Snowflake garlands, paper chains, miniature Christmas trees and various other decorations filled each classroom, teasing the students with the promise of a holiday just over the horizon. The cafeteria menu was adding to the festivity with its offerings of mince pies and gingerbread and amongst the children there was a constant buzz of excitement and anticipation.

For Kurt this time of year was more melancholic than it should be for a twelve-year-old. Now it was just him and his dad, the house – even with it’s very fashionable yet homey decorations – always felt too big. It wasn’t as bad now as it had been at first when the mere idea of laughter or joy seemed repulsive and wrong, definitely not. It was just…different. Like his mom’s absence became more pronounced. But they worked hard to celebrate: cooking together as Kurt kept a watchful eye on his culinary-challenged father, or settling on the sofa together to watch a movie.

Christmas at the Hummel’s may be a quiet affair but the tradition and familiarity of it filled Kurt’s heart with warmth.

Besides, what kid didn’t love presents?

It was the start of the last week of school and the excitement was palpable. Teachers became more lenient as the kids exchanged cards and gifts, some counting their own in unspoken competition. As the clock struck three the bell rang on Kurt’s music class and he began packing his bag, only pausing when the teacher called out to him: “Kurt, can I have a word before you go?”

With a small frown he made his way to the front desk – they hadn’t had any homework for him to forget so he didn’t have any idea what his teacher wanted. “Yes Mrs Roper?”

The woman smiled at him warmly as she straightened the sheet music on her desk. “I was wondering if you were taking any part in the Winter Fair on Saturday?”

The fair was something the school held at the start of Christmas break and students were encouraged to volunteer and help run the various stalls and games. Kurt shook his head, “Um no. I mean, I was planning on going but…no.”

“Well, then I’d like to ask you to sing with the choir.”

His eyes widened at the offer, “But I-I’m not part of the choir.”

Mrs Roper looked at him over the rims of her glasses – they were designer, Kurt noticed. Chanel. There was a warmth in her eyes that caused his throat to constrict: “I don’t know why you aren’t,” she said softly. “I’ve heard you in class, Kurt, you have a beautiful voice and I’d love you to take the lead in a song – just one. What do you think?”

Kurt felt himself blush at her compliment and lowered his gaze to the floor. He adored singing, the freedom he felt as the notes passed his lips and took some of his worry and sadness with them – that’s why he always gave his all in class, even when they were just singing carols like they had earlier. He loved singing, he’d just never been told he was good before, except by his dad which didn’t count because parents were meant to say that kind of thing. But for the compliment to come from a music teacher, from his favourite teacher…

It was a wonderful feeling. He was warm down to his toes.

He’d been silent for too long and Mrs Roper spoke up. “There’s no pressure Kurt. If you want to say no you can, or if you want to think about it overnight-”

“No! I mean – yes. Please. I’d like to sing.” His teacher’s answering smile spread wide across her features.

“Thank you, Kurt, really. I think you’ll be a wonderful addition,” he blushed again, a small smile tugging at his lips. “How about we meet during lunch tomorrow to talk about songs and start practicing?”

Kurt bit his lip and shifted slightly. “Actually I, um, I know what song I’d like to sing. If that’s okay.”

The twinkling lights that adorned each booth glittered as Saturday evening fell over the fair. It was almost time for the choir to go onstage and Kurt, with as much practice as he could possibly fit in in less than a week, was ready.

“Okay kid, you gonna tell me why you’re all jumpy? You didn’t have coffee did you?”

“No, dad. I’m fine. Let’s head towards the stage, I think the choir’s starting soon.”

Kurt hadn’t told him about his solo, he’d wanted it to be surprise but now that nerves were fluttering in his chest he wished his dad could offer some words of encouragement.

They reached the little raised platform just as Mrs Roper led the choir on, arranging them in neat lines as families and friends huddled together. Kurt snaked through the crowd, leading his dad right to the front before turning to face him with a nervous smile: “I’ll be right back, okay?”

“Kurt? Where-” Burt watched with a confused frown as his son climbed the small set of stairs onto the stage and joined the choir. The air was filled with laughter and conversation that quickly died down as Mrs Roper came to the front.

“Good evening everyone, I hope you’ve enjoyed the Winter Fair! To help round off the day, the choir has a few songs for you – starting with a very special carol led by Kurt Hummel.”

Kurt hesitantly moved to centre stage, smiling weakly at his teacher as she stepped off to the side. The small crowd suddenly looked disinterested and intimidating and he felt his nerves kick up a notch. His eyes rested briefly on the surprised expression on his father’s face before he closed them and took a deep breath.

He thought about his mom – her perfume, the way her laugh would echo around their kitchen when she and Kurt baked together, her voice when she sang her favourite carol softly into his ear when he was curled into her lap on Christmas eve:

Hark the herald angels sing…

His voice rang into the frosty evening, pitch-perfect and strong. After a moment, the familiarity of the song soothed his nerves and he opened his eyes, his gaze immediately falling on his dad who was watching him with a small smile and eyes full of affection and pride. Kurt smiled in return, his voice only growing stronger as the choir joined him on the second verse.

The other members of the crowd were smiling too and holding their loved ones close but he didn’t notice – his gaze never left his father and his mind was full of memories.

Her lifting him up so he could decorate the top of the tree; watching his dad chase her round the house with mistletoe; watching her cook; learning the words to carols.

When the song was finished, Kurt left the stage to a smattering of applause. He barely registered the wetness on his dad’s cheeks before he was pulled into a tight hug.“You’ve got some voice on you, kiddo,” there was a pause and then Kurt heard it whispered gently: “You…your mom would be so proud.”

A bubble of happiness swelled in his chest and he just smiled and held onto his dad tighter. And when Kurt closed his eyes, he could almost feel her watching them with a warm smile.