Author's Note: this is the final chapter in this prompt series. Thank you for reading it and I hope you enjoy this final installment!

Artist's Eye

Serena tilted her head as she stared at the six-foot by four-foot canvas hanging on the wall. With her hands clasped behind her back, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Her heart rammed against her ribs as the gallery started to fill with guests.

An arm snaked around her waist and warm lips kissed her cheek. "It's amazing, Serena. I can't believe you finished it in a month," said Nate.

It had been the worst and the most amazing month of her life. Between classes and painting, she had barely seen her friends. But this art show was her chance to prove to her mother she was serious about being an artist, that she had the talent and the drive. Plus, the exposure would help draw attention to her growing portfolio.

Serena leaned against her fiancé as she kneaded her lower lip between her teeth. She was sure she had smudged her pink lipstick, but that was the least of her problems.

"I can't believe everyone is looking at it," she said, swallowing the lump in her throat. She had splattered her heart onto that canvas. Every heartbreak, every triumph, every hospital stay was on that canvas in brilliant acrylic. I wonder what my mother will think.

Nate kissed her cheek again. "How can they not? It's the best thing here."

She smiled through her blush. "You're just saying that because you love me."

"It's still true."

"Serena!"

The couple turned to find Blair and Dan making their way through the crowded gallery towards them. Blair looked exquisite in her long, black dress and Dan was the picture of tall, dark, and handsome in his black tux. Blair left a red lipstick mark on Serena's cheek when she kissed Serena's cheek. "You look gorgeous!" Blair said as she took in her friend's navy cocktail dress. Blair looked behind Serena at the painting. Her jaw dropped. "So that's what's kept you from our movie nights!"

Serena's blush deepened. "It's my baby."

Dan whistled as he craned his neck up. "I can't believe you found a space big enough to work on it."

Serena nodded. "Mother wasn't impressed with the furniture rearrangement, but I told her it was temporary."

Nate pulled her closer. "I still say you need to look into renting a studio space. You're going to get a ton of commissions after tonight."

Serena rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right. I'm just a student. I still have a lot to learn."

"How better to learn than by practice?" Dan pointed out.

Blair took Serena's hand in hers and squeezed. "You have to paint a mural for our apartment. I won't take no for an answer, not after seeing this!"

Serena was about to protest when she saw some of her art teachers headed over. Blair and Dan took a step back as the two instructors inspected Serena's work.

"Excellent colour choice, Ms. Van der Woodsen. I especially like how the dark purple intermingles with the blues and greens near the top," said Mr. Pike.

Mrs. Allen nodded. "Your work has improved a great deal since you started. Well done."

The teachers carried on to the next piece, leaving Serena feeling like she was floating. Nate's grip on her steadied her as Blair and Dan congratulated her. She couldn't hear them over her racing heart. Nate stared at her.

"Babe, you okay?"

Blair squinted at her. "You look pale. You need something to eat."

"And drink," Dan added. He and Blair offered to get her some refreshments.

At the mention of food, Nate's stomach gurgled. He blushed. "Do you mind if I go with them? I could use a plate myself."

Serena smiled at Nate, his dark grey tux highlighting his blue eyes. "Of course. I'll be fine. I just need to catch my breath."

Nate gave her a quick kiss before following their friends to the food table. She turned back to her work and scanned it for any imperfections. It wasn't her worst painting, but she knew she could do better. Art school had taught her not to doubt her capabilities.

"It's quite the turnout, isn't it darling?" Serena's mother said as she came to stand beside her daughter.

Serena nodded. "Definitively more than I was expecting." She glanced at Lily. "What do you think?"

Lily didn't say anything for a long minute. She seemed to stare at every square inch of the canvas. Serena saw tears in her mother's eyes.

"Where did you learn to paint like this, Serena?" she asked quietly.

Serena shrugged. "I just painted what I felt. It just . . . pours out of me. Painting makes me feel free."

Lily reached over and clasped Serena's hand in hers. "You've done well, Serena. Very well. I am proud of you." Her voice caught near the end. Serena squeezed Lily's hand. She had never heard her mother say those words to her.

"Thanks, Mom," she said quietly. She looked back at her painting. "I think I want to rent a studio to work in. So I won't mess up the living room."

Lily nodded. "Find the place and let me know the price."

Serena blushed. "I can pay—"

"Nonsense. You can't be working when you need time to create. And you have to finish your schooling. It's more important now that ever before."

Serena nodded. "I'll start looking tomorrow."

Lily let go of Serena's hand. "I'll leave you to your admirers, darling." She kissed her daughter's cheek then disappeared back into the crowd.

It wasn't long before Nate, Blair, and Dan joined her. Blair handed her a plate piled high with sweets and a glass of champagne. Serena took it with a smile and popped a salted caramel chocolate into her mouth.

Between bites and sips, she told them about her plan for a studio and her mother's willingness to help. Another round of congratulations, and a toast to Serena's fortune, occurred.

Nate stole a chocolate off her plate. "I heard one of my coworkers discussing a loft/shop combination last week. It's near where you used to live, Dan." Nate gave a description and Dan's eyes lit up.

"Oh, that place! I remember it. It's nice. Good sunlight. I was actually looking into renting it out before Blair and I decided to move in together."

Blair nodded. "It would suit you, S. And you would have an excuse to move out of your mother's."

The idea was quite tempting. Lily had shown her softer side that night, but Serena knew next week she and her mother could easily be bickering again over something as miniscule as turning on the dishwasher. She was getting tired of living under her mother's thumb.

Serena glanced up at Nate. "Could you give me your co-worker's number? I'd like to see it."

The rest of the night went by in a blur. Serena did indeed have many admirers after her first gallery. Her purse was stuffed with business cards. She wished she had her own to hand out. I'll have to add it to my to-do list.

Serena had told her mother earlier that day she would spend the night at Nate's after the gallery. On their way home in the back of the taxi, Serena leaned her head on Nate's shoulder.

"How big is the loft, do you think?" she asked.

Nate shrugged, trying not to jostle her. "Dan said he remembered it being fairly big."

"Big enough for two?"

Nate tilted his head down, a hesitant smile on his face. "Just what are you getting at, van der Woodsen?"

Serena sat up fully and took Nate's hand in hers. Her engagement ring winked up at them. "It seems silly that we're living apart, especially when we're engaged."

Nate nodded. "I didn't want to rush things like I did with the proposal, that's all."

Serena kissed his cheek. "And I appreciate it. More than you know. So that's a yes? You'll move in with me?"

Nate grinned. "Of course. I've been biting my tongue since I brought up the place!"

The rest of the taxi ride was spent musing about what she would all bring with her to this loft, if that was even the place they chose. I hope it has enough room for all my clothes. And canvases!