Aug. 17, 2012, 1:16 p.m.
Searching in the Dark: Epilogue - Second Half
E - Words: 4,563 - Last Updated: Aug 17, 2012 Story: Complete - Chapters: 24/24 - Created: Jun 29, 2012 - Updated: Aug 17, 2012 583 0 4 0 0
Years later, and the twins were twenty one. When they were seven, Kurt and Blaine had decided it was time to complete their family and found another surrogate. This time, Blaine had been the biological father and they'd been blessed with a daughter, Lilah. Now, fourteen years later, the twins were back from college and were downstairs with Blaine while Kurt helped his daughter get ready for her first date. Simon was pacing and scowling and Eric was sat on the couch, leaning against his Papa, reading.
"She's too young," Simon muttered. "Dad, don't you think she's too young?" Blaine just shrugged.
"Nah, she really likes him. I think she'll be just fine," he smiled reassuringly. Simon let out a growl of frustration and Eric spoke without even looking up from his book.
“Teen pregnancies are up by thirty percent this year. Have you even met this kid?"
"Ye- I mean, no, but we had that talk with her. No need to be stressed up about it." Kurt came down the stairs and glared at the twins.
"I know what you're doing, boys, and stop it. Both of you were dating at fourteen, so leave her alone. She's about to come down stairs and she's really nervous, so be nice, okay?" The boys nodded and rolled their eyes.
"Fine..." Blaine put down his magazine and stood up, he was so excited to see her.
"You can come down, honey!" Kurt called up the stairs. Lilah wandered nervously into the room. She was short for her age and had her mother's pale skin, but other than that, she was a mini, feminine Blaine. She had his dark curls, except hers reached mid back and were loose, cascading around her face and back. She also had Blaine’s huge golden eyes with long lashes. She was slender with young, newly developing curves. Kurt had dressed her in a short, floaty sea green dress and low cream pumps. Blaine's mouth hung wide open.
"W-Wow... You look stunning, sweetie!" Lilah blushed at the compliment.
"Not bad," Eric stated.
"Who is this boy?" Simon scowled.
"He's called Nate, he's a senior," Lilah said softly, before leveling her oldest brother with a glare. "Don't you dare threaten him." Kurt caught Blaine's eye worriedly, Lilah had never mentioned that Nate was a senior.
"Senior!?" Simon burst out. "How can you be okay with this?" he asked Blaine.
"She promised to text us wherever she goes and to be home before eleven. So what's the big deal?"
"You're sister's sensible," Kurt cut in. "She'll be fine." Lilah moved over to Blaine and climbed into his lap, a habit she'd never grown out of.
"You won't let them follow me, right, Papa?"
"Of course not, sweetie," Blaine smiled and kissed her cheek. "You go have fun!"
Nate Richardson pulled up outside the house, he was a senior and jock. He loved nothing more than to 'pop the cherry' of hot new freshmen. Lilah Hummel-Anderson was his first conquest of the school year. The small teenager was gorgeous, and a cheer leader to boot. Now he just had to get past her family, he'd heard she had two older brothers. He strutted up the porch and knocked once on the front door, leaning in the doorway and waiting for Lilah. Blaine went to open the door.
"Hi," he smiled. The boy in front of him was very handsome indeed. "I'm Blaine," he reached out his hand.
"Nate,” the boy nodded, shaking Blaine's hand. "Is Lilah ready?"
"Yeah, she's right he-" Blaine turned around and suddenly, his two sons were at his side.
"Nate," they greeted. "So you're interested in our baby sister?" Simon asked with a death glare.
"Sure." Nate worked hard to school his smirk into what he hoped was a pleasant smile. "She seems really cool."
"Cool?" Eric raised an eyebrow. "Is that all you've got?" Nate shrugged.
"I just want to get to know her." Simon took a step forward.
"If you hurt her, I'll kill you, I swear." Blaine pushed Simon backwards.
"Simon, stop it!"
"Simon Hummel-Anderson you get back in the house right now!" Kurt snapped. Simon glared at Nate once more before stalking back into the house and kissing Lilah on the head. Eric looked Nate up and down slowly.
"He's not wrong, you know. Lilah deserves the world, you'd better give it to her."
"Oh yes, I will," Nate said and had to keep himself from winking. Blaine nodded and called for Lilah. She stepped forward from behind and smiled nervously.
"Hey..."
"Hey, baby. You look hot," Nate murmured. Lilah blushed and kissed Blaine and Eric on their cheeks before skipping off to Nate's car. Nate followed her and left the two in the doorway.
"I don't like him," Eric muttered.
"It'll be fine," Blaine promised and watched the two leave.
The clock was almost eleven when Eric's phone rang.
"Lilah! What is it? What's going on!?" he half screamed and Simon turned around, looking at him. Lilah was sobbing into the phone.
"Eric... W-Will you and S-Simon come and p-pick me up? I'm in town b-by the square."
"Fuck, I'll kill that bastard! We'll be there in five minutes!" They both ran out to the car and headed downtown. When they finally saw Lilah, they stopped it and ran to her. Lilah was curled on the floor, her eyes red from crying, her mascara running down her cheeks. There were bruises already forming on the creamy white skin on her thighs and legs, the top of her dress and was torn so that you could see her bra. She threw herself into Simon's arms.
"Ohmygod, Lilah!" Simon hugged her back and meanwhile, Eric looked over her body.
"Did he do this to you?" he asked between gritted teeth. Lilah nodded.
"We were in his car and we were j-just k-kissing but then he was grabbing at m-my arms and legs and I t-told him to stop and he t-told me to stop being s-such a baby. A-And he tried to p-put his hand down my t-top and he ripped my d-dress so I slapped him. Then he kicked m-me out of his car and said if I was g-going to be frigid then I c-could find my own way home." Lilah had buried her face in Simon's shoulder, her small body shaking with sobs. Eric and Simon looked at each other. They'd deal with him later.
"We have to get you home. To a nice bath, alright?" Lilah nodded and stood up, taking her brothers’ hands.
"Are you mad at me?" Simon shook his head.
"No. Nate is a whole other story though." Lilah bit her lip and looked down.
"What are you going to do to him? Are you going to tell Dad and Papa?"
"Of course." Eric nodded. "They'll want to know."
"And when it comes to Nate... We'll most definitely let his parents know." Simon hugged Lilah close. "Come on, honey. You're exhausted." Lilah nodded and let Simon pick her up, she was so small and light for her age that it was easy. They drove home in silence, Eric sitting in the back seat with his baby sister while Simon drove. They got to the house and Lilah trailed behind her brothers, not looking forward to seeing her fathers.
"Are you home, Lilah? How was it?" Blaine grinned when he heard the front door open. He got up on his feet. He could also hear Kurt coming down the stairs. Before anyone could say anything, Lilah had wrapped her arms around Blaine and buried her face in his chest.
"I'm so sorry, Papa..." she cried.
"Wha-What happened?" Blaine asked, turning to the twins with Lilah still in his arms. Eric sighed and leant into Blaine and Kurt who had just entered the room, he whispered everything that Lilah had told them. Blaine let go of Lilah as soon as he had finished the story.
"I'm calling him. Give me your phone, Lilah." When she looked at him insecurely, he finally snapped. "Fuck, Lilah! Just give me your phone!" Lilah flinched away from Blaine's harsh tone.
"Blaine!" Kurt scolded, sitting on the coach and pulled Lilah down next to him, hugging her close to his side. "Lilah, honey... You need to give Papa Blaine your phone so that he can sort this out, okay sweetheart?" He stroke her hair gently and the young teenager nodded, handing her phone over silently, still looking at Blaine, her eyes scared. Blaine opened his mouth to say something, then closed it again, taking the phone.
He found Nate's number and dialed it. No one answered. He called again and again and again until finally...
"Nate Richardson?"
"Who wants to know?" the teenager’s cocky voice filtered through the phone.
"What did you do to Lilah?" Blaine demanded as soon as he recognized the voice. Nate sighed, clearly pissed off.
"Look, I just thought she was more mature than she is, that's all."
"Don't you dare say that. She came home bruised, shaken and crying. How do you explain that, huh?" Blaine hadn't been this angry for nearly twenty years.
"It was just a misunderstanding. I thought she knew what she was getting herself into. I'm eighteen, Mr. Hummel-Anderson. You remember what it was like to be eighteen, right?" He sounded bored.
"She has bruises from you! Doesn't that matter to you?"
"Only ‘cause she struggled."
"You tried to force her into sex. She struggled and you hit her," Blaine stated. "Is that correct?"
"I never hit her, I just held her down," Nate growled. "And I didn't force her into anything, she wanted it! Then I ripped her dress and she fucking slapped me!" The teenager was getting angry. First he hadn't managed to get laid, and now he was getting yelled at. The night hadn't gone as he had expected.
"For your sake," Blaine sneered. "I hope the police believe your story."
"Dude! You can't get the Police involved! She's fine!"
"She's not! She didn't want sex! She's fourteen for god's sake!" Blaine almost yelled into the phone.
"Pop... Calm down," Eric said softly, putting his hand on her shoulder. Lilah was shaking in Kurt's arms. Simon took the phone from Blaine.
"Listen, asshole. You hurt the baby of the Hummel-Anderson family and that isn't okay. We will see you in court and if you as much as speak to Lilah again, me and my brother will break your legs." He hung up. Blaine sunk down on the couch next to Lilah and wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you," he whispered. "I didn't mean to."
“It's okay, Papa," she whispered, curling against him. "Are you really going to go to the police?"
"Yes." He kissed her forehead. "I know it's hard, but-" Blaine looked at Kurt and found his hand, squeezing it lightly. "If there's one thing me and daddy learned, it's that it's always worth a try." Lilah nodded.
"I really thought he liked me..." she whispered brokenly. "When he... When he first started groping at me, I thought maybe I'd do it to make him happy, but... I couldn't. I was too scared and I'm not ready... He acted like I was a freak... Should I have just done it?"
"No," Blaine said firmly. "Never do it until you're one hundred percent ready and you've found the right person. Promise me?"
"I promise..." she whispered. "Could I get a bath or something?"
"Yeah, of course. Eric, go help her?" The man nodded and helped Lilah upstairs. When they were gone, Blaine leaned into Kurt's side. "I can't believe this," he whispered. Kurt nodded. He was paler than usual. He watched his son sit down on the floor opposite him.
"She could have gotten raped tonight, Blaine..." he whispered. "It's like Karofsky all over again." Simon frowned.
"Who's Karofsky?" Kurt sighed and looked at his son.
"I guess you're old enough to know this. When I was sixteen and... still blind, there were these two kids who bullied me pretty much constantly, Azimio and Karofsky. They used to beat me up and lock me in closets and steal my food, but... not long after me and Papa got together, I was really sick and weak and Karofsky got me alone in our room and he- he tried to rape me." Simon's eyes went wide.
"Ohmygod... I had no idea. I'm so sorry, dad." He stood up, walked over to the couch and hugged him. "No one deserves that."
"It's alright, Si." Kurt smiled hugging his son back. "It was a long time ago, and your Papa fixed me. Now I'm more worried about Lilah... Can you promise me that you won't go after Nate?"
"Fine," Simon sighed. He smiled at them and went upstairs to talk to Eric. Blaine wrapped his arms tightly around Kurt.
"When did they grow up?"
"Too quickly," Kurt sighed. "Do you think Lilah will be okay?"
"I think she will," Blaine smiled sadly. "It'll take some time, but she will be fine, just like you were." Blaine leaned in to kiss his husband softly. "I love you."
"I love you too." Kurt smiled into the kiss.
--
Eric looked up from where he was sat outside the bathroom door.
"You okay?" he asked his twin.
"No," Simon muttered. "Am I supposed to be?" Eric shook his head.
"Her thighs and arms are covered in hand shaped bruises." Simon dropped his head into his hands.
"Fuck... Fuck that bastard! I knew something was up with him! I just knew it!"
"Me too. He's four years older than her. I don't want her dating any more... Do you think Dad and Pop will listen?" Simon shook his head.
"No. But we'll just going to have to accept it. I don't think she'll date for a while now though... It'll go to court and I bet we'll win the case. It will be fine."
"I want to kill him," Eric said softly. He looked up into his twin’s eyes. "That isn't me. You know it isn't. I'm quiet and I'm a pushover, but I want to find him and punch him in the face."
"But we can't. Our dads would be so mad, you know that."
"I don't care. He hurt her, Si..."
"So we should do it?" Simon asked slowly, looking down at his brother. Eric met his eyes and nodded.
"I don't want to hurt him too badly. I just want him to know what he did to her." The twins slipped down the stairs and tried to open the door when Blaine's voice called for them.
"Boys! I know you're grownups and all, but it'd be nice to know where you're going." Eric's eye widened.
"I... uh... Just for a drive?"
"Just for a drive? Really, guys?" Blaine raised an eyebrow, knowing exactly what they were up to. Simon tightened his jaw.
"Okay. We were going to teach this kid a lesson. So what?" Blaine sighed and stood up, wrapping his arms around both of them.
"Relax. Hitting him won't make anything better."
"He needs to know how much he hurt her!" Eric whined.
"Simon," Kurt said sternly. "You promised me." Simon let out a long sigh.
"I just can't believe it. She doesn't deserve this..."
"I know, honey," Kurt sighed, kissing his son on the forehead. "But it's happened now. And she wouldn't thank you for hurting him. Do you remember what we used to tell you when Eric used to get bullied?" Eric blushed, looking at the floor. He'd had problems with bullies all through school. Blaine hugged Eric again.
"I know this is hard for you, but beating him up won't change anything. You just have to be there for Lilah now. That's what she needs."
"Hey..." Lilah whispered from the door, her hair was wet, she had no make-up on and she was dressed in pajamas and a large, soft robe. As if planned, all four men sat down on the couch and reached out for her, giggling a little when they realized they all did the same thing. Lilah smiled softly and sat in the middle of them all.
"I'm sorry,” she whispered. "I should have known that he only wanted me for sex."
"It's not your fault," said Eric. Simon nodded.
"Yeah, you couldn't have known."
"Well... if it makes you feel better, I don't intend to date for a while."
"Yes!" Eric and Simon did a high five, which made Blaine roll his eyes.
"The most important part is that you're safe, sweetie." Lilah nodded, leaning into Kurt's side.
"I really thought he was going to rape me, Daddy..." Kurt's heart broke, she so rarely called him Daddy now a days.
"I know, sweetheart, I know. But he didn't. And you're strong, you can get through this." Lilah looked dubious, but she finally nodded. Within minutes, she was asleep in Kurt's arms, completely exhausted.
"Poor baby," Blaine mumbled and rested his head on Kurt's shoulder. "But at least we're all okay." Kurt nodded.
"And we're going to make that boy pay." They all agreed to that.
Eventually, they all dropped off to bed. Blaine carried Lilah up the stairs and tucked her in. He quietly slipped into bed next to Kurt and spooned him from behind.
"Hi," he whispered.
"Hey," Kurt whispered back. "This is... hard. It's bringing back memories that I don't want to think about..."
"I know, baby." Blaine kissed his shoulder softly and nuzzled his neck. "And it's okay to do that. Maybe... I think you should talk to her about it later. I think you'd understand her better than I would." Kurt nodded slowly.
"I'm proud of you for stopping the boys earlier. I know you wanted to join them."
"I did," Blaine sighed. "But violence doesn't help, we both know that."
"I know... Will you represent her in court or will someone else from your firm do it?"
"I think someone else should. It'd be too suspicious if I did it. I think George could do it, he's a brilliant lawyer." Blaine smiled and tightened his grip around Kurt's waist. "It'll be fine, it always will."
"I know... But, Blaine, our baby girl came this close to being raped today. And we couldn't do anything about it." Kurt turned around in Blaine's arms so that he was facing his husband.
"The world sucks. Nate sucks. And trust me, I'm furious about this. I can't believe how it could happen, but it did. All we have to do now is be there for her and focus on getting her better, plus winning the case." Blaine pressed a small kiss to Kurt's lips. "We can't change what's already happened." Kurt nodded, kissing Blaine back.
"Maybe the boys were right about not letting her date..."
"I think she'll want to wait for a while, but after that, of course she should date. Don't you want her to experience everything?" Blaine asked.
"Not if it means she gets hurt like this..."
"Not all men are like this," Blaine frowned. "I guess we'll just have to grill the boys a bit more the next time." Kurt nodded.
"And no more seniors."
"Not until she's a senior herself," Blaine nodded. He kissed his forehead and held him tight.
"It wasn't this hard with the boys," Kurt sighed. "I didn't expect it."
"We understand the boys better. She's the only girl in the family."
"It has to be hard for her... I wish we knew more girls. After Marie passed away, she didn't have anyone..." Kurt stroked his husband’s hair gently. Losing his mother had been so hard for Blaine.
"Yeah... She'll get friends though, she's a great girl." Kurt nodded.
"I still regret letting her join cheerleading."
"Don't, she likes it, she really does," Blaine reassured and kissed his forehead again. "You're over thinking this right now, babe. It's late, we can talk tomorrow. Let's get some sleep."
"I don't think I'm going to get much sleep, but okay..." Kurt sighed, laying his head on Blaine's chest. Kurt was asleep minutes later. Blaine smiled a little and cuddled closer, falling asleep immediately.
:)
Blaine was eighty years old when he was diagnosed with cancer. He had been at the hospital on and off for almost three years, but his body was slowly giving up the fight.
It was a beautiful spring day in April and Blaine was lying on the double bed in their house, which was located in Michigan. He looked out the window and saw the sun rise over the tree tops. Kurt was sleeping on the bed next to him, completely healthy. And he was still beautiful. No wrinkles or age could ever take away his beauty. Blaine lifted his weak, shaking arm and reached to hold Kurt's hand. Kurt opened one sleepy, clouded eye. Old age was taking his sight once more. He smiled at his husband, stroking his thumb across the wrinkled palm.
"Hey,” he croaked, his voice gruff. "How are you feeling today?"
"Peaceful," Blaine said weakly and looked at him. "You look beautiful. You always have." Kurt laughed.
"I look old." He stroked Blaine's soft grey curls. "Lilah's coming over later with the baby. The boys can't make it until tomorrow."
"Okay," Blaine whispered. He suddenly shivered, his body shaking a little. "Could you get me the extra blanket?" he asked.
"Of course!" Kurt went as fast as he could, tucking the blanket around Blaine. "Are you alright? Do you need anything else?"
"Just you," Blaine attempted a chuckle, but he ended up coughing violently.
"God, Blaine!" Kurt was instantly rubbing Blaine's back and pressed water to his lips. "You need to be rested if we want to get you better." It was a delusion. They both knew that Blaine wouldn't get better, not this time.
"I won't get better," Blaine forced out. "You know I won't." He looked into Kurt's eyes as he said the words they had left unspoken for so long.
"I..." Kurt's face crumpled. "No!" His frail voice cracked. "No, you can't leave me, Blaine. I can't live without you... I won't."
"Kurt," Blaine said softly. "Everyone dies at some point. It's my turn, we can't keep denying it." Blaine knew this was hard for Kurt to hear, but he had to prepare him. It was coming soon, he could feel it. The younger man shook his head.
"No. I need you, Blaine. I always have. You can't ask me to live without you here, you can't."
"You're stronger than that. Just- please lay here with me? And face me?" Blaine tried to make more space on the bed, but his fragile body protested immediately. Kurt nodded shakily, curling in the small space on the bed, facing Blaine and wrapping his arms around him, stroking his hair as tears flowed down his cheeks.
"I don't want to say goodbye to you,” he whispered.
"I know you don't believe in heaven, but I think we will meet again. Do you remember what I always told you in our wedding vows? Until death do us part, and even after that. Death can't tear us apart." Blaine's normally weak voice was surprisingly strong and firm, like he knew what he was saying was true. Kurt nodded, suddenly feeling like a scared teenager again. Since he was sixteen, Blaine had always been there for him and soon, he was going to be alone. None of the kids lived less than an hour away, he wouldn't have anyone.
"I know it's cliché to say this right before you die, but... I love you, Kurt. I told you the first day I met you and I have loved you every minute since then. Every minute of sixty five years. I can’t even count how many minutes that is," he chuckled softly and managed not to cough this time.
"I love you too, Blaine," Kurt sobbed. "I always will."
"Don't give up, Kurt. I'm always with you, you know I am. I'll be in here," Blaine placed his hand over Kurt's heart, "Wherever you go and eventually, we'll meet again. Spend time with the kids and grandkids. And- Please tell them I love them for me, will you?" Blaine could feel his body giving up. This would be such a nice place to die at, in the arms of the person he loved.
"No..." Kurt begged. "Lilah will be here later, you can tell her yourself."
"It's time, Kurt," Blaine whispered. "I need to let go."
"Please... Just hang on a little longer. Please, Blaine...."
"I've been saying that to myself for weeks now." Blaine's voice was getting weaker. "You have to let me go."
"Why do you want to leave me?" Kurt whimpered.
"I don't. I just can't keep fighting. I have to find peace somewhere and I know I can't find it here, not anymore. I know it's hard, Kurt, and I wish you didn't have to, but it's my turn, I have to go. I-I leave all of my things and money to you, do something good with it," Blaine smiled weakly. Kurt rested his forehead against Blaine's, tears flowing silently.
"Okay,” he whispered. "I-I'm letting you go." Blaine smiled and looked into Kurt's eyes.
"I’ll always wait and keep searching in the dark for you, I promise." Blaine's body was finally giving up, he could feel life leaving him. He took Kurt's hand and held it tight. Blaine took his last breath and then his body relaxed in his husband's arms.
Kurt didn't cry. When Blaine Hummel-Anderson, his husband, the love of his life, died in his arms, his tears stopped. He didn't cry when his daughter and grandson found them later that day. He didn't cry when he sons came the next day. He didn't cry while they were planning the funeral. He didn't even cry as his husband’s casket was lowered into the ground. But half a year later, when he opened up a specialist ward for the blind at their local hospital, paid for with Blaine's money and under his name, the tears finally came. As Kurt snipped the ribbon, he sobbed for the man he'd lost and the man he'd loved. As he stood there, Kurt Hummel-Anderson knew that it wouldn't be long until he joined his husband, where ever he may be.Comments
OMG!!!! I can't stop crying over this one....My heart is sad right now...wishing KLAINE could last forever.
OH GOD THE TEARS. ...I think I'll join Simon and Eric on that "drive" And Blaine...no words for Blaine. I always cry when one of them dies. I loved every word of this story and I personally think it is one of he best works on this site. Sad it's over :(
thank you so much for a brilliant story!
Aww that made me cry, I wish it would have maybe ended with Kurt ready to meet go and meet Blaine again and maybe close his eyes to wake up to walking toward him young again in heaven but that's what I'm imaging in my head. I am glad they had a daughter but I hate what almost happened to her. But I loved this story and cried ALOT thorugh it and on this chapter.