A walk through Central Park had given Blaine time to clear his head. He had been so overwhelmed with everything for so long that he needed space. He had used Kurt for protection. He had been a good way to take Blaines mind off the pain, to ease it for a while. But Blaine could tell he was crowding Kurts space, and it was becoming harder for the two of them to breathe.

Blaine knew he couldnt push Kurt. His boyfriend had been there through so much already. Blaine had been afraid that, sooner or later, Kurt would realize that Blaine was too much work, too much to handle. And Blaine couldnt afford to lose Kurt.

He knew Kurt and Rachels intentions had been right. They were just trying to help Blaine. And that wasnt what had upset Blaine. It was that, just like Cooper, they couldnt understand. Kurt and Rachel had been at the receiving end of Blaines love and lies. They only understood the pain that came with losing trust. They didnt understand the guilt that came with breaking trust.

All Blaine ever really wanted was to love Kurt and be there for Rachel. Drama had led to that point and it had been a difficult road of its own. But now, dealing with family had brought Blaine to a new reality. He had snapped his family in half. His parents on one end of the stick and Blaine was with Cooper on the other side. The problem was that Blaine and Cooper had divided into separate twigs long ago, and he was slightly agitated that Cooper only felt the need to help Blaine out now, because it was the right thing to do.

Kurt and Rachel were his family now, along with the baby. Not Cooper. He knew he had to apologize for getting angry before he lost them too.

The apartment was quiet when Blaine returned sometime later. A lamp in the living room sat waiting for him and a faint glow from under the curtain to his room. The rest of the loft was silent and dark.

"Hi," he offered, when he had entered his room.

Setting down a magazine, Kurt sat up in bed and frowned, "Hi," he replied. His light blue eyes were full of concern and Blaine knew he had waited for him, because Kurt had been worried. It made Blaines stomach drop. He hated doing this to Kurt.

"Im sorry about earlier," he sat on the edge of the bed, twirling a string from the blanket around his finger. He found himself unable to look at Kurt. He hadnt been fair, and Kurt accepted it so well.

"Are you okay?" Kurt asked quietly, placing a hand on Blaines. His soft, angelic voice made Blaine feel worse about snapping. This wasnt Kurts fault, and Blaine needed him to know that..

He slowly nodded, "I took a walk in the park. After it started getting dark, I swung by a coffee shop until I was ready to come back... I needed time to think."

"Did you get some answers?" Kurt asked softly.

Again, he nodded, "I made a conclusion about you... I know that I love you so much that it pains me to think of hurting you again. Im sorry for snapping at you. I know you were just trying to help."

"I love you enough to hate seeing you in so much pain," Kurt scooted closer to him and Blaine rested his head on Kurts shoulder. "I really thought Cooper would be a help. Im sorry."

"You didnt know... I mean, Ive pretty much screwed up my entire relationship with my family. I dont even know when things spun this far out of control. What kind of a person am I to let things get this bad?" Blaine asked.

Kurt re-positioned, turning his body to face Blaine. He tipped Blaines chin up with his hand to meet his gaze and firmly said, "You are a lover. You are a fighter. You are someone who knows what they believe in and you pursue that. You are a father doing his absolute best to be here for his child. You are the man I love, and I believe that we can make this work. All of this."

"I feel so hopeless," Blaine shook his head.

"Blaine, you know theres no sure answer. There are no big signs pointing you in the right direction. Life is messy, and you dont always know the right thing to do. But you can do whats best for you and hope that those who love you will support your decisions," Kurts hand cupped his cheek and he smiled sadly. "I think Cooper might be right. You arent going to convince your dad to change his mind. To change his mind, you would have to convince him that you were kidding and youre not really gay."

Leaning his forehead against Kurts, Blaine whispered, "I cant do that, because I cant give you up."

"Thats reassuring," Kurt chuckled. "I was worried you were going to regret being with me."

Blaine met his lips, as he pushed him backward on to the bed and straddled his legs. He released the kiss long enough to stare at his boyfriend and said, "I could never regret being with you."

"Were only together because of the mistakes you made," Kurt frowned. "If you regret your mistakes, doesnt that mean you regret the road that led you to me? Wouldnt you regret me?"

Sitting back on his legs, Blaine shook his head seriously and said, "No, were together because I love you... I just had to make mistakes on my road to you. You were the destination at the end of that road."

"So were okay?" Kurt asked.

"We are more than okay, because you, Kurt Hummel, are not a mistake," Blaine climbed back on top of him, kissing him more forcefully. He slid his tongue into Kurts mouth, who moaned pleasantly.

After a few senseless moments, Blaine rolled off of Kurt and curled next to his side. "You know, I meant what I said earlier," he said.

"Whats that?" Kurt pulled the blanket over Blaines small body.

"You are my family," Blaine smiled.

Kurt kissed his forehead and said, "I like the sound of that."

"Youre all I need... You, Rachel, and the baby," Blaine replied. "I will need time to get over breaking things off with my parents, but Cooper was right that I cant hold on to them if they dont want me."

"Im sorry about Cooper. I didnt know things were so intense between you and your brother," Kurt wrapped his arm around Blaines waist. "If I had known it was going to give you another burden, I would have told Rachel not to do it. Now you have to deal with this on top of your parents."

"Kurt, I told you that Its okay," he said quietly. "You didnt know... Cooper and I werent that close growing up. When my dad kicked him out, he just... left. It was like he turned against me for my fathers anger, and it really hurt. He hasnt been around since, so I dont see why he would want to help now," Blaine explained. "I dont believe hes doing this out of regret. I think hes just trying to be noble."

"Maybe he feels guilty," Kurts fingertips stroked his side and he closed his eyes, humming softly.

"Thats not a good reason," he said. "It shouldnt take getting my heart shattered for him to realize he should act like my brother." Blaine shook his head. "he should have been around more. he could have fought for me instead of wait to pick up my broken pieces."

"Couldnt you at least hear what the guy has to say?" Kurt asked him.

Blaine shrugged, "I dont know if I have the strength to."

"You dont have to decide anything today," Kurt reassured him. "Just dont shut him out completely until you know its what you really want or you might regret it."

"Did he go home?"

"He was staying in a hotel tonight. We were going to offer him the couch but we didnt want to upset you," Kurt said. "Hes flying back to Los Angeles tomorrow though. He cant take more time away from his movie."

"Yeah," Blaine rolled on to his back, staring at the ceiling. He didnt know what to do. Cooper hadnt been there for him, but was Blaine wrong to push him away when he was offering a helping hand? Yes, it was only because Cooper knew it was the right thing to do, but could they turn their relationship into something better?

"You know, in all the chaos with your dad, we kind of forgot about our first Valentines Day together.," Kurt said, entering the nursery with a glass of water in his hand.

Dipping his paint brush in a can of purple paint, Blaine said, "I definitely didnt think about that." He too the brush to the wall and began moving down the wall. At this point, he really didnt care that it was forgotten.

"Should we still celebrate?" Kurt asked, setting his glass down.

"I dont know. Ive always sort of hated Valentines Day," Blaine made a face.

"Does that have something to do with having to treat a girl?" Kurt winked. "It could be more meaningful this year."

"I guess," Blaine shrugged.

Grabbing his own paint brush, Kurt dipped it in the paint and joined him at the wall, "I like celebrating it. Theres nothing like putting your heart out there and showing someone your love."

"I guess," Blaine repeated, not taking much interest in the conversation. After losing out on his birthday and Valentines Day due to his high level of stress, Blaine wanted to let the holiday pass without reminding himself why he missed it.

"Can I take you out to dinner as a late Valentines and birthday dinner? I missed your birthday too," Kurt frowned. "I have a gift that I think youre going to like... Well, I certainly hope you like it."

Blaine paused to look at his boyfriend. "What? Kurt, no! Im not letting you do that. I dont deserve it."

Taking a step toward him, Kurt touched the end of his brush to his nose. "Blaine Anderson, you will let me spoil you."

"Hey," Blaine wiped his nose on the sleeve of his paint shirt.

"Whats the matter? Are you afraid of a little paint, Doctor Anderson?" Kurt touched the brush to his cheek and grinned. "You can handle blood but you cant handle paint."

"No but youre going to make a mess," Blaine replied, taking a step away from him.

"Like this?" Kurt flicked his wrist and his brush splattered Blaines face. He gave a soft giggle. "Tell me youll let me take you out. If you dont, Ill turn you into a purple Doctor.""

"Kurt!" Blaine took his own brush and wiped the sleeve of his boyfriends shirt. He then took the brush and wiped it along Kurts forehead.

"Hey!" Kurt exclaimed, laughing. The corners of his eyes wrinkled and his cheeks glowed. His laugh was so pure that Blaines heart melted. 

"Whats the matter? You can dish it but you cant take it," Blaine waved his hand around, flinging paint everywhere. He couldnt hold back a laugh anymore. It was the first time he had really laughed in a while.

Smiling, Kurt said, "its really nice to see you happy."

"Im just seeking revenge," Blaine flicked his own brush at him.

"Ill give you revenge. Come here," Kurt lunged for him and seized his waist. His brush fell out of his hand and he pressed his lips to Blaines forcefully. His hands clung to Blaines waist tightly.

Caught off guard, Blaine stumbled backward. His foot hit the paint bucket and he felt himself falling backward. Knowing he didnt have time, he pushed Kurt away from him and landed on the floor. His head grazed the edge of the ladder and he rolled on his side, cradling it.

"Are you okay?" Kurt knelt beside him. He gently touched Blaines head. "I didnt mean to surprise you like that."

Hissing, Blaine quietly said, "Im alright."

Kurt bent over and kissed him gently, "You know, after that snow fight, this is the second fight Ive pinned you in. I think its safe to say I win."

"Does that mean I have to go to dinner?" Blaine grimaced, knowing he would have to give in. There wasnt an easy way to turn Kurt down.

"Yes," Kurt smiled. "But I am sorry for knocking you over. Want help?"

"No," Blaine kissed him again. "Lets just stay here for a moment. Im not done kissing you... I could kiss you forever."

Kurt smiled, "good to know." He scooped his head down and Blaine felt himself getting lost in his kisses.

"Are you nervous?" Rachel asked, straightening his bow tie.

Blaine nodded, "Ive been with Kurt for a while, but weve never actually been on a date. What if he doesnt want a second date?"

"Then I guess youll have to reconsider your relationship," she frowned. "Dont be nervous. Its just Kurt. You know him better than most people know their first date. I dont think hes going to break up with you for holding lousy conversation at dinner."

"Yeah, thats true," Blaine smiled. He bent down and kissed her round belly. "Ill see you two later. Get some rest, okay?"

"Ill try but shes starting to make that difficult," Rachel reached over and patted his arm, just as a knock came on the front door. "Have a good night. Hes here."

Swinging the front door open, Blaine found Kurt standing before him with a bouquet of roses. He was wearing a suit and his hair was perfectly styled. "You know, this is silly. You live here," Blaine smiled at the beautiful man before him.

"Yeah but it was necessary. Shall we go?" he held out a hand to Blaine who gladly took it. Rachel took the roses and sent them on their way.

"So what do you have planned for our birthday slash Valentines Day date?" Blaine entwined his fingers with his boyfriends. Theyre hands fit so perfectly together, and Blaine felt Kurt give his hand a light squeeze.

He said, "Thats something youll have to wait to see."

When they reached the streets, Kurt hailed a cab and opened the door for Blaine. He made his way around to the other side of the car and smiled at him. "I hope you enjoy this," Kurt said.

"Im sure I will," Blaine reassured him.

They arrived at a restaurant that Blaine had never been to before. The decor was very fancy, and the waiters were even dressed nice. It was a little much for Blaines taste. He turned to Kurt with an open mouth and said, "We cant eat here. This place has to be expensive."

"Too late. I already made reservations," Kurt placed his hand on the small of his back and ushered him to the hostess. "Dinner for two at seven under the name Hummel."

"Ah, yes," she picked up two menus and said, "Follow me." Leading them to a booth near the back of the restaurant. Placing two menus on the table, she added, "Sarah will be with you shortly."

"Thank you," Kurt smiled, sitting across from Blaine.

"You didnt have to do this," Blaine shook his head. "You could have taken me to Taco Bell and I would have been fine."

"I wouldnt," Kurt made a face. "I refuse to eat there, and it wouldnt be special enough for you."

"Kurt," Blaine blushed, a warm feeling taking over his body. He felt so thankful that Kurt had been so kind to him.

"Youve been through more than I can imagine, and I hate seeing you in pain. Every moment that I can make an effort to see you smile is worth a thousand words," Kurt reached across the table and took his hand. "You make me happy, Blaine."

"You make me happy too. When Im with you, I can forget how much pain Im in," Blaine smiled "thank you for doing this, Kurt. I love you."

"I love you too," Kurt beamed.

A tall, blonde woman came over and said, "Hello, Im Sarah, and Ill be serving you tonight. Can I get you something to drink?"

Kurt ordered them a round of drinks and two salads for appetizers. When Sarah left, he folded his hands and said, "You said you dont need your family, and I know you let Cooper go home without a word. However, I have a serious question: What are you going to do about your dad?"

"I dont want to talk about him," Blaine said, avoiding Kurts gaze.

"Well, I do," Kurt touched his hand. "Our future depends on how you feel. Youre still with me despite how he feels, but I know his opinion is still going to matter, no matter how much you say it wont. I dont want him to hold our relationship back. I want to know if we will ever be able to move forward?"

"Move forward," Blaine repeated.

"Blaine, I feel so conflicted. I was with Dylan for two years and the idea of settling down seemed impossible to me. We were too young. There was so much I wanted to do before I settled down. And after I met you, and he proposed, I realized that the idea of marrying him seemed even more impossible. I always thought life without Dylan would be so hard, but when he asked me to spend my life with him, I knew I couldnt."

"Why are you telling me this?" Blaine asked. He didnt see how Dylan fit into any of this.

Squeezing his hand, Kurt said, "Because theres something different about you, Blaine Anderson. You seem so real. I dont know if its the adult decisions we have to make. You have a child on the way and I have to make hard decisions about my relationship based on that. Dylan was a teen fantasy. I was fresh out of high school and lonely. He was my only source of comfort after Finn died and Rachel left. I thought that was enough but it wasnt. But you are a man, you give me so much true happiness and I so desperately feel like I cant imagine my life without you. I want to be a part of your family with Rachel and your daughter. I would never have made that decision with Dylan... but I cant imagine our relationship without this now."

"Do you mean that?" Blaine asked.

Kurt nodded, "I was so angry with you when I found out about the baby. It was a roadblock and I thought wed never stand a chance... But when I realized that I cant live without you, I was able to accept that I wanted the baby around simply because I needed you. And Im willing to take you for whatever troubles you come with, whether its a baby or your dad hating me, Ill take it."

"How did I find someone like you? No one has ever accepted me the way you have. I love you so much," Blaine pulled his hand close and kissed his knuckles.

"I love you too," Kurt smiled sweetly. "And I want you to know that I will love you no matter how your dad or Rachel or Cooper feels about you. But I need to know that you fee the same way, because I dont want any of them to hold you back from taking a bigger step with me."

"Kurt, I told you I need time to heal," Blaine pulled his hand back. "It has nothing to do with you. Its just the idea that losing your family is a lot to lose, and I cant get over that in a night."

"But you also told Cooper that Rachel and I are your family," Kurt nodded.

"I know,"Blaine said.

"I dont think youre ever going to find someone better to fit in with your family with Rachel," Kurt bit his lip nervously. "Blaine, I want to be  a part of your family. I want us to be a family."

"We are," Blaine nodded. "I know it must be weird because Rachel and I are the babys parents, but you are still going to have a big role in her life, and I am so looking forward to that."

Kurt shook his head, chuckling, "Blaine, I want to marry you. I dont just want to be the extra person on the side. I want to be a part of your family. I want to know that you are forever mine."

"Im sorry. What?" Blaines eyes went wide. 

Reaching in to his pocket, Kurt pulled out  a small box and said, "I had a smoother way of doing this, but it sort of just came out. I know it seems crazy, but I want to marry you, Blaine Anderson."

Blaine blinked several times. He took a deep breath and said, "Kurt, are you sure we can make that kind of decision under this much pressure? Between my parents, the baby, the fact that you just denied Dylans proposal a couple months ago, and the fact that weve known each other only a few short months."

Kurts face fell. The glow in his eyes demolished, and he sat back in his booth. "I cant believe you shot me down that quickly. I really thought this would be something you would want."

"I didnt shoot you down. I just want to make sure that youre really ready for that kind of commitment. I barely think Im ready to be a father. I dont know if I can be much of a husband either," Blaine sat forward, leaning against the table.

I dont see how it would make a difference. Were already together. We already have made commitments," Kurt said. "I thought, maybe, you could use something positive against the battles you have faced."

"Its totally different, Kurt. Surely, you of all people would know that. Thats why you knew you werent ready to marry Dylan, and you were with him for two years. You havent even known me a year," Blaine replied. He wanted Kurt to understand that this wasnt a no. It was just happening so fast that it wasnt totally a yes either..

"You cant put a time frame on love, Blaine," Kurt said hotly. "I think weve been through more in the short few months weve known each other than most people go through in five years. I feel like Ive known you forever and I feel like I could spend another forever with you. In the time weve known each other, I have felt more love for you than anyone I have ever known."

"I just dont see why this is so important now? We havent even discussed the idea of marriage. I never even thought about it, because Ive had too much on my mind. Why now, Kurt? What is this about?" Blaine asked.

"Does there have to be a reason?" Kurt snapped. "I love you. Isnt that enough of a reason? I love you, and I know you said you dont regret how we ended up together, but I cant chance losing you regardless. I cant second-guess our relationship, and I know that I dont need anything but you."

"Yes, but you just broke up with Dy;an two months ago," Blaine reminded him. There was no way he was ready to be that serious about another relationship, no matter how much they had interacted before he called things off with Dylan.

"in the time that I was with Dylan, he never made me feel the way I do when Im with you. You make me feel safe. You make me feel like I can barely breathe when Im around you, and its even harder to breathe when youre gone," Kurt said. Tears formed in his eyes. "I knew from the first time I kissed you that I wanted you. I tried to make things work with Dylan, because I believed that you and I never stood a chance, but damn it, Blaine, I have fought for you from day one. I stood up for you against Dylan. You won every fight in my own mind against Dylan. You have been the first person that has ever made me feel truly alive. Up until now, I had only survived, but you make me feel like Im living, and I so desperately want to make this work. I believe in us, and I believe in what we have."

"Kurt, please," Blaine stretched his arm across the table but Kurt held his hand back. "I know how you feel, because you have been my beacon of hope from day one, and I want to be with you. And someday, I would love to say yes to a proposal. But now? I dont think either of us are mentally prepared for that. I dont think Im mentally prepared for that. Im barely keeping it together as it is."

"But I want to be here, and I want to protect you," Kurt said. "You need a family, Blaine, and I do too. "

"I dont need a piece of paper to tell me that youre mine. Youre already enough. If we wait a while, we can discuss this in better circumstances," Blaine looked at him longingly. He understood how Kurt was feeling, because Blaine felt like they could make things work if they tried, but he also knew that he didnt need that kind of pressure right now.

"So your answer is no?" Kurt asked quietly, setting the box on the table. His eyes glistening with tears. He hated doing this to Kurt but they just werent ready for that kind of commitment, and Blaine couldnt understand why this was suddenly so important to Kurt.

"For now," Blaine replied heavily. "It could change someday. In fact, Im positive that it will chance someday, because I do want to spend my life with you. I just dont want the commitment of marriage now."

"Yeah... sure," Kurt stood up and turned on his heel, heading toward the entrance to the restaurant. He left without a glance back at Blaine, probably too embarrassed.

"Kurt, wait!" Blaine grabbed the ring box and  jumped from his seat and raced after him. He flung the door open and nearly ran into a woman walking by the door. Glancing left and right, there was no sign of Kurt. He groaned in defeat. Kurt had worked so hard to give him this dinner, to do something special to make Blaine feel better. He had put out the money on this gift for Blaine... on this act of love for Blaine, and Blaine blew it.

He opened the box and saw a handsome styled ring inside. A ring that resembled Kurts love for him. He ran the tip of his finger along the ring and felt his heart drop. 

Blaine couldt understand why Kurt was suddenly so interested in the idea of marriage, or why he couldnt understand that it was too much for Blaine to handle. But Blaine knew he had to figure it out, before Kurt changed his mind completely.