Wow, you guys must hate me cause I know I do after not posting anything for so long.
Blaine's initial response to Ashlynne's new found identity is, quite simply put, denial. Think about it! There's no way on Earth that the girl who sits across from him with those big brown eyes pleading for a reaction is his little sister! It's just not possible...is it? Sure, they never technically recovered Hope's body after the accident that tragically claimed his parents lives, but there's still no way that Blaine wouldn't recognize his own sister! Yeah, Ashlynne seems oddly familiar at times, and Kurt does make comments about how alike her and Blaine are with behavior, but that doesn't mean Ashlynne is Hope.
Then again, Blaine can see how Ashlynne's brown eyes are exact replicas of Hope's bright gaze. He can see how her face, once round with childhood, has matured into the face of a young woman who, admittedly, is akin to what Hope would look like now. And, now that Blaine is really looking at Ashlynne, he can see the outline of a scar Hope got from a scooter accident in the third grade when her Blaine decide to race their moms car down the street, marring the skin just above her right eyebrow. How Blaine managed to miss it before he'll never know, but now that he does, there's no denying that Ashlynne is undoubtedly Hope. His little sister.
"Hope." Is Blaine's only response before he moves to hug the nervous teenager, pulling her into an apologetic embrace as guilt, relief, and happiness flood his system.
"Wow, that's weird." Ashlynne says in response to the new tittle, and damned if it doesn't make Blaine tear up more than he already is. It's just like Hope to make light of a situation with a joke, but Blaine certainly doesn't miss the tears that are now streaming down her face. In response, he simply holds the teen tighter.
After a considerable amount of time, the two siblings release their hold on each other, each surreptitiously wiping away stray tears.
"Well, I certainly wasn't expecting that." Kurt speaks up for the first time since learning of Ashlynne's true identity, cutting through what's left of the tense silence hanging in the air.
Ashlynne laughs nervously, and responds with, "You're telling me."
"Are you ok?" Kurt asks on a more serious note.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, it's not everyday you learn about your 'true' identity." Blaine clarifies for his boyfriend, also interested to know of Ashlynne's feeling on the subject matter.
Ashlynne furrows her brow for a moment in concentration before saying, "Well, it's like you guys told me earlier. I'm still me, and this file doesn't change that. All this files does is give me my birth name, birth date, family, and how I ended up in that ditch. It doesn't change my likes and dislike. It doesn't change the fact that you and Kurt are the best people I know, and it certainly doesn't change the fact that I'm a nerd."
Kurt nods in agreement, "You're right, but you understand that this information does change things, correct?"
"Yeah," Nick chimes in, "Now that Kurt and Blaine know who you legally are, they can work on getting legal custody of you, and help get you enrolled in school."
"This information might not change who you are, but it will change the way we handle things from now on as a family." Blaine concludes.
"I guess I didn't really think about that stuff." Ashlynne admits, "I mean, after spending a year on my own, I kinda forgot about all the normal teenage stuff I should be doing."
"Well, it's a good thing you have us." Kurt teases with a fond smile.
Ashlynne smiles back at the blue eyed man before a yawn overtakes her features.
"Why don't you head to bed, and let us grown ups handle all the boring stuff?" Blaine suggests.
Ashlynne nods, saying, "I would normally argue and say I'm not tired, but today has been exhausting. I never knew how hard it was to find out your real name!"
She stands up from the table, and stretches as she makes her way out of the kitchen, throwing a goodnight over her shoulder.
"Wow." Kurt says later that night as he and Blaine are curled up on the couch watching TV.
Nick had excused himself not long after Ashlynne went to bed, and had promised Kurt and Blaine to help them draw up papers concerning Hope's custody as soon as possible. Plus, he made both adults promise to come over for dinner at his a Jeff's place one night.
"Wow what?" Blaine questions.
"She's your sister, Blaine. I mean, I held a little suspicion, but I never actually thought it would turn out to be true."
"How come you never said anything?" Blaine had told Kurt about Hope not too long ago on the anniversary of his parents accident, and he had confided in Kurt about the police never finding his sister's body.
"I didn't want to get your hopes up if I turned out to be wrong."
A minute passes before Blaine responds with, "Well, I'm really glad you weren't wrong."
"Me too." Kurt knows the sentiment is weak, but he understands that Blaine recognizes how relieved and happy Kurt truly is that Ashlynne is really Hope. There are no words Kurt could possibly say to Blaine, and no way Blaine could ever convey how happy he is to know the truth about his sister.
It's a good thing some moments don't need words.
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!
Btw, I'm really sorry for not posting sooner. I'm in the midst of a few, in Ashlynne's words, boring adult things. Hopefully I'll have another chapter up soon!
Bye lovies!