Gonna give this chapter an extra special dedication: shout out to all the mom's out there on Mother's Day...and to Cory, on his birthday. We miss you, baby! And love you SO much!

When Blaine let himself into the house, the sun was still slowly peaking over the horizon, its first rays were coming through the windows, illuminating the living room in a bold orange, and he was smiling. He'd been awake for nearly twenty four hours and there were only a few hours before he needed to go to the school and finish setting up his classroom, but underneath the tiredness and obligation, was something Blaine hadn't felt in a long time. Happiness; and the hope that this feeling—this vivacious, heart soaring, face beaming, totally blissed out rush—would stick around this time. He wanted to sing at the top of his lungs and dance on water and even though his feet were on the ground, he was flying; with only Kurt to tether him.

He could still feel the ghost of Kurt's lips against his, could still remember what Kurt felt like wrapped in his arms, what it felt like to be wrapped in Kurt's. The alcohol had worn off hours ago, while they danced around the empty bar, but Blaine still felt drunk. He felt intoxicated by everything that was Kurt Hummel and he had no intention of making any of it go away. They'd kissed goodbye in front of Hummel's, and there had been a promise. A promise of later and more. And Blaine was in such a euphoric haze that he barely noticed Cooper in the kitchen, dressed and ready for his morning jog, until his brother was calling his name.

"Are you just getting in," Cooper asked taking a sip from his coffee cup.

"Yeah," Blaine's grin is shameless.

"If I would have known, I would have been worried.

Blaine laughed, "No need. I was in good hands."

"Considering you're coming home with the sun, I'm assuming you had fun with Sam."

Blaine had forgotten that he'd lied to his brother the night before about who he was going out with. He knew how he brother could be: he'd ask a million questions, he'd tease, he'd want to know how it went. But until Blaine knew exactly what was going on with Kurt, he'd keep it all to himself. He didn't want to see the look on Cooper's face if it didn't go well. He didn't want any more of his brother's pity.

The night before had been beyond Blaine's wildest dreams, but he still didn't know what was really going on with Kurt. He just knew that it was new and wonderful, and that maybe later he'd tell Cooper about Kurt. But for now, he just told Cooper that he had a blast, a sheepish smile on face. He went up to his room to get a little sleep without another word.

Only a few hours later, Blaine stood behind the desk that he would call his own for the next nine months. Sam had offered his truck, and his assistance, to move some of the boxes from Cooper's house to the school and Blaine was grateful for the help. And the friend.

In the corner of the room, Sam was currently flipping through Blaine's collection of picture books before putting them on the bookshelf, while Blaine was busy taking in the weight of the day. In less than twenty-four hours he'd be joined in that room by sixteen rambunctious boys and girls who would sit at the four, currently empty, tables. It had been a long time since Blaine had felt so nervously excited. The room was decorated for fall, despite it still being—and feeling like—summer outside. But it would only be a few short weeks until the official beginning of the season and before he knew it, it would be Halloween, than Thanksgiving, then Christmas and the thought of watching the room evolve as the school year went on, and as the children themselves began to learn and grow, made Blaine giddy.

What also made Blaine heart soar were the texts he'd gotten all morning from Kurt. Since the night before, Blaine felt like he was living inside a dream. Kissing Kurt under the stars had been unexpected and magical and amazing. And kissing him and feeling him on that bar stool had been something out of this world. He was sure—after everything that happened with Jason—that it would take him forever to find someone who could make him forget all the pain, and make him look forward to all the happiness that tomorrow could bring. And in only a matter of days, he'd found Kurt. Kurt, who could bring him that happiness with something as simple as a Good Morning text message.

Blaine glanced at his watch. He was supposed to meet Kurt at ten and if he didn't leave soon, he'd be late. And Blaine wanted nothing more than to spend every available minute with Kurt. Starting the next day, there would be jobs and other obligations; but today, at least for a few hours, it could still be all about them. Blaine did a quick check of the room, one final time and then turned to Sam.

"You ready to go," Blaine asked.

Sam put the book he was looking at down and then focused his attention on Blaine, "Not until you tell me."

Blaine narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brow, "Tell you what?"

"Why you lied to your brother?"

"About what?" Blaine lied. How did Sam know about this?

"Dude, that's how this bro thing works. I don't have a problem lying for you, but you at least have to tell me why I'm doin' it. Your brother texted me to like, I don't know, check up on you last night. And we both know you weren't with me."

"What did you tell him?"

"That you were having a great time. But I haven idea if you actually were because you weren't actually with me."

"I was," Blaine said beaming, "Having a good time I mean."

"But if not with me then…," Sam prompted.

Blaine slumped his shoulders and sighed, "Fine," he took a breath, "I was with Kurt."

"Kurt," Sam repeated, "Kurt Hummel?"

"Is there more than one Kurt around here?"

"No, but like—dude—are you guys like a thing now?"

"I-I don't know," Blaine said, his cheeks warming. It was the truth despite how much he could see being a constant part of his life, "Though, I think we're both a little too old to have anything that qualifies as 'a thing'"

"Right, right, of course," Sam said running his fingers through his hair, "Are you sure about this?"

"About Kurt?"

"Yeah."

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"I-It's—no reason. Forget I said anything."

"Sam," Blaine said, "What aren't you telling me?"

"Nothing. Really, forget I said anything. You both deserve to be happy."

"Uh, thank you," Blaine said, "I'm actually supposed to meet Kurt this morning, but I need to make sure everything's locked up."

"Cool," Sam said, "I'll just run this box back out to the truck. I'll meet you there."

"Thanks," Blaine said as Sam left the room.

Blaine wouldn't get another chance to check things over until the next morning, but he was ready. For school, and to get to the parade; so he could see Kurt. Blaine left the classroom, shutting the door behind him, and was heading towards the parking lot when someone called out behind him.

"Hey."

Blaine stopped and turned to see a woman, probably a couple of years older than himself, walking toward him. She was dressed in denim capris and a white t-shirt, her brown hair was cut in a short bob.

"You're Blaine, right," she asked as she approached.

"Uh, yeah," Blaine responded, "you are?"

"Claudia," the woman said extending her hand, "Claudia Valente. I teach second grade."

Bewildered, Blaine shook her hand.

"Principal Pillsbury told me we had a new kindergarten teacher and I wanted to introduce myself."

"It's nice to meet you, Claudia."

"Likewise. I've worked here for a few years now, so if you need anything, just let me know."

"Oh, uh, thanks. That's very nice of you."

"You're welcome," Claudia said turning back around and heading back down the hallway she came from, calling "I'll see you around, Blaine," as she walked away.

The second Claudia was just a few steps away, Blaine anxiously checked his watched. He'd have time later for kind co-workers. But now he had to get to Kurt and hurried to the parking lot.

"Have you even been to bed?" Santana asked Kurt who was sitting at his kitchen table, the largest cup of coffee he could find in front of him.

"I got, like, two hours of sleep," Kurt said smiling into his coffee cup before taking a sip, like two hours was enough.

Today was going to be a busy day; it was always one of the busiest days of the year for him, the bar, and the entire town. Running on two hours of sleep wasn't wise. But he thought back to the night before, to Blaine, without a single regret. He'd do it all over again.

"Maybe you should take off," Santana said sitting down in the chair next to Kurt, "spend the whole day in bed."

"You're crazy. I can't do that. Not today," Not ever, really.

"Ok, listen to me for a second, Kurt," Santana said seriously. Something she very rarely did, "You work took much. Maybe you don't need to work six days a week anymore."

"And then how would things get done?"

"You can hire, or promote, an assistant manager," Santana suggested, leaning back in her chair.

"You mean you?" Kurt said with playful accusation.

"I mean, yes, I'd kick some serious ass and you should strongly consider it, but it doesn't have to be me," she said, "just someone whose there to do stupid things like order beer and make sure the landscaping is taken care of."

"The whole point of me taking over Hummel's was so that there was a Hummel running it."

"I'm not asking you to quit. I'm just saying that it'll be good for you to take some more time off. I already talked to Burt. He's totally cool with it."

"Santana," Kurt scolded. If she'd already put the idea into his father's head, Kurt was certain it would be a long time before this particular conversation was dropped.

"Kurt, you deserve this. You deserve more time to yourself. Especially since you've got a new boy toy to keep you out until the sun comes up."

Kurt couldn't keep the smile from his face.

"So," she said clasping her hands together and tucking them underneath her chin, leaning into the table, "Are you going to fill me in on your night of reckless abandon."

Kurt rolled his eyes, "I didn't sleep with him if that's what you're asking."

"That's a shame."

"I am meeting him at the parade though."

"Good. Good. You seem…happy. Exhausted, but happy."

"I'd rather be exhausted and happy then exhausted and sad."

"Which is why you should consider hiring someone, it doesn't have to be me, to be another manager, Kurt. You need to take care of yourself. It's been a long year, I know. But it's time to start focusing on you again. I just want you to be happy."

"Thank you, Santana. For everything."

"You're welcome," she said putting her hand over his, "Now I have a parade to get ready for."

There were people everywhere when Blaine arrived at the spot, just down the block from Hummel's, where he'd agreed to meet Kurt. There was a fluttering in his chest, the anticipation of seeing Kurt again bubbling inside him, desperate to find Kurt among the throngs of strange faces. It had only been a few hours since they said goodbye, but it felt like much longer and Blaine was eager to find Kurt. But Kurt was not waiting outside the coffee shop. Kurt was nowhere to be seen.

For a moment, Blaine panicked. He checked his phone, nothing from Kurt. It was only five minutes after ten, but he could feel the beginnings of something he recognized as disappointment and rejection beginning to fill in the space that had—just moments before—been fluttering with excitement. He did his best to push it away, upset with himself that he'd learned to expect disappointment. Hating, even more so, that he thought Kurt would disappoint him.

He jumped when he felt a hand on his back. When he turned around and came face to face with a smiling Kurt, he smiled himself. And every bit of tension that had built up inside him disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

"I'm sorry I'm late," Kurt said reaching down and taking hold of Blaine's hand, "Minor float related emergency."

Blaine twined their fingers together, relishing in the way they slotted together perfectly, "I hope everything is alright."

"Everything is perfect," Kurt said leaning in and kissing Blaine. It was soft, short, and sweet. And it made Blaine's insides flutter in a way that he never wanted to get used to.

Kurt led Blaine by the hand through the crowd, claiming he knew the best spot to watch the parade. Blaine followed willingly and when Kurt stopped in front of the bank, announcing that they'd arrived at their destination, Blaine slipped behind Kurt, pulling him into his arms, wrapping them tightly around his waist, sighing happily when Kurt leaned into him.

There was a float for the peewee football team, the high school baseball team, and their cheerleaders had an impressive routine, accompanied by the bullhorn enhanced shouting of a woman who looked…well, old.

"How old is she," Blaine asked nodding in the direction of the float and the woman in the red and white track suit.

"No one knows," Kurt said leaning further into Blaine because he wanted to, "Sue Sylvester was twenty-seven when I met her and twenty-five on the day I graduated. My guess is that she'll live longer than all of us and we'll never find out."

Blaine only hooked his chin on Kurt's shoulder as a response. It was a surprising feeling: how natural it felt to hold Kurt in his arms. They were standing on the sidewalk in surrounded by hundreds of strangers, Kurt barely more than that himself; but it didn't feel like that. From the moment that Kurt kissed him, and maybe even before that, Blaine felt peace. There was never any awkwardness and he wasn't hesitant. All he wanted to do was be with Kurt: to hold him, kiss him, touch him, as long as Kurt would let him.

Like the bar itself, the float for Hummel's wasn't very elaborate. There wasn't anything overly showy: there was a makeshift bar which held jerseys from each of the major Ohio sports teams. And around the bar was the Hummel's staff. He recognized Santana and Puck, but there were a few others. And a little girl holding on to Santana's hand waving a pom-pom in the other. And in the center of it all was a man in a flannel shirt and a baseball cap, waving at everyone was a gigantic smile on his face.

"Is that your dad," Blaine said into Kurt's ear.

"Yep. Burt Hummel."

"And why aren't you up there," Blaine asked instead.

"Because, despite how much time I spend there and everything I do, Hummel's is my dad's and he should be the one representing it," Kurt explained, "even if it's just in a stupid Labor Day float that he's been planning since Halloween."

The rest of the parade passed by, neither of them removing themselves from the cocoon they'd created. They commented on the floats that passed, especially the one from Trevor's Tool Shop who thought it would be a good idea to line his float with a bunch of men in jeans and t-shirts armed with chain saws.

"I can't decide if they're supposed to be hot handymen or sexy serial killers," Kurt said.

"Serial killers. Definitely serial killers."

When the last float drove by, the crowd began to dissipate—everyone going back to their lives, no longer gathered as a community. It was only then that Kurt pulled himself out of Blaine's hold, a blissful smile on his face as he turned to look at Blaine.

"I should go," he said reluctantly, "The lunch rush is going to be crazy and they'll need me back at the bar."

"Yeah, of course."

"But I'd like to see you again," Kurt said, "If you'd like."

"Yeah," Blaine said, "Yeah that'd be great."

"I was hoping you'd say that."

They shared a knowing look, but said nothing. Because now there wasn't a rush to say everything, because they would see each other again. And Blaine hoped it would be very, very soon.

Kurt took a deep breath and reached out, grabbing hold of the belt loop of Blaine's jeans, and tugged him toward him until their bodies were flush against each other. Kurt leaned in and pressed his lips to Blaine, letting it linger as he pulled away.

"I'll call you," Kurt promised, "Tomorrow."

"Alright," Blaine said and then kissed him once more.

Kurt unlatched himself from Blaine and began the short walk towards Hummel's. Blaine watched until he could no longer see him in the crowd heading back to their lives. With a smile on his face, Blaine floated back to his car. He'd never been more excited about the prospect of tomorrow.

Blaine stood in front of the classroom the same way he had the day before, only this time each of the four tables were filled with four tiny people who were probably as scared and nervous as he was to be there.

"Hi everyone," Blaine said, "I'm Mr. Anderson and welcome to your first day of Kindergarten. I'm going to take attendance, so when you hear your name, please raise your hand."

Blaine picked up his roster and for the first time, really looked at the names of the kids in his class. There was Heather Ambrose, then Kelly Austin, Michael Brooks, Amanda Clarke, Sean Collins, Dominic Delaney and then one name that made him pause.

"Kadie Hummel," Blaine called out.

A hand shot into the air and Blaine looked up to find the face of a beautiful little girl whose dark brown curls fell down past her shoulders and whose eyes, shining like sapphires, looked familiar. At the same time Blaine's stomach dropped. Because she was the little girl from the float, the one holding onto Santana's hand. A girl who looked very much like a Hummel; a girl who looked very much like Kurt. The same Kurt who he was supposed to call him that evening—he'd sent a text that morning saying so. The same Kurt that he'd spent most of the last three days completely wrapped up in. Kurt who had mentioned a father, but not a sister. Surely Kurt would have mentioned it if he…

Blaine stopped his thoughts from going there, from jumping to conclusions, to immediately calling Kurt and asking him if he knew anything about a Kadie Hummel. Instead, he took a deep breath and centered himself. He had a class to teach and it wasn't the time to be distracted. So he moved on to Olivia Moore.

The rest of the day, Blaine did his best not to see Kurt every time he looked at Kadie—who was a very active class participant. The text message from Kurt around lunch time was left unanswered.

The bell rang to signal the end of the day and Blaine let out a breath as he walked his class out of the front of the building where students would either get on a bus or be picked up by their parents. He shouldn't have been surprised when he saw Kurt standing with a group of parents, dressed like he'd just come from work. He shouldn't have been surprised when Kadie Hummel went running towards him shouting "Daddy" and leaping into his arms.

Blaine caught Kurt's eyes and he tried to smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes the way they had yesterday, when he was holding Kurt in his arms, when he was holding his hand while they walked through the crowded streets. Kurt's face remained neutral while he looked at Blaine and he only smiled when he looked down at his daughter. When another of his students, Mary, tugged on his shirt sleeve, looking for help finding her bus, Blaine was thankful for the distraction. By the time Mary was safely on her bus, Kurt and Kadie were both gone. And Blaine disappeared inside the school.

Thanks for reading! Please review and let me know what you think! I'm working on Chapter 4 and will have that for you soon! Have a wonderful day!