Chapter Nine


Blaine went into the kitchen and grabbed the container of milk from the fridge. Burt heard the noise and came in after him.

"Look, Blaine," Burt said uncomfortably, "I owe you an apology."

"Not now," Blaine answered tersely, refusing to meet's the older man's glare. Blaine put the mug of milk into the microwave and quickly turned it on.

"Blaine?" Burt mumbled, "please..."

Blaine waited until the microwave beeped, he took out the mug and turned to Burt.

"Carole asked me something on the way back here," Blaine said, steeling himself, "she asked who was more important to me, you or Kurt." Burt blinked in surprise.

"I love you Burt, and I really appreciate everything you've done for both me and Kurt over the years," Blaine held his resolve, "but nothing...and I mean nothing...is as important to me as your son."

Burt took a step back as Blaine continued, "I understand that you want to talk to me...but right now, Kurt needs me more...I hope you can understand that."

Burt nodded and moved aside to allow Blaine to exit the room. As he did, Blaine felt a pang of regret and looked back to Burt.

"Look," he sighed, "we'll talk...soon...it's just...Kurt."

Burt held his hands up in defeat, "When you're ready, Blaine." Blaine nodded and made his way back up the stairs.

Kurt's eyes lit up when Blaine returned. Blaine quickly sorted out Kurt's bottle and sat himself back against the headboard, opening his arms up for Kurt to climb into.

"Don't ever leave me again, Daddy," Kurt whispered so that Blaine barely heard, "I was so scared."

Blaine kissed Kurt's hair, "never, little one...you're stuck with me forever."

Kurt grinned, "I like being stuck to you," Blaine returned his toothy grin.

Kurt opened his mouth wide, and Blaine chuckled as he popped the teat between Kurt's lips. Kurt refused to hold the bottle himself; instead, he snuggled as close as he could get to Blaine. He finally felt somewhat back to normal.

Kurt's eyes began to droop as he neared the end of the bottle. Once he'd finished, Blaine gently pried the bottle away from Kurt. He picked up the pacifier, and put it into Kurt's mouth. Kurt stared up at him with a dreamy look in his half open eyes. Blaine felt his heart constrict a little at the look, it was a look that signalled total trust, a good deal of vulnerability and a truck load of love.

Blaine eased himself out from underneath Kurt and carefully placed Kurt's head on the pillow. Kurt's eyes never left Blaine's. Blaine leaned over and kissed him softly on the cheek.

"Sleep now, little one," he whispered. Kurt reached out and grabbed Blaine's hand as he made to turn around.

"Stay," Kurt whimpered.

"I'll just be downstairs," Blaine murmured. He picked up Kurt's bunny and tucked it into the sleepy man's arms.

Kurt nodded once before his eyes closed. Blaine waited until he was sure that Kurt was asleep before finally removing himself from the room, and making his way downstairs to deal with his next item of business.

Blaine sat down on the sofa as Burt eyed him warily.

"Kurt okay?" Burt finally asked. Blaine nodded, as he dragged his hand over his weary face.

"He's asleep," Blaine mumbled, not meeting his father-in-laws gaze.

"You look like you should be too," Burt said pointedly.

"There's things I need to sort out," Blaine shook his head, "and I really don't want to upset Kurt more than necessary."

"Things like me?" Burt questioned.

Blaine let out a heavy sigh, "Carole said that Kurt had tried to explain things to you." Burt nodded, and let Blaine continue, "I know our life sounds strange...but I just really need you to hear me."

Burt frowned in confusion, "okay then, I'm all ears."

"I don't mean to be rude by saying this...but I don't care if it's strange to you. I don't need you to give us your consent, I don't need you to understand...But, for Kurt's sake, it would be good if you could simply accept us...well, us...him...me...our lifestyle."

Burt leaned forward in his chair, "You're right, Blaine," he conceded, "I don't get it...and I don't know if I can ever truly understand it, but I can promise one thing, and that's to try."

"It's really not that hard," Blaine explained, "all you and Carole need to do is respect the fact that we can't really come here on a whim...I think that's been proven."

Burt snorted his agreement.

"It's only the first few days where he's a bit...mixed up. After that, you'd just see the Kurt you remember. All I've asked over the last few years is that we get a week's notice – could you do that?"

Burt furrowed his brow in confusion once more.

"We always have, Blaine," he said honestly, "when Carole and I came to New York, we let you know a month before."

"I know," sighed Blaine, "but this weekend...this last minute party tonight...if someone had only rung me a week ago."

Burt looked more confused than ever, "what party?" he asked.

"Your anniversary party," Blaine said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"What are you on about?" Burt asked.

"Rachel rang..." Blaine faded off as he saw Burt's face turn bright red in anger.

Finn hung up the phone and glared at Rachel.

"What did I do this time?" Rachel asked, knowing full well that Burt had just been on the phone.

"A party...?" Finn said, raising his eyebrows questioningly.

Rachel gulped, "Well, perhaps not exactly a party...but we had said that we wanted to do something special for your mom and Burt...and they were so upset that Kurt and Blaine didn't make it home for Christmas...and I knew they wouldn't come back unless it was something big...I suppose I may have given the impression that there was going to be a party." Rachel finally admitted.

Finn threw his arms in the air in frustration.

"How the fuck am I supposed to keep defending you to my family?" he shouted.

"Shh, you'll wake up Bryce," Rachel whispered, as she tried to think of a way to diffuse the situation.

"Rachel," said Finn quietly, "I don't know if I can do this anymore."

"Do what?" she timidly inquired.

"THIS!" Finn hissed in frustration, and waved his hands around the room, "this whole fucking charade."

"Finn...just calm down," Rachel put a hand on Finn's arm, which was quickly shrugged off.

"NO RACHEL!" he hollered, "not this time...not anymore. I can't keep doing this. You can't keep expecting me to do this!"

Rachel looked at her husband in confusion, "Finn...please...just talk to me?" she begged.

Finn sat down on the sofa with a thud, and put his head in his hands.

"I'm tired, Rachel," he murmured, "I'm so tired of this...you just can't seem to see that other people have feelings. They're not something that you have exclusive rights on."

Rachel sat down beside him, but made sure she kept a decent distance between them. She kept quiet and let Finn continue.

"For four years I've been doing every single thing you want me to do. And I'm not complaining about that...I know I screwed up in New York," Finn threw a sideways glance at Rachel, "but you told all the girls what I did. You've made all of my friends here think I'm some sort of monster...and yet I'm not allowed to even explain my side to anyone."

"There's never any justification for cheating, Finn," Rachel mumbled. Finn groaned.

"I'm NOT going over this again," he let out a huge sigh, "you kicked me out, refused to see me for two weeks and I went to a hooker...I know I shouldn't have, but shit! I've been 'making it up' to you for four years...and now with all of this – I don't know – maybe I'm just never going to be good enough for you."

"You're everything I want, Finn," Rachel said, as she placed her hand on his shoulder. Once again, Finn shrugged it off quickly.

"Why?" he asked, turning to stare at her, "why did you lie to get Kurt and Blaine home? Why did you get so overdramatic and ridiculous when Kurt said what he did about Blaine? Why not give him a chance to explain?"

"Do you any idea how cut up Kurt has been today?" Finn asked honestly, Rachel fumbled with her hands in her lap, but shook her head.

"I was just worried about him," she whispered, "he's my best friend...and...he's been so...different. I just wanted to know..."

Finn shook his head, "Why?" he interrupted, "Why should you know? People change Rachel. It's none of our business, and the turmoil you've put them through just isn't fair."

"I was just trying to do something nice," Rachel huffed, "and then, although I was drunk, I was only trying to keep Kurt safe."

"He's safe with Blaine," Finn murmured, "always has been, always will be."

Rachel moved a little closer to Finn, "are we okay now?" she asked hesitantly.

Finn snorted, "we haven't been okay for a long time, Rachel."

She bit her bottom lip and cautiously put her hand out to reach for Finn's, "Finn...please," she pleaded.

Finn stared at her hand as if it were a object from Mars. Finally, he shook his head.

"Here's what we're going to do," he said firmly, "we're going to dinner with my family ias originally planned/i. You're going to apologise to Kurt and Blaine, as well as to Mom and Burt. You're going to sit quietly and not make any rude remarks about anything. Then...next week...we're going to counselling to see if there's any point of us continuing this relationship."

"It's a marriage, Finn," Rachel said, as she felt her bottom lip start to quiver, "it's more than just a relationship."

"It hasn't been a marriage for a long time, Rachel," Finn sighed, "it's up to you, but that's the only way that I can see we've got any sort of chance."

Rachel felt a solitary tear roll down her cheek as she nodded her agreement.

That evening the family went out for dinner at the local five star restaurant. As soon as they walked in, Rachel swallowed her pride and apologised. Kurt threw his arms around his friend and accepted her apology without question. Carole simply nodded, and kept her lips tightly pressed together. Burt and Blaine both mumbled their acceptance hesitantly, if only for the reason of not wanting to cause a scene in public.

The dinner progressed in an awkward, polite fashion until finally, Blaine poured everyone a glass of champagne and made sure that Bryce and Kurt each had a sparkling apple juice.

"I just want to remind everyone of the real reason we're all here," he said, as he stood up and picked up his glass, "ten years ago Burt and Carole got married. I've never known them any other way, but I do know that they belong together. The rest of us can only hope that our marriages stay as happy and as supportive as theirs...to Burt and Carole."

Everyone toasted the couple. Blaine sat down, and Kurt kissed one cheek as Carole kissed the other. The tension now broken, the family started regaling tales of Burt and Carole's early days.

Finally, Finn stood up and scooped a sleepy Bryce into his arms.

"I'm sorry everyone," Finn nodded to the rest of the family, "I think it's time to get the little guy home."

Rachel, who had barely said a word all night, nodded.

"I think it's time we all made a move," Blaine said, nodding his head toward a bleary eyed Kurt. Burt and Carole got the hint, and the three couples made their way out of the restaurant.

Kurt sat in the back of the car and rested his head on Blaine's shoulder, without thinking, he put his thumb into his mouth and sucked sleepily.

"It's been a big day, little one," Blaine whispered as he kissed Kurt's forehead softly. Kurt nodded his head and tried to crawl into Blaine's lap, whining in frustration when he couldn't get his body any closer. Blaine laughed.

"Seat belt, honey," he chuckled, "there'll be plenty of time for that once we get home."

Once they got back to the house, Carole offered to make coffee. Blaine hastily agreed, and asked Kurt if he'd like a warm milk.

"Bot.." he got out, before Blaine put a finger on his lips.

"In a mug, Kurt," Blaine said firmly, tilting his head toward Burt. Kurt blushed, but nodded his agreement.

It only took a few minutes before Carole was back, and the four sat in a comfortable silence for a while.

"I just want to thank you both for coming out this weekend," Carole finally said, breaking the silence, "I know it hasn't been easy...and I'm sorry about that. But both Burt and I really do love seeing the pair of you."

"Thanks Carole," replied Blaine, "and I promise we'll come back at least once a year from now on..." he glanced at Kurt, who had snuggled into Blaine's side, "won't we Kurt?"

Kurt looked hesitantly at his father, who simply smiled encouragingly, before nodding slowly, "I'd like that," he whispered.

"And we'll come visit you in New York too," said Burt huskily. Both Kurt and Blaine smiled.

"So, what do you two want to do tomorrow?" Carole asked.

Blaine sighed, "I know Rachel had planned a shopping trip to the mall with Kurt, but..."

"I don't wanna," Kurt said quickly.

"Then you won't go," Carole affirmed, Blaine mouthed a silent 'thank you' to her for diffusing what could've turned into a tired tantrum.

"I was thinking that we might go and visit Puck for a bit," Blaine ventured, Kurt looked at him in confusion, "I got the feeling that he's thinking about moving to New York...and...well...let's just say that it's a 'friendly environment'."

"As long as we get some time too," Burt interjected, "don't think that you're going to come all this way and neglect the pair of us!"

Blaine chuckled and shook his head, "never, Burt," he answered honestly.

Kurt let out a huge yawn, and everyone laughed.

"I think it's time we all went to bed, don't you?" Carole asked a sleepy Kurt, who nodded and clung tightly onto Blaine.

"Sleepy Daddy," he murmured into Blaine's chest. Blaine felt his heart skip a beat as he looked over at Burt. He saw the older man physically react, before catching himself out.

"Go on," said Burt gruffly, "do what you have to do."

Blaine mouthed a silent 'sorry' to Burt, as he stood up and put his two hands out to pull Kurt off the sofa. Burt sighed as he watched Blaine his exhausted son make his way up the stairs. Carole made her way over to Burt and sat on his lap.

"He doesn't mean to hurt you," she whispered softly in his ear.

"I know," responded Burt, "it's just weird to hear him call Blaine that."

Carole placed a gentle kiss on Burt's cheek, "they're happy, Burt. You just need to remember that."

Burt looked at the understanding woman on his lap as if she was the most amazing thing on the earth.

"Happy Anniversary, Mrs Hummel," he said, as he kissed her properly for the first time that day, "I've got no idea what I ever did to deserve a woman like you, but whatever it was, I'm glad I did it."

Carole kissed him back passionately, "why don't you show me just how grateful you are, Mr Hummel," she flirted.

With that, Burt lifted her up and slung her over his shoulder. She let of a little yelp of delight and surprise as he carried her off to their bedroom.

The next twenty four hours passed in relative calm.

Kurt and Blaine had spent Sunday morning with Puck and Cindy, discussing all things New York. Puck had eventually confided in Blaine that they had decided to give the Big Apple a try sooner rather than later, and Blaine had offered to keep his ear to ground for any suitable job opportunities for Puck.

Kurt had gotten along famously with Cindy, and the pair had ended up playing dress up together.

Neither Cindy nor Puck even batted an eyelid when, in the middle of lunch, Kurt loudly announced that 'he needed the potty – NOW'. And they just smiled as Blaine took Kurt off to the bathroom to do his business and be re-diapered.

Both Kurt and Blaine left the house innately knowing that Puck and Cindy would end up becoming a part of their lives for a long time to come.

They spent the afternoon with Burt and Carole, reminiscing over the years that were flying past faster with each passing year. By the time evening came around, Blaine could feel that perhaps they could include at least some of the family in their lives a little more. It would never be what it once was, but hopefully they would no longer have the need to totally isolate themselves from the people that cared about them.

Kurt had one last tantrum before leaving Ohio. Blaine insisted that he wear pull-ups for the trip home, and Kurt had vehemently refused. He wanted the security of his diaper. Blaine however, was insistent and Kurt finally relented once Blaine had promised to leave putting on the pull-up until the last possible moment, and removing it as soon as they were home.

xxx

Blaine unlocked the door to their New York apartment and they both let out a huge sigh of relief. They were finally home. It was hard to believe that they had only left a few days ago. It felt like a lifetime of drama had been squeezed into that time.

Blaine dropped their bags off in the bedroom and went into the nursery, where he knew Kurt would head for first.

Kurt was stripping off his clothes as quickly as he could. Blaine picked up the discarded items, and threw them into the hamper in the corner.

"You know not to leave your clothes on the floor," Blaine admonished. Kurt climbed the steps onto the change table and lay down. He clutched at the pull-up, his face screwed up in annoyance.

"Off!" he hollered, "off, off, off!"

Blaine laughed, knowing how much Kurt hated the pull-ups, but they really were the easiest option for when they were in public.

Blaine pulled the offending article off and quickly rolled it up and disposed of it. Kurt happily lifted his butt off the table to let Blaine slide a proper diaper underneath him. When he was all done, he held Kurt's hand to help him down. Kurt skipped through to the living room happily, with Blaine in hot pursuit.

"Hey!" shouted Blaine, "what about clothes, mister?"

"Na-ah," sang Kurt, "Kurt doesn't want to."

Blaine shook his head and collapsed on the sofa, the last few days had certainly taken their toll on him. He flicked on the television, and Kurt climbed on top of him, resting his head on Blaine's chest and wrapping his arm's tightly around Blaine's waist.

Blaine enveloped Kurt's body, one arm around Kurt's shoulders, the other gently tapping Kurt's padded behind in a steady, soothing rhythm.

He nuzzled into Kurt's hair, inhaling the distinctive scent of his lover.

"Happy now?" Blaine murmured.

Kurt nodded, "Kurt's home," he sighed against Blaine's chest and pulled one arm out from behind Blaine. He stuck his thumb in his mouth and sucked gently.

Blaine felt them both completely relax, "That's right, little one...we're home safe and sound now."


So, that's the end of this one...stay tuned into 'And Baby Makes Two' if you're interested in how Kurt and Blaine got into this in the first place. Updates should be roughly weekly from now on. Thanks for reading...