(A/N: Chapter has been earned after those terrible episodes. I would have liked to work on it more but these are dire times. ENjOY! and please review)
XOXOXOXOXOOXXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO XOXXOX
(LET'S CALL THE WHOLE THING OFF)
By: Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
From: When Harry Met Sally
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOOXXOXOXO XOOXOXOXOXOXOXXO
PRESENT
Blair floated down the staircase and sat herself primly on a dining-room chair. "Good morning," she looked over at her mother and maid while leaning over to smell the arrangement of peonies situated in the middle of the table. She sighed contently pleased with their fragrance.
"You seem unusually calm," Eleanor examined her daughter carefully looking to Dorota to see if she noticed it as well.
"Why wouldn't I be calm? It's an absolutely beautiful fall day," she sighed dreamily then noticed Dorota and smiled brightly. "You look beautiful Dorota," she beamed.
"Blair..." Eleanor cleared her throat. "Are you okay darling?" she lowered her reading glasses.
"Yes,..." she made a face curious as to why her mother would ask such a question. "Doesn't Dorota look lovely mom?"
"You sure you don't take medication?" The maid asked skeptically seeing the same strangeness that Eleanor saw.
"You really should take a compliment," her eyes widened. "It's polite to do so," her eyes snapped back to the table where there was a plate of fruit.
"Mm,..I think i'll have an omelette for breakfast..." Blair leaned over the dining-room table to take a grape from the plate. Just as she popped it into her mouth, Eleanor looked over at her. "Or maybe some bacon..." she tapped her chin.
"I think she take meds," Dorota announced to Eleanor.
"Why on earth would I drug myself? what reason could I possibly have?" Dorota and Eleanor looked at each-other and shared a knowing smile. The elevator popped open and Nina clicked in with three people behind her. Blair wiped her hands on her robe and went to greet them with a huge smile.
"Something is not right,..." Eleanor continued to study Blair.
"It's like she shell of former self," Dorota commented.
"Hello, hello," Blair welcomed the people in with double air kisses, then hugged Nina tightly. "Oo," she played with a strand of Nina's white, blonde hair. "...You look amazing," she complimented her friend. "...not so amazing that you would outshine me,...but amazing none the less," she nodded.
"Thank-you," she squinted, "You look...," she scanned Blair's face with confusion. "Calm...," her eye-brows knitted together full of confusion. Eleanor nearly burst into laugher.
"Doesn't she?"
"It's kind of freaking me out," Nina titled her head to the side examining Blair.
"Would you people stop,..."
"We think she may have taken something...," Eleanor explained.
"You didn't!" Nina warned her that would be a bad idea.
"I didn't take anything! I don't appreciate your assumptions,"
"Blair, darling," Eleanor lowered her reading glasses. "Be honest with us. Did you take anything to settle your nerves?"
"No...no...no," she laughed.
"There something wrong with dress," Dorota blurted out.
"Well unless something happened to it in the last ten minutes...," she snorted. "I just checked it. It's perfect,"
"Well the problem isn't with the dress per se,...I hate to tell you this, Dan accidentally saw it." Eleanor took a stab.
"That's not funny," she relaxed in her chair. Eleanor threw her hands in the air defeated.
"What will you be having for breakfast?" a caterer walked over to Blair.
"Hmm, I would like,...french toast," she nodded thinking that was the best decision.
"Bread?..BREAD? okay she fucking took something!," Nina's eyes were bright and appalled.
"NINA!" Eleanor scolded her for swearing.
"She ordered bread!" Nina pointed as if to excuse herself for swearing.
"I know. It's alarming but please watch your language,"
"Would you people leave me alone please?" Blair closed her eyes as the phone began to ring. "Is someone going to get that?" she asked mildly irritated as she lifted her tea cup. Eleanor chatted on the phone while Blair waited for her breakfast still toying with her flowers. When the plate of french toast was placed in front of Blair, Nina's mouth fell agape to the utter shock that she was actually going to eat bread.
"Bread?...today of all days?..." Nina tried to convince her this was not normal behavior.
"Do you know what Dan and I did all day yesterday after rehearsal?"
"Do I want to know?"
"We practiced our kiss,"
"I'm sure he enjoyed that," Nina said sarcastically.
"We tried about twenty different options. I have a spreadsheet,"
"Of course you do,"
"We settled on PG-13 but lingering,"
"Uh..."
"It's not so intense that we'd be disrespectful in church, but it's not so perfunctory that we look as though our marriage is doomed due to lack of passion or chemistry," she spoke quickly.
"I see you've really thought about this,"
"Our goodbye kiss before I left to come here was perfect,"
"Mhmm,..." Nina made a noise. "So you're eating bread you know..." she still couldn't believe it. Blair ignored her friend and looked up to her mother as she walked back into the dining-room.
"Who was on the phone?" she took another bite.
"Laura,"
"And?" Blair wanted more information as he knife made a crunch through the crust of the toast.
"She's getting the boys ready,"
"Getting them ready for what?" Blair's eyes locked on her breakfast, her chewing came to a halt.
"...for the wedding..." Eleanor said before closing her eyes.
"Reception..." Blair felt her eyes blink a mile a minute as she dropped her fork. "For the reception right mom?" she turned in her chair and starred.
"No she's under the impression they'll be at the ceremony,"
"What?" she snipped, Eleanor saw Blair's face contort as she desperately tried to keep calm.
"Well,..."
"AHHHHHHHHHRGHHHHHH!" she smacked the hilt of her knife against the table.
"She's back!" Nina smiled at Dorota.
"Why don't you just finish your breakfast okay?" Eleanor tried to calm her.
"WHY DID I ASK FOR BREAD!" she whined shrilly. "I CAN'T EAT BREAD!"
XOXOXOXOXOX
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO CELEBRATE THE WEDDING OF
MISS BLAIR CORNELIA WALDORF
and
MR. DANIEL JONAH HUMPHREY
ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON
SEPTEMBER THE 25TH
AT ONE O'CLOCK
AT SAINT THOMAS CHURCH
1 West 53rd Street, New York
Reception to Follow
XOXOXOXOXOOOXXOXOXXOXOXOXO
It surprisingly only took ten months to plan her wedding. She began the day after Dan proposed. If she was perfectly honest she had been planning the moment he got down on one knee. (The first time). The colour scheme, the dress and the venue all crossed her mind in a flash. What shocked her the most was none of these thoughts were preconceived. The scrapbook she had planned her wedding in years ago didn't have a place. She was starting fresh.
"Oh you're here!" Harold placed his hand on his chest, feeling his heart start to beat at a normal pace. "Cyrus call Rufus and tell him to stop looking, he's here,"
"He's here!" Cyrus looked over with a cheerful grin.
"My you're cutting it close aren't you?" Harold chuckled as Dan and Nate rushed into the room and began throwing off their clothing. They somehow lost track of time. Dan didn't have the easiest of sleeps and Nate had one too many drinks before bed.
"I hope cold feet isn't to blame," Roman laughed lightly, Harold nudged him thinking that might have been rude.
"Oh no. No," Dan assured them. "A small alarm clock issue," he removed his shirt and Harold's eyes zeroed in on the dark mark over his heart that cleared into letters.
"What's that?" he asked quite amused. Dan laid his hand over the tattoo and let out a breath.
"Bruce Willis?" he offered with a sheepish smile knowing he wouldn't buy it.
"How long have you had it?"
"...A year," he offered casually.
"Why am I surprised? Seems like something Blair would do,"
"All my idea actually," he began buttoning up his shirt.
"Dan, I'm supposed to tell you that Laura is bringing the kids to the ceremony...," Nate looked down at his phone and shrugged.
"Uh,..." he blew air through his teeth. "Can we try and do something about that? I fear Blair might strangle Laura..."
XOXOXOX
"If a baby cries during our vows I will strangle Laura," Blair's eyes starred straight in front of her as the hairdresser continued curling her hair at the bottom. It was the longest her hair had ever been. If Blair had followed her scrapbook, her wedding hair would have been put up in a bun with a modest, yet elegant white satin headband and possible flower. Today there was no headband, no bun and no flower. Her hair was down and very long. This wasn't the only thing changed from the scrapbook. The wedding colours went from purple to dark grey. The biggest change of all, and probably the variable factor that changed everything, her groom.
Planning the wedding with Dan was easier than she thought it would be. They sat at the dining-room table and brain stormed ideas and ideals. Surprisingly, she was very open minded and easy-going, there was one thing that she was not going to budge on: Peonies and No children at the ceremony.
"Strangle her? that might be a little harsh," Eleanor blinked at Blair's level of anger.
"How is it harsh? I told her I didn't want children at MY wedding. I told her from the very beginning they would NOT be allowed at the ceremony. Why must she defy me?" her booming voice made the hairdresser a little jumpy so she decided to stop and give Blair a break.
"Jillian are you aware that my wedding is in three hours?" her eyes blinked wildly at the curling iron she set down.
"Yes..." she gulped.
"THEN WHY ARE YOU STOPPING?" she growled.
"Right!" she picked up the curling iron and continued.
"Mother, do something!," Blair said shrilly. "How dare she stomp all over my well laid out plans. The one thing I requested!"
"The one thing?" Nina's eyebrows raised.
"Listen to me, I lost a lot of things when I agreed to let Dan help me plan this wedding. We hired a DJ for the love of god!", she threw her hands in the air. "All I wanted was a ceremony witnessed by mature adults that know the appropriate time to clap, and how to conduct themselves when two people are professing their love and devotion to each-other," she inhaled. "... in front of god!" she added for good measure.
"In front of god!?" Nina was a ball of laughter now, she could have rolled around on the couch.
"You know Dorota is looking like an excellent option for maid of honor right now," she glared.
"Blair relax, you're putting creases in your forehead. Think about the wedding pictures," Eleanor commented.
Blair whimpered and deflated in her chair. When the phone rang and Eleanor sounded relieved. "Maybe you could talk her down," she handed the phone to Blair.
"Don't you want a ring bearer?" Harold asked.
"No," she whined.
"Blair-bear..."
"Daddy, I said no. I'm not changing my mind just to make Laura feel better about her awful decision in bringing them,"
"I'm sure we can arrange something darling. Just calm down,"
"Someone better figure something out because I don't want to hear anything but Dan's words," she snapped.
"Delivery man at door for you," Dorota told Blair. She jumped out of her seat and rushed to the elevator where a man stood holding a bouquet of brightly, coloured gerber daisies. Blair sighed dreamily accepting them and placing them on the dining-room table to read the note.
JUST 3 MORE HOURS
She held the small note to her chest and closed her eyes.
XOXOXOXOXOX
PRESENT
Dan watched as Blair's arms wrapped around Chuck's neck. "Hey, hey, hey," he intervened pulling her hands off him.
"Don't touch me Humphrey," she said easily.
"What?" he felt like she punched him in the stomach. Suddenly he noticed their outfits and Blair's hairstyle. "Why are you dressed like..."
"Dexter and Tracey?" Blair laughed. "Oh Humphrey,...Mike and Tracey were cute but the story was always about Tracey and Dexter," Blair linked her hand with Chuck's. Dan felt his mouth go dry.
"Don't look so shocked. Everyone knows that Humphrey..." Chuck laughed.
"No...no...Tracey and Mike have the best chemistry..." Dan defended himself.
"What's that in the face of endgame?" he smirked before looking to Blair and pulling her in for a kiss.
"No...no no no no,...Blair?" Dan's eyes were wide and worrisome. "We always said that Tracey and Mike were unfulfilled and..."
"I'd say Chuck and I are fulfilled,"
"I wanna fill you later," Chuck nuzzled Blair.
Dan woke up to the sound of Blair's laughing in his dream. Sweating bullets, his heart was pounding. Nicky stared at him,
"Are you okay Daddy?" she looked at him a little concerned.
"Yeah,..." he sat up and wiped his forehead. "I forgot we had a sleepover..." he rubbed his head and calmly told himself that it was a dream and to get a grip.
"It made my skin crawl, Nate," Dan looked over to make sure Nicky was out of earshot as he prepared breakfast for them. "It was like,...I'm okay with her dating. But I will kill him...I'll kill him," he rested his hand on the fridge trying to calm himself and forget about the dream that felt so much like reality.
"Who Chuck?"
"I do NOT want him around her,"
"He's not around her," Nate laughed.
"It made me feel ill..."
"Well don't worry about it. It was a dream not a premonition," Nate's words seemed to calm him, he thanked his friend and hung up so he could flip the pancakes.
"What are we going to do today daddy?" Nicky rested her chin in her palm.
"I uh,...have to bring you to mom's,"
"Why?" she asked carefully. "Do you want to get rid of me?"
"No, absolutely not. If it was my choice you wouldn't leave," he smiled. "But it's been a week and I think she really wants to see you," he pressed his lips together.
"What are you going to do when i'm gone?" she asked with big eyes and a little sadness.
"I might try to write," he shrugged.
"Maybe you could go see grandpa or go out with Nate?,"
"All fine suggestions but I think i'm just going to stay in and try and get some work done,"
"Oh..."
"Hey, eat them before they get cold," he pointed with a wink.
"Daddy we still have two movies we didn't watch,"
"That's okay, we can rent them again some other time," he assured her they wouldn't miss out.
"No, I think we should just watch them tonight," she smiled.
"You're going to you mom's tonight,"
After Nicky got ready to be dropped off at Blair's, and after she made over twenty excuses why she should stay, Dan finally delivered her safe and sound. Nicky tried to get Dan to bring her right up to Blair's apartment but he refused and stayed outside the elevator.
"Have fun okay?"
"...ok,"
When he got home he wrote for a little while but his mind wasn't working as well as it had been since he finished his last novel. Doug had been calling him all week telling him the new sales numbers. Everyone had been thrilled with the reviews and feedback, but pressure was setting in to strike while the iron was hot and write another. He thought back to what Claudia had told him. How he's never going to move on if he doesn't leave his apartment or try new things. Quickly he picked up the receiver of his office phone and dialed.
"Hey...uh Claudia, It's Dan. Did you maybe...uh...it's totally up to you but did you maybe want to go out again tonight?"
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
"Don't you two look relaxed?" Nina walked in to find Blair and Nicky in fluffy white robes, their hair wrapped in bright, white towels.
"We're having a spa day!" Nicky announced showing her aunt, her freshly, french manicured nails.
"I can see that," Nina smiled at her niece's little fluffy slippers.
"What's wrong?" Blair asked, seeing that Nina had the look-book with her.
"I need you to approve all of this,"
Blair looked to her daughter and sighed. "I'll be right back ok?"
"Okay," Nicky skipped to the living-room and put her feet up on the coffee table.
"Are you sure?"
"It's fine...it's good..," Blair shrugged.
"What's up?"
"Nina I haven't seen her in a week. I just want to spend time with her and not think about work right now," she sighed.
"I know you're sick of Cosmo but you could try to pretend you care,"
"It's not about that. I really just want to be with her this weekend. Dan had her all week. I haven't been away from her this long since she was in Paris with my dad,"
"Hey did Vanity Fair call you yet?"
"Not yet. I think this week they'll tell me to come claim my desk," she smiled smugly.
"I can't believe you want to start at the bottom again,"
"Nina, I've done all I can at Cosmo. I want to start fresh. I've always wanted it, you know that," she reminded her.
"You're sure this is good?" Nina held out the book once more.
"Yes, it's fine," she barely looked.
"You're okay with this page?" Nina flipped over to Blair's wedding spread. With a brave inhale, her eyes rested on the glossy paper. A soft smile lifted the corners of her lips as she scanned over the photos and settled on one of their table labels. Every one was named after a film. Their friends sat at the 'Die Hard' table while closest family members sat at 'Breakfast at Tiffany s'. There was a full shot of the ballroom where they had their reception, fifteen round tables all with dark grey table cloths and bright peony filled vase center pieces On the side there was a list of facts about their wedding. Bride wore a Vera Wang original, Groom wore Ralph Lauren from that year's collection, the wedding song was listed, along with the decision to have a three layered cake entirely decorated with french macrons. The brides maids in grey, making the colour scheme completely black, white and grey.
"Yeah, it's fine," Blair cleared her throat.
"Mommy? what's an orgasm?" Nicky was sifting through a Cosmo on the table.
"...uh.." Blair hurried over and snatched it from her.
"You don't know?" Nicky asked with with large, curious eyes then lifted the magazine into the air to show her the article.
"Oh she knows," Nina closed up the look-book.
"Nina!" Blair scolded.
"Is it bad?" Nicky asked trying to keep her towel from unravelling on her head.
"No, it's not bad," Nina laughed.
"NINA!" Blair yelled. "I think it's time you be going now..."
"Okay. Fine!...I'll see you on Monday,"
"Yes you will," she smiled.
"So?" Nicky looked back at her mom hoping for an answer.
"So what?"
"Are you going to tell me?" she kicked her feet.
"I don't think so,"
"Why not?"
"Because you are nine years-old," she poked her on the nose.
"All your magazines talk about them,"
"So?...All these magazines are trash!"
"If it's trash,...how come you work there?" she teased.
"Good question," she smiled. "I'm hoping Vanity Fair will call me this weekend,"
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOOX
FLASHBACK
As everyone took their seats, he felt he needed to take a deep breath. He rubbed his hands together before his mother linked arms with him and he escorted her to her seat. She sat down with Rufus and Jenny who gave him knowing smiles of pride before he walked up to the alter to take his place. Now it was warm, the whole Church felt like it climbed a few degrees. He knew his ears were probably bright red and Jenny and his mom were pointing and commenting about them. Dan watched Eleanor, escorted by Roman, and then Nate and Nina who took their spots. Dan felt calmer now with Nate standing just a foot away from him but his stomach was still in knots. Dan scanned the pews for his nephews and thankfully they were nowhere to be found. Not a single child was in that church and Dan was pleased. The music stopped and the silence was deafening, every second felt longer than the last, the anticipation was maddening. Nate patted Dan on the back, they shared a little smile which the photographer captured and that's when the music started up again. Dan's eyes were glued to the double doors waiting for them to open.
"Nervous?" Harold asked Blair in her final minute.
"Not even a little," she smiled excitedly and hugged her dad.
",...ready?"
"I've been ready my whole life daddy,"
"Don't I know it," he chuckled remembering the little girl and her scrapbook.
The doors opened and the entire room looked at Blair wearing most important dress of her life. Dan wasn't sure what he was nervous about, because the second he saw her in her dress he relaxed, his breathing slowed right down. When she got to the steps at the alter Dan walked down shook hands with Harold, then turned his attention to his Daisy. "You look perfect," he breathed as he brought her up to his level at the alter. Blair gave her bouquet to Nina with a huge smile, then went back and put both her hands in Dan's, their eyes fixed together. The minister began with some religious things that Blair didn't want. She was very specific in how she wanted the ceremony to run and for whatever reason this minister didn't get the memo. Dan pressed his lips together to keep from laughing. Jenny's eyes widened and she turned to Rufus who cringed a little hoping this wouldn't ruin Blair's day. When they looked at Blair they knew she didn't care anymore. It wouldn't be much longer before they would be married. When he finally told them it was time for their vows Blair went to Nina to get her stack of cue cards. Dan chuckled lightly not expecting anything less from Blair who was always thoroughly prepared for everything.
"Dan Humphrey is insufferable," she looked up and smiled. "That is the first line in the journal I wrote three summers ago..." she bit down on the soft flesh on the inside of her lip so it would stop shaking, looking down at her cue card she read the next line to herself and her eyes became unmistakably glossy. "That's not true," her voice hitched in a whisper. "You're..." she paused wondering why she couldn't get through this then repeated herself. "You're a lot of things but you are not insufferable. You're amazingly talented, funny, kind hearted, doting and so loving. I swear you can look into my eyes and see my soul," she looked up and smiled before continuing.
"The most amazing thing about us is that we know each-other at our very worst," she giggled a little with an eye-roll and looked up recalling a time when she despised the man standing in front of her. "You know all the sides of me and seem to love them all. Marilyn Monroe once said, 'The real lover is the man who can thrill you by kissing your forehead or smiling into your eyes', and i'd have to agree." she paused. "If someone told me that you were my future five years ago I would laughed in their face," she smiled up at him brilliantly." but right now, I would laugh in anyone's face if they told me you were not my future. You're my best-friend and when I'm with you I feel strong and safe," she flipped to the next card.
"Here goes,...I vow to let you pick the movie we watch at least once a month," a low, collective chuckle came from the pews. "I vow to never cut my hair any higher than my shoulder," she smirked and Dan laughed. "I vow to pick my battles and not get worked up over every little thing. I vow to duke it out and never walk away until a fight is resolved. I vow to never test your limits or push your buttons," she smiled. "especially for my own amusement,... and I vow to love you as much as I can for the rest of my life,"
The minister nodded at Blair and turned to Dan who didn't have any cue cards. His eyes settled on her eyes, his hands lightly caressing her hands.
"I get to marry my best-friend," he nodded. "I never thought i'd ever get to say that," he cleared his throat wondering why he didn't make cue cards. The woman before him did everything the right way and now he felt like he might let her down if he didn't remember his vows or if he left something important out. "I get to marry my fiercely strong, independent, beautiful best-friend which whom is my perfect match," Blair smiled lightly.
"I love an infinite number of things about you. We don't have all day so I made the short list of things I love about you. One, Your drive- you are an absolute power-house of a woman that knows that she wants and goes for it. Two- Your intelligence. You are sharp as a tack and smart as a whip. You inspire me everyday and push me towards greatness. Three- you are so beautiful it's disarming," Blair was enjoying this and smiled hoping he would go on.
"Four, you are hilarious. You make me laugh everyday, mostly unintentionally," he nodded with a laugh. "I'm so entertained by you, I could literally watch you churn butter," Blair's eyebrows knitted together but she let out a laugh. "and five, you taught me how to live my life to the fullest by just being who you are. I have nothing but respect and love and worship in me for you. I'm honored and dumbfounded that you want to spend your life with me," he wished he could kiss her before continuing but that would have been frowned upon, especially by Blair.
"I vow to do what i'm told," everyone laughed lightly. "I vow to never let my hair get too long," Blair smirked. "I vow to be serious with you, and be silly with you. I vow to love you forever and for it to never,... die hard," Blair snorted.
"...but mostly, above everything else, I vow to be your friend. I will always be your friend," his eyes locked on to hers and she took a sharp inhale finding this to be the most touching thing he had said. "Today I want to tell you something that you've been asking me for years," Blair smiled widely and waited patiently for him to continue.
"I know the exact day that I realized you and I were more than friends. It was our last year at Yale and during midterms of second semester it was your birthday and I wanted to get you a present,...I know...," he laughed lightly. "I know you didn't receive a present. And uh I guess that's because I was scared. I umm,..." Dan wished he had cue cards again. "I went to a flower shop and I knew you liked peonies and hydrangeas, yeaaaah they were the most expensive flowers in the entire store," he paused and everyone laughed.
"That was typical. I should have expected that.," he blinked. "I told the florist to make me some kind of arrangement with both when this woman walked out of the store with the most amazing arrangement of these bright, beautiful flowers. They didn't even look real to me. They just had this too good to be true look about them. I asked the florist if they were plastic, I mean... their colour was brilliant, I couldn't take my eyes off of them. They looked so strong and sturdy, just gorgeous,...she laughed at me as if I was the dumbest man alive and said, "They're Gerber Daisies," he pressed his lips together and stared at Blair, "They're always that perfect,"
Blair blinked lightly and inhaled waiting for him to finish. "I did not want our relationship to mean more to me than it did to you, I tried my best to push any thought I had about us out of my mind. So I left the store empty handed,"
Nina was a bucket of tears and Nate was confused about what he had just listened to.
"But I guess I took one thing away from it," Blair just wanted to kiss him so badly she looked to the minister hoping he would move them along to the ring part.
Exchanging of the rings was exciting to Blair. She never thought about it before, it seemed simple without much to it but as she pushed the platinum wedding band on his finger she felt a rush. She had a warmth take over her body as she thought about how he'd wear that now for the rest of his life. She stared down at her hand as Dan slipped hers on and paired it with her engagement ring, seeing both their hands together like this was surreal. It happened, it was almost over, they were almost married.
"Dan do you take Blair to be your lawfully wedded wife to have and to hold from this day forward?"
"I do," he didn't take his eyes off her.
"Blair do you take Dan to be your lawfully wedded husband from this day forward?"
"I do," she nodded.
"By the power vested in me in the state of New York, I pronounce you husband and wife,"
"Wow," Blair inhaled.
"You may kiss your bride,"
Forget about practice kisses and what it looked like. Their kiss was solely based on how good it felt. The minister announced them as "Dan Humphrey and Blair Waldorf, husband and wife," Blair linked arms with Dan and they made their way down the aisle as everyone snapped pictures at them.
"Is that the end of the daisy story? did I miss something? is there a punchline?" Nate asked Nina.
"Nate, are you an idiot?" Nina jabbed him with her elbow before linking her arms with him to follow their newly married friends down the aisle and out the door.
"Ow," he rubbed his arm. "I mean for a writer you think he would have been more eloquent,"
"Would you shut up? that was the point you ass,"
"I expected Audrey and possibly Hilary Clinton but Marilyn?...really?" Dan laughed as they made their way down the aisle.
"What's with your daisy speech? it's like you made that up at the top of your head,"
"I should have taken a cue from you and used CUE cards," he smirked. Blair rolled her eyes playfully. "Get it?"
Blair lifted her left hand and looked at her wedding band, "Oh god what have I done?"
"Shaht up," he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, she savored the contact and shut her eyes. When she opened them she looked excited as a smile spread across her face.
"Dddaaannnn," she said in a taunting voice as they made their was outside. "It's picture time!" she clawed at his forearm.
"Oh joy,"
XOXOXOXOXOXOX
PRESENT
"I was thinking that during March break you and I could go and visit Granddad and Roman," Blair finished peppering Nicky with kisses as she tucked her in.
"Umm..." Nicky played with her curls. "For how long?"
"About nine days. Or we could do longer if you want? I don't mind you missing a few days of school,"
"No I can't," Nicky said simply.
"Okay so we can leave on the Friday after school and return the next Friday. That will give you ample time to get over the jet lag,"
"No mommy I can't go away for that long,"
"Why not? you loved the month you spent with granddad didn't you?"
"Yes," she nodded. "I just can't leave daddy that long,"
"Oh," Blair blinked and tried to change the subject only her mind wouldn't let her. She took a deep breath and asked Nicky flat out, "Nic,...why do you always want to be with daddy? I'm trying everything to get you to spend time with me and all you want to do is be with him. What do you do with him that's so much better than the things you do with me?"
"Nothing really," Nicky shrugged.
"Do you have more fun with him? do you see more films? or go to more museums? because i'm trying sweetheart but I just don't know what i'm doing wrong,"
"You're not doing anything wrong," she said genuinely concerned about upset she was.
"Well I must be doing something wrong because I feel like i'm losing you. I don't want you to decide you want to stay with him and visit me only on weekends or once a month and then once a year..."
"That's not going to happen," she turned to hug her.
"Just tell me why. I won't be mad," she said softly.
"Um," she pressed her lips together feeling like her answer might be kind of silly.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
In the most gentlemanly way possible Dan asked if Claudia wanted to come in after their date. "Unless you would rather go talk somewhere else? we could go to a coffee shop or something if you feel this is too...," he gulped realizing he needed to improve his dating etiquette. "If you feel it's too intimate...not that we would be,.." he scratched the back of his head. "intimate,..." he cringed. "... that's not going to happen it's just I don't know where else we could go right now and...," he sighed as she smiled. "Did you just want to go home instead?"
"It's okay. I'll come in," she laughed lightly. The elevator ride up to the apartment was filled with small talk.
"This is a really nice building,"
"It's ordinary," Dan didn't mask his distaste.
"Ok..." she felt uncomfortable for giving the compliment.
"No, I mean...it's fine. It's just my old apartment was like my dream home and this is just...too small and too...," he bit his lip. "Quiet," he opened the door and let her in.
"It's actually really nice. I'm sorry for complimenting it," she laughed as he took her coat.
"So do you want something? water? or..."
"Do you have any wine?"
"Yeah, yeah I do," he said in shallow voice as he went to the kitchen and pulled out the cheapest bottle he had. Claudia was definitely not worth the Dom 86'.
"I love your paintings," Claudia commented looking around.
"Thanks. My mom actually painted them," he set his wine glass down and walked Claudia through each room turning on the lights and showing her his mother's paintings. She seemed more pleased with every one he presented to her. He opened the door of Nicky's room and she gasped lightly.
"Well this room is definitely my favourite. I like the robin's egg blue,"
"It's Tiffanys," he said quietly.
"I'm sorry?"
"It's not robin's egg blue it's Tiffanys,"
"Oh," she smiled. "Oh now that's great!"her eyes settled on a painting.
"The cupcakes?" Dan laughed looking at a painting Allison completed for Nicky's first birthday.
"No, those are adorable but I was talking about this," her eyes gazed up at the large horizontal canvas above Nicky's headboard. "she's so talented,"
"That one is not my mom's actually," he inhaled. "My wife and I painted it before we were even dating,..." he starred up at it then realized his flub. "Ex wife," he corrected. "If you look close you can see the style changes in the middle. I painted the left and she painted the right,"
"You really came together in the middle,"
"Yeah, we did,"
Flashback
Filled with extended family, friends and coworkers, the building that held the reception was full of grandeur in it's architecture alone. The tall ceilings were fixed with enormous chandeliers, and the marble floors and columns seemed to sparkle. Servers walked around with trays of champagne flutes in the area where cocktail hour was in full swing when Dan and Blair walked into the foyer. A swing version of the song 'Diamonds are a girl's best-friend' was playing and everyone clapped. If Blair wasn't so happy she would be pouting that they shouldn't have been seen together until everyone was in the ballroom.
"They're here!," Jenny teased them. "I highly doubt it took two full hours to take pictures alone..." she insinuated that they spent more time than necessary out in the limo.
"Oh good. Eleanor and I were just talking and we were both wondering when we should expect grandchildren,"
"Dad..." Dan's eyes settled on the two empty champagne flutes in front of him.
"It's a legitimate question," Eleanor backed him up.
"Never. There's your answer," Blair rolled her eyes playfully before turning to some guests.
"She doesn't mean that," Eleanor said to Rufus.
"Yes she does," Dan assured her taking a sip from his flute.
When they finally walked into the ballroom, they were announced as husband and wife and Blair wasn't sure she'd ever felt so happy in her life. Her eyes scanned the tables and noticed they were labelled perfectly with her and Dan's favourite movies. Nate and Nina sat at 'Die Hard' naturally. The kissing game was played by having soundtrack songs play over dinner and if anyone knew what movie the song was from they would tell Rufus and he'd get them to kiss for the right answers. Blair didn't want any 'games' but Nate and Rufus insisted, and she couldn't be bothered now. This game seemed to have her kissing Dan quite a bit and she wasn't objecting.
The speeches were plentiful but entertaining nonetheless.
Nina's was touching and sweet. She talked about how she only met Blair a short time before she was with Dan. Nate's was funny but not intentionally.
"Dan, Blair and I are like,...the three musketeers," Blair made a face and Dan laughed unable told hold in his laughter. "When I hangout with them I never feel like the third wheel, they're just my best-friends. To Dan and Blair. I love you guys" he held his glass up. "And I was just wondering if I could come with you on your honeymoon,...think about it" he laughed.
"Fat chance..." Blair said under her breath.
"I have to admit when Dan told me that he was dating Blair Waldorf I was a little confused. Even more confused when he told me that he wanted to marry her, " Jenny's eyebrows raised. "But if you just look at them and see the way they interact with one another you know there's something very special between them. Congratulations big brother," she lifted her champagne glass towards Dan who was holding his out. "And congratulations to my new sister," she smiled at Blair.
"My son wears his heart on his sleeve and i've known about every girl he's crushed on since he was in kindergarten," Rufus slipped his reading glasses on and pulled a piece of paper from his back pocket.
"Oh boy,..." Dan looked concerned while Blair looked amused.
"I have received some hilarious teacher comments over the years you can imagine. His first kiss was with Stephanie Summers when he was four. I think she was his girlfriend for a whole week. This just continued until i'm sure he kissed every girl in his kindergarten class. His favourite free time activity was to play house if he got to be the husband,"
"Oh my god,..." Dan placed his head in his hands as Blair laughed heartily.
"And still, every single one of these girls I knew about. I knew about every single girlfriend before he started dating them. He would come to me and ask for advice or he would mention who he was hung up on,...the only girl he didn't come to me with, was Blair Waldorf," he rested his eyes on Blair. "I'm convinced that is not a coincidence, he didn't tell me about Blair because he was confident and knew exactly what he was doing. I wish you both the very best, congratulations...give me a grandbaby ok?"
"Why did he say that?"
"Because he's had too much to drink and he doesn't take no for an answer,"
Eleanor got up to the podium with Harold and they both beamed brightly at their daughter. "Firstly, we just want to remind you of how proud we are of you," Eleanor blew a kiss at her and Harold starred at her stoically and proud. "When Blair was very young she started this scrapbook..."
"For crying out loud,..." she laid her head on Dans shoulder. Eleanor went through every detail of Blair's old scrapbook and mentioned the one name that should have never been uttered at her daughter's wedding.
"Oh my god. She said it...oh my god," she blinked rapidly. "That's gotta be bad luck,"
"I don't think Chuck Bass doubles as Macbeth,"
"Don't say that!"
"What Macbeth?"
"Dan?"
"Don't say what? Macbeth?," he laughed. "Relax we're not in production," he chuckled. "It rained this morning. All good here,"
"I'm so sorry," Blair apologized.
"Hey, my grandmother hasn't gone up yet i'm imagining a very colourful array of nasty comments about my exes. It's fine,"
Blair was too excited to focus on her dinner. She was talking to all her guests and getting compliments on her dress or how beautiful she looked. After dinner, they danced to Damien Rice, everyone in the room had their eyes fixed on the bride and groom as he led her into the middle of the dance floor. They spent the last minute of the song with their foreheads pressed together.
I can't take my eyes off of you, I can't take my mind off of you...
Nate forced them to play the shoe game a little later, which took more than a few begs. Finally Blair threw her head back in defeat and agreed to let Nate MC for a little while.
"Can I get everyone's attention?," Nate spoke into the microphone. "I'm Nate Archibald, the best-man," he introduced himself. "I still can't believe that these two are married. I didn't expect it to get to this point. Something crazy is going on in the universe. If you didn't know Dan and Blair back in the day you have no idea..." he shook his head with a laugh. "Cat and dog, oil and water, they are complete opposites and they despised one another in high-school. I'm dedicating this song to the happy couple," he nodded at the DJ.
"IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT,"
Nate gestured to the DJ to cut the track, his point had been made. Everyone seemed to find this entertaining but Blair felt like her classy wedding was turning into a circus. Nate explained the shoe game and Blair reluctantly accepted one of Dan's shoes as she handed him one of hers. Confused about what they were supposed to do, Nate sat them in chairs back to back then explained that they were to answer questions by lifting the corresponding shoe.
"Okay so lets get to the goods," Nate smiled. "Who made the first move?"
Blair raised Dan's shoe immediately getting a giggle from the ladies. Dan followed and lifted his shoe after.
"Who's the better cook?"
Dan lifted his so quickly a roar of laughter came from their guests. Blair lifted Dan's shoe reluctantly thinking she didn't much like this game.
"Who has the wackiest family?"
They both lifted their own shoe.
"Who said 'I love you' first?"
They both thought for a moment and Dan laughed a little knowing Blair might hate him for this. For the first time Dan lifted Blair's shoe. Nina's jaw dropped, not knowing this little detail. Dan waved the platform Louboutin a little.
Who's the first one to makeup during a fight?
Dan lifted his shoe with a laugh, Blair followed behind closely raising his shoe.
"And...Who do you love most in this world?"
Blair extended her shoe into the air which got some laughs. "Hey!" Dan turned around in his chair still holding her shoe in the air.
"I'm just messin' with ya," she leaned in for a kiss.
After this they cut the cake. Blair gave him a warning glance. "Don't," her doe eyes pleaded with him.
"Don't what?" he laughed.
"Dan..." her lips pursed and she looked thoroughly worried he was going to press cake on her perfectly applied make-up.
"I won't,"
"Please don't. Please," she looked so serious Dan couldn't help but laugh.
"I won't,"
"Promise?" she asked looking at everyone watching them. Flashes of light going off with every photo taken.
"I promise. Do you trust me?"
"...I don't know," her eyes shifted.
"Oh just do it already!" Nate called out. Dan picked up a piece of cake as did Blair who still looked apprehensive. Surprisingly, Dan held out the piece of cake so carefully the icing just grazed her lip. She smiled happily as they chewed then leaned in for a sweet kiss. Dan went off to the bar and was talked into doing a couple shots with Dorota, Vanya, Eleanor and Cyrus, on his way back, Rufus stopped him.
"Dan, Serena is outside..."
"...Not my problem," he walked back into the ballroom to find Blair, Nina and a smattering of other women, including Eleanor dancing and serenading 'Girls just want to have fun," to each-other.
"And she didn't want a DJ,..." Dan commented to Jenny who laughed lightly.
"Did Nate tell you Serena is here?"
"I don't see how that's my problem Jen. It's my wedding,"
"Well maybe you should tell Blair..."
"No," he shook his head looking at how happy Blair looked. "Promise me no one will tell her,"
"I promise," she said before joining all the other girls. When the song ended Blair sought Dan out, he was sitting by himself at a table.
"My groom," she rested her hands on his shoulders and leaned over, smiling with adoration.
"You look,...gorgeous"
"You're the first person to tell me that all night," she said sarcastically.
"Doesn't mean it's any less true,"
"You look very dashing Humphrey,"
"Pshhh,..you think you're the first person to tell me that,..please..." he brushed his knuckles over his chest.
"Yes, I do actually..."
"Yeah,..." he looked out on to the floor in front of him. "...you are" he smacked his hands on the seat of the chair between his knees making Blair laugh.
"I have a surprise for you..." Blair plopped herself in Dan's lap so his entire lower half was invisible due to the amount of fluffy white dress taking over.
"Oh really?"
"MMhm..."
"Oh I like the sound of that,...think we can leave early?"
"Leave our own wedding?" she looked up at people dancing and still making trips to the bar.
"Doesn't sound right does it?"
"MMmm,..nope"
"What is this surprise? give me a hint?"
"A hint? okay,..." she thought. "It's, black. And tonight,...it's for your eyes only..." she whispered in his ear.
"I like where this is going..."
"Nina saw it..."
"Ok,..."
"It's small,..." she smiled.
"Even better"
"I have no idea how you're going to react but..."
"Oh it can't be bad can it?"
"Umm,...well it all depends..."
"I'll be back in a second" she got up to talk to some guests.
"Go right ahead Mrs. Humphrey..." he said.
"I'm not taking your name!" she yelled back.
"Fine! I don't want you to have it anyway..." he leaned against the table feeling all the shots he did hitting him at once.
"You okay Mister Groom?" Nate walked over.
"You betcha!" his energy came back.
"How much have you had?" Nate laughed at Dan who raised his fingers into a peace sign then added his ring finger, noticing his wedding band he held up his hand and laughed under his breath.
"I'm married,..." he hiccuped.
"Yeah you are"
"To Blair Waldorf..." he inhaled.
"To her," Nate nodded. "Umh, how much have you had?" Dan held out all ten fingers now then laughed.
"Ask Dorota!,..she'll know,"
"Why would she know? she's keeping tabs on you?"
"No," he laughed taking a sip from his wine glass. "We did shots...they were fuuuun..." his words trailed off when Blair plunked herself back in the groom's lap.
"Wanna dance with me?"
"Absolutely,"
For the rest of the night Dan and Blair stayed by eachother's side. They danced they did a shot with their family members, they sat by themselves at a table and Dan once again tried to guess what her surprise was. They stood in the foyer and hugged people and thanked them for coming just before they left. It was nearing two am when Blair leaned over and whispered in his ear.
"You wanna get out of here?" she nuzzled him.
"Don't we still have some guests?"
"Just our immediate family," she smirked.
"Oh they don't count," he shook his head getting up and going to the desert table.
"What's that for?" she asked seeing him cut a large piece of cake.
"Breakfast," Dan said simply.
The elevator ride to their hotel room tested Blair's patience. "You do realize that consummating a marriage is not something you have to do to solidify the union. We are legally married," he laughed still receiving her feverish kisses. "I know it might shock you but we can wait until tomorrow,"
"What's wrong? you don't want me?"
"No, of course I do. I just kind of wanted to keep my clothes on in the elevator. We have a perfectly good room," just then the doors opened and Blair released her grip on him. "Okay so 4502," he looked down at the swipe card in his hand before stuffing it into his pocket. "Wait wait wait," he stopped Blair from walking into the room and scooped her up.
"Ahh," she laughed and kicked her feet. He walked over and plunked her on the bed before going to put up the 'do not disturb' sign and returned to her.
"Hello," he turned back seeing her tangled up in her white dress, staring at him waiting for him to make a move.
"Hi," she smiled impishly. "You wanna come over here?" she patted the bed.
"Yes. Yes I do," he removed his jacket and looked for somewhere he could hang it.
"Leave it! throw it!" Blair couldn't wait any longer. Dan listened to his wife and chucked the jacket to the floor before joining her on the bed.
"This looks uncomfortable," his fingers caressed her back gently, teasing the zipper of her dress.
"It is," she nuzzled him as his hand dragged down her zipper.
"But it looks amazing," he made sure she knew how much he liked it.
"Just take it off," she moaned. When the zipper was completely down Dan noticed her lingerie was bright white, matching her dress.
"I thought you said it was black?" he kissed her shoulder as he continued to help her slip it off. "Not that i'm complaining," he tried to lean in for a kiss when she stopped him.
"Oh it is..." her heavy lashes fell to her hip and Dan's jaw dropped at the sight of black ink on Blair's hip.
"That's...Hhuah...what is that?" he laughed pushing the white lace material away so he could get a better look.
"Well my favourite movie is Die Hard so," she smiled at the D and H.
"That looks like my writing,"
"It is," she smiled. "I brought one of your notebooks,"
Dan was blinking widely. "It's real?"
"See for yourself"
His thumb rubbed her hip and felt over the slightly raised area where she was inked with the letters DH.
"You did not have to do that," his head fell to the side.
"Of course I didn't...I wanted to," she laid a hand on his face.
"It looks awesome," he laughed still running his thumb gently over it.
"I know" she smirked as he leaned back in to kiss her. "It's my little wedding gift to you," she said in between kisses.
"That's all? I wanted a Mercedes..." he teased before pulling her down on top of him.
"I'll let you in on a secret," she brushed her lips over his ear lobe giving him a shiver. "It stands for Dan Humphrey..." he was sure this is the sexiest way she's ever uttered his name before.
"Uho, well that's much better than a Mercedes..." he breathed into her neck as he pulled her leg up over his hip.
XOXOXO
PRESENT
Nicky shifted slightly on the couch as Blair waited patiently for a response. "umm...I think daddy needs me around more,"
"Why do you think that?"
"I feel like I need to spend time with daddy because he's sad,"
"What?" her voice was full of concern and worry. Nicky shied away now feeling like she shouldn't have said that. "You stay with daddy because you think he's sad?" she felt her chest get tight and her throat close up. Her Dan was sad.
"I don't know...," she looked away.
"Nicky," Blair touched her hand.
"I just,..." she looked back down. "...think he needs me around," she confessed.
"That's very sweet of you. But you don't have to take care of us. Daddy can take care of himself," she pressed a kiss to her forehead. "He's not sad,"
"He's lonely,"
"No," Blair shook her head. "he's not, he's just fine," she stroked her thumb across her baby's forehead until she was having a hard time keeping her eyes open. When Nicky was fast asleep Blair pulled out Nicky's journal that she wrote while in Paris. They were adorable seven year-old memoirs. Dan bought her the journal before she left, he gave it to her at the airport and told her to document the whole month because he didn't want her to miss any details. Blair smiled proudly while turning the page. For a girl of seven she was very intelligent and wrote lengthy entries outlining her days in Paris. She came home and meticulously added photos to the book.
Blair looked at the dates she added to each entry and thought about what she and Dan were doing on some of those days, she thought about the first week where he was wonderful and happy (too happy) she thought about the nights she slept alone while he worked through the night. She thought about the day she came home early from work hoping they could take advantage of Nicky being gone, and celebrate the fact his book was close to being finished. She thought about when she opened the door of his office and quickly shut the door. How he asked if she was there and she reluctantly smiled and opened the door again pretending she didn't see a thing. Not the baggie, not the line, not him leaning over the table. He asked if she wanted to go with him to a meeting at his publishers house. She nodded and told him she would need just a moment to get ready. She remembered how she went to the washroom and applied bright red lipstick as if whatever she saw was a figment of her imagination. She smiled into the mirror, her eyes twinkled. Her heart was racing still, she took a deep breath and smiled again smoothing out her dress, this was not a big deal, she could live with this. She would not be the first wife to turn a blind eye.
"Wow, you look amazing!," he smiled. "Maybe we could be a little late?" he pulled at her hips.
"I don't want to," she crossed her arms in front of her as Dan tried to kiss her neck. "Please, stop...I don't want to,"
"You've said that before but you've given in," he smiled against jaw, still placing kisses. Blair pulled away and walked quickly towards their bedroom.
"Daisy," Dan growled as he snuck up behind her. Blair pulled away quickly, as if her life depended on it. He made the noise he used to make that would unexplainably excite her and she burst into tears. Dan immediately took his hands off her and saw she looked terrified. "Blair?..." he walked closer and she moved herself further down the hall.
"DON'T!" she closed her eyes when she felt him follow her. A look of sheer terror crossed over her face. Dan frowned knowing something was seriously wrong.
"Baby..." his eyebrows knitted together with confusion. "I'm just playing around..." a lump grew in his throat. "like we usually..."
"Stop it," she could see him coming closer in her peripherals. "STOP IT!" she screamed when he didn't stop. Dan froze in spot and held his hands up so she could see his palms.
"Okay," he said softly. His own eyes stung as he could hear her still crying. "I don't know what I did" his eyes were large and confused.
"You're..." she looked at him, her face frightened like he'd never seen it before. "Why are you?..." she felt like she couldn't breathe. "How long have you been..." she gestured to his office and Dan tilted his head to the side knowing she saw him.
"I,..." he had to remind himself to stay where he was and not make any sudden moves. "I just...umm" he said softly. "What do you want me to say?" his tongue poked his cheek.
"How long?"
"... only a few weeks,"
"How much?"
"Not that much," Blair suddenly flashed to the moments when Dan was clearly high over the last week. How he didn't seem to sleep. How he never had an appetite. Sometimes he was ecstatic and sometimes he was irritated and locked himself in his office.
"Why?"
"...god Blair," he sighed. "I'm a failure..."
"Where did you get the money for that?" she cried. "We talk about all major purchases, Now that must have cost a pretty penny..I haven't seen anything change...where are you getting the money?"
"A savings account," he said lowly.
"Which one?," she said with clenched jaw. Dan chewed his lip a little and Blair instantly knew. "I can't believe you..." she sobbed.
"I'm going to put it right back!," he yelled. "I needed to get it from somewhere where you wouldn't notice. It's not like the money was gone forever,"
"Are you really trying to feed me excuses right now? you took money out of our daughter's trust!"
"IT WAS GOING RIGHT BACK!"
"When? when you decide you're done with it?...do you need help?" she asked, tears still falling from her eyes. "Dan, do you need rehab?"
"No. It's not like that at all,"
"What is it like?" she wiped her eyes.
"What do you want me to say?"
"I want you to say 'goodbye, i'm spending the night at Nate's,"
XOXOXOXOXOXOX
Flashback
In the morning they woke up tangled in the sheets, Blair's leg loosely around Dan's hip.
"I don't feel any different,"
"What do you mean?" he yawned.
"We've stayed at hotels plenty of times this doesn't feel like the day after our wedding," she huffed and sighed before starring up at the ceiling.
"What were you expecting?"
"I don't know...some kind of..."
"Movie moment?" Dan groaned.
"Why do you say it like that?" she pouted, turning to face him.
"Because movie moments don't exist in the real world. There is not a soundtrack to the morning after your wedding,"
Blair looked a little sad so Dan raised up out of bed holding the sheet around his waist. Blair grabbed hold of it so he couldn't make it completely off the bed. "Get!" he snatched it from her playfully.
"When did you get so shy?" she giggled before lying back down.
"Here," he said when he returned.
"Breakfast cake?" she chuckled as he picked up a piece.
"Yeah," he said as he pressed it and smeared it all over her lips and chin.
"AH!" she licked her lips. "Well that was just lovely," she picked up the other piece and Dan closed his eyes as smashed it against his face slowly, making sure it really got mashed in.
"Oh no! it's all over the bed! we'll never get our deposit back," Dan teased bringing her in for a kiss. His tongue licked her chin and she giggled trying to get away from him.
"Mmm, that's good cake," he licked the top of her lips.
"Yeah? come here," she pulled his face close to hers and gave him a little lick.
"So was it everything you hoped?" he smiled smugly still covered in frosting.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
A/N: I didn't want to put this out yet but...I just needed to get this out. DB make me so sad on the show and I needed this for me. Well the whole show makes me sad so... I hope it was good enough for you. More DB present interaction soon! 3 xoxo -FQ)