A/N: I was planning to split Sunday into two parts, but decided to write one extra long chapter instead. This is the last chapter of the story and I would like to thank all those who have been reading or reviewing A Week In The Hamptons. I already did a fluffy double engagement in Pillow Fights And Bed Bug Bites, so I thought I would give it a bit of a twist in this story. Reviews for this last chapter will be cherished. There will be a sequel and it will be conveniently titled The Week Of The Wedding. I hope you will follow the non-judging breakfast club on more romantic and humorous adventures.

princess chair: I did receive your review. Thank you so much for your kind compliments. I hope to have the first chapter of the sequel sometime next week.

Sunday


Blair watched his sleeping form and smiled. She cherished moments like this. He looked so innocent whenever he was in a deep sleep. The single ray of light coming from the window illuminated his features and Blair found herself staring at him like she did practically every morning. She traced the length of his jaw and he twitched slightly in his sleep. He murmured a slur of inaudible words under his breath and Blair tried to lean in close to pick up what she could of his ramblings. She had a feeling Chuck was having a nightmare and a super bad one at that.

Chuck walked up the steps and glanced nervously at Nate before placing a finger above the door bell.

"Ring the door bell Chuck," Nate urged. "We keep walking up and down these steps. We can do this. You can do this."

Chuck nodded grimly at his best friend. He could do this. He was Chuck fucking Bass. No Eleanor Waldorf was going to scare him off. Regardless of whether or not he would receive her blessing, he was going to propose to Blair. He knew that was a lie though. A part of him desperately wanted her approval; her acceptance of him. After all, he was no Nathaniel.

"Charles," Lily greeted him upon opening the door. "Harold and Roman arrived about an hour ago. Lunch should be ready soon. Are you nervous dear?"

Chuck nodded as Nate replied, "Yes."

Lily turned to look at the blond, confusion etched upon her face.

"Why are you nervous Nate?" she asked curiously.

Nate started to stutter with a slew of incoherent phrases and Lily merely smiled politely and led them both into the dining room. Chuck had to elbow his best friend hard in the ribs in order to stop him from rambling on about absolutely nothing at all. Harold and Roman were seated at one end of the table and Eleanor and Cyrus were situated on the other end. Lily took her seat at the head of the table and Chuck and Nate set themselves directly across from her without complaint. The help began to serve the appetizers and Harold was the first to speak.

"What am I doing here Charles?" Harold started. "You said it was a matter of utmost importance that I be here for my Blair Bear. Where is she?"

"We both tried to call her the moment we landed, but she seems to be unreachable," Roman added.

Chuck smirked. "We happened to switch our phones this morning is all."

Nate raised an eyebrow at his confession. Chuck had been using his phone about five minutes ago. He would bet his left eye that Chuck had taken her phone hostage on purpose. He knew Chuck well.

"Blair does not need us then," Harold commented. "You do."

Chuck turned to look at him in shock.

"You will find that I am quite perceptive Charles," he explained.

Roman smiled as Eleanor rolled her eyes.

"I plan to propose to Serena," Nate blurted out.

Chuck could only gape at his outburst. Nate really had some nerve. Lily clasped her hands together in delight upon hearing the news and rushed over to the other side of the table to wrap her future son-in-law in a tight embrace.

"You have my blessing dear if that's what you're after. You will make Serena happy. I know you will," Lily squealed.

Nate smiled as he pulled back from her arms. "I will. I promise."

Chuck glanced nervously between the two. How had it been so easy for Nate to state his purpose? Of course Nathaniel only had to please one person. He had to deal with four! Congratulations were offered all around the table and the details of their plan slowly revealed themselves.

"When are you planning to propose Nate?" Roman wondered.

"Tonight," Nate answered smoothly.

"And the ring?" Lily asked.

"It was custom made. It should arrive around noon," he informed her. "I hope Serena will like it."

"I'm sure she will," Harold assured him.

"Serena looks absolutely delightful with whatever accessories she chooses to wear," Eleanor offered. "She will be a beautiful bride and the ring will suit her perfectly I'm sure."

For a moment, Nate forgot that Chuck was still seated uncomfortably beside him and he floated into his own little world. He had been nervous at first, but he had never been so confident that he wanted to propose to Serena; that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Having everyone's approval was simply the icing on the cake. Lily seemed to forget that Chuck was there as well and that she was supposed to be supporting him.

"This is so exciting!" Lily exclaimed. "We could have a double..."

She trailed off when she realized what she was about to say. The thought of a double wedding brought her back to reality. She felt slightly guilty that she had neglected her step-son. He looked absolutely miserable from across the table.

"I mean, Charles, do you have something you would like to say as well?" Lily prodded him on.

Chuck looked up from his food and returned Lily's encouraging smile with a smile of his own. Eleanor paled slightly at the idea of what he was about to say.

"Yes actually," he started before he eventually chickened out. "I...absolutely love the salmon."

Lily eyed him in confusion and he shrugged nonchalantly. He was her step-son, but she loved him like all of her other children. It hurt her that he was so insecure about himself. Then again, Eleanor Waldorf was quite intimidating. She found the woman intimidating at times as well.

"Well, thank goodness!" Eleanor commented. "I almost had a heart attack. I for one am relieved. I thought Charles was going to ask for our blessing to propose to Blair!"

There was an awkward silence and Chuck swallowed hard before answering, "Would that have been a problem?"

Everyone remained silent as Chuck hardened his gaze on Eleanor. When she didn't answer him, he repeated himself.

"Would that have been a problem?"

This time, there was an evident tinge of anger in his voice. Who the hell did she think she was? Serena would be the perfect bride. Nathaniel would be the perfect husband, but she was relieved that he didn't ask for her blessing to propose to Blair? Then again, this was Eleanor Waldorf he was talking about.

Eleanor scoffed. "Well, you and Blair are entirely too young to marry. Besides, you can't expect me to believe that you understand what a marriage entails at your age. The idea of it sounds great, but it's a lot of work."

"Eleanor," Lily started about to defend her step-son.

"Blair has to keep her options open as do you Charles," Eleanor finished, ignoring Lily's attempt to interrupt her. "I know my daughter well. She would agree with me."

Chuck gritted his teeth at her contemptuous words and seethed. "With all due respect, you don't know your daughter very well at all."

"Charles," Lily warned him.

"Excuse me?" Eleanor asked in disbelief.

"Are you planning to propose to Blair Charles?" Harold spoke up, hoping his ex-wife would stop with the dramatics.

The brunette remained silent and so Harold assured him, "As long as my Blair Bear accepts your proposal Charles, I would be more than willing to give the two of you my blessing."

"As will I," Roman added, giving Chuck a warm smile.

Cyrus said nothing and merely got up from his seat and wrapped his arms around the boy. Chuck hesitated for a moment, but decided Chuck Bass could make an exception and be a hugger for today. The short man pulled back slightly after a moment and then embraced him again.

"Not enough!" he shouted.

Chuck pushed him off as subtly as possible. No. Chuck Bass was definitely not a hugger. Eleanor only rolled her eyes at everyone's sentiments. Lily noticed this and decided to say her piece.

"Eleanor, think of how wonderful it would be if Charles and Blair were to marry at the same time as Nate and Serena. The wedding would be the talk of New York!" Lily exclaimed, trying to urge Eleanor into giving him her blessing.

Lily knew he didn't need it to propose to Blair, but that he wanted it because if there was one thing she knew about her step-son, it was that he secretly strove for everyone's approval.

"Absolutely not," Eleanor noted, taking a sip of her wine. "Blair has always wanted to be a princess and he is simply..."

"What?" Chuck whispered harshly, challenging her to finish her thoughts. "What am I?"

Cyrus could sense the tension between the two and quickly pulled Eleanor aside in hopes of doing some damage control. Young love was too beautiful to be ruined this way.

"Could I speak with you dear?" he asked.

Eleanor reluctantly followed him to a corner of the room as Lily offered Chuck a comforting smiling. Nate rested his hand on his shoulder in reassurance and Harold smiled encouragingly at him.

Roman even leaned in close to his ear and whispered, "It took a while for Eleanor to warm up to me as well. It's nothing personal."

Chuck nodded at his words, but little did everyone know that it was about to get very personal.

"Darling! He loves her and I know Blair loves him too!" Cyrus insisted. "Besides, a marriage is between two people. If Chuck proposes to Blair and she accepts his proposal, there is nothing you can do to stop them. Why make this difficult for them? Just give the boy your blessing Eleanor."

"I will not!" Eleanor protested. "Just because I accepted the fact that she would never end up with an Archibald does not mean I'd let her marry a Bass. His countless indiscretions alone..."

"That was in the past darling," Cyrus interrupted her.

Eleanor let out a strained laugh.

"I will not give them my blessing and that is final. No one can convince me otherwise."

Chuck clenched his fists under the table upon hearing their conversation. Nate glanced over at his best friend in sympathy and immediately left the table to find him some scotch.

"Come now Eleanor," Harold interjected, walking over to their side of the room. "Charles has been good for her."

"She is a lot happier now," Roman added.

"She hasn't had a relapse in months," Harold finished for him.

"Who are we to keep them apart?" Lily questioned.

One more bad comment about her step-son and she would lose it. When it came down to it, Eleanor was a close friend, but Charles was family.

"I am not keeping them apart," Eleanor defended herself. "They can continue to see each other if they wish. I just don't want Blair to tie herself down at her age. She's young. She has options. He has options. I apologize in advance for speaking ill of the dead and whatnot, but that Bass boy will turn out to be just like his father. You mark my words. It's in their blood. Did his uncle not try to rape you Lillian?"

"Shut up!" Chuck shouted suddenly just as Nate returned with his scotch.

The brunette pushed the blond aside in haste, sending the liquid over the edge of the glass and onto his shirt. Nate felt the liquid dripping down the front of his shirt, but he remained silent. It was best that he did.

"I won't defend my uncle, but you have no right to talk about me or my father like that!" Chuck continued to yell.

"Excuse me?" Eleanor spoke up in awe.

"I am not trying to convince you that I will make a perfect husband for Blair because I am far from perfect, but so is she," he spat. "All our lives, Blair and I have done things to please others; to seek their approval. Getting your approval? I'm over it."

"Chuck," Nate warned nervously.

"I'm not done Nathaniel," Chuck grunted. "I need to say this or I'll regret it for the rest of my life."

He turned back towards Eleanor. "Screw reputations! That's all you've ever cared about. When have you ever considered what your daughter wanted? All she wanted was a proper mother and you couldn't even give her that! Do you know how insecure she is because of you? Do you know what lead to her condition? It was you!"

"Perhaps we should get back to the table and discuss this," Lily suggested. "We wouldn't want the salmon to go to waste."

"She's insecure about herself because of you," Chuck continued to accuse her, ignoring his step-mother's peacemaking attempt. "You're always telling her she looks fat in something or some dress isn't her color. Well, let me tell you this. Your daughter is beautiful both inside and out and I love her. She was the only person that ever believed I could be something more than what everyone including my father had carved me out to be."

Everyone except for Eleanor was transfixed by the truth of his words. Sure, Chuck had exaggerated a bit when he seemed to place all of the blame on Eleanor for Blair's insecurities and such, but it was mostly true. Eleanor was a huge part of Blair's insecurities and the truth was she would never really be able to escape them.

"Are you finished Charles?" Eleanor asked. "I don't know what the point of your lengthy speech was, but I stand by my decision."

"I don't need your fucking blessing," Chuck seethed. "I'll propose to Blair if I damn want to and she'll accept my proposal if she damn wants to."

"I am her mother," Eleanor reminded him. "Blair has always listened to me and this time, it won't be any different. You better learn to respect..."

"I will when you deserve it," he shot back at her.

Chuck clenched his jaw at his final words and Nate almost suffocated at the tension in the room.

"It has been a pleasure for the most part, but I'm afraid I've lost my appetite," Chuck announced, extinguishing the fire within him.

He nodded briefly at his step-mother and then proceeded towards the door.

"You're excused," Eleanor muttered to his departing figure as she took her seat at the table once more. "Lily, the salmon is absolutely delightful."

Nate bade goodbye to Lily as well before following his best friend out the door.

"Eleanor," Lily started, cocking her head towards the back porch. "I would like to have a word with you please."

Eleanor looked up from her salmon and was about to protest when Lily spoke up again.

"That wasn't a question."

"Chuck?" Blair whispered into his ear.

He sat up immediately, inevitably knocking into Blair.

"Ouch!" she cried out in pain.

Chuck cursed inwardly to himself and was quick to apologize for his reaction. "Sorry Blair."

"You were having a nightmare, weren't you?" Blair questioned, kissing him on the forehead.

Chuck offered her a melancholic smile. "Yeah. Something like that."

Satisfied with his response, she skipped off into the bathroom to prepare for the beach party. Little did she know that it hadn't only been a nightmare. It had been a reality. Chuck shook his head in an attempt to rid himself of yesterday's gloomy memory. He had been harsh and disrespectful towards Eleanor to be sure, but it had been such a relief to express his feelings towards her; to give Blair a voice. He still wanted to propose to Blair and he wouldn't deny that Eleanor had done nothing but fill his mind with doubt, but he prayed both his mother and his father would show him a sign that he was doing the right thing; that he had their approval.


It was almost noon and Chuck and Nate waited at the end of the street for the limo. They had been informed that the rings had arrived.

"Hey man," Nate began. "You sure you're alright after yesterday? I mean, it didn't exactly turn out as planned."

"I'm fine," Chuck assured him. "I still want to propose to Blair, but..."

"You're afraid that one day she'll wake up and realize that her mother was right; that she could have done better than you," Nate finished for him.

"Thanks Nathaniel," he drawled.

Nate laughed. "You're always worried about that man."

Chuck scowled at him and Nate tried to maintain a more serious attitude.

"Chuck, you are good enough for her," Nate promised him. "She believes it. Serena and I believe it, so why don't you? You need to trust that Blair loves you. Isn't that what love is all about? Taking a risk on someone that you think is well worth it?"

"Wow Nathaniel," Chuck commented. "Those were actually really wise words. I'm shocked."

Nate shrugged. "I can turn into a total Eric when I want to."

Chuck smirked as his response. "Don't push it Nathaniel. No one is wiser than my brother."

Nate echoed his earlier scowl just as the limo pulled up in front of them.

"Mr. Bass, the rings have been delivered as promised."

"Very good James," he responded, climbing into the limo with Nate close at his heels.

James handed two velvet boxes to the two anxious boys and Nate opened his first.

"It looks exactly like my design!" Nate cried happily.

Chuck rolled his eyes. Clueless Nate was clearly back in business.

"That's how it usually works Nathaniel," he mentioned sarcastically.

"Let's see yours," Nate urged, oblivious to the sarcasm dripping from his voice.

Chuck had been completely secretive of his ring design for Blair. The brunette held the velvet box in his hands uncertainly and then opened it. There was no ring and Chuck could only stare at the empty space where it was supposed to be.

"Where's the ring?" Nate demanded to know for his best friend.

"I'm sorry sir," James stuttered. "We checked to make sure it was in the box before we left. I have no idea why..."

Chuck silenced him with a single wave of his hand and James swallowed hard in response. The entire staff was so fired. To his surprise, the young billionaire did nothing of the sort. Instead, James witnessed his face fall.

"It doesn't matter," Chuck whispered. "I won't be needing a ring."

With that, he stepped out of the vehicle, leaving James and Nate to their shock over his response to the situation. He had asked his parents to show him a sign that he was doing the right thing and this was undoubtedly their answer. He couldn't propose to Blair. He wouldn't.

"Chuck!" Nate called after him as he stepped out of the limo. "Come on man. You can propose to Blair without the ring. She loves you too much to care."

"I'm not proposing to her Nathaniel," he told him with confidence. "Just propose to Serena alright?"

"What?" Nate asked in disbelief. "No way man. We're doing this together."

Chuck turned to face him.

"Don't Nathaniel," he warned. "I don't ask you for much, but I'm asking you now to forget I was ever part of project engagement."

"Chuck..."

"Please."

Nate nodded upon hearing his genuine plea because he knew it took a lot for Chuck to ask him for anything; to ask anyone for anything really.

"So, you ready for the beach party then?" Nate questioned cheerfully, doing exactly as his best friend had asked him to do – forget.

Chuck smirked. "More than I'll ever be."


"Chuck, is everything alright?" Blair murmured. "You've been really distant all day."

She curled up closer to him as they lay on the sand. The beach party had been a blast and had been exhausting to say the least. Everyone was simply lying on the beach now in the dead of night, listening as the waves pushed against the shore. The wind was the only voice to be heard until a distinct squeal rang down the length of the beach.

"Oh my gosh!" Serena exclaimed. "Of course I'll marry you!"

Everyone turned towards the high-pitched voice and found Nate down on his knee, placing a beautiful diamond ring on Serena's finger. Applause rang out among their friends and family and Blair beamed in delight for the happy couple, running over to her best friend to give her a hug.

Chuck watched the scene from afar and he couldn't help but feel like he had made the wrong decision by not proposing to Blair tonight. Since lunch on Saturday, he had been offering himself a million reasons why he shouldn't propose to her instead of a million reasons why he should. What was wrong with him? Maybe he wasn't ready for marriage. Maybe Chuck Bass just wasn't made for it. Then again, he never thought he was made to be a boyfriend either.

He was utterly confused by his own thoughts and the noisy celebration that was going on only served to further encourage the pounding in his head. He walked in the direction of the rocks at the end of the beach and everyone failed to notice his departure including Blair who was deep in conversation with her mother.


"What do you mean he wanted to propose to me tonight?" Blair hissed. "What did you say to him mother?"

"I told him that you two were entirely too young to marry and that you had to keep your options open. I may have also hinted that he wasn't worthy enough to be my son-in-law; to be your husband," Eleanor explained.

"What?" Blair shrieked. "How could you say those things to him?"

"Blair," Eleanor continued. "I haven't been the greatest mother in the world. I know that, but I've always wanted what's best for you. I just never considered what you wanted."

Blair blinked a few times, her tears threatening to fall at any moment. "What are you trying to say?"

Eleanor pulled her daughter into her arms.

"I'm sorry Blair. Charles made me realize what I've done to your self-esteem over the years. Your condition was..." she trailed off as her tears threatened to fall as well.

"That wasn't your fault," Blair assured her. "It wasn't just you. Did Chuck really stand up to you?"

Eleanor scoffed as she pulled away from their embrace. "I can't condone his choice of words, but he did get his message across. Lily may have helped snap some sense into me as well."

Blair remained silent and Eleanor tucked a loose curl behind her ear.

"I know I don't tell you this often enough, but I do love you Blair and I want you to be happy. If that Bass boy will make you happy, then..."

"Thank you," Blair interrupted her, pulling her into a hug once more. "I know just what to do."

She turned and ran from the crowd in search of Chuck and when she failed to find him, she knew where he would be. Nate had already filled Serena in on everything that had happened and the blond gave her best friend one more reassuring hug before the brunette ran off in the direction of the rocks.


"Chuck?" Blair whispered as she sat down beside him.

"It was just getting chaotic back there," Chuck stammered, trying to come up with a valid excuse for her finding him here.

"Chuck, you know I love you, right?"

He turned to look at her uncertainly before turning away again.

"Yeah," he mumbled.

She tilted his face towards her, forcing him to look at her.

"Charles Bass, will you marry me?" she asked him confidently.

Never in a million years would Blair have guessed that she would be the one proposing, but then again, nothing ever went according to her plans when Chuck was involved.

"What?" he responded in disbelief.

She said nothing else and waited patiently for his answer.

"I want to say yes Blair, but..."

"There are no buts Chuck. Picture the great Chuck Bass however many years down the road. Am I standing there beside you?"

"Yes, but Blair, I'm not..." he breathed.

"Yes, you are Chuck," she told him, knowing precisely what he was about to say. "Ignore my mother or what anyone else has to say. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. Why can't you see that?"

Chuck smirked, trying to lighten the mood. "Really Waldorf? I'm the best thing that's ever happened to you?"

Blair rolled her eyes at him. "Don't get cocky Bass and I'd appreciate an answer to my question."

Chuck stood up and she followed suit. "I'm not an expert on proposals Waldorf, but shouldn't you be down on one knee with a ring in hand? I can let the lack of an engagement ring slide though because even my incompetent staff failed to deliver the one I had designed for you."

Blair scoffed. "I don't get on my knees for anyone."

Chuck leaned in close to her ear. "You and I both know that's not true Waldorf."

Blair slapped him away, getting slightly irritated that he was dragging out his answer. He chuckled and pulled her in for kiss.

"Blair Waldorf, I would love to marry you," he murmured against her lips.

Blair smiled.

"Who wouldn't?" she teased.

Chuck looked at her in amusement. He leaned in to kiss her again only to be interrupted by a familiar squeal.

"Oh my gosh B!" Serena exclaimed. "I'm so happy for you! We're going to have the best double wedding ever!"

"Gee Serena, you scared the shit out of me," the brunettes said in unison.

Nate laughed at their synchronization and eventually everyone joined him in laughter. The four of them sat down by the rocks once again.

"Should we get back to the celebration?" Serena asked. "They all have one more engagement to celebrate now."

"I think we should just stay here," Blair suggested. "It's our last day in the Hamptons and it should be spent with no one but the non-judging breakfast club."

There was a comfortable silence and they all geared their attention towards a familiar drawing on the rocks. It wasn't until they all heard a distinct snore from beside them that their trance was broken. Everyone turned to look at Nate who had dozed off. It wasn't that late into the night. Blair smirked at Chuck and he returned her devious smirk with one of his own. Surprisingly, Serena also caught on to what they were about to do. Chuck took the liberty of grabbing his arms and each of the girls took one of his legs. Nate was such a deep sleeper that he didn't even wake up until he hit the clear waters.