Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. They belong to Cecily von Zeigesar and The CW.

"Aiden, sweetie, time to wake up," Blair shook her son awake the next morning. Charlotte and Brice were already awake and preparing for their day, but Aiden was being lazy as he continued to sleep soundly in his mother's bed.

"No," Aiden shoved his mother's hands away before he burrowed deeper under the covers, "Sleep til Daddy come home."

"Aiden," Blair tried to shake him awake again.

"No," Aiden moaned.

Blair began muttering under her breath as she pulled out her phone. Time to call in her secret weapon.

The elevator chimed an hour later.

"Uncle Eric," Charlotte tore through the penthouse to greet her favorite uncle.

"There's my little princess," Eric caught her as she leapt into his arms.

Brice heard Charlotte's greeting of their uncle and was quick to join them.

"Hi, Brice," Eric's husband, Magnus, greeted him.

"Hi, Uncle Maggie," Brice waved at him.

"We hear that someone is being a little sleep monster today, so Maggie and I are taking you two to baseball practice," Eric explained his presence.

Both children were cheering in excitement when Blair joined the quartet in the entryway.

"I see our secret weapons have arrived," Blair greeted both men with kisses to their cheeks, "How are the newlyweds?"

"We've been married for over a year already," Eric pointed out, "I'd hardly call us the newlyweds."

"Has it been a year already," Blair shook her head in disbelief. She couldn't believe how quickly the time had flown, but she knew he was right. Aiden was barely six months old when Magnus and Eric made things legal after six years together. Though it was now official, Magnus had been part of the family since the day he and Eric first met, which was the day Charlotte was born and Chuck had punched out his brother during an emotional moment. Eric always joked that it was the best punch he ever took. Magnus wholeheartedly agreed.

"Is Aiden really going to miss this?" Eric inquired.

"Well I can't pry him out of bed, so unless you're more successful it's going to be just the four of you," Blair explained, "I made the mistake two nights ago of telling Aiden that time passes faster in sleep. I think he's determined to sleep until Chuck gets home tomorrow."

"May I try?" Magnus inquired.

"Absolutely," Blair linked arms with Magnus and brought him to her bedroom.

"Hey, Aiden, it's Uncle Maggie," Magnus shook the little boy lightly, "Uncle Eric and I came to spend the day with you. Won't you wake up so you can join us?"

"No," Aiden stated as he pushed the covers away, "I want Daddy."

"I know," Magnus gave an understanding nod, "Nobody can replace Daddy. I'm sure he misses you just as much as you miss him, but I don't think he'd want you to mope around all day. I think he'd want you to have as much fun as you can because he's going to want to hear all about what you and your siblings have been up to while he was gone. You don't want to disappoint him, do you?"

"No," Aiden shook his head and sat up.

"How about you get ready and join us for the day," Magnus suggested.

"Can Mommy come too?" Aiden asked.

"Absolutely," Magnus nodded, "It wouldn't be any fun without Mommy now, would it?"

"Yay!" Aiden cheered as he leapt up and started jumping up and down in his pajamas.

"Hurry up," Blair patted his bottom lightly, "Brice's baseball practice starts soon. We don't want him to be late, do we?"

"No, I bring glove. No more ouchies," Aiden responded while he pointed towards his bruised eye.

"Good idea," Blair chuckled while Aiden jumped off the bed, his little feet appeared to be running before he even hit the ground. "Maggie, you are a genius. You should be in pediatrics, not maternity."

"I rotate through," Magnus grinned as Blair linked arms with him and brought him back into the entryway, "I want to keep my skills fresh for when E and I decide to add to our family."

"So are we ready to go or waiting for one more?" Eric inquired as he was waiting patiently.

"Aiden will be out in a minute," Blair replied, "I'm going to go wrap up some breakfast for him to take along. He's already grumpy. I'd hate for him to be hungry and grumpy. That is a lethal combination."

"We'll be here waiting," Eric kept swaying back and forth with his niece still in his arms. Her head was rested against his shoulder. He thought she might fall back to sleep as she was as quiet as he'd ever heard her. "You okay, Charlee? You're awfully quiet."

"I miss Daddy," she muttered.

"I'm sure you do," Eric smiled sympathetically, "But he's going to be home tomorrow, so it's just one more day. I bet he got you presents."

"He said he would," Charlotte perked up slightly.

"And I'm sure he wouldn't let his princess down," Eric smiled.

"Brice, do you have everything you need for practice?" Magnus inquired of his nephew.

"I need my glove and hat," Brice replied.

"Well, let's go get them," Magnus suggested as he held out his hand to Brice in expectation that he would lead him to them.

The elevator chimed just as everyone was returning to the entryway in preparation to leave.

"I'm looking for the parents of Charlotte Waldorf-Bass," the man stepped off the elevator to twelve eyes looking towards him intently.

"I'm Blair Bass," Blair spoke up, "I'm Charlotte's mother. May I help you?"

"I'm Mac Huxley," the mysterious man stepped towards Blair and extended his hand. "I'm the owner of the stable where Charlotte boards her horse and takes lesson."

"My riding instructor's last name is Huxley," Charlotte chimed in.

"Sophia is my daughter," Mac replied.

"What can I do for you, Mister Huxley?" Blair inquired, "We're not behind on our boarding or instruction fees, are we?"

"Not at all, Mrs. Bass," he shook his head, "I was hoping to speak to you about a special opportunity regarding Charlotte. Is Mister Bass available, as well?"

"He's out of town for a business retreat until tomorrow," Blair replied, "If you'd like to wait until then, we could make an appointment for sometime next week."

"That's perfectly alright," Mac replied, "I can give you the particulars, and then you can relay them to your husband. It will only take a few minutes of your time."

"Why don't you three go with Uncle Eric and Uncle Maggie?" Blair suggested to the children, "I'll come along a little later."

"Okay," Brice pulled at Magnus's hand. He'd hate to be late for his favorite activity, especially since it was something to do with Charlotte.

"Aiden, Sweetie, do you have your baseball glove?" Blair asked her youngest, "I'd hate for you to get another shiner to match the one you got on Tuesday."

"Right here, Mommy," Aiden held up his glove.

"Okay, good," Blair replied, "Make sure to pay attention to what's happening on the field."

"Okay," Aiden replied.

"I'll be along shortly," Blair assured Eric and Magnus as she ushered her family to the elevator.


"So what is this all about, Mister Huxley?" Blair inquired once they were seated in the living room and Dorota had served them tea.

"Mrs. Bass," Mister Huxley began.

"Blair," she quickly corrected him.

"Blair," he corrected himself, "I've been watching your daughter's lessons for quite some time. She's very good."

"Thank you," Blair beamed with motherly pride, "I'll admit that I know absolutely nothing about horses or riding them, but Charlotte loves it. That's all that matters. All I know is that she looks absolutely adorable in her riding outfit and up on her horse."

"She has a lot of potential," Mac stated, "Her talents could take her quite far."

"How far could it take her? It's just lessons," Blair looked to him in confusion.

"I'd like to see her start entering competitions," Mac explained, "She's certainly talented enough to be competitive. Competitions can take place all over the country and even the world. My daughter even was able to compete in the Olympics."

"My husband mentioned that," Blair stated, "I'm not sure that I want my daughter entering something so competitive just yet. She's only seven. I want her to enjoy being a child for as long as she can. I don't want her jetting all around the world from one week to the next. She has school, her friends, and her family."

"I understand your concerns," Mac replied, "This life isn't for anyone. That is why I have come to you first before it is even mentioned to your daughter. This activity requires the full support of her parents. I want you to take some time, discuss it with your husband before any decision is made one way or another."

"She's really that good?" Blair inquired.

"She's the best rider I've seen since my daughter," Mac nodded.

Blair beamed with pride for a second time.

"I won't take up any more of your time. You were clearly on your way out for a day with your family," Mac stated as he handed Blair a card, "If you or your husband have any questions, please give me a call."

"We will," Blair nodded as she walked Mister Huxley to the elevator, "Thank you for taking the time out of your day."

"I'm sorry if I kept you from anything important," Mac stated.

"My day with my children," Blair replied, "I'll play catch up."

"I'll leave you to it," Mac stated as he shook her hand, "Thank you for listening."


"Hi, Mommy," Aiden greeted Blair at the ball field. He was playing catch with Magnus. Eric was standing in front of him. He had the appearance of being a bodyguard for her son, which Blair found adorable.

"Hi, Sweetheart," Blair replied as she scooped her son up in a hug.

"I play catch with Uncle Maggie," Aiden stated as he squirmed in her arms so that she would put him down.

"Well have fun," Blair stated, "But be careful."

"Okay," Aiden stated as Magnus lofted another ball in his direction. He caught it straight away. Chuck had been right. With a glove he was much more coordinated.

"Hi, Sweetheart," Blair took a seat next to her daughter who had her head in her book, "What kind of trouble has Anne found herself in?"

"She just dyed her hair green," Charlotte replied as she closed her book, "I'm not in trouble, am I?"

"No," Blair assured her as she wrapped her arm around Charlotte's shoulders, "Mister Huxley just wanted to talk about how talented a rider you are."

"I like riding," Charlotte replied as she leaned into her mother's embrace.

"I'm glad to hear it," Blair smiled, "It looks like you have fun riding. Have you ever thought about entering any competitions?"

"A little," Charlotte nodded, "Some of the girls in the classes a few years ahead of me at school enter them. They sound like fun, but I don't know if I'm ready yet."

"Well, if you ever feel that you're ready, you let me or Daddy know. I promise you that we'll be in the front row cheering you on," Blair replied as she kissed her daughter's forehead.

"Thanks, Mom," Charlotte beamed.

"Thank you for being such a good sport about coming along to your brother's baseball practice this week. I know this isn't exactly your idea of fun, but Daddy and I appreciate it," Blair replied.

"I miss Daddy," Charlotte sighed deeply.

"I miss him too," Blair ran her fingers rhythmically through her daughter's hair, tucking several strands behind her ear, "But he'll be home tomorrow."

"He's not going to be doing this a lot now, is he?" Charlotte inquired.

"No," Blair assured her, "This is a one time trip."

"Good," Charlotte replied, "Has he bought me lots of presents?"

"I'm sure he has," Blair laughed softly, "You are his little princess after all."

"Can I keep reading?" Charlotte inquired as she opened her book.

"Absolutely, you'll want to find out what kind of trouble Anne gets herself into next," Blair nodded.

After thoroughly wearing himself out playing catch with Magnus, Aiden climbed into Blair's lap when Brice's practice continued and fell asleep.

"I'll take Aiden to the car, Blair," Eric offered when Brice's practice wrapped up.

"Thanks for the offer," Blair replied as she picked her son up and maneuvered him so that his head was resting against her shoulder, "But he weighs practically nothing. I can handle him."

"Did you see me hit that ball all the way to the outfield, Mom?" Brice inquired as he ran up to his family to begin boasting about his performance.

"I sure did," Blair nodded, "You hit the ball the farthest of anyone on your team."

"When is your first game, Brice?" Magnus inquired, "If I have the day off of work, maybe Uncle Eric and I can come watch you."

"I don't know," Brice frowned as he looked to his mother for answers.

"I'll send you Brice's schedule," Blair assured them, "So Brice, Charlotte, what would you like to do with the rest of the day?"

"Read," Charlotte stated.

"Play in the park with Barty," Brice stated at the same time.

"Charlee, would it be okay if you read in the park?" Blair inquired.

"Okay," Charlotte nodded.

"Eric, Mag, are you going to join us?" Blair asked, "I can have Dorota put together a picnic lunch for us."

"What better way is there to spend a day?" Eric inquired as he took his husband's hand as they all walked back to the awaiting limo.

"Arthur, did you see how far I hit that ball?" Brice asked as he darted towards the limo.

"A really long ways," Arthur played along with his young charge even though he hadn't actually been paying attention.

"Arthur, could you take us back to the penthouse?" Blair inquired, "We need to stop to pick up Barty and get a few other items for a picnic in Central Park."

"You ask as though I have an option to say no," Arthur chuckled.

"Good point," Blair laughed along, "Take us to the penthouse and then wait for us outside as we're going to Central Park after we pick up a few things. How's that sound?"

"Better," Arthur continued to laugh, "Much more familiar."


Blair sat patiently in front of Chuck's computer waiting for the request from Chuck to connect to the video chat on their final evening apart. The children were all tucked into her bed. In keeping with the tradition of the week, she had yet another guest to share her bed with as Brice insisted that Barty join them for the evening. She couldn't help but be thankful that Chuck was coming home the next day. She didn't know if she had any room on her bed for more guests, and as much as she loved her loyal housekeeper, she didn't want to share a bed with her, and she had a feeling she'd be the next addition.

"Come on, Bass," Blair muttered to herself as she tapped her foot impatiently, "Where are you?"

She stared at the computer screen for over an hour, yet no husband. With each minute that passed her anger started to increase. How dare he stand her up without so much as a courtesy call or voicemail or text.

He was going to be in so much trouble when he got home the next day. As she prepared herself for bed, she began planning out his punishment. It had to be a good one. Withholding reunion sex sounded like the best idea, but the more she thought about it the more she realized that she'd be punishing both of them if she followed through.

She continued to think it over as she climbed into bed after shifting limbs of children and the dog just enough so that she'd have room. She was just settling into bed when Aiden curled into her, mumbling something that sounded like, "Daddy come home morrow."

Despite her displeasure with him standing her up for their nightly chat, she couldn't wait for her husband to get home. She couldn't wait to be held in his arms, kissed by his lips…she stopped herself from going further with her thoughts as her children were in bed with her, but yes she couldn't wait for that either. She drifted off to the thoughts of how their reunion tomorrow would go. She didn't hear the chime of the elevator or see the way Barty's ears perked up.

Chuck stepped off the elevator and let out an audible sigh of relief. He was home. He'd inconvenienced himself a great deal to get home that evening. He'd traded his first class ticket for the next day for a coach ticket on the first flight that he could get that connected through Chicago's Midway. He'd taken a taxi from the airport, but none of that mattered now because he was home.

"Mister Chuck is home," Dorota let out a cheered whisper of delight as she appeared in the entryway wrapped up in her bathrobe. Chuck thought for a moment that Dorota might hug him, but she apparently thought better of it the moment the thought occurred to him.

"Couldn't get home soon enough," Chuck explained as he rolled his luggage towards her, "These things can wait until morning. Go to bed."

"Yes, Mister Chuck. All kids are with Mrs. Blair in bedroom," Dorota nodded as she brought his luggage to the laundry room before she retired for the evening.

Chuck couldn't get to his bedroom fast enough. The sight that greeted him brought a gigantic smile to his face. His entire family was sound asleep on his bed. Barty yipped a soft greeting in welcome before his head fell back down.

"Out, Boy," Chuck motioned the dog out of the room while he picked up Brice, intent on returning him to his own bed. Barty dutifully followed along, curling himself up at the end of Brice's bed when Chuck lowered Brice down. He would do the same with his daughter, and then managed to untangle his youngest from his wife.

"Don't be mad," Chuck whispered in Blair's ear after he climbed into bed.

"Chuck," Blair moaned when she recognized the familiar heat of her husband.

"I'm home," Chuck replied after a thorough ravishing of her lips, "I'm sorry I missed our video chat, but I was in the air."

"You're forgiven," Blair rolled him onto his back and pinned him down. She took a few moments to take inventory of his appearance. Physically he looked the same, aside from the gigantic bags under his eyes. "No sleep on the plane either, huh."

"Not a wink," he shook his head.

"Get some sleep, Bass. We can have our reunion tomorrow when Lily takes the children," Blair ran her hands along the defined features of his chest.

"I want to fight you on this," he yawned deeply.

"Sleep," she whispered in his ear as she pulled the blankets over the lower half of his naked body, "Let me enjoy your body while you slumber."

"Enjoy away," he mumbled while sleep finally found him after a long week away.

Blair's fingers trailed along his chest, carving out the lines as a sculpture would a fine piece of marble, reacquainting herself with her husband as if she could ever forget one single inch of his body. He liked to brag about how well he knew her body. She was just as entitled to that claim with his body. She knew every line, every mark, every hair.

Her head began to feel heavy as the sleep she'd missed out on over the week began to take its toll on her as well. Her head came to rest in against his shoulder, his arm wrapping around her shoulders even in sleep as he pulled her tight against him.

TBC…

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