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Chuck walked into the penthouse and put down the mail and his briefcase. He could smell something marvelous cooking from the kitchen and followed the scent.
"Whatever you're making smells amazing," he complimented Blair who was currently drizzling icing over a pound cake.
"I'm so excited for our dinner party," Blair smiled, her eyes lit up in excitement. "This is the first time anyone other than you and Eric get to taste my cooking."
"So, what are we having," Chuck came further into the kitchen.
"I decided to keep it simple. We are having macaroni and cheese because I know Eric loves it and turkey meatloaf because apparently Elliot is a health nut though he's not a vegetarian. But for dessert we have having chocolate pound cake to make everyone else happy."
"Lucky for us," he smiled as he stepped in behind her and put his arms around her waist as he nipped at her earlobe playfully.
"Stop it," she scolded him. "I am trying to put icing on this cake."
"I'd rather put the icing on you."
"I wonder if this is what it's like to walk in on your parents," Eric said from the doorway.
"Eric," Blair gasped as she quickly nudged Chuck away.
Eric began chuckling at how flustered she looked, her cheeks blushing crimson as any possible response was lost between her brain and her throat. Chuck quickly joined in laughing.
"If you two don't start behaving yourselves, you won't get any dessert," Blair said snapping a dishtowel at the boys.
Chuck caught the towel in the air and gave it a tug, pulling her into his arms as he kissed her soundly on the lips.
"No dessert for you," Blair scolded him as she shrugged out of his grasp.
"And I'm sure you'll keep your word on that," Chuck said with a smile. "What time does everyone get here?"
Blair checked her watch, "Fifteen minutes. Go change. Eric, can you set the table?"
"After I look in on the children," Chuck nodded as Eric disappeared to do as Blair requested.
"Don't you dare wake them up, Bass," Blair warned him, "Or you can forget about more than just dessert. I just got them down."
"I'll be as quiet as a mouse," Chuck promised.
"You better be," Blair frowned at him. "Do you want wine with dinner?"
"No, I'll be sober with you."
"You don't have to do that, you know," she told him, though his offer warmed her heart.
"It's not as hard as I thought it'd be," Chuck admitted. "It's different going to bed without a clouded head, but it's kind of nice too."
Blair took a step towards him and kissed his lips lightly. "Just for that, dessert is back on your plate."
"Thank you," Chuck smiled. "I'll be back in a minute."
"Blair, thank you so much for agreeing to host this party," Eric stated as he returned to the kitchen after setting the table.
"No thanks necessary," Blair smiled.
"Remember, Serena can't know that I'm staying here," Eric reminded her.
"Not to worry, Little E, Chuck and I had this conversation this morning. It's your news to tell. We'll keep quiet for as long as you want us to."
"You two have done so much for me. I can't even begin to thank you," Eric responded gratefully.
"Stop thanking us," Blair smiled as she touched his shoulder softly. "We're family. It's what we do for each other."
Eric gave Blair a hug and she held him tight, thinking about the little boy that used to watch movies with her while Serena was sleeping off whatever nightly activities she'd been involved in. She'd told Chuck the truth. Eric was her brother too, in every way that counted. She just wished he'd come to her before Lily had found it necessary to stick him in the Ostroff Center.
"Before everyone gets here, have you talked to your mom lately," Blair asked as they walked out into the living room.
"Earlier today," Eric nodded, "She calls just about every day trying to convince me to come home."
"And what do you say?" she inquired.
"I ask if Rufus is getting any better? And if she's getting him any help?" he replied.
"What is her response?" Blair asked curiously.
"Mom always did denial very well. There is no problem until someone has cut their wrists or…" his voice trailed off at the thought of what Rufus could do to his mother during one of his fits of rage.
"I know you're worried about her," Blair frowned. "I am too. I love your mom just as much as I loved my own."
"Yeah but when it comes to getting people help, I don't think Eleanor would wait for people to start breaking things," Eric said.
"No, but she did shut herself off for a long time after my dad left and while some of it was embarrassment, a lot of it was being afraid of putting herself out there again. Look at all it took for your mom to let Rufus back into her life. Then she almost lost him all over again with that whole thing with your dad. Lily's got a lot of stubborn in her. I think she gets it from Cece."
"Must be where Serena gets it from," Eric stated with a hint of sarcastic amusement in his eyes.
"Probably," Blair nodded. "We know it's where Serena got her wild child ways from."
"Very true," Eric laughed.
"Look who's awake," Chuck stated as he entered the living room with Sabrina babbling in his arms.
"Chuck Bass, your dessert is going in the trash right now," Blair scolded him.
"I didn't wake her," he assured her, "Her little eyes were wide open when I bent over to look in on her. I brought her out here so she wouldn't wake up Sebastian."
"Sabrina Rose, you're supposed to be asleep," Blair groaned as she took her from her father's arms.
"She just didn't want to miss all the excitement," Chuck grinned.
"You need to go change," Blair told him. "A three piece suit isn't appropriate for a casual dinner. Eric, listen for the timer on the stove and the elevator while I go get this one back to sleep."
"You got it, Blair," Eric nodded, knowing better than to argue with Blair.
Sabrina continued to babble as Blair followed Chuck into their bedroom where he began to change as Blair sat on their bed and rocked their daughter to sleep as she sang to her softly.
"I love listening to you sing," Chuck whispered as Sabrina's eyes began to flutter close as she tried to fight her exhaustion.
"Then you should sit in the cafe after I close up," Blair smiled. "I always sing along with whatever is still playing on the stereo."
"Any thoughts of returning to it?" he inquired curiously. "Dan's doing an adequate job, but is he a permanent solution?"
"That's a conversation for a different day," she replied.
"Fair enough," he agreed as he came out in only a pair of casual dress pants. A simple button down shirt was in his hands. His bare chest was exposed to her.
He bit back a sarcastic retort as she eyed him, her eyes darkening as the lust began to pool inside them.
"We should open up the balcony doors," Blair said after a moment. "I'm feeling a little overheated."
"Really," Chuck asked.
"Yes. It must be because I have the oven on."
"That must be it," he agreed though his eyes were telling a different story just like hers.
"She's asleep again," Blair whispered as she stood up carefully. "I'm going to go put her back down. See you in the living room."
He nodded as he watched her turn to leave. Just before she was out the door she turned back towards him. Her lips found his in a slow sweet kiss that left them both dizzy as they pulled away.
"I-uh," Blair smiled. "I better get her back to her room before Serena gets here and demands to hold her."
"Good idea," he nods as his fingers flow through her perfectly curled strands.
"Right. So I'm going," Blair backed away slowly. "And just remember that there is a child in the room and our brother is less than ten feet away."
"Is that supposed to be a deterrent?" he chuckled lightly, "I'd take you anyway I could right now, if it wouldn't jeopardize your health and recovery."
"Heart attack, Bass," Blair told him. "Potentially fatal."
"Keep repeating that," he groaned as he fought to keep his urges at bay. As she disappeared from the room, her words did indeed repeat over and over in his head.
As he tried to put his shirt on, he realized his hands were shaking. Having Blair by his side kept his nightmares at bay but even she couldn't erase the images that flashed through his mind of what could have been if that damn bullet had gone a few inches in the wrong direction.
He felt tears began to pool in his eyes as he took a few shaky steps towards their bed to sit down before his legs gave way.
The panic attacks were coming less often, but they were still there for the both of them.
In the night when he woke up for no reason he was calmed by the feel of Blair's hand on his shoulder or the sound of her steady breathing. But when he was alone and her presence wasn't tangible it was a struggle to get himself under control.
Suddenly her voice could be heard from the living room as Elliot must have just arrived.
After a few cleansing breaths, he was able to get his shirt buttoned.
He brushed a hand down his front and pasted on a smile to go and greet his brother's boyfriend.
-x-x-x-x-
"This is really good, Blair," Nate said in surprise as he chewed the macaroni and cheese.
"Yeah," Serena agreed, "I had no idea you were capable of such culinary masterpieces."
Blair beamed with pride from ear to ear.
"Actually, I think Eric should be the real judge since macaroni and cheese is his favorite," Blair said. "So, Eric, what do you think?"
"Amazing," Eric responded instantly, "Easily the best I've ever tasted."
Blair winked at him in reply.
"Thanks for making the meatloaf with turkey meat," Elliot said.
"No problem. Eric said you ate healthy, so I thought I'd accommodate you," Blair smiled. "But I did make chocolate pound cake for dessert. I hope that's okay."
"I indulge on occasion," Elliot assured her, "And if it's half as delicious as the rest of this meal, I'd be a fool not to."
"You certainly would," Chuck chimed in as he reached for Blair's hand and kissed it lightly.
"You should try this sour cream pound cake that she makes," Eric said. "It's beyond amazing."
"Why has my little brother been treated, when I have not," Serena pouted.
"Because he's over here spoiling his niece and nephew more often than you do," Chuck responded quickly.
"And that means he gives up a lot of his free time, so Elliot, I have to say sorry for monopolizing so much of Eric's time. Please know you are more than welcome to come over with him anytime you want."
"I may just take you up on that. Eric keeps bragging about how adorable his niece and nephew are. I'd like to see so for myself," Elliot responded.
"Unfortunately, it's well past their bedtime tonight," Blair responded, "But you're always welcome."
"Thank you," Elliot nodded.
Just as Blair was about to offer more wine to Serena and Nate, the elevator dinger announcing someone's presence. Chuck got up from the table and went into the living room.
"Rufus, what are you doing here," he asked.
"I came to talk to Eric," Rufus snarled. "Lily and I have had enough of his childishness. It's time that he came home."
Meanwhile, Blair had gotten up from the table when she heard Chuck greet Rufus and come to the doorway. She looked back at Eric and Elliot, "Why don't you two go on into Eric's room for a while?"
"Blair, are you sure?"
"We'll be okay," she nodded as her maternal instinct kicked in.
Serena stared at the two of them, "What's going on?"
"Not now Serena," Blair shook her head.
"Blair, what is Rufus talking about?" Serena pressed, "Why would Eric need to come home? He already lives there."
"Not now, Serena," Blair hissed.
"Rufus, you're drunk," Chuck declared as he watched him take a few stumbling steps. "And this is my home. I'm asking you to leave."
"Not without my stepson," Rufus demanded.
"Blair, call security," Chuck told her as he stepped into Rufus's way as he advanced further into their home.
"Rufus, please do as Chuck asks," Blair said. "Don't make us have you removed."
"Where's Eric?"
"He and Elliot are in another room," Blair said. "Now, are you going to go on your own or am I calling security?"
"Give me my stepson!" Rufus demanded as he shoved Chuck out of his way.
Blair grabbed the phone and dialed security as Chuck stumbled backwards while trying to regain his balance, "This is the penthouse. I need security right now."
Chuck reached out to try to subdue Rufus when he picked up a crystal vase that Chuck had given Blair a few weeks ago with her favorite pink peonies.
Blair let out an involuntary scream as the glass shattered against the wall missing Serena who had just entered the room by a few inches.
"Rufus!" Serena exclaimed as she saw the wildness in his eyes.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"I was having dinner with my brothers, Nate, and Blair. What the hell are you doing?"
"Taking your brother home," Rufus stated before he raised his voice and shouted, "Eric, get your things. You're coming home with me right now."
"No, he is not," Blair said. "Rufus, look around you. You just broke a vase for no reason. Your step-daughter is afraid of you and your step-son won't live in the same house as you. How long do you think you have before Lily moves out?"
"How dare you threaten me," Rufus growled as he advanced towards her.
Chuck quickly stepped in between them. "Take another step towards Blair, and I promise you'll be spending the night in jail."
The elevator chimed again and security stepped out.
"Mr. Bass?"
"Take him outside," Chuck said as he motioned towards Rufus.
The guards advanced towards Rufus. He struggled as they put their hands on his shoulders, but after a few failed attempts to break free, he followed them without further incident, but both Blair and Serena were shaking from fear as Chuck and Nate tried to calm them down.
Suddenly they heard the very distinct sound of a child's cry.
Blair sighed, "I better go take care of that."
"I'll come with you," Chuck responded as he heard a second cry mix in with the first. Both children had been woken up from the commotion.
Blair nodded as Chuck followed her into the nursery, closing the door behind them. Blair picked up Sabrina and Chuck lifted Sebastian into his arms. Both parents rocked the babies as they walked back and forth with them.
Chuck could see that Blair was still shaking herself from the fright of the evening.
Sebastian was calming down, but Sabrina was wailing as loud as when they first entered the room.
Chuck could see tears forming in Blair's eyes as her efforts to calm Sabrina down seemed to be useless.
As soon as Sebastian was relaxed and on his way back to sleep, Chuck put him back in his crib and gently took Sabrina from Blair who stared at them for a moment before sitting down in the rocking chair.
"Take a few deep breaths, Beautiful," Chuck encouraged her, "Rufus has left, and I assure you that he will not be allowed to walk through the lobby doors.
"He was ready to come at me," Blair said shakily.
Chuck sighed and went to the door. Opening it he called for his brother, "Eric, can you come here?"
The younger boy appeared with Elliot a moment later, "What's up Chuck?"
"I need you to get your niece calmed down," Chuck handed Sabrina over, "Because I need to calm down her mother."
Eric took Sabrina out of Chuck's arms and brought her into his own bedroom as Chuck went to kneel in front of Blair, taking her shaking hands into his.
"Blair, look at me," Chuck told her. Blair took a deep breath and met Chuck's eyes with her own. Chuck cursed his own stupidity for not telling security not to let Rufus up under any circumstances. Just because she seemed to be okay didn't mean that Blair wasn't still haunted about being shot.
"He came at me," Blair repeated. "He came at me just like that miscreant came at me in my cafe."
"Come on," Chuck got to his feet and gently pulled Blair to hers. "We're getting you into bed."
"He's still out there, Chuck," she sobbed, "He can still hurt other people, maybe even come after me again."
"Listen to me," Chuck told her seriously, making her look him in the eye. "He will never come near you again. Please believe me when I say that."
Blair wanted to believe him. She knew he would do anything to protect her and their children, but even with a full time security detail, she still wouldn't feel save.
Not until that evil man was in jail could would she be able to rest easy.
"Blair, what is-"
"Not now, Serena," Chuck told his step-sister as he walked Blair through the living room into their room. He shut the door behind them. Then he sat Blair on their bed and undressed her. He put her pajamas on and got her under the covers. "Blair?"
"I haven't gone catatonic on you, Chuck," Blair said as she looked up at him. "I just don't feel like talking right now."
"Please tell me that you know I won't let him hurt you," he asked.
"I know you'll try but you can't protect me every single second of every single day forever."
"Yes, I can. I can and I will," he told her vehemently.
"How? Are you planning on quitting and following me around all day? We'd kill each other within forty-eight hours and you know it," Blair had to smile at him.
"I lost almost a year with you," Chuck said, never breaking eye contact. "And when I found you again it was accompanied by the news that you'd been shot and that your mother was gone. I am never taking a chance like that again. I will find the piece of scum that took your mother from you and almost took you from us and when I do, I making sure he can never hurt anyone ever again."
"Remember my advice, please," Blair put a hand on his face. "Don't let revenge consume you. Bart let his grief consume him after your mother died and you paid the price for it. I don't want that to happen to us or our children."
"I don't know how to reconcile these two emotions. I love you and the children more than anything in this world, but I hate this man more than words can express. I want so much to rip his heart out, but by doing that I could lose you or at least time with you," Chuck admitted.
"Chuck, I want you to promise me that you will not hurt him or send someone to hurt him. I want justice, but not at the expense of you going to jail. When you find him, and I know you will, I want you to let the authorities handle it."
Chuck covered her hand with his and closed his eyes. He could clearly see the twins in his mind. He'd missed that first month of their lives and now that he had them and Blair back he couldn't imagine missing anymore.
With this thought in his head, Chuck nodded, opening his eyes, "I promise."
"Thank you," she breathed a sigh of relief as she caressed his face softly.
He leaned in to seal their pact with a kiss.
Blair smiled as they parted, "Now go get rid of Nate and Serena, make sure Eric's okay, put Sabrina in her bed and then come get in ours."
"I'm not so sure it's going to be easy to get rid of Serena. Now that the cat appears to be out of the bag, she looks to be a little upset with us about allowing Eric to stay here without telling her what was going on.
"Tell her to come back tomorrow morning and she, Eric, and I can have breakfast," Blair said. "Also, tell Elliot he can stay if he wants to. Eric shouldn't be by himself tonight."
"I'll try it your way," he sighed as he stood up, hovering over her as he kissed her forehead softly as his hands covered hers. He could tell that her nerves were still getting the better of her as he felt her hands quivering slightly under his.
"If they won't leave, give them blankets and tell them to enjoy the couch and the floor," Blair said, as she balled up her hands.
"I'd give them a hotel room before I let them sleep in our living room," Chuck rolled his eyes. "Or have you forgotten we live in a hotel, Beautiful?"
"No, I haven't forgotten but I know Serena. If she says she's not leaving until she gets an explanation, she doesn't mean she's not leaving the hotel. She means she's not leaving the room."
"I'm sure I'll be able to convince her," he told her smoothly, "I am Chuck Bass, after all."
"I'll believe it when I see it. Go," she pointed.
"Going," Chuck nodded and went back into the living room. "Serena, Nate, I hate to do this, but-actually I'm lying. I like doing this. I'm kicking you out."
"But-" Serena protested.
"Blair says to come back tomorrow and have breakfast with her and Eric. You can discuss this then."
"I'm not leaving," Serena told him as she crossed her arms to hold her ground.
"Look, S, Blair's having flashbacks to her attack and she's not in a good place to argue with you tonight. Perhaps in the morning, things will look better, but you've got to give her this," Chuck insisted.
"Is she okay," Nate asked in a concerned tone. Blair may not be his girlfriend but she was still his friend and he refused to lose touch with her again; not after everything else they'd all lost this year.
"She will be," Chuck nodded, "But she needs to find her place of zen right now, and it's not in a hair pulling shouting match with Serena," Chuck explained.
"We haven't pulled each other's hair since high school," Serena stated defensively.
"And I'm still wishing somebody filmed that," Chuck added sarcastically.
"Didn't she knock you into a fountain last summer," Nate asked.
Serena looked at the ceiling and sighed before she looked at Nate. Then she and hit him with her purse after each word, "Oh my God!"
"What is that for?" Nate exclaimed in surprise as he rubbed at his arm.
"Talking out of turn," Chuck said as he ushered them to the elevator. "I've got my limo waiting for you two downstairs. Serena, don't kill him until you get him home. Blood's a bitch to get out. See you tomorrow morning."
"But . . ." Serena protested from the elevator he gentle shoved her into. He was relieved when the door closed before she could get out anymore.
Chuck looked towards the ceiling and mouthed 'Thank you' before he headed to Eric's room. He knocked and poked his head in, "Hey, I'm here to collect Sabrina."
"She's sound asleep," Eric proclaimed as he watched Elliot gently pass her back to Chuck. Elliot had been quickly pulled into Sabrina's spell as he held her as she drifted off to sleep.
"She's quite the charmer," Elliot added.
"She gets that from her mother," Chuck grinned. "Speaking of, Eric, you and Blair and Serena are going to have breakfast tomorrow morning."
"Great," Eric stated sarcastically.
"Sorry, it was the only way we could get rid of her tonight."
"Blair okay," Eric asked.
"She will be. Thanks for taking care of Sabrina. Elliot, you're more than welcome to stay here tonight."
"You don't mind?" Eric inquired.
"Not in the least," Chuck responded.
"Thanks," Eric smiled.
"No problem. Just keep it down," Chuck smirked as he walked out with Sabrina, shutting the door behind him.
Chuck strolled back into their bedroom several minutes later after putting Sabrina down, making sure that both children were down for the evening, and putting in a call to housekeeping. Blair was lying in bed, half awake, as she waited for him to return.
"Sorry I took so long. Serena was more stubborn than usual," Chuck said as he undressed and got into bed with her. "How are you?"
"I think I'm a little calmer. But I feel bad about leaving dinner out on the table."
"I called housekeeping and gave them double overtime. Kitchen and dining room will be clean by tomorrow morning."
"You are absolutely amazing," she proclaimed as she kissed his cheek.
"On the lips is much more appropriate," he told her as he tapped his lips lightly.
Blair chuckled lightly as she gave in to his demand.
"Thank you," he smiled. "So, about tomorrow morning; do you want me here with you and Eric?"
"I think we'll be okay," Blair said. "Serena's going to be mad but I think she'll understand."
"Are you sure?" he pressed, "Because I can clear my morning to be here if you think you'll need me."
"So very sweet, but not necessary," she assured him as she traced his chin with her finger.
"Are you sure," he asked again. "I know Serena. She's not going to be happy we hid this from her. You and Eric shouldn't have to take the brunt of things by yourselves."
"Eric and I can handle Hurricane Serena but you might need to buy us dinner tomorrow night."
"Deal. We'll order from the Italian place you like so much. What is it called? Carmen's?"
"Carmine's," Blair corrected. "And thank you."
"As always, it is my pleasure."
"Well, it's not always your pleasure," she said as she rolled on top of him and buried her face in his neck.
"Tease," he mumbled with a smile.