Chapter Twenty Five- Marriage on the Brain Prt. Two
[Blair's P.O.V.] [Monday]
It felt good to be back in France. I mean it had been quite some time since I had been by to see Roman and dad, but I'm glad Humphrey surprised me with this. The villa just looks as adorable as can be, makes you want to go out and purchase one yourself just the ten minutes that your in it. Late last night, Humphrey and I had made it in and were fortunate enough to get a good home cooked meal out of my dad before we went off to bed. It was nice to be in my own bed for once, I mean yes, it wasn't my bed in New York but I still very much considered the villa to be like my second home away from home even though I hadn't frequented it that often. Laying within Humphrey's arms as he rested soundly, I just kept imagining the big marriage topic swirl through my head and the more I thought about the more I began to piece together the whole concept of going to France at last minute. What if Humphrey is trying to surprise me? I ask myself like a billion times throughout the night. What if he came here to do the honorable thing and ask my father for my hand in marriage? Humphrey is very traditional in his own right so that wouldn't be too far fetched I thought to myself. Unable to stay asleep long, I got up to head towards the kitchen in the main house where I ran into Roman, who seemed to be up as well.
"Blair, what are you doing up?" Roman asked with the biggest of smiles on his face
"I couldn't sleep or I was thinking to much as I was sleeping. Over all, I couldn't sleep" I told him as I grabbed a cup from the cabinet then reached in the fridge to grab milk
"Your attempting to cook?" Roman asked with a bit of laughter
"I'm all domesticated now" I smiled as I poured some milk into the kettle before putting it on the stove to put a fire underneath it "What are you doing up?" I then asked him
"Your father is snoring again" Roman scoffed
"Oh, I feel for you. My mother would always book her trips whenever allergy seasons kicked in for my father, though I did get to go to Rome for a week with….I guess I owe his nasal passages a bit of a thank you" I stated as Roman just laughed
"What were you thinking about?" Roman asked
"It's nothing. Just crazy thoughts" I blushed
"It can't be nothing if your blushing like a school girl" Roman smiled at me "Does it have to with Daniel?" he asked
"Maybe" I said as I turned the fire off from with under the kettle before pouring the milk into my cup
"I always thought you two would be cute together, who'd ever think a crazy thought would actually come true" Roman laughed
"I probably thought much worse than you, when it came to Humphrey….I'm pretty I have" I said taking a moment to think back on all the insults I had about Humphrey
"So how do you go from loathing someone to….well, loving them?" Roman asked
"Alcohol. Lots of alcohol" I joked as I poured in some chocolate syrup as I mixed it together with a spoon before I joined him at the table "It was an odd start, non traditional none the least, but we worked our way to love. It was like we went driving without the directions, and somehow found Disneyland" I said
"Interesting analogy" Roman replied
"That's all I've got at this time of day" I laughed to myself
"So what is it? What has your mind in overload" Roman asked
"Marriage" I said looking over at him slowly in fear of his reaction only to see a smile plastered on his face
"Marriage? That's great. When did he ask?" Roman beamed
"He asked about a month ago now, but I declined the offer….well, technically we weren't even together…then there was the whole Chuck deal that we had to work through….but then he left for a year, so we were in limbo….it's complicated" I babbled before realizing there was no clear cut way of explaining
"I can tell" Roman laughed "Just tell me when he officially proposed?" he asked
"He hasn't. Officially proposed per se, but I think he's working his way to proposing by coming here. I think he's going to ask daddy for my hand in marriage…you know the whole traditional way" I told him
"Oh, how far we've strayed from tradition. The father is supposed to be stern and lay down the law with the son in law, I fear Harold may cry with happiness and request the soundtrack of Mary Poppins to be played at the reception" Roman said as I just laughed hysterically
"Daddy loves Mary Poppins. We saw that play like a hundred times, and don't even get him started on the Nutcracker" I replied after a few bouts of laughter "Do you think daddy will be happy?" I asked
"If your happy then I'm most positive that he will" Roman smiled "Are you happy? I mean this is a standard question that I have to ask just for pure curiosity" he said
"Very much so. I feel like this is the first time I've ever truly been in love with someone. I mean he's so infuriating, but he's someone that I have to be around…the best part of my day is him" I described trying not to smile as much but I just couldn't contain myself "With Humphrey, I like simplicity…he grounds me and makes me better in ways I thought would never happen" I told him
"Then I hereby pronounce you happy" Roman declared
"Thank you" I laughed "It feels to be happy, and know that its for real this time" I told him before he leaned over to hug me
[Dan's P.O.V.] [Tuesday]
I'm dreading the day we have to end this dream vacation. New York has its perks but the places I've been in the span of two week….it's just been unbelievable that not even a story could describe the beauty I have seen. Being with Waldorf, getting rare books in Italian, and just trying all things different from what I've know. That's a priceless experience that I'm glad that I've taken, I'm really glad that I took this journey with Waldorf. I'd be lying if I didn't say that coming back to New York, and facing the looming thought of losing the magazine plagued me at times but I tried to push it aside. This was my livelihood, this was something that was paying the rent at my newly bought penthouse. My stories were paving the way for my excursions and I can't let it slip through my hands. The thought of Chuck showing me sympathy is laughable to the point where I even call myself delusional for thinking that he wouldn't attack something that has become something to a lot of people. Eliot managed to use his stories to work through his bulimia and now…if he lost this, he'd still be able to write but he wouldn't be able to connect to the same people he's connecting to now that have the same problem as him. This morning as I walk the trails to look out at the countryside with Harold, Blair's father, I can't help but wonder what his opinions are.
"Your home is beautiful" I told him as looked out at the lake
"Thank you Daniel. I tell Blair all the time that she should spend her summers out here instead of frolicking about in the city" Harold laughed
"I think she'll take you up on that sooner than you think" I laughed
"Could you see yourself living out here?" Harold asked me
"I could see myself traveling to the corners of the earth to be honest" I told him
"A thirst for the unknown, I like that" Harold said "Is that what my daughter is to you?" he then asked
"No, she's very well known to me" I replied "I mean in the sense that I've known her for so long…" I quickly tried to correct myself
"I know what you meant Daniel. It's okay" Harold laughed at me "So explain to me how she goes from marrying Bass to traveling Europe with you?" he asked
"I followed her" I replied "I know, no matter which way I put it, it's still stalkerish" I laughed
"It sounds romantic. Guy chasing after his lady love, baring his soul in hopes of gaining her affections" Harold said as he stopped at a grassy patch to take in the fresh air
"Waldorf doesn't allow me to bare too much without laughter included" I said
"She teases but she loves your affections of her" Harold replied
"And I love being affectionate with her. I do love your daughter sir, I love her very much" I told him
"That I don't question" Harold said
"Could I ask you something? It has to do with business…I know you don't like to talk business seeing as your being all zen, which is totally understandable" I said
"Just ask the question Daniel" Harold said
"Are you sure? Because I feel like…" I began to babble once more before he stopped me
"Ask" Harold said
"My magazine that I work for, it's under siege. I've contemplated on top of contemplated over what I can do to save the magazine so it will live to tell another story" I said "I guess, I'm asking…what should I do?" I asked
"Have you met with your shareholders?" Harold asked
"Our highest shareholders besides my boss are the ones causing the siege" I told him
"I never asked for specifics but I asked have you talked to your shareholders as more than the two. I like to believe a pie is made of many parts to make a whole" Harold said
"No, but the other shareholders will basically follow what the highest does" I told him
"Is this assumption or fact?" Harold asked
"A bit of both" I said "Is there anything that can be legally done to get custody or split custody over the company…I don't I'm new to all of this" I replied just pulling out legal terms out of my ass
"I've heard of companies being like babies to the people that work so hard for them, but I don't think custody is involved in it" Harold said
"Why does everything have to be so complicated" I groaned in frustration
"Things are only as complicated as you make them. Look, I'm not an expert but maybe your missing something…maybe your missing a key step" Harold said
"Like?" I asked in confusion
"I can't solve that for you" Harold replied as I took a moment to compose myself
"I'm sorry if I come across as crazed, but…I kind of think having a job is important in taking care of your daughter" I sighed
"Nope. You missed something yet again" Harold laughed "Money can't provide things that love can" he told me before he began to walk ahead while I followed behind
"Did I just lose points?" I then asked wondering if that made me look bad after asking that question
[Blair's P.O.V.] [Wednesday]
Walking hand in hand through the country side of my father's estate, I grew more in love with country as I soon began to realize why my father ran off to France. If it were up to me then I'd run off to France if it were possible but I knew my life was back in New York, but it didn't hurt to see the other possibilities of places to vacation in. Humphrey was like a kid in the candy store when we into town, he'd look at the bookstores and buy up every possible thing…God, he was such a nerd. I kept thinking to myself as he would babble on and on about the rare books he had found, but it was a cute trait…I can't help but admit that I do intend to read and translate some of the texts, that's if he hadn't done it by now. I for one am stuck on a certain book that is breathtaking…My Uptown Girl. I don't whether to be happy that its about me or be happy that it was soo good, okay that last part was a shout out to me. Growing a bit tired of our walk, seeing as Humphrey had made it his goal to just walk through out the compounds of the estate, he took a seat under a tree as opened his legs to make way for a spot for me to sit in. Taking a seat in between his legs, he quickly wrapped his arms around me.
"I've come up with a perfect plan" Dan whispered to me
"I'll be the judge of that" I replied as he laughed
"We could quit our jobs back in New York, buy an apartment in whatever spot our finger falls on in the country of Europe, then I get a job at a local bookstore and you work for a popular magazine here" Dan told me as I was wondering how I was going to shoot this dream down in the nicest way possible
"Okay, I'll play along with this" I joked as he just laughed at me
"What? You don't like the suggestion?" Dan asked me
"I like the suggestion, I'm just trying to see how your going to bring this plan to fruition" I laughed
"Oh, just give me one week and I'll have us packed and move" Dan said
"I'm sure you would….and Eliot, what would you do with him?" I asked him as I rested my head up against his shoulder
"He's not my child" Dan joked as I just elbowed him in the stomach
"Humphrey?" I exclaimed
"I was joking, it was a joke" Dan replied "But would you? Would you run away with me and just live with reckless abandonment?" he asked me as he placed a kiss on the outside of my ear
"It depends on how reckless your being?" I asked him as we both just laughed
"Waldorf? Really?" Dan asked in disbelief
"I'm being honest" I laughed "Don't get me wrong, I do love Europe…but to just up and leave. That's a bit extreme, I mean what about your dad?" I asked him as he just groaned
"Believe me, I think separation will be good for us. All I care about is having you to myself and not returning to Gossip Girl territory where that could be in jeopardy" Dan replied
"It isn't in jeopardy" I said as I pinched his leg "You should really make up with your dad, I hate the fact that I could have ruined that whole weird and corny vibe you two have with each other. I feel like Yoko Ono and I just broke up the Beatles slash the Humphreys" I replied
"My dad messed that up all on his own, of course you assisted in other ways on Jenny's part…but with me, that's my dad's work" Dan teased
"And yet, I still feel like Yoko" I said
"Your not Yoko" Dan laughed
"Should I call you John now? I mean you've gone from Dan to John" I began to tease him "With the scruffy look your going for now, you do strike me as a John" I went on to say
"Are you going to grow your hair out then?" Dan asked
"God no!" I declared quickly "I'll be a classy home wrecker" I said
"Classy home wrecker for a girlfriend, that's something new" Dan laughed before he began to play with my fingers "Do you ever think about our future?" he asked me and I swore in that moment I felt like this could be it. The talk he had with my dad yesterday was him probably going to him and saying his plans for us and now….it's coming true. This is it. This is him preparing to ask me the big question…again.
"Uh huh" I replied realizing soon after that I sounded stupid
"I guess lately I've been thinking like crazy about my future, and all I keep seeing is you. I see you in my future, and I just want that to be protected at all times, so if I have to move you to Africa than I'll do it" Dan told me
"Africa, sounds good" I lied, I mean come on, I'm about to get proposed to. I can't belittle him in his monologue of love…no, I'll let him declare his love for me and then whisk me away with his proposal….then I'll say hell no to Africa, but after
"I mean I feel like this time I want to do things right. There is no sneaking around or lies…its just us this time, and I want to make this work" Dan said
"And we will work. We've gone through hell just to get to this moment" I replied
"What's your future look like?" Dan then asked me, okay we must be deviating from the plan a bit, but I'll play
"Working for W of course, editor this time. Us living together again…" I said before he chimed in
"Kids?" Dan asked as I looked up at him
"You want to have kids?" I asked in disbelief "That doesn't surprise me" I then laughed
"You don't?" Dan asked
"I haven't really thought about it. I mean on my many times of possibly making a life changing decision, I've never thought about kids" I said
"Would you?" Dan asked "Would you want to have kids?" he asked me
"You've really blown my mind with that one, but yeah…I guess. I could see myself raising a mini me" I said as he just laughed
"What about a mini me?" Dan asked "You could have a boy, genetics likes to give both the male and female a shot" he told me
"I think the fact that I'm actually talking about this gives you a shot" I laughed "But is there a reason for this, the whole future talk?" I then asked trying to get him to the point
"Just wanted to gage you, see where your head is at" Dan smiled and I have to admit there was a piece of me that was disappointed to hear that because at this point, I was ready for him to ask all ready
[Dan's P.O.V.] [Thursday]
Time was dwindling down on our time here in the beautiful land of France, and I have to say that I was beginning to fear more and more our return to the states. Not because I was fearful that she was going to leave me, but I just can't help but worry the voices that will get to her. Waldorf is strong and unbreakable, but the simple fact that my dad was able to shake her and make her waver from what I love most about her does make me scared. I know that I sound ridiculous but this relationship is out of the normal and I think that everyone will take their shot at us. At dinner with her father and Roman, I do my best to conceal my concern because I do love spending time with her…time with her is like hanging out with my best friend.
"So have you given much thought to what we discussed Daniel?" Harold asked me
"I have. I have considered all aspects" I replied not wanting to bring business to the table
"What did you two talk about?" Blair asked
"Just something that Daniel was concerned about" Harold smiled at her
"Like what?" Roman then asked
"Just something that I think your father could help me with" I replied to their questions "Thank you, it feels good knowing that I have your blessing" I then stated
"Blessing? Is there something I should know about?" Blair asked a bit happy
"Do you want to share with the table?" Harold asked "I mean this is something that will effect Blair and you both" he said as I began to falter, feeling as if I was just being washed down with sweat as the moment was getting to me
"Daddy, if he wants to ask then let him do it on his own time…I mean that's if your asking a question, an important question…but do it on your own time" Blair assured me
"Oh, I feel like the time is ticking on me as we speak" I replied nervously I said before I got up from my seat, accidentally knocking down my napkin, I kneeled down to pick it up. Now let me just state, I knocked my napkin down and what happened after that…I'm still in confusion
"Oh, my God he's proposing!" Roman said as he began to hyperventilate with excitement
"How do I look?" Blair then asked Roman as she began to prep herself for the moment I had no clue was happening
"What are you talking about?" I asked as I looked up at them before slowly sitting in my seat
"Nothing. Humphrey get back down" Blair directed
"But why?" I asked "I mean I heard proposal but I…" I said before Harold jumped in
"You two have absolutely lost your mind" Harold laughed
"Lost my mind? Daddy, he's proposing" Blair said
"He knocked over his napkin" Harold pointed out before he leaned over to grab the napkin "See, napkin" he held up
"But you kneeled" Roman pointed out
"I was picking up a napkin" I replied
"So your not proposing?" Blair asked me as if she was trying to conclude this
"I don't even have a ring in my hand" I told her as she seemed a bit disappointed after that "I thought you didn't want to get married?" I then asked finding her behavior a bit confusing
"Then. I didn't want to get married then, but then with all the future talk and the book…I thought you were propose" Blair said
"I'm lost…I'm seriously lost in this" I told her before she just began to laugh to herself
"Of course you are. That's not a surprise Humphrey" Blair said before she got up from her chair and threw her napkin down before storming out of the restaurant before I quickly followed behind her out onto the street
"Okay, your gonna have to fill me in on what just happened back there?" I asked her as I grabbed onto her arm forcing her to look at me
"Do I really have to? I mean is that shocking to you that I would think your going to propose again?" Blair stated
"You turned me down…emphasis on the you part" I told her
"I'm aware!" Blair yelled "But with all the future crap that we talked about, I thought you were going to…but I guess you only proposed to me in the first place because you just wanted to beat Chuck" she said
"Oh, don't do that. Don't compare me to Chuck or even put me in the same sentence" I replied a bit irritated with the statement
"It's the truth!" Blair replied "You only asked me because you thought the only way I would have even considered you was if you were offering me something more" she said
"No, I asked because I didn't want to lose you" I said
"Well you have me, now what?" Blair then asked me
"Look, I really don't know what you expect at this point because I asked, you declined. You still have the ring by the way, I might add, but I asked…so I did my part" I told her
"Wow! I think this is the part where you've officially made yourself an ass" Blair said
"I've given you three rings. The first, a promise to be there. The second, an upgrade so you would stop making fun of the first one. The third, a declined engagement ring. I've pledged to you, what more do you want?" I told her
"Are you really asking that question?" Blair asked as tears welled up in her eyes
"Yes, I'm asking. I love you, I've written it and declared it…so just tell me what you want?" I asked her
"You wrote a story about Serena, right?" Blair asked as I just rolled my eyes in disbelief that we were going back to our exes
"Oh, c'mon. You can't keep throwing that in my face" I replied
"You wrote a story about her right?" Blair asked again
"Yes" I answered
"How'd that end?" Blair asked
"We broke up. What's the point in this?" I asked her
"Vanessa, she was your best friend, whom you turned out to have feelings for, right?" Blair asked
"What's the point" I replied before Blair motioned to say something but I just answered trying to avoid "Yes…yes, she was my best friend…who I then fell for" I said
"Of those girls, they meant something to you. They were you cliché love story. The unattainable dream girl. The girl that was right in front of you. What am I?" Blair asked
"Opposites attract" I sighed
"Can't say that one because Serena could make a case for that" Blair replied
"I'm not with Serena or Vanessa. I'm with you. I have proposed to you, but still that wasn't enough" I replied
"I want to know that I'm different from them. I know that we're the last two people who people thought would get together, but I want to be more than that…I don't want to define our relationship as me being the last person you ever though you would fall for…I want something that sets me a part from them" Blair said "I know that makes me sound crazy and dramatic but I can't help it" she told me
"You're my future. That's what sets you a part" I told her
"Now. Right now, I am. Who's to say what I'll be in one year" Blair said before she slowly backed away
"Can we please…lets talk about this?" I asked her not wanting to end things like this
"I'll see you back at the villa, I just really need to think" Blair said before she turned to walk away leaving me with my thoughts once more
"I don't get it. I really don't get it" I said to myself as I ran my hand through my hair before noticing how scruffy I really was "God, I really do need to shave" I then said
[Blair's P.O.V.] [Friday]
We've come to the end…the vacation, I mean. I know I was all melodramatic last night about the non proposal I was expecting but I feel like through all the craziness that a piece of me came out. Okay, it was all pure crazy but somehow I know I understand what I was referring to, I just hope Humphrey understands my crazy. Maybe I'll always keep comparing myself to Serena in the long run, hell I've done since we were little kids. Aw! I hate always bringing my insecurities back to Serena. I feel like I'm on constant repeat with that one, but I just…I can't help it. Last night, when Humphrey had returned back to the villa, he attempted to get in the bed with me but when he tried to talk to me, I just gave him the silent treatment. I was a bit surprised that he didn't force the issue but I guess we both needed to think about my crazy and our future. I know we've talked about it but I guess at this point we really need to put it in concrete form. I'd be lying if I said that I worried that we wouldn't make it once we returned to the states, I mean what if I'm not his quote on quote dream girl…what if Serena will always hold that spot in his heart and I was jut giving her a run for it. Nothing about Dan and Blair being together is normal to the average person in our world, but in my heart it is, I just…I want it to make sense and stop being so out of the realm of possibilities. I deserve a happy ending, I deserve the good guy, I deserve just as much as the next person. Getting caught up in my thoughts, I could soon hear a knock at the door.
"Waldorf, are you coming out for lunch?" Dan asked
"Did you fix lunch for Vanessa or Serena?" I then asked just wanting to be difficult
"Yes, so I guess your still just like them in your mind" Dan replied matching wit for wit on that comment
"Could I have a single piece of pizza, with a single dressing of ranch, along with a single breadstick…in case you haven't noticed what you'll have in common with that order, it'll be the fact that you'll be single if you keep being an ass" I told him
"Will you come out please?" Dan sighed
"Why? I don't want your ass like traits to spread on to me. I'm content with where I am" I replied
"I'm sure your are" Dan said to himself thinking I didn't hear but I heard it perfectly
"I heard a ass like comment, I'm not coming out to catch it" I protested
"Okay, well…I guess I'll just have to do this right here" Dan said
"Being an ass can travel anywhere, you'd know" I replied just as I heard music come from the sitting area outside in the garden of the villa. Slowly sitting up in the bed, I peeked out the blinds to see the garden all decorated in a summer like setting that only France could offer
"Now will you please come outside?" Dan asked as I nearly ran over to the door but still tried to play it off that I was being all nonchalant about it. Once I opened the door, I saw that Humphrey was dressed so casual but fancy casual.
"What's going on?" I asked just as my dad and Roman appeared as well
"I thought about what you said, and I mean really thought about it….your special to me, and your different from Vanessa and Serena because I know with you that I do want take that next step. I want that step to be with you…." Dan told me before I nearly saw my whole life flash before me
"Wait. No" I then said as I put my hand up to his mouth while my dad and Roman looked at me with confusion "I know. I know. I'm the craziest person because I made such a big deal about it before but…no. I'm not ready to get married. I thought I was but I guess…my insecurities got the best of me each time I even thought I was ready to get married, but I don't want my insecurities to win in this, not with you. I love that we took the time to get to know each other and realize that we do have something, I don't want to ruin that just to prove that we're not what people think we are" I told him "I love you and hope that I do have that future with you, but I don't think we're ready…I don't think we're ready to get married" I replied hoping that I hadn't ruined what he had planned for us today as I slowly moved my hand away from his mouth before he took a moment to think. Turning to look at my dad, who was equally concerned about what Dan's reaction was going to be….please, understand the craziness I kept saying to myself "Humphrey. Say something?" I asked softly
"It's a good thing" Dan replied as my heart nearly broke "It's a good thing I feel the same way" he then said before I nearly pounced on him to pull him into a hug
"You do understand my craziness" I praised as Roman and my father laughed
"Look, I want to marry you. I want that very much so, but…we're not broken right now…so lets not rush to fix it, if its not broken" Dan whispered to me
"So then what's with everything outside?" I asked
"The next best thing" Harold said as he walked over towards us with Roman nearly balling his eyes out from behind "It's your commitment ceremony" he told me as I looked on at Humphrey excitedly
"It looks like a wedding" I replied
"It can tend to look that way, but its not. It's a commitment ceremony, where we…" Dan said before I interrupted
"I know what it is Humphrey" I replied "And yes. I say yes to that. I will commit to you" I said before I pulled him into a kiss
"Aw, this is so beautiful" Roman cried as my dad just rubbed his back
"Finally you say yes" Dan told me as he broke the kiss before I quickly hit him on the arm
It had taken me a full hour to just get ready, Humphrey said that I could dress as I am, but seeing as his style consists of jeans and t-shirt…doesn't mean anything to me. Earlier in the trip I had picked out something that I just couldn't wait to wear to work, but it just seemed to fit this occasion. Never would I thought that I would be having a commitment ceremony, before I would have thought that it was dumbest idea or cheap form of a wedding, but I guess now I'm learning that the bigger things I had grown accustomed to weren't what I wanted anymore. I just wanted love, and I've found it…so whatever dumb thing I thought was dumb before, now they mean so much to me. Standing up with the pastor, Dan stood nervously as even though this wasn't a real wedding…it seemed like he was nervous as could be. Being escorted by my father down the rose peddle aisle, I was walking towards my future instead of running. On that day, I had done something I had never thought I would do….I committed myself to Dan Humphrey.