Hi.

As always sorry for a delay and all mistakes.
Enjoy!

One Day (Part 10)

Blair let him take care of everything. From plane tickets to a hotel booking.

Somewhere deep inside she had a very little hope that his involvement in their Paris trip together might mean something more for them. He contacted her regarding for her preferences and agreeing on specific details. But she didn't want to think much about it. She knew that when she started overanalyze everything he does, it can lead her to a huge disappointment.

They met at the airport.

He greeted her with his annoying grin and mocking comment about her overladen suitcases. His smile faded when she left them in front of him clearly as his baggage from now.

When she was boarding she was excited and extremely nervous. She had a strange feeling that these forthcoming events would answer a lot of questions. And that it could be a true new start. One way or another.

Two intense days were before her… or two days of complete flop.

.

.

.

Time they had to spend together with Dan was more pleasant than she expected. They talked. Not only when they had to. It was quite effortless. They shared also moments of a comfortable silence. She always appreciated that. And one of the things she loved about Dan was that she had those particular moments with him. When he didn't force himself upon her. When they were together but separately - in a good way. When they could enjoy each other company not pestering one another.

There was not romantic strolling to Louvre obviously. She didn't even dare to dream about that.

When they arrived to a hotel they simply went to their rooms. The next day they had dinner at Phillip's and his graduation ceremony.

She didn't have to remind herself that this was the cause of it. And there never was an occasion she wanted impress anybody that much as now.

The ceremony was overwhelming. He was top of the class. And he made a speech at the end of ceremony. She couldn't be more proud of anything ever. If only she could be here as his mother, occupying front-row seat, cheering loudly, not as distant guest located somewhere in the back.

"Everything is going to be fine." Dan assured her and himself while they got out of the taxi. "They won't eat us alive, Blair."

She sighed helplessly. "I know." She really tried this morning. She wanted to look elegant but not eclipse everybody else, especially Philip's mother and sister. Over the years she'd learned how to keep proportions but she sensed that those designed clothes might be too much. "Did you take a present for him?"

"Yes. But maybe we shouldn't throw gifts at him. He didn't invite us here for that." He said skeptically. He wanted to make a good impression too. But not by buying his way in their favors.

Blair thought for a moment. "It's not a bribe, Dan. It's just nice gesture. Besides fountain pen and a card it's not a big deal I think." Besides that was very expensive fountain pen. But there was no time for arguing because Philip already opened the door for them.

"Hi." He said with a shy smile. "Come in please."

"Hi." Blair said or rather she chirped. Her eyes lighted up. He'll always be her world. Her Louboutins clicked on the ceramic floor.

Agnes cleaned up the house frantically, cooking her best dishes in the meantime. Philip suggested that it's really not necessary but her determination was inflexible. He gave up and offered his help but she opposed decidedly. 'Everything must be perfect.' she said. Clearly there were days when it's possible to not vacuum enough.

Apparently everyone wanted impress everyone.

The dinner was delicious and actually charming. Agnes with her exemplary small talk abilities and Steven and his comedic attitude moved this event forward quite smoothly. Olivia was that kind of person who rather steals everyone's spotlight, but she has also very unique power to bring Philip out of his shadow. In which by the way he felt very comfortable. His sister cares about him what made Blair calmer. He was not downgraded in this family, he was just like Dan, self-effacing. He didn't like to show off or boast. Nobody really knew that he was a writer until his first book got published.

"I will help you!" Blair offered quickly when Agnes and Steven started to collect dishes from the table.

"Oh no. Sit down Blair. You are a guest." Agnes smiled brightly. While she brought a dessert, males were already sat in front of TV. Steven happened to be the biggest fan of football so he scooped them for Champions League Final. "Maybe you would want to see his old pictures? We have quite a lot of them." Agnes asked sincerely.

"I would love to." Blair said almost immediately, reassuring herself that it might be a good idea.

"He looks like you too." Olivia said when her mother disappeared from her view. "The resemblance between Philip and Dan is uncanny, but he has something of you." Blair looked at the girl tentatively. "I hope you are not going to break his heart? Or my parents hearts?" This was not a threat or a claim. She was just genuinely protective.

"This is the last thing I would ever want to do." She answered without a second thought. Her eyes were locked in Philip, who seemed to listen Dan's chatting with Steven.

Olivia nodded her head. "I believe you." She said convinced and smiled lightly.

"Here we have." Agnes brought sizeable photo albums.

Blair's eyes shone bright. "Dan. Philip's pictures." She said simply. He got up quickly like he couldn't resist.

"Mother…" Philip said with a groan.

"What?" Agnes asked sweetly.

He rolled his eyes and got up along with Steven. Dan sat next to Blair at the table.

"Mom is the only person on earth probably who use camera with film. And has full albums with paper pictures instead tons of file on computer." Olivia added humorously.

"Can I?" Blair asked eagerly reaching for the first album on top. She didn't even finish this short sentence when she was opening it and immediately her eyes were filled with tears. She saw her baby boy in tuxedo footie, exactly the same she outfitted him in. She traced her fingers on it longingly. "He is 3 days old here." She said. "That footie was for his meeting with a family…"

Dan knew what kind of life she wanted for their baby, for him, for herself. For them to be together. He scooted his chair closer to hers and started to massage her nape soothingly. His eyes still glued on pictures. She said that to Dan, but Agnes and Steven were touched by her words as well. They thought she had them in mind. Philip just looked at Blair skeptically, he just knew there must be hidden a different story beneath what he knows. Tears welled up even in Dan's eyes when he saw almost himself as a child in one of them.

An hour passed on telling stories and memories from pictures. That was a real catharsis for Blair. Yes, there were regrets, heartache and unbearable feeling of injustice… there will always be but since then without tears and breakdown. She still wanted to be the one who took those pictures and who was in these pictures. But she finally understood that she couldn't.

She could breathe.

She could smile.

She felt peaceful.

She knew since now she will be ok.

"Thank you for a dinner and a nice evening." Dan thanked graciously the host.

"I'll see you in." Philip said quickly. The three of them walked out of the house and stood for a little while on the pavement. "I'm glad you manage to be here… I now we probably have a lot to do… and…"

Dan and Blair simultaneously shook their heads. "Not coming didn't even cross my mind, thank you again for an invitation." Blair explained immediately.

"Yeah. Thank you. It's mean a lot to us." Dan added.

Philip nodded. "Thank you for coming." He repeated.

"Philip…" Blair started timidly then she looked at Dan. "I just want to say… that… that we are very proud of you. I know that you probably know that, and that you don't need to hear that especially from me… because… I mean you have a right to think that I have nothing to do with who you are and…" She rambled.

"It's ok." Philip said after he finally looked up at her. He felt a bit abashed.

"Ok. Okay." She finally smiled lightly.

"When you get to US, call us." Dan asked him. "You can rely on us. Whatever you need, we will help you. Or if you just want to meet…" Philip nodded.

"I really hope you will visit New York."

"Maybe when I cope with moving and courses at school. We will see." He gave them basically a burst of hope, they actually didn't have until now.

"So…" Dan mumbled sadly.

"So…" Philip mirrored.

Suddenly Blair took Philip into tight embrace. "You are amazing." She whispered to his ear. He tightened his hold a little bit.

"Goodbye Philip." Dan said when was his turn for a hug. "Or rather see you soon." He corrected himself.

"I hope so." Philip finished their little conversation.

They waved each other off. And Dan and Blair left alone in Moore's driveway.

"Are you ok?" Dan asked Blair concerned. She nodded with a small smile. "It was quite emotional day."

"Yeah it was." She confirmed with a sigh. She said while tears dropped from her face. Dan wrapped his arms around her involuntary. "I'm not sad. I'm just touched."

Meanwhile Philip curiously looked out the window, seeing this scene he found himself wishing them all the best. He sighed then smiled and shook his head with disbelieve. He finally let it go.

"He looked really handsome in cap and gown." Blair pointed out to change a topic when they realized. "And he has a nice haircut right now."

"Haircut?" Dan stopped in place almost shocked. "When I had hair like that you called me a Muppet."

"You never had hair like that."

"I disagree." He said confidently. "I used to have longer hair exactly like his. And you forced me to cut it."

"It was for your best interest. Because you were going to begin your education in high school, and with that mop of tangle that would have been bigger disaster than it really was." Blair commented nonchalantly. "You should be grateful for that." She added haughty and smirked.

"Oh I am."

"He is great." She said sweetly.

Dan softened and smiled. "Yeah. The greatest." He said softly almost embarrassed by his enchantment of Philip.

"Maybe we could walk to hotel hmm?"

"Sure. But…" He warned her looking at her high hills. "I am not going to carry you around." He shoved his hands into the pockets.

"Like you ever had to." She scoffed. "Don't worry. Your back is safe."

.

.

.

That was the most fabulous evening she ever had. Who is more compatible than them? Where is purest and simplest love? Who has more real connection? Who is her better friend?

When they finally reached their hotel she seemed to perform one of the biggest act of bravery in her life.

While they stood in hotel's corridor for a moment facing each other ready to say simple 'good night'. She grabbed his hand and linked their fingers. This was pretty obvious gesture. She knew he recognized it.

"Dan…" She paused. She looked at their hands then she directed her eyes straight in his. "You know how I feel about you. And I know how you feel about me. I felt it." She said confidently. "Nothing has changed. Nothing has changed at all."

"Blair…" He said without any excitement or joy. He was rather sad that the only thing he could offer her was a pity that he couldn't meet her expectations. She felt literally sick. She loosened their grip. "Blair please." He sighed. "Just listen to me." She stood there but she didn't even try to look at him and he didn't fight. "We are not the same people we were 18 years ago. You are not that Blair anymore… and I'm not that Dan you remember… A lot was going on in our lives during that time and…" He trailed off. "Our feelings right now are just illusions, dreams and… I don't want to hurt you, or disappoint you." He finished. It's better to leave it the way it was. He didn't believe it himself but he stuck on his words.

"If you don't mind I will go to my room." She said politely and started to walk away from him.

"Blair."

"I'm fine." She cut him off and went faster with every step.

.

.

.

In such a situation Dan couldn't peacefully return to his room. He found himself in a bar with a drink. Taking a second sip, he saw Blair out of the corner of his eye with her baggage in the lobby. He rushed from his seat and ran after her.

"Blair!" He called out. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going home." She said calmly.

He sighed and shook his head apologetically. "Don't be mad at me, please."

"I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at me that I let myself jump to conclusions recklessly. You made yourself very clear."

"It's not like that, I care about you."

"Stop!" She extended her hand in front of him. "Stop right there." She demanded.

"Blair…" He said with resignation.

"Stop saying my name!" She started to walk to the front door. She stopped halfway and turned to him. "It's funny how the tables are turned." He looked at her clueless. "Now you are the one who is afraid of making a crucial move."

Dan opened his mouth dumbfounded. "Where are you going? We have a plane tomorrow." He managed to remind her.

"Like I've said, I'm going home, to my apartment. I live here for 18 years, remember."

She left him with that.

He felt so stupid.

.

.

.

Flashback

Freshman year in high school started one and a half months ago. Dan and Blair were together way much longer than that, but Blair still persisted on hiding their relationship. He didn't mind at first. Dates without anybody's attention were to his liking. Just the two of them. It was absolutely fulfilling and joyous.

But her behavior towards him and towards other people was alarming to him. She was infuriating. Unstandable. Even awful. He was ashamed of his judgment but that was their public reality.

One morning before school, when they couldn't get enough she offered that they could meet at the MET steps. But he must come 10 minutes after her. He was skeptical but he finally agreed receiving for that deep and very satisfying kiss.

He felt like aspiring outsider. All of those kids who were surrounding Blair looked at him like he was crazy. Blair welcomed him with aggressive comments on his whisk broom hair, his oversized jacket from charity shop and order to sit a couple of steps below her.

What a simple manifest of hierarchy. That's how she created her supremacy.

Normally he would laugh her out. Or walked away without a single word. But he became curious.

Girls flew to her like a moth to flame. Always being doomed for utter failure.

Minions were ruled the roost.

Serena, Nate, Chuck. Who were these people for her? Not friends that's for sure.

She was not Blair. She was society queen.

.

.

.

Blair stormed men's room with full tilt. She checked the cabinets and closed the door. This was unimpressive. Dan just turned off the faucet. "Why haven't you arrived to the library? I was waiting for you 25 minutes. Do you know how hard was to appoint simultaneous free period in our schedules?"

Dan frowned and headed to the door. "Because I didn't want to see with you."

"Excuse me?!" She yelled resentfully.

"I'm not sure who you are Blair… That mean and cruel creature from the spotlight or that adorable, loving and caring girl from home sanctuary? You heartlessly reduce those girls to tears because of such ridiculous things like tights."

"We've talked about it. It's just a posture, mask. I have to act like that for my social status…"

"Yeah status. In which I don't fit in apparently."

"Apparently you overreact Humphrey. You have to learn how to be a little bit more tick-skinned. We have to survive 3 years in the middle of battlefield. I have chance only by being glamorous bitch."

She didn't hear herself. "So maybe you need glamorous boyfriend then. Like Nate for example."

"Dan, please. Don't say things like that. You are the one I love." She came closer to him and put her fingers on his lapels.

He visibly softened. "I want to go public with our relationship." He said mildly. "I want to sit with you on breaks. Eat breakfast with you. Hold your hand. Go to a theater like regular people." He could recite countlessly.

She sighed tiredly. "I want that too. But it's too soon. I really have to work more on my position here."

Dan walked out of her rapidly. She frowned her brows surprised. "I'm done." He declared angrily.

"What do you mean?" She asked fearfully.

"All these people you don't even like, all these hypocritical pretenses are more important than your real life, your real self and it's definitely more important than we are."

"You are breaking up with me?" Dan heard horror and madness in her voice.

"No. But if you don't announce that we are together today, we shall not see each other anymore." Dan looked at her hopefully. "It's your decision. It's always your decision."

Blair was sitting in the center area of the school yard in place reserved only for the elite. The rest of the students were crowded at the opposite side of the yard. Her stomach turned. Mindless chatter of her attendants made her even more nauseous. They brainlessly ingratiated Blair and were there only for endorsement from her.

She knew one thing, she didn't want to do this her whole life.

She noticed Dan. He was going home. She was furious at him. He basically gave her an ultimatum. He looked at her for a brief moment. She could tell that he was hurt and disappointed.

He was the only person who believed in her.

And that was it.

She jumped off the table and ran. She ran as fast as she could despite her uncomfortable shoes. She was sure she accidently hit someone on the head with her heavy bag. She was probably the only one who had there actual books.

All eyes were on her. She could feel it. She finally caught Dan up. He cringed when she grabbed his arm. He didn't expect her. She linked their fingers.

Their postures relaxed. She smiled brightly. He smiled back. She leaned up and kissed him while he wrapped his arm around her protectively.

People gathered around were gasping and murmuring. The cameras were flashing intensely.

When they broke apart. They laughed happily.

Rumor has it that it was the biggest and the most demonstrational revelation in the history of Constance Billard and St. Jude's.'

End of flashback

.

.

.

Three week later

Dan knocked on Blair's door. He shamefully must admit that he stalked her a bit after Paris. When she arrived in New York, he didn't waste any minute.

When Blair opened the door, she narrowed her eyes, one hand supported her hip. He wore his best shirt, in one hand he had box with pizza in second one a whole pineapple. "What are you doing here?" She asked unpleasantly.

"I am making a move." He proclaimed nervously.

She squinted at Dan ignoring her pounding heart.

She let him in.

.

.

.

tbc