[A/N] Excuse the lateness of this story. I've been super busy recently with university interviews, college work etc etc and every time I have free time I've just felt more like sleeping that writing. But one day this will be finished! Thanks for being patient and thanks for everyone who's reading! This chapter is slightly fluffy and slightly dramatic but fluff conquers all, right? Enjoy! :)
"So now we just put them in the oven and wait for them to bake," Kurt concluded. It was a Saturday afternoon and Kurt was fulfilling his promise to make cookies with Harmony. She had helped him make the dough and together they made lots of different shapes, including each of their names and many, many hearts. Harmony had suggested they make hearts for all of their favourite people, and hers alone took up a whole shelf in the oven.
"How long will they take to bake?" she asked, eagerly.
"About 15 minutes, but we'll check them to make sure they're done after that," Kurt replied. "Now, why don't you go and wash up whilst I clean the kitchen and then we can go and find your dad and put a movie in."
Harmony looked down at the apron that Kurt had tied tightly to fit around her tiny waist. It was a good idea that she'd worn it because she was covered in flour, cookie dough and melted chocolate chips. She nodded and flounced off to her bedroom, leaving Kurt to clean the surfaces free of cookie dough. He was just reaching for the spray when he felt strong arms wrap around his waist and a head rest on his shoulder.
"Something smells good," Blaine said, burying his face into Kurt's shoulder.
"Well, don't get too excited because the cookies are going to take at least another 10 minutes," Kurt chuckled, his body automatically swaying with Blaine's.
"It's really sweet of you to bake cookies with her. I've done it before but I'm not nearly as good as you at it," Blaine said.
Kurt chuckled. "You haven't tasted them yet, honey. They could taste awful."
"I know they won't." There was a pause as Kurt began wiping down the surfaces, the two of them moving to accommodate his actions. "I like this."
"What, me cleaning this kitchen?" Kurt asked.
"No, no. I mean you coming over. Baking with Harmy, spending time together. It feels so domestic. And you calling me honey. I like that too," Blaine replied, grinning into the bare skin peeking out of the shoulder of Kurt's sweater.
"Well, I like it too," Kurt assured him. "I like spending time with you and Harmony."
They were silent as Kurt finished cleaning up and then Blaine reluctantly let go of Kurt's waist in order to help him clean the dishes, although Kurt tried to insist it was his mess so he should clear it up.
"And my daughter helped make that mess so I'm helping too," he had argued.
It wasn't much longer until Harmony came bounding into the room, having stripped off her apron and thoroughly washed her hands and face. "Are the cookies done yet?"
"Not yet, princess," Blaine said. "Go pick the movie and put it in the DVD player; we're nearly done with this."
As soon as they were done, they headed into the living room where Harmony was sat, looking quite impatient, with the title of Tangled paused on the TV. "Took you guys long enough," she complained. "Now come and sit down. I saved space for one of you either side." Harmony patted each side of her and Kurt and Blaine jumped down to sit with her. Kurt excused himself a while later to get the cookies out of the oven, insisting Harmony stay where she was because the oven was hot and, besides, the cookies needed to cool.
A few hours later when the movie was finished, they went to the kitchen together to sort out the cookies.
"This one's for daddy and this one is for grandma and this one is for grandpa," Harmony listed, piling the cookies up according to who they were for. "This one is for Aunt Laura, this one is for Mrs Faulks and this one is for Kurt. And the rest of mine are for me. Who did you make your cookies for, Kurt?"
Kurt, having already separated his cookies in preparation, listed them the same. "I've made one for your daddy, one for you, one for my brother, one for Mel, one for my dad and one for my step-mom."
"What's a step-mom?" Harmony asked, her head tilted in curiosity.
"Well," started Kurt, "when I was younger my mom died and my dad got remarried, so his new wife is my step-mom. And my brother is her son, so he's my step-brother."
"Is your step-mom nice?" Harmony questioned.
"She's lovely. She'll never replace my real mom, but she's close enough to the real thing." Kurt turned to Blaine. "In fact, both Carole and my dad have been asking about you guys. They can't wait to meet you."
"We should have dinner together one night," Blaine suggested.
"I'll have to arrange it," Kurt said with a grin in his boyfriend's direction. Blaine grinned back before turning to his daughter.
"Harmony, why don't you go and get into your PJs? It's getting late and it's nearly your bed time," Blaine suggested.
"Can Kurt help read my story?" she asked. Kurt nodded in confirmation and Harmony headed off in the direction of her bedroom. As soon as she'd left the room, Blaine took to opportunity to wrap his arms around Kurt's waist and connect their lips. Kurt was caught off guard for a moment, but soon returned the kiss eagerly.
They pulled apart, not tearing their gazes from one another and smiling, their noses millimetres apart. "I'm sorry," Blaine whispered. "I've been wanting to do that all day but the idea of meeting your family and you meeting mine... it just feels so surreal."
"I know," Kurt replies. "It kind of feels like I'm dreaming sometimes. The night after we first kissed I pinched myself a few times to make sure it actually happened."
"I can't wait to meet your family," Blaine said, holding Kurt tightly.
"And I can't wait to meet yours," Kurt returned.
Within a week, the arrangements had been made for Blaine and Harmony to have dinner with the Hummels. Blaine, though excited, was also incredibly nervous. He'd heard Kurt talk about his family; he knew how important they were to him. Getting the approval of Kurt's family was guaranteeing their relationship could continue as normal. If he didn't there might be a chance that Kurt changes his mind.
"Daddy, you said biting your nails was bad," Harmony said, tugging on Blaine's arm. He hadn't even noticed that he'd been chewing at his fingernails.
"It is, princess, I'm sorry. I'm a bit nervous," Blaine admitted.
"Why are you nervous?"
"Because we're meeting Kurt's family for the first time and I really want them to like me," he said.
"Of course they'll like you. We bought Kurt's step-mom flowers and we bought that pretty pink drink and I made them a nice-to-meet-you card. If they're nice like Kurt then they'll like us, right?" Harmony questioned.
Blaine sighed. "Yeah, princess, I don't know what I'm nervous about."
However, as they pulled up in front of Kurt's parents house, the worries returned.
As soon as he'd rang the doorbell, he considered the possibility of turning around and trying again another day, but Harmony's hand in his kept him on the spot and soon his gorgeous boyfriend's face as the door distracted him from his concerns.
"Hey!" Kurt greeted. Harmony rushed to him, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in his stomach. "And a super big hello to you, Harmony."
"Harmony, watch your card," Blaine said, before leaning over to give Kurt a quick peck on the cheek whilst Harmony wasn't looking. "Hi," he whispered.
"Well, you two certainly have your hands full. What do we have here?" Kurt asked.
"Flowers for your step-mom, and a pretty pink drink and I made a card," Harmony explained. "I helped pick the flowers and the drink."
"Well, Carole is going to love them," Kurt insisted. "Come in, it's chilly out."
Blaine and Harmony stepped inside, Blaine neatly toeing off his shoes and Harmony copying before Kurt took both of their coats. Harmony immediately got distracted by the pictures on the hallway table.
"Kurt, is this you?" she asked curiously, pointing towards a photograph, that sat right in the middle, of a little boy dressed in a dress shirt and bow tie, clutching an ice cream and grinning at the camera. Kurt blushed at the sight of the photo.
"I knew I should have put that away," he mumbled. "Come on, let's go and introduce you both."
Kurt lead them both by the hand into the living room, where Carole and Burt were sat. The television was on, but neither of them were watching, instead they were sat shuffling as they got more impatient.
"Dad, Carole. Blaine and Harmony are here," Kurt called, as if to give them permission to greet the pair. "Guys this is my dad, Burt and my step-mom, Carole." Blaine stepped forward to shake hands with Burt and Carole. Carole, immediately dismissed his outstretched hand and pulled him in for a hug. Blaine's cheeks darkened slightly at the sudden affection.
"It's lovely to meet you both," Blaine said, politely. "Harmy, are you going to say hi?"
"Hi," Harmony said feebly. She thrust the flowers and card at Carole, leaving Blaine to offer Burt the drink they'd brought with them. "I helped daddy pick the flowers and drink and I made the card," she declared.
"Oh my," Carole said, taking the flowers and card from Harmony and burying her nose in them. "These are beautiful; I'll go and find some water to put them in. Burt would you like to read the card the Harmony made?"
Burt took the card from her, chuckling at the uneven 'Nice To Meet You' on the front, accompanied by two waving figures assumed to be Blaine and Harmony. He opened the folded paper to read the message inside.
"That's great, kiddo," Burt said with a smile. Kurt grinned at his father. Burt may have been a typical man, he may have liked football and cars, but he was great with children. He was a fantastic father and Kurt was glad to see that he was being just as friendly with Harmony. "I'm going to put this right up here on the fireplace," he announced and set it up for all to see. Harmony glanced up at her father, looking proud that Burt had liked the card as much as she'd hoped.
"Do either of you want a drink?" offered Carole. "We can have some of the pink champagne you brought if you like."
"Oh, I'll just have water please. I don't drink," Blaine said.
"Do you want anything, sweetie?" Carole asked Harmony.
"Can I have some juice?" Harmony questioned quietly.
"You can, indeed," Carole replied, before going back into the kitchen to pour drinks.
Kurt pulled Blaine down into the seat next to him and shuffled over to make room for Harmony in between them. He gave Blaine's hand a reassuring squeeze. Blaine glanced up at his boyfriend, who was smiling at him. Blaine couldn't help but return the grin; seeing how happy and comfortable Kurt was here in his parents home, and the way his face lit up at his boyfriend meeting his parents, just made Blaine's heart beat that little bit faster. Suddenly, all of his nerves were gone.
The dinner went well. Harmony had Burt and Carole wrapped around her little finger in a matter of minutes, and Blaine managed to charm them, although he hadn't had any experience with meeting boyfriend's parents. But Burt and Carole seemed to notice that Blaine and Kurt made each other happy and that they were good for each other. Blaine noticed the look Carole gave them when Kurt took his hand under that table and squeezed it, and when Harmony told them about the cookies they'd made the previous week. And when they left and Carole hugged him again, Burt shook his hand a little less firm and Harmony gave them both kisses on the cheek, he knew that this family is somewhere where he felt he belonged.
Everything was going well. Blaine and Kurt had gotten into a routine; every day after work, Kurt would come and get his regular coffee. Then, when Blaine had finished, he and Kurt would go and pick up Harmony from Laura's and they would go home. They'd take it in turns with dinner, sometimes Blaine making dinner for them all and sometimes Kurt taking them back to his and making dinner. Sometimes they would get take out and cuddle up on the sofa watching a movie surrounded by cartons of food. Then Harmony would do her homework whilst Kurt sketched or worked on designs. Blaine would usually sit and watch them, marveling at the beauty of both his boyfriend and his daughter. Then they would get Harmony ready for bed and read her a story together until she fell asleep. They usually spent the rest of the evening cuddling and kissing until Kurt had to go home. Blaine was happier than he'd ever been.
Then, one afternoon, he got a phone call that threatened that happiness.
The call came during his lunch hour and it was from Harmony's school, requesting that he come into school whenever possible. He immediately asked Mel to cover for him and drove the Harmony's school, probably breaking the speed limit to do so. When he got there, he was lead into the headteacher's office, where Harmony was sat on a large chair, her little legs dangling half a metre off the floor, and tears in her eyes.
Blaine immediately swept her up in his arms and held her tightly as she buried her face into his neck. "What happened? What's going on? Tell me what happened!" Blaine demanded.
"Mr Anderson, I'm sorry to have to call you in at such an inconvenient time," the head teacher, Mrs Allen apologised.
"I honestly don't care, just tell me why I was called," Blaine said.
"There has been a bit of an incident involving Harmony and a couple of boys in her class. Mrs Faulks told us that it was started with their show and tell session where Harmony brought in a picture of herself with you and your partner. A few of the boys in the class were teasing her about it at lunch time and they pushed her over so she pushed them back. One of them got mad and hit her, and she ... she erm, punched him in the jaw."
"Harmony!" Blaine gasped.
"I'm sorry," Harmony sobbed. "But he was saying really mean things. And Grandpa told me that if anyone ever hits me then I should hit them back twice as hard."
"Oh baby," Blaine said, holding her tightly. "If anyone ever hits you then you have to tell a teacher immediately. No matter how mean they're being." He looked up to Mrs Allen, who looked sympathetic. "I'm really sorry, I'll have a talk with her tonight. Are you, erm, are you going to punish her?"
"Well, we've never had any problems with her before and we have a lot of children and teachers telling us that what Harmony did was self defense, so we've decided to let her off with a warning and she'll spend her recess and lunch times in the classroom for a week. We're going to get Mrs Faulks to explain to the class Harmony's family situation in order to avoid anything like this happening again," Mrs Allen explained. "If you want to take Harmony home today to talk to her I'll explain to her teacher."
"Yes please, I'm sorry this happened," Blaine murmured, before picking Harmony up and taking her out to the car. They were silent on the ride home, apart from an occasional sob from Harmony which simply broke Blaine's heart. When they got home, Blaine carried her in and they cuddled up together on the sofa.
"Okay, princess, I need you to talk to me, okay? I need you to tell me what happened," Blaine said, holding his daughter to his chest.
"Tommy and Brandon came up to me at recess and said I was weird. They said that you and Kurt were weird because boys should be with girls and that you having a boyfriend was wrong. Th-they said it was disgusting and gross and that God doesn't love us because he made you and Kurt d-d-diseased," Harmony sobbed, refusing to make eye contact with her father. "I'm really sorry, daddy. Please don't be mad at me, please."
"Harmy, I'm not mad at you," Blaine insisted, his own eyes now teary. "I'm not mad, I promise. Listen, me and you are going to talk like grown ups, okay? Because I'm your daddy and it's my job to make you happy and I need to know what's going to make you happy, baby." Blaine took a deep breath, willing himself not to cry, knowing it would make Harmony even more upset. "Do you want me to stop seeing Kurt?"
"No!" Harmony replied immediately, her head snapping up to look at her father. "Please please don't break up with Kurt. I really like Kurt and he draws with me and makes cookies and tells stories good, please don't send him away. I promise I'll be good."
"It's okay, it's okay. I'm not going to send him away. I just want to do what will make you happy and if me seeing Kurt is making you unhappy then I'll stop."
"No, Kurt doesn't make me unhappy. Kurt makes you smile that big smile and that makes me happy. I like Kurt being here. It's the boys at school that made me sad, but Mrs Allen said she'll make it better. Just please don't stop seeing Kurt," Harmony begged.
"It's okay, princess, I won't stop seeing Kurt. I like him just as much as you do," Blaine clarified.
They were silent for a moment, hugging each tightly and not wanting to let go.
"Is Kurt coming over tonight?" Harmony asked.
"If you want him to," Blaine said.
"I do. I like when Kurt comes over," the little girl whispered.
"How about McDonald's for dinner?" Blaine suggested, and with that, Harmony frown disappeared.
"What's wrong?" Kurt asked as soon as the door was opened. He stood in the doorway, his forehead furrowed in worry and his cheeks flushed. After the text he'd received from Blaine saying 'Had to come home early. Something happened with Harmony at school. Come over when you finish work and I'll explain.'
"Oh God, have you been worried?" Blaine asked, holding his arms open for Kurt to embrace him.
"Of course I've been worried," Kurt replied.
"Kurt!" came a yell and Harmony came thundering through the living room and wrapped herself around Kurt's waist.
"Hey, Harmony!" Kurt chuckled, leaning down to give her a proper hug.
"Harms, do you want to go and make a start on your homework in your room, I need to talk to Kurt for a minute, okay?" Blaine suggested.
Harmony sighed, but left to her room. Blaine led Kurt to the sofa.
"Explain!" Kurt demanded. "I've been worrying ever since I got your text."
So Blaine explained what had happened at school with Harmony and what the head teacher had said and how upset Harmony had been. Kurt listened with wide eyes grasping Blaine's hand tightly.
"Is she okay? Did she get hurt?" Kurt questioned.
"No I think she's okay. I think it was more the words that hurt her. I... I had a talk with her. And whilst I have to tell my dad off for giving some bad advice, I think everything's okay."
"And... she isn't mad at me? She doesn't want me out of her life?"
"Actually, she insisted that I never stop seeing you," Blaine replied. "She seemed more upset about the suggestion of us breaking up than the boys at school being mean to her."
"Oh," Kurt sighed, a look of relief on his face. "I'm so glad, I don't know what I'd do without the two of you."
"Well, you're going to hate me tonight," Blaine chuckled. When Kurt just raised an eyebrow at him, he clarified. "I promised Harmony we could have McDonald's."
"Blaine!" Kurt gasped, but he couldn't stop himself from laughing. Harmony came in to see what the fuss was about and Kurt pulled her into the middle of the two of them. "Your father is going to be the death of me," Kurt told her and she giggled, cuddling into her father and Kurt. They stayed like that until Harmony complained that she was hungry. Kurt laughed and offered to go and get their food. As he sat in the car on the way, he couldn't help but think how being with Harmony and Blaine felt like being a family.