𝟬𝟮𝟯. under the mistletoe

【 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ━━ 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 】

𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆-𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲, our happy days
𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 - 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆.
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ARRIVING AT THE ICE rink, I'm still on the phone with Serena, "Maybe a watch? He is going to be fancy now, right?" I suggest, "Yes, yes. Thank you, V." she squeaks, "No worries. And remember, hold on to a budget." I remind her.

Squeaking some more she ends the calls. As B tries another attempt to get rid of Roman. Which again is a failed attempt. On the ice B and I are standing on the side. Wincing at Roman his skating, "Val! Blair!" Harold calls for help, "Just a second, my lace just came undone." B tells the older Waldorf.

Rolling her eyes, she glances back at the texts from Chuck, "No Chuck today." I say taking her phone, "We are having fun with our family." I remind the brunette. Sighing she lets me pocket her phone.

Spotted spinning at Wollman rink. The Waldorf Capades. All the grace if Nancy Kerrigan, but packing the punch of Tonya Harding. As Roman calls our names he tries to skate to us. Only to fall over, face-first on the ice. Wincing, we help him up, "Are you alright?" Harold asks his life partner, worried.

Which all three of us are, "I'm so clumsy my foot got caught behind the skate." Roman explains. Glancing at B, I already know he definitely did not fall, he tripped, "I can not believe that daddy decided to stay with Roman instead of having tea at the Carlyle with us." B says as we are in the lift up to our home.

"What I can't believe is that you tripped Roman in the first place." I say back. Making her sigh, "The E.R. doctor said he would make a full recovery." she retorts.

"Everything is ruined." B sighs. Making the older Waldorf frown, "Why would you say that? We are having a marvellous time, just the three of us." Elenore reminds the girl.

"Well, I'm sorry, mother. It's just not the same." Blair apologizes, "I don't understand how that French fox stile our father. And your husband. And always seems to come off like an innocent lamb." she continues.

Humming I glance at the button lights, "Isak is somewhere in the Caribbean. Probably chatting up one of his own as we speak." I shrug, "He is still your father." Aunt Elenore scolds, "Barely, the last time he responded was two months ago saying he wouldn't make Thanksgiving and try his best for New Years. Yet, I'm still the bad guy for wanting him here." I retort.

Sighing she rubs my back, "Roman wasn't always so innocent, you know." Elenore reveals, thankfully changing the awkward topic, "Really?" I ask surprised, "What's the story?" B asks.

Both looking at the older woman, she nods, "When I first met him, he was going out with this model names Freddy, and Freddy was a horrible scoundrel." she informs us, "Roman would actually be into somebody like that?" B questions, "Into him? He was absolutely infatuated with him. Freddy had him under some kind of spell."

Which only made me think of someone else entirely, "Just say the words and I will stay."

"I don't want you to stay because I ask. I want you to stay because you want to." I tell him for the third time. My response starts the whole conversation up again, "I don't know." I snap, "One day you are nice to me. The next you are ignoring me. Then we kiss, and I honestly don't know how I feel about you." I rant.

"You care about me. Just like I care about you." Tom tells me, "Do you? Do you care about me?" I question, "Of course, I do." he retorts. Just looking at the boy, I take a deep breath, "The last person I kissed at New Years was Carter." I inform the boy.

Making his brows furrow together, "We kissed two years in the row. Last year I didn't kiss anyone and I'm not sure if I'm ready." I tell him honestly. The words leave an eerie silence, "So... is your dad going to be in town?" Tom asks breaking the quiet.

"He said he would make it." I shrug, laying down on my bed, "When?"

Sighing I prob up my arms, "Two months ago." I inform him, "A call?" he asks. Raising a brow at the boy, I tilt my head, "He barely responds to my texts, what makes you think I get a personal call?" I question the boy.

Seeing his apologetic look, I shake my head, "I didn't mean it like that-" he starts, "I think you should spend New Years with your family." I cut off. Humming he runs a hand through his hair, "Does that mean I can spend Christmas with you?" he asks.

Thinking for a moment, he pouts at me. Making a small smile tuck on my lip, "Come on..." Tom tries. Rolling my eyes I look up, "Yes." I smile, making a boyish grin appear on the boys face.

Wrapping his arm around me, he lifts me off the bed, easily. Making a chuckle rip from my throat. Feeling his lips on mine, I melt into the kiss. Kissing him back, my hand through his hair. Pulling away from the kiss, my eyes stay closed, "Did- did I cross a line here?" he questions softly.

Shaking my head, I trace my thumb over his bottom lip, "No." I deny. Sitting down on the bed, he holds the side of my face, "Are you okay with this?" I ask instead, "Yeah." he nods. Leaning in again, his lips grace mine. Pulling him closer by his collar, our lips do a dance.

As my door opens, we pull away. Quickly standing up, "Roman, hey." I smile. Tom stands up as well. Reaching his hand out, "Thomas Bass, right?" Roman tries. Leaving me confused, glancing at said boy. He seems to be too, "Thanksgiving, a year ago. Red eyes." he tries.

"Uhm... I'm not sure." Thomas says awkwardly, "You wore blue pants, black blouse." Roman continues. Shaking his head, he smacks his lips, "He barely remembers names, let alone outfits. It's not your fault." I offer.

"I remember what you wore." Tom denies, "No, you don't."

"You were wearing a blue hat, with a matching wrapped dress. Dark blue coat." he reminds me, "You looked good." Tom nods. Thinking back, I remember that outfit, "How do you know that?" I ask him surprised.

"Okay, okay, I'm leaving." he raises his hands, it now being hours later. Pecking my lips again, "Go, I will see you tomorrow. Besides your father is going to kill me. If you're still not home." I tell the boy.

Causing a groan to leave the boys lips, "Tomorrow morning, nine o'clock. I will be downstairs." Tom reminds me. Nodding, he presses his lips against mine one last time. Leaving a grin on my face as I catch the girls eyes.

"Hey." I smile, laying on the bed, "Val, your present didn't work. It was way too much." Serena says as soon as I'm settled down. Shifting my gaze to her, I narrow my eyes, "I said to keep a budget." I remind her.

Yeah, now the budget is fifty." she scuffs, "No one said to buy something. The best Christmas present I have ever gotten was B getting my dad and brother here at the same time. And it just took a phone call." I tell the blond.

Making the Waldorf smile, "That really was my best present." she hums, "What are you getting Thomas?" B questions, curiously.

Causing me to sit up, "I didn't get him anything. Was I supposed to? What do you even get someone like that?" I start to rant, "Probably yourself in a nice bow." S teases. Raising a brow at her, "I'm not you." I sass.

Serena's natural response was to slap me, only making me chuckle, "Kidding." I smile, "I got Will one." I add, "Dan's brother?" she questions. Where I nod to, "We met a while ago, we hung out a little. Not that much, but I found something perfect for him. Yet for Tom, I'm totally clueless." I sigh.

"What can you buy for fifty dollars these days anyway?" Serena sighs as well, "I don't know. A single entrée at a mid-priced restaurant?" B tries, "Three-quarters of a DVD-box set?" I try.

"Maybe a pair of Wolford stockings?" Blair adds, "Oh, stockings. Yes, great idea for Dan." S hums sassily, "He would love them on you." I shrug, "Come on, this is serious." the blond groans.

"Says the girl who suggested a bow." I raise a brow, "Why don't you buy him a gold money clip from Cartier, say it's forty-nine, ninety-nine. He won't know the difference." Blair shrugs, "That's not even that bad of an idea." I hum.

Sitting up I rest my head against B, "What are you doing anyway?" S questions, which I would want to know as well, "I'm booking me a model." B smiles. Reading over the name site, I immediately recognizing the name, "B-" I start.

"Hello, this is Blair Waldorf."

The next day, I have one of Elenore her new lingerie designs on. It was a red slip dress, where I paired a short-sleeved black shirt under. Which B did not approve of but did respect. As it is the holidays after all.

Having a pair of hands cover my eyes, I hold on their arms. Already knowing who it is, by their intoxicated smell, "Guess who?" a very familiar voice questions, "Uhm... is it an Abercrombie model?" I guess.

Pulling the hands away, I turn around. Smiling at the youngest Bass, "Better, right?" Tom asks amused, "Merry Christmas." I smile, "Want some Egg Nock?" I ask the boy.

Which he eagerly nods to, taking his hand in mine, I pull him with me. Only to be stopped by his halt. Looking confused, he points up the ceiling. Glancing up, the small branch hangs from the wall, "You don't have to-" pulling him closer by his arm, I rest my hand on the back of his neck. Drinking in the amazing feeling of his lips on mine. Leaving the two teens to enjoy the touch, ignoring any other person. And their confusion by the very public display of affection.

Seated on B her bed. My back is on Tom his chest. As he holds the paper, while I cut them. Trying to help Serena make this the best holiday Dan has ever had. As we do our part, Vanessa is editing the snowy backdrop, "Dorota is going to kill all of you if you get glue on that comforter." B says as soon as she walks in.

"We won't." S reassures, "I am cutting." I add. As Tom holds a new paper up for me to cut, "And done." Vanessa sighs happily. Glancing down, you can see her amazing work, "Wow." I breathe out.

"Thank you so much, Vanessa. This is going to be.. incredible." Serena gushes, "Good, I'm glad I could help." the green-eyed - dare I say goddess - girl waves off, "I think he'll really love it." she adds.

"Vanessa? I think I'd like to help with this little project." B suggests. Which is never a real suggestion, "Would you come and help me find another pair of scissors?" she questions. Opening the bathroom door, I sit up quickly. Jumping off the bed, "I'm going with them." I call.

Holding the door open, I close the door, "Think before you speak." I remind the brunette, "Also, we share this bathroom." I smile, "It's so nice what you're doing for your friend Dan. Helping his girlfriend make his Christmas present." Blair starts.

Taking the pair of scissors. Which only makes me look very closely at her movements, "Serena is so grateful. Because she likes to see the best in people." she nods, stepping closer.

"I like to see the truth." she adds. Standing dangerously close to the girl. Carefully taking the potential murder weapon out the girl's hands they look at me, "I'm taking this. Just in case." I say awkwardly.

Nodding they turn back to each other, "And what's that?" Vanessa questions Blair, "I think you like Dan a little too much. Just thought I should let you know someone's watching." B shrugs.

As they stare I smack my lips, "Merry Christmas." I say breaking the silence.

Vanessa opens the door. Taking her bag from the bed, "I'm taking off. Call me when you're done?" Abrams asks, already determined to walk either way, "Where are you going?" S asks, yet she leaves without another word. Sighing I run a hand through my hair, "I'm going to find my daddy." B smiles innocently.

Groaning at her act, I stand up. Knowing I'm the one who's cleaning up the mess, "I'm making sure, B is not going to kill anyone." I inform the remaining three.

Placing the scissor down, I move out of the room. As Thomas stands up, "Val-" Lily starts, "Sorry, need to go." I cut the woman off. Moving through the surprisingly big crowd upstairs, "Following Valerie so she is not killing Blair. For killing someone." Tom tells the blond, pointing at the door.

"No, Thomas. Wait." the born Rodes says. Making the younger man stop, nevertheless glancing at the door. The look on his face said it all, "Never mind, have fun." Lily waves off, confused he nods none the less.

As the young Bass tries to follow the peacemaker. His might be future stepmother is informing her own children about her romantic involvement with the eldest Bass.

Leaving them both flabbergasted and confused. Who are both against the idea of their mother dating a man with only one facial expression.

And who's responsible for the creation of Chuck Bass.

"Twenty bucks on Vanessa and Dan are going to be dating at one point." I say as soon as the youngest Bass is standing next to me. Who raises a brow at me, "They are not." he denies, "Scared to lose?" I ask amused. Making a smirk tuck up his lips, "A bet it is." he hums, "Just so you know, I'm going to win." Tom adds, "Sure." I scuff.

My eyes shifting back to my sister, "Creepy." he whispers, "I'm just making sure she isn't doing anything stupid." I deny. Like on cue the lift doors open, Roman his very own kryptonite walks in, "That's something stupid." I mumble.

Wanting to defuse the bomb before it blew up, I get held back. Causing my brows to furrow, "Not your stupid." Tom reminds me, "No, my sister's stupid. I need to fix that." I remind him, "It's not your mess to fix." he denies.

"I- I-" I hesitate, "Not your problem." he repeats, sighing I look back.

Looks like daddy's little girl isn't sugar and spice. And everything nice, after all.

While I'm having an internal battle between stepping to my sister or listening to the boy. Elenore is explaining the reasoning behind the cruel act. It is quite simple really; neglection. And that's a feeling I know, maybe better than anyone else.

Shaking my head I look back at him, "No." I deny. Causing his brows to furrow, "No?" he asks confused, really thinking he stopped the girl.

"No." I repeat, "She's feeling neglected by her dad. And I get it. Of course, I do. My dad barely looks at me and when is in town he never even comes to see me." I explain, "He leaves a voicemail and says he has to leave. All to avoid to even look at me." I scuff sadly.

"Which I get. When he looks at me, he sees all he lost. My mother, his best friend. The life he wanted and deserves." I say trying to rationalise his behaviour, "And I ruined that but Blair didn't. So... No. She deserves better." I tell the boy.

Leaving to fix the mess. Just like I have done many times before. All though he wanted to be angry with the girl for saying those words about herself, he understood them. As his family too lost his mother with birth.

Moving up the stairs, I find B laying on her bed, "I know what I did was stupid. You don't have to tell me." Blair starts as soon as I sit down, "Wasn't going to." I deny. Humming she looks up, as I sigh sadly at her state.

Yet before I could say anything, a knock is heard on the door, "Can I come in?" Harold asks.

"I will leave you two-" I start. Only to be held back by both Waldorf, "Again, you are part of this family." B reminds, "You never have to leave." Harold adds. Nodding at their words, I take my seat again. As Harold takes him, "Our flight is leaving in a couple of hours. I wanted to say goodbye." he starts.

Where B doesn't say anything to, "Please forgive me. I should have said that I was bringing Roman." Harold continues, "I knew having him here would be hard for the two of you. But I love you so much." he tells Blair.

Turning to me, "And you." he says, taking my hand in his, "And Roman." Harold adds, "I was hoping that if we were all thrown together, that something perfect would happen and you two would love him as much I do."

Frowning at his good intentions. My shoulders slump, "I was going to convince you to move back to New York. But you bought a vineyard in France with Roman." B reveals, "What's next, a commitment ceremony?" she questions.

Where he just looks at, which says more than anything, "Great." B sighs.

"Guess, there is no room in your life for us anymore." I mumble, "There will always be room for my girls." Harold denies. Holding my face, "No matter where I am, no matter who I'm with." he says kissing B her head. Then mine, "This is part of your Christmas gift." he says holding up a disk.

Putting the DVD in, we are both stunned by how remarkable the house is, "It's your house in France." B breaths out, "It's really nice." I say in awe, "I'm sure you and Roman will enjoy it." B adds.

Humming he nods, "And so will the two of you. Because this is Blairs room." he says pointing at the screen, seeing the room that appeared. The room is Blair, "It's beautiful." I voice.

"And this is Val's." he adds. The room is beautiful, the colours, the accents, everything, "It screams Valerie." B voices.

The next slide is a picture of Roman with a cat, "A cat named Cat like the movie. It was Roman's idea." Harold informs us.

Making both our eyes soften at the life partner's kind act, "Merry Christmas. I hoped my daughters would want to spend the whole summer with me."

At that, he leaves. Leaving the two girls with a smile and a feeling that beats every second of neglection. As this holiday they got their father back.

Well, one back.

The next morning commotion makes B and I run to the stairs, "What's going on?" I ask confused.

"We are back for Christmas." Harold announces.

Causing a wide smile to come to tuck up my lips. Quickly descending down the stairs B immediately makes her way to Roman, "Well, Roman, you are in for a treat. Because a Waldorf Christmas is like no other." she informs the man.

As the elevator sounds, out steps a very familiar man, "Dad?" I ask shocked. Glancing at the rest, they look just as surprised, "Isak." Elenore says surprised.

"I'm not too late for a Waldorf Christmas, am I?" he questions. Where I shake my head at, not being able to use words, "There is always room for family." Elenore nods.

Squeezing my shoulder, to make sure I'm taking this all in. While B moves to take his suitcase, placing them down. Clearing my throat, I push away all the worries. For now, "We were just about the eat breakfast." I tell the older man.

His eyes the same as mine, "And open presents." Harold adds.

Hear those silver bells? It's Christmas time in the city. Some families actually do make the yuletide gay, managing to keep their troubles far away.

Other families have a merry little Christmas even when their troubles aren't so far away. Some presents might end up getting returned. But some gifts are for keeps. Other presents come when you least expect them.

And everyone knows that the biggest present comes in the smallest box.

Then there are those boxes you wished you had never opened. Have a holly jolly Christmas.




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