The Storm: Safe Harbor

Chapter Forty-Seven

By Gayforkurt


Summary: Kurt and Dave have come to terms with the past but can they battle the envy and jealousy of others to make a future for themselves? This is rated M.

A/N: Thanks to the folks who have stuck with me, still reading and to the newcomers who add this story to their alerts. Also, a very, very special 'thank you' to my reviewers who make me feel so good. I really have no idea where I'll end this; I just know I love this universe so much.

Disclaimer: Messrs. Ryan, Falchuk, et al are the owners of my favorite boys. Only the OCs and situations belong to me, alas.

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KHDK

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Returning to Lima was an odd experience for Kurt and as he watched the fields in the patchwork pattern getting larger out of the jet's window, he tried to sort out his feelings.

There was satisfaction at a mission accomplished – having got his shopping on with his favorite girl; a deep down happiness that glowed in the pit of his stomach at the thought of that beautiful townhouse and living there with David and their children and then there was this faint sadness.

As he waited for the plane to land and taxi to their hangar, the sadness resolved itself into regret that his vacation was coming to an end soon. It was ridiculous to feel that way because they had that awesome trip to France coming up but he and David had discussed that they would go on to London while the others came back to America afterwards. He determinedly shook off the slight melancholia and turned to smile at the others.

Dave smiled at his sweet lover and took his hand. He had picked up on how quiet Kurt had been getting the closer they got to Ohio and he had a feeling he knew why. He rubbed the soft skin of the hand he was holding and felt his finger smooth over the engagement ring. He couldn't hold back the big grin that bloomed on his face as he looked at it.

"Why are you grinning like that, David," Kurt asked with his head tilted to see the downturned face.

"Oh, I'm just looking forward to the day I'll be able to add another ring to this one," he replied, his eyes almost glowing as he stared at Kurt's face. The light from the window struck him at an angle, highlighting the striations of blue, green and gray in his fascinating eyes.

Kurt couldn't hold back the little shiver of anticipation that ran through him and every bit of sadness evaporated in the warmth of David's eyes. They leaned towards each other and their lips met in the kind of kiss that always made Kurt's eyes prickle. He pulled back and smiled softly at his soon-to-be husband. "Me, too."

"Don't mind me over here, guys," Mercedes teased. "I'll just pretend I'm watching one of those romantic movies I love so much."

Kurt smiled at her, his eyes warm. "You know I'm going to keep pestering you to find out what you'll be singing, right?"

She gave him a 'is the Pope Catholic' lip curl and eye roll. "Uh-huh? Bring it on, white boy. I can resist you when I want to!"

Kurt burst into giggles as he was reminded of their school days. He loved the thought of her being at his wedding along with his family and… wait, come to think of it… they hadn't set a date yet!

He glanced up at David who'd raised his eyebrow when he noticed Kurt's widening eyes. His love simply shook his head but Dave knew that whatever it was, he would spill later. He settled back to wait for the all clear for them to exit the craft and continued to stroke Kurt's hand with a finger.

As they hustled into the waiting limo, the hangar crew helped load the luggage and bags into the boot of their car. Kurt had stashed the more delicate items inside his luggage – he'd left room for just that purpose – but the other purchases and gifts were still in the shopping bags with the distinctive logos of their high-end stores on them. Some people liked the shopping bags almost as much as the contents, he knew.

He was actually looking forward to seeing the look on Dana's face when he showed her the things he'd got for her and her daughters. He loved giving gifts and he always tried to buy things that suited each person perfectly.

The things he'd got for his family were mostly fun items, although a few were practical as well and he promised himself he would not spend so long away from them again. Now that Finn had removed whatever bug had got up his butt and apologized, he was hoping their relationship would continue and grow and be healthy – if for no one else's sake than for Carole's.

He smiled now as the limo moved off and settled back into his seat with a happy little wriggle. He saw David look down at him and grin but he didn't care. He was happier now – no sign any longer of his earlier melancholy. He laid his head against his fiancé's burly shoulder and sighed… home again.

As the thought wafted up to the forefront of his mind, he realized it was the first time since coming back to Ohio that he'd thought of it as home. Huh, the mind's a funny thing, he pondered; now that I'll be leaving again in a couple of days, I suddenly think of it as home. Hmmmm.


The limo pulled into the driveway and disgorged its weary passengers. While Puck and the guys saw to the mountain of luggage and shopping bags, Dave, Kurt and Mercedes were welcomed inside by a softly smiling Dana.

David had called her from New York when they were heading to the airport so she'd had a good idea as to what time they'd be arriving. Now, a few minutes before 10, and they were back and she was happy to see them, especially Kurt. She was surprised again when she got a quick hug but she accepted it even as he started chattering away about New York, its fabulousness, the fantastic show they'd seen and not to mention the crazy traffic!

He looked well and happy, his eyes bright and his complexion glowing. She was not in the habit of calling men beautiful but Kurt was one of the few exceptions. She realized, too, that it had a lot to do with the force of his personality and she nodded and smiled at the torrent of words that bubbled out of him.

By the time he wound down, she had served them coffee and freshly baked pastries, the other men joining them after they had brought in their things. It was good to have them back but she knew it would be a day or two and then they'd be off again on their trip to France.

While the others relaxed, chatted and finished up the food, Kurt slipped away to take his and David's gifts to Dana. He found her in the kitchen, clearing away food containers and stacking them in the refrigerator. When Kurt entered, however, she wiped her hands and came over to him.

Smiling as he piled the bags onto the kitchen table, he told her: "I not only got you what you wanted, I got something for your girls – Karla and Marina? I hope they'll like them."

Dana had brought one hand up to her mouth when she'd realized more than one gift was for her. She smiled now as she opened the first one he pushed towards her. It was a flat oblong box and when she saw the logo she grinned even wider. She slowly drew out the beautiful silk scarf from Hermès and held it up to her face.

"Oh, my, this is beautiful," she murmured, turning wondering eyes to Kurt as she smoothed the intricately patterned red and gold scarf against one cheek. The gratitude in her eyes was enough for Kurt who was grinning fit to burst as he watched her.

"The scarf is from David; he picked it out himself," he admitted. He then impatiently pushed another bag towards her, this time one with a double-C logo on the outside.

She bit her lip as she moved to take it slowly, conscious that she was teasing her young benefactor. His eyes widened as her hand reached inside and slowly withdrew a large red leather Chanel shopping bag. As she lifted it out, her eyebrows furrowed slightly because the bag wasn't empty.

Kurt's shoulders were up almost to his ears as he hugged himself in anticipation. Dana looked at him with her eyes narrowed ever so slightly in suspicion though there was a little smile tugging at her lips. Her hand withdrew slowly from the large red bag and when she brought it out she was holding a quilted gold Chanel clutch purse and the distinctive box with a bottle of Chanel No. 5 perfume.

Kurt's smile faltered as he watched her expressionless face and then he gasped when she surged forward to hug him. As usual, his eyes prickled but he manfully held back the waterworks as he returned the embrace.

"This is more than I'd expected, you know," she said as she pulled back, shaking her head before smiling tremulously at him. "These are just beautiful. Thank you so much!"

Kurt sniffed before smiling widely back at her, his hands going to the other bags. "These are for your girls. I hope they like them, too."

She drew the bags towards her and peered inside. She gasped when she held up the two leather luggage totes from – she had to look at the outside of the shopping bags they were in – Celine, a store she'd never heard of but realized must be as high-end as the others. Mr. Kurt didn't buy cheap, she was beginning to realize and she smiled again as she thanked him on behalf of the girls.

"These will be perfect for school – and so stylish!" Her hands smoothed over the elegant leather bags and the look in her eyes grew far away as if she were picturing her girls with them. She shook herself out of it and then gathered them up. Once again, however, she frowned as she felt something hard inside the bags. She looked up at Kurt, her eyebrows rising up her wide forehead in inquiry.

"Okay, okay, I confess," he said sheepishly, even as he grinned at her. "I can't give anyone a bag and not put something in it. It's just a habit…"

She laughed as she shook her head, reaching into the bags and pulling out bottles of perfume. One gift box was actually a set of six Dolce & Gabbana fragrances with different names and numbers representing various feminine characteristics. Kurt told her he'd chosen that for her younger daughter.

Dana laughed as she figured he meant that as she was still growing up she had yet to decide who she was going to be. That was a very thoughtful gift and she once again marveled at this special young man before her.

The other box held a very classy black box with the gold Gucci 'G's large and bold. Beneath the logo and also in gold was the name 'Gucci Guilty'. She quirked an eyebrow at him and smiled when he giggled. She had no doubt that this would be a more sophisticated fragrance, probably a little sexy, and perfect for her older girl.

She replaced the boxes of perfume in their respective bags and came around the table to hug Kurt once again. These two men were the essence of generosity and she was really going to miss them. She pulled back and stared into Kurt's soft blue-green eyes and said a quiet prayer that his many kindnesses would return to him all his life.

Kurt, sensing the emotional undercurrent, simply smiled, returned the hug and then stepped back. He sniffed loudly now as he looked towards the stove and it was his turn to quirk an eyebrow at her.

"Wow, I was so distracted before but what is that fantastic smell?" His mouth watered as he stared at her happily, knowing she was probably going to lay on a 'welcome home' spread that would surely knock their socks off.

"I think I'll let you wait and find out; build up the anticipation – and your appetite – a bit." She chuckled as she took in the pout on the fair face. "And that look won't work on me – I have children."

Kurt burst out laughing and decided to leave her to her machinations. It was all good, though; Dana's food was always marvelous and if he didn't watch it, he'd have to do some strenuous working out to compensate.

He rejoined Mercedes in time to see her coming downstairs with Puck who was carrying her luggage; Ian had already taken her purchases out to the waiting limousine apparently.

"Okay, so we plan to leave on Thursday and you'll come over that evening, right?" They had been making their plans and planning their itinerary for the France trip and they both couldn't wait to see the villa David had given Kurt. The three days until they meet up would seem very long to Kurt but at least he could call her.

"Yes, baby boy, we've got all the angles covered and I will be calling you," she said firmly and then she leaned in for one last hug, wrapping him up in her arms. She felt his head go to her shoulder and she patted his back. She was really going to miss him but it would only be a few days until she was back again.

Pulling back, they gave each other watery smiles and then Kurt stepped back to allow her to slide into the back seat of the spacious vehicle. He took a deep breath and as the car moved off he waved sadly, feeling David come up beside him.

Long, warm arms wrapped him up and he felt his emotions stabilize immediately. He really had no need to be missing her already and he couldn't figure out why he was being so clingy these days. He sniffed and then smiled as David wiped an escaping tear from his cheek.

"Come on inside, sweetheart; let's relax a bit before you start planning what you'll be taking on the trip." He deliberately mentioned that as he knew Kurt would go into a whirlwind of planning and organizing, despite the fact that the trip was only for one week. The ploy worked and Kurt straightened up, his eyes sparkling as he blinked the dampness away.

"Yes, that's true. And I have to call Carole… and dad… and Rachel… oh my, the gifts!" He dashed away and had reached the front door when he turned back; realizing David was still standing outside watching him. "Come on, wipe that grin off your face, mister, we've got work to do!"

Dave laughed, the happy sound reaching Kurt before he did, and strolled into the warmth of his house. Kurt's happy chatter was a sweet background sound that he thought he wouldn't ever get tired of hearing. After all, it indicated that his partner was happy and that was the most important thing to him.

He shut the door behind him and trailed after Kurt who turned and stuffed a bunch of shopping bags into his arms. Oh yes, life was good even when he could barely see over double armfuls of shopping.

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KHDK

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Kurt's eyes were wide as he stared at the table. Dana had set the platters down the center of the long table and his mouth watered once more as he gaped at the feast. He took his seat in a daze and looked up at her, a question in his eyes. She was sitting beside Puck who was smirking like mad at Kurt's bewilderment and she flushed at the awe in her young employer's eyes.

"I really enjoy cooking and I think I have a knack for it." In fact, she had decided some time ago that she would always try to cook something different every time she had the money or resources to do so. In this case, working for a billionaire, there was no lack in that department so she had gone all out to prepare dishes she'd only ever read about, certain that they would enjoy them, too.

Kurt nodded, licked his lips and reached for one platter. "And this is…?" He served himself as he waited for her to answer.

"Well, that one is pecan-encrusted pork loin that I've prepared a bourbon/apple reduction for and it's paired with wild rice."

Kurt hummed in appreciation as he withdrew the first forkful from between pursed lips. "Oh my god, David, you've got to try this!"

Dave took the next forkful as he had chosen his portion from a different platter. He swallowed and nodded, agreeing with Kurt before pointing to his own plate and looking at Dana enquiringly.

She chuckled and proceeded to inform them: "Well, that is a free-range chicken stuffed with goat cheese, mushroom and my own recipe for cornbread and it's served with herb-infused creamed potatoes and a mushroom pan-sauce," and then she clarified for Puck's puzzled look: "that's like a gravy."

Then she pointed to the dishes closer to Devon and Ian: "That one is pan-blackened New York strip that I've paired with a chipotle compound butter and roasted red-skin potatoes. Finally, that dish is a seafood sauté that I particularly like. It's simply shrimps and scallops sautéed in a lemon butter sauce and I pair it with basmati rice."

Her quiet recitation was greeted with the sound of five hungry men appreciating her food to the utmost. Kurt's face was glowing as he sampled some of everything. He finally came up for air to look seriously at her and announce: "You should be a chef!"

The flush that flooded Dana's cheeks made him feel bad for a second but he was really serious. "No, I'm serious. Don't you agree, David? She's fantastic and I for one think she ought to go for it."

Puck watched Dana struggle to keep her composure in the face of Kurt's enthusiasm and once again, he jumped in with his own take. Turning to the housekeeper/cook, he asked quietly: "Maybe it's something you love, as a hobby, and wouldn't want to do full time?"

His considerate input made Kurt pause and he turned to look at her intently as she prepared her reply. She smiled as she looked down at her plate that held some of the chicken dish and some of the seafood sauté.

"I do love it and there was a time I dreamed that I'd be like one of those chefs on TV – or even a private chef. Well, the long and short of it is that I had two girls to bring up by myself and… well, it just didn't pan out."

Dave, while listening to her, was watching his partner. If he knew anything about Kurt it was that he had a huge heart and he couldn't hear a story like this and just leave it at that. He wasn't wrong; Kurt laid his knife and fork down, patted his lips and stared at their housekeeper.

"Hmmm, well, I'm bowled over by your cooking and I know people would pay good money for it," his eyes flashed as he stared her down.

"Oh, but…" Dana's eyes widened as she realized where Kurt was going with this. "That's a wonderful compliment, thank you." She paused to sip from her water goblet. "I just don't know if I could do this on a large scale – I didn't go to culinary school, y'know." She said this last bit as if she thought it would make a difference. She clearly didn't know Kurt very well, Dave smirked behind his napkin.

"Mmm-hmmm," Kurt muttered, his beautiful eyes glinting with a calculating light as he turned them back to the delicious food. "God, this is really heavenly, though. I would get fat eating like this, day in, day out, year after year."

Puck, Ian and Devon looked at each other, a little puzzled at the way Kurt, who had been so intense in his conversation with Dana, now seemed to back down and move on. That wasn't like their diva at all; happily, they were beginning to get a handle on the young singer's personality. This was not the end of the conversation and Dana had better be prepared to be steamrollered.

The rest of the meal passed in relaxed conversation and Dana, realizing with a slight jolt that she was the only woman at the table, relaxed and joined in occasionally. She had been a little uncomfortable when Mr. Karofsky – she just couldn't bring herself to call him by his first name as she did with Kurt – had invited her to eat with them.

On David's part, he had never seen Dana as just a servant and he knew Kurt really liked her. Now he watched his fiancé question her about her life and her daughters and exchange jokes about raising children with her. Dave liked her, too; he had a thing for intelligent women, especially those who had faced hardships and surmounted them with grace as Dana obviously had. Though he had had the benefit of both parents for much of his life, he knew that case was not true for thousands of families.

He sipped the crisp, light wine and stared down into the liquid, pondering Kurt's probable plans with regard to Dana's amazing culinary abilities. It really was a shame that someone so talented would never have a shot at her dreams because of lack of funds. He and Kurt had more than enough funds to help her and maybe many others, too. Hmmm, that's an idea, he mused, and then made up his mind to discuss things with Kurt before the singer jumped in feet first.

Finally, Dana wiped her lips, laid her napkin down and rose. David helped her with the heavy chair and then she announced that she would serve coffee and dessert in the drawing room. Kurt gave her an 'oh, please' eyebrow quirk and got up to help her, Devon following suit. David, Ian and Puck went into the drawing room and left them to it.

The three chattered away as they cleared up, Kurt and Devon following Dana's instructions as how to wrap things and where to put them. She quickly and efficiently stacked the dish washer and then started the coffee maker. She deliberately didn't go for the dessert in the pantry because, as usual, she wanted to surprise Kurt. She was seriously coming to care for that young man and it made her happy to prepare food for someone who was so appreciative.

Kurt, picking up on her little ploy to keep him in the dark about the dessert, grinned at her and then headed out to the drawing room with Devon to join the other men. Music was playing and Puck was discussing some business with David while Ian looked on.

Kurt lounged on the sofa beside David, stretching out so that his feet were in his fiancé's lap. David simply smiled as he started to rub them, not pausing in his discussion with Puck.

Puck had told him that he planned to check up on a couple of projects that were in the works and to recall Xavier and Julian when their vacation/recuperation ended. He had staff to hire, fire and promote when this little trip to France came to an end and he was looking forward to having Devon as his business partner as well. He didn't buy into that whole 'you shouldn't work with your lover' shtick because what they did for a living didn't really fall into any normal category.

Dave nodded as he listened to Puck and added little bits of advice here and there. He leaned his head back on the sofa as he pondered, too, what Kurt was going to do about his upcoming performance in Milan. If the wedding was going to be in the summer in England, that was only a few months away and they hadn't even started on plans yet.

He rolled his head to look at his lover lying with his eyes closed and his hands clasped across his slightly distended tummy. He chuckled as he realized Kurt may have overindulged in the delicious food just a tad but he couldn't blame him. Dana had outdone herself and he absolutely agreed with Kurt on the subject of her future. They had to do something but he didn't think they should ride roughshod over her simply because they wanted to help. Things had to be done in such a way that everyone, especially Dana, would be happy with the arrangements.

Speak of the 'devil', she turned up to announce she was about to serve coffee and dessert and this time Ian and Puck jumped up to assist her with the trays.

Kurt perked up in anticipation and sat up to swing his legs from across David's lap. He smiled happily at David, a greedy light in his eyes as he thought of his surprise dessert. Really, that woman could cook for him forever; he'd be in seventh heaven!

Ian came first with the tray of coffee things which he set on the large square coffee table that looked as if it had been a steamer trunk in a former life. Behind him came Devon with the cake plates, forks and napkins and bringing up the rear in their little procession was Dana with the cake.

She sat gracefully as she laid the cake stand down in a space Devon had cleared for her and she flicked a quick look at Kurt's beaming face from beneath her lashes.

"Oh, what is it, what is it?" Kurt leaned forward, inhaling the scent of the rich chocolate. Seriously, if anyone else in the house had a problem with chocolate, it was just too damn bad because he was addicted!

Dana chuckled as she took up the cake knife. "It's a log but it's Chocolate Cranberry Fudge. I've never done it before so I hope you like it," and proceeded to place the first generous slice on a plate she handed to Kurt.

Everyone waited for Kurt to take his first bite, chew it with his eyes closed, hum in orgasmic delight and then turn to beam at Dana.

"Oh my, this is like sex!"

Everyone burst out laughing except Dana and Kurt who both turned rosy in embarrassment. Dana shook her head and tried to stifle the little chuckles bubbling out of her at the outrageous remark and continued slicing into the gorgeous cake.

"I don't know but I think I'll take that as a compliment." She continued to grin at Kurt's discomfort.

Puck laughed aloud at the look on Kurt's face and watched as Dave rubbed Kurt's back consolingly. He couldn't let that pass; he just had to say it: "So that's why you always make those sounds, huh?" and laughed when Kurt pouted at him.

"Wait until you taste it, you'll know what I mean!" Kurt dug into his slice in ravenous haste, only slowing down as he came to the last bit, determined to savour it and not be a greedy little pig and ask for more.

"Oh, Dana, this really is wonderful. Thank you so much…" Kurt murmured, his cheeks still a little pink from his earlier comment.

"I'm very glad you like it. I must say, though, that I don't think I've met someone more into chocolate than you," and laughed as he lowered his head. "It's nice that you have such a straightforward enjoyment of life. It's a good trait to keep as we grow older."

Kurt nodded and smirked a 'so, there!' look at Puck who had continued to mock leer at him because of his enthusiasm. He grinned when Devon delivered a little pinch to the muscular man's thigh and laughed out loud at the pout now on his face.

Dana shook her head at their antics and took a small slice for herself. She had to watch herself when it came to sweet things because she had inherited a massive sweet tooth from her mother. Diabetes was not something to court and there were already traces of it in her family. She knew that Ian, the quiet agent, tended to refrain from desserts because of that same problem but she was also glad to see that he'd taken a little bit of the cake, too.

Finally, as it neared 9 o'clock, Dana tidied up and prepared to head for home. As she gathered up the things Kurt had brought back for her and her daughters from New York, she smiled to herself. It was so nice to work for good people, especially when they were also wealthy. She was fortunate not to have ended up with the other sort who took people for granted simply because they worked for them.

Kurt met her at the door as she was heading out to her car and helped her stow them in the boot. He then took her hands, thanked her again for the lovely meal and then paused.

He looked at her seriously and then began with an apology. "I'm sorry if I came on strong earlier. I didn't mean to get into your business but I will tell you that David and I are determined to help you." He shook his head as she prepared to interrupt.

"We'll talk tomorrow but I want you to know that nothing you say will stop us, okay?" He grinned unrepentantly at her and she, for the first time, initiated the hug.

"You are a good man, Kurt Hummel," she whispered emotionally. She pulled back. "Mr. David is so lucky to have you."

He patted her consolingly before opening her car door for her. "Yeah, I keep telling him that," and they laughed together as she started the car. "Drive safely and we'll talk tomorrow."

She smiled up at him from her seat. "God willing."

He waved as she drove off, watching her taillights as they disappeared down the long driveway. He turned to go back inside and saw David waiting for him at the door. No, he thought, I'm the lucky one, and went to join his love.

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TBC