"Chuck... Chuck, wake up," he heard her voice gently call to him as he continued to lie on his back, perfectly at peace with one arm still comfortably wrapped around her next to him. Not ready to wake just yet, he kept his eyes close, wanting just a few more minutes of sweet sleep.

"Chuck..." she quietly sung his name as he felt her shift beside him. A moment later her soft lips delicately brushed against his, prompting him to finally open his eyes, looking up at her just above him. Seeing the smile of satisfaction on her face at achieving her goal, he couldn't help but smile back at her as he placed a stray curl behind her ear, his fingers lingering.

"Morning, beautiful," he smiled, leaning upward just enough to capture her lips to return her greeting.

"We need to get up," she declared after several more sweet, innocent kisses were exchanged.

Being home, the three of them, this past weekend had been nothing short of great.

In two days they had successfully gotten Henry back into their usual routine of breakfast with Chuck in the morning and getting to bed on time at night, spending time at home as a family all day Saturday and then spending all of Sunday afternoon at the park.

It had been perfect.

Not to mention for the fourth night in a row both Chuck and Blair had gotten the best sleep either of them had had in months and she truly believed it had everything to do with them both sleeping wrapped up together. Blair knew she had been lonely sleeping alone and in the past she always had a hard time sleeping through the night without him, even when he was away briefly for business; she knew the same was true for him.

And she'd be lying if she said she hadn't missed the early morning kisses and cuddles they regularly shared in the quiet time between when the alarm first went off and when Henry would eventually come bouncing in to make sure they were both awake. Sometimes, like today, she would wake up first, other times Chuck would be up before her. Regardless, she would revel in the fact that no matter what, when they first locked eyes on each other in the morning, he always gave her that look full of love, as if she were the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. And she loved it. Whether it was intentional on his behalf or not, the way just that simple look from him made her feel... it always did wonders for her self-esteem.

"Just a few more minutes," he muttered as he pulled her down against his chest once more, arms wrapped tightly around her as he took in the faint familiar smell of Chanel No. 5 still lingering on her skin.

"It's after seven-thirty, Chuck – you've already had several more minutes," she playfully informed him as she nestled against him, her breathing in sync with his and his relaxed heartbeat.

Truth was, she had woken up at least ten minutes ago, however as she watched him, he looked so peaceful and handsome in his sleep that she didn't have the heart to wake him just yet.

"Henry's starting kindergarten today... I'll help him get ready while you get dressed and you can meet him downstairs for breakfast while I get myself together and we'll take him to school," she told him as she went over the plans she had decided in her mind. School started at nine, giving them plenty of time to all get ready, and while she would head over to the atelier to check on the plans for the upcoming fall fashion week, she wasn't quite sure just what Chuck had planned for himself for the day.

"I suppose," he sighed, knowing she was right and that this morning was all about their son. That didn't mean he had to let go immediately though, he thought to himself as he continued to hold her to him, not ready to get up and face the world just yet.

As if their son's ears were on fire, they both lifted their heads – her from his chest and him from the pillows – as they were startled by the doorknob beginning to turn, knowing that only meant one thing...

"Mommy! Daddy! Wake up! It's the first day of school!" Henry exclaimed as he came running into the room, nearly bouncing into bed with them, Monkey following right on his heels.

"That it is," Blair confirmed as she rolled onto her back, sitting up against the pillows, her body warmth following, much to Chuck's displeasure. "Did Dorota leave your school uniform out?"

"She did," he answered as he climbed into the small space between his parents, making himself at home.

"Well, why don't I help you get ready while daddy showers and you two can have breakfast together while I get ready?" she suggested. "What would you like for breakfast?"

"Um... pancakes!" he declared after thinking it over for a moment.

"Mmm... with berries," Chuck murmured as he dramatically rolled over to his stomach, nestling into one of the pillows, much to Henry's amusement as the bed shifted.

"And whipped cream," Henry added, pleased at his father's suggestion.

"Well then, I'll go inform Renee," Blair stated as she made her way out of the bed, throwing on her robe before walking towards the door. "Henry, go get dressed. Chuck – get in the shower," she instructed them both before disappearing to give orders to their cook. As a courtesy to Dorota, during the school year the longtime maid typically had the mornings free so as to see her own children off to school.

Chuck had thought to make a pervy remark to her, suggesting she join him in the shower, but he knew now was probably not the right time to resort to old habits, especially since they still had yet to have the type of reunion that typically occurred when they showered together.

"Well, you heard her," Chuck spoke a moment later after neither of them had made any attempt to move. He knew Blair would be annoyed if she returned upstairs to find them both still relaxing in bed, having completely ignored her orders. "Go get dressed," he reminded Henry as he sat up, throwing his legs over the side of the bed to stretch and wake himself up.

"See you downstairs?" he heard his son question as he climbed over the duvet to join his father's side.

Looking over at the kid, Chuck could see sadness in his eyes, fearful of the answer he may get.

"Of course, Hen," he calmly spoke, trying to assure the boy that he had nothing to worry about. "Get dressed," he ordered as he reached over and playfully ruffled his son's dark hair, causing the boy to laugh as he tried to shake his father's hand away and quickly fix his bedhead. "I'll be down in about twenty," he told him as he leaned over and quickly kissed the top of his head before getting up and heading towards the bathroom.

Shaking his head, Chuck sadly had no idea what they were going to do about Henry and his new-found abandonment issues and what it was going to take to get him to realize that he really wasn't going anywhere.

"Are you excited?" Blair questioned Henry as the three of them rode along in the limo heading towards Constance and St. Jude's lower campus for elementary students. A campus which held many memorable childhood memories for both the Non-Judging Breakfast Club before middle school and puberty happened, temporarily complicating their childhood friendship as Chuck, Serena and to some degree Nate had all began experimenting with risky behavior at around that age.

"Yup! Tegan's in my class... and so is Michael!" he informed her as he anxiously watched out the window while the car rolled to a stop in front of the school. Arthur soon opened the door as Henry quickly climbed out, followed by Blair who was followed by Chuck.

"Let me fix your bowtie," Blair commanded as she motioned for him to stop and stay put for a moment. While most of the boys on the sidewalk were wearing ties, Henry had insisted on wearing a navy plaid bowtie. She couldn't say she was too surprised though – he was his father's son when it came to dress attire. "There, now you're looking sharp," she spoke with a smile. "I love you," she told him as she held him close, feeling bittersweet to see her firstborn embarking on this journey in his academic career.

"I love you too, mommy," Henry quickly told her, eager to go join his friends. He knew exactly where to go thanks to orientation just a few weeks prior.

"Hen, wait," Chuck spoke up before Henry ran off, having spotted Michael. "Here, I have something for you," he announced as he reached into his jacket and produced an all too familiar navy, white and red patchwork scarf.

"Chuck?" Blair quietly whispered with a raised eyebrow, surprised.

"A scarf?" Henry questioned, quizzically, not quite sure what to make of it.

"Not just any scarf," Chuck began as he crouched down to his son's level. "Call it vintage, perhaps... but as your mother can attest, I used to wear it when I went to St. Jude's."

"Really?" Henry's eyes lit up at that revelation.

"Yup," Chuck confirmed as he handed the infamous J. Press scarf over to his son.

"But you don't want it anymore?" he asked, puzzled.

"Nah, you see, Hen, it's a signature piece – everyone who's anyone should have something they're known for and you are most definitely someone," Chuck explained as he began to expertly wrap the fabric around his son, much like how he used to wear it. "Mommy was known for her headbands, daddy... had this scarf... and now it's yours," he smiled, pleased with his work.

"Wow..." Henry gasped in awe as he noticed his reflection in the car window, pleased with how he looked. "Thanks daddy!" he exclaimed as he suddenly threw his arms around his father for a hug.

"You're welcome, Hen," Chuck said as he held him in return. "Promise me you'll take good care of it?" he spoke a moment later after they soon broke apart.

"I will," Henry assured him.

"Henry! Come on!" the boy Chuck and Blair assumed to be Michael called in their direction, motioning for their son to join him and a few other boys.

"Coming!" Henry hollered back as he quickly picked up his lunchbox. "Bye mommy! Bye daddy! Love you!" he called over his shoulder as he began to rush off towards the other boys.

"Bye Hen," Chuck and Blair both called out to him as Chuck stood once more.

""Have a good first day!" Chuck attempted to yell out to him.

"See you after school," Blair added as she craned her neck to watch their son run up the stairs and around a corner into the building out of sight. Unlike some of the kids who insisted their parents walk them to their classroom, Henry was bold and fearless.

"You gave him the scarf?" she spoke, meaning to say it as a question but it came out more as a statement as she continued to watch where Henry had disappeared to. Silently blaming it on pregnancy hormones, she couldn't help but feel a little sentimental over the item.

"I came across it in the closet this morning while getting ready... I figured finding it on today of all days... it was time," Chuck told her nonchalantly. While they had gotten creative with it from time to time, he hadn't actually worn it since they graduated all those years ago. "Here, why don't you take the car?" he offered a moment later after it was clear Henry knew where he was going and wouldn't be turning around, scared like some of the other kids who attempted to enter on their own.

"Where are you going?" she curiously wondered as she turned her attention to him.

"I think I'm going to swing by office at The Palace and officially let Jack know I'm back," Chuck announced as he guided her back to their awaiting limo.

"Are you sure that's a good idea? Going back to work already?" Blair clarified as they walked.

"My doctor said it's important for me to get back into routines as that will help keep me focused," Chuck explained as he opened the door for her.

"Do you want me to come with? We both know how Jack can be..." Blair reminded him as she stopped.

"I know. And thanks, but I'll be fine – I can handle him," he assured her with a wink as he helped her in.

"Okay, well... if he proves difficult and you need my help coming up with a scheme you know how to reach me," she stated as she leaned out of the window, meeting him halfway for a tender kiss goodbye.

"You'll be the first one I call," he assured her with a smile as he pulled away. "Love you," he spoke as he carefully banged twice on the roof, signaling to Arthur that they were good to go.

"Love you too – and good luck!" Blair called out to him as the car began to pull into traffic.

Blaming it on pregnancy hormones again, Blair couldn't help but wipe away a stray tear as she recalled how her husband and son interacted. Opening the camera on her phone, she couldn't help the smile as she looked at the photo she had captured just a few minutes ago. Henry, dressed in the traditional St. Jude's uniform of khaki pants, yellow woven buttoned down shirt, and navy blazer with his plaid bowtie, now wearing Chuck's signature scarf... with his dark hair and brown eyes he looked exactly like a mini replica of his father. If preschool had only been just a sample of things to come, she knew their son would have his entire kindergarten class in the palm of his hand by the end of the week.

"Knock, knock," Chuck announced as he knocked on the wooden door frame to his office at The Palace. His office that had once belonged to his father.

Jack looked up from a pile of paperwork to see his nephew strolling on in, walking towards him.

"Chuckie! I thought I read you were back in town," Jack declared as he stood and leaned forward to shake Chuck's hand, motioning for him to have a seat. "How was rehab? Switzerland I believe I heard?"

"That's correct... and it was really good, actually," Chuck told him as he made himself comfortable. "I think I learned a lot this time to be honest..."

"Being there for three months... I would hope so!" Jack remarked with a chuckle as he sat back in his seat. Or rather Chuck's seat. "The first couple times... the whole process takes a little getting used to, but by your third... fourth... fifth trip... you get the system down pat and know exactly how to manipulate everyone to get yourself out of there quicker," he proudly went on.

"Yeah, well... hopefully this was the last time," Chuck commented as he adjusted his tie. "I'm really trying to take it serious this time around, Jack."

"Yeah, yeah... that's what everyone says when they first get out – didn't you even say that last time?" Jack wondered as he tried to remember.

"How's the company doing?" Chuck immediately asked him, switching gears and getting straight down to business. It was obvious Jack never took his own trips to rehab seriously so of course he would have little faith in his own nephew doing any different.

"Business is... business, I guess you could say," Jack casually stated as he grabbed a stress ball from the desk and began tossing it in the air.

"I've been following the stock numbers, Jack – they've dipped significantly during my absence," Chuck informed him as he leaned forward and snatched the ball from landing once more in Jack's hands, letting his uncle know he was serious. "That's not good."

"Everything is still up and running, is it not?" Jack rhetorically pointed out. "It could be worse," he shrugged it off.

"What the hell happened, Jack?! We've been over everything before – it's not that hard to maintain the standards Bart set for the company and then expand upon them!" Chuck snapped. It was clear Jack enjoyed being the head honcho but really didn't care to learn the full extent of running the entire company. "Did I not tell you after the last time to just let Hollanburg run things, only signing off on decisions that required executive approval?"

"Where's the fun in that? Hollanburg's a bore and old fashioned – I had my own ideas," Jack announced.

"Hollanburg's been head of the Bass board for twenty years, Jack! He worked with Bart long enough to know how to run this company. The only reason you get to act as Interim CEO in my absence is because of the stupid agreement we made after dad died that you would be number two in the company for name's sake only, reaping the benefits of the title with little to no actual work – these past few months being your little work for the year. We both know after the last two times you tried to run the company that for whatever reason you are incapable of doing so successfully!" Chuck reminded him.

"Hey, kid! I ran Bass Australia successfully for how many years while you were growing up, this company being the furthest thing from your mind while you drank and whored yourself around? Or did you forget?" Jack shot back. While Chuck technically was his boss, there was no way he was going to let his kid nephew reprimand him like that.

"Running Bass Australia – a small sector within the entire company - and running the entire company itself are two completely different things, Jack," Chuck calmly spoke. He knew that if they both got heated that no good would come of it. "And while you're right – you did successfully run Bass Australia for years. When it comes to the smaller branches of the company, you have previously shown that you've done a great job in that regard, I'll give you that-"

"Thank you," Jack interrupted as he sat a little straighter, pleased to see his nephew finally showing some respect and gratitude.

"But! Like I said, when it comes to the whole entire company... Jack, you're simply not cut out for it," Chuck finished.

"So now what? Are you back for good or is this just a short break from rehab?" Jack wondered as he narrowed his eyes. They had made an agreement years ago that whenever circumstances made it so Chuck was not able to be in charge, Jack was to act in his nephew's place. There's no Bass Industries without a Bass in charge.

"No, I'm back for good, Jack," Chuck informed him. "So if you don't mind... thank you for keeping my chair warm but I'd like it back now," he requested as he stood, waiting for Jack to get the message. "You are relived of your duties," he added as Jack still hadn't moved.

"Until the next time you fall off the wagon..." Chuck heard Jack mutter under his breath as he finally stood and shuffled past his nephew.

"Actually..." Chuck began as he reclaimed his beloved office chair. "I was thinking that if there is a next time – and I do mean if, as I'm really making an effort this time around, Jack – I would just go ahead and reinstate Hollanburg as number two like Bart would have..."

"What?!" Jack exclaimed as he turned back around to face Chuck.

"Or Lily," Chuck added with a shrug. "She's overseen the company in the past while I was away and managed to keep the numbers steady. Plus she's someone many in this town love and trust... at least I'd know the main part of this company would be in good hands," he added for good measure.

Everyone knew Jack had a reputation of being a slimeball. No one in New York ever took him seriously when it came to business. Despite him having settled down somewhat with Georgina these last seven years – something none of them still believed – unlike Chuck, Jack had never been able to shake his past reputation in order to be taken seriously. Chuck honestly believed that the only reason people didn't do the same to him was simply because he had gotten it out of his system while still young and had settled down quite easily with Blair – someone the community had always respected – before his past problems started to resurface. Jack on the other hand... well, he kept up the playboy act well into his thirties. By the time he wanted to be taken seriously, it was too late. His arrangement with the infamous Georgina Sparks who was nearly fifteen years his junior not helping matters any.

"We have an agreement, Chuck!" Jack snarled as he began to move in closer, prompting Chuck to press the button for security. "An agreement!" he yelled as the door suddenly opened and two security guards arrived.

"You rang, sir?" One of them asked immediately.

"Yes, Tony – please escort my Uncle Jack out of my office," Chuck ordered with a smug grin. Jack needed to cool down, perhaps after stepping away from it for a bit, he would be able to see clearly that Chuck was right. He wasn't cut out for running the entire company.

"Of course, sir," the man named Tony complied. "Also, it's good to see you back, sir."

"Thank you," Chuck responded as he sat back, arms behind his head and watched them do their job with a smirk on his face.

"There's no Bass Industries without a Bass!" Jack yelled as the guards moved in and each grabbed him by an arm, leading him towards the door.

"Three strikes, Jack – this was your third. You're out," Chuck sternly spoke, calling out just loud enough for Jack to hear him as he was dragged out the door. "Don't worry – I'll make sure you'll still get your check every week!" Pressing the intercom button, Chuck make another quick decision.

"Yes, Mr. Bass?" his faithful secretary's voice chimed from the speaker.

"Diane, please send out a company-wide memo – and by company-wide I mean the entire company – that I am back in charge and that until further notice Jack Bass no longer has any authority within the company and is to be barred from the offices. He's more than welcome to stay in any property as a guest, but only as a guest," Chuck ordered.

"Will do, Mr. Bass," Diane responded immediately. "Is there anything else you need?"

"No, Diane, that will be enough for now," Chuck assured her.

"Alright," she agreed. "It's good to have you back, Chuck," she added before hanging up. Chuck couldn't help smiling as that seemed to be the same sentiment he heard from everyone these days.

Now that it was quiet, Chuck sat back and sighed in relief, turning his chair to look out at the courtyard below. It was good to be back, he decided.

Blair was standing outside the school along the sidewalk with many other parents, nannies and au pairs while she waited for Henry's class to be dismissed when she heard several phones all chime at once, her own included. Reaching into her bag to retrieve her phone and view the notification, she rolled her eyes when she noticed it was another Gossip Girl blast with an image of Jack leaving The Palace, clearly pissed off.

With C away, his uncle will play... but it appears this town may only be big enough for one Bass as a disgruntled Jack Bass was seen leaving The Palace soon after C arrived. Hold onto your seats, darlings – knowing these two we just might be in for a showdown of epic proportions! And perhaps this will speed up our little pool regarding C's sobriety – remember, it's never too late to send me your prediction!

XoXo

"You bitch!" she heard a familiar voice yelling in her direction as she had no sooner finished reading the blast. Looking around, she rolled her eyes again as she witnessed Georgina Sparks storming towards her. "Make your husband reinstate Jack!" she continued to scream as she got closer.

Blair knew it was best to keep her cool rather than provoke the beast in public. Georgina being the one screaming and making a scene while she remained perfectly calm only worked in her favor, making all the other parents see that Georgina was in fact the crazy one.

"Mom?" a much younger voice spoke up from the school gates, concerned. "What's going on?" Nine year old Milo Sparks asked as he approached his mother.

"What's going on is that your cousin Chuck cut Jack out of the family business!" Georgina snarled as she pulled her son to her.

"First of all," Blair interrupted, ready to stand her ground and put Georgina in her place. "When are you going to get it? You and Jack are NOT married and odds are you never will be! You are not, nor will you will EVER be Chuck's aunt – you are not related to us!" she snapped back, growing tired of this conversation for the umpteenth time.

It was bad enough that Georgie showed up to every family holiday on Jack's arm and while Milo had somehow turned out to be as sweet as any nine year old with Georgina for a mom and Jack as a surrogate father could be, she could not stress enough to him that Chuck was not his cousin and that his mother was simply crazy.

"And secondly, I cannot simply make my husband do anything," Blair continued.

"Liar - you made him go to rehab!" Georgina shot back in front of everyone. "Twice!" she added for emphasis.

"I meant when it comes to business," Blair corrected her previous statement with a sigh as Chuck having been in rehab was clearly out of the bag now for any of the parents, nannies, and au pairs standing there on the sidewalk who didn't already know. "And besides, if Chuck cut Jack out of the company I'm sure he had a good reason for doing so."

"It doesn't matter why he did it – Jack's still family and Bass Industries is to be run by a Bass, whether that's Chuck or not!" Georgina continued to rant."Make him do it or I'll see to it that you pay," she leaned in and whispered.

"Idle threats mean nothing, Georgie – you have nothing on me nor anything that could possibly pique my interest enough to even make me reconsider," Blair reminded her as she turned away.

"Mom, let's go... please?" Milo began to plead, taking his mother by the hand and starting to lead her away, embarrassed by the audience they had garnered.

Blair and Chuck had always felt bad for the boy, they really did. And especially ever since Jack became a frequent staple in his life. They had even gone so far as to talk Georgina into naming them as Milo's godparents should god-forbid anything happen to her and Jack.

"We'll see about that," Georgie quipped as she allowed Milo to lead them through the crowd, disappearing down the sidewalk.

Blair let out a deep breath a moment later after the other adults went back to gossiping about whatever else they had been gossiping about before Georgina's outburst. She was thankful that Henry's class hadn't yet been dismissed.

"Hey, did I miss anything?" she heard Chuck's voice from over her shoulder. Looking behind her, there was her husband, having recently appeared.

"Oh nothing too much... just Satan's girlfriend causing her usual scene," Blair informed him as she turned around to give him a quick kiss in greeting. "I take it things at the office with Jack went as expected?"

"Something like that," Chuck grinned. It didn't surprise him to hear that Georgie had instantly taken matters into her own hands, showing up at school pickup just to cause a scene. He wasn't afraid though – he knew Blair could easily handle herself in public around Georgina, coming out of the battle unscathed and using little effort in further cementing to all the other parents that Georgina was indeed crazy.

"How much of a bang-up job did Jack do while in your absence?" she questioned her husband as they now stood side-by-side against the limo waiting for Henry to appear as a few more classes were released.

"Let's just say... I've been poring through the paperwork all afternoon, attempting to sort through the numbers and decided I needed to take a break," he informed her with a frustrated sigh. "It's pretty bad."

"I'm sorry," Blair sadly spoke as she gently rubbed her hand along his shoulder. "Anything I can help with?"

"I just need to take a little break from it for now – I figured I'll pore through the rest of it at home tonight," he stated as he rubbed his brow between two fingers.

"Mommy, daddy!" they heard a little voice cry out, carrying towards them, prompting them both to look up.

Henry ran full force right into his parents, clutching onto them both at the same time in a hug.

"How was your first day, Hen?" Chuck eagerly questioned as he crouched down to his son's level. "Everything go okay?"

"Daddy, it was great! James is in my class too! And Tegan and I share a table!" he excitedly announced as Chuck stood and moved to open the door of the limo for them all. He couldn't help noticing Blair cringe at Henry's mention of Tegan. While the boys became best friends last year in preschool, their mothers certainly were not fond of each other.

"How about... we stop at Serendipity on the way home to celebrate?" Chuck suggested as he motioned for Henry to climb into the car.

"Yes!" Henry cheered as he nearly bounced the whole way into the vehicle. "With extra toppings?"

"Sure, Hen," Chuck assured him as he helped Blair in next.

"He really is spoiled," Blair sighed with an eyeroll.

"He's a Waldorf and a Bass – were you really expecting anything different?" Chuck jokingly reminded her as he climbed into the car with them. "Besides, this trip is more for me than him," he whispered to her as they sat back in their usual seats.

Knowing he normally would have had several drinks by now while sorting out Jack's mess, Blair reached over and gave his thigh a gentle squeeze in acknowledgment. If he felt he needed ice cream with his family as a midday pick-me-up instead of a scotch then she wouldn't bother trying to tell him otherwise.

AN: Thanks for all the response so far on this story - I really do appreciate it! And as always, shoutout to my wonderful friend and Beta M - be sure to check out her fic "One Secret I'll Never Tell" as it's been updated quite a bit lately and definitely worth the read!

I am currently on vacation this week with little to no time to write (I'm honestly surprised I found the time to edit this one!), so as much as I love hearing your reviews and comments, please don't expect an update until later next week at the earliest as part of the next chapter (Smutfest!) is still being tweaked! Also, we briefly see the return of yet another character! Any guesses who? Thoughts on Jack and Georgie? Now that summer is over, the drama is definitely starting to heat up!

Until next time!
XoXo