Kurt woke up at nine thirty, kicking Blaine lightly to wake him up. He stood and walked over to Sarah's bed, shaking her by the shoulders. He scowled while both just groaned and buried their faces in their pillows. He threw open the curtains with hopes that the morning sun would help wake his family.
"We have to check out by eleven, so you better get up and start getting ready," Kurt announced, grabbing his bag and heading to the bathroom.
Blaine started at the sound of the door closing. Sitting up in his bed he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, and yawned. He found his socks on the ground and slipped them on.
"Sarah, it's time to get up," Blaine said lazily, throwing a pillow at Sarah's head.
Groaning irritably, Sarah rolled over, pulling her pillow over her head. "But daddy, I'm tired," Sarah said loudly, voice muffled by the pillows.
Blaine smiled, feeling more and more awake as he walked around the hotel room. He found his shoes and slipped them on, grabbing his jacket off the chair. He knew Kurt would be mad at him for leaving the room in his pyjamas but he needed coffee, and he really didn't care about his appearance right now.
"I'm gonna go get some breakfast," Blaine said, grabbing the room key off the night stand. "If you want something you better wake up,"
Sarah sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. "Can you get me a chocolate chip muffin please?"
"Of course," Blaine replied, walking toward Sarah to place a soft kiss on the top of her head, before turning and heading out of the room.
Sarah blinked rapidly, adjusting to the bright sun streaming through the windows. She grabbed the remote off the nightstand and turned on the TV. She flipped through the channels lazily. When she found cartoons, she set the remote back and lazily walked toward her suitcase.
Grabbing a pair of shorts and a t-shirt she walked back to her bed and fell face first onto it. She really did not enjoy the mornings.
Blaine returned ten minutes later with two coffees and a muffin for Sarah. He kicked off his shoes and sat on his bed, placing the food and drinks on the nightstand next to his bed.
She had gotten dressed and was know leaning back against the head board, watching cartoons.
Blaine tossed the muffin to her and she caught it with a smile. He sipped his coffee, feeling awake, and turned his attention to the TV.
"What're we watching?" Blaine asked, leaning back and getting comfortable.
"Dora the Explorer," Sarah said happily from around a mouthful of muffin.
"What's she looking for this time?"
"Dora needs to get to her gramma's house,"
"I see," Blaine replied, nodding his head.
They watched in silence for a few minutes when Kurt finally emerged from the bathroom.
"Blaine, why are you just sitting there? I thought I told you to get ready?" Kurt accused sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Yeah daddy, he told us to get ready. I got ready." Sarah announced happily, showing off her outfit.
Kurt smiled at her proudly, before turning back to raise an eyebrow at Blaine.
"I got you a coffee," Blaine replied, holding out the cup he'd gotten Kurt.
Kurt rolled his eyes, smiling softly, and took the cup graciously. "Thank you. Now, go get ready,"
Blaine set his coffee aside, glaring playfully at Sarah, who was laughing at him.
Kurt sat in the spot Blaine had just left and turned his attention to the TV, smiling as Sarah yelled for Swiper to stop Swiping.
The next few days of the Hummel-Anderson's family vacation happened in the same steady pattern. They would drive a few hours each day, and arrive at the next hotel. Sarah would squeal excitedly as she explored the new environment. They would spend their evenings swimming at the hotel pool, or at the arcade. Some days, the family would drive around whatever city they were in and pick something fun to do. They had spent some days at a mall shopping, much to Kurt's delight, and other days bowling, or seeing a movie.
After four fun filled days of travelling, the family arrived in Lima, Ohio. Kurt stared out his window at the familiar scenery. He smiled as they drove past the park he had spent so much time at with Blaine, back when they were younger. They passed houses Kurt used to drive by when he was on his way to school. They passed his old high school and Kurt was filled with memories, both good and bad. He turned to his husband, who smiled in understanding.
Blaine had only gone to McKinley for his senior year, but he still had a lot of fond memories there. He and Kurt had to face a lot of difficult times, but he wouldn't change it for the world. The hate and bullying was definitely worth getting to see Kurt smile every day, and getting to be by his side.
They turned onto a very familiar street and drove past a few houses. Kurt smiled brightly as they parked in front of the house he grew up in.
The family climbed out of the car, grabbed their luggage and walked up the stone walkway to the front door. Kurt rang the doorbell, his heart filling with nostalgia, as Sarah jumped up and down excitedly in front of him.
The door opened quickly to reveal a smiling Carole.
"Hi," Kurt said simply, waving his hand.
"Gramma!" Sarah yelled, dropping her suit case and running forward. She threw her arms around Carole's waist, hugging her tightly.
Kurt watched his daughter hug the woman who he was proud to have as a mother.
"Hello my girl," Carole said happily, grabbing Sarah from under the arms and picking her up. She hugged her granddaughter to her chest tightly, before letting her down.
Kurt grabbed Sarah's forgotten suitcase and entered his old home. He set the bags by the door before being swept up into an enormous hug.
"Hi mom," Kurt said quietly. He had been calling Carole his mother for years, but it still made his heart swell. He still missed his mother dearly, but he had accepted her passing. And Carole was the best step-mother Kurt could ever hope for.
"Hello honey," Carole replied, squeezing Kurt once more. She let go and pulled away to stare happily into Kurt's eyes. "Oh it's been too long; you really need to visit more often." Carole said as she moved to wrap Blaine in a hug.
"Yeah, we really do," Kurt agreed.
"Is that Kurt?"
Everyone turned at the sound of Burt's voice coming from down the hall.
Sarah squealed happily as Burt walked out of a room, towards the family in front of the door. Sarah ran at the sight of him, jumping up and landing in his arms. "Hi Grampa!"
"Oh, there's my special girl," Burt said happily, kissing Sarah on the cheek.
"Hi dad," Kurt stepped around Blaine and Carole to get to his father. Burt set Sarah down, who just skipped forward to be picked up by her grandma.
"Hello son," Burt wrapped his arms around his son's neck and pulled him into a hug. Kurt hugged his father tightly, revelling in the warmth and protection that always filled him when he was around his dad. "How've you been?"
"Good, we've all been good." Kurt replied, pulling away from his father to speak to him face to face.
"Well that's good," Burt replied, patting his son on the shoulder, walking forward to face Blaine. "And you. You've been taking care of my son, yes?"
Kurt covered his face with his hands, groaning in amusement and slight embarrassment. Even after all these years, Burt still protected Kurt like he was still a little boy.
"Yes, sir, you don't have anything to worry about," Blaine replied with a politely nervous smile, holding out his hand for Burt to shake.
"Good, let's keep it that way," Burt replied with a playful smile, pushing Blaine's hand away in favour for scooping him up in a hug. Blaine laughed, hugging back.
Kurt watched as his husband made casual small talk with his father, while his daughter told his mother everything that happened since the last time they were all together. He smiled as he walked over to his bags, intending to put them away.
"Oh sweetie, you don't need to do that," Carole said, "You're our guests." She smiled, putting her hand over Kurt's shoulder and gently pushing him toward the kitchen.
Kurt smiled over his shoulder at her stepmom. "It's really not a big deal; I can't put our bags away,"
"Nonsense! I'm sure you're tired from that long drive. C'mon, I'll pour you some coffee." Carole pushed Kurt into the kitchen, motioning for Blaine to follow. "Burt, honey, can you take the bags upstairs please?"
"What?" Burt asked, genuinely shocked.
Carole gave Burt a quick, stern look before disappearing with Kurt around the corner. Kurt listened as Blaine offered to help with the bags, laughing as Sarah yelled out that she could do it.
He sat at the kitchen table, taking in the familiar setting as Carole poured him a cup of coffee. The house had barely changed since Kurt moved out all those years ago, and he was filled with nostalgia.
"So how was the drive? Did Sarah handle it well?" Carole asked, as Kurt sipped at his drink.
"It was good. Sarah got a bit impatient at times, but she had fun. She did a lot of colouring," Kurt said with a fond laugh.
Kurt talked with his stepmother for a few minutes, recalling the events of their trip, when Blaine and Burt entered. Sarah ran in a moment later, carrying a small puzzle.
"Daddy look! I found a puzzle!" Sarah announced, sitting in the chair next to Kurt. She placed the box on the table and took off the lid, placing it off to the side.
Carole stood to get coffee for Blaine and Burt, as Kurt grabbed the lid and smiled at the artwork. He remembered it from when he was a child, grazing his fingers over the fading picture of a cat with her kittens. Sarah smiled excitedly, dumping the thirty piece puzzle onto the table in front of her.
Sarah looked around at the adults drinking their coffee and tapped Kurt on the shoulder gently to get his attention. "Don't I get a coffee, daddy?" she asked curiously, staring at Kurt's cup.
"I don't think you'll enjoy coffee," Kurt said gently. "But we can get you some juice if you want,"
Sarah nodded happily as Kurt stood to get his daughter a drink. He felt a hand on his shoulder, pushing him back, and Carole stood to get Sarah the juice.
"Gramma?" Sarah asked timidly, as Kurt sat back in his chair with a grateful smile.
"Yes, dear?"
"Can I get a coffee mug too, please?" Sarah asked, smiling sweetly.
Carole felt her heart melt at her granddaughter's request. She pulled a blue coffee mug from the cupboard, filling it with sweet, tropical juice. She handed the glass to Sarah, who accepted it happily.
Sarah sipped her juice, setting her cup to the side and returning to her puzzle.
The family sat around the table, sipping their coffee, telling stories and enjoying each other's company.
Kurt and Blaine walked hand in hand down the familiar streets of Lima, Ohio. Carole and Burt had offered to take Sarah to a movie, claiming to give the couple some time to reminisce. But they knew the grandparents just wanted to spoil their grandchild.
Blaine swung their linked hands mindlessly, smiling at his husband. They walked for a few minutes in silence, Kurt leading the way. He didn't know where he was going; he was just letting his feet take him on a familiar path.
They turned a corner and Kurt froze mid-stride. Blaine turned to stare at his husband in confusion, following his gaze towards McKinley High. He turned back to his husband, feeling apprehensive. He bumped his shoulder against Kurt, pulling him out of the trance he was in.
Kurt sighed, smiling slightly. The school wasn't as intimidating as it was when he was a teenager, forced to spend hours there, but he was still felt a little uneasy being this close to it. He could see the dumpsters he used to get thrown into from where he was standing. Squaring his shoulders back, he walked forward with confidence, pulling Blaine along beside him.
"This place seemed a lot more terrifying when I younger," Kurt said quietly, walking through the empty student parking lot, toward the back of the school.
Blaine just nodded, letting Kurt rediscover his old school. He only went to McKinley for a year, and the school had always been, and will always be, more Kurt's than his.
"I remember the first time I came to watch a football game," Kurt said, staring out at the open field behind the school. "It was a few months after I joined glee club. I didn't really want to go, but Mercedes begged me. And I really couldn't say no to that girl." He laughed at the memory. He had enjoyed spending time with his best friend, but he hated having to cheer for the people who made his life hell. Even though he had been a part of it for a while, he hated the foot ball team.
Kurt pulled his husband closer to his body, dropping Blaine's hand in favour of linking his arm with Blaine's. They walked in a comfortable silence, filled only by the breeze whistling in their ears.
Kurt led them to the abandoned bleachers, sitting on the lowest level.
Blaine leaned closer to Kurt, resting his head contentedly on Kurt's shoulder.
"This place was hell for me. But at the same time, it was home." Kurt said with a quiet laugh. "Thank you, by the way. For transferring, and all that. It really meant a lot to me."
Blaine leaned away from Kurt, to stare into the blue eyes he loved so much. "I told you a million times, Kurt, you don't need to thank me for that. Transferring helped me, just as much as it helped you." He gave Kurt a sincere look, his eyes brimming with affection.
"I love you," Kurt said quietly.
"I love you too," Blaine replied. He leaned over, pressing his lips gently against Kurt's.
Kurt smiled into the touch, kissing back. He lifted his hand to cup Blaine's face, deepening the kiss for a moment before pulling back. He rested his forehead against Blaine's and smiled.
"Let's get out of here," Kurt said, standing suddenly. Blaine laughed gently, following Kurt's lead. They locked hands and walked back the way they came, leaving McKinley High behind them.
Sarah sat at the coffee table in the living room, putting together her second puzzle with her Gramma. This puzzle was a bit harder than the one she put together earlier, but with Carole's help, they made quick work of it.
Sarah put the last piece in the puzzle, sitting back and cheering with Carole. She grazed her fingers over the picture of a lighthouse and smiled.
"Do you want to watch TV?" Carole asked once Sarah was finished admiring their work.
Sarah nodded enthusiastically, hopping onto the couch next to her Gramma. Carole snatched the remote from Burt, who looked annoyed before he realized it was being handed to Sarah.
No matter what she did, Burt would never be mad at her granddaughter.
Sarah leaned forward, grabbing her bag of popcorn off the table. She had gotten every snack she asked for at the theatre, but being the nice girl she was, she didn't ask for much. She only got one bag of popcorn, and two other bags of candy, along with a large cup of Pepsi. In her mind it wasn't much, and in Carole's mind it wasn't enough.
Carole had been willing to buy the entire theatre for Sarah, and Burt was only too happy to agree. But Sarah knew to never take more than needed. She felt that getting more than one bag of candy was asking for a little much, and Kurt might not approve, but her grandparents had insisted. And really, who can argue with more candy?
The family sat silently, watching cartoons and eating their leftover snacks. Sarah would occasionally laugh loudly at the TV and Carole and Burt would share a fond look.
They enjoyed living in the house, just the two of them, but they did get lonely sometimes. Carole missed hearing the sound of her children's laughter, or their excited footsteps as they ran around the house. Burt mostly missed having a child to love, and care for. They knew full and well that they spoiled Sarah, but they didn't mind. She was their third and youngest grandchild. Plus they didn't get to see her often, considering Kurt and Blaine lived so far away.
A knock at the door forced Carole from her thoughts, and she stood to answer it.
"Hey Carole! Where's my boy Kurt at?" Mercedes exclaimed as the door opened. Carole beamed happily, wrapping Mercedes in a hug.
"He went for a walk with Blaine; he should be home soon." Carole said as Mercedes walked in with her husband, Anthony, and daughter Mia.
"Auntie Cedes!" Sarah squealed, running and jumping into Mercedes' out stretched arms.
"Hey baby," Mercedes cooed, squeezing Sarah tightly. Sarah giggled, fighting against Mercedes' strong hold. She broke free, jumping to the ground and smiling up at her aunty. "Look how big you've gotten!"
Sarah laughed, standing up as straight as possible, looking proud.
"Hi Sarah!" Mia said happily. She had dark hair and a striking resemblance to Mercedes. Even though Mia was three years older than Sarah, the two were inseparable. They didn't get to see each other more than once a year, since Mia lived in California with her parents. But when they did get together, they were basically glued to each other's side.
Sarah giggled a hello, pulling Mia into a hug, before grabbing her hand and pulling her into the living.
Mercedes watched them leave, before turning back to Carole. "We got into town a few days ago. Mia's been talking about seeing Sarah non-stop since she heard they'd be here too."
Carole laughed happily, turning to see the two girls on the couch, eating Sarah's candy.
"Kurt and Blaine should be here shortly. How about we go to the kitchen?"
Carole led the way to the kitchen, Burt, Mercedes, and Anthony following close behind.
"Daddy! Daddy, look who's here!"
Kurt and Blaine had just entered the house when Sarah and Mia ran up to them, jumping up and down excitedly. Kurt grinned happily, scooping up Mia and hugging her tightly. "Hello Mia, long time no see,"
"Hi Uncle Kurt!" Mia giggled, jumping down from Kurt's arms to hug Blaine. "Hello Uncle Blaine!"
"Where's your mom?" Kurt asked, feeling excitement bubble inside of him at getting to see Mercedes for the first time in just under a year.
"Kurt, it's been so long!" Mercedes announced, walking down the hall from the kitchen.
Kurt laughed, walking quickly to hug her. "Oh, too long."
The pair pulled away, to talk and laugh.
Blaine watched the two friends reunite, when Anthony exited the kitchen. Blaine smiled at him, and the two shook hands, chatting happily and catching up.
A few hours later, the four adults were seated in the local bar, drinking and talking about everything that happened in their lives since the last time they had been together. They had left their kids at Burt and Carole's house to have a sleepover.
Kurt had been looking forward to seeing Mercedes ever since they had planned the get together two months ago. He took a sip of his drink, laughing at something Anthony said, and felt warmth and comfort wash over him.
Staying with his parents, getting to spend time with Mercedes and Anthony, and Sarah getting to be with Mia; this was probably the best part of the vacation for the Hummel-Anderson family.
I would just like to apologize for any spelling/grammar errors. I edited this chapter a bunch but I still feel like it's lacking. I don't know. I'm not overly proud of this one.
Ps, in my mind, Finn had two kids. Both boys, both a few years older than Sarah. And Blaine transferred to McKinley for reasons that I haven't specified, and aren't really important to the story at all. So basically, feel free to make up your own reasons. If there's any other questions feel free to ask. :)
AND TO ANY AND EVERYONE WHO READS/REVIEWS/ OR EVEN ACTUALLY LIKES THIS STORY I LOVE YOU. I'm not used to people enjoying things that I create and it makes me feel super special. :D