A/N This chapter practically wrote itself. Next chapter is Kurt, breaking the pattern. Reviews are love!
It was a particularly rainy night when Marcel and Kurt were cuddled up on the suede couch in Elizabeth's apartment. They were on their fifth episode of Say Yes to the Dress, Marcel's favorite, when he declared that it was time for Kurt to go to bed. Kurt stared up at him with his patented puppy dog eyes, but Marcel just smirked and shook his head. As cute as Kurt's pout was, he wasn't staying up any longer. Marcel would never hear the end of it if Kurt was grumpy in the morning, and annoyed a most likely tired Elizabeth. That was probably the worst the boy could do however, having been brought up so well by his mother.
Kurt Hummel was a well behaved child, he did as his mother told, and never disrespected his elders. At a well rounded nine years old, he was the epitome of a young gentleman, something for which his mother was very proud. Even though Elizabeth hadn't had much time to spend with her son over the years, she had always made sure that the time she could spare was well spent. She was a wonderful mother to Kurt, who had blossomed under her encouraging guidance. He was never afraid to be himself, something for which he extremely grateful. He had heard enough stories about Marcel's youth to be able to tell that he could have it much harder than he currently did.
Kurt already knew that he was nothing like the boys his age, but he didn't mind. He would much rather spend time investigating his own interests than to try to be someone he wasn't. It wasn't difficult for him either, having a wonderful role model, his mother's old friend, Marcel. He loved to spend time with Marcel, talking about the latest fashions in Vogue magazine, or who deserved to go home in the last episode of Project Runway. It was plain to see that Kurt idolized Marcel, anyone could tell. He couldn't be blamed, either, Marcel was the closest thing to a father figure Kurt had ever had. Lovely as Elizabeth was, her family and work kept her too busy for any chance at a love life.
Marcel often watched Kurt while Elizabeth was away, working hard on her hectic career. She could be gone for days, often weeks at a time, sometimes even calling home late to say she had to stay another day. Even though it upset Kurt at times, he was comforted by the fact that Marcel would always make him feel loved. Marcel knew that if anything ever happened to Elizabeth, there would be no question of him taking Kurt. He and Anthony would be more than happy to raise Kurt as their own, it would be a joy to the newly wedded couple.
"Please, Marcel." Kurt pleaded in a sing song voice. He didn't want to go to sleep until his mother got home, she had been gone for 6 days. She was due back home hours ago, but it didn't worry Kurt as she ran a little late some days. He tried another puppy face, but Marcel only rolled his eyes, obviously having gotten tired of his game. "Mom's not home yet, and I really wanted her to tuck me in."
"What, you don't like me tucking you in anymore?" asked Marcel in feigned offense, throwing his hands up in the air. He loved to pester Kurt just as much as Kurt loved to mess with him. He immediately felt guilty when he saw genuine tears start to swell up in the corner of the boy's eyes. He could tell it was one of those nights, where Kurt longed for his mother to the point of sorrow. One of the nights where he would cry himself to sleep when he thought that Marcel couldn't hear. Marcel leaned over and pulled Kurt into his embrace, smoothing his hair over in a way that only he could get away with. "Shh, honey, it's okay. Don't cry, she'll be back soon. Look, would you like to lay here with me until you fall asleep?" Kurt nodded in response, sniffling and wiping the tears from his eyes.
Marcel pulled them both back to lean against the couch, pulling the throw blanket they had made together over the both of them. He set the TV to play the next episode of their show, and waited for Kurt's sniffling to stop. By the time Kurt's breathing had evened out, and he had fallen into a slumber, it was nearly midnight. Marcel couldn't help but worry for Elizabeth, she never took so long to get back home, even on her latest nights. He leaned carefully over to the night stand, trying not to jostle Kurt in the process, and grabbed his phone. He tried Elizabeth's cell, but got no answer. After a few more tries, he considered a call to the police, trying to decide if it was truly urgent. He gently laid Kurt down on the sofa, and made his way into the kitchen, flicking on the light and dialing the police.
He was in the process of describing Elizabeth's appearance when he heard a knock on the door. He excused himself, and hung up the phone, a feeling of unease building in his stomach the closer he got to the door. He opened the door to see a man in police uniform, with a grave look on his face. He asked for a Mr. Wright, the name Marcel had taken when he and Anthony had gotten married. When he nodded, the officer stated that he had gotten his name from Elizabeth Bennet's cell phone. Apparently, it was the only number listed as 'family'. The man stated that it was urgent, and asked if he could have a few moments to talk. Marcel took in his appearance as he moved aside to let the man into the apartment. He was a young man, probably new to his post, given the tedious task of being the bearer of bad news. He gave Marcel a quick look of condolence before he suggested that Marcel take a seat.
Marcel sat in shock for a few moments after the officer had given a report of Elizabeth's death. It appeared as though she had been traveling on a back road when she swerved to avoid another vehicle, it was assumed, crashing into a nearby ditch. The coroner had declared that her death was almost instantaneous, stating that she hadn't suffered. By then, Marcel was in tears, and he was trying in vain to hold back sobs. He felt a shaking hand on his shoulder, indicating that Kurt had woken up and heard the last part of the briefing. Marcel closed his arms around Kurt when he climbed into his lap, and let the wracking sobs overtake him.
When they had both calmed down enough to listen, the officer told Marcel that Kurt would most likely be taken into foster care for the time being, until a suitable arrangement could be decided. Marcel insisted that he could take Kurt for a while, but the officer only shook his head, stating that he wasn't a proper relative. It took all of Marcel's self restraint not to blow up at the man, thinking it would only make the situation more difficult than it already was.
"Is there another viable option? He doesn't have any technical family members?" Marcel asked Officer Klein, as he the man had introduced himself earlier. There was no way that Kurt was alone in the world, Marcel was sure he had to have at least one other family member. "I mean, he has to at least have an aunt, or uncle. Hell, a second cousin would be better than foster care."
"Well, I see your concern, Mr. Wright. It's easy to see you care for the child." stated Klein, his expression softening a bit. He knew all too well that not every child put into foster care was well taken care of, he had seen enough case files about neglected, and often abused children. "There is one option, but it has yet to be investigated. I will have to get back to you about it as soon as I can. However, as of this moment, Kurt is now a ward of the state. I apologize Mr. Wright, but by law, I have to take him to a children's home until everything has been decided. I have a social worker waiting downstairs."
Marcel sat stunned, he had assumed that Elizabeth would have had a plan for Kurt in case anything had happened to her. Then again, there was no way to tell that she would have met an untimely death. Sighing in frustration at the hopelessness of the situation, Marcel sat a despondent Kurt back down on the chair. He moved almost on autopilot as he packed a bag for Kurt, making sure his teddy bear and favorite scarf were included. When he got back, the officer had just finished giving Kurt a little talk about where he was going. Marcel barely had time to give Kurt a hasty goodbye before the officer was ushering him out the door, where the social worker was waiting with a kind smile.
That was the last Marcel saw of Kurt for the next few weeks, much to his dismay. Officer Klein kept him updated on Kurt's status, telling him that things were moving along well, while stating that his hands were practically tied in the matter. Determined, Marcel made a few phone calls, many of which involved an old friend who happened to be a very prominent state attorney. He tried his best to pull his weight around, anything to keep Kurt close to home, but it appeared as though nothing would budge. By the time Elizabeth's funeral came around, he was beyond infuriated with his own inadequacy.
When Marcel arrived, he was glad to see the funeral home almost bursting with Elizabeth's most cherished friends and coworkers. Out of the corner of his eye, Marcel could see a very uncomfortable Kurt surrounded by and slightly older couple Marcel did not recognize. He assumed that they must be some sort of relative of Kurt's, family that she never mentioned. Seeing that Kurt was not going to be free any time soon, Marcel took the opportunity to take in his surroundings. Elizabeth's funeral arrangement, Marcel determined, was very beautiful, everything about it represented who she was in life. The parlor was delicately decorated in Casa lilies, unorthodox, yet fitting.
He languidly made his way up to her gorgeous cedar casket, lined with the purest white silk. She was picturesque even in death, dressed beautifully in her favorite gown. It was a lovely sea foam that brought out the blue in her eyes, made of a light chiffon. Marcel felt a tugging on his dress pants, and turned to see a distraught Kurt looking up at him. Sensing the boy's distress, he laid a hand on his shoulder and squeezed, his way of making sure Kurt knew he was there for him. Kurt's mouth quirked into the slightest of smiles, one that was quickly forgotten when he spoke.
"I picked it out." he said simply, taking Marcel's hand off his shoulder and clutching it protectively. Marcel could tell he wasn't referring to when they chose it out of hundreds for Elizabeth's dinner at the Waldorf. He gave Kurt's hand a reassuring squeeze and pulled him closer. He turned sharply, startled, when he heard someone clear their throat next to them. Marcel turned to see a man about his age, looking at the two of them with an unreadable expression. He had a kind face, and he was slightly balding, but not bad looking altogether. Marcel felt Kurt stiffen a little next to him, and he could only wonder why. The man held his hand out to Marcel, shaking it firmly.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Burt Hummel. Kurt's father."