Blaine entered the police station, knowing what he had to do but feeling sick about it. The moment he had left his apartment building he began to feel fear. Fear that Alex would be waiting for him around every corner. Fear that Alex had somehow found out about Kurt and already taken off with Addy, he had texted Kurt to check on his little girl right away at that thought. Fear that every moment of their lives, from now on, would be lived in fear. He couldn't let it be that way.

"Can I help you with something, sir?"

"Yes, I need to file a restraining order."

"Honey, I'm home!" Blaine attempted cheerful nonchalance as he entered Kurt's front door. Kurt came out from the kitchen wearing an apron spattered with flour and was smiling until he saw the strained expression on Blaine's face.

"What's wrong? What happened? Are you o.k.?" Kurt grabbed Blaine's hand and quickly pulled him to sit on the couch, whipping the apron off over his head.

"How can you read me this well when we've really only just met?" Blaine pulled Kurt's hand up to his own lips and kissed the pale fingers lightly. Kurt just gave him tiny smile.

"I'm fine, really. Well, 'things' aren't fine, but I am physically fine." Kurt just watched, waiting for him to go on.

"I'll tell you everything in a sec, I promise. I'm just still reeling I think. I need a minute. Can you just snuggle me?"

Kurt smiled, "Sure, honey." He scooted all the way back on the couch and pulled Blaine so that he was sitting in between his legs and with the nurse's back up to the doctor's chest.

(Him asking me to hold him when he's upset is becoming a habit. I think I kinda love it!)

(He just called me honey!)

Kurt stroked up and down Blaine's arms soothingly and leaned his own head against the curls.

Blaine nuzzled his head back against the feeling. "Where are the kids?"

"Napping. We made cookies and had a little bit of a flour fight, which thoroughly exhausted them. They just fell asleep 20 minutes ago." Kurt answered, lifting his wrist to glance at his watch. Settling his hand back down, he gripped Blaine's hand and held him close. "Alright, mister. I've given you two solid minutes of snuggling. Spill. I think we both know how badly things go when you don't tell me things right away."

Blaine knew that Kurt was teasing him, but there were some real feelings behind the remark, he was sure. This particular wound was fresh enough that both of them felt a little sting. He turned in Kurt's arms and snuggled chest to chest, wrapping his arms around the other man tightly.

"I'm sorry. I'm still sorry... and I'll tell you everything right now." Kurt started to protest, feeling bad for the barb, but Blaine stopped him. "It's fine. You're right, and I deserved that... as long as you don't hold it against me forever."

"Of course not," Kurt sighed. "It's not fair to you if I keep throwing that in your face. O.k., I officially forgive you. We're moving on. I won't bring it up again." He rubbed Blaine's back affectionately and pulled the other man so that they were settled completely flat on the couch, the nurse on top of the doctor. Both sighed contentedly.

"Alex was at my apartment." Blaine felt Kurt tense up underneath him.

"Okaaay." Blaine could practically hear Kurt's mind racing, thinking of everything that could possibly have happened. He quickly put a stop to it by telling the whole story, beginning to end, finishing with filing the restraining order.

The room was silent for a minute as Kurt processed everything he was told. "Wow, that is a lot to take in. Well, first thing's first. I'm calling my friend, Puck. He used to be a police officer and is a private investigator now and I'd feel better about us having some inside help. I know you filed the restraining order, but there's nothing the police can really do unless he violates it and I'd prefer for that not to happen." Kurt started squeezing Blaine tighter and tighter as he spoke until Blaine was starting to feel seriously suffocated.

"Need. To. Breathe. Honey." Blaine choked out in little gasps.

"Oops, sorry about that sweetie." Kurt laughed a little. (Gah! We're calling each other pet names!)

(Now I'm sweetie! For how much my life sucks I'm sure happy right now!)

"That sounds great, but a private investigator sounds like it'll be pricey. I'm not sure I can afford that."

"It's your lucky day. You just happen to be da... friends with a successful physician. On top of that, I know for a fact that Puck'll give me a good deal." (Oh my god, I almost said dating! Reign it in cowboy!)

(He almost said dating! Once my life isn't complete shit, this is so on!) "Kurt, you don't..."

"If you say "Kurt, you don't have to do that" I will scream. And then bonk you on the head. I want to do it because I care about you. Besides, you're staying here so it's for mine and Elliott's protection too. Don't fight me. End of discussion."

Blaine sighed in resignation and settled for kissing Kurt's shoulder in response. "How do you know for a fact that he'll give you a good deal?"

"Let's just say that it involves him showing up on my doorstep at two in the morning, blood dripping from his forehead and needing stitches after a date gone awry."

"Wow, and I thought I'd had some bad dates."

"She was a pro wrestler and his romantic advances were not appreciated."

Slight pause. "Oh my god, that is hilarious!" Both men burst out laughing at that and slowly sat up together.

"I'll make the call, why don't you go have a nap before tonight. You seem exhausted." Kurt lifted a hand to run fingers through black curls soothingly.

"I think I will if you really don't mind. It's been an exhausting couple of days." Blaine nuzzled into Kurt's hand happily, like a little puppy.

Kurt laughed and leaned in to kiss the top of his head. "Go on. Sleep tight. I'll wake you up with enough time to get ready."

Blaine walked down the hall, looking forward to some rest, but paused briefly at Elliott's door to check in on his daughter. The two children lay perfectly still on the boy's bed, small sighs of breath leaving their mouths. They were facing each other on the pillow with fingers slotted together in between them. Addy looked so happy. So at peace. So at home.

Blaine woke up in panic and confusion a couple of hours later at a loud shriek that sounded scarily like Addy. Barely even processing where he was, he dove from the bed, almost skidding into the wall in his stocking feet. He dashed down the hall thinking his heart would surely pound out of his chest. (If that bastard has touched her, so help me I will kill him!)

"Faster! Faster!" Addy shrieked again with laughter as a mohawked man swung her in circles around the room from under her arms. Kurt was sitting on the arm of a chair, smiling widely, and Elliott was waiting in queue, jumping with a wild excitement that was rare for the little boy.

Blaine stumbled into the room, still halfway in a panic and feeling completely bewildered. Kurt looked up quickly and rushed to the man's side, realizing what had happened.

"Oh, no, no, no, honey! It's fine. She's fine. I'm so sorry we woke you like that!" Blaine was nodding his head, still feeling discombobulated but slowly realizing that Addy was, indeed, fine.

"Me again, Uncle Puck! Me!" Puck stopped mid-swing and set the little girl down, almost in slow motion as he stared between Kurt and Elliott in disbelief.

Kurt just smiled and said, "Yup, finally happened," knowing for this particular friend no lengthy explanation was needed.

Puck grinned and picked the little boy up and started swinging him just as he had swung Addy. "Sure thing, Sport."

Blaine sank down into a chair, finally completely awake and aware that all was well. He smiled weakly at Kurt as the taller man squeezed in next to him and put a comforting arm around him. "So, more words from the amazing Elliott, huh?"

"Looks that way. He also said 'this is yum' when I fed him dinner last night, and this afternoon he told your daughter she was silly during our cookie/flour fiasco." Kurt was grinning from ear-to-ear, the pride he felt for his son practically making him glow.

"I forgot to tell you that he told me goodnight last night." Kurt stared at Blaine with an expression that spoke suspiciously of love before blinking rapidly and speaking in a slightly rough voice.

"I guess he thinks you're pretty special. He's spoken to you twice now." Kurt's bright eyes and even brighter smile told Blaine how happy this made the boy's father. He simply hugged the doctor in response.

"Alright, bros. Let's get everything settled before you take off the the night. Hey man, I'm Noah Puckerman. Good to meet you." The mohwaked man had finished his game with the kids and walked over with his hand outstretched.

"Blaine Anderson, good to meet you too." Blaine stood and shook the hand firmly, thinking to himself that this man's slightly crazed look and intimidating presence were just what they needed.

Kurt stood and ushered the kids back to Elliott's bedroom. "I'll let you guys talk in privacy."

"So, Hummel filled me in on all the basics," Puck informed Blaine as they sat down together.

"Just out of curiosity, what 'basics' are those?"

"Well, your husband's a major douche, and that's the nice way of putting it. You're looking to get out but there are complications since it's a same sex marriage. And most importantly he recently went ape-shit crazy on you when you told him he couldn't see the little girl. You filed a restraining order but you're still scared for your kid for obvious reasons. That's where I come in. About cover it?"

"Yeah, 'bout covers it." Blaine was relieved that he didn't have to retell the story himself. He'd reached the height of his emotional capacity in the last few days. Just one more reason that Kurt was beyond amazing in his book.

"I just have one thing that concerns me," Puck watched the other man carefully. "How did he know where you lived? I'm assuming you didn't tell him."

"No, I thought about that too. He's one of those people that has all sort of connections though so I'm guessing he had someone search us out. That's what makes me the most nervous here. If he found us once he'll be able to find us again. I don't want anything to happen to Kurt and El either."

"Here's what I suggest then," Puck reached beside him on the floor, pulled a laptop out of a bag and began typing. "I start doing some 24-hour surveillance on you and your girl. Between me and the three other guys on my team we should be able to pull it off easily enough. Also, I'll do some investigating on the douche-bag and see if we can't stay one step ahead of him."

Blaine was not expecting this, "That sounds really great, but I have a couple of questions and concerns." Puck nodded for him to continue. "First of all, I thought that you were only an investigator. Part of what you're describing sounds like private security."

"Lucky for you I'm experienced in both fields. I don't advertise the security part to the general public since the risk involved is so much higher." Blaine looked guilty at this and opened his mouth to question why he was worth the risk. "Hey, don't even think about it, dude. Happy to do it. So what else is on your mind?"

Blaine nodded his gratitude and went on, "Well, I'm kind of concerned about the cost of all this. I'll admit that the peace of mind you'll bring will probably be more than worth it, but I'm just a nurse. I'm not sure how I can..."

Puck waved the other man's concern away. "It's taken care of, man. Me and Hummel are square."

Blaine sighed in frustration, "And I appreciate it, I do, but I don't need everyone to take care of everything for me. I can do it myself!" Puck looked over in surprise at the outburst and Blaine had the grace to look a little guilty.

"Hey, I get it. You're a man, you want to take care of your own business, take care of your family. I can respect that, trust me... Can I ask you something though?" Blaine nodded. "You do realize that life isn't meant to be handled alone, right? We're not meant to take on everything ourselves. That's what friends and family are for."

Blaine sat in surprise for a moment, not expecting this kind of depth or sensitivity from the other man. He'd only ever had Jeff, Nick and Wes when it came to dependable friends. And his family, well, they were hardly a model of support. "I'm not family though and you just met me."

"Well, yeah, but Hummel's basically family to me. We've been friends since we were kids and he's always been there for me. Whatever he needs he's got it. And hey, in case you don't already know, fairy doc in there is crazy about you." Blaine had never known that a derogatory nickname could come out lovingly. "If you're important to him then you're important to me." Puck gave a quick nod of his head to show the finality of his statement.

"Thanks, man." Blaine felt a little choked up at this. He didn't just feel gratitude for himself. He was grateful that the man he loved was, in turn, loved so much by those around him.

(Wait, the man I love? Oh boy.)

Rachel and Finn had shown up at Kurt's door around 6:30 with Hailey. Addy and Elliott had already been fed and were settled on the living room floor looking at books. Hailey, being the smart almost-kindergartener that she was, had insisted on joining in and reading the books 'properly' to the younger children. None of the adults had the heart to tell her that she was merely reciting the stories instead of actually reading them, as most of the page turns were at the wrong time. The other kids were happily listening though and it was still pretty impressive.

Kurt and Blaine had sat the other two adults down and carefully explained exactly what was going on with Alex and Addy. They felt that it was only fair that Rachel and Finn be given every detail before agreeing to be responsible for the little girl. After being assured that Puck was right across the street doing surveillance Rachel relaxed visibly and assured them that they would be just fine.

"Yeah dude, no worries. I'm a social worker, I deal with crazy parents all the time." The other two men had laughed at Finn's lighthearted response, grateful that the couple was so at ease.

"Where to?" Kurt questioned Blaine with a grin as he opened the passenger side door of his vehicle. Blaine slid in, feeling ridiculously sappy at how happy the gesture made him. Alex had always scoffed at such things saying, "It's demeaning when two men do those things for each other. For god's sake, I don't want to be treated like a woman and I'd hope no guy I'm with would want it either." Blaine had always thought he agreed, although somewhere deep down he would feel disappointed when Alex would let a door slam in his face. He didn't think so now though. When Kurt opened doors for him it was anything but demeaning. It was the opposite, in fact. There was no man's or woman's role. There were only two people, caring enough to make small but loving gestures.

"Anywhere as long as I'm with you." Blaine grinned a cheesy grin as Kurt groaned slightly and shut the door.

"That was a ridiculously corny line," Kurt commented dryly as he got into the driver's side and prepared to pull out of the driveway. Blaine could clearly see the hidden smile though and knew that the doctor didn't really mind. "There's a Thai place that I love. It's a small drive but I highly recommend it if that sounds o.k. to you." Blaine spoke a quick word of assent before Kurt went on hesitantly. "I was actually thinking that we could get it to go." Blaine looked over curiously.

"Sure, whatever you'd like is fine with me. What's your plan though?"

"Well, we have quite a bit to discuss tonight and I would love some privacy for it... there's kinda this secret place that is special to me and if you're willing I thought we could go there." Kurt was blushing by this point and his nervous side-glances toward the other man made it painfully obvious that he was just waiting for his idea to be rejected.

"Sounds perfect." Blaine reached over to give the other man's arm a light squeeze but then pulled away. He knew he had been awfully physical with Kurt lately and didn't want to appear too clingy. "Why did you seem so nervous about suggesting that though? It sounds pretty tame to me."

Kurt waited for a few moments before responding and even then spoke carefully. "I was just thinking about Alex. Always having to be in control, at least when it suited him. I just... the last thing I want is to remind you of him in any way. I was afraid that me taking over and making plans without consulting you would hit too close to home."

Blaine felt his throat close up at this thoughtfulness (Will this man never cease to amaze me?) "That is so incredibly thoughtful, Kurt. You can't know how much your sensitivity means to me." He reached over and grabbed Kurt's right hand from the steering wheel and pulled it down to the center console to hold it, no longer caring how he came across. "As much as I appreciate it though, you don't need to worry about that kind of stuff. You couldn't be like Alex if you tried. Yes, he is a domineering asshole, and more importantly he never once tried to be romantic. When he did try and take over our plans it was always for purely selfish reasons. Everything you do radiates kindness and a desire to see others happy. Believe me, you and Alex are worlds apart from each other in my mind."

Kurt nodded looking pleased and squeezed Blaine's hand in return. They continued the rest of the trip in a comfortable silence, just enjoying each others' presence.

They made a quick stop to pick up their takeout and got back in the car to head to Kurt's secret destination.

"You aren't even going to give me a hint?" Blaine whined with a fake pout.

"Patience." Kurt smiled and lightly rubbed his thumb over the hand he was holding.

Blaine was surprised to see them pull into the hospital parking lot. "Umm, we're going to work? Yay?"

"No, not work. Silly." Kurt laughed. He parked in a spot nearly behind the hospital next to a small wooded lot. He told Blaine to grab the food and reached into his back seat to grab a blanket he had left there. He grabbed the nurse's hand then went on to lead him down a narrow trail through the trees.

"Are you leading me to a dark and secluded place so you can have your way with me?" Blaine flirted.

"Depends on how good a boy you are." Kurt flirted right back.

(Oh my word, I was kidding! O.k., I'm unbelievably glad that I'm walking behind him so he can't see how 'happy' that made a certain part of me …)

(Sweet lady gaga, Kurt! Cool yourself down! He was only kidding! Think about lady parts. Curvy, unsexy, lady parts. Yup, that's it. Everything's under control.)

In that moment they walked into a clearing and found themselves on top of a small rise that overlooked the city of Lima from a distance. Blaine was mesmerized by the soft light that was emanating from the homes and buildings. It all looked so peaceful and soft from a distance. Kurt was watching him carefully to gauge his reaction as he spread the blanket and set out the food.

"This is beautiful, Kurt. Absolutely beautiful." Blaine felt close to speechless, surprised to find such a place of beauty in the fairly small city.

"I'm glad you like it. This is where I come when things at the hospital get stressful and I just need a break." Kurt smiled shyly.

They settled close together on the blanket then, starting in on their meal. For a while they talked about small, random things. Favorite movies, favorite books, their mutual love of all things Disney and Vogue. The more they talked the more they realized they had in common.

They went on to share about their kids. Blaine told of the road of surrogacy and Kurt surprised Blaine by sharing how Elliott and been adopted. It felt so intimate and heart-warming to know the details of each others' lives.

"O.k., so here's a first date kind of question for you. What made you become a doctor?" Blaine queried with a mouth full of Pad Thai.

Kurt wrinkled his nose, "Umm, that's gross." He handed Blaine a napkin and settled back on his elbows before answering. "I think a seed was planted when my mom died when I was eight. I remember being so comforted by the hospital staff when she got sick and then passed away. Later on, when I was in high school, my dad had a heart attack and almost died. That's when I really knew. The emergency room doctor saved his life. I just knew that from that point on I wanted to help people in any way I could. Especially the ones who had to go through the same things I went through."

Blaine watched the doctor with caring eyes. "I had no idea you'd gone through so much. I'm sorry."

"It's all in the past now and it's made me who I am today, so…" Kurt shrugged it off. "What about you? Why did you become a nurse?"

Blaine took in a deep breath. "When I was fourteen… I was almost beaten to death in a hate crime." Kurt's eyes widened in shock and he held a hand over his mouth to cover the noise of anguish for the other man. "I was in a coma for almost a week and when I woke up I had months of recovery and physical therapy to go through before I was fully healed. There was a nurse who worked at the hospital where I recovered. Every single day he was there by my side, encouraging me when I needed it, comforting me and even yelling at me a little when I wanted to just give up." Blaine smiled a little at the memory that was both happy and painful at the same time. Kurt just scooted close and put on arm around the shorter man, leaning his head to rest on the curly hair. "Same as you, I guess. I just knew that I wanted to help people, especially kids who had gone through similar experiences as me."

"I had no idea YOU had gone through so much," Kurt quipped in a soft voice.

"Made me who I am today." Blaine leaned into Kurt's side and pulled the other man's arm more closely around him.

"It's sort of like we were just meant for each other, huh?" Kurt's heart beat wildly. What he had meant as inner dialogue came out for Blaine to hear plainly. He waited with baited breath for a response. Blaine didn't make him wait long.

"It really is."

Kurt prepared himself for what he knew needed to come next. (Here's where the rubber meets the road.) Kurt gently pushed the other man from him and turned so that they were sitting knee-to-knee. "What are we? What is this?"

"I-I don't know. What do you want us to be?" Blaine replied uncertainly, begging Kurt with his eyes to never leave him.

"I asked you first."

Silence.

"One of us is going to have to speak their mind first!" Blaine laughed.

"O.k., wuss, I'll go first since you're so scared." Kurt sent the other man a saucy look and joined their hands once more. Blaine shot him a small pout but remained silent, his own heart pounding just as fast as the doctor's.

Kurt swallowed a small lump of fear and looked Blaine straight in the eye. "I want to be with you. Forever. I know it's ridiculous for so many reasons. The smallest of which is that we just met. The biggest being you have a psychopath husband that you have no way of making your ex in the foreseeable future… but I just want to be with you. I don't care. I don't care about the trouble it might cause. I don't care how hard it might be. I just want you and Addy in mine and Elliott's lives. You make me happy. You make Elliott happy, which is vital to me in a relationship. Probably the reason I haven't had one since I became a dad. I-I just want you. I want to be with you." The last two sentences were spoken quietly as fear began to grip him. He didn't know if he could handle being rejected after laying his heart so completely on the line. Blaine reached over immediately and cupped the other man's cheek with his hand.

"Oh, Kurt. I want the exact same thing. I am so crazy about both you and Elliott. Addy and I couldn't have asked for a better little family to be a part of. You make me so happy too. The way you've reached out to both my daughter and I… it blows my mind. And… just being near you makes me feel like I'm floating." He blushed at the cheesiness but went on, knowing he only spoke the truth. "I just want to be with you too. Forever, if you'll let me."

They sat in silence again, hearts still racing, but this time with anticipation instead of fear. They moved in, inch-by-inch, until soft lips met. It was a short chaste kiss. Lips closed, lasting only a few seconds, but in that time the world stopped for just a moment. A peace and contentment that neither had ever known filled their souls.

"Wow." They both laughed realizing they had uttered the exact same word at the exact same time.

"Come here," Blaine lay down on the blanket and pulled Kurt down so that the brown haired head was resting on his chest. Kurt slung an arm around Blaine's waist and Blaine, in turn, hugged the other man tightly.

"I hate to ruin the moment by being all responsible, but I think we need to set up a few ground rules."

"No talking. Just snuggles."

"I'm serious, Blaine. We have a lot to consider here."

"Not listening. Just hugging you."

"Come on, I can't be the only adult about this. Our situation is kind of precarious. First of all, we can't be all lovey in front of people, especially the kids."

"Stop talking. Just hug me back."

"Secondly I think we need to agree that we can't be… intimate… while you're still married to Alex."

"Talk later. I need my snuggles."

"Blaine!"

"Fine. If I agree wholeheartedly to those two things, which I do, can we get back to snuggling?"

"Yes."

"O.K., I agree. Snuggle now."

"Yes, sir."