Xander's Going to Dalton

Once Xander had gone into middle school, it wasn't too much of a surprise to Jeff or Brittany that everyone was wondering where Xander was going to go to high school. Much of that due to the fact they all knew Xander was rather keen about following in his Dad and Uncles footsteps and going to Dalton. But that was a much harder decision for Jeff and Brittany as to whether they were ready to send their son away to school, even with Jeff's parents still living in the family home back in Westerville. The fact that Xander wanted to go, made the decision even harder as it proved how much it meant to him. Even with all the friends he had in New York, it's what he wanted to do. And when Jeff asked him how he could leave his friends, he told him that quite a few of them were going away to school and they'd keep in touch online as well as see each other over breaks and the summer.

Knowing Xander had such a clear image in his head, it was hard for Jeff and Brittany to say no, even with as hard as it would be for them, especially Brittany to send her little boy away. But in the end, they both knew it was for the best as they couldn't argue with the education they knew he'd be getting at Dalton. And the fact that Jeff's parents were still so close helped ease the thought of him being alone once he got there. To say Xander had a good relationship with Jeff's parents, might be an understatement. And the Sterlings had no problems letting Xander set up the guest room to his liking so it could be his home away from home when he was at school.

The day the packet of forms arrived at their home, Brittany was too quick to pick up the phone and call Jeff who wasn't home from work yet. Seeing the envelope from Dalton Academy sent her emotions into overdrive more than she ever imagined. It was certainly a time she was thrilled that Madison was over at the Harwoods, and that Rachel had taken Liam with her boys to the park. Not to mention the fact that Xander was at soccer practice still when she got home from work. When Jeff told her he'd be leaving soon, she told him not to rush on her account and that the shock would hopefully wear off soon. But being the good husband that he was, Jeff instantly called Santana after he got off the phone with Brittany hoping she was free to help ease the emotional whirlwind Brittany was going through.

While she was curled up on the couch staring at the packet on the table she was brought out of her daze by a knock on the door. Reluctantly she got up and went to answer it, yet the instant it was opened, Santana wrapped her arms tightly around her which caused the flood gates to open once more. When Jeff called, Santana was thankful she was just finishing up for the day as she knew how hard this was for Brittany as they'd talked about it quite a bit. Hell, she knew it wasn't much easier on Jeff as he and Nick had talked it over a lot as well.

Once they were seated, Santana handed Brittany some more tissues to dry her eyes as she slowly got her emotions under control once again. "You knew it was happening sweetie." Santana said softly as she and Nick were there the day the two had made their final decision and told Xander he was going to go to Dalton.

"It's just so real now." Brittany said softly. "At the end of this summer we'll be packing him up and sending him to school. God, now I know how my parents felt when I left for New York after graduation. At least they didn't lose me so soon."

"I know Britt, I know. This can't be the slightest bit easy, but even you told me you know it's the right decision. Think, how many kids willingly want to go to a private school, though, considering the crowd Xander runs with, it's quite common." That last comment got a giggle out of Brittany. "That's more like it. And you know ever since he was little, Xander's wanted to go to Dalton like his Dad and Uncles."

"I know." Brittany said with a sniffle as she'd stopped crying. "He called Blaine to ask if he'd help him with his audition piece even though it's months away."

"Why am I not surprised he wants to be a Warbler."

"He's says it's in his blood."

"You could say that." Santana said as she took her hand. "He'd certainly make his Dad and Uncles proud if he became one."

"I said the same thing. If he makes it, he's going to be like Thad and Seb in that he's going to be multi-tasking a he plans on playing soccer as well. Jeff told him he's going to have to work on his time management if he's going to want to do both as he knows how hard Thad and Seb busted their asses."

"He should probably talk with them."

"That's been mentioned as well. I wouldn't be surprised if he talks with Seb when he goes over to work with Blaine."

"Why Blaine, and not ask Jeff or Nick?" Santana asked.

"Uh, this is Blaine we're talking about and well, his piano playing is much better than either of our husbands."

"What, are you implying Nicky's interpretation of chopsticks isn't incredible?" Santana could barely finish speaking as she was laughing at her own comment. "Yea, working with Blaine is definitely a good idea. While the Warblers have certainly evolved over the years, they're still true to who they are at their core. But Xander knows being the son of one of those Warblers might cause people to have higher expectations of him."

"He knows that actually. Though, he said it's nothing compared to the pressure that could be on when Liam goes. Or as you and Nick are thinking of sending Tyler, correct?"

"Yes, and I know Blaine and Seb plan on sending Devon. Essentially all the boys born in that year would be going so it would be like their own little rebranding of the Warblers."

"Yep! At least he'll have Aiden to help him adjust since Brooke and Flint sent him to Dalton as well."

"See, he won't be as alone as you think."

While the girls talked, Jeff actually had called Nick who happened to be with a patient so he was going to have to call him back. To say Jeff was handling it better than Brittany was hard, yet he wasn't as emotional about it. And part of that was probably due to the fact that he personally knew how good it would be for Xander. Not to mention, he could honestly make lifelong friends like he did. Even now, Jeff didn't know what he would do without the friendships he'd forged while he was at Dalton as those guys truly were family to him now. And while he'd obviously made more friends afterwards, no friendship could compare to the one with his boys.

When he was heading out, he got a call from Santana telling him to go grab a drink with the boys as she was going to take Brittany out so they could talk. And once Santana told him the kids were taken care of, he didn't hesitate and was quick to get in touch with the rest of the guys hoping they could all meet up. Not surprisingly, when they all got the call it only took a few calls on their parts, mainly Blaine and Sebastian's to Lexi, for them all to meet at their usual spot. As they all made their way to a back table, they couldn't help but wonder why Jeff wanted to see them all.

It wasn't till they were all seated and drinks were ordered did Nick speak. "While I'm sure you're all curious why Jeff called us all, if you think hard, you might figure it out."

"The paperwork arrived, didn't it?" Sebastian said as he leaned back, slipping an arm around the back of Blaine's chair as he did.

"It did." Jeff replied. "So, once we get that all filled out and that lovely check gets written, my boy will be enrolled at Dalton."

"Will you be losing your wife in the process?" Thad asked as they were all well aware of the fact that Brittany was going to miss him.

"No, but my parents told her she was more than welcome to come visit whenever she wants. But I was quick to remind her that Xander might not appreciate that." Jeff said before taking a sip of his beer. "He's really excited guys. And now that the paperwork is here for us to fill out, it's only going to get worse."

"Should I even bother asking if he's going to audition for the Warblers?" Beat asked as they all knew Xander could sing.

"He is." Jeff told them. "And he's already asked Blaine to help him work on his audition piece."

"Smart kid." Thad replied and they all agreed. "I take it Aiden told him what he's going to need."

"Yes. Aiden also warned him that there were rumblings around the Warbler common room, that there might be some legacy Warblers joining them soon as that's what we're being referred to."

"No pressure." Sebastian said with a laugh.

"Just wait till we send they full group." Nick added causing the rest of them to laugh. "Xander's going to have it a bit easier than the rest of them should they audition."

"Heck, they'll practically be a group in their own right." Blaine said with a smile. "I still remember Flint calling us when Aiden told him that our Nationals picture is still proudly displayed. And when they were asked to learn all the members of that group, Aiden could name us all right off the bat which earned him quite a few looks."

"Now, how are you feeling Jeff?" Thad asked as he noticed that while Jeff was happy, he was a bit subdued.

"This whole thing is surreal. It doesn't seem that he's old enough to be going, yet I know he is. Do you guys know that Mr. Walker is now Headmaster?"

"Really?" Sebastian asked. "I'm sure it's going to feel like déjà vu to him in a few years once the rest of our kids arrive."

"I mentioned the same thing to my Dad. This is just crazy realizing he's going to be wandering the same halls we all did."

"And probably getting into a lot of the same things we did." Beat told him. "So, you might want to have another talk with him."

"Yea, Britt mentioned the same thing as well. Though, she's at least hoping it doesn't happen right away. That he at least waits a bit till he finds a girl worth it and not just because his hormones are in overdrive."

"So you have the conversation again before his sophomore year." Nick said with a laugh. "And each year before dropping him off. Just don't embarrass him the same way your Dad did you."

"There is no way I'm capable of doing what my Dad did." When they all looked at him, Jeff laughed. "Come on guys, that's hard to do."

"True, but it could be hereditary." Blaine told him as the rest of the guys laughed as in the end; Jeff really was a lot like his Dad. Hell, all of them were more like their Dads than they'd ever admit to being.

After having some time with the guys, Jeff swung by to pick up Xander from practice before going to meet Brittany and the rest of the family at home. "Care to tell me why you came to get me?" Xander asked after they left the field as they were walking home since it was such a nice day.

"Your admittance paperwork arrived at the house and well, your Mom is taking it pretty hard." Xander looked up at his Dad and smiled. "Okay, it's hard on me too, but it's harder on her. Is that better?"

"Yes." Xander replied. "It really means a lot to me that you guys agreed to let me go."

"Care to tell me why this means so much to you that you didn't want to go to school here in the city?" Jeff asked as he adjusted his bag on his shoulder.

"Dad, I grew up hearing all about Dalton and the Warblers from you and well, everyone else. Not to mention all the times we've gone back to Ohio we've always stopped by."

"Alright, but that doesn't mean you have to go because it was such a big part of my life and well, your Uncles."

"But that's why I want to go. Do you realize the looks I get some times when I tell people that my Dads best friends are the same friends he's had since high school. Some people don't believe friendships like that are possible, but I know they are. You, Uncle Nick, and the others talk all the time about how you bonded because of being there. Not only since it was a boarding school, but from your times as Warblers. You all shared so much with one another and helped each other get through things."

"Are you talking about what happened to Uncle Blaine?" Jeff said as he wrapped his arm around Xander's shoulders.

"It's one of the things. I just want that same sort of opportunity. And while I know I could achieve it elsewhere, I want to go to Dalton like you all did. Keep with family tradition. You all do realize the rest of the boys want to go there as well, right?"

"Yes, but their all a bit young to fully grasp what going to Dalton really means."

"I know, but I remember wanting to go from a young age and the older I got it began to make more sense to me. You're not trying to talk me out of this, are you Dad?"

"No, I just want to make sure this is exactly what you want."

"It is."

By the time they came home, everyone else was already there and Brittany was making dinner. "Mom, asked me to give this to you Dad." Madison said as she handed a rather thick envelope to Jeff who knew what it was without looking. "And dinner should be ready soon so Xander should shower, like, now." Once she spoke, Xander just looked at her before heading off as he knew he needed to shower or Brittany wouldn't even let him sit at the table.

So once he took off, Jeff headed for the kitchen to check on his wife. When he walked into the kitchen, Liam was at the table working on his homework while Brittany answered questions he had. "Hey." Jeff said softly before kissing her on the cheek.

"Hey yourself." Brittany replied as she turned to kiss him. "How was your day?"

"Good. How are you feeling?"

"Better, Santana and I had a good talk and well, she made me laugh in a way only she can. So, thank you for calling her."

"You are very welcome." Jeff then turned to lean against the counter so Brittany could get back to dinner. "What are you working on Liam?"

"History."

"Now that explains why you kept saying wait till your Dad comes home." Jeff said causing Brittany to look at him.

"Do you blame me? By the way, please tell me Xander is in the shower."

"He is as Madison told him he needed to. How much time do I have?"

"About twenty minutes, why?"

"I wanted to start going through all the paperwork as my Dad told me there is plenty to fill out."

"I will have one of the kids come and get your when dinner is ready." She then turned to give him a kiss before he headed off for his office.

Considering the amount of time he had, Jeff didn't even bother to change as he knew the sooner he got started the better. Plus, if he changed he'd probably want to relax on the couch instead of getting started on everything. Once he was inside his office, he tossed his bag in the arm chair before tossing the envelope on his desk before getting comfortable. After getting settled, he opened the envelope and pulled out the dark blue folder emblazoned with the Dalton crest. Upon seeing it, he looked to the side and saw the picture of all of them at graduation. In that moment, any last hesitation he had about sending Xander seemed to vanish as he wanted his son to have all the opportunities that he had and that came about from attending Dalton.