Chapter Ten

Serena sobbed herself for a good half an hour before she fell asleep - worn out from the crying and being emotionally and physically drained. Blair crept in quietly with Nate to check on Serena, while Erik and Chuck had to leave to do some business. She picked up the letter and read it with Nate tearing up Oliver's sweet words. Nate felt guilty for playing a role in breaking up in one of Serena's very few and very long lasting relationships she has ever had.

"Poor Serena…" Blair said sadly. Nate nodded. Serena stirred in her sleep and slowly opened her eyes. Blair and Nate watch their best friend wake up with bloodshot and tired eyes.

"What are you guys doing here?" Serena asked bitterly. She wasn't in the mood to see anyone. The one person that she wanted, more needed was no longer with her; the one person that had been with her throughout her whole cancer journey was gone…

"What do you mean S? We're here to look after you."

"Please, just leave. I don't want to see anyone." She looked straight at Nate. He stiffened – he was sick of Serena running and avoiding all her problems.

"No. We are not leaving you." Nate said firmly. Blair nodded in agreement. "You are not pushing us out of your lives so you can deal with it on your own. Oliver is not here anymore –"

"I KNOW HE ISN'T HERE!" Serena shouted. "Please, just leave me alone." Nate looked at Blair who mouthed to him that she would remain with Serena, seeing Nate was only hurting her more. Serena shuffled around the bed allowing Blair to climb onto the bed and wrap her arms around her to comfort her.

"How could he leave me?" Serena sobbed as she rested her head on Blair's stomach. Blair ran her hand down Serena's arm comforting her friend – through their 20-something year long friendship, she had seen Serena hit rock bottom many times, this was worse. Serena is fighting for her life that she did not cause and she lost someone she had loved very much and her family has not help.

"He loved you, Serena. He did what was best for you and it was to let you stay here be supported by your best friends and your brother - we are your family. He did the right thing for him and for you." Serena nodded still not completely understanding why Oliver had broken up and left her at this time in need.

"He was there for me the first time I was diagnosed, the first surgery I had and the first round of chemotherapy. He helped me through my struggles, he was my rock. He spent so much time off to look after me."

"We'll be here for you. Nate, Erik, Chuck and I will take turns to help you fight this cancer. We need you and we love you. We can't… I can't lose you. We're sisters." Blair said tearfully. Serena's heart pounded quickly hearing Blair's words – she was needed, something that her mum has never said to her.

Blair and Serena spent several hours reminiscent of their old high school days at Constance not realising that it was six at night and Nate along with Chuck who was holding Henry's hand bringing dinner to the girls. Henry pulled out of Chuck's hand and ran and climbed over Serena's bedside snuggling in her open arms.

"Are you feeling better now, Aunt Serena?" Serena looked down at his big beautiful brown eyes and grinned.

"I feel much better now that you're here. What's for dinner?" Chuck walked up to Serena and gave her a kiss on the cheek while Nate unpacked the boxes of dinner.

"Chinese food. We got you stir-fried chicken and vegetable noodles." Nate smiled and gave her a warm hug making both their hearts beat quicker at each other's touch.

"Thank you. I'm so over the hospital and its food. I can't wait to get discharged." She smiled. Everyone sat around Serena's bed with their dinner and relaxed after an emotional long day. As they were ready to eat, the door slid open and Lily walked in with Rufus, Jenny, Dan and her doctor.

"Good evening, Ms Van der Woodsen, how are you feeling?" The doctor looked at Serena's medical files and her clipboard hanging on the edge of her bed.

"I'm feeling better, however, I just feel so weak and tired." She looked at her so-called family with narrowed eyes clearly showing that they weren't wanted.

"Well, you'll be discharged tomorrow free from all the tests and check-ups. Your mother said that she'll be taking you home and acting as your main carer." Serena sat up quickly.

"Absolutely not."

"Erik!" Lily exclaimed. Erik walked in wearing his suit with a loosened tie and holding a briefcase.

"I'll be taking her to the Hamptons so she can recover before she starts chemotherapy in two weeks," Erik said firmly. He walked over to Serena's bedside and she reached out to his hand and squeezed it tightly.

"What happens when she starts treatment? You can't look after her, you have to work. My diary is clear for the next two months and I can provide her care." Lily challenged – never has her children ever stood against her with such force.

"Cancer isn't a two-month illness, mother!" Serena snapped. "I will need 24-hours, 7 days a week care during my chemotherapy half the time. Who knows how many rounds of chemotherapy I need to do in the next twelve months. I know you, mother… you won't be looking after me… you'll have a nurse instead."

"So, where are you going to live then? Oliver is not here anymore to take care of you anymore. Everyone else has to work, who will look after you then?"

"We will," Chuck spoke up. She looked at him with surprise. He chuckled. "Don't look so surprised sis, we're family… Blair and I talked about this a few days ago and my darling wife refuses to let Serena be on her own – she and Dorota have been preparing the spare bedroom in our apartment." Serena's eyes started welling up.

"You've abandoned her long enough, Lily. Erik is no longer under your control, and Serena will not be under it again." Blair looked at Lily with narrowed eyes. "Chuck, Nate, Erik and I will all work together in taking turns to look after Serena. Chuck and I will work from home when we are not needed in the office. She also has Dorota anyways."

"But Serena –"

"Just leave mother. Serena and I don't need you… never have, never will." Erik said emotionlessly. His face was passive but his blue eyes were sharp and filled with anger and sadness. Lily looked at her children – she had lost them forever. She nodded and left the room suddenly, but stopped when she heard Serena's voice.

"Take your new family with you… I have one already, people who love and care for me regardless of what I do, what I say and how I am. I don't need you anymore." She said passionately holding Erik's hand even stronger than before, making him wince in pain. She moved to one of the bed, allowing Blair to sit on it again and hug her sister.

"Thank you guys so much for everything." She reached out and grasped Chuck's hand and squeezed it in appreciation. "I love you guys so much. I think I understand why Oliver told me to stay here, you guys are here…" She smiled softly. Chuck kissed her hand and smiled. His phone rang and looked at the Caller ID then looked at Serena before excusing himself to take the call out of the room.

"Nice to hear from you, I take it you've landed?"

"Yes, I have Chuck. How is she?"

"She's upset and hurt that you've left, but she's a strong girl. Lily came and told the doctor that she was going to be discharged in her care." He heard the caller scoff.

"I take it Serena told her to fuck off?"

"Not exactly… Erik told Lily that he was going to take her to the Hamptons for a few weeks before she starts treatment. She's going to come live with me and my wife from now on."

"Thank you, Chuck. She needs you guys more than she realises."

"When are you going to speak to her?"

"I can't…not yet. I have to go now. I'll call you again soon. Take care of her. Please don't tell her I called."

"I shall talk with you soon. If you ever need anything, please let me know. I won't." He hung up and walked into the room.

"Who was that?" Blair whispered as he saw Serena quietly sleeping on Blair's shoulder holding onto Henry who also fell asleep.

"No one."