Author's Note: Thanks again to my reviewers for your love and enthusiasm and your help in shaping this story. I'm eternally grateful :-) Remember: review = sneak peek (make sure you're logged in and allow private messages to be sent to you).

Chapter 55: Party Plans

"It's not the face, but the expressions on it. It's not the voice, but what you say. It's not how you look in that body, but the things you do with it. You are beautiful." (Stephenie Meyer, The Host)

Kurt felt infinitely better after that talk with his dad. He'd been apprehensive of telling Burt what had happened all those years ago, but Burt had reacted really well to it. Kurt wasn't sure he'd take his dad's advice, though. He had no desire to see Sebastian ever again or to talk to him. Would that bring him closure? It might, but he wouldn't hold his breath for it. Still, it was a weight off his chest to have shared this with someone so close to him, and he was glad his dad now knew the whole story. Well, as much of it as he was willing to share, anyway.

He sent his manuscript to his publisher, mentioning in the accompanying note that he'd added a dedication, and that he wanted an advance copy of the book as soon as humanly possible.

He checked the time on his phone and saw that Blaine had sent him a text to thank him for breakfast.

Then, with a sigh, he set to calling back his prospective customers and scheduling a first meeting so as to discuss what exactly they had in mind. He couldn't reach Naomi's cousin, whose line was busy, but decided to call back later.

The rest of the afternoon passed quickly, with Kurt packing up orders, sewing some accessories and scouring the internet for a patterned fabric he'd run out of and needed some more of for the cuffs and collar of a shirt he was sewing. His supplier no longer made it, so he begged for it on several quilters' forums and hoped a kind soul would have some to spare for him. He had a back-up fabric, but that was positively bland next to the vibrant pattern of his first choice fabric.

At 6.30 PM, he went upstairs and started making dinner. He was cutting and de-seeding sweet peppers for a stir-fry when his phone rang. It was Rachel, and she wanted Blaine's phone number. Apparently, Rachel had made a good impression on Naomi's sister Leah while dealing with the Ian situation at the wedding. Leah wanted Rachel to plan a birthday party for her twin daughters, who were turning four. The theme was going to be "princesses". As Rachel rattled on and on about the decorations and cupcakes and entertainment she had in mind, Kurt tuned out a bit, and he took advantage of Rachel taking a deep breath for a new volley of words to interrupt her and tell her he'd text her Blaine's number immediately.

"Oh, thank you, Kurt," said Rachel chipperly, and she wished him a good evening and ended the call.

He texted her the number, as promised, and briefly wondered what on earth she needed Blaine for.

Ah well, I'll hear it from Blaine soon enough …

After dinner, he did the dishes and then logged in on the quilters' forums again to see if he had received any messages. A few people had reacted, sending him pictures of fabrics that resembled the one he was looking for, but none of them had the exact same shade or pattern.

I'll give it a few more days … I really want that fabric. I used it for the lining of the vest, too.

When his phone rang again shortly before nine, he thought it was Blaine, and answered without checking the caller ID.

"Hello, is this Kurt Hummel?" asked an unknown female voice.

"Yes, this is he," answered Kurt politely.

"Hello, this is Adrienne Keller," the woman introduced herself. "I'm Naomi's cousin. I was at her wedding this Saturday, and I was completely blown away by her dress. So when she told me you were the designer, I knew that I had to contact you. Could I persuade you to design my wedding dress? I'm getting married in May, so you won't have to rush at all this time. And I completely trust your vision. I'm not going to go bridezilla on you like my cousin Ruth. All I ask is that you make it a coloured dress. I don't want to get married in white."

She then proceeded to give Kurt a thorough description of everything she wanted and everything she certainly didn't want in a wedding dress. So much for leaving it all to Kurt to decide.

Still, it's better to get her take on it now than when the dress is almost finished and has to be completely redone … And she seems to know what she's talking about. I agree with most things she says. I wish she'd wrap up the conversation though, I want to talk to Blaine.

But every time Kurt tried to end the phone call, Adrienne deflected that deftly and steamrollered on. She only hung up when she noticed that it was past eleven PM, apologising for another five minutes for talking that long and keeping him up.

Wow … And I thought Rachel was talkative … I feel like a car just ran over me. My head is pounding like nobody's business. And of course, Blaine will be fast asleep by now. It's nearly half past eleven! Note to self: check the caller ID before accepting a call late at night. Let the customers call during business hours.

Kurt took an Advil and got into bed, sad that he hadn't been able to talk to Blaine. Tomorrow, he promised himself.

K&B

The next morning, he woke up early. As he drank his coffee, he checked his phone and noticed Blaine's texts, and he felt guilty for neglecting him once again.

He sent back a few texts of his own, explaining why he hadn't been able to Skype, apologising and promising not to let it happen again. He also asked what Rachel had wanted from Blaine, because he was getting more curious about that by the minute.

Blaine's answer came a quarter of an hour later and made Kurt smile. He'd be playing Prince Charming at the birthday party.

Wow, I want to see Blaine in his costume!

He said as much to Blaine, but didn't receive a reply. Blaine had probably left for school. Time for Kurt to get to work as well!

At noon, Rachel came bustling in. "Have you heard from Blaine?" she asked point blank.

"Hey Rachel," said Kurt. "I heard he's helping you with that birthday party, yes."

"No, no," clarified Rachel, "I mean, has he sent you a picture of his costume yet?"

Kurt shook his head, bemused.

"He promised me so faithfully he'd send me a picture, and now it's noon already, and I haven't received it yet," Rachel ranted on.

"Well, he has a job, you know," reasoned Kurt. "He'll probably send it to you during his lunch break."

As if on cue, two phones beeped, and there it was, a photograph of Blaine looking every inch a prince.

Wow, doesn't he just look like a dream come true!

Kurt saved the picture, set it as his background and then stared at it some more.

Rachel giggled. "You should see your face right now. Smitten is too mild a word for it!"

Kurt blushed and shrugged, letting out a happy sigh. "Look at him, Rachel. Just look at him! Isn't he dreamy?"

Rachel looked at the picture critically. "He certainly looks like a prince, so I'm okaying the costume."

She turned to Kurt and gave him a shrewd look. "I bet you'd give anything to see him in that costume, wouldn't you?"

"I would …" admitted Kurt with another, deeper sigh.

"I thought so," nodded Rachel. "Well, that's settled then, you're coming to the birthday party with me. You're far better than me at braiding hair and doing fashion shows and decorating cupcakes anyway. And I have the perfect costume for you, since Blaine has found his own and won't be needing it."

She brandished a garment bag and zipped it open, revealing a white tailed coat with black and gold detailing, an electric blue waistcoat, a purple cravat and navy pants.

"I haven't been able to find the boots that are supposed to go with it," frowned Rachel, "but I hoped you'd have something that might go with this costume."

"That cravat will clash with Blaine's outfit," commented Kurt. "I'll swap it for one of my own. I'm sure I have a bottle green one somewhere. You're lucky that I have a fabulous wardrobe and shoe collection and know exactly what accessories and boots to combine with this. Come with me."

They soon found the right boots for the costume, and the cravat Kurt had mentioned, and Kurt tried on the costume and slowly twirled around so that Rachel could see it from all sides.

She pronounced herself satisfied, and said conspiratorially: "Let's keep it a secret that you will be at the party, too. I really want to see Blaine's face when he sees you in this outfit."

Kurt smiled in agreement. That was a good idea.

He changed back into his regular clothes, and took two portions of pumpkin soup out of the freezer. While the soup was warming up, he made grilled cheese sandwiches for the both of them, and they continued to discuss their plans for Wednesday.

Kurt would help Rachel until Blaine arrived, and then he'd hide until Blaine had finished telling his story. After the story, Kurt would make his grand entrance and surprise Blaine. Kurt imagined how happy Blaine would be to see him, and hoped he'd be as captivated as Kurt had been when Blaine's Prince Charming picture arrived. He hugged himself in glee.

Prince Blaine, I will sweep you off your feet!