Blaine bounced Archer on his thigh as Archer cooed and batted at nothing in particular, his round, blue eyes on Hunter, who was on the floor with Finn. Pavarotti waddled across the floor and Archer wiggled so much that he almost tipped off of Blaines knee. "Alright, sweetheart." Blaine picked him up and set him on his stomach next to Hunter, and he happily grabbed at Pavarotti. Kneeling beside of Finn, Blaine stroked Hunters dark hair off his face. "Hunter, you have formula all over your face."

Finn guiltily looked at the floor, "I couldnt get it in his mouth and then he wouldnt let me clean it off." He set their teddy bear down and struggled to his feet, "Ill go get some paper towels. Maybe youll have an easier time cleaning him up."

Lifting Hunter and putting him against his shoulder, Blaine glanced up when heavy footsteps clomped down the stairs. Burt appeared with another box that was bursting at the edges, "Kurt, youre going to break my back with all of these clothes." He grumbled away from the phone tucked by his ear. "Huh? No, I wasnt talking to you."

Following his dad, Kurt giggled and hopped off the stairs. He ran up to the little babies playing on the floor, "Oh, my sweets!"

Burt lumbered back to the stairs, muttering something else into the phone. "Kurt, do all the clothes on your bed go into boxes?"

"Mm hm." Kurt lowered onto the floor and grabbed a rattle by Archers foot. He shook it and Archer batted at it. "Oh, Hunter! Why are you so messy?"

"He had another rough morning with his bottle." Blaine muttered, "Finns getting paper towels."

"He has more fun spitting it out and throwing his bottles than he does eating them." Shaking his head, Kurt pinched Hunters foot, "Youre a naughty baby!"

Hunter gurgled and kicked his feet. He spotted Archer rolling the rattle back and forth and he fussed, wriggling to escape Blaines grip. Blaine tightened his arms, looking up with relief when Finn burst from the kitchen. "Sorry, I couldnt find the soft ones."

Blaine took the paper towels and wiped Hunters face, then set him down to play with Archer. "All of the baby things are in the third cabinet."

Burt thumped back down the stairs, the phone still at his ear, "...no, I said that Kurt will be there in three weeks. Are you going to pick him up at the airport?" After a moment, he shook his head and rubbed his face. "I think were breaking up. Theres a lot of static. Call me when you get out of the street." He snapped his phone shut and set another box in the pile, "Kurt, your plane will get there at night... French time. I think your Aunt Laurice will be picking you up."

"Okay," Kurt smiled, tickling Archers stomach, "thank you, Dad."

"No problem, kiddo." Burt walked up to his son and kissed the top of his head. "I just want to make sure youll be okay there. Call us as soon as you get on your plane, and then when you land. And have your Aunt Laurice call me when she picks you up. The womans a loon, she forgets things you tell her ten minutes before."

"She wouldnt forget me." Kurt chirped.

Burt arched his brows, "She forgot you at a mall once. You were too little to remember. I dont think you minded much... she came back and found you looking at shoes."

Kurt looked devastated. Finn cleared his throat, "My mom forgot me at a store once."

Carole sighed, "Finny, I told you before, I didnt forget you. I was testing you to see how youd do on your own. Boy, I came back and you were crying! My baby boy needs his mama."

Lowering his head, Finn dropped to the floor and plopped onto his butt, "Mom, cut it out. I was six. Youre embarrassing me."

Burt patted Finns back, "Sometimes wed like to forget you again." When Finn scoffed and crossed his arms, Burt rubbed Blaines shoulder, "Blaine, do you mind stepping outside for a minute? Theres something I need to talk to you about."

Blaine hesitated and flicked his eyes between Kurt and Burt, then got to his feet. "What is it?"

Burt pointed at the door and led him outside, stepping onto their little porch. He pulled Blaine aside and sat down on one of the patio chairs. "Come on, I dont bite." When Blaine reluctantly sat on another chair, his back stiff and his shoulders arched, Burt rested his chin on his fists, "Youve been quiet about Kurt leaving. I just want to know what youre thinking about it."

Blaine didnt want to go through this again. He swallowed, "Im happy for Kurt."

"Thats it?" Burt raised his brows. "Thats all you have to say? Blaine, Kurts going to another continent with a five hour time difference. I dont even think he really realizes how this is going to affect his relationship with all of us."

Turning his head so Burt couldnt see the flush to his cheeks and the wetness to his eyes, Blaine whispered, "Burt, I really dont want to talk about this. Please."

Burt took what felt like a long time to reply, or maybe it just felt like that to Blaine because he was twitching to run from it. His fingernails scraped his palms, and thats when Burt spoke. "Hey, hey. None of that. Blaine, youve got to stop doing that. You cant distract yourself from pain by making more pain."

Blaines fingers wouldnt uncurl, "It hurts."

Burt stood from his chair and sat down beside of Blaine, pulling him to his chest, "I know it does. It hurts for me, too. Kurts my baby and I dont want him to leave." Blaine shuddered as Burt rubbed his back. "Boy, you act all rough and tough but youre just a big pile of mush, arent you?"

A tear dripped off Blaines nose, "I dont know what to do."

"You know youre the only one who can decide that, dont you?" Burt glanced in the living room window. "No matter what, you and Kurt will end up back together. When Kurt loves someone, he never stops loving them. Hes so devoted... He might be a little ditzy and naïve, but he knows when he loves someone. Hes a lot like his mom in that way. If you can hold out on your end of the bargain, everything will be just fine."

"Of course I will." Blaine whispered, rubbing his damp cheeks. "Kurt is my greatest love."

"Then, great," Burt wrapped an arm around Blaines shoulder, "you have nothing to worry about."

"Im good at worrying."

"I know." Burt was quiet for a few moments, then muttered, "You know, I thought France was intimidating, too. Kurts mom... she loved it. But I was horrified when she asked me to come with her. I was just a mechanic... France is a continent full of talented singers, artists, and actors who are all inspired by its beauty and elegance. And I was inspired by popped tires and bent up mufflers. I wasnt meant for France, Blaine. Not to say that you arent... but just give it some time. You know, Elizabeth and me still talked. Not as much as I would have liked, but she always tried to call when she was on break. If the accident had never happened..." he cleared his throat and scratched his nape, but didnt finish his statement. "If youre not ready for France, then you can stay here. And Kurt will be home before you know it."

"What if he doesnt want to come home?" Blaine said so lowly that Burt almost didnt catch it. "What if he falls in love with it again and doesnt come back to me? Burt, thats his home. The stage is where he belongs. Im nothing compared to-"

"Youre not to Kurt." Burt got to his feet and held his hand out, "Kid, youre everything to Kurt. Before you came around, he was thinking about leaving Ohio and not coming back. He decided on spending a year in France after you came along. I know that France is his home. But, Blaine, he loves you. Its like hes forcing himself to go back... like he doesnt want to go."

Blaine lifted his eyes to Burts face, "What?"

Burt raised his brows, "I mean that I think youre more important to him than France... than his dreams... than everything hes wanted since he was just a little boy."

"Ive never been loved like that before."

"Trust me, kid," Burt shook Blaines shoulder, "nobody has. I told you, when Kurt loves someone, he really loves them." Helping Blaine to his feet, Burt slapped his back, "Why dont you and me go inside? I think I hear Kurt squealing. Hes probably up to something."

Blaine walked on Burts heels as they returned to the living room, and he quickly rubbed his eyes to hide his tears. As expected, Kurt was bouncing in the middle of the floor. Burt arched his brows at his son, "What do you got there, honey?"

Kurt held up a miniature, electronic piano as if it was a Grammy, "Look what Carole bought the babies!" He pressed a key and to Blaines surprise the piano barked. "It makes animal sounds!"

"Oh... thats good." Burt rubbed his temple as if he was already preparing for the headache, "Does that thing have a mute button?"

Kurt ignored him and pounced onto the floor, setting it in front of the babies. "Archer, Hunter, look! Hm... what sound does this key make?" He pressed another key and there was a gobbling noise. "Oh, a chicken!"

Archers eyes widened to the size of saucers. He batted at the piano, pressing one of the keys and gurgling when it meowed. Kicking his feet, Archer patted at the keys, but was interrupted when Hunter smacked almost all of them. Archer gurgled and swatted at his hands so he would remove them from the keys.

Getting back into his rhythm, Archer poked the keys and cooed every time he heard a new animal. Suddenly, Pavarotti hopped onto the piano and stepped on one of the keys, ruining Archers melody. Everett also popped up on a key and patted his feet, causing a cow to continuously moo.

Archer gurgled in distaste, tapping the remaining keys.

Bored of the piano, Hunter struggled to lift his head so he could look at Kurt as if to urge him to give him something else to do. Kurt squeaked and patted his fingers, "Blaine, look! Hunters lifting his head! Oh, Hunter, Im so proud of you!"

Enjoying the attention, Hunter let a small smile tug his lips. It wasnt very big and he didnt open his mouth, but it was still very pretty and dimpled. "Oh, my goodness." Carole put her hand over her mouth, "His first smile. Hes growing up so fast."

Kurts eyes filled and he picked Hunter up, "Oh, you have such a pretty smile. Can you smile again? It made me very happy."

Hunter batted and tried to curve his lips, but the smile ended up lopsided. "Blaine!" Kurt chirped. "Come take a picture of him! Hes so sweet! You are a beautiful baby, Hunter." Kissing both of his cheeks, Kurt held him up when Blaine grabbed a camera off the coffee table. Blaine snapped a few of him and Kurt, enjoying seeing Kurt pose for the camera and make kissy face at the smiling baby. The sight of it made Blaines heart hurt.

Archer, who had been watching the chaos, gurgled and patted the piano again. Kurt turned and kissed the top of his head, "Oh, sweetheart! Youre a pretty baby, too. Blaine, take a few pictures of Archer or hell never forgive us."

Burt laughed, "I remember your first smile, Kurt. We were in a store and you saw a pair of glittery, pink heels. You wouldnt stop fussing until I bought them for you."

Giggling, Kurt touched his toes, "I always have pampered my feet."

"Its paid off," Carole grumbled. "My feet are covered in callouses. Yours are as soft as a babys bottom!"

"Nothing a pedicure cant fix." Kurt promised her, laying down beside Archer when he gave up on the piano and laid his cheek on the floor. "Are you sleepy?" Blaine grabbed Keegan and handed him to Kurt, and Kurt tucked him against Archers stomach. Hunter spied his yawning friend and curled up with him, his eyes closing. "Mm... I could take a nap with them. Im exhausted from all of this packing."

"Itll be over soon, sweetie." Carole patted the spot beside her on the couch and Kurt scurried over to it. Blaine followed him and sat next to him. "Then youll be back in France. Are you excited for the trip?"

Kurts reply was hesitant. He took a moment to pull a blanket draped over the back of the couch onto his lap, then he whispered, "Yes. I guess so."

"Oh, honey," Carole patted his shoulder, "dont be nervous. Well call you every day. Youll be with your aunt and youll be back to performing and modeling."

Kurt didnt say a word about that, his huge eyes on his lap. He blinked and a tear rolled down his cheek, startling Blaine. "Sweetheart, whats wrong?" Blaine murmured, pulling him close. "Dont cry."

Finn leaned as far forward as he could in his chair, "Kurt... bro... talk to me. Whats the matter? You know your big brother will take care of it for you."

Wiping his eyes, Kurt whispered, "Its just... hard for me to leave this place. I just got engaged... and I need more time with the babies... and now I have a stepmom and stepbrother." When Pavarotti climbed onto his foot to see what was wrong, Kurt scooped him up, "And I have my little birds."

"Its only a year, Kurt." Carole assured him, "I think itll be good for you, all of that performing. Who knows, maybe youll get a lead role in a musical you like."

Kurt wiped his eyes again, "I think Im going to pack more of my things." He managed a weak smile at Carole, "Thank you for the pep talk. It was very nice of you. And thank you, Finn, for asking how I am." He padded across the carpet, wrapping his arms around his stomach.

After he disappeared upstairs, Carole shook her head and put a hand over her mouth, "Poor, little dear. Hes so emotional about this... so torn. There has to be something we can do for him."

Burt shook his head, "Just support him, I guess."

Blaine got up and walked across the room, "Im going to put the babies down." Scooping both of them up, Blaine took the stairs two at a time and stopped outside of his bedroom door. He listened to the quiet sound of crying and closed his eyes, hesitantly pushing open the door. "Kurt?"

Kurt was curled up on their bed, weeping into a damp tissue. His blue eyes opened and he stared at Blaines face, then he held his arms out. "Come hold me." Blaine quickly did as he was told and climbed onto the bed, laying the babies between them. He wrapped his arms around Kurt. "Im going to miss this in three weeks."

"Dont say it," Blaine begged, kissing everywhere he saw Kurts skin. "Im thinking about now. Right now. Dont say three weeks. Please."

"We cant avoid it." Kurt sobbed harder and buried his face in Blaines shirt, his entire body trembling, "Blaine, were about to be separated for an entire year. Nothing has ever hurt so badly. Im going to miss you. I wont stop loving you... no matter what. Even if I dont hear from you for two weeks-"

Blaine kissed Kurts mouth to hush him, "No... Im calling you every day... until you pick up. I will call you a hundred times if I have to."

Kurt shuddered and grabbed Blaines shirt so tightly that he almost ripped the seams, "Hearing your voice will be good, and seeing your face on Skype will be wonderful, but nothing is like being held in your arms. Blaine, hold me tighter."

Blaine finally burst into tears and he covered his face with one arm, "Kurt." was all he said, a deep rumble from his throat. "Kurt."

Quivering, Kurt closed his eyes because he felt so tired. His emotions had been zigzagging all day and he didnt want to pack anymore and he didnt want to think about France and he didnt want to leave Blaine. "Blaine..." Kurt hiccupped, and then he dozed off.

Kurt woke up to little peeps coming from somewhere he couldnt see. He rolled over and patted for Blaine, sighing when he touched his rock hard chest. "Blaine? Is it the babies?"

Blaine sniffed, "Yeah. Im just feeding them."

Lifting his eyes to Blaines hardened face, Kurt scooted closer to him and smelled a sweet baby. Archer was resting on Blaines chest, his lips around a bottle. "Archer," he whispered, then looked around for Hunter and spotted him on Blaines other side. "Can I have Hunter?"

"Yeah," Blaine popped the bottle out of Archers mouth and set it aside, gathering up Hunter and giving him to Kurt. Kurt cooed and bounced him. "Are you okay, Kurt?"

Kurt weepily smiled and cupped Blaines face, pulling him closer. He kissed his warm mouth, "You taste like tears."

Blaine nodded, "I know. But you still taste like my sweet Kurt. I love you."

Laying his head on Blaines shoulder, Kurt whispered, "I love you, too."

Hunter hiccupped so Kurt patted his back, and Archer mewled. Lifting his head a little, Archer looked directly at Kurt and opened his mouth in a tiny smile. His blue eyes searched for Blaines face next, and he gave him the same smile. "His first smile." Kurt cooed, tearing up again. "Blaine, promise me youll record them starting to crawl and walk... and their first words. You have to promise me."

Blaines eyes filled as he realized that Kurt was going to miss all of that, "I promise you."

Kurt closed his eyes, "Im so sorry. I want to stay."

Blaine tried to blink away the tears but they just kept pouring out, "I want you to stay, too. I want you to stay." Blaines voice broke, "Dont leave me... I love you..."