A/N: Hey guys. So it's been almost two months since my last upload. I'm so sorry for that. I've been working like crazy, and preparing to go back to Uni, and doing Beta Stories... it's just been a hectic month. Hopefully, I can get back to some kind of schedule where I can go back to uploading once a week, but I think this story is almost done. I've got a couple more ideas in the works, but we'll see how we go. I hope you like this chapter, and I hope to be back to uploading another chapter next week. Enjoy. JusticeIsn'tEasy0083. D.
Chapter Sixteen: Infinity and Beyond….
Previously – June 26th – Two Days before Graduation (Dalton)
Burt and Carole had "gone out of town" for "work" leaving the house empty, and Finn's mind to connect the dots. He's letting them throw a party. Whilst Kurt thinks this is a stupid idea, because he's pretty sure they're having a party at Mercedes' house tomorrow night, he agrees, but asks his father and Carole if tonight can just be a celebration between them, and Nick and Jeff. So that's why they're all gathered around the kitchen table, playing Monopoly, and listening to Alisha and Finn schooling one another on who is better at the game, and who is going to get what when the other wins or loses. To be honest, Nick notes, they sound kind of like Kurt and Blaine did in their honeymoon faze, only the Klaine honeymoon hasn't ended yet, they're still waiting for that shoe to drop apparently. Blaine just pokes his tongue out at the other boy, who returns the gesture, leaving Jeff and Kurt to rolls their eyes at their respective boyfriends, before laughing at Burt's lack of knowledge of Monopoly. It's just after Kurt buys Park Place, that there is a knock on the door, and he's shouting to Finn not to steal any of his money whilst he answers the door. What he's not expecting, is to see Elizabeth standing on the other side of the door…..
Now: June 28th – Dalton Graduation Ceremony
He and Blaine are chatting with some of the other Warblers, all dressed in their respective graduation garb, ready for their names to be called, and diplomas to be handed out. Kurt was named class Valedictorian, and has the honour of making a speech, which he's been stressing about for the last week or so, especially since his mother showed up out of the blue, and decided she suddenly wants to be a part of his life. Burt wouldn't let her stay in the house, and it's causing some problems between him and Carole, and it kills Blaine, because Kurt's blaming himself for everything, and it's not his fault that he has a shitty mother. There have been arguments and shouting matches, and words shared that Blaine would never have though would've come out of Burt Hummel's mouth. Carole had some pretty nasty things to say to the woman, and when Burt defended Carole against Elizabeth, well things went downhill from there. Of course, Kurt had just taken Blaine up to his room, closed and locked the door, blasted music and ignored what was going on downstairs. Of course, they'd got lost in the moment, and had sex a few times, not that either of them were complaining about it, just that it wasn't something they had expected to be doing, especially with the adults downstairs, and Finn having his own turn and share of words. Eventually, the shouting stopped, and the slamming front door indicated that Elizabeth had left the house. Kurt returned to the lounge, and found his father pacing, and Carole asking him to sit down before he gives himself another heart attack. But here they are, standing in line, ready to enter the auditorium to graduate, and somewhere in the back of the room, between lines of parents who didn't pre-book tickets, stands Elizabeth. Blaine glares at her, but she's too far away to see it. He wants so badly to have his own go at her, but right now, they're about to graduate.
Kurt and Blaine don't get to sit with one another at the ceremony, mostly because Hummel and Anderson are so far apart in the alphabet, and also because Kurt is on the stage as the valedictorian, and that means he gets a special seat on the stage with the teachers, faculty and dean of Dalton. Wes is, unfortunately, sitting beside him, because they wanted to keep the Warblers together, and Wes doesn't understand alphabetical order the right way, he thinks it means something other than what it does, and Blaine would explain it, but even he doesn't understand it. From where he's seated in between their Warbler Teacher and the Dean, Kurt can see his family, the Warblers, and Elizabeth at the back of the room. His averts his gaze so that she doesn't notice him looking at her. Honestly, he doesn't know why she decided to come, she's not welcome here, and she should know that by the way everyone has been acting the last two days. Kurt hasn't had a chance to talk to her, but she told him that she wants to take him, Blaine, Nick and Jeff out to celebrate. He agreed, but made his father, and Carole, Finn and Alisha attend with them, so that he would have something to fall back on where she decides she's done with them again, because that's what his father told him to remember. He told Kurt not to get attached to her being here that she's just going to up and leave again. He wants to give her the benefit of the doubt, remind himself that maybe because she's here, she's different. He's trying to. He can see that Wes and David are annoying Blaine, and even he can hear their incessant whispering, and he's on the stage, three metres away. He sends his boyfriend a wink, and Blaine smirks, winking back, and then elbows Wes in the side, sending the Warbler sprawling onto the floor, dramatically stating that he's been elbowed. The teachers roll their eyes, the audience laughs, Wes stands, and bows then resumes his seat. Dramatic much... Blaine thinks, turning his attention back to their Dean talking.
FLASHBACK
Kurt Meets Wes and David and the Warblers for the First Time
Nick led him through the Dalton halls, and into the large rehearsal space occupied by about thirty young boys, varying in ages, from freshmen to Senior. Nick found Jeff, and called him over, introducing him to Kurt, finally, as they've been together for a while. He was quickly introduced to all the Warblers, including the Twins, Elijah and Emmanuel, Thad, a council member, Riker, Ian, Paul and Scotty. Then he was introduced to Head Warbler, and Head of the Council, Wes, and his second in command "Secret Lover" David. By the time he'd gotten through all of the Warblers, the bell was ringing in his ears, and Nick was shuffling them off to their first class of the day, which happens to be history. Nick sat beside Jeff, and because Kurt's new, he was assigned the empty seat in the room, which happened to be beside Blaine, who he'd heard Nick mention a couple of times, and knows him to be the Lead Warbler on most, if not all, of their songs, but he didn't expect him to be absolutely gorgeous and dapper. On his left, was Wes, who immediately began prying into Kurt's life, unhappy with the responses he was getting, when Kurt refused to answer the questions he was asking. He asked if the countertenor was interested in joining the Warblers, so that they can kick some New Direction butt, but Kurt just looked at him like he was crazy, and told him that he's here to focus on school work, to get good grades, be valedictorian, and get into Law School. Wes was impressed, and annoyed all at the same time, but dropped the conversation when Blaine sat down on Kurt's right, and the teacher started talking. When class was over, the teacher asked Kurt and Blaine to stay behind for a moment, Nick just nodded, and told him he'd catch up with him in Study Hall. Kurt sat back down, as did Blaine, both waiting for what the teacher was going to say.
About ten minutes later, after Blaine had been assigned to help Kurt catch up, they both left the room, making plans to catch up for study at some point in the next week or so. Kurt nodded, and thanked the boy, before heading off to his Physics class, which thankfully, Blaine, Wes and David weren't in. He actually managed to get work done in this class, as he didn't have anyone staring at him, or asking him stupid questions. He's going to have to talk to them eventually, he doesn't want to be rude, but he is new here, and he does need to catch up. Also, he has no plans to join the Warblers, and sing his heart out in the background. He has to focus on his studies if he wants to get into Law School. As the bell rang for lunch, Kurt managed to get back to his and Nick's dorm room, to find it empty. He grabbed his sandwich from his bag, one his father gave him "for the road" and at it, whilst he studied History, Physics, and caught up on their English text. At three, when the bell rang to signal the end of the day, he got a text from Nick in their made up language, stating that he has Warbler rehearsal, but he'll be back in time for dinner, then the three of them (meaning Jeff) can head to the cafeteria together. Kurt sent him a yes as a reply, and went back to reading, having no desire to attend dinner in the cafeteria. In his mind, he counted off the Warblers he'd met, and tried to put their names to faces. Elijah and Emmanuel were the twins, Elijah the one with the slightly darker blonde hair. David was the boy who always seems to be attached to Wes, the Head Warbler. Riker, Ian and Paul were easy enough to remember: ginger, brunette and black hair, and Tyson and Byron were the two who always made the best practical jokes. Suppose he's just going to have to get to know them all if he wants to survive here.
Kurt is standing in what used to be his and Nick's dorm room, doing one last inspection, making sure they aren't leaving anything behind. They're not meant to move into the new house until September, but Jeff managed to get them in there at the beginning of August, and Kurt wants to make sure that they have everything they need. Burt is going to drive there with them, help them settle in, and then drive back the next day, leaving them to get on with their college lives. After the graduation ceremony, they're heading to Breadsticks with their friends and family, just for one last Warbler gathering, before they all go their separate ways over the summer. Wes, still crying on Thad's shoulder, manages to get out a full sentence that if they want to, they can all come back to David's and watch a movie. In the time between this announcement, and arrival at Breadsticks, David had talked to Wes about what had happened whilst they were in New York. He and the former Head Warbler haven't been close since the incident, where he wanted to go to school in New York, and purse a relationship with Rachel Berry. He had been standing in the way, and realises now, seeing Wes and the brunette talking, that he can't stand in the way of his best-friend's happiness. He pulled Wes aside, and patted his shoulder, telling in that he isn't going to stand in the way of his, or anyone's, happiness, and that he thinks Wes should do what he thinks is right, even if that means going to college in New York. The hug it out, and then both of them return to the table, and become their loud, boisterous selves again. It's amusing to watch from where Blaine and Kurt are standing, and obviously, something is going on there. He takes Blaine's hand, and the two head outside, and over to Kurt's Navigator, getting in, and heading back to the Hudmel house. It's going to be empty, which is good, because they're celebrating. Last night, on their "last-highschool-date" as Blaine had called it, there had been a proposal. Not a marriage proposal, they're far too young for that. A proposal of promise. Blaine had been preparing the whole thing for about a month. Blaine gave him a silver band, in scripted with a date, on which he would ask to Kurt to marry him. Essentially, it's a promise ring. He has an identical one on his left hand as well.
When they get to the Hudmel house, Elizabeth is waiting on the front porch. She watches the Navigator pull up, and Kurt and Blaine get out. They walk over to her, and she asks Kurt if they can just talk, that's all she wants, is to just talk to him. Reluctantly, and against Blaine's protests, he lets the woman inside, and they sit at the kitchen table, whilst Blaine heads upstairs to put the rest of their stuff away. Kurt just sits in silence, listening to Elizabeth say that she is so proud of him, that she's happy she got to be there to witness him graduate highschool, and that Blaine seems like a nice boy. Kurt just nods, standing to get them a drink. He asks her how long she's sticking around, and she promises Kurt that she is going to be here for a couple of weeks, that she wants to try to get to know him before he moves. Against all the words being shouted at him in his mind, he agrees, and when Blaine returns downstairs an hour later, the two are laughing, and sharing hilarious stories about different parts of their lives. He's shocked, but sits down, and listens to the woman talk, watches his boyfriend's genuine laugh, and wonders just what is going to happen when she ups and leaves again, because there is no doubt in his mind, that when they wake up one day, she isn't going to be here anymore. Again. But for now, he lets them have their moment. He can't begrudge Kurt a little time of reminiscence with the woman who abandoned him. When Finn gets back to the Hudmel house, he's alone, but spots Elizabeth sitting in their dining room, and goes over to her. She stands, and he introduces himself as Kurt's brother, no step, just brother, because that's what he is. She shakes his hand, and heads the warning that if she hurts Kurt again, she'll be sorry. She nods once, and Finn pats Kurt's shoulder, stating that he'll be upstairs.
'Do you think this is natural? I'm worried about him. She's going to take off again, I can see it in her eyes Finn,' Blaine said, managing to catch the taller boy at the bottom of the stairs
'I know. Look, I don't want Kurt to be broken again any more than you, but the only way that he's going to learn that what we're saying is true, is for it to happen again. I'm sorry, but that's just… she's a con artist but he needs this,'
'He has me this time. He has me here, I'll help pick up the pieces,' Blaine replied, and Finn nodded
'I'll be in my room, call me if you need anything,' Finn said, heading the rest of the way up the stairs,
FLASHBACK
The Fight
He didn't understand. He couldn't. sometimes all a little boy needs is his mother to comfort him and tell him that everything is going to be alright, but his father is refusing to tell him where she is, and why she won't come home, so now they're here, shouting at each other, Kurt shouting that Burt doesn't love him, that he's always hated him, and Burt shouting that if Kurt thinks that, then obviously he isn't the person he thought he was, and that his mother isn't going to fix anything. At ten, Kurt seems to understand things better than most. It's been five years since Elizabeth abandoned him. He's been feeling the need to find her, and the kids at school are bullying him, and he doesn't know what he's doing. He feels really great one day, and like shit the next, and his father telling him that he think he's worthless isn't helping one little bit. Kurt shouts that he hates his father, and runs upstairs, slamming his bedroom door. He's not old enough to drive anywhere, and the buses don't run this late, and even if Mandy would come and get him, she would want an explanation, to which she'd just say that he and Burt need to sit down and work it out. But he's been trying to do that. His father won't tell him what he wants, and deserves, to know, so how are they supposed to talk about what's on his mind? How can they make up and get their relationship back, if what Kurt really wants to know, is the one thing his father thinks he needs to "protect" him from? Kurt lays on the floor of his bedroom, starting up at the ceiling, not thinking about anything. His mind is blank. He wonders what Nick is doing, and sends the boy a text, waits five minutes, then shuts his phone off when he doesn't get a reply. He doesn't know how long he's been lying here, but when he opens his eyes again, he's on his bed.
The next morning, Burt drops him off at school, and Kurt waits for a moment, wanting to say something to his father, but the man isn't looking at him, so Kurt just gets out of the car, slamming the door closed, and watches as he drives off. Nick meets him at the entrance, and the two walk in together, Kurt telling his best-friend about the fight that he and his father are currently in the middle of. Nick doesn't say much, but he tells Kurt that no matter how many times he begs, his father isn't going to tell him anything, and it's not because he doesn't want to, it's because he probably doesn't know anything. For the rest of the day, Kurt thinks about what he said. His father would tell him if he knew something, but maybe Nick is right, and he doesn't know where his mother is. At ten, usually a child would need to be nurtured by their parents, they are meant to be shielded from things like this. A mother shouldn't abandon her child, and leave them alone to wallow in the grief she's left behind. But Kurt was dealt the shitty hand. His mother was the one who left, and he has to be the one to pick up the pieces. His father is so busy shielding him from everything else in the world that could hurt him, he's forgotten that what Kurt needs sometimes, is just a hug, or someone to talk to, laugh with, or be forced to watch sports with. Most of the day is spent with Kurt day dreaming, not listening to what the teachers are saying, or the others kids around him. He spends some time on the computer, searching for whatever he can spell, and then when the bell rings at the end of the day, he decides to walk home, telling Nick he'll see him tomorrow, whilst the other boy just watches as Kurt heads for the gate.
It's early, about four am to be specific. Elizabeth throws a jacket on over the polo she's wearing, and grabs her bag from the floor, tiptoeing down the stairs. She looks back up at the room where he son is sleeping, and sighs. Breaking his heart again isn't what she wants to do, but it's impossible for her to stay here, with Burt and the memories of the house haunting her whatever room she's in. What she doesn't expect, is to have the hall light switch on, and her son standing in front of her, arms crossed, defeated look on his face. Elizabeth looks like a deer that got caught in the headlights, and drops her bag in shock. Kurt doesn't say anything else, just watches her, as she tries to come up with some form of explanation. She doesn't see Finn and Blaine at the top of the stairs, watching the whole scene unfold. Kurt pushes the memory of thirteen years ago from his mind, trying to not re-live the whole thing. He's trying not to break, Blaine wants to go down there, hug him, but he doesn't want to startle Elizabeth, because if anyone can make her change her mind, and it will be her son. He sends a silent message to Finn to do the same, and they share a nod of acceptance, before turning back to watch the scene below. They say nothing, but after what feels like an hour, Kurt moves towards the woman, steps past her, yanks open the front door, and stands aside to let her out. Blaine watches the look on his boyfriend's face, knowing that he's giving her the choice of staying or going. He wasn't expecting Elizabeth to pick up her bags and steps towards the open door. Kurt didn't say anything to her, just let her walk out the door. She turned to face him, wanting to say sorry, but Kurt closed the door, letting it slam, and locked it again, before turning to find his brother and boyfriend descending the stairs. They stood silently for a moment, as Kurt took in what had just happened, his mother had left… again. Blaine placed a hand on Kurt's arm, pulling him close, and hugging him tightly, Finn wrapping them both in a hug, earning a chuckle from Blaine, and a small smile from Kurt.
At ten am, they all head to McKinley for Finn's graduation ceremony. Kurt doesn't let go of Blaine's hand as they enter the auditorium, and see Mr. Schue and the Glee Club milling around near the stage, Mercedes clutching onto him when she sees him and Blaine. Rachel doesn't joke about Blaine being in their auditorium, and then gathers all of the group together, and makes an announcement that Kurt never thought he would've heard in a million years: Rachel is dating Wes. Kurt's mouth drops open, and he drops the cap he's holding in surprise, as the rest of the Glee Club let out simultaneous 'What's', and then they're all congratulating Rachel, and asking her how it happened. Kurt just winks at her, and when she hugs him, jokingly says that the Warblers aren't that bad. She laughs, and smiles, nodding happily. Blaine calls David and asks him to explain what the hell is going on, and does this mean that Wes is moving to New York? David is as surprised as Blaine, and the former Lead Warbler feels a little guilty that he was the one to spill the secret, but also still wants to know the answers to his questions. He calls Wes, but there isn't an answer, so he gives up to watch the ceremony, and then realises what Wes wasn't answering his phone, was because he's standing at the back of the room, hiding in the background. Blaine rolls his eyes, but smirks when he sees the former Head Warbler almost shed a tear as his "girlfriend" graduates. Kurt stands up, and leads the ovation for Finn, who just fist bumps the air, and laughs at Carole, Burt and Kurt, cheering for him, and the rest of the New Directions, as they're called onto the stage. After this he, Nick, Jeff and Blaine are leaving for Massachusetts, so this will be the last time they're all together for a while. Finn finds them directly after they're dismissed, and Kurt hugs his brother, who tells him they'll catch up soon. Burt walks with them out to the car park, and tells Kurt to call when they get there. He nods, takes Blaine's hand, and heads towards their car.
'You ready for this?' Blaine asks, as Kurt is buckling his seatbelt
'Always,' he replies, smiling the first genuine smile since this morning
'Let's go then' Blaine replies, waving to the others as they drive out of the McKinley parking lot, and towards their futures.
Finn had let his parents drive him to the airport, mostly because he didn't want to leave his car, there, and when he decides that he's going to drive it back to LA, he's going to need money, to make all those stops on the way. Carole was having a hard time holding back the tears at the fact that both of her sons have left the nest, all grown up, and heading to college. Finn hugs her the longest, before pulling back, and promising that he and Alisha will come back for holidays, and she can finally meet her, and gush with her over whatever it is that women talk about. When the announcement informs people that the flight to LA is boarding, Burt and Carole wave as they watch Finn enter the boarding gate, turning once to wave to them, before disappearing onto the plane. Burt took his wife's hand, and they walked back to the car park, trying to find their car. Kurt and Blaine would no doubt be almost halfway to Massachusetts by now, and with Finn's plane just taking off, Burt reached the same conclusion as his wife, that their kids are grown and out of the house, and now the only time they're going to see them, is on holidays, or whenever they fly in for a lighting visit, which might be hard for Kurt, considering he's going to Law School, and it's a four or five hour drive from school to Lima. He just has to get used to having the house to just himself and Carole. Maybe he can retire, and make himself happy by immersing himself in helping out McKinley, making sure that Sue and Schuester are doing the best job they can, that the arts never fade from the world, because that's what saved his son really, when what he needed the most wasn't available, he found an outlet in music, that Burt would've thought ridiculous, if he wasn't Kurt. They've been asking him to run for re-election on the school council board, and Schuester and Sue said they'll back him. Carole just smiles when he brings it up, and tells him that he should do it.
The house was silent when they got home. Burt went upstairs and stood in the doorway to Kurt's bedroom, noting its emptiness. Carole joined him a moment later, wrapping her arms around his waist, and kissing his cheek. It's going to take a long time to get used to not having his sons in the house, always a door slam away if they don't agree with something. But he's happy that his kids are happy, that they're going to get good jobs, and have good lives, and he's glad for Blaine Anderson and Nick Duval. He's glad that on that day, when Kurt was five, he was able to find the courage to find his way home, and even though Mandy was the one who brought him home, she said that Kurt never once cried, or anything. In fact, he and Nick spent the whole time chatting in the back seat of the car. Burt had to chuckle at the memory….. Kurt closed his eyes, smiling to himself. Blaine was driving, and they were meeting Nick and Jeff at the house. The two had gone yesterday, to get some things ready, and Kurt and Blaine would join them today. Kurt thought back to the years that he and his father had been on their own, then when he met and married Carole, and Kurt got another brother, Finn. Then he got a family, and now he's moving forward with his life, and he has Blaine beside him. The countertenor leans over the space between them, and pressed a soft kiss to Blaine's cheek, smiling when the tenor winks at him. He has it good now…. Finn reclined back in his seat, closing his eyes, and wishing that the plane ride from Ohio to LA wasn't as long. He thought back to the first day he met Kurt, and Burt, and then when his mother told him they were getting married. Back then, he was still getting over everything that was happening, but now, he wouldn't change anything he has for the world…. They all have everything they need… right there beside them. No matter how far away they are, they'll always have everything they need…
A/N: The gang start preparing for their college years, and Kurt and Blaine deal with the aftermath of Elizabeth leaving… again. Finn and his girlfriend move in together in LA, and Wes and Rachel's relationship is tested by their college schedules, and other obstacles. Burt and Carole lament on their empty house, and reminisce about the past and future. Nick and Jeff decide to make a stronger commitment to one another, and tell Blaine and Kurt that they want to get married before college starts. This brings everyone back together, as Niff tie the knot. Elizabeth appears again, this time at their house in Massachusetts, and sends Kurt spiraling out of control. Blaine is given the opportunity to make an album with one of the biggest names in the business, and has to choose between delaying college, and his dream. Kurt helps him to make the choice, when he says that Blaine shouldn't give up his dream, and that college will always be there for him to come back to. Flashbacks include: Kurt has a dream, in which he and Blaine are at McKinley with Nick and Jeff, the first time Nick told Kurt that he was in a relationship with Jeff, Dalton Shenanigans pre-Kurt and with Kurt. Read and Review. Enjoy. JusticeIsn'tEasy0083. D.