Disclaimer: I don't own anything except Layla.
A/N: Yay another one. Hope you enjoy. I really loved the reactions I've gotten from the last Chapter.
Season 2 Episode 7
There's nothing quite like autumn in New York, But it's not only the leaves that change. Something in the air brings out the true colors in everyone.
Layla sat at the loft counter eating a bowl of cereal all dressed for the day. After her and Dan rekindled their relationship in New Haven she decided to move back into the loft. Rufus was excited to see her and began her first night back in with a jam session.
"Medicine cabinet, bedside table, underwear drawer? Its borderline solicitation, V, and-and, uh, creepy." Dan said coming into the kitchen and standing next to Layla.
"It wouldn't be creepy if you'd actually read the flyer. Layla read it and said if she had money she would help." Vanessa said.
"I have money just not enough or I would." Layla said.
"You're on a mission To save Dutch Schultz's favorite speakeasy. But what are you protesting? The-the owner died, didn't he?"
"He did, which is why the whole building's up for auction. If we don't stop the sale, it won't be long before some evil developer turns it into a pain quotidian."
"Oh, I like le pain—"Jenny started but got her mouth covered by Vanessa.
"Okay, we're doing a petition for landmark status."
"Uh, which you signed, Layla signed and dad signed and mom signed and-and Eleanor Waldorf." Jenny said writing a name down.
"How about I come to school with you and Layla, and hand out flyers to the guilty rich?" Vanessa asked.
"Well, if there is such a thing, I d-I don't think there's any in my school." Dan said.
"There might be a few" Layla said putting her bowl in the sink.
"Well, maybe one of their mommies or daddies is looking for their next cause."
"Vanessa has a good point" Layla agreed.
"Whose bag is that? That's a soccer ball." Jenny asked getting everyone to look at his bag.
"Oh, Yeah, apparently, half the soccer team at St Jude' Got mono from making out with Lauren Goldenberg
"Ew." Layla said.
"So I-I guess their only other option was to ask me to try out."
"Wait they asked you?" Jenny laughed.
"Yeah, well, Nate did."
"Aww my brother and boyfriend are friends" Layla said.
"I'm so glad you two are back together" Jenny said.
"I'm also really, really late." Dan said looking at his watch. "Ready to go?"
"Yep" Layla said grabbing her jacket and bag "You coming V?"
"Well, uh, good luck with the guiltless rich." Jenny shouted.
When they got to the school she headed toward the music room.
"Layla" Riley yelled catching up to her.
"Hey Riley" she said.
"How are you, and that?" he said pointing to her belly. They had been hanging out a lot since Yale and she told him her secret though he wasn't quite ready to accept it. She had pretty much come to terms that people needed to know but she wanted to tell Lily and Bart first. She had found out the sex already without Chuck and was planning on telling him soon. The only person that knew was Rufus and he was thrilled for her, well as thrilled as you could be for a soon to be teen mother.
"We're good Ry."
"Good, so I have a few songs I wanted to lay on you to sing together."
"Can we actually do this later? I see Chuck up ahead and I really need to talk to him."
"Yeah, catch you later."
"Yeah" Layla said and headed toward Chuck and Blair.
"I gotta go. I've got a disciplinary hearing." Blair said.
"Well, I knew you were trouble, but a hearing Impressive." Chuck said.
"Oh, it's not for me. Hi Layla" Blair said.
"Hey Blair" Layla replied and Blair left.
"What brings you near?" Chuck asked.
"Chuck"
"What, you've been avoiding me."
"Actually you've been avoiding me since my announcement of taking Dan back."
"Well I think it's a mistake."
"Why do you say that? Do you have something you want to tell me?"
"I don't know what you're talking about"
"I want to tell Lily and Bart" she said changing the subject.
"Perfect we'll do it tomorrow night" he said.
"Okay" Layla said then walked away.
Then next morning Layla sat on the couch practicing her guitar
"So then the ball came to me and so I kicked it to this guy, and then-and then, you know, He kicked it to another guy, and he kicked it to another guy and then that guy scored, So, you know, it was basically an assist. Yeah, it was awesome. It was pretty amazing." Dan told his sister
"Oh, it's so weird that you're on a team now I mean, pretty soon you're gonna have Actual guy friends." Jenny said.
"What are you talking about I have plenty of guy friends."
"Dan, I know that you're Mr. Soccer now, but you and I both know you prefer to hang out with girls. Layla, Vanessa, Serena, once upon a time."
At her name Layla stopped playing and paid attention.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of." Jenny said.
"Except that it's completely untrue." Dan said.
"What's going on" Layla asked walking over to Dan.
"Dan has no guy friends" Jenny said.
"She's right Romeo" Layla said.
"Dad, will you please tell Jenny and Layla that-that I have guy friends?"
"Of course he does. I'm his—"Rufus said.
"No, not including you." Dan interrupted.
"Cedric?"
"Not including dolls." Layla said.
"Okay, watch and learn." Dan said.
"Oh I'm ready for this" Layla said as she watched Dan dial her brother's number.
"Nate, hey, man…Hey, it's Humphrey…Dan…Yeah, good…Good…Hey, listen…Uh, you want to hook up for some soccer later…? You're- you're by the park, right…? Noon, yeah… Sweet, bro… All right… I love it… Bye" Dan then hung up "Apparently, uh, we're gonna play soccer later."
"Uh-huh." Jenny said.
"No biggie."
"Is Cedric invited?"
"Jenny, come on." Rufus said.
"Thank you, dad."
"You know, Cedric would get dirty. Then Dan would have to clean him"
Layla laughed at his family. She truly adored these guys more than anything.
"All right, I'll see you two later. And see you later tonight" Dan said then kissed Layla "I got my boy waiting for me."
Dan walked out the door with his stuff
"I think he left me for my brother" Layla said sad.
Jenny laughed and they went into Jenny's room. Jenny made her a nice dress for the party she had been invited too. Later that day she headed over to Blair's. She went upstairs and noticed they were in the closet
"Oh, your mother. Remember how she always used to just jet off To Mystique or Ibiza without warning While you and Eric were still in school?" Blair said.
"Eleanor always knew when we showed up with our overnight bags. Lily had a new boyfriend." Serena said "We tried alternating between you and the Archibald's so you guys never knew how bad it really was."
"We knew" Layla said coming into the closet.
"Lay!" Blair said surprised to see her.
"Hey A." Serena said.
"You look amazing" Blair commented.
"Thanks Jenny made me a dress that looked good for when I talk to Bart and Lily"
"Why do you need to talk to them?"Serena asked.
Blair and Layla looked at each other. That was right Serena didn't know. She hadn't even realized. Nate, Dan, Jenny, Vanessa, Blair and of course Chuck all knew how did she miss Serena. Maybe the fact she and S weren't super close but in all reality they were probably the closest when it came to life changing events.
"You look gorgeous." Layla said trying to change the subject
"No changing the subject. Why do you need to talk to them?"
Layla sat down next to Serena and grabbed her hand.
"You are scaring me."
"I don't know if you have noticed but I have sort of gained weight."
"O. My…you're pregnant. Please tell me it's not Chucks"
"It is" Blair said.
"Wow, how long?"
"6 months almost 7"
"6 months!" Serena screamed.
"Shh not many people know" Layla said.
"Does Nate Know?"
"Yes and Dan"
"Oh right you two are back together. Does Chuck Know?"
"Yes"
"So B where did you get that dress?" Layla said trying to change the subject.
"Oh, this? Just Chuck. "She said nonchalant
"Chuck?" Layla said
"When did Chuck give you a dress?" Serena asked
"When we were going to Europe."
"And you're wearing it tonight?" Layla asked.
"It's just that it would be a shame to waste it."
"Uh-huh." Serena said leaving the room.
"You want to share whats going on" Layla asked
Layla's phone buzzed and she looked down
CHUCK: TONIGHT PROBABLY ISNT THE BEST TO TELL THEM. YOU SHOULD JUST STAY IN WITH HUMPHREY AND ENJOY YOUR NIGHT
Layla showed her phone to Blair.
"No really why is he uninviting me. Telling his father is very important and I need to tell them soon."
"Something with Vanessa and since you two are friends." Blair said.
"Acquaintances" Layla said.
"Whatever."
"You two have a bet" Layla said knowing Chuck and Blair.
"Fine and it involves..."
"B I am okay with it. I really care about Dan"
"But you love Chuck."
"I care about Chuck and I just want him happy. Trust me I can handle it. I went all summer handling it."
Blair gave her a hug and they left the room.
Later that evening Layla arrived at the Bass/Van der Woodsen's party. When she got out of the elevator she saw Serena and Bart talking and walked that way.
"Serena, I hope that over time you'll see that I want what's best for this family. In the meantime, I suggest you talk with your brother."
Serena stormed away
"Layla, it's good to see you. Charles is around here somewhere" Bart said
"I know. It's good to see you Mr. Bass"
"How many times have I told you its Bart?"
"I know I just always forget."
She spotted Lily across the place and panicked.
"If you'll excuse me a moment" Layla said walking back toward the elevator running into Vanessa. Layla was in a serious panic mode.
"Whoa Lay" Vanessa said grabbing her before Layla hit the floor
Vanessa sat her on the chair nearby and sat next to her.
"You okay A?" Vanessa asked.
"Yeah just light headed"
She saw Chuck running over.
"Hey, you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah I'm fine, just V can you get me some water."
"Yeah of course" Vanessa said leaving Chuck and Layla there.
"I saw you fall" he said.
"Vanessa got me it's no biggie" Layla said
"I thought I said tonight wasn't a good night"
"I decided it was." She replied raising her voice
"A"
"Chuck, I have to. I am getting to big otherwise, people are going to start to notice."
"Just after the party."
"Yeah, I'll go take a stroll and get some air. I'll be back." Layla said.
Vanessa came back and handed her a water bottle. She went outside and called Riley. Minutes later he was getting out of a cab
"Hey" she said.
"Hey, thanks for coming" she replied.
"No big deal, I was with my brother and his new friend. It was boring."
"That party was too."
"Look I am so sorry if I am awkward about the whole baby thing. It just reminds me of my mom."
"Oh."
"She died last year and that's why I moved up here to live with my dad."
"I'm sorry"
"It's okay, maybe she's looking down on me and she sees you and maybe she'll help guide you and keep an eye out on this probably going to be the cutest baby in the world."
"Thanks Riley that means a lot. Actually this baby already has a guardian in the sky. Chuck's mother died when he was born."
"Wow."
They walked around for a while when they came full circle around and back to the front of the building. She saw the Bass Limo out front as if someone had just taken it.
"Hopefully the party has calmed down. Thanks for the amazing talk."
"Anytime." He said giving her a hug.
She walked inside and hit up on the elevator and up to their place. She walked inside and saw them all eating cake.
"Well, our family is our family. That's just who we are. And I shouldn't care who knows about it, and I don't." Lily said.
"Hi" Layla said interrupting.
"You killed the story, didn't you?"
"I already put out the hit." Bart said.
Serena got up and grabbed Layla's hand and brought her over.
"Layla darling please join us" Lily said.
"I just came to tell you guys something important" Layla said as her and Serena sat.
Serena grabbed her hand tighter.
"Is everything okay, we saw that you sort of fainted earlier" Lily said a little worried.
"Nervousness "she replied.
"Well sweetie why are you so nervous?"
"You can do it" Serena said "You were there for me in my darkest hours, I'm here for you when you have to say the most shocking thing a girl our age can say"
"Does this have to do with Charles?" Bart asked.
Layla took a deep breath and sat down Serena right next to her.
"I'm uh wow I have been practicing this. I'm…"
"She's pregnant" Chuck said walking in to the room.
Layla stood up and stared at Chuck. Where did he come from?
"You're pregnant?" Lily asked causing Layla to look back at Lily.
"She's 6 months" Chuck said
"She is right here" Layla said getting a chuckle from Chuck. He came over and grabbed her hand and sat down next to her.
"I know, but if you hadn't notice it's gotten harder for you to tell people as you go" he said
"6 months?" Lily asked
"Is it yours?" Bart asked Chuck.
"I do believe Layla and I were in a relationship 6 months ago so yes father it is mine, and Layla and I have been handling it."
"Doctors' appointments, vitamins. You need adults in this Layla" Lily said "Do your parents know?"
"My brother does but my parents don't. And as for adults Rufus knows and has been such a huge supporter in all of our well mostly my decisions. He's been making sure that I get to my appointments."
Lily smiled at her.
"Well now you have me." she said.
"Lily we should really discuss this." Bart said.
"Father" Chuck said.
"Bart she's 17 and has been pretty much by herself for a while now." Lily said "The whole thing with her father."
"Look I should just go." Layla said getting up.
"Call me in the morning Layla" Lily said.
Chuck got up as well and walked her over to the elevator with her and got in it with her.
"You okay Chuck?" she asked turning to him and grabbing his hand.
"I should be asking you that" he said pushing a hair behind her ear.
"Things not go well with Blair?"
"How?" he asked
"I'm Layla Archibald." Layla smirked
"I've taught you well" Chuck said.
Layla gave him a gentle kiss on his cheek and got off the elevator.
Just like the seasons, people have the ability to change. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does, it's almost always right. Sometimes it takes what's broken Becoming whole again. Sometimes it takes Opening up to new people and letting them in. But most times, it takes just one person who is truly afraid to show what they feel getting an opportunity they never thought possible. And some things never change. Let a new game begin. X.o.x.o., gossip girl.