Chapter 13 – Christmas Time Is Here

December-Junior year – age 17

Carol and Burt decided to host a Christmas party for the New Directions and their families. It honestly was easier for Finn, having Charlotte, for the party to be hosted at their house. They had been setting up the living room all Saturday afternoon after Finn returned from work. Carol had Charlotte, so Kurt was in the kitchen, getting food ready; Burt was helping Finn move the furniture so there was optimal space for seating. Dave came over and helped with the heavy lifting. His parents came and chatted with Burt and Carol.

"Things getting any better?" Finn asked Dave as soon as his parents were out of ear shot.

"I guess so," Dave shrugged. "Mom's better about treating me like she always did. But Dad's still pretty awkward. He asked me if I thought anyone on the Bears are hot."

"Oh come on," Finn chuckled. "That's pretty funny."

"He tries but it all comes out so awkward."

"So have you told him you don't like jocks, but Kurt's more your type?"

"Baby steps dude, baby steps," Dave laughed. They pushed the sofa against the wall and began to bring in some folding chairs from the shed out back. Soon, all the furniture was in place and cleaned off. People were starting to come. Artie was wheeled into the house and parked by Puck. Both their parents were Jewish, but Artie's parents just didn't celebrate the holidays and Puck's mom was working. Santana and Brittany came in next; both had trays of desserts for the downstairs party. Kurt had graciously given up his room in the spirit of the holidays to host a teen party down there away from parents. Carol brought Charlotte out and Santana scooped her up before Puck could even get close.

"Hola Chicka!" Santana crooned. Charlotte was happy to see a new face. She clapped as Santana jiggled her around. Finn had a big smile on his face. He truly was a proud father. Puck noticed his friend staring at the two girls.

"You're staring dude," Puck said, nudging Finn with his shoulder.

"No, I'm not," Finn insisted ardently, a blush creeping up his cheeks. "I just like seeing Charlotte happy."

"She does that when she sees me as well, but you sure as hell don't stare and blush," Puck pointed out smugly.

"Ugh," Finn groaned, and punched Puck in the shoulder.

"Just talk to her tonight," Puck urged. "Can't hurt."

"No one our age wants to date someone with a kid," Finn sighed resignedly.

"You'll never know until you try," Puck said sagely.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Finn played host to his age group and was generally happy to see who had come. Only one person rubbed him the wrong way. Rachel came, despite her very vocal dissing Christmas in favor of Chanukah. She mingled among people but no one seemed truly happy to see her. Even amongst the glee kids she wasn't super popular.

Finn tried to let the weird feeling about Rachel but he just couldn't when he heard Charlotte scream. Rachel had asked to hold her and Mercedes graciously passed Charlotte over. Once Charlotte was in a new set of arms and saw a face she didn't seem to like, she screamed. She held Charlotte far from her body as they child screamed and tried to squirm away.

"Puta, give her to me," Santana ordered. She grabbed Charlotte from the Jewish girl and cuddled her close. "Shh, little Char. You're alright, Yentle's not gonna get you. Auntie Tana's got you."

That was a sign from God for Finn. He always felt weird when Rachel flirted with him and this just confirmed thigs. And it also gave him the shove he needed to talk to Santana a bit more. "Thanks San."

"It's no problem, stroller meat," she replied. Charlotte calmed down. "I couldn't let man hands drop the little chicka."

"Yeah, that was really weird," Finn agreed. "I can take her if you want."

"Nah, she's my girl for a while," Santana said beaming down at the little girl. They danced away together. Kurt silently sidled up next to Finn.

"I've never seen her be that nice," Kurt commented.

"But she's been nice to me for the last few months," Finn defended.

"I've also heard a rumor that she very well may have a crush on you."

"No way," Finn said in disbelief.

"Yes way," Kurt chirped.

"I highly doubt it," Finn replied. "Who the hell would want to date a 17 year old single father? Especially someone who until pretty recently called me 'manboobs'."

"You'd be surprised about what the girls at school think about you," Kurt said offhandedly.

"Mmm," Finn replied noncommittally.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Finn put Charlotte to bed around 8:30 and she passed out from all the excitement. He hooked her baby monitor to his jeans and went back to mingling. Around 10, Burt called everyone up from the basement to have a Christmas toast.

"I'd like to thank you all for joining us tonight. This past year or so has shown me a new way of life. It all started through that thing we all call Facebook. Finn messaged Kurt and my life was truly changed," Burt began. "Now, Lima isn't too big a place, so I've seen Carol for quite a few years. But when I get to talk to the Hudson's over the initial dinner, I was hooked. Carol and Finn have already moved in, but I have one more question to ask." Burt got down on one knee, drawing a box out of his jeans pockets. "Carol Anita Hudson, will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?"

Carol looked like she was going to cry. Kurt did have tears falling down his face. Finn was incredibly excited. "Oh Burt, I don't even know what to say."

"Say yes Mom," Finn urged loudly from across the room, causing the party guests to laugh.

"Yes," Carol replied, giddy and crying at the same time. Burt had the biggest smile on his face. He took the ring from its' velvet cushion and placed it on her left ring finger. He rose from the floor and kissed Carol for all she was worth. Finn went over and picked up Kurt in a bone crushing hug. Kurt let him, because he was too happy to protest. Finn also carried Kurt over to their parents and they all had a group hug.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

After all the hubbub of the proposal, only a few people were left: Santana, Mercedes, Puck, Artie, and Dave. They had taken over the living room. Kurt, Mercedes, Puck and Dave were strewn over the couch and armchair. Artie was parked in between the two seats. Santana and Finn had taken over the love seat. They were seated far closer than necessary since it was only the two of them sitting there. She had her legs draped over his lap and he was resting his arms around her knees. "I don't think I've ever asked, but what happened to your dad?" Santana asked quietly, playing lightly with the hair on his forearm. "Kurt told us about his mother, but you never really said."

"Yeah, I guess I was kinda embarrassed. Mom told me the whole story once. I was like ten. He was in the army, which was cool I guess. But he couldn't really handle it. So he turned to drugs, pills at first, but then he got into the harder things, cocaine and heroin. He got caught and was dishonorably discharged," Finn said softly. He secretly enjoyed the feeling of Santana so close and touching him. "He came back to mom, and I was born by then. But he couldn't shake the drug habit. They found him in an abandoned warehouse in Lima Heights Adjacent, dead from an overdose."

"Wow, I never knew," Santana said. "That's why you wouldn't drink with us."

"Alcohol is a gateway in my opinion," Finn shrugged. "I'm glad Mom's gonna marry Burt."

"From the little I've seen them, they seem really good together."

"Yeah, he's been great," Finn said fondly. "Really good about my work hours and good with Charlotte."

"Well, who couldn't just love all up on that little girl," Santana replied.

"Well, I wish that could be true," Finn sighed.

"Hey, you did the right thing," Santana insisted. "Que is a bitch."

"Well I know that now," Finn chuckled. "I wished someone had told me then – but then I wouldn't have Charlotte."

"You got a lot of good from that crappy situation," Santana agreed. "She was awful to everyone last year."

"I'm just grateful that she hasn't gone off and done something stupid or try to get Charlotte back."

"You best believe we will all help to stop that from happening," she whispered fiercely. Finn grabbed her hand and squeezed it in thanks.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Dude, you were out there for quite a while," Finn pointed out to Kurt as he walked back through the front door. Everyone else left and Kurt had walked out with Dave to see him off. "I thought you hated the cold."

"Believe me, I do," Kurt replied dazedly. "Dave kissed me."

"What?" Finn questioned in disbelief.

"He kissed me while we were saying goodbye."

"Is that a good thing?" Finn asked. "He didn't force you or anything?"

"No, he went slow, gave me time to say no," Kurt said firmly. "That was my first kiss."

"Really? Cause I figured you would have at least tried to kiss a girl or something."

"I mean, Brittany tried once but I just couldn't do it," Kurt sat down next to Finn on the couch.

"So…" Finn prompted.

"You really wanna hear about this?"

"Well, I'm not gonna get any any time soon," Finn reasoned. "I might as well live it out through you."

"Fine, I'm dying to tell someone about it," Kurt let out a sigh of relief. "I honestly didn't know Dave thought of me like that."

"I did," Finn shrugged. "He stares at your ass dude."

"He does not," Kurt gasped.

"Even Puck noticed and so you know it's bad," Finn pointed out.

"Was I really that oblivious? Anyway, I wasn't expecting it but boy howdy he can kiss."

"Well, he's kissed a few girls in his day," Finn pointed out.

"I know that," Kurt groused. He wasn't fond of the fact that Dave had some history with girls. "But I'm choosing to look at it as if he was practicing for me."

"That's definitely a better way to look at it," Finn agreed. "Do I need to give him the shovel speech?"

"They shovel speech?" Kurt questioned.

"You know, the speech that people give when their people are starting to date. Like when I see Charlotte ever going on a date," Finn explained. "Do I need to tell Dave that if he hurts you that I will hurt him?"

"I don't think that's particularly necessary," Kurt said quickly. "But if things are starting to look that way, I'll let you know."

"You better tell me," Finn practically growled. "You're my brother now, and no one hurts my family."

"I actually appreciate that," Kurt said.