The next week passed in a blur. Kurt's days settled into a comfortable routine of classes, homework, Blaine, homework, Warbler rehearsal, and more Blaine. He was enjoying it all, even with the large amount of homework. It was in fashion and art and English, so it was all things he enjoyed. Blaine had turned after school snack, duet practice, and study session into a daily thing. They would sprawl across Kurt's bed and desk, munching and working on their homework loads. He was amazed at how comfortable they were with each other. There was no need for conversation if they didn't want to, it was nice to just be near each other while they worked. An occasional hand squeeze, fingers through Blaine's curls, a teasing slap on the rear kept things interesting. The nights inevitably ended with a thorough make out session leaving them both breathing heavily and more than a little frustrated. A couple of times, Blaine had returned home and texted Kurt that he was taking care of his problem. Another couple times, they helped each other out. They hadn't progressed to full nudity, but they did get down to their boxers. Grinding against each other drove them mad and pushed them over the edge. After that first time, Kurt always made sure they went in to clean up immediately. Blaine claimed he didn't mind walking home commando, his boxers shoved in his backpack. Kurt would think about Blaine commando and end up becoming frustrated all over again.

Saturday at morning Warbler practice, Kurt and Blaine performed their duet in front of the group. Kurt didn't think there was anything as fulfilling in life as singing with Blaine. As they'd practiced over the week, they had quickly adjusted to one another's singing style, finding a beautiful harmony that added to the song. The Warbler's approved, giving them a standing ovation at the end of their practice. Wes and David had no complaints and said to just keep practicing until the following weekend.

That evening as Blaine was leaving Kurt's room, he hugged him closely, knowing he was nervous about meeting the donor family the next day.

"They are going to love you," Blaine reassured him again.

"I hope so. I want them to," Kurt said, sighing heavily.

"Text or call me when you get back and I'll come over, okay? What time are you meeting them?"

"Ten in the morning. So, I'm imagining it'll only be an hour or so. I mean, how long could this uncomfortable meeting go on?" Kurt said, leaning his head on Blaine's shoulder.

"Sweetie, come on. It won't be so bad. Part of their child is in you," Blaine said, rubbing small circles in his back.

"I hope it'll be okay. Dad said something about taking me out afterward, so it'll probably be afternoon by the time I get back. See you then?" Kurt asked, turning his face to Blaine's.

"See you then," Blaine confirmed, pressing a warm kiss to Kurt's soft mouth. He breathed loudly. "I better just go or I'm going to get lost in those lips of yours."

"Oh fine," Kurt said, looking at him with glowing eyes. "One more for the road?"

At the adorably hopeful look in his eyes, Blaine grinned and leaned in for one more. Or two more.

"Kurt, would you sit still? You're making the whole truck bounce," Burt chastised him.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I've been this nervous before," Kurt said pitifully, trying to sit still.

"They are not going to hate you, Kurt. They chose to donate their son's organs, why would they do that and then invite you over to meet them if they were planning on hating you?"

His dads common sense helped a little. He took some deep breaths.

"So, tell me about Blaine. You two seem to be hitting it off pretty well," Burt said to distract him.

"Well, I told you a bit about him over the phone. But he's wonderful, Dad. He is sweet and caring and funny, and he knows so many people he's introducing me to. He sings like an angel and I think I'm falling in love with him," Kurt said in a rush, then looked at his dad to see his reaction.

Burt's hands gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter. "Love? It's awfully soon for that isn't it? You've only known him a couple weeks."

"Well, I didn't say I was in love with him, just that I think I may be. He's everything I've ever wanted, Dad. Didn't you marry mom within a month of meeting her?"

His dad coughed and grumbled under his breath. "That's different."

Kurt laughed and pulled out his phone as it chirped at him. "Uh huh, sure it is."

Hey Kurt, just wishing you luck this morning. Can't wait to see you later. Text when you can.

"He's so sweet," Kurt murmured and typed.

On our way now. Thank you. Think of me while I'm gone.

"Do you really need to be texting him after you spent the whole week together?" Burt muttered.

"Dad, he's wishing me luck, how can that be bad?" Kurt said, then smiled at Blaine's response.

Always do.

"There, all done. And I'm turning my phone off now," Kurt said, doing so and putting his phone in his jacket pocket.

"Good cuz I think we're there. Crap, now I'm nervous," Burt said.

"We'll be okay, Dad," Kurt said, trying to sound reassuring, but failing miserably.

They parked in front of the modest two story house with a tiny front yard surrounded by a waist high fence.

"Ready?" Burt asked.

"As much as I'll ever be," Kurt sighed.

They walked up to the door and Burt rang the doorbell. Almost immediately the door opened to reveal a tall, thin man. His hair had probably once been blond giving his coloring, but was now lightly gray. He had brown eyes that were crinkled up into a welcoming smile.

"The Hummel's, I presume?"

"Yes, sir," Burt said, offering his hand. "Burt Hummel, and this is my son Kurt."

"I'm Ryan Wilson, thank you so much for coming," he replied, shaking Burt's hand, then shaking Kurt's hand. Kurt thought he was looking at him a little strangely, but given the circumstances, it made a sort of sense. "Come in, come in, my wife is eager to meet you."

Stepping in, they took off their coats and wiped their shoes.

"I'm sorry if this sounds weird, but is your sweater Alexander McQueen?" Kurt had to ask, admiring Ryan's warm gray sweater.

"It is, good eye," Ryan said with a smile.

Off the foyer was a small living room where a small, round woman was waiting, wringing her hands.

"Elyse, this is Burt and Kurt Hummel," Ryan said.

Elyse Wilson stared at Kurt, her large blue eyes filling with tears. She came forward quickly, her brown hair swinging against her shoulders. She pulled Kurt into a rough hug and began sobbing. Kurt looked at his dad and Ryan in panic. Burt shrugged and Ryan's look conveyed the sentiment that Kurt should just go with it. He patted the woman's back gently until she stood back from him.

"I'm s-s-sorry about that," she said, sniffling, pulling a crinkled Kleenex from her pocket and blowing her nose.

"It's uh, okay," Kurt assured her.

"Come on in and sit down," Ryan said, pointing toward the couches.

"I'm going to get tea, do you drink tea?" she said, looking as if she hadn't thought of what they would drink.

"Any chance you have any coffee," Burt asked hopefully.

"Of course," Elyse answered with a smile. She turned to Kurt.

"Tea would be wonderful. Do you need any help?" Kurt offered.

She positively beamed at him. "That would be wonderful. The kitchen is this way."

Kurt followed her, looking around him. They were going down a hallway filled with pictures. Elyse noticed he had paused and looked at the pictures with him. They looked at one with a tall, blond guy with his arm around Ryan.

"That is my son, Charlie," she said quietly, looking at him.

"Charlie? He is the one...," Kurt began.

"Yes. He was 21 when he had the car accident. There was no hope of him pulling out due to the injuries to his brain, so we did what we thought was best. He had organ donor on his driver's license, so that's what we did," she told him, still gazing more at him than the pictures.

"I am so sorry for your loss," he told her sincerely, tears burning at his eyes. The man in the pictures looked so vital, so full of life and hope for a long, happy future. And he was gone, but here Kurt stood in his house with his parents and he felt like he'd stolen something from this man.

"Kurt, honey, look at me," Elyse said. Kurt did and she gently took his hand. "We do not blame you in any way, for anything. We aren't mad that you are alive and he's not, please know that. If anything we are happy you are alive because of him. We can see you and know that his life meant something wonderful aside from being our beloved son."

Kurt let the tears slide down his face as he let himself believe what she was saying. He didn't realize how much this had been worrying him. Elyse pulled him into another hug and murmured comforting things in his ear. Finally he calmed and they moved on to the kitchen.

"Don't think me impudent, but are you gay, Kurt?" Elyse asked, gathering cups onto a tray.

Kurt looked up in surprise and answered hesitantly. "Um. Yes, actually."

Elyse chuckled. "It is so fitting," she said.

Kurt looked confused. "Why?"

"Oh, Charlie was gay too," she replied.

Kurt thought back to the guy in the pictures. A guy fishing, playing football, rafting. He didn't look like the stereotype. "Interesting," he said.

"He had a boyfriend for the last year of his life. They were really happy together. They'd even played around with the idea of moving out of state so they could get married someday," she said, finishing with a sad look on her face.

"I'm sorry," Kurt said, putting napkins on her serving tray. He felt bad for the man who would never be able to grow old with the man he loved.

"It's okay, honey. Those kind of thoughts just hit sometimes and you have to acknowledge them so you can move on. Come on, let's take this tray in," she said, then beamed as Kurt took the tray and balanced it perfectly as they walked back into the living room.

"So, Kurt, tell us about yourself," Ryan said, taking his tea.

For the next hour and a half, Kurt told them all about himself, his heart defect that needed the transplant, the transplant itself, how he'd healed and now college. He shared what he wanted to do in his future. His dad burst in and bragged about Kurt and his accomplishments in life, all the way back to the spelling bee he'd won in second grade.

As the conversation was winding down and it was almost time to leave, Kurt knew he had to say something more to them.

"Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, I need you to know how grateful I am for the gift you and your son have given me. I try to take advantage of each day and live it to the fullest. I am taking very good of my body, right down to what I eat. I need you to know that I am not going to waste or squander this wonderful gift and second chance at life that I've been given," he said sincerely, looking them both in the eyes.

Ryan and Elyse stared at him before wiping at their eyes and holding each other's hands.

"Thank you, Kurt," Ryan said simply, but emotion thick in his voice.

"I didn't think I needed to hear anything like that, but I think maybe I did," Elyse said tearfully. "Thank you. I know you will treasure your heart as much as we treasured our son, and now as much as we treasure you."

They gathered their coats and promised to keep in touch. Elyse hurried off to get to get a picture of them and Charlie that she had mentioned she wanted Kurt to have. She came back holding an envelope and frame in her hand. She handed the envelope to Kurt.

"I remember I told you about Charlie's boyfriend, and I just happened to see a picture of them. I think he still goes to your college," Elyse said, holding the picture frame out to Kurt.

Kurt took it and nearly dropped it. Staring out at him with large smiles were Charlie and a curly-headed, golden eyed man.

"His name was Blaine," Elyse told him unnecessarily.

xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo

Blaine was working on an essay when his phone rang. He smiled when he saw who it was.

"Hey, Ryan! How are you?"

"Blaine, it's good to hear your voice. Things are good, how about you?" They shared pleasantries for a moment before Ryan continued. "Look, I know when Charlie died you didn't want any details about what happened with his organs," Ryan began.

A rock appeared in Blaine's stomach as he listened.

"But we met the boy, well, man, who received Charlie's heart. He goes to your college. And from his reaction to seeing a picture of you and Charlie, I think he might know you, though he didn't say for sure. Do you know a kid named Kurt Hummel?"

Blaine felt sick.

"Blaine? Are you there? Do you know him?"