"I don't know." She mumbled, ducking her head. "Why does it matter?"
"Because I care about you."
Serena laughed bitterly, shaking her head. "So first its 'I love you' and now its 'I care about you'?"
"I didn't ask for this divorce, Serena. You're the one who said yes." He snapped at her.
"I didn't fucking ask for it either!" She exclaimed, exasperated. She was tired of the bullshit and right now all that mattered was the truth. "Do you think I want to divorce you?"
"Considering you said yes, I think so."
"I thought you were over me." She growled, one hand pushing her hair back. "I thought you didn't want me anymore."
His face softened at her fierce statement. "How could you ever think that?"
"Considering how you're treating me right now, its not hard." She muttered as she looked away.
"I'm sorry," he murmured and moved from Blair's chair to hers. He wrapped an arm around her, bringing them closer. "I- I didn't know. I should've asked more clearly or told you."
"Forget it, Dan." She shrugged him off, scooting away. "You should have told me about your grandfather's offer immediately. You made me think the worst and I don't know if I can forgive you."
He looked down and away from her. "I understand. I'm sorry." He stared at his feet for a beat longer before saying, "Tell Nate and Blair that I'm sorry, but I have to go..handle some things." He reached out to her one more time and stroked her cheek. Sighing, he ran back into the house only to run out, clothed simply in shorts and a black sweater that clung to his chest, to the car, driving off quickly.
--
Dan stepped out of the car, screeching to a stop in front of his family's house. He ran up the steps, and knocked on the door. He was let in by the maid and he demanded to see his father and grandfather. As she left, he calmed himself down. This is it, he told himself.
"Daniel, what a pleasant surprise."
Dan looked up, seeing his grandfather. "Where's father? I asked to see him too."
"Your father isn't in. He has some business to handle." Henry said, gesturing for Dan to sit. "Now what is it that you want."
"You remember your offer to me, I hope." Dan said. After a nod from Henry, he continued. "I have thought about it thoroughly and I have made up my mind on what I'm going to do. Serena and I are not going to get divorced."
"So you have chosen to get her pregnant."
"No." Dan said calmly though his heart was thudding wildly from what he was about to do.
"You're sure? Its only been two days Daniel. No need to be so rash."
"I love Serena. I refuse to get her pregnant and disrespect her like that."
"Then you won't have an heir. You are a disgrace to the Humphrey name." Henry sneered, shaking his head.
"No, you and father are the ones that are a disgrace. Forcing me to cross my wife's boundaries and forcing her to divorce me or bear a child is what disgraces this family. Goodbye." As Dan turned to leave, Henry called out to him.
"And how do you know your wife feels the same way? Last I know of, she isn't speaking to you."
Dan whirled around, eyes alight. "What Serena and I do is none of your business. Call off your PI or the next issue of the New York Times will know all about Henry Humphrey's blackmail attempt." With that, he stormed out of the house and into his car.
--
Dan sat in the car, eyes on the dashboard. He had arrived home fifteen minutes ago, but he didn't want to go in. He couldn't. The thought of going inside and not speaking to Serena was unbearable. After another five minutes, he walked out of the car and into the house.
"Hey," Dan said, seeing Serena on the couch. "Nate and Blair left already?"
She nodded, not meeting his eyes. "Wedding stuff."
"We're not getting a divorce." Dan blurted out, unable to keep it in a second longer. "Unless you want one." He added hastily.
"What are you talking about?"
"I drove to the city and pretty much emancipated myself. I'm a disgrace," he sneered at the word. "and I could care less. I told him I'm not making you do anything you don't want to and that was it."
She was standing now, staring at him blankly. She couldn't fathom why he had done this. "Why?" She finally muttered.
"Love makes you realize which things are truly important." He said, his crooked half smile plastered on his face. "This marriage is one of them." After several painful seconds of silence, he continued. "I understand if you don't want me in the same room tonight, actually I'm pretty sure you don't want to be anywhere near me. I made a big mistake and I really hope you can forgive me. But until then, I'll keep my distance."
"Dan, wait." She called just as he started up the stairs. He froze, one foot on the bottom stair. She stared at him, dark blue eyes apologetic. "I'm sorry."
And with that, Dan felt all the tension seep out of him. As if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. A smile flitted across his face as he changed direction, walking towards her. He reached out and pulled her closer to him slowly, afraid she would jerk away. He pulled her into a hug, his arms wrapping themselves tightly around her form. He breathed her in, something he had been afraid to do. "No, I'm sorry." He murmured into her ear as one hand traced the curve of her shoulder.
"Forgive me?" She asked, sounding very small.
He smiled, pulling back to see her face. He was glad she didn't go for the clichéd 'Forgive and forget' line he detested. To him, it was impossible to forget what was wrong and simply ignoring it would cause more harm than good. "If you forgive me."
"Okay." She whispered, and finally, a smile appeared on her face.
--
AN: I'm sorry for the rushed chapter. Bleh. Lol. Anyway, the reason I'm stopping here is beause, well its 4 am and I haven't really updated in a while. Sorry! Been overwhelmed with drama, but its summer and I promise to try and write between my summer classes. Review!