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captain-ally is back! Hooray! Special thanks goes out to her! She has done amazing job in editing this! So thank you so much! With her back, updates my be a little slow because of our times difference and our lives.
Anyway, hope you all enjoy!
Chapter 20: Christmas Day
"It's my year to choose, B!" Cooper declared, glaring at his brother.
"Kurt is the guest, he should get to choose," Blaine protested.
"No way! He can choose next year," Cooper argued, folding his arms over his chest and adapting a familiar uncompromising position.
"You choose the same movie every year, Coop!" Blaine cried indignantly. "Let Kurt choose."
"I really don't –" Kurt tried to interject but his protests were ignored.
"That movie is a classic!" Cooper looked genuinely offended at Blaine's criticism. "You can't have Christmas without it. Don't spoil Christmas for me, Blaine. I'll pout."
"Really, boys," Valarie scolded fondly, swooping into the living room carrying a tray of hot chocolates. "We go through this every year." She smiled at Kurt as she handed him his drink, "Simon and I can recite it off by heart."
Kurt sniggered, gratefully accepting the hot chocolate and taking a sip. It was the perfect temperature and, much to his delight, it was beautifully thick and chocolaty. Kurt turned his amused gaze on the Anderson brothers once more, taking a seat on the love chair.
"Mum, make Coop choose a different film," Blaine begged.
"It's his turn to choose," Valarie reasoned. "Kurt can choose next year and then it will be your turn again."
"Ha!" Cooper grinned triumphantly. He spun around to face the DVD cabinet and pulled out said film, quickly placing it in the DVD player before Blaine could protest further.
Blaine sighed, taking a mug of hot chocolate and joining Kurt on the love seat, curling up beside him. "I'm very sorry for what you're about to witness."
Kurt gave him a curious look and turned his attention to the TV. He laughed when the DVD menu popped up, revealing that they were watching The Muppet's Christmas Carol.
Cooper beamed and joined his parents on the couch, making exaggerated movements in an attempt to get comfortable. "Everybody ready?" When he received sounds of affirmation – dulled only by a groan from Blaine, which he courteously ignored – he pressed play.
"I love this movie," Kurt grinned. "I haven't seen it in a long time."
"Don't get me wrong, I love the Muppets," Blaine murmured in his boyfriend's ear. "But Cooper has been chosen the same movie since I was seven years old."
Kurt snorted and giggled into his mug. "He must really love it."
And even from the opening credits, Kurt could see why Cooper had expressed an eternal enthusiasm; Kurt himself loved it, too. Whenever a singing part came on they would orchestrate an impressive choir amongst the family, with even Valarie and Simon joining in. Blaine remained snuggled into his boyfriend's side, linking their fingers together when they had both finished their mugs of hot chocolate.
It was Christmas Eve and as Blaine had announced, this was one of the Anderson's annual traditions, but Kurt was tired by the end of the movie, fighting fatigue in a vain attempt to keep his eyes open. As the credits started to roll, Cooper took out the movie and stretched.
"Do you have any more Christmas Eve traditions?" Kurt asked through a yawn.
"Not for Christmas Eve," Blaine murmured. "We have some more for tomorrow, though."
"Sounds good," Kurt mumbled sleepily.
"I think we should call it a night," Valarie yawned. "The rest of the family is coming around ten o'clock tomorrow and it will be a mad house."
"She's not kidding either," Simon grunted, heaving himself off the couch. He helped his wife up, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Have a goodnight sleep boys. Oh, and not too early – Blaine, that means you." He gave his son a pointed look, and Blaine just smiled sheepishly.
Valarie and Cooper laughed loudly while Kurt shot him a look of confusion.
"I may have a slight tendency to get a little excited on Christmas morning," he shrugged.
This earned a giggle from Kurt and a playful shove by way of response from his boyfriend. Blaine heaved himself up off the seat, helping Kurt up.
"Good night," Kurt said to everyone. He helped Blaine take the mugs back to the kitchen, leaving them in the sink to soak overnight.
Hand in hand the two boys headed to Blaine's room. Stepping inside, Blaine was quick to shut the door behind them. The two boys quickly changed into their pyjamas and slid into bed, instantly cuddling up to one another. Kurt hummed happily as his boyfriend's arms pulled him close and he tangled their legs together.
"Nervous about tomorrow?" Blaine breathed.
"A little," Kurt admitted, his eyes sliding shut. "But it's hard not to feel relaxed here."
Blaine chuckled, gently nipping his ear. "Good night, sweetheart."
"Love you," Kurt mumbled, his breathing already starting to even out.
"Love you too," Blaine replied, nuzzling his nose into the nape of his boyfriend's neck and inhaling his scent whilst he let the rhythmic lull of Kurt's breathing send him to sleep.
Kurt was not accustomed to waking up alone since he and Blaine had started dating and on this morning in particular, he wasn't fond of the sudden change. Wiping away the sleep from his eyes, he sat up and blinked whilst he surveyed the room. He slid his hand over to Blaine's side of the bed, feeling that the sheets were cooled, indicating his boyfriend had been up for some time.
The clock on the wall said – much to Kurt's reproach – that it was only just past six o'clock. Kurt flopped back down on the bed, groaning into his pillow. He knew that his boyfriend was excited by Christmas – he had told Kurt as much – but he didn't realise he had yet to grow out of the waking up at a ridiculously early hour stage.
Movement downstairs caught his attention and he tried to make out what was going on. He quickly figured it to be someone in the kitchen. The door to the bedroom suddenly opening and closing made Kurt jump and he lifted his head from the pillow to find his boyfriend smiling sheepishly at him.
"Sorry."
Kurt glowered. "What are you doing up so early?"
"Ah – well you see, Cooper and I always get up this early on Christmas morning and make breakfast for Mum and Dad," Blaine explained, looking bashful. "I didn't mean to wake you up."
"It's okay," Kurt replied, his expression turning fond. "What did you make?"
Blaine grimaced. "We were trying to make pancakes and some muffins."
"What do you mean by trying?"
"Coop and I aren't the best bakers," Blaine said by way of explanation.
"I think you proved that when you tried to make me that cake," Kurt said dryly.
Blaine winced. "Not one of my finer moments, I'll admit."
Slinging back the covers, Kurt slipped out of bed and pulled on a jumper. He crossed the room to where his boyfriend was waiting and pressed a kiss on his pouting lips. "I'll do the cooking," he announced, and with Blaine's hand in his, Kurt led him downstairs to the kitchen.
He eyed the mess that the siblings had created and shook his head. "Okay, clean this up while I start a new batch of muffins, then we'll make the pancakes."
Cooper saluted and ushered Blaine over to help him clear up.
Kurt moved quickly and efficiently. In no time at all he had whipped up a new batter and was placing it in the patty pans that the brothers had left out. He put them in the oven when he was done and then moved on to making the pancakes.
"Damn he's good," Cooper muttered to his brother.
"Mum and Dad are going to love him more than us, aren't they?" Blaine asked, eyes never leaving his boyfriend.
"Of that, there is no doubt," Cooper sighed heavily, patting him on the shoulder. "Your boyfriend is too amazing. We can never compete."
"Or you could just learn to bake," Kurt suggested, having overheard the entire conversation as he poured the now ready pancake batter into the heated pan.
"He has a point," Blaine said, manoeuvring out of his brother's grip and joining Kurt by the stove. "Can you teach us, oh wise one?"
Kurt appeared to scrutinize Blaine. "You may be teachable," he eventually decided and then he turned to Cooper, adding, "Not you, though."
Cooper groaned as if he had just been shot, punctuating this with a sigh of, "Shot down once more," and using the opportunity to try and steal some pancake batter from Kurt, who slapped his hand away.
Kurt allowed Blaine to help cook the pancakes and when they were done they stacked them high on a plate. The muffins being ready coincided with the completion of the pancakes and Kurt skilfully took them out of the oven and out of the pan they had been cooking in.
They allowed them to cool for a moment before plating them up. Kurt held the plate out for Cooper with a wary expression. "Can I trust you not to drop this?"
"Yes," Cooper announced, but when Kurt's back was turned he eyed the plate with as much worry as the younger man just had.
The doorbell chimed a few hours later, echoing throughout the house. Cooper gave a loud whoop and dashed to the door. However Blaine's attention was on his boyfriend. The moment the doorbell had rung his whole posture had become stiff and straight.
The two were relaxing by the Christmas tree, looking over the gifts they had received. Blaine placed a sweet kiss behind Kurt's ear, rubbing a hand up and down his thigh. "You okay?"
"I am meeting your family Blaine," Kurt hissed, "A family I hope to become a part of. Excuse me if I am a little tense."
"You already are part of this family," Blaine soothed. "You don't need to worry, sweetheart. They're going to love you."
Voices floated in from the front door and Kurt's grabbed Blaine's hand, squeezing it tightly. "Don't leave me," he whispered.
"I won't," he promised, giving him another reassuring peck on the cheek.
"Blaine, dear!" An elderly looking woman with the same olive skin and curly hair waddled into the room, arms outstretched.
"Grandma," Blaine grinned, jumping up and embracing her warmly. When he was finally released – with several marks of lipstick staining his cheeks – he took Kurt's hand and dragged him forward. "Grandma, meet my boyfriend, Kurt."
"Hello," he greeted shyly.
"Kurt! Finally we get to meet," she cried, pulling him into a warm hug and kissing his cheek. "Valarie has told us all about you. Your photos do not do you justice." Kurt blushed while she turned to Blaine. "Dear, best you get a ring on his finger before someone else does!"
"Yes Grandma," Blaine muttered, the tips of his ears turning red.
One by one Kurt was introduced to Blaine's family. Each person pulled him into a fond embrace, telling him that it was nice to finally meet him and how adorable the found the couple. Blaine was happy to find his boyfriend slowly relaxing in their presence, easily falling into conversation.
Each member of the family wasted no time in telling Blaine that he shouldn't wait too long and propose to Kurt sooner rather than later, whilst Kurt was occupied with other family members.
"I will," Blaine assured them. "I just have to design the perfect ring and have it made."
As usual the Anderson family held Christmas lunch, with the new addition of Kurt settled in between Cooper and Blaine. The table was almost groaning under the weight of all the food and the house was echoing with laughter and chatter. Valarie had outdone herself with all the cooking she had done. Each family member had brought something along to contribute, mostly desserts and salads. Everything was delicious and Kurt found himself eating more than he had ever stomached before.
Blaine's hand kept finding his knee, giving it a comforting squeeze whilst he smiled at him adoringly. When they were all sufficiently full from the main meal, Valarie and a couple of Blaine's aunts cleared the table and brought out dessert.
"Having fun?" Blaine murmured while everyone was distracted.
Kurt smiled, taking his hand under the table. "Yes. You can say I told you so."
Blaine shook his head, "Nah. I love you."
"I love you, too."
Dessert was brought out, which resulted in Kurt being sure that he was going to end up in a sugar coma. When they were all full, Kurt helped clean up, ignoring Valarie's protests. He had got to know some of Blaine's aunts a little better and was comfortable enough with them without Blaine by his side.
"Thank you, dear," Valarie said, once all the dishes were done. "You can go relax now." She kissed his cheek and directed him towards the living room.
"Thank you," Kurt murmured when Blaine's aunts were out of earshot. "This has been an amazing Christmas."
"I'm glad you have enjoyed it dear," Valarie smiled, "We certainly enjoyed spending it with you." She was surprised when Kurt hugged her tightly but not displeased. She hugged him back, kissing his cheek once more. "Now, go spend time with Blaine."
Kurt nodded and wandered around the house, trying to find his boyfriend. He checked their room but found nothing. He spotted his laptop on Blaine's desk and decided, in the absence of his boyfriend, to check his emails. The computer loaded quickly and he logged into his email, finding several emails from his students wishing him a merry Christmas but one email that he didn't recognise.
He clicked on it and scanned it quickly when it opened. The email was in French and Kurt's breath hitched as he immediately guessed the identity of the sender.
Dear Kurt Hummel,
You may not know us and for this we apologize. We are your grandparents, Anne and Luke Linsard. We were your mother's parents.
We only just heard of your father's recent passing and we are so sorry for your loss. We were contacted only recently, as your father left us several things in his will.
Your grandfather and I are travelling these holidays and would love to meet you. If you are willing to meet with us, we are staying in New York until January 10th. You can use this email to contact us if you wish to arrange to see one another.
We're hoping that we will see you soon.
Enjoy your Christmas.
Anne and Luke Linsard.
Kurt looked over the email several times, taking everything in. He could hardly believe that his only family was trying to contact him, but other than that he wasn't sure how to feel. He was just getting used to the fact that Blaine's family was now his and now he had more trying to reach out for him.
For someone who thought he would be alone for the rest of his life there were a lot of people entering his life in quick succession and it was a lot to take in.
"There you are, sweetheart," Blaine cried, striding into the room. "Mum said you were looking for me." He placed his hands on his boyfriend's shoulders and squeezed them. "What are you looking at?"
Blaine listened to Kurt read out the email with his grip on Kurt's shoulders growing ever tighter.
"Your grandparents are in New York and want to meet you." He rubbed his cheek against Kurt's once he had finished reading. "Do you want to meet them?"
Reaching out, Kurt closed the laptop lid and spun around to face his boyfriend. "It's… a lot to take in at the moment."
Blaine dipped his head, placing a warm kiss on Kurt's forehead. "Okay. They're starting a movie downstairs if you want to join."
Smiling, Kurt allowed Blaine to help him up, "Sounds nice."
Together they joined the rest of the family in the living room and watched the movie. As Kurt curled into Blaine's warmth he put the thought of meeting potential family out of his mind and focussed on simply enjoying the company of the family he had now.
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