Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl or Chuck and Blair and I have no affiliation with the real life people I mentioned in this chapter. All rights are reserved to their respective owners.
This chapter is dedicated to my awesomely amazing Jade-Jacqueline. She's been so encouraging of my writing, so thank you.
And huggles of huggles to my beta (Liz) Dr. Holland. She is super amazing. She makes me more confident to write and I couldn't appreciate her more.
Chapter 3
"I can't believe they wrote that about me. This is ridiculous!" Blair screeched the second she greeted Chuck on the phone.
"I wasn't even in Monaco for forty-eight hours, as they're claiming. And I certainly wasn't behaving drunk in public." She scoffed in outrage at the report. "I can't believe they wrote that about me!"
"Did you read the part about me parading my on-again-off-again, new money troubled lover? That was about you!" she spat, grabbing a fistful of the newspaper. "These people just keep trying to disgrace me, as if they haven't done enough with how they spun the news of the divorce to make it look like I was entirely at fault. I can't believe they would write something like that about you!" She shrieked.
"I'm reputable for my business style," Chuck reminded her, much calmer about the news than she was, "not my personal life. You of all people know I'm rather notorious for the latter. One newspaper article is not going to affect my business."
"But it still makes you look bad. It makes us look bad together."
Chuck huffed a little at Blair casually, absently mentioning that they were 'together'. However, he wouldn't say anything to her about it. He knew that if he brought it up again, he would only upset her more.
"I have stopped caring what people think of me," he replied. "I know it's not the same for you, but don't let this drive you crazy. There will be many other newspaper articles in the future and they won't all be saying nice things about you or me, or… us," he added sheepishly to drive his point home.
Chuck could hear a sudden gleeful hitch in Blair's voice at his reference of them as an 'us'. More than anything at that moment, he felt chagrin at having admitted it to her. It was quite silly why Chuck would feel this way because he completely wanted to be with Blair. He wanted nothing as wholly as he wanted this girl. In fact, he and Blair behaved a lot like they were back together because he had allowed it. And returning there with her had been incredibly gratifying for him but it was also his problem.
He was sure there was no doubt in either of their minds, even his, that they would work it out this way things had been progressing, he knew this would be it for both of them, yet he felt very hesitant to let her completely in. When things had been easy before, when he gave her exactly everything she said she wanted, he had lost. His reason now was more selfish than anything else, but it was some twisted self-preservation method and he couldn't shake the fact that he felt that way. If he and Blair were to have everything else, even behaved it like it, he would withhold the privilege of actually claiming they were anything. He also reasoned it was to their benefit. They needed to move slower anyway, and his stalling would ensure it.
"This is what Gossip Girl was preparing us for," he told her, resuming the conversation from where he trailed off. "Being in the spotlight comes with a territory."
"Only a handful of people read Gossip Girl, this is world news," Blair pointed out, smoothing the newspaper over to scroll down the article once more.
"You were the unofficial queen of the steps to a museum. This is the principality of Monaco and you were its real life princess. It's not going to be the same thing." Chuck was attempting to be reasonable.
"I know," Blair whined as she glared at the printed words.
"Well-"
"I don't think I ever want to step foot on the square mile of jagged coastline again."
"I'm sorry. I guess it was ill advised of you to come to Monaco," Chuck offered sympathetically. He knew where Blair's frustrated mood was likely to lead so he was trying his best to soothe her.
"Well I didn't know when or if I'd get another chance to see you," Blair explained. "When Jack called, I had to come. I couldn't take any risks. I knew I needed to show you how serious I was."
"I appreciate the gesture." Chuck said, his voice echoing the candor in his statement. "But honestly, you had to know going to Monaco unfortunately something like this could have happened. I'm sorry for how this makes you feel, but you were the princess of their principality. You are always going to be a topic of conversation for them."
"Must one mistake I made follow me for the rest of my life?" she demanded mournfully. And suddenly tears were welling up in her eyes.
"If it were just any mistake, Blair," Chuck tried to reason. "You married their prince. You took his last name. You wore his title and family jewels. They're going to have something to say about you."
There wasn't much Chuck could do but be honest with her. Blair had been the one to request that they be completely honest with each other when she had come to fight for him in Monaco and he was going to hold her to it.
"I know what I did, Chuck," she shot back irritated; feeling her frustration heighten at Chuck's overbearing rationalization of everything. "I was there when it happened," she shrieked, "but what they printed is completely untrue."
Blair wasn't in the mood and Chuck was being unnecessarily more rational than supportive and it was grating on her nerves. She wanted to pull him and shake him into her amazingly understanding 'boyfriend' that he used to be. She had solely called because she hadn't really wanted to be rational in the aftermath of such a character assassination. Valid point or not, she was feeling like he wasn't of much help.
"I know," he tried to soothe. "I'm just making you understand."
"I do understand," she confirmed."I just think everybody deserves a second chance."
Chuck heard her huff in exasperation.
"I feel like I'll never recover from this," she added sorrowfully as the regret of her mistake overcame her. "No matter how I try to move on with my life from now on, I'll always be remembered as this girl, this foolish princess wannabe."
Chuck could hear her small sobs hitching her breathing from his end of the line, and he very much wanted to comfort her in that moment, but he waited for her to speak again. He knew she had more on her mind. He also knew that in her state, his soothing could easily be mistaken for him pitying her. And he certainly didn't want to be on the end of her mood swings.
"But that's never really been my dream. What I've always wanted is to be a powerful woman. When Louis came, it was easy, too easy," She lamented, the roughness of her sobs saturating her voice. "But I should have known better."
"You will recover," Chuck assured her. "You'll be exactly the kind of woman you want to be. But this is the way things are going to be for now. It's still very fresh in the press. Your marriage was only months ago."
His tone was soft and pleading and Blair picked up his well-meant intentions. He simply wanted her to understand.
"I just don't want to be the girl known for her high profile relationships with men rather than Blair Waldorf, who I really am," she confessed.
"You were the one who originally made a name for yourself, Blair," Chuck promptly reminded her, remembering how Blair's Head Bitch In Charge attitude had been one of the main reasons why he had been so fascinated with her from the beginning. "And it wasn't about who you were dating at the time. Nate couldn't really get you on the social map at fourteen years old. You did it yourself."
"I want to be that girl again," Blair admitted, a little buoyancy returning to her voice. "I do hope it's not too late. There's a chance I can achieve that with my mother's company. I really want to regenerate the Waldorf name as my public image."
"Well, if you must know, you never stopped being a Waldorf in my book," Chuck admitted and earned a little 'aw' sound from Blair. "I think you'll always be that for me. Nothing rings quite as good as Blair Waldorf."
"Except for Blair Waldorf Bass," Blair joked lightly, her wit instantly returning to the tip of her tongue; but then added "Perhaps, one day," a little more seriously at the end.
Chuck shook his head a little amused at how Blair seemed to always be testing him.
"Oh really?" he retorted, challenging her with his tone.
"Like you haven't thought about it," she countered, taking the bait.
"I know you know I have." Chuck sighed. He knew there wasn't much he could do to keep his thoughts from Blair so he might as well just tell her. Even though getting engaged wasn't something they ever discussed, it had somehow become a rhetorical theme of their relationship. It also seemed like all their friends and family had the same idea about them.
"And?" Blair prompted, seeing Chuck relent a little. "I'm really intrigued by Chuck Bass's idea of marriage. Do tell," she pried, a little seductively.
"Well, I'm intrigued with your idea of marriage as well, Waldorf. Why don't you tell me?" Chuck retorted, continuing to challenge her on the same level she was challenging him.
"Shouldn't we reserve these discussions for when we're actually back together?" Blair snapped when the question came back around to her. She decided she wasn't truly ready to talk about marriage, seeing as she was still reeling from what the royal family had pulled on her. However, she realized she wanted to have the option to do so with Chuck; but Chuck, he had decided to move things along much slower than she would prefer.
"… Whenever that is, you decide we're back together," she pressed on, now that her focus was Chuck and his cock-blocking of their inevitable reunion, which she was sure was already set in stone.
"I understand where you're coming from," She affirmed a while later after considering his points, "but given that this is something we both want, Chuck-"
"Blair." Chuck held his ground. Chuck always loved Blair for her stubbornness even if sometimes he knew it could be the worst thing to ever wish on anyone. However, Chuck himself was easily Blair's match in the same way, the best and worst of her, and he certainly could keep up with her. "Where we are right now is fine," he insisted. "And there are reasons we aren't back together right now," He added sternly.
"Well then, how would you sum up this current state of affairs, Chuck?" Blair inquired in more of a resigned tone than a commanding one. Blair herself knew Chuck was a match for her pushiness.
"You and I are working on things," He said reassuringly, "This is what working on things looks like."
Blair scoffed off his response, but Chuck was more amused by it than anything else.
"Eventually," he teased her before hanging up. "Be patient, Waldorf."
.
.
.
"I have a package for you," Jack announced to Chuck as he came to lean against the hotel door of his bedroom, holding a small flat envelop in his hand.
It was the day before their last in Madrid and after the roll of success they'd had, he and Chuck had decided to stay two additional nights in the name of celebration. Tonight, they had reserved a V.I.P room at one of the most upscale nightclubs in the city.
"It's a little something I'm sure will help you celebrate," Jack imparted teasingly, still waiting for Chuck to check out the package.
"Chuck!" Jack shouted when no response came from the younger Bass who was fixing himself up in the full length mirror of his dresser.
"I know that as a Bass, you want to look impeccable wherever you go. But I'm telling you son, come over and get it already. My hand is getting tired of holding your little delivery," the older man whined.
"If this is what I think it is, you know I don't want it," Chuck responded sternly. "I told you I'm off that kind of stuff. I don't need it. But, Jack, you have fun with it," Chuck waved him off, not in the mood for what he supposed Jack was proposing him with.
"Actually," Jack countered teasingly, "I think you'd be pretty upset if I did."
"What are you talking about?" Chuck asked confusedly as he now turned his attention to his uncle.
"Your package is from Paris."
That was all that needed to be said.
"Oh," Chuck stuttered "I wasn't expecting..." Chuck was completely flabbergasted with the surprise and stilled all his motions at once.
"I'll be waiting in the car." Jack informed him as he handed the package to Chuck before he turned to leave the hotel suite.
Chuck took the package in his hand before he hooked his shoulder to the frame of the door shifting his weight against the structure. A small, completely imperceptible smile graced his lips when he turned over the envelope to see Blair's neat handwriting displayed in blue ink, addressed to him. He remembered that he had jokingly agreed when she had suggested something about writing him a postcard, but he hadn't thought she'd actually do it. He pulled out the card to read it.
Chuck,
I just want you to know that I will fight for you any way I know how, even if that means writing you a postcard to tell you exactly that. even if that means waiting a really long time for you.
I love you
xoxo, Blair.
Chuck was unable find his festive disposition the same after that postcard arrived. He felt quite overwhelmed by everything around him, the gambling wins topped with Blair's declarations of love, the air of Madrid, also the uncertainty of his future, all of it intoxicating him. He felt as if his life wasn't quite his life anymore and he was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Everything seemed to be going so well, except for Bass Industries, but he hadn't really allowed himself to think of what happened between him and his father much because he had only two nights in Madrid and he didn't want Bart to take that away from him as well. He decided to look on the brighter side of things, all the money he was making... and Blair.
Blair was fighting for him.
During the ride to the club, Jack had tried to pry into his thoughts but Chuck had kept to himself and blown off all of Jack's conversational repartees.
However, once at the club Chuck did manage to have a good time. Spanish music, flashing lights, and Veuve Cliquot filtering through his bloodstream gave Chuck a happy momentum. No worry of Bass Industries entered his mind, nor would he have allowed them to, even if coincidentally the occasion for the champagne popping had been closely related to reacquisition plans for the same company.
Chuck and Jack enthusiastically chatted up with several of the other patrons who joined them in the V.I.P section, many of whom were old acquaintances of Jack from the time he used to tour Europe frequently. Only when the strippers arrived, did Chuck excuse himself from the conversation. Not that he had any problems being around exotic women, and it wasn't like he'd suddenly lost his skill to appreciate a woman's anatomy. However, he felt oddly disinterested in the gimmick. His mind readily flew to Blair as he instinctively moved to get up. He couldn't help the nagging impulse he had to remove himself from the scene, as if he now had a sense of propriety about these things. He knew Blair probably wouldn't mind one night out with Jack and they weren't 'together' or a 'couple' or 'anything'. But Chuck couldn't shake how much it was Blair that was on his mind.
"You know it's not a Jack Bass party until the strippers arrive," One of the old poker pals announced excitedly as the group of scantily clad women filtered into the room to the cheer of several of the patrons.
"I never like to disappoint," Jack Bass retorted, smarmy as ever.
"Hey Chuck, where are you going?" Jack called out when he noticed Chuck walking out of the room.
He ran after him.
"You don't look like you're enjoying yourself as much as usual. What happened tonight?"
"I don't need a stripper on my arm to look like I'm enjoying myself, Jack" Chuck stated soberly, knowing that Jack's intention was to get him back to the party with everyone else. However, Chuck really wasn't in the mood for it.
"I'm fine," he assured his uncle. "I just want to be by myself for a minute, but you go have your fun."
"Okay," Jack relented, patting Chuck on the shoulder. "Tell Blair I say hi."
Chuck couldn't help smirking to himself as he walked away from his uncle. Jack knew him so well and even though they were two completely different people in character, he still reserved a lot of admiration for the older man.
Chuck made his way outside of the private room and swerved his way outside of the club unto the sidewalk. Blair was everywhere he looked even though she was nowhere near, so he decided to call her.
"Hey," she said warmly when she answered the phone.
"I was going to call you earlier," He explained, almost as an apology before continuing with his speech. "Jack and I decided to go out tonight. We're celebrating today's turnout. Madrid has been even better than Barcelona. I cannot tell you-"
"Oh my God! Chuck!" Blair wailed excitedly, "I can't believe it. I'm so happy for you." she squealed over the phone.
"Did you meet the projected quota?" she inquired as she descended from her jubilation.
"Surpassed it," Chuck announced proudly and earned another high pitched squeal from Blair.
He chuckled at her open display of support and affection.
"What about you?" Chuck inquired. "What are you doing? Did I wake you?"
"No, I wasn't asleep yet," she assured him. "I was... reminiscing?"
"May I ask what I interrupted you reminiscing about, beautiful?" he flattered her.
"Nothing about us," she warned him sadly, "just Waldorf Designs. Taking over my mother's company has been really introspective for me. Today I started drafting some ideas for my introductory season. It's really going to remind everyone who Blair Waldorf is."
"You'll be a fabulous creative director," he assured her. "I'm sure everyone will get the message." He knew it was probably what Blair would have wanted him to say but he did truly believe that about her.
"Thank you for always believing in me," She replied gratefully, letting him know she appreciated his words of encouragement.
"Remember that girl, when we were 10 years old who told me she was going to be the next Hilary Clinton. I always admired you for how ambitious you were," Chuck admitted to her over the phone.
Blair felt her heart swell at Chuck's sweet recall to their prepubescent years. She hardly remembered ever saying that to him, but of course, he remembered.
"Oddly enough, I always admired you for the same reason," she told him in return, "Even though I resented you for how smug you were about it."
"I wouldn't have guessed," he admitted.
"There are a lot of things no one would ever guess about me," She informed him.
"And, is this one of your reasons why I'm supposed to love you?" Chuck inquired playfully.
"Well you would have guessed that one. Wouldn't you?" she retorted matter-of-factly, "But at least it's one of the reasons why I love you too,"
"Hmm," Chuck hummed. "I think I see a pattern here,"
Chuck heard her yawn on his end and groaned a little.
"At least you have the ability to think and see right now, Chuck. I can't do either," Blair complained weakly.
"You should sleep," Chuck advised her.
"I will."
"Wow. No protest this time."
"Well it's not as much fun when you're not there in person to taunt." Blair teased.
"Good luck breaking your ideas to Eleanor tomorrow," he offered sympathetically.
"Well, I would say the same for you but you don't need any luck," She nudged him back. She had faith Chuck and Jack would pull through. They always did.
"Good night Chuck," Blair said definitively, fatigue evident in her voice.
"Oh and, by the way, Jack said hi," He announced last minute as she was about to hang up but she caught it.
"Oh Jack, tell him I send my regards, from Paris" She replied a bit livelier at the mention of her second favorite city.
"Deliveries from Paris, huh?" Chuck asked suggestively.
"What!"
"Nothing. Good night Blair."
.
As Blair fell asleep that night, she reminisced about going through her mother's archive earlier that day. Pulling out several photo albums for her inspiration board, there was a very classic black and white picture of her mother and Marisa Berenson at some black tie event. She remembered how Marisa had been one of her mother's most loyal clients throughout the years. Even when she was very young, she always adored being around fittings of the famous socialite for her impeccable style. There were also several pictures of her mother, Anita Pallenberg and a few friends arriving on a jet in Mustique, donning all white Gucci pantsuits. Blair studied the pictures for a few minutes, envying how the women were so completely carefree and effortlessly chic. She hoped she was that kind of woman. Blair had never wished to be like her mother before but she thought perhaps that was due to the fact that she hadn't really known who her mother was all that time.
There were also pictures of several dinners her mother hosted over the years, the most recent one she found in the albums contained pictures of Irina Lazareanu and Margherita Missoni who had been great fans of the Waldorf brand.
Feeling in the mood for nostalgia, Blair opened her bedside drawer and pulled out her Eiffel Tower music box, which Chuck had brought back to New York for her many years ago when he had been in Paris, as a memento, knowing how much Blair loved Paris. She smiled dreamily at all her memories of her and Chuck in Paris as sleep finally claimed her.
.
That night when Chuck fell asleep, he was holding the postcard from Blair. He had read it over and over again, wanting to find a new meaning in her words each time he scrolled over it anew. Despite everything with his father, Chuck felt much lighter. He had also received an update on Monkey. He imagined how in the fall he'd possibly fully have Blair and Monkey in his life again. He smiled thinking about the odd pairing of the two.
.
.
.
The next day Harold called and said he wanted to meet.
Later that day, Blair sat at Montsouris in the 14th arrondissment, twirling her finger in her hair and attempting to read her favorite George Sand novel in the original French text. She had been at the Musée D'Orsay earlier that day, to torture herself of course. But she had thought perhaps returning to the site of the beginning of her woes would help purge the memory of Louis and that whole royal charade from her mind. She blew a piece of her hair away from her face, a little bit frustrated with the slow pace at which she had to read French. In search of a new occupation, she withdrew a little notepad from her purse as she started recording some notes in her dainty little handwriting.
People passing by were an easy distraction for her. She simply had to watch them to find herself transported. Unlike reading, she only needed her eyes to do the work; her mind could catch a break for the time being. She was immediately taken with all the beautiful Parisian fashion. She admired all the colors that flew past her and the popular silhouettes people seemed to be embracing that summer. She knew one simple fact about fashion. Fashion is fleeting. She'd heard the likes of Carine Roitfeld and Karl Lagerfeld state it several times. But Blair also knew it was important to obverse the current trends because next season, these same trends will evolve and that's how new trends are born every year.
Blair let her mind wander far into the creations she would present at her mother's fashion house next year. Blair knew innately that she wasn't a designer. She didn't have the dexterity to work with fabric and sewing equipment. But she knew she was a visionary. She knew that she was skilled with good taste. She had the creativity inside of her and she could do well at Waldorf Designs if she truly applied herself. She just needed someone to collaborate with to interpret her vision.
"What are you doing here, sitting alone?" a voice called out to her.
Blair jolted from her deep state of dream to process the interaction she was suddenly imposed with. She looked up to see that it was her father standing in front of her.
"Daddy!" She exclaimed, getting up to greet her father with a kiss on both cheeks.
"Oh Nothing! I was just jotting down some observations, waiting for you to text me your location but I guess that will no longer be necessary. You?" she inquired.
"Making an observation as well, darling. I saw you were thinking," Harold explained.
Blair resumed her seat and patted the space next to her, beckoning her father to have a seat as well.
"How do you find Paris dear?" Her father asked as he bent to take the seat.
"Daddy, you know how much I love it here. Paris is lovely in every season. I never get tired of it no matter how many times a year I'm here."
"How's Roman?" she queried as she put her notepad back in her purse and capped her pen before putting it away as well.
"Oh Roman!" her father perked up, "he says hi."
"Let him know I say hi back," she replied. "I would love to spend some time at the Chateau while I'm in the country," Blair expressed fondly, "Clear my mind."
"That's probably a good idea, Blair," Her father agreed, looking at her meaningfully. "You know, I worry about you sometimes."
"I know you do," Blair confessed. "I'm sorry I made a public mockery of our family in the press. Whether or not there is truth to whatever they publish about me, that's not how the public sees it. They take everything as the truth. They claim I make a mockery out of them, but they're the ones making a mockery out of me."
"I read that newspaper article," her father added sympathetically placing a hand over hers, "They were pretty harsh, I have to say. However, I know what to believe because you're my daughter and I know you. Unfortunately, not everyone is going to give you the same courtesy."
"Obviously not," Blair huffed. "The public just wants to crucify me and the royal family comes out looking like an innocent little lamb that I took for a ride. It's sickening! Daddy, you know I had the best intentions in marrying Louis," she insisted defensively. "Yes, I was at fault for wanting to marry a man that my heart didn't call to, but I had gotten in too far, I didn't know how to get out."
"Why didn't you come to me, sweetie?" her father pleaded, looking her in the eye. "I would have been there for you."
"I know you would have, but I was in a bad state," She tried to explain, feeling a little remorseful for hurting her father in that way. "After everything with the baby and the accident, I just wanted to hide and make it all go away."
Harold felt so much of his daughter's pain in that moment. He couldn't fathom what it must have been like for her during that time in her life. He had never truly judged her for her choices even if he couldn't help his disappointment sometimes. However, in that instant, he knew nothing but the overwhelming love and sympathy he had for Blair. He reached over to her and hugged her tightly, placing a light kiss at the top of her head.
"I'm sorry," He spoke up after the intimate exchange between them. "I can imagine. You used to talk to me about everything. I never wanted that to change."
"But you are the one who changed it," Blair replied sincerely, "When you chose to move across an ocean to be with Roman; when you left me with a scandal to go to school with everyday. I don't hold it against you like I used to, but you can't expect that our relationship would have remained the same. It broke me in a lot of ways."
It wasn't about guilt-tripping her father for her own circumstances, but Blair felt it was time she was honest with both her father and herself about what happened years ago.
"I'm sorry if my choices or my parenting have led you to make ill-advised decisions with your own life. I know what a scandal is and I never wanted you to go through that," Harold apologized.
"I'm not blaming you dad," Blair corrected him, not wanting to cause her father anymore grief. "You can't be responsible for my choices. That's why they're my choices, because I made them. I'm not necessarily proud of them but I do hold myself accountable."
"But…" Harold added, needing to express his contrition to his daughter, "I will apologize for leaving the way I did. I didn't make it particularly easy on you."
"It wasn't. But I got over it. Despite everything that happened, the good memories outweigh all the bad, so I held on to those."
"We did have such good times when I was around," he remembered fondly.
"Yeah, we did," Blair agreed, her face lightening up at the memories of her father. "Remember how we used to go feed the ducks in Central Park. You were my best chaperon. I don't think Dorota ever enjoyed it as much as you did."
"Ah!" Harold exclaimed, the memories flooding back. "Central Park in the fall, your favorite - two cups of Dean and Deluca, it really was bliss for you, wasn't it?"
"For you too," Blair defended.
"Whatever made you happy made me happy too." Harold proclaimed.
"Remember that one time," Blair prompted, "there was that one time you ran in to rescue one of the ducks that was getting sniffed by a dog, I believe. Poor little thing!"
"Oh the poor animal was frightened. That was such a long time ago, I can't believe you remember."
"Oh I had a refresher course," she announced a little excited to recount the story, "Courtesy of Chuck Bass. Dorota and I ran into him at the Duck Pond. He saved one of the ducks from a Labrador. "
"Oh Charles, at the duck pond?"
"I guess he was walking his dog, Monkey. He has this dog now..." she started to rambled but her dad interrupted.
"Did you also happen to run into him in Monaco? I saw he was mentioned in the article," Harold inquired seriously, knowing perhaps something was up with his daughter.
"No," Blair returned honestly, "I actually went there to see him." A bit of shyness crept into her voice. "Chuck and I are working on things."
"You two are back together?"
"We're working on things," she stressed the difference between the two phrases. "This is fairly recent. I was planning to tell you. But I assure you, this is not like before. We're in a completely different place now."
"Blair you know, I'm always happy for you and Charles," her father started his pep talk, "But after everything you've been through this year, are you sure this is what you should pursuing right now? You said you wanted to come spend some time at the chateau, I agree. I think you need to take a break for yourself."
After the debacle of the last year, Harold was really starting to worry about Blair and her choices.
"I figured out what I want, and being with Chuck is part of that" Blair stated firmly, then looked her father in the eye. "I am taking a break for myself." She affirmed, "Chuck gives me all the space I need. This is not like how I've carried myself with other men in the past. I am focused on my future. I realize I need to be. And Chuck supports that, just like I support him. As much as I regret this past year, I just need to move forward with my life. I can't waste time dwelling on the time I've wasted. Enough time has been wasted. I know what I want now."
"Sweetie, I just want the best for you," Her father reassured.
"I know that," Blair informed him, "but I also know you have reason to question my actions, and I don't want you to worry about where my head is at."
"You're my daughter. I am biased to accept whatever decision you make. Your happiness is what's important to me," Harold confirmed to her, giving her shoulder a light squeeze.
"Thank you," Blair nodded gratefully. "You and mother have been incredibly supportive."
"That's what parents are for," her father joked. "Are you planning to stay in Paris with the Company?" he wondered curiously.
"As of now, that is the plan but I don't really know how I'll feel about it in the fall. I would like to resume at Columbia"
"But what about the company?"
"I won't be at the company full time" she reasoned. "I'll still be learning the ropes by the time school resumes in the fall, which is why I want to be as involved as possible this summer. I want to take my time to do this right. A year worth of apprenticeship will serve me when I do take over the company."
"I see you're thinking smartly," her father nudged. "Your mother was right to entrust you with the company. I think you'll do brilliantly."
"So you're saying you're not wholly disappointed in me?"
"No," he told her candidly, "I'm not disappointed. Who hasn't made mistakes? Yes, it has hurt my heart to see you make so many of them, some very public ones. But I truly couldn't be more proud of you. You're my daughter and I love you." He told her affectionately.
"I love you too."
.
.
.
Chuck pulled up to the Waldorf-Rose residence to warm rays of sunlight beaming on his forehead and a breathtaking view of Ile Saint Louis charming his senses. He stepped completely out of the town car to stand on his feet as he shut the car door behind him.
"Merci beaucoup," He told the chauffeur as the young working man held out his suitcase for him to take. Chuck pulled out a handy hundred dollar bill to the chauffeur and waved him off. "You can go now."
Ever since he had landed at Charles De Gaulle earlier in the day, Chuck had a good feeling about the prospect of his day. He even stopped at one point to consider how agreeable the weather was, feeling a new sense of serenity seeping into him and he wondered if it was the city, the money, or something else that was making him feel that way. Chuck didn't know exactly why he suddenly felt overwhelmed with relief and peace about everything. And normally, he wouldn't be one to care about the weather either; it was the least of his problems. However, things were happening and Chuck was feeling good. He and Jack had made a boat load of money in Spain at several poker games. And now he was in Paris, and likely only a short time away from reuniting with the love of his life. He was sure she was the love of his life. He had been sure of it for quite some time, yet, it still didn't cease to awe him when the profoundness of the thought occurred to him all over again. He had to take a moment to wrap his head around what it even meant that he loved Blair and Blair loved him. He couldn't conceptualize this abstraction, the complexity of the love he and Blair had for each other.
He threw his woes of Bass Industries in the back of his mind for the moment and allowed himself to focus on the present at hand. He was standing on the stoop of that beautiful Parisian estate for a reason, and that reason was Blair Waldorf, same reason he started attributing to his new change in mood since his arrival in Paris. He figured he should think of a clever way to surprise her with his visit. He had a couple of ideas but shrugged them off, deciding, they were too Chuck Bass-y, too over the top, and that he and Blair weren't there yet.
He had to admit that he missed her, however. They had spoken on the phone and she was still very much the Blair he knew, but it simply wasn't the same. Plus the phone conversations had gotten rarer the last few days. They had both been pretty preoccupied with their own things and he didn't mind it, but he missed her. He was sure she missed him too.
When she had come to Monaco, over a week prior, they hadn't really had a chance to be together. That same afternoon, after their breakfast, she had left and returned to Paris. And he and Jack had departed to Spain for business. As he- rode the elevator up to her penthouse, it occurred to him with much more clarity why he was feeling so calm and acquiescent about the whole thing. He realized, in that instant, how this would be the first time in for as long as he could remember, that seeing Blair wouldn't come with its usual fifty-fifty chance of him getting slammed or burned. This would be the first time in years that being next to Blair wouldn't ensue the fear of his heart getting broken. His heart would be free to flutter and butterflies would be free to assume occupancy without the threat of being murdered. The last year with Blair had been exhausting. Even when she had come to fight for him at the Casino, there was no telling how the night would have ended. But in that moment, he realized what was happening was that he was starting to believe her. He had said that he wasn't sure he could trust her, but he was now starting to realize that he did. Although he knew they still had ways to go to fix what they broke.
The elevator dinged announcing his arrival and Chuck stepped into the foyer of chez Waldorf-Rose.
When no Dorota showed up to greet him, his features limped downward in disappointment. He realized how Dorota was one of the best things about wandering into the Waldorf penthouse in New York. However, within seconds Eleanor appeared in the foyer, jolting him out of his reverie.
"Charles," she exclaimed, "What a surprise! I wasn't expecting you. I didn't even know you were in Paris."
Eleanor approached him, placed both her hands of his shoulders and squeezed them tightly in a small gesture of her affection. It wasn't a hug and it didn't last any length of time either. It was just a shoulder squeeze, but the gesture caused Chuck to blush slightly. It reminded him of something perhaps Lily would do. However, it seemed that Blair's mother had grown quite fond of him over the years and now treated him almost like a son. Chuck felt a swell of pride at that. He must have done something right.
"The doorman let me know a young man was on his way up over the intercom," Eleanor started speaking, "but I had no idea it would be you. I was actually expecting Max, my interior decorator." She elaborated in her chatty tone.
"Oh, I haven't been in Paris long. I just flew in this morning," Chuck attempted to explain his sudden appearance.
"To see my daughter, I suppose," Eleanor commented as she appraised Chuck from head to toe. "Well, she's not here at the moment. Blair is out with her father. Have you not spoken to her?"
"Not since yesterday. This was supposed to be a surprise," Chuck announced shyly.
Eleanor gave Chuck a kind warm smile, seeing as he was starting to get nervous around her.
"You're surprising my daughter?" Eleanor pried, her curiosity piqued at the words 'surprise'. Waldorf women loved surprises.
"Are you taking her out?" she inquired further as she turned to walk into the living area of her home. She made her way to one of the big armchairs and sat down, then beckoned Chuck to take a seat across from her on the sofa.
"Paris is so beautiful today," he declared, "I had the intention to. But I know Blair's time is pretty tied up. I don't know if I can pull anything off today since I have business elsewhere tomorrow, but I was hoping to see her."
"You'll see her, but between the shopping, the touring and the dining," Eleanor explained, "Blair never likes to sit out when she's in Paris. Her time here is always tied up."
"I know," Chuck answered her, "And Blair's told me she's been pretty busy with the company."
"Oh yes, she has been enterprising with the company. Ever since the past week, she's really been taking her responsibilities seriously."
"She told me you were in Europe on business as well." Eleanor resumed her prying.
"Yes, I've been in Europe handling a few personal businesses," Chuck informed her. "I was in Spain just yesterday, but our sojourn there ended. This uncle of mine, Jack, the one who oversees Bass Industries in Australia was there with me. However, he decided to go to Amsterdam for a day, so I thought I'd come to Paris instead."
"Well then, make yourself at home," Eleanor offered, insisting to make Chuck feel as comfortable as possible in her home. "Our maid is out today, but I'll take your briefcase for you. You're welcome to wait for her here. She should be back anytime now as per usual.
"Would you like some tea?" she proposed as she walked away, "I was just getting up to make some before you arrived. Come with me."
"Tea, I'd love some." Chuck replied, adoring the way Blair's mother was being so hospitable to him.
"So why didn't you go to Amsterdam?" Eleanor wondered when they arrived in the kitchen. "It's not part of your business dealings?"
"No, this one is more pleasure than business. I decided to pass." Chuck admitted honestly.
"Hmm," Eleanor looked at him intently, absorbing the meaning of his words.
"Amsterdam is not really my crowd anymore," Chuck explained.
Despite Eleanor having had her concerns about her daughter dating Chuck Bass in the past, she never felt really strongly against the young man. She could always see how much Chuck and Blair were in love when they were together. She's encouraged Blair to go after Chuck many times in the past, and even tried to get them back together last minute right before Blair's 'I do' to Louis. It really wasn't her fault how everything else happened. But now seeing how much Chuck had come around, she was a little proud that Blair landed such a man.
"What kind of tea would you like?"
"I'll have whatever you're having." He decided today was Eleanor Waldorf appreciation day.
"Genmaicha extra it is"
Chuck and Eleanor had a good time drinking tea together. They chatted about everything from how much Chuck was knowledgeable about tea, which Eleanor was pleasantly surprised with, to the progress of the renovation Eleanor was doing inside the house. Chuck complimented her on her beautiful home. They chatted about Spain. Eleanor used to spend a lot of time there in the 90's. And of course they chatted about Blair and all the Blair-ish things she does that only Eleanor and Chuck and some of these closest friends and family would ever understand.
Eleanor caught herself laughing so hard at the last remark Chuck made, something about how much Blair hates to be served orange juice with pulp in it. Then they delved into how much Blair insists on punctuality from other people. Every time someone showed up late to something she'd organize, that person would certainly get a tantrum out of her. Eleanor replied in a huff that she has had the latter problem with Blair for 21 years.
The ding of the elevator sounded again breaking them out of their little chatty ambiance. The sound of heels clicking on the floor prepared them for who had arrived. Blair walked into the living room to see her mother and Chuck enjoying their tea and a hefty conversation about something. When the elevator doors had opened, she had heard her name being uttered briefly but then everything had gone silent until she reached where they had been sitting. She figured her mother had company but the tone of the conversation did not indicate that it would be the person she caught from the corner of her eye when she turned into the room.
"Chuck," she gasped, flustered at the sight in front of her, "What are you doing here?"
"Blair, Chuck is here to see you," her mother interjected knowing it was time to excuse herself. Eleanor could already feel the tension building in the room the moment Blair appeared in front of her.
"I will leave you two alone," the older woman added before she got up to leave.
"Chuck," Blair exclaimed incredulously as she came to sit next to him of the sofa. "What are you doing in Paris? Did you come to surprise me? Chuck, that is so sweet." she finished as she cheerfully hopped into his lap and hugged him tightly.
"I did," he admitted when she pulled away, "I would have told you I was coming but I wanted it to be a surprise."
"How long have you been in Paris?" she inquired, coming down from her jolt of excitement which quickly turned into something else.
"Just since this morning," he replied in his usual raspy low voice.
Within Blair, war was brewing. The moment she saw Chuck everything inside of her stirred. He looked so damn hot sitting on her mother's sofa sipping fucking tea from her mother's fucking fine bone china set. She wanted to take his clothes off and have him right there. Thing is, she hadn't known he would show up to her house, so she couldn't really prepare herself to have this reaction. And she hadn't known she'd be having this reaction. It had been a long time since she'd been in that place with Chuck, even so emotionally, and returning to that place had heightened her sexual impulses toward him.
"Come with me on the terrace," she proposed, wanting a change in atmosphere. "We can sit. The weather is so nice outside."
"Yes, I noticed the weather," Chuck complied.
"So, you here alone?" Blair inquired after they made their way outside to stand against the balustrade. "Where's Jack? I noticed he wasn't here when I walked in."
"Jack is tied up in Amsterdam," Chuck told her. "You know. The usual," he offered as a subtle explanation.
"Oh," Blair thought aloud, "And you didn't go with him?"
"No," Chuck retorted, "I wanted to be here with you."
Blair gave him a slight raise of her eyebrow, his cue to elaborate.
"You know that's not my primary kind of entertainment anymore."
"Do tell." Blair spurred him on. "What's your new kind of entertainment? Having tea with my mother? I did just walk in on you doing that" She teased him.
"And..." Chuck prompted her.
"And I couldn't remember the last time you had tea when it didn't have to do with you being sick," Blair reminded him. "I didn't take you for a tea in the afternoon kind of person."
"Well that's because you haven't been keeping up with me, Waldorf," Chuck retorted a little smugly. "I do take tea regularly now. Ask your mother. She and I had a lengthy conversation about it. She thought my knowledge on the subject was impressive."
"Seriously Bass, when did you become some sort of a tea connoisseur?"
"When you weren't looking," he told her, "You have missed a lot this past year with me, believe it or not. My yoga instructor introduced me to this regiment and then I did my own research and now I'm the one recommending people like your mother what regiment to get on."
"Oh God, I forgot about your yoga," Blair replied, a little amused by Chuck's new lifestyle. "You're so prim now. Don't lose your edge on me Bass."
"I am not losing my edge," Chuck shot back.
"Is that so?" She jabbed teasingly.
"Is that a dare?"
"Sounds like a challenge to me," he said. He knew where Blair was going with this. "And knowing you, Waldorf, you don't expect me to decline either. What exactly are you trying to get me to prove here Blair?"
"That you haven't lost your edge," she taunted him further.
"With your mother being only feet away, how am I supposed to do that?" he challenged her.
"Hmm, Bass, I call that a cop-out," she replied amused that she was making him sweat. "When have you ever cared about my mother being only feet away?"
"I have always cared about your mother being only feet away," Chuck defended. "You on the other hand-"
"Okay. You made your point" she acquiesced, "Stop being so right all the time, it's nauseating"
"You know you love it," he flipped his tone, now being the one doing the teasing. "By the way, apology accepted."
"What for?"
"For offending my manliness," He scooted right up to her side on the balustrade and put a hand around her waist as he pulled her into him. "But I intend to make you suffer those consequences in due time." he drawled in the same raspy tone as his breath hovered over the shell of her ear.
Blair could barely restrain herself.
"I bet," she croaked out almost in a moan.
"You bet your ass," Chuck retorted, his tongue briefly flicking her ear as he palmed one of her bottom cheeks, kneading it hard.
"Ow! Chuck. No horseplay."
"Well, you were the one who wanted me to prove something."
"I know. I concede." She replied, "You clearly haven't lost your edge after all. But we are waiting and that includes no horseplay."
"I've been doing a lot of conceding to you lately" she thought out a moment later, turning her face to gaze at him.
"We're just getting on the same page," Chuck clarified."Given our stubbornness, it's a really good thing."
"I'm glad we're getting on the same page," She expressed honestly."And I know for you that includes no sex so I'm making it the same for me."
"That's all true, but Blair, that doesn't mean we can't enjoy reconnecting with each other. It just means we're waiting for things to escalate naturally. It means we don't have to rush into anything because we know better now."
"I know," She admitted. "I just fear that I don't have the self-restraint that you have, because I want you so much."
"And I want you just as badly, believe me," he told her. She had no idea how badly he wanted her. "But I also want us to do this right. This is the last chance we have to do this the way it's going to work. We have so many of our issues to work out still, and for that, we need more time."
Blair nodded in understanding and then nudged him with her elbow.
"You seriously need to stop being so right all the time. But I do honestly like that we're waiting. It's somewhat symbolic for me. It'll mean so much more when it happens."
"For me too," he affirmed, "I think this time we'll surprise even ourselves."
.
"I'm so happy you're here with me right now," Blair confessed after a moment. "When do you have to leave?"
"Unfortunately, tomorrow," Chuck informed her, "Jack and I are meeting up in Argentina. This will be the biggest game yet. We may even get into the eight figures."
"Wow, but why so soon? I wanted you to stay for a bit." Blair whined.
"I would if I could" Chuck replied apologetically, "But I don't make up the time for these things."
Chuck turned her around to show her his 'I'm sorry' face.
"I understand," she told him. "When will I see you again?"
"No Blair, you don't understand," Chuck whined a little melodramatically. "I'm the one who has to leave. How am I supposed to do that after how amazing this day has been?"
Blair made mock sobbing noises to tease him.
"Don't worry Bass. You'll manage," Blair patted him on the shoulder." But if only I had something with me to remember you by like you have that postcard I sent you."
"Oh I got you something," Chuck promptly remembered, "Wait a minute, I'll be right back." Chuck said as he rushed back inside the house.
A few minutes later, Chuck reappeared on the terrace holding a white little gift bag in his hand. Blair figured perhaps it wasn't some designer trinket because there was no recognizable label on the bag. She reached out for it nonetheless.
"What is that?" Blair asked eyeing him curiously.
"Look inside," he instructed her.
Blair pulled out a little metallic tile to reveal a beautiful picture of Monkey encased inside of it. She couldn't help the 'ooh' and 'ahh' that escaped her.
"A picture of Monkey?" she raved happily.
"I thought it would make quite an unusual gift for you," Chuck suggested, throwing his arm around her shoulder.
"But I love it," Blair countered.
"And I figured you would."
"How?"
"Because I know you love animals," He declared matter-of-factly, "And I see the way you act with Monkey the few times we've run into each other; and when I saw that frame in a window shop in Barcelona, it just made me think of you… But that's because everything makes me think of you." He told her honestly.
"Bass, how am I supposed to let you walk out of here tomorrow?"
"I will be back. Don't worry," he assured her.
"When?"
"Friday..." He thought out his response a moment, "Be ready at 7. I'm taking you out."
"Where?" she asked him curiously, suddenly excited about the date.
"Wherever you want to go," he announced, "It's Paris. We can go wherever we want."
"You, me, and Paris, I like the sound of that," Blair replied dreamily.
"Like we are right now," Chuck confirmed.
"Yes, like we are right now, with the sunset. It's like a movie."
"But even better," Chuck countered as he moved behind Blair to wrap both his arms around her waist. He pressed his chin against her shoulder, and she brought up a hand to thread in his hair. She pulled his head up from her shoulder and twisted her head to the side to look into his eyes. She then pulled a little bit on his hair to bring his face closer to her own. She pressed her lips against his and they fused in a passionate kiss. He returned the effort in her passion joule for joule, and started kissing her just as deeply, moving his hands on her body as he did so.
"Much better," she said when she pulled away to look into his eyes again and then opened her mouth to speak. "I watch my favorite movies over and over again because I like knowing how they end. But this is much better than a movie because I never want to know how it ends. I never want it to end."
Chuck smiled at her and leaned in to take her lips with his again. She moaned into his mouth and he sighed and groaned all over her neck. After a while he just stood there and held her as close as possible as they watched the sun setting over the horizon, casting an orange glow that made Blair look like some heavenly creature he had never seen before. Her gazed lingered intently on the picturesque scene in front of her as if she were scribbling notes about it in her mind. The phenomena of nature, he decided then, couldn't compare to the beauty of Blair. From time to time, Chuck would glance at the sun but he couldn't take his eyes a second off of her.
.
Ok, so I know some people may be disappointed that Blair and Chuck didn't end up having sex in this installment but I feel really strongly that they shouldn't have. I can't tell you how frequently I have to answer questions refuting that Chuck and Blair are only based on their sexual chemistry and whatnot. It's evident that they still have it but I wanted to show a different side of them. Just because they want to have sex with each other doesn't mean they should. I wanted to show a more mature side of them, the side that values the success of their relationship over their physical desires. However, when they do start doing such a deed, I'm sure they will more than make up for lost time. You know how much Blair particularly hates wasting time.
Oh and I know in this chapter I mentioned Nate and I didn't mention you know who's name start with an S, it's because of a particular reasons. #creys tho
