KPOV-
''How long are you gonna be gone,'' Liam asks as he and Jade help me fold my clothes.
''Just a week.''
''Who's gonna take Blaine to physical therapy,'' Jade hands me some more clothes for my suitcase.
''Blair and Rory when they're off, and Nick said he'll take him.''
We definitely couldn't do this without them.
''Daddy,'' Grace crawls into my lap ,''Where are you going?''
''To London, sweetie. On business.''
''But you'll be back soon, right?''
''Of course,'' I hold my four-year-old closer ,''And I'll see if I can't bring you all back some souvenirs.''
''Can we help,'' Jacob asks?
''Sure. I need three pairs of shoes. Can you pick some out for me, Jake?''
''Okay!,'' he heads towards the closet, and I set Gracie down.
''And you, cutie, you go pick one thing that you think I need to take with me!''
''Alright,'' she runs out of the room.
''Where exactly is she going,'' Jake questions, putting another shirt in my bag.
''I have no idea,'' I shrug, tucking away another pair of my pants, ''And thank you all for helping me.''
''No problem,'' Jade beams ,''We're happy to help.''
''Got them,'' Jacob stumbles forward with three pairs of shoes ,''I got you black pair, brown pair, and sneakers.''
''Thank you,'' I lift my son onto the bed,'' Put them in the bag, honey.''
''I've got it,'' Grace rushes back into the room, carrying her stuffed rabbit.
''Sweetheart, don't you need him to sleep with?''
''That's okay,'' she climbs on the bed, sitting next to me ,''He'll help you sleep.''
All of our kids are sweet, but she definitely is the sweetest.
''Come here,'' I pull her into my lap, kissing her head ,''Thank you so much, sweetie. I appreciate this.''
''What time is Blair picking you up in the morning?''
''At three. And I leave at six, and I will call you all before bed. And I expect homework done, dinner eaten, and baths taken.''
''I'll make sure everything runs smoothly,'' Liam smiles ,''I'll help out.''
He already has. Blaine and I would not have made it through these past months if he hadn't helped out with his younger siblings, especially on days when we were rushing.
''Okay. I'm all packed,'' I zip the suitcase closed, ''I'm gonna go get dinner, and pick Blaine up from Sebastian and David's apartment. Who wants to ride?''
''Me!,'' Grace raises her hand, as does Jacob.
''You guys go get Blaine, and Jade and I can take care of dinner so you don't have to cook,'' Liam suggests.
''Thank you two so much,'' I sigh ,''I appreciate this more than you'll ever know. Okay, come on you two. Let's go get Papa.''
Blaine and I really do have great kids. They've been so helpful during this whole thing.
Which would explain why Grace and Jacob both came home with cards their classes made for Blaine, and Liam has been willing to pick his little brothers and sisters up as needed, and Jade has helped get Grace ready for bed and for school in the morning.
Blaine has been so strong, too. He's doing amazing, able to support more of his weight, and nearly able to walk on his own. And my dad and Carole are both considering retiring, and moving closer, as Mrs. Anderson.
A few years ago, I would never have imagined myself with anyone but Andrew. I was a miserable wreck, and I didn't know how to move on. Eventually, with the help of a wonderful man, I did.
So now I know that anything can happen.
SugarPOV-
''He really is a good dad,'' I smile, hearing Finn and Wendy laugh in the living room.
''Well, if he's as good as a dad as he is a brother, then they're very lucky,'' Blair speaks about Rory, ''Ryder's an great dad, too.''
''I know,'' I take the dress that she folded for me, putting it in my suitcase, ''So. How are you and Ryder?''
You can practically cut the tension.
''The last time we had a conversation that wasn't related to Noah was last month, when he told me that he doesn't want to go to film school anymore. So beginning this next semester, he's taking photography classes. He thinks that's more stable, and he'll still work on films. He'll direct someday, but this is what he wants. But can we not talk about us?''
''Yeah, we don't have to talk about it,'' I pack another shirt ,''But you know we can talk if you want to, right?''
You're my best friend. You can always talk to me.
''So what's up with you and Rory,'' she asks, picking up one of my skirts.
I put a finger to my lips, signaling her to be quiet, and rush to close the door.
''Sugar?''
''Blair, I skipped my period, and I thought that pregnant.''
''Does Rory know,'' she sets a shirt in my suitcase before facing me.
''No. I took the test, and went to the doctor. She thinks I'm just stressed. Besides, why tell him? If I'm not, then why worry him?,'' I explain.=
''And if you were pregnant, you know I'm here for you. The question is 'Have you two talked about more kids'?''
''We both agreed that we would wait until he has a job, but we're doing pretty well financially,'' I shrug, ''If we do end up expecting again sooner than we want, we'll take care of him or her. We'll have enough room, since we had to find a new place for the twins to grow up. They can't keep sleeping in their cribs, and we'd like them to have their own. I've saved up enough money to move, and we're going to be moving in January.''
''Sugar! That's great. I'm really happy for you guys,'' she smiles, putting a hand on mine ,''Look, whatever happens, I'm right here.''
''I know. That's the advantage to having you as a best friend. And you know that I am always there for you,'' I lay my head on her shoulder ,''Besides, sometimes you're my sanity. We need a girl's night.''
''As soon as you get back. Rory and Ryder can have Friday, and we'll take Saturday,'' she grins, ''But I really have to get going. I'll see you soon.''
Growing up an only child, I always wanted a sister. And Blair is my sister, for what it's worth.
She's also the only person that knows what I've been dreading telling Rory.
''You okay,'' Rory asks quietly.
Since it's my last night here for a week, I really wanted to hold my kids. Which is why we're in the bed with our toddlers' feet poking into my leg and back.
''I was thinking: We're young. We're only in our early twenties. If we have more kids, I think we can wait. At least until we're twenty-five,'' I explain.
He's silent for a long time, before finally nodding.
''That seems like a good idea to me. I'm just glad we talked about it. I don't want to fight with you,'' Rory admits.
''And I don't wanna fight with you,'' I lean over Finn, kissing him ,''Now get some sleep. I love you.''
''I love you, too.''
Quite frankly. I'm not sure how this is going to turn out. I don't know if Rory and I will one day end up like my parents, or how we're going to pay for two kids heading into college at the same time, or anything that will head our way down the road.
All I know is that I am finally living my dream, doing what people always told me I couldn't, and I'm raising these beautiful, loving kids with a man I love more than I love myself.
And, for the first time in what seems like forever, I'm actually happy.
BlairPOV-
''Noah is asleep. Everything has been taken care of, bills are paid, and you no longer have any excuse to avoid me. We need to talk.''
Ryder looks up from the invitation to, shockingly, Harmony and Hunter's engagement party, ''So talk.''
''I'm moving my things into Brody's apartment. He mostly lives in California, so he said he wouldn't mind if Noah and I stayed there for a few weeks or so, until I can get my own place. You take the new apartment.''
''You don't have to do that,'' he sighs, closing the invitation..
''Ryder, I don't know what you want me to do. You haven't kissed me in like a month, and you barely look at me. You won't talk to me, and tell me what's wrong. That seemed like the only way to get your attention. Now we are going to sit here, like the adults that we normally try to be, and talk.''
''Alright: I think that we should take a break,'' he admits.
''And why is that, Ryder?''
''Blair, you finally got into NYADA. You have your dream to live, and I have mine. I just think it would be best if we work on them separately. We've got enough on our plate with Noah, school, work, and the bills.''
I stare into his brown eyes before finally speaking, ''That was a load of shit, and you know it. Now what is the real reason?''
''Fine,'' he shakes his head ,''I want you to work on your dream without any distractions. I love you, and I want to be with you. I know that we can make this work. But I also don't think you need a relationship right now. Maybe this would be best for both of us, even if I'll hate it.''
''No. No, okay? I am a grown woman, and you don't tell me what I you want me?''
''Blair,'' he groans ,''Don't do this right now.''
''No, we are doing this right now. Because you don't get to make excuses by saying this is what I need just because I'm not what you want anymore, okay? You don't get to give up on us like that. Not this way, ignoring me, after everything that we have been through. If you don't want to be with anymore, I want an explanation? Is it because there's someone else? Is it because you don't love me anymore?''
''Please don't ever say that again,'' he shakes his head ,''I just don't want to do this right now.''
Damn, he frustrates me.
''I am not that girl that I was in high school, okay? You are going to be upfront and honest with me, or this can't work.''
''Alright, honestly? I'm not that guy that I was in high school. And I want to make this work.''
''Then what is-''
''I'm not good enough anymore, okay? Maybe I never was, maybe I never will be. But now? Everybody sees it, Blair. My parents warned me not to propose to you. And not because they don't like you, or whatever crazy idea you may be thinking 's because they said you were going to end up doing worse damage than Jordan did. I'm not you, okay? I don't have th-the guts to just go after what I want like you do. I don't have that confidence. You know exactly what you want to do, and I'm still trying to figure everything out. I have been called stupid and a loser my whole life, and now I think that they're right. Why wouldn't I tell you to move on? If I'm going to lose you, I want to lose you like this. Not because I do something stupid, or because you meet someone that can actually make you happy, or because we end up like my parents.''
There's a long silence, Ryder staring at the table.
''I'm trying to be enough for somebody,'' he puts his head in his hands.
I've been there. Hell, I'm still there sometimes.
''Come with me,'' I reach out my hand ,''Please.''
Ryder unwillingly takes my hand, following me to the couch, ''Lay down.''
''What are we doing,'' he lays down, immediately opening his arms.
''We have to talk,'' I cuddle into him, ''First of all, you are not stupid. And you're not a loser. Don't listen to them alright?''
''Alright,'' he tightens his hold on me.
''And please don't listen to your parents when they try to change your mind, alright? Yes, we have put each other through a lot of crap. But I really love you. We have been through hell and back together,'' I take his hand, lacing our fingers together ,''I know you're the love of my life. We have had two beautiful, loving kids together. Some days are great, some days aren't. But you are right there beside me. We are raising this amazing little boy, and watching you be a dad to him makes me love you anymore. You are the most stubborn, argumentative, talented, loving person that I have ever met. I want to marry you, and soon. You are good enough. You are so worth every good, even bad, time that we have had together. I promise.''
He swallows thickly, probably trying to think of what to say next.
''I'm not-''
''You were there for me when I got pregnant. Both times. And if the roles were reversed, I'd probably would have done the same, and hesitated. but you were there for me. For seventeen hours, when I was giving birth to Grace. For the six months that we were visiting Noah. We're gonna get married. I don't need a big wedding. We can go to city hall, alright? Maybe next semester, when some of this craziness dies down. And my dad is going to walk me down the aisle, and I am going to make vows I will keep, and we are going to be okay.''
There's a long silence, nothing but the sound of our breathing as Ryder rubs my back, brown eyes staring up at the ceiling.
''I love you. Thank you. I needed that.''
''I love you, too. We both need reassurance. We're two stubborn, insecure people. And that probably won't change. But my dad always told me if you can't be there for that person, then how can it work? I want to be there for you, and you can be there for me, and we're gonna be just fine.''
''Promise,'' he kisses my head when I lay it on his chest.
''Promise.''
And I never break a promise.
''Now get some sleep. I have to get up at two in the morning..''
Ryder doesn't speak, just pulls the blanket off of the back of the couch and covers us with it.
''So we're looking at getting married at the end of the year,'' he whispers ,''In May?''
''Yeah,'' I smile, snuggling closer, ''In May.''
So maybe my dad is right. When you fall in love with someone, you take the good and the bad. And you accept it all. He does that with Kurt. The way he looks at him? I know they can have it all. Sugar and Roy are going to have it all. And, even if I don't have the best relationship with him, I hope that he and his wife have the best. I want Uncle Cooper and Danielle to make it work.
And I know Ryder and I will work. We may change our minds, and wait a few years to get married. Wait until Noah is a little older, and we both have jobs.
Because neither one of us is giving up.
BPOV-
''I didn't mean to wake you,' Kurt leans in, pressing a kiss to my lips.
''It's only one in the morning,'' I groan ,''Why'd you get up so early?''
''Blair is up, I know it. So I have to get ready, so she won't have to wait.''
''Hmmm,'' I sit up ,''I asked her to just come back here afterwards. She's taking the kids to school, and we're closer to the airport than she and Ryder are.''
''She's twenty, and you're still so overprotective,'' he smirks, sitting next to me ,''She's got you wrapped around her little finger.''
''And you're still protective of Rory,'' I remind my husband ,''And don't act like Grace and Jade don't have you wrapped around their fingers.''
''I guess you're right. Don't get me wrong, I love all of our kids the same. But you had the most time with Blair, and I had the most time with Rory. And we've watched Grace grow from this adorable baby into this beautiful, smart, loving little girl.''
''I know,'' I take Kurt's hand, kissing it ,''And, no, I get it. I understand completely. We still have quite some time before Liam and Jacob get married. And time before Jade and Grace get married, too. But how much longer do you think Ryder and Blair are gonna wait?''
''I give it another year at the most,''Kurt admits ,''You know they're in love, right? They're going through a lot right now. I mean, so are we. And I imagine Sugar and Rory have a lot going on. But they have all of this crap from the past.''
''I know. But I think they'll be okay. Maybe this works for them, yeah?''
''I guess,'' he shrugs, squeezing my hand ,''This works for me, though. I'll take holding your hand any day.''
''I like holding your hand,'' I admit.
It feels different than it did with Chase.
''Well, enjoy it now. Because you are going to be without this hand for a week,'' Kurt reminds me.
''I feel like I should sing to you,'' I joke ,''Or make a dirty joke. I can't decide.''
''You're impossible. I'm gonna go shower and get dressed. Try not to miss me.''
''I won't,'' I smirk, closing my eyes and drifting back to sleep for a quick nap.
''Babe. Blaine, wake up,'' Kurt shakes me.
''Hm, what's wrong,'' I look up to see Kurt in his coat.
''I've said goodbye to the kids. Blair is here, and I'm leaving.''
''Right,'' I sit up, ''Come here.''
''You're sure you're gonna be okay, right? I can come back home as soon as you need me,'' he reminds me, accepting the embrace.
''I am sure,'' I nod ,''I love you, alright?''
''I love you, too. I'll be back before you know it,'' he kisses me, for the last time for a week, before heading out the door.
He worries too much. I'll be fine. The kids will be fine. And I'll show Blair and Rory how much better I've gotten, and make sure Liam, Jacob, Grace and Jade eat and do their chores and do their homework and get to school on time.
''Papa,'' Grace comes in, ''Can I sleep in here?''
''Of course,'' I pat the spot next to me as my youngest crawls next to me, pulling the covers over herself, ''Good night, honey. I love you.''
''I love you, too.''
Yup. I know it's gonna be okay.
Wedding talk in the next chapter, Blaine's physical therapy, and Rory taking care of the twins :) and Ryder and Blair wedding in May?
Disclaimer- glee belongs to Fox and Ryan Murphy
