It had been six weeks since they moved into their apartment in New York City.  Blaine had found a part time job singing at a local café for their dinner theater.  He found it incredibly ironic that was one thing that drove him nuts in the Berry home and now he was doing it as a job.  None the less, he loved being able to perform.  At least that way he didn’t feel that his surprise (not a mistake – he would be sure to point out) would effectively destroy all of his dreams.  Rachel found a part time job working the opening shift at the coffee shop down the street from their apartment.  It was a 4-8am shift which would leave her just enough time to get to her first class down at NYADA when they started in a week’s time.  She was exhausted already, but she enjoyed it.  She called it all part of the – ‘New York experience.’

Both Blaine and Rachel were dreading when they would have to start school, as excited as they were for it, because it would mean leaving Bernadette.  Yea, they did it in high school, but that was different she stayed home with Leroy since he worked from home.  This time they would be dropping her off with Marley.  They were truly grateful that it was going to be someone they trusted, but it didn’t change the fact that they were upset they would see her so much less because of work too.  However, they knew it was something that had to be done.  They can’t stay with her forever (as much as they – especially Blaine) would want to.

*x*x*

Several blocks away Marley was about to move into the apartment she was to share with her cousin.  He had an extra bedroom and graciously offered it to her, free of charge, while she went to school.  He, by nothing short of a stroke of luck, managed to become executive assistant to one of the editors from Vogue online.  Just one year out of high school, he was quite happy with where his career was taking him.  Never in a million years did he think that one year after flying out here with nothing but cash in his pocket and the clothes on his back, would he think that this would be his life. 

Today was going to be a good day for him.  His dad would be bringing his cousin Marley.  He was quite lonely having no roommates.  He was accustomed to always having someone home, whether it be his father or his stepmother and stepbrother.  Truth be told, more than once he wanted to go back home.  He missed the Friday night dinners and the constant smell of food lingering throughout the house. Mostly he just really missed his dad.  He was his one constant, his best friend and confidant.  And today he was going to see him for the first time since Easter.  His job was demanding and it was nearly impossible to slip away except for the holidays.

His concentration was broken when he heard a knock on the door.  “Dad?”  He yelled at the door. “Is that you?”  He heard a muffled ‘yes’ reply and he ran towards the door throwing it open.  His dad dropped what he had in his hands to throw them around his son.

“Kurt!  I missed you so much!”