Sorry for the delay in the update, but things got a bit crazy around here as my family's life was turned-upside down and that's where my focus was and I lost track of the days. Again, sorry. Enjoy!
5YL Let the Encore Commence
Part 80
Considering what had occurred the day before, Burt half expected to see Carole in the kitchen when he got up, having changed her mind. Instead, the kitchen and house were quiet, Carole nowhere to be found. After making himself a cup of coffee, he leaned back against the counter and wondered how things had gotten to that point. Much as he didn't want to admit it, Patrick wasn't simply trying to get a rise out of him at the courthouse when he said what he did. Clearly, Carole's issues with everything that was happening in their life, ran far deeper than he realized. Much as he wanted to talk to her, Burt felt it best he go to her, instead of calling.
Upon arriving at the Berrys, he was met by Hiram who happened to be outside. "She's not here."
"What do you mean, she's not here?" Burt replied.
"She's not here, she went with LeRoy to pick up a couple of packages which couldn't be dropped off yesterday since we weren't home to sign for them." Hiram told him. "Sadly, if she was, she wouldn't want to speak with you."
"You don't know that."
"I do, as she made it clear to us she's in no place to speak with you at the moment." Hiram said in response. "Carole needs time, Burt, you need to give that to her."
"What about what I need?"
"And that's where your problem began, you're not taking her feelings about all this into account."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what I said, you haven't taken her thoughts or feelings into account since this all began." Hiram replied. "Not to mention, you haven't kept your word to her."
"I have to."
"Really, then why are you still making excuses for what Kurt's done." Hiram said to him. "To Blaine, to Sebastian, let alone anyone else whose dared cross him."
"Not going to mention what's happened between our kids?"
"Rachel's part of the group who dared to cross him. She crossed the line with him when she accepted Sebastian as not only part of Blaine's life, but into hers as well. Then amplified matters when she began dating Thad."
"She never should've been caught in-between them, Blaine and Kurt." Burt told him
"Yet she is, and your son made sure she knew how deeply he felt she'd betrayed him."
"By bringing up Finn."
"Precisely." Hiram replied. "There were plenty of other ways he could've gone after her, but he went there. And by doing so, pulled Carole further into things."
"No, Xavier pulled her into it." Hiram could only shake his head, as he was seeing firsthand how Burt wasn't grasping the larger picture. "You don't think this is his fault."
"No, as Kurt didn't leave him much of a choice given what he said to Rachel. If anyone could ascertain how Finn might feel about things, it was Carole." Burt looked down for a moment, before making eye contact with him once again. "So now you see, Xavier didn't bring Carole into this, Kurt did. And you of all people, should know how hard that was for her. She loves Kurt, but she was not going to stand by and let him use her son's memory against Rachel."
"He never should've done that."
"Yet he did. Did he ever apologize to Carole for it?"
"I, I don't know."
"Did you call him out for it?" When he looked down again, Hiram sighed. "And you wonder why Carole believes her feelings about all this don't matter. If there was ever a time for you to stand up to him, it was then. Carole's life was shattered when Finn died."
"So was…" Burt stopped, as he realized Hiram knew how others were impacted, but Carole felt the brunt of it. "I don't know what to do anymore Hiram. I, I can't turn my back on my son, yet, I don't want to lose Carole."
"She's never asked you to, she's simply asked you to stand your ground, not waver." Hiram told him. "I don't envy your situation, but, you can't continue excusing Kurt's actions, too many people have been hurt."
"So, you believe what Blaine's accused him of."
"I do, as he has no reason to lie about something like that, he gains nothing." He then paused as his phone rang, and it was Rachel. "I need to take this." Burt nodded, as Hiram walked away. "Hello sweetheart, what has you up so early?"
"Is it true?" Rachel asked.
"Is what true?"
"That Carole's staying with you and Dad."
"Thad told you."
"Of course he did." Rachel replied. "What's happening?"
"Now's not a good time to talk about this sweetheart, Burt's here."
"Not to be rude, but I don't care. What happened?"
"Things happened at court yesterday. She didn't elaborate much more, but…"
"He defended him again, didn't he?" Rachel asked, which he confirmed. "Serves him right."
"Rachel."
"I'm not sorry for saying it. He had to no it was only a matter of time." Rachel replied. "How long will she be saying?"
"We're not sure, but we're going to support her as she figures things out." Hiram told her. "Do you know if Blaine or Sebastian are aware of what's happening?"
"They do, as Thad called Sebastian after he found out. They never wanted this."
"We know, no one did, yet it's happening."
"Is Dad around?"
"He's actually picking up some wedding items which weren't able to be delivered yesterday." Hiram replied. "We'll send you pictures once we get everything unpacked."
"Alright, and, could you send them to Emerson too."
"Of course." Hiram told her. "Try not to worry too much about this sweetheart, things will work out."
"We'll see about that." Rachel replied. "Is there anything else you want to tell me, as I'm going to call Blaine to talk to him about this?"
"There's not much to share as Carole spoke it broad strokes."
"Sounds like Blaine and Sebastian. Giving details, without saying much."
"Essentially." Hiram said in response. "Do you want to leave a message for your Dad?"
"No, but tell Carole I'm sorry."
"Of course. Enjoy your day sweetheart." After ending the call, Hiram looked over at Burt who was looking down the street. "They left shortly before you got here, so it'll be awhile before they return."
"How's Rachel?"
"A bit confused, as Thad called last night shortly after Carole arrived."
"So they know she left me." Hiram nodded. "They must be loving that."
"Actually, they aren't, yet they're not surprised given everything that's happened."
"They don't understand."
"They understand more than you think." Hiram told him. "They know this is a miserable situation for everyone involved. Have you told Kurt what's happened?"
"No, as the only time we speak is when he's at work."
"How do you think he's going to react?"
"It's not something I want to think about." Burt replied. "Right now my focus is getting Carole to talk to me."
"Do you want my advice?" Burt nodded. "Give her the space she asked for as her feelings are pretty raw right now. When she does call, don't tell her what you think she wants to hear, tell her what you intend to do to fix things, and stand by it."
"That's the problem, I don't know how to fix it, because I believe if I do what she asks, I'm going to…"
"Alienate your son?" Burt nodded. "Do you believe even half of what he's been accused of?" Again he nodded. "Then you can't keep putting the blame on everyone else for his problems."
"I know, but…"
"Burt, you either stop making excuses for Kurt's behavior or…"
"I'm going to lose my wife."
"Unfortunately, there's a strong chance of that unless something changes rather drastically." While Burt wished he hadn't said it, he couldn't deny it was true. "I'm sure you've already talked to someone about everything you're dealing with, but you might want to do it again considering what's happened."
"I don't like talking to therapists."
"I get that, but you need to talk to someone who can help you sort through everything you're dealing with, a neutral party." Hiram told him. "Much as I'd love to help, you probably know where I stand on all this."
"That I should be telling Kurt to own up to what he's done." Hiram nodded. "It's not that easy."
"But it is, you just don't want to fight his denials. Burt, you've witnessed enough of his behavior firsthand to know, he's got problems."
"I know he has problems, the doctors have told us so." Burt replied. "Which makes it harder to get through to him."
"Would you rather push to get through to him, or what his situation continue to spiral?"
"That's not fair."
"Nothing about this is fair, to anyone. But as long as you of all people excuse what he's done or place blame elsewhere, he has no reason to change. You're all he has left."
"Which is why I don't want to push him away."
"You wouldn't be pushing him away, he'd be pushing you because you denouncing what he's done, will force him to accept he's done wrong."
"He's admitted some of it, yet…"
"It's easier to blame everyone else for what's happening to him." Burt nodded. "That mindset is only hurting him."
"Don't you think I know that, but he doesn't listen, to anyone. Hell, I thought his lawyer was going to walk out on him yesterday."
"Then it's time you look at the grand scheme of things, and decide if you're going to let him take you with him on his path to self-destruction." Hiram told him. "Because as I said, this is going to end one of two ways, it's up to you to decide." He then looked at his watch. "I need to go, as the wedding planner will be calling soon, and it's not a call I can miss."
"Are they getting married here, or in New York?"
"New York, as that's where they're lives are now. It's easier for the rest of us to come to them." Hiram said in response. "I truly hope this all works out for you Burt, but…"
"You need to go, I know. Thank you." Burt replied. "Tell Carole I stopped by."
"Of course."
After leaving the Berrys, Burt was certain he passed by LeRoy and Carole on his way to the shop, but knew better than to turn around. Upon arriving, Kurt gave him a look as the shop was rather busy, which Burt shrugged off before going to change. Given how busy they were, it was almost lunchtime before the two finally had a chance to talk. "You should've told me you were going to be late."
"I don't report to you." Burt grumbled, as he lowered the car he'd been working on. "I had something to take care of this morning."
"I see." Kurt replied. "Did Carole bother to tell you why she left yesterday?"
"She left because she's sick of hearing you deny what you've done." Burt told him.
"Figures she's taking Blaine's word over mine. I don't know how you let her talk about me like that."
"Well, I don't have to anymore, she left me!" Burt snapped, causing Kurt to take a step back. "Happy now?"
"She did what?"
"She left me last night. Said she can't stand by as I continue to defend the things you've done."
"Accused of."
"Damn it Kurt."
"You don't need someone like that in your life."
"Excuse me?"
"You don't need that, she should be supporting you, unconditionally." Kurt told him. "If she can't, you don't need her."
"She's my wife Kurt, I love her."
"Well, she clearly doesn't love you if she can't support you, supporting me." Burt simply shook his head, as he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You deserve better."
"I, I can't do this right now." Burt said before handing the write-up to Kurt. "I'm calling it a day."
"Dad, you…"
"Don't tell me what to do Kurt." Burt told him. "Either get back to work, or I'm calling the jail to come and get you."
"You…" Kurt stopped, as he'd only seen the current look on Burt's face a couple of times, and knew better than to push him. "Will you be in tomorrow?"
"I don't know."
While this was going on in Lima, Blaine was on his way to sound check, still yet to have heard from Rachel. "Everything alright?" Scott asked as he looked over at him.
"Depends on your definition of alright?" Blaine replied.
"Alright, as it pertains to Blaine Anderson-Smythe." Scott countered, earning him a laugh. "That's more like it, as you should be in a good mood as you've got a beautiful night for a show."
"I know." Blaine told him. "Regarding your initial question, I'm alright, but things are a bit messed up back home."
"Are your…"
"My parents are okay, as are Bas's. You remember who Carole is, right?" Scott nodded. "She left Burt yesterday."
"It's not your fault Blaine."
"I know, but it doesn't mean I don't feel responsible."
"I get that, but based on what I've witnessed, she doesn't share the same views as her husband when it comes to what your ex has done. Everyone has their limit, she's reached hers."
"I know, as Bas and I had the same conversation last night. It's just, with all everything she's gone through…"
"It was her decision Blaine, at least from what I gather." Blaine nodded. "She needed to do what's best for her, you can't fault her for that."
"I don't, I just hate it got to this point."
"Understandably so, just as long as you don't blame yourself for it."
"You can rest easy, I don't." He'd barely finished when his phone rang, and it was Rachel. Scott simply put his headphones on as he knew Rachel's ring tone by now. "Must say, I expected to hear from you earlier today."
"I was going to call you earlier, but Thad convinced me to go to yoga after talking with my Dad." Rachel told him. "This is messed up Blaine."
"I know, but there's nothing we can do about it." He replied. "Xavier didn't give us a lot of specifics about what happened in court, just that the ADA confronted Kurt with some facts from our divorce, which Carter didn't know about."
"Since when are you calling Kurt's lawyer by his first name."
"Did I do that, I…"
"Blaine Devon Anderson-Smythe, don't try and change the subject on me. Why did you call him by his first name?"
"Can't you forget that slip of the tongue."
"No. What don't I know?"
"Kurt's lawyer is related to Hunter."
"No way?"
"Yes way, but you can't tell anyone else. Heck, I don't even know if Thad knows."
"He probably does, yet thought better than to tell me."
"You can't tell anyone Rachel, I mean it."
"Relax, I won't. At least now I know why his blue eyes seems so familiar to me."
"Wait, you've looked at Hunter's eyes?"
"They're hard to miss Blaine, the same goes for…"
"Carter."
"Yes." Rachel replied. "Do you think Burt's going to come around or is this it for them?"
"I'd like to say yes, but most of what Burt's done since this all started, hasn't made sense to me." Blaine told her. "Sam's said the same thing, as he would've called him or Puck or…"
"Finn out." She said at the slight hesitation on his part.
"Exactly, if they did anything close to what Kurt's done, yet a different set of rules apply to him."
"He didn't used to be that way."
"I know, which is why it's difficult for me to wrap my head around his behavior." Blaine said in response. "Too many times I've heard him say or do things, before/during/after court that baffled me. Bas said it's best to try and detach myself from the person I knew, since the behavior makes no sense."
"It makes sense in regard that he wants to protect Kurt, but making excuses for him, isn't helping him."
"Something he's been told time and time again." Blaine replied as he looked out the window to see how much time they had left. "I think that's why all this is harder on Carole, because she doesn't understand his handling of the situation. How are your Dads doing?"
"Doing their best to support her, there isn't much else they can do since whatever decision she makes, needs to be hers."
"Bas said something similar last night. While our situations are different, I can relate to how she feels in a way. But I have a feeling she did what she did to try and get through to him, a last resort in a sense."
"Thad said the same thing, as she'd probably tried everything else." Rachel told him. "Bet you are glad to be performing tonight, taking your mind off of everything."
"I am, yet at the same time I'm afraid things are going to go sideways during the times I'm gone."
"If it does, Sebastian and his Dad will take handle it."
"I know, but Bas has a lot on his plate right now, he doesn't need to deal with this on top of everything else."
"Neither of you need to, but should something come up, you guys have the people in place to handle it." She reminded him. "Right now, focus on doing what you love." He then heard a slight giggle before resuming. "Sebastian, though I'm sure he fits into…"
"Rachel."
"Sorry, blame Thad."
"No, that's all on you."
"Fair enough. Cooper's wedding, Wes's, and then once all that's squared away, I can bother you about mine and Thad's."
"You can always bother me about that Rach, you know that."
"I do, but right now all those other things, come first, plenty of time for everything else. Plus, you know between my Dads, Shelby, Derek, and Thad's family, we've got help in the meantime."
"Speaking of, did you tell your Dads what we talked about?"
"No, as I felt it best to do that in person, as they're going to flip. It's going to make for quite the picture."
"It most certainly will." Blaine told her as they made the last turn. "Are you going to be able to make it Sunday night?"
"That's the plan, unless something crazy happens."
"Happy to hear it. And Rach, I know we talked about this already but remember, none of this is your fault."
"Deal, as long as you take the same advice."
"Of course. Talk to you later. Break a leg tonight."
"Same to you, love you."
"Love you too."
