And They All Lived Happily Ever After…Or Not
Disclaimer:I own nothing except a great love for CB and the many inhabitants of the UES
A/N:Thanks again to Lynnie (my lifesaver for letting me bend her ear and working me through road bumps). Big hugs and thanks to all my girls at fanforum and the reviewers for your support…It most definitely helps me. Now please let me say again that this is most definitely a CB story, so bear with me and I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy what I've got planned just as I'm having a great time getting it down. This next chapter has an M rating so if you're one of uh delicate sensibilities please scroll beyond the marked off section when it comes up later. Happy Holidays. Merry Christmas. Best Wishes. Now get reading. ;)
Chapter 2
"Hey, Waldorf." Stroking brown curls, he leaned down and brushed her mouth in a soft kiss.
As had become ritual, he pulled back ever so slightly, his eyes searching her face. Her chest rose and fell, steady in her repose. Her long lashes remained as they'd been, shadows against her cheeks. Fingertips skimming her jaw, he damned Serena for the thousandth time.
Weeks after she'd dragged his ass back to New York, his dear sister had confided her foolish hope that Chuck could awaken the sleeping princess with but a kiss. Chuck Bass didn't do fairytales. He'd scoffed at her, but that hadn't stopped him from trying or acting out the same ritual, every single time he visited the woman he loved. It never worked, but that didn't stop him, no matter how each failure ate away at him.
"Hi," He repeated, stepping back from her bed. Her hair shone in the sunlight pouring in from the windows, light glinting off the army of silver frames at her bedside. Smiling he reached out for the newest addition. "Looks like Dorota beat me to it."
Blair's former maid visited as faithfully as Chuck himself. Probably more so. He knew she came in everymorning, tidying B's room, despite the fact that the facility actually had entire staff on payroll for that very job. Some days he swore that woman even dusted the chessboard taking up the table nearest the window. Dorota came in and pampered the sleeping woman, brushing chocolate curls until they were just the way her mistress liked them. She brought fresh flowers and sat with B for hours, catching her up on the latest gossip and reading to her as she did later in the day for Kat and Evie.
Chuck's mouth curled, wicked and full of love as he gazed down at the photo in his hand. "They were in rare form, Blair. You should've seen them." Brown eyes so like their mother's danced with mischief and laughter as they yanked on Santa's beard. The girls sported identical smirks, astonishing him, leaving him with a sense of awe everytime he recognized in them, a piece of himself and of B.
Lily and Serena's horror-filled eyes had turned accusing as they met his. He'd shrugged, trying not to laugh and appear properly stern but that went completely out the window the instant that little Alex followed his cousins' example. Next year he'd hire a private Santa for the kids. One with the foresight to grow his own goddamn beard.
He returned the frame back to its original position. His eyes falling on the photo of a much younger Blair with her parents. Chuck scowled at Eleanor's smiling visage. He wouldn't call her a bitch. Not here anyway.
Chuck cleared his throat, turning back to Blair. "I just came from lunch with Lily. Your Mom called her. She wants to see the girls."
Resentment fired in his blood. After everything that woman had put him through, now this. He was astounded at her nerve. It'd been all he could not to call her and let her know all the different ways that she could go to hell. He didn't want his children anywhere near the woman. Look at what she'd done to B all those years.
This was classic Eleanor though. She hadn't changed her MO even a bit. For years she'd ignored Kat and Evie's very existence. Now she wanted to reach out. Throw them bone. Her attention. The exact way she'd treated Blair. To hell with that. To hell with her. His children didn't need her. They had him. They had his family and their grandpa Harold and Roman. That was more than enough.
All through lunch, Lily had gone over all the reasons why he should give Eleanor a chance. As far as he was concern her words had fallen on deaf ears. Well mostly. His stepmother had insisted that he at least consider calling Blair's mother and above all to consider what Blair would want.
"I know what you would do, Waldorf. You'd forgive her. Even this." He moved closer to her bed, trying to shake off the old anger trying to turn him inside out.
Chuck couldn't resist touching her hair, his eyes caressing her delicate features. She'd forgiven him for a lot. After giving him hell of course. He'd give up his fortune. The company. Everything, if she'd just wake up. Yell at him. Smile at him. Just look at him.
"I miss you, B." He told her. "Today's the day, you know. My father's been gone for six years. I keep trying to remember that last day but I keep thinking of you and the last time I heard you laugh. I thought I was wrecked when he died, but you're killing me, Princess."
Sinking down on the edge of her bed, he navigated the various wires hooked up to machines, monitoring her vitals and wrapped his arms around her. Needing to hold her. Breathe in the scent of her hair.
--
The Snowflake Ball 2008
"Do I look like one of your whores? Or some naïve freshman." Blair shoved playfully at his shoulder, unresisting as he pulled her swaying body closer.
"Come on, B." He smirked, tipping his head toward the couple making out only across the room. "It seemed to work well enough for my double over there."
"It's freezing outside. Besides, Justine obviously has low standards. She was to be your date after all."
"Fine. Forget the roof." Chuck said. "Be with me tonight, Waldorf."
The words slipped out before he knew what he was even saying. He'd been joking with her before, trying to tempt her up to the roof. He could always pretend that he hadn't been serious. But he wanted more than a dance with her tonight.
Hadn't they agreed earlier that tonight the normal ground rules didn't apply? What could it hurt? He missed being able to hold her close, his lips on her skin. Blair was a woman of who equaled his passions. That was one of the things he found most irresistible about her. They could afford to indulge.
"Just this once." He said not quite sure whether he was trying to convince her or himself with those words. Chuck started to pull back as uncertainty flashed in those brown eyes. Just as quickly it was gone and she offered him a teasing smile. "What do you say, Waldorf? It's all I want for Christmas."
"Very smooth, Bass." She laughed, "Too bad I have your present already bought, wrapped, and waiting under the tree."
Despite her words she raised no protest as he led her from the dance floor. "Well, I've been a very good boy this year."
"Impossible." She teased, her smile sweet and poisonous, "You're Chuck Bass, remember?"
They left the pulsing music behind and Chuck motioned for their coats. He felt her stiffen as the attendant regarded him with a flirtatious smile, one that he returned in kind. Blair's sharp elbow dug into his middle before she pulled away.
"Hmm, maybe you can sweet talk that one up to the roof."
"Quite easily," He shrugged, unfazed by the ice in her tone. "Unfortunately, that doesn't change facts. I could have her and a half dozen just like her within the hour…but you—you're the one I want."
"This is crazy, Chuck." She gasped out a breath as he crowded close at her back, brushing heavy curls away from her neck and started kissing a slow path across her silken flesh. "We…we."
"I know." Damn right he knew. It was insanity. But he didn't want to stop. Just this once, he told himself. Blair shuddered against him, fanning the fires below bright and hot, and obliterating any other dissenting thoughts that would take her away from him tonight. "No games tonight. Just us. We can go back to normal tomorrow."
"And if I don't want to…"
"You're killing me, woman." Chuck said, "And you're lying. Your skin's hot to the touch and you heart…" He stroked her neck, placing the softest of kisses against the beating of her racing pulse.
"That's not what I meant. What if I don't want things to go back to normal tomorrow." Her whispered words were soft and unsure. He almost didn't hear them. Her words and the slight tremor in her voice.
"We'll talk. Tomorrow." He said, not sure what the next day would bring.
"Good."
"Now we really should be going. Unless you wouldn't mind being featured quite prominently in all the society pages." He nipped her ear, reaching out to take their coats as the attendant returned. "I kind of like the idea myself. Forget Gossip Girl. Let's go national."
"You Basstard." Her laughter took away the sting in her words. "Tomorrow. We'll talk tomorrow." She repeated, almost to herself.
"Of course."
"You'd promise anything to get into my pants." She fell silent, her expression disconcerted as she seemed to consider her words. Remembering what remained unspoken between them. Three words forbidden.
Threading his fingers through hers, Chuck pulled her along, "I suppose you have a point. But tomorrow will be soon enough."
"But…"
Chuck interrupted, "And you're still talking. Don't worry we'll remedy that in just one moment."
"Of all the arrogant. Smarmy. Self-centered. Egotiscal."
He stopped her before she got truly revved up, and lobbed another Motherchucker at him in front of the reporters that he spotted hanging around the lobby. He really doubted that she'd appreciate having those particular words immortalized. So he kissed her instead. His lips crushing and nibbling until they were both gasping. By the time they made it outside, the icy December air was like a balm against his flaming skin.
Blair gasped as a blast of cold air, hit them full in the face. He threw his arm around her. "Chuck, it's snowing." She laughed partly in delight and partly in horror as the swirling flakes settled around them, frosting their hair, their bodies.
His narrowed eyes trying to pick out his limo through the light fall of snow filtering through the air.
"There." She pointed, beating him to it. They made a run for it. Falling into the backseat together.
Not content to let her out of his arms, he called out to his driver, never once taking his eyes from Blair's laughing face. "Arthur, the Palace. And take your time. The roads—uh, look like they could get nasty." He pressed the button to raise the partition with that, leaving him and B all along.
She shivered against him. He reached out brushing snow from her hair.
"The Palace, huh?"
"No nagging stepsisters barging in. No hovering maids." He leaned away long enough to shrug out of his jacket. "And I don't know about you but I'm not in the mood to get cornered again by your stepfather-to-be. You were right that guy's something else…"
"Chuck, now you're talking too much." She tossed her own wrap away, reaching out to thread her fingers through his hair. "Shut up and kiss me. Now!!"
"Whatever my lady demands." He laughed, crushing her mouth beneath his. The weeks spent starving to kiss, to just hold her close finally caught up with him. Never breaking his mouth away from hers, Chuck tugged at the zipper and hooks at her back, holding the dress in place. The zipper caught and wouldn't budge. Gripping fabric with both hands, he pulled at it with more force.
mஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐm
"Chuck, you'd better not rip my dress." She gasped out.
"I'll buy you a new one." He promised. Impatient he rucked up the folds of her dress, his hands questing below. Blair's moan filled the car as his fingertips skimmed upward. Needing to touch him, B made promises of her own as she ripped his shirt, her nails scrapping gently. Her tongue darted out to lap at his neck and chest. Chuck groaned as she ground against his hand, her heat evident through the flimsy material of her panties. He gathered the material in his hand and pulled until the fabric gave.
Blair made a noise of protest that melded into delight as he found just how wet she was for him. She stiffened, wound tight as his thumb scrapped, circled her hardened sensitive clit.
"Purr for me, Waldorf." He nuzzled her neck, "It's been too too long. Purr."
And she did. Speechless and breathless as he worked the throbbing nubbin of flesh. She moaned as he slid one finger, then two into the slippery path that he couldn't wait to fill. Couldn't wait to taste. Fuck he wasn't going to last. Not this go round, anyway. They had all night, though. Next time, he told himself. He'd take hours, lingering over every part of her.
He smiled in pure male satisfaction, growing harder as she stiffened in his arms, keening…his name vibrating in her throat. He took her mouth then, swallowing her cries as she found shuddering release.
"Chuck."
"I know, baby."
"More." She whispered, even as her body still trembled.
"Greedy."
"Yes." Blair's smile was unrepentant and sassy as she reached for his zipper. He didn't resist as she reversed their positions. She pushed him back against the seat, settling the folds of her gown around them. She took hold of him, making him shudder now as she stroked and petted, guiding him home.
Chuck gripped her hips when she teased, sinking down just a little, just enough to take him inside before pulling away. "Come on, B."
Her expression turned devious and she continued teasing him, dancing closer, only to pull away again. His eyes narrowed he gripped the nape of her neck, fingers threading in her hair and dragged her mouth down to meet his. Distracting her with a bruising kiss, Chuck's free hand settled on her hip, bringing her back to him, taking him home. He shifted upward, his mouth curving as she gasped against his mouth. Her tongue sweeping, teeth nipping down on his bottom lip she clenched around him suddenly, trying to end the game before they'd barely started.
"Keep it up, Princess. I'm going to pay you back later."
"Promises. Promises, Bass. You're just full of them."
He reached under her dress, seeking out that sensitive nub once more. Soon enough she was too busy to tease him, tiny purrs vibrating in her throat. Chuck wasn't sure how much time passed, seconds…minutes. But soon enough she was clenching around him again and this time when she went over the edge Chuck was right there with her.
mஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐmஐm
He met her eyes. Laughing. Gasping. Then he frowned, "What the hell is that? Is that Rhianna?"
Blair blinked at him, eyes glazed and unfocused, "What?"
"Listen."
They both tipped their heads picking out the muffled strands.
You're gonna be a shining star, fancy clothes, and fancy ca-ars.
And then you'll see, you're gonna go far,
Cause everyone knows, just who you are-are.
So live your life, ay ay ay.
You steady chasing that paper
"Serena." She climbed off of him, her eyes scanning the car for her coat. "Serena's calling."
"Uh-uh." Chuck shook his head, "You can talk to her tomorrow. You're mine tonight, Waldorf. Remember?"
"Are you sitting on my coat? Oh, Bass you so owe me a new outfit." She shoved playfully at him, wrestling him for her coat.
"You love my taste. I think you purposefully seduced me just to get me in Bendel's with you again."
"I seduced you?"
"Everyday."
Her phone trilled, signaling a missed call. "See what you did? Suppose she's having some emergency with Cabbage Patch or Scruffy."
"Seriously. You've christened your future stepbrother, Scruffy."
"Yes, and Ew." She rolled her eyes. "Can you not call him that? I'll deal with being related to that…that when my mother actually…Chuck why are we talking about my mother."
"You're the one who climbed off a perfectly good ride to talk to Serena."
"We were done."
He pulled her close, smiling wickedly, "Not by a long shot, Waldorf. Come on. Saddle up."
"Oh, do I get a whip."
"Ah, you take such pleasure in doling out the abuse." He kissed her.
"And you love it." She pulled away, nipping his jaw with sharp teeth. They both groaned when Rhianna's voice filled the car again. "I'd better answer. Or she'll just keep calling."
"I swear, Waldorf. You're going to have to learn how to turn that phone off." He shifted, levering his weight up from their coats.
Mischief in her eyes and movements, Blair didn't take her coat but reached beneath, her hand searching out her cell as she took further advantage of their close quarters, brushing against his bare chest, the fabric of her dress abrading and pebbling flat nipples.
"Keep it up, Waldorf."
"Only if you can, Bass." She gazed pointedly below as he tucked himself back into his pants. "Now be good while I talk to Serena." Blair came up with her cell, smiling in victory. She moved away.
The intercom beeped claiming his attention. "Yes, Arthur."
"Mrs. Bass for you on the line, sir. She says she's been trying to reach you on your cell."
Chuck released the intercom button, looking to Blair with raised brows. "See I know how to avoid interruptions."
She rolled her eyes.
"Send the call back, Arthur." Chuck laughed again, reaching for the phone. "Lily, you wanted something." He made his tone bland and uninterested, not sure how to deal with this woman who he'd held in the highest esteem. Then of course he stumbled onto her cozy moment the elder Humphrey.
"Serena, calm down. Would you calm down and tell me…oh my God." Blair's horrified cried brought his around. She met his eyes and before Lily could say a word he knew.
"Charles. Are you there? Charles." He went cold inside and the phone dropped away from nerveless fingers.
"S, I'll call you back." Seconds stretched and at first she didn't move. Then she reached for him only to dropped back when he flinched under her touch. Minutes before he'd craved it, now her soft flesh burned him.
He realized she was talking but Chuck couldn't hear her, suddenly deaf to everything except the ringing in his ears. Blair came to him, her arms going around him but he couldn't feel her. He was deaf to everything but the ringing in his ears.
"I'm sorry. Chuck. Chuck?" Her words came. Distant. Jumbled. He couldn't make sense of it. Finally she left him in peace, reaching for the phone at his feet
--
Present
Chuck remembered that night. And how he'd been after. So many times. He wished that he hadn't taken off the morning after Eleanor's wedding. He didn't regret the words. She did deserve better than him. Now he was just selfish enough not to give a damn.
She'd wanted him and he'd thrown it away. Fuck.
He glanced at his watch. He was running late. He had a hot date scheduled with his favorite set of twins. "Guess I better get out of here. I won't be by for the next few days. Business trip but Lily's promised to bring the girls."
Stopping long enough to move his pawn in the longstanding chess game, he gathered his coat and left, taking one last look at the sleeping so peacefully. "See you soon, Baby."
Chuck stopped at the nurse's station to let them know his schedule and update emergency numbers. "Would do me a favor and pass a message along to Lloyd. Let him know that I know exactly what he's up to and it's not going to work."
The head nurse grinned at that. "I'll tell him. You have a safe trip."
Chuck thanked the woman, stepping onto the waiting elevator, never glimpsing the woman hanging back listening to the exchange.
"Well, that was strange." The woman commented once the elevator door closed.
"What? Oh, no." The head nurse shook her head, "You know Gina. The night nurse. Some nights she brings her son, Lloyd. He and Mr. Bass have an ongoing battle of wits."
"The chessboard. Oh. I'd wondered about that. Is that the husband?" She glanced over her shoulder in the direction of Blair's room.
"No, dear. Sad and complicated, story that one. Are you done with rounds? We can get some lunch and I'll fill you in." the older woman said.
"Not yet. I still need to update Mrs. Tadaski's chart and vitals. As well as, Ms. Waldorf's. I didn't want to interrupt while he was in here with her."
"You seem to be settling in just fine. Just fine, indeed. Week one almost done and what a blessing you've been." The phone rang claiming the older woman's attention.
The young woman took that moment to head for Blair's private room. Throwing a smile over her shoulder, glancing ever so casually down the hall she stepped inside.
She tsked, reaching out to stroke the sleeping woman's hair as she'd witnessed Bass do numerous times in the past hour. "The pampered princess." She leaned down to whisper in Blair's ear, "Don't you know that the game's just no fun without the Queen."
Humming to herself, the woman reached for Blair's chart and left the room.
TBC
A/N: I know, I know I keep leaving you with questions but how'd you like my little Christmas present from me to you...some steamy CB. Stick with me. I've got a lot more coming your way. If only the hours were longer and life weren't so damn interfering I'd be working on this 24/7 just to get it all out. Now with Christmas being tomorrow I probably won't be updating tomorrow so enjoy the Holiday my loves and as always let me know what you're thinking. :kisses: & :holiday cheer:
Oh and Blair's ringtone for Serena was TI & Rhianna's Live Your Life, which I don't own either. 33
Courtney