A/N: Sorry for not posting yesterday, but I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Serena placed the last plate on the dining table at the loft. She and Dan had gotten it a few weeks ago, when they were still deciding when to tell everyone of their engagement. Serena smiled. Dan was in the kitchen making dinner. Serena looked at the clock. It was six thirty. She had told guests to come around seven. She headed back into the kitchen. Dan was busy stirring the sauce. Serena gave him a small peck on the cheek. He smiled at her. She wrapped her arms around his waist. She sighed and leaned against his back.

"Do you think dinner will go well?"

Dan stopped stirring and turned to face her.

"Why wouldn't it go well?"

Serena sighed.

"I don't know. It's just with all the drama lately it feels like I can't do anything right. My wedding party is fighting for God's sake! I just feel a little sceptical about this dinner thing."

"Well it's a little hard to back out of it now. You did invite everyone."

Serena put her hands on her face.

"Yes I did. Gosh, why did I have to be so dumb!"

Dan chuckled.

"You weren't being dumb. You were being someone who wants everyone to be on good terms with each other. There should be more people like you in the world."

Serena smiled.

"Well if there were more people like me in the world, what would make me special?"

Dan leaned in a kissed her.

"Well you would be just a little bit more special then everyone else."

Serena giggled before kissing him back. Dan pulled her closer to him. She brought her hands through his hair. The loft door opened and there stood Jenny. Dan and Serena immediately stopped. Serena blushed and went back to straightening out the plates on the dining table. Dan looked at Jenny. She was blushing and looking at the floor. Dan cleared his throat in order to make the eerie silence go away.

"So… we have some guests coming over for dinner."

Jenny's eyes became wide.

"What!"

Dan, who had gone back to stirring the sauce, looked back at Jenny.

"It's just dinner."

"Well don't you think you could have told me, I do live here after all!"

"I did tell you."

"When?"

"Just now. Go get changed. guests arrive in half an hour."

Jenny huffed but went to her room anyways. There was no point in arguing. Why do they always wait last minute to tell me something? Well I'll make sure they understand tonight how I feel, she thought. Dan watched as she walked to her room. He continued stirring the sauce. After five minutes, there was a knock at the door. Serena came running to the kitchen and walked past him. He smiled at her. Her excitement was wearing off on him. Serena took a deep breath and opened the door. Blair, Kyle, Nate and Eric stood in front of her. Serena smiled and hugged them. She took all of their coats and put them away and then she led them to the living room. Blair, Eric and Kyle all sat on the couch. Nate stood standing. Dan came and greeted the company. Nate offered to help him in the kitchen. Serena sat beside Blair on the couch. Kyle sighed and decided to start the conversation.

"What's for dinner, Serena?"

"Well Dan knows. All I know for sure is that there's sauce and don't worry, I didn't help make it."

They all shared a laugh. They talked for a few more minutes. A knock at the door interrupted it. Serena once again got up and went to answer the door. There stood Vanessa. Serena smiled and gave her a hug.

"Vanessa, thanks for coming."

"I wouldn't miss dinner for anything."

They separated and went to the living room. Vanessa gave everyone a small smile. She sat beside Kyle. Pretty soon everyone was in another conversation. Dan and Nate were still making dinner in the kitchen. There was another knock at the door. Dan got it this time. Chuck walked in. He smirked at Dan's appearance.

"Nice apron, Humphrey."

Dan rolled his eyes.

"Well it's a skill you can't buy, Chuck. Things don't always cost money, you know."

Chuck scoffed.

"Things don't always cost money? Where on earth do you live, Humphrey?"

Dan smiled.

"Brooklyn."

Chuck rolled his eyes and walked into the living room. He looked at Blair. She was looking at the ground. He sighed and looked somewhere else. He didn't want his heart to break further in front of everyone. He sat down on a chair. Everyone else seemed to be caught in their own conversation, so he was mainly quiet. Jenny came out of her room. She was wearing a strapless dress. She sent everyone a fake smile.

"Hello everyone!"

Everyone just said their hellos and left her alone. She walked over to where Chuck was sitting. He didn't even look at her. Looks like one Humphrey still thinks she has a shot, he thought. She sat down on another chair. He just looked out the window wishing that dinner would be over soon. Fifteen minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Everyone looked around. Who else could still have to come? Serena smiled.

"Those must be our special guests."

The rooms filled with curiosity as Serena went to open the door. Even Dan was a little bit curious. Who was at the door? Serena opened the door. Sharon, Evan and Chris stood in front of her. Serena smiled.

"Thank you for coming."

Sharon smiled.

"Well I wouldn't miss an opportunity to catch up with an old friend."

Evan came up to Serena. He held out a pie.

"We brought pie. It's apple."

Serena smiled and took the apple pie from Evan.

"Thank you. I love apple."

Evan lit up.

"Me too!"

Sharon giggled.

"Come on Evan, let's go say hi to everyone else."

She took his hand and went into the living room. Chris followed. Everyone introduced themselves to the Castillo-Parkers. Everyone was nice. Everything was cheery and wonderful until Eric said his hellos to them. Chris tried not to glare at him, but after all this guy had been hanging around his family and he didn't even know who he was. Chris just pushed his anger aside for a second and stuck out his arm.

"Nice to see you again, Eric."

Eric shook his hand. It was firm and it meant that if Eric even tried anything that night, he wouldn't be alive tomorrow. They separated their hands. Sharon smiled.

"Hello Eric."

He smiled back.

"Hello, Sharon."

Chris put his hand on Sharon's back and gently led her toward Kyle and Vanessa. Anything to get away from Eric. Eric looked down and saw Evan smiling at him.

"Eric!"

Eric smiled.

"Evan!"

Evan hugged him. Eric patted his back. Serena came into the room. Dan was right behind her.

"Dinner is served."

Everyone filed into the dining room. Dan sat at the head of the table and Serena sat beside him. Beside her sat Blair who sat next to a flirtatious Nate who sat beside a jealous Chuck who unwillingly sat next to a slutty Jenny who sat beside a happy Eric. A much happier Evan sat beside him. On his other side sat Sharon and on her right sat Chris who sat beside Vanessa who sat beside a quiet Kyle. Everyone dug in. Nate leaned toward Blair and whispered. No one needed to hear their conversation.

"You look nice tonight, Blair."

She blushed. Nate sure had his Casanova charms. She leaned toward him.

"I know I do."

Nate smirked. Playing hard to get, I see he thought. He leaned toward her again.

"Well who could deny that. Especially someone as hot as you."

Blair stiffened. He had never talked like this when they were dating. She turned to him and smiled.

"Thank you for the compliment. Now if you don't mind, I would like to enjoy the rest of my dinner."

Nate just smiled.

"As you wish."

She smiled before turning back to her pasta. Meanwhile, Jenny had turned her attention to Chuck. Eric was busy preoccupied with Evan. Jenny sent Chuck a fake smile.

"Chuck, I don't think you should be moping around."

He looked up from his plate. She was still smiling like a goof. He rolled his eyes. No one could flash a fake smile like Blair could. No one. He spoke.

"Jenny, I'm not interested. Nor have I, nor am I and nor will I."

He left Jenny in shock and went back to eating his food. He needed the energy so he couldn't look at Blair. His heart couldn't take it anymore. Chris leaned toward Sharon and whispered in her ear.

"Did you know he was going to be here?"

"No. I guess he's here because Serena's his sister."

"Well I would have liked a heads up at least. Why does it seem like he's following you and Evan around lately?"

"He isn't following us around. He just happens to like the same things we do."

Chris sighed.

"I just wish he would leave us alone."

"Well I told him today. Are you happy!"

She sighed and went back to eating her dinner. Chris decided not to bother her anymore. After dinner, everyone went back to the living room for some drinks. Vanessa and Kyle sat out on the fire escape with their glasses of wine. Vanessa looked out a the sky. Kyle looked at her.

"Something's bothering you."

She looked at him.

"What? Nothing's bothering me."

"Well you seemed kind of uneasy during dinner."

Vanessa's face dropped.

"Was it that noticeable?"

"I don't think so. I sat beside you and I think I'm the only one who saw. You want to talk about it?"

"I don't know."

"Well maybe it'll make you feel better."

She sighed.

"It's Nate."

"Nate? What did he do?"

"He's making me feel something in my stomach."

Kyle's face grew puzzled.

"Did he give you a stomach ache?"

Vanessa giggled.

"No, like fluttering."

"Fluttering?"

"Yes."

"Like butterflies?"

"Yes like butterflies."

Kyle smiled.

"Well it seems, Ms. Vanessa Abrams has a crush on Mr. Nathaniel Archibald."

Vanessa scoffed.

"A crush? Please. Those are what preteen girls get. I'm twenty four. I don't crush."

"Okay then you…….smush."

"Smush?"

"Yeah it's when your older and you have an attraction to someone else."

"Smush?

Kyle smiled.

"Yeah, I made up the word."

They shared a laugh and went back to drinking their wine. In the meantime, Blair sat alone on a chair in the living room. She took a sip of her wine. Everyone else seemed to be in their own conversations. She just sat quietly. Chuck had been watching from afar. She was so perfect but not his. He had let her go and he had to live with his decision. He sighed. Screw decisions, he thought. He took a sip of his wine and walked over to where she was seated. She looked up at his arrival but quickly looked back down. He sighed.

"Could we go somewhere and talk?"

She nodded her head. He helped her off the seat and led her to Jenny's room. It hadn't changed much since she was fourteen. He closed the door behind him. Blair sat on the bed. He stayed standing. She sighed.

"What do you want Bass?"

He stepped closer to the bed.

"Blair I made a mistake in losing you."

She glared at him.

"Well we all make mistakes and we all learn from them but I don't think you have."

"Blair, just hear me out."

"No! Every time I listen to you I fall in love with you even more. And when I fall in love with you, I get hurt. My heart breaks more and more and it never fully heals. I can't take that anymore."

Tears were brimming her eyes, but she held them in. She needed to stay strong. She looked back at him. His eyes were vulnerable. She stood up.

"Chuck we're over and it's time we both got over each other."

She grabbed her wine glass off the side table and walked out of the room. Chuck stood there clutching his wine glass. He loved her so much but she was right. If they got back together someone would get hurt. But one thing he couldn't agree with her on was the last thing she said, It's time we both got over each other. He could never get over her. No matter how hard he tried.

Meanwhile, Eric and Evan were playing play station 5. So far, Evan had been winning. Sharon had been watching Eric all night. She was feeling something weird in her stomach. She would check it out at the doctor tomorrow. Chris and Nate were now deep in a conversation. Sharon just sat on the couch. Evan and Eric finished their game. Evan ran over to his mother. Eric followed him but didn't make any eye contact with Sharon. Sharon looked at Evan.

"Did you have fun with Eric?"

"Yes! Mommy, could I have something to eat?"

"But we just ate."

"Well could I have desert?"

"You could ask Serena."

He smiled.

"Thank you mommy!"

She smiled and he walked away. Eric turned to walk away. She knew she needed to talk to him.

"Eric?"

He turned around and faced her. She stepped closer to him.

"Could we go somewhere and talk?"

He sighed and nodded his head. He decided Jenny's room would be best. Sharon walked in first. Eric made sure no one had seen them and then closed the door. He didn't need any rumours starting about him or Sharon. He turned to Sharon. She looked at him.

"Eric, I just want you to know that if I had it my way I wouldn't ban you from my life."

"Then why are you letting Chris control your life?"

"Eric, he's my husband."

"But that isn't a reason for letting him control your life."

"He's not controlling it, he just doesn't want you around me and Evan."

"Well I'm sorry I can't hang out with you. I'm sorry your husband won't allow it but you know what I'm not sorry for this."

He pulled Sharon into a kiss. The moment their lips touched, Eric didn't want it to end. Sharon knew she should have pulled back but it was as if it was the missing ingredient in her life. Her hands went through his hair. His hands on her waist bringing her closer to him. His tongue entered her mouth and she welcomed it without any regrets. He started leading her toward the bed, when she pulled back. They looked into each other's eyes.

"Eric, I can't. I'm married."

He sighed. He knew it was the truth but he wished it wasn't. He stepped away from her. She caught her breath and looked at him.

"Eric, please understand."

He nodded. She smiled.

"Thank you."

She walked out of Jenny's room. Eric sat on the bed and waited a minute so no one would see him coming out. When he did, everyone was still talking. Nate and Blair were talking cosily on the couch. Chuck was watching Nate with jealousy. Vanessa and Kyle had come back in to the living room and were now talking to Dan and Serena. Sharon was at Chris's side as he talked to Jenny. Evan had gone back to playing play station 5. Eric sighed and walked into the living room. After a few more minutes, Serena announced she had an announcement. Everyone sat down. Serena smiled.

"Seeing as though we don't have a ring bearer that is young enough-"

Everyone looked at Nate and snickered. Serena smiled and continued speaking.

"But I was hoping if Evan could be the ring bearer instead. What do you say Sharon?"

Sharon smiled.

"I would be fine with that, but you might want to ask Evan himself."

Serena smiled and walked over to Evan.

"Evan."

He looked up at her.

"Yes?"

"Would you like to be the ring bearer at my wedding?"

He smiled.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Yes!!"

He got up and gave Serena a hug. She hugged him back. He smiled and went back to his game. Serena turned to everyone again. Nate spoke.

"If he's the ring bearer, what am I?"

Dan spoke for his wife.

"You'll be the flower man of course."

Everyone burst out laughing. Eventually, Sharon and her family left. Then Vanessa. After her, Kyle left. Eric left after getting a piece of apple pie. Chuck left right after him. He couldn't look at Blair any longer when his heart was more than half way broken. Blair turned to Nate.

"Could you give me a lift home?"

He smiled.

"Sure."

They said goodbye to Serena and Dan and went outside. Nate hailed them a cab and they stepped in. Nate couldn't stop looking at Blair. She looked so beautiful. When she caught him, she smiled.

"Something catching your eye?"

He smiled naughtily.

"Something has been catching my eye all night."

Blair blushed. He scooted closer to her. She stayed where she was. He came right beside her. He looked at her first and then leaned in. When his lips brushed against her, she didn't know what to do. The only thing she could think of was Chuck. Chuck. The one she loved. But she had been the one to say they needed to move on. And that was what she was going to do. She was going to move on. Well, at least try.

Once everyone had gone, Serena helped Dan with dishes. Jenny had gone to bed. Serena passed Dan a plate. She looked at him.

"Dan?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

He looked at her and smiled.

"I love you too."

She kissed him.

"Daniel Humphrey, you truly are a great guy to cook for our wedding party."

"Well, they are coming to our wedding and I don't need any haters there."

Serena giggled.

"Well hopefully the drama will be resolved by then."

"Hopefully."