Chapter 50

"BLAAAAINE!" Kurt yelled again, motionless due the unexpected shock of seeing two people who were obviously Blaine's parents on their doorstep.

Regaining his wits, he spoke loudly, hoping it was loud enough for the couple on the porch to hear.

"Just one minute, please," he yelled. "We'll be right with you!"

He scurried to their bedroom, colliding with a half-dressed Blaine who was hurrying to see if his husband was correct. Kurt collapsed in his arms and Blaine had to support a flailing Kurt who had just realized his worst nightmare…..meeting his in-laws in a thong and without having a shower or a chance to style his hair.

"Kurt, baby, go in the bedroom and shut the door. I'll let them in."

His hand grasped Kurt's chin and held it steady while he looked into the blinking grey blue eyes. He spoke softly to Kurt in an attempt to calm him. "Go on, baby. Take your time." With that, Blaine placed his shower-softened lips against Kurt's and urged a kiss from his shaken husband. "Kiss me, Kurt," he coaxed with a press of his lips. Kurt molded himself to Blaine, giving into the kiss.

"Better?" Blaine whispered as Kurt laid his head on the doctor's shoulder. Blaine felt the reassuring nod.

"Okay, my love, let me go to the door."

Kurt peeled himself from his husband and turned to enter their bedroom. Looking back, he saw Blaine still standing there and knew that his husband was in a state of shock as well. Kurt moved back to Blaine, circled his arms around the damp neck and kissed him again, this time sending his love and support thought the brief connection.

"Go get them, husband," he instructed. "I won't leave you alone with them long," he added as a promise.

Blaine took a deep breath, then released Kurt and spanked his thong-bared cheeks. Kurt jumped and squeaked at the same time from the sharp sting of the playful slap.

"Oh, now you're asking for it," Kurt threatened playfully while pushing his husband toward the front door.

"Here goes nothing," Blaine chuckled as he opened the door, while watching Kurt disappear into their bedroom.

"Hello, Mother. Father." He greeted the two adults in front of him. "Come in. Leave your bags in the car and I'll get them."

Blaine waited for his parents to take off their coats so he could hang them on the coat rack by the door. He ushered them into the living area where they stood awkwardly looking at each other and unsure of what to do. Blaine's mother made the first move by stepping toward Blaine with her arms outstretched, inviting a hug. Blaine leaned in and allowed the hug, arms hanging at his sides. This was an unusual gesture and he wasn't sure if he should embrace his mother and hug back, but this whole situation was already weird so he decided to circle his arms around her in a gentle hug. He was happy he did when he felt her breathe out and press against him, her head on his shoulder. It was fleeting, but the physical touch felt good to Blaine and he was already missing her when she pulled away quickly. His father was still standing, watching the interaction, and Blaine swore he saw the corners of his father's mouth upturned slightly.

Blaine approached his father, offering his hand and his father grasped it and shook it in a firm handshake. Blaine was determined that the man would not intimidate him and his side of the handshake was carefully balanced against his father's. His father seemed pleased and placed his other hand on Blaine's arm to make the handshake more personal. "It's good to see you, son."

"It's nice to have both of you here," Blaine responded with a genuine smile. He waved his hand toward the living area and invited them to sit.

"We weren't expecting you so Kurt is in the shower and as you can see, I just got out, so I'm sorry we kept you waiting at the door."

A hint of a grin appeared on his father's face and it didn't go unnoticed by Blaine.

"Showering together, son?" his father asked, now letting the knowing grin take over.

Blaine was shocked at his father even suggesting such a thing, much less acknowledging the intimacy between his son and another man. "Uh, no. Kurt's been working up his grocery list and that's a pretty intense event, so I escaped into the shower." His voice was shaky as he pondered whether he was really having this discussion with his parents.

"It's okay, son," his mother spoke up. "We're married and know what married couples do." She winked.

Blaine thought he had been transported into an alternate universe. These were not the parents he had known; these people must be clones implanted with happy genes. He shook the thought from his head as he pretended to ignore his mother's comment.

"While we're waiting for Kurt to join us, would you like some coffee? We just brewed a fresh pot and Kurt has fresh-squeezed orange juice in the fridge."

"Oh, sweetheart, we don't want to cause any trouble," his mother replied. "We know we're early. We came here straight away without thinking that you two may have had plans this early. We just wanted to let you know we're here. We already have a room booked in town and we can go there and settle in until you and Kurt have some time." She smiled at her son.

"Absolutely not!" Blaine exclaimed, then quickly clarified his response. "You will not stay in a hotel. We want you to stay here." He looked at both parents so they could see the sincerity in his eyes. "Please, stay with us," he continued. "Besides, Kurt's spent the past three weeks redecorating the guest room and bath and he would be devastated if you didn't stay to enjoy it." He grinned at the thought of the time Kurt devoted to making those living spaces special for his parents.

"Son, we don't want to impose," Blaine's father said. "But, we would like to stay here. It would give us more of a chance to learn about your life now." After a brief pause, he added, "And we really do want to get to know Kurt."

"Yes, we want to know all about this man who swept you off your feet. Our sensible Blaine would never have married so quickly unless he was smitten. And seeing some of the publicity photos of you two, it's obvious how you feel about each other."

"I'm so happy, Mother, Father. Kurt makes me happy and my life is complete with him. And I do the same for him. We are truly partners in life." Blaine spoke with passion, and his parents could see the way his face lit up when he spoke about his husband.

"Now, let me get you some coffee. I think there is left-over pecan coffee cake that Kurt made yesterday and I'd love the excuse for another piece." Blaine winked as he got up to go to the kitchen. Both parents followed and sat on the stools at the counter while Blaine arranged coffee, juice, coffee cake and some fresh berries on the bar. Settling on a stool, too, he smiled at his parents.

It was quiet for a moment as the three Andersons sipped coffee. There was a warmth in the casual family grouping at the bar counter that Blaine had never experienced with his parents and he was grappling with the change in their demeanor. His mother was sipping her coffee when she notice the pensive look on Blaine's face.

"What's troubling you, dear?" she asked.

"Oh, I'm not troubled at all. I am just pleasantly surprised that we are all sitting here in my home enjoying coffee together and there's none of the formality that I've grown up with," he explained while carefully watching for any reaction to his honesty. "I am really enjoying this and I think it is a great start for this weekend."

"We know we haven't been the best parents, Blaine," his father responded. "Gone all the time, leaving you in the care of nannies or schools. Then you were off to med school and involved in your career so we didn't want to bother you while you were building your own life. We wanted you to succeed on your own, without our influencing your decisions. We know how you've felt about the family fortune. But you must know that we always loved you in our own way and we are proud of you. It's time that we show how we feel."

"Blaine," his mother interjected. "it may be late coming, but I hope it's not too late. We want to be a part of your life if you'll have us."

"I would love it, Mother, Father," Blaine nodded his agreement.

They were quiet, reflecting on this new take on their relationship and Blaine was happily accepting their invitation to be more a part of his life.

"I'm going to check on Kurt," Blaine stood to go find his husband.

"Right here, love," Kurt appeared from around the corner with a wide smile gracing his face. He glided to his husband who had offered a hand for Kurt to grasp. Pulling him closer, Blaine circled his arm around Kurt's waist and turned to parents. "Mother, Father, this is Kurt Hummel-Anderson, my husband and the love of my life."

Kurt's heart melted a little at the introduction. He pecked his husband on the cheek in thanks while Blaine whispered, "You look stunning, my love." Kurt blushed, then turned to the man and woman in front of him.

"Kurt, meet Eric and Laurel Anderson, my parents."

"I'm pleased to finally meet you," Kurt gushed as Blaine's father stepped forward first to shake Kurt's hand. He took note of Kurt's long fingers and delicate hand, but was impressed by the strength of the handshake. "Good man," he thought.

Blaine's mother wanted a hug and rushed forward to crush Kurt in a warm embrace. Kurt was overwhelmed with the familiarity displayed by the two people he was expecting to be cold and distant. He looked at Blaine with a quirked eyebrow to question the situation. Blaine just grinned and nodded as if to say, "I was just as confused, but it's all good." As they broke hug, Kurt grinned and took a bold step to kiss his mother-in-law in her soft cheek.

"Oooooh," she cooed. "He's a charmer." She looked at Blaine. "Definitely a keeper."

"Don't I know it," Blaine laughed as he captured Kurt in a sweet kiss.

"You two," his mother sighed. "You literally glow with love. I can feel the current between you. I am so excited for you both."

"Kurt, I can see what you do for Blaine, just in this few minutes meeting you. I believe we are going to have a fantastic weekend."

"I am delighted that you are here," Kurt grinned. "Has Blaine shown you your room?"

"We haven't gotten that far yet, my darling," Blaine answered for them. "We were just having coffee. They had a room booked in town but I insisted they stay here."

"Why, of course you're staying with us. I have been planning this for weeks!" Kurt's wide-eyed excitement was contagious. "No discussion. Now follow me so you can freshen up. Laurel, I have to go to the market in town to get some things for my cooking marathon this afternoon plus do a little last minute shopping. You are more than welcome to join me."

"Shopping! I would love to, dear, just give me time to change and get more comfortable," Laurel smiled in response. "And I could help with the cooking?" she volunteered shyly. "I'm pretty rusty, but I can peel and chop and stir."

"That would be lovely," Kurt answered, already feeling that the time spent with his mother-in-law was going to be special.

"Blaine, maybe you and your dad want to drive in with us," Kurt was thinking aloud. "You could drop off your mother and me, then you could take your father by the hospital. I know you want to check in before the holiday. Oh! And then we could meet for a late lunch at La Trattoria's on the square next to the gourmet cheese shop."

"Father?" Blaine looked at his father to see what he wanted to do.

"That sounds like a grand idea, Kurt. I would love to see where Blaine works!"

"I love the idea, Kurt," Blaine concurred. "It's settled then. I'll call for lunch reservations while you two unpack and freshen up. We'll leave in twenty minutes." Blaine confirmed their plans with everyone then left the small group to find his phone while Kurt gathered his shopping lists. Looking for the last one, he remembered that he had taken it to their bedroom after the shock of Blaine's parents' early arrival. Stepping into the room, he found Blaine sitting on the side of their bed, his back to Kurt and staring out the window into the backyard garden.

"Blaine?" Kurt inquired softly, not wanting to intrude on Blaine's private thoughts.

Blaine turned his head and smiled. He patted the bed beside him, inviting his husband to sit with him.

"This is a little surreal," he started in explanation. "They've never acted like this around me," he continued. "But they seem to be sincere, Kurt. I think they are truly happy for me and want to know us and be a part of our lives." He stopped as he choked up a little. "I feel like a little boy again." A tear fell from the watery hazel eyes. "I love this feeling, Kurt."

Kurt didn't say anything. He didn't need to. Blaine was dealing with his thoughts about what had just happened over the past hour and just needed Kurt close to him. Holding Kurt's hand, he let the tears fall. But he was smiling and Kurt could feel his husband's happiness.

This was going to be so good for Blaine and for them as a couple as they now could be entirely comfortable with going forward on starting a family.