Disclaimer: I own Elizabeth, all the rest of the characters unless otherwise noted do not belong to me
~She's at the startin' line of the rest of her life
As ready as she's ever been
Got the hunger and the stars in her eyes
The prize is hers to win
She's waitin' on my blessings
Before she hits that open road
But baby get ready, get set, don't go~
(Billy Ray Cyrus)
Chapter 111: Ready, Set, Don't Go
Good Morning Upper East Siders.
How do you look today? You know image is everything. But under those perfect clothes and perfect smiles everyone has their not so perfect secrets. Lucky for me, nothing can stay hidden forever. Whether the truth's in a diary or the daily news. Once it's out it will change everything. Let the chips fall where they may along with the husbands and boyfriends
Elizabeth had picked up Ella super early from her dads. She could tell he was in a foul mood and he didn't want to talk to anyone really. She walked into the Empire with her little girl on her hip. She saw Chuck and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"How are my girls today?" he asked.
"Good, momma is gonna spend the day with Ella before I leave her for 7 weeks" Elizabeth replied, "Does Daddy wanna join us?"
"I so wish I could" he replied "But I have this party to plan for my father"
"And I so…actually…"
"I know" he replied kissing her "I'll miss you though"
Nate walked over with a key card.
"I take it you've decided to ask Lola to move in for the summer?" Chuck asked taking Ella from Elizabeth.
"She sleeps here every night. I wanna see her every day"
"Yeah that's the perfect reason to ask a girl to move in" Elizabeth replied.
"Why did you move in?" Nate asked.
"So that Ella was under the same roof as her parents"
"Right?"
"I may have had other motives in asking her to move in" Chuck replied "This place needed a women's touch"
"Couldn't we all" Bart said walking in then looked at Elizabeth "I didn't know the uniform was casual?"
"I don't work here" she replied "But speaking of work, I have a list of stuff I need to drop off with Matt."
"Is Carter coming home for the summer to run the shop?" Nate asked.
"I have no clue; he's not talking to me" she replied and took Ella from Chuck. "We will see you later before I drop her off with Dad"
"Of course," he replied and she kissed him then glanced at Bart then left.
She got to the coffee shop and spotted Matt behind the counter.
"I would like one hug and one coffee" she replied and he came around the corner and hugged her.
"I will miss you and I will miss this little girl" Matt replied.
"We will miss you. It's only 7 weeks."
"And I hope it is the best 7 weeks of your life" he replied.
"I hope so too" she said then pulled a folder out of her bag. "This is basically everything for this place and the ice rink for the next 7 weeks. The ballet studios are fully booked and I offered a discount to NYU students who show their school ID. The other 5 rooms we are having altered to Studios should be finished by July. So you can start booking those early August."
"Anything Label related I need to know"
"Go out and see a few concerts when you have time. Hear anyone you like give them those business cards I printed out."
"Okay" he replied.
"I am trusting you with my other baby" she replied "But I know it's the right person to trust"
"My dad is so proud of you and what you have done with these places. He only sold it to Carter because of you."
"I just want to make him proud. I grew up here in this shop so I just want the best for it. I know that I've put skating on hold and dancing but I am living my dreams, and I have the most amazing child and the most incredible man so I am happy"
"Good" Matt said.
"I should go. I gotta make my rounds" she said
"Bye"
She hugged him goodbye and took off.
She arrived at the Empire. She got there and saw Chuck talking to a women.
"Hey" she said seeing him smile "What are you smiling about?
"You" he replied.
"What about me?"
"I just love seeing you" he replied and kissed her.
"I so wish I could stay and go to this party with you" she said.
"I know"
"But I have a flight to catch tonight. I'm flying into London and spending the night with J. She has sent me a billion pics of all the outfits she designed me"
"She is super talented" Chuck replied. "And you're crazy beautiful so I'm sure you'll look amazing and I can't wait to see you in them"
"Thanks." She smiled "Um Is Nate upstairs?
"Yeah" He replied "Why?"
"I just wanted to say goodbye. I'm grabbing my bags right now. Arthur said he would keep them for me while I say bye to everyone and then he's taking me to the airport so I hope you don't need to be anywhere?"
"He is all yours" he replied and kissed her cheek then looked at Ella "You have fun with your grandpa tonight and I will see you tomorrow"
"You're gonna pick her up?"
"I already talked to Rufus" he replied "The big plans he has with her don't start till next week and well Ella and I need to talk about her new room"
"New room?" she asked.
"If you are okay with it, I want to make your room just Ella's room. And then you can move into what I would love to call our room?"
"I would love that" she smiled and kissed him "I would love that so much!"
"Good, so while Ella is with her grandpa I'll have designers working on it. I want to wait till this party is done and things with my father being back are calmer"
"About that?"
"About what?
"Your father. Have you told him?"
"I've tried" he said "And he's seen me with her but I will again"
"Okay" she replied and kissed him. "I love you"
"I love you too"
She headed upstairs and walked in. She spotted Nate sitting on the couch.
"Hey" she replied.
"Hey" he replied "So when do you leave?"
"Tonight" she said putting Ella in the play pen. "I'm spending a few days with Jenny. The first show is in London so I thought I'd fly in a little early and hangout with my favorite little sister."
"I'm sure she will love that"
"I think she is more excited than I am about my tour. She has me an outfit for every city."
"And you will pull every single one of them off with no problem"
"Thank you" she said "That's what Chuck told me"
"Yeah."
"And he asked me to move in with him"
"You already live here?"
"No, like his room. Now being my room"
"You mean it wasn't already?" Nate laughed.
"Very funny" she laughed. "I missed this. Us being friends. I forgot what it was like"
"Same" he replied. "I feel like since the accident we've been in this funk when it came to our friendship"
"I'm sorry about that again"
"Don't be. You were going through something and there was no way I would have gotten it."
"I'm proud of you though?"
"For?"
"You asked about Carter and my business without hatred. I'm impressed"
"Well if Chuck can get past you two being business partners and trusts you with that then I shouldn't but in. You two love and trust each other. I'm happy for that. You deserve that"
"Thank you. I should actually go. I have Serena, Blair and my brother to all say bye too"
"And Chuck?"
"Oh that boy will be in Europe by next week" she replied and smiled. "And I can't wait"
She hugged him and grabbed Ella and her bag along with Ella's.
*Chuck and Bart*
They walked through the Empire.
"I am proud of you, son" Bart said. "Lily told me you'd stepped up but I had no idea how much you accomplished."
"Thank you" Chuck said. "How was seeing Lily after all this time?"
"I never dealt with such a formidable women. Made me regret not treating her better."
"They do require dedication" he replied smiling.
"I'm assuming you're talking about Blair Waldorf?"
"No" he said "Elizabeth"
"Humphrey?" Bart asked.
"The one and only" Chuck replied.
"What happened to you and Blair?"
"It didn't work, but that doesn't matter because she was never who I truly wanted. She was a distraction from what really mattered."
"The Humphrey girl?"
"She is the most beautiful, independent, intelligent women I have ever met. What she sees in me, I do not know but she does. And we have Ella. Who just mirrors her mother's beauty. And I hope mirrors her intelligence as well"
"Did you get a paternity test?"
"I didn't need one" Chuck replied. "I knew in my heart that she was mine"
"Just be careful son, the Humphrey's aren't from our world" Bart replied and walked away.
She got to Blair's and headed up. She looked around and heard talking upstairs. She headed up and saw Blair and Eleanor.
"Hey" she said knocking. "I bring a little girl to say hi and bye"
"Elizabeth" Eleanor said "How are you darling"
"Nervous. About to board a plane to London in 2 hours. Spending a whole summer away from my child. I came to talk to B"
"You're leaving" Blair said hugging her.
"Yes. Dan promised me you two would see my show in Rome?"
"We wouldn't miss it" Blair said.
"You look like you're getting ready to go so I will say bye now and tell you I love you"
"I love you too" Blair said and looked at Ella "I love you too Ella"
Elizabeth walked down running into Penelope.
"Wow, Humphrey that is not an outfit for the Sheppard Divorce party."
"Wow, Penelope you look really desperate showing up at B's. I thought I saw on Gossip Girl you were dismissed."
She glared at her and Elizabeth left.
*Chuck and Bart*
Chuck walked up to Bart at the bar.
"I appreciate you doing all this" Bart replied.
"It's important that the world knows you're back." Chuck replied. To new partnerships."
"Speaking of which" Bart said holding up a little box.
"You didn't need to buy me a gift"
"Actually you bought it. " Bart said and Chuck grabbed it. "I was at Harry Winston, picking up an apology trinket for Lily. Helene told me it was in the vault"
Chuck opened it then closed it.
"I thought you might want it back"
"I got rid of it for a reason"
"Isn't Blair the most important person in your life?"
"Not anymore" he replied "Not since Ella came into this world"
"I see" Bart replied as Lily walked up to them. "Lily what a pleasant surprise"
"Good to see you" Chuck replied.
"Is Elizabeth and Ella not joining you tonight?"
"Ella is with Rufus and Elle is headed off to her 10 city tour across Europe. I would say she wishes she could be here but if you know my Cinderella then that is a lie" Chuck replied and Lily chuckled.
"That sounds like Elizabeth. Well I hope you get to go see her soon"
"I am planning on it" he replied.
"Charles, do you mind if I speak to your father alone?"
"I'll tell everyone we need a few more minutes."
She couldn't find Serena so she figured she would just text her later when she arrived. She brought Ella back to her dad's and then she left. She got to the airport and went through security. She got on the plane and bucked up.
: Break a Leg. See you soon.
She smiled and turned her phone off and stuck it in her carryon. She grabbed her mp3 player and began playing music. Mostly songs that made her think of her family.
*Chuck and Bart*
Chuck looked at the city on the roof.
"I thought that went well." Bart said and he turned "What did you want to discuss?"
"You said this was a family business?" Chuck said "What happened to us being partners?"
"You said partnership. I said nothing and did what was best for my company"
"The only reason this company still exist is because I saved it. All I've done is work to protect your legacy"
"And pine after Blair Waldorf. Or is it Elizabeth Humphrey?"
"They have nothing to do with the way I've handle this business"
"What about your 'Daughter'?"
"She's the reason I fought so hard. To show her I can be a better man then that boy I was"
"Does Elizabeth know that you traded Blair or ran away and messed everything up? Or better yet paid Blair's dowry."
"She knows all of that. We are honest with each other."
"You are still willing to throw everything away for a girl. You proved that when you took the engagement ring."
"This stupid thing? I gave it back for a reason." Chuck said "You gave me a ring that means nothing to me"
"It was a test"
"A test"
"One you failed"
"Failed?" Chuck said "I got you out of hiding. I took down your enemy. I built this Empire"
"No the most you've done is used my money to redecorate" Bart said
*Blair and Chuck, later Rufus*
Chuck stood over the city looking over it. After everything that had happened tonight he needed to get out of it and he knew exactly where he was gonna go. He just had to make one stop. And he would do that in the morning.
Blair walked up to him.
"Sorry" she replied.
"I don't need your pity" He replied
"I'm not here because I pity you" Blair replied "I'm here because it's time I was honest with you"
He glanced at her then back to the city.
"I love you" she said and he looked at her "I'm in love with you. I have tried to kill it…to run away from it, but I can't and I don't want to anymore."
"So what?" he asked.
"So now we can be together" Blair replied.
"You think that because you told me you love me I'm gonna drop everything and be with you"
Blair was silent.
"You think that this last year with the whole 'will they, won't they' thing with Elizabeth was just another way to make you and Nate jealous again?"
"Isn't it always?"
"No" he replied "for me, it was never about making you jealous, it was always about just being with her. For a second, or just a simple kiss. You yourself used to call her my precious Elizabeth. Everything I have ever done is about Elizabeth."
"I don't believe you, I think you're just saying that to hurt me"
"No. Ask Nate" Chuck replied. "I used to make him so mad when he was back with you about Elizabeth. He didn't crack because you had feelings for me, he cracked because he knew I had feelings for her."
"You fell in love with her that summer. The one you were supposed to be with me in Europe?"
"I was already in love with her"
"What was I to you then?"
"A distraction. I never thought I had a chance with her so I moved on to you and yes I did love you. But now that I have her. I have the girl of my dreams I'm not letting her go. In fact I'm gonna ask Rufus for his blessing to marry her."
Blair stormed off and he nodded. He didn't mean to hurt her that way but she had to know that there was no chance. He had the girl he always wanted.
Knowing that Elizabeth was already on the plane Arthur was waiting out front. He got in.
"Brooklyn, The Humphrey Residence" he replied.
They got there and he went up and knocked on the door. Rufus opened it.
"Chuck what are you doing here? Elizabeth said you'd be by in the morning"
"Yes" he replied "I just wanted to talk to you about something"
"Okay, if this is about Lily and me. We are…"
"I'm sorry" Chuck said "But this isn't about Lily or my father. This is about Elizabeth."
"Is she okay?"
"Yes, well I hope. I haven't heard yet"
"Okay, what is it then?"
"I don't want your permission per say because well Elizabeth does what she wants but I would like your blessing."
"For?"
"I wanna ask her to marry me. Next week in London before she has her first show."
"And if she tells you no?"
"I will accept it" Chuck replied. "I know that your daughter has made me the man I am standing here today. She has loved me unconditionally and even at times I probably didn't deserve it. She has been my best friend, my rock, my confidant. She has given me Ella and all the magic that has come with that. I don't know what life would be like without her in it and I don't want to know. That is why I am here on your doorstep in the middle of the night."
Rufus nodded and looked at the gentlemen in front of him. He knew how Elizabeth felt and he knew that Chuck had been good for her. He never in million years would have even thought that until the last few months with everything that his daughter had gone through.
"You have my blessing" Rufus said "Do you have a ring?"
"I don't. I was gonna stop in…"
"Don't" Rufus said. "Wait here"
He went into his bedroom and pulled out a ring that Elizabeth had admired her whole life. He came back out and handed the box to Chuck.
"This was my grandmother's ring and hers before that and Lizzie has loved this ring her whole life. So it's only right that you give it to her. It will show her just how much she means to you"
"Thank you Rufus"
"Just make her happy. That is all I ask."
"She and Ella are my world. That's all I want for them"
Rufus shook his hand.
"Will I still see you in the morning for Ella?"
"Yes, she and I will be working on her new room."
"Okay, we will see you in the morning then"
She arrived in London the next morning. Jenny stood with a huge sign at the airport. She spotted her and smiled then ran and hugged her. It was so good to see her sister. Seeing her sister and having a summer with her boys on tour. This is exactly what she needed. Maybe this summer would be better than she thought. She just missed Chuck already and couldn't wait for him to show up.
*Chuck & Nate* *1 Week later*
Nate and Lola stood in the living room when Chuck walked in.
"I'm off to see Cinderella and then meet up with Jack"
"Jack?"
"Turns out my father knocked him out of the company too"
"I'm not surprised but are you sure you want to partner with the guy?"
"I need resources if I'm going to get back what I built and my father stole. I need to get my daughter's company back. Jack adores Elizabeth and Ella so he will help.
"That is true. He has a weird fascination with her unlike the one with Blair"
"Well even Jack Bass admits Elizabeth Humphrey is way out of his league" Chuck replied.
"If you ask me she's way out of all of your leagues" Lola replied.
"Thank you" Chuck laughed. "And speaking of her. I need to meet Rufus at the airport. We have a concert to attend"
"I can't believe that you are traveling with Rufus?"
"Well Bart screwed us both so…" Chuck replied "Not to mention we have 2 girls in common so…"
"Well tell Elizabeth to break a leg and have fun" Nate replied.
"Same" Lola replied and Chuck hugged them both.
He met Rufus at the airport and they boarded. He was hours away from proposing to Elizabeth Humphrey.
Elizabeth stood in her dressing room backstage of the first venue. She was so excited for this but she was already a little home sick. She applied a little lip gloss and saw Chuck standing behind her in the mirror holding Ella.
"What are you doing here?" she asked turning to him.
"I've had a hard week and I needed to see you" he replied. "We needed to see you"
"And how did you charm my dad into letting you have her to take to London?"
"Well she is my daughter" he replied and she nodded and he kissed her.
"I'm so happy you are here"
"First show tonight? You nervous?"
"No" she replied "Now that you are here all my butterflies have vanished."
"Well hopefully this doesn't mess with that" he asked and he sat Ella down on the couch. He then turned to her and got down on one knee.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Elizabeth Odette Humphrey, my Cinderella. I have loved you since our junior year of high school and it has only grown throughout the years. You have made me who I am today and I can't imagine my life without you or Ella in it. Will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me"
She started crying and instantly wiped her make up.
"Are you serious?" she asked and he held out the ring and she saw it. "You talked to my dad?"
"I did" he replied "He's here. Backstage waiting for the show to come on"
"I love you" she said kissing him. He wrapped her arms around her picking her up then setting her back down.
"That wasn't an answer" he replied and she nodded.
"YES" she shouted. "Yes, I will marry you"
He slid the ring on and she glanced at it.
"Oh my god, I need to go perform" she replied wiping her tears. He helped her wipe them and then kissed her. She left the room and he turned to Ella.
"That went better than expected" he said and Ella clapped. He picked her up and took her out to backstage. The only reason he was allowed to have her there was he explained to the owner what his plans were and since this was the guy who had spent the last year helping Elizabeth with this tour he was happy to help.
Outsiders remain on the outside at least for now. The Queen B ascends to reign over a new kingdom. And the wild cards just keep getting wilder. But even the same characters can start to play a new power game and old stars can cease to shine. S always said she wanted to be left alone now she'll get her wish. As far as I'm concerned. Serena Van der Woodsen doesn't exist. What did I say about letting the chips fall where they may? See you next fall.
X.O.X.O Gossip Girl