Thank you for all your kind words. I hope the grammar in this chapter satisfies everyone. My beta is awesome.

Chuck exited the elevator and stopped short when he saw Blair sitting on the chair against the wall of the foyer with the baby carriers on either side. She smiled when she saw him and stood up.

"You left a little fast this morning," Blair told him. "We didn't even get to have breakfast together."

"Sorry," he muttered his apology as he bent over to kiss each of his children's cheeks before his lips claimed hers.

She didn't let him pull away as she gave him a deep kiss as her arms wrapped around his neck to hold him close. "You think I forgot what today means to you?"

"Blair, I meant it when I said I didn't want you to make a big deal of this day. You know better than anyone what today means to me."

"No big deals," Blair assured him with a nod of her head. "I'm not throwing you a party, and I didn't invite anyone over. It's you, me, and our children tonight.

"Ahem," someone cleared their throat.

"Oh and Dorota, too, but she's only here keep an eye on them so we can be alone," she replied as she motioned towards the children.

"Good," he sighed in relief. He'd been dreading coming home for fear that he'd find a surprise party waiting for him.

"Happy Birthday, Mr. Chuck. Vanya and I get something for you. It in living room."

"Thank you, Dorota," Chuck smiled as the Polish woman took the carriers to the nursery.

Blair led him into the living room and sat them down on the couch, "Lily, Serena, Eric, and Nate sent over gifts, too. You don't have to open them tonight or even tomorrow. But they're here because you have people who love you in your life."

"I only care about three, and they are all here with me," he told her as he captured her lips again.

Blair smiled, "In that case, do you want to open the present the twins got you?"

"I said no presents," he chuckled lightly.

"You said no presents from me."

"You're very sneaky, Waldorf," Chuck said as he accepted the small box.

"The children picked it out, I swear," she smirked as he lifted the lid.

"Because two infants have the capability to verbalize their desires and also have the ability to pay for the gift," he chuckled.

"They are your children, are they not?" she smirked.

"They are," Chuck nodded.

"So, I took them to the store and Sabrina pointed and Sebastian nodded."

"So, this was all their idea?"

"Exactly," Blair nodded as she motioned towards the box eager to see his reaction. She hadn't been lying when she said Sabrina picked it out, so she was eager to see if he appreciated Sabrina's good taste. "Open it."

"It's beautiful," he smiled softly as he pulled the platinum pin out of the box, eyeing the two identical topaz gems. He lifted a curious eyebrow to Blair to get an understanding of their meaning.

"Their birthstones," she explained. "It's to put on your lapel so that you always have them close to your heart."

"I love it," Chuck smiled as he slid an arm around her waist and pulled her close. "It's perfect."

"I want to give you something else."

"Blair, you promised no gifts."

"I know, but I think this is something you really need," Blair replied, "Actually something you deserve."

"Well, I know it's nothing that involves us being naked," Chuck smirked.

"Funny," Blair frowned.

"I'm sorry," he responded as he reached out to take her hand, caressing it gently as he realized he'd upset her by not taking the gift as seriously as she wanted him too.

"You're forgiven," Blair said with a nod. She then handed him an envelope. "This is for you."

"Money?" he teased.

"Forget it," she replied as she snatched the envelope before he could open it. "It was a silly idea anyway."

"Give it," Chuck stole it back. "I want this, and I'm sorry I haven't been treating this with the right amount of seriousness."

"It's something that I've been giving serious thought for awhile, and I know it's something that you've really wanted," she hinted.

"Okay," Chuck opened it and got a little nervous when he saw the legal jargon.

"It's not a prenup, is it?" he gulped nervously.

"No, keep reading."

"Blair," he gasped as he realized what it truly was. "Are you sure?"

"You were right. They are Basses and they should have the name. Especially, and I cannot believe that I'm about to say this, but especially Sebastian."

"If you're not sure, you can change your mind," he offered, though the gesture made his heart swell with pride.

"I'm sure," she assured him, "You've been amazing through everything we've been through since…" She trailed off as she didn't want to think about the shooting. "You've been amazing. The children adore you as I know you do them. I never really thought you'd take to children as well as you have."

Chuck put the papers down and gathered her into his arms lifting her off the floor.

"Chuck, put me down," Blair giggled as he spun her around, making her dizzy in the process.

"You have no idea how much this means to me," he replied as he lowered her back to her feet though he kept his arms wrapped tightly around her.

"Yes, I do," Blair nodded her head. "I'm not oblivious, Chuck. I know how much it means to you for them to have your name."

"I've always hated this day because of the events that happened on the day I was born, but not this year. That itself is the greatest gift you could have given me today."

"I love you, Bass," she smiled. "You and our baby Basses."

"I love you, too," Chuck said. "Now, since there is nothing you could do that could possibly top your present, let's go to sleep."

"Dinner first," Blair said pulling him towards the dining room as she walked backwards. "I made eggplant parm and that coffee spice cake you like."

"Blair, it's kind of late," he reminded her.

"I know," she nodded, "Who knew you'd turn into a workaholic on your birthday of all days? But it's your birthday, and despite how much you dread the day, it's still one to celebrate, so dinner is waiting."

"Well, I do like that cake you make," Chuck smiled.

"I know," Blair told him. "Let's eat. We only have so much time alone before Dorota has to leave and Eric returns home from his evening with Elliot."

"I had lunch with Eric today."

"And," she prompted him.

"He's thinking Lily's all by herself now," Chuck said as he started to eat.

"He wants to move home, doesn't he?"

"Yes," Chuck nodded, "But he's worried about how you'll take it."

"I'll be great. I can have my room back."

"What?" he choked on his food.

Blair started to laugh uncontrollably.

"That's not funny," he scolded her.

"The look on your face certainly is," she continued giggling.

"Do you want to move back into the other room?"

"No," Blair shook her head as she got up and sat on his lap.

"You sure?" he pressed as his hands came to rest at her waist.

"I like being able to snuggle up next to you on those cold nights," she replied as she burrowed her head into his chest. "And I'm sorry for teasing you. I should be nicer to you today of all days."

"Yes, you should," he nodded as she kissed his lips lightly.

They were interrupted by the entrance of Dorota, "Miss Blair? Mister Sebastian has fever."

"I was afraid he was coming down with something," Blair sighed as she went to pick Sebastian up out of his carrier. "He was a little fussy earlier this evening."

"We should take him to the emergency room," Chuck responded reflexively.

"Chuck, take it down a notch," Blair said with a wry smile.

His head was spinning with all the worst case scenarios, having never experienced a true illness with his children since they'd come to live with him. "My child is ill. There is no taking it down a notch."

"Our child," Blair corrected. "Children get fevers all the time and more than half the time it turns out to be nothing. We'll take his temperature and see how high it is. Then I'll call that fancy pediatrician you hired and get her opinion."

Chuck dashed into the bathroom to retrieve the thermometer. His heart was hammering out of his chest with the dread he was feeling. He couldn't shake the uneasy feeling. He'd lost him mother on this day so many years earlier. He was certain he was going to lose his son.

"Chuck, take a deep breath," Blair instructed him as he returned on the verge of tears. "It's going to be okay."

"You don't know that," Chuck said.

"Dorota, can you take Sebastian's temperature?" Blair handed the thermometer over to Dorota along with her son. "I need to have a word with Chuck."

"Blair, not now."

"Oh, right now," Blair corrected pulling him into the kitchen. "You have got to calm down. Working yourself up over something that is probably nothing is not going to do anyone any good."

"This day is cursed," he told her. "I will not stand by and lose my son on the same day I lost my mother so many years earlier."

"Hey, look at me," Blair put her hands on his face. "This day is not cursed. This day is sacred. Your mom wanted you so much she didn't care if it cost her her own life. That is a gift."

"You'll never convince me that this day is anything other than what it is…a curse," Chuck told her as he wrapped his hands around her delicate wrists to pull her hands away from his face.

"No, you listen to me," Blair insisted. "This day is not a curse. This day is one of the most important days in our family history. You exist and because of that, they exist. Do you know how grateful I am for that?"

Chuck's tears finally spilled over. He couldn't contain his agony as he wrapped his arms around her and sobbed against her shoulder. It was more than just his concern for his son tumbling out. It was him mourning for his mother in a way he never had allowed himself before.

"It's okay," Blair soothed as she held onto him. "It will be okay. He will be okay."

Dorota came in with Sebastian in her arms. At Blair's urging, Chuck held him tight against his chest.

"His fever drop since before," Dorota announced as she handed the thermometer back to Blair.

Sebastian wrapped his tiny hand around Chuck's finger as he looked into his father's eyes.

"Thanks, Dorota. Was Sabrina still asleep?" Blair asked.

"Yes, Miss Blair. She out like little princess," Dorota nodded.

"Okay. Can you change Sebastian's sheets? I still want to call the doctor and see if there's anything else we should be doing," Blair said.

Dorota nodded as she disappeared.

"He's going to be just fine," Blair assured Chuck as she saw Sebastian's eyes start to close as he gave a tiny yawn.

"Sebastian Nathaniel Bass," Chuck whispered quietly. He couldn't get over how well those words sounded together.

"Serena calls him Bastian sometimes," Blair smiled as she caressed his head softly.

"He's so beautiful," Chuck marveled as his eyes scanned the features of his son's face. There were his distinct features, but also soft touches of Blair. The combination resulted in this most beautiful little boy.

"So is his father," Blair said as she caressed the side of Chuck's face. "And after we put him back down, I think maybe we should take a look at that album Anne gave me."

"I don't foresee letting him out of my sight this evening," Chuck told her.

"We should still take a look at the album," Blair smiled.

"Why?"

"Because I know you won't look at it alone," Blair said.

He nodded as he allowed himself to be led into the living room.

"I'm just going to call the doctor and grab the book. Have a seat. I'll be right back," Blair instructed him.

Chuck nodded as Blair went to accomplish her tasks.

"Okay little man, you can't go scaring your old man like this on his birthday. It's not nice. And you're going to have to get used to your father freaking out like this."

Sebastian gave a little hiccup as he continued to sleep soundly in his father's arms, his hand still tightly clinching Chuck's finger.

"Today is not a good day for me, even though it's my birthday. It's actually kind of a sad day for me. I lost your grandma on this day a long time ago.

"But I can assure you that your birthday will always be a day of celebration, as it's easily the best day of my life even though I wasn't there to greet you and your sister as you came into this world."

"The pediatrician thinks the fever is nothing to worry about," Blair announced as she returned with the photo album in her hands.

"Easy for her to say," he grumbled as he made a mental note to look into finding a new pediatrician.

"She's the best in New York," Blair reminded him as she sat down next to him. "You had half of the R&D department at Bass look into her credentials. They don't come any better. You know that."

"There's always better," he replied, "We deserve one that understands the neurotic nature of Chuck Bass."

"Are you ready?" Blair decided to ignore his comments as she sat herself down next to him and opened the book to the first page, which was a picture of his mother.

"No," he shook his head as he took a deep breath. He couldn't remember when was the last time he'd really looked at a picture of his mother.

Blair put her hand on his arm as they looked at the pictures in the book, "I've seen this one before," she pointed. "That's Nate's grandmother and her mother with Anne and your mom."

"She was beautiful, wasn't she," he choked out as his fingers traced along an image of her. He wasn't really even hearing Blair at the moment.

"Yes, she was," Blair nodded as she looked at him and then back at the picture. "You really do have her eyes, you know."

"I know," he nodded. "I always figured that was why my father couldn't tolerate looking at me."

Blair choked up at his revelation and decided to flip the page to another picture.

"Wow," Blair breathed, "Is that your dad's father?"

"I think so," he nodded as he looked at the image more closely.

"Chuck, except for the eyes, you look exactly like him."

"Another painful reminder for my father," Chuck sighed, "He was very close with his old man. He died shortly after my mother did."

"I don't get Bart," Blair shook her head. "Lily always tells me how glad she is that Eric has her dad's smile. It makes it seem like he's not so far away. I feel the same way when I see Sabrina smile a certain way. It reminds me of my mom. You'd think he'd have been happy to have the reminders of people who aren't around anymore."

"That wasn't the way Bart worked," Chuck shook his head. "I've given up trying to figure him out."

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," Blair replied as she tried to close the book. It was only putting him in a more somber mood.

"No," Chuck stopped her. "Sebastian and Sabrina will ask one day about their family, and I'll need to get through showing them this without choking up. To do that, I'll need to get used to seeing these people."

Blair put her chin on Chuck's shoulder, "You're braver than you give yourself credit for."

"Am I really?" Chuck turned his head towards her and smiled as she kissed his cheek. "I suppose it's easy to be brave with you at my side."

"Don't go giving me the credit," Blair shook her head. "You're brave on your own too."

"Not always," Chuck shook his head. "There are times I can be the biggest coward in the world,"

"I'm well aware," she smirked, "But in the moments that matter most, you're the bravest man in the world."

Chuck's eyes glanced down to his son. His eyes racked across the lettering on his son's shirt that read, "I love my daddy." He vaguely remembered that Sabrina was wearing the same shirt. "Where did you get these?"

"I went to the store and bought them," Blair said with a smile. "They make all kinds of specialty shirts like this. We can even get them customized with whatever else we want the shirt to say."

"Do they make 'I love Mommy' shirts?" he inquired.

"Of course," she nodded. "I bought those too."

"Of course you did," Chuck nodded. "Anything else?"

"I love Dorota," Blair smiled.

"We all should get those shirts," Chuck laughed.

"And use them for our Christmas cards," Blair agreed.

"Miss Blair, is Mr. Sebastian ready to go back to bed?" Dorota asked.

"Right on cue," Blair smiled as she lifted Sebastian from Chuck's arms, though Chuck was reluctant to release him. "Yes, he is."

"Watch him for awhile, okay, Dorota?" Chuck asked.

"Yes, Mr. Chuck. Do not worry. He is good, strong baby."

"Like his father," Blair added as she hugged Chuck, hoping to distract him so Chuck wouldn't follow Dorota into the children's bedroom.

"I think we should," Chuck started as he motioned like he was going to follow Dorota.

"Go to sleep," Blair finished. "What a wonderful idea."

"Are you sure it's okay to leave Sebastian in his room this evening?" Chuck asked nervously. "We could move his crib into our room for the night."

"He's fine. We have a monitor in our room," Blair pulled him off the couch and towards their room, "Dorota in his room, and it's a less than ten second trip between their bedroom and ours. If he gets sicker, we'll know about it immediately."

Chuck wasn't convinced, but Blair's grip on his hand was tight and unbreakable, so he had to follow her.

"If you're good, I am going to make you very happy," Blair promised.

"How is that?" he chuckled, "You're still on restrictions."

"But you're not. I can make you happy without making me happy."

"Doesn't seem fair," Chuck's smile widened.

"It's your birthday."

"Have I mentioned today, how much I love you?" he smiled.

"I believe it was when you woke up this morning, and I put Sabrina on your chest."

"Well, I'm saying it again. I love you in a way that consumes me," he replied as he wrapped his arms around her tightly.

"And I love you," Blair smiled. "Happy Birthday, Chuck."