It was raining at the funeral; the cemetery was drab and bleak in the clichéd way that all the movie's showed someone special finally being laid to rest. Neither Blaine nor Kurt thought much of God but they hoped she was somewhere better, somewhere with James if such a place existed. There weren't many people gathered around the grave, a few acquaintances and colleagues, no family, not if you didn't include Blaine. He was dressed impeccably, tailored black suit and a black woollen frock coat, smart and the picture of containment if it weren't for the tear tracks staining his cheeks, he clutched a bouquet to his chest, tuned out the sermon and watched as the coffin was lowered right next to James. Kurt stood with his arms tight around him; his own tears falling silently as he listened to the sniffles of the other attendees. It was too soon. It was always too soon.

The ceremony came to an end, the grave fresh with new earth and those in attendance drifted away, muttering condolences to the grief stricken boy they didn't know laying daisies on the head stone. Even Kurt eventually walked back to the sidewalk sensing that Blaine needed time, despite how much he ached to take him in his arms and soothe his grief away, he knew that he wouldn't be able to.

"I wasn't ready." Blaine whispered as he stood looking down upon the stone that bore her name, dates of birth and death and a simple inscription, "I taught you to fight and to fly, what more could there be?" it read. "I miss you every day and I will for the rest of my life," he said his voice growing thin and choked "I don't want to hear it'll get better or you wouldn't want me to feel this way because it'll always feel this way." Anger boiled inside of him and he had no where to direct it. It was never something that was under their control, the break in, the illness. It was so lawless, indiscriminate, and ruthless. Blaine had had his fair share of hardships but losing Maggie was something he'd never even entertained the notion of, not even in his darkest nightmares where evil long forgotten crept back into his consciousness.

"Fuck, Mags this isn't fair!" He screamed, disturbing the solemn silence of the cemetery. "You're supposed to be there when I graduate, when I get married and I have kids of my own, Christmases, thanksgivings, birthdays..." He trailed off swiping furiously beneath his eyes but the tears just kept falling, darkening the grey headstone as he rested his forehead against it. "Nothing makes sense anymore and I know you, you'd say ‘oh stop being so dramatic dear, you'll hurt yourself'" Blaine whispered with a sense of hopelessness twisting in the confines of his ribcage. "You were supposed to be there to see and do all the things I know mum and dad won't do."

His breath hitched with sobs but he stood up trying to breathe again for the first time since he'd gotten the phone call. "You were my best friend and I can't thank you enough, for taking me in, protecting me in your own way, for being there when no one else was. I love you so much Mags and I'm gonna make you proud." Laying a kiss to the top of the headstone he let his fingertips graze the soft petals of the daisies he'd left there. He straightened up and with a bitter smile he turned, jamming his hands into his pockets and hunching his shoulders against the chill of the gathering wind.

When Blaine reached Kurt at the sidewalk he hugged him tight. He'd had to say goodbye to his best friend that day, he'd be damned if he ever had to say goodbye to the love of his life.

~*~

It was a long while before either of them were ready to go back to the store. The police had moved out a while ago and there was no comfort in the reports that they were told were being filed or the suspects they thought they had. The investigation was still ongoing but not for much longer they thought wryly as they unlocked and opened the door, hearts breaking a little at the welcoming chime of the bell above it.

It looked exactly as it had on that day and Blaine had to stand still for a long while, his eyes closed and his hands clenched into fists as he remembered the two men ripping books from the shelves and trashing everything they'd worked for. He flinched when Kurt touched his shoulder, his mind flashing back to the sound of the silver tongued man's voice, his words and his - his touch. He remembered every detail up to the moment his head was smashed into the glass cabinet in the back room. He brushed his fingers across the faint webbed scar that marred the right side of his forehead and winced.

"Let's clean this place up." He said decisively once the shaking had stopped. Kurt simply nodded and got to it. He didn't ask if Blaine was okay, he knew that he was, to an extent. He knew from experience that he needed time. Blaine was resilient and strong, and as Kurt had learned he didn't need mollycoddling, just support. Blaine walked over to the old record player, thankfully still intact. He sat on the dusty floor and pulled the box of records to him, pulling out a familiar Glen Miller record and setting it playing. He closed his eyes briefly pretending for a moment that it was like any other day, Maggie shimmying down the shelves as he sat sketching at the front desk.

Words could never describe how it felt when he opened his eyes to see the wrecked shop, but he carried on, stood up, brushed the dust from his pants and picked up a broom, getting straight to work.

They worked long into the evening until finally the store resembled its old self. Blaine seemed brighter with it, the more the floor was cleared or the shelves were stocked the more he smiled and laughed again. Until, he placed another book on top of the pile of books that had been damaged. There were two piles, one that needed minor repairs that Blaine was sure he'd be able to fix himself and another that consisted of books to be sold to specialists, with the skills and knowledge needed to fix and sell them. As Blaine placed his last book on the pile he noticed several pieces of paper slip from its pages.

He couldn't hear what Kurt might've been saying to him as blood pounded in his ears and he bent slowly to pick them up. There were two sets of papers, one addressed to himself and one two Kurt, there names inscribed on the front in Maggie's elegant handwriting. "Blaine? Blaine!" Kurt called, walking over to him when he didn't get a response. His heartbeat quickened as he saw Blaine staring down at the papers in his hands, his eyes glassy with tears. He looked up and smiled "Um I think Mags wrote some letters for us, here-" He said passing Kurt his, "I'm going - I want to read it alone if- if that's okay with you?"

"Of course" Kurt muttered softly and Blaine walked quietly over to one of the arm chairs and sank into it, holding his letter in shaking hands. Kurt decided to take his to The Fix, the coffee shop across the street, hoping that the more public setting would stop him from breaking down.

~*~

My darling Blaine,

                               I expect you're wondering when I even wrote this letter. I am currently confined to my hospital bed, listening to your halfwit brother, bless his heart, wax poetic about these wonderful blueberry shortcake squares that are apparently ‘your specialty' and my dear I'm a little offended you have never thought to let me sample these delicacies. Don't be too harsh on him but I had Cooper deliver yours and Kurt's letter here, with specific instruction that you weren't too find them until I've left this world. Now sugar yes I know I don't have long, I'm weary and I miss my James. Don't be angry, I'm not afraid but I know when I'm beat sweetie, and after a wonderful and happy life I am content to finally let what will be, be.

            I am leaving the store and the apartment above it to you and Kurt both. You may decide what to do with it and I hope it serves you well, whether you sell it or decide to keep it. It's only fair that it's passed from one set of partners in crime to another.

            I love you very much Blaine and although I met you very late in life, you to me are the son I had always wanted. You are kind, intelligent, brave and most importantly of all the most loving man I have ever met besides my James. I have watched you grow and flourish and I am only sad that I will not get to see you continue to do so. Nothing pains me more than knowing that I will not be there to watch you marry and have children with the man you love. I am telling you know Blaine Devon Anderson that man will be Kurt, the way you are so reminds me of James and I that it often ached to see you together. He is a stubborn man but he loves you with all his heart, it has just taken him longer than most to figure out that he has capable of loving someone as much as he love you. You have both made your mistakes but never say goodbye to him Blaine, I've seen you without him before and it was agony.

            Now promise me you will always be joyful, follow your heart Blaine and never give up. You're talent knows no bounds and I am so very proud of you. I love you darling boy, and wherever I end up I'll always be watching over you. Now I must say goodbye after all, "I suppose it's like the ticking crocodile, isn't it? Time is chasing after all of us."

All my love, now and forever,

Mags

~*~

Dear Kurt,

                 You wonderfully, stupid and kind hearted man. I am sorry to say that I asked Cooper to deliver your letter in secret and to ensure that you didn't find them until I was gone. It was cruel of me to ask this of him so do not be too angry with him, after all he is a sweet man who was unlikely to deny an old woman her dying wish. Yes I know I'm going to die, I am nothing if not perceptive and the way in which the nurses keep glancing at me nervously as if I'm going to snuff it within the next ten minutes is enough of a give away for even the most oblivious of individuals. I say this to you as I know you will understand me, whereas I feel that if I told Blaine this in much the same way he would be most upset, and I don't wish to add to the pain my death has undoubtedly caused him.

            The bookstore now belongs to you and Blaine sweetie. It did not take me long to decide that everything would go to both of you, seeing as I have no family and you have brought me such joy and laughter in my autumn days. I cherish you both and you may do what you will with the store.

I am sorry that I have so often been so harsh on you but I will not lie and say you haven't cause my Blaine a lot of unnecessary pain. I love him as if he were my son you see, and there is nothing more vicious in this world than a mother's love for her child. You love him my dear and you have been a fool to keep it from him. Gosh he has looked at you like you hung the moon and stars since you first stepped foot in my bookshop and if you weren't telling him out of fear that he didn't feel the same way then you are twice the fool and blind to boot. You are an intelligent man Kurt Elizabeth Hummel but you have a lot to learn. Have courage and tell our sweet boy the truth.

I am glad to have met you Kurt and I am only saddened that I do not have more time to get to know you better, and see you walk down the aisle to meet our beautiful boy Blaine at the alter. I wish you both every happiness. Write the ending to your own story Kurt, and make it a happily ever after.

All my love, forever and always,

Mags

~*~

Blaine jolted upright as the bell chimed above the door, signalling Kurt's return. "Kurt..." He trailed off breathlessly, hands still gripping his letter tightly. He stood up and trembled as Kurt looked at him, his blue eyes bright and wet. "You've waited so long..." Kurt said his voice hoarse and cracking. "Kurt what-" Blaine started, scared and confused but he was cut off when Kurt strode across the room, stopping right in front of him, so close he could smell the scent of coffee and cologne and typewriter ink. "Just to hear those three little words..." He said with amazement like he couldn't believe the boy in front of him was real. Blaine closed his eyes overwhelmed and dizzy with confusion, he felt fingertips brush his damp cheek and Kurt's warm breath against his ear. "I love you." He whispered, steady and sure and Blaine wrapped his arms around him, smiling until Kurt tilted his head up and kissed him, the sound of the big band trumpets fading into the background.

"I love you too you fucking idiot" Blaine replied against his lips and Kurt laughed, pulling Blaine impossibly closer. "Holy fucking shit thank God for that!" He cried and Blaine giggled, burying his head in the dip between Kurt's neck and shoulder that seemed to be made for him. "Now..." he continued, "this fucking idiot wants to know if you'd like to dance."

"I'd love to."