Blaine checks his curls once more, making sure they aren’t too unruly before sweeping out of the bathroom, following Kurt’s trailing red gown down the stairs and into the living room.

“Well look at these three,” Burt says, pride overcoming his usually playful tone. “All the smart guys in the room are wearing red today.”

Kurt turns to eye Blaine, their matching gowns blending together as they stand next to the stairs, Finn stepping out of the living room to join them in a gown of his own.

Burt ushers them all outside, Carole and Simone Anderson following close behind.

“He looks amazing,” Simone says, voice shaking, “He’s just so grown up.”

Carole looks to the strong woman beside her. Over the past seven months the two women have become very close, Simone trusting Carole to watch over her son, at his wishes, as he finished his high school career 750 miles away from her. In return she had retained her position at the University of Vermont, providing Blaine would talk to her every other day and video chat with her on weekends.

Carole has grown to love her as much as she loves Blaine.

“He is. They both are. We have so much to be proud of.”

They both watch as Burt takes pictures of their boys, first hand-in-hand, then arm-in-arm, and, much to Burt’s chagrin, lip-to-lip.

“Do you think they will be alright in New York?”

Simone glances at Carole. They have had this discussion many times over the past few months and her answer is still the same.

“I have said it before, and I still believe it. They will last a lifetime.”