Three years had passed, but the Hummels never seemed to find their groove after Blaine had been returned to his mother. They had taken two other children since that July day, but neither of the kids seemed to fill their void and after the second one was returned to her parents, they stopped taking anyone. Though they hoped for Blaine to be happy and healthy, they only had room for one more child and decided to keep that space open incase he ever needed placement again.

Through somewhat not quite legal updates from Joan, Elizabeth and Burt were able to keep track of Blaine and how he was doing. Though they were never given specific information, they found out when Rebecca was referred to a prevention agency from child welfare and they were also told, one year later, when Blaine was removed due to allegations of child abuse.

A little over three years after they had said goodbye, Burt, Elizabeth, and Kurt stood in the same entry way and watched a now six and a half year old Blaine walk back into their lives.

He held Joans hand but stared at the ground as he walked into the home, and Elizabeth noticed that he was still much smaller than a six year old should be. He obviously hadnt been fed regularly and he didnt seem short so much as just tiny. Still, his hair held the same unruly curls that she remembered and his face, though tilted downward, was just as sweet as when he was a baby.

Joan smiled at Elizabeth and Burt then looked down at him, "Blaine, can you say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Hummel?"

He looked up ever so slightly and almost whispered, "Hi."

Elizabeth moved forward and kneeled down in front of the boy, "Hi Blaine, do you remember us?"

He looked up at her and then behind her where Burt was standing with Kurt in front of him and shook his head no. She wasnt surprised, he was so young when he had lived with them and even Kurt could barely remember Blaines presence, though she thought that what he did remember might have mostly come from stories and pictures.

"Well, when you were very small you came to stay with us for a while too. Were very happy to have you back, and if you need anything just ask either myself or Burt over there ok?"

He looked back at Burt and his eyes widened a little at the size of the intimidating man.

"Oh its ok," Elizabeth smiled, "He looks really tough but hes just a big ol softy!"

Blaine smirked but made no further noise. He looked back at Burt but then his eyes fell down to Kurt and he just stared.

"Kurt has been real excited to see you again, Blaine," Burt said kindly, "Kurt why dont you say hi."

He nudged his son a little forward and that seemed to be enough to break Kurt out of whatever spell he was under and suddenly Kurt stepped forward and grabbed Blaines hand.

"Hi Blaine! Do you want to play with my toys? Mommy and daddy said you were going to stay here again so Im gonna share them with you. You can play with anything you want…except my tea set! I have to be there when you play with that because boys are rougher than girls and mommy says we have to be careful because its real glass and I dont want you to break it."

Blaines mouth opened a little in wonder as Kurt spoke in one breath with no pause. When he didnt respond in anyway other than blinking, Kurt began to lead him out of the room, "Come on Blaine!"

The adults laughed as the two boys left the room.

"That didnt take long! I think Kurts got the perfect personality to get Blaine out of his shell."

Elizabeth smiled a little but her face quickly turned serious, "What happened? I thought you had said everything was going well?"

Joan sighed a little, "It had been, Rebecca seemed to be doing well but then she got a new boyfriend. Of course I cant tell you everything, but they drank together and she allowed him to use physical discipline with Blaine. He still has some welts on his bottom, but they should heal up soon."

Elizabeth had tears in her eyes and Burt looked ready to kill the guy.

"He got arrested, I would hope." Burt said angrily.

"Well, charges were filed against him and also against Rebecca for allowing it to go on, but of course theyre out on bail right now. Shes still allowing him to stay with her, and while that continues obviously we cant have Blaine in the home."

"Whats going to happen to them?"

"Honestly? He might get a year or so in jail since its his first offense and theyll probably end up with a plea bargain. Rebecca will most likely end up on probation and child welfare will get her into AA, make sure she sobers up before allowing Blaine home again."

"Thats it?" Burts face turned red, Elizabeth placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Joans face was sad, "Its not fair. These kids deserve better and the parents deserve to pay when they mistreat them. Unfortunately, the system is flawed and punishment is much less severe than it aught to be."

Joan left shortly after and Elizabeth began to prepare dinner while Burt went to check on the boys. He found them sitting in the middle of the bedroom between the two twin beds in the room, a puzzle partially completed.

"Here, you can do this one." Kurt handed Blaine a piece and picked up his own. After he placed his in the right spot he looked at Blaine who was still holding the piece he was handed, "Do you need help finding where it goes?"

Blaine shook his head, "I was waiting for you to do yours first."

"How come? Your piece doesnt even fit near where mine was."

"Its your puzzle, you should go first."

Kurt smiled and looked at Blaine funny, "Youre silly, were doing it together so its both of our puzzle right now, ok?"

Blaines lips turned up in a small smile and he placed his piece into its spot, "Ok," he said and picked up another.

Burt quietly walked back down the hall to the kitchen to help his wife; he was proud of his son and knew Blaine was in good hands.

Dinner was not as difficult as Elizabeth had predicted. Blaine was quiet and only spoke when a question was directed at him and generally used as few words as possible, but he ate his food and seemed to be happy to be sitting next to Kurt who told story after story of his second grade class and his friends.

After dinner, Elizabeth gave the boys a bath and had to keep her emotions in check when she came face to face with the evidence of the abuse that Blaine had endured. As Joan had mentioned, there were red and lifted welts on his bottom, but besides that he had bruises on both arms in the shape of a hand from where someone had grabbed him too tightly. He also had a circular scar on his back that looked a bit older, and she tried to convince herself that it wasnt from a cigarette, that someone wasnt cruel enough to put out a cigarette on his back as a punishment.

She was sure that she would have broken down right there if it werent for the high pitched giggles that came out of both boys as they played with sailboats and toy fish. Her heart melted when Blaine reached across and placed some bubbles on Kurts face and said, "Captains have to have beards." And they both giggled again.

After their bath, Burt told them a story full of funny voices and then they tucked the boys into their beds. With a kiss on the head for both of them from both Burt and Elizabeth, the lights were shut off and the door closed slightly. Before they were able to head back to their room, the boys whispers stopped them.

"Hey Kurt?"

Sheets moved to indicate he had turned to face Blaine, "Yea?"

"Your parents are really nice."

"Yea, I like them. Are yours not nice?"

"No, I dont think my mommy likes me very much."

"Oh, well, you can share mine for a while if you want to?"

"Really?"

Kurt yawned, "Yea, as long as you dont try and take them from me."

"I wont, I promise!"

"Ok. Night Blaine."

"Night Kurt."

Elizabeth and Burt shared a smile and then walked to their room and went to bed.

It was a few months later, as predicted, Rebecca was on probation and her boyfriend had indeed been sentenced to three years in jail. Rebecca was also sentenced to return to rehab in order to get out of serving jail time, which she happily agreed to.

The Hummel family, plus Blaine, got into a routine once again and the boys attended the same school with Blaine in the first grade and Kurt in second. He had been behind when he started, but Blaine quickly caught up with his class and was at an appropriate level for a first grader. Though he made a friend or two in his class, he was generally reserved in school, and only really showed his true personality when he was with Kurt. When they were together, he acted like any other six year old. He often played with Kurts friends and seemed to have a great time at Kurts eighth birthday party.

Though more reserved, Blaine was able to open up around Burt and Elizabeth as well and things seemed to be going smoothly. Two months later, everything changed.

At 11:00 am, Kurt and Blaine were both called to the principals office and were sat down together next to Kurts aunt Christine. She tearfully explained that Elizabeth had gotten into a car crash and was hurt really badly. Burt was with her, but they didnt know if she was going to be ok.

She wasnt ok.

The funeral was that Saturday on a bright and sunny day, which given Elizabeths personality seemed to fit perfectly. Blaine stayed by Kurts side through the church service and held his hand tightly on the car ride over to the cemetery. He tried to be strong for Kurt and Burt while they stood with all the other people at the grave.

Blaine looked to his right and saw Kurt staring up at his dad, but Burt only had eyes for the casket in front of them. He didnt notice the tears gathering in Kurts eyes or the slight tremble in his bottom lip. He didnt notice these things but Blaine did, and as the first tear fell from Kurts eye, he felt Blaines hand slip into his. He looked down at their joint hands then back up to the boy who so suddenly was a meaningful presence in his life. Kurt looked back up at his father who was still caught up in his own emotions and then threw himself into Blaine arms and began crying in earnest.

"I miss her."

"I know you do."

"Will it ever stop?"

"Will what stop?"

"The pain in my heart."

Blaine squeezed him a little tighter, "I dont know, I hope so."

Later that night, when all the people left their home, Burt loosened his tie and walked to the boys room to check on them. He found them both asleep in Kurts bed, holding each other tightly with tear stained cheeks. He walked in and gently took their shoes off and placed a blanket over them before he left them to sleep, happy they had each other at this time.

It couldnt have been worse time, a few weeks later, when Joan regretfully called to inform Burt that Blaine would once again be returning to his mother. The boys had become even closer after Elizabeths death, and seemed to be crucial in not only healing their own pains, but Burts as well. Losing Blaine now, when the pain seemed to finally be less raw, felt like opening their wounds a little bit again.

The goodbye was somber and tear-filled. Blaine was given the house number and knew to call if he ever needed anything. Kurt gave him his favorite bear and hugged him extra tight. Burt told him he was proud of him and to keep his chin up and that theyd always be there for him.

Kurt and Burt stared at each other and then looked around the silent home that they were now the only two occupants of. Their other halves had been ripped away from them and it seemed impossible, at that moment, to figure out a way to continue.