This is the last official chapter - after this there will only be an epilogue! :D I hope you like.
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As soon as they got to Kurt's apartment, Rachel flew into the guest bathroom to shower. Blaine went to Kurt's bathroom to shower and when he came back to guest room Rachel was in nothing but a towel, no shame, and looking between a half dozen dresses laid out on her bed.
"Blaine!" she said, pulling him over. "Help me choose! Kurt helped me narrow it down but I just don't know."
Finally the found something - a cute, but more mature fitting light pink dress and a pair of black flats. Since Kurt had all but taken away all of Rachel's knee length socks, the outfit made her look like a trendy, mature young adult. After Kurt had gotten dressed and insisted to Rachel that the Ellen Show staff would help with her makeup and hair, they went off to Warner Brothers studio for the taping.
They were ushered through security after a tall man checked over his headpiece, since Rachel was a new addition to the show today, then handed over to a busy looking blonde woman with a similar headset and clipboard. She seemed to know Kurt from his previous interviews on the show and greeted him warmly. Kurt introduced her to Rachel and Blaine, then Rachel was taken to hair and make up while Blaine and Kurt were left in the guest dressing room.
Rachel appeared thirty minutes later, with just a bit more make up on then she usually wore so her face wouldn't be completely lost on camera. She was fidgeting after coming back to the room, not staying in one place for long. She sat next to Blaine for a few minutes, holding his hand, then stood to pace.
"What am I even going to talk about?" asked Rachel. "Oh god. I'm not famous."
"Rachel, relax," said Kurt calmly. "Ellen is a professional. She'll know what to ask you - all you have to do is give an honest answer. If you don't want to answer something personal - which I doubt she'll even ask - then just politely talk around it. You'll be just fine. Your interview will be shorter than the first guest, just under 5 minutes or so. She will probably play one of your videos, too."
"Rachel, this is a talk show," added Blaine. "If anyone knows how to talk, it's you." This earned a laugh from Rachel, which Blaine considered a victory.
Just then there was a knock at the door. Rachel jumped and Kurt called for them to come in. The door opened and Ellen - Ellen - walked just inside the door with a wide smile.
"Kurt Hummel, it's great to see you again," she said when she saw him. Kurt rose from his chair and walked over to hug her, then kiss her cheek.
"It's always a pleasure to see you, too," said Kurt. "And of course, you know my friends - Rachel Berry and Blaine Anderson."
Both Rachel and Blaine before now were staring wide eyed at the talk show host. Ellen turned to them, an inviting smile on her face as she reached out to shake their hands, then hug them. "I'm so glad you could make it on short notice," said Ellen as she separated from a speechless Rachel. "I have to say, I love your voice - you have some talent there."
"I - wow - thank you," said Rachel breathlessly.
"I just wanted to make sure you're all comfortable and ready to go on. The show starts in ten minutes and you'll be taken out to the wings by Shelly during what would be the commercial break time period before your interview. Kurt and Blaine, you two can watch from in here, or go stand backstage and watch from the sides."
"Thank you," said Kurt.
"And hey - don't look like I'm going to bit! I don't - much," said Ellen with a laugh, nudging Rachel. Rachel smiled. "I know this is probably your first interview so I'll go easy on you. I won't have anything creep up behind you or anything - scout's honor!"
"I - thank you so much," said Rachel, looking relieved.
Once Ellen had left, they all settled in to watch the live broadcast from the TV screen on the wall. After the first guest had done their interview almost 45 minutes later (since it was broadcasted live, there were a few breaks in between bits with Ellen) Shelly knocked on the door to come get Rachel.
She led them to the side, and pointed to Kurt and Blaine where they should stand to watch the show, next to a few other people who worked on the show. There was a small break where Ellen was getting her make up touched up and then sat back down on her chair. The camera man was doing a few signals and then the house lights dimmed, alerting the audience to applaud.
"My next guest is some what of an upcoming star - she has dozens of videos on YouTube showcasing her amazing voice and just a few days ago took the stage with actor and singer Kurt Hummel covering a duet from the Broadway show "Wicked" - take a look here!" said Ellen. The screen behind her lit up with a good quality video of Rachel and Kurt singing together at the karaoke bar. A few seconds later it had disappeared and Ellen was smiling down at her monitor. "Please welcome Rachel Berry!"
Ellen stood as the music began to play - "Call Me Maybe" - and Rachel came out, her smile blinding as she waved shyly out at the audience. She walked to where Ellen stood, reaching out to hug her again. They stood at their chairs, doing a little dance that ended up in Rachel letting out a loud laugh.
The music faded when they sat down, Rachel's smile never failing. She was a showman, after all.
"Hi there Rachel," said Ellen.
"Hi Ellen," said Rachel, as if she couldn't believe where she was right now - even Blaine standing backstage couldn't believe he was watching his best friend filming a television interview.
"So things have been happening pretty quickly for you this week, haven't they?" asked Ellen. "Your previously uploaded YouTube videos have gone up in hits since you did your duet with Kurt Hummel, right?"
"Oh yes," said Rachel excitedly. "I swear to you, most of them had like, 5 views if any. Maybe one was mine, another my friend Blaine's - my family members and that's it, really. It was so amazing to see them jump the next day - and all the positive feedback. I never really have gotten that online."
"With a voice like yours - really?"
"Oh yes," said Rachel. "I mean, I'm not the prettiest girl at my school and Glee club - that's a show choir I'm in at my school - isn't popular at all."
"Well something tells me it's about to be," joked Ellen and the audience laughed with her. Rachel laughed as well and nodded. "So you're not from here, right? You're from Ohio?"
"Yes, Lima," said Rachel. "I'm a senior at McKinley high school."
"And you're in Glee club there? Is singing your thing?"
"It is," gushed Rachel. "I've been singing and performing since I was very, very young. My dads really spoiled me in the arts that way - I owe them a lot for that, because I'll never get to Broadway without it."
"Dads?" said Ellen, looking surprised. Blaine figured she hadn't had too much time to brush up on Rachel. There probably wasn't much information out there to begin with.
"Yes, I have two dads," said Rachel brightly. "They used a surrogate - to this day we don't really even know who is my biological dad, which I think is special." Blaine held back a laugh at this - of course Rachel knew who her dad was - it was hard to miss, considering Hiram was white and Leroy is black. But she loved to say it anyway.
"Wow," said Ellen, looking genuinely impressed. "I'm sure growing up with two dads in Ohio of all places isn't - uh, easy."
"I'm so proud of them for that, though," said Rachel. "Really, we do live in a homophobic, conservative town and at times I know my friend, who is also gay, gets a lot of bullying for it - but he's in Glee club with me and we're all family and accept each other no matter what. It's the only reason a girl like me has friends in the first place."
"Is that Blaine Anderson, the other boy at the Karaoke bar the other night?" asked Ellen. "I have to say, he's cute."
"He is - and almost as talented as me," said Rachel, to which people laughed, not realizing it was just the way Rachel was and not really a joke.
"So you have plans for Broadway?"
"It's my dream," said Rachel. "To go to New York and star in shows - though this is the first time I've been to California, and I love it too - New York is the city for me. It felt like home the moment I visited last year. I just hope I can work hard enough to achieve my dream of Broadway."
"Well I definitely think you have the chops - thanks so much for being on the show today, Rachel."
"Thank you - it's just a dream," said Rachel. "My dads sort of love you and I can't even imagine their faces when they watch this."
Ellen laughed. "Well, I love them back." Ellen turned to the camera and listed off who was on the show tomorrow and to tune in for the end of the show. Then the camera panned back and the recording lights were switched off.
After a few seconds talking with Ellen, Rachel walked to where Blaine and Kurt were sitting. She flew into Blaine's arms, hugging him tightly. She was shaking - from nerves or excitement, Blaine wasn't sure.
"That was - amazing," said Rachel. "I can't believe that just happened, Blaine."
"Me neither!" said Blaine with a laugh.
About thirty minutes later they had gotten all their things together and left the studio, still talking excitedly about Rachel's interview and how they could watch it on TV tomorrow.
Also tomorrow, which Blaine was bursting with nerves with, was his meeting with a recording label.
The next morning Blaine was woken by soft kisses against his lips and the side of his chin, all the way down his neck. He shivered as he was brought into consciousness, Kurt making a pleased sound where he was kissing Blaine's neck.
"Good morning," he mumbled against Blaine's skin. Blaine slowly realized their legs were tangled under the blankets, Kurt's hand ghosting over the thin material of Blaine's tank top.
"Yes, definitely good," said Blaine before he'd thought through the words. He blushed at them but Kurt just chuckled.
He pressed another kiss up Blaine's chin, then on his lips. Blaine worried if his morning breath was horrible, but at the same time, thought it was nice that Kurt didn't seem to care. "I like this," said Kurt after he pulled away, his hot breath fanning over Blaine's wet lips.
"What?"
"Waking up next to you." Kurt kissed the corner of Blaine's lips. "I know we haven't - I know we're not ready for that yet," he said, cheeks turning red. "But this - this where we are for now and I really like it. I can't help but think -"
Kurt cut himself off, looking embarrassed. "Wait, what?" asked Blaine, nudging Kurt with his toe. "Come on. You can tell me anything."
"I can't help but think about doing this everyday," mumbled Kurt. "When you're here next year. I - I like that more than I can even explain."
Blaine's stomach flipped pleasantly. Waking up in Kurt's arms every morning, walking around Kurt's kitchen in the morning and sipping coffee together - being together more than a few days at a time - it was an amazing thought.
"I can't wait either," said Blaine. "God, I'm so glad I'm graduating early." He pulled Kurt closer to him, kissing him deeply.
Almost twenty minutes later they pulled each other out of bed and to the kitchen. Rachel already brewed a pot of coffee and was sipping her own cup and staring at her computer.
After a light breakfast, everyone got ready and were on their way to the record company - it was a bit smaller than the big labels, and according to Kurt's manager, signed both indie and more mainstream names. It was called "Crescendo Records" and Steve James was the man who owned it and saw Blaine sing.
Kurt's manager met them in the lobby and they were all brought to a large room for the meeting. After only a few minutes of sitting there waiting, Steve James walked in - he was a man of medium built with light grey hair and bright red glasses frames, dressed comfortably and stylishly in a suit without a tie. He shook everyone's hand, even Rachel's, who was just there to accompany them.
"I wanted to get right to business," said Steve, who insisted to be called such after Blaine called him "Mr. James". "Blaine - you got an amazing voice and you have the confident air and look to make it in this industry. Besides your duet with Kurt, I've seen all the videos we can find on you from YouTube. There are some of you singing with the acapella group and with Miss Berry over there. I am impressed - you have a wide range."
"Thank you," said Blaine, still a bit starstruck by this whole ordeal.
"When do you graduate, Blaine?" asked Steve.
"This May," he answered. "I'm graduating early, technically."
"That's good," said Steve. He was silent for a few beats, then nodded. "Blaine, I wanted to seriously offer you a recording contract with my label. We haven't exactly had a big hit yet, but I think that you have that potential to put us on the map."
Blaine looked from Steve to Kurt, then to Rachel with wide eyes. "Are you serious?" asked Blaine. "Me?"
"Yes," said Steve, a small smile playing on his lips. "Since you don't graduate until May, we could get together some song writers until then to craft an album - unless you write yourself - and be ready to record over the summer. Have it produced and out by late this year or early next and hit the streets with promotion. We could probably get a single out on the radio locally, and if we can get it out there enough, it could break through to mainstream. You already have buzz surrounding you." His eyes looked over to Kurt, who smiled and nodded. "I believe we could make this happen. Only if you want it, though."
"I - I think I do," said Blaine. He looked to Rachel, remembering their conversation that seemed to be years ago. He hadn't been sure what he really wanted then for his future - he still didn't know exactly - but he knew he wanted Kurt in it. This could be a serious way to be in California for the long haul and make sure his future was set to do so. He remembered what Rachel had said - that he could do anything he wanted.
Maybe he could.
Blaine looked over to Kurt's manager - she was basically his at this moment, after all, all that was left was some contracts - and she nodded. "I think it would be a good idea, Blaine. Of course, there should be paperwork sent to me and I can look it over on Blaine's behalf. Make sure everything is in order."
"Of course," said Steve.
"And I can't write," said Blaine. "Well, I've never considered myself a song writer. I would have to have songs written for me - though I'd be interested in the writing process. I know how to play piano and guitar, if that helps."
"He can use my song!" burst out Rachel, who then blushed.
"Rachel?"
"I have a song. It's called 'Get it Right'," she said. "I think - I think it would fit you well, Blaine."
"Are you sure?" asked Blaine. He reached over and placed his hand on Rachel's. He knew how close that song was to her heart. It was about Finn and everything in her life that didn't seem to be going right last year, before they knew each other. It was personal.
"I'm not going to really use it," said Rachel. "I'm meant for Broadway, not writing and recording songs for a CD - you can use it."
"I'd love to hear this song," said Steve. They promptly pulled it up on a screen in the room - the video of Rachel performing it at Regionals last year - and Steve looked impressed. "I think this would suit Blaine here…the key will have to be changed, obviously, but I could see it being the second single. It's always better to go with a more upbeat first single, but this will definitely make it on the album if you want it."
They talked for at least another half hour and Steve made sure that he would be sending out the contract to Kurt's manger. It wasn't a done deal quite yet, but Blaine walked out of Crescendo Recordings, knowing that he was steps away from being a signed recording artist.
It was happening.
The next day Blaine and Rachel boarded a plane back to Lima, a long goodbye for both of them to Kurt at his apartment before parting.
The next Monday at school, everyone stared at both Rachel and Blaine as they walked into school. Rachel's interview had aired the day after she filmed it, all of them gathered around the television and watching it - and afterwards she called her dads and gushed. Everyone from back home had been texting or calling them, freaking out for the most part.
It seemed like most everyone had either seen the interview, heard about it, or seen the videos of the karaoke bar.
Ellen was right - suddenly, they weren't the least popular people in the school anymore.
Rachel was ecstatic, soaking in all the attention she was getting. People asked her a few questions about Ellen and Kurt, but for the most part, it was stares and whispers and rumors. It was both exciting and unnerving for Blaine.
He didn't have much focus to waste, though, because it was back to his busy scheduled of balancing school, glee club and talking to Kurt at night. His manager (now Blaine's as well, as of the day he left, since that paper work had been signed) was still going over the contract for the record label. It would be sent to Blaine soon so he could sign it and it would be official.
To add to add to everything else before Spring Break, they were all worrying about Nationals. The seniors wanted to win now more than ever and both the tension and excitement was palpable in the air of the choir room and everyone could feel it. Some relief was senior skip day, which Blaine was happy to attend - even the underclassmen of the glee club came to the theme park to goof off for a day and it gave Blaine a three day weekend to devote to homework and a full day of talking to Kurt on Skype.
Soon the contract had been sent to Blaine and he signed it quickly. He was officially going to put out an album. He had already talked it over with his parents, and while they were wary, they accepted this was what he would be doing. Blaine promised them that if nothing had come of the record in two years, he would go back to school - though he was still considering taking classes come fall no matter what.
Things seemed to fast forward from there.
Nationals was in Chicago this year. Everyone in the show choir circuit was abuzz when they arrived, seeing as Rachel was still rising in her "internet stardom". She posted a video every week, either a solo or a duet she made Blaine or another member of Glee club sing with her.
Their set list was amazing, if Blaine said so himself. Every senior had a spot light at least once in all the songs and Blaine soaked up the moment - his last moment performing with his friends on a high school stage.
Kurt hadn't been able to come. As it was, his script had been finished a few weeks ago and his manger was in the process of finding a film company to pick it up. They focused on smaller companies and directors, since there would be a better chance there. It seemed possible, according to Kurt, though he was nervous. So instead Rachel's dads were there, camcorder in hand to record the performance and sent to Kurt later.
They won Nationals - finally. Everyone almost couldn't believe it. They entered the school the next day, huge trophy in hand, met with a celebration in the hallway. The student body had begun to warm up to the Glee club ever since Rachel was on Ellen, and it looked like they were really starting to accept them. Blaine hoped this would make it easier to rebuild the glee club next year, since they would need more members to compete after half of them graduated.
Then suddenly, it was graduation. It had been a long, emotional week, saying goodbye to all his underclassmen friends and most of the upperclassmen too. So far, only Mercedes was for sure coming out to LA. Puck was still thinking about coming as well, and Rachel was heading for New York. Since she was still running on a high from her internet stardom, her new manager, a friend of Kurt's who was located in New York, was going to start getting her auditions for Off-Broadway. If she couldn't nail down a good living in a few years, she would go to school or something - but she was going to take a few risks now.
Which meant living on different coasts.
Blaine had already gotten ready at his house and said goodbye to his parents, who would be meeting him at the school for graduation, and went to Kurt's house where Rachel and Kurt were waiting for him.
Blaine greeted Kurt with a long kiss, since it was their first time together since Spring Break, only breaking apart at Burt's cough. Burt and Carole took photos of Finn, Rachel and Blaine separately and then in every possible combination.
"Dad, take a photo of Rachel, Blaine and I," said Kurt, handing over his phone to his dad. Burt fumbled with it for a few moments before Carole took it from him with a small pat on his hand. She snapped the photo and Kurt took back the camera.
"You're tweeting that, aren't you?" asked Blaine dryly.
"Of course."
Blaine's phone buzzed in his pocket and he dug it out from under his robe.
KurtHummel: I'm so proud of my friends RachelBerry and BlaineA who are graduating high school today! :D
"You are too cute," said Blaine, looking up from his phone and leaning over to kiss Kurt again.
Burt and Carole hurried everyone out of the house so they could make it to graduation. It was a fun ceremony and seemed to be over quickly. Blaine was the first to be called, his last name the first on the list of course, and could wear he heard Kurt's whistle in the front row.
Afterwards, Blaine introduced his parents, Cooper with them who had flown in for graduation, to Kurt and his dad. Blaine's dad seemed mildly disinterested, but was at least mostly polite. His mother greeted Kurt warmly enough and spoke to both Carole and Burt for a few minutes.
Then everyone in Glee club, Kurt in tow, when to celebrate at a local diner, since Breadstix would probably be bursting with other graduates. Blaine and Kurt were inseparable, happy that no cameras were around to watch their movements on this night.
Blaine went to bed, knowing that just around the corner was his big move to California. After a long chat with both Burt and Kurt, and separately with his parents, it was worked out that Blaine would move in with Kurt in his apartment. Though they realized that if the media caught on, they would definitely have more rumors circulating about the nature of their relationship, they didn't care. They weren't in the physical side of their relationship quite yet, mostly because they were never in the same state long enough to really explore or commit to such things, but Blaine and Kurt had spoken about it and both knew it was a matter of time.
Blaine loved Kurt - that's all he needed to know - and he wanted to keep his promise and wake up to him every morning.
One week after graduation, Blaine packed up his entire wardrobe, odds and ends and everything that wasn't furniture. Most of it would be shipped to California, save for two suitcases he was taking on the plane. He said goodbye to his parents that morning, promising to call at least once a week and let them know what was going on and not to have them have to find out from the television or something crazy, then was picked up by Kurt and driven to his house.
At the Hummel's house was everyone from glee, including Mr. Shuester, Mrs. Pilsbury and Brad. There were a round of emotional and tearful goodbyes and tight hugs. Even Brad seemed sad to see him go, though he still didn't say anything. Despite having piano lessons twice a week for the last semester, Brad was still as silent as always - but he was a friend.
All of the girls cried when the hugged Blaine good-bye, Tina, Sugar and Rachel the most. Mercedes was going to be joining him in LA in a few weeks, as a backup singer at a record label to provide vocals. She was going to crash at Kurt's place until she found an apartment of her own, which Blaine was excited about. He'd never spent much time with her and Kurt seemed excited about shopping with the girl.
"You guys take care of yourself," Burt finally said, hugging both of them just as tight. "And take care of each other."
Kurt and Blaine took a taxi to the airport after the goodbyes, holding hands up until they had to get out. There were no cameras on this end, but when they landed at LAX, there were more than enough. They kept a respectful distance from one another as they made their way to the car, smiling to the cameras as they went.
"Welcome to your new life," said Kurt once they were in the car and on their way to their apartment. He bumped his shoulder and pressed up against his side.
"I couldn't be happier to be here," said Blaine.