A/N- It was very remiss of me not to mention this earlier, but the song used in ch32 was "All For You," by Keith Urban. My dear friend Becky found it for me and I've been saving it for the perfect moment.

Thanks for all the lovely reviews :)

"And it would have to be raining," Kurt gripes as they walk back through arrivals.

"I know," Blaine moans, not even having the heart to try and put a positive spin on this to cheer his husband up. "Plus you have to shave ready for your meeting tomorrow, which totally sucks ass."

Kurt does smile at this though, flushing pink as he remembers how much Blaine loves his stubble scratching against his ass cheeks while he's rimming him. "I've done quite a lot of that in the past two weeks," he says quietly.

"Huh?" They step outside the airport, Blaine searching distractedly for a cab. "Done quite a lot of what?"

"Ass sucking."

"Oh my god!" Blaine cries, laughing as a cab pulls up. "Kurt Hummel-Anderson, I cannot believe you just said that!"

"Actually," Kurt carries on once Blaine has loaded their bags into the trunk and slides into the seat next to him. "I've done a lot of everything. No stone left unturned."

"Well there is one..." Blaine muses, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Oh?"

"I really wanna watch you masturbate," he whispers hotly in his ear, laughing darkly at the bright red stain which spreads from the tip of Kurt's ears, over his face and down his neck.

"You've seen... me...finish myself off before..." he says into his neck.

"I know. But I'm talking me sitting there, watching you give yourself all of the pleasure."

"Okay."

"What?" Blaine sits up, staring at Kurt in surprise at how quickly and readily he agrees.

"Yeah. I know that's your...thing. And I know how hot I found it when you... So yeah. But I'm not going to tell you when. I reserve the right to total surprise."

"Absolutely fine by me," Blaine grins, settling back with his arm about Kurt's shoulders. "I have the best husband ever."

Although feeling despondent at having to return from honeymoon, the couple are happy to be back in their apartment once more, and once Kurt has carried his laughing husband over the threshold, they unpack quickly before soaking in the bath together. Kurt takes some time to select an outfit ready to meet his potential new agent the next day while Blaine tries to call his parents house but getting no reply, calls Wes instead.

"Hey! You're in one piece. Good time?"

"The best," Blaine smiles. "Like really, truly, the best. Are mom and dad with you? I keep trying to call them but there's no answer."

"Uh...no," Wes stutters, immediately causing Blaine concern. "I um...I think you should call Cooper."

"What? Why?" Blaine asks, his voice rising and causing Kurt to come out of the bedroom and urge Blaine to put the phone on speaker. "If you know why they're not home, why can't you tell me? You always tell me stuff."

"I uh...I can tell you... But it might be better to hear it from your brother. He knows more than I do..."

"Tell me."

"I feel like I've let you down," Wes whispers, voice full of shame.

Blaine speaks through gritted teeth, his heart pounding with fear. "Tell me."

"It's your dad," he says softly, wincing at Blaine's sharp intake of breath. "He's alive, it's important you know that before I go any further. But the day after the wedding he...he...he had quite a big stroke. He's still in hospital in LA, he's not strong enough to travel yet."

"But...but...but why didn't anyone tell me?" Blaine asks, his voice small and childlike as Kurt guides him to the couch and holds him tight. "No one called me..."

"Your mom didn't want us to. I'm sorry Blaine but I agreed with her. I know you, and I know Kurt. You would have flown right back, and none of us wanted you to miss your honeymoon. The doctors stabilized him quite quickly, really it's just the long road to rehabilitation now."

Blaine's voice comes small, lost and afraid. "But that's my daddy."

"I know," Wes' voice cracks as he speaks. "And I'm so sorry for you...for all of you. But in a way I guess it's better he was in LA, at least Sara has Cooper and Claire to lean on..."

"So is he...I don't know. Is he expected to get better or...?"

"He won't make a complete recovery. It's affected his left side mainly, but they think his brain function is good, just some slight short term memory loss. But he will need a walker to get around, and he won't be able to stay on his feet for too long, in fact he's not walking at all at the moment. When I was there at the weekend he was just starting to learn how to transfer from bed to chair again, and the doctor said they're really pleased at his improvement. His speech is still quite slurred, but you'd be able to understand him."

"You were there at the weekend?"

"Yeah. I stayed for a couple of extra days but I had to get back to work, so Kathy stayed on. I flew out this weekend and last, and I'm going again on Friday with Burt and Carole."

"Kathy's still there?"

"Yes, but she's coming home with me on Sunday."

"Thank you," Blaine tells him sincerely. "If Kurt and I couldn't be there I'm glad you and Kathy have been."

"I let you down," Wes whispers, "I should have taken time off but it was finals and..."

"Wes, you've done all you can, and yet again you, and now Kathy have stepped up for me. I mean it, thank you."

"I'm so sorry this has happened, Blaine," Wes says, and Kurt's silent tears start when he realizes Wes is crying. "I mean I know age happens to us all but..."

"But to be reminded of the fragility of life still feels like shit."

"Yeah."

Kurt sits patiently until they finish their conversation then holds open his arms for his husband to curl into his embrace, smoothing his hair while he sobs and rages about the unfairness of it all. "I know, my darling, I know," Kurt soothes. "But he's alive, and we must cling to that. We'll fly back to LA tomorrow, right after my meeting, is that okay?"

Blaine shakes his head, "I'll go. You stay here. You need to be around for auditions and..."

"And I need to be around to hold my husband," Kurt smiles sadly. "We will go to LA, and see what happens. I don't know but maybe we could look into getting some kind of nurse to help your mom at home for a while? That might help him to get home sooner."

"If he knows there's a fit, nubile young nurse waiting for him, he'll be walking all the way back to Ohio," Blaine laughs through his tears. "That's a really considerate thought, Kurt. Thank you."

The majority of the evening is spent on phone calls then, as Blaine calls Cooper then Kurt calls his dad. By the time Blaine has finished his conversation with Santana, and Kurt has said a quick hello to Rachel, who tells him she's got a final call back for Maria Von Trapp, the pair fall wearily into bed and cuddle close.

"I'm so sorry we had to come home to this," Kurt says in the dark, kissing into Blaine's hair. "Do you feel any better after talking to Cooper?"

"A little," Blaine tells him, burrowing deeper into his neck. "I guess it's like when he was sick, I'll feel better once I've seen him with my own eyes. Cooper did warn that he looks very fragile, but says he's managing to say a few words at a time."

"He'll get better, honey."

"I don't know."

"He will," Kurt says firmly. "He's strong, and he has everything to live for. He told you last time that he wasn't going anywhere until he had seen all his grandbabies, and I know he will have meant it."

"It's not for him to decide though, is it?" Blaine says bitterly. "It's for some other force or being, or just our own bodies to decide when enough is enough, and no amount of wanting can keep us alive."

"I disagree. I mean, there comes a point where your body gives out, yes. Like my mom. But for a long, long time before that she kept going. She didn't want to leave me or dad and she held on as long as she could. You'll know, and he will know, when it's time. The right time. Just as we did. But I'm telling you, he's not ready to say goodbye yet, and he would be annoyed that we're even having this conversation, so I'm gonna shut right up."

"Do you think he'll go soon?" Blaine whispers, and Kurt sighs at the feeling of Blaine's tears on his bare chest.

"I don't know," Kurt admits. "And I don't think knowing our own expiration dates would be in anyway useful. I just know that he will be fighting back because he loves you all, and he knows how much he is loved."

"I'd fight for you."

"I know you would. You always have, and you always will. That's why I married you. I remember sitting in my kitchen when I was just sixteen, and I told you I wanted a man who would fight to get me and fight even harder to keep me. That's you."

"I like how you take care of me," Blaine murmurs, kissing his chest lightly. "You make me feel safe."

"And I can only do that because you do the same for me," Kurt says, blinking back the tears he can feel threatening. "We'll always be here to care for one another. I guess that's quite a comforting thought."

There is no response from Blaine, only a light snoring sound as his dreams take him under until the early hours when he wakes calling out for his daddy, having dreamed that he was a little boy once more and lost in a large department store. Kurt sits with him, soothing and reassuring him over and over until he's sleeping once more, not stirring until the alarm goes off a few hours later. He finds Kurt in the kitchen, already showered and dressed and staring at a plate of toast as if willing it to disappear without him having to actually digest it.

"Sorry."

Kurt startles at Blaine's voice, a bright smile finding its way onto his face as he gets up from the table and kisses his lips before pouring his coffee. "No need to be sorry," he says in confusion. "What have you got to apologize for?"

"For falling asleep on you, then keeping you up half the night, then sleeping in this morning and not being there for you. It's your big day. I should be focusing on that, not wallowing in misery."

"Well if it helps, I'm wallowing in misery too," Kurt says, sliding his coffee across the table, and it is only then that Blaine can see his red rimmed eyes. "But please, don't apologize. You were my rock when my dad was in hospital, now let me be the same for you."

"Are you nervous for today?"

"I'm not actually," Kurt says, an element of surprise creeping into his voice as he realizes. "I feel like whatever happens, happens. I have nothing to lose, put it that way."

"True, but a lot to gain. Now, I'm gonna go shower, and when I return we'll put all thoughts of dad to one side to focus on you, and I will have my 'worlds most supportive husband' hat firmly in place, okay?"

"Okay," Kurt smiles. "But if you ever actually do get a hat like that, please know that I will disown you."

Kurt rings the buzzer for office thirteen- an omen if ever he saw one, and steps back to wait. No voice comes over the intercom to greet them, but they are buzzed into a dingy hallway with a steep flight of stairs rising in front of them.

"No." Blaine's voice is firm as he tries to guide Kurt back out the door. "No way."

"Yes way," Kurt says, shirking out of his grip. "This is the only chance I have. You met her, she seemed...well...abrupt maybe...but okay. She might sign me and put me on the road to success. Everyone has to start somewhere, right?"

Blaine says nothing, only trails Kurt reluctantly up the stairs where they enter a cramped room to find Martha Fisher sitting behind a desk with papers piled haphazardly all over it. Faded pictures of aging tv, film and theatre stars adorn the walls, but Kurt decides not to ask if she actually represented Richard Burton or just displays his picture because of his face.

"You came," she says in surprise, gesturing for them to sit. "I didn't think you would."

"Really?" Kurt smiles politely. "Why is that?"

"Too much of a snob. Thought you'd scout out the office, take one look and run."

"Yes...well...it's not our usual area, I must admit," Kurt says tightly. "But everyone needs a base."

"Have you ever thought of going into modelling?" Martha asks abruptly. "You know, with those eyes and cheekbones..."

"No, thank you," Kurt answers with a tight smile. "I just want to do musicals."

"Suit yourself," Martha shrugs. "But you could make a lot of money."

"Kurt doesn't need money," Blaine interrupts, earning him a sharp look from his husband. "He's doing this for the love of it, not for a paycheck."

"And you are?" Martha asks. Her words sound polite and ever so well meaning, but there is an iciness in her eyes as she speaks.

"I'm Kurt's husband," Blaine says proudly.

"Oh. Oh! Well you know..." she pauses, squinting at him before framing both their faces with her fingers. "They could photoshop some of the gray...You two could make a killing together."

"Thank you, but no," Kurt says firmly.

"Fine," she says with a shrug. "But I have to be honest here Kurt; if it's theatre work you want, you're gonna struggle. You have a beautiful voice, don't get me wrong, but no director worth his salt is going to cast a counter tenor as male lead. Flying monkey number three, maybe. Council member in hairspray, possibly. But you're never going to be the next Raul, or Marius."

"How dare you!" Blaine explodes. "Kurt is amazingly talented. He..."

"That's as maybe, Mr...Husband," Martha says with disdain. "And I'm not disagreeing. I'm just stating facts. Why would someone cast Kurt as male lead when he can sing higher than his female co-star?"

"Ms. Fisher," Kurt says with forced politeness, his back rigid with tension as he speaks. "I am good. I know I am good. If you take me on, I will work hard for you."

"I don't doubt that, kid. But you're not like other guys. You look gay, for a start, and your voice gives you away the moment you speak. The majority of theatre actors are, in all honesty. But you wouldn't necessarily know. They can be camper than a boy scout jamboree when they're not in work, but on stage they can create chemistry with a girl that has every audience member on the edge of their seat. I don't get that with you. When I was watching your showcase with your Juliette I saw a girl with her gay bff, not a tragically passionate romance playing out before my eyes. Why would we believe Fiyero is falling for Elphaba when he can hit the high F better than her?"

"Look, I thank you for your honesty, but I just want to know if you're prepared to represent me or not?" Kurt says, his voice heavy with defeat.

"I'll take you on," Martha nods. "And I can get you work, for sure. But it will be chorus work, you have to realize that. And it probably won't be the parts you're wanting. You're gonna have to work harder than most to make it, hon. The only way you're gonna get your big break is by some undiscovered yet immensely talented writer falling in love with you and creating a role for you. You need to be somebody's muse."

"Well I'm taken, so that's out of the question," Kurt says forcefully as he squeezes Blaine's hand.

"Then start with modelling, become the next fashion icon and break into acting that way. Announcing a career change at the height of success works well for a lot of celebrities."

"I don't want to model," Kurt gets out through gritted teeth. "I don't want to be a celebrity either. I just want to sing, and dance, and act on stage night after night. It's all I want to do. It's all I know how to do."

"Well that's not true."

"Be quiet, Blaine," Kurt snaps, the color in his cheeks rising as he feels tears threatening. "Just...give me a chance. Please."

"Okay," Martha sighs as she opens up her laptop. "I'll get the contracts prepared and email them over to you."

"Kurt," Blaine hisses at him. "Are you seriously going to do this?"

"Not now, Blaine."

"Ms. Fisher, please excuse us for a moment," Blaine says politely. "I just need to talk with my husband in private."

Dragging Kurt out into the narrow hallway, he lowers his voice to a whisper. "What the hell? You're going to sign with her?"

"I don't have much choice," Kurt says, resolutely avoiding Blaine's eyes.

"Yes you do, my darling boy," Blaine says kindly. "We can go see other agents. It's not like..."

"Who?" Kurt asks, voice cracking with emotion. "There are no other agents, Blaine. I'm not like Joe. I didn't get six agents clamouring for my attention right after my showcase, or like Rachel, an invitation to audition for the Sound of Music revival. I didn't get anyone except Martha. And for whatever reason, she's decided to take a chance on me. So I'm gonna sign, and I'm gonna prove her, and everyone else wrong. I'll do this, Blaine. I will."

"I don't doubt it," Blaine says as he pulls him close. "I love you always, just remember that. And I'm so incredibly proud of you."

"Thank you," he sniffs as a tear escapes. "I think I really needed to hear that right now."

"Let's go tie things up in there then we can go for lunch before our flight, huh? Celebrate you getting signed."

"I'm not sure there's much to celebrate, but yeah," Kurt smiles with watery eyes.

"There will be, gorgeous boy. There will be."

By the time they land in LA Kurt is feeling much more positive, mainly thanks to his husband who has been giving him a constant pep talk since they stepped out of the agent's office. He turns his phone on while Blaine sorts their car, and sees he has a missed call from Martha already, dialling her back excitedly.

"Kid! You got an audition."

"Already? Wow!" Kurt laughs. "What for? And when?"

"Calm it. Touring production of Calamity Jane. Chorus member. The audition is Friday."

"But that's the day after tomorrow!" Kurt cries in despair. "I can't make it. My Father-in-law is sick, I'm in LA and..."

"Kid I don't care if you've lost both your legs, you'll be there."

"But the tour...how long?"

"Five weeks. Arizona, New Mexico, Oaklahoma and Kansas."

"Are you actually kidding me?" Kurt dead pans.

"No, why? You feel you're above that?"

"No, no," he says rapidly. "I just...ugh. When does the tour start?"

"Monday."

"Monday?!"

"It's already underway actually," Martha says offhandedly. "But they've had to fire a few dancers, so are hiring new ones. I'll book you in and text you the time."

"You okay?" Blaine asks when he returns to find Kurt staring at the phone in his hand.

"No. We need to talk."

Blaine stumbles slightly and leans against the wall. "My dad?"

"No! Oh no, sorry Blaine...sorry. I should've made that clear. No. It's um... Martha called."

He tells Blaine everything, and by the time he's finished they are sitting in the hired car together with Blaine staring quietly through the windshield, trying to make sense of it all.

"I don't have to go," Kurt says with a gentle touch to his arm.

"No...you do, you do." He turns to him, trying to hide the pain in his eyes. "That's fine. We knew this would potentially be the case. Of course, we didn't factor in all of this," he says gesturing around him. "But why would we? We weren't to know. No...you go. Honestly."

"No, I'm not going to," Kurt decides. "I don't have to. I don't need to. We don't need the money, this isn't going to get me a broadway lead...no. I'd just be doing it for me, rather than us."

"Kurt..." Blaine sighs heavily. "Look. Do I want you to go? Of course not. But in two weeks time if my dad is well enough, I'm supposed to be going on tour anyway. Are you going to be happy sitting at home in Chicago, or trailing me along the east coast, waiting in hotel rooms all day? You know the answer. And you're too good to just sit in my shadow. You wanted this career and now you're getting a real shot at it. Yes, the timing sucks ass, and we both know five weeks will be hell. But we're married now...we have all eternity."

"And what if I get home and there's another tour waiting?"

"Then you do it. This is your job, Kurt. You are an actor. You have to go wherever the work is. If I'd stayed in Ohio there's no way I would be playing in the Symphony, is there?"

"I guess not but...but I feel like being your husband is my job, first and foremost. My most important role. And I just don't see how I can do that effectively if we're hundreds of miles apart all the time."

"You can and you will, because you're perfect for me," Blaime smiles. "On the bright side, both our tours will finish at around the same time, so we can meet again in Chicago for hopefully more than one night this time."

"I'll be with you in New York..." Kurt starts, but Blaine cuts him off quickly.

"No you won't. You and I both know that's not going to happen," he says with a sad shake of his head. "But it's okay..."

"No, I'll be there..."

"Kurt. Please. Don't make rash promises that you can't keep because you'll end up hating yourself. I will be fine. It's three days in New York, just like last year. I can manage."

"This really fucking sucks," Kurt cries, allowing himself to swipe at his tears of self pity. "I hate life."

"No you don't. Now come on, let's go and visit dad."

They get to the hospital where Sara and Cooper are waiting to greet them. Kurt hugs them both tight, but he can tell Sara is holding back, trying to keep herself composed for the sake of her youngest son, who now looks positively petrified as they walk down the corridor.

"He's probably sleeping," Cooper is explaining, but Blaine isn't hearing his words at all. "When he does wake up, it's important that he doesn't see you're alarmed by his speech in any way. The doctor said we must all carry on as of there's nothing out of the ordinary at all, otherwise it could frighten him and cause another stroke."

"You two go in," Sara says kindly. "We'll wait out here."

Kurt nods and pushes open the door to the darkened room, tugging Blaine gently inside. Mike Anderson lies there, looking small and vulnerable in a hospital gown. He is not sleeping, just staring at the ceiling, but he turns his head slightly at the noise- and Kurt realizes in horror that he's unable to turn any further. He steps forward, into his line of vision and pushes Blaine forward, who is now shaking as he tries hard not to break down.

"...Laine," his dad croaks, his mouth barely moving to form the word. It's too much for Blaine, who shakes his head and tears from the room. Knowing Cooper will catch him, Kurt tries to act nonchalant and smiles brightly, drawing up a chair and taking Mike's right hand.

"Hey Mike! Good to see you again."

Mike blinks hard, and Kurt's heart lurches when he sees a tear escape. "Laine."

"He's uh... Well, you know how he is," Kurt says with a light laugh, but it seems to echo off the walls and reverberate around them. "That is he...well he's not very good with sick people. Not that you're sick," he adds hastily.

"Am..." Mike says. "Can't...sss...sss...eak."

"Can't speak?" he asks, and Mike nods. "Well I can understand you just fine."

"Like you," Mike says with a twitchy sort of smile.

"I know. I've always been your favorite," Kurt teases, and takes the funny bark from Mike to be a laugh.

He prattles on about their honeymoon, and tells Mike all about his audition until a red-eyed Blaine returns with an apologetic smile and makes to sit on his other side.

"Here," Kurt says with a pointed look. "Sit this side."

Blaine falters, but sits and takes his dad's hand, bowing his head for a moment before looking up at him. "So..." he begins, "Cooper says that I'm not to draw attention to what happened...but you know, don't you?"

Mike attempts a nod. "Sss...sss..."

"Stroke?"

"Mmm."

"Yes," Blaine nods. "And I'm sorry I got so upset and ran out like that but...but I can't stand seeing you like this."

"Nor mmmm...me."

"You're my dad, you see," Blaine says, pausing to kiss his hand. "I love you so much, and I'm not ready to say goodbye to you yet."

"Plus, the pressure on Blaine and I to provide you with a grandchild is kinda wearing thin," Kurt interjects, making everyone smile. "So if you could lay off getting sick for a while, we'd really appreciate it."

Mike tries to laugh, and his smile is as wide as he can manage, but it results in a line of drool falling from the slack left hand side of his mouth, which Kurt tenderly wipes away without a word.

"I...I..." Mike tries, making a frustrated noise when the words won't form.

"You what, dad?" Blaine asks as he moves to sit on the bed. "Try and whisper, it might be easier."

"I'm not leaving you," he whispers, satisfied with his effort. "Love you all too much."

Blaine says nothing, but curls up on the bed next to his dad and pulls his arm around his shoulders, and Kurt stands, kissing his forehead before stepping out of the room to give them a moment alone. He finds Sara in the corridor, who explains that Cooper has gone home.

"Well it wouldn't be a hospital visit without our cafeteria visit," he smiles, offering his arm. "Shall we?"

By the time evening approaches, Mike's room is filled with all his family and Kathy, and the doctor calls in to ask to speak with Sara. "Oh yes...," she says with a worried glance at her husband. "I'll just..."

"Cooper, why don't you and Blaine go with your mom?" Claire asks. "We'll all stay here, I'm sure the twins can give grandpa a lesson in how to use an iPod or something."

They trail down the corridor again, this time to a small office where the doctor motions for them to sit. "So...we're thinking that Mr. Anderson could possibly be strong enough to transfer back to Colombus stroke rehab on Monday," he says with a smile. "His heart is certainly strong enough for the flight, and he will be on a special air ambulance so he won't need to sit, he can lie on a stretcher. I would envisage him staying in there six to eight weeks for intensive rehab, by which time we would have a much clearer indication of his expected level of recovery. But I have to say- all things considered- he's doing really well."

"He's gonna be okay?" Cooper asks hopefully.

"It depends what you mean by okay," the doctor says warily. "Like I said before, he will need a walker to get around, and long distance walking will be out of the question, as will driving. But his speech will most likely return to almost complete normality. It's the smaller things, like the grip in his left hand for example, that will probably not recover too well, but overall...for a man of his age...yes. He'll be okay. Certainly capable of holding that baby he seems to keep on about," he says with a smile as he looks at Blaine. "Congratulations, by the way."

"Oh!" a baffled Blaine looks very surprised. "That's not...we're not...no. No babies yet. He's just hopeful, that's all. My dad has a tendency to get overexcited."

"Well long may it continue," the doctor says as he shakes their hands. "And I have to say, he's incredibly lucky to have such a supportive family.

"Well my dad's kinda awesome," Blaine says, his hand finding his mom's and squeezing tight. "Loving him is a pretty easy job."

"I think I might go back with mom for a few days," Blaine muses that night once they're tucked away in the pool house. "You'll be gone anyway, and I think if I explain to Riccardo he will understand. I just feel like I don't want her to be alone just yet."

"I agree," Kurt says, kissing into his hair. "I mean, she's back to calling everyone darling, but she still looks distraught, which is completely understandable. I have to say though, I'm looking forward to seeing your dad again tomorrow. Even as sick as he is, he makes me smile."

"Yeah. I was thinking...why don't we fly back tomorrow night? It will give us one more night together before you leave, and a night in your own bed before your audition. You're not gonna want to step off a plane and go right there."

"Wait a minute..." Kurt sits, pushing him from his chest and staring at him in the dark. "You're coming back with me?"

"Of course I am. I'll see dad on Monday anyway. I'm not ready to be parted from you just yet."

"I don't have to go," he says, lying down and taking Blaine in his arms once more.

"We've been through this," Blaine says as he shifts to hover over him. "You're going. Now give me something to remember you by."