Glee again in nine days! Can't wait! I learnt today that Sky (UK) won't be showing the programme until January. Seriously, guys? I am thankful that I watch it online, so it won't affect me (apart from the fact that the quality is awful). For those of you who live in the US? You lucky, lucky people.
I am pretty sure I mentioned this, but I thought I'd remind you; this story will be canon up until the end of Season 3. Everything that happened up until then, happened in the past of T&C. And Season 4? The forth episode can go back to the cutting room. Like, NOW, please Ryan!
I need to thank Coatsy for the title of this chapter. One day I will decide on the song before I write the chapter, but this time she was kind enough to find one for me. So, THANKS YOU!
For the cool bit? As I upload this, I am on 2300 views and 23 reviews. PRETTY DARN AWESOME! Or is it just me?
So... here it is! I know some of you couldn't wait for the reunion, so it's here! Drum roll, please Finn?
Story so far...
After making up, following the fallout over Sebastian, Klaine have a week of the real world. Kurt has to train staff at Tommy Bahama and Blaine hears ideas of what the Warblers want to do for Nationals. Checking that Bocelli will be safe with Sid, the pair leave Columbus and drive to Lima, where a weekend-long New Directions reunion will be taking place...
-*T&C*-
Kurt parked the car outside the house he knew so well and got out, locking it behind him after pulling their bags out ("Blaine, I can manage!") He grabbed Blaine's hand when he appeared from the far side and they walked together up the drive. He glanced at the number on the door (415) before letting himself in.
"Hello!"
"Kurt! Blaine!" Finn got up from the sofa rushed over to the door, carefully dragging his wife with him. He enveloped both boys in a huge hug, then went to sit down on the sofa with Blaine to discuss football.
Kurt grabbed the girl's hands and pulled her in for a long hug. "How are you doing, Rach?"
"Oh, not bad. Yourself?"
"Yeah, good. Actually, brilliant! Blaine arranged a whole concert for me for my birthday and he got on stage to sing for the last set, dragging me up there for the final song."
"Wow! Sounds romantic!"
"Oh, it was. I wish you could have been there; you'd've loved it."
"Well, next time the Warblers perform, I'll do my best to come. I haven't heard them in ages."
"No." He smiled sadly, "I'll get Blaine to give Finn the dates."
The pair finally broke away from their hug and Kurt pressed a caring kiss into Rachel's temple. "Come on. I want to see what damage Finn has done to the basement! We'll grab him and go down, okay?"
He took her hand and lead her carefully around the hallway table to the sitting room where their partners were sat. Blaine stood up when he saw them approach, Finn following suit. The younger boy hugged Rachel tightly before Kurt dropped her hand for Finn to take.
"Guys! I think I can do this; I have lived here for three years!"
"Yeah, but not if we're going downstairs."
"I'm fine!"
Finn shook his head lovingly at her but refused to drop her hand. He let Kurt and Blaine go down the stairs first and he followed slightly behind his wife, making sure she had a hold on the bannister before starting down the steps.
"Wow! This place looks awesome, guys. How long did it take?"
"Long enough." Finn smiled grimly.
"I wanted to help, so he made me test out the mic. For four hours!"
"And you were brilliant, babe. It's no wonder you got your record deal with a voice like that!"
Rachel stuck her tongue out childishly in the vague direction of her husband. He squeezed her hand.
"So will we get the pleasure of hearing you sing on Saturday?" Blaine's voice sounded hopeful and Rachel could imagine his wide, puppy dog eyes begging her.
"Of course!"
He cheered quietly, then surveyed the room. It had been made Rachel-friendly, with nothing to trip over, or precarious objects at hand height. Streamers in gold and silver almost completely covered the white ceiling, and in one part of the room stood all of New Directions' trophies. A table sat against one wall, now empty but to be filled with drinks later. The stage had been set up, complete with drums and microphone stand, ready for a weekend of song, piano positioned beneath it as it couldn't've been lifted up. A poster had been stuck over the loo door that Puck would have been proud of; it showed the traditional 'ladies' symbol with a line next to her representing a washroom stall and a stick man on it, peering over the edge. Blaine heard Kurt's infectious laugh and realised that he had seen it too.
"What are you two laughing at?" Rachel's voice sounded curious.
Blaine tried to explain. "There's a poster that Finn put on the loo door, of a man-"
"Oh, that. Yeah, he told me about that." Rachel's laugh bounced around the room. She tried to peel her hand away from Finn's.
"Oh no you don't." He grabbed it back.
"Finn, stop it! I'm tired of relying on you for everything! We're not walking down the stairs anymore, I'm sure I can't do too much damage!"
Finn sighed, realising he was fighting a losing battle. He tried to relax, but his eyes batted from the boys to Rachel every few seconds to check that she was okay.
"So where are dad and Carole?" It still didn't feel natural for Kurt to call Carole 'mum'.
"We realised we didn't have enough alcohol so they went to get more." It didn't feel natural for Finn to call Burt 'dad'.
"What? This late?"
Finn grinned. "You are forgetting, of course, that this is Lima and we'd do anything here for a decent party. They should be back soon."
Right on cue, the sound of crunching gravel interrupted their conversation and, eyes wide with excitement, Kurt grabbed Blaine's hand and tugged him up the stairs. Blaine almost tripped on the bottom step with the speed that Kurt was pulling him along, but managed to steady himself. They reached the front door and stepped past their bags, Kurt yanking the door open. He let go of his boyfriend's hand as he caught sight of his father, and leapt at him, wrapping his arms tightly around him in a bone-crushing hug.
"Hey, son. Easy!"
Kurt gave a final squeeze, then released him and looked at Burt, beaming. Carole snuck around him for a sneaky hug behind his waist before Kurt could realise what was going on and turn around to give her a proper hug. Blaine remained standing in the doorway, watching the family reunite. "You know guys, it has only been two months since you saw each other last."
Upon hearing another voice, Burt looked up. He spotted the figure of Blaine, leaning casually against the doorframe with his arms folded, and approached him to hug him. "I know. But it feels like two years." He patted Blaine on the back before he released him, allowing Carole to go in for her signature rocking hug which could leave you feeling seasick if it continued for too long. "You guys eaten?"
Kurt nodded, his face still lit up with a bright-eyed smile. "We picked something up on the way here."
"Good. Uh, Finn and Rachel downstairs?"
"Yeah. They showed us what they'd done. It looks awesome down there."
"Well it took them long enough!"
Carole coughed politely, interrupting the exchange between father and son. Burt realised that Blaine and his wife had been standing there, silent. "How about you take them upstairs while I look after the terrible twosome?"
"You still call them that?" Blaine was surprised, thinking that they loved having Finn and Rachel living with them.
"They have been here since Finn left the army and Rachel returned from New York; we have to have some fun!"
Blaine laughed and nodded, understanding.
"Anyway boys. Bags?" Burt grabbed both cases and carried them up the stairs, leaving Kurt and Blaine exchanging a look before following him. They passed the doors of Finn and Rachel's room and the bathroom, arriving at the door to the spare bedroom before reaching the end of the corridor, where Burt and Carole's room sat. The spare bedroom was where Kurt and Blaine always slept when they stayed over. "I've done it up a little bit, changed a few things around."
Burt pushed the door open and the room was revealed. Where the double bed had once sat was now floor, and two single beds sat at opposite sides of the room. Kurt raised an eyebrow. "Dad, seriously?"
"What? You're not the only guests we have! Besides, you're my son and I don't like to think about... that."
"Oh, dad." Kurt shook his head sadly but smiled. "I'm not your little boy anymore."
"I know."
"I have to say though that I love the colour scheme. Good choice."
"Thanks son. Now, sort your stuff out and them come back downstairs. Don't be too long, mind. You look like you've had a long day."
Burt left, and they heard him creak down the staircase again. Blaine flopped on one of the beds and sighed. "No hot water bottle for me tonight, then?"
Kurt wandered over to him and sat down on the bed next to his sprawled out body. Kurt lat also, and hugged into his boyfriend's side. "It's three nights; I'm sure you can cope?" Blaine merely mumbled in reply. Kurt poked at his side. "Come on; we need to do as he said and unpack and then go down."
Ten minutes (and ruffled hair) later, the two men appeared in the basement again. Rachel was wandering about on the stage, letting her fingers ghost over the cool metal of the drum kit. Carole had pulled up a chair and was watching her. Finn was lying on a sofa, trying to relax but becoming alert at hearing any sound that may have been a cause of his wife. Burt had his hands in his pockets and was strolling around the walls of the room, taking in all the pictures of a young New Directions and studying them all carefully. Blaine walked over to the sofa and prodded Finn, forcing him to sit up and let Blaine sit down. Kurt joined Burt at looking at the photos. Rachel started to hum a tune under her breath, now gently tapping a cymbal with a fingernail. Finn looked adoringly at her.
"I'll See It?" Rachel nodded. "You want to sing it?" She considered, then nodded again. "Now?" Again, she confirmed.
"Can you play it for me please?"
"Of course."
Kurt took Finn's place on the sofa as he made his way to the stage to sit behind his drums. Burt sat on the other sofa and patted the cushion next to him to get Carole to join him. She obliged and they sat, snuggled together. Blaine looked across and them, then followed Burt's lead and put his arm solidly around Kurt's shoulders, pulling him close. They watched as Finn plodded towards the stage and took his place behind the piano. Wait, what? He brought his fingers down on the keys and Rachel found the microphone to begin the first verse.
"Everybody talks about darkness.
Everyone talks about the light.
But all that I know about brightness
Is love."
The soft notes washed over the spectators and they waited for the second verse.
"All the people talk about sunshine.
All they talk about is spring.
But the only sun in this life of mine
Is love."
Finn's hand positions changed and he approached the build.
"For when darkness closes in,
I know that you'll be there
To help me down
The basement stairs."
More solid chords were formed, contrasting with the intricate melody that Finn had been playing in the verses, as the chorus formed.
"Hold out a hand;
Touch it.
Press a kiss to my lips;
Feel it.
Whisper words in my ear;
Hear it.
And shine your light
And I'll see it."
There was a few seconds of just the piano playing before Rachel started on the next verse.
"Photography is the talk of the guys.
The girls, they talk about flowers.
But all the colour in these eyes
Is love."
Rachel's voice jarred slightly before she started the second build and chorus, mainly through sheer emotion.
"For when darkness closes in,
I know that you'll be there
To help me up
The hallway stairs.
Hold out a hand;
Touch it.
Press a kiss to my lips;
Feel it.
Whisper words in my ear;
Hear it.
And shine your light
And I'll see it."
She stepped away from the microphone slightly, leaving her hand on the pole so that she knew where it was, and let the soft plinking of Finn on the piano keys wash over her. A key change and she was back, now with the middle eight.
"Help me.
Hold my hand and
Guide me.
Take me there and
Hold me,
Love me,
See me.
I will see it then."
She moved swiftly back into the build and chorus.
"For when darkness closes in,
I know that you'll be there
To help me through
The lifelong stares
Hold out a hand;
Touch it.
Press a kiss to my lips;
Feel it.
Whisper words in my ear;
Hear it.
And shine your light
And I'll see it."
The power in her voice wavered and the final chorus was almost choked out.
"Hold out a hand;
Touch it.
Press a kiss to my lips;
Feel it.
Whisper words in my ear;
Hear it.
And shine your light
And I'll see it.
Shine your light
And I'll see you."
Kurt leapt up and clapped, tears streaming down his face, with Blaine following his lead only a split second afterwards. Finn was already up on stage hugging a sobbing singer. After a minute, Burt stood up and cleared his throat.
"Right. Well. I think that's enough excitement for now, yeah? Bed time perhaps." He climbed the stairs before anyone could notice the dampness on his cheeks. Carole ungulfed her son and daughter-in-law in a hug before following him, her eyes equally as sparkly. Only the youngsters remained. Finn brought Rachel down, off the platform, and the four had a group hug. Kurt wished, and not for the first time, that Rachel could see his tears, just so that she would know what effect her music still had on him.
"Wow."
Rachel laugh-sobbed and ended up making a strange hiccupy sound. The group just hugged tighter. They pulled away and Kurt and Blaine silently congratulated Finn on his piano playing; they knew the moment was Rachel's. The four made their way upstairs, Finn clutching onto Rachel's hand. Blaine flicked the lights off when they were all up.
They said goodnight to each other in the upstairs hallway before leaving for their respective rooms. Blaine and Kurt changed into boxers and vests and wriggled into their own beds. "Well that was special."
Kurt could only nod in agreement. He tried to find the right words, but failed. He felt emotionally drained and exhausted. "I can't wait to see what she pulls out tomorrow and on Saturday. You think we'll get any more from Finn The Pianist?"
"I don't know. That was pretty spectacular. Did you know your brother was learning?"
"No. No idea."
They settled down and tried to get to sleep, the beautiful melody still playing in their heads as they finally entered the Land of Nod.
Okay, okay. I lied. This was DAY ONE of the reunion. I am thinking of posting Friday, Saturday and Sunday in different chapters, so we have to wait a month until the boys are back in Columbus. Sorry! (mwahaha)
I go back to school tomorrow :/ Well, sixth form. While I was considering taking a break from writing Tears & Cookies, I realised that I couldn't possibly. Those of you who read and review this make my day. Every time I get an email from fanfiction, everything is suddenly perfect. You guys make me so happy, and I can't believe I found a community as nice as you. I am eternally grateful. I really enjoy talking to you, even if it is through text on the private messaging service. I can't quite believe that the genius that is AlexiaD99 wants to talk to me, and Summerdreamin has an incredibly kind heart and a sweet sense of humour. DarrenColfer (brilliant name) has written one of the most imaginative stories that I've ever read and you should definitely read Forever Shattered if you haven't already, and of course, paddyofurniture still continues to be charming as ever, making me smile at every word. I would love to thank each and every one of you for reading my humble addition to this site, but unfortunately I don't know who you are if you don't review. For now, a general THANK YOU to all of you who have taken your time to read T&C, and who put a smile upon my face.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
I never feel like I do enough for charities. Sure, all my old stuff goes to Cancer Research and I am always in the charity shops in my town. But I want to just go up to collection pots and put money in. So, for every review I get for this story, I will donate 10p to a charity. If you have a favourite, please let me know in your review and I'll see what I can do. Let's see how much we can donate, eh?
Well, my A/Ns are improving in length (sly pat on the back)!
You might be noticing that I didn't mention thank yous to I-might-BE-slightly-INSANE or IThinkILeftMyCoatOutside. With these wonderful girls, I am lucky enough to know them so can thank them in person, and give them real hugs as opposed to virtual ones. Even so, a chapter of mine isn't complete without mentioning them and thanking them from the very bottom of my heart for introducing me to this delightful community and I need to stop now before I get even more sentimental!
If you got this far, smile. And put one in you review, along with your favourite knock-knock joke. If you can't think of one, search Google for a random one. And yes, I am very random.