Starting Over: rewrite

Prep and Misstep

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"This was the right thing to do." Chuck says to me as we wait outside for Nate to convince his dad to do the right thing.

"Why does it feel so wrong?" I ask.

"It was never an easy choice."

"Nate has lost so much, and...do you think he's going to be happy after all of this?" "He's going to have his dad in the end. No matter if he's locked up, he will have his dad." Chuck answers.

"And he's going to have us." Chuck looks at me. "No matter the issues you both have, the love you have for one another is bigger than anything. He's your best friend Chuck; don't give up on him."

"You're just saying that because he's your boyfriend." Chuck fires back.

"Even if he wasn't, I would say the same thing." I smile at my brother. We both breathe a sigh of relief as the FBI brings The Captain out. Nate did it. He convinced his dad not to run. "Hey!" I wave Nate down, and he smiles, seeing us.

"Hey." He pulls me in for a hug, and I hug him back. I feel how shaky he is, and I understand this is something no one can prepare you for.

"How are you?" Chuck asks.

"Good considering everything. My mom's inside, signing papers in the dark. We got our house back. Now, all we need is some electricity."

"I think that can be arranged." I wink at him.

"But look, I um, I can't thank you guys enough." Nate keeps staring at me, and I everything feels hopeful for a bright future ahead of us.

"I'll give you two lovebirds a moment." Chuck gives us some space.

"How can I thank you?"

"No need. Just seeing you happy is all I need." I smile back at him. Nate leans down and tries to kiss me but is finding it some difficulty due to my belly. "Well, that's a little awkward." I joke.

"Come here." Nate dips me to get easier access and plants a giant kiss on my lips, and I feel all the butterflies in my stomach all over again.

"Just keep your clothes on." Chuck calls out, and I flip him off. I bring Nate back down for another kiss. "How about we all go out for dinner?" Chuck suggests.

"The three of us?" I ask him.

"Just like old times." I turn to face Nate.

"What do you say?"

"I say lead the way Bass'."

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"B, I have other things to do today." Serena complains.

"And I'm so exhausted to think about anything but taking a nap." I add.

"Serena, this is the holiday event for high school seniors. The crème de la crème from all the big private schools will be there." Blair reminds us. "The pictures dominate the society pages through the new year. I need a ringer." She declares.

"Wait, have all of these guys' asked you already?" Serena ask.

"B, that's a lot of names." I state as I flip through the list of date options.

"Of course." Blair takes the list back. "You think Angelina Jolie even considers a project without an offer on the table?"

"As long as you're treating this as a job." I mock Blair.

"I'm strictly a pay or play dater." Blair declares.

"Just out of curiosity, who's in the lead to play Guy With No Future?" Chuck chimes in.