Title: Bass Family Brood
Chapter 17: Broken Promises
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: Bonjour! First thing is first, I wish I was sorry for the lateness of this update but I'm not! Mwahaha! A-levels come first and because I am so considerate ;) I managed to squeeze in time for a looonger than usual update which has a bit of everything I hope :)
Thank you to everyone who still bothers to take time out and read and review this story because my writing would be pointless without people to enjoy it! I really appreciate everyone who reviews and I must apologise for not replying to you, if i get chance I will certainly get round to it but as it stands, i'm a busy bee! but it doesn't mean I don't appreciate every review, big or small :)
And I am not usually one for making dedications but I would like to mention my amazing friend, gossipgirllover12, because she (you!) has been really supportive of me and all my rants lately, as well as keeping me positive and amused - daily - while I get through my revision schedule and I love you for it! X
Quick note: Songs that I strongly advice you listen to for this chapter are firstly, Briane by Boyce Avenue and Never Let Me Go by Florence + The Machines (in that order!) Hope you all enjoy this!
Oh and if you want to follow me on twitter, you can find me ellibells :)
"Are you sure you don't want to stay the last two days? School will still be there on Monday." Blair titled her head as she watched her son stand confidentially before her.
"The last thing I'm worried about is school, Mother. I just have a few things to clear up before the weekend is over and I need a little time to get my thoughts together." He nodded almost convincingly but Blair saw through it.
"Okay then, we will see you late Sunday. Have a safe trip and ring me when you land." Blair demanded sternly as she opened her arms to her little boy, Teddy immediately stepping into his mother's embrace and settling for a moment as they shared their silent 'I love yous'.
Blair knew there was no point fighting him on it, it was early and truthfully she didn't have the strength. Evie had been exceptionally quiet at breakfast and she hadn't got much out of Teddy either. Deciding to stay at the chateau with her two eldest, the twins and Penny went with their father and grandparents for a walk. It seemed like a good way to make some sense of the silence, but neither of the young Basses took their mother's invitation of a chat and instead hid themselves away in their rooms.
Pulling away after a pregnant pause, he smiled at his mother and spoke once again.
"Can you tell Grandpa and Roman I said thank you and let everyone else know I will see them on Sunday?"
"Of course. Are you sure you don't want to wait until they get back from their walk?" Blair asked optimistically, not really wanting her son to leave before their trip was even over.
"I don't want to make a fuss. I should go, the car is waiting and my flight is in an hour." He concluded, leaving a final goodbye kiss against his mother's cheek before he bent to turn.
"Where are you going-" Evie made her presence known as she hurried down the last few steps seeing Teddy about to pick up his bag and walk towards the large main door.
Turning to the sound of her voice, Blair and Teddy stood with vague expressions on their faces.
"Your brother is going back to the city a couple of days early, he has some errands to do-" Blair started to explain calmly but was cut off by Evie.
"Let me come with you." She demanded almost immediately which made Blair frown at her children's exchange.
"I will see you on Sunday, stay here a while longer?" Teddy tried, but that only angered his sister more as she walked towards him so she was now stood in front of him.
"I think Teddy is right, a few more days will do us all good?"
As much as Blair knew her children would always come to her with their problems, the sight of her two eldest children in a silent war of knowing looks told her she needed to let them solve their own problems and all she would be able to do was to be there if they chose to go to her.
She wouldn't admit it, not even to Chuck, but after watching Evie deteriorate and go into a shell she never thought Evie even had, for once in her motherhood, she felt like she was losing. Her babies were growing up and their problems were no longer novelty things like teething, but now, the worst possible root of emotional turmoil, turmoil that Blair had experienced her fair share of, love.
"Mom, could we have a moment?" Evie turned with stern eyes and Blair didn't have the strength to argue, instead she nodded and left her children in the middle of the foyer.
When their mother was out of sight, Evie turned her attention back to Ted and spoke quietly.
"Take me with you."
"Eve, I don't have time to argue with you over this, I need to get to the airport." He pronounced firmly, about to turn again but only to be stopped by Evie's hand grasping onto his shirt.
Teddy took a moment to look down at her gripping hand and then back up to her face; her eyes said it all.
"You said it last night; I can't hide from this forever. I need to talk to Zach. You help me and I will help you?" She offered but Teddy knew she wasn't going to take no for an answer, even if he denied it.
"I don't need help. You have five minute to throw some things in a bag, I'm not missing this flight." He bit out not needing to say anymore.
"Teddy, it's a private jet, they wait for you…" Evie announced as she whisked herself away and back up the stairs in a quick flurry; Teddy left to wait with an uncomfortable look marring his features. He had a lot to think about.
xoxo
Their flight back to New York felt never ending. Evie amused herself through intervals on napping, reading her winter indulgence of Wuthering Heights and painting her nails while Teddy tuned into his iPad and spent the majority of the flight relaxing to his music and watching movie after movie until the captain eventually announced their decent into JFK.
Back in Paris, Blair had reluctantly watched her children leave the château without as much as a goodbye and subsequently spent the evening explaining to her remaining family where the eldest Bass children had gone to.
xoxo
"When can I see Eve and Teddybear?" Penny asked dozily as Blair pulled her baby's quilt up to her chin and snuggled her in.
"In three sleeps, chicken", Blair smiled warmly as Penny's lips formed a faint pout.
Blair couldn't contain her love at the sight of her baby pouting and went to replace its mischief with a chaste kiss instead.
"How about tomorrow you draw some pictures you can give to them when we get home? Does that sound good?" She bargained with the little girl whose pout had now turned into a sleepy smile.
"I can draw some ballerinas and a prince!" Penny announced with as much glee as she could muster as her small eyelids started to drop closed.
"Daddy, kiss…" Penny announced quietly as her head lolled to the side, looking towards the door, Blair saw Chuck stood there, contently watching two of his girls.
Taking the cue, Chuck approached the bed in the centre of the room and sat on the edge of it, next to his little girl, Blair to left of him as she smiled contently.
"My angel needs some sleep." Chuck told his little girl as he ran his strong hands over her small head before running them over her small chocolate locks
"Sleep tight, Princess", Blair murmured against Penny's temple as her eyes started to close and she dropped into her slumber.
Mimicking his wife's actions, Chuck left a soft kiss against his babies head before they both left her in her sweet dreams, leaving silently as not to wake her.
xoxo
Closing the door behind them, Chuck suddenly felt warmth against his back; Blair's arms were around his waist and her head resting against the planes of his strong back as she hugged him tight.
Chuck didn't turn for the moment but ran his warm hands across her linked hands on his stomach, savouring the feel of her seeking comfort in him.
"Do you ever feel like they are growing up too fast?..." Blair mumbled against his back as Chuck eventually took the opportunity to turn and take Blair in his arms.
"Every day." He admitted.
His arms were now tightly wound around her body as her blushed cheek melted homely into his chest as she held on tight.
There was nothing else they needed to say, that he needed to say or she wanted to say. Pulling her head closer to his, he kissed her on the forehead before leading them the short distance down the hallway to their bedroom for the night.
Closing the door behind them once again, they were locked away in each other's arms.
Like her children, Blair reluctantly let go of her husband as he went to the chest of drawers and began to remove his cufflinks.
His jacket had already been discarded before dinner so all that was left was his shirt and trousers.
After watching Chuck absently remove his cufflinks and yawn a deep sigh of tiredness, Blair came up behind him once again, touching his back lightly so he turned to her.
Slowly and precisely she removed his tie and undid each of his buttons before she allowed the pin-striped fabric to slip from his body. As it dropped to the floor, Blair's hand that had been stroking his chest without reason or thought was taken by his hand until it came into contact with his knowing lips.
He then took the opportunity to twirl her, still holding her hand before he finally let go and assisted her with the zip at the back of her dress.
On any other evening, this task would have been a staple part of their daily routine but tonight, it was more than that, it was a luxury.
They didn't bat an eyelid that the floor was now littered with crumpled, warn clothing. Why bother.
Chuck now ran his hands down both of her bare arms but before she had time to enjoy the familiar feeling of his touch , he was gone and the noise of the closet door told her he was finishing getting himself ready for bed.
She couldn't help but allow the yawn to overtake her as she reminded herself of what her eldest daughter had once said to her at the sweet age of four;
'Did you know mommy that yawns are really, really contagus!'.
A warm smile graced her features and it warmed her inside out, almost laughing lightly under her breath at the memory.
Snapping her out of her reverie, Chuck was now stood in front of her with only a pair of boxers on, holding a white t-shirt in his hands. His t-shirt.
Blair took the token and coolly unclipped her bra before discarding it with the other pieces of clothing on the floor. She even saw Chuck take a moment to appreciate her still perfect body, stretch marks and all before he helped her slip the cotton material over her head until she was comfortably sporting the oversized garment perfectly.
Taking one of her hands, Chuck led her silently to their large bed and peeled back the covers so she could climb in without hesitation. He knew it as well as she did, she liked nothing more than to be greeted with the coolness of a freshly made bed and he noted her content look of approval at the feel as he followed her into bed.
As they both laid down, Blair instinctively curled up towards her husband. Dropping her head against his chest, her arms came to his stomach and his hands came around her waist pulling her closer before allowing his head to rest above hers on their now shared pillow.
With the small adjustment of his arm so he could reach the lamp next to them, he turned the light off and went back to holding his love.
Kissing the top of her head one last time, his eyes became heavy with hers and their breaths became in sync as they let the darkness seep over them.
"Hold me…" Blair murmured against his strong chest as sleep finally overtook her.
"Always." He promised back with closed eyes and an open heart, knowing full well she didn't just mean tonight. Always.
xoxo
The knock at the door snapped him from his stare at the TV. He wasn't even watching the large screen but the noise took his mind off the fact that the one girl he loved didn't even want to be in the same city as him. She wouldn't say it but he knew after that night, that things changed. If only he would have stopped her, if only she hadn't been so fragile.
He picked himself up from lying on his couch and slowly padded towards the door. He was currently sporting a pair of pajama trousers a plain white t-shirts and a green hoody. He had had no reason to dress to impress, not since Evie had left anyway, and even with the last text he had sent to her, his willingness to wait seemed in vain.
As she waited behind the large wooden door, her palms persisted to sweat and she felt nauseous.
It was early evening in New York. After their flight, the two Basses returned to their home where they settled down for a couple of hours nap before agreeing to meet for dinner that evening. As much as Evie had tried to sleep, she couldn't shake the thought of what she would say to him when she saw him.
She went over his texts multiple times in her head. She knew he was right, Teddy was too; she couldn't keep running. She had to rip the band-aid off, the quicker the better.
As these thoughts ran through her mind, she felt herself proceeding to the shower, fixing herself up before slyly making her exit from their home while Teddy slept.
It scared her to the brink of almost turning and running back to her home, locking herself in her room, closing the world off until everything was over, but it would never be. She knew that, she was Evelyn Bass, she had to stand up. She was now standing in front of the door that housed the man she had once promised she would never resent, the man that had saved her from herself, from him, the man who had loved her every day. The worst part was, she was scared to even look him in the eyes. Look into those pleading and pitiful eyes as she told him every ounce.
She could no long retract her body from its position, the door had been knocked and the moment the door swung open, the wind was knocked from her lungs and all she could do was stand a stare at the man before her.
"Evie-" Zach froze for a moment as he looked at the woman stood before him.
She looked tired; she looked troubled but still beautiful.
"Can we talk?" She asked as she stood under his gaze, feeling like she was in a box.
"Yeah- of course- I missed you…" He stuttered, all his words trying to come out at once.
He had an overwhelming need to grab her and hold her in his arms but the apprehensive look on her face told him she wasn't here to make up, that his Evie wasn't truly there at all.
The door was closed behind them before Zach went to lead them to the sitting area. Just as he did so, he mistakably went to touch her upper arm, gesturing for her to take a seat, but as soon as he did, the way her body flinched under his touch made him shiver.
She hadn't meant it like it had happened. It was involuntary and before she could stop it, he was stood a few steps away, burnt by her touch.
"Sit down?" He offered a change of subject but she immediately started to shake her head, moving to the opposite side of the room, looking out of the window, over the city she had once thought fondly of, now it just felt bleak and cold.
He hated the silence; he hated not hearing her voice, even if when she did speak it was cold, blank and fearful.
"Why did you run away?"
She thought about his request for the moment, her heart clenching at the hurt lingering in his voice, the sound of a broken man.
"My mother and father insisted I go with them to visit my Grandfather. I didn't have a choice." She replied knowing her approach was indirect but not yet willing to say much else on the subject.
I didn't have a choice…
"There is always a choice. Why did you leave without so much as a goodbye?" He shot, hating that she couldn't even look at him.
His tone aggravated her to the point that she turned on her heels and snapped.
"I didn't have a choice! I was given a way out- I took it!" She all about yelled, the tears flourishing down her cheeks.
It gripped his heart so deeply that he put his hand out to her, attempted to approach her, hold her but she backed herself to the window and shouted again.
"No! Just- stay there- let me speak…" She begged, shaking her head a little as she fought back the tears, fought for the right words, anything.
"What are you so scared of? It's me!"
His eyes were begging and she couldn't bear to take another second of his pitiful orbs.
"…but it's not me…" She said just above a whisper so he only just registered what she had said.
She was looking towards the TV now that stood in the middle of the far wall, and as her eyes wracked over anything and everything, her eyes closed on a small framed picture. It was a picture of them as small children his grandmother had taken when they were in second grade. Evie was stood next to Zach with her hands tangled in his brown hair, tugging with a victorious smile on her face while he stood with his head titled with a painful look of amusement on his face. She wanted to smile at the memory, but then it all fell on her again when she heard him cough a little, snapping her from her trance.
"Let me help you, let me be there?" Zach urged as he watched her eyes drop from the far wall to the floor and then back up to him.
"That's why I can't do this-" She began but as quick as the words had left her mouth her had interrupted her desperately.
"Can't do what? What are you saying?-"
The look of panic on his face broke her more if it were even possible.
"This. Me…us-" She stuttered as she hiccuped her tears back, the lump in her throat persistent.
"How can we be together when all I see in your eyes is pity? I thought that being with you would fix me but it didn't, you can't fix me- no one can…"
What began as a desperate yell turned into a longing plead.
"I don't want to fix you, I don't pity you-" He argued but it was no use.
"You do! Everyone does! You tiptoe around me, expecting me to get back to normal, forget it ever happened, to move on- but I can't! It haunts me every night in my sleep!"
"I made a promise to you and I broke it the moment it was made! I wanted to feel something, anything- I needed to feel safe and clean…I don't want to resent you for the rest of my life-" She whimpered as she crossed her arms over her chest as it heaved, turning back to the window.
"You don't feel safe around me? I thought you said you loved me!" His begging was more than desperate now, his eyes now watered unshed tears as his fists clenched tight, dreading what she might say back.
"I don't feel safe anywhere anymore, that's why I agreed to leave. I had no communication with this city, no one expecting me to be perfect and it made me feel better but I knew I had to come and face all of this."
"You didn't answer me. You said you loved me?" He persisted as he stepped closer to her, needing to hear her say it.
She turned slowly and looked at him deep in the eyes this time, needing him to hear, to try and understand.
"I never thought it was possible to love someone so much!... I haven't stopped loving you for one moment! But that's why I can't do this- I can't have someone love me out of pity, with the need to save me! I'm Evelyn Bass and I am not supposed to be weak!" She cried until her chest hurt, breathing rapidly to keep up with her erratic, beating heart.
"I have never loved you out of pity, how can you even say that! I love you because you are strong, because you save me every day, because you make me lighter, because you understand me for me…no assumptions or expectations…"
"…Isn't that enough?" He wiped a stray tear from his cheek as she look to him for one final time.
"I want it to be, so badly but I need time-" She softened her tone, an exhausted final plea escaped her.
"How much time?" He straightened, his exterior turning cold, making her stiffen at his change in demeanor.
She couldn't even blame him, she had forced his hand and maybe it was for the best. Maybe he needed to hate her; after all, wouldn't it make it easier?
She shrugged because it was easier, because she didn't know how long.
"Did you mean what you said in that text? Will you wait for me?" She asked with little hope in her voice but she knew it was too late. His mouth had formed a closed line of bitter silence.
As cold and dark as his eyes, he looked away from her, turning slightly before speaking.
"You can see yourself out."
It was like she had just been stabbed in the stomach. She smiled bitterly at her stupidity and shook her head as she fought back the sobs before she walked to the door.
Looking back a final time, hoping he would do the same, all see was presented with was a slumped figure of a broken man. She turned and left. Zach not turning to see her leave but clenching his eyes shut until he heard the soft slam of the door.
She held her breath until she was safely in the confines of the elevator before her deep sobs overtook her and her body started to shake as uncontrollably as her sobs. What had she done?
xoxo
Reaching for the closest item, he picked up his glass half filled with water and before he saw the aftermath, he heard the shattering of glass, the splash of the liquid and then the sight of shards flying from the opposite wall. With that, he slumped to the floor in the desperate hope that maybe he would wake up at any moment; that it would have been a sick nightmare; that she would walk through his door any minute and fix them.
xoxo
"Evie?" Mia called from the foyer, walking through the living area towards the kitchen, peering up the stairs as she went.
The elevator sounding had snapped Teddy from his tired stare at the drink in front of him as he stood next to the breakfast bar sipping on a glass of neat scotch. Like father like son.
Leaving his glass on the bar, he was about to walk out into the open plan hallway which divided the living area and the kitchen when he saw her, standing right in front of him, tears streaking her cheeks; he had never seen anything more beautiful.
"Mia- what are you doing here?" He questioned as she wiped her cheeks to hide any evidence that she had been crying.
"Evie texted me and told me she was back in the city- I need her-" She stuttered, his proximity making her comfortably intimidated.
"She's not here. But why do you need her?"
He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her right then and there but his conscience compelled him not to. He wasn't that guy.
"I wanted to see her; I missed her, that's all." She tried unsuccessfully to lie but he knew better.
"If that's really the reason you came, why have you been crying?" He smiled weakly at the way she seemed to blush under his gaze.
"I haven't."
"Then what's this?-" He asked as he reached for her soft cheek and cupped her face with one hand, running his thump over her cheek bone, wiping the remnants of her tears away.
She considered his gesture and allowed him to continue his ministrations on her cheek. She had never experience Teddy like this, not for a long time anyway and part of her relished in his comfort, she couldn't resist his touch.
"Brandon and I broke up…" She broke the silence softly as she looked up to Teddy's deep chocolaty orbs.
"…he was out with the guys and I went to surprise him, only to find him all over some cheap blonde." She shrugged with a small tilt of her head.
"And do you know what the worst thing was… I didn't feel a thing!" She shrugged with a pitiful smile gracing her lips for only a moment.
Her admission made him wonder but all he could respond was,
"I'm sorry to hear that…"
"Are you?" She pondered with a knowing look but waited for his reply.
"Should I be?..."
He couldn't help the playfulness of the words leaving his lips, just as much as he couldn't help but recognize the small smile gracing her ruby lips.
All he felt was a shrug, her eyes locking with his. His palm was now on her neck, pulling her to him, their lips about to tangle in pure want… when the elevator made its arrival known.
Mia quickly snapped out of her mindless position and stepped back, straightening herself and turning to the direction of the elevator only to find Evie staggering out with red eyes and an exhausted body.
She ran to her best friend as Teddy watched on, allowing her sister to be comforted by Mia as she lead her best friend up the grand staircase, only looking back to cast Teddy a curious gaze before returning her attention to Evie who was clinging to her tightly.
The sight before him told him that no one would be getting a peaceful night's sleep tonight, certainly not him.
A/N: Here's hoping that was worth the wait? I would love to know! ;) I daren't say this but, I am going to be giving the next chapter a bit of Chair time and let things continue to simmer from this last chapter, because I all know we need a bit of fluff in our lives and for those of you reading Love Me If You Dare, I aim to updated in the next few weeks so keep your eyes peeled :)
Thoughts, feeling, opinions, questions? I think you all know the drill! ;) I love you all, as ever, thank you!