Disclaimer: I own Elizabeth, all the rest of the characters unless otherwise noted do not belong to me
~Heard it through the grapevine~
(Marvin Gaye)
Chapter 114: I Heard it Through the Grapevine (S6E3)
Manhattan has weathered her share of storms heat waves, hurricanes, even an earthquake. But these days, it looks like a new force of nature is taking shape on the Upper East Side.
Elizabeth walked into the coffee shop with Ella on her hip. She finally got the papers in for Drew. Matt stood behind the counter.
"Hey Boss" he said.
"Can I get 2 coffees'" she said "and will you pass these on to Drew"
"Of course," he said "So he told me you asked him to be part owner of all your businesses."
"I did, but of course you are still our manager for here. You are amazing and we love you" she said, and she handed the folder with the papers in it. "Oh, speaking of business. How was the band you saw last night? Drew mentioned he couldn't go so he sent you in his place"
"A bit pitchy" he replied "I mean I got their demo if you want to listen, but I don't think they're the best for Edge Records"
"I support your feelings" she said
"Here" he replied handing it to her.
"I still trust your feelings, but I'll listen since you want me too" she replied taking it.
"Here is a cookie for Miss Ella" he said, and Ella grabbed it. "And here is your coffee's"
"You're the best Matt, that's why you're my favorite employee" she said kissing his cheek.
*Chuck and Nate*
"I heard you on the phone earlier this morning" Nate said. "Didn't sound like Liz.
"Deeper voice, darker mind…well maybe. It might be a tie some days. My Uncle Jack" Chuck said, "His people on the ground in Dubai are helping me to find out who the mystery man with Bart in Amira's photo is"
"Did he come up with anything?"
"Not yet. We got a partial plate off the car, tracked down the restaurant it was parked outside of. So that's a good place to start asking questions."
"Well, that's good news. I mean. Maybe someone in the area will recognize him. You know?"
"Yeah, let's hope so"
"Yeah"
"How are you and the teenager" Chuck asked as Dan walked in. "Or are you trading her in? Did you start seeing Dan because it didn't work with Cinderella? I may be negotiating with Terrorists, but you're harboring a fugitive. I don't care if he is Ella's uncle. Or Elizabeth's brother"
"Were family now" Dan replied "Trust me I don't like it either"
Nate and Chuck both looked at Dan.
"Because of Ella?" Nate replied.
"Because Chuck married my sister in an outskirt church in London"
"Wow congrats, why didn't you say anything?"
"Like most things in Elizabeth and I's relationship we like to keep things to ourselves until they are out. But it's your fault for not noticing I've been wearing a wedding band for weeks now, as is she."
"I don't pay attention to your fingers"
"Come on Monkey" Chuck said then left.
"I'm sorry about that, man. He's you know…"
"No, Chuck's barbs don't bother me. Anything beats having Georgina watch me sleep including sharing a room with a one year old under my sister and her husband's roof. I'm just grateful for a place to crash."
"I can't believe they didn't tell me they got married"
"I only found out because Jenny texted me and told me a couple days ago. I don't even know who was all invited to it. According to her my dad flew out with Chuck and Ella. They surprised Lizzie and then she was married but no one went so…"
"I don't look at their fingers"
"Or you didn't want to. You were in love or still are, I don't know, with my sister. So the fact she is happy and moved on with not just anybody. But with your best friend you probably don't pay attention to things you normally would"
"Good point" Nate replied.
"Let's change the subject. As much as I love Lizzie and she's my favorite person on this planet I'm not exactly thrilled with her choices right now"
"Well as your roommate and publisher I am pleased to report that 'The Spectator' is finally ready to post its very first Humphrey Original."
"Hey, it's a good day, and it's only 9am"
"Before I publish, do you want to warn the subject of this week's serial? You know, let 'em know that they're about to be totally skewered?"
Elizabeth walked into Waldorf designs. Her phone buzzed and she saw the post from the Spectator. She read it shaking her head. She was seriously gonna kill her brother for saying that about their dad.
"Elizabeth" Blair said smiling.
"What?" she said
"You'd be perfect"
"What?"
"Be the face of my line."
Elizabeth looked at the guy standing next to Blair then back to Blair.
"I am not a model"
"No but you are amazing and talented and…"
"No, I'm sorry B. I can't be the face of your line. I am running 4 businesses and one of them includes my label"
"Then make me a soundtrack for the show tonight?"
"Okay" she said "Coffee?"
"I'm good" she said.
"I need to run some other errands" she replied "I just stopped by to bring you coffee and make sure you're okay"
"Thank you." She said "I'm gonna call Serena now"
Elizabeth left with Ella and got her phone out and Called Nate.
"Hey" he said.
"Is that seriously Dan's first post?" she asked. "Wait is it true"
"Dan says it is and I asked him he wanted to warn your dad"
"You should have"
"It's your brother's piece"
"Well, I am about to head to Brooklyn to figure it out" she said.
"Can't you just like call and ask?"
"I haven't really seen my dad much since getting home"
"Because you've been spending all your time with your husband?"
"Chuck told you" She replied.
"Why didn't you?"
"I don't know. I just…it was new and exciting and well it was a special moment and we just wanted to keep it to ourselves for as long as possible"
"Well I was a little hurt I wasn't invited but I will get over it…eventually"
"I'm sorry Nate" she replied "We just wanted it to be us. No one was there except the minister, his wife and daughter. She was a huge fan of the band"
"Okay, well I will buy you guys something. I don't know yet but we will get there"
"Okay" she replied. "I'm actually gonna head home and take a nap"
"Okay, are you going to Blair's fashion show tonight?"
"I'll try. Bye Nate" she said and hung up.
She got out her phone and was about to call Drew when her phone rang.
"Hello"
"Hey Elizabeth" Chuck said.
"Hey, what's up?" she asked.
"I wanted you to hear from me that I am helping Blair with something. Are you okay with that?"
"Yes, I already have you" she replied. "I'm supposed to be doing the soundtrack for her but I'm just so tired so I'm gonna have Drew do it."
"Okay" he replied "Take a nap while Ella is?"
"Sounds good, I would ask for you to join me but you're busy"
"I love you, get rest"
"Love you too" she replied.
Rumor has it Rufus Humphrey plans to sue Lonely Boy, Nate Archibald and The Spectator. See, Dan? When you tell all you're bound to fall.
She read the post and shook her head. So much for her nap. She called Drew next.
"Hey Boss, I mean partner" Drew said "I'll have the papers read…"
"Actually, will you make a playlist for Blair for her show tonight? I said I would do it, but I have family drama stuff. If you need her input about some songs text, her. Her number is in the daybook downstairs in our office."
"Of course. I saw Gossip Girl"
"Thank you" she said and hung up. She got out her phone and called her dad.
"Hey Rock star" he said.
"Ivy really Dad? And why didn't you tell us. I think I may have taken it a lot better if you would have told me and not by reading it on my ex boyfriend's site." 3! CDqw
"I was gonna tell you I promise. I was just talking to Ivy about telling you"
"Promise" she asked.
"Yes"
"Why did you tell Gossip Girl you were suing the Paper?"
"I didn't" he said "I gotta go. Kiss Ella for me"
"Love you" she said.
She got back to the Empire and got her and Ella changed. Picked up the CD from Drew and headed to the fashion show. She spotted Chuck up ahead and handed the disc over.
"Just in time" he said grabbing Ella and then flagging someone over. They walked over. "The show will open with this track and here is the rest of the set here with time stamps."
The lady walked away.
"You two look beautiful" he replied, "How was your nap?"
"Didn't get one, neither one of us so you are in for a long night" she replied, and he kissed her.
"I'm okay with that" he said.
"It looks amazing. Where is Blair?"
"Chuck" they heard Blair say.
"What do you think?" he asked adjusting Ella.
"I'm speechless."
"Is it everything you desired?"
"You read me like tea leaves, Chuck Bass" then looked at Ella. "Too bad you're not old enough to model Miss Ella."
"She's gonna have so many career options" Elizabeth said.
"Thanks for the music, well Drew"
"I was gonna do it myself but if you've read Gossip Girl"
"I did" she said as Chuck's phone buzzed.
"It's Jack. He has a lead on the man in the photo. I have to…"
"Go" Blair said as Elizabeth took Ella. "I'll give you 2 a second"
Blair stepped away and Elizabeth turned back to Chuck.
"We will see you at home" she said.
"Bye princess" Chuck said kissing the top of Ella's head then kissed Elizabeth "I love you"
"I love you too" she replied.
They walked away and Ella started crying.
"Oh baby girl you are such a Daddy's princess" she said. They found her some juice and walked over to Blair where Serena was walking away with Sage. "Is Serena modeling?"
"No Sage is" Blair said and turned to her. "How's Ella doing?
"She cries anytime Chuck leaves the room, so I had to go calm her down"
"She is such a daddy's girl"
"Oh yes" she replied.
"Congratulations by the way. On the marriage" Blair replied.
"He told you?"
"He told me the night of Bart's party that he was gonna ask you to marry him, and well since you two are still together and in total bliss I see he went through with it"
"He did" she replied showing her ring.
"It's beautiful"
"It was my great grandmothers. My dad gave it him."
"Wow Rufus's blessing. That's big. I didn't know that he asked him"
"I know right. I'm sorry I didn't tell you B"
"It's okay. Chuck told me exactly how he felt about you and you've had his heart far longer than I did. Just be good to him"
"Hey" Nate said kissing her cheek. Ella reached for him and he took her. "Chuck said you were here alone and asked me to accompany you. The fact my girlfriend is in the show is a bonus"
"Thanks" she replied as Ella finally calmed down.
"I swear she loves the guys more than us" Elizabeth said and Blair laughed. She turned to Nate. "We should let B get to work. Let's find a drink"
"Sounds good"
They found drinks and then saw Serena and Stephen.
"Should we go say hi?" she asked.
"I got punched last time" he said
"What did I miss?" she laughed.
"Boo, boo" Ella asked.
"Yes Ella, I got a boo, boo." Nate said kissing the side of her head.
"You're so good with her" she said "I was right making you her god father"
"Thank you, I know the real reason you did but the fact it worked out anyways"
"Yeah"
"How was that talk with Blair, it seemed tense a little?"
"Chuck told her that she was just a distraction from me"
"Wow" he replied "That's"
"Big" she replied. "I'm sorry that I kinda strung you along last year during the accident and stuff"
"You didn't know what you wanted exactly, and that accident helped you see the bigger picture."
"Yeah"
"I always knew that he had feelings for you, it wasn't until you got pregnant with Ella that I started to wonder if you returned them. You two always had this thing I couldn't shake. The way you two would fall into just small little habits even when you weren't dating. Like your glass thing?"
"I did that originally to make you jealous but then it just became our thing and it was comforting to me. That was one of my tells too, that I couldn't live without him. He brings this comfort to me that no one else can"
"Exactly" Nate replied.
"Sage makes you happy right?"
"She does"
"Good, that is all I want for you" she smiled.
"Let's go find our seats" he said.
They found them and went to take a seat.
"Erica Wongrad" Nate said. "It's great seeing one of my advertisers out on the town."
"Like wise Nate"
"This is Elizabeth Humphrey, I mean Elizabeth…"
"Bass" Elizabeth said.
"My friend and her daughter Ella"
"Nice to meet you both"
"You as well" Elizabeth said. "You want me to take her?"
"I got her" he said. "Listen Erica, I wanted to thank you for choosing to advertise with us at 'The Spectator' this week. It's been a real pleasure doing business with you and your team"
"We were very excited about Dan Humphrey's inaugural serial. We knew it would draw a lot of eyeballs."
"And it has, and I know Dan's piece next week will garner even more attention. You should definitely think about buying up some more space for that one as well"
"We did, Nate, in 'Vanity Fair'"
"What?" Elizabeth asked.
"I'm sorry?"
"Dan's serial is continuing in 'Vanity Fair'. I thought the Spectator was just a onetime occurrence. Which is too bad for me because Graydon is charging ten times as much as you did for Ad Space."
"I gotta go" Nate said and turned to Elizabeth. She grabbed Ella and sat her on her lap.
"So you said Humphrey right?" Erica asked. "Any relation to Dan…"
"Dan's my brother, Twin brother to be exact." she replied with a fake smile. She was so mad at him right now.
The show started and she watched it. Sage came out and dropped her dress and she covered her daughter's eyes. Serena stood up and made a speech and left. A lot more people left. She stood up with Ella and walked toward the back. She spotted Blair and walked over.
"What happened?" she asked.
"I don't know"
"I can call Chuck?"
"No don't" she said "you have a beautiful little girl who is falling asleep. Let me deal with this okay. Thank you again"
"Of course"
She hugged her and then took off. She got home and put Ella to bed then walked in the living room. She spotted Nate taking a seat on the couch. She poured a drink and handed it to him.
"You wanna talk about it?"
"Your brother sucks" he said.
"I know. I am not happy with him right now" she replied "I'm sorry that he screwed you"
Chuck walked in and she turned to him.
"Hey" she replied kissing him. "How was your lead?"
"Lady Alexander" he replied.
"Who is that?"
"I have no clue" he replied as the elevator dinged and Sage walked in.
"Let's leave these two" Elizabeth said and grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the bedroom.
"Did you learn some model moves tonight?"
"Well Sage did teach me how to take my dress off, so possibly" she replied moving to the bed and pulling him toward her. "But on a serious note,"
"Uh oh" he said taking a seat
"I want to have another baby" she replied "In fact I think I might already be pregnant"
"What?"
"I missed my last period and I've just been so drained and well there are a lot of other signs but I'm gonna schedule an appointment"
He nodded and kissed her.
"You're okay with that?"
"I love you and I love Ella, and if you are pregnant then I will love that baby. And if you're not then I know how we can change that" he replied then kissed her and laid her down on the bed. She smiled and wrapped her arms around him.
"I love you too" she said pulling him close.
Tolstoy wrote that all happy families are alike, but every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way, especially on the Upper East Side. Some are only too happy to be distracted from their pain. While others choose to bite the hand that feeds them, even when they have no idea where their next meal is coming from. But whether your family is happy or unhappy, it's always best to stick together because some ties are simply unbreakable.
X.O.X.O Gossip Girl