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.

114. Chapter 114

For Robyn, who lost her battle with cancer. She was a lovely human being, a fantastic, loving mom, and an insanely talented artist...not to mention a really good cheer leader when I was flailing. I miss her smile. Here's to you, my friend.

Ch 113

"Naomi…I—" Kurt began, but couldn't find the words he wanted. He was shocked into speechlessness and didn't know what to say.

"I know…me too," she grinned. "I didn't know how to react, either. I mean…let's be honest, I was absolutely blindsided."

"But how…I…" he tried again, uselessly. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I didn't notice or pay attention. I've been so distracted lately with everything going on. It's just not like me to be so completely oblivious to what's going on around me. Please forgive me for my insensitivity. I'm so sorry…"

"You keep saying you're sorry," she laughed. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Kurt. I only told David a few weeks ago, and I asked him not to say anything. I didn't want to throw it out there to everyone yet, especially you, because you've been so insanely busy with the new line, the wedding, and work in general here at the loft. On top of that you've had Jeff's trial to worry about and Blaine's new job. Believe me, Kurt…I know how scattered you must be, and I was really going to try to go, but my doctor just won't hear of it. I'm the one who should be sorry that I'm throwing a monkey wrench into everything for you. I'm totally bummed that I can't do this. I was really looking forward to it, ya know?"

"It's inconvenient, yes…we'll have to find a way to make it work. But Oh. My. GOSH. You're pregnant!?" Kurt nearly squealed, trying to stay quiet as he glanced at the closed door. "Do they know yet?" Naomi shook her head no, then rolled her eyes, which were now watery, and huffed out a mirthless chuckle. "But you're not even showing!"

Naomi stood and smoothed her maxi dress down the front of her body and, sure enough, there was the bump Kurt had missed now for months. He just grinned and shook his head, as did Naomi.

"I've been wearing really baggy clothing on purpose. I mean…at first, I didn't know what to do and I was so…unsure. I didn't even know for the first few months, though. Everything was normal. I had…" she began, but then glanced at David and faltered. "Monthly things happened on time, I didn't feel any different. I honestly didn't have a clue until I was apparently about three months along, as best as the doctor can calculate, anyway. That's when the morning sickness kicked in and…well, I thought I had the flu. Clearly not. When I finally went to the doctor, she came back into my room and looked a bit off. She ran some tests and then dropped the bomb," Naomi said quietly. Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes and Kurt hesitated, but then just had to know.

"How does Ryan feel about all this? I'm just assuming…" he trailed off, watching her closely.

"You assumed correctly. The baby is his, but…Ryan and I broke up a few weeks before I found out. I struggled with whether or not to tell him, but I couldn't not tell him in the end. He's…um...not thrilled. He doesn't…" she began, but paused, unsure how to continue. "We talked and he isn't happy that I haven't…that I didn't…earlier on…that I'm still pregnant. It's apparently inconvenient for him at this time in his life," she said quietly, sadly, with a roll of her eyes.

"Inconvenient?" Kurt repeated, his head tilted to the side eyebrows raised as if to say "oh, please…".

"He suggested that I terminate the pregnancy immediately. I told him that wasn't an option. He flung out a string of locations where it was, apparently, an 'option' and pretty much insisted that I head there first thing. I explained that I knew it was available, but that I would not be taking that way out of our…predicament. He wasn't at all happy and spewed forth a wad of venom about how I'd never see a cent from him if I couldn't 'see reason' and similar other lovely things."

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm sorry," Kurt said, reaching over to cover her hand on her lap. "So, you're going to keep the baby?" he then asked brightly.

"Oh no…I…I can't afford to do that. I wish I could, but I'm just not…at this point in my life, I'm not there, ya know? But there's no way I could knowingly terminate the pregnancy just because it's not…because I can't…" she tried, but her eyes watered up again and she just shook her head and looked a bit forlorn. "It's a baby, Kurt…not a death sentence. This is something Ryan and I did, and at least one of us will step up to the plate and face it head on," she said quietly. "Besides, my mother would never forgive me…" Eyes cast to the floor again, she tried to offer Kurt and David a small smile. "I'm going to do what I feel is right for me…for the baby. That's all I can do."

"So…you're going to have the baby and give it up for adoption?" Kurt asked. She nodded without looking up at him.

"Someone wants this baby as much as I do. Some lovely person or couple will take him…or her…and raise the baby in a caring home and It'll grow up happy and loved, I hope. God, I hope so," she said, nearly choking on her words.

"Well, if you're certain of this path and it makes you feel better about the whole situation, then I think you're doing the right thing, if that means anything at all to you, sweetheart," Kurt told her. "You're the one who has to live with your decision and if this makes you happy then I'm behind you 100%. If there is anything I can do…anything at all, you just have to say it, ok?"

Naomi nodded and raised her eyes to Kurt and then glanced at David. "You've both been so good about it…so understanding. I can't thank you enough. I know it's really inconvenient for you…the timing…and I'm sorry for that. But I'll do what I can back here to make sure everything runs smoothly while you're away. And I…" she paused, took a deep breath and settled herself again. "I don't know how long I'll need to be out after the baby is born, but I don't think it'll be too long, ya know? I'll be back in the office as soon as possible so please don't worry."

"Oh, Naomi! YOU don't worry about that, young lady!" David scolded her kindly. "You just worry about keeping yourself and your baby healthy and happy and we'll hold down the fort here until your return. We're a team here…a family, I like to think…and we have one another's backs. You've been here for us and we'll be here for you. Don't you worry about a thing," David soothed her with a kind smile.

"Thank you. Thank both of you for being so understanding. This isn't something I'd anticipated, but here it is. I appreciate your patience more than you know. I won't let you down."

"But…that being said," David began, "we still have to figure out what we're doing and if you can manage the trip, Kurt. This show is huge for us. We cannot back out at this late date. It would be a smear on our record for sure and we can't have that. This is a big thing, and I know you have the wedding that weekend, but I really could use you, as the designer, there with me. I don't feel comfortable taking anyone else along if Naomi can't attend. I know the timing couldn't be worse, but you'll have to travel with me."

Kurt took a deep breath and held it for a few seconds before blowing it out through is nose and letting his eyes fall closed. He was not looking forward to the conversation he'd ultimately have to have with Blaine and he felt sick to his stomach just thinking about it.

---

"Well…how are you going to tell him?" Rachel asked, over coffee later that afternoon. Kurt called her to meet him for lunch at a little place halfway between the loft and Rachel's apartment.

"I'm not sure. I don't want him to freak out, but I kinda think he's going to…and I can't really blame him. I've even thought about postponing everything—"

"Oh, Kurt, no! You can't. He'll be devastated! And you can't tell me that you'll be happy with that decision either?"

"Of course not, but I don't want to leave him here to deal with everything at the last minute while I'm not even around to help! That's hardly fair, Rach."

"Well, let's look at it objectively, shall we?" She shifted her chair back a few inches and primly crossed her legs, giving him a serious look. "You have all the major things taken care of, right? Venue, photographer, caterer, musicians, bakery, florist, etc. There can't be that much left to do. And it's not as if he'll be here on his own. He has all of us…Finn and me, of course…the girls will be here, too, and then Blaine's mom…I mean, I'm certain Cris will be more than happy to lend a hand if necessary. Maggie is amazing with stuff like that, I'm sure. She's keeping three kids AND Cooper in line, so this wouldn't be anything too traumatizing for her, I'd think?" They both snickered at that. "Jeff and Nick, Hunter…and maybe even Sebastian," she grinned, "if it came right down to it, as well as Trent and Thad will be around. And if you asked your dad and Carole to come up a few days early, before the wedding, I'm sure they would. I'm just throwing it out, but I think you have a good team to turn to if necessary. You've helped everyone out when they needed it, Kurt, and I'm sure they'd all be there for you as well if you and Blaine needed them."

"I know they would all chip in to help, but I don't want them to have to. I don't want it to be necessary for anyone to give up their own time to finish what I've started…to make our day come together. I just hope Blaine and I can get this all done so that there's little to nothing left to do that last week and it won't matter if I'm away or not. In fact, I'm going to pose it to Blaine that way. I'll bust my ass to make sure every little detail is taken care of so that he has absolutely nothing at all to worry about while I'm away. Are you willing to help me get it all together?" Kurt asked, smiling at his best friend.

"You know I am, Kurt. I'm so happy for you two. There's nothing I wouldn't do to make this happen. Let's do it!" She reached across the table and grabbed his hand, squeezing it tightly, and for the first time all day, Kurt knew he could make it all happen on time and without a hitch. Now…to convince Blaine.

His phone rang as he walked away from the coffee shop and seeing the caller on his caller ID, he smiled and answered immediately.

"Hey, Finn, I just had coffee with Rachel," Kurt began.

"Yeah, about that…we need to talk."

---

"You spoke with him, then?" Nick asked, out of the blue.

"I did…" Jeff answered softly, tentatively over dinner, unsure how his husband would receive the news. "How…how did you know?"

Nick grinned and rolled his eyes. "I'm not angry. I knew you would. He was so stunned at the trial and I figured you'd go see him to explain yourself. How did he take it?"

"He was…confused. We've already made our deal – don't ask me, Nicky," Jeff grinned. "When the time comes, we'll discuss it, but now is not that time. I told him the same thing I told you. I don't want to be the reason he's in prison and away from his family. If he's in prison it'll be because of things he's done all on his own. I won't be to blame for his absence. I think he understood…maybe even appreciated the gesture, who knows. It's not hard to comprehend, really, and your father is a rather intelligent man. But…how did you know that I spoke with him?"

"Bailey called looking for you when you didn't answer your phone. She said you always answer, like when she calls me, and if you didn't answer, something was up. I started thinking about where you'd be without service or where you wouldn't have your phone. Not too hard to deduce," Nick grinned.

"And you're not mad?"

"No. I know how you work, sweetheart. No loose ends. You'd want him to know why. He's still in the city, then?"

'Yes…yeah, downtown. They'll move him back to Chicago for the trial on all the…you know, the other stuff," Jeff faltered. He apparently had 'patterns' he wasn't even aware of if Bay searched him out when he didn't answer. Huh…weird. "They'll be taking him back soon." Nick just nodded, letting his eyes fall to his plate for a moment before taking a deep breath and looking back at Jeff.

"Now…let's talk about something that makes you less anxious, shall we? How are things coming along? Are you ready for your upcoming semester, Mr. Sterling-Duval?"

Nick's smile was so bright that Jeff was nearly blinded by its intensity.

"You have so much faith in me," Jeff said softly with a fond grin.

"Of course, I do. You're good at what you do and I have no doubts that this venture will be the best thing you've ever done. I can't begin to imagine the countless young minds you'll shape, the confidence you'll instill and the knowledge you'll share. You and Blaine are going to take this city by storm and I know that the two of you will far surpass even your own expectations."

"I can't fail with you in my corner," Jeff breathed out, shaking his head slowly back and forth with a fond grin, then wrapping his arms around Nick's neck.

"You wouldn't fail anyway," Nick answered, pecking him on his nose with a sweet kiss. "Now tell me, how are we doing with the business end of things? You have administrative staff in place, teachers hired, even a custodial and maintenance staff on hand. Who's running the business side of things while you warp young minds?"

"Warp!?" Jeff yelped, digging his fingers into Nick's ribs as the other man guffawed and jerked away.

"Ok, let me rephrase. Have you hired someone to do the books yet? You know I don't mind doing it, but I know you'd rather I didn't."

"It's not that I don't want you to, it's that I know you have enough on your plate with your own ventures that you don't need to worry yourself over this, too. And I kind of have someone in mind, but I don't know how the suggestion will go, ya know?"

"Are you going to tell me or should I guess?" Nick asked, rolling his eyes.

"Well…I was thinking about asking Thad. I don't know what he makes where he's at now, but it wouldn't hurt to offer. I know he's really good at what he does, and most of it's accounting, and I'd really like to have someone I know and trust handling the money end of things, even if he does this on the side at first. The worst he can say is no, I guess, right?"

"Can't hurt to ask. I know he was having issues at work when that weird guy was all but stalking him, but now that he's gone…well, who knows. Like you said, the worst he can say is no."

"Well, I thought I'd sweeten the pot a bit and maybe ask Trent to consider teaching an art class next year. It's a bit late to add it in this year, but we'll see how things go and maybe he'll join us? Trent's work with textiles and other non-traditional media is pretty amazing."

"I'll take your word for it. I don't know much about all that, but if you think he's pretty good at what he does, he must be. And you have Ebony squared away?" Nick grinned. Just as he'd thought, Jeff grinned and nearly vibrated with glee at the mention of his old friend.

"Yes! She's coming up at the end of the week and we're going apartment hunting. I can't wait!" Jeff gushed. "I wasn't sure she'd be willing to relocate, but with her mom retiring and moving to Florida, she said there wasn't anything keeping her in Ohio. I'm so stoked!"

"I can tell," Nick smiled at him, clearing off the dinner table. "I'm glad she'll be here with you. I know you missed her."

"More than I thought I would, and I'm thrilled that she's coming as well. I just hope we can find her somewhere safe and affordable to live while she's up here."

"Well, you know we have the room. If worst comes to worst she can stay here for a bit until you find a suitable apartment for her."

"You wouldn't mind?" Jeff asked, as much awe in his voice as curiosity.

"I wouldn't be thrilled about having another someone here…someone who would hinder you from walking around mostly naked, but I'd cope for a few weeks if necessary," Nick laughed as Jeff threw him a glance that said 'Really, you goofball…' and rolled his eyes.

"We'll see what we can find. I'd hate to have to actually wear clothing on the weekends and put a damper on our…activities," Jeff said, winking at Nick with a flirty little smirk.

"Speaking of activities…these can wait, I think." With a glance at the dishes in the sink, he sauntered lazily over to Jeff and hooked his finger through a belt loop, tugging Jeff's lithe body toward him, and then into the living room to the sofa. Under the distant glow of the city lights, they both tumbled down onto the soft leather and got a head start on their favorite 'activities'.

---

"Do I get to see them before the wedding or are you just going to give Finn a box to hold and I'll be surprised?" Kurt grinned.

"I'll show them to you when I get them back from the jeweler," Blaine answered. "Thank you for going along with this, Kurt. It means a lot to me. I know it'll mean the world to my Mom as well."

"I'm not 'going along with it', you goof. I think it's…well, you're sharing something with me that's important to you, and I kinda love the idea, if we're being honest."

"My mom gave me my grandfather's ring when she gave Cooper my grandmother's ring. Obviously, he gave that ring to Maggie…you've seen it…and I considered giving you his ring but…well, he was a really big guy. He was so tall, like 6' 4', Kurt. And he loved food, so he wasn't some skinny, little beanpole," Blaine laughed. "I wish you could have met him. Even at my full-grown height I looked like a kid next to him. My mom always lamented the fact that she got her mother's height. My grandmother was only 4' 6" tall. Clearly, I got her height as well," Blaine huffed and rolled his eyes.

"I think you're perfect, so none of that," Kurt said, snaking his arms around Blaine from behind as Blaine rinsed a plate in the kitchen sink. "So, tell me the plan again?"

"He just had really big hands, and the ring is thick…it's wide. I had the jeweler basically cut it in half so that it's thinner…half for you, half for me," Blaine said shyly. "They'll size the rings to fit you and me, and we'll have matching bands for the wedding. I don't care what hand you pick to wear it on as long as you like the ring. Grandfather was a little ahead of his time, I guess. He wanted platinum and diamonds, so…I just hope you like it," he said, shyly.

"I'm sure I'll love it, Blaine. Anything that's this important to you is important to me as well," Kurt said, kissing the back of his fiancé's neck.

"I'll be very proud to see you wearing it, and I'm sure Grandfather would have loved you. I know Grandmother would have loved you, too. And I love you…there's that," Blaine grinned, turning to kiss Kurt's nose.

"There's that," Kurt winked.

"So, how's Maggie doing at the loft? You haven't said…" Blaine asked. "You haven't talked about work much at all lately, actually. Everything going ok?"

"Yeah, of course, it's…yeah. I mean…Maggie's been doing very well. She gets along great with everyone…who doesn't get along with Maggie, though, right?" Kurt smiled, his heart pounding. He'd known about having to leave town for weeks now and hadn't said a word to Blaine about it. He wanted to have every last detail squared away before broaching the subject and there were still some minute details to tend to before he dropped the bomb. But…perhaps now was as good a time as any? The longer he waited, the more anxiety tugged at him.

"I feel like we haven't seen Coop or Mags or the kids for a year," Blaine laughed.

"We've both been pretty busy, though. I feel like I've barely seen you since the Fourth of July party" Kurt said softly. "I mean…we've been kinda crazy at the loft with the upcoming show, and you and Jeff have been tying up all the loose ends before the school year starts…" he trailed off.

"But they live a floor below us. You'd think we'd at least pass each other in the hall, I guess."

"Cooper's been out of town working on a case. The kids have spent a few nights with your mom, I think. They're having the time of their lives, according to Maggie. Helen is enjoying spending time with the baby, but she came down with a 24-hour virus about a week ago and Maggie actually brought Sophia to work with her. David was beside himself and couldn't put her down all day long. She's just such a well- behaved little thing, though," Kurt babbled.

"Nobody was upset about the baby being there?" Blaine questioned.

"No…not really. It won't be all the time. They all sort of took turns entertaining her and playing with her. She sleeps through just about anything, and even Naomi was smitten despite…well…everything."

"Naomi doesn't like babies?" Blaine asked, looking over his shoulder from the sink full of dishes. Kurt froze where he stood, unable to make eye contact. Telling Blaine about Naomi and the pregnancy would mean telling him that she couldn't go with David to the show the week of their wedding, so he hadn't mentioned it. Yet. But…

"She uh…she loves babies, actually she's…Naomi's pregnant," Kurt said quietly.

"Oh my God, what!?" Blaine exclaimed, turning quickly and splashing water all over the floor. His smile lit the room and made Kurt smile as well. "That's awesome! How far along is she?"

"Hmmm…almost eight months," Kurt replied, hesitantly. He knew it would only be a matter of time before….

Blaine's eyes were wide, disbelieving and excited. "But…we just saw her a month ago and she wasn't…I mean…she had on a dress, and yeah, it was kinda shapeless but…wait…if she's that far along, Kurt, how is she going to along with David to the show next month? Surely they won't let her fly when she's eight months along."

Kurt was quiet, choosing his words. He'd been over this about a hundred times in his head, but every word he practiced just flew out the window.

"She um…she can't go. She told David and me that she won't be able to fly, so—"

"So who's going with David, then?" Blaine asked, and it was obviously dawning on him that Kurt wasn't being very forthcoming with information now. "Kurt?" he said, watching his fiancé try everything in his power not to make eye contact. "Kurt, please tell me you're not going. Please…I know how you get, and I know the week before the wedding is full of last-minute details and…why won't you look at me?"

"I have to go, Blaine. I'm sorry, but I…I have to. There's nobody else—"

"But it's the week before our wedding! DAYS, Kurt. Mere days before we say 'I do' and…oh my God, how long have you known you were going to go?"

Well, fuck…

"Only a few weeks, but—"

"A FEW WEEKS? You've known for weeks that you were leaving the week before our wedding day and you just decided it wasn't something I needed to know!?" Blaine asked, his eyes a little wild. "Un-fucking-believable!" he hissed, tossing the dish towel on the counter with more force than absolutely necessary. "When did you plan on mentioning this little insignificant crumb of information, Kurt? When you were packing to head to the airport?"

"When I had every single detail nailed down, lined up and taken care of so that there was absolutely nothing left for either of us to worry about except putting on the tuxes and getting our butts to the venue. I've been working like crazy to make sure there are no loose ends left. Not one. I don't want you to have to do a single thing while I'm away but miss me," Kurt said, his voice contrite and barely audible.

Blaine sucked his lips in and let his eyes fall closed. Then he took a deep breath and let it out slowly, eyelashes still resting on the apples of his cheeks.

"I…I don't even know what to say. I'm…just…" he took another deep breath and let his shoulders slump a little bit. "I'm gonna head to work, ok? I'm not walking away from the discussion, I'm taking time to consider everything. We'll talk tomorrow…sometime." With that, Blaine walked into the bedroom and changed his clothes, then kissed Kurt's cheek and left for work.

Kurt let out a long, slow breath and felt his eyes fill with tears. He knew that telling Blaine would be difficult, but he should have said something earlier. Waiting was a bad idea, he saw that now. But…there was nothing to do but continue on the path he'd been traveling. He needed to make sure every "t" was crossed and every "i" was dotted. There could be no stone left unturned when it came to searching out every possible detail that needed to be addressed. He would make sure of it.

That night, before closing his eyes, he sent a text to Blaine.

Kurt: I'm sorry I waited so long to tell you. I just wanted to be able to say every detail was taken care of and that there was no reason to worry about anything. I love you, and I don't want to go to bed thinking that you're angry with me…even if you are. I'm just…I'm just trying to be everything for everyone and it's obviously not working out. I'll tell David tomorrow that I can't go. You're the most important thing in my life. Period. We'll work something out. Please forgive me?

Blaine: Don't make any decisions just yet. Don't say anything to David…don't cancel. We'll work this out, Kurt. I'm not angry, I'm…something that's not angry? Let's talk over dinner tomorrow?

Kurt: I'd like that. I'm still sorry. And I miss you. I haven't had enough Blaine time lately.

Blaine: Don't be upset, Kurt. I'm not. You're right…not enough 'us' time lately. Get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow. I love you.

Kurt: I love you, too. More than anything.

Kurt set the alarm on his phone, then changed it without a second thought. With a lighter heart and a soft smile, Kurt curled up in the blankets and slept.

---

Like a cat waking in a strip of warm sunshine, Blaine's back arched and he let out a low hum.

"Oh God…" he breathed out, still halfway between asleep and awake, but coming around quickly as he realized what he thought was an amazing dream was actually…truly…really Kurt's hot, soft, wet mouth around him and ohhhh…Oh that was a pretty good wake up call.

"Mmmm?"

"Y-Your…nnngggghhh…your mouth…Kurt…"

"Mmmhmmmm…."

"You do that again and I'm gonna come, sweetheart," he grinned, hands now fisted in the sheets, knees bent slightly and head thrown back on the pillow. When he tried to raise his hips, he felt Kurt's arm sling across them to hold him down.

"Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm," Kurt hummed, then ran his index finger from the base of Blaine's cock, over his balls and down to the puckered hole that fluttered only slightly as…

"Sh-shit Kurt…OH FUCK! C-coming…" He didn't manage to get any other coherent words out after that and just lay there, heart pounding as Kurt raised his head from between his legs, beneath the sheet, and grinned mischievously.

"Good morning?" he said softly, tongue peeking out to tickle the corner of his own mouth as he crawled up Blaine's torso and leaned in for a soft kiss.

"Yes. Yes, it is, despite the grey matter oozing out my ears, I'm sure. I'll properly thank you as soon as my brain is functioning again. Wow…"

"I'm sorry," Kurt said, laying his head on Blaine's chest and curling into his body.

"I'm only assuming you're not apologizing for waking me up the way you did?" Blaine smirked.

"No, for…other things. I really did just want to have everything nailed down before I sprung it on you that I would have to be away."

"I'm not angry. I needed…wanted time. I had to run it all through my own head for a bit, but…I get it. It would be amazing if Naomi could go instead of you, but if she's unable to do so, then you're the obvious choice, and I understand that. The timing could not be worse, except if the show was on our wedding day, of course, but I get it. We'll work it out, Kurt. We always do. So, tell me what it is that you need me to do in order to have everything ready and we'll knock off your punch list one at a time."

"I love you so much it scares me some days. I don't think I can ever express how much," Kurt said softly, his eyes wet and his arm snuggly around Blaine's chest.

"Well, we have a whole lifetime to try…starting today. Why are you still home?" Blaine smirked.

"I had something I wanted to do today," Kurt smirked right back.

"Oooh! Can I be 'something'?"

"You are such a child, I swear," Kurt laughed.

"I really hope not. For what I have in mind, you could be arrested if I'm a child," Blaine cackled and Kurt whacked him with a pillow.

---

Blaine could not have imagined what the next few weeks would be like. He and Jeff were busy every single minute with the Sterling Center for the Arts. Ebony was in town now, so she and Blaine had been spending quite a bit of time together getting their classrooms just so. He found he enjoyed her company as much as Jeff did. He could understand, now, why Jeff loved her so much and fought for her to join them in New York City. Blaine knew the addition to their staff was a good one, and couldn't wait to see how they all worked together. Of course, there were other staff members, and they were now hard at work preparing their classrooms for the upcoming semester, many of them former instructors at other schools who were looking forward to the new school opening almost as much as Jeff and Blaine. Almost. Blaine wasn't sure anyone was as excited for the school to open as Jeff, but he understood why. This was his best friend's dream, and it was about to come true.

Thad was on board to take up the business and accounting side of the school, on a part-time, mostly at night basis at first, and Jeff was glad. He had briefly spoken with Trent, who agreed to consider taking on a class the following year, but he was now working full time at the gallery and he couldn't see himself having the time for it. The gleam in Trent's eye when Jeff outlined what he had in mind was enough for them to know it would be in the back of Trent's mind, though. They all agreed to revisit the idea later in the year.

Hunter and Sebastian were getting along like a house on fire and it warmed Blaine and Kurt's hearts to see it. The two of them had been through a lot, and they deserved some level of normalcy. Still, there was something brewing with the couple, Blaine thought, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Sebastian had apparently mentioned to Kurt that he was considering changing jobs or scaling back his duties, but he hadn't said anything more about it recently. Hunter was happy where he was and Sebastian was so proud of him that he was near to bursting with it.

Kurt…well, Kurt was Kurt. He was doing way too much, spending late nights at the loft to finish everything he'd need for the upcoming show. He was like a mother hen with Naomi now, which made Blaine snicker when he thought about it. Kurt faltered on the Hummel Crib line when he realized that it might not be something Naomi could handle at the moment. They'd sat down to have a long chat about things, and she assured him that she was still totally on board, and that she was certain things would work out for the best if she just trusted her instincts and leaned on those around her. She and Maggie were already thick as thieves at work and Naomi had been seen coming and going from the apartment downstairs a few times, "getting her snuggles on" with Sophia, as she called it. Kurt couldn't be happier that the two of them were hitting it off.

For her part, Maggie was making his job so much easier that he had to hold himself back from kissing her on a daily basis. She was a whiz with a needle and thread and she had design ideas that, together with Naomi's input, were sure to be a hit with the Hummel Crib line. David was utterly pleased with the two girls and even gave them a special project to work on while Kurt was away from the loft. Although Kurt wanted his hand in everything, this was something he was going to miss out on because of his unplanned trip. David only hoped that Kurt saw it for the olive branch that it was.

Rachel was a wreck with Kurt's travel plans, stating that he was ruining her 'plans' and that now there wouldn't be time for a proper bachelor party. Kurt merely shrugged and told her he'd rather spend the last evening at home before his trip with Blaine anyway, but he thanked her for thinking of them. "Maybe after the wedding we'll all go out to party?" he'd suggested. She seemed mollified, but who knew with her. She was proving invaluable with wedding plans, though.

It wasn't hard to see that Kurt was beginning to unravel toward the end, and Blaine called Rachel more than once to come over while he was at work to try to get Kurt to just sit down and make lists of things that he could do while Kurt was away. Surely there couldn't be much more to do, but Blaine was on a mission to make sure that every, single detail was taken care of so that Kurt had nothing to do but come home and put his clothes on for the wedding.

A big, unexpected snag came when the owner of the law firm on the first floor spoke with Blaine two weeks before the wedding. He was expanding the firm and taking on a partner, so it was decided they'd need more space and he would not be renewing his lease. He thanked Blaine for not sending everyone packing when he'd bought the building and even suggested that he might know someone interested in the space if Blaine wanted the contact information. Blaine took it, but after careful consideration and a long talk with Kurt, he decided that it would probably make more sense, financially, for them to turn the first floor into three apartments instead of one suite of offices. He could then collect three rents instead of one.

Almost as soon as the decision was made, Blaine got in touch with Nick, who agreed completely and asked if he wanted to speak with Kyle about the renovation. A week before the wedding found Blaine, Kurt, Kyle and Nick walking through the first floor, taking measurements and putting all their heads together to find the best fit for everything. The plan was that the current occupants would be moving out by the first of October, so that's when Kyle and his team would converge on the space and make it into apartments. Hunter ran into them in the hallway while they were discussing their plans and his eyes lit up.

"I don't want to overstep, and I didn't mean to eavesdrop or anything," Hunter said, "I mean, I know this is still in the planning stages and all that, but Seb and I have been discussing the need for more space. Just one bedroom is a little tight for us and I think we really need a space for…" he paused, "maybe a small office. If you don't mind me asking, will you have any two-bedroom units available that we can call dibs on? I really love this building – and of course my awesome neighbors – and I'd hate to move out of it. I know the rent will be more, but we'll be ok with it, of course."

"I think we can work with you on that," Blaine smiled. "We'll have three units on the first floor, all of them two bedrooms, so we can surely spare one for you guys. I'd hate to lose you as a neighbor, Hunter."

"I'm sure I wouldn't lose much sleep if we lost Sebastian as a tenant, but we'd hate to lose you, Hunter," Kurt said, then winked at all of them as he tilted his head at the stairs. Sebastian came clomping down, peering down his nose at Kurt as he rounded the newel post. His snarky grin said that he knew Kurt was messing with him and he planned to give it right back.

"I'm sure you'd cry a river, Hummel. You'd miss me, admit it. Who'd leave you fun gift baskets?"

"Gift baskets?" Nick asked, eyes wide with interest.

"You…oh my God, you don't have a filter, do you? I have to pack. I'll see you all later," Kurt rushed out, nearly sprinting up the stairs away from what he knew would become an embarrassing conversation if he stuck around. They all snickered and grinned as Blaine gave a nutshell version and Nick shook his head as he rolled his eyes at Sebastian.

"So, fill me in…why are we losing me as a tenant and not you?" Sebastian asked Hunter with an interested gleam in his eye.

"The law firm is moving out and they're going to renovate to make the first floor into three apartments…each with two bedrooms. I told Blaine we'd like to put our name in the hat for one of them…you know…some extra space and all," Hunter grinned, eyes bright as he looked at his husband.

"Yeah?" Sebastian asked, nearly breathless. Blaine found it…odd…but said nothing.

"Yeah…I think…yeah," Hunter answered. "If you'll be, you know…working from home more and everything…." Seb's smile was one that Blaine had never seen…soft, loving, full of something that was more promise than anything else. "A little extra space never hurt anyone, right?" He winked. Sebastian just nodded, grinning from ear to ear, then pulled Hunter into a hug.

"Let's grab some dinner, shall we? We'll see you guys later," Seb said, grabbing Hunter's hand.

"Let me know about rent and when you think they'll be ready, Blaine?" Hunter asked as they walked toward the door.

"Will do. We're not starting on anything until October, but Kyle thinks the whole thing can be done within a month or so with some other things they're working on. I'll keep you up to date," Blaine said with a wave.

"Hey, ya know…" Nick said, "if you'll have a one bedroom available, I know Ebony's still looking for something. You want me to run it by her?"

"Absolutely, yeah. We haven't even started yet and I have one of the new apartments rented out and the newly vacant one with an option. It's a good day," Blaine smiled.

"I'll get to work on the floor plans and get some supply lists going and all that. I'll let you know what I come up with," Kyle said. "You still have the same number?"

"Yeah…same cell. Let me know and we can be ready to move on it as soon as the tenants are out. For now, gentleman, I'm going to go spend some time with my fiancé, who is leaving me for a good number of days, much to my dismay. Keep me in the loop!" Blaine said, then slapped both men on the shoulder and took the stairs two at a time.

"Kurt?" Blaine said as he entered the apartment and didn't hear anything. "Sweetheart?" he said again, then wandered down the hall to their bedroom. "Hey, are you…Oh…Kurt…" he breathed out, seeing Kurt curled up on their bed silently weeping, his original wedding scrapbook clutched tightly in his arms. He'd been adding their "new" things to his old book, keeping swatches of color and cleanly cropped photos of suits, sketches of dresses and flower arrangements that he fell in love with. There were photos of six tiered cakes with 'that icing that looks like bowties, Blaine…BOWTIES!'. Blaine knew with certainty that programs, pressed flowers and candid snapshots of their wedding would end up in this book as well when all was said and done. But, for now, it was Kurt's 'wedding bible' and he was loathe to part with it for the coming week.

"I don't want to go. I don't even care if the entire line tanks and I have no job next month. I don't want to leave you," he sobbed, nose running and eyes red. "Not now…not this time. I just have a terrible feeling that everything is going to fall apart if I'm not here to keep my thumb on everything, and I'm going to miss you so much…" Kurt hiccupped. "I had such plans for the dresses, Blaine. Look…my sketches…shit, they're at the loft…but I wanted to make dresses for your Mom and for Carol. I wanted to make Rachel's dress and Evee's dress and I didn't have the time because of this trip and the show and I…." Kurt continued with another broken sob. "I want to stay home!" he whined.

Blaine laid down next to him and tugged Kurt back into his arms, nuzzling into the soft hair at the base of his neck.

"Awww, baby, everything will be fine. You know you don't mean that. Your designs…everyone needs to see them and you need to be there. You're an up and coming New York City fashion designer, Kurt, and I want the world to see your talent. I know you don't want to go and this is the worst possible time, but we'll handle everything, honey, I swear. I won't let you down. I have the lists. I know exactly what's being delivered on what day and I told Jeff I'm going to be home this week almost every day so that I'm here when the deliveries arrive and there's no possible way I'll miss anything. I will keep you posted on everything, I promise, Kurt. We can do this. We're a team and we can make this all come together with surgical precision!" Blaine smiled.

"Oh, sweetheart…I didn't mean that I don't trust you. I know you'll do everything you said you'd do and I trust you implicitly…I do. But you know I'm a control freak," Kurt said, eyes cast downward.

"You? A control freak? About our wedding?!" Blaine said with barely restrained laughter.

"Oh, laugh it up!" Kurt snipped, pulling away to grab another tissue. He finally broke a grin and snorted out a half laugh, then wiped his nose on the tissue and wadded it up in his fist. "I don't even care about the line. I just want to be here with you. I don't want to leave my fiancé just days before our wedding, Blaine. What the hell was I thinking when I said I'd go? Maybe Maggie can go instead?"

"Kurt…you know I won't stop you from doing what you feel is the right thing to do, but I think David would be awfully put out if you cancelled at this late date. It wouldn't look good for the line, and we both know that when this wedding is all said and done, that you'll be back to designing and you'll be glad that you went. Think of it as an adventure!" Blaine grinned, trying everything he could to make Kurt smile.

"I want to adventure another day…another week…another month. Not THIS month!"

"C'mere…" Blaine said, and tugged Kurt down beside him again. "C'mon…snuggle up," he urged.

Kurt nestled into Blaine's arms and wiped his nose on his sleeve, then laughed as Blaine gave a horrified gasp. "I love you so much, you know that don't you?"

"I do, and I'm so in love with you, too…enough to let you wipe your nose on my sleeve," he laughed. "You're everything to me, Kurt Hummel, and I want you to succeed more than anything. This is a stepping stone to that amazing success that you deserve so much. I want you to go and have this experience. I want you to get your name out there. I want you to have an amazing time, send me pictures, eat great food and have the time of your life. Then I want you to fly back home and marry me. There's nothing I want more in this world than to marry you next weekend, love."

"You're too good for me. You know how to tackle my nerves and make sense of them. You know when to figuratively smack me across the face and tell me to calm down without making me feel like you're patronizing me. You make me…whole. And I love you for it. We're gonna do this and we're gonna kill it."

"Next month you'll look back on this as the best month of your life…exciting trip, fashion show, new designs, and our wedding…and honeymoon. Let's not forget the honeymoon," Blaine grinned.

"I feel bad that you have to go to work the day after we get home. You won't even have any down time," Kurt said, concerned.

"I'll be coming off of a whole week of down time. No worries…and I'll have you to come home to every night, too. I can't wait, Kurt. I just want to spend time with you…just us – you …me…sand…water…sun…sunblock for you…." He snickered and Kurt dug his elbow into Blaine's side snickering as well.

"I BURN! I can't help it!" he finally laughed out loud.

"And I will spend every moment I'm allowed smearing this amazing body with sunblock and I'll enjoy every second of it!"

"Yeah?"

"Absolutely. Now let's get you packed so we can have tonight to ourselves, can we? I don't want to be rushing around. I just want to hold you tonight and make love to my fiancé for the last time."

"The last time!?"

"You're not gettin' any more o' this until after the wedding, Hummel," Blaine laughed. "Think of how good it'll be after a week of being apart."

"You can't be serious. No…I don't wanna…Blaine!?"

"You leave in the morning, Kurt. You'll be gone from Monday morning to Thursday afternoon. The girls get here Thursday morning, everyone will be here for dinner on Thursday evening. Your Dad and Carol will be in on Wednesday…but they're staying with Rachel and Finn for the night, right? Kurt nodded at the question. "Then they'll be staying here Friday night and Saturday after the wedding. When we're in our fancy pants hotel room honeymoon suite, they'll be living it up with the girls here," Blaine laughed. "Friday will be a huge mess of last-minute things and we'll barely have time to shower, let alone anything else. But…Saturday night I'm all yours," Blaine grinned mischievously.

"But…but Friday! A week?" Kurt spluttered.

"Not even a week. We'll be together tonight, you'll leave in the morning and then Saturday we'll be together again after the wedding. Six days. I think you'll be ok, don't you?"

"You're enjoying this way too much," Kurt deadpanned. "But, if that's what you want…" he trailed off, rolling his eyes. "You're not going to pull some 'I can't see you before the wedding' crap, are you?" he asked with narrowed eyes. Blaine looked guilty. "BLAINE?! Are you trying to kill me?"

"But it's tradition, Kurt!" Blaine pouted. "I figured I'd just stay with Coop…or Jeff. I don't want any bad luck…I don't think I could handle it," he grinned.

"Oh my god...ok, whatever. WHATEVER…just…let's get this show on the road. I have a date with a Gino's pizza, a bottle of wine and my hot, almost-husband. I'm nearly all packed anyway."

Kurt woke slowly the following morning to the strains of music. He rolled over, arm slung out to touch Blaine, but found Blaine's side of the bed empty. He rolled over and stretched, then felt his heart melt as he realized it was Blaine playing their piano that had woken him. His fiancé was playing "Kurt's Song" for him, and it made Kurt smile. Blaine had been so busy lately that he hadn't found much time to play at home, but he knew how much Kurt loved hearing him tinkling around with the keys. Rising from the bed, he made a brief stop in the bathroom, then sauntered out to find a rumpled Blaine sitting on the piano bench, hair a mess and cotton pajama pant-legs pooled around his bare feet. Kurt snickered when he realized they were his pants, not Blaine's. No wonder they were so long on him.

Blaine looked up as he approached and smiled at him. It was full of so much love and warmth that Kurt immediately felt his eyes water up as he smiled back. He sat beside Blaine on the bench and let his head loll over onto the man's shoulder. As the song finished, Blaine snaked an arm around Kurt's back and squeezed him tightly.

"Four days, Kurt. It's only four days. We've made it six weeks apart…I know we can do this. You go do your thing and I'll hold down the fort. I refuse to let this be anything less than everything you want, need and deserve. You go slay 'em at the show and I'll keep the peace around here until you get back and wrap it all up."

"You're ridiculous, you know it?"

"I've been told that a time or two," Blaine grinned. He leaned in and kissed the top of Kurt's head. "I'm ridiculously in love with you, almost-husband…God…so much," he breathed, tilting Kurt's face so that he could kiss him full on the mouth. "I can't wait for the weekend. This is going to be one helluva grand shindig, sweetheart, and we just have to get through this week before we can enjoy every second of it. We can do this, right?" Blaine asked, eyes hopeful as he softly bumped foreheads with Kurt.

"We can do this," Kurt murmured back, eyes closed and breathing in his lover. "I love you, and in case I forget to say it, thank you for everything…for everything, Blaine. All of it. Without you…" Kurt trailed off, wiping a tear that snaked down his cheek.

"Nope…none of that. If you get started with the waterworks we'll both be a mess. Let's get you moving and start the longest week of my life so that it can be over and I'll be back in your arms again."

Kurt pulled away with a sad smile. "Deal," he said, then kissed Blaine one last time before rising to head back to the bathroom to shower and start the day.

Leaving Kurt at the airport that morning was like tearing off his own arm. Blaine's heart broke as he watched Kurt try desperately to hold back tears in the airport as he checked in. The ticket agent spoke kindly to him, as it was clear that he was struggling. Kurt's breath hitched and his eyes were glassy.

"Going somewhere fun? L.A. it says. Well, that should be…good…right?" she smiled, clicking around on her keyboard as she printed the tags for Kurt's luggage. "Nice and sunny, I hope?"

"I think I'd rather throw myself into traffic at this point," Kurt sniffed.

"So, not a pleasure trip…got it."

"No…work. Don't get me wrong, I love my work…I'm a designer, it's fantastic and I have the best boss…a great job…but I'm going on this trip because I have to, not because I want to…and I'm leaving my fiancé behind with a whole lot of shit to do and we're getting married on Saturday and I just…I don't wanna go…" Kurt nearly choked out, feeling about eight years old instead of like a grown man. "God, I'm sorry, you must think I'm crazy…"

"I don't. You're not crazy. If that guy was waiting back here for me, I'd be sobbing that I had to leave, too," she grinned. When Kurt looked up at her, curiously, she nodded over his shoulder at Blaine, who stood by the doors, hands shoved in his pockets, looking miserable, staring at him as if Kurt was the air that he needed in order to live. Well…if you asked Blaine, he really rather was, wasn't he?

"Oh, god, Blaine…" Kurt sighed, breath hitching again. "He's so…so amazing. I'm the luckiest man alive," Kurt said, the love in his eyes so clear and bright that the agent felt her own eyes water up.

"Well, it looks like you have a few minutes. I'm sure one more goodbye will do you both a world of good. I wish you all the luck in the world, but somehow, I don't think you'll need it. Have a great trip, Mr. Hummel."

"Th-thank you. I appreciate that."

"And best of luck with the wedding. I know those things get crazy," she smiled. "Take time for the little things. That's what you'll remember most."

Kurt nodded his thanks and moved to the side, weaving in and out of other travelers, his eyes only on Blaine all the while. When Blaine realized what he was doing, he moved away from the door and toward Kurt with a bright grin.

"You're crazy…" Kurt laughed, then dropped the handle of his bag and threw his arms around Blaine one more time.

"I realized I forgot to tell you to break a leg or whatever they say in the design world. Can I say 'good luck' or is that bad?"

"You can say whatever you want…just say you love me and I'll be good."

"You know I do…always. Go kick some ass, love. I'll be here waiting for you Thursday. Call me when you get there, ok?"

"I will. I love you. Be good…and call me—"

"—if I need anything or if I have any questions…I know," Blaine grinned. "Love you, too. Be careful."

With a nod, Kurt picked up his bag and backed away, nearly taking out an elderly couple as he did so, but he was unwilling to take his eyes off of Blaine until he absolutely had to.

TSA patted him down and wand-ed him thoroughly and he glanced back at the doors to see Blaine watching. Kurt blew him a kiss, grinning, then pulled his luggage behind him down the hall and out of sight.

---

"Be still sweetheart. You don't want to get stuck with a pin, do you?" Maggie said, holding Evee's arms up while Naomi turned up the hem and pinned the dress.

"I look like a fairy princess, Mama," Evee breathed, eyes wide in awe.

"You do. I'm sure your Uncle Kurt wanted nothing less for his girl," Naomi smiled. "I remember hearing all about you before I ever met you or your Mama. Kurt thinks you're the bee's knees, little one."

"Bees have knees!?" Evee laughed.

"Well, they must, because you're the bee's knees," Naomi laughed right back.

"Uncle Kurt's my favorite. Don't tell anyone!" Evee whispered as Maggie moved away to quiet a fussy Sophia.

"I won't tell. He's a pretty neat guy, huh?"

"He's always nice to me and he has the prettiest eyes of everrr," she said, nodding to make her point. "And he makes me the prettiest clothes, too. But Maura at school is mean because I have Hummel clothes and she doesn't. Mama says she's just jealous," Evee told her sadly.

"I'm sure she is. Kurt enjoys making things for you, though. You're pretty special to him, you know it?"

"He's special to me, too," Evee said with stars in her eyes. Naomi was pretty sure Evee might even have a little crush.

"Listen…if this 'Maura' gets too nutty about giving you a hard time about your clothes, you tell your mama or a teacher or something, ok? She doesn't get to treat you poorly because she's unhappy with her own clothing, or because Uncle Kurt made you something lovely."

"Everything Uncle Kurt makes is lovely. Did you see Sophia's clothes? She looks like a baby model!" Evee squealed in delight as Maggie carried Sophia over in a yellow polka-dotted onesie. "Uncle Kurt makes the best things ever."

"Well, your mama and I may have 'made' this dress, but it's Kurt's design and his choice of fabric that he wanted for you…so let's get you situated, my lovely, and then we'll move on to—" she paused as a lovely, dark haired older woman tentatively opened the door to the loft.

"Grammy Cris!" Evee shouted, and nearly tumbled from her perch where she was being fitted. She skittered across the floor and threw herself into the arms of the woman who offered her the biggest smile she had.

"Oh, sweetheart, just look at you!" Cris breathed. "You look stunning!" she gushed.

"Uncle Kurt designed my dress, but since he's not here, Mama and Na-na made it for me from his drawing!"

"Na-na, huh?" Cris asked, a gleam in her eye as she took in the two ladies in the studio, Maggie with an arm full of Sophia and another lovely girl sporting a sizable bump under her top. "And you must be Naomi?" she asked, offering her hand. Naomi shook it with a wide smile.

"I am, and it's lovely to meet you. I've heard so much about you, Mrs. Anderson. I'm so glad you could meet us today.

"Oh, pish…" Cris scoffed. "Please, call me Cris or this friendship will never work," she said airily, then winked at her new friend.

"Cris it is, then. I think we're just about finished with Miss Evee, here, so if you'd like, Maggie can show you what we've assembled for you and you can change down the hall?" Cris nodded enthusiastically and Naomi walked toward Kurt's office to grab Cris' dress.

"Maggie, love, how are you today?" Cris grinned, hugging her daughter in law.

"I'm doing well, Cris. It's been a little hectic with Kurt gone and everyone trying desperately to make preparations for the weekend, but we're handling it."

"And my sweet Sophia. Come here, my love, and give Grammy a snuggle, hm?" Cris took the baby in her arms and held her closely to her chest, inhaling her sweet baby scent. "Maggie…" she began, then let her eyes fall closed. Maggie tilted her head, wondering what Cris had to say.

"Na-na…this part's itchy. Can I take it off now?" Evee interrupted.

"Sure thing, sweet pea. And it'll be lined, so you won't feel the itchy part on Saturday, ok?"

"Kay…but I want to take it off now. Will you help me? I don't wanna get stuck on the pins."

"I think we'll be right back," Naomi told Maggie with a wink. She took Evee's hand and led her down the hall to change.

"Cris…is everything ok?" Maggie asked, concerned now as Cris cradled Sophia and swayed back and forth ever so slightly.

"Oh, Maggie…everything is so much more than ok, sweetheart. I…you…" she began again, only to pause and smile, nuzzling her granddaughter softly. "You know now…I know you do…to a degree at least…that the happiness of your children brings you just as much joy. A year ago, when I found George's journals…" she paused, taking in a huge breath of air as she did so, "I wondered if my boys had ever been happy…ever, in their lives…"

"Oh, Cris…"

"But then I came here to see them, to talk about what I'd found and the changes in my life since that discovery and I found my boys living their lives, prospering, and so in love – both of them, so in love- and you," she paused again, gathering her words. "Maggie, you have made Cooper so happy, and you've given him, and me…all of us…such beautiful, kind, loving and well-mannered little people to love and hug and…and I'm just so unbelievably grateful to you for loving my son, Maggie," she said, tears in her eyes.

Maggie was just outright crying now, her smile bright, but tears running down her face nonetheless. "Oh, Cris…Cooper is the love of my life and I will hold on to him as long as he'll let me, mark my words. You raised a fine, strong, loving man who – for some strange reason – looked at me and my kids and thought we'd be something good in his life," she choked off in a laugh. Cris rolled her eyes and wiggled an arm around Maggie's waist, pulling her in tightly.

"He made a wise choice, and he is happier now than I've ever seen him in all his years. That's because of you, darling, and Evee and Mattie and now this little beauty," Cris grinned. "And where is my Mattie this morning?"

"Oh, he's hanging out with Uncle Blaine, no doubt getting into something he shouldn't."

"Mostly likely both of them are getting into something they shouldn't," Cris remarked, rolling her eyes with a fond smile. "Ok, I'm sorry, enough of the water-works," she laughed, wiping her eyes. "It's just that when I'm around my beautiful girls, I tend to get sappy. Let's get this show on the road. Show me what my soon to be son-in-law has drawn up for me?"

"Oh, Cris…wait until you see!" Maggie nearly squealed. "Your dress and Carol's are very similar, but not exactly the same. I'll show you both of them. Carol will be in tomorrow to be fitted and Naomi and I will finish all the alterations and the details but…here it is!"

"Oh…Oh, Kurt…" Cris breathed out, at a complete loss for words. She blinked rapidly a few times, clearly trying to hold back more tears. "That boy is so insanely talented. He told me, months back, that he would be honored if I'd allow him to design my dress, and of course I agreed. Then he called, saying he was going to have to go on this trip and was so very sorry that he wouldn't be able to make the dress…but you girls have taken his design and…oh…he knows me so well. Pockets!" she squealed, her eyes bright and happy. Can I try it on?"

"Of course! There's a room just down this hallway. Take your time, Cris, and yell if you need help with the zipper or anything."

"So talented, my son-in-law…" Cris said again, running her fingers over the fabric.

"He is. David hit the jackpot when he found Kurt," Naomi commented, leading Evee out of the dressing room. "So…do you want to try it on?" she asked, eyes wide and bright, unable to wait to see Cris in the gown.

"Oh, I can't wait!" Cris squealed, then handed Sophia off to Maggie.

---

"I'm hit…I'm hit…tell…tell Kurt…tell Kurt I love him and my last thoughts were of him…" Blaine choked and coughed as he lay on the ground, hand clutching his chest. His eyes fluttered shut and he slumped into a lifeless pile.

"I shot you in the leg, Uncle Blaine. You're so weird," Mattie told him, holding his Nerf gun at the ready in case his prey so much as twitched. Mattie offered a deadpan look as he chastised his uncle, but Blaine didn't see it. He was already…gone. He didn't move or even acknowledge Mattie's words at all. "Can we have lunch now?" Mattie asked. Nothing. "Uncle Blaine…" he said again, approaching the man on the floor with guarded trepidation. As soon as Mattie got close enough, Blaine reached out and grabbed him, yanked him down to the floor and tickled him mercilessly.

"You fell for the oldest trick in the book!" Blaine bellowed, laughing all the while.

"You…that's cheating! You can't…STOP…" Mattie laughed, struggling to pull away. With a last-ditch effort, he skittered away from Blaine and then shoved the barrel of his Nerf gun to Blaine's forehead. "Now you'll pay!" He pulled the trigger and BAM! A dart erupted from the gun and smacked Blaine square in the forehead.

"I can't believe you did that!" Blaine grumbled, falling back over as if he'd been truly, mortally wounded.

"That's gonna leave a mark," Mattie howled with laughter. "It's already turning red!" he crowed, holding his belly as he slumped onto the sofa.

"You better hope and pray it goes away or Uncle Kurt's gonna have your butt on a platter!"

"Eww…why would he want my butt on a platter?" Mattie asked, curiously. "That's weird…"

"It's just a saying."

"So what's for lunch? Can we go to the diner?"

"Nope, not until Kurt's package arrives today. That's why I'm home this week. We're having a lot of last minute things being delivered for the wedding. If I'm not here, they might not leave the package and then we won't have what we need," Blaine explained.

"Well, that's ok I guess. So what are you making me?"

"I thought you were making lunch. That was the deal, man. Your mom said 'if you watch Mattie, he'll make you a four-course lunch'. I distinctly remember that part," Blaine teased, but with a straight face.

"I don't know how to cook four-course, or even what it is, so you might be stuck with PB&J, dude."

"Did…did you just call me 'dude'?" Blaine snickered.

"Jeff calls you 'dude' all the time," Mattie replied, a little embarrassed.

"He does…and so does Finn. You can call me 'dude' if you want. I'll call you that, too. You're my dude!" Blaine laughed, ruffling Mattie's hair. "Ok, man…so how about grilled cheese and tomato soup?"

"Yussssss!" Mattie grinned. "That's my favorite! My favorite!" he laughed, running to the kitchen as the buzzer sounded near the door.

"Hold that thought, little man, we have a visitor."

Blaine descended the stairs to find a box blocking the delivery guy's face.

"For Kurt Hummel?"

"Yeah, well, he's not here, I'm not him, but he lives here. I'll sign…" Blaine babbled.

"You've got a little something up there…" the guy said, motioning toward Blaine's forehead and the big red spot.

"Yeah, I took a bullet to the had a few minutes ago. Some dude shot me…" Blaine said back without even thinking. The poor delivery guy looked over Blaine's shoulder, unsure of what was going on in the apartment. Blaine finished signing his name with a flourish.

"Last name?" he asked, taking the electronic pad back from Blaine.

"Anderson…have a good one!"

"Yeah…you too," the guy said, then turned to go.

"So, what's in Uncle Kurt's box?"

"I'm pretty sure this is a top hat," Blaine grinned. "But I'm not supposed to know that," he winked.

"Seriously? Like Abraham Lincoln!?"

"The very same…sort of," Blaine rolled his eyes.

"So…now that the package is here, can we go to the diner for lunch?" Mattie pleaded with wide eyes and a big smile.

"I suppose we can…dude."

"Yay, my favorite! DUDE!"

"I thought grilled cheese and tomato soup was your favorite!?"

"Not if I can have chicken fingers from the diner," Mattie grinned. "And fries, of course. And maybe a milkshake, too."

"Hmmm…we'll see."

"They also have pie—"

"There is no way you can eat all that," Blaine laughed.

"Bet?"

"Bet."

"You're on, Uncle Blaine."

---

Wednesday found Blaine in the apartment sorting boxes and bags. A steady stream of wedding gifts had arrived for the past two weeks or more and he didn't dare open any of the boxes without Kurt, so he had a stack of packages against the wall in the dining room which resembled a badly played game of Tetris.

Blaine: Three more wedding gifts arrived. I opened them all without you and put them on the stack with the other things I opened without you yesterday and Monday.

Kurt: Blaine Anderson! You better not!

Blaine: And if I do? What will you do about it?

Kurt: ? Do you really want to find out?

Blaine: Hmmmm…will you punish me? :D

Kurt: If I say yes, you'll go open all the gifts, won't you?

Blaine: Maybe?

Kurt: How about…if you DON'T open them, I'll make it well worth your while?

Blaine: I like your idea better. I'll get to watch your eyes light up when you open the gifts. I miss your eyes…and your lips…and your hands. Most of all I miss your smile.

Kurt: You're so sappy and I love it. Miss you, too, B. So much. I can't wait to get home to you tomorrow. Everything's set? No issues?

Blaine: Everything is crossed off the list. I've checked it twice. We're good to go, almost-husband!

Blaine: Everything's going well there, too?

Kurt: Everything has gone unbelievably well. I'm not going to go as far as to say "I'm glad I came", but I think it's a good thing that we're here. It's been…yeah…pretty amazing. Lots of interest.

Blaine: Of COURSE they're interested. Better be in the clothing and not my hot ass fiancé, though! (wink)

Kurt: But I only have eyyyyeeesss…for youuuuuuuuu…

Blaine: Please sing that for me when you get home. I think it might be magical. I can't wait for you to be here, Kurt.

Kurt: Missing you so much, too. Just hold down the fort, B. We're almost there! I knew I could trust you to handle things! No issues, right?

Blaine: Still no issues. I'll make sure of it! I'll see you at the airport, Kurt. I love you!

Kurt: I'm counting the minutes. I love you so much!

---

Blaine: Burt and Carole are here?

Rachel: Yes! Finn picked them up and brought them to our place. We're heading out to dinner with my dads in a little bit. You wanna join us?

Blaine: No, I'm good, but thanks. I think I'll just order a pizza. I want to straighten up around here a little bit and make sure the place is spotless for our guests…and for Kurt, of course. He'll be home tomorrow!

Rachel: Can I help with anything?

Blaine: Nope, as far as I can tell, it's all done. Every last thing. I'm just praying we don't get the rain they say might swing our way. For now, everything is on track!

Rachel: When do the girls get in?

Blaine: Tomorrow afternoon. Kurt should be here around 11 am and the girls around 2 pm.

Rachel: And how are you holding up?

Blaine: If I were any better I'd be twins. I'm marrying the love of my life in three days. I can't wait!

Rachel: You're so cute. LOL Call me if you need me for anything, ok? I mean it…anything at all!

Blaine: I will, and thanks!

Blaine worked all afternoon and evening to straighten up the apartment. He changed the sheets on the bed in the guest room and then washed a set of sheets to throw over the sofa in case it was needed. After that, he fluffed up an already clean set of sheets for the bed in his and Kurt's room because it would probably be used while they were at the hotel after the wedding.

He made sure all the dishes were done and the bathrooms were scrubbed. He swept and mopped all the floors, dusted the furniture and sprayed down the rooftop deck, taking in the sounds of the city – traffic, barking dogs and sirens blaring. When he was finished watering all of their plants and trees, he rolled up the hose and stored it away. They weren't leaving for their honeymoon until Monday, so they may have time to bar-b-que with their guests before they left.

By 9 pm he was exhausted. He ordered a pizza and grabbed a beer from the fridge, then settled down in front of the TV for the night. His plan was to get a good night's rest and be up bright and early to grab breakfast with Jeff, then go to the airport to get Kurt. Kurt was coming home. He'd see him in the morning!

Blaine: Twelve hours! (smiley emoticon with heart eyes)

Kurt: Sweetheart, I can NOT wait.

Blaine: Me neither. I may have to break my own rule.

Kurt: What rule is that?

Blaine: (wiggly eyebrows)

Kurt: Oh wait…that rule? Oh. Really now? (wiggly eyebrows)

Blaine: It's been a long, LONG four days, Kurt.

Kurt: It has. I hate being away from you. Thirteen hours, B. Get some sleep. I'll see you in the airport!

Blaine: Sleep well, love. See you soon!

The pizza arrived and Blaine settled in just as the late news was starting. He was pleased to see that the chance for rain on Saturday was slim to none. Thankfully it would move to the south of the city so Kurt wouldn't freak out about his hair. With a grin, he picked up another piece of pizza and thought about their wedding, just three days away.

---

"Breakfast with Blaine?" Nick grinned as he watched Jeff pour himself a cup of coffee.

"Yep. Then we're gonna pick up Kurt and head home. I offered to pick up the girls around two. You don't mind, do you?" Jeff asked. "You can come along if you want to."

"Nah, I've got that meeting with Kyle today in Queens. And you know I don't mind…not at all. But you can't take your car for that. No way all three of them and their luggage will fit."

"Ethan's going with me," Jeff smirked. "Somehow I don't think the girls will mind."

"Awwww, he'll be so glad. He's been bored…said you don't go out nearly enough anymore. Big, hulking guy like that gets bored just driving around by himself all day."

"He's not driving around alone all day, moron. He hangs out at school, picks up lunch, reads an inordinate amount of classic literature while sitting at the curb waiting for yours truly. It'll be fun…especially seeing the girls' reaction to him when he gets out of the car."

"Yes, well, you don't run into an almost seven foot tall ex-linebacker with classic good looks every day, I guess. Just don't get too attached," Nick smirked back at him with a wink.

"I was pretty certain I made it crystal clear last evening that I'm all yours, Mr. Duval. If I wasn't clear, perhaps we can try again?"

"Oh, we'll do it all again, but I'll never doubt you when you ride me like that, Pretty Boy…and it's Sterling-Duval," Nick said with a hard smack to Jeff's butt.

Jeff yelped, and reached for his buzzing phone on the counter. "Abusive husband…" he muttered as he picked up the phone. Nick sauntered over and flipped on the TV, the news droning on in the background.

"Kurtie! What's up, man!?"

"Jeff, hey…" he said, a little distracted. "Look, I tried to get Blaine this morning, but he's not answering his phone or any text messages. My flight has been delayed and they're saying they don't know when we're leaving, but I won't be in at 11 am like we thought. Have you talked to him today?" Kurt asked, obviously concerned.

"Jeff!" Nick hissed, eyes wide. Jeff waved him off, glancing over his shoulder at his husband in their living room.

"No, I haven't talked to him but I'm supposed to be…um...meeting him for…" Jeff faltered, catching his husband flailing around the room to get his attention, desperately pointing at the TV and hissing out barely decipherable hysterics.

"Fuck…Jeff…fuck!" he hissed again, hands in his hair now. The TV screen showed a reporter 'live and on scene' at the aftermath of what appeared to be an overnight fire.

"….and we're here, live on scene at Inside Park at St. Bart's where they're saying they now estimate the damage at nearly one million dollars after a fire which was sparked in a commercial kitchen on the ground floor. Although the kitchen is in the back of the facility, and used for food service for on-site gatherings such as company meetings, weddings, receptions and holiday gatherings, the Fire Chief tells us that the flames spread rapidly. Investigators are now looking in to the fact that one or more of the sprinkler systems in the building may have malfunctioned, creating a greater risk of…"

The reporter droned on in the live shot while Jeff stood, motionless, watching Nick pace the floor with wide eyes, obviously distraught.

"Well, at least you answered, even though you're not conversing—"

"Kurt…" Jeff breathed out, unsure what he should say. If Blaine wasn't answering phone calls or texts, he obviously knew what was going on and didn't want to tell Kurt yet.

"Is everything ok? Is Blaine ok? I spoke with him not twelve hours ago and he was fine, but…I dunno. It's not like him to just not take my calls. The last time this happened he was holed up in Lima with my Dad after the accident. Jeff?"

"I…Kurt, I…" Jeff began, but looked to Nick with panic in his eyes. Nick shook his head "no" emphatically and mouthed "hang up!" frantically.

"Jeff, I'm starting to freak out, here," Kurt said, and his voice betrayed his seemingly calm demeanor.

"I'll uh…I'm meeting him at uh…for um…we're having breakfast at—" Jeff began, but his phone beeped in his ear and he pulled it away from his head to glance at the screen. Blaine. "Kurt, I'll tell you what. Maybe his phone isn't working? He could have dropped it in the toilet or something, you know how he is. I'm going to go over there and meet him for breakfast, and if everything isn't hunky dory I'll uh…I'll call you. Ok? I'm already late, man. Gotta run. Love ya, Kurtie!" Jeff blurted before hanging up on Kurt. Nick gave him an odd look.

"You hung up on Kurt. He'll have your ass when he gets back," Nick all but grinned.

"He'll have too much to worry about to even think about it. It's Blaine!" Jeff said before putting the phone back to his head. "DUDE? Kurt called me. He's all bent because you're not answering. What the hell, man. Of course, he's worried now because his flight is going to be late and you're not—"

"BLONDIE, hush and listen to me!"

"Sebastian? Why are you on Blaine's phone?"

"Man, you gotta get over here. He's…incapacitated. He's a mess. I'm here with Maggie, but Blaine's asking for you."

"He's alright, though…right?" Jeff said, slipping his feet into shoes while grabbing a shirt to throw on, then getting tangled up in it because he was holding the phone.

"He's…a mess. Just get here, man."

"On my way—" Jeff said, but Nick interrupted him.

"OUR way!" Nick yelled.

"Good, we'll need all the help we can get today."

Jeff and Nick took the steps into Blaine's apartment two at a time and stopped dead at the top of the stairs to gape at the mess before them. Blaine lay on the sofa, splayed out, for the most part, clutching a book in one hand and a nearly empty bottle in the other. He was mumbling incoherently and alternately sobbing out nonsense and Jeff was worried, to say the least.

"Oh, thank God," Sebastian mumbled, approaching the two. "He won't let go of the bottle or the book. He keeps babbling about 'Kurt's bible' and how he knows he's 'ruined everything now' because he didn't keep this from happening while Kurt's away," Seb told them, making quotations with his fingers when necessary. "Like the fire was his fault! I really don't know what to do, guys. I went downstairs to get Cooper, but he went in to work early. Maggie called him and he's on his way over. She's trying to get the kids to Helen so she can come back up, but the baby wasn't cooperating and I told her to just hang out…that I'd call if I needed her, but shit, thank God you guys are here!"

"What's the book?" Jeff asked, watching Blaine sob brokenly into a throw pillow. He kept babbling "I'm so sorry, Kurt…" over and over.

"I don't know. Stuff's been falling out of it and he stuffs it back in like if it's not in there the world will end. I don't know how much booze was in that bottle when he started drinking it, but there's barely a shot left and he's well past 'three sheets to the wind' and on his way to 'absolutely shit-faced' if he doesn't put that damn bottle down!"

"Well…here goes nothin'," Jeff said, approaching Blaine on the sofa.

"Jeffy…" Sob. "Jeffy, he's gonna be so mad. I promised everything would be fine and 's not. 'S not fine and ever-thing is ruined and I can't tell him. D'you think he'll notice? M-maybe we can just not tell him? Maybe he won't see the d-damage, right?"

"Blaine, Kurt is not going to be angry with you because of the fire. I don't know what happened there, but they're saying it's pretty…messed up. There's a lot of fire damage…smoke…water. I don't think they'll be having any gatherings there for quite some time. So, here's what we need to do. We're gonna get you some coffee…" Jeff trailed off, sending a pointed look over his shoulder at Nick and Sebastian, "and we're going to get you into a shower. You're going to text Kurt back that you're ok, because he's pretty worried since you didn't answer your phone at all this morning."

"Kurt…my Kurt. He called. I couldn't tell him because he's…he'll be mad. I said I'd make sure we were all set to go. Everything would be ready when he got home. I said that. I said…I said I'd take care of everything and it's all ruined. All of it. He's not going to marry me now because I can't make a wedding…I can't even make a wedding…" Blaine babbled, sniffing and clutching the scrapbook even tighter.

"Blaine, listen to me. Kurt is going to understand. This is not something either of you had any control over, and we're going to make sure that we get things back on track, ok? Please sit up. Can you just…for God's sake, Blaine, sit up."

"Can't…my head weighs a lot…a lot of head," he said, then giggled to himself at his own words. "A lot of head…" he snickered again, and Jeff had to grin at his goofy friend. "Not gonna get any head. Kurt's gonna be too mad at me," he began again, and Jeff saw Blaine's eyes water up. "But I love him. I still love him and he has to love me, too. I…I'll fix it somehow. I will. Even if I have to sell everything I have, I'll fix it for Kurt because Kurt is…Kurt is my Kurt."

"Ok, man…let's put this stuff down and see if we can get you into the shower, ok?"

"NO! No, don't. Don't touch Kurt's bible or he'll freak out. He'll just…he gets so mad when things fall out…" Blaine babbled, clutching it closely again. "All of Kurt's wedding brain is here. Here in the book. In the wedding brain book. All of Kurt's ideas and his dreams and what he really wanted before we had to get married in New York. If we had a big house we could have done it where Kurt wanted. But I bet they live there. We could ask them to leave, right?"

"Dude, what are you babbling about?" Nick laughed, setting a cup of coffee down in front of Blaine.

"He didn't want this. He didn't. Well, he did, but he wanted something more. The other place where his mom was at the wedding. When she was…that pretty lady…Kurt's Eliz…his Mom? She was at the wedding. She'll be there, right? She said it was a rich person's wedding. They had it at home, and Kurt said he wanted to get married there. I can't get married there. I don't live there…"

"Oh my God, someone shut him up!" Seb hissed. "What is he going on about?"

"Ok, buddy…can I have the book?"

"NO!"

"Blaine. Let's just set it down here on the table, can we? We'll get you into the shower and then it'll be right here when we get back. Nobody will touch it, ok?"

"But…but Kurt's going to be mad. Everything is out of order for Kurt. Oh my God he's going to cry. I hate it when Kurt cries. He's so beautiful, even when he cries…my Kurt…"

"UP! Holy shit, you're making me nutty, B. I love you to death, but drunk and melancholy Blaine is insanity I can't deal with today. Kurt's on his way home and I don't want him to see you like this. Oh shit, where's your phone?"

Sebastian handed Jeff Blaine's phone and Jeff immediately texted Kurt himself.

Blaine: Hi! Sorry I didn't reply. I was busy doing some last minute things. I love you and can't wait to see you later!

Kurt: Blaine! Oh my God, you worried me! Where have you been?

Blaine: Oh, I…I was in the shower when you first called and then I forgot my phone when I went to breakfast with Jeff, so here I am now. I'm good. Can't wait to see you!

Kurt: And have you decided if you're going to break your own rules tonight or not?

"Blaine! What is he talking about? Kurt wants to know if you plan to break the rules tonight?"

"Kurt…can't love Kurt until the wedding. I said I wouldn't…he was mad. I have to love Kurt but he'll be mad at me now…Kurt…" Blaine whined, then set his coffee cup down and let his head thunk back to the sofa again.

Blaine: I haven't decided. We'll see. I'll pick you up at the airport though. What time will you be here?

Kurt: Not sure. Are you sure you're ok? You sound weird…even for a text message, B. Waiting on them to announce when we can board. I think they have the plane ready to go but they had some kind of…well, you probably already saw my previous texts. Anyway. I'll call you when we board with an estimate of ETA, ok love?

Blaine: Can't wait!

"Get your ass up and into the shower. We have a lot to do today, B. We have to find out what the hell's going on now with the venue, if they plan to refund your money and what the hell we can pull together because, let's face it, it's too late to cancel this shindig and I'm not letting you lay around here all day pouting, do you hear me!?" Jeff bellowed. Sebastian and Nick both gaped at him, Seb with wide eyes and Nick with more than a little excited interest.

"Can't stand…"

"I'll drag your ass in there, then!"

"No, I…I mean, I don't think I can stand in the shower by myself. I'll jus' fall and drown. It's ok, then I won't have to tell Kurt…" Blaine babbled.

"UP!" Jeff growled, then dragged Blaine into the bedroom and on to the master bath. "If I have to get into the damn shower with you, I will, Blaine! Don't make me do it!"

Nick and Sebastian followed with more than a little interest, unsure how that would all play out. "STRIP! And don't you tell me you can't, because I'm not above doing it for you, B. We have got to get you in some sort of shape to face your fiancé at the airport. You can't show any fear, Blaine. If he thinks you're down about it, he'll fall apart. You have to be strong for Kurt. You have to be confident. We'll figure something out, but this heap of a mess that you are this morning is not going to be acceptable to Kurt freaking Hummel on any level. ARMS UP!"

"He's kinda hot when he's ordering people around, isn't he?" Sebastian asked Nick, who was grinning at the whole spectacle.

"He's kinda hot all the damn time, Seb, make no mistake. He's hot doing laundry, man."

"I can see that…" Seb nodded with a smirk.

"Can one of you guys help me get his clothes off?" Jeff asked, clearly annoyed. Blaine was being no help. It was like trying to maneuver a greased cat.

"I'm in!" Seb announced, then weaseled his way past Nick into the bathroom. I've been wanting to get this guy out of his clothes for a while now," he smirked. "Hold on, Blaine. Blondie and I are gonna get you naked!" he laughed.

"Kurt's gonna be so mad…no nakey…."

"Then pull yourself together and help me, B."

"He'll be here soon. Let's get you sobered up so you don't make an ass of yourself and make the situation worse than it is," Jeff told him, a bit kinder with his words now.

"Sebastian took my pants off…" Blaine giggled.

"Don't tell Kurt. He'll kick my ass," Seb laughed.

"Hunter…gonna be so mad…don-tell Hunter we were naked in the shower," Blaine babbled.

"No, you'll be naked in the shower. I'll be out here trying to make sense of this living room and throwing away that bottle of whatever it was that made you loopy as hell. Get yourself together, Blaine. We'll get this show back on the road, but we need you here with us at full capacity, ok?"

"Capa-city. Have I been there? To capa-city?" Blaine asked, confused.

"Holy shit, more coffee, ok? I'm gonna get him in the shower. See what you guys can come up with. Make some phone calls? I think all of the phone numbers are in the scrapbook. DON'T fuck up the book. Kurt will annihilate you!"

"Noted…straighten up, make calls, don't fuck up the book. Aye aye, captain!" Seb said with a salute, then went in search of Nick, who had rolled his eyes and left minutes earlier.

"I hate myself," Blaine whispered. "I'm going to hate myself for a week. My God, my head…" he whined.

"Here. More water. More Excedrin. Take it, eat this, answer questions. Keep the sunglasses on, B. Ok, where was this?"

"What is it…ok…that's the picture he tore out that inspired the dress he wanted to make for Carole. Flip to the tab that says 'attire' and let me see…"

They sat at the table trying to put the book back in order before they went to get the girls at the airport.. Seb had stayed, unsure what he could do, but he stayed for moral support, and Jeff was glad. Cooper had come home, then gone back out to get them food. They didn't have much in the house since they'd be leaving for their honeymoon after the wedding.

"And this one?" Seb asked, holding up an old photo.

Blaine grabbed it and looked at it longingly. He smiled and held it between his fingers like a treasure.

"Kurt went to a wedding with his parents when he was pretty young. It was for the daughter of some woman his Mom was on a committee with or something. He said it was the most beautiful wedding he'd ever attended, and he always wanted to have his own wedding there. He liked that nobody else would have wedding photos like theirs, that it wasn't some place hundreds of couples had already used for their wedding or reception. But…it's in Ohio and it's someone's private residence, so that was out. That's why I kept saying to him 'are you sure this is what you want?' because none of the places we looked at were anything like this. He kept this photo…and the rest of these…from that wedding, in his scrapbook all this time. I'd just always thought he'd want something like this…but there's nothing like this around here. Not unless one of you has some old, family mansion you've been hiding away," Blaine chuckled, putting the photos back in place.

"It's almost time to go get the girls, B. Have you heard from Kurt?" Jeff asked.

"No…not yet."

Blaine: Any word yet?

Kurt: Still unable to fly. Something wrong with the plane. They're trying to get another plane in. I've tried to book on two other airlines with no luck. Seems everyone else had the same idea. I'm sorry, B. I don't want you waiting around all day for me.

Blaine: Kurt, don't worry. We'll be fine. Just let me know as soon as you know anything, ok? I'm going to go with Jeff to get the girls and we'll let you know when we're back home, alright?

Kurt: I love you. Thank you for doing all this. I've left you in charge of so much and you've just run with it and made all my expectations a reality. I love you so much, Blaine. Thank you.

Blaine: I will do whatever I have to do to make all of your expectations a reality, Kurt. You're my whole world. I love you. Be safe!

"WHAT AM I GOING TO DO!?" Blaine bellowed as he dropped his phone on the table. "Oh my God, he's going to be absolutely devastated when he hears about the venue. What am I going to do…" Blaine said again, then stood to pace the kitchen floor.

"Blaine…" Sebastian said, setting his drink on the table. "We need to decide what happens next. We obviously have to go get the girls from the airport, but when you get home, what's the priority? Are you going to discuss with Kurt the possibility of cancelling or do we scramble and make the phone calls we need to make to find another venue or…what? What do you want to do? Tell me and I'm on it."

"I can't make the decision to postpone, not cancel, without Kurt. I can't do that. I think, maybe, we make phone calls to see what's available. If we postpone he'll be distraught. We have so much time, money, sweat and tears in this that he'll just lose his mind. I'll just make some calls and see what I can do," Blaine said dejectedly.

"Ok, here's the plan. I'm going to go get the girls from the airport. Ethan's downstairs waiting and I'm…what…bringing them back here?" Jeff asked.

"Well, I'm not sure that was the plan before, but now…God…he'll probably need all of them here to dry his tears when he gets home and hears what's going on. But then again, he may not want them to be here to see him break down. I don't know what to do! I can't think straight!" Blaine growled. "Could this get any worse?!"

"DON'T SAY THAT!" Nick and Sebastian said at the same time. "It's like daring karma to make you its bitch, B…don't!" Nick added.

Blaine closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Ok. Ok, here's the deal. Jeff, will you go get the girls and take them to their hotel? Give them the bare minimum of the facts. Tell them NOT to tell Kurt, under any circumstances—" Blaine began, but his phone rang just then.

"Rach—"

"OH MY GOD, BLAINE!? St. Bart's!?"

"Rachel, I know. DO NOT tell Kurt. Don't let ANYONE tell Kurt. Just…let me handle it when he gets home, ok? We're…scrambling here. Totally scrambling. But we'll come up with something. Jeff's leaving to go get the girls at the airport. We'll make it right…somehow. We're brainstorming."

"I'm coming over. Tell the girls to keep their phones on and let me make some calls. I'm on my way!" Rachel said, then disconnected.

Kurt: Blaine! They're boarding us into the plane. I'll see you, probably around 6 pm, your time, ok!? I'll text you the flight number so you can check. Gotta board, then they'll make us turn off phones, etc. Love you.

Blaine printed out the names and numbers of everyone that had anything at all to do with the wedding. He divvied out the phone calls, telling the guys to make sure that nothing got cancelled. At this point, he'd get married in his rooftop garden if necessary.

"Do NOT allow them to tell you it's not going to happen. Make sure that they know we're making alternate plans and that the show WILL go on, ok?"

As everyone nodded their heads and picked up their phones, Sebastian went back to the scrapbook to flip through the pages. He started at the beginning, but paused at the photos Kurt had placed in the book so long ago. Head tilted, a smile grew on his face as he set the book down.

Blaine was on the phone, and Seb grinned at him, watching how Blaine refused to give up, even when he'd been dealt this huge setback. He certainly did love Kurt Hummel, it was clear to see…and Sebastian knew how that felt. In the same situation he'd move heaven and hell for Hunter, too.

Blaine looked at him as he sat on hold and Seb saw the look of utter determination in his eyes. Mind made up, Seb picked up his phone and walked into the living room away from everyone at the kitchen island.

With a new goal, he dialed the phone and waited for an answer.

"Sebastian…is everything ok?"

"I'm fit as a fiddle, sir. And as far as I know, all is well, but I'm not on duty today. Are you well, sir?"

"I am, thank you," the answer came with an obvious grin.

"And your lovely wife?"

"Beautiful as ever and sitting here by my side. I don't think you called to exchange pleasantries, did you, Sebastian?" the man asked, chuckling now.

"No…no, sir, I did not. I called to talk to you about something…to ask a favor. You've told me on more than one occasion that you owe me for various things, although I didn't see it that way at all. I still don't, but I have the unique opportunity to help out two utterly selfless individuals who are very dear to Hunter and me. As I said, while I don't feel that you owe me anything, you insisted, and said that should I need to call in those favors, you'd oblige me. I'm calling in those favors, Governor Harris. I need to borrow your house."

A/N As always, thanks to Suzanne for editing and getting this back to me quickly.

Thanks for all of you who are still with me on this journey. We have two chapters left...the wedding and then an epilogue. I promise to do my best to have them complete before 2025. Gawd...life just gets busy, ya know it? Hugs to all who are still around for Klaine. I know last weekend was...trying...for some fans. Hang in there. I'll hang in with ya! Have a great weekend!