Ch. 84

Moving started much later in the day than Kurt would have liked, but he figured it might take at least two days to get everything situated. They'd sent out a mass text asking anyone who had time and the gumption to help out to head over. Payback would be dealt out in the form of food and booze on the roof later that night. Kurt wasn't sure if Nick and Jeff would be over or not. He extended the invitation, anyway, knowing it was Jeff's birthday and they had other plans. He was excited to see what Nick had gotten Jeff, as he'd overheard Blaine and Nick speaking about it on the phone a couple of times, both of them quite cryptic, which was annoying. Kurt rolled his eyes.

They'd gotten quite a few boxes from the businesses around them and started packing small things to carry upstairs. It was at that point that Blaine stepped in and called Trent, asking them to come over, sit down to discuss what their plan was, what they wanted out of either apartment and what they already had in storage. They essentially had three apartments full of furniture now, and nowhere to go with it. They had three sets of everything, and they didn't plan on taking much of it upstairs, save for a few pieces, and they now had two sets of dishes and kitchenware on top of what Kurt had picked for the new apartment. Some things would clearly be donated, sold online or given to friends if they wanted something. Trent and Thad got first pick since they hadn't brought much with them to New York when they moved. It was just too much money to store things when they hadn't locked down the housing situation upon moving.

Kurt began taking pictures of things they weren't keeping, asking if anyone had a need or use for this or that. The response was immediate when he posted on Facebook to friends, and then Craigslist to strangers. He wasn't expecting the steady stream of people in and out of their old apartments to remove the things they were selling. The cash on hand was a plus, though, and he thought he might just find something special for Blaine with it….or buy food and drinks for that evening. Maybe both? Either way, he smiled, watching as their friends and family showed up to help carry things upstairs. Even Cooper and Maggie made an appearance, Coop looking worse for wear, which secretly pleased Blaine. He wasn't off the hook yet.

Kurt felt like he hadn't seen Rachel and Finn for ages, and when he saw his best friend come through the door, he nearly sobbed. They had both been so unbelievably busy lately, Rachel with work and Kurt with his own work, that they hadn't made time for each other. Rachel's hugs felt like home to him, and he whispered in her ear how much he'd missed her. She threw her arms around him and admitted that she felt the same way, making him promise they'd restart their weekly coffee meetings that she'd missed so much. Kurt was more than on board.

"Been missing you down at The Dive, man." Finn said to Blaine. "I heard Mac's nephew is heading back to campus. That mean you're coming back?"

"I am, and I can't wait. I've missed it…getting rusty and I'll have to practice this week if I don't want to embarrass myself, I guess." Blaine grinned.

"Uh huh, from what I saw this morning, I'm guessing you're just as nimble on the piano as you ever were." Finn said without thinking, and the room went silent, except for a few snickers. All eyes turned to either Blaine, Kurt or Finn…then shifted to Cooper, who had the good grace to look ashamed. Blaine just bit his lip and shook his head, clearly still not over it, while Kurt blushed and strode off into the bedroom quickly, without a word, Rachel following closely behind. Blaine glanced at Coop, then to the bedroom door and scowled back at his brother. They didn't speak much that day.

Later on, when it came down to the furniture in Blaine's old apartment, he stood staring at it for too long. Blaine didn't want to get rid of the sofa. It was where they spent their first night together and he wasn't about to get rid of it. Besides, it was practically brand new.

"Kurt!" He called up the steps. Hearing Kurt head down, he waited in the hall until he saw him and then went back into the apartment, hands in his pockets.

"What's up, Buttercup?" Kurt said, smiling again…happy. It lightened Blaine's heart to see it.

"Um…I know you'll think this is crazy, and I don't want to sound like a sentimental sap or anything, but…I was thinking, I mean, I know it's probably dumb, but you know I'm a silly romantic anyway and I wanted to run it by you that maybe we could –" Blaine began, babbling on endlessly.

"We have to keep the sofa, Blaine. It's our sofa…no question. Is that what you're babbling about?" Kurt grinned. Blaine bit his lip and grinned back.

"Yes. I was afraid you'd say we couldn't keep it!" He said, bouncing on his toes now, laughing, eyes bright.

"I spent my first night in your apartment snuggled up with you on that sofa, baby. No way are we selling it or giving it away. We can put it in the office. There's room, no worries."

"I'm glad…I can't even look at that sofa without remembering how amazing it was to wake up with you in my arms that first morning after waiting for you all that time." Blaine smiled.

"Honey?" Kurt asked.

"Hmmm?"

"You're a sappy cheeseball."

"I know. I love you, too." Blaine laughed, smiling at Kurt, pecking him on the lips and striding off in search of a box to load with his things. He paused in the hallway on the way to his old bedroom and turned to see Kurt starting, lovingly, at the sofa. "Kurt?"

"Hmmm?"

"You wanna…um…."

"You bet I do." Kurt grinned mischievously.

"Me too!" Blaine giggled and vaulted over the back of the sofa to grab Kurt and pull him down on top of him on their sofa, lips already locked.

"They'll come looking soon…" Kurt mumbled.

"So let 'em. They'll find me making out with my hot boyfriend." Blaine snickered, hands fisted in the back of Kurt's hair.

"Hey! You made it!" Kurt yelled to Jeff and Nick later that night as the rag tag group of movers and a few other stragglers sat around the metal fire pit on the roof. "Happy Birthday…again!" Kurt yelled, slightly tipsy. Everyone else chimed in and yelled their birthday greetings as well and Jeff was in his glory, being the center of attention and all.

He grinned widely and walked over to greet his friends, shaking hands with some, hugging others. The smirk on his face, however, told Kurt something was up. Kurt's eyes flew open and he jumped up to crowd Jeff off to the side, alone. "Tell me what he got you!" He said excitedly.

"Um….he kinda went overboard, like he does. He has a way of doing that, but I don't think he could have found anything that would have been more perfect for me, really." Jeff said, smiling.

"Soooo…tell me what it is." Kurt said, bouncing on his toes.

"It would be better if I could show you…actually." Jeff replied, pulling out his phone. He opened his pictures and handed the phone to Kurt. "Flip through this way…" He said, motioning with his fingers. Kurt did so, looking more and more confused as he went on.

"I don't get it…lots of different rooms…a stage. OH! Did he buy you a membership somewhere…classes for theater or…?" Kurt asked.

"Um…no….he uh…he bought me that…the building. The whole building…a theater. I can start my own school for the arts…dance, music, theater, costume design, the whole shebang, Kurt." Jeff said, still pretty overwhelmed. Kurt's eyes went wider than Jeff had ever seen them and he stood there speechless for a bit.

"The…the whole thing? The WHOLE building?" He wheezed out. "Holy shit, Jeff!" Kurt grinned. "Yeah, probably couldn't have picked anything more perfect for you, could he? Wow….just….wow! Best birthday gift ever?" Kurt asked.

"No, not really." He blushed. "My favorite gift was the one I picked out for myself, really." Jeff smirked.

"Oh God, you did it? You asked him? And he said yes? TELL ME!" Kurt hissed, eyes wide and grinning madly. He could barely stand still.

"He said yes." Jeff smiled, coyly, still seeing stars over the fact that he was Nick's fiancé.

"Of course he said yes, you goof…he's so in love with you it's disgusting, in a good way, I mean, I don't want to offend, but it's really rather gross, Jeff." Kurt laughed. "But of course he did!" Kurt said a bit louder, then literally jumped into Jeff's arms as he smiled widely. "I'm so happy for you…so happy for you both!"

"I can't remember a time in my life when I've ever…ever been this happy, Kurt. Thank you for keeping me here, for giving me something to do so I didn't go nutty and head back to Ohio. Thanks for always giving me sound advice and just listening to me gripe and moan and for letting me get it all out. You're a great friend, and I'm so, so glad you and Blaine are together…that I met you because of him. You're perfect for each other…you complement each other so well….so thank you for all that." Jeff told him, face alight with happiness and excitement.

Jeff glanced over to find a smirking Nick and saw him standing near the door speaking with Blaine. At that moment Blaine's eyes flew wide, he grabbed Nick's left hand and his mouth fell open, gaping like a fish out of water. Nick's smile took over his face as Blaine alternated between gaping at the ring, then Nick's face, then he looked around sharply and caught eyes with Jeff.

"Oh shit…" Jeff mumbled as Blaine dropped Nick's hand and nearly knocked everyone out of the way to throw himself into Jeff's arms, legs wrapping securely around his waist, squealing gleefully like a little child and kissing him soundly on the lips, then going in for a strong hug.

"I'm so fucking happy for you, Jeffie…" He whispered into his best friend's ear. "You deserve every ounce of this…" He trailed off, refusing to let Jeff go. "I'm so happy for you…and you are in so much trouble for not telling me!" He laughed. Nick strolled up next to Jeff and grabbed his hand, clearly proud to be standing by his side.

"Remove your lips from my fiancé, Anderson!" Nick joked, nudging Blaine in the arm. "Geeez…" Blaine just stuck his tongue out and laughed him off, so taken off guard at the engagement that he didn't know what to say.

"I'm sorry we weren't here to help move the stuff. I'll make it up to you, B." Jeff lamented, and Nick nodded in agreement.

"It's ok, no worries. Trent and Thad were around, Seb and Hunter even came up for a couple of hours, and Finn and Rachel pitched in, too. A couple of people from the loft showed up…you'll meet them tonight if you haven't already." Blaine said to Nick, gesturing to the pergola where they all sat talking and laughing. "It's your birthday, you shouldn't have to work." Blaine told Jeff, bumping his shoulders. "Besides, it was just some boxes and clothing. Not much else came up…Kurt was a sales machine today!" He laughed.

"Tell him what Mr. Right got you for your birthday, Jeff!" Kurt said excitedly.

"Don't bother…I've known for a while now." Blaine grinned. Jeff cast an unbelieving glance at Nick, who shrugged and blushed.

"I couldn't keep it all to myself, and I needed to know what he thought of the idea…and I'm pretty sure, from what we've briefly discussed today, that there are a few things you need to speak with Blaine about regarding said gift?" Nick said, eyebrows raised.

"Yeah…about that…." Jeff said, playing with the hair on the back of his neck. "I was thinking about having several music classes…instruments and singing and the like…all of it. And I need someone to sort of handle that um…department. Know anyone who might be interested, Blaine?"

"I think I just might, Jeffie." He said, delighted that his friend wanted him in on the project. He was bouncing on his toes like a kid again now, so excited about the new venture. "I know there's a lot to talk about and iron out, but count me in, buddy. Count me in for sure!" Blaine grinned, thrilled with all the changes in his life. Despite the day's work of moving and carrying things up and down the steps, he wasn't feeling tired. Instead he felt energized, excited, and on the brink of something new.

Sunday morning Kurt was coming back up the steps from checking their mailbox, which he'd been remiss in doing for a few days with everything going on, when he ran into Seb and Hunter on their way down, both tugging a suitcase behind them. Kurt raised a questioning brow.

"Heading out of town for a few days. Hunter doesn't start the intern shit for another week—"

"SHIP, Sebastian. InternSHIP….for God's sake…" Hunter huffed, rolling his eyes.

"Anyway, watch the place? We'll be back in time for Blondie's shindig Saturday, so save us a seat, yeah?" Sebastian asked sweetly. Kurt was a little thrown off by it, but he liked the few times Seb would forgo the snark and just have a normal conversation with him nowadays.

"Will do…where you goin'?" Kurt asked. "If that's not being too nosey, that is."

"Gonna go spend our hard earned money in Vegas and party like we're young again." Hunter laughed.

"Yeah, because clearly you're ancient now. What are you, 26? 28? I hope you packed your Depends and your canes." Kurt snarked. "You guys have a good time, and be careful!" Kurt smiled, then let them pass.

"Don't even say 'Don't do anything I wouldn't do', Hummel, because that would be absolutely boring as hell….although, I have to say, your exploits on the piano got you major points. Kinky, Kurt. I approve." Sebastian grinned, and laughed out loud when Kurt turned red from the neck up.

"Oh, well, color me happy that you approve, Smythe." Kurt deadpanned, and climbed up the steps quickly, leaving them to venture downward.

It was odd to bypass 'his door' and he'd miss it, but he kept going down the hallway to the door up to the third floor with a happy grin. Sitting there, at their threshold, was a gift bag with Blaine's name hastily scrawled on it, a bow neatly tied at the top to keep it closed. When Kurt lifted it, it jingled loudly, and he immediately laughed. It was about time that ass gave everyone's keys back!

Nick's phone buzzed, signaling a text message as it sat on the nightstand. He ignored it, just as he'd ignored the three phone calls and the other few texts he'd received that morning. There were much more important things going on at that moment…things that were taking up every ounce of his mind and body, scrambling his nerve endings and making him writhe in ecstasy.

"Almost there, baby….don't stop….don't stop, Jeff….please…..ohsweetJesusplease…." Nick whined, back arching as he begged Jeff not to quit sucking him and easing his fingers in and out of his tight hole before he came. "God, oh….ohfuck….FUCK YEAH…..Ughhhhhaaahh…." He nearly screamed, coming in a rush down Jeff's throat with a moan and a growl, one hand fisted tightly in Jeff's platinum blonde hair and the other hand fisted in the sheets Jeff hid beneath. Nick's eyes squeezed shut with the euphoria, breath panting out harshly.

He, now, felt absolutely light headed, but damn…

"Morning, baby…" Jeff mumbled, his head reappearing from under the sheet to settle his chin on Nick's belly. His tongue slipped out to lick at the corner of his mouth, a wicked, shit eating grin on his face as he watched Nick tremble, his chest rising and falling quickly as he came down from the high.

"Best wake-up call ever…" Nick wheezed. "Fucking love you…damn…so much."

"Well, I'd hope so, since you agreed to marry me and all that nonsense." Jeff said softly, grinning. He was edging up to Nick's chest now between his legs, keeping eye contact and ready to kiss those delectable lips when a foreign voice grabbed his attention and startled him to the point that he nearly fell off the side of the bed.

"I think they're done with that stuff you don't wanna know about, Mom…" Said the petite brunette leaning on the door frame.

"—the fuck?" Jeff mumbled, grasping the sheet and pulling it up further. Nick sat up at the same time, eyes wide and blinking owlishly.

"Bailey…Good Christ, what in THE HELL are you doing here?" Nick muttered, flinging his arm up, his wrist covering his eyes as he plunked back down on his pillow.

"Tried to call you this morning, several times, big bro, but someone didn't answer his phone…or reply to his text messages. You really shouldn't have given mom a key, Bubby." She grinned.

"Um…I…." Jeff muttered, frozen in place. "Bubby?" He mouthed, and almost grinned, looking at Nick. Almost. But grinning was the last thing he was thinking of. He was mortified and clutching the sheet like a lifeline.

"Nicholas, are you covered?" Meredith Duval asked, her eyes covered with her hand as she approached the doorway. Nick got a scheming grin on his face and he almost laughed out loud.

"Shit, Nicky…no…." Jeff wheezed quietly, heart pounding.

"Absolutely covered mom…" He grinned.

"Oh good, because I was….Nicholas! Jesus, Mary and Joseph…you said—" she bellowed as she dropped her hand from her eyes.

"I said I was covered…and I am." Nick grinned evilly.

"You didn't specify that you were covered by Jeffrey's midsection!" She spit outbellowed, covering her eyes again.

"You didn't ask that…"

"I want to die, Nicky. A slow and painful death is too good for me right now." Jeff hissed out, dropping his face to Nick's chest, his entire upper body 7 shades of crimson as Nick laughed out loud. Jeff smacked him in the arm and reached for the comforter which had gotten shoved to the bottom of the bed.

"Oh…my manners, good morning Jeffrey, it's lovely to see you darling." Meredith said, giving a little wave as she bit her lip and kept her eyes covered. She was ever the well mannered socialite, Nick's mother.

"Mrs. Duval…lovely to see you again as well." Jeff said weakly, his voice cracking, and trying to offer a genuine smile.

"Oh it's lovely seeing you, alright." Bailey snickered, staring right at Jeff with a smirk. "Damn, Bubby…he's even hotter than you said. Pictures just don't do him justice at all."

"….Jesus…." Jeff hissed, grabbing the comforter around his body and rushing from the bed to the bathroom, leaving the sheet for Nick. Nick crossed his hands behind his head and grinned at the doorway.

"Well, you've clearly witnessed a bit more than you bargained for, you've driven the love of my life from my bed, and you've succeeded in embarrassing all of us. Please, do tell. To what do I owe this lovely surprise?" Nick said, sarcasm in every word.

Jeff: I will never, EVER….EV. ER. laugh at Cooper's antics again, B. I'm sorry I ever did. I understand now. Oh my f*cking God….

Blaine: Shit, what happened, man?

Jeff: I'm pretty sure Nick's mom and sister sat through me giving Nick head this morning instead of just making their presence known. His sister may or may not have been watching from the doorway. I'm pretty sure I can't find a deep enough hole in all of NYC to crawl into right now.

Blaine: Oh….oh shit, yeah, that's….that's not comfortable. I'm not laughing. I'm not. Neither is Kurt. Nope.

Jeff: I hate you.

Blaine: You love me. Where are you?

Jeff: I locked myself in the bathroom and I'm not coming out.

Blaine: Now I'm not laughing harder than I wasn't laughing before.

Jeff: Jackass!

Blaine: Screw it. We're both rolling over here…just dying.

Jeff: JackassES!

Blaine: Man up, Jeffie. Or I'm sending Cooper over to show you how it's really done! At least there aren't pictures! There aren't pictures, right?

Blaine: RIGHT?

Jeff: Oh God, I can't even think about it. I hope not? Kill me now, B.

"Babe? You gonna come out of the bathroom today sometime?" Nick grinned, leaning his head on the door to listen.

"No. Tell me when they're gone." Jeff huffed, feeling totally humiliated.

"Well, I can do that, but since they're staying for a few days, I'm pretty sure you're going to have to come out at some point before they go…and if we ask them to stay until Saturday….."

"Just shove food under the door….I'll be fine." Jeff mumbled.

"Jeff…c'mon, babe. They don't think less of you. My mom raised five boys. Believe me, she's seen and heard worse." Nick said, just wanting Jeff to open the door. "I'm not lying. Once, she walked in on some chic straddling Stephen in his bed when they came home from a trip a day early. Not even his hips, she was all up around his face and-"

"Oh shit, Christ, Nicky stop!….gonna make me gag, what the fuck?" Jeff hissed, hands over his ears repeating 'lalalalalala' so he didn't hear any more. Nick snickered.

"Please come out, love."

"I think I'll stay here for a bit. It's ok, I'm comfortable…I've wadded the comforter up and I'm just vegging out in the tub on top of it."

"You've lost your mind!" Nick laughed. "You're a grown man, Jeffrey! Come out of the tub and say hello to your future in laws. I don't want to tell them without you." Nick said softly. "Tell my mom with me, baby, please?"

"Nickyyyy…"

"Prettyyyyyyyy"

Jeff sat there for a few more minutes, thinking about the morning and how he'd been caught, literally, with his pants down. It was embarrassing, really, but…it wasn't his fault they came in unexpectedly. It wasn't his fault they didn't announce their arrival. And it certainly wasn't his fault that Nick's dick had woken him up from a deep slumber when it nudged him in the back repeatedly until he was so hard he had to do something about it…for both of them. If anyone should be embarrassed, it was Nick's mom and his sister. Oh God….Nick's sister, whom he hadn't even been properly introduced to yet. He sighed, long and loud, and figured he had to come out sooner or later and face the music. He could only avoid it for so long.

"Alright, I'm coming out." Jeff announced.

"Awww, honey, I'm pretty sure that ship has sailed. Everybody knows." Nick quipped.

"Ass." Jeff hissed, playfully, as he whipped the door open and Nick nearly stumbled in on him.

"You love mine…and I love yours more, because it is SO fine….." Nick sighed, slipping his arms around Jeff in a hug, then running his hands down Jeff's back side and giving him a squeeze on the butt for good measure. "And I love you. Now come with me and tell my mother that you're going to marry me and make me the happiest man alive." Nick grinned, leaning in to kiss Jeff chastely, holding the kiss a bit longer than he normally would. He pulled away grinning. "I'm sorry…about this morning. I didn't know they were coming."

"Not your fault. Not anyone's fault, per se, but it's…mortifying…pretty much." Jeff said, head hung low.

"She loves you, and Bailey's gonna love you too….and she feels horrible for making you uncomfortable. Come say hello." Nick urged.

"Let me put some clothes on. The last thing I want to do is walk out there like this. I think they've seen enough of me today!" Jeff said, rolling his eyes.

"I'll see you in a few, then."

"Ok….Bubby." Jeff snickered. Nick rolled his eyes and stuck his tongue out.

"Bailey…Jeffrey Sterling. Jeffie, my annoying little sister Bailey." Nick said by way of introductions.

"Hey…it's good to finally meet you…he talks about you all the time." Jeff said, still a little pink in the cheeks from the morning's activities. He wasn't looking Bailey in the eyes, though, and Nick nudged him, then gave Bailey a pointed look of reprimand.

"Jeff…I'm so sorry…I am…really. I was out of line, and it won't happen again, I swear. Can we start over and I'll act like it never happened?" Bailey asked sweetly, looking chagrinned. Jeff gnawed his lip and grinned a bit. From the looks of things, Nick must have laid into her.

"I can do that…that'll work, yeah." He said, trying not to grin too widely.

"OH! Jeffrey, honey, I'm sorry we barged in this morning." Nick's mom said as she descended the stairs. They'd taken their things up to the guest rooms and she looked as if she may have also changed clothes for the day. "I apologize…I can't even…I'm so sorry we embarrassed you, honey!" Meredith Duval said, laying her hand on his shoulder.

"Um…'s ok…" Jeff blushed, memorizing the tiles on the kitchen floor.

"OK!" Nick said, a little too loudly, his hands shoved into his pockets. "Uh…Mom, sit, please. Bay, you too. I wanted to discuss something with you that Jeff and I were talking about this weekend…." Nick said, shooting a pleased look at Jeff as the women walked into the living room and briefly had their backs to him. Jeff grinned and pressed his forehead into Nick's shoulder.

"You wanna do this NOW?" Jeff whispered hissed, giggling. "Because this morning wasn't awkward enough, already, right? Nothin' like putting me on the spot again!"

"Boys? Is everything ok?" Meredith asked, looking puzzled.

"All is well…it's actually really, really good…really." Nick grinned. "Jeff?" He asked expectantly.

"You want ME to…Jesus, Nicky…." He whined, then took a deep breath. "Um…Mrs. Duval…" Jeff began.

"Please just call me Meredith!" She smiled widely.

"Ok, uh…Meredith…I um….so this weekend was my birthday…yesterday, actually, and Nick…wow…he uh, he went over and above, as he does, and shocked the shoes right off of me—"

"I bet that's not all that came off-"

"BAILEY!" Meredith scolded her.

"Sorry…" she lamented. Jeff cleared his throat.

"Anyway, he uh…we were at…we were out….and while we were uh…I kinda wanted to um….." Jeff began stuttering and he could feel himself start to sweat, getting more and more unsteady as he went on. His mind was racing. This was Nick's mom, and his sister. Nick's family, who would inform his dad, if they still spoke with him. And his father might retaliate. He felt sick now. He was a hot mess.

"Mom…" Nick said, saving him simply by slipping his arm around Jeff's waist and holding up his left hand while wearing the biggest cheesy grin he could muster. "I'm marrying Jeff…because he asked me to, and I love him more than anything, and I'm pretty sure he thinks you may not approve, so could you straighten that out before he passes out on us?" Nick said matter-of-factly. Jeff breathed a huge sigh, uncertain, as Meredith and Bailey just sat there, stunned, eyes wide.

"Oh…Oh Nicholas!" Meredith finally managed to get out, then jumped up from the sofa and threw her arms around Jeff, kissing him on the cheek. She had her hands splayed over his cheeks, then, and she was grinning from ear to ear. "OH Jeffrey, you dear boy, I'm so happy for you both!" She said, hugging him tightly again. She moved over to Nick and repeated her hugs and her kisses, Bailey sliding up next to Nick to get her own hug in as well.

"Congrats, Bubby…" she said, hugging him tightly, then whispered in his ear, "and he's freakin' hot as hell, just so you know."

"Oh yeah, I know, believe me." Nick grinned.

Giggling, she moved over to Jeff and hugged him as well. "Well, brother-in-law, you're going to have to get used to me now, aren't you?" Bailey grinned, hugging Jeff tightly. As she held on, she whispered in his ear, "Good for you, Jeff. He loves you so much…talks about you like you walk on water…and I've never seen him happier than he's been since you've been in his life. Well done, Blondie."

"Thanks. I just want to make him happy. He makes me so damn happy, I owe it to him to return the favor, I think." Jeff smiled, still blushing.

"I like you. We're gonna be besties, I just know it. No, you don't have any say in the matter, just go with it," Bailey smiled. "And thank you…thank you for making my brother so happy. Nick's always been my favorite…the one who always 'got me', ya know? He's happy with you, and for that, alone, I already adore you." Hugging him again, she went back to Nick and hugged him again for good measure.

"So it's ok? You're alright with it, Mrs. Du-"

"Meredith…or Mom works for me." She smiled, and it shone from her eyes… and Jeff knew. He just knew, then, that it was ok with her. She was happy for her son, and in turn, happy for her soon to be son-in-law as well. "Jeffrey, you're so nervous, darling. What's got you so uptight?" She asked, snaking an arm around his waist and leading him to the sofa. "Sit with me…you look pale." She said. Jeff figured there was no reason to beat around the bush, and so he just said what was on his mind.

"I don't want to know…if you still have contact with Mr. Duval…with your husband, Mrs…Meredith. If you do, and you speak with him…and you inform him of…this….about Nick and me, please tell him that I don't want the money. I only want Nick, because let's face it, he's perfect, and I love him…God…just so much, and—"

"Mom…you can tell Dad that Jeff made ME sign a pre-nup. If it doesn't work out, he leaves with nothing. It was his choice, and he wouldn't have it any other way. We argued a lot over it, and I tried everything I could to change his mind, but it's what he wants, and I only want to make him happy. Regardless of whether I'd give it all to him in a heartbeat anyway, he didn't want that hanging over our heads, so…unbeknownst to me, he had papers drawn up with his lawyer prior to asking me. I just want you all to know that. He's not in it for the money…you can pass that along to Dad if he's still…around…somewhere. But nothing he has to say will change my mind, so there's no point in going there, really." Nick said, and he was stern with his words now…not the easy going man that stood before them five minutes prior.

"Boys…" she began, but paused, thinking her words through. "I trust that you'll keep this between us, and I think it's important for you to know. Now may not be the ideal time, but…well, it's going to have to be. The reason we came early…instead of this weekend for shopping, as we'd planned…is because I want to speak to you, Nicholas, about your father. He's been gone for some time, and he does, occasionally contact me to check on you…on all of his children. He stays on the line briefly, and I can only assume he believes the phones to be tapped as he never discusses anything in particular…just asks about the six of you, about me, and then hangs up. He sounds well, but I have not seen him in quite some time, and I don't have any idea where he is or where he calls from. That being said, on his most recent phone call I took the opportunity to advise him that I've made some legal arrangements. I've retained a divorce attorney, Nicholas. This business with your father…the things he's done…the things I've found out…there are just too many things I can't bear. I won't live with a man with such loose scruples, who has shown that he's a tyrant and a man of disgraceful character too often….I can't do it, Nicholas. I won't…not when I have all of you to worry about," she finished quietly.

"Mom…" Nick said just as quietly and sat down next to her. It was clear to him that Bailey already knew, and she sat stoically on the chair next to her mother on the other side. Jeff felt like an apple in an orange crate, and all he wanted to do was get up and flee the room. This didn't feel like his business, but then again, it was, wasn't it? Now, more than ever. "I'm sorry, Mom, and I feel like this is my fault," Nick said sadly.

"It's not and you know it. He did these things well before the two of you clashed recently. And Jeffrey, don't you get that look. This has nothing to do with you either, so don't look like a kicked puppy. There are things that happened 20 years ago that I'm just finding out about. I can't change it, but I can alter my association with him and put my foot down. I don't intend to be part of the game anymore, and this mess he put you and Jeffrey through was just the icing on the cake. My children are my biggest joy, and I will not allow him to bully you and treat you disrespectfully while I'm living. Jeffrey is a good man with a beautiful heart, from what I've seen, and I trust your judgment, Nicholas. If you love him, then we will all love him. He's a part of you now, and that's just fine." She smiled widely. "So when's the big day?" she said, taking a deep breath, as if to cleanse herself of that topic of conversation.

"Yeah, about that…I was hoping you'd stay for a bit. Are you free on Saturday?" Nick asked, and Meredith's eyes went wide. She knew good and well that they'd planned Jeff's surprise party for Saturday evening. What to say?

"I…I think we can manage that. Wow…Saturday…ok. I need a dress, Oh Lord! Have you called your brothers? They should really be here, Nicholas! Can we swing staying through the weekend, Bay?" she smiled.

"I can manage to keep myself busy for a while, for sure. I need new clothes anyway, and there's plenty of time to shop now!" she grinned.

"I wasn't going to comment, but you've lost a ton of weight, Bay. What's up with that, skinny? Are you ok?" Nick asked, trying not to sound judgmental at all. She looked to have lost a bit of her muscle tone as well as some of the baby fat she had always had trouble losing. Meredith reached over to her daughter and clasped her hand. Bailey dropped her eyes to the floor. "Bay?"

"Bailey was having a rather hard time with your father's disgraceful actions, and subsequent disappearance, Nicholas. She dealt with some issues at school because of it…hateful girls with too much money and free time. Her dietary habits slipped and she wasn't eating nearly enough, or working out as she normally would. Relationship woes didn't help, either, but they've patched things up, I think," Meredith said, giving Bailey a quick smile, "and all is well. I don't think she looks unhealthy, but she certainly doesn't look the same, does she?"

"Mooooommmm…" Bailey whined. "I'm glad I lost some of the weight. I was starting to feel chunky, and it was affecting my gymnastics. Nobody needs to worry, I'm just fine! In fact, now that we'll be here for a while, I think I might just get my hair done…maybe colored. I'm ready to focus on looking healthy again…and maybe looking blonder, too." She grinned. "They say blondes have more fun anyway…isn't that right Jeff?"

"I…um…yes?" he said, grinning uncertainly.

"Well, I don't know about Jeff, but I know I certainly have more fun with THIS blonde." Nick smiled, leaning in to peck Jeff on the cheek. "Ok, so Jeff, today we need to get a hold of your mom and Gram and make sure we can get them here this weekend, right? If nobody's using the plane, I'll have Thomas pick them up if that's ok?" Jeff just nodded, still not even remotely used to the things Nick had access to.

"Lemme go grab my phone." Jeff said, and got up to head into the bathroom where he'd left it after texting Blaine.

"You!" Nick said sternly, while looking at his sister. "You and I will talk later. All this time and you said nothing of this to me, Bailey. Nothing." He said, shaking his head, and hurt by it more than he could say.

"Yes, Mr. Duval, that's what I said…it appears to be a silver colored band around his left hand, ring finger."

"You're sure?! And Sterling….he has one, too?"

"No, Sir, not yet."

"NOT YET?! Not ever! Keep an eye on things until I arrive. I have arrangements to make before I can pick up and leave here. I'm counting on you to be my eyes and ears until I get there, understood?"

"Absolutely, Mr. Duval. You can count on me."

A/N Well, you didn't think he'd stay gone forever, now did you? Sigh...jerk. Always sticking his nose in to ruin things.

As always, thanks to Suzanne for reading this one 2 or 3 times now because I wasn't happy with the original and kept making changes! Such is life :(

Not finding a whole heck of a lot out there to read these days...what are you guys currently reading? Help a girl out, will ya? :) Wishing you all a great week...sorry for the delay in posting. More to come!