"I knew we should've met somewhere else. This is the last thing Blair needs right now, "Nate said.
"Nathaniel, this is her home now and we are her family, who cares where she goes as long as she's in the company of the people that love her."
Serena chimed in, twirling the wine in her glass. "This won't be easy for her. You know how she handles things that are out of her control. Remember Yale?"
"Well Gossip Girl really doesn't know anything yet, only that we all met at this house. She doesn't know that it's my home with Blair and our baby. So we can still keep it under wraps for now, so Blair doesn't combust."
"Where is she, anyway? She sent me a text over an hour ago saying how horribly it went. I'm worried. I'm going to try calling her again…"
Blair just sat across from the house, on the Met steps for a while. She was sure no one saw her, it was too dark and it didn't really matter at this point, did it? She knew she should feel relief—the truth was finally out, but it was bittersweet. There is nothing pleasant about breaking someone's heart. Even after all the hurt, all the lies, and all the gossip that she's endured over the past few years, she still had a heart. She knew Louis was hurt, she had never seen him so hasty.
What a difference a few days makes. Who have I become, really? I can only wonder what Louis' family will say once they find out.
After the umpteenth time, her phone beeped. She was surprised he hadn't come to look for her yet. Chuck knew how she dealt with things—she needed to swallow it alone for a bit, but she would surely be crying in his arms—or Serena's at some point this evening.
She got up to walk and headed down the steps to go home, her home with Chuck.The thought was reassuring. Things may be looking up after all. She half-smiled, lost in the idea of all the memories this place will give them—happy ones. A fresh start.
The sound of a horn snapped her out of it, but not in time.
Chuck sat up abruptly.
"Did you just hear that?"
He ran to the door and threw it open. It was dark, but he could make out her tiny frame and brown curls on the street.
NO, NO, NO, NO—He stopped short.
"BLAIRRRRRRRRRRR?"
He ran to her, crept down, and scooped her head into his lap, only to find blood on his hands.
Hysterical crying, he rocked back and forth, clutching her to him.
"Oh my God, Blair. Don't do this to me, Waldorf. Please. Please, don't do this to me.
The sound of sirens grew near. The three of them were crouched around her in the middle of the quiet street—no one said a thing; they were crying—all of them.
The ambulance pulled up to the crowd, Chuck picked her up and carried her over to the opened back doors.
"S-s-s-h-h-e was h-h-i-t," was all he could mutter to the EMT.
"Did you see the car?"
"No, I heard it and I r-r-an outside."
"Okay then—well let's get her in here, you can set her down on the gurney, right here."
But Chuck didn't make a move.
"Sir? We can't help her if you don't let her go."
"Don't you understand? This all happened because I let her go!" He was half screaming, half crying.
"We never catch a break—why? Don't we deserve happiness too? Doesn't she?"
The EMT just stood there and lightly took her out of his hands.
"S-s-s-h-e's p-pregnant."
"Oh boy; get in the truck"
Chuck looked back at Nate holding Serena. His face spoke volumes, like a lost man boy. The two enveloped him in a quick, but deep embrace.
"We're right behind you. We'll make the calls," Nate said.
He jumped in the ambulance and closed the door. He grabbed her hand to hold and noticed her ring was gone.
He was a pacer. Back and forth he went, to pass the time—it was all he could do from breaking down. He was a mess and as he watched the double doors—Serena and Nate watched him. He was a time bomb.
They'd been there for hours, but he couldn't keep still.
The doctor decided to perform emergency surgery as she had already lost a lot of blood.
I promise on everything, I will never do a damn thing wrong ever again, ever. Please don't do this to me. Please, please, please. He didn't even know who he was talking to, but he needed to make a proclamation. Maybe, if he did—it would mean something, maybe it would change something. Maybe someone out there still believes in him, in them, in the power of their love enough to hear him.
He ran his hands through is hair for the millionth time. This is taking long—I need to get in there. Why is this taking so fucking long?
The doors swung open. An exhausted looking surgeon came out with his cap in his hands. It was still just the three of them at this point and they practically ran to him.
"Are you the family of Blair Waldorf?"
Chuck could barely breathe, so he nodded.
"Sir, are you the baby's father?"
"Y-y-yes. I'm Chuck B-b-a-ss."
"Would you like to take a seat?"
"Don't beat around the bush, doc—tell me." He was growing impatient.
"Blair lost a tremendous amount of blood… "
"—and?" Nate's hand was on his shoulder; Serena grabbed his hand.
"The loss of blood and the impact were too severe for the baby to withstand. We tried everything we could—"
He spoke before he could hear the words come out of his mouth. He knew what was coming.
"You didn't try HARD ENOUGH. Let me get someone else in here, I can get someone else here, you don't know what you're—"
"Mr. Bass, please sir—"
"PLEASE? No YOU, please, that is my child in there, that is my—"
"—I understand, believe me, but we tried, really. Your baby is gone. I am so, so sorry. "
Chuck slid down against the wall and onto the floor, head in his hands. His body shook from his silent sobs. He didn't have the energy to lash out. He was broken.
Before the doctor left he said, "Blair is lucky to be alive. It's not a silver lining Mr. Bass, but it's definitely something. I am very sorry for your loss."
Serena spoke first, tears running down her face, not knowing what to say. "I-i-a-m going to find her."
Nate followed behind, hunched over with sadness, but looked to Chuck first.
"Chuck, I don't know what to—"
"Another tragedy—how will we ever come back from this?"
"You will. You have to be strong for her."
"I'm not the strong one."
"You have each other to lean onto—and us, always. Well, we'll meet you in there man, take your time."
All he could thing about was cashmere—he had gotten so excited when she told him about the baby, that during the few hours they were apart today he went to a few baby boutiques on Madison to look around. He found the most beautiful cashmere blanket in the softest shade of purple. It was fate. He bought one—thinking how perfect it would be to wrap their baby up in to take home.
Now—now, he just had a blanket.
Hours later, he walked into her room. Slow, cement steps he took as he approached the bed and peered behind the curtain.
No… He backed away—terrified.
"Chuck, it's okay—she's okay," Serena reassured him.
She was still the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. She lay there, hopeless and unaware of what had happened to her. She slept silently, her luscious curls dented by gauze and her china doll skin bruised. She was wrapped in the same purple blanket he had bought the baby this afternoon.
He turned to Serena and Nate, motioning to the throw. "Where did you get this?"
"I packed B an overnight bag quickly before we left the house and Nate told me to throw it in—"
"She was going to give it to you, Chuck. She bought it at Bendel's when we went shopping this afternoon. She thought it might get you excited about the baby, but she left it in my limo."
He smirked to himself. "Waldorf..."
Chuck looked at his best friends; they were all still so young and have been through lifetimes of pain and hurt together.
It was nearing morning and the two of them looked terrible.
"I love you both, but go home. Let me be with her for a while, please—at least before everyone gets here."
They didn't argue, but each kissed her cheek and hugged him and were gone, arm in arm.
Chuck sat in a chair, by her bedside, fidgeting incessantly. He didn't know how to not be restless, but knew how to calm himself.
He went to the door and closed it lightly and shut the lights. He climbed in—suit and all—and just lay there, holding her. She felt his presence, nuzzled herself at the nape of his neck. He felt the wetness on his skin and the tremble in her petite body.
She was crying and it was taking everything in him not to do it as well.
"Chuck," she whispered. He knew that tone. His heart broke all over again.
"I know, I know."
He rubbed her back gently until they both fell asleep, even for a little while.