Chapter 121: Forever and Ever Amen
~You may think that I'm talkin' foolish
You've heard that I'm wild and I'm free
You may wonder how I can promise you now
This love that I feel for you always will be
But you're not just time that I'm killin'
I'm no longer one of those guys
As sure as I live, this love that I give
Is gonna be yours until the day that I die
Oh, baby, I'm gonna love you forever
Forever and ever amen
As long as old men sit and talk about the weather
As long as old women sit and talk about old men
If you wonder how long I'll be faithful
I'll be happy to tell you again
I'm gonna love you forever and ever
Forever and ever, amen~
(Randy Travis)
Disclaimer: I own Elizabeth, all the rest of the characters unless otherwise noted do not belong to me.
A/N: LAST CHAPTER
They got down off the roof and headed up a couple blocks away from the event. There was a convenience store with two gas pumps up ahead and Arthur pulled up with the limo.
*Nate and Sage*
At the Empire Sage sat in front of all of Nate's research. They were gonna figure out who Gossip Girl is for The Spectator.
"You dug up a lot of good dirt, we just have to sift through it again" Sage said. "You know the history, I'm a fresh set of eyes. The answer to who is Gossip Girl is right on this table"
Nate's phone buzzed and he looked at it.
"Wait what?" he asked looking at his phone. Sage glanced at him. "Ivy says I need to turn on the TV"
Sage picked up the remote and turned it on.
"we're told a man has been found dead outside an event where the Manhattan real estate community was gathering to honor their man of the year Bartholomew Bass. The name of the deceased is bein withheld until family members can be notified" the newscaster said, and it went away for a moment.
"You don't think its…?"
The newscaster came back on.
"Shockwaves ran through this crowd moments ago as the news spread that the deceased was none other than Bart Bass himself. The man they had gathered to honor. This comes on the heels of a series of bizarre events earlier tonight. First a false report that a Bass Industries jet had been downed. Then Bass' son Charles caused a disturbance requiring him to be removed by security."
"Wow" Sage said.
"Chuck Bass is considered a person of interest in this case as he's wanted for questioning. Although we have no information on his whereabouts. Now being a person of interest does not necessarily mean he's a suspect at this point. What it means is that police feel he'll have information on this case.
"Should we pick this back up in the morning? Sage asked "I don't think either of us is in the mood now and you're gonna toss and turn all night worried about Chuck and Elizabeth since she's not home.
They got to Brooklyn, and she used her spare key to go in. Her dad was sound asleep on the couch. She quietly closed the door, but he woke up.
"There you are" he said waking up.
"Sorry for worrying you" she said.
"Chuck"
"Hi" he replied.
"I saw the news. Bart is dead?"
She glanced at Chuck then back to her dad.
"It was an accident" Chuck said. "I'm gonna go talk to the precinct tomorrow, tonight I just wanted to see Ella and…."
"You guys can take Dan's room" her dad said hugging her.
"Thank you, dad," she replied.
"Yes, thank you Rufus"
"You are family" her dad said then hugged Chuck "You are welcome here anytime"
They got settled in Dan's room and fell asleep, but Elizabeth didn't sleep much. She kept dreaming of Bart going over.
Elizabeth kept tossing and turning which kept Chuck up as well. He mostly just watched her sleep. Worried about her and worried about the babies. He got up and walked into the living room to see Rufus, Alison and Alex.
"Morning" he replied.
"Good morning, Chuck" Alison said. "How did you sleep?"
"Not well, I don't think Elizabeth did either?" he replied, "Where is Ella?"
Right as he asked, he heard her giggle on the floor in front of the TV. He walked over and picked her up and held her close.
"So, are we going to the precinct this morning?" Rufus asked him.
"I can go on my own" he replied.
"Lizzie will kill me if I let you go alone" he replied. "Have you called your lawyer?"
"I haven't been able to get a hold of him."
"Well, I called Cyrus, he's gonna meet us there"
"Thank you, Rufus, for everything"
"I told you that you are family. I meant it" he replied.
"What about Elizabeth. I don't want her to wake up and being worried because I'm not here"
"I got her" Alison replied.
"Thank you" Chuck said "I don't know if she's told any of you but she's pregnant with Twins and well considering the last pregnancy she lost very sudden she's been a worrier when it comes to this one"
"I'll keep an eye on her, you go do what you gotta do to come home to her" Alison said and then hugged him then took Ella out of his arms.
*Nate and Sage*
The next morning the cops showed up and started asking questions.
"By the time I got to the party, Chuck was already gone. I didn't even see him." Nate said to the officer.
"So, you, uh, missed the outburst where he accused his father of trying to kill him?"
"I don't know anything about that."
"Do you? "The officer said to Sage.
"She's not talking to you. She's a minor."
"Anyone want some coffee? "Sage asked.
"Look, Chuck likes drama. Okay? He was probably wasted. I'm sure it was just nothing, the usual father and son stuff."
"And what about his wife? Elizabeth Bass? Did you see her at the party or after the party"
"I was told she had a mild panic attack and left. She's pregnant with Twins and they are very important to her" Nate said remembering that Sage had mentioned helping her.
"I understand you, uh, recently went to jail yourself, Mr. Archibald. Hate to see ya back there." The officer said as Blair walked in. The officer looked at her. "What about you?"
"What about me?"
"When was the last time you saw Chuck Bass?"
"On the stage, my best friend was very relieved to see her husband alive after a report that his plane went down"
"Yes, Elizabeth Bass? Have you seen her?"
"I came here to see if she was home. Obviously since you're asking, she's not?"
"I think I got what I came for" The officer said and stepped onto the Elevator.
Blair turned to Nate.
"They're not here?"
"No" he replied.
"She was a mess yesterday when Rufus and I…" Blair started, and it clicked. "I know where she's at. I don't know about Chuck, but Liz I do"
"Where?"
"Where Ella is. With Rufus. He and I came here yesterday after hearing about Ella's accident, and we found her in the middle of her bedroom floor bawling her eyes out because Bart made Chuck leave to save you and Ella. I got her up and to the party but…"
"The fake news report didn't help?"
"Yeah, but when Dan introduced the right Bass, she was happy again. So therefore, she is in Brooklyn" she replied.
"Are you gonna go see her then?"
"No because if she is with Chuck and he is hiding we will take the cops right to them" Blair replied and turned to get on the elevator. "I'll keep you updated Archibald"
The next morning Elizabeth woke up and walked out to see her mom sitting at the kitchen table.
"Mom?" she said running over and hugging her.
"Hey sweetheart" her mom replied.
"What are you doing here?"
"Your dad called at like 1am this morning said that your husband was in a situation and that he needed me to come and keep an eye on you while he and Chuck figure some stuff out. They called Cyrus to help too"
"So, it's your job to make sure I stay put?"
"Exactly"
"Where's Ella?" she asked looking around?
"Alex has her. They went to go get donuts."
They walked over to the couch and sat down.
"Talk to me"
"I miss you being here" she replied beginning to cry "There is so much that I wanted you here for. Like the birth of Ella."
"Oh baby" her mother said pulling her to her chest. "I miss you too, but I am always a phone call away"
"I know, I just thought that since I'm a mom myself that I didn't need you as much, but the truth is I needed you more. I love Dad and we've always had that special connection because of music but he doesn't know everything."
"I know honey, I know" Allison said soothing her hair "Oh no matter how old your kids get they will always be your babies. Just remember that. Ella will 20 one day sitting with you just like you and I are sitting. And even though she's 20 you are gonna look at her like she's 7 all over again"
"Okay" she said.
"And well you are about to have twins so that's gonna be a bunch of phone calls to your mom."
"How did you?"
"Well, I could lie and say I just know but Chuck told us this morning before they headed that way" her mother said, and Elizabeth laid her head in her mom's lap.
"Can I lie here while you play with my hair? Like you did when I was a little girl"
"Always" her mom said.
A few moments later the door opened, and Alex walked in with Ella. She sat up and grabbed her.
"Hey sweet girl" she said sitting her on her lap. "How is the donut?"
Ella reached her donut filled hand to Elizabeth's mouth.
"I'm good sweetie" she replied.
"Dada" she said pointing to the tv where Alex and just turned it on. She tried to pay attention to it but was also in such a trance. Her mom turned it off and turned to her.
"Are you okay?"
"I don't know" she replied "What did it even say. I don't think I heard a word it said"
The door opened and her dad walked in.
"Chuck needs you." He replied.
"Will you guys keep an eye on her?" She asked.
"Of course," her mom said and hugged her.
*Sage and Nate*
Nate walked back into the room after taking a phone call. Sage stood looking at their story on Gossip Girl. Still trying to figure it all out.
"Who was that?" she asked.
"It was about "The Spectator"" I mean, now that Bart's dead, my name's the only one on the loan. If I can pay off what I owe, it'll be all mine."
"That's amazing. And if we can figure out this "Gossip Girl" expose, you'll have the perfect story to make it happen."
"Yeah. I just wish I felt like celebrating. I'm sure Chuck's not calling 'cause he doesn't want to get me in trouble, but I really need to know he's okay."
Nate's phone rang and he answered it.
"Hello?" he answered.
"Nathaniel" Chuck said.
"Oh, thank god man, where are you?"
"The precinct"
"Please tell me that you did not use your one phone call to call me. You have a wife and daughter…"
"They're with Alison. Rufus is here with me. I'm turning myself in"
"Why?"
"Well not exactly turning myself in since I didn't do anything. I just want you to know that I am okay. Cinderella is okay. We are all okay."
"Good" Nate replied. "I hope everything works out in your favour"
"Me too" Chuck replied then hung up.
Nate turned to Sage.
"They're okay"
"You breathe again" she replied kissing him
She got to the precinct to see Chuck sitting in the interrogation room.
"Mrs. Bass" and office said "I need to ask you questions"
"Only with me present" Cyrus said beside her. She glanced at him.
"Aren't you an entertainment lawyer?" she whispered.
"Yes, and you are a musician." He replied and she nodded.
"Blair sent me to you" Cyrus replied. "For Ella"
"For Ella" she smiled.
They walked into another room, and she sat down.
"Mrs. Bass, can you tell me the events of Yesterday to the best of your knowledge."
"Well, I got up, kissed my husband good morning. I took my daughter to see her aunt, my sister-in-law. Serena Van der Woodsen. After that I went to Edge Coffee, my business that I own with Andrew Chavez. His girlfriend and a very good friend of mine Courtney Leonard…"
"Ma'am I don't need your whole day"
"Oh, but you do, because yesterday was the day from hell" she replied, and the officer nodded.
"Go on" Cyrus said.
"Anyways, my friend Courtney Leonard had planned to take my almost 2-year-old daughter to see the Tree at the Rockefeller Center." She said and took a deep breath because this next part was not fun to talk about. "They didn't make it because there was an accident. The cab they were in hit another vehicle pretty hard that it caused my friend to hit her head on the window and my daughter has bruises from her car seat but that phone call that your almost 2-year-old daughter is in the hospital is not a phone call you want. Especially since a year before her father was in an accident that almost took his life."
"Okay" the officer said, "Anything else?"
"I didn't say I was done" she replied. "I then find out that my father-in-law used my wellbeing and my children's wellbeing to convince my husband to leave the country. I attended the Man of the Year event and there was report that the plane my husband was on, had went down and there were reports of no survivors. You can imagine my level of panic at this point in the day"
"I understand ma'am"
"I don't think you do because you have my husband in the other room, and by…"
"By spousal privilege you can't be forced to testify, yes, your lawyer already told us. But trust us, we are trying to help you and him"
"Then let my client continue" Cyrus replied.
"Would you like a glass of water ma'am" the officer asked, and she shook her head no.
"I was relieved when my brother announced that my husband was alive. After that I didn't know where my husband had gone. Some girls that I came with to the event had reported that my father-in-law, which if I didn't mention is the deceased, had taken the elevator up. So, I took the stairs all the way to the top. When I got there, I opened the roof door and when I did my husband had ducked from a punch thrown by my father-in-law and in that swing, he flew over the edge. Before either one of us could process anything, it was too late." She replied "That was my day"
"I'm sorry ma'am"
"Can you release my husband now" she replied. "Or can I at least see him"
They let her in with him and she hugged him.
"Why didn't you wake me up?"
"You didn't sleep last night, and so when you finally did fall asleep, I didn't want to wake you"
"Thank you" She replied.
An officer came in and released him.
"Self-defense," The office said. "Not to mention, it sounds like you two had a day."
She hugged him. And they headed outside. Cyrus met them out there.
"Thank you, Cyrus," she said. "Can I make you my official lawyer?"
"Oh definitely, family discount" he laughed. She smiled.
Chuck turned to her and kissed her. Cyrus walked away from them.
"What was that for?"
"Believing in me. For loving me" he replied as her phone buzzed. She looked at it.
B: Cyrus told me what happened. Celebration at my place. Bring Ella too.
Elizabeth looked at Chuck.
"What?"
"Blair wants to throw a party in our honor of being innocent"
"It's up to you if we go"
"We should, I mean if it wasn't for her, I would still be in a pile on our bedroom floor." She replied.
"Let's go to Brooklyn, grab our daughter and head to Blair's" he replied, and she nodded.
*Nate and Sage*
They stood in front of the research.
"So obviously, Gossip Girl's known you all since ninth grade but it's doubtful that someone older would care about a bunch of freshmen. So, she's the same age or younger" Sage replied.
"That's what we always figured." Nate replied.
"But you went to different colleges after graduation. She couldn't have followed all of you"
"By that time, it didn't matter she'd already built up her network of sources. I mean she could have been anywhere in the world"
"Like at Sarah Lawrence where Eric van der Woodsen goes? Or maybe London where Jenny Humphrey lives?"
"I thought of that, Eric maybe but Gossip Girl was pretty brutal on Jenny. I mean no one would do that to themselves."
"Are you kidding? Battling Blair, the fashion line? Even you had a crush on her"
"NO, I didn't" he replied.
"Admit it, you had a thing for both Humphrey Sisters" Sage said crossing her arms. "Little J was my idol in 7th grade and then later Elizabeth when I saw her band perform a year later. But I get your point. Is there anyone Gossip Girl ever went easy on?"
"Well, she hardly posted on Liz"
"That is true, but would Liz post a picture of her self-kissing Chuck and claim to have a mystery man? She wouldn't have wanted you to even hint at the fact it was Chuck."
"Wow you really know your stuff"
"Like I said I idolized Jenny and then Elizabeth" Sage replied, "Well if Gossip Girl went easy on Liz, then maybe it was someone, she was close too?"
"That brings us back to Jenny"
"What about Carter? She did date him for years"
"Carter would have wanted to splash them all over the site. He even sent in the tip that Liz and Chuck had slept together months before the blast even came out. And he's older than us by 2 years. He wouldn't have cared about the rest of us" Nate said as the Elevator dinged and Dan along with Serena walked in.
"What are you doing?" Serena asked looking at the board.
"Figuring out who Gossip Girl is" Sage replied.
"Look no further" Dan replied and handed him the envelope.
Nate opened it and read it.
"Are you serious?"
"It's all yours. You need it to launch the Spectator" Dan replied. "And now our presence is called upon for a get together for Chuck and Lizzie"
Nate looked at him then handed it to Sage.
"Get this to the Spectator to my desk and type every word don't let anyone else interrupt you"
She darted out.
They picked up Ella from her mom and headed to the Empire first. Elizabeth saw the Gossip Girl board while Chuck changed Ella. She looked at it all and even saw her name circled with the question mark.
"What's this?" Chuck asked.
"Nate, I think was trying to figure out who Gossip Girl is?" she said, and Chuck kissed the side of her head as she looked at it. Her phone buzzed as did Chuck's and they opened them.
The Upper East Side was like something from Fitzgerald or Thackeray. Teenagers acting like adults, adults acting like teenagers, guarding secrets, spreading gossip, all with the trappings of truly opulent wealth. And membership in this community was so elite, you couldn't even buy your way in. It was a birth right, a birth right I didn't have, and my greatest achievements would never earn me. All I had to compare to this world was what I'd read in books. But that gave me the idea. If I wasn't born into this world, maybe I could write myself into it. I'd overheard enough conversations to be able to mimic the language of the Constance girls, but every writer needs his muse. And it wasn't until that photo of Serena in the white dress that I knew I had something strong enough to actually create a legend and launch a web site. Within weeks, I was getting dozens of e-mails with stories about Upper East Siders, so I posted them anonymously. And then I got more. Before long it was a monster. Everyone was sending tips. And when Serena came back from boarding school I wrote my first post about me, Lonely Boy the outsider, the underdog. I might've been a joke, but at least people were talking about me.
She looked at her husband.
"My brother was Gossip Girl?" she asked.
"Let's go" he said.
They arrived at Blair's and saw everyone sitting around.
"This is a hell of a thing you pulled off kid" Jack said.
"I hacked it and stole it from him" Georgina said.
"No, you stole it after I shut it down. And when you started it back up, I just stole it again."
"I should've known it was you on the surveillance tape Diane gave to me. You were the only one that wasn't with us" Nate replied.
"You're the only one that owns a hoodie" Georgina said and glanced over to Elizabeth "Besides your sister of course, Hey Lucy"
"Georgina" she replied.
"Oh my god, we were supposed to be having a better party then this" Blair replied.
"It's okay, I would actually like to know more about this. How was I not in on this Dan?"
"Gossip Girl and gossip was never your thing"
"Still, I could have helped" she replied, and Chuck laughed.
"The one I felt stupid about was graduation when I asked Gossip Girl to meet me, and Dan showed up" Serena said
The elevator dinged and they looked over to see their dad walking in.
"That is not a look I'd want to be on the other side of." Elizabeth said.
"Son" Rufus said.
"Dad"
"I figured you'd be here waiting for Chuck and Lizzie. We need to talk. You too Elizabeth" he replied.
"Full name" Elizabeth said as she stood up. She followed her dad and brother into the other room.
"Dan, I cannot believe you are the one responsible for all that poison. The damage you've done to your friends. To your family. You your own sisters"
"Jenny wanted to be on Gossip Girl. She's known it was me for years"
"And once again why wasn't I included on this" Elizabeth replied "I feel betrayed that you didn't even tell me"
"You didn't tell me about Carter or about Chuck?"
"That is so not the same thing" she replied. "Carter was a boyfriend and this…this was huge. Bigger than a boyfriend."
"But a husband?"
"I'm sorry okay, it was supposed to be epic and romantic and well we thrived on secrecy"
"You were not like Jenny and me. You didn't care about being in that world or who anyone thought of you. You only cared about skating and music. It wasn't until you started dating Nate and becoming friends with Chuck that you started to care about it. But then again you actually didn't care even then. You still don't. You just exist in it"
"So, if you didn't know. Then why did you put Lizzie on there?" her dad asked, and she looked over at Dan fulling understanding.
"Because you couldn't be nice to someone. That's why Serena's reign never made sense because she didn't post anything on any of her friends." Elizabeth said "That's why Nate's board thought I was it because Gossip Girl cared about me"
"I posted enough about you to get by but not a whole lot. I didn't want anyone suspecting anything if I was nice to you. I picked the appropriate ones." He spoke.
"But you were nice to Chuck and Blair when you shut it down after the accident"
"Because you asked me too" he said "Not in so many words but between you and Serena I got the message. You were a wreck yourself because of Chuck being hurt. I couldn't put you through any more of that."
"Now that you know I had nothing to do with it can I go back out there?" she asked her dad and he nodded. She walked back out.
"I didn't send in one tip" Nate replied.
"Neither did I" Elizabeth replied.
"The Saint ones" Georgina replied rolling her eyes.
Elizabeth sat down next to Chuck who had Ella in his lap.
"Come on what was the worst thing Gossip Girl ever wrote on you? If anyone should be mad it should be me and Blair" Serena replied.
"And I am mad" Blair replied.
"But you should get over it" Elizabeth replied, and she glanced at her.
"He stopped posting after our accident. He shut down the site. I mean, we always knew it was one of us, right?" Chuck said.
"Always thought it was Dorota" Blair said.
"You know, I actually thought it was Eric for a little bit" Serena said
"Same" Elizabeth replied
"And then I thought it was you, Rufus."
"My dad? Come on." Dan said.
"Hey! It could've been me. I always thought it was Nate." Rufus said.
"Did anyone think it could be me? "Georgina said.
"My money was on either Princess here or the blonde broad in London." Jack replied glancing at Elizabeth.
"Definitely not me, but I can see why people thought I could have been, and okay J crossed my mind a few times but then I thought if it was her, I'd know about it" she said and glared at her brother. "But I guess even my own brother couldn't tell me."
Everyone started laughing.
"Why do you all think that this is funny? Gossip Girl ruined our lives!" Blair said.
"Is your life really ruined, Blair?" Chuck asked.
"If you think about it, we're all on track to do exactly what we wanted to do"
"But he schemed and lied and spread horrible stories." Blair said.
"I think you're just mad because Dan was the one who was pulling the strings all along." Elizabeth replied smiling at her brother.
"This whole time, I had more power than you."
Serena grabbed Dan's hand in hers.
"So that's it? It's all over now. That means that we can all grown up and move on" Blair replied.
"Yeah. Gossip Girl's dead." Dan said.
Elizabeth leaned into Chuck, and he kissed the top of her head.