May placed the bottle to her lips only to find that it was empty. She got up from her lying position on the bedroom floor and narrowed her eyes at it. It really was empty. She resumed to her former position.
"It's empty," she whispered.
"There are no more," Robert turned his blond head to look at her. He was also lying opposite to her.
"Are you even aloud to be drinking?" she asked.
"Are you?" he raised an eyebrow.
She sighed. "This is so messed up…"
"Tell me about it," his eyes darted at the dark brown ceiling. "Those van der Woodsens are crazy people. We should stay away from them."
"It's probably like the plague," she snorted. "Dad tried to stay away."
"I can't believe you're defending him!"
"I'm not. It's just-Christ- brothers?!"
"Maybe we're not related to them," he shrugged.
"For you it's not complicated," she spat. "I…the bond is stronger."
"Well, it is complicated because I don't know which one of them I truly love."
"I thought you loved Jane."
"So did I! But then I find out that she's actually Rebecca."
"Then you love Rebecca."
"No, because I thought that Rebecca was just one stuck up prep."
"But thinking she was Jane gave you the opportunity to know who she truly is and fall in love with her," May passionately said.
"You're drunk," he said.
"Oh, shut up," she turned her back at him.
"I think you have already cried enough," Kurt looked down at his sister and petted her head.
She raised her head from his chest and stared at him with puffy red eyes. He weakly smiled. She started crying again. He ran his hand over the white sheet with ballerinas on it and looked at the flower shaped clock ticking on the wall.
"Why are you crying?" he robotically asked.
"Because," she sobbed. "Because my mother cheated on my father, my brother made out with his sister and my mother's in the hospital and I'm in love with Isaac and Rebecca slept with him!"
He sighed. "There are some reasons you got there…Just calm down, please."
"How can you be so calm?" she stared up at him.
"Because I know that May and I aren't related. We can't be. It's just too messed up to be that way."
She cried harder. He sighed and ran his fingers through her red hair. "You'll see," he threw the cover on them. "Everything's going to be fine," he turned off the light.
Blair quickly left the doctor's cabinet. After falling out with Dan Humphrey, she felt nauseous and threw up. The doctor convinced her to run some tests. Her phone rang. "Hello?"
"Hello, Blair," Chuck's voice purred on the other side. "How are you?"
"I'm fine now. I'm just leaving the hospital," she answered.
"Would you like me to come and pick you up? We can go and have dinner at the sushi bar."
She looked at her watch. "Thank you."
"I'll be there in ten. Don't run away," he warned.
"As if I could get too far without you catching up with me," she rolled her eyes.
"I scheduled a doctor's appointment for tomorrow," Dan came back in her room holding a coffee mug. "I said it was an emergency and threw in your name," he took a seat next to her bed. "He wants an autograph."
"I'm glad about that," she whispered.
"Do you need anything?" he had a concerned look on his face.
"Why are you here asking me this?" brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"Because you're a lonely ill person? Kurt and Jane needed rest. Blair wasn't feeling well, your brother is in Vietnam." He continued. "And your fiancé is caught up at work?"
"Thank you, Dan. And I'm sorry. Really, really, sorry."
"I guess I was selfish enough to think that you didn't want them together because of us. I'm sorry, too."
"Oh, don't be," she bit her lower lip. "Oh, my God, Dan," she took his hand in hers. "This is so wrong. I don't know what to think anymore."
"Calm down, for the sake of our children, let's hope that I'm not Kurt's father."
"Tell me, would you have… you know, if you didn't have May or Robert, would you have wanted Kurt to be your son?"
"I…" he pursed his lips together. "I guess so… I wouldn't have minded…"
"Our child…"
"I loved you, Serena. I did," he looked at her.
"Then why? Why did you marry Ariel?" she asked teary eyed.
"Because when I tried to break up with her she told me she was pregnant," he stared at her. "And the papers were blasting about you marriage and there were rumors of your pregnancy…" he squeezed his eyes.
"Were you in love with her?" she tiredly asked.
"Of course, I loved her," he immediately said.
"But were you in love with her?"
He gulped. "At the beginning, no. But… in time…she became everything for me," he stared out in space. "Were you in love with Stream?"
She shook her head. "No, I wasn't. I felt indebted to him for loving me, for loving the kids, for providing for us. He showed me a pretty and irresistible world. I cared for him dearly; but I was never in love with him."
Dan was surprised. "That's honest."
"It is, isn't it?" she grimly asked. "I'm not going to be a hypocrite. Stream couldn't stand dishonest people. That's why he killed himself."
"It was hard for you, wasn't it?"
"Yes, it was. It felt as if the ground ran from under my feet and I was falling into an endless black pit. I became an alcoholic when my children needed me the most."
He frowned.
"Thankfully, Stream's parents took care of us," she sighed. "God, sometimes I wonder if he knew I was being dishonest about my feelings."
"I see."
"Was it hard for you when Ariel passed away?" she asked.
He ran a hand over his face. "It was. For me and especially for May. I didn't know how to take care of her and always insisted to stay by my side."
"She turned out fine. She's a wonderful girl."
"Isn't she? Very strong, very rational. She helped me more than anyone."
"She looks exactly like Rufus, by the way."
He frowned. "I keep getting that. It shouldn't worry me, should it?"
Serena started laughing and he laughed with her.
"Have you spoken to dad?" Alexander asked Jenny as he flipped through the T.V channels.
"Actually, I did," Jenny turned from her book. "He arrived safely in Vietnam and is looking for a baby as we speak," she smiled.
"Pretty strange, huh?" he asked her.
"Well, it's only natural for your dad to want a real family, don't you agree?"
"We could have been a real family," he muttered.
"Erik was never in love with me and I…" she bit her lower lip. "I was never in love with him," she returned to her book.
"Keep telling yourself that," he whispered.
Nate rushed down the empty hospital hall looking for Serena's room. He stopped gasping in front of the cracked door. He bit his lower lip. The night lamp was on and his fiancé was sleeping while Dan Humphrey was holding her hand. He didn't dare to wake them up. He simply left.
"You don't look good at all, Blair," Chuck said as he sipped his scotch.
"I'm tired,' she answered propping her head against the leather couch.
"You barely touched your food."
"I know. I just wasn't in the mood for raw meat," she shrugged as the limousine pulled up in front of her penthouse.
"You go up and rest," he kissed her forehead.
"Okay, I will," she tiredly smiled. "Good night."
"Night."
The door opened and Nate's eyes met Vanessa's.
"Nate," she yawned. "What are you doing here this late? Something happened with Charlotte?" she asked.
"No, I just…" his eyes avoided hers. "Can I come in?"
"Sure," she let him pass and closed the door behind him.
He took off his shoes and jacket and then followed her to the kitchen. She was wearing white striped pajamas. He took a seat at the table.
"There are some jellybean cookies on the table," she pointed to a plate covered by a napkin. "Cold milk?" she took out a milk carton from the fridge.
"Please."
"So what happened?" she placed the glass in front of him.
"Actually, I was expecting you to tell me that," he said. "I just got out from a meeting three hours ago and they told me that Serena was in the hospital. I get there and she is," he paused. "Sleeping. I don't know where else to go."
She pursed her lips together. "Well, firstly, Rebecca and Belle left for Paris."
"What? When?"
"Yesterday. They left to recreate from what I heard from Charlotte. They're fine."
"And that gave Serena a nervous breakdown?"
"Not only that," she gulped. "Before Serena got married to Stream she had an affair with Dan."
"A-again?"
"Yes, and well, she's not sure of who Kurt's father is.:
"No…" he couldn't believe it.
"Yes," Vanessa tiredly said.
"Do you have something stronger?" he pointed to the glass of milk.
She took out a wine bottle. "Good enough?"
"Excellent," he held out his glass. "And Serena? How is she feeling?"
"Well she's fine I guess. Stabilized."
"Tell me, is she going to leave me?" he desperately looked at her.
Her eyebrows furrowed. "I think the question is whether you are going to leave her."
He had a confused look. "Why would I leave her?"
"I don't know," Vanessa tapped her lips. "Maybe because she's a liar?"
He continued to look confused.
"I mean, after this, I'm not even sure what kind of person she is anymore."
"Oh," he stared out in space. "Do you think she still loved Dan?"
"I don't know."
"Does Dan love her?" he looked straight in her eyes. She avoided his gaze. "Does he?"
"I think so, yeah…" she looked down at her strap slippers.
He sighed. "Does she love me?
"I don't know. I think she does."
He weakly smiled. "You're lying."
"Well, she accepted to marry you, didn't she?"
"She did, but there were a million and one reasons for her to do it."
"Were there no?"
"A father figure for her children, someone to look after her…"
"The she is just as shallow as I always thought she was. If she didn't think that marrying you would bring her happiness, then she's just as I imagined her."
"She needs me, Vanessa. She needs me."
She sadly smiled. "Good for you then."
"Remember when we went to Europe? That night in Berlin?" he jumped changing the subject.
She laughed. "Do I ever?"
It was well past midnight when they finished the wine bottle.
"It was then that I knew I will never get rid of you," she laughed. He looked at her eyes. "Not that I ever wanted…" she shyly continued. She bit her lower lip. His eyes made her feel dizzy. She leaned forward and just as she was getting ready to kiss him, Capitu came in the kitchen.
She was wearing marine blue harem pants and a lacey light blue camisole. Her hair was shaggy and hanging over her left shoulder. She didn't seem to be fazed at all. She made her way to the sink. Her bare feet made squishy sounds on the floor. She poured herself a glass of water and went back to her room. They both started laughing.
Charlotte was surprised to find a small Audi waiting for her in the street when she fires left the house. Propped by it was Sawyer. He was wearing black trousers, a white dress shirt and a smart pair of sunglasses. His legs were crossed while his hands were folded over his chest. If it weren't for his black leather jacket, she wouldn't have recognized him.
"Sawyer…?"
"What do you think?" he asked. "I just got it from work today."
"It's nice," she said. "But I still like the motorbike better."
"I'm thinking about Anne's safety right now," he grinned.
She smiled. "So you think it's a girl too?"
"Yeah. She has to be. So why don't we get going and have the doctor confirm it?" he opened the car door for her.
"Okay," she hopped in.
Dan patiently waited for Serena to get dressed so that they could all go for blood tests.
"Are you feeling well?" he asked when she came out of her room.
"As I'll ever be," she answered. And they left for the hallway where May was waiting for them. She was dressed in her school uniform.
"Hey, dad," she tiredly said.
"Hello, May, how are you feeling?" he asked.
"Fine," she shrugged.
"Good," he nodded. "And what did you and Robert eat for breakfast?"
"Earl Grey tea," she answered. "And Robert bought something from the bakery on his way to school."
"Don't you want to skip school today?" he asked.
"No, I'm fine."
"May left me just say how deeply sorry I am for getting you in this mess," Serena said.
May just stared at her for a few seconds before looking behind her shoulder. Kurt was on his way. He was wearing normal clothes.
"Sorry I was late," he looked at them. "Rebecca called this morning and I had a long discussion with her. She's fine."
"And your Sister Jane?" Serena asked.
"She was still sleeping when I left" he answered.
She bit her lower lip. "And Spot?"
"Alex came and picked him up this morning. He agreed to keep him for a week."
"Should we go?" Dan asked.
He went ahead with May.
"I'm sorry," Serena whispered.
Kurt sighed. "It's okay mom."
"Daniel Humphrey, May Humphrey and Kurt van der Woodsen?" The nurse called.
Dan went straight into the cabinet. May and Kurt stared at each other before following him.
"Mrs. Waldorf?" Dorota came in Blair's bedroom holding a tray with grapefruit on it. "I brought grapefruit for your condition."
"Thank you," she propped her back against a pillow.
"Are you feeling well? Do you want me to call doctor?"
"No, I'm fine," she smiled.
"But I heard you go to the bathroom all night."
"It passed now."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, very sure."
"I need to get to school now, May said when they left.
"Bye, dad!"
"Goodbye," he waved.
"I should probably go and check up on Jane," Kurt said.
"Wait, I'll come with you!" Serena jumped.
"Let's go then," Kurt looked at Dan. "Goodbye, Mr. Humphrey."
Dan watched them leave. He shook his head. No, he didn't want him to be his son.
Alexander hesitated for a moment before entering Of Dragons and Dragonflies. He checked his phone. There was still no call from Belle. Spot loudly barked next to him. He opened the door and let him pass. As expected, the library was empty. He heard a shrilly voice somewhere behind the shelves.
"And when the princess t-turned eight-teeen, she gained per-mi-ssion to go up to the…surface."
Alexander smiled. Capitu was up on a ladder dusting books. Sprawled at her feet was with a fairytale book in her hands was one of the little girls he once met. She looked up at him.
"Very good, Phoebe," Capitu encouragingly said. "What did The Little Mermaid do next?"
"It's Alex!" she cried.
"What?" Capitu looked down at her.
"And he's got a doggy!" She got up.
She looked over her shoulder. "Oh, Alexander!" she almost fell. "Hi!"
"Hey," he smiled. "Hello there, Phoebe," he looked down at her.
"You have a doggy! What's his name?"
"Spot and he's not my dog. A friend asked me to look after him."
"Does Spot like stories?" she asked.
"Maybe, he said. "Why don't you try it?"
"Okay."
"You know, pets are not allowed in this vicinity," Capitu said.
"Just this once. Plus he's cute," Alex beamed. "Don't you want to pet him?"
She dryly smiled. "I'm not like those girls that go 'Isn't he sweeet' "
"I can tell. Need any help?' he asked.
"No, thank you. Why are you here?"
"I was walking the dog and thought I'd say hi. How are you?'
"Fine."
"Aren't you going to ask me back?"
She rolled here eyes. "Okay. How are you?"
"Not so good," he answered. "Aren't you going to ask me why?"
"Why?'
"Well maybe you heard that my aunt is having a rough time…"
"I did. Jenny came over for coffee."
"At least Kurt's not upset with me anymore,' he shrugged. "My father's in Vietnam right now."
"I thought they weren't sending soldiers anymore," she had an alarmed look in her eyes.
"No, he's with his husband. They are adopting a child."
She pursed her lips together. "Tough, huh?"
"He said he needed a real family. It made me wonder what me mother and I meant to him."
"I'm sure he loves you two and sees you as family."
"Then is he out there now?!"
"Well think about your stepfather. He can't relate to you and Jenny."
"Why did my father marry him?"
'You need to understand that he is in love with Paolo. He loves you and her certainly loves your mother. He's just not in love with her. Accept that."
"I just… I can't…I makes me feel sick."
"At least you have both your parents. And at least they are on speaking terms. I…for my father it's like I don't even exist. He's not even trying to make an effort. I sometimes go to his place and he ignores me. He never listens to me. It's hell."
"Capitu…"
"But please," she was on the verge of crying. "Please don't tell anyone."
"No, I won't," he came closer to her.
"And I…" she sobbed. "I don't know if Sawyer is affected by it and I don't know if he knows I am. Of course, he doesn't and he shouldn't. No, because he has Charlotte and the baby to think of. I can't trouble him with my problems. And if I tell mom she'll get all depressed and-"
He tucked her in his arms and she gave in. "Shut up already."
She cried in his chest. He patted her hair. "Enough. Just cry."
"How selfish of me," she looked up at him. "You came here to speak about your problems and I shoved mine down your throat."
"It's okay," he cupped her cheeks in his hands. "I wanted you to."
She looked up at him licking off one tear from her lips. He leaned down and kissed her. Spot barked and they broke off the kiss. They looked at Phoebe who was covering her eyes.
May was surprised to see the small Audi waiting for her. She was even more surprised to see Sawyer emerging from it. She didn't as anything. She just threw herself in his arms.
"Are you okay?" he asked her.
"Yeah," she muttered. "No," she covered her face.
"I know. Charlotte told me he is in love with you."
"Wait, what?"
"I said that Charlotte told me-"
"That Kurt is in love with me?"
"Yes?"
"Oh, damn," she muttered. "This is far more complicated than I though."
"And it's going to get worse."
"I know," she sighed.
"No, really, Kurt's coming up to us," he said. "Do you want me to scare him off?"
"No, Sawyer. Don't. He's just as confused and caught up in this as I am." She went up to him. "Kurt."
"Hey, May, I was wondering if you would like to have dinner. A nutritious meal would be good after blood tests," he said.
"I appreciate it, but… I think that we shouldn't see each other for the time being."
"Oh, I see."
"Yeah," she walled away and left with Sawyer.
Serena shut her phone. It was the fifth time she tried calling Dan. He didn't answer. When she heard the door, she ran hoping it was him. It was actually Nate.
"We need to talk," he said and she let him in.
Another update. I'm at the seaside right now. I have the next chapter written. I'm just a bit puzzled about the ending. But In a month I think I'll wrap this whole thing up
