Chapter 22: Family

Usually, on Saturday mornings, Nigel dropped Tommy off at the Hummel garage on his way to work. Sometimes, if he had spent Friday night at his boyfriend's place, Kurt dropped Tommy off. Either way, Kurt always wandered into the garage on Saturday mornings to keep an eye on Tommy. Tommy, of course, didn't know that Kurt was making sure the eight-year old didn't get in Burt's way on one of the busiest days of his week. Tommy thought that both he and Kurt were helping Burt out.

"That comes to $587.58. Credit or debit?"

Harry Falcone, a regular customer, looked at Burt as he waited for his card to be approved. "So, there shouldn't be any more problems?"

Burt tore off the receipt as the machine spit it out. "No, you're good to go."

"Thanks, Burt."

"No problem, enjoy your trip."

Harry grimaced. "The kids are going to complain the whole way there, but at least, I won't have to worry about the car breaking down."

Burt laughed. "Not this trip, but the old ford's not going to last forever Harry."

Harry groaned. "Don't remind me!" Harry left, and Burt ambled over to one of the cars in the garage. Kurt's legs were sticking out from under the chassis, and as Burt got closer he could hear Kurt talking Tommy through the steps of an oil change. "That's right. Just make sure it's tight."

"Like this?" Burt had to smile at the concentration in Tommy's voice.

"Looks good. Nice job. We're done here. Slide out."

Burt stepped back as Kurt and Tommy slid out from under the car. Tommy saw Burt and jumped off the skid. "Mr. Hummel, Kurt showed me how to do an oil change."

Kurt put a hand on Tommy's shoulder. "He's a natural."

"Good, can't have too many hands around here." Burt had to restrain himself from ruffling Tommy's hair, the way he used to do to Kurt. "Why don't you guys get cleaned up and we'll get lunch."

Burt and Tommy found a table while Kurt waited at the counter for their order.

"I'll get the straws and napkins." Tommy was up and gone, before Burt could even nod. Burt sat, happy to relax for a bit. Tommy was a great kid and fun to have around, but one of the best things about his miniature mechanic was that because of Tommy, Burt got to see more of his son. Kurt hadn't been around the shop in quite a while. He'd been busy with Glee, and his friends, and Nigel. Burt understood, of course, but he had missed him.

Watching Kurt with Tommy was giving Burt ideas; ideas like same-sex marriage and adoption. He'd always assumed that he wouldn't be a grandfather but now, anything was possible. Kurt was good with Tommy. He would be good with his own child, and Burt couldn't be any prouder.

Kurt waited by the counter, his blue jacket tight across shoulders that Burt noticed weren't as narrow as they used to be. His hair was perfect, and his scarf was tied in some kind of intricate knot. You would never know that Kurt had just crawled out from under a car fifteen minutes ago.

"He is not a fag! He's gay." Tommy's voice carried over the hustle of the restaurant. Both Kurt and Burt, turned towards the boy, but Burt was closer. He slid out of his seat, intent on reaching Tommy. Nigel's nephew glared at three boys about twelve years old, eating lunch in a corner booth.

One boy grinned at his friends. "That's the same thing, dipshit!"

"No, it's not. Do you think that nigger and black are the same thing?"

Jesus! Burt was about to pull Tommy away, when he saw Kurt shake his head. Kurt stood just to the side, out of sight of the arguing kids. Burt swallowed, and stayed one table away. Christ! He hoped Kurt knew what he was doing.

Tommy didn't wait for an answer. "His name is Kurt, he's my uncle's boyfriend, and he's gay. That's the right word." He turned and saw Burt. "I've got the straws and napkins."

Burt's heart was roaring in his ears. "Great, Tommy. Thanks."

"I got salt, and ketchup too." Burt put his arm around Tommy's shoulder, as they walked back to their table.

Kurt stopped at the corner booth, and put his tray down on the table. The three boys tried to pull off an 'I don't give a fuck delinquent' look but they were embarrassed, and a little intimidated. The fag looked a lot taller leaning over their table than he had standing at the counter. Kurt put his hand out and waited as the boys looked at each other and then shook his hand. "Kurt Hummel. Nice to meet you." Kurt smiled. "That's Tommy, my boyfriend's nephew. He's a smart kid but he's only eight so if anyone thinks that he's got a big mouth and should be taught a lesson, that person better think again. Because, while I may be the biggest fag in Lima, I was also a kicker for the McKinley Titans, and I'm pretty sure I could still kick some serious ass if anything happens to Tommy." Kurt picked up his tray and joined Burt and Tommy at their table.

"Two cheeseburgers, one with fries, one with onion rings." Kurt handed the food out and sat beside his father. "You're not supposed to be eating that."

"Ah, come on, Kurt. Carole makes me eat all the right things at home. Eating this stuff, once a week, isn't going to kill me."

Kurt looked skeptical. "Once a week?"

Burt crossed a finger over his heart. "I promise." He took a bite of his hamburger, and sighed with satisfaction. "Look, I've been meaning to talk to you guys. Congress will be back in session in a couple of weeks, so I won't be at the shop as much. Even if I can't be there, I told Frank to expect you and Tommy on Saturday mornings." Burt looked at Tommy. "You can still come over and help Kurt and Frank out, OK?"

Tommy nodded; mouth full of hamburger. Kurt smiled as he stole one of his father's onion rings. "Thanks Dad."

"Kurt, you staying for dinner? We're ordering Chinese." Claire stood in the doorway to her daughter's room.

Kurt looked up from the colouring book he and Angie were sharing. "Sure, thanks."

"Anything special you want me to get?"

"Any chicken that isn't breaded, and I'm good."

"I'm ordering now, so it will be here when Nigel gets home." Claire left, and Angie looked through her crayons. She found a turquoise and filled the sky in, careful not to go over the lines.

Kurt smiled at her. "I like that colour."

"Me too, it's my favourite." Angie held the crayon out for Kurt to see. "It would be a good colour for a flower girl's dress." Ever since the royal wedding last year, Angie had weddings on her mind. She marched her dolls down imaginary aisles and made veils out of Kleenex.

"Yes, it would."

"When you and Uncle Nigel get married I can be a flower girl, right?"

"Absolutely, if Nigel and I get married, you can be the flower girl. But I have to go to college first, and Nigel has to graduate and find a job, and then I have to find a job, so it may be a while."

"O.K. but I can have a turquoise dress, right?"

"Of course, you can wear any dress you want."

"Good." Angie went back to filling in the sky, and Kurt's thoughts shifted to Nigel.

"Scandals? Aw, Kurt, you know I can't dance."

Kurt took the remote from Nigel and handed it to Claire. He slid onto Nigel's lap, and whispered in his ear. Nigel's eyes went wide and he dumped Kurt off his lap, onto the couch beside him. "Let me just change my shirt."

Claire watched her brother sprint out of the room. "Wow! What did you say to him?"

Kurt looked down at his nails, a little embarrassed but he flashed a mischievous look at Claire. "Oh, you know, just an idea or two, as incentive."

Claire stared at her brother's boyfriend. "You're a bit manipulative, aren't you?"

Kurt brought his forefinger and thumb together. "Just a tad, but I try to use my powers for good."

Claire laughed. "I bet." She flicked through a few channels, and hit guide. "Angie says she's going to be the flower girl at your wedding."

"Yeah, she wants to wear a turquoise dress."

"Thanks, Kurt."

Kurt looked over at Claire, surprised. "For what?"

"For caring about Nigel, for spending time with Tommy and Angie." Claire put the remote down and took Kurt's hand. "I appreciate it more than I can say."

Kurt stared at Claire's hand in his. "Nigel's important to me, and so are the kids." Kurt looked up at Claire. "Like family, right?"

Claire squeezed Kurt's hand. "Exactly, family."

"Kurt!" Nigel flew back into the room buttoning his shirt. "Let's go!"