Blaine always visited Greenway when he, Kurt, and Brendan went back to Ohio to visit their families. He couldn't escape the irony - as a kid, he had wanted nothing more than to get as far away from the group home as possible, but now that he was an adult, he couldn't stay away.

It was Brendan's spring break at school, so they were staying with Burt and Carole in Lima for a few days. Blaine was getting ready to go early one morning when he heard a small voice behind him.

"Dad?"

Blaine spun on his heel, heart warming at the word. It had taken a few months, but Brendan was finally calling him dad, and he loved it.

"What's up Bren?"

"Are you going back to your place again?"

Blaine nodded.

"Can I go with you?"

Blaine's eyes widened. "Bren, my 'place' ... it's a group home, just like you used to live in. Are you sure you want to go back to a place like that?"

Brendan nodded resolutely.

"Okay. Go tell your father that you're coming with me so he doesn't freak out when he goes to check on you and you aren't there. I just have to do a few more things and then we can go."

Brendan grinned and ran upstairs to the guest bedroom where Kurt and Blaine stayed. Seconds later, he was storming back down them, ready and rearing to go.


When they pulled up to Greenway, Brendan sucked in a deep breath.

"It's so pretty," he said in an awe-filled voice.

Blaine had to agree. It was a large house on an even bigger lot, with huge yards and plenty of old trees to climb and play in. The closest houses on either side were over a block away, so Greenway had its own little bubble. Beyond that, however, Blaine remembered the cramped red brick building in the middle of New York City where Brendan had been living. There had been no yard. There had been no fresh country air or quiet serenity.

"Yeah, kid, it is," he agreed.

They walked inside and Blaine showed Brendan around the first floor. Many of the kids were still asleep, so they didn't venture upstairs to the dormotories just yet. He deposited his son in the playroom with a few other kids, and went to go talk to Mrs. Hanson.


"Hi," Brendan said shyly, walking up to the one girl who was by herself in the playroom. Everyone else was occupied with someone else, and Brendan was too shy to approach them.

"Hi," she said. She had wide blue eyes and caramel colored hair. She was probably only six years old. Brendan knew that his friends back home might tease him for hanging out with a little girl, but he remembered being in her place all too well.

"Can I play with you? My daddy went to talk to Mrs. Hanson and told me to stay here."

She nodded, but didn't make eye contact with Brendan. He sat down next to her, hoping that she would soon open up to him.

"Whatcha playing?"

She held up a doll in response.

"She's really pretty," Brendan said. "Does she have a name?"

The girl shook her head no.

"What about you? What's your name?"

"Charlotte," the girl whispered.


When Blaine emerged from Mrs. Hanson's office 45 minutes later, it was to a beautiful and touching sight. Brendan was crouched on the floor next to a young girl, helping her play with her doll. They were both chatting animatedly.

"I don't really want to take him away," Blaine mused.

Mrs. Hanson looked up in surprise. "I don't want you to, either," she said. "That's the first time I've seen her talk to another kid."

Blaine looked shocked. "Really?"

Mrs. Hanson nodded. "You've got a really special boy there, Blaine."


The two adults let the kids play a bit longer. After a while, Brendan noticed Blaine and dragged him over.

"Daddy! This is Charlotte. I've been helping her with her doll," he said.

Blaine looked a bit shocked, but then smiled. "Hi Charlotte. My name's Blaine."

The little girl couldn't even seem to make eye contact.

"I used to live here when I was a kid, too," he said. "I was here my entire life, from when I was born until I was 16."

She finally made eye contact at Blaine's admission. Instead of saying anything, she handed over the doll. Blaine accepted and began to play as well.


Three hours later, Blaine's cell phone rang.

"Blaine, I know you said you were going to Greenway, but what is taking so long?" Kurt asked.

"Kurt, you need to come here."

"What? Why? Did something happen?" Kurt sounded panicked.

"No, no. Well, yes, but nothing bad. I found her, Kurt."

"Who?"

"Charlotte."