Crowded House

by kellyb321

All of your favorite Warblers and a few new faces, too. Follow our boys as they start their lives in NYC, each couple facing their own challenges, heartbreak, self-discovery and redemption. Stick around as they realize support, acceptance and most importantly, true love can all be found in one big Crowded House. Heavy on the Klaine and Niff.

113. Chapter 113

Note: I'm not an attorney. I don't know much about the law in this case, except what I was able to find online, and much of that is state specific, so bear with me and don't be too harsh if I've gotten it wrong, please? Other than that...go read! :D

Ch 112

"Sweetheart…" Jeff said quietly, his cheek pressed against the door. "Nicky, please…" he pleaded, eyes closed as he rolled his head so that his forehead was now pressed to the wood.

"Let me?" Meredith asked, her hand on Jeff's shoulder. His shoulders drooped and he let out a deep sigh.

"He won't speak to me," Jeff whispered, eyes a little glassy.

"I know…but you knew this was a possibility, Jeffrey. We spoke about it at lunch. I told you he'd be upset – oh. No, honey, I'm not saying 'I told you so'…I promise," she said, wrapping her arms around him with a comforting squeeze. "I…I won't say that I think you did the right thing. I don't think it was the wrong thing, either. But please just try to see things from his point of view—"

"Oh, believe me, I have tried to look at this from every angle imaginable. I know he's angry, but he can't stay mad at me forever. Well…I suppose he could, but it wouldn't serve much purpose. I'll just give him some time," Jeff said quietly, then walked away with his head hung low.

"Any luck?" Bailey asked as Jeff walked back toward the living room. He just shook his head 'no' and flopped into a chair in the tiny seating area near the floor to ceiling windows, further away from everyone who'd come home with them, just waiting for an explanation. They'd been home from the courthouse for hours now, Nick having left immediately after the chaos in the courtroom died down, before the ruling, before all the paperwork had been signed, sealed and delivered…before Nick's dad had given him 'the look' and left him with the knowledge that, apparently, he might, indeed, have to make one more visit to David Duval.

The judge had nearly broken his gavel, yelling 'ORDER!' over and over again and banging the gavel until Jeff's head pounded with it.

"Mr. Sterling-Duval, surely you understand the gravity of this situation…." The judge had begun.

"I certainly do, Your Honor. Please believe me when I say that I have not been coerced in any way. I have made this decision on my own, based on my own feelings and experiences since…since my unfortunate run-in with…" Jeff paused, not wanting to outright name David Duval as his attacker. "…since my run in with…um…the Mercedes…on that horrible night in Flatbush," Jeff explained.

"Mr. Sterling-Duval…this is very unorthodox. I believe I would like a few moments of your time in my chambers, if I may?"

"Certainly, sir." Jeff and Paul, his attorney, got up to approach the judge, as did Nick, surprisingly, when the judge gave them all a slight shake of the head.

"Mr. Jeffrey Sterling-Duval…and counsel, if you will," he said sternly.

The bailiff led Jeff toward the Judge's chamber door while the spectators continued to gape at him as if he'd lost his mind.

"Mr Ster—"

"Jeff's fine, sir," he said as the bailiff closed the door. "All the rest…it's a mouthful. I don't stand on ceremony, much," Jeff grinned almost painfully.

"Your honor-" Caesar Fontaine began, but was cut off by a stern look from the judge.

"I would like to hear what Mr…Jeff has to say. You are here," he nodded to both attorneys, "because you have to be. If I had my way I'd be speaking with Jeff alone, so please…" the Judge said, and staid them both with a raised hand.

"I know you think I've lost my mind or that maybe I'm being threatened or blackmailed. I want to assure you that none of those things are true - Sir," Jeff added, still shaky from the announcement.

"Be that as it may, Jeff, I have to make sure you understand the seriousness of what you're doing here. And, as much as I want to know the whole story, it's not advisable for you to speak of anything decisively relevant to the trial while we're in my chambers. I truly just want to know that you've made this decision on your own and that you won't regret it in a week when you're in your right mind…or perhaps if Mr. Duval isn't…indisposed –" he paused, huffing from frustration at not knowing how to phrase what he wanted to say versus what he was able to say. It was no secret that David Duval was also on trial for all of the business shenanigans and would stand trial for that as well in the coming weeks. "…and maybe you feel…less safe...in the future?"

"Sir, I can assure you that I have made this decision based solely on my own conscience and deep consideration. Please understand that I'm the reason we're here. What happened…" Jeff began, but remembered the judge's request not to go into detail. "What happened…it was all done to me. I have spoken to Mr. Duval numerous times since that night. I have visited with him in prison…well, pretty much on a regular basis since just after Halloween. I have had many conversations with him, and I honestly believe I've come to understand him in a way that I didn't before all of this happened. Consequently, I believe Mr. Duval has come to understand me as well…and we may have even come to some sort of…mutual reckoning…of one another. Terrible things happened that night, sir, but now I know why, and I understand…why. I really can't ask anyone else to understand, and I sincerely doubt that any of them will, but I stand by my decision, and I hope we can work this out…even if only to avoid any further expense to the tax-payers," Jeff shrugged.

The judge stared at him for a long time and Jeff was beginning to feel unnerved.

"Very well. But, I want you to know, Jeff, that I don't tolerate any nonsense in my courtroom, and I don't want to see you back here in a month or a year asking, again, for us to try this case, telling me you've changed your mind. I hope you've thought this through completely, as it's a huge decision."

"I have, Your Honor. I've been advised by my counsel over and over again, believe me," Jeff said, glancing uneasily at Paul. "He didn't make this easy on me…" Jeff trailed off, thinking of the many meetings with his attorney that ended in frustration. Paul had wanted to bring Nick in on the decision, but Jeff staunchly refused.

"Let's head back, then," he said, his arm outstretched to lead the men toward the door.

"Thank you, sir. Thank you for taking the time to listen to me. I only hope my family and friends will do the same."

"So do I, son. So do I. Best of luck to you…"

Jeff grinned at 'son', at what he pretty much considered a term of endearment, mostly because that's what Kurt's dad always called him. He wondered how the ever-level-headed Burt Hummel would take the news, knowing how angry he'd been at Jackson Hardy for what he'd done to Kurt. Well…it was time to find out how everyone would receive him…except Nick, apparently. When Jeff re-entered the courtroom, Nick was nowhere to be found.

"I'm sorry…" Meredith had mouthed to Jeff as he walked back toward Nick's family and their friends sitting behind the attorney's table. She glanced back at the doors, shrugged, shook her head slowly and she could see that he knew things were bad. He looked over toward Nick's dad and they locked eyes. David seemed to be staring straight through him, asking "what have you got up your sleeve, Jeffrey?" His expression never wavered, though. He was the picture of calm acceptance.

Of course, there were court documents to be signed and filed and witnessed and all that craziness but Jeff simply wanted to go home…and he sincerely hoped his husband was there when he arrived. It had already been one hell of a day and it wasn't even noon yet.

"Do you want to talk to them?" Bailey asked quietly, her eyes going to the doorway where her family, Blaine and Kurt waited in the other room.

"I want to do this one time, Bay. When he comes out, we'll all discuss it. Not until then, please. I can't rehash it all several times. Not today. I don't have it in me. I've been shot at, tackled, gaped at, lectured, told that I'm out of my mind and insane, abandoned by my husband and damn it, I'm hungry and tired and I have a pounding headache…" he trailed off with a long sigh, shaking his head. Bailey sat down on the floor at his feet and laid her head on his knee, one arm around his calf as she watched a tear roll down his cheek from his closed eyes.

"Honey, you don't have to say anything at all to anyone. You don't owe my brothers anything, and apparently Mom already knew. If you want everyone to go, just say the word."

"No…Nick deserves an explanation. You all do, and I'm happy to give it…just not several times. When the questions start flying – and they will – I want to be sure I don't have to say the same thing 20 times for different people.

"Ok. That's…ok. I'm going to go get you something to eat, and then I want you to take something for your headache and maybe lay down, ok? Please?" Jeff just nodded, eyes still closed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Bay?"

"Yeah?" she asked, turning back toward Jeff, head tilted.

"Of all the people involved in this, you could hold it against me more than anyone…and you haven't. Thank you for that. I needed your support more than you know, and I'm grateful."

"I think you know why," she said, offering him a sad smile. He merely nodded, confirming his own suspicions. Despite it all, she missed her father and time did, indeed, heal all wounds. Perhaps she hadn't totally forgiven David, but she and Jeff had had many chats after he'd visited her father, and she now knew that he had no idea she was the one with Jeff that evening, as well as how devastated he was to find out the truth of what he'd done to his own daughter.

"I suspected. Anyway…thank you."

"Any time, blondie. I'll be right back."

---

"No, I'm not even kidding…it was absolutely intense. It's on the news?" Blaine tried to whisper into his phone, his eyes wide. Kurt sat on the sofa, a side table between them as Blaine talked to Sebastian on the phone.

"Yep, blondie and sugar daddy, sitting on the courthouse steps with a boatload of security everywhere, cops, flashing lights, ambulances, reporters. Shit, B, did he say why?" Sebastian asked sounding mildly harassed. "I mean…are we sure he's not being threatened or something?"

"He says he's not and he has his reasons, which he won't divulge until Nick comes out to talk to everyone. Nick's been holed up in their bedroom, refusing to talk to him, since he stormed out of the courtroom this morning when Jeff was called into the judge's chambers. I wanted to go after him, but one of his brothers was on the end of the aisle and beat me to it."

"I'm dying to know what possessed him to pull this little stunt. I mean…damn…the guy tried to kill him, Blaine, and he almost succeeded!" Sebastian ranted, his voice getting higher as he went on. "Look at me telling you this like you weren't there and you don't know. I'm just flabbergasted, man. Seriously. Hunter's gonna bust a vein when he hears this."

"I swear I'd think Nick's dad was threatening him, but if you could have seen the look on David Duval's face when Jeff's attorney said he wanted to drop the charges…well, he was just as shocked and thoroughly confused as the rest of us. For a split second he let his guard down and you could see that he was completely perplexed…and then the mask was back. He's a cool one, Nick's dad. Kinda creepy, really," Blaine whispered into the phone. "After all that's happened, it's the first time I've ever seen the man in person. I'm ok with it being the last time, too."

"Is our boy ok, though, Blaine? I mean…you guys have been with him all day and he's ok, right? He might be crazy, but I kinda like him, ya know? I don't want to see him uptight and suffering with all of this. I think he's gone through enough of that already."

"We've been here all day, and I'll be here all night with him if I have to. In fact, if Nick doesn't come out of that room very soon I'm going to haul Jeff home with Kurt and me and we'll just keep an eye on him at our place. Something's gotta give, though."

"Give 'em time. They'll talk it out and make it work. They're strong…like you and Hummel. It'll all work out. You tell him I'm thinkin' of him, ok? And if you guys need anything, you call. I'll be around."

"Will do, Seb, and thanks. We all appreciate it. See you at home," Blaine said, then disconnected the call. Kurt had heard most of it and just shook his head sadly.

"Do you think we should go? Maybe they just need family time?" he asked.

"You guys are my family, so shut up," Jeff said behind him, starling them both. He plopped down on the sofa, legs extended, and put his head on Kurt's lap. "I have a headache, Kurtie. Do the thing…" he said, wiggling his fingers like he was grabbing something.

Kurt scratched and massaged Jeff's head for a few minutes until he felt him go limp and relax a bit, then switched to his other hand to rub circles in Jeff's back. He was so obviously tense and Kurt felt awful for him.

"You know…if you want to talk…" Kurt began.

"I know. Believe me, I know. You guys are always there for me, and I appreciate it. And I appreciate that you didn't yell or blow up at me. Maybe that's still to come, but thanks for not losing it on me in the courtroom. I think I've had enough of that for a lifetime. I suppose I deserve it –"

"You don't deserve anything except a chance to explain why you did it…if you want to. And if you don't, then you don't…although I have to say, the curiosity might kill me until I resort to nefarious deeds to get it out of you," Blaine smirked. Jeff, eyes closed and looking somewhat more relaxed, grinned and shook his head.

"He's been in there for hours. Do you think he'll come out tonight? I might be sleeping on the floor…" Jeff said quietly. "Everyone's staying here. Every bed is accounted for, and the sofa, too."

"If that's the case, then you'll come home with us. We have room, and maybe some distance would do you both some good. He can come out of the room without being bombarded by all of this and you can have a minute's peace away from it all as well. In fact…you wanna head out?" Blaine asked, checking his watch. "It's almost nine o'clock, Jeffie."

Jeff sat up enough to cast a longing glance down the hall at the bedroom door. Nick's mother was in the kitchen wrapping up the leftover sandwiches they'd had delivered for dinner. Bailey had gone upstairs an hour ago and Nick's brothers were scattered about the apartment, for the most part, not speaking to him. He nodded and got up, making a frustrated face when he realized he couldn't even go into his bedroom to pack an overnight bag.

"You can borrow anything you need. Between the two of us, Hunter and Seb, I'm sure we can accommodate," Blaine grinned. "He'll come around, man. He loves you…he's just…" Blaine shrugged.

"Yeah…" Jeff trailed off. "Meredith," he said, approaching her in the kitchen. "I'm uh…I'm gonna go home with Kurt and Blaine tonight. He clearly doesn't want to see me and I'm not so sure anyone else here does either…well, except you and Bailey. But all of the beds are spoken for and –"

"Jeffrey! This is your home! You certainly don't have to leave it. Kick one of those boys to a sofa and take the bed!" Meredith exclaimed. Jeff grinned and leaned into hug her.

"Any other time, I might. But not tonight. Tonight, we need some distance, I think. And it's ok. I'm not running…not like last time, I promise. But it's his home—"

"And it's your home, Jeffrey!"

"I know…but…he should be able to meander around it if he wants to without fear of running into me and having to have conversations he's not ready for. I get it, and it's ok. I'll just hang out with the guys for a little bit until he's ready for me to come home. You have my number, ok? Love you…" Jeff said, hugging her again.

"I love you, too, sweet boy. And so does Nicholas. He's just…" she paused and shrugged with a long sigh.

"I know…I know," Jeff said sadly. "I'll see you soon. Tell him I love him and I'll be with these guys, ok?"

"If he ever opens the blasted door, I'll do that," she said, rolling her eyes. "Be safe, love."

"I will," Jeff said, then winked at her as he walked toward the door. "And tell Bay I said goodnight?"

"Of course. Good night, boys," she said as the three of them got on the elevator. They all waved with sad smiles and headed back out into the night.

---

Jeff: We agreed, after last time, that we wouldn't go to bed angry. Well, I'm not angry, and I want to remind you that I love you…so much. I'm not sorry for what went down today, but I need the chance to explain. I know you need a little bit of time, and that's ok. I get it. But I made you a promise, that I'd never go to bed without telling you I love you…and I do, Nicky. So much. Goodnight.

Nick: Ditto

With his heart a little less heavy, Jeff pulled the sheet up over his legs, which were clad in pajama pants borrowed from Kurt, and smiled sadly at his phone. "I love you, you dumb, hard-headed man…and I'll see you soon."

---

"She's finally asleep?" Cooper whispered, coming into the living room to sit beside Maggie on the sofa. He slipped his arm around her and leaned over to kiss her cheek.

"Mmmm…belly's full and she's happy. Mommy's exhausted, though. I'm afraid if I lay her down she's going to wake up and carry on…she'll wake the whole house and I don't want that…" she trailed off with a yawn.

"Go to bed, sweetheart. I'll rock her for a few more minutes and then try to get her to sleep in the crib. Come to Daddy, little sweetpea…"

Maggie stood and carefully placed little Sophia in Cooper's arms, then watched him as he looked down at the baby with such love in his eyes. Her heart was so full, and he was the reason. She was a little sad, though, because she'd told Kurt she'd start work at the Loft and that would mean leaving Sophia with Ms. Helen. Of course, she'd care for the baby as she would her own grandchild, but Maggie had gotten used to being home every day with the kids.

"I'm so unbelievably excited to start something new, Coop…but I don't know how I'm going to function when I go back to work," she yawned again, whispering softly so as not to wake anyone. It was 4 am, after all.

"We'll work something out. We'll take turns or…well, we'll do whatever we need to do," he grinned, then looked at the baby again. "I love her so much," he said softly.

"Well, I'm glad. She's here for another 18 years, at least, so I'm glad you like her," Maggie teased. "Besides, I don't have a receipt. I can't take her back. We're stuck with her."

"Smart ass!" he grinned. "You sure make beautiful babies, Maggie Anderson.

"Yeah, well, I had a little help," she answered with a flirty wink. "You were there, remember?"

"I do, how could I forget? We were—" Cooper began, but paused when he heard a noise. Thinking it was coming from the kids' rooms, he looked down the hallway, but Maggie moved toward the door. Peering through the peephole, she waited a few seconds, then let out a sigh and shook her head, grinning all the while.

---

"Blaine? Sweetheart? Hey…wake up. I need you," Kurt whispered, leaning in to kiss Blaine's cheek, then his eye, then his forehead.

"Mmmmm…always need you…" Blaine mumbled, eyes closed, but a grin spread across his face and he rolled onto his back, tugging Kurt down without warning so that his body weight was pressing Blaine into the mattress.

"You lunatic…wake up. Go get your friend and wake him up. He's…well, I don't know what he's doing and I'm not opening the door to see, but he's awfully noisy about it," Kurt said with a bright blush.

"Wait…what?" Blaine asked as he finally comprehended Kurt's words and opened his eyes.

"You lived with him, and you're closer to him…" Kurt trailed off, unable to look Blaine in the eyes now. "I mean, I thought that would be a quick thing and then he'd stop, but…he's um…still at it and he's clearly not even trying to be quiet," Kurt hurried out, obviously embarrassed.

"What do you mean? What's he doing?" Blaine asked, sitting up now and reaching for his sweats that Kurt tossed to him.

"I don't know!" Kurt hissed. "Did he…um…when you guys were rooming together, did he…do things…in his sleep or something?"

"Kurt…you know guys…do that. It's just a normal, morning thing. Just let it run it's course?"

"Yes, well, it's been running its course for the better part of an hour while I was trying to get some work done in the office and I was getting a bit uncomfortable in my own skin!" he hissed again.

"Oh my God, fine!" Blaine laughed, and then sauntered out into the hallway. "I'll go traumatize my best friend so that you don't have to hear him getting—"

"SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Kurt hissed at him again. "Just…bang on the door and wake him up or something, you brat!"

Blaine headed down the hallway, turning to roll his eyes at a freshly showered and dressed Kurt in the kitchen, and bellowed at Jeff's closed door before reaching to open it.

"Jeff, you're traumatizing my future husband. Wake up, you - WHOA, ok, NOT what I expected to find, shit, sorry…I'm leaving," he said, shutting the door quickly and firmly. He thumped his forehead against the wood casing around the door, then did it again and again before turning to a very curious Kurt with wide eyes, full of chagrin.

Blaine backed away from the door quickly, a blush taking over his own cheeks now as Kurt raised an eyebrow in the kitchen.

"VOYEUR!" Jeff yelled from the bedroom, and then followed it up with a sultry groan and "Oh, God, yes, Nicky…"

"Nicky?" Kurt mouthed at Blaine, eyes wide. Blaine just shrugged. "So…they worked things out?"

"I figured you let him in? I know I didn't," Blaine said quietly as he trudged over to the refrigerator for the orange juice.

"How did he get in here, then? Well, of course, Jeff could have let him in, I guess."

"Please…please…" Nick moaned as the headboard repeatedly tapped against the wall.

"I love you, but I'm leaving. I'm walking around half hard in my damn pants already. This is out of control. Call me later, I love you, make him wash the sheets, have a fantastic day, and I love you," Kurt said all in one breath, gathering his belongings.

"You said that already—but I don't mind because I love hearing it," Blaine grinned and leaned into the kiss Kurt was offering.

"What's on your agenda for the day?" Kurt asked as he picked up his bag and stuffed his packed lunch inside. He resisted the urge to stick his fingers in his ears.

"Unsure. I thought I'd be in court with those guys today. 'll text you when I figure it out? I have dinner planned, so…don't be late?" Blaine looked hopeful.

"Can't wait. Love you!" Kurt called, then skipped down the steps and out the door.

"Love you more!"

Blaine took a shower and got dressed, brushed his teeth and sauntered back into the kitchen to find Nick and Jeff at the counter, both in their underwear, eating toast and drinking coffee.

"Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in," Blaine teased Nick. "Or, rather, what Jeff dragged in, I guess," he winked, filling his own coffee cup.

"I didn't let him in. I thought you let him in?" Jeff replied. Blaine shook his head no. "Kurt?" Blaine said no again. Nick just grinned.

"Actually, Maggie let me in. She was the only one awake at 4 am when I got here and she felt sorry for me. I had my phone out and I was going to call one of you to open the door," Nick explained.

"Remind me to thank her for saving me from the 4 am booty call - OW! Dude!?" Blaine exclaimed, rubbing his arm where Jeff had whacked him.

"You can't booty call your own husband," Jeff laughed.

"Oh, you clearly were just booty called…"

"You shut it," Jeff grinned, rolling his eyes.

"I couldn't sleep in our bed alone. When he was in the hospital I made myself a promise that I wouldn't sleep without him another night if I could help it in any way. If he'd been home that night…" Nick began, but paused, taking a deep breath and letting his eyes fall closed. Jeff reached out for his hand across the island and squeezed with a sad smile.

"We're good now, babe. You and me…we're whole again. Don't get all upset on me," Jeff grinned.

"I'm gonna head out. I'm sure my Mom is wondering where I am. I didn't exactly wake her up to tell her I was heading over here. Come home with me?" Nick asked shyly, then picked up Jeff's hand to kiss each finger. Jeff rolled his eyes and smiled at his husband.

"Yeah…let me get my clothes on and throw the sheets in the washing machine," he smirked, sticking his tongue out at Blaine.

"You coming over?" Nick asked Blaine as Jeff walked away. Blaine shrugged.

"I'm sure he'll tell me what's what when he wants to if you want this to be family only—"

"You ARE my family," Jeff yelled from the bedroom. "How many times do I have to say it?"

"The boy can hear a pin drop a mile away, but when I call him from the bathroom because I'm out of toilet paper he says he didn't hear me," Nick shook his head.

"I just like to watch you suffer!" Jeff yelled, laughing.

"My loving husband, ladies and gentlemen…"

"You guys are crazy. I'll head over with you if you don't mind. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to know why things went down the way they did."

"He really didn't tell you he was going to do that?" Nick asked quietly. Blaine shook his head no.

"Come over, B. You might be the only one on my side and I don't wanna be ganged up on by Nick's brothers," Jeff yelled, then reappeared in the doorway with a big ball of wadded up sheets.

"The whole room smells like fantastic sex. Sorry, not sorry," Jeff laughed, dodging Blaine as he reached out to whack Jeff in the butt as he passed.

"Open a damn window!" Blaine harassed them, shaking his head with an exaggerated eye roll.

---

Kurt had made sure to e-vite everyone from the loft to their Independence Day bbq, and most of the staff had said they'd love to attend. He hadn't spoken to Naomi yet to get a yes or no, though, and he wanted to corner her before their day got started to get her recipe for pasta salad so he could make it that weekend. Unless, of course, she decided to come to the party and offered to bring it. He grinned, knowing Blaine would accuse him of making too much food, but he knew how picky people were, and he always wanted to be sure there was something for everyone.

"Is Naomi in yet?" he asked as he sauntered through the loft doors, noting her empty desk chair. These days she almost always beat Kurt to the office. He was working a lot more from home, and it suited him and everyone else just fine.

"She is. She's in David's office, actually," Megan answered him, shooting a look at David's closed door, then at Tori, who sat in the space next to her. They shared a concerned look that Kurt didn't miss, but didn't comment on, either. If there was something going on, he'd find out later. "I'm bringing cookies to the party," Megan called as Kurt dropped his bag inside his office door.

"Sounds yummy," he grinned. "Thanks for offering. I appreciate it. One less thing I have to whip up. Blaine thanks you, and so does my kitchen!"

"I'm bringing an appetizer, but I haven't decided which one, yet. I was thinking either a cheeseball and crackers or maybe a taco dip—"

"TACO DIP!" Kurt and Megan both chimed in at the same time, then laughed.

"Taco dip it is, then," Tori laughed with them.

David's door opened and an obviously stressed Naomi walked out, giving Kurt a small smile as she did so. Kurt looked in the door from where he was standing and saw David typing away on his laptop as if nothing was wrong, so he hoped nothing too important was happening. Surely, he'd have been let in on things if it was something earth-shattering, right? David wouldn't let someone go without consulting him, would he? And to the best of his knowledge, Naomi had been a great asset to them since day one. She was always on time, willing to do whatever they asked of her, and she was talented and smart, too. The only time he could even recall her calling in was a handful of months back when she had the flu. He'd felt awful for her. It seemed to hang on forever and she'd looked too thin and almost sickly for a good while… but she was back on her feet, and had actually filled out a bit since then, looking healthy and well now, so no harm done…right? No, surely David wouldn't…but then…what if Naomi wanted to go? Oh…well, Kurt didn't like that thought one bit. He certainly hoped he was overreacting.

Kurt looked up to find Naomi watching him.

"You ok?" he mouthed to her, his head tilted a bit in question. She forced a smile and nodded, which didn't leave Kurt feeling any better. Then he mouthed "I'm here if you want to talk, ok?" and she nodded back with a more genuine smile.

"What can I bring this weekend, Kurt?" she finally said out loud, as if nothing had happened.

"Funny you should ask. I was hoping to get your recipe for pasta salad…unless, of course, you'd be willing to bring it…and then give me the recipe anyway?" he asked, giving her a cheesy, too-wide smile.

"Of course! It's easy to whip up, and I'll write the recipe down for you, too. I can't believe you're throwing a party with everything else you have going on – your wedding, Jeff's trial, all of the Hummel Crib designs going into production. You're an overachiever, Kurt Hummel," she laughed, throwing a wadded up ball of paper at him.

"Hey! No warfare in the office!" he groused, whipping the ball back at her. "Almost everything for the wedding is set; we have the venue, the music, the photographer, the florist and the cake. The caterer is calling me back today or tomorrow to finalize things, and we're all set with the suits – I mean, I've measured Blaine and I've already started my own," he winked at her. She rolled her eyes and chuckled at him. "Jeff's trial is…well, for all intents and purposes, it's over—"

"What? How is it over? Didn't it just start yesterday? I thought they'd have a laundry list of people testifying and all that," Tori commented.

"Funny story…" Kurt said, and proceeded to inform them of the previous day's happenings. The girls were all agog, and David had even stuck his head out to hear what was going on with Jeff.

"Surely you're joking!?" he asked, flabbergasted.

"Nope. I'm not even sure what made him change his mind. We didn't get the whole story yesterday, despite spending the day with everyone. Nick didn't take things so well and holed up in the apartment, refusing to discuss it. Jeff stayed at our place last night, and it seems the two of them have made peace with things, if their romp in my guest room was anything to go by," Kurt smirked. "But…I don't have the whole story yet," Kurt shrugged. "In time…"

"That's…well, it's certainly a 'Jeff thing to do', though, isn't it?" Megan asked with a dreamy smile. "He has the kindest heart of anyone I know."

"You're just saying that because he's hot and you had a crush," Tori teased her. All wide eyes went Megan's way and she turned 18 shades of red.

"Omg, I can't believe you said that!" she laughed, still blushing.

"Are you saying it's not true?"

"I…ok, no, but…omg…" she babbled, and everyone laughed as she hid behind her hands, laughing along with everyone else.

"I won't tell," Kurt offered, pulling himself together. "And I can't blame you. Jeff's an amazing guy. Anyone would be quite lucky to have him…and Nick is the luckiest of all, I suppose."

"Oh yeah he is…" Tori threw out with a wink to Megan, who let her head thunk on to her desk with another "oh my God, STOP…"

"Ok, ok, you gossipy old women…back to work!" David barked, laughing all the while as he retreated to his office.

"When does your friend Maggie start, Kurt?" Tori asked, typing away at her desk.

"Monday…and I think she's going to need all of us to be patient. She's new to this line of work, even if she's amazing with a needle and thread. But being away from the baby will be hard on her, so…" Kurt turned back to the girls, only to see Naomi slipping into the break room, all eyes following her.

---

"Where are you?"

"Squished in the back of Nick's car like a sardine," Blaine answered, rolling his eyes. "I said I'd just take a cab and they said that was insane, so here I am, feeling like one of those snakes in the can that you open and it flies out…Oh, very funny, Kurt. Hilarious. Laugh it up…all of ya!"

Kurt couldn't stop snickering, the mental picture of Blaine in the tiny space behind Nick's seats was just too much for him. "Put me on speaker, goof. I need to ask your opinion and it wouldn't hurt to get Jeff's as well since he knows her."

"Knows who?" Jeff asked, only catching the last part of the conversation.

"Naomi," Kurt whispered. "I think…I think I may have hurt her feelings. I think she may feel intimidated by Maggie starting work here next week. She was in David's office this morning when I got here and from what I could tell, she was rather anxious when she came out of the office. Then later when Tori asked me when Maggie was starting, Naomi got up mid-conversation and walked away. The girls seem to think something's up, but neither David nor Naomi have said anything to me. Did I go about all of this the wrong way by asking David to take on Maggie while Naomi is trying to spread her own wings with the company? What do I do!?" Kurt stage whispered, hiding out in the hallway. He had a standard open-door policy most of the time, and if his door was closed, they'd surely think something was up. The hallway near the elevator seemed a much better option. He hadn't counted on the way it echoed out there, thus the whispering.

"Kurt, I think maybe you should just ask David what's going on. It's not as if you're some intern. You're an integral part of the company and he probably won't hesitate to fill you in if you ask," Blaine offered.

"Which begs the question, then…why hasn't he just told me what's going on? Obviously, something is going on."

"Maybe it's something personal? Is Naomi still seeing that guy…what's his name…Ryan?" Jeff asked.

"You know…come to think of it, she hasn't mentioned him lately, and she didn't ask if he could come with her to the party this weekend. I wonder if they broke up? That would be a shame…they seemed to really hit it off. But, if she was unhappy, it's for the best. How does one tactfully ask that, though? Maybe I shouldn't…"

"I wouldn't outright ask, Kurt. If it ended badly, she might freak out and start crying on you, and I know how you get when females cry on you," Blaine chuckled.

"You stuff it, Anderson. I'm emotional and sympathetic. I can't help it if I cry when other people cry!" Kurt hissed, eyes wide and wishing he could flick Blaine in the neck. "I hope your legs fall asleep and you fall out of the car in the parking garage!"

"Mean…"

"Deserved…"

"Seriously, though, Kurt…" Jeff began, cutting off the bickering. "Ask David if everything is ok and if there is anything you can do to help if it's not. I'm sure he'll tell you if it's something to do with the company, right? He's a pretty straightforward kinda guy."

"You're right. I'll just ask him. So where are you guys off to?" Kurt asked.

"Back to Niff Manor to…well, so that Jeff can explain himself to everyone. Wish us luck?"

"Always, love. I'll be thinking of you. Good luck, Jeff. I hope they've all had some time to come to terms with everything that happened yesterday. I'll see you guys soon…oh, and Nick, for God's sake, shut up. You haven't stopped talking this whole time!" Kurt teased, since Nick hadn't said a word. He was lost in his own thoughts.

"I'll try to reign in my flapping gums, Kurtie. Have a good day," Nick grinned.

"What did we say about the nickname!?" Kurt squealed. "Jeff! We discussed this, in depth. Get a hold on your hubby…" Kurt sighed dramatically. All of them snickered and Kurt just rolled his eyes.

"Call me later, baby?" Blaine asked.

"Always. Love you."

"Love you, too, sweetheart—"

"We love you, too, Kurtie!" Nick and Jeff both laughed.

"Weirdos!" Kurt bellowed, making everyone in the office look at him through the glass doors. He just rolled his eyes again and disconnected the call, walking back into the office. Yes, he would probably just have to eventually come right out and ask David if anything was wrong.

---

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm glad you're home," Meredith said in Jeff's ear as she hugged him in the foyer.

"I'm glad someone's happy to see me," he mumbled back, staring over her shoulder at Nick's brothers, every one of them staring at him as if he'd backed over their dog in the driveway.

"Don't you worry about them, Jeffrey. They'll come around. Now come on in. Let me get you something to drink. Iced tea? Lemonade? A double shot of whiskey?" she grinned, eyes sparkling with mirth.

"Very funny…" he chuckled. "Iced tea please…and thank you."

"So, let's not beat around the bush here, Jeff," Steven barked from the long, leather sofa he shared with his brothers. They looked like a jury, every one of their eyes boring into him from where they sat. "Everyone wants to know what the hell you were thinking. I think we've waited long enough to—"

"Don't speak to him like he's the enemy, Steven. DON'T!" Nick growled as Steven surged to his feet. "You are in OUR home and you will speak respectfully to my husband or you may leave…and take anyone who shares your rudeness with you. Now, Jeff has agreed to sit down and discuss with all of us why he chose the path that he chose. I know my husband. I know he is an intelligent man. I know he wouldn't have done something this…significant…without a damn good reason. I hope you'll all muster up the manners that our mother instilled in us and give Jeff the courtesy of your undivided attention."

The silence was deafening and Jeff stood facing them all, as if facing a firing squad, heart pounding in his chest as he drew in a deep, calming breath.

"I know you're all angry. I think that's evident…but I also think it might be…mildly appropriate… considering the circumstances. But I want to remind you…everything that happened was done to me. He was on trial because of things that were done to me, not you. All of the charges, the arson, the tampering at my mom's house, sending the false email, thus slandering my name and making me lose my job…nearly killing me," Jeff said, breathing a little heavier now. "All of those things were done to me, not to you. And in the end, it was my decision, and mine alone, to drop the charges. Nick didn't know I planned to do it, and Paul tried to talk me out of it more times than I care to remember. But after many months of consideration and many, many discussions with your father, I felt it was the right thing to do."

"You're soft – or scared. You let him talk you into—" Alex blurted.

"He didn't know, Alex," Jeff replied, shaking his head. "I didn't tell David that I planned to do it, and I didn't even let on that it was an option. He went into that courtroom yesterday fully intending to plead guilty and take what was coming to him. It just wasn't something I thought necessary anymore."

"You're going to have to do better than that, I'm sorry, Jeff," Danny added, obviously miffed. "He screwed around with all of us for years and he deserved to pay for that. You, of all people, should know how it feels to have your life jerked around—"

"Oh, believe me, I know how it feels, but that's your battle to fight, not mine. That trial wasn't about me fighting your battles, it was about David paying for the things he did to me…and by default, to Nick. But if you have issues with your dad, I think you need to man up and address them, not foist them off on me," Jeff added, almost angrily. Was that it? Were they angry because dropping the charges left David off the hook and he wouldn't 'pay' for things he'd done to Nick and his brothers in the past? No…Jeff wasn't about all that. "Although I realize he did some pretty insensitive things to you guys, none of you truly lost anything earth-shattering over it. Your lives weren't in danger and you all seem to have come out sparkling in the end. No, don't even act like you're not doing pretty damn well for yourself," Jeff smirked at Alex as he leaned forward to interject. "You're going to have to deal with your own issues with your dad without me in the mix, boys…damn…" Jeff trailed off, disappointed.

"So you just want him to walk free!?" Robby asked, clearly confused and conflicted.

"Just sit down and let him talk!" Nick blurted, wanting to hear what Jeff had to say just as much as everyone else. "Just…please…can we just let him explain. I'm as miffed as you guys are about all of this, but I know he has a good reason, and after everything our dad has done to him, I think we owe him the courtesy of just…hearing him out, okay?" Jeff gave Nick a look of such love and affection that a smile tried to fight its way out.

"You guys…you know that won't happen. He won't avoid doing any time at all. They have so much indisputable, hard evidence on him for the upcoming trial that there's absolutely no way he'll walk. He'll do time, and he'll have time to think about all the things he's done. He'll suffer, but I'm here to tell you that he's already suffering. The past year, for him, has been nothing but time to reflect on the things he's done. You can believe me or not, but I truly believe, from the bottom of my heart, that David Duval has seen the error of his ways," Jeff explained, pleading with them to understand.

"Jeffrey…I don't want to interrupt, but…how can you be certain?" Meredith asked. "I'm just trying to understand. I think we all are, sweetheart."

"He's unhappy with how he handled things…with all of you. He's repentant, gentlemen, I guarantee you that. No, he hasn't said it in so many words. Actually verbally admitting that he's wrong would probably be physically painful for him. But I've been to see him, I've talked to him, at least once a month since he's been locked up, sometimes more often than that. Can any of you say that?" Jeff asked, looking each and every one of them in the eye. He knew, for a fact, that not one of them had visited David while he was locked up. Jeff really wanted to believe that his 'brothers' avoided their dad and were standing as one against David for what he'd done to Jeff and Nick. But he just couldn't allow David Duval to sit there, day after day, and not explain himself to Jeff, even if just in his actions when there were no words. Jeff needed a reason.

"Call it morbid curiosity, call it whatever you want, but when someone wants you dead…well, when you think someone hates you enough to want you dead…it spurs something in you to find out why. I've never been one to sit back and just not give a damn when I know someone doesn't like me. I have to know why. There has to be some sort of justification for it," Jeff half laughed. "It's ok for them not to like me, but give me a damn good reason why. I needed to know why he hated me so much, so I went to talk to him…to find out. I think I found out a lot more than I bargained for…" he finished quietly, eyes unfocused as he recalled many of his conversations with David. "Sometimes you can hear a lot more about what a person's saying by what they don't articulate…if you just listen closely enough."

"I held, in my hands, the power to irrevocably alter a man's life…for many years. Maybe even the rest of his natural life. I don't want that responsibility. It's not my job to be judge, jury and executioner, and I couldn't, in good conscience, make that decision knowing what I know. Yes, the man tried to kill me, but when I spoke with him and really listened to what he had to say, I knew why he did it, and I understood. I heard a man who deeply and dearly loves his son explain to me that he saw his son's new husband, the day after their wedding, getting a little too close to a girl who…well, appeared to be of questionable morals," Jeff blushed, glancing at Bailey, who'd remained silent so far.

"He had pretty much already resigned himself to the fact that Nick and I were in love once I gave the check back. He couldn't fathom anyone turning down that amount of money for anything short of true and abiding love. But, something kept niggling him, apparently, and he kept his eye on me anyway, to make sure that my love for Nick was real. And, well, fate is a bitch, and it brought him to Bailey and I in the wrong place at the wrong time…wearing the wrong outfit," Jeff said, glancing once again at Bailey, who silently stared at the floor. "In his rage and anger, he acted irrationally, as you well know. But…he did it because he thought I was hurting his son. He thought I was going to break Nick's heart, and he couldn't bear it. Does that make it right? No…absolutely not. But it wasn't done out of sheer malice and hatred toward me. I know that, now. And I can't begin to tell you the depths of his sorrow, shame and guilt for what happened to Bailey that night. I have never seen such anguish in a man's eyes in all my life. Those words may never be spoken out loud, but they'll be felt forever. He'll live the rest of his days knowing he could have killed his only daughter because of a hair trigger temper and a rash decision. His guilt over that, alone, is enough…believe me," Jeff finished.

Bailey hiccupped out a sob and Meredith moved to sit beside her on the arm of the chair, arms wound around her daughter as Bailey buried her face in her mother's chest.

"It's my fault…all of it's my fault…" she sobbed. "If I hadn't gone out that night—"

"Bailey, I swear, honey…you and I have already hashed this out. It's nobody's fault. It just happened," Jeff soothed her. "If we're placing blame, then we can keep going back as far as you want. You can blame me for not coming back after I got the ATM receipt. You can blame Nick for putting the money in my account and not telling me. Or…you can blame Blaine for introducing us to begin with. I mean…there's just no reason for it, it won't solve anything and it won't change anything. There are too many 'ifs' for us to haggle about, and none of it will make anything better. Please…honey, please don't cry and for goodness sake, don't blame yourself," Jeff soothed. "Given the chance, I'd do it all over again. I'd come after you every time. I'd come to your rescue in a shitty diner and lecture you on fashion again and again," he grinned. She choked out a half sob, half laugh and merely nodded, face still hidden, and quieted her own sobs. Meredith looked at him as if he'd hung the moon and mouthed 'thank you' at him with such motherly love in her eyes that it made his own eyes well up.

"Blaine," Jeff said out of the blue, glancing at his friend who was clearly all ears now. "Remember when we were juniors and that guy pants'd you in the courtyard at the Crawford Country Day picnic? You were livid…embarrassed and absolutely furious, right?"

"Yeah…" Blaine said, rolling his eyes as he shook his head.

"Do you remember his name?" Jeff asked. Blaine thought about it for a minute, brow furrowed and jaw set before answering.

"Jared? Jeremy? I don't really recall."

"His name was Jonathan. Jonathan Atkinson. You were angry enough that night that you tried to talk me into breaking into his gym locker with you so we could replace his shampoo with hair remover. Do you remember? You wanted to sneak outside and let the air out of all four tires on his car," Jeff chuckled. Again, Blaine rolled his eyes. "But now you can't even remember his name. I'd never seen you so angry before…not before then and not since then…not until…well, until Jax showed up, but…now you can't even remember his name. What's it been? Ten years? Twelve?"

"Ten, probably. It was a long time ago…I'm over it," Blaine said, but his face showed a curiosity that the others held as well. "And what does this have to do with anything?"

"Senior year would you have remembered his name?"

"Probably, yeah. We'd have had classes together, I'm sure. Why?"

"It would have been fresh in your mind, but now…if you met him on the street or…maybe interviewed him for a job…would you hold it against him?"

Blaine thought about it, then shrugged. "Like I said, it was a long time ago. You gotta let things go sometimes, no harm, no foul, right? I'm sure it was a stupid, split second bad decision on his part." And it was as if a light went off over Blaine's head. Jeff turned back to the assembled group.

"You're angry right now. You're eaten up with irritation over things that have happened. They're fresh on your mind, some of you having just found out within the last year that your dad did some things to you that affected your life…things you weren't aware of, right?" They all nodded, but Jeff could tell he was finally getting through. "In ten years how will you feel about all of that? Will it still be in the forefront of your mind? Will you still be as angry as the day you found out? At that point, would it really matter? I mean, if your girlfriend really was in it for love, she'd have stayed, right? He couldn't have driven her away with a check," he said, eyeing the boys. "If getting into that school was so very important to you, you would have questioned it, applied the following year again, tried to transfer. Instead you moved on and never looked back. You graduated, went to work for him and every last one of you is killin' it," Jeff grinned. He knew damn good and well that not one of them was hurting for money, especially since Alex had taken over and restructured everything. The money the business made was now being carefully watched, and Duval Corp. was making money hand over fist…as were the boys.

"I know you're angry, and you have every reason to be. But this…this stuff will be dealt with. The trial will happen. They'll find every trail he left behind in his arrogance. He'll do time, it's inevitable. He'll be in prison…for things he did. He'll be there because of decisions he made. He'll be there and it'll be his own fault. Now call me selfish, but…I'm sorry, Bay…" he whispered, and she looked up at him finally. "When you get married, and you will…and you're walking down that aisle…if he's not there, I don't want that to be my fault. I don't want spite and anger to be a factor. If he's not there because he's in prison, I want it to be all because of his business decisions and his actions…not mine. I don't want you to look back on those beautiful wedding photos in fifteen years with your kids and think 'my daddy wasn't there because he was in prison'…and have that linked to me in any way. I can't do it, Bay, I'm a weak man in that regard…but I can't do that to you. Stephen…when you marry Emma…and we all know it's coming," Jeff chuckled as Stephen turned beet red and grinned, "I don't want that empty spot at the baptism of your first child to be my fault. I don't want anyone thinking "David's not here to witness his own grandchild's christening because he's in prison…' and have that flicker of a glance in my direction. I won't do it. Holidays…Christmas…I won't have all of you thinking, in ten years' time, that he's not there because he's in prison…because I put him there. I won't have that guilt on my shoulders…and it's because of the love I have for Nick…for all of you…that I can't be that guy. I'm alive, I'm healthy, I'm good as new. What he did was awful, but he didn't break me. My 'justice' is living my life, my way, with the man of my dreams, doing whatever we want to do. That's all I need. I won't be that guy who tore your family apart."

It was so silent in the room that Jeff wondered if anyone was breathing. He felt as if he could hear his own breath like rushing waves in his ears. When nobody said anything, he continued.

"My Grammy…one of the very best human beings I know…the least selfish woman I've ever known in all my life…she told me once that love will make you do crazy things, and she's right. She also told me to make sure I could always live with myself. She said 'you can move out of your mother's home, Jeffrey. You can move away from all of us. You can leave everything and everyone you've ever known in this life…but you can't leave yourself. Always be able to live with yourself," he finished. "I'll never forget that. I need to be able to live with myself, and I truly hope you can understand that. David has lost everything…his business, his wife, his family, his power…well, for the most part…maybe…" he said, winking at Nick. "I won't be the cause of it. He's done this to himself, and he'll live with that. I won't allow him to sit in prison and blame me for it. I sincerely hope you all can find it in your hearts to understand where I'm coming from. This is the best I can do. I can forgive him and move on. I can allow him that measure of freedom to get out of prison, eventually, and be a better father…a better man…for all of you. He's given me the very best thing that's ever happened to me…and in return, I'm giving him a second chance."

Meredith was the first to reach him, standing to walk over and grasp him tightly in her arms. "Oh, sweet boy…what you've been through…" she said, clearly choked up. When she finally pulled back he saw that her eyes were glassy, as his own were. She merely met his eyes and nodded with a small, closed mouth smile, then walked into the kitchen and braced hers arms on the countertop with her back to everyone.

Stephen, Alex, Danny and Robby all sat silently on the sofa looking for all the world like a weird greeting card – all four of them with their elbows on their spread knees, chins propped on steepled fingers and heads bowed, probably deep in thought. Bailey was curled up in the chair hugging a pillow as if it were a lifeline. Her eyes on him were soft and understanding and he was forever grateful. She nodded at him and mouthed 'I love you', which made him smile and the first of many tears fall down his cheek.

Jeff found that his legs were wobbling and wondered how long they'd been that shaky. Had he just not noticed? He almost fell backward into a chair and let out a long sigh. He glanced at Blaine who gave him a genuinely heartfelt smile and mouthed 'well done', his own eyes full of wetness. Well, Blaine always was sentimental anyway.

Nick…his Nicky…finally stood and approached him silently. Jeff wasn't sure what to expect, so he slowly raised his eyes to his husband, searching for any shred of understanding and forgiveness he could grab.

"I think we're finished here, ladies and gentlemen…" Nick said, then held his hand out to Jeff. He tugged Jeff up, then led him down the hall into their bedroom where he softly closed the door. He stared at his husband for a moment, then timidly and softly hugged Jeff tightly and whispered "you are the most decent, caring, honorable man I have ever known. I'm a better man for having known you. Your heart…your heart is too big for its own good…but I can never see that as a bad thing. I love you, Pretty Boy. I love you more every day. You're one of a kind, and I'm insanely lucky that you're mine." With that, Jeff finally broke down and cried, letting all of the frustration and anxiety from the last few months and weeks flow out of him, knowing that Nick still loved him, and that's really all he'd ever need.

---

It was Thursday night and Blaine had made an absolutely amazing dinner of salmon, couscous and salad. He was super stoked for the weekend and couldn't seem to calm down no matter how hard he tried. Saturday was the big party and Blaine had been on a rampage, cleaning, making sure the rooftop was immaculate, and shopping. He'd purchased red, white and blue decorations for the 4th of July party and tons of drinks of every variety, following Kurt's list closely so as not to forget anything. He made his own lists, keeping track of everywhere he needed to be and everything he needed to do down to the hour. Friday he would do a quick once over around the apartment and the roof, and he'd grab all the food from the store so it was all super fresh. It had to be perfect, and Kurt couldn't suspect a thing. He grinned to himself thinking of Kurt's reaction and wiggled his butt to the music on the radio as he put the last dish in the dishwasher after dinner. Everything was in place and set to go.

"You're in a good mood," Kurt grinned, putting the salad dressing back in the refrigerator.

"I am. Everything's ready to go, all of our friends will be here, we should have an awesome view of the fireworks and I'm off work the whole weekend! I'm stoked, Kurt!" Blaine said, his smile wide like a kid with a triple dip ice cream cone. "Aren't you excited?"

"I am, but…"

"But?" Blaine said, turning slowly as he heard Kurt's tone. Uh oh.

"Please don't be mad, but I need to go into the office for a few hours on Saturday afternoon. I promise I'll only be gone a short time, but David and I need to—"

"Don't even worry about it, Kurt. I have everything under control," Blaine beamed. Oh, this was perfect! He didn't have to worry about what to tell Kurt and how to get him out of the house. "You just tell me what you need me to do while you're gone and I'll work on that while you're at the loft, ok?"

"You're oddly on board," Kurt replied, looking curiously at him.

"I'm just…Kurt, I'm happy. Everyone will be with us, the school is ready and we're just interviewing the last handful of kids, your new line is coming out soon and it's gonna be amazing, of course, and I'm marrying the man of my dreams in less than two months. What is there not to be happy about? I'm so in love with you that it hurts, and I can't think of a damn thing to be down about," Blaine said, moving toward Kurt and leaning in to peck him on the lips. The peck quickly turned heated and Kurt slipped his hand down the front of Blaine's jeans, cupping him as he hummed against his fiancé's lips.

"I'm on board, then," Kurt laughed. "I fully approve of content and happy Blaine. In fact, I think he's pretty amazing…and sexy, of course. We have a few minutes. You wanna fool around before work, maybe…"

"Alright, alright, break it up!" came the bellow from the stairway. "I knocked, but you didn't hear me, so I let myself in," Sebastian grinned, winking at them as he climbed the stairs.

"Damn noisy dishwasher," Kurt mumbled. "And to what do we owe this intrusion?" he asked, his forehead now on Blaine's shoulder as he slowly shook his head back and forth.

"Saturday…we'll be here. By the grace of God Hunter is off work and he can't wait to just let loose. I thank you for giving us a reason and a place to do so. What can I bring. I know it's short notice…sorry."

"You couldn't have texted me like everyone else did?" Kurt asked, giving him the side eye for cock-blocking.

"What? And ruin this fun moment with Klaine? Nah…" Seb grinned. "So, what can I bring? I'm not much for making a casserole, but I can buy whatever. Did you get meat yet?" he asked, then burst into raucous laughter as Kurt shot him a death glare.

"Well, I was trying…" he mumbled as Blaine shook with mirth.

"I'll pick up burgers and dogs, how's that? How many people are you expecting?"

They went over the numbers and made a list. Seb shoved the list in his pocket and left as quickly as he'd arrived, winking at them as he did so. "You two have fun now, ya hear?"

"Well, I was TRYING TO before you so rudely interrupted…" Kurt growled, rolling his eyes.

The door slammed and Kurt took a deep breath, then scratched the back of his neck. The mood was snuffed out like a candle thanks to the impromptu visitor.

"Ice cream before I have to go to work?" Blaine asked, eyes wide and hopeful.

"Gelato?" Kurt countered.

"Even better. Let me grab my wallet," he said, bouncing into the bedroom. "It's gonna be a great weekend, Kurt. I can't wait! Are you excited?"

"Clearly not as much as you, but yes, I'm excited. It'll be fun to have everyone over again. It's been too long. Don't overdo it, you hear me? Remember, we talked about the lists…" Kurt trailed off as they descended the stairs and Blaine momentarily panicked, wondering if Kurt had found one of Blaine's lists laying around.

"Um…what about the uh…the lists?"

"I leave them as a 'to-do', not as a 'Blaine should do', ok? I'm perfectly willing and able to do some of the things, so don't stress. I want us both to have a good weekend."

"I'm sure we will, love. I'm sure we will," Blaine grinned, leaning in to slip his arm around Kurt's waist as they walked down the block in search of gelato.

---

Jeff had assured Blaine that they were on track to open the school in the fall. They'd hired an office "staff" of two, so far, who fielded calls and made appointments to interview students who wished to attend The Sterling Center for the Performing Arts for the Fall semester. Additional instructors had been interviewed, hired and brought up to speed on their roles. Things were falling in line, and Blaine was so excited to get started teaching that he could barely function. Kurt had Blaine's teaching certificates framed and they hung proudly on the wall of Blaine's office at school. His office! It was all starting to feel real, and it couldn't happen quickly enough.

An anonymous donor ordered brand new instruments for the school, which made Blaine nearly giddy. Parents of well-to-do young minds all over New York City suddenly knew all there was to know about the Sterling Center for the Performing Arts, and insisted that their kids be interviewed in order to attend. They hadn't even advertised, but somehow people knew about it. Blaine has his suspicions as to how that happened, but he and Jeff didn't discuss it. Nick was still just a little touchy about the subject, but he and Jeff were in a good place after their talk earlier in the week.

Blaine grinned to himself as he got out of the cab Saturday afternoon and walked into the airport. The flight would arrive around 3 pm, he could get everyone and everything back to the apartment before 4:00 and Kurt would be home between 4 and 5 pm. Blaine couldn't wait to see the look on Kurt's face.

He'd been so apologetic again that morning about having to go into work for a few hours, but Blaine just blew it off and made him breakfast in bed. After they ate, Kurt prepared the majority of the dishes that nobody else had volunteered to bring…essentials to any bar-b-que, he told Blaine, and stored them accordingly while Blaine puttered around the apartment helping out and running a quick errand or two for his fiancé.

Food was made, drinks were chilling in the fridge and in coolers, he'd hosed the rooftop down and watered all the plants and shrubbery that morning and the apartment looked like a million bucks. There was nothing left to do but pick up his charges and get back home to assemble food and put it in serving dishes and on platters. He didn't want there to be anything left for Kurt to do when he got home but to enjoy himself.

Blaine figured he should have about ten minutes before the flight arrived, so he busied himself looking at a magazine someone had left on a table while he waited near the baggage claim at the airport. He was startled, then, when someone walked right up to him and stood in his personal space. With wide eyes he slowly looked up to see a trio of gorgeous women staring at him. He was suddenly the envy of every male around…and maybe a few females as well. Wow.

"Blaine Anderson, I presume?" said the gorgeous Latina woman. He had the sudden thought that he wouldn't want to make her angry or meet her in a dark alley.

"Uh…yes. Yeah, that's me, you must be—"

"Of course I am," she grinned, hauling him up from his seat and nearly shoving him toward the doors. "Now take me to see Porcelain, Hobbit. It's been way too long."

"Y-yes ma'am. Sure…just let me…" Blaine babbled as she stepped out in front of him and hailed a cab with a whistle that'd peel pain off a wall. The van stopped with a screech in front of them and she hustled the cabbie to get their luggage in the back as they all climbed in.

"Tell the man where we're going, Curls. We gots to get our party on!"

---

"I'm home! B, where are you?" Kurt called, dropping his bag at the top of the stairs.

"In here!" Blaine called from the bedroom, walking out to see his beautiful man in their living room.

"Oh, I can't leave this here. Someone will trip on it. I think I'll just throw it in the office so—"

"NO!" Blaine blurted. "I mean, I'll just…let me put it in our room for now. I don't want you to have to…just…" he babbled, then let out a deep sigh and grabbed Kurt into a hug. "Hi," he grinned.

"You are so…so weird…" Kurt giggled. "Hi."

"I'm glad you're home. I missed you."

"I was only gone four hours."

"It was a torturous four hours, though," Blaine grinned, kissing Kurt's nose.

"What can I do for you?" Kurt asked, holding him at arm's length so as not to get distracted. He figured they had plenty to do and no time for fooling around. "What's left on the list?"

"You know…would you um…would you take these up to the roof? I have just about everything else done, but I brought the lanterns for the tables down here to wipe them off. I left the little LED candles to put in them up on the table," Blaine told him, not making eye contact. He was never very good at keeping secrets.

"I can do that," Kurt smiled. "You're sure everything else is done?"

"Yep. All done. Except the sangria, which you specifically told me not to touch…" Blaine winked.

"I'll be right back down. Let me carry these up and I'll work on that."

"Uh huh…"

"Blaine?" Kurt said as he reached the door to go upstairs, glancing at the door to the guest room. Blaine glanced over too, but he knew he'd pulled the door closed.

"Yes, love of my life?"

"You're pretty amazing."

"You're pretty amazing, too, Kurt."

"Be right back," Kurt winked, then took the stairs two at a time.

"Mmm…we'll see," Blaine grinned.

Kurt reached the top of the stairs and pushed the door open, heading straight for the little box of LED candles that Blaine had left out. He set the lanterns down and reached for the candles when he heard it.

"That is one fine, fine lookin' man you got down there, white boy."

Kurt's head shot up quickly and he nearly stumbled in his haste to turn around.

"Wh…what?" he babbled, eyes wide. "Oh my God. OH MY GOD, what are you doing here, oh my GOD!" Kurt yelled, then threw himself into the arms of his oldest and dearest friend. "MERCEDES, OH MY GOD!" he yelled again, his voice high and bright as he squeezed her with all his might.

"Yeah, yeah, save some o' the sugar for the rest of us, honey," came a softer voice from behind the trellis as Quinn and Santana stuck their heads out as well. Kurt couldn't believe his eyes, and he could barely use them anyway, blurry as they were with tears of happiness that his girls were there.

"Why didn't you tell me! How…how are you here?!"

"Your boy called me last week and wanted to know if we were free this weekend. Apparently, there's a party goin' on here tonight. Any idea who might be throwing it?" Mercedes answered, her own happy tears running down her face.

"Oh…Blaine, I'm going to strangle you!" Kurt squealed, so happy he could barely stand it. "You guys came to see me…you came…for me…" he said again, and the waterworks started all over.

"Is that a bad thing, or…? Blaine asked, slipping the door closed behind them.

"OH, YOU!" Kurt cried, then flung his arms around Blaine and squeezed him with all his might. "I had no idea…how did you pull this off!?"

"Are you happy, Kurt?"

"So happy…so unbelievably happy. Thank you…thank you for this. I assume you've met everyone?"

"I have…and I was properly interrogated," Blaine laughed.

"Oh, I just bet," Kurt giggled, shooting Santana a smirk. "And does he pass muster, ladies?"

"With flying colors, boo. He's a keeper," Mercedes answered, shooting a wink at Blaine. "As long as he makes you happy, he's a keeper."

"I have never been happier in my life…never. Oh my God, I'm so glad you're here. How long can you stay? I can't wait to show you everything. We have so much to catch up on!"

---

By 7 pm the party was in full swing. Only Blaine's Mom had begged off, opting to take Mattie and Evee with her and Bill to have dinner and then out to a movie. The kids were bummed to miss the party and all the people, but they were thrilled to get to pick a restaurant for dinner as well as the movie. Cris, who'd stopped upstairs briefly before grabbing the kids, brought over a big batch of freckle bars, winking at Blaine as she set the container on the counter. She always did know the way to his heart.

The girls from the loft, Naomi, Tori and Megan, had arrived at the same time and they sat together on the long end of the outdoor sofa with, oddly, Hunter on Naomi's 'empty' side. The two of them were deep in conversation as Megan and Tori chatted with Quinn.

Jeff and Nick were there, as well as Trent, Thad, Sebastian, Finn and Rachel. The group sat around a table with a deck of cards trying to figure out a game that everyone knew how to play. It sounded more like a gaggle of cackling geese than grown adults, but they were laughing riotously, so Kurt grinned and let his eyes roam the rest of the rooftop. Tori stood and moved near the grill chatting up Blaine's friend Wes, who had finally been in town to accept their invitation after several attempts to get together over the previous months. He had already agreed to "find something fun to do" with a group of guys he'd gone to college with, so he asked if they could tag along and in return, they brought a ton of booze with them. Nobody was upset about that.

Others came and went, band members and their significant others, David and his wife Cat, Maggie and Cooper and various other friends who made an appearance before having to head out to another party they'd already committed to, some saying they needed to make a quick stop elsewhere but would be back in time for the fireworks show. Kurt watched them all come and go with a sense of belonging he didn't often feel. He was…he was content. Just so very content.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Santana said quietly, sliding up next to Kurt. She slipped her arm around his waist and let her head fall on his shoulder. "I'm just happy, San. I'm so very good with where I am right now…in my life, in my relationship, in my job, with some amazing friends and family. I've never been so utterly…content. It's a good feeling."

"I can see that," she smiled widely, "and I'm beyond thrilled for you, Hummel. I really am. Nobody deserves this much happiness more than you."

"I'm glad you guys are here, Satan" He tilted his head to her shoulder and she snickered at the nickname. "Thank you for coming. I'm sure you had to miss work and flights aren't cheap, but thank you. It means the world to me. I've missed all of you, and I'm sorry I was such a shit friend when everything went down with Jackson."

"I'm gonna stop you right there, Kurt. You weren't a 'shit friend', you were coping with something unbelievably awful, of which none of us knew the full extent until you filled Mercedes in after that asshole's death. If I had known…even had an inkling of the shit he was doing to you, I would have sliced off his dick and fed it to him, you mark my words. He's lucky he's…" she began, then took a deep breath and shook her head. "No, you know what…not tonight," she said, meeting his eyes. "I'm glad he's gone, that's all I'll say about that. You dealt with things the way you needed to, and I get that. I didn't know what went down, and when you didn't return my calls…any of our calls, for that matter, I thought perhaps you just needed space and a new start. I'm glad you've found it," she said, hugging him to her side. "You look happy, and that's all any of us ever wanted for you. Blaine seems like…well, he's a perfectly fun-sized, dapper little bundle of smiles, isn't he?" she chuckled dryly. "Ya done good, Hummel, and Blaine is a lucky man. But speaking of…I better be on the guest list for this upcoming wedding, that's all I gotta say 'bout that," she said with an expectant look which he answered with an eyeroll.

"I already have your invitation addressed and it's in the box on my desk ready to go to the post office. Of course you guys are invited. Oh…Oh, you've just paid for plane fare and I'll be asking you to come back in two months—"

"What? No we –" she began, then tilted her head at Kurt. "He didn't tell you, did he?"

"Tell me what?"

"Blaine paid for our airfare this weekend. We were all willing to buy our own tickets, but he wouldn't take no for an answer, and that's probably why. He knew we'd want to be here for the wedding. That's some guy ya got there, Kurt. He's definitely a keeper, and he's easy on the eyes, too. Tight ass, broad shoulders, tiny waist…I bet he's a barrel of fun in the sack, too, isn't he?" she cackled, watching Kurt blush from the roots of his hair all the way down his neck.

"Santana!" he hissed, scandalized.

"I can confirm that," came Sebastian's voice from behind them. "Kurt's got quite the vocal range, which we get to hear occasionally on a good night when-"

"OK, that's enough of that!" Kurt interrupted, shoving his hand over Seb's mouth. "Omg, you did NOT!" he bellowed when Seb licked his hand. "GROSS!"

"Sebastian, don't annoy our host," Hunter admonished him. "I'm sorry I brought the overgrown child, Kurt, I'll take him away," he winked, dragging Seb over to sit with him and Naomi on the sofa. Kurt watched Seb shake hands at their introduction and wasn't sure what to make of the look on Naomi's face. She looked equal parts anxious and uptight, but maybe even…relieved? He made a note to ask her later if she'd had a good time. Maybe she just needed a stiff drink.

"Are you hungry? I haven't seen you eat anything all evening, Kurt," Blaine asked him, sliding up beside him and grinning at Santana as he did so.

"I'm ok. I've been grazing all day. I had to taste everything as I prepared it, of course," Kurt giggled.

"I can tell you haven't put much actual food in your system though, because you're drinking and giggling," Santana teased him. "Let me get you a burger and some of that pasta salad, hmm? Don't wanna get too sloppy, Hummel."

Santana disappeared over toward the food table and Kurt turned to look at Blaine who was observing their guests.

"We throw a helluva party, don't we?"

"That we do. I'm just glad everyone gets along so well. It's easy to throw a good party with this group. Everyone's so easy going and laid back. I always find it funny to watch them intermingle…to see who pairs off and starts a conversation, ya know? I mean, who'd have thought Naomi would spend half the evening talking to Hunter of all people?"

"You make it sound like he's boring or something," Kurt laughed.

"Oh, no, on the contrary, he's really easy to talk to, smart and interesting…all that…but…I dunno, I guess I just don't see what would have made those two gravitate to one another. But, as long as everyone's having fun, which it appears that they are, I'm happy. You're by my side, so I couldn't ask for more."

Kurt wrapped his arms around his fiancé and tucked his chin into Blaine's neck. "Fireworks?" Kurt whispered. "You could ask for fireworks," he laughed.

"Ooooh, that'd be fun! Do you think we could arrange that?" Blaine teased back.

"I'll see what I can do. Anything for my handsome man," Kurt laughed.

"Ok lovebirds, here's a plate. I brought some for you, too, Hobbit. Eat up," Santana ordered.

"Yes, ma'am!" Kurt saluted her, hiccuped and then giggled again. "Yep…it's time for that burger. Probably only about ten minutes until they start the fireworks, so get a good seat," he told her. With a roll of her eyes she was off to find someone else to harass.

"I'm glad I don't have to work tomorrow. I can spend some time with the girls and show them around."

"You don't have to work Monday, either. I spoke with David and arranged for you to have the day off because I knew you'd want to spend every minute with them while they're here," Blaine replied, squeezing Kurt's hand across the small table they shared. He then scooped up some pasta salad and offered Kurt a bite, which he eagerly took.

"Just one more reason you're my favorite," Kurt smiled with hearts in his eyes.

"For the pasta salad or the day off?"

"Both, mostly just because you're you, and you're mine though."

"I love you so much, Kurt. I love seeing you so happy."

"You make me happy, and I just hope I can make you as happy as you make me."

"Oh…well, then you can quit now, because we're already there," Blaine whispered, leaning in to peck Kurt's lips, wary of getting too carried away. Over their shoulders there was a loud boom as the first of the fireworks exploded across the sky, shimmering colors taking over the darkness as they all oooh'd and ahhh'd. Blaine tugged Kurt down onto his lap and watched the colors flash across his pale skin as each one crackled and faded in the night.

"You are so unbelievably gorgeous," Blaine said softly in Kurt's ear, making him shiver and grin. He leaned in to kiss Blaine's lips and whispered back.

"You, my amazing fiancé, are stunning, and I can't wait to take you to bed tonight after everyone leaves," he grinned.

"Not everyone is leaving, though," Blaine told him, eyebrows raised. "Have you forgotten that we have three houseguests?"

"Well, then I sincerely hope they brought ear plugs, because I don't plan on holding back on their account."

"Promise?" Blaine asked, nibbling on Kurt's neck.

"Absolutely," Kurt whimpered, eyelids falling closed as he did so.

---

"Jesus, Kurt…please…"

Quinn tried everything to hold back her buzzed giggle but it slipped out anyway.

"I knew you guys weren't asleep!" Mercedes hissed, a smile behind it as well.

"Who the hell can sleep with all that fucking going on?" Santana mumbled back. "Who knew Hummel was apparently such a god in the sack?"

"How weird is it that we've known Kurt for half our lives and we've…ok, well, I'VE never thought of him as being particularly sexual, I guess…but clearly…" Quinn whispered, but got the giggles again.

"Ssshhhh!" Mercedes swatted at her. "I think it's sweet. He's needed someone like Blaine in his life for so long, and I'm really just glad that they found each other. I don't want him to think we can hear him or—"

"Fuck…oh god, Blaine…FUCK…yes…"

"Or?" Santana prompted, a smirk firmly in place. "The people across the street can her them! And screw this nonsense. This is the least comfortable sofa ever. Scoot. I'm coming right up the middle."

"Bet that's not the first time you've said that before," Quinn teased, narrowly avoiding a playful swat from Santana in return. She and Mercedes both moved to the outer edges of the bed while Santana crawled up the middle of the mattress, all three of them trying desperately to stifle their laughter and keep quiet.

"Thank the good Lord for king size beds!" Santana blurted, sighing out in comfort, wedged between her two closest friends.

"Shhhhh!" Mercedes scolded them again, rolling her eyes but unable to keep the huge smile from her face. "They'll hear us!"

"Oh, don't give me that shit, Aretha. You just don't want them to stop because they think they're being too loud. You girls are enjoying the show as much as I am, don't play!" Santana chastised them. "That shit is absolutely hot."

"I'm just happy for Kurt, that's all," Quinn said quietly. "I really wish I'd known what was going on when Kurt was still back in Lima. I wish…" she paused. "I just wish we could have done something…helped him when he needed it, you know?"

"He didn't tell us, and I think he hid things rather well, if you ask me. I mean, I've spoken to him about it several times, and he told me, flat out, that he didn't want us to know about the physical abuse. It embarrassed him that he was treated that way by someone he trusted, and he didn't want us to know Jackson was so awful to him. That, plus he was afraid of what Jackson would do to us if we said anything against him…so he kept quiet," Mercedes explained.

"Still, I wish I'd gotten a shot at kicking him in the balls before he croaked," Santana snarked. "Jackass deserved whatever he got as far as I'm concerned. I'm glad he's gone."

"Same," Quinn chimed in.

"God forgive me, but so am I," Mercedes agreed.

"Kurt…Kurt…rightthere rightthere rightthere….don't stop…"

The muted whimper from Blaine and the ceasing of the headboard banging against the wall said that the show was over.

"Well, that was fun. How much do we harass him in the morning?" Santana asked.

"Don't you embarrass him…..much," Mercedes giggled.

"We'll go easy on him. Maybe," Quinn snickered back.

"No chance in hell, ladies," Santana replied before offering up a huge yawn and drifting off to sleep.

---

Blaine's heart was pounding. He was certain he nearly blacked out there for a second and Kurt lay next to him in a very similar state.

"Oh my God, Kurt…what's gotten into you? And that is, in no way, shape or form, a complaint."

"You…" Kurt panted. "YOU have some nerve asking ME that…Jesus, Blaine…what's gotten into YOU!?"

"Well…if we're being honest…just now, you did—" he began before Kurt jerked a throw pillow out from under his knees and whacked Blaine with it. They both tried to stifle their giggles to no avail.

"You're an idiot."

"I'm your idiot, though, so that's something special, right?"

Kurt merely rolled his eyes. "Shower?"

"Nah, I don't wanna wake anyone."

"Honey…there is no way they're sleeping. NO way. They're laying in there, plotting against me, and come morning they'll start in on me and harass me until I turn tomato red…"

"I'll save you from the evil maidens, Sir Kurt…"

"You're such a dork. Good thing I love you."

"Good thing for me," Blaine grinned.

"Blaine?"

"Hmmm?"

"Thank you."

"Oh, sweetheart, you never have to thank me for that—"

"Not THAT, you goof! Thank you for bringing them here for me. It means more to me than you'll ever know that you did that. I love you so much, you know it?"

"It's because I love you that I did it. I knew you were missing them…and truthfully, I wanted to meet them as well. It's obvious they were missing you, too, though, Kurt. I hope you guys can get back what you had and you'll keep in touch with them. Don't let him take that away from you."

"You're right…and I won't. I'm through with all that. I'll be better about keeping in touch, and if you don't mind, I'll have them here to visit more often."

"You know I don't mind, Kurt. They seem great, and they clearly care about you."

"Yeah…they're pretty great. Go with us tomorrow?"

"No. It's your time with your girls, Kurt. Besides, I have stuff to do. I'll be fine. You guys have a great day out and I'll meet you somewhere fun for dinner, how's that?"

"Sounds perfect, but I hope you know you're always welcome."

"I know…don't worry about me. I have a lot of cleaning up to do and I think I'm going to hang out with my mom. I haven't seen her much lately and I'm…I'm missing her."

"You're so sweet. Tell her I miss her, too."

There was a lull in the conversation and Kurt was almost certain, by the slow breathing next to him, that Blaine had fallen asleep.

"Kurt?"

"Yeah, love?"

"Can we do it again?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

---

His girls had given him such a hard time late Sunday morning while he and Blaine made them a huge breakfast to combat everyone's hangovers.

"Look at you all bright eyed and not even limping, Hummel. I thought surely you'd be some sad sack, whining about how sore you are this morning," Santana quipped. She shot him a wink, though, and he merely rolled his eyes at her.

"Thank you, Santana, for that rousing good morning…" Kurt snarked.

"And how about you, Hottie McHobbit? Did you enjoy yourself last evening?" She pried.

"Satan, behave," Quinn called, shuffling in from the guest room in her nightgown and robe.

"Whatever you're doing, keep doing it. That smells absolutely amazing," said a sleepy Mercedes as she joined them.

"Answer the question, Curls," Santana pressed on.

"I had a rather stirring evening, thank you," he grinned, looking at her over his shoulder.

"I dunno about stirring, but there was definitely somethin' hot cookin' in there last night," Mercedes giggled. Kurt immediately gasped and turned to her with wide eyes.

"Oh my god, not you, too. Cedes! I thought you'd be on my side!"

"I'm always on your side, honey. That's why I'm so glad you're gettin' some on the regular now," she cackled, watching as Kurt's face flamed.

"I see you're apparently still as limber as you were back in our Cheerios days," Quinn commented, swiping a piece of bacon from a plate as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

"Cheerios?" Blaine questioned. Kurt shook his head with an emphatic 'no' with wide eyes.

"Oh my God. OH MY GOD, Blainers…he hasn't told you?" Santana cackled.

"Told me what?" Blaine asked, turning completely around from the stove now, curious.

Kurt continued to shake his head no, but he knew it was a lost cause at that point. With a huff, he answered instead of waiting for one of them to do it.

"The Cheerios are McKinley High School's cheerleaders…" he said softly, buttering toast as he did so.

"Our little Kurt spent some time on the bottom of the pyramid with us. He wore that tight polyester like a champ, and not one of us girls could kick as high as he could…" Quinn explained, eyes bright with mirth as Blaine gaped at Kurt.

"…and he could do the splits like no other," Santana added.

"You um…you were a cheerleader?" he asked, attempting to sound more in control of his voice than he currently was.

"Just for a short time."

"That's…wow, who knew. You never said…"

"Wanna see the videos? I'm sure—" Quinn began.

"YES!" Blaine blurted, eyes wide and breath heavier than it was before. "Yes, I…I would absolutely like to see that. If I may. Yes."

"Oh my God, Blaine," Kurt huffed.

"I think we heard that a few times last night, didn't we, ladies?" Santana teased as she pulled videos up on her phone. Blaine watched, mesmerized, as Kurt tumbled, kicked and sang. He felt as if his heart was going to pound right out of his chest. Kurt was fantastic, and that uniform…

It was all Blaine could do to sit at the table and eat with the rest of them. His mind kept flashing back to the vision of Kurt in that cheerleading uniform. When he was finished eating he picked up all the empty plates from the table and offered to start the dishes while everyone else chatted and planned their day.

As they got up to get ready for their day out, Santana called over her shoulder to Blaine.

"Oh, and Blaine, it might be worth a call to Papa Burt to see if he still has Kurt's football uniform at the house!"

The sound of a frying pan clanging into the sink had all three girls giggling like mad as the water shut off and Blaine went flying down the hall in search of his fiancé.

---

Kurt couldn't recall the last time he'd had such a fantastic weekend. He'd dropped the girls off at the airport the previous evening and then spent the night on the sofa with Blaine, snuggling and watching a movie. Then, not watching the movie anymore.

"Don't let me forget to call your dad…" Blaine mumbled, his lips pressed to Kurt's neck as they slowly rutted against one another.

"No speaking of my dad while we're messing around, B."

"Noted. But do you think he—"

"Blaine!"

---

Tuesday morning found Kurt nearly skipping into work after his amazing weekend with his friends. He set his bag down next to his desk and went about looking over the notations on patterns that he been left for him, then noticed his voicemail button blinking. As he was about to check for his messages his phone rang and he picked it up when he realized it was David.

"Good morning," he said into the phone cheerily.

"Kurt, lovely to have you back. Listen, do you have a moment? I'd like to…I'd like a word." he said, and Kurt could tell he was a bit strained. Maybe it would all finally come out?

"Sure, be there in a second."

Kurt grabbed his coffee and headed for David's office.

"Good, good. Kurt, I wanted to speak with you about something, and I hope you'll hear me out before you outright refuse. You see, we're in a bit of a bind…" he began, clearly unsure as to how he should approach the subject.

"Just hit me with it, David. I've just had an amazing weekend and there is little to nothing that can bring me down today," Kurt said with a grin that lit up the room.

"I certainly hope we can keep that grin on your face," David said, still looking uncertain. "Ahh, here's our girl," he added as Naomi came in and closed the door.

"Please tell me you're not leaving us," Kurt blurted as he saw her concerned face.

"What? Oh…Kurt, no, it's not that."

"Oh, thank God. Who else knows enough about the line to go to London with David?" Kurt grinned.

"That's what I'd like to speak to you about, Kurt. You see…I broached the subject with Naomi, and explained to her that, as you and Blaine are to be married the weekend following the show, that we'd appreciate if she'd go in your stead."

"And I'm so very thrilled, Kurt, that the two of you put so must trust and faith in me. I really am excited at the opportunity, but…you see…I won't be able to accept. I'm sorry, Kurt…" she trailed off, her eyes wet now.

"Ok, someone needs to explain to me what's going on. I feel like I'm missing a piece of the puzzle, here, guys. I can't go because it's the week leading up to our wedding. I can't leave Blaine home alone with everything going on. So David and I thought it best for you to go, Naomi, since you and I have worked so closely on the line together. I thought you'd jump at the chance!"

"I am thrilled, Kurt. I'm very grateful for the offer, but…I can't do it. I just…won't be able to help you out with this, I'm sorry. I know it's inconvenient—"

"So, Kurt, I'm sorry, as well, but I'm going to have to insist that you accompany me as planned. There just isn't—"

"No, hang on…wait. Inconvenient? I don't get it. What in the world is so important that you aren't jumping at this opportunity, Naomi?" Kurt asked, and he knew he sounded a bit terse, but he didn't care. They were messing with his timeline…with his wedding…the most important day of their lives, he and Blaine.

"I…" she began, but her voice hitched and she took a few deep, stuttering breaths to try to calm herself.

"Kurt…now there's no reason—"

"No. NO. You don't seem to understand. This is my wedding to the man of my dreams. We have been through hell in order to get here, to where we are, and this is our day. I can't just…just…up and leave! Give me one good reason Naomi can't go instead. What could possibly be so important that you're forcing me to go that week of all weeks?"

"Well, for one, the line is yours, Kurt," David huffed. "And for another—"

"I'm not able to fly," Naomi said quietly.

"What?" Kurt asked, exasperated. "Why ever not?"

"Because I'll be in my third trimester then, Kurt. I'll be eight months along," she said quietly, eyes cast down to her lap and biting her lip as she laid her hand over her little belly.

Kurt sat, eyes wide and staring at Naomi's midsection, unsure how to even reply.

A/N As always, many thanks to Suzanne for reading through and making her corrections. Of course, I corrected things, so any mistakes are mine. I'm so lucky to have such a fantastic group of supporters behind me for every chapter. I love all of ya and I thank you for always pushing me!

Please continue sending prayers for my friend Robyn. 3, lady. Love you.

For Sue, Kris, Steph and Laura...you ladies are the reason I keep writing this story. Thanks to all for the comments, messages and reviews. Thanks for all the new follows and I hope you enjoyed the chapter. We're nearing the end!