As a reader, you now know that this writer, hated how Gossip Girl ended and that Serena should NEVER have been accepting of what Dan had done - he literally ruined all their lives, sure some for the better, but at the cost of others. He ruined people's relationships. Serenate should have been and always will be endgame. Shame on you Gossip Girl TV Writers.
Chapter Two
"B! Chuck! You're home!" Serena ran down the stairs smiling towards Blair and who have arrived home from their French and Italian honeymoon where they spent a month in their own loved-up bubble without a care in the world.
"Bonjour Mon Cher Ami!" B said as she hugged Serena tightly.
"Sis, we've got you some presents – "Chuck said as she kissed her cheeks.
"Miss Serena, your mother has just called let you know that all your boxes and bags have arrived at the apartment." Dorota interrupted. Serena looked over her shoulder and said thank you.
"What is she talking about, S? What's going on?" Blair asked worriedly. As Serena was about to answer, Nate walked out of the elevator smiling. He hugged the newlywed couple and gave Serena a lingering kiss on the cheek. Serena could not deny the tingling feeling she got, but she quickly shut it out.
"S, tell us what is going on right now," Blair demanded as they all walked over the sitting lounges in the next room.
"I have decided that it's time for me to leave the Upper East Side and begin afresh," Serena said positively. She watched the faces of her best friends change from happiness to confusion to anger and sadness.
"Where are you moving to?" Nate whispered.
"I've been looking at a number of countries. I decided not to move to Europe because I have seen enough of it. I've decided to move to Australia."
"Australia!?" They all shouted with shocked eyes. Blair was worried about her safety in a country that no-one in the Upper East Side would go to. Chuck was worried about how she was going to live without her friends and family and wondering what if she was having another breakdown. On the other hand, Nate was worried that he may lose her forever.
"Yes, I need to start afresh. My mom bought an apartment for me in Melbourne and helped me to get a job as a publicist."
"You can't leave us. You complete our group, without you, we're not a foursome anymore." Blair ranted. She ranted and ranted but eventually gave up after Serena kept telling Blair that she wasn't going to change her mind.
"Look, I've made my decision and I'm leaving. It's not going to be forever, I promise." She held all their hands and smiled sadly. "After everything that has happened, it's what I need. I know you are worried that I'll be like the old Serena, but I can assure you that I'm not going back." All Nate, Chuck and Blair could do was nod and smile and accept their best friend's decision. Blair and Chuck told them about the beautiful moments from their honeymoon on the way over to Lily's apartment for dinner.
"Charles, Blair… welcome home. Hello Nathaniel." Lily smiled as she hugged all three of them and smothered Henry with kisses on his chubby cheeks.
"Thank you, Lily." Charles smiled graciously. As dinner was served, they all took their places at the table. Serena is surprised that Lily hasn't been with a man for just over two weeks, usually, she would be off with either Rufus, Serena's own father William or just some other man since Bart's "accidental" death. Serena sat next to her mother and Erik next to her. Nate was unusually quiet and sat opposite of her with a sullen face.
"Lily, how could you let Serena leave to another country on the other side of the world! Are you crazy?"
"B!" Serena whispered.
"Blair, I know how upset you must be. We all are but after everything that has happened, she wanted to make a fresh start and I agree. After what Daniel has done to all of you, I'm surprised she is the only one that wants to leave."
"Of course we can't leave, New York is our home. Serena – our home." Blair emphasised home.
"Guys, can we just enjoy this dinner please?" Serena begged. Nate still has not said a word and Serena's heart was in hurt that he has barely said anything about it.
"I agree with Serena. It's her last night with us before she has to leave so we should all be enjoying each other's company." Chuck said smoothly.
"You're leaving tomorrow?"
"No, I'm leaving tonight…in a couple hours actually." She said slowly nervously watching their reactions.
"What? Chuck and I just got back from our honeymoon and you're leaving already?" Blair asked bewilderedly.
"I know, but I have too. I could've left after your wedding but I needed some time." Serena sighed. Everyone finally gave up trying to convince Serena to stay and just spent the night reminiscing the fun times they have had and the bad time they've gone through.
After dinner, Serena's bags were being put into the car downstairs as she said goodbye to her family.
"Serena, can I please come with you to the airport?" Nate asked quietly ignoring the eyes of everyone around them.
"I would love for you to the airport with me," Serena said. Everyone was on a high with sad emotions because they all knew she wasn't going to come back to Manhattan anytime soon. There was a comfortable silence on the way to the airport with Nate and Serena's fingers intertwined and resting on his knee. Nate wanted to pour his heart out to her but he didn't know how. Once they arrived at the airport, Nate helped Serena out of the car. Serena's bags were being taken into the building, leaving Serena and Nate to stand next to each other in silence.
"Nate, thank you for everything and for always being there for me. Promise me we'll always talk whether it's via email, text or phone call. I love you, Nate." Serena was on the verge of tears as she said her final words.
"Serena, I promise. I can't lose you. I love you too." He said firmly. After they broke out of their hug, he watched her walk off. Suddenly, he ran up to her and grabbed her arm.
"Nate, what are you doing?" Serena looked down at his large callous hand on her arm. He pulled her into a hot searing kiss. Serena returned the kiss lost in sensation. She pulled back as soon as she heard her flight.
"Nate, they're calling my flight. I have to go."
"Serena, I kissed you for a reason. Stay with me. We need each other. I've loved you since forever and letting you is too hard." Nate pleaded. His eyes were just full of sadness and love. Serena was too shocked to say anything. She looked at him sadly. Her head told her to stay and be with the one that she truly loves, but her heart told her that it was time to move on.
"Oh, Nate...I have to go. I –"
"Miss Van Der Woodsen, It's time to leave." Nate was waiting to hear the end of Serena's sentence in hope of what he wanted.
"I'm sorry Nate, goodbye." She kissed his cheek and walked away from him. Every step she took, every bit of Nate's heart broke.
That was the last time they saw each other.
Five Years Later
"Mr Archibald, the latest polls about your run for mayor has hit a new high." The reporter approached Nate Archibald as he stepped off his private jet. Nate Archibald – the successful owner of The Spector and now running for mayor.
"Well, the people have spoken…" Nate smiled. Nate left the plane and was driven to Chuck's apartment. When he arrived, he saw little Henry smiling and being thrown up in the air by Chuck.
"Uncle Nate!" Henry shouted. He leapt out of his dad's arm and ran towards Nate.
"Hey, little man!" Nate laughed as he picked up Henry.
"Nate my man, welcome home. How was the meeting in Chicago?" Chuck said as he gave his best friend a big brotherly hug.
"It was good. We managed to secure a new deal with a massive advertising company for The Spectator."
"I hope you boys are not already talking about work, Nate just got back. You should know better than that Chuck." Blair said in her usual perky tone as she descended the stairs.
"Welcome back, Archibald." Blair smiled as she hugged Nate.
"Sorry to cut the welcoming short, but we have to run. We have to go to Lily and Rufus's wedding." Blair took her jacket from Dorota and helped Henry get ready. Chuck picked up Henry and Nate wrapped his arm around Blair's shoulder.
On the other side of town
Lily stood in front of the mirror admiring herself in her beautiful pearly white wedding dress. The door opened. "Oh, Erik darling, how is Rufus? Is he ready yet?"
"Hey mom, it's me." Lily spun around to see her beautiful blonde-haired, blue-eyed daughter standing at the door.
"Serena! You're back!" Lily said with a big smile. Serena walked over to and gave her mother a big hug.
"Oh darling, my daughter is finally home again after five years."
"The Upper East Side hasn't changed at all but my family and best friends are here. There's nowhere else I want to be." Serena smiled.
"You told me to reserve two seats for you, did you bring a date?" Lily looked at Serena as she saw her daughter helping out her mother's dress.
"Yes, my boyfriend Oliver. He's never been to New York before, so I thought why not bring him along. You'll love him mom, but you'll meet him later. Now, let's go and get you married for the last time." Serena giggled.
"Oh, Serena. There's a dress in your old bedroom. I cannot walk down the aisle without my daughter and son giving me away at the altar." Serena ran to her old room and saw a gorgeous pale green maxi dress on her bed. Serena got dressed and walked back to her mother's room.
"Mom, what's taking so long?" Erik walked in with a massive shock on his face. "Serena! You're back?" Erik walked in and hugged his older sister. Erik has grown and became a college student at NYU majoring in business and working with Chuck.
"Erik! I missed you! I heard you are a big businessman working for Chuck. I am so proud of you."
"Thank you, Serena. Are you back home for another visit?"
"No, I am back for good." Serena squealed excitedly.
"We have time to catch up at the reception later. We have to go." Lily smiled. Erik grabbed the corsage from Lily's table and put it on Serena's hand. They were a family again.
Chuck and Blair walked to the wedding ceremony hand-in-hand with Nate walking with Henry Bass behind the couple.
"Oh, look at us. It has finally taken five years for something big to happen to the Van der Woodesens; sadly, they're joining families with the Humphries again." Blair said. Nate and Chuck looked at each other and chuckle. They may have grown and matured since about five years ago, but they still had it in them all. The ceremony started with Rufus standing up there with Dan standing up there uncomfortably. He had been gone five years and he had not been welcomed kindly. Firstly, little Henry walked down the aisle carrying the rings then Eleanor walked down the aisle.
"Oh my God, is that Serena?" Blair asked as soon as she stood up watching Lily walk down the aisle with Erik. Serena walked down the aisle and saw her best friends. She smiled at waved at them excitedly. Nate was watching her carefully whereas Blair and Chuck were smiling. The ceremony was beautiful. Serena sat down at the front beside Oliver smiling at her mother finally settling down, once again. They all went into the reception hall and began the celebrations.
"Mom, Rufus and Erik, I would like you to meet Oliver, my boyfriend."
"Hello Oliver, it's so lovely to meet you."
"Thank you, Mrs Humphries. Congratulations and thank you for letting me join in the celebrations."
"Oh please, call me Lily. Serena has emailed me telling that she met a wonderful Australian man. Glad to see that you are what I hoped for. So, tell me, what do you do?"
"Mother! Please." Serena said.
"Serena, it's okay. I am a sports journalist for a newspaper but I quit before coming here. I need a vacation."
"How did you two meet?" Rufus asked.
"We met at a function. I was working as a publicist that night which he happened to be attending and we just hit it off."
"Do you understand him?" Erik asked.
"Erik! Of course, I do, I mean… it took me a while but once you live in Australia for over five years, you can understand everything in Australia." Serena saw Dan coming and she still wasn't very comfortable being around him.
"Oliver, there are some people I want you to meet." She looped her around his and walked towards Chuck and Blair.
"Serena!" Blair shouted and waved her hand gently. Serena smiled and hugged her best friend.
"It's so good to see you again, sis. It has been a while." Chuck said huskily and gave Serena a kiss on the cheek.
"And who is this man you bring as your date?" Blair asked curiously.
"This is Oliver, my boyfriend from Australia. Oliver, these are my best friends – Chuck and Blair. Chuck is my step-brother from my mom's previous marriage.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Blair and Chuck. Serena has told me so much about you both." Chuck and Oliver seemed to be getting along great.
"Aunt Serena!" Serena looked over her shoulder to see Henry Bass jumping in Nate's arms. She turned around and started feeling funny inside at the sight of Nate. Serena bent down and picked up Henry and showered him with kisses and hugs.
"Who's this man?" Henry asked.
"This is my boyfriend, Oliver. Oliver, this is Chuck and Blair's son - Henry." Henry became shy and hid under Serena's neck.
"But mommy and daddy said that you belong with Uncle Nate." Henry looked up at Serena's eyes with his big brown eyes. Blair laughed nervously and took Henry in her arms.
"Kids, you know what they're like. They say things without thinking."
"Serena, you're back." Nate smiled. Serena and Nate hugged for a fairly long time.
"Nate, this is Oliver for my boyfriend. Oliver, this is my best friend Nate." Nate and Greg shook hands firmly and smiled. Nate was feeling slightly uncomfortable however his heart with bursting with joy to see Serena back.
They spent the rest of the night dancing away and catching up. Serena and Oliver said they're goodbyes and headed out towards the door.
"Sis, I set you and Oliver up a suite at the Empire all paid for. Your things are all already there." Chuck smirked.
"Aw, thank you, Chuck." Blair and Chuck left with Henry asleep in Blair's arms.
"Babe, I'll meet you downstairs and get a cab, okay?" Oliver pecked Serena on the lips.
Serena said goodbye to her mother and Rufus before she walked towards the doors.
"Serena, wait up," Nate said walked up behind her.
"Hey, I can't stay long – I'm so jetlagged. As soon as we got off the plane, we came here."
"Oh, how about we go and have lunch tomorrow?"
"I'm up for it. Gramercy Tavern with Blair and Chuck tomorrow?"
"You got it. Erik is taking Oliver sight-seeing tomorrow." Nate hugged Serena and left. Nate thought he had moved on from Serena, but now that she's back, he wasn't too sure.