【 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ━━ 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 】

𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘆-𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, fifth time is the charm
𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻 - 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 '𝗶 𝗱𝗼' 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴.
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THE SLAM OF A door, makes our resident moral compass lean up. Wiping the corner of her mouth, she slowly wakes up. Brows furrowing at the cologne sent entering her nose.

"Valerie!"

Eyes widening at the voice of my Godmother. Seeing the shirtless boy laying under me, "Tom." I nudge, moving his arm. As he just groans, I slap his chest. Successfully getting his eyes open, "Val?" the woman by the door says again.

Standing up, I pull him with me, "Wow-" he starts, "Just keep quiet." I instruct, pushing him into my closet, closing the door.

Before opening the door to my room, "Hey." I smile at my godmother.

Smiling back at the girl her brows furrow, at the choice of wardrobe, "Who's shirt are you wearing?" aunt Elenore questions confused. Shifting my gaze to the button down, before the woman, "Mine." I shrug.

"Since when?" she asks instead, "Where did you come here for?" I ask softly.

Remembering what happened, "Your dad flew in for the wedding, I thought you might want to see him before the chaos."

Thinking about it, I shake my head, "No... not really. I'm meeting Tom in a bit, with his dad getting married you can imagine his head." I say, tapping the side of mine.

Nodding she kisses the top of my head, rubbing my cheek gently, "I'll see you there."

"You will."

Closing the door, I open my closet to have the boys lips on mine im a beat. Whom continues to pull me closer, "Stop, stop, stop. You need to get passed Dorota and home to change." I say in-between kisses.

"But I'll miss you." kissing the side off my face, smiling softly at it I push him a little back, "Stop, you need to leave." I deny.

Pushing him out the door, "You love me..." he sings, "You're an idiot." I sing back, slamming the door closed. Leaving both teens with a grin.

Getting ready, I descend the stairs, an unexpected duo sat together - Dan and Blair - "We're bringing Georgina down. Wanna help?" B asks. Shaking my head I take the grapes from the coffee table, "I think I'll skip this one."

Seated next to the soon to be the stepdaughter of non-other than Bartholomew Bass, I read the incoming blast, my brows raise surprised.

Having my phone ring, I pick up at the caller, "Colour me impressed. Even Gossip Girl gave you a good recommendation." I start.

"Thank you." B replies amused, "I just got here, where are you?"

Glancing at the blond sitting next to me she has her eyes closed for a second, "I'm with S. It's the second door to the left." I instruct the girl, "See you in a moment then."

Soon the brunette enters the room, taking a seat next to me. We all stay silent, it wasn't awkward. Just quiet.

Until it was broken, "You think this will be us in twenty years? Our fourth husband?" B asks. A chuckle ripping all three of our throats at the blunt question, "Speaking of true love. Dan isn't here." she notes.

"He's coming." S reassures, "So, all forgiven?" Blair questions.

Sighing softly, she nods, "I'm working on it." S tells us, "Why are you working on it. He is the one who has to forgive you." B states. Making my brows furrow, "Yeah, that's what I'm working on." S nods.

"Wait, why does she? He slept with Georgina not even twenty-four hours after they broke up. That must have been the fasted rebound in history-" I started, "Valerie!"

"What? It's true." I tell them. Making both of them stay silent, "He is judging Serena - and yes, she did something bad - but he is just as bad." I remind them. Glancing at my watch, "It's time, you should meet your mom. She's probably very nervous."

Like I said before, here on the Upper East Side weddings are a requirement. An opportunity to show what you're worth - and as we have learned; money marries bigger money - to show your riches, the best venue, food, beverages, ring, dress, you name it.

All to make this marriage last; I really want this one to last.

Smiling softly at my date, Vanessa - Dan's friend - quickly sits next to Nate. Talk about an unexpected pairing, "How rude, can you believe how late she is?" B says loudly. Hushing her, I nudge her shoulder, "It's about to begin." I tell her softly.

Serena walking down the aisle. The bride not far behind, "She looks stunning." I gush. Making B nod, both having lost a sense of words.

"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today, in the face of this company, to watch this man and this woman-" the officiant starts. Marrying the Bass and the Van der Woodsen néé Rhodes.

Seated at the same table as the newlyweds is an expectation when you're the date of the groomsman. Which was not expected was the thick awkwardness hanging in the air, "So... where are you going for your honeymoon?" I ask, trying to get a conversation going, "We will be staying on a yacht." Lily tells me, smiling at her newly minted husband.

"Like a boat ride?" I question a little confused, "It's a private one. For two." she adds. Furrowing my brows I don't see the difference, "Isn't it a boat?"

Making the boy next to me snore softly, "Have you seen a yacht?" the older Van der Woodsen asks me, "No, I'm scared of fish. I always feel like they will bite my toes off." I inform her, taking a sip.

Leaving them all as confused by the new bit of information, "So... how did your shopping therapy go?" she asks instead. Shifting my gaze to Tom, I look back at her, "It all worked itself out." I tell her softly.

Making the boy smile down at his food. Taking that as a cue to end the conversation. Charles ticks his knife gently against his glass, raising from his seat, "I'd like to propose a toast." he announces, "My father is someone who goes after what he wants. And Lily van der Woodsen was no exception. In typical Bass-man fashion, his pursuit was direct and at times not exactly subtle." he reads of his cards.

Clearing his throat, he set his cards down, "One thing I learned from my father's courtship to Lily the importance of perseverance. That in the face of true love you don't just give up, even if the object of your affection is begging you to."

"One thing I learned from Lily is the importance of forgiveness. She gave my father the gift of a second chance and, in kind, I watched him become someone actually worthy of that gift." shifting his gaze, turning my head - his eyes were focused on B.

"And one day I hope I'll be lucky enough to find someone who will do the same for me." he ends slowly, "To the happy couple!"

Having his arm wrapped around me, I lean into his touch. Watching the newlyweds enjoy their first dance, "I love weddings." I whisper. Humming Tom intertwines our fingers, "You want to dance."

Nodding, he stands up. Leading us to the dance floor, "Thanks for inviting me." I thank him - better late than never, right? - "You were already invited."

"I mean as your date."

"Well, I'm glad you're here with me tonight. I wouldn't have wanted to be here with anyone else." spinning the girl, raising her hand onto his shoulder. Making her smile fondly at the boy, "Also a romantics now, huh?" I whisper, "For you? Always."

Eyes not wavering, the duo slowly inch closer, letting their lips touch. Not caring about anyone else in the room but each other.

Moving away our noses nudge, but before it goes further, I pull away, "I want to show you something."