AN: I apologize for posting this a few days later than I normally would have - unlike many of my chapters, this one needed a bit of work to it still and there were a few scenes I was having trouble putting together. Hope the majority of you like it (and to the haters - I'm over it as should you be. Why are you still reading this if you hate it oh so much? You only make yourself look ridiculous and laughable, especially when you make claims that Blair's not in school and "slut shame" her - obviously you haven't been reading the story you're reviewing as her attending classes was mentioned several times in the past few chapters and omg! She had celebratory sex with her fiance after them going nearly a week without. If you're going keep it up, at least create an account and own up to your remark and enable your PMs so we can chat about it one-on-one without me having to publicly address your concerns).

Thanks so much to Maeve (LimosAndPeonies107) for her help with some of the scenes in this chapter and also a big thanks to her, bassempire, scarlett2u, and SnowedUnderNJ for the pep talk you guys gave me the other day - it's much appreciated!


"Single malt for breakfast?" Nate remarked from the kitchen table where he was sitting with Raina as he overheard Chuck pouring a glass of something near the bar.

"It's been a rough couple days," Chuck simply stated as he took a sip of his drink.

"I'm going to go make that call," Raina said as Chuck noticed her quickly stash some items in a box, placing it on the kitchen counter before heading towards Nate's room.

"Is there a problem?" he questioned Nate as he approached his best friend.

"With Raina? No..." Nate responded as he stood up to go follow his girlfriend. "But if you wanna talk about whatever's going on with you and what happened after the party the other night just let me know."

"Will do," Chuck muttered to himself as he watched Nate leave.

Just then, something on the floor caught his eye. Carefully reaching down to retrieve it, he noticed it was a photo from the box Raina was going through. The box which was now sitting on the counter nearby. Looking around, to ensure both Nate and Raina weren't around, he walked over to the counter and sat the photo inside the box, only for something else to catch his eye – Raina's birth certificate. He duly noted that Raina's mother's full name was listed on it.

Shit... he thought to himself as he quickly tucked the document away, realizing that Raina had decided to try and find her mother and knowing that she was going to come up either at a dead end or heartbroken and hurt if she found out the truth.

Pulling out his phone, Chuck quickly made a call he should have made days ago.

"Mike, it's Chuck Bass – I need you to find out everything you can about the fire at the Kinberg building – I need to know for sure if an Avery Thorpe was there that night," he told his PI before quickly hanging up and taking a seat on the couch. He could only hope Mike would find out the truth for him before Raina found out first.


"How's Lily holding up?" Chuck inquired to Serena over the phone later that morning as he watched the breaking news unfold on TV just outside his stepmother's penthouse apartment complex with a swarm of paparazzi flocking Serena as she tried to enter the building.

"I'm here now, aren't you guys coming over for brunch?" Serena asked him as he saw her hurry inside.

"I figured it would be complicated enough without me there – looks like you had a hard enough time just getting in the door," Chuck stated as he continued to watch.

"You're watching?" Serena wondered, a bit weirded out that he could see her.

"Of course – what else is on Sunday mornings aside from the news?" Chuck pointed out to her. "Not to mention when I spoke to Erik the other day he said it's a bit crazy over there having your entire extended family under one roof, not to mention your actual father... seems young Van der Woodsen has been hiding out in Brooklyn,"

"Yeah... crazy is putting it lightly..." Serena retorted as she turned around to see the crowd outside the building.

"I offered to put him up here..." Chuck informed her.

"Chuck, don't take it personally – you know if he had to choose, Erik would pick you over Dan any day, it's just he went there for one night to get away and it turned into an extended stay... he probably doesn't want to hurt Dan's feelings by walking out when he's already been staying there," Serena tried to assure him. "Besides, he's supposed to be here as should you, Blair and Charlie - they're sentencing her sometime this week, this is sort of her Last Supper – even Nate's here."

"Alright, if you're sure it won't be too much of a hassle, adding the three of us into the mix..."

"Chuck, I know mom would want you here – get here as soon as you can, I'll make sure there's enough place settings," Serena said as she hung up the phone.

Turning the TV off and walking back into the bedroom, Chuck carefully laid down on the bed next to a still sleeping Blair, gently laying kisses on her exposed bare shoulder and working his way up along her neck to her ear as he felt her stir in his arms.

"Blair... wake up," he cooed in her ear, running his warm breath down along her neck til he reached the curve where her neck and shoulder met, planting a kiss there.

"Hmm... but why? I'm comfortable..." she murmured, refusing to open her eyes just yet.

"Serena called, they're having a Last Supper type brunch for Lily today as her sentencing is this week. She insists we come," he explained to her.

"I'll make you come," she muttered as she continued to fight waking up, causing Chuck to quietly chuckle to himself.

"As much as I'd love to take you up on that offer," he grinned, "we don't have the time right now. So get up, and get dressed," he told her as he pulled himself away from her, pulling the covers off the bed with him.

"Chuck!" she yelled as the cool air hit her at once, causing her to scramble for the covers, only to groan in annoyance when she saw he had fully pulled them off the bed and they were now on the floor.

"Come on, Waldorf – get up," he smirked at her.

"I'll show you up," she grumbled as she proceeded to climb out of bed, causing him to chuckle once more as he turned towards the bathroom. "Did you call the kitchen and order the muffins? No matter how hard he tries, there's no way I'll ever be able to stomach one of Rufus' waffles," she reminded him as she stood in the doorway, watching him get the shower ready.

"No, but I'll make the call right now and join you in a moment," he informed her as he turned to retrieve his phone from the nightstand, giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead as he passed her and then grinning as he startled her with a playful smack on the ass when she wasn't expecting it.


Within the hour, Chuck and Blair had stepped off the elevator and into the hustle and bustle of Lily's penthouse, standing awkwardly off to the side as they noted William Van der Woodsen and Rufus waring over the waffle-maker while CeCe tried to stop Carol and Lily from bickering.

"Thank God you're here!" Nate exclaimed as him and Serena approached them.

"You were right – crazy doesn't even begin to describe it," Chuck remarked as he wondered just what exactly they had walked into.

"And I had thought getting inside the lobby, past the paparazzi was insane," Blair added as she took of her coat.

"Where's Charlie?" Serena questioned, curiously looking behind them.

"I left her a message but haven't heard back from her yet and she didn't answer when we stopped by her suite on the way out," Chuck informed her. "Where's Erik?

"Right here," Erik announced as they turned around to see him, Dan and Charlie all stepping off the elevator together.

"Charlie?" Chuck stated in surprise to see her entering with Dan.

"Sorry, Chuck – I just got your message," she told him as she walked by the group, pausing as she whispered to Blair, "Bad reception in Brooklyn," she winked at her as she proceeded to walk further in.

"Oh my god..." Blair quietly gasped as she realized what Charlie was implying. "Charlie Bass, you get right back here!" she yelled after her as she quickly walked to catch up to her.

"My sister was in Brooklyn with you?" Chuck asked Dan with a raised eyebrow.

"It's... it's not what you think," Dan stuttered nervously as he noticed Nate and Serena were curiously eying him also.

"It better not be," Chuck warned as he turned away to make the rounds.

"You know he'll kill you if you slept with his sister, right?" Nate reminded Dan.

"And if he doesn't kill you, I will!" Serena remarked, clearly upset at the implication that Dan had slept with Charlie.

"If she's the female version of him, wouldn't that be kinda like banging Chuck?" Nate curiously wondered, receiving horrified looks from the three of them.

"As horrifying as the image of me banging Chuck is, I'm serious – nothing happened! Charlie and I just fell asleep listening to dad's old records," Dan tried to assure them.

"I can vouch for that," Erik chimed in.

"And besides, so what if we did? It's not like it's anyone's business but ours," Dan quickly pointed out.

"We? Ours? Do you even hear yourself, man?" Nate asked him. "I wasn't joking – I'm pretty sure Chuck knows people..."

"Yeah, well, thanks to that oh so lovely image you've scarred into my brain, Nate, I somehow doubt that's ever going to happen now..." Dan quipped as he decided to go see how his dad's waffles were coming along.


"Tell me you did not sleep with him," Blair demanded to know as she caught up to Charlie.

"So what if I did?" Charlie pressed her.

"What did I tell you last week?! He's from Brooklyn, you're a Bass!" Blair snapped at her.

"So?" Charlie smirked.

"So it's disgusting," Chuck retorted as he stood behind his sister.

"Oh, relax – both of you," Charlie sighed in annoyance. "Nothing happened, we simply fell asleep listening to records and I'm not really all that into him. We've just been hanging out... it's a casual affair – haven't you ever had one of those, Chuck?" she grinned at him, causing him to roll his eyes.

"Why Charles, dear! It's a pleasure to see you again!" CeCe declared as she greeted him with a hug.

"Grandma," he smirked at her, knowing how much she detested the way he said it.

"You get more handsome every time I see you," she told him with a smile. "And Blair... nice to see you too," she greeted her as well. "And just who is this beautiful, young lady?" she inquired about Charlie.

"This is Charlotte Bass, mother," Lily informed her as she approached the group. "Charles' twin sister."

"My, my... I had no idea Bart also had a daughter!" CeCe exclaimed as she took in Charlie.

"Neither did we," Chuck muttered at the obvious.

"Carol, dear... you have a Charlotte also, yes? That you keep hidden away from the rest of the family..." CeCe stated with a hint of annoyance.

"Yes, mom... however she goes by Lola," Carol snarled.

"Well I go by Charlie," Charlie informed them. "Nice to meet you both," she said as she extended a hand towards both CeCe and Carol.

"Nice to meet you too, dear," CeCe warmly replied.

"Charles, I don't think you've ever met my sister Carol, have you?" Lily asked him.

"Can't say I've had the pleasure," he coolly spoke as he noticed Lily's dark haired counterpart, dressed in dark clothing and clearly looking annoyed to be there.

"Hi," Carol merely said as she stood around, bored, until a thought occurred to her. "Wow, Lily – in the same room you have husband number one, husband number five and the children of husband number four!"

"Carol, really – I don't see why you feel the need to degrade my stepson and his sister. Charles is just as much a part of this family if not more so than you," Lily was quick to inform her.

"Waffles are ready!" everyone heard Rufus announce, interrupting yet another sisterly squabble before it could get underway.

"Guess that means brunch is served," Lily stated at once.

"Oh! That reminds me – Chuck and I brought muffins," Blair declared as she handed Lily the basket the kitchen staff at The Empire had prepared.

"Why thank you, Blair," Lily replied as she went to place them on the counter with the rest of the food.

"Slip a little of that into my coffee, please, Charles, if you don't mind," CeCe quietly requested as she caught Chuck slipping some vodka into his orange juice.

"Why of course, Grandma," he smirked at her as he did what she requested. "I always knew I liked you – are you sure we're not blood related?"

"That I'm sure of, however bonding over sneaking booze... that's something I don't have with my biological grandchildren," she winked at him as she went to go sit down.


"So, Charles... when is this wedding supposed to be taking place?" CeCe curiously inquired as they all sat and dined.

"In June," he spoke between bites.

"Oh my gosh, Charles, Blair... I am so sorry – the timing for all this couldn't have been worse," Lily sadly stated. "I'm afraid I might have to miss it."

"Well actually, Lily... the lawyer said he might be able to get you a light sentence with early parole – you could be out and about within three months," William spoke up.

"You know, Lily – he's right. Paris Hilton barely did a week and didn't Lindsay Lohan do less?" Nate pointed out.

"Yes, well, those were drunk driving charges not perjury," Lily reminded them all. "I know Serena's going to be the maid of honor, but Charles – I haven't heard who you've asked!"

"Well..." Chuck began, pausing to take a sip of his vodka spiked orange juice. "Nathaniel obviously would be my best man..."

"Really?" Nate perked up, honored.

"Of course! Who else would I ask? Humphrey?" Chuck scoffed.

"Hey, I know we're not really friends-" Dan began.

"We were never friends," Chuck corrected him.

"Exactly, but still..." Dan continued.

"Who else, Charles?" Lily interrupted, urging Chuck to go on.

"I also asked Erik," he casually announced as Erik smiled. "Who would be walking down the aisle with Charlie..."

"Oooh I'm in it too?!" Charlie squealed in excitement as Chuck and Blair both nodded in confirmation.

"Just curious, but why didn't you ask us sooner?" Nate couldn't help but wonder.

"Well I was going to just text you since it kept slipping my mind whenever we were both home, but Blair nearly stumbled in her Manolo's at the thought of something so informal," he confessed.

"You can't just ask something like that through a text message!" Blair declared.

"Mother, did you know Charlotte attends Yale and is currently interning for W magazine this semester?" Lily spoke, changing the topic before Blair and Chuck could get into an argument of their own.

"My, aren't we the ambitious one," CeCe remarked, clearly impressed.

"Thank you," Charlie smiled as she bit into a waffle. "Rufus, these are delicious!" she declared, much to Chuck and Blair's horror.

"Thanks!" Rufus beamed, delighted. "Blair, are you sure you don't want one?"

"I'm good," she quickly assured him.

"Grandma, I've been taking classes at Columbia with Blair and Nate," Serena chimed in, trying to draw some attention to herself as her mother kept going on about Chuck and Charlie.

"That's nice, Serena, dear," CeCe replied nonchalantly before turning back to Charlie. "Now, dear... have you had your official coming out yet?" she asked her.

"Um... I'm not gay?" Charlie responded, not quite sure what CeCe was talking about as Erik snickered.

"No, no, dear – not that kind of coming out. Your coming out to society," CeCe clarified.

"Oh, um... no, no I haven't done anything like that – have you all?" Charlie questioned as she looked around the table to Chuck, Blair, Nate, Serena and even Dan.

"Most girls like Blair and I do it as part of the Cotillion Debutante Ball during junior year of high school," Serena explained.

"And the guys?" Charlie asked, turning to her brother.

"They escort the girls into society, so I guess in a way they do too..." Serena answered.

"I escorted Blair," Chuck told her.

"Of course you did," Charlie smiled at him.

"And then I decked him," Nate spoke up, grinning at the memory.

"Yes... as much as I tried to forget that part of the night," Chuck muttered at the thought.

"Hey, you kind of deserved it at the time," Nate laughed.

"I suppose maybe a little..." Chuck slowly confessed.

"Wait, what happened?" Charlie asked, curious.

"Well, you know how Chuck and I started seeing each other soon after Nate and I had broken up?" Blair began to tell her as she nodded.

"Soon? It wasn't even an hour later!" Nate clarified.

"Regardless," Blair stated as she continued. "Chuck and I had been quietly seeing each other for several weeks and decided to use Cotillion as our debut as a couple... however we dropped the ball and didn't tell Nate ahead of time so he found out the same time as the majority of the Upper East Side," she explained.

"Needless to say, it wasn't pretty," Chuck added. "My jaw hurt for days..."

"Yeah... sorry about that, man," Nate apologized. "But hey – everything worked out. She's obviously with the right guy," he quickly pointed out with a smile.

"Speaking of Blair and Charles..." CeCe began. "Blair, dear, I ran into your mother the other day – she was quite appalled to learn that there had been no engagement party."

"Oh geez, I had totally dropped the ball on that one," Lily said, taking the blame. "I was just so busy and distracted with everything going on the past few months..."

"And here I had thought you were a wedding planning expert by now," Carol mocked her.

"Yes, well... there's still time," Lily stated as she shot her sister a glare from across the table. "It's only the beginning of March in a few days and the wedding isn't until mid-June... I'd be happy to host something."

"Lily, you don't have to – Chuck and I don't need a big engagement party-" Blair began.

"Nonsense!" CeCe exclaimed. "Charles is Bart Bass's son! If he were still alive he would insist upon it."

"I somehow doubt that," Chuck whispered to himself, recalling how Bart and Lily didn't have a proper engagement party. Unless it could be used as a business opportunity, Chuck couldn't picture his father ever going for something like that.

"Please - it's the least I could do for you two since I may have to miss the actual wedding," Lily sadly reminded them.

"That would be wonderful then," Blair smiled at her future mother-in-law.

"Now, let's see... how about we plan it for two nights from now? That way hopefully Lily won't be imprisoned yet," CeCe suggested.

"That sounds wonderful, mother," Lily spoke, nodding in approval. "Now, Blair, Serena, Charlie... why don't you all go out this afternoon to find some gorgeous new dresses to wear?"

"Um... do I have to?" Serena wondered, still annoyed at how the brunch conversation kept revolving around Blair and the Basses not to mention the fact that Dan and Nate both seemed to be paying more attention to Charlie lately than they were to her.

"Serena!" Lily exclaimed, disappointed at her behavior.

"Just wondering," she stated.

"I think it'll be fun," Blair chimed in. "It'll be a great bonding trip for the three of us – me with my maid of honor and my bridesmaid..." she smiled.

"I suppose..." Serena sighed as she took her seat at the table.

"Then it's decided – I'll give Eleanor a call this afternoon to go over the details," Lily decided as she helped herself to another drink.


"Where's Raina?" Chuck questioned as he returned home after brunch to find Nate already there, alone. "Was a little surprised you didn't bring her to brunch."

"I think your whole scotch for breakfast thing weirded her out a bit, not to mention she feels a little guilty for Lily having to turn herself in – she went back to her hotel," Nate informed him as he paused the game he was playing. "What's going on with you man? You don't usually drink that early unless something is seriously bothering you."

"I saw what you two were looking at this morning – the tattered box, old photographs... Raina's looking for her mother, isn't she?" Chuck asked him directly as Nate sighed and slowly nodded in confirmation. "It's a mistake – you have to stop her."

"Look, man, I know what happened with your aunt pretending to be your mom was painful but at least you got some answers. Raina deserves the same and she can handle it," Nate assured him.

"You don't know that," Chuck stated at once. "Raina's been away at college, living a high-profile life like the rest of us which anyone could follow online. If her mother wanted to get in touch with her she would have done it by now - remember Serena's desperate pleas to get William's attention almost two summers ago?" he reminded him. "Raina just lost her father, do you really think she's ready to be rejected by her mother all over again?"

"I'll talk to her," Nate decided as he realized what Chuck was getting at, making some valid points.


"You know, S, I realize Charlie wasn't born and bred on the Upper East Side like us, but the least you could do is try to be nice to her – she is Chuck's sister after all..." Blair stated as her and Serena waited around at Bergdorff's while Charlie tried on a dress she had liked. "I mean you dated Dan, for Christ's sake – he's from Brooklyn!"

"That's part of it though, B – I hear from Erik that she's been spending a lot of time with Dan lately... and then at breakfast... you saw how my grandmother was with her and Chuck!" Serena declared in frustration.

"S, since when do you let anything CeCe says or does get to you?" Blair couldn't help but wonder.

"You're right, B... I guess... I'm just a little jealous over everyone these days," Serena sadly confessed.

"What do you mean?" Blair pressed her further.

"Chuck saved his father's company, you and him are having the wedding of the year, Dan may be getting a book deal, Nate's possibly getting this great internship for some up and coming newspaper this summer, and Charlie... she's been interning at W and has her choice of guys. All I have is two semesters at Columbia and my grandmother could care less – I don't even have a guy in my life nor any prospects on the horizon, B! I feel like my life is a mess and I guess getting upset with Charlie over Dan is how I'm coping, even though I know I shouldn't care about who he sees or hangs out with these days," Serena admitted to her.

"S... it's alright – you'll have your moment in the sun once again," Blair tried to assure her. "We can't always be shining in the spotlight all the time."

"I know, B... I know... I just hate sitting on the sidelines, watching everyone else's lives seem to pass me by," Serena remarked, pausing as Charlie approached them in a beautiful, sleek but fun gown. "Wow! That looks amazing on you!" she beamed at her.

"Thanks! Do you think the guys will like it?" Charlie questioned as she giddily spun around in the dress.

"Uh... you mean like Dan?" Serena awkwardly asked her.

"Well yeah, him..." Charlie started but then stopped as she noticed the expression on Serena's face. "Look, Serena, I know Dan's your ex – I get it, but you have nothing to worry about," she tried to relay to her.

"But why Dan? I thought you liked Nate?" Serena inquired.

"I do," Charlie sighed. "But it's complicated with Nate and besides, he likes Raina... and Dan... Dan's simple with simple tastes and a simpler life – while Nate and I bond over video games, Dan and I bond over music and art... he reminds me of home."

"I... I'm sorry, Charlie, I had no idea," Serena gently apologized.

"It's alright, we're merely just hanging out – believe me, there's like zero chemistry there, he's a terrible kisser," Charlie added.

"Well I don't know about that..." Serena interjected.

"Believe me, I've kissed plenty of guys – he's one of the worst," Charlie declared, much to Blair's amusement. "I think this is the dress, girls," she stated, turning to go change out of it.

"See, S? You have nothing to worry about – they're just friends," Blair reassured her. "So... you never told me what a bad kisser Humphrey is," she said with a smirk.

"He wasn't that bad when I dated him," Serena was quick to speak.

"Ladies, do you need help finding anything?" a clerk warmly asked them.

"No, we're still looking," Blair told her as she glanced around her.

"Alright, well if you need any help, please let me know! I'd be happy to recommend accessories for you both – headbands are all the rage this season according to InStyle," the clerk smiled.

"Oh really?" Blair curiously inquired as Serena tried not to laugh.

"Yep! Seems Manhattan's own Blair Waldorf has set that trend – we can't seem to keep the darn things in stock, however we just got a fresh shipment in yesterday!" the clerk excitedly announced.

"Well then... you should know that the bow goes on the right," Blair smiled back at the girl as she slipped off her headband and properly readjusted it for her. "I'm Blair Waldorf, by the way."

"Oh my gosh! I should have known!" the girl gasped, feeling completely embarrassed. "I'm so sorry, Ms. Waldorf! If you need anything – anything at all – please let me know!"

"Will do," Blair politely assured her, trying not to laugh herself.

"Wow, B... trendsetter, eh? It seems your persistence for headbands has finally paid off," Serena stated with a grin once the girl was gone.

"It would seem so, S... it would seem so..." Blair continued to smile at the news. "Who said I needed Anne Archibald to make my mark on the world?"


"So, I've got my dress for tonight, I spoke to Dorota who confirmed the caterer's are all set, now I just need to make sure mother is on the decorators so that they don't do anything too outrageous," Blair stated as she walked into their penthouse late Tuesday afternoon after her classes were over.

"Actually, I don't think that will be an issue," Chuck casually informed her as he sat on the couch, reading the newspaper.

"How so?" Blair curiously inquired as she approached him in the living room.

"Because – the party's been moved from your mother's penthouse to Lily's," he simply stated.

"What?" she exclaimed, surprised by the news. "Why is that?"

"I take it you haven't heard the news," Chuck sighed as he reached for the remote and flipped the TV onto a channel with local news coverage.

"Socialite and chairwoman of numerous organizations Lily Humphrey, formerly known as Lily Van der Woodsen and widow of the late Bart Bass, has been sentenced earlier this afternoon to complete nine months of jail time," the news reporter announced. "As you may recall, last week Mrs. Humphrey turned herself in on numerous charges, most notably for bribing an official and forging an affidavit that sent an innocent man to prison for nearly three years! But because of her status as an upstanding citizen, officials have allowed Mrs. Humphrey to carry out her sentence under house arrest. With good behavior though, she may be able to seek early parole by mid-June – just in time for the wedding of her stepson Charles Bass."

And with that Chuck flipped off the TV, tired of hearing about it for the day.

"I hope someone let my mother know..." Blair snarled as she sat down next to Chuck.

"I wouldn't stress about it – everything will be fine," he tried to assure her.

"But Chuck-"

"Did I tell you I acquired a venue for our wedding reception?" he interrupted her in an attempt to stop her from stressing out about the engagement party that was supposed to be hosted by their mothers yet she had insisted on being involved with.

"What? No! Where?!" she squealed in excitement, relieved that at least one of their dilemmas had been solved.

"I could tell you... but I'd rather show you instead," he smirked at her as he sat the newspaper down and rose to his feet. "Get your coat – let's go."


"Chuck, why can't you just tell me?" Blair pleaded with him, anxious to find out just where Arthur was driving them.

"Because that wouldn't be any fun," he grinned at her. "Besides, we're just coming up on it."

"The Waldorf-Astoria?" Blair questioned, confused once he helped her out of the limo and they were standing on the sidewalk in front of the famous hotel. "But Chuck, we tried booking this place months ago, remember?"

"I know... but that was before I bought it," he said with a grin as he watched her jaw drop.

"You what?!" she gasped in complete disbelief. "Oh my god, Chuck! This is amazing!"

"After the success last week with the announcement of Bradley Kidd backing BI, I was able to broker a deal to obtain this fine building as I've been wanting to acquire the hotel of my bride's namesake for quite some time," he smirked as he wrapped an arm around her waist. "And considering the property, the BI board had no problem with me spending the funds to get it."

"You bought me my own hotel..." Blair whispered, still in shock of what he had done.

"Consider it an early wedding gift, my love," he explained. "It will be undergoing a few minor changes in the next few months – most notably the name change to the Waldorf/Bass-Astoria, if that's alright with you," he paused to get her approval before continuing, which she gave with a simple nod. "And I've arranged it so that the first event to be hosted under the new name is our reception," he added.

"Chuck that... that's great!" Blair declared as she threw her arms around him and pressed her lips against his. "Thank you," she quietly uttered between kisses.


"Thank you, thank you all for coming! And once again, we do apologize for the last minute change in venue," Lily announced from the stairs in her penthouse to the crowd of guests below her. "And thank you to Eleanor for co-hosting this lovely event with me tonight and for being so understanding regarding the circumstances for the change," Lily continued as she toasted Blair's mother who tried not to look too embarrassed as all eyes turned on her. The truth was, she wasn't all that thrilled about the change in venue nor was she all that understanding of the circumstances and didn't want people to think she approved of Lily's current predicament. "I just want to say... Charles, Blair... I could not be any happier for the both of you, that you found each other so young in life – I wish we could all be so lucky!" Lily smiled at them both. "Charles, I couldn't have asked for a better stepson – I know your father would be proud of the man you've become. And Blair... while you've always been like a second daughter to me, I am thrilled to officially have you as part of my family now. To the happy couple!" Lily declared as she and everyone else in the room toasted.

"Thank you, Lily – that was lovely," Blair told her future mother-in-law once she stepped off the stairs, embracing them both.

"You're welcome, dear and I meant it – I couldn't be gaining a better daughter-in-law," Lily smiled at her. "Now if you'll excuse me, I should probably go mingle while they're here since who knows how long it will be before I see some of these people again," she tried to joke.

"I can't believe her," Eleanor stated as she approached the couple.

"Mother!" Blair hissed, a bit surprised by her mother's remark.

"What? You don't find it the least bit embarrassing? Having to move your engagement party to your future mother-in-law's all because she's under house arrest? For Christ's sake, she doesn't even have the decency to conceal that god-awful piece around her ankle – it's almost as if she's proud of it!" Eleanor exclaimed at once.

"Dear, dear... calm down," Cyrus attempted to take charge of the situation. "There's nothing to be ashamed of – she did something wrong and did the right thing by turning herself in for it and is being fully cooperative in accepting the consequences."

"I still think it's an embarrassment," Eleanor huffed. "And I don't want all these people thinking I'm okay with it!"

"Well at least Lily cares enough to want to be involved still, mother..." Blair snapped back at her.

"If I didn't care I wouldn't be spending hours of my time with Ms. Vera Wang creating your dream wedding dress," Eleanor bit back.

"Yes well, it took you long enough to come around and even longer to actually care about something that was going on in my life!" Blair raised her voice.

"Why I never!" Eleanor gasped in disbelief.

"Blair..." Chuck gently called to her, trying to reel her in.

"The last few years have been some of the best of my life and I think a large part of it has to do with the fact that you spend the majority of your time in Paris and are never around here!" Blair continued as her eyes began to well up while the scars her mother had left her over the years began to pour out. "CeCe said you were appalled that we hadn't had an engagement party yet... and you wanna know why, mother? It was because I was waiting for you to finally come around to the idea that we were getting married because I wanted my family to be part of this however that didn't happen until recently and only because you realized Vera would be making my dress and not you! Lily gave such a lovely little toast... you have yet to welcome Chuck into our family, mother!"

"Blair! Enough!" Chuck snapped, trying to stop her from saying something even worse.

"Blair... this is not the time or place for this discussion," Eleanor declared as she turned to walk away before either of them could say anything they'd regret. "Charles – welcome to the family," she added nonchalantly as she paused for just a moment.

"While I can't disagree with anything you said, I do have to agree with your mother that this isn't the time or place for you two to have that talk," Cyrus sadly told his step-daughter as he noticed her breathing deeply. "Just give her a chance to cool down – perhaps you two can talk privately later," he suggested as he reached over to give her one of his infamous hugs. "Just give her time, my dear – she's still warming up to the idea that her child is now a woman and getting married," he kindly assured her. "And Chuck! While I apologize that my wife wasn't quite so enthusiastic in her welcoming you to the family, I couldn't be happier to have you as a son-in-law!" Cyrus exclaimed as he also trapped Chuck into one his hugs. "Welcome to the family!" he beamed.

"Uh... thanks," Chuck told him as he awkwardly stood there while Cyrus continued his hug.

"If you'll excuse me both – I should probably go see where your mother has gotten to," he informed them as he began to trail off in the direction they had last seen Blair's mother headed.

"Are you okay?" Chuck asked her once they had a moment alone just the two of them.

"I'll be fine," Blair sighed, having calmed down a bit. "Let's just say, I'm probably happier to be gaining Lily as a mother-in-law than you probably are to be gaining my mother as your mother-in-law," she attempted to joke.

"But about what you said-"

"Chuck, I'll be fine – besides, we have guests we should probably visit with," she reminded him. Just then a familiar face she wasn't expecting to see caught her eye, having just stepped off the elevator. "Daddy!" Blair exclaimed as she took off rushing towards her father.

"Blair Bear!" Harold declared excitedly in greeting as he wrapped his arms around his daughter.

"I wasn't expecting to see you until the wedding week!" she announced, clearly surprised by his arrival.

"Yes, well... when Chuck called and told us your mother and Lily were finally co-hosting an engagement party for you two, there was no way we were going to miss it!" Roman informed her as he stood next to her father.

"Harold, Roman... glad you both made it," Chuck told them as he approached and shook both their hands. "I take it your flight on the jet went well?"

"Of course! And we couldn't thank you enough as the news was such short notice," Harold thanked him.

"You made sure daddy and Roman would be here?" Blair questioned her fiance, curiously, only for him to smile and nod in confirmation. "My, my Chuck Bass – you sure are full of surprises today," she smirked at him.

"Whatever it takes to ensure your happiness," he smiled back at her with nothing but love in his eyes.


"Congratulations, Chuck," Ivanka Trump smiled at his as she walked by.

"Thank you," he said politely, acknowledging the woman.

"Ugh, remind me again why we invited the Trumps?" Blair annoyingly quipped.

"Because Donald and my father were once friendly rivals and worked on a few projects together long ago. Besides, Blair... my time with Ivanka was very short-lived, I was fifteen at the time, and she's now happily married too," Chuck reminded her.

"Whatever... but no exes at the wedding," Blair declared only to quickly add, "Nate is the only exception."

"Gee, thanks," Nate remarked as he rolled his eyes while standing around with them, Serena and Raina.

"Well I guess I'm in luck then as you're the only woman I've actually been in a relationship with," Chuck smirked as he wrapped his arms around her, gently resting his chin on his fiancee's shoulder.

"Well in that case, no one you've slept with," Blair corrected her previous statement.

"Well that rules out at least half the city," Serena laughed. "In all seriousness though, whatever you do, B – I highly suggest you don't make him write out a list like my mom and Rufus did!"

"Speaking of your mother, you know, if there's one thing she knows how to do, Serena, it's definitely throw a party!" Nate announced as he looked around the room.

"Yeah... I still have a bad feeling about this though," Serena sighed. "I know the night is supposed to be about you two and your engagement, but have you guys heard some of the whispers people are making behind my mom's back? It's terrible!"

"Well they can expect to not be getting their invitations in a few weeks," Chuck casually stated.

"Excuse me, guys – I need to take this," Raina declared as her cell phone rang and she went to find someplace quiet to take the call.

"Why Anne! Pleasure to see you here!" Blair overheard Lily nearby, turning to see just where her future mother-in-law was, only to spot her approaching her own mother who had been chatting with Nate's mother.

"Hello, Lily," Anne greeted her, out of courtesy.

"Eleanor, once again – thank you so much for understanding my situation and agreeing to move the party here on such short notice so that I could still attend and co-host with you," Lily continued.

"Yes well... I suppose it means more to your stepson and my daughter than to me," Eleanor replied as she took a sip of her drink.

"You know, Lily... at least Eleanor and I were both quiet in our humiliations instead of proudly parading it around, making an embarrassment of ourselves," Anne called her out.

"Excuse me? Whatever do you mean?" Lily wondered, confused as to what Anne was getting at.

"When my family was going through the mess with Howard's legal troubles I wasn't still parading myself around at social gatherings or hosting them, and neither did Eleanor when Harold surprised everyone by leaving her for a man! We dealt with our family matters privately instead of flaunting them around in everyone's faces," Anne clarified.

"Eleanor – is this how you feel? That I'm flaunting my arrest and subsequent sentencing around?" Lily turned to question her.

"While I can speak for myself, Anne... Lily, I do think it's a tad bit embarrassing, don't you? I mean it's bad enough you might not be able to make the wedding because of this, but for Charles' and Blair's sake you couldn't at least try to cover up that hideous thing on your ankle?!" Eleanor pointed out to her.

"Well I must say, I'm quite surprised," Lily gasped. "Our children have all grown up together... I thought after all these years that we were all friends."

"Why? You don't know how to be a friend," Anne declared. "You shut me out when I called off my divorce to The Captain. Eleanor's right – I can't speak for her, but I'm sure that there's not a woman in this room who didn't take some pleasure in seeing your downfall – myself included," she smiled at Lily bitchily.

"Mom! What the hell?" Nate exclaimed as him and the rest of the NJBC approached the trio of women, having heard everything. "Maybe you should just divorce dad – he'd be better off without you!"

"Nathaniel!" Anne gasped at her son's statement. "You can't possibly mean that!"

"Maybe I do and if you're going to insult Lily in her own home, maybe you should leave," he firmly told her.

"Maybe she should?" Chuck questioned his best friend before turning to address Nate's mother. "As half of the couple being honored here tonight, I'm officially asking you to leave, Anne – considering what you said to both Blair and myself the night we got engaged, I don't even know why you were invited in the first place."

"Keep it up and we just might forget to mail your invitation to the wedding," Blair added for good measure. Anne stood there for a moment in complete disbelief as she tried to comprehend what had just occurred.

"Fine, I'll leave," she stated at once. "But Lily – enjoy the party while it lasts as I'm sure there won't be another for you for a good while!"

"Honestly, mother – why do you still consort with Anne?" Blair wondered with a hint of annoyance in her voice.

"What? She's been a good friend over the years!" Eleanor stated.

"She did the same thing to you that she just did to Lily!" Blair cried out, reminding her. "Have you forgotten all the things you found out she had said about us behind your back when daddy left? She's horrible and just bitter that instead of having family and friends when her she faced legal troubles, her family practically disowned her!"

"It's true," Nate chimed in. "Even I felt bad for her at first, but as time went on, seeing how she acted towards the end of dad's sentence... I meant what I said – I think dad's better off without her as he seems to be the better person coming out of all this mess."

"Well while I do thank you all for coming to my defense, Eleanor, I apologize for not being more discreet – if you all don't mind, I'm going to go change into something that reaches the floor," Lily announced as she turned to head upstairs.

"Lily, that's not necessary," Blair told her as she grabbed her by the arm, preventing her from leaving. "Chuck and I don't mind – it's been all over the news the past twenty-four hours, it's not like it's a big secret."

"Perhaps now would be a good time to go have that talk with your mother," Chuck whispered into Blair's ear. She paused for a moment before nodding in agreement.

"Mother, we need to have that talk – in private," Blair stated. "Now."

"Oh alright," Eleanor reluctantly conceded, as Blair led her towards Chuck's old bedroom. "However I still don't think this is the right time or place for such a discussion," she protested along the way.


"Mother, what is your problem with Chuck and Lily?!" Blair snapped the moment they were alone with the door shut.

"It's not that I have a huge problem with either of them..." Eleanor began only for her daughter to interrupt her.

"Lily has been a friend of yours for years and unlike Anne, when everything happened between you and daddy years ago Lily never spoke a bad word about you!" Blair reminded her at once. "And you know Chuck makes me happy – he always has!"

"He may make you happy dear, but I recall quite a few instances in the near past where he did more damage to you than good, or have you forgotten?" Eleanor recalled with a sigh.

"It's true, several of those times he may have played a role in my unhappiness, but I'm mature enough to take responsibility and own up to my own role in my own undoing – in the instances I'm sure you're remembering, my unhappiness was just as much my fault as it was his, if not more," Blair pointed out.

"I'm just worried about you, that's all – I had expected you both to get back together eventually, I just wasn't expecting an engagement so soon," Eleanor continued.

"Mother, Chuck and I would be getting married someday – you know that. We're inevitable."

"I'm aware, but again – I wasn't expected you to get engaged so soon after getting back together. I figured you want to work out your issues first before making that kind of commitment," Eleanor stated.

"We've been going through couples counseling the past few months, mother! Our therapist is pleased with the progress we're making and I can assure you that by the time I walk down that aisle in three months everything will be fine between us – what more do you want?!" Blair screamed in frustration. "I thought that by you wanting to make my dress daddy, Roman and Cyrus had finally gotten you to accept my engagement but clearly that's not correct! Whether you approve or not, Chuck and Lily are both going to be part of my family in a few short months and part of yours by extension!"

"Your therapist really feels you two are making progress?" Eleanor softly questioned after a moment to think over what her daughter was telling her. Blair nodded in assurance.

"Dr. Kreguer feels that communication has always been our biggest problem, which when you stop and think about the root of a lot of our past issues... he's right," Blair admitted as she sat down next to her mother on Chuck's old bed. "But we're getting better at it," she gently added.

"Well I guess if this Dr. Kreguer of yours feels things are progressing than perhaps I could be more accepting and understanding," Eleanor confessed. "I just don't want to see you hurting again."

"I know, mother, and while I can't promise we won't have our ups and downs like couples do, I know Chuck loves me and tries to always have my best interest in mind," Blair assured her while her mother nodded in acknowledgment. "That said though... I didn't mean what I said earlier about being glad you were gone so often... I mean, okay, maybe part of it was true, but part of me does wish I did have a mother who was around more and wanted to be part of my life – most girls have their mother helping them plan their wedding."

"I'm sorry, dear – I have been absent a lot, haven't I?" Eleanor confirmed. "And you're right, I should be helping you plan this momentous event... I have some things to finish up the next few weeks at the atelier in Paris, but I'll back at the end of the month and will try to stick around between then and the wedding to help you as much as I can, okay?" she asked, hoping to make some sort of amends with her daughter.

"That would be wonderful, mother!" Blair declared as she leaned in to give her mother a hug.

"I suppose I should apologize to Lily for being so rude earlier as well... you're right – she's been a better friend than Anne has over the years and she is going to be family soon enough also," Eleanor remarked as she wiped a few stray tears from her eyes.

"Thank you, mother – you have no idea how much I appreciate that," Blair told her. "Come, people are probably wondering where the bride and her mother have disappeared to," Blair said with a smile as she stood and pulled her mother by the hand, feeling a bit better about where things stood between them.


"Where are you two going? The party's not over," Chuck wondered as he saw Nate and Raina retrieving their coats, clearly on their way out.

"Look, Chuck... Nate told me what you said the other day and while I appreciate your concern, I just got a call from my PI and he thinks he may have found my mother!" Raina excitedly explained. "Turns out she wasn't trying very hard to hide – in fact, she lives in Jersey! Same name, right age... I even have an address!"

"Are you sure about this? Are you sure it's really her?" Chuck questioned, hoping that she was right and that her father was wrong.

"Not entirely, but I have to go and at least talk to her and find out," Raina stated as she walked towards the elevator, Nate following behind her.

"Wait up, I'm coming too," Chuck declared as he motioned for the coat check woman to get his coat.

"Are you sure, man? It's your engagement party," Nate reminded him.

"I think Blair, Serena and Charlie are plenty occupied at the moment," he stated as he tilted his head in the direction of the three girls who were happily mingling with the guests. After seeing Blair and her mother emerge a little bit ago from his old room with smiles on their faces, walking hand in hand, he had safely assumed they had made up and sorted out some of their issues. "I know we've been on opposing teams for awhile now," Chuck said as he turned towards Raina, "but I've been through something similar before... maybe I could be of some help," he offered up, refusing to let her know that his real motives were clearly for his own self.

"Actually... you know what? You're right, Chuck – I'd really appreciate that," Raina sincerely told him as they all stepped onto the elevator. "I really do hope she's my mom," Raina spoke as the elevator car descended.

Me too, Raina, me too... Chuck thought to himself. You have no idea...


"Maybe this was a mistake," Raina spoke as she nervously sat at a table with Chuck and Nate in a New Jersey diner just over the border.

"Look, if you're not ready, we don't have to do this – we can leave right now," Nate reminded her, reassuringly.

"I'll handle it from here, okay? Just jump in when you're ready," Chuck told her before making his next move. "Excuse me!" Chuck called out, motioning for a waitress to serve them.

"Hi, sorry about the wait – may I take your orders?" the woman asked as soon as she approached their table.

"Actually, we're here to see you," Chuck informed her. "Is your name Avery Thorpe?"

"I'm sorry... do I know you?" the woman inquired as she suspiciously looked at the three of them.

"That's what we're trying to find out," Raina began to explain. "My name is Raina and... I think you may be my... my mother," she choked out.

"Oh, I'm so sorry sweetheart, but that's not possible," the waitress apologized.

"Wait, I know it's not easy to acknowledge these things when you're put on the spot – if you don't want to be bothered we can go," Chuck assured the woman.

"I've never had a child," the woman continued after a brief pause, looking at Raina specifically. "It's not that I didn't want one... it just wasn't in God's plan for me. Again, I'm so sorry, but I'm not the woman you're looking for," she apologized once again. "May I get you all anything?"

"No, that won't be necessary," Chuck told her, causing her to promptly turn and go help another table.

"You were right," Raina sighed, trying to fight back tears. "It was a mistake to look and as far as I'm concerned... my mother is dead," she stated as she got up to leave.


"Hey, I'm spending the night at Raina's tonight – I don't want her to be alone right now, ya know?" Nate announced with an overnight bag in his hand as he approached Chuck in the living room back at their penthouse later that night. "I know you disagree, but I think she should keep looking for her mom."

"She looked and it wasn't her – give it up already," Chuck urged him as he took a sip of his scotch.

"So the first lead didn't pan out-"

"She has to stop!" Chuck snapped at him, interrupting.

"Chuck... what do you know?" Nate questioned him suspiciously.

"Russell's parting gift to me last week was a story about my father," Chuck began to explain. "You remember how I told you my dad was responsible for that fire in his old building?"

"Yeah..."

"Russell owned it too – they were partners," Chuck continued. "Russell claims his wife was there that night and that she died in the fire."

"Oh geez... how do you know he's even telling the truth?" Nate wondered in disbelief as he took a seat.

"Blair asked the same thing when I told her and the truth is, I don't... at least not yet but I have Mike looking into it," he admitted. "Today though, when that woman wasn't Raina's mother, I realized how desperately I wanted her to be... maybe I do believe it's the truth."

"So what are you going to do?" Nate asked, trying to think of something on his own.

"Continue to try and find the truth," Chuck stated as he noticed his PI stepping off the elevator with a box in tow. "Why don't you go ahead and go," he suggested to Nate.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay? I mean whatever he has for you-" Nate started.

"I'll be fine, but in the meantime, just do what you can to keep her from finding out what I already know," Chuck urged him. Nate nodded and proceeded to leave, giving a friendly nod to the PI he often saw stopping by.

"Your dad gave Andrew Tyler these security tapes just after the Kinberg building burned down and asked him to lock them away – this one's from eight pm, the night of the fire," Mike explained once Nate was gone as he fished in the box and pulled out a specific video tape, handing it over to Chuck.

"What's on it?" Chuck curiously questioned, not quite sure if he really wanted to know the answer.

"Your father, having an argument with a woman – Avery Thorpe," the PI informed him. "Then she goes into the building alone and your father hurries away... moments later the building goes up in flames and Avery Thorpe is never heard from again."

Chuck sat there for a moment, unsure of what to believe.

"Here's the cassette player I brought, since these tapes are so old – figured you probably didn't have one on hand... I'll leave you to do what you want with all this," Mike stated as he got up to exit, leaving Chuck alone with his thoughts.

Rummaging through the contents of the box, Chuck happened across a letter that was from Raina's mother, saying she was breaking it off with his father. Debating what to do, he eventually placed the specific video cassette Mike had handed him into the player and hit play, watching in horror at what the footage showed.


By the time Blair returned a little while later, Chuck was still sitting on the couch, watching the blank screen in horror after having played the tape a few more times in desperate attempts to analyze what he had seen, hoping that maybe he would see something that could prove his father wasn't responsible for Avery's death.

"Here you are! I was starting to wonder why you left our engagement party early – people were starting to ask where the groom had disappeared to..." Blair remarked as she walked into the room after stepping off the elevator only to pause when she saw him. "Chuck, what's wrong?" she asked as she rushed over to him, wondering what he had been watching that could cause him to look so distraught.

"Russell... he... he was right..." Chuck nervously spoke, clearly spooked by what he had seen. "Just watch," he instructed as he played the tape once more.

"Oh my god..." Blair gasped once it was over. "Chuck I... I am sorry."

"Raina can't know," Chuck managed to utter as he sat there staring at the screen, still in a state of shock and disbelief.

Blair merely nodded as she wrapped an arm around him, pulling him into her.

"What am I supposed to do now, Blair? I fought so hard to keep my father's legacy and now... for what? It's completely tarnished. He's not someone I'll ever be," Chuck stated as he attempted to contemplate what to do.

"No, he's not, Chuck," she firmly told him. "And considering the Chuck I've known these last few years, the Chuck I fell in love with... you were never going to be him. Because you're a better man than he ever was."

"You know a large part of that is because of you and your influence, right?" he asked her. "As corny as it sounds, if we hadn't hooked up that night after Victrola... who knows what I would have become..." he sighed at the thought as he further snuggled into her, running his fingers along the hand in her lap. "Who knows, I probably would have been dead by now... overdosed in some opium den in Asia or actually jumping from a rooftop..." he trailed on.

"Chuck, please don't go there..." Blair winced as she painfully pleaded with him. That particular memory of that night was one that neither of them liked to speak of or remember.

"Sorry," he apologized, instantly wishing he hadn't had brought that memory up.

"Besides, Bass Industries is no longer your father's legacy – it's yours now," she gently reminded him. "And like I've told you before, Chuck – I believe in you and I know you'll surpass your father's achievements because unlike him, you actually care about people. All those people that work for the company still have jobs. Because of you."

Chuck simply nodded as he continued to rest his head against her chest. "I love you," he softly told her as they sat there. "So much," he added as his fingers gently brushed the fabric of her dress. "Did I mention how pretty you look tonight?"

"You may have mentioned it once or twice," she smirked at him, glad that he was finally relaxing a little bit.

"I don't think I'm ever going to sleep tonight," he sadly muttered. "Not after having seen that multiple times."

"I may be able to help with that," she casually replied with a smile. "Where's Nate at?"

"He decided to spend the night at Raina's. She had a possible lead on her mother so that's why I left the party early with them, to go check it out, hoping that maybe she was still alive... obviously it was a bust though and he felt it best not to let her be alone tonight," Chuck informed her.

"Perfect..." she grinned as she slunk down a bit, sliding into his lap and began to kiss him, knowing full well exactly what he needed in ordered to take his mind off things.


AN: If you hate Louie I'm sure you'll love the next chapter as both him and Jack Bass make a visit in chapter 50 as the Thorpe drama is finally coming to an end (with another character we haven't seen in a good while making a return in the chapter after that one!). The next chapter will be posted sometime later this week as it's pretty much done and just needs edits.

And don't fear, reviewer Kelsey - the photo shoot episode didn't get skipped, it's merely taking place at a slightly later time in this story =)

Again, sorry for taking longer than usual to get this one posted - the wait for the next one won't be so long and if you're really hating this story, by all means stop reading and find one you do like!