Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. They belong to Cecily von Zeigesar and The CW.
"That was easily the best night sleep I've ever had," Serena announced as she found Chuck sitting in the dining room reading from some file with Blair nowhere in sight.
"Royal bedding apparently agrees with you," he commented as he took a sip of his espresso.
"A girl could get used to this," Serena nodded as she took a seat at the table and began munching on a pastry that was within her grasp. "Where is Blair?"
"Still asleep," he explained, "We were up pretty late last night."
"Really, I didn't hear anything," Serena responded, her voice tinted with surprise, "They must have sound proofed the master bedroom. Seems like a waste if you ask me. How many royals do you know that actually get it on?"
The corner of Chuck's lip curled into an amused smile. "None that I know of."
"Louis and Blair never . . ." Serena's voice trailed off.
"No," Chuck replied.
"Wow, I'm kind of surprised," Serena stated, "I wonder why."
"Chances are you'll never find out," Chuck replied, "He's out of her life, and I'd appreciate it if you never brought him up again. He hurt her pretty bad."
"No, he didn't," Blair chimed in as she entered the conversation. "He turned out to be somebody other than I thought, but to hurt me I actually had to care about him. I didn't."
"Yes, you did," Chuck corrected her as she came to sit in his lap, "Not in the important way, but you were going to marry him. You can't pretend that you had no feelings for him."
"Chuck's right," Serena chimed in, "We know you better than that."
"Alright, I cared about him," Blair huffed in response, "But that doesn't mean that I'm all torn up over the fact that I'm not marrying him. In fact, I'm not torn up in the least. I know now that I wouldn't have gone through with it even if Chuck hadn't swooped in to save the day."
Blair and Chuck exchanged knowing looks, but Serena looked at the pair in bewilderment.
"Am I supposed to know what that means?" Serena asked finally.
"No," Blair responded as she kissed Chuck's cheek as he caressed her stomach gently.
"I'm going to get my measurement taken today," Serena announced as she changed the subject, "B, did you want to come with? We can do some shopping afterwards, or maybe get some of those to do things done on that wedding checklist I'm sure you have."
"I actually need my fiancée's presence today," Chuck jumped in before Blair could respond.
"What? Why?" Blair stuttered for a response.
"We are house hunting," he told her.
"Already," Serena gasped.
"We're getting married in less than three weeks," he pointed out, "We should have a place to live beyond this hotel. I don't want for us what I had growing up. There is no permanency in this. Blair and I are a permanent lock. I want a residence that symbolizes that."
"That's so sweet," Serena sighed as Blair's heart melted.
"Did you want to come with us, S?" Blair smiled as her head came to rest in the crook of Chuck's neck.
"No, this sounds like a couple thing. I don't want to be the third wheel," Serena shook her head.
"You should come," Chuck added, "Blair and I can use a second opinion."
"We should invite Nate for a third opinion," Blair replied.
"I wouldn't trust his opinion," Serena huffed, "But at least I wouldn't be the third wheel."
"I'll call him," Chuck replied as he lightly tapped Blair's thigh as a signal that he needed to get up. She gave him an adorable pout as she rose dramatically to her feet. "How long do you need to eat and dress?"
"An hour," she offered.
"Make that two," Serena replied, "I have to go home to change."
"Two hours," Chuck nodded as he kissed Blair's cheek before disappearing to call first Nate and then his realtor.
"Are you sure that's really Chuck Bass?" Serena inquired as Blair watched Chuck leave the room with a brilliant smile on his face.
"I'm absolutely, one hundred percent positive that is the real Chuck Bass," Blair giggled, "No one can fake his competence in bed."
"I'm going to be sick," Serena groaned.
"You asked," Blair snickered.
"So what exactly are we looking for?" Nate inquired as he met up with the trio and the realtor at the realtor's office.
"A new place for Blair and Chuck to live," Serena replied with a roll of her eyes. Of course he'd be the one to ask the dimwitted questions.
"Give me a little credit," Nate glared at his ex, "I'm asking about what type of home they are looking for . . . what features are must haves."
"Oh," Serena stated, "That's actually a good point. What are the two of you looking for in your new home?"
The realtor's ears perked up at the same time as both Blair and Chuck floundered for a response.
"Let's start with the number of bedrooms?" Serena offered.
"Well, I suppose five or more," Blair replied, "And maybe on different levels. We're going to want to put distance between us and any guests we may entertain, and it would be nice for my father and Roman to have some place to stay when they visit."
"The master bedroom has to have at least one walk in closet, but preferably two. My bride is known for her fashion sense, so naturally she has a lot of clothes," Chuck began.
"You're not much better," Blair chimed in.
"As was the point I was going to make," he chuckled.
"The master bath has to have a large tub, a rainfall shower, his and hers sinks, a well-lit vanity," Blair listed.
"With plenty of natural light to allow the sun in by day, and the city lights by night," Chuck added.
The realtor began jotting down notes at a furious pace.
"I want it to be an actual home," Blair replied, "A home with a real front door and steps that lead out to the street and a backyard with trees."
"A circular staircase that allows my wife to make a grand entrance every evening we go out for a night on the town," Chuck added.
"A library for all those books you have hidden. I know you read, quite probably more than I do," she chuckled as she reached out to caress his face, "It's about time to bring that secret out of the closet."
"Enough room for our family no matter how large we expand it," Chuck added as he gave her a knowing wink.
"With the way those two mate, you'd better make sure there are a hundred rooms available," Nate told the realtor.
"And a private rooftop where we can have a garden and where Chuck can disappear for awhile when his demons catch up with him," Blair added.
Chuck took her hand in his and kissed it lightly. His adoration was written across his features. They knew each other so well. Somehow even their dream homes were the same.
"Do we have a desired location?" the realtor asked.
"Upper East Side," the quartet said in unison.
"On or near Fifth would be preferred," Blair added.
The realtor did a quick search of the available listings and then began making the necessary calls to set up viewings. Because she was calling on behalf of Chuck Bass, the viewings were scheduled for that day, the first of which was within the hour.
"Next," Blair called out as soon as they entered the first home.
"You don't just say no as soon as you walk into a place," Serena replied, "You have to look for potential, not just how it currently looks."
"I can inspect every inch of this place if it will make you happy. I'm telling you right now that I'll know when we find it, and this isn't it," Blair insisted.
"What exactly is this 'it' that you are referring to?" Nate inquired.
"Home," Chuck answered for her as his arm came around her waist, "And Blair's right. This isn't right for us."
"You haven't even given it a chance," Serena replied.
"Tap into your own trust fund then and buy this place for yourself," Chuck replied, "Blair and I are getting married and settling into a life together. This home has to be perfect."
"Not perfect," Blair corrected him, "It just has to feel like home. This place feels like a mausoleum."
"I think you mean museum," Nate replied as he looked at one piece of artwork after another as they twisted and turned while walking from one room into another. Subpar artwork covered nearly every wall.
"Get a dictionary, Nate," Blair replied, "This place is like a tomb. What is another word for a tomb, a mausoleum?"
"You mean thesaurus," Nate scowled at her.
"He dates an older woman, and suddenly he's a know it all," Blair rolled her eyes in Chuck's direction, "What is this one's name anyways?"
"Diane," Nate replied, "She's the founder of this new website that is going to rival Gossip Girl when it's launched and take her down once and for all."
"As noble a goal is that is, what is with you and women old enough to be your mother?" Blair inquired.
"She doesn't look old enough to be my mother," Nate muttered.
"Yes, that helps your case so much," Serena tapped his shoulder as she shook her head.
"And your dating choices are above reproach," Nate glared at her.
"Obviously not because I dated you," she held his glare and returned it with her own.
"Alright, separate corners," Chuck stepped in to defuse the situation as he turned towards their realtor. "Blair and I are in agreement that this isn't the place. Let's move along."
"Of course," the realtor nodded.
"This is it!" Blair proclaimed the moment they walked into the entryway. It had been a long day of house hunting. Serena and Nate had long ago written off hope of Blair finding anything that she deemed hospitable, yet dutifully followed along.
"Are you sure?" Chuck inquired as he took her hand and lead her around the five floors worth of rooms, classically furnished. She withheld further comment until they returned to the entryway.
"I love everything about this place. From the limestone exterior to the oval staircases to the marble floors. Everything about this place is exactly where I imagined myself living when I got married," Blair stated.
"Well, we're looking at twenty-one thousand square feet, nine bedrooms, nine baths, three powder rooms, eight fireplaces, three terraces, a staff apartment, and an elevator. In total there are sixteen rooms. Every feature that you listed is in this home," the realtor stated.
"What do you think?" Chuck inquired of Blair as he took a look at the list sheet that the realtor extended towards him.
"Chuck, I really want this place," Blair stated as she batted her eyelashes.
"Then you shall have it," he replied as he leaned in for a kiss before he turned to address the realtor once again, "Tell the owner that we'll pay the listed price under one condition."
"The condition?" the realtor inquired after choking on the knowledge that the sale was apparently made.
"We close in two weeks," Chuck replied.
"Two weeks!" the realtor exclaimed.
"My bride-to-be and I will be getting married in two and a half weeks, and I'd like to carry her across the threshold into our new home that very evening," he explained.
"Chuck, Man, that's a lot of money," Nate replied as he took the list sheet from his best friend's hand, "Don't you want to negotiate a little?"
"How much is it?" Serena inquired as she looked over Nate's shoulder, "Thirty-eight million dollars! Are you crazy?"
"And worth every penny," Chuck replied as he watched Blair's eyes widen in surprise. She clearly had no idea what the price was when she made her proclamation.
"Chuck, that's a lot of money," Blair stammered out, "I mean, it is absolutely gorgeous, but we don't need something this extravagant."
"Yes, we do," he assured her as he brought her hand to his lips, "Don't worry one bit about the money. Think of this as my wedding gift to you."
"Chuck," she began an attempt to discourage him again. He halted her with a finger to her lips.
"My gift to you and our child," he whispered into her ear.
Blair nodded as several tears tumbled down her cheeks. This was quite possibly a better gift than the island he'd given her just a few weeks earlier or the tiara only a few days ago. She didn't feel worthy of his indulgent purchases, but she also knew better than to refuse them.
"Make the deal," Chuck told the realtor.
"Are you sure you'll be able to have the financing straightened out in two weeks?" the realtor asked nervously.
Serena, Nate and Blair couldn't help but chuckle at the question. "It shouldn't be a problem," Chuck laughed. He didn't want to give the realtor a heart attack by announcing that he'd be paying cash or rather via a wire transfer.
"Let's go celebrate," Serena suggested.
"I'm actually rather exhausted. All I really want to do is take a hot bath, put my feet up, and relax for the rest of the evening," Blair replied, "Perhaps we can celebrate another night."
"I suppose it has been a rather exhausting day," Serena conceded.
"Did either of you need a lift anywhere?" Chuck inquired as they walked back down the steps towards the waiting limo as the realtor stayed inside to complete the necessary business.
"No," Serena shook her head, "It's a short walk to my mother's from here."
"Serena, I'll keep you company," Nate offered.
"Lucky me," Serena responded with a hint of sarcasm.
"We'll talk soon," Chuck nodded as he guided Blair to the limo. With a quick wave to her friends she stepped in.
"I'm so tired," Blair announced as her head came to rest against his shoulder as the limo started towards The Plaza.
"I hope you didn't over do it today," Chuck's voice dripped with concern as his hand found her abdomen and caressed her softly.
"We're fine," Blair turned her head to smile at him as her hands closed around his.
"Are you sure that home is what you're wanting?" he inquired, "I hope you aren't just settling because you didn't find anything else you liked better. If you aren't sure, we can keep looking."
"I felt it the moment we first stepped foot inside the home," Blair replied, "It just felt like destiny had stepped in. The only other time I had that feeling was the very first night with you in this very limo."
"As long as you are absolutely sure," he pressed.
"If it's about the money, I can contribute some from my trust fund," she offered.
"It's not about the money," he assured her, "And while your offer to contribute is appreciated, it is unnecessary. I am most willing and able to buy this for you."
"I love you," she smiled as she reached out to caress his chin, "How did I get so lucky to find such a generous man?"
"When you find your answer, perhaps you can help me find mine to the question of how I got so lucky to find such a wonderful, beautiful, intelligent . . ." Chuck stated.
"You loved me," she replied, "That's how you got me."
TBC. . .