Their flight home had landed safely and both Kurt and Rachel were already exhausted from the red-eye as they looked for their families. Rachel's dads found her first as she ran into their arms. Leroy had picked her up and spun her around and Rachel squealed as she was lifted off her feet. What Kurt had not expected was Hiram coming over and giving him a big hug.

"Thanks for taking care of our little angel."

"Daddy, I can look after myself by now," laughed Rachel as Leroy sat her back down. She went back to Kurt's side and pulled on his arm, taking his hand in hers.

"He's mine now Daddy. I told you."

Kurt looked confused at Rachel. Had she told her fathers?

Leroy chuckled and came to stand next to Hiram. "Hers huh?"

Kurt gulped. This was going to be bad. He wrapped his arms around Rachel and prepared for the worst. At least he'd make a good corpse.

"Well, I suppose it could be worse."

"Hiram."

"Leroy, technically he is one of us. Who better to trust than one of our own?"

Leroy looked at Kurt skeptically. "That's the problem. We'll have to have a talk later about this Kurt."

Kurt nodded and held onto Rachel for dear life. She poked his shoulder and he saw Burt approaching with an amused smile on his face.

"Hi Dad."

"Leroy, Hiram," nodded Burt in greeting to the two men. "Kurt, is there some reason you're holding onto Rachel like she's going to break?"

Rachel laughed. "He thinks he's going to break Mr. Hummel."

"Rough plane ride?"

"The landing," muttered Kurt. He let of Rachel and hugged his dad.

"I'm glad to see you too son," laughed Burt as he wrapped his arms around Kurt's shoulders. He looked over to the brunette.

"Thanks for taking care of my kid Rachel."

Rachel smiled. "He's still in one piece, mostly. I think his work may have gotten the best of him though."

"Ugh, let's not talk about the lifestyles of the Vogue-amous."

"Whatever that is," said Burt. "It can wait. Finn's got some family news."

"Oh?" said Kurt. "This should be interesting. He hasn't said anything."

"He's been waiting impatiently to tell you. He hasn't even touched his bacon this morning."

Rachel laughed out loud and Kurt snorted. Burt looked confused at Kurt.

"Private joke," said Kurt. "Did Carole make her lemon blueberry muffins?"

"Still warm in the oven for you."

Kurt smiled and steered his Dad away quickly, leaving Rachel along with her Dads near baggage claim. He mouthed "text me" to her and disappeared into the holiday crowd.

"So Kurt huh?"

Rachel sighed and smiled at the direction Kurt and Burt had just taken.

"I know it's weird, but we mold together beautifully. I don't even have to say anything and he knows what I'm thinking."

"You two are very similar," commented Hiram. "But Kurt self-identified as gay correct?"

"In high school, yes," said Rachel. "But things...change."

"So are you his experiment?"

Rachel laughed. "No, that was Brittany. When we were in the 10th grade."

"Oh," said Hiram, sharing a look with Leroy.

"Daddy, Kurt isn't hiding behind me or anything," said Rachel as she picked up her luggage. "He still looks at boys and identifies with the gay lifestyle. But we love and care for each other like nobody else I know, besides you and Dad. Finn and I... we didn't fit like that. I love Kurt."

"We just worry sweetie," said Leroy. "It's just... convenient."

"We know," said Rachel, adjusting her skirt. "We prepared for that. We figure there's going to be a lot of yelling and interesting moments with our friends."

"Maybe not so much for you," commented Hiram. "But Kurt is definitely not going to be hearing the end of it if I remember everything that went on during high school."

"I don't plan on letting them," said Rachel fiercely. " I've made Kurt mine, and nobody's taking him away."

"Now that's our little pit bull," chuckled Leroy. Hiram pulled Rachel into a hug.

"Let's get you home. We want to hear all about NYADA."


When Kurt got home, he was surprised to see Finn waiting outside. At first, he was worried that somehow Finn had gotten advance news, but Finn's face lit up when he saw Kurt. Nope, he definitely did not know about Rachel.

"Hey!" said Finn, pulling Kurt into a hug. "Come on, I've got someone I want you to meet."

"Meet?"

Kurt felt himself being dragged by the hand inside. Sitting with Carole holding a cup of coffee was a strawberry blonde haired young woman Kurt didn't recognize.

"Kurt, this is Juliet. Juliet, this is my stepbrother Kurt."

"Hi," waved the girl.

"Hello," said Kurt, curious. He looked to Finn. He knew Finn had been dating, but bringing a girl home already?

"Juliet is my fiancee Kurt."

"Oh!" said Kurt, surprised. "Wow. Congratulations."

"Juliet works in the offices at Fort Benning. She helped me get paperwork together for well, for my dad."

"He's still applying for an dishonorable discharge overturn," explained Juliet. "And thank you. Finn always talks highly of you. Said you're either going to be a big Broadway star or a famous fashion designer. He's never sure which."

"Maybe both," smiled Kurt. "I haven't decided."

"Overachiever," chuckled Burt. "But then, he always has been."

"Duality of my nature," sighed Kurt. He clamped a hand over his mouth. Carole gave him a look, but said nothing. She gave him a hug.

"Good to have you both home for once."

"Glad to be home," said Kurt. "So what are the Christmas plans this year?"

"Cake, cookies, the usual," said Carole. "Oh and that rum souffle. You're helping me make it again this year."

Kurt smiled and sat down in the armchair. "Anytime. I love that recipe."

"You cook?" asked Juliet, perking up. "That's really cool."

"Bake, iron, do laundry, clean..." scoffed Finn.

"Just because I take care of myself, there's nothing wrong with that," sniffed Kurt. He took out his phone when he heard it go off. Rachel had texted him letting him know they had made it home safely.

"You sure you're okay?" said Burt from his easy chair. "You were holding onto Rachel like your life depended on it Kurt."

My life did depend on it thought Kurt. He shook his head. "I'm fine," he said, smiling. "It was just some turbulence."

"Hey, have you talked to Blaine lately?" said Finn. "He mentioned he hadn't spoken to you in a while."

Kurt bit his lip. Another one of his stupid oversights. "No I haven't. I've been really busy lately with work and things." He wondered if he had a big sign that said: I've been sleeping in the same bed as your ex-fiancee going right across his forehead right now. He hoped not.

"Oh okay," shrugged Finn. "I miss everyone, you know? I haven't gotten to talk to anyone much because of work and everything."

"Yeah," said Kurt. "We only get to see Brittany and Santana sparingly. But it is nice when we do get together."

"I miss Puck a lot," said Finn.

"I miss Mercedes," admitted Kurt. "And Tina."

"We all should get together this year," said Finn. "I think everyone is home for Christmas."

"Oh really?" said Kurt. "That's great." He however was going to avoid the members of the New Directions as much as possible.

"Hey, aren't you and Rachel doing that Christmas revue thing at the school for Mr. Schuester?"

Kurt groaned. He had almost forgotten.

"Yes, we are. Thursday evening."

"We can invite everyone over after that," said Finn. "Mom, would you mind? I'd love for Juliet to meet my high school friends."

"I don't see why not sweetie. You're buying the snacks though."

"Deal," grinned Finn. "New Directions party!"

Kurt was pretty sure his mental self was beating his head against the wall. He fingered his collar nervously.

"Sounds like fun," he said softly. "Why don't you go call and get the word spread?"

"Great idea," said Finn. He grinned all puppy like and pulled out his cell. Kurt picked up his bags and smiled at Juliet.

"You can come with me Juliet while Finn's busy," said Kurt. "You can tell me all about yourself while I go put away my things."

"Okay," said Juliet with a smile as she followed Kurt to his room.

"I was born and raised in Alabama, but moved to Georgia after school…"


Later that evening, Kurt was sitting on the edge of Rachel's bed. They were both having some of the mulled wine that Leroy was testing for their annual Christmas party.

"It's delicious," said the brown haired boy, setting down his glass. Rachel nodded in agreement.

"So fiancee huh?"

"She has a gorgeous accent," said Kurt, putting a hand over his heart. "Oh, to have a Southern gentleman."

"Oh really? Better than a Midwestern girl?"

Kurt laughed. "No of course not." He kissed her hand. "Nothing will ever be better than you, my dear."

"I was wondering if I was going to have to start wearing pants and a bowl cut."

"Don't even go there."

Rachel giggled and sat down her wine glass next to Kurt's.

"About this party..."

Kurt's face soured. "I can't believe him sometimes."

"Well, it is a good opportunity..."

"I know," he sighed. "I'm just not looking forward to this, you know?"

"Who are you worried the most about?"

Kurt bit his lip. "Finn. Mercedes." He sighed and took a breath. "Blaine."

"That is the bad thing about exes."

Kurt pulled his knees to his chest. "How do I—"

"Tell him the truth."

"The last time we talked about you and sexuality in the same sentence, we weren't exactly nice about it."

"... Let me guess."

Kurt sighed and Rachel squeezed his hand.

"Funny how that stuff works out isn't it?"

"Who knew I'd end up with you? Oh god, if I knew back then…"

"Your younger self would have thrown up."

"More than likely, yes. Right before passing out in horror."

Rachel pulled Kurt into her arms. He huffed at the indignity and let Rachel run her fingers through his hair.

"My Dads think this is all too convenient."

"Well, we did become best friends over the summer before our senior year, spent more time together than probably was healthy, practically did everything in tandem, tried to get into NYADA together, moved in with each other in New York..."

"We did tend to flow together a lot didn't we?"

Kurt laughed and took Rachel's hand, playing with her fingers. "We're so fluid."

"You're going to Tisch, I'm in NYADA. You will probably be on Broadway before me..."

"Highly unlikely," said Kurt as he settled into her lap and looking up. "I still do love fashion, and they are upping my hours."

"It still amazes me that you sleep."

"Usually it's on your shoulder." He yawned. "I could sleep right now."

"Probably not the best idea," admitted Rachel. "My dads might get the wrong idea if you are face down in my lap."

Kurt smirked. "If only they knew that—"

"One step at a time remember?"

Kurt made a noise into Rachel's skirt. He sat up and looked at her.

"So what are we doing for the revue show again?"

"Mr. Schue sent us, well me, the set list. I'll print it out for you."

"I wonder why he wanted us."

"We're now 'trained,'" Rachel said with a smirk. "The school is hosting some guests, and he wants us to help lead the Glee club."

"Right," said Kurt, rolling his eyes with a small smile. "Guess we'd better get to work then."