"B! You look amazing!" Serena squealed as she came down the stairs and spotted her best friend patiently waiting as she wore a long flowing white chiffon toga-style dress.
"Yeah, almost as if no could tell you were pregnant," Dan muttered as he followed behind her.
"That's kind of the point," Blair quietly quipped back as she glared at him with hostility before turning her attention to Serena. "Thanks, S," she spoke a moment later. "As do you!"
"Are we all riding together or...?" Lily wondered as she appeared from around the corner adjusting her jewelry last minute.
"You guys go on ahead, I'll wait for Chuck and Henry," Blair spoke with a hint of annoyance in her voice. She had no idea just what could possibly be taking them so long.
She waited until after everyone else had cleared out before calling upstairs.
"Chuck? Everyone else left – are you two just about ready?" she couldn't help asking after having waited several more minutes alone.
"Coming," she heard him bellow from somewhere upstairs.
She tapped her strappy wedge sandal impatiently as she continued to wait, noting that the time to arrive fashionably late was soon coming to a close and they were just going to be straight out late at this point if they didn't leave now.
"There's my boy," Blair declared as Henry came bouncing down the stairs in a dashing white tux with black stitching, much like a mini replica of one his father wore years ago. "Where's your father?" she questioned as she looked around and noticed Chuck was still nowhere to be seen.
"He's coming," Henry remarked casually as he made his way outside to the front porch, sitting on the swing to wait.
"Chuck!" Blair yelled up the stairs once again, now more irritated than anything. "Are you coming with or not?"
"Sorry," he quickly apologized as he hurried down the stairs, his hand combing through his hair once more. "Henry was nervous," he stated as he reached the ground floor. Blair looked at him in disbelief. "You know, about wearing all white," he added as if to make it sound more believable.
"Sure he was..." Blair spoke as she tried not to roll her eyes. "Are you sure he was the one nervous and not someone else?" she attempted to call him out as she reached towards him, adjusting his ascot. "You know you don't have to go if you don't want-"
"I'm fine," Chuck firmly replied as he slid on his white linen jacket and proceeded towards the door a moment later, stopping by a nearby mirror to check himself over one last time. "Let's go," he ordered as he held the door for her. "You look ravishing as always," he softly whispered into her ear as she walked past him, his breath brushing against her skin, causing her to blush and shudder in a natural response. This whole week had been full of unspoken sexual tension between them, yet Blair wasn't quite ready to give into him.
"Henry! Come on! Michael found a toad!" a young boy Blair recognized from Henry's preschool class called to him enthusiastically the moment they stepped out into the main yard where the annual White Party was being hosted.
"Coming!" Henry yelled back as he quickly began to run after them.
"Henry Charles Bass you be on your best behavior and stay out of trouble!" Blair shouted after him, knowing it was most likely useless but at least she tried. She was glad he had made a few friends in pre-k last year that would also be attending kindergarten with him this school year.
As the youngest member of the Bass family took off to join his friends, Blair couldn't help but notice that the other member of their family seemed to be holding back, leaning against the backdoor door frame of the house of the host family.
She could only imagine how nervous Chuck actually was.
People expected him to be a certain way. It was as if they often forgot that the man behind the myth and legend of Chuck Bass was deep down still just that – a man.
This was unofficially Chuck's first time back amongst New York society since everything went downhill last spring. Anyone who was anyone that was from the city and regularly visited the Hamptons was present. She knew Chuck almost always used to ignore the whispers of people all around him, not giving a shit what they thought of him – he is Chuck Bass after all – and truthfully, she hadn't paid them any mind in years either, however she knew he had to be feeling a little bit vulnerable right now. His last spiral had been pretty bad.
"Chuck?" she gently called to him as she turned to see him still a few paces behind her, taking it all in, observing the party in full swing, their peers and everyone else present. "Are you ready?"
As if she had just brought him out of his thoughts, he took a step forward, now standing beside her. "I am now," he spoke softly with a shy smile on his lips as he took her hand in his.
Blair looked around as she sipped on her sparkling vitamin water. Chuck had gotten pulled away momentarily by a man who had obviously come to the party solely to pitch his business prospect. In a matter of days, a rumor had spread throughout the Hamptons that Bass was back, although it wasn't like they were exactly hiding his return as they had regularly spent most of their mornings in town, their afternoons on the beach and had ventured out for dinner twice.
She couldn't help a small smile as she watched him in his element, talking business. It was good for him, she decided. She also couldn't help smiling at the thought of all the family time they had been spending together. This week had been pretty great so far, having him back, both physically and mentally.
They had yet to consummate their reunion though, as she still wasn't fully ready to give herself to him in that way again just yet. Physically, it had been hard not to - she had to admit, he looked a lot better these days than he had in months. Perhaps it was the lack of alcohol and drugs? There had been several times it took nearly every fiber in her being to resist the urge to assault him, knowing he'd fully welcome the pleasant surprise. And then watching him play along the beach with Henry and Monkey... he really was an excellent father when he wasn't self-loathing... and even that turned her on. Damn pregnancy hormones! There was almost nothing Chuck didn't do that didn't turn her on these days. She had missed her husband more than she cared to admit, yet she appreciated him respecting her space on the issue like she had requested, not pushing her to advance any further than she wanted right now.
She also appreciated that Henry was behaving a little better now that his father was back in the picture – not that he had ever been a bad kid or no more spoiled than one would expect the son of Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf to be, it's just that without Chuck around, Henry would often argue more to get his way or run to one of his grandmothers or his aunt who always gave in to his wants. For whatever reason, Henry always seemed to view Chuck as the final authority and if Chuck said no or reminded him that his mother already told him no, then that was usually the end of it. She wasn't thrilled with this being the way of things, yet with Chuck around, she could still control the situation without Henry realizing it as she could almost always count on Chuck to back her up.
Realizing that Chuck still might be awhile – clearly engrossed by whatever the man was proposing as he casually leaned against the top of one of the tall tables scattered around the yard – Blair looked to see who else was around.
Serena had disappeared into the house with Lily who had requested her assistance with some "pressing matter" - Lily's words, not hers, as every little thing seemed to be a pressing matter for Lily these days, Blair thought as she rolled her eyes. Eric was busy introducing his partner Kent to a few friends of his that he only ever saw at events such as these. And... there was Dan, chatting up a small group of older men she recognized from The New Yorker. She had no sooner laid eyes on him when he looked over and made eye contact with her.
Shit! She thought to herself as she quickly turned her attention away from him, scanning the yard for a group she could engross herself in. Truth be told, ever since their drunken encounter months ago and then their brief run-in the other night in the hallway, she had avoided Dan as much as she could.
But now there they were, at the White Party, both without their spouses nearby and Blair had stupidly made eye contact with him. Quickly continuing to look around, she found a group of mothers from the PTA at Henry's school and decided to join in their conversation before Humphrey could approach her.
"Ladies," Blair greeted as she jumped right into their circle. "Everyone ready for the new school year?"
"Blair... how are we doing?" one of them asked her, acknowledging her presence.
"Quite well, actually," Blair answered right away, looking over her shoulder, noticing that Dan had retreated back to the circle from whence he was before.
"And how is Chuck?" Another questioned with a raised eyebrow. "Matthew was quite surprised to see him out and about already, given the rumors he was in rehab all summer...?" she implored.
"Yes, well..." Blair replied, debating whether or not to confirm it. Chuck was quite pleased with himself for being three months clean, even if he was in rehab the entire time. "He's doing much better, thank you."
"So is it true, you took him back? Again?"
"You poor thing... I know how hard it is to have a husband with an addiction problem... eventually though... you need to just cut the cord and move on. I was so much happier once I did and look at me now - Matthew is so much better for me and little Tegan..."
Blair did everything she could to bite her tongue and not put them in their places.
These women were nothing but bitches, yet Henry was friends with their kids. Going off on their mothers would only alienate him as they would make sure to keep their distance from the Basses.
While Blair ruled the PTA , they let her have that control as no one could organize, plan and pull off an event like her, however Blair knew just how easily these mothers could use their children to get back at her if she were to ever make things personal. She couldn't understand nor help noticing that many of these women had no problem using their children as weapons - pawns if you will - in their little games. Perhaps it was her maternal side she had always had, yet Blair couldn't bear to use her own children like that. And these women seemed to know that, using her weakness as a way to keep the Head BIC in check. And with kindergarten starting so soon - the year that lifelong friends were often formed – Blair knew that now was not the time to risk that for him.
"Yes, well... sometimes it doesn't hurt to give people another chance," Blair quipped back as she tightly held onto her glass.
Looking around, she spotted Chuck now alone, obviously looking for her, and decided that this – coming here, together – may have been a bad idea. She would give him some excuse that she needed to go lie down – tired from pregnancy, she decided – and return back to the house, informing him to keep an eye on Henry. She needed to get away.
"Hey, beautiful," she had no sooner heard his voice softly speak near her ear as his lips placed a kiss to her cheek. It was as if he had a sixth sense, knowing she needed an excuse to leave. "Ladies," he greeted, acknowledging the other mothers.
"Speak of the devil and he doth appear," one of the women remarked. "Do tell us, Chuck – are the rumors true? Were you really in rehab all summer?" she asked the question they all were wondering.
"As true as the rumors are about Will and his secretary, Joan," Chuck bit back with slight chuckle. Joan's eyes widened in horror as the rest of the PTA mothers gasped in disbelief. Everyone knew the rumor about Joan's husband was true, however no one ever spoke of it.
"Excuse us, ladies," Blair excused them as she quickly attempted to usher herself and Chuck away from the group.
"See you all at drop-off next week!" Chuck called out to them as Blair dragged him along.
"Chuck! Why would you say that to her? And in front of everyone?!" she demanded to know once they were alone.
"What? You were clearly upset over something they said and someone obviously needed to put them in their place – Joan was out of line," he retorted. "Honestly, I don't understand why you didn't."
"Because, Chuck – your son is friends with many of their kids and I wouldn't put it past those women to use their children as weapons, banning them from playing with Hen just get back at me," Blair tried to explain. "As much as I would love to put Joan Frankfurt and all those other stuck-up wannabes in their places... it's no longer just about us, Chuck. What we say and do trickles down and affects Henry."
"I still don't think it would hurt to remind them every once in awhile who's in charge..." his voice trailed. He could see the logic in her thinking, but even still... no one messed with The Basses.
"How was the man's proposal?" Blair inquired, changing the subject.
"It was interesting, I'll give him that," Chuck responded as he recalled the impromptu business meeting he just had. "The guy's got this idea to put book rental kiosks all over the place – kind of like Redbox."
"A Redbox for actual books?" Blair questioned with a raised eyebrow, wanting to make sure she was hearing correctly. "Most people these days have a Kindle or just download an app to their phone or tablet... and besides, isn't that already the purpose of libraries?" she couldn't help pointing out.
"I kind of thought the same thing," Chuck told her as it was true. "He did seem passionate about it though... I took his name and number, thinking just in case I ever have a project that might suit him – I really did enjoy his enthusiasm for the product, even if it was pointless..." he paused as he noticed his wife staring off in the distance, still eying the group of mothers from Henry's school. "Blair, what's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," she quickly responded. A little too quickly.
"We've known each other since we were Henry's age – I know when you're not being honest with me. Your eyes are doing that thing again where they don't match your mouth," he called her out.
"Ugh, alright fine, if you must know... all the other mothers have decided I'm a naïve fool for taking you back again, okay?" she finally snapped. "And if that wasn't humiliating enough... look, I know you're proud of being three months sober – and believe me, I am too – but for the love of God, do you have to make it known to everyone that you just spent the last three months in rehab, Chuck? It's embarrassing!"
"What do you want me to say, Blair?" he retorted, unsure of just what exactly to tell her. "People noticed I've been gone all summer... I'm just being honest when they ask!"
"Well don't be! Make something up! Tell them... I don't know, that you were away on business! Just because Gossip Girl is no longer around doesn't mean all of New York society needs to know our private matters!" she snapped, clearly irritated.
"Look, I'm sorry they made you feel that way, but diagnosis or no diagnosis you knew full well how I was and what you were getting into when you married me," he made a point to remind her.
He could tell his words hadn't done anything to make her feel better about the situation though. "I... suppose maybe when catching up with people I can downplay why I'm no longer drinking and just let them draw their own conclusions as to why I was in Europe all summer..." his voice trailed as her eyes finally met his once more.
"Thank you," she sharply responded, a little relieved that he was at least taking her feelings into consideration.
"And listen to me, Blair, those women – they say things like that because they're miserable and jealous," he began to tell her as he maneuvered behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin over her shoulder. "Joan over there, I know for a fact her husband has been carrying on an affair with his secretary for at least the last five years if not longer. And Martha... the reason they can't keep a nanny is because her husband Roger continues to hook up with every single one of them she hires. And Kimberly... her husbands just keep getting older and older... she's nothing but a gold digging whore who marries up so that when her husband dies every few years she gets all the money."
Blair couldn't helping smiling as she realized that every single thing he had just told her was in fact true.
"You see, Blair – their husbands are all liars and cheaters or too old to be able to fully satisfy them. They're just jealous of you because your biggest marital issue is that you married an alcoholic. They've all seen how happy we can be together which is why they're so quick to doubt me and plant ideas in your head that we won't work when we know that we can. Remember, misery loves company... I would know," he reminded her.
"Except there is one other marital issue we have..." Blair softly spoke up a moment later.
"Which is...?" Chuck pressed her to clarify.
"That I had an affair while you were in rehab and may be carrying another man's child," she quietly hissed so no one would hear.
"Which is something no one else has to know, Blair," he tried to assure her. "I've accepted that what happened happened and I told you, if you'll let me, this child will be raised as mine regardless. No one has to be none the wiser," he pointed out as he carefully ran his hand along her barely there baby bump.
"I suppose you're right..."
"I know I'm right," he corrected her with a smirk. "What were you drinking? Regular water or Vitamin water?" he asked her as he noticed her glass was now empty.
"I was drinking sparkling raspberry, but please just get me a regular?" she requested hopeful.
"Of course," he spoke as he took her glass from her. "I'll be right back," he told her, planting a quick kiss on her cheek before he left.
She sighed in relief. He really was too good to her in times like these.
She no sooner thought the thought though when she spied Dan heading straight towards her. Rolling her eyes, she turned to walk away before he reached her only to pause when she heard her phone notification suddenly going off among a chorus of others throughout the yard.
Nervous albeit curious as well, Blair retrieved the item from her clutch and slowly clicked on the new message icon to see for herself just what it could possibly be.
Hey there, Upper East Siders, while I know most of you are attending the annual White Party right this moment, here's a little icebreaker for you all.
It seems Bass is back after being MIA all summer... but just where exactly has he been? And what's this in his hand but a water instead of liquor? I think we can all connect the dots... who wants to join the pool on how long C can stay sober this time? Get your bets in now, my darlings!
And just how exactly did our Queen manage while her King was away? They say a picture can say a thousand words – anyone care to caption this recent late-night rendezvous for me? Looks like Lonely Boy is far from lonely these days. I wonder if S knows...
Have you missed me all these years? Well with gossip this juicy, this bitch is back! Send me your tips!
XoXo
Blair's jaw dropped momentarily as she read the blast and scrolled down to see the attached photos – the first of Chuck just moments ago, with a glass of water in hand, and then the other, clearly taken from out in CeCe's yard, displaying her and Dan just inside the doors of the upstairs balcony days ago, talking in secret, her in her silk robe with Dan holding her by the arm. It had been just after she vomited and he had helped her to her feet, acting with genuine concern before she had angrily pulled away from him.
Looking back up towards where she had last seen him, she felt a sudden rage building up inside her as they locked eyes once more. Wanting to nip this in the bud immediately, she stormed off towards him, marching right up to him, snatching whatever drink she could from a passing tray on her way.
"Blair! Wait..." Dan tried to talk her down, holding his hands up in protest as he could clearly tell she was furious. "Before you-" he spoke only to pause and attempt to dodge the liquid she had aimed right at him. Fortunately for his ensemble this year, he managed to miss most of it. "Blair..."
"How dare you!" she snapped, smacking his arm hard enough to let him know she meant business. "Is that your plan?! Ruin both our marriages by resurrecting Gossip Girl, hoping I'll just come running back to you? That's not how this works, Dan!"
"Blair, I swear! It wasn't me!" he quickly tried to explain, not just to her but to the small group of wandering eyes whom he could feel watching them at that very moment. "You know I shut that site down years ago! Hell, I let you all take part in destroying the laptop and server I had everything stored on!" he reminded her.
"You could have had a backup! Or remade the site – I may not be tech savvy in that way, but I can imagine it wouldn't be too hard to do!" she accused him, not believing him for a second.
"You know I wouldn't do that to Serena – you know we have enough problems as it is, I wouldn't purposely post something like that to put any more shreds of doubt about our marriage in her mind," he spoke in a hushed tone, not wanting everyone to know just how bad things had gotten between him and Serena, especially in the months since Nate's passing.
"Well someone took the picture, purposely making it look like we're sneaking around and someone is posting as Gossip Girl," she pointed out to him. "If it's not you trying to drive a wedge between Chuck and I then who else could it be?"
"I don't know but there's plenty of people here this week who would all love to see Chuck fail-"
"You being one of them," she quipped, interrupting him.
"While it's true that I refuse to believe he can change his ways just like that and I honestly don't see it lasting, I never said I wanted to see him fail..." Dan admitted. It was partially the truth.
"Look, Chuck and I trust each other enough that I'm positive he won't think twice about the photo but Serena on the other hand... you better go do some collateral damage now before this gets any further out of hand. I do not need my best friend thinking I am sneaking around with her lowly pauper of a husband when there is nothing nor there ever will be anything between us ever again – get that through your head, Humphrey!" Blair snapped at him once more, commanding him to take action immediately.
"Pauper? Really Blair? You do know I'm a pretty well received and might I add published author these days-"
"Go! Last I saw her she was inside with Lily," she ordered, ushering Dan off in the direction that she had last seen her best friend, not caring to hear him try and defend his status among their social circle.
Blair watched across the patio as an old classmate of theirs from Constance and St. Jude's struck up a conversation with Chuck at the bar. While it seemed like things were going alright, she couldn't help but notice the sudden pained look on his face that Chuck was clearly trying to hide as their former classmate continued talking. Seeing him glancing around and even eying the bartender at the other end of the make-shift bar, Blair took that as her cue to step in and rescue him this time.
"Well, well, well... if it isn't Chuck Bass," Chuck turned away from the bar, two waters in hand, as he looked to see just who it was addressing him.
"Teddy Williams... long time, no see," Chuck casually greeted his former classmate. "How are you these days?"
"Doing well I suppose... traveling the world as a consultant for my father's firm... living the life," Teddy informed him as he flagged down the bartender. "What about you? Running Big Bad Bart's company all on your own, I've heard?"
"That and I have my own businesses I attend to as well," Chuck corrected him, not particularly fond of the reference to his deceased father. He had worked hard in his own right to lay claim to Bass Industries and keeping it to his father's standards all while being successful on his own.
"Ah, right... I forgot, you have a few of your own hotels... that burlesque club... and what's this I hear about some fashion house?" Teddy further inquired.
"Waldorf Designs?" Chuck questioned with a raised eyebrow, a bit surprised as Blair had been adamant over the years about keeping Bass separate from her mother's company. Teddy quickly nodded that that was indeed the company he was referring to. "That one's all Blair's and her mother's – her and I prefer not to mix business with pleasure," he smirked, hoping that would get the man off his back.
"I'll drink to that," Teddy replied with a grin as the bartender finally approached. "A gin and tonic please and... Chuck, what'll you have?"
"I'm good, thank you," Chuck spoke up, politely declining the offer as he motioned to the drinks in his hand.
"Is that... water?" Teddy looked on in awe, glancing back and forth between Chuck and the glass in question. "Chuck Bass without a scotch in hand... that's unheard of!" he laughed in amusement.
"What can I say... I'm not really into that much these days," Chuck stated, refraining from saying too much due to his previous conversation with Blair about toning it down.
"Wait a second..." Teddy paused as something suddenly clicked in his mind. "I recall hearing a rumor that you were recently in rehab," he announced as he tried to think where he had heard that. "Let me guess, the wife insisted on it?"
"Actually no, this time it was my choice," Chuck was quick to clarify. "And I've been doing pretty well – I just completed three months sobriety this past week," he proudly declared as the truth was already out.
"Wow... good for you, Chuck," Teddy spoke as he gave Chuck a hard pat on the back. "Good for you... being all grown up... who would have thought ten years ago that you would have settled down, sober and married with a family – with the Frigid Ice Queen no less - while Archibald's the one being named New York's Most Eligible Bachelor year after year?" he joked at the irony as Chuck tried not to choke on his drink at the sudden mention of Nate. "Speaking of Archibald... where is he? I'm a little surprised I haven't seen him here. I must say, he did make quite the impressive bid for mayor, considering he has little to no background in politics... perhaps he'll do better next time," Teddy laughed, having no idea just what his clueless words were doing to Chuck.
"Perhaps..." Chuck sighed as he tried to hide the pain he was starting to feel for his best friend as he stared at the glass of flavored water in his hand, beginning to wish that it was something much, much stronger to help him get through this evening, let alone this conversation. He was half tempted to signal the bartender over again. "I... take it you haven't been around the city much these past six months or so?" Chuck had to ask, curious as to how it was possible Teddy didn't know about Nate's passing.
"Like I said, I travel a lot all over the world doing consulting work for my father – it's been years since I've stayed in one spot for longer than a few weeks," he explained as he finished his drink in hand and signaled the bartender for another. "You sure you don't want a drink? Maybe do a shot for old times sake?" Teddy offered as he couldn't help noticing Chuck intensely watching his exchange with the bartender. "I promise, I won't tell the Missus," he whispered with a wink.
"There you are," Blair spoke up suddenly, as if on cue with a fake smile, clearly knowing something was wrong, as she slid an arm around Chuck's shoulders, causing him to lift his head and turn towards her, a look of relief on his face. "I was starting to wonder where you had disappeared to with my drink," she sweetly spoke as she took the fuller glass of water from his hand.
"Why if it isn't Blair Waldorf!" Teddy exclaimed with a smile as he greeted her. "The only woman to ever tame The Great Chuck Bass!" he couldn't help snickering.
"Yes, well... I wouldn't exactly say 'tamed'," she spoke sharply, knowing Chuck hated it when anyone outside their family referred to him having been tamed by her. "More like he met his match."
"Blair, you remember Teddy Williams from St. Jude's," Chuck introduced her to his current annoyance.
"I do," she replied without hesitating. "I recall you were briefly at one of my old minion's disposal for awhile there... Hazel I believe it was..." she jogged his memory, making it clear to him that she was still in charge now just like she had been back then and that he better watch his step less she destroy his precious playboy reputation with information Hazel had once shared with the girls regarding his size.
"Ah yes... Hazel... how is she these day? You girls keep in touch at all?" Teddy couldn't help prying, curious as to whatever had become of one his past flings. While Teddy's reputation had been nowhere near Chuck's back in the day, he did still have quite the reputation of his own.
"No, actually... I have better, more reliable minions these days," she boasted.
"Too bad... I do often wonder about her... just like I do all you Constance girls and might I say, you look good, Blair," he complimented her with a nod of approval, as if she needed it.
"Thank you, Teddy... and you're still... the same as you were in high school," she spoke in return, before turning her attention back to Chuck. "But if you'll excuse us, please, Teddy... Chuck, dear... there's something I need to draw your attention to..." she spoke urgently as she knew it would be best to get him away from his former classmate as soon as possible. The guy had been toxic in high school and clearly he hadn't changed. She could tell something he had said had greatly affected Chuck's mood. "Business matters," she clarified as she looked straight at Teddy who had a questioning look on his face. "Being in charge of a large business, he doesn't ever truly get a break - work always seems to follow, even on vacation... people to meet with... someone always wanting an introduction... although I'm sure you wouldn't know anything about that," she added with a fake sweet smile, driving her point home to their former classmate
"Lead the way," Chuck responded as he allowed Blair to take him by the arm, thankful that she had showed up when she did. Teddy was left standing there speechless.
"Are you okay?" she quietly questioned him, her eyes quickly darting around his face, trying to get some read as to what had happened once they were off to the side of the main party, away from the large crowd gathered about.
"I'll be fine, but thank you for stepping in and getting me out of there," he admitted with a sigh, disappointed that he hadn't been stronger on his own. "It... was starting to get a little difficult... apparently Teddy doesn't know about Nate..."
"Bullshit – anyone with ties to Manhattan knows about Nate," she declared with an eyeroll as she realized what must have happened. Teddy had tried to play Chuck just to test his new-found sobriety. "Chuck, listen to me – Teddy Williams is a jerk and a nobody. We all know the only reason he has any money and any place in our world is because his grandfather got lucky with some invention years ago and his father invested that wealth into his own company. Don't let him affect you – you're better than him," she assured him, looking him directly in the eyes as she firmly held him by the shoulders with both hands. "He's nothing but a lowly consultant, working for his daddy with hopes of maybe someday – and I do mean maybe – taking over. You are everything he's not and he's merely jealous of that fact, resorting to childish tactics to try and get you to fail."
Really looking at him though, she could tell he was feeling a bit defeated and that tonight had turned out to be too much for him. And on top of it, she had no idea if he had even seen the Gossip Girl blast yet.
As much as she hated retreating instead of retaliating when she or someone she actually cared about had been hurt, she decided it would be in both their best interests to just count their losses for the night and retire.
"You are Chuck Bass and I am Blair Waldorf. People used to beg and compete for us to grace their events with our presence," she attempted to remind him. "I think we've both graced them with our presence enough for one night," she told him with a smirk. "You go have the car pull around, I'll find Henry."
"Are you sure, Blair? I know you - you're not one to just leave a party early," he called her out, curious as to her motives. "Look, if this is about what just happened with Teddy... I don't want you to pity me – I'll be fine."
"I'm not, Chuck... it's just... truth is, I think this party has been tiring for both of us and I'd really rather just get out of here," she confessed. "The house is currently empty with everyone else here – we can spend some time just the three of us."
"You mean the four of us," he corrected her with a slight smirk as he glanced down at her concealed barely there bump and carefully ran a hand along it.
Blair couldn't help the butterflies within swarming like crazy at his words and simple gesture. Despite his promise earlier in the week, it was the first time he had actually acknowledged that her unborn child was part of their family.
"The four of us," she smiled warmly in return.
"And I think... that idea sounds wonderful," Chuck sighed with a whisper as he leaned in and delicately kissed her on the cheek, relieved to be getting out of there. He had to admit, things had been going well up until he was carelessly reminded of Nate. After that though... he didn't think he could manage his best friend being brought up again in one night.
"Get the car, I'll find Henry," she reminded him once more as she turned to head off in the direction where they could heard the voices of children playing nearby.
As Chuck made his way through the host's home on his way to the front drive, he paused as he glimpsed his reflection in a mirror.
Blair had been right. They were the Basses, they called the shots, controlling the situation – not the other way around. These people should be grateful that they came out their party. He may have settled down in his twenties, having a family of his own, and willingly given up his vices, however he was still Chuck Bass, damnit! He owned a sizeable chunk of the city and people knew his name alone meant they should still be on their toes.
Sliding off the dark frames he had been sporting the majority of the week, Chuck placed them on the thin table under the mirror, leaving them as he walked off to alert the valet that they would be leaving. He had thought maybe reinventing himself, giving himself a fresh start with a fresh look would help his recovery, but the truth was, while he could grow up, there was no changing who he really was: a force to be reckoned with that commanded both power and respect.
He may be sober now, however he was back and determined as ever to reclaim his title as King of Manhattan with Blair as his queen.
"Hey," Chuck gently spoke as he took a step into her room. "Just wanted to let you know, Henry's in bed," he informed her as he casually stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame, his hands in the pockets of his white linen suit pants. "Casablanca?" he couldn't help asking as he noted the movie she had just started up.
"It was either that or Audrey – I know you much prefer Bogart to Peppard," she merely smirked with a shrug. She knew when it came to her collection of classics, it was one of Chuck's favorites, her theory being that he secretly identified with Rick Blaine on some level. "Did he go down alright after all that sugar?" she wondered as she stood from the vanity and began walking towards the bed, motioning for him to come sit beside her on top of it.
As compensation for making Henry leave his friends at The White Party early, they had agreed to let him have his fill of ice cream once they returned, it having turned into a sweet family moment just the three of them. The type of moment they both had missed over the past six months.
"Let's just say I promised I'd take him seashell hunting tomorrow if he calmed down and at least closed his eyes," Chuck confessed as he cautiously made his way towards her on the bed.
"Good luck with that – he's on a mission to find the biggest one to take back to school with him," Blair retorted with a slight chuckle, knowing full well just what Chuck had gotten suckered into.
"So I've been informed," he simply remarked as he laid down beside her on top of the duvet. She came to rest her head on his chest prompting him to slide his arm up around her, holding her to him as the movie played on. He couldn't help the soft sigh of relief and comfort he felt, just being there with her, together.
"Chuck... did you happen to see the-" her voice spoke up a moment later, breaking the comfortable silence between them.
"Gossip Girl blast?" he finished for her, having wondered since he first glanced at it in the car if she was going to bring it to his attention or if he was going to have to be the one to address it with her.
"Yeah," she sadly sighed as she nodded her head against his chest.
"I did," he replied, his tone void of emotion, making it hard for her to tell if he had been bothered by it or not.
"Are you... okay?" she couldn't help asking him as not only had it alluded that she was still sneaking around with Dan, but it had also encouraged their peers to take bets on how long it would be until he failed again.
"With which part exactly?" he wondered absentmindedly, his eyes fixed on the movie before them.
"All of it," Blair sighed as she moved in a little closer to him, if it was even possible, looking up at him, her chin now resting on his chest.
"Blair, I knew coming back that people were going to expect and wait for me to fuck up again, not believing that I really am serious about staying sober this time," he began to explain, looking down and over at her as he casually ran his fingers through her curls. "Which gives me all the more determination to prove them wrong."
"You do enjoy sticking it the naysayers," she couldn't help the slight smile form on her lips, pleased to know that he was accepting the new Gossip Girl's jab as more of a challenge to win.
"And I hate to lose," he reminded her as well. "As for the rest of the blast..."
"Chuck, you have nothing to worry about – the photo was taken the other night... he cornered me in the hallway, berating me for choosing you again and we had a brief chat. I put him in his place and told him there was never going to be anything between us ever again," she quickly stated, desperate to erase any sliver of doubt he may have had. "I swear to you – there's nothing going on between Dan and I – aside from when I confronted him about the blast at the party tonight, I have had absolutely nothing to do with him, nor do I want to-"
"Blair, stop," he interrupted her plea, bringing a finger to her lips to refrain her from speaking about it further. "I believe you," he delicately spoke, causing her to emit a sigh of relief. "Clearly Humphrey's just jealous and resorting to meddling where he shouldn't."
"He swears it wasn't him," she informed him as she rolled back onto her back, resting her head on his chest once again as she snuggled into him, turning her attention back to the movie.
"Well obviously it was someone," he pointed out as he pulled her close once more, his arm lazily draped across her as her fingers eventually found his, intertwining them together.
Together they laid like that, watching the old film play on her laptop, each quoting the classic lines out of habit like they always often did and not discussing the matter of the Gossip Girl blast anymore for the night.
"Thanks again," Chuck spoke up some time later causing her to roll onto her side and look up at him with a confused look on her face. "For getting me out of there earlier," he specified.
"You rescued me from those snotty PTA moms earlier, it was only natural for me to rescue you from that inconsiderate ass," she spoke nonchalantly. "Saving each other... it's what we do, Chuck. It's what we always do," her voice trailed, her finger absentmindedly drawing circles in his chest as her mind took a trip down memory lane to all the times they had literally saved each other over the years and come to the other's defense.
"Yeah... I guess it is," Chuck calmly spoke as he captured her hand in his again, bringing it to his lips for a kiss before resting them both back on his chest, his mind also taking the same trip down memory lane.
"I should probably let you get to sleep," he declared as the movie ended and the main menu on the dvd began to loop. "Heaven knows I'm going to need mine if I'm going on a seashell hunt first thing in the morning," he joked as he made a move to sit up.
"I... suppose if you wanted... you could stay... just for tonight... to sleep, that is..." Blair suggested as the thought occurred to her. Truth was, she did long for him all summer too and had far too many sleepless nights for her own liking. Plus she was already so comfy, wrapped up together in each other's arms.
"Really?" he questioned her with a raised eyebrow, hopeful but at the same time a little bit surprised given her reaction towards him earlier in the week.
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss you this summer..." Blair playfully teased as she shifted to pull the duvet out from under her and lifted it for him, giving him the go ahead. She'd also be lying if she said she hadn't missed his extra warmth beside her at night. "No funny business though, Bass," she sternly warned as Chuck slid underneath the covers beside her. "I mean it!"
"I promise – I'll behave," he tried to assure her. As she snuggled up into his side, Chuck wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into him close.
"I love you, Chuck. I really do," Blair quietly spoke as she settled into his embrace from behind her. "No matter how hard I try not to or how hard you make it... I'll always love you," her voice began to trail.
"I'll always love you too, Blair... and you know I can't apologize enough for the past-"
"Then don't," she interrupted him, rolling over just enough to place a finger to his lips to get him to stop. "Let's just focus on what's ahead," she decided for them before shifting once more, pulling his arms tightly around her as she could feel herself starting to drift off to sleep. "Goodnight, Chuck," she nearly yawned as she no sooner said it.
"Goodnight, Blair," he uttered as well as he relaxed, gently kissing the top of her shoulder before resting his chin over it. Closing his eyes as he let out another sigh of relief, he knew full well that he was going to sleep tonight with a smile on his lips and would be getting his first peaceful slumber in months.
AN: Happy Monday everyone!
As always, thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, commented and followed/favorited this story thus far - it means a lot and I do appreciate the feedback and enjoy hearing your thoughts! Also thanks to M (scarlett2u) for Beta'ing and making some wonderful suggestions as well as bringing up points I had forgotten about (such as Chuck and the glasses from chapter 1 - which if you're having trouble imagining C sporting such an accessory, I'd like to point you towards Ed Westwick in the recent short-lived period crime drama Wicked City. He made them look quite attractive if I do say so!).
So... B's starting to warm up to Chuck being back and starting to allow him back in. Chuck has his first encounter with UES society since being back and his sobriety being tested. And Gossip Girl has returned... after a long, long hiatus! And just who do you think is pulling the strings behind the scenes this time? Could it still be Dan? Or is it someone else? Tell me what you think in the comments!
Until next time,
XoXo