"Blair, why are you so nervous?" Serena asked as Blair circled around her for the seventh time that day as she tried to decide where she should put decorations. "Dan's not going to be upset if there is a streamer out of place." Blair shot her a look and Serena held up her hands, "Okay, never mind. I'm sure he would care a lot if a streamer was out of place. It's just a dinner, Blair, you should relax."
Blair sat down next to Serena and let out a deep breath. "It's the first time that I'm his girlfriend for his birthday, Serena. I need to make it perfect."
"It's a dinner with Nate and I, it's already perfect," Serena said and smiled at Blair. "Dan told you not to fuss."
"That's what you say when you want people to fuss. Everyone knows that."
"No, that's what you," Serena relied, emphasizing the you, "say when you want people to fuss."
"I only have a few hours left until Dan gets here," Blair said, glancing up at her clock. "I haven't even picked up the cake."
"I'll get the cake on my way here," Serena told her, patting her leg before standing up. "I should go get ready and get Nate. Do you want me to get anything else?"
"No, it's hopeless," Blair said, putting her head on the table. "I'm just going to call it off. No birthday dinner, no birthday."
Serena rubbed her back as she would if Ava was crying. "Blair, you are freaking out over nothing. Nate and I will be over at 6 PM like requested, with the birthday cake. Go take a bath or something. Relax. Dan doesn't even know your throwing this for him, so it's fine. There's no pressure on you besides the pressure your putting on yourself."
Blair nodded, her cheek pressed against the table. "Okay, see you tonight."
Blair sat on a chair, tapping her foot lightly on the ground. Nate and Serena looked at her, both trying not to say anything. Dan was supposed to arrive in a few minutes and Blair was tense. Too tense over a birthday party. Her phone started ringing and she picked up quickly, "Dan?"
"Hey, Blair." He sounded apologetic which meant nothing good was going to come out of the conversation. "I know this is super late but I can't come over tonight."
Blair gripped the phone in her hand and she could see Serena look at Nate and grab his knee. This is what happened when you threw a surprise party. "Really? Why? Why can't you come over?" she asked, her voice speeding up as she calculated everything in her head that was going to go to waste. The chef she hired, the cake she ordered, the decorations.
"My dad called, Jenny's in town to surpass me for my birthday."
"Right. Your birthday. Totally forgot that was tonight," she said through gritted teeth. "Happy birthday, Dan."
"You know you called me this morning to tell me that, right?" he laughed. "Do you think we can go out to dinner tomorrow instead?"
"No," she replied, standing from the chair and ripping down a decoration. "I'm busy tomorrow."
"Blair," he said, sighing lightly. Blair tried to remind herself that it wasn't his fault and that he didn't know about this, but it was still bothering her. "I'm sorry. Jenny is only in for the night before she has some business meeting tomorrow and then is going back to Paris."
Blair sighed, "Okay. Well, I can't do anything this weekend, so I guess I'll see you next week."
"Blair," he responded. "Blair, I said I was sorry. I know this is last minute, but do you want to come?"
"I have to go," she said, biting her lip so she didn't say more.
She could hear Dan take a breath on the other end of the conversation, "Okay. I'll call you tomorrow."
Blair hung up the phone and threw it to the couch. "I'm going upstairs. Please enjoy the chef and the wine and the cake," she told Serena and Nate.
Blair ran the bath water, sticking her feet in scalding hot water as she sat on the edge of the tub. She heard a small knock on the door before it opened. Serena never was one for waiting. "I just want to be alone, S," she said, turning her head to her friend. "I know I don't have a right to be mad, I know, but I still am."
"I know, B," Serena said, sitting on the edge and putting her hand on Blair's back. "It sucks. It's disappointing but he didn't know, and he invited you there, didn't he? He wasn't blowing you off, something came up. He didn't realize you planned this."
"I know, that's the problem with surprises," Blair said, leaning her head on Serena's shoulder. "I just, I'm disappointed. I wanted tonight to be perfect and now, I guess it can still be perfect for you and Nate."
"Did I hear my name?" Nate said, entering the room. "Blair, your phone was ringing so I just wanted to bring it to you. You okay, Blair?"
Blair nodded, taking her feet out of the water and shaking her feet off. "I'm fine."
Nate walked towards her and squeezed Blair's shoulder, "I-" The phone started ringing and Nate handed it to Blair, "Serena and I are going to go downstairs. The chef said the appetizers were ready, and I'm kind of hungry."
"Me too," Serena said, standing. "Come down when you're ready, B."
Blair nodded, biting her lip. She looked at her phone, debating if she wanted to pick it up or not. She decided to press answer and put the phone to her ear.
"Blair?" Dan asked from the other side.
"Mhm," she replied, standing and pacing her bathroom.
"I'm so sorry. Nate called-"
"Fucking Nate."
"No, it's good that he did. I had no idea, and I don't know why I didn't because it's very you to plan something, that this was more than just going out to dinner. I called my dad and told him what was happening and he and Jenny understand. I'm going to come over."
"No, Dan," she replied. "Jenny's only in town for the night, like you said, so you should be with them for your birthday. It's fine, I know the risks of surprises. Sometimes they don't work out." She could hear Dan on the other side spout off her address to the taxi driver. "Dan, I'm serious. Go home and be with them. I'll be fine, it's your birthday. Don't worry about me. Nate and Serena are downstairs chowing down on the food anyways, it's not going to waste." Progress, she thought to herself. She was growing up and putting other's before herself. At least on that other's birthday.
Dan sighed on the other end, probably realizing that Blair would be just as unhappy as she would be happy if he showed up. He recited off his dad's address to the taxi driver before starting to talk to Blair again, "I really want to spend my birthday with you, Blair."
"And everyone wants to spend your birthday with you, Dan," she replied softly. "If you're not too tired, why don't you come over after dinner. Maybe I can beat off the ravenous beasts in my dining room from devouring your cake."
"I'd like that," he replied.
"Bring your dad and Jenny if they want to come."
"I'll let them know you offered. I'll see you later tonight, Blair."
Blair opened the door and Dan immediately embraced her, kissing her neck. "Hey, birthday boy," she said, laughing lightly into his ear. "Jenny, Rufus," she said, looking over his shoulder, "I'm so glad you guys came."
"Oh, thank God," Nate said from behind them. "Serena and I had to develop a lot of self control over the last hour to not eat your cake.
Blair laughed, "Just ignore that giant hole in the corner. Their self control only lasted so long."
