"Coming here on business and coming here to live are two vastly different things!" Shane was twirling Odette around in the temporary hotel room they were staying in.

Blair sat quietly on the sofa, watching her soon-to-be husband as he twirled her daughter around in circles.

"Odette, you're going to be so spoiled!" He continued to talk to her.

Blair squirmed in her spot. Chuck was supposed to arrive any minute to officially welcome them to the city. She really didn't want to see Chuck or anyone he might bring with him. She had tried her best to gently convince Shane from taking the offer. Saying that he had some very wealthy potential customers on the west coast. He almost did back out of it because of her apparent discomfort with the situation, but at that point she caved and encouraged him to take it.

So here they were, standing in the hotel room that Chuck had hand picked for them, no doubt he owned this building and would be watching their every move.

"Ella, don't look so disheartened! I'm sure you'll find some way to survive! But hey," Shane came and sat down next to her, holding Odette on his lap, "if in a few months if you still don't want to be here, I promise you that we'll leave. I can come to the city and work if they really do want me."

"Aw, thank you. But I'm going to be a good supportive future wife." Blair smiled at him. He was really so simple and happy it was hard to not catch it.

"You are already those things!" He bent over and kissed her forehead just in time for a knock to sound from the door.

"So!" Chuck entered the room with a proud stride, "How is the Big Apple Treating you?"

"Got my sweater stole this morning outside the airport." Shane chuckled, springing up to greet Chuck.

"Well, appears I'm a little late for the real New York welcome then." Chuck laughed with him as they shook hands. "And your lovely fiancee, Ella, was it?"

Chuck was looking at Blair now, a look she could pinpoint from miles away. He was scheming and she did not want to be on the receiving end of it.

"Yes." Blair smiled as warmly as she could manage.

"How are you liking New York? Have you seen some of our shops? I hear Tiffany's is a favorite." There it was. The twinkle. The spark Chuck always had when he was up to no good.

He extended his hand to her and she took it gingerly, never letting her smile falter.

"It's nice. Can seem to be a bit suffocating at times." She replied sweetly.

Shane laughed nervously at her comment. Chuck grinned and gave a small laugh too.

"I bet you'll take to it like a natural." Chuck winked.

"I brought the celebratory champagne!" Tripp entered the room with a green champagne bottle raised in the air. "Let's officially crown this deal!"

Blair felt her stomach knot.

The three men around her cheered. Two had plastered on New York professional business men smiles. The other so blissfully ignorant and happy.

Shane handed Odette off to Blair and went to fetch the champagne flutes.

Instantly she felt two pairs of eyes narrow at her.

"Well, I'll leave you all to celebrate. I wanna go out and explore the town with my daughter." Blair put on a strained smile.

"Always nice seeing you again, looking forward to next time." Chuck still had that stupid grin on his face.

"Till next time." Tripp's voice was laced with venom.