"Do you think we're finally ready?" Blair inquired as she helped Chuck fix his tie as they readied themselves for the opening gala at their newly opened hotel.

"Wow," Chuck looked at the back of her dress in the mirror. "I think you're missing the back of your dress."

"Do you like it?" Blair asked. "It was one of the last things my mom designed."

"It's amazing," Chuck told her as he caressed her lower back softly, "But there is a slight problem."

"What do you mean?" she pouted.

"I'm not going to be able to keep my hands at appropriate places," he groaned as she spun to give him the full affect.

"Why do you think I'm wearing it?" she winked.

"You play dirty," Chuck groaned.

"I learned from the master," Blair smiled. "Now, I think we should get going. Being late to our own party is very bad for business."

"Lily will be here soon. She said Rufus is coming with her," Chuck said as Blair picked up her purse as they exited the penthouse that they were staying in for the night. It had been Blair's idea to be the first guests to check into the hotel, and he Bassified it by reserving the penthouse suite. "She also said they were going to cut out early and relieve Dorota and Vanya, so they could be here too."

"I can't believe we couldn't find one competent baby-sitter for the night," Blair rolled her eyes.

"Everyone wanted to be at the gala of the century," he replied, "It's a compliment to your event planning skills, Beautiful."

"We interviewed at least two dozen people," Blair reminded him.

"And you ran them all off with your questioning," Chuck laughed.

"Well, we can't employ someone that would crack so easily under the pressure," she shrugged, "And those questions weren't that personal. That one lady was entirely too sensitive."

"She left in tears," Chuck reminded her.

"I asked her normal questions."

"You asked about her criminal activities."

"And she started to sob thereby proving she had criminal activities."

"You are every bit the momma bear that is obscenely protective of her cubs," he chuckled.

"What can I say? I want my cubs to be well taken care of."

"Shall we go? I'd hate for Cinderella to be late for her own ball."

"Let's stop on the second floor so we can use the grand staircase."

"You've always wanted to make that royal entrance, haven't you," he laughed.

"I am Queen B," Blair reminded him.

"May I be the escort?"

"Always," Blair smiled.

"Are you nervous?" he asked as he took a deep breath as they walked arm and arm to the elevator.

"No," she shook her head, "Not even a little bit. Between the two of us, no detail has gone unnoticed."

"Good," Chuck smiled. "There will be dancing in the lobby, food in Sebastian's, and a place to relax in Sabrina's. Everything's set."

"All the makings of a smashing success," she proclaimed.

"Was there ever any doubt?"

Blair smiled and let out a little squeal. "This is going work."

The elevator doors opened and Blair and Chuck exited onto the second floor before they made their way to the grand staircase that led into the lobby. All eyes were on the pair as the descended down the staircase. The lobby was already about half full. Blair picked out Nate, Serena, and Dan standing by the front desk while Lily and Rufus were admiring a painting on the opposite wall.

"Blair, this place is incredible," Serena squealed as she dashed over to hug her best friend.

"Thanks S," Blair accepted the hug and then looked towards Nate. "Where's your dad?"

"Proving that he has the skills to be your new concierge," Nate pointed out the Captain who was working the room to drum up business.

Blair smiled and then looked back at him, "Did Anne accept the invite?"

"She'll be here," Nate nodded as he looked around to take in the decor. "I have to say, Blair, you did a fantastic job here."

"Doesn't look like the Muppet movie hotel anymore, huh?"

"It's the most magnificent thing I have ever seen," Serena marveled. "Not that I expected anything less from the two of you."

"Did you guys reserve yourselves a room for tonight?"

"Of course," Nate nodded as he held up his key, "And I like the old key touch you added for the suites."

"No detail was too small," Chuck replied.

"Dan, did you talk to your dad about artwork for the café?" Blair asked as she accepted a drink from a circulating waiter.

"I did," Dan nodded, "He has the perfect artist in mind."

"Fantastic," Blair smiled. "So, how were Dorota and Vanya when you dropped Jonathan off?"

"Anxious to be relieved," Dan replied, "Dorota's afraid she's going to miss the usual drama."

"I am determined that there will be no drama tonight," Blair shook her head.

"It's good to have goals, B," Eric said as he walked up.

"Hey," Blair hugged Eric. "Solo tonight?"

"Yes," Eric nodded, "But there's a server milling around that has already slipped me his number. I hope you don't have any rules about employee not dating each other."

"None whatsoever but will he get jealous if you dance with your surrogate big sister?"

"I get the first dance, Beautiful," Chuck interrupted them.

"Second one?" Blair asked of Eric.

"I'll see if I can get Mom to dance."

"Hey, what about me?" Serena pouted.

"I suppose you could do," Eric sighed dramatically.

"I'll be back in a little bit," Serena told Nate.

"So will we," Blair said as she took Chuck's hand.

Nate and Dan were left to look at each other.

"I'm not dancing with you, Man," Dan shook his head.

"I'm not dancing with you either," Nate added as they both struggled to contain their laughter.

"Of course not. I wouldn't let you lead," Dan said.

"Drink?"

"God, yes," Dan nodded.

"They seem really happy," Nate observed as he watched Chuck and Blair dance.

"I hope it stays that way," Dan said. "They really love each other."

"Kind words for Chuck Bass," Nate was surprised. "Thought you were still mad."

"Jenny made her own decisions."

"You finally see that," Nate replied with a relieved smile.

"It's not easy to say," Dan admitted, "She was my sister, and I'll always see her as that little girl, but she wasn't. She'd grown up and was able to make her own choices that evening."

Nate gently slapped him on the shoulder, "Wherever she is, she knows you loved her."

"Thanks, Man."

"Nathaniel," Anne's voice intruded on the conversation.

"Mom, you made it. You know Dan, right?"

"Lily's stepson," Anne nodded.

"It's nice to see you again, Mrs. Archibald."

"I'm sorry I wasn't able to attend your sister's funeral, Daniel. I'd like to pay my respects to your father and Lily. Are they here?"

"Yes, they're around here somewhere, but not for long. They've pulled baby-sitting duty a little later."

"Well, if I don't see them tonight, you'll tell them I asked about them?"

"I will," Dan nodded.

"Mom, have you seen Dad?"

"Not yet," Anne said stiffly.

"Right, you're not really looking. Is Grandfather here? I know Blair and Chuck sent him an invitation."

"Tripp beat them with his own invitation. I believe Maureen's announcing an impending arrival tonight."

"Another victim in the Vanderbilt line," Nate shook his head. "I feel sorry for the kid already."

"Maybe we'll get lucky and it'll be a girl," Anne smiled as she looked around. "Evelyn would have loved this. She always loved a good party. Her wedding reception was so much fun."

"Don't bring her up tonight with Chuck," Nate advised his mother. "He deserves a night of pure happiness."

"I won't," Anne promised. "So, are you too cool to dance with your mom?"

"No," Nate smiled, "Since Eric snagged my date, I'm all yours."

Anne smiled and took Nate's hand as they walked onto the dance floor.

"Daniel," Lily and Rufus walked up. "I can't convince your father to dance with me yet. Are you interested?"

"Us Humphrey men have two left feet. Do you know what you're in for?" Dan inquired.

"I've danced with your father plenty of times," Lily assured. "Just let me lead."

"Done," Dan nodded as he let Lily lead him onto the dance floor.

-x-x-x-x-

Blair sat down at a table in the cafe and smiled tiredly. The party was still going strong, but she needed a small breather. It was quiet and peaceful in the cafe. Some soft music played over the speakers and a few of the guests were browsing the music section while others looked at books.

"I think we're a hit," Chuck found her and massaged her shoulders.

"That feels nice, thank you," Blair sighed as she relaxed against his touch. "How's Dorota doing? She keeps threatening to start a conga line."

"It's in full swing with Dorota leading the charge," he laughed.

Blair giggled and tilted her head towards the seat across from her, "Take a seat. I can hear how tired you are in your voice."

"I'm slowing down on you, I'm afraid," he replied as he took the seat, "Being a parent does really slow a person down."

"But it's in a good way," she said before she smiled her thanks to the waitress who set some coffee down for the two of them. "Besides, you've been getting up at six and going non-stop until eleven each night this week. If you weren't tired, I'd think you were on something."

"I'm on that drug called love," he told her.

"That's really cheesy, Bass," she scolded him.

Chuck leaned forward and kissed her. "Speaking of tired, you look exhausted. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she assured him, "And I promise to have enough energy to properly christen our suite. It's kind of poetic. We'll be the first people to have sex in that penthouse."

"As it should be," he nodded, "In time, we should work on blessing all the rooms in the hotel."

Blair giggled as her head dropped. Then she looked back at him, "Have you called Lily yet?"

"Have you?" he challenged her.

"There are four babies and three are under the age of one. I would be remiss if I didn't check up on her."

"I suppose the question shouldn't be if you called her, but how many times you called her," Chuck conceded.

"Three," Blair said quickly.

"Blair," Chuck prodded.

"Okay, six," Blair admitted.

"Did you want to go home and check on them?" he inquired.

"If we go home, we'll never want to leave," Blair told him, "And the penthouse deserves a proper christening."

Chuck put his hand on hers, "Okay. I think the conga line is breaking up. Want to dance with me?"

"I do, but not any more of the vertical kind tonight."

"We can't leave," Chuck told her. "It's our party."

"Who is going to notice?" she inquired as she looked around.

"Our friends, the press, and all of our guests."

"None of which matter to me as much as you do," Blair replied.

"We can hide in here a little while longer," Chuck nodded.

"I've got a better idea," Blair looked around. "You want to dance? I like this song."

"Didn't I just suggest that?" he chuckled as he offered her his hand as he pulled her to her feet.

"I meant in here," Blair replied as she put her arms around his neck, "Do you remember the first time we really danced together? Not just that group dancing we did until middle school but really danced with each other."

"Ninth grade formal," Chuck nodded. "Nate deserted you to get high."

"You were always there to save the day," she replied as she ran her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck.

"You wore a red dress with black lace," he recalled. "You looked amazing."

"And you wore a red tuxedo jacket that matched my dress perfectly," she smiled.

"Someone snapped a picture of us," Chuck remembered.

"Serena," Blair filled in the bit of trivia he couldn't remember. "I swiped the picture from her room."

"And I swiped it from you," he chuckled.

"Where is it?"

"Framed and in my office," Chuck told her.

"Make me a copy. I want to hang it up in the living room."

"I'll get right on that," he assured her.

"In the morning," she added, "The only thing I want you on tonight is me."

"I'd take you right now if we weren't in a room full of people," Chuck told her. "Besides, we've been gone too long."

"Give it another minute."

"What? Why?"

"Serena's about to find us. Let's hide from her."

"You know Serena," Chuck told her seriously. "The girl's part bloodhound. We could hide in the polar ice caps. She'd still find us."

"But it would take her awhile, and give us time to play," she smirked.

"There you two are," Serena said from the door. "Why are you hiding in here?"

"We weren't hiding," Blair replied, "We were just taking a break."

Serena looked around, "This place looks pretty great, B. Looks a lot like your old one in Jersey."

"That was the goal."

Serena nodded, "Anyway, you have to come out here. Penelope's mom is here and you have to see her dress."

"Does Chuck need to cover his eyes?"

"Oh it won't help. It'll be on page six tomorrow as a fashion 'don't ever'."

"Like mother, like daughter," Chuck replied. "Penelope never had much fashion sense either."

"True," Blair nodded. "But Serena's right. We should get out there. You owe S a dance."

"I do, don't I," Chuck nodded.

"Yes," Serena nodded. "And Nate wants a spin around the floor with you B."

"Ugh, and my toes were finally starting to get used to dancing on their own."

"Think of it this way," Chuck whispered to Blair as they followed Serena. "We'll both be protecting our toes."

c-c-c-c-c-c

Blair wore Chuck's shirt and his dress socks with her hair up in a messy ponytail as she stood on the balcony looking out over the twinkling lights of the city. The party had finally broken up around two, and Blair and Chuck had fallen into bed and christened the penthouse suite properly. Chuck had fallen asleep, but Blair was still wide-awake. She'd been focused on their big night, but now she couldn't stop thinking about some news she'd received earlier that day.

"You shouldn't be outside without a sweater," Chuck scolded her softly as he came behind her to wrap his arms around her waist as he began to nibble on the nape of her neck. "You know the doctors frown upon you shivering. It unnecessarily taxes your heart."

Blair smiled as she rested her hands on the arms around her stomach, "I couldn't sleep."

"I can take you back to bed and wear you out some more," he suggested.

"I need to talk to you about something," Blair said softly.

"That sounds a little serious," he replied as he spun her around so he could look into her eyes.

"Are Sabrina and Sebastian going to be enough for you?" she asked quietly.

"I'm not understanding what you mean by that," he looked at her in confusion.

"We've kind of danced around the subject of more children, but now I'm seriously asking if you are going to be okay with Sabrina and Sebastian being it for us."

"I guess I've never really given it much thought. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the two that we have, but I don't know, maybe if the time was right," Chuck began.

"I can't, Bass," she stopped his rambling.

"You can't what?"

Blair leaned back against the railing but that was as far as Chuck would let her go, "I went to see the doctor for my normal check up, and I asked about when we could have more kids. He said with the damage to my heart muscle more children is way too dangerous for me."

"So, you could die if you became pregnant again," he summarized. Just saying the words out loud hurt. It was how he lost his mother, and he couldn't lose Blair the same way.

"Maybe," she nodded as tears tumbled down her cheeks, "So are Sebastian and Sabrina going to be enough for you, and I need you to be completely honest with me."

"If it means you and me until we're old and gray, then yes they will absolutely be enough for me," Chuck cradled her face in his hands. "Will they be enough for you?"

"I wanted to make it up to you," Blair smiled sadly. "You missed our children coming into this world because I was stupid and scared. I wanted to make that up to you."

"You have nothing to make up to me," he assured her as he wiped the tears off to her cheeks with his thumbs.

"You should have been there. You should have been holding my hand. You should have been able to hear their first cries and cut their umbilical cords. I denied you that."

"Blair, I disappeared for three months. I hid from the world. You had every right to be mad at me. You also had every right to be scared. I didn't react well when we thought you were pregnant the first time."

"That was high school," Blair frowned. "And you didn't know if it was yours or Nate's. There was never a doubt about it this time."

"If it'd been real and mine back in high school-"

"There would have been a hole shaped like you in the door of your hotel room at the Palace," Blair teased.

"Perhaps, or maybe even a fist through the wall in the shape of Bart's," he nodded, "But I would have come to my senses."

"I know," Blair nodded. "Because, no matter what, you'd never be an absentee father. You know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of that."

"And I'm proving that with our children," he nodded, "But if they are the only children that you and I are meant to have, then I can accept that."

"You're pretty great, Bass. Did I ever tell you that?" Blair came back into his arms.

"You might have mentioned it once or twice before," he nodded.

"It might take me a while to be okay with this. It'll probably take me longer to not feel like a failure as a woman."

"Don't ever say that ever again," he scolded her. "You have given me the three most precious things in the world. You could never be a failure."

"Okay, I know what two of those things are, but I'm not sure on the third."

"Sabrina, Sebastian, and their beautiful mother," he explained as he kissed her softly.

Blair wrapped her arms around his neck, "I want to go back to bed."

"Put the mattress through a proper workout before the masses can get to it?" he smirked.

"Or we could just stay right here," Blair looked around them.

"Sex on the balcony," he raised an eyebrow, "Are you really okay with such a public display? People could see or hear us."

"Yeah, it wouldn't look very good for the owners to be on 'Page 6'."

"I don't give a damn about 'Page 6'," he told her, "I'll take you anywhere I can get you. Do want you want. Damn the consequences."

"Bed, you, me," Blair decided. "We have to start remolding the Bass name. I want it to mean something different for when our kids grow up."

"I want it to be something that they can be proud of," he nodded before he added, "Perhaps that their mother could be proud of when she's ready to add it."

"I already am proud," Blair told him. "And by the way? I love you. Always have."

"Always will," Chuck finished for her.

The End

-x-x-x-x-x-

Thank you to all the usual suspects. I can't tell you how much it's meant that you've stuck with me since the beginning. You know who you are. My beta rocks and I thank her for it. There is a sequel in the works if you are all interested.