I've been trying to figure out how to reference the song in here, without directly quoting lyrics. The song, Towers, is basically about how strong the couple's relationship was, ''Once we were made like towers, everything could have been ours.'' So I thought I'd clear that up so it won't be too confusing when it's referenced later in the story :) and just trust me, it may seem repetitive but it is going somewhere.

This chapter contains mentions of body image issues, and eating disorders.

KPOV-

Most people go out to dinner, to movies, or somewhere else for their anniversaries.

Which makes me wonder where Blaine even came up with this idea.

''It's freezing,'' I tell him, ''And there's no one here.''

''That's the point, honey,'' he takes the sled, grabbing my hand ,''When we first started dating, we came here. We brought our kids here. And one of us, I won't say who, fell on their ass. A lot. Still, that's one of the best dates I have ever had. So yes, we are going to go skating.''

He sits on a snow covered bench, patting the spot next to him for me to sit.

I do, and he hands me the skates, ''I love you.''

''I love you, too, surprisingly,'' I tease before pressing a kiss to his lips.

Honestly, these have been three of the best years of my life. I wouldn't change a damn thing.

Blaine pulls me to the rink, where only a few other people are skating around.

''I've got you,'' he puts a hand on my back, taking my hand to steady me while trying to do the same for himself, ''Maybe we won't fall this time, yeah?''

''Yeah,'' I nod, silently begging my legs to stop trembling.

Unfortunately, uncoordination and smooth, slippery ice don't mix, sending me to the ground and dragging Blaine down with me.

''Well, that was expected,'' I pull myself up on the edge, reaching out a hand to pull my husband up, ''We haven't done this in a while.''

''There's a dirty joke hidden there, but we won't go there,'' he smirks, and I roll my eyes.

''You're a child,'' I fondly shake my hair ,''I swear, it's like I married a teenaged boy. Sometimes I think I'm taking care of five kids instead of four.''

''But you love me,'' he takes my hand, pressing a kiss to the pale skin, ''Now, please, let's enjoy our anniversary.''

We try again, listening to the music over the huge speakers and trying to skate in time with it. When we go several minutes without meeting ice face first, I consider it a small victory.

''We'll have to bring the kids here,'' he tells me as the song rolls on, slow melodies falling on our ears, ''Jacob and Grace would love it.''

''True,'' I nod as a couple skates pass us, holding hands ,''I think that Jade and Liam have skated before, too.''

''Can you believe they're going to be ours in two months,'' he beams, and I don't think I have ever seen him so happy.

Since Jade, Liam, and Jade have no one to take care of them, Blaine and I are officially adopting them. Everything will be finalized in February.

''We get to do it all over again,'' I smile, tightening my grip on his hand.

We'd planned on raising a family together anyways, and we love the kids.

Jacob loves kindergarten, always coming home with something new to share. He's been excited since they've started learning to read, even though he's a little further behind the other kids. Blaine and I are helping though.

Liam has been getting amazing grades, and joined the debate team, yearbook, and is considering joining the glee club for regionals.

Jade's grades are incredible, too. Her last two report cards have been nothing but straight A's. Her teachers love her, and she's joining the Theater Club at her middle school.

Grace still has temper tantrums and issues with sharing, but she has gotten much better. The day care instructors said that she's always happy to help, and is a joy to have. Blaine and I'd worried that she might have questions during Mother's Day when the other kids where making their gifts, but her teacher kept her busy by helping organize books, much to Blaine and my gratitude.

We can cross that bridge when we get to it, asking Ryder and Blair how they feel about just telling her the truth, or whether or not we should pretend that Blair is just her sister.

We'll just have to wait until that time comes.

''This is nice,'' Blaine lays his head on my shoulder as we walk home, cups of coffee in hand ,''I love you.''

''I love you, too,'' I admit, pressing a kiss to his head ,''And, when we get home, we're going to discuss the amount of hair gel that you insist on lathering those gorgeous curls in. That's going to be your New Year's resolution.''

''You love my hair. So does Grace, which is why she is so fascinated when I gel my hair. I think she wants this hairstyle,'' he smirks, laughing when I glare at him.

''Blaine Anderson, there is no way in hell that you are gelling my daughter's gorgeous curls,'' I shake my head ,''No. Blair would hate both of us, and I'd just blame you.''

''Pointing fingers, Mr. Hummel,'' he wraps an arm around me, looking hurt ,''I am so shocked.''

''Excuse me, but I am happily married. That's Mr. Anderson-Hummel,'' I remind him, and Blaine shrugs.

''What a coincidence, I'm happily married. Great guy, too. He's a fashion designer, and he's so caring and sweet.''

''Can't compete with my husband, I bet,'' I continue ,''He's the one who saved me from myself. I'm so grateful for him.''

And I can't thank him enough.

''He loves you more than he loves himself,'' Blaine says, taking my hand again, intertwining our fingers ,''Come on. Let's go home, where I can prove it to you.''

He kisses me again, the promise of what's to come later- tangled limbs and sheets- lingering behind it.

''Yeah... yeah, that sounds nice,'' I quicken my pace, dragging my husband along with me.

Because that is definitely more than okay with me.

RyderPOV-

''They're both asleep, thank goodness,'' Blair sits down next to me on the couch, moving closer to me, ''I didn't think we'd get them to sleep at the same time.''

It's New Year's Eve. We're babysitting Grace so that Kurt and Blaine can go out. Santana has Jacob, and Liam and Jade are both at respective sleepovers.

''I know. His tooth is coming in, I can't imagine how badly that must hurt,'' I remind Blair.

Noah had been crying non-stop all day, and Grace wasn't too happy about the noise. Which lead to one or the other crying all day, before finally becoming exhausted and going to bed.

''I would't change a thing,'' Blair takes my hand ,''I love you.''

''I love you, too. It's amazing we made it trough another year. Because this year was pretty crappy, but at least we survived,'' I continue.

And this was a hard year. Blair's still getting recover from her body image issues, and we're all helping her through that. Since Noah was hospitalized for half of the year, we were stressed about that. The doctors didn't think he'd make it to his first birthday, but he proved them all wrong. A few days ago, we celebrated Noah Blaine's first birthday.

Those aren't the only things that put Blair's and my relationship on the edge. Penny's constant, negative comments about Blair and my relationship made me leave my job. There's only so much anyone can take. I don't mind people talking about me, but my family is another thing.

Now, I'm working for a local photographer. It pays better, and my schedule is more flexible with my class times. Blair's still working a the Spotlight Diner, but increasing her hours at the dance studio since it pays more.

Blaine has agreed to help me talk her into taking classes next year. We'll be able to leave Noah with Ms. Corcoran, and he can start daycare when he is two.

Everything's going to work out.

''So, I finished dinner,'' I walk to the kitchen, returning with two plates of pasta ,''Ready?''

''I'm not hungry,'' she shakes her head as I set them on the table.

''I haven't seen you eat in three days,'' I pick some pasta up on the fork, holding it out to her.

''I ate,'' she reassures me ,''I had a light breakfast.''

She's stressed. And when Blair gets stressed, she doesn't eat as much. And we both know what that leads to.

''Honey, you can't do this to yourself again. I know the doctor said you may never fully recover, but we have to at least try. I don't want a repeat of what happened last time,'' I remind her, still holding the fork.

''I'm eating healthy, and getting exercise from the dancing. I just want to shape up a little,'' she tells me quietly, looking at her fingers ,''Let me do this.''

Blair's actually one of the strongest people I know. But she's got this crazy idea in her head that she's not beautiful, not smart, not good enough.

I wonder who put that through her head.

''See, I knew you weren't okay with what Penny said to you. She's wrong, Blair-''

''I don't care about what she says, Ryder. You're actually pretty lucky to have me,'' she teases before turning serious, ''I just think we need to talk about our relationship. Because, in case you haven't noticed, we've come way too close to breaking up. It's fight, cheat, kiss, makeup. And then the cycle repeats. And I am sick of it.''

''Okay,'' I lace our fingers together, forgetting the food for a moment, ''What do you want to do?''

She let's out a breath, biting her lip before speaking ,''Noah is our main priority. Agreed?''

''Always,'' I nod.

Noah and Grace are my kids, even if we're not raising Grace.

''That being said, if this relationship continues how it has been, we have to break up. It won't be good for him if we're fighting, because that takes up too much time. I appreciate you leaving your job to avoid hearing what Penny said. And, hey, you did get a better job that works with your schedule. All I'm asking is that we change a few things,'' she continues ,''Do you think we can do that?''

''Of course,'' I nod.

Anything to make this work.

''I will be the first one to admit we rushed into this. We were dating for about five months, and suddenly I was pregnant. Then the whole Kate-Jordan thing... and I admit it was wrong of me to think I could make you both happy. And then we both cheated, both made threats to break up. We're not in high school anymore, Ryder. I'm tired of making the same old mistakes,'' she plays with my fingers, avoiding eye contact.

''I admit that things kind of sped up faster than I'd like to admit,'' I begin ,''And we'd only been living together for two months when you found out you were pregnant with Noah. I thought we would have learned to be more careful after Gracie was born, but these things happen. And it was so different this time, because we raised Noah. And he was so sick, and he's constantly getting ear infections now, and things are just...''

''Hard,'' she leans against me then, ''We fell hard, and fast. That wasn't healthy for us, but it is what it is. There's no going back, only moving forward. And I would love to have you in my life. That is provided we really work at this, putting Noah first. I know I have said this before, but I don't think we can live like this anymore. Do you really want another toxic relationship.''

''Of course not,'' I lean my forehead against hers, ''I have said it once, and I will say it again: We are going to be just fine. Haven't we helped each other through everything else? You know we're gonna be fine.''

''I can't control what you do,'' she reminds me ,''Only what I do. I like control, and I like perfection. Which is why high school was so damn crappy. Trying to maintain a perfect relationship, get the ''perfect' body... when everything was falling apart, it felt like that was the only thing I could control. I knew if I was in charge of anything, it was my body. So I said I'd do whatever it took to be... well, what I thought was perfect. So I did. And it ended badly. I'd lost so much already, and then I lost myself.''

There's a long silence as I try to take that in. One of the things she'd told the therapist when she was going to therapy was that it felt like food was the only thing she could control, but also that she was struggling with the way she looked. With wanting to be perfect for everyone, and most importantly for herself. That she felt like she was never enough, and didn't know who she was.

I have no doubt I helped with a large part of her insecurities.

''You're actually one of the strongest people I've ever met. I know you're eating disorder controlled you, but you fought back. And we both fought for this relationship, even if we basically gave up some times. You've given up a lot for me and Noah, Blair. You're a caring, sweet person. And you're one hell of a girlfriend.''

She drops her head to my shoulder, laughing ,''You're one hell of a boyfriend, Ryder Lynn. I wouldn't have made it through any of this without you, or my family. And I know we're always one step from breaking up at any moment... but thank you.''

''I figured if I'm going to marry you, I'd better prove myself worthy,'' I smirk, kissing her head, ''You've already proven to be a pretty freaking awesome girl. I know the bills are piling up and we're both just making it, but it's all gonna be okay.''

She sits back, holding eye contact as her thumb runs over my engagement ring, ''Everything's gonna be ours?''

''Everything's gonna be ours.''

We'll just have to work to get it all.

RoryPOV-

If this is what Ryder and Blair went through in high school, then it is a miracle they're even still together.

Because this is exhausting.

''Look,'' Sugar folds another onsie, ''I don't know what's going on between the two of you. But don't you dare sleep with her here.''

It's almost midnight, so the kids are fast asleep while Sugar and I fight.

Again.

''For the last damn time, Sugar, there is absolutely nothing going on with Kayleigh and I.''

She scoffs, taking the t-shirt from me and tossing it onto the pile.

''You're on the phone with her well after midnight, and nothing's happening,'' she laughs bitterly, ''Whatever.''

Things are hard enough without her believing me. Money is tight despite both of us holding down jobs. I work at a bookstore now, and make better pay than I did at the music store. Dad is paying Sugar, and she has been hired by a few celebrities.

But there are bills that her parents don't cover, and Finn has an ear infection, while Wendy is fighting a cold.

''What do I have to do to make you believe me,'' I sigh, turning to Sugar.

She shrugs, examining her nails, ''Tell me what the hell is going on with you two.''

''I can't,'' I remind her, ''You just have to trust me.''

''This is exactly what happened to my parents' relationship,'' she shakes her head ,''I don't think either one of them feels anything for the other anymore, if they ever did. Their hearts feel nothing at all. I don't want to end up like that.''

So that's what this all about.

''We're not your parents, Sugar. Just because their marriage ended in a divorce. I mean, we're not them,'' I insist.

''We're not Kurt and Blaine, either. They've been through so much shit, and they aren't breaking. Yet, here we are, fighting over an issue that is over a month old,'' she looks away, ''I don't want this to be a mistake, Rory.''

Everyone said we'd married to young, and should have just given the kids up for adoption. I didn't believe them.

But now I'm beginning to think there may be some truth to what they said.

''Either we're going to fight for this, or we're going to give up,'' I tell her ,''I know I'd rather fight than say we decided that this marriage wasn't worth giving a real shot. Things were rushed as far as having kids go, yes. But don't act like that's the big issue here.''

''The big issue is that you're not telling me what is going on with you and this girl.''

''She was in my class last year. She is going through something and needs me, but that's it. We are just friends,'' I try to get through to her.

''Fine,'' she stands to put the clothes up, ''We'll drop it. But if there is something going on, we're not going to be together anymore. I'm not going to be walked all over like Blair was.''

She leaves then, and I don't think I have ever been so frustrated in my life.

Sugar isn't insecure. And she trusts me, but is more afraid that we'll end up like her parents.

I just need her to believe that, too.

''I'll get it,'' I tell her as someone knocks on the door.

The person on the other side couldn't have worse timing.

''Kayleigh, what are you doing here,'' I ask, and she shrugs.

''He k-kicked me out. I don't have anywhere to go... can I come in,'' she questions, arms wrapped around herself like she might fall apart.

''Yeah, come in,'' I usher her in, closing the door.

''Rory, who is it.'' Sugar asks as I lead Kayleigh to the couch, ''This is... this is Kayleigh.''

If looks could kill, Sugar would be planning my funeral already.

''Hi,'' she smiles at Sugar ,''It's nice to meet you. He talks about you all the time.''

''Does he know,'' Sugar's face is as blank as a fresh sheet of paper.

''Look, Kayleigh needs a place to stay. And she has nowhere else to go. So can she stay here,'' I ask, and Sugar looks like she's about to scream.

''You want her to stay here,'' she shakes her head ,''Yeah. Sure. You don't tell me anything anyways, I'm surprised you told me the truth about who she is.''

''D-did I interrupt something,'' Kayleigh questions, uncertainty coloring her tone.

''Sugar, don't start this. I told you that what's happening is private-''

''This fight is because of me?,'' Kayleigh blushes, then turns to me ,''I didn't mean to hurt your marriage. You can tell here.''

''Kayleigh, no,'' I look at Sugar ,''We'll talk about this later.''

''If you're not telling her, I am,'' Kayleigh turns to Sugar ,''I am dealing with a lot of crap now, and Rory is helping me through. He's the only one from class last semester that I knew wouldn't judge me. Bottom line, my boyfriend kicked me out of my apartment today. I needed somewhere to stay, but I can leave.''

''No,'' Sugar shakes her head, ''I'm sorry. I jumped to conclusions. You can stay. I'll get the sheets out of the closet.''

A half hour later, Kayleigh is asleep on the couch while Sugar and I attempt to get a few hours of sleep before the twins wake up.

''I'm really, really sorry about that. I don't know what came over me.''

''You saw it happen to your parents, and it scared you. That's normal. Besides, the jealousy means you care about me, right,'' I ask her, and she laughs lightly before kissing me.

''Always. Now, let's get some sleep. I love you.''

''I love you, too.''

Despite everything that has happened between us, especially today, that's the one thing that isn't going to change.

So we're not my parents, with a marriage that I think is enviable. And we're not Blair and Ryder, who are hanging on by a thin thread.

We're... us. We're complicated, not easily explained.

But somehow completely worth it in the end.

Disclaimer- glee belongs to Fox and Ryan Murphy, and Towers belongs to Little Mix.