Chapter 1: Grilled Cheesus
A/N: This started out as a little two-scene, "Get Happy Drabble." I saw the scene in Duets where Rachel offers to perform a duet with Kurt, and wondered what clued her into his loneliness. I realized / decided that her Dads were the most likely candidates.
As I "completed" the other serial stories, I wanted to come back to that Hummelberry friendship. Rachel had two diva sleepovers onscreen, one in Season 2 (Silly Love Songs) and one in Season 3. I think the odds are good that Kurt DOES know Rachel's dads by Season 3.
This story starts in Season 2 (Grilled Cheesus) with an expansion of my Get Happy Drabble. Chapter 2 will expand the Duets scene from my drabble. This story will continue with episodes through Season 2 and Season 3. I reserve the right to skip episodes.
As LeRoy approached his front door, he could hear his daughter singing at the piano in their living room. As he opened the door, the words became clear: "Papa, can you hear me? Papa, are you listening?..." and he recognized the song.
Rachel ignored her dad for the moment, concentrating on the song in front of her at their white baby grand piano. She had to do something for Kurt's dad, and this song seemed to fit.
LeRoy knew better than to interrupt a song in progress. He put his jacket and briefcase away, and took his lunch gear to the kitchen. While he was there, he filled a glass of water. Such a sad song would surely make his daughter thirsty. He brought the glass back to the piano.
Rachel didn't look up at her dad until she had finished the song. Then she looked up, smiled, stood up and hugged LeRoy "Hi Dad!"
"Hi Rachel!" LeRoy offered her the glass. Rachel thanked him, but did not let go of the hug. Instead, she turned sideways so she could drink the water while maintaining contact. "Are you all right, sweetie?"
Rachel nodded slowly, and lowered the glass. "Kurt's dad is in the hospital, after a heart attack. He's in a coma, we don't know when… or if… he'll wake up. I'm so worried," she explained. "I just want to do something for him, and I thought this might work."
"Yentl is a good source. I like that song choice. Do you want me to play while you rehearse?"
"Could you please? I'm planning to sing it a capella, but I'm not quite there yet. Maybe one run with piano, then without?"
"I can do that." They were still practicing at the piano when Hiram got home. As he opened the door, Hiram turned to wave farewell to his carpool.
Rachel was standing beside the piano. She nodded to LeRoy, signaling she was ready for a break, and they came around the piano to greet Hiram with hugs and kisses.
"What's all this?" Hiram asked, as Rachel pulled them both into a three-way hug."
"I just love you, Dads." Rachel answered, not letting go.
LeRoy explained, "She's worried about Kurt's dad, he's in a coma at the hospital." Then he turned to reassure Rachel, "Honey, we're both fit as a fiddle. You don't need to worry about us. Now, how about we turn this mood around?" He returned to the piano to play something a little more cheerful.