Okay here it is, the very last chapter... Thank you all so much for sticking with me for so long! I love this story, and I hope you love it too. :D Thanks for all the alerts, favorites and reviews! There's always a huge smile when I get a mail with some of them^^
Read and enjoy, I hope I don't disapoint you with the ending... please leave a review if you want to, tell me one last time what you think...
Chapter 20 – Epilogue
6 weeks later
"Kurt it's okay. Calm down, it's not like I'm going to McKinley for the first time."
"But I am so excited! Finally you're back with me there; I couldn't stand one more day without you there."
"Of course you would, Kurt. All your friends are there. But now stop worrying, I am with you, right now, okay?"
"Okay, okay…."
Blaine and Kurt were in the car, driving to Blaine's first day at McKinley after he had left all those months ago. Kurt just picked him up from home, Mrs. Anderson was trying really hard being nice to Kurt and letting Blaine go, that she even allowed Kurt to drive Blaine to school.
It had been hard but wonderful weeks for both of them. Kurt was back to his old life; desperately trying to get all the school stuff done he hadn't cared about in his bad time, like they called it now.
All of his teachers had been very understanding. Kurt thought that Mr. Schuster had told them all about it and Kurt has been an excellent student before the bad time, so everyone was nice to him and helped him to take the bad marks from that time away. He even went back to Glee club.
The New Directions were still a little bit distant. Although Kurt was sitting with them in lunch and they talked to him, he still knew that they were expecting him to turn away from them again. He knew that he had hurt them and that he had to earn their trust again. Finn did a lot for him, he always tried to get Kurt to sing, but until now he didn't made a solo performance. Kurt stayed in the background; he wasn't ready yet to perform in front of them alone.
He hoped that with Blaine coming back to McKinley and of course to Glee club, this would change.
They had seen each other every single day, neither one them want to let the other go for too long. Their relationship was back to what it was before all that shit happened. Kurt had been pretty carefully at first, but Blaine and the trust Mrs. Anderson gave him, gave him courage.
Blaine had been in hospital for nearly 2 weeks after they met again. All of his injuries were healed, only his ribs were aching from time to time, but it wasn't anything bad. He enjoyed the feeling of being mostly pain-free, a little bit pain from his ribs was nothing bad. He even looked like Blaine again. He wasn't talking through his nose anymore and his face had its old color back.
Even the fire marks from the cigarettes had faded a little bit, but both of them knew that they would be on Blaine's body forever, just like that stupid word in his chest. It was just something they both had to live with.
Blaine started physical therapy as well and then he realized that there were indeed a few more changes in his life than only not being able to feel his legs. That he was already comfortable with his wheelchair was good, he hadn't a problem with that. But some things he took for granted were becoming difficult now. He got to know that his body had different needs now. He needed to take care of pressure sores that could easily happen if he was sitting in one position for too long. Blaine had to check every morning and evening whether everything was still all right. A patient he met at the rehab center told him that those weren't exactly nice, so Blaine paid special attention to that task.
Another problem he had never thought about was the temperature.
He couldn't feel the lower half of his body, so he couldn't regulate his temperature that well any more. He was often cold, but too much heat wasn't good for him either. It sucked but his therapist showed him how to deal and that was okay for him.
Of course there were other things, as well he had to learn. Transferring from bed to wheelchair, from the ground to the wheelchair… and even how to take a piss. Everything was different now.
Sometimes Blaine was sick with all of this. He felt so humiliated sometimes because of the simplest things he couldn't' t do but then Kurt was there for him and helped. With Kurt he was hopeful that he could do this. He gave him strength.
Blaine was at the rehab center for most of the days. His mother or Kurt were picking him up then and he spent the evenings together with Kurt.
His mother had promised him to buy him driving lessons next months, so he could learn how to drive with hand controls. It was something that Blaine never thought he would be capable of. His doctors always told him that it would be too dangerous for him to drive, because he could get a sudden pain attack and then he would be in a pretty bad situation.
The thought of being able to drive gave Blaine hope and he worked even harder. It got better every day.
The most important thing was that he was together with Kurt. He told Blaine everything that was going on at McKinley and he also told him about his fears that the others would never really accept him again.
"Kurt, they were just hurt, that's all. They don't know you as well as I do. They will love you again, just give them some time."
"But they are so distant! Glee was always my safe heaven, well except for you of course and those people there are the only friends I ever had. I just want them to like me again."
Blaine came closer to him and kissed him softly onto his ears.
"Give them some time."
"I already gave them so much time! Maybe they will be nicer to me when you're back. They are all standing behind you Blaine. Finn says that the others aren't quite sure what to think and that they have to see you, you know, to know that you're really okay."
"That's strange. I mean, they are all nice to me, but I wouldn't ever think that. But it's okay, Kurt. We'll gonna make them like both of us. And until then I guess I know exactly what I'm gonna do with you…"
Kurt pulled into the driveway of McKinley and Blaine had to admit he was a little bit nervous as well. This would be different than before, of course many students had seen him in his wheelchair in Glee practice or when they performed. But besides from that he had always used his crutches. He wasn't very good in transferring into his wheelchair that well yet, at least not from the car. Kurt's car was high, so it was more difficult than in his mother's car. He hated the fact that Kurt had to help him to get out of the car but it wasn't like he could do anything against it.
The car stopped and Kurt went out to get Blaine's wheelchair from the back. Slowly Kurt carried him into his wheelchair and positioned his legs for him. Blaine was perfectly capable of doing this on his own but he also knew that Kurt was pretty nervous right now and still feeling guilty for this whole situation. He wasn't afraid of how Glee club would act around him, for them he was just another guy in a wheelchair. But the others….
Kurt must have sensed his thoughts somehow 'cause he said:" Don't worry. It will all be okay. The biggest bullies aren't in school anymore and the others… well, let's say you're in Glee club so that makes you the perfect bully victim, but you know how it goes, we can take care of ourselves. Glee club is our island, everything will be fine."
Blaine smiled while he lifted himself into the wheelchair, with only a little bit of help from Kurt. It was something he had to learn at first, because he needed a lot of muscles in his arms but it was getting better everyday. It was just one of those things he needed to do different from now on. He wanted to be completely independent again, but from time to time he didn't care Kurt helping him out, it means that they would be close without anybody thinking anything weird.
"Kurt 5 minutes ago you were totally nervous and I know that you were afraid for how the others will react. Now you're telling me that everything will be fine and perfect?"
Kurt looked desperately at his boyfriend.
"I know, I'm just… I am sorry, I didn't mean to…"
"Hey, hey. Stop it. Stop being so nervous." Blaine took Kurt's hands into his and softly pulled on them so Kurt was at the same height as he was.
"I know you are nervous and excited but it will be okay. I'm not nervous, well maybe a little bit, but that's totally normal. The most important thing is that we're together, that's all that matters. I don't care what the others say or think as long as I'm with you. So put on your smile and let's face this."
Kurt sighed.
"Blaine Anderson you are the best thing that's ever been mine. I love you."
"Love you too."
If they'd be alone they would kiss each other right now, but although they knew that Karofski and the other jerks weren't at school any more, they knew that they had to be careful. Neither of them wanted something to happen like that ever again. It was time for them to be happy and fearless, so they just smiled at each other with the promise in each other's eyes that they would continue this when they're alone.
"Okay guys, they are coming! Go to your places, come on! Puck, stop that, it is ugly. Brittany, please go over to Santana."
"But there were butterflies out there…"
"And I am sure they will be there after our performance, so come on!"
Rachel had spent the last 15 minutes to navigate all Glee members to their places in the Auditorium. The plan was that Kurt and Blaine would go the Glee room, without finding anybody. Then they should go to the Auditorium because Blaine would think that it was strange that nobody was there to greet him, right? When they arrive there the lights are going off and the music will start. And that's when the surprise begins.
"We got this, Rachel. Calm down and shut it, they will be here any minute."
Seconds later it was completely dark and silent in the auditorium.
"Where are they? Didn't you say that they were planning something?"
"Did I? Hmm… strange… I cannot really remember."
"Kuuurt…"
Kurt and Blaine were in the school halls of McKinley. They had been in practice room earlier but it was empty, so they were making their way over to the auditorium.
"Blaine, come on. It's a surprise and I wasn't even supposed to tell you that they were planning something. You will find out soon enough so please stop the questions or I will tell you, although I don't want to."
"Okay, okay. I won't ask. Are we going to the auditorium? They made a performance, didn't they?"
"Nope, I won't say anything."
Blaine sighed and rolled his eyes when Kurt opened the door to the visitor room of the auditorium. It was dark and it didn't seem like somebody was in there. But Blaine knew the New Directions well enough to know that this was part of the plan.
He cleared his throat and said loudly to Kurt:" Well, I must say that I am a little bit disappointed. It thought that at least some of them would welcome me but now there isn't anybody here…" He carefully made his way through the darkness to the stage. The moment when he was right at the foot of the stage, the lights went on and the music began to play. From every corner the members of The New Directions came, they all were clothes like Blaine would wear. It was funny to see them like that and a big smile appeared on Blaine's face.
Some nights I stay up cashing in my bad luck
Some nights I call it a draw
Some nights I wish that my lips could build a castle
Some nights I wish they'd just fall off
But I still wake up, I still see your ghost
Oh, Lord, I'm still not sure what I stand for oh
Woah oh oh (What do I stand for?)
Woah oh oh (What do I stand for?)
Most nights I don't know anymore...
Oh, whoa, oh, whoa, oh, whoa, oh, oh,
Oh, whoa, oh, whoa, oh, whoa, oh, oh
This is it, boys, this is war - what are we waiting for?
Why don't we break the rules already?
I was never one to believe the hype
Save that for the black and white
I try twice as hard and I'm half as liked,
But here they come again to jack my style
Blaine was blown away by the performance. It was amazing to see the New Direction perform again after he hadn't seen them for so long. Even Mr. Schuster was with them on stage and it was just perfect. He looked up at Kurt, who began to sing as well.
That's alright
I found a martyr in my bed tonight
She stops my bones from wondering just who I am, who I am, who I am
Oh, who am I? Mmm... Mmm...
Suddenly Finn and Puck came down to them and lifted his wheelchair up so he could go on stage as well. Now he was right in the middle of them, they were all dancing around him and sang the song he loved so much.
The feeling was incredible for Blaine. Although it wasn't by far the first performance he did with the Glee club, this was a special one for him. Happily he joined in. He was surprised when he noticed that it worked pretty well. Of course his voice wasn't exactly like before, he needed to practice a lot in the next few weeks. Because of the lack of use in some of his stomach muscles he needed to learn new techniques to sing like before. Blaine had been scared that he may not be able to sing again, but the doctor had told him that it would all be well. The fact that he knew Artie was an awesome singer, gave him courage.
Well, some nights I wish that this all would end
'Cause I could use some friends for a change.
And some nights I'm scared you'll forget me again
Some nights I always win, I always win...
But I still wake up, I still see your ghost
Oh, Lord, I'm still not sure what I stand for, oh
Woah oh oh (What do I stand for?)
Woah oh oh (What do I stand for?)
Most nights I don't know... (oh, come on)
When the song was over everyone came to him and hugged him.
„Hey buddy, great to see you're back."
„Blaine, I am so happy you're here. I missed you..."
„I couldn't believe they did that to you, I am so sorry we didn't notice..."
„Guys, guys! It's okay. Really. Thank you so much for the performance. You guys were amazing. I was totally blown away. Nobody needs to worry, everything's fine, I am just happy to be back here with all of you."
„We are happy to have you back."
„Now we all can concentrate on our next performances. Finn did well but I think we are an awesome team Blaine. You're voice sounds good together with mine. I have a few ideas for..."
„Rachel stop it, it's Blaine's first day, let him get used to all of this again before telling him all your ideas."
„It's fine Mr. Schue. I am okay and I really want to be back in Glee club."
Mr. Schuster smiled at him.
„Okay, then I guess we should all go the choir room and think of a few ideas."
He clapped in his hands and the other started to go away when Blaine shouted something after them.
„Wait! I need to tell you something."
With curious looks they all went back to him. Blaine looked at Kurt who was standing outside the circle. He knew that Kurt was happy that Blaine had such a nice welcome back but he could also see that he was sad and didn't feel included by the New Directions.
„I want to ask you a favor. I know that the last few months had been difficult for all of us. I really appreciate your worries for me but I wasn't the one that suffered most. It was Kurt. He had to act totally out of character to all of us to protect the people he loves the most. None of the things that happened was his fault. I feel sorry for what he had to do, especially because I know that he was totally alone with all of that. I know that I cannot tell you how you have to act around him but I beg you to forgive him, although there's nothing to forgive. It wasn't his fault. Kurt did so much for me, for all of us. I love him and I know that you guys mean a lot to him. And I can't stand it to see that you don't include him like you used you."
Blaine looked at the others and he could see that most of them were looking a little bit guilty. Well, except of Santana, but that wasn't a miracle.
Kurt was staring at him, pale like porcelain.
There was silence for a few seconds before Mercedes spoke something.
„Blaine is right." She turned to face Kurt.
„It wasn't fair how we treated you. You told us what happened and why you did what you did. Although we knew that truth we weren't really nice to you. I am so sorry Kurt. Hey, you're my best buddy. I should have never let that happen. I am truly sorry and I hope you can forgive me."
Kurt didn't say anything when the tears were starting to run down his face. He went to Mercedes and gave her a huge hug. Slowly the other Glee kids came to him as well. Between all of them Kurt looked at Blaine and mouthed: "Thank you".
They all knew in this moment that this was the way it was supposed to be. They were together and they would fight to become a team again, to gain trust and to get friends. After all, that what's Glee club is for, isn't it?
THE END
Oh so sad, that it's over. :( I really hope you like it. I never got such a response from one of my stories, so this one means really much to me. Please leave a review, even a smiley would be ok for me.
Let's say goodbye to this Kurt and Blaine...
XOXO Jesssy