Hey guys! Happy weekend.

Thank you for all the lovely reviews for the last chapter. I'm so glad you all love this story, because I loved writing it. I can't believe it's time for the end. It's been a wonderful ride!

Once again, I hope you enjoy.

I own nothing.

Kurt hadn't expected a whole welcome committee when his plane landed in New York two weeks later, but as soon as he left baggage claim, he saw them.

Max was sitting on Blaine's shoulders, holding a sign that said "Welcome home, Kurt!" He beamed and squealed when he saw him appear in the mass of passengers and began bouncing on his uncle's shoulders. Blaine smiled almost as big as his nephew.

But they weren't alone. Rachel was also there, with heart-shaped balloons and jumping up and down like an excited school girl, and Mercedes and Sam, holding hands and cheering as soon as they spot him.

Kurt ran towards them, got lost in the massive hug they all shared, somehow found Blaine's lips in the confusion or arms and pats on the back. He laughed, happier than he had been in a long time, feeling grateful to be home, with the family he had chosen.

He was ready for a new start.

Kurt closed the door after Rachel and leaned against it for a minute, before joining Blaine in the kitchen, where he was stacking empty pizza boxes.

"Oh god," he murmured. "Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to see them again, but I thought they would never leave."

Blaine chuckled and went towards him, trapping him between his arms against the counter. "They missed you."

"I missed them, too," Kurt replied, putting his arms around Blaine's neck. "But I also missed this."

He kissed Blaine, open mouthed and little desperate. He couldn't remember the last time they had been intimate, the last time they had kissed like this. Kurt loved and treasured even the chastest of kisses, but his body was screaming for more.

"Can we please go to bed?" He asked, his hands fisting Blaine's shirt tightly.

There was no way Blaine was saying no.

They kissed their way into the bedroom, laughing when they bumped into walls and tables on the way, but unwilling to part to make it easier. Blaine began to unbutton Kurt's shirt, desperate to get to the skin underneath, the one he loved to kiss and bite and caress.

The bed was soft and familiar against Kurt's back. He relaxed into the mattress and allowed Blaine to trail every inch of him with his lips. His body seemed to vibrate, welcoming the familiarity, surrendering to Blaine.

Kurt had never liked it when people talked about how their bodies and their souls belonged to their lovers. He had never liked it when they talked about someone as if they were only property, an object someone else could have whenever they wanted. But god, now, with Blaine on top of him, he understood. It wasn't about owning, it was about finding the one person you could share yourself completely with, trusting them to take care of you even when you were at your most vulnerable, recognizing in them your own desires and hopes, and letting them satisfy your urges just as you satisfied theirs. It was about reciprocity, about trust, and love, and safety. How could he have ever thought it was something negative and degrading?

For a long time, the only sound that could be heard in the apartment was the never-ending New York traffic outside the window, and the faint pants and moans coming from the bedroom.

Afterwards, they lied together, tangled naked in bed, Kurt's head resting on Blaine's chest, counting his heartbeats. Blaine was playing with their intertwined fingers, watching how well they fit, illuminated by the moonlight. There was something floating in the air between them, something that felt a lot like peace.

"Welcome back, Kurt," Blaine whispered, kissing his hair.

Kurt hummed pleasantly, spent. "It feels good to be back."

"You know, for a moment I thought I'd lost you," Blaine admitted quietly. "I didn't know what to do."

"You did the right thing," Kurt said, as he traced circles on Blaine's chest with his finger. "You really did. I think I would have ended up coming back to New York at some point, even if you hadn't gone back for me. But it might have taken me a lot longer to figure out what I needed to do, to realize I didn't need to feel guilty. And I probably would have lost any chances I had of being with you."

Blaine snorted. "Please. As if you could do anything to scare me away."

Kurt chuckled. "Shut up. I'm being serious."

"So am I," Blaine said. He used his free hand to tilt Kurt's head upwards, so he could look into his eyes. "We both know how precious it is to have people who are worth it, people who love you and who we can love back. I'm not about to screw that up, you know."

Kurt sighed in contentment. He was so glad to be here, in Blaine's arms. He was glad to know Max was safe and asleep in the room next to them. He was glad to know he was part of their lives.

The new semester started soon enough, and Kurt welcomed being so busy again. Even though he was happy to be back in New York with Blaine and his friends, he was still trying to get used to the idea that his father wasn't around anymore. More than once, he caught himself dialing Burt's number, before he remembered he wasn't going to pick up his call.

Fortunately, Kurt had a lot to focus on. His new classes were going to be kicking his ass, and he had started his new job search, now that things with Max had been figured out and he had started at the same day care as his friend Lola. Kurt was suddenly aware of all the possibilities lying ahead, and he was beginning to get excited about which paths he would be able to choose. It helped him be positive, and it helped made the process of grieving his dad a little more bearable.

"I just hope I can find a job I will love as much as I loved my last one," Kurt said to Rachel one morning, as he finished up his coffee quickly. He had his first interview right after one of his classes today, and he was feeling a little nervous.

"I don't think you'll get to cuddle adorable babies all day long, but I'm sure you'll find something almost as good as that," she said with a smile. Kurt dropped a kiss on her cheek and left the apartment, as she called after him: "Good luck! Call me if I need to get a bottle of champagne to celebrate tonight!"

Kurt really did hope he would have something to celebrate, if not by tonight, by the end of the month at the very least.

Kurt spent at least three nights a week at Blaine's, and he probably would have stayed longer if it wasn't because he didn't want Rachel to feel like he was abandoning her. But he felt so comfortable there, and he missed Max and Blaine when he went back to his apartment. In pretty much every way, his real home was Blaine's.

It was a little weird not having Blaine as his professor anymore. Kurt actually missed his classes: he'd never seen someone so passionate and articulate, so caring and generous stand at the front of class and pour his heart out as he reviewed the words of Shakespeare or Paul Auster or Maya Angelou. But even though he wished he could sit at one of his lectures again, knowing he could just go to Blaine's apartment at the end of the day and cuddle with him, and hear him talk about his day was so, so much better.

A new perk from not being Blaine's student anymore was being free to stop by his office just to say hi or to drop a cup of coffee or a chocolate croissant whenever he felt like it, and especially when it sounded like Blaine was having the kind of day that welcomed fattening baked goods.

It wasn't as if they were announcing to everyone around them that they were together, but Blaine said it wouldn't get him in trouble anymore, so if anyone happened to find out, it didn't really matter.

On Fridays, Kurt was usually done with his classes by noon, and until he found a job, he didn't have much to do afterwards. So after he walked out of his last class of the week, he decided to stop by the cafeteria and get Blaine some lunch, who still had a few more hours to go before he could get his weekend started.

The door of Blaine's office was ajar when he arrived, and he raised his hand to give a little knock to announce his presence. To his surprise, Blaine was sitting across the desk from Natalie, the girl who had had a crush on him since Kurt had first walked into one of his classes. She looked over her shoulder and frowned when she saw Kurt.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt," Kurt said, with an apologetic smile. He walked into the office. "Hi Natalie! It's nice to see you again."

"Hi Kurt," she asked, staring at him as if she wanted to figure out how the hell he had scored Mr. Anderson. "It looks like we don't share any classes this semester."

"No, I'm focusing on all the ones I have left for my major," Kurt replied. He placed a paper bag on Blaine's desk. "Hey. Just wanted to drop off some lunch. They had that chicken salad you like so much at the cafeteria."

Blaine looked at him like he had hung the moon. "You're the best. Are you heading home already?"

"Yes," Kurt said, aware of Natalie's eyes on him.

"Could you pick up Max at day care? I think I'm going to be out of here a little later than expected. I have several appointments with students," Blaine said.

"Of course," Kurt said immediately. "I'll text you when we get home. I'll let you guys get back to your business now, and get out of your hair."

"I'll walk you out," Blaine said, and practically bounced off his chair. They stopped at the door, and he spoke in a lower voice, as if not wanting Natalie to hear. "I was thinking we could go try that new Mediterranean restaurant near my place tonight? We haven't been out since you came back from Ohio. I thought it'd be nice."

"Sounds great," Kurt smiled. "Text me when you're done here?"

"Sure," Blaine leaned in for a quick peck. "Love you."

"Love you too," Kurt murmured, and was out of the office and walking down the corridor before the temptation to look over to see Natalie's face could win him over.

It was a lovely day outside, and Kurt walked to Max's day care enjoying the sunshine on his face. Soon he would have to fish his box of scarves and sweaters from the closet, but it was nice to enjoy the last warm days of the season, even if they didn't provide many options for trendy accessories.

Max's day care wasn't far from campus, which was one the reasons Blaine had picked it. So far Max seemed to like it, and didn't cry with any of the people there, probably because he was always too distracted playing with Lola. It had been a blessing to find it.

Kurt walked in and greeted the woman at the reception desk. "Hi! My name's Kurt, I'm here for Max Anderson?"

"Oh you must be Mr. Anderson's partner," she said, and Kurt was surprised for a moment. "He mentioned you might stop by every now and then instead of him. I'll go get Max for you!"

Mr. Anderson's partner. He had never quite liked that expression - it made it sound like business - but now he didn't mind. It was nice to be recognized as someone who was an important part of Blaine's life, and of Max's life.

Max didn't look happy to stop playing with Lola, but brightened up when he saw Kurt. "Hi Kurt!"

"Hi, Max!" He said, picking him up. "Ready to go home?"

"I want ice-cream," Max murmured with a big, winning smile that Kurt couldn't say no to.

They stopped for a little ice-cream on the way home (a cone with one-scoop of vanilla, Blaine's patented approved ice-cream flavor unless he knew the ice-cream parlor very well and knew for sure there weren't any nuts anywhere near what his nephew was about to eat. Kurt still checked, asking the guy at the counter a million times if he was sure it was fine for Max to eat). Max was happy, warm and ice-cream sticky in his arms as they walked the remaining blocks towards Blaine's building, the sun still shining over them.

It had been a really good day, and that gave him hope. Kurt knew that as long as he was with Blaine and Max, he would have a million good days ahead, and he couldn't wait to enjoy each and every one of them.

It was already October when Kurt finally found a job. When he got a call from Vogue saying Isabelle Wright had been very impressed with his résumé and his interview, he nearly fainted. And when they asked him if he could start the following Monday, he had to hold back what it would have no doubt been a very, very embarrassing squeal.

He knew he would probably start by serving coffee to the most important people in the company, and that he would be a glorified waiter who worked more hours than anyone else for less than half the salary. But he didn't care. He had taken his first step into the fashion world. And it was Vogue.

Blaine threw a little dinner party at his place to celebrate, and Rachel brought the bottle of champagne she had promised him. It was nice to share his accomplishments with them, and with Sam and Mercedes. The following weekend they had promised to visit Carole in Stanton, and she had already told him she was making his favorite food to celebrate as well.

"I'm not going to fit into the suit I was planning to wear for my first day," Kurt laughed, but he was too happy to care.

Blaine insisted he should come straight to his apartment after his first day to tell him everything, and they sat with a bottle of wine and some delicious homemade food to talk. Blaine let him gush about everything he had learned and seen already, and simply watched him with a smile, happy that he was happy.

When Kurt finally went home the following day, Rachel had a new bottle of champagne and was sitting on the couch waiting for him.

"Rach," he said, laughing. "Between you and Blaine, I'll be lucky if I go to work sober at least once this week. We celebrated plenty already."

"I know," she said, and she looked a little nervous. "This is not about your job."

Kurt blinked in confusion. He dropped his bag and jacket on the armchair and sat down on the couch next to her. "Then what is it about?"

Rachel took a deep breath. "When you were still in Ohio, I went to a few auditions. I just got a call back today…"

"Oh my god!" Kurt shrieked, bouncing on his seat. "What role?"

"Jenna in Waitress," Rachel replied, and it was obvious it was very hard for her to hold back her excitement.

"Rachel, that's fantastic! That's a great role!" Kurt stood up, grabbed her hands and pulled her up, too. He hugged her tightly. "Why aren't you jumping and screaming right now?"

"It's for the national tour," Rachel said, biting her lip. "I would have to leave New York."

"Oh," Kurt said, his eyes widening. He watched her. "This is still a great opportunity, though. Aren't you happy?"

"Of course I am!" She exclaimed. "This is pretty much everything I ever wanted! It's a beautiful leading role!" She hugged him tightly. "I just feel like I'm abandoning you. What about the apartment? Will you be able to pay rent by yourself? Would you even want to stay here alone? There's so much to talk about…"

"There's nothing to talk about," Kurt replied, smiling at her. "You're going. Screw the apartment. I'll see what I do, but you're doing this, Rach. You deserve it."

It looked like she finally allowed herself to be happy about the news. She squealed and bounced, throwing her arms around his neck. He pulled away after a moment to pop open the bottle of champagne.

They sat together on the couch, and Rachel told him everything about her audition, and how she had believed she wouldn't get it, because they had taken a long time to call back.

"I thought they had cast someone else already," Rachel explained, swirling the bubbly golden liquid on her glass. "But apparently the delay was because they had to recast Dr. Pomatter. Apparently the first guy just found out his wife's pregnant, and prefers to stay in New York now. So they uhm, found someone else."

There was something bashful and strange about the look on Rachel's face. Kurt studied her, puzzled. "What? What is it? Is he too ugly?"

"Uh, well… we actually know him," Rachel said. "It's Jesse St. James."

Kurt almost spit out the champagne. "What?!"

"You remember Jesse…"

"Of course I remember him! He's the guy who made breakfast on your head!" Kurt muttered angrily. "Is he still an asshole?"

"No, he's actually… he's actually really nice," Rachel said shyly. "He apologized for what he did back in high school. It's ancient history, I never even think about it anymore. He seems so much more mature, kinder…"

Kurt didn't say anything. There was a little glow in Rachel's eyes that he hadn't seen in a very, very long time. He decided to let it go, allow her this joy that she desperately needed, and worry about Jesse St. James later. He would try to find him and warn him not to hurt his best friend again. He would find the most painful ways to torture him if he needed to.

"I'm so happy for you, Rach," he said instead, and hugged her again. "Congratulations."

The next night, Kurt lied in bed with Blaine, enjoying the weight of Blaine's head on his shoulder and playing with his curls. He loved the conversations they held in the darkness of the bedroom almost every night. It was a new little ritual, and Kurt secretly cherished it most of any of the others. He told Blaine all about Rachel's new gig, including his concern over Jesse walking back into her life, and the fact that he needed to figure out what to do about the loft.

Blaine hummed and adjusted his arm, thrown across Kurt's stomach. "Well, it's obvious, isn't it?"

Kurt blinked up at the ceiling, confused. "What's obvious? That you'll hold Jesse's arms behind his back while I punch him in the face if he misbehaves?"

Blaine chuckled sleepily. "That, too. But I mean that you should move in with us."

There was a little pause in which Kurt wondered if he had imagined what Blaine had just said. "Are you…? Blaine, are you talking in your sleep?"

Blaine shifted so he could lean on his elbow and look down at Kurt. Even without any lights on, Kurt could see his eyes sparkle. "What? No. I mean it."

"Oh," Kurt gasped, feeling like all the air was suddenly leaving his lungs.

"It's fine if you don't want to, or if you're not ready," Blaine said calmly. "But it's the obvious next step, and in case you haven't noticed yet, Kurt, this is it for me. I'm all in."

Kurt gaped at him for a moment, and then replayed Blaine's words in his head. He frowned, thoughtfully. "Did you just quote Gilmore Girls at me?"

Blaine smiled broadly. "Maybe. Did it work?"

"I don't know," Kurt murmured. "I mean, I always thought I was the Luke to your Lorelai."

"Are you kidding me?" Blaine snorted. "You're obsessed with coffee, and you babble when you're nervous…"

"You're the one who has a kid…"

"That does not count!"

"Of course it does!"

"Luke also had a kid, and he practically raised Jess for a while! Plus you would rather be naked than wearing those flannel shirts and the baseball cap…" Blaine slid on top of Kurt, pinning him against the mattress and smiling down at him.

Kurt was about to protest, but he stopped, looking thoughtful. "You're right. Though I can't approve of some of Lorelai's outfits either…"

"Kurt," Blaine said, looking at him pointedly.

"Yes?" Kurt muttered, once again feeling breathless.

"It's okay if you don't want to. We can wait," Blaine reassured him sweetly.

Kurt cupped Blaine's face in his hand, his thumb caressing the line of his jaw. He was in constant awe of this man, and the fact that he was allowed to be like this with him. "Yes."

"Yes, we can wait or…?" Blaine prompted, and this time the façade fell, and Kurt realized how nervous he truly was about asking him this.

"Yes, I'll move in with you and Max," Kurt replied.

Blaine kissed him until kisses weren't enough anymore, and then there were hands and mouths and slick fingers, and Kurt saying yes to Blaine over and over and over again as he felt him deep inside. As his back arched off the bed, carried by waves of pleasure, Kurt realized there wasn't a single thing Blaine could ask him that he wouldn't say yes to.

This was his life. Sadness seemed so far away right now that Kurt couldn't even remember what it felt like. He knew there were absences and empty spaces he would carry with him forever, heavy and permanent in his heart, but he also knew that as long as he had Blaine, and as long as he had Max, he could keep building happy memories.

The first rays of sunlight began to soften the darkness of the midnight sky when they finally settled down to sleep, spent and happy, knowing their alarm would go off in just an hour or two, and not really caring about it.

Blaine's breath was slowing down when Kurt leaned in, burying his fingers in his thick curls and pressing his lips to his temple. Blaine made a little noise, barely conscious.

"This is it for me too," Kurt murmured into his skin, and it didn't matter if Blaine heard him or not.

Kurt was pretty sure he already knew it.

So there it is. Only the epilogue left now. I'll have it up as soon as I can.

Have a great week!

Love,

L.-