"Mommy?"

"Yes baby?" Blair replied as she continued to slide the soapy washcloth over Ariel's small body.

"Do you love daddy?" Ariel asked, looking away from her rubber ducky floating in the bathtub bubbles so she could look up at her mother.

"I love daddy very much," Blair said smiling.

"More than you love me?" Blair stopped her cleaning and looked straight into her daughter's eyes.

"I love daddy very much. I love daddy because he gave me you." Blair paused for a moment, making sure Ariel understood her.

"Ok," Ariel said, content with that answer.

"What made you think of this?" Blair asked, lifting her baby daughter out of the tub and wrapping her body in a large fluffy towel.

"Auntie Serena told me that you and daddy have a 'great love.'" Blair turned Ariel around and began to brush her wet brown curls while Ariel continued to talk. "And then I thought more about it today. Did you know that none of my friends have mommys or daddys who love each other?"

"Why do you think that? Auntie Serena loves Uncle Nate." Blair lifted Ariel into her arms and carried her into her bedroom.

"Yea I know, but besides them. You and Daddy are special." Blair smiled at her daughter.

"I love you sweetie," Blair whispered, kissing her daughters hair.

"I love you too mommy!" She exclaimed, throwing her arms around Blair's neck. Blair began to shower Ariel's face with kisses, kissing her cheeks, her nose, her hair. Ariel squealed with delight.

"Mommy!" She laughed. "That tickles!" Blair laughed and placed one more kiss on Ariel's face.

"Ok," Blair said. "What do you want to wear tonight to sleep?"

"My pink nightgown!" Ariel cried.

"I thought so," Blair chuckled and gathered the nightgown from the closet. "Arms up please," she instructed. Ariel lifted her arms above her so Blair could place the nightgown on Ariel's small body.

"Beautiful," Blair said, kissing her daughter once again.

"I'm sleepy mommy," Ariel yawned, leaning against her mother.

"I think its bedtime," Blair murmured as she lifted her daughter up and into her big bed.

"Nooo," Ariel protested. "I want to see daddy." She frowned slightly.

"I know you do baby, but daddy is still on his business trip. Remember I told you he will be back on Friday for your birthday party." Blair traced her finger across Ariel's face and watched her eyes begin to close.

"Oh, yea." She yawned again. "I remember." She was silent for a moment before she spoke again. "I miss daddy, but I love being with you mommy."

"I love being with you too sweetie," Blair smiled. She tucked the blankets snuggly around her daughter and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. "Goodnight Ariel," she whispered. "See you in the morning."

"Night mommy," Ariel whispered back. Blair stood up and walked towards the door. She yawned. She was tired too. It had been a long week without Chuck. Back in her own bedroom, Blair began to take off her clothing, and then slipped into her own nightgown. Crawling into her big empty bed, Blair tried to succumb to sleep. It was hard to sleep without Chuck though and she tossed and turned for a while before she was able to find a somewhat comfortable position. Then the bed dipped down and she felt a soft pair of lips press against her own lips. Her eyes popped open.

"Chuck!" She breathed and flung her arms around her neck. "You're home," she smiled and pressed her lips against his again.

"I missed you too much," he said, kissing her again. He ran his hand across her clean face, tracing a pattern across her cheeks and lips. He looked into her eyes and smiled. "I'm so glad to be home," he whispered. They remained like that for a while, Blair's arms around his neck, simply pressing their bodies close together. Chuck broke the silence after a while.

"How's Ariel?" he asked.

"She misses you." Blair sighed. "She asked for you tonight."

"I'm sorry I didn't call," he pulled back from Blair slightly so he could look into her eyes. "I was on my way home and I wanted to surprise you."

"It's ok Chuck," Blair said. "I'm so glad you're home." She kissed him again.

"I love you," he breathed, pressing his hot mouth against her wet lips. Blair gasped at the sensation.

"Gosh, I've missed this," she moaned into his mouth. Just then they heard the soft patter of a small body running down the hallway. Then the door creaked open. And the small body of their daughter came charging across the room and flung herself into the bed.

"Daddy!" Ariel cried.

"Hi sweetheart," Chuck said, scooping her up into his arms. She leaned her small head on his shoulder and wrapped her legs around his body. Blair reached out her hand and began to run soft circles against her daughter's back. Chuck kissed the top of her head as the exhausted Ariel closed her eyes now that she was safe in her daddy's arms.

"Do you want to sleep here tonight?" Chuck asked. Ariel nodded.

"Yes," she said.

Chuck placed Ariel next to Blair on the bed and got under the covers too. Chuck looked at Blair. She smiled. He smiled. And the three Bass' slept soundly through the night.