Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. They belong to Cecily von Zeigesar and The CW.
"Blair is still asleep," Serena concluded as she joined Chuck for breakfast the next morning. They could tell that this was going to become a routine that they would have to get used to again as it had been too long since they'd cohabitated.
"I'm afraid I wore her out last night," he chuckled in anticipation of Serena's response.
She didn't disappoint as her face scrunched up in disgust as she shrieked, "Ew!"
Chuck laughed a little harder as he poured her a cup of coffee
"Shouldn't you be asleep as well," Serena eyed him curiously, "Don't you go through the same work out as she does? Wait, don't answer that. I really don't want those images in my head."
"Such the prude," he baited her.
"Such the nymphomaniac," was her quick retort.
Her reply had Chuck laughing harder.
"Can I ask you something?" Serena inquired.
"An intriguing prospect," he smirked, "What if I say no?"
"I'll ask anyways," she replied, "So you might as well say yes."
Chuck waited patiently for her to ask the question.
"Why do you keep turning down alcohol?" Serena inquired, "Did you make a promise to Blair or something?"
"If only it was that simple," Chuck sighed.
"How is it complicated?" Serena inquired.
"How much did Lily tell you about my visit to the Ostroff Center?" he asked.
"She only really told me that you were in treatment for severe depression," Serena replied, "We've all been there. If it was like when I was there, they just made you talk about your feelings for awhile and then let you out."
"There was a bit more to my visit than being treated for depression and sharing my feelings," Chuck explained.
"How much more?"
"I was diagnosed as bipolar," Chuck stated.
"What does that mean?" Serena inquired with a confused shake of her head.
"It means that the extreme mood swings that I've gone through virtually my entire life actually have a clinical explanation," he replied, "It also means that for the foreseeable future, I will be on medication that is dangerous to mix with alcohol and other recreational substances."
"You've told Blair about this, haven't you?" Serena inquired.
"Of course," he nodded, "I wouldn't dream of marrying her if I was keeping something like this from her. We haven't talked about it in depth, but we will."
"So that champagne toast at the wedding reception won't inspire as much of a buzz as usual," Serena replied.
"You'll still be able to get your buzz on," he reassured her, "But Blair and I will lift our glasses with sparkling cider."
"She'll stand by you through anything," Serena replied, "I hope you realize that and don't take advantage."
"She has already proven that," Chuck replied.
"I hope you're not going to continue testing her," Serena glared at him, "You've put her through far too much as it is."
"I know," he responded, his voice full of regret, "I've put her through far more than she deserved. I tried to give her what I felt she deserved in walking away so she could be with Louis, but I couldn't lose her. Now I'm trying to give her the best that I have. If it means medication for the rest of my life and never touching another drop of alcohol, I'm going to do it."
"If you need help with that, I'll volunteer to make sure you stay sober," she chimed in.
"Are you going to give me a breathalyzer test every day before I go to bed?" he chuckled.
"If you think it would be necessary," Serena smirked.
"It's not," Chuck replied, "I have a strong incentive to keep myself clean and sober."
"Why the rush with this wedding?" Serena inquired, "What difference does two weeks or two months or two years make?"
"Absolutely none," Chuck replied, "Which is why we're getting married in two weeks. Why wait when we have the resources and resolve to make the commitment?"
"I guess you have a point," she conceded, "But I still think you are rushing because you both fear what could happen in the future."
"Your concerns are appreciated and noted," Chuck replied.
"And I'll still be at Blair's side in two weeks supporting you both," Serena assured him.
"I know," Chuck nodded.
"Even though I think you're rushing into this entirely too fast, I cannot tell you how excited I am for this wedding," she confessed, "Blair's dress is breathtaking."
"I'd expect nothing less," Chuck smiled, "My fiancée has exquisite taste."
"Obviously," Blair smiled as she came into the room and wrapped her arms around his neck as she greeted him with a good morning kiss, "I chose you."
"Good morning, B," Chuck smiled as he tangled his fingers in her hair as he brought her lips back to his to give her a proper kiss.
"Good morning," she smiled back.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Very well," she nodded, "I was warm and cozy and so satisfied."
She heard Serena scoff at the notion.
"Are you hungry?"
"Famished," she nodded as she kissed his cheek before she took her seat next to him and helped herself to a pastry and some fresh fruit. "Serena, how did you sleep last night?"
"That bed is so comfortable," Serena replied, "Do you think the hotel would noticed if I stole it and brought it back to my mother's?"
"They might," Chuck chuckled, "Especially when you try to carry it through the lobby."
"Well, I'm not going back for a while, so…" Serena trailed off.
"Are we going to have our first houseguest as soon as we move into the manor?" Blair inquired.
"Would you mind? If you do, I would completely understand, but I'm not going back to my mother's right now."
"Dan has really upset you, hasn't he," Chuck replied.
"No Humphrey talk at the table," Blair chimed in, "His name is forbidden."
"At just the table or in general?" Chuck inquired.
"In general," both Blair and Serena replied.
"He is our stepbrother, Serena, we're not going to be able to avoid him forever," Chuck pointed out.
"I think I can manage for the next ten years," Serena replied.
"So what is on today's agenda?" Chuck inquired as he attempted to shift the conversation.
"Well, I was hoping that we could take a walk to the Conservatory Gardens and image what our big day is going to look like," Blair's eyes twinkled in excitement.
"Is your maid of honor allowed to tag along or is this a groom and bride only thing?" Serena inquired.
"What do you think, Groom, should the maid of honor join us?" Blair inquired, as she polished off her breakfast in record time.
"I'll leave that decision up to you, Bride," he chuckled as he stood up and kissed the top of her head. "I have a bit of business to take care of this morning before I can devote my attentions solely to you."
"And my maid of honor," Blair chimed in.
"He's like a whole new Chuck," Serena observed as he disappeared from the room.
"Not in certain areas," Blair giggled.
"Changing subjects, the gardens are going to take a few hours at most. What else would you like to do today?"
"I suppose we should see how all of the wedding arrangements are coming. Chuck hired a handful of wedding planners to get this wedding to come together on time, but I haven't even met them. I'd better stay on top of things or this wedding could end up turning tacky, and I cannot tolerate that," Blair replied.
"Yes, that would be horrible," Serena laughed, "Because Blair Waldorf is anything but tacky."
"I can't believe this is really happening," Blair beamed, "I'm marrying the man that I've loved for what feels like all of my life in less than two weeks. We're buying a home together. We're building a life together. I'm so happy that I nauseate myself."
"You deserve it, B," Serena replied, "And for some reason, I think the two of you will defy all the odds and make this work."
"I think so too," Blair replied, "We've gone through so much just to be together. We still have things to work through, but I really think the truly bad stuff is behind us."
"He told me about his diagnosis," Serena spoke softly.
"Really," Blair responded in surprise.
"Is it really going to be as easy as taking a pill everyday to keep things under control?" Serena inquired.
"I honestly don't know," Blair admitted, "We haven't taken the time to really learn what this diagnosis means, but we will. Perhaps after the wedding."
"Can you really afford to wait?" Serena pressed, "Shouldn't this be something that you attack as soon as possible?"
Blair huffed in response. Serena was right, and she hated that. This diagnosis was going to be a significant part of his life, perhaps for the rest of his life. They'd been on a honeymoon of sorts, but now that they were back in the real world. They had to face this illness head on.
"Perhaps we should head to the library after our garden tour," Blair proposed.
"Looking for reading material for the honeymoon?" Chuck laughed as he returned to the dining room to hear the tail end of the conversation in which Blair mentioned the library.
"Honeymoon!" Blair gasped in surprise, "Are we going to have one?"
"Yeah, didn't you two just get back from a tropical getaway? I know you two are insatiable sexual creatures, but isn't that overkill even for you?" Serena chimed in.
"Perhaps we'll put off having the honeymoon for a little while," Chuck conceded, "But we will have one eventually."
"Any reason for a tropical getaway," Serena sighed, "I wish I had someone to whisk me away to some exotic location at moment's notice."
"Perhaps Carter is lurking around some corner," Blair teased, "Maybe you could convince him to take you away for a vacation."
"With what money?" Chuck inquired, "His trust fund is frozen because he refuses to play by his family's rules. I don't see that changing anytime soon."
"Maybe Serena could convince him to play nice for awhile," Blair offered.
"Carter Baizen is the last person that I want to go on another whirlwind holiday with. He brings nothing but destruction wherever he goes. Just ask the Buckley family," Serena hissed.
"Well Dan isn't an option anymore, and Nate seems otherwise engaged with that cougar," Blair stated, "I guess you'll have to look outside our close circle. Maybe Chuck should have a bachelor party that you and I can crash. I can steal the groom, and you can stay and flirt."
"That's not a bad idea," Serena mused, "Perhaps I could jump out of the cake like they did in that old Gene Kelly musical."
"You'll have to learn to do the Charleston if you're going to do the little dance that went along with it," Chuck laughed.
"You aren't funny, Chuck," Serena glared at him.
"I beg to differ," he continued to chuckle as he looked towards his fiancée to see her snickering as well, "I think I'm hysterical, and Blair thinks I'm hysterical as well."
"How about a little female solidarity, B?" Serena frowned her displeasure.
"I'm sorry," Blair bit her lip to keep her laughter at bay.
"If we're going to see the gardens in daylight, you'd better get dolled up," Chuck kissed Blair's shoulder as he urged her towards their bedroom to dress for the day.
"Come pick out what I should wear," Blair requested as she pulled him along with her when he seemed intent on returning to the breakfast table for another espresso, "We should coordinate."
"Ick," Serena cringed as Chuck followed Blair out of the room, "You're not fooling me. I know you're going to have sex. Couldn't you just pull him into the bedroom and do it without broadcasting it?"
"We need to get her a boyfriend," Chuck laughed as he followed Blair along as he listened to Serena's rant.
"Or at least a good one night stand," Blair laughed along with him as she pulled him into the bedroom and pushed him onto the bed, "I'm sure it's been awhile since she had some, and it's been a few hours since I did as well. I think you should correct that."
"As you wish my queen," he chuckled as he lifted her nightgown over her head and pulled her to the bed.
"Are you two done groping each other yet?" Serena stood indignantly before her best friend. It had been her idea to go through a mock ceremony in the Conservatory Gardens. She'd played the minister and walked them through a ridiculous set of vows that had the trio doubled over in laughter. She'd made the mistake of pronouncing them husband and wife and instructed Chuck to kiss his bride. They'd been lip locked ever since. Now their hands were starting to drift into highly inappropriate territory. "If your hands roam further south, you're going to get yourselves arrested."
"A few more minutes, Mom," Chuck mumbled against Blair's lips. A giggle bubbled up from Blair's lips before she deepened her kiss as her tongue dueled once more with his.
Serena screeched in annoyance as she turned around abruptly and left the pair standing in the middle of the garden. Moments later she returned with a bottle of water purchased from a conveniently located street vendor and dumped it over their heads.
"Serena, what's the matter with you?" Blair exclaimed as Chuck began dabbing at the droplets of water that clung to her face.
"You need to cool off," Serena responded calmly.
"And you look just as beautiful wet as you do dry," Chuck added as he kissed her cheek.
"You, I can believe," Blair caressed Chuck's face affectionately before she turned to scowl at her best friend, "You, I can't believe. My own best friend tries to drown me in the very spot where I am to be married in just a few short weeks."
"Aren't you being a little overdramatic?" Serena rolled her eyes as she held up the bottle in her hand, "It was one bottle of water, and it's not even half empty."
"Just for that, you're not invited to lunch," Blair turned away from her best friend abruptly and stormed off.
"Come on, B, don't be such a spoilsport," Serena called after her.
"Coming, Chuck?" Blair turned around to address him when she realized he was not at her side where he was supposed to be.
"Blair, I think you are overreacting," Chuck spoke gently but firmly as he approached her. He bowed his head to whisper in her ear, "Is this one of those pregnancy mood swings we read about?"
Before he could react, Blair slapped in right across the face and then stormed off.
"I guess so," Chuck told himself as he rubbed his cheek as he watched her nearly sprint away.
"That's PMS if I've ever seen it," Serena announced as she handed Chuck the cool bottle of water to press to his face.
"Care for lunch?" Chuck offered as the cool bottle calmed his enflamed skin.
"If you're buying, absolutely, but won't that just make her more angry?" Serena inquired.
"I'll defuse the Waldorf Bomb when I get back to the suite," Chuck assured her.
"Are you sure you want to leave her ticking for that long?" Serena eyed him skeptically, "Isn't it easier to defuse with the less time she has to stew?"
"That's not always the case, and I'd rather not risk her current wrath," he shook his head, "I only have a few cheeks remaining for her to assault."
"Blair, Sweetheart, what's wrong?" Eleanor inquired as her daughter burst into her office in tears.
"I slapped Chuck," Blair cried out as she ran into her mother's arms, "I don't know what happened. One minute I was mad at Serena, and then Chuck made a comment about me having a pregnancy mood swing. I just hauled off and hit him. I had no right to do that. He's never going to forgive me, let alone marry me."
"Oh, Sweetie, it's not as bad as you think," her mother stroked her hair as she tried to soothe her, "When I was pregnant with you, I lost count of how many times I insulted your father and slapped him and cursed his very name. It's the hormones."
"What if he can't forgive me? What if I've ruined everything? What if he never wants to see me or our child ever again?"
"You're talking nonsense," Eleanor replied, "Charles loves you."
"Every time we try to make things work, we find ways so that it won't," Blair stated, "I can't take anymore failed attempts. We're having a baby together. I won't put a child through what I went through."
"There are no guarantees in this world," Eleanor stated, "But one thing that I've come to realize about your relationship with Charles is that you two won't give up without exhausting all options. He didn't give up on you when you were engaged to another man."
"But I gave up on him," Blair admitted tearfully, "I was engaged to another man."
"But your heart has always belonged to him," Eleanor added, "I will always support whatever decisions that you make, but I felt that you were making a mistake with Louis. I almost cheered when Chuck crashed your party and proposed, and so did Cyrus, Roman, and especially your father."
"Agreeing to marry Louis was one of the biggest mistakes of my life," Blair sobbed against her mother's shoulder, "I don't know how I will ever make that up to Chuck."
"Sweetheart, he loves you. There is no need to make anything up to him," Eleanor assured her.
"He didn't come after me," Blair sniffled, "When I hit him and stormed off, he was supposed to come after me. Why didn't he come after me?"
"Because I figured you would want to cool off," Chuck stated as he announced his presence. The sight of her in her mother's arms, sobbing almost to the point of hysterics tore at his heart. "I'm so sorry, Blair. I should have known better."
Blair flung her arms around him as soon as he was close enough as she buried her face in his chest. "I'm so sorry, Chuck. I shouldn't have hit you, and I shouldn't have agreed to marry another man. Mostly I'm sorry that I gave up on you when you never gave up on me."
"I gave up on myself," Chuck whispered, "You were only trying to find happiness."
"I love you," she proclaimed.
"I love you too," he replied as he kissed her forehead before he began to dry her tears.
"I'm such a mess right now," she stated as she tried to clean off the mascara streaks covering her face, of all days to forgo waterproof mascara.
"A beautiful mess," he assured her as he pulled out his handkerchief and began wiping at the tears that had begun to dry.
"I don't know what came over me," she replied.
"It's the pregnancy hormones," Eleanor chimed in, "They make you do and say crazy things."
"So this is going to become a regular occurrence," Blair frowned as she was able to make out the faint handprint on Chuck's cheek. She reached out to caress him affectionately. "My handprint could become permanent."
"A small price to pay," Chuck assured her as he covered her hand with him as he turned to kiss the inside of her palm.
"How did you know to find me here anyways?" Blair inquired.
"I made a few calls. You weren't in the obvious places, so I dove into the less obvious ones. Eleanor's loft was the second on that list. When I called you weren't here, but Eleanor's trusty assistant called me the moment you arrived. Lucky for me, I was just around the block," he explained.
"Am I really that obvious?" she frowned.
"No, I'm that lucky," he smiled.
"I'm a little hungry," she admitted.
"You haven't eaten?"
"No," she shook her head, "I wandered around Central Park for awhile and then caught a cab here."
"You shouldn't be wandering around by yourself, especially now," Chuck stated, "What if you were mugged or mowed down by a jogger or…"
"Stop," Blair pressed her fingers to his lips, "I did just fine by myself."
"I don't want you walking the streets of New York City by yourself anymore," Chuck scolded her.
"Chuck, I did just fine. If you don't want a handprint on your other cheek to match the one I gave you earlier, you'd better stop this overprotective nonsense right this minute," she cautioned him as she caressed his uninjured cheek in warning.
"I'm not going to apologize for worrying about you, especially now," he replied as he kissed her forehead.
"My being pregnant does not give you license to hover, stalk or otherwise insert your over protectiveness into my everyday activities," she warned him.
"So the private security guard that I've hired to follow you around is out of the question," he frowned.
"You didn't seriously hire such a person, did you?" she eyed him curiously.
"Let's have lunch," he quickly changed the subject, "Eleanor, would you like to join us?"
"I think I just might have to," Eleanor looked at the pair in amusement as Blair began to fiddle with Chuck's tie, working the knot tighter. "Sweetheart, choking your fiancé so close to the wedding day might not be so wise."
"She's right," Blair replied as she loosened the knot as her eyes began to glimmer in amusement, "I'll wait until after the wedding. My inheritance will be increased exponentially."
"I never pegged you for a black widow," Chuck laughed in amusement.
"Buy us lunch," Blair demanded as she tangled her arm with her mother's as she gave him a menacing stare.
"Your chariot awaits," Chuck replied.
"Chuck," Blair cooed sweetly as she batted her eyelashes in his direction. After having lunch with her mother, the day had gone much smoother. She hadn't had any more emotional outbursts.
"I know those lashes, what's wrong?" Chuck groaned with dread.
"I think I'm having one of those pregnancy food cravings," she explained as she toyed with the button on his crisp dress shirt as they curled up on the sofa. He was engrossed in a Bass Industries business proposal for a new hotel they were renovating.
"Just call room service," he told her, "They're under strict instructions to cater to your every wish and desire."
"I don't want room service to cater to my wishes and desires. I want my fiancé, future husband, and father of my child to do that," she told him.
"You want me to call room service for you?" he lifted a curious eyebrow.
"No, I want you to make the effort of getting the treats for me," she corrected him.
"What are these cravings that you're having?" he inquired as he closed his manila folder.
"I want a hot dog from Central Park with a side of white asparagus and maple syrup," she replied.
"If I go get you the hot dog from Central Park, can we compromise on calling room service for the white asparagus and maple syrup?" he inquired.
"Yes," she nodded.
"I'll be back as soon as humanly possible," he assured her as he kissed her forehead before he detangled himself from her.
"I love you," Blair called after him as he stepped onto the elevator as Serena was stepping off.
"Hey, B, where is Chuck going?"
"I sent him on a mission to get dinner. I was craving a hot dog from one of those Central Park street vendors," Blair explained.
"Aw, that's so sweet," Serena replied, "I want someone that can do that for me."
"We've been through this once already today," Blair reminded her.
"I know," Serena sighed, "But I'm no closer now than I was this morning, and I spent all afternoon trying to get the attention of this lacrosse player friend of Nate's and nothing. Is there something wrong with me?"
"Maybe you aren't flashing enough cleavage today," Blair suggested as she looked at her friend's relatively conservative ensemble, "You covering two of your best assets, not wise."
"Is that all I am, blonde hair, long legs, big breasts?"
"At first glance, yes," Blair replied, "But once anyone gets to know you as I do, they'll see what I do. Do you want a little free advice?"
"Considering that you're the one that is getting married to the love of your life, yes any advice would be appreciated," Serena responded as she plopped herself down next to her friend.
"You shared a long history with both Nate and Dan and haven't been able to make either of those relationships work. I think you and I can agree that those are the two best relationships you've ever had," Blair began.
"Is the advice coming soon?" Serena glared at her.
"Maybe it's time to find someone with less baggage, maybe an Average Joe that is outside our social circle, outside our zip code, heck perhaps even outside our state," Blair suggested, "Maybe you need to find something that has ever heard of Serena van der Woodsen."
"You're about to marry a man that we've both known for most of our lives with the most baggage you could find, and you're telling me to find someone with less baggage. B, that doesn't make any sense."
"Chuck and I are different. What we have is complicated. We've tested each other in ways that should have crushed us both. It's a type of love I wouldn't recommend to anyone but the two of us," Blair explained, "I love Chuck more than anything, and I will stand by him through anything, but not everyone is strong enough to exist in this type of relationship. You need to find out who you are and what you are looking for in your ideal mate."
"I suppose you make some sense," she replied, "I'm going to go read some Harlequin novels and take notes."
"Throw in a few Jane Austen novels for good measure," Blair added, "Relationships aren't all steam and sex."
"Not that you would know because that's three-quarters of your relationship with Chuck," Serena replied as she disappeared into her bedroom.
"So true," Blair thought to herself, "These pregnancy cravings have turned me into a sexual deviant, and Daddy is only too happy to satisfy them. We're very lucky, Little One."
Minutes later Chuck returned with a box of hot dogs.
"Did you buy out the entire food cart?" Blair chuckled as he set the hot dogs before her.
"I forgot to ask what you wanted on your hot dogs so I thought it best to provide options," he explained as she looked through each wrapped hot dog until she found one that looked appealing. "Ketchup, mustard and fried onions, I must admit I'm a little surprised, almost as much by the fact that you actually wanted a hot dog. Have you ever eaten one before?"
"Daddy and I used to get them all the time when I was younger," Blair explained with her mouth full, "And they taste as wonderful as I remember. Do you want a bite?"
"I'll wait until your craving has been satisfied, and then I'll have whatever you don't want," he replied.
"And if I eat them all?" she inquired as she finished the first hot dog in record fashion.
"I'm entering you in the next hot dog eating contest at Coney Island," he smirked.
Blair glared at him as she went to work on the second hot dog.
"Are you still wanting that white asparagus and maple syrup?" he inquired.
"Maybe later," Blair responded after gulping down another bite.
"These pregnancy cravings could end up being wildly entertaining," he whispered into her ear as he stepped in behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist as she continued on with her feast.
"I have other cravings too," Blair reminded him.
"Those I know I can satisfy," he whispered seductively as he nipped at her neck as she continued eating.
"Ack, get a room," Serena groaned as she appeared as her nose sniffed out the hot dogs to find Chuck nearly mauling Blair despite her apparent interest in her meal.
"I believe we are letting you stay here out of the goodness of our heart. I'll enjoy my fiancé wherever I please," Chuck informed his freaked out sister, "If you have a problem with it, wear a blindfold."
"Why do I smell hot dogs?" Serena inquired.
"We had a craving," Chuck chimed in.
"Oh, god, they smell good," Serena continued to sniff them out, "I always crave these sort of things when I'm PMSing. Can I have one?"
"Knock yourself out," Blair replied as she held up the box.
"B, I didn't even know you liked hot dogs. If I didn't know better I'd swear you were pregnant," Serena replied as she chose one from the box and disappeared back into her bedroom.
"I think we're going to have to be more careful with your food cravings until we've spilled our beans," Chuck shook his head in bewilderment, "She's not the most observant, but she could stumble upon the truth."
"She already did and doesn't know it," Blair smirked.
"Are you still wanting that white asparagus and maple syrup?" he inquired.
"Are you crazy? That sounds disgusting!" Blair gasped.
"It didn't about thirty minutes ago," he reminded her as he kissed the tip of her nose.
"These food cravings are going to be embarrassing," she sighed as he caressed her stomach, "Will you do me a favor and not let me eat anything too weird?"
"I promise not to let you eat anything too exotic," he replied.
"Exotic, I'm not worried about," she replied, "I just don't want to eat anything buggy or slimy or gooey."
"I'll keep that in mind," he nodded as his hand slipped under her blouse as he continued to rub her stomach.
"Do you realize that since I told you I was pregnant you have been rubbing my stomach constantly?" she inquired as she placed her hand over his to still his actions.
"I'm sorry, does it bother you?" he asked as he pulled his hand away quickly.
"No," she shook her hand as she brought his hand back to her stomach, "Oddly enough, it's such the turn on."
"For me too," he smiled, "You may not be looking forward to it, but I cannot wait to see you with a belly bump. You're going to be the most beautiful pregnant woman."
"The belly bump I can handle," she replied, "But I can do without the hemorrhoids, swollen ankles and gas."
"I'll find it all incredibly sexy," he vowed.
"It's so sweet of you to say so, but I don't believe you."
"Do I get points for trying?" he inquired.
"We'll see," she replied as her head rested in the crook of his neck.
"Did you get enough to eat?"
"Yes," she nodded, "My belly is sufficiently full. That craving has passed, but I have another."
"Pickles and ice cream?" he inquired.
"No, this is more of a physical craving," she shook her head.
"I think I can handle this one," he told her as he carried her off to bed.
TBC. . .