Hello hello loyal readers! I know its been a while, especially with this fic but alas I was...well down. I felt a little better watching S3 E1 but it's been a tough. I waited until I was feeling better to write this because honestly I would have written something uber angsty and probably fairly sad so I waited...until now that is.
Now I love these guys and they have come so far and its been insanely long since I've updated so I would like to say I'm incredibly sorry. I'M SORRY *sniffle*
But...this story will pick up speed and time will go ahead rather quickly so I hope you enjoy. My little taste of Future!Klaine heaven. (10,000 words of heaven LOL)
PS- A lot of this story is told in flashbacks as well as present tense so pay attention :*
Did I mention I love you guys? Cuz I really do. review if you like, I really do love them.
Chapter 21 – How we got here
(BPOV)
Holy shit I was nervous. Why was I nervous, it wasn't like this wasn't something I hadn't done before, well not actually but I had been at the front doorstep of the Hudmel house many times but this was an auspicious moment for me...well for Kurt and I both...he just didn't know yet. Even after all this time I still got anxious when I needed to talk to Burt, and today a definitely no exception.
After knocking on the door I was welcomed by a very cheerful smile but confused look from Carol.
"Blaine honey hi, what are you doing here?"
"Um hi Carol, I needed to talk to you actually, well Burt as well, is he in?"
"Who is it Carol?" Burt was yelling from the living room I imagined and from the dull noise of the TV I could tell he was watching the Buckeye's game.
"It's Blaine sweetie...Blaine dear come on in, you're just in time for the last five minutes. Go have a seat and I'll be there in a minute." She ushered me in as per usual and I was hit by the familiar smell of Carol's cooking mixed with what can only be described as the homey feeling I got from this household. I looked around and walked to my somewhat usual spot to Burt's right one the couch. We had gotten closer over the last few years, ever since that first Thanksgiving...
XXXX
Our little secret? Our little secret? Was Burt kidding? I mean he basically just openly admitted to knowing what his son and I were up to 2 doors down last night. Oh God he's gonna kill me and this is all a ploy to get me to admit what we did...I'm so dead, why did I let this happen?
That morning I had avoided all eye contact with Burt, and tried very hard to ignore Kurt's extremely pleased with himself smirk. Kurt would wink at me whenever he thought no one was looking. He seemed to relish in the discomfort I found myself in when he decided to dress down again for the day in a pair of track pants and a very tight t shirt which showed his broad chest all too well. I think Kurt was trying to kill me and I was too afraid of Burt at this moment to try and explain myself. I mean what do I say? I'm sorry sir for letting your son have his way with me last night? I'm sorry for being a screamer when he does fantastic things with his tongue? Hell even the verbal imagery these sentences were forming was making it hard to not concentrate on the smooth curve of Kurt's neck, or the way when he moved just so, his muscles flexed against the soft cotton of his shirt. This was going to be hell.
The remainder of the weekend was fairly quiet. Kurt knew something was wrong but I just shrugged it off and sealed my avoidance with a kiss. On Saturday morning when we were about to start getting ready to leave Burt pulled me aside with a serious smirk.
"Kid can I talk to you for a sec?" Oh great I'm almost out the door and now he decides to kill me. Maybe I should run over to Kurt whom from the sounds of it was kicking Finn's ass at the new Halo game, and say goodbye before his dad shoots me.
"Uh sure sir."
"Enough with the sir talk, I thought I told you to call me Burt, and besides I thought we were passed this whole sir crap." He brought me into the study down the hall and closed the door behind him. I think my heart was beating out of my chest and I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he could hear it pulsing against my chest.
I fidgeted with my thumbs for a sec, "Sorry Burt...I just...I don't know." I looked away from his gaze feeling the ever present embarrassment I've felt being around him since the other morning.
"Blaine...it's ok.. look.." He placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed ever so gently.
"Blaine I know ok. I know that you and my son are well...intimate I guess you could say.."
"Burt I "
"Hold on. Let me finish."
I gulped because this was where I would normally have expected hearing the cocking of a shotgun near my ear.
"I know that you love my son and you also know that this weekend I've pretty much approved of everything in your relationship. I just...well I just didn't want my baby boy to grow up so fast and there were some things that happened to him that made that happen earlier than I would have liked. I tried to stop it but the world won that battle."
I relaxed a little more with each word that was coming out of his mouth because this was a conversation about Kurt...not me.
"Blaine, that waste of skin Will took my baby away from me first, without my permission, he forced him into an adult situation that no parent ever wants for their kid. He hurt him. And then...you left him. But..." I had opened my mouth to speak but he shushed me with the smallest of irritated glances.
"But...you came back to him. You helped him. You loved him, no matter what. As a father I have to appreciate and be thankful for that. We've had our talks about this before Blaine but now...and please don't make me repeat this because I'm embarrassed enough as it is. You are moving in with Kurt, or you already are living with him as it were. You love him unconditionally from what I can see,... so you expect me to believe that you two aren't intimate in any way shape or form?"
I wasn't sure if I was supposed to answer so I settled for the dumb look instead.
"I may be old kid but I know what young couples in love are like, you guys are young but adults nonetheless...I used to be a young guy in love too. Hell I'm one now again but let's not go there.." Oh god please don't give me mental images Burt.
"Look, what you and Kurt do is not my business. All I ever wanted from him was for him to be happy and not throw himself around. With you Blaine I can see that he isn't doing that so...you don't need to be uncomfortable around me ok? Even though it was really fun watching you squirm the last two days. Ha ha! I told ya Blaine...our little secret. Just ya know...try and keep the volume down?" I think I turned cherry red at the last comment but the rest of his little speech seemed to hang there in my head like a pendulum waiting for me to respond.
Well shit...Burt knew and even though I knew he didn't really wanted to know about his son's sex life he well...excepted it. And he was teasing me this whole time when I could have dropped dead of embarrassment? I made a mental note to gag myself from now on to avoid this conversation again.
"Well..uh thanks Burt. I'll keep that in mind. Can we please not have this conversation again?"
"Gladly...let's go back to Kurt before he thinks I hog tied you in a closet or something ok son?"
Son?...Well shit...
XXXX
I got comfortable on the couch beside Burt and just got immediately engrossed in the TV watching the final minutes of the game with him. I had had a few very meaningful but silent moments like this with him and even as I chanced a glance at him I was thankful for some of those moments.
One of them came on Christmas that first year, when Kurt had decided to host Christmas at our apartment and invite his folks over to stay with us for the holidays...
XXXX
"Kurt you need any help in there?" I called from the living room where Burt,Carol, and I were sitting with me watching whatever holiday movie was on right now as we awaited Rachel to get here with Finn. But I got no response.
"Kurt?" I called out the second time but as I spoke I got up off the sofa to go and see if my boyfriend was alright and that the meal prep hadn't killed him or something.
When I got into the kitchen I saw that everything looked perfect and immaculate and ready to be served but Kurt was slumped over the sink with his hands braced on the sides of the counter. His shoulders were shaking slightly and I could feel the sadness in his posture from the other side of the kitchen.
"Baby? You ok?" I walked over to him and tentatively wrapped my arms around his waist. Kurt flinched at the gesture but I could feel it was just his wall going up, but I wasn't letting go.
Kurt turned in my grasp eventually and draped his arms around my neck. I didn't see his face too well but I could tell he was red from crying and the gentle sobs I felt against my neck were only confirmation. I didn't press but I just held him; knowing full well that he would talk when he needed it. Right now he just needed this.
After a few minutes, even though his sobs were not slowing but remained quiet, he spoke up, " I miss her so much Blaine."
I released my breath, glad that I hadn't done anything wrong before he continued, still talking into the nape of my neck.
"Christmas was her favourite holiday. When I was little she would make gingerbread men and let me design outfits for them with frosting and sprinkles." I smiled in our embrace at the image of little Kurt assigning wardrobes to baked goods.
"It was one of my fondest memories of her Blaine and every year I miss it. I can't smell gingerbread without thinking of her. I-I was ok before...I mean I got through so many Christmases without her and my dad's been so strong because this was his old wedding anniversary too. They got married on Christmas because it was her favourite day of the year and my dad said it would honor him to share that day with a memory of their own. He's been so strong, so strong and I don't know how he does it. Even when I know that he misses her the most today...I-I'm sorry I don't know why this is all coming out today honey.."
I squeezed him tighter before pulling away and kissing his nose and wiping away a few stray tears.
"You Kurt,...are the strongest person I know.."
"Huh no I'm not Blaine...look at me.."
"Baby missing your mom isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of feeling. You love your mom and on a day that was this important to her it's normal to miss her even more. I would love to have met her. If she was even half as amazing as you've told me I would have loved everything about her...she helped give me you."
Kurt sobbed again and dropped his head even though I was still trying to keep his face level with mine.
"Blaine, that's why I'm so sad I guess. She would have loved you too, and this year I finally have someone to introduce her to and she's not here. I guess it hurts so much because its our first Christmas together and I would have loved for her to meet you, and I know that she never will."
The air between us had thickened and I silenced the wrenching in my gut that wanted me to cry with and for my boyfriend, so I squared my shoulders and exhaled deeply.
"One day Kurt, whenever you like," I brushed a stray hair out of his eyes, pausing to collect my thoughts as I did, " I will come with you to the cemetery and you can introduce me to your mom personally. It would be an honor to meet her, I'm sure I would have loved her too."
We bowed our heads against one another until I felt his breathing and aura calm down. I rubbed soothing circles on his lower back, where my hands now rested, and I knew no more words needed to be spoken. Sometimes with the slightest touch we could calm one another, and this was the unspoken strength between Kurt and I...we just knew each other that well.
When Kurt finally pulled away he kissed me gently and eventually pried himself from my arms, there was a smile smile on his tear streaked face. "Thank you baby. I don't know what I would do without you sometimes."
"You never have to worry about that Kurt. Now...Finn just texted me before I came in here that him and Rach are 5 minutes away. Now I don't think you need to change but I know you want to wear something dressier so you go change, and clean up as you see fit and I'll let them in when they get here ok?"
"Ok." He sniffled and left the kitchen leaving me there with a small hole in my heart. I would have loved to have met Kurt's birth mom and it hurt me that he couldn't share our happiness with her.
"Thank you Blaine."
I turned around to see that Burt was leaning against the counter on the other side of me.
"Uh for what Burt?"
"For understanding...for everything."
We just stood there for moments of unending silence. I knew he had heard most of our conversation and I knew that Kurt was right in his assessment that Burt missed his late wife more today than any other day. I also knew that he knew I admired him for his strength even when he needn't show it.
I walked over to him and without really thinking embraced Burt in a short but gentle hug which I was surprised he took and even reciprocated. Burt wasn't a very touchy feely type of guy but I could tell from this one small gesture that he really needed it.
"You and Kurt are so strong Burt. It's ok let the wall down sometimes."
When Burt pulled away he actually blushed and it was the first time I had ever seem him look so much like his son.
"Um thanks kid. Really."
The rest of Christmas dinner consisted of great food, and ambiance and Kurt and Finn arguing over the finer points of Christmas decorating. Kurt going for elegant and sophisticated whereas Finn said Christmas wasn't Christmas unless there were snowmen and reindeer in the apartment. It was jovial and Kurt seemed to lighten the more the evening progressed. Burt was happy, kissing Carol whenever possible lightly on the cheek but I could tell Carol was being gentle with him, even doting on him. She obviously sensed her husband's long abandoned pain and just let herself be there for him in whatever capacity. I just watched enamoured at the two and Burt and I exchanged knowing glances at each other as I seemed to be doing the same, comforting Kurt without even noticing it, even if it was just a simple smiling glace at his beautiful face.
It was these comforting silences that we had grown accustomed to over time, even to this day...
XXXX
"Thanks Carol."
"Thanks sweetie." Both of us thanked Carol appropriately for the coffees that she had brought us as she settled into the living room beside us. I took a grateful sip, not only from its warming qualities but from the needed distraction for the thought at hand.
"So Blaine, what are you doing here sweetie. Does Kurt know you're here?" I swallowed the drink maybe a little too quickly and almost choked on it when Carol asked me that.
"Uh no no he doesn't know actually. I told him I had an audition today and then I was meeting Garrett to go over design concepts for the exterior of the building."
Ok so here's a little tidbit because I'm sure you're a little confused right now. I have two jobs now. After my first show which ran for quite a while I gave up the roll to continue with other projects. One of them being working with Garrett.
I was only taking a small break from the stage mind you because the aforementioned lie I told Kurt about an audition had happened the previous week and I had gotten the roll but I wasn't going to tell him that yet.
Garrett had come into an obscene amount of money when his father and only relative passed away this past winter and he decided that he wanted to quit the theatre to stay home with his new family because he could afford to now. On the other hand he never wanted to give up on music altogether. It was in his blood as he said. Garrett was more well rounded than I had originally known because he had a teaching degree, saying that was going to be his fall back profession in case his music career never took off. Of course I knew that there was no way he would have ever failed at his dream but I thought it practical that he was prepared.
He said that even though he wasn't going to be performing anymore he still wanted to share what he knew about musical theatre and music in general with the world. After some lengthy discussion nights Garrett decided to use some of the money that he had been left to open a not for profit small business. That was the day that SOS (Spoonful Of Sugar) music school and theatre aids came into being. Garrett loved helping people, hell he had taken me under his wing originally too, and now was no exception. Garrett wanted me to come on as his partner in crime as it were and wanted me to help set up the business and hopefully teach as well once classes were up and running. The school would cater to less fortunate and lower income families who couldn't afford music lessons. It was Garrett's way of giving back to the community that fuelled his own love of music and I was honoured to be a part of it.
Between both of our connections, there was already a lot of buzz surrounding the concept and we were now in the final stages of designing the building he had bought. Kurt of course was ecstatic about the project and lent his say about the interior design which I happily handed over the reigns to.
"How to succeed" had given me the confidence to say that I was officially an actor and performer on Broadway. The show had rave reviews and I had starred in it for the better part of 2 years. Now that I had given that up to pursue this non profit endeavour, I had saved more than enough money to take this break, I found myself wondering where my life with Kurt was going.
Kurt had finished his first 2 years at NYU and was 3rd in his program. He was in his last year at the university and had taken on a part time internship at Saks and our long ago acquaintance there, Aaron, had stayed in contact like he promised and had helped write a letter of recommendation for Kurt so he could get the position. Kurt had learned a lot in the last few years, and he silently patted himself on the back for following his love of clothes, instead of his love of music.
That being said I had convinced him to not give up on music altogether and had agreed to come and sit in on some classes once we got SOS up and running. Even though he had minored in music his profs still thought he had enough talent to make a career of it.
Also, I know I'm rambling but I live with Kurt, he has this effect on me, but speaking of career there was nothing that was stopping the freight train of talent that was Rachel Berry. She was not only a favourite in her soon to be graduating class to go all the way as it were but she also had taken the lead role in almost every school production in the last two years. Her credits were overflowing and it was only a matter of time before her connections with the school and with maybe a little help from me and Garrett, she would get the role of her dreams. Her and Finn were still going strong, despite the distance and Rachel was told, daily if Kurt could do manage it, that it was only at his insistence that Rachel gave Finn and her a chance even despite the distance.
Rachel now lived on her own in Kurt's, hers and Mercedes' old apartment because Mercedes had moved out at the beginning of this year. She still had a year and a half left in her program,it being the only 4 year program that any of them had, and she was working part time at a call centre that had the contract for KidsHelpLine, she was enjoying both school and helping at her new job. Since she was going into social services I also figured that with her musical background I could convince her to help out with the kids at SOS eventually. She of course gushed that she would be honoured and I couldn't help but smile at the talent and generosity of our little group of friends.
She also, much to Kurt's shock had reconciled with Sam completely. Not long after our first Thanksgiving together Mercedes and Sam started dating again in secret. They were now living together in an apartment above a bakery down the street from us and their domestic bliss was slightly infectious.
Sam had kept working at Vierda and had taken on some more courses trying to brush up on his management skills. Celia had kept true to her word and had tutored Sam in the ways of the business. Their friendship and teacher/student bond was becoming formidable. Even though Sam still denied it we all had a feeling that the rumours about Celia's retirement were true and she was just grooming him to take over.
Sam and Kurt on the other hand had developed a special friendship over the past few years. It was kind of like a dynamic duo thing. Sam being his close friend and also dating his girl bff, they spent a lot of time chatting on the phone, or just getting coffee. Kurt also used Sam as his male model for school tailoring projects saying he did have the ideal male frame for anything fashionable. We all teased Kurt that he was doing this to get Sam undressed and the colourful remarks or hand gestures we received solidified my love for the man even if most of them were vulgar.
What happened to my New York buddies you ask? Well Jay and Terri are still married, together just past ten years now and married officially for almost a year. Their ceremony had been an extravagant explosion of 'Jurt' proportions. They had waited until they got back from abroad to plan the event and Kurt and Jay went nuts with the planning. They got married in Central Park surrounded by family and friends. I was Terri's best man and his friend Casey from back home was his only other usher. Jay had asked Kurt and Jessie to stand with him as his brides-people. Jessie and Kurt had joked that Kurt would wear a dress if Jessie wore the suit but the unamused glare that Jay gave them warned them otherwise. Both of them wore tasteful tailored suits that Kurt designed himself, both accenting the olive green accent colour that Jay and Terri and decided on. It was a beautiful ceremony and everyone had gloated, especially me, that Kurt would always have yet another fall back career as a wedding planner if things went that way.
Now, the day of Jay and Ter's wedding was also the day that we got great news from Jess. Her date to the wedding was non other than the statuesque Leia Singh, the woman she had had a crush on since I first met her. Jessie had finally asked out the Arabic beauty a few months prior and it seemed that they were still going strong. Jess, despite the blush she was under from her girlfriend had told us during the reception that she was going to be finally opening her yoga studio and that she got the lease signed for the space the day before. My little Jess was really growing up, even as I saw her snake her arm around Leia's waist I thought to myself..." That's my girl"; oh how we had changed.
Ok so now you're caught up I guess. Kurt the budding designer in training, Finn is working to graduate from college and majoring in sports management of all things, Rachel's the soon to be Broadway success, Jess the small business owner, Sam and Mercedes following the life they never expected and Jay and Terri...well they're still them, not much has changed there. Ha! Then there was Garrett's and my journey through musical philanthropy through SOS and my upcoming role in Hairspray as Link. Kurt was going to flip when I told him that I got that role. Everything was going great and that brings me back to the present situation with me sitting on Kurt's parents' couch sipping coffee with them as I faded back into the conversation as Carol continued talking.
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"Oh, how's it going with the planning for SOS anyway honey?" I took a second to explain that everything was going quite well. That since the construction was done and the building was up to code, we could start applying the interior design and Kurt's concept to the structure. I told her that I had already purchased the needed instruments, thanks to Garrett's bank account mind you, and Sam had helped with the marketing aspects, setting up websites and fliers advertising our non profit efforts. Basically I gushed about where the business was going to go, and avoiding the subject at hand, the one that had me there on this late spring day.
"Yeah basically we're hoping to be open by the end of the summer or beginning of the fall, just when I start rehearsal for the new show."
"That's great kiddo. You know that Carol and I are real proud of you, and Kurt for that matter. Ha, I don't think the fashion world is truly ready for my son, the may need to take a Valium or something when he gets his break."
We all laughed because it was natural, and not forced just like it had always been with the Hudmels. I still saw them more than I did my own family. My dad and mother had divorced only a few months ago and I started sending the cheques he would send me every month to my mother so she could take care of herself since she was on her own now. My big brother Tom had moved out the year before I graduated from high school and was now living with his new wife in Houston where he was a fairly successful mechanic. I should introduce him to Burt sometime soon.
We chatted amicably for the better part of half an hour as I filled them in every small detail of their son's and my lives and I got the scoop on what they had planned for the summer, thinking they would go on vacation for a little while, then Burt spoke up.
"Ok son so as much as I want to believe that you came here to chit chat with us old folk, what's the reason for the visit? It can't be just to hear us talk all afternoon."
"Uh no but I do love spending time with you guys.."
"We love that too honey, what's on your mind?" Carol just smiled with her eyes at me when she noticed that my hand shook a little when I placed my coffee cup down.
"Wow um ok, I just...geez why am I so nervous about this?"
Burt then surprised me with a hand on my shoulder and that gesture alone reminded me of the strength that only a Hummel man could produce sometimes, even in the gentlest of touches.
"Blaine...is something wrong?"
"Um no Burt, quite the opposite actually, everything's kind of right really."
"Ok what's going on then?"
I took a large breath and went over the large speech that I had been rehearsing in my head for what felt like months now, maybe even my entire life.
"Burt, Carol, I love you both like you're my own family. Sometimes I wonder where I would be without your support, so thank you for that." They both smiled and Burt may have even blushed a little but I couldn't hold his gaze or I wouldn't get this out.
"You have raised an amazing man in Kurt and I'm so thankful that I got the chance to love him and take care of him. He makes me so happy that some days I wake up wondering what I did to deserve someone so wonderful...and that's why I'm here today actually. I want the chance to make it official that I will continue to love and take care of him until the day I die. So I guess...what I'm asking is would it be ok Burt...and Carol...if I asked Kurt to marry me?"
The question hung there like a raindrop clinging to a leaf after a summer's rain. I waited, probably not breathing for what felt like a small eternity before Carol jumped out of her seat and met me half way in an emotional hug.
"Oh my gosh Blaine honey...that's oh wow...that's so sweet of course I would love nothing more than to make you officially one of my sons!" I hugged her back just as enthusiastically and laughed at her comment because I already felt lucky enough to be considered family never mind one of their unofficial sons.
Her arms dropped as she kissed my cheek, undoubtedly leaving a lipstick imprint on my face, as she looked down at Burt who hadn't said anything since I stopped talking.
"Burt honey, you ok?" Burt had moved slightly so that he was facing completely forward and his elbows were rested on his knees and his face was in his hands. He was slumped there and the wind immediately left my sails. Oh god Burt didn't approve!
"Burt, sir I'm sorry...I just.." I left Carol's embrace to sit back down next to him, and he hadn't removed his hands from his face, then I heard him sniffle.
"Burt?" I asked putting my hand gently on his shoulder, mirroring his earlier gesture, "I'm sorry if I upset you but I just wanted to ask you first..."
"Blaine?" Burt said through obvious emotion stress, I never knew the man cried and this was definitely putting me in a difficult spot.
"Blaine, " he lifted his head and wiped his red tear stained face, " Do you know how long I've waited to hear someone ask me that? Do you know how long I wanted this for Kurt?" he laughed lightly, fighting back what seemed like more tears as Carol bent down to kneel at her husbands feet.
"Blaine, I watched my son grow up strong and fight back at whatever demons the world threw at him. I heard him ask me one day why he couldn't walk down the hall with the person that he liked or slow dance at his prom and you know what? I couldn't give him an answer then, I had no explanation and it killed me. I can now though. Blaine...I have waited so long as a father to tell Kurt that there's someone out there for him to share those kinds of things with, and I'm glad he found you, because you can give that to him for the rest of his days. You definitely have my blessing son."
I was crying too at this point and hell so was Carol, we were definitely a bunch of soppy messes right now which made Burt's next move one that I will remember for my the rest of my days.
He leaned over into a full hug, not some awkward but gentle one armed man hug but one that I thought rivalled Carol's bone crushing gestures. He put his one hand on the back of my head and patted it gently and very fatherly as we hugged and I had never felt so much emotion from a father figure in my life.
"Thank you Burt. You've made me so happy, I can't even begin to tell you how much, or what I could do to repay you!"
He pulled away and started laughing, "Well for starters kid you can make sure that you don't tell Kurt that I got all emotional like this...I have a tough dad reputation to uphold."
I laughed all sing-songy because I really was on cloud nine, "Sure Burt...our little secret."
That caused him and I to laugh even louder at the double meaning as Carol looked on with an amused expression but seemed somewhat confused.
"Cute kid cute...so have you thought about how you're going to propose?"
"Um actually not really...I was just concentrating on getting here and asking you guys first."
"Well let the old man here give you some insight on romanticism...did Kurt ever tell you how I proposed to Carol here?"
Thinking thoroughly I guess Kurt hadn't ever told me that, "Actually no he didn't"
"Well let the master here teach you a thing or two about popping the question, well we met at this singles night at McKinley..."
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"Blaine oh my god I can't believe it! I graduated...I graduated!" He flung himself at me in his cap and gown, which I had to all but beg him to wear because he complained non stop that it was the most unflattering piece of clothing ever!
"I knew you could do it baby, never a doubt in my mind."
As we walked hand in hand through the grounds after the ceremony, one of Kurt's graduating class members came up from behind us.
"Excuse me." We both turned around to see a young looking redheaded man that Kurt seemed to not recognize.
"You're Blaine Anderson aren't you?" I think Kurt's megawatt smile lit up the park when he beamed at me as he squeezed my hand.
"Yep that's me, and you are?" I extended my hand which he took eagerly.
"I'm Colin, Colin Noiver. I thought that was you. I'm a big fan of yours. I've seen How to Succeed like 4 times on Broadway, you were outstanding! I just had to come over and tell you that I think you are so talented and that Broadway misses you!"
Wow ok I had gotten some great reviews but the light in this kids eyes I only recognized because I saw some of my younger self in there.
"Well thanks Colin, that's very sweet of you. I'll be returning to Broadway shortly I'm sure, do you act?"
Colin seemed a little taken back by this question but smiled and answered Blaine with stars in his eyes, "Ya I wish! I actually just finished my undergrad if the bad monkey suit was any indication. I actually am going to school to become a teacher, music hopefully but I can teach other things, like language studies...but I'm off topic. I didn't mean to stop you and your boyfriend from enjoying your afternoon I just wanted to say hi and tell you I think your totally awesome."
I laughed and reached into my pocket and pulled out a business card and handed it to him.
"Here Colin. Take this. It's just something that I think you might want to look into someday. Look up SOS, I know it's a shameless plug but I think the cause might be something a theatre buff and future teacher like you could be interested in."
Kurt wrapped his arm around me and squeezed me affectionately, it was as if I could sense his pride for me through his touch.
"Thanks. I'll look into it. Take care Blaine and um.."
"Kurt."
"Ok Kurt take care of yourselves I have to get back to the Mrs, she's gonna wonder where I got to."
"Oh you're married?" I asked him this before I could stop myself.
"Oh yeah, married at 20, I know its young but sometimes the love bug catches you early ya know?"
I looked over at Kurt and smiled my response, "Ya I know."
"Well take care you two. And come back to Broadway already!" He shouted this last part as he waved over his shoulder as he jogged back in the direction of the main building we had just left.
"So...what's the next chapter in the famous life of the brilliant Mr. Blaine Anderson, theatre extraordinaire and philanthropist?"
"I dunno Mr. Hummel, fashion consultant to the stars...are you ready to go back to Lima and visit you family?"
"Hmmm as long as your with me, I am home...but I think dad and mom would want to see us sooner rather than later since they missed graduation."
I kissed him gently at first, stopping dead in our tracks to mold to one another like each others missing puzzle pieces, then the kiss deepened. It was intense but soft and even though I had been carrying this ring around with me in my jacket pocket for weeks now I almost pulled it out and asked him then because I was so overcome with the emotions he stirred in me. I really loved this man.
"I love you Kurt. So much more than I ever thought I could." I whispered it against his lips like it was a secret that only him and I could know.
"I love you too, from the day I met you, I knew I did." We kissed again and that's when the idea popped in my head: I knew how I was going to propose.
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One week later – Hudmels.
"Blaine what's going on here? I mean you know I love this kinky side of you but really its broad daylight and neighbours will talk!"
I laughed as I guided a blindfolded Kurt into the passenger side of his mom's car. Burt and Carol had excused themselves for the afternoon saying they were going shopping, leaving Kurt and I at the house. Rachel was in Ohio too, visiting Finn on campus before driving him home to his parent's for the summer.
"Kurt just trust me ok, it's a surprise." I kissed his lips quickly before trying to buckle him in before he swatted my hand away.
"I can do that by myself dear, I may be blind right now but I can buckle my own seat belt." Oh how I loved torturing bitchy Kurt sometimes.
I closed the door and started the car before checking with a waved hand that Kurt couldn't see where I was driving. When I got no response, I pulled the car out of the driveway and turned on the radio so that Kurt didn't have to suffer in silence and in blindness.
Once we had been driving for about an hour or so Kurt started to get impatient despite singing along with me to the songs on the radio. It was a good thing because we had made it to our first stop. I stopped the car and hopped out saying that I would be right back to Kurt despite his whine of impatience.
It only took me about 5 minutes to collect our coffee from the Lima Bean. He would undoubtedly smell the coffee in the car so there was no need in hiding it, I just didn't have to tell him where we were per se.
I got back in and kissed Kurt 3 times very quickly before handing him his non fat mocha, wrapping his hand around it gingerly.
"Blaine what the?"
"It's you coffee order love, you know that I still remember it ya know?"
Kurt giggled and brought the cup to his lips and groaned a little at the taste. He licked his lips savouring the sensation and if we weren't on a schedule I would have detoured onto a side road and explored that mouth further.
"Thank you for the coffee baby, but are we almost there? This blindfold is starting to itch."
"Almost baby...we'll be there soon." I leaned over an kissed him again, linking our hands together awe had been before, and put a CD in the stereo and pressed play. When I pulled out of the driveway and back onto the main road the CD started up with 'Somewhere Only We Know' the same song I sang to Kurt during my first audition.
Kurt swooned in my general directions as I sang along with the song. Each song was a small tribute to our love, and that's the exact reason why I made the disc, to showcase the importance of this day and my love for him. Only once we were almost at our destination, did I turn off the CD. I looked at the familiar group of buildings and sighed as I found a parking spot amongst all the other cars.
"We're here baby." Kurt put down his coffee in the cup-holder with a little help from me and unbuckled his seat belt.
"Can I take this wretched thing off my face now?"
"Not quite love, we have to walk for a minute before you can, here take my hand." I let Kurt out of the car and manoeuvred him around the front of the vehicle. I gripped his hand warmly as he pulled me close to his side.
"Anderson if you let me fall I swear you're cut off!"
"Ha ha ha ok love, we'll go slow, not far now." We walked cautiously and slowly made our way along the grass until we reached the spot that I wanted.
"Ok baby we're here. Let's get that thing off you ok?" I reached behind him and despite my gentle tugging Kurt impatiently wanked it off his eyes.
"Oh my god Blaine, that was torture do you know how disconcerting it is to no be able to see where you're..." Kurt stopped when it hit him where we were.
"Blaine? Why are we at Dalton?"
I chuckled at his automatic change in demeanour. "Because that's where I wanted to go honey."
We were standing under the tree that Kurt had buried Pav those many years ago and where Kurt and I had said our goodbyes the following year. It was the one place I regretted any memories with Kurt and I was going to change that right now.
"Blaine? What are you..."
I didn't let him talk long before I placed a sweet kiss on his lips.
"Kurt, you...move me. More and more with everyday. I met you here, well I actually met you about 300 yards that way on a staircase, you looked so cute in you imitation Dalton attire that I could have kissed you right then and there. I grabbed you hand and it was the first time I knew that I believed in love at first sight...and in love at first touch. I love you Kurt and well I guess being here just makes this all the more special for me because it where we found each other, even if it took a while for us to figure that out."
"Blaine.."
"Kurt...I said goodbye to you here, right on this very spot, and its the only regret I have now, so let me use this opportunity to tell you that I never want to say goodbye to you ever again."
I kept holding his hands in my own as I lowered myself onto one knee. His hands immediately left mine and covered his mouth.
"Ohmygodohmygod.." Kurt was starting to tear up already as he mumbled out this chant repeatedly into his hands. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the ring box that I had been carrying for a month now and opened it for him to see.
"Kurt, I love you. I love your positives and your negatives because they make you you. I never want anyone else and I brought you here today, to the spot where we said our first hellos and hopefully our last goodbyes to once and for all prove that to you. So I ask you Kurt Elizabeth Hummel, with all the man I am, will you be mine...forever. Will you marry me?"
We were both in tears but I couldn't stop smiling. It was like I had been waiting my whole life to ask this man that question, and I guess it's just because the love bug bit me early, but I knew from the moment I met him that one day if the stars aligned that I would ask him to be my husband.
Kurt burst into tears as he lowered himself onto the grass kneeling beside me. I was going to almost ask why he was kneeling on the ground in his new McQueen dress pants but if Kurt wasn't concerned so neither was I. He looked at the ring and then into my eyes before diving at me in a earth shattering hug.
"Oh Blaine. Of course I will. I would love to marry you!"
He pulled away and kissed me passionately but quickly.
My head was spinning as I kissed him repeatedly, over and over...never quite getting enough of him, before grabbing his left hand and meticulously placing the ornate silver band on his finger, and thankfully it fit almost perfectly.
"I love you Blaine, it's beautiful."
"I love you too. But its not as beautiful as you." He placed his left hand on my cheek, and I could feel the cool metal from the ring on my face and I decided that I was very happy with this new feeling. We closed the distance between us slowly, almost tantalizingly so, but as our lips connected in the slow dance that had become second nature to us, I could feel the same fireworks that exploded every time I kissed him. This man was mine; and I was his...forever.
When we broke apart, and just stared at each other as I stood up bringing my new fiance with me as I did.
I reached back into my pocket to retrieve the second band that I had made. It was simpler but still matched Kurt's only less ornate.
"Kurt if you will permit me, that is to wear this on my left hand, as a symbol of what we've promised here today that would make me a very happy man."
"Here...allow me." Kurt took the other ring from me and gingerly grabbed my left hand. He looked up into my eyes, tears mimicking tears and without breaking eye contact slide the band onto my ring finger. I smiled the biggest dorkiest grin because I really couldn't help it. I was engaged to a man who's mere glance set my soul on fire. To someone who I could walk hand in hand even if it was just at the grocery store and feel like the proudest man alive.
We stood there holding hands and just staring at each other with matching grins, neither of us blinking or moving for fear of disturbing the perfect moment, but I still had one surprise left.
"Baby, we've got one more thing to do before we can go back to your parents...do you trust me?" I started pulling him towards the building.
"Um of course I do love, but isn't the building closed for the year?"
"Not to distinguished alumni like myself...I called in a favour come on." We walked, hands linked past the other cars which Kurt looked at suspiciously before pushing the front doors of the school open and stepping inside.
"Wow I never realized how big this place is without any students in it."
"Yeah I know love, its oddly quiet, but come on this way...I know a short cut!" Kurt giggled as I dragged him down the hall, past our staircase which we both looked at with a fond glance as we jogged by. There was something so surreal about reliving my past. Reliving one of the most influential meetings and experiences of my life as my first encounter with Kurt. I could tell by the elated expression on his face that it wasn't just the afterglow from my proposal but from the feeling of long lost memories that we had shared. I came to a halt outside the senior commons like I had so many years ago now it seemed and turned to face my fiance.
"Blaine...what are you up to?"
I grasped my heart and looked appalled even if it was just an act, "What? Me? What are you accusing me of the future Mr. Hummel-Anderson?" The name just rolled off my tongue and from the look on Kurt's face he liked the way it sounded as well.
"You know we still stick out like sore thumbs..."
"Guess we'll remember our jackets next time...now if you will excuse me." I opened the door and I thought for a second that Kurt was gong to pass out.
The favours I had called in seemed to have all come through for me. Wes, David, Thad, Nick and all of the other warblers from our year had shown up. All of us in plain clothes mind you but the effect of seeing them in formation in the very same room from years back even made my heart want to explode. I locked eyes with Kurt who mouth made a very large O shape as he stood there gobsmacked. I started to sing:
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 a wreck
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...
I looked to my left and that's when the door to the adjacent hall opened and I saw Rachel taking the lead in bringing in the New Directions...all of them. Finn, Puck, Mike, Artie, Sam, Tina, Mercedes, Santana, Britney, Lauren, and Quinn all walked in and joined along in the chorus behind me and the Warblers.
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 picked up on the solo again and this time, walking through the doors were some adults that everyone recognized immediately. Mr. Schue and Emma, Jessie, Jay, Terri, and Garrett followed by Burt and Carol of course, and then my mom and brother Tom whom I wasn't expecting at all. The room was packed as the New directions and Warblers alike continued to serenade Kurt. And just like the first time I sang this to him he danced along and only had eyes for me despite the room filled with family and friends, old and new.
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
I stopped out of breath mostly because of the overwhelming sensation of everything that had happened today. I walked over to Kurt and kissed him gently. He barely moved into the kiss before he moved away to look at me.
"Are you real Blaine?" I snickered and locked eyes with my future husband.
"I've been asking myself that everyday about you since the moment I met you. We seem to have come full circle love."
Our hands interlocked and we just stared at each other knowing that it was true...our life together had come full circle, even as it was only beginning. As we were bombarded by family and friends who were freaking out over our big news...we knew that the only people in this moment were Kurt and Blaine.
Ok everyone! Hi ! Ok I am ridiculously happy with the way this is ending because that's exactly what is happening...it's ending. I will be posting the epilogue tonight as well and it will end this story on a good note! I hope you enjoyed this and please review, I love to hear from each and every one of you. Even if its just to send me a happy face...I will still love it :D
On with the epilogue...and the end of this story. Klisses everyone!