CHAPTER 4

Wednesday March 18th 2015

"Blaine," Kurt said in surprise when Blaine entered the diner and sat down at the counter.

"Kiss?" the man asked.

Kurt rolled his eyes affectionately but leaned over the counter and pressed their lips together anyway.

"What are you doing here?" he asked. They had been going out for almost a month now. A month! Kurt could barely believe it.

"Just missed you," Blaine shrugged, "and I was hungry, so I figured this was a killer combination."

Kurt smiled. He knew it was hard on Blaine. Kurt still refused to let him around his daughter, afraid that something would happen. After that first weekend, Kurt had completely given in and accepted that Blaine was here to stay, but he was still afraid to let him in his daughter's life, so most of their time together had consisted of late night phone calls when Luna was asleep or lunches at the diner while Kurt was working and Blaine was sitting at the counter, like now. The only exception was last weekend, when Luna had been back with Brittany and Santana. Blaine had taken Kurt out again after his shift. They'd done the fancy restaurant thing, only to come to the conclusion that neither felt really comfortable. Sure homosexuality was more accepted these days, but that didn't stop people from staring, so they'd abandoned the restaurant even before they got to the main course, opting for take-out and a movie at Blaine's apartment instead. Kurt had fallen asleep on the couch and had to rush to work the next morning, in last night's clothes. Thank God Santana worked the other weekend, because she wouldn't have let him live it down otherwise.

"Sorry." Kurt bit his lip. "You can still change your mind you know."

"About what?" Blaine frowned and took a bite of his burger.

"This." Kurt gestured between them. "Us. I know it's not easy."

"Hey." Blaine grabbed Kurt's arm. "Don't do this again. Don't push me away."

"Blaine." Kurt frowned. "I know it's not what you expected. We've barely gone out on real dates, and on the weekends Luna's not at Brittany and Santana's, we only talk to each other on the phone."

Blaine shook his head, "I get it Kurt. She's important. I'll give you all the space you need. Besides…" He glanced around and pulled Kurt over the counter to him, pressing their lips together. "…it makes this all the more fun."

"God, I miss you," Kurt sighed against his lips.

"It's a good thing we have this weekend then, right?" Blaine smiled before pulling back.

Kurt blushed and ducked his head. "It's our one-month anniversary."

"Depends on when you start counting," Blaine commented. "If you start counting from the first date, today is our one-month anniversary. However, if you start counting from the second date, that weekend, it is indeed this weekend,"

"I think we should start counting from the weekend." Kurt blushed when Blaine grinned at him knowingly. "Not because of that. Because that's when it really felt like we were together."

"Good," Blaine smiled. "February 21st it is then. Our official anniversary."

Kurt beamed at him.

"I have plans for us this weekend, assuming Luna is staying with Santana and Brittany."

"Yes," Kurt nodded. "I have to work, though. You know that."

Blaine rolled his eyes. "Of course I know that. Nevertheless, it won't stop me from spending the whole day with you."

"What? No you can't…" Kurt protested. "…I mean. You'll get bored."

"I won't. I'll bring my laptop, so I can get some work done when you're too busy to entertain me. Besides, there's no other way to spend our anniversary together."

Kurt ducked his head. "You're crazy."

"About you," Blaine replied smoothly. "Yes, you're right. And after your hard day of work, I'll take you out."

"Where to?"

"Nothing too fancy," Blaine answered. "We both know how that turned out last time."

Kurt chuckled.

"Just planned on going to the movies and maybe getting some takeout afterwards. Then come back to my place," he lowered his voice suggestively, "to spend the night."

"That sounds perfect," Kurt responded in a hushed tone, as a blush appeared on his cheeks.

"It's a date." Blaine grinned at him.

"Daddy!" The door opened and an exited Luna skipped inside followed by Brittany and Santana.

"Hey, Sweetie." Kurt pulled his daughter up into his arms, and glanced at the two women taking a seat at the counter. "You're early. I still have to work for the next hour."

"That's okay," Brittany said sweetly. "She just wanted ice cream. So we thought it would be easier if we came here, so she can go home with you when you're done. Besides, you guys make the best ice cream."

"Brit, we don't exactly make the ice-cream our -" He broke off his sentence when he saw Santana shaking her head and glaring at him. "What do you want?" He sighed and put Luna on the vacant bar stool next to Brittany.

"Chocolate!" Luna exclaimed.

"Me too," Brittany nodded. "Did you know that chocolate ice comes from brown cows?" She turned towards Luna.

"Really?" The girl looked skeptical.

"Yes," Brittany continued to explain that chocolate ice cream was made from chocolate milk, and that obviously comes from chocolate-colored cows.

Kurt chuckled when he returned from the freezer in the back with the box of chocolate ice cream. From the corner of his eye, he saw Blaine putting on his jacket. He turned around and looked at him.

Blaine smiled sadly at Kurt and glanced at Luna meaningfully. "I'll call you later, okay?"

Kurt bit his lip, he didn't want Blaine to leave. They had so little time together as it was.

"Britt, Luna, maybe we should take cones so we can take a walk while we eat it," Santana said, interrupting the conversation between Brittany and Luna about how strawberry milk and ice cream were made, because neither of them had seen pink cows before. She eyed Blaine and Kurt carefully. "I'm sorry," she whispered towards Kurt, "I wouldn't have brought them here if I had known."

"But I'm tired," Luna whined, "I just want to sit here with you guys and Daddy and have my ice cream."

"Yeah, me too," Brittany piped in.

"I do want a cone though," Luna said and Brittany nodded in agreement before they continued their theories about pink cows and where they could possibly live.

"I'll just go," Blaine said softly, smiling at Santana, "it's no big deal."

"No," Kurt said with a frown. He didn't want Blaine to run off. He didn't want Blaine to feel like he couldn't be around Kurt when Luna was there, because Luna was there most of the time. "Stay."

"What?" Blaine looked at Kurt surprised, his eyes glancing at Luna who was still chatting happily with Brittany. Santana was observing both boys intensely.

"You haven't had dessert yet?" Kurt said uncertainly. Blaine usually shared a piece of pie with Kurt, after every meal, just something small that had stuck after that first time.

"I don't need," Blaine glanced at Luna again, deliberating his next move. "I shouldn't-"

"Please," Kurt had emerged from behind the counter and glanced at Santana. The girl had grabbed the box of chocolate ice cream and started making three cones, giving Kurt and Blaine some time to talk.

"Kurt," Blaine bit his lip when Kurt grabbed his hand, "your daughter-" He trailed off.

Kurt glanced at his little girl who was gazing at them, frowning when she looked at Blaine. He took a deep breath and squeezed Blaine's hand before letting go of him and turning towards his daughter. "Sweetie, come here for a moment." He smiled and took her in his arms when she held out her hands towards him. She slung one hand around Kurt's neck while she licked the ice cream that was in her other hand.

"Don't spill any on your clothes," he said to her, and he smiled when she rolled her eyes and held out her ice cream to him.

"Taste?"

He took a lick and looked up at Blaine, who was staring at them unsure of what his next action should be.

"Luna, I want you to meet someone," he said, looking at Blaine, silently asking his okay.

Blaine's eyes lit up and a smile appeared on his face.

"This is a friend of Daddy's, Blaine," he pointed to the man in question.

Luna looked at him and beamed. "Hello."

"Hi," Blaine answered, his heart speeding up because this was it; this was what he wanted. Kurt was letting him all the way in, and he knew if he messed this up, if Luna didn't like him for whatever reason, it would be over because Luna was Kurt's world, and nothing would come between them. He had learned that much the last month. "I think pink cows live with princesses in fairytale castles."

Luna's eyes sparkled. "Really?"

Blaine nodded and looked at Kurt who was smiling at them.

"Aunt Brittany." She wriggled her way out of Kurt's arms and ran over to the blonde girl, telling her what she just found out.

"Pie?" Kurt questioned, cocking his head slightly. He jumped a little when Blaine pulled him into a surprising hug, but quickly returned the embrace.

"Thank you," Blaine whispered against his ear before pulling back and taking his seat again.

"Blaine, you should come sit here," Luna pointed to the empty chair beside her, "so Daddy can talk to us both."

"I think that's an excellent idea," Kurt said as he smiled and pressed a kiss against Luna's temple, "because Blaine has to share his pie with me."

"Apple pie?" Luna asked when Blaine sat down beside her.

Blaine nodded. "It's the best."

"Can I have a piece?" Luna looked at Kurt with big eyes.

"You already had ice cream," Kurt responded, putting the pie in front of Blaine and gladly accepting first bite Blaine offered him.

"But it's so good," Luna whined.

"Tell you what," Kurt said, shaking his head, "if you finish your dinner tonight without complaining…" He held up his hand to silence Luna's interruption, "and it's peas, so I know there will be a lot of whining otherwise… Don't frown at me like that young lady... I'll take a piece home and you can have it after dinner."

"Okay," the girl sighed and slumped in her seat.

"Maybe she can have one bite?" Blaine offered, "just to remind her why she should eat her peas without complaining." He looked at Kurt with uncertainty written over his face, not sure if he was taking it too far by meddling between them.

Luna shot up and looked at Kurt with big pleading eyes. "Can I Daddy, please?"

Kurt rolled his eyes but smiled nevertheless. "One bite." Luna nodded enthusiastically and he looked at Blaine. "And it better be from your part, Mister, because I'm not sharing my half. Your idea, your responsibility."

Blaine grinned, "Sure," before holding out a piece for Kurt and one for Luna afterward, not even caring that the piece he gave Luna was probably too big for a regular bite. He would have gladly given her the whole pie if it meant he could get to know her. If Kurt let him.

Saturday March 21st 2015

"You are crazy," Kurt smiled at the man who was sharing his piece of apple pie with him. It was four thirty, and his shift would end in a half hour, so Blaine insisted on eating pie before they left.

"And still, you keep going out with me," Blaine replied.

"I must be crazy as well then," Kurt responded.

Blaine smiled at him fondly.

"I still can't believe you spent the whole day sitting in this diner, just so you could spend time with me," he shook his head.

"What better way to spend my day?" Blaine asked. "Besides, Wesley will be glad. I got a shitload of work done."

Kurt bit his lip with a frown.

"What?"

"Nothing," Kurt responded.

"Yes, tell me," Blaine insisted.

"I just," Kurt sighed, "I don't want to sound controlling or judging but…" he trailed off.

"What?" Blaine asked."Is it my outfit?" He looked down frowning. "You don't like it? I could drop by home to change it if you don't want to be seen with me like this."

"Blaine." Kurt rolled his eyes affectionately. "It's not your outfit; I like how you dress. It's very; you."

"Thank you?" Blaine frowned."Then what is it?"

"Just," Kurt deliberated, "I know Luna's not here. But if I'm letting you in her life, I'd really appreciate it if you won't use words like that around her."

"Oh," Blaine frowned for a couple of seconds, before realization hit him. "Oh, you mean like 'shitload'?"

"Yeah," Kurt winced slightly, "don't take it personally. She's just four years old, and easily picks things up."

"Yeah, of course," Blaine answered."Sorry, I'll work on it. I'm not used to being around kids."

Kurt bit his lip.

"I'll learn, I promise," Blaine added. "Give me a chance, okay?"

Kurt chuckled, "I'm not mad Blaine. I just-" He trailed off.

"No Kurt, please. I'm new to this, okay? I've never really been around kids," Blaine said. "I'll have to learn."

"I'll teach you, if you'd like?" Kurt ducked his head.

"Good." Blaine smiled and held out another piece of pie for Kurt. "Bite."

Kurt smiled affectionately and opened his mouth.

…

Kurt's phone blared loudly from the nightstand and Blaine groaned, pulling the blankets over his head and tangling his arms and legs around Kurt. "No," he groaned.

"Hello?" Kurt said groggily in his phone.

"Kurt, I'm so sorry, I didn't want to call you. But Luna's hysterical," Santana said breathlessly.

"What happened? Kurt shot up and almost knocked Blaine out of the bed in the process.

"I don't know." Santana sounded close to crying herself. "She just woke up in the middle of the night and started screaming."

"She had a nightmare," Kurt sighed.

"She keeps asking for you Kurt," Santana quivered. "It's been going on for an hour now. I really didn't want to disturb you guys, but I didn't know what else to do."

"No, San, please. I'm glad you called me." Kurt winced when he heard the cries of his daughter in the background. "I'll be there in fifteen minutes, okay?"

"Thank you!"

"Blaine.." Kurt caressed Blaine's face. "Baby, I have to go."

"No," Blaine pouted, already halfway back asleep.

"Luna had a nightmare and they can't calm her down. Kurt pressed a kiss against Blaine's lips and got out of the bed.

He was searching for his clothes, which were thrown all around the room. He blushed slightly as he tried to remember where his shirt was.

Last night had been, well intense. They had gone to see the third installment of Avatar, and had gotten takeout on the way to Blaine's place. The Chinese they had brought, however, was still standing on the kitchen table.

Kitchen table, right that's where his shirt was.

He tiptoed through the living room and into the kitchen, biting his lip slightly when he saw his shirt flung over one of the chairs.

"Kurt?" a soft voice sounded behind him.

"Blaine," Kurt said as he turned around and pulled his shirt back over his head, "go back to sleep."

"You don't have a car," Blaine said, blinking tiredly.

Oh, right. They had taken Blaine's car last night. He was supposed to drop Kurt back off at work tomorrow - he glanced at the clock—well, today.

"You can take mine," Blaine offered as he looked at him hopefully, "or you can let me drive you and crash at your place."

Kurt took a deep breath.

"I mean, I know that's kind of a big step, and I understand if you don't want to," Blaine sighed. "Yeah, it's probably too soon, sorry. I shouldn't have suggested it."

"No," Kurt replied with a shake of his head, "it's fine; come with me."

"Really?" Blaine's eyes lit up.

"Really," Kurt smiled. "I want to spend as much time with you as I can."

"Awesome," Blaine was beaming by now. "Come on, let's go!" He grabbed Kurt's hand and squeezed it.

When they arrived at Santana's house ten minutes later, Kurt was out of the car before Blaine could even stop the engine.

"Where is she?" Kurt asked breathlessly when Santana opened the door.

"Her room; Brit is with her." She sounded tired, but looked slightly surprised that Blaine was following behind Kurt.

"He let you come?" She looked at the curly haired man with surprise clearly shown on her face.

Blaine nodded.

"He must be really serious about you then." She studied Blaine for a moment, but turned her head abruptly when the wailing from Luna died down to quiet sobbing.

…

"Sweetie." Kurt's heart broke slightly when he saw Luna curled up in a ball. Brittany looked up at him with a hopeless expression while she kept rocking the girl.

"Luna." His hands gently pried her arms from her body and he sat down on the bed, pulling her onto his lap. "It's okay I'm here." He stroked through her hair, a gesture that seemed to calm her down somewhat.

"Da-ha-daddy?" she wailed, tears streaming down her face.

"I'm here." He held her close. "I'm here Sweetie. Did you have a bad dream?"

Her tears were soaking through his shirt by now, and Kurt bit his lip to hold back his own. Seeing his daughter like this and not being able to do anything was breaking him.

Luna nodded against him and her sobs seemed to lessen. "Monsters in the closet," she said between sobs.

"Oh Baby," Kurt hugged her even closer. That damned Monsters Inc. movie was going somewhere far away until she was at least eighteen years old. "It's okay. There are no monsters. I promise."

"I'm her mother; I should be able to make her feel better." Brittany was hiding her face in Santana's neck.

"Britt, don't blame yourself. Kurt looked up while he kept his fingers stroking through Luna's hair. "She's had this nightmare since she saw that stupid movie. It's not your fault."

Blaine looked at Kurt and Luna and glanced towards the closet opposite the bed, frowning. He didn't want to interrupt their moment, but maybe- his thoughts were interrupted by Kurt's voice.

"Would you feel better if we checked the closet?" Kurt looked at Blaine with a smile, obviously getting what he had been thinking about.

Luna nodded against Kurt's neck.

"Okay, come on sweetie." He readjusted his grip on her and got up of the bed, walking towards the closet.

His hands were full of Luna, and Brittany and Santana were preoccupied with each other, so Blaine stepped forward and opened the closet door for them.

"See," Kurt said as he stroked her back, "nothing in there."

Luna lifted her head and looked at the closet with tear-filled eyes. "Really?"

"I promise, Sweetie," Kurt said softly.

"Would you feel better if I went in and checked?" Blaine asked, his hand hesitantly reaching out to Luna to stroke her hair.

Luna glanced at him and sniffled before nodding.

"Blaine, you don't have to," Kurt said, but Blaine was already gone, rummaging through the closet.

He came out a moment later shrugging. "I didn't see a thing. Only clothes."

Luna blinked and laid her head in her father's neck, eyes slowly closing again. Kurt smiled and pressed a kiss against her head before walking back towards the bed to lay her down again.

"No." Luna clung to him, refusing to let go.

"Honey," Kurt sighed, "you have to stay here. You are with Aunt Brit and Aunt Santana this weekend."

"It's okay; take her home," Santana whispered. "We'll come pick her up tomorrow before your shift starts."

"Sure?" Kurt looked at them.

Santana nodded and hugged Brittany close. "She's pretty upset right know. It'll only upset Luna more."

"Okay," Kurt nodded, "let's get you home Sweetie." He smiled for a moment and closed his eyes when Blaine's arms circled around his waist and squeezed him softly.

Luna had fallen asleep on the car ride home, and had barely protested when he laid her down in her own bed and whispered an "I love you" against her ear.

"Love you more," she mumbled sleepily, eyes not even opening.

"Love you most," Kurt responded before closing the door and listening for a few minutes to make sure she was back asleep. He sighed when Blaine pulled him into hug and relaxed against the man's chest, "mso tired," he mumbled.

"Let's get some sleep, okay?" Blaine whispered against his neck.