This chapter has been kicking around my head for about a month now. It was better written in my mind than it is here but I'm posting anyway. These are Cordelia and Chuck moments which were inspired by a father and daughter I saw walking hand in hand at the park. It made me think of Chuck and his own daughter. I hope you enjoy it. Oh and all of you that have asked about "White Lies and Dark Secrets" the next chapter is coming. I've just been travelling and working a ton. Hopefully by the weekend. As always I own nothing but my original characters. Thank you for being the best readers ever!
Chuck Bass had never believed in love at first sight. He was a realist. He had been shattered too many times not to be. Even the love he felt for his wife had been slow and learned. It didn't come naturally. That being said once he felt it he had never looked back.
Now as he held his fifteen minute old newborn daughter in his arms he was a full-fledged convert. He had fallen hopelessly in love with her. Never again would he scoff at the mention of love in a single glance.
He reached out and gently stroked her cheek. It was as soft as the purest silk. She was everything sweet and good in this world. She was innocent and precious and he vowed silently that he would protect her with his life. He leaned down placing a gentle kiss against her forehead.
He realized that even with his son, Henry, it hadn't been instant love like this. He had been too frightened. Too worried about hurting him, not being a good enough father and of course scared to death of something happening to Blair. It took a few hours before he felt this kind of overwhelming affection.
"Chuck?" he heard his wife say. He had stepped away while the nurses and doctor had cleaned her up and finished all those things he didn't want to know about.
Her voice sounded hoarse and weak. He tore his eyes reluctantly from his baby girl and looked at the most beautiful woman in the world.
Blair was sitting partially upright and she had extended her right arm in his direction. Her hair was still damp from the exertion of giving him this incredible gift. Dorota would arrive shortly to help her make herself presentable and then her Mother and Serena and God only knew who else would all come rushing through the door and into their private world. He resented his family at the moment. He didn't want to share his daughter and his wife. He wanted to stay cocooned in this space just the three of them for a while longer. He wanted to tell the hospital staff that visitors were banned but he knew his wife and she reveled in their extended family and she would want them all to see the incredible being they had created.
He took the ten or so steps back to her bedside. "Hey, how do you feel?"
She forced a smile. "Like I've been hit by a truck." Blair had had an epidural but she had had nearly two hours of hard labor and pushing. Their little girl had fought hard to stay where she was.
He leaned over and kissed her temple and then whispered, "Thank you. I love you so much."
She closed her eyes and reached her hand up to cup his cheek. "You're welcome and I love you too."
It was then that their daughter made her presence known as she started to fuss a little. Blair immediately reached up and gently took her from his arms. He was always amazed at how naturally motherhood came to her.
The nurse appeared at the other side of her bed. "Would you like to try to feed her Mrs. Bass?"
Blair nodded. "Yes please."
As the nurse helped Blair to adjust herself and settle the baby at her breast Chuck felt his daughter's absence from his arms profoundly. He was overcome with such a sense of loss that he felt tears well up in his eyes. It was in that moment that he knew no matter where life took her, his daughter would always be his little girl.
Chuck stood in the corridor of the Episcopal School slowly scrolling through emails. He was picking up his four year old daughter from preschool. A few times a year he scheduled special days alone with each of his children. He felt like it was important to have one on one time alone with them.
Suddenly there was a burst of noise as doors to classrooms opened and children started to file into the hall all looking for their parents or nannies. Chuck slid his cell phone into his pocket as he searched the crowd looking for his little girl.
Finally he spied her. In the middle of a group of girls her dark curls bouncing as she walked. She was wearing a headband with a large, navy blue bow on the side and since it was raining her Burberry raincoat and red Wellies. As he watched her it was like looking at a miniature Blair and it made him smile.
He knew the minute she saw him. Her entire face lit up and next thing he knew Cordelia Eleanor Bass was running straight for him. He squatted down as she approached and held his arms out for her. Cordelia threw herself into her father's waiting arms.
As he scooped her up and pulled her into his embrace she shouted, "Daddy!"
Chuck kissed her flushed cheek and inhaled her sweet scent. She smelt powdery and fresh like always. He swore it was the most perfect smell in the world. "Hello sweetheart. Did you have a good day?"
She nodded as she laid her head on his shoulder. "Yes Daddy."
He set her down and took her hand in his as they started to walk out of the school and down the stairs. The rain was now coming down in a strong torrent outside and he rushed her to the waiting limo where Arthur was standing holding the door ajar.
"Thank you Arthur," his little girl said politely as she got into the car.
"You are welcome Miss Cordelia." Arthur smiled at Chuck. "She's always so polite."
Chuck slid in. "She didn't learn that from me did she?"
Arthur chuckled. "You were a pretty good kid if I recall."
"You're getting forgetful in your old age Arthur."
Arthur smiled. "Serendipity, sir?"
Chuck nodded and Arthur closed the door on them. Cordelia buckled herself into her booster seat. She was always so independent.
"Daddy can I have frozen hot chocolate?"
Chuck nodded as he ran his hand over the back of her curls. "You may have anything you like my darling girl." His heart expanded as he watched the joy spread across his little girl's face. Nothing made him happier than seeing his children in complete bliss.
Cordelia was a chatterbox and she talked the entire drive to the restaurant. She told Chuck all about her day in intimate detail. Nothing was left out and Chuck reveled in the conversation. She barely paused as they entered the restaurant hand in hand and took their seats at their reserved table.
They ordered and ate and finished with a huge banana split that they shared between the two of them. This was a rare treat. Blair was very particular about their children's diets and this much indulging was seldom done.
They left the restaurant and rushed to the waiting car. The rain was torrential at this point and they both were damp as they slid into their seats.
About four blocks from the Bass Family townhouse Cordelia, who had been watching everyone rush about out the window, turned to her father and asked, "Daddy, can we walk the rest of the way home?"
They were at a red light and Chuck glanced out the window where the rain was driving down and then at his daughter. "It's still raining quite hard sweetheart."
She nodded. "I know. I want to dance in the rain like Don did in the movie."
Chuck sighed. Blair had subjected them all to "Singin' in the Rain" last night and clearly it had made an impression on their four year old daughter.
Cordelia began singing softly, "Singin' in the rain, what a…feeling…happy again."
He smiled to himself as she missed a few key words. He reached up as the light turned green and the car started to move again and lowered the partition. "Arthur pull over up here. Cordelia and I are going to walk the rest of the way home."
Arthur glancing up in the rearview mirror looked shocked. "But it's pouring down rain Mr. Bass."
"I'm well aware but my little girl would like to walk the next few blocks and that's what we're going to do."
Cordelia started to clap her hands together. "Oh, thank you Daddy. You are the best daddy in the whole, wide world."
Arthur pulled the car over and Chuck told him not to get out as he opened his own door and stepped out into the pouring rain reaching a hand back for his daughter. She slid her tiny hand in his and he shut the door as they started down the street.
Cordelia giggled as she started to skip and splash in the puddles. Arthur watched his employer of many years delight in the joy of his daughter and it warmed his heart. Never in a million years would anyone believe that a four year old little girl could get the great Charles Bass, dressed in a custom made suit no less, to skip along Fifth Avenue in the pouring rain without a care in the world. How times had changed? Arthur pulled away from the curb as father and daughter continued on their way.
Chuck was pacing across the formal living room. He paused and straightened his bow tie for the tenth time even though he knew it was perfectly knotted and centered. He crossed to the bar and poured himself a healthy dose of his favorite Bowmore '64. He swallowed it in one long swallow.
"You better pace yourself. What will Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick say if you arrive tonight with the smell of scotch on your breath?" Blair stepped behind him sliding her arms around his waist and hugging him.
She pulled back and Chuck turned to face his wife setting the empty glass aside. "She will obviously scoff at my ungentlemanly ways."
"Well, I for one love your ungentlemanly ways." Blair leaned forward and kissed him gently. "Why are so nervous?"
"It's our first father daughter dance. This is a big deal in a young girl's life."
Twelve year old Cordelia had been attending The Etiquette School of New York for the past year and tonight was the final session; a dance for the girls and their fathers. Chuck was supposed to be in Sydney on business but cancelled everything to be here for Cordelia's night. Nothing was ever more important than his children.
Blair smiled softly. "Have I told you lately how much I love you?"
He reached up touching her cheek lightly. "Not since this morning."
"I love you." She kissed him passionately.
They were interrupted by Dorota entering the room. "She's ready."
Chuck and Blair turned to see their daughter enter the room. She looked breathtaking. She was wearing a Waldorf Original dress in the deepest shade of emerald green and her curled hair was pulled partially up and held in place with a diamond clip that Blair had loaned her.
Chuck took a steadying breath as he felt tears prick the back of his eyelids. He couldn't believe this was his little girl; the same girl who used to play with dolls and climb onto his lap for story time. Where had the years gone? She didn't look like a child any longer she looked like a beautiful, young lady.
Blair was gushing as she rushed over to Cordelia and placed a kiss to her cheek. "You look lovely darling. The dress is perfect."
Cordelia smiled at her mother. "Thank you." She then looked over her mother's shoulder at her father who had remained silent. Hesitantly she asked, "Daddy, what do you think?"
Blair turned around to look at Chuck as well. He took one more deep breath and crossed the room to stand in front of his daughter. "You look stunning." He leaned forward and placed a kiss to her forehead. "You are going to be the most beautiful girl there tonight. I have no doubt."
Cordelia released the breath she had been holding basking in her parents' approval and Chuck proffered his arm which she took and they left the house.
Later that night as Chuck led his daughter onto the dance floor for their first dance he had a strong feeling that this was one of the last times he would ever be the center of his little girl's life. She was growing up no matter how much he wished she wouldn't. Time waited for no man not even for Chuck Bass. He felt his heart break a little bit at the thought.
He held her in his arms as they danced and he knew he'd cherish this moment for the rest of his life. Two minutes later his fears were justified. The dance ended and she thanked him and ran over to her girlfriends laughing and chatting. Chuck was left standing with all the other forgotten fathers all of them realizing that this was the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
It was midnight as Chuck rolled up the set of plans he had been looking over for Bass Industries latest hotel expansion. This one was in Fiji and they were starting construction in less than a month. He and Blair were heading there for the ground breaking ceremony and a much overdue vacation. The two of them had been so busy between Cordelia's graduation and Henry's move into his new apartment and work schedules that they hardly had anytime just the two of them. He was so looking forward to being alone with her.
He placed the plans back into their canister for transport back to the office on Monday along with all his notes and changes and got up turning his desk lamp off. It was then that he heard the front door unlock and knew it was Cordelia returning home from her date.
She had been in a steady relationship the past eight months with Patrick Garrard. Everyone called him Patch except for Chuck. He didn't care for the kid and he knew how much it annoyed him to be called Patrick so Chuck made sure to do it every chance he could.
It seemed that lately they were completely inseparable and when Blair had broached the subject of Patch coming to the Hamptons for a few weeks this summer Chuck drew the line. It was their last couple of months alone with Cordelia before she left for Paris and the Sorbonne in the fall and there was no way in hell he was going to share her with that kid.
Even though Blair would never admit it he could tell she was secretly glad Chuck had put his foot down. She and Cordelia had been getting along extremely well and she didn't want to rock the boat. Chuck on the other hand was only too happy to rock away even to the point of overturning said boat.
He called Cordelia's name as he heard her shut the door and turn the deadbolt. Thirty seconds later his daughter was standing in the doorway. He glanced up and immediately could tell something was wrong. Her cheeks were flushed bright pink and her eyes were swollen and red. She had been crying.
Immediately Chuck stepped around his desk and crossed to her. "Cordelia what's the matter? Did something happen?"
Cordelia collapsed against him crying as Chuck enveloped her into his strong embrace. He ran a hand over the back of her hair which was curled and hanging free down her back. He had a brief memory of her falling off her bike when she was five and Chuck rushing to pick her up as she sobbed against his shoulder.
"Cor, tell me what's wrong?" He was scared this was going to be something that he couldn't fix for her. Her problems nowadays were much bigger than scraped knees and mean girls.
She shook her head as she continued to cry unable to speak. Chuck decided to let her get it all out before pushing her any more for an explanation. Finally after a couple of minutes she took a couple of deep breaths trying to stop her tears. She lifted her head and her big, brown eyes met Chuck's.
"He broke up with me," she whispered as fresh tears started to fall down her cheeks.
Chuck reached into his pants pocket pulling out his handkerchief. He gently dabbed at the tears on her cheeks. He decided not to say anything and to let her talk.
"He said with me going to Paris it would be too difficult to make things work. He's giving up before we even try." She fell into his arms again and Chuck squeezed her tightly.
He felt anger rise up inside himself. How dare this piece of shit reject his daughter? Didn't this boy understand what an incredible gift she was? What an idiot.
Chuck placed a gentle kiss to the top of her head as he felt tears form in his eyes. He wished he could take this heartache from her. It killed him to see her so upset.
She pulled away suddenly and took a deep steadying breath. She stepped out of his embrace and walked over to the leather couch collapsing onto it. "What's wrong with me? Why can't I find a guy who really loves me?"
Chuck crossed the room and sat down next to her. "Cordelia listen to me, there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. You are perfect and beautiful. You are intelligent and thoughtful. Basically you are too good for these guys. Some point down the road you will find the right man. You'll find the guy who knows that you are worth waiting for."
She rolled her eyes leaning back against the cushions. "You have to say that you're my father."
He shook his head. "No I'm saying it because it's true."
She stared down at her bare knees. "You didn't wait for Mom."
And there it was that nugget of truth Chuck would never, ever really get away from. He looked at his daughter. Her dark head bent to the side and her chocolate curls lying over her shoulder. It could be Blair sitting next to him.
He took a deep breath. "You're right I didn't the first time. I was a fool and then I waited way too long the second. Timing was never our friend. But, luckily for you and your brothers, we figured it out and I realized what a gift she was."
He reached out wrapping his arm around her and pulling her back against him. "Look, you're allowed to be upset about this break up. For whatever reason you liked Patrick and the loss of that is going to hurt but you will eventually get through it and realize you're better off. You are Cordelia Eleanor Bass after all. Nothing can hold you down for too long."
Cordelia wrapped her arm around her father's waist and hugged him. "Thanks Daddy."
He hugged her back tightly. "You're welcome sweetheart." He kissed the top of her head breathing in the faint scent of Chanel's Coco that she always wore. "I want you to be happy more than anything else in this world and if there's any way that I can help accomplish that you know that I will. I would move heaven and earth to make you happy."
She eyed him coyly. "You could take me to Fiji with you and Mom. That would make me ecstatic."
Chuck laughed softly and shook his head. "Not a chance."
She laughed as she stood up. "You can't blame a girl for trying."
Chuck shook his head. "No I can't. Good night sweetheart."
She stopped at the door turning back to smile at him. "Good night Daddy. I love you."
He had barely responded "I love you too" and she was through the door and gone.
Chuck had spent the last half hour making small talk and answering the same question over and over; "So how does it feel to be walking your little girl down the aisle?"
Chuck forced a smile and reassured them he was ready but inside he had a different answer. It felt fucking miserable. He wasn't ready to completely let her go and definitely not to the man she had chosen to marry.
Michael Dunne was all wrong for his Cordelia. He had lamented to Blair on numerous occasions but she was doing that thing she always did convincing herself that it was all perfect. She tried to tell him that one would ever be good enough in his eyes but it was more than that. Chuck didn't see the love and devotion that he felt his daughter deserved. She was entitled to a husband who would cross oceans to please her and Michael Dunne wasn't that man.
It didn't help that Chuck and Michael were on the outs. Chuck had had the Bass family lawyers draw up an airtight prenup and Michael had the nerve to act offended when presented with it. When Cordelia stepped in, thinking with her heart as usual, and defended Michael, Chuck had told them both he would cut her off completely if the contract wasn't signed. That ended with Cordelia in tears screaming about how "you and Mommy didn't have a prenup!" and Chuck responding "that's because your mother and I are the real thing." Cordelia ran from the room and Michael signed on the dotted line.
It was Blair that finally calmed their daughter down and convinced her to sign the prenup telling her it was just a technicality and it didn't mean anything in the grand scheme of things. As Cordelia signed her name she glared at her father.
Michael had been anything but warm towards Chuck since that day but Chuck didn't care one bit. His daughter would always be his no matter what some marriage license said.
Henry found his father outside the back of the church pacing. Chuck was finishing his second cigarette. Henry waved at the trace of smoke in the air. "If Mother catches you smoking she's going to have a fit."
Chuck tossed the cigarette to the ground crushing underneath his custom made Italian dress shoe. "She told me I couldn't have a drink and I needed something to calm my nerves."
Henry clapped his hand onto his father's shoulder and squeezed. "She's going to be okay Dad. She's a Bass."
Chuck nodded. "I can't help but worry about my kids."
"We're you this worried about me on my wedding day?"
Chuck rolled his eyes. "Hardly. I knew your wife was the right one for you. You're too much like me. You wouldn't commit until it was a hundred percent the sure thing. Your sister has a lot of your Mother's romanticism in her. It clouds their judgment all too often."
Henry was about to respond when Ned came through the doors. "Mom is freaking out. You better get in there Dad before she has a stroke."
Chuck nodded taking a deep breath. He glanced at Henry. "Thanks for the pep talk."
"Anytime."
Chuck started back up the stairs. He squeezed Ned's elbow as he walked past him. "See you guys inside."
He went through the doors and back down the long hall finally stopping outside a large door. He knocked once and entered.
There stood his twenty-eight year old daughter dressed in the most gorgeous lace wedding dress. She was so beautiful and so perfect that she almost looked like a doll. He was literally breathless.
Blair was watching him intently her eyes brimming with tears. Chuck took two steps inside shutting the door behind him. "Cordelia you look…" he stopped unable to speak for a minute. He crossed to her and reached out taking her hands in his. "Beautiful is too plebian of a word to describe you. You're like an angel. How are you even real?"
Cordelia reached up wiping a stray tear from her cheek. "I assure you that I am Daddy."
Blair stepped next to Chuck and kissed his cheek gently. "I'm going to go. I'll see you in a minute." She smiled at her daughter. "I love you Cordelia."
"I love you too, Mom. Thank you for everything."
Blair reached out squeezing her arm gently. "You're welcome. I have to go before I cry again and ruin my makeup."
Blair rushed from the room and suddenly it was just the two of them. Chuck squeezed her hands in his as he looked her over one more time. His eyes met hers and suddenly he noticed the fear there. She was petrified. It was the same look she'd had all her life whenever she was afraid and he knew it well.
"Sweetheart, if you want to get out of here we can go. No questions asked."
Cordelia shook her head as another tear slipped down her cheek. "I love him Daddy. I'm just nervous."
Chuck nodded. He knew she was lying. Not about loving Michael he was afraid that part was true but she wasn't nervous she was frightened and unsure.
"Before we go out there I want to tell you one thing and I want you to really hear it." She nodded and he reached up carefully brushing her tear away. "No matter what happens you are always my daughter. The day you were born I vowed to protect you with my life and that doesn't change even if your name does. Do you understand?"
Her lip trembled as she looked down at their clasped hands. "Thank you Daddy."
He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I love you so much and I will always take care of you."
He reached up pulling her veil over her head and adjusting it. He wiped at the tears in his eyes. There was a gentle knock on the door and her best friend, Sophie stepped inside carrying her bouquet of pale pink peonies.
"Are you ready Cor?" she asked.
Cordelia took a deep breath and smiled one last time at her father. "I'm ready."
Chuck stepped to her side and held his arm out for her. "Then let's go my darling girl."
She slid her arm through her father's and took her bouquet from Sophie.
She was marrying another man today but she was still his little girl and that would never change.
Chuck rushed down the corridor of Lenox-Hill Hospital. He felt like it was just yesterday that he was here with Blair waiting for the arrival of Cordelia and now thirty years later he was here to meet his first granddaughter.
He had rushed past the nurses' station since Blair had texted him her room number he knew exactly where he was going. No one stopped him even though it was eleven o'clock at night. Charles and Blair Bass had been responsible for the brand new neonatal wing that was completed last year. There were no visiting hours for the Basses.
He straightened his tie as he knocked on her door. He heard a soft "Come in" and pushed the door to. As he stepped into the room he saw his beautiful daughter sitting upright in bed cradling a tiny blanketed bundle in her arms. A quick glance around told him they were alone.
"Hey princess."
Cordelia tore her eyes from her newborn daughter and beamed up at her father. "Hi Daddy."
Chuck rushed to her side placing a kiss to her forehead. "How are you feeling?" He reached out and pulled the corner of the blanket aside.
"I'm so happy. Isn't she perfect?"
Chuck smiled. "She is beautiful." He stepped over to the sink to wash his hands. "Where is Michael?" He dried his hands and walked back to his daughter's bedside pulling a chair over.
He noticed the shift in Cordelia's features. "He had some work to do so he decided to head home for the night."
Chuck shook his head. When Blair had had Henry he had never left her side. What kind of a man leaves his wife after she's just given him the greatest gift possible?
"No matter I'm here to keep you company." He reached out for the baby as Cordelia lifted her up to him. "Hello there," he whispered softly against her ear. He kissed the baby's cheek gently.
"Eleanor Lillian say hello to your grandfather."
Chuck smiled as he sat down. "Your grandmother would've been over the moon at the name choice."
Cordelia nodded. "That's what Mom said."
"When did she leave?" He couldn't take his eyes off the baby.
"About twenty minutes ago. She had been here all day and she was exhausted. Dorota too."
Chuck had been in Paris when he got the call that Cordelia was in labor. He had wrapped up his meetings and returned home as soon as possible. He came directly from the airport so he hadn't even seen Blair yet.
They spent the next half hour chatting about the baby and Blair and all her plans. Finally he got up settling Ella, as they were calling her, into her bassinet.
He picked up the bag he had brought with him and took a seat on the edge of his daughter's bed. He reached out and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. Her hair was perfectly done and he knew that was owed to Blair.
"I'm so proud of you."
Cordelia reached out embracing her father hugging him. "Thank you Daddy," she whispered. After a minute she sat back.
Chuck pulled a velvet box from the bag and handed it to her. "I picked you up a little something from Cartier before I left Paris to celebrate your May baby."
Cordelia opened the box slowly and gasped when she say the emerald and diamond necklace inside. "Oh Daddy, it's breathtaking."
Chuck watched her as she lifted the piece from its nest of silk and held it up to the light. He stood up reaching out taking the piece from her. "I'm glad you like it. Hold your hair up and I'll put it on for you."
She did as he said and he locked the necklace in place. It glistened around her throat. He sat back down as she reached into the bedside table drawer pulling out a small hand mirror so she could see the piece on.
"Seriously Dad it's beautiful."
Chuck smiled at her. "You're beautiful. It's something you can pass down to Ella one day."
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "I should let you rest. Your mother and I will be back in the morning."
Cordelia lay back on her pillow as Chuck stood up and arranged her blankets around her just like he used to do when she was little.
She smiled as her eyes began to droop. "I am tired."
Chuck kissed her forehead one last time. "I imagine you are." He then turned to the bassinet leaning down and kissing his granddaughter gently. "Get some rest. I love you."
She had barely responded and she was drifting off to sleep.
Chuck left the room texting Blair that he would be home shortly.
An hour later and he was crawling into bed next to his wife.
Blair immediately came awake as she felt her husband's arms wrap around her waist.
"Did you see our beautiful Ella?"
He kissed her neck inhaling her scent. "She's beautiful."
"It'll be nice to have a girl around." Blair smiled softly. "Where have you been? You left the hospital over an hour ago?" She glanced over her shoulder at him.
"I paid a visit to our son-in-law. It seems he had forgotten how to treat the mother of his child."
Blair sighed. "Chuck it's not our battle."
"No man is going to treat my daughter like that. Needless to say he's en route back to the hospital."
Blair rolled onto her back looking up at her husband. "You are such a good man." She reached up cupping his face and pulling him down for a kiss.
Immediately he deepened it. They had been apart for five days and he had missed her terribly. He decided this was the last time he was traveling for BI. It was time for him to slow down and enjoy his time with his wife and grandchildren. Henry could take it over.
As he covered Blair's body with his own he realized passing the torch was much easier than he ever thought it would be. He was ready for this next phase of their lives and he was looking forward to it.
Messy was the word people were using but that was putting it very politely. Cordelia's divorce from Michael Dunne was a complete disaster. Michael was dragging Cordelia and her good name through the mud. Chuck had his entire legal team working incessantly trying to free his daughter from this nightmare.
The New York papers were having a field day. It had been six months now of publicity and public fighting. It was two weeks ago that pushed Chuck over the edge. The bastard had decided to sue for sole custody calling his daughter and her lifestyle unfit. Chuck knew there wasn't a judge alive that would allow this but even the threat of being separated from her children was killing Cordelia. Chuck had had enough.
So it was that, armed with a folder of information he acquired privately, Chuck strode into the penthouse hotel room of his soon to be former son-in-law. Getting the key card from the front desk had been simple. The idiot should've chosen a non-Bass hotel. He glanced around the spacious living room impressed with what Cordelia's trust fund was affording the asshole. He could hear the shower running and decided to make himself comfortable.
He poured himself a glass of scotch and settled himself on the couch to wait.
Ten minutes later a damp haired Michael stepped into the room startled to find his father-in-law sitting crossed leg on his couch.
Once the shock passed he approached Chuck. "How the hell did you get in here?"
Chuck took a sip of his drink and leaned forward sliding the glass onto the coffee table. He then sat back adjusting the cuff of his pants as if he had all the time in the world.
"Seeing as it is my hotel and you are using my daughter's money to pay for it, it really wasn't all that hard. Maybe try the St. Regis next time."
"I don't know why you're here Chuck but I've been instructed by my lawyers not to meet or speak with any of you privately." He crossed his arms over his chest.
Chuck got up faster than one would think he could move and was standing in front of Michael in a second flat. He leaned into his son-in-law's face and said more calmly than he felt, "You listen to me you piece of shit this ends here. There are no more lawyers and no more press. You are going to sign the original divorce agreement according to the prenup and Cordelia is going to raise her children in peace. As far as I am concerned you are dead. You have been a leech on my family for twelve years too many."
Michael rolled his eyes. "You've never liked me I get it but I'm not going to just roll over. Your daughter isn't some perfect little princess she can be a real bitch when she wants to be."
In flash Chuck had his hands wrapped around his throat and his back shoved against the wall. He squeezed hard. "You say one more word about my daughter and your children are going to be fatherless. Do you understand me?" He banged Michael's head against the wood. Michael nodded as much as he could. "Good. Now you're going to shut your fucking mouth and do exactly what I say."
Chuck released him running a hand through his hair. He walked back where he had been sitting and picked up the stack of manila folders he had brought with him.
He started to flip through them as Michael dramatically coughed and tried to catch his breath. Chuck glanced up at him. "I promised Cordelia I wouldn't stoop to your level but you lost that privilege when you attacked her as a mother." He held up numerous photos of Michael with different women in all sorts of compromising positions.
"You have cheated on her and lied to her. You've also lied to your children. Away on business when you're really off fucking some whore. Lying to poor Peter. Telling him you wouldn't make it home for his birthday because of work. You're scum and an unfit father and husband."
Michael shrugged. "Cordelia knows about that."
Chuck nodded. "Yes we all know about it. You didn't even have enough class to at least try to keep it private." He pulled out a small stack of papers and tossed the rest of the pile aside. "My question though is does she know about the embezzling? From your company? Better yet do the Feds know?" He shoved the papers into his hands.
Michael's face was drained of all color now. Chuck smirked. "Not such a big man now. I'll admit you hid it well. It took even my well trained staff nearly two weeks to uncover this dirt." He picked up his glass and turned back to his son-in-law. "Call your lawyers. Tell them you're going to proceed with the original divorce agreement. Cor keeps full custody of the kids and if she's feeling generous maybe she'll allow you visitation." He drained his glass putting it back down. "If you don't I will be contacting my friend at the FBI. I would hate for my grandchildren to have to visit their father in federal prison."
Chuck started to leave the room and stopped turning back to face his son-in-law for what he knew would be the last time. "Oh and by the way if you ever do anything to hurt my family again it'll be the last thing you ever do. This includes my grandchildren. Clear?"
Michael's shoulders slumped forward. "Crystal."
Chuck nodded his head and left the room. He walked out feeling lighter than he had in months.
Six hours later he was in his library reading when there was a knock on the open door. He glanced up to see his daughter standing there.
"Cor, to what do I owe the pleasure?" He set his book aside.
Cordelia came in sitting next to him. "I think you know." Her eyes were glistening with tears. "I don't know what you did but Michael has signed the papers. It's all over."
Chuck shrugged. "All I did was help him see the error of his ways."
Cordelia shook her head. "I know you're responsible Daddy and I know I said I didn't want you interfering like that but thank you." She was crying hard now. "I feel so relieved."
Chuck reached out and pulled her into his arms. "You made a mistake and married the wrong man you shouldn't have to be punished for that. Now everyone can move on."
She nodded. "I thought I was in love. You and Mom make it look so easy and I wanted what you guys had so desperately. It just didn't work."
Listening to his daughter Chuck thought for the first time that maybe he and Blair had done a disservice to their children. Their kind of love didn't really exist in the real world. It was special and epic. No one could ever replicate that.
He squeezed her shoulders. "Cor, what your mother and I have is unique. It's also not easy. We work at it every day. Plus your mother is one of a kind. There's no woman in the world like her."
Cordelia looked up at her father. "See that's what I wanted. Total devotion."
Chuck smiled. "I want that for you as well. You deserve it."
They sat there side by side talking for the next hour and Chuck was so relieved to have his daughter free from the nightmare of the past six months and home where she belonged. He knew this wasn't a magic fix but it was the first step to helping her heal. He was happy he was able to help her no matter how small. She was his daughter no matter her age.
Eighty years old. When the hell had that happened? Chuck glanced around the garden where they were celebrating his birthday. His children and grandchildren were all there along with his first great-grandchild. Henry's son George had had a son of his own just two months ago. They had named him Charles Henry and he was the sweetest baby.
He was completely engrossed in watching Blair across the garden fussing over the tiny bundle when his daughter plopped down next to him.
She reached out taking his hand in hers. "How are you doing Daddy?"
"Look at her. She is still the most beautiful woman at the party. Some things never change."
Cordelia followed her father's gaze and took in her mother. Dressed perfectly in a beautiful Chanel dress and wearing her Mother's Day pink pearls with her hair twisted up; she looked stunning.
"When I look at her I still see that gorgeous seventeen year old girl with the perfect curls and ivory skin. I still don't know how I got so lucky."
Cordelia felt a tear slip down her cheek and she brushed it away. Her father spent more and more time lost in the past and it broke her heart.
She squeezed his hand gently causing him to look at her. "We're the lucky ones. We have great parents who love us and each other. What more could we ever want?"
He smiled at her. "A glass of scotch would be nice."
She laughed lightly. "Mother said no alcohol. She's worried about your health Dad."
Chuck rolled his eyes. "I'm eighty, Cor and I'm old. No amount of abstaining is going to change that. I've had a glass or two of scotch every day of my life since I was thirteen and I'm not about to stop now."
Cordelia thought for a moment and then sighing got up and crossed to the bar requesting a glass of single malt. She told the bartender to make it a double. Her father had a point and besides he never asked anyone for anything. It was the least she could do for him.
She took the glass and crossed the yard back to her father's side. Reaching out she handed him the glass. He took it tipping it slightly in her direction as a toast and took a sip.
Very few things gave him as much pleasure as a really good vintage of scotch.
"Charles Bass I said no alcohol." Blair approached them.
"It's his birthday Mother. One glass isn't going to hurt him."
Chuck drained his glass before Blair could snatch it away. She raised her eyebrows at him. "What are we three?" She turned her gaze on her daughter. "And for your information I would like to see him make it to his eighty-first birthday."
Chuck reached out taking Blair's hand and squeezing it. "I think that's something that's completely out of your very capable hands my dear."
Blair met his eyes with her own. "Don't talk like that." She leaned down kissing him softly. "You know I don't like it."
"Let's go upstairs," he whispered against her lips.
Cordelia stood up. "I think that's my cue to leave."
Chuck and Blair laughed as they watched their daughter rush over to join her children and brothers on the other side of the garden.
Chuck patted Blair's hip. "I was talking about a nap."
Blair smiled taking Cordelia's vacated seat. "I know you were."
As he took her hand again he realized his life had been absolutely perfect and there wasn't a single thing he would change. Even all the heartache and pain had been worth it. It brought him here and here was a pretty damn wonderful place.