Chapter Twenty
"What time were you supposed to be at the studio?" Finn asked, glancing at the clock on the dashboard. Kurt turned back around to look at the clock as well. He'd been checking on Raja in the back of the truck.
"Blaine was going to go on alone first, in about fifteen minutes. We weren't going to join them until the last five minutes of the taping, so we have about thirty minutes to get there."
Finn nodded, and increased his speed a little. "We'll get there just in time, I think. Does Blaine know you are coming?"
Kurt shook his head. "No. I actually called the studio so I could set it up as a surprise."
Finn just nodded. "So, you and Blaine are really getting serious, aren't you? I mean like a forever type of serious?"
Kurt couldn't help the smile that crossed his face. "I can definitely see myself spending forever with him. It won't be long now until we are ready to go public. We're just waiting for the right time, but I think both of us are so ready to stop hiding it."
Finn smiled at him. "I'm happy for you, dude. Seriously, I wish I could find someone who looks at me the way Blaine looks at you. But a girl, you know."
Kurt was glad that Finn's eyes were mostly on the road so he missed the smirk that crossed his face, not that he thought the taller man might have caught it if he was looking directly at him, as clueless as Finn could be. "Don't call me dude, Finn," he said. "And that reminds me, I have someone I want to introduce you to." He said the last part rather casually, but he did have something up his sleeve here.
The taller man just shrugged and turned on the turn signal for their exit.
…
"Welcome back everyone. My next guest is a true man of mystery, please welcome, Blaine Blackwell!"
The audience burst into cheers and applause for the magician. For some of them, this was their only chance to see him because all his shows in LA had sold out really fast. They all waited in anticipation as Blaine came out of the back.
Blaine smiled as wide as he could, despite not really wanting to at the moment, and waved to the fans.
Ellen gave Blaine a hug as they sat in their seats while the audience's cheers died down. "So, Blaine, I hear you and your cast have been going through a bit of a tough time. Are things looking up yet?"
Blaine nodded, smiling weakly. "Yeah, it's been a bad couple of weeks, but the last few days have been especially rough. I am pleased to report that Raja has been cleared to travel, but unfortunately he won't be rejoining the shows just yet as Dr. Rose continues to monitor him for a few more days."
"Raja is getting up there. How long do you think he'll be able to continue performing?"
"I've been talking with Raja's handler, Kurt about that for a while now, and we've been considering retiring Raja at the end of the tour, at least from going on any future tours. We will still use him in our home shows in Las Vegas."
The crowd let out an aw sound at the news that Raja's time as a stage tiger may be coming to a close soon. Ellen nodded her head. "I understand that Raja is a well loved member of your cast. I'm sure you're all missing him, right now."
"You have no idea. It was hard to leave Phoenix without him, and harder to perform last night."
Again, the crowd reacted sympathetically. "Well, I'm sure he'll be back in no time now that he's on the mend. So, how about you tell us how you got interested in magic?"
Blaine laughed a little. "I was in second grade, and our class won some contest for attendance, so the teacher hired this magician to come in and entertain us. I remember thinking he wasn't very good, until he did this one trick, and I still remember that trick to this very day. Would you all like to see it?"
The audience burst into cheers and applause and Ellen grinned. "I'm sure we'd all love to know what inspired you to become a magician."
"Okay, great. I'll need a few volunteers for this trick, and to prove that I haven't got any plants in the audience, I'm going to let you pick out the volunteers," he said. "Just remember the seat numbers I told you earlier," he quipped. The audience giggled. "Now, the first volunteer I need is someone who is really bad at math."
"Someone who is really bad at math?" Ellen said. She turned to the audience. "Okay, who thinks two plus two equals five?"
Several people laughed and raised their hands, or forced up the hand of someone sitting next to them.
"For good measure, who thinks two plus two equals six?" The audience laughed again and Ellen approached a young man in the front row. "You sir, how much is two times two?"
"Um, three?"
"Perfect, let's go," she said, gesturing for him to join her and Blaine on the stage.
Blaine smiled and shook his hand. "What's your name?"
"Carl," the man replied.
"Well, Carl, it's nice to meet you." He reached into his back pocket and pulled out an envelope. "Carl, I have here an envelope, as you can see. I want you to stand right here, facing the audience, with the envelope held here in front of you at all times, got that?"
Carl nodded his head and did as he was told, facing the audience and holding out the envelope for all to see.
"Good. Now, for my second volunteer, I need someone who is really good at math."
Ellen looked into the audience and hurried up the steps a few rows. "Hi," she said to a middle-aged woman sitting on the aisle. "Are you really good at math?"
"I'm an accountant, it's my job to be good at math."
"What are the chances?" Ellen asked and the audience laughed. "For good measure, maybe you can help me out. I keep forgetting the answer to thirteen times three hundred and seventy-nine."
"Four thousand, nine hundred and twenty seven," the woman replied.
"You, ma'am, are a lifesaver, come with me!" Ellen said, heading back down to the floor.
"Hi," Blaine greeted. "And you are?"
"Sandra," the woman answered. She was a little flushed because she hadn't expected to actually be taking part in the show.
"Well Sandra, as you can see, Elliott has brought out a white board on an easel. All you have to do for the moment is stand in front of it and pick up the black marker. You'll notice there are three dashes on the board already. I'll explain what those are for in just a moment, but now it's time to pick our final three volunteers." He handed Ellen three ping pong balls, numbered one through three. "Ellen, if you could, just toss these out randomly in any order."
Ellen took the balls from him and shuffled them behind her back before she threw one to the left side of the audience, one to the middle, and one to the right side.
"Awesome. Now, who caught the first ball Ellen threw out? Stand up please."
A teenage boy stood up and held the first of the ping pong balls up in his hand.
"Hello. What's your name?"
"Tyler," the boy said.
"Okay Tyler, first, tell me what number is on your ball?"
Tyler turned the ball in his hand and looked up at him. "Two."
Blaine nodded. "Now, I want you to pick any number between zero and nine. Just shout it out."
"Six!" Tyler called out to him.
"Excellent. Ms. Sandra, can you please write the number six above the second dash on the white board?"
Sandra uncapped the marker and wrote a six above the middle dash.
"Good job. Now, who caught the second ball?"
A much older gentleman stood from somewhere in the middle of the center section, holding the ball in his hand.
"Good afternoon sir, what is your name?"
"My friends call me Charlie," he said.
Blaine smiled. "Nice to meet you Charlie. What number is on your ball?"
"Looks like it's number three."
"Okay, and now I need you to pick another number between zero and nine, please, sir."
"How about that nine then?" Charlie said, nodding his head.
"Excellent choice. Ms. Sandra, could you please write the number nine above the third dash? And who caught the last ball?"
Sandra wrote a nine above the third dash as a young woman, who appeared to be in her twenties, stood from her seat in the right section, clutching the last ball in her hand.
"Welcome, your name, please?"
"Michelle!" she replied.
"Michelle, I assume you have the ball marked with the number one? So all I need from you is a number between zero and nine, please!"
She nodded her head and appeared to think about it for a moment. "Four!" she called out.
"Thank you. Ms. Sandra, I'm sure you know what I am about to ask, could you please write the number four above the first dash?"
Sandra turned and drew a four over the first dash on the board.
"Okay, from this point on, I am not going to look at the whiteboard at all, so I am trusting you to get this math correct, my dear. You now have a three digit number on that board. What I need you to do is reverse those digits, and subtract the smaller number from the larger number. Understood?"
"Am I allowed to write it down on the board or should I do it in my head?" Sandra asked.
"Write it down, by all means. As my math teacher always told me, show your work!"
She laughed and scribbled across the board, quickly doing the math. She counted out the subtraction in her head until she'd written the number four hundred and ninety-five down on the board. "Okay," she said aloud a moment later.
"Good, don't tell me what the answer is, but make sure everyone in the audience can see it.
Sandra made a show of showing the board around to the audience before turning it back away from Blaine and nodded her head.
"Has everyone seen it? Good. Now Sandra, you have a brand new three digit number. Once more, I am going to ask you to reverse the numbers, but this time I want you to add them together, got that?"
She nodded and turned back to the board to start working on the second problem. She quickly added the numbers, coming to the answer of one thousand and eighty-nine, which she wrote down.
"Got it? Go ahead and show the audience again, without revealing the answer to me."
Once again, Sandra showed the audience the answer on the board before turning it back away from the magician.
"Okay, Carl, now you come into play. Please open that envelope and show everyone what is inside."
Carl opened the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper. He turned it around to face the audience to show that it had the number one thousand and eight-nine printed on it. The audience all gasped and started to applaud.
"Well, thank goodness that envelope knew what it was doing because my brain lost count around one hundred and two," Ellen said.
Blaine laughed, and they went back to their seats. "That trick just stuck with me, and sparked my interest in magic. Or more accurately, Mathmagic. After that, I just started learning everything I could about magic."
"Well, we're all glad you did," Ellen said as she and Blaine retook their seats. "You've become such a phenomenon. Right up there with some of the greatest illusionists of our time. Can you tell me who are some of your biggest influences in the magic world?"
"Well, every modern magician must pay homage to Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, the father of modern magic, of course. And then there is the incomparable Harry Houdini. This century, we have to think of David Copperfield, Harry Blackstone, Criss Angel, and so many others."
"There are so many positive influences in the magical world today. But I'm told that you have an announcement that you'd like to share?"
"Yes, as you all know, we will be performing in Vegas before the finale of season four of The Illusionist, and then I will be helping to crown the winner. It's a Friday night, but we won't have our usual after hours show that night. So, since we had an extra day on our schedule, we are adding two shows the following Saturday, our regular family friendly show, and an eighteen and over show. Tickets will go on sale tomorrow morning at six am, eastern."
The audience all broke into more cheers and applause, all excited for the news.
"Well, that's certainly going to make a lot of fans happy. I know your current shows have all been sold out for months, so this is exciting. So, would you like to introduce the fans to your cast?"
Blaine's smile faltered slightly, wishing Kurt could be there, but nodded. "Yes, my cast is wonderful, and I know the fans love them as much as I do."
Ellen smiled at him. "That's great to hear. Ladies and gentlemen please join me in welcoming the cast of the Blaine Blackwell Show!"
Tina was the first one to appear, followed by Elliott, Quinn, Rachel, and Mike. Ellen applauded along with the audience and shook each and every one of their hands. "So, you guys help Blaine with these illusions every night?" she asked.
"Yes," a few of them replied.
"Mike, as the newest member to the cast, how are you enjoying it so far?"
The Asian man grinned. "It's great. I've learned so much in such a short time, and I've made some amazing new friends."
"Tina, how have things been since you came back from your break?"
She smiled sweetly. "Much better. I know there has been a lot of talk about the way things had been between all of us, and I'm sad to say a lot of it was true, but we've worked a lot of those issues out this past week, and it's been much better. We've reconnected, I think. Grown closer."
Ellen smiled and nodded. "Well, we here at the Ellen show appreciate everyone who works hard to make the world a better place and put smiles on everyone's faces, so I actually have a gift for all of you. Andy!"
The curtain opened and Andy, yes the guy Ellen was always picking on, rolled out a giant box wrapped like a present.
"If you guys would just go ahead and open that. I just hope it isn't too much," Ellen said, a smile on her face.
They all looked a little confused, but smiled as they moved forward to open the huge package.
For a moment, nothing happened, and then suddenly, Kurt popped out of the box, and Raja was right beside him.
"We're baaaaack!" Kurt shouted.
The audience burst into cheers and applause and Ellen turned to the rest of the cast. "What do you guys think? If it's too much we can take it back."
"NO!" they all screamed, and rushed forward to hug Kurt.
Ellen grinned and turned back to the camera. "Well ladies and gentlemen, you saw it here first! Anyway, that's our show for today, tune in tomorrow when a monkey tries to do my job. Thanks for coming and remember to be kind to one another. Goodbye everybody!"
…
There was so much hugging backstage, Kurt was sure he was going to pop, and Raja was basking in the attention just like he was born to do. Kurt couldn't keep the grin off his face, but he reluctantly kept his distance from Blaine because Tina still didn't know about them.
Instead, Kurt grabbed Rachel by the arm and pulled her out of the group for a second. "I want to introduce you to someone," he said, leading her over to the backstage snack table, where he wasn't surprised to find Finn stuffing his face with some donuts. Kurt rolled his eyes. "Finn!" he shouted and the taller man turned to look at him.
"Oh, sorry dude," Finn replied, looking sheepish and swallowing his bite of donut.
Kurt rolled his eyes. "Don't call me dude, Finn," he said. And then he smiled widely. "Finn, this is Rachel. Rachel, this is my stepbrother, Finn."
Rachel looked up at the much taller man, a gobsmacked expression on her face. For the first time ever, she stammered as she spoke. "H-hello. Pleasure to meet you."
Kurt stood there with a knowing smirk on his face as Finn hastily tried to wipe his hands off so he could properly greet Rachel. "I'll just leave you two to get acquainted," the blue eyed man said, winking and turning to head back to the rest of the cast and Raja.
Blaine kept catching his eye, and they smiled softly at each other, hoping everyone else was too preoccupied to notice.
"Oh for god sakes!" Tina suddenly shouted, shaking her head and placing her hands on her hips. "Will you two just squash the not so secretive tension and kiss already?"
Both men looked at her, confused at first who she was talking about.
"Yes I'm looking at you two! We're not getting any younger here!" Tina insisted. "And you're not fooling anybody! Not anymore!"
Blaine looked shocked. "You're not mad?"
Tina rolled her eyes. "Being mad would kind of be like taking a step backwards, don't you think? Besides, a lot of it makes more sense now. I'm trying to move forward and recover who I was. In all honesty, I just want you to be happy, Blainey-Days."
He smiled at her, and then moved to Kurt's side, taking him in his arms and hugging him tight, before sharing a kiss. It was chaste, for now.
Tina shook her head. "You call that a kiss? I thought you missed him, Blaine."
Kurt smirked at her. "Don't worry, he'll give me a proper hello later, in private."
To make up for not kissing him properly then, Blaine just squeezed Kurt tightly against him for a moment, not wanting to let him go, before he finally released him and then knelt on the ground to gently but firmly hug Raja as well.
Kurt gave Blaine a mischievous look. "Shall we tell them our good news?"
Blaine grinned and stood up again, one hand stroking Raja's head and the other taking a hold of Kurt's. "I think it will definitely excite them."
"What good news?" Tina said.
"Are you two engaged already?" Mike called out.
"No," Kurt said, a wicked gleam in his eye. "We're expecting."
"Oh my God!" Rachel shouted. She'd just rejoined them, pulling Finn along behind. "You two are having a baby?!"
Blaine laughed. "We will be adding two new members to the family very soon."
"TWINS?!" Rachel screeched.
Elliott and Quinn were laughing so hard behind the others, Quinn had a stitch in her side.
"Tigers," Elliott choked out. "A three year old female and her cub."
Rachel hesitated for a moment before she rushed forward and smacked both Kurt and Blaine on the arm. "HOW COULD YOU LEAD ME ON LIKE THAT?!" she shouted, not really angry.
Kurt and Blaine just laughed harder. "You should have seen the look on your faces!" Kurt gasped out.
"I'm surprised you reacted like that," Blaine said, still gasping in laughter. "I was expecting something like that from Tina!"
Tina was holding a water bottle in her hand and shook her head. "I'm not actually the overly dramatic one, Blainey-Days," she said, shrugging with a smile on her face.
"Hey guys, sounds like a lot of excitement back here," Ellen said, joining them. "Everything okay?"
Kurt and Blaine were both still gasping with laughter and Rachel looked slightly horrified. Mike had an arm around Tina and was shaking his head with amusement. Elliott was the one who answered the host.
"Rachel just shrieked because she thought Kurt and Blaine were expecting a baby," he said in a very nonchalant tone, like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Ellen glanced at the two men in confusion. Kurt took pity on her. "We're adopting two new tigers when we get to Las Vegas. We just told the rest of the cast."
"And we may have messed with them a little bit," Blaine added, grinning from ear to ear.
She laughed with them. "Well, it's nice to see the family all back together. I can't wait to see the show tonight."
Blaine smiled at her, one arm slipping around Kurt's waist and the other hand still stroking Raja's head. As the others began getting ready to leave, Blaine and Kurt stopped to talk to Ellen in private for a moment. She smiled at them.
"I'm guessing this is the secret true love you mentioned in the interview last week?" She asked, smiling at them.
Blaine glanced at Kurt and placed a chaste kiss to his cheek, before turning back to Ellen. "It's not that either of us are ashamed, I want to make that perfectly clear. Part of it is that our relationship got off on the wrong foot and people kind of ate up us seemingly hating each other. Now though, we're kind of in deep with that and we're ready to set the record straight. We're just waiting for the right moment."
Kurt nodded. "We probably would have come out sooner, but the timing just never seemed right. First there were the rehearsals for the tour, and all the personal issues the entire cast were having, and then the pressures of the tour, and then the sabotage, and just everything really. But we want to come out before the end of the tour."
"Well, you know you two will always have me in your corner. I'm sorry everything this particular year has been less than smooth sailing. I hope it's only on the up for the rest of your tour."
"Thank you," Kurt said, and on impulse hugged her.
"Would you like to pet Raja?" Blaine asked, still stroking the tiger's head.
"Can I?"
Kurt grinned and looked down at Raja. "Hey, buddy, how about you say hello to Ellen?"
The large cat padded forward and rubbed against her hand. "Oh gosh, he's so soft!"
"And that is the sign of a well cared for animal," Kurt said, inclining his head to the side as he watched Raja with Ellen.
"Yo, Lady lips, hobbit, are you two going to stand around forever, or are we going to dinner sometime this century?"
"And enter Santana Lopez," Blaine said, rolling his eyes. "Thanks for everything though, Ellen. It's been great to be here. And to have Kurt and Raja back."
She smiled and hugged both men once more. "It was great meeting both of you. After you come out to the world, I expect you two back for another interview! I want the entire story!"
"Sold," Kurt said with a smile as he started to lead Raja out. "I can't think of a better person to get the first scoop."
…
yadivagirl: YAY! KingRaja is back! It was so awesome to see him on the Ellen Show today!
IheartBlaine: Welcome back, Raja and Kurt! Glad to see you both doing well!
RajasRagina: Lord Tubbington is doing his happy dance!
klainedreams34: It is so awesome to see Raja and Kurt back! I know Raja won't be performing for a while, but I'm just happy he's safe!
mardie186: I'm so happy Raja is okay! And I haven't seen Kurt smile that wide in ages!
BlackwellsmyDaddy: That trick Blaine did on Ellen is so simple. It's weird how that is what triggered his love of magic!
BlaineBlackwellsOnlyLove: Two weeks until BlaineWarbler returns to Columbus, Ohio!
grlnxtdr29: OMG! Two more shows in Vegas! And I'm off that day! I could fly there, catch one of the shows, and be back before I have to go to work on Monday! I need to set my alarm clock so I can get up and get online before the tickets are all sold out!
lucy8675309: Everyone looked so happy when Kurt and Raja popped out of the box! And Quinn looked like she was going to cry!
BlaineKurtElliott: My boys are back together! I'm so happy!
UniqueAlwaysStandsOut: Glad to see Raja looking healthy, and Kurt looking happy!
KingRaja: Mreow hrung! (Translation; So much love!)
LucyQFabray: Our Family is back together!
Starchild: It always feels like home when we're all here together
BBlackwell: Stay tuned for even more exciting news!