May 1920
Blaine
Blaine looks at the clock on the nightstand, surprised that it's already eight o'clock. He usually wakes up much earlier to the sound of Cousin Rachel warming up her vocal cords. Sometimes it's hard to appreciate what a good singer she is because all he can think about is shoving a sock into her mouth. He smiles, knowing that Cousin Rachel must have delayed her voice exercises because it's his birthday.
Blaine frowns when he realizes Kurt isn't lying next to him. Nothing would have been better than to wake up beside Kurt and receive a birthday kiss… or a blow job if he was lucky. After a quick trip to the bathroom, Blaine returns to bed, stretches lazily, and arches his back like a cat sleeping in a sunny spot by a window. The only commitment he has today is to go to his granny's house for a birthday lunch. Kurt isn't due over for an hour, and he has time to laze around in bed. Besides, it wouldn't be such a bad thing if Kurt discovered him in bed. Perhaps Blaine could even convince Kurt to join him. Kurt promised to spend the night with him today, and that is one promise that he'll make sure Kurt keeps.
It's hard to believe that he has known Kurt for just over six years now. For the first eighteen months, their relationship had consisted of whatever little snippets of alone time they could manage, whether at Westerville Abbey, London, or even Dower House. There were secret rendezvous in the kitchen gardens, clandestine meetings in the abbey's secret nooks and crannies, and an outing in London. However, what Blaine had enjoyed most of all was the time they had spent alone, both at Anderson House, just before he left for the Great War, and Dower House during a wartime home leave. Without worrying about others, they could act naturally and just be themselves. During the day, they were like an old married couple, sitting side by side reading or whatnot. However, at night time, they were like insatiable hot-blooded lovers who couldn't get enough of each other. Blaine's cock stirs just thinking about it.
Love. Happiness. Ecstasy.
These are the emotions that memories of times with Kurt evoke.
In his darkest hours during the Great War, Blaine would recall special moments with Kurt and replay events in his head. At times, he never thought he would get out of the POW camp alive, but it was the belief that their lives were destined to be together for much longer that kept him going. They had made certain promises to each other, and Blaine intended to be around for a long time to keep them.
After four and a half long years, they found each other once again in New York City, and Blaine began to live his destiny. No matter the circumstances, they've always decided to continue their story and to fall in love again, regardless of the place or the circumstances.
That didn't mean that their relationship picked up where they had left off. After all, four and half years had passed, and their wartime experiences affected them both. When Kurt arrived in New York City, he had setbacks. The fashion business had devolved from tailors of bespoke outfits to sweatshops producing cheap but plentiful clothes for the masses. With so many newly-arrived immigrants in America, Kurt struggled to find his true place and did what he needed to survive.
Blaine admires that Kurt is so fiercely proud. Kurt is determined to be a true equal in their relationship in all manner of things. Kurt desperately wants to find a profession in which he excels, and shed the last vestiges of being a domestic servant. Kurt wants to be settled in his new life before he takes the steps to intertwine it with Blaine's.
While Blaine understands Kurt's wish to live independently and take things slowly, it doesn't mean he likes it. No, he doesn't like it one little bit. He wants to wake up every morning in Kurt's arms and build their future together. He wants them to move in together in their own place and start living their dreams. He wants to share both the struggles and the happy times.
And he wants it yesterday.
But he'll wait. He'll wait until Kurt is ready.
Blaine is startled from this thoughts by pounding on his bedroom door. There could only be one person that would thump the door so hard. "Come on in, Finn."
Finn enters the bedroom, holding a cup of tea. "Happy birthday, Blaine."
When Finn hands him the cup, Blaine smiles when he notices that the saucer is filled with tea that has spilt over. He adeptly pours the tea back in the cup, and takes a sip of the lukewarm drink. "Thank you. It's now the perfect temperature."
Finn asks, "How are you feeling this morning? I wasn't sure whether to wake you up last night. I opened the window to cool down the room, and you settled back down pretty quickly."
Blaine lets out a deep sigh. It's no secret in the Berry townhouse that he has nightmares several times a week. Finn has taken it upon himself to enter his bedroom and calm him down when they happen.
"I don't remember the nightmare, so I guess that's a good thing. I'm so sorry for waking you up."
Finn smiles fondly at Blaine. "It's no problem at all. I'd rather be the one who comes to your bedroom in the middle of the night than Rachel. You wouldn't believe how grumpy she can be if she doesn't get a full eight hours of sleep."
Blaine chuckles. "I can certainly believe that."
Finn takes out an envelope from his jacket pocket. "This letter came in yesterday's post, but Hiram told me to wait until this morning to give it to you. Oh… Hiram asked me to remind you that we're leaving at noon for your granny's house."
"Thanks. I'll be downstairs well before noon. Could you send Kurt up as soon as he arrives?"
Finn nods. "I'll see you later."
Once Finn leaves, Blaine opens the envelope and pulls out a letter from his mother.
Happy birthday, Blaine,
It's hard for me to believe that you are now 25 years old. I wish that you were here at Westerville Abbey to celebrate your special day. We will all be thinking of you, and we hope that all your birthday wishes come true.
I have some wonderful news. After discussing it with your father, I'll be coming to New York City for the month of July. I haven't been to America since 1913; it was simply impossible to make the journey during the Great War. However, the ship liners are now back to normal, and Quinn's baby isn't due until August. It's the perfect time to visit. It's been far too long since I've seen my mother and brother. But it's you that I miss the most, even though you left only six months ago.
Unfortunately, your father cannot make the journey to New York City with me. This business with splitting Ireland is keeping him very busy in the House of Lords. Do you remember Lord Jesse St James? During the Spanish flu endemic, his father passed away, and Jesse now has his father's seat in the House of Lords. Did you know that he's engaged to Lady Katherine Wilde? He will certainly have his hands full with that young lady!
Cooper is doing a fine job managing the estate while your father spends more time in London. Quinn is on total bed rest, and the children are busy at school. The Hummels are doing a sterling job running the household. Sebastian has been an enormous help training and managing the new staff. They seem to get younger every day. Evans and Mercedes are already in London at Anderson House, looking after your father. In a few weeks' time, I will join him and spend some time there before setting sail for America.
Please let me know if you wish me to bring anything over for you. Mrs Sylvester has already baked you the most magnificent fruitcake with extra cherries, just how you like it.
Make sure you give my greetings to Hiram, LeRoy, Rachel, Finn, and Kurt.
All my love,
Mum
Blaine is thrilled that his mother has decided to visit New York City this summer. He really isn't surprised by the news. After all, she's an American, and all her relations are here. He can't wait to see her again. He hopes that she will have a meal at Healey's Tavern during her stay.
When he hears the door open, Blaine looks over and sees Kurt enter the room, holding a breakfast tray in one hand and an overnight bag in the other. Kurt drops his bag inside the entrance and walks toward the bed. He gives Blaine a tender kiss before setting down the tray on his lap.
"Happy birthday, darling."
Blaine's eyes open wide, and his jaw drops low, when he sees that the tray is filled with donuts, chocolate croissants, and other assorted pastries. There's a beautiful red rose bud in a crystal vase in the corner of the tray. The gentle scent of the rose rekindles memories of summers gone by in Westerville Abbey's rose garden.
"I stopped at that bakery you like on the way here. I couldn't decide which you would like to eat, so I bought them all."
"Thank you, sweetheart. Come sit down next to me, and help me eat them."
Kurt pours a fresh cup of tea and gives it to Blaine. When he picks up the used teacup and notices the dried tea in the saucer, he frowns. "I take it Finn brought this in for you? No wonder my father didn't want him near the fine china at Westerville Abbey."
"Don't be too harsh on Finn. His heart is in the right place, and he tried his best."
Kurt hangs his coat on the back of the chair, and toes off his shoes before he sits down next to Blaine in bed. He picks up a chocolate croissant, breaks off a piece, and feeds it to Blaine.
Blaine groans as he chews the fluffy pastry filled with the perfect amount of bittersweet chocolate. "I wish that every day was my birthday if that meant that I get the most gorgeous guy in the world feeding me pastries."
Kurt smiles before popping another piece of croissant into Blaine's mouth. "Flattery will get you everywhere, my dear."
Blaine's heart swells at the pet name that Kurt used. It makes him feel so very loved and cherished. He wishes that breakfast was like this every day. Why can't Kurt stop faffing around, and live with him already? But he'll keep his thoughts to himself, at least for now.
Once Blaine has polished off a chocolate croissant and a donut, he wipes his mouth using the linen napkin. "What a wonderful way to begin a birthday."
Kurt takes the tray and sets it down on the nearby night table. "What time are we due at your granny's house?"
"Noon."
"You haven't told me much about her. Is there anything I should know before I meet her?"
Blaine thinks it over. It's hard to know how his granny will react to Kurt. She's a bit of a snob, caught up in the who's who of New York society. It was she who urged Blaine's mother to marry a British titled gentleman. However, his granny might like entertaining a war flying legend, who has earned the Victoria Cross medal. LeRoy has made some disparaging remarks about her, but who's to know if it's a result of a personality clash or disapproval of his relationship with Uncle Hiram.
He really has no idea what Kurt should know about her in advance. It's best not to say too much in case he frightens Kurt off. "She is a socialite and firmly established in New York's elite."
"And your grandfather?"
"He died before I was born. She's been a widow for ages. He made his fortune as a dry goods merchant in Cincinnati."
"How does she like to pass her time?"
"She's the patron of almost every artistic endeavor in Manhattan. There are dance studios and performance halls named after her. At the moment, she's organizing a summer event to showcase Cousin Rachel's talents. It should launch her Broadway career."
"I'm surprised that your granny hasn't done that sooner," Kurt remarks.
Blaine shakes his head. "Granny is a firm believer that one needs experience before being transformed into a star. She arranged for Cousin Rachel and Finn to be in the traveling Vaudeville show for precisely that reason."
"She must have a load of money to be able to help your Cousin Rachel like this."
"When my grandfather died, he made provisions for my granny to have a most generous annual allowance during her lifetime. However, his estate passed to my mother and Uncle Hiram. My mother's fortune was tied to the Westerville estate to prevent it from going bankrupt. Uncle Hiram is quite a financial wiz, and has built a fortune himself. He signed over his father's trust to Cousin Rachel. I think Cousin Rachel is providing the funding for the showcase."
Kurt replies, "If I understand this right, most of your grandfather's estate has been transferred to Westerville."
Blaine laughs. "You're absolutely right. Cousin Rachel left half the trust to the Westerville estate, and she set up a trust fund for me."
"What should I call your granny? You haven't even told me her name."
"Her name is June Dolloway, but you should call her Mrs Dolloway. She's a stickler for manners and can be quite a formidable lady."
"I'm used to dealing with formidable ladies in your family. Remember that I'm on friendly terms with the Dowager Countess."
Blaine slings his arm around Kurt and pulls him in. "You'll be fine today. Just be yourself, and granny will fall under your spell, too."
Blaine presses his lips against Kurt's, reveling in the taste and scent that envelopes him. Before he can deepen the kiss, Kurt pulls away. Blaine sticks his lower lip out. "Is that all I get for a birthday kiss?"
Kurt bops him on the nose. "You'll get more than that later, sweetheart."
Blaine giggles. "Promises, promises. I hope that birthday boys get special kisses and more in special places as well."
Kurt rises, shaking his head. "All in good time. I bought you something for your birthday, and I want to give it to you in private."
Blaine sits up straight in bed, excited at the prospect of receiving a birthday present. He intently watches Kurt go to his overnight bag to retrieve a parcel wrapped in a special paper with a bright red bow.
When Kurt sits down on the bed and hands over the present, Blaine inspects the thin parcel. It's wrapped in paper with a printed black and gold geometric design. "I've never seen wrapping paper quite like this before."
"I found it in the local stationery shop. It seems that the Hall brothers in Kansas are making a fortune manufacturing wrapping paper. They even produce cards for every occasion."
Blaine carefully unwraps the present, careful not to tear the special paper. It's so beautiful that he intends to use it again. He's surprised to discover a dozen scores of music for the piano. When Blaine looks up, he's finds a worried expression on Kurt's face.
"This is wonderful, Kurt. I haven't played the piano for ages. I simply haven't had the time since I started working at Healy's Tavern."
Kurt bites his lower lip and rubs his hands on his thighs.
"What's worrying you, Kurt? I love the present. There are so many different types of musical scores. You know I love the jazz sound of the American Quartet, and I can't wait to play the music from the Original Dixieland Jazz Band. Only this week, Cousin Rachel was telling me about George Gershwin. And Rachmaninov is my favorite composer for the piano."
Kurt takes Blaine's hand between his two. "You haven't played the piano for ages. You haven't gone horse riding in ages. You haven't taken the time to pursue the things that you enjoy."
"I'm a working man now. I have so little spare time, and I would rather spend it with you," Blaine admits.
"I want that too, but have you noticed that you are having more nightmares with each passing week?"
Blaine frowns, and interrupts, "Did Finn say something to you?"
Kurt shakes his head. "He didn't have to. I know you, Blaine, and I can instantly tell when you've had a bad night's sleep. I think that between work and spending time with me, you've neglected the things that help you to relax and ease the burden inside you. I'm hoping that you'll make the time to pursue those things that keep you healthy."
"Do you think I'm crazy?"
Kurt squeezes his hand. "No, I don't think that at all. What I'm trying to say is that you have to put your own needs first for a change. Do things that will help you."
Blaine considers what Kurt has said. Between the long hours at work and spending time with Kurt, he has neglected his hobbies. He's done very little to help himself unwind.
Kurt looks at Blaine with pleading eyes. "I wish you would share with me what you went through during the Great War. A burden shared is a burden halved. I'm no stranger to the war's atrocities. I've experienced and seen things as well, both in France and in the abbey's convalescent ward."
Blaine sighs. "You're right on all counts. I need to share what I went through in the trenches, in the POW camps, and on the journey back home. But it's my birthday, and I only want to think of happy things today. Can we leave that conversation for another day?"
Kurt gives him a gentle kiss. "Of course, my love."
"I'll make the time to do things that I enjoy, like playing the piano. Unfortunately, I can't go horse riding when I want to in New York."
Kurt smiles. "I've thought about that, too. Perhaps you should find another sport to enjoy."
"I do enjoy cricket, but Americans know nothing about it."
"That's true, but you could join a neighborhood baseball team. Or buy a bicycle and ride around Central Park. Or even join the boxing gym that opened up a few blocks away."
"Boxing! I'm too tiny for boxing. I'd be knocked out in record time."
"I have it on good authority that weight classes have been recently introduced. You could compete as a featherweight with people your own size."
"And how do you know so much about boxing, Kurt?"
"Jack Dempsey came to Healy's Tavern recently. He was telling me all about this new weight class system that allows for everyone to box with a comparable opponent. Beiste told me that Dempsey won the heavyweight boxing championship last year, so he knows what he's talking about."
"I'll think I might visit that gym. Will you come with me?"
"I'll come with you, but don't expect me to join. I'd rather spend my free time designing and sewing clothes."
Blaine pulls Kurt into his arms and gives him a firm hug. "It's a deal. Thank you for knowing and loving me enough to say something. You're right. I need to make changes to my lifestyle if I'm ever going to rid myself of the nightmares."
Kurt tugs at Blaine's pajama bottoms. "Now, I believe that birthday boys deserve special kisses and more in special places."
Author's notes
Trivia: In 1910, the Hall brothers started selling Christmas letters and greeting cards from their stationery store in Kansas City. In 1917, they "invented" modern wrapping paper when they ran out of traditional colored tissue paper at the stationery store, and substituted fancy French envelope lining paper. It was so popular that the Hall Brothers started printing their own specifically design wrapping paper the next year. This was the start of the Hallmark business, which is still privately owned and based in Kansas City.
Many thanks to my fantastic betas - Fearlessly, Lilyvandersteen, Dblmalfunction. I made the last-minute edits and performed the final proofreading by myself, so all mistakes are mine.
I'm HKVoyage on Tumblr.
Next up: Blaine's birthday lunch at the house of his granny, June Dolloway.
