Every mom fiber of my DNA wanted to ground him for at least a year for the beer-drinking thing (never mind the language thing), but I swear I didn't have it in me. By the time he'd awoken the next day with a Grade 4 migraine worshiping the porcelain God all morning while still in tears, I just couldn't bring myself to add any additional insult to a hangover and a broken heart.

Three days. In the wake of the Quinn-Noah fiasco, that's how long it was before my son would speak again (in anything other than grunts or one-syllable responses). He also didn't eat for a few days – an unheard of chapter in the Finn Hudson Chronicles.

Quinn Fabray had chewed him up and spit him out like the maneater I feared she'd turn out to be. But honestly? I knew in my heart that's not what had him so bent out of shape. It was Noah's betrayal. His lifelong best friend – his BROTHER – completely broke his heart worse than that girl did.

Couple that with the public humiliation of the entire Glee club knowing about their illicit affair, and well... he was embarrassed and hurt and enraged and I allowed him a couple of days off school to try to recover. I could've forced him to go but I would've just been waiting all morning for a principal or school nurse to call me to come pick him up early, whether from illness or injury (don't think I don't know my two boys well enough to know, the fight wasn't over yet; Finn was still running too hot to let it go).

By day three I couldn't stand the silence anymore. I'd had enough of his moping – it just wasn't healthy for him. At least he was eating by then but that's the most activity it seemed he could muster, and even then it wasn't much. Like it or not, this was another scenario where a little Mom nudging (or forcibly PUSHING) was in order, even if it meant him kicking and screaming all the way.

"Finn? Honey, are you awake?" Oh god, his bedroom was like a DUNGEON!

"No. Go away."

"Well. Glad to hear your sleeping self is at least willing to talk again in something resembling full sentences. C'mon Finny, it's two o'clock in the afternoon on a Saturday. I have to work tonight but there is NO CHANCE I'm letting you stay in this room all day and night alone again."

"Well gee, sounds like you won't be here Mom, so unless you have a clone I don't know about–"

"Don't get fresh, buddy. You need to get your snarky butt out of this bed and into the shower. You and this room are both starting to smell like your football gear bag. Get clean and dressed then come downstairs. You have a date tonight."

My son, whose face I hadn't fully seen in days and which had been buried under his pillow up until that point, popped out like a Whack-a-Mole. "That's really not funny Mom. It's impossible for me to have a date considering I'm the world's biggest IDIOT and no longer have a girlfriend. Or any friends at all probably."

"Well, you'd be wrong then. On so many points there... But rather than argue, I'll keep it simple: You do have a date. And your date will be expecting you to be freshly showered and dressed within the next thirty-five minutes."

He sat up and pulled a rather impatient face at me. "You better not be setting me up with one of your friend's nieces or something. I'm not going out with any new chicks!"

"Good. That's very good to know sweetheart, since it's not a chick. Now get up and shake your tail feathers."

"What? ... M-mom, you know I'm still straight, right? I mean I know my life and my head is a mess right now, and girls kinda suck at the moment, but I'm not even a little bit curious about–"

"OF COURSE I know you're... oh for Pete's sake, Finn! Just get your buns in the shower. MOVE IT!"

. . . . .

He came skulking down the steps rather robotically (looking less than happy about it) twenty-five minutes later. At least he was clean and on time, even if his hair was still wet.

Maybe I was a little off my rocker for doing this at THAT particular juncture of Finn's life, but I needed to get it out in the open and quit sneaking around anyway. And the way Finn had been so withdrawn and so lost, his pride so wounded... well. I'm his mother, and I've done my best to fill both parental roles all his life, but part of me just knew this was one of those times when he really needed a father figure to lean on and help him get through it. So in the absence of his actual father, I decided it was time for him to meet Burt Hummel.

Finn of course headed straight for the refrigerator when he got down to the kitchen.

"Don't bother with snacks honey. You're going out for a late lunch."

He looked at me like I just told him he was going to have to eat artichokes three times a day for the rest of his life (Finn's always been repulsed by them, saying they looked like moldy little pinecones). "Uh-huh. So Mom, who is it exactly that I'm–"

"Ooo! There's the front door! Okay, I'll get the door, you just get your shoes on, Finny. And wipe that sour look off your face already! You're far too handsome and too young to have frown lines."

I could hear him mutter something under his breath while I headed to the door but chose to ignore it. When I came back to the kitchen he was sitting at the table gulping down a Dr Pepper and pretending to read a magazine.

"Finn, honey, there's someone here I want you to meet." I waved Burt in from behind me and watched Finn's face go blank in confusion (I suspect this is the look Kurt had once described as the 'gassy baby' face). "Burt, this is my son Finn. Finn, this is my friend Burt Hummel, Kurt's father."

Finn sort of blinked and pursed his lips into a straight line, mumbled a soft "hey" then went back to looking at the magazine.

Burt gave me a knowing side look but kept his focus on the angst-filled stubborn teenager sitting at my kitchen table. "Hey there Finn, it's really great to finally meet you. Your mom's told me an awful lot about you." Burt held out his hand in greeting while my son feigned deafness apparently, flipping another page in my Women's Home Journal.

I was aghast at his rude behavior. "Finn, unless you're really concerned about next season's fashion trends or losing those pesky stubborn fat zones on your thighs to melt off three dress sizes in a month, I'd say you're being rather rude to our guest..."

He looked at me like the picture of innocence (if innocence rode a Harley Davidson and had a bottle of Jack Daniels stashed in his pocket). "No, I wasn't looking at that; there's a very cool article about a new Candy Crush game in here." That earned him a slap on the back of the head just for his tone. "Ow, Mom! Take it easy, geez."

"Watch it mister! Say hello properly, please." Without standing up, he finally shook Burts hand with a silent nod but then continued to flip pages in the magazine.

Burt put a hand on my shoulder and took the reins. "Care, it's okay. The boy is obviously in rough shape and not much in the mood for socializing. That's alright. I guess these uh, two Bobcats tickets I have for tonight could be put to better use. Maybe Stan down at the shop'll wanna go... unless someone here wanted to join me."

Finn's eyes perked up at the suggestion of a live college basketball game and he finally pulled his face away from that article on how to get those stubborn stains out of your silk blouse. "Tickets? For the Cats?"

"Yup. They're pretty good too, courtside. Close enough to smell 'em sweat. I had a customer who couldn't use 'em and wanted to thank me for the emergency weekend tire service I did for him. Know anyone interested in a little college b-ball tonight?"

He shrugged reluctantly, but I could see the tiny bit of sparkle return to his eyes. "Um, I don't know... Is that an invitation?"

"Yeah. Despite your charming demeanor right now, I think I'd still like to be wowed by your bubbly personality for a few hours. Y'know, have a guys night on the town. We'll get some grub, see the game... whaddya say?"

I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. The way to Finn's heart is most certainly through sports – and food. Burt was a genius and I started to think things he was going to be just fine... I hoped I could say the same about my son.

A long sigh left my son's lungs and he finally answered "Sure, I guess that could be kinda cool. But uh, why do you wanna take me? Why not Kurt?"

Burt smirked a little. "You've met Kurt, right? Skinny kid, wears alotta hats, hairspray and hippo broaches?"

"Uh, yeah... okay. Point taken."

"Hey I love my son – don't get me wrong, and if these were tickets to a fashion show somewhere we'd already be on our way. But we agreed a long time ago, sports-related kinda things were something I'd do without him. He's just not into sports at all really - unless Black Friday shopping counts. It's why I was so stunned to learn he joined the football team. And Finn, I understand I have you to thank for that, too?"

"Well, I just got him the tryout. He's the one with the awesome foot power."

"Nah, you did more than that, pal. He told me how you helped him practice, taught him what a kicker does, how you stuck your neck out for him with the coach and the team. So yeah, thanks for being a friend to him. He can always use a good one of those. Preferably one who also enjoys burgers and dogs as much as I do would be a nice bonus so I don't constantly have to suffer through a meal of rice cakes and vegan soy surprise when we go out."

"Well, you'll never accuse me of turning down a burger – or a chili dog, that's for sure."

"I figured as much. But uh, listen buddy, before we head to the game, we have a couple of hours to kill. And I have something else I wanted to show you before then. So if you're ready to shove off, how about you head out to my truck and I'll be right out."

Finn sighed and nodded obediently. "Yeah, sure. Thanks Mr Hummel."

"Hey, I appreciate your manners showing up all of a sudden there, but Mr Hummel is my old man. You call me Burt."

Finn smirked, kissed me on the cheek, and waltzed out the front door, looking back to give me a strange look over his shoulder. Once he was out in the truck, Burt whispered to me how everything would be okay and not to worry, then gave me a sweet peck on the cheek and left.

I knew Burt had planned sort of a 'guys afternoon' for them before the tip-off (hey see, I told you I knew a little bit about sports, some more than others). I also knew I wouldn't have a chance to see Finn until the next day to find out how things went since I had the graveyard shift.

When I did finally see him though, I was quite surprised at the turnaround in my son. It was like Burt was some sort of miracle worker I think? Or maybe it was because he was exactly what Finn needed at that time.

"Hey Mom. How was work last night?"

"Pretty uneventful, until mister sleepwalker guy got up and pulled his catheter AND his I-V lines out again. How was your big outing with Burt, honey?"

"Uh, it was pretty cool. The Cats lost, but that's not the end of the world. The courtside seats were pretty wicked though, so were the nachos. But uh... Mom? Did you know Burt was gonna offer me a job?"

"He did what? Really sweetie? No, I didn't know, I promise. What kind of job?"

"Well, before the game, we went to the sub shop and got some takeout, then he took me to his tire shop. We ate our meatball heroes and chocolate shakes in his office while he told me about the work they do at the shop. He thought I might like to earn a few extra bucks working weekends or whenever I have time outside of football."

"Well that's wonderful of him honey, but Finn, you really don't know anything about cars apart from how to drive them, do you?"

"Nope. And I told him that... but he said he's willing to teach me about cars and stuff. He said I could start as a general shop assistant playing fetch for tools and parts and stuff while he shows me the ropes, so I'd be like his apprentice or something if I wanted the job."

"Wow, Finny that's an amazing opportunity! What did you say?"

He gave that very nonchalant one-shoulder shrug of his as he fetched some leftover casserole from the fridge (for breakfast? Okay to be fair it was nearly 11 AM). "I said it could be cool to learn more about cars. I mean, I kinda know how to refill the windshield wiper juice and change a flat tire – in theory anyway. But that's about it. It could be cool to know how to change the oil or spark plugs, or to know what spark plugs do. It could come in handy to know how to fix engines I guess. He said he'd teach me everything he knows if I wanted to learn. I figured it couldn't hurt, so, yeah, I guess I have a part-time job now."

"That's terrific honey! Oh Finny, I'm so proud of you!" I swept him into a quick hug and then decided to employ my casual mom-sleuthing skills as I poured myself some coffee. "So uh... does that mean you two got along pretty well, then?"

"Yeah I guess. I mean, he seems like a nice enough dude. Pretty cool of him to offer a kid with no experience a job and all the first time he meets him. But Mom... you can give it up now. I know you're more than just friends. I saw how you looked at him. And when he talked about you his face got all smiley and his voice kinda got softer."

"Oh?" Well shit. So much for my 'casual sleuthing' techniques. "Well... y-yes. You're right honey. We ARE more than just friends. Burt and I have been dating, exclusively for almost a month now. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner... I hope you're not too upset. How um, how do you feel about that?"

He pulled his reheated casserole from the microwave and stared thoughtfully into his bowl of chicken and noodles for a minute. "Does he make you happy? And he treats you good, like a real lady?"

I just wanted to cry at my son's protective instincts. "Yes, he does. He opens doors for me and lets me order my meal first. And he even lets me choose what movie to see and everything – just like I've taught you that a real gentleman should do. He's a wonderful, caring man and I like him. Very much I think."

"Then that's all I need to know for now." He grabbed his fork from the drawer and spun around shaking it at me. "But if he turns out like that Darren douche, you let me know. Nobody's ever treating my mom like that again!"

With that, he kissed me on the cheek and disappeared to his room with the food and a can of soda in hand. I couldn't wait to see Burt for our lunch date the next day to thank him in person, but I settled for a quick phone call later that evening before my next shift.

He told me all about their big day out together. He said Finn was quiet for a long while, and he didn't want to press him about the Quinn ordeal yet since they'd just met, but said in a few more days if Finn still seemed to need an outlet for all that hurt and angst, he'd give it a try.

Burt Hummel is an amazing man. I'd had so much anxiety over hiding our relationship from Finn. When he was younger, I'd sometimes ask how he felt about not having a dad with him like other kids. Most times he would just shrug and say he had the world's coolest mom, so it didn't bother him that much. But I always knew he was protecting my feelings.

As he got a little older, there were times when I knew that just wasn't as true as he wanted it to be. I still had my bad moments too – Father's Day, Chris's birthday, our wedding anniversary, even sometimes after we visited Finn's Grandma Hudson and his uncles – those would end up being terribly sad days for me. I'd still cry at night when I thought Finn was asleep... but he always knew. Sometimes he'd come crawl into bed with me and tell me knock-knock jokes until I simply had to laugh at the absurdness of them. Other times he'd simply lay there and cry with me.

Finn had never asked too many questions about his dad – not of me anyway. I suspected his uncles and grandparents told him plenty of things, but I think Finn knew how much I missed Christopher and maybe he felt like he was only going to upset me if he brought up the subject.

That's not to say we never talked about Chris, we certainly did over the years. Especially when Finn would say or do something that reminded me of his dad. The way he chews his food and holds his fork, for example. The way he hums to himself when he's doing yard work or dishes and is eager to get to his Xbox. The way his smile stretches from ear to ear when he's so so happy about something. I'd tell him about holidays we'd spent together and how much his dad LOVED Christmas and St. Patrick's Day, and the extra special birthday dinner he took me on when I turned eighteen (when he tried to propose the first time).

I asked him once when he was around 13 or 14 how he'd feel if I ever dated someone new. He said he wouldn't really know until it happened, but that whoever it was had better be worthy of me (well, I'm paraphrasing – in Finn-speak it was more along the lines of 'the guy better not be a douche and break your heart or I'll break his nose' – my overprotective giant of a son).

So when Burt and I met at the first Titan's booster meeting he attended, needless to say, I was a little nervous. I could tell we had chemistry right away. He complimented my acid-wash denim vest and I sort of laughed a bit at the fact he was also clad in denim from head to toe (although not the kind that's at least two decades past it's prime). We went for coffee after the meeting, and then a dinner date two nights after that and it just snowballed from there. We talked every day. He sent me flowers at work. Can I tell you how long it'd been since a man sent me roses? I'd forgotten what it felt like to be swept off my feet. He was so charming and funny. We had so much in common. And those beautiful hazel eyes of his were surely a bonus. Not quite amber, more on the blue-green side, but he looked at me like I was Miss America.

When I learned we each had a son in the same grade – then pieced together they were also in Glee together too – I got even more nervous. How would I ever get Finn on board with meeting a new guy in my life, especially the father of one of his fellow teammates?

Then Burt explained to me about Kurt's sexuality and I became even more nervous still... Kurt being gay didn't bother me; Kurt being the only 'out' gay kid in Lima concerned me quite a bit though. I worried about what HIS teenage experience would be like. How was he ever going to have a typical teenage life in such a backward little town like this? Would he ever have that first romantic date night, first kiss, first true love? I hoped he would; surely there HAD to be others in his age group who maybe were just not as brave as him to tell the world yet. But how long would he have to wait?

Then there were the built-in worries: How would he feel about Finn as a brother figure, would they accept each other? Both our boys grew up as only children; I wasn't sure how either one would react to having to share their parent with someone else. Did they even really know each other or get along? How I could ever be a good mother figure to him? Would he even accept me? He was someone else's son after all; he'd had a mother whom he grew up with for eight years, long enough to know her and love her and miss her terribly when she died. How much might he resent me or compare me to her, and would he despise me for taking his dad away or feel like I was trying to replace her?

Finn never knew his dad, and in some ways, I hoped that would help him finally be accepting of a new father figure someday. Any time I thought about the idea of finding a new serious relationship, I'd never really imagined there being someone else's kids in the picture too, though. So sharing me with another man was one thing, sharing me with a whole new family? Well, as I've mentioned, Finn doesn't always handle change very well.

But all my worries about Kurt accepting me mostly went out the window the first time we met. Burt had me over for dinner at his house the second week were dating and asked me to come a little early so I could meet Kurt. As I sat comfortably on their living room sofa sipping a beer, Kurt came home from a shopping trip at the mall with Mercedes (the girl who seemed to be his best friend, or so I would learn). He was nothing but hospitable and was eager to show me all his mall purchases. He did sort of end up interviewing me as to my intentions with his father and then critiqued my outfit and hairstyle, insisting that he could be a GREAT help in freshening up my look...

Of course, I hadn't realized having Kurt in my life was going to be a little like gaining a personal stylist, but that's what it had started to feel like. (Although to be honest, I could've used all the help I could get at the time!) I suddenly wanted to look as young and beautiful and sexy as Burt was making me feel, so it was just an added bonus that I got a chance to bond with Kurt over a few shopping trips of our own. (And let me tell you, the boy KNOWS his fashion!)

Still, I felt terrible that I'd already spent so much time falling for Burt and bonding with Kurt and Finn still didn't even know about us yet. I'd asked Kurt to keep our whole relationship quiet at school until I told Finn myself. He protested only for a moment, citing that Finn should be informed immediately, but he didn't know Finn the way I did. Finn could be resistant to small changes, like new socks or a different smelling dryer sheets; but this was something HUGE. The last guy I'd even had a date with had been probably two years before then, and that only lasted about a week. When Finn found out the guy never called me back after our second date, he was pretty livid and wanted to track the guy down and egg his house for leading me on.

This was why I was so very relieved that Finn seemed to take to Burt more positively than I expected right from the start. Yes, he was a little standoffish at first, but I do think that was more because of his girl troubles and broken heart over Noah than because of me or Burt himself. Burt's such a likable fellow, I just couldn't see them NOT getting along eventually.

I didn't know what the future would hold for me and all these men in my life, but I liked the way things were headed with the Hummels and I hoped Finn could rebound from his own heartaches long enough to enjoy the idea of expanding our family together. Only time would tell...