A/N: Hey Everyone! No lyrics for this chapter. I was having a hard time deciding a song title and since there is more about everyone else I thought the title worked but didn't like any of the lyrics to match.

Disclaimer: I own Elizabeth, all the rest of the characters unless otherwise noted do not belong to me

Chapter 113: Everybody's Changing

Up and at 'em Upper East Siders. It's important to start your day right. There's nothing worse than waking up on the wrong side of the bed. Except maybe waking up alone. I can hardly wait to see what today brings.

Elizabeth walked into the living room with Ella on her hip to see Chuck and Amira talking.

"Morning" she said kissing his cheek.

"You want to join me for brunch at Lily's?" he asked grabbing Ella from her.

"I can't" she said. "I have a coffee shop to run and I have a meeting with the owner of the coffee shop a couple streets down from the Empire. He's selling and he wants to offer me first buy. So that means Carter will be there"

"Well hopefully he's over it"

Not long after Chuck and Elizabeth got married Carter showed up at a concert and proposed to Elizabeth where she of course denied him. Ever since he's been distant.

"Hopefully. I just hope he doesn't use it against me in this deal. If I can get this shop it has 6 rooms downstairs that I can have renovated into ballet studios. Julliard is right there. And they don't just have to be used for dancing. You can just use a room for whatever you need. Instrument practice. Anything"

"I love how enthusiastic you are about this"

"I wasn't sure when I first got these businesses but with your faith in me I am going far with it"

"Well I am gonna bring Ella with me to Brunch." He replied "Lily would love to see her and she will bring the tension down"

"Have fun, and I'll see you later" she replied and kissed him. "Bye Amira."

"Bye Elizabeth" she replied.

*Brunch*

They sat around the table. Ella in a high chair next to Chuck.

"Well thank you for accepting our invitation for brunch, Charles. You know how important is to me that we make an effort as a family"

"Of course, I do want you both to get to know Amira" Chuck said.

"How does Elizabeth feel about you two? You two were very serious there before summer?" Lily replied.

"We both respect each other and what we want in life. We are on an honest up front. For Ella's sake"

"Thank you so much for bringing her. I've missed that smiley face"

"Well, I thought she should hang out with her grandparents. Rufus and Allison had her all summer"

"Oh, she hung out with Allison?"

"Yes, Alex and Allison took her to an art museum there in Hudson. A little young but they said she liked all the colors"

"You're on speaking terms with them?"

"Elizabeth told me" Chuck replied which was a lie. He had actually spoken to them many times. After news broke that him and Elizabeth got married the two actually flew to Europe and had dinner with him and Elizabeth. He had been on speaking terms with since. "So…"

"So how did you and Amira meet?" Lily asked getting away from the topic of Rufus and Allison.

"Well it was a tale as old as time. Boy meets girl, girl falls for boy then tells him all her darkest secrets"

"Chuck exaggerates. We found ourselves both admiring the fish tank at Ossianos's. A classic meet cute and quite ordinary, I'm afraid."

"Amira was attending a business dinner with Khalid Al-Saleh. You must know him, father. He's big in Middle East real estate. He's developed a few hotels"

"Doesn't ring a bell"

"Really?" Chuck asked. "Because Amira says he knew you"

"I doubt very much that Amira discusses her work with you. She seems like an intelligent woman."

Elizabeth arrived at the coffee shop and saw Matt behind the counter wiping it down.

"Where is every one?"

"School isn't quite back yet"

"Well I knew that but it just seems emptier than usual"

"It will pick up." He replied "Um Carter was here but he left"

"Great" she replied.

"He's not happy with you"

"I denied his proposal"

"Because you don't love him"

"Well that and I'm married" she replied showing her ring finger.

"Oh my god!" he replied grabbing her hand. "Wow Chuck has great taste"

"It was my great grandmothers"

"He talked to your dad?"

"Yeah"

"After his dad stole his wife?"

"You read the paper"

"Yeah" he replied "Wow, he must really love you to do that"

"Well I hope so I married him" she laughed.

"You look so happy" he said.

"Thank you. I am" she smiled.

*Serena and Nate*

"Thank you for picking up my check in person. It means a lot of 'The Spectator' to sponsor the same event as 'The Times'"

"Well I'm glad you wanna be involved. Just do me a favor and please don't invite Blair."

"Have you even told her that you're back yet? This is a long time for you to be mad at Blair just for being Blair."

"I'm not mad. I'm maturing. We're just naturally growing apart. You know being with Steven has really helped me to understand who I wanna be. I hope you find someone like that, too"

"You never know I might have" he said

"What?! Wait. Who?!" Serena asked "Oh my god it's Elizabeth! Right? Oh my god I'm right!"

"It is not" he replied

"But she's single right? My mom said that Chuck is seeing some Amira girl from India"

"Oh no, they're together" he replied. "And more domesticated than before"

"Wow" Serena said, "Chuck Bass domesticated."

"He loves her. And you and I have known Chuck forever. I have never seen him this way with anyone. Not even Blair"

"Well, I hope they're happy. They both deserve that." She said, "So who is your girl then?"

"Her name is Sage, she's a Columbia journalism student. She's funny, she's smart. I just…it's all very new so I can't...I can't talk about it." "Whoa! Shy smile, reluctant eye contact? I think I've seen enough. You really like this girl"

After talking to Matt, Elizabeth went downstairs to her office. In some of the renovations stuff she had get done she made her office the one downstairs and made a door so that it went to both the recording studio and to the stairs to head up. And she took the office out from upstairs and made it Matt's office for the coffee shop. She sat printing up her revenue sheets so she could show the guy from the other shop just how much she had improved this place, she also printed out the ice rinks. That was really the building she wanted. The one that sat between the coffee shop and Ice rink. But if she could expand her business as wells she was up for that.

"Hey" she heard Carter say.

"Hey" she said turning to him.

"How are you?" he asked.

"I'm sorry Carter. I really, really am. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just…"

"Beth" he said and she looked at him "I get it."

"Carter. You proposed to me in front of a huge crowd. That is not getting it. I thought you had already got it. I thought you understood that…"

"You love Chuck" he said "You have for years and I've always suspected that I was just a filler. And you even told me but I didn't listen"

"Carter you are way more than that to me. You are my first love and no one can take that from you. You are also my friend and my business partner and…"

"We'll always have S.A.T.s and coffee. "

"That we will" she replied.

"And I have these for you" he said handing her papers.

"What are these?"

"The shop is yours. All yours. The apartment, the open space for the band everything. And the ice rink with the dance studios. 100% yours. I am officially off the deed."

"Carter you love this shop, why would you give it up?"

"I love you and that's why I loved this shop but you don't love me. Not like I want you too. I need a clean break from you. This shop was always my excuse to return to you"

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive Beth you love this coffee shop. It's your sanctuary. It's where you escape to when you have a bad day. As is your ice rink"

"Thank you" she replied "What are you gonna do?"

"I'm gonna do what I do best. Poker games and talking rich kids out of their trust"

She laughed and nodded. She grabbed them from him and he saw her ring.

"You're already married?" he asked.

"Yeah" she replied glancing at it. "Chuck and I got married this summer in London. At this small little church just outside the city, it was special"

"Well I am happy for you" he said hugging her.

"You mean it?" she asked pulling away.

"100%" he said. "As much as I can't stand him, he makes you happy and well that is all I want for you."

"Thank you"

"Just don't give him the other half of this place"

"I had someone else in mind for that" she replied.

"Drew?"

"He's already half owner of the label so why not" she said.

"I like it" he said.

"Bye Carter"

"Bye Beth" he said and kissed her forehead and he left.

She left the coffee shop after the gentlemen called to reschedule. She got back to the Empire to see Chuck arguing with Amira. She walked past her and into Ella's room to see her sound asleep with her elephant. She smiled and pushed her hair out of her way.

She walked back out into the living room to see Chuck and Amira talking more. She walked over and kissed his cheek.

"Are you going to the conservatory thing?"

"No" she replied "I was gonna take Ella to the park once she wakes up"

"Okay"

"Sorry for interrupting. I'm gonna go take a nap myself" she said and walked away. Moments later she felt Chuck shaking her from her nap.

"Hey" he said as she looked at him.

"Hey" she replied.

"Blair texted me, she needs my help with something. I'll be right back" he said.

"Okay" She said. "Ella and I will be out. I think were just gonna go get ice cream instead."

He kissed her forehead and left. She got Ella up and they walked around the block and got gelato. She loved days like these. Just a day out with her little girl. They just needed Chuck with them.

*Chuck and Bart*

Chuck went running into the Empire.

"Amira!" he yelled.

"I'm afraid you missed her" Bart said leaning on the pool table. "I'd say you could call but she's probably 30,000 feet above the ground by now.

"She wouldn't leave without her…" Chuck said glancing at the safe "…money"

"It's sweet really that you also use your mother's birthday as your combination. You make it all so easy." Bart said "Drink?"

Chuck glanced toward the kitchen and back to his father hoping that Elizabeth wasn't here when he came in.

"Business records, blue prints. You need to stop this childish nonsense" Bart replied sitting down.

"Yeah coming from the one who faked a text from Blair. Classic High school move.

"I proved that you will always go running to help her"

"She's my friend so of course"

"Does your girlfriend know, and I'm not talking about Amira. We both know that you and Elizabeth never called it quits. In fact I thought I saw her sporting a very classy ring on a very important finger. Are congratulations in order"

"That's none of your business what Elizabeth and I are to each other"

"How about we call a truce. It would make Lily happy. She's very upset that you're trying to destroy our marriage."

"I don't care about your marriage and neither do you"

"Of course I do. Why else would I pay Amira to leave town"

"To protect whatever secret really forced you to fake your death. Something that's obviously not in those files."

"I told you I did it to keep you and Lily safe. Wouldn't you do the same for that beautiful wife of yours? Or perhaps your daughter. Ella was it? She's going to be 2 in February?"

"Yes I'd do anything for them but that doesn't change the fact I don't believe you" Chuck said "I wanted to believe that I finally got my father's love"

"Then let me give you some Bass properties. We can be a family again."

"It's too late for that" Chuck said.

Elizabeth walked back into the Empire with Ella as Bart was leaving.

"Evening Mrs Bass" he replied and he left.

"Thank god" Chuck said hugging them.

"What was that?" she asked and he pulled away.

"My father trying to prove that he has more power over me"

"Did he threaten me and Ella?"

"In a way"

"We will be okay" she smiled.

"How was your walk?"

"We got Gelato. It made me think of you" she smiled. "But now we should probably have a bedtime story?"

"Let's do it" he replied taking Ella from her. She grabbed one of the books and they curled up on the couch. Both Ella and Elizabeth drifted off to sleep. Chuck kissed them both on the forehead and tucked them both into bed. He changed himself and crawled in next to his wife. She turned herself into him and he held her close. He wasn't about to let his father get anywhere near either of them.

The Next morning Elizabeth and Ella headed to the coffee shop. Drew stood behind the counter.

"Thank you again" she said "I actually have a proposition for you"

"Hot" he replied and she gave him a look "What is it?"

"I'm having new papers drawn up after Carter signed all the businesses over to me"

"He did?" he asked "I never thought that he would do that. Wasn't this place like his reason to…?

"Cut all ties. Clean break" she replied "But I can't do this all by myself. I need help and since you are already my partner on the Label"

"What do you want from me?"

"50/50 partnership on all business? Label, Ice Rink, Coffee shop, and the apartments. That includes all future endeavors. Also Carter moved out of the one he was in so it's all yours if you want it. I know you and Courtney want a place of your own."

"Yeah" he replied.

"Really?"

"I love you, like a sister"

"Thank god cause I couldn't handle another…"

"Relax Liz" he said "What I was trying to say is that I love you and you are the best ice skating partner, dance partner, band mate, and best friend I have ever had so it would be an honor to be your business partner as well"

"50/50 straight across."

"Okay" he said and they shook hands and then she hugged him.

"I love you too" she said and kissed his cheek.

*Nate and Dan*

Dan walked into Nate's office.

"Hey! Heard you got a great offer from "Vanity Fair"

"I did" Dan replied "I said no"

"Did Georgina kick you off her couch or what?"

"No I left on my own. After waking up with her staring at me again"

"Please tell me that means you're giving your serial to 'The Spectator'"

"I know you need this to succeed as much as I do, but it's only gonna do that if you print it word for word"

"Done" Nate replied.

"You might want to check it out before you decide"

Nate read it

"Wow, you sure you want to publish this?"

"I am. Every word of it is true" Dan said.

"But there are details in here the world doesn't need to know. These are people you care about including your sister."

"Nothing good came from my protecting them. Once I realized I live in a world where Chuck Bass gets the girl and Elizabeth Humphrey fits in better than anyone, everything seemed very clear. I'm not playing by anyone else's rules anymore. I'm making my own rules just like my sister did. If you don't want this, I can self-publish it."

"No, no, no, I want it. I'm just saying…I've only read one page, and I'm guessing you might lose some friends and family"

"My 'friends' chased one of my sisters out of town and chose a guy who traded her for a hotel and knocked up my other sister over me. And my 'family' is well my dad is sleeping with a con artist and Lizzie, my twin, is playing house with Chuck. I'm not losing anything here. I'm taking what's mine"

She got back to the Empire and saw Chuck sitting in his robe.

"Hey" she said as Ella reached out for him. He took her.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing, I love coming home to this"

"Our daughter is the room" he replied and walked over to the couch.

"I know that's why your robe is still on" she winked, and he kissed her.

"How was your morning?" he asked, and she sat down too.

"Well, I didn't get the chance to tell you yesterday that Carter signed over everything to me."

"So you are full owner?"

"I gave half to Drew" she replied "I know I need the help with it, and he has been my partner in everything, so I thought it was only right"

"Well, he is already half owner of the label right?"

"Exactly" she replied. "So, what about you? Did Amira return?"

He handed her the photo and she looked at it.

"Who is that?"

"Don't know but I will find out" he replied. The spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out on the couch.

No one said being a parent would be easy. Some children will do everything in their power to destroy you. Others will wilt under the weight of your crushing expectations. And some will become parents themselves. You know I disapprove of teenage pregnancy. But a teenage stepdaughter? That's my kind of fun.

X.O.X.O Gossip Girl