(A/N: Yeah, I know this last chapter has taken really long before it came up, but I really didn't have a clue on how to put this. Anyway, it will be the last of this fanfic, so I hope you enjoy. By the way, the song used in this last chapter is Vanilla Twilight by Owl City. Beautiful song. And the song at the end, is Kiss the End by Something for Heroes. Ironically interesting,yeah? Enjoy!)
Flashback: Nate manages to win Vanessa over to be his girlfriend with help from Dan. Now that everything's perfect, what can possibly happen?
Blair strode down the stairs in her usual confidence, a sight of bliss plastered all over her face. It was a sort of glow that none of them had seen before she had gotten together with Chuck, he was the only guy by far that allowed Blair to be fully free, to be who she truly wanted to be without having to keep up appearances. She was followed soon by Chuck, who too had changed. He was no longer the Upper East Side's resident playboy, no longer the arrogant chap that walked through St. Jude's with barely a care in mind. He had changed much more than anyone really knew. And the most amazing thing was, he had done it all for Blair.
Serena and Dan were out back, just basking in the joy of having each other as company. Dan was perfect as far as Serena was concerned, he was the only guy that made her feel truly special for who she was, not the sex magnet that so many treated her as before Dan entered her life. For Dan, Serena was his goddess. She was the center of his universe, she made everything possible for him. And they both knew, they couldn't survive without each other, they needed each other too much. Each was the pillar of support for the other, it was like their hearts were entwined, and the blood that was pumped circled between both of them.
Vanessa and Nate didn't seem to have an awkward transition period that both of them had experienced before. Normally, it felt weird to be together after being friends, but somehow, being in love came so naturally for them. Vanessa felt truly lucky for her love to be paid back in kind from Nate, and he was the guy that she never thought he could be, but she really loved him too much to let go. For Nate, Vanessa was his escape from reality, and he wanted that to be forever. Every moment with her felt like it was frozen in time, he never felt worried about what would happen next, no more hesitation, just the sensible consideration he never really had.
The stars lean down to kiss you
And I lie awake and miss you
Pour me a heavy dose of atmosphere
'Cause I'll doze off safe and soundly
But I'll miss your arms around me
I'd send a postcard to you, dear
'Cause I wish you were here
I'll watch the night turn light-blue
But it's not the same without you
Because it takes two to whisper quietly
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It was around lunchtime, and they were all sitting in the living room, crashing on the creamy leather sofa, each couple having one to themselves, but each in a really different way. Blair was sitting very straight with Chuck's arms around her, Nate and Vanessa were both sitting cross legged, while Serena was lying down, her head on Dan's lap. Blair seemed to be in deep thought, before she spoke. "Guys, since the purpose of this trip is already fulfilled, both Chuck and I thought it was quite pointless to remain further in this place, and it is time to head back to civilisation. What do you think?"
All of them seemed to give this some thought, before Dan replied, "Well, it has been 10 days, it's longer than I expected, and plus the food's nearly run out. I wouldn't mind leaving tomorrow, if we could get the flight." Serena looked longingly into Dan's eyes, and smiled at Blair, signaling her agreement. Nate and Vanessa seemed agreeable enough, and shrugged good-naturedly. Nate had been relatively easygoing since getting together with Vanessa, and it was refreshing and welcome. With that, Blair took over. "Alright, so we have to settle today's lunch and dinner, and breakfast tomorrow will be on the road, so we should get packing and all. See you guys afterwards!"
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Serena and Dan had relatively little to pack; after all, Dan had been packing their things neatly everyday, despite their busy times. They threw on casual beachwear, and trudged down to the beach in their flipflops, Serena screaming as Dan chased her down the sand with a bucket of cold water. Frankly, neither of them really wanted to leave this fairytale and go back to reality, which they knew would be cold and hard. Moreover, they didn't know how Lily and Rufus would react to the news, for they had such a complicated relationship that neither Serena or Dan wanted to know the details of. The worries of the real world were so complicated that they did not want to leave this place and face up to them, but now that they were leaving for Manhattan the next day, they wanted to make the most of this.
The silence isn't so bad
'Til I look at my hands and feel sad
'Cause the spaces between my fingers
Are right where yours fit perfectly
I'll find repose in new ways
Though I haven't slept in two days
'Cause cold nostalgia
Chills me to the bone
They sat down on the warm sand, finer than the sand they were used to, or perhaps it was the sheer delight of being here alone in the company of their better half that made everything seem just that slightly more wonderful than it actually was. Dan put his arm around Serena as they chatted about everything and anything, from their first date, to why they wanted each other to be part of their future, and even to the nitty-gritty details of how Dan planned his proposal. In actual fact, it wasn't that they wanted to know, they just didn't want this conversation to end. It was soon time for dinner, their final meal in this mansion, and Dan had an idea. "Let's sleep out here tonight. Enjoy the sea breeze and bask in the delight." Serena's eyes sparkled at his suggestion, and he got his answer, as they walked slowly back into the mansion, where Nate and Vanessa were preparing dinner together in the wet area of the kitchen.
"Ah, so the lovebirds are back. Is dinner ready yet, Nate?" "Almost, give us a couple of minutes." As Nate and Vanessa brought out the food, Blair and Chuck were totally taken aback. Even Dan looked horrified, and Serena crinkled her eyebrows as Nate and Vanessa were embarrassed, trying to avoid the glares from Blair and Chuck. The food were clearly burnt, and the meat looked way overcooked. Dan sighed, "I forgot that Vanessa couldn't cook with an oven. And Nate obviously forgot too. So are we stuck with all these food? Cause I think I'd rather starve." Serena and Blair exchanged glances, and Chuck had an idea. "Why not, we eat those instant stuff in the cupboard? The food might not be up to our taste, but it'll beat this burnt crap that Nathaniel cooked up." Nate fiddled with his fingers and looked around nervously, awaiting Blair's reply.
"Honestly, Chuck? I'm not eating that filth!" At that, Nate relaxed. Now the problem was for Chuck to solve and he could probably get away. Probably.
As many times as I blink
I'll think of you tonight
I'll think of you tonight
When violet eyes get brighter
And heavy wings grow lighter
I'll taste the sky and feel alive again
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They were all so pre-occupied with the food trouble that none of them noticed that Serena and Dan had snuck upstairs, and they were gathering blankets and pillows that would make their little sleepover outside more comfortable. Serena had to hold back her giggles as Dan put pillowcases over his head and made funny faces through the thin material, and they simply couldn't wait for the drama to end downstairs so that they could sneak out from the back door out.
Finally, they heard some silence, followed by Chuck's deep voice trying to calm Blair down, probably after they had eaten the 'junk' in the cupboards. Neither Serena nor Dan had had any food, but with each other around, it just didn't seem necessary. They quietly crept down to the back door, and with a final check, slid out and closed the door ever so gently behind them. Smiling brightly, Serena pulled Dan towards her as they shared a long kiss. It wasn't forceful, they just let it go so gently, it was the kind of kiss, a passion that was etched deeply inside. This, would definitely be a night to remember, for both of them, their final night in the place that had tested their relationship and proven their gut feelings right.
But drenched in vanilla twilight
I'll sit on the front porch all night
Waist-deep in thought because
When I think of you I don't feel so alone
I don't feel so alone, I don't feel so alone
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The next morning, the guys were setting their luggage and everything else they had brought into the Hummer, and Nate was filling the car up with fuel and the girls were just coming down. Nate would be driving first, and they would stop over at a restaurant for breakfast before Dan drove the stretch to the airport. Vanessa got in next to Nate, as Serena, Blair, Chuck and Dan filled in at the back. However, while Dan looked perfectly fine, Serena looked deathly pale. She had put little makeup on, but even so, this was unnatural.
As they stopped at the restaurant, Serena went to the washroom. However, as she was walking back to their table, she looked faint, and her eyes were flickering a little. Worried, Dan strode quickly towards her and caught her just in time as her legs nearly gave way. Nate and Chuck immediately stood up and helped Serena over, but she seemed to be losing consciousness. They rushed her to a clinic, directed by the restaurant owners, anxious and worried.
Do you care if I am lying all day long
Would you like if I kiss
One of your best friends I know
It sounds obscure but I thought
That this would be clear
But obviously you need some
More things to learn
I'm not sure if it's real or just a dream
Oooh Ooooh
I cannot take this anymore
Oooh Ooooh
I cannot take this anymore
Oooh Ooooh
Oooh Ooooh
What do you think is going to be now?
I think it's time to take the consequences
We'll take a short trip
To a lonely black forest
I'm sure it will be interested in
The story of your life
I'm not sure if it's real or just a dream
Oooh Ooooh
I cannot take this anymore
Oooh Ooooh
I cannot take this anymore
Oooh Ooooh
I cannot take this anymore
Oooh Ooooh
It's like another dark before
Oooh Ooooh
I cannot take this anymore
Oooh Ooooh
It's like another dark before
----------
"Don't worry, I think it's just gastric problems. She didn't have much food last night?" The doctor spoke calmly, reassuring an anxious Dan. He nodded, somewhat sheepishly and helped her back into the car. "This was all my fault, darling. I'm so sorry, are you feeling better?"
The rest of the journey back to Manhattan was relatively smooth, until Dan made a call home when they touched down. Rufus sounded livid over the phone as he ordered him to go home immediately. Confused and worried about Serena at the same time, Dan decided to bring Serena home with him, where they had no choice, but to face the music.
And I love you baby,
There's no way I'll let you face this alone
Maybe we've been a little crazy,
But I'll never leave you on your own,
Cause this will be our future,
You and me to face the world,
I'm painting this pretty picture,
And it all looks so surreal.
(A/N: I'm so sorry to end on a cliffhanger. The last few paragraphs are a little rushed, I know, and I'm sorry, but I guess I didn't really have the mood to write this, which is partly the reason why I've taken a couple of days to post. I hope you guys enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing the other chapters, and I hope you guys will look out for my next fanfic, which will be a sequel to this. Thank you for the kind reviews and look out for the fanfic, To Find Our Destiny. Thank you! xoxo, gghearts.)
P/S: I hope you guys like the poem at the end.