AN: Seriously, I'm so sorry for the delay this is the last chapter then an epilogue, enjoy my friends and really I'm sorry it took so long.

Chapter Eighteen

Noah returned to school two weeks later. Kurt was waiting at his locker, any hints of the past six weeks had been washed away by all the time he'd spent moisturizing. The past two weeks-despite Noah's grounding the final week, had gone fairly quickly and from what he'd heard, Kurt was adjust fine with everything. The first full week of school had been a bumpy ride, but with Karofsky expelled now, things were sailing smooth for once.

Noah, not willing to share it with anyone, was pleased with how well Kurt was doing. Burt was on the mend and there were rumors he'd be returning to the shop next week for just office work, he could return to full work within another six weeks depending on how well he did on his stress test next Friday.

Kurt seemed to have a slightly happier outlook on everything as well; Noah hoped that meant that Kurt and his father had discussed some things, because while he was willing to wait for Kurt, Noah didn't want to wait forever, he wanted to take the boy to homecoming in another week.

Finn headed down a different part of his hallway, having spotted his girlfriend, while Noah caught up the last several inches with Kurt, "You know the Homecoming dance is coming up soon."

Kurt glanced over at his friend, "Noah-"

"Before you say no, at least consider this, you said you were worried that I'd be a pity fuck-but the Puckster pities no one, and I honestly want to be with you…do I know how long, heck no. We're seventeen and eighteen. I do know that I'm willing to give this…us a shot at awesomeness-"

Kurt looked at Puck and felt his heart warm slightly, "I'll consider it and let you know by Friday, deal?"

"Deal dude."

Kurt nodded and watched the jock walk away, still grinning like an idiot. Kurt shook his head and quickly opened his locker. Mercedes came over to him and smiled, "Hey Kurt, how are you?"

Kurt shut his locker but smiled at her, "I'm exhausted beyond belief, but I'm doing better. Thank you."

"Listen…we…we were spoke to on tolerance shortly before you…well after everything that happened, and I know we've been slightly awkward around each other the past several weeks and I just wanted to apologize for pushing my beliefs on you. That was wrong of me."

Kurt nodded, "It was, but I appreciate the apology. Equally, I'd like to apologize for being so snappy about it- while I don't believe at God and I was a little offended, what you guys were doing was all you knew and I should've appreciated it for what it was…a hand. I'm not going to lie, I'm still a little upset by everything, but I promise I'll get there."

"Cool," She offered, "Wanna walk with me to math?"

"Absolutely," He grinned slipping his arm through hers and heading down the hallway with her. His head held high, what he said had been true, he was still very tired, and his appetite hadn't completely returned, but his father had gotten texting on his phone yesterday and promised to check in every once in awhile to let him know how he was doing-for now that was just enough for the Hummel men.

After school Kurt headed to the garage, he greeted Carl with a great big smile, "How is he?" Kurt asked.

"He's great kid, looks thrilled to be back, and damn if it ain't great to see him, he's doin' good."

"No heavy-"

"He hasn't left the office since lunch and that was to get us all sandwhiches-you'll also be happy to know he chose to get a wrap-I hear it even had lettuce."

"Oooh, good for him. Thanks Carl."

Carl smiled as he looked at the boy, "Come on kid, you and your dad are the only family I got. I get it kiddo."

"I'll be out in a minute." With that, Kurt headed into the office, pleased to see his father did indeed look much better as he sat behind the desk.

"Jesus are we behind-even with all the work you did, which nicely done by the way. How was school?"

"School," Kurt replied with a shrug. "I got asked to Homecoming?"

Burt's eyebrows shot up as he folded his hands in front of himself and looked at his son, "Anyone I know?" He asked, already knowing full well who it was.

"Noah."

"And?"

Kurt shrugged, "I told him I'd give him a definite answer by Friday."

"You have to think about this?"

Kurt chuckled softly, "No, course not. I'm going," Kurt grinned, "Just playin' a little hard to get. I wanna make him sweat."

Burt laughed at that as he shook his head, "You are your mother. So I though maybe we could invite a couple of your friends to Friday night dinner if you wanted-"

"Actually dad, I was hoping it could sort of just be you, me and maybe Carole."

"What about Finn-"

"Rachael asked him out already and he said yes. They're going to watch some new movie." Kurt shrugged, "Maybe the three of us could go out…like we used to when mom was alive?"

"I think Carole would feel honored, I'll ask her tonight. Now, if you're feeling up to it, I need you to do two oil changes and run some quick inventory."

"Can do."

Burt watched his son head out the door and he smiled. Shaking his head slowly he pulled his cell phone out and dialed. "Hey, it's me. I'm all right, how are you?" He smiled, "Kurt was wondering if you'd like to join him and I on Friday night dinner? Well apparently Finn has a date with Rachael, so he wanted it to just be the three of us. I know that's what I thought. Sounds good, love you too. Bye."

o0o

"Hummel!" Noah hurried towards the boy, Friday was done, and school was letting out, Finn was taking his truck and Rachael to a movie, everyone else was heading their own way, but Hummel had promised him one thing. "Kurt?" He stated stepping up to the teen.

"Hi Noah, how can I help you?" Kurt antagonized the man, loving that wrinkle crease in his forehead.

"Dude, the homecoming dance is next weekend-I need to know what colors to coordinate with an-"

"Why, Noah Puckerman, are you saying you're actually going to rise to the occasion."

"And many more sweet lips, just say the word."

"And what word would that be."

"You'll be my date."

"That's actually four words."

Noah groaned, "This is worse than blue balls."

Kurt laughed shaking his head; he closed his locker door and looked at the teen that was standing so close, "I'll go with you on a couple agreements."

"Okay…"

"First, you promise not to sext anyone but me for however long our relationship lasts-"

"Done." Noah stated, girls were a distraction from Kurt, he didn't need them, as long as he had Kurt.

Kurt seemed surprised by the instant agreement, but didn't falter, "Second, you are willing to wait for me to be ready. I'm not saying no sex ever…I'm simply saying when I'm ready."

"Done, I'll even let you decide when you call us boyfriends."

Kurt smiled deciding to be a little bad, "Oh Noah, we already are," He whispered as he leaned up and planted the lightest kiss on the jock's lips before hurrying away to his SUV, leaving Noah there speechless.

Kurt got home to the smell of grilled chicken, broccoli, and something else. He stepped into the kitchen to see Burt and Carole cooking over the stove laughing. Pausing he smiled, he could remember his mom and dad doing the same thing, looking just as happy. He hoped she saw how happy dad was, he deserved to be happy. "Hi, anything I can help with?" He questioned setting his own bag down.

"Hi sweetie!" Carole greeted, giving him an unexpected, but not unwelcome hug.

"Hey kid how was school?"

"Great!"

"Did you finally tell Puckerman?"

"Tell Noah what?" Carole asked smiling. She'd had a haunch about those two.

Kurt nodded, "Yep, and we're going to Homecoming next weekend!"

Carole squealed as she hugged Kurt again, he had the feeling he'd have to get used to this again, but he returned the hug gratefully. "Can I help you pick a tux-Finn refuses to get a new one."

"Of course you can! Noah might even need some help!"

"Just be ready for a ridiculous amount of pictures," Burt replied as they began to set the table. "So Carole made a delicious dinner, that's full of all the things I'm actually allowed to eat-and it smells amazing."

After dinner had ended they retired to the living room to watch a movie, something that Carole and Kurt had picked, but Burt didn't mind so much. Burt chose to sit on the couch with his girlfriend and son. At some point during the movie, Kurt had gone from sitting up right to lying down on the couch with his feet pillowed in Carole's lap and head on Burt's knee. The boy was fast sleep before the movie was over. Burt looked down at his son and smiled.

"I see he's still completely exhausted."

"Yeah, it comes and it goes, he's sleeping about four or five hours now instead of just two, so he's getting better."

"What about his dad?"

Burt smiled warmly, "I'm hangin' in there, sleeping pretty steadily, I feel like after a coma I should be completely all rested up." Burt offered as he gently ran his over Kurt's hair.

"So…Burt, I've been doing some thinking, and if this is completely out there, you have the right to say no…but after everything we've been through…" She paused looking at him. "Burt, I want to marry you, I want you to marry me."

He smiled at her, "I've been thinking the same thing."

"Really?"

Chuckling he leaned as far as he could without disturbing his son, "Yeah, don't act so surprised, you're quite the catch," He replied kissing her lips.

"Nice to see some things don't change," Finn's voice interrupted them as he stepped into the house.

Burt smiled at Finn, as did Carole. "How was your date honey?"

"Good, Kurt's asleep-it's barely eleven."

"He's had a rough few weeks."

"Yeah, but to be fair he needs to sleep in a bed," Burt gently shook his son's shoulder, "Come on kiddo, bed time."

Kurt groaned and rolled over, he looked at his dad, as if confused for a moment then nodded. "Night dad, night mom," he murmured as he stood and made his way downstairs. Everyone but the teen froze. Burt looked over to see Carole had tears in her eyes, but a warm smile on her face. Finn looked only slightly weirded out, but even Burt couldn't help but smile.

"I wouldn't get used to it-" Burt offered gently.

"I won't," She promised, "But it was nice to hear after everything."

Burt could agree to that. Carole began to get up and gather her things, Burt reached out, grabbing her hand gently, "Stay," He whispered. "Tonight, I've missed you. Finn can sleep in the extra room-"

Finn smiled, "I'd like that."

Carole nodded, "A family?"

"We are a family, we'll wake up bright and early tomorrow morning, make pancakes that are terribly healthy and laugh about Kurt when he's sleepy."

Carole hugged her future husband close, "I'd love that."

Finn made a groan and headed upstairs as his parents began to kiss deeply. "Night," He called before closing the bedroom door.