Happy Saturday, kiddos!

Thank you so much for the reviews for the last chapter. I hope you'll like this one, as well.

I own nothing!

August arrived with suffocating temperatures. Every time Blaine stepped outside, it seemed like the concrete burned up the soles of his shoes. He tried keeping Max inside during the day, and took him out to the park or play dates once the sun began to disappear in the New York horizon.

With the intense heat, Blaine was more in the mood to lay down on a beach somewhere and relax, but instead, he had to start thinking about going back to work. He received a message with the time and place of the first staff meeting of the semester and he glared at it for a few minutes, before he sighed and accepted it was unavoidable.

He and Kurt had been texting back and forward a bit the past couple of weeks. After getting Burt's letter, which Blaine hadn't mentioned to Kurt, Blaine had done his best to remain open and accepting whenever it seemed like Kurt needed to talk. He wasn't sure how to approach Burt's request: was he supposed to talk to Kurt about it? Or should he just show up in Ohio and see what happened? He wanted to help Kurt without making it look like he was pushing him to do something he wasn't ready for. So he tried to be patient and looked out for any signs, ready to be whatever Kurt needed him to be. But, with the distance, it was still very difficult. And Kurt hadn't said a word about when he'd be back yet.

He never imagined he would hear about Kurt's plans from a different source altogether. Especially, not from someone at work.

Blaine arrived at campus with some time to spare, and stopped at a vending machine for a can of soda, eager to drink something cold that would distract him from the unbearable heat outside. He was slipping the money into the machine when he heard Kurt's name.

"Have you heard about Kurt Hummel?" A professor from another department was telling a colleague.

"Kurt Hummel? I had him last year. He's very talented. You should have seen what he did with two scraps of fabric. He turned them into a fabulous gown that looked fit for a red carpet," the woman replied. "What happened?"

"He asked for a deferral," the professor said. "On his senior year, can you believe it? Apparently he had some sort of family issue and won't be coming back to New York any time soon. It's a pity. He was very talented."

They continued talking as they walked down the hallway, but their words didn't reach Blaine anymore, who still stood, frozen, in front of the vending machine.

Kurt wasn't coming back to New York for his senior year?

It looked like this was one of those stupid decisions Burt had mentioned in his letter.

Blaine was suddenly done waiting, done with giving him space. It was time to do something.

There was a radio playing on the counter. Kurt could hear the song from under the car he was working on, and it made his heart ache. Treacherous little radio, reminding him of the city he would probably never go back to, Frank Sinatra's silky voice calling out for it again and again, as if it resembled Kurt's dreams. It was happening often now, that he woke up in the middle of the night, calling out for what wasn't there: the city, his father, Blaine.

He considered throwing a wrench at the radio, but he was too far from it to hit. So he swallowed his feelings and focused back on the car.

Once he was done, he slid out from under it, wiped his hands on a rag hanging at his waist, and inspected the engine. It still marveled him, how his hands remembered what to do despite not having to deal with cars for so long. He guessed it was in his blood.

"Hey, little boss?"

Kurt turned around to look at Tony. He had begun calling him that when Kurt took over the garage. Of all his father's employees and friends, he was the one Kurt trusted and loved the most. He had been like an uncle to him growing up. He still remembered the look of anger on his face when Kurt showed up at the garage after school, his new Marc Jacobs jacket covered with the contents of the dumpster behind the cafeteria.

"I'm gonna take my lunch break now," he said. "Unless you need me?"

Kurt found a little smile for him. "I'm fine. Go ahead."

Tony grabbed his car keys and walked out. Kurt knew he drove to a little diner for lunch every day, where his youngest daughter worked. They took their lunch breaks together and chatted over greasy burgers and fries.

Such a simple little ritual, and yet he envied them the possibility. He hoped they were cherishing every single second they spent together.

He bent under the hood of the car and went back to work. He didn't even need to think much about what he was doing – his hands took over, finding what he needed them to find. His Dad had always said he would have made a fine mechanic. And now he was one.

Requesting time off from school had been a very difficult decision to make, because he knew it meant giving up a ton of other things: going back to New York, being Rachel's roommate, graduating on time.

Blaine and Max.

He hadn't told him yet, hadn't figured out how to explain what he was doing. He didn't want to hear the disappointment in Blaine's voice, and the obvious question that would follow.

What about us?

Kurt didn't know how to be in two places at once. He didn't know how to do what he felt he had to do in Lima, and be in New York at the same time.

Maybe taking a semester off would help him figure things out. The garage needed him: it had been losing money since his father had had to take a step away from it, and now it wasn't enough to pay the employees' salaries and cover the debts his father had left behind. What was he supposed to do? Leave Carole to deal with it while he was away at school?

He knew what the sensible option was, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.

The song on the radio changed. It was a catchy little tune, a newer song that Kurt didn't recognize. He hadn't had time to pay attention to that kind of thing lately.

He heard someone walking into the garage, a new customer. "I'll be there in a minute!" He called, as he tightened a loose bolt. But he heard a shriek in response, so he straightened up and turned to look towards the entrance.

The first thing he saw was Max running towards him at the highest speed his little legs allowed him to.

Kurt dropped the tools he was holding, a little gasp escaping from his lips. He kneeled down just in time for Max to collapse against his chest, throwing his small arms around Kurt's neck, all the while uttering non-stop: "Kurt, Kurt, Kurt, Kurt, Kurt."

Kurt held him, first lightly, as if scared he would break the illusion that made possible for Max to be right here. But when he realized this was a real boy, flesh and bones, breathing against his neck, he tightened his arms around him. He had been thinking about him not two minutes ago, and now he was here. Kurt felt as if he had fallen into a spell.

His heart was beating so wildly he wondered if Max could feel it bumping against his own. And he knew, he just knew, that if Max was here, then Blaine…

He looked up.

Blaine was standing not ten feet away from them, watching them. He was smiling, like the sight in front of him was the most delightful thing he had ever laid his eyes on. There was something blurry about the shape of him, and it took a few seconds for Kurt to realize it was because his eyes were filled with tears.

A moment ago they had felt a million miles away. And now they were close enough to touch.

"Hi Kurt," Blaine said, softly.

Kurt stood up, Max still clutching his neck like he would never let go again. "Blaine…" he breathed out. "What… what are you guys doing here?"

"We really needed to see you," Blaine replied, and then glanced at Max. He grinned, amused. "Clearly."

Kurt kissed Max's chubby cheeks over and over again. This perfect little boy. He thought he had missed him, but he had no idea how much until he had him back in his arms. Then he looked at Blaine again, and noticed his body itching, as if it needed to get closer to him at once, longing for the touch it had been starving for.

"I probably should have called you first," Blaine said. "But I was a bit worried you would not want us to come at all."

"Are you crazy?" Kurt asked, shaking his head. "I always want to see you two."

Blaine frowned a bit. "Are you sure? Then why didn't you tell me you're not going back to school this semester?"

Kurt froze. How had Blaine…?

"Kurt, I work there. I hear things. And I would have noticed anyway if you didn't go back to New York by the end of the month." Blaine crossed his arms over his chest. He looked like he was trying to shield himself, and Kurt wondered what he was shielding himself from. "So why didn't you tell me?"

Kurt leaned back against the car. He felt so tired, like he had been running non-stop since his father had passed away. "I don't know. I guess I didn't know how to tell you."

"Kurt, I thought…" Blaine begun to say, but was interrupted by a customer walking into the garage.

Kurt looked at him apologetically, before handing Max over. Max protested loudly and reached his arms for Kurt as Blaine tried to hold him in place.

"Give me a second, okay?" He asked, and part of him was relieved to have an excuse to walk away. He pointed at the office. "Wait in there, if you want. I'll be with you as soon as I can."

Kurt wasn't proud to admit he took longer than usual with the new client. He didn't want to go into the office and talk to Blaine. He was scared he wouldn't be able to say no to him, if Blaine asked him to go back to New York. He was already hanging by a very thin thread.

When he finally joined them, Max was sitting on the floor, entertaining himself with one of his cars, and Blaine was sitting on the couch, watching him. He glanced up at Kurt when he walked into the office, and sighed.

"Look, Kurt," he said. "I'm not here to make you feel uncomfortable. I just want to talk. And I know you asked me to give you space, but to be honest… I'm not sure space was exactly what you needed in the first place, if all you were going to do was turn your life upside down and throw your education out the window."

Kurt felt anger bubbling inside of him. "You don't think I know what's best for me? You don't think I can make my own decisions? I'm not a kid, Blaine. I know what I'm doing."

"Do I fit into any of these decisions?" Blaine asked, and he sounded calm, but Kurt knew it was just a façade. "Or don't I get a saying at all? In case you forgot, you and I started a relationship. What were you going to do about it? Break up with me over the phone? Or weren't you even going to tell me that we're over?"

Those words hit Kurt like a ton of bricks. He felt breathless and stared at Blaine horrified. "Of course not! That's not what I want!"

Blaine nodded, and then asked the question Kurt had been dreading: "Okay, then what are your plans, Kurt?"

Kurt walked towards a chair and sat down. His knees felt weak, and he suddenly couldn't even look at Max. He forced himself to look at Blaine, but not Max. He wasn't sure he would be strong enough to say this if he looked at him. "I'm going to stay here. I've decided to run the garage and stay in Lima, with Carole."

Blaine's face didn't change, but Kurt saw the flash of hurt in his eyes. "So your deferral for the semester is actually not a deferral. You're dropping out."

"Yes," Kurt choked out.

Blaine looked away from him for a moment, as if gathering strength for his next question. "And can you tell me, honestly, that that's what you want? That it will make you happy, to stay and take over the garage?"

Kurt was going to say yes. It had been his plan all along, to make Blaine believe this was all he wanted, that nothing mattered more. But when he looked into his sad whiskey eyes, he couldn't do it. "No," he said quietly. "But it's what I have to do."

Blaine nodded thoughtfully, before he reached into his pocket. He extended an envelope to Kurt. "Read it."

Kurt was puzzled by this request, but accepted the letter anyway, and opened it to read it. His heart stopped when he recognized his father's handwriting. Suddenly, his hands were shaking and he couldn't breathe. "What is this?"

Blaine smiled softly at him, as if encouraging him. "Just read it, Kurt."

Only two lines in, Kurt began to cry copiously. By the end of it, he was sobbing so hard, his entire body shook with the force of it. Max had stopped playing with his toys and had walked towards Blaine, confused and scared by Kurt's reaction. He covered his face with his hands, trying to gather some control back, but he couldn't. This had been so unexpected…

"I can't believe he did this," he finally said, and carefully placed the letter on the desk.

"He was worried about you," Blaine said. "And so am I. I got his letter on the anniversary of Coop and Sara's death. I like to think it was some kind of sign."

"But he's not here," Kurt muttered brokenly. "He's not here to deal with the aftermath. He's not here to make things right. It falls on my shoulders now."

"No, it doesn't," Blaine assured him. He reached out and put his hand on Kurt's knee, a comforting little touch. "Kurt, we know better than anyone that loss is a part of life. No matter how painful or terrifying it is, we have to go forward."

"But…" Kurt tried to protest, weakly.

"Just think of how worried your Dad must have been to even plan this whole thing," Blaine shook his head, incredulous. "He didn't want you to suffer unnecessarily. He knew you would be wrecked enough about him being gone. He didn't want you to have to bear something else. He took the precautions to make sure someone was here to take care of you, to make sure you didn't let this ruin you…"

"But the garage…"

"Kurt," Blaine murmured, sadly. "I'm pretty sure he would have set the garage on fire before he allowed it to become the reason you're miserable."

Among the darkness that had been surrounding him for too many weeks now, Kurt suddenly saw a light. He wasn't sure if he was truly allowed to embrace it, to accept it, but god, he wanted to so badly.

"I hope you don't mind, but I talked to a few people at the admissions office and I got them to hold your spot for a couple more weeks," Blaine explained. "So if you want to go back to school this semester, you can. You just need to let them know as soon as you can. And I know I might have overstepped… but Kurt, all I want, all I ever wanted, and what your Dad wanted… was for you to be happy."

"Blaine…" Kurt whispered. He didn't know what to say. How had he been so lucky to find someone as amazing as Blaine?

"Please, Kurt, come home," Blaine said, and there was such vulnerability in his words, that it almost tore Kurt apart. "Please."

Kurt wanted to throw himself into his arms and say yes. He wanted to let go of the weight on his shoulders and finally heal, and walk hand in hand with Blaine and Max towards the happiness he knew he could find with them. Instead he said, "I don't know if I can leave Carole. She's the only family I have left."

Blaine moved closer, kneeled next to Kurt's chair. He held his face between his hands and smiled up at him. "Don't you get it, Kurt? Max and I? We're your family, too. And we both love you so much we're going insane without you." A watery little smile appeared on Kurt's face. "I love you. And I've been waiting a long time to tell you that."

When Kurt had woken up that morning, he had expected another grey day. A day in which he would do what he thought he had to do, pushing away at the pain he felt every time he thought about how much he was losing. He had told himself it was what he needed to do, what his father would have wanted him to do.

He hadn't expected his father's blessing and Blaine telling him he loved him.

"I love you too," he replied, and moved in for the kiss he had been dying to give him since Blaine had walked into the garage.

For the first time since Burt Hummel had left the world a little emptier and a little less bright, Kurt could feel happiness at the tips of his fingers, ready for him to grab it.

Carole wasn't home yet when they arrived at the house. Kurt looked down at himself, apparently just noticing he was wearing work overalls, and that his hands were stained with grease. Blaine didn't say a word about the stain on his cheek, though, because he found it adorable.

"I'm going to take a quick shower, and I'll be right back," Kurt said, before dropping a quick kiss on Blaine's lips, like he couldn't resist it now that they were close again.

"Okay," Blaine smiled at him. "Do you mind if I make a snack for Max? He hasn't eaten anything since we left home."

"Oh, of course," Kurt nodded. "Help yourself to whatever you need."

Once Kurt was back downstairs, hair damp from the shower and clean clothes on him, and Max's hunger had been appeased, they sat together on the couch, one of Max's favorite cartoons playing on the background. The little boy sat on the carpet and stared at the TV, a little sleepy, while Kurt and Blaine cuddled, enjoying the feel of the other's arms around them.

"Is it stupid that I'm a little nervous?" Kurt whispered into the crook of Blaine's shoulder. "I don't know what I'm going to tell Carole. I don't want her to feel left out."

"We'll figure out a way to spend as much time with her as possible," Blaine said, thoughtfully. "Maybe we can come over once a month, and she can go over to New York as well. But I'm sure she wants more than anything for you to be happy, Kurt. She doesn't want you stuck here in Lima."

Kurt sighed tiredly. "There's just so much to do, and I don't know where to start. Carole, the garage…"

"Hey," Blaine murmured, shifting so he could look Kurt in the eyes. "You're not alone here, Kurt. We're a team, okay? You don't have to do anything by yourself. We'll find a solution, together."

Kurt smiled at him, looking like he was in wonder of him. "I can't believe you're here. I can't believe you just didn't give up on me…"

Blaine rolled his eyes. Kurt could be so silly sometimes… "Are you kidding me? It took me so long to find you, Kurt. I'm not letting you go that easily. Even if that means Max and I have to move to Ohio."

Kurt's eyes widened. "Why would you do so such a horrific thing?"

Laughing, Blaine kissed his temple. "We're a family now. Where you go, we go. So if you end up wanting to stay with Carole, we'll tag along. I can find a job here."

It looked like Kurt couldn't find the right words to reply, because he simply leaned in and captured Blaine's lips with his. They didn't need words, when they could pour everything they were feeling into a kiss.

They pulled away when they heard the sound of the front door and Carole's steps as she came in. A moment later, her voice called into the house.

"Kurt? Are you home yet?"

"In the living room, Carole!" He exclaimed, and both he and Blaine looked over the edge of the couch as they waited for her to come in.

"I stopped by the supermarket and bought some chicken for dinner," she was saying as she approached. "I was thinking we could make… Blaine!"

Her shriek of surprise was almost as loud as the one Max had let out in the garage when he saw Kurt. She crossed the living room towards them and wrapped her arms around Blaine as soon as he was on his feet.

"Oh, Blaine! Oh, I'm so happy to see you!" She said, as she hugged him so tightly Blaine was sure his ribs were about to crack. She was a fierce, strong woman for her size. "What a lovely surprise! And little Max! Oh, hi cutie!"

After all the hugging was over, they followed Carole into the kitchen, Max perched comfortably in Kurt's arms, to help her with the groceries and get a start on dinner. She looked well, Blaine thought as he stole a few glances her way, like someone who's fought enough battles but still knows how to keep standing, no matter how wounded you might be.

Blaine and Carole cooked together, while Kurt sat at the kitchen table entertaining Max, who didn't seem like he wanted to leave Kurt's arms any time soon. Carole marinated the chicken, and Blaine peeled potatoes at the sink, all the while chatting and catching up with each other. This was the kind of dynamic a family was supposed to have, the kind Blaine hadn't shared with anyone since Cooper and Sara had died. It was nice to have it back.

It was obvious Carole was avoiding asking any questions about what Blaine was doing there, and what it meant. She kept the conversation casual as they worked together effortlessly, with Kurt adding a comment or two, or telling Blaine where to find something in one of the cabinets. Max was also chatty, talking at the speed of light as if he wanted to fill Kurt in on everything that had happened since the last time they had seen each other.

Once they all sat at the table together, passing mashed potatoes and the bread basket in turns, Carole rested her chin on her joined hands and looked at them, expectantly.

"So?" She prompted. "Is anyone going to tell me what's going on here?"

Blaine and Kurt exchanged a quick glance. Blaine knew Kurt had to be the one to tell Carole, so he reached under the table to give his knee a firm, comforting squeeze.

"Well," Kurt started slowly. He seemed scared, like he wasn't sure what would come out of this. "Blaine and I have been talking and… I think I'd like to go back to New York."

There was no surprise on Carole's face. She looked at him like she was expecting him to say something else. "Okay. And wasn't that the plan all along?" She asked, with a hesitant smile.

"You know it wasn't," Kurt said, his blue eyes fixed on her. "Until this morning, the plan was completely different." He ate some chicken, mostly to give himself some time. "The truth is, Carole, that I've been feeling lost and undecided for weeks, and the decision I was about to make seemed to be the right one, but it would have made me incredibly unhappy, as well."

"Then it can't be the right one," Carole said, shrugging simply. "Of course you should go back to New York, Kurt. I'm so relieved you finally see that."

"But there's so much to stay here for," Kurt sighed impatiently, like he couldn't believe she didn't see it. "Dad's garage…"

"You're not a mechanic, Kurt, no matter how good you are at it," Carole interrupted. "It's just a business. It was important to your father, and it was a big part of your childhood, but it's still just a business. There's no use holding onto it so tightly just for memory's sake."

"It's still so hard to let go of it…" Kurt shook his head. "I know what I have to do, but it's hard."

"It's always hard, letting go of anything," Carole replied. "You and I, and Blaine, all know that very well."

Blaine gave him a little smile. He hadn't known Carole for very long, but he loved her. It was impossible not to.

"And what about you?" Kurt finally asked, a little desperate. "Would you be okay, staying here in this big empty house? It can't be easy. It hasn't been easy for me to be here the past few weeks. I'm sure you must feel the same."

"Of course it would be hard to stay here," Carole admitted. "But, to be honest, I'm still here because of you, Kurt."

Kurt seemed truly puzzled. He stared at her, unsure what she meant. "What?"

"For a moment, it looked like you were determined to stay, and I didn't think it would be a good idea to leave you here alone," Carole explained calmly. "But I've had a different plan in mind for a while now."

Now Blaine was also curious. "What do you mean?" He asked.

"My sister, Diana, asked me to move in with her," Carole said. "She lost her husband two years ago, and her daughters are in college already. She has the room, and we would keep each other company. I was actually really excited about the idea. She lives in Stanton, Pennsylvania, so we don't see each other as much as we'd like to. It would be nice to be with her again, with someone who understands what I'm going through. She was always my best friend, I miss her."

Blaine frowned, making the calculations in his head. "Stanton? That's less than three hours away from Manhattan. You would actually be closer to us."

Kurt still looked pretty stunned. "You've only stayed here this long for me? But Carole… why didn't you say anything?"

"I didn't want to put more pressure on you, Kurt. You needed to figure out what you had to do for yourself," Carole answered, smiling at him. "You've had a hard time dealing with your father's passing. Sometimes you forgot I was here with him all along. I knew what was coming. I had time to come to terms with it. It doesn't mean it hurts any less, but it didn't shock me like it shocked you. And do you really think Burt would want us to put our lives on hold and be sad forever? The only thing he truly cared about was his family. He wanted us to be safe and happy. Shouldn't we honor him by doing whatever we can to be happy?"

Kurt pushed his chair away and went around the table to hug his stepmother. She smiled into his shoulder, her eyes on Blaine, and patted Kurt's back lovingly.

"You silly boys," she muttered, and there were a few tears springing into her eyes. "How did you even think you could stay away from each other? Stop being so miserable, and just allow yourselves to be in love, instead."

Kurt pulled away and looked into her eyes, almost fiercely. "We'll visit you every weekend, if you want. And you can visit us, and I'll take you shopping. Are you sure this is what you want?"

Carole smiled softly, no doubt in her eyes. "This is what I want. Is it what you want?"

Blaine felt the burn of Kurt's gaze on him, as he turned to glance at him and Max quickly, like he wanted to make sure they were there, they were real.

"This is what I want," he said.

Blaine could almost see the anguish and the guilt vanish from Kurt's face. Oh the weight he had been carrying. Blaine didn't understand how he hadn't bent under it. He raised his glass, smiling at his family. "To new beginnings," he said.

Kurt was half crying, half laughing when he raised his own glass. "To new beginnings," he repeated.

There were so many different paths stretching before them, and Blaine didn't really care which one they chose right now, as long as he got to walk down it hand in hand with Kurt.

Kurt drove Blaine and Max to the airport in his father's old truck. They pulled the windows down and let the warm air mess their hair. There was a rush of freedom running through Kurt's veins, like he was suddenly allowed to choose his happiness. He no longer felt like he was betraying his Dad for returning to New York. Blaine had let him keep the letter, and he read it every night, as if it meant he got his Dad's blessing before he went to bed.

"You didn't forget anything, right?" Kurt asked. "Max's toys? Clothes?"

"I'm pretty sure I have everything," Blaine replied, as he fumbled with the radio dial. "I'm sorry I can't stay and help with the garage and the packing."

"Don't worry about it," Kurt said as he changed lanes. "You have to work. You can't keep missing meetings while you're here. The semester is almost starting, and you have a lot to do."

"Ugh, tell me about it," Blaine groaned, as he chose a station playing old 80s songs.

"Plus I really feel like I need to take care of it by myself, you know? I guess it'll give me closure," Kurt explained. "And it'll feel so much better arriving back in New York when I get to go home to you and Max."

Blaine smiled broadly, unable to hold back how much he loved the sound of that. "So when are you meeting with Tony?"

Burt's best friend, Tony, had made an offer for the garage as soon as Kurt let him know he had decided to sell it. Kurt had accepted immediately, knowing it would be in the very best hands. Tony had even said he didn't plan on changing the name. It had been Hummel and Sons for years, and that's how it would remain.

"Your old man would have liked that," Tony had said.

"Tomorrow," Kurt replied. It still seemed weird to be selling the garage, but not a bad weird. He guessed that leaving it to Tony helped make the transition easier. "Then Carole and I have to finish up paperwork on the house. We should be ready to go in about two weeks."

"If you change your mind and need any help, call me, alright?" Blaine said for the millionth time. "I'll figure something out at work."

"I promise, but please don't worry about it." Kurt reached to squeeze Blaine's hand quickly. "I think Carole and I have everything under control."

Kurt carried Max through the airport, wanting to hold onto him for as long as he could. Max seemed to fear they were about to part, because he clung to Kurt's neck as if his life depended on it.

"This is the last time we'll be apart," Kurt promised him. "I won't leave you again, okay?"

"I love you," Blaine said, as he watched them. "You and Max… you're everything to me. And I will make sure you don't regret this, ever. I'll make sure, Kurt."

"I know you will," Kurt said, leaning in for a kiss. "I love you, too."

They weren't thrilled about spending the next two weeks apart, but they knew what would be waiting for them at the end of those two weeks. Nothing had ever felt this right. They had never been more certain of anything.

They belonged together.

"See you in two weeks," Blaine said, as he kissed him goodbye.

Kurt kissed Max's forehead and cupped Blaine's cheek in his hand for a moment, looking into the eyes he loved so much. "I can't wait."

Kurt waved them goodbye, until they got lost in the crowd.

He drove back to Lima alone, one last time.

One last chapter left, and the epilogue.

Can you guys believe it's almost done? Sigh.

I'll see you next week.

Love,

L.-