A/N: I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Just a few more chapters after this. Also, I'm sorry for not updating as much as I used to but I try to put a lot more into my chapters, so I hope you will all be patient with me.
"So you know the plan?"
Blair smirked. She had to spend the early hours of Sunday morning with Jenny. They had mustered all of their energy to come up with a plan. After a lot of bickering, agreeing and disagreeing, they finally came up with a plan. Blair didn't want to admit it, but working with Jenny hadn't been that bad.
"Little J, I made the plan. I highly doubt I would have forgotten it."
Jenny rolled her eyes and grabbed her coat and purse off the couch in the living room. Blair got up also. Her gold Dries Van Noten pumps had been discarded sometime in the morning. They may look beautiful but they were murder to wear. She escorted Jenny towards the elevators. Blair quickly glanced at the grandfather clock. It was seven thirty. The wedding started at eleven with the reception right after. Jenny pressed the call button and the two girls waited for the elevator to arrive. The silence was killing Blair. She put on her best smile and turned to Jenny.
"So I'll see you at the wedding."
Jenny nodded her head. She didn't really want to talk to Blair. After spending seven hours with her, she didn't need any more time with her. The elevator dinged and the doors opened. Jenny stepped inside and turned to look at Blair.
"Bye. And remember to show up on time."
Blair smirked and rolled her eyes. Oh little J, you are so naïve. Do you honestly think I would be late for my best friend's wedding? You have so much to learn, thought Blair.
"Oh don't worry. I plan to."
Jenny rolled her eyes before the elevator doors shut, enough joy for them just so they wouldn't have to look at another for any more. Blair turned around and headed for her bed room. She knew she still had time before actually arriving for the wedding, but she had promised Serena that she would come over to the Palace at ten. Before she even did that, she had to get ready.
Blair walked up the stairs to her bedroom. The bed sheets hadn't been touched. Blair sighed and thought of taking a small nap before taking a shower, but decided to live with out it. She wasn't going to risk it. What if she didn't wake up on time and arrived late to the wedding? She grabbed her bathrobe and stepped into the shower.
Twenty minutes later, Blair stepped out and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Even though she was clean, she felt dirty. Like she had done something wrong. Well technically she hadn't really done anything but thinking about doing something. She couldn't get Chuck out of her mind and she was with Nate. She let out an annoyed sigh. This is just like junior year, except this time I can leave Nate and be happy, she thought. But she knew that she should be with Nate. It was in the plan and if she screwed up, nothing good would come out of it.
"Miss Blair. The hair stylist is here!"
Blair sighed and pulled on her silk robe before stepping back out into her bedroom. The hair stylist had been sent up and had already set up their equipment on Blair's vanity. After a quick greeting, Blair sat down and let the stylist do their magic.
Suddenly, Blair's phone started to beep. Blair politely excused herself and got up from her seat and went to her side table. She looked at the caller ID. Great it's Nate, she thought. She sighed and signalled the hair stylist that it would be a minute. The stylist nodded and headed out into the hallway. Blair pressed talk and put the phone up to her ear.
"Hello."
She heard Nate's not so cheerful tone on the other end.
"Hey. Are you getting ready?"
"Yeah. Mother always did say getting ready early never killed anyone."
She heard Nate's soft chuckle on the other end. Somehow it sounded as if he was hiding something. But what he be hiding? If any of them had something to hide it would be Blair. After all she was the one who was thinking about another man. She shook her thoughts away and remembered that Nate was still on the line.
"So, are you getting ready?"
"Not yet. I was actually hoping to talk to you."
Blair froze. What would they have to talk about? The trip to Croatia had been cleared up after Blair remembered the trip she had promised to go on with him. There was nothing else for them to talk about, or was there? She took a deep breath before replying.
"Um, sure. We can talk now if you want."
"I didn't mean over the phone. Listen, could I come over to your place. I know your probably getting ready but I just really need to talk to someone."
Blair sighed. She knew she couldn't just say no to him, he was her boyfriend after all. She did lo-like him. But she knew she would never love him the way she loved another and he would never love her like the way he did with her.
"Sure. You can come over."
"Great. I'll be over in fifteen."
Blair forced a smile. Even though he couldn't see it, it was the only way to motivate herself to say something perky.
"Can't wait to see you."
She closed her phone and trudged back to her vanity. The hair stylist peaked through the door.
"Is it alright if I come back in?"
Blair smiled and beckoned for them to come back in. The male hair stylist immediately started to re-curl her hair. Blair looked over at a picture tucked by her mirror. It was of her and Chuck during their second year at Yale. She picked it up and smiled. He had his arm around her and they were both wearing Yale sweatshirts. They were both grinning wildly and Chuck had his arm extended as he had taken the shot. His other arm was around Blair. The hair stylist peered over to look at the picture in her hand.
"Cute couple."
Blair smiled and caught her eyes with the stylist in the mirror, seeing as though she couldn't turn around and ruin her hair.
"Thanks. We were but things have changed."
The stylist's expression became confused as Blair pulled out a drawer and set the picture inside. She looked back up at the mirror and noticed his expression. He kept on curling her hair and spoke.
"What happened?"
Blair sighed.
"Where do I begin. We were together for six and half years and we were backpacking through Europe. And then one day I came back to our hotel room only to see him and some blonde bitch going at it on our bed. I left right away and didn't see him for seven months. The only reason we even had to be each other's company was because of my best friend's engagement. It's her wedding today."
The hair stylist's expression had changed and now it looked like he was watching the Young and the Restless. Blair couldn't help but giggle. He started to curl her hair again and his voice filled the room.
"So what happened between you and…."
"Chuck."
"Chuck. What happened between you two? Did you reconcile or did you completely ruin his chances of getting laid ever again?"
"We decided to try again but then something dumb happened again. Too bad it was just a misunderstanding. In the end we decided to be friends. And we still are but….."
"You two still have some lingering feelings for each other don't you?"
"I guess you could say that. There's just one problem."
"What?"
"I'm with someone else. But we belong together. Like we were put on this earth to be with each other."
"Honey, the only person you belong with is the one you are in love with and is in love with you."
Blair smiled.
"Thanks."
The hair stylist simply smiled back.
"Well like they say, hair dresser knows best."
They both laughed. Blair heard the bedroom door creak open. She looked over at it and saw Nate standing in the doorway. He smiled.
"Hey."
Blair smiled back. The hair stylist put the curling iron on the vanity before disappearing into the hallway. Nate closed the door behind him. He walked toward the bed and sat at the foot. His hands were on his knees and he was looking at the ground. Blair got up from her seat and went to sit beside him. She placed her hand in his shoulder.
"What is it?"
Nate sighed and looked up. His blue eyes met Blair's worried doe eyes. Her hand had not left his shoulder.
"Today I got up and went down to the kitchen. My dad was already there. I expected the same cold response he gives me every morning. So I got my bowl of cereal and sat across from him. I just kept looking at my cereal and then all of sudden he comes out and says "I'm proud of you, son." I almost sprayed out the cereal from my mouth. My dad said he was proud of me. He never says that."
Blair smiled and gave Nate a hug. She knew how hard the Captain could be on Nate, but he never said he was proud of him. Never had he ever said that. They separated and Nate grabbed Blair's hand and brought it close to his heart. His smiled hadn't wavered.
"And it's all thanks to you."
Blair raised an eyebrow. What could I possibly have to with his father being proud of him?, she thought. He smiled and gently squeezed her hand.
"Well, you sort of started to help me turn my life around. That's why my father is proud of. All thanks to you."
Blair forced a smile but couldn't help but feel guilty. She hadn't done much. Vanessa had probably had that positive influence on him. Besides, should Blair be anyone to be thanking? She didn't even know if she loved Nate and here he was telling her he was happy because of her.
"Well I'm glad your father's proud of you."
Nate smiled and got up.
"Sorry for interrupting your getting ready time. I just had to tell someone."
Blair smiled. Nate reminded her of a five year old coming home from kindergarten with a picture they drew and begging to put it on the fridge. She got up from the bed and gave Nate a quick kiss.
"I'll see you at the wedding. Your going with Dan right?"
"Yeah he wanted all the male wedding party members to be there."
"Well, can't wait to see you walking down the aisle throwing flower petals."
Nate laughed.
"Yeah, that will be me. The idiot throwing petals."
Blair laughed. Nate glanced at the clock.
"Crap I better get going. Me and Carter still need to get ready."
"Carter?"
"Yeah apparently he got an invite."
Blair raised an eyebrow.
"Really?
"Yeah and it was authentic and everything. I'll see you later."
He gave her a quick kiss before heading out the door. Blair sighed and went back to where she had been sitting before. Great he's coming. Oh well, it's all part of the plan. As long as everything runs smoothly, she thought.
The hair stlyist came in and finished in twenty five minutes. Blair took a minute to look at the elegant hair style. Half of her curly brown hair was put up and pinned and the rest fell onto her shoulders. She thanked the hair dresser before he left. She marched over to her closet and took out the untouched silk white with baby pink embroidery maid of honour's dress, courtesy of Valentino. She put it on, all the while trying to make sure her hair didn't get messed up in the process.
It was strapless and flowed above her knees. There was a light blue ribbon above the waist, giving the dress the finished look. Blair took out her baby pink Jimmy Choo stilettos. She also put on her Tiffany's pink diamond necklace. It hung beautifully from a silver chain. She couldn't help but feel confident. Like something magnificent was going to happen today. Of course something big is going to happen today. It's S's wedding, she thought.
"Miss Blair. The make up artist is here!"
Blair sighed.
"Send them up."
Blair sat back down on the seat by the vanity and waited for the makeup artist. She came into the room a minute later and applied Blair's make up. There was light blue around her eyes, but not too much. It was subtle yet brilliant. The blush on her cheeks made them appear rosy. After another layer of baby pink lip gloss, the make up artist said her good byes and was off to do the rest of the wedding party's makeup. Blair sighed and looked at herself.
After checking her outfit one more time, Blair grabbed her Chanel light blue clutch and headed out the door. She sauntered down the stairs and stepped into the elevator. After pressing the button for the ground floor, Blair flipped open her phone. It was already nine thirty.
Once the elevator doors opened, Blair ran out and climbed into the limo Serena had arranged for everyone in the wedding party. Blair looked up at the person who was her company. Blair forced a smile at Vanessa and Vanessa did the same. The limo door closed and Blair was left with her. They didn't talk at first. Blair kept looking out her window and Vanessa looked out her's. The silence was killing them both, but only Vanessa did something about it.
"Are we picking up the other bride's maid?"
"No. Serena picked Sharon and since Sharon's already at the Palace, there would be no need to pick her up."
Vanessa rolled her eyes and went back to looking out her window. Blair sighed. She knew she shouldn't have been that rude to Vanessa, seeing as though Vanessa had been nothing but nice to her in the past. I guess I'm just upset because I can't have Chuck and she can't have Nate, she thought. She finally forced herself to look at Vanessa.
"I'm sorry for my behaviour."
Vanessa looked at her with bewilderment.
"Y-Y-Your sorry?"
"Yes. I'm sorry for being the bitch you had to deal with."
Both of them laughed. They would never be the best of friends, but they could at least try to be friends. Vanessa smiled.
"Don't worry, I've met bitcher bitches than you."
"Really now."
"Yup. Brooklyn's full of them. Me and Nate ran into one a couple of weeks ago at a little restaurant."
Blair looked down at her clutch. She would never love Nate the way Vanessa loved him. Vanessa stopped and looked at Blair.
"Sorry for bringing him up, I know your with him now and all-"
"No."
Vanessa raised an eyebrow. What the hell is she talking about? She and Nate have been photographed everywhere together. She can't deny it, she thought. Blair turned to her.
"You belong with Nate."
The statement surprised the both of them. Blair never thought she would say that, more like she was told never to say some thing like that, but it was the truth and it had to be said. Vanessa was still in shock. Did Blair just say what I think she said?, she thought. Vanessa managed to find her voice.
"W-What?"
"You and Nate belong together. You make him happy. You and him are in love."
Vanessa fiddled with the hem of her bride's maid dress.
"Blair-"
"Don't worry. I don't want to be in the way of love."
"But come on Blair. I thought you and Nate belong together. I mean it's pretty much a well known fact."
"It's been a theory, and theory's can be proven wrong."
Vanessa smiled. She honestly didn't know what to do. In a way Blair had just given her Nate. But why would Blair do this? Only one name came to Vanessa's mind: Chuck. Vanessa turned to Blair.
"Does Nate know?"
"I think he's known for a long time now. Me and him only love each other as friends. Just because we love each other doesn't mean we are in love with each other."
Vanessa smirked.
"I've heard that before."
Blair smiled. The two girls started to talk more and more. Blair felt more comfortable. She felt as if a large weight had been lifted off her shoulders and now she could do as she pleased. She never needed Nate, she was just always told that he was the one for her and same thing with him. Ever since they had been four years old at the playground, everybody said they would end up together. Well the future changes everyday, and Blair learned that first hand. Vanessa turned to Blair, interrupting her thoughts.
"So have you and Nate broken up?"
Blair sighed. That was another problem she would have to face. How would she break up with Nate? She turned back to Vanessa.
"Not yet, but I will at the wedding."
Vanessa felt he jaw drop. Before she knew it, words were being blurted from her mouth.
"You can't do that! Today is a joyous occasion and you can't just break up with him and leave him depressed."
Blair bit her lip. Vanessa did have a point. Shit! What am I going to do!, she thought. Blair sighed before turning back to face Vanessa.
"Maybe things will just work out."
The limo stopped, as if on cue. Both girls stepped out and looked up at the Palace. It seemed bigger and shiner. Perfect for the wedding. But everything going on at the penthouse was anything but. When Vanessa and Blair arrived, they saw Sharon sitting on the couch in her white with light blue embroidery at the bottom from Gucci. Serena had spent days picking out the bride's maid dresses, and they had come out gorgeous. Luckly, her mother pulled some strings at Gucci and asked them to make the dresses. Blair smiled at Sharon.
"Hey. Have you seen Serena?"
"Yeah she's getting her hair done in the bathroom."
Blair smiled before going off to find the soon-to-be bride. She walked over to the bathroom and knocked on the door. Serena's voice could be heard on the other side.
"Who is it?"
"It's B."
"B! Come in!"
Blair smiled before opening the door. She gasped when she saw Serena. Serena sat on a chair in her wedding dress. The same wedding dress that she had tried on during the big wedding party fight a few weeks back. Her hair was now being put into a bun with a few curls spewing out of it. She managed to smile when she saw Blair.
"B! I'm so glad you could come this early."
Blair smiled and sat down on an extra seat next to her friend.
"Well lucky for you I was already up early."
"Really, why?"
Blair froze. She couldn't just say that she and Jenny were planning to get Carter Baizen out of New York City for once and for all. She plastered a smile.
"Um just worrying about the big day is all."
Serena smiled and grabbed Blair's hand. She gave it a small squeeze.
"B, the only one who should be worrying today is me. After all I am getting married!"
"Yes, but what kind of best friend would I be if I didn't worry."
Serena laughed. Her hair was done in no time and now they were waiting for the make up artist to arrive. Blair was fiddling with the hem of her dress. Serena noticed that something was wrong. Blair was usually so happy during weddings. Even if she was stressed, she would be more alert.
"Hey, Blair. You alright?"
Blair looked up. Did it show? Could Serena actually see that she was worried of what Carter Baizen would do at her friend's wedding? Blair gulped. She felt so alone. And she would be alone. After this day, she would officially be alone. Something she hadn't been for a while now. Serena and Dan would be married and off with their own lives. Nate and Vanessa would un-doubly hook up after she breaks it off with Nate and then they would be on a plane to Croatia to sail around the Mediterranean. Who would she have? Blair took a deep breath before replying.
"Just thinking of what I'm going to do."
Serena frowned.
"Do about what?"
"I'm breaking things off with Nate. And before you give me the whole lecture on "He's the perfect guy for you" just listen to me. He will never look at me the way he looks at Vanessa. Sure I love him, but I love a lot of people in my life. I love people that I don't want to be married to."
Blair looked up at Serena. She was expecting an upset expression but was met with a huge grin on her best friend's face. Blair's face became full of confusion. Was Serena actually happy because of this?
"S, you sure seem happy."
"Well, let's just say now you'll be free of having to do what you are told to do. You can start dating other guys."
"Yeah, but I don't think I want to."
Serena's jaw dropped.
"Are you like a…. a…..well you know."
Blair tried to get what Serena was implying through her head. Finally it hit her.
"No S! There was only one gay in my family and now he's resting in peace. What I meant was, I just don't want the trouble of a boyfriend right now. I just want to take a break from guys. See what it's like to be single."
"Well those days are fun, but sometimes a guy is just what you need."
"I don't. Not right now."
Serena smiled. We'll just see about that, she thought. They heard a knock at the door. Serena looked up and saw that it was the make up artist. Blair excused herself and went back into the living room. Sharon and Vanessa were talking. Blair was walking toward them, when her phone rang. She took it out of her clutch and read the ID. It was Jenny. Blair rolled her eyes before answering it.
"This better be good."
"Don't worry it is. Do you know exactly when the priest arrives?"
"No. Why?"
"Well we'll need to get rid of Carter by then. Serena's walking down the aisle at eleven thirty right?"
"Yes…"
"That only gives us an hour and fifteen minutes to get rid of him!"
"Don't worry if you stick to the plan, then nothing bad will happen. Trust me. Now is there anything else you would like to say?"
Jenny sighed.
"No."
"Good. I'll call you when we arrive at the church."
Blair hung up and put the phone back into her clutch before walking over to Vanessa and Sharon. I wonder what the guys are up to, she thought.
Meanwhile at the loft, the men of the wedding party were busy getting ready. Dan stepped out of his bedroom in his black Armani suit, which had cost him a fortune but it was worth it. It was his wedding day after all. He looked over at the group of men assembled in his living room. Eric was helping Evan with his tie while coaching him how to hold the pillow holding rings. Nate was standing with Kyle. He was far away from Chuck. He and Carter had agreed to meet at the wedding. Only wedding party members were allowed early. Chuck was fixing his light blue tie for the hundredth time. His outfit wasn't unique. Kyle, Eric, Nate and Evan were wearing the same one, but Nate did have a little flower pin on his coat pocket. Dan looked by far the best.
His suit was a little bit more black than anyone else's and his hair was gelled a little. He looked over at the clock. It was ten thirty two. In an hour he would be standing at the end of the aisle looking as his bride was walking down it to their future. Chuck walked up to him.
"I can't believe your actually getting married to Serena. But all I can say is, your not that bad Humphrey. Even if you do live in Brooklyn."
Dan smiled. Coming from Chuck, that was as good as a compliment got. There was a knock at the door. Kyle went to answer it. Dan went to see what was going on. Kyle turned to look at him.
"Come on man. Your chariot awaits you downstairs."
Dan gulped. This is it. The next time I walk through these doors, I'll be a married man and I can't wait!, he thought. He and the rest of the male party headed down stairs and climbed into the limo. They all rode quietly to the church.
Back at the Palace, Lily had just come to announce that the limo was there and that Serena should hurry up. Serena looked at herself once more before taking a deep breath and heading toward the elevator. Sh held Blair's hand for support.
"This is it."
Blair smiled at her friend.
"Don't worry everything will be just fine."
Hello Upper EastSiders,
Seems the big day has finally arrived. The nuptials of S and Almost Married boy are today. Hope no drama ensues. Oh who am I kidding, what's a wedding without a bitch slap.
XOXO Gossip Girl