Title: Bass Family Brood
Chapter 8: Stubbornness And A Little Too Much Pride
Author: Ellibells
Summary: Post season 3; Bass brood growing up which is based upon my original fic Mr Chuck and Mrs Blair Bass. Chair are married with a full brood of children including Teddy and Evie who are original characters from my Mr Chuck and Mrs Blair Bass: Part 2. Bass Brood central with NJBC… Fluffy, humour, protective Daddy's, fluff, more babies and pure Bass family fun! "And where do you think you are going dressed like that, Evie Grace Bass?"
A/N: Not gunna drag this out as I'm in a rush and you'll all probs wanna just read! THANK YOU as ever for all the support you bring this story and my writing by reviewing, following me and favouriting :D You are all beautiful people!
GG is starting on Monday! Whooo! Hope you like this, not going to say much, just read :D Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl unfortunately! But I do own Ed Westwick…true fact! ;)
Downing his third glass of scotch, Zach clenched his teeth, the bittersweet sting that trailed down his throat was nothing compared to the feeling he had in his stomach; the burning ache in his chest.
He had been dressed for the past half hour. His tux black accompanied by a crisps white shirt and his bowtie a deep shade of purple, almost plum, similar to the colour he wished to forget that had marked Evie's toenails on his visit just a few hours ago. A visit he wished to forget.
Under normal circumstances he would rather have gone out and drank until everything was a distant, distained blur and pick up anything that would suffice until he could no longer remember what had happened, her.
But he wouldn't, he hated to admit it but he hated letting people down, even if that was his blonde, uncharacteristically dense date and the idea of her standing alone waiting to be announced without her accompaniment was far from what he knew of good manners. Or of course that's what he would keep telling himself instead of the real reason he was attending, the real person he was attending for.
xoxo
Evie plodded round her bedroom and bathroom, door to door, wondering what she was doing, what she needed to do before the party.
She had a plan. Had. That disintegrated the very moment words slipped from Zach's lips. She no longer knew where to put herself; she only knew that what she had been told left her bitter, numb.
Tonight was supposed to be an amazing night, her debutante as a woman; beautiful dresses, people, food, drink, memories…a proposal from a boy she thought was perfectly gentleman like.
When Mia had arrived, she smiled numbly, exchanging pleasantries and plastering a smile on her face, telling the world she was happy as could be.
She couldn't quite decide whether what she was feeling was because Zach had ruined her special night and the possibility of a new boyfriend or if it was because when he finally admitted he cared for her, it was on such bitter terms and she had pushed him away, wanting to punish him for ruining everything, spitting his words back in his face.
For now she would opt for reason one. Compromising the reasons in her mind, it wasn't the first time Zach had lied to her; hurt her, while Benjamin had never given evidence of being so awful or destroying. It was only now that Zach realised he couldn't have everything. Jealousy.
She dressed her frame with her favourite pieces of lingerie, Agent Provocateur, deep red lace bra, matching panties and garter belt. A sleek black pair of stocking that had been bought specially to accompany her plum dress.
Mia helped her into her Chiffon gown, the perfect fit, molded for her body shape; pulling her in at her tiny waist, accentuating her shapely breasts before skimming the rest of her body in all the right places until it dropped to the floor.
Upon looking at her done up self in the mirror, she confirmed in her mind that Ben had deserved what he had worked for and anything Zach may have said was false. A respectful Archibald would do no such thing. She knew it.
"Wow. You look stunning, E." Mia complimented in awe of her best friend as she stood back and took in the full outfit.
Smiling warmly at the sincerity of the compliment, Evie replied softly.
"Thank you. Could you pass me my shoes?..." She gestured towards the shoebox on the floor in the opposite corner of her room sat below her vanity chair.
"Of course, my Queen!" Mia announced in a humble, posh tone making Evie laugh a little.
"I can't believe I have to wait until next year for my debutante ball, it's excruciating!" Mia over exaggerated as she picked up the shoebox and walked back to Evie.
"What time is Ben supposed to be arriving to pick you up?' Mia asked casually passing her the shoes from the shoebox as Evie took a seat on her bed to put her heels on.
Almost flinching at the idea, Evie composed herself and looked up.
"He should be here anytime now…"
Just as the words left her lips, Blair stepped into the room with a smile growing wider as she walked closer, seeing her grown daughter looking so beautiful.
"Oh my…Evie…" Blair attempted, choking up as she went to speak.
It felt just like yesterday she was cradling her baby girl in her arms, wishing she would never grow up.
"Mom, please don't cry! You'll get me started and I've just perfected my makeup!" Evie moaned as she shook her head, trying to banish the lump in her throat and the glimmer in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Sweetie…it's just…you look so beautiful. You really are all grown up!" Blair explained, dabbing her eyes with the back of her finger.
Turning away from her mother, Evie faced the mirror again, hoping she could see what Mia and her Mother were, but she couldn't quite see it.
Just as the lump in her throat got too much to resist and the silvery remnants grew in her orbs, Blair came up behind her, wrapping her arms around her daughter's waist while placing her head against her shoulder, smiling at their reflection.
"You may not see it right now, but it's there. You just need to look deeper…" Blair whispered, knowing that the look crossing her daughter's face was no longer a look of nervous; it was a look of heartache.
Evie didn't say anything but she let her tears drops as she found herself looking away from the reflection.
"I see more of myself in you than I care to admit sometimes…"
"So why don't I feel beautiful?..." Evie replied solemnly.
"Because you haven't found yourself yet...you're lost." She answered simply.
There was something about the look in Evie's eyes that told her Benjamin wasn't the only one involved, the reason the light in her daughter's eyes had faded.
Feeling Evie shrug, Blair glanced around the room to find it empty knowing Mia must have left them for a minute alone, noting how considerate her niece had always been, just like her mother.
Concentrating back to their reflection, Blair held Evie tighter, smiling against her shoulder in assurance.
"Did something happen with Benjamin?" She asked softly, not wanting to push her.
Evie thought about the question and truly, Ben had done nothing evidential that had hurt her; he had been nothing but the perfect guy.
"Not at all, Ben has been great. He's really nice." She replied honestly.
"Just nice?..."
"Lovely, courteous, funny and polite? Good enough?" She snapped suddenly, knowing Blair was trying to push a confession.
"What has gotten into you? There is no need to be so snappy; I am just making sure you are okay. Am I not allowed to ask my daughter if she is alright?" Blair shot back, unpleased with her daughter's reply.
"Yes, of course you are. I'm just fed up with people asking me if I'm happy with Ben and I'm stressed, nervous even!" Evie replied almost erratically, turning from the mirror and stepping out of her mother's arms.
"I apologise. Just calm down, I didn't mean to upset you and as for the nerves, there is nothing to worry about. I have double-checked your presentation statement and it's perfect." Blair quickly changed subjects from her emotional intrusion on her daughter.
At the same time she saw so much of herself in her daughter, she still saw Chuck in every way; stubbornness and a little too much pride.
"Ahem. I hope I'm not interrupting anything…" Chuck asked as he knocked lightly on Evie's open bedroom door, stepping into the room sporting his tux for the evening with matching bowtie to Blair's black dress.
"Not at all, Daddy." Evie smiled, walking to her father.
"How do I look?" She gleamed, giving him a twirl of her dress before stopping for his opinion.
Looking over his daughter shoulder, Blair stood, looking content but with a worry covered by her not so natural smile.
Glancing back to Evie, he smiled warmly, taking her cheeks in his palms.
"Beautiful, Princess."
He pronounced, pulling her close as to kiss her chastely on the forehead, seeing her expression mellow until he felt her small arms wrap his waist and her head sink into his warm, protective, fatherly chest.
Returning the embrace, he closed his eyes for a moment, remembering this sentimental moment he shared with his little girl not as often as he used to.
"Thank you, Daddy." She mumbled against his chest.
"I don't think you should leave your date waiting much longer, do you?" Chuck told, waiting for Evie to drop their embrace when she was ready.
When she finally did, a Bass smirk graced her features and told him he was about to receive a witty remark.
"Didn't Mom ever tell you, you should always let your date sweat a little before you make an appearance? It's makes them appreciate it more."
Laughing lightly at her behaviour, he watched Evie grab her purse from her bed and proceed towards the door.
Just as she got to the door, she turned to her parents who hadn't moved from their spots.
"Don't just stand there! Pictures and interrogation of my date should have started minutes ago! Jeez! Always slacking!" Evie said in a faux-annoyed tone as she smiled and left the room, leaving Chuck and Blair following her with comforting smiles on their face as Chuck took Blair's hand in his.
xoxo
As told, pictures and only slight interrogation from Chuck was brought on Ben and they finally made it to the ball in time. Chuck and Blair mingled with the other guests while Evie and Ben did the same as Evie tried her best to avoid glares and unpleasant looks from Zach.
Aside from Mia's frequent moans of not being able to have her debutante until next year, Serena had drafter her in as a volunteer and kept herself amused by assisting her mother with organisation, making sure everyone's presentation statements were up to scratch as well as the normal protocol.
Lining up on the grand staircase, Evie felt her breath hitch the moment she felt Zach's gaze on her. Glancing only for a second across the stairs she found Benjamin whispering something into Zach's ear, pulling back with a mischievous grin as they both shared the private exchange.
Without realising it before, Evie's eyes clasped upon Zach's bowtie, then down to her dress and back up to Ben's bowtie. It looked as if she was partnered with the wrong gentleman; Ben sporting a slightly redder than purple shade or bowtie and Zach's matching perfectly with her dress.
About to react, the lady announcing presentation statements began.
What felt like years of uninteresting women being announced with their perfectly bland dates, it was Evie's turn.
"Miss Evelyn Grace Bass, accompanied by Mister Benjamin Howard Archibald. Miss Bass wishes to follow her Grandfather's footsteps at Yale and dedicate her studies to Art History before hopefully settling down and having a family. This summer she wishes to travel Europe and give back to people less fortunate, experiencing life to its full potential and to grow as a woman before returning to Constance Billard in the fall…" The speaker rambled on before Evie was finally able to take Ben's arm and usher her off.
Standing for the rest of the girls to be announced was more tedious that she cared to mention, especially seeing Zach smiling warmly as he took Bella's arm and walked her to their next waiting position.
She felt repulsed at the sight. If Zach wanted to be affectionate with his overly bleached date, why shouldn't he.
When she couldn't take the glances between Zach and Ben, she dropped her arm from his and fled.
"Evie, where are you going?" Ben muttered in confusion, looking at her worryingly as Blair watched on from a distance, Chuck no doubt at the bar with Nate.
"Ladies room." She lied with a smile as she made her swift exit.
When the pairs dispersed to re-mingle and dance, Zach made his excuses and followed Evie.
xoxo
Pushing the door open to make sure there were no women left in the bathroom, he locked the door behind him and approached the single cubicle, of which had the sound of sniffles coming from it.
"Evie…" Zach addressed calmly, knocking on the door.
"Piss of Zach. Why did you even show up tonight? Can't you just leave well enough alone!" she shouted, sniffing the tears away and wiping her cheeks.
"I'm not going anywhere until you come out." He pressed bluntly.
When there was a prolonged silence, he was about to retreat; he was about to move his footing when he heard the lock and then turned to see Evie stood, looking slightly disheveled.
"I don't believe you." She lied, not looking at him as she did so.
"You know I would never want you to get hurt, Ben is using you." He protested, not attempting to get her gaze, knowing she needed to do it of her own accord.
"Do I? All it ever is with you is deceit, mixed signals and games. Ben has never showed me any of those and you expect me to believe you over him? You're just jealous that Ben got what was repetitively offered to you." She announced coldly.
"You know that is not true. I care!" He yelled, scaring himself even a little, clenching his palms into fists.
"The only thing you care about is using people! You told me I was a toy, something to keep you amused!" Ignoring his advances as he stepped closer to her, Evie moved away, stepping in front of the basin so she could see his reflection in the mirror in front of her without having to look at him directly.
"I was mad! It was the heat of the moment…"
"Look at me!" She shouted, resisting the urge to punch something. She was infuriating.
"Why? So you can laugh in my face for being naïve and actually believing in someone for once?" She yelled back, finally turning to him, tears brimming in her eyes again.
"Evie…"
"No! Last summer, you were different and I felt something but the moment it got a bit serious you changed! You're like a robot! There is no consistency with you. Ben gives me that." She continued, ignoring his efforts to protest.
"What do you want from me?" He begged, ignoring the fact that she was right. Last summer, he was scared shitless to admit he could be so affectionate and have feelings for a girl in 'that' way and so he pretend to not be that way inclined, moving his interests to other girls that passed by.
"You!" She screamed back, making eye contact this time.
She didn't believe it herself, but she knew it was true. As ridiculous as it seemed, she had wanted him for a long time.
"…I actually did want you, but now… I can't stand to be in the same room as you."
Biting his lip, he let her say it.
"Don't say I didn't warn you... Ben deserves you. Both twisted."
"Take a long look in the mirror, Zach." She retaliated as she heard the door unlock, open and slam shut, leaving her alone once again.
xoxo
After correcting her makeup and smile, Evie felt better. What she had been holding all afternoon felt a little lighter but still like she was weighed down.
As the ball continued, she danced with Ben, thankfully able to dodge his left feet before it was finally drawn to a close, she dismissed her parents and said goodbye to Mia before being approached by her date.
"Hey, you okay?" He asked politely, placing his hands on her hips as she smiled up at him, looping her arms on his shoulders.
"Yes. Tonight has been perfect. Thank you for asking me to be your date."
"It's been my pleasure. I erm, I booked a room upstairs and ordered some champagne and strawberries…if you're not too tired I would love you to join me…" He asked almost shyly, eliciting a cheeky smile from Evie who couldn't help but let the sinking feeling in her stomach from her confrontation with Zach earlier, subside a little and the excitement of Ben's charm take her.
She put Zach's behaviour down to jealousy. Just standing there with Ben, she felt safe, he had good intentions. She knew it.
"I would love too…" She returned, kissing him on the cheek before he took her hand.
Stepping into the elevator, Zach appeared from a distance, looking onwards with his date nowhere to be found.
Nodding towards his best friend who stood by the entrance, Zach returned the gesture before his eyes drifted from Ben's to Evie who looked away quickly, masking her doubt with a smile up at Ben before she pulled him by the lapels and planted her lips against his, the elevator doors closing in front of them, Zach stood numbly, alone.
A/N: So? Thoughts! :/ I want honest opinions! This is my pressie to you all before GG returns on Monday! Can't wait to find out who is preggers! Uber excited! Ooh, I've had a crap day…my jaw has been locked for 10 hours and I'm dying! :( so if you fancy cheering me up, leave me a review or if anyone knows how to fix me, I welcome all comments! Ha! :D