"It'll be fine, Kurt. I promise you. Don't let Blaine stand in the way of being happy and visting all of our friends. We haven't seen them in months"Rachel soothed, rubbing Kurt's shoulder. Kurt groaned in response, lolling his head back on the couch with athump."Come on. You'll get to see Burt, Carole, Sam, F-Finn, and Mercedes. We cannot miss our alma mater's first annual Winter Parade."

"Actually, I think we can. It's tacky and stupid." Kurt retorted.

"Kurt, I'm not going to go without you. And I really want to go. And you know how stubborn I am. And how I act when I don't get my way. I hold grudges, Kurt Hummel. Fear my wrath!" She giggled, tickling Kurt's sides. Kurt chuckled in response, pushing Rachel off with a wide, toothy grin.

"How is it that I always allow you to get your way? This stupid pleather couch, the dingy, creepy carpet...I am spoiling you, Rachel Berry. Your man is going to have to live up to high expectations after me." Kurt teased.

"Kurt!" Rachel squeaked, slapping Kurt on the shoulder. "So does this mean we're going?" Rachel smiled, her eyes sparkling like a kid's at a candy store.

"Yeah, yeah. Sure. Why not? I can do this. Blaine hurt me, why should I care or pay attention to him? I'll get to see my friends and laugh and smile."Kurt encouraged himself.We haven't been doing much of that lately.Let's pack! We are going to need extra time, considering I'm going to have to go back and repack your entire wardrobe after you're done."

"I am a grown woman, Kurt. I can pick out my own clothes." Rachel glared for a prolonged moment before they both burst out laughing.

"Puh-lease. I'm still convinced the only reason you keep me around is because of my impeccable sense for women's fashion." Kurt snickered.

Rachel grinned. "Oh, you know I love you."

"I'm home!" Kurt called out as he stepped into his old house in Lima, Ohio. It still smelt faintly of the pumpkin spice candles that Kurt sent over for Thanksgiving.

"Kurt!" Burt shot up out of the couch, nearly toppling over before making a bee-line to where Kurt was standing in the entrance hall.

"I've missed you so much, buddy!" Burt pulled Kurt into a bear hug, tight enough to crush his lungs. Kurt missed those hugs dearly. "I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too, dad." Kurt replied with a watery grin after they have parted and dived in for another hug.

"Carole is still working the day shift at the hospital, but she'll be home soon. She is gonna' be so happy to see you, Kurt. She has been gushing to all her girlfriends about you and your internship at Vogue and NYADA. I think she's enjoying it a bit too much, but yunno, we're proud." Burt smiled.

Kurt chuckled, letting out a heavy sigh.

But Burt instantly noticed Kurt's melancholic attitude, it happened every year, after all. "Look bud, I know the holidays haven't been such a good time for us Hummel's. The year your mom died-it, it was rough for me 'nd you. I know I forgot to buy the tree, wrap the presents and I somehow managed burned the ham." They both chuckled softly. "But Kurt, you have to learn to love Christmas again. I miss your mom as much as you do, but I don't want you feeling down every year on Christmas. I know we have had some bad one's in the past, but this year...it's gonna' be great. I can feel it. And you're gonna'loveit. I'm gonna' make it up to you, Kurt."

"Thank you, dad. I love you." Kurt smiled, tears pooling at the back of his eyes, attempting to keep them at bay, knowing all too well that he was already going to be doing a lotof crying this trip.

"Now why don't you go on and get Rachel and head over to McKinly. I'm sure they'll all love to see you. I'll just put all of this..." Burt motioned with his hands towards Kurt's luggage, "in your room."

"Dad-"

"Don't let him stop you, Kurt. You're stronger than that. And hey, maybe you two can talk it out a bit. It'll help."

And with that, Kurt nodded and headed towards the door.