A/N: I can't believe you guys have helped me reach 100 reviews – you're all amazing! I can't wait to hear what you think of this chapter! We're getting really close to the end now!

Chapter Fifteen – The Cullens

I was not in the mood to wake up the next day… I had been having a really good dream - Blaine's beautiful singing voice echoed in my head. And then I suddenly remembered…

"Blaine?" I called out immediately feeling his hands curl around me.

"It's okay, love, I'm right here…"

"Mmm," I agreed sleepily as his grip on me tightened, "You better leave before Burt finds you. I think you might have missed your midnight curfew and I wasn't joking about that shot gun of his."

"He already left," Blaine explained, "About an hour go. He was up early, replacing the battery in your truck. And then he left with Carole a bit after that."

"So we have the house to ourselves?" I asked casually, as his hands roamed underneath my shirt and all over my back.

"I guess…" he said kissing into my hair.

"Not so fast Blaine, my hair is a mess!"

"You're fine, Kurt. At least you don't look like Borat." He pointed to his own hair. We both laughed gently as his hands rubbed my back. "Did you sleep well?" I asked. I laid my head cautiously against his shoulder, breathing in the smell of his skin.

"Better than you can imagine. I went to sleep dreaming of you. I guess that's my cue to stay here more often. William would be proud to know I am getting rest."

Eventually, I excused myself to the bathroom. There was no way I was going to let my hair sit without hairspray this morning so after I brushed my teeth, I used the can to make it sit the way I liked it. I splashed my face with cold water, moisturized vigorously and went back out to see Blaine.

"Welcome back," he joked, sitting in the rocking chair that Elizabeth had once used to rock me to sleep. I settled into his lap and he rocked me for a while in silence, until I noticed that his clothes were changed, his hair smooth. I would have only been about fifteen minutes, twenty max and—

"You left?" I accused, touching the collar of his fresh shirt.

"I could hardly leave in the clothes I came in — what would the neighbors think?"

"Fair point. Anything interesting happen while I was gone?"

"Not while you were gone. But last night… you spoke again in your sleep."

I didn't quite look at him, cradling into his neck. I was still embarrassed but at least he hadn't heard from spying on me.

"What did you hear?" I asked.

"You said you loved me."

"You knew that already," I reminded him, "I really do love you." I whispered, hiding my face against his shoulder.

"You are my life now," he answered simply.

I took a while to let that sink in. We had come so far, so fast, and I was still not used to having this beautiful man in my life. He rocked us back and forth as the room grew lighter.

"Come on," I said taking his hand, "While you may be able to sit there forever, some of us still need to eat!"

We entered the kitchen and I told him of my redecorating plans as I scooped out a bowl and box of cereal. We discussed different colors and wallpapers and the promised money Burt would lend me to fix the kitchen up.

"It sounds very tasteful," Blaine agreed, "So – did you have anything you wanted to specifically do today? Because I kinda had something in mind…"

"Do tell."

He paused, looking down at the floor, a smile crossing his face, "What would you say to meeting my family?"

I stopped mid-bite with my cereal, "Won't they be, well, surprised that you would bring a human home to meet them?"

"They already know everything. They'd taken bets yesterday, though why anyone would bet against Mercedes, I can't imagine. At any rate, we don't have secrets in the family. It's not really feasible, what with my mind reading and Mercedes seeing the future and all that."

"And Sam's ability to twist your emotions, don't forget about that."

"You paid attention," he smiled approvingly.

"A skill I didn't learn that from Rachel." I grimaced. Suddenly I had an idea. "If nothing else, you should introduce me to your parents, at least."

"William already knows you," Blaine reminded me.

"As your boyfriend, I mean." I stared at him with a coy smile. "I just feel the old-fashioned sense of it all will mean a lot to them and considering how taboo everything is, I just want to do this the right way."

He didn't answer, at least not verbally, settling instead for kissing the tip of my forehead. He stared into my eyes for an immeasurable period of time.

"So… are you finished with breakfast?" he finally asked.

I jumped up. "Yes."

"Get dressed — I'll wait here."

It was hard to decide what to wear. I doubted there were any editions of Cosmopolitan detailing how to dress when your gay vampire boyfriend takes you home to meet his vampire family. Perhaps if I became a fashion editor I could write up my own column myself.

In the end, I settled for my dark black jeans, tight enough so that I'd know he'd be staring, but not tight enough to make the rest of the family feel awkward. I also put on a dark blue shirt he'd once complimented and accessorized with chains. A quick once over in the mirror had me using some more hairspray and then with a hint of cologne, I made my way back down.

"Okay." I bounced down the stairs. "I'm decent." He was waiting at the foot of the stairs, closer than I'd thought, and as a result, I fell straight into him. He steadied me, holding me a careful distance away for a few seconds before suddenly pulling me closer.

"Wrong again," he murmured in my ear. "You are utterly indecent — no one should look so tempting in those jeans…"

"Tempting how?" I asked teasingly. "I can always change if you like…"

"No! Don't! You look amazing. You are making it absolutely impossible for me to keep my hands off you." He pressed his cool lips delicately to mine, and the room spun. The smell of his breath made it impossible to think. I kissed him back hungrily, absorbing every piece of him that I could, my arms linking around his neck as the kiss deepened.

"Shall I explain how tempting you are to me?" he said. It was clearly a rhetorical question. His fingers traced slowly down my spine, his breath coming more quickly against my skin. My hands were linked loosely still behind his neck and I had a goofy smile on my face as I stared into his eyes. He tilted his head slowly and kissed me again, harder this time. His hands had reached my waist and he was holding me like he never wanted to let me go.

"Blaine…" I whispered, a small urgency in my voice, "W-we have to s-stop. Or…"

He put his cool forehead against mine and sighed, "You're right."

After we had both collected ourselves, and my jeans had finally become just that little more comfortable to wear, I realized, as he drove my truck out of the main part of town, that I had no idea where he lived.

I don't know what I had expected Blaine's house to look like but it was nothing compared to what I actually saw. It was timeless, graceful, and probably a hundred years old. It was painted a soft, faded white, three stories tall, rectangular and well proportioned. I couldn't see any other cars but my truck. In the distance, I could hear the river. I stood stunned staring at the place in awe.

"Do you like it?" he smiled.

"You're kidding right? It's beautiful…"

"Ready to come inside then?"

I sighed, "Not even a little but – let's go." I ran my hands through my hair nervously.

"Don't worry so much," he said taking my hand as I got out of the truck, "You look amazing. They're gonna love you." He squeezed my hand easily, without even thinking about it.

We walked through the deep shade up to the porch. I knew he could feel how tense I was; his thumb rubbed soothing circles into the back of my hand. I was getting really nervous now – I know he said I shouldn't worry – but what on Earth would I do if they didn't like me?

Ever the gentleman, Blaine opened the door for me.

The inside was even more surprising, less predictable, than the exterior.

It was very bright, very open, and very large. This must have originally been several rooms, but the walls had been removed from most of the first floor to create one wide space. The back, south-facing wall had been entirely replaced with glass, and, beyond the shade of the cedars, the lawn stretched bare to the wide river. A massive curving staircase dominated the west side of the room. The walls, the high-beamed ceiling, the wooden floors, and the thick carpets were all varying shades of white.

Waiting to greet us, standing just to the left of the door, on a raised portion of the floor by a spectacular grand piano, were Blaine's parents.

I'd seen Will Cullen before, yet I couldn't help but be struck again by his youth - or his unruly dark curly hair. At his side was Emma. She had the same pale, beautiful features as the rest of them. Something about her wide eyes and her auburn hair reminded me of Elizabeth. Emma had a friendly smile too. Will and Emma were both dressed casually, in light colors that matched the inside of the house.

"Will, Emma," Blaine's voice broke the short silence, "this is Kurt. My boyfriend."

Out of shock, I bowed slightly. "Thank you, for having me over today Dr. and Mrs. Cullen."

"You're very welcome, Kurt." Will's step was measured, careful as he approached me. He raised his hand tentatively, and I stepped forward to shake hands with him.

"It's nice to see you again, Dr. Cullen."

"Please, call me Will."

"Will." I grinned at him, my sudden confidence surprising me. I could feel Blaine's relief at my side.

Emma smiled and stepped forward as well, reaching for my hand. Her cold, stone grasp was just as I expected. "It's a pleasure to meet you Kurt," she said sincerely. "It's so nice to finally meet the boy who makes our Blaine so happy."

"Where are Mercedes and Sam?" Blaine asked, but as if on autopilot they both suddenly appeared.

"Hey, Blaine!" Mercedes called enthusiastically. She ran down the stairs, a streak of wavy black hair and pale dark skin, coming to a sudden and graceful stop in front of me. Will and Emma shot warning glances at her, but I liked it. It was natural — for her, anyway.

"Hi, Kurt!" Mercedes said, and she bounced forward to kiss my cheek. If Will and Emma had looked cautious before, they now looked staggered.

"Hi Mercedes," I greeted, "Keeping up with those vocal runs?"

"Oh boy, don't you know it!"

I was very pleased that she seemed to approve of me so entirely – for one, the clothes she wore were incredibly divalicious. I could immediately see myself warming to her – and her hat. Especially her hat.

And then there was Sam. Tall, brooding, blonde and handsome… the face of a poster boy in magazines I'd never confide to Blaine that I actually looked at. As I stared at his face, a feeling of ease spread through me, and I was suddenly comfortable. Blaine stared at Sam, raising one eyebrow, and I remembered what Sam could do.

"Hello, Kurt," Sam said. He kept his distance, not offering to shake my hand. It was hard for him to be around humans, I knew that. But it was also impossible to feel awkward near him.

"Hello, Sam." I smiled at him. "It's nice to meet you all — you have a very beautiful home," I added conventionally. "I can't even recommend anything that needs redecorating."

"Thank you," Emma said. "We're so glad that you came." She spoke with feeling. I had a feeling she thought I was really brave to be here.

I also realized that Quinn and Puck were nowhere to be seen, and I remembered Blaine's too-innocent denial when I'd asked him if the others didn't like me.

Will's expression distracted me from this train of thought; he was gazing meaningfully at Blaine with an intense expression. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Blaine nod once.

I looked away, trying to be polite. My eyes wandered again to the beautiful instrument on the platform by the door. I suddenly remembered my childhood fantasy that, should I ever win a lottery, I would buy a grand piano for my mother. She was really good but she only played for her and Dad and me on our secondhand upright — but I loved to watch her play. She was happy, absorbed — she seemed like a new, mysterious being to me then, like an angel. She gave me lessons and I learned fast but after she got sick, I stopped playing.

Emma noticed my preoccupation. "Do you play?" she asked, inclining her head toward the piano.

"Not anymore. But it's so beautiful. Is it yours?"

"No," she laughed. "It belongs to Blaine."

I stared in aghast. First his voice and now… "I give up… Blaine can do everything!" I explained.

Sam snickered and Emma gave Blaine a reproving look. "I hope you haven't been showing off Blaine— it's rude," she scolded. "Have you lost the pamphlet I gave you about that?"

"I might have," he laughed freely. Her face softened at the sound, and they shared a brief look that I didn't understand, though Emma's face seemed almost smug. "I have plenty more where they come from!"

Sam laughed again. "Blaine? A showoff? Really, Mother! I for one think you should play for Kurt, Blaine."

Blaine nudged him, hard, but Emma was encouraging him the same thing too. "No I agree," Emma approved. "You should play for Kurt."

"You just said showing off was rude," he objected.

"There are exceptions to every rule," she replied.

"I'd like to hear you play," I volunteered, hoping that would help ease his decision.

"It's settled then." Emma pushed him toward the piano. He pulled me along, sitting me on the bench beside him.

He gave me a long, exasperated look before he turned to the instrument.

And then his fingers flowed swiftly across the ivory keys, and the room was filled with a composition so beautiful, it was impossible to believe only one set of hands played. I'd only ever heard one other person play this beautifully before – my mother.

Blaine looked at me casually, the music still surging around us without a break, and winked. "Do you like it?"

"Blaine, did you write this?" I gasped, understanding.

He nodded. "It's Emma's favorite." I closed my eyes as the music slowed, transforming into something softer, and to my surprise I detected the melody of his lullaby weaving through the profusion of notes.

"You inspired this one," he said softly. The music grew unbearably sweet. I couldn't speak. Of all the romantic gestures…

"They like you, you know," he said conversationally. "Emma especially."I glanced behind me, but the huge room was empty now.

"Where did they go?"

"Very subtly giving us some privacy, I suppose."

I sighed. "They like me. But Quinn and Puck…" I trailed off, not sure how to express my doubts.

He frowned. "Don't worry about Quinn," he said, his eyes wide and persuasive. "She'll come around."

I pursed my lips skeptically. "Puck?"

"Well, he thinks I'm a loser, it's true, but he doesn't have a problem with you. He's trying to reason with Quinn."

"What is it that upsets her?" I wasn't sure if I wanted to know the answer.

He sighed deeply. "Quinn struggles the most with… with what we are. It's hard for her to have someone on the outside know the truth. And she's a little jealous."

"Quinn is jealous of me?" I asked incredulously. I tried to imagine a universe in which someone as breathtaking as Quinn would have any possible reason to feel jealous of someone like me. I mean I knew I was fabulous – but she was Project Runway beautiful.

"It's because you're human," he shrugged. "She wishes that she were, too."

"Oh," I muttered, still stunned. "Why was Sam so… distant…?"

"That's really my fault," he said. "I told you he was the most recent to try our way of life. I warned him to keep his distance." I thought about the reason for that, and shuddered.

"Emma and Will…?" I continued quickly, to keep him from noticing.

"They are happy to see me happy. Actually, Emma wouldn't care if you had a third eye and webbed feet. All this time she's been worried about me, afraid that there was something missing from my life, that I was too young when Will changed me… So now she's ecstatic. Every time I touch you, she just about chokes with satisfaction."

"Mercedes seems very… enthusiastic. I can see us getting along really well. She has a wonderful fashion sense."

"Mercedes is beautiful. She has her own way of looking at things," Blaine said, "Just between me and you, she's my favorite. She er… wanted me to warn you… because I'm going to be a little… overbearingly protective over the next few days — or weeks — and I wouldn't want you to think I'm becoming too weird or anything."

"What do you mean?" I asked curiously, "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, exactly. Mercedes just sees some visitors coming soon. They know we're here, and they're curious."

"Visitors?"

"Yes… well, they're vampires too, though they aren't quite like us — in their hunting habits, I mean. They probably won't come into town at all, but I'm certainly not going to let you out of my sight till they're gone."

He followed my gaze as I stared off into the house again. "Not what you expected, is it?" he asked, his voice smug.

"No," I admitted. "There's no coffins, no piled skulls in the corners; I don't even think you have cobwebs… what a disappointment …"

He made light of my teasing. "It's the one place we never have to hide." The song he was still playing, my song, drifted to an end, the final chords shifting to a more melancholy key. The last note hovered poignantly in the silence.

"Thank you," I murmured. I realized there were tears in my eyes. I dabbed at them, embarrassed.

"Do you want to see the rest of the house?"

"No coffins?" I verified, the sarcasm in my voice evident. He laughed, taking my hand, leading me away from the piano.

"No coffins," he promised.

A/N: Yes readers, we really are getting close to the end! The next chapter is called "William Schuester-Cullen" and the one after that is "The Game" – in which we meet the Nomads! Keeping in mind, that this series will not be as closely linked to the original Twilight as you might think… As always, I appreciate your continued support! Please review!