"Lola Anderson, you will be the best dressed little girl in all of New York," Rachel laughs as she opens yet another outfit. Lola, being far more thrilled at tearing the pretty paper, turns excitedly in Rachel's lap and starts clapping.
"I'm sure I should take offense at the amount of clothes she's got," Blaine mutters. He's lying on his stomach on the floor, engrossed in building the toy train he brought for Zach. "It's like you're saying I can't dress her."
"Oh honey...you can't," Kurt says sweetly, then dodges the balled up gift wrap hurled his way. "Okay, so my turn," he says as he hands out his packages. "And Lola and Blaine, these are small gifts because your actual gift is waiting for you in New York."
"Is it a puppy?" Blaine asks excitedly.
"No, it is not. Why would I leave a puppy to wait for you in New York? And why would I buy a puppy anyway? I've already got you and Lola to look after."
"Ouch!" Cooper laughs.
"Well you didn't have to get me anything anyway," Blaine says as he unwraps his gift, "But thank you," and he has to blink back tears as he looks down at the framed photo of the three of them with Santa, taken only the week before. "Beautiful."
"Santa? Well if that's your thing..." Kurt whispers in his ear, making Blaine laugh out loud. "And Lola, this is for you."
"Baby!" Lola shouts as she tears at the paper to reveal a cute little rag doll.
"Kurt, is that...?"
"Yes," Kurt replies as he pulls Lola into his lap. "Lola, this is your baby now, but you have to look after her, okay? Her name is Lily, and she was mine. I used to take her to bed every night and cuddle her tight, but before that she belonged to my mom."
"Kurt...you can't give her that," Blaine says quietly, voice thick with emotion as the others look on.
"I can and I want to. I've spruced her up a bit, you know, so she doesn't look quite so worn. And I know she's probably not that exciting, and I know Lola already has bunny. But I just... I think if my mom were here she'd fall in love with Lola just like the rest of us have."
"She would son," Burt says, then clears his throat quickly.
"It's a beautiful gift, Kurt," Carole says wiping at her eyes delicately. "Your mom would be so...Lola? You okay sweetie?"
Taking herself from Kurt's lap, she walks toward Carole with her arm outstretched. "Me no want bunny," she says, giving the small pink rabbit to her and returning to Kurt she scoops up Lily and sucks contentedly on her thumb.
"Kurt, that is the sweetest gift you could have given," Rachel says. "I'm totally over this Christmas thing," she says as she wipes her eyes, "It's so much more emotional than Hanukkah."
"So we have gifts for you Kurt," Blaine crawls under the tree and emerges, handing a small box to him proudly.
"I told you not to go overboard," Kurt says with a raised eyebrow as he opens the infamous blue Tiffany's box.
"I didn't."
"Wow. It's beautiful," Kurt says as he cradles the diamond butterfly brooch carefully. "I'm seriously impressed. You know nothing about jewellery. How did you manage to pull this off?"
"Um..well... I know you like diamonds, and Tiffany's, and Lola likes butterflies so..."
"I love it, and I love you." Kurt says with a firm kiss to his lips.
"Right." Blaine straightens up, rubbing his hands on his jeans and swallowing nervously. Picking up another small box, he holds his hand out to Lola. "Okay Lola. One more gift. Can you remember who it's for?"
"Ku..." she starts, then remembers. "My Papa!" thrusting the box at Kurt, she dances around him, proud of herself for remembering what daddy had taught her. "No Kurr, my papa!"
"What did she...what did...are you...?" Kurt fumbles for his words as a trembling hand covers his lips.
"Just open the box," Blaine says with a soft smile. Nestled inside is a pair of platinum cufflinks, 'For Papa,' is engraved on one, and the other holds a thumbprint with 'from Lola x' engraved underneath. Blaine waits patiently for a response, but Kurt cannot speak as his head bows and he breaks into sobs, overwhelmed with the emotions coursing through him.
"Oh, hey..." Blaine says as he rushes to hold him. "I didn't mean to make you cry. If it's too much we can..."
"It's not too much!" Kurt sobs over his shoulder. "It's everything! It's all I've ever wanted. Are you..."
"Sure? Yes. And so is she. Not that she knows what it means of course, but we want you to have that role in our lives, Kurt. I want you to be her Papa. I know you are anyway, but I want you to have the title to go with it."
"Thank you," he whispers, unable to say anything else before Blaine's lips are on his, in a kiss which is anything other than PG.
"Go Blainers!" Cooper calls. "Hey Lola, papa and daddy are totally getting their mack on!"
"Okay boys, okay. Calm it down or take it upstairs please," Burt grumbles.
"Well...you did give us an option," Kurt says as he tugs Blaine to his feet and they run for the stairs.
"I mean it was perfect...but I'm glad it's just us again now." Blaine says as he lifts Lola onto his hip and pulls a suitcase from the trunk.
"Me too, and having sex only twice in five days does not a happy Blaine make," Kurt says with a smile.
"I wasn't that bad."
"You were very cranky for the whole journey home."
"I wasn't! Well...maybe a bit. But at least we didn't have Cooper this time."
"No, I think all road trips from now on will have to have Rachel and Cooper in a different car to anybody else." Kurt leads the way from the underground parking lot to his building, pulling two suitcases as Blaine carries Lola and bags full of gifts. Both greet George happily, who chucks Lola under the chin. When the elevator opens and they stop in front of Kurt's door, he turns to Blaine nervously.
"Okay. Your gift- for both of you- is behind this door. I want you to just...take some time before you let me know what you think, okay? And...some people might see this as an act of selfishness, I prefer to look at it more as me laying my heart on the line." Without another word he unlocks the door, stepping to one side and allowing Blaine to carry Lola inside.
The first thing Blaine notices is the huge 'Welcome Home' banner strung between the two windows. The second is the decor. The dove grey walls are now oatmeal in color, with the wall housing the fireplace painted a rich chocolate. The parquet floors remain, but the curtains and large rug have changed to a medium brown. Sitting unmistakably against one wall is Blaine's enormous leather couch. He starts towards it, but then becomes distracted as he takes in the photos. Photos everywhere, in large frames and small. Photos of Kurt and Blaine in France, in England, even in their graduation gowns. Photos of Burt and Carole, Finn, Rachel and Cooper. Photos of Zach with various family members and of course, photos of Lola- some of which Kurt must have taken when he was sitting her as Blaine has never seen them. The walls and shelves are covered. Not obscenely so, it doesn't take away from the serene atmosphere the apartment seems to hold, but they're there, letting anyone who walks in know that a family lives here, a family who love each other and who are loved.
"Lola, daddy!" the little girl cries happily and Blaine turns to where she is pointing above the fireplace at a huge canvas print which Blaine has definitely never seen- because it's a professional studio portrait of her, curls tumbling around her face as she smiles directly into the camera, golden eyes sparkling. Turning to Kurt, he opens his mouth to speak, but Kurt just shakes his head and gestures towards the kitchen instead.
Blaine sets Lola down and walks into the vast room. He can't help but gasp- the kitchen has been completely remodelled, the previously black worktops have been replaced by white marble with solid oak cabinets beneath. He smiles to himself as he notes the island is still in place, and makes mental plans to christen it later. Wordlessly, Kurt opens a couple of cupboards, giving Blaine a clear view of Minnie Mouse tableware, as well as all Lola's favorite cereal and his own favorite Nutella.
He is tugged out into the hallway, now painted a light spring green with cream colored furniture, and down to the guest room Lola always uses. Except it's not a guest room any more. Painted wooden letters spelling out Lola form an arch on the door, and Blaine lets his daughter push the door open herself, holding her tiny hand and unable to keep a sob from escaping as he looks around. The room is beautiful. Truly a room fit for a princess, from the canopy over the bed, to the wonderful mural painted on the far wall, where unicorns, fairies, butterflies and bunnies all come together in a magical woodland scene, with a giant rainbow above it all. Lola immediately senses it's all for her, moving to the dainty white bed and placing Lily on it then running to the bookshelf and letting out a squeal when she spies her favorite books.
Warm arms wrap themselves around Blaine's waist, and a soft kiss is placed just below his ear, making him shiver and lean back into the touch, but he doesn't get to revel in it for long before he's dragged into the hallway again, Kurt briefly showing him a brightly colored playroom full of toys before they stop outside the double doors to the bedroom. Taking a deep breath, Kurt pushes them open with a flourish, laughing at the comical look on Blaine's face as his eyes go wide. Thick, luxurious cream carpet is underfoot, the walls a pale duck egg blue with darker blue curtains. Brand new mahogany furniture is arranged perfectly, two chests of drawers sat side by side- his and...well, his. But the thing that really grabs Blaine's attention is the enormous bed, which looks like it is just waiting to have its strength tested and bed covers rumpled. Pulling his bottom lip between his teeth in a grin which makes Kurt's heart lurch, Blaine laughs quietly as he walks into the closet and takes in the sight of his suits lined up neatly alongside Kurt's. It's a sight he could definitely get used to.
"One more thing," Kurt whispers, pulling him toward their bathroom and flipping the light.
"You moved my shower?!" Blaine shouts in surprise, his face breaking into a beaming grin as he admires it standing proudly alongside the large, sunken tub.
"No," Kurt laughs, "I got a new one."
"Kurt..." Blaine starts, his face turning serious as he leads him back to sit on the bed.
"No Blaine, let me. I know I should have asked, we should have discussed this, but I... I just thought that maybe if I changed everything then you would possibly consider..."
"What? What are you asking?"
"I'm asking you to move in with me. I'm asking if you would sell your place and buy half of this with me. I love you both so much, and I remember you telling me you had lived in many places but you'd never had a home. My heart broke at that, and I just thought...maybe we could make this our home, together?"
"You had all this done while we were away?"
"Yes. I haven't had all your stuff moved, you know, if you didn't want..."
"Kurt..."
"Because I know it's a big thing, and..."
"Kurt..."
"We have Lola to consider and what's best for her and..."
"Kurt!"
"Sorry," Kurt blushes, folding his hands in his lap and staring at them intently.
"Yes."
"What?"
"Yes, we will move in. Now. Today. I can't think of anything I would want more. And I can't believe you did all this for us. It is truly beautiful. I mean I liked it before, but now it's just...perfect. Our perfect home."
"I think I might cry," Kurt says, becoming overwhelmed as he hides his head in Blaine's neck.
"Go ahead, I am already," Blaine chokes out, and Kurt pulls back to smile at his glistening eyes.
"Do you want to live here though? I mean, we can buy somewhere different if..."
"Kurt, I want to live here, with you, in the apartment that you chose, and you decorated just for us. I know you lived here with Ian, but it really doesn't bother me."
"Okay," Kurt heaves a great sigh of relief and falls against Blaine's shoulder once more.
"There is one thing though."
"Oh?"
"I want to buy the whole place outright."
"No." Kurt says instantly, sitting upright, his eyes immediately turning hard.
"What? Kurt, I have money. There's no need for you to..."
"I said no, and I won't back down on this. Buy your half outright if you want, but I'm paying my way. I don't want to hurt your feelings Blaine, really. But I want to do my part, to provide for you and Lola as much as you do for us. I know you have money, I don't know how much, and I don't need to."
"It's not a secret."
"No, and if you feel the need to tell me then fine, but I'm just saying it doesn't matter. I met with Ian before the holidays, that was when he told me he wanted to sell. It was actually him who suggested I ask you to buy his share, and he told me you could probably buy the whole building if you wanted..."
"I don't know about that," Blaine laughs softly.
"Well whatever, he got me to thinking. I told him we weren't ready, but the more I thought about it the more I realized that actually, we were. But I didn't ask you just because I needed someone to pay the other half..."
"I know that Kurt."
"You do?"
"I do, and I didn't ask to buy the whole thing just to be the one in control or..."
"I know," Kurt says with a soft touch to his arm. "But I just...need to feel like I do my part."
"But you do, and so much more besides. Okay," Blaine says decisively. "Truth time. I don't know how much money I have, and I don't care either. I know that neither Cooper or I need to work. We choose to because we love what we do and for me, now, I want to set a good example to Lola. I want to be able to hand the business down one day, whether to her, Zach, other kids, I don't know. But I want to leave some kind of legacy, to feel like I've done my bit- so I understand your sentiment I really do."
"So what will you do with it all?"
"Spend some, save some, donate some, I don't really know. To be honest I've never really gotten around to doing much with it because I've not had any reason for it. I guess I would pay for Lola's schooling if we decided that was the route we wanted to take, but to be honest she would probably be happier at a public school, I know I was. I'm formulating a plan as we speak here..."
"Go on."
"How about this. I buy half the apartment straight off. We open a joint account, where we both pay in a set amount of money each month, and from that we pay the other half of the mortgage, any other bills, food and so on. All equal."
"But you're still paying more," Kurt points out, not really wanting to argue but needing his point to be made.
"And so are you. You've been living alone, all your outgoings will be nearly triple. And you've seen how much I eat. Kurt, what's mine is yours. From Lola to sweatpants and everything inbetween. You are your own person. Wanting to have a comfortable family life and not having to worry about money does not make you a bad person. You're not becoming reliant on me any more than I am becoming reliant on you. Just, think on it."
Kurt smiles, then sits alone with his thoughts while Blaine checks on Lola- finding her busy building a miniature petting zoo with Lily sitting in the middle of it all. Returning to the bedroom, he is not expecting any answer and is surprised when Kurt stands.
"Okay."
"Sure?"
"Yes. Fuck it, I hate my overwhelming need to be the dominant one. I guess I just have to learn to let go once in awhile."
"Oh baby," Blaine moans, the mere mention of dominance going straight to his cock. "You can be as dominant as you want," he whispers, sliding his hands around Kurt's waist and nibbling at his neck. "I'm all yours."
"Fuck," Kurt groans, fingers tangling in Blaine's hair and yanking his head back to expose his graceful neck. "How do you do this?" he asks in between biting at his soft flesh and running his tongue along his collarbone. "We were having a serious discussion a minute ago,"
"About your need for dominance, and I am very considerately letting you indulge that need." Blaine says to the ceiling, whimpering as Kurt's hands find his ass and squeeze roughly.
"Later," he teases, pulling back and dropping a feather light kiss to his lips.
"I'll hold you to that." Blaine says as he adjusts the front of his pants.
"Oh please do."
A/N- Next update will be Wednesday. Thanks for reading :) all your messages mean so much to me!