A/N 5k+ views! That's more than I've ever gotten on a single story! I've really enjoyed writing this, it's really been fun, and all of your comments have made it so worth it!
Here is the next to last chapter.
Holidays
It was the last day of school before Christmas break, and all of the Glee kids were buzzing with excitement. They'd been asked to perform several songs at the Lima Mall's Holiday Music Festival.
Kurt, Santana, and Rachel started the program by singing Here Comes Santa Claus, which was greeted with cheers from the kids. Blaine thought Kurt looked hot in his elf costume. He'd whispered into his boyfriend's ear earlier that he wanted Kurt to keep the outfit.
After the trio had taken their bows and slipped away to change for their next number, Brittany and the Cheerios performed a high energy dance number to Christmas Wrapping. There were a lot of cheers and whoops for that number.
Next up, Kurt and Blaine had a fun time singing Baby it's Cold Outside, that had the audience laughing at their antics.
Finn and Rachel's duet of Last Christmas was also well received, while Santana and Artie's Feliz Navidad had people laughing and dancing.
Rachel's solo of Oh Holy Night was beautiful, as was Quinn's Away in the Manger. They did two group numbers to finish out their portion of the show. Welcome Christmas had even the stodgiest of shoppers smiling and whipping tears from their eyes, while Do they Know it's Christmas reminded one and all of what the season was really about.
After the concert, Blaine drove Kurt home. They sat in the driveway for several minutes, kissing and holding each other. Blaine would be flying out to LA in the morning to visit his brother for a few days. He'd be back on Christmas Eve, though. Burt had invited him to spend a few days with the Hummel-Hudson clan.
"Do you have to go to L.A.? Can't Cooper wait to see you until New Years?"
Blaine laughed. "He wants to introduce me to his new girlfriend, and then they are flying to Toronto to visit her family for a few weeks. Besides, I'll be spending three whole nights with you when I get back."
"I know," Kurt sighed. "I'm just so used to seeing you every day now."
They kissed again, before climbing out of the car. Blaine walked him to the door, and kissed him a few more times. "I love you, Kurt Hummel. I'm so lucky I found you."
"You mean you were lucky you found my scarf." They both laughed. "I love you too, Blaine Anderson."
…
Christmas Eve dinner at the Hummel-Hudson home was nothing short of fabulous, as much for the company as for the food itself. All of the New Directions, including Mr. Schuester and Ms. Pillsbury were there, as were Blaine's parents, and Kurt's maternal Grandmother, who had a striking resemblance to one of Blaine's favorite actresses. When the matriarch was introduced to Blaine, she sized him up from head to toe. "Well, a bit shorter than I was expecting, but as long as you make my Grandson happy, I guess you'll do."
She then laughed and hugged the curly haired boy to show that she was just teasing. After dinner, the teens exchanged gifts. Everyone loved the bracelets Kurt had gotten them. They were simple bands with the words Defying Gravity engraved in them. He'd also gotten Santana a pair of earrings to express his gratitude for everything she had done for him this past year.
After some caroling and hot chocolate, the others said good night. Finn retired to his room, while Kurt and Blaine laid out sleeping bags in front of the fire. Grandma Agatha would be sleeping in Kurt's room. Once the house settled down and everyone else was asleep, Kurt gave Blaine his gift. It was a pocket watch. On the inside was inscribed; One Minute At a Time.
The curly haired boy smiled, and kissed him, then presented the fairer boy with a small box. Kurt's heart skipped a beat. It looked like the kind of box an engagement ring would come in. Blaine just smiled and encouraged him to open it. Inside was a piece of paper, folded up small. He cried when he read the words written on it.
This is a promise that I will love you forever. Someday there will be a ring to place on your finger to show the world that my heart belongs to you.
Love, Blaine.
"I love you forever, too." He kissed the darker boy, and they made love there in front of the fire.
…
Nick, Jeff, Santana, Brit, Blaine and Kurt spent New Years Eve together at Aunt Jean's house, laughing and playing silly games. They had all become pretty good friends over the last few months. They were playing Truth or Dare at the moment. Kurt had to make sure to set some ground rules because he knew some of the things the Latina would come up with could get them all in trouble.
"Kurt, Truth or Dare?" She asked, a mischievous grin on her face.
He rolled his eyes. "Truth."
"On a scale of one to too hot to handle, how good a kisser is preppy?"
Kurt snorted, looking at his boyfriend. Rather than answering, they gave a little demonstration. The kiss was long and slow and deep. By the time they broke apart, both boys were gasping for breath, and the others were fanning themselves. "Did that answer your question?"
The dark haired girl grinned. "Wanky."
They all laughed. Kurt continued the game. "Nick, Truth or Dare?"
"Dare." The dark haired Warbler grinned in challenge.
Kurt smirked. "Ok, let's see you do a little dance for your Boyfriend there. Something sexy."
Santana pulled out her iPod and found the perfect song. As You Can Leave Your Hat On began to play, Nick did a kind of bump and grind dance in front of his blond boyfriend. Santana and Brit were laughing so hard by the time he finished. "Oh god, that was funny! No offense, but you really should take some dance lessons from Kurt"
"Kurt?" Jeff asked, laughing.
Brittany jumped up and grabbed Kurt's arm. "Come on, Kurtie, let's show them!"
Kurt laughed and turned red in the face, but agreed. "Tana, you want to take Tina's place for this?"
They cleared the center of the floor, and then Santana started the music and took her place. The three other boys were confused when Single Ladies began to play, but were absolutely stunned when Kurt began to move. Blaine's jaw dropped. He didn't think hips could move like that.
Nick smacked him in the arm without looking away from the dance, and whispered. "Can I switch boyfriends with you?"
Jeff smacked him in turn and hissed, "If anyone is swapping boyfriends with Blaine it's me!"
When the show was over, Kurt hugged the two girls. Santana laughed. "I don't know if I should be offended or not, those three didn't even look at me or Brit."
Kurt sat back down next to his boyfriend, who whispered in his ear, "You need to teach me that dance." The pale boy laughed and kissed him.
"Seriously, Blaine, I'm so jealous right now." Jeff whined.
"That's nothing. You guys should see Kurt do 4minutes." Brittany said, smiling sweetly. "Kurt was so hot, half the cheerios wanted to do him."
"f-f-4minutes?" Blaine stuttered. He'd just realized that there were still things he didn't know about his boyfriend. The fair boy blushed even redder at the eager look on the darker boy's face. "I'll show you later."
"Nick, I'm so sorry, but I'm breaking up with you. I think I'm in love with Kurt."
They all laughed, especially when the shorter Warbler turned and kissed the blond senseless.
…
When they returned to school after the holidays, they really started working on getting ready for Regionals. There had been some changes to the rules this year, and now they would be performing four songs at the competition. Their song selections were perfect, showcasing their versatile talents.
As February rolled around, the group were working so hard, and tension were rising. Blaine decided they needed to have some fun. He invited the Warblers and New Directions to Breadstix for a little pre-Valentine's day party.
Of course when the two groups got together, the inevitable good natured sing off came up. This time instead of one on one, the two groups faced off, with the Warblers performing Silly Love Songs. It was met with a warm round of applause from the other patrons. Then New Directions got up and did Love Shack. This really got the house rocking, and even the Warblers joined in.
As the party was nearing it's end, Kurt noticed his boyfriend in a huddle with the Warblers. Curious, he started to rise, but before he even cleared his seat, the young men all laughed and broke apart, and Blaine smiled as he asked for everyone's attention.
"I'd like to sing one more song before the night is over. This is for someone very special."
The Warblers began Harmonizing, and beat boxing.
You think I'm pretty without any make-up on
You think I'm funny when I tell the punch line wrong
I know you get me, so I let my walls come down, down
Before you met me, I was alright
But things were kinda heavy, you brought me to life
Now every February you'll be my valentine, valentine
Let's go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance until we die
You and I, we'll be young forever
You make me feel like I'm living a teenage dream
The way you turn me on, I can't sleep
Let's runaway and don't ever look back
Don't ever look back
My heart stops when you look at me
Just one touch, now baby I believe
This is real, so take a chance
And don't ever look back, don't ever look back
We drove to Cali and got drunk on the beach
Got a motel and built a floor out of sheets
I finally found you, my missing puzzle piece
I'm complete
Let's go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance until we die
You and I, we'll be young forever
You make me feel like I'm living a teenage dream
The way you turn me on, I can't sleep
Let's runaway and don't ever look back
Don't ever look back
My heart stops when you look at me
Just one touch, now baby I believe
This is real, so take a chance
And don't ever look back, don't ever look back
I'ma get your heart racing in my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me in my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
You make me feel like I'm living a teenage dream
The way you turn me on, I can't sleep
Let's runaway and don't ever look back
Don't ever look back
My heart stops when you look at me
Just one touch, now baby I believe
This is real, so take a chance
And don't ever look back, don't ever look back
I'ma get your heart racing in my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me in my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Kurt laughed and hugged the younger boy. "You are such a goof!"
…
Valentine's Day, Blaine sat all alone in the Lima Bean, staring at his cold cup of coffee, looking miserable.
"Excuse me?" Blaine looked up at the voice and found himself looking into the most amazing pair of eyes he had ever seen. "Hi, I'm sorry to bother you, but I was sitting at this table earlier, and I think I left my boyfriend here, have you seen him?"
Blaine laughed and stood up to kiss the beautiful boy. "Happy anniversary. I missed you today. How was the meeting with the judge?"
"It was okay. He agreed to accept the plea deal. The sentencing will be two weeks from today."
"That's the day before Regionals, isn't it?"
Kurt nodded and sat down. "Yeah, I can't wait for this to be all over with."
Blaine took his hand, squeezing it. "So much has happened in this past year. I mean, exactly twelve months ago, I was sitting at this table, feeling like an idiot after making a fool of myself over some boy who thought of me as just some little kid."
Kurt smiled. Blaine had told him all about the GAP fiasco, and Jeremiah.
"Now here we are, together," Blaine continued. "And we've been through so much stuff together already too. Good stuff as well as bad. And we're stronger for it."
"Speaking of stronger," Kurt offered, "they're now offering free self defense classes at the Lima community center. I was thinking it wouldn't hurt to sign up."
"I think that's a great idea. We can do it together." He leaned over and kissed the glasz eyed boy. "Just as long as you don't use any of those body slams on me."
...
The Thursday before Regionals found New Directions working hard on their choreography. Two of the songs wouldn't require much movement, but the other two they were going all out on.
"Ok, let's run through that one more time, but this time I want the boys to wait half a beat before moving forward." Mr. Schue was about to restart the music when there was a knock at the door.
"Will, may I speak to you for a moment?" Ms. Pillsbury asked, her eyes darting towards the corner where Kurt and Blaine were sitting. The expression on her face was one the choir director had only seen once before, and he was certain what he was about to hear was something bad.
He walked over to the petite woman and had a brief, whispered conversation.
Neither Kurt or Blaine seemed to notice, they were busy talking about the text Nick had sent them, wondering if they wanted to meet up somewhere after the competition on Saturday.
"Kurt, would you mind stepping out into the hall for a moment? You too, Blaine."
The boys looked up in surprise at hearing their names. Blaine wondered for a moment if they were in trouble, but Kurt went stiff beside him. The last time Ms. Pillsbury had called him out of a class it was to tell him his father had been rushed to the ER after a heart attack. He was suddenly filled with dread, but a thought struck him. If something had happened to Burt, wouldn't she have asked for Finn, too?
They stepped out into the hallway. The red head smiled sadly at him. "Kurt, I just received a phone call..."
