"Are we there yet?!" Landin moans out beside me, grabbing tightly to my wrist as he stumbles on the gravel under foot.

"Almost! Quit complaining crabby." I giggle as he sighs and trips slightly again, holding as tight as he can to me as I keep walking towards the entrance.

"But I cant see!" He huffs and grinds his feet to a halt, tugging my arm back at the movement. A mother and her child laugh as they pass us. Sighing slightly, I stoop down to his level even though he cant see through the make shift scarf blindfold.

"Landin..." I gently place my hands onto his shoulders and his head turns to the direction of my voice. "If you really dont want to do this then we can just go home now."

"Will you tell me what it is?" He huffs out, scuffing his Doc Martens in the gravel.

"No! Its a Christmas surprise." He groans loudly and more people start to traipse past us towards the hooded trees ahead. "But if you really dont want to do this I can take off the blind fold and we can get back in the car and drive the two hours home to your dads and Lydia...Or you can trust that uncle Kurt knows best and keep walking the last ten steps until we get inside." He stands still, nibbling on his bottom lip, deep in thought.

"Is it really just ten more steps?" The small boy asks curiously and I straighten up to start tugging him back in the right direction.

"Yes. Maybe twenty at the most." I say excitedly as I check my watch before quickening our pace. Its almost time. We arrive at the tree tunnel and I show the attendant out tickets before we emerge into an overgrown area of trees and shrubs with small toadstools and wooden dens scattered in amongst them. Music starts drifting softly out of speakers hidden amongst the leaves and I stop us in place, turning Landin to face his body in front of me.

"Why is there music?" He squeaks and I can tell hes excited at whatever the surprise might be.

"Youll see." I whisper, crouching down to start untying the scarf from his eyes. "Are you ready?"

"For what?" He asks, his breath coming out in puffs of air, clouding out into the cold night sky.

"Magic!" I whisper, whipping off the scarf as thousands of twinkling lights flare up in the trees around us. He doesnt answer. Instead he takes off down the path and I have to chase after him. When he stops at a fork in the road he looks at me with huge excited eyes, bouncing up and down on the spot.

"What is this place?" He squeaks as other children run around us followed by frantic parents.

"The enchanted forest!" I squeak, just as excited.

"Wow! Like where fairies live?" He stops to do a quick three sixty, making sure there are none floating around beside him.

"Why dont we go find out?" I stretch a hand out to him and he latches on, dragging me into the forest.

**********************

A couple of hours later we are exhausted after trailing the fairies out into several small houses and find two toadstool benches to sit on while I bring out Thermoses filled with hot chocolate. Landin smiles his thanks from underneath his winter hat as he takes one from me.

"Is there marshmallows?" He looks hopefully at me with a very toothy grin.

"Like theres any other way to have hot chocolate. What do you take me for?" He laughs as I nudge him with my elbow and he wobbles on his stool, trying to turn and face me. "So was this a good surprise?"

"The best! Thank you Uncle Kurt!" He smiles, sipping on his hot chocolate.

"Anything for my favourite nephew...." I whisper across to him.

"What about Louis and Jayde?" His eyebrows shoot up underneath his hat as he watches me feign surprise.

"Oh, youre right!" I pause to make it look like Im thinking. "Well, you can be my favourite nephew living in New York."

"Im your only nephew in New York." He sighs, shaking his head dramatically.

"Doesnt make you any less important. And besides Louis still has stinky diapers and Jayde spits up all over my favourite shirts." Landin nods his head knowingly, and then huffs out a big sigh. "You okay buddy?"

"Lydia has stinking diapers....She cries a lot too!"

"Thats just because shes still little, she will stop crying so much when she gets older." He just sips on his Thermos again. "Are you okay with everything thats happened in the last two weeks?"

"Daddy J and Daddy D are always really tired just now, and they were late to pick me up at school one day. I had to wait with the principal." He sighs in thought. "And I cant just build Lego in the living room anymore." I reach over and give his knee a little squeeze.

"You know your daddies still love you lots though, right?" He doesnt move and I feel a pull at my heart string for him. "Its just that all of us are new to Lydia, so your daddies have to help her settle in. It must be really scary to be in a new place with lots of new people!"

"I know. They tell me all the time..."

"But you know what else?" I whisper conspiratorially to him and he shakes his head. "You have the most important job of all. Because you are her big brother and that means she will love you the most, and want you to teach her everything, and you will always be there to protect her. Id say that is pretty important." I ruffle his hat covered head and get a giggle.

"I love her too; its just shes so little. She cant play with my toys or anything!" He whines.

"But when shes older she will. And she will think her big brother Landin is the coolest and most favourite person in the whole wide world." I smile widely as he starts to grin to himself.

"Youre my favouritist uncle in the whole world!" He sips his Thermos again and I nudge his leg gently with my foot.

"I better be, you goof ball! Just dont tell Uncle Blaine that or hell cry."

"He always cries!" He is now full on laughing and a little snort echoes through the trees before he stops. "Uncle Kurt?"

"Yeah buddy?" I watch him as he nibbles on his bottom lip.

"Where do babies come from?" I hold in my splutter of hot chocolate as he watches me with inquisitive eyes.

"Where do you think they come from?" This is good Kurt; get him to lead the conversation.

"Well I came from a doption place, and so did Lydia." He puts a small finger on to his chin.

"But my daddies say there are lots of ways for babies to go to mummies or daddies who love them the most."

"Well-"

"But Jamie at school says his mummy had a baby in her tummy and it got really big and then one day it fell out! And when Uncle Blaine was in hospital there was a whole baby factory." He says, watching my every move. "So what ones right?"

"Well you see..." I trail off as a big flash of lights go off over our head. "Okay, do you want me to be honest?" He nods his head and I know I cant lie to this little genius. "Okay so your dads are right. Babies can come to parents in lots of different ways, but babies have to be born first. And that starts when the man puts a very special bean into the mummys tummy..."

"Like in jack in the beanstalk?" He asks his eyes wide in wonder.

"Yeah kind of like that, except it grows a baby instead of a beanstalk. But its magic and the bean keeps growing and growing until one day its big enough to come out." I silently high five myself because this has gone very well so far.

"How do they come out?" Landin leans in closer to me as if it will help him absorb all this new information.

"Well the mummy gets lots of kicks from the baby and then she knows that she needs to go to the hospital and then the doctors help the baby come out of her tummy."

"Whoa! But how do babies get to the doption place?" He frowns, a look of confusion on his little face.

"Hmmm, people that cant have babies on their own like your daddies need to go to the adoption people because they want a baby more than anything, and when they laid eyes on you for the first time they knew that you were going to be their gorgeous baby boy. So thats why mummies sometimes give their babies to the adoption place, because they know that they have the best parents looking for a baby to look after." I watch Landin nod a little as it sank in.

"So Im really special because my daddies chose me?" I nod in response to his question.

"And Lydia too?" I nod again. "I think I want to go home and see them. Is that okay?"

"Of course it is sweetie! And its waaaaay past the fairies bedtimes now anyways..." Im cut off as Landin leaps onto me. "What was that for?"

"Telling me the truth! And bringing me here!" He smiles happily, kissing my cheek.

*******************

"Floppy just tell me what I can do?"

"For the last time Dale, you can fuck off!" I growl as I chop up various vegetables. "My kitchen, my rules!"

"But it makes sense to use the trained chef while hes here." I can feel him moving around behind me, lingering and judging what Im doing with the vegetables.

"If you even think about checking on that turkey I will stab you in the eye." I turn to see him hovering close to the oven and point my sharp knife at him.

"I dont think thats a very Christmassy sentiment." He tries to edge closer to the handle and I wave the knife closer at him.

"Youve obviously not heard the Wisemens back story. There used to be four until one tried to butt in on making dinner one night. Nobody ever saw him again..." I raise my eyebrow at him as he steps closer to me.

"I just wanted to help."

"Well this is your time off. Im not going to make you cook when you do that all the time for work. Step away from my bird and go entertain my dad." I sigh, turning away from him to continue my task in hand.

"Fine! Just dont come crying to me when your mash is lumpy." He sings as he leaves the kitchen.

"Were having roast potatoes actually." I say to myself before moving on to baste the turkey.

I dont know why I thought it would be a good idea to have Christmas at our apartment this year. Well actually I do. Santana had been pretty busy finishing off in the recording studio, so she only broke off last night and is back to it in three days time, and so didnt see the point in flying home this year. I didnt want to leave her alone so I decided to stay too, then Blaine said he would as well; Dale and Jake didnt want to fly at this horrifically busy time with baby Lydia and Landin so they decided to stay too. That was acceptable, Christmas dinner for six, no problem right? Wrong! My dad and Carole then phoned to say Finn and Rachel were spending it at her dads so Dale told them to come here. Then Mrs B and Maya told Blaine they were alone for the holidays and he said whats two more? Oh right, except it wasnt just two more because Cooper phoned to say he wasnt missing out on all the fun.

So my first attempt at hosting Christmas had turned from a small thing to eleven of our nearest and dearest all crammed in to our little apartment. Filled with alcohol and lots of games, what else could go wrong?

"Babe, do you need any help?" Blaine hugged me from behind and placed a soft kiss to my jawline.

"No honey, its fine. You can relax. Im pretty organised."

"You sure?" He asks, placing another kiss just behind my ear, making me shiver in pleasure.

"Well you can keep doing that if you really have to." I try to keep the moan in, but fail as he repeats the action twice more. "....The turkey needs basting in five minutes though...."

"As sexy as all that sounds, I think youve got time to take a brea-"

"BLAINE DEVON ANDERSON!" Jake comes screeching in from the other room and Blaine squeezes onto me tighter. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY DAUGHER!?" Blaine spins us around so Im blocking him from Jake like a human shield.

"Nothing..." He whimpers from behind me and thats when I see it. Lydia is in Jakes arms dressed up like an elf down to tiny little pointy shoes and two little red dots on her cheeks right beside, oh God! Elf ears!

"NOTHING! THATS FUNNY, BECAUSE I DIDNT PUT HER DOWN FOR A NAP LIKE THIS AND WHEN I WENT TO GET HER OUT OF YOUR ROOM THIS IS WHAT I FOUND!" Jake yells and then cuddles Lydia close as she starts to gurgle slightly in his arms.

"It must have been one of those Christmas miracles everyone talks about?" Blaine says sheepishly behind me.

"Why did you make that a question?" I turn my head to look at him and he shrugs.

"I know it was you. Youre the only one that went to check on her. And now she looks like this." He mutters darkly with venom lacing his voice.

"Okay, so maybe it was me. But look how cute she is. Plus I took photos of her while she was sleeping too." He mumbles, trying to get his phone out of his pocket while holding me tight against his chest with his other hand.

"I dont care if shes cute. Its my job to embarrass her by dressing her up. I went in to put a reindeer outfit on her, complete with antlers! And then I saw you had beaten me to it..." He sighs and I snigger slightly under my breath.

"Uncle Blaine? Grandpa Burt wants to take me on my new bike to the park. Will you come?" Landin squeals from the hall and I feel Blaine sigh in relief.

"Yeah buddy! Love you Kurt." He places a kiss to my cheek before running past Jake and planting a kiss on Lydias cheek avoiding the swing of Jakes leg kicking in his direction. "Cutest elf on the planet!" He sing songed once he was already out the door. Jake just grumbled under his breath bouncing Lydia in his arms.

"Your uncle Blaine is lucky hes cute. Yes he is! But not as cute as you! And when Uncle Blaine has a baby Im going to dress it up in every embarrassing outfit I can find! Yes I am, because daddy always wins. Yes he does, and you need to learn that if you want to be on the winning team growing up. Yes you do my little princess." He sings songs to her as he paces around the room, apparently forgetting Im there.

"And your daddy needs to remember that Uncle Blaines baby will be Uncle Kurts baby too." I smile using the same tone as I go over to hold one of her chubby little hands. "And Uncle Kurt can be an over the top diva when he needs to be. Yes he can and daddy will get no Christmas dinner! No he wont!" Her little lips quirk into a smile as I pull a couple of funny faces at her.

"Do you want to hold her and I can finish off the veg?" He asks me in his grown up voice. And I pounce on her automatically and go to sit on a chair as Carole comes into the kitchen. Jake is busying himself with the desserts and pulling out dishes to go and set the table with later.

"Awww, theres my beautiful grandbaby!" She smiles, sitting down beside me. "I want to just steal you and take you home forever. And play tea parties and dress up non-stop because your uncle Finn was a boring boy growing up. Yes he was!"

"HEY!" Me and Jake both protest at her comment.

"Oh please like you two were typical boys. Whereas my son only ever talked about drums and monster trucks. At least Landin likes a bit of everything so I can have as much fun as he does." She stuck her tongue out and ran a finger gently across Lydias cheek.

"Okay fair point!" Jake mumbles and I know it is thanks to the five year old Jake drag queenesque pictures his mom brought out over thanksgiving to show Carole.

"I cant stop looking at her, she is just too cute. I think she is the cutest baby girl to have ever lived." I sigh dreamily as she sucks on one of my fingers.

"I cant wait for you and Blaine to have little kiddies to play with Landin and Lydia. It will be so cute. They can have play dates and put on little shows. A modern day Von Trap family!" Jake says absent mindedly as he whisks at the cream.

"Well by that point Landin will be hitting his teenage years and Lydia will be in school." I say, making a popping noise at Lydia as Carol makes an ensemble of hilarious faces. Its funny how babies make you open to doing anything to make them smile, whereas if you did it without one, people would think you had jumped off the crazy bus. "Besides, before that we would need to get married. Scratch that, engaged!"

"Jake and Dale didnt and besides you both want to get married, so why dont you?" Carole asks, not taking her eyes off of the four month old between us.

"Well I dont know how Blaine feels about it now. He hasnt mentioned it since Jakes birthday and that in itself was a disaster." I sigh and Jake giggles into the bowl. "Jake, its not funny!"

"Im sorry, but it kind of is. Well at least the way Blaine describes it." He guffaws and Carole looks up in confusion. "Dont look at me like that Kurt. You and Dale tell each other everything. Me and Blaine find it only fair we get to as well."

"What happened at the party?" Carole asks confused, just as Mrs B walks in to get more wine. "Did Blaine propose?" She squeals excitedly and the other two adults burst out laughing at the blush on my cheeks.

"No!" I sigh loudly.

"YES!" Jake giggles again.

"And you said no? Why Kurt?" Carole looks worriedly at me.

"Lets just say his mouth was otherwise engaged." Mrs B wiggles her eyebrows at Carole. "Isnt that right Kurt?"

"Not funny MABEL!" I glare at her. This is one story I dont want getting back to my dad.

"Why was your mouth..." Carole frowns for a minute before her mouth drops open. "Oh!" She whispers quietly.

"Carole its not what it sounds like." I mumble.

"Well to me it sounds like Blaine proposed while you were-"

"Shut up Jake!" I yelp and he laughs.

"Kurt its okay. Its not like I dont think you get up to these things."

"But thinking and knowing for sure are two very different things." I groan, burying my forehead in beside where Lydia has fallen asleep again.

"Oh its fine, Im more worried about the fact that Blaine asked you to marry him and you said no." She says gently.

"Its not that I said no." I say.

"Its just he said Im not saying yes while Im giving you head in our best friends bathroom." Jake smiles and I groan.

"Oh my God, I can totally picture you darling." Mrs B laughs hard.

"Oh Kurt! And he hasnt mentioned it since?" I shake my head in Caroles direction. "Maybe he just wants it to take you by surprise?"

"Thats what he said!" Jake laughs hard again, finding this very amusing.

"Ill talk to him eventually okay. Just not while everyone is around to overhear us, okay? Please dont worry." I say, watching Carole get a knowing look in her eye.

"Oh, Im not. I give it till next Christmas and I bet youll be engaged." She grins happily, before taking a sleeping Lydia out of my arms.

*************

"Dont go further than the bench kid!" Burt shouts as Landin flies across the grass in the park, before he turns to smile at me. "So Blaine..."

"I feel like Im ABOUT to be interrogated in a war film or something." I chuckle lightly and Burt smiles wider. "Oh God. I am right?"

"Youd be amazed at what that kid will do for twenty bucks." Burt nods in Landins direction. "Hes well trained."

"I know. Me and Kurt paid him fifty to tell Santana there was a spider in the apartment. She didnt come home for two days." I smile to myself.

"While I applaud the elaborate planning to get alone time... I dont think I want to picture what you needed it for." Burt mumbles and I realise hes embarrassed at the thought of me and Kurt - Blaine not now! You cant get a hard on next to your boyfriends dad.

"Yeah...so what did you want to talk about?" I mumble awkwardly, he always has the ability to make me feel like Im fifteen again.

"You and Kurt...." He trails off as Landin wobbles on his bike before getting steady again.

"How are things?"

"Good. Im trying to not be so insecure and believe that hes with me because he wants to be, not because hes waiting for Mr Right. Im really happy. Weve got a good routine and Santana only disrupts it every other week." Burt laughs at that, knowing only too well the influence of one Miss Santana Lopez can be challenging at times.

"But?" I frown at him.

"But what?"

"I just thought youd maybe have something to ask me is all." He shrugs, turning to focus his gaze on Landin again.

"Like what?" I have no idea what he is getting at.

"Never mind. Dale was just telling me a story the other day and I thought Id give you the chance to speak to me, you know...alone."

"What did he say?" I ask in confusion. "Have I done something wrong?"

"Lets just say he let slip about Jakes birthday party." Oh well there it is. Im about to have the sex talk at the age of twenty seven with my boyfriends dad.

"Burt I promise we were care-"

"Thats so not the part I want to talk about." He throws his hands up to his ears. "I can see how you are with each other and I know you took everything I said when you were younger on board. Youre using sex to be closer to someone you love and thats what I always tried to tell you all. It might have helped to have listened to me sooner, but Im glad it worked out eventually."

"Okay, so what do you want to talk about then?" I ask carefully.

"Remember the day you came to the shop before you and Kurt saw each other again?" He glanced over to me before waving at Landin in the distance.

"Yeah the weekend of mums birthday."

"Remember what we talked about?" He coaxed me into remembering what happened back then.

"We talked about how I was going to get Kurt back in my life; I asked you if I was ever going to find someone that was forever." I say, starting to think I know where this conversation is going.

"I didnt say it then, but I knew Kurt was going to be that person. Ive kind of always thought that on some level. But that weekend made me realise it could be sooner, rather than someday. That was you stepping up." He bumped his shoulder against mine. "Remember what else I told you?"

"That anyone would be lucky to have me as a son in - oh!" I definitely know where this is going now and my hands start to sweat a little.

"And the penny drops. I gotta tell you, for a clever guy, you aint so quick on the uptake." He laughs, patting my back.

"You were talking about you being happy to have me, if me and Kurt got together." I say, a little shell shocked. And then it clicks as I watch as Burt just smiles in an infuriatingly silent way at me. "You want me to ask for your permission to marry him." I say a little louder than I intended to.

"Just thought Id give you the chance to voice anything you may or may not have been thinking about."

"I have been thinking about it, but I dont know if I could handle Kurt saying no." I say, ducking my head a little in embarrassment.

"Because of Jakes party? Blaine!" He groans beside me as I nod at him. "Of course he would say yes! But you and I both know he can be a diva. Has been since he was little, and he has always dreamed of this romantic proposal. But between you and me? I think he would say yes to any proposal that included you and a ring no matter of the location, but like I said, Im here if theres anything you want to ask." I lift my head to look him in the eye.

"Burt, can I have your permission to ask for Kurts hand in marriage?" I gulp down my idiotic fears and wait for his answer.

"Like you even had to ask buddy. Youre proposing to my kid." He pulls me in for a famous Burt Hummel bear hug and I feel like I might take off if he lets me go.

"Oh shit! I need to find a ring!" A whole new fear creeps through me as buying Kurt jewellery is never an easy task.