Unfinished

Chapter 25

Some stories open the door for something more. And then there are fairytale endings where the girl gets her prince. And endings that turn you introspective about your own life and your place in the world. And then there's the ending that you saw coming a mile away, and yet somehow still takes you by surprise.

Nate carefully opened the door. To Lauren's room. Closing the door behind him. As he walked over to the crib. To find the little girl smiling up at him. With her arms raised ready to be picked up. Smiling back at her. Nate picked her up carefully. Taking her in his arms. While he walked over to the chair. Sitting with her in his arms. As he looked in her eyes.

Touching his face as she looked up at him. "Daddy." Lauren said smiling.

"That's right." "I love you so much." "I cannot get over how much you have grown in this past year." "Before I know it you'll be starting school." "And making friends." "Becoming your own person." "I'm so excited to be able to experience all that together." "With your mommy and sister all of us together as a family." "This is more than I ever would have dreamed for my life." "And I try to not take a second of it for granted."

Nate said. Realizing Lauren had run off and play.

"Let's go get some breakfast." Nate said to her.

Taking her hand as they began to walk out of the room.

In the hallway and down the stairs. Then into the kitchen.

Where he was met with Quinn.

"Morning dad." "Hi Lauren." She said smiling. As she waved to her.

"Win!" Lauren said happily.

"Morning Sweetheart I was expecting to see you this morning."

Nate said. While he put Lauren in her high chair. Then sat next to Quinn.

"I know I thought I would sleep in and all of that."

"But I'm full of energy." "I was just rereading my script again."

Quinn said. Showing her father.

"The crowd is not going to know what hit them."

Nate said. Looking to her.

"So I was going to knock on you or mom's door this morning."

"But I figured you both needed sleep considering you went to bed after I did." Quinn said. Looking up at her dad.

"You were right on that." "So about uncle Chuck." Quinn began to say.

"Mommy!" Lauren said. Happily. Serena walking over and kissing her face.

Hugging Quinn. And smiling over at Nate. As she hugged him too.

"How is my beautiful today.?" Serena said. Looking over at everyone.

"Good." "You're a really happy mood mom." Quinn said. Smiling back at her.

"Well you would be surprised what a well-rested night sleep will do for you." She said. Looking over at Nate.

"I know exactly what you mean."

Nate said. Looking back at her.

"Who wants breakfast.?" Serena said. Happily.

As she started to get ingredients from the fridge and bowls and spoons.

From the cabinets.

Looking to both her parents. As she spoke.

"What's going on with you two.?" Quinn asked. Feeling confused.

"Nothing is going on." They said in unison.

"Okay so back to what I was saying."

"Uncle Chuck came by earlier and since the both of you were asleep."

"I told him to come back later. He said he had news to tell."

Quinn said. As she sat back down.

Looking to each other. Realizing they had been so wrapped up in each other and their own life they didn't know what was going on with Chuck.

"Thanks for telling us." Nate said. Turning to Quinn.

Serena got back to cooking. Eventually finishing the cooking. Then putting the food on plates. As everyone sat down.

Nate and Serena looked at each other.

"We have to be honest."

Nate said.

"Something is happening and already happened."

Serena said. Excitedly.

"What is it.?" Quinn asked barely able to contain her curiosity.

"We got engaged!"

Serena said excitedly. Showing Quinn her ring.

"You're getting married!" "I knew you two still loved each other."

"I am so excited." "What kind of wedding do you want.?"

"and when and what part can I play in it.?"

"Wow we are really going to live happily ever after."

Quinn said.

"Yes and you can have any part in the wedding you want."

Nate said to her.

"We want it small and with the people who love us and have always been there." Serena said to her.

"But it won't be until after your opening night."

"We wouldn't want to take away any attention from you."

"All the hard work you've done deserves to be recognized."

Nate said. Looking to her.

"You two go celebrate." "I'll watch Lauren."

Quinn said. As she picked her up.

And took her into her bedroom.

"We got extremely lucky with those two."

Serena said. Smiling.

"We did and I know you wouldn't feel right about celebrating until."

"We told Chuck so let's find out where he is." "And tell him."

Nate said. Taking her hand. While they walked out the door.

In Lauren's bedroom

"Mommy and daddy are getting married." Quinn said excitedly.

Looking to Lauren. Who was playing with her dollhouse.

"I know you don't know what that means yet."

"But trust me it's a very good thing."

Quinn said. As she played along with her sister.

The impending marriage of her parents made her wonder.

About her own future and what she wanted out of it.

If she was honest she had decided after the whole Zander situation. To take a break from dating and boys and just focus on herself. Which had worked out really well for her. But if witness her parents journey had taught her anything. It was that love was something beautiful and worth fighting for. You had to find the right person and most importantly you had to love yourself be together in your own life first. She realized that she wouldn't completely close the door on love for herself. Instead she would keep the door unlocked. When she was more put together and found the right person she was more than willing to open her heart to it. Until then it would be just herself and Lauren and that was more than enough. Quinn thought to herself.

After receiving a text back from Chuck. Serena told Nate where to turn in. And Chuck also made it clear he wasn't alone. The couple got out of the car. Joining hands as they walked inside the restaurant. Looking around. As Serena spotted Chuck in the back. She smiled at him. While her and Nate walked into the direction of the table.

"Sis." Chuck said Happily. Hugging her. And Saying Hello to Nate as well.

The three sitting down at the table. Serena looked around at the table. Noticing Chuck was right he wasn't alone. Blair was there next to him.

Serena took a breath. The sight of her old best friend. Had taken her off guard. Even though she knew of Chuck and Blair's involvement.

Turning her attention back to Chuck as he started to speak.

"What brings us back together.?" Chuck asked Looking to them both.

"Aside from it's been far too long." "We have an announcement."

Serena said. Turning to Nate.

"We got engaged." Nate said. Looking to Chuck.

Serena showing off her ring. "You are the second person to know."

"Aside from Quinn." Serena said excitedly.

Chuck took a moment to take this all in before he responded.

"I'm happy for the both of you." Chuck said to them.

"This has been a long time coming."

"Let me know location information and I'll be there."

Chuck said to them.

"It won't be for a few days we will definitely make sure to keep you in the loop." Nate said to him.

Serena needed to say something.

"Blair can I talk to you.?" Serena asked. Blair's eyes casting in her direction.

"Sure." Blair said. As she followed Serena's lead. To an empty table in the back. The two women sat across from each other. Unsure of what to say. They hadn't been a part of each other's lives for so long. So much had changed and happened. They were both such different people.

"Congrats on the engagement." "It's nice to know that with everything you went through the two of you made it on the other side."

Blair said. Looking to Serena.

"Thank you." "I'm glad to see your okay." "I heard somewhat of what happened with Dan." Serena said. Looking back at her.

"Yes that was a very frightening situation."

"Thankfully neither Chuck and I were hurt."

"And Dan is away getting help."

Blair said in response.

"The parts I played in everything that took place."

"Between the three of you I apologize for that."

"It was a dark and unstable period in my life."

"None of it I'm proud of or making excuses for."

"It cost me so much I'm thankful for what I have in my life these days."

"I'm sorry." Blair said. Looking Serena in the eyes.

"Out of everyone I never expected you to play a part in trying to destroy my life I trusted you and let you in more than I ever had with anyone."

"The feeling of betrayal is still there." "And I honestly can't say if it will never not be there." Serena said to her.

"I understand and wasn't expecting anything from you."

"I just wanted you to know exactly how I felt and the regret I will always carry in regards to losing our friendship." Blair said as she started to get up.

And walk back to the table. Where Nate and Chuck were engaged in their own conversation.

Serena waited a few minutes as she followed. Wiping her eyes. As she rejoined them.

…

Author's Note: Let me know what you thought of the chapter.? And Serena and Blair's encounter.? Quinn's feelings on her own life.? The next chapter will skip a few days. It will be Quinn's opening night.

Will bridges be mended or broken beyond repair? See you in the next chapter.