Chair Tales S02E23- The Prodigal Son

It had been a long 2 weeks, he'd spent most of it at work, ignoring everything else that was going on his life. He hadn't been in touch with anyone other than work colleagues.
He buried himself in work. But eventually he ran out of things to do.
Waking up in the morning was the hardest part, because that's when he'd have to plan his day. Not only that, but every time he woke up he'd be reminded that everything that had happened wasn't a dream, it was real and he'd have to face it.
Maybe today was that day, the day he'd have to face the music.
Unlucky for him it was his day off today so he couldn't consume himself in work.
He couldn't keep hiding, it wasn't right. 5 precious years had been wasted. He couldn't stretch things out any longer.

He wondered if Blair knew that Serena had exposed her secret to him. He wondered how she would react to him finally accepting the truth. He was almost ready to embrace fatherhood, well he thought he was. Would Blair want him around? Would she want him involved in Bella's life? Would Bella want him as her father?

He remembered how she'd begged for his attention that night at Serena's house. She definitely liked him, and he liked her. She was perfect, so small, beautiful and well behaved. Blair had done a good job in raising her. He wondered if she'd be the same child if he had been around for the past five years. Maybe she was better off without him.

Blair was coping so well and Bella seemed so happy and well raised, maybe she didn't need a father, especially not one like Chuck. He'd failed in every relationship, what made him think he'd make a good father.
Maybe he should just stay away from Bella, she'd be better off without him, she didn't need him, he had nothing to offer her. He looked at his alarm clock. It was still early. He could keep ignoring his problems or he could get out of bed and go into work, try to get his mind off Bella. Instead he decides to go soul searching. He needed to figure things out.

The name Bella would wonder his head almost all the time so there was no point trying to avoid the issue any more. It was time to make that difficult decision. Was he going to step up and take responsibility or would he run away again?
He kept thinking about the paternity test results. It proved that he was the father. There was no question about that any more.
Then there was that night, the night he spoke to Blair about Bella's full name...Hope, Madison...of course, Madison square gardens, the NY Knicks game that Serena and Dan had organised a trip to, that's when he had made up with Blair, in the back of the limo.

Out of all places, Bella was conceived in the limo.
Their love limo.

He needed to get out of the house...it was time to put things into perspective.
His first stop. A bar. He knew he hadn't gotten drunk in a long time, he'd promise himself 3 years ago, after rehab. No more drinking. But desperate times called for desperate measures.
He took a step towards the bar counter and sat on a stool before ordering a drink. Just then the guy sitting next to Chuck turned towards him.

T: Chuck Bass! Nate's favourite friend!
C: (smiles) Tripp, Nathaniel's favourite Cousin! long time no see! (they shake hands)
T: What brings you here? Drowning your sorrows or just an innocent drink?
C: A bit of both. I've got some thinking to do. I thought the scotch would help. (lifts up his glass before taking a sip)
T: Interesting...so, i hear your a business man now, quiet a successful one?
C: Yeah, you heard right...what about you?
T: Life's pretty great man, got the job, the money, the car, the wife and the kids!
C: (laughs) was that in order of importance?
T: (laughs) nah, well more like reverse order...nothings better than the wife and kids...money cant buy you love...and a man without love is a lonely man without a life.

Chuck looks away, stung by how much Tripp's words made sense.

T: Did i touch a nerve there? (chuck doesn't respond) who is she? Or is there anyone?
C: There might be...someone.
T: Blair Waldorf right?
C: How did you...
T: She used to be with Nate, ive met her a few times, i asked Nate about her once a few years back, he mentioned that she was with you...so what happened?
C: Id be here all day if i told you...we're not together right now.
T: So what do you want from the scotch?
C: I don't know.....comfort? .....you're a married man with a kid, or kids...is it worth it? I mean people get by with what they have, why do you need something you cant have?
T: Look, why don't we forget about the drink and go for a walk, maybe i can show you the answer to your question?
C: How?
T: My wife and 2 children should be home, you can come over for lunch and we can exchange business contacts while we're at it.
C: Sure.

* * * * * * * *


Tripp and Chuck arrive at Tripp's house. They go inside and are greeted by Alex and Adriana, Tripp's children, Emily, his wife also approaches them.

T: And this is my beautiful wife (they kiss) and we love each other more each day...Em, this is Chuck Bass, heir of Bass Inc. Son of Bart Bass.
E: Nice to meet you (they shake hands) your an old friend of Nate's right?
C: Yeah...and its nice to meet you too.
Alex: Daddy your just in time for lunch!
T: Great! I hope there's enough for one more! Why don't we go into the dining room?


They have lunch and talk. Chuck notices how close and happy Tripp's family is, they all know so much about each other and all seem so happy.
Its clear that Alex adores his father, he looked 10 years old, Adriana was probably 8.
They both seemed so well looked after. Tripp was working full time, he was a successful businessman just like Chuck and yet he was still able to be a good family man.
And Emily seemed so happy with him, they were so much in love, they'd been together for over 10 years and were still so much in love. It was possible.

E: So Chuck, tell us about you.....how's the business going?
C: It's going great....i only moved back here to New York a few months ago. I had been with my Uncle Jack before the move until father called and offered me a proposition to work here in the City, so things have been going pretty well.
E: Well that's good to hear...being successful isn't that easy...my Tripp can tell you all about that!
T: Yeah, it's a tough journey for some...but for some of us it comes easily....you know having family in the right places...
C: Well i kind of had to work my way up...in my fathers eyes...he doubted me for a long time until my Uncle gave me the break i needed, after that everything seemed to fall into place.
E: So the business front is sounding good...how about your social life...any girlfriend? Wife?
C: Ummmm no...i dont really think about that.
T: Really...that's not what you said at the bar....it kinda seemed like you were thinking about it?
C: Well....things happen you know...sometimes life throws things at you and you kinda have to try figuring things out.
E: So you have been thinking about it? Settling down i mean? Is there....anyone?
C: No.
T: Blair Waldorf.
E: Blair? Wasn't that....a girlfriend of Nate's?
T: Was....a long long time ago...in high school i think....but Chuck has a history with her....so Chuck....where is Blair anyway?
C: (sighs) Here in New York...on the other side of town.
T: Oh, so you guys all still live on the Upper East Side....what brought you to the West today?
C: I dont know...my office is in Mid Town so i just decided to go the other way...You Upper West Siders aren't much different to us.
T: Back to your love life....have you seen her?
C: Who Blair? Yeah a few times.
T: And? Have you spoken?
C: It's a long complicated story...we boke up for good 5 years ago...now that im back in town it's kinda....odd.
E: Well if you still have feelings for her....maybe you should have another go....is she with anyone?
C: No.
T: Well then....what's the problem!?
C: She has a kid...
T: Oh.
C: No but the kid is mine....she was pregnant when i left.
E: You left her when she was pregnant?
C: Look i told you it's complicated....she cheated on me and i thought the baby wasnt mine, i left, now im back, Serena showed me the paternity test result proving the kid is mine...so here i am now totally confused about what to do next.
T: Woah you're still friends with Serena Van Der Woodsen? How is she?
E: Tripp! Stop changing the subject.
C: By the way it's Serena Humphrey.
T: Wait she's married now?
C: To a guy from Brooklyn...yeah funny aint it?
E: Guys...come on....back to Chuck and Blair....so the kid...it's definitely your's?
C: Yeah.
E: And are you going to.....you know....take responsibility.
C: What do you mean....i dont know....im not exactly father material..
E: Well you never know unless you give it a go.
T: Yeah man...all you have to do is be there...it aint that hard if you and Blair are in it together.
C: Look she probably wouldn't want me around....im sure if she did she would have asked...or said something....she's had plenty of opportunities to say something but she hasn't.
E: Maybe she's just afraid that you'd say no...i mean you did leave her....
C: I dont know....i dont know if being a father is my thing.
E: Look, it's too late for that, your this kids father you cant just ignore that...you have no choice, you have to be there for your child. I dont know what i'd do without Tripp, my life would be so hard, God knows what Blair must be going through....she must need you....even if not for her, she'll need you for her daughter....
C: What if.....what if i told you that....i was afraid.
E: Of what?
C: Of being rejected....of letting her down. Being a bad father....Blair not wanting me around. I dont want to get hurt again.
E: Chuck....i dont know you....this is the first time we've met each other, but i can already tell that you have a good heart, good intentions....act on them and everything will be ok....you should stop worrying, stop thinking that everything will go wrong....it wont....looking after a child is a beautiful thing. You're going to love it. (she smiles at him and he smiles back)

They continue to talk until it's Chuck finally tells them he has to go home. He thanks them for lunch and they wish him good luck. Tripp walks Chuck out of the house.

T: Hey every couple goes through hell to get heaven. Sometimes you just have to choose forgiveness and love over the mistakes people make. I know what your father is like, don't end up like him. He chose the fast life, but he'll always be lonely...do you really want that Chuck? You know, it is possible to be a business man and a family man...im sure Blair wont wait for you forever...make the right choice, for your own sake...good luck man.

And with those words he walked back into his house leaving Chuck more confused than ever. Was it worth it? Did he really want to end up like Bart?
He had never spoken to Bart about life before, never had his father given him any advice...they always say parents know best... He wondered for a moment...maybe it would be worth it.


* * * * * * * *


It was a risk. Coming here for his particular reasons. Bart would never be expecting this. His son coming to him for advice...he would be surprised.
Chuck found his way into his fathers Study, he saw him, his head buried in a book, glass of whiskey in one hand.

Bt: Chuck...what brings you here? Has Terry been in touch?
C: Ummm no...he's due in on Wednesday...he said he'd bring the brochure with him.
Bt: Great...sit down...pour yourself a drink.
C: No...im off that stuff.
Bt: (looks at him and laughs) don't kid yourself boy...take a glass go on.

Chuck reluctantly pours himself a glass, he hated the taste of whiskey but he could never disobey his father. Bart had a unique influence over Chuck. What Bart said, goes. Whatever the demand, Chuck would have to comply, he began to regret coming here, he knew that his decision about Bella would depend on Bart's advice...but it was to late to turn back now.
After a short silence Chuck finally spoke.

C: Whats it like having to be a father?
Bt: (looks at him blankly for a moment) what makes you ask that?
C: I dont know, im just curious.
Bt: Curiosity can be a dangerous thing!
C: How?
Bt: Well you may discover things you wish remained buried!
C: (sighs) Dont i know it....so are you not going to answer my question?
Bt: Well.........no offence to you son.......but life's much easier without kids.
C: (looks disappointed) But don't you get lonely...by yourself?
Bt: Im not alone...you're here. (sarcastic)
C: But if i didn't exist...wouldn't you be lonely without a family?
Bt: No, you dont have to have a family to be happy, this is the 21st century, traditions are a thing of the past...its a dog eat dog world, you dont need anyone but yourself...correct me if im wrong, all the people you've ever cared about have hurt you and let you down?
C: I guess so...
Bt: Exactly, you cant get attached to anyone son, you only end up getting hurt...take it from me...focus on your job, have fun, meet new people, new women no strings attached, you know what i mean...that's what people like you and me need...an easy, fun life.

It fell silent again. Bart continued reading his book whilst Chuck pondered his fathers advice? "people like you and me". Was he meant to be like his father?
The way Bart had treated him his whole life, as if he never cared. The reason why Chuck was so messed up was because of his childhood, the neglect. Is that the kind of father Chuck was destined to be? Bella didn't deserve that.
Maybe Chuck was just like Bart. Maybe his destiny was never meant to be shared with anyone.
He watched his father sitting there, reading. As if Chuck wasn't even there, he had never shown any interest in Chuck, never shown any love. It was Bart's fault that Chuck had never felt deserving of love. Not until Blair had fallen in love with him. She was the only one who'd ever loved him. Or maybe she didn't, after all she'd cheated on him. Could he ever truly forgive her for that? Was it worth forgiving Blair just to have what Tripp had? A family. Or would he just end up like the man sitting in front of him?

He said goodbye to Bart before leaving, he knew what he needed to do, he had never been so clear about anything in his life before...this was it...he'd finally made his choice. Seeing his father was when it hit him, who would have thought that Bart would be the one to make Chuck realise the kind of life he wanted to live...

To be continued...

Next episode will be up on Monday! Thanks for reading!again, sorry for discrepancies or mistakes, i kinda rushed posting this![