Chapter Six- When an End Becomes a Beginning
Tapping his fingers anxiously, Dan waited as the popcorn was still going in the microwave. Hearing the ding from the microwave, Dan wasted no time in grabbing the bowl to add the desired condiments to the fluffy white kernels. Closing the door to the microwave, Dan quickly walked over to flick the lights off in the kitchen before he made his way towards Blair's bedroom. With things being so crazy for both Dan and Blair at work, tonight they wanted to just have a little hang out time with Nicholas, so that he knew that he was still the main focus of their day. Though Nicholas saw no point in hanging out due to it being an action a prince would never be caught up in doing, Blair had managed to convince him to suck it up. Making his way into the bedroom, Blair quickly grabbed the bowl out of popcorn out of his hands before she took a seat at the head of the bed. Feeling a bit cheated out of the popcorn, Dan tried to retrieve the popcorn for himself, but Blair put a lock down on any chance of that happening.
"Seriously?" Dan declared as he looked on at Blair, who just laughed at how sad her friend looked.
"Stop being such a baby" Blair laughed as she reluctantly handed he bowl over
"What movie did you end up picking Nick?" Dan asked as he laid back on his pillow while munching away on his popcorn
"Elizabeth" Nicholas replied in a monotone voice that showed no enthusiasm
"How do you even…? I forget, I forget sometimes" Dan began to question on how Nicholas knew of the Queen of England.
"Do you know she was the last of the Tudor monarchy. Believed to be the daughter to Henry the fifth" Nicholas said as he began to spit out facts
"Yes, I think I remember that from many excruciating hours of AP Euro with Mr. Howell" Dan sighed as he thought back to the dreaded high school days that he had to endure
"Ha, I had Ms. Peneske" Blair replied proudly "Besides, I knew that fact at the age of ten, thank you very much" she said
"Why would it take so long to know that?" Nicholas turned to ask his mother in disbelief
"No, I meant….I loved that era…no matter what I say, I'll still be behind on the eight ball on this one, huh?" Blair tried to explain only to realize there was no point. Grabbing her phone, Blair saw that she had yet another failed message sent to her phone "Humphrey what mess are you sending me, it failed again" she told him as she put her phone down on the night stand
"It still didn't open. I turned off your settings" Dan replied
"Yeah well, it's not working" Blair replied "I'd let you look at it now, but I don't need you messing anything else up on my phone. Dennis is supposed to be calling me about the mock ups on the business suits" she said
"Aw, business suits. That's very male of you. I thought you'd be doing coats or scarves" Dan said
"Coats and scarves, how very male of you" Blair replied "The men's line is our weakest department, and since Wyatt Menswear is a hit, I figured putting the two together would be common sense" she smiled proudly
"Can we start the movie? I want to see it" Dan said
"Yeah, get up and put the movie in" Blair replied before she grabbed the bowl away from Dan
"You couldn't manage to put the movie in?" Dan asked
"Why do that, when you're so capable of doing so" Blair replied as she tossed popcorn into her mouth as Dan groaned at his assigned task while he got up from the bed where he was comfortable. Walking back towards the bed, Blair flashed a giddy smile as she popped in more popcorn in her mouth as their attention turned towards the movie. Just as they went through the first preview, their attention was quickly broken by the sound of Blair's phone.
"Did you get it?" Dan asked her as Blair looked on at her phone to see that it was unknown number
"No, it's an unknown. This might be Dennis's assistant, she's out of town….I have to take this" Blair replied
"You're defeating the purpose of the night" Dan sighed as Blair got off the bed and headed into the bathroom to take the call.
"Blair Waldorf speaking" Blair said as she closed the door to her bathroom while pacing the floor as a silence came on the other end of the phone "Hello? Chelsea" she asked as she called out Dennis's assistants name.
"….it's really you. I've found you" Chuck laughed in an emotional disbelief at the sound of her voice. Freezing for a moment, Blair stopped dead in her tracks.
"This is a joke….this has to be…" Blair reasoned
"No, it's real. It's me, Chuck" Chuck told her as Blair let those words seep in for a moment.
"What's something about me that Chuck would know?" Blair asked as she braced herself for the disappointment
"The nape of you neck…it's my kryptonite. Among other things when it comes to you" Chuck said as Blair covered her mouth to stop herself from crying out into tears. Hearing her whimpers from his line of the phone, Chuck could tell that her heart was beating a mile a minute as was his "I don't have long. I just was calling because I wanted to see you…I need to see you. I know that's asking a lot, but I need you" he told her as the silence continued on while Blair tried to gain control of her emotions.
"It's a lot to ask" Blair muttered through the tears
"I know" Chuck sighed "Meet me at the Worthington. I'll text you the rest of the details…if you show, I know you'll want to see me like I do you" he said
"And if I don't. If I don't show?" Blair asked
"I can explain" Chuck told her as a long pause came between them "How is he?" he then asked as Blair took a moment to thin if she should answer in regards to Nicholas.
"Blair! Put your phone away, we're supposed to be watching a movie" Dan said as he poked his head into the bathroom to see that tears were in her eyes.
"I have to get back to you on the mock ups" Blair quickly replied "I would like to see them by the end of the week though" she said trying to play it off in front of a concerned Dan.
"Please be there" Chuck said as he caught on to the hint that she had to go before he reluctantly ended the call at the sound of Dan's voice in the back round.
"Who was that?" Dan asked as he looked on at Blair
"Chelsea. She was telling me that it was going to be another set back" Blair replied as she still seemed a bit distraught
"Okay" Dan replied unsure if he was buying the answer she had given to him "Are you okay?" he then asked
"I'm good. I'm better than good" Blair said as she mustered up the strength to fake a smile before she made her way back into the bedroom to join Nicholas on the bed. Leaning forward towards Nicholas, Blair kissed the top of his head as she did her best to not mess up his attention on the movie while Dan looked on.
Quickly opening her eyes, Blair sat up in her bed to gain control of her emotions as her nightmare had gotten the best of her. Looking over at her phone once more, Blair grabbed the phone to go through her recent calls to see if she could track Chuck's number. Realizing that an unknown number wouldn't get her far, Blair set her phone down at she swung her legs over so that they were hanging from the bed. Getting up from her bed, Blair walked over to grab her robe before she made her way out of her room. Heading down the hall, Blair made her way into the kitchen. Getting a glass from the cabinet, Blair poured herself a glass of water to help calm her down. Turning as she sipped, Blair put the glass down on the counter as she just couldn't stop replaying Chuck's voice in her head. Could he have been real? Was it her mind playing tricks on her? Were all the questions she asked herself as she stared off into the distance that she didn't even realize Dan's entrance into the kitchen. Wiping the sleep from his eyes, Dan put down Nicholas's glass of milk that he had requested a few moments ago.
"What are you doing up?" Blair asked a bit off guard
"Nikki had that nightmare about the king being guillotine or something like that. Note to self though, no more Elizabethean movies before bed time" Dan yawned as he put the glass in the sink to rinse "What are you doing up?" he asked as he wiped his hands on the towel
"I got hot, so I decided to come in and take a shower" Blair answered not realizing what she had said
"A shower? In the kitchen?" Dan questioned her "Okay, Blair what's really going on?" he then asked as he walked in front of her to get her attention
"Nothing. Simple mistake. The sleep is catching up to me" Blair said
"I've seen you half asleep, you're more insulting than this and you definitely don't confuse the kitchen with the bathroom. What's going on?" Dan asked as Blair studied him for a moment to see if she should tell Dan the news that was turning her world upside down.
"I got a call…while we were about to watch the movie" Blair said as she began to play with her fingers
"Yeah, I know. I remember that part. What was the call about?" Dan asked
"It was….it was Chuck. He called tonight" Blair revealed as she slowly looked up to see Dan's reaction
"…and you talked to him?" Dan asked as a moment of silence came between them "What did he say?" he asked
"Nothing much. He just wants to see me" Blair said before Dan laughed to himself in disbelief at the timing of things. Knowing that the bit of information had sent Dan over, Blair immediately felt the need to defend Chuck's request "It's been four years" she said
"Yes, I know how long. I know how long every day I wake up" Dan replied as he massaged his forehead "Did you tell him you weren't going to see him?" he asked as he hoped that Blair had been wise enough to tell him to stick it where the sun don't shine
"Not to that extent" Blair reasoned as Dan gave her a look of disbelief "It all happened so fast, what did you expect?" she asked
"I'd hoped that you would have told him no, but clearly that word escapes your vocabulary every time you talk to him" Dan replied
"You really don't need to get upset about this. It was just a call. I don't even think Chuck was being for real about it" Blair sighed
"Chuck Bass is only serious when it comes to you" Dan quickly replied as the two looked on at each other in a loss of words.
"I doth protest! I doth protest!" Nicholas yelled out causing both Dan and Blair to turn their attention towards upstairs.
"I got this…besides I could use a distraction from he recent news" Dan sighed as he rushed upstairs towards Nicholas room.
After hearing the news of Chuck wanting to see Blair, Dan couldn't manage to focus on any part of his day. Sitting in his office, Dan found more enjoyment staring out the window at the New York skyline while biting to the cap of his pen. Realizing no production would be made out of him today, Dan looked on at his schedule that lay before him on his desk, just reading down the list of things that were do along with the golf game that he had planned with Dennis. Dan didn't know how to play golf, but he was going to try like he always did. Letting out a sigh of frustration, Dan quickly grabbed his stuff and bolted out of the office. Calling Nate had served to be useless as he was in meetings left and right for the day, so Dan went to the only place imaginable to relieve himself of this aching feeling he felt stir within his heart. Getting off the elevator, Dan stepped out to make his way into the penthouse to see Lilly and Rufus eating brunch. It was always mind blowing to see his dads conversion, but it was something Dan had gotten used to at this point.
"Dan, what brings you by?" Lilly smiled as she got up to greet him
"I was just in the neighborhood" Dan smiled weakly "Was I interrupting something?" he asked as he took his coat off to hand to the maid
"No, we were just enjoying tea and some sort of pastry" Rufus laughed as he tried to figure out the pastry "But, I'm glad to see you. I heard from Jenny today" he smiled
"Oh, she called me at work. Says she's traveling now…Canada. So this new design house she's working for must be pretty big" Dan replied
"She sounds ecstatic" Lilly smiled "I just hope that she'll be able to stop in for the holidays. I know Christmas won' be the same without her" she said
"I'm sure she'll set something up" Dan said as he took a seat on the sofa while he loosened up his tie "Have you heard from Chuck?" he asked as he looked over at Lilly
"He…he called yesterday. Says he's in town for business" Lilly said knowing that was a sore subject in the household
"So it'll be an extended stay then….that's great" Dan laughed to himself as he ran his hand through his hair nervously
"No, I don't think it will. I mean I think he'll be in for a few days or so" Lilly replied
"Why? Has he reached out to Blair?" Rufus asked as he could detect the discomfort in his son
"Yeah. He called last night" Dan reluctantly told him as he found sitting to be the hardest thing while discussing Chuck Bass of all people. Looking over at Lilly, Rufus didn't have to say much for Lilly to recognize that Dan wanted to talk to his father.
"I actually need to take care of some gala business. Eleanor seems to have relieved her duties on to the Women's Committee, so they've so graciously asked me to help" Lilly sighed
"Like you don't love it" Rufus laughed
"I do, begging always makes things better" Lilly replied "Dan, I hope you'll stick around for dinner. We'd love to see Nicholas" she said as she rubbed Dan's back before she turned to head upstairs. Waiting until Lilly got upstairs, Dan quickly got up from his seat as he began to pace the floor nervously.
"Now, I take it Chuck's return isn't what you want?" Rufus asked as he looked on at his son
"I could care less about Chuck. Well…that's a lie, it's just the timing of everything" Dan complained
"For Blair and you?" Rufus asked
"No. I mean yes…there isn't exactly an us or anything moving towards that" Dan said
"So that wedding band I saw on your hand the other night, that's not progression of any kind?" Rufus asked as Dan froze for a second on answering the question
"That will take time to explain, but it's not what you think. It's…it's business on top of personal reasons that I'm beginning to regret day by day with going along with" Dan sighed
"But you do these things, things that you regret for Blair" Rufus smiled as he looked at his son "I think Chuck being back effects more than you let on" he said
"Chuck being back has nothing to do with Blair and I. That part…I've known for four years now, and frankly, I'd be a fool to think that aspect of her life was over with" Dan said "My issue is…and I know it's crazy, but…Nicholas" he said
"What do you mean Nicholas?" Rufus asked with concern
"I mean, do you think she'd go off with Nicholas. If Chuck comes in sweeping her off her feet, do you think she'd just uproot her life to be with him?" Dan asked
"Dan, I don't think Blair would do that" Rufus reasoned
"To a normal person, you'd think that. Chuck and Blair, together they're not normal" Dan said "I've accepted that having the girl may be a losing battle, but Nicholas…that's a battle I can't lose" he said as he looked on at his father with pleading eyes that made Rufus even more concerned for his son. Getting up from his seat, Rufus walked towards Dan
"Hey, listen to me" Rufus said as he sat on the edge of the table to get his son's attention while Dan tried to hide his tear filled eyes away from his father
"I don't know why I'm acting like this, but I was just sitting in my office and I kept thinking about Nicholas. I kept thinking about my life and so much of my life is Nicholas and I can't….I won't let that go" Dan said as he forced himself to keep his emotions in check "Do you think I have any legal rights to Nicholas? I mean I know that I'm not his biological parent, but is there any shot that I could protect myself in the possibility of he inevitable happening again for the hundredth time ad nauseam" he asked
"Dan, I think you're getting yourself worked up over nothing" Rufus told him
"I don't want to hear that!" Dan replied as he got up from his chair to pace the floor once again "I need you as my father to tell me what I should do. I got contacts to legal departments, I could call in a favor" he said
"Dan. Dan. Dan" Rufus said as he literally had to stop his son from moving. Waiting for a moment, Rufus had to make sure that Dan wouldn't push back against his constraints "Breath. Just breath for a second" he instructed his son as Dan did as told "You're jumping to conclusions. Blair may have a lot of emotions for Chuck, but you starting a battle that hasn't even been mentioned, that's a bit premature. Just…relax, wait" he told his son
"And what if…?" Dan began to ask before Rufus interrupted him
"I'm not entertaining anything that will get you worked up. Just relax, and calm down" Rufus told him once more "Go home. Talk it out with Blair. Tell her how you feel. Until you have done those things, I suggest you leave anything resorting to battle alone" he said
Finishing up her meeting with Dennis's assistant, Blair felt relief that she didn't have to smile so much as she was in no mood to play. Walking out of the conference room, Blair made her way back to her office to finish up some last minute details before she had to leave to go pick up Nicholas from school. Entering her office, Blair walked over towards her desk to check her phone to see that Chuck had text her a few times. It had all seemed so surprising to her that she had gone from hearing nothing from him, to getting four texts in a row. The texts basically were his way of insuring that she'd come to the Worthington to meet with him in suite 1254, but the last message was what really put her on pause for a second. His desire to meet Nicholas. Letting out a sigh before flopping down onto her sofa in the sitting area of her office, Blair just couldn't believe the whirlwind that she found herself in.
B: Not sure that's good idea.
Blair replied, hoping that he'd understand.
C: It's ur choice, but I'd luv 2 c him. I've dreamt about him.
Blair sighed, knowing that Chuck was really being honest in what he was saying. Chuck was capable of a lot of things, but lying to her was the few things he could get away on a consecutive basis.
B: I'll think about it.
Blair replied back before Justine made her way into the office. Putting her phone down on the table, Blair saw the entrance as a welcome distraction.
"You're schedule at the end of the month is looking pretty crazy" Justine commented as she set Blair's business blackberry down on her desk.
"Dennis give the dates for his Employee retreat?" Blair asked
"Yes, the last weekend of the month. I'll be sure to map quest and scope out weather reports for that weekend. I'm seeing a shopping spree in the future, so I will clear my schedule…you know to help you" Justine said
"How sweet of you" Blair smiled sarcastically "I'm gonna need you to stay late tonight" she said
"Okay, no problem. I was planning to anyways because the new accountant is pretty fine" Justine smiled "Are you okay? The word in the lunch room is that you were extra ghost like today" she said as she joined Blair on the sofa
"I have…I'm in a little bit of a situation" Blair said
"Is Dan a freak?….chains and whips, not your thing?" Justine asked as Blair looked in her in confusion
"For the last time, Dan and I…." Blair began to say as Justine groaned
"I know, I just thought I'd take a stab at the possibility of you shedding the stick that's up your…." Justine began to say
"Okay, lets forget I was about to tell you anything" Blair said as she got up from her seat
"Wait, I'm sorry. I was just blurting out" Justine said as she could tell that something was going on with Blair "Spill, tell me what's going on so I can assist" she said
"No sex jokes" Blair told her
"Can't promise you that, but I'll try" Justine told her "Now talk" she said
"Someone from my past has come back, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I mean I'm excited but then there's this part of me that's so unsure" Blair told her
"Someone from your past? Like guy or girl?" Justine asked
"Guy. Not just any guy…the almost forever guy" Blair said
"Oh, the guy that left you with a baby on the day the baby was born" Justine concluded "How you put forever with that trait is beyond me. Forever would be inserted with the word dead, if it were me" she said
"You don't know him. He's complicated and difficult" Blair sighed
"And that's a trait that you like?" Justine asked "I mean don't get me wrong, I've dated the complicated and difficult. Each time I've ended up seeing Larry and Bob" she said leaving Blair confused
"Larry and Bob? Are that the name of the guys?" Blair asked
"Yes. Larry is the Police Officer that let's me out on good behavior, and Bob is the Mechanic that fixes busted windows at a cheap price" Justine told her "Remind me to give you Bob's number, just in case you want to get your Jazmine Sullivan on with complicated and difficult guy" she then told her
"No, you're missing the point" Blair said "He's not the greatest, but….he was the love of my life at one point" she reasoned
"Yes, at one point. I like to believe that people change from point to point, especially relationships" Justine said "Do you think he has?" she asked
"I don't know. I guess that's the part that leaves me so unsure" Blair told her "That's the part I have to see for myself. I'd like to believe there is another way around this, but there isn't" she said
"Just be careful. Complicated and difficult guy all ready seems a bit off to me, but that's just my opinion" Justine said as she got up from her seat and began to write down something on her notepad before tearing it off to give to Blair.
"What's this?" Blair asked
"Bob's number….just in case" Justine said before she made her way.
Putting his play crown in his castle, Dan looked on at the finished product of him cleaning up Nicholas's room. Observing the little boy's room, Dan couldn't help but look on at the castle that took a whole day for the boys to make. Nicholas had been in search of a castle, so Dan had the idea of getting the biggest box he could find and paint to create him one. Though it wasn't the designer castles that existed in real life, it was enough to suffice the needs of the little prince. Hearing the door close downstairs, Dan immediately made his way out of Nicholas's room to head to the top of the stairs to see that Nicholas and Blair had made it home. Going through the bills, Blair tossed the stack of envelopes onto the entrance table as Dan made his way downstairs to greet the young boy. Not much had been discussed between Dan and Blair, but Blair was sure that Dan was upset about Chuck and that was going to be a topic that they were sure to disagree on.
"Hey, Nick" Dan said as he waved for Nicholas to come over towards him before Nicholas walked over towards him in uncertainty "Do you think you could go upstairs and clean out your castle. The commoners were a bit lazy today, and the drawbridge needs to be swept" he told the boy
"Horse tracks on the drawbridge?" Nicholas asked
"Yeah, something to that effect" Dan replied trying to muster up the strength to play along with ruse that he had to do in order for Nicholas to obey him.
"Fine, but it's not the princes job to clean" Nicholas huffed as he threw his back pack over his shoulder "I've got diplomats breathing down my neck…I have no need to worry about cleaning the fortress" he babbled on as he headed upstairs
"I'm going to take that as code that you want to discuss the name you appear to hate" Blair said
"I don't hate him" Dan quickly corrected "But I do want to talk about what you mentioned" he said before they made their way into the living room area
"So what do you want to discuss?" Blair asked as she took a seat on the sofa
"I don't think it's a good idea for you to see Chuck tonight" Dan told her as he got straight to the point
"Okay, and let's play into the fact that I would just obey your wishes" Blair laughed in disbelief "Why shouldn't I go?" she asked
"Because Chuck shouldn't be a part of your life. Chuck left and he can't just pop up when he feels like it" Dan stated
"Key word would be my life" Blair stated
"And I get that, I just think that anything he says will just be in the moment, not the actual reality of what is" Dan said
"Don't you think I'm capable of making my own decision or better yet, thinking for myself to know if Chuck is feeding me in the moment crap?" Blair asked
"To be honest, no. Anything Chuck you become dumbfounded on. All senses go out he window" Dan told her
"Wow, let me know how you really feel" Blair said as she got up from her seat as she grew tired of the backhanded insults
"Look, I'm just trying to look out for you" Dan said
"No, you're not looking out for me because if you were, you wouldn't have said that" Blair replied
"I think I would. I've earned that right, as the bystander in all of this, I've earned the right" Dan said as they stood in a moment of tension filled silence
"He wants to see Nicholas" Blair told him as if she wanted to press his buttons
"Not happening" Dan quickly replied
"I'm sorry, when did this become a discussion. Nicholas is my son, and I believe I can dictate that aspect clearly" Blair told him sternly
"Why? Why does he want to see Nicholas? After so long, why now?" Dan questioned
"That's none of your business" Blair replied
"It is when it comes to Nicholas!" Dan replied as he threw down his keys onto the table
"Not with that attitude" Blair replied "Nicholas is my son!" she told him angrily
"And what the hell do you think he is to me? Having Nicholas see Chuck will only confuse him. He operates by routine, Chuck is not routine and I refuse to have Nicholas suffer because Chuck all of sudden wants to play the saga slash tragedy of Chuck and Blair all over again" Dan told her
"I'm fully aware of my son's condition, and seeing Chuck will not jeopardize that" Blair replied
"Are you really? Because if you were…then you wouldn't even be thinking about taking Nicholas to see Chuck" Dan replied
"Watch me" Blair said as she stared Dan down feeling as if she was being challenged. "Nicholas!" she called out
"Blair, don't do this" Dan warned her as she walked past him towards the end of the staircase
"Nicholas, c'mon we have to go" Blair said as she walked over towards the closet to grab Nicholas's coat
"Blair, don't!" Dan muttered angrily under his breath as he didn't want Nicholas to hear his anger
"Get out of my way Humphrey" Blair told him as the two stared each other down as if they were in some showdown. Reaching the bottom of the staircase, Nicholas looked on at Dan and Blair in confusion for a moment.
"Daniel" Nicholas said as Dan gritted his teeth in frustration with Blair before he turned to look at Nicholas
"Hey Nikki" Dan said trying to laugh to stop from crying as he kneeled down to the boy's height "You and your mom are going to go somewhere for a bit….I'll see you in a bit, okay. So be good and remember how a prince is supposed to act" he struggled through his instructions
"Will you clean the castle? Or will the commoners come back?" Nicholas asked
"Yeah, I'll clean the castle for you. I'll make sure it's spotless" Dan laughed as tears continued to well up in his eyes. Walking towards Blair, Nicholas put his coat on before he continued to make his way towards the door. With gritted teeth, Dan stood back as he watched Nicholas make his way out of the door. "You're making a mistake. If you go back to him, you're making a mistake" he told Blair
"That's my choice to make" Blair told him before she made her way out of the house
Looking on at the floor indicators as she went up to the suite level, Blair couldn't but take these few moments to gather her thoughts together. Blair had put much thought in to whether she should've brought Nicholas or not, but the better of her knew that she didn't want Nicholas to be involved in any of this. Dropping Nicholas off with Dorota and her mother, Blair had decided to take the trip on her own. Blair had thought to tell Dan of the change of heart, but she still felt upset with Dan's earlier challenge he issued her. Blair knew that she had escalated things between the two of them out of frustration, but there was no thinking straight since Chuck had called. Looking on at her watch, Blair was glad to see that she was early and would have time to sit to herself. Once she had made it to the hotel, she was given a keycard to let herself in while Chuck was in a meeting. Making her way into the suite, Blair was relieved to see that Chuck kept up his usual maintenance of his suite. Noticing the kids books and toys he had set aside, Blair found that to be a big step for Chuck's standard. Taking a seat on the sofa, Blair took a moments to figure out how she should even sit. Just as she grew frustrated with her own self, Blair felt a vibration come from her cell phone. Thinking that it was Chuck, Blair looked on to see that she had received a media file. Opening up the media file, Blair could only imagine what request the board could've been sending her via internet.
[Dan's Video]
The iphone camera shook for a bit before Dan quickly turned the camera angle to point on him. Making his way across the street, the ice cream shop close to Nicholas's school comes into view.
DAN: Nikki may hate this, but I decided to pull one of your numbers. As you can see, I'm at the ice cream shop to see said girl that Nikki has a crush on. Nate got a few details for me because having my dad ask would be a bit creepy, and I want to avoid arrests.
Dan focuses the camera on Nicholas sitting with his crush, Isobel.
DAN: Brunette, like you. Name is Isobel. She apparently likes history, so that's a plus for Nikki. I won't make this long because the shop manager is looking at me weird, but I just wanted to show you your success of getting Nikki to talk to Isobel.
Dan focuses the camera back on him.
DAN: So pretend like you don't know anything about this. Gotta go, bye.
[End of Video]
Just as Blair began to tear up by the video, Blair felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment that it was her advice to her son that gave him the courage to talk to his crush. Though Nicholas hadn't said much of the conversations, Blair was glad to know that he was accepted and not teased for being different by Isobel from what she saw on the video. What the hell am I doing here? Blair asked herself in that moment as she looked around. Immediately getting up from her seat, Blair wiped away her tears before she put the keycard on the table. Walking towards the door, Blair was immediately stopped once she saw Chuck on the other side. Freezing at where she stood, Blair stepped back as Chuck made his way in.
"Blair…you came" Chuck said in disbelief as hey stood and looked at each other for what felt like hours "Do you want something to drink or eat? Does Nicholas?" he asked as he quickly walked over towards his kitchen
"No, I….Nicholas isn't with me. I came by myself" Blair replied
"Oh…well I guess another time then. I can meet him after we talk" Chuck said "How are you?" he asked
"I'm doing good. Great actually" Blair said before a smile slowly came to her face as the moments with Chuck slowly began to get easier
"Really? Well do you care to talk about it over dinner. I mean that's if your hungry" Chuck asked as he walked towards her to notice that she wore a wedding band on her finger. Grabbing her hand, Chuck looked at her hand in a moment of disbelief as he looked up at her.
"It's no what you think…it's a long story" Blair sighed as she pulled her hand away from Chuck
"It's okay, I know that I have no right to ask or expect that you'd wait. Though I'm relieved to know that you're not" Chuck said feeling a bit of relief "Are you hungry? I could have the chef prepare us something downstairs?" he asked
"I'm not hungry. I was just about to leave" Blair said
"But we haven't even talked" Chuck reasoned
"I know, and I wish that we could have…four years ago, but I think me coming here was for the wrong reasons. Chuck, I've waited for you for four years. Bags packed, dreams on hold, and I sat waiting….but it's taken me up until now to realize that I can't keep waiting for you" Blair told him "You'll always have a place in my heart, but I can't love a guy that can't even manage to pick up a phone in the duration of four years. I guess being here, I realized that I'm not that girl anymore. I'm not obsessed with Chuck Bass. I'm obsessed with my son and my family" she smiled as a sense of empowerment came over her "I'm done with the game. I can be a friend, but I'll never be yours…not like I was. Your four years too late to talk" she said before she opened up the door to leave.
"What changed your mind?" Chuck asked as she stopped to look back at him with a bit of a smile on her face
"Humphrey. He changed my mind" Blair said before she finally left
Stepping off of the elevator, Dan could see Cyrus waiting for him the living room area of the penthouse. Making his way out of the elevator and into the darkened halls towards the living room, Cyrus gave Dan a weak smile that showed the tiredness of his day. For a moment, Dan and Cyrus shared an understanding of silence that let Dan know that both Waldorf women had put them through trials and tribulations all in that matter of one day. Turning towards the staircase, Dan didn't bother to relieve himself of his coat or gloves as his main goal had yet to be accomplished. Heading up the staircase, Dan did his best to remain quiet so that he wouldn't disturb Eleanor as sleep came sparingly for her. Opening the door, the minimal amount of light that came from the halls shined through on the boys face as he lay asleep. Standing in the doorway, Dan looked on Nicholas, feeling a sense of peace to know that Nicholas was here and not with Chuck. Slowly walking towards the little boy, Dan kneeled down to just look on a the boy without interrupting any part of his sleep. Tucking away a strand of hair from his face, Dan had to take a moment to contain the flood of emotions that surged through his body. Bowing his head, Dan let a few deep breaths escape to let the weight of the moment flee his body as he wouldn't allow himself to cry.
"Daniel" Nicholas said as his eyes slowly began to flutter open while Dan quickly wiped the tears away
"Yeah, it's me. It's Daniel" Dan told him as he forced a smile for the little boy
"Is my castle ready?" Nicholas asked still half asleep as he tried to wake himself up
"Your castle is ready" Dan smiled "I've been thinking…we should probably slap a coat of arms on their. You know for appearance purposes" he said as a smile came to the boys face
"What type? There's differences in them" Nicholas asked as he enjoyed the suggestion given
"Something big, and something regal. Something that symbolizes the family name you represent" Dan smiled as he began to brush back the strands of hair that broke free as he tried to get up
"Take me to it. I shall begin immediate instructions on it" Nicholas said as he attempted to sit up
"No, no. I think it serves the prince to put in a full nights rest before having to deal with such a task" Dan told him "Don't worry, I'll make sure we make it" he told him
"Promise?" Nicholas asked as he reluctantly laid back on his pillow
"I promise" Dan assured the boy "I just came by to tell you that because you've been fearful for the King" he said
"Is he safe?" Nicholas asked half asleep
"He will be. I made sure that he was. Now the prince must get his rest" Dan said as he pulled the covers up on Nicholas
"Tomorrow. Top of dawn" Nicholas muttered in his sleep
"Tomorrow" Dan whispered as he watched the boy fall back asleep before his eyes. Leaning forward, Dan kissed the top of the boys forehead, hating every moment of the goodbye he had to take. Closing the door behind him as he stepped out, Dan was met at the top of the staircase by Cyrus.
"How is he? Is he better?" Cyrus asked
"Yes, he's sleeping. If you should have any more problems, just call me. I can talk him through" Dan said weakly
"Is everything okay?" Cyrus asked as he looked on at Dan
"Yeah, everything is fine" Dan replied weakly "Just getting perspective is all" he said as he looked Cyrus in the face "I'll see you" he said before he made his way down the staircase and over towards the elevator.
Pulling into the driveway, Blair let out a sigh of relief to know that Nicholas was doing better while he stayed over at her mother's for the night. Cyrus had mentioned to Blair that Dan had been by, which she was sure that Dan wasn't too pleased to hear that she had dropped him off on her route to get to Chuck. Using the night alone, Blair had wanted to smooth things over with Dan so the tension between them wouldn't feel so suffocating. Opening the door, Blair quickly made her way inside the house to relieve herself of her coat. Making her way inside further into the house, Blair looked in the kitchen to see Dan sitting at the table with a bottle of beer in hand.
"Hey" Blair said as she made her way into the kitchen to see that she got no immediate reaction out of Dan before a silence came between them. Taking a seat on one of the barstools, Blair studied her friend for a second to get clarification on what was going on with him. "Cyrus said that you went by. Was Nicholas having that nightmare again?" she asked
"Don't" Dan muttered as he hung his head low
"Don't what? Try to talk to you?" Blair asked "I was trying to talk to you earlier but then you just shut down…I just want to talk to you. I want to talk to my best friend" she reasoned as Dan just laughed to himself
"Best friend. That's really all I've ever be…you're best friend. As long as I agree to your relationship with Chuck" Dan said as he looked at her
"I never asked you to agree, I just wanted you to listen and not issue demands" Blair said
"Okay, if that's what I did, then I'm sorry" Dan replied sarcastically "God forbid I say something that shows concern for you" he said angrily
"And I get that, but I only left tonight because I felt like you backed me into a corner" Blair said
"No, don't say that. Don't blame this on me!" Dan yelled "You left because anything involving Chuck, you move heaven and earth to get to" he said as a moment of silence came between them.
"Why are you so mad? It was simple argument" Blair said as she looked at Dan with concern
"Because you do this to me, every time….and I let you. I let you get away with it" Dan told her
"Away with what?" Blair asked
"Walking over me. Ignoring me and what I feel because what it might do to your fantasy of him being that guy for you" Dan replied
"Then you'd be glad to know that I told Chuck that he wasn't that guy anymore" Blair said as Dan found no comfort in her words even though he should've
"No, it doesn't make me glad. You still had to leave in order to get that confirmation. You took Nicholas after I asked you not to, all to prove a point that I had no say in Nicholas…and that's what hurts, that was the big 'Fuck you' that I needed to finally realize that I will never be enough for you Blair Waldorf. Those four years of me being here, that was just all you needed to pine for Chuck Bass's return, and you showed that clearly tonight" Dan said as tears welled up in his eyes
"And I'm sorry for that. I just…you challenged me and I had to push back. I felt like I had to" Blair said trying to reason her actions
"I challenged you? With Nicholas? I issued an ultimatum? Are you being serious, because that kind of crap let's me know that Chuck is in your head" Dan replied
"Now you're just being mean" Blair replied
"No, I think I'm finally being honest" Dan told her "For four years I've felt like some sort of a pathetic loser because I didn't have the guts to stand up to what I felt. For four years, I've known that at the drop of a dime you could very well up and take Nicholas to run off on your fantasy with Chuck, all while I try to make this work…I've adjust my life to make it work" he told here "I've been here. I've been the one holding it together for the sake of you. Everything I've done has been for Nicholas and you" he declared
"And I appreciate that" Blair replied
"You don't. You really don't" Dan said as he shook his head in disbelief
"There you go again, putting words in my mouth?" Blair exclaimed just hoping that Dan would stop being so "Why are you so mad at me? I made a mistake" she said
"I'd like to say I'm not mad, but I am. I like to say that I could get past this after tonight, but it hurts too much" Dan said "Tonight, you made me feel as pathetic as I've suspected I've been all along. You made the biggest point to show that I may take care of Nicholas, but I'm not his father….and that hurts more than anything you've ever done to me" he told her to the point where Blair truly felt the pain that she had inflicted on her friend.
"I said I was sorry" Blair told him in one last desperate attempt
"And I forgive you, I just won't forget what you did…I don't think I can" Dan replied as he walked over towards the table to grab his coat.
"Where are you going?" Blair asked as she turned to see Dan put on his coat
"I'm going back to the loft for a few days" Dan said as he went over to get his bag
"Humphrey. Humphrey. Dan" Blair said as she watched Dan put the bag over shoulder "Don't do this. I'm sorry, I'm truly sorry. I know that Nicholas means a lot to you…I was just confused, and I just reacted" she said trying to stop Dan from leaving
"There's so many things that are right in front you about how I feel, so much that it's blinding. I love you…but I love him more" Dan told her as he politely removed her hands from his arm. "I'll call you before seeing Nicholas because you're his mother. I won't say anything to Nicholas out of respect that you're his mother. I won't tell anyone about tonight because you have the majority say on your son" he said making an added attempt to throw it her face that he was not Nicholas's parent nor father. "I'll stick by my word to help you with Wyatt because of Eleanor, so you don't have to worry" he said before he left.
Walking the latest sexual casualty out of her bedroom, Charlie looked on as the guy made his way towards the elevator. Closing the door once the guy boarded the elevator, Charlie felt a sense of a cheapness to her for her body. Wiping the kisses from their encounter off of her lips, Charlie quickly slammed the door before she headed back towards her room. Stopping short of seeing Damien's appearance as he sat on the sofa sipping on his choice hard liquor, Damien let out a cunning laugh that seemed to scare her a bit.
"Were you sitting there this whole time?" Charlie asked
"Long enough to hear all the animalistic sex coming from my guest room. Then yes…I suppose" Damien said before he got up from his seat to pour himself another drink "You still keep playing these games Charlie. You're only impeding what I have planned for you" he laughed
"Yeah well, I don't have time. While I sit up in the penthouse, Dan's off playing house with Blair" Charlie replied as she pulled string tight on her robe "I don't have time" she told him
"Time is all you have, and you're wasting it on the latest Joe Blow" Damien said
"It's my decision!" Charlie yelled
"What's your plan? What have you come up with?" Damien asked as he put his drink down "Let me guess, screw a bunch of guys, hoping that you'll get pregnant and Dan will step up to take care of your baby like he did with Blair?" he questioned as Charlie stood mute "Oh, wow! You truly are crazy" he said a bit stunned.
Author's Note: I know some of you may be hating Blair right now, but this chapter had to happen. I wanted Chair to end and Blair to realize that she was perfectly fine without Chuck in her life. I wanted to play off the fact that Dan feared losing Nicholas more due to the possible reunion because he's known all along how Blair feels about Chuck, but little does he know the reason why she came to her conclusion. So now Blair will have to do all she can to make things right with Dan and realize just what kind of guy she has in Dan.
