-Once again, I am astounded by the support the story is receiving. Especially since my updating reputation is, let's say, a little shoddy. However dreadful I am, you guys seem to love the story and for an author that is just fantastic. I write to please and seeing that in the flesh inspires me further so thank you.
So I hope that you enjoy this next chapter of the Boy in the Spring Time!
Awesome!
Gabi
Xxx
As Sunday mornings go, the one the day following Henry's arrival was what most people would call picturesque. At six the sun rose, unblocked from any lingering clouds, yet the temperature didn't rise until seven o'clock. The streets were a little quieter and more people stayed in bed for a little while longer then they would normally do so. For example Kurt, the quintessential early riser, and I, not such the morning person, stayed in bed until eight thirty that morning, which surprised both of us. We were used the horror stories from Mercedes, who said that Dexter would have his two parents awake from the crack of dawn. And although Henry was considerably older than the Evans' boy, we were shocked not to hear the five year old knock on our bedroom door in the early hours of the day. Instead the two of us divulged in a morning of sheer laziness and perhaps a pinch of morning sexy times, which we were also told would diminish with the presence of a child. It was the longest we'd stayed lounging in bed since our college days in a dingy dorm room littered with modern history books and sheet music.
After a particularly celebratory round of lovemaking, Kurt and I exited the bath room, wrapped in towels and laughing for no reason other than happiness. As Kurt moved towards the closet to find something to wear, I strode to the chest of drawers to search for my own clothing for the day. Settling on a pair of burgundy skinny jeans and white v-neck, I changed hurriedly to make a fast beeline to the kitchen to make a start on breakfast to lull my rumbling stomach.
As I walked out of our room into the open plan living space, I noticed that the door leading to, what was now, Henry's room was ajar, the light pooling out of the small gap being the thing that caught my eye in the first place. I stopped in my tracks and once my mind had ceased its constant mutterings of "hungry, need food, breakfast," it also came to my attention that a small whimpering sound was coming from behind the door. Already assuming the worst, I grabbed the inhaler on the coffee table and burst into Henry's room. Only the boy wasn't having an attack or a nightmare like I had presumed. No, he was huddled up against the head of his bed, as far as he could go, with his new crocodile held at arm's length, haphazardly batting at the bed sheets.
Confused I rushed to Henry's side and lifted him into my arms in one swift movement. It may not of been what I had thought, but the boy was undoubtedly distressed and I didn't like it when Henry was upset for his small, scrawny face would drop into such a gut wrenching expression and his eyes would dart around as if he was looking for some sought of help that would never come. Once he was hoisted out of bed, he pressed his head into the crook of my neck and let out a sigh of relief. Suddenly the bed sheets ruffled, causing more alarm in Henry, who hid further into my body. Then, from under the fabric, came a soft meow and soon after it, at tabby face appeared beneath the folds.
Annie shimmied out from under the comforter and jumped down onto the floor. As if nothing had happened, she sauntered over to us and had the cheek to nuzzle my feet and rub against my ankles. Yet, even though the kitten was acting like the jealous older sibling, I chuckled at her antics and bent down to give her a scratch between the ears, her favourite. Only, when trying to place Henry's feet on the ground he simply tightened his grip around my neck and whimpered again.
"Hey there, don't be afraid. It's only Annie, see." I comforted, rubbing small circles onto his back in an attempt to end the devastating noises he was making. I sat us down on the edge of the bed, holding Henry in my lap, and then coaxed the kitten on too with the rub of my fingertips. "She's not going to hurt you. Look, she's just a baby." I said into the top of his head, brushing my lips against his forehead. Slowly, Henry lifted his head from the comfort of my shoulder to take a peek at the cat, who was now licking her paws in an aloof manner. I reached out to give her the intended scratch in between her ears, which elicited a loud string of purrs from the animal. "See, she's harmless." I reassured the boy, who turned his head to look at me questioningly.
"Can I stroke her too?" he asked sweetly.
"Of course you can, sweetie. She likes being tickled under her chin as well." And I watched as he tentatively reached a hand out. Annie's ears pricked up at the sight and as the hand grew close enough she gave the fingers a little sniff before allowing him to curl one under her chin.
"You're right, Blaine. She does like that." Henry exclaimed excitedly, withdrawing his arm, leaving the cat rather disgruntled. "I'm sorry I tried to hit her earlier, it's not nice to hit." he apologised, shooting off of my lap and standing stock straight in front of me.
That was when I realised, Henry wasn't in his pyjamas but fully clothed. When I looked again, he was shuffling from side to side. "Henry, can you look at me please." I ordered gently. He lifted his gaze from the floor to me, his dark brown eye exploring mine for any sign of anger I would think. His shoulders were sagging and his face sad with a hint of expectancy, like he was awaiting something horrible; it send shivers down my spine. I grasped his forearms tenderly and pulled him in for a hug. "Don't worry about it, okay. You're sorry and that is what matters. Now, would you care to tell why you're fully dress so early on a Sunday morning?"
"Um, I...I don't know," Henry replied pathetically. "I just woke up and it was nearly light out, so I thought I might as well."
"Why didn't you come wake us up too, you must be starving. What do you want for breakfast?" I asked again, leading Henry by our conjoined hands to the kitchen where Kurt was sipping from a mug of coffee. The boy just shrugged, but his face brightened a little when Kurt opened his arms, offering him a hug which he gladly returned. I walked around the two of them and settled behind my husband. I placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "Breakfast?"
"Sure."
By late afternoon the three of us were strolling along the sidewalk taking the short journey to the park. Henry gripped onto Kurt hand as we dodged the occasional tourist who would stop in the middle of the pavement. I had a back pack slung over my shoulders filled with sandwiches wrapped in tin foil and juice cartons.
It was a nice, pleasant day out. The skies were cloudless but the heat wasn't unbearable thanks to the soft breeze that swept down the avenues. Every now and then a particularly strong gust would blow and Henry would involuntarily turn his body into Kurt's side to protect himself. In return my husband would look down lovingly and pet the little one's hair.
Due to the near perfect conditions, when we arrived at Central Park a moment later we found it heaving with people from tourists to small families. Old aged couples and teenagers. Deciding that it would be best to set up somewhere before it became impossible to find a place to sit, Kurt steered us around the lake to a particularly secluded patch of grass. Through the trees you could hear the faintest sound of laughter indicating that there was a playground nearby too.
Taking the blanket from the top of the rucksack, I spread it across the floor then proceeded to plop down into it in a much undignified manner. Seeing the joke Henry flopped to the spot beside me. At first it worried me for it wasn't the softest landing, even for me, but he landed on his hands and knees before turning his head towards me and flashing a cheeky smile. Grinning back I reached over and began attacking his sides with wiggling fingers. Henry giggled and squirmed out of my grip and shuffled into Kurt's chest.
"No Blaine, that tickles," he squealed gently, having tucked himself against Kurt. I stopped my actions and leant back on my elbows to observe the two interacting. Henry peeped his head out of Kurt's chest and caught me looking at him. He just smiled shyly and continued with the soft conversation he was having with my husband.
"Do you want to go to the playground?" Kurt asked him.
Henry replied with a question, "Is there a swing set?"
"I think so," I added after Kurt gave me a bemused look.
"Could you push me?"
"Of course sweetheart."
"Henry, come have your lunch." The little boy looked up from his perch on the top on the jungle Jim. Neither of us had any idea how he got up there, Kurt had a minor stroke when he first saw Henry, but I gently reminded him that a small amount of adventure is good for kids (I hoped!). Henry had spent the last twenty minutes atop the apex of the jungle gym, just sitting there and watching the other children. At one point he caught my eye and waved before turning away again to look down at the others below.
After Kurt called for him, I watched as Henry made his way down the metal bars. I stared in awe as he descended gracefully, swinging from layer to layer. It was absolutely beautiful, his agility and grace mesmerising. Before I realised he'd made his way back to our blanket and had taken a seat leaning on Kurt's side.
I reached into my rucksack and located the sandwiches we'd prepared earlier. Pulling out our lunch, I handed two of the foil squares to Kurt who helped Henry unwrap his cheese and tomato sandwich. The boy thanked him and then proceeded to slowly and carefully eat his food. "So," Kurt began, "tomorrow's Monday and both of us have to go to work." Henry's eyebrows shifted slightly as he took another small bite. "We thought it would be best to ask you what you wanted to do Henry." He looked up with wide eyes.
"Am I not going to school?" he asked.
"Well considering spring break is in a few weeks, we think it might be best for you to go back to school after then." I explained gently. "It also means we can get to know each other." Kurt nodded in agreement, flashing Henry a supporting smile.
"So do you want to go with me or Blaine?" asked Kurt.
"Uh, I don't know. Can I go to both?"
"Sure thing. How about you go with B tomorrow and then with me on Tuesday. How about that?"
Henry nodded enthusiastically.
The next day began early, as work days usually did. The alarm blared at five thirty and I begrudgingly flung the covers off me and walked to the bathroom, leaving Kurt to sleep for a little while longer. The worry for Henry was getting to him; he needed the rest more than I did. After a relatively short shower and an attempt to tidy my hair, I walked out of our en suite to the same sight I left. Kurt was still curled in the centre of the bed. His hair was a little messy and the back of his shirt had ridden up slightly, exposing the pale skin on his back. Tiptoeing, I made my way to the bed and lay down next to him. Immediately my husband shifted closer to me, even turned to snuggle into my chest. I chuckled lightly and began littering kisses along Kurt's warm neck whilst rubbing the exposed skin of his back. A quiet groaning indicated that perhaps he wasn't as asleep as I once thought and when I planted a kiss to his lips, he responded quickly, deepening it, coaxing his tongue into my mouth. As our tongues continued to battle, it was difficult to think of anything else and so when a faint knock was heard at our door it fell on deaf ears.
We continued to kiss each other, Kurt eventually rolling on top of me successfully pinning me to the bed. My hands were inches from removing his night shirt when a soft, "Blaine?" was heard from the other side of the door. Pulling apart quickly, Kurt leant his elbows on my chest and held a finger to his lips.
"Kurt?"
Sighing Kurt rolled across and off of my chest and heaved himself off the bed groggily. I watched from the bed as he straightened his sleepwear slightly and flashed him a smile when he looked over with a tired but sort of happy grin. He opened the door to reveal Henry, bleary-eyed, still dressed in his pyjamas and his new stuffed animals in his arms, each tucked underneath an armpit. His hair was sticking up on ends and one thumb was in his mouth, the corresponding index finger curled around his nose.
Kurt squatted down in front of the boy and pulled him into a warm hug. "Morning Bed-Head, did you sleep alright?" he asked, holding Henry at an arm's length after he pulled away. He just nodded sleepily and tightened his grip on Kurt's shirt, and so my husband simply lifted him into his arms. Once cuddled in Kurt's arms, Henry settled his head in the crook of his neck and closed his eyes. He walked over to the bed and placed Henry down in the middle before sitting down next to him.
"Good morning!" I exclaimed, quietly. Henry simply shifted over to me and clasped onto my side. "What are you doing up, I wasn't going to wake you for another half hour?" I asked, combing my fingers through his untidy hair.
Henry yawned then sleepily replied, "I heard someone move around, so I thought it would be okay. I'll go back to bed if you want me to." He began to shuffle off the bed but was halted by Kurt who gave him a stern look.
"There's nothing to worry about sweetie, it just means you can help me cook breakfast whilst Kurt gets ready for work." I reassured him, patting his knee.
Soon the three of us were parting ways in the entryway to the building. Pulling Kurt into my arms I gave him a chaste kiss and wished him a good day of rehearsals. He tightened his hold as I began to pull away, his fingers clenching in the cotton sweater at my shoulders. Half expecting him to say something, I was surprised when my husband pressed a sensual kiss to my lips. His tongue gently brushed along my lower lip, but as quickly as it had began, the kiss ended, leaving me gaping at his retreating form after he'd given Henry a loving peck on the forehead.
I was broken out of my trance by a tug on my trouser leg. Looking down, Henry gave me a curious look, his eyebrows scrunching together slightly. "Are you okay Blaine?" he asked sweetly.
"Of course, sorry about that. Kurt has a tendency to do that to me every now and then," I replied, starting to walk down the opposite way down the street. He tottered quickly to catch up and then warily took my hand in his.
On the way to the subway the two of us chatted easily. Once I mentioned the possibility of a trip to the university library during lunch, Henry became extremely animated and I found myself with a lot of questions to answer. I thought the commotion at the station that obviously startled him the last time we were here would relieve me for a while- I was wrong. I tried my best to answer them all but by the time we'd entered the train, the noise of a busy carriage meant our lengthy but quiet conversation couldn't be heard. So once we found a small crevice in the crowd to stand, we spent the journey to Columbia in silence.