Disclaimer: Sadly, I own nothing. Enjoy though! :)
Chapter 11.
"Do I look okay? Hey, Jen! Is this okay?" Dan asked his sister while holding up two different ties in front of him - one blue and the other purple.
"Dan, would you relax? You look fine." Jenny giggled as she watched Dan walk back and forth, tossing the two ties on the bed before going over to his closet and grabbing a new one - a green one this time.
"Well, I want to look good, alright?"
"Then don't wear a tie."
"What?"
"Honestly? It doesn't really fit with the outfit." Jenny stood up, walking over to get the tie from Dan's hand. She placed it carefully on his bedside table before walking back to her brother and fixing his shirt.
"This alright?" Dan asked for the umpteenth time, worry evident in his voice.
"Perfect!" She clapped her hands, satisfied with how he looked.
"Thanks." He shot her a quick grin before gathering his stuff and carelessly tossing them inside his messenger bag.
"You know, I find it cute that you're so worried. I mean, it's not like you're going on a date or a party."
"Well, worry looks cute on you.'
"Well, sorry for wanting to impress." Dan defended himself, pushing Jenny lightly.
"Impress who?" Jenny asked, confused at first. Then it hit her and her confused expression was replaced with a knowing smirk and a glint in her eyes. "Oh! Serena, right?"
Dan rolls his eyes, annoyed at his sister. Seriously, he wants to impress Lily and William - okay, maybe Serena too. And right now he feels nervous as hell, this was the first time that he'll be working with William van der Woodsen and honestly, the thought scares - no, terrifies him. Not that Jenny's making the situation better or anything, whatever. Besides, if he's going to be following the van der Woodsens around, he might as well look presentable.
"Hey J! I have those fabrics you asked for." Vanessa shouted, closing the door behind her. "Jenny?"
"In Dan's room."
The two Humphreys waited until Vanessa's head peaked inside the room. She had her eyes closed, asking if it was safe to come in, making Jenny giggle and causing Dan to roll his eyes at her and groan. Vanessa laughed before opening her eyes and walking inside the room. She tossed the fabrics to Jenny before plopping herself at Dan's bed.
"You clean up good, and I can smell cologne, you smell nice." Vanessa commented, watching as Dan fixed his hair - or at least, try to.
'You look so good to me. And you smell so clean.'
"Well, I'm off to do my job."
"Let me guess, follow the van der Woodsens around, taking notes, glancing at Serena, hoping that she'll talk to you or at least, glance at -"
"Ha ha Vanessa." Dan retorts, sarcastically. "Gee, when did you become such a comedian?"
"Oh really?" Vanessa asked, standing up and walking over to Dan. "Then, why are you wearing blue?"
"It's Serena's favorite color." Jenny teased, grinning at Dan's annoyed face.
"It's just a coincidence." Dan answered, grabbing his keys and slinging his bag over his shoulder.
"Why are you going to use the Vespa then?"
"Ooh, busted!"
"None of your business, Abrams!" Vanessa merely laughs at Dan, before sitting back on his bed.
"Whatever you say, Humphrey!" Vanessa shouts at Dan's retreating figure. "Good luck with Serena!"
Once Dan was out of sight and hearing range, Vanessa turned to the younger Humphrey.
"Your brother is so still in love with her."
...
Dan takes a deep breath before stepping out of the elevator. He walks to the living room of the van der Woodsens, meeting the waiting faces of Lily, Eric and Serena. He wondered why William wasn't there but at the same time, he was also relieved for he knew of William's dislike for him. Because even though he was not married to his daughter anymore, William van der Woodsen never once expressed his fondness of him - it was always quite the opposite actually.
"Ah! Daniel, finally. I was beginning to think you would bail on me." Lily greeted with a smile before standing up and giving him a quick hug. Eric stood behind his mother, clapping Dan at the back when he got the chance.
Dan glanced at Serena, who merely shrugs at him before turning back to her phone. Texting Blair and/or Nate, probably.
Lily looked between the former couple before smiling warmly at Dan. Unlike William, Lily was very vocal about how much she adored Dan, after all, they were once a family.
"So, caterers arrived half an hour ago. Daniel, why don't you taste some and help us decide?"
"Uhh... I don't think - I mean, I'm just here to take down notes for the story."
"Nonsense. I know you have good taste with food. I absolutely loved your wedding cake before."
Both Dan and Serena cringed at the thought. Dan shifted uncomfortably at his spot while Serena dismissed the thought quickly, although Dan saw the tiny smile that graced Serena's face was now replaced with a scowl. Even Dan had to frown at that.
"Mom." Eric warned his mother quietly, although Dan could still hear him. Eric turned to him and smiled apologetically before going back over to where he was seated before Dan's arrival
"Dan, why don't you go sit next to Serena?" Serena looks up then, glares at Eric before scooting to the left to make room for Dan.
Dan smiles to himself before sitting down next to the blonde. He watches as the caterers placed dozens of sliced cakes for them to taste. He saw Lily, Eric and Serena grab a plate before taking a small piece from it. Lily motioned for him to do the same, so he grabbed the nearest plate in front of him. He was about to take a bite, when he suddenly stops, looking at Lily curiously.
"What is it, Dan?" Eric asked.
"Umm... I was just wondering where your dad is."
"Oh, he's still out of town, will probably be back on Friday night."
"Where is he?"
"Los Angeles, on a business trip."
He nods then finally tasted the cake. As soon as he took bite of it though, he instantly recognizes the taste. Chocolate and vanilla with a hint of mint. His mind instantly goes back to their wedding day as he glances at Serena, who is now currently tasting her fourth cake. Dan had wanted chocolate while Serena insists that it be vanilla, so they decided it'd be both. However, the order got mixed up that when they tasted their cake, they tasted chocolate, vanilla and mint. Not exactly what they wanted in the first place but turns out they both loved it, so they decided to make that their wedding cake.
He chokes up a bit, causing everyone to look at him worriedly. Serena immediately grabs the glass of water placed in front of her and handed it over to Dan who drank it quickly.
"Didn't you like the cake?" Serena asks as she stifles her giggles but failing miserably.
"I did, actually." He smiles warmly at her, happy to see her laugh even though she was, technically, laughing at him. He cut a small piece of he cake before shoving his spoon towards Serena's mouth, effectively shutting her up.
Serena hits him lightly on the shoulder once she swallowed the cake. She was smiling but by looking at her eyes, Dan knew she thought back to their wedding day as well. He could feel Eric and Lily's stares as they watched the two former couple with smirks on their faces. Dan stares at Serena for a few more minutes before grabbing another plate and taking a big bite of the cake - this one pure chocolate.
...
After about an hour and probably 50 different variations and flavors of cakes, Lily finally decided on having a 5-tier chocolate, vanilla and strawberry cake for the wedding. Eric nodded, agreeing with her mother while Serena looked at her skeptically, asking her if her dad would want the cake to which Lily simply nods before asking the caterers to leave. Once the caterers cleared out, Lily kissed her children on the cheeks, thanked Dan for coming before retreating to the bedroom.
Eric glanced at the two, who are currently standing side by side, avoiding each other's gazes as much as possible. A few minutes had passed when suddenly Eric's phone ringed, making Serena jump. He glanced at his phone to see that Jonathan was calling him. He excused himself quickly before heading upstairs but not before giving Serena a smirk, which didn't go unnoticed by Dan. It was the same smirk that Jenny had been giving Dan earlier.
"So..."
"So..."
"Yeah, I should probably get going." Dan awkwardly scratches the back of his neck before glancing around, hoping to catch her eye. He sighs before getting his bag from the couch and walking towards the elevator.
"Dan." Serena called out just as the elevator door opened.
"Yeah?"
"I'll walk you down."
"Yeah?"
Serena walks up to him, gives him a warm smile before stepping inside the elevator, waiting for him to do the same.
...
"Come on, let's get you a cab then." Serena exclaims as soon as they stepped out of the hotel. However, Dan quickly grabbed her arm, making her stop in her tracks.
"No need."
"What?" She spun around and saw that Dan was now walking towards the vespa.
"I have my ride." He gave her a cheeky grin. "I know it's nothing like Chuck's limo but it gets me to places."
Serena grins at the sight of the vespa. She quickly walks towards it and watches as Dan puts on his helmet.
'Oh my god, a vespa! I can't believe it. I love vespas!'
'You bought a vespa?'
"You still have that?"
"Yeah. I mean... I've learned to love riding vespa almost as much as you do."
"You don't say?" Serena laughs as she touches the vespa ever so slightly, thinking back to the times when she rode it, her arms around Dan.
"In fact, if you want, you could borrow it from me." Dan offered, watching Serena's smile. "Or, we could ride together sometime."
"I don't think that's -"
"Right, right."
It was awkward once again for neither one of them knew what to say next. They'd been down to memory lane twice today, both unintentionally.
"Uhh... So, you heading home? It's getting kinda late so..."
Dan nods before glancing at his watch. His eyes widened as realization hit him. He was supposed to have dinner with Georgina tonight.
"Crap!" Dam exclaimed, startling Serena a bit. "Sorry, S. I gotta go. I'm supposed to have dinner with Georgina tonight. Bye!"
Serena sighs as she watches Dan go. He didn't even wait for her to say goodbye.
"Yeah. Bye Dan."
.to be continued.
A/N: Hi there! So, this is a new chapter for everyone. Right now, I'm not sure when I'll be able to update again, but I'll try my best to do it quickly. Thank you once again to all of you who likes this story. Every review/favorite/follow puts a smile on my face. So, once again, thank you all so so much! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! 3