January
"Happy Birthday! I have a surprise for you" Blair pronounced. She took a seat at one of the bar stools by Chuck's bar!
"Well, I must say you have too many layers for my liking." Chuck said teasingly. He leaned forward and untied the knot on Blair's coat.
Blair just rolled her eyes in a teasing manner and proceed to retie her coat's knot. "You are not getting that show until later. I actually have another surprise for the morning." Birthdays, weddings, and thanksgiving were her specialties after all.
"As much as I would take great pleasure to see what you planned, the festivities will have to be postponed. I have a meeting with Bart. My dear old father wants me to accompany him on a walkthrough of a hotel." Chuck said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Chuck Bass is that a smile I see?" Blair teased. She could see her boyfriend beaming with excitement. A look was not too worn often by him. "Admit it! You are excited!" Seeing him so happy, made her happy.
"I think my father is finally seeing me as a real businessman," Chuck confessed. He handed Blair a file he had made about the hotel. It was located in Brooklyn in an up-and-coming area. Chuck had made spreadsheets with the estimate for the renovations and projected earnings. His biggest hope for his father purchasing this hotel was not only to grow the Bass empire but to also get his seal of father's approval. Sometimes Chuck still felt like the little boy that wanted his father's validation.
Blair let out a small fake sigh. "I guess I will move the gift-giving till the evening."
"Well, I do have ten minutes till I have to leave my dad if you're feeling generous." Chuck seductively rose his eyebrow.
"You are lucky I find you irresistible Bass." Blair responded before grabbing his tie and pulling him in for a kiss.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Blair took a seat next to Chuck at the bar. He was hunched over sipping a glass of overpriced whiskey. The look on his face said it all. "I am guessing the meetup didn't go so well?" Arthur had called her once he dropped Chuck back at the empire.
Chuck did not respond, just continued to drink away his sorrows.
Blair grabbed the glass from his hand placing it away from his reach. The girl placed both hands on his face. Forcing him to look at her. "I don't know what your dad said, but let me tell you three things I know that are facts. First, you are a successful businessman no matter what anyone else says. Look at what you've done with the Empire. Remember numbers speak, not just words. Two, you are a good person. I see how you treat those you care about. Third, I love you. Nothing is going to change that. Your mom would be so proud of you."
Their eyes were staring back at each other. At that moment all he wanted to do was kiss her. This kiss was different from the others. This one said thank you and she knew it. These were the words he needed to hear.
When Chuck was younger and somebody he loved hurt him the solution was drinking, sex, or seeking revenge. None of that ever felt as gratifying as having Blair say those words to him.
"Come on! The night is still young and you still have a gift to open." Blair pulled him up and started making her way to the elevator.
February
"Blair!" Eleanor screamed.
The younger Waldorf knew that her mother yelling could not be a good sign. She took a deep breath. Then headed downstairs attempting to mentally prepare herself for the reason behind her mother's yelling so early in the morning. To her surprise, there were pink peonies all over the place.
Blair ran up and hugged her agitated mother. "Look at all these flowers." She was adoring them. This whole scene felt like one from a movie.
"Dorota, did you ever find out the culprit who turned my penthouse into a flower shop?" Eleanor asked as she messaged her temples.
"Card says Chuck." Dorota replied in a matter-of-fact tone.
Eleanor took a moment to register that name. She ran through a list of Chucks she was familiar with. When she finally registered that it was most likely Chuck Bass she had a mini freakout. "Chuck? Your dating Chuck? Chuck Bass?"
It's not like the gentleman was a bad person. Sure he had a reputation and a bit of baggage, but he seemed like an okay person. Blair and Chuck had known each other since they were kids. It just felt as if this whole thing came out of the left field. One moment Blair was angry at the young Bass for gosh knows what and now they might be dating. She was missing a few pieces of the puzzle.
Her mother's request for confirmation was falling on death's ear. Blair was already on her phone.
"I'm assuming I have you to blame for turning my foyer into a floral shop?" Blair asked the suspected sender on the phone.
"365 peonies. One for each day I plan on loving you this year." Chuck answered.
Blair was smiling at her phone. "What are you planning to do next year?"
"Renew my vow by sending you 365 more peonies. And I will continue renewing this vow every year you let me love you." Chuck replied with a mixture of smugness and sincerity.
"I love you. Forever and always. Happy Valentines Chuck!" Blair admitted.
March
The two were snuggled together on the couch. A blanket wrapped around the two of them as they watched Breakfast at Tiffany's again. This had to be the 20th time he had watched this film. Blair was a fan of anything that had to do with Audrey Hepburn. Though Chuck enjoyed watching anything with Blair.
Blair looked up at Chuck. She could tell he was deep in thought. "Spill it." She ordered.
"Explain to me the appeal of a kiss in the rain." Chuck asked. As hard as he tried he was unable to see the appeal of it all. Kisses in the rain seemed appealing in theory. But in reality, kissing the rain just seemed like a bad idea. Rain is cold, and both parties are wet from head to toe, not to mention rain can make it hard to see or enjoy the person one is locking lips with.
"It's romantic. Both of the characters get lost in the moment. It symbolizes that nothing in the world really matters, except for the two of them. All their problems, like the rain, fade away. Even if it's just for a moment." Blair said dreamily.
Her brain started fantasizing about the two of them having a romantic kiss in the rain.
"Well, you do know I have a rain shower head in my bathroom. Want to see if it brings the same movie magic?" Chuck asked.
Blair let a laugh escape her lips. "Maybe after the movie." Blair suggested. She was a fan of kissing and romance. Maybe a rain shower can bring the same effect. She was willing to test out his theory. In the name of science of course.
April
Chuck had a horrible day today. He wanted nothing more than to go back up to his suite and drink some whiskey. Drown his problems in booze. Though on his way inside from the back of the empire he saw a familiar behind. He ordered Arthur to pull over.
He quickly ran towards the girl who was looking behind every bench, walkway, and inch of the park in the pouring rain. "Blair?" His girlfriend turned around. "Why are you out in the rain?" He continued to ask.
"I don't know what happened. Eric said that Monkey ran off in the rain into the Park." Panic was heard in Blair's voice. "I've been looking for him everywhere. I am so sorry. I don't know where he is. I know he means a lot to you." The petite brunette was still looking for that little rascal.
The rain continued falling down.
"Blair, he is back at the hotel." Chuck informed her. Blair was staring at him with a look of confusion on her face. Deciding he may have to elaborate he continued, "Do you know what day it is? Happy April 1st. I think Serena's brother was playing a prank on you."
"That is a child's holiday. I'm going to kill Eric." Blair screamed. Her eyes turned into ones filled with anger.
Chuck had known Blair for so many years. Yet she still found a way to surprise him. He looked at her attire. She clearly did not have any plans on running out in this weather. The girl was dressed in a beige trench coat with her silk PJs poking through. Leather boots that were not waterproof graced her feet. He knew how important fashion and appearances were to Blair. He knew she most likely just grabbed the first thing in her closet and started her search. Not caring how she looked.
"You ran out in the rain to look for my dog?" Chuck was admiring her selfless action.
Blair looked down at her attire. Not only did she hate being tricked, but she also hated her outfit. "Well, it's no surprise that dog means a lot to you. I know you always say no. I know you argue-"Blair started rambling. Chuck pulled her close and brought his lips to her. Just like how Blair described, the world around them seemed to fade away. The only thing he could focus on is Blair and her lips.
"I'm starting to see this whole appeal of kissing in the rain." Chuck whispered.
May
"This is nice!" Serena explained.
The four of them were seated around a square table having brunch.
"To the non-judging breakfast club." Blair proclaimed as she rose her mimosa in a cheersing motion.
"You are the only one who calls us that." Nate reminded the petite brunette. He took another bite of his pancakes.
"The name stays." Blair spoke in a threatening tone.
"I think it's cute. NJBC stands for our nickname, doesn't it? Nina, Junior, Bass, Cinderella?" Serena said thinking about the name. Nina for Serena. Junior for Nate. Bass for Bass. Cinderella for Blair.
"Remind me again why my nickname is just my last name." Chuck pondered.
"Because anytime anyone tried to call you anything other than Chuck, Bass, or Chuck Bass you threatened to make their life one filled with torture no matter their age." Nate answered.
Chuck's infamous smirk was placed on his face. "Ah yes now I remember. The exception to that rule is when I'm in the bedroom or roleplaying. My lover can call me anything he or she would like."
"Hear that Blair, Chuck's giving you a free pass to call him anything. So, if you want to call him a doofus, lame, bad in bed he will take it." Nate teased.
Blair and Chuck both just looked at each other. They didn't need to say anything. Their eyes did all the talking.
"I prefer to call him-" Blair started to explain.
Serena threw a sugar packet at Blair. "Nope, I don't want to hear anything about that. Please I am eating breakfast. Let me enjoy my avocado toast in peace." Serena scrunched her face in fake disgust.
All four of them laughed in unison. It felt like old times. The four of them together. In a world as crazy as theirs, it was nice knowing there were people who actually cared.
The four of them have been through oblivious parents, crazy scandals, and broken hearts. Pretty much all the plot points used in Soap Operas. Through the good and the bad, it has always been the four of them.
June
Blair was picking up some sweets and coffee for Chuck and herself. When she heard one of the customers ask the employee what they would recommend. The lady was recommending a frosted oatmeal cookie. She just knew the employee had to be new. Looking at her watch Blair knew she would have just enough time to save the customer from ordering something they would regret and prove this employee had no taste.
"Try the match rose croissant. One of the best in the city." Blair said. "Everyone with taste knows an oatmeal cookie is just a sad disgrace for a cookie." She continued.
"Nice to see you again." The man gave her a friendly smile. The girl just gave him a questioning look. He could see she was having trouble remembering where the two had met. "We meet in the park a while ago. My name is Louis." Seeing as it looked like she was still recalling their encounter he gave her a hint. "You dropped my book." That is when it clicked. She now understood where they meet. A bit of guilt overcame her.
"How's your book?" Blair asked in an apologetic tone.
"It survived." Louis smiled. "I am assuming since I am seeing you here you escaped the man who was chasing you?"
"Something like that. We both stopped running in a way." Blair said trying to not give a complete stranger a whole rundown of the Chuck and Blair story. Blair signaled the employee to get the gentlemen a croissant and coffee. She made sure to tell the barista to just add the man's order to her tab. Blair came to an odd realization. She never got his name.
This fact seemed to cross the man's brain as well. "My apologies. I never got to introduce myself. My name is Louis."
The two strangers exchanged toothy smiles. Had Blair not been madly falling for Chuck this cute stranger had major boyfriend potential. Well dressed, a reader, and there was something about an accent that was always attractive.
"Waldorf." The man on the counter yelled.
"That's me. I better go. Enjoy the croissant." Blair excused herself and went to go pick up her order.
"Till we meet again, Blair," Louis said with the most sincerity.
XOXOXOXOXO
Blair walked up to Chuck. He grabbed one of the coffees and the box of pastries. Chuck looked back and noticed a stranger looking longingly at Blair.
"Should I be concerned?" Chuck asked.
Blair turned around and followed his eyes. "Are you jealous Bass?" She taunted.
"No. Just asking." Chuck responded, but Blair could tell he was lying.
"Good. Though jealousy looks good on you. You don't have a thing to worry about. There is only one person who owns my heart and he's holding my croissants." Blair gave him a kiss on the cheek.
July
Eleanor looked at the caller ID before pressing the answer button. "Ah, Harold. to what do I owe the pleasure of your call?" She questioned.
"Are you aware our daughter is dating Chuck Bass?" Harold asked. His tone was a mixture of accusatory and harshness.
The older Waldorf couldn't help but roll her eyes. "I can't believe you are barely aware of this little fact. I told that girl not to bring him to Paris to meet you and Roman. Though it's not like she ever listens to me."
Harold looked out the window. His daughter and her supposed lover were smiling. He had to admit she looked happy, but he knew the reputation of all the Bass men. Nothing good seemed to ever come from dating one. He knew his daughter was headed for heartbreak. As her father, it was his duty after all to protect her. She was his little girl.
"You still there?" Eleanor asked.
"Yes." Harold responded. His eyes were still on the couple.
Eleanor let out a sigh. She knew Harold was deciding how to move forward. So as his former wife, she decided she would give him some much-needed advice. "Just give him a chance, please. He's not my idea of ideal boyfriend, but he makes her happy. They bring out the best in each other. Whenever I talked to him, he has been nothing but respectful. Very different from the man I once knew as a child."
"It's not real love. They are too young. It cannot be real." Harold interjected.
"Just give him a chance. If you don't, you might end up pushing her away. From someone who hasn't always been the best parent, when you push her away it can be hard to rial her back in. She always liked you better. Don't give her a reason to hate her." Eleanor said. Feeling like the conversation was over she hung up.
Harold was still looking at the two young lovers. Blair looked like she was shivering. In an instant, Chuck took off his jacket and draped it over Blair's shoulders. He had to admit, never had he really seen Chuck act that gentle towards another person. Though he still couldn't help but wonder if it was genuine or if was there an ultimatum. Though he supposed only time would tell.
August
"Face mask?" Chuck questioned.
"I thought it would be a cute couple activity. Look, I know it may sound lame-" Blair began to explain.
Chuck gave her a peck on the lips. "Nothing with you could ever be lame." He reassured her.
An hour later the two had on matching silk robes and faces covered with a gooey substance promising to make their skin feel hydrated. The two were laughing and drinking champagne. It felt like a fairy tale to Blair.
There was no grand ball. They were not in a castle. No magical being or woodland creatures loomed around them. Though there was a undeniable feeling of joy between the two. That happy feeling is what Blair imagine the girl's in her storybooks felt at the end. Right with they defeated the villain and got to be with there prince. The feeling that they were on top of the world. That nothing could bring them down and destroy them or their happiness.
September
Chuck entered the room. He saw Blair lying on his bed. She was curled up into a ball. He could sense something was off.
He removed his jacket and shoes. Then proceeded to come onto the bed, and cautiously wrap his arm around her.
"I thought you were sleeping over at Serena's?" He asked.
"I changed my mind." She answered.
He just held her knowing that when she was ready, she would open up. He could be patient when he needed to be. Especially when it came to her. She was always there for him. It was only fair that he be there for her. No matter what it was he would always be there.
He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. The two soon drifted off to sleep.
In the morning, Blair did explain the reason for her need to be with him last night. Blair was worrying and she had a panic attack. She freaked out. The world felt like was closing up on her. She wasn't sure about anything. But she knew that she rather be with him, last night, then with anyone else.
He was her sense of comfort. Just like she was his.
Chuck promised to always be here for her. That whenever she needed him he would always be there.
October
"Chuck! Hello?" Blair continued to call out Chuck's name as she walked through the deserted theater.
She followed the petals that lead to a door. Placing her hand on the doorknob she opened it. Her eyes spotted the man she was looking for. A band stood behind him.
"May I have this dance?" Chuck asked.
Without any doubt, Blair placed her hand in his. The two danced along to the band playing. Once again the only thing that mattered was each other. Everything else seemed to fade away.
November
Blair was looking over some fabric swatches. In a moment they were replaced with a brown paper bag. Courtesy of her boyfriend.
She couldn't help but give her a questioning look. "Should I ask what's in here?" She wondered.
"Open it." Chuck ordered.
The bag contained five boxes each labeled with a different one of the five senses. One was labeled smell. It contained a candle. The second was labeled hearing. A vinyl was inside the box. The third was a box labeled taste. A box of macaroons lay inside. The fourth was labeled touch. It contained a silk robe. The fifth was labeled sight. It held a locket.
Seeing how she was still wondering about the reason for all the gifts he placed in front of her, he decided to elaborate. The candle was made by combining his signature cologne and her signature perfume. This way she could always remember that they belonged together. The vinyl was to remind her that they were as classic. Just like vinyl, they would never really go out of style. Plus, it was a Vinyl of Breakfast at Tiffany's and Blair could not refuse anything with Audrey Hepburn. The macaroons were champagne flavored. Though it may not be her go-to flavor it can remind her that some things are worth trying. The purple silk robe is to comfort her if he cannot be next to her physically. The locket contained a picture of the two of them together. All of the gifts were meant to symbolize that he would love her with all of himself.
Blair was in awe at all the thought he put into each of her birthday gifts.
"Happy Birthday." Chuck whispered. Still waiting for her to speak.
She looked at all the gifts that now were scattered on the table. Then back at Chuck. "You are so sweet." She said adoringly. "How did I get so lucky?" Blair asked.
"That is my line, Waldorf." Chuck teased.
He knew she has always been obsessed with finding her prince charming and romantic heroes and heroines. So, he decided he would take a page from their book and give her a gift that was thoughtful and unique to her. Because there was really no one like Blair.
"Three words." Blair responded.
"Eight letters." Chuck answered.
Author's Note
How did you like this chapter? A bit different than the other chapters. Filled with Chair cuteness, but also the rose colored glass is starting to crack. But in true Chair fashion they can conquer anything. May take a little while to update the next chapter so there is a tiny preview. Hope everyone had a great beginning to the holiday season festivities!
Next Chapter Preview:
"Grow up Blair." Chuck screamed. He yanked his arm away. "I am not some prince you read about in your fairytales. I am not the good guy. Can't you see I am the villain?" His words were spoken with such disdain and hatred. "And you, you resemble just another girl I slept with." He said mockingly. Blair grabbed his arm again. Hopping he would stay. "Stop throwing yourself at me. It is pathetic." He pushed her off of him again and continued to walk away.
Tears were falling from her eyes. She ran up to him and wrapped her arms around him. "Please don't."
"Grow up." He said as he untangled her arms from his waist.
This time Blair ran in front of him. Making sure he would be looking at her with her last plea. "You grow up. People get hurt. People die. Just don't push those who love you and want to help you. Please let me be there for you. We can make it through anything." Tears were still streaming from her eyes. Her vision was getting blurry.