On Wednesday, Blaine officially tenders his resignation at Parkside Elementary, and Kurt also tells them Danny won't be back next year. The relief which floods principal Barnes' face is evident, and though Kurt and Blaine have no clue where they will end up, they both know it's the right thing to do.

"I'm so sorry you've been forced out," Roberta Annuci tells them that night, when they go for dinner. She looks out to where Dylan and Danny play in the yard together, watched over by Mrs Monroe, who had been invited along too. "I wish there was something more we could have done."

"I don't look at it as being forced out," Blaine tells her honestly. "I look at it more as not wanting to start our life together with any added stress. Why would we willingly put ourselves in that situation? I'll miss the kids, though I'd have a new bunch anyway, I'll miss Mrs Monroe, but that's it. The only thing I'm sad about is that Danny won't be with Dylan anymore."

"He wouldn't be anyway," Roberta reveals. "We're moving to be closer to my sister, in Toledo. She got promoted to vice-principal at her school, and she needs someone to watch her kids, so I'm going to be her nanny, technically."

"That sounds great," Kurt says warmly. "But we'll miss you."

"We'll keep in touch," she promises. "The boys would like that and so would I."

Friday night sees Kurt and Blaine arriving at the cabin, weary after an emotionally heavy week. Kurt and Danny had now officially moved into Blaine's apartment, and while all three were definitely excited, it had been hard to pack up and leave Burt behind.

Burt, of course, had been very gallant about the whole thing, and reminded Kurt over and over that he only ever moved back as a temporary measure, and that he was so happy he had found Blaine. Even so, they all cried that night, and when Burt had finally shut the front door, he had cried hardest of all.

"So uh... you know, Roberta, she was saying her sister's school has a vacancy for a kindergarten teacher."

"The private school?"

"Yes," Blaine says with a sigh. Clearly he's not going to get anywhere with this right now. "The private one."

"Where is Toledo, anyway?" Kurt asks, as they turn off the freeway.

"Not too far from here, actually. Why, you wanna take a look?"

"No. I was just wondering."

"Okay. Well, the cabin is about ten minutes away now."

"Cool. I'm excited. Are you excited? We haven't been away together before."

"I know." Blaine reaches across and squeezes his hand. "And yes, I'm excited. I don't even care that it's only forty minutes up the road. I'm also hoping it gives us time to try and figure out the future a little bit."

"Yeah."

They fall silent again, but Blaine is watching Kurt from the corner of his eye. "So teaching staff at that school get cut price tuition for their own kids. Fifty per cent off."

"Oh? I didn't know that."

"Hmm."

Kurt clicks his tongue, and picks up his phone, so Blaine turns back to driving, assuming the discussion has ended.

"They have a university."

"Excuse me?"

"Toledo. Well, they have several colleges," Kurt says, holding up his phone. "But the university of Toledo offers a theatre program."

"Right."

"Oh quit playing it cool," Kurt snaps. "We can go take a look around tomorrow. But just a look!" He says when Blaine squeaks. "This does not mean we are putting our son in a private school."

"Our son." Blaine grins out at the night, and pulls up outside a small log cabin. "Our son."

Kurt laughs, and leans over to kiss him. "Our little boy. Isn't that just like the greatest thing ever?"

"Definitely," Blaine agrees. "Come on. Let's get inside."

The cabin is tiny, with just a small living room, an even smaller kitchen, and a bedroom and bathroom upstairs, but it is also completely perfect, and Blaine and Kurt can't stop exploring everything, including the inside of cupboards and drawers.

"There's a bible!"

"I told you," Blaine laughs. "This place belongs to my parent's pastor."

"Is he nice?"

"He's lovely. So is his wife."

"Would he marry us?"

"I guess," Blaine shrugs. "Why?"

"I'm just trying to figure out what would be the right thing to do."

"Well." Blaine flops onto the couch, and pulls Kurt on top of him. "I had an idea, but if you hate it just say."

"I will."

"I have no doubt. Okay. We can do like you said, and have a traditional wedding. Or..."

"Or?"

"Or we can pack the whole family up and go to Disney World and get married there."

"Disney?" Kurt shrieks, sitting upright. "For real?"

"Yes, Danny," Blaine laughs. "For real. I mean, I've never been, but I looked online and-" he is cut off by Kurt's mouth on his, his lips eager and demanding, as he pushes Blaine back down onto the couch.

"Yes. Yes, yes, yes," he murmurs between kisses. "Just family. Just us. Mickey Mouse. The kids will love it. We'll all love it. Yes."

"Like a wedding and honeymoon all rolled into one."

"Yes! Oh, but we will get at least one night alone, right? Cause I'm gonna be needing to make love like a lot."

Blaine laughs, wriggles out from under Kurt, and stands, offering his hand. "Yes, I promise you our wedding night will be just us. Come on. We need to get practicing."

Despite having the luxury of being able to sleep in, Blaine is still up early the next morning, but he's surprised to find Kurt has beaten him to it, and has breakfast already laid out on the table.

"This is unexpected."

"Well I thought we could get going early, get into Toledo and take a look around."

"Kurt, we don't have to."

"I know." He shrugs, dumps a pan in the sink, and makes his way over to the table, where he sits in Blaine's lap rather than in another chair. "But we might as well see the place. Don't get your hopes up though. This doesn't mean either you or Danny are about to go to some fancy private school."

"I know. Thank you, though, for at least wanting to take a look at the place. It's strange, being with someone who actually takes my requests into consideration."

"Blaine, I've gotta ask you something. You've said a few things before that have made me think... did Tom used to hit you?"

"Um..." Blaine stiffens, and looks away. "Let's just get going. We can talk in the car."

Kurt drives, and he doesn't prompt Blaine to say anything else, he just waits. Eventually, he clears his throat, and Kurt reaches over, placing a hand on his leg as he speaks.

"It wasn't a regular thing," he starts quietly. "It was maybe like three or four times. The first time, we were in a bar, and some girl was flirting with me. I'm pretty clueless about women, really, and suddenly she launched herself on me, and started trying to kiss me. I pushed her away, obviously, but Tom and I had a huge fight that night, and he smacked me across the mouth. Another time, he punched me in the stomach, but he pretended like it was a joke, like it was just bros fighting, you know? But I didn't find it funny. And then, when I found out about the baby and stuff, I was so dumb. I was crying, and begging him not to go, but to stay and have kids with me instead, and he smacked me hard then, like my jaw was bruised for a long time. He called me a needy, whiny bitch and walked out. I remember sitting on the floor of the apartment, and thinking I deserved better than this, there must be something, or someone, better, brighter, kinder. And here you are," he adds, smiling at Kurt. "Here you are."

He doesn't even notice that Kurt has stopped driving, and has pulled into a small, suburban street, to listen to Blaine talk, but then he leans over, lovingly taking his face in his hands and kissing his lips.

"I am so sorry. I can't believe I've never asked you before, that I never dwelled on the little things you said. Damn, Blaine. I feel like such an ignorant fool. Why didn't you just tell me? Make me listen?"

"Well, you know, I've never told anyone. Cooper would kill the guy. Even if he heard about it today? He would find him and he would kill him. My parents would be upset... it sounds terrible, all said like that, but we had good times, you know?"

"That's what they all say," Kurt murmurs. "Blaine, it might not count for much, but I swear, I will never, ever, touch you in anger, not at all."

"I know you wouldn't," Blaine says sincerely. "You know what? When we met? I knew that right away. I didn't look at you and think 'oh he'll never hit me, I'll get with that,' it was more an instinctive trust. I don't know, Kurt. The more I think about it, the more I am convinced we were put on this earth to find each other. Whether that's the intention of God, or the universe, fate, whatever you want to call it... I believe we were made with one another in mind."

"I feel that too," Kurt says, with an emphatic nod. "I really do. I never believed in any of that. I believed we shaped our own destinies, that we were in control, but the more things that happen with us, the more convinced I am that there is some kind of intangible force that controls things, and that has led us to each other. It's all been too easy, too right, for it to be otherwise. Like we were both led back to Ohio. Danny wet the bed that morning, which meant I had a chance to talk to you... the car wash where Danny asked if we could wash with you... the ease with which our families accepted us... the way Danny fell in love with you... it's all been so easy, and so right, and that's how I know this is it, because it's perfect."

"He hasn't wet the bed," Blaine suddenly realizes. "Not since you proposed. I know that's only a week, but he was doing it every night for a while there."

"Because he feels as at peace with it all as we do," Kurt says, leaning over again to kiss his cheek.

"I like that," Blaine says with a smile. Kurt rests his head on his shoulder, and they stay that way for a while, looking down the little road. "This is a cute little place."

"Hmm it is," Kurt agrees, as he watches two boys riding their bikes down the sidewalk. They dump them outside a small gate, and run up to a house, knocking on the door, and then greeting a little girl, who grabs her bike and joins them. "Nice houses."

"Except that one." Blaine nods toward a large house in the corner, which was once probably sweet and charming, but now the front yard is overgrown, and the paint is peeling from the picket fence and the house itself.

"Aw, that's sad. Who could let a house go to ruin like that? Look at the shutters."

Blaine takes in the red shutters hanging loose from one of the upstairs windows, and then sees the real estate sign outside. "It's for sale. I guess it's been empty for some time."

"It makes me sad," Kurt declares, as he starts the engine.

"Never mind, Kurt," Blaine laughs. "I'm sure some family will fix it up together and be very happy there."

"You're right. Come on, let's go find some coffee."

They find a cute little cafe overlooking the lake, and sit outside together, taking in the bright, sunny morning.

"Oh my word, they have a zoo," Kurt exclaims, as he flicks through a guide book. "With polar bear cubs! We have to bring Danny."

"Have you never been here before?"

"No. Neither have you."

"True, but I'm from Cincinnati. You're Lima born and bred."

"Lima doesn't have a zoo."

"I know that."

"They have a science center! Ooh, I wanna go."

"Danny would love that too."

"He would. Oh, Blaine! The fire boats do a display out on the lake!"

"Well that settles it. We're definitely coming back here with Danny." He smiles as he thinks of him and Kurt holding his hands between them, as they walk along the waterfront. "It's so nice here."

"It is. And so artistic." Kurt sighs wistfully, as he looks out over the lake. "I miss culture."

"Me too. Wanna go to that art museum we passed?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

They wander around the art museum, and then get lunch, before taking a walk through a park, which is filled with families having fun in the sun, and watching a display of circus acts. They call Danny, who trips over his own words, as he tells them that grandpa had taken him to the water park, and now he was going to grandma and pop's house, and pops was going to take him fishing.

"Fishing?" a horrified Kurt mouths at Blaine, before pulling a face.

"I used to go fishing with pops," Blaine tells him, as all the happy memories come flooding back. "Have fun, little man. Catch a fish for grandma's dinner."

"I will! Oh, and papa, guess what?"

"What?"

"Me and grandpa looked online, and where you and daddy are? There's a zoo near there what has baby polar bears!"

"I know!"

"Are you gonna see them?"

"Not without you. We thought we could bring you here for a visit sometime."

"Ooh yay."

"It's really lovely here, Danny," Kurt tells him. "You'd love it."

"I love you."

"Aw, baby boy, we love you too," Kurt says, smiling at the phone. "Have loads of fun with grandma and pops. Enjoy..." He swallows hard. "Fishing."

Blaine laughs as they hang up. "What's wrong with fishing?"

"It's gross! You just sit there, hoping a fish will come along and hook itself on your line, and then you pull it out of the water so it can die in agony."

"You eat fish," Blaine points out.

"I know."

"You eat meat."

Kurt smirks. "Yes I do."

"Funny. Is it okay for dad to take him? If you'd rather he didn't..."

"Blaine, it's fine. You used to go with him, I suspect Cooper did too, and no doubt when they're old enough, your dad will want to take the girls."

"I know, but he's your..."

"No!" Kurt leaps to his feet, laughing as he points at Blaine. "Don't you dare say he's my kid! He's ours." He pulls Blaine to his feet and into his arms, kissing his lips right in the middle of the park. "Danny is as much your baby as he is mine."

"But you..."

"I'm over all that, I told you. I love you, and Danny, an insane amount. I was listening to the two of you during that call, and you talk to him just like I do. He's half Anderson, half Hummel, and that's the end of it."

Blaine grins, unable to resist kissing Kurt again. "Is that what we'll be? The Anderson-Hummel's?"

"Do you want to be?"

"Yes. Having the same last name as you two is really important to me."

"Then yes," Kurt declares. "We'll be the Anderson-Hummel's. Now let's get back to the car. There's somewhere I want to visit."

He refuses to say where they are going, but after a ten minute drive, he pulls up outside Ottawa Hills Academy. "Well?"

"Well, what?"

"This is the school Roberta was talking about," Kurt explains, pointing up at the sign. "I know it's all locked up, but we can get out and try and see where the kindergarten is, if you want?"

Blaine smiles. "Thank you. Yes. I'd like to just take a look. I mean, I know it doesn't mean anything but..."

"Come on."

Blaine watches Kurt carefully as they walk around the perimeter of the school. He doesn't want to get his hopes up, because Kurt keeps his face entirely neutral, and focuses on the building rather than Blaine, but why had he gone to the trouble of finding out the name of the school, and driving Blaine here, if he didn't have some thoughts about it possibly being a future job for Blaine, and a future school for Danny?

"That must be it." Blaine points to a separate entrance, bright yellow doors, with a huge rainbow painted over the top. Written in an arch over the top of that, they both read the words: "Let your imagination soar. Live, love, laugh and be free."

"That's adorable."

"Isn't it?" Blaine agrees happily. "What's the first thing you think when you look at it?"

"Acceptance. Warmth. Happiness."

"Same. You know," he carries on, again watching Kurt closely. "Wherever I end up next year, I might steal that phrase and use it in a mural for the class."

"Hmm," is Kurt's only reply, and they slowly walk back to the main gates and the car. "Aw shit," he mutters, when he sees another car arriving. "I hope I didn't take their spot. I didn't think anyone would be around. Sorry!" he calls, when a young woman steps from the car and opens her trunk. "We were just looking around. We're leaving now."

"Not a problem." She smiles and waits for them to arrive at the car. "Are you new to the area?"

"No," Kurt tells her. "We live in Lima, but we're looking to relocate. This is my fiancé, Blaine. We have a son together, he's almost six, and Blaine is a kindergarten teacher."

"Wait a minute, you're Roberta's friends, right? I'm Callie!"

"Her sister?"

"No," she says, as she shakes their hands. "Francesca is her sister, but Fran and I are best friends. I know all about you guys. I teach third grade. Fran's about to become vice-principal. And..." She pauses, giving Blaine a warm smile. "We have an opening for a brilliant Kindergarten teacher, if you know any."

Blaine laughs and ducks his head. "Oh, I don't know if..."

"He is a brilliant teacher," Kurt says, stepping in. "I can vouch for that."

"Come in," Callie urges, pulling a box of supplies from her trunk. "I need to take these down to my class, and I can show you around if you'd like."

As they walk around the school, Kurt tells her more about Danny, and Blaine talks more about his job. They are open and honest, with Blaine telling her why they've decided to leave Parkside, and Kurt telling her his hang ups for sending Danny to a private school.

"Financially, I wouldn't worry," Callie says, as they head down to the first grade classrooms. "If Blaine were to land a job here, you'd get half off anyway, but I've never known a kid be kicked out because their parents couldn't pay. Circumstances change, and we've had families before who suddenly find themselves unable to keep paying. If that happens, the board and the principal usually work to some kind of agreement with the parents to stagger reduced payments."

She shows them into the classroom where Danny would be. It is bright and welcoming, and Kurt wanders around, looking at the wall displays. "Roberta said the school is accepting of same sex parents?" Blaine asks, and he knows that Kurt is listening intently, though he continues to walk around.

"Oh it is. Basically we try and embrace everyone's diversity, no matter their religion, parentage or color. We have a girl with two moms, and another little girl moving up to second grade with two dads. There's twin boys higher up the school, in ninth grade, whose dad, and I know he won't mind me saying, is trans. Everyone is very open and honest here; we actively teach about all types of family groups, and we don't tolerate discrimination of any kind."

"So if I worked here I could tell my class that I was gay?"

"Of course. Our classes are small; between twelve and sixteen students in each, and because of that, you become almost like a little family unit. You'd be encouraged to share with them about your home life as much as they would share with you. Come see the kindergarten, it's really cute."

"Where do the older kids go?" Kurt asks, as he follows her down the hall. "Roberta said the school runs right through to senior year?"

"It does, but on separate sites. Once kids get to the end of eighth grade, they move down the street. We all meet once a week for a whole school lunch and to spend time together. The kids are put into what we call family groups; groups of mixed ages and abilities from kindergarten right up. They do activities and stuff. This is an arts based school, so we might put on a play as a whole school, or do group artwork. And this is the kindergarten."

Blaine smiles as he steps inside. Like all the classrooms they have seen, it is bright and welcoming, but the kindergarten room seems almost magical. It's easily the best equipped and well kept classroom he's ever seen, and with all he's heard, he finds himself longing to come and work here.

"When's the application deadline?" Kurt asks, as if he can read his mind.

"Wednesday, I think," Callie answers. "Interviews to be held the following week. I don't know if I'm technically allowed to tell you this, but we've had a high number of applicants. The half price tuition always appeals," she says with a laugh. "But it's worth a shot, right?"

"Definitely," Blaine agrees.

"There's a lot to think about," Kurt tells her, and Blaine knows how close he is to freaking out.

"There is. And we'd better go. Thank you so much," he tells Callie, shaking her hand again. "Your school is lovely, and we're really grateful to you for showing us inside."

"Anytime. I hope to see you here in August!" she calls, but Kurt is rushing toward the car, his head down.

"Where are we going?" he asks Blaine, who calmly takes the keys from his hand and ushers him in the passenger side.

"Back to the cabin? We could pick up some food, a bottle of wine...what do you say?"

"Yes please," Kurt says, relief flooding his face. "Blaine, I..."

"Not right now, Kurt," Blaine says kindly, squeezing his hand. "Take a moment to process. Talk when you're ready."

"Thank you."

He sits in a contemplative silence, grateful that Blaine is patient and understanding. He is still quiet as he trails him around the small grocery store they find, and just nods as Blaine loads the basket with various cheeses, meats and bread for dinner.

"Ice cream?" Blaine asks, and he gets another blank nod. "Okay. And wine. Um..." He doesn't bother to ask, just loads a bottle of Chardonnay into the basket, and gives a smile. "We're all set."

"I think this is where we're meant to be," Kurt suddenly blurts, and Blaine turns around to stare at him.

"What?"

"I feel like...like it's all so easy. And I've learned that when it seems easy, it probably is, and it's that way for a reason. But I'm so scared, Blaine. I'm really scared."

"Okay." Blaine sets the basket down in the middle of the aisle, and takes both of Kurt's hands in his. "Just calm down a little and try and tell me what scares you."

"Me. My future. We both love the city, what we've seen of it. The school was delightful, Callie was nice... I could definitely see you teaching there, and Danny as a student. He'd love it. The way Callie spoke made me feel comforted that Danny would be safe and welcomed there. We could afford his tuition... And then there's the house. That house. It spoke to me. I could see us there, fixing it up, making it our family home. I could see it Blaine, I could see how happy we would be, but what about me? Can I take this huge step not knowing what job I'd have? What if I didn't find anything? What if I had to take another job that didn't use my skills? This past year I've done it for Danny, but you're right, I can't do it forever, because I need job satisfaction to contribute to my home life satisfaction. I don't feel I can be the best husband or dad if I'm not happy in my work. It's like I can see this big picture...but I don't know where I fit in it all."

"Oh Kurt." Blaine steps forward, pressing a soft kiss to his bowed head. "Kurt, listen to me. It's okay to be scared, because I am too. Yes, it does all seem to be lining up, everything is falling into place. I loved the school as much as you did, and I could definitely see us fixing up that house. I thought it at the time, but didn't want to say anything, because like you, it all seems too easy. What if we take that plunge and eighteen months in, we hate it here? What if you come to resent me because I pushed for the move? What if we move somewhere entirely different and hate it? I'm perhaps more of a risk taker than you are, but you know what? When you take those chances they usually work out okay, like asking me for ice cream, or proposing." He breaks off with a smile, holding up his left hand to show off the engagement ring.

"You need that defining moment, my darling, and I get that, but don't spend too long getting weighed down by it all. Sometimes we need to take a chance and trust that things will all work out okay. At least we'll be taking this chance as a family, together, and we'll be there to support one another."

Kurt looks down again, overcome with the vast array of emotions going through his mind. He takes a moment and then gives a small nod, before taking the wine from the basket, setting it back on the shelf, and putting two bottles of champagne in instead.

"What's that for?"

"To celebrate us," Kurt declares, kissing his cheek quickly. "I might not be able to make a decision right now, but knowing I have your support and love is everything to me, and I want to celebrate us, and our engagement, tonight."

"I think we did that last weekend. I can still feel the effects."

"Very funny."

Kurt nudges him toward the checkout, where he pays, while Kurt studies the community bulletin board. "Ottawa Hills Community College present Hairspray," he tells Blaine when he's done. "I love that show."

"Hmm. You'd make a good Edna."

"Hey!" Kurt cries, as he trails Blaine out to the car. "I'll kick your ass for that!"

"I can think of something else you can do with it." Blaine grins and unlocks the car, holding open the door for Kurt. "I love you," he says, resting one hand on his arm. "Trust me, Kurt, everything will work out just fine."