Okay, so here's another chapter. I hope it's enjoyable. A little C&B time along with some NJBC time and advice from a concerned and somewhat clueless mother. Enjoy! Reply! Give Raina a ticket back to the Windy City! Death to Dair as anything other than friends!

-c-b-c-b-c-b-

Chuck's eyes opened late that night. He could feel Blair next to him and smiled at the feeling of her bare skin against his. The images and feelings of their interlude began replaying in his mind. Looking over at her he was suddenly panic stricken. The room was so quiet, almost too quiet. He sat up slowly and then leaned down and pressed his ear to Blair's heart.

"I'm not dead, Bass," Blair's sleepy voice scolded him. "We're okay."

"I couldn't help myself," he admitted sheepishly as he let his head fall against her breasts as the relief washed over him. "I put you through a pretty good workout. You cannot blame me for being a little nervous."

Blair ran her fingers through his hair, tugging lightly at the strands, "I'm not broken. I got a little cracked, but I've been glued back together."

"I've never thought for a moment that you were broken or cracked," he told her, "A little dented maybe."

She chuckled softly at his reply.

"So, besides wanting to make sure you didn't have to call 9-1-1, why else are you awake?"

"I'm a little hungry," he admitted, "I felt my stomach starting to rumble. It is well after midnight, and I don't recall us actually eating dinner."

"The rest of the spinach pie should still be good. I also made dessert."

"What did you make for dessert?" he inquired. While she was becoming an excellent cook, it was her desserts that he craved most. He'd gladly forgo the main course and head straight for dessert.

"I made Apple Cake," Blair smiled.

"Not cherry," he smirked devilishly.

"Not this time, sorry," Blair shook her head. His mind was truly always in the gutter. "I gave that to you a long time ago, remember?"

"I remember," he nodded quickly as he rose from the bed. "I'll be right back."

"Don't forget a knife and forks," Blair called out to him.

Chuck came back moments later with just the cake and two forks.

"You forgot the knife," she chided him.

"We'll be okay without it," Chuck assured her. "Besides this is just for us. No one else gets a bite."

She quickly pried some of the dessert apart with her fork and held it to his lips.

"This is much more seductive in bed than when you try to feed Sebastian and Sabrina that overly processed, mashed up baby food," he told her before he took her offering.

"I would hope so," Blair said as she adjusted the sheet around her. "So, how are you feeling?"

"What do you mean?"

"Anything you'd want to change about tonight?"

"I wish it hadn't been so long since the last time," Chuck told her honestly. "Because I really missed you."

"What I meant is, was it okay for you? Did it live up to the anticipation?"

"Always," Chuck smiled.

"Good," she breathed a sigh of relief.

"You couldn't possibly think I'd be disappointed," he frowned.

"It's been a while," Blair fiddled with her fork. "And my body has changed because of the twins."

"You've never been a disappointment," Chuck said. "I was there for your first time, remember?"

"But it must have felt different," she stated, "Foreign perhaps."

"Nothing about you is foreign to me," he told her as he caressed her cheek softly. "Yes, it felt a little different, but still familiar and still the best I've ever had."

Blair smiled as she leaned down and kissed him.

"Hmm," Chuck smiled. "Not a chance, Waldorf. We're not pushing it."

"What is that supposed to mean?" she asked innocently.

"You know exactly what that is supposed to mean."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," she told him with a slight twinkle in her eyes.

"Yes, you do," Chuck said as he fed her a bite of cake. "And I am not pressing our luck. I want you alive in the morning."

"You're no fun," she pouted before she accepted the cake.

"Oh, I disagree. I think I'm a lot of fun. And you think so too when I let you have your way."

"I think you should let me have my way right now," she told him with the cake still in her mouth.

"We'll work up to it," he told her, "We have to rebuild our stamina."

"You sure," she asked.

"Yes," Chuck nodded. "I'm taking no chances. Besides, I kind of like this. I think this is what being with you while you were pregnant would've been like."

"Eating in bed?"

"And fending you off," he chuckled.

"Oh, but you wouldn't have been fending me off. You would've been catering to every whim of your pregnant girlfriend."

"I'm sure I would have enjoyed all the benefits that your raging hormones produced," he smirked playfully.

Blair giggled and returned the favor of being fed by feeding Chuck, "So, I meant to ask, what did you think of the brownstone? I know you and Nate checked it out the other day."

"It needs a lot of work to bring it up to our lofty standards, but by combining both of our talents, my remodeling, your redecorating, I think it will feel like home in no time."

"And you're sure about not living in one of the penthouses at the hotel?"

"I'm sure. The vast backyard has to be the biggest selling point. Children deserve a place where they can stretch their legs and still feel safe. I want to build playhouses for both Sabrina and Sebastian in those majestic trees."

"You mean have someone else build those playhouses," she corrected him.

"Well, yeah," Chuck nodded with a smile. "But living in a hotel doesn't give a kid a feeling of permanency. I want that for our children."

"You have to stop that," Blair sighed.

"Stop what?"

"Stop talking like that. You're making it really hard not to jump on you."

"What exactly am I saying that is driving you so mad with desire?" he chuckled. "I'm merely being honest with you."

"But the way you're talking about the future," she told him, "It's as if you see us together forever."

"I do," Chuck smiled. "I always have. You need to know that."

"There was a time in the not too distant past when I didn't see that," she admitted.

"But that's behind us now," he reminded her as he felt her hand wander to his hip, tracing along the scar on his leg.

"Don't ever get shot again," she requested.

"Back at you," Chuck returned.

"Are we ever going to have the discussion?" she inquired as she traced circles around his healed wound.

"Yes," he nodded as he ran his hand along her scar with the same tenderness.

"But not today," she concluded.

"No," he confirmed.

"Okay," Blair said. "You're right. It wouldn't be a good end to an amazing night."

"That's not necessary true," he told her cryptically, "But tonight isn't the night I have planned for that discussion."

She nodded as she leaned in to kiss him.

"We should get into our pajamas," she responded as she pulled away slightly.

"Why?"

"Because if we don't, I am going to attack you."

-c-c-c-c-c-

"Hello," a voice dragged Blair from her peaceful slumber.

"Who the hell is that?" Chuck mumbled, burying his face in Blair's hair in an attempt to block it out.

"I'm not sure but I think it's-"

"B, where are you?"

"Serena," Chuck sighed.

"And where Serena goes," Blair started.

"Chuck, you here?"

"Nate is sure to follow," Chuck grumbled. "I locked the elevator down. How did those two get in?"

"Nate still has his pass key."

"Remind me to pick his pockets," Chuck grumbled.

Knock-knock

"Go away," Chuck demanded.

"Well, at least we know they're alive in there," the duo heard Nate say. "You two coming out?"

"Please tell me you locked the door," Blair requested as she looked to the knob in panic. Surely Nate wasn't dimwitted enough to open the door.

"We were alone in the penthouse. Why would I?"

"So that our two very nosy best friends couldn't barge in on us," Blair whispered before sighing. "We'll be out in a minute, guys."

"No," Chuck whined softly.

"Okay, I'll start coffee," Serena said cheerfully.

"Serena, stay away from the coffee maker," Blair grabbed her robe and scurried out of the bedroom. Chuck was groaning in disappointment as he watched her flee.

"You nearly set your mom's kitchen on fire the last time you tried to make coffee," Blair stated in panic as she entered the kitchen as Serena was eyeing the appliance.

"You worry entirely too much," Serena told Blair as she was shoved away from the coffee maker. "The coffee was good. I merely forgot to shut it off when the carafe was empty."

"Lily had to have the kitchen repainted," Blair reminded her friend. "And you had to buy her a new coffee maker."

"She was just using the smoke as an excuse to redecorate," Serena waved her off, "She'll use anything she can to remodel."

"There were flames," Nate added.

"I put them out," Serena pouted.

"With the very expensive soy milk that Eric has to drink because regular milk gives him hives," Blair reminded her.

"The fire went out before the smoke alarm went off. You two are making way too much of that one incident."

"We value our lives, S," Blair stated as she started the coffee.

"Morning everyone," Chuck entered.

"Now you come in. Where were you when I, your sister, needed defending?"

"Serena, you should know by now I'll be on whichever side Blair is on," Chuck stated as he stepped in behind Blair and wrapped his arms around her waist as he began nuzzling her neck.

"Coffee," Blair asked with a grin.

"I'd prefer something a little sweeter," he whispered into her ear as he bit her lobe gently.

"You have company," Nate reminded them.

"Uninvited company," Chuck growled as he continued to nibble on Blair's neck. "If this bothers you, you know the way to the elevator."

"Seriously, Chuck, this is bordering on inappropriate," Serena groaned as Chuck's hand disappeared under Blair's robe as he caressed her abdomen softly. A tiny gasp of delight left Blair's lips.

"Leave," Chuck growled.

"We can't kick them out," Blair said.

"Why can't we kick them out?" Chuck groaned. "I can have security up here to escort these trespassers out in the blink of an eye."

"Okay, first of all, Nate still has his pass key, so he can't be charged with trespassing," Blair said as she leaned her head back against Chuck's shoulder. "And they're family. If we toss them in jail, Lily will never forgive you."

"I'd be willing to risk it if I can entice you back to bed," he smiled as he felt her melting against him.

"I-"

"Hello?"

"Hate your mother," Blair finished with a groan.

"Good morning, everyone," Lily stated cheerfully as she carried both children into the kitchen. "These two just could not stay away any longer."

"There's my little girl," Chuck smiled as he picked up Sabrina as Blair reached for Sebastian.

"Thank you for watching them, Lily," Blair replied as she kissed Sebastian's forehead. "I hope they weren't too much trouble."

"They were angels," Lily smiled, "They slept through the entire night."

"I hope Eric pitched in since I couldn't be there," Serena said as she played with Serena over Chuck's shoulder. "Hi Sweetie."

"Back off van der Woodsen," Chuck said. "This is a daughter/daddy bonding moment. I missed her."

"I'm sure you and Blair were just bored out of your minds without them. Whatever did you two do to entertain yourselves?" Serena smirked.

"I'm going to lay Sebastian down," Blair announced as she attempted to change the subject. "I'll be right back."

"I'll come with you," Serena chimed in as she snatched Sabrina from Chuck's arms.

"I'm calling security," Chuck growled, "Kidnapping is a federal offense."

"Oh shush," Serena smirked. "You'll have her and her mother and her brother all to yourself soon enough. Let me enjoy some aunt/niece time."

"Serena, you need to have a kid or two," Blair said.

Chuck looked at Nate and began laughing as the best friends left the room. Nate's eyes showed sheer panic at Blair's suggestion.

"Not anytime soon, of course," Lily amended. "Not everyone is ready for parenthood at this time in their lives."

"Could I interest you in a cup of coffee, Lily?" Chuck inquired as he kissed his mother's cheek in greeting.

"That sounds lovely," Lily said as she took a seat. "So what did you two do last night? Blair was vague about your plans? I think she mentioned something about dinner and perhaps a movie."

"There might have been dinner," Nate chimed in, "But the only other entertainment was in the bedroom."

"What?" Lily asked.

"Nate," Chuck warned.

"C'mon, it's not like it's a secret."

"She's my mother."

"Oh, I see," Lily's eyes went wide as she put together Nate's cryptic message.

Blair and Serena had the unfortunate timing of walking into the room at that moment.

"What's wrong?" Blair asked when she saw Lily's face.

"Your ex-boyfriend has a big mouth," Chuck growled.

"Blair, I think you, Chuck, and I should have a discussion."

"About?"

"What you two did last night."

"Nate," Blair snarled.

"I'm not naïve enough to think that the four of you aren't sexually active, but I do hope that you're being responsible."

"Mom!" Serena exclaimed in mortification.

"Lily? Two children," Blair reminded her. "I think we're a little past the safe sex thing."

"Still," Lily stopped Blair from continuing, "I suppose you two do realize the consequences of unprotected sex, but you are still capable of reproducing. Children have their way of creeping up on you when they are least expected, like Serena."

"Hey!" Serena exclaimed in surprise.

"All I'm saying is that you two still need to take the necessary precautions.

"We did, I promise," Blair said.

"Was I a surprise?" Serena talked over everyone.

"Let's just say that you weren't exactly planned for the moment you were conceived," Lily admitted.

"Wait, why is this coming up now?" Serena replied.

Blair, Nate and Chuck bit their lips to keep from laughing.

"Serena, Dear, you have been one hundred percent loved. Does it matter if you were planned for?" Lily tried to assure her.

"I think we need to get dressed," Blair said to Chuck. "And Nate, you need to go."

"Blair's right," Chuck nodded, "This is a conversation between mother and daughter."

"Mom, why aren't you saying anything?" Serena demanded.

"Sweetheart, I want you to keep in mind that Rhodes women are very fertile," Lily started.

"Oh God," Nate said. "I have to go." He dashed from the room faster than anyone had ever seen him move.

"Stock up, Archibald," Chuck called out to him as he heard the elevator arrive.

"Chuck," Blair and Serena said at the same time and smacked him on opposite shoulders.

"I'm just trying to ensure that Nathaniel is properly equipped," Chuck shrugged.

"Bathroom," Blair pointed. "You need to shower and to get ready for work."

"Could I talk you into joining me?" he grinned seductively.

"Mother in the room!" Lily exclaimed, "And don't forget you're taking Eric out tonight. He was anxiously talking about it last evening as we bathed the children."

"I haven't forgotten," Chuck assured his mother with a laugh, "I'm very much looking forward to the chicken marsala."

"What is it with you and chicken marsala?" Lily shook her head, "If I didn't know better I'd swear it was code for something else."

Serena burst out laughing at how clueless her mother really was at the moment.

"Lily, let's have lunch sometime soon," Blair guided her best friend's mother to the elevator.

"Alright, Dear," Lily said. "Call me and we'll set something up."

"I will," Blair promised. Then once the elevator doors shut she rounded on her family. "You two are so completely unbalanced."

"Me? He's the one taking my little brother to a strip club."

"You're the one laughing about it. Your mother is going to call child services if we're not careful."

"What can they do? Eric is a legal adult," Serena replied.

"But Sabrina and Sebastian are not," Chuck reminded her.

"Mom's not going to take your kids away."

"Chuck, shower," Blair instructed him, "Serena, help me get the twins fed."

"I'd be happy to," Serena said.

"I won't be long," Chuck said. "I'll be back to help you."

"So, spill," Serena demanded once they were alone and the twins were in their highchairs.

"About what?" Blair asked.

"You know about what," Serena smiled. "How was it?"

"How was what?" Blair tried to play innocent.

"Blair!"

"Amazing," Blair smiled.

"Come on, you have to give me more than that," Serena demanded.

"You have a boyfriend of your own. You know how sex works," Blair replied.

"I've never slept with Chuck, but we've both slept with Nate and you know that he's not on Chuck's level."

"Point taken," Blair smiled. "Chuck was unbelievable."

"And," Serena prompted her.

"So soft and gentle," she added.

"Really," Serena responded in disbelief.

"He's not always as aggressive as he seems," Blair replied.

"But still soft and gentle," Serena responded, "That doesn't exactly fit the Chuck Bass mold that I was expecting. Was that satisfying?"

"You have no idea," Blair sighed happily.

Neither women had any way to know that Chuck was on the other side of the wall listening to every word and smiling at Blair's revelation. While he wasn't lacking for confidence when it came to sex, it was good to know that she enjoyed it as much as he did.

=d=d=d=d=d=

"Archibald, should I invest heavily in condom manufacturers?" Chuck laughed when his best friend appeared in his office later that day.

"Lily was just kidding, wasn't she?" Nate gulped nervously.

"Humphrey's old man knocked her up when they were teenagers," Chuck reminded him.

"Oh dear God," Nate groaned.

"You two are always protected, aren't you?" Chuck studied his best friend closely.

"Of course," Nate nodded. "Mom would've been thrilled if I'd knocked Blair up. Serena, not so much."

"What's Anne's problem?"

"I don't know. She thinks Serena's too flighty, and that I need someone more stable."

"She just needs more time to get to know Serena," Chuck tried to reassure him. "It takes a little time for her charm to rub off on people."

"I don't know, Man," Nate shook his head, "She still talks an awful lot about Blair."

"Remind Anne that Blair is taken and that she had children that were not Archibald/Vanderbilts'. They're Waldorf/Bass'."

"I'm not so sure that would be a deterrent," Nate sighed.

"Okay, then tell your grandfather. He'll set Anne straight."

"I'm not sure that would work either," Nate groaned.

"Nathaniel, you need to be firm with your mother and your grandfather. Take a stand or they'll be controlling you for the rest of your life."

"At least Dad's on your side," Nate smiled. "He thinks you and Blair are great together. He wants to know when the wedding is."

"I still have to ask her, and she still has to say yes," Chuck stated nervously.

"You can't be worried that she'll say no," Nate rolled his eyes, "You have children together for crying out loud. You live together. You're going into business together. No isn't going to be an option."

"I'm still afraid that she sees Jenny when she looks at me."

"If that were true, last night wouldn't have happened."

"Maybe not," he conceded, "I'm still afraid that I see Jenny when I look at myself."

"Monogamy isn't for everyone, but it's for you and Blair," Nate tried to reassure him.

"I want her every day. I wake up, and I still can't believe she's there. I almost lost her to a damn psycho with a gun."

"She almost lost you the same way."

"When I touch her scar, I feel a tiny piece of myself breaking," Chuck admitted, "Somebody hurt her...physically hurt her. It takes every ounce of strength I have not to call in as many favors as it takes to end that miserable man's existence."

"You think she doesn't feel the same way? You could've died in Prague and no one would've known what happened to you. Blair could be scouring Europe looking for a dead man. At least you have a face to go with the crime. We don't have that for your assailant."

"It's not the same," Chuck shook his head. "I deserved that bullet wound. Blair didn't."

"That's crap and you know it," Blair said from the door. "Hey Nate. Serena's out in the hall with your godchildren. Why don't you go say hi?"

"Blair," Chuck began as Nate scrambled out of the room making sure to close the door behind him. He knew better than to stay in the line of fire.

"You didn't deserve a bullet wound," Blair said as she crossed the office. "You screwed up, so did I. But you didn't deserve to be shot."

"I deserved the pain associated with it," he shook his head. "I'd rather it have been in the heart, though. It could have spared you so much pain."

Blair slapped him across the face. "Don't you ever say that again!"

Chuck's eyes went wide.

"Ow, that hurt," Chuck said, rubbing his face.

"Good," Blair hissed. "If you ever say something that stupid again, I will make you sleep in the lobby of our new hotel without the heat on for a week."

"You hit me," he responded, his voice still stunned.

"Yes, I did," Blair responded, her eyes widening as what she did sunk in. "Oh God. Chuck, I'm sorry."

"You hit me," he repeated, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I can't believe you did that."

"Are you okay?" she asked as her hand went to his cheek to caress him softly where she'd so rudely inflicted pain.

"Yes, I'm fine," Chuck assured her. "But that was kind of hot."

"You're incorrigible."

"Could you do it again?" he teased as he wrapped his arms around her waist and brought her in closer.

"You get turned on by the strangest things, you know that," Blair smiled.

"I am merely turned on by all the things you are capable of doing," he amended.

"Seriously though, please never say anything even hinting that you deserved to be shot. You didn't, no matter what you did."

He nodded in agreement. "To what do I owe the honor of your presence?"

"I came to thank you in person for last night and for the flowers you sent this morning," she smiled.

"No need to thank me for last night," he told her. "I assure you I enjoyed it as much, if not more than, you did."

"Not possible," she shook her head. "And I'm here hoping to convince you of a repeat performance. Serena has volunteered her and Nate to watch the children, if you're interested."

"Tonight?"

"No. You're seeing Eric tonight," Blair smiled.

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes. I even bought a bottle of champagne."

"Will you be partaking?" he inquired.

"A small glass," Blair nodded. "And I ordered dinner."

"And for dessert?" he inquired.

"Me," she smiled.

"My favorite," Chuck smirked.

"Is that all you came here for?"

"No," she shook her head, "But Serena, Nate and the children are right outside, and your office walls are painfully thin."

"And neither of us are any good at being quiet," Chuck smiled.

"Exactly. By the way, your secretary?"

"Lesbian," Chuck smiled.

"Smart man," she tapped his chest affectionately.

"How about lunch?" Chuck suggested when she pulled away as if she was about to leave. He couldn't bare the thought. "My treat. We'll even take Serena and Nate along."

"Sounds good," Blair nodded. "I am kind of hungry. I skipped dinner last night for some reason."

"For a very good reason," he laughed.