Disclaimer and all that jazz in Part 1

*g*l*e*e*

Sam's parents' house was simple in style, large in love and comfort, and held the three most important moments Kurt had lived in his adult life. There was the gazebo in the backyard where the ever romantic Sam had proposed in the oldest possible fashioned way: down on one knee in a black tuxedo and in front of almost a hundred people for the Evans had been celebrating their silver anniversary. Four months later that same gazebo had been the mute witness to their exchanging vows before their families and friends. And then, much to his and Sam's surprise (and a little bit of embarrassment), never to their regret, Ben had been conceived down in that basement, in the laundry room, while a full part had been going on upstairs, after Kurt and Sam had renewed their vows one year later.

With Sam it had always been that way: explosive, passionate and filled with so much zest. Hence there was the living proof of their love nodding off in the backseat of Noah's silver Toyota Hilux.

Ironically Noah had, basement celebration aside, of course, been there with them for the three occasions.

Kurt shared a minute of silence with Noah studying his profile, jaw set so hard Kurt feared Noah's teeth would sink into each other if he didn't snap out of it soon. "Will you help me with Ben?" Kurt asked softly. "I can't work the straps of his car seat."

Noah looked at him behind the dark lenses of his sunglasses. "You must be fuck-"

"Language, Puckerman."

"He's sleeping."

"Well, I'm not."

"It's just a car seat, Hummel. All you have to do is unbuckle the latch."

"So you do it. You bought it, you do it."

Noah shook his hair and snorted in disbelief, but left the car to do as he was told… asked.

Now if Kurt could just make him walk up the front yard to the Evan's door with him and see for himself that neither Vivian nor Frank held this… thing Kurt and Noah had going on against them.

By the time Kurt left the car and joined them on the sidewalk, Noah was swaying Ben back to sleep with the small baby bag Kurt had put together slung on one shoulder.

Kurt smiled and didn't think twice; he tilted his head up and pressed a soft kiss against Noah's lips.

And Noah couldn't have rejected him, this, what Kurt was offering, more effectively. "No."

"Noah-"

"Not here, Hummel, not today. I owe his parents that much."

Kurt didn't back down. "We did nothing wrong."

"It's wrong for me, Hummel. I'm in the wrong here."

Kurt swallowed hard. It hurt, but he understood. He and Noah had welcomed the new year together with a sex marathon that had lasted all night long. Hell, when the clock had chimed midnight, Noah had been deep impaled in Kurt while Kurt rode him and fed him grapes with his mouth and made New Year wishes and resolutions. One of those wishes had already been granted to Kurt – Noah was still there, alive and holding Ben.

For Noah it was the opposite– Sam, Kurt's deceased husband and Noah's best friend, wasn't, and he should have been.

With soft movements to keep Ben asleep, Noah passed the baby over to Kurt and tilted his chin towards the Evan's doorway. "Mrs. Evan is coming, Hummel."

Vivian Evans was a small woman with hair as blond as Sam's had been and a caring personality that had matched her son's in spades. Their loss hadn't been easy on her, but Kurt had drawn inspiration in her strength to carry on with his life and stop pushing Noah away.

"You boys were taking so long to come into the house, I came to fetch the three of you," Vivian said with an apologetic smile and determined steps. "Where's my little angel?" she whispered, peering under the road runner baby blanket wrapped around Ben. "Oh, dear, he's growing up so fast."

"Don't I know it! One day we will wake up and he'll be big enough to go to kindergarten or, even worse, to college."

For a moment Kurt and Vivian had a matching frown in their browns. Vivian's quick dissolved into a sad smile. "That's why we have to cherish every moment we have with them." Turning to Kurt, she enveloped him in a tight hug and kissed his cheek, "How have you been, dear? Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year, Vivian," he said, returning her kiss. "I've been good, thank you."

"Oh, you look good, and I guess I know why." The hug she shared with Noah was a bit more reluctant, but still sincere. "Happy New Year, Noah. We haven't seen much of you lately, dear."

"Happy New Year, Mrs. Evans. Work has kept me busy lately," Noah said awkwardly, looking down at his shoes.

Not a lie, but the truth ran deeper than that. Kurt was sure Vivian had picked on this detail. "Well, so take it as your new year's resolution to make the time to see old friends. Frank will love the company to watch the game." Lips curled in a half smile, Noah nodded without making any promises. "Oh, Lord, where are my manners? Come inside and have some hot cocoa. Frank should be back soon from the grocery store."

Kurt could feel the panic radiating from Noah. "Sorry, Vi, but as I told you on the phone, we're meeting my brother and Mercedes for brunch. Perhaps another time."

"Tomorrow then, when you come to pick up Ben, we'll be expecting you for dinner. I'll even call your father and Carol, Kurt. Let's make it a family celebration. You will be expected too, Noah," she added, smiling in encouragement at him.

However it hadn't been enough to get Noah to leave his protective shell. "Thanks, Mrs. Evans, but I can't. I'm having dinner at my ma's before my sister head back to college."

"Oh, okay then." This time Vivian did sound disappointed. "It's an open invitation; make use of it."

"Thanks, ma'am."

Considering Noah was about to flee, it was time to end their visit. "Let me help you with Ben, Vi, otherwise we'll be late for brunch."

"Yes, of course. Bye, Noah. Say hi to your mother for me," Vivian said, picking the baby bag Noah handed her.

"I will, Mrs. Evans, thanks. I'll be waiting for you in the truck, Hummel."

"It will be just a minute."

"I wish Noah knew Frank and I have no problems with your being together," Vivian said on their way to her house. "He's a good man."

In times like this Kurt wondered if for him and Noah being together meant the same thing it did for any normal person. "I know, mom. Thanks for trying."

"Oh, so you haven't dropped the mom thing. For a moment I thought…" She choked back tears. "I'm sorry, Kurt. Just the idea of losing you too..."

He squeezed her hand. "Not a chance. I just didn't want to make Noah even more uncomfortable. He's so stubborn!"

She winked. "Who's the pot and who's the kettle in this relationship?"

Kurt sighed. Relationship, what relationship? Noah wouldn't even join him to have dinner with this side of his family. "Oh, stop that, mom. Here, take your grandson before you get started." He kissed Ben's head, missing his baby already. "Bye, sunshine. Be good to granny and gramps and I'll see you tomorrow."

"Am I still gaviiii to him?"

"Yes, and Frank is a long sequence of blown f's."

Vivian laughed and kissed his face. "Thanks for bringing him, sweetie. I'll see you tomorrow,"

"Bye, mom."

Once he was sure Ben wouldn't wake up crying, Kurt made his way back to the truck. Noah was as tense as before. More if Kurt were honest with himself.

"I see you are still in good terns with the in-laws."

"I have no reason not to, Noah. They are family."

Noah jerked the truck into motion and said nothing else.

*g*l*e*e*

Thanks for reading.