A/N: I am so happy to see that this story has been getting positive feedbacks. Thank you everyone! It really means a lot :D Anyways, here is the next chapter. I do hope that you all enjoy this. And of course, your reviews are always welcome. Tell me what you want to happen in the following chapters, aryt? Ok. I'll stop babbling now.
Reviews are greatly appreciated ;)
DISCLAIMER ALERT: I do not own Gossip Girl.
NATE
"Here, let me carry that" I told Blair. She handed me one of her Louis Vuitton luggage.
"Thanks" she replied gratefully.
Once we exited the airport, I rolled my eyes when I caught a glimpse of someone snapping a picture of us. 'Seriously? Even after all these years?'
Blair seemed to notice this too, and she laughed. "Doesn't Gossip Girl ever get old?" she asked, flipping her brunette curls.
I shrugged my shoulders.
"I'm taking a cab, Nate. I'm going home." She said, facing me.
"No." I immediately answered her. She seemed shock with my answer "I wouldn't let you go home alone, Blair." I explained "at least let me give you a ride" I requested. I glanced at the limo that just pulled up in front of us.
Blair narrowed her eyes "No" she said stubbornly, crossing her arms.
I heaved out a sigh "Come on, Blair" I pleaded.
Her face immediately softened, and I knew she wouldn't deny. "I take it your grandfather is already informed of your arrival" she said, seeing the Van der Bilt limo pulled up. I nodded my head. She crossed her arms, and raised one of her eyebrows "and I assume he is not too happy about your decision to run off to God knows where without him knowing. And for a long period of time." She added. I nodded silently again. I looked up to her and I can't help but smile at a realization. 'The old Blair is back' Headband? Check. Ridiculously expensive outfits? Check. Bitchiness? Check.
"Let me help you there, Nate" she said in a sickly sweet voice and I gulped. She took a step nearer me and pretended to fix my polo. "I'll go home with you to the Van der Bilt mansion and I'll help you explain to dear old grandfather that you were with me all this time. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't mind so much then." She said smugly. I sighed but I knew she was right. Grandfather loved Blair and the idea of the two of us together.
"Fine" I muttered.
Her face softened and she grasped my hand tightly "I'm helping you to save your ass, Archibald." She said bitchily, but I know she was only telling the truth. A sincere smile graced her lips.
I give her a peck on the lips, and holding her hand, led her inside the limo.
We arrived at the Van der Bilt compound 45 minutes later, due to the heavy traffic. For some weird reason, I find myself actually missing the traffic of New York City.
Blair and I entered the mansion together, hand in hand, but I stopped before we entered the huge double oak doors.
"What's the matter?" Blair asked worriedly.
I shook my head. "I think I should enter first" I said. Blair nodded her head in understanding.
"Good luck" she whispered, kissing me on the cheeks.
I entered the oak doors first, and the sight of the whole Van der Bilt clan greeted me.
"Nate!" my mom called out my name. She ran to me, arms open wide. She engulfed me in a hug. "I miss you so much!" she said "I was so worried about you, Natie." She said, using her petname for me.
"I'm sorry, mom." I said. And I was sorry, but the years with Blair in our new life were worth it. Everything that we had to give up was just worth it.
"Nathaniel," my grandfather spoke up.
"Grandfather," I said. He opened his arms, and I smiled as I give him a hug.
I did really missed them.
"It's good to see you again, Nathaniel" my grandfather said.
"It's good to see you too, grandfather." I answered sincerely.
"Where have you been all these years?" he asked.
"I was with Bl-"
"He was with me, Sir Van der Bilt." Blair chose that moment to reveal herself, gracefully entering the very spacious room. "I'm very sorry if it worried you. I was originally planning to go all by myself, but since Nate is a complete gentleman and wanted to ensure that I was safe all the time, he insisted that he come with me." She explained "and who am I to resist the Van der Bilt charm?" she added, fluttering her eyelashes. There's a reason why every parent in the UES love Blair Waldorf, she knows how to completely flatter you; and she has a natural charm.
Immediately, I noticed that grandfather's face soften.
"Well, Nate seemed to forget to mention that" grandfather said.
Blair stepped closer to me, and I instinctively wrapped my hand around her waist. I caught grandfather and mother share a look.
"It's very good to see you again Sir, and Anne, but I'm afraid I should go home already. " Blair said.
"Why don't you stay over for brunch, dear. It's already starting. I'm sure you are famished." Anne said. It was not a question but more of a statement.
"Okay." Blair said after a few moments.
"Very well than" grandfather said.
The next half an hour were used catching up. Blair had no problem in fitting in with my family, she was always treated as family. I blushed as my mother, grandfather, cousins and relatives made it perfectly clear to Blair that they would love her to be 'officially' part of the family, and she would be the perfect addition. Blair just laughed it off, sharing stories with everyone. The brunch was enjoyed, still spent with catching up. By the time we were all finished, it was already noon time.
Blair said her goodbyes, and promised that she would be back soon.
I accompanied her towards the limo, opening the limo door for her.
"Thank Nate" she said, kissing me on the cheeks."See you tomorrow" she said, entering the limo.
"You two back together?" mom asked me awhile later.
I just laughed it off, not exactly giving a direct answer.
BLAIR
I stepped into the penthouse and smiled when I noticed that nothing much has changed. It still felt like home, even after all these years. There were some bustling in the living room, and I'm guessing that Eleanor and Cyrus were there. I revealed myself slowly, not exactly knowing what to expect.
In a swift motion, my mother engulfed me in a hug and I hugged her back. "I miss you" I muttered. And it was true, I did miss her. Cyrus came up to me and hugged me next. He was still as jolly as always.
"Where is Dorota?" I inquired, noticing that our polish maid wasn't there.
"She's at their apartment, caring for their baby" Cyrus explained. I made a mental note to myself to visit Dorota sometime and give her long overdue gifts for her wedding and child.
After the reunion, of course Eleanor started to criticize me again. How bad my running away caused negative image to her and the Waldorf family, how rumors started swirling that I was pregnant, that I was disowned. I can't help but notice that the phrase 'you-were-sold-for-a-hotel' wasn't mention. 'I guess he never told anyone' I smiled at the realization, and there was a tug in my heart. 'Could it be…?'
I shook my head, stopping my train of thoughts. I couldn't venture in there again. I just couldn't. I don't want to start thinking about what ifs. What if I stayed? What if Chuck and I reconciled again?
"Blair are you listening to me?" Eleanor snapped.
"I'm sorry" I apologized, not really. What was she saying anyway?
Eleanor's mouth made a thin line "As I was saying" she continued "I was thinking about having a welcome back party" she said.
"What?" I exclaimed, not really seeing the reason for one.
"A welcome back party for you and Nate" she stated.
"How'd you know I was with Nate?" I asked her, confused. I never mentioned to her anything about what happened once I left New York.
Eleanor just waved her hand dismissively "I figured it out once I heard he was also missing" she answered nonchalantly "Anyways, a welcome back ball for you and Nate. Society needs to be inform that you are back." She said with finality. And with that, I wasn't left with a choice but to accept.
"When would it be held?"
"Well two days from now of course!" Eleanor said, outraged "I want it to be held as soon as possible. And don't worry dear, I'll take care of all the planning. And I have to start now" she said as she haughtily stand up. She immediately started making phone calls, and I went up to my bedroom.
My room was still the same, not a thing out of place. I unpacked my clothes from my luggage and started to arrange them in the cabinet. After doing so, I decided to take a shower to ease my exhaustion. It helped a lot. I wore an orange and yellow floral dress, matching them with red peep toe heels. I got my phone from my purse and texted Serena.
Hey S. Let's meet up at Starbuck's? I miss you. -B
Not a minute later, she replied back.
Be there in 10 min. I miss you more, B. –S
I grinned at her reply and immediately headed to Starbuck's.
SERENA
'I can't believe she's back!'
After learning about Blair's return, it took all my willpower not to immediately go to their penthouse. I considered calling and telling Eleanor about Blair's return, but mom stopped me. She said it wasn't any of my business and it's Blair's sole responsibility to explain to her mother her actions. Hours passed by, and I haven't heard anything from her yet. I started to get worried. 'What if she doesn't wanna see me? What if she didn't miss me? At all? What if she doesn't wanna be my best friend anymore?' The last thought was so horrific, but I managed to convince myself that it was impossible. It was mid-afternoon when I received the text from her. It immediately brought a smile upon my face. After receiving her text, I immediately went to Starbuck's.
Once I entered Starbuck's, I smiled as I noticed Blair.
"B!" I squealed, running up to her.
"S!" she squealed back, and she met me halfway. I hugged her tight.
"I miss you so much, S" she said.
"I miss you too!" I said, squealing in excitement. I can't believe my best friend was back! All my squealing made me feel like a high school student again, but honestly, I don't care.
I heard cameras clicking and I rolled my eyes. I'm pretty sure that this meeting would end up on Gossip Girl.
"Let's sit" Blair said. We sat across each other on a table near the window. "The usual, right?" Blair asked, handing me a cappuccino.
I smiled. "Thanks, B" Some things never change.
Blair then got talking, telling me all about what happened when she left New York. She told me how Nate asked her to escape, how they live their lives as 'friends' (I kept teasing her about it, but she kept denying they were more than 'friends'; "We are so past that, Serena. This isn't high school"), their own little bookstore, how life was different there, everything. But I didn't grill Blair on what made her leave in the first place. It suddenly dawned on me that Nate knew the reason and I didn't, but I shook it off. Chuck was the one who probably told Nate. Blair also told me that there would be an upcoming Welcome Back party for her, and of course this meant shopping. I told Blair everything that happened after she left the Upper East Side. Dorota got married, and eventually had a baby. Gossip Girl had a field day when she found out that you were gone, and immediately rumors started to swirl. But Gossip Girl even had more fun when she learned that Nate was missing too, and it caused more rumors. I asked Blair once again what was the deal between her and Nate, but she just shrugged, saying that they were just friends.
"Speaking of Nate, where is he? We haven't exactly parted on good terms," I told Blair sheepishly.
"He's staying at the Van der Bilt compound" Blair said nonchalantly, taking a sip of her coffee.
"How did you know?" I asked.
"I had brunch with his family awhile ago" she said, not noticing my expression.
We then moved on to another topic, but the uneasy feeling bubbling in my stomach never left.
Jealousy, perhaps?
I shook my head.
Why would I be jealous? 'There's nothing to be jealous about Nate and Blair…
Right?'
A/N: So yeah… I hope you like it! I hope you don't get bored with this story. I promise there would be more drama in the upcoming chapters. I just want my pace to be like this, slowly building the story. Anyways, I hope that you review! It would help me a lot. Also, tell me what you want to happen in the upcoming chapters, aryt? Also, someone reviewed and told me that he/she hopes that I could update with two chapters next time. Don't worry, I'll try my best :D But for now though, I hope this chapter would be okay for you. It's the longest chapter by far :D But one of these days though, I'll update with 2 chapters ;) But until then... I hope this will do :)
Reviews are greatly appreciated ;)
P.S. HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE! :)