This update was a prompt from Sabi. She asked me to write about the framed photos that were in Chuck and Blair's townhouse. If you read my multi chapter fic "White Lies and Dark Secrets" you will realize this is set in that universe. This is super sweet and super fluffy. Consider it an Easter present. Hope you all enjoy. Thanks for all the previous reviews, favorites and follows. You guys, as always, are the best.
Blair Waldorf Bass entered the family room of her five story townhouse and scanned the room making sure everything was in place. She walked over to the mantle straightening the flower arrangement. She then stepped over to the side table on the other side of the room. She picked up the only photo from her and Chuck's wedding. Serena had taken it thank goodness or they would have no photographic evidence that the event had ever taken place.
She ran her finger over Chuck's image. That had been seven years ago. In some ways it felt just like yesterday and then in other's it felt like a lifetime ago. She had never been happier than that moment. She knew the instant that Cyrus had pronounced them husband and wife and Chuck had kissed her that her life would never be the same.
And thankfully it hadn't. She went from a life of uncertainty and anxiety to one of love and true happiness. Of course things weren't always perfect and there were moments when she could scream but overall her life was amazing.
She set the photo back down in its spot and reached towards the back picking up one of her son Henry, six months old at the time and in the bath. She smiled as she took in her son's happy, glowing face. She remembered the night perfectly. She and Chuck were supposed to go out for the evening. They had both gotten home from work and were exhausted. All Blair really wanted to do was put on pajamas and curl up with her husband and baby. Unfortunately the event was a huge benefit gala that Lily was co-chairing and Chuck had promised her they would attend.
Blair had changed into a gorgeous vintage Dior gown and Van Cleef and Arpel diamonds and had gone into the nursery to check on her son before leaving. Katie, Henry's nanny at the time, was just getting ready to give him a bath. He was in his diaper and nothing else.
By the time Chuck had found her in Henry's en suite bathroom she was disheveled and soaking wet from his son splashing like a madman. He instantly took out his phone and texted his stepmother to apologize for their last minute cancellation.
That had been a good night. Blair placed the picture back onto the table and picked up the one of an eight month old Henry in a blue hooded cashmere zip cardigan. He was looking solemn. Chuck had been away in Hong Kong on business for the previous two weeks and wouldn't return for another three days. She and Henry were missing him horribly so she had taken this photo at the duck pond and sent it to Chuck as a reminder of what he was missing. He came home the next morning.
The next picture she picked up showed a fresh from the pool Henry. She had been in Paris for fashion week and she was miserable. It was the first time she had been away from Henry for so long. She had spent every night crying to Chuck on the phone. On the sixth day Chuck and Henry had shown up at the atelier to surprise her. Blair had burst into tears as she hugged her son to herself. Chuck had put an arm around her and kissed her temple wiping her tears.
He then informed her that after the show that evening he was whisking them both off to Saint-Tropez. Blair had never loved her husband more. He understood her completely and her need to be with her child. They had spent a beautiful week there just the three of them and it had been heaven.
The last photo was a picture of a three year old Henry a month before Serena and Dan's wedding. His hair was a bit too long and he was wearing mirrored aviator sunglasses much to Blair's dismay. Serena had begged Blair to allow her and Dan to take Henry out to the country for the day. They were going to see a house that Dan wanted to purchase as a writing retreat. Serena adored spending time with Henry and she thought he'd enjoy the change of scenery. Blair who was swamped with final wedding preparations and her spring line orders was all too happy to allow him to go even if it was a trip to the middle of nowhere. He had arrived home late that afternoon so happy. He didn't stop talking about all the things he saw and about the General Store in the town center where Uncle Dan bought him the "awesome sunglasses". A week later Chuck had "accidentally" sat on said sunglasses.
Serena had gotten a ton of pictures that day and had come over to show them to Henry later that week. When he saw this one of himself looking "super cool" in the glasses he insisted Blair frame it and add it to the collection.
She reached out placing the photo back and glanced at all the other ones. There was Serena and Dan's wedding photo, Cordelia's first birthday, their family photo from Christmas and one of Henry and Cordelia at the beach from just this summer. Her family was beautiful and the photos proved it.
"Hey gorgeous." Chuck stepped into the room.
She turned to greet her husband with a smile on her face. He crossed the room wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her gently.
"Everything looks like it's ready. The house looks perfect as always."
She reached up straightening his tie. "I can't believe he's turning five." She felt tears start to well up in her eyes.
Chuck laughed softly. "Hey no tears." He kissed her forehead.
"I know but he's my baby and he's growing up way too fast."
Chuck placed his hands on her very noticeable bump. She was six months pregnant with their third child. "It's a good thing we have a replacement coming in three short months than isn't it?"
She shook her head. "That's not funny."
He kissed her as Henry came running in followed by his two year old sister.
Henry stopped short and groaned. "Stop kissing it's all you guys do."
Serena was right behind her niece and nephew. "Get used to it Hen. They've been doing it for years and I have a feeling it's never going to change."
Blair rolled her eyes as she ruffled her son's hair. Chuck bent over picking up his little girl and placing a kiss to her cheek.
The rest of the afternoon went perfectly. There was dinner, cake and tons of presents as well as lots of laughter and conversation. Weeks later Blair would frame the picture of her, Chuck, Henry and Cordelia all smiling at the dinner table. It would join the other photos to commemorate this milestone in Henry's life. This was just the beginning of a lifetime of happy memories.
