Ms Jo and Mr Jones were standing on the porch with Mercedes and Tice when Kurt answered the door. Jo's arms went out immediately to pull Kurt into a big hug, telling him how much she had missed him the last few months. Mr Jones followed with how much they missed Kurt at the Lake house this year.

“Come in, come in.” Kurt asked, taking their wraps and hanging them up in the coat closet.

Burt and Carole joined Kurt in welcoming the Jones family to the new house, leading them in to the living room.

“You've met Blaine,” Kurt introduced, “Blaine, you remember Mercedes' parents?” Blaine nodded. He was ensconced on the sofa, crocheted afghan wrapped around his lap and legs in spite of the July heat.

“Mr and Mrs Jones, Matthias, this is Blaine's brother, Cooper Anderson,” Kurt continued. Cooper had stood up when they entered the room. He shook hands with Mercedes parents.

“It's just 'Tice'," her brother said, holding out his hand.

“And you know Mercedes, of course,” Kurt ended. Cooper smiled at her as she nodded her head in a shy way, a small smile on her lips. Her mother noticed this, but didn't comment, keeping the information to think over later.

Soon everyone was seated, had drinks, and Kurt was in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on supper. Mercedes was helping – she wanted to be away from her parents while they were with Cooper, she was so nervous. Coop had moved to the sofa to cuddle Blaine close to him. He seemed a little depressed and Coop thought maybe it was because Kurt had been in the kitchen most of the day. Mrs Jones had noticed how gentle Cooper was with his brother. She knew of the bond between Blaine and Kurt, but this bonding between the two brothers was heartwarming and her estimation of Cooper went up a few more notches. Mercedes smile, then her exodus to the kitchen after glances between herself and Cooper, had not gone unnoticed.

“Blaine, how are you feeling?” Coop asked in a quiet voice. They had discussed having Blaine play the piano before supper.

“I'm okay, Coop. I practiced earlier, but it's a piece I know, so no problem. Just help me over there?”

Cooper cleared his throat after the whispered discussion. “Would you like to hear Blaine play the piano?” he asked.

“Oh, I would love it,” Mrs Jones said, “but only if you feel up to it , Blaine. I don't want to tax all your strength.”

“I'm fine, I'd love to play for you.”

Cooper opened the double doors at the side of the room to reveal the music room. It was done in pale blue wallpaper with cream beaded board under the chair rail. There were some watercolor paintings on the walls and a baby grand piano in the center of the room. Coop carried Blaine to the piano bench and sat beside him for support. Blaine's fingers touched the keys and he was off in a dreamworld – playing Moonlight Sonata. All eyes were on him as they enjoyed the music.

In the kitchen, Kurt's eyes began to water. He knew how much Blaine had missed playing and how much it meant to him. He had been encouraging Blaine all week, being supportive when he was needed, reminding Blaine to rest when he looked tired. Blaine had practiced every day getting ready for this evening and it had been rough on him. He hadn't touched the piano since he had been sick, so it was difficult to get back into the swing of it. But the more he practiced, the more he felt it all coming back to him. Kurt was just overjoyed to see him smile so much. Coop spent a lot of time with Blaine as he practiced and Kurt was able to give his full attention to making the perfect bolognaise sauce for the hand made pasta.

Mercedes came back into the kitchen after setting the table. “What can I help with? I can put the garlic bruscetta in the baskets?” she asked. Kurt nodded, grating the parmeseano reggiano into a bowl to set on the table. The wine was breathing, the water glasses were filled, the napkins were folded. Everything was perfect. He let out a sigh of relief and called into the living room as he heard Blaine finish the sonata.

He had made hand printed name cards for each place setting, putting Mercedes next to Cooper and placing her parents across the table so she could hold Cooper's hand under the table. Everyone came to sit down and supper started, talk resumed with the usual conversations. Mrs Jo was speaking to Kurt, who was sitting next to Blaine, about how they were going to be working with a tutor the next semester. Mr Jones was discussing business with Burt, and it seemed all the diners were occupied. Mercedes took a bit of a risk and moved her hand under the table to hold Cooper's hand.

Tice, sitting on the other side of his sister, saw the hands under the table and started to laugh. It was kind of under his breath, but Kurt saw it and kicked him. Tice looked up and Kurt hit him with a bitch-glare. Tice understood and sobered up immediately. He's been on Kurt's bad side often enough, and he understood retribution and punishment as meted out by his sister's best friend. “Hey, Finn, I heard you got a new video game?” he switched his attention to Kurt's brother.

Mercedes didn't even register that her brother had seen Cooper holding her hand. But her parents, with that second-sight that parents all over the world develop as soon as they have children, saw the whole thing. They exchanged glances, a whole conversation said between them in marital shorthand, born of many years together. Burt and Carole noticed and in the space of a few seconds, all the parents at the table were in on it. The kids, on the other hand, were blissfully ignorant.

Cooper had no problem telling the Joneses that he wanted to date their daughter, but she was very reluctant to say anything. It was a bit maddening for him, but he was patience personified.

The evening ended, everyone praising Kurt for the wonderful food, and it could be said a good time was had by all.

On the way home, Mrs Jones turned in her seat to look at her daughter. “How long has that been going on?”

“What? Kurt and Blaine? Oh, they started dating when Kurt transferred to Dalton...”

“No, young lady. I mean you and Cooper Anderson?” she nailed Mercedes with a look.

“Ah...we're just friends. We met when we went to the park with the Hummels.” She tried for an innocent look.

“I think it is more than that,” her father added.

“I....I....” she stuttered. “Please, I don't want to talk about this right now.”

The rest of the ride was silent, but not too uncomfortable. Mercedes went right to bed when they got home.

M - Coop, I'm sorry. This isn't going to work. My folks will freak out.

C – Ah...Mercedes? I must have missed something at supper. Did they not like me?

M- They saw you holding my hand.

C – And?

M – I don't know. They asked how long we've been together.

C - ??

M – I don't know how to deal with this. Give me time.

C – Mercedes? What's up? Can I help?

M – Meet me at the park in ten?

C – I'll be right there.

Mercedes slipped out the back door, not sure what she was doing. Tice would cover if need be. She walked slowly, trying to think of how to deal with this whole situation.

She sat on the bench wondering what to do. She really liked Cooper, but he was older than she was by over 11 years. They had flirted and held hands. She just didn't know what to think. Was this just some sort of summer fling? Did she feel more for him than that? He was much older – what exactly did he expect from her?

Cooper drove up and parked. He got out and walked over to the bench, sitting down on the other end of the bench from Mercy. He was quiet, wanting her to feel comfortable.

Mercedes just sat there for a few minutes, screwing up enough courage to speak. “Ahh..Cooper?” she asked, moving closer to him on the bench. He looked at her, smiled, and scooted closer. He took her hand in his.

“I guess I just don't know how to do this. I don't know what to say to my parents, I don't know how to act,” she hung her head.

Cooper reached out, put his fingers under her chin and lifted her head so he could look in her eyes. “It's okay, Mercedes. I'm in no hurry. Take as long as you like. I'll still be here. Wait until it's comfortable.” He moved back away from her, giving her space.

Tears rolled down her face. “But....Coop...I am just confused. I don't know how to do this. I've never really had a boyfriend, so I think I need some guidance.”

Cooper was not sure how to help. She was very young, the age of his little brother. But he felt a fondness for her...she was a beautiful girl, so fun to talk to, so nice to be with. He had gotten the impression she really liked him – she had been the one to take his hand when they were walking through the park that day. She moved to his end of the bench, looking into his eyes. And he leaned down, pulling her closer and kissing her gently on her beautiful lips. Her eyes got huge, then closed and she kissed him back. She got closer, he put his arms around her and they kissed again.

“For someone who isn't sure what she wants, Mercedes, you sure are, ah,......warming up to the idea,” he laughed. Mercedes giggled.

“You know, 'Cedes, I think this will work a lot better if I just come to your house tomorrow and talk to your parents. I'm not comfortable sneaking around behind their backs. And I don't think you are, either. If they see this as inappropriate, we have to talk about that. Okay?” Cooper said.

“Yeah, I think so, too,” she agreed. “Thank you, Coop. But as long as we're here.....”

They kissed for a while longer, holding hands and running their hands over each other's faces and arms. “Ah, 'Cedes, I think I better get you home. As much as I am enjoying this, you do need to get home. I want to talk to your parents before this gets any further. Don't you agree?”

“Yeah. I know, but I love kissing you.”

“Am I the first person you ever kissed? I mean, that is none of my business. Sorry I asked, but you can see where your folks wouldn't be thrilled if their virginal daughter was dating a man twelve years her senior?”

“What? Excuse me, Cooper, but you are so right that is NONE of your business. If I am so young, why are you here kissing me? Really?”

“Well, I didn't mean it to insult you.”

Mercedes had her back up, getting angrier by the second. She knew somewhere inside that she had no real reason to be angry, but it just wouldn't stop. She was embarrassed, unsure of herself, and it wasn't a place she had been very often. Mercedes was used to being in charge.

“And for your information, Mr Man-Of-The-World, I haven't been a virgin since I was 15!!!”

“What?” Cooper wasn't sure what she was talking about.

“I lost my virginity to my best friend, years before we ever met you.” And she got up, walking away as quickly as she could.

“Mercedes!” Coop got up, running to catch her. He grabbed her shoulder, spinning her around and holding her arms. “Mercedes! Wait a minute. I'm sorry if I said anything wrong. I don't know how this got so out of hand. Please let me take you home, let me apologize.”

She burst into tears. “I...I.....Oh, I'm sorry. I am so sorry. I just don't know how to deal with my emotions. I need to talk to my best friend. I need to talk to Kurt. He'll know what to say to me. I don't blame you, Cooper. I'm just confused. Can we start again tomorrow? I need to calm down and think for a while. Don't me mad at me, Cooper.” she said, pulling him down so she could kiss him goodbye. “I just live over there, I can walk from here. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?”

“Okay, Mercedes. I won't push you, you know. I'm happy holding your hand and kissing you for now. Let's not worry about anything else. We aren't in any hurry, are we?” he said.

He watched her walk across the park and go in the back door of her house. Wait....she said she lost her virginity to her best friend. Did she mean Kurt? No, it couldn't be. He must have misunderstood. Cooper walked back to his car and went home. He would go speak to her parents tomorrow, then he had to be back in Columbus by Monday night. He had a lot of thinking to do.

“Blaine?” Kurt asked in a whisper. He might be asleep.

Blaine's arms moved tighter around Kurt's waist. They were in bed, but he wasn't very tired. Well, tired but not sleepy. “Yeah?”

“I loved your piano playing tonight. Did you have fun?”

“You know, I really did. It has been such a long struggle, Kurt. But there are three things I love in this world. Coop, you, and music. I thought I lost one of them. I've always been sure of Cooper, he's been there since the first day, I could always count on him. But he had to move to Columbus. Then there was you. I fell in love with you the first time I saw you on the stairs at Dalton. I didn't recognize it for a while, but when I was in the hospital and I knew I might die – holding your hand was the only thing holding me in this world, Kurt.”

“I....don't know what to say, baby. Just that I knew if I let go of you, my own life would be over. I knew I could never let you go.” Kurt had tears in his eyes. They often spoke of this, but every time they both ended up with tears. It was too fresh, it was too important to take lightly.

“But the music, Blaine? It means as much to you, doesn't it?” Kurt asked. But it wasn't really a question – he knew the answer.

“I thought I'd lost it, Kurt. It was enough to have Coop and you, but having you and having music, too? It's all I ever want or need.” Blaine blinked back tears. He didn't want to cry over such a joyous thing.

“Do you want to sing now?” Kurt asked. He knew Blaine liked to sing, and the smile that brought was so sweet.

“No. Actually, Kurt, can you do something for me?” Blaine asked.

“Of course.”

“In the music room, in the small room at the back, on a shelf are some instrument cases. I want the one on the top middle shelf. It's black with a pink tag attached. Can you bring it to me?”

Kurt nodded and went through the kitchen, the dining room, the living room and opened the double doors to the music room. Sometimes he felt like he was living in a museum or something, it was a long walk from one end of the house to the other. He found the case and brought it back to Blaine. Blaine was sitting up at the side of the bed, ready for Kurt to help him move to the chair.

Kurt set the case on the bed and Blaine leaned over, opening the case and lifting out a violin. He rosined the bow, then tuned the strings – by ear, thank you very much. Kurt knew enough about music to truly appreciate this, violins were tricky to tune and Blaine made it look so easy. He started off with a few notes, added rosin and tried again. With a deep look of concentration, he started playing, missed a few notes and began again. The music he coaxed out of the violin had tears springing from Kurt's eyes. The frown on Blaine's face faded and a beautiful glowing smile replaced it.

The music sounded Baroque, but Kurt couldn't place it. Then Blaine stopped, muttered something about it being too heavy for evening, and began again. This time it was a bright tune, Celtic in nature. Kurt loved it. Blaine played the whole song, then played it again just to hear it. He had a smile that brought out the sun.

He loosened the bow, placing it back in the case, then placed the violin there, too. He was very tired, but happy.

“Blaine...?”

“Yeah?”

“I knew you played the piano and guitar. How come I never knew you played the violin?” Kurt asked.

“Ah...you never asked?” he smiled.

“Come on, now, when was the last time you played – because it sounded like you just played yesterday, but I know you haven't picked that up in a year, have you?”

“Well, no. But I play in my head. I spent a lot of time just thinking when I was sick, and music was one of the things I thought a lot about. I was playing in my mind,” he told his boyfriend.

“You are a wealth of secrets. I bet you play more, don't you?” Kurt asked, incredulous.

Blaine looked away. He was not one to brag, but Kurt asked him a direct question, so he answered. “I play the viola and cello, too. Oh, and the mandolin. And ukelele. And bass guitar, and guitar... Ah.....and the harmonica. And the harmonium – that's kind of like a reed organ. My grandma had one. I've messed around with a dulcimer, but I wouldn't say I'm proficient with that.”

“Is that all??”

“Oh, and the drums, too.” Blaine added.

“Oh, my goodness, Blaine. Wow. I just don't know what to say. Do you have all of these instruments...here?”

“Not all, but most of them. In the music storeroom. I lost the harmonica a few years ago, but never got a new one. I have two other violins, but this one is my favorite. I was concertmaster in the orchestra at Dalton before you got there. I quit for a while because I was too busy, but I'd like to start up again one of these days. I miss it,” Blaine finished.

Blaine looked so happy, which made Kurt happy. He was determined to get Blaine to play all of these instruments again. Music was such a part of who he was. Kurt had always felt it was part of himself, too, but never in the way it was part of Blaine.

“We can make a band, Mickey, Let's put on a show in the barn! I can play kazoo.” Kurt kidded.

“Golly, Judy, let's do it!” Blaine played his part, the two of them dissolving in laughter. They had watched a Mickey Rooney-Judy Garland marathon just the week before and it made them laugh.

Kurt moved the violin case to the top of the dresser. “I'm leaving this in here so you can play tomorrow. Okay?”

Blaine smiled. “I'd love that. Thank you.”

“No, thank you for playing for me, Blaine. It was an honor,” and Kurt meant that with all his heart.

Kurt helped Blaine get his pajamas on, then changed into his own. He turned off all of the lights and got under the covers with Blaine, pulling him close. Blaine turned around and kissed Kurt, sharing his happiness. They had walked the puppy just before bed, so Blaine was very tired, even though he was in the wheelchair, it was strenuous. Kurt was tired from pushing the chair for blocks. But it was a good kind of tired for both of them, tired from hard work, not from stress.

“Kurt?” Blaine whispered to his boyfriend. “I love you, Kurt.”

“I love you, too, baby. I had a good day. Every day spent with you is a good day, Blaine. I want to spend every day for the rest of my life with you. Goodnight.”

"Goodnight, kitten."

And Kurt and Blaine sang each other to sleep.