Starting Over: rewrite

New School Same Gossip

I'm really enjoying writing this alternate version for Ella's story. I hope you're all enjoying the changes.

Ella's POV

"Close your eyes." I sing to Palmer as I tuck her into bed. "Keep them closed."

"Love you, mama."

"I love you more." I kiss my daughter all over and brush her hair out of her face. I ensure her night light and soothing music are on as I close her door and head to the kitchen. I feel so jet lagged from everything that I need to make something. I look through the contents of my fridge, and just as I grab everything I need, I get a notification that someone is at my front door. I head to my intercom and look at the security feed, surprised to see my brother. I buzz him in without a second thought.

"I'm surprised you..." I stop him as I bring him in for a hug, and we hold on to each other. "I...I should never have hurt you like that." He tells me.

"I don't care. All I care about is that you're safe." I kiss the side of his head. "You're safe, right?"

"I am. Is Palmer asleep?"

"Yes. I just finally got her down." I confirm for him.

"I understand you have lots of questions for me."

"Tons, but first, are you hungry?" Chuck looks around and smiles as he realizes what I'm making.

"Blueberry muffins. Just like you made when we were kids."

"You can never go wrong with a blueberry muffin."

"Would you like some help?"

"You can crack the eggs." I tell my brother, and we get to work making the muffins. We laugh and make jokes with each other like nothing had happened between us. It felt nice, but once the muffins were in the oven and we had to wait, things had to be settled.

"When you...when you were shot, I understand that you felt this was a way for you to start over, but...why not reach out to me? Just explain that you wanted a new life. Just tell me that you were okay." I exclaim.

"I didn't want to be Chuck Bass. Even if it meant I had to leave people I loved behind. It was selfish of me and...I could never ask you to forgive me for it."

"You're my brother, and you have done horrible things and will probably continue to do horrible things, but I love you. I will always love you." I remind him. I reach over and hold his hand. "How bad was it?"

"I was close to death if Eva didn't save me."

"Was she the girl you were going to leave with?" He nods his head. "Well, she must be exceptional if you were going to give up being Chuck Bass for."

"She made me want to live again." Chuck shares. "She nursed me back to health, and we fell in love."

"Well, if she was able to stay with you after being shot, then she must be a saint because you come down with a cold, and I want to kill you for being so insufferable." Chuck laughs at my comment. "Why did you come back? Was it because of your talk with Blair?"

"Blair made me realize that being Chuck Bass wasn't all bad. And...my love for you and Palmer outweighs any bad I have done or will do." I smile upon hearing this. "You two have always stuck by me and...I could never deprive you both of the great Chuck Bass." I hit my brother on the head. "Ow."

"You deserve that."

"I am sorry for worrying you. If I could go back, I should have contacted you. You deserved more from me."

"Thank you for that."

"If you're comfortable, I would love for you to meet Eva. She is...she is a wonderful, selfless woman who loves me." Chuck explains.