Five Years Later

Part 53

After getting the call from Jordan, it helped lighten the mood in Blaine's apartment after he opened up to his parents. In all honesty, it was precisely the sort of news they all needed because their conversation had quite the impact on all of them. Once Blaine had gotten off the phone with Jordan, he noticed all eyes were on him considering how happy he'd gotten during the call. Then once he told everyone what was going on, his parents couldn't stop smiling as Sebastian scooped Blaine up in his arms and spun them around. By the time he set Blaine back down, the Andersons were nearby to give Blaine hugs as well.

With as hard as it had been to hear how bad things for Blaine during his marriage, witnessing everything that was happening for him in that moment made it a bit easier. It was further proof that Blaine wasn't allowing what happened to control of his life. While there was a point he wasn't sure if his dreams truly were possible. From the moment Sebastian got him to look deep within himself, he seemed to be unstoppable. And those that had known him for quite some time, knew that spark inside of him had been reignited.

Now that the mood had changed, it was easier for everyone to do what they needed till the broadcast came on the air. The Andersons had compiled quite the little list of pictures for Sebastian to transfer to them while the boys worked. While Blaine worked on his arrangement, his parents watched and listened. In that moment, they could see everything Blaine ever spoke of how he and Sebastian managed to get their work done while being together. More than a few times, they noticed Sebastian humming or singing softly to himself as Blaine worked which brought a subconscious smile to Blaine's face.

When it was about an hour till the news was about to begin, Blaine asked his parents what they wanted to do for dinner that evening. His Mom was quick to reply with a question of her own asking what he and Sebastian would've been doing if they weren't there. Once Sebastian replied that they'd probably be ordering a pizza or Chinese since they were both working, his parents said both sounded like a good idea. But, his Dad was rather partial to ordering pizza since they were in the city and that was something both boys could understand all too well.

By the time the pizzas arrived, it was only a few minutes till the news was about to begin. While Sebastian was grabbing a few beers from the refrigerator, he was startled when Blaine came up behind him and draped his arms around him. "Want something Killer?"

"I have what I want." Blaine replied before pressing a kiss to the center of Sebastian's back. "Bet you never imagined the night would consist of us eating pizza and drinking beer around the coffee table with my parents."

"Good thing you added that last bit because otherwise, it's a typical night for us." Sebastian said as he turned to give him a kiss on the cheek. "Now as much as I don't want you to, let me go so we can eat as I'm hungry."

"Okay." Blaine said before turning around and opening the cabinet. "I came in here for reasons other than you." Sebastian turned and spotted Blaine grabbing garlic and crushed red pepper from the cabinet before going around him to get parmesan. "Ready?"

"Lead the way Killer."

When they walked back out to the living room, Blaine's parents were seated on the couch so the two quickly got comfortable on the floor. While his parents offered to move so there was more space, the boys were more than comfortable where they were. "Now, before this starts." Kate said. "Jordan is Santana's girlfriend, correct?" Blaine mumbled a yes in response as he'd just taken a bite before she'd asked. But, replied more clearly after swallowing and taking a swig of his beer. "Nice to know you still mind your manners."

"So says the one who asked me a question right after I took a bite." Blaine replied with a smile as his Dad shook his head. "Jordan is also close friends with Todd."

"Your drummer." Patrick stated to which Blaine replied in the affirmative. With as stressed as they'd all been earlier, the atmosphere was like night and day.

Just before they broke for a commercial there was a sneak peek of the upcoming new segment that had Sebastian grinning as one could hear Blaine singing. "I guess Jordan showed a bit of favoritism B, not that I object." After Sebastian kissed him on the cheek as Blaine was leaning back against him, he noticed that Blaine was blushing. "You deserve every bit of this Blaine."

"Sebastian is right dear." Kate added as she glanced at the two, sitting so happily together. In the short amount of time they'd been in the city, it was clear to both of Blaine's parents how truly happy the two of them were together.

Once they returned from break, it wasn't long till the camera panned over to Jordan before a wall monitor touting the new music segment. When she'd first approached Blaine about it, he'd been hesitant and told her she needed to speak with Vincent which she completely understood. But there was no doubt he liked the concept considering the numerous great musical acts throughout the city. If one loved music, the city certainly gave you practically every option. While she started with a few other acts, once they spotted video of Blaine and the band performing at Stephen's they knew his interview was next.

After the clip of them performing ended, it transitioned to the five of them in the studio sitting across from Jordan. Once introductions were made, the interview began. The fact that Jordan was so familiar with them it was clear they were all at ease. When she asked how they all got together, Blaine got this shy smile on his face that made Sebastian practically melt as he tightened his arms around him. Seeing Blaine so humble, yet confident was a look Sebastian was slowly getting used to, but quite the surprise for his parents. Jordan covered quite a few of the basics as well as asking who wrote most of their music to which Talia was quick to point out that Blaine does most of the writing, but they all have their moments.

When it was coming towards the end, Jordan gave out the next few engagements as well as letting the audience know where they could find more information about upcoming dates. Before letting those in the viewing audience know that they should catch them soon so they can be part of that group that was there with from the very start. Once the segment ended, Sebastian leaned over Blaine's shoulder once again to kiss him before they turned slightly to look at his parents. "What did you think?" Blaine asked as he rested his head on Sebastian's shoulder.

"It was surreal." Patrick replied as Kate in that moment was at a loss for words. "There was no hiding the belief she has in you, in all of you. While she clearly liked all the acts she covered, you got the spotlight."

"And don't think that was by chance B as you know her producer had final say." Sebastian was quick to add knowing Blaine would be quick to downplay what they saw. "And she's right; people should come to see you now as before they know it they won't be so up close and personal."

"Sebastian's right dear." Kate said. "I saw part of your schedule for the summer and you're going to be playing bigger venues."

"That's because we're opening for a few people." Blaine replied. "Outside of that, most of the venues are pretty comparable in size."

"And the outdoor venues?" Patrick asked.

"Okay, those are a bit bigger." Blaine said as a smile crept to his face. "I still can't believe those, but they are part of festivals." As the words were coming out of his mouth, his phone started to go off as it was clear word had been spread about Jordan's feature that evening.

"Do you need to get those?"

"Not anytime soon." Blaine replied to his Dad. "If it was important they'd actually call." He added. "Now, what would the two of you like to do tomorrow before you head back home?"

"We really didn't make plans aside from Friday when you'd both be busy." Kate told them. "But, if the two of you are free, we'd like to take you to brunch." Once she spoke, Blaine glanced at Sebastian who smiled and nodded, and then Blaine responded that it was good for them. "Wonderful." She then looked at Patrick who was smiling. "What is it dear?"

"I'm happy to be able to spend more time with them both." Patrick told her. "But you should both know, if you have things to do, tell us. We don't want to cramp your style."

"We're fine Dad, but thank you. Everyone knew well in advance that you were coming into town this weekend. And not to burst whatever thoughts you might've had, our weekends tend to be a bit quiet between my performances and Bas needing to study."

"Blaine's right, though we do tend to grab a bite out with friends at least once during the weekend." Sebastian added. "But our friends know they're essentially without our company for that this weekend and next."

"That's right; your parents are coming into town next weekend."

"Yes sir." Sebastian replied earning him a look from Patrick. "Habit." Sebastian quickly said earning him a smile from Patrick and a nudge from Blaine, happy to see how well they were getting along. It also made him thankful that Kurt hadn't appeared the night before to witness it. Considering the tenacious relationship the three of them had, seeing Sebastian and his parents getting along so well would've probably set him off. "They're quite anxious to meet Blaine face to face."

"We understand the feeling as we were quite anxious to do the same with you as well."

"Dad."

"Relax Blaine; I'm not going to embarrass you. I'll leave that to your brother the next time he comes to town." When Blaine rolled his eyes, Sebastian could only laugh as he knew embarrassing Blaine was second nature to Cooper. "I guess our eldest has made quite the impression you."

"You could say that." Sebastian replied.

"I'll speak with him." Kate told them.

"You don't need to do that Mom, honest. Coop honestly behaved when they met as well as the times they've spoken. Trust me, he's said a lot worse." When Kate shook her head, Patrick wrapped his arm around her. "It's Coop, Mom. If he didn't try to embarrass me, I'd think something was wrong."

"He's got a point." Patrick replied. "Just remember if he goes too far, say something."

"I know Dad. Plus Coop learned pretty quickly if he says something Bas doesn't agree with, he'll correct him."

"Is that so?"

"Yes." Sebastian replied. "It's essentially how our first conversation began."

While the four of them continued to talk, it was about an hour later after cleaning up that Blaine's parents decided to head back to their hotel. Blaine told them it wasn't necessary, but his parents wanted to give the two sometime alone. Not to mention, the previous late night was catching up to them both. After they were on their way, Blaine and Sebastian made their way back to the couch and got comfortable. "Are you still willing to read the stuff Vincent dropped off tomorrow, specifically that section that confused me a bit?"

"Of course I am." Sebastian replied before turning his head to kiss him. "I'm guessing you want a good grasp on things before meeting with him and your lawyer." Blaine nodded. "Understandable. Sebastian then began to run his fingers through Blaine's curls. "Your parents were beaming when that feature came on. They're so proud of you B."

"It all still feels like a dream Bas."

"That's because this is your dream B, and it's coming true."

"It wouldn't be if it wasn't for you." Blaine told him as he looked back at him. "I mean that Bas."

"While I appreciate it, this is all you Blaine."

"Bas, you got me to believe again which no one else was capable of doing."

"Like I told you, it was always there since you were still at school. You only needed to embrace it again." Sebastian then kissed him once more. "Did I tell you how incredible you looked during that interview?"

"No."

"Well you did. There's a confidence in you now Killer that's intoxicating to me. Not that you always haven't been, but now….you're even more so. And while I'm not the jealous type, it gets hard listening to others talk about you." While Sebastian spoke, Blaine moved onto his side so that he could look up at him. "To know they are seeing how incredible you are, how special you are."

"You know that I really don't notice it, right?"

"I know which makes you so adorable. So many people would feed off of it, but not my B."

"Oh, I do, but it only brings out more of the performer in me." Blaine then stretched to kiss him softly on the lips. "I only have eyes for you, you know that, right?"

"I know. Just as I hope you know I only have eyes for you too."

"I do. Do you have any more studying to do tonight?" Sebastian shook his head. "What do you say we watch a movie?"

"Do you have anything else planned as that's only going to take up so much time?"

"Considering how well you know me, what do you think?" When Blaine spoke, there was a mischievous glint in his eyes that was soon matched by one from Sebastian. "That's what I thought. Now, let's find a movie to watch."

By the time the two awoke the next morning, they didn't lounge in bed as usual since they were meeting Blaine's parents for brunch. While the boys were on their way over, Kate was finishing getting ready. "I was afraid we weren't ever going to see him happy again." She said to Patrick after he got off the phone with the concierge who'd called to confirm their brunch reservations. "Yet now, he's happy for so many reasons. Not only has his career taken off, but he has Sebastian."

"You really like him, don't you?"

"I do, just as you do." Kate replied as she turned to face him now that she was done.

"That I can't deny as I do like Sebastian." Patrick told her as he sat down on the bottom of the bed. "He's confident and smart. But most importantly, there is no denying how much he cares for Blaine, that he loves him. Not once while Blaine was with Kurt did I ever see Kurt look at him in the same manner."

"And here I thought I was imagining things as I thought the same thing." Kate said to him. "Yet you saw it too."

"Are you saying I'm not as observant?" Patrick replied as he took her hands in his. "Or is that because of the rough go Blaine and I had when he first came out to us?"

"I bit of everything. While you've always been observant when it's come to my feelings, it's always been a bit different with our boys." When Patrick looked down, she tilted her head enough to make eye contact with him. "I've never doubted that you love them."

"They're not the easiest to read."

"They're easier than you think, or maybe they are to me because they are so much like you, especially Blaine." Once she spoke, Patrick looked at her and smiled. "It's true. I think that's why the two of you butt heads as often as you do. Yet once you're given time to think, you can see where the other is coming from and things can get resolved."

"Like looking for a lawyer for him before he even mentioned things weren't good between the two of them?"

"Precisely. And while I agreed with Blaine that you were jumping the gun once he did come to us that he was considering leaving him. The fact that you were looking ahead; it helped things move along once Blaine had made his decision. Plus, in the end Blaine understood you only did it because you were looking out for him. The fact that you never mentioned that he should leave him before Blaine came to us, meant a lot to him."

"I know as he'd mentioned it to me after the fact. But as I told him, if he made the decision to marry, he needed to be the one to decide when to end it if that was the case."

"Patrick, I know how hard it was for you not to speak your mind about Kurt till Blaine came to you."

"After everything he told us yesterday, I wish I had."

"Yet, Blaine got out. As he said, while Kurt had hit him it wasn't a constant thing. The worst parts were the verbal abuse and being emotionally abandoned. And while I wish none of it happened, Blaine needed to be the one to make the decision to leave."

"I swear, if I ever see that little…."

"Patrick, don't go there, please. Concentrate on what's going on now. Blaine is happy and that's what we need to focus on. As bad as things were, he's now in a really good place in his life."

"Very true." Patrick then leaned forward to kiss his wife. "We should get going as the boys should be here soon and we'd told them we'd meet them in the lobby. Last thing we want to do is keep them waiting." Kate nodded before giving him a kiss prior to getting up to put her shoes on so they could be on their way.

While they were all heading out to brunch, Rachel was curled up on the couch thinking about everything that had happened in the last month plus. Ever since New Year's Eve, she'd been in a slight state of confusion in regards to things she'd previously been so sure about. From Kurt attempting to hit Blaine to things the guys had said, especially Wes accusing Kurt of cheating on Blaine. That very night she wanted to say something yet knew in that moment if she had it might've only made matters worse. Yet once she and Santana were alone, the two couldn't help but talk about things that had been going on around them. But every time she'd attempted to broach the subject with Thad, he'd deflected and moved it to something else.

"Care to tell me what you're thinking about?" Santana asked as she sat down across from her, before placing a blanket over her lap. "And don't think of saying you're not thinking as your forehead is all crinkled and it only gets like that when you're deep in thought."

"You know me too well some times." Rachel replied before taking a sip of her tea as Santana smiled. "But you're right, I am thinking."

"About?"

"Thad still won't elaborate on any of the things I've asked him in regards to what Wes said on Valentine's night."

"You know what that means, right?"

"That he's respecting Blaine's privacy?" Santana shook her head causing Rachel to sigh. "That it's true but if I want confirmation I need to talk with Blaine. But…how could that have happened Santana and neither of us have known?"

"Rach, Blaine never let anyone know how bad things were between the two of them." Santana said before sipping her coffee. "I think the only one Blaine might've opened up to is Sam and that was because he wasn't here. Blaine did his best to keep all of us out of it."

"True since I was shocked to see him leaving a lawyers' office and then it was the next day he moved out of their apartment. I wish he would've talked to me."

"Don't take this the wrong way Rach, but if he had, would you have believed him?"

"I…it probably would've depended on what he said." Rachel replied. "I mean, I didn't believe Kurt when he kept telling me Blaine was the one cheating. I…I just feel there is so much that we don't know, yet Blaine has opened up to the guys."

"I don't doubt for a second that we don't know most of what happened. And I believe that comes from Blaine not wanting to put anyone in the middle of things. Yet for starters, the guys wouldn't be put in the middle." Santana then took another sip of coffee before continuing. "Secondly, I don't think they all know everything as well. If anything, I believe Blaine has only told Sebastian everything that's happened while the rest of the guys only know bits and pieces."

"But if it was true, don't you think Sebastian would've done something?" Rachel replied.

"Rach, from what Nick and the guys told me when I arrived home on New Year's Eve, Sebastian seemed to have chosen his words rather wisely that night." Santana told her. "That let them all know Sebastian knows more than anyone. Not to mention, him lashing out would only force Blaine to air all their dirty laundry and that's not him. Heck, Blaine…FUCK!"

"What is it Santana?" Rachel asked, sitting up to look at her as Santana was clearly frustrated.

"Call Blaine."

"Why?"

"We need to talk with him."

"His parents are in town Santana; we're not going to be able to see him till they leave." Rachel told her.

"Shit!" Once the word left her mouth, Santana set her coffee cup down as she tried to calm down.

"What's going on, you're starting to freak me out? Santana."

"I'm not going to say anything as I'm really hoping I'm not right. But, we need to talk with Blaine to clear the air a bit. Find out a bit more of what happened. Hopefully since he's opened up to the guys a bit, he'll do the same to us now as he knows where we stand." Once she was done speaking, Santana saw Rachel reaching for her phone that was on the table. "What are you doing?"

"I'm sending Blaine a text asking him if he and Sebastian would like to have dinner with us sometime this week." Rachel replied. "With as hectic as his schedule is, we need to find a date that works for us all. And if not this week, next as I know this week is busy with Sebastian's parents coming into town next week."

"Sounds good to me, but what are you going to do this week?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're having lunch with Lady Hummel." Santana replied. "Will you be able to refrain from pushing him for information?"

"Yes as I have a feeling he wouldn't tell me the truth." While she replied, Santana responded in shock. "Funny, I'm not that naïve Santana. There is no way he'd ever admit if he ever did anything wrong in the marriage. Hell, he never really felt he was in the wrong when he'd miss one of Blaine's performances."

"Goes to prove how little he cared about Blainers."

"The signs were there, weren't they?" Rachel asked rather dejected by the thought that she'd missed them.

"They were. And while I probably saw them first, I never imagined Hummel could be so cruel to the person he loved. Yet seeing Blaine now, it's easier to see how bad things were." Santana replied. "You weren't the only one to not see things Rach. Blaine had us all fooled. But at the same time, you and I both knew something was off considering the change in him."

"Yet anytime we mentioned it, he said everything was fine."

"Because Blaine didn't want us hauled into whatever was going on." Santana told her. "Think, the moment Blaine left Kurt did nothing but trash Blaine to anyone that listened. Blaine was being unreasonable. Blaine was jealous. Blaine blindsided him. It all fell on Blaine; Kurt never took any responsibility for the fall of their marriage." The more Santana spoke, the more Rachel realized she was right.

In all of the conversations Rachel had with Kurt after Blaine left, he never took any of the responsibility for what went wrong. The picture of Blaine that Kurt had painted to her was nothing close to the person she knew. He'd even gone as far as to saying that Blaine's attitude was the reason his friends from Dalton stopped talking to him. Yet the moment she'd mentioned that to Thad, she'd never imagined quite the reaction that she'd received. To hear that Kurt essentially had told Blaine that he had to push the guys from his life was hard to hear. It also explained to her why none of them were at the wedding even though most helped Blaine propose. But the one thing she'd yet to get an answer to from Thad was why he didn't take part.

Considering everything that had been going on, Jeff wasn't too surprised to get a call from Nick that Wes felt that they all needed to have a little meeting before everyone headed back to school. While Jeff wasn't thrilled, he understood and thankfully, Morgan did as well. Plus since he didn't have class till later on Monday's he wasn't going to be leaving till the next morning. So when Jeff made his way over to Thad's, he wasn't surprised in the slightest to see Hunter as well as the others. "Should I be waiting for a gavel bang to get this meeting started?" Jeff asked as he plopped down on the floor. "Or would that only be happening if David, Trent, and Beat were here as well."

"Someone is taking up Trent's mantle as the sassy one." Thad replied as he got comfortable in a chair. "But, I can see your point."

"What did you want to talk with us all about Wes as it's clear you wanted to do it when Blaine and Sebastian were pre-occupied?" Hunter asked as he leaned back on his hands as he was sitting on the floor as well.

"The fact that Rachel and Santana clearly have no clue about what went happened while Blaine was married to Kurt." Wes told them. "Rachel keeps asking Thad about things we've all said around him."

"Yet I deflect and change the subject." Thad added. "But it's getting harder and harder."

"Is that because she's becoming more persuasive?" Nick asked earning a laugh from everyone but Thad who glared at him. "Guess not."

"Can we get back on topic please?" Thad stated, causing Nick to apologize as this clearly wasn't the time to tease him. "What Wes is getting at is, we all need to be more careful when we speak."

"It's clear we've gotten comfortable having the girls around and that means we're not always on our game." Wes said. "While we all know that Kurt cheated on Blaine, thanks to Hunter's intuition, they don't."

"Should we even ask all that was found out?" Jeff asked as he glanced at Hunter who was beside him.

"Let's just say that Hummel isn't the prude we all picture him to be." Hunter replied.

"That's something I didn't need to know." Nick said and the others all agreed.

"Now you know how Sebastian and I felt. At least the rest of you didn't see the proof of this." Hunter added. "But Blaine had a right to know after all that crap that bastard had to say to and about him. Now he can no longer play the innocent card with Blaine and throw that one mistake in his face."

"True." Wes said. "As he held that over Blaine's head anytime he did something he didn't agree with."

"I just wish we knew why he can't leave Blaine alone." Nick said. "At first, I get that curiosity played into it. But now, what gives?"

"You mean besides his mantra that Sebastian is wrong for him." Jeff replied. "Yet at the same time he can accuse Blaine of being confused and sleeping with Morgan. He's way too concerned with how Blaine is living his life. From everything Blaine's told me, this is night and day from how he treated him during the marriage as he tended to ignore him."

"It's because Blaine is now not under his thumb and he can't control him." Hunter stated. "Think, from everything Blaine has said, Kurt is a control freak. So combine that with everything going on with Blaine, he can't handle it. Everything he thought he was incapable of achieving, he's doing. And he's doing it with Sebastian and you guys by his side."

"That's probably one of the things that bothers him the most." Thad said. "Blaine's doing all this surrounded by people that Kurt thought he'd rid from Blaine's life. So not only is Blaine becoming a success, he's doing it surrounded by people Hummel can't stand."