Disclaimer: I only own the story specific characters I created. The originals belong to Cecily von Zeigesar and The CW.

Hello everyone. I hope you haven't forgotten about me. I know it's been awhile, but my promise still holds. I do intend to finish this story.

Enjoy.

"I wasn't sure you'd want to have lunch with me after Eddie made a surprise appearance at Genie and Cedric's place last night," Abby hugged Charlotte when the pair met for lunch at the Thai restaurant Eddie had recommended, "Eddie swears you two didn't break up, but I'm not so sure he believed the words as he said them."

"We didn't break up," Charlotte confirmed, "I just found out something last night about an ex that really jarred me. I needed time to process."

"I know. Don't be mad, but Eddie told me about what went down," Abby reached for her hand, "I understand what you're going through."

"You do?" Charlotte asked.

"Maybe not you specifically," Abby admitted, "I actually see it more from your ex's perspective."

"I don't understand," Charlotte frowned in confusion.

Abby took a deep breath as she went on to explain, "Eddie said that your ex has an unsavory family that he tried to keep from you. I understand where he's coming from. I didn't come from the greatest of background. My mother was a drug addict who was in and out of my life. My father has been in jail since before I was born. I lived with my grandmother, who was a nice enough woman, but we didn't have a lot of money. I joined the Army as a way to get out of where I was from. When people asked about who my parents were, I'd dodge them as much as I could, but when I had to, I'd flat out lie. My parents met while working overseas as CIA operatives. I was staying with my grandmother because they needed to continue on with their important work of keeping the world safe."

"I had no idea," Charlotte swallowed hard.

"Don't feel sorry for me, Char," Abby replied, "I'm not ashamed of where I came from anymore. In the Army, I met a lot of people who came from backgrounds far worse than mine, who used their enlistment as a way to break free. I'm proud of how hard I worked to overcome my upbringing. When I met Justin and learned about his family and his upbringing, I was super nervous about telling him about my parents. He was the first person in the Army I felt like I needed to lie to because he had these rock star stable parents, but I stuck to my guns. I told him exactly who I was, and surprisingly he wanted to be with me anyways.

"Meeting Genie and Cedric and Eddie, oh my god, they were so great, and they genuinely wanted to be family despite my upbringing. I finally feel like I belong somewhere. I have stability in my life that I always longed for.

"I'm not saying that what your ex did was right. He definitely should have told you before getting really serious about you, but I understand wanting to just forget."

"Yeah, maybe," Charlotte frowned, "It still speaks a lot about him that he never came clean."

"Yes, it does," Abby agreed, "There is no excuse for never coming clean, and I hope you don't think I'm excusing what he did."

"No, I understand what you're trying to say," Charlotte replied.

"And Eddie should have told you when he first found out," Abby added, "I understand why you might feel a bit betrayed by what he did."

"Yeah, a little," Charlotte sighed, "I'm so used to my father protecting me, I don't even think twice about it, but I thought I was more on the same level with Eddie."

"Eddie's heart was in the right place," Abby offered.

"I know," Charlotte smiled. "Thank you for sharing your story with me. I'm sure it wasn't high up on your list of topics to discuss."

"It's definitely not something I discuss at parties, but I do with those I trust," Abby reached for her hand, "Eddie and Justin are so close, and I can see how important you are to Eddie. I hope some day that you and I can be as close as them."

"I hope for that too," Charlotte nodded.

"Eddie also said you had a tough time with how your party went," Abby replied.

"Oh, it was a disaster," Charlotte pitched the bridge of her nose.

"If it helps, Justin and I didn't see it that way," Abby replied, "Yeah, there were a few interesting moments, but that's to be expected when you have mixed groups of varying ages. We had a lovely time."

"I guess I was just hoping for a more elegant party," Charlotte sighed, "And with Heather there…"

"Yes, the woman always seemed to have her nose up in the air. It's ironic that's she's now pimping herself out," Abby bit her lip, either to stifle a giggle or hide a groan. Charlotte wasn't quite sure. "Eddie is mortified that he was ever associated with her. He called the friend that brought her to the party last night and just ripped him apart. Apparently his friend actually did hire her to accompany him to the party because he'd just been dumped by his fiancée and didn't want to show up stag."

"So it was a coincidence that she was there last night?" Charlotte asked.

"It's hard to say," Abby shrugged, "No matter what, she shouldn't have been there, and if Eddie has anything to say about it, she'll never cross paths with any of us ever again."

"I don't think she's going away easily," Charlotte sighed, "Especially since it turns out she and my ex-boyfriend are related."

"What a wicked coincidence that is," Abby replied.

"No kidding," Charlotte replied, "And neither of them could have owned up to it. What difference did it make at the time? Now it just looks like they've been hiding something from both of us the entire time."

"They obviously have been," Abby stated.

"Do you think I'm being too hard on Eddie?" Charlotte asked.

"No," Abby shook her head, "I understand why your upset, and he does too. You want to be treated as an equal in your relationship, and he wants to be your protector."

"I just want to be sure he doesn't see me as that little girl anymore," Charlotte sighed, "If Eddie and I didn't have the history we do, maybe I'd see things differently, but he's older than me by several years. He wants a wife and a family. I don't know if I'm there yet."

"Eddie is going to be a wonderful husband and father, and I think part of him really wants what his brother has. Did you know Eddie nearly joined the Army?" Abby asked.

"What?!" Charlotte gasped, "No, I had no idea."

"Remember how close Eddie and Justin are. Eddie felt a bit left behind when Justin enlisted, and maybe that's happening again now that Justin is married with a baby on the way," Abby offered.

"Wow, I can't see Eddie in fatigues. I mean, he'd look handsome in them, but he's a suit man. I've always seen him that way," Charlotte replied.

"Justin said the same thing, perhaps not in those words, but he got Eddie to realize that his destiny was at Bass," Abby explained.

"Sounds like I owe your husband a hug," Charlotte smiled, "Eddie and I might never have gotten together if he'd been in the military."

"Things happen how they are supposed to," Abby agreed as she rubbed her belly.

"We'd better order," Charlotte finally glanced at her menu, "I'm sure that little one is hungry."

"We both are," Abby agreed.


Charlotte texted Eddie after lunch with Abby to meet in Central Park by the horse drawn carriages. As she approached, she could see how nervous he felt, like he expected her to break up with him in a public place so he wouldn't make a scene.

"Hi, Handsome," she rose up on her toes to press her lips to his.

Eddie appeared to exhale as he asked, "How was lunch with Abby?"

"Delicious," she replied, "You're spotless record of delicious eats in Manhattan still stands."

"Excellent," he smiled.

"How about a ride?" Charlotte motioned towards the horse and carriage.

"Lead the way," he nudged her towards one of the waiting carriages. Once situated, they entered the park. "I've never taken a carriage ride in Central Park before."

Charlotte's jaw dropped, "Never?"

"Nope," he shook his head.

"Gosh, I was only a few months old the first time I did the carriage ride," Charlotte replied, "I don't even remember it. Carriage rides used to be another holiday tradition, but Aiden's aversion to them put an end to that."

"Sounds like Aiden was quite the buzz kill on a lot of your holiday traditions," Eddie chuckled.

"Yeah, he kind of was," Charlotte realized with a laugh, "I still love him anyways."

"About yesterday," he began.

"Don't even," she replied, "You don't need to apologize. I know you feel bad about what happened. I really meant it when I said I just needed to process the news."

"So we're okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, more than okay," she snugged into his embrace, "I've been thinking about something you said last night before you left for your parents' place."

"Oh?" he raised a brow.

"Yeah, you mentioned you don't even keep a toothbrush at your parents' place anymore," she explained, "I looked into my closet this morning and realized half of it is filled with your things. We're already doing it, so why not make it official."

"What are you saying?" he asked.

"Move in with me," she caressed his cheek.

Eddie's breath hitched as her suggestion hit him like a ton of bricks. Officially living together was an enormous step to take, and that didn't include if they decided to tell her father.

"Is it too soon?" she took his hesitation in a negative way.

"No," he replied, "It's just unexpected. A few hours ago, I was worried you were going to break up with me, and now you're suggesting we take a step in the opposite direction. I guess I'm just taken aback."

"I like having you at my place," she tugged at the lapel of his jacket. "I love my place and all, but it always felt a bit large for just one person. With you there, it started to really feel like home."

"What about your brother?" he asked, "Isn't he staying with you until Collette graduates?"

"Yeah, probably, but it still wouldn't feel as homey without you there," she smiled, "I know this is a bit sudden, so take as much time as you need to decide."

"I don't need any time," he assured her, "I'd love to live with you, Charlotte."

Charlotte gave him a brilliant smile before pressing her lips to his. "But maybe we wait to tell Daddy."

"Oh god, he's going to strangle me," Eddie laughed.

"Yeah, probably," Charlotte snickered, "But maybe he just needs to get it out of his system. He's been holding it back since he found out about us way back in late October."

"Not sure if I want him to get it out of his system considering it's my neck on the line," he replied.

"He'll merely bruise, not break," Charlotte smiled.

"Are you sure me living with you is what you want?" Eddie replied, "We could keep going on as we have been."

"Eddie, do you have any stuff at your parents' home?" she asked.

"Nothing beyond the usual childhood mementos that parents usual keep of their children's lives," Eddie replied.

"Move in with me," she replied, "We can even convert one of the rooms into an office of your own, or if you want a man cave. I've got a lot of space."

"I'm well aware," he chuckled, "Let's just take it a step at a time. We officially live together, but we keep it on the down low."

"At least from my dad," she smiled, "And probably Nate."

"His reaction before the Bass Gala really surprised me," Eddie admitted.

"He's protective," Charlotte replied, "He and Dad have a lot of history. Even though I'm a grown woman, he still sees me as the little girl who danced on his feet, followed him around like a puppy, climbed all over like a jungle gym. I'm his little girl. I'm as close as he got to a daughter. I understand his point, but it doesn't give him license to treat you like some sexual deviant. I told him as much that evening."

"We're really moving in together," he smiled.

"I think we have been living together for several weeks now," she reminded him, "This just makes things formal."

"I love you Charlotte Evelyn Waldorf Bass," he pressed his lips to hers.

"I love you too Edward Cedric Fraser."

TBC…