I had gotten myself ready, Lila too, and we were starting to head out the door. It was beginning. While I had lied to Andy before, the first time hadn't made me a cheater…until it did. Grabbing Lila's bag, I shouted to Andy that I was going to meet up my assistant to look over some editorial pieces that were late and that we were going out for drinks afterwards. The parts about meeting up and having drinks were true…but Bethenny would be nowhere to be found. As I got ready I asked myself who I was and who I had become. What had happened to the old me, the man who loved Andy and would have never dreamed of cheating on his husband? What happened to the man who got what he'd always wanted and now that he had it, why wasn't he satisfied?

As we got into a cab, my phone buzzed within my coat pocket. I reached into it and pulled it out with a smile as my eyes made contact with the tiny text displayed on the screen.

From Blaine: I can't wait to see you. You're all I've thought about all day. Don't be the least bit surprised if I try to run into your arms.

Trying to keep my heart from bursting out of my chest, I unlocked my phone and typed out a response.

To Blaine: Run to me and you'll be met with open arms. I need to hold you so much. No matter how many times I see you, it's never going to be enough.

I closed my eyes for just a second and imagined what it would feel like to have in him in arms again, his own, buff and strong, wrapped around me. Soon, a tiny voice woke me from my daydream.

“Daddy, are we going to have some Daddy-Lila time today? I'd like that.”

Her question made me ache at my core. I tried to think of how to explain things to her. If I lied to her, to that precious baby, I'd never be able to forgive myself.

“Daddy has plans today, sweetheart. I'm sorry.”

Her face fell, the shining little smile disappearing just as quickly as she'd plastered it on. “Oh…I understand.”

In that moment, I felt like a horrible father, but there were decisions to be made and had to live with the choices.

My phone buzzed again, but this time with a phone call…and an unexpected one at that. I swiped the screen and answered it.

“Devon?”

“Hey Dad. Can you come get me? I don't feel very good.”

Although he sounded fine, his voice was different. There was something unusual about his tone.

“Is everything okay?” I asked, trying to remain as calm as possible.

“I—Pres—can you just come get me, please?”

I looked at Lila who was staring out the window and heard a small sniffle.

I sighed softly, feeling like the worst parent in the world.

“Yeah---I'll be there soon, okay? Get your bag ready to go and be ready to leave when I'll get there. I'll text you when we're close.”

I heard another sniffle, this time from my son. “Okay, Dad. Love you.”

“I love you too, Dev.”

As I hung up, my head was spinning. BUZZ! I glanced down at the phone in my hand as I felt it vibrate.

From Blaine: I found the best little place for us to go tonight. It's amazing. You're going to love it, I promise.

I couldn't do this. Not even a day into an affair, a fucking AFFAIR, and things were already beginning to affect my children. I couldn't tell Blaine. I couldn't break his heart again…or break my own…What was I going to do?

When I arrived at Preston's house to pick up my son, the sight that I saw upon Mrs. Lewis' opening the door was nothing I had been expecting. Devon had a black eye.

After a few minutes of talking with Lila by my side, Trisha explained that “the boys had been roughhousing” and that “things like that can happen all the time” because “boys will be boys”. The look on my son's face told me otherwise, even though he nodded. When I observed Preston in his natural habitat, his face was one of a guilty party if I've had the chance to see one in my life.

Once all pleasantries and apologies were aside, we left the Lewis' in search of clarity and explanation.

Holding each of their hands, we walked down the sidewalk. I contemplated taking the subway, but with two children in tow, I opted for trying to find another taxi.

I looked at him tenderly although he walked with his head down, feet kicking at the sidewalk with each step.

“Do you want to tell me what really happened?” I asked softly.

“No, but I don't guess I have a choice, do I?” he replied, murmuring due to what I could only assume was a fear of getting in trouble.

“Not really.”

He stopped walking and stared up at me. “Preston…said some not so nice stuff today.”

“Not so nice stuff?”

“Yeah…about…about you.”

Lila was quiet and tightened her grip on my hand.

“Go on.”

He swallowed hard and looked up at me. “He---he said that he heard his some guy on TV talking about same-gender marriage and he called it unnatural.”

I said nothing, silently urging him to continue.

He sniffled, becoming visibly upset. “He started talking about how its okay for people to love who they want to love, but that it was wrong of you to have married Dad and…he—he asked me where my mom was and told me that I didn't have one and that she probably gave me up because she didn't love me and I told him---that—that it was a lie because you're my dad and you love me and you wanted me here….and...”

He was hurting, angry, by this point.

 “He said I was a mistake and that one day I'd understand what he meant and I hit him…hard. He fell over and I felt bad, even though I knew he was wrong for saying those things, so I went to help him up and…when I did he punched me. We started fighting because I wasn't going to let him talk about my dads like that. I don't care if I have a mom. I have two dads and that's all I need. We're---“ He sniffled. “We're a family, Dad. Aren't we? It doesn't matter about the number of parents or who they are as long as they're there, right?”

I held him gently by the shoulders. “You're absolutely right. Love is what makes a family, Devon. You know that. We both love you so much, your Dad and I both do…Lila too. You're both our miracle babies and we wouldn't know where we'd be without you. It doesn't matter who you love or how or when or where…not as long as you love that person and they love you back. Boy, girl, transgendered---sex doesn't matter, race, culture, creed…none of it does as long as you love someone.”

Lovingly, I tugged both of them into a tight hug and instantly I felt my son relax into my touch. Two sets of arms wrapped around me as I held them close, two little noses sniffling as they did.

Softly, I kissed both of their heads. “I love you so much…”

Devon mumbled something against my chest.

“What honey?”

“Nothing” he uttered against my coat in response.

“Devon Burt…”

He sighed and looked up at me. “Does Pop really love us?”

I was shocked. “Of course he does, Devon…Whatever gave you the idea that he doesn't?”

He lowered his gaze, eyes not wanting to meet mine. “It's just…sometimes it seems like he doesn't want us there.”

The ride back to our house was uncomfortably silent with the small exception of the occasional buzz from my phone. Once we were halfway home, I decided to check to see who they were from, even though I already had a good idea.

(01:36pm) From Blaine: Are you on your way, sweetheart?

(01:40pm) From Blaine: Kurt?

(01:47pm) From Blaine: Are you okay? Did something happen?

(01:55pm) From Blaine: Please let me know you're okay.

(02:00pm) From Blaine: Kurt, you're scaring me. Please answer me.

Just as I decided to take pity on the poor bastard and send him a text, he decided to call. Instead of my finger unlocking my phone as it swiped across the screen, it unfortunately picked up.

“Kurt? Oh my god, you picked up. Honey, are you okay? I've been worried. Is everything alright?”

I glanced over at the kids in the seat beside me and turned down the volume on my phone. “I can't talk right now.”

His tone changed, a little hurt. “Why not?”

I sighed. “I just---I just can't right now, okay?”

Devon turned his head away from the window to look back at me. “Who is it, Dad?”

I moved the phone away from my mouth, “Nobody, Devon. Just one of my friends.”

“Oh my god. You're with the kids. I—I'm so sorry. I had no idea---I---“

“It's okay. It's fine. Can I call you back in about 20 minutes?”

“Yeah. Yeah. That's fine. Whatever you need. I'll be here.”

I swallowed hard, hoping Devon wouldn't press any further once I hung up.

“Thanks. Talk to you then.”

Once the call disconnected, I quickly pocketed my phone and tried to remain as collected as I possibly could.

For a moment, Devon stared at me, eyes curiously roaming my face, before he found an odd kind of childish solace in staring at the cars passing alongside us.

The quiet began to eat away at me. What was I going to tell Andy? Our child walks in with a black eye. It's not like you can miss something like that. As appalling as the thought was, I wondered if he would notice…or even care.

Devon was right. For whatever reason, Andy never seemed to be too invested in what they had going on. “Oh, Devon has a project? That's nice.”, “Lila fell down outside and scratched her knee? Is she okay? Yeah? Good.”

The more I thought about it, Andy wasn't exceedingly present in their lives, even though he saw them all the time. They might as well not have been his children at all…and really, they weren't. Did he resent them? Was he upset with me for not pushing for him to be the biological father of at least one of them and now he was taking it out on the children out of spite? I didn't know what the exact answer to my question would be, but I planned to find out.

Inside the house, as I suspected, Andy was nowhere to be found. On the island in the kitchen was a note. “Gone to the Knicks game with Jason and Mitch. Be home late.”

I sighed. “Of course you're not home…” I murmured to myself.

“Is Pop-Pop not home, Daddy?” Lila asked, walking up behind me.

“No sweetie, he isn't.” I replied as I wrapped my arm around her.

“Can we have Daddy-Lila time now?”

Devon walked in and sat down on one of the stools.

“Soon, baby, but first we have to take care of your brother.”

I had examined the eye before leaving the Lewis' and it didn't seem too bad, so I decided to forgo taking him to the emergency room. However, as I grabbed a new ice pack from the freezer, it didn't stop me from considering making him an emergency eye appointment.

“Here, honey.” I said, offering the cool gel pack to him. “Hold this on your eye. It'll feel better.” He took it willingly, passing me the now dripping Ziplock bag wrapped in paper towels Trisha had given him before we left.

Lila tried to squeeze past me to make her way up onto the step stool. “Cookie time!” she announced happily.

I picked her up and placed her feet back on the floor. “Ah-ah-ah. No cookies before lunch.”

“Can I at least have a snack then?” she said with a smile.

Devon chimed in. “Me too. I'm hungry.” As I rummaged through the cabinets, Lila moved past me once more and squirmed her way up onto the stool next to her brother.

I turned and smiled at both of them. “How about I just make lunch instead? Everyone okay with pasta?”

Lila squealed and clapped. “OOH! SPAGHETTI! WITH LOTSA CHEESE! YAY! YES! PASTA! PASTA! PASTA!”

Devon laughed. “I think pasta's okay, Dad.”

I chuckled softly at my daughter's excitement. “Pasta it is, then.”

As I started to prep my cooking area, my phone began to ring in my coat pocket…the coat which was currently slung over the couch opposite the kitchen.

Lila jumped down from her stool. “I'll get it! I'll get it! I'll get it!”

“Lila—wait, baby. Don't get that. I'll call whoever it is back, okay? Just leave it.”

But she didn't leave it…as I plead, she rushed to my coat and retrieved the small device, sliding the button across the screen to pick up.

“Hello…this…is uh…this is…K-Kurt Hummel's phone.”

A light snicker came from the other end. “It is?”

Lila nodded as she held the phone against her head. “Yeah…uh huh. It is. This is my Daddy Kurt's phone.”

The gentle voice replied. “Is he available at the moment?”

Lila pulled the phone away and covered the mouthpiece. “Daddy! Are you---avaaaailable—at the moment?”

I walked slowly over to her, holding out my hand. “I am…Can I have my phone please?”

Lila put the device back to her mouth. “Yes, he's avaaailable right now and he said---he said he can talk so…here he is, okay? I'm gonna hand him the phone now. Bye bye…wait! Don't hang up yet, okay? I just said bye bye to you, but Daddy's coming to the phone now. Here he is.”

Her little hands extended toward me offering me my phone. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

I gazed down at the screen and saw Blaine's name staring back at me. Carefully, I brought the phone up to my ear and took a deep breath. “Hello?”

“That…was by far…one of the most precious things I've ever heard In my life.”

I laughed. “She's my little sweetheart, but you already know that.”

He was quiet.

“What is it?” I wondered if he was upset.

I heard him sigh before he replied. “We're not having lunch today, are we?”

I walked a little ways out of earshot of the kitchen.

“Honey, I can't…I want to, but things came up with the kids and I just can't. I want to see you so much, I do. I just can't leave right now.”

“Is he home?”

I sighed. “No…he's off at a Knicks game.”

“So you're alone…”

“Now look here, mister. I know what you're thinking and as much as I'd like for you to come over, it's too risky.”

“Can't blame a guy for trying.”

“Stop smirking…I can tell by your voice. Don't make me come all the way across town just to knock it off your silly little face.”

“With kisses?”

I snorted. “Oh yes, because that's the best way to punish you for your corny jokes.”

“You love them and you know it.”

I smiled. “Maybe I do, but the answer's still no. I can't very well entertain you and look after two children, not when one of them has a black eye.”

“What happened?”

“Devon got into a fight with a friend…it was…over something stupid that I don't want to get into right now, but he's okay. He's a tough little guy.”

“Is he in the same room with you?”  He seemed uncomfortable, possibly feeling bad about our current situation.

“Oh no, sweetie no. They're both in the kitchen. Lila's most likely trying to convince him to sneak her a cookie while he ices his eye.”

He laughed tenderly. “Is there anything I can do?”

It warmed my heart to hear him say that, especially since my husband's ass was currently glued to a chair in Madison Square Garden.

“No, but it means a lot that you'd ask.”

He hummed softly. “If that changes, promise to let me know?”

“I promise.”

From the kitchen, two voices rang out. “DAD! DADDY! THE WATER'S READY! THE POT'S BLOWING BUBBLES!”

“I want to keep talking, but I need to make lunch and my pasta water is just about to boil over.”

“Go and take care of your kids. Text me if you can. We'll figure something out, okay?”

I sighed, wishing I could hug him. “I know we will. I l---you're wonderful.”

He giggled. “I l—you're wonderful too.”

“You hush. I've gotta go.” I kissed the phone and he returned one with a soft “Mmwah” before we hung up.

After shoving my phone into my pocket, I rushed back into the kitchen to turn my water down so that I could give it a quick stir and add my pasta.

No sooner than the noodles hit the water, I felt my phone vibrate against my hip. I pulled it out carefully, a smile coming across my face as I saw who it was from.

From Blaine: I know you wanted us to wait so it would be special, but I can't wait any longer. Every time I talk to you is special, be it by text, phone, or in person. Everything is always special when it's with you. I have to say it. I love you.

As soon as I saw those three little words, all of the doubt in my mind slowly drifted away. We were going to be okay. We were going to make it work. We had to. I wasn't going to lose him again, not if I could help it. Quickly, I typed up a response.

To Blaine: Thank you for taking the first step. You're right. All of our time together is special. You make me feel special and that's why I'm so happy that I don't have to wait to tell you that…I love you too. And…I can't wait to say that to you face the next time I see you.

None of it felt real. It was too good to be true. I felt like I was floating above my own body, watching everything unfold.

“Daddy…Daddy….DADDY!” I snapped out of it.

“What is it, baby?”

Lila pointed to the stove beside me.

“Your water's blowing bubbles again.”

I turned to the stove and she was right. A white foam was beginning to bubble over the pot and onto the burner below.

“SHIT!” I exclaimed as I removed it from the heat, stirring the water to check on the pasta.

Devon started to laugh. “DAD!”

Lila chimed in. “Ummm….Daddy said a bad woooooord!”

I chuckled nervously, trying to get everything under control, pasta included.

“I'm sorry…d-don't say that. I'm a bad daddy. Don't repeat that. I'm really sorry. I'm going to have to wash my mouth out with soap now.”

After I stirred the pasta and took note of its state, I put it back on the heat…although it could have finished cooking using only the heat radiating from my face. As I reached for the colander in one of the lower cabinets, I laughed at myself. I loved Blaine and he loved me…and if nothing else, he certainly knew how to get me flustered after all these years.

Once I had fed the kids and had just found a moment to relax, Devon wandered into the living room and sat beside me on the couch. Lila had decided having a tea party with Monsieur Le Pooh was more important than spending time with Daddy, at least for the time being, but I was told I was still more than welcome to attend.

Devon looked at me with curious eyes. “Dad?” he asked softly.

I put down my magazine and turned to face him. “What is it, honey?”

He played with his hands, moving his ice pack, and shifted in his spot.

“Why wouldn't you tell me who you were talking to earlier?”

I couldn't help but wonder what intrigued him so much about that particular call. Had he heard Blaine's voice and began to ponder why I was talking to someone other than Andy or was my child just as nosy as I was at his age? I guess I was about to find out.

“You always tell me who you're talking to.”

I smiled softly and shifted in my seat, leaning back into the crook of the couch.

“Well, I didn't think it was important.”

He didn't seem phased by my response and pressed on. “It sounded like it was important.”

“Was it someone I know?”

I shook my head and sighed. “Nope. Just one of my friends.”

He moved in closer. “Which one?”

My eyebrow piqued with interest at his inquisitive insistence.

“It's not anyone you know, Devon. I don't understand why it's so important.”

Frustrated, he continued to question me further. “Well, if it was one of your friends, I don't see why you won't just tell me who it was…”

I furrowed my brow, becoming a little irritated myself. “Who's the parent here? The last time I checked, I was in charge around here.”

Before he could utter another word, my phone buzzed against my thigh, saving us both. I pulled it out and glanced at the screen, careful not to let Devon see. As I suspected, it was from him…although, the context threw me a bit.

From Blaine: What types of things does Devon enjoy doing? Is he into sports? Music? What?

I was beginning to become concerned for my own well-being. If people and things continued piquing my interest, I was going to have one hell of a story for my esthetician.  I don't know how I could get my brows waxed if they became conjoined with my hairline. Were these men trying to give me premature wrinkles…or at least more than the ones I already had?

I typed back a quick reply, all the while Devon being nosy as ever.

“Who is that? Is that Pop?”

I tapped my fingers against the touch screen. “Nope.”

“Well then, who is it?”

I sighed and pressed send. “It's Santa Claus. Should I tell him you said ‘hi'?”

“Santa isn't real.”

I smirked. “I hope he remembers you said that when Christmas comes in a few months.”

“Dad…come on.”

“More cookies for your sister.” I replied as I typed a bit more.

“Dad…what are you typing…that's not Santa. Santa doesn't have a cell phone.”

“Just because he's been around the block doesn't mean he isn't hip with the times, Dev.”

He sat quietly for a moment. “You don't have to say anything.”

I sat up a bit and smiled. “To whom?”

“N-nobody. Just…I didn't mean it.”

I nodded. “If you say so.”

“I didn't!”

I pressed send.

To Blaine: He's into quite a bit, but not what you'd expect. Andy wants him to be involved in sports, but he's a bit of a history buff and occasionally likes to kick back with a puzzle or a Discovery Channel documentary. I still wonder if the hospital made some sort of mix-up.

“Do I have to keep this on my eye?”

“For five more minutes and then in a bit we'll try a warm compress, okay?”

Devon nodded. “After I take this off, can I have a cookie?”

I smiled. “Yep. Don't tell Princess Lila and Monsieur Le Pooh or she'll spill tea and change her name to Marie Antoinette.”

He rolled his eyes. “I'm not afraid. She's too little to know how to work a guillotine anyway.”

My phone vibrated again in my hand.

From Blaine: Puzzles, the Discovery Channel and history. Care to be a bit more specific? Any favorite candies? Movies? Etc?

I smiled as I questioned just what this wonderful man had up his sleeve.

To Blaine: Why? What are you planning?

A few seconds later…

From Blaine: That's irrelevant. Answer the question. ;-)

I hurriedly sent back a reply.

To Blaine: He's fascinated with royalty and things related to James Bond, but mostly because I think he secretly wants to be on Her Majesty's Secret Service.

Almost immediately, I received one back.

From Blaine: Favorite candy? Treat?

To Blaine: He's happy as long as it's sweet. Ahem…and his Daddy likes chocolate.

I smiled and pressed send. What? If Devon was going to get candy, there was no rule that said I couldn't reap the benefits as well.

From Blaine: I haven't forgotten.

After reading the last text, I peered over at my son who was leaning back against the couch. “I think it's been long enough, “ I said, lightly tapping his shoulder.

“Come on…let's go have that cookie.”

Two hours later as I pondered over what I'd be making for dinner and when the hell Andy would be home, the doorbell rang.

I made it to the door in record time only to be met by the smiling face of a deliveryman.

I opened it and smiled politely. “Can I help you?”

“Yeah, I got a delivery for…” He glanced at the tag on the basket. “Devon Hummel?”

I nodded, astounded when I actually took in the sheer size of what the man was holding in his hands. “I'm his father.”

He handed me an electronic pad. “Sign here.” I did and carefully handed the tablet back to the gentleman, accepting the large basket in return.

“Have a good day!”

“You too!” I called after him as I tried to maneuver my way back into the foyer.

I set the basket down on the coffee table and began to look it over. The basket itself was overflowing with books, DVDs, puzzles, assorted cookies and cake pops for Devon and a box of chocolate covered strawberries that I assumed were for me.

Just as I started to call my son down from his room, the doorbell rang again, but this time my eyes met a different face. On my front steps stood a petite young girl holding an embarrassing arrangement of pink and yellow roses. My breath caught in my chest because by the colors alone I knew exactly who had sent them.

I beamed as I opened my door a second time.

“Kurt Hummel?” she asked in a chipper tone.

I nodded, still completely taken by the sight in front of me. “Yeah…I'm Kurt. That's me.”

She grinned and extended the arrangement toward me. “Then these… are for you.”

I graciously accepted and once again made my way back into the foyer, closing the door with my foot. This time, I moved into the kitchen and sat the floral arrangement on the island, taking a seat on one of the stools there as I did.

I wasted no time searching for the card and after a minute of gently moving the roses, I finally found one.

I opened it carefully as to not rip the envelope or disturb the card inside. My heart stopped once I read the words thoughtfully scribbled across the small piece of stock.

One rose for every time you've crossed my mind today. Though you're not here right by my side, know my heart is always with you. I love you so much. –B