Disclaimer: I only own the story specific characters I created. The originals belong to Cecily von Zeigesar and The CW.
I've always loved a good gala. Hopefully you all do too. It's a long chapter, but all the good galas are...
Brice was sitting at his sister's piano, playing a song from memory as he waited for his mother, sister, and girlfriend to be ready for the annual Bass Industries Christmas Gala. He'd been playing piano since he was five. His teacher had recommended it after commenting how it might help his concentration with classwork. He proved to be a quick study. Though he no longer took lessons, he still played quite frequently, usually for his own enjoyment.
Barty was curled up next to the bench, half asleep. His father was sitting in the living room with his best friend, Nate, drinking a glass of scotch. Everyone was waiting for the women to be ready.
"You should have added a second residence years ago, Bass," Nate was stretched out with his feet up on the ottoman with a tumbler of scotch in one hand, "This sofa is quite comfortable, and there is no stress about some last minute gown crisis."
"Since when have you ever stressed out about a gown crisis?" Chuck snorted in amusement.
Aiden emerged from the spare bedroom, having waited until hopefully the last minute to dress. He was more comfortable working events like the one they were about to attend, but his mother had insisted he needed to be visible as a member of the Bass family, not as a chef.
"I hate these things," Aiden tugged at his askew tie, "Remind me again why I have to go?"
"Your last name is Bass," Chuck set aside his glass and went to assist his youngest son with his tie. His oldest son had taken after him in learning the finer points of a perfect bow tie, but Aiden had always been stubborn when it came to his father's teaching.
"Is it too late to change my name to Smith?" Aiden stood still to allow his father to straighten his tie.
"Only if you don't mind me freezing your trust fund," Chuck smirked, "It is under the name of Aiden Bass after all."
"Waldorf-Bass," Brice chimed in yet continued to tickle the ivories.
Aiden frowned in response. As much as he detested attending these types of events, he certainly wasn't ready to give up his trust fund and all the other benefits of being an heir to the Bass family fortune. He fully intended to make a sizeable withdrawal when he finished with his training to start his restaurant.
"You just have to stay through the meal," Chuck told his son.
"Can I get that in writing?" Aiden responded sarcastically.
The elevator chimed, and the quartet assumed it was the ladies finally ready for the evening. Out stepped Eddie, dressed in his wool jacket over his perfectly tailored designer tuxedo with a bouquet of lilies clutched in one of his hands.
"What's this all about?" Nate was caught off guard by the young man's presence. He certainly remembered the young man from the events he'd attended over the years, but he hadn't seen him in quite some time.
"He's Charlotte's date," Aiden smirked, knowing the news would get a rise from his godfather.
"Wait," Nate rose to his feet as the surprise hit him, "You're Charlotte's date…Little Eddie Fraser is Charlotte's date. Chuck, man, did you know about this?"
"I've been made aware," Chuck bobbed his head as he went to shake Eddie's hand.
"When the hell did this happen?" Nate was completely stunned by his best friend's apparent acceptance of this new development.
"Awhile ago," Aiden rocked on his feet, eagerly anticipating the show he had a front seat for. His uncle's neck was a deep shade of red, which usually meant he was about to blow. It was typically an entertaining few minutes.
"Stop with the music already, Brice," Nate snapped at Brice before turning his attention towards Eddie, "What the hell are you doing dating Charlotte?"
"That's between me and Charlotte," Eddie responded calmly.
"Like hell it is!" Nate hollered, "You're too old for her."
No one dared point out the irony of Nate having dated women with age differences much greater than what Eddie and Charlotte had.
"It's only six years, Uncle Nate," Aiden chimed up.
"Stay out of this, Aiden," Nate growled at his youngest godson before turning towards his best friend, "Why the hell did you allow this?"
"Allow this," Charlotte emerged from the elevator. Her smile faded immediately upon hearing her godfather snarling. She entered the living room ready for a fight, "Dad has no say in who I choose to date, and you sure as heck have even less."
"Charlotte, you look beautiful," Eddie took in her radiant appearance despite the scowl on her face targeted at her godfather. Her dress was emerald in color, nearly matching his eyes. Her long, brunette hair was up in an elegant knot with several stands curled and framing her face.
"Thank you," she smiled and accepted the flowers he extended towards her. "You look quite dapper yourself."
"Enough of this," Nate groaned and motioned between the pair, "This is not happening."
"You need to grow up, Uncle Nate," Charlotte advanced on her godfather after passing off the flowers to her housekeeper, "You're in no position to give me dating advice considering your date tonight is Aunt Serena, and for half of my life I've been your plus one to nearly every event you've ever attended. I do not need your permission to date anyone, and as far as me and Eddie is concerned…this is the best relationship I have ever been in. You can either deal with it or remain silent."
Nate was left sputtering for a response.
"Is your mother ready?" Chuck kissed his daughter's cheek after commenting on how beautiful she looked. He was quite proud of her for standing up for herself, even if it was against his best friend. If he was honest, some of the words to come out of his best friend's mouth were thoughts he too was having, but he knew he couldn't say them. His daughter was happy. Anyone could see it.
"Yes, she was just steaming Aunt Serena's dress. It got a bit wrinkled in transit," Charlotte nodded, continuing to stare down her godfather. "The doorman called to let us know the cars have arrived. I came down to tell you guys to get your coats."
"Why don't you and Eddie take the first car with Brice, Aiden and Collette," Chuck suggested, "Your mother and I will come along with Nathaniel and Serena when the dress crisis has resolved itself."
"Good idea," Charlotte bobbed her head before disappearing into her coat closet to find her cloak. She took a deep breath to calm herself down from her confrontation with her uncle before she emerged. She'd been so excited to see Eddie's face upon seeing her dress, and her uncle had to go and ruin it.
Eddie helped her slip into her cloak. His eyes showed his concern. She touched his chin affectionately and gave him a breathtaking smile.
Brice had gone up to his parent's home retrieve his girlfriend with the promise they would meet up in the lobby.
Charlotte shot one more look at her godfather before being coaxed onto the elevator by Eddie and Aiden.
"How the heck did you let that happened, Chuck?" Nate went on the attack once the elevator door slid closed.
"She's happy," Chuck responded calmly, "Edward Fraser is one of the best young men I know. He treats Charlotte the way she deserves to be treated. I'd be a fool to get in the way of that."
"So you just sit back and do nothing as she dates this boy," Nate growled.
"I don't know exactly what it is you want me to do," Chuck replied.
"Send him on assignment to Siberia!" Nate exclaimed.
"Is this how I've sounded about Charlotte's dates in the past?" Chuck studied his best friend for a few moments, "I suddenly find myself needing to apologize to my wife, my daughter, and my assistant for my past behavior."
The pair road up to Chuck's penthouse where Blair and Serena were ready to go.
"What's he all snarly about?" Serena caught the look on Nate's face as he went to grab his coat.
"He found out about Charlotte and Eddie and didn't take it well," Chuck explained.
"I think it's wonderful," Serena gushed, "She just glows when she talks about him."
"You're an enabler," Nate growled while helping her with her wrap, "He's too old for her."
"You're a huge hypocrite," Serena snarled, "You date women nearly as young as Charlotte with an alarming frequency. Why is it okay for you and not her?"
"That's completely not the point," Nate sputtered.
"Who knew Serena would be the one to put Nate in his place tonight," Blair muttered under her breath to her husband as he ushered her towards the elevator.
"You look beautiful, Blair," Chuck whispered in her ear.
"You look quite dapper yourself," Blair caressed his cheek.
"Your daughter said the same thing about her date for the evening," Chuck laughed.
"She had to learn it somewhere," Blair leaned in for a kiss.
"Ready?" Eddie asked Charlotte as the car pulled to a stop outside the gala. Brice, Collette, and Aiden had already emerged and were facing the gauntlet of flashbulbs.
A line of photographer eagerly waited on the red carpet to get their shots of who came with whom. There would be another line of photographers inside the venue to capture the fashion. With Blair Waldorf Bass in attendance and many in attendance insistent on wearing her designs, the evening was an event to rival Fashion Week. It gave CB Fashions lots of extra exposure, not that it needed it these days. Her mother's label was one of the most desirable brands in the world.
"So ready," Charlotte bobbed her head and leaned in for a quick kiss.
Eddie emerged from the car and turned to help Charlotte out. The flashbulbs went off at a feverish pitch. Charlotte Bass wasn't nearly as high profile as her parents had been at her age, but she was still a favorite of the photographers, especially after all the drama from her workplace scandal the month prior. Many called out to her by name, hoping she'd give them something to write about the next day.
Charlotte and Eddie walked the line hand in hand, stopping regularly to allow the photographers to get their requisite photographs of the couple. They stood close enough to make it clear to the paparazzi that they were together, however, they didn't answer any of the questions. The media coordinator was responsible to field questions so the guests could enjoy their evening. The most asked question was who Charlotte's escort was.
Finally reaching the end of the line, Charlotte noticed Eddie release a sigh of relief. He wasn't nearly as comfortable with the attention as she was.
"It wasn't so bad, was it?" Charlotte stroked his chin as he helped her remove her cloak and hand it to the coat checker.
"We're not done yet," he motioned towards the second line of photographers.
"Go on with Brice and Aiden," Charlotte encouraged him, "That's the fashion line. They really only care about the dresses. Collette and I will meet you inside."
"Are you sure?" he hesitated.
"Positive," Charlotte and Collette linked hands and stepped into the spotlight. Having the pick of the designs because of their familial connections, Charlotte and Collette's dresses were clearly the trendsetters of the evening. The men were able to slip past mostly unnoticed. The pair worked the cameras and angles with practiced ease. Collette had been dating Brice since high school, so she was as accustomed to the circus of this evening as Charlotte. The pair always walked the fashion line together.
Inside the ballroom, the quintet retrieved drinks and began mingling with the guests.
"There you are, Sweetheart," Eugenia greeted her son with a kiss to his cheek, "I see you survived the gauntlet."
"Only mildly blind as a result," Eddie chuckled while squeezing Charlotte's hand, "Seeing spots is completely normal, right?"
"It wasn't that bad," Charlotte rolled her eyes, "You only went through one line. I went through two, you big weenie."
Eugenia couldn't help the laugh to escape at her son's expense.
"Appreciate the support, Mom," Eddie responded dryly.
"What are Justin and Abigail doing tonight?" Charlotte asked.
"Relaxing on the sofa in sweats, watching some Christmas classic, I suspect," Eddie chuckled.
"How come they got to stay home, yet I had to dress up in this thing?" Aiden moaned as he pulled at his bow tie.
"Because they're last name isn't Bass," Collette snickered, "It's not that bad, Aiden."
"And Dad only said you had to stay until after dinner," Brice chimed in.
"Who knows, maybe you'll find culinary inspiration in the menu," Charlotte offered.
"Doubtful," Aiden sipped at the ginger ale in his hand. He was mildly disappointed not to be able to partake in some champagne as he would be allowed at private celebrations with family, but he wouldn't make a scene. He was legally underage, so he understood. This event was for the Bass Industries Charitable Foundation. He wouldn't bring negative attention to the charitable organization. They did too much great work.
Charlotte snickered and then rolled her eyes. She could see her little brother was drawing admiration from the younger females in attendance. She didn't exactly blame the women. Both of her brothers were handsome men. Brice was obviously spoken for, but Aiden was as unattached as they came. His trust fund ensured he was never without options.
Eugenia spotted Blair and Chuck entering the ballroom. All eyes naturally fell to the power couple who reigned over the city. She reached into her clutch for the notecards of her boss's annual speech, "I'd better give the boss his notes. We wouldn't want him to look like a fool this evening."
"I'd pay good money to see that, Genie," Aiden snorted.
"So would I," Brice laughed along with his brother.
"Your boys want to see you make a fool of yourself," Eugenia approached her boss as she handed over the notecards.
"Is that so?" Chuck accepted the cards with a laugh and then pocketed them in his suit coat.
"I wouldn't mind seeing it myself," Blair kissed her husband's cheek.
"Fortunately you pay me well enough to ensure that never happens," Eugenia chuckled.
"Someday Charlotte is going to be the one to give this toast," Blair smiled wistfully as she glanced at her daughter, who was making the rounds with Eddie at her side. She was clearly charming all those she interacted with.
"Maybe next year I let her give this toast," Chuck thought out loud as Eugenia left them to mingle with another guest.
"You're getting ready to move her up, aren't you?" Blair caught something in her husband's eyes, "She's only been in her department for four months, Bass, and she was put on paid leave for a couple of those weeks."
"I'm not so much as moving her up as moving her on," Chuck clarified, "She knows what happens in Acquisitions. It's time she learn another department."
"Chuck, she needs to gain confidence," Blair gentle scolded her husband, "Yes, she's doing well in her job, but there is more to a career than just being able to do the work. She's making friends, connections. She's going to need them as she climbs the ladder. Don't take that away from her."
"I want her in my office," Chuck confessed, his forehead pressed against hers.
"Because she's ready or because you want to protect her?" Blair stroked his cheek affectionately.
"A bit of both," he confessed.
"Give her another year," Blair suggested. "There is no rush. You've still got a few years to impart your wisdom on her."
Chuck's eyes followed his daughter for a few more moments. "God, she looks so happy."
"Eddie's good for her," Blair agreed.
"I don't think I'm ready for where their relationship is going to end up," he confessed, "I'm not ready to take that walk with her."
"You will be," Blair saw the tears welling in his eyes, "I know you, Bass. You will do anything to make her happy, even if it means talking a long walk down the aisle to hand her off to another man."
Chuck felt his heart stutter at the thought. He couldn't help sometimes seeing her as the little girl who would be waiting anxiously at the elevator, waiting for him to get home from a meeting at the office, ready to shower him with kisses and beg to be read some sort of story.
"Mister Bass, it's time for your speech," Eugenia approached.
Chuck released a slight nod, doing his best to reign in his emotions as he was led to the stage by his assistant as everyone else took their seats at their assigned tables.
Chuck took a deep breath as he pulled his notecards from his jacket pocket and set them on the podium as the noise volume lessened and lessened until practically a pin drop could be heard.
"Good evening, everyone," Chuck began, "Thank you all for another successful year at Bass Industries and for your most generous contributions to the Bass Industries Charitable Foundation, the benefactor of tonight's gala. We are honored to be handing over a check for $2.3 million dollars to certainly be put to good use through the various charitable causes we support raised solely from this evening's festivities, which I personally will be matching dollar for dollar."
Chuck paused as the crowd broke out in applause.
"Does Dad seem on the verge of tears?" Charlotte whispered in her brother, Brice's ear, as she was sandwiched between him and Eddie at their table. Brice nodded slightly. Charlotte tossed a concerned look across the table at her mother, who was quick to give her a reassuring smile. The family matriarch wasn't at all worried her husband would lose his composure.
"I feel as though I repeat myself year after year as I congratulate all those in this room for another banner year at Bass Industries," Chuck continued on with his speech, highlighting a few of the biggest accomplishments to another round of applause.
Chuck paused to take a sip of water and wait for the applause to die out.
"As I near my thirtieth year as the Chairman of Bass Industries, I've found myself looking back on all that we have accomplished since my father's untimely death and my rapid ascension as Chief Executive Officer. I remember the first few days in the office as I stared at briefs and spreadsheets and thinking, 'What the heck am I doing here?'"
Laughter broke out from the crowd.
"Thankfully I was surrounded by many people who refused to see me fail, my sainted mother, Lily, my beautiful wife, Blair, and a handful of advisors all of whom have earned their retirements yet still grace us with their wisdom and presence at events like this. As we move into the future, with the next generation waiting in the wings, I know their ascension, though not nearly as rapid as my own, will still be filled with people who will aid in their journey and ensure their success is even greater than what the last thirty years has brought us."
Most eyes fell to Charlotte, nearly everyone in attendance realizing Chuck was speaking about her. Eddie smiled adoringly and brought her hand to his lips.
"One day, hopefully still a decade or so in the future, I will be proud to stand in the background as they take the reigns," Chuck's eyes locked with his daughter's. It was Charlotte who was now on the verge of tears.
Chuck again paused for a moment, to take another sip of water to regain control of his emotions.
"Again I thank you all for a fantastic year, and look forward to the new year approaching. Enjoy your evening and this holiday season," Chuck slipped his cards into his pocket, having not once glancing at them.
Applause broke out one final time as Chuck stepped off the stage. Charlotte was waiting for him, immediately engulfing him in a hug, a few happy tears trailing down her cheeks as she did so. She knew exactly what he was doing. He was telling everyone in attendance that he was grooming his daughter to one day take over the empire, and they had better help her succeed or be tossed aside.
"He always gives the most heartfelt toasts," Serena whispered to Nate as she wiped a few tears from her eyes before they had a chance to do damage to her skillfully applied makeup.
"When the hell did Charlotte grow up?" Nate's eyes followed his goddaughter as she returned to her seat as the wait staff emerged from the kitchen and began serving dinner.
Serena nodded in understanding. The time had flown by.
After the dinner dishes had been cleared away, Charlotte could see her youngest brother was eager to make his escape.
"No, you have to stay and dance with me at least once," she grasped her brother's hand as he attempted to make a break for it.
"If I stay to dance with you, I'll have to dance with Mom, Aunt Serena, Grandma Lily, Aunt Eugenia, and the list is only going to grow," Aiden moaned.
"Too bad," Charlotte laughed as he was swarmed by their mother and aunt, expressing the same desire for a dance before he was allowed to leave.
"I hope I'll he honored with the first dance," Eddie came to her side, his arm sliding around her waist as the tables from dinner were being moved away to reveal the dance floor.
"Depends," she looped an arm around his shoulders as she spun into him, "Do you know how to dance, Mister Fraser?"
"I guess you'll have to wait and see," his eyes sparkled as he dipped in for light kiss on her lips.
Soon the orchestra assembled, and Eddie proved himself to be more than a proficient dancer, not that Charlotte was too surprised.
"May I cut in," Nate stepped in.
"Depends on which Uncle Nate I'm going to dance with," Charlotte's eyes narrowed in her godfather's direction, "The fun loving, carefree Uncle Nate I've danced with at every one of these galas since I was a little girl, or the judgmental, hypocritical ass who revealed himself this evening…"
"I'm sorry," Nate cleared his throat before responding, "Even though you're not my flesh and blood, I still love you like you are. It's difficult to see you as the beautiful woman you have grown into when I still see you as the pigtailed, little princess who danced on my feet."
"Why the sudden change of heart?" Charlotte was a bit skeptical of her uncle's sudden reversal.
"You're happy," Nate looked first to Eddie and then Charlotte, "I've been watching the two of you together since I got here. I'd have to be blind not to notice. I'm not ready for you to grow up, Charlotte, but that's my problem, not yours."
"Wow, who knew you had such a speech in you," Charlotte's eyes sparkled with mischief before she hugged her godfather.
"I owe you an apology," Nate looked towards Eddie. "Treat her right, and you and me are square. Hurt her and you'll have more than Chuck's wrath to contend with."
"I'm well aware," Eddie chuckled as the pair shook hands, "I'll leave you two to dance. I should be making the rounds with my colleagues anyways."
Charlotte allowed Nate to lead her in a dance. They swayed back and forth in silence for a few moments before Charlotte spoke, "Thank you, Uncle Nate. Your acceptance of me and Eddie means a lot."
"I know," Nate bobbed his head, "I would have appreciated a heads up though."
"Where's the fun in that?" she laughed. "Honestly, you reacted more how I expected Dad to react. I'm still not sure Eddie and I have dodged his wrath completely."
"Your dad wants you to be happy," Nate reminded her.
"I know," Charlotte nodded her head.
"Wait and see how he handles when Eddie asks for your hand in marriage," Nate teased.
"Slow down there, Uncle Nate," Charlotte felt her breath hitch, "Eddie and I aren't there yet."
"I know," he bobbed his head, "But when you are, I want to be in the front row when Eddie asks Chuck's permission, hopefully with a beer in one hand and a box of popcorn in the other."
Charlotte rolled her eyes.
"You look beautiful tonight," Nate told her sincerely.
"Thank you," Charlotte smiled.
"You know the necklace you're wearing was a gift I gave your mother a few dozen years ago," Nate told her.
Charlotte touched the white diamond pendant necklace she was wearing. Her mother always allowed her to go through her quite extensive jewelry collection for events to pick accessories. There were only a few items off limits. She thought she knew the backstory on each piece in her mother's collection, but she'd obviously been mistaken. She had no idea her mother had kept anything from her relationship with Nate.
"You have good taste," Charlotte's hand went to his shoulder again.
"I can't take a lot of the credit," Nate laughed, "Your mother usually picked out the pieces she wanted and placed them on hold. I just signed the receipts."
"What was the occasion?" Charlotte asked.
"Her Sweet Sixteen," Nate replied.
"Before she and Dad were together," Charlotte realized.
"Before I went and screwed things up," Nate added.
"You two would never have been happy together, not in the way Mom is with Dad," Charlotte told him.
"I know," he chuckled, "We were just kids, but it doesn't mean our feelings for each other weren't real. I did love your mother…still do, just in a different way."
"Is that why you've never really settled down?" Charlotte asked.
"I've never settled down because I never found someone who challenged me to be a better person the way your mother challenged your father," Nate laughed.
"Maybe someday," Charlotte smiled.
"Maybe," he bobbed his head, "Just say the word, Charlotte. If Eddie ever mistreats you, I will happily put him in his place."
"I'll keep that in mind," she laughed as the song ended. She gave her uncle a hug before they parted.
"So you and Eddie Fraser," Charlotte's coworker, Hannah, saddled up next to her while Charlotte sat out the next few songs. "You have good taste."
"I think so," Charlotte smiled, her eyes searching the festivities to locate him. She saw him on the dance floor with his mother.
"So jealous," Hannah sighed, having come to the party stag with a few of their other cohorts in the division, "After the holidays, you really need to hook me up with some of your Columbia friends."
"Deal," Charlotte laughed.
"So your dad's speech…" Hannah began, "It was basically had a don't mess with my daughter or you'll be messing with me vibe to it."
"Yeah, it kinda did," Charlotte agreed.
"I've been in Acquisition for a couple of years. You're the first person I've seen come in and really hit the ground running," Hannah offered, "And I don't say that to suck up to the next CEO of Bass. I mean it."
"Thank you for that," Charlotte smiled.
"Do you think you and I could maybe do a couple of happy hours after the office reopens?" Hannah asked, "I'd really like to get to know you…God, that sounded really lame."
"It didn't," Charlotte laughed, "I'd like that too."
"Who's the dark eyed guy dancing with your Aunt?" Hannah asked.
"Aiden's still here?" Charlotte was taken aback to see her younger brother dancing with Serena, "That's my brother, and no, he's off limits."
"Too bad," Hannah frowned briefly, "So both brothers are off limits. Anyone else?"
"Just Brice, Aiden and Eddie," Charlotte laughed, "Everyone else is fair game."
"Excellent," Hannah's eyes scanned the crowd looking for a potential target.
"Oh and my Uncle Nate," Charlotte was quick to add.
"He's cute and all, but way too old for my taste," Hannah assured her.
"Please tell him that if he hits on you," Charlotte laughed out.
Hannah laughed along with her as Eddie approached.
"Mind if I steal my date away?" Eddie asked Hannah as he dropped a kiss to Charlotte's bare shoulder.
"Not at all," Hannah smiled as she watched the pair make their way to the dance floor. It was clear to anyone who saw them together how much they cared for each other.
"Do you have any single friends I could fix Hannah up with?" Charlotte asked her date as they sway in rhythm to the music. "She keeps asking if I could fix her up with my Columbia friends, but maybe she could do better with someone a few years older and more mature."
"I have a couple," Eddie laughed, "Maybe after the holidays we should have a dinner party."
"That's a really good idea," Charlotte smiled.
The pair continued swaying until Eddie felt a tap on his shoulder. There was really only one other person Charlotte wanted to dance with this evening she hadn't yet, her father. "My apologies, Mister Fraser, but there are some holiday traditions I still insist on."
"I can't argue with the boss," Eddie graciously stepped back to allow Chuck to take his daughter into his arms.
"I thought you were going to start crying during the middle of your speech," Charlotte confessed as the pair began their dance.
"I thought I might too," Chuck laughed, "Did I do okay?"
"You did wonderful, like always," Charlotte looked adoringly at her father, "You know you can do no wrong in my eyes."
"Not entirely true," he chuckled, "But I appreciate your support…I have a confession. The things your godfather said to Eddie this evening, I've had those thoughts in my head."
"You wouldn't be my dad if you didn't," Charlotte continued to smile adoringly at him, "I know me growing up and getting into a serious relationship isn't easy for you. You've been the most important man in my life my entire life, and I know you've taken great pride in it. I'm always going to be your little girl, but this little girl grew up and needs to have a life of her own. Some day you're going to have grandchildren and great grandchildren, and they are going to be the luckiest kids in the world because you will dot on them the same way you did with me, Brice and Aiden."
"You're trying to give me a heart attack, aren't you?" Chuck laughed.
"Maybe I want the same rapid ascension you had," she teased him.
Chuck released an amused chuckle from deep within his throat, "Sometimes you're more like your mother than I can handle."
"Compliment or criticism?" she raised a curious brow.
"Both," he laughed again.
"I know what you were trying to do with your speech," Charlotte's eyes turned serious, "You're trying to protect me without it being obvious."
"I'm preparing our company," Chuck amended, "I told your mother I'd like to move you out of Acquisitions."
"Already?" Charlotte felt something drop in the pit of her stomach. "I'm still learning the ropes. Is this because of what happened with the false accusations?"
"Charlotte, your role in the company right now is a bit tricky," he admitted, "There is no real playbook for how to train a CEO. When Lily began my preparations after Bart died, I simply shadowed a few departments for a couple of weeks and then took possession of my office. I'm giving you a bit more time, but you will be joining the executive team sooner rather than later."
"Why the rush?" she asked, "You aren't retiring for another fifteen, twenty years…right?"
"I have no plans to go anywhere for the foreseeable future," he assured her, "I want to move you up because I believe in you. Remember when you were on suspension and you came to my office for lunch?"
Charlotte nodded slowly, curious where his thoughts were heading.
"We discussed a potential acquisition, and you told me to pay for the technology not the company. After further analysis by my team, they agreed with your assessment, and we made the deal. You have good instincts. I want to tap into those. I want to work with you, side-by-side."
"And Eddie?" Charlotte asked, "What's his path? He's headed for the executive offices too. If we're colleagues, we can't be involved."
Chuck swallowed hard, "We'd find a way around it, if Mister Fraser is in your long term plans."
"This is a lot to process," Charlotte admitted, "Do I get any say or are you just going to move me when it works best for you?"
"I will not move you without your approval," Chuck assured her. "Take some time to think on my offer. Nothing has to be decided right this minute."
Charlotte bobbed her head.
Out of the corner of Chuck's eye, he saw his youngest son finally managing to slip out of the ballroom. "Looks like Aiden's had enough of the festivities."
"He's going to be so mad I made him stay to dance with me," Charlotte laughed as she too watched Aiden's great escape.
"No madder than he is at me for making him come to this event in the first place," Chuck laughed with her.
"Maybe next year you hire him to cater the event," Charlotte suggested, "He'd be more interested in attending."
"He's blowing through his classes," Chuck admitted, "He's almost too ambitious with his coursework."
"Reminds me of someone," Charlotte pretended to ponder her words, "Oh wait, all of us. I almost feel like the dunce of the trio. It took me four years to get my degree. It took Brice two and a half…Aiden is so set on opening his own restaurant, he's going to blow through his schooling in a year and a half."
"Unlikely," Chuck snorted, "But he's applying himself in a way your mother and I have never seen."
"He was bored in prep school, Dad," Charlotte offered an excuse for her brother's poor grades at Saint Jude's. "He's a lot like you in that he wasn't being challenged in the way he needed to be. CIA is giving him the knowledge he needs. You wait. In a few years, he's going to be the rising star in the culinary scene, and you will need to expand the empire to take advantage…Speaking of expanding the empire, why haven't you expanded yet into the wine business for Brice?"
"It's quite tempting," Chuck admitted, "Your mother and I are already silent partners in your grandpere's vineyard. I guess I don't want to compete with their label, and your grandfather certainly wouldn't appreciate me stepping in and taking over operations. Brice's current career path will set him up well, and when Harold and Roman are ready to retire he'll be ready to take over, hopefully with the assistance of a good vineyard foreman. I don't think your mother will be too thrilled to have him move back to France."
"No, definitely not," she laughed.
"I think I've taken up enough of your dance card for the evening," Chuck realized the third song was ending, "I'm sure Mister Fraser would like his date back. You will think about my offer, won't you?"
"Yes," she bobbed her head before leaning in to kiss his cheek, "Thank you for the dances, Daddy."
Chuck brought her hand to his lips and kissed it softly before passing her back to the eagerly waiting Mister Fraser.
"You two looked to be having some serious conversations," Eddie took Charlotte into his arms and immediately began to sway in time to the music.
"He wants to move me on from Acquisitions," Charlotte's hand at his shoulder migrated to the back of his neck, where she gently began to stroke the short hairs at his nape.
"So soon?" he asked. Though they'd been working in separate divisions, so far they had both fallen under the Acquisitions umbrella. It would be weird not having her in the same meetings anymore or a few hallways away where he could pop in for a quick lunch.
"I guess his ideas of grooming me for his job are a bit different than my own," Charlotte replied. "I don't know that I want to leave Acquisitions, at least right now. I'm finally starting to feel comfortable. Octavia is an amazing manager. I'm getting along with my coworkers. I'm doing good work. You even said Octavia will be a good mentor for me. Why should I move on from that?"
"Octavia will be a good mentor for you, but she doesn't have to be your manager to do so," Eddie replied, "Your father may be onto something. You should move on before you get too comfortable."
"And what about you?" she asked.
"What about me?" he asked.
"I move on and you just stay still?" she asked. "Dad told me that if I hadn't chosen to join the company, it would be you he's grooming to take over as CEO."
"I don't need the penthouse office," Eddie assured her, "A corner office on the same floor would be just fine with me."
"And you'll be okay if one day I'm your boss?" she pressed.
"Do you think I haven't already given this some thought?" he asked, "Charlotte, your career trajectory has been mapped out since you were a little girl coming to the office with your father for board meetings. I've never once aspired to be the CEO of Bass Industries because I knew the role was unachievable. I'm okay with that. As for what may happen in the future if our personal relationship evolves beyond what it currently is…"
"We get married," she knew he was tiptoeing around the words because she'd freaked out about them previously.
"If we get married, we'll figure out a way to coexist professionally," he told her.
"How?" she challenged him.
"I don't know," he admitted, "We do have the benefit of having time on our hands. Your dad is a few years away from handing over the reigns, and you and I are a ways away from making a decision about our romantic relationship."
Charlotte glanced over at her brother and his soon to be fiancée. They were gazing adoringly at each other. For the first time really, she wanted to be as settled as they were.
"Charlotte," Eddie gently turned her gaze towards him. He saw something in her eyes he couldn't identify. "What is it?"
"Brice is going to ask Collette to marry him on Christmas Eve," Charlotte admitted, "I'm so happy for him and Collette, I really am, but I'm also so incredibly jealous. You and I have only been dating for a few months, so it's too soon to even have that discussion…"
"And last time we spoke on it, you weren't ready, didn't think you'd be ready for awhile," he added.
"Maybe I didn't think I was supposed to be ready," she bit her lip nervously. "My parents had this big, long, drawn out courtship. They knew everything about each other well before they ever thought of getting engaged. Brice and Collette's relationship is a lot like theirs. I guess I thought I was supposed to have that too, but being with you…it's wonderful and exhilarating and scary as hell."
Eddie could help chuckling at the last bit. "For me too."
"When I'm with you, I feel cherished and safe and…" she trailed off.
"Loved," his emerald eyes penetrating hers.
Charlotte's breath hitched as his proclamation hit her. "You love me?"
Eddie could only bob his head, the nerves he was battling at the moment rendered him speechless. He was taking a huge emotional risk. It was entirely too soon to be saying the word out loud, but the moment felt right. He could only hope he wasn't misreading the moment.
A tear slid down Charlotte's cheek as the realization hit her. "I thought I was alone in this. I thought I was crazy to be feeling like this already…I love you too."
Charlotte's words hit Eddie right in the gut. He was visibly startled when they registered. It was like the air was knocked out him and then all at once a new breath of air was upon him. He still couldn't find the words, so he had to settle for an action. He cradled her head reverently in his hands as he angled his lips to press against hers.
When they pulled away a fractional bit, their eyes were swimming with happiness. Slowly, gently he pressed his lips against hers again. They were in a crowded ballroom with at least a hundred of their colleagues and close family, so their affection had to be reigned in slightly.
"I love you," Eddie whispered in Charlotte's ear when they pulled away and engulfed each other in a hug. He needed to say the words again, maybe even a hundred more times. Hopefully if he did, she would see the magnitude of his feelings.
Charlotte hugged him tighter, tears spilling down her cheek. The moment felt surreal. Never in a million years did she think their proclamations would be first uttered in a ballroom full of colleagues and family. She desperately wanted to be alone with him.
"Come with me," Eddie took her hand, apparently suddenly able to read her thoughts as he pulled her from the ballroom into an unused corridor.
Once alone, Charlotte was suddenly backed up against the nearest wall as Eddie was kissing her with everything he had in him. She felt her legs turn to jelly with the intensity of his kiss. Never in all her life had she been kissed the way Eddie was kissing her. It sent a tingle up and down her spine. The kiss took on a life of its own until they each needed to pull away for some air.
"Wow," Charlotte breathed out, her hands anchoring at his shoulders so she wouldn't fall to the ground. "You've been holding out on me."
Eddie chuckled as he laid a gentle kiss at her bare shoulder.
"Wow," Charlotte repeated. Her eyes fell closed as the last few minutes replayed over in her head. Without a doubt it was the most romantic few minutes of her life.
"I've been wanting to say those words for awhile now," Eddie's forehead came to rest against hers.
"How long?" she looked through hooded eyes to see the sincerity in his.
"Since the Hamptons," he admitted, "That first night we sat on the beach watching the sunset, you were sitting in my lap. You had such a glow about you. The feeling just hit me. I didn't say anything because I didn't want…don't want to rush you."
"I don't feel rushed," she smiled, "I feel loved."
"You are loved," he caressed her cheek tenderly.
"So are you."
"We'd better get back to the ballroom before we're missed," he spoke reluctantly.
Charlotte released a heavy sigh but nodded in agreement. It was far too early in the evening to just disappear, however much they wanted to. For better or worse, she was Charlotte Bass, the future CEO of Bass Industries. Her attendance for the duration of the evening was mandatory.
Just before they reentered the ballroom, Charlotte pulled back. "Go on ahead. I need to get some air."
"Are you sure?" he hesitated, "I can come with you."
"No, go in," she caressed his cheek. "I'll only be a couple of minutes."
"Okay," his head nodded a few times before releasing her hand.
"Where's Charlotte?" Collette pounced on Eddie when he returned to the ballroom. She'd watched them make a hasty exit and was a bit worried, especially since she'd seen a few tears on Charlotte's face a few moments before.
"She needed some air," Eddie explained.
Collette didn't even make a response. She immediately bolted from the room.
"There you are," Collette found Charlotte several minutes later on the balcony of the hotel. "Eddie said you needed some air. Is everything okay?"
"Lettie," Charlotte turned around in surprise, "Oh my god, you scared me."
"I was worried. You and Eddie were dancing. You appeared to be having an intense few moments, you were in tears, and then suddenly you both were gone," Collette explained. "Are you and Eddie okay?"
"He told me he loves me," Charlotte gushed.
"What!" Collette gasped.
"We were talking about our careers at Bass and suddenly the conversation shifted, and he told me he loved me," Charlotte's smile was impossibly wide.
"And what did you say?" Collette asked.
"I love him too," Charlotte replied.
"Wow, Charlotte that's really great," Collette hugged her. "Doesn't really explain why you're out here though."
"You're going to think this is really cheesy, but one of my Christmas gifts to Eddie this year is me…" Charlotte began, blushing a bit as she spoke.
"You," Collette was a bit perplexed for a moment until she understood what Charlotte was trying to tell her, "You wanted to sleep with Eddie for the first time on Christmas."
"It was easy to wait a few days when I didn't know the level of our feelings, but now…"
"You want to tear off his tux and just have your beasty way with him," Collette teased.
"Yes!" Charlotte laughed.
"You could always offer up an early Christmas gift," Collette suggested.
"Yeah, but it's complicated," Charlotte released a heavy sigh, "Devon's back there, and it's just going to be weird."
"He's still going to be there on Christmas," Collette replied.
"Actually he's not," Charlotte shook her head, "Brice is right. Devon can't stay with me anymore. It's not a good situation. The longer he stays the more he'll try to weasel Eddie out, and that's just unacceptable, especially now. I talked to a friend of ours from Columbia this afternoon. He's got a couch Devon can sack out on until he's on his feet. I just need to get up the courage to tell Devon."
"Brice said you argued about that very thing this morning," Collette stated, "Why the reversal?"
"I was mad Brice was practically demanding I tell Devon to take a hike," Charlotte sighed heavily, "I've never liked it when he told me what to do."
"Yeah, he does have that way about him at times," Collette laughed, "I usually just scowl at him until he relents. It's usually pretty quick."
"Yeah, I was pretty much doing the same thing when Eddie found us in a stare down," Charlotte smirked.
"Do whatever is right for you and Eddie," Collette suggested, "Brice and I can run interference with Devon tonight if you want it to be 'the night' with Eddie."
Charlotte gave the idea a bit of thought. "No, it's not 'the night'," Charlotte decided, "I want our night to stand on its own. Tonight should be just about us being in love."
"And if Eddie has different ideas?" Collette asked.
"Then I'll get you to run interference with Devon," Charlotte laughed.
"Come on, it's cold out here. Let's go back inside and let our dates warm us up," Collette pulled Charlotte back into the venue.
"You won't tell Brice about my plans, will you?" Charlotte asked as they walked the hall on the way to the ballroom.
"Oh god, I'm not that dense," Collette gave Charlotte a look, "There are some things Brice just doesn't need to know about his sister, and there are some things you don't need to know about Brice."
"Totally agree," Charlotte hugged Collette around the shoulders, "I'm really going to like having you back in the city at the end of next term."
The duo returned to the ballroom, and their dates immediately drew them back to the dance floor.
"Everything okay?" Eddie held Charlotte as close as was acceptable for the occasion, chasing away the lingering chill from her few moments outdoors.
"Yeah, everything is perfect," she pressed her lips against his as they continued to dance.
The limo ride back to their building was quiet. The quartet were exhausted from the evening of mingling and dancing.
Charlotte was snuggled in tight against Eddie, with his arm around her shoulder. Her head was resting against his chest. She was nearly asleep. He wondered if he was going to have to carry her inside.
Pulling up in front of the building, Brice and Collette exited before Eddie, who quickly turned to help Charlotte from the vehicle.
"You're practically dead on your feet," Eddie observed as she slipped the doorman her standard tip, "Are you going to make it upstairs?"
"You may need to be chivalrous," she smiled as his arm came around her waist to offer his support.
"Whatever you need," he kissed her temple as they approached the elevator waiting to take them up to Charlotte's penthouse.
Stepping off, several male voices filtering into the entryway.
The quartet looked at each other in surprise before Charlotte advanced to investigate. What she found put her in quite a rage. Devon was apparently hosting a poker game with some buddies. There were empty cans of beer littered throughout the dining room, and a cloud of cigar smoke hung in the air.
"What the hell is this!" Charlotte exploded.
"Uh, Char Bear," Devon rose from his seat, "A few of my buddies and I decided to have a poker game. I didn't think you'd mind considering you were balling it up."
"Mind? Why would I mind?" Charlotte snarled, "It's only my house and my dining room with people I've never met. Get them out of here, right now."
Devon didn't need to say anything as his buddies quickly gathered up their winning and ran for the elevator as quick as they could.
"I'm so sorry, Charlotte," Daniella entered the dining room, "I insisted they leave but…"
"No, this isn't your doing," Charlotte halted her housekeeper's apology, "Devon, what the hell?"
"It was just an innocent night of cards," Devon tried to give her his most charming grin.
"Innocent," Charlotte scoffed, "Do you know how difficult it's going to be to get the cigar smoke smell out of the walls?"
"I didn't bring the cigars," Devon replied.
"No, you just brought the jerks who brought the cigars," Charlotte snarled, "You know what. It's late, and I'm tired. When I get up tomorrow, you had better have packed your things and vacated my home."
"You're kicking me out!" Devon's eyes went wide. "I have nowhere to go."
"I spoke with Donovan when we were shopping last weekend. He said you could stay with him. At the time, I told him we were all doing just fine, but this afternoon I called him again. You're on his couch for the foreseeable future," Charlotte replied, "I hope you're a better houseguest for him than you were in my guest room."
Brice was chuckling in amusement as Devon was left sputtered. "It's about damn time."
Charlotte spun on her heel and was out of the room in an instant, her housekeeper a step behind her hoping to offer another apology.
"Dani, it's not your fault," Charlotte reassured her, "Dorota has a cleaning crew on standby for big jobs like this one. Get their name from her in the morning and offer an extra bonus if they'll come first thing. I don't want that smell lingering over the holidays. Do not lift a finger yourself to clean the dining room"
Daniella bobbed her head.
"And make sure Devon is out of my home first thing in the morning. Do not make him breakfast or even a cup of coffee," Charlotte instructed her.
"With pleasure," Daniella smiled in response.
"Good night," Charlotte held her hand out to Eddie and pulled him into her bedroom.
Charlotte's temporary adrenaline rush faded quickly. She was even more exhausted than she was when she exited the limo downstairs.
"You're quite a spitfire when you get all angry," Eddie watched her cross the bedroom and plop herself down at the end of her bed, kicking off her stiletto heels. "Remind me to stay on your good side."
"The nerve of that guy," Charlotte huffed. "Ugh, I used to find him charming. How?"
"Not a clue," Eddie knelt before her and began massaging one of her feet.
"Oh that feels good," Charlotte moaned a bit louder than she intended.
"You were on your feet for quite awhile tonight," he continued to massage her feet, paying special attention to her toes, which looked a bit pinched.
"Remind me next year to wear flats," she smiled.
"Will do," he rose up on his knees to peck at her lips.
"Hmm," she hummed against his lips, her fingers touching his cheeks, keeping him close.
"Aside from the ending, this evening was practically perfect," he pressed his forehead against hers.
"I completely agree," she smiled as his fingers trailed along her bare calf. She could feel goose bumps rising on her forearms. She desperately wished she had a bit more energy.
"You look exhausted," he observed.
"I feel exhausted," her eyelids felt heavy, "But a good exhausted, the kind of exhausted which sets in after having such a wonderful evening."
"Get changed," he encouraged her, "I'll read you a bedtime story until you fall asleep."
"I'm not five," she pulled the pins from her hair, sending her curls cascading down her back.
"It won't be that kind of story," he assured her.
She bobbed her head and rose to her feet, turning her back and swept her hair off to one side, "Help me with my zipper?"
Eddie swallowed hard as her bare back was presented to him. He was surprised how much his hands shook as he lowered the zipper. It took longer than it should have, and he could see the gentle shake of her shoulders. He could tell she was snickering at his ineptitude.
"You have done that before, haven't you?" Charlotte turned her head slightly to catch his eye.
"Not with someone I've cared so much for," he kissed her cheek.
She touched his chin lightly before disappearing into the bathroom to remove her makeup and jewelry before changing into her pajamas.
Eddie was just settling into bed when Charlotte emerged from the bathroom. She immediately snuggled in against him as he opened a book. She glanced at the book's cover. "Shakespeare's sonnets?"
"Some of my favorite works ever," he kissed her temple and flipped to a specific page.
"I didn't know you were a Shakespeare buff," her head came to rest against his shoulder.
"There is still much we have to learn about each other," he began to stroke her hair rhythmically, "It's part of the fun."
Charlotte bobbed her head as he began his narration of Sonnet 18. He'd just gotten the first few lines out when her eyes drifted closed. By the end, she was sound asleep. Eddie reached gingerly for the lamp to turn out the light, carefully not to wake her. It didn't take him all that long to find a peaceful slumber himself.
TBC…
How'd I do? Was it a gala worth of Gossip Girl?