Ed had not been able to sleep all night. He had spent hours tossing and turning, constantly thinking about Emily and the baby and his future with them. At the crack of dawn he couldn't take it anymore and got out of bed. He took a shower and got dressed before sitting down at his laptop to begin reading everything he could find about pregnancy and raising a baby.

Emily had slept peacefully throughout the entire night. He had been right, she was exhausted and he was glad she was finally getting the sleep she so obviously needed.

It was a little before nine when Ed heard her stirring. He had just finished reading about the importance of burping a baby when Emily bolted out of the bed and into the bathroom. He got up to follow her as he heard the distinct sound of retching coming from behind the door she had just disappeared through.

He rubbed her back soothingly as her vomiting gradually subsided. When she rested her head against the cool porcelain he stepped back and helped her to her feet. Ed led her back to the bed and once she was seated he cleared his throat awkwardly, "Do you-, um, do you need anything? A glass of water or something?"

"Water would be nice," she smiled up at him weakly, "Thanks."

Ed nodded, "I'll be right back."

He went down to the kitchen and poured some Perrier for Emily. He had just returned the bottle to the refrigerator and grabbed the glass off the counter when the elevator opened and his parents and younger siblings entered the penthouse. Fitz and Ricky looked to be asleep on their feet and Chuck had a sleeping Lexie in his arms as he directed the doormen carrying their bags.

Blair was the first one to notice Ed standing in the kitchen, "Edward!" she said in surprise, "I didn't expect you to be up this early on a weekend."

"Hey, Mom," he greeted her half-heartedly before he kissed her cheek and she gave him a quick hug, "How was France?"

"Oh, wonderful darling," Blair said with a wave of her hand, "Is your brother up too?"

"Uh, no, he's not here-," Ed began, but he was interrupted by the elevator opening once again and Theo stepping into the apartment.

Theo looked around the room, surprised to see everyone there. "Hey…" He said slowly as Blair approached him. He bent down to embrace her and he met Ed's gaze over her shoulder.

In those few seconds the twins communicated everything they needed to know. Anne had ended up telling Theo Emily's news and he realized that his brother needed to speak to their parents alone.

Blair was asking him how his week was as Theo grabbed her shoulders gently, "Look, Mom, I would love to hear all about your trip and catch you up on everything that happened here, but you just got in, I'm sure it can wait until later."

"I am kind of tired," Blair agreed.

Theo walked over towards his father, "Why don't I take these guys upstairs and put them to bed for you." He said as he took Lexie from Chuck and began to direct the two younger boys up to the second floor.

"Thank you, Theodore." Chuck said as he walked over to his wife's side, "Come on, Blair, let's go lie down."

"Wait," Ed called out, causing Chuck and Blair to pause and turn to look at him, "I have to talk to you about something."

"Can't it wait a few hours?" Chuck asked with a sigh.

Blair elbowed him in the ribs and looked back at her son with an inquisitive tilt of her head, "What is it, Edward dear?"

Ed ran his hand through his hair nervously, "Um, can you-, could you just wait for me in the sitting room? I have to go upstairs quick, but I will be right back."

Chuck was scrutinizing his son, trying to figure out what he was hiding, but Blair just nodded her head, "Sure, sweetie."

"Great," Ed said quickly, "I promise, I won't be long."

Without waiting for their reply, Ed took the glass of water and bolted up the stairs to get Emily and figure out how exactly they were going to break the news to his parents.

…

While Chuck and Blair were waiting for Ed to return, Blair noticed that Chuck was silent and he seemed rather pensive.

"What's wrong, Mr. Bass?" She teased, cuddling up close to him, "Are you worried? I thought the Bass checkbook could get your children out of any sort of trouble they might get into."

Chuck looked at her seriously, "That is what I have always said, but Edward knows that. If he is as concerned as he seems, it makes me believe this is some sort of problem that money can't fix."

Blair frowned, "Like what?"

Chuck shook her head, "I'm not sure."

Blair became sober with worry just as Ed came into the room with Emily following close behind. Chuck's brows rose and Blair's eyes widened, but neither of them commented on their unexpected guest.

The two teenagers sat down across from Chuck and Blair and avoided the older couple's gaze. Chuck's eyes narrowed suspiciously as he looked between the pair.

"Edward, what is going on?" Blair asked, finally breaking the uncomfortable silence, "You are scaring me and your father."

"Mom, Dad," Ed began as he reached over and took Emily's hand in his.

But before he could continue, Chuck interrupted, "Edward," he said warningly, "Do not say what I think you are going to say."

"What?" Blair asked, looking between her husband and her son with a mixture of worry and confusion, "What is it?"

Ed sighed and looked away for a moment before he returned his gaze to theirs, "We-, uh, Emily is-, she's pregnant."

"Damnit, Edward," Chuck growled, tightening his hands into fists in frustration, "I thought I taught you to be careful!"

"I was!" Ed exclaimed, "We-, we were," He looked down and shook his head, "It must have broke, or something."

Chuck's jaw clenched angrily, "I know that you are infatuated with this girl, but I can't believe you would be so careless and so-"

"Stop, Chuck," Blair said, placing a hand on his chest, "You're not helping."

They stared at each other for a few moments, engaging in a silent conversation, before Chuck sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "What do you plan to do?" He looked up at them wearily, "I'm assuming you know what your options are."

Emily decided to add to the conversation for the first time, "I don't think I can just get rid of it, but my parents didn't really give me much of a choice." Her voice broke as she continued, "They told me that if I have this baby they won't support me. Basically, I will lose everything. No inheritance, no events, no Columbia…"

"Sweetie," Blair said, reaching forward to pat Emily's knee, "This isn't your parents' decision to make. Whether you choose to have this baby or if you choose to have it taken care of, Chuck and I will be here to support both you and Edward."

Emily smiled at her through her tears, "Thank you, Mrs. Bass."

Chuck looked between his son and Emily, "So you think you want to keep it then?"

"Yes," Ed said, glancing at Emily uncertainly, "That-, that's what we decided when we talked about it last night."

Emily nodded in agreement, "I just don't know how-"

Blair instantly sat up straight and went into full-out planning mode, "Well, if your parents are going to react how you think they will, you will obviously move in here. We have three empty bedrooms, so you are free to choose which ever one you wish." As she was talking, Chuck had pulled out his phone and was typing away, making all kinds of arrangements for Ed and Emily. Blair barely took notice and continued speaking, "It is still early in the semester, and I know you have an impeccable record, so I'm sure Constance will welcome you back-"

"No." Emily interjected, causing Blair to pause and look at her in shock, "Thank you, but I don't know if I want to return to Constance." She wrapped her arms around her stomach subconsciously, but Blair noticed it.

"Emily, dear," She said patiently, "If you really don't want to go back to Constance that is fine; we could get you tutors for this last semester. But if you are just worried about what the other girls will say about your condition…well, you just don't have to tell them." She said with a simple shrug.

Emily looked skeptical, "I think they will figure it out when I start to get fatter and fatter."

Blair rolled her eyes and waved her hand dismissively, "Oh, we can take care of that. By the time graduation rolls around you will only be, what, about six months along? And judging by your body type, I don't think you will get overly large. Between your aunt and myself, you will have two of the best fashion houses in New York on your side, so I think we will be able to come up with some suitable and flattering maternity wear to cover up that baby bump until you are ready for people to know."

"Really? You think you will be able to do that?" Emily asked hopefully.

"Of course we will," Blair said easily, "Now, about Columbia, when are you due?"

"Um, September-"

Blair nodded, "That's what I thought. So that means you will probably have to defer for the first semester, but by the second semester you should be ready to start."

"But I can't," Emily protested, "Once my parents cut me off I won't have the money and it's not like I will just be able to have a baby in my dorm room."

"Don't be silly, you can stay here," Blair explained, "Of course, you and Edward will have to try to coordinate your schedules so one of you can be with the baby, but if you both have a class at the same time then I can watch it. I mostly work from home anyway, so it will be easiest for everyone. And don't concern yourself with the money; we will take care of everything. You are not going to give up college just because your parents have the mindset of a sixteenth century Puritan community."

Emily began to protest, "You don't have to-"

"Oh please," Chuck interrupted as he finally put his phone away, "You are a part of this family now. That is what we do; we take care of each other."

"Well, um, thank you," She said shyly.

Chuck's mouth lifted in a polite half-smile for an instant before he rose and turned his attention to his son, "Edward, can I speak with you in private for a moment?"

"Yeah, sure Dad," Ed said suspiciously as he stood up and followed Chuck out of the room.

They went across the hall into Chuck's office and once he had closed the door, Chuck gestured for his son to take a seat as he sat down behind his desk.

Ed waited patiently for his father to speak. Chuck pursed his lips and tapped his fingers together before he began, "You probably aren't going to like this, but I have to ask. Are you sure that this child is yours?"

Ed visibly reeled back in his seat, "Excuse me?"

Chuck looked up at him with a piercing stare, "Do you know for a fact that you are the father of Emily Vanderbilt's child?"

Ed's eyes narrowed angrily, "Yes, Dad, I-"

"How?" Chuck asked sternly, "How do you know?"

"Because she told me-"

Chuck's eyebrows rose, "She told you? Oh, that's enough for you? Look, son, I know you have feelings for this girl, but that doesn't mean that she can't be using that-"

"I went to see her," Ed said, causing Chuck to pause, "Before Christmas. I flew down and visited her."

"I know."

Ed was shocked, "What do you mean, you know?"

Chuck smirked, "Do you really think that because you took a commercial flight I wouldn't find out about it? Or that I wouldn't notice when you used your credit card to purchase a plane ticket and then proceed to make all sorts of charges in the District of Columbia?" Chuck shook his head, "I didn't ask if you could be the father, I want to know if you are absolutely sure that you are."

Ed sighed, "Then no, I guess I'm not sure. But, Dad, I know Emily and she wouldn't-, she wouldn't do that."

Chuck nodded, "Yes, I'm fairly certain that she is telling the truth, but regardless, you have to be positive." He leaned back in his chair and straightened out his suit, "I have scheduled a doctor's appointment for Monday with Dr. Morski. He was your mother's doctor; very professional, very discreet. You will have a paternity test done then."

Ed bolted upright in his seat, "What? Dad, no, I don't need-"

"Either you do one now or after the baby is born." Chuck said, "It is your choice. But I know you, Edward, and if you wait until after the birth you will become attached to both Emily and this child. If you find out then that it isn't yours you will be devastated," Chuck's face softened slightly, "Although it seems to be highly likely that you are the father, you need to be certain."

Ed's jaw clenched, "Fine. If you insist."

"I do." Chuck stared at his son, "You have to understand, I have to do this. As your father, I need to do what I can to protect you from anyone that might try to take advantage of you. It isn't that I don't trust Emily, it is just that if there is any doubt-"

"Whatever," Ed said curtly. He then stood up from his chair, "Are we done here?"

Chuck nodded as he rose to follow his son out of the room.

At the door, Ed turned back around, "Look, Dad, I do get it; why you feel the need to do this. I think it is completely unnecessary, but I understand."

The side of Chuck's mouth lifted in a half-smile and he nodded his head once, "Thank you."

…

Back in the sitting room, Blair and Emily waited for the men to return.

"What do you think Mr. Bass wanted to talk to him about?" Emily asked after they had been gone for awhile.

Blair was examining her nails as she answered off-handedly, "He is probably just telling him to get a paternity test, or that he already has one scheduled."

Emily's eyes widened, "What? Why would he think that-, I would never-, Ed is the only one I've ever-, he is the father of this baby, Mrs. Bass."

"Oh I know," Blair said, looking up long enough to flash a quick smile, "And deep down I'm sure Chuck knows it too. If there was any chance Edward was not the father, you never would have put yourself through all this trouble and faced your parents' wrath; not if there was someone else you could hold responsible. It just wouldn't be smart; they hate my son more than anyone. And you are a smart girl, you would know better."

Emily wasn't sure how to respond, "Um, thank you?"

"But Chuck always takes extra precaution. He's not very good at trusting people, especially when it comes to his family. He just wants to be sure," Blair said before she finally dropped her hands and turned her full attention to the teenage girl in front of her, "Actually, Emily, I wanted to speak with you about something too." Emily looked frightened, so Blair quickly reassured her, "It's not bad, don't worry. I just-, I already told you that you are more than welcomed to move in here, but have you thought about what you would do if your parents don't react how they think they will?"

"You mean if they don't disown me on the spot?"

"Well, yes. I would understand if you wanted to stay down there with them. And if you wanted Edward to move down there with you-"

"No," Emily shook her head, "Even if my mom magically changed her mind, which I don't think she will, but if she did, I wouldn't want to stay with her. To be honest, I don't want my mom's help. I would much rather be here and learn from you."

Blair was flattered, "Are you sure? Because if you make that choice, your parents definitely won't be happy-"

"I'm sure." Emily said confidently just as Chuck and Ed reentered the room.

Ed went to stand behind Emily while Chuck remained where he was and placed his hand in his pocket and cleared his throat, "I called and had the Bass jet prepared. As soon as you are ready it will take you down to Washington so you can gather your things and talk to your parents. The pilot will remain on standby, so you can come back tonight or if you aren't feeling up to it you can spend the night there and fly back tomorrow. It will be up to you."

"Thank you," Emily said with wide eyes, looking between Chuck and Blair, "You didn't have to do that. I-, I have a ticket-"

"Yes, but I don't." Ed said from behind her.

She turned to look at him, "You're coming with me?"

Ed smiled, "I figured you might require some help packing and some moral support when you break the news to Tripp and Maureen."

Emily closed her eyes and groaned, "I don't even want to think about it."

Blair reached forward and patted her knee again, "You'll get through it, I promise."

Emily stood and sighed, "Let's just go and get this over with. But we will need to stop at Anne's dorm first so I can change."

"There should be a limo waiting downstairs." Chuck told them as they grabbed their coats and headed for the elevator.

"Good luck!" Blair called out, causing Emily to smile half-heartedly and Ed to wave as the doors slid closed.

Once they were gone, Blair stood up and stepped close to Chuck, resting her head against his shoulder, "I can't believe this. I'm going to be a grandmother."

Chuck stroked her hair and wrapped an arm around her waist, "It could be worse."

She leaned back and stared at him, "Our barely eighteen year old son is about to have a baby with a girl who's parents hate both him and our entire family. How could it possibly be worse?"

"He could have impregnated one of those gold-digging, Jersey tourist girls that he used to always bring back from the clubs."

Blair's face dropped in horror at the very thought of such a travesty, "Oh god, don't even say something like that."

Chuck laughed, "Come on, lover, let's go to bed. It's been a long morning."