Two Steps Beyond
Part 147
By the time the Smythes left that evening, Lexi and Sebastian were both in extremely good moods. "I'd call tonight a success." Cooper said as he wrapped his arms around Lexi from behind. "What about you guys?"
"Without a doubt." Sebastian replied. "I can't remember the last time I spent that much time with them without an argument taking place." As Sebastian spoke, Blaine leaned against him. "I think this evening is cause to celebrate."
"What do you have in mind?" Blaine asked.
"Should we leave?" Cooper asked with a laugh.
"No." Sebastian replied before shoving him playfully. "I was thinking of having something rich and chocolaty."
"Race you to the kitchen?" Cooper said with a smile.
"You're on." Before Blaine and Lexi had time to react Cooper and Sebastian were taking off down the hallway.
"We just got ditched Blaine." Lexi said with a laugh.
"We did, and if we don't hurry, there might not be any left." Lexi smiled at him before the two of them made their way towards the kitchen. When they finally walked in they found pieces already sliced for them as well as a pot of coffee brewing. "Going all out, aren't we?"
"Actually, Dad made the coffee but the timing couldn't be better. He was actually in here grabbing a piece as well since he didn't get one earlier."
"He didn't." Blaine asked as he sat down beside Sebastian.
"Nope. And with us all having a second piece he's relieved that Mom made two."
"He laughed when we said we were having a celebratory piece." Sebastian said. "But he didn't blame us. When do you two want to get a start tomorrow?"
"We were thinking between eight and nine after seeing the piles of stuff we have to go through." Lexi replied.
"Does Dad need help putting everything out?" Blaine asked as the coffee pot beeped.
"Nope, he said he and Mom would put everything out and we're not to worry."
"That is correct." Blaine and Sebastian looked behind them at the sound of Mr. Anderson's voice. "Is everyone having coffee?" When they all nodded he got the appropriate number of cups out. "So you all know, be quiet when you head up as the Grandparents have all gone to bed already. They apologize for not saying goodnight but they didn't want to interrupt the four of you when you were talking." Once his cup was poured he looked at all of them. "If I don't see you all again, night."
"Night Dad!" Blaine said before taking a sip of his coffee. "Why do I have a feeling he and Mom are as relieved as the four of us are?"
"Because they are." Cooper replied. "Safe to say we're all going to be sleeping easier after what happened tonight."
When Blaine and Sebastian finally made it up to Blaine's room neither were in the mood to go to sleep. So after closing the door, Blaine wasn't too surprised when Sebastian wrapped his arms around him and pulled him into a kiss. "You taste good." Sebastian said once it broke.
"So do you. And since you've now had two pieces, how did my version rate?" Blaine asked as he loosened Sebastian's tie.
"I'd say it was as close to perfect as one can get."
"Why thank you." Blaine said before tossing Sebastian's tie aside. "I should thank you properly."
"What do you have in mind?"
"I think you know. While earlier was all about relaxing, this time will be about celebrating and enjoying each other."
"I thought we did a pretty good job of enjoying each other earlier." Sebastian said as he cocked his eyebrow.
"Bas."
"Trust me B, I know exactly what you're thinking of and I'm thinking the same thing." Sebastian then leaned down and kissed Blaine once more. There was a tenderness to kiss that let Blaine know Sebastian was definitely on the same page as him.
When the alarm went off the next morning, Sebastian managed to turn it off without disturbing Blaine who was a sleep on his chest. With a few gentle rubs of his back Blaine looked up at Sebastian. "Merry Christmas Blaine."
"Merry Christmas Sebastian." Blaine said as he stretched enough to kiss him. "Do we have time to lay here or do we have to get moving?"
"I set it so we had enough time to stay in bed like this. What can I say, us staying in bed like this in the morning is one of my favorite things to do with you."
"Me too." As they lay there, each of their phones started to go off. "Guess the Christmas greetings have begun."
"I'd say that's a good guess. Before we went to bed did you see that cute picture Brittany sent of her and Jeff?" Sebastian said as he ran his fingers through Blaine's curls.
"I did. They truly are adorable together."
"That they are. So are Nick and Santana."
"I totally agree." Blaine said as he tightened his hold around Sebastian. "It's nice having our friends so happy. And while they all don't have someone, they're having fun searching." After a while, they decided to get dressed but that still didn't mean they were going to head downstairs. Since it was a tradition to open gifts in pajamas, Blaine and Sebastian got comfortable in bed again after they were dressed.
"Hey B, do you know if your Mom or Lexi told my parents how casual it would be this morning?"
"I'm pretty sure they both did." While Blaine was answering there was a knock on their door. "It's open." The door slowly opened and there stood Cooper. "It's safe to come in Coop." Cooper then made his way into the room holding both Jocelyn and Braeden. "I'm impressed, I thought only Lexi could do that."
"Cute. By the way, Merry Christmas guys!"
"Merry Christmas to you too Coop." Sebastian replied. "Is this our invite to head downstairs?"
"It is, Lexi is already down there."
"Like the Santa pants Coop as well as the hat." Blaine said with a smile.
"Not like the pants either of you are wearing are any better. And Lexi has hats for you both downstairs."
"She told us about them last night. So let's get this gift opening party started." Once they started to make their way down the stairs, the three of them exchanged looks. "Why do I have a feeling this is going to take much longer than we think?"
"Because it's going to." Cooper replied. "Remember, Lexi and I are going to have to help the kids open the overabundance of gifts they got."
"If it makes you feel better, B and I didn't go overboard."
"It doesn't but the thing is no one really went too crazy it's just everyone bought for them." Cooper said with a laugh as they headed towards the family room. "Guess everyone is waiting on us." Upon rounding the corner it was clear Cooper was right as everyone else was already situated.
"Merry Christmas boys." Mrs. Anderson said before giving all three of them kiss on the cheek. "Coop, Lexi made a spot of your guys and Blaine, Seb, if you could sit opposite them it would be great."
"Let me guess, so it's easier to distribute the gifts."
"Essentially." They both smiled before sitting down on an empty space on the floor. Once they were seated Lexi tossed them each a Santa hat. As they put them on, Sebastian leaned in close to Blaine.
"It had to take your parents forever getting all this stuff situated."
"I was thinking the same thing. Mom, when do you want to start?"
"We're just waiting on Lexi and Seb's parents who should be here momentarily." Blaine and Sebastian both nodded and Blaine leaned against Sebastian.
"I'm still surprised you agreed to them coming earlier."
"It's Jocelyn and Braeden's first Christmas, I'm not going to take that away from my parents. And after last night, why not?" Sebastian said with a smile just as a flash went off.
"Sorry boys, I couldn't resist."
"It's okay Nana; we're pretty used to it." Blaine replied, not moving in the slightest from his spot against Sebastian. Jocelyn and Braeden kept looking all around them as they waited for the Smythes to arrive. "I think they can tell the room is different."
"I think so too." Cooper replied. It was only a few minutes after those words were spoken did the doorbell ring and Mr. Anderson went to go get it.
"Time to see if they listened." Sebastian said quietly but not so quiet Lexi and Cooper didn't hear him.
"I was thinking the same thing Bas." Moments later the Smythes rounded the corner and Lexi and Sebastian smiled as they were dressed appropriately. And if Lexi and Sebastian were honest, they'd probably never seen their Mother dressed so comfortably. "We're glad you could make it, Merry Christmas." Once they were seated the gift opening began. Without looking at who gifts were from, Blaine, Sebastian, and Cooper found a gift for everyone first so they could begin.
Since it was Jocelyn and Braeden's first Christmas all eyes were on the two of them as Lexi and Cooper helped them each open a gift. "They're never getting all this stuff home." Sebastian whispered into Blaine's ear as he recorded the moment for Lexi and Cooper. With the camera so close all Blaine could do was nodded. After that moment was over, everyone else got started and it seemed there seemed to be quite the mix of who gave the gifts they all had.
Blaine's first gift was actually from Sebastian's parents, while Sebastian's first gift was from Blaine's Grandpa and Nana. After opening it, Blaine nudged Sebastian whose eyes widened. "Thank you so much!" Blaine said. "I've been meaning to get this."
"Sebastian mentioned that during one of our phone calls." Mr. Smythe replied.
"So that's why you told me to wait." Blaine said as he glanced at Sebastian who only could nod in response. "This software is going to get a ton of use."
"What is it Blaine?" His Dad asked.
"It's music composition software. Right now I use two different programs to get the results I want and this program does it all. What about you Bas?" Sebastian lifted the top off the box and his eyes went wide. "Bas?"
"Thank you!" He said with a big smile as he took the tickets out of the box. At that moment from his Grandparents reaction Blaine knew who the box was from.
"I take it we made the right call." Nana said. "With the way Blaine talks about you playing lacrosse we assumed you liked watching it as well."
"I love watching it. B and I didn't get a chance to go yet."
"Now you can." Grandpa Anderson replied.
"A few times. Seriously, thank you!"
With each gift opened Blaine and Sebastian kept looking at each other because neither expected anything they were receiving. It seemed that when they'd spoken with their parents or Lexi and Cooper notes were definitely being made By the time all of the gifts were opened, Lexi and Cooper were shaking their heads as they were going to be shipping more than a couple of boxes of gifts home. Blaine and Sebastian were clearly going to be shipping items home because there was no way they were going to be able to get everything home in their suitcases.
They both laughed when they each received a new docking station from the others parents. They told the parents it wasn't going to be an issue as they had places to put them after they all felt bad. The only thing they both knew they were bringing home with them on the plane was their new laptops as well as all the tickets they'd gotten. After that, it was going to be a matter of what was going to fit. While all their new electronics and scuba gear were going to be going home with Lexi and Cooper, the movies, clothes, and everything else was clearly going to have to be shipped.
As the parents and grandparents all went to get something to eat from the kitchen the siblings all just looked at each other. "I noticed you two didn't exchange gifts." Lexi said as she and Cooper set the kids on the ground to play with some of their new toys.
"Neither did you two." Sebastian replied.
"Probably for the same reason you two did." Cooper said.
"You mean to have a moment to yourselves?" Blaine said and Cooper and Lexi both nodded. "Coop, can you remember a Christmas like this one?"
"Nope. By the way, you two made out like bandits."
"You two didn't make out too shabby either." Blaine told him.
"Please tell us you two helped your grandparents with gifts for us." Lexi said.
"I only gave them a couple of ideas." Blaine replied. "The rest was all them. Goes to show they pay attention when Mom talks to them."
"Lexi."
"Yea Bas."
"This is the most normal Christmas I can remember since being a little kid."
"I know the feeling; it feels nice, doesn't it?" Sebastian nodded before kissing Blaine on the cheek. "We should probably finish cleaning up all this wrapping paper."
"We had the same idea." Mr. Anderson said as he and Mr. Smythe walked into the family room, each with a couple of bags in hand. "Figure between the six of us we can clean up and still keep an eye on Jocelyn and Braeden." After handing a bag to Cooper, everyone spread out. Cooper and Lexi stayed near the twins, while Blaine and his Dad hit one side of the room while Sebastian and his Dad hit the other.
"Thank you." Sebastian said as he stuffed a handful of wrapping paper into the bag.
"For?" Mr. Smythe replied.
"You mean besides our gifts."
"Yes, as I can't help but think there is more." Sebastian looked up at his Dad and smiled.
"How much of a fight was it to get her to come in comfy clothes?"
"Not much actually. I hope you noticed during your visit and as well yesterday, she's relaxed a bit."
"She has, sorry."
"It's okay; you have a right to be hesitant Seb. Lots of change is going on and we know you're going to be leery. But until she gives you a reason, just go with it and enjoy."
"I will."
Once the family room was cleaned up Blaine and Sebastian stayed and watched the kids while Cooper and Lexi took everything but the kids' toys upstairs. After they returned, dressed in regular clothes, Blaine and Sebastian started to bring things upstairs as well. As they gathered the last of the items they were going to bring up Mrs. Anderson walked into the family room. "Are you boys going to come back down or are you going to start going through your gifts more thoroughly?"
"We'll probably go through them a bit more but we shouldn't be gone long, why?" Blaine asked.
"Just asking in case anyone wonders where you two are."
"Alright. Thanks again for everything Mom."
"You are very welcome."
"I'm with B, thank you for everything as well."
"You are welcome as well Seb. Now go enjoy all your new gadgets." Once that conversation was over they headed upstairs. After they put the last of the items on Blaine's desk they both collapsed on the bed.
"Did she really mean it when she said we can start messing with all this stuff?"
"Yes. She knows us well after last year. So, how do you really feel about today so far?" Blaine asked as he propped himself up on his elbows.
"I'm in shock honestly. First, I never expect all these gifts. I'm blown away by them. And my parents seemed to actually enjoy themselves. I mean, my Dad did last year too, but there wasn't that awkwardness if you know what I mean."
"Yes, I know what you mean in regards to your parents. It was nice seeing them like this."
"Agreed."
"As for all the gifts, I'm shocked as well."
"B, I never expected anything from your grandparents, yet…I'm still shocked."
"I think they like you." Blaine said before leaning over to give him a kiss. "Personally, I don't blame them. If I paid close enough attention we're good for quite a few sporting events and shows over the next year between the two of us."
"You can say that again. Also, I don't think we'll need to do much clothes shopping either."
"Plan and simple, we're not going to need to buy much except for necessities anytime soon. And we still have to exchange gifts with the guys once we get home."
"Speaking of gifts B, when do you want to exchange the one we agreed to bring since we're opening the rest at home?"
"How about we open them after dinner so we have something to look forward to?"
"Sounds like a plan to me." Sebastian then leaned over and gave Blaine a kiss. "This has been a pretty special Christmas so far B."
"Hopefully it only gets better."
With everyone separated for the time being, Cooper and Lexi sat on the floor of the living room playing with their kids. "I don't think they're going to get bored anytime soon Coop."
"I think you're right. This might sound weird, but I'm glad they weren't really little for their first Christmas."
"It's not weird; I was thinking the same thing. Plus we need to talk with Blaine and Bas about when we want to do Christmas after we get home."
"From what I got from an earlier conversation it'll probably be after New Years'."
"That's fine with me. Come to think of it, where are they?"
"Still upstairs according to my Mom. They've got enough gadgets that they're going to be busy for a while. I'm pretty sure they're in electronics heaven."
"I'll have to agree with that. But I'm pretty sure even without all the electronics they'd be in heaven. They got some pretty awesome gifts."
"As Blaine pointed out earlier, we all made out well. Tomorrow we need to figure out what comes home with us and what's getting shipped." Cooper said as Braeden crawled into his lap. "I think we need to put these two down for a nap."
"I think so too." Lexi replied as she noticed Jocelyn curled up next to the big teddy bear. They'd both just picked them up when Mrs. Smythe came walking into the room.
"Looks like they're ready for a nap."
"Yea, they tuckered themselves out playing with all their new toys. Coop and I were just about to bring them up. Is there something we can do for you?"
"Since you're going upstairs would you mind asking Blaine and Seb to come down?"
"Not at all, but is there a particular reason you'd like them to come down?"
"You're going to think this is funny, but the rest of us are having a disagreement about music and we've all agreed Blaine and Seb are best suited to settle it."
"Sure, we will let them know."
"Thank you. And let them know they don't need to rush if they're doing something. Carolyn said they were upstairs enjoying their gifts."
"Got it." After Lexi replied she and Cooper headed towards the stairs. "That was weird."
"Yes, but it was nice to witness." Cooper said before leaning down to give her a kiss on the cheek. As they made their way up the stairs, they couldn't help notice how quiet it was. "You don't think they're sleeping, do you?" Since the bedroom door was open, Lexi and Cooper went to put the kids down for their nap before going to talk to Blaine and Sebastian.
With a brief knock on the door, Lexi and Cooper walked in. There curled up on the floor were Blaine and Sebastian and a movie playing on the screen. "I think they might be sleeping."
"We're awake." Sebastian replied as Blaine paused the movie. "What can we do for you?"
"Your presence is requested downstairs as the parents and grandparents are having a disagreement that they feel only you two can settle."
"And who requested our help?"
"Our Mother." With Lexi's response Blaine and Sebastian both sat up. "Yes you heard me right. If your movie is almost over, finish watching it. I was told you don't need to rush."
"Are you sure you spoke with our Mother because that sounds like their Mom."
"I was there Bas; it was most definitely your Mother."
"Well then, you game to go help them out B?"
"Sure."
Curious as to what opinion was needed, Cooper and Lexi followed Blaine and Sebastian into the living room where everyone else was. "Now we'll get some answers." Mr. Smythe said with a smile.
"We'll need the question first." Sebastian replied as he and Blaine looked around the room. "Anyone?"
"I'll ask." Mr. Anderson said. "Since you boys rearranged quite a bit of music for the Warblers as well as for others, how do you decide which songs you can alter versus those that need to stay true to form?"
"There are lots of factors, but may we ask why?" Blaine said. "Because this question seems a bit out of the ordinary."
"It came about because we were discussing the songs you boys did last night." Mrs. Anderson said.
"Those were all Christmas carols." Blaine said before looking up at Sebastian. "I thought we stayed pretty true to form."
"You did, except when you did the last number. You went with the arrangement you did with the Warblers versus the original."
"The only reason it came up dear, is because that song came on the radio while we were eating breakfast." Nana said.
"Oh." Sebastian replied. "Since we sang that number with the Warblers, the pop version just didn't sound right. So we slowed it down just a bit to make it more us. Usually it comes from feel and from who is going to be singing it."
"When we'd take a number to competition we'd often try to give it a twist to make it our own while still letting bits of the original shine through." Blaine added. "As Bas said, it truly depends on the number and who the original artist was. I couldn't see us ever truly altering say, a classic Sinatra song, unless we completely turned it upside down."
"We had a feeling more than one thing factored into your decisions, but we weren't sure." Mr. Smythe said.
"For the competition we're competing in shortly after we get back, our first number is a mash-up of two different versions of the same song. While the second number is close to the original though it's now written for five part harmony with the back-up. And the finale is actually pretty true to the original but will sound completely different because we're doing it." Sebastian told them.
"Like your other performances, will we be able to see it?"
"Cooper and I are going to record it so you can all see it. From what we've seen from rehearsals, you're in for a real treat."