For Charlie's Sake
Disclaimer: I don't own Gossip Girl in any way. If I did then Blair and Chuck would be together but *Sighs* I can dream…
Chapter 21
Blair awoke to Chuck's caressing fingers on her cheek. She didn't even know when she had fallen asleep. Her eyes fluttered open. She was lying down. She was in a room on a bed. She sat up.
"How did I get here?"
"I carried you in here to sleep. I thought you would be more comfortable".
"Are we there yet?"
"Almost, we land in a half hour. I thought you would want that time to freshen up".
"I would, thanks"
"Did you get any sleep?" asked Blair clearly fishing for information.
"Yes, but don't worry. I didn't sleep in here. I slept in another bedroom".
"There's more than one?"
"There are three. You're flying Bass Air, which means there are certain standards that have to be met. Did you really think my plane wouldn't be top-of-the-line?"
"I should have known and I would have if you would have kept your date the first time you invited me".
"Let's not rehash the past. We were getting along fine. Why ruin it?"
"It was you that wanted to rehash the past earlier".
"You know what I meant" said Chuck in an annoyed tone.
Blair sighed, "I know, you're right. Let me go change and freshen up" she said as she rose from the bed.
He pointed to a door that was on the other side of the room. "There is one of the bathrooms. I will be waiting for you at the main seats."
"Alright" she said as she disappeared through the door.
Blair released a breath as she looked at herself in the mirror. She didn't know why she wanted to pick a fight with Chuck. Maybe it was because she had let it all out. She told him things she never thought she ever would and it made her feel vulnerable.
She hated feeling vulnerable. She was brought into the present by her wedding ring. It was reflecting the light. She had to tell him about the letter. She had to, but now wasn't the time. She wasn't ready to tell him about it yet.
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Chuck stood staring at the bathroom door that Blair had disappeared through. She would have a fit if she knew he really slept in here for a couple of hours. He couldn't leave her after he had laid her down. He would never admit it but he just wanted to hold her without her fighting him. He had fallen asleep cradling her in his arms. He was glad he had awoken before her. In time she would let him in again. He just had to work on her and it would all start today.
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She couldn't believe she was in Rome. The quick glances through the window of the limo on the way to the hotel weren't enough to satisfy her curiosity. She wanted to leave everything in the hotel and explore the city.
"You can unglue your face from the window Blair we will see the city in time" said Chuck smiling at her.
She turned and smiled at him "I can't help it. All these buildings, the architecture, the history, it's all so fascinating".
"I can't believe you've never been to Rome before".
"I always meant to but I always had somewhere else to be like to France to visit my father".
"Well then I will introduce it to you. I've been here many times. I own a hotel here".
"Is there anywhere that you don't own something in?" asked Blair.
He thought about it "I don't think so, but even if that's not true you can pick a place and it will be true a phone call later".
"Chuck you can't spend your life thinking you can buy or manipulate everything and everyone. I was like that years ago. That lifestyle doesn't work. It only gets you hurt".
"Blair, let's not talk about this now. We are on our honeymoon. We should be enjoying ourselves not arguing" he said as he laced his fingers with hers and pulled her closer to him.
She watched as he played with their laced fingers. It was something so simple but it touched her. She would have given anything to have his hand like this five years ago. She had to stop this. If there was any hope of truly forgiving him, she had to stop reliving the past.
Chuck looked at her.
"Are you going to tell me where you got the ring from now?"
Blair got nervous and said "not now. Look, I think we're here. Is that your hotel?"
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They had left their things in the penthouse suite of Chuck's hotel. Blair couldn't contain her enthusiasm. It wasn't plausible, but she wanted to see everything in seven days and Chuck was determined to try.
"Welcome to Roma" said Chuck smiling at her.
She laughed and said "Thank you it's great to be here."
"What do you want to see first?" asked Chuck as he led her out of his five star luxury hotel.
"I'm not sure. I want to see everything and I don't know if I can pick".
"Well then allow me to".
"How would you like to see The Colosseum or the Trevi Fountain?"
"Or if you want to leave that for another time we could go see The Pantheon or the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica".
"Ummm" said Blair clearly indecisive.
He loved her childish enthusiasm. She was truly happy and he was glad. He wanted to make her happy. He wanted to make up for all the grief he had caused her.
"I want to see all those places but ever since I was a little girl I have always wanted to make a wish at the Trevi Fountain".
"Then let's not waste anymore time" he said as his car came around.
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"It's so beautiful" said Blair taking pictures of the fountain.
"Look at Neptune riding his chariot and the horses" she continued.
"I'm surprised you knew that was Neptune".
"I know a lot that you don't know about" said Blair.
Chuck's eyes narrowed. "Why do I get the feeling we're not only talking about the fountain".
She ignored his comment and switched the conversation back to the fountain.
"I know that that's Neptune and the each horse represents the fluctuating moods of the sea because one is calm and the other isn't. I'm so happy to finally see it in person. Now all I have to do is get a coin" she said as she dug for one in her bag.
Chuck stopped her and handed her a coin. "Toss your coin in and make a wish".
She took the coin from him and turned with her back to the fountain. She closed her eyes, made a wish, and tossed her coin into the fountain.
"What did you wish for?" asked Chuck.
"How will it come true if I tell you?"
"If you tell me it will come true. I'll make sure of it".
Blair smiled. "It doesn't work that way and you know it. Aren't you going to make a wish?"
"I don't need to. I have everything I need right now".
Blair's heart fluttered at his comment. She took his hand and said "Let's go there's so much more to see".
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By the end of the day they had seen a couple of more attractions and she was tired.
"Let's go to a restaurant I know on a rooftop, there is a great view".
Blair was gazing at the scenery as Chuck ordered their food.
"This view is incredible. How did you find this restaurant?"
"I didn't. I was brought here".
"Oh" said Blair jumping to conclusions.
Just as Chuck was about to say something to her a woman came up to them selling roses. She looked at Chuck and said "per la donna che ha vostro cuore".
He smiled at her, paid for a few, and said "grazie".
The woman said "prego" and left.
He handed the flowers to Blair and said "my father's business associates brought me to convince me to build a hotel here. I saw this view and made up my mind immediately".
Blair smiled and took the flowers. "I didn't know you speak Italian. What did that lady say?"
"I don't speak Italian that much but I know enough to get by. The lady saw your expression and thought I could use a few roses to get into your good graces again" said Chuck not wanting Blair to know exactly what she had said.
Blair blushed. "I wasn't upset at you".
"Of course you weren't" said Chuck smirking at her.
They ate their food and laughed like they hadn't before. Their relationship had never been like this, so free of lies or underlying reasons for being together.
Chuck looked at Blair and asked "What do you think we should get Charlie?"
"I don't know yet but we will figure it out. Oh, my baby. I miss her already. I've never been this far away from her. What if something happens Chuck, and we're not there"?
"Blair calm down. Nothing is going to happen. I miss her too but this is our time together. We need it to start building our relationship up. If there is an emergency your mother will call and we can be on my plane back to the U.S. in no time, okay?" he said while looking at her.
She sighed, "You're right. I know, it's just she's everything to me".
"She is too me too" said Chuck then lifted his hand to her face in a caress.
"I hope I get to mean that much to you again".
Blair took his hand from her face and laced it with hers.
She looked at him and said "Maybe in time".
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When they got back to their hotel Blair was anxious to call Charlie.
"What time is it in New York?" she asked.
Chuck looked at his watch. "She should be getting out of school right about now. Italy is six hours ahead of New York".
"Let me call my mom. Let's find out if she picked up Charlie yet".
After they dialed the number Blair was glad to know that her mother had just picked her up.
"Yes darling everything is fine. I hope you're having fun".
"I am Mom" said Blair then she heard her daughter in the background.
"Grandma let me talk to Mommy. I want to talk to Mommy and Daddy now! Please Grandma".
Blair laughed and told her mother to put Charlie on.
She put the phone on speaker and she heard her daughter's sweet little voice.
"Hi Mommy I miss you".
"I miss you too baby, so much. Are you being a good girl for Grandma?"
"Ummm, yea".
"That didn't sound so convincing, what did you do Charlie?"
Charlie's hesitant voice answered and said "I, I accidentally colored Grandma's designs for her new clothes line".
"Oh Charlie I told you never to color anywhere without asking. You know better than that".
"I know I'm sorry Mommy I won't do it again and Grandma's not upset".
"She didn't have the heart to chastise her daughter anymore, she missed her too much".
"Where's Daddy?" asked Charlie.
"He's right here next to me. The phone is on speaker, he's heard our whole conversation".
She heard her daughter say "uh oh" and Blair laughed at Chuck who smiled back at her.
"Hi Charlie".
"Hi Daddy".
"Are you upset that I colored Grandma's stuff?"
"No I'm not upset, but I hope you've learned your lesson and won't do it again".
"I won't, I told Mommy so. Does this mean I won't be getting my two presents?" Asked Charlie in a sad voice.
"It's okay. You will still get them; just promise me you'll be good from now on".
"I promise Daddy".
"Are you working on it?" asked Charlie.
Blair frowned, "working on what?"
"Daddy said he would try and get you to say yes".
"Yes on what?"
"Yes on me getting a-"
Chuck eyes widened, he interrupted, and said "Her getting another present".
He put the phone off speaker and said, "I told you Charlie I would try very hard to get her to say yes, but she has to agree first okay".
Blair looked at him skeptically but said "tell her two is enough, I don't want her spoiled".
"Mommy said she would think about it" said Chuck giving Blair a rueful smile.
"Chuck, put the phone back on speaker".
He put his hand over the receiver. "Don't make her sad when we are miles away".
She sighed and said fine as she watched him put the phone back on speaker.
"Charlie it's alright, Mommy told Daddy yes".
"Yes!" came a loud shout and Blair was glad the phone was not at her ear.
"I'm so happy Mommy".
Blair couldn't believe she was so happy about another gift but let it go. "I'm glad you're happy Charlie but don't think this is an all the time thing".
Chuck was laughing and she didn't know why.
"Oh no Mommy I just want one. As long as I have one it's enough".
Blair frowned at Chuck and he shrugged.
"Mommy I have to go, Grandma is taking me to lunch with Grandpa Cyrus".
"Okay sweetheart, I love you".
"I love you too Mommy. Tell Daddy I love him too" she said as the line went dead.
Blair smiled and looked at Chuck.
His eyes were watery and he tried to mask it by rubbing them and saying he was tired.
She smiled and went up close to him. "You don't have to hide your emotions, Chuck".
"That's part of starting over too" she said.
"It's just, she said she loved me. She had never said that before".
She smiled at him and said "You have earned her love in such a short time, but you better get used to it. Now that she has said it you will hear it a lot. You have to practice saying it back to her".
"I don't need to practice it. I love her" said Chuck staring intently at Blair.
"If she were here I would look at her and just say it. I would just say I love you".
Blair's heart started beating rapidly. One minute they were talking about Charlie and the next he was looking at her like-
But she couldn't continue her train of thought. It was interrupted by Chuck who leaned down and took her lips in a passionate kiss.
A/N: I hate to leave it here, but I have to, I have work in the morning. I hope you liked this chapter. It was hard for me to write because I've been very busy with my new job. I will try to have the next one up as soon as I can but I will not give you a definite day b/c I would hate to disappoint you. I've gotten a couple of reviews about my grammar. I know I've had spelling errors and such but it's because I've written the chapters so fast and close together. I didn't take the time to really go over them. I've hit myself in the head for some of the dumb mistakes I've made lol. I will try to be more careful but they will probably still have errors b/c of my job. I will have even less time to devote to this story but I will not give up on it. So changing the subject, what do you want to happen in the next chapter? Will Blair pull away or will she let her heart take over? Oh and before I finish did you see the new episode of GG? I felt so bad for Blair I wanted to cry. It broke my heart during that mirror scene. I loved that rooftop scene between C&B. I just hate where they left it. What did Blair do with Jack? Ugghhh lol I'm frustrated. Oh I almost forgot, the lady with the roses told chuck "for the lady who has your heart" at least I hope so. I speak Spanish not Italian lol. I put that sentence in a translator and that's what came out lol. Don't forget to REVIEW!!!
XoXo Chrys