A/N: Hello! This is the last chapter before the epilogue. I hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl or any of the characters.

Groggily, Blair awoke to Dan kissing her cheek. She smiled, still not opening her eyes, and turned towards him, snuggling into his chest. She felt his lips press another kiss to the top of her head. "Blair," he murmured into her hair. "We have to go to brunch."

She shook her head against his chest and felt him chuckle.

"I promised everyone." He lifted her chin with his hand, wanting to see her face.

She squinted at the light as she opened her eyes. "Can't we use the excuse of jetlag?"

"Unfortunately, no." He got out of bed. "Come on. There will be waffles..." He said, trying to sound upbeat. As he took her hands and pulled her up, she groaned.

Once on her feet, she gave him a tired look. "Did all of that really happen last night?"

"Yup," he answered, popping the "p." He continued, "The good news is that now everyone knows...so things can only get better. Now, let's go Waldorf. Change."

She gave him her perfected puppy dog eyes, and slowly backed up to the bed again.

"Waldorf, if I have to take your clothes off myself, I'd be more than happy to do it."

Blair stayed silent, as she got more comfortable in the bed, a glint in her eyes the whole time.

As Dan slowly crawled onto the bed, he couldn't help but be thankful Vanessa was out. Blair's screams (mostly of laughter) would surely have sent her running.

::

And hour later, Blair and Dan were hand in hand as they rode up the elevator to the Van der Humphrey suite. They both decided to keep in casual, especially after last night. Blair settled for (gasp!) linen pants and a blouse, accented by a colorful, chunky necklace, while Dan was in jeans and a sweater. Her hair was still in messy curls, left over from the previous night; she kept it down, knowing fully well that Dan would appreciate it.

Everyone else had already arrived and were in huddles of conversations throughout the room. Serena immediately met Blair at the elevator, wanting to know every detail about what happened after she left the party, and why on earth she didn't call or text. Vanessa met them both on the couch, wanting to know the details too.

"B, you couldn't have texted?" Serena asked, mildly annoyed.

Blair glared at her. "Tone it down, Serena. I'm sorry sweetie, but you were the last thing on my mind after I left." She paused. "Even though it was your night."

Serena waved her off. "I'm only slightly kidding. What happened? Where did you go?"

Blair sighed. "You know...the duck pond." She saw Serena smirk. "And then a couple other places. I ended up back at the loft. I explained my feelings about the whole evening with Dan, and why I was so upset. The good news is: Dan and I are fine. Better than fine, actually." She straightened her posture with a smile, hoping it would prove her point.

"That's good to hear." Vanessa said, smiling back.

Serena was still serious. "And what are you going to do about Chuck? I swear B, that came out of left field. I haven't seen him act like that since..."

"That night?" Blair cut in. "Yeah. I was a little surprised. I still want to talk to him. I need to explain everything a little further. Is he coming today?"

Serena bit her lip. "Umm...he usually does. I don't know about today, though; he probably realized you two would be here." Serena looked over at Dan, unaware of her gaze, who was talking to Rufus.

"He still lives at the Empire, right?" Blair asked. Serena nodded. "Maybe I'll go over there after this and talk to him."

"Just be careful, B.," Serena warned softy.

"I know," Blair answered.

Minutes later, Lily announced that brunch was ready, and in no time plates were full and the table was crowded with people. Stories from the previous night were told, and orange juice (or, mimosas) flowed. They all caught up with each other lives more in depth and laughed until their chests ached. Catching her breath after one of Nate's law school stories, Blair looked around the table. It was mornings like this where she really missed being home. She thought she would live in Paris forever, but maybe that wasn't what she really wanted. Perhaps after Dan finished his novel they could move back. She smiled at the thought.

"What are you smiling about?" Dan asked, squeezing her hand.

"Oh, nothing," Blair answered, smiling wider and brushing hair off his forehead, away from his eyes.

After dishes were cleared, they all moved to the family room where Blair found herself on Dan's lap, listening to Eric tell stories about his horrible college roommates.

"No one beats me...I had Georgina," Blair laughed, the others joining in.

"Touché," Eric said, raising a glass to her.

Blair leaned back into Dan's chest, resting the back of her head on his shoulder.

"Still tired?" he asked.

She exhaled, "A little." She sat up and twisted her body to look at him. She leaned in a little closer so she didn't have to speak loudly. "Actually, I was thinking about heading over to the Empire. I need to talk to Chuck."

Dan nodded, understanding. "Okay. Do you want me to come with?"

"No. But can you pick me up?" She bit her lip, waiting for his answer.

"Sure." He kissed her quickly and they both stood up. Blair said goodbye to everyone and promised Serena she would call her later.

Dan walked her to the elevator and watched as she disappeared behind the elevator doors, his eyes lingering even after they closed. He jumped a little when he heard a voice.

"You okay?" It was Serena.

He ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I'm fine." Serena remained unconvinced. "Really, Serena. I'm okay. I get why she needs to talk to him."

Serena smiled. "Okay...if you say so." Dan chuckled at her response.

"And how are you Serena?"

"I'm happy," she said honestly, looking completely content with her answer.

"You look happy," Dan said, smiling.

A comfortable silence ensued, in that little elevator hallway they were standing in. Serena ended it. "Hey, Dan. I've been meaning to ask you something. Something important."

Dan shifted anxiously, unsure of what she was going to say. "Yeah?"

She looked down at the glass in her hands. "I was wondering if...if you would walk me down the aisle." She looked back up at him.

Dan's heart swelled. "Really?"

She nodded, biting her lip. "Yeah, really."

"Serena, I would love to. Of course." He quickly hugged her, carefully avoiding the mimosa in her hands. Pulling away, he asked, "Why me? I mean-what about your dad?"

"What dad?" She scoffed. "Dan, you mean so much to me. I mean, it may be weird to others that my first love is walking me down the aisle, but...I couldn't imagine anyone else doing it. I don't want anyone else to do it."

"Then I will definitely do it." He hugged her again and kissed her temple.

"Thanks, bro," she said, causing Dan to laugh. "I wonder how Blair's conversation with Chuck will go. I mean, anything's better than last night, right?"

"Let's hope." Dan said, looking at the elevator doors once again.

::

The truth was, Blair hadn't even spoken to him yet. She was standing outside of The Empire, staring at the entrance. "Are you coming in, Miss?" The doorman asked, suspiciously.

Blair gave a small smile. "Yes." She walked through the doors, her heart beating the entire walk to the elevators. As she stepped in, she felt like she was transported back in time. It felt like déjà vu. She had taken this elevator ride a million times before. Come to think of it, she had done plenty more in this elevator. She winced (and blushed) at the memory.

Her heart continued to thump as she heard the ding! of her arrival to the penthouse. She stepped out as quietly as she could.

"Arthur, is that you?" She heard Chuck call from another room.

She walked towards the source of his voice. He was sitting in his office, newspaper in hand, blocking his face. "Unless he's 5'5' and wears heels, then, no, it's not Arthur."

He immediately dropped the paper; his eyes showing a surprised look at his visitor. "Blair," he spoke.

"Hello, Chuck." She walked towards his desk and took a seat in the chair across from him.

"What are you doing here?" His voice was confused, but not cold.

"I came here to talk." She set her purse down on the floor.

"Where's Brooklyn?" He nearly spat out.

She sighed. "He has a name, Chuck."

"That didn't stop you from calling him Humphrey." She opened her mouth to retort, but closed it. He was right, after all.

"What do you want to talk about?" He asked, his voice a smidge softer.

"I don't like how you found out about me and Dan. I didn't want it to go like what happened last night."

He laughed, but no humor was in it. "And how did you want me to find out, Blair? Hmm?"

"I don't know." She looked down and felt tears prickle her eyes. "I really don't know. I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry if this whole thing hurts y-"

"Why would it hurt me?"

"Well, you are obviously affected by it if you're reacting this way." God damn that tear rolling down my cheek.

He didn't answer, but instead stood up and walked towards the window. His back to her, he looked down at the street.

After a minute of silence, Blair was about to get up, expecting the end of their conversation. Instead, he spoke quietly. "I'm sorry about how I acted. It wasn't right, and it wasn't fair to you."

Blair stared at his back in disbelief.

He continued, "I did get over you, you know. Not with anyone, per say. But, I've come to terms with what I did and why it ruined us." He turned to look at her and leaned back against the window. "I was just a little surprised."

"I know. I understand."

"It wasn't even all about the Dan part of it. I was just surprised that you could love again. I didn't think that it was possible for you after what I put you through. After what I did to you. And to be honest, I'm a little happy that it is."

Blair sighed. "Of course it's possible, Chuck. It's possible for you too. Did I think I would fall in love with Dan? No. One day, you are going to wake up and meet someone...and you aren't going to know what hit you. I promise."

He looked at her again. "You look happy."

"I am happy Chuck."

"You're...different." He looked her over. "You're wearing...pants."

She smirked. "I know. Can you believe it?" He chuckled.

Suddenly, her phone started vibrating. She read the screen. "Dan's here."

Surprising both of them, he said, "Tell him to come up."

"Are you sure, Chuck?" Blair asked, uneasy.

"Yeah."

"Please don't hit him."

"I won't," Chuck promised.

A few minutes later, Dan exited the elevator and followed their voices into the office. Relief washed over him when he saw Blair's eyes free of tears. She was actually smiling a little.

"Hey," he said to Blair. He turned to Chuck. "Chuck."

"Humph-Dan." Chuck quickly corrected himself. He turned to Blair. "Blair, could I talk to Dan. Alone?"

She eyed them both over, standing slowly. "If I hear any loud noise or slap, so help me god." She left the room, glaring at Chuck as he closed the door behind her.

After shutting it, he walked past Dan and stood in the same spot by the window. "I already told this to Blair...but, I'm sorry about last night. I shouldn't have acted that way."

Dan nearly gawked at his apology. Cooly, he said, "It's cool, man. No worries."

Silence took over, making Dan slightly uncomfortable. He smirked at the thought of Blair freaking out behind the doors. Her ear was probably pressed against the wood as close as it could go.

Dan took the chance and spoke up. "I'll take care of her heart, Chuck."

After a beat..."I know you will." He turned and looked at Dan, nodding softly. "I know."

They shook hands and walked to open the door. Blair quickly jumped back, but did not look embarrassed or ashamed at all by her eavesdropping. She looked over both men, happy to see no scratches or red marks.

Dan walked over to the elevator to give them a minute. Blair looked at Chuck and let out a breath. "Well, I'm glad we talked."

"Me too."

"So, I guess I'll see you around?" Blair said, the only thing coming to mind.

"Yeah. See you around."

She embraced him quickly before meeting Dan by the elevator. Before stepping in, she looked at him one last time. "Goodbye Chuck."

"Goodbye Blair."

As she rode the elevator down, she felt relief. Immense relief that it was all over. There would be no more secrets, or fights, or drama. She looked at Dan. "What now?"

He chuckled and pulled her into his side. "Whatever we want."

::

The last three days of their trip was filled to the brim. Serena crammed in wedding plans galore: from venues, to bakeries, to flower shops, she dragged Blair across the city. She wanted her maid of honor to be part of the planning process, and these three days were the only way to do it. Blair barely saw Dan over the course of the days, but it didn't matter. There would be plenty of time for that later.

Blair had promised herself she wouldn't cry when she said goodbye, but she couldn't help getting choked up as she hugged Serena. "I'll be back in four months. November 5, for the wedding of the century." She wiped her tears.

Serena smiled through her watery eyes. "And who knows? Maybe I'll come to Paris in September for Fashion Week and find my wedding dress?"

Blair's eyes widened. "Yes! We are totally doing that!"

Eventually, Nate dragged away Serena, and Dan dragged away Blair, until they were finally back on the plane to Paris. After a tiring flight filled with memories of the weekend, they stumbled into Dan's apartment, completely exhausted. They were asleep within minutes of laying down.

When Blair woke, she saw a note on Dan's pillow.

Went to my editor's. Dropping off my manuscript. Finished it in New York. There's a copy on the desk for you. Love you, Dan.

Blair nearly shot out of bed. She quickly poured some coffee and settled on the couch with the book. It took her nearly three hours to read it. She was completely mesmerized until the very last page.

The book was called, "The Portrait and the Pen." And it was about them. Their paradoxical love. Their whirlwind romance. Seeing it in writing was almost as good as the real thing.

Almost.

She turned to the last page, one that read "Dedication." Confused to why it was in the back, and not the front, she started reading:

This book was written for my one and only, Blair. My love, we were never meant to be, but we just work.

Just like peanut butter and jelly, or oreos and milk, we're better together.

And they were.

A/N: Epilogue's up next. Review please! :)