Kurt woke up the next morning to the sun streaming in his window. In all the excitement last night, hed forgotten to close his blinds. He was hoping to sleep in this morning, but after realizing he wasnt going to go back to sleep, he drug himself out of bed and to the shower.

Thirty minutes later, he was in the kitchen making whole grain blueberry pancakes for his still sleeping family. As he rummaged through the refrigerator, hed also come across turkey bacon, which made him smile. It made him happy to know that even though he wasnt here, his family, ok Carole, was still making healthy choices.

He smiled, thinking back to when he introduced his dad and Carole. Sure, hed had totally different motives in mind when he pushed them together, but he couldnt be happier with the result. It wasnt easy at first, largely due to his crush on Finn, but he was so glad theyd both gotten over their original feelings. They were an actual family now, and he couldnt be happier.

Just as Kurt was putting the final pieces of turkey bacon onto a paper towel, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Good morning Kurt." Carole said warmly. "You didnt have to do all this. I was going to fix everyone breakfast this morning."

Kurt smiled at Carole, then turned and pulled her into a hug. She was surprised, but hugged him back enthusiastically. It was so good to be home.

"Its ok. I woke up early and couldnt get back to sleep." He said, reaching for a mug. "Would you like some coffee?" He didnt wait for her response, filling a cup and handing it to her, before moving the food from the counter to the table.

"Thank you," She said, accepting the cup. "Its so good to have you home."

"Especially if you make pancakes every morning." Kurt and Carole turned to see Finn standing in the doorway, hair sticking up from sleep, but smiling.

"Dont get used to it. I came home to relax, not to feed you." Kurt teased, pointing the spatula at Finn. "Plus, I know for a fact that your mom here is an excellent cook." He nudged Caroles shoulder as he spoke, making her blush.

"She is, but nobody makes pancakes like you." Finn said, sitting down and reaching for a slice of bacon.

"Hes right." Came another voice, as his dad entered the kitchen smiling. "Morning honey." He kissed Carole on the cheek and reached over to pat Kurt on the back. "Morning kiddo."

Kurt filled two more mugs with coffee, handing one to his father and placing another in front of Finn. "Morning dad. Everyone sit. Pancakes and bacon are ready and Ill grab the fruit." The next hour was spent talking, laughing, and just catching up with his family.

Kurt had some last minute shopping to do and Carole planned on joining him, while Burt and Finn chose to stay home. "I am not going out in all that craziness." His dad had said, Finn nodding his head beside him.

The two shopaholics spent most of the day out and about, fighting the last minute crowds and loving every minute of it. On the way back, they picked up Chinese takeout. It had become a tradition for the Hudson-Hummels after their first Christmas Eve dinner mishap years ago. Finn tried to help get the pot roast out of the oven with little success and it ended up in a heap on the floor, thus starting their Chinese tradition.

When they arrived home Kurt excused himself to his room under the guise of tending to his last minute purchases, but in actuality he just wanted to call Blaine. Theyd been texting back and forth all day, but hadnt had a chance to talk yet, and Kurt really wanted to hear Blaines voice again.

"Hello." Blaines voice sounded so formal, Kurt knew something was wrong.

"Is this a bad time?" Kurt asked, whispering as though someone could overhear.

"Yes, yes it is." Came the clipped response.

"Ok. Sorry to bother you. Just call me when you can." Kurt said, trying to hold back tears. He knew Blaine was busy with family, but didnt understand why he was being so cold to him, and it hurt.

After hanging up, he took a deep breath and swiped away the tears that had escaped his eyes. He was through being stupid. He just wanted to go downstairs and be with his family. As he was trying to pull himself together, his phone beeped with a new message.

God Kurt, I am so sorry. Please dont be mad. My dad was glaring at me and if he knew it was a boy calling...lets just say it wouldnt be a very happy holiday. Im really sorry, and I promise to call you back later. I really need to hear your voice. Please dont hate me... -B

Kurt breathed out a sigh of relief. He really needed to stop jumping to conclusions all the time about Blaine. Hed told him he wanted to start from the beginning and he had to make the effort to try and trust Blaine. He didnt know what was up with his parents, but from what Blaine had mentioned in passing, they were not ok with his sexual preferences and assumed it was a silly college phase, even though hed come out to them in high school.

I could never hate you. Your voice just sounded so...cold, and it scared me a little. Thank you for texting me right away and explaining. Im sorry things are like that for you. If you have time later, call me. I miss you. Happy Christmas Eve. -K

Kurt didnt receive a reply, but wasnt expecting one either. Blaine probably had to go into the bathroom to send the first one. He went downstairs and stood in the doorway of the living room, watching his blended family arrange takeout container on the coffee table, he smiled and realized how lucky he was to have such a loving and accepting family. Sure, it took time for them to get to where they were, but it was worth it.

After the food was gone and all the traditional Christmas specials had been watched, (another part of their new family tradition), the Hudmel family went to their separate rooms to finish up their final preparations for the morning. By the time Kurt was finished wrapping his familys gifts, he was exhaused. He checked his phone for the millionth time and realized that Blaine must not have been able to get away from his family, so he plowed through his nighttime routine and fell into bed, falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

Kurt was having a really weird dream about reindeer when a ringing noise brought him back into semi-consciousness. He fumbled around until he found his phone and quickly answered it, wondering who would be calling him at this ungodly hour.

"...lo?" He managed to grunt. Kurt was not a morning person. Hell, was it even morning?

"Kurt, is that you?"

Hearing the trembling voice from the other end woke him up right away. "Blaine?"

"Oh man, it so good to hear your voice. Im so sorry to call this late, but everyone finally went to bed and I was able to sneak out to call. Im really, really sorry about earlier. I just..."

"Blaine," Kurt said loudly, to get the other boys attention. He had a tendency to ramble when he was nervous or excited. When it quieted down on the other end, he spoke again. "I understand. Theres no reason to apologize again. Im just so glad to hear from you."

"Im glad too. God I really miss you." There was a pause, but Kurt kept silent, knowing Blaine wasnt finished. "Im sorry if its too much, too soon, but being able to talk to you is the only thing keeping me sane right now." He took a deep breath before explaining, "Dont get me wrong, I love my family, but its just so exhausting pretending to be something Im not. Its not like I lie to them, but its easier, especially around the holidays, to just smile and nod and just go along with them. I cant tell you how many of my relatives have asked me if I have a girlfriend yet, and when was I going to settle down and raise a family. I mean, come on...Im only 20. Even if I was straight and planned to settle down with a quote nice girl, I wouldnt be ready now. And I can only imagine the shock waves Id send through the Anderson family when I announced I was marrying another man."

Kurt just listened to Blaine, silent tears making their way down his cheeks. His heart was aching for this boy. He knew how lucky he was that his family was so amazing, and it saddened him to know that Blaine didnt have the same understanding. Its no wonder he acted the way he had for the past few years. Even though he came out to his family, he wasnt really openly gay. He didnt deny it, but he also didnt advertise it. It was so obvious that he was scared of the concept of actually developing feelings for Kurt, which is what ultimately led him to continue to push him away.

And the friends he had were just as bad as his family. The poor boy had been getting it from all sides. That is why Blaine acted like two different people. The wonderful, funny, adorable guy he was when it was just he and Kurt, and the cold, unfeeling, downright mean guy he was with his friends.

In the last five 24 hours, Kurt learned more about Blaine and what made him tick than in the last two years. And it also made Kurt more determined than ever to do everything he could to help this wonderful, broken man learn to be comfortable with who he was and to hopefully teach him how to fall in love.

"Kurt," Blaines voice brought him out of his thoughts. "Are you still there?"

"Yeah, yeah, sorry. You did just wake me up out of a dead sleep, so Im not working on all cylinders yet," he joked, trying to loosen the tension he heard in Blaines voice. He knew it worked when he heard Blaines laugh from the other side of the line.

"Sorry about that, but I wanted to be the first person to wish you a Merry Christmas, and I wasnt sure if Id be able to later. I hope its ok."

"Blaine, its more than ok. Im really glad you called, actually. Its so nice to be able to talk to you. The last week has been..." He paused, searching.

"I know." Blaine responded. "But thats all over now, right? Clean slate?" Kurt could hear the vulnerability in his voice and it killed him.

"Yes, clean slate." Kurt hesitated momentarily, wondering if now was the time to give Blaine his gift. He was planning to wait until they got back, but with everything that happened tonight, he knew it was the right time. "And to show you how serious I am, when we get back, I want to take you out on a date."

"A-a date?"

"Yes, if you are okay with it." He was suddenly worried hed just freaked Blaine out, so he tried to backtrack. "But its ok, we dont have to..."

"Id love to go on a date with you, Kurt." Blaine interrupted.

"Really? Are you sure?" Kurt asked, giving him the chance to change his mind.

"Yes," Kurt could hear Blaines smile through the phone. "Yes, I am 100% sure I want to go out on a proper date with you. Do you have anything in mind?

"As a matter of fact, I have two tickets to Wicked waiting at the apartment. I was going to give them to you for Christmas."

"Y-you got us tickets to Wicked?" Blaine asked, breathless.

"Technically, I got you two tickets. I didnt want to make any assumptions."

Blaine laughed then, and it sent tingles down Kurts spine. He hadnt heard Blaine laugh like that in a while, and it felt good to know that he was the reason behind it.

"Of course Im taking you, goofball."

"Hey, refrain from the name calling. I can still keep the tickets for myself, you know." Kurt teased.

"Indian giver."

"What did I say about the name calling?"

"Just stating facts, sir." Blaine laughed again. The combination of relief, Blaines laugh, and the fact he was just called sir sent Kurt into a fit of giggles.

Blaine soon joined him and for the next few minutes, all that could be heard was giggling and heavy breathing as the two boys tried to regain their breath. Both knew somehow, tonight was another turning point for them. Theyd had a few in the last week, and not all good. But both were sure that this was the most important one yet.

Kurt was the first to speak, saying gently, "Merry Christmas, Blaine."

"Merry Christmas, Kurt."