Betad by: Cleverboots

Sorry for the late update! Ive just been busy this week and I just started writing hours ago... so Im sorry if this chapter seemed so rushed... I promise Ill make it up to you on the next chapter...

Thank you also for the reviews, please continue on doing so!

New York-the city that never sleeps.

It had been 5 years since Kurt had stepped on the soil of one of the best city he had ever visited. He missed it... he missed the never-ending traffic of New York streets, missed being shoved by rude businessmen, and especially missed the New York bagels. He really thought it was something to do with their water. He missed everything that was marked with New York City.

He just so wished that he was coming back to New York because he wanted to, not because he was forced to be here.

As it turned out, Isabelles grandmother was just waiting to see her favorite grandchild one last time before taking her last breath. Isabelle had been an emotional wreck for the last week because she had lost the only relative she had left; she was so devastated about the death of her grandmother that she tearfully begged Kurt to take over the collaboration project with the Anderson Corporation. So, of course, Kurt had no choice but to nod his head and tell his boss that he would fly to New York and finish the summer issue.

The apartment in which he was currently living belonged to Isabelle, and she generously loaned it to him during his stay in New York. Living in this city is not cheap, so even if he wanted to change his living arrangement, it would take a big toll in his budget. Also, the borrowed loft was near to the public facilities that he and Andre needed; it was near to his work, to the supermarket and to the hospital, so it really would be a big loss if he moved just because he was living in the same building with his ex-husband.

Andre, even with his everlasting energy, was actually anemic. He had to be constantly watched over so that he didnt become too exhausted and pass out. There was only one incident that Andre had lost his consciousness and it nearly killed Kurt to see Andre lying on the hospital bed; it was like five years ago over again. Kurt couldnt go through that pain again, or he might lose his mind. So he became the over protective parent, but Adam had advised him not to be too overbearing and cost Andre his childhood. They still visited the doctor every week and Andre had to drink his medicine daily to maintain his blood level, but Kurt let him play all he wanted. There was still no guarantee that Andre would not pass out again, so living near the hospital made Kurts mind a little more at ease.

One month.

Kurt would be working with Blaine for one month. That fact he knew, but living in the same building with him was not part of the plan. There were still a lot of things left unsaid between the two of them, but he knew this was not the right time. He had planned on rebuilding their broken selves through telephone conversation first, then if they were both ready, they could meet again and start a friendship between them again. That was Kurts original plan-a very, very long plan, but now as he watched his ex-husband inside the glass room, happily interacting with the other children, he thought that maybe the timing was just right.

One benefit of working in Blaines company was that they had built a day care center inside the building premises for the children of the employees of Anderson Corporation. They had built it four years ago as part of the project of the COURAGE foundation. It helped the employees-who were parents-to alleviate any worry about leaving their children in unknown places. The day care was free, safe and near, so a lot of working parents had transferred to their company to acquire these parental incentives.

The day care center was one-half of an entire floor, the other half was the employees lounge. The walls of the day care were all glass so parents who wanted to see their children might watch outside the room without disturbing the class. The walls did not reach the ceiling, so the parents could hear the happiness of the children as they played. The floor was covered with soft colorful foam puzzles and different kinds of toys were scattered on the long shallow table. The room was built and furnished with the consideration of children in mind. The only thing that was really out of place was the curly man in the grey suit inside the day care room, cradling a yellow puppet on his right hand that oddly looked like him.

The children were patiently huddled around the chair where Blaine is sitting, waiting for the puppeteer to start his show. He couldnt help but grin widely as Blaine dubbed the puppets voice; it was really cute to see a thirty-two year old man enjoying interacting with children. And of course, when he heard puppet-Blaine asked for a volunteer, it was Andre who immediately leaped to Blaines lap - not even giving Blaine the chance to choose another kid.

Kurt gave a heartily laugh as he watched Andre tugging the bowtie that the Blaine-puppet was wearing and how Blaine was trying to explain to Andre that the bowtie was stitched to the puppets body. My kid really is obsessed with bowties. Kurts thought were interrupted when he heard a female voice beside him.

"You really have to stop giving him heart eyes." A black woman wearing the day care teachers uniform, which was a yellow polo shirt matched with brown shorts and black converse shoes, said.

"Excuse me?" Kurt spluttered and turned his body to face her. What the hell is she talking about?

"Youre new here, I presumed, I have never seen your face before." she said, but her eyes were still focused at the day care area.

"Yeah... I just started today."

"Are you single?" the woman asked, and this time she faced him.

"Wh-What?" Kurt sputtered again at the womans bluntness. "Who the hell are you and what are you getting at?" Kurt demanded.

The woman winced at Kurts tone. "Oops. Sorry, I did it again. Can we start over?" She didnt wait for Kurt to agree and just introduced herself. "Im Mercedes Jones, Ive been working here in the day care since Blaine..." she pointed at Blaine, who was now playing tag with the children, while carrying Andre on his shoulders, "...established it four years ago."

"Oh... okay," Kurt just nodded, still puzzled why the woman-Mercedes-was talking to him. "Im K-"

"You were curious why I was talking to you right?" she asked with a knowing smile.

Kurt didnt bother opening his mouth because he knew he would be interrupted again, so he just nodded to her.

"Your smile..." She pointed at Kurts lips. "You really have to stop watching him before you regret it."

Kurt furrowed his brows at her, still confused at what she is talking about. "Uhmm... Can you be clearer, we arent really on the same page here."

Mercedes sighed and then looked back at Blaine. "That guy with the suit, the one who is playing with the kids..."

Kurt decided to play dumb and acted like he doesnt know Blaine at all. "Yeah... what about him?"

"Thats our boss, Blaine Anderson," Mercedes whispered like she is sharing the hottest topic of gossip. "And he is bad news."

"Really? Is he a playboy or something?"

"Its worse than that," she said firmly and gestured to the room they were in. "You see this floor for the day care center? This was his idea. He, alongside with his brother, Cooper-our other boss, tried to make a parent-friendly environment for the employees."

"Isnt that supposed to be adding to his good points and not to his bad ones?" Kurt asked incredulously, he couldnt help but be curious about how being good with kids became Blaines worst point.

Mercedes bit her bottom lip and glanced around the room to see if anyone could hear their conversation. "I really shouldnt be telling you this, but when I saw the heart eyes youd been making to our boss, I really have to warn you about him."

Kurt wanted to protest about giving Blaine the heart eyes, but decided against it, and just let Mercedes pull him in a more secluded corner of the buildings, not far enough that he couldnt still see Blaine and Andre out of the corner of his eyes.

"Have you heard the COURAGE foundation?" When Mercedes saw Kurt nod she continued. "There had been gossip milling around that the foundation was dedicated to Blaines ex-husband."

"Wha-what?" Kurt gasped. He knew that somehow that foundation was connected to him, but hearing it from other people just make it so real.

"Yeah... I think it has been years since they broke up but Blaine is still hung up on him," she said sadly, tears started to pool in her eyes as she looked at her boss.

"Thats impossible!" Kurt protested. Blaine is not hung up on me, he is just guilty of the things he had done before. he thought firmly.

"No... Its true," she shook her head frantically, and then gestured to the Blaine-puppet that was now placed on the top of one of the bookshelves. "That Blaine doll is called BAH."

Kurt had a slight recollection earlier that the children kept on shouting BAH when they saw Blaine, and the nametag stitched on the puppets shirt clearly indicated that he was called BAH. What a weird name for a puppet.

"Do you know why he is named BAH?" Kurt shook his head to Mercedes question.

"Okay... Im not really sure about this because I wasnt working here yet when Blaine and his ex-husband made out on the lobby years ago..." Kurt felt his cheeks became warm when he remembered the first conscious kiss that he and Blaine shared. "... But the employees who had been there and witnessed the whole exchange secretly investigated about their boss sudden nuptial. Unfortunately, they only found out the husbands name and nothing more than that. The wedding was really a secret."

"I dont understand. What are you getting at?" Kurt asked again, the flow of conversation had begun to be uncomfortable to him.

"Im getting there, I promise," she said enthusiastically, eyes glistening as she shared the everlasting gossip in their company. "They found out that Blaines ex-husband is someone by the name of Kurt Hummel. When Blaine showed up in the day care center every day during his lunch break, with the puppet in tow, we speculated that BAH stands for Blaine Anderson-Hummel." She stated smugly, but also lovingly; she was touched of the depth of Blaines dedication for his ex-husband. "So you see, you really dont have any chance with him because he still cannot forget his ex-husband. Youre just in for a heartbreak, honey."

Kurt was dumb-struck about what he had just heard about Blaine. WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? He wanted to shout at Mercedes. You really dont know what you are talking about; Blaine cannot be over me because he was never in love with me in the first place! Please stop saying nonsense to me! He really wanted to shriek at her, but his body wasnt responding to what his mind was telling him.

Mercedes saw that her companion had frozen and she frantically shook his body to relieve him from his stillness. "Hey... uhmm... Shit! I dont even know your name. Are you okay?"

Kurt didnt respond to her, but he managed to make his muscles respond when he heard Andre shout his name and hug his knee.

"Papa! I miss you Papa!" Andre shouted and made grabby hands to Kurt so he would be lifted up by his father.

"I miss you too." Kurt then lifted his son to his arms and kissed his cheeks. "Did you have fun?" Kurt still asked Andre even though he was only half paying attention to him.

"Lots and lots... just like this," Andre said giddily and stretched his tiny arms as far as possible so he could let his Papa see how much he had fun with Mr. Bowties.

Kurt laughed at his son and kissed his cheeks again. "I know you did."

"Awww..." Mercedes broke the father-son moment. "Is that your kid?"

Kurt then remembered his companion and preened at how Andre had also influenced her with his cuteness. "Yeah... This is Andre."

"Hello!" Andre waved at her. "Im Papas Andre," he said automatically.

"Awww... You two are really cute." Then she remembered how he accused Kurt earlier. "Oh my god!" she shrieked, startling Kurt and Andre. "Im sorry! Im sorry! I just accused you of crushing at our boss when you already have a kid and a partner. Oh my god! Oh my god! Im so sorry..." she apologized sincerely.

Kurt, again, didnt have the time to respond to her because he heard his name being shouted on the other side of the room.

"Kurt!" Blaine shouted breathlessly as he hurriedly run towards Kurt and Andre. "How long have you been here?" Blaine asked when he stopped in front of them and patted Andres head, which is covered with a black Trilby hat.

"Just now." Kurt didnt know why he lied to Blaine.

"Kkk... Kurt Hummel? As in the Kurt Hummel?" Mercedes asked wide eyed. She didnt expect Kurt to really appear in front of her and tell gossip about him. Oh my God! What did I do?

"The one and only." Kurt said truthfully, he really couldnt lie to her, not when Blaine was standing in front of him. He saw the woman beside him hyperventilating, and he knew that she was just realizing that she could be fired for the story he had shared with him. He took pity on the woman, so he leaned to her ear and whispered, "I wont tell a thing."

Mercedes thanked him with watery eyes and hurried to go back to the play area to continue her work. She was grateful that Kurt had promised to not tattle on her, but she still couldnt help but imagine how their relationship would progress from here; seeing that Kurt had another family now.

"What was that about?" Blaine probed as he eyed the woman who kept on stealing glances at them.

"Oh... nothing... just a fan..." A very weird fan... he added in his thoughts.

"Oh... okay..." Blaine started rubbing his neck; a habit Kurt was very familiar with when Blaine wanted to ask something, but was very nervous about it. "Uhmm... Are you still on break? Do you want to drink some coffee with me?" Blaine started rambling. "Theres this great café near our building and their coffee is great, but if you dont want to, its also cool. I just really wanted to start over again, but if it makes you feel uncomfortable, I understand. So... uhmm,... do you want some coffee?"

"Youre funny!" Andre laughed at the older mans rambling and lifted his arms towards him so he could now be lifted up by Blaine.

Kurt transferred Andre to Blaine. "That was a really long speech just for a coffee," Kurt giggled but still accepted the offer. Its coffee, co-workers had coffee together, he reasoned out.

The short walk between the building and the café wasnt awkward as Kurt and Blaine thought it would be because Andre was the one who is doing all the talking; he was non-stop in telling Kurt about his and Blaines adventures in the day care. Andre only stopped talking when he saw the cake display beside the counter and wiggled his body so Blaine would let him down. He pressed his face and palms to the glass pane as he admired the colorful decoration of the desserts in front of him.

"Next please," the barista announced. When she saw Blaine in the line, she automatically punched the tanned mans usual order, but still asked him out of politeness. "Your usual order, Mr. Anderson?"

"Yup... but do you just sell only milk for the toddler over there?" Blaine gestured to Andre who still had his face pasted to the glass display.

"Yes sir," the barista answered with extra giddiness.

"Okay, thanks and add a slice of that carrot cake," Blaine pointed at the cake which Andre was eying, Then he turned his head to ask Kurt what he wanted, but he felt self-conscious when he saw two blue eyes staring at him.

"Wh-What? Is there something on my face?" he asked and quickly wiped one side of his cheeks.

Kurt was impressed that Blaine thought of what Andre needed without telling him. He grinned at him and shook his head. "Oh nothing... uhmm Ill just get a cappuccino... thank you..."

"Is that all?" the Barista asked.

"Yeah..." Blaine answered and took his wallet from his back pocket.

"One cappuccino, one order of carrot cake, one cup of milk, one plate of biscotti and a grande nonfat mocha," she repeated the order backwardly. "That will be $25.76."

Blaine froze from taking his debit card from his wallet. That was awkward, he momentarily forgot that he had kept ordering nonfat mocha because it was Kurts coffee order before, and he wanted to keep living in the memories that Kurt had left him with. He cautiously glanced at the taller man, wishing that he didnt hear the barista; it will be really hard to explain to Kurt why he had been drinking nonfat mocha for the last years when his coffee order was originally a soy latte. Blaine breathed a sigh of relief when Kurt was distracted with his phone. He paid the barista and led Kurt and Andre to an empty table, but before he could sit down, he asked one of the cleaning staff for a high-chair for Andre.

WHAT THE FUCK IS REALLY HAPPENING HERE? First the foundation, and then the puppet and now the coffee order. WHY THE HELL IS BLAINE DOING THIS? Kurt tried schooling his panic by pretending to fiddle with his phone, but his panic had only completely stopped when he heard the staff apologize for not having high-chairs for toddlers.

"Thats cool," Blaine calmly said and lifted Andre to his lap, so the little boy could enjoy his snack without bumping his chin to the edge of the table.

"Ei... dont trouble yourself, I can hold Andre," Kurt offered, still wary about Blaines mind game. He was now second-guessing if interacting outside the office was a good thing for them. Damn you, Anderson!

"Nah... its okay... Im not really bothered by it," he said and snuggled Andre more tightly.

Kurt was about to protest more, but the barista had called Blaines name, indicating that their order was ready. He offered to get it for them and stood up, walked to the counter, and got back immediately with their order on the tray in his hands.

Kurt placed the three cups in front of the appropriate owner and put the two plates of dessert in the middle of the table. Walking to the counter to return the tray, he came back to sit across from Blaine and Andre.

If they would have been in a different situation, Kurt would have smiled when he watched Andre and Blaine grab a piece of biscotti each, dip it in their own drinks, swirled it like a stirrer and take a bite of the end of it. That habit was not new to Kurt, he had seen Andre doing that several times now with his cookies and milk, he had subconsciously done that only once in front of Andre, and the boy had already adopted that habit. Andre had always complained how his cookies & biscuits werent wet and were hard to eat, so he kept on dipping it with whatever liquid he had on hand before eating his snacks.

Oh god! I hope Blaine didnt notice that! Kurt wished desperately.

"Oooh." Blaines eyes formed a saucer when Andre had the same habit as he did, but he didnt think anything more than that; he was too enthralled how the little kid was eating the biscotti just like he had been for years.

Kurt breathed a sigh of relief when Blaine didnt ask why Andre had the same habit as he did. He continued to silently watch Blaine spoon feed Andre with the carrot cake. Kurts phone vibrated in his pocket, so he took it out and when he saw the caller ID is Dr. Marley Rose-Andres new doctor whilst they are staying in New York-he excused himself and took the phone call just outside the café.

Blaine watched Kurt walked out of the café, and he seized this opportunity to ask Andre something important. "Hey Andre," he said to get the boys attention, then moved the boy slightly to his right arm so he could look at him while talking.

"Hmmm?" Andre glanced at Mr. Bowtie.

"What are the things that your papa loves?" he asked the small boy. Blaine knew Kurts stay in New York would only be for a month, even shorter if Isabelle decided to finish the project herself, so he needed to know what Kurt liked so he could buy a farewell gift for him when he went back to Paris... and back to Adam. Andre was his only source of that information. He knew Kurts likes and dislikes before, but things might have changed and Kurt certainly had changed, so he needed to update his information about Kurt Hummel 2.o.

"Papa loves me!" Andre exclaimed. Blaine couldnt get enough of how the young boy had shown his love to his father.

"I know that, silly," Blaine grinned and tapped Andres nose with his pointer finger. "I mean other than that, Andre, what does your papa love?"

"Papa loves Dadam," Andre said innocently, not knowing how that simple statement could hurt Blaine.

"I also know that..." Blaine said dejectedly, but he kept his tears at bay; he really needed to get used to the idea that Kurt was now taken. "I mean what are the things that your papa loves... things, baby... not people," Blaine clarified for him. It was easy to just buy some kind of designers clothes, but he wanted to give Kurt something more special, something Kurt would really like that he cannot refuse the gift from Blaine.

"Uhmm.." Andre thought deeply and put his pointer fingers on either side of his temple."Uhmmm... uh..." he thought while rocking his body sideways, making Blaine realize how comical his actions were. "I know! Papa loves clocks!" Andre exclaimed.

"Kurt loves clocks?" Blaine wished that Kurt really liked clocks and the boy just didnt mishear some adult time between Kurt and Adam.

"Yup... papa really loves clocks. He always carries one with him."

"Clocks...? Carrying with him?" Blaine questioned and then it hit him, of course the boy was just little, his vocabulary was not as extensive as Blaines. "Oh you mean a wrist watch?" he asked and pointed at the silver wrist watch he was wearing.

"No... not that kind of clock," Andre scolded him and wiggled down to the floor, walking over to Kurts seat to get his papas bag. He walked back to Blaine and was automatically placed on the short mans lap. He put his papas bag on his knee and rifled through it to search for papas clock.

"Aha!" Andre shouted and took a pocket watch from Kurts bag.

Its was not just any pocket watch, it was the pocket watch that Blaine had given to Kurt on their first dinner date.

"Oh my god..." Blaine couldnt help but whisper. He took the watch from Andres grasp and turned it around. Now he was 100% sure that this is their pocket watch. The COURAGE engraved on the back was still visible. "He still has it..."

Andre ignored Blaine when he was whispering something he couldnt understand, so he just continued to explain why Papa loves this clock. "If Papa is sick or sad, he will hold this clock and it will make his pain go away."

"Really? He really holds this when he is sad and he will be happy again?" Blaine asked, hope glistening through his eyes.

"Yup." Andre nodded. "Papa said that Grandma Beth will make him happy again."

Blaine deflated with Andres added answer. Of course it was because of his mother that he had kept the pocket watch, not because of me... FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! Blaine belittled himself inwardly; he really couldnt curse when a kid was around.

Blaine put the pocket watch back sadly into Kurts bag and put the bag on the table, pushing it far away from him, hoping that Kurt would forget where he had left his bag before.

Just as he settled on his own seat, Kurt came rushing back to the café and gestured for Andre to come to him.

"Sorry, Blaine... Andre and I have to go to the hospital," Kurt apologized and took his bag from the table and took hold of Andres hand.

"Is something wrong?" Blaine asked worriedly, and stood up from his seat to follow Kurt to the exit.

"Ah.. oh no... no no no... This is just Andres weekly check-up and the switchboard operator made a mistake in booking my schedule with Andres new doctor. We really have to go now, so we can catch our appointment with Dr. Marley." Kurt explained and opened the door of the café.

"Uhmm.. Do you want a ride or something?" Blaine asked Kurt, but his question was in vain because Kurt had already hailed a taxi cab.

"No... were good. I know there is a lot of work that you really need to finish," Kurt smiled at Blaine. "Okay, Andre... say goodbye to Blaine now."

"Bye bye..." Andre waved to Blaine and pressed his fingers to his lips and gave Blaine a flying kiss even if they are just one foot apart.

"Awww... what a cute family..." Blaine heard a young couples reaction to Andres flying kiss as they entered the café.

Family... we really looked like one... Blaine thought lovingly. He has no one left, but he could still imagine that this was his family. He chuckled at the young boy as he caught the kiss Andre had thrown at him, and mimicked him. Blaine also pressed his fingers to his lips and gave Andre a flying kiss. "Bye Pickles! I love you!" Blaine said happily, but it was only when he saw the glare that Kurt was giving him that he realized what he had said wrong.

"Shit," Blaine cursed quietly.

"Lets go Andre," Kurt ordered, greatly emphasizing Andres name, and hurried to get inside the cab, not even giving Blaine time to apologize.

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" Blaine cursed loudly. Just when he thought things were getting better between him and Kurt, he had to ruin it again.

Title Reference: Remnants- referred to how Blaine tried hard to live his life with Kurts memories. And no matter what Kurt might do, there are still things that Blaine had marked in his life forever

Story Reference:

-New York Water was drawn out from Kurtchel conversation while eating bagels in New York Episode and Dominos in Makeover Episode

-Yellow puppet from Puppet Master

Story Outline:

-Grande non fat mocha incident

-Blaine playing with Andre

-Cheesecake recipe (deleted)

-awkward conversation about Adam

-Blaine visiting Andre in the playroom (modified)

-date rejection (deleted)

Scenes Included:

-Kurts heart eyes at Blaine

-Blaine doing Kurts interests and Andre doing Blaines habits

-Parent-friendly Kurt environment

-Doctors appointment

-Blaine introduced himself with Hummel (modified)

Trivia:

(1)Andres original name was Marcus Andre, not Jean Andre... but I watched the DIVA episode, then boom, an idea came up about Bring Him Home.. hehehe..

(2) This is the only chapter where I didnt use a scene break because the scenes are continuous.

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