Sept. 17, 2014, 7 p.m.
To Save a Life: Chapter 25
E - Words: 6,521 - Last Updated: Sep 17, 2014 Story: Complete - Chapters: 26/? - Created: Sep 16, 2014 - Updated: Apr 12, 2022 145 0 0 0 0
Blaine wrapped his arms around Kurts waist from behind and rested his head on Kurts shoulders, faintly rocking back and forth in time with the waves. Kurt had his hands on the balcony railing, trying to ground himself in that moment, that time.
"Since the sunrise isnt for a few more minutes…" Blaine whispered into Kurts ear. "Id like to give you something." With those words, Blaine slowly placed a small, velvet box on the railing in front of Kurt.
He was surprised, because he wasnt expecting anything more from Blaine, because Blaine had already given him so much. "Blaine…I…"
"Just open it," he whispered, giving a small kiss to Kurts shoulder.
Kurt gradually slid his hands over to the box, he knew it was a ring, but what did Blaine want this ring to mean?
He opened the box as Blaine watched from behind, and Kurt could tell he was nervous because of the way he started holding him tighter.
Inside the jewelry box was a small, silver band, with a thin row of diamonds that circled around in the middle. As soon as Kurt saw it his heart started beating faster, and he couldnt help the gasp that escaped his lips.
"Do you like it?" Blaine asked. Kurt was so speechless he didnt have an immediate answer. "I mean—if you dont like it…I understand—" Blaine dropped his arms. "Its just I—"
"Blaine…its…stunning." Kurt turned around and tried to meet Blaines eyes. "I dont know what to say…" He didnt really know what Blaine was trying to say either, was he proposing or…?
"Its not an engagement ring," Blaine said, as if he was answering what Kurt didnt know how to ask.
"Oh." Kurt looked down at the ring, which was already sparkling with the colors of the sunrise.
"Unless you want it to be, Id marry you in a heartbeat but…" Blaine took a deep breath before starting again, Kurt could tell hed probably been planning this for a while, so he decided just to listen. "Its meant to be a promise," he began. "A promise that I will fight for you, and if I fight hard enough, a promise to come back to you. To come back to love you, to hold you, to watch you smile, and to be with you as long as you want me."
The look in Blaine eyes was so sincere that he couldnt help the tears that started falling. "You know I want you forever," Kurt said, finding it hard to keep on his feet, he only had a few hours left with him. Kurt shook his head, "It must have cost a fortune."
"Youre worth it. Youll always be worth it." Blaine took the box from Kurt and slipped the ring out. "Here," Blaine said, taking Kurts hand and sliding the ring on his finger. "I will love you, always and forever," Blaine promised.
"Ill always love you, too." Kurt had his eyes fixed on Blaines lips, not even caring that the sun was a few seconds from rising. He knew hed see many more sunrises, but he didnt know how many more times he would be able to kiss Blaine, or hold Blaine, or touch him. So Kurt wrapped his arms around Blaines shoulders, just as the sun rose out of the horizon, leaned in and…
Woke up. Thats always when he woke up. His dreams would never let him have that final kiss, one of the most memorable kisses he had ever had with Blaine, but at least this dream replaced some of the nightmares, although he still had them too.
As he opened his eyes, Kurt looked over at his hand, which was laying on the pillow beside his head, and stared at the ring placed on his finger. It reminded him every day of who his was waiting for, and the promise he was given. Whenever he looked at the ring, he wondered where Blaine was, what he was doing, if he was happy, or if he was thinking about Kurt at that very moment as well.
This morning was like every other morning, Kurt waking up to a busy city, hearing the sounds of cars honking, the humming air conditioner, the people above him making as much noise as they possibly could because who needs sleep the morning before Christmas? But he loved the city, so, so much, the lights, the people, the acceptance, it was just missing one thing…or one person.
As soon as he made it to New York it was like reality was giving him a slap in the face. In Ocean City, and on the beach, everything felt so much more isolated. He saw the same people every day, he went to the same places, had the same concerns. Once he started living in New York and going to college, he remembered how big the world was, how hard he needed to work, and how Blaine wasnt the only person in his life anymore.
It had been four months since hed seen Blaine, even longer than theyd known each other before separating. Hed started chemotherapy right away, skyping Kurt the night before, and then not again, except for a quick goodnight every so often, but nothing lasting more than five minutes. Theyd talk on the phone and exchange emails often, but Blaine didnt want Kurt seeing him that way. He didnt want Kurt seeing him sick. He wanted Kurt to remember him the way he was, not the person he had become. Kurt told him numerous times he didnt care what he looked like, that hed love him the same no matter what, but Blaine wouldnt believe him, Kurt knew it stemmed from how almost everyone he had ever loved gave up on him, and Kurt wished he could just hold Blaine every night and tell him he would never stop loving him, but there was always that ocean in the way.
One of the hardest things Kurt had gone through during those four months, was the time Blaine called him in the middle of the night because hed woken up with his hair falling out. All he wanted to do was hold him, and tell him everything was going to be alright, but Blaine sounded so fragile and weak that he couldnt help but just cry, because after all hed been through Blaine didnt deserve this, he didnt deserve to be sick and have to look in the mirror at a different person. He didnt deserve to feel like Kurt wouldnt love him anymore because he looked small, or didnt have any hair, or had dark circles under his eyes. Blaine didnt deserve to cry. But thats what Kurt knew Blaine did at the beginning, cry. Every single time he heard his voice it was shaky, like he was barely holding on, but as time progressed things seemed to get better, and when he finally heard Blaines laugh again, he knew that things would change, they had to change.
There were plenty of times when Blaine would reach such a low point that he would tell Kurt to forget about him, or to go see other people. It never lasted longer than a few days, because Kurt wouldnt let Blaine give up on himself, or give up on each other. Kurt never felt much of that want, or that need to see other people, because Blaine was the only man who he felt could ever truly own his heart.
One thing that Kurt always told Blaine, was the moment he could come back, his door would be open. He already had a drawer saved in his room for Blaines things, just hoping that one day he be at his front door with a box of his things. Blaine didnt even have to ask, because the answer would always be the same, absolutely yes.
The thing Kurt took the most joy in whenever Blaine would call was singing to him. Kurt knew Blaine liked it, and somehow he could feel Blaine smiling, even though he couldnt see him. The first month after Blaine started chemo, Kurt would call Blaine every afternoon, when he knew Blaine would be going to bed, he would lay in his bed, put the phone on speaker, and place it on the pillow beside him. He would then close his eyes, and just sing, imagining that Blaine was lying there beside him.
And then, to Kurts dismay, life started getting in the way, as it always did. School started getting harder, and exams really took a toll. He didnt talk to Blaine as much as he used to in the beginning, and the time difference only allowed them so many opportunities. In fact, the last time he had spoken to Blaine was a week before exams, and exams had been a week ago, yet hed still been receiving emails occasionally.
Kurt was planning to call Blaine tonight, because it was Christmas Eve. He was hoping he would have enough time, because he and Rachel were busy getting ready for the Christmas (and late Hanukah) party they were throwing. Rachel had the marvelous idea to have their first holidays away from home at their apartment, so they didnt have to pack everything up and leave as well as having the opportunity show their families life in New York. The problem was, their apartment wasnt the biggest in all of New York, and Kurt was skeptical that they could fit everyone inside, but at least it would only be his and her families.
What Kurt hadnt foreseen at the end of the summer was the money which had been left to him by Aunt Annie. When he went back to Ocean City for her funeral, he learned that all of her money had been left to his family, most of it going to Carole, along with the house, but much of it ended up going to him. This allowed him and Rachel to afford a two bedroom apartment, rather than the one room apartment they were originally renting. Although living with Rachel made it hard for the place to feel empty, the bigger space always felt like it was missing something.
"Christmas already?" Kurt asked groggily as he came out of his bedroom. Rachel smiled at him as she stood on a chair putting mistletoe over their entranceway, decorating for the party.
"One more day," she sighed. "My dads arrived in New York this morning so Im going to lunch with them in a few hours for our late Hanukah celebration. Do you want to come?"
Kurt opened the fridge and looked around for something to have for breakfast. "I was planning to go shopping for the party today…but I think Ill be able to make it."
"Sounds awesome." She replied. Rachel stepped down from the chair and sat at the counter in the middle of the kitchen. "Guess who else called this morning?"
Kurt paused and turned around slowly. "Who?" There was a spark of hope in his voice, because he always wanted it to be that one person calling.
Her face dropped. So it wasnt Blaine. Thats what happened whenever Kurt would ask if Blaine had called, because the answer lately was usually a no. "It was Mercedes," she said, a grin coming back to her lips.
"Oh." Kurt nodded and returned back to rummaging through their fridge, which was stuffed with the next days Christmas dinner, which Kurt was in charge of preparing. "So what did she say?"
"That she can come to the party." Rachel was trying to hold back how ecstatic she was, because they were both upset when they had invited her, but she originally had not been able to come.
"Thats great…" He mumbled rather halfheartedly. "Crap, we dont have any eggs, and I need them for the cake."
"Come on Kurt, its Christmas, get in the spirit. And besides, your dad and Carole wont want to see you upset."
"Im not upset," Kurt argued while pouring himself a bowl of cereal. "Why would you think Im upset?" Kurt was so shaky that he spilled milk all over the counter. "Shit," he cursed, trying to make sure the milk didnt get all over the floor.
Rachel raised her eyebrows as Kurt looked up at her. "Fine, maybe Im a little…anxious," he admitted.
"Im sure hell call. I heard theyre having bad snowstorms all across Europe, maybe the powers out or something."
"That really makes me feel better Rachel, tell me more," he sniped sarcastically. "I just hope hes not in the hospital again." Kurt was afraid that Blaine hadnt been calling him because he was getting worse, or that something had happened.
"Kurt, please stop worrying, Im sure hes fine." The last time hed heard anything from Blaine was an email hed gotten about a week before, saying that hed had a small surgery but everything went well, hed received Kurts Christmas present, and that Kurts Christmas present should be arriving by that night.
Kurt usually didnt worry about Blaine this much, but something just didnt feel right to him. "I think Im going to go and get those eggs," Kurt said after there was a slight silence, putting his bowl into the sink and going off to his room.
The air was cold, close to freezing, and the sky was covered in clouds, which gave Kurt hope there would be a white Christmas. Hed always wanted to experience a Christmas morning in which he could look out the window and see the city covered in snow, although the weathermen were saying there was hardly chance, but if hed learned anything from Ocean City, its that even things that look hopeless can contain a miracle, like Blaine.
As he walked through the city Kurt decided to go to the coffee shop he went every morning before classes started. It was small, family owned, and it reminded him a lot of Susies back in Ocean City.
When he went in there were a lot more people than usual, although Kurt attributed it to it being the day before Christmas, and there were many tourists in the city. Kurt had never seen the place this packed, the line must have been a mile long.
After standing a few minutes in line, he felt something tugging on his coat. He looked down to see a little boy with blond hair looking up at him. "Did you know Im five?" Asked the young boy.
Kurt smiled and laughed a little. "I didnt, but I know now."
"How old are you?" He asked.
"Im eighteen."
"Wow. Thats old. My big brother is eighteen too. Hes not here yet, neither is my mommy." He tugged at Kurts jacket again. "Guess what?" He whispered.
Kurt smiled and got down on one knee. "What?" He whispered back.
"Well, my mommy has a baby in her tummy, Im not supposed to know yet, but my brother told me."
"Tell your mommy congratulations for me."
"Do you have a boyfriend?" The boy asked curiously.
"Excuse me?" Kurt found it odd that he was asking if he had a boyfriend, rather than a girlfriend.
"My big brother has a boyfriend. At first I thought it was weird, but now I know that when they have a baby, it will just have two daddies."
"You must love your brother an awful lot," Kurt pointed out.
"Yeah, thats why Im going to miss him so much," the boy pouted.
"Whats happening to your brother?"
"Hes moving here. And I wont see him anymore, because I live far away."
"Where do you live?"
The boy didnt answer him, distracted by someone calling his name. "Charlie, we have to go!" Called, presumably, the boys father, who was standing in the doorway of the coffee shop.
"I have to go, maybe youll see my brother sometime," said the boy. "Have a merry Christmas!" He called as he ran out the shop.
"Do you have to tell everyone youre five?" The man asked as they left.
"Of course Daddy, if I didnt they might think Im only four…"
Kurt laughed and watched as the pair walked out. It was Christmas, he was supposed to be happy, he was supposed to laugh and smile, regardless if Blaine was there or not.
Kurt observed many things on that cold winters day: families, children, lovers. He thought about how maybe next Christmas hed have Blaine next to him, holding his hand.
Kurt finally arrived home with Rachel early that afternoon after lunch and he was already physically exhausted. He could only listen to Rachel talk for so long.
He tried calling Blaine right away to wish him a merry Christmas, but no one answered. He then called him two more times, but it was always the same.
"What do you think is wrong?" Kurt asked as he sat on the couch with Rachel that evening. They were sharing a bowl of popcorn with a blanket on their laps, watching Its a Wonderful Life, which aired every Christmas Eve.
"Like I said, snowstorm," Rachel replied quickly.
"He said my Christmas present would arrive by tonight, too. Should I call the post office?"
"Its Christmas, Kurt. Maybe theyre behind, not everyone can be as punctual as you, sending their Christmas present a month in advance."
"I guess…" Kurt took another bite of popcorn and sighed. "So you liked your present?" Kurt asked, trying to change the subject that he had started in the first place. He and Rachel had already exchanged gifts, so it wouldnt be as confusing at the party.
"The coat was beautiful," she said curling into his side. "Please dont worry about Blaine, Im sure hes fine, and Im also sure his present will be perfect, you know how he loves surprises."
Kurt woke up with a start the next morning. Although he couldnt tell if it was morning because it was still dark outside, he felt like he had been sleeping forever. He leaned over took look at his clock, finding that it was only six in the morning, and sunrise wouldnt be for another hour. After a few moments he realized the phone to his apartment was ringing, which was probably what woke him in the first place.
He walked out into the kitchen, noticing that Rachel wasnt woken up by the ringing phone. He picked up the phone and answered it tiredly, "Hello?" Kurt looked out the window and noticed there wasnt any snow, so much for a white Christmas.
"Kurt, its Mrs. Petersen, well you probably remember me as Ms. Anderson. Blaines mom?"
"Yeah, he told me you got married last month, sorry I didnt call," he told her, half asleep.
"Its fine Kurt, Im calling because of Blaine." Her voice was shaky, like she was on the verge of tears.
He turned around and froze. "Is something wrong?"
"I probably woke you didnt I? The time difference is always so much bigger than I imagine it."
"Is Blaine alright?" Kurt asked again, this time with a little more worry in his voice.
"He…he went into the hospital yesterday…"
"Is he okay? Please tell me hes okay."
"Im sorry, Kurt." She was crying now, which caused him to start crying too.
"Is he…? Did he…?" Kurt couldnt finish his questions. He felt like the whole world was falling out from under him. "Did he die?" Kurt finally choked out.
"There was nothing they could do."
Kurt could feel his heart breaking with each passing second. Blaine was supposed to be okay, he was supposed to come back to him. It was like one of his worst nightmares.
Wait.
Hadnt he had this dream before?
"He…" The voice of Blaines mother started getting dimmer and dimmer. "Blaine…" It sounded like the rest of her sentence was being cut out.
Kurt dropped the phone and started pinching himself, because thats how he always got himself out of a bad dream.
There was no pain, no pain whatsoever.
It was all a dream.
Blaine was still okay.
He could wake up.
When Kurt finally woke up for (what he thought was) the second time that night his body was trembling violently, and drenched in sweat. Did he scream? Kurt couldnt remember, because all he knew at that moment was that there were tears on his cheeks, and he had no faith that the dreams would ever go away. After all this time, he was still having those dreams. The ones so awful, yet so real, that he could hardly breathe. Hed been going to a therapist like hed promised Blaine, yet nothing seemed to help. One thing he did know, is whenever he had those dreams, and those nightmares, it was always of his worst fear: Getting that call that about Blaine, and how the cancer had gotten the best of him.
He looked over at the ring on his finger and took a deep breath. Blaine promised, he promised hed be back, that hed be okay.
Its Christmas morning, youre supposed to be happy, Kurt kept saying to himself. He hadnt caught himself thinking this much about Blaine in a long time. Maybe it was because everything was starting to remind him of Blaine, more than hed like to admit.
Even taking a shower would remind him of Blaine. The way hed press him up against the cold tile, how hed kiss his neck, how his hand would—
Kurts thoughts were interrupted by the loud honking of cars coming from outside. That was one negative to living in New York; no one ever went to bed.
He pushed off the covers and sat up. It would probably be best to start cooking for the Christmas party now, since he wouldnt be getting back to sleep anytime soon. He heard talking coming from outside, and decided to look outside to see what was going on.
When he lifted the blinds, he smiled broadly, astonished by the miraculous sight before him.
There was snow, everywhere, at least eight inches of it, with still more to come. The snow was falling slowly, yet Kurt couldnt see more than a few buildings in front of him. It was slowly getting brighter outside, the sun rising behind the clouds.
A white Christmas.
He looked down and saw that the road was practically unusable, totally covered in snow. But there was one cab parked in front of the complex, with one person carrying an arms load in boxes, looking as if they were moving in. Who would move in on Christmas?
Right as Kurt was about to leave the window, deciding that Rachel should see the snow as well, the person holding the large boxes tripped on one of the steps, their foot getting caught in the snow. Everything they were carrying went flying, which mostly looked like things such as picture frames and other valuables. They were struggling to get out of the snow, and once they did they looked like they were having trouble finding their things.
Kurt felt like he needed to help them, it was probably freezing outside, and no one deserved to be stuck out in the cold on Christmas. Kurt threw on his coat and shoes and ran down the steps of the apartment building, thinking that would be much faster than the elevator.
When he got there the person, who was wrapped tightly in what looked like a million layers of fabric, was already putting things back in the box. "Are you okay?" Kurt asked, getting down on his knees, the melting snow seeping into his pants. "Here let me help you," he said, helping to put away some of their belongings.
The person still wasnt looking at him, "Sorry, that must have looked really dumb," they muttered under their breath.
"Not at all. The snow is really hard to walk in. You dont know how long Ive been…" He looked down at one of the picture frames and froze.
Not another dream.
The picture frame laying in the snow contained a picture of the beach, not just any picture of the beach, but a picture of him and Blaine, which Carole had taken a few days before their separation. Blaine was holding Kurt tightly, seemingly lost in his eyes as Kurt put a small flower into Blaines hair, which had blown onto the beach.
"Why cant they ever leave me alone?" Kurt whispered, closing his eyes and willing himself to wake up.
"I can go and stay with my mom and dad at the hotel, if you want me to go that badly," he said quietly, although he didnt sound anywhere near serious.
Kurt shook his head as tears started falling from his eyes. "Youre not here, Im just dreaming."
"Im here, and youre perfectly awake."
Kurt opened his eyes and looked at the boy in front of him, whose golden eyes were already filling with tears. "Blaine?"
"Merry Christmas, Kurt," Blaine said. It was Blaine. Blaine was here.
Kurt burst into tears immediately, so overwhelmed by what was happening. He hadnt seen Blaine in months, and he didnt imagine that he would be seeing him anytime soon.
"Ive missed you so much," Kurt said while throwing himself into Blaines arms.
"Ive missed you, too. Im sorry about not calling. My flight was delayed and my mom and I were stuck in the airport…It was going to be surprise."
"This is a pretty big surprise," Kurt mumbled into Blaines shoulder. "I cant believe youre here. How are you here?"
"I gave myself a goal, however farfetched it might have been…that Id be in remission by Christmas…so I could come back to you…" Kurt could feel that Blaine was trembling and taking deep breathes so he wouldnt totally lose it. "The surgery I had a few weeks ago was my bone marrow transplant…I didnt tell you because I didnt want for you to worry…but it was successful, and the doctors just gave me the okay to travel."
Kurt pulled away and just looked at him. How was this not a dream? "Are you…? Does that mean…?" Every time he tried to say something his throat would close, there were just so many emotions running through his body.
"They think the cancers gone, and my mom said I can finish my recovery treatment here…"
Kurt felt an overwhelming feeling of relief, and he could hardly see Blaine through his tears, its what he had been waiting for, for so long."So youre here to stay?"
"If you want me to…I brought my stuff so I could surprise you, so youd wake up Christmas morning and see me there…I really don t know what I was doing…" and then he muttered under his breath, "Stupid airlines screwed it up. It was supposed to be perfect."
"Im just glad youre here, in whatever way, it doesnt matter, Im just so happy I have you back."
Kurt wrapped himself around Blaine once more, feeling as if a weight was being lifted off his shoulders. He slid his hand around the back of Blaines neck, and realized something wasnt quite right. He froze for a moment, pulling his hand away from where Blaines curly hair used to be. He hadnt even noticed, the knit hat he was wearing covering up most of his head.
"Im sorry," Blaine apologized softly while trying to pull himself out of Kurts embrace.
"No, Blaine…" He tugged on Blaines coat and then looked into his eyes. "You look as handsome as ever." He caressed his cheek and wiped a tear from Blaines eye.
"I hope so, Im wearing the complete Armani winter collection that you gave me for Christmas."
"Thats where Ive seen it before," Kurt said, giving Blaine a small grin, finally starting to register everything that was happening around him.
Blaine started coughing hard, and thats when Kurt remembered that that were out in the middle of below freezing temperatures, getting soaked in the snow beneath them while also getting buried by the snow falling on their heads. "We should get inside," Kurt suggested, taking Blaines scarf and wrapping it back around his neck. He didnt want Blaine getting sick, which could really harm him since he was so weak from the chemotherapy.
Blaine nodded and stopped himself from coughing. "Kurt?" Blaine asked as Kurt started packing his belongings back into the box. Kurt looked up at him, making sure nothing was wrong. As soon as he did, Blaine took Kurts face into his hands and kissed him, soft at first, and then becoming more needy, it was their first in over four months. "I love you," Blaine whispered, before kissing him again.
"I love you, too," Kurt breathed. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the yellow taxi cab, still parked in front of them. Had he been there all along? "Uh, Blaine…" Kurt pointed to the man in the cab, who seemed to be...was he…swooning?
"Keep going!" The taxicab driver yelled to them. He must have been watching them this intently the whole time, which made Kurt blush, which was hard since his face was already pretty red from the cold.
Blaine laughed. "I kind of told him our story on the way here," Blaine admitted. "He wanted to know how it was going to end."
Kurt waved to the man in the taxi and smiled before turning back to Blaine, who was looking at him the way he always did, the way that made his heart skip a beat, the way that would forever convince Kurt that he loved him."Well, you should let him know that its very far from over."
Kurt helped Blaine move the rest of the things into the apartment, finding himself repeatedly pinching himself to make sure he wasnt dreaming, one time so hard he probably left a bruise.
After they both changed into something dry, Kurt and Blaine sat on the couch and just talked for a while, Kurt asking so many questions at once that Blaine was having trouble answering them, although he eventually did as he held Kurt in his arms.
Blaine told him how he had planned to arrive the night before, but the flights were all delayed due to the impending snowstorm. His step-father had left Germany with his step-brother a few days earlier, because he coincidentally had some business in New York City. He said he now has a great relationship with Alex (his step-father), and sometimes he just calls him dad, because in these few months hed been more of a father to him than his real one ever was.
His younger brother, Charlie, who had just turned five a few days before, adored Blaine. It didnt take more than a few moments for Kurt to realize it was the same boy hed met in the coffee shop, although he was glad he hadnt figured out then, because he didnt know what he would have done.
He also found out that Rachel had known about Blaines plan all along, which gave the reason for why she kept looking out the window so many times the night before, when Kurt really thought she was just looking for snow.
Blaine didnt go into much detail about his treatment plans now that he was in New York. His mother was staying in an apartment rented by Alexs company for a few weeks, so she could make sure everything would be running smoothly. The doctor in Germany had truly been the best in the world, giving Blaine a type of chemo that hadnt been approved in the United States quite yet, but was hopefully going to be distributed very soon.
Blaine helped Kurt get ready for the party as the Macys Christmas Day Parade played unwatched. When Rachel finally came out of her bedroom, she seemed overwhelmed by the sight of the reunited lovers, yet not as surprised as Kurt would have expected (since she already freaking knew).
The Christmas party had many more people in attendance than he had originally prepared for, but he was so glad it did.
Blaines parents came, along with Charlie, who took pride in telling everyone that he was now five. Alex was fluent in both German and English, and Kurt was amazed by how much he had taught Blaine in only four months, having complete conversations where Kurt didnt know what the hell they were saying to each other, although Kurt did love it when Blaine would speak to him in German, especially when he would say, Ich liebe dich.
When his own parents finally arrived, Kurt hid Blaine in his room
Blaine began the party wearing a baseball cap, which made him and Burt look like they could be father and son, but eventually Charlie made him trade it in for a Santa hat, which was much more fitting.
When Mercedes finally arrived, well, lets just say that was where Kurt lost the composure which had been trying to hold for the entirety of the party. Blaine kept his word, the first thing he said to her being, "Thank you." But they were joyful tears that he cried, because there was a time he thought that moment would never come.
They opened gifts right after dinner, Charlie being the "elf" who would bring each present from under the tree to the right person, although Kurts favorite gift of all would always, and forever be, Blaine.
Eventually it looked as if Blaines energy was fading about halfway through the gift exchange, and Kurt couldnt blame him, the amount of jet lag must have been awful, along with the physical exertion of being on chemotherapy. So, Kurt excused them both and took Blaine into his room, helping him get ready for bed as well as unpacking some of the things he had brought along with him, like the picture frame, which he sat on the bedside table.
Kurt couldnt stop looking at him, because he never realized how much one person could make that much of an impact on someone elses life. That this one person, just by looking at them, could make you feel so safe, and just…happy. Blaine opened the part of Kurts self that allowed him to face his fears, and showed him that if you fight hard enough, you have the ability to create your own destiny, even though there are so many things in this world that will try to stand in your way.
Kurt turned down the bed and patted for Blaine to get in, who was wearing cute, Christmas pajamas that his mother had gotten him.
"There is something that still needs to be done," Blaine said, walking to get something in the closet.
"And what is that?"
"Your Christmas present," Blaine told him while turning around, in his hands a medium-sized wrapped box and smile on his face.
"I thought you were my Christmas present."
Blaine blushed as sat next to Kurt on the bed, handing him the wrapped gift. "Then I guess were both getting two presents this year." He kissed Kurt on the cheek and tapped the box. "Go ahead, open it."
Kurt ripped off the paper and stuck the bow on Blaines forehead, which caused both boys to laugh, and for Kurt to hear his favorite sound in the world. When the paper was finally off he was left with the clothes box which he had sent Blaines Christmas present in. "Are you re-gifting me?" Kurt asked.
"It was the only box I could find that it fit into. I really hope you like it."
"Im sure I will," Kurt assured him.
He slowly opened the box to what Kurt thought was just any ordinary blanket, but when he finally took it out, it was a quilt, with squares which held designs in them, designs that looked awfully familiar.
"Before you say anything, I would like to explain," Blaine said. Kurt nodded and helped Blaine unfold the quilt so it was draped over both of their laps.
"I made it, with the help of mom…well, a lot of help from my mom and her knitting group, whom of which all spoke German so I couldnt understand a thing they said but…" Blaine grazed the top of the quilt with his hand, like he was remembering everything that went into it. "I started making it while I was in the hospital, because I had so much time alone, it helped me think of you."
"Its very beautiful," Kurt said softly, still in awe that Blaine would spend all that time making something for him.
"Each patch symbolizes a memory, or a group of memories, that I had of you. Like that one," he pointed to a patch which looked like an ice cream cone, "That one is for when we would go to Susies together." He pointed to another square, which was covered in stars. "That one is for when wed lie out under the stars together…and that one over there, are the fireworks we watched on the Fourth of July…and that one, is for cakes we never made that one weekend." Kurt giggled as Blaine told him what each square symbolized. It was truly a summer hed never forget.
"And I was thinking," Blaine continued after he finished telling Kurt about that last square, "that we could add onto it, with every new memory, so we never forget, even if we get old and gray, or get Alzheimers like Miss Annie, well always be able to look at this, and remember that we once loved someone so much, that even the little things became the greatest memories."
Kurt took the quilt and held it to his cheek, it reminded him of a baby blanket, but he wasnt going to look that far into the future of course. "We could add one for today," Kurt suggested, looking up. "Like a Christmas tree or something, for the day you came back."
"For the day I came home…"
Kurt smiled and gave Blaine a long, gentle kiss as the snow fell outside his window. This was definitely a Christmas to remember, and hopefully, it would be the first of many to come, in which hed be looking into Blaines eyes on Christmas morning.
Kurt lay on his stomach beside Blaine and watched him fall asleep, lightly tracing shapes onto his arm. As he looked at him, he realized how much Blaine had changed. When he first saw him, he was tan, muscular, what Kurt had associated with beauty. But now, with his curly hair gone, his skin pale, and his body small, he realized that hed never seen anyone so close to perfection in all his life, because no matter what Blaine looked like, hed always be perfect to Kurt, and nothing could change that.
"Are you going to come back to the party?" He heard Rachels voice ask. Kurt looked over to her in the doorway and covered his lips with his finger, telling to her to be quiet. Once she realized Blaine was sleeping she apologized and left, not fast enough for Blaine not to wake up.
"Is everything alright?" Blaine asked sleepily, trying to open his eyes.
"Shh…Go back to sleep," he told him softly while giving him a kiss on the forehead.
Blaine opened his eyes and smiled, "Thank you for saving my life."
"You were the one who fought so hard."
"You know, my doctors asked me about music therapy, but I told them I already had a voice who could cure cancer singing to me every night."
Kurt doubted his singing had much to do with Blaines recovery, although he did hear many stories of how music has save peoples lives.
"Would you like me to sing for you?" Kurt asked.
Blaine nodded and closed his eyes, "Always."
So, as Kurt had been doing for the past four and a half months, he began to sing. But now, that same person who hed sang to across an ocean, was laying right beside him.
"I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself…
What a wonderful world…"
And what a wonderful world it truly was.