5YL Let the Encore Commence

Part 77

Even though Blaine didn't travel back to Ohio for the hearing, his Dad made certain he knew everything which occurred, particularly information new to him. Hearing him calmly discuss the fallout with his Dad, his band could only smile when he rejoined them. "Is it safe to presume, things went the way you hoped?" Morgan asked while handing him a bottle of water.

"It did." Blaine replied. "The new judge held him accountable, plus ADA Strauss made it clear she's aware of all the stunts he's tried in the past."

"Should we bother asking about it?" Justin said to him in response.

"Surprisingly, you guys were around for a lot of it. Hell, he tried to deny attempting to him me the first time he saw me with Bas." The laughter heard in the room, didn't surprise him in the slightest. "ADA Strauss made a point to remind him how many people witnessed that moment."

"Did his sentence change at all or, what happened, if you don't mind telling us?" Talia asked.

"He was fined once again, and got pissed, per usual." Blaine replied. "Told the judge, he doesn't have any money. Only to be told, he should think about it next time he wants to talk crap about me and Bas." The collective laugher, even drew a laugh from Blaine. "Call it a hunch, but I have a feeling, that's not the last sum added to the amount he owes to charity."

"You think?" Todd teased. "It's good that you can laugh about all this, especially given where you were when you left him."

"My parents have said something similar." Blaine said in response. "Looking back, it's hard to realize how broken I was, to allow him to treat me the way he did, yet it happened. I'm just grateful I had that epiphany, where I realized I needed to get out for the sake of my sanity."

"While you might not have noticed, there was a change in you the day you came to school after moving out." Morgan told him. "It was as though a weight was lifted off your shoulders, then once you told us what you did, we knew what it was."

"Not that it changes anything now, but you could've asked for our help moving out." Justin added.

"I know, but my parents felt it was best to hire professionals to ensure it was done in a timely and efficient manner." Blaine replied. "Didn't want to chance me still being there when he got home from work."

"Good point." Justin said to him. "It seems like so long ago."

"It was, and here I believed once everything was finalized, I'd never have to deal with him again, how wrong I was."

"You didn't know he'd go off the deep end seeing you…" Talia stopped upon seeing what was essentially a smirk appear on Blaine's face. "You did?"

"Bas and I talked about it, hell, there wasn't much we didn't touch upon those first few days." Blaine told them. "We knew we needed to be on the same page, because the two of us being together, was going to garner a reaction, for almost everyone, not only Kurt."

"To this day, Jeff still wonders…"

"And he's never going to know." Blaine chimed in before she could even finish. "That little antidote, stays between me and Bas. Ready to get back to work?" They all nodded, yet before Morgan got too far, Blaine took ahold of her hand. "You and Jeff are still coming over for dinner tonight, right?"

"Yes, as Sebastian made it clear to Jeff that the four of us need to talk, sooner rather than later." She replied. "Should I…"

"You have nothing to concern yourself with, promise." There was something about his smile, which forced her to compose herself as she had a good idea what that night was about. "I wanted to talk to you first, yet…"

"Things have been pretty crazy, I get it." Morgan replied. "Did Sebastian tell Jeff what all this is in regards to?"

"No, as he ended up having this conversation with Nick there, and didn't feel comfortable discussing some so personal. Hell, outside of Bas's Dad, and Vincent, no one else knows our thoughts on the subject in detail, it's all speculation at this point."

"Makes sense considering everything, and for the record, I was actually going to broach the topic with you. For much as it's something Jeff and I want, I don't want to screw everything up for you."

"You never could screw everything up, especially in that regard. Now let's get to work as I've got a couple of errands to run before the two arrive." Morgan smiled, before making her way towards her bass, earning her a look from Talia, causing her to simply shot her a wink in response. Knowing the two of them would talk later, she just had to make sure to keep Blaine's confidence.

Once rehearsal ended, Blaine found himself on his phone during most of his errand running, as he didn't only have that evening on his mind. That weekend, his summer schedule began, which meant he and Sebastian weren't going away like so many others they knew. It also came the stark remind, Cooper was getting married in a little more than two weeks, which had him putting the final touches on his bachelor party, which he had to schedule between performances. And lastly, coordinating with David, for Wes's bachelor party, which once again, was being scheduled between his shows, at Wes's instance, as he said it wouldn't be right if Blaine wasn't in attendance.

"Have you reminded him of what happens when I go out on the town after doing a show?" Blaine said to David as he walked the last couple of blocks home, much to Scott's dismay. "That sort of atmosphere, doesn't…"

"Wes doesn't care about the chaos that often accompanies you, particularly when Sebastian's with you after a show. What matters to him, is having you, as well as Sebastian, present for the moment." David reminded him. "Blaine, I know everything can be a bit overwhelming, but if you ask any of the guys, we'll choose the chaos over not having you be a part of moments in our lives. We've already missed out on so much, we're not going to let that happen again."

"David…"

"Don't, Blaine, alright, as you of all people know once Wes makes his mind up about something, there's no changing it." David replied. "All his reasons are valid, as it wouldn't seem right if you weren't there. Think about it Blaine, this is a man who cares enough about you, and Sebastian, to get himself ordained to marry you, to be such a crucial part of yours and Sebastian's big day."

"I know, David, and there's not a day goes by where I don't think about how lucky Bas and I were, but that's not what this is about. My life when touring, is everything Wes isn't, hell, it's not me to an extent as all the attention is a bit overwhelming at times. He shouldn't have to deal with that, on a night that's supposed to be about him."

"Again, all that chaos is welcomed, if it means we get to spend time with you." David told him. "I understand you want to protect Wes from all that, but we all accept it. Also, for as crazy as your fans are, they're pretty respectful."

"True, they are, so I do luck out in that regard. But that doesn't mean they don't have their moments."

"You mean such as the one that snuck into your dressing room." His response earned a chuckle from Blaine who was making his way up the steps to his door. "Face it Blaine, we've all accepted that part of your life, it doesn't really faze us anymore. It's part of the territory when your friend is a multiple award-winning rock star." David paused long enough for Blaine to get inside before continuing. "You do realize how proud we all are of you, right?"

"I do, it's just…"

"Blaine, you don't need to protect us from that aspect of your life. In moments such as this, I really hate that we weren't all there to protect you."

"Only because I was stubborn, and then felt so ashamed I couldn't even tell Wes the truth." Blaine replied, before saying goodbye to Scott. "But what matters, is everything worked out the way it should've, even though there were a few detours along the way. Now that I've agreed, you need to send me the venue details as soon as you've decided so Scott can do his job."

"I actually have it narrowed down to three, so if you want, I can send you the list to forward to him. I'd appreciate his input, sooner rather than later."

"Done. Is there anything else we need to discuss, as I have a feeling this…"

"Wont' be quite so over the top, like Jeff's?"

"or Hunter's or Bas's for that matter. You don't even want to know, what Bas has planned for Thad's."

"Given this is Sebastian were talking about, in reference to Thad, I'd say nothing is off-limits."

"Essentially, plus Rachel has given Bas her blessing."

"I hope you told her what that meant."

"I did, and Rachel trusts Thad implicitly, so she no reason why he shouldn't live it up that night."

"Good for her." David replied. "Should I bother asking if you're planning hers or is Santana doing it?"

"Santana's planning it, thankfully, as I'd have no clue what I'd be doing." Blaine told him, earning him a laugh. "It's true. While Rachel is one of my best friends, planning her bachelorette party, not in my wheelhouse."

"Are you going to attend?"

"Depends what Santana comes up with, otherwise, I'll take her and do something, just the two of…" Blaine paused, as he had another call coming through, Sam, and his gut told him something was up. "Do you mind if I call you back, Sam's on the other line."

"No problem, we'll talk later."

Once he ended the call with David, Blaine switched over to Sam. "Must say, you're the last person I expected to hear from today." Blaine said to him, yet quickly picked up on the fact Sam was driving, yet he was certain he was supposed to be working, as he was upset he couldn't go to the hearing. "Sam, what's going on?"

"Are you sitting down?" Blaine said no, yet soon found himself walking towards the couch due to the tone of Sam's voice. After he was situated, he told Sam he was. "Remember how you told me Sebastian said he was surprised by how Carole handled the whole situation Sunday?" Blaine confirmed that he did. "Well, something has clearly happened since then, because she called me and told me she had to talk to me about what I know."

"I thought you were supposed to be working."

"I was, yet one of the guys agreed to cover the rest of my shift for me." Sam told him. "She didn't sound good Blaine, I, I think she reached her limit today."

"I want to say I'm surprised, but my Dad told me she left the courthouse before the hearing was over." The next sound Sam heard, was Blaine sigh. "I…"

"No one wants this." Sam said, as he had a feeling what he was going to say once he paused. "But this isn't your fault, it's Kurt's, and Burt's blind love for him. For some reason, he feels he needs to support him, regardless of what he's done."

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not defending Burt here, as he's pissed me off more ways than I thought was possible, but, I think he's doing it because he's all Kurt has." Blaine replied. "Doesn't make it right, but I can see it. What I don't get, is how he essentially makes it out that Kurt's blameless, when he knows for a fact, Kurt hurt me since he admitted it."

"I, might've called him out for that. Also told him he wouldn't have let Finn get away with something like this, he'd hold him accountable." Sam told him. "Yet when it comes to Kurt, the same rules don't apply."

"Not that I mind, but, why'd you call to tell me?"

"Because knowing Kurt, if things go sideways between Burt and Carole, he'll blame you."

"Good point. I hope it doesn't come to that, but I can't say I'd be surprised. Carole's been put in a no-win situation, particularly once she went to court to testify on Rachel's behalf. Kurt saw that as the ultimate betrayal, there's no coming back from that in his eyes."

"Is there anything you don't want me talking to Carole about, I mean, outside the obvious?"

"Not that I can think of." He then raked his fingers through his hair. "How'd I not see who Kurt really was, I mean…"

"Don't go there, none of us knew, he fooled everyone." Sam replied. "For as screwed up as things got between the two of you, you finally saw the light and got out. Unfortunately, you had to go through what you did beforehand. Looking back, I feel like an idiot for treating Sebastian the way I did at first. I was so caught up between memories and what Rachel had said…"

"It's okay, Bas understood, he's told the same to Rachel given her initial reaction to seeing us together." Blaine assured him. "Goes to show, not everyone is who they seem to be."

"I know, but I should've trusted your judgment."

"Considering everything I'd been through, I understand, even if I was pissed initially. The problem that outside of Santana, and the Warblers…"

"Everyone thought the worst, I know. Looking back, I wish I could change it, especially given how happy and in love you two are, you're the real deal."

"I count myself lucky, as Bas easily could've been in a relationship once I figured things out."

"The stars aligned." Sam teased. "Now, do you want me to call you on my way home?"

"Call me tomorrow, as we have plans with Jeff and Morgan tonight. And I really don't want to get pulled into something that might distract me."

"Fair enough." Sam replied. "Enjoy your night, and I'll call you tomorrow with the details."

"I appreciate that, and Sam, you do have Xavier's number right, in case things go awry."

"I do. Hopefully it doesn't come to that, but should it, I won't hesitate to call him, as he should know if the shits gonna hit the fan."

"My thoughts exactly. Talk to you tomorrow."

"Talk to you then, have a good night Blaine."

"Thanks, and, good luck."

After ending the call, Sam was only a few blocks away from the Hudson-Hummel home, which in all honestly, made him feel a bit uneasy. Although he knew Burt would still be at the shop for a while, Sam refrained from pulling into the driveway, instead chose to park out front. He was barely halfway to the door, when Carole appeared, opening the screen door to welcome him inside. Once inside, Sam gave her a hug, which she clearly needed, before following her into the family room. "I hope you're not in trouble for leaving, I just, I didn't know who else I could talk to about everything."

"You can relax, I'm not in trouble." Sam told her. "My Captain is aware of all the stuff going on around Blaine, so, he understood. Did things really go that bad in court, because from what I've heard, things are only bad when Blaine or Sebastian are there?"

"It was bad, at least what I was there for." Carole replied, before offering him a drink, which he declined. "Do you know about Kurt cheating on Blaine?" Sam nodded. "How much of it?"

"Enough, why?" In response, Carole handed Sam the envelope Sebastian had given them. "Yea, I knew about all this. Sebastian was pretty pissed when he found out, especially the link between certain dates."

"Do you know how he found out, or if Blaine knew when it was happening?" Carole asked as she clasped her hands in her lap.

"Blaine didn't know it was happening, but, he had a few suspicions." Sam replied. "As for how they found out for sure, one of their friends decided to do a little digging on their behalf."

"Wait, so…."

"No, Sebastian wasn't responsible, but he was grateful, as was Blaine." He told her. "Not to be crude, but, he really could've put Blaine at risk with everything he was doing."

"You're not being crude, as that thought crossed my mind. I can only imagine how Blaine felt."

"Betrayed, angry, he also blamed himself."

"Why, it wasn't his fault?"

"Prior to Blaine leaving Kurt, when was the last time you'd seen him?"

"It had to be at least, six months before."

"Knowing Blaine, he probably was putting up a good front, not wanting you to know how bad things were between them." Sam replied. "I happened to see him after he moved out, and, I, he was a shell of himself. It wasn't until I saw him, that I understood why his Dad was so angry. And that was long before we know what we do now."

"So, his parents now?" Sam nodded. "Sebastian's parents?"

"I know Xavier knows, but I don't know how much Victoria does. Keep in mind, one of the first things Sebastian did after Kurt came after Blaine, was call his Dad for advice. He wanted to help Blaine, but didn't know how. From there, Sebastian was able to convince Blaine he needed a lawyer, and Xavier agreed to represent him."

"I hadn't realized Xavier got involved so early."

"It could've been sooner, but that's the first I know of. There's a lot of this Blaine doesn't talk about to anyone besides Sebastian. Heck, if some things didn't happen, the rest of us might not know what we do now."

"Yet Kurt wouldn't leave him alone."

"Or Sebastian." Sam added. "He actually stalked him to Columbia." A bit of information she clearly wasn't aware of. "It's why Scott, head of Blaine's security team, started sending Cole along with him anytime Blaine had a performance that could trigger him."

"Wait, so Sebastian had security, on campus?" Sam nodded. "What the hell was he thinking?"

"According to Rachel and Santana, he went off the deep-end when he found out Blaine and Sebastian were dating. Lashed out at the both of them, yet Santana being Santana, gave it right back to him."

"Meanwhile, Rachel was stuck between two people she cared for, at least at the time."

"Sam, all of this is a lot to wrap my head around, as…"

"That's not the boy you know, or thought you know, I get it, as we all went through it." He then sat up a bit straighter. "I know I said this at the courthouse that day, but I'm sorry you got dragged into this, I mean, outside of being Kurt's step-mom. And not that it makes a difference, but I know Blaine feels the same way."

"I'm not surprised to hear that, it's who Blaine is, which makes all this even worse if that's possible." Carole told him. "He should be happily living his life with Sebastian, and enjoy his success, yet this mess hangs over them."

"If it helps, for the most part they are, but they do have their moments were it bothers them more than others. Strangely enough, I think Sebastian's more frustrated by it than Blaine."

"How so?"

"Blaine broke down in front of Sebastian, told him everything, including what it took him to get back on his feet again to the point they found one another. Knowing what Blaine's gone through, has Sebastian overly protective of him, not that Blaine can't take care of himself, but, he never wants Kurt to have the ability to hurt him again."

"Based on what I've seen, and been told, there's no denying how much Sebastian loves him, and Blaine, him."

"It's true." Sam told her. "Is there a specific reason you're curious about what happened between Blaine and Kurt, as…"

"The ADA brought up their divorce and, I had no idea it was as bad as it was. You've got to know Sam, Kurt…"

"Only told you what he thought you wanted to hear." She nodded. "And let me guess, he threw Blaine under the bus, accused him of everything he was guilty of."

"You've already proven to know more than we do, or at least me, as I'm sure Burt's heard more about this than I have."

"He does, at least from what I know. Rachel tried talking to Burt, but, he didn't want to listen to what she had to say."

"That seems to be the gist of this entire situation, Burt doesn't want to know what actually happened, what Kurt has done." She then sighed softly. "Do you think all this would've happened if Blaine didn't…"

"Start dating Sebastian, probably." Sam told her. "The only difference, Blaine might not have had such a big support system, if they weren't together."

"What do you mean?"

"You know Kurt basically forced Blaine to cut the Warblers out of his life, right?" She shook her head. "Well he did. Secondly, if it wasn't for Blaine and Sebastian getting together, the rest of us might not have known what Blaine went through, Kurt's actions forced Blaine to open up."

"He could've reached out."

"I know, but look at the reaction he's getting now, some still don't believe him, and sadly, it's because he's a guy. Not to mention, those of us who've worked out with Blaine, know he easily could've knocked Kurt on his butt with one punch. But he didn't, because he knew that, and from there, it al spiraled, till he reached his breaking point."

"Did you know he was close to his parents?"

"I did. Guess you didn't?" She shook her head. "I'd say I'm surprised, but since Blaine left Kurt a little more than a year into the marriage, you didn't spend a lot of time with the Andersons."

"Exactly, and the time we did spend together, was strained, especially since Patrick and Burt have very little in common."

"That's a crock, I'm sorry. Sophisticated as Mr. Anderson is, he's a gear head, hence him rebuilding a car with each of his sons."

"But, Blaine said…"

"His Dad did it to supposedly straighten him out, said when they were still at odds. Blaine was so angry at him back then, he didn't remember his Dad did the same thing with Cooper." Sam told her. "It's a time in their lives, Blaine and his Dad each wish they could change." He then reached out to take ahold of her hand, as she set one on the arm of the couch. "I hate to say this, but, everything I seem to say only upsets you."

"It does, but not the way you think." Carole assured him with a squeeze of his hand. "I'm upset with myself for being so blind to what was actually happening. For even believing part of what Kurt told us, when deep down, it didn't feel right, it go with the boy I knew. Yet, it only goes to show, I don't know Kurt." When the tears started to flow, Sam went to get a nearby tissue box, and promptly handed her one, while keeping the box nearby.

"Don't blame yourself, none of us imagined he was capable of what he's done." Sam told her. "It's why he was able to do it, no one suspected. It's a conversation all of us have had, too many times. If you don't believe me, ask Rachel or Santana. At times, I'm not sure if they've fully forgiven themselves."

"For what?"

"Each blame themselves for not seeing what was happening around them, they feel they should've saw what was happening."

"It's, it's not their fault."

"They know that, but it's not easy. I blame myself at times for not realizing something was wrong, Wes does the same. It's easy to look back and pick moments, but that doesn't change what happened. And Blaine's the first to admit, he tried to hide what was happening." Sam then handed her another tissue. "Why do you want to know all this, I mean, it doesn't change anything."

"It reinforces how badly Kurt lied to us, continues to lie to us."

"Mind me asking, what Burt thought of the pictures and tweets?"

"He first thought they were fake, but before he saw everything, I didn't my own bit of research, and there was everything online, timestamps all matched. And while I'm sure Sebastian's smart, you can't just insert stuff wherever you please."

"That's very true." Sam replied. "And once you showed him?"

"He didn't have much to say, till I happened to stumble upon a picture of Kurt kissing someone who was most certainly not Blaine." She then took a deep breath. "I get not wanting to believe Kurt's done all these things, heck, I didn't want to. But once you have all this proof, yet still deny it, there's a problem."

"What do you intend on doing?"

"It depends on what Burt has to say tonight when he gets home, especially after what happened in court today."


Sorry to say this, but the next chapter won't be up till Tuesday. My husband surprised me with a weekend away for my birthday, and forgot to grab my drive when packing my things.