Fifteen minutes later, they were paying the bill.

Now that everyone had had their say and had told their story, no one appeared to have a reason, or want to stay. In dribs and drabs, they left, each collapsing into taxis or sluggishly wandering down the road, until Kurt and Quinn were left outside, alone, waiting by Quinn’s car for their respective others; Finn was still balancing his bill while Blaine had popped to the toilet. For a while, they stood in silence, reflecting on the night and the revelations it had extracted – and the ones it had kept hidden.

‘Thank you.’

Kurt looked over at Quinn, surprised. ‘What for?’

‘For keeping my secret safe,’ she informed him, her gaze flicking to Finn, who she could see paying through the restaurant’s windows. ‘I was dreading tonight, because I didn’t see a way it wouldn’t be prised out by someone.’

‘Blaine would never let it go without a fight.’

Quinn smiled softly, her eyes back on Kurt. ‘I heard you too discussing the adoption, y’know, all those years ago. It took Blaine a long time to convince you.’

Kurt nodded, not bothering to deny it, before confessing, ‘But as soon as I saw her, all the doubt about it just melted away. She was so pink and perfect, and I couldn’t wait for her to be mine.’

Quinn didn’t reply, and Kurt knew he’d hit a nerve. Of course he had. Talking about Colbie’s birth was bound to stir up some bitter memories for her about Beth’s birth. Ever since Beth’s adoption, Quinn had never quite been the same. Loosing a child – that was something no one could get over.

‘It’s getting harder and harder, Kurt,’ she whispered, as if she’d read his mind, sighing. ‘I don’t think I can keep it from Finn any longer.’

‘We all knew we couldn’t hide it forever.’

Quinn nodded. ‘I know. And I just… I don’t want people dragging the three of you into it. It’s not your fault, what I did. I’m entirely to blame.’

‘You did what you felt was right,’ he reminded. ‘That’s all you could do.’

Quinn nodded again, before mumbling, ‘Perhaps I should have told him. That would have saved Blaine and your asses when it does blow up. Although, your story is very convincing.’

‘It’s the truth,’ Kurt pointed out. ‘We didn’t get very far with the services so we did adopt Colbie privately. It isn’t a lie… Well, not really.’

‘You didn’t lie - but I did.’

Kurt took her hand and squeezed it supportively. ‘We’ve got a while, before it becomes apparent – before we have to tell. We’ll – ’

‘I can’t keep it a secret much long,’ she told him quietly, removing her hand from his grip. ‘I told you; it’s so hard now – imagine what it’ll be like in two years time when Coblie starts school. Kids are blunt, Kurt. They’ll ask her about her mom, and she come to you for the answer. Even if you can lie to Finn, you can’t lie to her.’

Kurt thought of Colbie’s big blues eyes and knew she was right.

‘And now your parents know about her, they’re going to want to see her more often. Sooner or later, they’ll see her and spot her mother’s characteristics.’

‘Oh, I am not coming back,’ Kurt objected firmly, before adding, ‘Well, not often; not unless Colbie wants to.’

Quinn stared at him, her gaze sad. ‘We have to tell them now.’

Kurt blinked. ‘What? No. No, Quinn, we – ’

‘We haven’t got time, Kurt. Kids grow up quick. Colbie’s growing up quick. The last time I saw her, she couldn’t say my name. Now she crams it in every sentence. It has to be done. It’s best, this way. Easier.’ 

Kurt didn’t reply at first. Quinn was right, of course. The secret was burning them up inside, building, getting harder and harder to protect, to keep. It was best to let it go gently, rather than in an outburst, a flood, used as a weapon. It was best to tell now. It wouldn’t be too long before it leaked itself – and that would be worse still.

‘Well, I guess,’ Kurt concealed quietly, softly. ‘I’m just not sure I’m ready for the consequences. Are you ready for them?’

Quinn inhaled, her eyes finding Finn in the restaurant, her main concern as she thought about this, before whispering, ‘I just don’t want him to hate me for hurting him. Because I never meant to do that. I love him, Kurt, and I want to be honest with him – but he’ll hate me for it.’

He watched her, knowing he was close to gathering her up in his arms and holding her close, just to see if it would stop her breaking as he reminded her softly, quietly, ‘He’ll forgive you. He always does. In the end.’

Her eyes were still on Finn as he and Blaine exited the restaurant, while she told Kurt quietly, ‘There’s only so many times you can forgive someone – there’s only so many times you can have your heart broken by one person.’

‘So. Are you ready?’

Kurt nearly jumped at the sound of Finn’s voice, while Quinn just smiled sadly at her husband, answering not him but Kurt’s previous, identical question. ‘Yeah. I’m ready.’