5YL Let the Encore Commence
Part 72
Once they returned to New York, they slipped right back into the routine they'd begun the previous week. Although Sebastian had encouraged him to rest a bit given what had occurred, Blaine declined as he had a rather full schedule that day. Tempting as a lazy morning in bed sounded, he would've lost what little personal time he had. Sebastian had been gone for about an hour, when he was about to sit down and catch up on his emails, when the doorbell rang. After a quick look at his schedule, to see if he'd missed something, he went to find out who was there.
"Isn't it early, even for you?" Blaine said as Vincent made his way inside. "I, didn't forget to put something on my schedule today, did I because…"
"No, as we're still scheduled for this afternoon once you're done with rehearsal." Vincent told him. "When did you and Sebastian get back?" He asked as they made their way into the front room, where he saw Blaine's coffee on the table, along with his laptop.
"Late last night as we wanted to maximize our time with our families." Blaine replied, before motioning for him to take a seat. "What's going on that you felt it couldn't wait till this afternoon?"
"I wanted to check in with you, making sure everything was alright."
"Why wouldn't it be?" Blaine countered, while reaching for his cup of coffee.
"I saw your ex ran his mouth again." Vincent told him, causing Blaine to shake his head. "I take that to mean it is."
"It is, as he only hurts himself when he lashes out at us." Blaine said to him. "I already heard from the ADA as they're looking into it, seeing if he violated the terms of the order."
"One would think by now, he'd know better."
"If he knew better, he wouldn't be in jail for a second time." Blaine retorted, earning a laugh from Vincent. "Now, seriously, what brings you by?"
"We got the preliminary numbers for yours and Sebastian's duet."
"And?"
"Over seven hundred thousand."
"That can't be right." Expecting that sort of answer, Vincent reached into his pocket for a print-out he'd made prior to leaving the office. "It's only been available since Saturday night, and…"
"Had little to no promotion, I know." Vincent told him. "Yet, between the label's PR, the foundation's, and Jordan, word got out. Needless to say, it's safe to say it'll hit a million this week, which means your label will be cutting one hell of a check to the foundation." Blaine merely ran his fingers through his curls which were loose, as he looked at the print-out. "Everything alright?"
"I'm a bit stunned, that's all." Blaine replied. "I knew there was demand for it, but…"
"You weren't sure how it would do since Sebastian was your duet partner." Reluctantly Blaine nodded. "From what Jennifer's heard so far, people are freaking out about the fact you duetted with your husband."
"Good or bad?" Blaine replied.
"Outside of a few nigh Sayers…"
"Which we expected." Blaine chimed in, and Vincent nodded.
"Everyone loves it." Vincent told him. "They respect the fact you stayed true to yourself, and it was fitting you did so with a song you wrote for your husband."
"You should be thanking Sebastian, as I never intended on it being released."
"I know, but you ensured that the version you serenaded him with, stays between the two of you."
"I should probably have my lawyer write up something to protect any future song I write for him, just to play it safe."
"Wouldn't be a bad idea, yet remember, you put this out there."
"Good point." Blaine replied before setting his coffee back down. "What else did you want to talk to me about, because as wonderful as that news is, there has to be more."
"There is, as I didn't want to bog down our meeting regarding your schedule this summer." Blaine smiled, as he leaned back against the couch. "After hearing the song you wrote for Rachel, which was amazing by the way, would you be open to writing for anyone else?"
"Such as other artists?" Vincent nodded. "I never really thought about it, but, I don't see why not."
"I see a bit of hesitation, talk to me."
"I wouldn't want it to interfere with my own album though."
"Understandable, and I wouldn't expect you to take your attention away from that." Vincent told him. "We could take each situation as it presents itself, much as we did with your brother's movie, how does that sound?"
"That would work, plus, it's not as though I don't have one heck of a catalog of songs, I'll probably never sing myself."
"That might've crossed my mind too." Blaine laughed, yet it would be nice to get some of that music out there. "Speaking of, how is your album coming along?"
"It's coming, as I have about six songs ready to take into the studio, and a few more are getting close."
"That's some serious progress since the last time we spoke."
"Goes to show we haven't talked about it in a while, and I truly appreciate that, as I don't work all that well under-pressure."
"Something I'm aware of, which is why I gave you the space, yet, I needed to ask."
"I know, as you have a job to do as well." Blaine told him. "Speaking of, once it's done, how quick would the turn around be, regarding going on tour?"
"It can vary, why?"
"Bas and I are trying to figure a few things out and…" He paused before sitting forward. "You know what, you need to know what's going on in order to make things work, so…Bas and I are talking about starting our family and…"
"You want to be home and not on the road in the beginning."
"Essentially."
"We can make that work."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive." Vincent told him. "In actuality, it wouldn't be that difficult, but we have to keep the lines of communication open."
"Deal." Blaine replied, extending his hand as he did, which Vincent shook. "That's actually a big relief for me to hear."
"Blaine, you're not the first artist to want to spend time at home with your family. We can figure something out."
"Good, and, for the record, I know I'm going to go on tour again. I just want to be home in the beginning, not miss all those moments. Not to mention, Bas will still be establishing himself, it wouldn't be fair to him to…"
"No explanation necessary, I get it." Vincent replied before getting up. "And you should be home during that time." Blaine smiled as he got up as well. "I need to get going, but we can talk about this more later if you want. Until then, just keep me appraised of the situation."
"Will do." Blaine said as they headed towards the front door. No sooner did they open it, did they all smile at the sight of Derek about to ring the bell. "Morning."
"Morning." Derek said in response. "I'm not interrupting, am I?"
"Not at all, as I was just leaving." Vincent told him. "See you this afternoon Blaine."
"See you then." Once he spoke, he stepped aside so Derek could come in. "While Vincent was a surprise, I think you're a bigger one."
"I'm sorry for coming by unannounced, but Rachel said you should be home this morning."
"So, Rachel knows you're here." Derek nodded. "Should've known, otherwise, how would you have known where to find me." Blaine said as they headed into the front room, where he'd been speaking with Vincent. "What brings you by?" He asked as he closed the lid on his laptop.
"I wanted to talk to you about the song you wrote for Rachel." Blaine clasped his hands before him. "How long did it take you if you don't mind me asking?"
"A little more than a month, though I'd had the idea rattling around in my head for a while." Blaine told him. "Yet, it wasn't till I pictured Rachel singing it, did it start to come together, if that makes sense."
"More than you may realize." Derek said in response. "Rachel was truly honored that you wrote her a song, it means the world to her."
"She might've mentioned that to me a few times since she got it." Blaine replied. "Honored as she was, I'm the lucky one as she knocked it out of the park."
"She certainly did." Derek then rubbed the back of his neck. "You've known Thad for a long time, haven't you?"
"I have, though obviously you know about the lapse in our friendship."
"I do. Yet the fact you reconnected so easily once the opportunity allowed, reinforces how strong the bond was."
"I'm grateful each day that the guys didn't hold all that against me." Blaine said to him. "Now, why are you asking?"
"I want to do something special for Rachel, for her wedding to Thad, yet, I don't want to overstep."
"You wouldn't be, as Rachel wouldn't have ask you to be a part of her life, if she didn't mean it. Trust me, if she wanted nothing to do with you, outside of work, she wouldn't have been shy about it."
"Good to know."
"It's true, and I know Rachel considers herself lucky to have not only her Dads in her life, but you and Shelby as well." Blaine told him. "Now, what did you have in mind?"
"You might laugh, but, I was inspired by what you've done for Sebastian. I want to write her something, yet…"
"It's hard to do, when you really don't know her or Thad all that well."
"Precisely, and I don't want it to be some basic love song. I want to tailor it to them."
"I'm more than willing to help you any way I can, but, I do start my tour this weekend."
"I know, but it's not as though their wedding is next month."
"True. So, what would you like to know?"
"It's not necessarily what I want to know, I have a question for you." Blaine cocked his eyebrow in response. "Would you be open to collaborating on something for them?"
"Seriously?"
"Yes, as I couldn't think of anyone else I'd want to work with his on."
"Even Michael?"
"Yes, as this is different, and he knows that."
"So, you've talked about it?"
"I have, as we spoke after I returned to the city last night. Michael agrees, given the nature of what I want to do."
"I don't want to overstep."
"Blaine, Michael and I aren't only partners, we're best friends. And much as he would love nothing more than to help me do this, he knows you're better suited. But, if you don't want to, I won't be offended."
"No, I just…it's a lot to take in."
"I get that, and take all the time you need, I don't need an answer right now. But since you are starting your tour, I felt it best to ask you now before things got crazy for you."
"Seems to be a running theme to define this week." Blaine told him. "So, how about I send you my schedule, which includes my travel and you can get back to me with a time that's good for you."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, but preferably during regular working hours, as I prefer to be home when Bas is."
"Not a problem, since I tend to be at the theater when Sebastian be home." Derek replied. "Is he settling in at work?"
"He is, as he's actually working at the same firm he interned at. Right now, he splits his day between assisting other attorneys, and studying for the bar."
"Wait, he's studying during work?"
"He is, as the firm insists on it. They've also signed him up for a few class which will help him prepare for it."
"Impressive."
"Agreed. Now not to be rude, but there are a few things I need to do before heading off to rehearsal."
"Enough said, as I understand the need to take care of personal matters when time allots itself." Derek said before getting up. "Thank you again Blaine."
"Don't mention it, as there isn't much I wouldn't do for Rachel."
"You do know, she doesn't blame you for anything that's happened." Derek told him after seeing a change in his disposition.
"I do, but it doesn't mean I don't feel guilty."
"Understandable." Derek said as they walked towards the door. "You should probably hear from me in a week or so."
"Sounds good." Blaine replied before opening the first set of doors. "And Derek, thank you for coming this weekend."
"It was my privilege, as the foundation does wonderful work."
"All we've ever wanted, was to give people an outlet to help figure things out, not only themselves, but those close to them." Blaine told him. "My Mom was shocked by the number of families that come in, helps make her feel a bit better given how our family reacted."
"It's different for everyone Blaine. What matters, is you and your family, worked things out."
"Exactly." Blaine replied before the two shook hands, prior to Derek heading on his way. Once he started down the street, Blaine looked around to see if anyone else was nearby. Seeing things were quiet, he made his way back inside, to get back to what he was about to do, prior to being interrupted. He was about to bring his laptop onto his lap, when his phone rang with a number he least expected to see. "Mr. Jacobs, what do I owe this call, as from what I recall, your work is done."
"That's what I believed as well Blaine, yet I recently got off the phone with ADA Strauss, you're familiar with her, aren't you?"
"I am. Why did she call you?"
"She had questions regarding the gag order that was put in place when you and Mr. Hummel were divorcing, only to be amended to include Sebastian."
"Did you tell her?"
"I gave her the pretext of which it was done, then later expanded upon once the order of protection was put in place."
"Alright, so why are you calling me?"
"She has more questions, questions I'm not at liberty to answer without your approval."
"Does this need to be done in writing, or is verbal approval alright?"
"Verbal is alright, as I'm sure you're busy preparing for your show this weekend."
"You're right, I am." Blaine told him. "But yes, feel free to answer any questions she has. I'm sorry you've been brought into this."
"Don't be, as I'd be amiss if I didn't tell you I've followed this situation you and your husband have had to deal with." Mr. Jacobs replied. "Hopefully whatever information I'm able to share with her, will help."
"I do too. Is there anything else Mr. Jacobs?"
"Not at this time, but should anything else come up, I'll be in touch." Once the call ended, Blaine settled back against the couch, before sending a text to Sebastian, knowing he'd want to know.
I'd say I'm surprised, but I'm not. Let my Dad know so he's in the loop. Anything else comes up, text me or if you start to over thinking things. Love you!
Blaine couldn't help but chuckle in response, as even in a simple text, Sebastian reminded him of how well he knows him.
Once ADA Strauss was made aware of other details relating to the terms of their divorce agreement, she contacted Judge Watkins clerk. Much as she wanted to have Kurt transferred back to Manhattan, her boss informed her it wasn't feasible given the nature of his violation. So, it was up to her and Judge Watkins to decide if the matter could wait until Kurt's release, which was still months away, or find a way to handle it immediately. Based on how the last proceedings went, she couldn't help but presume Judge Watkins would want to handle it as quickly as possible, a sentiment she shared.
Since Judge Watkins had a full docket for the day, the chances of the two of them speaking before the end of the day was slim. Then once a decision was made, she'd need to contact all appropriate parties since for at least one of them, some travel would be involved.
