"Wait here." Blaine put the suitcase in the hotel room and came out for his bride, waiting patiently in the hallway. He picked her up and carried her over the threshold.

"Wow, it only took us two kids and 10 years to have a honeymoon."

He deposited her on the bed. "You're definitely worth waiting for." He sprawled alongside her. "What's your pleasure?" he asked with a leer.

"We've been together for 15 years, I think you figured out the pleasure part the first night! But we can do that later. We're in Manhattan without the kids! I got us tickets to the the-a-ther! A revival of How To Succeed in Business. Then dinner or room service, your pick since I picked the play."

"How much time do we have before the play?"

"Two hours."

"Plenty of time." he said, sliding his hand up her skirt.

Jackie pulled out her journal and added New Haven, Connecticut to her list of places she never wanted to see again. New Haven and Rick Evans. Sam is nice, Quinn is nice but Rick's an arrogant, spoiled brat who took an instant dislike to Jackie. But not to Ella. Jackie wrote that down. She decided to add a sketch to her notes, Rick and Ella playing chess. That made Jackie happy – one that Ella agreed to stay in New Haven with her instead of going to New York with their parents and two that Ella's kicking his ass. Rick was all smiles when he first sat down but shit, Jackie's as good as Rick is. Ella's competition good, as Rick soon realized. Jackie half expected him to pitch a fit, the way he was acting towards her earlier, but no, he's treating Ella with actual respect.

"Where did she learn to play?" Suddenly Sam was sitting next to her.

Jackie closed the notebook. "Our dad. He taught mom in high school. She said it was something quiet they could do while I was asleep. When we travelled a chessboard is easy to carry and it's international. You don't have to speak the language to play. They taught us, that and the guitar. Another easy thing to carry."

"You play the guitar? I thought you just sing."

"We both play. I didn't bring it with me this weekend. Mom said you play? That you taught her?"

"Yes, I gave her lessons and she insisted on paying me. She figured it was the only way I'd take money from her, if it was a job, not charity. That's kind of how I got to know her."

"Didn't you know her before, from the singing group?"

"We were both in it but I didn't really know her. That came later."

"Did you miss her, after you left town?" Sam hesitated. That was an uncomfortable question and she was staring at him, head tilted to one side, the way he noticed Blaine does sometimes. Then she smiled like he'd just confirmed what she already knew. "That's okay, you don't have to answer that. I'm just being nosey. Bad habit I picked up from dad. Mom says he's shameless. He says he's showing interest in the other person." She thought for a few minutes.

"You wouldn't have joined the Navy, would you, if you'd come back to Lima? You couldn't have, not with those kinds of responsibilities. And she wouldn't have married dad and Ella would be a totally different person, if there was an Ella at all, maybe there would an Ellis or an Elliot. I'd be a totally different person too." He wondered if that's how the situation had been explained to her. "I like it this way."

Sam noticed how mature she seemed, for a girl of 14. "You asked me a question and it deserves a real answer. Honestly, I did miss your mom. At first I thought about her constantly. Her not being there was an ache that wouldn't stop. Only the ache did stop. I had three jobs that summer, all I did was work, sleep and watch my brother and sister. Finally we had enough money to rent a place. When school started I was down to one job. I was so tired, helping to support my family but I had to, they really needed the money. And gradually I started thinking about things down there, where I lived. I should have called or come back for a visit. I really regret that. It must have been so hard for her, going through the whole thing alone. And then she had you as a constant reminder. She didn't have the option of forgetting and moving on."

"She did okay."

"She did better than okay. She and Blaine do whatever they want to do, you girls have seen the world. None of that would have happened if I came back."

"You're right, my life is better than okay." She smiled and patted Sam's hand. "Do you still have your guitar?"

"No, I kind of lost track of it over the years."

"Well, the next time you're in Lima I'll play for you."

"Max has a guitar." Rick said, pushing himself away from the chessboard. "Ella, Can we play again, later? You're better than any kid I know. Makes the game interesting, you know?"

"Sure, anytime. Who's Max?"

"Neighbour. His dad's a singing teacher and Max gets paid to accompany the students. He's just next door."

"Where is everybody?" Quinn asked putting down her briefcase beside the door she'd just entered the house by.

"They went next door to visit Max. How are you feeling?" Sam took her arm guided her to the sofa. Then he propped her feet up on the coffee table.

"Sam, I'm just pregnant. I've been through this before."

"But I haven't. I missed so much with Rick. This time it'll be different."

"Speaking of different, how was Robotics?"

"I liked it. The girls stayed here and it was just 'man time'. I think, he didn't say it but I think, Rick's getting used to me, used to the idea that I'm not leaving this time. It was hardest on him, me being gone so much."

"So you're looking forward to being Mr. Mom?" She laughed. "Terrible timing, me being offered a partnership at the law firm right now. I could still say no."

"As if." He kissed her"This is perfect. Rick and the new baby will be my job. Maybe I'll squeeze in some classes."

"It's amazing." Quinn said, clasping his hand, "We came so close to throwing this whole thing away. I never believed in babies as relationship savers, they're just the opposite usually."

"That's a lot of responsibility to put on a little baby." He said looking into those beautiful eyes. He hoped the new baby has her eyes. "Saving this relationship is up to you and me. I'm ready to do whatever it takes."

"You always do."

Mercedes gasped for breath, wondering if this is what people mean by vacation sex. Having sex at night was slightly different for them, normally they preferred the afternoons. Afternoons were slow at the coffeehouse and the girls were in school so they didn't have to worry about noise. Sex in a new location wasn't new, they lived in a small oceanfront village in the Philippines for five years. And sex with Blaine had always been good but tonight he's outdoing himself.

"Jesus baby, you're killing me!"

"Serves you right. I didn't notice what you were wearing when we left the hotel. Then, when you took off your coat at the play and I saw you in that blue dress! I don't even remember what we saw, I was so distracted." She rolled over so she was on top. "Damn, I love that view!" he said, reaching up to cup her breasts in his hands. "And damn, I love you!"

15 years ago

"You guys look like an old married couple." Mrs. Jones said. "Here is it Saturday night, Valentine's day, and you've spent the day at Chuckie Cheese. Thank you for making sure she's exhausted enough to sleep all night, but you should go out somewhere. Have fun."

Blaine closed the history book he was tired of looking at. "Thank you Mrs. Jones. How about it Merce, just for a couple of hours?"

"Thanks mom. We'll be back in a few hours."

The fact that every restaurant in Lima would be booked on Saturday, February 14, hadn't occurred to either of them but was quickly pointed out. Several times. You'd think it was some kind of holiday.

"Now what?" Mercedes asked sitting in the car outside Breadsticks, watching sleet bounce against the car windows.

"I'll make you something. We can drive out to my house and I'll cook you something."

"You cook?"

"People rave over my grilled cheese sandwich."

"They do?"

"No, they don't but nobody's died yet."

"Nice name for a restaurant. Nobody's Died Yet. Anyway there's your folks. They don't like me and who'd suspect a poisoned cheese sandwich?"

"I'll be your official food taster. Plus, they're not home. Family wedding in Toledo tomorrow morning. They're at the rehearsal dinner right now."

Blaine made grilled cheese, Mercedes pulled together a soup with leftovers from the refrigerator and they shared one glass of wine. The sleet on the way over to Blaine's reminded him that he didn't want to drink too much before driving her home. They were sitting on a blanket in front of the fireplace, eating sandwiches when Mercedes' mother called.

"Hey mom, is Jackie okay?"

"Jackie's fine. She's still asleep. Where are you?"

"Blaine's house. He's just about to drive me back home."

"Have you looked out the window lately?"

She jumped up and looked out the window. "Shit! I mean, darn! Hey Blaine, look!"

"Sudden ice storm. There's accidents all over the place. Never thought I'd say this but.." her mother hesitated. "Stay where you are. Don't worry about Jackie. I don't want you guys on the road in this mess."

"You sure? Blaine's got four wheel drive."

"That's just four wheels spinning on the ice. Just stay there. And Mercedes, be careful. I guess I should have mentioned that when you were dating Sam, except I didn't know you were dating Sam, did I?"

"Mom!"

"One baby's poor planning. Two's a life-style decision, if you see what I mean."

"Ok! We'll leave as soon as it's safe." she disconnected from the phone call.

"It's magical." Blaine said, still looking out the window at the half inch of ice that glazed the streets and trees. "Treacherous to drive in but pretty to look at. Let's get started before it gets any worse." He reached for his coat.

"My mom, she wants me to stay here." Blaine looked puzzled. "She said it's dangerous on the roads. Of course she implied it's dangerous here too." she added with a nervous chuckle.

Blaine sat down on the sofa. "Mercedes, we never talked about it but now's a good time. I love you, you know that right?"

"And I love you, Blaine. And I want to be with you, but the odds. I only slept with Sam a couple of times and see what happened."

"We could use condoms, if I had any."

"Me neither."

"Just because about we're all alone, for the whole night, doesn't necessarily mean we have to have sex."

"True."

"I mean, if you don't want to, if you don't feel comfortable about it, we don't have to. That's the most important thing, that you feel comfortable."

She looked into his deep brown eyes. Trouble was she wanted to, she really wanted to. "We could do other stuff." She suggested. "As long as we both knew when to stop."

"Well, Miss Jones," he said with a smile that lit up his face, "let's start in the shower and see what we come up with. Trust me, you won't get pregnant, not tonight. That's kind of my speciality."

end flashback

"I talked to Quinn this morning, while you were in the shower." Mercedes said as they stood in front of the hotel, waiting for the cab to the train station for their return to New Haven and their daughters.

"Oh yeah? What did she have to say, the girls are monsters and she put them out?"

"No, she said they're perfect angels, which is true. She also said her neighbors are coming to dinner tonight."

"Okay."

"Kurt's her neighbour."

"No shit! Really? Kurt Hummel?"

"If that's still his last name but same Kurt."

"Don't worry baby, I'm not going to jump all over him." He put his arm around her waist. "Not when I know what's waiting for me at home. Just like you didn't run off with Sam. You're stuck with me."

"Blaine! You look fantastic."

"Thanks Kurt. You too! Adam! Great to see you again."

"Blaine, I'll finally get a chance to talk to you. At our wedding there wasn't much time to talk. Now you can tell me all of Kurt's secrets."

Kurt laughed "There's no secrets, just boring details. Mercedes, it's been so long, we should talk."

"Sure, I've got lots of secrets." she winked at Blaine. "But the big one got out already."

Quinn was passing appetizers. "Nice to see you again, Mercedes. Your girls are beautiful."

"Thank you, Rick's quite the handsome gentleman."

Quinn looked at Rick and smiled. "Jackie probably doesn't think so. He's upset and not being as well-behaved as he usually is. Sorry if he's coming across as rude."

"Don't apologize. Jackie and Ella both knew the story. I can see how you guys are shocked at the news. He just needs time."

Jackie and Sam were sitting on one side of the room, playing Max's guitar. Max stared at Jackie, he was definitely straight. Rick glared at them. Then he went to a quiet corner and started reading a book on chess strategy. Ella sat down beside him and tried to get him to talk, which he didn't, so she abandoned that effort and started playing with Elise and her stuffed animals.

"You were such a beautiful bride." Mercedes said looking at one of the pictures on the sofa table. Sam in his Navy uniform, Quinn in a form-fitting white dress and a veil, carrying red roses and standing on a deck overlooking the ocean. "Where was this?"

"San Diego. Sam was stationed there. It was kind of impulsive, getting married, but we just decided it was the right time. Karen, my best friend, drove down from LA. My mom flew out, Sam's family came. It was a small wedding but Sam was there, that's all I needed." She crossed her arm across her stomach and Mercedes noticed.

"Are you?"

"Yes. Rick already knows, another thing he's upset about, but we're announcing it tonight."

"Congratulations!"

"Thanks." She laughed again. "And when did you guys get married?"

"Ten years ago. We lived in the Philippines at house we rented from a cousin of Blaine's. They use the term 'cousin' loosely there or else he was related to the whole village. His mom is from there and he wanted to know that side of his family."

"Ella was born there?"

"No, Ella was born in Toronto. Neither of us really wanted to go to college, but we took college courses to make our, well Blaine's, parent's happy and he picked a college there. You ever see "I didn't know I was pregnant"? That was Ella. Totally unexpected. Blaine wanted to get married at the time but I didn't. So then he wanted to go visit his mother's people. That's why we were in the Philippines."

"Then what happened? Why did you change your mind?" Kurt asked, sitting on the arm of the sofa.

"He was reading a book to the girls. Sounds silly because he did that all the time, but he was sitting on the front steps, reading a book to the girls. Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters. It's a Cinderella story except both sisters are pretty, one's kind and one's selfish. He was sitting there reading to them. Jackie was four, Ella was two. Jackie was pulling his hair and Ella was trying to wiggle out of his lap. Something about that made me know right then that I was supposed to marry him. We got married on the beach. Instead of flowers we carried babies with flowers in their hair.

Night and day, you are the one
Only you beneath the moon or under the sun
Whether near to me, or far
It's no matter darling where you are
I think of you
Day and night, night and day.

That's what we danced to. Crazy story, huh?"

"Not really." Kurt said. "I knew that I was in love with Adam, I knew Max came with the package but I didn't know if I wanted kids. Max and I got along but he wasn't my responsibility, you know? So Adam had to go out of town for a tour and, of course, Max came down with the flu. God it was a mess, coming out both ends and Adam couldn't get back. I'd never so much as taken care of a cat, let alone a real live human. I called Dad and Carol and they walked me though keeping Max alive. I didn't know if I could be a dad, my dad set the bar pretty high. But I took care of him and that's how I knew we're supposed to be a family. So I just moved in and started making wedding plans. When Adam came off his tour he wasn't even surprised that I lived there now. He said we should look for a surrogate that looked like me and within a year we were married and had Elise. First dance -

If I had a box just for wishes,
and dreams that had never come true,
the box would be empty except for the memory
of how they were answered by you."

"Junior year of college." Quinn said, staring at Sam. "I got really sick and Sam spent a weekend nursing me back to health. That's when I knew. Course I had to wait two years for him to know and ask me, but that's when I knew. Our first dance,

And when I go away,
I know my heart can stay with my love,
it's understood.
It's in the hands of my love,
cause my love, does it good
Only my love holds the other key to me."

And Quinn was mostly telling the truth. The thing that sealed it for her was the card Sam sent her exactly one year later. "I know today's a hard day" the card read, "but somebody somewhere is thanking God for you. P.S. I'm thanking God for you, too. Love, Sam."

"So, how do you like your new family?" Blaine asked, sitting on the edge of one of the twin beds in the guest room while the girls packed their bags for the flight back to Lima.

"They're not my family." Jackie answered. "You guys are."

"They're family." Blaine repeated. "How do you like them?"

"The adults are decent. Really nice. Rick..."

"Is young" Ella added. "he's just young, Jack. Decent chess player."

"Well that settles it." Jackie said, lifting her suitcase. "He's got Ella's seal of approval."

"A older sister and a new baby. That's a lot to take in at one time."

"I didn't act that way when Ella came along." She said with conviction.

"You were 2 years old. You don't remember a time before Ella."

"I still wouldn't have acted that way. Suppose Kurt had a baby from way back when and you just found out about it? I wouldn't act like that."

"Jackie, do we have to have that talk again?" he said with a laugh.

"I said 'suppose'. That makes it a hypothetical situation that took place in a universe where men get pregnant." she explained as if she were talking to a young child, an especially dense young child.

"Got it. So Rick aside, what's next?"

"Sam's going to visit me when he's in Lima. And we'll talk on the phone or email. That's it for now, he doesn't want to force a relationship. Sorry but you're stuck with me."

First dance song

Blaine and Mercedes – Night And Day – Ella Fitzgerald or John Barrowman
Kurt and Adam - Time In A Bottle – Jim Croce
Sam and Quinn – My Love – Paul McCartney