Graduation came and went without any problems. It had become almost impossible to hide Emily's ever expanding stomach by the end, but the graduation gown was more than able to hide it from her classmates.
She was glad to finally be done with high school and the constant pressure to maintain her status as queen but the arrival of summer meant she was that much closer to having her baby. She was excited to finally see her child but at the same time she was also nervous because she had no idea how to be a mother and she was so scared of messing up.
She knew that Ed was having some of the same fears, but they hadn't talk about it together. In fact, they hadn't really talked about much at all since the prom. He had tried to bring up what he had said to her a few times, but she always avoided the topic. She had been shocked by his confession of love and even though it had made her heart soar to hear him admit his feelings it had also scared the shit out of her. Deep down she knew she felt the same way about him, but she couldn't admit it, especially not out loud.
In her experience 'love' and relationships had always been about image and making yourself look better. You fell in love with someone who could help you succeed or reach the next level, not someone who made you feel special or whatever bullshit they fed you in the movies.
Emily knew being with her was good for Ed. She knew that being with her made him look better in front of his parents and in the media. It made him more grown up and respectable. She knew why Ed had every reason to say he loved her, but it had seemed like he actually meant what he was saying. It had seemed like he actually cared about her, without even thinking about what everyone else thought, and that is what really scared her. She wasn't sure how to deal with that kind of unconditional love and emotion, so she thought it best to just avoid it as long as possible.
While she was busy trying to comprehend his feelings and whether they were true or not, Ed was attempting to find a balance between giving her the space she needed while still reassuring her that what he said was real. It had hurt when she ignored his declaration, especially because it had been so difficult for him to admit, but he was glad she finally knew. And even if she didn't feel the same way, it didn't change how he felt.
The arrival of the weddings came as a welcome distraction both from the ever-present tension between them and the growing nervousness of the upcoming birth.
CJ and Lauren's wedding was the perfect small town wedding with just a hint of the big city grandeur the Basses were known for. The ceremony was formal, but private, with mostly family and a few close friends in attendance. Lauren had her sister and best friend as bridesmaids while CJ had Will Vanderbilt and Hank. The reception was more informal, with a buffet dinner (which Blair tried her hardest not to scowl in disgust at) and Lauren's cousin serving as the deejay.
Hank and Celia's wedding, on the other hand, was the epitome of a fairytale and one of the biggest events the city had seen in years. Celia had six bridesmaids, including Lauren, Emily and Anne and Hank had all of his brothers in the wedding party and his college roommate. Chuck walked Celia down the aisle at one of the oldest, grandest churches in the city and although she had worried about her mother, Serena arrived a few days before the day of the ceremony. Blair didn't even have to check in with the PIs to see where she was.
The wedding went off without a hitch, despite even Hank's fears. Celia had not shown signs of fear or wanting to escape in a long time, but he knew marriage was a big step and he was still afraid that she would panic at the last minute.
So on the day of their wedding he stood outside her dressing room all morning, making sure that she didn't try to run away and if she did he would be right there to intercept her. He didn't care about all the guests or the big wedding ceremony; all he cared about was Celia. They could get married at city hall if it would be easier for her, it really didn't matter to him. He just wanted to be with her.
Hank had been assured throughout the day by pretty much everyone that came out of Celia's room that she was doing fine and that she was excited for the wedding, not scared. Hank was still concerned and he refused to be moved until it was time for the ceremony to start and he had to go stand in the front of the church.
The wedding was beautiful and afterward everyone was fawning over how perfect Hank and Celia looked together.
At the reception, Blair was sitting at the Bass family table as she watched Chuck dance to some flavor of the month pop song with Lexie. She couldn't help but laugh at the expression on Chuck's face when Lexie shook her little hips to the beat of the music. She was growing up so fast and both Chuck and Blair were not quite ready for it.
When the song ended, Lexie came skipping over to the table with Chuck following behind her, "Mommy, did you see me and Daddy dancing?" She asked excitedly.
Blair smiled, "I did. You looked like you were having fun out there."
"Uh-huh. I want to be a dancer when I grow up!" Lexie said with a twirl. Blair and Chuck shared a look over her head before she turned back to Chuck and grabbed his hand, "Come on, Daddy, let's go dance again!"
Chuck, who had just sat down, groaned softly, "Princess, Daddy's tired. Why don't we sit this one out?"
"But I want to dance!" Lexie pouted.
Chuck sighed. He really was getting tired, but he hated telling his daughter no. However, he was saved from having to give her an answer when someone taped her on the shoulder.
Lexie turned around and Will Vanderbilt was standing there. He bowed slightly and offered his hand, "Excuse me, Miss Bass, but may I have this dance?"
"Will!" Celia giggled, "We danced at the last wedding."
"That's all the more reason for us to dance now," Will explained, "You're a good dance partner. So what do you say?"
Lexie blushed and looked at her mother who smiled encouragingly before put her hand in his and nodded, "Okay, let's do it."
Once they had gone onto the dance floor Blair moved her chair closer to her husband's and placed a hand on his thigh, "She really wore you out, huh?"
"I need a breather, and a chance to sit alone with my wife," Chuck said, leaning in close to kiss her cheek.
Blair rolled her eyes but rested her head on his shoulder, "Face it, you're getting old, Bass."
He grumbled something about not being too old to satisfy her needs as he put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. They watched all of their children having a good time and when Lexie paused in her dancing to wave at them Chuck smiled and Blair waved back, "He's a good kid." She said, resting her hand once more on Chuck's leg.
"Who?"
"William. He is so kind and friendly. And just look at him with Alexandra. I hope he finds a good girl to settle down with soon. He deserves it."
Chuck nodded in agreement. Will had only been working for him for a few weeks but so far he had proved to be a reliable and eager employee. "Who would have ever guessed that Trip and Maureen could have raised such delightful children?" He pondered.
Blair laughed, "You could say the same about us. Who would have guessed that we would have such a well-adjusted normal, happy family? Serena was just asking me how you and I ended up being the epitome of wedded bliss."
"Because we were inevitable, Lover. I could have told you that," He said leaning in close to her ear, "We were made for each other."
Blair snorted, but she couldn't stop herself from smiling. At that moment the deejay changed things up a bit and put on a slow song. Chuck rose to his feet and offered Blair his hand, "I'm not too old for this one. May I have this dance, Mrs. Bass?"
Blair stood up and placed her hand in his, "You may, Mr. Bass."
She rested her head against his shoulder as they swayed gently to the music with his arm wrapped tightly around her waist, holding her close.
Blair sighed and lifted her head so she could look at her husband, "Do you remember when it was our wedding? It seems like only yesterday that we were dancing our first dance as a married couple."
Chuck's lips lifted in a light-hearted smirk, "Of course I remember. It was one of the best days of my life."
…
They moved out onto the dance floor as the first chords of the song Blair had picked out for them began to play.
When she was pressed up tightly against him, Chuck leaned down and whispered in his new wife's ear, "Really Blair? A sappy country song? That is not what I expected from you."
"Shut up, Bass," She scowled slightly, but it didn't last more than a moment. She was way too happy to even feign anger, "If you would listen to the words you would notice that this songs fits us perfectly. Plus, you know about my appreciation for Carrie Underwood's music."
"Of course I do, Lover." He said, leaning in close to rest his forehead against hers.
"I mean look at me," She continued, "One devilish look from those dark, sexy eyes of yours and every time like a fool I forget everything and fall even harder for you."
The playful smirk on Chuck's face grew larger as he pulled her even tighter against him, "Well then it's good that I've known since that very first night we spent together in my limo that you were the only one for me, isn't it Love? I'm never letting you go."
Blair grinned and pressed her lips to his, "Good," She whispered against his mouth, "I wouldn't have it any other way."
…
Both Chuck and Blair were grinning as they remembered the day of their own wedding. "Not much has changed since then, has it?" He asked, looking down at her lovingly.
"Nope," Blair responded before she shrugged her shoulders slightly, "Well, except for the seven kids and a few grey hairs." She teased him, running her fingers over the lighter hairs at his temple.
Chuck scowled, "At least I still have most of my hair."
"That's true," Blair agreed as she placed her hands on his chest and tilted her face up so her lips were only inches from his, "And I like the grey. It makes you look dignified." She told him, right before she closed the distance and kissed him right there on the dance floor.
….
A/N: Hehe, can you guess what song Chuck and Blair had playing at their wedding? Also, Blair's 'love of Carrie Underwood' comes from the season 2 episode where she references one of her songs. Please review and let me know what you think!