Kurt was precariously sprawled across his drafting table drawing precise arcs and curves to sleeve patterns when the doorbell rang. He cursed and ignored it, not in a position to move. When it rang again he scowled and stood, peeling a scrap of the thin tissue paper from his arm, picking up the few pieces that fluttered to the ground.

By the third ring, he was jogging down the stairs from his studio. “Coming!”

When he opened the door, the same floral delivery man from the office stood there looking like he’d just caught him kissing under the school bleachers. Kurt took the vase and the delivery man snarked, “After a few days off, I thought you’d finally caved.”

“I’m stubborn. Thank you…should I…should I be tipping you?”

“Give the girl a chance – that’ll be tip enough for me.”

Kurt pinched his lips together and smiled through it. “What if it’s a boy?”

“Be happy. I deliver flowers to make people happy.”

“I’ll keep that in mind…thank you.” He offered a genuine smile and closed the door, sniffing the beautiful lavender bud and picking the card out of the holder.

Lavender roses are for love at first sight. Seeing you in your red vest again…

“Damn that man.” Kurt picked the rose from the vase and trimmed it, putting it with the other two he’d collected from the office, refreshing their water, hoping they’d survive a few more days. Instead of leaving them on the kitchen table, he took them upstairs to his workspace.

Because he could. No other reason.

***

“Can I ride, Mr. Hummel?”

Kurt stopped pushing his dad’s wheelchair the minute the little girl ran in front of it. “Honey, that’s not really a goo-…”

“Oh, Kurt. Stop fussing over me. It’s fine. Hop up here, Sweetie.” She did and Kurt tossed a questioning look up to Finn.

“Neighbor kid. Olivia. In love with your dad.”

Olivia looked back at Kurt and smiled. “What’s your name?”

“Kurt.” He pointed to his dad’s head. “He’s my dad.”

“Oh yeah. I’ve seen your pi’ture in the house.”

Kurt leaned back to Finn again, hoping small children could be deaf at the right time. “How come I’ve never seen this child before but she’s been in Dad’s house?”

“She just moved in last week. Are you jealous?”

“Confused, Finn. Is he nice to her?”

“Most of the time. He seems more lucid now that she’s been around. And…now that he’s on those new pills.”

“All he told me was they made him pee all the time.”

“And that the cardiologist is still an asshat.”

“And that.” Kurt looked up and stopped, putting the brakes on his dad’s wheelchair. “Okay, here’s our spot. Whose turn is it to go in and get drinks?” Kurt looked around and heaved a contented sigh. He wanted to hate Lima, he did. He missed New York like a long lost lover, but days like this – when the community came together, when they repeated annual traditions from his childhood – Lima was home.

Carole took the drink run and Olivia hopped off of Burt’s lap dancing around, making up songs about parades and candy and where was her candy bag and oh my god, where were this child’s parents?

“I choose you to sit with me on the curb, Kurt. You have a grumpy face and parades make people happy.”

“I have a grumpy fa-…oh. Kay.”

She pulled his arm, plopped herself down and yanked, giving Kurt no option but to join her. “Okay, Olivia. Stop yanking. I’m here.” He looked at her and sighed. “How old are yo-…”

Saved by the gunshot. It was time for the parade to start and Olivia’s attentions left Kurt’s and went to the road, waiting to see that first sign of activity to come into her view.

“They’re coming! They’re coming!”

Of course, everyone already knew this because virtually every township was represented in this parade, all bringing a police car, a ladder, a squad and all blaring their sirens. The word cacophony didn’t even begin to describe the noise. Lima City police led the parade, seconded by the medics and then Engine #1. And then, an unmovable, uncontrollable, inconceivably bright smile on Kurt’s face as he spotted Blaine hanging onto the side waving, being adorable and hot and wearing his fucking chief’s helmet with his station uniform. As the engine approached, he could see they had even hung a sign on the side of the truck welcoming him to the department, to the community.

The parade came to a standstill (why did that always happen, Kurt wondered? Even in the front, the whole parade always stops for no reason) and Blaine took off his helmet, handing it to one of his crew. He grabbed a bucket of candy and helped the other guys toss out goodies, making sure every child had something. He spotted Kurt and dug deeper into his bucket, hiding something behind him.

“Is this your boy?”

Kurt tossed a look back to Carole and blushed. “That’s the Chief, yes…”

“He’s…damn. You know how to pick ‘em!”

“Stop. Now.”

Olivia had decided the noise was too much for dancing and jumping and bopping around and attached herself to Kurt’s arm, hiding her face behind his back. “Olivia…they have candy, sweetheart.”

“You get it.”

“I am not running out into the street to get candy. Come on, now.” He tried to turn his body and maneuver her around so she could see Blaine if nothing else, but she wasn’t having it.

He gave up and turned back only to see an oversized, rainbow swirled lollipop in front of his face.

“Oh.” He took it and looked up, finding the gorgeous face of Chief Blaine Anderson smiling at him. “Hi.”

“Hi.”

Kurt blushed and looked down at the huge lollipop. “This has to be the gayest thing I’ve ever seen you do.”

Blaine squatted down and looked Kurt in the eyes, unflinching, unwavering. “I don’t care. I want you back. I don’t care if the entire town knows.”

Before Kurt could release the breath he captured, the chief had turned to the little girl peeking out from behind Kurt’s arm. “And who do we have here?”

“O…my name’s Olivia. Your trucks are too loud.”

“They are very loud. How old are you, Olivia?”

“I’m four. Four and one half.”

“Well, Olivia who’s four and one half years old…let me see if I have something special for you.” Blaine stood and turned back to the truck. “Adrian! I need your help, buddy.” He hiked himself onto the truck and opened the side door just as it started creeping forward again. Kurt was so busy watching Blaine’s arms and glutes flex, he almost missed Adrian dressed in full firefighter gear – helmet, a mini turncoat and trousers decorated with reflective striping and yes, the most important piece – the swagger.

“Are you kidding me right now?”

“What? He’s five, Kurt. He likes to pretend.” Blaine chuckled and handed Adrian a bag and pointed to Olivia who had come out of hiding and was watching the little boy approach her like he was the King of England. Kurt thought he might throw up.

“Hi. I’m Adrian.” He reached into his bag and pulled out a plastic fireman’s hat and handed it to Olivia. “D’ya want a hat?”

“Yes!” She took it and put it on, bill in front.

“No, silly. That goes in back so the water can pour off.” He leaned up and flipped the hat on her head, bopping the top of it for good measure. “There. Oh.” He looked at his bag and handed it to her. “And here’s some candy too. My dad’s the chief, you know?”

“Allllright, buddy. That’ll do for now. Back into the truck with you.”

“BYE, KURT!” Adrian squeaked as his dad scooped him up and jogged to catch up with his vehicle, swinging up onto the side and maneuvering his son into the passenger seat through the open window. He hopped back down and came back to Kurt for one last moment, bending down and kissing him on the cheek.

“I mean what I said, Kurt.”

Kurt grabbed his wrist where Blaine’s fingers were resting under his chin. He leaned up quickly, so he couldn’t second guess himself and kissed Blaine on the lips, soft and slow, lingering long enough to elicit a whistle from his dad. Delightful. “I’m still here.”

“I’m still waiting.”

And with that, he stood, and jogged back to his crew, grabbing his bucket and tossing candy to the kids, as if nothing had happened. As if kissing a random man in the crowd was part of his job.

As if it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Look at how big that lollipop is, Kurt! You’re lucky!” Olivia was virtually drooling over it, her eyes as big as the confection.

“Yeah, but you got a hat.”

“Yes, I did.” She wiggled herself taller and patted the top of her hatted head. “But you…you got a KISS!”

“Yes. Yes I did. Looks like I win.”

“That’s alright. I got a hat.”

***

Blaine [08-05-23 11:45]: I don’t like kids, Blaine. I border on hating kids, Blaine. Who’s Olivia, Mr. Hummel?

Kurt [08-05-23 11:48]: Hell if I know. I guess she’s a new neighbor of my dad’s. Attached herself to me before the parade started.

Blaine [08-05-23 11:49]: I think Adrian’s in love. He won’t shut up about her and her yellow hair.

Kurt [08-05-23 11:51]: Good luck with that. I don’t even know her parents or why they weren’t at the parade.

Blaine [08-05-23 11:52]: You guys going to the festival?

Kurt [08-05-23 11:55]: No. Too much for Dad. Walking back to the car now and going to their place for lunch. You?

Blaine [08-05-23 11:56]: Yes. He has to ride the ferris wheel or life as we know it will end.

Kurt [08-05-23 12:05]: Sorry. Had to get Dad in the car. Have a good time. And…thanks for the lollipop.

Blaine [08-05-23 12:07]: Thanks for the kiss.

***

“So, that darling little boy in the firefighter’s uniform is the chief’s son?”

Kurt flipped the chicken on the grill, chuckling at Carole – never one to pussy foot around. “Yes. Adrian. Speaking of, I understand he’s now in love with Olivia, so you might want to tell her parents to lock her up or something.”

“So…you’ve spoken to him already? Since the parade? We’ve been back for 10 minutes.”

“Text. When we were walking back to the car.” Kurt stepped back so Carole could brush barbeque sauce on the chicken, shooting her a warning glare that he was just about at his limit with the Hummel Inquisition. “Stop looking at me like that, Carole.”

“I don’t understand you, Kurt. You have enough love to spread around to a freaking orphana-…”

“Stop. I mean it.” Kurt sighed and poked at the meat on the grill even though he was a firm believer of letting it be to get a better sear. Eye contact would mean dagger tossing and he really, really did not want to toss daggers at Carole. “Look. I’m scared. I’m confused. I don’t know what I’m doing and I don’t think any of those traits are really conducive to being in a relationship with a man who’s raising a child, okay?”

“You don’t think every parent on the planet doesn’t go into it with those exact feelings, Kurt?”

“I have no idea what every parent on the planet feels. In fact, I don’t even care. I’m concerned about me. And about Blaine. And when you mix in that impish little miniature fireman – who has flirting down to a complete science, I might add – I can’t filter out anything coherent, intelligent or responsible.”

“Yet you kissed him.”

“Yet I kissed him. Yes. Thank you for the ace reporting. Is there a point to this because really? With all due respect, this just isn’t any of your business.”

“Kurt! Come over here…”

Kurt winced at his father’s bark, having forgotten his dad sitting behind them at the table. Even at 29 years of age, that tone sent cold ice down his back. He was in trouble.

“Carole, I’m sorry. And, I think the chicken’s done.” He handed her the tongs and sulked over to his dad, pouring himself a drink and sitting down. “I’m sorry, Dad.”

“Ah, she can take your lip. I’m not worried about that…although I don’t particularly like you talking to my wife that way.”

“I know. I just…I’m tired of thinking about it. Sometimes I just want to go back to New York and pretend like these last few weeks never happened.”

“So, go. No one asked you to come.”

“Dad…” It would figure that a moment Burt was lucid, a moment he actually remembered Kurt didn’t live in New York anymore, would be a moment Kurt needed to have his ass handed to him. Pre- or post-illness, his dad was always up for that task.

“I mean it, Kurt. I’m glad you’re here. You help Carole see things she wouldn’t see. You help us understand what the doctors are telling us and while I want you happy, I’ll always prefer you closer rather than farther away. But, you know – we’d make it fine without you.”

“Great. That’s helpful.”

“How long have you known this guy?”

“I don’t know? Four? Five weeks maybe? Half of which was a fairy tale that will never be repeated.”

“Oh, cut the melodrama. Do you really believe that parents stop having sexy times? That spontaneity goes out the door? That lazy mornings and dates all just disappear just because there’s a kid around?”

“No? Yes? I have…Dad. This isn’t about sex.”

“I should hope not, but…I guess I don’t get the big damned deal.”

“I like my life without the responsibility that comes from having a kid. I like being able to come and go without having to call a sitter. I like not having to worry about the semi-annual barf bug that swings through town. I like that the money I make is mine and doesn’t have to be socked away into a kid’s college fund. I like my life being…mine.”

“You’ve liked these last few weeks without that handsome man? Who, I might add, is crazy about you?”

“No.” Kurt sighed and wished his lemonade, as he took a long drink of it, would magically turn into alcohol. “It took one date. One evening. One movie marathon to know that he was someone I never wanted to be without. One. I’ve been miserable. Until he texts me corny puns or sends me flowers…did I tell you he’s been sending me roses?”

“I’m lucky I remember to put pants on every day, Kurt. You might have.”

“Point is…no. I’ve not liked these weeks without him and I don’t anticipate it getting any better.”

“He’s kind?”

“The most kind.”

“Responsible?”

“Obviously.”

“He makes you laugh?”

“Yes…I get it. I get it, Dad but it’s just not that easy.”

“I’m going to say one more thing and then you’re going to go inside, slop me up a plate of potato salad and chicken and we’re not going to talk about this anymore.”

“Should I take notes?”

“Don’t be a smart ass. And yes, maybe you should.”

“I miss you, Dad…” Kurt reached out and took his dad’s hand, smiling sadly when their eyes met. Oh, how he missed this man. And the worst part? He didn’t know when or if he’d ever see him again.

“I miss me, too.” With a squeeze of his hand, Burt shifted in his wheelchair and locked his cap on tighter. “Here’s how I see it, Kurt. I know how your mind works and I see how you’re calculating everything. But, you need to stop.”

“Just turn it off.”

“Yes. Kurt, you need to forget all the reasons why you think it won’t work with this man and start believing in all the reasons that it will.”

Kurt took a long drink of his lemonade and studied the pulp floating around the glass. “There are quite a few of those, aren’t there?”

“From this viewpoint there are.” Kurt sat up straight and took a deep breath of resolve. “And, Kurt, for whatever it’s worth? I think you’d be an amazing presence in that little boy’s life, too. If for no other reason – you’d make his daddy a very, very happy man. And a happy dad makes for a happy kid. You of all people should know that.”

***

Blaine [08-05-23 10:42]: If there was a bi-sexual pride parade, would it go both ways?

Kurt [08-05-23 22:43]: Are you kidding me right now?

Blaine [08-05-23 10:44]: Okay, how about this one. What do you get when you cross a rooster and peanut butter? This is an easy one.

Kurt [08-05-23 22:45]: Okay, let me think…

Blaine [08-05-23 10:45]: *sings the Jeopardy theme*

Kurt [08-05-23 22:48]: Oh my god…is it this simple? A cock that sticks to the roof of your mouth?

Blaine [08-05-23 10:49]: DING DING DING! Unfortunately, I don’t have a huge monetary prize for you.

Kurt [08-05-23 22:50]: You’re making me think very unclean thoughts, Chief Anderson.

Blaine [08-05-23 10:52]: You shouldn’t have kissed me. It obviously gives you a dirty mind.

Kurt [08-05-23 22:55]: I probably shouldn’t have…

Blaine [08-05-23 10:55]: Oh.

Kurt [08-05-23 22:58]: I’m just cloudy.

Blaine [08-05-23 11:00]: Then I’ll try to bring a little sunshine.

Kurt [08-05-23 23:01]: You do, Blaine. Every damned day.

Blaine [08-05-23 11:03]: Good night, Kurt.

Kurt [08-05-23 23:04]: Good night, Blaine.