Thank you guys and girls for reading and reviewing! :-) Now, as always (and no I'm not getting tired of mentioning it) grab some food and hot tea and enjoy the next part of my little Christmas fic!
December 5th, Friday: 20 days until Christmas
Packing his bags again after having arrived less than two weeks ago was weird. But he didn't go back home to his parents, he would visit Blaine's parents. Mrs Anderson liked him now, yay! It would be relaxing and contemplative. He had talked to Rachel and she had had no problem with giving him free days. Maybe it isn't that bad to have a friend as boss. Also, Baker didn't have time the next week and communicated via text with Rachel, telling her that he was busy bringing their video to the people. So when Sam got back he might be famous already!
And it would be so christmassy. Blaine would get into the mood this time for real. They could visit their pavilion and have kind of a couples vacation (except that Blaine's parents would be there). Sam could also start to think about what he would do for their anniversary, which he had been too busy for until now. But Lima was perfect for thoughts like that. Oh, and they already had agreed on visiting some of their old friends like Ryder, Marley, and Finn! Sam was looking forward to that. Blaine had uttered some regrets about having falling out with Tina but Sam would distract him from that sure enough.
And the Hummel-Hudsons!
Sam sighed and sat down on his bed to take a break from packing. He had missed Lima. It felt more like home than Kentucky. Maybe because Blaine had never been with him in Kentucky but they had had the best adolescence years in Lima.
"Fuck them!"
Something rumbled and Kurt cursed again. Sam jumped up. Why was Kurt home at this time? It wasn't even three p.m. and he never came home before five. Sam tiptoed to his curtain and peaked through it. Kurt was in the kitchen, fighting with the kettle.
"Uh... Dude, what has it ever done to you?" Sam asked as he sneaked to him. Kurt jerked around.
"Sam! Do you have to frighten me like that?"
"I'll be gone for a while week so yeah, it's my goodbye present." Sam grinned with joy, pure Christmas joy.
Except when Kurt stared at him with blazing eyes Sam's grin vanished.
"Uhm, I'm sorry", he said without having planned it. Kurt sighed and sank down on a chair.
"It's not your fault. It's... them. The producers of the play. I got a callback, alright, but turns out they also asked Sebastian. They wanted to see us perform again because, how did they put it..." Kurt made quotation marks in the air. "Flashing chemistry with the potential to explode if the attitude would be left out."
"Dude! That's..." Sam didn't know what it was. Good, right? But Kurt was mad.
"I know, it's horrible! I would have stormed out but... you don't storm out on the Kinneys. So I pulled myself together. Meercat did the same. But after we got out we were at each others throat immediately and all I could think of was fleeing. I never ever skipped school before, Sam."
"Oh, that sucks."
"Yeah." Kurt affirmed in a voice that said 'duh'.
"So, what now? Do you think you'll get another callback? Would they hire you two together or... what?"
"If I only knew." Kurt shook his head and tipped against the table. "I don't think I could do it. Take a role as his partner. It's not worth it."
"Fame and money are not worth pretending to like Sebastian?"
"Would you do it?"
"I'm pretending to like Rachel", Sam said, raising his eyebrows.
"Oh. Yeah, well, still. She's not that bad. You don't literally want to kill her, right?"
"No, I guess not. Well, sometimes I imagine how it would be to push her into an ice cold river but then I always jump in too to save her. I am pretty mean, right, who would do that to their friends?"
Kurt hit his fists against the table.
"See! I wouldn't save Sebastian! Argh!"
"Oh, man", Sam said. "That really sucks. But hey, maybe they have seen enough and now hire you and somebody else."
Kurt exhaled and stood up. "I hope so. And I need to cool off now. I go for a run. I'd ask you to join but I'll probably scream at trees and kick stones and get some weird looks."
"Hey, I'm used to weird looks."
Kurt stopped on his way to his section. "Wait, you really want to run with me?"
"I need to work out before I go to the Anderson's and your parents and eat a lot of cookies, yeah." Sam shrugged.
"Oh, right, that, too. You are going to see my parents and I'm stuck here with that ass and... ugh. I go change."
Kurt vanished and Sam pulled the cookie jar that always was on the table nowadays to him. But then he changed his mind, no, he really needed to work out first.
December 6th, Saturday: 19 days until Christmas
The calm and quiet of Lima was like water on a burning tree. Much needed. Blaine hadn't realized that the hectic of New York City had nibbled on his nerves but when the leased car they were driving turned into the street of his parent's house he felt like a millions stones were falling off his shoulders. He sighed and closed his eyes, taking in the peace.
"Good to be home, eh?" Sam asked.
"You have no idea."
Sam parked the car on the driveway and got out their suitcases. Blaine went to get his while he stared at the house. It still looked the same though it felt as if a hundred years had passed since he last had been here.
"I'm so looking forward to this week", Sam said and closed the trunk door. "It will be relaxing but also fun because we see old friends."
Blaine just nodded, still overwhelmed from everything. They went to the door and he rang the doorbell. How weird it was he didn't have a key!
"Honey, it's you! Oh, come here!" his mother said when she opened the door. She hugged Blaine tightly, and Blaine had never realized how tiny and fragile she was. What would happen to her if his father had another heart attack and didn't survive it? Sure, she wouldn't be poor but she would be lonely. So lonely. Maybe he should get her a dog.
"And you." Mrs Anderson also hugged Sam and Blaine smiled at that. It was the first time ever. So Christmas miracles did happen!
Yeah, being here would get him in a festive mood for sure.
They went inside and also greeted Mr Anderson, who of course wasn't as emotional. But he patted Blaine's back and shook Sam's hand, clearly happy to see them.
"You must tell me everything about your school", he said. "And Sam, I got a new model car for you, I know how much you like them."
"Oh, uhm, cool. Thanks, Mr Anderson."
"Call me dad, would you?" Another shoulder pat while Sam stared at him. Blaine nudged his arm.
"Yeah, sure, okay... dad."
"Christopher, don't strain yourself. Sit down." Mrs Anderson came to them and guided her husband to his armchair, not minding his complaints.
Blaine turned to Sam and didn't even try to hide his grin.
"Welcome to the family, Sammy."
"Did your dad... like... is this real?"
"I know." Blaine held his hands to his chest. He felt close to crying because yes, this was really happening. Sam belonged here, to them. To Blaine.
Upstairs Blaine went to his window and took a look at the street from this perspective. It was white and peaceful, all houses lightened up and some had smoke coming out of their chimneys. It was already getting dark.
The lights in the room went on and Sam came in, positioning his suitcase next to Blaine's on the floor. Then he put his hands into his pockets and looked around.
"Wow. It was like centuries ago we last were here. You were always sitting at the desk and making homework like the good boy you were and I was lying on your bed, reading comics."
"I didn't spend all of my time making homework", Blaine said.
"Yeah... you kind of did, dude."
Blaine frowned. "Dude? When was the last time you called me that?"
"Guess in this room?" Sam grinned and came closer. He pulled Blaine on the hand to the bed and they lay down. Their legs entangled and their arms came around each other. Blaine could lie like that forever. He let his eyes wander over the room, fascinated by how empty and lifeless it seemed. No one had lived in here since he had gone away. Kind of spooky.
"So your dad continues buying me model cars", Sam said. "What should I do with them? When did I ever say I like them?"
Blaine chuckled. "You were fascinated by his collection if I remember correctly."
"Well, yeah. It was cool but that doesn't mean I want some for myself."
"Oh, let him have his fun. He always wanted a son who is interested in cars and neither me nor Cooper could fulfill his wishes there." Blaine rubbed little circles on Sam's chest, not being able to stop smiling.
"Sure, I'm glad if I can help. Though I hope that doesn't make us brothers."
"Oh, I assure you it doesn't." Blaine kissed his boyfriend, sweet and gently. They were alone, completely alone, no other people lurking behind just a curtain. The room had real walls, and a door, they could have privacy. No rush. Just them.
Later, when Sam was receiving his model car, Blaine sat with his mother in the kitchen. It was like in good old times. She was baking and talking, he was eating the cookie dough.
"So, you are really serious with Sam", she stated. "As serious as with Kurt? But he's so different!"
"He's the best thing that ever happened to me", Blaine said, still amazed his mother listened now. "And yes. We are serious."
"I always liked Kurt", Blaine's mother said.
"I know. Dad didn't though, well, at least he obviously likes Sam more."
"I noticed! And I'm not saying I don't like Sam. So, what have you planned for the future? And tell me how your school grades are, you never answer my e-mails!"
Blaine bit his lip. "They are good, but also well-earned. I mean, the homework is like... way too much."
"And your future with Sam?"
Blaine fumbled with a cookie cutting form. "We're planning on moving in together."
"When can I expect grand-children? Because, you know, I don't think I can expect those from your brother. He's always so busy! It's a miracle he even has a girlfriend! You do want kids, right?"
Blaine tore his eyes open. "What? Yeah, but not now. Not in many years, mum, seriously. I'm nineteen!"
"So? When you turned eighteen last year you immediately thought of marrying. You are a family man, honey, don't forget that. Oh, wouldn't it be great if you two got a house in the neighborhood and would come to visit us with your kids? They could run around and play... oh, a girl would be nice", she sighed. "I always wanted a daughter."
Blaine rolled his eyes. He was working on making a name in New York City, he wouldn't move back to Lima to raise a family. But she would get that soon enough.
On the other hand... if he ever had kids he wouldn't want them to grow up in New York City. It was bad enough as it was for grown-ups. There were only cars and hectic people, no place for children to play on the street and ran around safely on playgrounds.
But oh well. This matter really was far away so he didn't have to worry about it now.
"Sam is still a country boy, right? How is he doing in the big city?" his mother asked.
"Uhm, good. He's got a job and works on making some money."
Although he is not working on getting an education that would bring him somewhere and ensure stability in the unsteady business world...
"How long does he want to stay there?"
"I don't know, okay?" Blaine crossed his arms. He knew he was getting defensive and he also knew why. Sam was there because of him. He hadn't made any commitment work-wise, he didn't even seem to have dreams that he wanted to pursue. He had taken on the job with Rachel so he could be in New York and make some money.
What did Sam want from life? And why didn't Blaine know that?
Thoughtfully he went to the living room and watched his father explain Sam how the engine of a Chevy57 worked. Sam nodded politely but his face seemed a bit absent-minded. Again, he only did this for Blaine.
Blaine remembered high school and how Sam's biggest goal had been to find love. He had had several girlfriends and even proposed to half of them. Now that he had found love, what else did he want to achieve?
Sam discovered him and waved happily, so Blaine went to his boyfriend and got comfy in his arms. His dad put a red model car back on the table and Sam used the pause to say:
"Mr Ander... I mean, dad, I noticed you don't have a Christmas tree yet. What's that about? It's the second Advent tomorrow."
Blaine's father looked at him in confusion. "The tree only gets set up on the day before Christmas."
"Oh. Huh." Sam looked at the wreath on the table. "Well, at least you have that. And stockings? And other decorations?"
"Carla will be starting with her gingerbread village soon, I think."
Blaine chuckled. "You have to know, dad, Sam's a bit of a holiday lover. He's very enthusiastic about it."
"Oh, uhu, I see. Is that a gay thing?"
Blaine stiffened. His father had never understood 'the gay thing' but lately Blaine had dared to hope that he was okay with it.
"No, Sir, it's not", Sam said, not detecting any affront.
"Are you an interior decorator?"
"No, although that sure sounds awesome. Recently I've released a hit single and I hope to make some money with that."
"Oh, uhu." Blaine's father stroked over his white beard and nodded. "Do you know enough about mutual funds and stock exchanges? Working for money is good, making your money work for you is even better. I can give you a few tips there."
Blaine sat up and crossed his arms. "How come you never talked to me about something like that?"
His father waved Blaine's argument aside. "You are too much of a girl. Just like your brother. I still wonder that he isn't gay, too."
"That's offensive!" Blaine said. "Just because I'm gay doesn't mean I don't need to know about money. And Sam's gay, too, so..."
"And I'm glad you found a man who can take care of you", Blaine's father said.
"I'm pretty sure Blaine can take care of himself, Mr Anderson", Sam said. "I mean I will, but not because he can't. He's very clever and witty."
"That's so typical!" Blaine exclaimed. His father would never change, would he? Blaine got up and went to the terrace. It had always been like that. Because he was gay he wanted do have a 'woman's career'. Because he was gay his father hadn't even tried to bond with him. Because he was gay he apparently couldn't take care of himself and needed someone who did that.
Blaine opened the door, stepped out and took a deep, cold breath. His arms wound around himself as he paced the terrace that was snow-free.
"Hey..." Sam came out and closed the door behind him. "I'm sure he didn't mean it."
"Yes, he does! He's always like that. Why can't he just accept that I'm a person like everybody else? I mean, why are you 'the man who has to take care of me' and I'm 'the girl'? How stereotypical and sexist is that?"
"Well." Sam scratched his head. "He's a pretty old guy so..."
Blaine shook his head and continued pacing. "And my mum talks about grand-children and that we should move here! They are both completely insane!"
Sam laughed. He actually laughed! Blaine jerked around and glared at him.
"What's funny about that?"
"Blaine. Your father wants me to call him dad, gives me investment tips and is relying on me to 'take care' of you, and your mother wants us to have kids? I mean, that's pretty awesome, right? They just assume that we're going to stay together forever, and they don't have anything against it. Isn't that what you wanted only a few months ago?"
Blaine froze and stared at his boyfriend. Sam was right. His parents were accepting Sam without any complaints to the family and were incorporating him in their plans. Blaine had wished for this to happen so bad for so long. And now that it happened he found other reasons to get upset. He really was a drama queen, wasn't he?
Blaine felt his shoulders relaxing and he nodded.
"It's great, Sam. I'm glad they like you now."
"Of course your father's assumption isn't nice, too. When he wants to talk about mutual funds again I ask for your presence, okay?"
Blaine gulped and nodded. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to know about stock exchange but the point was that his father should have asked him and not just assumed Blaine wouldn't want to.
They went back inside and chatted a bit with his mother before they retreated to watch a movie in Blaine's room. Sam was constantly busy with his phone and reported to Blaine what their Lima friends were saying about them being here.
"Did you know that Finn is back living with his parents? He writes the second college year is the hardest and he needed a place to stay where it was calm and he could focus on studying."
"And getting his meals cooked and his laundry done", Blaine laughed. "I know how that works".
"We could visit him tonight", Sam suggested.
"Yeah, why not. I haven't seen him in ages", Blaine said. "Although you two will probably bond talking about video games and I'll get bored."
"Hey, how can you get bored when I'm there? Huh?" Sam asked.
"Oh, believe me, it's possible."
Sam pouted, so Blaine laughed and leaned to him for a kiss. "Just kidding. I could never be bored when you're around."
"So we go? Cause Finn also writes that Carol made vanilla crescents."
"Oh, well, then we don't have any other choice, do we?"
"My saying!" Sam grinned and tipped wildly into his phone.
After Blaine had dressed with one of the new bow ties that he had bought especially for Christmas (classy black) they went over to the Hummel-Hudson's and were greeted with much enthusiasm. As expected Sam and Finn quickly went into dork mode and threw words around that Blaine didn't know. So he used the time to sneak around. First he looked into the guest room, Sam's old room. It brought back some memories, as well as Kurt's room that Blaine peaked into. He had spent much time in this house, maybe too much.
"Oh man, it would be so cool if you were in New York", Sam said to Finn when Blaine came back into the room.
"At the moments my best friends are – you won't believe it – Kurt and Rachel. Kurt, of all persons!" Sam said, shaking his head.
"Hey... I thought I'm your best friend", Blaine said and sat down on the foot of the bed since the two boys were sitting on the bed-head.
"You are! But you know what I mean. Someone who's not my partner at the same time." Sam nudged Blaine's leg with his foot.
"Well, my destiny calls me in Lima", Finn said. "I even started helping Mr Schue with the Glee club again. It counts as an internship."
"Hey, man, that's so cool!" Sam said, hitting Finn's shoulder. "We have to visit the choir room, right, Blaine?"
"Sure, why not."
"Remember all the make-out sessions we had there? Ah, good times." Sam stared dreamily into the air, while Finn snickered.
"If I had been there at that time I would have thought of some ways to interrupt you."
"Oh, don't worry. Other people did that often enough." Sam's face darkened.
"It wasn't that bad", Blaine said.
"The end of senior year was", Sam said. "Remember what Kitty and Tina did?"
"What?" Finn wanted to know. So Sam went into details telling the events of last summer and Blaine wondered how Tina was doing. She had gotten into Brown, but he never heard from here since their Facebook friendship had ended at the mentioned summer. It was a pity, and Blaine still didn't understand why Tina had done such a thing. But maybe she regretted it now. Maybe she wanted to apologise and then they could be friends again...?
Coming up on Thursday: Blam visit their old High School, where Blaine starts his anniversary present already! They also visit the pavilion and then Sam sees something. Is it... a stag?
