𝘎𝘭𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 // 𝘎𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘱 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘵

𝐸𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉𝑒𝑒𝓃

"Since Jack Bass, the current guardian has decided not to show up I am granting Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf full custody of Talia Bass" the judge announced. Talia sighed a breath of relief, grabbing both Blair and Chuck into a hug. The three exited the courthouse to find Paparazzi everywhere.

"Talia, what do you have to say about the three more women coming out?" One reporter asked. Talia looked at Chuck who shook his head no. "No comment" she replied.

"Talia, what do you have to say to the family of the man you killed in self-defense?" Another asked. Talia looked horrified, unaware that this story had gotten out.

"No comments at this time" Chuck announced ushering Talia and then Blair into the car. He then followed inside and closed the door behind him.

"There's three more women?" Talia asked.

"It's probably why Jack didn't show up. He's hiding... as usual" Chuck muttered.

"It doesn't matter. We will start moving you out after the Hanukkah dinner tomorrow" Blair said wrapping an arm around Talia's shoulder. Her other hand lightly placed on her arm.

"Hanukkah dinner?" Talia asked. She had never attended a Hanukkah dinner.

"Eleanor and Cyrus host one every year except last year because of Covid. I think this one will be big, to make up for last year" Chuck explained.

"My mother had heard about what's going on and has extended an invitation to you. It will be fun" Blair reassured the girl.

———

Talia dressed in something far from flashy or gaudy walked up to the brownstone a few streets over from Chuck and Blair's as well as the Wolfe Residence.

The four of them stepped, debating as the new 'family' they now were.

"Henry, my boy" Eleanor exclaimed as Henry ran towards his grandmother. Talia standing in the doorway with kugel in her hands was slightly jealous. "Ah, Blair you look fantastic" Eleanor said giving Blair a hug and kiss on the cheek. She then turned to Chuck doing the same.

"Eleanor this is my sister, Talia" Chuck introduced. Talia stepped forward with a big warm smile.

"Hi, dear. It's nice of you to join us. Please, place the kugel in the kitchen and the staff will get it ready" Eleanor instructed. Talia did as she was told, heading into the kitchen where she found Dorota trying to help.

"Oh, Miss Talia. Please don't Mrs. Eleanor I'm helping. She'll get mad" Dorota whispered taking the kugel from Talia's hands. "The staff doesn't know anything"

"I won't" Talia said smiling at Dorota. Talia could hear others had entered the house, curious as to who had joined she stepped out of the kitchen.

"Max?" Talia questioned. The two both stiffened up at the sight of each other.

"Oh my. You know the Wolfe's?" Eleanor asked with her beaming smile.

"Max and Talia have known each other since diapers" Gideon said to Eleanor. The two walked away to talk leaving Max and Talia alone.

"Great you're here" Max said acting all bummed.

"Wow, nice to see you too" Talia huffed before joining the others. They stood on the opposite side of the dining room table chanting the prayer as Cyrus and Eleanor lit the menorah. Once it over dinner began.

"Sorry for the lack of space. The renovation in the city is approaching two years. So we are stuck here at Cyrus's late mothers's for the unforeseeable future" Eleanor grimaced.

Everyone served themselves food and sat down at their spot at the table. Max had left to go who knows where leaving Talia all alone.

As she slowly munched on her latkas and Kugel Max returned seeming a little tipsy. He served himself a plate before sitting down next to her. The two remained quiet.

"Thank you again, Eleanor for including me this year. It's nice having people surrounding me during the holidays" Talia said. Eleanor smiled.

"Well, any family of my daughter's is family of mine. Plus it is nice to have people around. Most nights Cyrus is working into the late evenings at his office leaving me alone. So many lawsuits this decade. Cyrus is not only representing one but three of those women who had just came out against your father" Eleanor revealed. Chuck practically choked on his food while Blair dropped her fork, clinging it against the China.

"Mother" Blair scolded.

"Eleanor. You know you can't talk about my clients" Cyrus whined. The whole table got quiet.

"It's fine. Really. He's no father of mine anymore" Talia said. "This Kugel is so delicious" Talia continued trying to change the subject.

"I always knew the Bass family was trouble. Blair lucked out with a good one" Eleanor lectured giving Chuck a big small.

"Excuse me" Talia muttered, slipping her napkin off her lap and heading outside into the chill winter weather. Max following after her.

"Are you okay?" Max asked sitting on the step next to Talia.

"Oddly, fine. It's just I've entered into a new life where I don't belong. Everything is changing and I question if I'm ready for that"

"Hey, so you moved, and you live with new people. It's going to take time" Max said, placing a hand on top of hers.

"Just like you're okay with your dads being separated?" Talia questioned. Max sighed knowing Talia was right. Change was hard.

"Come on. It's cold out here" Max whispered. He took his jacket off and placed it over Talia's shoulders as they walked back inside joining everyone for dessert.

Max and Talia were whispering amongst themselves as everyone talked casually until a voice caused everyone to get quiet.

"What are you doing here?" Chuck asked loudly. His voice was stern and mean sounding.

"Like it wasn't all over the internet Talia Bass was spotted here. Talia what are you doing, celebrating Hanukkah. You aren't even Jewish" Jack shouted. It was evident he was drunk.

"Let's go-" Chuck began get out of his chair and escort Jack out when Talia stood up.

"-You didn't show up today" Talia interrupted. "Why?"

"I figured you'd change your mind. Did you ask Chuck what he did to your dad? Huh? He's the reason he's dead. Actually the both of them are" Jack explained. Talia looked at Chuck confused.

"It was self-defense" Chuck interrupted.

"He let him die. You could have had a real dad, but Bart was a cold man. Wouldn't have loved you like I did. Here your Hanukkah gift" Jack threw a small baggie of white powder, giving Talia a wink before leaving the brownstone, being ushered out by Vanya.

"I swear I don't do this anymore" Talia pleaded to Blair and Chuck. She had promised weeks ago she wouldn't do it again.

"Anymore? Blair what kind of hooligan have you let into your home, your family?" Eleanor asked.

"She's not a hooligan" Chuck said sticking up for Talia. He took the baggie and headed to the bathroom to flush it down the toilet.

"Eleanor I could vouch, Talia is a sweet girl" Gideon said gripping Talia's hand.

"I should be going. I'll see you at home" Talia whispered to Blair grabbing her coat and purse. She swiftly exited the brownstone, walking aimlessly down the road.

"Talia" Max called after her.

"You didn't need to leave for me"

"It's fine. Can we talk?" Max asked. Talia stopped in the middle of the sidewalk ready to listen when   paparazzi and people taking photos for gossip girl  began to flood their way. Max and Talia ran down  a few blocks ending up at the Bass's.