Disclaimer: I own Elizabeth, all the rest of the characters unless otherwise noted do not belong to me
~Baby, when you touch me
I can feel how much you love me
And it just blows me away
I've never been this close to anyone or anything
I can hear your thoughts, I can see your dreams
I don't know how you do what you do
I'm so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I wanna spend the rest of my life
With you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby, I'm amazed by you~
(Lonestar)
Chapter 112: Amazed
4 Months ago.
Elizabeth finished the show and she met Chuck back at the hotel room. Rufus had taken Ella back half way through the show. He got to see his little girl perform and then it was past his granddaughter's bed time.
"So, what does a newly engaged couple do?" He asked her and she smiled.
"Get married" she replied.
"What?" he asked.
"We should get married" she said.
"I know I asked you remember"
"I do" she replied putting her arms around his neck "I just don't want to wait"
"Okay" he smiled
"And you of course do" she said pulling away and he grabbed her arms.
"I wanna marry you as soon as possible, but don't you want like…"
"I don't need fancy, I just need you and well Ella but she's little and she doesn't understand"
"True" he replied "What about your dad?"
"Wake him up" she replied.
"Elizabeth"
"What?" she asked. "What is your favorite memory of me? Like absolute favorite memory. It can be from anytime in our life"
He looked at her confused at first but then thought of the time they slept together for the first time in the Hamptons. It wasn't like anytime he had slept with anyone else. In fact, it was probably the first time he had made love to a girl. But he didn't think of it that way then because he was a young guy who was just happy to get laid half the time.
"So?" she replied.
"The Hamptons" he replied "And before…"
"Me too" she replied before he says anything else. "Do you know why?"
"For me or you?"
"Both" she said putting her arms around his neck and looking up at him.
"You say" he said.
"Are you gonna copy me?" she laughed.
"No" he replied. "I just don't want to sound like a sappy love sick fool"
"To late you proposed" she smiled then looked down and then back up at him. "It's because it was a special moment. I went to the Hamptons to have one last night with you and I honestly thought that it would be for you like all the others you had slept with. But that night didn't feel like just sex to me. It felt intimate and it's possibly the first time in my life that I thought it was possible to have feelings for you and admit them out loud."
"Now who's the sappy love sick fool?"
"Hey" she laughed. "You?"
"Because I knew I loved you and I wanted that night to last forever" he replied, and she kissed him.
"Neither one of us planned for that to happen. At least not like that. It just did and it was this special moment for us both. I want our wedding to be that. Just a special moment with just us. No outside forces betting against us. Just two people in love who maybe have been in love longer than either admitted."
"Are you sure?"
"100%" she replied "I can't wait to be your wife"
"Then let's go" he said, and she pulled away from him and he grabbed her hand.
Now…
Welcome back, Upper East Siders. Call me superstitious, but I've got a feeling this fall could be my last season. Let's face it I've been at this a long time. But age breeds wisdom and this I know the best is yet to come.
Elizabeth got out of the airport with her guitar and suitcases. She went to hail a cab when a limo pulled up. Arthur opened the door for her and grabbed her stuff.
"Thank you, Arthur," she replied and climbed in. He got back in.
"Where to Mrs. Bass"
"He told you"
"He did indeed. Congratulations"
"Thank you" she smiled looking at her ring again. She still couldn't believe it. "Home would be great"
They arrived and he got out her bags and a bellhop took them up for her. She walked in and turned into Chuck's room to see it all set up for the two of them. She smiled and headed back to her old room to see it when her phone rang, and she picked it up.
"Hello"
"Elizabeth darling" Lily said. "Have you seen Serena by chance?"
"I just got back in. I actually haven't seen her since before I left this summer. Did you try Blair?"
"Nate did, no word"
"Well, I will call my brother and see if maybe he did"
"Thank you, Darling," Lily said and hung up.
She got out her phone trying to call Dan but no answer. The elevator dinged and Nate walked in.
"Hey Liz" he replied "You're back"
"I am" she replied.
"You look fantastic. Europe was good to you"
"Europe was very good to me. Probably my favorite place in the world" she smiled.
"Well, I don't know if Lily reached out to you?"
"She did, I haven't seen her" she replied.
"Well, I'm meeting Blair and Chuck over at Lily's. I just wanted to stop here first"
"Yeah, let's go" she replied. "I'm just gonna call my dad first"
"Okay" he said and went in to his room. She got out her phone and called her dad.
"Hey rock star" her dad says.
"Hey dad" she replied. "How is my little girl?"
"We had the best summer. But she misses her parents. I know both you and Chuck called almost every night between the two of you but I'm sure she'd love to see you in person"
"Well, I have something I have do really fast and then I will be over to pick her up. We both will"
"Well, no rush we are gallery shopping"
"Oh well she's my child so she will definitely help you with that" she smiled. "Bye dad"
"Love you rock star" he said then hung
They arrived at Lily and went to head up when Nate stopped.
"What?"
"Just checking my messages about another source?"
"Anything?"
"No" he replied, and they headed up.
They arrived to see Blair and Chuck talking.
"How was your summer?" Blair asked.
"Amazing" Chuck replied and spotted Elizabeth.
"Hey" she replied, and he kissed her.
"Have you seen Ella yet?" he asked.
"I have not but my dad said that right now they are having a good time gallery shopping. I said we'd stop by later to get her."
"I miss her"
"Same" she said then turned to Blair "You look beautiful as always B"
"Back at you Liz, I hope you had an amazing tour."
"I did" she replied. "We sold out almost every night"
"Should we get to work?" Nate asked realizing it was an awkward small talk.
"Yes"
They went to her room and began looking through everything for clues as to where she could be but were having no such luck. Blair was beginning to blame herself. Elizabeth hugged Blair. Nate got on his phone and began texting a person again. They got the text and headed out. They arrived at a convenience store and got out.
"All right so were not too far from where Gossip Girl said she is." Nate said.
"What makes you so sure we're not being led on a wild goose chase, Nathaniel?" Chuck asked "I mean Gossip Girl is only slightly trustworthy than, say, Georgina Sparks or me"
"I paid a serious price for Serena's location" Nate said. "I was gonna break a major story. I had surveillance video that could've let me to the identity of Gossip Girl "
"Unmasking Gossip Girl? That's a major media coup" Blair said "I can't imagine a better way to relaunch "The Spectator"
"That's amazing Nate" Elizabeth said.
"Well, you're gonna have too. I traded the whole story to find out where Serena is"
"I don't understand" Chuck said.
"It's noble and selfless" Blair replied.
"So of course, you don't" Elizabeth replied.
"Hey" he replied, and she smiled at him.
"Joking"
"You put your whole venture at risk"
"If it helps Serena, it's worth it" Nate said as Chuck held the door open, and the girls climbed in. They drove a little ways "So the place were going to doesn't look like it's on an actual road"
"So, she's literally off the map" Chuck asked.
"Well whatever backwards town we're headed to, it can't be good. Serena isn't Country Strong."
"We might have to be for her" Nate said leaning back.
Elizabeth grabbed Chuck's hand and he kissed it.
"I've missed you" she whispered.
"Back at you" he replied.
"Can you turn right here please? We need to go west." Nate replied.
A van cut them off causing Arthur to slam on his breaks. They all got out. Elizabeth took a deep breath. Any slamming of breaks of car contact to anything definitely gave her accident flashbacks. Chuck pulled her to him and kissed the top of her head. They got out and he put his hands on her shoulders.
"You, okay?" he asked.
"Yeah" she replied, and he kissed her.
"What the hell is going on?" Nate asked.
"What are we doing?" Elizabeth heard her brother.
"Sabotage" Georgina said.
"Georgina Sparks" Blair replied.
"With Humphrey in tow" Chuck said.
"You have your own Humphrey" Georgina said.
"Ours is prettier than yours" Nate replied.
"Thanks Nate" Elizabeth replied.
"Hey guys. Nice day for a drive, huh?" her brother said.
"Don't talk to them. Let's go. Now" Georgina said.
"What are you doing with her?" Elizabeth asked walking over to him.
"What are you doing with them?" Dan asked.
"Saving Serena" Blair replied.
"No. Finding Serena" Georgina replied "And since you're going to be following us. I'm going to have to ask you follow my lead as well.
"Which means what exactly?" Chuck asked.
"Do nothing. Whatever Serena is doing, we can't get involved. We're there to observe and record. Like a documentary" Georgina said.
"This isn't a reality show, Sparks. This is Reality, a concept I know you're a little fuzzy on. So whatever filth-filled, paint-huffing meth den we find Serena cracked out in, we don't judge"
"We're still her friends no matter what" Nate replied.
"Exactly" Elizabeth put in.
"We're her family" Chuck replied
"Oh, aren't you just the kindest, nicest little trust fund babies in the whole world?" Georgina said. "But when it comes to what Serena's capable of, I think you'll find its nothing like what you imagined."
"I can't argue with you there" Dan said, and Elizabeth glanced at him.
"I would just like to point out that most serial killers are high-functioning members of society who lead a double life. She could be trapped in the basement or buried in the back yard."
"Find a shovel and start digging" Elizabeth replied
"There's gotta be an explanation for all this" Dan said.
"Well only one way to find out" Elizabeth said pushing through and walking up to the front door. They rang the doorbell and a lady opened it.
"Can I help you?"
"I believe you can. We're looking for our friend Serena." Chuck said
"Blonde. Legs for days. Effortless charisma that only someone far less secure than I am, would find threatening." Blair said getting a look from Georgina.
"And I'm the weird one?" Georgina said
"I believe you mean Sabrina?" the maid said, and they all saw Serena standing behind her.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she asked them as they followed her into the living room.
"Uh, looking for you." Blair said.
"To observe and record." Georgina replied.
"No. We're here to help you." Nate said.
"And get you home." Chuck said.
"And, uh, I don't even know what I'm doing here." Dan said getting a glare from Elizabeth.
"Can't you see there's a party going on and you're not invited?"
"Crashing parties is one of our favorite pastimes." Chuck replied.
"Especially when it involves infiltrating a sophisticated yet deadly cult. Now which one is the charismatic leader" Georgina asked.
"Please leave before it's too late." Serena begged.
"Sabrina! Sabrina." A guy yelled.
"Too late."
"Sabrina, you didn't tell me you invited friends."
"That is so Sabrina" Blair said.
"Oh, she loves surprises." Nate replied.
"She has so many surprises, you could write a book about 'em." Dan said.
"Where to end that book is the challenge." Georgina commented.
"I hope you don't mind us dropping by." Chuck said sticking out his hand.
"Steven"
"Nice to meet you."
"And of course not. The more, the merrier on this special day. Please, stay and be a part of it."
"Oh, yes, Steven. I think we will." Blair said.
"Why don't we get my friends some drinks then?" Serena said walking out of the room with Steven.
They walked outside looking at everything.
"This is so much worse than we thought." Georgina said.
"Because you're here? I agree." Blair said.
"What makes you say that? It's a nice house. He seems like a nice guy." Nate said.
"Nice Party" Elizabeth said "Very classy"
"Look at this. Trellis, chairs, pastor. This is a wedding." Chuck said
"And Serena was wearing a white dress! Either she's the bride, or she's just really tacky." Blair said
"I told you. She's obviously had a psychotic break. Serena's taken too many happy pills, and now she thinks she's Sabrina from Dan's book." Georgina commented.
"That actually sounds vaguely plausible." Dan said.
"Or today's the day of the cult sacrifice, and since I don't see any volcanoes in the area, I wonder if they're burning her at the stake."
"And then you lost me"
"You both are insane" Elizabeth said walking further down. "I'm going"
"Where are you going?" Her brother asked.
"To talk to Serena or at least someone to figure out what's going on here. Or just to get away from this Drama which you seem to be at the center of. Georgina really? Is that how you spent your summer? Actually, don't answer that. I don't like social gatherings. Sue me" she replied walking even further away.
"I'm gonna call Lily. She was really worried this morning so I should let her know Serena is alive" Nate said then walked away and Elizabeth walked further down ignoring what the rest of them were doing.
Elizabeth found a refreshment table and poured herself a drink. She really didn't like being there. She just wanted to be at home with her husband and her daughter.
"What are you doing here with them?" Dan asked her.
"Me? They were your friends once too or did you forget that?" she asked him, and he walked away. She saw the group talking and went to walk over when Steven pulled Serena to the front, and he made a speech. Blair and Georgina made a scene. Elizabeth took a sip of her drink and couldn't help but laugh.
They all went into the living room and sat down.
"Will someone tell me what's going on here? Why are the maid of honour's friends ruining David and David's wedding?" Steven asked.
"I know I have some explaining to do. But can we talk, just the two of us, please?" Serena asked.
"No one goes anywhere. No more lies. I have proof that you're on drugs. I found these in your bathroom." Georgina stated.
"Yeah, those are vitamins." Steven said.
"Okay. Like we're supposed to believe that."
"Steven makes them. He has a holistic health company." Serena said.
"Wait. You're Steven Spence. I saw you speak at the T.E.D conference last year." Chuck said.
"I told you I was fine."
"Actually, no, you didn't." Dan said.
"Yeah. Dan is right. You fell off the face of the earth without a word." Blair commented.
"But isn't that what you wanted? You kicked me out of your house. You said you have no reason to ever speak to me again. And, what, you two were too busy doing whatever it is you do to even send a text. And Elizabeth was the limelight of your Europe tour so amazing to keep you so busy you couldn't call?" Serena said.
"Actually, I did call. Numerous times" Elizabeth said frustrated.
"I spent the summer in the middle east, dealing with something relating to my father. It's serious." Chuck said.
"Well, and so am I about turning my life around."
"Wait a second. Blair, you two spent the summer apart?" Dan asked her to look at Blair than Chuck.
"Dan really?" Elizabeth said looking at him.
"I started my summer on a train, being revived by paramedics."
"Mouth-to-mouth on public transportation? Yeah, I'd say that's rock bottom." Georgina commented.
"Yeah, I would, too, which is why I wanted to start fresh without any of you. As for why I pretended to be someone else, well, I-I think that explains itself" she said running off. Blair chased after her, Dan not far behind. Elizabeth shook her head and leaned back.
"Here" Chuck said handing her a drink. She took it and downed it.
"Thanks Hun" she replied handing it back to him and he kissed her.
"It makes me so happy that you two at least survived this summer since everyone else's relationship's didn't"
"What happened with you and Lola?" Elizabeth asked.
"She booked a TV series and told me it was over."
"Sorry Nathaniel"
"Don't be" he said "As long as you two are happy"
"We are" Elizabeth replied
They left the place and picked up Ella and headed home. They got to the Empire to see Amira standing there.
"Hey Elizabeth" Amira replied.
"Hi"
"I'll be right in" Chuck said kissing her cheek and Ella's head.
"Okay" she replied.
She took Ella into her room and saw it all decorated. The bed was moved and now a futon sat there. Her crib still sat in the corner, but it was now one that you can adjust and eventually changes into a bed. There were dolls and stuffed animals all over. Chuck had gone all out.
"You like?" he asked, and she nodded.
"It's perfect" she replied, and he took the sleeping Ella from her and laid her down. They watched her sleep for a second and he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her shoulder.
"I'm so happy that we are all under the same roof again" he replied. "I love you Mrs. Bass"
"I love you too Mr. Bass" she said turning in his arms and he kissed her, and she smiled.
What's old is new again. I may not have much time left, but some things are forever. The threat of war and the fall of the mighty. And just because I've seen it all doesn't mean I've seen everything. And I gotta say, no one saw this one coming. You may think my best days are behind me, but this old girl still has some new tricks. Stay tuned.
X.O.X.O Gossip Girl