A/N: So this is a new story that i've been working on called When Love Hurts. I've always wanted to explore this story more, and it's been sitting in my folder for ages, so I thought i'd post it, and see what becomes of it. I think it's interesting, but I'm just one person. To sum it up: Kurt was in a relationship with Sebastian. They had Holly when they were in their sophomore year of college, through surrogate. Biologically, she's Kurt's, but Sebastian was her papa, until he left, breaking Kurt's heart, and that's where the story begins... Holly is five in this story... and Kurt's about twenty-four, or twenty-five... Klaine later. Hope you enjoy. JusticeIsn'tEasy0083. D.
When Love Hurts
Prologue
Westerville Ohio
March 23rd 2012
Kurt had come home to an empty apartment. It was unusual, because Sebastian was always home before him on a Monday, and then they would go together to pick up Holly from pre-school. She may be almost five, but she's smarter than most of the kids in her class. Kurt and Sebastian had only been twenty when they decided they wanted to have a child together. Rachel had been the surrogate, much to Kurt's delight, and they had used both of their genetics so that she'd have a little bit of them both. Maybe now, that wasn't such a great idea, but back then, it was. They had only been sophomores in college, but they hadn't made the choice lightly. Many people who knew they would be together for a long time made the choice to have children; it wasn't something they just did because they could. However, there was something off about this moment... something off about today.
Kurt's company MerBerry Designs was planning on moving one of its stores to Philadelphia, and they wanted Kurt to go with it. He may be the CEO, and the designer, but he can do that anywhere, and it's not like Lima Ohio is the right place for him anyway. Two years ago, he would have sworn he wanted out of the small town... he'd gotten accepted into Yale University after highschool, and managed four good years there, graduating and opening his own small clothing label. Of course, they were planning on opening branches all around the country, New York, California, and Philadelphia, which would be where the main branch is located, and where Kurt will spend most of his time. However, Sebastian is an accountant at Smythe, Danforth and Co, a company his father had owned, and it's based here, in Westerville, so it's not like he can up and leave... of course, Kurt will ask his boyfriend if he wants to come, after all they have a daughter together, and have been with each other for four years... it's not just a fling thing.
Kurt walked through the almost tiny apartment, towards the master bedroom, throwing his things down haphazardly onto the bed, ignoring the silent alarms in his brain that there was something different about the room, and heading back out to the kitchen to start preparing dinner. No doubt his boyfriend and daughter would both be hungry when they go home. Rachel had warned that she and Puck would be bringing their daughter Olivia over for tea so that Hollyy would have someone to play with, and Kurt had been thrilled at the idea, he hasn't seen Rachel or Noah since Quinn and Finn's wedding last month, and for them, that's a long time, especially now that Mercedes and Sam have moved to LA and Santana and Brittany are touring the world with their dance company fronted by Mike and Tina Chang-a-lang. It's an odd name, but it's so Mike that Kurt can't be one to judge. After all, he named his company after his two best friends, so who's he to judge others right? It was just on four when Kurt gathered his things to head down to the school and pick up his daughter. Sebastian hadn't called, or texted, telling him he was late, and he was a little worried. He's usually so good with these things... Kurt thought to himself, pulling open the glass doors and stepping out of the cold Westerville air, into the pre-school, and immediately spotting his daughter, sitting on the stool, with her coat and bag, waiting.
When she saw Kurt, she smiled brightly, and ran over to him, wrapping her small arms around Kurt's neck, whilst the countertenor pressed a light kiss to her forehead, and took her hand for the short walk back to their apartment. Rachel and Puck were due at six-thirty, which meant Kurt had two and a half hours to prepare, cook and serve dinner, and find out where his boyfriend was. Holly was talking a mile a minute when Kurt closed their front door, throwing his keys onto the small hall table, and pressing play on the answering machine, which came alive with a robotic voice exclaiming that they have one new message, and then Sebastian's voice filled the room...
Kurt, I know this isn't the way I should be doing this, and you deserve better, but I feel I have no other option. I'm leaving you. I'm sorry. I just can't be in this relationship anymore. I feel as though it's gone as far as it can, and I don't know whether or not me cheating on you repeatedly has anything to do with this feeling, or if it's just my nature, but I'm sorry. I never wanted to break your heart, and I hope that you and Holly can forgive me, and move forward. You should take that job in Philly, it's your dream. I love you, and I'm sorry. Don't try and contact me, I changed my number, and emails. All my love, Sebastian...
Kurt just stared at the phone. Okay, so it was more like glaring at the phone. He should have stopped and double checked the bedroom when he was in there before. That barstard... Kurt thought, picking the answering machine up, and throwing it against the far wall, hearing it smash, and crash to the ground, before running his hands through his hair as he sank to the ground, forcing himself not to get emotional... he wasn't going to cry over that... barstard... he should have known, back in college when he first met Sebastian, that he could never change him... A leopard never changes his spots... and that goes for good looking, sexy, god-like men, who sweep you off your feet, and promise to give you a life you could never have dreamed of. Holly... what was he going to tell her? She's not dumb, she'll figure it out, but how do you tell a four year old, that her papa just abandoned them? Without so much as... well... anything... if Sebastian had left, what is going to happen to his company? As far as Kurt knew, there was no reason to expand, because they were the biggest already in the Ohio area. So the only other logical explanation, was that it had been something Kurt had done... he couldn't deal with this pain right now though... he has to cook dinner for everyone, and play happy families, until they move... to Philadelphia... Yeah, like it's going to make any difference to anyone... Kurt thought, moving back into the kitchen, back to what was easier than dealing with the message on their now, non-existent answering machine.
Rachel, Puck and Olivia arrived at exactly six-thirty. Damn Rachel and her obsessive need to be everywhere at the exact time she planned... her and her stupid punctuality... ugh, they're going to start being all gooey and shit... Kurt thought, as he rounded the corner into the hall to greet his friends, to find them whispering in one another's ears... he kicked the remontants of the answering machine, not caring where they ended up, and pulled Rachel into a tight hug... it felt good to just be able to hug his best-friend without a care in the world. It also felt good to have them here for dinner tonight... they hadn't done it in a while, and he was missing it... also, Rachel didn't much like Sebastian, but had promised, when they started dating that she would be supportive... Guess I should have listened to the former Ms. Berry... Kurt thought, fist-bumping Puck, who looked at his wife with a worried glance, before pointing to the pieces of answering machine that Kurt managed to kick into the far wall, as he re-entered the kitchen. Olivia had run off to find Holly in her bedroom, and the girls started a massive game of Barbie's, because Holly had more Barbie's than Kurt had designer clothes, and they're all from the four years of her life, from her grandfather and grandmother. Seriously, they thought all she wanted were Barbie's, yet every year, at Christmas and on her birthday, she would open a different Barbie, and be absolutely thrilled... it made Kurt's job easier... but still... Barbies? She's almost five... not like she hasn't got other toys too... But, none of the adults could deny that their daughter's weren't cute as they talked in fake high-pitched voices, and pretended that their Barbie's were real people. Kurt chuckled when Holly lowered her voice to make it sound deeper when she picked up the Ken doll.
'They're adorable when they play. Don't you think Rach?' Puck asked, sitting back in his chair, thanking Kurt for the beer that was placed in front of him, the countertenor sitting opposite the couple
'Sure. Where's Sebastian Kurt?' Rachel asked, sipping her wine happily
'Don't know, don't care. I have to cook dinner,' Kurt replied, not missing the looks that the Puckerman's shot one another
'Something is wrong... the answering machine smashed to pieces... Sebastian not home... Kurt acting like this... it's not normal...'
'Leave it Rach... we never liked him anyway. If he's gone, I say good riddens,' Puck whispered softly, not a care in the world.
Rachel nodded, even though she didn't agree. She was way too tired to be getting into a fight with Puck right now, and besides, if it is what she thinks it is, Kurt is going to need her more now than ever. Finn isn't around as much since he got back with Quinn, and with Burt and Carole taking a second honeymoon and all of the New Directions spread around, there really isn't much more to say, except that Kurt doesn't really have anyone else but them close by. Kurt was in the kitchen, trying to focus on whatever he was cooking, but his thoughts kept going back to Sebastian and the message he'd left, and how he was going to tell Holly. How could he tell his four-year old something like that? It's hard enough explaining to her how she doesn't have a mother, just an aunt, who carried her surrogate for nine-months, four years ago. Finn had tried his hand at explaining it to his niece, but he hadn't gotten much further than Kurt. For a four year old, Holly is smart. She understands things other kids wouldn't, and it's not like it's just anything goes, and she can take it, but there is a little bit of smart in her, and whether or not she gets it from Kurt, or Sebastian, they'll never know. There hadn't been much debate over what to have for tea. Kurt usually just cooks, and they eat whatever is put in front of them, but right now, he's seriously considering ordering pizza, and changing into his down clothes, flicking on some sappy, romantic chick-flick, and pointing out all the things wrong with it, whilst Puck and Rachel watch on, telling his to shoosh every five minutes.
After five minutes of not knowing what the hell he was going to cook, and another five staring out the kitchen window, he gave up and pulled his cell phone out of his pocket, to dial the number of the pizza place he had on stand-by. Stupid Sebastian and his traditions... Kurt thought, back to when the reason he'd had the number in his phone is because his now ex-boyfriend had started their stupid Saturday-is-pizza-night tradition back in college. It didn't seem stupid back then though... actually, it was far from it... now it just seemed ridiculous... He spoke into the phone, in a sweet, innocent voice, and hung up, before heading into the bedroom, and changing into down clothes, sweat pants, and an old T-shirt, and heading back into the lounge, where Rachel's eyes widened at the sight of her best-friend. He's usually so well put together, and now she knows that something is wrong, because Kurt never dressed like that... in fact, he rarely dresses down at all... it's all a big fashion statement... even though he is a fashion designer, and a world renound one at that... Puck just takes the beer from Kurt and shrugs at Rachel, who whacks his shoulder, and watches as Kurt slumps down onto the couch, beer in hand, acting so unlike himself... he's acting... straight... which is strange... The TV is changed so that the football is on, and Kurt and Puck are shouting insults at the TV, well until Puck realises that Kurt is actually watching football and shouting at the TV... it's then that the doorbell rings, and Kurt's out of the room, before anyone could say anything... he pays the pizza guy... seriously, not even cute... and closes the door, heading back into the lounge, and dropping the box onto the coffee table with a loud thump, much to Rachel's surprise...
'Are you out of food to cook?' Rachel asked
'Eat the fucking food Rachel... or leave... it's your choice... I'm not in the fucking mood to deal with all your diva tantrums over carbs and shit like that...' Kurt replied, grabbing a piece of Pizza, and eating it, almost as fast as Finn on a normal day...
'Alright, that's it. What's going on Kurt? You're never like this... Please tell me what's going on... I demand to know... 'Rachel said, standing up and flicking the TV off, ignoring the protests of her husband, and crossing her arms, staring at Kurt
'You got what you wanted okay... Sebastian is gone... he's out of our lives... I'm moving to Philadelphia with Holly, and he's gone... he fucked off and left me alone... are you happy now Rachel? He cheated on me, and left... fuck falling in love... It's overrated... what am I meant to tell Holly? You know what... fuck this... and fuck you...' Kurt said, standing and moving into the bedroom, slamming the door closed behind him...
Puck was staring at Rachel, gaping like a blow fish, and going through the motions, but all he could think was that he was going to hunt down that rat barstard and bash the shit out of him, until he understand what he did to Kurt and his daughter... He knew Kurt was in a bad place, but he was still a little angry at how he'd treated Rachel, not that his wife seemed to be affected by it, she was banging on the bedroom door, asking Kurt to unlock it, like it was nothing, and he'd done it a million times before. Puck took a moment to look around the apartment... all of Sebastian's belongings were gone, and the place was practically bare... the photo of the two of them at graduation, the one of them together with Holly when she was born, Rachel, Sebastian, Kurt and Puck and Finn and Quinn's wedding... all the pictures were gone... only the ones with Kurt, Burt, Carole and Finn remained, and a couple of old Glee Pictures... I'm going to hunt down that cock-sucking whore, and beat the shit out of him... wait till Finn hears about this... Puck thought, moving to help Olivia and Holly with their dinner...
Rachel and Puck said goodbye to Kurt at nine that night, with the promise that once he and Holly are settled into their house in Philly, they'll come and see them. Kurt had just nodded, hugging his best-friend and kissing her cheek, shaking hands with Puck as they left. Kurt didn't know what to do with himself once they were gone... Holly was in her room, still playing Barbies, Kurt smiled softly at his daughter's melodic voice, alot like his in many ways, and then moved into the closet in the hall, to pull out some boxes, to begin packing... the sooner they get out of Westerville, the better it will be for all of them... including Holly. She doesn't need to know about Sebastian just yet... eventually, Kurt will have to tell her, but she's only four, it will be easier to explain to her later. Rachel and Puck live in Havertown, Pennsylvania, which isn't far from Philadelphia, where Kurt and Holly will be moving to. They're living close to Finn and Quinn though, only a couple of blocks difference, and their house is close to both Holly's school and Kurt's offices and store. Philly is where most of his family is... many ND members live either there, in Chicago, LA, or New York, so they're kind of close to everyone... it's further away from his father and Carole, but he knows they'll make the trip to visit often... they don't see Finn and Quinn that often either, so now they can kill two birds with one trip... or stone... whatever the metaphor is...
Two Days Later
Philadelphia Pennsylvania
March 25th 2012
Holly was jumping up and down, excited about her new bedroom. Kurt was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, small smile on his face. It's Sunday afternoon, and he'd just finished unpacking the last box twenty minutes ago, deciding to go and check on his daughter. Finn and Quinn had been helping them out, and Kurt couldn't have been ore thankful to his brother and sister-in-law for helping them move into the two story, modern home, that looked like a mansion from the outside, with a tall gate, and walls around the property. It's huge, some might say too big for just two people, but it's four bedrooms, and Kurt likes it better than the small apartment he used to live in. Burt and Carole can stay, and all of his friends, and family... it's perfect for them, and it's the perfect walking distance to the convenience store, and only a twenty minute drive to Haverbrooke Preparatory, the school Holly will be attending. Kurt's phone rings loudly through the silence, making his daughter turn to face him, falling onto her back on her bed, and giggling loudly. Kurt smiles and leaves the room, talking into the phone to one of the builders at Hummel and Co. Offices, where MerBerry Designs headquarters is located. The actual store is in the main street, the biggest, and newest in the precinct, but they can afford it, and it's not like Kurt hasn't worked hard... he has... harder than ever in his life...
'Hey Rach, we're here, and settled in. Quinn and Finn are coming over tomorrow night for a celebratory dinner after Hol's first day of school, so you're more than welcome to join us...' Kurt said into the phone, heading into the spacious kitchen and pouring a glass of diet coke for himself and a juice for his daughter
'Daddy, can I please have a cookie?' Holly asked, and Kurt nodded, holding up one finger, and Holly nodded, climbing onto one of the kitchen stools, and reaching into the cookie jar
'Don't get crumbs everywhere Holly; the maid won't start until tomorrow... Sorry Rach, that sounds good. We'll see you then,' Kurt replied, hanging up and returning the phone to his pocket, taking a moment to breathe after the hectic couple of days
'I love you daddy,' Holly said, hugging her father, before returning to the lounge with her juice, Kurt smiling happily...
A/N: If I get enough people interested, i'll post the next chapter. This is like a test run, to see if anyone 's interested. I know, some things are probably off, or it's been done before, but this is my version. We meet Blaine in the next chapter... Thanks. JusticeIsn'tEasy0083. D.
