The Storm: Safe Harbor
Chapter Forty-Nine
By Gayforkurt
Summary: Kurt and Dave have come to terms with the past but can they battle the envy and jealousy of others to make a future for themselves? This is rated M.
A/N 1: Wow, thank you all so much, those who took the time to review, alert and/or PM me. It does a heart good to know what you think. Keep them coming and I'll keep writing!
Disclaimer: Messrs. Ryan, Falchuk, et al are the owners of my favorite boys. Only the OCs and situations belong to me, alas.
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KHDK
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Dinner that evening was hilarious. Finn had an unusual take on almost everything they had seen and, at one point, Kurt spied Ian trying to suppress a tiny smirk. Kurt didn't think of his stepbrother as being dumb but he certainly had an altogether different outlook on things.
"No, no!" Finn was trying to explain over much laughter. "I don't know why people would want to visit somewhere where heads used to be chopped off and, and stuff … I don't!"
Rachel, after she'd had time to stop laughing, simply patted his hand and assured him: "Don't worry, sweetie, they can't do that anymore," to which there was another round of laughter.
Carole, too, shook her head as she pointed at Ian with her fork. "Yes, I thought that was pretty gruesome, too. Did they really used to lock up the ruling people, too?"
Ian finished chewing, swallowed and then answered her. "Yes, even Elizabeth the First spent some time there before she became Queen. You remember the chap mentioning that in the tour?" When she nodded, he continued. "The Tower has seen many folks, most especially people who were suspected of plotting against the Throne."
"Wow," Finn breathed, his eyes wide, ignoring the fact that the others were still sniggering at him. "This is one crazy country!"
Laughter broke out again and Devon, stifling his chuckles, commented: "People are pretty odd, wherever they're from, I think…" and the conversation went on to cover all sorts of crazy things that people did all over the world.
The children in their special seats chimed in – though no one could understand a word of Lije's babbling – and Sean's chatter consisted mostly of the different flavours of ice cream his Unca Davey had let him try.
When Rachel had heard that bit she'd given David the skunk eye for a few seconds and then grinned. They were on holiday so she would ease up a bit on the restrictions. She was vegetarian but she wasn't strict with the kids and the no-dairy rule had not been enforced for some time.
Everyone had already exclaimed over the great food the staff had brought in to their private dining room in Reflections which was reserved for them just for the night.
The appetizers had included soft-boiled duck eggs with Brixham crab mayonnaise; baked South Coast scallops; flamed shellfish bisque with a tarragon/brandy cream sauce; roasted vine tomato soup with pesto and, to Finn's astonished delight, a tartare of local beef. No one told him that 'tartare' basically meant raw.
The main course was lavish and everyone had something they liked. Finn was fascinated by the very British 'beer-battered fish and chips', wondering out loud why 'chips' weren't just 'French fries'; Rachel enjoyed her roast pumpkin and wild mushroom risotto; Mercedes was blown away by the roast breast and leg of duck she had with accompanying fondant potato and Madeira wine sauce and Burt said he'd go for the braised daube of beef, which turned out to be a stew served with honey-roasted root vegetables and creamed potatoes.
The children had – well, as much as went in their stomachs more than on their clothes – creamed potatoes, baby carrots, corn and peas and, to Sean's delight, crispy fish sticks. Rachel had been a bit skeptical until she'd tasted one of the golden-battered sticks and flaky white flounder encased within. It was obviously freshly-baked and not pre-fabricated, as she referred to the usual ones.
Kurt, David and Carole doubled down on the seafood selections: grilled plaice with braised lettuce and sea vegetables in a herb butter sauce and the basil-scented native lobster macaroni with a tomato confit.
Ian and Puck stuck with the char-grilled rib-eye, twice-cooked chips, bone marrow, onion rings and béarnaise sauce and Devon had the roasted white chicken, Alsace cabbage and glazed onions served with a wild rice pilaf.
All in all, they had a wonderful time, moving to the adjacent lounge and entertainment area after dinner but when Sean began to droop, Rachel and Finn excused themselves to take the kids upstairs to their suite. They wished everyone a good night and Kurt fluttered his fingers at Lije who was still, surprisingly, awake.
Burt, who had been caught stifling a yawn, was the next to excuse himself and he and Carole made their way to their own rooms after promising Kurt they'd be up and ready on time the next morning.
The others sat around for a bit, too stuffed for once to even contemplate dessert and just chatted. After a while, Puck and Devon, trying to hide the looks they'd been exchanging more frequently, finally made their excuses and left, Ian staring after them with a faintly morose expression.
In the few days between their return to Ohio and this trip, he'd been able to see Sam only twice. Twice was not nearly enough because, within that time, when they weren't tearing at each other's clothes and making up for lost time, he'd had one brief, unsatisfactory conversation.
The night they'd returned from New York, he had slept with Sam at his apartment – which wasn't a first for them. What was new was the melancholy that came over him when he'd told Sam that, after the trip to France, he would be returning with Puck just to drop off the family and Mercedes. After that, he and Puck would change planes and fly down to the islands to pick up Xavier and Julian. He'd had to explain who they were, which had fascinated Sam, but the blond had realized what Ian was getting around to saying.
Sam, sweaty and sexy as ever, had looked at him, a resigned expression creeping in to replace the disappointment which was just as bad. Ian tried to keep his expression stoical as usual but then he had hauled Sam to him and buried his face in his neck. He had never had this connection with another lover as he had with Sam and so was unable to draw on previous experience.
The second time they'd met up they hadn't spent much time talking – it was all about the sex. Strangely, it was an odd way to distance himself but it worked, at least for a while. He sated himself in Sam's body and if the blond looked at him with compassion as they parted, Ian pretended not to see. His face was stone once more when Sam walked with him to his door. He'd stood facing it for a moment and then glanced briefly at Sam.
"I'll call you, yeah?" He swallowed before turning back to the door which Sam moved to unlock. When Sam smiled, his whole face lighting up with affection and said, "Or I'll call you…" Ian knew he had to walk out now or never leave.
He didn't look back but as he stalked down the hallway away from Sam, he didn't hear the door close or the locks click into place until he'd reached the end. Then he turned and looked back towards Sam's apartment, gritted his teeth and entered the lift.
He punched the ground floor button viciously and then the door-close button and if anyone had been with him in there, they would have shrunk from the murderous expression on his face. He knew not everyone got a happily-ever-after like his primaries and he was not going to dwell on it. Still, he wished there was something to punch or knife or rip apart right about now.
That was the day before, now he was here in England, home as much as anywhere was, but he could only clench his jaw and watch all the couples head up to bed. No one was to blame for his situation – life was just screwed up that way. He'd heard a phrase from Puck once and it certainly suited his current frame of mind: some days – you get the bear; others – the bear gets you. Yeah, sounded about right.
He looked over at the others and made his own excuses, leaving them to wonder if he was alright. He knew Kurt, being sensitive to others' moods, would be worried for him but there was nothing anyone could do … and that had to be okay. At least for now.
Mercedes watched the grim man leave and turned to David and Kurt. She made a sad little grimace and said, "You know he's missing Sam, right?"
Dave's eyebrows flew up his forehead. "Wait, things are that serious? I know they'd gotten together but I hadn't realized how deep it had gone."
Kurt patted his arm consolingly. "Sweetie, they couldn't take their eyes and later their hands off each other – ever since the night of the mini-reunion."
Dave shook his head bemusedly. "I had no idea. Wow, he always seems so self-contained… and I guess I thought it was just stress relief for him."
"Yeah," Kurt sighed. "It doesn't matter how self-contained you are… when you get bit, there's nothing you can do," he opined.
Dave looked at him with a confused furrow of his slanted eyebrows. "Bit?" He quirked one brow at Mercedes for clarification. "Bit…?"
"By the love bug, sweetie," Kurt grinned at him; "same as I was. I was so angry at first, as you'll recall, but there's nothing to do but give in… and I'm so glad I did," he smiled softly at his fiancé.
"True, you two are a match made you-know-where but, what are we going to do about Ian and Sam?" Her wide brown eyes showed genuine concern because she knew Sam had fallen hard for the tough Brit.
Kurt nodded with a narrow-eyed look at her. "Leave it to me, I'll think of something…"
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KHDK
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"Mmmm, oh David, oh God, oh baby…" Kurt groaned and then his eyes flew open when David's hand came up to muffle his cries.
"Shhh, baby, your folks are gonna hear us!" Dave eased his hand away from Kurt's mouth, but not before his mischievous lover licked his palm and then nipped a retreating finger. "Ow!"
"I think… I'm entitled… to be… as loud… as I want… right now!" Kurt gasped out his complaint as Dave slid out only to slam in again, and he braced his hands against the non-slip tiles of the power shower.
Dave gripped the slender, enticing hips and stared down at Kurt's magnificent ass as he sank in again to the hilt. He couldn't hold back his own groan but then bit down onto Kurt's shoulder to try and stifle it.
"Jesus, David, don't mark me there!" Kurt whisper yelled before groaning himself, Dave's cockhead finding his prostate unerringly. "My dad just might kill you if he sees a bite mark," he warned, panting in between the words.
"Sorry," Dave muttered and kissed the abused area. If he was lucky, it would only be a faint discoloration; nothing to get out the old shotgun, he figured.
The lovers stopped talking for a while, the only sounds that of the hot shower spray, the slap of skin on skin and the occasional grunt, groan or moan. As the heat between them escalated, Kurt dropped one hand down to his neglected erection and fisted himself, squeezing his ass around Dave's cock as he did.
Dave pulled back and sped up his motions; this was a down and dirty fuck, not lovemaking, and it was so good! He loved that Kurt was up for just about anything and when the singer began to utter a stream of filthy suggestions, Dave shuddered and groaned, his balls tightening as he began the long-awaited climb to the cliff's edge.
Kurt, his voice a husky alto so different from his usual light tones, was such a turn-on for Dave and every time Kurt propositioned him in that dark, sexy tone, he would shudder and plunge deeper in him.
"Oh, yes, baby, fill me up, fuck me, oh sweetie, I want your cum, yes, god yes, come in me, David, come now!" and Dave, unable to hold back, slammed in and exploded with a cry.
"Kurt, fuck, yes, baby, uh, fuck yes, yes!"
He reached around and, covering Kurt's hand with his, jacked him furiously, wincing when Kurt's ass clenched down on his dick as he came, shuddering and crying out in Dave's arms.
"Oh, David, oh baby, you make me so hot, mmmf," Kurt groaned as he slumped against the tiles, his cock still twitching, little dribbles of cum sliding down the tiles to join the water from the shower.
"God, I love you," David mouthed against the back of Kurt's neck, licking the water droplets there and tickling him.
"Aaah, stop that, you nut!" Kurt laughed as he tried to squirm away from the warm tongue. "Come on, let's finish up before we turn into giant prunes…"
They completed washing each other, giggling and teasing as they got each other's ticklish spots. Eventually they got out, dried off and dressed, then cleaned their teeth in the double sinks, after which Dave headed back into the bedroom, Kurt remaining to complete his skincare regimen.
"Sweetie, what do you think we could do for Ian?" Kurt creamed his face as he leaned back on the stool to look at David who was sliding into the bed.
"I've got to think about it. I don't like that we're so happy, Devon and Puck are like kids they are so giddy yet Ian can't get to be with the guy he wants. Not a good situation at all," Dave concluded, his brow furrowing as he thought about it.
"Well, what really can we do? If I had my druthers, either Ian would be with Sam there or Sam would be with him here. I don't know, though… how would that work?"
"Hmmm, I see what you mean. Sam's business is important to him, I guess, and Ian, well, he works for us…" his words tailed off as he lay back against the pillows, his arms crossed behind his head as he thought hard. "We'll probably have to talk with Puck, y'know."
Kurt nodded, even though David couldn't see him. "Mmmm-hmmm, yes, maybe Noah will be able to come up with something. Technically, Noah is his direct boss. Ah, well, we'll work something out."
He finished creaming his legs and arms, closed the jars and bottles tightly and then strolled into the bedroom, a faraway, thoughtful look still on his face. He disrobed and climbed into bed, dressed only in the matching top to David's pajama bottoms and enjoying the feel of the 300-count Egyptian cotton sheets against his skin.
Dave was so addicted to the sight and feel of Kurt's legs that he'd told him he preferred him to go without pyjama bottoms in bed. Kurt had happily agreed and now he snuggled up to his love, one arm and a leg thrown over David's larger body.
Dave's arm pulled Kurt so close the singer was almost half on top of him and they settled down, continuing to talk in low, soft, sleepy tones.
"I wish everyone could be as happy as we are now, sweetie," Kurt muttered drowsily.
Dave nuzzled his hair and agreed. "Yeah, last year at this time I was just going through the motions of everyday life. It was okay but this – being here with you – is a thousand times better."
Kurt smiled with his eyes still closed, his mind already drifting. A last yawn took him by surprise but he managed to get out: "I know – it is for me, too… G'night…"
"Sweet dreams, sweetheart, sleep well…" Dave replied, a soft smile and the memory of his mother saying that to him carrying him down into sleep.
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"Sean Hudson, come here right now and put your shoes on!" Rachel's voice had achieved a decibel level previously unheard by Kurt.
He popped his head out to see his nephew dashing pell-mell down the hallway, his mouth wide as he laughed. Kurt stepped out in a timely manner and grabbed the little scamp who wriggled and squirmed as he tried to get free.
"Come now, sweetie, don't you want to see the ocean with us?" Kurt hugged the writhing little body to him but thankfully he'd caught the boy's attention.
"The ocean? Where the ships are?" His little voice chirped excitedly, for just the day before he had been shown the ocean from the window of the plane. He had been fascinated; the ships looked like toys and he wanted to see that again.
"Uh-huh, but you won't get to see the ships if you don't put your shoes on," Kurt murmured in a soft, calm voice. He set Sean down, being careful to hold the little hand in a firm grasp, and walked with him back to the open door of his parents' suite.
Rachel, looking frazzled and stuffing things haphazardly into one of their suitcases, sighed gratefully as Kurt entered with his nephew in tow. Finn, coming from the bedroom with a completely dressed Lije in his arms, handed over the baby to Kurt and grabbed Sean before he could run again.
"Come here, you!" Finn tickled the boy who laughed uproariously while Kurt looked on, bouncing Lije on his hip. Finn finally got Sean to stay still long enough to get his shoes on and tied securely before letting him go.
Sean, marching up to Kurt, looked up at him and the baby who was playing with the scarf around Kurt's neck and trying to mouth it to death.
"Do you want to keep him, Unca Kurt?" The little fists were planted akimbo as he stared up at a startled Kurt. Kurt looked at the baby and then back at the determined little boy. He was aware of Finn and Rachel sniggering in the background, a faint colour brightening his cheeks.
"Er, d'you mean right now?" He knew the little boy didn't mean at the moment but he had to stall him and maybe try to distract him. "I was just going to take him to my room so your mommy and daddy can get dressed. Do you want to come and see what Unca – er, Uncle – David is doing?"
He turned to the door, hoping the little boy was distracted enough to just follow him. The ploy worked and Sean trailed after him and his brother, chattering all the way about ships and boats and cars and trucks…
Kurt sighed in relief as he made his way the short distance to his own suite, the door of which was still ajar. When he entered David was still packing stuff into their luggage in his usual competent manner. In fact, he worked so efficiently that Kurt had left him to finish doing his luggage for him, too.
He smirked now as he came in with his nephews. "Hey, Uncle David, we have visitors and one of them is going to be a ship's captain, or fireman or… what was the other one, Sean?"
"A astronaut!" He yelled, dashing over to bounce on one of the already closed and locked suitcases.
"Anastronaut, sweetie," Kurt corrected him absentmindedly as his eyes scanned the suite to see if he was leaving anything behind. "Everything accounted for, hon?"
Dave nodded and grinned at his lover who was still unconsciously bouncing Lije on his hip even as he tried to keep the end of his scarf from getting soggy. The baby's big bright eyes were taking in everything in the sitting room while still dodging Kurt's attempts to save the fringes of his scarf.
"I think that's everything, which means – time to head out!" He smiled big and bright at Kurt, his own excitement starting to build at the thought of Kurt seeing the villa for the first time. It was situated near enough to a couple of sophisticated hotels and restaurants to offer the best of both worlds – casual beach house and sophisticated holiday retreat, according to the brochure.
"Okay, then," Kurt smiled at him and waited for him to call the bellhop to come and take their things downstairs.
An hour later they were taking off again. Puck informed them that they should arrive in Bordeaux around 11:10 a.m. and that they had a good headwind so they might reach even earlier.
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Sunlight blazed down at them when they finally landed in Bordeaux. It was nearly 11 o'clock and Kurt marveled at how accurate Noah had been but he was distracted by the feel of the warm sunlight on his skin. He turned his face up and let the balmy breeze caress him.
"Oh, David, this is really nice – so different from Ohio – or London," he commented as he and Dave strolled towards the waiting limousines. The others were already ensconced, except for Noah who was just coming down the steps of the plane.
Finally, with everybody in and their luggage stowed, they started the last leg of their journey – a little under an hour to the villa.
There was happy chatter as everyone gazed out at the passing landscape, Kurt gesturing as excitedly as Mercedes and the friends planning all they wanted to do when they arrived.
David smiled as he listened and chimed in occasionally but really, he couldn't wait for Kurt to get a good look at the place. He'd been told that the views from the property were gorgeous, the house's design allowing for passage of the warm sea breeze through its rooms. From the photos they could tell that all those windows would catch the maximum amount of light, ensuring that each sunny day would seem even longer than usual.
Now he looked around at the occupants of the limo he was in: Kurt, Mercedes, Ian, Devon and Sean in a booster seat close to Kurt. He wondered if Kurt would have wanted Lije with them – ugh, really Dave? His mind taunted him about pondering the obvious.
Over in the other car were Puck, Burt, Carol, Finn, Rachel and Lije in his own car seat. Rachel distracted the baby by tickling him and pointing out the occasional huge tree they passed and the powder puff clouds in the cerulean sky. The grownups kept commenting on how different and beautiful the scenery was and speculating on how warm the water would be.
"Hey, Finn, maybe we could check out the surfing. There's pretty much a bunch of different things we can do besides lying out on the beach, y'know," Puck informed the overly tall man with a mischievous grin. He personally wanted to see Finn fall off of a surfboard like a million times.
Burt chimed in: "Yeah, what other things, especially for those of us who don't want to either surf or lie on a beach?"
Puck shrugged. "According to the brochure it says there's golf, sailing, canoeing and bird-watching reserves. There are also some vineyards within a few minutes' drive of the villa. We have time to check them all out, if you want to…"
Carole nodded and smiled, looking over at her husband. "Oh, Burt, I've always wanted to do those wine tours things we see advertised on TV!"
Burt smiled at her and then said, "Yeah, and maybe we could bring back a couple bottles of their stuff, too."
She pooh-poohed him but continued to smile widely, her eyes getting a faraway look as she planned what they were going to do and, more importantly, what she was going to wear. It was good to have someone as stylish as Kurt in the family; it kept you on your toes so you didn't get all frumpy and frowzy in your old age, she smirked to herself.
She had packed quite a few gorgeous, light, floaty garments at Kurt's urging, as well as some swimwear that she was sure would make Burt's eyes pop. Oh, they were all age-appropriate, thanks to Kurt, but they weren't things one would normally wear in Lima, Ohio. She had even packed an amazing negligee set that Kurt had seen on their shopping trips in London and had informed her she must get – if only for the glamour factor alone.
The thought of surprising Burt one night in the filmy, midnight blue peignoir and matching robe made faint colour come to her cheeks and Burt, sitting across from her, smiled at his wife, still as lovely as the day they'd met, all those years ago. He would always love Kurt's mother and she was the love of his youth. Carole was an unexpected gift and he'd never been foolish enough to take her love for granted. He was a lucky man and he reminded himself of it every time they had some foolish little disagreement.
The sunlight streaming through the lightly-tinted glass of the limo window limned her and turned her hair into a halo of blonde curls. When she became aware of his regard he sent her a small, intimate little smile and congratulated himself silently when the colour in her face deepened.
Puck had still been teasing Finn about learning to surf but Rachel had seen the interaction between her in-laws and was startled by the wistful little thought that popped up as she turned back to ruffle Lije's wispy hair: I want that.
It wasn't that she didn't know that Finn loved her, her practical side hurried to clarify things for her silly, impractical side; it was just that somehow the romance had slowly drained from their marriage. She was intelligent enough to know that romance didn't necessarily equal love but she still wondered why she couldn't have both. They were so busy, however, with the boys, with work, with all the thousand and one mundane things to be dealt with that there was no time left over for just Rachel and Finn, lovers.
As she sneaked another little glance at Carole's rosy cheeks and glowing eyes she admitted that she wished she could skip over these humdrum years and get to the stage where Finn would look at her the way Burt looked now at Carole.
She couldn't tell any of this to anyone, though; she had no close girlfriends, just the other moms in Sean's play date group and colleagues at the school. Finn was all about his managerial position and the many petty frustrations of his day; he very rarely asked her how her day was, or anything for that matter. Deep inside she was so afraid that she had made the wrong choice despite her love for him but she could not let the thought surface often. Kurt's return had opened the little box in which she had sealed those thoughts away but she was strong and she loved her little family. She would do her best, as usual, with what she had chosen.
The two limousines traveled in convoy, the relatively short journey smooth and uneventful. When they turned onto a road that ran much more closely to the sand dunes lining the sea shore, Sean's happy shout and laughter echoed what all the grownups were feeling: vacation time!
A holiday by the sea was not something a person born and raised in the American midlands was accustomed to. Burt, Carole, Mercedes, Finn and Rachel gazed in awe out of the windows, Sean begging for the windows to be lowered. The smell of the sea blowing over the dunes was utterly unexpected and unconsciously, everyone relaxed and breathed deep.
Kurt turned to David, his stunning eyes rivaling the colour of the sea they could just glimpse beyond the dunes and the wide beach. "Photos – the camera!" He blurted this in such a panicked tone that Dave couldn't hold back a burst of laughter.
"Relax, beautiful, Puck has a couple of them for us, okay?" He smiled as Kurt let out a little huff of relief.
"Oh, that's good because this view, the scenery is unbelievable!" He smiled as he gazed back out of the window that they had lowered to accommodate Sean's demands. He was happy they'd done so because the dry, hot breeze felt as if it was scouring all the worries and concerns of everyday life from his mind.
He sat back and closed his eyes, oblivious to the eyes turned to him and Mercedes stared at him before turning to raise an eyebrow at David.
"Hmph, someone is already in a beach-lounging mood, I see!" Her rich chuckles started off the others – except Ian, of course. He, however, did look at least a little less downhearted than he'd been.
Mercedes grinned as she watched Sean bounce in his booster seat and thought she felt exactly as he did – it was just a little undignified for a grown-ass woman to bounce in her seat, that's all!
Within minutes, to Kurt's growing excitement, the limo began to slow down and then turned into wide open tall iron gates. The long driveway was white with crushed gravel and lined with slender twin-trunked trees. Everyone was silent except for Sean's unintelligible chanting that provided background sound.
At the top of the driveway's slight incline and around a little bend, the house came into view. Kurt, his eyes wide and his mouth slowly stretching into a grin, stared at it; the pale cream façade with the red-painted wood trim and shutters was more glorious than the photographs had indicated.
The limo driver pulled around into the spacious parking area, leaving room for the other car to pull in as well and all the doors flew open. The group piled out and stood, looking without a word as the light, hot breeze blew around them. Mercedes lifted one hand to grasp her wide-brimmed floppy hat and the other went to grip her skirt that was threatening to expose her to mid-thigh.
"Oh, Kurt," she whispered as she turned in a circle to take in the house and the view.
Kurt simply nodded as he too turned with one hand clasped in David's, his eyes moving from the house to the sloping green lawns and then out to a glimpse of the sandy beach and glittering sea.
"This is… this is… oh, sweetie," he found himself wrapping his arms around David's waist as he struggled to find the words, his eyes glistening as he stared around and then looked up at the massive two-storey house. In his mind, 'villa' had always meant some rustic though charming little edifice but this was absolutely stunning.
Dave dropped a kiss on the dark, wind-tousled hair and looked around in deep satisfaction. Yes, this was an amazing place, he mused, his eyes falling on the rest of the group.
Rachel had Lije bouncing on her hip, his eyes as usual taking in everything about their environment and Finn was making sure to hold tightly to a hyperactive Sean. Burt and Carole were strolling hand-in-hand to the edge of the parking area around which a low stone wall ran. Puck, Ian and Devon, after a brief look at the stunning view, turned to assist the limo drivers who had already begun unloading a mountain of luggage from the boot of both vehicles.
Kurt let out a soft little chuckle as he turned to Mercedes. "Wow, we're here – in France!" and the two friends hugged each other and giggled madly. Dave shook his head as his attention was drawn to a figure just emerging from the tall glass front doors.
The man approaching them slowed as he came closer, his eyes darting around the group. Inevitably they landed on David who, when he wanted to, could project an almost intimidating aura. Now he turned to greet the little man, his face wearing a look that befitted his reputation as a no-nonsense billionaire entrepreneur.
"M.Karofsky, je suisDidierBoulanger. Bienvenue àla villa Corniche!" He grasped David's outstretched hand and shook it firmly.
Dave smiled briefly and responded: "Merci.Parlez-vousl'anglais?" He watched as faint consternation showed before a mask of utter professionalism descended on the thin, tanned face.
"Pardonnez-moi, oui, je parle anglais un peu... er, yes, a little English." Didier managed to prevent himself from grimacing; after all he'd been told the party was American and he should have remembered. Nevertheless, M. Karofsky just brushed the apology away and turned to hold a hand out to a tall, slender très élégantjeune homme.
"Sweetheart, this is M. Boulanger, from the estate agency." He smiled down at Kurt's beautiful face, one sure to charm even a sophisticated Frenchman.
Kurt held out his hand, a graceful move that had Didier scrambling to grasp it gently. "Monsieur Boulanger, je m'appelle Kurt Hummel. C'est un plaisir. La maison est très belle et la paysage est tout magnifique, aussi." He turned to include the others who had come to stand near them. "Je suis sûr quema famille etje seraitrès heureux ici."
At the torrent of French words in Kurt's soft musical voice, Didier could only stare. He didn't even realize he was still holding Kurt's hand until the young man tugged on it slightly. Kurt chuckled; he was accustomed to that reaction from some people so he was in no way offended.
The Frenchman turned now to Mr. Karofsky, his dark cheeks a little redder now and addressed him with a slight stutter. "Y-you will come on a small tour, yes? Everyone will come?"
Dave took pity on the agent and nodded before turning, an enquiring eyebrow raised at the others. "Everyone coming?"
At the scattered response in the affirmative, the little man turned quickly and headed back towards the doors, opening them wide and using the little metal hooks at their bottoms to keep them open. He stepped aside, waiting for the group to join him, Dave and Kurt in the lead, and then began the tour of the ground floor.
Kurt marveled at the cool, glassy tile floors of the foyer, so smooth one could see one's reflection, and glanced up at the almost bare walls. There were a few decorative touches but the overall effect was one of clean, spare elegance. He loved it!
Dave, watching Kurt staring around with happiness almost oozing from every pore, slipped his arm around the slender waist. Didier, pretending not to see this, hid a little grin and then noticed then that the men were each wearing a ring on the third finger of his left hand. His eyes widening in sudden understanding, he smiled widely now and continued through the magnificent great room that combined both living and dining areas.
Kurt and the others murmured as they took in the huge, comfy-looking sofas and armchairs upholstered in soft, white leather and the massive stone fireplace at one end. The coffee and end tables held a few magazines and large glossy books filled with photos and information on the area and its attractions.
The unusually formal dining table and chairs at the other end were of a lovely cherry wood, the seats upholstered in a lively, multi-colored striped fabric. The men even commented on the wonderful hand-carved look to the backs of the chairs and the table's edge and legs. Didier smiled happily at their approval and then led the group out onto the expansive patio at the side of the house.
Kurt, stepping out ahead of David, gasped and then laughed as he took in the space. The flooring was of red clay tiles and the wooden furniture too was of a slightly lighter red that looked to be cedar. There were tables and chairs scattered about and interspersed with large clay pots filled with flowering shrubs. Scattered about, too, were lounge chairs upholstered in a rich turquoise that complemented the wood perfectly.
When Kurt and the others stepped out onto the terrace they glanced up at the building's façade to notice that a couple of bedrooms had patios that overhung the terrace. He then realized that the kitchen also opened out onto the terrace and he and the others headed there.
The kitchen was large enough for the twelve of them to eat there and the wide windows let in a lot of light. The gleaming new appliances were greeted with hums of approval from Kurt and Carole; even though they would have maid service every day for a few hours, they both hoped to get in a little cooking as well.
Didier smiled at their approval. "It is good, non, everything specially selected as you instructed," he said now to David.
Dave nodded and agreed. "Yes, it is perfect. Now, the bedrooms…?"
Didier hurried to explain. "Yes, the ground floor – er, first floor, yes?" He relaxed when he realized he'd got the Americanism right. "The first floor has four suites: a king-size master suite with sitting room; one queen-size suite and two children's suites – one has what I think is called 'bunk' beds?"
They nodded at him as they strolled along the hallway, passing each open bedroom door and glancing in briefly. As far as Kurt could see, everything was painfully neat yet the charming décor gave it a homey feeling that he absolutely loved. Even the patchwork quilt on the bunk beds in the kids' rooms was just the right touch. On the chest of drawers a teddy bear that didn't look brand new sat as if a child had just forgotten him there.
The group – minus Puck and his guys – trooped after the little Frenchman up the wide wooden steps of the stairs to the second storey (Didier was almost tempted to say first floor) and indicated each bedroom as they passed.
"Upstairs we have a little difference. It is one king-size master suite with sitting room; one queen-size suite but only one children suite and no bunk beds but two single beds. Is good, yes?"
Kurt clasped his hands together and, with a beatific expression on his face, turned to him. "Je vous remercie,M. Boulanger! Ilest beau, n'est-ce pas, David?"
Didier colored again at the praise; this young man was très charmant, he admitted to himself, although his partner seemed to be more stoic. Mr. Karofsky nodded, however, and held his hand out to him.
"Thank you, M. Boulanger; we are very pleased. I will be speaking to you soon, when we get settled, yes?"
Didier shook his hand rapidly, smiling. "Yes, I am happy you are pleased, M. Karofsky. If there is anything you need, any way we can help, I'll be happy to assist."
With little bobs of his head and a definite bow towards the charming M. Hummel, Didier headed out the front doors, David escorting him and asking a few more questions to which he responded with much hand-waving and broad smiles.
Mercedes chuckled and came up beside Kurt, sliding her arm around his waist. He responded by slipping an arm around her shoulder and hugging her briefly.
"Hey, boo, you certainly 'wowed' a certain little Frenchman, didn't you? Dang, I wish I had taken French in school."
They laughed and Kurt, taking her hand, walked with her to one little door off the foyer. Opening it they peered in to see a cute little pale green powder room, the walls patterned in tiny gold flowers on dark green stems. The fixtures were quite modern and Kurt thought the little hand towels in the same pattern as that of the wall paper was a charming touch.
"Kurt, oh gosh, this place is like something out of Architectural Digest, seriously!" Mercedes tugged his hand to head towards the kitchen. She'd noticed earlier that there were two refrigerators in there and she wanted to examine their contents. She was hungry!
Kurt chuckled at the determined look on her face. He realized that it was nearly lunch time and he too wanted to see what the agency had provided for them. Pulling open the doors of the first fridge he came to, his mouth fell open and then he laughed.
"Look at this, 'Cedes!" She hurried over to him and all but shoved him out of the way to get to the leg of ham taking pride of place on a platter on the spacious top shelf.
"This is what I'm talking about, white boy!" And she hauled it out, almost staggering under its weight. She turned to the kitchen table and then ordered him. "See if you can find bread, butter, mustard, all the fixings, okay? I'm going to carve this sucker up right now."
They set to work and soon Rachel came in with Carole, having realized they missed seeing where the other two had gone. When Carole saw the food, she went over to the fridge and peered in, too.
"Oh, Kurt, there's roast beef here, too; should I take it out?" At his affirmative she removed it and then turned back to see if there was anything to throw a salad together.
Rachel looked around before asking: "D'you want me to get the plates and cutlery?"
Mercedes nodded even as she concentrated on the piles of ham she was heaping onto another platter. Kurt had been busy with the instructions from Mercedes and rounded up not only the bread but a basket of rolls, as well.
"There's fruit over here, Kurt," Rachel called as she came back over from the huge dresser in which she'd found cutlery and napkins.
The group worked together in surprising synchrony and in no time they had a mini feast set out for the others. Rachel had told Kurt that Lije seemed to have been looking for him but that Puck was keeping him occupied; Ian and Devon had gone to check out the little cottage on the property.
Kurt looked up, just about to ask where David was when he came through the doors from the terrace.
"I was just looking at the beach house; it's pretty big and there's a fire pit so we can do barbecues," Dave said as he went over to wash his hands. "Oh, and Boulanger said it also has a roof terrace – perfect for dining and stargazing."
Kurt chuckled. "I think that man is a romantic; hmmm, the French are supposed to be big on romance, eh?"
Dave turned to him with a little twinkle in his eye. "Well, I think he finds you quite romantic, sweetie."
Kurt colored and scoffed at him, flicking one of the napkins his way. "Oh, pish, he does not."
Mercedes decided to put in her tuppence worth. "Oh, come on, baby boy. The poor man's eyes almost glazed over when you spouted all those sexy French words at him!"
Everybody laughed at Kurt's discomfort, Carole shaking her head. "You know, I always did think French sounds so romantic. I didn't think the French thought so, too…"
They laughed again, Kurt joining in this time and then they were finally ready to call everyone in to eat. Kurt and Mercedes thought eating out on the terrace would be the absolute perfect way to begin their French holiday and everyone agreed.
The food, his family and friends, the beautiful weather and views – everything combined for a perfect afternoon and Kurt, well, he was in seventh heaven.
Dave reached over to grasp his hand beneath the table and they smiled softly at each other, the happy chatter flowing around them. Kurt's eyes, expressive as always, said 'thank you'; Dave's, as usual, said 'I love you'.
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TBC
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A/N 2: Folks, I don't speak any French and had to research the conversation. Please, if the phrasing is weird or anything, let me know, okay?