Thank you all for hanging on! It's been a crazy couple of months! I'm now engaged—like our favorite couple! Who's excited about these spoilers? I cannot even contain myself. Anywho—thank you again for putting up with my procrastination. I hope you enjoy this—I know the wedding is taking some time to come, but they have a ton of things to settle themselves with internally before saying 'I do,' you know?

As always let me know what you think! xxF

She looked at herself in the mirror and for the first time in as long as she could remember; she liked what she saw staring back at her.

All those years when she was unhappy with her appearance because of her mother's disapproving stare, her best friend being the most gorgeous thing to walk Manhattan's streets, and her old boyfriend and still best friend who looked past her more often than he should have.

But not with Chuck—even before their tumultuous romance began, he was always there, slipping in snide remarks about other girls and always reinforcing Blair that she was the real Queen; she had beauty no matter what.

After applying her lip gloss, she smiled with satisfaction and a sharp flicker of anxiousness.

A knock at the door sounds and in comes Serena trailing off about boutonnières until she caught a glimpse of her best friend and stopped short.

"Oh my God, B. You look, just, so... Perfect," she sniffled on, dabbing her eyes and pulling her best friend into an embrace, the same kind of intense hug she's been famous for since kindergarten

"S, can I tell you something? I feel perfect, even if it's just for today. I have never been so sure of anything in my entire life."

"Agreed." She turned to see Lily at the door. "Blair, darling, you are just a vision of beauty, really. Charles won't know what to do with himself when he sees you."

Now Blair was tearing. Serena and her mother were helping her with the closure in the back when Eleanor stepped in and had a short stop moment, too.

"Blair, dear... You look so beautiful—so in love—so painstakingly happy. I have never been happier than I am today, really, truly. "

Blair just remained more or less silent and plastered with a grin on her face. Right before Lily and Serena closed the last few buttons, Eleanor stepped in.

"Wait just a moment, ladies. She took out a hand full of little swatches and a needle."

"Mother, I hardly think alterations are in order at this minute." Then, she lay eyes on what it was, three little squares of fabric.

She held up her finger to prove her wrong.

"A square of that ridiculous and beloved scarf of Charles', a square of some silk slip that Dorota insisted had sentimental value and a square—she hesitated, getting choked up—a square of the baby's purple blanket. They are all a part of your love story and will remain with you, especially on a special day like this one."

Everyone was silent with tear stained faces as Eleanor sewed the swatches into the lining of Blair's gown.

"Mother, I don't know what to say. Except for…I hope Chuck doesn't cry when he realizes his scarf is cut." She had to make the mood lighter or she'd be crying for an hour.

"My darling, what you have endured over the past few years hasn't been, by any means, fair or easy. You two have overcome, but should never forget how you got there."

She was ready.

...

Chuck was a pacer, has always been. With a cool exterior, and a never-failing strong jaw he never let his real feelings exude his skin, except when it came to Blair.

Nate just sat on the couch and watched the pacing, back and forth and back and forth.

"Jesus, Chuck. Can you just sit down for a second? You're on lap 26 and I'm getting dizzy."

He didn't even hear him. He was too busy in his own thoughts.

They were finally doing it. Today was the day, after everything they were going to stand up there and make it as official as it gets.

How did she love him? Would it work this time? Would they be able to overcome their mistakes of years past? He just wanted to make her happy and be happy in return. God, he felt so adult right now—and kind of liked it.

His younger self would certainly scoff at the things he wanted at this very moment. With the exception of a custom suit, a crisp bow tie, and Nate at his side, Chuck Bass was not who he once was, and that was okay.

Blair's three fathers showed up and give Chuck a series of hugs and handshakes. Harold pulled Chuck aside and handed him a book.

"Charles, I know you've been a brooder most of your life and you have your father to thank for that, but I just wanted to ensure you that you are where you need to be in this moment, with my daughter."

"How did you—"

Harold waved a hand in his face to stop him. "Whatever doubts or concerns you may have had or have still, I assure you, are nothing in the grand scheme of things. What you two have is the most real kind of love I've seen yet. There is nothing wrong with deep, broody, and sometimes dark love—it makes the lighter kind of things refreshing when they come, doesn't it?"

Chuck could only nod.

"I wanted to give you this, Blair will probably disown me after she learns that I've given it to you, but she'll get over it."

"What is it?"

"See for yourself."

Chuck finally took a seat. Nate exhaled a sigh of relief.

Blair had such a tough exterior, but what a romantic she was on the inside and he loved that about her. He put the weighty book on his lap and opened it and smirked to himself.

He was ready.