A/N So, a couple weeks ago I injured my right eye, causing a blood vessel to rupture and fill my eye with blood, which of course made it difficult to see for a while. While being treated for the injury, they discovered I have glaucoma and another condition that causes blood vessels to develop where they shouldn't in the eye. So, to treat this, they are going to stick needles in my eye to inject medication to shrink the excess blood vessels, and lower the risk of retinal detachment. I've been told the side effects are minimal, and that it shouldn't affect my ability to read/write, but it may cause blurred vision for a day or two after the first dose. Oddly enough, I had been researching this condition, as I had been thinking about writing about it in one of my stories.

Some Kurt in DC this chapter, Blaine is worried about one of his students, and there's big news in the Ohio Show choir community. Also, there is a slight time jump from the previous chapter.

Reviews always welcome!

…

Family Matters

Kurt breathed out in frustration as he glared at the woman seated across from him. The Unspeakable, as he thought of her in his mind, was trying his patience once more. "Would you repeat that again?" he asked. Anyone who truly knew him would hear the undertone of rage in his voice.

The infuriating woman smirked at him. "I said that your appointment to this committee is questionable. This is the House Ethics Committee, and as such, each member should be held to the highest standards. Your unethical and immoral lifestyle should preclude your inclusion in this committee."

The committee leader banged his gavel. "The congresswoman from Texas is out of line. Congressman Hummel has shown nothing but pure integrity, both in his election, and in his current term of service. The same does not apply to the congresswoman from Texas, who has been a constant interruption to the workings of this congress. Please refrain from allowing your personal prejudices to disrupt this committee."

Kurt considered requesting permission to respond to the woman, but decided to hold his tongue for the moment. It was Friday, and he was hoping to catch a flight home later that afternoon. Any delay in business would mean less time to spend with his family over the weekend.

The chairman glanced around. "Now, if there are no further objections…"

…

Kurt sighed as he entered the house later that night. They had adjourned for the weekend at four that afternoon, and Kurt had just made the six o'clock flight to Columbus. It was now a little after nine. Lizzie was immediately there, hugging him.

"Daddy! Guess what? I'm running for seventh grade student body president!"

"That's great, sweetie! I hope your campaign goes much smoother than mine did. Just remember to run with integrity, okay?"

"Of course, daddy! Joani is running for vice president, and Daniella is running for treasurer." He hugged her as they walked further into the house, where Bee was working on a project for the photography club.

"Hey Bee, how was school this week?"

His son smiled at him. "It was awesome. Carson joined the photography club, too, after dad talked to his dad about it. We've already been driving him and Mitch home after choir, and dad said it wasn't any more hassle to drive him home after other activities, too."

Kurt smiled as Blaine came downstairs, having been giving the quads their baths. They shared a sweet kiss in greeting. "I hear you've been playing chauffeur."

Blaine shrugged. "I really feel sorry for this family. They've had a hard year, and the poor dad has been working so hard just to make ends meet, and trying to take care of four kids. And I'm a little worried about the oldest girl, Lydia. We're only three weeks into the school year, and she already looks worn out."

Kurt frowned. "Is there anything we can do to help?"

Blaine let out a sigh. "Luke, that's the dad, seems to be a bit reluctant to accept too much help. I think it's a matter of pride for him. From some things Carson and Mitch have let slip in the car, I gather that Luke's parents and other members of his family have been pressuring him to give the two youngest kids over to them to raise, but he refuses to break up the family."

Kurt shook his head. "That's rough. Speaking of rough situations, how are Dave and Edward doing with their instant family?"

"Good. Cara is still a little uncertain about the new living arrangements, but she's started school this week. She's in Marley's class, and Marley says she's very quiet, but will answer questions when prompted. Dave and Edward turned their spare bedroom into a fantasy bedroom for her, incorporating everything her paternal grandparents had shipped them from St. Louis and stuff they took her to pick out for herself. She's had a few nightmares, but over all, I think she'll be okay."

They got the four youngest down for bed, and then watched a nature show with Lizzie and Bee before heading to bed themselves.

…

Saturday morning they went to a farmers market with Santana, Britt, Quinn and Tina, while Burt and Carole watched the kids. As they browsed the various stalls, Quinn updated them on the Sanders' case.

"Jury selection has been going slow," she said. "It's hard to find people who haven't heard about it, and that can remain unbiased. The lead defender has asked the judge for a change of venue, but I don't know if that will help. The scope and range of the case is so huge. They're still finding new people associated with the ring. They've made over two hundred arrests in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, and have issued another hundred and twenty six warrants."

"My god," Kurt said. "And Sanders isn't even the top dog in all of this?"

Quinn shook her head as she selected some heirloom tomatoes for her mother. "Not even in the top tier, but he was all set to advance in their ranks if he won the election. The good news is, with his sister's testimony, Kendra won't have to appear in court. I wouldn't want her to have to recount what happened in a room full of strange adults."

"Thank goodness for small blessings," Blaine muttered.

Santana was frowning. "She has nightmares, still. And some anger issues she's working through with the counselor. I think it helps that Lizzie forgave her, and that they are friends again, but I think she's going to have issues with relationships as she gets older."

Kurt paid for the plums, peaches, and nectarines he'd just selected, and they moved on. "There is a bill one of the other representatives is working on getting support for that would have stronger punishments for first time sex offenders, and make it harder for them to reoffend, but some of the representatives point out that parts of it could be misinterpreted, that it could target kids as young as six who simply hug a friend without permission."

"That's a bit harsh," Tina said. "I mean, I taught Alex and Alan to ask before they hug anyone, and to respect it when someone says no, but you know how kids don't always think before they react. Especially ones with cognitive disorders."

"Speaking of cognitive disorders," Quinn said, "have you talked to the doctor about the possibility of Phin being autistic yet?"

Blaine nodded his head. "He gave us a referral to see a specialist for testing, and I made the appointment, but it's not for a couple more weeks, in Dayton."

They finished up at the farmer's market, and then Blaine, Kurt and Quinn headed to the grocery store for a few more items. They talked about various things as they shopped, Kurt quizzing her about her relationship with Matt, who was in LA this week working on the editing and promoting of Somewhere, Ohio.

As they approached the checkouts, Blaine spotted a familiar face in line in front of them. Lydia Applebe was biting her lip as she counted out the cash she had, which was almost twenty dollars short of the total on the cash register. The teen looked like she was about to cry as she glanced at the groceries, trying to decide what she could put back. When she handed the cashier back a box of feminine hygiene pads, Blaine cleared his throat.

"I'll pay what she's short," he said. The teen looked startled.

"Mr. Anderson?" She looked embarrassed. Blaine handed the cashier a twenty dollar bill, as Quinn helped the girl gather up the rest of her groceries.

The cashier handed her the receipt, and Quinn walked her over to a bench to sit down and compose herself. Kurt and Blaine paid for their groceries, and Quinn's, and then rejoined the two women. Lydia was sniffling.

"Dad got home late last night, and was too tired to do the shopping, and then he got called into work early this morning, so he left me money to buy food for the weekend, but he forgot I needed…" she choked back a sob, and Quinn hugged her.

"It's okay, sweetie," Quinn said. "I'm sure it just slipped his mind. Men don't usually think about things like that. I'm Quinn, by the way. I'm a friend of Blaine's. Mr. Anderson."

The girl smiled weakly at her. "I'm Lydia."

"And I'm Kurt, I'm Blaine's husband. Do you need a ride home?"

She shook her head. "I have a car. Mitch is watching Carson and Lily. I really need to get home."

Blaine smiled kindly at her. "Come on, we'll walk you to your car and help you load your groceries."

They walked her out, just to make sure she'd calmed down and was okay to drive.

"You know," Blaine said, "Quinn was in New Directions, too. She's got a pretty good voice. Kind of similar to yours. Maybe she can help you out with song selections sometime."

"I'd be happy to help," the blonde woman said. "And if there's anything else you want to talk about, I'd be happy to help with that, too."

Lydia smiled shyly. "Thanks."

…

They picked up the kids and headed home. Kurt and Blaine put the groceries and produce away, as Bee went to play the piano, and Lizzie supervised the little ones. They were talking about Lydia and her family, when Blaine's phone rang.

"It's Nick," he said, before answering it. "Hey, what's up?"

"Thought I'd give you a heads up. Hunter was fired as director of Vocal Adrenaline."

"Really? Do you know who is taking over?"

"No one," Nick said. "The school boosters have decided to disband the show choir for at least two years, saying they need that time to reconsider what they want to do. They will still have a musical theater department, and a choir, but they won't be competing."

"Wow, that's a shock. How'd you find out about this?"

"Hunter was ranting on the show choir blogs, and the parents of some of the students confirmed it."

"Huh. Thanks for letting me know. How is Abby?"

He could hear the smile in his friend's voice as he talked about his daughter. The three month old baby was already holding her head up most of the time, and trying to roll over. They talked for a little while longer, and then said goodbye."

He told Kurt about the disbanding of Vocal Adrenaline as Lizzie came into the kitchen to get a bottle of water.

"That reminds me," she said. "They're having a competition to name the new junior high choir. Everyone can submit as many names as they want, anonymously, and then we'll vote on the best name. The winner will get a solo at our first competition."

"That's cool," Blaine said. "How many names have you submitted so far?" he teased.

She smiled. "Just one. Raising Voices. It's not that great, it probably won't win, but it was the only name I could think of."

"I disagree," Kurt said. "I think it's a brilliant name. And win or lose, I think you are quite clever to have thought of it."

She blushed. "No offense, daddy, but you are a little biased."

"This is true," he replied, and they all laughed.