Disclaimer: I only own the story specific characters I created. The originals belong to Cecily von Zeigesar and The CW.
"I'm nervous," Charlotte told Eddie as they flew to New Mexico for their Habit for Humanity experience. Truthfully, she was surprised Eugenia and Cedric were willing to leave their two-month-old granddaughter. Molly had the entire family wrapped around her tiny little pinky.
Charlotte had visited Abigail and Molly a few times a week since they left the hospital. Charlotte and Abigail were becoming closer than ever, and Molly was too cute for her own good. She would smile and wiggle each time she saw Charlotte until she was in her godmother's arms.
"You're going to do fine," Eddie assured her as she fidgeted nervously in the first-class seat. Eddie had been surprised that Chuck hadn't insisted on his daughter flying in their private jet. It was likely only because Charlotte hadn't asked to use it.
In the past few months, Chuck has stepped back to give Charlotte room to figure out her life on her own terms. Charlotte had flourished both at work and in her personal life. She was already in talks for another promotion, one which she was earning on her own merits. She had worked hard to earn the respect of those who worked for her, even the 'old timers' who were determined to despise her from the get-go.
"What if I screw everything up? What if I slow everyone down?" Charlotte leaned against his shoulder.
"You can't do either," Eddie assured her, "Mom is putting you into a non-pressure role just like she promised. You'll be working hard, but you won't be in the position to screw up as you're so worried about."
"I won't hold you back, will I?" Charlotte asked.
"No," he assured her, "We won't be working the same tasks, but we'll still see each other plenty."
"They won't give me power tools, will they?" Charlotte asked.
"No," he chuckled as he brought her hand to his lips, "We'll keep you far away from those."
Charlotte continued to fidget the entire way to their destination.
"Have you ever flown commercial before?" Eddie asked as they navigated the airport and headed to baggage claim.
"Is it horrible for me to say no?" Charlotte asked as the screeching of the alarm on the baggage carousel startled her.
"No," he chuckled, "I suspected as much. Don't worry, I won't steer you wrong."
As promised, Chuck had assured that Charlotte and Eddie had the best accommodations the area offered. After checking into their hotel, Eugenia showed them to the worksite. With a clipboard in her hand and a headset charged and ready to go, the quartet hit the ground running. Eddie and Cedric were immediately deployed to tasks suitable to their skillset, while Eugenia took the time to show Charlotte around the worksite and get her settled. Prior to her arrival, Eugenia had given her a list of tasks that required no previous experience. Charlotte had requested to work with the paint crew, but that hadn't been confirmed until she arrived on site and was given a paintbrush.
"At least you're not wearing heels and a skirt like your mother was when she stepped foot on site," Eugenia couldn't resist throwing out as she took in Charlotte's attire. Dressed in a volunteer shirt, a worn pair of denim jeans and white loafers, she had dressed the part.
"Mom did have some wardrobe suggestions for me," Charlotte replied.
"If you need anything, I'll be in the coordinator's tent," Eugenia stated, "Just listen to what Antonia has to say, and you'll do great."
Charlotte bobbed her head. She was grateful that Antonia was a no-nonsense woman who was very good at explaining the painting process to someone with zero experience. She was also thankful that she wasn't the only one with zero experience, so she learned the ropes with a few other women.
Eddie and Cedric both checked in on Charlotte periodically to make sure she was doing okay. Charlotte was enjoying herself and the comradery with her fellow workers. They didn't see her as Charlotte Bass, heiress and next in line to a Fortune 100 companies. She was just Charlotte, volunteer.
At the end of the week, she was sad it was over, yet she felt she'd accomplished so much. At the celebration dinner, she was corralled by some of the veterans to return the next year, which she took to mean she'd done alright for herself.
"So what did you think about your first true foray into my world?" Eddie handed her a beer.
"Don't tell my parents, but I liked it," Charlotte stated as she took a sip, "What else does your world entail?"
"On holidays when we aren't hobnobbing with the likes of the Bass family, we usually volunteer at a shelter, dishing out food," Eddie stated, "And we find a great many ways to be of service to others."
"Sign me up," Charlotte smiled, "But for Christmas, you still have to partake in the annual toy distribution at the hospital, green tights and all."
"I thought they were leggings," he laughed.
"Do we have a deal?" Charlotte asked.
"Only if you'll agree to wear this," Eddie held out a diamond ring.
"Eddie," Charlotte gasped, "Is this…"
"I love having you in my world as much as I love sharing yours. I love you, Charlotte, and I want a life with you. We'll run Bass together and raise adorable red headed boys, and feisty brunette girls," Eddie stated, "We'll accomplish all our dreams together. What do you say, Charlotte? Will you marry me?"
"Oh my god," Charlotte gasped.
"Is that a yes?" Eddie wiggled the ring around.
"Oh my god," Charlotte repeated. "Yes, on my gosh, yes."
Eddie's smile widened as he slipped the ring onto her finger.
"I love you, Eddie," Charlotte pressed her lips forcefully against his.
To Charlotte's surprise, her entire family was there to celebrate in their engagement.
"What's all this?" Charlotte's jaw dropped when her mother approached to give her a hug, rocking her back and forth in her excitement.
"Do you think we'd miss celebrating your big news?"
"You knew?" Charlotte asked.
"Of course we knew," Blair admired the ring. It was a three-karat emerald cut diamond in the center with several stones on either side. It was beautiful and befitting a Bass.
Collette and Abigail rushed to give her hugs and congratulations.
"Where's my goddaughter?" Charlotte asked instantly.
"With her daddy," Abigail pointed to where Justin stood, patting his brother on his back while he held Molly with his other arm.
"Oh my god, Lettie, you have got to meet this adorable little creature," Charlotte ran over and claimed her goddaughter.
"You're such a baby hog," Justin teased as Molly cooed adorably in Charlotte's arms.
"You'd better be nice to me, Justin," Charlotte poked at his shoulder, "We're officially going to be family now. You can't get rid of me if you tried."
"Are you kidding? With the perks of flying private after all these years of flying coach, I never want to go back," Justin teased.
Charlotte looked confused.
"Your father flew us all out for the occasion," Collette explained as she admired the adorable little girl.
Charlotte looked around for her father, who had yet to congratulate her. He was hanging back with Cedric and Nate, waiting patiently for his turn.
Charlotte felt a sudden rush of emotions as she passed Molly back to Justin, despite the slight protest of the little girl. "I'll be back in a few minutes, Sweetheart," Charlotte kissed Molly's chubby cheek before she approached her father.
Cedric and Nate both made rather lame excuses to leave Chuck alone to talk to his daughter.
Fighting past a lump in her throat, she gave him a heartbreaking smile.
"You look so much like your mother right now," Chuck's voice broke as tears welled in his eyes, "She was beyond breathtaking after she accepted my proposal."
"Of course she did," Charlotte replied, "She was excited to be marrying you, just like I am marrying Eddie."
"You'll both be quite happy together," Chuck replied.
"If we're even a fraction as happy as you and Mom, we'll be lucky," Charlotte stated.
"I know I can't top the gift that Eddie gave you today, but I do have something for you," Chuck pulled a paper from his suit coat and handed it to her.
Charlotte opened it. It was a title to a piece of property with her name in the title. As Charlotte looked at it further, she suddenly gasped. "Dad, is this…"
"I've been waiting for a long time to transfer that property to you," Chuck stated.
"This was Grandma Evelyn and Grandpa Bart's summer home in the Hamptons," Charlotte stated. "It's been vacant since before I was born."
"It's been fully restored and furnished," Chuck stated.
"I can't believe this," tears trailed down Charlotte's cheeks, "This is the last thing you have of your mother."
"I know it's in good hands," Chuck stated.
"This is too much," Charlotte tried to hand the title back.
"It's not enough," Chuck stated, "Not for my little girl."
Charlotte hugged her father tight.
"Congratulations, Charlotte," Chuck kissed her temple as Eddie approached.
"Look what my father gave us," Charlotte handed the title to her fiancé. "It's Grandma Evelyn and Grandpa Bart's summer home in the Hamptons."
"Wow, Chuck, this is amazing," Eddie offered his hand to Chuck. He knew better than to turn down such a generous gift from his mentor, "Thank you."
"I have additional gifts," Chuck pulled out two other pieces of paper and handed one of each to Charlotte and Eddie.
"We're being promoted," Eddie read his letter and then glanced at Charlotte's nearly identical paper.
"To separate divisions within Bass," Chuck stated, "You'll each be heading up your own subsidiary within Bass, ones that compliment and work together but are separate entities."
"We report directly to the CEO," Charlotte read the description.
"You've both earned it," Chuck stated, "While I'm still many years from retiring, I'm looking forward to watching the next generation start taking over."
"Wow," Eddie repeated.
"Welcome to the family, Eddie," Chuck gave his soon to be son-in-law a hug.
The End.
I may have one story left in me in this world, but it's taking time to develop. Thank you all for being patient. I know the updates were a long time coming.