Cooper opened the back gate and made his way around the ridiculously large pool towards the open space at the rear of the yard. He curved around the waterfall just in time to watch his brother tumble head over heels onto the grass.  The numerous green stains on his white tank top suggested this wasnt the first time hed kissed dirt.  Blaine smoothly rolled back to his feet, instantly taking a defensive stance.

"Sloppy," a feminine voice chided, making a condescending tsk tsk noise as she approached.  Blaine watched warily as the small girl moved ever closer.  "This must be embarrassing for you. It certainly is for me." 

Without warning her fist flew out in a low punch that looked like it wouldve been really painful had it landed.  Instead, Blaine danced quickly out of the way, pivoting to throw a high kick at her head.  She caught his foot at full extension, yanking it forward and twisting.   Cooper winced as Blaine was once again flung to the ground.

"Thats a lie," Blaine told her, groaning as he climbed slowly back his feet and once again assumed the defensive stance.  "You wouldnt know embarrassment if it smacked you across the head." 

The comment evoked a bark of laughter from the redhead.  "You make a good point," she conceded, gesturing for Blaine to take the offensive.  A short exchange of blows later and Blaine went flying over her shoulder.  "But this is about as close to the emotion as I get."  She reached a hand down and pulled Blaine back to his feet.  "Go sit down before you hurt yourself." 

Growling something under his breath, Blaine followed the order and trotted over the fence next to the water bottles.  He pulled off the sweat soaked shirt and dumped a small bucket of water over his head, thoroughly soaking himself before sitting down on a bench.

"Well, hello sexy," a voice purred in Coopers ear, making him grin.  Santana goosed him as she walked past, a vision in bright red spandex.  Blaine looked up at her words, scowling when he saw Cooper.

"You really shouldnt witness this, Coop," Blaine grumped.  "Its too painful." They both knew he wasnt referring to the physical pain, though Coopers brother was sporting several bruises in a myriad of healing colors along his bare torso.

"24601 over there speaks the truth," Kitten agreed, formally bowing to Santana as the two took up sparring positions.

"You did better than I wouldve," Cooper offered in consolation, plopping down on a chair next to his wet and dented brother.  He watched with interest as Santana transitioned smoothly from position to position as she sparred with her Sensei, dodging punches and kicks with a fluidity that made it appear that she was made of water.  Kitten caught her arm mid punch and did an over-the-shoulder throw that the Latina somehow managed to keep her feet for, twisting out of the grip as soon as she landed.

Blaine whistled and clapped enthusiastically.  "Nice one, Tana."  He looked over at his brother.  "Kitten has been in a mood all morning and for some reason decided to take it out on my hide.  Shes a horrible person and deserves to be tossed in the pool."

Kitten dropped for a low leg-sweep that knocked Santana on her ass, then turned to grin at Blaine with a bright, innocent smile.  "Id absolutely love for you to try it."  Santana didnt wait for Kitten to turn back around before attacking and the two were swiftly back at it, dancing across the lawn in a flurry of motion.

"I was doing better, earlier," Blaine commented as he gulped from a bottle of water.  "I defy anyone to make a decent showing after over an hour of training with that little witch."  Kitten laughed, but wisely didnt take her eyes off her opponent.

"Breakfast will be ready in 25 minutes," Kurt called as he walked up to the group.  "Blaine, I made a spice cake in honor of the glad tidings."  Finn followed behind, smiling warmly and exchanging a handshake with Cooper.  The two had formed an odd friendship and Finn was spending less time working for Kurt, slowly transitioning to personal assistant for the popular actor.

"So, whats the big news?"  Cooper asked curiously. Hed been invited over the previous evening for a celebratory brunch, and hed never quite gotten around to asking what they were celebrating.

"Kate Middleton is pregnant with triplets!" Kurt announced, beaming.  Blaine was grinning as well, looking equally thrilled.

"Yess..." Cooper agreed slowly.  "I may have heard something about it.  Its only the only thing everyone is talking about..." Oh.  Well, now everything was beginning to made sense.

He clapped his brother warmly on the shoulder. "So, no more limelight for you, eh?" 

"Thats the way its looking," Blaine agreed, not even trying to hide his relief.  The last year and a half had been a wild ride for the slave, whod taken to hiding in the house most of the time.

Contrary to Blaines jaded belief, the Carson Phillips article had not been buried or ignored.  It had taken off like wildfire, earning the reporter international acclaim and a Pulitzer, while initiating a bevy of new laws to promote appropriate slave care, the first of which illegalized the acquiring of any freeborn citizen as a slave. While the Office of Slave Affairs firmly maintained that technically nothing illegal had occurred during Blaines acquisition, and therefore there was no reason to suggest his status could be changed, legal actions to prevent anyone else from sharing his fate had quickly taken effect.

In addition, several new laws outlining the ethical treatment of slaves were worming their way through congress, with PETS, a new offshoot of PETA, footing the bill for the lobbyists. The fact that there were more legal ramifications for mistreatment of the family cat then for a slave had brought several uncomfortable facts to light regarding the institution and everyone seemed to agree that something had to change, though there was great debate about to exactly what extent.

The current bill circulating through congress required adequate physical care for all slaves as well as a no-questions-asked return policy for any slaves declared unwanted or abandoned, and strict regulation of humane euthanasia.  The Office of Slave Affairs was being completely revamped with new staff, their responsibilities and goals rewritten to include ensuring that slaves are receiving proper care as well as the groups more traditional regulatory role. The days of the starving hotel slave were over, as state laws mandating that all slaves be provided adequate nutrition had already taken effect in the majority of the country.

A Sons Worth, a story loosely based on Blaines bestselling biography, was still one of the top hits on Broadway, with touring groups traveling throughout Britain.  The movie had finished shooting and was due to be released shortly, with Daniel Radcliff playing the lead.  Cooper had actually been considered to play the role of himself, only to be replaced by Ryan Gosling when hed ultimately declined.  The book itself had spent no small amount of time on the New York Times Best Sellers list.  All of which meant that Kurt never needed to work a day again for the rest of his life and had given over the majority of his label to his favorite designer from his team.  He still designed, but only on specific commission and for his friends, having lost the taste for Fashion Shows long ago.  Cooper too, had been paid handsomely for his bevy of interviews and his booming popularity guaranteed him virtually any type of movie role he was interested in playing.

Of the multitude of events to hit Blaines life, the most surreal for him was the call from an agent for the ELLEN show. She wanted to have him in for an interview, making him the first slave to ever be interviewed on a talk show.

After an enormous amount of time spent soul-searching, three panic attacks that wouldnt stop until he was safely tucked in Kurts arms, and one intense argument with Santana that had ended with the two of them using their martial arts training on each other, Blaine had elected not to do the show.  The idea of sitting there with all those lights on him in front of a live audience while he was asked questions was more than he could handle.  He offered a compromise, suggesting a private interview that could be taped, provided that Kurt could be with him the whole time. It was the only interview Blaine gave, and it proved more than enough for him.  Fortunately, hed met Ellens personal slave prior to the event, and shed seemed about as happy and content a slave as Blaine had ever met, making him relax considerably before the successful interview.

Given that Blaine had spent over a year essentially trapped at home, hed found himself with copious amounts of time to fill.  He spent hours playing the piano and guitar, and sparring with Kitten and Santana daily.  Hed never forgotten that Cooper and Jessi had given up their honeymoon to save money to track him and had resolved to make it up to them. He poured over travel brochures, torn between a private island resort and Ireland, though he was leaning towards the latter since they already lived in California.

Another oddity that had taken some adjusting to was random women walking up to him and hugging him whenever he was out and about. It happened all the time and was supremely disconcerting. Kurt theorized that with his boy-next-door youthful looks, all the moms took one look at him and saw their own children, and just had to touch and know that he was okay.

Cooper proved to be a godsend. He had no trouble with the attention and readily took his preferred place in the spotlight, shielding Blaine from much of the drama in the process. Reporters generally seemed just as happy to talk to him as opposed to his little brother.  Positive and negative, he handled it all with perfect charm and panache.  Blaine had never been happier to have such an attention-whore for his sibling.

And Kurt was...Kurt.  He protected Blaine as best he could, supported his decisions, held him when he was overwhelmed and all in all proved to be the best, most amazing partner Blaine had never dreamed he could have.  Through it all, the paparazzi, the hate mail, the rabid fans, accusations and drama, his stalwart, constant presence was the only thing that allowed Blaine to survive all the crazy that had become his life.

Not that the criticisms heaped on Kurt rolled off harmlessly.  Just as any money earned technically went to him as Blaines owner, so did all the blame for his slaves actions.  There had been many nights, far too many in Blaines opinion, when Kurt had returned home only to collapse on their bed in tears, the stress and constant spotlight becoming more that even his strong shoulders could bear.  Blaine had had many opportunities to regret his decision to come out with his story, but never more so then when he saw how affected his lover could become from the events swirling around them.  Blaine did the only thing he could, holding Kurt tight, whispering words of love and affection, and watched in awe as Kurt pulled a phoenix time after time, rising anew to face the next hurdle with head high and proud.

Kittens reappearance in their lives right as the article was being published was just coincidental enough to most likely be nothing of the sort.  She had stayed with Kurt and Blaine for the duration, frequently donning a horrible suit and cheesy sunglasses to act as bodyguard for the couple.  Her company during Blaines year long lock-down had been a constant source of relief and frustration for the slave, but he appreciated her presence more than hed ever tell her.

But, like all things newsworthy, the noise had eventually died down and reporters were moving on to the next big thing. Which in this case proved to be the British Princess swollen abdomen.  To say that Blaine was relieved was the understatement of the year.  Hed discussed the feasibility of sending flowers to the royal family with Kurt on more than one occasion since the joyous news was released.

The sound of the back gate opening halted the sparring match.  Santana did a double take as a lean, blued eyed, oddly familiar looking young man let himself into the yard.  "Hello," he called as he made his way around the pool.  The man eyed Kitten warily, giving the girl wide berth.  Her toothy smile in response suggested the two may have had a run in previously, and his obvious caution spoke well of the mans sense of self-preservation.

"Carson," Cooper nodded politely as he greeted the reporter while the two shook hands.  Carson looked good, his suit a stylish, perfectly tailored charcoal-grey piece that had to be one of Kurts.  He hadnt realized the two were still interacting on that level. "Whats up?"

"Nothing untoward," Carson responded easily.  "Im just dropping off the mail."  He handed the large bag hed been carrying over to Kurt before making his way to Blaine.  Reaching into his messenger bag, he pulled out a thick stack of envelopes rubber banded together and handed them over.

Pursing his lips, Blaine accepted the small bundle unhappily. "Thank you, Sir," he told the reporter politely.  Carson nodded, looking like he wanted to say something but ultimately deciding to keep his peace.  Kurt walked over and wrapped a supportive arm around Blaines waist, ignoring the sweaty wet mess as Blaine pressed up against him.

"What are those?"  Cooper asked curiously.  A glance at Carson told him itd be a cold day in hell before the reporter gave out any information.  Finn just shrugged at him and Kurt and Blaine were busy looking at each other, doing that weird silent communication thing they had.  It was Kitten who piped up with an answer.

"Those would be correspondences from Mr. and Mrs. Anderson.  They dont know this address and Kurt has their letters blocked at his businesses so they go to our dear Mr. Phillips over there," she told him easily, her sharp gaze falling on the reporter.

Carson flinched, and subtly maneuvered so Santana was between him and Kitten.  "Just because I cant hit you doesnt mean Im not ducking out of the way of her, Sir," the Latina warned him.  Cooper wondered what Carson had to done to earn the wrath of the fierce girls, but given what he knew of the mans personality, it was probably just Carson being Carson.

Kurts phone went off and he quickly silenced the timer. "The stuffed croissants are ready," he declared.

"Oh thank god, Im starving," Finn announced, swiftly leading the way back to the house.

"Stay and eat, Carson," Kurt invited as he always did, as he and Blaine made their way inside.

As they passed the pool, Blaine tossed the little packet of letters into the gently rolling water.  Carson watched them bob for a minute, then shook his head and followed everyone inside.

Cooper stayed behind, staring at the letters and watching as they slowly dissolved into a waterlogged pile of mush.  Hed gotten his share, of course.  They resided in a shoebox in the coat closet.  Cooper hadnt opened them, but he couldnt quite make himself throw them away either.  Of course, his parent hadnt sold him like a spare car either.  Despite blocking their numbers, the senior Andersons had continuously tried to reach him, and apparently Blaine as well, though his brother hadnt mentioned it to him.  Cooper suspected Jessi might be in communication with his parents, though he never asked and she didnt volunteer anything. Mentally shrugging, he turned and headed inside toward the sound of little brothers bright laughter and the smell of frying bacon.

Hed heard that the Andersons had sold their business and house, moving Cooper didnt care where after A Sons Worth had first hit bookshelves.  Blaine had narrated for Kurt, who did the actual writing, being more literarily inclined then Coopers musically-talented brother.  Carson had given his imput to the project as well, freely sharing any research or pictures hed collected.  

The siblings had come together to watch the one brief, disastrous interview their father had put out right after the article had been published, a desperate attempt to defend his actions.  James Anderson had made the foolish choice of asking Phillips to cover the telling of his side of the story and the reporter had, with perfect objectivity, eaten him alive.

The photos of James young son, starved and sexually used were damning, and no amount of explanations regarding the nebulous risk of jail time or financial concerns for future grandchildren could compete.  Evelyn Anderson had sat silently beside her husband for the interview, not even attempting to defend their actions.  She didnt want to.

Seeing the evidence of her youngest naked and abused and knowing it was completely her fault had broken something in the woman.  Evelyn completely agreed with every hateful, awful thing said about them.  Blaine had watched her during his fathers interview and recognized the look in her eyes; it was the same one hed seen reflected in his all those years ago when he used to dream of taking the stairs to the roof of the hotel and jumping to freedom from the pain.  Kurt was the only one who knew hed broken the silence with his parents to send his mother a message.  It simply read Dont even think about it.  Blaine had no idea that his mother carried it everywhere, and had written him a response every single day after that.  She had every intention of continuing to do so for the rest of her life, whether her son ever read them or not.

James Anderson had actually managed to track Blaine down to talk at one point, cornering him in back lot of Hummel Studios, shaking the shocked slave and demanding that he make a statement publically forgiving his parents.  James explained that their life had been ruined since the article had emerged. Theyd become pariahs in their social circle and essentially had to go into hiding just to live without constant threats and public disgust.

The violent meeting had resulted in a whopper of a panic attack in Blaine, a nasty black eye for James courtesy of Kitten, and the man being hauled away by a pissed-off Cooper while Wes followed, explaining exactly how many ways he planned on suing the man.  Kurt had found them right about then and taken his shaken boyfriend home. It had taken days of being constantly blanketed by Kurts patient handling before Blaine was able to come out of his slave headspace.

On the plus side, the senior Hummels suffered very little in the way of collateral damage.  They were removed enough from the situation that the reporters left them alone and most the people in their little Ohio town had either never heard of Hummel Designs, or never made the connections between the neighborhood mechanic and the fancy clothing line.  After Blaine had been forced into house arrest until the chaos died down a little, Burt and Carol had come to stay with them for several months while the older couple shopped the neighborhood for a house.

After much cajoling and over-the-top lecturing from his son, Burt had finally agreed to retire early.  Carol was firmly on her step-sons side, being more than ready to retire from a life spent on her feet and wanted to spend as much time as she could relaxing with her husband.  Kurt had long ago become successful enough to provide for family.  Rachels announcement that Finn was going to be a father had been the last push Burt needed and they had moved into a home down the block from Kurt and Blaines where they could be a steady presence in their kids and future grandchilds life.

Cooper took full advantage of the situation and frequently dumped his twins on the retired couple, to Blaines annoyance and Carols delight.  She adored the young children that so resembled their uncle.

And now, the royal family was having triplets.  Blaine had been slowly reacquainting himself with the world and it looked like things really were slowing down for him.  There had never been a celebrity happier to watch their fame disappear into the sweet abyss of yesterdays news.  The sound of the front door closing and a bright chirpy voice signaled the arrival of Rachel, and Blaine cheerfully dodged Kurt in the kitchen and filled her cup with decaf.  He heard Burts deeper greeting a moment later and smiled at Carol when she pulled him in for a hug.
***

Blaine sat quietly in a fluffy chair, taking in the scene around him, absently rubbing a thumb around the warm coffee cup he clutched in one hand.   Rachel sat on a kitchen stool, stroking her swollen belly while Finn hovered over her shoulder.  Carol and Burt leaned against the breakfast bar chatting animatedly with Jessi while Kurt finished with the last of the dishes.  The sounds of screechy laughter from the window told him Kitten was outside on twin-duty, being one of the only people in creation with enough energy to wear out Blaines niece and nephew.  Cooper caught his eye and winked, his expression cheerful as he lightly flirted with Santana.

Right at that moment Blaine was overwhelmed by just how very impossible a turn his life had taken.  He had friends, family who loved him unconditionally, and a better home then he could ever have dreamed of.  Even if he could go back in time and try to explain to slave-him that he needed to hang on just a little longer, that this is where he would end up, Blaine wouldnt bother.  The person he was back then was incapable of comprehending that this level of happiness and contentment even existed.  And knowing what he did now, he wouldnt change a thing.  Every beating, days without eating, harsh use, limping his way from room after room to a broken cot had all led him to this place. It was a price he gladly paid for what he had now.

He set his cup down and stretched, smiling when he felt strong fingers glide through his freshly scrubbed curls.  "Well hey, handsome," Kurt purred, settling himself into Blaines lap.  "Is this seat taken?" 

Blaine laughed, wrapping his arms around his amazing lover.  Kurt.  Kurt was the beginning of Blaines story.  He was Blaines now and his forever.  Hed found Blaine torn and broken and carefully patched every thin, worn spot with threads of love and trust, slowly rebuilding Blaine into something new and beautiful and whole.

Blaine leaned forward and kissed him softly on the lips, slipping his tongue inside his lovers hot mouth, chasing the remnant flavors of coffee and maple syrup. Kurt pulled away, giggling softly and wrapping an arm around Blaines neck.

"Are you okay, baby?  Youve been kinda quiet, way over here by yourself."

Blaine sighed, letting the complete contentment he felt in this moment flow through him in waves.  "Yes, Im good.  Im perfect, actually."  Blaines eyes glittered, bright and golden as he looked into Kurts stormy blue gaze, so full of love that it took his breath away.  Perfect.