Well, I must be on a roll or something. I just posted the last chapter…yesterday?
I mostly want to get to season 2 and the Klaine! Haha. Plus, there was a scene I really, really wanted to write that was at the end of this chapter. I thought about it like, in the shower and before bed the other night and I knew I needed to write it out before I forgot!
I'm so glad you're still liking this fic!
GLEE
"I'm so proud of you!" squealed Quinn when he walked into the front door, still pulling the key from its lock (he still felt somewhat strange having a key to a house that wasn't technically his, but Burt had one made for him a few weeks ago).
"Oh!" said Kurt, trying to catch his balance as the small blonde launched herself at him.
"You're a Cheerio!" she giggled, pulling back from him and taking a better look at his uniform. He blushed under her gaze and shut the door behind him.
"I wasn't sure if you would be upset with me…" said Kurt slowly.
"Upset?"
"About being a Cheerio when…you're not," said Kurt with a frown.
Quinn smiled at him and shrugged. "I can't possibly be a cheerio now that I have this," she said, placing a hand on her baby bump. "I realize that now. It sucks, but what can you do?" Kurt nodded slowly. "Besides - you and Mercedes tore it up at the assembly today! Justin and Madonna better watch their backs, I'd say."
Kurt laughed and put an arm around Quinn, walking into the living room where Burt was watching "Deadliest Catch" on the TV. "I wouldn't go that far."
"Hey kid, Quinn was telling me about the performance today," said Burt with a smile. "Congrats."
Kurt tried not to look too pleased. "Thank you, Burt." He collapsed on the couch. "Sorry I'm late. I just got done with practice."
"No worries," said Burt.
"At least I won't have to go to as many practices as the regular Cheerios," said Kurt, as Quinn sat next to him and started to curl up like a cat next to him. "Mercedes and I only sing and do minimum choreography, so we won't have to stay for after school practices as often."
"That's good," said Quinn. "The practices can be tiring."
"I'll say," laughed Kurt. "And I'm not even doing that much! But it is so much fun."
Quinn smiled at him and nodded. "It was."
Kurt was in the kitchen, making dinner and chocolate chip cupcakes that Quinn insisted that they make, because she was dying for some. Quinn was sitting on the barstool in the middle of the kitchen, helping herself to the bowl filled with batter.
"I can help you with anything, you know," said Quinn, licking her finger. "Even if it's not my night to cook."
"You just sit down and eat your batter," sniffed Kurt. "I have everything under control."
"Hmm," said Quinn, but she didn't waste any time in returning to the sweet mixture.
The front door opened and closed, signaling Burt's arrival. "Hi, Burt!" Kurt called from the kitchen. "We're having spaghetti tonight, I hope that's ok!"
Burt's footsteps continued from the front of the house and toward the kitchen. "Sounds - and smells - amazing, kid," called Burt, who then appeared in the doorway of the kitchen…with a woman.
Oh.
"Mrs. Hudson?" asked Quinn, looking up at the short woman with curly brown hair and, oh lord, where were her clothes from? The 80's? The bowl of batter sat forgotten in front of her and Quinn burned red.
"Hello, Quinn," said Mrs. Hudson with a polite smile, and Kurt realized that - oh, Hudson - she was Finn's mom.
Awkward.
"Carole's car broke down," said Burt, filling the awkward silence that had fallen in the room for a few moments. "I saw her on the way home. Picked her up and called a tow truck to take her car to the garage. We were really close to here, so I just took her here." Burt paused and looked over at Quinn hesitantly. "Finn will be around to pick her up soon…"
"Just as soon as I call him," said Carole. "He's still at football practice."
"Oh," said Quinn, nodding and looking down at the table in front of her, not looking at Carole.
"Uh…Carole, I don't know if you've met Kurt before…" said Burt, trying to lighten the mood, no doubt.
"No, I haven't," said Carole, smiling over at Kurt. "I didn't know you had a son."
Kurt dropped the pepper shaker he was holding on the floor and bent over to pick it up, his face red.
"Well, he's not my son," said Burt after a moment. "I took him in a few months ago…uh, his parents kicked him out."
"Hi," said Kurt, walking over to Carole and holding out a hand for the woman to shake. She looked a bit embarrassed. "I'm Kurt Fabray; it's nice to meet you. I'm in Glee club with Quinn…and Finn," he added after a moment.
"Oh, Fabray," she said, frowning.
"I guess you've heard of me," said Kurt bitterly. "Notable Lima Christian family having a gay son must have put my parents on the map."
Carole didn't say anything, but her face confirmed that she had heard the rumors. Everyone in town must have at this point.
"I'm sorry to hear about your family," she said.
"I'm just thankful for the Hummels," shrugged Kurt, returning to the stove and busying himself with the noodles. "They've been…lifesavers, really."
"It is nice of you, Burt," said Carole with a nod.
"It was nothing," said Burt. "Anyone would have done it." In the months that Kurt had gotten to know Burt, he knew that he didn't like to brag or boast. "Why don't you call your son….and well…" Burt looked at Quinn and then back at Carole. "I know that there might be some…hostility between our families, but if it's ok with Kurt, since he is cooking, I wouldn't mind you and Finn staying for dinner."
"That's…nice of you," said Carole.
"I don't mind," said Kurt. "I was making extra anyway, for Burt's lunch for a few days…but it would definitely feed another two people. Well, three, since Finn usually eats enough for two."
Quinn looked slightly mortified, but didn't say anything.
Carole called Finn and left a message on his cell phone to come to the Hummel house to pick her up, and that they would be having dinner there.
"Quinn dear," said Carole after a moment. "I was wondering if I could have a word?"
Quinn looked from her dad and then to Kurt. Kurt just shrugged helplessly and Quinn finally pushed herself up off the chair and followed after Carole into the living room. Burt walked over to where Kurt stood and leaned up against the counter.
"Did I make things worse?" asked Burt.
"Define 'worse'?" asked Kurt.
"I swear, you have the same sense of humor as my wife did," chuckled Burt.
"I'm sorry," said Kurt automatically. He knew that Quinn had lost her mother - and Burt his wife - when Quinn was eight. Being reminded of that couldn't be nice, though Kurt had never had any experience in losing a family member; at least to death.
"No need to apologize, kid," said Burt. "That's a good thing."
"Quinn, I don't want tonight to be too awkward," said Carole when the had sat down in the living room.
"It might be unavoidable," muttered Quinn. "Mrs. Hudson, I'm so sorry for…lying to your son. And cheating on him. And just…I was very out of line."
"You made some mistakes," shrugged Carole. "It happens to the best of us. I assume that someone like your father taught you better…but I know that you told my son the truth, in the end. That takes a lot of guts."
"Kurt insisted that I tell him…I didn't want to, but Kurt was right," said Quinn, looking down at the hands in her lap. "It would be wrong for Finn to go on thinking that he was a father, when he wasn't."
"He was very panicked when he told me," said Carole sadly. "I…when I thought I was going to be a grandmother, I took some time to revaluate my life. I had spent all my life raising Finn, alone, and he was still this little boy to me. Suddenly, he wasn't going to be. He was a man and…it scared me."
"I'm sorry," whispered Quinn.
"You can stop apologizing," said Carole. "You're under enough stress."
"I wish Finn would hear my apologies," said Quinn sadly. "He still hates me. He barely talks to me. And he's with Rachel Berry now."
"Rachel is a nice girl," said Carole with a nod. "You are a nice girl, too, Quinn. Don't let anyone tell you other wise. Being a mother doesn't diminish that. And…Finn is stubborn. So was his father. But sooner or later, he'll come to terms with what happened, and while I don't know if anything will ever be as it was, he might learn to forgive you a bit."
"I hope so, Mrs. Hudson."
"Now let's try to get through tonight as painlessly as possible," said Carole, standing. "I would love to help set the table."
The dinner table was filled with long silences and clipped conversation. Finn had arrived ten minutes ago, not looking at Quinn. He sat next to his mother, across from Kurt. On Kurt's right was Burt and on his left was Quinn.
Kurt was trying really, really hard to be objective about this whole situation. He still had a little crush on Finn, so that didn't help matters.
Carole and Burt had just finished talking about her car, and when he expected to get it fixed ("half price," he said with a nod). Carole said that she didn't want any special privileges, but Burt, as always, refused to take no as an answer. Then, Carole looked across the table at Kurt.
"So, Kurt," said Carole slowly. "I don't know too much about you…I know you're in Glee club with Finn, but that's in I'm afraid. Do you, uh, have a boyfriend?"
Kurt choked on the water he was taking a sip of and Quinn started laughing as she pounded his back, trying to help him catch his breath. It was the first time she laughed or said anything all night, but Kurt just glared at her. Finn looked embarrassed.
"I don't, Mrs. Hudson," said Kurt, looking over at Carole, his face red. "I mean, this is Lima, Ohio. I don't think I'll have a…boyfriend until college at least. There aren't many out gay boys in our town."
"I suppose you have a point there," said Carole. "That must be…hard, being the only one. Especially at school."
"It can be," Kurt said shortly. He didn't want Burt to know the extent of the bullying he experienced, especially after the phone call. Both he and Quinn decided against cluing her father in on everything that happened at school.
"Dude, how do you know you're gay if you've never done anything with another guy?" asked Finn. He turned bright red the moment the words left his mouth, however.
"I don't know, Finn," said Kurt, frowning. "How do you know you're straight?" Finn fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat and Kurt sighed, deciding to take pity on him. "I've had to go out with Brittany countless times, Finn. As some sort of show for my parents. Brittany's…slow, but taking her out without at least kissing her goodnight would make her sad. The lack of any emotion except for 'ew' was enough to confirm the suspicions I've had since I was at least eleven."
"Oh," said Finn.
The silence lapsed at the table again. Finally, Carole struck up a conversation with Burt about some sort of band that none of the teenagers had ever heard of before, but by the looks of the conversation, were both of the adults' favorites. Kurt looked at Quinn and then Finn.
"Look, you guys," he said in a low voice. "I get that you were hurt, Finn. I'm not saying that you should forget what Quinn did, but you should know that she feels horrible about it. She tried to set things partially right by telling you the truth. Can't you at least see that she is truly sorry and…move on? I mean, we're in Glee club. We're suppose to be friends. All of us."
Finn and Quinn looked at Kurt with wide eyes, and then to each other.
"You really hurt me," said Finn in a quiet voice. "If it was just some other guy, that would be something, but it was my best friend."
"I'm sorry," said Quinn, her eyes filling with tears. "I don't expect to be with you any more. You're with Rachel and I can see that you guys really like each other. But I just…I just wish you didn't hate me."
Finn looked sad. "I don't hate you. I don't think I ever could. You were the first girl I ever loved, Quinn."
Quinn's eyes were swimming. "Same here," she said in a broken tone.
"You can still be friends," reminded Kurt, hesitant to join in on the conversation. "I know it could be hard…but we need to learn to work together if we're ever going to win Regionals."
"Kurt's right," said Quinn. "He's always right, it seems."
"I can try," said Finn.
"Thank you," said Quinn.
The rest of the dinner was much less awkward.
Kurt couldn't believe the amount of drama the went down with Rachel. She (apparently) dating Jesse St. James, who was the lead singer of their competition. He had been under the impression that Finn was dating her. And he had been - but then they had broken up.
Kurt didn't pretend to understand why.
At least Finn and Quinn were attempting to be civil to each other. They were no means friends, but it was a start at being healthy teammates.
Mercedes had quit the Cheerios, after Coach Sylvester wanted her to lose ten pounds. Quinn had spoken to her on being healthy when Kurt had her over the other night, and the former head Cheerio said that she had once been overweight and regretted treating herself horribly to lose weight.
"It's not worth it, Mercedes," Quinn said. "I shouldn't have hated myself for what I looked like. I know now that eating in a healthy way is important - for myself and the baby."
After that, Mercedes decided to quit Cheerios. Quinn made them swear that her past would not be revealed.
Kurt decided to stick with the Cheerios. Less people bullied him to his face this way, at least. And while Kurt focused on eating healthy, he didn't dare touch the shake that Sue put in the hands of her Cheerios to lose weight.
A few weeks before Regionals, Rachel broke the news to the group that Vocal Adrenaline had to be planning Lady Gaga. They would be trying to woo the judges with theatricality. Kurt had to admit, it was smart.
Thankfully, Mr. Shuester recognized that New Directions needed to get an edge on them and said that they would also try Lady Gaga songs and outfits. It would not only show the club how to use theatricality in a good way, but maybe get Tina a new look, as Mr. Figgins said she couldn't dress goth anymore.
Right after school, Kurt and Quinn drove to the fabric store and got supplies for both their outfits. Kurt was so glad that Burt surprised him with a sewing machine last month. It was used, apparently, but it was a very touching gesture. Burt said that he was helping out with Quinn's wardrobe still, and he didn't want Kurt to have to go to the community hall to use their sewing machines all the time.
Quinn and Kurt worked all night on their Gaga outfits. Quinn looked stunning in her pink dress that fanned out and long pink eyelashes they had picked out from the costume store. Kurt choose a steely blue fabric, white wig (also from the costume store) and some very high heals.
"I can't believe you can walk in those," laughed Quinn when the walked into school the next day.
"I guess I have a knack for it," said Kurt.
That was when Karofsky and Azimio pushed him and Quinn into the lockers. Thankfully, Quinn was mostly pushed up against Kurt and not the cold metal.
"Hey!" screamed Kurt after the two jocks. "Watch it!"
"What did you say?" said Karofsky, turning and stalking back to him, Azimio following with a leer. A spark of fear shot through Kurt for a moment.
"You two are idiots! Push me around all you want, but are you really stupid enough to push a pregnant girl? She could miscarriage!"
"Poor bastard child," said Azimio with an exaggerated sob.
Quinn gasped. "You watch your mouth!" said Kurt, seeing red.
"You watch your mouth, homo," said Karofsky, pushing Kurt back again. He and Azimio were gone in a flash.
"Are you alright?" asked Kurt.
"Yeah," said Quinn, still shaken.
Thankfully, Glee club made some of the anger in Kurt disappear for a while. He and the rest of the girls did a fantastic performance of "Bad Romance". It was an absolutely blast.
The rest of the week, Kurt and the girls of Glee wore their costumes. The boys decided to mirror the theatricality found in the band "Kiss", because they refused to dress up in Lady Gaga costumes. Puck tried to serenade Quinn in vain, or at least their baby.
Quinn told Kurt that she refused to go back to Puck. "I can't," she always said. "He might have been my first, but I just can't tie myself to him. I don't know if I really even like him. Everything is confused."
Puck, it seemed, was intent on not abandoning his daughter. He even wanted to name her Beth, though Quinn was sure she wouldn't be keeping her.
In the most shocking revelation of the week, Rachel found out that the coach of Vocal Adrenaline was her biological mother.
She wasn't that much of a mom, though.
It seemed like Karofsky and Azimio wouldn't stop tormenting Kurt that week. They didn't like him and the way he dressed. It was "freaky". Kurt was genuinely afraid when they cornered him in the hallway on Friday.
It had been Finn that arrived in his full Kiss makeup and told them to beat it. Karofsky insinuated that Finn and Kurt were together and Finn flinched. "We're not - just - stop picking on him, dude. So he dressing up like that. So he's gay - who cares?"
Finally, the rest of the Glee club showed up to back Finn up and Karofsky and Azimio ran scared.
A week later, Jesse broke up with Rachel and returned to his glee club. Then he and Vocal Adrenaline performed a show stopping number, a way to put them "in a funk".
It worked.
Even Kurt was effected by it. For the rest of the week he and Quinn sat around and moped. Burt tried to kick them into gear, but it didn't seem to work.
In the end, things seemed ok. They finally realized that they had something that Vocal Adrenaline did not - heart.
It seemed like their confidence couldn't last for long. Mr. Shue told them that Coach Sylvester would be one of the judges at Regionals, a completely unfair move, that was sure.
In the end, Mr. Shuester said that they would be returning to what made them a glee club - Journey. When he mentioned "Don't Stop Believing" Kurt was brought back to the day on the stage, just six of them.
It had been one of the happiest moments of his life, performing.
Kurt had joined the Glee club at first without telling his parents. He had always sung at church, in the choir there. After a few weeks, he told them that he had joined Glee. They had been hesitant, but he promised he would keep up his grades and they needn't worry.
He couldn't risk not being in Glee. He might not have been out, then, but Glee had began his road to self discovery and telling others the truth. It was a place he had felt comfortable being himself.
That same feeling returned when their Glee club was back on stage, this time with six more members and performing the same song for a huge audience. Kurt couldn't help himself from grinning and laughing, hugging Quinn and Mercedes after the performance.
They ran off, Kurt pulling Quinn after him to return to the green room.
He felt a tug. He looked back. Quinn had stop walking. Her eyes were wide.
"What is it, Quinn?" asked Kurt, as Tina and Rachel rushed pass them, saying that they had this in the bag.
Quinn's face was pale. "Quinn?" asked Kurt.
She opened her mouth once, and then shut it. Finally, she spoke:
"My water just broke."
Kurt wasted no time shouting for Mr. Shuester and the rest of the Glee club. "I want my daddy," cried Quinn as they moved her cautiously to the bus.
"I'll get him," promised Kurt. The moment the were sitting down in the bus, Kurt squeezed Quinn's hand and pulled his phone out, calling Burt.
"Hummel's Tires," said Burt, answering his work phone on the second ring.
"Burt!" exclaimed Kurt, probably much too loudly. "Quinn - she's gone into labor at Regionals. We're going to the hospital now. Oh my god, please, she's asking for you."
"Give her the phone," said Burt.
Kurt held the phone up to Quinn's ear, because she was clutching at his and Mercedes' hands too tightly.
"Daddy! I'm scared," she cried.
Kurt could hear him through the phone. "Everything will be ok, sweetie. I'm going to be there soon. Just be a good girl, ok? You're going to be fine."
When Kurt was back on the phone. "Kurt, please tell the hospital that there is a good chance that the labor will be quick. Katie was with Quinn. And please, stick by my girl until I get there. I'm going to be there as fast as possible."
"Of course, Burt," promised Kurt.
When they were finally at the hospital, Quinn wanted both Kurt and Mercedes in the room, along with Puck, who said he wanted to be there, no matter what happened between him and Quinn. Kurt was handed a pair of scrubs that he put on without question. He, Mercedes and Puck hung back as the doctor and nurses hurried around Quinn.
Quinn was in some pain for at least twenty minutes, but hadn't dilated enough yet. Kurt had moved to hold her hand, because she asked him too. That was when Burt arrived in the room, already shrugging on a pair of blue scrubs.
"Quinn!" he said, rushing to her side. Kurt moved and dropped Quinn's hand, so Burt could grab his daughter's hand.
"Daddy! It hurts so much," said Quinn, looking up at Burt. Kurt stayed near to Burt's side.
"I know, sweetie, it will be ok," said Burt, smoothing back Quinn's soaked hair from her forehead.
Within ten minutes, Quinn was instructed to push.
Quinn could scream. She had a good pair of lungs on her. She cursed at Puck and at the nurses around her. Kurt couldn't blame her. If he was pushing out something the size of a football, he wouldn't be pleased, either.
Thank God he would never have to go through this with his wife or something.
After a lot of pain and screaming, Quinn was finally done. The doctor said that it was a healthy girl. Kurt couldn't stop himself from laughing and smiling. He felt Burt sag up against him with a sigh of relief.
The nurse handed the newly covered girl to Quinn. Quinn's smile was dazzling as she looked down on the small baby. "Hi," she breathed.
Puck and Mercedes were on the other side of the bed, smiling down at the newborn and the new mother.
"Can I…?" asked Puck quietly.
Quinn nodded and Puck leaned down, gently picking up the baby in his arms. Burt frowned at Puck, obviously torn between joy and the desire to end the life of the boy that had done this to his little girl.
"She's beautiful," sighed Kurt.
"Yes," said Quinn.
Kurt decided to stay with Quinn and Burt, instead of returning for the results. Puck also stayed, but Mercedes promised to text them as soon as she found out the results. She kissed both Quinn and the little miniature of Quinn on the forehead before leaving with the rest of the group.
They lost. Third place. Dead last.
Even though Kurt was upset, being in the presence of the adorable little baby made him still smile. Quinn held on to the tiny thing, with Puck reaching out to touch his daughter every few minutes. Both Burt and Kurt had gotten a chance to hold her, as well.
A nurse came to take the baby to the nursery after a while and Quinn surrendered her with moment of longing. She pressed a long kiss to the soft forehead before handing her over.
A few hours later, Burt and Kurt went down to the cafeteria together for food. Quinn was alone in her room when Puck peaked his head in. "I found where she is," he said. "Want to see her?"
Puck helped Quinn up and into a robe. It felt weird to stand without a baby in her stomach, and everything felt suddenly wrong. Puck lead her to a window that lead to a room full of babies. Quinn recognized her daughter instantly.
Quinn asked Puck if he loved her.
He said yes.
Especially now.
Quinn wasn't sure if she could love Puck.
It was nice to know that he loved her, at the very least.
Then Shelby, the coach of Vocal Adrenaline was there. She asked them what the baby's name was, and Puck quickly answered with "Beth."
After that, Quinn and Puck surrendered their parental rights over to Shelby. Quinn figured that anyone willing enough to want to find Rachel must want to be a mother enough. Quinn also had a feeling about the woman. The way she stared at Beth through the window….
Quinn knew it was the right thing.
Before leaving the hospital that night, dressed in some clothes that Burt had brought over, Quinn asked if they could take a picture with Beth. She held her daughter in her arms. Her blue eyes stared up at Quinn with curiosity. Kurt snapped the photo with his phone.
"It's beautiful," he said with a soft smile.
The lightening was soft and gentle. Quinn was grinning down at Beth and even though Quinn knew she couldn't be a mom, not yet, it was enough for that moment to pretend.
That photo would rest at her beside from that day on.
Quinn knew how it was to grow up without a mom, and though Beth would have a mom in some way, Quinn still felt guilty for giving her up. She never wanted to forget Beth.
Quinn curled up against Kurt for the drive back home, falling asleep in minutes.
The next day, Quinn was laying on the couch, trying not to move at all. "Everything feels weird," she complained. Kurt and Burt were trying to make her as comfortable as possible. Kurt sat at the end of the couch, her feet in his lap. Burt was in his usual chair and they were watching some movie that Quinn wanted to watch.
"Mom and I used to watch it everyday when I was little," Quinn said softly. Burt put it in the DVD player without any question.
They were almost done with the movie when the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," muttered Burt, standing and walking out of the living room.
Kurt was still focused on the TV when Burt called him from the door. He picked up Quinn's feet gently and stood, setting them back on the couch. He walked across the room and into the entrance of the house.
Then he froze, midstep.
His mother was in the entrance of the Hummel house, standing next to Burt and clutching her purse.
"Kurt," she said after a long moment.
"Mom?" said Kurt, his voice already thick with tears. He hadn't seen his parents for…months and months. The school year was almost over. That's how long…
"Why don't we go to the dining room? Sit down?" suggested Burt.
Burt sat at the head of the table while Kurt and his mom sat across from each other. It was silent for a very long moment.
"I wanted to come and tell you…" began Judy Fabray. "That I left your father." Kurt stopped breathing for a moment. Could this mean…? "He was cheating on me. With some…tattooed freak."
"Oh."
Judy closed her eyes. "I've been thinking about this for the past week, Kurt. About what I should do…and I have to be honest…I…still can't accept this life you are choosing for yourself."
Kurt's heart suddenly sank.
"But he's not there to control your every thought anymore!" said Kurt, his voice becoming high. The tears were already fighting to break free. "You can't…you're my mom! You can't hate me because of who I am!"
"I don't hate you," said Judy quietly. "I just…I admit, Russell influenced a lot of what I did. But that doesn't change the fact that I have been a Christian all my life and we have been taught that homosexuality is a sin. I still don't feel comfortable with you living that way in my house. If you would…reconsider this mistake you're making -"
"It's not a mistake! It's who I am." Kurt wished she would understand.
Judy's lips thinned into a small line.
"Mom, tell me how you and dad could have kicked me out for being who I am," pleaded Kurt. "While Mr. Hummel was told by his daughter that she was pregnant the same time I came out with you - was honest - and he embraced her. He loved her at a time she needed him most, while you pushed me away when I needed you the most." The tears were already falling down his cheeks. "He took me in. He didn't care - and he didn't have to. He's not my father, and yet, he was more of dad that my real one."
Judy was quiet for a long moment. "Being pregnant is something that you can change," she finally said. "Quinn gave her child up for adoption, right? Kurt…you seem unwilling to change this notion you seem to have, when you haven't lived at all enough to really know what you're saying."
"Because there is nothing to change!" Kurt shouted, standing up and letting the chair behind him fall to the ground. "It's who I am - and if you keep insisting that I need to change that - then, then…you should really go. I don't know why you even came."
Judy looked down at the table. "I wanted to give you a chance to be my son again."
"I guess I didn't live up to your second chance," said Kurt with a hard tone.
"Yes."
"He doesn't need a chance," said Burt, suddenly speaking for the first time. "I disagree with you on a lot of things, Judy, the most being Kurt. He must be the best son anyone could ask for…" Burt took a deep breath. "And that's why I'm asking for him, right now."
"What?" asked Kurt.
"I have been taking care of him for months now," said Burt, in a matter of fact tone. "You haven't been his parent for a long time. And since you seem to be washing your hands of him completely, I want to ask for rights as his parent now. It's been hard this past year, to get him what he needs, because on paper, I'm not his guardian. But if you are unwilling, I am."
Judy blinked at Burt once, twice, then nodded. She kept her gaze off Kurt as she said, "I will talk to my lawyer about it tomorrow. I'll be there to file my divorce, anyway." She stood and dug into her purse. "I might not…I can't, anymore," she said, trying to find the words. "But I don't want to deny you what is yours, Kurt." she set a check on the table, sliding it toward Kurt. "Your inheritance. Your father was adamant about keeping it from you, but I want you to at least be able to go to college."
Judy began to walk from the dining room and into the entrance room. She stopped and turned at the door, facing Burt and Kurt, who had followed her.
"I'm sorry it didn't work out," she said. "If you ever…change your mind, Kurt -"
"I don't think you are," said Kurt hollowly. "And I won't."
"Well."
Judy Fabray opened the door and slipped out quickly.
When he was gone, Kurt felt his legs wobble and give out on him. He sunk to the ground, the first sob bursting from his chest. A pair of warm arms were around him in a moment.
"I'm sorry, kid, I'm so, so sorry," said Burt.
"I can't - believe - she - she," cried Kurt.
Quinn appeared at Kurt's side, her face drenched in tears, too. She had probably heard everything. They hadn't been quiet, exactly.
"Why would you - why would you offer to…to become my guardian?" hiccupped Kurt, clutching the plaid shirt that Burt wore after a long time.
"Look, kid, as far as I am concerned, you've been part of this family for a long time now. You're good to Quinn. You're a great student and most of all, you're a beautiful person. You don't deserve what you've been dealt with your parents."
"Do you mean…do you mean what you said, about being lucky to have me as a son?" asked Kurt, quietly.
As far as he knew, his father had never been especially proud to have him as a son. He was never athletic. He always had different interests, unless he faked them. And ultimately, his dad had kicked him out saying that he was disappointed in him.
"Every word," said Burt.
"My inheritance," said Kurt. "It will help with anything you need after you've signed the papers to become my guardian and -"
"You won't touch a cent of that until college," said Burt firmly. "It's yours. Everything in this house is yours, kid."
Kurt cried more into Burt's shirt as Quinn hugged him close.
Since they lost at Regionals, the Glee club was going to be shut down. First, though, they wanted to sing to Mr. Shuester.
When he sat down in the audience, looking up at the Glee club, Kurt felt a pang of hurt. He was still reeling from his mother flat out saying that she didn't - couldn't - love him if he was gay, and this…this was his comfort being taken from him. Glee club had been where he had found himself this year.
It was going to be gone.
The kids of Glee club began to tell Mr. Shue what they were before Glee club, at the beginning of the year.
"I used to be captain of the Cheerios," said Quinn, laughing slightly. Kurt knew that, while Quinn still wanted to be a Cheerio, she wondered if she was a better person without the uniform.
It was Kurt's turn, after Santana and Brittany spoke. "I wasn't honest with who I was," said Kurt. "And I…didn't have a real family. Not really." He looked over at Quinn and smiled through his tears.
Then, they sang to Mr. Shuester, "To Sir, With Love."
It was an emotional performance. Mr. Shue was crying by the end of it, as were most of the Glee members. Kurt stood and hugged Quinn tightly, crying into red cardigan. Mercedes and a few of the other members of the club hugged him as well. They knew what had happened with his mom the other day; that he was going to be officially Quinn's…well, brother, he supposed.
Kurt's heart suddenly ached for his sister, Frannie.
But that, too, was no use. Kurt had tried to call his sister when he first was kicked out. She, too, shared the views of his parents.
Quinn hugged Kurt tightly.
Kurt suddenly realized that maybe Quinn was more of a sister than Frannie had ever been.
They had gotten another year; a second chance.
So did Kurt.
TBC
And with that, season 1 is OVER. I might do some summer stuff, but I'm not sure…anyway, season 2 will get under way soon. J
Feedback welcomed!