KPOV-

''Come straight home after school,'' I set the pancakes Blaine made in the middle of the table ,''Get dressed, and meet us at the photography studio.''

''Why are we doing this again?''

''Because we want this done in time for your grandparents' gift,'' Blaine begins to cut Grace's pancakes ,''We'll pick Grace and Jacob up, and meet the two of you there.''

''Alright,'' Jade nods ,''Can we go looking for my winter formal dress after we are done?''

''Sure,'' I grab a cup of coffee, giving one to Blaine.

''Do you have a date,'' Blaine raises an eyebrow.

''No, I was planning on going with some of my friends,'' Jade takes her plate to the sink.

''Brandon and I are going together. So you guys get to really meet him,'' Liam speaks up/

''And we will try not to embarrass you,'' Blaine promises.

''But I make no promises on that,'' I tease Liam, whose eyes widen ,''I'm messing with you. I cringe to think what it would have been like if Blaine and I met in high school.''

My dad would have pulled out every embarrassing picture of me that there is.

''It's almost seven ten. Shouldn't you guys be getting ready to go,'' Blaine asks, taking Jacob and Grace's plates and napkins ,''And look at you two. Not a trace of syrup anywhere.''

''Because I'm growing up,'' Jacob beams proudly.

''You sure are,'' Blaine fondly tells him, ''I'm proud of both of you.''

Blaine and I may not always see eye-to-eye on this whole parenting thing, but he is amazing with kids.

''Alright, let me help the two of you,''I set my coffee down, ''Go get your bags, and meet me by the door. Walk, don't run!''

Both children quickly slow down, heading into their rooms.

''Kurt,'' Jade timidly approaches me ,''Could you sign this? It's my math test.''

Taking the paper from her, I notice the bright red 'F' on the top.

''Jade Anderson-Hummel, why did you keep this from me until now?''

''Sorry, I just couldn't handle you being disappointed in me for another bad grade. I studied, I honestly did. My grades have never been this bad!''

''You have to get to school, so we will have to talk about this later. Maybe we will get you a tutor,'' I inform her, walking towards the entrance.

''Thank you.''

''Just remember to bring these things to me earlier,'' I hand her the paper back after signing it ,''Grace, Jacob! Come on!''

It's a flurry of snow pants, sweaters, coats, mittens, snow boots, scarves and hats, but we finally get them ready.

''Alright, you all have a safe day at school. Jacob, Grace, don't forget Blaine and I are picking you up, alright? Jacob, please make sure your sister doesn't forget her regular shoes in the car.''

''Alright,'' he nods, obviously happy about his responsibility.

''Daddy,'' Grace pulls on my pants leg ,''Bye.''

''Bye, sweetheart,'' I kneel down, pressing a kiss to her cheeks.

Our other kids have outgrown this, and I am dreading the day when she does, too.

''What about me,'' Blaine playfully pouts, laughing when she hugs him and kisses his cheek ,''Thank you, Gracie. Now, all of you, off to school before you're late.''

''We love you,'' I close the door behind them.

''Alone at last,'' Blaine sighs ,''This has been the longest morning ever.''

''I know,'' I plop down next to my husband on the couch ,''With your mom spending Christmas with your dad in Hawaii, we don't have to clean until tomorrow. And at least Cooper, Danielle, and Ryan are staying at their apartment.''

''True,'' he kisses me ,''Less talking, more of this?''

I answer his question by deepening the kiss, breaths coming out in pants as Blaine's hands move to my shirt.

''I could think of a good way to use time until you goto the studio at noon.''

''Or maybe I won't go,'' I breathe out as he trails hot kisses down my neck ,''I could skip a few days, honestly, without- Blaine- e-everything falling behind.''

Besides, our alone time is so rare. We might as well make the most of it while we can.

''Yeah?,'' Blaine mumbles against the skin of my neck as my hands slide up his shirt, ''We could do this all day?''

''Yes,'' I roll my eyes playfully ,''Since you're so insatiable today.''

''Well then,'' Blaine quickly stands, ''What are we waiting for?''

With that, he leads me towards the bedroom.

And we can forget everything but each other for just a little while.

BlairPOV-

''You can come out of your room, Noah!''

He slowly toddles out, coming over to where I am putting the soapy towel back in the bucket.

After drying my hands, I open my arms, ''Come here.''

Naoh quickly falls in them, burying his face in my shoulder as he hugs me back.

''Mommy's sorry she had to send you to your room,'' I begin ''Look at me.''

He looks up, eyes still puffy and red from crying.

''You can not draw on the walls,'' I firmly tell him ,''Understand?

'''Kay, mommy,'' he nods, wiping at his eyes.

''Good,'' I kiss his forehead, ''Come on, let's eat breakfast.''

Yes, some days he makes me want to pull my hair out. Sometimes I wonder how the hell I'm going to do this, even with Ryder by my side.

But I wouldn't give up a day of potty training, messy rooms, or temper tantrums for anything.

''Hey,'' Brody enters the apartment as I am putting the dishes away after breakfast.

''Hi,'' I smile shyly ,''I didn't know you were coming in.''

''Sorry, my text must not have gone through. I'm just going to be here for a while. My flight landed early, and my audition isn't for six more hours. How… how are you?''

We will never have the relationship we could have had if he hadn't waited to come see me when I was sixteen.

But we can at least be civil.

''Oh. I'm doing fine. Thanks for letting us stay here for a while. Well, don't worry about us. We'll be out of your hair in a minute. I have to go schedule my classes for next semester, and I have my final dance exam.''

I'm so stressed out. Jake is taking a break from his dancing to focus on completing his acting and voice classes, and I'm doing the same.

Besides, maybe I'll learn how to manage my time better. Ryder and I are both looking at getting another job, just to make ends meet.

''Mommy,'' Noah points at his empty plate.

''Okay, sweetie, go to your room. Mommy will be there in a minute to help you get dressed,'' I set him on his feet, watching him toddle off towards the guest room as I clean the table.

''Here,'' Brody takes the plate and glass from me ,''Let me help you.''

''Thank you,'' I continue to clean the table.

''Please don't take this the wrong way,'' he places everything in the sink, ''But… don't you think you should have waited to have another child?''

''You don't get to comment on my age,''I turn to face him.

''Look, I know I handled that wrong. I shouldn't have left. I had no idea what I was doing though-''

''And mom did? I knew it was hard on her. Blaine helped us out a lot. We had to live with him a majority of the time. She worked several different jobs just to provide for me. Mom and Blaine have always been there for me. But you? I spent sixteen years wondering why you weren't there for me.''

He looks down, running a hand through his hair.

''Blair, I love you, okay. I know I didn't raise you. I know that you don't consider me your dad. But I do care about you, and consider you my daughter. I messed up, alright? I know that I can't make up for sixteen years of absence. Just let me be here for you now.''

He's obviously being honest with me. I guess I do owe him for letting Noah and I temporarily stay here…

But how do I know he won't just abandon me again?

''I'm sorry. I guess that was out of line, seeing as you're letting us stay here,'' I run a hand through my hair.

''No, I understand. It's good that you're taking your frustration out on the person who deserves it, and not yourself. I haven't always been there for you. That does not mean I wasn't worried when you went into labor early, or ended up in the hospital again a year and a half later,'' he reveals.

''I appreciate the concern. To be honest, I don't know what I'm doing half of the time. Ryder and I did not plan this,'' I explain.

''You're still a child, Blair,'' Brody sighs ,''I missed so much of you growing up, and now you're a mom yourself.''

''It's stressful. Raising a child isn't easy, and we have work and school on top of it. Ryder is a great dad. He loves Noah, and he loves Grace. He's even changed career choices just so he can try and take a more secure job. Sometimes, I wonder if he resents being a dad so young. His friends can go out a lot more than he can, and none of them have to work two jobs while juggling school and raising a family. He may not always be there for me, considering we don't have the best past. He may not like being a parent this young, because sometimes I wish that we would have been older. But he would do anything for Noah, just like I would. I love him. Noah is my world.''

If I never succeed at anything else, I want to be a good mom.

''I don't see you as often as I want, and I'm sorry about every mistake that I have made with you. You are a fantastic mom. He obviously loves you,'' Brody smirks ,''And Ryder is in love with you. I saw the two of you at my wedding. You are a lot like your mom: determined, loving, intelligent and talented. That being said, I think he'd be stupid to let you go the way I let your mother go.''

So maybe he hasn't always been there for me the way that Blaine has. And, no, he's not the one I go to when I need to talk to someone. He's trying now, though, and I guess that's all I can ask for.

''Thank you. I think this is the first real conversation that we have had in a while,'' I smile slightly.

''No problem,'' he pats my shoulder, walking by.

I'll never have the relationship with him that I have with Blaine. Blaine has been there for everything, even the moments where I'm sure we both couldn't stand each other. He's the one who weaved his way through fights with me, and awkward talks that I'm sure we're both still trying to is the one who listened to tearful confessions when I admitted I hated myself for eating- even the crackers Kurt gave me when I was in the hospital senior year. He's the one I watched keep it together even after he had his heart broken, and then become even more alive after meeting Kurt. The one I was happy for when he finally found what he was looking for: someone who accepted him, and accepted me, without regret or hesitation.

When he and Kurt got married, that was a great day for both of us. He was gaining someone he loves more than himself, and I was getting someone who treated me like his own, and a new brother. Despite the negative tabloid covers and gossip blogs that filled my mind with thoughts of their divorce, I was at my happiest.

I'm glad they found each other, and I'm glad that Brody found his wife. I'm happy that Sugar and Rory have each other. Things may be hard for them right now, but they always pull through.

People change, yes. And people break up. But if Brody can try to right something that he considers wrong, I believe that Ryder's mother can, too.

Because I plan on spending my life with him.

RoryPOV-

''You do not hit your sister,'' I hear as I enter the apartment, ''Finn Motta-Hummel!''

''What's going on,'' I close the door, speaking over Wendy's crying.

''He hit his sister, she threw a temper tantrum, and I just,'' Sugar closes her eyes in frustration ,''Help. Please.''

''Come here, angel,'' I pick Wendy up ,''Where did he hit you.''

There's a bruise on her arm, and she miserably points to it as her crying softens to whimpers.

''Finn, why did you do that to your sister,'' Sugar calmly asks ,''You know we don't like you hitting each other. Do not do that again.''

He nods, looking at his sister was I set her back on her feet.

''Go on, then.,'' I begin ,''Apologize to her.''

Without a word, he opens his arms to hug his sister, who happily accepts.

''Good enough for now,'' I look to Sugar, who is grinning tiredly at them ,''Guys, I'm gonna put in a movie while mommy makes lunch. Let's go.''

As soon as the kids are sitting on the couch, watching some mundane cartoon, I join Sugar in the kitchen.

''Sorry I wasn't here to go to the doctor with you. I forgot about finals,'' I honestly tell her, helping with the sandwiches.

''Mrs. Corcoran watched them,'' she shrugs ,''My dad was busy. I should be used to that with him by now, huh?''

''Sugar, you are his daughter. He may not know how to show you, but he loves you. Now, please, can we discuss this later? I want to know what the doctor said,'' I beg.

She sets her knife down next to the peanut butter.

''I'm not pregnant,'' she breathes out.

''Really,'' I crack a smile when she does ,''Not that I wouldn't love our baby, I just know we are not ready for this.''

''Yeah,'' she runs her hand down my arm ,''We really aren't. Not now, when we're still trying to get it together.''

''So,'' I lean my forehead against hers ,''Why did the doctor want to see the both of us?''

''I have been skipping my periods because I am so, so stressed. The doctor wanted to talk to us about stress management. You know, before there's severe health damage,'' Sugar sighs, ''And about another form of birth control, since I can't remember to take my pill everyday.''

''Oh.''

That makes sense. I've seen the effects of stress, and of the obsession with a false idea of perfection.

I don't want what happened to Blair to happen to Sugar.

''I'm going to have to cut back on some responsibilities in my career. I knew I was taking on too much, but… my dad didn't believe this was a good idea. I had to prove him wrong, I guess.''

Now it all really makes sense.

''Remember what you told Blair after she found out that she was pregnant with Grace? You told her that everything happens for a reason. That no one is perfect. Please don't let what your dad said get you down. Talk to him, and tell him how you feel. But don't you dare undermine your own talents.''

You're incredible. Anyone worthy of your time, worthy of you, will see that.

Sugar places her head in her hands, shoulders shaking.

As soon as I realize she's crying, I'm quick to pull her into my embrace.

''Baby? Did I do something?''

''No,'' she laughs through her tears ,''You're wonderful. I don't show you enough appreciation, but you are an amazing husband, an incredible dad, and the kids that you teach are so fortunate. I honestly don't know how I got lucky enough to marry someone as incredible as you.''

Funny. I think the same thing about you. A lot.

''We don't have it all together, and completely perfect. Look at my parents, how amazing their marriage is. They do not even have it all together, but they are making it work. Can you promise me that you'll talk to me without lashing out at me?''

''Yes. I can do that.''

''Good. And I promise I'll try to see things from your point of view more,'' I take her hand ,''The reason I was so upset was because… I've read the risks of having a pregnancy after a c-section, and...''

''Stop thinking about what could go wrong,'' she squeezes my hand ,''When we get to that bridge, we'll deal with this. For now, we have to make sure our kids get their lunch. So come on. And I love you.''

''I love you, too,'' I turn towards the counter ,''Come on. Let's go make these sandwiches and join the kids.''

So this isn't exactly how I imagined my life at twenty. Working and going to school part time, yes, but not raising two loving, smart, beautiful kids

Sometimes life surprises you, and that can either be a good thing, or a horrible thing.

Luckily for us, it's turning out to be a wonderful thing.

RyderPOV-

''Come again?''

Blair and I have just discussed moving her and Noah's things back into the apartment. It would be easier on him, and on us, than having to move him every night.

Now, we're sitting on the couch folding clothes while Noah plays on the floor.

''I said that my dad is getting a new car. He's going to give us his old one. Yours is in good shape, so we'll still have two cars. Because I'm going sell the car that I have now.''

Besides: we need all of the help that we can get.

''You love that car, Ryder. Why don't you just sale your dad's car?''

''Kurt's going to help me fix my car up. It'll sale for more than my dad's,'' I explain, ''Yes, I love that car. I think we both know have reasons to love that car.''

Blair let's out a breathy laugh at the implication, avoiding my eyes as she continues folding.

''I love that car,'' I repeat, ''I just love Noah more.''

I'd do anything for him.

''Since we're on the subject of money, I was thinking of getting a second job. I only have two classes this semester, and they are on the same day. I think that I can make it work.''

''I told you I'd get another job, and go to school part time. Don't take this the wrong way, because I know you're strong. But I don't want you to take on more than you can handle.''

''Ryder, I'm going to be even more stressed if I'm worried about us being financially stable enough to at least give Noah what he needs. Yes, your parents are paying the rent. But we have everything else to worry about. So please hear me out when I say this,'' Blair stresses.

The tone of her voice instantly causes me to tense, as it's the same tone she usually takes before we get into a fight.

''Daddy,'' Noah stumbles over, unintentionally saving what could be a heated argument.

And Blair and I always said we won't fight in front of him.

''Hey, buddy,'' I pick him up ,''Ready for bed?''

Rubbing his eyes, he sleepily nods, laying his head on my shoulder.

''Then we'll get ready for bed. Come on. Mommy and I will tuck you in,'' I turn to Blair ,''And then we can talk.''

''There you go,'' Blair tucks Noah into his bed, pulling his blanket over him and kissing his forehead.

I don't care what my mom said: Blair's great at this.

He falls asleep without a story or lullaby, so Blair and I quietly exit his room.

''What did you want to talk about,'' I ask her as we enter my room- soon to be our room, again- closing the door behind us.

''I think that we can both agree money is tight,'' she sighs ,''In fact, if Harmony and Hunter weren't paying for what we need for their wedding, we wouldn't be going. We're going to have to give up some things.''

''I understand. And you know that I am willing to sacrifice anything for the two of you.''

Just tell me where you're going with this.

''As would I. For you and Noah, I mean,'' Blair clarifies, picking at a loose thread in the quilt ,''I am taking two classes next semester: vocal and theatre arts. So I see one of two options, since my schedule will be more open.''

''I'm listening,'' I move her hand from what is distracting her.

''Well, I was thinking that I'd look for another job, too,'' she lays on her side ,''That would help a lot.''

Too bad you're not seeing the whole picture.

''I don't think that's necessary. Don't take this the wrong way, because I know how strong you are. The last time that you held down two jobs, you stressed yourself out to the point where you were barely eating, and almost made yourself sick,'' I remind her.

As badly as we do need the money, you also need to be healthy.

''Then there is only one other option that I considered. So please, please don't get upset with me so quickly. That only leads to us yelling at eachother. We have talked about this before, and decided that it wasn't the right moment. But now that things will be a little more relaxed, I don't understand why we can't do it. They'd be willing to compensate us. I would hate to do that, I really would. But we have so much to do for Noah, and-''

''Blair, please,'' I laugh lightly ,''Don't stall.''

''Right. Ryder, I think we should reconsider me being the surrogate for Quinn and Puck.''

BPOV-

''So,'' Kurt sits next to me on the bed as Jade sits on the arm of the chair in the bedroom.

''So?''

''Go ahead,'' he smirks at her ,''Tell him.''

''Well, I got asked to the winter formal. By a senior,'' Jade nervously bites her lip.

''Oh.''

''Joey Evans, He is friends with Liam,'' Kurt continues, ''He skipped a grade, and he is sixteen. From what I understand, he is a straight A student, very respectful, and a real gentleman. We were just wanted to ask your opinion first.''

''He is really nice, Blaine. And we're just going as friends.''

The age difference would be the same as Ryder and Blair's when they started dating, and I'd be a hypocrite if that was the reason I didn't want Jade to go to the dance with him.

''Kurt, what do you think?''

''I think that it would be okay,'' Kurt nods as Jade beams, ''They'd be going in a group.''

''Alright. I guess that it would be okay,'' I sigh ,''But I want you to have a talk with Blair before hand, alright?''

''A talk,'' Jade quirks her eyebrow in confusion.

''You know,'' Kurt begins ,''The talk. Because I'm pretty sure that you don't want to have that with us.''

''No,'' she shakes her head ,''Thank you. I am going to go call Joey. Good night.''

As soon as she's gone, Kurt lays his head on my shoulder,''She's growing up. And we're not even done yet, Blaine. We'll have to have this talk again when Grace is older.''

'No,'' I groan as Kurt laughs.

''I'm just glad that Blair can talk to her,'' I admit, ''Because I still remember how awkward talking to Blair was.''

''I know, honey. And after all that Blair went through in high school,'' Kurt lifts his head off of my shoulder ''especially her and Ryder having a baby, I think it would be best to have her talk to Jade anyways.''

''Hmmm,'' I kiss my husband ,''That's why you're the brains of this relationship.''

He rolls his eyes at my teasing, a smile lighting up his already handsome face.

''You're the same charmer that I met that night in the auditorium. I don't know what I'm going to do about you,'' he fondly shakes his head.

Five years. We've been together for five years.

And I would be lying if I said that it rhese haven't been the craziest and best years of my life.

''Daddy?''

We both look up to see Jacob and Grace, standing near the door.

''Hey, cuties. Come on in,'' Kurt pats the bed.

Tiredly, the youngest two crawl into the bed.

''What's wrong, honey,'' I open my arms for Grace, who doesn't hesitate to crawl into them.

''She had a nightmare, and came and woke me up,'' Jacob reveals, yawning.

''I see,'' Kurt stands, reaching out for Jacob's hand ,''Come on. We'll get you tucked in again. Say 'good night'.''

''Good night, Blaine. Night, Grace,'' he tiredly speaks, following Kurt out of the room.

''Alright, cutie pie,'' I speak to Grace ,''What's wrong?''

''I had a bad dream,'' she tearfully confesses.

''No, no sweetie, don't cry,'' I wipe at her tears ,''What was the dream about?''

''You and daddy,'' she whimpers ,''Lost me and I couldn't find you. You didn't find me.''

''Gracie,'' I run my hand through her curls, trying to calm her down ,'You know that daddy and I would never rest until we found you. You mean too much to us. We love you, your brothers, and your sisters.''

We came close to losing you before. Even when you were born we were worried, since you were six weeks early.

''Promise?,'' she questions, wiping the tears from her eyes.

''I promise,'' I kiss her head, ''We love you.''

''I love you, too,'' she scramble to sit up, wrapping her arms around my neck in a hug.

I kiss her cheek, rubbing her back to console her, ''Just go to sleep, alright? You have one more day of school. You can stay in here until you go to sleep.''

''Alright. Night, papa.''

''Night, Gracie.''

By the time that Kurt returns, Grace is asleep, nightmare and tears forgotten.

''Jacob and Jade are both asleep, and Liam is on his way to bed now. He just finished his homework. I'm going to take a shower, alright?''

''Okay,'' I smile at him.

Damn, I love you.

''Maybe in the time that I'm in there, you can figure out why you're staring at me like that, husband,'' he whispers as to not wake Gracie, kissing my cheek and listening.

It is incredible. We've been together for half a decade, and I still find reasons to fall in love with him every day.

I just hope we never lose this feeling.

Next chapter- Blaine bonds with Liam, Blair talks to Jade, and Kurt spends time with Grace and Jacob

Disclaimer- Glee belongs to Fox Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, and Brad Falchuk