discussed Blair's flight over while they waited for Harold and Roman. Much to Eleanor's disdain and Blair's discomfort they arrived five minutes late.
Harold immediately wrapped his daughter in his arms and Blair felt like bursting into tears. She adored her father and was worried what he was going to think of her when he heard the news.
They all sat down and discussed Waldorf Design's Fall line as well as the vineyards at the Chateau as they ordered. Then Cyrus asked the question she had been dreading.
"So how are Louis and the royal wedding plans?"
Blair twisted her napkin in her lap. "Well actually that's why I've asked you all to be here tonight. I wanted to tell you all the news at the same time."
"What's wrong?" Eleanor knew her daughter well.
Blair shook her head and took a sip of her water. "Nothing's wrong per se just a change of plan."
Harold who was sitting next to her took her hand. "What's going on Blair?"
"I'm pregnant."
"Oh thank God! I thought you were going to tell us the engagement was off." Eleanor looked so relieved.
Harold was speechless as Roman signaled the waiter to bring champagne. "This iz wonderful news," he put an arm around Harold and squeezed, "you are to be a Grandpere!"
Cyrus on Blair's left gushed, "A baby is such a wonderful blessing."
Blair held up her hand to push her hair back and Eleanor noticed that her engagement ring was missing. "Blair where is your ring?" Everyone looked at her empty finger.
"Louis has it. We've called off the engagement."
"What? Why would he do that when he's about to become a father?" Eleanor was far from happy.
It was now or never. Blair took a deep breath and blurted, "Chuck Bass is the father."
At that exact moment the waiter who had returned with the champagne popped the cork. Roman covered his mouth and exclaimed, "Mon Dieu!"
Harold looked at Eleanor and then back at Blair. "Chuck Bass?"
Eleanor leaned forward. "I knew that man was trouble. I said it when they first started dating." She pointed a finger at Harold. "You said he was fine, that it was just a phase. Something she had to get out of her system and now look what has happened."
"She was happy for the first time in a while." Harold immediately went on the defensive.
"Yes until he completely ruined her and this," she held up her hands gesturing towards Blair, "is a complete disaster."
The waiter unaware of the change in atmosphere began to pour the champagne. Eleanor downed her glass instantly and held it up for a refill.
"The press is going to have a field day with this and right before the Fall show."
Harold leaned forward and whispered angrily, "This is just like you to worry about yourself. She's the one that has to deal with this problem."
Eleanor set her glass down. "This is your entire fault. You've always been overindulgent when it comes to her."
Blair had had enough and couldn't take it anymore. While her parents continued to argue and pass blame she excused herself from the table and headed outside. She felt like she was going to pass out and she needed some fresh air.
She began to pace in front of the restaurant. She wanted to call Chuck. She needed him to tell her it was all going to be okay but she didn't know if he really felt that way and she couldn't bear it if he were cold or distant.
She pulled out her phone prepared to call Serena when Cyrus came out the door. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. She felt the tears begin as soon as her head was on his shoulder.
He rubbed her back. "It's going to be okay Blair, I promise." He pulled back and smiled at her. "Don't cry." He reached into his jacket pocket pulling out a silk handkerchief and handed it to her.
She dabbed at the corner of her eyes. "I've really made a mess of things haven't I?"
Cyrus shrugged. "That depends. Do you love Chuck?"
She nodded and the tears started again. "God help me but I do and I have for a very long time. I've known for a while that marrying Louis wasn't right."
Cyrus smiled. "I noticed it between you two the very first time I ever saw you together. It was definitely love." He took both of her hands in his. "Do you want this baby?"
"More than anything. I love it already."
He nodded. "Alright then let's go back inside and tell your parents that." She was hesitant so he led the way. "I promise I have your back."
Blair gave a teary smile. "Thank you."
He gave her another hug. "You're welcome now come on."
They walked back to the table together. Everyone was silent. Eleanor's arms were crossed and she was so tense Blair was frightened she might crack. Her father looked so sad.
Blair stood behind her chair. "I'm going to have a baby with Chuck Bass and no amount of anger and upset is going to change that fact. So," she took a deep breath, "you all can accept that and be a part of this child's life or not. It's up to you but either way I'm having a baby."
Harold sighed, "Is he going to marry you?"
"He hasn't asked me and personally I would say no if he did. I refuse to rush into a marriage because of a baby."
"Blair this is going to ruin your reputation and the Waldorf name." Eleanor was nearly in tears.
Blair stared at her mother. "Just once I wish you would care as much about me as you do about my reputation. I don't care what people think Mother. Besides this isn't 1950. Women have babies every day without being married. I'm not the first and I certainly won't be the last." She picked up her handbag and signaled the waiter. He rushed over.
"I need a taxi to take me to the Four Seasons and my luggage. Merci." She turned to the table. "Now I'm exhausted so I'm going to get some sleep. I have a flight to Florence in the morning so I need my rest."
Harold got up. "Blair don't leave. Come stay with us. You can relax and rest I promise."
She hugged her father. "Thank you Daddy but I really think I need some time alone to think and Tuscany is the perfect place to do that."
She said her goodbyes to Cyrus and Roman and headed around the table to where her mother sat. She leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. "Goodbye Mother." She rested her hand on Eleanor's shoulder. "I didn't do this on purpose." When she got no response she turned and walked away.
The taxi was waiting with her luggage already in the trunk when she stepped out of the restaurant. She got in and shut the door feeling like her heart was going to burst with sadness.
As the taxi pulled away from the curb her phone rang. It was Chuck. She took a deep breath and answered it. "Hello Chuck."
"Hey. I just wanted to make sure you arrived safely."
"Yes I just left dinner and I'm heading to the hotel." She was holding back tears.
Chuck noticed right away something was wrong. "Why are you staying at a hotel instead of at your Mother's?"
"Seeing as my Mother is not currently speaking to me I thought a hotel would be best." She felt a tear slip down her cheek.
"That bad huh?"
"Worse than anything you can imagine."
There was a shuffling noise in the background and then she could hear a woman's voice saying something to Chuck. "I'll be right there," he whispered back to her.
Blair closed her eyes and felt a wave of jealousy rise up inside of her. "You're obviously busy so I'll let you go."
"It's nothing just a late lunch." He cleared his throat. "Look Blair I'm going to clear my schedule and join you tomorrow. You shouldn't have gone by yourself. Maybe if I talk to Eleanor she'll understand."
Blair was suddenly filled with anger. "Understand what Chuck? Understand that her daughter ruined herself by cheating on her fiancée with a womanizing ass who's all new money and no class. Or maybe you'll help her understand how her daughter will soon give birth to a bastard child. I've embarrassed her and ruined the Waldorf name. I've taken an opportunity to be a princess and thrown it all away to be the whore of a...a glorified landlord instead." She had reached the end of her rant.
Chuck had heard enough. "You are clearly upset and exhausted which has caused you to overreact."
"Overreact? My mother isn't speaking to me, Chuck. You have no idea how bad this is. It's easy for you. Your life doesn't change. You can still do your job, go out and screw any whore you want and no one will say anything. I can't run from this. I'm the one who has to give up school and social engagements and what charitable organization is going to want me on their board. So don't tell me I'm overreacting."
"That's enough Blair. I think you need to go and get some rest. We'll talk about this tomorrow."
"No Chuck I'm done talking. I want you to leave me alone."
He sighed. "Blair you're being irrational. We're having a baby together I can't leave you alone."
"We have at least five months before I actually give birth and until then I want you to stay the hell away from me." He started to protest and she cut him off. "I have nothing else to say to you." With that she hung up on him.
Chuck looked at his phone in disbelief. He had thought they had made some headway and now he felt like they had just took about twelve steps back. He was trying not to be hurt by the things she had said. She was hormonal and jetlagged and her mother always brought out the worst in her.
He picked up his desk phone and buzzed his assistant. "Clear my schedule for the rest of this week and the next and have the jet fueled and ready to go to Paris within the hour."
"But Mr. Bass, what about your conference call with Hong Kong tonight?"
He ran a hand over his face. He was surrounded by idiots. "What part of 'clear my schedule' did you not fucking understand? Do your fucking job or find another place of employment."
He slammed the phone down and got up crossing his office to the sideboard where he poured himself a healthy portion of scotch. He downed it in two swallows and poured a second.
He called Arthur to bring the limo around. He had to get home, pack and get to France as quickly as possible. He knew what he had to do now and leaving Blair alone was certainly not in the plan.
