Kurt was happy once again; he could breathe once again. A few tears were shed and a few screams were echoing the walls as Blaine confessed what he had done; Kurt said it didn't matter, that they were together at last, but Blaine wanted to get clean, so even though Kurt had some doubts, he told him about Sebastian; how they were doing things behind his back and some horrible things he did over the years with his brothers. But it took that honesty for the couple to move forward and it was a thing from the past. They could start living without actually living a lie and it was all that matters, really.

Blaine came to win Kurt's heart back a month ago. There were now in March and pretty much in love. Everyone was happy for them- except Santana. Since she saw them cuddled in Kurt's bed, she refused to talk to Blaine or listened to his excuses. She just didn't want to hear it and she made it clear that he wasn't welcome in the loft or the restaurant. Kurt was saddened to see Santana so mad at the person he loved. He tried many times to tell her to give Blaine a chance; she didn't budge. Blaine was currently living in his dad's apartment when Giorgio was in New York to take care of his restaurant, but the apartment wasn't just his, but to his working partner as well. It was a first for Blaine. He was used to luxury, penthouses, beautiful hotel rooms, but never in a small apartment near China Town and The little Italy. At night, the thin walls did nothing to cover the loud noises of the streets and at dinner, there was a strange smell coming from downstairs; it was his father's partner who always cooked (too much) of Indian or Asian foods and as much as the smell is weird, it tasted good. The apartment was actually a two story one where Guy, Giorgio's partner, was living. He was nice, but was a quiet guy. He always cooked for an army, so Kurt always ended up there, eating divine foods.

''Guy, your food is always amazing,'' Kurt gushed as he served himself another dish of Makhani Murgh, which is a butter chicken, Indian style, with a naan bread. Kurt devoured it all. They were literally sitting on the rug in the living room and the faint sound of indie music could be heard from downstairs. Blaine liked it there; it was so different from his past life, but it was so simple, so fresh. He never realized he had such a cool father. The deco of the apartment was nothing he had expect. It had an indie style with an old red rug in the living room, the couches were all leather, but there were no doors. What replaced the doors were bead or bamboo curtains. It had such a cool vibe and some portraits of big rockers were hanging on the walls. Giorgio wasn't uptight like Charles, he was the total opposite and Blaine liked it.

Guy smiled at Kurt and drank his cold beer. ''I always tell Gio to put some Indian foods on the menu, but he always refuse. 'Says that it's supposed to be Italian only and such nonsense,'' he rolled his eyes dramatically and Kurt laughed. ''He doesn't like fusion food very much,'' he lamented.

''You should still try, though. The food is amazing. Right, Blaine?''

''You're right, baby,'' Blaine said as he captured Kurt's lips in a kiss. Guy signed loudly and stood up, still clutching his beer and the rest of his non-eating food.

''Anyways, I'll spend the rest of the evening downstairs. Do that in Blaine's room and not so loud this time,'' he said as he walked downstairs, murmuring about the youth. The couple giggled, still sprawled on the floor, the cold dishes forgotten.

''You know,'' Blaine said, breaking the silence. ''I've never thought that my life could be so perfect,''

Kurt arched an eyebrow and caressed his bicep, looking down at Blaine as he laid on the rug, Kurt halfway on him. ''Not even when you were living the luxurious life?'' he teased him. Blaine shook his head.

''This life is much better.'' He concluded with a smile, but it still didn't reach his eyes and Kurt noticed it.

''And yet, you're not fully happy,'' he said with a sad smile. ''Because someone is missing in your life,'' he said knowingly. Blaine signed deeply and took Kurt's hand and caressed the smooth palm with his rough fingers.

''She hates me,'' he said.

''No, she do not,''

''But I deserve it, anyways,'' Blaine said as he ignored Kurt's last comment; his last effort to comfort him.

''She'll come around,'' Kurt assured him with soft eyes and a gentle smile; how Blaine missed that when he was far away from him. He raised himself up on one elbow and looked at Kurt.

''It's been a month, Kurt. She's a stubborn evil witch,'' he said petulantly. ''She's been like that since forever.''

''She loves you, she won't stay mad.'' Kurt said, trying to comfort his boyfriend. Ever since he came back into his life, Santana forbid Blaine to come to the loft and even the restaurant. He let him in when she wasn't there, but Kurt was tired to play cat and mouse. He was happy that Blaine came back into his life; Santana couldn't take that away from him and as a friend, she should be happy for him. He knew she was hurting, too, but Kurt was the one with a broken heart; she should understand.

''Come here…'' Kurt said as he dragged Blaine on his feet. He was smirking and Blaine knew was it meant. Kurt wanted to help him feel better, satisfied and any thought of Santana, he wanted them gone. They could worry about that later, but now, he really wanted Blaine to let loose. ''I know what I can do to help you forget all your worries…'' he kissed Blaine fully on the mouth and he moaned into the kiss. ''I wanna do one of my favorite sex position, if you don't mind…'' he whispered in Blaine's ear and just hearing those words coming out of Kurt's mouth was enough to drive him crazy with want and he was already hard.

''Which is…?'' he asked, suddenly breathless.

''The fan.''

''Oh.'' He breathed out shakily as Kurt led the way to Blaine's room, both of them giggling until they reached the room, clothes discarded on the floor.

-X-

A couple of weeks later, the restaurant were busier than ever. Not with the costumers, as it wasn't open yet, but Santana was running right and left and yelled orders to the new staff for everything to be perfect. The date they choose to open was the fourth of April, so they didn't have time to waste.

Kurt was reviewing the menu for the billion times, making sure that the food was perfect, the prices were fine and the design of the menu was sublime. It could be stupid for outsiders to take care of such details, but for a new restaurant, a new environment, it was very important. Kurt was also surprised by the professionalism of the staff, whether it was a cook or a waiter; they knew what they were doing and Santana only chose the best. Kurt was even intimidated by some of them, whom were so serious and impeccable in their tasks, but after telling them to help for this or that, it was easier.

''Okay, Kurt. I ask George to go down the wine cellar and do an inventory of all the wines we have.''

Kurt only nodded, picturing the big cook downstairs, grumbling at Santana's orders. He giggled, and then he thought about how they ended up with a wine cellar. It wasn't in his plans, but when they visited this old building, they discovered stairs leading downstairs. They wondered what they could put in there. The patrons would already be served on two floors and the stock room was very large. Then, Santana had the best idea to turn the room into a wine cellar, saying that it was, mostly, a French restaurant, so the wine must have a good place and, she had add, good wine in a restaurant can turned into something big and wonderful.

''Kurt, Santana?'' someone behind Santana said. Blaine was standing there, fidgety and nervous. Kurt was the first to see him and gave him an encouraging nod. Santana glared at him the moment she saw him, shooting him daggers.

''What are you doing here?'' she said coldly, and it was the first thing she said anything directly to him for a few weeks now.

''I just want to talk to you,'' Blaine said softly.

''I'll let you two have a moment,'' Kurt quickly responded and flee the room, leaving only the two alone. They were in the dining room and they could hear people in the kitchen or on the second floor working for the place to be clean and perfect for next week.

Blaine gestured for Santana to have a sit in one of the table, smiling amiably at her but it felt fake; not when she was glaring at him and she was looking at Kurt's back as he retreated like he was betraying her; for Blaine, it was annoying and frustrating. He knew she was angry at him, but maybe it was too much. Santana did too much.

''Fine,'' she huffed. ''But not more than two minutes, I have work to do, you know, this thing that normal people do, but I won't be surprised if you don't know the feeling as you never worked in your damn life,'' she said as she sat down. He let it slide. He knew her. She was always mean and sarcastic, but when she was hurt or didn't know how to respond or react, she was meaner.

''The restaurant is beautiful,'' Blaine said as he sat down, trying to start a conversation, but Santana was unfazed.

''Yeah, well, you can thank your fake boyfriend, then real boyfriend, then ex-boyfriend, then boyfriend again. He decided most of the design. Now, say what you have to say. I don't have all day. It opens in a week, I have a lot to do,'' she snapped.

''I've missed you,'' he said softly. Santana's face remained cold and hard; not a trace of love, of friendship or even sadness of losing someone precious. She looked at him like he was an insect, ready to step on it and kill it. ''I know why you're angry.'' He continued. ''I've hurt you by hurting him. I've lied to you by telling you that I wasn't doing the game and did it anyways behind your back. I-I've hurt someone that you care so much about and I can see it in the restaurant; how much love you poured into this. You may be a bitch sometimes,'' he smiled bitterly as some funny memories entered his mind.'' But you have your heart at the right place. You took Kurt's defense when I didn't deserve it, you took care of him when I wasn't there, you comfort him when he needed it the most and you helped him realized his dream when I didn't even realized what my dream was.''

There was a moment of silence, and Blaine was ready to just leave the restaurant, but Santana began to talk; her voice steady, but Blaine could hear it quivering just a little. ''So you didn't come here and try to get in my good grace by using some shitty excuses, but you actually thank me for taking care of Kurt?'' She said to clarify, arms crossed over her chest.

''I want him to be happy, San.'' He shrugged. ''Believe me on it.''

''I love him like he was a little brother to me,'' she said flatly. ''What you did was… was…''

''Shitty, awful.'' Blaine said.

''You're a dick,'' she said as she flared at him. Blaine hung his head, convinced that he would never have her forgiven. Santana turned her head slightly and saw Kurt putting the final touch behind the delicate bar as he talked to Jamie, a cook. He was laughing quietly at something Jamie said and his eyes were sparkling. She signed.

''But you make him happy,'' she finally said and Blaine looked at her, hope shining in his eyes. ''You betrayed him and me. And everything I believed in you… but you're here now, and you want to make things right again.''

''I do,'' he said earnestly.

''You used him,'' she continued and Blaine closed his eyes. She still didn't forgive him.

''San, I…''

''But it was your old safe.'' She continued, ignoring Blaine's attempt to talk. She had a ghost of a smile. ''He changed you. Maybe you don't know by how much but when I know you for years and saw you acting out to be respected by your brothers… I guess I can see the change.'' She shrugged. ''I've missed you too,'' she added as an afterthought and a large smile graced Blaine's face and he jumped at his feet and went to embraced her.

''I'm ready to forgive you, now,'' she said as her head rested on his shoulder. ''But if you hurt him again, I'll cut your guts and force you to eat it.'' Blaine chuckled.

''I'm sorry to disappoint you, 'cause I know you dream of doing just that, but it won't happen.'' After a few moments of talking and discovering the other once again and rectangle their friendship, Santana didn't seem to mind if she had other business to attend too. Kurt looked at the pair and smiled, happy that both of them found each other again. Before Blaine had to leave and see Kurt in the kitchen, Santana called him back.

''Before you go see lover boy and do beautiful babies,'' she said as Blaine blushed at her words (and it was a first, considering that he was never ashamed of his past sex life –Kurt must be the exception.) ''I don't know what's your plans. If you want to go to college as I know now that daddy's money is out of the question,'' Blaine merely rolled his eyes. After everything that happened last summer, both with Kurt and Charles, he had different values and money was the last thing on his mind. ''What do you say about working with us?

-X-

A few days later, they were all outside, admiring the restaurant outdoors as the sun sets. The name was finally here, written in beautiful cursive letters and it all looked inviting. Mon Chou, it was called.

''Now, can I ask you why Mon Chou?'' Blaine asked.

''Well, it has different meaning and it's in French, so it perfectly fits!'' Kurt said excitedly.

''I'm sure it doesn't mean sex on the road,'' Santana said dryly.

''No,'' Kurt said, glaring playfully at her. ''Well, you know that my speciality for the dessert will be Chou à la crème, and it has a special place to me.''

''What…'' Puck asked and his eyes went big. ''Wait… you guys are doing it in wipe cream?''

''Puck!'' Rachel squeaked ''Au contraire, I think this is all so romantic!'' Finn looked at her girlfriend, unsure.

''No,'' Kurt said once again but he didn't elaborate as why this dessert held a special place for him. But Blaine knew; it what her mother's favorite and the first thing Kurt showed him in the kitchen and ironically he baked it the day they made up. It held a special place for both of them. ''And it's also a pet name that you say to a lover or a person dear to your heart, like My dear or My Darling. Chou also means cabbage but this is not what I intend to portray,'' he frowned, and then Blaine kissed his cheek.

''I'm so proud of you.'' He murmured. ''I love you so much,''

''I love you too,'' Kurt leaned in to kiss his boyfriend as the first star broke the sky.

-X-

They were now the fourth of April and people were just coming and going in the restaurant. The atmosphere was just crazy. People of every age, couples, gang of friends for a drink and everybody seemed to enjoy their meal or their wine. Santana might have done some advertising in her show to promote Mon Chou, but it was worth it, Kurt concluded, hoping that this popularity was here to stay. The kitchen was in a frenzy, but Kurt loved the feeling of doing the best food he can and satisfying the patrons. The cooks were in a good mood, feeling like they did a good choice by working here; the place was successful and the atmosphere was lively. Blaine tried to help as much as he could while not having yet the experience and Rachel, Finn and Puck were here too to help out on the first day and went to the tables, talking and laughing with the people to assure a good service.

''I think this is gonna work out,'' Santana said as she grilled chicken and made a horseradish cream sauce.

''Hey, man,'' Puck said behind Kurt in the kitchen. ''Someone here to talk to you,'' he frowned at him.

''Who?''

''Do I look like ''I-know-every-single-New Yorker?'' But he had a vest and tie,'' Puck shrugged. Santana was at the doors, looking out the window and frowned, trying to see the man.

''Is he by the window and look out of place?'' Puck merely nodded, focused on the food displayed in front of him.

''Oh my god,'' Santana exclaimed. ''I know him! He works for Good Food Magazine!'' she turned to see Kurt who looked quiet frightened by her behavior and by the fact that a well-known food critic was in his restaurant.

''What do I do?'' he asked, frantic.

''You go there and you act like you know what you're doin'!'' Santana said.

''But… I can't! You are the celebrity chef! I just started in this business!''

''Kurt Hummel,'' she nearly screamed and looked at him death in the eyes. ''He can write a good article and so many patrons can be here tomorrow morning, or he can write an awful review and we'll be forced to close it before your head has time to spin.'' She said fiercely and it was all the conviction he needed to go out there and meet this man.

As he entered the dining room, the noise of people talking was louder and as he approached this man, he only could hear his heart beating faster and faster. And what if he wanted to see him because the food was cold, or because he found a hair in his food? Impossible; Santana always checked each dishes, even if it wasn't her dishes.

He was a round man with kind eyes and red cheeks. He obviously loved to eat, but he was dressed in fashion and he had a notepad with him. He was well in his forties and when he saw Kurt, his smile grew larger.

''Ah, you must be the young Kurt Hummel,'' he said as he shake the man's hand. Kurt was still confused and surprised.

''Y-yes, Mr…''

''Call me Jonathan.'' He said. ''I quite enjoyed my meal, Mr. Hummel. And if you continue like that, this restaurant will be legendary in New York. You have my word. You must be proud of what you accomplish so far as such a young age,'' Kurt blushed at the praise.

''It wasn't all me. Santana helps me a lot.''

''Oh, yes. Santana Lopez. Quite a star in this business. You have the jackpot as her to be your partner.'' He joked as he wrote down something in his notes.

''She's also a great friend.'' Kurt added with a smile. ''I'm grateful to work with such good people.''

''Well, a successful career means that you're surrounded by good people,'' Jonathan concluded. ''I have to go,'' he said as he stood up. ''But keep an eye on Good Food Magazine,'' and he left in a flurry.

Kurt was still mesmerized that he didn't register the arms circling his waist.

''Did I tell you how proud I am of you?''

''Once or twice,'' Kurt joked. ''But it always finished with a blowjob,'' Kurt whispered as to not be heard by the noisy people all around them.

''Mm… but it sounds so good. So… do you have another sex position you'd like to do?'' Blaine said, joking.

''Maybe doggie style. What'd you think?'' Kurt smirked knowingly as he saw the lust in Blaine's eyes.

''It sounds good…'' Blaine brushed his lips to Kurt's, but a voice they all knew too well interrupted their moment. They only hear, among the other noises, Santana yelling 'Mercedes!''

''Mercedes' here?'' Kurt asked, wide eyed. He sprinted to where he heard Santana's voice, dodging chairs in his way, until he saw a beautiful black girl with a wonderful dress and perfectly coiffed.

''Mercedes!'' he said and engulfed her in a hug. ''What a surprise!''

''I know, I know,'' she said as she smiled at her friends; she had missed them deeply. ''A little bird inform me that a hot new restaurant in New York was opening its doors; I had to check it out.'' She winked and Kurt arched an eyebrow at her.

''You came all the way from Switzerland to see my restaurant?'' he asked. As she was about to respond, Blaine came behind Kurt.

''Hey, Mercedes!'' He was as excited to see her then Kurt and Santana was, but didn't go to hug her; he didn't know if she was also mad at him.

''Blaine?'' She was shocked to see him here because the last thing she knew about him was that he was in Italy and that was that and the Kurt-Blaine couple was done. Seeing their closeness, it was a different thing right now. But she was actually glad to see him. She knew Santana didn't approve about what Blaine did, and neither did she, but she could understand where Blaine was coming from and she wasn't jumping to conclusions. As Blaine began to explain his presence and apologized in advance if she was against the fact that he made up with Kurt, she hugged him.

''It doesn't matter,'' she whispered in his ear, ''what is done is done.'' She let go and smiled at the group of friends. ''I quit the job at the hotel,'' she announced proudly.

''You did what?!'' Santana exclaimed, wide eyed. There were now in a seclude area, near the bathroom of the first floor. She didn't seem concern, nor afraid. Actually, she was smiling and she just seemed happy. ''I can't believe you guys didn't even contact me to tell me to come and sing for you!'' she pouted, looking hurt but her eyes were sparkling.

''Oh my god,'' Kurt murmured, looking at an empty spot in front of him like he was deep in thought. ''Yes. Of course. This is just so good.''

''Care to explain your thoughts?'' Blaine asked, obvious as ever.

''I quit my job because I was tired of your family, no offence, Blaine,'' she said. ''They always told me what to do. They came back from Florida to spend the holiday there and I swear to god, I wanted to strangle your sister. What a bitch. Anyways. And all of my friends left, so I had no reason to stay,'' she shrugged. ''As I heard you were ready to open a restaurant, you better hire me to sing for you,'' she waved her head in the air as a Diva-way and all things were concluded.

''Of course!'' Kurt exclaimed again, jumping and hugging his friend. ''We actually have a stage upstairs we want to use for the evenings. We don't have any artist yet.''

''And you didn't think of me, I'm wound,''

''Slack the little victim-act, Jones. We didn't because as of two minutes ago, we thought you were still in Europe, living under Charles Anderson's wrath.'' Santana explained in a condescending voice, but Mercedes knew it was her way to say ''Welcome home, you're hired.''

''I'm so glad to see you again,'' Blaine said as he hugged her again, smiling and finally happy and this time, surrounding by all his friends, his boyfriend, he felt like this was home. It was his real family.

After that time, they were back to work and Mercedes had already a list of songs she wanted to perform, to the great amazement of the patrons who didn't know that they were live singing. The music could be heard, sooth and soft, from downstairs as well, even though the stage was on the second, but the sound was great wherever you were in the restaurant.

Yes, Blaine thought. This could be my home.

-XX-

Merry Christmas! This chapter was my gift for you. It took me a while to post, because in my free time, I want to work on my new fanfiction. This is going to be an AU in the 60s with hippie!Klaine, so stay tuned after this story is conclude, because I'm not done to show you new stories.

This fic si coming to an end. I have one chapter and the epilogue left.