There were certain days in Kurt’s life that he would never forget. The day that his mother died, the day he told his dad he was gay, the day his life was threatened, the day Emma told him she was pregnant, the day Jayden was born, the day he met Blaine, his wedding day, the day they found out that a person wanted to be a surrogate, the day the twins were born. Now, he would add another to this list – the day he found out his dad had terminal cancer.

Kurt’s heart dropped when he heard the word. The rest of the conversation was a blur, as Kurt could feel his eyes welling up. Burt and Carole had come down from Lima while he was still okay to travel, so that he could tell Kurt and Finn in person.

“Is there anything we can do?” Finn managed to say.

Blaine had grabbed onto Kurt’s hand, and Rachel was sobbing quietly into Finn’s shoulder. Burt had been like the father Blaine never had, and Rachel always adored him.

“Nothing,” Burt looked at them. “I don’t want you guys doing anything. I just  - I felt like you deserve to hear this person, and I want to get every last chance to see you guys and the kids.”

The kids. Kurt heart sunk. This was the last thing he wanted to tell them. The twins, now 11, and Jayden, adored Burt. None of the adults were hungry for dinner that was served an hour later. That night, after everyone had gone, Kurt finally began crying.

“Shhh,” Blaine whispered soothingly into Kurt’s ear. “It’ll be okay.”

Blaine didn’t know what he was supposed to do. He had never lost anyone remotely close to him before. He just let Kurt cry into his shoulder, and he turned his head to two eleven year olds standing in the door.

“Are you okay?” Addison asked. “We heard you crying.”

Kurt said that he had to call Jayden, who was in Chicago, still working in a restaurant as a cook. Blaine sat the eleven year olds on their bed, and decided to tell them the truth.

“Did they say how long he had?” Elliot asked, as Addison began crying.

“The doctors have estimated some time before the new year.” Blaine said truthfully.

“Maybe we should do something special for thanks giving?” Elliot asked.

“That does sound like a good idea,” Blaine said. “But we’ll see if everyone is up to it.”

After the news had processed, Blaine brought up the idea of a special thanks giving for Burt. Something small with the family, just what he would like. Kurt, Rachel, Finn and Carole all liked it. November came faster than anyone expected. Burt was still hanging on, but very sick. The entire family had gone to Ohio for the holiday, including Jayden who drove down from Chicago. The spent the day eating, and watching Football. It was simple, but it was the first time Burt looked genuinely happy in a long time.

Two weeks passed before Kurt and Blaine got the call that he passed away in his sleep. The entire week, Kurt managed to keep himself together. He organised a small service for his dad, and Jayden had been asked to speak on behalf of all five grandchildren. This wasn’t because he was the only one genetically related to Burt, but because he had known him the longest and had asked Kurt to do the speech.

“Grandpa,” Jayden said as he looked at the picture of Burt. “He was amazing. Not just because he made me a Buckeye fan, or because he taught me how to play football, or tie my shoes. I remember he took me to the playground once, and a kid pushed me over, so Grandpa walked over to the mother and told her off for letting her son push me around. He was one of those kind of guys, get on his bad side, and you were in for it. But if you were on his good side, he was the kindest, most caring person.”

Kurt could see the tears in the boy’s eyes, as he finished the speech, and Kurt made his way to the lectern. He looked at his speech, and then the photo of Burt and he closed his eyes before beginning.

“I was so lucky to have a dad like mine.” Kurt said as he started to tear up, as the speech was coming to a close. The words on the paper started blurring and the next thing he remembered, Blaine had his arm around Kurt, and finished the speech for him.

The rest of the day was a blur to Kurt. A blur of people coming up to him and offering their condolences, and Kurt hanging to Blaine’s arm for safety. If any time in his life, he was glad to Blaine today. Kurt knew it was going to be a long road, he had been there before, but this time, he felt like eventually it would be okay.