Title: Breakfast at the Basses
Chapter Title: Ephram Bartholomew Bass
Author: Shelby
Summary: Chuck turns towards his daughter looking her over. Her brown curls, that go past her shoulders, are almost exact to Blair's. She's wearing a headband that matches her school uniform and on her face she has applied lip gloss and mascara. He frowns, "You most certainly are a baby Charlotte Bass, now take off the make-up." A too familiar smirk forms on her face, "No."
A/N: Thank you so much for all the amazing reviews! I'm sorry I made so many of you cry on the last chapter, but it means a lot to hear that I got your emotions going. I really hope you enjoy this chapter as much as you have all the other ones.
–
Blair watched as her baby boys small chest rises and falls. He's breathing, but not on his own. The small oxygen mask is still gripped onto his tiny face. His small eyes are still closed, color unknown. How she wishes they would flutter open. Just once so she could see what color they were. Then they could close again and he could rest. She bit her bottom lip and stared at him.
"Come on baby, just open your eyes for mommy," she whispered. Her hand burned at the urge to reach out and touch his small face. Feel what little brown hair he has. Run her fingertips over his soft and pale baby skin. She's never seen anything that looked so small and helpless. Worst of all though she felt even more helpless because she can't help him at all. All she can do is sit here and wait. A mother should be able to do more, she should be able to do more.
"Mrs. Bass?" the nurse, who sat in the corner, called Blair's attention. Blair's eyes burned as they are forced from her baby. She slowly met the olds nurses tired eyes. Blair nodded for her to continue. The nurse stood up, "It's going to be morning soon and the doctors orders are that you should be drinking a lot of fluids. Now there's a nurse and doctor right outside so are you okay if I leave for a moment? I really need to go get you something to drink and something soft to eat." The nurse looked at Blair as if she was scared of her.
"That's fine," Blair dismissed her and looked away. She was so tired, but so awake. How was she supposed to sleep when something could happen to her baby? Blair scooted her chair as close as possible to his plastic box. She heard the oxygen machines awful sounds become louder and more clear as she got closer. Blair touched her hands to the glass. "So close, yet so far away," she said under her breath. Her eyes raked over his little form for the hundredth time. She always found new things each time she did this. Now she saw that his hair was a bit darker on the top of his head than the side. Far away it all ran together, but up close it was so much more detailed. She arched her head a bit to look at his face, or at least the part the oxygen mask didn't cover. He had eyelashes. Brown, beautiful, tiny, eyelashes. She put a hand to her lips and held in the sob that begged to escape. When she was confident her tears wouldn't betray her, she put it back to the glass. "Come on sweetie, look at your mommy," she pleaded. She felt a large, single tear fall down her cheek, but she didn't move to wipe it. She put her other hand to the glass, "Please just open your eyes for me... please," her voice broke.
"Blair," Chuck breathed as he came up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her shoulder. Her eyes didn't leave her baby. She moved a bit under his hold.
"It's okay Chuck. Go back to sleep... I'm fine... really," she lied and touched both of his arms with her hands. Chuck sighed and blinked his tired eyes. He kissed her cheek.
"Have you slept at all?" he asked, ignoring her request. Blair shook her head. Chuck sighed, "Blair you know what the doctor said." His tone was almost as if he was scolding her. Blair didn't get mad though. She didn't have the strength to be angry with him.
"How am I supposed to sleep Chuck?" she asked. Her voice sounded so broken and lost it broke his heart even more than it already was. Blair shook her head and quickly wiped a tear that escaped down her cheek. "My little boy is fighting for his life and they want me to sleep. I don't know what's going through his little mind. I don't know if he's scared or hurting. I don't know if he's going to be okay," she stared to full on cry. Chuck hugged her tighter and tried to soothe her.
"Shh... shh... it's okay Blair. You're right here by him. He can sense you even if he can't see you. He's not scared and he's going to be okay," Chuck assured her. Blair held on tighter to Chuck and closed her eyes for a moment. "He'll be okay," Chuck repeated.
"Are Charlie and Max okay?" Blair asked. Chuck turned to look at his two older children. Charlie was still asleep on one side of Blair's hospital bed. Max was on a pull out Chuck had them bring into the room. It didn't look comfortable at all, but his son seemed to be knocked out completely. His lips formed a small smile. He could finally give her some good news.
"They're fine, still asleep," he whispered as he turned back to Blair. Blair nodded slowly and rubbed her eyes. "Charlie's still in her dress from the dance," Chuck forced out a bit of a chuckle. Blair turned to look over her shoulder at Charlie. She then looked back at Chuck.
"I didn't even ask her how it went. It was a big night for her and then all this happened. I know there's a lot going on, but she's my little girl and I didn't even ask her what happened," Blair looked down in shame.
"Blair it's okay, she has too much on her mind to tell you right now. I did see Lex though yesterday. He found her after she ran off and was all upset. He's the one who brought her back here," Chuck said. He then smiled, just a little, "And as unhappy as I am about it. Our daughter has a boyfriend." Blair immediately turned to look at him.
"What?" she gasped. She looked at Charlie and then back at Chuck, "You mean he finally asked her?"
"Yeah," Chuck nodded, "And he got her a locket. She didn't have it when she left the house and now it's around her neck so I'm guessing he gave it to her," Chuck found that his lips kept moving. He needed to ease Blair's mind a bit. Give her hope that all kinds of happy endings could happen. That if both of their children were healthy and happy then the little guy would be too.
"Does it match the bracelet he got her?" Blair asked as she studied her sons sleeping form for the hundredth time. Chuck frowned a bit in confusion.
"What bracelet?" he asked. He drawled out each word. Why was this boy buying his daughter jewelery before they were boyfriend and girlfriend Sure he had done it with Blair, but what happened afterwards.... Well he probably shouldn't think of that if he wanted Lex to keep breathing.
"Chuck she never takes it off. Its the white gold one with the butterflies on it. He got it for her a couple years back," Blair shook her head, "She always has it on."
"Wait I thought you bought her that?" Chuck raised his eyebrows and turned to look at his daughter. He knew the bracelet, just not where it came from.
"Why would I buy her that Chuck? The butterflies obviously symbolize something that I would not give her. It was from him, you remember your butterflies don't you?" she asked and turned to meet his eyes.
"How could I? They flutter faster each day," he smiled and kissed her lips softly. Blair closed her eyes and pretended for a moment that they were somewhere else. She tried to feel the cool breeze of the balcony. The material of the dress she wore on her seventeenth birthday. She tried to envision Chuck's face when he admitted he liked her. Her eyes slowly opened and they fell back to her baby. She needed to be here.
"I love you," she whispered and touched a hand to his cheek. Chuck's eyes lit up a bit like they always did when she told him that. It didn't matter that they were married, had children together, or had said it to each other a lot now. It meant as much as it did when she first told him. He felt the same way each time.
"I love you too, always have, always will," he returned. His voice was so soft and comforting. Blair smiled as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"We're going to be okay? Aren't we Chuck? He's going to be okay?" she asked. Her voice was shaky as she nodded and tried to make herself believe it. Chuck wiped her tears with his hand. He pulled Blair close to him and stroked her back.
"Yes Blair he's going to be okay. We're all going to be okay," he whispered as he looked over at his son. Just open your eyes, he thought. His mind begged for miracle they needed more than ever.
–
Dorota sat in the waiting room of the hospital. She had been there all night. Serena had told her what happened, but as of today no one would tell her anything. They kept saying they could only release the information to family. Idiots, she was more than family. She had watched Blair grow up and Chuck. She had watched Charlie and Max grow up. And she wanted to know if she was going to be able to watch the baby boy grow up to.
"Dorota? Where's Blair? And is the baby okay? Is my daughter okay? Have they told you anything else?" Eleanor entered the waiting room in a frenzy. Her and Cyrus had been in France for a fashion show when they were called. Their flight, including Harold and Roman's, had been delayed and they must have just got here. In all the years Dorota knew Eleanor Waldorf she looked so together. Now as she looked up at her she saw her hair had not been done, her clothes were wrinkled, and only smudged left over make-up from the day before was present on her face. Harold, Cyrus, and Roman ran in after Eleanor.
"Dorota where's Blair and Chuck? Is the baby okay? Is Blair okay?" Harold asked. He spoke so quickly it was a miracle Dorota caught any of it. All four of them looked at Dorota and waited for an answer. Dorota slowly stood up and parted her lips.
"I only tell you what I know day before. They no tell me anything. They say I not family," Dorota explained with a frown. "It tell them I am family and they say only by blood count. Mr. Chuck no leave Miss Blair so I no know what has happened last night or this morning. Only that baby is in intensive care and Miss Blair trying to recover from blood transfusion."
"Well they sure as hell will tell me," Eleanor said with fury in her eyes. Harold grabbed her before she pounced at the women behind the desk.
"Eleanor we have to be nice or they won't help us," he explained. He then touched her arm and led her over to the desk. Dorota watched as Eleanor immediately began to argue and then Harold too. Cyrus and Roman went quickly to calm their spouses down. Dorota stayed put and began a small pace. She needed to get to Miss Blair. She looked down the hallway she was told not to go down without permission. She saw someone she knew and frowned. She ran past the nurses station, who was preoccupied and grabbed the boy from behind.
"Look I'm allowed to be here," Lex shot quickly. When Dorota spun him around he sighed with relief, "Oh Dorota it's just you. I thought they had caught me again. This is my third time trying to sneak back in this morning. I have clothes for Charlie," he held up a bag. Dorota looked at them briefly, but then back at Lex.
"You know where Miss Blair's room is?" she asked and grabbed on to his shirt. Lex, slightly frightened, nodded quickly. Dorota looked around to make sure no one was looking. She then turned back to Lex, "You take us there now. Miss Blair need me and no one stops Dorota." Dorota knew they would tell Eleanor and Harold what was going on, but not let them back there. Dorota wanted to know and she wanted to know from the source. Lex nodded obediently and then they both began the break in to the people they needed to find.
–
Charlie slowly opened her eyes and looked around the room. She was still at the hospital, on her mothers bed. She looked to her side to see her brother on some kind of pull out on the floor. Over in the corner were two nurses. She followed their eyes to her parents who sat in front of her baby brother. Her mother was curled up against her father, but both of their eyes was on the babies sleeping form. Charlie sat up in the bed. It made a ruffling sound and both her mother and father turned to look at her.
"Hey honey, you're awake," Blair forced a smile. She then motioned for Charlie to come to her. Charlie slowly got up, stepped over Max, and walked over to stand by where her mother and father sat. She touched her dads shoulder, but her eyes immediately fell to her baby brother. Nothing had changed.
"Has he opened his eyes at all?" she asked quietly. She was almost afraid to ask it. She didn't want to upset her parents anymore, but she also needed to know. Chuck looked up at Charlie and touched her hand. She looked down at him and he shook his head slowly. Charlie looked back to the small baby, "He's probably just tired." She wasn't sure if she was trying to convince them or herself. Actually it was probably both.
"Honey why don't you go back to the bed and eat the yogurt on the table. I don't need you getting sick," Blair squeezed Charlie's hand. Charlie who would usually object to eating breakfast simply nodded. She would do whatever her mother asked. Charlie then kissed Blair's cheek, hugged her father, and went back to the bed. When she heard her parents speaking in low tones she looked down at Max. She let her feet fall off the bed and nudged him with her foot. He turned a little bit.
"Oh Andrea," he moaned in his sleep. Charlie's eyes widened and she froze. She leaned down closer and then touched his cheek just slightly. Max smiled in his sleep, "You dirty little girl." Charlie put a hand to her mouth. She didn't think she would giggle again last night, but she did. When she calmed herself she got closer to him again.
"What is it Max?" she whispered and changed her voice a bit to sound more like her best friends. Max turned on his back in his sleep and smirked.
"Don't run Andrea or I'll to spank you," Max muttered in his sleep. Charlie immediately slapped his cheek. Max jumped up in his bed and looked around. "Andrea what the..." he trailed off when he came eye to eye with his sister. Charlie raised her eyebrows and smirked at him.
"She's not hear, but I'm sure when I tell her all the things you said in your sleep she'll wish she was," Charlie winked at him. Max reached forward and grabbed her.
"You little brat," he frowned and pulled her down on the bed to put her in a head lock. Charlie squirmed away from him and laughed a bit. Max kicked her, but she pulled on his hair.
"Wait," Charlie stopped. She then sat up and motioned to what was going on around them, "We're horrible people," she sighed. Max sat up and gave her a brotherly side hug.
"No we're not Charlie we just..." he trailed off as he tried to find comforting words. "We're always going to fight like siblings no matter what. I think it could be the end of the world and I would try to race you to the end," Max tried to send a sister a smile. Charlie sighed and fell back on the bed. Max did the same and copied her movements. Charlie rolled her eyes at him.
"Stop trying to make me feel better loser," she spat. Max smiled a little, but quickly hid it. He shoved his sister from the side a bit. She then sat up again, "We're supposed to eat yogurt," she pointed at it. She then reached up and got it. She stared down at it. She looked so sad and Max didn't like it. He took it from her and opened it. He then got two spoons and handed her one. She slowly took a bit of it and he did after her. He needed to get her mind off of it for a little while. He knew she still blamed herself a bit so he didn't want her to think about it.
"So you have a boyfriend?" Max asked as he took another bit of yogurt. Charlie pursed her lips. She looked up at him slowly.
"You already know that answer. Stop trying to get my mind on something else Max," she said and took another bite. Max looked over at his dad who was watching them carefully. Chuck nodded at him to continue. Max turned back to his sister and cleared his throat.
"You know even when he used to pick on you in grade school he told me it was because he liked you. He made me swear I couldn't tell you," Max said as if it was nothing and took another bite. Charlie slowly looked up at him.
"It was the other way around Max, I picked on him," she smirked a bit. She quickly stopped though and rolled her eyes, "Whatever I can't think about that right now." She took another bit of yogurt. Max let out a sigh and pursed his lips. He then gave a small shrug.
"So when do you guys think you'll go on your first date?" Max asked and looked up to meet her eyes. Charlie slowly looked up at him and then back down at her yogurt.
"Max..." She let out a large sigh, "I can't think about myself right now okay," her eyes looked back up at him slowly. Max set the empty yogurt cup to the side and scooted closer to her.
"Charlie stop blaming yourself it's stupid. I could blame myself and say hey if I would have let you come out first then maybe you wouldn't have needed the C-section. Okay dad could say hey maybe it's my fault because I got her pregnant again or mom could blame herself for another stupid reason. The point is that it's nobody's fault okay? Plenty of women get C-sections and then have another baby and everything is okay. This just happened and it's nobody's fault," Max looked at her with completely honest eyes. Charlie slowly looked at her brother and then suddenly fell against his chest. She hugged him and started to cry. Max hugged her back tightly. "It will all be okay," he whispered as his eyes fell over to his parents. Both Chuck and Blair were watching him with pride, but sad smiles. Max pulled Charlie away from him and wiped her tears, "Now don't cry because your boyfriend is bringing you a fresh set of clothes."
"He'll never make it past security," Charlie rolled her eyes.
"Honestly Bass you don't give me enough credit," Lex smirked as he came through the doorway. Everyone in the room looked up. Charlie instantly smiled and practically jumped on him. Lex was slightly taken back at the immediate greeting. Charlie wrapped her legs around him and he stumbled back a bit. He quickly found his footing with ease since she was so light though. He wrapped his arms around her, "Hey... hey it's okay," he rubbed her back.
"Ahem," Chuck cleared his throat as he saw his daughters dress start to ride up a bit and Lex's hand on her thigh. Lex quickly put Charlie down and Charlie turned towards her father and blushed.
"I just came to bring her new clothes," Lex held up the bag in his defense. Chuck muttered something under his breath and rubbed his eyes. Charlie then took them and went into the bathroom. "That's not the only thing I brought... Mrs. Bass..." Lex said. Blair looked up at him in confusion. She parted her lips to speak, but at that moment someone burst in the door.
"Miss Blair! What happened? Is baby okay yet? Are you okay yet?" Dorota rushed over to Blair and quickly hugged her. Blair patted her on the back. Chuck quickly moved out of the way.
"Dorota," Blair said in a tired voice. Chuck quickly reached out and touched Blair's arm when Dorota let go of her. Dorota's eyes fell to the baby in the box. "Chuck can you?" Blair asked. Chuck nodded and then looked at Dorota.
"Dorota Blair's okay. She's healing, but the baby. They're not sure. He can't breathe on his own right now so he's technically in intensive care," Chuck explained in hushed tones. The whole room fell silent. Max and Lex both turned away and pretended not to hear what they already knew. Dorota nodded sadly and then put a hand to her mouth. She looked down at the baby and then up at Blair.
"Miss Blair it will be okay. Baby strong he be fine," Dorota comforted and hugged Blair again. Blair held on to her tightly as if she would fall to the floor if she let go. Dorota then rubbed her eyes. "Your mother and father here, but they no let anyone in," she explained.
"Could you call them and tell them as soon as the hospital will allow it they can come in?" Blair asked her.
"Of course Miss Blair. I call right now," she whispered and walked over to the other side of the room. She put the phone to her ear and began to speak in hushed tones when Eleanor answered. Blair rubbed her tired eyes and sat back down to keep watch on her baby boy again.
"Blair you need to keep drinking fluids," Chuck told her as he handed her water with a straw. Blair took it and slowly took a sip. Chuck watched her with relief and kissed her on the cheek. "After that I want you to eat some yogurt," he said. Blair nodded and leaned her head against him as he sat down. "Blair it's okay to go to sleep," he whispered. Blair shook her head.
"Not until he wakes up," she responded. On the other side of the room Charlie came out in a tank top. She fell on the pull out bed next to Lex. She had on Victoria Secrets, "PINK" sweat pants and a tank top. Max was on the other bed and stared at his parents.
"Thanks for bringing me clothes," she whispered and lied her head in his lap. Lex looked down at her and lifted her up a bit to bring her closer to him.
"Don't worry about it," Lex sighed and ran his fingertips over her brown curls. "It will be okay Charlie," he leaned down and kissed her forehead when he knew Chuck wasn't looking. Charlie turned on her back and stared up at him. He leaned down and kissed her lips softly.
"I'm sorry on our first day as a couple I'm being a shity girlfriend," she stared up at him with doe brown eyes. Lex brushed a curl out of her face and shook his head.
"I'm sorry I can't think of the right thing to say right now and I'm being a shitty boyfriend," he countered. Charlie found the softest and smallest of smiles, but he saw it.
"I guess if you don't want to break up with me then we can be shitty together," she put her hand in his above her face. He laced his fingers with hers and then kissed it.
"Don't even say that. You're stuck with me Charlie," he whispered.
"Being stuck never sounded so good," she replied. He found a small smile of his own and then pulled a pillow over. He set it in his lap and raised her head. He set it on it and then let her turn to her side. She sighed and closed her eyes as she tried to clear her mind. She felt better that he was there though. Lex stared down at her and then looked back up to see Chuck staring at him. Lex stared back and waited for Chuck to tell him to move. Chuck nodded at him though and turned back to Blair.
–
Blair's eyes slowly opened and she let out a small yawn. She couldn't believe she had fallen asleep. She immediately sat up and looked around the room. The kids were gone. She turned back to look and saw the baby was still okay. His eyes weren't open, but he was okay. She looked beside her to see Chuck. She frowned.
"Where are the kids and why did you let me fall asleep?" she asked. Chuck leaned forward and pulled her to him. He tucked a curl behind her ear.
"The kids are fine. They're downstairs in the cafeteria and I let you fall asleep because you'll never heal up if you don't sleep Blair," he stroked her cheek. Blair looked down and then over at the baby.
"Has he..." she trailed off.
"No... not yet," Chuck answered quietly. He didn't need to hear her say it to know what she wondered. She reached her hand out and put her fingertips against the glass. "Blair don't worry you'll be able to hold him sooner than you think," Chuck wrapped his arms around her.
"I want to hold him now," Blair replied. "I want him to know how many people need him to open his eyes and get better. I want him to get better," she stressed each word. "Come on baby please open your eyes for mommy," Blair's eyes started to tear up. Chuck immediately leaned closer to her and kissed her cheek.
"Blair come on don't cry please," he begged. His heart seemed like it would never stop breaking at this point. Blair shook her head.
"No Chuck! I want him to open his eyes. I need him to open his eyes," she raised her voice a bit and then turned back to the baby. "Please listen to mommy. Just let mommy know you're going to be okay by opening your eyes. Let mommy and daddy see them please. We love you so much baby. And I promise I'll be the best mom in the world if you just open them. Please... Chuck tell him to open his eyes," she turned towards Chuck. Chuck stared at Blair with sad eyes. He then turned towards the baby and leaned close to his box.
"Hey there little guy... I'm your daddy and I love you very much. Mommy and I really need you to open your eyes okay? Please," he stopped his plea when he felt the tears threaten him. Blair stared at the baby and waited for it to happen. Chuck watched as well. They waited and waited and waited.... nothing happened. It had been almost two days since he had been born and they didn't open.
"He's not going to is he?" Blair asked. She sounded so lost as her eyes remained on the small baby. Chuck swallowed dry air and stared at him as well. He parted his lips to say something.
"Ough... aah," a small noise came from the box. Blair and Chuck immediately froze. The baby's small head turned a bit and he moved his lips more. Blair grabbed on to Chuck tightly. His little head turned to face them. Blair and Chuck both stared at him with intensity. They watched as the baby's mouth opened wide for a yawn, under his oxygen mask.
"Ouww," he moaned. Then they watched as his small eyelids squeezed a bit. Blair felt the breath hitch in her throat. His eyes fluttered open.
"Oh my god," Blair gasped as she put a hand to her mouth. Chuck completely stilled and he felt his heart sink and rise again quickly. His son stared up at him with wide, curious, blue eyes. Blair put her hand to the glass and looked at Chuck, "Chuck he has blue eyes." She then turned back towards the baby. She started to cry in relief. Chuck remained silent. He had seen those eyes before. He had seen those eyes all while he grew up. Those eyes had belonged to the one man he had always tried to please up until the day he died. Chuck stared at his son and looked into the eyes of his father.
"Oh baby you're so beautiful. Mommy loves you and your big blue eyes so much baby. Oh," Blair sobbed with a smile as she clenched onto the glass. She turned towards Chuck, "Chuck can you believe it? His eyes are blue," she looked at Chuck with excitement as tears streamed down her face. She stopped when Chuck didn't move. He just stared down his son with an unreadable expression. The small baby stared up at him. His oxygen mask was still on and his small chest rose and fell. He just looked up at him with big, icy blue eyes. Chuck felt Blair stiffen beside him. He saw her look from him and the baby with a frown. He knew she now put two and two together and it worried her. "Chuck he's just a baby you can't..."
"Bartholomew... Bartholomew should be his middle name," Chuck nodded and looked towards Blair. Blair's face quickly washed with relief. He then looked down, "I asked for help from my dad and mom..." his voice was very quiet, "And I think that... that this was his way of coming to peace with me Blair," he looked up at her and Blair sees that he has tears in his eyes.
"Ephram Bartholomew Bass," Blair breathes. Chuck slowly turned to look at her with a small smile.
"You finally decided on a name?" he questioned with raised eyebrows.
"Ephram Bartholomew Bass," Blair nodded. Chuck smiled and tucked a curl behind her ear.
"It's different," he acknowledged
"He's different," Blair responded. She looked at him nervously. Chuck sighed to tease her a bit and then he kissed her lips.
"I love it," he whispered, "And I love you." Blair smiled and looked back at the baby who continued to stare up at them with large blue eyes. He still looked weak, but he also looked curious. Chuck turned to face Blair. He felt a sense of relief over her. Only know he hoped she would rest more. She looked so pale and weak herself he wondered how he had not seen it before. "Blair why don't you sleep a little more," he suggested.
"I'm too afraid he'll close his eyes and I'll forget them," she answered, her eyes never left Ephram.
"He won't and you won't," Chuck whispered Blair looked at him for a while and then reluctantly she got up and went over to the bed. She faced Ephram of course. Chuck walked over and kissed her head. "Go to sleep Blair," he whispered and got in next to her. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and pulled her tightly against him. He then looked back over at his son who blinked his blue eyes. Ephram's gaze shifted to his mother and he stared at her. Chuck wondered what they were both thinking.
–
Max was still downstairs with Andrea talking in the cafeteria when Charlie and Lex came back up to the room. They walked in and looked around. Dorota was asleep in a chair in the corner and her mother and father were asleep on the bed. Lex then looked over to the baby and froze.
"Charlie look," he whispered and pointed towards him. Charlie turned towards him and gasped. She immediately pulled Lex by the hand over to the baby. He stared up at them both with large blue eyes. On his plastic box they now read his full name.
"Ephram Bartholomew Bass," Charlie read and then looked back up at the baby, "His eyes are... blue," she sat down in the chair and put her hand to the glass. "He opened his eyes and their blue," a huge smile broke out on her lips. Lex felt his heart rise a little at her smile and he sat down next to her. "Lex they're blue," she said again.
"They're beautiful," Lex commented and smiled down at Ephram. Charlie nodded and put a hand to her mouth as happy tears began to trail down her cheeks. Lex pulled her to him from the side and kissed her cheek. "Told you he was strong. He'll be breathing on his own in no time Charlie," Lex whispered.
"He's so beautiful and little," Charlie cried. She then leaned close to the glass, "Hey there Ephram I'm your sister," her voice broke a little, "I'm your big sister." Lex rubbed her back and leaned his head against hers. Charlie then looked to Lex, "And this is your brothers best friend and he's going to teach you bad things he probably shouldn't." Lex laughed a bit.
"Hey there Ephram," he smiled. He then nodded, "She's right your brother and I will help you get in and out of lots of trouble," Lex chuckled. Ephram blinked his large blue eyes at Lex. Lex turned back and looked at Charlie, "You okay now?" he asked.
"I'm getting there," she whispered as her eyes met his. Lex smiled and then leaned in close to her. Her lips brushed against his and then right when they were about to connect fully...
"The baby is watching you," Chuck said with his eyes closed. "And so am I," Chuck added. Charlie and Lex both turned to see Chuck with his eyes still closed.
"How did he?" Lex frowned.
"I'll always be watching Alexander," Chuck yawned and then nestled against Blair. Charlie giggled a bit and then leaned her head against Lex's chest. Things were finally starting to feel a bit better.
–
Chuck had sent Dorota and the kids home for the night. They had to practically drag Charlie out the door, but Blair had asked him to make her go home and get a good nights sleep. The hospital room was getting crowded and he wasn't sure how longed they'd be here. Blair had been knocked out for most of the night and had only woken up in the morning. The doctor had given her a pill to help her sleep and also heal up more. Chuck had to make her take it. Ephram had slept through most of the night, Chuck would know, but he was up as soon as the morning sun came. His blue eyes were once again wide open and awake. Blair sat over by him as she ate her yogurt. Chuck had went out and talked to Harold, Eleanor, Cyrus, and Roman and sent them to go stay with Charlie and Max. Even though Dorota was there he thought they should see the kids. Blair had refused to leave the room to see her mother, but had talked to her on the phone. She barely looked away from Ephram, except when she slept. Then suddenly Chuck heard it. A cry, Ephram started to cry. Chuck turned around immediately. Blair stood up over him.
"Chuck! Chuck some thing's wrong!" she shouted and turned to face him. Chuck went over quickly and looked down at Ephram. The two nurses in the room came over immediately.
"What's wrong with him?" Chuck asked with demand in his voice. The nurses looked up at him.
"Mr. Bass he's just hungry we're going to have feed him," she said, but her eyes fell to Blair. Blair frowned in confusion.
"But he's on oxygen support you can't. How can I feed him when we can't take him of because he can't breathe on his own?" she asked. Chuck felt his heart sink. He knew what they meant and he knew it would break Blair's heart. Ephram continued to cry.
"Mrs. Bass we'll have to give him his first feeding through a tube," the other nurse answered. Chuck watched as Blair's face slowly hit realization. Blair shook her head.
"But I'm his mom I'm supposed to feed him first... he's supposed to be fed by me," she looked at them as if they weren't making any sense. She turned towards Chuck, "Chuck tell them that I'm supposed to feed him." Chuck looked away from her as Ephram continued to cry. "Chuck?" Blair asked as her voice broke.
"Go ahead and feed him," Chuck said quietly. The nurses nodded and started to prepare it. Chuck felt Blair's eyes on him and then for the first time she left the baby. "Blair," Chuck went to touch her arm, but she turned her back on him. She went into the private bathroom and slammed the door.
"Mr. Bass I'm sorry we realize it means a lot for mothers to be the baby's first feeding, but..." the nurse tried to offer some sympathy. Chuck shook his head at the woman.
"Just do your job," he said quickly and walked over to the bathroom. He knocked on the door, "Blair the doctor said you shouldn't be up walking around that much." He jiggled at the knob, but she had locked it. "Blair," he raised his voice and pushed on the door a bit. "Open the door now or I'll have it opened."
"Go away Chuck I don't want to be out there right now," a muffled sob came through the door. Chuck turned and looked at one of the nurses. He pointed at the door and she nodded.
"Blair I'm giving you one more chance and when I come in you better not be doing something stupid," he called back through the door. The nurse brought the key and unlocked it. She then walked away, Chuck turned the knob. "I'm coming in Blair," he said and opened the door. He looked around the bathroom and saw her. She sat in the corner with her knees brought to her as tears streamed down her face. "Blair," Chuck breathed and immediately went over to her.
"No Chuck I just want to be alone," Blair cried and pulled away from him. Chuck sat down next to her and ignored her refusal. He brought his hands out and wrapped them around her. She struggled, but he pulled her to her. "I can't even feed my baby, what good am I?" she looked up at him with water filled brown eyes. Chuck pulled her against him and she gave in. She sobbed into his chest and he rubbed her back.
"You're his mother Blair. You will be for the whole time he is growing up. He'll always need you," Chuck whispered as she hugged onto him.
"This wasn't supposed to happen to us Chuck. He was supposed to be born fine. This wasn't supposed to happen," she continued to sob against his chest. Chuck didn't know what to say. So instead he just hugged her tightly to him. All he could do was hope for the best.
–
Max, Charlie, and Lex all ate at their breakfast table. Chuck and Blair were still at the hospital and so was Ephram. It had been a week and he still could not come home. Max and Lex tried to think of other things. They did stuff they usually did, except less partying. A whole lot more pot went down though. Andrea came over and sat with him a lot. She even stayed the night, when Nate thought she was with Charlie. They didn't do anything, but talk and sleep. Charlie on the other hand kept completely to herself. She wouldn't really talk to Max, Dorota, Sarah, or even Andrea unless she had to. Lex was the only one she'd let in her room and even then they sat in silence a lot. When Charlie was done with her half piece of toast she got up and left the table. Lex watched as she walked up the stairs. She looked like she had lost about five pounds. He knew she hadn't been eating and he had bit his tongue lately, but now he couldn't take it anymore. He got up from the table and followed her up there. When he came in her room she lied on her bed with her eyes closed.
"Charlie," he sat down next to her on the bed. Her eyes fluttered open and she turned to look at him. He tucked a curl behind her ear and stroked her cheek. "Your parents and the baby should come home any day now," he said, hoping it would lift her spirits a bit. Charlie's eyes fell from his and she shook her head.
"Lex if I asked you to help me with something, would you?" she asked and looked up at him with doe brown eyes. Lex frowned in confusion, but he nodded.
"You know I would," he smiled.
"No matter what it is?" she questioned. Lex nodded and she bit her bottom lip. "Would you help me escape?" it finally left her lips.
"What do you mean?" he frowned. Charlie sat up and took her hand in his. She leaned closer to him.
"You know like could I smoke with you? Like Max and you do. I've done it once, but I didn't get high, but this time I would and..." she just blurted it out.
"Charlie you hate pot," Lex answered.
"Are you going to help me or not?" she asked with a clipped tone.
"It's not the answer, you'll feel better for a while, but afterwards it will all be back," he touched a hand to her cheek. She forced his hand away.
"So does that mean you won't help me?" she narrowed her eyes and stood up. Lex stood up quickly. She shook her head, "I knew you wouldn't... it doesn't matter I'll see you later then I guess," she turned to get her purse. Lex grabbed her from behind.
"Charlie what are you..." he trailed off when her phone started ringing. She looked at her phone on the dresser and froze. Lex slowly walked over to it and picked it up. "Why is Jason Baizen calling you?" he asked with a frown. Cameron he could understand, but Jason was just a prick.
"He told me he would smoke with me if you wouldn't. I'm not going to do anything with him, but I told you I want to escape and you won't help me," she spat and went to reach for her phone. Lex snatched it away and answered it.
"Hello? Charlie look I'm downstairs now we can go back to my bedroom and I'll make sure you're okay. I even have some other things you could try to if you want to, but you'll be really out of it," Jason's voice came from the other end. Lex gripped the phone tighter.
"Stay the hell away from my girlfriend Jason. She's not doing anything with you anywhere and if you come near her and try to give her anything I swear to god..." the line went dead. Lex shut the phone and turned to look at Charlie. He glared and set the phone down on the bed. "How could you be so stupid? He'd take advantage of you, probably get you to try acid or something to," Lex walked towards her.
"So I just want to clear my mind Lex. I want to be happy, all I do is cry lately and I'm sick of it," Charlie shot right back at him. Lex stared at her for a long time. She shook her head and wiped her tears, "If you don't help me I will find someone else to," she threatened.
"Fine Charlie, come with me to my suite," Lex sighed, but then shook his head, "This won't become a normal thing though and you have to promise me a few things first."
"Okay," Charlie answered.
"After this you eat like you're supposed to, you sleep like you should, and you go back to school. I'll be right with you and so will all your friends. And never, ever... do anything with Jason Baizen. He's not like Cameron all girls are to him are a piece of ass and he'd take advantage of you. Alright?" he raised his eyebrows. Charlie nodded slowly. Lex then rubbed his eyes. He took her hand, "Let's go."
"Thank you," she whispered. He only nodded and took her with him. It wasn't a big deal for him, but it was something she didn't do normally. Something she said disgusted her and he liked it that way. She was above it and now she begged him to help her smoke it. And he would because... because... well he didn't no, but he was at her mercy. It was a feeling he still couldn't peg because he had never felt it before... except for her.
–
A/N: Okay was this chapter awful? I really need a confidence boost guys. I'm on vacation so I couldn't reply to a lot of your reviews on the last chapter, but I'll try to reply to these. Even if you still like this story. I feel like I totally let you guys down or something.
