CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16

BLAINE

"Wow, you look incredible," I said as I took in my boyfriend's form coming down the stairs of his apartment building.

Tonight was the night of my company's Christmas party. Rialto rented out the Roseland Ballroom and had a few of our key acts perform while the rest of us mixed and mingled amongst the holiday decorations that our events team whipped up. It's the party of the year and I was looking forward to it for a few reasons.

One being that I was finally well enough to attend. I spent the entire week in bed and finally managed to feel better by Friday afternoon and dropped by the studio for a little while. The guys – and especially David – seemed glad to see me in the studio.

Another reason I was looking forward to the party was because I finally was going to have a date to bring to the party. Ever since I joined Rialto, I had never had a true +1 that I could bring. Sometimes I would invite a friend, but never a date. At last year's holiday party, I spent most of the time with Santana and Brittany in the photo booth and by the bar. It was fun – those girls are some of my best friends – but I felt like the third wheel a little too often. Plus being under mistletoe alone was the worst.

But the main reason I was looking forward to it was because I was spending time with Kurt. Yes, I was thrilled to have a date to the party, but the fact that it was my boyfriend made it even sweeter. He had been great while I was sick - and miraculously hadn't gotten sick himself – and recently had taken on a cuter demeanor than I ever thought possible. He made a point to touch me – even in small ways – as much as possible and he rarely would leave my presence without a small peck. It was as if there was some small shift in Kurt and I swore he started looking at me slightly differently than before, but I left it up to the fact that he probably was just glad that I was well again.

But if I was being honest, I was thoroughly enjoying this newfound physical adoration that was seeping from Kurt. I didn't know what caused Kurt to be more affectionate and doting, but I wasn't opposed to it. Since I was normally the one to dish out all of the physical affection it was nice to have him instigate it. And I never felt more cared for by a partner in my entire life.

Tonight's party was just another excuse to spend more time with him – and I couldn't be happier.

I looked Kurt up and down as he walked toward me and realized just how wonderful he was. His presence, his aura, his looks, and his entire being – it was so... spectacular. Kurt had donned a simple black fitted suit with a green tie making his eyes somehow look more green than blue. He had a sprig of holly attached to his lapel and his gray pea coat tucked under his arm. The red scarf he had thrown over his neck contrasted well with the green of the tie and he managed to look festive without looking garish. Leave it to Kurt to have dressing for a holiday party down to a science.

"Thank you," he said with a smile. "You look fantastic as well."

I peered down at my own ensemble – feeling slightly inadequate compared to Kurt. I was wearing a similar black suit – sitting slightly looser on my smaller frame – with a red bowtie at my neck. I hadn't worn bowties in a long time, but it seemed like something one could wear to a holiday party and get away with it.

"It's nothing compared to you," I said, blushing slightly as I realized how corny I sounded.

Kurt scoffed and lightly slapped my shoulder. "Oh please, you look very handsome, Blaine. But we should go – there's such a thing as being too late."

"And here I thought you'd want to be fashionably late," I chided.

He giggled. "We're already going to be late since we're going to dinner first. Let's not be so late that we miss all of the festivities," he said as he grabbed my hand and headed to the corner to nab a taxi.

...

"We shouldn't have eaten before we got here. There's so much food!" Kurt exclaimed as he saw platters of food pass by him as soon as we walked into the space.

The venue, which normally looked somewhat like a dive, had been gilded in soft whites and golds – giving the space an ethereal, winter wonderland feel. Giant white paper lanterns were strung over the main floor with gold stars lined between them. The bar sitting to the right side of the entrance was covered in white faux snowballs and gold-painted reindeer and polar bears. Small high top tables had been set up and were covered in white floor length tablecloths with gold centerpieces at the center.

For a venue that was normally dark and somewhat dingy, the events team managed to make the place look as if the snow that had accumulated outside was evident inside – minus all of the sludge and coldness that it brought.

I turned my attention to the tray of food that walked past us, but realized I couldn't eat another bite. Kurt and I had gone simple and had eaten at some no-name French restaurant down the street from his apartment. The restaurant was small, the food was delicious, and the company had been even better.

"Agreed. I'm stuffed. But if we dance enough, perhaps we can eat more later."

"Sounds like a plan," he conceded. "So, when are the bands going to start?"

I looked at my watch. "Probably not until 9:30 or so and it's just after 8:30 now, so we have time to walk around and do some of the activities they have set up."

"Activities?"

"Yeah. There's a photo booth in the back corner, a raffle and silent auction over there," I said, pointing to the opposite corner. "Plus we have to hit the bar and find Santana and Brittany. That's a lot to cover in an hour."

He chuckled. "I suppose. Lead the way?" he asked, taking his hand in mine.

I smiled at the gesture. We walked hand-in-hand over toward the photo booth and my boss stopped me about halfway through our short journey across the room.

"Blaine, so glad to see your plague has been cured," Clark joked, taking a sip from his cocktail.

"Yeah, yeah. You know you missed me," I joked. "But I am feeling better. I hope no one gave you too much trouble while I was out."

"Nah, the band was fine and between Jeremy and their manager, everything was under control. Except that friend of yours from PR – she kept bugging me about when you'd be back. Not that she couldn't contact you herself, but..."

"That's Santana for you," I noted. "Is Jeremy here? I was hoping I'd see him."

Clark shook his head. "No, he's actually back in Atlanta for the holidays already – he said there was a family obligation he needed to attend to."

"Oh," I said softly. "I was hoping I could introduce him..." I whispered under my breath.

"Well, does the request for Jeremy's presence have anything to do with this guy?" Clark asked, nodding toward Kurt who was dutifully standing next to me, looking around the room and trying to give a modicum of privacy to Clark and me.

"Oh – sort of. Clark, this is Kurt. My boyfriend," I said with a smile as Kurt extended his hand.

"It's nice to meet you," Kurt shared. "Blaine says you're a great boss."

"He does? I thought he only said that to get a raise out of me," Clark chuckled. "It's good to meet you too, Kurt. I would introduce you to my wife, but I think she's getting a refill at the bar at the moment," he said, looking around the venue trying to find the woman in question.

"Well, if I don't meet her tonight, I'm sure there will be other occasions," Kurt stated, a light squeeze putting pressure on our joined fingers.

Clark's eyebrow rose a bit at his statement. "Yes. Well, I certainly hope so." Clark took another drink from his glass, a small smile peeking through the translucent vessel. "Don't let me keep you boys – you have better things to do than kiss ass with your boss all night."

I laughed. "Yes, thanks Clark. I'll see you tomorrow if I don't see you at some point later tonight."

"I probably won't. I have to get home at a normal hour to get into the office at a normal time unlikesomepeople I know."

"I'll be on time tomorrow, I swear." I said with a snicker, crossing my heart with my index finger, noting that I was serious.

"See that you are," he said with a wink. "It was really great to meet you, Kurt. Have a great time."

"Thanks," Kurt replied as I tugged him toward the booth we were previously making our way toward earlier.

The line at the booth was relatively short. It wasn't a traditional photo booth, but it was an open area set in front of a green screen so they could fit larger groups of people into the space for photos. As we walked up, a large group of people – mostly people I recognized from our Legal team – was taking their picture with giant Santa hats, reindeer antlers and one even had a giant Viking hat. I wasn't sure how that last thing was related to the holidays, but I didn't think about it too much.

The group finished the last of their photos and stepped away, Kurt and I quickly replacing them after looking at the props on the far side of the photo area. We started walking toward the props before the cameraman stopped us.

"Hey guys, we're going to take four pictures of each group – two more traditional photos and two with the props. Sound good?" We both nodded and stood in front of the screen.

"Okay, for the first option, we're going to do a traditional prom pose." The request caused Kurt to groan and me to laugh.

"Who's supposed to be the girl here?" Kurt asked.

The guy didn't seem phased. "How about you," he said, pulling me in front of Kurt – our shoulders set slightly apart from each other.

"It's because I'm shorter, isn't it?" I asked with a chuckle.

"You said it, not me," Kurt chortled.

The cameraman arranged us with Kurt's hand on my hip and one of my own hands wrapped around his. It was pretty awkward, but I guess that was the point. As he stepped away from our arrangement, he laughed for a second before counting down from five, telling us to smile.

After the bright light flashed, he started positioning us again. "This time, why don't you guys face each other and hug or something."

"I can get into that," I said as I whipped around and took Kurt into my arms. I shut my eyes tight and squeezed him tightly, causing Kurt to laugh and the cameraman snapped another photo.

"Hey!" Kurt exclaimed. "I wasn't ready!"

The man shrugged. "Trust me, I think it'll turn out okay. Besides, candids tend to be better anyway." Kurt feigned anger before sighing, resigning himself to be at the behest of the man behind the lens. "For these last two, let's get the props in here. Check 'em out."

Kurt stepped forward and started perusing the props available to use. Most of them were holiday-themed and incredibly cheesy, but Kurt didn't seem to mind too much when he put oversized antlers on his head and started to wrap himself in the giant string of lights provided. I couldn't help but laugh as I looked through the treasure chest of props and decided on a hat with an oversized sprig of mistletoe attached to the top.

"We look ridiculous," Kurt said as he checked himself in the small mirror next to the props area.

I laughed as I walked and stood in front of the green screen for the second time. "I'm not going to disagree. But that's part of the fun, right?"

He nodded in agreement and took his place next to me in front of the screen. We looked toward the man behind the camera, who held the remote in his hand. "Just remember to stay within those markers on the ground and we'll take 2 pictures with a few seconds in between if you want to reset. Once we're done, all four images will print out over here," he said, motioning toward the giant printer.

We readied ourselves with our first pose – both of us spontaneously coming up with James Bond-esque stances – and the guy behind the camera laughed. As the light flashed, Kurt quickly turned to me, small smile on his lips.

"All right guys, five seconds," the cameraman said.

"I like your hat," he said as attempted to reach up to tap the mistletoe that was hanging from it.

"It has nothing on your Christmas lights," I noted as I tugged on the lights around his chest.

The cameraman started counting down from five and as I kept laughing at my boyfriend struggling to move with the lights wrapped around his torso. The second the man counted "one," Kurt stepped forward and pressed his lips to mine. I'm pretty sure it took me a second to realize what was going on but my eyes flicked closed instinctively once the pressure of his lips against mine settled in a fantastic rhythm.

After a few seconds, I dropped the lights and reached forward to take his jaw into my hands and went to deepen the kiss before he stepped back and relaxed his lips, giggling as he started trying to shake himself out of the lights.

"Tease," I muttered, causing Kurt to laugh and the cameraman to join him.

"There's a line, Blaine. And I don't think holding them up would have been a good idea," he said, gesturing toward the line that had most people giggling with our display at the booth.

"That was pretty hot," I heard a voice bellow as we removed our holiday-themed head gear. I turned to see Santana smirking at us from near the photo booth's printer, a smiling Brittany at her side.

"Thanks San," I said rolling my eyes.

She rolled hers in return. "Whatever. I'm surprised you just went for it, Hummel. That's so unlike you. Or, at least, the version I knew of you in high school wouldn't have willingly decorated yourself with such tacky holiday things."

"Oh please, Santana. I was just going with it," he groaned. "Besides, I think Blaine and I got at least one decent picture out of it. We have a one in four chance after all."

We walked in front of the printer and saw the first of our pictures printing out.

"God, this is so awkward looking," Kurt said as he gingerly took the photo into his hands. "These still might be better than the ones I took in high school, though. At least my date is hotter in this picture."

Santana smacked him. "You're only saying that because I was your date junior year."

"Truth hurts," he said with a malicious wink.

"Well the picture still has two queens in it," she said.

"Two queens?" I asked.

Kurt's eyes bugged and Santana's face flickered slightly before saying, "Yeah, you know, two gay folks."

"Obviously. And we do look pretty fabulous," I said, nudging my boyfriend. He smiled but said nothing as the second picture printed out.

"That's so cute," Brittany stated. "It looks like you're trying to squeeze all of the glitter out of Kurt. Or pop him like a piñata."

I giggled and looked down at the picture in Brittany's hands. It really was quite cute as a candid. My arms were wrapped tightly around Kurt's waist and he was laughing out loud with his eyes closed, causing his nose to wrinkle, and all of his teeth visible. The smile was a contrast from the one in the previous picture where he kept his mouth closed and the smile was a bit tighter.

"It really is pretty adorable," Santana confirmed. Kurt and I just looked at each other – no need to speak – as the third one printed out.

"We are such dorks," I said with a laugh as I saw our best Blue Steel smirks coming out of the printer. With our ridiculous Zoolander-like facial expressions paired with our fake guns, we looked hilarious.

Kurt agreed with a chuckle and soon the last photo printed out. Looking at Kurt and I in the last photo took my breath away.

"Wow," Kurt whispered next to me. I smiled as I looked down at the picture of my wonderful boyfriend and I. He was wrapped up in the lights and I was tugging on them, but it looked like I had pulled him closer by the lights alone and that he was utilizing the mistletoe on top of my hat as an excuse to kiss me. It was incredibly charming, but somehow it also just seemed really... genuine. And, dare I say it, loving.

Sure, we were decorated with the cheesiest garb possible, but the moment that had been captured was something that I knew I would always treasure. It was spontaneous, sweet and for all of the cheesiness that was in the photo, it was a really good photo of the two of us.

"Look at you two cuties," San said, taking the last photo from my hands. "You can show this picture to your future children and tell them about your first Christmas together."

I blushed at the thought of a real, long-term future with Kurt as my boyfriend chuckled beside me. He carefully took the picture back from Santana and grabbed an envelope and placed the four photos inside. "I'm going to take this and add them to our coat check. I'll be right back," Kurt said as he stepped in to give me a peck on the lips.

He pulled away and retreated toward the coat check area and I couldn't help but smile. I was afraid Kurt wasn't really into PDA – especially in front of a bunch of people he didn't know – but apparently I was wrong; which I was not complaining about.

"So, B, what's new? How are you doing now that you're not contagious?" Santana asked as she took a sip of her cocktail. In the time it had taken me to stare at Kurt heading toward the coat check, Brittany had apparently disappeared – leaving Santana and I alone.

I shrugged. "Doing alright I suppose. I know you missed me this week though," I said with a wink.

She rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I'm sure you missed having contact with the outside world."

I chuckled. "I hardly noticed at first since my mom kept sending me emails about home remedies to make me better, but I wasn't alone the whole time."

Santana quirked her brow. "Oh?"

I nodded. "Yeah, Kurt came to visit me – made sure I had medicine since I didn't have any."

"Oh I'm sure hetook careof you," she said.

"Not likethat," I said, lightly slapping her arm. She feigned hurt at the gesture, but soon started to smile.

"Uh-huh, sure. I'm sure he gave you some of his... medicine."

"Seriously your mind is in the gutter," I stated.

"Yours should be if you're in it with Hummel. The guy's a babe."

"He is," I breathed. "But it's more than that, San. He's just a really sweet guy, has a biting tongue and a fashion sense that would make Rachel Zoe jealous. But he's also incredibly caring, has a heart of gold and does what he can to help those around him. So even if I'm not getting in his pants, I still have the opportunity to admire the best parts of him – and none of those things include acertainpiece of anatomy."

I stood silently – and somewhat awkwardly – next to Santana as I stared down at the white linen cloth on the table. After a few moments of silence, Santana's voice broke me from my trance.

"You're in love with him," Santana stated as she took a sip next to me, as if her conjecture was common knowledge.

I was about to try to respond to Santana when the joyous sound of Kurt's laughter rang in clearly from nearby. I turned to find him at the bar, in conversation with Zach, laughing loudly at something. I couldn't help but smile at seeing my boyfriend and the lead singer of my band getting along without me introducing them or forcing them to interact. But the way Kurt's face crinkled up and the laughter sounded from his lungs only made my heart skip a beat.

I saw Zach turn back toward the bar, gesturing something at the bartender, as Kurt's gaze met mine. He smiled broadly and turned back to Zach once the lead singer had summoned the bartender's attention.

I beamed at the many ways Kurt seemed to always find me – it had been a constant since we first started dating. He and I always seemed to come to each other as if we were magnets in the world and nothing could keep us apart.

KURT

"...And then I said, 'go back to Buffalo!'" Zach said as I started laughing. I had just met this guy and he left me in stitches. He was dropping of his coat and his date's bag in the coat check area when I had gone down to put the photos with the rest of the things Blaine and I had brought. We struck up a conversation while I was waiting and I realized he was a really funny guy who, apparently, was in one of the bands that was signed to Rialto. He looked familiar, but I couldn't figure out how.

We had emerged from the coat check area and took a space at the bar. Zach said his date had probably gone to the bathroom when I dismissed the notion that I needed to be accompanied to the bar. I hadn't regretted it since Zach ended up making me laugh a lot in the few minutes we'd been acquainted.

"So, Kurt – right?" I nodded and he continued. "What do you do?"

"I actually do costuming."

"Oh, that's pretty cool," he said as the bartender brought back his rum and Coke and threw two dollars into the tip jar. "Did you have a hand in any of the costumes on the performers tonight?"

"Oh, no. I actually work at Bring It On! You know, the Broadway show."

"Ah, yeah. I'm familiar. I haven't gone to see it or anything but I loved the movie."

"That's what everyone says," I chuckled.

"One of these days, I'll get around to seeing it," he joked.

"Sure," I chided. "Well, if you do go, I'll be sure to say hello."

"Of course," he said, taking back a swig of his drink. The moment he opened his mouth to ask another question, he jumped and pulled his phone from his pocket. It was blaring some indie song that I recognized – probably one Blaine had suggested at one point – and he looked at the caller ID. "I'm sorry, Kurt, but I've gotta run. I'll see you around."

"Sure thing," I said as the bartender brought me a vodka cranberry. He gave a small wave and headed out toward the crowd and as soon as I squeezed the lime left as garnish, I felt a warm hand at my back.

"Hi," Blaine said, pressing a light kiss to my cheek.

"Hey yourself," I replied, smile on my lips.

"The band is starting soon," he said. "They're setting up now. Did you want to move a bit closer?"

I nodded and Blaine took my hand and led me toward the dance floor. With my drink still in hand, we perched ourselves on the outer circle of the dance area, ready for when the band started to play.

Soon, the band – a jazz band – started up with a jazzy take on "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." I laughed as the lead singer, a feisty woman who reminded me a lot of Mercedes, led the crowd in a wild rendition of the song, with couples moving onto the dance floor with swing-style moves. I looked over at Blaine who was bopping along with the beat and started to laugh. His hair had some product in it, but the way he was moving caused his hair to bounce around like Jell-O.

He peered over at me with a wide grin as he wiggled his eyebrows, causing me to laugh harder. Rather than watch his hair bounce up and down, I grabbed his hand and started to tug him toward the dance floor.

He shook his head at me – looking somewhat nervous – but I stepped in closer to him and whispered in his ear. "May I have this dance?"

I stepped back and saw a sparkle in his eyes as he replied, "Yes; yes you may."

I grinned and pulled him toward the center of the dance floor, pushing our way through the people dancing around like maniacs to the be-bop emanating through the stage. We danced for a little bit – me attempting to tap dance with Blaine spinning happily around me – when the song ended and the entire crowd began to clap. Rather than transition to another fast number, the singer called out that they were going to slow it down a little bit.

A bit nervous at the change in tone - I had never slow danced with a guy before - I felt Blaine reach out for me as he took my waist into his hands and settled his palms at the place in my back, just below my shoulder blades. The proximity meant we were pulled in close, so I nestled my head on his shoulder and my hands lightly wrapped around his shoulders.

I shut my eyes as I breathed him in. He was warm and still smelled of his wonderful cologne. When he turned to give me a kiss on the cheek just barely to the side of my mouth, I could smell peppermint on his mouth – proof that he had likely eaten a candy cane. I shivered as his cool breath chilled the warm spot on my cheek where his lips had left an invisible imprint.

I smiled as we swayed back and forth to the band singing "Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)." It was a classic from White Christmas – a movie I watched every Christmas with my father – and the song came during the point in the movie where Bing Crosby's character has a romantic moment with his female lead. I never thought this particular song was very romantic when I thought about the lyrics, but it seemed to take on a romantic tone when Blaine and I were dancing together.

I could hear Blaine softly singing along with the singer and I couldn't help but swoon. I knew Blaine was a singer but I had never heard him until now and his voice was incredible. It was a smooth tenor – one that contrasted to most of the tenor voices I heard on Broadway with a lot of vibrato – but it was stunning. I knew why he loved music so much; he made such beautiful music with his voice alone.

As the song went to a close, I reluctantly opened my eyes and pulled my face away from the warmth of Blaine's neck where I had nestled myself. I was met with his shining eyes and a beaming smile on his lips as he moved closer to place a soft kiss on mine. I reveled in the rush of Blaine's lips – how they were a balance of soft and rough, tight yet relaxed – and just enjoyed the feelings we shared when our mouths were connected.

We were pulled from our daydream when the band's tempo picked up and they started a thrilling rendition of "Zat You Santa Claus?" I chuckled as the crowd resumed their frantic dancing, but felt Blaine's hands slip from my back until one remained at my lower back. He took my other hand in his and attempted to dip me, failing miserably as I flailed in his arms and started laughing.

"You're really bringing me down, Kurt," Blaine laughed as he pulled me upright but kept our position and danced with the music.

"I'm not a great dancer," I admitted.

"I think you're doing just fine," he said as he spun me out and pulled me back. I couldn't hold back the smile as I rolled my eyes at my boyfriend's obvious dance skills and his blatant attempt at being flirty. It wasn't even necessary; I was head over heels for this guy.

After a few more songs, I was starting to get winded – something I was not going to admit to my trainer – and suggested that we take a break for a little while. Blaine agreed, a light trace of sweat on his brow, as we moved back toward the bar to get drinks.

We made our way to the bar hand-in-hand before grabbing a spot at the bar and quickly ordering two cranberry cocktails. I sat humming along to the music while Blaine traced unrecognizable patterns onto my knee that was placed between his slightly parted legs.

"So when are you headed back to Ohio?" he asked as he continued to lazily draw on my leg with his finger.

"We don't get a lot of time off for the holidays, so I'll leave the 23rd and have to come back for the show on the 27th, so I'll probably fly back on the 26th," I replied.

"Bummer. I was hoping we could get the flight into Ohio around the same time, but it looks like we could at least be on the same flight back," he stated.

I looked up at him, meeting his honey gaze. "What do you mean?"

He chuckled. "I'm headed there on the 20th, but I have to head back on the 26th as well. Maybe we can get on the same flight."

I groaned. "But I already bought my tickets. I can't change them."

"I can switch mine. It's not a big deal. I bought my flight with my dad's miles anyway, so it'll be an easy swap. Just send me your flight information?" he asked. I could tell he was probably a little nervous at assuming that we would travel together, but I didn't mind.

"Of course. I'll send you my itinerary when I get home tonight." Blaine went back to looking out at the band and I just dwelled in my thoughts. The fact that Blaine wanted to take the flight back with me meant that he was okay with being seen with me. That hadn't really been an issue up until this point, but it was a reassurance that he was okay with integrating me into his life. He brought me as his date to his company holiday party, he introduced me to his boss as his boyfriend... it was a welcome change from how things had been with William.

And if we were taking the flight home together, it would make sense for me to pick him up from his parents' house since it was on the way to the airport. I was thrilled at the thought of getting to meet a boyfriend's family and learn more about his home life. It was the one thing that would be the final validation on my relationship with Blaine.

Well, notthefinal validation.

Those three little words that Blaine had incoherently mumbled while under the influence of cough syrup still rattled through my head. My lips were itching to tell him those words, the ones I realized I had been holding in for a little while now, but I just couldn't get the courage to tell him.

Maybe after Christmas, I could tell him. Maybe after I met his family, I would be sure that he loved me so I wouldn't be so terrified.

"So," Blaine said, my thoughts of 'I love you' escaping my memory. "What all do you plan to do while you're in Ohio for Christmas?"

"Well, we watch White Christmas as a family on Christmas Eve every year, so that's always a constant. We open presents Christmas morning and have a giant brunch full of breakfast casseroles and quiches and stuff like that. Then we end up just hanging out all day playing board games. Nothing too exciting really," I replied.

"Are you done Christmas shopping?"

"For the most part," I admit. "I haven't gotten your present yet though..." I replied shyly.

He chuckled. "Don't worry, I haven't gotten yours yet either. I'm not great when it comes to presents."

"Says every guy ever," I laughed, rolling my eyes. It was true; very few guys claimed to be good gift givers. "But why don't we exchange gifts when we come home from Ohio? That way we can prolong the holiday season and it'll also give us a little more time to figure out what to get each other."

He nodded in agreement. "Deal. But why don't we make a rule for this gift?"

"Rules? I can not be bound, Blaine."

He laughed. "Since this is new," he said as he motioned between us, "why don't we agree not to spend any money on each other; do something handmade or something. That way there's less pressure to buy something."

"Less pressure!" I exclaimed. "Have you met me? I'm kind of a perfectionist. Making something will only take longer."

"Okay, okay. Why don't we agree that it has to be something simple, then? You can take that to mean whatever you want, Mr. I-don't-like-restrictions."

"Fine," I said, rolling my eyes. "Seal it with a kiss?"

"As if I'd say no," he replied, quickly taking my bottom lip between his. I sighed at the contact before we carefully pulled away.

I looked into his perfect eyes again and the urge to say those words came up again. But they were quickly stifled when Santana and a giggling Brittany joined us at the bar.

"What's up gaybies?" Santana questioned as she kept her arm wrapped around Brittany's torso. "Britt and I were going to head to the photo booth and take some photos. Want to join?"

Blaine looked to me and I nodded. He grabbed my hand and said, "Let's do this. Follow me." I wordlessly stood and giggled as my boyfriend pretended to be on some sort of quest across the ballroom.

And I realized as he tugged me along following his orders,I would follow him anywhere.