A/N: Thanks to all of you who take the time to review! It means so much to know what you think about the chapters. Keep them coming!

"Blaine…it's good to see you, son."

He held on to Kurt's hand, their fingers intertwined. "Why are you here, Dad?"

Finn was standing near the TV, looking at the two of them. They look scared to death, he thought. It just isn't right. This is their territory.

Burt tried to break the silence. "Why don't you boys sit down?"

One of the first things that Blaine's father noticed was the way his son was dressed. He can't recall ever seeing him in jeans before. And the way he moved. He looked comfortable here, with this family.

As they came over to sit on the couch, Finn made his way over too, sitting next to Blaine. This time, he wasn't pushing him away, or telling him to stop touching him. Their knees touched, and as Finn put his arm over onto the back of the couch, he gently patted Blaine's shoulder, letting him know that he was there for him. Blaine turned to look at him, and Finn smiled. They are brothers, not by blood, but by something deeper. For just a second, Blaine rested his head back on Finn's arm.

"It seems as if your mother has been keeping some things from me. Of course, until her hysterical call about the shambles that your life was turning into." He looked at Burt and Carol. "Her words, not mine."

"Blaine, I didn't know about your accident. Your mother and I had separated just before that, and I guess she figured not telling me would hurt me. And it did. I also didn't know about this little arrangement that she made about the apartment you two are sharing."

Blaine eyed his father suspiciously, tightening his grip on Kurt's hand.

Mr. Anderson looked at the three boys sitting on the well-worn couch, and couldn't help but see how at ease they were with each other. It had always made him feel for Blaine that he was an only child, and seeing him like this actually made him feel happy for him.

Carol had gone to get coffee for everyone, and as she came back, and put the tray on the table, she reached down and grabbed a cup to hand to Blaine. "Here you go, sweetie…just the way you like it." Her statement was full of purpose. She wanted this man to know that Blaine was part of a family now…their family, and she loved him as much as she loved her other two boys. Blaine looked at her and quietly said "thank you", sharing a smile that would be exchanged between a mother and her son.

Blaine looked at his father and repeated his earlier question. "Why are you here, Dad."

"May I sit?" he asked Burt, who pointed to the chair. Carol went into the kitchen to grab two of the chairs for she and Burt.

"Blaine, I really think you should go back home, go back to Dalton, and stop this nonsense. I mean, your mother said something about you two getting married? You can't possibly be serious."

He looked at Kurt, and then at his father. "We are serious."

"And you two are ok with this?" Burt and Carol both nodded at him.

"I'm definitely ok with my son spending his life with someone as wonderful as your son, if that's what you mean." Burt had almost run out of patience with this guy.

"And I think that you two", looking at Blaine and Kurt, "should snap out of your little fantasy world and end this farce."

"No! You don't have the right to say that to them." Finn was furious, and stood up from the couch.

"Finn, honey…."

"No, Mom. He may be his father, but he's not his Dad. Burt is the Dad…for all of us. Don't let him talk to them like this." Blaine tugged at the back of Finn's jeans, and he turned around to look down at him. He patted the cushion next to him, and Finn sat back down.

"Son, I just want them to think about the long range consequences of the decisions they make now. Do you understand how limited things will be for you with the type of lifestyle choices you make? People make all kinds of assumptions, Blaine. We've been through this."

"What assumptions, Dad? That I have a partner that I trust completely and love without condition? That I'm happy not having the lifestyle that you and my mother have? Where did it get you?" Blaine felt like his head was spinning.

Kurt spoke up finally. "Mr. Anderson, I love your son. And I may not be what or who you pictured him building a life with, but we've done that. We go to school, we have our friends and family, and we're happy. Why isn't that enough for you?"

"You may not think it's the truth, but I really do want Blaine to have the best of everything."

"I already have that". Blaine was getting angrier by the second.

"You're living in a one bedroom apartment in Lima."

This hit a little too close to home for Burt. "Now wait a minute. I'm trying to be polite because you are Blaine's father, but I won't tolerate you making comments about the way these boys, and my family, choose to live."

"My apologies for my choice of words." He looked at his son. "Blaine, I only want you to have every opportunity that I've worked so hard to put within your reach."

"Dad. I'm gay."

His father became uneasy. "I'm well aware, Blaine."

"No, I don't think you are. I think in your mind, this is going to change if you throw material things at me. It won't. I'm sorry if that goes against your master plan, but it's who I am. I'm gay. And I love Kurt. There isn't anything else you really need to know."

Finn leaned over and whispered to him "way to man up, Hobbit."

"And please don't ever think for a second that what you have can compare in any way to what this family—my family—has. You see this man?" He pointed at Burt. "He works hard every single day to support the people he cares about. But more than that…he is there for all of us. He listens. And he tolerates all of the nonsense that the three of us get into because he loves us. You want to disown me for who I want to spend my life with. That's not love, Dad."

Carol smiled at Blaine, and he looked at her with tears in his eyes. "And you see that woman? While my natural mother was signing me away, this woman was taking care of me when I was sick. She was feeding me every day. When I had to go to the doctor after my accident…it was Carol that was there. And the thing is, Dad…I know in my heart that they will always be there, even when I mess up, even when I do something stupid…even when I make a decision that they don't agree with. That…that is love."

His father stood up, and looked around, feeling outnumbered. "I can see that we aren't getting anywhere here." He turned to Burt and Carol. "Thank you for letting me into your home." He then looked to Blaine.

"I won't stop you from living the life that you choose, Blaine. But I won't fund it for you either. I'll give you a week to think about it. You know where to reach me."

"No, actually I don't."

He pulled out one of his business cards and handed it to his son. "It was lovely to meet you, Kurt." And just like that, he was gone.

The family sat there, victims of an emotional hurricane whose real damage was yet to be assessed. Finn put his arm around Blaine, who immediately dissolved into tears. "I'm so sorry."

"Oh, honey, for what? You can't be held responsible for what he said." Carol walked over to him, and pushed the table away from in front of the couch. She knelt down and put her hand on his chin. "You are part of this family, and nothing that anyone can say will change that. You understand?"

He nodded, and looked over at Burt. "Listen, kid…what you said..." Burt got choked up and couldn't finish. As he looked at this young man sitting on the couch, looking so small and beaten down, and at the same time so strong, how could he ever imagine anyone better for his son than Blaine Anderson?

"We won't have a place to live together. I'm so sorry, Kurt."

"The apartment is paid for the year, Blaine. And there's a lease, which will cost your parents a lot more to break. I don't think they'll want to take the financial hit just to prove a point."

"I need to get a job right away, or I won't be able to keep a roof over our heads. We won't have a place to live."

Kurt looked at him and kissed him, not really caring who was in the room. Carol and Burt looked at each other, then at Finn.

"Yes you will."

Finn thought it might be a good idea for the whole gang to go out to Breadsticks the next day, just to try to take Blaine and Kurt's mind off of what had happened. Everyone was up for it, so they decided to meet at about six o'clock for dinner. Finn called ahead to reserve a table for them, since it was such a big group.

He and Puck rode with the boys, and even though they made small talk, it was obvious that the ultimatum that his father had given him was hanging over Blaine's head.

Puck thought for a second, and then decided that he needed to ask. "So, Blaine…are you adopted or something?"

"Noah…that's not nice." Kurt looked over at Blaine and shook his head.

"No, no…I'm not trying to be a jerk, I mean…how is it that someone as cool as you came from those two?"

Blaine laughed, and thought about how he sometimes wondered that himself. He shared no common traits with his parents. It was as if they were, after all these years, strangers. "I'm not sure, Puck. Luck of the draw, I guess."

Almost everyone else was there waiting for them when they got to Breadsticks.

Rachel jumped up and ran to Kurt. "I finally got the perfect shoes for the Prom!"

Knowing Rachel's taste, Kurt looked at her. "That, my dear, is yet to be determined."

Mercedes wanted to know what Kurt was wearing. "I'm giving out no details until the big reveal that night. But I will be fabulous."

"Always are, my man". Puck patted him on the back.

"Why so quiet, Blaine?" Mike reached across the table and grabbed a basket of, what else, breadsticks.

"Just a lot on my mind. Finals, and all." He was lying. And he hated that.

Finn jumped into the conversation. "So have you seen their new van?"

All heads turned to look out the window at the vehicle parked just out front. "Nice, guys. When do we get a ride?" Lauren loved the color. "It looks amazing."

Kurt looked over at the other sullen person at the table. "How are you, Sam?"

He seemed surprised that Kurt had spoken to him. Things had been so strained since the whole Blaine incident that there had barely been any conversation between them anymore.

"I'm ok, thanks, Kurt." Sam smiled for the first time in a long time. Once Kurt had made the effort to speak to him, he felt as if a weight had lifted from his shoulders. He missed talking to him. And he still felt bad about what he had tried to do. Maybe now, things would start getting better.

They ordered their food, and, as always, began picking off of each other's plates. Kurt had a basket of friend mushrooms in front of him, and Finn stuck his fork in one of them, dipping it in sauce.

"Did you all know that mushrooms are actually a fungus?" Kurt said, matter of factly.

Finn put the mushroom back in the basket. "That's disgusting."

Blaine chuckled, knowing exactly why Kurt said that. If they didn't want Finn to take all of their food, they would have to make it sound as unappetizing as possible. It worked.

Artie was eating his spaghetti as he said "So, about your bachelor party…"

"It's going to be epic. So listen, there's this great lake house that Blaine…that, I mean, that's Blaine's family owns, and it would be perfect for it."

Rachel looked hurt. "You mean, we can't come?"

"Are you a bachelor?" Puck threw his napkin at her.

"Well, no…but we are Kurt's friends too. What about us?"

"Wait! I know!" All eyes turned to Brittany. This should be good. "We can have a bridal shower! Without the bride, of course." The ladies all looked at her. It wasn't a bad idea. "We can call it a Groom's Shower, right?"

"Britt, that's a great idea. Guys, what do you think?"

Kurt and Blaine looked at each other and shrugged. "It sounds great. Thank you."

"We can have it in my basement. There's so much room." Rachel started getting excited, but Blaine had reservations. "Rachel, don't take this the wrong way, but that basement of yours hasn't brought me much luck. No offense."

"What about after Kurt sang "Single Ladies". I'm thinking you had luck later that night, you know what I mean?" Finn. Always to the point.

"Yes, and my debit card is still crying. I said take them for dessert, not try to fix the national debt."

Finn and Kurt looked at each other. "Tube socks."

Sam looked over at Blaine. "What?"

"It's a long and very sordid story. One that should not be discussed in mixed company." They all had a laugh, and the night turned into exactly what Blaine and Kurt needed.

On the way home, they stopped and picked up Bocelli and brought him back home. They waited for this new word that Finn was supposed to have taught him, but they heard nothing other than "hello" and "Kurt".

They changed into their pajamas, and cuddled up on the couch. Blaine was reading through his French book, and Kurt had a Cosmopolitan magazine. The television was turned down low in the background.

"So what will you tell him?" Kurt was nervous about the question. Blaine would be giving up a lot by staying with him. Could be blame him if he wanted his old life back?

"Say to who?"

"Your father. He'll want to know your decision." Kurt began to, again, fuss with the hem of his sleeve. This was something new, and while it was endearing to Blaine, it also concerned him. It showed that Kurt was nervous, when he shouldn't be. He reached his hand down and put it over Kurt's.

"I haven't really given it any thought, because there is no decision to be made."

"Blaine…I can't expect you to live like this when you can have so much more."

He put the French book down. "Live like what? With the man I love? I can handle that. Now come here." He pulled Kurt in closer. "I love our life. I love this couch…I love our coffee pot…I love our little feathered friend…and I most definitely love our bed. I don't want you worrying about this. And.." Blaine tilted Kurt's head up so that they were looking into each other's eyes, "I do not want you getting any ideas in that pretty little head of yours that my life would be better without you. Because it would not."

Blaine knew him better than he knew himself. Kurt had been running it through his head since his father walk out the door. Blaine deserved everything that life had for him. And he would never want to stand in the way of that.

"I know what you're thinking, Kurt. And don't. Being with you is what I want. It's my choice, not his." He picked up his book. "Now, please help me with this French. I don't want to be the only one still sitting in that class who has only learned five words."

"Je t'aime, Blaine."

"That's three words. And I love you too, beautiful."

Blaine wanted to be there before his father arrived. For some reason, he felt as if it gave him more power to be the one there first. He ordered a cup of coffee, and sat down in a booth near the back of the diner. After checking his watch several times, he looked up and saw his father walk in.

"We could have gone someplace a little more…civilized. I told you I would buy you dinner."

"I don't want dinner. I want this to be over as soon as possible so that I can get back to Kurt."

"Blaine, I don't want you to misunderstand. I'm sure that your friend Kurt…" Blaine cut him off immediately.

"Boyfriend. Partner. Lover. Do you need any more ways for me to describe what he is to me, Dad?"

His father sighed loudly. "Blaine, do you want to live the rest of your life in this town? You're only seventeen years old, and you are making decisions that are best left to adults."

"Dad, I've been an adult for almost my whole life." Blaine realized as that statement came out that it was true. He'd had to deal with grown-ups his whole life. He had no real friends. At his parent's parties he would be paraded around as if he were the entertainment. And how many times did he have to sit and listen to his parent's complain about each other to him, even as a child?

"I wasn't kidding, Blaine. If you want to ruin your life, that's a decision that you have to live with. But it won't be with my money. Let's see if Kurt will still be around when you are eating macaroni and cheese for dinner because you can't afford anything better."

Blaine laughed to himself, remembering just how much fun eating like that was for them. And he knew, at that very moment, that he was with the person he would spend his life with, not matter where they lived, or what they ate.

"I'm staying with Kurt, Dad. You can have your money. One day, what you have will be gone. But what he and I have, it will never run out." Blaine stood up and walked away from the table. "You can take care of the check for my coffee. It will be the last thing you'll ever have to pay for."

Blaine drove home a bit shaky, but no worse for wear. He would get a job, and they would have to be careful, but they can do it. He walked up to their door, and as he turned the key, he heard a commotion going on inside. He could not believe his eyes when he walked in.

"I'm going to kill Finn, I swear." Kurt was standing there, with white cream all over his face, his hair sticking out everywhere, and a lone cucumber stuck to his cheek. Bocelli had the same white cream all over his little head, and his feathers. He was holding a piece of cucumber in his beak.

"I'm afraid to ask."

"I was trying to do my cleansing routine, and all of a sudden, I heard it…"

"Heard what?"

"Go ahead, take that cucumber out of his mouth."

Blaine carefully pulled it from his little beak, and he started to bounce up and down on his perch. Finally, he said it. "Dude".

"Dude. Hello."

"Great." Blaine handed him back the cucumber, and he stopped talking and started munching. "But how did he get the cream all over him?" Blaine walked over to him and pulled the piece from his cheek.

"He started squawking, saying my name, and it was driving me crazy, so I opened the cage to try to pet him and calm him down, but no…he flies out of the cage, right into my face"—Kurt gives a demonstration with his hand—"and then he grabs the cucumber slice that I had cut for my eyes right out of my hand. It scared me, and I dropped the bag of pretzels that I had, and then I stepped on them…" Kurt pointed down to the carpet, and the remnants of the crushed snack. "This is an insane asylum."

Blaine didn't say a word, and just looked around and smiled.

He wouldn't have it any other way.