The Beach House – Chapter Two - Reunions

Kurts Apartment, Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York – 2022

Kurt was sitting in his living room, Daniel on his lap asleep. The poor kid had been afraid, plus endured being sopping wet, cold, and taken to a strangers house. He was talking in his sleep, calling to his daddy and frowning from time to time. Kurt felt sad for the boy. He found himself cuddling him against his chest and when he ran a finger across his forehead to brush the curls from his eyes, Daniel smiled in his sleep.

Kurt studied the boy. He was surprisingly heavy for such a small child. He was so completely relaxed that when Kurt moved to get comfortable, Daniel didnt wake up. He had golden skin, so fresh and soft. Kurt hadnt been around little children much in his life, so this was new to him. The small boy had long lashes that spread across his cheeks like fans and a sweet mouth that relaxed when he was sleeping.

Kurt held him close, thinking about how much he would love to have a little boy like this. Hed dreamed of having a child one day. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at his door. Still holding the boy, he got up and made his way to the door.

He opened it awkwardly, trying not to disturb the sleeping three-year-old in his arms.

“Daniel!” Blaine said in a desperate voice as he saw his son in the arms of the man who had rescued him. He reached out to take him, but Kurt pulled back. Blaines eyes went to the man holding his son. Kurt couldnt help but apologize, his eyes still on the sleeping child.

“Sorry – youre wet and he just got warm again....oh, Im sorry. You must be Daniels father?” Kurt said, then looked up to see the face ---of his former fiancé.

Time stopped.

“Blaine?” Kurt murmured, staring at the man in front of him. There was a policeman behind him, but Kurt didnt even register anyone else.

Blaine stood mute, just staring right back at Kurt, his eyes wide and his mouth open in shock, his hand in front of his gaping mouth.

The policeman finally stepped up and addressed Kurt.

“Could I have your name, please?” he asked.

“Kurt Hummel.”

“You found this boy?”

Kurt closed his eyes for a brief moment, then turned to Officer Moynihan, carefully keeping Daniel close to him, hugging him to keep him safe from the cold hallway and pulling the blanket up over the small boys shoulders.

“Ah...yes, sir. I was hurrying home because of the rain – I had a new tweed jacket and I didnt want it to shrink. I stopped in a pavilion in the park when the rain got worse. I was in a back corner, behind a picnic table – the wind had come up and was blowing the rain under the shelter. I heard someone crying and found him, the little boy I mean – he was hiding behind a trash can and calling for his daddy. My phone was dead, so I brought him home to get warm while I charged my phone to call the police.”

The policeman was making notes on a small pad of paper and nodded for Kurt to go on.

“I took his wet things off – he didnt even have a coat – and put this T-shirt on him,” Kurt said and the officer raised an eyebrow as if to ask why hed removed the young boys clothes. Kurt realized what the look was inferring and scrambled to explain himself.

“He was just wringing wet, and he had begun to shiver. I was afraid hed get pneumonia he was so cold. His underwear was still dry, so I left that on and just wrapped him in one of my shirts, then put him on the sofa with a blanket. He told me he was hungry, so I fed him some chicken soup. By then my phone was charged enough to make a call and he told me his fathers number,” Kurt finished.

Blaine watched this exchange and realized what the policeman was worried about. He turned to speak to Officer Moynihan.

“Its okay, I know this man. He wouldnt do anything to hurt my son. Hes not like that,” he tried to reassure the lawman.

Officer Moynihan nodded to Blaine, made a note and then went on with his questions.

“Just for the record – this is your son, Daniel, correct?” he asked and Blaine nodded. He went on to get more routine information for his report, writing it down on a pad, then gave each man his card. “Unless you have any questions, I will be on my way. Im very happy this turned out so well. You have my card, Mr. Anderson, in case you need to get hold of me. Mr. Hummel, we might need to contact you for the paperwork if thats okay?” Kurt nodded.

Blaine turned and shook the mans hand. “Thank you for all of your help.”

“All part of the job,” the officer said as he took his leave.

Kurt stood still for another minute, then shook his head.

“Come in, come in...”

Blaine stepped into the living room, removing his coat so he could take Daniel in his arms. He set the coat on the floor, holding out his arms so he could take the little boy.

“He...ah...he was hungry,” Kurt stammered. “I hope it was okay that I fed him some homemade chicken soup?” he said, not knowing what else to say. Seeing Blaine after all these years had his heart racing, his head spinning, and his muscles twitching.

“Of course, that was kind of you. He loves chicken soup,” Blaine said. He was at a loss to find words. He continued to stand, still waiting for Kurt to hand him the boy. “Thank you, oh...thank you so much for taking care of my son... Daniel is my life. I couldnt keep on if I didnt have him.” Blaine closed his eyes.

“I understand,” Kurt said, nodding at the sofa for Blaine to sit.

When Blaine sat down, Kurt leaned over to reluctantly put the sleeping child in his lap. Blaine hugged Daniel close, kissing the boys hair.

Kurt stood frozen, watching how much Blaine loved his son. It brought tears to his eyes thinking what it would be like to be Blaines husband, Daniels other father. It was what he had always wanted, but now – some other man had that privilege.

“Ah...Ill go and see if his clothes are dry,” Kurt said so he could escape the room. He didnt want Blaine to look up and see how much this was affecting him. Practically running, Kurt went into the laundry room and checked the dryer. Daniels clothes were still wet, so Kurt turned the dryer back on and went to the sink. He looked at his face in the mirror there, seeing the red under his eyes where the tears had marked him. He turned on the cold water and splashed it up on his face. Switching the water off, he turned to get a face towel and saw Blaine standing in the doorway.

“Ah...the clothes were still wet. I reset it. It might be thirty more minutes before theyre dry, then I can loan you a blanket to wrap him up in to get him home,” Kurt said, trying to be cordial. He was trembling all over and wished he could just go to bed and hide under the blankets for a week.

“Daniel looks just like you, Blaine,” Kurt said, just babbling the first thing that popped into his head.

It was hard to get the words out, especially his name. But there it was. Blaine just looked at him, a far-off gaze in his eyes. Kurt wondered if his former fiancé was even here with him.

“Blaine?” Kurt asked, beginning to worry.

Blaine blinked a few times, his jaw clenched and his eyes sharpened. Tears began to fall and the man stumbled as he stepped forward. Kurt rushed the few feet to hold him up as Blaine began to fall. Kurts arms went around him, hugging him close to keep him from collapsing. Blaines arms went around Kurts neck and he held on tightly, but his knees were buckling and Kurt helped him to the floor. Kurt sat down next to his ex, searching his face to see what he could do to help him. This was such a mess.

Blaine held up his arms and pulled Kurt close. All he could whisper was “Kurt...Kurt”. He pulled Kurt practically into his lap. Kurt tried to back up but Blaines arms were strong and Kurt fell forward. Blaines grip on his biceps didnt let up until he was enveloped in Blaines arms and he could feel warm tears splashing down his neck to be absorbed by his shirt collar.

“Hey, Blaine...its okay. Your son is fine. He was just a bit chilled – but I got him warm and dry as quickly as I could, then I got warm soup into him so he would feel better,” Kurt went on, afraid to stop speaking because he didnt want Blaine to have a chance to ask him anything. There was only one question Kurt wanted an answer to after all these years - but he worried if the answer might just kill him.

McKinley High, Lima, Ohio – 2010

Kurt had left the classroom when the other boys in the New Directions had ridiculed him about his ideas for the Girls vs. Boys assignment. He had been made fun of in school – it had been happening since 8th grade, but this was different. He had gotten used to feeling safe in the choir room. It had become his haven – the place he could be himself and nobody would try to hurt him – physically or emotionally – and today this had happened. Hed looked to Finn first, but the large boy avoided eye contact with him. Hed even given thought to maybe having Sam calm things down, but the boy looked away when he saw Kurt silently ask him for help.

After storming out, Kurt got in his SUV and went home. He had turned things over and over in his mind and finally come to a decision. He was going to visit Dalton Academy and spy on the Warblers. After googling to find what the school uniform looked like, Kurt was almost excited getting ready, finding the perfect clothes to look as close to a private school student as possible. He got out his blue blazer, a crisp, starched white shirt, dress slacks, polished knee-high boots and a red tie.

He was actually terrified when hed finally driven to Dalton Academy. It was a group of beautiful old buildings on a campus of formal gardens and lush greenery, all shaded by the ancient oaks, hickories, and beech trees. Kurt could only imagine being a student in these beautiful surroundings as he parked his Navigator and walked into the main building. He was a bit lost in the grandeur of it all but followed some of the students as they moved from class to class, hoping to find the choir room quickly.

Walking down a curved grand marble staircase, Kurt was feeling overwhelmed. He looked around to ask about the choir room, but all of the uniformed boys were walking quickly and he was hesitant to ask them anything when they all appeared so preoccupied. Then everything changed. Kurt Hummels whole world changed in a split second.

In front of him was the most beautiful boy he had ever seen. His skin was a tawny gold, his hair sleeked into a formal arrangement reminiscent of Cary Grant, his lips a dusty rose and plump – just the kind of lips he had dreamed of kissing – and his smile. Oh, his smile. He was beauty and charm and everything Kurt had ever dreamed of having, and he was close enough to touch.

Kurt gathered his courage, removed his sunglasses, and spoke: “Excuse me, hi, can I ask you a question? Im new here,” he said in a quiet voice.

The boy turned to him and Kurt saw his eyes. Those eyes. Kurt felt dizzy as the golden hazel eyes met his. Once when he was a kid, his dad had taken him to the zoo to see the newest animal there. It was a black panther. Kurt had shied away from the thick safety glass of the display because the panther looked so very frightened. He remembered the cats eyes the most – molten gold and so wild. This new boy had eyes like that and it made Kurts heart beat in his chest like a drum.

“My names Blaine,” he said and Kurt saw those golden eyes turn kind. It was that kindness that put him at ease enough to ask what was going on, why everyone seemed in such a hurry.

“Its the Warblers...” Blaine said. The next thing Kurt knew, he was holding this boys hand and they were running down a hallway to the choir room. It was fate. Nothing could have prepared Kurt for what happened next: Blaine was the lead singer for the Warblers. When he opened his mouth and Teenage Dream came out – Kurt was well and truly lost. Looking back, Kurt could say that Blaine singing that song was the turning point of his entire life.

They sat together, on the floor of the laundry room, staring into each others eyes for some time when a small voice was heard at the door.

“Daddy?”

Blaine looked up, seeing his son standing there in the doorway and staring at the two of them.

“Danny Boy!” Blaine said,holding his arms out to the child.

“Daddy!” he shouted, jumping over to Blaine and throwing his tiny but sturdy arms around his father.

“How do you feel, my boy?” Blaine asked. Kurt pulled back and stood up, giving Blaine a hand to stand up, too. Blaine scooped his son into his arms.

“You came to get me, Daddy! You came, just like Mr. Kurt said you would. Mr. Kurt? Can I have more soup? My tummy is still hungry,” Danny said.

“Of course you can. Just ask your daddy if its okay,” Kurt offered. He was trembling still, but determined to put a nice face on it since the little child was here, too.

“I was going to take you out for lunch, Buster, but if youd rather stay here...” Blaine asked.

“Yes, Daddy. Mr Kurt makes the goodest chicky soup. Maybe hell let you have some, too?” Daniel asked, looking over at Kurt so see if he could do that.

“Yes, Daniel, I have enough for him, too, your dad is welcome to eat with us,” Kurt replied, giving Blaine a significant look that said, Well talk this over when the boy isnt listening.

Blaine gave him a nod and hugged Danny tighter. He was so thankful that his son was safe.

“Can I help with anything?” Blaine asked.

“No, the soup is already on the stove and I just need to reheat it. Please make yourself comfortable at the table. I set a phone book on that far chair so Daniel could reach his lunch,” Kurt said as he went to the stove to reheat the kettle of soup.

In just a few minutes Kurt was serving bowls of the hot soup, smiling at Daniels eagerness to have his dad taste the soup.

“He makes it just like you, Daddy, only different. And he got me a bottle of soy so it would taste gooder,” the tot went on, trying to tell his father everything.

“Well, that was very kind of him, wasnt it?” Blaine answered his son. “We would say better, not gooder, okay Danny boy?” He glanced at Kurt, shy to make eye contact now.

“Okay, Daddy.”

“Thank you, Daniel,” Kurt murmured.

“Kurt....you remembered,” Blaine said, tasting the soup.

“What?” Daniel asked.

“That I like lemon in my chicken soup, son,” Blaine answered, giving Kurt a quick smile. “It is delicious,” Blaine said, taking another spoonful of the thick, hearty broth, “But then, you always were an amazing cook.”

Kurt tried to smile, but he began to tremble once again and his lips quivered. He tried to take another bite of soup. This was too weird, too strange, it must be a dream. Blaine Anderson. Blaine Fucking Anderson right here in his apartment. He could hardly lift the spoon to his mouth without spilling it.

Blaine took pity on him and reached across the table to touch his hand to Kurts forearm.

“Its okay, Kurt. Im a little shaken up, too.” Blaine whispered. He looked straight into Kurts eyes and locked him there. His eyes still had the same effect on Kurt that they did all those years ago on the staircase at Dalton. Kurt dropped his spoon into his soup bowl with a clatter and Blaine withdrew his hand. He hadnt meant to upset Kurt, but he knew in his heart that anything he did would upset him now. And he didnt blame his ex at all.

They ate in silence. Daniel was so tired he fell asleep once again, his cheek on the table next to his napkin and the empty bowl of soup.

“Long day, getting lost and being found by a stranger tired him out, poor kid,” Kurt observed.

“Could I ask another favor?” Blaine looked at Kurt.

“Sure...”

“Might I be able to set him back on the sofa with the blanket you loaned him? He needs to take a nap and...well, with his clothes not dry and all?” Blaine asked, picking his son up into his arms and giving him a kiss on his soft little cheek. Kurt felt so strange when he saw that – kind of giddy and maybe a little jealous.

“Of course, Blaine. No problem,” Kurt said, trying to calm his jolting heart as Blaine walked by him, “Ill get the blanket.”

Blaine set Daniel down on the sofa and looked up just as Kurt came back in with the fluffy blanket. The small boy looked even smaller lying on the overstuffed upholstery of the sofa. Kurts face was soft, his heart warming to the thought of being a daddy himself one day. He carefully tucked the fluffy blanket around the three-year-old, then added the afghan that was on the back of the sofa just to be sure Daniel would stay warm.

Watching Kurt brought tears to Blaines eyes. He had spent most of his youth dreaming about having a baby with his husband. After he had met Kurt, Blaines dreams had included the blue-eyed boy. He had often dreamed of the day he and Kurt would have children.

Kurt paced nervously for a few minutes. He didnt know whether to sit or to leave the room. He couldnt decide on anything to say to Blaine – how could they just start talking after all they had gone through? Could they just fall into polite conversation? Kurt had no idea and it was eating away at him.

Blaine was sitting on the sofa close to Daniels feet. He smoothed the blankets over his sons back again and again as he watched Kurt pacing. His head was still in a spin. Seeing Kurt after all these years just did something to him. It had been hard – walking away from everything they had. Even today, it made no sense. He had wanted to turn around and run back into Kurts arms on that night, but he stopped himself. He had to make a clean break, but now he couldnt remember exactly why.

“Do you need to make a call? Let your husband know where you are or that youve found Daniel?” Kurt asked. It had taken almost everything in him to ask that question, and he was proud that his shaky voice had come out without stuttering. He turned a little to his left so he didnt have to see Blaines face as he thought of his husband. That would kill Kurt to see.

“Umm, well......Kurt – I dont have a husband. Ive never been married. I had Daniel with a surrogate, so he is all mine. Somehow I just couldnt ...” Blaine said, not able to finish his sentence. Kurts skin shivered when he heard his name on Blaines lips. Blaine had always pronounced Kurts name differently, lovingly and the memory came back so hard it almost knocked Kurt off of his feet.

Blaine gazed away from Kurt, concentrating on the wall across the room. He looked at the painting there – an abstract with bright splashes of colors that made him feel as if the artist was conveying his wish for happiness to the world. Lost in the painting, Blaine missed the look on Kurts face. It was a look of confusion, not knowing how he felt about Blaine and wondering why he had never married.

Dalton Academy for Boys, Westerville, Ohio – 2011

Blaine waited at the door of Kurts French class. He and Kurt had been getting closer since the disaster of the Gap Attack. It was difficult at first for Blaine to gain his confidence back, but spending time with Kurt soon put his embarrassment in the back of his mind. Then came the day the poor little canary, Pavarotti, died and Kurt came to the Warbler Choir Room. He was dressed in all black, his eyes red and swollen from crying and every Warbler in the room felt for him. In spite of his pain, Kurt sang a eulogy for the bird: Blackbird had never sounded so hauntingly beautiful.

Blaine had watched Kurt a lot in the passing weeks. He saw the shy and bashful boy turn into a confident and friendly member of the group. While he knew it wasnt all his doing, Blaine felt he could take a good deal of the credit. Kurt was able to pull himself out of the depths of despair, out of the deep hole Karofsky had shoved him into and blossom into this amazing person. Blaine was in awe of him.

Then came today and Kurts voice soaring in his grief and looking around Blaine could see every Warbler in the room was affected by this one song. And the one who was affected the most was Blaine himself.

In the few minutes it took Kurt to sing Blackbird, Blaine fell head over heels in love.