Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. They belong to Cecily von Zeigesar and The CW.
Again, I want to say a great big thank you to all those chair fans out there that haven't abandoned this story, and of course to my beta, Lori2279, who is doing awesome work editing this for me and allowing me to bounce ideas off of her.
"Hmmm," Blair hummed her satisfaction as she and Chuck laid in bed after returning to the Plaza, "If it's possible, you've managed to get even better at sex during our time apart."
"It's the hormones," he chuckled as he brushed a strand of hair away from her face, "I'd wager that Archibald could meet with your standards right now."
"I don't think so," she shook her head, "You've never slept with him. I could have easily fallen asleep in bed with him."
"Perhaps my black book taught him a thing or two."
"Or ten or a hundred," Blair replied. "The boy is hopeless. Serena tried to make it sound good to encourage him, but she was totally faking."
"And you know this how?" Chuck laughed.
"A woman just knows when another woman is faking," she smiled mischievously.
"Sounded pretty convincing to me."
"Trust me," Blair patted his chest affectionately, "She was faking it. As sad as it may sound, Humphrey might have had more skill than your Natie, which isn't saying much because she was totally faking with him too."
"Speaking from experience?" he lifted an eyebrow.
"No," she slapped his chest sharply. "A couple of kisses were quite enough."
"Yet it was more than one," he pointed out.
"One was enough to know that I didn't want another. The second was to piss people off," she glared at him.
"And it worked," he grumbled.
"No more talking about Dan or Nate in bed. It turns my stomach just thinking about it," she announced, "I'd much rather talk about you and your vastly superior talents. Actually, I'd rather not talk and just witness another demonstration."
"I would love to prove my superior skills for you, but I'm meeting Nathaniel for dinner," he replied as he looked towards the clock on the nightstand, "We're going to hash everything out."
"I didn't sign off on a boy's night out," she shook her head.
"It's just dinner," he assured her.
"It's never just dinner when it's the two of you," she eyed him skeptically.
"I promise that I'll behave tonight," he vowed, "And I'll be home in plenty of time to read you a bedtime story and tuck you in."
"I'd rather you sing me one of your special lullabies," she replied as she pecked at his collarbone before running her fingers through the coarse hairs matted against his chest, "You see that I have certain needs only you can meet right now, and it's half your fault that I have these needs."
"Half my fault," he chuckled.
"It was your sperm that fertilized my egg, so yes it is half your fault. Actually it's probably more than half your fault because I'm sure you have overzealous sperm. You are Chuck Bass," she reminded him.
"It will be just dinner," he assured her, "I won't even allow Nathaniel to order dessert."
"Promise?"
"I'll bring dessert home for the three of us," he replied as his hand slid down her body to caress her stomach.
"Something chocolate," Blair added.
"Something chocolate," he repeated with a nod as he slid back up her body to lay a peck on her lips.
"Okay, then I'll let you have a boy's night out with Nate," she replied.
"Thank you so much," he chuckled as she slid out of bed and began her quest to find her phone.
"What are you looking for?" Chuck inquired as he trailed along behind her and picked up their clothes as she tossed them aside when she couldn't find the treasure she sought.
"My phone," Blair responded, "If you're going to have a boy's night out with your best man, I'm going to have a girl's night in with my maid of honor. We'll put The Plaza's world famous service to the test."
"That's my girl," he chuckled as he spun her towards him and kissed the tip of her nose.
"Hmmm," she hummed happily as she dipped in for a tempting kiss, doing everything she could to get him to forget about his silly boy's night and take her back to bed.
"I can be a little late," he chuckled as he lifted her into his arms and returned her to the bed.
"Are you late or am I early?" Nate inquired as he looked at his watch as Chuck strolled into the restaurant they had agreed upon.
"I'm late, sorry," he replied as he motioned the server towards him. Nate had ordered him his usual drink of choice, but Chuck ordered instead a club soda while pushing his drink across the table towards his best friend. Nate looked at him as if he'd grown a second head. "I can't anymore."
"Can't what?" Nate frowned, "Drink?"
Chuck merely nodded as their server returned with his club soda.
"Did Blair put you up to that?" Nate inquired.
"My own decision, recommended by the doctor at Ostroff," Chuck replied as he took a sip from his glass as he gave their server his dinner order. After waiting for Nate to put in his own order, he looked around to observe the other patrons.
"Bipolar," Nate stated once they were left alone, "What does that mean anyways?"
"That front row seat that you had to my rollercoaster of emotions, that's all part of it. Those moments when it appeared I had extreme bouts of energy and seemed impulsive almost to the point of being out of control, those were my manic states. When I was sullen, inconsolable that was all a part of my depressed states," he explained, "There's more to it, but you get the general idea."
"And now that you're out of Ostroff, that means you're cured?" Nate inquired.
"Doesn't work like that," Chuck shook his head, "This isn't one of those diseases that you take a few pills and it magically disappears. This could be a lifelong battle for me. It's manageable with medication and continued therapy."
"You're wrong," Nate shook his head.
"I'm pretty sure I heard the doctor correctly," Chuck told his clueless best friend.
"I meant you're wrong in that it is a lifelong battle for just you," Nate clarified, "I'm tossing my hat into the ring on this. You will not have to go through this alone. Whatever you need from me, I'll be there for you. Just next time, could you go easy on my face? My jaw is still pretty sore."
"I said I was sorry about that, right?"
"Completely forgiven," Nate nodded.
"Thanks," Chuck nodded slightly as he took another drink from his glass.
"Explain the club soda," Nate motioned towards the glass as he swirled the scotch in the glass originally meant for Chuck.
"The medication that I'm on shouldn't be mixed with alcohol, so for the foreseeable future I'm going sober," he explained.
"And you're okay with that?" Nate inquired.
"I have to be," Chuck responded, "I have to keep it together. I can't lose Blair again. There is entirely too much at stake, too much to lose."
"So you're marrying her," Nate replied, "You're moving a little fast, aren't you? Maybe the two of you should slow things down, get reacquainted first before you jump in with both feet."
"Jumping in with both feet is exactly what Blair and I need to do," Chuck assured him, "This time is different, we're different. Our priorities are straight. Blair is my life. Our future together is the only one that I want or need. I'm a changed man. As that changed man, the first thing I want to do is marry Blair."
"And the second," Nate inquired.
"I'm selling The Empire," Chuck replied, "I'm putting that piece of bad history behind us."
"You can sell every possession that you own, it's not going to change the past," Nate reminded him, "This feels like you're running."
"I am," he nodded, "I'm running towards Blair and our future."
"Your mind is made up. I will not waste anymore time in trying to talk you out of this," Nate replied, "You look really happy, happier than I've ever seen you."
"I am," Chuck smiled, "This is an assumption that Blair and I have made, but I should make it official. You'll be my best man, won't you?"
"Absolutely," he nodded, "I would be honored."
"You have always been the second most important person in my life, Nathaniel. Thank you for always standing by me. I know I haven't always made it easy for you," Chuck responded with a sincerity that surprised Nate.
"That's what best friends do for each other," Nate replied. Nate wanted to make light of the moment and add a bit of humor, but he couldn't. This was an important moment for them, one that was many years in the making. "And you have always been that for me. When the chips are down, you have always come through for me like no one else."
"Brothers?" Chuck offered.
"Always," Nate nodded as he extended his closed fist towards Chuck. Chuck reached up and bumped his fist against Nate's.
"You're getting married," Nate chuckled. He was still in disbelief. "Any nerves about making this commitment?"
"Had you asked me a few months ago or even last year, I would have been terrified of this commitment, but that was before I could fathom what a life without Blair would look like. It's not a pretty sight," Chuck explained, "One that I never want to experience again."
"Make her happy, okay," Nate requested.
Chuck nodded as he took another drink from his glass.
"What is she up to this evening anyways?" Nate inquired, "I'm surprised that she let you out of her sight."
"I had to sign my life away for this one night out, so you'd better appreciate my sacrifice," Chuck joked.
"You're not serious, are you?" Nate's eyes went wide in surprise.
"No," Chuck laughed, "Blair's my fiancée not my warden. She's wasn't altogether thrilled with the idea of a guy's night out, but after pouring on a little charm she decided a night in the suite with Serena was the ticket."
"Have you decided on where you're going to live if you're selling The Empire?" Nate inquired.
"I have calls into all the high end real estate agents in Manhattan," Chuck replied, "I'm hoping to start looking immediately. Until then I'll let Her Majesty Queen Blair of Evelyn Isle enjoy the perks that come with her title at The Plaza's Royal Suite."
"Evelyn Isle?" Nate repeated in confusion.
"I purchased an island in the Caribbean that I whisked her away to. It was in need of a new name. Blair suggested Evelyn Isle," Chuck replied.
"Why would you name your island after that woman?" Nate inquired.
"That woman is my mother," Chuck responded calmly, "It is our way of honoring her."
"What about Elizabeth?" Nate frowned in confusion.
"I know it's a shock, but Jack set it all up. She had an affair with my father. That part was true, but I wasn't a product of that affair. The child that she had was born three months before I was. Evelyn Bass really is my mother," Chuck explained.
"I'm sorry, Man. That must be hard for you," Nate replied.
"It's actually better this way. At least I know that my mother didn't do what Elizabeth did. The mother that I envisioned my entire life gets to stay as the perfect image," Chuck replied.
"But I know how much you've always wanted to know your mother," Nate responded, "It has to be hard knowing that now it will never happen."
"I've dealt with it for most of my life. I'll get through it," he shrugged.
"When did you find out?" Nate inquired.
"Jack told me when he came to town to help take Thorpe down," Chuck replied.
"And you just accepted it," Nate looked at him skeptically.
"Give me a little credit," he replied, "I had the story investigated. It's what I should have done when Elizabeth first appeared. It could have saved us all a lot of heartache."
"I'm sorry," Nate responded.
"Thanks," Chuck nodded as he looked for a quick change of topics, "Serena says that you've been hooked by another cougar. Did the duchess not teach you your lesson the first time?"
"It's different with Diane," Nate stated defensively.
"Look cougars offer a certain . . . excitement. There is no real desire for commitment, only desire for another roll in the sack. The younger the man, the more exciting the fling is. She's not in it for the long haul, so don't get too emotionally involved."
"You're giving me relationship advice," Nate scoffed.
"I'm giving you the benefit of my experience," Chuck replied.
"A cougar never had her hooks into you," Nate stated.
"Because I knew enough to not find myself trapped in such a relationship," Chuck replied, "I've been targeted. I've allowed myself to be seduced on occasion, but I've never allowed myself to be trapped. You have to keep the control in the relationship. You don't have to drop everything every time she calls. It could be to your benefit to be busy on occasion. One added benefit to that tactic, when you are available, she'll be all the more excited to see you."
"I don't know, man," Nate shook off his friend's advice, "Games have never been my forte. I usually end up in more trouble."
"If you take no other advice I give, take this . . . be careful," Chuck stated.
"We haven't had a girls' night like this in so long," Serena proclaimed as she and Blair sat in front of the large screen television with their hair piled high on the top of their head, their faces covered in an avocado mud mask and a bowl of popcorn and a large box of chocolates in between them as a sappy chick flick played.
"Too long," Blair nodded as she popped a kernel of corn in her mouth and chewed slowly. She'd kept away from the chocolate in anticipation of what Chuck would bring home later that evening. She was certain that his dessert would satisfy her sweet tooth better than what Serena had selected.
"We should make this a monthly ritual," Serena suggested, "Even after you get married. I'm sure Chuck won't mind if you take a night away to pamper yourself."
"I'm sure he won't," Blair smiled as she gazed towards her engagement ring.
"Have I told you yet how happy I am for you and Chuck?" Serena inquired.
"About a thousand times," Blair nodded.
"You and Chuck just makes more sense," Serena replied, "To be honest, aside from the title that Louis could give you, I didn't understand your attraction to him. He seemed frightfully dull."
"I honestly don't know what I saw in him either, especially since it all turned out to be a lie to put himself in line for the throne. I hope Prince Albert and his new bride have an entire litter of children that push Louis and his conniving sister so far down the line that they'll never see the hope of a throne," Blair hissed.
"That's pretty harsh for a man that you intended to marry a month ago," Serena replied.
"Because he had given me such a snow job that I thought he was a good guy," Blair replied, "I have since learned the truth. Chuck may not be perfect, but at least I know who he is and what he's capable of. When Chuck makes a mistake, he owns up to it and does what he can to make amends. Had I not walked away, Louis would have continued on with the charade and eventually humiliated me."
"Changing subject," Serena announced as she could feel Blair's anger reach a boiling point. "Have you and Eleanor begun working on your wedding dress yet?"
"We picked out the design this morning, and she took my measurements," Blair nodded, "She's hoping to have the dress ready for the first fitting next week. She needs you to stop by her loft so she can get your measurements for the maid of honor dress."
"I'll stop by tomorrow," Serena assured her, "But are you sure that you want to rush down the aisle like this?"
"I've never been so sure of anything in my entire life," Blair replied as she caressed her stomach covertly with her thumb, "This is what I want, what Chuck wants."
"I'm not saying don't get married," Serena replied, "I'm just thinking that maybe the two of you should slow this down. There is no rush."
"Perhaps not," Blair conceded, "But this feels right. We've wasted so much time already. We don't want to wait anymore."
"You've only been engaged for a couple of weeks. You're so swept up in the romance of it all, you're not giving yourself a chance to enjoy being engaged or properly planning your fairytale wedding," Serena pointed out.
"I was planning my fairytale wedding to the wrong man," Blair replied, "I've realized that the fairytale isn't as important as marrying the right man. The right man is Chuck."
"But the rush," Serena continued on, "He's not going anywhere."
"I can't explain this so that you'll understand. You're wasting your breath if you think you'll change my mind," Blair held firm.
"Okay, I won't say another word," Serena sighed as she popped another chocolate into her mouth.
"Serena, what have you done to my fiancée?" Chuck gasped as he strolled into the room to find Blair looking more than a little green.
"Oh my god," Blair exclaimed as she held a pillow up to cover her face from his view, "Chuck, you're supposed to be having dinner with Nate."
"I had dinner," he chuckled as he pulled the pillow away, "Per your instructions, I brought home dessert. You're looking a little green, Kermit."
"You're intruding on our evening of pampering," she informed him as she held him at a safe distance as he bent in to kiss her.
"Perhaps I was a little envious," he chuckled, "I believe I'm in need of a little pampering myself."
"We have more avocado," Blair replied with a glimmer of mischief that she directed towards Serena. Without warning, she pinned Chuck to the sofa knowing that he wouldn't fight her because she was pregnant, held him down as Serena slathered his face with the facial mask. All three were chuckling like they hadn't since they were young children when Blair and Serena would gang up on him in a similar manner.
A short while later, Chuck was lying on the sofa with his head in Blair's lap with Serena sitting at Blair's side. All three were wearing their avocado masks. The chick flick continued to play on with the occasional sarcastic comment thrown in by Chuck. Blair would quickly silence him by stuffing a piece of popcorn in his month.
"It's getting late," Serena announced as the end credits of the movie began to roll, "I should be getting home."
"Or stay," Chuck offered, "There are plenty of rooms, and how often are you going to get a chance to stay in the Royal Suite."
"How exactly did you swing this anyways?" Serena inquired, "Isn't this place reserved for visiting royalty?"
"Blair is royalty," Chuck replied.
"I think there is more of a requirement that just Queen Bee of Constance Billard," Serena replied.
"Blair is royal," Chuck repeated.
"Prom Queen doesn't count either," Serena replied.
"She is the queen of our own island," Chuck explained, "I crowned her 'Her Majesty, Queen Blair of Evelyn Isle, complete with the appropriate crown."
"Are you serious?" Serena looked between the pair.
"I can show you the tiara," Chuck told her as Blair ran her fingers through his hair, giving him an adoring smile as she did so. She bent down suddenly and pressed her lips to his, ignoring the avocado on their faces.
"I love you, Bass," she sighed happily.
"I love you, Waldorf," he replied as he reached out to tangle his fingers in the wisps of hair that had fallen out of her hair band.
"Before you start going at it with me in the room, I'm going to go pick out a bed to lay my head on for the evening," Serena announced.
Chuck and Blair laughed as Serena vanished.
"I almost told Serena," Blair confessed as she pecked at his lips again.
"You can tell her," Chuck reminded her, "When we decide to reveal our news is entirely your decision."
"She just kept pressing me about us being in such a hurry to tie the knot. I just wanted to give her the full answer to get her to stop trying to talk me out of it," she sighed.
"You can tell her," he repeated.
"I want to tell people when I'm ready to tell people. I don't want to be forced into it because they think I'm making bad decisions when I know I'm not."
"If you want to wait with the wedding, we can," he offered.
"Don't you start trying to change my mind," she scolded him, "I've gone one round with Serena. I don't have the energy to go through round two with you."
"I'm not trying to change your mind," he insisted, "I'm just making sure that you are making this decision for the right reasons. If you weren't expecting, we wouldn't be walking down the aisle at the end of the month."
"Chances are that's true, but circumstances are what they are. I'm pregnant, and we're getting married in three weeks. I'm excited about it. Now get excited with me," she demanded as she poked him in the ribs.
"I am excited," he replied, "This is the happiest that I've ever been in my life and it's because I'm marrying you and becoming a father in a few months."
"Are you humoring me?" she eyed him skeptically.
"I love you," he replied, "I would say anything to keep that beautiful smile on your face, but no I am not humoring you. These are my genuine feelings."
"Would you tell me if they weren't your genuine feelings?"
"I would figure out a way to soften the blow, but yes, I would tell you," he nodded, "We're getting married in less than three weeks. What would that say about our relationship if I couldn't be honest with you? What would that say about the future of our marriage?"
"I love you," she sighed.
"Let's get this green goop off your face so I can kiss you properly," he suggested as he ran his finger along her jaw, taking a swipe of the gook as he went.
"You'd better be thinking about more than just kissing me," she eyed him, "And you still owe me a dessert, a chocolaty one."
"Would I disappoint you?" he chuckled, "I'll meet you in the bedroom sans the goo."
"Deal," she smiled as she pressed her lips to his.
TBC. . .