Again, THANK YOU. 500 reviews now. Are you TRYING to make me cry with gratitude for your kind words? I know I said there'd be a delay but I caved and already had this pretty much written on the train so...!

To the person (who shall not be named for specific reasons) – you KNOW who you are – your dirty little secret is safe with me ;) (that made my WEEK!)

Someone asked me about my name – "happy in chintz" comes from something a friend once said to me. I wear a lot of patterns and old fashioned prints/cuts/styles and my room is a sea of vintage and chintz. She said I'm always happier surrounded by chintz. I remember I was drinking from a Cath Kidston tea cup as she said it and it's SO TRUE. So it stuck ... so there you go, kind interested people :D

Who knew the word 'snog' would have so many comments. HA! I personally hate the word but HEY if J. K. Rowling can use it flippantly and still get away with it in the US then people must know what it means.

I'm ATTEMPTING to keep this shorter this time as I ramble FAR too much –ha :D Story of my life. Onto the Chapter – as always ... please enjoy! I seriously think (and I know I say it each time) that this has been my FAVOURITE Chapter to write.

Christmas morning as interesting; Kurt realised one very painstaking lesson - that Finn was actually still three years old. The way his face lit up, his hand clutching at his duvet with a smile so wide his face was in danger of cracking. It was frankly enough to force Kurt to throw his very soft and very expensively covered duvet over his face and groan. He loved Christmas really but mornings and Finn were bad enough without dialing up the 'insane' to maximum.

"You are actually red in the face, do you know that?" Kurt whined, throwing Finn a glare in his morning irritant stage. Finn either ignored him or didn't hear over the singing elves in his brain or whatever fuzzy festive nonsense existed between his ears. "Finn?" Kurt said a little louder, "Finn!" Kurt rolled his eyes, tossing the quilt off himself and climbing out of bed. "Finn, look Santa!".

It was all Kurt could do not to laugh at the moment of pure joy that followed. He was sure he'd receive a dead arm later for it but it was somehow, in his pre-coffee grump, the most amusing and satisfying sight to watch Finn's face fall. "You know it's remarkable that you and Brittany never hooked up," Kurt mused with a smirk as he began combing his hair, "I think you'd have made an extraordinary couple."

The morning continued in similar vain. Carole had purchased a Christmas themed jumper for Burt and much to Kurt's amusement and Burt's embarrassment, he was forced to wear it all day long.

"Looking good Dad," Kurt sang, appearing for breakfast in a deep red long sleeved sweater and dark beige fitted pants. Burt frowned back, his face explicitly speaking the words 'don't even start kid, I'm not to be messed with when I'm wearing this'. Kurt could hear the words in his mind but also knew that his father would have worn a garbage bag over his head happily if it made Carole happy.

After breakfast, Kurt knew it was time for presents. Carole had implemented her tradition of a full and expansive breakfast, much to Finn's joy and Burt had explained the Hummel tradition of eating mince pies as they opened presents with Kurt's favourite Christmas CD crooning in the background. Each took turns opening presents excitedly. Carole sat in her apron with flushed cheeks and Finn positioned himself so close to the Christmas tree the angel felt nervous.

Carole received a bottle of Chanel perfume from Burt. Kurt took pretty much all of the credit inside his head, for her giddy smile and the way she pranced underneath the falling droplets after spraying some in the air. Burt looked as if he might burst before winking pointedly at his son. Kurt knew his dad had added his own concocted present – a pair of brand new cowboy boots for her new line dancing class downtown – and smiled affectionately at Carole's ability to be as gleeful over a pair of tasselled monstrosities as she was over a bottle of the world's most classy fragrance.

Finn received another glorious Christmas sweater, a stack of new computer games and sports tickets. He'd thrown himself at his mom and Burt, hugging them tight. Kurt had decided to stick with the musical theme and has purchased personalised drum sticks with Finn's name engraved.

"Dude," Finn sighed, "these are awesome. Really awesome." Kurt was sure his heart was far too full to fit anything else in but in that moment, he truly felt he had a brother. Even if he was a little dumb, over-excited, lacking a section of his backbone and entirely uncoordinated. He was Finn and Kurt was secretly so pleased at that.

After Burt had opened his stack of new fixtures for his car, a couple of new shirts, a McKinley High football jersey from Finn and a pile of new CDs to play as he worked in his garage, it was Kurt's turn to unwrap.

He knew he had already opened Blaine's and felt bad now that he'd denied himself the joy on Christmas morning, however, he was grateful for his moment alone in the bathroom to himself to collect his thoughts. He'd told Blaine about his mom and her love for crystals and all things pretty and he wasn't sure how Blaine knew that the particular blue crystal had caught his eye but it was truly one of the most thoughtful presents he'd ever been given.

Kurt unhooked his stocking from the fireplace (one which his mom had sewn 'Kurt' into when he was a baby) and settled himself on the couch. Inside, after careful opening, he found a brand new deep blue and white cardigan in thick knit from the G Star Raw Collection he'd coveted for months. He glanced at Carole, who smiled knowingly with a cute shrug of her shoulders, well aware that he'd shown her the article in one of his magazines to simply express his love – he didn't expect one to be bought for him.

"Oh Carole," he cried, jumping up to hug her, "thank you. Honestly."

He sat back down noticing the proud smile that Burt now had fixed on his face. It must have cost a fortune and not to mention the struggle to get hold of one. He could barely contain his love as he dug into his stocking further. Next came a pile of CDs, mostly Broadway recordings and some old and very difficult collections to find. He frowned, confused as to who would buy them. As he read the label ('To Kurt, Merry Festivus Bro, Love Santa/Finn x') he was in shock.

"How?" he asked, struggling to find the words to appreciate the brilliance of the gift.

Finn laughed. "It might have been a lot to do with Rachel but I picked out some," he explained, lifting one from the pile and presenting it proudly.

"Finn these are great, really great. Thank you so much."

Amongst the rest of his presents was another scarf to add to his collection, a subscription to Vogue for the year, a new lamp for his room which Burt had gone into serious lengths to explain as it was noise operated and a brand new set of stylish notepads and pens.

"Don't want your school thinking we're cheap," Burt explained with a sure nod. Carole rubbed his shoulder lovingly.

Kurt was glad then. He was pleased he had opened Blaine's gift previous to the day in question as he was sure that with this much love and happiness, he would have been completely unable to function with more.

As the presents were stacked to one side, Kurt enforced his tradition of having "White Christmas" playing in the background as they prepared food – the movie spelled 'festive' to him. Finn groaned a little as he wanted The Muppet's Christmas Carol but a compromise was made and it was the next movie in the long list. Kurt took charge of Buck's Fizz and champagne, dusting off his own personal collection of crystal glasses which he stored under his bed for such moments. Carole giggled, nudging Kurt's shoulder and clinking her glass to his.

"It's like Sex and the City," she sang happily, sipping playfully.

The meal was beautiful and eaten much too quickly. As they cleared up, Finn being pulled by a mysterious invisible thread into the lounge in desperation – he wanted to lay down, Kurt knew he had to contact Blaine.

He grabbed his phone and made his way down to his room as Burt flopped down onto the sofa. Kurt knew his dad and was sure that he wouldn't get past the opening credits of the cute Dickens remake before he was snoring loudly.

Kurt felt his stomach knot as he dialled Blaine's number. It was strange as it hadn't been too long since Blaine was sitting in the same spot, his hands on Kurt's cheek and lips not far behind, but it was almost as if it were a dream. It had ended so quickly.

"Kurt?"

"Hi!"

"Oh wow, Merry Christmas," Blaine replied, a smile evident in his voice, "how has your morning been? Have you opened your presents? Have you had lunch?"

Kurt grinned fondly, shuffling onto his bed for comfort. "Ok, one at a time," he urged cheekily. He heard Blaine laugh on the other end.

"Sorry. Ok. How are you?"

"I'm very good thank you."

"Have you opened your presents?"

"I have," Kurt began, not really knowing where to start, "and Blaine, I don't really know what to say."

He heard a gasp of breath down the line. "Oh god Kurt, did I overstep the line? I know your mom used to collect them and saw you and your face at the-"

"Blaine. Shut up," he urged, closing his eyes to cherish the utter sweetness that was Blaine Thornton, "I don't know what to say because I've never ever been given a gift as amazing as that. I didn't know you'd seen me admiring the shiny things."

Blaine chuckled. "Well, you did say it was a tradition but I didn't have the heart to drag you away and when I saw your face I knew you were happy so..."

"Blaine," Kurt sighed, his heart fluttering gorgeously, "thank you so much. I know... I really know that my mom would have loved it." His voice broke at the last word, his hand finding his cheek and resting there in case any tears escaped.

Silence reigned for a few precious moments. "I wish I was there," Blaine whispered.

"I wish you were here too."

Blaine's heart clenched, his other hand reaching up to hold his phone too in an odd attempt to transfer his need to wrap his arms around Kurt, down the line. "I'm so happy you like it though."

"I love it. Truly," Kurt added, his voice thick with emotion, "anyway," he coughed, "how has your morning been? I need to wish you a Merry Christmas too."

Blaine glanced around the room, breathing in deep as the smell of Sylvie's culinary creations hung in the air, tempting him. She'd lit the log fire, Blaine had opted for his own personal Christmas movie classic 'It's a Wonderful Life' playing in the background and a small plate of freshly baked mince pies sat cooling on a rack in the kitchen.

"I'm in Christmas heaven Kurt. You'd love it here, I wish I could show you."

"Did you open your presents then?" Kurt asked.

"Not yet. We always do them once Sylvie gets home from visiting her friend who has been sick for some years now. It's my job to help out with some of the food while she's gone so I have been the model grandson this morning."

Kurt scoffed. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you."

They continued to discuss the events of their requisite Christmas mornings. Kurt filled Blaine in on Finn's digression into childhood, Blaine had obeyed and described every tiny detail of Sylvie's home even down to the icicles hanging from the guttering outside the door. Blaine had positioned himself on the floor, his back against the couch, and was warming by the fire. He sighed contentedly, but noticed a strange feeling of new experiences wash over him. He hadn't had anyone special to call at Christmas before and it felt monumental.

"Oh Blaine I have to go," Kurt said suddenly, "Carole's shouting about some sort of tournament. I fear for my life if it's anything other than board games. I don't think my fragile frame can deal with contact sport other than kicking."

Blaine laughed loudly. "I have no doubt you could collectively kick their asses."

Kurt's eyes widened. "I have never heard you cuss... ever," his voice laced with wonder.

"Yea, it's rare for me but the moment called for it."

Kurt chuckled, highly amused. "I think it's kind of sexy actually." The blush rose immediately but it didn't matter, he felt entitled to say it even though his heart almost stopped waiting for Blaine's reaction.

"Noted," was the reply, low and far too flirty for Kurt's heart to stand.

Blaine grinned wildly, his hand raising his phone to his forehead to tap it with delicious frustration that he couldn't see Kurt speak those words.

"Ok, Blaine I really need to go. I'm so sorry. Enjoy your day and text me once you open your gift."

Blaine was confused. "What gift?"

"Look in your bag," Kurt called abruptly, "and I'll text later, ok? I miss you. Bye!"

Blaine just laughed, shaking his head against the cushions behind him. He slowly placed his phone on the carpet and padded up the stairs to his room. Once he'd located his bag, he exhaled deeply with a smile. Inside, buried at the bottom, was a small parcel in sparkling red wrapping paper tied tightly and stylishly with a gold bow.

Blaine couldn't wait. He peeled away the covering and felt his hand cover his face when he saw what was inside. A small gold box held a coffee collar inked with a phone number. Blaine recognised it as his own handwriting and shook his head in amazement as he realised it was the same collar that he'd used for Kurt's Latte on the first day they'd met. It was too perfect a gift for Blaine to process until he saw that there was an envelope underneath. He pulled it out and read loud the printed letters on the underside.

"This entitles Blaine Thornton to a single day's usage of studio time." His forehead wrinkled into a frown as he read further in disbelief. Kurt had not only bought him time in a recording studio, he'd bought him a copy of whatever was recorded on the day in question too.

Blaine dropped the presents and simply sat in shock. There was no conceivable way to sum up his feelings. He was sure he would explode if he tried so he focused on regulating his breathing and the enormous smile that had fixed itself solid. He wanted to jump up and down, shout, throw stuff and generally go crazy as the feeling inside was too much, too intense and far too wonderful to believe.

He knew exactly what he wanted to say. He was sure of it but he had to wait. The text back stated simply:

I opened my gift. I can't belittle it with a response by text, it's too wonderful. I need to thank you in person. Blaine x

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Are you sure you have everything?" Carole asked for the hundredth time, her hands on her hips as she stood by the car, the expanse of Dalton Academy behind her.

Burt laughed, ruffling Kurt's hair. "So kiddo, back to the grindstone. You going to be ok?"

In amongst levelling his uniform collar and patting his hair neat again, Kurt smiled, his heart leaping in his chest at the prospect of what was to come. "I'm going to be fine dad. Honestly."

Carole stood at her husband's side, laying a hand on his arm. "You know if you need us, we're here anytime."

"I do," Kurt replied, his lips pursed into a pout, showing his appreciation.

"Ok then," Burt said with a slap to Kurt's shoulder, "I won't hover. See I'm learning."

Kurt smiled and reached up to hug his dad tightly. "Thank you for our Christmas."

As he waved goodbye to his father's urging to 'be careful', his bags already inside and being taken up to his room along with Pavarotti. Kurt watched as their car drove off and rubbed his palms on his trousers. His breath caught every second with excitement and nerves.

He took a breath and began to lift his satchel over his shoulder but as he went to turn, he heard the gravel rustle behind him.

"Ahhhhh as if it isn't the new kid" Kurt snapped around to face the noise.

Wes stood, kicking the ground below him, a smirk painted on his face. David lingered beside him with a wide smile. "We knew we were missing a Warbler. You took your time, didn't you?"

"We were all set to send out a search party," David said seriously.

Kurt shook his head and let out a laugh. "Happy New Year to you both too and I thought you were going to drop the 'new kid' thing?"

Wes threw his arm around David's shoulders. "Well we discussed this didn't we David and we decided that until someone else becomes 'new', it's not technically correct for you to lose that title."

"That and the fact they're immature idiots with nothing better to do."

Kurt's eyes widened instantly at the sound of a new and very recognisable voice coming from a figure appearing at Wes' side. "Blaine!"

It took approximately seven steps and a small leap and Kurt threw his arms around Blaine's neck, pressing his nose into his scarf and holding on as tight as possible. Blaine screwed his eyes shut, his heart dancing in his chest and beating in his fingertips. He pulled Kurt tighter noticing immediately how nice he smelled.

"I missed you so so much," Kurt mumbled into material, the vibrations sending Blaine a little crazy.

Blaine squeezed tighter. "Before anything, about the gift, it's incredible" he said, his deep breath stuttering with a mixture of emotion and nerves. He paused for a second, Kurt feeling him nuzzle closer. "I couldn't love anything more. I mean it."

Kurt leaned back, his face pink and glowing. Blaine felt his head shake in bewilderment at how insanely he'd missed the boy in front of him. He didn't think it was possible to miss someone so much.

"You loved it?" Kurt asked with eyes wide and glittering.

Blaine took a breath, his trademark smirk teasing at his lips to mask his jittery nerves. "I wasn't talking about the gift."

Shameless isn't it? I mean, it's worrying that my brain contains this much fluff – don't worry though – this is NOT me rushing things. I promise this has a point and isn't a needless and rushed half admission.

I honestly cried writing the phone call. I have NO idea what it was but I was so teary... It was when I wrote "I know... I really know my mom would have loved it." So weird crying as you write but it GOT me! Yikes...

You wanna know how long those damn presents took me to think of? Jeez, I was sure someone on the train thought I was mental as I kept frowning at my Blackberry – ha! Hope they fit the characters...!

Ok, so to AVOID any confusion RE: Americanisms... I'll explain a couple to pre-empt them. I'm sorry if these are already known, I just don't want them ruin the enjoyment of the chapter.
Cardigan = sweater with buttons (sure you guys know that but my American friend didn't!)
Buck's Fizz = Champagne and Orange drink traditional around Christmas – popular for teens at Xmas parties
Any others are purely accidental and hopefully very minor.

The delay will be after this one. Nothing major, there just won't be one as quick as every night but I'll post asap and then resume regular posting after that until I start back with my course. : )