Chapter 10
Author's Note: Thank you all so much for the great reviews! They mean so much to me and continue to keep me inspired. If you have any ideas for upcoming chapters, let me know if a review, chances are they'll make their way into this story ;)
Bloodyhell95 – I totally get what your saying, I personally dislike Serena because I think she is way to conceited on the show. However, I'm trying to humanize her in this story so to answer your question she is like a fish out of water when it comes to having to try to get a guy's attention. As for Dan, we all know he wants nothing more than to be with her but is really trying to focus on his writing and get Serena to work more at them, like he's always done in the past. Anyway, hope you understand where I went with that, LOL! Looking forward to thinking what your thoughts on this chapter were.
Krazy4Spike – Agreed, C and B will always have disagreements and jealousy to keep things interesting. Looking forward to your thoughts on D and S in this chapter =)
TriGemini – So glad you like the progress our couples are making. I really think what the show is missing in reuniting them is Dair friendship; they really are good for each other, LOL. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this chapter.
LeftWriter224 – Glad you liked the friend conversations at the end, I have to keep it balanced with the romance ;) This chapter has more Dan and Serena and the next chapter will have a funny Dan and Chuck interaction. Hope you like this chapter and looking forward to your comments.
Hannah – I will include more D and S. Let me know what you think of it!
Kt xoxo – I love the NJBC and think that Dan should be inducted at some point because he's pretty much a member already, LOL. Don't worry, I plan on keeping things interesting with Chuck and Blair. Let me know what you think =)
My anonymous reviewer – I will be making more of an effort to have more Dan and Serena interactions, just for those of you who asked. Next time leave a name so I can respond more personally =P
Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl, or Ed Westwick – sigh.
XOXO
"Charles," Lily said happily when her stepson step off the elevator, "Eric will be right out."
"That's good," Chuck said as he looked at his watch, "We having lunch at Cipriani."
"One of my favorites," she said as Eric walked towards them. "You two have fun."
"Thanks, mom," Eric said as he kissed her cheek before she turned to leave them.
"Lily," Chuck said as she started to walk away, "You should join us."
"Come with us, mom," Eric encouraged, "It will be fun."
"Alright," Lily said with a smile on her face, "Give me a moment to get my coat."
"Thank you," Eric said when Lily was out of sight. "She's been so happy now that all of her kids are talking with her again."
Chuck smirked as Eric continued, "She's going to mention my birthday party, please do something. I overheard her talking with the party planner and it involves clowns. Clowns scare the hell out of me. You have to take control of this, please."
The look of complete horror on his face made Chuck laugh, "Alright, I'll see what I can do. Leave it to me."
"You're the best," he whispered as he pressed the call button as Lily walked back to them.
They were seated right away once they got to the restaurant and made small talk before Chuck asked the question that needed to be asked. As angry as he was at Lily for going behind his back, he now understood why she did what she did. Not only did she manage to buy back Bass Industries, she signed it over to him without condition. That gesture finally opened his eyes to how much faith Lily had in him. It was now time for him to show her the same consideration.
"Lily," Chuck said as they waited for their meals, "There's something I've been meaning to ask you."
"Of course," she responded as she looked to Eric who just shrugged his shoulders before looking at Chuck.
"Your spot on the Board, it's still empty," he said. "I want you to take it back. My father entrusted both of us with his company and I need you there with me."
"Are you sure about that?" she asked. "Do you really want me there as a permanent presence?"
"Yes," he said sincerely, "My father trusted you and I trust you. Please?"
"I'd be honored to," she said with a smile as tears formed in her eyes. "Thank you, Charles."
Their food was served shortly and the conversation quickly turned to Chuck and Eric's personal lives.
"How are things with Blair?" Lily asked carefully. "I hope you two are able to work through your issues. It would be such a shame if your love was wasted."
"We're doing better," he said, "Thank you."
"Serena and I are planning a birthday party for Eric," Lily told him in an effort to change the subject. Eric cringed and looked pleadingly at Chuck as she continued, "You and Blair must come."
"Lily," Chuck said smoothly, "If you aren't too far with the birthday plans, I would love to plan this for Eric."
"Yes," Eric said immediately, "I'd love that. Please, mom?"
"But it's your eighteenth birthday," Lily said with disappointment.
"And who better to plan it than Chuck Bass," Eric told her as Chuck smirked.
"Just what did you have in mind?" Lily asked suspiciously. "I feel like I'm being tricked."
"Something tasteful but appropriate for a proper eighteenth birthday party," Chuck said as he smirked at Eric. "We'll close Victrola down for the night and have the party there, just family and close friends, nothing too big." He winked at Eric when Lily turned away for a moment.
"Victrola is a strip club," Lily exclaimed, "Absolutely not."
"It's a burlesque club actually, and I'll send the women home for the night," he told her in an effort to appease her. Eric, on the other hand, completely understood what Chuck had in mind and was grateful that his mother was no longer in charge of throwing an over the top party he would hate.
"Can you guarantee everyone I see at my son's birthday party will be properly clothed?" Lily asked, still skeptical.
"Absolutely," Chuck told her, "I'll ask Blair and Serena for their input as well. You know Blair won't allow for any impropriety."
"Fine," Lily relented. She didn't want to but if it would make Eric happy she would do it.
"Thank you," Eric exclaimed as Lily still looked somewhat disappointed but couldn't help but hide her smile at her son's happiness. "This will be so much better than clowns."
He covered his mouth when he realized he said too much. "What?" he asked as Lily looked at him, "I overheard you talking to the party planner and I really, really hate clowns."
"Is that what this was about?" Lily asked with confusion, "Clowns."
It was now her turn to roll her eyes as they continued the rest of their meals talking about the goings on of the Upper East Side.
"I am so proud of the man you've become," Lily told him as they were leaving. "Your father would be, too."
Chuck smiled, unsure what to say as he already expressed more emotion towards his stepmother than he thought possible.
Eric could sense the tension building and he did the first thing he thought of to lighten the mood, he hugged Chuck.
A very startled Chuck pulled back from Eric before saying, "It's really not that big a deal planning your birthday party. I'm happy to do it."
"I know," he told him, "But it means a lot to me, thank you."
Lily watched her two sons and sniffled, happy that her once fragmented family was finally piecing itself back together.
XOXO
"Will you be at the party tomorrow?" Blair asked Dan as they walked down Madison.
"I will," he said as he linked arms with her. "Although I think I won't be as well dressed as I was at the last party we went to together."
"You will be," she said. "Wear the same Armani tux. You still have it, don't you?"
"Of course I have it," Dan said. "I might have to have it cleaned though."
"Leave it to you to ruin Armani," Blair teased. "But now to important matters, are you going with Serena?"
"I'm meeting her there," he told her. "She seemed a little disappointed but I still find myself testing her determination with us."
"She'll get over it," she said. "I'm actually quite impressed with your resolve at not completely crumbling for her tall, blonde, and pretty charm."
"Oh," Dan said with excitement, completely missing her last comment, "I almost forgot to tell you, my story is nearly finished."
"You almost forgot," Blair said exasperatedly, "I've only been waiting to read it for months now. What's it about?"
"Not so fast, Waldorf," he said slyly. "You have to wait until it's all done, which shouldn't be long. Maybe a week, two tops.
"Then why are you telling me now?" she asked as she elbowed his ribs. "You know I hate waiting."
"I remember," Dan said as he nudged her back. "But I also remember telling you good things come to those who wait. Like lunch, my treat today."
He smiled as he held open the door to the café for her while she rolled her eyes at him, unable to bite back her laugh.
XOXO
Chuck was throwing a party at the Palace to celebrate taking the helm at Bass Industries. Blair agreed to get ready with him in his apartment and he couldn't be happier. The simple act of helping him get dressed made him more content that he ever would have thought. Domestic life with Blair was better than all of his wild days put together.
He took great care to make sure their outfits matched, something he loved to do. Her dress was an exquisite strapless silver number that hugged her body in all the right places but remained elegant and timeless. His dress shirt was made of the same material as her dress.
"You know," he said as she fastened the butterfly cufflinks, "I've worn these everyday since you gave them to me."
"I've noticed," she said as she turned to look at them both in the mirror. "We make quite the pair, Bass."
"You always did bring out the best in me," he said as he stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin in the crook of her neck. "You look stunning."
"Why thank you," she said as her arm snaked up around his neck. "You don't look so shabby yourself."
"You ready to wow everyone?" she asked as she turned around in his arms to face him. "I'm sure people are already downstairs."
"Not yet," he said as he kissed her.
She returned the kiss before pulling away a few moments later and smiling, "Come on, we have to go."
The ballroom of the Palace was already filled with people who immediately swarmed the young couple as they entered.
Their friends found them and were able to talk for a few minutes before Chuck excused himself to give his toast and kick off the celebrations.
"I'll be right back," Chuck told Blair as he gave her a quick squeeze and kissed her temple before walking towards the stage to give his toast.
"You getting a shout-out?" Dan teased.
"No," Blair told him, "This is to thank the Board and probably Lily for having faith in him. It's strictly business."
"Uh huh," he answered, not believing a word of it. If he knew anything about Chuck Bass it was that he loved grand gestures, and the bigger the better.
"Thank you all for being here," Chuck said as he addressed the room from the stage. "It is with great pride that I continue the legacy my father built. He created Bass Industries from the ground up."
"There are many people I have to thank today. My father, of course, without him I would not have all that I do. My stepmother, Lily, the only mother I've ever known." He paused to lock eyes with her and smile at her before continuing, "We may not have seen eye to eye throughout the years but I owe so much to you, thank you."
"Howard Archibald, you were with me at every step of this venture keeping me on track. You are an invaluable asset to Bass Industries and I think of you as family. Thank you, Captain," he held Howard's gaze for a moment before looking at Nate, who was smiling as he stood next to his father.
"The members of the Board, your guidance these past months have taught me more than I ever imagined and I will never forget those lessons. Thank you for trusting me to lead you," Chuck made eye contact with the group of Board members present and nodded to them before glancing over the room once more.
"But above all, the most important person I have to thank for being here today is Blair Waldorf. She's been my friend all my life, has always told me the truth, and she believed in me when no one else did. Without her, I literally would not be standing here today."
All eyes turned to where he was looking at Blair as he continued, "I owe you my life and am forever in your debt. Thank you for always being there. You are so much more than I deserve and I love you more than words can express. To you, the love of my life and the air that I breathe, without you I am nothing," he raised his champagne flute once more to her and nodded to the crowd to acknowledge that he was done and the festivities could continue.
Blair stood frozen in the back of the room with Dan, Serena, Eric, and Nate.
"Told you, talk about a grand gesture," Dan said as he nudged Blair's arm only to see the tears form. "You okay?"
"Yes," she said with a laugh as she wiped them away and raised her champagne flute to Chuck, who was walking towards them. "It sure is."
It was taking Chuck longer than he thought to reach Blair because each person he passed stopped him to congratulate him and tell him what a fine young man he was and that his father was sure to be proud of him.
"Wow," Nate said as he watched Chuck talking with his father and Lily, "Who would have thought Chuck Bass would be the most respectable man in the room?"
"Not me," Serena laughed as she eyed a silent Blair. "You okay, B?"
"Absolutely," she answered, "I just have a lot on my mind, and I think the champagne is getting to me. Excuse me, I'm going to get a glass of water."
"She'll be fine," Dan said as they all looked at each other apprehensively before shrugging it off as Chuck and Blair.
"Is everything alright, love?" Chuck asked as he approached her by the bar.
"Yes," she smiled as she kissed his cheek. "I just needed a glass of water. Let's go, you have a lot of mingling to do."
And with that she led him into the crowd, proudly watching him network as she conversed with the guests as well.
XOXO
"Chuck sure knows how to make a grand gesture," Dan said as he and Serena sat on the barstools back at the loft.
"He does," Serena said, "I just wish I could do the same for you."
"Serena," Dan said as he took her hands in his, "I don't need some grand gesture, I just need to know you'll be there."
"I'm here," she told him, "We've done apart and I know that you're the only one I want. Let me in, give me a chance to show you. You won't regret it."
She was nervous that he would reject her but deep down she knew he wouldn't. "No," he said as her face fell. "I'm kidding, I just wanted to see how it felt to say it. And to see your reaction."
"That wasn't funny," she sniffled as she hit his arm, "I think you just took five years off my life. Don't do that again."
"Serena," Dan said, "There is no denying how much I love you. I would do anything for you, I have done anything for you. But these past years you haven't shown me the same consideration."
She wasn't sure if he was trying to reject her nicely or what but she couldn't stand it as he continued, "I've seen you try this year and I'm want to try again with you, with one condition."
"Anything," she said desperately.
"This is the last time," he told her. "If we don't make it work this time we owe it to ourselves not to torture ourselves anymore."
She pulled him to her for a kiss, a deep kiss full of the passion she felt for him. "I love you," she breathed, "We'll work this time."
"Slow down, Serena," he said as he tried to catch his breath, "Let's not rush into this."
She giggled as he got up and started busying himself in the kitchen, not trusting himself to be to close to her.
XOXO
The party went off without a hitch. Everyone there was impressed with the Chuck Bass they saw before them. No longer did they see an irresponsible playboy but a conscientious, well spoken man who was committed to a woman of equal if not better standing than his own.
"What's wrong?" he asked her in the elevator. "You've been quiet all day."
"Nothing's wrong," she told him with a fake smile. "I just have a lot on my mind with school and Vogue, that's all. You were wonderful today."
"But," he said with bated breath, knowing she was unhappy about something, "Something is bothering you, tell me."
"Why did you mention me in your speech? You didn't have to, I wasn't expecting you to," she asked quietly when they were in the quiet of his apartment.
"I did it because I want everyone to know what an important part of my life you are," Chuck said as he pulled her to him. "I'd be completely lost without you."
She remained silent as she buried her face in his chest, praying that he would drop it. No such luck.
"I thought you'd love it," he said as he urged her eyes to meet his, "Having everyone know how much you mean to me. You used to love gestures like that."
Then it hit him, just last year he did the same thing with the foundation he set up for Eva. "It's not the same," he said quietly as he was careful not to mention her name, "It never was."
"I know," she said, finally deciding to talk, "But it doesn't feel how it should. I'm sorry, today is your day and I'm ruining it with my nonsense. Your speech was absolutely lovely; Lily was beaming, as was the Captain. You are becoming quite the man, Chuck."
"Blair, talk to me," he implored of her.
"It's silly," she said, "But thank you, it did mean a lot to hear you say those things."
"I meant every word," Chuck told her as he leaned forward to kiss her as he rested his hand on her cheek.
Blair deepened what started off as gentle quickly deepened by snaking her arms around his neck while his hands came to rest on her hips.
"I love you," he said as he rested his forehead against hers. "You know you can tell me anything."
"I know," she told him with a devilish smirk, "But I want you to kiss me so stop talking."
And with that she pulled him to her once more.
Please review to let me know if you want me to continue and what you want to see next. If you haven't commented yet, please do, it makes my day to see the number of reviews increase =)
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