CHAPTER FOUR: INDEPENDENCE DAY 2025

Blaine stood in his kitchen looking around with a grin at the spotless counters and rooms of his lower floor. With an excited 'yes!' he leant back against the counter, scared to move in case he spilt something. For once in a long time his whole house was clean. He was even happier about it because he knew it would at least stay clean for the day because he and Lily were going to Central Park.

"Daddy! We gonna the park today?" Lily called from the top of the stairs.

"To Central Park? Yes, we're going there today." Blaine laughed, pushing away from the counter and walking up the stairs towards his daughter's room. "Remember, it's fourth of July, we're wearing red, white and blue. So why don't you find your read and blue dress and your white cardigan?"

"Okay, and can Princess come?"

"Of course Princess is coming, we can't leave the baby at home."

"She's never been to Central Park before Daddy."

"I suppose you're right, but, all for new experiences. So come on, go get all fancied up. But not too fancy, can't have the boys chasing you."

"Pft."

"Alright, I'm just gonna get changed." Blaine laughed, wiping his eyes as he tried to catch his breath. He didn't understand where Lily's attitude came from and as his Mom kept reminding him, 'it's funny now Blaine, but when she's a teenager, the attitude will drive you mad. I've been there.' Once in his room Blaine began digging through his closet and finally pulling out his red and white t-shirt and his blue shorts. He gelled his hair back and tugged on his shoes before grabbing his keys and wallet, leaving the room to help Lily.

Kurt smiled as he took in the views of Central Park, everywhere he looked were the colours red, white and blue. Despite having lived in New York before, everything seemed so new to Kurt, it was like experiencing everything for the first time again. Even Central Park.

"This is awesome Uncle Kurt! I wanna live in New York!" Calvin exclaimed from his seat on Finn's shoulders as the family moved through the crowds.

"You did live here once Cal, for like three months of your life." Finn laughed, causing Kurt to roll his eyes.

"Well it doesn't count, cause I don't remember it. But its still awesome."

"You're right Cal, it is awesome." Kurt smiled, walking beside Carole who was taking in all the sites. Kurt himself was watching the many families in the park, listening to the parents explaining rules.

"Lily! No running ahead of me. We went over this in the car. No running, no talking to strangers, no leaving my sight." the father said, as he led his daughter down the path towards the pond.

"Mom, Dad, there's a spot right there look." Cal grinned, pointing to a large patch of grass under the shade of a few trees.

"He's right, Rach, over there." Finn said, helping Rachel navigate the stroller onto the grass as Kurt unfolded the blankets. "Good job son, this spots perfect."

Once Blaine and Lily got to the park, he had called Cooper to see where he and Jenny were sat with the kids. His brothers vague reply was 'over by the pond.' It took them half an hour to get near the pond, and another fifteen minutes to fine Cooper. But he did have to hand it to his brother, it was a good spot.

"Look Daddy, it's Uncle Coop!"

"I can see that, why don't you go say hi to him?" Blaine smiled, watching Lily run towards Cooper, while he followed behind with Princess.

He took a deep breath in and started up the hill, the man was sat reading, dressed in red, white and blue. Blaine clutched the two bottles of water in his hands, tighter as he drew closer to the man.

"Hi," he said with a smile, watching as the man closed his book and looked up at him.

"Hi." he replied, a smile of his own when he recognized who it was.

"Do you mind it I sit down?"

"Oh no, no, go right ahead."

"Thanks. Um, happy fourth of July, by the way."

"You too." the man laughed, thinking for a moment before holding his hand out. "I'm Kurt."

"Nice to meet you Kurt, I'm Blaine." Blaine replied, shaking Kurt's hand before holding a bottle of water out. "I brought this for you... I didn't know if you'd be here or not, but it's hot out today. Don't worry, I haven't tampered with it or anything."

"I should hope not, you seem far too nice to do that." Kurt laughed, taking the water from Blaine with a smile. "Thank you, I appreciate the thought."

"It's nothing really. Can't have you dehydrating."

"So Blaine, how's your week been?" Cooper asked, passing out drinks to Blaine and Jack.

"It was good, busy mind you, I've been cleaning the house all week. The clean won't last long though. What about you guys?"

"Well we have a new neighbour, he moved in at the start of June, but Jenny's Uncle Frankie was saying he just moved back into town. I've seen him around and haven't had the chance to stop by and say hello. I was gonna go with the kids this weekend."

"That sounds like a good idea, I'm sure he'd like that. Is he on your block or did he move into the old Morris house?"

"Um no, Jen, which house is the new guy in?"

"37, that's what Uncle Frankie said, it's a boy who used to visit his diner all the time. Apparently he's really nice, gay too Blaine, if you're looking of course."

"Oh, um, no, not looking." Blaine said, his face flushing.

"Right, then he's two blocks down in the yellow house. Feel free to leave flowers Blainers." Cooper grinned, shoving Blaine's shoulder.

"Come on Calvin, let's go get some ice cream, you look like you need some. Finn, Rachel, Carole, you want any?" Kurt said pushing Jordanna's stroller onto the pavement as Calvin ran after him.

"We're good, thanks Kurt. Calvin James, you behave for Uncle Kurt and don't leave his sight." Rachel called after him as he grabbed onto the stroller.

"I will Mom."

Once Kurt found the ice cream stand he heaved a sigh looking at the length of the line. He went and joined the end and listened to Cal talking to the people who joined after them.

"I'm Calvin." he said, making Kurt turn around to see the little girl he was talking to stood with a man and an older child.

"My name's Lily. Thats Jackie and Uncle Coop." the girl beamed.

"That's my Uncle Kurt." Cal said excitedly tugging on Kurt's arm. He turned slightly and held his hand out, shaking the girl's Uncle's hand.

"You look familiar." the man commented, as Kurt moved to talk easier. "Did you just move onto Rosewood?"

"I did yeah, number thirty seven." Kurt replied, watching as the man grinned.

"We're neighbours then! My wife Jenny and I live with our kids two blocks up, in 55. I'm Cooper."

"Kurt, it's nice to meet you." Kurt smiled.

"I was going to come by and introduce myself with the kids this weekend, but I guess I did it early." Cooper laughed.

"Coming for ice cream saved you the trip to my place." Kurt laughed, keeping his eye on Jordanna in her stroller.

"The line for the ice cream is longer than the walk to your place it seems."

"I honestly wouldn't doubt that at all right now."

"Uncle Coop, can Calvin come play with us for a bit?" Lily asked looking up at Cooper.

"Um, well I don't know Lils, Daddy's taking you to the other park soon remember?"

"Oh, yeah, maybe a different time then." Lily said with a nod. "My Daddy's taking me for fireworks at our special park."

"Well then, come on Cal, say goodbye to Lily and Jack. We need to get going. See you around Cooper." Kurt said with a wave. Cooper nodded and waved back as Kurt began walking back to where his family was sat, Cal holding onto the handle again.

"Hey, Uncle Kurt, I got an idea!"

"What's that then?"

"Well, um, you know the park you told me about? Do you think you can take me to see it before we go back to Lima?"

"I could yeah, if you'd like me to, I haven't been back there yet myself."

"Well ya should, and we can see if you lover's there."

"Where on earth did you learn that term?" Kurt laughed, looking down at his nephew.

"Uncle Puck. But maybe he'll be there!"

"I don't think he will Cal, it's been a long time." Kurt explained watching his nephew sigh.

"How long?"

"Well, I was twenty two last time I saw him, and now I'm almost thirty one, so it'll be nine years in September."

"That is a long time."

Hey guys! Thanks for reading, reviewing, alerting and all that jazz, it means a lot to me :) Let me know if you have any ideas for the next few chapters! Chapter Five is written out, just needs typing up, so could be up tonight, could be tomorrow, I have no idea. But enjoy!