Two Steps Beyond
Part 102
Even though they hadn't gone to bed till late, Sebastian and Blaine were still up and moving at a reasonable hour the next morning. Upon seeing it was a cool morning, they both decided to go for a run together since it wasn't something they'd gotten to do in a while because of Sebastian's lacrosse schedule. After putting on the appropriate clothing they headed towards the kitchen to leave a note for Nick and Santana. They'd debated sending a text, but didn't want to risk waking them. Blaine was just about finished with the note when Sebastian started to laugh quietly. "Safe to say they're up."
"You could say that." Blaine said through a laugh. "Doesn't mean we're going to tell them we're leaving."
"From what we're hearing they wouldn't notice if we walked into the room." Sebastian said before leaning over to give Blaine a kiss. "Did you leave the time on the note so they'll have an idea of when we'll be back?"
"I did. Now let's get going before we hear anything else."
While they'd enjoyed their morning runs during the summer there was something refreshing about running in the fall. It also didn't help that the leaves had begun to change in Central Park so the scenery was absolutely beautiful. By the time they'd finished the upper circuit both of them were feeling the healthy burn when they took a seat on one of the benches. "How you feeling?" Sebastian asked as he stretched out.
"Good, you?"
"Same. It's been awhile since we did that."
"Are you saying you're out of practice Bas?"
"Somewhat. I forgot about Heartbreak Hill, damn."
"Yea, that always makes things interesting. Next time we'll take the lower circuit."
"No, I'm good. I needed that. We really need to do this more often. Maybe try and get it in on Sundays when I have games on Saturday."
"We can do that, though you're season is coming near a close."
"True, but we still have the playoffs. So, do you want to head back or do you want to give them some more time to themselves?"
"While I'd love to give them time, I want to go home to shower and eat."
"I second that." Sebastian said as he took ahold of Blaine's hand. "Let's go."
When they came walking back in, they half expected to hear the same thing they heard when they left, yet there was Nick and Santana relaxing on the couch. "Morning guys, enjoy your run?" Nick said as they rounded the corner of the couch.
"We did. Did you enjoy your morning?" Sebastian asked.
"It's been very relaxing." Santana replied before taking a sip of her coffee.
"Was it now?" Blaine looked up at Sebastian and shook his head.
"We're going to go take a shower." Blaine said before taking ahold of Sebastian's hand and leading him out of the room.
"They heard us, didn't they?" Santana said as she curled up into Nick's side.
"Judging from Sebastian's reacting, they did." He then placed a kiss on top of his head. "I doubt they cared. But you know he had to say something. And it's not like they were innocent last night either."
"Excuse me?"
"That's right; you were asleep when I came back to bed after getting a drink. Safe to say we weren't the only ones that didn't go to bed once we all called it a night."
"So they're vocal?"
"Very."
"I should've asked this last night, but how are they dealing with all this. I'd be totally overwhelmed by it all."
"I think they just take it day by day. They both know that some of this is out of their control, so they don't worry about that. They only worry about the things they can control. And so you know, just because they've opened up to you, don't expect anything to change. Neither of them want to get the rest of us involved in what's going on."
"Like that's going to stop me."
"I know." Nick said as he brought her a bit closer. "But if you push them, they'll push back. And we both know how stubborn they both are. The best thing we can do is just be there for them. They'll come to us if they need us."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Positive. They both know we're all here for them, Jeff and I made that clear. Think about what Blaine said last night as to why he didn't tell anyone."
"He didn't want us to see him as weak."
"Exactly, and asking for help in some people's eyes is weakness."
"But it takes guts to ask for help."
"I know, and so does he as that's something the four of us talked about. I've got to tell you, I'm thrilled that he's planning on telling the rest of the guys."
"How did you and Jeff take the news?"
"About as well as you. We couldn't believe we'd known him all this time and had no idea what he'd been through. Honestly, Blaine's probably one of the strongest people I know. I don't know if I could've survived something like that and gone on to live my life."
"Give yourself credit Nicky, you could've."
"I'm glad you think so. Now you know why Jeff and I freaked out after what happened to him. I'd never seen Jeff the way I did when I got home that night. He was so upset and angry yet he couldn't do anything about it. He was afraid if he let how he was feeling out around Britt she would've freaked."
"He's right, she would've. The fact that he was able to tell her what happened to Blaine without that happening is a miracle. How late were you two up talking that night?"
"Way later than we should have, but neither of us could grasp what would make someone do something like that."
"It's probably best that you couldn't, that guy is fucked in the head."
After spending the rest of the morning and early part of the afternoon with Nick and Santana, albeit they were studying, Blaine and Sebastian headed over to Lexi and Cooper's. "What is it Bas?" Blaine asked as they walked.
"Did they seem overly anxious for us to leave?"
"Maybe a little, but considering how hard they'd both been studying they're entitled to a break. I still don't know how Santana balances everything."
"She said having that time on the train helps more than she realized it would. She actually gets quite a bit of work done on it. Plus she does stay in the city with Nick at least once a week. And they're good about work before pleasure as Nick put it."
"Balance makes everything better, doesn't it?"
"It sure does." Sebastian replied as they walked through the gate. "Do you know why Coop was so anxious to see us?"
"I think with everything that's happened he just wants to spend more time together. When he and I talked before we left the studio that day I could tell everything that had happened really bothered him. He hates that we have to put up with this sort of crap."
"Okay, that makes sense."
Once they walked through the front door they dropped their conversation unsure of what was going on inside the house. "Guys, we're here!" Blaine called out.
"We're upstairs!" Called out Cooper, so they made their way up to the family room. "Hey!" Cooper said once they walked through the gate. "Don't forget to close it. They take off with no notice."
"Ah, so they're now fully crawling." Sebastian said as they took seats on the floor near Lexi and Cooper.
"They are, though Lexi says they're speed crawling."
"They are, once they start moving you barely blink and they're making their way across the room."
"They're keeping their Mommy on her toes." Blaine replied. "When did this all start?"
"They started about two weeks ago but just the beginning of this week the speed crawling began." No sooner did Lexi speak did Jocelyn start moving straight towards Blaine and Sebastian. "Guess she misses you two."
"And we miss her." Sebastian replied. He went to reach for her but Cooper told him to wait and soon she was right in front of him. "May I now?" Lexi and Cooper both nodded. Shortly after Sebastian was holding Jocelyn, Braeden made his way towards his uncles.
"Looks like they both know who you two are. They moved the same way when Coop came home."
"They know who loves them." Blaine replied before placing Braeden in his lap. "Now, are you guys just wanting to see us or is something going on?"
"We just wanted to spend time with you guys." Lexi replied as she leaned against Cooper since Sebastian and Blaine had ahold of the kids. "How's school?"
"It's school." Sebastian replied. "Not much different from Dalton really."
"Come now, the classes have to be a bit more challenging." Cooper said.
"A bit, but remember, we took a lot of college courses our senior year. That's part of what made the transition so easy." Blaine replied.
"B's right. While classes are a bit harder, it's nothing we can't handle. So sis, have you thought about our proposition?"
"I have and we're going to take you up on it. But you have to promise to call me before you leave and as soon as you arrive."
"We can do that." Blaine replied. "Guess the thought of having some alone time with Coop was appealing."
"It is. Plus after talking with Cassie about how hectic our time in LA would be, it's better this way. And we know the kids won't be starved for attention. We're both certain you guys are going to spoil them more than you already do."
"That's impossible, though we're up for a challenge, aren't we B?"
"We certainly are."
"Told you." Cooper said with a smile. "Now, we already told Mom and Dad you guys are bringing them home so they won't flip out when you guys show up with them."
"Lexi, did you tell our parents because you know Dad especially is going to want to see them?"
"I did, but you guys aren't going to have to bring them to them. Cooper and I will do that when we get to town."
"Excellent."
"Bas." Lexi said as she looked at her brother.
"What?"
"You know what."
"Fine, I shouldn't be so cold. But I won't jump for joy either."
"Have you spoken to her lately?"
"I have. Dad thought it was best we talk after everything that went down. And while she showed concern, I couldn't help but feel it didn't sound genuine."
"Part of that's because she's afraid of saying the wrong thing to you."
"So you talked to her about what's happened."
"I have and she sounded honestly concerned. Like you, I don't have a reason to give her the benefit of the doubt, but I believed her. So, you might want to try talking to her again. Maybe Skype with her, that way you can see her when she speaks."
"Maybe, but that won't be happening anytime this weekend."
"Why is that?"
"Nick and Santana are staying with us." Blaine replied.
"That's right, I remember Britt mentioning that. Do you guys know what Jeff had in store for this weekend?"
"Only part of it. Safe to say you'll probably have a very happy girl on your hands come Monday." Blaine replied.
"Santana told us you helped Britt do some shopping and get ready." Sebastian added.
"I did. And from the female perspective, Jeff will be very happy." Lexi then looked at the boys who were smirking. "What?"
"You went lingerie shopping, didn't you?"
"Maybe we did."
"They did, I saw the bags when they came home." Cooper said before Lexi had a chance to playfully smack him. "What I did. And it's not like they're going to go fantasize about Brittany in some sexy lingerie."
"Coop's got a point." Blaine said. "While we find girls attractive, it stops at a certain point."
"Gotta agree with B."
"Fine, now back to what we were talking about before."
"I'll call her alright." Sebastian said as calmly as possible knowing the kids could pick up on things. "Now, can we go back to a more enjoyable topic?"
"Sure." Lexi replied. "I booked our tickets to the Caymans. You two fly out two days before us and leave three days after us."
"How long are you guys staying?" Blaine asked.
"Only four days because we need to get home in time for Cooper to leave."
"I told her to stay down there with you two but she didn't want to intrude."
"We wouldn't mind, right B?"
"Bas is right, we wouldn't."
"I'll be okay, honest. Though, once you come home I might need to see you a bit more often."
"Easily done." Sebastian said and Blaine nodded in agreement.
"But don't worry about me, as Cass and his agent worked an arrangement with the studio that he'll be able to come home during a week-long break while a bunch of the cast are just going to explore and do their own thing during that time."
"I was thrilled about that, and asked my agent to make sure that's put in all of my contracts from now on. He said it shouldn't be a problem. Especially since overseas premieres tend to only be for bigger movies."
"Well, if your career takes off more it'll happen more often." Blaine said with a smile.
"Nice to see you have confidence in me."
"I do, and I'm not kidding either. I truly believe you're going to make it big Coop."
"B's right, I can see it too."
"Now you can't say I'm being bias." Lexi told him.
"I can tell all of you that you're being bias but I won't. I really appreciate that you guys have such faith in me."
"Coop, you've come a long way from those cheesy freaking commercials."
"I thought you like them."
"Maybe at first, but then they got annoying. It also didn't help we weren't on the best of terms when they first started airing."
"Very true. I'm glad that's not the case anymore."
"Me too. Oh, if you get a chance, call Mom this week."
"Sure, but do I get to know why?"
"Just call her."
"Just tell me one thing."
"Okay."
"That she doesn't want to talk about what happened."
"She doesn't want to talk about what happened. It's not bad Blaine, trust me. But you need to talk to her."
Considering Nick and Santana mainly had the weekends to spend together, Blaine decided to send Nick a text that they were on their way home to give them some warning. "Are you sure we shouldn't try calling B?" Sebastian asked as they walked. "I mean, Nick hasn't gotten back to you. For all we know they've christened our entire place."
"Bas, they wouldn't do that. It's one thing for Jeff to catch them all over considering it's Nick's place too. But, I just can't see them doing that in our place, at least not everywhere."
"I knew it, you…"
"What?" Blaine asked as he looked up at Sebastian and batted his eyes.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about."
"If I knew what you were talking about I wouldn't have said what." Sebastian then stopped in his tracks and pulled Blaine close and kissed him. "What was that for?" Blaine asked, his breathing a bit ragged.
"I taste of what's going to happen once we get home."
"As much as I'd love that, we have company."
"Guess we'll have to see just how quiet we can be." Sebastian said as he gave Blaine's hand a squeeze before they started to walk again. "Remember, we used to be able to be quiet."
"Used to, being the key words."
"Think of it as good practice because don't think I plan on us abstaining while we're in the Caymans with Lexi and Cooper."
"You've got a point."
"Or Christmas."
"Speaking of Christmas, you're staying with me, right?"
"Really, like I'd stay with my parents." The sarcasm was dripping from Sebastian's words.
"I know, but it's better to ask than assume."
"Well, that is one situation where you could definitely assume. As much as I wouldn't mind staying with my Dad, being around my Mother for that much time would drive me crazy. I'm not ready for that. Hell, I don't even know how I'm supposed to have the conversation with her that Lexi wants me to have. It's not like we have a lot to talk about as she doesn't really know me anymore. And the last thing I want to spend the conversation doing is talking about is what's happened. At least Cooper assured you that when you call your Mom that is not what she wants to talk about."
"True, I still have no idea what she wants to talk to me about. But I'm sure it'll be interesting since she asked Cooper to have me call her."
"For all you know it's about us bringing Jocelyn and Braeden home with us."
"True, guess I'll find out when I call her."
By the time they arrived home, they found Nick and Santana in almost the same spot they were when they'd returned home from their run that morning. "Did you two have a productive day?" Sebastian asked as he and Blaine walked into the living room before taking a seat.
"We did." Nick replied. "You guys have fun with your siblings?"
"We did as well." Blaine replied. "Now, did you get my text earlier or did you not have your phone nearby?"
"We got it." The smirk that crept to Nick's face and the shy smile that came to Santana's filled in the rest of the blanks for Nick's rather short answer. "Thanks."
"Bas and I thought it was the right thing to do. So, are you guys going out anywhere or are you staying in the rest of the night?"
"Staying in." Santana replied. "We were just going to watch a movie; you guys are more than welcome to join us."
"That depends, what are you watching?" Sebastian asked.
"We hadn't decided yet." Nick replied. "So, any ideas?"
"Not really. But since you guys were going to watch one, you choose and if B and I don't like it will just go to bed."
"Guys, you don't have to go to bed if we choose something you don't like." Santana told them. "It's your place, Nick and I can easily go watch something in our room." Blaine glanced back at Sebastian and smiled as Nick nudged her gently. "What?"
"That was Seb's way of saying they might leave anyhow." Nick said.
"Oh, I…I didn't know. How'd you know?"
"If you knew how many times they skipped out on movie night at Dalton because the flick didn't interest them, you'd know."
"We were not that bad." Blaine said as he crossed his arms in front of him.
"No, you're not. I just wanted to see how you'd react. But seriously, if you want we'll watch something in our room."
"Really, you're fine." Sebastian told them. "If you're going to watch a movie, you're better off out here since the television in your room isn't too big. But I think you're going to be watching it without us."
"Alright, any particular reason?" Nick asked.
"I owe B a massage and it's easier to do in our room. So, if we don't see you before you go to bed. Night!" Sebastian then got up off the couch and took Blaine's hand. As they walked towards their bedroom Santana glanced back at Nick.
"What was that?"
"It's one of two things, either he really owes Blaine a massage or they're going to go have sex."
"What do you think it is?"
"Knowing them, both." Nick said before bringing Santana closer and giving her a kiss.