A/N This chapter will jump to Sectionals! There is an original song in this chapter, I'm sorry if it's not very good, I don't usually write rap songs, and I am only posting a small portion of it, because it was taking me too long to write it.
PS You're going to hate me, I know. I apologize in advance!
As always, Reviews are welcome!
…
Raise up, Inspire, Praise
"She's so beautiful!" Bee said, looking at the tiny baby in his teacher's arms. The newborn had cafe au lait colored skin and startlingly blue eyes which were currently hidden as she slept.
Marley smiled at the boy. "Would you like to hold her?"
He looked at his daddy, asking permission, before nodding. Kurt sat down on the couch and pulled Bee down beside him, and the new mom carefully placed the sleeping three day old in his arms. Lizzie looked a little jealous that Bee got to hold the baby, but smiled as she sat beside him and gently stroked the soft hair on her head.
"I can't wait till our new brothers and sisters are born!"
Kurt laughed at his daughters remark. "You still have several months before they'll be here, sweetie."
"And until then, you can practice helping your dads take care of three babies by helping me with Delilah while I give Bee his piano lessons," Marley beamed at the kids.
"It's such a shame Jake had to go to work today," Blaine said, handing Marley a glass of water and helping her back to her seat.
"Gotta pay the bills some how," she replied. "And it's just until his contract is up at the end of the spring semester, and then he is going to take a job closer to home, and give private dance lessons on the side."
"That's great news, Marley! Has he already got a job lined up?" Kurt asked.
She shrugged. "Not yet, but he's already looking. He doesn't like the long commute, and I worry about him, especially in the winter. And now with little Delilah here, it would be good for him to have more time to spend with her."
"Well," Kurt said, smiling down at the baby who had just woken up in his son's arms, "you know if you ever need anything, you can count on us."
…
New Directions was excited about their set list for Sectionals. Brenda's song was coming along great, and their other three songs were nearing perfection. Brittany had been helping Xander and a few others with their dance moves, and they had all improved greatly.
As Sectionals approached, the excitement in the school grew as well. Titan Chorale, formally the JV choir, was the first to compete, and had taken a strong second place finish out of eight choirs. The other four teams would all be competing on the same day but in different locations. New Directions and The Troubletones were competing at Crawford Country Day, while Duly Noted and High Jynx would compete in Marysville. The Titan Rush cheer squad and the art class had hung posters up in the hallways, supporting the choirs the day before the competition. Morale was at an all time high.
As the choirs gathered at the school on Saturday morning before boarding each of their respective buses, Blaine, Nick, Jeff, and Elia Willows all shook hands and wished each other good luck. There would be no hard feelings if one team won and the others didn't. Chances were at least two of them wouldn't be advancing to Regionals, anyway.
Four buses set out, each with a caravan of parents and supporters following them, including the Schuesters, Annie Grier, Dave Karofsky (along with Artie's coworker, Edward) and Kurt and the kids. He pointed out the warehouse where the Warblers had performed Animal years ago, and the location where Dalton Academy had once stood.
A new school had been built nearby, but it was no longer called Dalton Academy. Instead they had named the new school after one of Dalton's more famous alumni, a war hero from WWII named Charles Hart. Hart Academy had tried to reform the Warblers, but the spirit of the a Capella group had moved on, and the attempt had fallen flat.
The caravan of buses and cars pulled into the auditorium parking lot at CCD, and they all entered the building with excitement and anticipation. The choirs checked in, and went to their dressing rooms. The Troubletones had drawn the second slot, while New Directions would be fourth out of six. The host choir would perform third, while Jane Addams was first, Westerville High fifth, and the new choir from Lima Heights Adjacent would be last.
Kurt and the rest of the contingent from McKinley sat together near the middle of the auditorium, and chatted among themselves as they waited for the program to begin. As the first choir was introduced, the crowd applauded politely, and Kurt smiled. Nick had informed them after their Invitational that Jane Addam's choir director was an old friend.
Jane Hayward smiled and took a bow, then moved off stage as her girls began the show. The former reform school had been totally revamped ten years ago, and now was one of the most respected all girl's prep school in the state, along with CCD.
Their performance of I wanna Dance With Somebody was flawless, although Kurt wasn't sure if their choice of Madonna's Material Girl fit the category of Anthem. Their inspirational number, The Greatest Love of All, was also flawless, but their final song, Party in The USA, didn't seem to flow with the rest of their set.
The Troubletones took the stage next. Kurt and the McKinley group cheered as they began to sing their first song. Kurt thought Mercedes would be proud of this group of young women.
I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an' pretend
'Cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again
Oh yes, I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong
(Strong)
I am invincible
(Invincible)
I am woman
You can bend but never break me
'Cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'Cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul
Oh yes, I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong
(Strong)
I am…
The crowd stood as they applauded, and Kurt had to admit they were a group to be reckoned with. Their next song was just as powerful, singing What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger. They had also chosen to do an original song, written by the brother of one of the girls, called Taken, about his friend who'd passed away from ALS, which had several of the people in the audience in tears. Their last song, Wind Beneath My Wings, was also well received.
Crawford's choir, The Pixie Chicks, took the stage, but it was generally agreed that their performance was as robotic and soulless as Vocal Adrenaline at it's heyday. After they finished, there was a thirty minute intermission before the final three choirs would perform.
Kurt slipped backstage to find his husband and New Directions in a huddle.
"What's wrong?"
"Xander twisted his ankle during warm ups, and Brenda is second guessing her song," Blaine answered, sounding just a little harried.
Kurt smiled and hugged him. "You deal with the ankle, I'll talk to Brenda."
Blaine grinned, and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "Thanks, you're amazing!"
Kurt laughed, and sought out the young song writer. He found her pacing outside the restrooms.
"Hey, Brenda, right?"
"Mr. Hummel?"
Kurt smiled at her. "Blaine said you were worried your song wasn't good enough."
She blushed. "I've never song one of my own songs in front of a crowd this big before. What if they don't like it? And it's a rap song! Maybe I should have written it as a ballad instead. They loved the ballad The Troubletones did!"
Kurt took her shoulders and smiled calmly at her. "Listen, I've heard your song, and it is amazing! Who cares if it is a rap song? The lyrics are perfect, and they are going to love it, and they are going to love the meaning behind it."
"But..."
"No buts! It's a great song, and these people NEED to hear it. Okay?"
She smiled weakly at him. "Okay. Thank you."
"No problem. Come on, let's get back to the others."
Kurt hurried back to his seat next to Lizzie and Bee as the lights flickered, signaling the end of the intermission. New Directions were introduced, and Kurt was fascinated as Xander took the stage with his cello, his ankle wrapped in an ace bandage. He sat down, and began a slow intro. From the left of the stage, Johnnie stepped out of the shadows and began to sing.
We both lie silent, still
In the dead of the night
Although we both lie close together
We feel miles apart inside
He was joined on stage by Danny, who entered from the right.
Was it something I said or something I did
Did my words not come out right
Though I tried not to hurt you
Though I tried
But I guess that's why they say
Eric stepped out of the shadows near the back of the stage and added his voice to the song.
Every rose has it's thorn
Just like every night has it's dawn
Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song
Every rose has it's thorn
Yeah it does
Xander joined the other three boys as they sang the next verse all together.
I listen to our favorite song
Playing on the radio
Hear the DJ say loves a game of easy come and easy go
But I wonder does he know
Has he ever felt like this
And I know that you'd be here right now
If I could let you know somehow
Every rose has it's thorn
Just like every night has it's dawn
Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song
Every rose has it's thorn
Yeah it does
Though it's been a while now
I can still feel so much pain
Like a knife that cuts you, the wound heals
But the scar, that scar will remain
Every rose, every rose
Every rose, has its thorn
I know I could saved a love that night
If I'd known what to say
Instead of makin' love
We both made our separate ways
And now I hear you found somebody new
And that I never meant that much to you
And to hear that tears me up inside
And to see you cuts me like a knife
Every rose has it's thorn
Just like every night has it's dawn
Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song
Every rose has it's thorn
Yeah it does
The crowd cheered enthusiastically, and the four boys took a bow before exiting the stage, to be replaced by Alyssa, Alaina, Beth and Juliet. The music that began to play was a little more upbeat, And Kurt and Mr. Schuester smiled at each other when they heard it.
Yeah, you may think that I'm a zero
But, hey, everyone you wanna be
Probably started off like me
You may say that I'm a freak show (I don't care)
But, hey, give it just a little time
I bet you're gonna change your mind
The rest of New Directions joined them as they danced around the stage, except Xander, who sat this song out.
All of the dirt you've been throwin' my way
It ain't so hard to take, that's right
'Cause I know one day you'll be screamin' my name
And I'll just look away, that's right
Just go ahead and hate on me and run your mouth
So everyone can hear
Hit me with the words you got and knock me down
Baby, I don't care
Keep it up, I'm tunin' up and figure out
You wanna be
You wanna be
A loser like me
A loser like me
The audience was on it's feet, dancing along. Ever since Kurt had used the song in Somewhere, Ohio, it had become a show choir hit, as well as an anthem for kids who were bullied. Next it was time for Brenda's song. The girl took the stage, still looking a little scared, but when the music started, she didn't hesitate, while the rest of New Directions backed her up.The audience responded well to the rap song, feeling her emotions as she sang about kids feeling inadequate. Many started singing along with the chorus.
It's time to Raise Up, Inspire, Praise
(R.I.P)
Build them up so they can soar
We Got to Raise up, Inspire, Praise
Give them a chance, open every door
(don't want them to R.I.P)
Raise Up, Inspire, Praise
Give them a voice and let them roar
It's time to Raise up, Inspire, Praise
The audience was once again on their feet as applause filled the auditorium. The groups final song, Fighter, was also well received.
Up next was The West End Crew from Westerville High. Their singing and dancing were good, but Kurt thought they missed the mark on their song selections. Finally, the new choir from Lima Heights Adjacent took the stage. They were good as well, although you could tell this was their first real competition, as many of them seemed to be nervous, and there were a couple of missed cues.
As they waited for the results, the audience mingled and chatted. Several people came over to comment to the McKinley crew about how well both of their choirs had done. The mother of one of the Troubletones smiled and shook Kurt's hand.
"I don't know much about show choir competitions," she said, "but I'm pretty sure it's a toss up between my girls and New Directions for first place."
Kurt smiled in return. "It's gonna be close, for sure."
"Ladies and gentlemen, if you could take your seats, we are ready to announce the winners." The audience took their seats, and the choirs were introduced one more time and lined up on stage.
"In third place, from Jane Addams Academy, The Nightingales!"
The audience applauded as the all girls choir accepted their trophy.
"And now, in first place we have...a tie! Congratulations to McKinley High, as both The Troubletones and the New Directions will be going to Regionals!"
The McKinley contingent all cheered and hugged each other, and rushed the stage to congratulate their kids. Kurt paused to hug Jane as well. "Your team did so good! Next year you guys are going to give us a run for our money!"
She laughed and hugged him back. "Thanks Kurt! Coming from you that is high praise indeed!"
"Come visit us sometime, we'll catch up!"
"Sounds great!"
As the kids boarded the buses to head back to Lima, Kurt's phone pinged an incoming text. He smiled as he read it, pausing by the bus door to show it to Blaine, who grinned.
Duly Noted takes first place, High Jynx is third. How'd your competition go?-Jeff
Kurt texted him back their results as the last few kids boarded the bus. Kurt hugged his husband once more.
"See you back in Lima."
Blaine kissed him on the forehead. "Drive safely. Tell the kids I love them!"
Kurt watched him board the bus, smiling and waving at Freddy, the older gentleman who drove the bus, who waved back.
Kurt got back in his SUV with Lizzie and Bee, making sure they were secured. "Dad said to say he loved you, and he'll see us when we get home."
"I can't wait till I can compete in show choir!" Lizzie exclaimed. "That was so much fun!"
Kurt laughed, and they chatted about various things as they followed the bus onto the freeway. Kurt could see Blaine sitting in the back of the bus, talking and laughing with his students.
They were nearly half way home when it happened. He and Lizzie were singing along to a song on the radio, when Kurt frowned. The large yellow bus had suddenly swerved to the left, and Kurt saw panic on Blaine's face as he jumped up from his seat and rushed forward. He couldn't see what was happening, but slowly applied his breaks as the bus swerved again, this time going to the right.
Kurt could only watch in horror as the bus over corrected, and rolled onto it's side, sliding along the pavement, and spinning until the back end slammed into a lamp post.