"Hello?" Kurt answered his phone, as he slid his shoes on his feet.

"Hey, have you left yet?" Rachels voice came through the other line. Her voice sounded strained.

"Im on my way out the door," Kurt grabbed his keys off the kitchen counter. "Are you at the recital yet?"

"Well, yes, but Belle left her ballet slippers at your apartment. Will you bring them?" she asked urgently. "And get here as soon as you can."

"Uh, yes, Ill be there as soon as possible," Kurt hung up the phone and dodged into Belles bedroom. He got down on his knees and searched under her bed until he found her slippers in the mess of shoes Rachel bought her.

Once Kurt had reached the venue, he went backstage and found Belle talking to her friend Emily. "Hey, Belle!" Kurt called, waving her slippers in the air for her to see.

"Hi, dad," Belle smiled. She took her ballet slippers from him and quickly put them on her feet. "Thanks for bringing these. You saved our show."

"Good luck out there. I know youre going to do so well," Kurt pulled Belle into a hug.

"Thanks, dad," Belle smiled. Kissing his cheek, she added, "Ill see you after the show."

"Good luck, Emily!" Kurt called on his way out to his seat. He found Sam, Rachel, and Blaine sitting in the third row, along with Tiffany Carter, Emilys mom. Sam had his video camera with him and aimed at Kurts face.

"Sam, no," Kurt put a hand in front of his face. "No one needs to see me."

"Oh, come on, dont you want to be a part of this?" Sam shut the camera screen and sat back in his seat, pouting.

"No," Kurt said flatly. Sam had gotten into filming the important events in Belles life. As a teacher, he said there were so many kids that he wished he knew more about, so it was important to remember everything about the girl he did know.

Everyone was asked to take their seats, because the show was starting in five minutes. Kurt sat down between Blaine and Rachel and took Blaines hand in his, causing Blaine to smile.

Ten minutes passed and nothing happened. Buzz in the room continued to grow once again as people grew tired of waiting. Kurt gave Blaine a worried glance and asked, "Why do you think they havent come out yet?"

"I dont know," Blaine shrugged.

"Excuse me?" someone tapped on Blaines shoulder. A young girl in a leotard blushed when they met her gaze. "Uh Mr. hummels, youre wanted backstage. "

"Why?" Kurt and Blaine said in unison, quickly popping out of their seats.

"Follow me," the girl led them out to the aisle and into the hall. She led them through a door and into a large room that was used as their backstage area.

"Whats going on?" Blaine said harshly, when he spotted the small group of girls crowded in a circle near the end of the room.

"Ah, Mr. Anderson, Im glad youre here," Rhonda motioned Blaine forward, where Belle sat on a bench next to Danielle and Macy. "After Mr. Hummel left, Danielle began teasing Belle again."

Kurt looked at Belle, whos face was pale. Her hair had been pulled from her bun in a mess at the top of her head. The sleeve if her leotard had a tear in it. But the worst part was the tears that rolled down her cheeks.

"I just made fun of her dad. She was the one who attacked me," Danielle whined, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Because Im tired of her picking on me," Belle shouted, defending herself. "I just pushed her. Macy was the one that grabbed my hair and pulled it."

"Once I saw Macy and Danielle against Belle, I tried to break them up," Rhonda said. "They fought against me, pulling on her outfit, and thats how her sleeve tore."

"And now what? We just act like nothing happened?" Kurt said hotly. "This isnt the first time these girls have given my daughter a hard time."

"I cant ask them to leave. The whole team is relying on them, and I cant let everyone else down," Rhonda said quietly. "These girls have worked so hard to get here."

"Well, if you cant take care of this after today, well find a better ballet class for Belle," Blaine said firmly. "This is unacceptable."

Kurt knelt down in front of Belle and said, "Im really sorry, honey. Im the reason theyre giving you a hard time." He turned her around and started fixing her bun, something Rachel had taught him how to do.

"You arent the only thing they tease me about," Belle said, when she turned back to face him. "Theyre just mean."

"Are you sure you want to go through with this? We can go home if you want," Kurt placed his hand under her chin and met her beautiful hazel eyes that reminded him so much of Blaine.

"My team needs me," Belle smiled weakly. "But I think I want to come home with you and skip my second night with mom and Sam."

"Okay," Kurt whispered, giving her a hug. "Break a leg... Keep your chin up. "

Kurt and Blaine made their way back out to their seats. Before they sat down, Tiffany asked, "Is everything okay?"

Blaine only had time to say, "Yeah, they just - " before the music started and the house lights went down.

Despite the backstage drama, Belles ballet class worked in sync together and the show came out beautifully, leaving Kurt and Rachel in proud tears.

From her spot in their curtain call, Belle blew her family a kiss. She gave Sams video camera a thumbs up, before she left the stage with her team.

Blaine turned to Kurt and softly kissed his lips. He whispered, "Thats our girl."

"Are we wrong to pull Belle out of the class?" Kurt asked three days later.

"You said nothing changed after rehearsal yesterday. You told Rhonda to handle the situation and she clearly didnt," Sam said defensively. "Losing one of her best dancers is what she gets for not taking you seriously.

"But wont Danielle and the girls give her a hard time about it when they see her at school?" Rachel stepped in. "Hasnt she been humiliated enough?"

"I dont know," Kurt groaned, leaning his head back on the couch. "But yesterday Belle said Macy gave her a hard time on a bathroom break, so it wasnt even around Rhonda. When Belle told Rhonda what happened, she did nothing about it Belle told me when I picked her up that Danielle called her a tattletale afterward."

"If you feel that strongly about it, then follow your heart," Sam replied. "Take her out."

"But Belles happy there. She likes Rhonda as a teacher. Emilys there and I dont want that to put a wedge in their friendship. Emilys her best friend," Blaine added.

"Well, it sounds like you guys need to make a decision," Rachel said.

"In Rhondas defense, she didnt see it happen," Sam added. "Maybe you should just wait it out a little longer."

"Or have a talk with Danielle and Macys moms," Rachel rose from the couch. "I wish I could tell you what to do. Trust me, Sam and I have been debating about it too. Theres just not a simple answer, so maybe you should wait it out."

"Well, thank you for your suggestions. You know Kurt and I value your opinions, so well think about it," Blaine smiled, walking them to the door.

"Alright. Well, we really should get going. Its almost eleven. Well see you guys later," Rachel hugged them both before they left.

Blaine walked over to Belles doorway and peered inside. "Shes sleeping," he said, before curling up on the couch next to Kurt.

"So what do you think?" Kurt asked, wrapping his arm around Blaines torso, pulling him close..

Leaning his head on Kurts shoulder, Blaine replied, "I dont know. I guess all we can do is see how things play out the next couple weeks... But if anything like that fight happens again, shes gone."

"I think thats fair," Kurt nodded, running the tips of his fingers up and down Blaines arm. "Im really glad youre around to help make decisions like this. Its tough, you know?"

"I know," Blaine sighed. "I was so upset to see someone else harm her emotionally. I almost wanted to take her home the moment it happened, but it wouldnt have been fair to Belle... It just really bothers me."

"Maybe I should take your mind off it," Kurt reached over and placed his hand under Blaines chin, tilting his head to face him.

"I could use that," Blaine said quietly, leaning forward to find Kurts lips. His hand came up to cup Kurts cheek in a familiar touch.

Deepening the kiss, Kurt placed his hand on Blaines chest and pushed him backward on the couch. He bent over him and entwined his other hand in Blaines thick curls.

Groaning with pleasure, Blaine wrapped his arms around Kurts shoulders and pulled him down on top of him. "Dont stop," he said between kisses.

"Please stop," a small voice said in disgust from the other side of the room.

Breaking apart, Kurt climbed off of Blaine and stood up brushing off his clothes. "Sweetheart, what are you doing up?"

"I had a bad dream," Belle climbed on Blaines lap and glanced at Kurt. "Whenever Im sad, mom gets me a glass of water. Can you get me one?"

"Of course," Kurt shifted into the kitchen, grabbed her favorite princess cup out of the cupboard and poured her some water. Returning to the living room, he sat next to Blaine and handed it to her. "Better?"

"Yes," Belle took a sip.

Blaine began stroking her hair, "What was your dream about?"

"Macy was being mean during a recital and Ms. Rhonda was so mad that I ruined her show that she pushed me off the stage," Belle told them.

Kurt and Blaine exchanged surprised faces. "Honey, Ms. Rhonda would never push you."

"I know," Belle took a long drink from her water. She avoided Kurts worried gaze.

"This whole ballet thing is getting to you, isnt it?" Kurt said, placing a hand on her small knee.

"Its just not fair," Belle whined. "Why do they always want to pick on me? Why not someone else?"

"Do you still want to be in the class?" Kurt couldnt stop himself from asking.

"Yeah, I dont want to be a quitter," Belle said, handing Blaine her cup. Resting her head on Blaines chest, she added, "I just want those girls to leave me alone."

"Well figure something out, sweetie, dont worry," Kurt reassured her.

The three of them sat there until Belle fell asleep in Blaines arms. He carried her back to bed and Kurt followed. Blaine tucked her under the covers and kissed her forehead, "We will figure something out," he whispered.

Kurt took his turn to kiss her forehead, before he turned to his husband and said, "Im willing to do whatever it takes to make her happy."

"Kurt, this might be my favorite design youve ever done," Isabelle Wright announced from across her desk.

"Really?" Kurt exclaimed, clapping his hands together in excitement. "I was so afraid youd hate it." He felt so relieved. This was a project he had worked so hard to finish.

"No, its brilliant," Isabelle reassured him, flipping through the images on the tablet screen.

"Thank you very much," Kurt rose from his chair and she did the same. He gave her a hug and said, "Ill see you Monday."

"Have a good weekend," Isabelle smiled. "Well discuss this further next weekend."

Kurt picked up Belle from Sam and Rachels apartment, Sam agreed to take her home and watch her after school on days she didnt have ballet. They made their way home a short while later and Kurt started dinner, while she sat at the kitchen table doing homework.

Around six oclock, Blaine trudged through the door with his phone pressed to his ear. "Well, thats bullshit. I shouldnt have to do this."

Kurt cleared his throat, pointing toward Belle seated on the couch with the television on. "Language," he whispered.

Blaine hung up his coat and said into the phone, "Its just a shi... I mean, a lousy situation but I know I cant avoid it." He paused, still standing near the front door. "Yeah, Ill be there... Okay, Ill confirm it with you later... I love you too. Bye."

Kurt raised an eyebrow, "Everything okay?"

Gripping his phone tightly, Blaine stared at the floor. His eyes began to tear and he quickly buried his face in his hands.

"Babe?" Kurt set down his spatula and rushed to Blaines side. "Whats wrong?" When he didnt respond, Kurt pried Blaines hands from his face. Giving them a gentle squeeze, he cooed, "Talk to me. Please."

Taking a deep breath, Blaine wiped the tears from his eyes and said, "My dad died."

"What?" Kurt gasped.

"I dont even know how to feel about it," Blaine sounded defeated. "I havent spoken to him in years, and Ive still been so angry with him."

"Blaine," Kurt whispered, cupping his cheek and brushing a tear with his thumb. "I dont know what to say."

Shrugging, Blaine admitted, "I dont either... I hated him for what he did to me, but he was my dad. Now I have no chance of ever fixing things with him."

"I thought you had no intention of fixing things," Kurt said quietly.

"This is just more final. He still was my dad, you know?" Blaine sighed. After Blaine had come out to his dad, Michael Anderson had basically disowned his son and hadnt bothered to act like Blaine existed since.

"So what now?" Kurt asked. With things in such rough shape between Blaine and Michael, Kurt was unsure how Blaine would take this. "Was that your mom?"

"Yeah... Yeah, she wants me to come down to Westerville for a few days. She wants Coop and me to come help her sort through his stuff," Blaine replied, completely unaware that Belle was now watching him intently.

"Are you going to go?" Kurt continued to stroke his cheek. "I can handle things here with Belle. Dont even worry about this ballet issue anymore."

"Yeah, in a few days. Moms going to handle the funeral arrangements but she wants to wait until after the funeral to sort through things," Blaine said. "I dont want to take off too much time at work."

"Just let me know what you need me to do, okay?" Kurt said quietly.

Burying his face in Kurts shoulder, Blaine wrapped his arms around his waist and softly said, "Thank you. I dont know what Id do without you."