1 year & 3 months later...

Time flies.

It flies when you're not spending every bit of it being tortured by Neanderthals. When it's spent finding yourself, and in turn, finding what you were meant to do. When it's spent loving who you are and who you're so damn lucky to be with. When it's spent keeping your sister and her band of misfits out of trouble... Well, for the most part. After all you aren't omnipresent! Speaking of...

"Aren't they supposed to be here by now? Blaine did you call Puck?" Kurt looked up from the box full of kitchen supplies he was unpacking.

Blaine surfaced from his own box. "Yeah I did. He said they'd be here in the next ten mins. Problem is; that was a half hour ago." Blaine chuckled.

"Oh no. We should never have let them drive up here without any supervision!" Kurt groaned.

"What do you call Puck?" Blaine asked. But Kurt gave him a glare that clearly said; ‘Are you fucking kidding me?' "Puck is the biggest kid of them all, Blaine." He voiced.

Blaine chortled. "Okay, okay you're right." The next minute there was a torrent of car horns outside the apartment; and Kurt let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Then he took another deep one. The crazies were here. They were here to help him pack out all his and Blaine's stuff. In the apartment Aunt Bella got them in New York as a Graduation present. He had to pinch himself. Dreams that he hadn't dared to dream for a while before were actually coming true. He just needed to be reminded that he's not dreaming. It was Blaine that snapped him out of his musings.

"Babe. I'm gonna buzz them in. Hmm, I could get used to saying that, ‘buzz them in'." Blaine chuckled. Kurt's smile was wide. Apparently he wasn't the only one who needed to be reminded. He shook his head and went back to his box. Why did they have so many forks? It was just the two of them! Carole, Janet and Bella went a little crazy with shopping for household items. He took out a tea set, a set of decorated china, and a large stack of Tupperware. Okay then, they went a lot crazy!

The gang filed in person after person, hailing Kurt and getting right to work. Sara and Raven, joined at the hip as always, headed for the CD stack in the living room. Sue dragging Daryl over to the pile of books to be put on the selves. Becky giving directions to Puck and Davy who were currently navigating how best to turn the huge shoe rack Carole sent from Kurt's room in Lima.

"PIPPIN!!!" Kurt only had a minute warning before a certain something, or more accurately, someone jumped on him and bowled him over. Lucky thing he had put away the china or they'd be china pieces. "There's my favorite girl in the world." He said around an armful of Sky. "What took you guys so long?"

"Well Becks wanted ice cream. Puck insisted on getting the best. Davy was adamant about staying together instead of driving on til they could catch up. Then we all got out and got ice cream because it was like, right there, and then-"

"Okay I get it, I get it. So Davy's car is running great then? Didn't get a chance to marvel before we had to do all this." He pointed to the boxes around them.

"Yeah it's awesome, I'm so psyched!"

"And you'll take care of yourself right? You won't go out and do crazy things cause your boyfriend now has a car? You'll keep out of trouble and stay in the speed limit and always have your seatbelt on-"

"Pippin." Sky stopped him. " I always do. You taught me well. And you know Davy won't let me do anything crazy. He's my rock."

Kurt sighed. He had to come to terms with this. Sky will no longer need him for every single thing. She was strong. Strong enough to look out for herself and for others. Mature enough to figure out what's right for her. And she's right, Davy will be there, he's always been there actually.

"You're really gonna be okay." It was a statement, not a question.

"Yes I am. You need to start thinking about you now, and the life you'll make here with the one you love." At this Kurt looked at Blaine who was busy taking out shoes from the fortress Kurt had packed them in. As if he sensed Kurt staring, he looked up, and gave him a wide smile. Blaine's smile still caused warmth to flow through him, and at this rate, it always will. He looked back at Sky as she continued

"You're gonna do so much good Kurt. So much. You were born for this. You are great at taking care of people, I can attest to that. You have so much compassion that it should be criminal. You could not have chosen better. NYU will be lucky to have you. I will be fine; don't worry about me. It's time for you to share yourself with the world. Get that psychology degree, take the social work field by storm, make her even more proud of you."

Kurt couldn't help the sudden wetness he felt leaking out of his eyes at the words of his sister. She always seemed to know what he needed to hear. "Thanks Merry. I hope you're right."

"Of course I'm right!" She exclaimed. Kurt chuckled and wiped the tears from his eyes. He would make his mom proud, he would make himself proud. This is the start of the rest of his life. And it was a marvelous start.

2 years later... 

"Sky, where is he? He's supposed to be home from school already. I'M LITERALLY FREAKING OUT!"

"Why are you freaking out B? Pippin loves you. He'll say yes. I'm positive. Especially with all you went through. He'll soon be there too. I just got off the phone with him."

Blaine took a deep breath. "You're right. I'm sorry. I'm just, really anxious and inexplicably nervous as hell."

"Okay, calm down. It'll be fine. He'll love the ring; he'll appreciate what you've done, and the fact that you had to follow my instructions to do it. And if all else fails, he can't possibly resist your puppy dog eyes. I'm actually convinced that Hades himself couldn't resist those babies."

Blaine chuckled. "I hope he does love the ring. I was just drawn to it. I swear I didn't even mean to look for one. Not yet at least."

"He'll love it, it's gorgeous!"

"Thanks Merry, for everything."

"Oh gawd! You called me Merry!!! I know you can't tell, but I'm doing a jig right now!"

Blaine gave a hearty laugh. "I guess that was my official ‘Welcome to the family' pass. Would you tell your Dad thanks for me again?"

"Sure. But all he did was give his son's hand away, we did the heavy lifting!"

"Correction, I did the heavy lifting, and you ruled like a dictator with an iron fist!"

"Well you wanted to get this right didn't you?"

"Yes I did. Thank you sis."

"And now I'm crying. You called me sis. Damn it Blaine, get the fuck off the phone while I lie here and flood my room with tears!"

"You are quite the dramatist aren't you?" Talking to Sky was always entertaining. A shaking of keys gave the signal he was listening for the whole evening. "Okay he's here, I'll call later and tell you how it went."

"Oh I already know how it will go. Enjoy your night! Just so you know, I'm waggling my eyebrows right now!"

"Oh my God. Later crazy woman!"

Kurt succeeded in opening the door just as Blaine hung up his phone and slipped into the shadows. He closed it and put his bag on the table.

"Blaine?" He questioned. The next minute he actually registered what he was seeing. Their apartment was bathed in gentle candlelight that came from little adorable white candles, and tantalizing smells of something, or things familiar. He took a deep breath and a wide smile broke on his face.

"Blaine?" He asked again. This was amazing. He knew it was for him. All his favorite dishes were on the table, the apartment was spotless, even his favorite wine and his favorite cheesecake from that place on 42nd street were present. But he didn't see Blaine anywhere. He came closer to the table to examine the spread. More little candles were littered here and there, 12 long stem red roses stood tall in his crystal vase right in the center of the table, and right in front of it was... was a little black box... Kurt's heartbeat sped up and his breathing hitched. He scanned the room once more before he decided to just go for it and open the box. Kurt could do nothing but gasp. The open box revealed the most beautiful ring he'd ever seen. It was pure polished silver with an intricate pattern woven around it that made it look like braided vines. In the center was a flat diamond shaped sapphire. Kurt's eyebrows found his hairline for a minute; the fact is this ring kinda really looked like- the sudden flood of the dinning room lights interrupted his train of thought. He turned towards his doorway, the box in his hands, to find Blaine down on one knee.

"Oh my God." Kurt breathed.

"Kurt. My wonderful, amazing, beautiful, compassionate, kind, caring Kurt. You are, and forever will be everything to me. I can't imagine living without you; it's the one thing I deem impossible for me to accomplish. We've grown so much from the best friends who were scared to tell each other how we really felt. We've become young men who feel for each other on a level that's stronger than lovers, deeper than friends. The only thing I think that can come close to describing us is soul mates. You are my soul mate Kurt; make me forever the happiest man alive and be my husband too?"

By the end of Blaine's little speech tears were pouring down both their faces. Kurt's face was all wet and blotchy. But his eyes still shone like clusters of diamonds, still shimmered and twinkled like thousands of galaxies. He was the most beautiful person Blaine had ever come across, inside and out.

"Stand up." Kurt abruptly said as he tried to stem his tears. Panic rose in Blaine's every cell and Kurt could see this. "Just, trust me..." Kurt reassured. Blaine relaxed. That he could do. He trusted Kurt completely. "Blaine, where did you get this ring?"

"This quaint little antique store I pass on my way to school on 3rd and-"

"52nd street? Yeah, I know... I mean I think I know."

Blaine was stunned for a moment.

"How long have you had it?" Kurt questioned again.

"About a month now, I... I wanted to... I know you wouldn't want anything too extravagant, but I wanted to get this whole thing right."

"You bought it around the 22nd? Did an old man sell it to you?"

"Yes. Okay what is going on here Kurt?"

"Okay. Now before I say yes, and trust me, there's no doubt that I will, I want to show you something." Kurt walked over to his bag by the door. Every fiber in Blaine's being jumped for joy; Kurt was gonna say yes. However, he was very intrigued by what Kurt had to show him, and why Kurt had known things he had tried to keep secret until the appropriate time. Kurt was returning in seconds... With two little black boxes in his hands instead of one.

"The reason I know where and possibly when you bought this ring is that I think I bought THIS ring on the same day." Kurt opened the box he carried back and inside was nestled a ring with the same intricate pattern inlaid in silver. The only difference was that the stone was an amber colored diamond. "The lady told me it was a pair and that her husband unknowingly sold the other ring. What are the odds for it to be you who bought it? What are the odds that the rings we bought each other, without consulting each other, would be matching and the stones be the color of each other's eyes?"

"Wow... This is kinda weird. Those would have to be some pretty great odds."

Kurt chuckled and whined a word that sounded suspiciously like mom, but Blaine didn't get what Carole had to do with anything.

"What does Carole have to do with anything?" He repeated out loud.

"Well not mom/Carole. My mom, as in Elizabeth." Blaine still looked confused. Of course he did. Kurt sighed a happy sigh. "Blaine, let's put on our rings, and sit down to enjoy this lovely meal you've prepared. Remind me to thank Merry for schooling you later, because it's the only way you could have gotten these recipes right, and let me tell you some things about my mother. Be warned, you might think me crazy after this, and demand to have your ring back." Kurt joked.

 3 years later... 

"Okay Mr. Hummel." Kurt sat up straight and looked politely in front of him at the director. From his position, he felt like a kid who had been called into the principal's office for misbehaving. He was now mentally running through all the things he did over the week to try and find the culprit.

"I know this is your first week but I can hardly believe that it is. These kids adore you! To tell the truth I wasn't thrilled about hiring a person fresh from school with no experience except their course's field study. Honestly I still don't know what made me do it; maybe it was instinctual. But it's obvious that it was the right decision. I know it's customary for applicants to do a month's grace period before we officially sign them on, but what do you say we skip that? Good to have you on board son; you'll be wonderful here."

Kurt was stunned at the director's words. Sure he had loved the orphanage, he had loved the kids. He'd had himself a jolly good time the whole week just interacting, giving these kids something to look forward to, playing music and dancing and reading with them. Even the paper work he had to do didn't deter him. He really felt like it was the place for him. However, he hadn't expected any word of a permanent decision of employment til the end of the month, no matter how good he is. Especially with this director and her reputation of being superbly selective when choosing someone to work with ‘her kids' as she calls them. And rightly so. You can never be too careful when it came unto children.

Yet still. At the director's declaration, Kurt couldn't help but say in his head, accusingly but jokingly; "Mom. This has you written all over it!" He could just see her, looking sheepish and shrugging as if to say; ‘And so what if it does have me written all over it, doesn't necessarily mean it was me!' His imagination has her looking an awful lot like Sky would if she was caught in this situation. He chuckled a bit.

"Thank you so much Mrs. Parsons. So much. It's a pleasure to work here, you'll not regret it." He shook her hand fervently.

"Great, I'll send the paper work along and we'll make it official. Welcome to the Shortwood Orphanage family."

Kurt held off on the squealing until he was outside and away from the director's door. He hurried his cell phone out of his pocket to call Blaine. He just hopes he isn't disturbing anything at the studio.

"Kurt?" Kurt heard the voice of his fiancé drifting through his speaker and the sound of music being turned down. "Is everything okay?"

"Hunny! I think Mom struck again. You know, if I didn't know that she meddles almost as well as Merry, I would've taken this occurrence as a huge coincidence. "

2 years later... 

Blaine never usually has this kind of time. With Cooper taking over their father's cooperation and them doing wonderful things for the community through that, he was usually all over the place. If it wasn't creating awesome music with some true artistes, it was running for charities or putting on a marathon for a cause, or even enforcing his share in his dad's company. He was as much a humanitarian as he was one of the world's emerging icons. Kurt loved hearing his colleagues talk about Blaine. He was so proud of him it ached. In just 2 years out of school, Blaine had made a prominent name for himself on the music scene. Being revered and respected for his knowledge and foresight.

It was a rare occasion, but he was there, helping Kurt out with his Sunday music class. Kurt loved these classes, because they were with everyone. The bigger kids weren't at school so they could join and he could get the kids as small as a year old to bang on something to create music. He knew how music could heal better than most; which is why he lobbied to make his experiment a permanent fixture at the orphanage. And the kids just couldn't believe that their favorite coordinator was married to the famous producer Blaine Anderson.

After a whole morning of organizing the kids into a giant orchestra with various unconventional instruments, (little Daisy was playing the comb) both men were a little frazzled. Kurt faired better because he was used to the hustle; Blaine was pooped. Though he had to admit; working with these kids gave him a reward he could not explain. He fully gets why his husband enjoys this. While the kids went to the yard to play until lunch, Kurt and Blaine visited the coordinators' rec room to stock up on coffee. After his first sip Blaine said, "That was amazing. I'm doing this with you at least once a month from now on."

Kurt chuckled and said, "Well I did tell you that you'd love it. And I'd love for you to do it once a month, but do you even have time? You've had so much on your plate lately..." Kurt trailed off. He knew his husband had a lot to do, and most of what he did was for the benefit of someone in need. That doesn't mean he can't miss him.

Blaine recognized the hint of longing Kurt tried to hide and he rushed to hold his husband. "I'll make time." He said determinedly. "I will make time for this. I will make time for you. And if I realize that anything I am doing is hurting us Kurt, I will drop that, you know this right?" He pleaded. He needed Kurt to understand that no matter what he is doing, nothing takes priority over him.

Kurt rested his head in the crook between Blaine's shoulder and neck. He let out a long calming sigh. "Yeah, I know." He finally said.

"Kurt." His fellow coordinator called out to him from the door way of the rec room and caused him to lift his head. "You've gotta come see this." She urged and she turned and made her way to Mrs. Parsons' office.

Kurt broke out his husband's hold and lead him to the office, intrigued by what Lisa said he had to see. On entering the office Kurt recognized that all six coordinators were present and Mrs. Parsons was on the phone giving someone the long length of her tongue. You never wanted to be on the receiving end of one of these tirades.

"What is wrong with you people?" She shouted. "These poor angels have been through enough; are you trying to tell me that no one in their family will claim them? They're six months old for God's sake!"

Kurt was puzzled, until a gurgle sounded from the right side of the room; the side he noticed that Blaine has been looking at since the moment he entered the room til now. Laying in a play pen on their tummies was a pair of the most adorable set of twins Kurt had ever seen, and he had seen plenty come and go from the orphanage. They both had wisps of pale, almost platinum blonde hair and two piercing pairs of baby blues. They were interacting directly with each other, like they understood each other, and maybe they did. Kurt couldn't take his eyes off of them. It took Mrs. Parsons slamming the phone in rage for him to snap out of it.

"Okay guys. We have no room for these munchkins but we have to make room. Their mom and died passed away in that terrible pile up on the freeway last week. They were left with an aunt, who just up and decided that she didn't want to care for them, I will never get some people."

"So she gave up her legal rights?" Kurt questioned quietly.

"Yes she did. I have a copy of the papers here, and the police have another."

Kurt turned and looked at Blaine for the first time since entering the office. Funnily enough Blaine was still staring at the kids in wonder.

"Blaine." Kurt breathed. He had to have them. He knew he wanted kids somewhere down the line. He knew Blaine wanted kids too. None of them anticipated it to be this early. But the circumstances were in their favor. Minus the parents of these angels dying, no one would wish that on anyone. But here they were, and Kurt cannot deny that he had fallen completely in love with just a glance at the precious darlings. Blaine turned to look at Kurt with stars in his eyes.

"I really want them." Kurt said at the same time that Blaine said, "Can we get them?"

They stopped and realized what they both said, which resulted in identical wide smiles across both their faces.

"Well that was resolved quickly!" Mrs. Parsons chuckled good-naturedly.

Blaine hugged his husband close to him and resolved to take more time off work; they'll need it more than ever. He let Kurt go and bounced over to the playpen like an excited puppy. Lisa, who was on Kurt's left, chuckled and said. "You've got your work cut out for you Kurt"

"Don't I know it." Kurt replied. Then he whispered, "This is the best one yet mom. Thank you. Let their parents know that we'll love them forever."

6 years later...   

 "Brush your teeth before bed, no more candy for tonight and don't give your Uncle Davy and Aunt Merry any problems. I'm serious guys. Your Aunt is far along, you should be helping her."

"Yes Dad." The twins said in unison. Blair gave an eye roll that greatly resembled one of Sky's. Maybe he let her watch them too many times!

 It was date night and Kurt was herding the twins to the living room so that they could go already. It was so nice of Davy to agree to come over, toddler and pregnant wife in tow, to stop the twins burning down the house while they were out. He could bet that Sky wanting to spend time with her niece and nephew, no matter how big she was (her words exactly) had something to do with it. He came into the living room to find his sister sitting on his sofa, absolutely glowing and his niece practically hanging off her father's neck.

"Saskia!" He exclaimed. "Come to Uncle! Who's a good girl?" With that Saskia stopped tormenting her father and rushed to her uncle on little wobbly legs. The twins rushed to crowd around Sky, touching and cooing and putting their heads to her round 7months belly.

"Kyle, Blair, be careful with your aunt okay?" Kurt warned.

Blair rolled her eyes again, "Oh come on Daddy what can we possibly do to cause any damage to-" She stopped mid sentence when her Dad gave her a ‘I put nothing pass the two of you!' look.

"Oh Pippin, it's cool." Sky piped up. "Feel away my munchkins; I've missed you! I'm sure D'Artagnan missed you too."

"D'Artagnan? Like The Three Musketeers, Aunty? That's so cool!" Kyle exclaimed.

"Are you really gonna name my nephew after a character from The Three Musketeers?" Kurt questioned.

"Why the hell not, it's a kick ass name!" Sky replied, indignant.

"Language Merry! Saskia is gonna curse like a sailor! Jeez. Davy you get no say in the name?" Kurt inquired.

Davy chuckled. "Well apparently not, she kindly informed me that she has to push, ergo, she gets to name them."

Kurt could only laugh at the circumstance. In any case Davy would be more than willing to give Merry whatever the hell she wanted. Kurt checked his watch and looked up the stairs of his home. "Blaine!" He shouted, "we've got to get going or we'll be late hun!"

The next minute, Blaine came rushing down the stairs still on his phone. "I swear if I take the night off the whole studio goes to hell!" He exclaimed.

"Well then it'll burn in fire and brimstone, because you are turning that phone off right now mister." Kurt said.

"Okay, okay I will. Come here trouble makers, gimmie a hug." The twins sped to their Papa after hearing his entirely accurate pet name for them. "Behave for a few hours, okay? We'll soon be back. We love you with everything." He kissed both their heads. "Go hug Dad." He directed.

The twins turned in unison and rushed at Kurt. Kyle wanted to grow his hair like his sister's and if Blair's ears weren't pierced you couldn't even tell the difference between the blondes. But Kurt knew his kids, inside and out; he kissed their hair and whispered his love. "Later babies, we'll be back in no time."

When Kurt and Blaine arrived at their favorite restaurant, they could literally feel the stress of their day melt away. It was a calming place to just relax and have amazing food. And with Kurt being the director of the orphanage and currently overseeing the construction of another (at the request of the city) and with Blaine being the most sought after producer in the world, and not to mention them both being daddies to the world's cutest set of trouble makers that ever was (thank you very much), they needed all the relaxation they could scrape.

Very soon, they were sipping their favorite wine and tucking into their favorite dishes, reliving their day to each other and just gratefully unwinding. There was a lull in the conversation when Kurt said, "Have you booked the tickets to London? Becky will kill us if we don't attend, not to mention Puck."

"Done and Done." Blaine replied. "Sara, Raven and little Ni'Klaus are hitching a ride with us. Doesn't make sense for them to drive to the airport, we've got the big minivan."

"I think Davy, Merry and Saskia are coming with us too, we should charge taxi fare!"

"As long as you are the one telling Sky that she has to pay! I hope she'll be able to fly by then with the baby." Blaine chuckled

"Sue and Daryl are already there right?"

"Yeah remember Sue got that offer from BBC, so they're already there scouting apartments."

"Okay. Finn is taking Dad and Carole. So that covers that." Kurt sighed in contentment.

Blaine started playing with his napkin. After nearly sixteen years together, Kurt knew Blaine's nervous movements just as much as Blaine knew his.

"What's on your mind B?" He asked tentatively.

Blaine took a deep breath, and then voiced his concerns. "Do you think I should visit him?" Blaine's voice was low, hesitant.

Kurt took a moment before he answered. "I think you should do whatever your heart tells you to."

"He almost destroyed our lives Kurt. I don't know if my heart will ever be past that."

"You have to take into account that he was sick at the time."

"How can you be so rational? He almost took Merry from us. Even so, he doesn't agree with my ‘lifestyle choices' (he made the air quotes) remember? Sickness or not, I won't subject Kay and Bee to that, I won't subject you to that."

Kurt sighed. "I know this has been eating at you these last few years. Janet and Cooper went to see him. Albeit, Cooper didn't carry his family but at least he went to see him. I remember all that happened hunny; it was the most terrifying experience of my life. I don't hate him, surprisingly. I'm just grateful that my sister is alive and happy. Babe, I don't know a lot, but I do know that if you don't do something about how you feel, it will continue to eat at you. I don't want that. He doesn't have long in this world."

Blaine sat in deep thought for a long moment. "If I do decide to go, you will come with me?"

Kurt took both Blaine's hands in his on top of the table and said, "I will follow you to the ends of the earth, Blaine Hummel-Anderson."

Blaine smiled his wide smile and reached across the space to give Kurt a chaste kiss on the lips. He gave a contented sigh; glad to have been able to speak about his worries to his husband, grateful for their life and their family. "We did all right, didn't we?" He voiced. "We came through everything life threw at us on the upside. Almost like someone is definitely guiding us, watching over us."

"That's the thing," Kurt said, "I really think someone is."

The End.