A:N/ Here is Chapter 5 of the story. Thank you for the reviews!
I do not own Gossip Girl or its characters.
"Nate, let's show your friend around." William suggested. Nate nodded and so the group of four headed inside to one of the lavish rooms. There hung portraits of the Vanderbilt ancestors. William gave a brief introduction on each of the great men until the reached the end of the hall. Then, he went to the desk in the room and took a piece of paper.
"And soon, we will have 'Nathaniel Archibald' added up here, won't we Serena?." Both Nate and Serena started laughing at the paper.
"I can't believe you still have that." Serena exclaimed.
Vanessa looked confused, so Nate explained, "Long time back, Grandfather was giving this tour to a few guests and Serena and I were there too. She had already heard the entire thing, so she rushed inside, quickly drew it up and came back before we reached the end. Then she is like, 'This is Nathaniel Archibald.' All guests started laughing."
"They were seven or eight years old then, I knew I am to keep this safely." William smiled,
"Who is with him?" Vanessa asked.
"I asked the same question, she replied, 'This is me. Becuase I will always be by his side." William answered. Serena blushed and laughed. "This is going to be your campaign poster, trust me."
Nate laughed out loud and said, "Of course. I couldn't have anything else."
"That's some years in the future, what if you two aren;t close?" Vanessa asked.
"That can never happen." Nate said.
"In our circles, we seldom say that two people are forever going to be close, but for these two, I can without doubt." William said, glancing at the two blondes.
The group headed further inside for to see other rooms which displayed the family's history. "So tell me Nathaniel, what me Nathaniel, what are your plans for next year?"
"I have heard back from Columbia, still waiting on a few others. It's just with everything with my dad around that time, I didn't exactly knock the essays out of the park." Nate said, giving a small smile.
"Another unfortunate by-product of the regrettable situation." William scoffed. "Which I might add, you handled admirably." Serena smiled at this from behind.
"Admirably, I thought you were ashamed of me." Nate asked confused.
"Not at all. You stood by your mother, you got your father to do the right thing, I've never been more proud." William said.
"I couldn't have done it without my friends, especially this one." Nate said, pulling Serena by his side. "She allowed me to stay with her, she supported me through all of it."
"Of course I did, You are my best friend." Serena said, gently squeezing his arm.
"Thank you, Serena." William siadm genuinely. Serena just nodded and kissed Nate's cheek.
"He is my best friend. I couldn't have him leave me alone in Manhattan." She smiled. William smiled at their interaction.
"Nathaniel, You are part of this legacy too. And I'm sure one day, this drawing will come true." William told his grandson.
"I am sure of that too." Serena whispered.
Vanessa watched the entire interaction getting jealous every minute. She hated that she felt like an outsider there when Serena didn't. It seemed as if Nate's entire family knew Serena like their own.
When they were heading out, Vanessa gently made Nate stay a step behind. "How does your family know Serena so well?"
"They knew Chuck and Blair too. I mean, all four of us are extremely close. Well, Serena maybe a bit more becuase she has come here the most with me." Nate said, shrugging his shoulders.
They met with Tripp, who challenged Nate for a game of touch football. He smiled and they all headed to the main lawn. Serena and Vanessa met with Maureen and Eli and took their positions to watch the game.
"Vanessa," Maureen started, "Intimidated coming here?"
"A bit..." She smiled.
"I remember my first time coming here, Tripp and I were still in college." Maureen reminisced.
"I heard he got a job at the Supreme Court." Elizabeth asked.
"Yeah... Grandfather is preparing him to run soon. Nate is next in line..." She said, looking at Vanessa.
"I.. I highly doubt that. The only thing Nate has voted for is American Idol." Vanessa said.
"Give it sometime. Grandfather can be very persuasive." Eli said.
"Not Nate." Vanessa said shaking her head.
"Well..." Serena started.
"What?"
"See... at some point we all say that we don't the expectations that come with our families, but it is family." Serena countered. "I'm not saying that Nate has to go into politics, though I can't think of someone better, but he might go into the business side of things, like L here is planning to."
"Nate hates this life." Vanessa said.
"Hate is a strong word. And despite what we say and do when we are kids, we all know what our responsibilities are. Nate as well." Serena replied.
"You don't know him then. He isn't even interested in law or politics. I didn't want to say something in front of Mr. Vanderbilt inside, but you're wrong."
Serena laughed at that. "If there is one person I know, it's Nate. And I don't think you know, Nate's two choices of college major are law and then business." Serena said.
"S knows Nate better than anybody." Eli said from behind. "We all grow up in college. Doesn't matter what we said we would do when we were kids."
"Exactly." Serena said. They continued when Nate and Tripp joined them after their game.
"This one here forget how we play for a minute." Tripp teased his brother.
"You pushed me hard man. Made everything come back. I gave it to you as well at the end. " Nate laughed.
"Yeah.. yeah.. that push that you did like a kid...huh!" Tripp commented.
"As if you were so much better." Retorted Nate.
"Enough...gentlemen... calm down." Came Anne's voice from behind.
"Mom!" Nate exclaimed. "Surprised to see you here."
"Well, Dad called, and to be honest, I missed this place and the family too much to say no. I'm glad you're here as well." She said, caressing her son's face. She greeted all the kids and Serena before heading in to meet the others.
Nate and Vanessa were standing by a balcony, when William Vanderbilt came. "Nathaniel, can I speak to you for a minute?"
"Of course." He smiled and went to him.
"As you know, whenever one of the family members turn eighteen, we have a ceremony. I know we are a bit late for you, but I have asked the reporters to come this evening. Tomorrow as you we have the gala. I wanted something more private." William informed his grandchild. "You ready?" He asked.
"Yes, of course." Nate beamed. All his cousins and he looked forward to this day.
"Another thing, I know you are dating Ms. Vanessa. But, the lady on your arm today will be permanent. Are you sure you want her?" He asked.
"I need someone to stand with me?" Nate asked.
"Of course you do, son." William answered.
"I don't think Vanessa and I are ready for something like that." Nate said honestly. "So who does it? Mom or Eli?" Nate asked.
"Why not Serena?" William asked. "if you're not comfortable, that's fine, but she would be more appropriate than Anne or Elizabeth."
"Of course, S. No one I would rather have. But I don't think she has a dress for today." Nate smiled.
"Let me worry about that." William said, before going he stopped Nate once more, "Tell Vanessa what's going to happen. She should know too." Nate nodded and made his way back to the balcony.
"What did Mr. Vanderbilt want?" Vanessa asked.
Nate explained to her about the whole ceremony and its importance to the family and their legacy. "See, there will be reporters there. This is a huge event for any Vanderbilt."
"Okay..." Vanessa said not understanding what he was saying.
"I need a lady with me up there." Nate said. "Vanessa, I like you, I do. But I really don't think I'm ready to make it thsi permanent."
"What do you mean permanent?" Vanessa asked. "I mean, Gossip Girl follows our every move and publishes it."
"I mean the New York Times and Washington Post." Nate said. Vanessa was shocked at that. "After this day, whoever is up there with me, becomes a permanent part of me."
"So, I agree that we're not ready, but then who?" She asked.
"Serena." Nate answered simply.
"You want her with you?" Vanessa asked confused.
"Of course I do. She is my best friend, and whatever happens I know our bond is permanent." Nate answered. "It'll be fine." He said, giving her a smile. Nate then got a message from Serena asking her to meet in her room. He excused himself from Vanessa and made his way down.
Nate knocked and when Serena asked him to come in, he entered the room. "Hey." He said. Serena was standing by the side table, facing away from him. When she turned, Nate was breathless for a moment. "Wow!" He exclaimed.
"Eli gave it me." Serena said. "We are to match. So, you better change into another shirt and select an appropriate tie." Serena said.
Nate groaned. "I hate this part! Help me?" He asked.
"Of course. Why else did I call you?" She smiled.
"S... Thank you for being with me today." Nate said.
"Thank you for having me stand with you on such an important day." Serena replied.
"There is no one I would rather have." Nate said honestly. "You prepared for media, right?" He asked.
"Oh, Natie! I was born ready for media." Serena winked, following him to his room to select a shirt and tie for him. Nate just laughed and shook his head at her.
They were in Nate's room where he was changing into the shirt that Serena had selected for him while Serena sat on the bed, checking Gossip Girl blasts. Vanessa came into the room, and saw the scene in front of her.
"You are changing, while Serena is in the room." She commented.
"Vanessa, calm down." Nate said smiling. Vanessa just rolled her eyes. Serena was eyeing her, clearly she wasn't a fan of hers and Nate's friendship. She was shaken out of her reverie by Nate calling her.
"S, my tie." Nate said only slightly embarrassed and stood in front of her.
"Nathaniel Archibald, eighteen years old and cannot even tie a tie. I wonder what William would say?" Serena joked as she took both sides of the tie and aligned them properly.
"Probably disown me." Nate replied cheekily.
In a second, Serena was done. "You know, if today weren't so important, I would have dared you to go downstairs wearing a tie done by you." Serena said, patting him.
"Nate, all throughout high school you'e worn a tie." Vanessa said fro behind.
"Umm.. Serena used to tie them for me. I would never fully open the tie when I got home, just loosened it enough." Nate confessed. "When she was at boarding school, I pretended that my hand was hurt so that mom would do it for."
"Boy, the two of better go to Columbia." Serena said.
"Have you spoken to Lily?" Nate asked.
"Nope. Have you?"
"I informed Grandfather of my acceptance. Haven't told him that I actually consider it my first choice." Nate said.
"In the next few days..." Serena said.
"Yup." Nate agreed and they went downstairs, Vanessa following behind.