A/N: It's a pretty short chapter because I'm exhausted, but it's something. :)

Chapter 17

September 5, 2019

"Mmm," Chuck sighed as he pulled Blair back to him before she could climb out of bed, "Good morning, beautiful." He kissed her deeply allowing his hands to roam over her hips and thighs. "Last night was amazing."

"Good Morning," She kissed him lightly on the cheek and quickly stood up from the bed in search of her undergarments.

He could immediately sense her change in mood from last night and raised up on his elbow to look at her, "Hey, what's wrong?" He was growing nervous that she regretted their night together, and he didn't think his heart could handle the devastation that would come with her rejecting him.

She saw the worry on his face and walked back to the bed and kissed him soundly on the mouth, "I feel like we were far too hasty," She placed her finger to his lips to stop him from interrupting her, "I meant what I said, but last night was wrong."

"Blair, nothing about you and me is wrong." He kissed her knuckles, "I love you."

She smiled at him in reassurance, "I love you, too, but that doesn't mean that we should move so quickly. It's unfair to both Louis and Landry."

"Landry's been on Team Chuck and Blair since we arrived back in New York. She's the one who encouraged me to tell you how I feel."

"Okay, but she clearly has feelings for you, so I'm sure that it's going to be hard for her. I mean, you two are married; you've lived together for three years. This is going to completely change her life. And, Louis - he doesn't even know that you and I are or ever were anything more than former classmates. He's been so good to me, and he deserves better than this."

Chuck nodded, "You're right. I'm sorry. I was just so happy last night that nothing else mattered. It's hard to apologize for that."

She leaned in and kissed him again, allowing her hand to caress his biceps, before pulling away and saying, "I'm not asking you to apologize. I wanted last night as badly as you did, but now we need to take it slow. We need to consider everyone else's feelings."

"Okay," He agreed reluctantly, "I've waited 10 years; I think I can make it another couple of days if it means that I get to spend the rest of my life with you."

"Mmm," She grinned as he kissed a path from her neck down to her shoulders. "That sounds amazing."

He pulled her underwear from her hand and let them drop to the bed before pulling her into his lap, "Do you think maybe we could take it slow after a shower?"

"I think that's a fair compromise," She agreed, pulling him toward the bathroom.

After a round of lovemaking in the shower and a second on the bathroom floor, they finally started to dress for the day. Blair was incredibly nervous about leaving the suite because she knew once she stepped outside, the fantasy was over. She'd have to talk to Louis, they'd have to issue a press release, and the wrath of her mother would be the worst part of all. Walking into the living room, she found her discarded purse and pulled out her phone. Four missed calls, three text messages, and two Gossip Girl blasts.

11:03 pm - One Missed Call - Louis

12:22 am - Text Message Louis: Just checking on you. Will you be home tonight, or are you staying with Serena? I didn't expect you to be out so late.

1:13 am - One Missed Call - Louis

2:11 am - One Miss Call - Louis

2:12 am - Text Message Louis: Blair, please call me. I'm getting worried.

3:46 am - One Missed Call - Louis

3:47 am - Text Message Louis: Where the hell are you? We need to talk. Now.

Blair groaned as she thought about what she put Louis through last night. She hadn't even texted him to let him know that she wasn't coming home. Honestly, once Chuck had her naked, she hadn't even thought about Louis at all. Looking at her phone, she noticed her missing ring. Shit, that would've been bad.

Chuck exited the bathroom to see Blair sliding her ring back on her finger. "Do you really have to wear it?"

She rolled her eyes, "Yes, Chuck. I can't have paparazzi pictures catch me without my ring until I talk to Louis and we issue a statement to the press. It's going to be hard enough sneaking out of here without being caught."

Remembering the Gossip Girl blasts, she picked up her phone and tapped the first notification. There was a picture of Landry with a man in a gray pinstripe suit, but she couldn't make out his face from the way he was sitting in the photo.

Looks like C's Lady Love might just have caught herself a bigger fish. Who's the mystery man after Chuck's woman? Whoever he is, my bet is that Chuck doesn't know about this little midnight rendezvous. But where is the Dark Knight and who might be keeping him company?

It just keeps getting worse, Blair thought. Chuck is not going to take kindly to that blast, especially considering that Landry doesn't really know anyone in Manhattan besides them. She hesitantly opened the last blast and nearly dropped her phone with a scream.

Well, now I guess we know what C has been up to and who with. Did we really think that he would stay away from Queen B for long? Although, I have to say that this look is quite unbecoming of a future princess. Looks like she traded in the royal court of the dance floor. What ever will her prince have to say?

"That stupid, double-crossing bitch!" Blair yelled before she could stop herself.

Chuck looked at her confused, and she held up her phone to show him the pictures of them grinding on the floor of the sketchy club a few nights before.

XOXO

Blair tentatively rode up the elevator, unsure of how to face Louis. She should have gone home last night. She knew it the moment that Chuck had swept her off her feet and carried her into the bedroom. Now her selfishness and stupidity were going to cause a huge scandal for Louis, not to mention the embarrassment of everyone she knows seeing her dance like a drunken sorority girl.

When she walked in, she was shocked to find both Louis and Princess Sophie waiting for her. Sophie stepped to Blair and slapped her harshly across the face the moment she walked into the foyer, "How dare you make a mockery of my son!"

Louis grabbed his mother's arm to pull her back, "Mother, please calm down. Let me talk to Blair alone."

"You'd better fix this," She warned before they headed upstairs. Blair had to bite her tongue to keep from lashing out at the evil older woman. She reminded herself that it would only make matters worse.

"Louis, I can explain," She started as they entered the room.

"Were you with him last night?"

She couldn't look him in the eye, and it would do no good to lie at this point, so she simply nodded her head in response.

"Dammit, Blair! Do you know what you've done?"

"Louis, I am so sorry, I -" Her voice cracked. "I know it's not an excuse, but I didn't mean for it to happen."

"Blair, you're practically screwing another man in some shady night club, and it's only going to be a matter of time before this makes it into the national papers. You're making a fool out of me."

"Louis, I don't know what to say. I really screwed up. I will take full ownership with the press. I-" She sobbed, knowing full well that she didn't have the right to play the victim.

"Who is he?"

Blair looked down at her hands, "Chuck Bass."

"You've got to be fucking kidding me?" Louis swore under his breath. "The man who was here when I got home and found you in the dark with him?! How long have you been fucking him behind my back? And in my own home?! In our bed?!"

"Louis, no, I -" She couldn't form the words to tell him that he was wrong because even if he had the circumstances wrong, she was still guilty of everything he accused her of.

"Blair, I thought you loved me. Do I not make you happy? Do I not satisfy you?" His voice lowered with each question as his anger subsided and sadness engulfed him.

Blair tearfully grabbed his hands and pleaded, "Lous, please don't think that way. You have been nothing but perfect to me. The truth is that I loved Chuck long before I met you. He was the reason that I denied your propositions for so long. I love you, Louis, but Chuck has always owned my whole heart. I'm so sorry. I really didn't want to hurt you." She said, sliding her engagement ring off and gently placing it in the palm of his hand.

Louis looked heartbroken, but he couldn't find the words to express his sorrow. "I'll have the movers here later today to gather all of my things," He could no longer face her, and he turned toward the door, "My attorneys will issue a statement about your infidelity," He added as a final warning, leaving Blair alone in a crying heap.