Author's Note:
So those of you who know me, know that I really dislike Christmas on television. So I was very surprised to find that for the most part I really liked Extraordinary Merry Christmas.
This chapter has two scenes I am very happy about and actually wrote weeks before the show aired. Dear Santa is written by the wonderful Scott Evan Davis. Please listen to the song here:
http:/www. youtube .com/watch?v=GQ7pD9Ol0iA (take out the spaces around youtube)
I also hope you guys really enjoy my Gleeful Chanukah!
As always, I want to thank my amazing readers and especially my reviewers. You guys rock my world. And the always awesome typegirl19 for her wonderful feedback.
Way Out, Happy Holidays!
"Sweetheart, can you and Kurt go into the closet in the study and go through all the ornaments? I put everything in two totes back there. Just look through it and decide which ones you guys want for the house and the tree. "
"Sure Mom," Blaine said and he grabbed Kurt's hand pulling him along. Blaine had never been so excited for Christmas before. Last year he spent the holiday singing Baby It's Cold Outside with the daughter of a Major at the annual Christmas Ball on the base. This year he would be home, safe and happy with Kurt and his mother. It was going to be the best year ever. He and his Mom decided to get and trim the tree two weeks before Christmas and he was thrilled when Kurt agreed to come over and help.
The two boys went into the study and pulled out two giant bins of Christmas ornaments and decorations. As they dug through, Kurt made a pile of decorations he thought were classy or endearing, and a pile of things he thought were gaudy. Occasionally, Blaine would pull something out of the gaudy pile and explain how he had it made it for his mother in Kindergarten, or his father had sent it to him from some faraway place when he was younger. Every time, Kurt would give into Blaine's puppy dog eyes, and move whatever it was to the keep pile.
"Oh look, what's this? A Dear Santa letter?" Kurt grinned widely, holding an old envelope in his hand. "Let's open it up and see what little Blaine wanted for Christmas!"
Blaine looked up suddenly with a horrified look, and went to grab it. "No, Kurt." Kurt had been teasing, but Blaine's tone made him stop and turn to him. "Please," Blaine begged, his voice cracking as he held his hand out for the letter. Blaine looked as though he was seeing a ghost.
"What is it, Baby?" Kurt went to him, touching his arm gently and handing him the letter. Blaine took it and stared, disappearing into it like a spaceship into a black hole. Kurt rubbed Blaine's arm to bring him out of the darkness. "Hey," he said quietly, "it's ok, you're here, you're safe." Blaine slowly looked up at him, tears in his eyes. Kurt was his light in dark places. Always.
Blaine's voice was quiet and reminiscent. "I wrote this when I was 8, the Christmas before my Dad left home for Iraq. I left it out on my desk the night I wrote it and in my sleep I had dreamed a melody to go along with my words. When I woke in the morning it was gone. I came to believe I had dreamt the whole thing." He opened it up and stared at it, getting lost in the memory. "How did it end up here?"
"Sing it to me?" Kurt asked quietly.
Blaine looked at Kurt, then back down to the letter. Kurt saw the tears forming in Blaine's eyes as he remembered, and he reached out to squeeze his free hand in support. Blaine handed the letter to Kurt, looking at the floor. Kurt read along as Blaine sang from memory.
Dear Santa Claus I'm writing you this Christmas
With a wish that's different from the rest
I don't want toys or cars or games as maybe you have guessed
See Mom and Dad are fighting
But they won't tell my why
And it must be bad cause yesterday
I saw my Daddy cry
Kurt looked up to see Mrs. Anderson standing in the doorway, watching Blaine. Blaine was so lost, he didn't notice. Amy already had tears running down her face. Kurt turned back Blaine. His eyes were distant and dark, full of painful memories.
So Mister Claus what I'm asking for
Maybe only you can do
Please Santa Sir
Can you make things like they were?
The tempo to the song increased with the desperation in Blaine's eyes. He looked up at Kurt, but through him, with a fierceness Kurt only ever saw when Blaine felt he was fighting for his life.
Back when Daddy wasn't angry
And Mommy was around
And I wasn't yelled at all the time
Or scared to make a sound
And I know you must have better things
To do this Christmas Eve
But the only thing I really want
Is for Mommy not to leave
So Santa if you're out there
I will gladly take the blame
I would like to use my Christmas wish
To keep our lives the same
Blaine's eyes softened as the song did again, and he reached for the letter, reading the last few words, though Kurt knew he didn't have to.
So say hello to Missus Claus
And give the elves my best
But don't forget the things I've said
Please grant me this request.
Yours Truly,
Me
Silence swept over the home as Kurt and Mrs. Anderson truly took in what they had just heard. In Blaine's mind he remained in the bedroom of his 8 year old self, listening to his parents fight downstairs, about him, as he wrote the letter. It wasn't until Kurt broke the silence, that Blaine returned to reality.
"That was beautiful," Kurt whispered.
"Thank you," Blaine said quietly, wiping away tears he hadn't realized he had shed. He looked up to Kurt, then around the room, and realized for the first time that his mother stood in the doorway. His eyes bore into his mother's and so many emotions flew to the surface. "Did you have the letter this whole time?" he asked desperately.
Mrs. Anderson nodded, tears in her own eyes. She couldn't believe that Blaine not only remembered the letter, but had turned it to song.
"Is that why you stayed?" Blaine asked, his voice breaking.
"You wished it for Christmas," she answered, taking a step toward her son. "How could I let Santa fail to give you the one thing you asked for?"
Blaine slowly stood up and took a step toward her. Then he ran and buried himself in his mother's arms. "I love you," he cried.
"I love you too son, I always have," she said, tears now streaming down.
Kurt turned to the ornaments, giving the two their moment of privacy, until Mrs. Anderson held her son away from her and looked between him and Kurt. "Now the two of you need to finish sorting through those ornaments, because that tree out there is looking awfully bare." She said as she returned to the living room, wiping her eyes.
Blaine looked after her as she left. Kurt walked up to Blaine, hands in his pockets, his heart still heavy. "Blaine," he started.
"Stop," Blaine said with a commanding look in his eye that quickly softened as he pulled Kurt close, wrapping arms around Kurt's waist. "It was a long time ago."
"So was my mother's death," Kurt said quietly. "You don't ever forget."
To comfort them both, Blaine leaned in and kissed Kurt, until he felt Kurt relax beneath him. "This is our first Christmas together," Blaine smiled at him. Today we start making new memories."
This time Kurt initiated the kiss, lingering to memorize the moment. He pulled away slowly and looked at Blaine, eyes sparkling. "So, can we start by putting that ugly green elf in the No pile?" he grinned.
Blaine frowned. "But I made that elf in the 2nd grade," he whined. "My mother told me it was beautiful."
"She lied Blaine," Kurt told him bluntly. "New memories, Baby, new memories," he said returning to the cartons of ornaments lying on the floor.
Blaine stood with his arms folded, staring after Kurt sulking. After a minute he came back to sit down next to Kurt. "Fine," he mumbled. "But only because I love you."
Kurt smiled and grabbed his face, kissing Blaine quickly. "I love you too," he said smiling.
It was going to be a wonderful Christmas.
Blaine rang the doorbell to the Hummel household and Finn answered the door. He immediately pulled Blaine into a tight squeeze that made it tough for Blaine to breathe. It also squeezed the present that Blaine had so carefully wrapped in blue and silver paper, covered in beautiful menorahs and Stars of David.
"Dude, I am so happy that you are here! It's great to have another Christian in the home," Finn said.
"Ummm," Blaine answered confused. "Isn't your whole family Christian?"
"Yeah," Finn explained, closing the door and ushering him inside. "But Rachel's been giving them Hanukkah lessons for a week now, and I just want to sip my eggnog and sing Christmas Carols by the tree."
"Dude," they both heard a voice from behind them, and Blaine and Finn both turned around to see Puck. "If you are going to date a Jewish Girl, then you seriously need to put your Christmas wishes aside and get into the spirit of Chanukah. Here," he said throwing an arm around his best friend and handing what looked like a top with funny letters on it to both Finn and Blaine. "Have a dreidle."
Blaine smiled a thank you, shaking his head at those two, and went off to find Kurt. He of course found him, as he often did, in the kitchen. But this time he was huddled over the stove with Rachel, both in aprons, making potato latkes.
Kurt smiled broadly as Blaine walked over to Rachel, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and held her present out for her. "Happy Chanukah, sweetie," he said.
Rachel smiled but pushed him aside. "Thank you, but watch out, the oil is going to splatter all over your handsome outfit."
Blaine left the present on the counter and took a step back grabbing Kurt's hand, to pull his boyfriend towards him. "Hello gorgeous," he grinned, kissing him lightly on the lips. He whispered in Kurt's ear, "I love seeing you in an apron, cooking for me."
Kurt swatted him gently with the spatula in his hand. "Chauvinist," he teased as Blaine jumped away and headed to the living room.
"I'm going to watch television in the other room, where it's safe," he called behind him.
Blaine went into the living room to find Finn and Puck on the couch and Burt in the recliner, all watching Frosty the Snowman. Carole was happily sitting on the arm of Burt's recliner with Burt's arm around her waist stringing popcorn. Blaine shook Burt's hand in greeting and gave Carole a kiss on the cheek before relaxing himself on the couch. It still amazed Blaine sometimes how comfortable he was in the house and how comfortable everyone was with him, but he guessed that's what happened when friends slowly became family.
Blaine peered over to Puck and looked at him questioningly, "Now, I love this movie, but are we really supposed to be watching Christmas movies on the first night of Chanukah?" he asked.
Puck looked over at him with a scowl. "Find me a Chanukah movie and I'll put it on in an instant."
They all watched quietly for a bit, until Rachel came bounding in with a big smile, clapping her hands together. "We're ready!" she announced.
They all went into the dining room and were in awe. Rachel and Kurt had set the table with a blue tablecloth, and there was a gorgeous gold menorah in the center of the table, matches perfectly placed next to it, with one candle in the center and one in the last holder on the right side. There were plates of regular potato latkes as well sweet potato latkes, and two bowls full of applesauce and sour cream. In addition, Kurt had prepared a huge salad, with some steamed chicken on the side for anybody who wanted it. On the buffet behind the table were a stack of presents wrapped in assorted Chanukah paper, as well as a basket full of chocolate coins. There was another basket full of yarmulkes, that Rachel took and passed around to all of the guys in the room. On her own head she placed a beautiful lace head covering.
Kurt sneaked over to Blaine's side and wrapped his arm around Blaine's waist as the two smiled at each other. This was going to be the happiest holiday season that all of them had the pleasure of celebrating in a long time. And if Kurt and Rachel had their way, it was going to be the first Chanukah they all spent together in a long line of future Decembers.
"So, Puck and I have been planning this for a while. We know that New Directions always neglects Chanukah, and that's fine, but we really wanted to sing a song for you tonight, in addition to doing the traditional prayers," she explained. "Puck?" she cued.
Puck walked around to the backside of the table and lit the middle candle, called the shamash, and addressed them all as if they were in Glee club. "So this is my favorite Chanukah song, it's by the BareNaked Ladies and it's called Hannukah Blessings. I hope you enjoy it."
How lucky are we that we
Have lights so we can see
Although the day is done
What a miracle that a spark
Lifts these candles out of the dark
Every evening, one by one
Until the end of Hanukkah, of Hanukkah.
With the jingle bells and the toys
And the TV shows and noise
It's easy to forget
At the end of the day
Our whole family will say
These words for Hanukkah
Rachel stood on the side of the table with everyone else, and joined in with Puck, singing the first Chanukah blessing with him as the song continued. She took the Shamash candle and she lit the single candle for the first night.
Baruch atah Adonai, eloheinu melech ha'olam, asher kid'shanu
B'mitz'votav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
Light the candles for Hanukkah, for Hanukkah
Rachel took hold of Finn's hand, and they snuggled together before the light of the menorah. Carole and Burt did the same off to the side. Blaine laid his head on Kurt's shoulder and smiled. Puck and Rachel continued singing, Puck taking the melody while Rachel took the harmony.
We remember how Maccabees
Fought so all of us could be free
And so we celebrate
On this festival of the lights
There's a joyful time every night
But we illuminate
The candles of Hanukkah, of Hanukkah
Rachel encouraged the Hummel family to join in, since she'd been working with them all week to learn the prayers, and Blaine smiled at his adopted family as they tried hard for Rachel's sake.
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha'olam she'asa niseem
La'avoteinu bayamim haheim baz'man hazeh.
Hanukkah...
Hanukkah...
Everyone applauded as Rachel and Puck finished the song and Puck took a deep bow, beaming. Rachel hushed everyone after an appropriate amount of applause had past. "Ok, before we start the festivities, there is one more prayer that we say on the first night of Chanukah. Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu Melech haolam shehecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higianu laz'man hazeh."
"What does it mean?" Kurt asked quietly.
Rachel smiled. "It means 'Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.' It's a prayer of thanks for letting us all be together to celebrate. And I really want to say, I am so thankful to be with family and friends today. I love you all," she said and turned to smile up at Finn. "Especially you," she said and Finn leaned down to kiss her gently. Her smile glowing, she turned to everyone. "Does anyone else want to say anything?"
Blaine stepped forward, letting go of Kurt. "Umm, if you don't mind, I have something I'd like to say." He looked to Rachel who smiled at him and Burt who nodded and he turned to the group. He spoke quietly and hesitantly at first. "It has been a really long time since I haven't had a sense of dread coming into December. But Kurt," he said reaching for his boyfriend's hand as Kurt clasped it. "you and your family have saved my life. Burt, you have showed me what it means to truly be a Dad and to be a man and I am so grateful to you for that. Finn, it took us some time, but we're putting our differences aside to support each other. Kurt," he paused, pulling him in for a hug, staring deeply into his eyes. "Whether you believe it or not, God brought you to me. Rachel was so very right when she said we were soulmates. And like the lights on that menorah, our light will burn so much longer and brighter than anyone expects." He watched as tears in Kurt's eyes sparkled with candlelight and he kissed his soft lips for all to see. "I love you."
"I love you too," Kurt responded with a shy smile. Then he turned to his family, only slightly embarrassed. "I think it's time to get this party started."
Everyone laughed and agreed as Finn yelled, "Thank goodness, I'm starving!"
The family and friends enjoyed their meal and played a rousing game of dreidel, which Puck won hands down, although Rachel was sure that he had somehow cheated by weighting down his dreidel. They exchanged Chanukah presents with one another, and sang songs into the night until Blaine and Rachel had to leave for home. It was a wonderful evening, and they all looked forward to it becoming a yearly ritual.
Kurt and Blaine left McKinley for the day, excited by Artie's plans for the Christmas special. But as Kurt drove back to Blaine's house, he could tell that something was wrong. He turned to Blaine while keeping his eyes on the road and grew concerned. "Ok, Blaine. Spill. What's going on in that mind of yours?" he asked with care.
Blaine looked to Kurt and took his hand, absentmindedly circling his thumb on Kurt's palm. "Sam was right. You and I both know that as much as he does. It is the sad things that make you remember what's really important." Blaine's voice was quiet, his tone contemplative.
Kurt considered Blaine. "Blaine, I really wish we could do the Christmas special and work at the homeless shelter, but we can't do both, and, well, we just can't give up the chance to be on television. This is an amazing opportunity for us, everyone's been working really hard. And I can send the videos to NYADA to help with my application."
"I know Kurt," Blaine said sadly. "It's just that…if my Mom had chosen to leave my Dad when I was younger, that could have been us. It was Sam. I'm sure some of the kids there have been through what I've been through. It just seems so wrong to skip out on them."
Kurt smiled warmly at Blaine. "I love you, for thinking all of that. I really do. And I promise that you and I can go back there another time, ok? Sam was right, but so was Artie. Christmas is about being merry, and damn Blaine, you deserve it this year." He squeezed Blaine's hand. "We both do."
Blaine turned to Kurt and sighed. He smiled at Kurt and brought Kurt's fingertips to his lips, kissing them gently. "You're right. The Christmas special is going to be fantastic, and we'll go back to the shelter another day. Yes?" he asked hopefully.
Kurt looked at him before turning back to the road. "Yes." he grinned.
Blaine watched Kurt read to the children at the shelter as he sat down with the families. He had been so grateful that they'd found a way to make it to the shelter after the taping. He knew what some of those kids had been through, and he understood that being there for them was the most important thing they could have done that Christmas. He saw children with vacant eyes begin to smile and laugh with Kurt, and Blaine fell in love all over again. After playing Lucy and Desi in the television special, he began to see, perhaps for the first time, a future for himself full of love, acceptance and security.
As they left the shelter, hands linked, Blaine turned to Kurt and smiled. "Come to church with me Christmas morning. Mom and I are going to the Sunrise service."
Kurt stopped and looked at Blaine as if he'd grown three heads. "As much as I would love the excuse to stay over tomorrow night, one - my Dad would never believe me, and two – you don't want me at church with you."
"Yes I do," Blaine said with puppy dog eyes.
"Well fine, but the other people around you won't," Kurt argued.
"I don't care," Blaine assured him.
"Well I do. Rory's tale of God and Christ was far more than enough for me for one year thank you very much," he said, ending the discussion. "I will meet you at your apartment after."
"I can't believe your father is letting you have Christmas dinner with me."
"Well, he understands how important this year is to you," he explained. "First time you and your Mom are on your own, I mean."
Blaine smiled and pulled him outside and looked up to the clear night sky, stars gleaming. "Pick a star and make a wish," Blaine said.
"Come on, Blaine," Kurt protested.
"Just like at my Dad's house, pick a star Kurt," he urged.
Blaine closed his eyes, hoping Kurt would do the same, and wished with all his heart. He opened his eyes and saw Kurt's closed. He carefully leaned over and kissed each lid. He grinned as Kurt's eyes rolled back and then fluttered open. "What did you wish for?" Blaine whispered.
"I thought if we told it wouldn't come true," Kurt teased.
Blaine ignored him, giddy from the excitement of the television shoot and the satisfaction of working at the shelter. "I wished for the chic, swank chalet, the fireplace, the opulent decor, us greeting our friends, the perfect life." Kurt smiled adoringly at Blaine. "Maybe some kids."
"Woah," Kurt panicked. "Put the brakes on that runaway train, mister."
"What, you don't want kids?" Blaine asked with knitted brow.
"You just need to slow down a bit. Let's not talk about kids until we stop being kids." Kurt said.
"I don't need," he said slowly pulling Kurt into an embrace, "to slow down." And he began to sing…
It's a very, very, merry, merry Christmas.
Gonna party on 'til Santa grants my wishes.
Got my halo on I know what I want
It's who I'm with.
It's an extraordinary Merry Christmas!
Kurt laughed and pulled Blaine into the car to drive him back home. They had driven to the studio, then the shelter together from Blaine's apartment. "Blaine, I love you. But we don't even know what's happening next year yet. How about we take things one day at a time."
"One day, one week, one month, one year, one lifetime. Whatever I get with you I'm going to savor," Blaine said earnestly.
Kurt gazed into Blaine's hazel eyes and melted. "I do love you so, Blaine Anderson."
Blaine answered the door in his Sunday best, dressed quite similarly to his suit for the Special. Kurt was dressed in his best Marc Jacobs, and for a moment neither boy could stop themselves from staring at the other.
Mrs. Anderson came up behind them, laughing. "You two just going to stand in the doorway all night, or do you think you might invite him in Blaine."
Blaine shook his head, but never took his eyes off of Kurt. "You look absolutely stunning. Please come in," he said, extending an arm for Kurt to link.
"Thank you, Mr. Anderson. You look gorgeous yourself." Kurt linked arms with Blaine and nuzzled close.
Blaine leaned over and whispered. "Come with me, I have something to show you."
"Dinner will be ready in 20 minutes," Mrs. Anderson called with a smile, glad to see her son so happy.
Blaine took Kurt to his room and closed the door. He left the lights off, but Blaine had lit vanilla and pine scented candles all over the room, making the room both look and smell beautiful. Blaine seductively pulled Kurt inside to the center of his room, then looked up with a sexy smile and sang.
Underneath, the mistletoe, hold me tight and kiss me slow.
Kurt looked up to see mistletoe hanging from a grate in the ceiling. Blaine pulled Kurt into him so that their bodies pressed together fully and he kissed Kurt passionately. Kurt immediately took control of the kiss and slowed it down, taking pleasure in every single moment, until Blaine felt like Kurt was putting him through delicious torture. When Kurt took a breath, Blaine wasted no time. He kissed his way down Kurt's neck, and began to unbutton Kurt's shirt to mischievously nibble beneath Kurt's collarbone.
"Put that Halo away Blaine? Guess we know who's been naughty this year," Kurt's voice hitched.
"Oh, but it's oh so nice." Blaine's sultry tone nearly undoing Kurt instantly.
"Blaine, it's almost time for dinner," Kurt complained half-heartedly.
"Mmmm…." Blaine said, lips nuzzling where he marked Kurt, beginning to make his way down his chest. "Can't we skip dinner and go straight to dessert?" he begged. "You look so sexy and you taste so good."
"As tempting as that is, somehow I think your mother would miss us," he said breathlessly, gasping as Blaine made his skin tingle with delight.
As if on cue, the boys heard the doorbell ring and a quick knock on the bedroom door. "If you two can pull yourself away from Blaine's mistletoe for a minute, can you please get the door?"
Blaine fell to the floor in over dramatic fashion and Kurt reached a hand down pulling him up. "You go get the door. I have to put my clothes back together, thank you very much."
"Your very welcome," Blaine grinned, pecking Kurt on the cheek, and he went out to answer the door.
He swung the door open without a thought, and for the second time that day stood motionless at the person on the other side.
"Santana?"
She looked at Blaine, almost shyly. "I didn't have anywhere else to go."
Blaine hesitated for only a moment before inviting her in and closing the door behind her. Kurt came out to join them, and hid his surprise, and possible disappointment, at Santana's unexpected arrival. Blaine took her coat, hat and gloves and hung them up in the closet. Then he turned to her, unable to completely hold back all he felt toward her, as his hands flew to his hips, considering her. "Are you ok," he asked, eyes scrunched.
Santana clearly saw Blaine's discomfort, and she knew she deserved it. She was reserved as she explained. "Brittany's gone and I didn't have anywhere else to go. My parents went to my Abuela's house with the rest of the family for Christmas dinner." Both Blaine and Kurt nodded, understanding that she was not welcome in the house. "They asked if I wanted them to stay home, but I told them to go. Then I got lonely," she finished.
Blaine studied her. He had so many things he wanted to say, and he knew that Kurt might get angry that he brushed it all aside, but it was Christmas and she was alone, and now wasn't the time to deal with other issues. "Of course you are welcome Santana." And he took her hand and brought her into the kitchen.
"We have one more for dinner Mom. This is Santana Lopez," he said introducing her. "Santana, this is my mom."
"Please, call me Amy, Santana. Just because Kurt won't, doesn't mean that Blaine's other friends shouldn't."
Santana smiled and offered to help Amy cook, which Blaine's mother readily accepted.
Kurt took Blaine's hand and led him into the living room, sitting underneath the Christmas tree and patting a spot next to him for Blaine. The two quietly sat, taking in the smell of the tree, until Blaine lay down against Kurt's chest and Kurt wrapped him up in his arms.
Blaine took Kurt's right hand in his and traced the gum wrapper ring on his boyfriend's ring finger. He smiled and clasped Kurt's hand. "Forever," Blaine whispered.
Behind him, Kurt smiled, his eyes twinkling. He remembered Blaine's fear and avoidance last Christmas, his complete refusal to admit he was falling in love, and he delighted in how far they'd come in a year's time. He held Blaine close, kissing him sweetly on his temple as he thought of all they'd been through and all they had overcome. Kurt looked up at the tree and the lights shining down on them, as Blaine had earlier in the week with the menorah. Blaine was right, their light would shine brighter and longer than anyone could dream.
It most definitely was an Extraordinary Merry Christmas.
Author's Note:
So the best Chanukah gift you could all give me is a review!
Glee is now on hiatus, which means this story is as well, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if there happened to be a Glee New Years Eve update! In the meantime, I hope you all check out my newest AU Klaine story, Independent Living.
