A/N: Thank you for all of your wonderful reviews. Enjoy!
Nate nodded his head and followed Blair out of the ballroom. They went to the lobby and found a bench to sit on. Blair lay her hands on her lap. She had smoothed out all of the wrinkles on her dress before sitting down. Nate had his hands on his knees. He looked at the ground. They both knew they would never work out. They never had. They would only be friends. Blair sighed and grabbed Nate's left hand. Nate looked up at her. She gave him a small smile before she spoke.
"Nate, I want you to know that you are a very important person in my life."
He smiled. She was a very important person in his life as well. Blair gave his hand a small squeeze before continuing.
"And I love you, very much but I love you like I love Serena. You're one of my best friend's. You always will be, but I don't think that we will ever be more."
She looked into Nate's eyes. Tears were brimming her eyes. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him. He didn't deserve it. He looked into her eyes. His blue eyes were calm.
"I think your right. We will always be best friends, but nothing more."
Blair let out a breath of relief. That had gone better than she had planned. She smiled at Nate.
"I think it's safe to say, it's over."
Nate smiled his million dollar smile and nodded.
"I think it's been over for a while now."
Blair giggled. They both got up from the bench. Nate pulled Blair into an embrace. She hugged him back. He spoke into her brunette curls.
"Just answer one question for me."
"Anything."
"What were you and Jenny Humphrey doing with Carter Baizen?"
Blair smiled.
"We were getting rid of him. I know it's hard to believe, but me and Jenny had to work together and it paid off, don't you think?"
Nate laughed. They separated and looked into each other's eyes. He spoke.
"I'd say it paid off very well. Look, I'm sorry."
Blair's facial expression became confused. What could he have to be sorry about? He didn't do anything wrong that I'm aware of, she thought. Nate held her right hand before he sustained.
"I'm sorry for having Carter around. I knew he was a bad person and all but I thought he had changed. I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable when he was around."
Blair smiled softly at Nate.
"Nate, you have nothing to apologize for. You look for the best in people. That's a quality that people dream of. Don't apologize for it."
Nate smiled. Blair always did seem to be a little bit more understanding when it came to him. He turned and stood beside Blair. He linked his left arm with her right arm.
"Are you ready to go back in?"
Blair looked at the ballroom doors and back at the man she thought she had been in love with. Something seemed to be missing and she was a hundred percent sure it was waiting for her in the ballroom. A smile appeared on her face.
"I was born ready."
They walked in unison through the grand doors that separated the rest of the hotel from the ballroom. Nate led them back to their table. Blair took her seat between Serena and Chuck. Nate sat beside Vanessa. Serena looked curiously as they took their seats. Serena leaned in toward Blair and whispered in her ear.
"What's going on with you and Nate?"
Blair smiled and leaned into Serena's ear.
"Serena, it's your wedding day and your asking about me and Nate?"
"You're my best friend B, you can tell me anything. So tell me about you and Nate!"
Blair tried to hold her giggles. Serena reminded her of a small child desperately wanting to know something their parents didn't want them to. Blair sighed and leaned into Serena's ear.
"We broke up."
Blair heard Serena's fork drop onto the plate in front of her. Only Dan seemed to notice. He glanced quickly at his new bride, but didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Blair looked up to see Serena's countenance. Serena's face wasn't facing her. Blair sighed.
"S."
Serena slowly looked over at her best friend. She grabbed her fork again and placed it on her napkin before she began to whisper to Blair.
"B, are you alright?"
"Yes, why wouldn't I be? Me and Nate decided that me and him just don't belong together. Besides I think he and a certain Brooklyn girl seem to have better chemistry than me and him ever had."
Both girls looked over to where Nate and Vanessa were seated. They seemed lost in their own world. He would make her laugh, then she would come out and make him laugh. Serena looked over at Blair.
"Just as long as you two are happy, that's all that matters."
Blair looked back at Serena. She smiled. They didn't need to speak. Blair silently thanked Serena for her words.
Ting, Ting.
Everyone looked over to where Kyle was standing. He held a champagne glass in his left hand and tapped it with a fork in his right hand. Once he had been sure that he had gotten everyone's attention, he set down his fork and picked up a small stack of cue cards. He cleared his throat and began.
"When Dan and Serena announced their engagement, I wasn't surprised. For the past eight years I have seen their love blossom from and innocent high school romance to truly being in love and finding their soul mates. I still remember the day Dan introduced me to Serena. I couldn't believe a girl like Serena would go for Dan, I mean it's Dan."
There was a small chuckle from the guests. Kyle continued.
"But that's the interesting thing about love, anyone can have it with anyone. Even the two most unlike people in the world, could fall in love with each other. Seeing Dan and Serena's relationship is one of the most inspiring relationships in the world for me. Never ever had I seen Dan look at Serena the way he does and the way he talked about her. There was just something special about Serena, and he was right. Both of them have taught me a lot, even if they don't know it. One thing that I have learned from Dan and Serena is in the path of true love, nothing can keep you away from it. Of course there will be some bumps along the way but in the end you are truly in love and that can never be taken away."
He placed his cue cards back down on the table. He raised his champagne glass. Everyone else did the same. He turned to Dan and Serena.
"To the happy couple."
The champagne flowed through everyone's bodies, except for Serena's. Her's was non-alcoholic after all. After everyone had sipped their champagne, the music filled the room. Dan stepped up from his seat and held his hand out for Serena. She placed her hand in his as he led her out to the middle of the dance floor. Everyone clapped as they bride and groom danced the first dance.
Blair watched from her seat. She couldn't help but smile. She was so happy for her best friend. A few more people had joined the new couple on the dance floor. Blair could make out Bart and Lily dancing. Kyle and a wedding guest went up to dance. Even little Evan had mustered enough courage to ask a little girl to go dance.
Blair sighed and turned back to her dinner. She looked over at Vanessa and Nate. Nate had gotten up from his seat and asked Vanessa to dance. She had accepted. As he led her to the dance floor, Vanessa looked over at Blair. Blair sent her an encouraging smile. Vanessa couldn't help but smile back.
Jenny watched as everyone danced on the dance floor. She looked over at Hazel. She so desperately wanted to get up from her seat and take Hazel's hand and dance with her on the dance floor, but it wasn't that easy. The only people that knew about her and Hazel's relationship were her parents. Allison had accepted it right away but Rufus had been shocked but came around to it.
Jenny sighed. I need to tell him, she thought. She looked over at Hazel. Hazel was wearing a light pink cocktail dress with her blonde hair resting on her shoulders. Jenny grabbed her hand and stood up. Hazel looked at her with confused eyes.
"What are you doing?"
"Something I need to."
Jenny led the two of them to the dance floor. Some guests took out their phones and snapped pictures of the two of them holding hands. Wonder what's up? Jenny marched right up to Serena and Dan on the dance floor. Hazel stood awkwardly behind her, trying to figure out what was going on. Jenny tapped Dan's shoulder. He stopped dancing and turned to face his younger sister. Serena looked at Jenny too. They stood in awkward silence with only the sounds of violins and clarinets filling the dead air.
Jenny couldn't take the silence anymore. She cleared her throat before speaking.
"Dan, Serena congratulations on getting married. I am really happy for you two. I know you guys may still hate me for what I did, but I can accept you two for hating me for the rest of my life. I had no right to do that and I accept full responsibility. I also wanted to tell you guys something."
Jenny looked over and Hazel and drew her closer. Jenny placed her hand around Hazel's waist. Dan and Serena stood confused in front of them. Jenny smiled at Hazel before turning to the happy couple.
"I believe you've already met my girlfriend, Hazel."
Both Dan and Serena froze. What?, thought Dan. He felt his body just ice over. He looked over at Serena. She seemed to have accepted it by smiling at Jenny and Hazel. Her lips parted and she spoke in what seemed like deathly quiet.
"Jenny, I'm glad you could tell us. I support your decision. I think you and Hazel make cute couple."
Jenny smiled at Serena. That was all the thanks Serena needed. Jenny brought Hazel closer to her. All three pairs of eyes darted over to Dan. He was still looking at the ground. Serena gently nudged him on the side. He looked up. His eyes met Jenny's. Crap, he doesn't approve. What was I thinking telling him now, it's his wedding reception. God, why did I have to be so dumb!, she thought.
Dan's voice finally found it's way out of his mouth and into Jenny's ears.
"I must say that was unexpected, but like Serena said, I will support your decision and I will never judge you on who you like. I love you, you're my little sister."
Jenny smiled at her big brother. Her arm left Hazel's waist and she pulled Dan into a embrace. Dan hugged her back. Jenny whispered in his ear.
"Thank you."
He smiled and whispered back.
"No problem, Jenny."
They separated. Jenny took hold of Hazel's hand and led her elsewhere on the dance floor. Jenny wrapped her arms around Hazel's neck and Hazel's arms were placed at Jenny's hips. Dan and Serena watched them. Dan sighed and turned to Serena. His arms slipped around her waist. Her arms enfolded around his neck. He looked her in the eyes.
"I'm a hundred and twenty percent sure you're my soul mate."
Serena let out a small giggle before questioning him.
"And why is that?"
"Because you can tell my sister you support her decision and really mean it. You really don't know how much that means to me."
Serena smiled.
"I love you and your family is my family now. Whatever you go through, I will go through as well."
Dan captured her lips with his. He never wanted to let go of her.
Meanwhile back at the wedding party table, Sharon had just gotten off her phone. She let out an annoyed sigh before resting her head on Eric's shoulder. He stroked her red hair.
"What's the matter?"
"Stupid divorce cases all next week. With good luck, Chris and me will just take our share of the furniture and other things and be out of there."
"Does he want custody?"
Eric only asked because he would miss seeing Evan as much as he liked to. Sharon sighed.
"No, but I'm not surprised. He didn't seem to like Evan as much as he appeared to. He never wanted any kids in life."
Eric tried to hide his smile but he couldn't. He didn't want Chris to have custody of Evan. Chris was a monster hiding behind a calm mask and that was the last person Eric wanted Evan to be around. Eric sighed and turned to Sharon. Her perfectly arched eye brows were brought together by the frown on her face. Eric smiled at her.
"How about we go dance? Take our minds off our problems and just be happy, it is a wedding after all."
Sharon smiled at him.
"That sounds wonderful."
Eric got up from the table and held his hand out for Sharon. She grabbed it and was led by Eric out onto the dance floor, leaving Blair and Chuck alone at the table. Blair played with the food on her plate, but she wasn't hungry. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. Chuck watched her play with her food. He knew she and Nate had broken up, why else would he be out dancing with Vanessa while Blair was in the same room. Chuck sighed. Blair looked so beautiful. In his mind, she easily outshined Serena. He couldn't take it anymore. He took a deep breath before he turned to Blair.
"You look really gorgeous, Waldorf. If I was Nate, I wouldn't have let anything from keeping us together."
Blair stopped fiddling with her food and looked up at Chuck. His words seemed sincere. She managed to give him a small smile.
"Thank you, Bass. That means a lot coming from you."
He smirked. At least he could talk to her in public without having to hide anything.
"Well it's the truth. And the truth never fails."
"Sometimes. The truth does sometimes fail and we're better off with a lie."
Chuck sighed and looked down at the ground. Blair bit her lip. They sat in silence for a few minutes. Finally, Chuck looked up at her.
"You want to dance?"
Blair smiled at him.
"Yes."
He smirked at her. He got up from his seat and held his hand out for Blair. She grabbed it. He carefully led her to the dance floor. A slow song was playing. Chuck placed one hand on Blair's waist and held her hand with his other hand. Blair's right hand was placed on Chuck's shoulder. They swayed in harmony to the melody of the music. Their eyes never tore away from each other. Chuck's lips parted.
"Blair, I miss you."
Blair looked down but the voice inside was building up.
"I miss you too."
Chuck brought her closer. He just felt like she needed to be close to him. He needed to be close to her. He loved her. Blair looked up at him.
"You're a good dancer, didn't know you had it in you."
Chuck smirked. Blair was trying to change the subject, something he had gotten used to during the years.
"This isn't dancing, Waldorf. This is moving from side to side while holding the most beautiful girl in the world in your arms."
Blair felt her cheeks redden but she didn't hide it. Chuck moved a small stray strand away from her face. She gave him a thankful look. He never wanted to let her go. She was his only reason for living. If she left, he did too.
"Come out to the front."
Blair and Chuck looked around. They had been so lost in their world that neither of them had noticed everyone had stopped dancing and were now going outside to the courtyard in front of the Palace hotel. Blair and Chuck followed the crowd. There was huge group of ladies as they waited for Serena to throw the bouquet. Blair went to stand with them. Well I can at least try to catch it, she thought, knowing that it would never happen. Her petite frame wouldn't even be able to reach it and the extremely tall lady in front of her didn't give her much of a chance either. Blair saw a glimpse of Serena a few feet away from the crowd.
"You ready?"
Everyone let out a huge cheer. Serena giggled and swung her arms back before releasing the bouquet. The flowers came hurling down at the crowd. Blair was pushed left and right. All she saw were designer dresses and hands reaching for the sky. Get me out of here, she thought. She looked up and saw the flowers coming toward the lady in front of her.
The lady had her arms out wide, it was no doubt she was going to get the bouquet. The flowers descended more and more toward her. The flowers came through the space between her two arms and missed her. Blair didn't know what was happening until she realized the flowers were in her hands. The crowd parted. Everyone peered to see who had caught the bouquet. Serena squealed when she realized it was Blair. She came running over.
"Blair, you caught it!"
Blair let out a small laugh.
"I guess I did."
The girls separated. Blair looked Serena in the eyes.
"So you and Dan are off to Canada?"
Serena smiled and nodded her head.
"Yeah. We're leaving in a few minutes to get changed and all that and then we're off to somewhere called Vancouver."
Both girls laughed. Blair spoke.
"Well have fun in Vancouver with the man of your dreams."
"Oh don't worry I plan to."
They gave each other one more hug before Serena disappeared. Blair said her goodbyes to a few more guests. From the corner of her eye, she saw Nate and Vanessa step into a limo with love in their eyes. Blair smiled, at least he was happy. She said a few more goodbyes to guests when she heard footsteps from behind her. She turned around and was face to face with Chuck Bass. He smiled at her.
"Congratulations for catching the bouquet."
Blair smiled.
"Well thank you."
The both looked at the bouquet as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. Chuck cleared his throat before he spoke.
"So what are you up to after this?"
"I'm going back home to get some sleep. I've been up for more than twenty-four hours already."
Chuck looked at her.
"Well you get your beauty sleep then."
"I will."
Chuck took her right hand and planted a small kiss on it before he left. Blair felt the butterflies going crazy in her stomach. She sighed and went to her limo. She stepped in and waited to be dropped off at her familiar building. The ride was quick. She stepped into her building and took the elevator to her penthouse.
After she had gotten out of her wedding ensemble, she had slipped in to her nightgown and pulled over her silk red Vera Wang robe over it. She was already to sleep, but she couldn't. She couldn't sleep knowing that he was out there and she belonged with him. She didn't need to let him go this time. She didn't need to try to get rid of her feelings.
She loved Chuck Bass and she was going to prove it to him, tonight.
She didn't think twice about what she was wearing as she climbed into the limo and instructed the driver to take her to the Palace hotel. When she arrived, she got out quickly and marched inside. She didn't pay attention to the weird looks people were giving her, she needed Chuck. The ride to his floor seemed liked eternity. She ran out when the elevator doors opened on his floor.
She ran to the end of the hall before she stopped in front of suite eighteen twelve, a suite all too familiar. She took a deep breath before she knocked on the door. Please, please, please be home! she thought. The door knob started to turn. The door flew open and there stood Chuck in an old t-shirt and pyjamas. There stood the man she loved. He took in her beauty. She flung herself into his arms and pressed her lips against his. He kissed back. He really had missed her. He brought her into his suite and shut the door behind them.
His body led them toward the couch. He settled down first, and then brought Blair over onto his lap. Their lips never unconnected. Blair's hands went through his dark brown hair. His arms around her waist, bring her closer with each breath. His tongues entered her mouth and played with her tongue. Eventually, they ran out breath. Their chests panting against each other. Chuck looked at her.
"Blair……"
She managed to smile while trying to regain the air in her lungs.
"I love you Chuck Bass, forever and for always. That's all you need to know."
He smiled at her before pulling her back into a kiss. He slowly started to stand up. Blair did as well. They unhurriedly started walking toward his bed. They had all the time in the world, nothing was going to ruin this moment. Blair fell back on the bed and Chuck came on top of her. Their kisses growing more and more passionate. Chuck's hands reached for the knot on Blair's robe when he heard someone attempting to sing "Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes coming from the suite next door. . He and Blair stopped kissing to listen to the sound. Chuck looked at Blair.
"I'll take care of that."
Blair smiled and gave him a small kiss before he got off of her and walked out of the suite.
His fist banged against the door of suite eighteen eleven. The music was still going on, but eventually the door opened and there stood a boy of twenty years of age looking at Chuck.
"Can I help you?"
"Yes you can. Can you keep your god awful singing down? Some of us have important things to do and not have time to ruin a perfectly good song."
The boy glared at him.
"And why should I listen to you?"
Chuck smirked. Was this guy actually asking him that.
"Because, I'm Chuck Bass."
And with that, Chuck walked back to his suite. When he closed the doors of suite eighteen twelve, he heard the music stop. He smirked. Works every time, he thought. He walked into his bedroom where Blair Waldorf sat patiently. He walked over to her and kissed her passionately. They separated and Blair placed her hand on Chuck's face. He spoke breathlessly.
"You don't know how much I've missed you Waldorf."
"Not as much as I've missed you, Bass."
"Love you, Princess."
"Forever, Prince Charming."
Chuck smirked before continuing to kiss the girl he truly loved. He loved Blair Waldorf and no one could take that away from him.
Hello Upper EastSiders,
Seems the nuptials of S and D have gone through, we even got a little punch. Spotted: King N telling Scumbag to finally leave outside the Palace hotel. Seems he got the hint, last we saw or Scumbag was at the airport catching a flight to Brazil. Hope you don't come back. Also it appears that even after you break up with someone, you can get over them quickly. There were two examples of them shown tonight. After King N and Queen B's break up earlier this evening, King N went straight for V. And as much as I'd hate to admit it, they seem happy something rare for the UES. But while N and V were off doing their thing, B and King C were off to their old things and they didn't care what they were wearing.
But as always with most weddings, love was shared all around. And one of the most shocking things to come out today was Little J. J and H sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. And our very own B caught the bouquet. We can't wait till that wedding, B.
You know you love me,
XOXO Gossip Girl
A/N: Epilouge coming soon!