Chapter Thirteen
Six Months Later
Serena had closure after that phone call from Oliver six months ago at the White Party, and he contacted her a month later to try and restore the friendship they once had before they began dating. It was three months ago, that Serena had finished her last session of chemotherapy and Oliver had flown into New York to see her.
Nate was with her every step of the way ever since that first session of chemotherapy that Serena had, however when he saw Oliver, he couldn't help but feel jealous and nervous. Serena and Oliver reassured not only Nate but Chuck and Blair that they were friends and only friends. Oliver had told them that he had been seeing a girl for a few weeks and that he was happy that Serena found her true love, even if at that point they hadn't said the L word to each other yet.
Nate took her on weekly dates whenever Serena would not feel so tired, or they would help look after Henry together when Chuck and Blair were having their own date nights or they were travelling. Serena and Blair sobbed together when Serena's hair began to fall out – Blair crying much more intensely than Serena did. She reassured her that it would grow back and that getting it all shaved was far worse than it falling out, and she was right. Serena was right; she and Blair went to their boutique salon to get her head shaved and Blair was seeing what Serena went through when she was living in Australia and facing cancer for the first time all by herself. It was extremely emotional for the best friends.
Lily and Rufus visited Serena during one of her sessions and sat down calmly to talk – of course, Lily wanted the forgiveness of her own daughter and seeing her daughter with machines attached to her and her haggard, tired eyes made her feel guilty for not being there for her daughter for the first time. Serena forgave her mother and welcomed her and Rufus back into her life.
"Serena, baby wake up." Warm lips were pressed to her lips and fingers were caressing her jaw and cheeks. Her eyes fluttered open adjusting to the harsh sunlight, to see his beautiful blue eyes. "Good morning…" He grinned softly. Serena smiled and stretched her arms and legs.
"Good morning Natie." She leaned up to kiss him gently and wrapped her arms around his neck as he weaved his arm under her back and held her close. He ran his hand gently through Serena's newly grown hair.
"Happy Birthday my darling…" He said lovingly and eyes shining brightly.
"I feel so old…" Serena pouted but her eyes smiling.
"28 isn't old."
"You didn't say that when you turned 28 three months ago."
"Well, let's just say I'm embracing it now." He chuckled. Serena got out of bed and walked into the bathroom. She ran her fingers through her messy blonder hair that had already grown to a length that reached halfway to her ribs.
"It's so long already," Nate commented from behind leaning against the door frame.
"I know! Blair gave me these vitamins and they also helped with hair growth." She undid her robe and walked into the big shower with Nate following into behind her.
The couple entered the doctor's office waiting for the results of Serena's final check-up feeling slightly nervous. Dr Huntington walked in with a straight face and holding some folders in her arms.
"Hello Serena, Nate. How are you feeling?" She sat down and put on her glasses and began writing notes.
"I'm feeling good. I haven't felt like this in a while. Blair gave some multi-vitamins to help improve my health. I was feeling so weak and tired a couple of weeks after my last session." Nate's hand was laced with Serena's as she spoke to the doctor.
"Have you been eating well? Any vomiting or indigestion?"
"No, I'm eating fine and a lot. Feeling better now that my weight is back to normal when I came back to New York."
"Well, this is all good signs." She lowered her pen and looked up at them and smiled. She took off her glasses and open the file.
"I'm happy to say that you are now in remission." Nate squeezed her hand as Serena sighed with relief.
"Your cancer has not been as threatening as it was the first time and with the increase in treatment, your body was able to quickly take in the treatment for the better. We will have another check-up in three to six months to check your health again before we can declare you as cancer-free." Serena nodded quickly. Nate gave her a peck on the lips and squeezed her hand. They left the doctor's office filled with relief and happiness.
They took a stroll around Central Park eating their favourite gelato and talking, just like old times – that was one of their favourite thing to do. Serena was a big foodie and enjoyed a good dining experience in beautiful locations but if she had to choose her favourite thing to do with her boyfriend, it would be taking stroll in a park and eating gelato. Everyone had called her to wish her a happy birthday after she left the doctor's appointment but she wanted to surprise them when she saw them later in the evening.
They stopped walking when they reached the lake in the middle of Central Park and Nate held grasped her hands and looked at her intensely.
"I love you, Serena." He leaned over and gave Serena a passionate kiss, wrapping her in his arms and Serena instantly entangled her hands through his soft hair. He pulled away and smirked at Serena's red cheeks and puffy lips.
"I love you too, Nate. I always have and I always will." She said lovingly.
"You've been my best friend since we were little and I can't imagine my life without you. Those years with you away when you were at boarding school and living in Australia, were really hard and I don't want to lose you like that again. Since you've come back into my life and forgiven me for the whole Juliet incident, I'm at peace and I feel whole again. I know that I can't let you go ever again. So…" Serena gasped as Nate bent down on one knee and took out a box from his coat pocket. He lifted the lid off the box.
"Serena Celia Van der Woodsen, will you make me the happiest man alive and do me the honour of becoming my wife?"
"Yes!" Serena whispered without hesitation. She didn't even take time to stare at the ring presented in front of her – all she needed and wanted to hear was 'becoming his wife'.
"Really?!" Nate immediately responded. Serena laughed and held his face in her hands and bent down to meet his soft lips.
"YES!" She squealed out. Nate took the ring out of the box and slid it onto Serena's slender finger and stood up with a massive smile on his face. He picked up Serena and began twirling her around in the air. He put her down and hugged her tightly as Serena began to admire her huge ring.
"Is this the Van der Bilt ring?" Serena held her hand up into the sunlight and admire the beautiful ring that once belonged to Nate's mother.
"Yes. My grandfather was pleased to hear that we were dating again, and he gave me the ring the moment I told him that we were together all those months ago. My mother also said that it was only fitting that I gave you the ring."
"I am so happy, Nate – marrying the man of my dreams, the man who I love, the man who I have known all my life, the man who is the best man that I know and love.
"Well, with the polls doing well, you may be also marrying the next mayor of New York." He winked. Serena giggled.
"I don't care about any polls, rings or titles. I just want to marry you – Nathaniel Fitzwilliam Archibald." She said sweetly. The rest of the day, Serena was on a high – she was in remission, she was happy and she was engaged to her one true love. Nate felt like he just won a million dollars – his magazine was succeeding, he had great friends and family and he was marrying the woman of his dreams.
Serena wanted to have a hearty birthday dinner, so Blair and Chuck organised an intimate family dinner for Serena's birthday at Lincoln Square Steak restaurant on the Upper West Side of New York. It was a mildly warm July night for her birthday and decided to put in some effort and dress up. Her hair was pulled back into a messy yet sleek ponytail, her makeup was natural with big lashes, bronze contouring and a nude lip. At every chance she gets, she just admires her engagement ring, absolutely adoring it and smiled as she remembers Nate's proposal. She decided to wear her Valentino off-the-shoulder jersey mini dress with a pair Gianvito Rossi, macramé and suede peep-toe ankle heels with the lace tied around the ankle.
"Wow baby, you look hot." Serena swung her head around and saw Nate standing with a crisp blue shirt and a pair of navy blue chinos and shiny black shoes neatly tied up. He strode towards her and pulled her into his arms and gently kissed her cheek. "Every man in the room is going to jealous of me because I've got the most beautiful in my arms." She finished putting on some jewellery and laughed.
"Look who's talking, all the women are going to be fawning over my handsome man and I just have to stand there and watch you." Serena pulled out and grabbed her phone on the way out of the room with Nate following her.
"S, I've only got eyes for you, but I like a possessive woman." He winked at her.
They took a cab to the restaurant and were immediately seated in a private room – Lily, Rufus, Erik, Blair and Chuck, and Georgina and Jack were seated already.
"Are we late?" Serena asked them as Nate pulled out her chair for her seeing everyone with drinks.
"No, you're on time… but we came a little early to make sure everything was good. The chef will be sending his best food and drinks for us. So drink up S." Blair grinned.
"Well, I have some news…" Everyone turned their attention to Serena and Nate. She took a deep breath, "I'm in remission! No more chemotherapy!" Gasps and congratulatory shouts were heard in the room as the waiters came around with the appetizers.
"And… Nate proposed!" Serena squealed flashed her huge ring to the table. Blair squealed and swept Serena in a hug. As the night went on, conversations flowed and Lily watched her daughter smiling and laughing just like she used to when she was a child and nothing was stopping in the way of her living a fulfilled life. Serena received the usual presents that she had always received from her family – clothes, shoes, bags and jewellery, but nothing could beat Nate engagement ring. Serena blew out the candles on her red velvet birthday cake and immediately stuffed her face into a big piece savouring that taste that she has missed for many months.
Blair and Lily had already begun talking about wedding plans, much to Serena's dismay – she knew from the moment she began dating Nate again, she wanted a very intimate wedding with her closest friends and family – similar to what Blair and Chuck had, only without the drama and Gossip Girl being involved. She sat there and said very little whenever she was asked questions. Nate saw the discomfort that his fiancée felt from her tense shoulders, so he wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her temple, muttering "Everything will be alright…"
They all left the restaurant with filled stomachs and happy smiles on their faces. Nate and Serena walked into Serena's room at Blair's penthouse, when Serena saw bags and boxes in her room.
"What's going on? Why are my stuff in bags and boxes?" Serena looked around confused.
He pointed at the Prada cases – big and small and said nonchalantly, "these are your bags for our trip and the boxes are all your stuff that are going to be moved into our new place." Serena looked at him with wide eyes.
"What place? What trip?"
"The place just a couple blocks away from here that you and I will own, once you sign the papers." He picked up the papers on the mattress and showed her. She snatched the papers out of his hand and skimmed through it quickly.
"We own our own place!?" She asked bewildered at Nate's gesture. He nodded chuckling as he held out his fountain pen to her. She took the pen and rapidly signed the paper.
"We are homeowners to our place!" She grinned and pulled Nate's face to her as their lips met. "Mmm… I love you so much." She mumbled on his lips.
"Come on Serena, time to go to the airport. The Maldives are waiting for us." He announced, walking out of the room with Serena's cases. Serena stood in shock. Her birthday could not get any better. She looked around her room one last time before leaving the room smiling at the thought of her new future.