"Amie!" Kurt cried when he'd pulled back, "oh my, Amie, what are you doing here? I thought…Europe and what's his name, Lorenzo? So much to catch up on, come on." He grabbed her hand and dragged her to the sitting room.

She followed wordlessly. She hadn't been expecting this warm welcome. In fact, Amie had been preparing herself for a fallout, especially where Kurt was concerned. But his reaction was the opposite. He was, in fact, sort of strangely happy to see her. Amie didn't understand. Didn't Kurt know?

"So," Kurt said, "you have to tell me everything. Go on. But, wait, Maria!"

Amie perched herself on the edge of the loveseat and he sat down next to her after calling for the maid.

"Will you be staying long? Maria can have a room ready for you."

"I have a room at the Plaza," Amie answered.

"Oh, nonsense," Kurt said and turned to Maria who had just entered the room, "send Clark or someone to pick up Amie's belongings from the Plaza. Room?"

Amie hesitated only for a second before she gave Maria the information. Kurt beamed at her and then sent Maria off.

"You know you're welcome here," Kurt told her, "but, come on, tell me everything. What's happened? Why are you back? The last we heard from you, you were touring Europe and then you met Lorenzo…so, why are you back?"

"Well, for one I missed New York. For another, Lorenzo and I didn't work out. I also came to visit a few friends, and I missed my family."

Kurt made a cooing noise. "Well, we're glad to have you. Dad'll be so excited. Another of his children home. He has all of us together again, you know. Even Blaine."

Amie's breath caught and her eyes lit up, "are the two of you back together? Oh, I can't believe it! I always said it would happen…where is he? I can't wait to see my Blainers."

Kurt shook his head sadly. "Oh, no, honey, not like that. Well, I guess you haven't heard. Drew's plane went down last week and dad pretty much insisted that Blaine take his job. Blaine somehow got roped into agreeing and, well, today's his first day. You know, he's engaged now and he has a daughter? I don't think he and I were ever supposed to happen."

"Oh," she said and reached for his hand, "I'm so sorry." A strange expression crossed her face.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Kurt said, "now tell me about Europe…come on…we have better, happier things to talk about."

Amie grinned and moved back on the sofa to a more comfortable position. "Always the gossip, aren't you, Kurt? You'll have to fill me in on the things going on here too after I'm done."

"Yes. Yes."

It had been almost four years since Amie had been back home. Three years since one morning she'd just decided to leave. Kurt hadn't even found out until he got home that night and found her room empty.

It'd been a week before he heard from her in an e-mail explaining that she'd decided to go to France for a month. That month had turned into two and then three, and then it was a year. They'd kept in touch, but barely. There had been a few phone calls, several e-mails, and the occasional text. Three times they'd even Skyped.

"Well," Amie said, "Europe was amazing. I always wanted to go but mom was just so annoying about letting me go alone and you were busy with the designing…so, anyway, when I finally got my chance I went. It wasn't going to be for long, but I met Lorenzo and I thought I was in love.

"He was amazing, Kurt, just amazing and so I thought, why not stay a bit longer? So I did. I loved it there. It was so peaceful and the people were so lovely. But I did miss you and everyone else and I've meant to come back and the last fight we had, it was just the thing that made me just want to get back here even more. So I came back."

Amie hoped her story was good enough. She couldn't let Kurt know the real reason why she'd disappeared for so long. If Blaine hadn't told him, then it wasn't her place to. And technically she wasn't really lying, because she had been in Europe. She just wasn't telling him everything she'd done while she was there.

She told him a few more particulars, kept him entertained with stories about Lorenzo who she really had met and fallen for, and then she began to question him.

"What's been going on around here?"

Kurt sighed. "Lots," he said and then got up, "but first I think I need a drink. Want anything?"

Amie watched him as he reached down underneath the small bar kept in the sitting room, and he pulled out a small key that had obviously been taped underneath.

"What is that about?" she asked, "is someone not allowed to drink?"

"Finn," Kurt said, "he's gotten a bit of a problem. It really doesn't help that he's a really mellow drunk so if you don't smell it off him you wouldn't even know he was, you know, drunk. I've been hiding the key everywhere for weeks. He keeps finding it, or I don't know, hiding his booze. Anyway, anything for you?"

Amie merely cocked her head to the side, "you know my drink."

Kurt prepared a martini for her, and out of the small fridge in the wall pulled out a diet coke that he poured into a glass for himself with just the slightest bit of rum.

"So, Finn's an alcoholic, go on," Amie said and ran a finger over the rim of her drink.

"Right. Well, Rachel is insane, as you know. She's trying out for yet another role that she doesn't even really care for. Finn is unemployed and a drunk, and of course that leaves the children to run around trying to get by. Mom and I have been taking care of them quite a bit, and Finn does love them, but he's just always drinking. Dad is just the same as ever. And of course, Blaine is back in the picture as the family lawyer."

Kurt took a long drink and then he added, "he has a daughter and a fianc�. The perfect little family."

"Oh, honey," Amie said, mouth turning down a bit. She put her drink down on the coffee table and wrapped an arm around Kurt's shoulders, "you knew he was moving on."

"Yeah," Kurt sighed, "doesn't make it any easier to see him again and just know for sure that he isn't somewhere pining for me. I…"

Amie bit her lip, "are you…are you pining for him?"

Kurt shook his head at once. "Of course not. I wouldn't…I'm the one that…no, I'm not. It's just hard, you know, especially when I haven't exactly had one stable relationship since that ended."

"Well," Amie said, "to celebrate my return, we are going out tonight, and we will find you a guy."

Kurt shook his head, "no, that really is not what I need."

- - -

Blaine was tired. Still, he dragged himself to the elevator and pressed the button for the right floor. It was the last thing he had to do for the evening and he'd put it off long enough. The elevator chimed when it got to the floor he'd desired and he stepped out onto the foyer of the first of the floors occupied by the Hummels.

"Hello, Mr. Anderson," one of the maids whose name Blaine didn't think he'd caught earlier said, "are you looking for anyone in particular?"

"Is Finn around?"

"I'm afraid not, Mr. Anderson. I think he and his wife went out tonight," she replied, "but you will find Mr. Hummel and Ms. Hummel in the living room."

Before Blaine could ask who she was talking about, the maid walked away and he walked in the direction of the living room. It was still very strange for him to be able to remember this house so well, as if it had been his own.

Kurt was in the living room and so were his niece and nephew, jumping up and down and laughing at something that another voice said. It was a woman, a woman whose voice he knew well. Blaine paused, wanting to turn at once and head back into the elevator and be on his way home. His day had been long enough that dealing with this was not on his agenda.

"Blaine!"

Blaine closed his eyes tightly before he turned. Carole hugged him to her and kissed his cheek, whispering before she let go, "have you talked to Finn?"

"No. I was coming to do that now. But he's…"

"Out, yes. I see," she pursed her lips, "well, see that you do talk to him for me, will you." That said she walked away, humming something to herself.

Blaine stared after her for a moment.

"You," Kurt said, pointing at him, "I need to give you something, before I forget. What are you doing here, anyway?"

"Looking for your brother," Blaine answered, trying to keep his attention to Kurt and not the woman whose stare he could feel on his back.

"There was a dinner or something they went to. Rachel's idea. Anyway, come on. It's in the office."

Blaine followed silently, wondering just how it was that Kurt could act so normal, as if he did this every day.

"How was the first day?" Kurt asked.

"Fine. A lot of paperwork. My dad was very messy with all of that and he's left a lot unfinished from what I got through. I'm not even done."

Kurt opened the door to his father's office and stepped inside. Blaine followed.

"I was going to leave it for dad to give to you, but really I'm supposed to since I'm in charge of that money. Anyway, should be here somewhere."

He was rifling through a few things on Burt's desk and then opened a drawer that he also went through.

"If that man ever left things as I left them, it would be here somewhere," he told Blaine, "but you know how he always was."

The small quip at their past suddenly paused everything, because until that moment Blaine had been just the lawyer and Kurt the son of his employer wanting to give him something essential. Yet, suddenly there was something in the air. Blaine didn't say anything. Kurt searched silently.

"Aha," he said, finally and held up a manila envelope. "The charity money," he explained, "dad did tell you I'd have it."

Blaine nodded. "Thank you."

"We know you'll do good things with it," Kurt said softly, "you were always…you always tried to help anyone in need of it. Anyway, I should get back. I'm sort of babysitting tonight."

"Oh," Blaine said, trying to sound as if he wasn't surprised, but Kurt rolled his eyes.

"I know, I know…kids, but I really do love them even if they come from Rachel. And, you know, someone has to make sure they don't get cursed with terrible fashion sense."

It was a way of lightening up the moment, and Blaine knew this was Kurt offering Blaine an out from the awkwardness that he'd expected to be present during any of their meetings.

"They'll have the best of all of you, then," he said and then added, "they were lovely."

Kurt nodded proudly.

"I should get going," Blaine said and waved the envelope, "thanks for this. I'll put it to good use."

Kurt nodded. "Good night. I should get back out there."

"Night," Blaine said and didn't know if he should add anything else before he walked out of the office.

He avoided the living room deliberately and went to the elevator without running into anyone, promising himself that he would catch Finn first thing the next morning and have that talk with him.

Clark was down in the lobby talking to a blond woman that Blaine thought looked familiar and Blaine waved at him. He side stepped the woman, telling her to stay there, "Mr. Anderson, will I be picking you up tomorrow morning?"

"Not necessary," Blaine told him, "I'll be fine."

"If you're sure. And now? Can I drive you anywhere?"

Blaine shook his head. "I'm fine, Clark. You can get back to…" he waved in the direction of the blonde.

"Right, sure," Clark said, "have a good night, then."

"You too."

As he was walking out of the building, Blaine thought he heard Clark say something about Finn to the woman. His curiosity was peaked, but he didn't dare go back in to try and listen in on the conversation. Instead he walked down the street in the direction of home and flagged down a taxi when he reached the corner.

Ten minutes later he was getting off outside his and Nick's apartment. It had been a long day and he was finally, finally home.

The kitchen light was on, but only his plate remained, covered by plastic wrap on the stove, a sign that Nick had already had dinner and even cleaned the kitchen even though it had been Blaine's turn to do so.

Blaine put the plate in the microwave, warming up the pasta to a more edible temperature as he poured himself a glass of apple juice.

Nick must have heard him come in, because he appeared suddenly, fully dressed still and looking worn.

"Hey," he said, "you're home. I was just about to call."

"Sorry," Blaine said, "I didn't think I'd be here so late."

"No matter," Nick smiled a little and then stepped towards him, arms wrapping around Blaine's waist, "you're home now."

They shared a gentle kiss interrupted by the beeping from the microwave announcing that Blaine's dinner was warm.

"Longest day ever," Blaine told Nick once he was seated at the table, "you don't even want to know, trust me. Is Mia in bed already?"

Nick nodded. He pulled out a chair and sat down. "She wanted to wait up for you and it took me just about forever to get her to sleep, but she just finally got to sleep."

Blaine had wanted to get home before her bedtime, but despite how much he'd tried, it just hadn't happened. Never before had he missed putting Mia to bed, but there had to be a first time for everything.

"She missed you," Nick added, "your voice. I…I tried."

Blaine cracked a smile. For all that Nick was an amazing artist, he couldn't sing a note for his life.

Blaine ate quickly. He hadn't realized just how famished he was, until now. Nick watched him amused.

"I guess you did have a long day," he said sort of musingly.

Blaine nodded, "and tomorrow will be a long day too. But, I got the money. Kurt, I ran into him when I was looking for Finn, and he gave me the charity money."

"So," Nick said, "a long day out of choice rather than because you're doing who knows what for the Hummels?"

"I can only hope. I still have to talk to Finn. Apparently he's been drinking excessively or something and I have to deal with it." He rolled his eyes and brought his fork to his mouth.

Nick narrowed his eyes, "and how exactly is that your job?"

Blaine took a moment to chew, but he shrugged in response. He really personally did not think it was any of his business if Finn was drinking himself to an early death. It was more of a family matter. Still, he knew from when he still had been around to see his father do almost everything for them, that those uncomfortable things had always been left up to him.

"My father always dealt with that sort of thing, you know," Blaine said, "and maybe it wasn't his job, but he worked for them for so long that he was like family. Burt told me he's always considered me his son and I just…they are sort of my family, you know."

When they got to their bedroom, the conversation had switched to Blaine talking about what had made his day so long: the piles and piles of paperwork that had awaited him from his father's office. He and Daisy had spent most of the afternoon sorting through just the folders listing all the Hummel businesses into something that resembled order.

"So, how did your dad ever get anything done?"

"No idea," Blaine said.

Nick began his nightly routine, changing into pajamas and rubbing his nightly moisturizer on his face. Blaine for a moment found himself thinking about Kurt; Kurt who spent almost an hour on his nightly skin regime, and then another hour in the morning. He shook the thought. Blaine hadn't thought about Kurt like this in years, but suddenly there it was, a memory of their past. He couldn't think about him.

Nick dropped his clothes in the hamper. "I have the more interesting story to tell you about my day," he said.

Nick turned to look at him, seeming to wonder for a moment if he should even be telling Blaine anything. But he took a deep breath and said, "I sold a painting."

Blaine broke out into a grin. "One of yours? That's amazing, why didn't you say earlier. God, that's so…just, wow."

Nick began to smile, most of the nervousness that had been present in his eyes, gone.

"Come here," Blaine said, "just come here."

His arms were extended and he walked forward to meet Nick. Nick grinned. "I told you, you could do it," Blaine said, "my artist boyfriend, should I say, fianc�. We have to celebrate. Soon, alright. As soon as things settle down."

Blaine kissed him, then, a soft, gentle kiss of lips barely moving on lips. When Blaine pulled back, it was only to stare into Nick's eyes for a moment, before he went for another kiss, but Nick stopped him, a hand pressed on his chest.

"There's more. It was a drawing of you," he said. Blaine gasped and moved towards him again, but Nick continued, "A woman named Amie Hummel bought it."

Blaine paused and his eyes got considerably wider and he coughed and then repeated, "Amie Hummel?"

So, it had been her.

"She's really back," he muttered and there was a tremor to his voice.

"She is related to your Hummels, then," Nick said slowly, "and you clearly know who she is…so…so she bought it, my drawing, knowing who you were."

Blaine barely nodded. Nick sighed. "So, it's possible she bought it because it was a drawing of you?"

Blaine shrugged.

He didn't know if that would be reason enough for her to buy something, the connection to him, but it was entirely possible. For a long moment he didn't know what to say. Would she tell them. Tell Kurt? Blaine didn't really think so, but then again Amie had never been very easy to predict.

"What is it?" Nick asked.

"No, nothing. I just, I think she was at Hummel Plaza earlier but I wasn't sure. She just always…I don't know, she's more trouble than she's worth."

- - -

Kurt left the door to Mike's room slightly open to let him some light from the hallway into the room, and then he walked back to the sitting room of Finn and Rachel's floor. Unlike the one of the main house, this one had a TV and entertaining system, so Kurt sat himself in front of the TV and flipped through a few channels to try and find something to watch.

Finn and Rachel were due home within an hour, and even though Shelby and Mike were fast asleep, he didn't want to just leave Flor, the maid that cleaned this floor, to take care of them when he was perfectly capable.

On an ordinary night, Kurt might have been out with friends or by himself, dancing and drinking at whatever gay club hit his fancy that night, but ever since the funeral, he'd found that he couldn't just make up his mind to go out.

The doors to the elevator down the hall opened. Kurt twisted his neck back to see if he could spot whoever had come in. He didn't. But he didn't have to wait long for his father to appear.

"Thought you'd be down here," Burt said, "I've just run into Amie. She told me you were babysitting."

Kurt shrugged. "Someone has to take care of them when their parents are off and about."

"As if those children would go without care here," Burt said, "Carole is here. The maids are available. I know you love Shelby and Mike. We all do, but you have never just stayed home for them. What's the real reason?"

Kurt had been waiting for this, waiting for the inevitable talk with his father. He'd avoided for so long, but it was something that both had known was coming.

"I know you've been hurting, Kurt, it's obvious to all of us. You've never gotten over him. Seeing him again must have been horrible for you."

Kurt scoffed. "Oh, yes, because you're actually concerned about any of that? Who asked him to become the family lawyer? Who brought him back into my life, when I was finally getting over him."

It was Burt's turn to scoff at him. "Yeah, right, kid. You're not over Blaine. You haven't even tried. And I've said nothing, I've kept my mouth shut about what you do with your life, but Kurt, it's like you've been waiting for him to come back."

Kurt didn't say anything. He didn't really know how to respond. Had he been waiting for Blaine all this time? Even though he was one that technically broke them up?

"I know you were the one that left, Kurt. I know. But, kid, Blaine has a family. He has a fianc� and a daughter, and he has a life…I just want you to think about that and realize that it's over for the two of you and you really do have to try to move on."

Never before had Kurt had anyone tell himself something as bluntly as his father was telling him now, but he realized as his father was talking that he was right. Kurt did need to move on. Blaine was going to working for them for a while. And he would never leave Nick or his daughter. Kurt was surprised to note that he didn't even know her name. Blaine just wasn't that type of person and Kurt would never want him to be. Not to mention that Kurt didn't want to break up his family, cause more pain than he already had.

"Why him, dad? You could have had anyone else…I…it hurts so much."

Burt walked from where he'd come to a stop earlier and sat down next to Kurt on the sofa, reaching to take his hand, "I know, Kurt, I know it does."

"I thought he would wait," Kurt said, "I really for some reason thought he would know what I needed and wait." He closed his eyes tightly, "I regret it, everyday. I was such a coward."

"You were just kids, Kurt," Burt said, "none of us blamed you. I think even he understood. He knew you very well, Kurt, I think he knew."

"Yeah?" Kurt asked, cocking his head to the side, "then why would he…"

"He was still hurt," Burt offered, "despite everything, you still hurt him."

"I know."

Burt turned his attention to the TV. "What are you watching anyway?"

"Not exactly anything to watch," Kurt said and shrugged, he handed his dad the remote.

"Well, let's find something until that brother of yours gets home. You know, Carole asked Blaine to talk to him about his drinking problem. I don't know if he has yet, but I don't think Carole knew any better asking Blaine for that."

Kurt looked at his father in shock. "Is it wise to bring any of that up considering his mom," he said, choosing his words carefully, "I know Carole doesn't know about back then…but should he really have to deal with it? His father just died. Jeez. No wonder he's hated us all these years."

"She didn't know better, Kurt," his dad said, "it's not like we talk about Martha all that often and really, Drew would have dealt with it if he were still alive. It makes no difference."

Kurt shook his head. "Of course it doesn't. I think I'll talk to Finn myself. Blaine doesn't deserve this."