BlairPOV-
''What do you think,'' Kate asks, modeling the black dress for me.
It's a fall day, in the middle of November, one of the rare Saturday's where I don't have to go to work like Ryder does.
Which is why I'm spending the day with Kate and Noah, helping Kate find a dress at the vintage thrift store.
''You're gorgeous,'' I smile, then look to Noah ,''Isn't she?''
For someone who spent a majority of the day crying, Noah's in a great mood now.
''Well thank you,'' she smiles, looking into the mirror next to the dressing room that she just exited, ''I think this is the one I want.''
''What's this for, anyway,'' I ask, looking up from Noah.
''David has a sports banquet to cover, and dad can't go. So I'm going as his 'date','' she explains.
''Well, he'll have the most beautiful 'date' there,'' I reassure her, ''I'm sure Amber would agree.''
Kate bites her lip, looking down ,''We broke up.''
What the hell?
''What? How? Why?,'' I ask, shifting over when she sits next to Noah and I.
''It was mutual, about a month ago. Completely different schedules, and we never got to see each other. Nursing school takes up so, so much of my time, and she's got her hands full with her own classes and work. It… it just wasn't working out. I'm fine though,'' she admits.
She looks devastated, honestly. Kate looks the way I felt when she broke up with me.
Scars that can't just be healed in a month.
''You're not fine,'' I tell her, but she shrugs.
''I loved her. I love her. But she did give me three of the best years of my life, so I guess that I should at least be grateful for that,'' Kate stands then ,''I'm going to change back into my clothes. Then we can look around for you for a little while.''
She walks back into the dressing room, returning a few minutes later dressed in jeans and shirt.
''Let me hold this cutie,'' she takes Noah from me, ''And you can look around. I know you love this store, you liked it when we were dating.''
Maybe it wasn't the best decision to be friends with my ex, but she needs someone. Kate's not exactly introvert, she just doesn't bother with simple conversations. Which comes off as rude or stuck up, when she's just scared inside. Besides, neither of us is going to cross a line; I'm too committed to Ryder, and she's still nursing a broken heart.
''How'd you know it was over,'' I ask her, examining a red dress as she plays with Noah's hand.
She's so good with kids. Noah doesn't like strangers, but he seems to adore her.
''It felt like we were forcing it. You can't force a relationship to work. Don't get me wrong, you still have to work at it, but we were trying to make something that's probably been over for months work,'' she tells me ,''It was just a matter of admitting it to ourselves.''
''But what if you want it to work? And what if you have a reason for forcing it to work?''
''Then you two have to make that decision on your own. Look, Blair, this isn't some underhanded scheme to get you back. I just think that you and Ryder both deserve to be happy. Which is why the two of you need to talk,'' she recommends ,''Before it's too late
''So you and Ryder haven't had any alone time in the last five months,'' she raises an eyebrow ,''Damn.''
''We have a kid, Kate,'' I laugh ,''Besides, that's not the most important part of a relationship.''
''True,'' she admits, ''But I know how touchy-feely you two are, and you do deserve to have a date. So how about I watch Noah for the night, and you two go out?''
''You'd do that,'' I ask, and Kate shrugs.
''Of course. You're my best friend, even after everything that happened between us. Ryder and I are on pretty good terms, too. So, if he agrees, I'd be happy to watch Noah for a while.''
''Thank you so much, Kate. I'll ask Ryder,'' I step out of the car, and lift Noah and his car seat out of the back ,''I'll call you with the answer.''
With that, I take Noah into the apartment building.
Ryder and I haven't seen each other all day. He was gone when I got up, but he did tell me he'd take care of dinner.
I don't know what I'm so worried about. Ryder and I agreed that we don't have to be together to raise Noah, but he loves me. I'm being stupid.
Ryder and I are going to be just fine.
RyderPOV-
''That means two Thanksgiving dinners,'' I tell Blair.
''I figured as much. I guess we can go to your parents' first. Did they separate yet,'' she asks, placing Noah in his high chair.
''No. They're talking it out, to see if they really want to get the divorce. I don't know what exactly is happening between them, but I know they want to see Noah.''
''Of course they do. He's adorable,'' Blair jokes, taking a jar of his baby food down ,''Dinner for my side is at Sugar's mom's house in New Jersey.''
''I didn't think it would be this complicated,'' I hand her the napkin to wipe Noah's mouth.
We might have rushed into moving in together, and we definitely didn't plan on having another baby so soon.
''I think it's worth it,'' Blair grins, scooping some food onto a spoon and offering it to Noah ,''Isn't that right, Noah?''
He stares at her with bright, brown eyes, the food dripping messily down his chin.
''Or just eat. That's good, too. Anyway, I haven't seen my dad in a while. That'll be nice,'' she admits, wiping our son's chin.
Blair is so good with kids. We've decided that, yes, we definitely want more kids. When we're older and have established careers.
''True. And I'll get to spend some time with my parents,'' I admit ,''And we'll finally have some alone time on Friday, since Kate will watch Noah.''
Honestly, I'm surprised she even suggested it. Kate and I have never had the best relationship, she's more of Blair's friend than she is mine. It is nice of her, though.
''And I can't wait,'' Blair looks at me ,''I've missed certain things.''
''You're insatiable,'' I joke, repeating what she always says to me.
Although I'd be lying if I said that I don't feel the same.
With a laugh, she stands to fill Noah's sippy cup, ''Only because it's you.''
So much has changed since last year. Noah is much healthier, and has begun teething. He's walking a little, but not without a lot of help, considering he's only almost one.
I'm doing great in my classes, and at work. Penny has been very lenient, even babysitting a few times when I had to study and Blair was at work.
Blair's body image issues, while not all gone, have gotten much better. At least… she has not gone to extremes to lose weight. Sometimes I see her staring at the mirror, and I know she hates what she sees. But she had more confident days now, and I guess that's all we can ask for. Her therapist said that a lot of people struggle on and off with their eating disorders, and she may never be fully recovered.
I don't care how long it takes, I will spend every day reassuring her that she's just fine.
As far as our relationship goes, I'm going to marry this girl when we're older. We haven't had any major fights, and we work as a team. Especially when Noah is crying for hours on end, with no visible reason why.
''You know,'' I pick Noah up out of his high-chair, ''I think you and I are gonna be fine.''
Sugar and Rory are just as young as we are, married, and have kids. They make it work, even though anyone can see that it cannot possible be easy.
''I told you,'' she smiles a little, taking Noah from me ,''Can you get started on dinner? I'm going to go give him a bath.''
I never planned on being this… settled until I was older. Hell, I knew I loved Blair early on in our relationship. I just think it's amazing that we made it this far. It's amazing that her dad gave me his blessing to ask her to marry me.
Which is why I hope Blaine agrees with what I ask him next.
KPOV-
''So who's your date,'' Rory asks Liam, picking up his hamburger.
''Riley Holmes,'' Liam answers, picking up his own food.
It's sort of a Hummel boy's day, before Liam and Jade and Jacob are adopted.
''Who asked who out,'' I question, picking up my fork.
''I did,'' Liam says proudly ,''We share a class. It just seemed like a good time, and I got a 'yes'.''
This will be Liam's first date, excluding the fact that he and Lilly went to the prom together last school year.
''Good job, bro,'' Rory high-fives him ,''It took me months to ask Sugar out.''
''And it took me a while to agree to go out with Blaine,'' I add.
But it is over three years later, and I'm so glad that I took that chance.
''It took me months to ask Riley out,'' Liam admits, shaking the ketchup bottle.
When none comes out, he stands to go get some from a table that is empty.
''I've got it. I need to get the napkins anyway,'' Rory stands, walking across the restaurant.
''So, tell me about this Riley,'' I smile ,''I am sure she is gorgeous.''
Liam hesitates, nervously playing with the collar of his shirt.
''Riley is very attractive. Brown eyes, black hair… very athletic, sweet, and smart.''
''She sounds like a catch,'' I nod, and he sighs.
''Kurt, can I talk to you about something serious,'' he asks.
The restaurant is nearly empty, save for a few people scattered out.
Rory is no where to be seen, probably in the bathroom.
''Sure,'' I nod ,''You know you can come to Blaine and I with anything.''
''Riley… Riley is everything I have ever dreamed of. But… not a girl. He's a boy… I think I'm gay.''
Liam's eyes focus on mine, before he stares at the table.
''Okay.''
''O-okay,'' he looks up, ''Th-that's it?''
''Of course. Liam, if I criticized you for being gay, then wouldn't I be a hypocrite, wouldn't I?''
My dad raised me not to judge people for who they are. And everyone knows I've had enough of that to last a lifetime.
''Right,'' he nods, blushing a little ,''I don't know why I was so afraid to tell you.''
''I was afraid to tell my dad. He already knew, and I think I knew that he did. Blair was afraid to tell Blaine that she is bisexual. It wasn't because she didn't think he'd accept her. Because sometimes… sometimes it is hard to say it out loud, Liam. Especially to the people that mean the most to you..''
Hard to face the reality that not everyone will accept you.
''I don't know what's going to happen. I liked going out with Lilly, but just as friends,'' Liam explains ,''And I like Riley, inside and out.''
''That's fine. Look, if you don't want to label this, then we won't. You are who you are, and that's good enough for Blaine and I.''
There's a long silence, before he smiles.
''I loved my parents. But it never would have been easy telling this to them. Thank you, Kurt.''
''No problem. No, not everyone will accept you. But you never have to worry about that with Blaine and I,'' I reassure him ,''And, when you figure everything out, I'll be there for you. Both of us will.''
That's what being a parent is about, right?
Blaine and I don't always know what we're doing. And we fight about how to raise them sometime, considering that our parenting styles differ a bit. I couldn't do this without him, though. There's one thing that we can always agree on: we accept our kids for who they are, because we know what it's liked to be judged without them even knowing you.
Our kids may get that outside of our apartment, but they won't from us.
''D-do you think we can tell Blaine later? I know you guys are busy with Jade, Grace, and Jacob all sick, but I think he needs to know, too. You two gave me the courage to ask Riley out,'' Liam continues.
''That's fine. Whenever you are ready. There is no rush. My dad let me tell him at my own speed, and you have the same right,'' I remind him.
''Thank you. This means a lot,'' he whispers honestly as Rory comes back with the napkins, and another bottle of ketchup.
''What did I miss,'' he asks, sitting back down and picking up his food.
Liam looks at me, and I can tell that he is frantically trying to come up with something to tell Rory.
''We were discussing places that he could take Riley for his date,'' I say smoothly, causing Liam to smile.
''Cool,'' Rory nods ,''I know a lot of good places.''
He launches into a list of places, while Liam mouths ''Thank you'' to me.
This is one of the most rewarding parts of being a parents: the moments in between the chaos, temper tantrums, play time, and confusion when you know you are doing something right.
Blaine loves it, as do I.
Because this definitely makes the hard moments all worth it.
Keeping true to the theme of the song I based this off of, things will get tested and heated in the next chapter. Just remember that everything is not as it seems :)
Disclaimer- glee belongs to Fox and Ryan Murphy.