Author's Note: Sorry that it has taken me so long to update this story. I've been occupied with ending From the Beginning then Second Time Around. I did want to finish this story off, but I only managed to go piece by piece when it came to writing it. Just want to let you know that there will only be one more chapter of Uptown Girl, and it will deal with DAIR as far as their life after or more into the future, so it will fun. Thank you all so much for reading this story. Uptown Girl was really my first story ever that got me over 100 reviews then to 200 reviews, so I hold this story dear to me as a writer because the positive reviews that have made it possible for me to go on to have the confidence to write more Dan/Blair stories such as From the Beginning and Second Time Around. I will be adding a new Dair story to the mix soon, so look out for that as well as Second Time Around if you need your Dair fix. I hope you enjoy the chapter, and I'll have the final chapter up by the end of this week.
Chapter Thirty Two- West Coast vs. East Coast
[Blair's P.O.V.]
Finding out that Jenny was involved with Chuck in some way shape or form, that really pissed me off. I mean, who purposely helps ruin their own brother. I had half the mind to tell Dan, just to let it be known that I knew she was up to no good when she first came back into town, but I couldn't exactly pop out the bubbly on that occasion. No, this time I had to seriously think about what I was going to do. That's how you know Humphrey has taken an effect on me, when I start to think then plot or even think before acting. I would never tell him this because I don't want him thinking he was the light in my tunnel or whatever saying fits this moment. After a few hours of seriously thinking about what I should do, I found myself stopping off to buy a few gotcha outfits for my visit that I had to have with little Humphrey. Maybe I shouldn't say little Humphrey, that's kind of a throw back memory of baby Nano. Well, anyways, I'm on my way to see Jenny and I do have to admit that it feels good to do a whole you've been caught confrontation, but I won't get the same thrill out of it like I used to. Coming up to the door at the swanky hotel, I've got to say that I'm truly impressed that Chuck has gone to such lengths to house her. Opening the door after one knock, Jenny was in for quite a shock to see me standing there.
"Good morning" I smiled at her while she looked back at me in complete and utter confusion
"Blair, what are you doing here?" Jenny asked me before I just made my way inside "Uh, I didn't invite you in" she replied as she closed the door behind her
"I don't expect you to, for the obvious reasons. I just wanted to stop by to talk to you about….what the hell are you thinking!" I said trying to be polite, but I just realized that I had to get down to business with her
"What are you talking about?" Jenny asked
"I'm talking about you and Chuck, again" I pointed out to her
"That's disgusting" Jenny replied as she walked past me to head over into the kitchen
"It was good enough for you to lose your virginity to him" I quickly fired back
"That's about the only thing we have in common. Wait, at least I was in a bed….a limo doesn't exactly scream class, now does it" Jenny said making an attempt to get under my skin
"Really? That's the only thing you've got. Like I haven't heard that. You're about a few years late with that punch line" I told her as I took a seat on the sofa while pouring herself a cup of coffee. I guess that whole coffee addiction runs in all of the Humphrey members
"How long is this going to last? I do have work to get to" Jenny groaned
"I'm sure Chuck can wait, I mean that is the job that you returned for. Let's see, he's wining and dining you, so….you've got a promotion. Tell me how are the benefits in the betrayal department?" I asked
"Look who's become delusional" Jenny laughed
"I've got pictures, so let's retry that answer" I quickly replied before she took a moment to access if I was bluffing
"It's not what you think" Jenny sighed
"I think it looks exactly what I think. You're screwing over your own brother!" I told her
"Because of you" Jenny said
"Now who's delusional. Why is it so important to get back at me?….you're the one who slept with Chuck while I was with him. I should be furious with you" I said
"And you were, I believe I was banned from New York City. I wouldn't have abided by those rules if I knew you'd go after Dan as your next victim" Jenny said
"Trust me, going after Dan had nothing to do with you. So you can save that reasoning for your father" I said not buying that excuse "Grow up" I then added
"You've got a lot of nerve to talk" Jenny scoffed at me
"Yes, I have grown up because every part of me thinks that you should have been dealt with the time you stepped foot in New York. Dan has missed you, and you being back has him happier than I've ever seen him…he's got that goofy smile painted on his face all the time. The other day, I deleted Citizen Kane out of Netflix and he was all calm with that stupid smile on his face. So I've grown up to realize that these childish games are stupid, when they only hurt the people around us" I told her
"I bet you really feel proud for saying that" Jenny said as she clapped for me sarcastically "I mean, that speech was bound to impress everyone that we know because once again you play the victim and me as the villain" she said
"Because you are. In this scenario, you're the bad person" I told her
"I'm trying to protect my brother" Jenny replied
"By ruining his place of work? This is his job, not his relationship, this is what pays the bills for him" I pointed out to her hoping she'd realize how stupid she sounded by saying that
"I don't care about the writing, if Dan loses the company then you'll go as well. You don't do poor well, and we all know that. As soon as his careers goes down the toilet, then you're true colors will show" Jenny reasoned
"Wow, it sounded even more pathetic the second time around" I laughed to myself "Look, Chuck…he's using you. Chuck can care less about Dan…" I said before she interrupted
"I wonder why?" Jenny said trying to prove a point
"I'm fully aware of the why, but you've got to realize that Chuck will walk whomever to get what he wants, including you" I told her "So whatever deal you have….end it" I then said
"End things with Dan" Jenny then said
"You know, you're whole purpose for doing this is to prove that I'm bad for him. The funny thing is that the only person that is bad for him is you at this point" I told her as I got up from my seat on the sofa
"I love my brother" Jenny told me
"Then start acting like it" I replied before I walked over to the door "End things with Chuck for your own good" I told her
"Or else what?" Jenny asked before I turned to look at her
"There's no threats, you're a grown woman. Along with being a grown woman come consequences, and I don't think Dan will take kindly to learning this information" I said
"So what? You're going to spin this to him" Jenny asked
"There's nothing to spin, you're screwing him over all on your own…pretty self explanatory to me" I said before I opened the door to leave
"What's your game?" Jenny quickly asked me before I stopped in my tracks "I mean, why Dan?….why not Chuck?" she asked
"I do love Chuck, but I'm in love with Dan. That's why" I told her without even having to look at her before I finally left the room.
[Dan's P.O.V.]
Coming off these elevators, I remember I used to feel like some big shot that would hold the briefcase and everything. Now I just feel like a guy holding an unnecessary accessory to make myself feel all important. Heading over to my office, I have to admit that a part of me was starting to feel like it was all slipping away. I mean next to my relationship with Blair, this job was my next great love because this is what I've always wanted to do. Putting my bag down on the chair, I walked over to the great window view that I had in my office and just began to look out at the city. This view is amazing, I mean this is just a beautiful view that I'm growing more and more sad that I might have to leave this. Just as I was throwing my own pity party, I heard a knock come to the door. Turning around, I wasn't too surprised to see Perry standing there since this was around the time that he came by. With a bag an oversized bag of Skittles in hand, he came in and flopped down on the sofa, then he opened up his bag of Skittles and began to munch away at them. Walking over to join him over in the sitting area, I could only imagine what he was about to say.
"I think its official, we have officially lost the magazine" Perry sighed
"Isn't it a bit early for you to be melodramatic?" I began to question him
"I have a bag of Skittles, ready to divulge at any point. It's clearly time for me to be melodramatic" Perry replied
"What happened now?" I then asked
"Uh, have you not been paying attention for the past couple of months. Every possible writer that we could pull is going over towards Ross's magazine" Perry quickly replied
"I've been present, I just though we were keeping a positive attitude" I told him
"Positive attitude has gone out of the window, I'm in the panic mode now" Perry told me
"I'm in the stay positive mode" I told him "You should think like that, it'll take you far" I then added
"What's with the whole positive?….before you were like the leader of the pity party, now you're my opposition" Perry asked before a smile quickly came to my face
"Not sure I can divulge such information" I laughed as I got up from my seat to head over towards the window
"Please, don't tease. It drives me crazy, when men play games" Perry groaned "Just tell me, I need something to talk about other than my depressing personal and professional life" he sighed
"Depressing? You're a millionaire, who can buy anything he wants at the drop of a dime" I quickly replied not buying that statement
"Yes, money can supply the satisfaction of spur of the moment decisions. Failure can stick with you" Perry said "So please, tell me your news or whatever your giddy about?" he asked
"Tonight….tonight I can do it" I hesitantly told him
"Okay, I'm going to pretend to understand what you're talking about? What are you talking about?" Perry asked
"Tonight, Waldorf is finally able to engage in sexual activities" I smiled
"I thought she all ready got the go ahead?" Perry asked
"She did, but she still felt kind of funny…I mean we did other things but we hadn't quite gotten down to the…." I began to say before he interrupted
"The actual grind" Perry answered
"Yes, the actual grind. Well, she saw the doctor last week….she's got the green light to do the do" I smiled
"That's great. I mean now I get to listen to your active sex life, while mine is put on hold" Perry replied
"I thought you wanted me to tell you the news, you just gave me the whole speech of telling you" I said finding him confusing
"I know, I know. You just…you've got it. You've got it all, even the freaky sex life" Perry said
"That's the point, I wasn't having the freaky sex life for a certain time period. I had a non-existent sex life for a couple of weeks" I siad
"But you have a person to have the non-existent sex life with" Perry pouted
"Okay, what is this really about? I feel like you're on a different spree of emotions now. You want to know the news, then you don't because it reminds you of your not so sex life, what is it?" I asked
"You!" Perry replied as he threw a Skittle over in my direction
"What about me!" I declared
"I'm losing you. I'm losing you, like I lost my boy toy, and my sex life. You have the sex life and I have nothing" Perry replied
"What are you talking about?" I asked still a bit confused as he got up from the sofa to pull out an envelope that he had in his jacket to hand to me
"The Times, they want you…along with everyone else on this planet" Perry griped as I looked stunned by the envelope before I eventually thought to read the paper inside
"You're just now telling me about this!" I told him
"I was having a Skittle moment" Perry replied as I read the paper to see that I was being offered a job from the Los Angeles Times "What do you think?" he asked
"I think you should have told me this first" I told him before I hit him on the arm
"Okay, I should have. Again, the Skittles though" Perry reasoned as a moment of silence came between us "But Editor, that's big. That sounds all fancy like" he winked
"Editor, I've never been an editor. I just write" I told him
"You've been an editor, you just don't know that you've been an editor" Perry said
"What does that even mean?" I asked him
"It means that you have no excuse as to why you don't qualify" Perry told me
"What should I do?" I asked "I mean this job is all I've ever known, so what should I do?" I asked him hoping he would guide me
"Do you really have to ask? You go, Dan. You go and don't look back" Perry told me
"But what about the positive?" I asked
"The positive is turning into a negative, and you're too good for a negative situation" Perry said
"And Eliot? Do they want him?" I asked as he shook his head no "I can't just leave without him. I said that I would help Eliot and guide him" I reasoned
"Eliot needs to be a kid. He has more than enough money to go to college at whatever school he prefers. Eliot will be taken care of, even if I have to see to that myself" Perry said
"No, I can't flake out on you. You gave me this chance, and I owe it to you to try" I began to reason
"You owe it to me to be a successful writer, and that….that will lead you to success" Perry said "Take the job" he said as all I could do was just think about what this could all mean.
[Blair's P.O.V]
After my little talk with Jenny, I have to admit that I was feeling all do gooder inside. I guess this is how Dan feels, when he is plagued with doing the right thing. I'm not exactly a bad person, but being plagued with a conscience was something I never had a problem with until I met…well me. Humphrey just kicked that into high gear, where I start to care and wonder about what others are thinking or what they will think. Work is beyond amazing now, our upcoming issue has my fingerprint all over it. Stefano and Epperly are looking forward to it, talk about pressure when you have higher ups waiting to see your product. Though I was loving the issue, the amount of stupid questions that I was getting from the other girls were at a record high, so much that I'm thrilled to finally go to lunch with Humphrey. Meeting him at the café that was midway for the both of us, we both had become well known that we didn't really have to say anything because the waitress all ready knew. Humphrey looked a little strange, he seemed like he was basket full of nerves.
"What's wrong with you? You look all blotchy and constipated, did you eat those dried apricots again?" I asked him
"No, I didn't eat the apricots again" Dan replied "Are you going to eat your salad?" he asked as he began to poke at my food
"Uh, I was going to. You've successfully ruined that though" I told him as he continued to stuff his face with my food "Humphrey, eat your own food" I said slapping his hand away from my plate
"You eat my food all the time" Dan protested
"Okay, the over eating. Now I know something is up. What's going on?" I asked him
"I talked to Perry today" Dan told me
"Now I know why you're all blotchy and constipated" I began to laugh
"I got a job" Dan blurted out, breaking my laughter
"You got a job? I thought you had a job, wait…did you lose the magazine?" I asked
"No, I have my current job. Then I have this job" Dan said before he showed me a piece of paper from the Los Angeles Times
"An editor" I read "They offered you a job" I replied happily for him "Dan this is amazing" I told him before I leaned forward to give him a quick kiss
"Yeah, yeah" Dan shrugged
"Why are you not happy about this?" I asked him
"Because Eliot didn't get an offer, and Perry seems to think that magazine won't make it" Dan told me
"Does Eliot know?" I asked
"I told him, but I still want to find another option" Dan sighed "I don't want to just assume that he's going to be well taken care of" he then said
"And what makes you think that he won't be?" I asked
"Because, Eliot isn't going to just do the college thing. Eliot is going to do whatever he wants, and college won't be one of them" Dan said
"So you think, Eliot could be the….yeah, he's not the college type" I said trying to defend Eliot, but in the long run, even I had to admit that he was "So what are you going to do?" I then asked
"I'm going to do what is best" Dan replied
"What does that mean?" I asked "What is best?" I then asked
"It means what is best. Me taking this job will mean that I'm accepting defeat, and I don't want to accept defeat" Dan said
"How is it defeat, when you've got another option for you?" I asked him
"I get the option, I really do. I just think you've got to look at the overall picture" Dan told me
"I get the overall picture, and I get that this is what you've worked for. This is your opportunity, and you deserve this" I told him as I grabbed for his hand "This is your shot" I told him hoping that he would hear me loud and clearly
"I know. I know" Dan said before he leaned in to give me a quick kiss as he let out a sigh "I just don't want to let the magazine go or admit that it's over" he said
"And that's admirable, but the magazine is what got you this shot. In a way, the magazine is repaying you for what you've done" I said
"Repaying me?" Dan laughed as he asked me
"Yes, and I'm sure you've thought of other things besides the job offer. Went through my phone at work, and I came across an interesting memo" I said as I took my phone out to show him the memo "Get it on. Scheduled for six. Really?" I then told him as he just laughed
"Six sounds about right" Dan joked
"What about dinner? Are you even planning on taking me out?" I asked
"Of course, I'm planning on making my gourmet peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for you" Dan laughed
"You're hilarious" I teased "If you even plan on getting me into bed, then you're gonna have to wine and dine me. I need effort, I need romance, not a memo note booty scheduling" I told him
"Romance? We've been nothing but romantic for the past few weeks" Dan reasoned
"Then this shouldn't be hard for you" I said before I took one of his chips to munch on as I leaned in "I'll be expecting big things from you, Humphrey. Impress me" I told him before I gave him a quick kiss then got up from the table to throw away my trash
"So I just get nothing for good behavior?" Dan asked as I just laughed at him
"Wine and dine" I told him as I opened the door then turned to look at him "Congrats" I said giving him a wink before I left the café to head back to work. I was excited for him, I really was, but as I was heading back to work, I couldn't help but feel this sadness inside of me. I couldn't describe it, but it just felt like it was gnawing at me.
[Dan's P.O.V.]
Wine and dine. I've been wining and dining. I mean I understand the logic, but I've been doing that. Okay, I'm not complaining. I love the girl, I honestly do, and she deserves to get the whole wine and dine deal. Okay, well a part of me is complaining because I have been good. I have been the model boyfriend, when it comes to understanding. I guess I just miss the feeling of us being intimate in that way again, our intimacy has been heightened due to losing the baby and her recovery from the accident, so I've come to appreciate that we're more than just sex. I'm glad that we took the time to get reacquainted with our relationship and each other because now I just feel like we're at the point where we're supposed to be. Though I had spent most of my time thinking about the job offer in Los Angeles, I did hear the message loud and clear on what Waldorf was telling me. Talking with Eliot, he was yet another proponent that told me to move forward and go west. I'm not sure what to do in all of this, I just want to put my efforts towards something. Stopping by the penthouse, I felt the need to really bounce some ideas off of my dad so that I could get his take on things. I have to say, it feels good to have that feeling again of being able to go see my dad like nothing.
"Dan, what are you doing here?" Rufus asked as he finished up making a sandwich in the kitchen
"I thought I could stop by and talk to you. Are you busy?" I asked as I walked over towards him
"No, I was just going to relax and watch some television" Rufus smiled before I leaned forward to grab a half of his sandwich
"I'm glad you said that" I laughed as I took a bite of the sandwich, knowing that he was looking at the sandwich "So I have good news, and some bad news" I began to tell him
"First of all, never start off a conversation like that. Ease the bad news in, but give me the good news" Rufus told me
"I got a job offer, here comes the easing….in Los Angeles" I told him
"That's great Dan" Rufus smiled excitedly "What's bad about that?" he asked
"You mean besides the fact that I'd be walking away from the magazine I helped start, that'd be the bad news" I replied
"But this is the Los Angeles Times, you've wanted a gig like this" Rufus said
"I know, which makes it such a hard decision" I told him
"Is it hard because you're leaving behind something you created or hard because you'd be leaving behind Blair?" Rufus asked as I just looked at him
"I didn't exactly think of it that way, but I guess that's why I'm dragging my feet a bit" I shrugged "I hate failing, you know this. This magazine is my life, but writing is everything to me. I know in my heart of hearts that Los Angeles is where I should be headed" I sighed
"And where might the but be in this?" Rufus then asked
"But I love the girl, and the girl works in New York" I told him
"What does Blair think?" Rufus asked "You know about the east coast, west coast thing going on in your relationship?" he asked
"She's happy for me. She see's the opportunity" I said "I don't think its really registered to her that I'd be leaving" I then said
"Has she given you any indication that she wants you to stay?" Rufus asked
"Nope, no indication" I replied
"If the love you have for each other is strong, then I'm sure it will last with the distance" Rufus said
"And if it isn't? then she'll run off with Chuck Bass into the figurative sunset" I then said
"Maybe, maybe not" Rufus replied "But if the relationship is strong than the sunset and other clichés wouldn't matter" he said
"The clichés always matter" I replied
"I guess what I'm trying to say is go after your dream. Dreams are something we take for granted" Rufus said "If its meant to be with Blair, then its meant to be, but go to Los Angeles" Rufus told me
"So Los Angeles?" I turned to ask once more just to clarify what his answer was
"Go west my boy, go west" Rufus smiled as I just laughed
"I might actually pick up a decent tan now that I'm in direct sunlight" I joked
"Or you could still get that tan where only the parts of you that are showing to the sun get tanned" Rufus replied
"Yeah, that'd be horrible" I laughed before my mind trailed off to thoughts of Blair "I laugh now, but I could possibly be losing the greatest relationship I've ever had" I told him
"Relationships aren't great, the person you're with is. You don't think a relationship is great when you're sleeping on the couch because you said something stupid over dinner and that happened to piss her off. You don't think a relationship is great when you're shelling out money to get the gift she's been hinting at for the past two months. No, those things are far from great but the person you do those things for….they're the greatest part in the relationship" Rufus said
"If it's meant to be?" I asked
"Then she'll wait for you, and you'll wait for her. That's if its meant to be" Rufus said "Don't put your life on pause for something that might not work, even though things are great…it still might not work" he said as I got lost in thought as what my dad was saying was truly registering to me.
[Blair's P.O.V.]
I'm glad to finally be out of the office. What am I saying? The office is my only sane place to retreat to. I've gone back and forth on how to handle all of this Humphrey deceit I've got going on, and usually I'd be plotting my revenge. I have to say that with the news of Humphrey landing that job in Los Angeles has me a little off kilter for a bit. I'm happy for him, I really am but I feel like he's leaving me. I know that he's not dumping me or ending our relationship, but I feel like he's taking out the biggest part of my day, and that's seeing him and being with him. I know there are times where I say I don't want to see him, but that's under the rare occasions. I literally can't think straight at this moment because the girlfriend in me had to push him towards his dreams, but the selfish part in me says you can't go to Los Angeles because you don't know how to give yourself a decent tan. Yes, I know. That's very shallow, but I'm about to see my boyfriend go off to the west coast, and I'm sure we'll come up with this stupid notion that a long distance relationship can last, but c'mon…do they really. Just as I'm driving myself insane with thoughts of Dan Humphrey, Serena comes up with her usual glow surrounding her. I'd think she was pregnant but I swear I think she probably had her tubes tied when she was sixteen. Taking a seat at the table, Serena busies herself with trying to figure out what she's going to eat, while I'm stuck still thinking how am I going to make my relationship work.
"B, what are you going to have?" Serena asks as she doesn't tear her eyes away from the menu
"Something leafy with a tea" I sighed
"Okay" Serena laughs to herself as she can tell something is up with me while she turns towards the waiter "We'll just have to raspberry vinagrette salads. Then one sparkling water…make it two, along with iced tea" she told her order to the waiter before the waiter left
"Raspberry does sound good" I sighed
"I'm glad" Serena replied as she mocked me "What's going on with you?" she asked
"Nothing" I replied
"B, you know I'm going to find out. So just tell me?" Serena asked
"Dan got a job at the Los Angeles Times" I told her as a smile quickly came to her face
"That's great" Serena smiled before she then got the bigger picture "Oh, wait. That's not great" she said
"No, it's great" I sighed not wanting to take away the accomplishment that Dan had reached "I just have to start looking at it as great" I then added
"Either it is or isn't it, which is it?" Serena asked me
"What do you think? Relationship wise, which option would be best for me?" I asked
"Well, it would suck for your relationship. Then again, I hope that you're supportive enough to at least fake happiness for career reasons" Serena smiled "I'm sorry B. I know how much you love him…surprisingly" she laughed as the waiter brought our food to the table. "Has he asked you to come with?" she then asked
"No" I huffed "Maybe that's why I'm upset. Humphrey has yet to even care what this will do to me" I then reasoned
"Yes, because he has to factor you in first when he hears amazing news like that" Serena laughed "I'm sure he's just caught up in the excitement and is realizing all that this means" she said
"No, I think he coffee loving ass is honestly going to leave me" I sighed
"So you think, but you have no actual evidence of that" Serena said
"He never asked me to go with him! That's pretty much self explanatory" I told her
"Okay, so if he does. Will you be able to join him?" Serena asked
"Uh, I have a job" I quickly replied unaware of how I was answering
"Point proven" Serena declared
"That's not the point. The point is that he's supposed to ask. Even if I can't go, he asks because in that moment he realizes that he wants me to be with him on this new journey. Him not asking is that he's realizing that he doesn't want me, and maybe we're not meant to be" I told her
"Okay, you've been thinking about this too much. You need a drink" Serena laughed
"No, I need to know what Humpty Humphrey is going to do about our relationship" I told her "I walked away from Chuck to be with him….albeit, I should have walked away years ago, but I still walked away from a guy that I've loved passionately for so long. He whisked me off to Italy and had the whole beautiful ceremony…" I began to list
"Don't forget he wrote a book about you. That's pretty romantic" Serena added
"Point being, Humphrey's ass needs to man up and dump me to my face. I refuse to be one of those naïve girls that thinks it going to work out, when all we're doing is being polite on not trying to be the first one to call it quits" I said
"So what's the plan?" Serena asked
"I'm going to ask him. Flat out, no beating around the bush, just pure honesty from the both of us" I said
"And what would you like him to do?" Serena asked "I mean if you're going to be so honest and all, what will you be honest about?" she asked
"The fact that I don't want to be strung along" I told her "That's reasonable" I then defended the answer
"Yes, very reasonable" Serena laughed "Maybe you should think about what you're going to say before you make any hasty decisions" she said
"I should take him somewhere public, that way I can force an answer right then and there. Private places, he can romance me and string together words that sound plausible for not asking. Public, that's like think fast type of mode" I told her feeling as if I was slowly but surely losing my mind
"Wow" Serena said looking at me with that weirded out expression on her face "Do you honestly think he meant to do that? I mean I don't think he's secretly plotting to break up with you" she said
"But you don't know that" I said "Look, I want to believe that all is fine, but I've invested too much in this relationship to have him….just up and leave" I told her
"Then tell him that, don't put him in a situation or even yourself where you don't get what you searched for" Serena said
[Dan's P.O.V.]
Waldorf is acting weird, I mean she is literally acting weird to me. This morning, I woke up and she suggested that we should build something. That on its own was strange because she doesn't like to build anything that she can just pay someone else to do, but she swears up and down that she's in the mood to build something. Not quite sure what we're going to be building or if I'll even survive doing anything physical with her beyond our usual sexual activities, which she conveniently decided to skip out on last night. I have no idea what I've done, but I hope that I can be back in her good graces by tonight. The car ride was pretty silent, which was shocking after the morning, but since we're riding to Ikea of all places…yeah, this is just a mind trip for me. Maybe I should start thinking of things that I've done so I can have a bit of a clue so that I won't be completely caught off guard. We don't have an anniversary coming up, so I'm good on that front. I didn't say anything about weight or looks in general because I think I'm the last person to even take it there. I'd ask by now, but I have this strange feeling like I'm supposed to just know by now and not insult her with the obvious fact that I don't know. I really can't believe we're in Ikea of all places. This is the last place I'd ever think we'd be. What the hell are we going to buy to build? Everything in my penthouse is basically put together all ready. Just as I'm really over thinking the simple concept of being in Ikea with Waldorf, she suddenly turns to face me. I'm thinking that I've finally reached the boiling point of not apologizing for this unknown thing that I've done, but nothing yet.
"Okay, do it. If you're planning on doing it, just do it now" Blair said
"What are you talking about?" I asked still more confused than ever
"You know what I'm talking about Humphrey. It's the reason you've been al weird since last night" Blair replied
"I've been weird. You're the one who's been weird. You never liked Ikea or building in general" I told her
"Well, a girl can change her mind. I'm dating you, so apparently I've changed my mind a few times" Blair pointed out
"That's nice to hear" I laughed
"Don't laugh. This is no cause for laughter, this is the part where you admit the truth. Admit what you really want" Blair said
"And that would be?" I asked
"Just admit it, stop dragging things out Humphrey. I'm a big girl, I can take it" Blair told me "Fine, I'll start us off" she said just as I began to notice that the attention was shifting towards us in the store "Are you taking the job in Los Angeles?" she asked
"Yes" I hesitantly admitted
"See, we're done with phase one. You're accepting the job that places you in Los Angeles, and me in New York" Blair clapped for me "Everyone, my boyfriend has just admitted that he is accepting the job in Los Angeles" she announced as people began to look at us
"Blair, can we talk….privately?" I asked under muttered breath
"No. I don't want to talk privately because I want you to feel comfortable with saying what it is that you need to say because clearly you've made up your mind on something huge in the span of one day" Blair said "I mean you went away for a year, unsure about our relationship. Los Angeles Times comes up and you know all of sudden" she said
"You told me to take the job" I told her
"Yes, I did" Blair agreed "But I was speaking girl code" she then said
"And here I thought you were speaking like a supportive girlfriend" I replied sarcastically
"I was supportive…I'm supportive. I'm the most supportive person you've ever met" Blair replied
"Yeah, well it seems like you've phased on the support at this moment. So could we please just talk about whatever this is outside?" I asked her
"Again, no" Blair replied
"Why?" I asked "It's clear you need to tell me something" I said
"If you haven't figured it out by now….I mean Humphrey come on, take a guess" Blair said as she began to speak softly in a tone that let me know she was near tears
"I don't know what you want from me" I told her
"Did you ever ask her to go with you to Los Angeles Times?" One woman asked as she seemed to be intrigued with the drama that was my relationship with Waldorf
"Really? There are a lot things you can do in Ikea, does watching my crazed girlfriend count as one?" I turned to ask the mini viewers we were starting to attract
"Yes" They all said together as they showed no signs of leaving
"It's the truth" Blair replied as she moved towards me "You never asked" she then said "So that probably means that you won't, and that we'll eventually break up" she said
"And where did you get that notion from?" I asked her
"Long distance relationships don't work. Most importantly, I won't do one….I don't want a long distance relationship. I know that I promised to be true to you, but I thought that was when you're in the same city as me. I didn't sign up for a long distance relationship because I had this notion….I thought you'd always be here for me" Blair said
"And I will" I replied
"Not in L.A., you can't be here when you're there" Blair said
"Long distance relationship rarely make it" One woman chimed in
"Yeah, tried that. Never worked, but the sex was good" A guy said as the sex part did seem appealing but that was only because I haven't gotten any.
"So you've all ready thrown in the towel. That's it, we're done?" I asked her
"I love you. I'm happy that you got this shot, but I have to be realistic here. I have to be smart for the both of us, and we're not built to make a long distance relationship work" Blair said as tears welled up in her eyes
"Says who?" I asked
"Statistics" Everyone around us said
"The people have spoken" Blair replied "Even they don't think we'll make it" she said
"Since when do you listen to people?" I asked
"Since they're echoing what I all ready know" Blair said "Look, its okay. We gave it a try and it was great, but I'm not going to ask you to give up your dream" she said
"Waldorf, my dream is you" I told her
"That's sweet, but no…it's not" Blair replied
"Yeah, it really is" I said as I pulled out my phone to show her a picture that I had taken at the jewelry store
"Okay, a picture of a ring" Blair said not sure of what to make of the picture as a few women in the crowd became teary eyed
"I didn't think this would happen like this because I had it all mapped out on what I was going to do, but you never were one to be patient. So I'll just throw out the plan and go with my gut" I told her "I've done this before, but that was because I was about to lose you. I'm doing this again because I can't imagine life without you" I said as I got down on one knee with my phone faced towards her so she could see the ring "Will you marry me?" I then asked as everyone began to get excited
"Wait, what?" Blair asked confused
"I've talked this over with a few different people, and they all said the same thing. I guess what made it so easy to say yes to Los Angeles was because it was for me, but what made this so easy was because…you're it for me as well" I told her
"And our previous bout of marriage, what about that?" Blair asked
"Okay, I'd like an answer. I'm kind of hurting down here….you know my knees are bad" I told her as a shooting pain came up my side
"But is this like a temporary ring to where we then decide we're not ready. I mean we've done this Humphrey, so this won't get you off because you happen to say a few nice things" Blair said
"This is real. This is me saying I want it official" I told her "I'm ready" I said
"But what about New York and Los Angeles, that's still very much an issue" Blair said
"Okay, well then the answer is no to Los Angeles. I want us to be married, I want that above everything else. I want to bicker and fight until we old and gray. I want you more than anything" I told her "So please, put me out of my misery and say something!" I then told her
"Oh, how cute. It's like a mini mixture of all the rings you've given me" Blair said as she leaned forward to look at the picture "Impressive touch on the diamonds…." she began to say before I interrupted
"Waldorf!" I told her
"Yes!" Blair jumped "I say yes. Yes, I will actually marry you this time" she said before I finally rose to my knees
"Finally" I sighed as I pulled her into a deep and passionate kiss that was met by a thunderous applause
[Blair's P.O.V.]
Certainly didn't see marriage as a means to solve the problem at hand, but I'm kind of glad that I didn't see it coming. Ikea of all places. I was proposed to at Ikea and then in a bathroom, Humphrey knows how to pick the places. I know that the average person would still say that the same issue is still there, but I just feel like whatever happens we're going to be fine. I guess a part of me wanted to know that I was a permanent in Humphrey's life, that I was going to be the one constant no matter where we ended up. It doesn't hurt that I know a few people by the name of Elly, who have pulled some strings to put me on in an office in Los Angeles. Yeah, the stars are really starting to align for Humphrey and I. In some odd way, I kind of see that we were meant to be together. Can't say its been my picked fairy tale, but its perfect enough for me. I've got a wedding to plan because Humphrey and I want to make it official within the next three weeks before we leave for Los Angeles. Then we have to go house shopping because I don't think you can really do it up big in a penthouse in Los Angeles like you could in. Though I was becoming excited with the life I was about to begin with Humphrey, I knew there was one other thing that I had to take care of so that nothing could plague this joy I felt. Knocking on the door, Rufus opened the door surprised to see me standing on the other side of it. For a while we stood there a bit unsure of what we should say to each other, but I finally grew tired of this awkwardness and just decided to speak up.
"Dan and I are getting married" I told him as a look of surprise came over his face
"For real or….?" Rufus began to ask
"Yes, we're getting married within the next three weeks. The big move and all, we wanted it to be official" I told him
"What about your job here?" Rufus asked
"I got a job working for Elly and side job with Seventeen magazine as a consultant" I said
"Wow, I guess you've got a good string of luck" Rufus said not realizing what he had said "You know with the jobs" he said
"I knew what you meant" I replied "Look, I wanted to tell you that I know you hit me that day. You were the other driver" I told him as his eyes just bulged
"Blair…I…" Rufus began to say
"And I want to say that I forgive you" I told him causing him to look even more surprised and shocked to the point where tears came to his eyes
"Why are you doing this?" Rufus asked
"Because I love him. I love him that much that it's not worth punishing you for personal gain or vendetta" I said "I lost something far greater than whatever relationship I might have had with you, if you would've given me a chance. I lost a child, whether it was an embryo or not, that was my child" I told him
"And I will forever be sorry about that" Rufus cried
"Maybe so" I shrugged "But I don't care what this does to you. I need to forgive you for myself, so that I can be happy and live the life I want. So whatever Jenny has going on with Chuck, please….have her stop because we all know it won't end well with them" I said before a moment of silence came between us then I just finally turned to walk away
"Thank you. I know you didn't do it for me, but it means a lot to know you forgive me" Rufus said
"Yeah, well I guess we'll be family soon. Forgiveness will be key to that ever working" I told him
"And Dan?" Rufus asked
"If he finds out, it won't be because I told him" I said before I finally turned to walk away.
[Dan's P.O.V.]
I'm getting married. I'm really getting married this time, and to Blair Waldorf of all people. I'm nervous, but I feel like this is something that I've always wanted to do since I began to realize how much Blair meant to me. It's like you can't pin point that exact moment where you know that this person could and will be the one for me, but I know that when I'm with Waldorf, I don't want to be anywhere else but with her. We could be doing nothing but watching television together and that's the only place I want to be is with her. Eliot was a bit shocked to hear the news, but he asked about love and what it all meant. I can't really say that I'm an expert at love, but I know when I'm in it. Perry made fun of the fact that I was no longer on the market, but I don't think I really put myself on the market to really be snatched up by anyone now that I think about it. Everything just falls into place. With all the excitement going on in my life, I wanted to be the first to tell Jenny about the recent developments so that she would feel included in all that was happening. Putting my hands in the pockets of my coat, I made my over towards Jenny as she stood looking out over the balcony. For a moment, Jenny reminded me of a time when things were so simple between us. A time where I was just her big brother and she was my little sister, a time where the big bad Upper Eastside was just a figment of our imagination that we had worked up in our minds. Walking up beside her, Jenny and I stood in silence for a moment as we just enjoyed the sounds of the city that we had both come to love before she turned to me with tears welled up in her eyes.
"Your leaving. You're really going to leave?" Jenny asked with tears welled up in her eyes
"Yeah. I've officially tapped out of New York" I tried to joke but it was far from funny to her "This day was bound to come" I told her
"No. You were supposed to stay. We always said that we would stay in New York" Jenny said
"Things have changed" I told her
"What? Like Blair?" Jenny asked "She's the only thing that's changed" she said
"Maybe, but she's not the reason I'm leaving" I sighed "I have a chance, a real good chance here" I told her
"You have a real good chance here, at home" Jenny said
"No, here in this place called home. I have Chuck Bass scheming to take me down, along with my sister helping him" I said as Jenny looked at me surprised "Yeah, one of the clients told me about you" I laughed to myself
"How long have you known?" Jenny asked
"Long enough to know that maybe New York isn't the home it used to be to me" I told her
"I only did that to make you realize that she won't stay with you. Blair isn't the girl for you, and I just wanted you to see that" Jenny said
"Well now you'll start to see her in a new light because I've asked her to be my wife" I told her "We're getting married in three weeks" I said
"What?" Jenny said in disbelief "You're joking right?" she asked me
"No. She's going to be my wife" I said
"So what? You're doing this because of what I did? Is this some sort of payback?" Jenny questioned
"No, this is me being happy and hoping that my baby sister will understand. This is me saying that nothing you do or have done has ruined my relationship" I told her
"Marriage? Dan, you're still young" Jenny said
"I'm in love" I said as tears welled up in my eyes
"But….Dan, you've got to be joking" Jenny tried to reason as it seemed that she was trying to convince herself before I walked towards her to pull her into a hug
"I'm always going to love you" I whispered to her
"You can't" Jenny cried
"Anything you need, I'll do my hardest to give to you. You're my baby sister and I love you" I continued to tell her as tears were falling from my eyes
"Don't go" Jenny cried
"I love you. Nothing will ever change that" I said in between the tears "I forgive you, and I love you" I told her before she finally pushed away from me
"I refuse to believe this. You can't. You're suppose to stay, you're suppose to be here" Jenny cried
"I want you there, so I hope you'll find it in your…" I began to say before she interrupted
"No. Don't ask me to come. I refuse to be there to watch. I'm not going" Jenny shook her head
"Well the offer still stands if you decide to change your mind" I said looking down at my hands hoping that I could get a hold of my emotions so that I wasn't crying like a baby in front of her
"This is goodbye then" Jenny said through the tears as I just looked up at her
"I guess this is" I replied.
[Blair's P.O.V.]
It hadn't taken long for Serena to put together a small gathering between family and friends down at the local bar. Count on S to spread the news through every social media possible. Word spread so fast that the bar that we were all supposed to meet up at was so pact that we ended up changing the location so that the gathering could remain small. I like a good party, but I'm pretty sure half the people in the bar thought I was a damn fool for marrying Dan. I mean lets face it, who would have ever pegged us as the ones that would end up getting married. Yeah, I know….it's taking me some time to get used to it as well, but I love him. The bar we ended going to happened to be the same dive bar that Rufus worked at, it was nice and small, if that even goes together now that I think about it. I knew that I would most likely plan another engagement party, but being here felt right. Celebrating with family and friends, not making a spectacle of it is what I wanted. Everyone tugged at Humphrey and I into different directions to where I felt like we would never get a chance to have some time to ourselves. Grabbing my moment when I got it, I pulled Humphrey into the corner so that we could talk.
"This is crazy" I laughed after I broke the kiss "Who would have ever thought" I told as I wrapped my arms around his neck
"Never" Dan laughed to himself "But I'm glad we were both wrong" he smiled at me
"You doing okay Humphrey? You seem a little less Humphrey like" I asked as he tried to avoid eye contact with me
"Yeah, I'm doing good" Dan told me
"You sure?" I asked
"Just wish that Jen was here. My dad managed to come, but I really wish that Jenny would be here to celebrate this moment with me" Dan said
"Did you two have another fight about me?" I asked hoping that Jenny had wised up
"Yeah, but it was different this time" Dan sighed "I told her that I knew that I knew she was the one helping Chuck with sending clients over to Ross" he then said
"How'd you find out?" I asked
"Wait, you knew?" Dan asked noticing a less than shocked face on me
"I found out a couple days ago, but I went to talk to her about it. I hoped that I could talk sense into her and get her to stop, but it didn't work apparently" I sighed
"She's still adamant on the fact that we don't belong together" Dan said
"Do you believe it?" I asked
"I'm here, ain't I" Dan laughed
"Yeah, not a good answer" I laughed as he leaned in to give me a quick kiss
"Do you think that tonight we could possibly?…." Dan began to ask before I cut him off
"Not a chance in hell" I quickly replied
"Why not? I put a ring on your finger…permanently. I think I deserve something" Dan pouted
"You'll get it…on our wedding night" I smiled "I mean just think how good it will be, three weeks from now" I laughed
"You can't do that. Messing with sex can mess up a guys train of thought" Dan joked
"Well, I'm sure I'm worth you going crazy over" I smiled
"Yeah, you kind of are" Dan told me "I love you" he said
"And I love you" I said before I leaned in to kiss him.
-Not Quite the End-