Chapter Twenty Eight- Earbuds
[Blair's P.O.V.]
Curling up close to my pillow, I'm having trouble envisioning myself getting out of bed because all through out the night I just felt so sick. I blame Humphrey for this, if it hadn't been for his sushi cravings then I would have never stepped foot into that SoHo hell hole. Looking over to the space beside me its clear that Humphrey has gone in early for work. He's sort of stressing about work a lot lately because of Ross stealing yet another possible author from them…so he's been burning the midnight oil like crazy. Sitting up in the bed, I run my hand through my hair as I slowly begin to realize that I have yet to really get used to Humphrey's new home because it was far different than the loft…don't get me wrong, it's a huge upgrade from the loft but then the loft had so many memories. Of course that's where the sex pact or the whole sex buddies began but feelings grew there as well…but yada, yada, yada to the whole remembering the past. Right now I want to just spend my day in bed and try to get over this flu. Grabbing Humphrey's robe, I make my way out of the bedroom to see Eliot sitting at the counter eating cereal while I grab a mug for a big cup of coffee that is so desperately needed.
"What's up with you? You look like you had a pillow fight and no one told you" Eliot commented on my state of dress
"So glad that you're here Eliot" I replied sarcastically as I pour myself a cup and begin to add in my usual necessary mixture "Why aren't you at the office?" I then ask him as I join him by sitting at the counter
"Because Perry is going crazy now" Eliot sighed "I figured if I avoid the office then I'll avoid hearing about how we need to save the magazine or about how he can't realize that his boy toy is so bad for him" he told me
"The boy toy is back? Wow, that didn't take long" I said "You could just hang out in Dan's office" I then suggested
"I could but that's where Perry goes to most of the time" Eliot said "Why aren't you at work?" he asked
"Because I look like I had a pillow fight and no one told me" I reiterated what he had told me previously "My head feels like someone is throwing bricks at it, and my stomach is all in knots" I said
"Oh" Eliot replied "Is it that time of the month again?" he asked
"Like I would tell you that" I replied
"Like I don't know" Eliot said
"Then why ask?" I then asked
"Because I wanted to be polite, you know give you time to think of a lie" Eliot said
"I'm not lying or need to think of a lie. My body is mine and yours is…yours is yours" I stated "Stop with the questions because your making my head hurt" I told him
"So you have knots in the stomach, and your tight lipped on the time of the month" Eliot said piecing together the bits and pieces that I told him
"I'm slowly beginning to see myself telling Humphrey that maybe having you here isn't the best thing" I replied sarcastically
"You wouldn't do that, you actually like me" Eliot smiled at me
"I wouldn't think that highly of yourself" I told him
"How do your breasts feel?" Eliot asked as I just looked at him strangely
"El, have you been watching cinemax after dark again?" I asked him before I hit him upside the head with the paper towel roll "You don't ask a girl that!" I then scolded him
"I don't want to know how they feel, feel. I just…are they tender?" Eliot asked again before I raised the roll one more time causing him to put his hand up to try to deflect
"Do you really want to meet your end now?" I asked him
"Are you having those back pains again?" Eliot asked
"I replaced Humphrey's mattress, so no, and I still have no idea what your getting at…but replacing that mattress was a good thing in the fact of I have no idea who else has shared the bed with Humphrey. It's such a guy thing to think girls should just feel right at home in the bed when they've had numerous sexual encounters in it" I replied "But they have eased it" I then said
"Still loving those grease filled cheese steaks?" Eliot then asked
"Is there a point to this besides you being annoying?" I asked
"You will when I reveal this shocking revelation…you might have a bun in the oven" Eliot told me
"No, I don't…I didn't even put anything in the oven" I replied and I had to admit that wasn't my finest moment of intellect
"Your usually someone I admire for the brain power and the wit, but that…." Eliot said before I interrupted
"I…I don't have a bun in the oven. I have food poisoning….I want to have food poisoning" I said slowly beginning to realize that he may have a point
"But you got something else instead" Eliot laughed while I was freaking out
"No, no, no. I want food poisoning. I have food poisoning" I declared
"Right now, you have delusion" Eliot laughed
"You're the delusional one to think that would be a reason…I mean that's just crazy" I said trying to convince myself even more than I was trying to do so with Eliot
[Dan's P.O.V.]
Coming in from the break room with my usual bag of chips and soda, I was more than prepared to spend the rest of my day finishing up my chapters for early releases. Things around the office have been crazy, and Perry has just been an emotional rollercoaster with everything with Ross going on. Opening up my files on the computer screen, I couldn't help but notice a picture of Waldorf and I back in France then just everyday pictures of us together. I have to admit that it still catches me by surprise to see her beauty but even more so that I could potentially call her my wife. Putting my chips to the side, I find myself just looking on at this and just realizing why I need to fight hard for this magazine…why I need to do whatever it takes to reach that moment in which we'll both be able to take that next step. Leaning back in my chair, I make an effort to really focus on my work because lets face it, I have to but before I could even manage to straighten up in my chair, I heard a knock come from my door. Looking up I was surprised to see Jenny standing in my doorway because some part of me felt like it was around the usual time that Perry shows up with his usual bag of candy so that he could vent. To see my sister though, still quite the surprise.
"Is there any part of your life that hasn't changed?" Jenny asked as she made her way inside to take a seat on my sofa
"I'm still the writer. See, words on a page" I replied showing her my manuscript "Since when do you drive in the city?" I then asked noticing the Range Rover logo on the keys in her hand
"I don't…it's a friends, this friend has two Range Rover so it really won't matter but I'm enjoying my little time with it before dropping it off. Though buying a Range or any s.u.v. for that matter has been heavily on my mind. The visit won't take long since I have to return said car due to time" Jenny said
"Well since you have the itch to drive, you do know what street to get on right?" I then asked
"I know, I know. Water Street" Jenny sighed "Dan has only engraved that in us" she then said as I did my best not to show my dislike at hearing his name but it showed
"What are you up to? What business do you have to tend to today?" I asked
"Meetings in uptown, nothing big" Jenny replied
"Destination uptown, almost makes me thin of a certain person you might be returning a said car to" I told her as I looked at her a bit quizzically with a name circling in my head as to who it could be
"Your off base, so stop using your brain power on that" Jenny replied
"It would make sense, so I'm not too far off" I sighed
"What are you working on? Another story about Serena?" Jenny asked
"No, just one about Blair" I replied as she still seemed a bit off guard about my relationship "It's very inspiring, care to read" I teased
"I think I'll pass on that" Jenny said "So when you said it was real between you two, how real did you mean?" she asked
"As in marriage is a definite in this one" I quickly replied "I've proposed and we've come to the conclusion that we weren't ready, but I still have this band on my hand to say that I want marriage with her" I told her
"But why her? Why Serena's best friend of all people…the girl that made my life a living hell" Jenny asked
"I really don't want to get into this. I don't want to explain my reasoning for dating Blair, I was hoping your visit would have other reasons behind it" I told her
"Just trying to understand" Jenny smiled
"Just waiting for you to get over it" I replied
"Word on the street is that your magazine might be closing…how do you think that will fair with Blair?" Jenny asked
"She's well aware of it and we're not closing…we just have to show profit coming in since we lost a partner and possibly the share holders" I said
"So if you lose your magazine, then what?" Jenny asked "Your going to go back to being an aspiring writer?" she asked
"Jen what is your problem!" I yelled becoming frustrated with her
"My problem is your delusion. Do you really think Blair will stick by you if you lose the job that's making it so comfortable for you to live the lavish lifestyle…no. I hate to burst the bubble but your making a mistake…she is a mistake" Jenny said
"And here we go again…why are you on repeat about this, I'm with Blair, get over it" I told her
"Get over it! How about the fact that you couldn't even bother to tell me?" Jenny said "I have to find out through Gossip Girl and through other sources" she said
"I'm sorry that I like to keep my personal life on wrap, but I wasn't even sure what was going on with Waldorf and I until I found about dad's involvement" I replied "But my relationship is not your concern" I then said "So can you please just drop it" I sighed
"You know dad was trying to look out for you, that's his job…to look out for you. Estranging yourself from dad isn't like you, you have yet to talk to him" Jenny said
"And for good reason" I quickly replied
"Reasons such as Blair Waldorf" Jenny laughed in disbelief "It's the same damn story" she went on to say
"Your really pushing it, I mean its getting a little annoying now" I said becoming irritated
"I don't care" Jenny said before I rose from my seat and walked over to the door
"I want you out" I said trying not to get upset but lets face it, I was "You want to be Debbie downer, that's fine. But my relationship is off limits for you" I told her angrily
"We use to talk about everything. We as family used to, but now…its like you've been succumbed by everything Upper East Side" Jenny told me
"That's rich coming from the girl who damn near spent her whole high school career to be queen bee" I laughed "This isn't personal, I just want you out of my office" I told her
"I know that I'm not your favorite person. I know that you have told dad and I to go to hell, which I would have done if it were me…but this is insane. I'll always be there for you…" Jenny told me as I just laughed to myself
"Yeah, when your not to busy scheming your way to the top. I must have missed when you were there for me" I replied "I love you, I really do but don't come back unless you truly get it through your head that my relationship is real…I don't have to explain it or show you how I intend to finance it. It's mine, mine alone" I told her before she took a deep sigh before leaving my office
[Blair's P.O.V.]
Pacing the floor. I had yet to stop because pacing allowed me to think, and thinking is something I had to do in this moment. I need to think. I have to think. What am I going to do if he's right? This isn't a part of the game plan, I mean I have a career and Humphrey is somewhat in the midst of almost losing his. No, no. Think positive. Think happy thoughts. I knew I should have gotten my coffee and kept going, if I wouldn't have talked to Eliot than I would be blissfully unaware and right not that sounds like heaven to me. This is ridiculous, how can this be…I mean I know how could it be because I was a part of it being….but I can't be. I've ran the thought over in my mind, and I just find myself in the desperate mood to do something soothing or calming…I need to talk to him. I need to talk to Humphrey and maybe I will know. I mean I won't know if I'm preggers or not but I'll know what to do by talking with him. Its strange but whenever I'm unsure about something I call him and he takes away my uncertainty…photoshoot days, I call him on average of ten times so he's used to it by now. Grabbing my phone, I dial the number that has become all too familiar to me.
"Hello" Dan sighs as he answers the phone and immediately I know that something is up
"What's wrong?" I ask
"Nothing, I just got an unwelcome visitor" Dan sighed "What are the color scheme choices?" he asked as he thinks I'm calling about a photo shoot, I'm sort of happy he got to the point, I'll give him points for that, but then at least he got his unwelcome visitor…I'm hoping my unwelcome visitor will come
"Oh" I replied "Let me guess, someone from your family?" I then asked
"Ding ding. Jen came by and once again ragged on me for…" Dan said as I all ready knew what he was going to say at this point
"For being with me" I sighed feeling as if there was no possible way of knowing what to do with my situation when he was dealing with his own situation "So what did she say?" I then asked
"Nothing that is worth repeating. How are you?….I actually care about that answer" Dan said
"I'm..I'm still a bit under the weather but I think its just a little cold. I'm feeling better by the minute anyways" I lied
"That's good. I was really starting to feel bad about making you eat that sushi. I know you were really craving the cheese steaks but I figured we'd switch it up " Dan said "I will even let you pick the food of choice tonight" he laughed
"I don't think hunger is on my to do list right now, I just want to get passed this little flu and move on. Then I'll be ready to get back to my cheese steaks" I replied
"Who knew you'd be so into cheese steaks, I have to admit that was a shocker but your kind of sexy when you have all that…" Dan said before I had to interrupt the pending sexual reference
"I get the picture" I quickly said as he just laughed
"I didn't mean that as a sex reference, I just…okay, I'll just let it go because there is no way of escaping the sex" Dan smiled "Speaking of it though, since Eliot is going to his mom's this weekend…maybe we could embark upon reinventing Italy in our bedroom" he said
"I have to go" I then replied
"Uh, okay" Dan replied a little confused that was my response to his suggestion to a sex filled weekened
"I'll call you back though, I just realized I have to do something" I said before I just hung up on him. Going back to my pacing, I just couldn't get a feel for what I should do? I mean I knew but it had to be impossible. Running my hand through the my hair in pure and utter confusion, I go to grab my purse just as Eliot comes out of his room
"Can I expect the sounds of little pitter patters to be running around?" Eliot teased
"Shut up" I replied "Please tell me you were joking this morning, like you were trying to be an ass of some sort?" I then asked thinking this was all a mind game
"Yes because I like to inquire about your breasts" Eliot said as I just looked at him "Okay, I think your hot but I wouldn't perve on you, in front of you" he then said "Besides Dan is like a brother to me, and I wouldn't oogle you behind his back" he added
"I don't even want to know what you do behind the closed door. But it can't be, right? I mean you were playing with me, like we always do" I reasoned
"Do you want me to buy you a pregnancy test? It'll look awkward me buying one but seeing as I'm not exactly a slim jim they may think I'm the next he she having a baby" Eliot asked
"No, I don't want you near the feminine section….I think I should do this, as scared and out of my mind as I am" I sighed
"Are you excited though?" Eliot asked "I mean this will be a mini you and mini Dan…so that'll be awesome" he said
"I'm not sure how I feel? This is unexpected" I replied "Does that make me horrible?" I then asked
"No, its all new and scary. I think you two will be fine though if you are…I think you'll be great, you know since you two are great with me and my many flaws" Eliot smiled
"Your not flawed Eliot, you're a little pervy but not flawed" I told him
"It'll all be good, I know it" Eliot smiled before he walked forward to give me a hug that was surprisingly comforting before he finally broke away from the embrace
"Thank you" I smiled at him before I grabbed my coat and made my way out of the penthouse. Making my way over to the elevators, I get that feeling again to call him. To get that certainty that I need, but then I feel like I need to see his face. I need to share this not to certain news with him and gage how he feels about it, gage how we both feel about this.
[Rufus's P.O.V.]
I'm beyond late. Trying to squeeze in a few moment of playing the guitar was relaxing but if I'm late to this lunch then I will have anything but relaxation come tonight. Running down the stairs, I see the cleaning staff cleaning the living room, and I have to admit that it still takes a little time to get used to that since I'm so used to being a single dad cleaning up after my kids. Actually Dan did really good with cleaning up behind himself so he wasn't that bad…I wonder how he's doing. I'm not exactly his favorite person so I don't know as much these days. Pulling my cell phone out of my pocket I begin to look on to see that I got a missed a call from Jenny. At least one kid is talking to me. Glad to have at least one, but I'd like two. Opening up my text messages, yeah I text now because I'm hip like that….I don't think they use that word anymore I then realize. She bought a car. Okay that's a little strange, why would she need a car in the city…and s.u.v to be exact. That's ridiculous. Let me save that comment for later because I think I may actually need to take the s.u.v. today, I can take the back streets and get on Water street to beat the traffic. Rushing over to the keys rack that we keep in the kitchen for the drivers, I like that I have a selection of cars to pull from when before I only had one option if not any. Wanting to be a little spiffy, I grab the keys to the Range Rover.
[Chuck's P.O.V.]
Can't leave anyone in charge and hope for results. The one day I tend to other business, the same day that everything goes to hell at the office. It's sad when you even set aside a day to tend to more personal business and that gets detoured due to lackey's. I've missed my earlier appointment due to Gingers insane sex drive, but I have to check up on my earlier appointment because I need to make progress. Heading down to the staircase, I take the side door to the outside so that I'm standing in front of the garage door. Taking my clicker, I raise the garage doors to see my Range Rover number one sitting in its usual position but the revealing oil spots where Range Rover number two is suppose to be has me a bit annoyed. Unable to vent about it now, I have to get to office or else this will be a bad day for all if I have anything to say about it. Getting into the s.u.v. I waste no time pulling off. Why wait for a driver when you can drive yourself.
[Dan's P.O.V.]
Four hours later. I'm finally finished. I'm finally finished with the story. I don't know whether to throw myself a little party or just get out of the office before Perry gets off the phone with his boy toy, which I'm sure is not going to be good news seeing as he's yelling at this point. No, I need to escape. I can get home and pack up Eliot for the weekend, then go out and buy everything Italian. Waldorf hadn't said much to my idea but I know she enjoyed the idea of creating our own little Italy. Going over towards my bag, I grab my phone to see that Waldorf has all ready called me. Looking down at the missed call, I can tell that she called me about three hours ago….I knew I shouldn't have put those ear buds in my ear but working a long with my ipod does tend to help me though. Calling her back as I grab the rest of my things, I go immediately to her voicemail which she probably won't check until the end of the day because if I'm not a designer or someone from W then she figures she can get back to me or get me on a time she usually calls. Heading out of the office, I step into the elevator and I'm more than glad that I'm escaping. In desperate need of music instead of hearing the usual elevator music, I pull out my ipod and put in my earbuds while I listen to my usual The Script…what I like them a lot. Waldorf hates them or dislikes some of their songs but she does like the mainstream, which is good because at least we have some music in common.
[Eliot's P.O.V]
Time. It can be a good thing. It can be something that helps set appointments. It can be a guide to your day. It can be a sense of agony when your trying to be somewhere else other than where your presently at. Time, can be your best and worst friend. It was two minutes. Two minutes before I realized that maybe I should go with her. Two minutes that put her ahead of me. One minute that it would have taken me to run up to the taxi that she was in ahead of me. Thirty six seconds for me to realize why is she even taking a taxi to begin. One minute and thirty seconds at a stop light while I watch her taxi go ahead of me to the next intersection where I'm sure I'll get stopped again, Water Street has the tricky lights I've come to learn in my time here in New York. Time though, it can be a good thing. Time can be something that helps set appointments, and appointment. It can be a guide to your day. It can be a sense of agony when your trying to be somewhere you don't want to be. Time in this case….one minute. It was one minute in which I saw an oncoming black s.u.v. ram into her taxi causing it to get wrapped around a poll. Two minutes for me to run over and see blood coming from her head. Five minutes of me trying to rip the door open to save her as I'm crying and screaming for some miracle to happen as she has no response to my screams. It was one minute. One minute.
Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I guess I've left you guys with a real doozy...who dun it?