What If?

Chapter 20 – The Calm Before the Storm

It has been months since opening night. Blaine and Kurt are very happy together. Blaine is living up to his reviews as an outstanding performer and that he brings the role of Butler to life like no other. Kurt has been busy designing clothes for his new clothes line called Pavarotti as well as being cast in a few minor roles in some off Broadway plays. But mostly the boys have been loving being together. They laugh together, make decisions together, and they discover the city together. In fact they have become the talk of the town and one of the top couples in New York City. Though the downside to this popularity is they are beginning to discover is that there out and about time is becoming less due to the number of paparazzi that are know following the couple around where ever they go.

This morning Blaine and Kurt are up watching Good Morning American to hear the Tony Award nominees being announced. Blaine was coming back from the kitchen with two cups of coffee. “Did I miss anything?” Blaine asks. “No, your category is next.” Kurt says as they listen carefully. “Our next category is Best Actor in a Musical and the nominees are Matthew Broderick, Blaine Anderson, Neil…” The boys don't hear the rest as they start screaming and jumping around. “You did it Blaine. You were nominated. I am so proud of you.” Kurt says as he slowly stops jumping up and down. “Oh my God Kurt, I can't believe I was nominated.” Blaine yells as he is stunned and finally starts breathing as his phone rings. “Hey Coop, I can't believe it. Thanks Coop. Go back to sleep and I'll talk to you later. Love you too Cooper.” Blaine says as he hangs up and just hugs Kurt will all his might as tears form in his eyes. The boys spend the rest of the day answering the phone as family and friends keep calling to congratulate Blaine on his nomination. Blaine even received and extra loud standing ovation after the evening's performance of Big Dreams.

The day of the Tony Awards finally arrives and Blaine and Kurt are getting dressed in their tuxes while family and friends are arriving at Blaine's apartment to go with them to the awards ceremony. Blaine's parents Susan and John are there as well as Burt and Carol who are talking to Finn and Rachael. Sam, Cooper, and JC are talking together as they wait to head out to Radio City Music Hall. Everyone is ready to go when Blaine starts talking. “Before we leave I would like to say something. I need to thank the people in this room starting with my parents who have supported me through a lot of tough times. Cooper you have been there for me and put up with me at times when you thought I was an idiot. Finn, Rachael, Sam my friends, you have stood by me during the rough times and hopefully all the good times ahead. JC you saw something in me that I never saw. Kurt, what can I say about you are my world. I want to thank all of you before we go because I would not be here right now without you being in my life.” Blaine says as tears form in his eyes. “Enough, we need to go and enjoy and celebrate.” Blaine tells his family and friends as they head out of the apartment into the waiting cars.

Blaine and Kurt head down the red carpet while the rest of the group heads to their seats using the alternate entrance. “Blaine, I am so nervous, I am sure that I am going to look terrible in all the pictures they take of us.” Kurt complains to Blaine. “Kurt you can never look bad. Besides what are you nervous about you don't have to give a speech if I win. Hey, that's it. If I win I want you to go up and give my speech.” Blaine suggests. “The only problem with that idea Blaine is I haven't heard your speech so I can't give it. Thanks for keeping it to yourself. Hey, you did write a speech didn't you?” Kurt asks. “I wrote down a few words.” Blaine says as he smiles and waves again as people continue to take pictures of the couple.

They finally get to their seats which are with their family and friends. The Tony Awards show begins and everything is going well and the entertainment has been fantastic when the award for Best Male Actor in a Musical is about to be presented. Blaine squeezes Kurt hand tightly as his nerves are finally getting to him. “I think I ate some monarch butterflies Kurt.” Blaine says as the camera looks at him in his seat. The nominees are Matthew Broderick, Blaine Anderson, Neil Patrick Harris, Daniel Radcliffe, and Nathan Lane. The winner is Blaine Anderson and the audience cheers as Blaine stands and kisses Kurt and hugs his parents as he finally heads to the stage to accept the Tony. People can see the tears on his face as he takes a deep breath and says as the applause finally starts to fade so he can be heard.

“Thank you, thank you very much. I want to thank the producers who took a chance on me and the cast who makes me look good every night. I share this with you. Earlier this evening I thanked my family and friends for their support but I need to thank someone again because thank you is not enough. Kurt, I wouldn't be here today if you hadn't come to spy on the Warblers back in high school. I wouldn't be here today if you hadn't been there to hold me and support when I feel apart. I wouldn't be here today if you hadn't been by my side to help me recover from a serious accident. I wouldn't be here today if you hadn't waited years for me to come to my senses. You are my friend, my best friend and the love of my life. You make sense of this crazy world and you hold me down like gravity and keep me steady. I love you Kurt and always will. Thank you for all the things have done for me and I share this award with you.” Blaine says as he holds the Tony out towards Kurt who has tears in his eyes as the crowd cheers again loudly as he leaves the stage. But instead of going off to the side of the stage he walks back down the steps towards his family and friends. He rushes to Kurt and kisses and hugs him tightly as he is congratulated by many of the people nearby. Blaine eventually talks to the press as his family and friends wait patiently before they head back to the apartment and celebrate.

The next few months continue to speed by but the boys can't believe how happy they are so Blaine decides to do something special. He's going to ask Kurt to move in with him and marry him. He has picked out the perfect ring and is going to have it engraved. He wants to have a special dinner and then an evening carriage ride around Central Park and during the ride he will ask Kurt to marry him. Blaine can hardly wait and he has everything set to go. He has told Kurt he will pick him up at the loft next Monday night since that is the only night he doesn't have a performance, for a special party he is invited to. He tells him to dress nicely because it is at a fancy place. Kurt is very excited and has even shown Blaine what outfit he thinks he will wear and Blaine agrees it is perfect. Monday finally arrives and Blaine checks with the restaurant and horse and carriage to make sure everything is ready. He has even gotten Kurt a bouquet of red and yellow roses and he is headed to the loft.

Kurt was trying to get ready when his phone rang. It was from a producer of a play he had auditioned for a few weeks ago. “Kurt your audition was wonderful and we want to offer you the lead. We will start with a 6 week out of town tour followed by 2 month run in L.A. and a 2 month tour in Chicago and we are also hearing that a 6 month run in London is being scheduled. Then we are bringing it to Broadway for who knows how long.” The producer tells Kurt as his jaw drops from the unbelievable news.

Rachael is coming up to the loft at the same time as Blaine and she lets him in unbeknown to Blaine. He hears Kurt talking to someone on his phone he presumes so he sits in the kitchen waiting until Kurt is finished.

“Mr. Andrews, I am honored to be asked. I loved the play the first time I read it. When I tried out for the part as Bernie I thought it went well but I am shocked to be offered the lead. I know this is going to sound strange but I need some time to think about it.” Kurt tells the producer. Blaine was smiling brightly hearing the part that he has the lead in a new musical and then is shocked when Kurt says he needs time to think about it. For years Kurt has talked about being a lead in a musical and that they are very few that he fits in. “Why is he not accepting it?” Blaine wonders as he continues to listen. “Mr. Andrews, if this play was only for New York City I would accept it on the spot because it's a dream come true but with all the other cities and possibly London I'll be away from my boyfriend for a long time. I can't leave my boyfriend here because he needs me and I need him. I wish I could Mr. Andrews and I really want to but I'm concerned about leaving my boyfriend for that long because we were separated for years a while back and it was unbearable and I wouldn't want to go through that again. I know this decision may damage my reputation and I may never get another opportunity like this but I think I am going to have to turn it down. Thank you for your consideration.” Kurt says and ends the call. Kurt starts to sob as Blaine stands.

Instead of walking to Kurt he quiet slides the door open and leaves. When he gets to the street he calls Kurt and calls off the date telling Kurt something came up and he will talk to him later and he ends the call. Then he calls JC and explains what happened. Blaine tells him to call Mr. Andrews and tell him Kurt will accept the role. Blaine will make sure of it. Blaine heads back to his apartment and puts his head in his hands and cries because he can't be the reason Kurt doesn't follow his dreams. He couldn't allow Kurt to give up his dream because of him. Blaine would never be able to forgive himself for being the reason. He takes out the ring in his pocket and looks at it longingly knowing he was so close to making his dream come true. He puts the ring back in the black velvet box and puts the box in his top dresser drawer.

 Kurt had changed his clothes and was disappointed that he wasn't going to the party he was so looking forward to. “Kurt what are you doing here I would have figured you and Blaine would be gone by now?” Rachael asks. “He called and said he can't go. He said something came up.” Kurt tells Rachael. “What are you talking about Kurt? He was here. I let him in when I came home about an hour ago. See here are the flowers he brought for you.” Rachael informs Kurt as she hands him the flowers. She walks out the door to meet a friend for dinner leaving Kurt confused. He smells the flowers and takes out the card and reads it. “I love you with all my heart.” Kurt tries to figure out why Blaine didn't tell him he was here and then it dawns on him. “No, no, no! He heard! He must have heard me talking to Mr. Andrews and telling him I wasn't going to accept the part in the play and why. I'm screwed.” Kurt yells as he rushes out the door headed for Blaine's apartment to explain his conversation with Mr. Andrews.