He smiled and chuckled at Kurt’s efforts to add some holiday cheer to their d�cor, and he found his fianc� dancing about the living room singing, “It’s the most wonderful time of the yeeeeeeeeear!”

Blaine cleared his throat as he leaned against the wall, his hands in his pockets and his legs crossed at the ankles. Kurt froze mid-movement and slowly turned to look at Blaine, his expression only slightly horrified. Blaine chuckled and made his way into the room, looking around.

“You’ve certainly outdone yourself,” Blaine chuckled. Kurt let out a huff of breath as his cheeks turned a light pink. “You didn’t go this…all out…last year.”

“Well,” Kurt said, his voice slightly higher pitched than normal. He unfroze and made his way over to Blaine, slipping his arms around Blaine’s neck. “There’s a lot to celebrate.”

He leaned forward and pressed a soft, gentle kiss to Blaine’s lips. Blaine hummed into the kiss and wrapped his arms around Kurt.

As Blaine pulled away, he chuckled lightly and said, “Would it be too much of a clich� if I started singing ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’?”

Kurt grinned and gave Blaine a quick hug. “No, not at all.” Then Kurt pulled away and danced over to the naked tree and pulled up a coil of lights. “I saved the tree decorating for both of us to do.”

Blaine followed him over, taking the lights from him and starting to help him drape them around the tree. This would be his first time celebrating a traditional Christmas in a loving home since he was a little kid. He couldn’t help but pause and smile fondly. The year before, he and Kurt had just begun dating. He’d had his little apartment and a tiny tree and Kurt had stayed over and they’d exchanged presents, but it wasn’t like this. This was real.

“You’re thinking,” Kurt said softly, in his ear. Blaine looked up, wondering how long he’d spaced out in thought. Long enough that Kurt was standing beside him now, a hand on his shoulder and a tender smile on his beautiful face.

“About you,” Blaine replied, his voice just as soft. Kurt raised an eyebrow. “About how I get to spend the rest of my life having wonderful Christmas’s with you.”

Kurt smiled and leaned forward to kiss him once more. Blaine had a feeling about this holiday season. A feeling that it was going to be a very good one.

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Eleven: Red
Scene 1

(INT. Bedroom. Chris is standing in front of a mirror, adjusting his tuxedo jacket and tie. Darren comes up behind him, circles his arms around Chris’s waist, and starts kissing his neck)

CHRIS
Darren, stop.

DARREN
But you look so hot.

CHRIS
That’s not a valid excuse. Why on earth aren’t you dressed?

DARREN
(kisses along the back of Chris’s neck, sucking gently on the skin) Got distracted.

CHRIS
(pushes him away) Stop it. Get dressed!

DARREN
Alright, alright. Just a minute.

CHRIS
No. No ‘just a minute’s. Get your ass in that suit right fucking now.

DARREN
Ok. Geez. (holds up his hands and backs away) What’s your problem today?

CHRIS
My problem is that you aren’t dressed yet and we have to be at the premiere of my movie in twenty minutes.

DARREN
Sorry, honey. Just trying to show you how proud I am of you.

(Darren turns away and heads towards the bathroom, not giving Chris a change to reply. Chris just looks to the bathroom door, his jaw hanging open a bit. Then he snaps his jaw shut and rolls his eyes)

CHRIS
Since when did showing me how proud you are of me involve me giving you sex?

DARREN
(opens the bathroom door enough to look out) Who says anything about you giving, huh?

CHRIS
God you infuriate me sometimes! Ever since we came back from the doctor all you can think about is sex!

DARREN
You weren’t complaining last night! (Slams the bathroom door shut)

CHRIS
You are so irritating!

DARREN
And you are such a fucking hypocrite!

(Chris looks at himself in the mirror, trying not to let himself cry over this. Without saying another word, he leaves the bedroom and slams the door shut behind him)

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Eleven: Red
Scene 2

(INT. Kitchen. Ashley is standing at the counter, wearing a blue gown as she stuff her cellphone into her handbag. Chris comes storming into the kitchen, opening the refrigerator door and getting a bottle of water, opening it almost violently.)

ASHLEY
What’s wrong with you?

CHRIS
Darren is an asshole.

ASHLEY
Why the sudden change of heart? You two were so cuddly and gross this morning.

CHRIS
All he thinks about anymore is getting into my pants. That and working out.

ASHLEY
Yeah, well, jail changes people.

CHRIS
That’s the problem. Everyone says I should just let him get away with his asshole behavior because he was sent to jail. I thought it was going to stop once we started having sex again.

ASHLEY
Well that’s kind of a dick way of thinking on your part. Thinking your loverboy is going to stop being angsty just because he gets a little woohoo. He was in jail with real murders and criminals and if you haven’t noticed, he’s not exactly the toughest guy out there. He probably had to fight for himself.

CHRIS
I know that and I feel bad, but he’s just being so selfish. I just want one night to celebrate something I’ve worked hard on for years and he has to spoil it.

ASHLEY
Look, just give him a little more time and I’m sure he’ll get over it.

CHRIS
If he doesn’t, then he’s out on the fucking streets.

(Ashley looks at him, her eyebrows raised in disbelief.)

CHRIS
I’m serious.

(Just then, Darren walks into the kitchen, wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt, going over to the sink and getting a glass of water from the sink, avoiding Chris, who looks horrified.)

CHRIS
What the hell do you think you’re doing?

DARREN
Getting a drink.

CHRIS
Why aren’t you dressed?

DARREN
I am. I’ve got clothes on.

CHRIS
But you’re not dressed for the premiere.

DARREN
Oh. Yeah. That. I’m not going.

(Chris just gapes at him, then blinks and looks down, his eyes filling with tears)

CHRIS
N-not going?

DARREN
Yeah. (he shrugs) I don’t really feel like going out tonight. You have fun, though.

(Darren gives him a fake smile and takes his glass out of the kitchen, heading down the hallway)

CHRIS
(follows him) But you can’t just not go.

DARREN
Sure I can! I don’t feel like going, so I’m not going.

CHRIS
But…this is the most important day of my life, Darren. You can’t just not go.

DARREN
I just figured someone as irritating and infuriating as I am could just stay home and look over the papers for the hearing next week.

CHRIS
(follows him into the office/music room) Dare…you can’t miss this. Nothing has ever been more important to me than this. If you-

DARREN
If I what? (turns around and starts walking towards Chris, his hands curled into fists, making Chris back out the doorway, looking a little scared) If I love you I’ll go? Is that what you were gonna say?

CHRIS
Dare…

DARREN
I’m not going. (Slams the door in Chris’s face)

(Scene focuses on Chris’s face as he begins to cry, then fades to black.)

. ~ . ~ .

“I hate this.” Blaine tossed his script aside and turned away from Kurt, who rolled his eyes and sat gingerly on the edge of the couch.

“It’s fake, Blaine. The two of us aren’t actually fighting. Besides, we’re just practicing.” Kurt reached out to Blaine, who moved away, one hand rubbing up his arm, pushing up the already tight sleeve of his t-shirt. Kurt averted his eyes. Blaine was still lifting weights fairly regularly and Kurt never thought he’d find it this hot.

“I don’t like fighting at all with you,” Blaine shrugged.

“Just…think about how angry you’d be if I told you I wasn’t going to the first concert of your tour,” Kurt said, rather casually. It wouldn’t happen. He wouldn’t miss a single concert of Blaine’s upcoming tour to promote his album if he could help it.

Blaine sighed at the thought, looking down and turning back towards Kurt. “But that wouldn’t happen.”

“Pretend. Act. You’re good at it. You’ve got a Golden Globe to prove it,” Kurt said, encouragingly. Blaine rolled his eyes and got a look on his face like he was thinking really hard about something, then he picked up his script again, flipping to the first fight scene of the episode, reading over it once more before looking up at Kurt. Just as he was about to open his mouth to say his lines, his cellphone rang loudly from the coffee table.

Dropping his script, Blaine let out a sigh and leaned over, picking up the offending device and seeing an unfamiliar number on the screen. He contemplated not answering, but decided against it and pressed the phone to his ear.

“Hello?” Blaine answered.

Kurt watched Blaine as he answered his phone, biting his lip as he watched his fianc�’s expression change from annoying to confusion. Blaine didn’t say anything as the confusion faded into mild panic, and then he looked like he was going to be sick. He didn’t say anything else until the end of the conversation, where he muttered a “thanks” and then a “I’ll be there in an hour” before hanging up.

Silence followed as Blaine dropped his phone onto the table and sat down, his face now draped in disbelief. Kurt, concerned, moved closer, hesitantly placing a hand on Blaine’s shoulder.

“Blaine, honey, what’s going on? Who just called?” Kurt rubbed gently as Blaine’s whole body seemed to tense beneath the touch.

“That was…some guy named Jeremy,” Blaine said. He paused to sniffle and then Kurt knew something was up.

“What did he want?” Kurt asked softly, hoping it wasn’t all the potentially bad things that his mind could conjure up.

“He…he was a nurse. A-at the hospital. He…” Blaine broke up and hung his head, sniffling and fighting some urge not to cry.

“You can tell me, baby,” Kurt said tenderly, rubbing small circles on Blaine’s back.

“My mother is dead.”

The silence that fell followed a sharp intake of breath from Kurt, whose jaw dropped slightly as he stared at Blaine.

“What?”

“She had a heart attack a-and called an ambulance…and she died on the way to the hospital.” Blaine stared at his hands folded in his lap, not really knowing what to do. A tear dripped from his eyes and landed on his folded hands.

“Oh, Blaine…I’m so sorry,” Kurt slipped an arm around him and hugged him tightly, receiving no embrace in return. “Baby…I’m sorry.”

Blaine shook his head. “You know, I really did love her. All this time, even though I thought she abandoned me, she’s my mom. Of course I loved her. Love her. Still…”

“I know, Blaine. I know,” Kurt whispered softly, rubbing Blaine’s back with one hand. He rested his cheek on Blaine’s shoulder, hugging him tightly. He felt his own tears building in his eyes. He himself had grown used to seeing Blaine’s mother around, having her to dinner at least once a week, and he really admired how she’d accepted who her son was, especially as of late. She had been a sweet women, and having her back in his life had definitely giving Blaine a little bit of happiness he hadn’t known he missed.

“I missed so much time with her and now I’ll never get it back,” Blaine said with a little shrug and a half sob.

“I know, baby.” Kurt reached up and gently stroked Blaine’s hair at the nape of his neck. He sniffled and leaned against Kurt, not looking up. He took a deep breath and then sighed it out.

“I…” He wiped his nose on his sleeve and sighed again. “I’m gonna have to tell my dad.”

Kurt raised an eyebrow and pulled back a bit so he could look at Blaine fully. “Are you sure? You could just…tell your mom’s lawyer. You don’t have to do that right now.”

“N-no. I have to tell him myself.” Blaine looked up, his eyes red as they filled with tears. Kurt bit his lip as he searched Blaine’s eyes, finding nothing but certainty that that was what he was gonna do. Then he nodded once.

“Ok.” Kurt leaned forward and kissed Blaine softly.

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Eleven: Red
Scene 5

(INT. The kitchen. Darren comes in and sighs. The house is empty. He knows he did the wrong thing, but doesn’t know how to make it right. Letting out another sigh, he looked over at the counter, seeing a yellow note stuck to the granite countertop. It’s sitting on top of a movie ticket. The note reads “In case you want to do the right thing. – Ashley”. Darren sighs, then shakes his head and turns away, heading out of the kitchen and running upstairs.)

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Eleven: Red
Scene 6

(INT. The movie theater. The whole place is bustling with people, and a surprising amount of celebrities. Chris looks around as he follows Ashley to the center row, which is reserved for him and his family. His mother and grandmother are already there, waving at him. He offers them a smile, then looks around as he makes his way down to sit next to his mom.)

KARYN
Christopher, I’m so proud of you. All these people are here for you!

CHRIS
I know. It’s really overwhelming.

KARYN
Where’s Darren?

CHRIS
(bites his lip, then looks at Ashley.) He…um…he was really sick. I don’t know if he’s coming.

KARYN
Aww, that’s too bad, sweetie. I know he was really looking forward to seeing you up there like the rest of us are.

CHRIS
(tries not to start crying again) Yeah. Yeah he was.

(The lights start to dim and Karyn squeezes Chris’s hand as the screen starts up. Chris looks over at Ashley and his face falls. They’re both thinking the same thing: Darren isn’t coming. Ashley leans over and whispers in his ear)

ASHLEY
I’m so kicking him in the balls when we get home.

CHRIS
Not if I get to him first.

(Everything cheers a bit, then it falls silent when the opening credits begin, Chris’s family and Ashley cheering a bit when his name appears. He blushes to himself and attempts to smile as he watches the screen. Once he gets settled, he’s startled when something rustles beside him. He looks over to see Darren settling in next to him. Darren looks over and smiles at him, reaching for his hand.)

CHRIS
What are you doing?

DARREN
I wouldn’t miss this for the world. I’m sorry.

(Chris glares at him for a moment, then leans in and kisses him on the cheek quickly.)

CHRIS
You’re not quite forgiven. Now watch the movie.

(Darren smiles, then turns towards the movie. He’s definitely glad he didn’t miss it.)

. ~ . ~ .

Blaine looked at his phone. He stood by the window in the bedroom, looking outside at the street below. He held in one hand a piece of paper that had a phone number on it, and he looked up when he heard Kurt approach.

“I haven’t called him yet,” Blaine said, his voice slightly hoarse from crying and attempting to make arrangements all day.

“You don’t have to. It’s been a long day and we still have to work tomorrow.” Kurt reached up and ran a comforting hand along Blaine’s upper arm, caressing it lovingly.

“I should. Will you…will you just stay here for a second?” Blaine asked. Kurt nodded and watched as Blaine tapped the number into his phone, then pocketed the paper and reached for Kurt’s hand, squeezing it tightly. He bit his lip, pressed call, then held the phone to his ear.

It rang four times, then someone picked up. “Hello?” A man’s voice said gruffly. Blaine stiffened. The voice was different than he remembered, but it was definitely his father. He almost hung up right then and there, but then his father continued with, “Who is this? Is this some kind of prank?”

“No,” Blaine spit out finally.

“Who is this, then?” his father questioned.

“It’s Blaine. Your son.”