It was just a few days before Christmas and Blaine had gone with his brother to shop. Kurt had wanted to go, but Blaine made some lame excuse and Kurt understood it was because he wanted to shop for him. So, he went upstairs and knocked on Mercedes' door.

"Hey, Mrs. Anderson. Would you like to accompany me to the mall? Seems our significant others have run away together,” he kidded, hoping she felt well enough to go with him.

“Of course! Just give me a minute to dress and I'll meet you outside. Why don't you ask Finn, too. Rachel isn't coming over today..she's doing something with her dads.”

An hour later, the three of them were walking into the mall in Westerville. Cooper had mentioned going to the one in Lima, so Kurt wanted to give them some space. Kurt used to love shopping, but it just didn't hold the same thrill it used to. He was beginning to wonder if he was turning into an old man, or at the very least, a middle-aged one.

“Kurt, let's stop at the arcade, I'd love to try out some of the new games,” Finn asked, looking excited.

“Sure...Mercy?” Kurt asked.

“Love to. I need to get Tice something and maybe you can help me pick out a game, Finn.” Mercy chimed in. Finn grinned.

They spent some time there, playing and laughing before stopping at an Italian place for lunch. Afterwards, Finn excused himself to do a little 'private shopping', probably for the two of them. Kurt walked Mercy over to a bench and they sat for a short time while she caught her breath.

“What are you getting Blaine?” she asked.

“I don't know. I know what I want to get him, but I don't know if it's too soon. I was going to talk it over with my dad or Cooper, but they are always so busy lately, I feel like I'm intruding,” Kurt sighed.

“You know, Kurt, just because I'm married and pregnant doesn't mean I'm dead. I'm still your best friend, aren't I?”

“Of course you are, Mercy. But I don't want to burden you with my problems.” Kurt put his chin in his hand and his elbow on his knee. Mercy thought she had seen him in this sad pose much too often lately.

“What's wrong, honey? I can't help you if you won't tell me.” She reached out her hand and took his.

“I want to get Blaine an engagement ring. But I know everyone thinks we're too young.”

“Well, I guess I don't...I'm the same age as you and I'm married. Nobody says anything about it anymore,” Mercy squeezed his hand a little tighter.

“Oh, well, if one of us could just get pregnant....” Kurt rolled his eyes. “No, that was mean. Sorry. You know I didn't mean it. I'm just frustrated. Blaine and I are as close as we can be. We sleep in the same bed, we do everything a married couple does – well, almost – but we are still treated like children. I understand where my dad is coming from on this, he wants me to experience my childhood. But I just feel like my childhood ended when I was eight,” Kurt looked away, not wanting to have his eyes tear up, and he knew they would if he looked in Mercy's warm toffee eyes.

“Kurt, I remember. I was there, holding your hand.” Kurt looked over and smiled at his friend. She moved her hand to his back to rub little comforting circles into it. Then she leaned over and kissed his rosy cheek.

“Mercy...thanks.”

“Well, I didn't do anything. But you're welcome. Now, I have seen you have lots of fun. Who says you can't enjoy your last years of being a child? I know you are a man in most ways...god knows you work as hard as anyone I know. You take responsibility for another person. But you did that for your dad when he had the heart attack, long before you knew Blaine. It's just who you are, and one of the many reasons I love you."

“Do I think you are mature enough to get married? Yes. Do I think it will ruin what's left of your 'childhood'...hell to the no, honey. I don't think getting married will be any different in that respect. But it will change the dynamic between you and Blaine. It has to, but that is all for the better. Imagine how close you two are...then imagine how having everyone celebrate that love with you. It's life-changing, Kurt.

“I do understand that one reason parents don't want their children to get married too soon is that they have to have a means to support their new spouse, but let's be honest here. Blaine has enough money to support both of you for the rest of your lives. I know you won't spend one thin dime that you don't think over, you are the most thrifty person I know, and Blaine knows that, too. So, another problem solved.

“Now, thinking back on your original statement, you said you two do everything any married couple does..'almost'. Care to explain?” She nailed him with those big toffee eyes.

“Ah...no.” Kurt turned red. Really, really red.

“Hey, don't we tell each other everything? What could be so bad you can't tell me?” she asked.

“Ah, well, it's to do with sex.”

“Gee, Kurt. I think I know what that entails...even if it's you and another man. I grew up in the age of the internet, I've seen Queer As Folk you know. So, what's the problem? Oh...you have had sex, haven't you? I forgot about him not being able to walk, is it that kind of problem?”

“No. His..ah, his equipment all functions just fine. And, yes, we have sex. All but...well, we have never gone all the way. We have talked about it, but we want to wait until we're married.” He looked at her, then looked away quickly, not knowing exactly how to broach this subject without sounding condescending.

“Oh, you mean because I'm pregnant, so obviously we didn't wait? No worries, I'm not sensitive about it. It's kind of...common knowledge, you know.” She grinned at him to make him less ill at ease.

“Okay,' Kurt continued, “I'm not judging you. But we decided to wait, and I am kind of worried that is what is making me more eager to get married. So we can finally, ah..do the deed.” Kurt blushed so hard he was red up to his ears. He ducked his head to hide it , just like when he was a kid.

“Oh, Kurt. That's sweet!” Mercy cooed.

“Sheesh! Just what I wanted to hear...that my yearning to debauch my boyfriend is 'sweet'. Mercedes!”

She just laughed.

“If you weren't carrying my nephew, I'd give you such a smack...” he kidded.

“Or niece. We don't know yet. I asked the doctor not to tell me yet.”

'Okay. But do you understand what I'm saying...about not knowing if this is the right time?” he looked serious.

“Kurt, I think if it's the right time, you'll know.” she said softly. “But you have the rest of your life to ask him. I'm pretty damn sure he isn't going anywhere. That boy is head over heels in love with you, Kurt.”

“There is another consideration, and it's even more sensitive. I don't know if Blaine has even thought about it, but I think about it all the time. When he first got meningitis, they didn't want me to be with him. I knew I had to be. I knew if I left his side, he was not going to make it. And I know the only reason I was allowed to stay with him was because Carole and Dad insisted upon it. They somehow knew he wouldn't make it without me.

“But now...his father is dead, his mother is in Europe, Cooper isn't always there, and my dad's guardianship papers are only legal if Coop is out of the country. So, if he gets sick again, they could ban me from being with him. And I couldn't live with that, Mercedes. If we are married - which we would have to go to New York or Iowa or a few other places to do...they couldn't keep me from him. Do you understand?” Kurt was on the verge of tears. He felt like he spent his life on the verge of tears.

Mercedes pulled him into a backbreaking hug. She did understand. Kurt threw his arms around her, so thankful he had his best friend and she knew how he felt.

“Well, let's go to the jewelry store and start shopping!”

They got up, walking arm in arm to the store. Kurt asked to see the men's wedding bands and they spent a long time searching for the best one. Kurt finally decided on a gold band that had a sort of Celtic knot design. He bought it, and they promised to have it engraved in two days. Kurt left the store, smiling to himself and happier than he had been in a long time.

They met up with Finn, all of them carrying boxes and bags and smiles that they had their shopping done.

Christmas morning came and Blaine was up at dawn, poking Kurt to wake him up. He kissed him all up and down his neck, humming in anticipation. Kurt was tired, but nobody could be grouchy with Blaine in the room. He practically glowed. Kurt helped him to the bathroom, his wrist now healed as long as he was careful with it. They got dressed in comfortable clothes, Blaine wearing his signature bowtie and Kurt in an Alexander McQueen scarf, both presents to each other last year. When Kurt got back from letting Aramis out for his morning run in the backyard, Blaine was grinning and holding a small box. It was too big for a ring, more the size of a VCR tape.

“Open it here, Kurt.” he grinned.

Kurt almost objected, but then the smile on Blaine's face made him think that over. He reached out his hand and took the pretty package, all wrapped in gold paper with a red bow. He carefully unwrapped it, Blaine squirming in anticipation. Inside the box were a bottle of something golden and several applicator bottles in various sizes. There were papers with beautiful floral and geometric designs. They looked kind of familiar, but Kurt wasn't quite sure what it was. He looked at Blaine.

“It's a henna kit. It's for drawing Mehndi on our bodies. I know you probably don't want to get tattoos....I really don't, either, right now. But with this, we can draw designs on each other, but it isn't permanent and it will eventually wear off. It's used for special occasions, and I was thinking we could use it to celebrate that...well, that we love each other.” Blaine blushed, looking down for a minute.

Kurt smiled, bringing Blaine into a hug and kissing his cheeks. “I love it, baby. It's the perfect gift! Now, I have one for you before we go into the living room with everyone else.”

He went to the closet and pulled a wrapped package off the top shelf. It was wrapped in shiny green foil with gold ribbons. He set it on Blaine's lap and smiled at him. Blaine opened the tiny cylindrical part on top first. It was a bottle of vitamins. He looked at it, then up at Kurt. Kurt just giggled. “Open the rest.” Blaine opened the larger part and found two books. He grinned, the books were “The Joy of Gay Sex” and “The Gay Man's Kama Sutra”. Blaine opened the book.

“Oh, now I understand the need for the vitamins,” he giggled. Looking at the beautiful illustrations, he smiled. “Wow, Kurt, you have a lot of faith in me...” he giggled. Kurt smiled back and Blaine pulled Kurt down close to him for a passionate kiss.

“I love you, Kurt.”

“I love you, too, baby.”

The boys joined the rest of the family in the living room, sitting around the tree. Smiles shone all around. There were gifts in piles all around the tree. Burt played Santa, complete with hat. Some of the gifts were just funny...Finn gave Kurt a T-shirt reminiscent of the “I Was Born This Way” project they had done in Glee - in large print on the front it said: MAMA TIGER. Kurt gave him his patented ice cold bitch-glare, but ended up laughing and giving Finn a hug.

“C'mere, boy,” Blaine called Aramis over to him. He handed Kurt a package wrapped with red paper with little puppies to unwrap. Inside was a dog collar....with a bow tie. Kurt put it on the collie, and Burt took a picture. With all the presents unwrapped, everyone sighed and sat back to just rest.

Kurt left to go into the kitchen, Mercedes following. He came back with trays of homemade cinnamon rolls and coffee for everyone. Christmas wasn't Christmas without Kurt's cinnamon rolls. Cooper rolled Blaine into the music room and he began to play Christmas music on his piano, everyone joining in to sing all the favorites. When Blaine got tired, Kurt took over, then Cooper. By the time every song was sung, it was afternoon and Kurt took Blaine to their room to rest. Mercedes went upstairs with Cooper for a nap, too.

Blaine was too excited to rest, and he snuggled up to Kurt, opening his new books. Kurt was beside him on the bed with some paper, drawing the patterns he liked from the design papers that came with the henna kit. Blaine would bump Kurt's shoulder and show him illustrations he liked in the book, Kurt smiling and imagining what Blaine would look like in that position.

Kurt finally got under the covers, pulling Blaine with him to rest. Blaine snuggled close, his nose in Kurt's neck, smelling his cologne and that scent that was just Kurt. He was so happy. But one thing was on his mind – how to ask Kurt to marry him. He had the ring that Burt had given him all ready, it was wrapped in a sock in his drawer in the original velvet box. Burt had taken it to get it cleaned and the stones checked, so it was shining and so beautiful. Blaine had narrowed it down to two places, he just had to pick one. And he had to decide which day to ask. Today was Christmas, and that would always be special, but New Year's Eve was Kurt's birthday, so that was special, too. Blaine fell asleep thinking about it.

Kurt was also deep in thought. He had picked up Blaine's ring from the jeweler and it was in a shiny black leather box in his bedside drawer. He wanted to take Blaine somewhere special, but wasn't sure if doing it in private or in front of the family would be better. He was leaning more towards the idea of privacy – they could tell the family later. Yes, that would be best. He closed his eyes, decision made.

A few hours later, Kurt was kissing Blaine awake. He wanted to get going while it was still light outside, with the snow and the cold, being out later in the evening was just too cold.

“Hey, baby, how about we go for a ride before dinner?” Kurt said in a soft voice into Blaine's ear as he was nibbling on his earlobe.

“Oh, that sounds great,” Blaine replied, the thought of them being alone were just what he wanted, now he didn't have to rely on someone else for transportation for his plan.

Kurt helped Blaine get ready, while Blaine secretly slipped the ring box into his pocket when he was getting his socks.

They started out just driving towards the edge of town, Aramis in the back of the Navigator very excited to be with his two favorite people. Kurt drove to the park where they had taken that walk so long ago, the day Blaine got his wheelchair.

“Kurt, I love this place, and it's a great idea to come here...but I'm pretty sure you can't push the wheelchair in this snow.” Blaine said, the smile slipping a teensy bit from his face.

“Not to worry, I thought about that,” Kurt smiled, parking the car. He got out and went around to the back, lifting something out. He pulled it around to Blaine's side of the car. Lifting Blaine out, he placed him gently on a sled and wrapped him in blankets. Blaine just grinned.

“You are so clever. This is just perfect.”

Kurt added a basket and began pulling Blaine down the path towards the clearing in the woods. It was a little slow going, but not too difficult and they reached the place in about 15 minutes. Kurt spread another blanket on the ground and lifted Blaine to it, again wrapping him in the other blanket. He set the basket close and climbed into the nest of warmth made by the wool of the blanket and body heat. The boys scooted together and Kurt opened the basket to reveal a bottle of champaign and two cut crystal glasses. Blaine opened the bottle and poured.

Kurt clinked glasses with Blaine, smiling, “Here's to us.”

Blaine reached into his pocket, bringing out the box and turned to Kurt.

“I'm so happy you brought me here, Kurt. I always think about all the good times we've had this past year – and about my love for you.” Kurt blushed and kissed Blaine's cheek. Blaine continued, “And I want to be with you for the rest of my life......” he faltered, forgetting what he had rehearsed on the way here. He was at a total loss of words, so he just took Kurt's hand and placed the box in it.

Kurt's eyes got huge. “What...??? Oh, Blaine....” he opened the box. Inside was a very old ring, gold with a leaf and vine pattern and tiny diamonds. He looked at it, and felt funny. He paled and tried to look at Blaine, but the ground rose up to meet him....

“Kurt, Kurt...” Blaine was holding Kurt in his lap, and Kurt was out cold. Blaine was scared, what had happened? He patted Kurt's cheeks, calling to him. A moment later, Kurt began to blink up at Blaine, seeming to be confused. He shook his head and then his eyes locked on Blaine's and he felt better. The velvet box had fallen in the snow.

“Oh, Blaine..I just came over so dizzy. Maybe the champaign?” Kurt mumbled.

“Kurt, you hadn't even taken a sip of it. No, it ws when you opened the ring box...” Blaine whispered, still not sure what was wrong with Kurt. Kurt scrambled to pick up the box with the ring inside.
“You're right. I looked at the ring and I felt so lightheaded,” Kurt said, looking at the ring again. He looked puzzled. Blaine reached out and took the box, removing the ring and setting the box down. He took Kurt's hand.

“Kurt, you know I love you. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

Kurt smiled from ear to ear, “Yes.” He was dizzy and happy and overjoyed and he launched himself at Blaine for a kiss. Sitting back down, Blaine took his left hand and slipped the ring onto his finger, kissing it and quite relieved it fit. Burt hadn't been sure.

“But..why does it look so familiar?” Kurt said, almost to himself.

“Because you've seen it before. A long time ago. A few months ago, your dad came to me and asked me if I intended to marry you.”

“He what??” Kurt stared open-mouthed. Why did his father do such things? Kurt blushed. “I'm sorry...”

“No. You don't understand. He knew how close we were, how much we loved each other, and he was so happy. He gave me this ring – to give to you if I wanted it. It's the ring your mother gave him on their wedding day. When she died, he took it off because it reminded him too much of the pain. But he told me it was a link from your mother to you, and he wanted to see it again – on your hand.”

Kurt was just undone with emotion by this time, crying hot tears and wiping his face on his mittens. Blaine was crying, too. They reached for each other, pulling close and just holding, no space between them, breathing the same air. Kurt put his face in Blaine's neck, getting strength from the closeness, bringing in the scent of his boyfriend, who always smelled like fresh spring, even in the middle of winter. He felt the cold wind that had started, shivering a tiny bit and cuddling under the soft blankets more, pulling them closer around Blaine. He looked at the ring again, a warm feeling spreading over him at the thought this ring had been his mother's choice, it was a part of her.

“I remember now, seeing this ring on my father's hand. I would play with my dad's hands when they sat together, sometimes I would turn the ring on Dad's finger, trying to find a beginning or an end to the vine – but there was none. Dad told me the vine was like love, it was endless. Blaine, I know our love will be endless, too.” Kurt leaned up and kissed Blaine.

“Just to illustrate how much we are connected, I do have something for you, Blaine. It seems anti-climactic now, but....” Kurt took the shiny leather box out of his own pocket and removed the ring. Blaine's eyes shone as he held out his hand and Kurt slipped the Celtic knot ring on his finger. Blaine looked at the ring, then put his arms around Kurt's neck.

“You already know my answer.”

They sat together, cuddling and kissing, whispering and sighing, until it was getting dark and much colder. Kurt bundled Blaine up on the sled and walked back to the car, Aramis frisking in the path ahead of them.

Walking in the door, the family was all in the family room watching “White Christmas”. Delicious smells were coming from the kitchen, Carole and Mercedes had made dinner. Finn was the first to notice the excited looks on the boy's faces and quickly looked at their hands. He grinned and nodded to them, not wanting to spoil any surprise they had planned. They both grinned back at him.

Removing their coats and things, Kurt carried Blaine into the room, sitting him on one of the sofas and pulling his afghan around them as he settled back, leaning on Blaine's chest. Blaine wrapped his arms around his fiancé. That was so nice to say...fiancé!!! Blaine smiled to himself. As the movie played, Kurt moved around so he was next to Blaine, both boys with arms around the other – where they fell asleep.

Burt got up and walked into the kitchen to see if he could help. Finn followed him, still grinning.

“What has you so happy, kid?” Burt asked, noting the exaggerated smile on his son. Finn just smiled more and shook his head. Burt cocked his head to one side, thinking, then walked back into the room. He made like he was straightening the afghan over the sleeping boys, but glanced at their hands before settling it back around them and adding a wool blanket, too.

He walked back into the kitchen, smiling at Finn and winking. Finn laughed. “Took you long enough...” he said under his breath. They said something to each other without words, just a grunt and a shrug – but it meant they agreed not to tell anyone else until they figured it out for themselves.

Dinner was served and Kurt sat even closer to Blaine than he usually did. Finn and Burt exchanged knowing looks until Carole caught on, seeing Blaine's hand as he passed the mashed potatoes. Mercedes was next – and really, she should have known since she had helped Kurt pick it out. She asked Kurt to pass the turkey over to Cooper, but it wasn't until his brother reached across him to get the salt shaker that Coop saw the ring. It was almost funny to see him follow his brother's hand as it moved, Coop's eyes huge and his mouth open.

But for all it took for the rest of the family to see and understand, Kurt and Blaine were almost oblivious to them. They had eyes only for each other. It wasn't until the whole table was silent, watching them that either of them noticed.

“Ah...what's wrong?” Kurt asked, then blushed, looking around the table at the smiling faces of his family. Blaine took Kurt's hand and smiled at him, then smiled at the rest of the people at the table.

“We have an announcement to make,” he smiled. “Kurt and I are going to get married.”

And everyone started yelling and shouting congratulations at once, clapping the boys on the back, brushing away tears, asking questions. When the noise finally died down and the table was cleared, Burt came with a bottle of champaign and poured for everyone (except Mercedes, who got sparkling cider). A toast was given to the health and happiness of the couple and it was declared to be the best Christmas anyone had ever had.

“Blaine? Did you expect everyone to be so positive about our engagement?” Kurt asked later, in bed.

“No. I didn't think anyone would really violently object, mind you, but that enthusiasm? No, I didn't. But it was kind of nice, wasn't it?”

Kurt smiled.

“Now we'll have to think of a date. I guess we can do it anytime, your choice...but please not on Valentine's Day. That is so cliché,” Kurt said.

“How about the 5th of July? That way, we can have the bachelor party on the 4th and it will be like they're doing all the firework displays just for us,” Blaine giggled.

“That sounds good to me, and it will give me time to plan a nice, quiet wedding.”

Blaine yawned and Kurt pulled up the warm covers, settling down to go to sleep.

“I love you, kitten.”

“I love you, baby.”