Kurt slipped his charm bracelet on and clipped it, twisting it so the K and B dangled on top of his wrist, almost overlapping each other. "Kurt and Blaine," he said to himself, "Blaine and Kurt." Sighing, he brushed the wrinkles out of his shirt and stood, spinning in the mirror to check his entire outfit.

Below him, he heard stomping and his dad yelling, "Finn, come on! Were leaving for the airport in five minutes! Carole, do you have his plane ticket?"

He put his fingers in his ears and tried to tune them out. He was tired of hearing about it. "Kurt and Blaine. Blaine and Kurt." Blinking as a massive chest blocked his view of the mirror, Kurt looked up at Blaines hard face. He took his fingers out of his ears, "Hello."

Without a single word, Blaine lifted Kurts face and pressed their mouths. Kurt sighed and fell against Blaines chest, going weak in his strong grip. After a few seconds of tasting him, Blaine pushed him away and stood him up straight. He turned and went to the pink suitcase by the door, dragging it out. Kurt wrapped his arms around his stomach, "I want you to talk to me." He whispered to nobody.

He jumped when his dad yelled again, "Kurt, are you ready to go?"

"No." Kurt slid his arm through his purse strap and his two little birds popped their heads out of the holes. "My little sweets. I love you both so much." Kissing both of their beaks, Kurt hesitantly walked to the door and stood by it. He glanced back into his almost bare room, the dressers cleared of his moisturizers and makeup, some of the pictures taken off the walls, and one of the pillows missing from the bed.

He went through a checklist of everything he had, but he couldnt see anything left of his in the room. Tapping his chin, Kurt pulled off his jacket and laid it on the bed. He returned to the closet which he had visited many times that morning to make sure he hadnt forgotten anything, and he searched through Blaines shirts. He picked a blue and white button up and pulled it from the hanger, draping it over his shoulders.

He looked around his room again and walked up to one of the dressers, a few picture frames and some of Blaines cologne on it. Swiping a cologne that Blaine used very often, Kurt unzipped his purse and tucked it in with his birds. "Okay..." he glanced at the door and padded over to it, peeking out of it.

"Kurt!" His dad shouted again, "We dont want to miss your plane!"

With one last glimpse of his bedroom, Kurt snuck into the hallway and scurried down the stairs. "Im coming."

"Okay..." Carole tapped her pen on a notepad, "He has all of his clothes. Oh, no. His toothbrush. Kurt, do you have your toothbrush?"

"Mm hm." Kurt pointed at the exact pocket in his luggage case that it was in.

"And your socks..." she made a little checkmark by that. Pursing her lips at the next item, she leaned into him and whispered, "Do you have underwear?"

Kurt blushed, "Yes. Carole, I have everything. I went through all of my drawers just an hour ago."

"Oh, good," she set her checklist down. "Burt, it looks like were ready to go. How are you feeling, Kurt? Nervous?"

Kurt nodded, then quieted as his dad pulled his phone from his pocket. "Im going to call your Aunt Laurice one more time... just to make sure shes prepared." Before typing in her number, he shouted, "Finn! Lets go!"

Finn kicked the bathroom door open, "Sorry... I was in the bathroom."

Burt frowned, "If your bathroom trips take that long, you need to see a doctor or something." Putting the phone to his ear, Burt grumbled, "Laurice, were heading to the airport now. Do you have his room ready?"

Carole patted his back, "Come on, lets get you out to the car. You wont get too cold in France, will you? Whats the weather like there? Do you need a sweater?" She opened the door and nudged him out of the house.

Laughing, Kurt shook his head, "Ill be fine, I promise." He spied Blaine bending over the back seat, and he looked in the car to see what he was doing. Two little babies looked back at him. Blaine finished strapping Hunter in and stood upright again. His eyes were still dark and hollow as he stared at Kurt.

He finally opened his mouth after a morning of being almost silent, "Your luggage is in the trunk."

"Thank you." was all Kurt said, and he climbed in next to the babies. Blaine boosted him into the car, then followed him and sat down beside him.

Kurt turned to the babies and took a wet rattle from Archers mouth, shaking it. Archer gurgled and batted at it, wrapping his dimpled fingers around it and sticking it back in his mouth.

Burt and Carole finally opened the front doors and got in, and Finn squeezed through the little gap next to Hunters car seat and sat in the back. Burt glanced in the rearview mirror at Kurt as he put the car in reverse, "Kurt, are you okay? Dont worry when you get to the airport in Paris. Your aunt should be right at the exit when you get off the plane, and if shes not you should look for the nearest place with food. Shell probably be there."

Despite his nervousness, Kurt managed a giggle, "She always did love to eat what I cooked."

Burt turned a corner, "The woman has quite a stomach."

Carole twisted around and patted Kurts knee, "Really, Kurt... theres no reason to be nervous. Youll be great in France. You were before. Youll get involved in a new modeling project, and probably a Broadway show... youll be having so much fun that you wont even notice that you miss us."

Kurt had nothing to say to that, so Carole turned around and mumbled something to Burt. Glancing at Blaine, who was staring out the window, Kurt snuggled into his side and laid his head on his shoulder. He closed his eyes. After a moment, an arm slid around him and tugged him closer. Blaine pressed a gentle kiss to his hair, "I love you."

Kurt wrapped his arms around Blaine, "Im not letting go."

"I dont want you to." Blaine pressed his face to the top of Kurts head. The two of them stayed like that for the rest of the drive, saying absolutely nothing but everything at once.

After a while, the car rocked over a speed bump and Kurt opened his eyes. Burt pulled into the airport parking lot and that was the exact moment that everything really hit Kurt. Tears swelled in his eyes, "Dad... wait." He begged, as if urging him to turn the car around right then and there and drive him back home. "I dont want to go."

Burt sighed and stopped the car in a parking spot, "Kurt, youll be fine. Everythings already figured out... its just a year. Your aunts looking forward to seeing you."

"But I dont want to leave!" Kurts voice got higher and he dug his heels into the floor. "I want to stay."

"Sweetie," Carole tried to soothe him, "youll love it in France. Come on, lets get your stuff. Well walk you inside." Stepping out of the car with Burt, Carole walked around to the trunk and popped it open. Kurt shuddered as he heard the wheels of his luggage hit the ground.

"I made a mistake." Kurt whispered more to himself than anyone else. He felt Finn rub his shoulder.

"Hey, little bro..." Finn slid out of the gap and stepped outside, holding his hand out for Kurt. "Its not that bad. I have a going away present for you."

Kurt stayed in the car, scooting toward Blaine, who hadnt moved. "Blaine, dont make me go." He pleaded and linked their fingers.

"Its your choice," Blaine told him. "You dont have to go, Kurt." When Kurt didnt move, his entire body trembling and his huge eyes flicking from Finn to where Carole and Burt were unloading some of his stuff, Blaine muttered, "Finn, give us a minute."

Finn hesitated, but then he walked away from the open door. Blaine pulled Kurt into his arms, "Kurt, look at me..." Cupping Kurts small face, Blaine turned his head so he could meet his shimmering eyes. "Baby..."

"Blaine, its you I want." Kurt hiccupped, tears spilling from his eyes again. "Blaine."

"And you have me," Blaine stroked the tear streaks away with his thumbs. "Kurt, Im yours. See?" He rubbed Kurts engagement ring, "Honey, were going to be married. I dont know when, but I do know why. I fell in love with you, and Im always going to love you, even if were a thousand miles apart... even if we dont talk at all over the next year. When you come home, Im going to love you. Youre my sweetheart." Kissing the tip of Kurts wrinkled nose, Blaine whispered, "You have no idea... how hard it is for me not to be selfish and keep you here. But I know that some part of you wants this... or else you never would have bought a plane ticket. You want to be on stage. You want to model. And I cant keep you from that."

"But I want you more." Burying his face in Blaines shirt, Kurt mumbled, "I dont know what Id do without you."

"You wont be without me." He tilted Kurts chin and looked into his big, blue eyes. "I told you, well Skype every day. Ill call you."

"But I wont be in your arms." Kurt mewled, desperate for Blaine to tell him what to do. He just wanted someone else to tell him if it was okay to leave, if Blaine would be okay without him, if hed be okay without Blaine.

Blaines dark eyes filled, and he clutched Kurt tighter, "I know. But try... try to remember this." He rested Kurt against his chest, "What it feels like to be against my chest."

Kurt squeezed Blaine tightly, "What about your kisses?"

"Sweetheart..." Blaine buried his face in Kurts hair, "Ill send a thousand of them with you." When Kurt didnt pull away from him, Blaine whispered, "You just have to know that this isnt the end of us. Youll come home in a year... and Ill still be here, Kurt. And when you come back, Ill kiss you and hold you for as long as you need."

Kurt blinked, "You want me to go?"

Blaine cleared his throat, "I know what I want... but Id be an ass if I made you stay. Kurt, you cant give up Broadway and fashion for me."

Sniffing, Kurt rubbed his puffy eyes, "What about you? What will you do?"

He shrugged, "Ill take care of the babies. I like doing that." Stroking Kurts cheek, Blaine kissed his forehead, "You dont have to worry about me." Turning away from Kurt, Blaine unbuckled Hunter and scooped him up in one arm. He grabbed Archer with the other.

Burt hit the side of the car, "Come on, Kurt. Well get you checked in."

Kurt nervously curled his fingers into his shirt. Pushing open his door as Blaine climbed out on the other side, Kurt scurried around the car and met Blaine in front of it. He instantly grabbed his arm. "This place is much bigger than what I remember. I feel lost."

"Youre fine, kiddo." Burt rubbed his back.

His family remained in silence for the rest of the walk inside, his dad looking up at the arrows pointing to luggage pickup, bathrooms, and check-in desks. "Okay, theres the plane Kurts taking." His dad stepped away from them. "Ill go get him checked in."

After his dad walked up to the desk and started showing a woman paperwork, Finn touched Kurts shoulder, "Hey, Kurt... heres your present." Fishing his wallet out of his pocket, he opened it and pulled out a picture cut in the shape of his locket. He showed it to Kurt, "Its one of the entire family. See? Even your birds and the babies are in it."

Kurt took the tiny picture and looked at it. His dad and Carole had their arms around each other, and Blaine was standing in the middle with Pavarotti and Everett on his shoulder and the babies in his arms. Finn was beside Blaine, his arm around him. Kurts eyes swelled with tears and his lips trembled. He handed the picture back to Finn before any of his tears fell onto it. "Its beautiful, Finn. I have the most wonderful family."

Finn grabbed Kurts locket and popped it open, sliding the tiny picture inside. "There... now you can have us with you in France." Closing the locket back up again, Finn kept it in his fingers and sniffed, his own eyes becoming damp. "Im going to miss you, little bro."

That struck a tender nerve in Kurt and he covered his face as more tears spilled from his eyes. Finn wrapped his arms around him, "Sorry... I didnt mean to make you cry."

"Oh, sweetie," Carole bundled both Finn and Kurt in her arms, "youve cried so much that you shouldnt have any tears left. Come here." Wiping Kurts pink face with a tissue, she stuck a pile of them in his palm. "There. Just in case you havent gotten all of your tears out yet."

Burt returned with a packet of paperwork that he was sticking in his jacket pocket, "Its all set. Kurt, you see that woman over there?" He pointed to a woman waiting by a pole. "Shell take care of you... get you on the plane. Whenever youre ready, honey."

"Burt, give him a minute." Carole censured, rubbing Kurts arms. "Were not rushing you, sweetie. Take all the time you need."

Kurt wiped his eyes with another tissue, stumbling into his dads arms. "Dad," he hiccupped.

"Shh..." Burt gathered Kurt up, "everything will be okay, Kurt. Youll be happy in France. Its where you belong. Im so damned proud of you for all your dreams."

"I love you," Kurt whispered.

"I love you, too, kiddo." Peeling Kurt off his chest, Burt kissed the top of his head.

Kurt finally turned and looked at Blaine, who was staring at the ground and swallowing thickly. "Blaine?" Taking a step toward him, Kurt unzipped his purse and let his little birds step onto his fingers. He gave them both kisses before holding them out to Blaine. "I want you to keep Pavarotti and Everett."

Pavarotti and Everett chirped and wiggled.

Blaine shook his head, "Sweetheart-"

"Please?" Kurt set them on his shoulder, "Blaine, youll have more time for them. Ill be busy with photo shoots and interviews and... you just have to take them. Theyll feel lonely all the time if they stay with me." Trembling, Kurt kissed Archers pudgy cheek. "I love you, Archer. I wont be able to see you grow up but I cant wait to see you when youre a year old."

Kurt turned to Hunter and squeezed his little feet, kissing his forehead. "Youll be happy with Blaine, I promise."

Lifting his eyes to Blaines hard face, Kurt frowned as a tear flirted with Blaines lashes then spilled onto his cheek. Another one fell, then another. "Blaine." He whispered, reaching up and cupping Blaines face. His stubble scratched the soft spots under Kurts fingers. Blaine turned his head and kissed Kurts palm.

Standing on his toes, Kurt pressed his body to Blaines and touched their lips. Blaine was as still as a statue against him. "Blaine..." Kurt opened his mouth on Blaines, "kiss me back. Please... kiss me back."

Blaine shuddered and rubbed his mouth on Kurts. Whimpering, Kurt deepened the kiss with a lick of his tongue, "I love you, Blaine Anderson."

Sobbing, Blaine tore away and rubbed his eyes. Kurt tugged him back and pressed their lips again, "Its okay... dont be sad. Tell me you love me."

Blaine moaned, laying his cheek on Kurts shoulder, "You know I do... youre my everything. Youre my greatest love. I love you... Kurt Hummel. I love you so much." Kissing Kurts shoulder, Blaine blew out heavily and backed up a step. "Ill be here when you get home. Ill be here for you... Ill wait for you. Ill still love you."

Kurt took a deep breath, his huge eyes on Blaines crumpled face, "Ill miss you." Hearing a call for his plane to start boarding, Kurt waved at his family and wrapped his arms around his stomach. "Goodbye."

All of them stood completely still as Kurt turned and wandered away, heading toward the girl by the pole. She smiled and said something to him, guiding him to the entrance to the plane. Kurt glanced over his shoulder one more time, then he disappeared down the hallway. Carole took a deep breath, "I hope hes alright."

Burt wrapped his arm around her shoulders, "Hell be just fine. Hes good at making friends and he likes his aunt. Hell be okay."

Finn glanced at Blaines emotionless face, "How do you feel, bro?"

Blaines answer was very flat, "Dont ask me that right now."

Sighing, Carole slid her purse onto her shoulder and started heading towards the doors, "Come on, guys. Lets get going."

Burt followed her, but Blaine stayed exactly where he was. Finn hesitantly remained beside him, torn between following his parents and worrying about Blaine. "Dude... lets go."

Blaines bottom lip quivered and he dug his heels into the floor. Suddenly, a little figure darted out of the hallway and ran straight toward Blaine. "Blaine!" Kurt squeaked, almost tripping on his skirt. He jumped onto Blaine and rested his cheek on his chest, "I love you."

Blaines knees almost caved and he lassoed Kurt in his arms, "I love you, too." Kissing Kurts cheeks and lips, Blaine held him tight. "Kurt, what are you doing?"

"I just had to see you one more time." He murmured, clinging to Blaines neck. "Why are you still standing here? I was worried I wouldnt see you... that youd already walked away."

Blaine shook his head, "Maybe I was thinking that youd do something like this." He nuzzled Kurts face with his own, "And I didnt want to miss it."

A loudspeaker interrupted them, "Last call for boarding to Paris, France."

Kurt reluctantly dropped his hands to his sides, "I have to go. I love all of you." Kissing Blaine again, Kurt whispered, "Ill call you tonight. Ill want to hear your voice."

"Ill keep my phone with me for as long as it takes until you call." Blaine assured him. "I love you."

"I love you, too." Kurt pressed their mouths and slid his tongue into Blaines mouth, tasting him and memorizing the warmth of his lips, the way his tongue always tickled the bottom of Kurts then poked the tip. Moaning, Kurt touched Blaines face and felt his cheeks become hollow every time he took a breath. He memorized the stubble on Blaines jaw, the roughness and scratchiness of it.

Blaine shuddered and tilted his head, deepening the kiss. He forced his tongue further into Kurts mouth. Kurt didnt want to stop to breathe, but he felt himself getting lightheaded. Or maybe that was just what Blaine was doing to him. Finally, he realized that he hadnt inhaled for about thirty seconds so he parted their lips to catch his breath.

Blaine quickly tugged him back in, "Mm... dont." Biting Kurts bottom lip so he couldnt escape that time, Blaine licked Kurts tongue, making it impossible for Kurt to think about anything except Blaines talented lips.

The loudspeaker startled Kurt from his focus on Blaines mouth, "Final call for boarding to Paris, France. Final call."

Kurt tightened his arms around Blaine, "Blaine..."

Blaine lifted his head from kissing Kurts jaw, and he looked devastated. "I love you." He said for the last time, and Kurt shook his head.

"I love you..." Managing to slide his hands off of Blaines arms, Kurt trembled to fall against him and forget about everything except him. "Blaine."

"Kurt." Blaine muttered, shuddering as he let go of Kurt. His fingers curled and he boosted the babies higher up on his chest, his dark eyes never drifting from Kurts weepy face. "Kurt."

He started to go after Kurt when he turned and padded back to the hallway leading to the plane, but Finn grabbed his shoulder. "Dont."

Kurt stepped into the hallway, glancing over his shoulder as two men closed the doors behind him. "I love you," he mouthed, tears falling from his eyes. He turned and walked down the hallway, and the doors slammed shut.

A horrific sound ripped from Blaines throat. He was sure he would have collapsed to the floor had he not had the babies in his arms. Finn rubbed his back, and Blaine jerked away from him. "Dont touch me."

Burt groaned, "Blaine, dont do this. Were all dealing with not having him anymore-"

Blaine shoved Finn away when he went to grab him again, "He was all I had, Burt!" He almost yelled, "Fuck you if you dont get that!" Running in the opposite direction that the car was, Blaine clutched his babies and darted into one of the single bathrooms where he could be alone.

Shutting himself inside, Blaine set his babies on the changing counter and dropped to the floor. He sat on his heels and shoveled his fingers into his hair. Violent tears burst out of him, shaking him so hard he felt like he had to throw up.

His heart was breaking. Hed lost his everything... his greatest love.

Kurt stepped onto the plane and followed the girl to a row near the middle, glancing at everything as he passed it. "Here you go," she pointed to an empty row. "Your purse can go up there. You can turn that TV on. Be sure to ask for anything. Can I get you a drink to start with?"

"Mm..." Kurt patted his unsettled stomach, "do you have warm milk?"

Her brows furrowed, "Warm... milk? No, but we could heat it up in our microwave."

Kurt managed a smile, "Could I have a cup, please?"

"Yes. Is there anything else you need?" She started to back away, and when he shook his head she turned around and headed to the front of the plane.

Looking up at the overhead bin, Kurt stretched on his toes and tried to open it, but it was stuck. He pushed a little harder, alarmed when another hand reached up and lifted it for him. "Those things can be tricky." The person who helped him chuckled, taking his purse from him and swinging it up. He shoved his own bag up there and closed it back, then shot a smile at Kurt. "Hi there."

Blinking at the man, Kurt said, "Hello."

The man, who Kurt thought might have been twenty or so, held his strong hand out, "My names Brody, in case you didnt know that already."

Kurt hesitantly draped his hand over the mans, and he chuckled again, "Oh, right. You dont shake." He laid his hand under Kurts.

"How did you know that?" Kurt curled his fingers and took his hand away. "Oh... um... Im sorry, Im-"

"Kurt Hummel." The man-Brody-threw himself down in Kurts row, sprawling out in the window seat. "And thats how I knew. Youre a model... Broadway singer... yeah, everybody knows who you are."

Kurt sat down in the seat next to Brodys, "Are you... French? You have an accent."

"Yeah, I live in Paris." Brody held his hand up and examined his fingernails, then he shook his head, "Do you have hand sanitizer? You never know whats in these disgusting airports."

Kurt shook his head, "No... I dont have any."

"Funny that you dont." Brody snorted, wiping his hand on his pants. "You are a model, after all. Models have to have perfect hands." When Kurt didnt say anything, he raised his brows and cleared his throat, "Anyway, Im Brody Weston. Im a famous Broadway singer. Ive directed at least ten shows, performed in seventeen shows, and I was just asked to star as a lead role... not that its big news. That happens all the time."

"Oh," Kurt smiled at him, "thats very impressive." Pulling his phone out of his pocket, Kurt tried to listen to something else Brody was saying but he was too distracted. He glanced up when Brody stopped talking, and he followed his eyes to his screensaver.

"Whos that guy?" Brody pointed at Blaine, who was kissing Kurts cheek in the picture. "And who does his hair? It looks like a mess."

Kurt frowned, "Hes my fiancé."

Brodys humored expression instantly died, "Oh... your fiancé? I didnt know you were engaged." He glanced at Kurts left hand, "Hm... thats a nice ring youve got there. He could have done better. I bought my last boyfriend a ring that cost about ten times as much as he probably spent on that."

Trying to ignore the insult, Kurt hid his ring by pressing it to his thigh, "Oh... are you two still engaged?"

"We were never engaged." Brody laughed as if Kurt was ridiculous, "Brody Weston cant be tied down, sweet cheeks. I bought him stuff so he would sleep with me."

Shocked, Kurt pressed his fingertips to his lips, but before he could say anything the girl returned with his warm milk. "Is this warm enough?" She handed it to him.

He sipped it and sighed as it warmed his upset stomach, "Its wonderful, thank you." Drinking from the cup, Kurt felt Brodys eyes on his face. "Did you want a cup? Its very good."

Brody grimaced, "No, I actually think thats gross." Leaning back in his seat, Brody crossed his arms, "So, anyway, as I was saying... this guy walks up to me and he asks me to be in this movie and Im like... come on, bro, youve got to tell me where were filming and who youre casting. And you know what the guy says?"

Kurt didnt know what he was talking about but he played along, "What?"

"Justin Timberlake." He snorted so loudly that a couple of people glared at him. "And Im like... but hes an amateur in film making. Hes only been in, what, three movies? Brody Weston doesnt work with amateurs."

"Mm hm." Kurt nodded.

Brody went on as if Kurt hadnt made a sound, "And then the next day Justin Timberlakes manager calls me and hes talking about how hell sue me if I put a bad name on Justin in the media. And Im like... bro, chill out. But then he..."

Kurt glanced out the window when the plane shuddered and started rolling. He squeezed his arm rest, "Oh..."

Distracted from his complaining, Brody frowned at Kurt, "Are you scared of flying?"

Kurt shook his head, "No... its just hard to leave Ohio."

"You cant be serious." Checking his nails again, Brody rolled his eyes. "I was just on tour here for today. I couldnt wait to get back to Paris. Touring in Italy, Australia... and even Las Vegas wasnt so bad, but Ohio was just terrible. I tried to convince my manager to take it off the tour list, but he said itd look good for my public image... hanging out with those little fans that arent really necessary but make up about a thousand or so of my millions of followers on Twitter."

Kurt looked at Brody for a few minutes, wondering if his ego was really that big or if he was playing a joke on Kurt. Brody, who had gone on talking about a bad experience at a fancy restaurant, noticed Kurt looking at him and winked. "If you want to see any more, Ill take my shirt off."

Kurt turned bright red, "No, thank you." Flicking his eyes to his lap, Kurt rubbed his stomach, "Im getting hungry. I think Ill ask if they have cheesecake."

"Gross," Brody grumbled. "I thought you were a model. Dont models have to stay thin?"

Kurt blushed again, "But I like cheesecake... especially with warm strawberries and sugar. Yummy."

"Apparently youre not like other models." Rolling his eyes for what Kurt was sure wouldnt be the last time, Brody held a finger up. "That reminds me... obviously youve heard of Kim Kardashian... oh, this one is really good..."

Kurt swallowed a yawn and he rested his cheek on his fist, turning his head so Brody couldnt see him so tired. He was so sleepy. Noticing a woman sitting in the row next to his, Kurt peeped, "Excuse me, do you know how long this plane trip is?"

The woman looked up from wiping her sons mouth and smiled at him, "I think its about seven to eight hours. Im sorry for being so blunt... but I think you are so pretty. I love your outfit."

"Thank you," Kurt managed to curve his lips. "I like your shoes."

Pointing at his ring, the woman murmured, "He is a very lucky man."

Kurt giggled, "Im luckier than he is." Wiggling deeper into his seat, Kurt closed his eyes and dreamt about Blaine.

Finn knocked on the bathroom door again, "Blaine, are you okay?" Pushing open the door, Finn peeked inside and frowned at Blaine, who was sobbing into a pile of tissues. "Blaine, come on. Weve got to leave. Pull yourself together."

He walked past Blaine and picked up the babies, "I get that you miss him... but this is ridiculous. Get up." Kicking Blaines leg, Finn handed the babies to Burt and Carole and dragged Blaine up. He almost carried him through the airport, and when they got to their car he threw Blaine inside.

"Give me the babies," Blaine growled, taking them against his chest when Carole handed them over.

"Blaine, sweetie, are you alright?" Carole asked after she got in the passenger side.

Blaine didnt say a word, his dark eyes glaring out the window. For the entire trip home he stayed like that, huddled against the window, not a noise out of him. No one bothered consoling him. They knew it was no use trying to bring Blaine back to himself.

After twenty minutes, Burt pulled into their driveway and shut the car off. "Okay, um... lets wait to hear from Kurt to see how hes doing."

Blaine stepped out of the car and shuffled into the house, keeping the babies on his shoulders. Pavarotti and Everett grabbed onto his shirt tightly so they wouldnt fall off. Storming up the stairs, Blaine pushed open his door and glanced inside. His room was stripped of everything he loved. It seemed too big now. He had space to set things on the dressers now that all of Kurts moisturizers were gone, and the walls were too bare.

He noticed a little, white jacket on the bed and picked it up, glitter falling onto his fingers. Laying the babies on his bed, Blaine sniffed the jacket and got a whiff of Kurt. "Kurt..." he whispered. "Kurt." He fell to the bed and curled into a ball around his babies, crying into the soft mattress that still smelled like Kurt. His little birds hopped off of him and nipped his hair.

Archer mumbled and patted Blaines chest, and Blaine looked down at his baby. His blue eyes wrinkled and he gurgled at Blaine, tugging his bowtie. "Dont be scared... Im just a little sad." Blaine whispered to him, kissing his cheek.

Batting at Blaine, Archer curled into his chest and closed his eyes. Hunter pressed his face into Archers back, his brown eyes staring up at Blaine.

Blaine laid his cheek on his bed and pulled his phone from his pocket. He closed his fist around it and closed his eyes, then he waited. "You said youll call me... you said you wanted to hear my voice... Ill wait for hours..."

Kurt opened his eyes and stretched as his plane smacked the ground. The loudspeaker alerted him when someone muttered into it, "We are now arriving in Paris, France. Enjoy your stay." Lifting his head, Kurt rubbed his eyes and glanced around, but all he could see out the window were the plane lights gleaming through the blanket of darkness.

Beside him, Brody moved and shuffled past him, "You know, youre cute when you sleep. But you kept talking. Im guessing Blaine is your fiancé?"

"Hm?" Kurt lifted his eyes to Brody as he opened the overhead bin and pulled out his bag, then Kurts purse. He handed it to him. "Oh... Im sorry. I usually dont talk in my sleep." Standing, Kurt followed Brody into the aisle.

"No big deal," Brody shrugged. "Hey, I took your phone while you were sleeping and added my number. You should give me a call sometime... or visit the Rogue Theatre. I work there. Can I see you around sometime?"

Kurt smiled reassuringly as he stepped off the plane, "Id like that, thank you." Slipping his purse onto his arm, Kurt exited the plane hallway and glanced around for his aunt. He spotted her a couple feet away. "Oh... Im sorry, I have to go now. It was nice meeting you, Brody."

"You, too." Brody winked at him. "Remember, youve got to call me!"

Brushing his outfit off, Kurt spun around and rushed up to his aunt, "Aunt Laurice!"

She squealed loud enough for the people on the next continent to hear her, "My little Kurt! Come here and give your aunt a big hug." Pulling him into her arms, she rubbed his back. "Look at you. As pretty as your mama. Youve filled out nicely. Has my brother-in-law been feeding you right?"

"Ive been eating just fine." He promised her, "And what about you? Have you been eating well?"

She smiled and wrapped her arm around him, "Ive been going out with friends to these nice restaurants, but none of them make food as good as you. But, Kurt, look at you! Your cheeks are rosy and you have a sparkle in your eye. You must have liked Ohio, then. Tell me all that happened."

Kurt blushed, "If you must know... I met a man."

"A man?" She made a sound like shed just seen a delicious food. "Not even a boy. And what happened with this man of yours?"

Lifting his left hand, Kurt laughed as she squealed again. "Kurt, youre wearing a ring!"

"We got engaged." He pulled out his phone and opened it, startled when he saw a text from his newest contact. "Oh... Im sorry..." He clicked out of that.

"Is his name Brody?" she nudged him.

"Oh, no." Kurt shook his head, "I just met him on the plane." He pointed at his screensaver, "This is him... his name is Blaine. Isnt he handsome?"

"Mm," she took his phone from him and looked closer at the picture, "that is one hunk of a man. Well, tell me about him. Whats he like? Does he have lots of ex-boyfriends? Do I get to talk to him on the phone? Id like to hear his voice... I bet its deep and manly."

Flushing, Kurt covered his face, "Aunt Laurice, youre making me blush. Well... hes very kind and gentle. Hes quiet, but he does have an amazing voice and laugh. Hes a singer, too. He loves me very much... and I love him. His brother just had a baby and hes raising him for now, and a good friend of ours just gave him her baby. Hes very good with children."

"Sounds like youve got yourself a good man." She guided him out to the parking lot and through the maze of cars.

Kurt nodded, "Yes... I do. I miss him very much, Aunt Laurice. Do you mind if I have some time to myself to call him when I get home? I need to hear his voice."

"Sweetie, of course you can." She opened his door for him, "I know youre tired and probably want to talk to everyone back in Ohio. You can do all of your unpacking later. Do you want me to make you a glass of warm milk before you go to bed?"

"That would be very nice." Kurt turned on the radio and smiled as one of his favorite songs came on. "I forgot about this one. Its been so long since Ive heard anyone sing in French."

"Mm hm..." she backed out of the parking lot and pulled onto the main road. "You used to hum along with it. You were such a good singer. Do you still keep up your singing?"

"Yes." He murmured, "I was in a glee club at my school."

"Good for you, sweetie." Turning a corner, she pointed at a little shop. "Do you remember that ice cream store? I used to take you to it every weekend. You always ordered strawberry."

"Oh, Im so glad its still open!" Kurt squeaked, turning around to admire it. "I almost didnt recognize it with its new design. They made good ice cream." He glanced at more of the stores, "Oh, I remember all of these! My mom bought me a tiara for my birthday every year in that boutique shop."

"Mm hm," his aunt nodded. "You always loved getting those. Your dad would take pictures of you strutting around with those on. We would have a laugh at them."

Kurt smiled, "Do you think we can visit the boutique shop and ice cream store again?"

"Anytime you want." She turned onto a narrow street and pulled into a driveway. "This is it... the same house you grew up in. I got your room ready. I redecorated a little... I hope you like pink and white."

Nervously stepping out of the car, Kurt listened to his aunt pulling his luggage out of the back of her car. He stared up at his little home. "Go on in, Kurt." She encouraged him.

Humming, he walked up the steps and pushed open the door. The floor creaked under his feet, the same creaking he remembered from a year ago. Baby pictures of him were hung up in the hallways. He smelled cinnamon and apples. "I know it needs some dusting off," she commented, leaving his luggage at the bottom of the stairs. "But it has everything youll need... a TV, a laptop, a couple of windows. I think its alright."

"Its perfect... exactly how I remember." He started toward the stairs, "Can I go see my room?"

"Sure... just walk up and turn right. Im sure you know that, though. Ill fix you a cup of warm milk and make some coffee for myself. Let me know if you want coffee. Are you hungry? I can put on some oatmeal." She walked past the stairs and stopped by the kitchen.

"I am hungry," Kurt touched his stomach. "Oatmeal sounds nice."

"Okay, sweetie." She disappeared into the kitchen.

Scurrying upstairs, Kurt turned the corner and opened his door. His room here wasnt half the size of his room in Ohio, but it was cozy and warm. His walls were white with little roses painted on them. The only thing on his dresser was a music box. His bed was in the corner, facing a small TV.

Walking deeper into the room, Kurt opened his curtains and stared at the city outside his window. He rubbed his sleeve on the dusty glass and pulled his phone out, snapping a quick picture of the busy city, lights still twinkling and horns honking. "Its not Ohio," he whispered to himself, turning around and sitting on his bed.

He opened his phone again and stared at his screen saver, tears filling his eyes as he gazed at Blaines face. "I miss you." Kissing the picture of Blaine, Kurt put his phone down. He opened the text from Brody. "Hey, sweet cheeks. What are you wearing?" He read it out loud and frowned at it.

He didnt bother replying and instead lay down on his bed, typing in a very familiar number. It didnt ring for more than two seconds before he heard a click, "Kurt?"

Kurt almost started crying, "I hear your voice. Please, keep talking. I like the sound of it."

Blaine sounded breathless, and Kurt could hear blankets rustling, "Sweetheart... its me. Where are you? What are you doing? Oh, Kurt. Baby."

Kurt kissed his phone again, as if Blaine could somehow feel it, "Im in my house. Oh, Blaine, its so pretty here. You should see it... Youd love it. I remember all the shops and all the streets."

"Are you happy?" Blaine asked him, and Kurt nodded then remembered that Blaine couldnt see him.

"Yes, Im very happy." Biting his bottom lip, Kurt whispered, "I just miss you."

"I miss you, too." Blaines voice lowered, "Im counting the seconds until I can hold you in my arms again. I miss your kisses... and feeling your arms around me... and seeing your smile." There was another shuffling sound, then what sounded like a baby gurgling.

Kurt wiped his wet eyes, "How are the babies? How are Pavarotti and Everett? What about the rest of the family?"

"Everyones fine, Kurt." Blaine whispered, "The babies just woke up from a nap... and Pavarotti and Everett went somewhere... probably exploring. You know how they are. But everythings fine. Theyre sad... but I think theyre okay. How is your aunt?"

"Shes great." Kurt grinned, "I told her about you. Shes excited... she wants to meet you. She said that youre a hunk of a man."

For the first time that day, Blaine laughed, "Tell her I said thank you." He got quiet as another baby mewled, then he said, "Kurt."

Kurt swallowed, another tear streaking down his face, "I dont want to be without you anymore."

"Im still here." Blaine whispered. "I still love you. I promise you, Kurt, Im not going anywhere. This hurts but I know Ill have you back one day."

Closing his eyes, Kurt murmured, "Blaine, I love you. Your voice is so soothing."

His aunt knocked on his door, and Kurt looked up at her, "Kurt, sweetie, I have your oatmeal on the counter. Make sure you eat it before it gets cold."

"Mm hm," Kurt said to her, then he returned his attention to the phone. "My aunt made me oatmeal. I have to go eat. Can I Skype with you tomorrow morning?"

"Yes." Blaine muttered, "You sound tired."

"I could fall asleep right now." Kurt agreed, yawning as he thought of laying his head on the pillow and closing his eyes.

Blaine sniffed, "Ill Skype you in the morning. Goodnight, sweetheart. I love you so much."

"Sleep tight," Kurt whispered, then remembered that it was earlier in Ohio. "I love you, Blaine." He didnt want to hang up, and neither did Blaine, so they remained in silence for a few minutes. Kurt finally whispered, "Blaine?"

Blaines voice was so quiet that Kurt almost didnt hear him, "Yeah?"

Kurt didnt know what to say. He sniffled and wiped his teary eyes, "I want to keep listening to your voice."

"You dont have to hang up, Kurt." Blaine assured him, "Leave your phone on. I wont hang up."

"You promise?" Kurt set his phone down but kept his face close to it so he could hear Blaines reply.

"Yeah," was all Blaine said. "Ill make you feel better, sweetheart. Go eat... youre probably hungry."

Kurt pressed a kiss to his phone, "Okay. Thank you, Blaine." Scooting off his bed, Kurt ran out of his bedroom and down the stairs. He hurried into the kitchen, "Oh, the oatmeal smells so good!"

"It should." His aunt scooted the bowl toward him. "Im the best oatmeal maker in the city." Sitting down across from him, his aunt rested her elbows on the table, "Was that Blaine, sweetie?"

"Mm hm." He took a drink of his warm milk. "It was nice hearing his voice."

She smiled, "Hes good to you, isnt he?" Stroking his hair off his forehead as he scooped a hot bite into his mouth, she said, "Your eyes sparkle whenever you hear his name, just like your moms whenever she heard your dads name."

Blushing, Kurt took another drink. "Hes wonderful to me. Im going to Skype with him tomorrow morning."

She tapped under his chin, "Im starting to think you love this Blaine guy a little too much. You havent once mentioned modeling or Broadway. Its all about Blaine with you."

"I love him, Aunt Laurice." He said without hesitation, "Hes everything to me. Not even Broadway or modeling makes me feel the way he does. He makes me so dizzy and then my cheeks get red and my hands tremble."

She arched a brow at him, "Sounds like youve really got the itch for him. I remember when your mom was like this. She was just a teenager... we were sharing a room and Id get so mad and throw pillows at her because shed stay up all night talking about your dad. She was so jittery about him."

Kurt giggled, resting his chin on the counter, "Hes all I can think about, Aunt Laurice. I miss him so much." Lifting his eyes to her gentle face, he whispered, "Did I make a mistake leaving him?"

She sighed and smoothed his hair, "I dont know the answer to that, sweetie. If you want to go back, you can. I wont stop you. You know, your mom wanted to go back quite a few times. After she met Burt and had you, it was like shed lost interest in Broadway. But why dont you give it a few more weeks? If you really miss him, Ill buy you a plane ticket." Kissing the top of his head, she murmured, "You look sleepy. Why dont you go up to bed? Youll be able to think about it clearer if youre not as tired."

"Mm..." Kurt slid off his stool. "Thank you, Aunt Laurice. Goodnight."

"Hey, Kurt?" She said before he left the room. "Why didnt he just come with you? Ohio cant be that interesting to him."

Kurt shrugged, "Its... complicated. He has some things to figure out... and I understand. Im not mad at him."

"Okay," she nodded. "Goodnight, sweetie. Ill see you bright and early."

Kurt smiled, "Aunt Laurice, can I make breakfast in the morning? Cooking soothes me."

She grinned, "Cook away, my friend. Itll be nice taking a break from the kitchen and having a taste of your cooking. Ive missed that the most... that and your hugs." Standing from her stool, she walked up to him and wrapped him in her arms. "Sleep tight, Kurt."

"Goodnight," he chirped, slipping out of her grip and going back to the stairs. He grabbed his suitcase and dragged it up behind him, finally managing to pull it into his room. Closing his door, Kurt unzipped it and picked a pair of satin pajamas.

He slipped out of his clothes and pulled on his pajamas, then slid under his pink blankets. Checking his phone, Kurt sighed when he saw that the call was still on. "Blaine?" he whispered just to see if he was there.

Almost immediately, he replied, "Yeah?"

Kurt smiled, kissing the phone a few more times, "Im going to sleep."

"Goodnight, baby." Blaine whispered, "I love you."

Kurt snuggled into his pillow, "Goodnight, Blaine. I love you."

Blaine didnt know how long he laid there listening to Kurts soft breathing. He didnt want to make a sound for fear that he would stir Kurt, so he just laid there listening. He liked hearing him breathe... liked knowing that somewhere in Paris Kurt was sleeping peacefully, maybe dreaming of him. Suddenly, Kurt made a soft, sweet sound and then there were rustling blankets. "Blaine..." Kurt whispered, and at first Blaine thought hed woken up, but then he heard that gentle breathing again.

He closed his eyes and tightened his arms around Archer and Hunter, barely aware of someone opening his door. "Blaine, are you hungry?" Carole walked into his room and set a bowl on his dresser. He quickly muted his side of the phone so Kurt wouldnt hear. "I made potato soup."

Blaine remained quiet, waiting for her to leave. When she realized he wasnt going to talk, she frowned and walked partially out of the room again. "Okay... you dont have to say anything right now."

After she closed the door behind her, Blaine unmuted his phone and sniffed at the soup. His stomach gurgled and cramped. He remembered that he hadnt eaten anything all day. Sliding his legs off the bed, Blaine grabbed the soup off his dresser and took a bite. His stomach was still upset so it was hard getting it down, but Blaine managed to force in a few more bites.

Setting the unfinished bowl down, Blaine sighed and rubbed the nape of his neck. He didnt know what to do. The babies and his birds were asleep so he scratched out doing anything with them, and he didnt want to take a shower because that would give him too much time to think. He didnt want to think about things or else hed start crying again. He needed to keep himself busy.

He rolled his eyes as a stupid idea dusted itself off in his head, but he went over to his dresser and grabbed a sheet of paper and pencil, anyway. He couldnt remember what he did with the one Schuester had given him... maybe he threw it away. Sliding onto his bed, Blaine sat on the pillow and scratched lines across the paper.

Filling in random notes he thought contrasted well, Blaine accidentally stabbed his pencil through the paper and he swore. "This is stupid," he threw the pencil and paper on the floor, crossing his arms. He glanced around his room for something else to do, and he saw Archer and Hunters teddy bear on the floor.

Swinging his legs off the bed, Blaine bent and grabbed it, dusting it off. He squeezed it and felt lumps of cotton inside the bear that had become thin and ragged after so many years. He straightened the bears bowtie and flipped him upside down, then he noticed something on his foot. Grabbing the dangling foot, Blaine looked at what was sewn into the pad. "To Kurt. Love Mommy." He said aloud, then he sighed. Resting the bear on his lap, Blaine glanced at the paper again.

He laid the bear next to Archer, who mewled and wrapped his pudgy arms around it. Blaine stood and walked up to the paper, kneeling beside of it. He scratched in the next note he thought would be good with the last one, then lifted his hand as if hed been burned.

He touched the first note and hummed, "So many things..." Jotting down a few more notes, Blaine muttered, "to do and say... but I cant seem to find my way." He struggled through the next notes, but eventually found a rhythm. The words came easily, almost too simply, and he quickly ripped them out on the paper as he came up with them.

He wrote for a long time. His pencil snapped a few times and he scribbled things out and wrote new words, and sometimes the notes clashed. But it kept him busy and when he finished writing he almost didnt want to stop.

Staring at what hed done, Blaine grabbed it in his fist and started to crumple it up, then he remembered the promise he made to Schuester, and Blaine tried hard not to break promises. He knew how badly betrayal hurt himself. Folding the paper up, Blaine got to his feet and stretched, then he returned to his little babies. Kissing both of their foreheads, Blaine scooped them up and laid them in their crib just in case they rolled off his bed.

"Ill be back soon, sweethearts." Blaine rubbed Archers little stomach, and he yawned and batted at Blaine. "Shh... I love you."

He turned away and stuck the paper in his back pocket, grabbing his phone as he strode out of his room. When he got downstairs and headed for the door, he was stopped by Burts low voice, "Where are you going?"

"Out." Blaine muttered, turning the handle. "Watch the babies for me." He pushed open the door and stepped outside, walking toward his car. He slid into the front seat and turned the car on, then backed out of his driveway.

He set his phone on his lap and listened to more blankets rustling, then a little sigh. "I love you," Blaine whispered into the phone, turning onto another road and trying to remember where Schuesters house was.

He found it after about ten minutes and pulled into his driveway. Setting his phone on his seat, Blaine stepped out of his car and walked up to Schuesters door. Hesitantly knocking, Blaine listened to shuffling from within and what he thought might be Emma asking if they were having company.

A few seconds later the door opened, revealing a confused Emma. "Blaine Anderson?" she murmured. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to give Schuester something." When she gestured for him to come in, he stepped past her and glanced around the simple house. It smelled strongly of flowers, and everything was in order. Knick-knacks covered nearly every surface in the living room.

Schuester appeared from down a hallway, and his jaw dropped, "Blaine, its so good to see you. Come on in. Did you bring Kurt with you?"

"No." Blaine shook his head, sitting down on the edge of the couch closest to the door. "He left for France this morning."

Emma sat down beside of him, "Oh, Blaine, Im so sorry. I know how much he means to you."

"Yeah," Schuester sat down opposite of them. "He was such a good kid. I really liked having him in glee club. But what are... is there something you need? Did you just come to tell us that?"

Blaine pulled the paper from his pocket, "You wanted me to write a song."

Schuester furrowed his brows and stood, coming up to Blaine to take it from him. "Wow... I thought youd forgotten. For a while I forgot myself. When did you write it?"

"An hour ago." Blaine muttered.

Unfolding it, Schuester looked over it and whispered, "This is impressive, Blaine. I can really see a lot of you in it. Unfortunately I cant put it on any glee club extra credit... but Im proud of you. Thank you for writing this... it means a lot that you cared enough to do it."

Blaine shrugged, "It was for me, too."

Schuester handed it back to Blaine, "I want you to keep this. Its important." Sitting down beside of Blaine, Schuester said, "So, how are you doing? Are you looking into colleges? Have you gotten yourself a job? If you need one, you can be a teachers assistant for me in glee club next year."

"Im not looking for a job." Blaine rested his chin on his fist, "My brother had his baby and Santana gave me Brittanys baby so Im taking care of them right now."

"Thats great," Schuester patted his back. "Where are you living?"

Blaine looked at the floor, "With Kurts dad and Finn and his mom."

Schuester smiled, "Im glad theyre taking care of you. You deserve a good family. What about... you know... your situation with Karofsky? Im sorry to bring it up, I just have to know if its getting better. Is Karofsky still harassing you?"

"Karofskys in prison." Blaine said flatly, and Schuester raised his brows.

"Youre kidding," Schuester shook his head. "What did he do? I knew it was bad, I just didnt..."

Blaine stopped talking for a moment. He didnt know what to say to Schuester. He cleared his throat, "Theres a lot you dont know about."

Schuester blew out heavily, "Yeah... okay. If you dont want to talk about it, I understand. But Im always here to talk to you." Quickly changing the subject before he upset Blaine, he muttered, "Do you want to stay for a while? I can make you a coffee."

Blaine shook his head, "I need to go. I left the babies at home... I dont like being away from them for long." Standing, Blaine started heading for the door. "Bye."

Schuester followed Blaine and pulled him against his chest, startling Blaine. He slapped his back, "Well see you around, Blaine."

Blaine stepped outside and walked back to his car, opening the door. He started it and backed out into the road, then he drove away.

Blaine heard another little sigh from the phone, "Blaine..."

"Im still here." Blaine assured him. "I still love you." Picking up the phone, Blaine hummed into it to soothe Kurt, "I got to have roots before branches to know who I am before I know who I want to be."