Before you read, remember: everything is not what it seems :)

Trigger Warning- mentions of cheating, pregnancy loss

5 years later

GracePOV-

''Come in,'' I answer whoever knocks on my door.

''Well, aren't you the prettiest eleven year old I have ever seen.''

I look up to see Blair, standing there with her hand on her stomach.

It's our parents tenth wedding anniversary. For the past six months, we've all been planning a party for them at the same venue where they had their wedding reception.

''Hi.''

'Hey. Dad asked me if I could help you with your hair while he and Kurt get ready. What are you trying to do-''

''You don't have to help. But I'm trying to brush it into a neat ponytail.''

''I can help with that,'' she shrugs, taking the brush from me and combing it through my medium brown curls, ''I never told you how much I liked your choreography at your last dance recital. You've come a long way. I'm proud of you.''

''Thanks.''

A tense silence surrounds us, neither one of us wanting to bring up what we both know.

''So. Kurt told me that they told you the truth about your adoption.''

There it is.

''Yes. But, you know, I get it.''

''I'm finished. Do you want to talk about it,'' Blair quietly questions, tying my ribbon onto the ponytail.

''What's there to talk about?,'' I mutter, pushing away from the vanity and walking over to my closet to get my sweater.

''You need to understand why we felt that adoption was the best choice.''

''No explanation needed, Blair. You gave me up for adoption, but you raised Noah, and you're going to raise this baby.''

''You don't get it, Gracie. Just sit down and-''

''Do not call me 'Gracie'. And don't tell me I don't get it,'' I snap, ''You didn't want me!''

She stares at me, keeping her distance, just like I need right now.

''That's not true, Grace.''

''Then why didn't you want to raise me? Why did you and Ryder let daddy and papa adopt me, but not Noah? He's only a few years younger than me. You were 18 when you had him-''

''And we struggled for several years. It was so hard to put food on the table for him sometimes. I was sixteen when I had you. Ryder still had a year of high school, and I had two years. Even if we'd gotten jobs, multiple jobs, we would never have been able to provide for you the way that Kurt and dad have. Giving you up was so hard for Ryder and I. We had to think about what was best for you, though. It took us months to decide, and we knew that this would be better, being raised by Kurt and dad would be better, for you. You can hate me all you want, but I'm not sorry. I love you, and I believe this was right.''

She avoids my gaze, looking down at her pregnant stomach.

''I don't hate you. I love you. Blair, I'm confused. Because even if I know you and Ryder love me, this feels… funny, you know? I have this giant aching feeling in my stomach, and I should want you to help me through it, but… I just don't.''

She pats the bed, making me give and join her.

''Because I'm your mother, but I am not your mom. I gave birth to you, but I didn't raise you.''

''Oh.''

More silence.

''The day you were born was one of the best days of my life, Grace,'' she grins fondly, ''You were this tiny, loving, beautiful little baby. The nurse placed you in my arms, and I'd never felt so much love for anyone. I loved you from the moment I knew about you, even if I was terrified. So I promised I'd do what was best for you.''

Looking down at my fingers, i contemplate everything she just told me.

''Thank you. I'm… I'm sorry for yelling at you.''

''I'm not angry. You're confused, and anger is a natural response to that. Actually, I've imagined this conversation a thousand times. I am just glad we got everything out in the open. We can talk about this whenever you want, Grace,'' she presses a kiss to my head, ''For now, though, I need help getting up. I'm eight and a half months along, and this is very difficult.''

Laughing, I stand, reaching for her hands to pull her up.

''Thank you. Just remember one thing: I love you, okay? Now, we'd better get going before they send someone to find us.''

''Mom, Grace,'' Noah knocks on my open door, ''Dad said come on. We don't have all day.''

''I swear, that man is so impatient,'' Blair grumbles, ''Tell your dad we'll be right there. Come on. We'd better go.''

I follow, turning off the lights as I leave my room.

''There you two are. And you both look great. We have to get going. We're going to take Elena and Eli, too. Kurt and Blaine will meet us there. Grace, can you go get the twins,'' Ryder asks, helping Blair with her coat.

''Sure thing,'' I agree, deciding against bringing up my adoption with Ryder as well.

That's a conversation for another day.

''Eli, Elena,'' I enter the twins' room, ''Come on, it's time to go… what are you two making?''

''A present for our dads,'' Elena hands me the drawing.

''We used glitter, too!,'' Eli beams proudly, handing me his homemade card.

Ever since Jade and Liam moved out, Jacob and I have been in charge. Somedays, it's great.

Other days, like when the twins broke the DVD player, it's a nightmare.

''Come on. Ryder and Blair are waiting for us,'' I grab their coats off of their beds, leading them out of the room.

The two five-year-olds follow closely behind, excited at the idea of a party, even if they don't fully grasp the significance of it.

''Well, I just let them know we'll meet them there. Are we ready?''

Soon, we're in the car, on our way to the hotel.

I still have more questions, but they're for a later date. For now, I celebrate the marriage of the two men that raised me, and my brothers and sisters.

Because even if everything else in my world is about to be turned upside, down, their love is consistent.

BPOV-

Ten years. Ten years ago today, I married this man. The man who made such a difference in my life that I agreed to spend the rest of my life with him. We promised forever, and we intended to keep that promise.

Turns out that forever wasn't quite as long as we originally thought.

''I know we've been having troubles lately,'' Kurt stands as far away from me as possible, staring into the mirror with a blank expression, ''But this is the first time that all of our kids have been home in a while. Jade is back from California, and she has a book being published. Liam and Brandon are back, and they have their own announcement. So can we at least act like we still get along?''

''Sure,'' I shrug, gelling my hair, letting the conversation, however grim, fizzle out.

The intense quietness returns, and I never really knew how loud it could get.

''You know we're going to have to tell the kids that we're considering divorce sooner or later.''

There it is: the dark cloud that has been looming over this marriage for the past three months.

''Call me crazy, but I don't want to freak the kids out over nothing,'' Kurt explains, pulling his jacket on, ''Not after all eight of them spent months planning this.''

''Fine,'' I huff, reaching for my bowtie.

More silence, more discomfort.

''What happened to us, Kurt? We were so, so happy. Now it's like...''

Like you can't even stand to be near me anymore, to share the same bed with me, let alone be married to me.

Everything could have been ours, and now we're honestly going to throw it all away.

For the first time all day, Kurt looks me in the eyes as he speaks.

''Not everyone gets their happy ending, Blaine.''

With that, he walks out of our room, leaving me alone.

That's fitting, I suppose. We've been growing apart for ages now. Of course, we were both too stubborn to admit the obvious before we reached the breaking point. The only way we can go from here would be down.

While trying to keep our kids from falling with us at the same time.

RoryPOV-

''Rory!''

I look up from my notecards, where my speech is written, to see Elena and Eli rushing towards me.

''Hey, you two!,'' I scoop them up, ''Haven't seen you in a while.''

After Christmas dinner, Sugar and I left on vacation with our own kids.

Finn and Wendy are almost nine, and our youngest, Declan, is three years old. Sugar still works for my dad, but she's becoming more and more famous every day. She has many regular clients who come to her for special events, and she's even branched into designing wedding dresses, and baby wear.

We now have full custody of Sugar's younger, Lauren. After she was born, her mom left. Two years later, Sugar's dad had a heart attack, and we took the necessary steps to adopt Lauren since he was no longer to take care of her.

Sugar visits her dad frequently, but the live-in nurse takes care of him. Sugar's relationship with him as improved, but I know she's not where she wants to be with him.

I just hope that, for her sake, that they can fix the broken bond before it's too late.

I'm a kindergarten teacher. Sugar and I moved an hour and a half away. Far enough away that she can still make it to the studio, and close enough for me to take the job I was offered. Her schedule is more flexible than mine, so it works. l, and I love it. Some days are more difficult than others, but I really do love those kids.

Honestly, we're all doing pretty well. Blair has released three albums, Ryder's first movie comes out in April, and they have another baby on the way.

Liam attends NYU, majoring in business. He and Brandon moved in together after their freshman year. I'm sure wedding bells are in the not too distant future for them, really.

After high school, Jade moved to California to attend UCLA, and major in writing. Amazingly, she has her first book coming out already. That's right, ladies and gentlemen: this girl, standing in front of me with the dyed blue hair, is a published author.

Jacob is in high school, and on the debate team. He's ranked number one in his class, and has a lot of colleges looking to give him a scholarship.

Sweet little Gracie is almost all grown up. She is in fifth grade this year, and is doing much better in school than she ever has. Although the shock of finding out about her birth parents probably has her head spinning, she's not letting it affect her nearly as much as we thought it would.

Elena and Eli are in kindergarten, and always have something new to show me. Unfortunately, they don't attend the school where I teach, so I do not get to see them as often. But, as members of my family, they mean the world to me.

''What, not going to give your other sister a hug,'' Jade raises an eyebrow, taking the twins from me.

''And don't forget me,'' Liam picks Elena up, ''Oh! You guys are getting so big.''

''Yeah,'' Jacob gives Eli a high-five, ''Where are Gracie and Blair?''

''Ryder, stop it,'' I hear Blair's slightly aggravated tone of voice, ''I'm fine.''

''Alright… if you're sure,'' he sighs, ''I'll see you at the table. I love you.''

''I love you, too.''

''Don't worry,'' I kiss Grace on the cheek as I pass her, ''We've got Blair. Hey, you look great. When's the baby due?''

''Two weeks,'' Blair kisses my cheek as I walk her over to our siblings, ''But it feels like I'll be pregnant forever. Grace and Noah both came early.''

''Hey, it's two more weeks. Then I'll have another niece or nephew, and dad and Blaine can spoil him or her rotten,'' I tease,'' Hey, guys, look who made it back in time!''

She's pulled into hugs, with a flurry of questions about her and the baby.

''Isn't this great,'' I beam at them, ''The Anderson-Hummel kids.''

''Together again,'' Jade grins.

Because with all of us eventually moving in different directions, it will be even less frequent that we see each other. That we see dad and Blaine, and all together at the same time.

So let's make the most of this.

KPOV-

''I met Blaine when he took over as glee club director at Darren Everett High during my sophomore year. Our original director was great, but Blaine brought something else, something more: inspiration. We had an incredible person who really, truly believed in us, and we wanted to be the best for him. Blaine, you made a difference in all of our lives. Marley has two platinum albums, and Jake dances and sings all over the world.''

Looking over to Mr. Jacob Puckerman and Mrs. Rose-Puckerman, I see the faint blush on their grinning faces.

''Hunter, after changing his major several times, finally decided to go to medical school. Harmony is now playing the lead role in her all time favorite musical. Courtney is now a skilled obstetrician.''

Rory continues to list everyone from Blaine's first year of glee club's accomplishments, and I have to admit that I couldn't be more proud. Not just proud of the kids, but Blaine as well.

Because even if we've hit rock bottom with our marriage, there is no denying that he's a fantastic educator and an inspirational leader.

I just wish we would have put as much effort into making this work as we did in our careers.

This hurts. A lot. Sometimes i feel like I can't breathe, and I know it's him. How can you love someone so much even when you know they're not in love with you.

''Hi, everyone,'' Blair begins, the last two go,'' For those of you who don't know, I've known Blaine pretty much my whole life. He raised me like his own, even adopting me when my mom died. And he gave up so much of what he wanted, just to give me what I needed. Even back then, I knew he deserved so much better than what he allowed himself to have. Eventually, he realized it too. Kurt, you mean so much to this family. Not just to dad, but to all of us kids, too. Because without the two of you working together together to shape us into the people we were meant to be, we never would have the courage to follow our dreams.''

She rests a hand on her stomach, wiping at her eyes as Rory wraps an arm around her shoulders.

''The way you two love each other? It's incredible. Some people only dream about finding that love connection,'' Jade continues.

''And being together forever!''

''Like a fairytale,'' Elena finishes for her twin brother.

''You two are such great parents. We may have lost our birth parents, and we will always love and miss them, but the two of you have done a great job,'' Jacob speaks.

''Honestly,'' Liam takes the microphone from him, ''We couldn't have asked for two better people to help raise us. Because you two loved each other, and you loved us. Having one or the other is nice, but it's nice when they coexist as well.''

''Growing up,'' Blair begins after gaining composure, ''Dad would read stories to me when I was little. There were daring heroes, and princesses, and castles with bridges and maidens in towers. Kurt and dad, your marriage inspired the first single off of my last album: Towers. Because you two prove that even if you can take care of yourself, sometimes everyone needs some

''So,'' Grace smiles, ''Enjoy this slideshow we put together from the pictures grandma and grandpa sent us.''

Looking over, I see dad and Carole with matching grins on their faces, positively giddy with the fact they were able to have a part in the surprise presentation.

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are being positive today, too. Across from them sit Cooper and Danielle, who look just as in love as the day that they got married.

I wish I could say the same for Blaine and myself.

''They worked so hard on this,'' Blaine sighs, ''They don't even know what's really going on.''

Of course not. Not many people do realize what goes on behind closed doors.

''We can't tell them until after Blair has her baby. She's had three miscarriages, and I'd hate for this news to take it's toll on her and her new child.''

It's a shame: Blaine mended my wounded heart, then turned and ripped the stitches out. The pain I felt after Andrew will be a scratched compared to the irrepressible burning likely to be left in the wake of our divorce. If we go through with it. Then, I will be right back at the start.

There's no reason to bring them into our marriage problems when we aren't even sure what the best solution to those issues are.

Whatever we decide, the kids will be effected. Not as much as we are, but affected nonetheless. All Blaine and I can do is try to cushion the fall for them.

Even if we are inevitably unable to do it for ourselves.

BlairPOV-

''You look like you're ready to pop,'' Sugar giggles, laughing harder when I roll my eyes.

''I am. I mean, I love this baby, but Grace and Noah were both born early. This is the longest I have ever been pregnant. Ryder's so, so overprotective,'' I breathe, rubbing my stomach before reaching for my makeup bag, ''He still blames himself for our last loss.''

But not nearly as much as I blame myself. I didn't even know I was pregnant, and it was all over so quickly after I slipped on some ice, and Ryder continuously thinks it's his fault since he couldn't catch me.

''Shit,'' my voice comes out in a groan, effectively cutting Sugar off mid-sentence as I clutch my stomach.

''What's wrong? Is the baby kicking,'' Sugar questions, concern coloring her features.

''No,'' I breathe out, steadying myself by grabbing onto the end of the bathroom counter,'' a contraction. My water broke earlier today, but our doctor promised me that I'd be okay as long as we had a way to quickly get to the hospital.''

They feel like they're getting longer and longer, but I'm not 're not even a minute long, and they're not too close together. if that changes, then I'll call my doctor.

Until then, there's no reason to make Ryder worry more than he is already.

''They're becoming more frequent. I don't think these are Braxton Hicks contractions. Maybe you should go to the hospital, Blair. You just got back, and you must be exhausted. Your dads won't mind if you leave a bit early as long as it's in your and the baby's best interests.''

''You're right,'' I push myself off of the counter, ''You're so good at saying all the right things. Rory's lucky.''

''Of course she is,'' Sugar smirks in faux arrogance, ''Come on. Let's get you to Ryder.''

If I'm being honest with myself, it's more than just the contractions. There's growing tensity between dad and Kurt. Rory sees it, Liam sees it, but the others haven't. For now, and until they're ready to tell us what's going on, we'll pretend like everything is just normal and great.

After all, this is their battle, not ours.

BPOV-

''I'll never forget the day you told me you were getting married, son,'' Burt Hummel speaks, the last two give his speech

Burt Hummel had his second heart attack only two weeks after moving here. Surprisingly, though, he pulled through.

Maybe it's not so unexpected, really. He's always been a fighter.

Perhaps that is where Kurt gets it from. As he watches his dad in admiration, a light smile plays on his lips, breaking through only moments later.

Kurt's one of the strongest people I know. This man, this man who I fell in love with years ago, who unfortunately seems to not want me the way that I still want him, has strength that I absolutely envy sometimes.

I just wish he was strong enough to fight for us, like I was willing to do until I finally understood that I was fighting alone.

''Kurt and Blaine, Klaine,'' Burt chuckles along with the audience, ''Congratulations on ten years of marriage, and I hope you're blessed with many more. To Klaine!''

''To Klaine,'' the audience toasts back, Sam Evans voice being heard over everyone else's.

''Thank you so, so much, dad,'' Kurt beams, pulling him into a tight embrace, ''You have no idea what this means to us. Thank you all, as well. For coming out tonight, and celebrating ten blissful years with Blaine and I. We did it, Blaine. Ten years of marriage, even when people thought we wouldn't even make it to one. We proved them all wrong, though. See who was really right?''

He's such a good actor, throwing scornful words at me under a disguise of pleasantry- because now we know we were the ones who were wrong.

What hurts the most is not that we're edging closer and closer to walking away from all of that we fought so hard to create, or that I'm even losing him in the first place. Hell, it's not even the fact that he won't fight for this with me, instead of fighting against me.

It's the why and the who, the reason we're so broken now. Because he did the one thing that he promised he never would.

Now I'm left to pick up the pieces.

''How do I follow that,'' my reply comes with an instant, forced smile.

Luckily for us, Kurt's the only one who knows it is as fake as the promises he made to me ten years ago today.

Vows that I accepted and believed like a fool.

''Kurt, you mean more to me than you'll ever even comprehend,'' I speak from the heart.

I feel cliche' and stupid and pathetic, confessing to him that I am both intoxicated and bitterly angry with him all at once, as he more than likely internally mocks me.

Even after all of this, my feelings have not changed.

''I love you, too,''Kurt kisses me, probably all for show.

Either I'm love sick, or an idiot.

At this point, I'd even be willing to admit that I am a little bit of both.

KPOV-

''Thank you for helping her to the lobby,'' Ryder speaks, helping Blair into her coat, ''I'm going to get the car from valet so she won't have to wait for it.''

''It's fine,'' Blaine places a hat on Blair's head, ''Don't look at me like that.''

''I'm in my twenty-seven dad. I can take care of myself,'' she huffs in mock annoyance, sliding her scarf on.

''But you're still our baby,'' I kiss her forehead, handing her the gloves, ''All eight of you are. Just let us get our coats. We'll meet you by the elevator.''

''Well, look at that,'' Blaine says, pulling his ticket out to retrieve our coats, ''We managed to go several hours without fighting.''

''So please don't mess it up now,'' I hiss through my teeth, ''Not when all of our family and friends are together for the first time in ages.''

''Don't worry,'' he grimaces shortly before laughing bitterly, ''You'll be out of here and won't have to deal with me in just a while. Or can you not stand to be around me?''

''Do not, Blaine. Because you're more at fault than you even know. Now let's go,'' I heatedly whisper, taking my coat from the cloakroom attended, ''Thank you so much.''

The shift from hostile to pleasant in the presence of others is one that Blaine and i have become accustomed to, shamelessly forcing ourselves to abandon whatever argument we are involved in at that moment as not to bring anyone else into the negativity that has now consumed our life.

Now the only way out of this misery seems to be divorce, though I'd hate to abandon the man I have been completely faithful to for a total of twelve years of being together. Mostly, I hate myself because I know that I should have told him the truth instead of lying when things started to go downhill for us. Then again, deceitfulness seemed like the better option for both of us at the time.

''You guys okay?,'' Blair inquires as the elevator doors close.

Before Blaine or I have the chance to reply, the elevator shakes, and the lights flicker before turning back on.

''What's happening?''

''The elevator's must be stuck,'' I reach forward to press the emergency button.

No response.

''Okay, don't panic,'' Blaine speaks more to himself than to Blair or me, ''Eventually Ryder will wonder what's taking so long, or someone at the party will wonder why we've been gone this long. It's all okay.''

''Actually,'' Blair speaks, ''No it isn't.''

''Blair,'' I place my hands on her shoulder, ''What's wrong?''

I can't have both her and Blaine freaking out on me.

''Shit!,'' she speaks out, ''My contractions are getting closer together and lasting longer.''

''No,'' Blaine whispers out, going pale.

Please, please don't let this be happening now.

''Kurt, dad? I think the baby is coming.''

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