Word Count- 3094
Spoilers- None (that I know of!)
Disclaimer- Don't own- Wish I did.

A/N- Sorry this one took so long! I was having a crisis of GG faith! I had this whole other chapter written up which included the funeral scene but then I got to thinking and I decided that I really wanted this fic to be fluffy and light. I don't really want the whole dampener of someone dying hanging over the story, I figure there'll be enough of that in the show so this is as of now death free. I hope you guys don't mind. Anyways, I have Harold and Roman in this one and a surprise for Blair. I added something from the books (I don't really read them but anyway) that I thought Blair would totally freak over.I'll try and have the next one up soon, I have a very funny idea for it lol.
R+R!

*****

"Daddy!" Blair shrieked, rushing into his awaiting arms. "And Roman." She gave him a fond smile as she hugged him.

"BlairBear," Harold smiled. "I can't believe you're eighteen already, I remember when we first brought you home from the hospital."

"As do I." Eleanor rolled her eyes, "Your father tripped in the carpark and broke his arm. Luckily I was holding you at the time."

"How... memorable. Where's Cyrus?" Blair asked innocently.

"He and Aaron are making last minute arrangements," Eleanor glared at her daughter.

"Oh? And who is this Cyrus?" Harold asked curiously.

"What? Mom didn't tell you?" Blair kept up her facade of wide eyed innocence. Much as she loved her father; he was far too gullible for his own good.

"Tell us what?" Roman was confused.

"Why that Mom had invited her new boyfriend and his son to live with us of course." Blair smiled dreamily, "Cyrus is so nice, did you know he actually hired Cyndi Lauper to play at my birthday party? And it was such fun setting up Aaron's darkroom. He's a photographer you know. In fact, I've actually posed for him a few times."

"Posed?" Harold asked worriedly.

"Oh don't worry Daddy, it was all very tasteful. Aaron's so sweet, he's like the brother I never had!" Blair gushed.

"Really? Well I look forward to hearing all about them." Harold looked at Eleanor reproachfully.

"Hearing all about them? Well why hear, when you can meet! They'll be joining us for dinner."

"Speaking of which," Eleanor interrupted before Blair could let loose any other nuggets of wisdom. "We should probably go and get ready. The Bass' and the Archibald's should be here soon."

"Bass'?" Blair, Harold and Roman all asked in unison.

"Yes, I invited them rather last minute. I thought Dorota told you." She said to her daughter.

"Well she didn't." Blair replied angrily. "Can I talk to Mom alone for a minute?" She asked Harold and Roman sweetly.

"Of course Blair, we will get settled in." Roman led a slightly anxious Harold away from the women.

"I know what you're doing." Eleanor hissed, the second that they had disappeared up the stairs.

"What I am doing is irrelevant. You invited the Bass'!"

"I thought you'd thank me." Eleanor said, genuinely confused. "If anything I thought you'd be mad at me for inviting Ann and Nathaniel. Serena's your best friend. And I thought you were fond of Eric and Charles."

"Chuck?" Blair asked quickly, her hands flying up to the small, diamond encrusted butterfly pendant that was hanging by her throat. "Who said anything about Chuck? Why would you think that? Who have you been talking to!?"

"Blair darling calm down. I haven't been talking to anyone. Should I be?" Eleanor asked, looking at Blair as if she had grown another head. "And where did you get that necklace, you've been wearing it everyday for the past week?"

"What? No I haven't." Blair immediately got defensive. "You must be mistaken. Oh look is that the time, I should go and get dressed." She practically ran up the stairs.

"Dorota?" Eleanor called.

"Yes Ms Eleanor." The maid stopped what she was doing and turned to her employer.

"Charles Bass; when I mentioned him Blair got all flustered. Is there something I should know?" She asked briskly.

Dorota looked at her with pity. "There is much you should know Ms Eleanor." With that she turned back to her work, leaving a very bewildered woman standing in the middle of the hallway, trying for the life of her to figure out when exactly she and her only daughter had become so estranged.

*****

"Tell me again why we are going to the Waldorf's for Christmas dinner? I thought it was to be strictly family this year." Eric said, as he stood in front of Lily for inspection.

"Well we were invited. It would have been impolite to turn down a direct invitation." Lily said, straightening his tie. "Bart darling a Windsor knot would suit that shirt much better." She remarked.

"Lily why are you being so fussy?" Bart asked, slightly annoyed. "It's just a dinner party."

"Yes but it's at the Waldorf's." She emphasized as if 'Waldorf' was some unattainable prestige. "The second you enter the Waldorf abode you are immediately judged."

"I thought you were friendly with Eleanor." Bart asked bemused.

"Oh I am. But that doesn't mean that she isn't the most judgmental woman to ever walk the earth." Lily smiled as she gave his tie one last tighten. "Everything has to be perfect."

"Yes because she has so much right to judge," Eric rolled his eyes. "Her husband ran off to France with a male model. She's living with an overenthusiastic lawyer who enjoys giving hugs, and her daughter isn't exactly the mo-"

"Eric." Chuck snapped, announcing his presence. "We should get going or we'll be late." He continued to the rest of the family.

"Going? I thought we were staying here?" Serena asked, coming up behind them.

"No dear, I thought I told you. We'll be joining the Waldorf's this year as you have thankfully neglected to offend the hostess' daughter this year." Lily reminded her.

Serena winced, "Thank you for bringing that up Mom. And no, you never told me. If you had I would've dressed more appropriately." She motioned to her fishnet tights, red blouse and yellow skirt.

"I wouldn't worry," Eric supplied helpfully, "Chuck already looks like the Easter Bunny. Why not add Halloween to the list."

Chuck and Serena glared at him.

"Let's go!" Lily said brightly.

*****

"Mrs Archibald." Blair smiled, "So lovely to see you."

"Blair, you look divine. I love that necklace." Anne gushed.

"Yes it is quite unusual. 18th century platinum style interwoven chains with a single 30 carat diamond pendent, limited edition. If I'm not mistaken. Looks like an early Christmas present from someone who has excellent taste." Chuck drawled, coming up behind them.

"Bass." Blair greeted.

"Mom why don't we go over this way," Nate suggested uncomfortably as Blair and Chuck stared each other down.

"Blair Bear your Mother wants to know if you've seen the second tray of canapés. Oh hello Charles." Harold smiled.

"Mr Waldorf," Chuck replied with a smirk, "How's life in France."

"Wonderful, I don't know if you've seen France in the summer, but it is simply beautiful."

"No Daddy, Chuck never left the country this summer." Blair said bitingly. "He was too busy redecorating."

"And I've regretted it ever since." Chuck countered softly.

Harold looked between the two, "Am I missing something?"

Blair opened her mouth to reply but the ding of the elevator cut her off.

"Finally," She muttered under her breath before rushing off to greet her eagerly awaited guest of honor.

"Cyrus!" She squealed, throwing herself into his unsuspecting arms. "Play along and I won't freak when you and Mom announce your engagement at midnight on New Year's Eve." She hissed in his ear.

Cyrus took seconds deciding. "Blair!" He hugged back tightly before she pulled away.

"Not enough!" They laughed unanimously as they fell back into each others arms.

"I take it Harold is the elder of the two men that are glaring at me?" Cyrus whispered.

Blair chanced a glance towards her father and Chuck. Sure enough Harold was looking very upset and Chuck met her eye and winked. He had most likely known her plan from the start.

"Haro- I mean Daddy, come and meet Cyrus!" Blair cried happily.

*****

"She's quite the actress," Aaron murmured in Serena's ear.

"She's had plenty of practice. Believe me." Serena replied, "Oh look, Nate's over here, I can't wait for you to meet him!"

"And he's... Blair's ex-boyfriend?" Aaron asked. "The one you slept with while he and Blair were together?"

Serena winced, "You remember that and yet you forget to bring the pecans?"

Aaron smiled, "I told you, your past doesn't matter. It's who you are now that counts." He kissed. "Now am I forgiven for the pecans?"

Serena considered for a few seconds, "Nope." She decided.

"Oh really?" Aaron asked, kissing her again. "How about now?"

"Possibly," Serena giggled, "Maybe once more to be absolutely sure..."

"Oh yes," Aaron agreed nodding his head seriously, "Better safe then sorry."

Her giggles echoed through the room.

*****

"BlairBear could you please pass the salad?" Harold asked.

"Maybe she should take some for herself first." Eleanor interrupted looking meaningfully at her daughters dwindling plate.

Blair flushed and glared at her mother as she passed her father the bowl.

"Hey Blair what were you saying about Nelly Yuki?" Serena asked, diffusing the situation.

"Yuki, Yuki... Where have I heard that name before?" Lily frowned, trying to remember.

"I'm doing business with her father." Bart clarified. "I heard she's quite a bright girl. Hoping to attend Yale I think her father said."

"Well she can hope," Blair muttered.

"Wait, didn't she bomb her SATs?" Eric asked. "Something about a calculator...?"

"Eric! Shall we not!" Blair interrupted, before saying sickly sweetly- "It's rude to talk about someone when they're not here."

"Never stopped you before." Eric muttered.

"Calculator?" Serena asked accusingly, "Tell me you didn't."

"Why yes Serena, did I forget to tell you about that? I'm sorry, I must have thought you were too busy dying your hair red!" Blair hissed.

"Hey guys maybe we should change the subject-" Nate tried.

"Shut it Archibald!" They both ordered.

"Yes Nathaniel listen to the ladies," Chuck smirked, "Please continue." He told Blair and Serena graciously.

"You and I both know that that was not my fault."

"What? Whore-Gina force fed you the alcohol did she? And what are you wearing, while we're on the subject of whor-"

"Blair!" Eleanor cried, aghast.

"No, no. Let her speak. You're dressed rather conservative tonight Blair, what? The limo was busy?"

"Better a limo then a chair! Oh wait, I'm afraid I've got my dates wrong, wasn't last year snow?"

"And who were you doing this time last year B? Or do you forget?"

"Who do you think will win?" Eric asked Chuck quietly.

Chuck considered it for a few seconds during which Harold attempted to deter the girls.

"Umm, Roman and I have an announcement to make."

"At least I don't stab you in the back at every available opportunity! Or have you forgotten about Yale?"

"I'd say Blair," Chuck decided finally. "She has more blackmail material and the guts to use it."

"Like you're completely innocent! You're the one who brought up Pete!"

"Harold and I are having a baby!" Roman shouted.

That immediately shut them up.

"Wh- What?" Blair asked in shock.

"Dorota bring out a wet cloth." Eleanor said in shock, "I think he's delusional."

"That won't be necessary Dorota." Harold said, "Roman is right."

"You are aware that that's not possible? And somehow I don't think you qualify for immaculate conception." Blair said, still angry from her fight with Serena.

"Definitely Blair." Chuck repeated to Eric.

" Don't be silly Blair, we're not actually having a baby. We're adopting twins. We found them in this little orphanage in the heart of Phnom Penh. Their names are Ping and Pong."

" Excuse me?" Blair asked her voice quiet. "You miss Thanksgiving for the second year in a row to visit an orphanage in Thailand?"

"Actually Phnom Penh is in Cambodia." Nate corrected.

"Do I look like I want a Geography lesson?" Blair glared at him.

"BlairBear you always said you wanted a little brother or sister." Harold reminded her. "You were so jealous that Serena had Eric."

"I was eight and I got over it when I saw how annoying they were!"

"Ouch." Eric winced.

*****

"Perhaps we should go- What in the world?" Bart suggested before a kick from Lily stopped him.

"Don't be silly dear, we can't leave in the middle of a dinner. It wouldn't be polite." Lily patted his arm distractedly.

"You're enjoying this." He accused.

"Is it wrong of me to want to witness someone else's family dramas instead of my own for a change? Now shut up and drink your wine. I think Eleanor might be on the verge of a breakdown."

Bart shook his head but obliged.

*****

"I have photos." Roman handed out photographs to the various occupants of the table.

Blair felt tears prick her eyes as she stared at the photo. The four people in the picture look extremely happy. Roman and Harold were laughing as they held the twins. They looked no older then three, the girl had her curly hair in pigtails and was playing with a teddy bear while perching on Harold's lap, as her brother tried to climb up onto Roman knee. Both of them were wearing oversized Yale sweatshirts.

"Congratulations." She spat eventually, "I hope you four are very happy together."

With that she turned on her heel and ran out of the room.

"Blair!" Harold called.

"What happened?" Aaron asked, having left the room to answer a phone call moments prior. "Blair just ran right past me and into the elevator. Is she alright?"

"Crap." Nate swore. He turned to Serena who now looked ashamed for fighting with her best friend on Christmas day. "Where would she have gone?"

"I don't know!" She wailed, "Blair doesn't usually run off like this. I go and she stays. It's always like that!"

Chuck typed a few things into his cellphone. "James saw her get into a taxi and head North on 74th street. Victrola." He said, getting to his feet. Nate and Eric followed suit.

"Who's Victrola?" Roman asked.

"Why would Blair possibly go to Victrola?" Bart asked confused.

"Trust me," Serena said grimly, "You don't want to know."

"I'm coming with you." Eleanor insisted as she followed the four teenagers out of the room.

"Me too." Harold nodded.

"Maybe that's not the best idea..." Nate trailed off when Eleanor fixed him with a glare.

"She won't want to see you." Chuck told her. "Especially not if she's drunk."

"BlairBear wouldn't do something like that." Harold said firmly.

Chuck scoffed, "If you think that then you really don't know Blair."

*****

"Get me another," Blair ordered the transvestite bartender.

"Sorry sweetie, Boss' orders. More then my jobs worth to serve you." The bartender was slightly amused.

"Damn that Mother Chucker!" Blair hissed, already well on her way to being drunk (she had demanded that the cab driver let her off at an off-license on the way).

"Well what if I get someone else to buy it for me?" Blair asked, smiling flirtatiously at a young man who was sitting across from her at the bar.

"Uh uh," The bartender shook his(her?) head, "Boss told me to physically restrain you if you even looked in a guys direction. He even gave me the keys to the office in case I had to lock you in."

"Can I at least go dance?" Blair pouted.

"If you can manage to dance while not leaving that stool, be my guest."

Blair narrowed her eyes.

"And no that was not a challenge." The bartender hastened to add. "I remember you from last time."

"That was fun," Blair remembered. "Chuck didn't believe I'd do it."

"Honey I still can't believe someone like you did it." He looked over her formal dress and pearls.

"What can I say," Blair giggled, "That stupid Basstard brings out the worst in me. You know," She considered. "I might apply for a job here. My Dad has a brand new family and my Mom... well she never cared anyway. I don't even think she'd notice if I started working in a strip club. No offense."

"None taken," He smiled, "But you know, I'm sure it's not all as bad as that. Your friends must care about you."

"I called my best friend a whore less then an hour ago, revealed her sexual escapades, and threw her mistakes back in her face." He winced, "In front of our families, during Christmas dinner."

"Well my Boss seems to care a lot about you judging by the frantic phone call I got warning me not to let you out of my sight." The bartender's eyes twinkled.

"It's... complicated."

"I hate to break it to ya darling but everything is complicated when you're in High School." He nodded his head understandingly. "And as for your family not caring, look behind you."

"Mom? Daddy?" Blair asked.

"Yes, yes it's us. Now hurry before your father gets anymore ideas." Eleanor wrapped her arm around her while looking around at the transvestites.

"I'm sorry BlairBear," Harold tried, "I should have considered your feelings before springing something like this on you."

Blair looked at him, unwilling to forgive him that quickly. "Yeah, you should have."

"Myself and Roman have decided to stay in New York for another few weeks. Maybe you can show me some of your new favorite places?"

"I'll check my schedule." Blair asked, her smile betraying her aloofness. She met Serena's gaze. "Right now it's grovel time."

"You were rather harsh," Eleanor nodded approvingly.

"Oh I'm not going to grovel," Blair assured her. "Chuck and Serena are. Bass! Since when do I need a babysitter!"

"We have a lot of catching up to do." Harold sighed, putting his arm around his ex-wife.

"Are those- Are those half-dressed dancers on stage calling Blair's name?" Eleanor asked in confusion, "Blair darling where are you going? Blair!"