IMPORTANT: So here's the deal guys, I'm basically swamped right now. Last semester I went for about two months or so without updating and I don't want that to happen again. I really enjoy writing so I am going to make a serious effort to update once a week. I love you guys

Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl or its characters

Rated: T mostly for language.

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"Blair, wake up." Marcus said quietly, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Blair we're in England." He had wanted to be as gentle as possible because more than anything he wanted her to forgive him for his behavior earlier. And he was slightly enthused by the small smile on her delicate features.

Slowly Blair began to stir. As she opened her eyes, she was met with the bright rays of sun pouring through the window and a male voice. She smiled thinking that Chuck must have opened the curtains to the room. Then Marcus's face came into focus and all the events of the past couple of days came flooding back into her mind. The window was an airplane window, she was in England, she was married to Marcus, and she was quite possibly never going to see Chuck again. The sudden impact of it all was almost too much to handle at once and she turned her head away.

Marcus had thought for one moment that Blair had forgiven him; that she was going to try to be happy. Then he realized that Blair must have been unaware of where she was because the second she truly woke up, her dazzling smile had become a frown. All the enthusiasm fell from his face when he saw her smile disappear; nothing had changed. As he stood up from the seat next to Blair and reached out his hand to help her, his voice was much more composed, the moment's excitement gone. "Come on, we have places to be this morning."

Blair knew that she needed to make a decision about how she was going to handle things. Either she could turn herself into Marcus's worst nightmare, treating him the same way that she had been over the past few weeks or she could try to be complacent. Blair made a split second decision and nodded her head, placing her hand in his.

As he pulled her to her feet, Marcus had to hold back a smile, the fact that she wasn't putting up a fight today meant that they had at least made a little progress. "Would you like to change first Blair? There will likely be paparazzi hounding us the second we step off this plane, since you are England's newest Princess and trust me they go crazy over us royals across the pond."

Blair looked at him for a moment, trying to find out what was in it for Marcus to be so considerate of her. With that she realized that he might really just care about her. So once again she nodded her head. "Okay, do you have any suggestions? I want to make a good impression." Blair said, even giving a little smile. If Blair was going to do this, she was going to really do it. She didn't do anything halfway.

Marcus couldn't help but smile then. "Anything you would pick would be fine Blair; you have impeccable style. But if you need a reference think Grace Kelly."

At first Blair felt nauseous seeing Marcus smile and hearing him complement her so cheesily, but she shook it off and went to her suitcase. After selecting a red tank dress that hit a few inches above her knees, a black cardigan, a pair of black pumps, and a black headband, Blair went to the bathroom to change. As she touched up her makeup, Blair couldn't help but wonder what she was doing. This was crazy, after everything Marcus had put her through why was she just going to give in to what he wanted. She looked into her own eyes in her reflection; they were so sad and something was missing from them. The sparkle that used to be there was gone, Chuck was gone. She didn't want to be miserable and that was her answer. That was why she was doing this, giving in. As much as she hated it, as much as she wanted to go home, Marcus was right, she could let herself not be miserable, she could let herself be like she was with Nate before she knew what real love was like; all she had to do was pretend. She had had the kind of love that most people only dream about with Chuck; she had had the fairy tale, if the ipod had taught her anything, it was that. Now she just had to be thankful that she had had the chance to have it and accept what she had now, with Marcus. Blair exited the bathroom and saw Marcus standing there near the plane's exit; waiting patiently and she knew that she could do this.

Damn his wife was gorgeous, was Marcus's first thought as Blair exited the restroom. He gave her another smile, this one she returned, if not brightly; but he would take it. "Well, Mrs. Rhodes are you ready to make your grand entrance? I'll have our bags brought in later so all we need to do is brave the cameras."

Blair answered by walking to Marcus and placing her arm in his. "Let's do this." With that they exited the plane together and were of course greeted by hundreds of flashes and chorusing photographers. Which Blair of course handled gracefully.

"Princess Rhodes look over here." Shouted one, to which Blair replied by flashing a gorgeous smile.

"How's newlywed life?" Yelled another.

Marcus decided to answer that one, not quite sure what Blair might say. "Fabulous so far." He said with a laugh.

Blair jumped in on the question as well. "Yes, I suppose we'll have to let you know on that one."

"What's it like to go from nobody to Princess?" Asked another reporter.

Blair laughed and said in a way that oozed charm. "Well, I was hardly a nobody." All the reporters laughed with her before she continued. "But, I suppose it's every girl's dream," she looked up at Marcus with eyes that could only be described as adoring before looking back at the cameras. "Don't all little girls want Prince Charming to sweep them off their feet and carry them off to Happily Ever After."

All of the reporters made awwing sounds as they continued snapping pictures as the royal couple stepped into their town car. Blair gave one last dazzling smile and wave before allowing Marcus to help her in.

Once Marcus had shut the door, Blair sighed and collapsed against her seat. Marcus looked over at her and shook his head. "You are incredible, you must know that."

Blair turned her head to face him and smirked. "What can I say, it's natural or if not quite natural it's the result of good Upper East Side breeding." She followed it with a soft smile before looking out the window.

Marcus watched as Blair took in the sights of London. He didn't want to spoil the change of heart that Blair had seemed to have but he was so curious that he had to ask. "Blair" Marcus said quietly to get her attention.

"Hmm" She said, looking back at Marcus.

"Not that I'm not appreciative Blair, but why have you suddenly decided to go along with all of this?" Marcus asked cautiously.

Blair scrunched up her eyebrows as she thought about it, in a way that Marcus could only think of as adorable, before she answered. "You were right earlier, I can choose not to be miserable. I've been through a lot in my life and I've always come out on top by taking what I have and working with it. So yeah, I don't love you and yeah, I do love someone else, but I get by, by making do with what I have. It's what I do."

"Okay." Marcus said, turning to face forward.

"Wait a sec." Blair said, causing Marcus to turn back towards her. "While we are being honest with each other, can I ask you something?"

Marcus looked at her as though she had asked one of the silliest questions that he had ever heard. "Blair you can ask me anything."

She took a deep breath before asking the question that she had been pondering for what seemed like forever. "Are we going to, you know, consummate the marriage?"

Marcus raised his thumbs and pressed them to his eye sockets as though he had a bad headache. He wasn't sure how to answer her. By English law, a marriage wasn't valid until it was consummated and especially in his new position such validation was important. The Queen would be furious if she found out that they hadn't already. However, he didn't want to rush Blair.

Blair had continued talking rapidly as he thought about it, as though she was trying to explain her need for asking. "Because before I would have definitely thought that you would well expect that from me but then after you came back from Yale things were different so I didn't know. And I just need to know whether or not I need to be preparing myself . . ."

After what seemed like an eternity he looked back at Blair and interrupted her, "Blair, slow down. We won't; not until you're ready."

Blair exhaled the breath that she had been holding and smiled. "Thank you, Marcus." With that she leaned in and gave him a quick kiss.

That's when Marcus realized that the way to Blair was to put what she wanted above what he wanted or needed. That was the only way that she would ever truly come around. "But Blair, if you are asked about it, you must pretend as though we have because things won't go well if people find out otherwise."

Blair nodded and laid her head on his shoulder. "That I can do." She whispered.

As they arrived at Buckingham, Blair became nervous because for the first time she realized that she was about to meet the Queen of England. She looked over at Marcus and was surprised to find that he looked absolutely petrified. Knowing that it was vital that they make a good impression, Blair reached over and took hold of his hand. "There's nothing to be nervous about Marcus, she's still your grandmother."

He looked at Blair, "Yes, that's what she's always been before; my grandmother, the Queen of England. You see, it's me who's changed now because now I am Marcus Beckam Rhodes Prince of Wales. This will be the first time I've seen my grandmother as such." As he was speaking the car door was opened and he stepped out of the town car before turning to aid his new wife.

Blair knew that as a wife it was her job now to reassure her husband and as she allowed him to help her from the town car she spoke reassuringly. "And you will be fine."

"How are you so calm?" Marcus asked inquisitively. "I mean really Blair, you are walking strait into a meeting with the bloody Queen of freaking England only hours after our wedding."

Blair smiled reassuringly. "The lineage of Upper East Side royalty dates back further and their power is nearly as great, so let's just say I've had some practice." Blair said, her nervousness had actually been calmed a great deal as she focused on taking care of Marcus. "Plus, you aren't exactly the first Prince I've ever dated; just the first one I married." Blair said with a laugh.

Marcus raised his eyebrows intrigued as they started up the Palace stairs. "Really and may I ask who the lucky gentleman was?"

Blair rolled her eyes. "Actually, it was Prince Theodore of Denmark."

"Teddy?" Marcus asked in surprise and he was even more surprised at the sudden flash of jealousy that swept through him. Why did he have this intense urge to kill Teddy? They had been childhood friends; attending the same boarding school in Switzerland. "Was it serious?" He asked cautiously.

Blair could barely withhold her laughter at that question. "God no." She exclaimed. "He was supposed to be my date for Cotillion. We had gone on a few dates and ran in the same social circles; I had vacationed in Denmark for part of the previous summer and had gotten to know his parents. That's all there ever was with us because there was never any real spark on my side."

Marcus nodded his head in relief. "Good, I was afraid I was going to have to kill him." He said only half jokingly.

Blair giggled before realizing that they were now at the entrance to the Queen's office. She had been briefed in the town car on the proper etiquette; so as the butler knocked on the door and entered to announce them, they simply waited for the key words from the Queen.

"Come in." They heard through the solid Cherry Oak doors. Blair gave Marcus's hand one last squeeze before they confidantly made their way into the Queen's office.

B, B, B oh how we miss you. Why ever did you leave us for dreary old London? Well, at least we are still getting updates from across the pond; seems like I've gone international guys! Here's some pics sent to me straight from London, England featuring none other than England's newest Princess and her hubby stepping out of a town car at Buckingham Palace. May I just say that the role of Princess totally suits you darling?

xoxo

gossip girl

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A/N: I know it's not as long as most of my chapters and there wasn't any C/B but I hope you all still enjoyed. Reviews are always appreciated.

xoxo

kate