Blair perched on the balcony overlooking New York, the sun had yet to rise and the sky had just begun to light. The trip was coming to a close, a thought that had her sighing in relief. Though the city had been kind to them, Blair was eager to leave and return to Paris. She missed her father and Roman, she missed the romantic midnight strolls, the quiet of the night. She missed home. Hearing footsteps padding their way toward her, Blair turned to smile at Carter. His blonde hair was messy and eyes barely open. His arms wrapped around her back securely, his head resting in the crook of her neck. "Why are you up so early?" Carter's hoarse voice broke the silence.
"It's our last day in New York," she whispered in response.
"I can't wait to be home," he mused.
"My thoughts exactly."
Smiling at one another, the couple watched as the sun rose, eager for the day to end.
An hour had passed and the two were now wide awake. Sitting at the table, Blair poured syrup on her chocolate chip pancakes-courtesy of her boyfriend. She watched as the golden liquid enveloped the crispness of her breakfast. "What are we going to do today?" She asked as she went in for her second piece.
"Whatever you want to do," Carter responded humorously. He held in his laugh as he watched his girlfriend shove more pancake pieces in to her mouth. Looking away before he was caught, Carter picked up his watermelon slice and started chewing.
"We can go to the Met!" Carter jumped at the sudden volume change.
"The Met? As in the Metropolitan Museum of Art?"
"Yes," Blair nodded her head.
"Sure, why not?" Carter shrugged.
Slipping off the chair and setting her plate in the sink, Blair swiftly walked passed Carter. "Hurry up and get ready," she shouted over her shoulder, leaving a bemused Carter Baizen and his half eaten watermelon slice.
Of course it took well up to an hour for the couple to get ready, both unable to pick an outfit to wear. Tired of searching, Carter threw on the closest thing her could find. Staring into the mirror, he nodded his head as he saw his reflection. The burgundy dress shirt and khakis contrasted well with each other, finishing it of was his chestnut loafers. Walking out of the bedroom Carter's eyes were met with an empty living area. "And she told me to hurry up?" He muttered to himself. Shaking his head at his girlfriend's tardiness, Carter settled on the cream sofa, turning on the television.
It was halfway through an episode of Boardwalk Empire when he heard the distinct sound of heels on wood flooring. Glancing in the direction of the sound, his eyes landed on a pair of black Sergio Rossi heels. Scanning upwards, he smiled as he saw her wearing the familiar Valentino floral dress. The same dress she had been wearing the day he had seen her at The Louvre. Standing up and making his way to her, he placed his hands upon her hips, leaning down for a kiss.
Blair smiled as she saw the recognition flash through his eyes as he stared at her dress. And she couldn't help but eye his impeccable attire as he slowly walked toward her. As he leaned down, she tiptoed and met him halfway. the couple sighing as their lips came into contact.
"So this is your domain?" Carter spoke as the Met came into view. "Can't say I'm surprised."
"Brings back memories," As the words left her lips, she was unaware of the cynical smile that made its way on her face. Seeing this, Carter laughed and shook his head. He never doubted that the old Blair Waldorf was still there.
"Where to start off first," Blair pondered out loud.
With much deliberation, the couple leisurely strolled through the galleries stopping in front of Charles Demuth's Machinery. "You always were fond of abstracts," Blair tilted her head as she viewed the painting.
"It's as if they want you to perceive it in any way you choose," Carter smiled at the artwork. "The way he balances this piece through the shades of red and the subtle change of dimensions is incredible," he stared at the piece intently.
"I don't think so," Blair shook her head. "Abstracts lack warmth and recognition."
"Precisely why I like it," he glanced down at his girlfriend.
"And the reason why I don't care for it," she rolled her eyes. "It'll never beat the classics."
"Classics?" Carter scoffed. "You're really going to compare this to Van Gogh and Da Vinci?" He stares incredulously. "They're too different to weigh against."
"Mona Lisa beats this," the brunette waved her hands to the painting, "any day."
"Fine. You're entitled to your own opinions, Waldorf."
The trip to the museum went on like this, with the young couple arguing about most of the artwork. Stepping out of the Met, Carter took Blair's hand despite their obvious disagreements.
Blair blinked as she saw his hand reaching for hers. She had thought that after a whole day of bickering, he would distant himself but was pleasantly surprised when he proved her wrong. Smiling up at him she softly touched his cheek, craning her neck to meet his lips.
Carter melted as soon as her lips touched his. This is why they worked so well together, both knew each other too well to let petty jabs bring their relationship down.
"Blair?" Both froze mid-kiss as they heard the familiar voice. Carter wrapped his arms protectively around Blair, body going still.
Blair tensed as she heard the voice, only relaxing when she felt Carter embrace her. Turning her head to the side, her eyes met the piercing blue ones of Nate Archibald. Glancing to the figure beside him, she wasn't surprised when Serena van der Woodsen came into view.
"Carter Baizen," Nate said in disbelief. Carter smirked when he saw his opponents clenched jaw.
"The one and only," he rose his brows. "What can I do for you, Archibald?"
"Why the hell are you here?" The young Archibald spat out.
"Can't a guy visit his parents without a second agenda?"
"I know you, Carter. I've seen what you're capable of, what are you planning?" He asked suspiciously.
"Stop it, Nate," Blair spoke harshly. She heard enough, there was no way in hell she was going to let her boyfriend do this alone.
"Blair, where have you been?" The soft voice came from in front of her. Grazing over the yellow dress and golden hair, Blair landed on her former best friend's face.
"Does it matter?"
"You-You left," Serena choked as emotions flooded through her.
"Well it looks like you've been doing just fine without me."
Staring down at her swollen belly, Serena let tears fall. "I didn't mean for it to happen!" She tried desperately. "It wasn't even planned!"
Blair stood her ground as she saw tears roll down the blondes face. Though it still ached too see Serena in pain, she had gone through much worst without her best friend beside her. "I know. I know it wasn't planned but it doesn't change anything," Blair spoke softly. "Serena, we're different from the people we were back in high school. We've both missed too much in the past three years to try and mend this," she gestured to the space between them. "I love you, you know I do, but I don't want t risk my happiness for yours." Blair knew that if she let Serena back in, her once peaceful world would become corrupt once again. Taking a few steps to lessen the distance, she slowly wrapped her arms around the shaking blonde. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm sorry for not being here when all this happened." Stepping back, Blair went back to Carter's side, grasping for his hand.
"Congratulations," Carter cleared his throat, dropping the pretense. "To both of you," he nodded his head to the golden pair. Turning to walk down the steps, the couple were stopped once again.
"You too," Nate spoke.
"I'm sorry?" Carter said, genuinely confused.
"On your engagement," he said as his gaze lowered to the large diamond on his former loves finger. "It comes as a surprise, but you two seem like quite the match," he said truthfully. From the short amount of time he had observed the pair, Nate had seen the intimate interactions as well as their devotion to one another. Wrapping his arm around Serena's waist, he gently guided her toward the doors of the Met.
The couple stood on the steps in surprised at the maturity that is Nate Archibald. "Well, that came as a shock," Carter spoke aloud.
"You're telling me."
Shaking their heads, the pair walked hand-in-hand to continue their adventure for their last day in New York, unaware that neither had denied the declaration that the bronze haired man had said.
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