One of the earliest memories that I had was when I was eight. It was one particular day that I still remember quite vividly. I had finished my dance class for the week (I also remember it being my favourite day of the week), and was packing up my bags when my teacher came up to me, who was coincidentally one of my favourite people at the time.

"Will I be seeing you next fall?" She asked as I zipped up my backpack.

"Yes," I smiled. "I love dancing."

I hugged her and walked out of the dance hall to my mum's car. She was in her usual parking spot, waiting with my sister.

"Hey sweetie," She kissed me on the cheek as I climbed into the front seat. "How was dance?"

"Great," I began. "I am going to miss it during summer."

"About that," My mum said sympathetically. "Your father and I have decided that maybe you should choose another sport."

"What?" I looked straight at her. "I love dancing. You can't take that away from me."

"We think you're too old for it now," Mum replied. "Plus, wouldn't you prefer something like football."

"No," I sulked. "I love dancing. I hate playing football."

"Daddy said it makes you gay." My sister Danielle giggled from the backseat. She clearly walked into their conversation and repeated one of the lines.

"What does gay mean?" I asked angrily.

"Look sweetheart," She was concentrating on the road. "Gay is when boys like other boys."

"Is there something wrong with that?" I asked.

"The conversation is closed." Mum said as I turned the other way and watched out window in silence the rest of the way home. When we got home, I ran into my bedroom and slammed the door shut and hid under my covers. A few minutes later a felt a small body next to me.

"Dani," I wiped my eyes. "What's up?"

"Are you okay, Blainey?" The three year old asked. "Why are you crying?"

"I'm fine," I smiled. "Is that a ballet outfit?"

"Yeah," Danielle grinned. "Mummy got it for me."

Danielle swivelled around in her tutu, and it made me angrier. Why did she get to do dancing and not me? That night at the table, I was pushing my food around my plate with my fork.

"What's wrong son?" My father asked. "Did you have a bad day?"

"You wouldn't care anyway." I snapped at him.

"Blaine," Mum yelled at me. "Don't talk to your father that way."

"Sorry dad." I said quietly, looking down at my plate.

"I have put you in football when it starts up," Dad continued. "I think you'll like it. We have fun watching games together."

"I hate playing football," I looked at my plate again. "I am too small."

I got off my seat and put my plate in the sink before walking off to my bedroom and reading a book. This was when it began for me, the beginnings of my father trying to get me to be someone that I wasn't.

***

The first time that I met Kurt Hummel, my now husband, it was actually really weird. He was our next door neighbour, and I had seen him a few times playing in his front yard. The first time that I had ever spoken to him, was when I was nine years old. I was playing with my sister in the lounge room when my mum walked in with him.

"Blaine," She smiled. "Can I talk to you a minute?"

I looked towards her and Kurt and walked towards him. "Hi, I'm Blaine."

"Kurt." He said shyly.

"Kurt is going to spend a couple of hours here today, take care of him." My mum looked at me and walked into the kitchen. Kurt moved towards me and I was almost pushed over by my sister holding her Barbie.

"I'm Dani." She beamed as she pulled Kurt into a hug, and then followed mum into the kitchen.

"Sorry about my little sister," I laughed. "Do you have any brothers or sisters?"

"No," Kurt replied. "It's just me."

"You're lucky," I responded, leading him to my bedroom. "She can get really annoying. Why are you here anyway?"

"My mum died yesterday," Kurt looked towards the ground. "My dad had to do some things so he asked if your mum could mind me."

"I am so sorry." I pulled Kurt into a hug, as best I could with my second broken arm of the football season.

"That's okay," Kurt responded. "You didn't know. How did you break your arm?"

"I play football," I laughed. "The boys can tackle me pretty fast."

"I don't like football," Kurt responded. "It is too rough and you get really dirty."

"Me either," I laughed. "I used to do dancing, but my dad makes me do football instead."

"You're really nice, Blaine," Kurt looked towards me. "Have you got many friends at your school?"

"Not really," I sat down on my bed. "Most of the people at my school think I'm a nerd because I like reading."

"Me too," Kurt responded. "But most people laugh at me because I wear nice clothes."

Kurt and I spent the rest of our time talking about our favourite books, movies and songs. The afternoon managed to go by really quickly and when he had to leave I was sad. It was the first time that I had actually had fun talking to someone, who seemed to also be enjoying the conversation.

"See you Blaine," Kurt pulled me into a hug. "It was fun today. Maybe we can see each other again, soon."

"Okay." I smiled as he left with his father to go home.

Kurt had started to come over more often and we became really good friends. One night, I was sitting in my room reading, when my dad came up to me.

"Hi son," He smiled sitting on my bed. "You've been spending a lot of time with this Hummel boy. He must be a good friend?"

"He is," I smiled. "I really care about Kurt."

In hindsight, when I look back at that conversation, I think I chose the wrong words to describe Kurt to my father.

"I don't think that you should see him anymore." My dad responded.

"Why?" I retorted. "He is my best friend."

"Don't argue with me," My dad said firmly. "You aren't allowed to see that boy anymore."

I told Kurt the next day and we began to accidentally bump into each other at the park, or anywhere that we could think of. Two months later, I saw his father packing up everything that they owned into a removalist truck. My dad was home so I couldn't run out to say goodbye to him, and was left to watch my best friend leave and I didn't even get to say goodbye.

***

Four years had passed since Kurt packed up everything and left. Since then, I had quit football and was reading more than I ever had. My high school days were about to begin and my dad wanted to take one last go at making me more like he wanted me to be. So, we spent the summer re-building a used car.

"Blaine," My dad called out one warm day. "Can you pass me a spanner?"

I handed him the spanner and continued fixing the tyre onto the car. We had almost finished the car when he realised that we were still missing a part. We drove silently, and he stopped in front of a place called Hummel Tyres and Lube. As we got out of the car, I whispered the surname to myself. It was so familiar I just couldn't pin-point why - Then a saw a familiar face sitting at the reception desk.

"Blaine," My father hissed at me, after realising where we were. "We can find somewhere else."

"Wait a minute." I quickly said, walking up to the desk.

"Hi," I half smiled. "You might remember me? We used to be neighbours?"

"I'm sorry," His blue-green eyes looked at me. "I don't remember you."

It was clear from his facial expression that he did remember me; he just didn't want to know me – which I understood. I mean, I didn't even say goodbye to him when I left. I just smiled at him, apologised, and walked back to my fathers' car.

The next day at the park, I was sitting on a bench when my girlfriend, Emma, came up to me.

"Hey," She sat next to me. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." I smiled.

Emma leaned in to kiss me, and I pulled out. I don't know why, but I just wasn't in the mood anymore. I couldn't get Kurt out of my head. For the five minutes that I saw him, he gave me a fuzzy feeling in my stomach, like butterflies, something that I never got with Emma.

"Seriously Blaine?" She raised an eyebrow. "Something is up."

"Can I ask you something?" I asked. A good thing about Emma was that she was someone I could trust.

"Go ahead," She smiled. "What's troubling you?"

"Have you ever felt butterflies in your stomach when you look at someone?" I asked quietly.

"Well, uh, not really." She confessed.

"What do you think it means?" I continued.

"From the books I've read and stuff, it generally means that you like someone," She grabbed my hand. "Why?"

"I got that feeling yesterday, just looking at someone." I replied.

"Who?" She asked, intrigued.

"It was a boy," I said shakily. "He used to be my best friend before he moved from the house next door."

"It's okay Blaine," Emma placed my hand in hers. "Just because you like boys doesn't mean I'm going to hate you."

"I'm just really confused," I began sobbing. "I mean, I'm dating you but I don't get the butterfly feeling with you."

"Blaine," Emma looked straight at me. "I think it is best that we take a break. Just for a little while, until you get your feelings straight."

"I think that's a good idea," I laughed. "I don't want you to be upset though. I mean, you are a good friend Emma."

"Oh Blaine," She pulled me into her, and kissed me on the cheek. "I am just a phone call away."

I just leaned in her embrace for a while, before walking her to her house.

"Emma," I said as she took her keys of our pocket. "Please don't tell anyone what I said."

"It's our secret," She looked at me. "I promise."

***

Coming out of the closet was one of the hardest things for me. I don't regret now, that I look onto my life, but back in my first year of high school, I wondered what I was doing and why I would put myself through so much torment. I hadn't been out of the closet for two weeks yet, and some of the boys at my school beat me and the only other gay guy in the school. To be completely fair, we were each other's date to the school dance that year. I got home that night, and crawled into my bed. No one realised the bruised till the next morning when my mum came in my room to check up on me.

"Blaine," She almost screamed. "What are all those bruises?"

"Boys at school beat me up last night." I replied, half asleep.

"Why?" My mum asked as I opened my eyes.

"They beat me up because I'm a nerd." I lied. There was no way I was ready for my parents to know the truth.

"That's it," My mum said angrily. "You are transferring."

She stormed out of my room and went to find my dad. I put my head back on the pillow and covered my face. That was when the screaming began. My mum was trying to convince my dad that I needed to move schools and Dad thought being beaten up was okay.

"Blaine?" My 11 year old sister walked into my room rubbing her eyes. "What's happening?"

"They're just arguing." I replied, patting a spot next to me on my bed.

"Are they going to get a divorce?" Dani asked, looking straight at me.

"No," I pulled her into a hug. "They'll be fine."

The next Monday, I was packing up things and driving to Dalton Academy. My mum liked the school because it had a zero tolerance towards bullying. My dad liked the school, because it was easier for him to just send me away. I joined the Glee Club there, and for the first time, I had friends who accepted me, and I was happy.

One day, six months after I enrolled, and I was in my sophomore year, I was walking towards Glee Club, and heard a familiar voice down the stairwell.

"Excuse me," The voice asked as I turned around. It was Kurt. He was standing in the stairwell of my school. "Would you be able to help me out?"

"I'm Blaine." I went to shake his hand.

"Kurt." He smiled back at me.

"Don't you remember me?" I asked, as we walked towards Glee Club.

"I think I'd remember you." Kurt giggled.

"We used to be neighbours six years ago." I smiled at him.

"Oh my god," Kurt stopped dead in his tracks. "That's why your name sounded so familiar."

We walked to the rehearsal reminiscing, and afterwards I begged two of my Dalton friends to join me for coffee with him.

"It was nice to see you again," Kurt smiled at me. "You have my number, so contact me."

"I will." I smiled at him.

We started to catch up for coffee once a week. We even went to movies and plays together. It was so nice to have him back in my life.

***

Kurt and I had become really good friends. I think he looked up to me as someone who was more confident about being gay than he was, and I liked being that person to him. I liked him though, really liked him, but he was going through a hell of a time at his high school and he needed a friend – I was going to be that person. Then he moved to Dalton because of bullying. I still remember the day of the 'gap attack' and that he told me afterwards, he thought that I liked him – and that he had a crush on me. From that day forward, I wanted to ask him out but I needed it to be perfect. I called Rachel, because she was one of his best friends. That was a mistake. That girl talked so fast, the only words I picked up in five minutes were flowers and dinner. So, Mercedes was my next go. She knew Kurt better than anyone else, and would hopefully talk slower.

"Nothing fancy," She said on the phone after I asked her. "Just something simple and sweet that shows you care."

Simple and Sweet, I thought to myself. That shouldn't be too hard. I was wrong. I didn't even know where to begin. I had promised my parents I'd go home for their anniversary – they were having some fancy party and I was brainstorming in my bedroom.

"What you doing?" My sister asked.

"You wouldn't be any help." I replied, typing away on my laptop.

"You'd be surprised," Dani insisted. "Is it about a boy?"

I had told Dani that I was gay – well actually, she kind of found out on Facebook. I was surprised how well she took it.

"Yeah," I confessed. "I need a sweet and simple way to ask him out."

"I can help you," Dani sat on my bed. "You're a good singer and you have that competition coming up. Why don't you convince your glee club to let you two have a duet?"

"I still don't know how to ask him out?" I asked her.

"You just need to find a good moment and tell him that the duet was just an excuse to spend more time with him." Dani looked at me.

"Your only twelve, how are you so smart about this." I asked her and she laughed.

It was funny, because I never actually planned when I was going to ask Kurt out. It just happened. The perfect moment came, and I kissed him, twice. That night I called my sister and she was screaming on the phone.

That weekend, we went out our first official date. I wanted it to be perfect, so went to a nice restaurant, saw a play and then came home.

"Tonight was perfect." Kurt kissed me as I turned off the motor.

"I wanted it to be perfect, for you." I smiled at him.

"I wouldn't have cared what we did," Kurt looked at me. "It would have been perfect as long as you were there."

We kissed once more before he opened the car door and walked towards his house. The drive back to Dalton, I couldn't stop thinking to myself that I had a boyfriend like him.

***

The first Christmas I spent as Kurt's boyfriend was the most memorable one, and not because I spent it with him. It began a week before Christmas, when my parents said they were spending Christmas in Spain.

"You can stay here or come with us." My dad asked me as I looked towards him.

"Stay here." I replied. I would have rather spent Christmas alone than with pretentious snobs.

"I'm staying too." Dani protested as my mum looked at her.

"Sweetie," My mum smiled. "Your only twelve."

"I want to stay," Dani repeated. "Blaine will be here anyway. I don't want another Christmas where Blaine is left home alone. We are meant to spend Christmas with family."

"Okay," My mum breathed in heavily, looking at me, after a few minutes of whining. "You are to be on your best behaviour, no parties and no illegal activities. You are in charge Blaine, do I make myself clear?"

"Perfectly." I smiled as Dani grinned at me. I was kind of glad that she was going to be home.

On the day that my parents were leaving I was out for coffee with Kurt. We were mid conversation about Christmas plans when my phone began buzzing.

"Sorry," I smiled. "I have to take this."

"Hi dad," I answered. "What's up?"

"Where are you?" He asked.

"Out for coffee." I responded.

"With who?" My dad asked.

"Katie, my, uh, girlfriend." I replied, as Kurt gave me a death stare. I hung up the phone and Kurt began grilling me.

"Katie?" He glared at me. "Your parents think I'm a girl. Do they even know your gay?"

"You don't understand." I began as Kurt shook his head and walked out of the coffee shop. I loved Kurt, don't get me wrong, but sometimes I felt like he didn't understand what it was like to have parents who don't accept you.

Christmas morning rolled around, Kurt wasn't picking up his phone and Dani and I were watching movies in our pyjamas when the doorbell rang. I went to open the door and standing in the freezing cold, with a bunch of flowers was Kurt.

"I am so sorry," He shivered. "Please accept my apology."

I let the brunette in and he stopped in the living room. Dani ran up to him and gave him a hug, before offering him a seat on the couch.

"You were a baby the last time I saw you." Kurt laughed at Dani.

"Not a baby," Dani corrected him. "I must have been four."

"Where are you parents?" Kurt turned his head to me.

"Spain," I responded. "It's just Dani and I this year."

"You aren't spending Christmas alone," Kurt looked at us, before dialling a number. He came back in the room and smiled at us. "Your coming to my place."

"Kurt," I laughed. "I don't know. I can't leave Dani here alone."

"Your both invited. My dad agreed to it." Kurt grinned as I turned to Dani who was buttoning her jacket.

I got dressed and we drove to the Hummel-Hudson's. We spent the day there, and in the evening, Kurt took us back home. Dani took the keys and went to open the front door as I kissed Kurt goodbye. All of a sudden, we heard a loud tap on the window. I opened the door and my parents were standing there, with Dani who had terror in her eyes. Their plans must have changed, and they didn't inform us about it.

"Get out." My dad said calmly as Kurt looked at me.

"I said get out of the car." My dad said firmly. This caused me to hurry out of the car and follow him into the house.

"Is he your boyfriend?" My dad asked as we got into the kitchen.

"Yes." I gulped as his eyes flickered.

"Is he why you changed from Dalton?" He asked.

"Yes," I began tearing. "I love him, Dad. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me."

"I am disappointed in you," My dad looked at me. "You are a disgrace to this family, and as long as you are dating that boy, or any other boy, you're no longer my son."

"Peter!" My mum called out as Dad walked away. I walked slowly to my bedroom and dialled Kurt – my hands still shaking.

"Are you okay?" Kurt asked, scared.

"He said I'm longer his son." I sobbed.

"Oh Blaine," Kurt responded before he started singing into the phone. "Made a wrong turn once or twice. Bad decisions, that's alright. Welcome to my silly life. Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood. Mis-no way it's all good, it didn't slow me down. Mistaken, always second guessing, look I'm still around. Pretty, pretty please. Don't you ever, ever feel like your less than, less than perfect. Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel, like your nothing – you are perfect to me."

"Kurt," I laughed before he began the second verse. "How did I get someone like you? You know how to cheer me up in a minute."

"You're pretty perfect, you know," Kurt replied. "Don't you dare forget that. I will be here for you the whole time. I promise."

That night, I fell asleep on the phone to Kurt, and though my dad didn't want anything to do with me, and my mum would soon follow, at least I had him to help me through.

***

Leading up to Kurt's graduation was the hardest thing for me. He had become very distant and I knew he had been accepted into college, but every time I wanted to talk about it, he changed the topic straight away. On the day of his graduation, I didn't even get a call for him, so I made my way down to school, and took a spot next to Tina and Sam in the audience (two of the three people who weren't graduating from glee club). Principal Figgins began his speech and I looked towards Kurt who didn't look me in the eyes. When everyone was being called up to get their certificates, he half smiled at me. I watched Finn go up and get his award and looked at Kurt, who was the next recipient.

"Kurt Hummel. Parsons, Fashion." I began cheering for Kurt. Since the whole NYADA idea kind of blew up, he had been hoping to get into Parsons. He did like fashion after all, and he was good at it. I cheered when they all left the stage, still in shock that Brittany not only passed high school, but got into college. She was a good dancer though. The ceremony finished and I managed to catch up to Kurt in the parking lot.

"Congratulations," I smiled. "You really deserve that."

"Thanks," Kurt half smiled. "Can I talk to you a minute."

We got into his car, and he just turned towards me with tears in his eyes.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Blaine," Kurt wiped his eyes. "I am leaving in two months Blaine, you are going to be here finishing high school."

"Is this going where I think it's going?" I asked.

"I am so sorry," Kurt sobbed. "This is just too hard."

"No it's not," I barked. "If we talked about this, then we could figure out a way to make it work. I can come to New York for the holidays – whatever you want."

"I am so sorry Blaine." Kurt repeated.

I looked at him once more, and got out of his car, slamming the door behind myself. I could hear him calling out my name, but I just walked faster. My whole body went numb, and it hit me when I was driving home, so I had to pull over on the side of the road. Kurt was the best thing that ever happened to me, and he was gone – just like that. I know it was awful, and those who know me, know that I would never do anything to hurt anyone, but a part of me felt like Kurt wasn't hurt, so I wanted to hurt him and there was only one way to that.

"Hey," The voice answered as he picked up. "I knew you'd call me."

"Sebastian," I began. "I broke up with Kurt."

Puck was having a farewell party at the end of the summer, and I turned up, arm in arm with Sebastian. When Kurt saw me, his eyes flicked straight to the boy and he stormed off. My heart sunk at that moment, so I ran after him.

"Kurt," I called out. "Stop!"

"No," Kurt looked towards me. "You go back to that sleaze. This is great Blaine, now I know that you aren't different, you are just like the rest of the idiots out there."

He ran into the distance and that was the last time that I saw him. I resented that moment, but not as much as what I resented afterwards, agreeing to date Sebastian.

***

It had been eight years since I last saw Kurt, and our lives had changed. I was working in a New York café and writing, I had just been picked up by a publisher. According to all the newspapers, Kurt had just opened a fashion label of his own. I was working the dinner shift, when a familiar man came into the café.

"A medium drip." I smiled as he was about to order.

"How did you know? Blaine Anderson?" Kurt asked, in complete shock.

"That's me," I replied. "Your coffee order is still the same."

"Can we, um, chat?" Kurt asked, pointing to one of the tables.

"Go." My friend Alice smiled at me, as she took my apron.

I followed Kurt to a table and he took a seat. When he did, he grabbed my hand.

"How have you been?" I asked.

"Great," I smiled. "How have you been?"

"Really good," Kurt grinned. "I have my first fashion label."

"So, if I may ask, why do you want to chat? We haven't seen each other in eight years." I asked coldly.

"I miss you," Kurt said honestly. "When we first broke up, I made myself get over you. I never let myself think of you, Blaine. It would have hurt me too much. But seeing you in here so happy, it makes me happy."

"And you thought that you could just walk in here and everything would be okay?" I asked, even colder. "Getting over you was the hardest thing that I ever had to do in my life, and I can't let you back in, I just can't."

That was when I saw the hurt in the brunette's eyes. He ran out that café door as fast as he could, and I wiped my tears and went behind the counter.

"He's cute," Alice laughed. "How do you know him?"

"We used to date." I confessed, taking the dishes out of the dishwasher.

"You still have feelings for him." Alice said, wiping down a plate.

"It was eight years ago," I said angrily. "I am over him."

"No you're not," She replied. "If you were over him, you wouldn't be upset."

"He was my first," I breathed in heavily. "There's always something special about your first, right?"

"I believe that," Alice smiled. "Though my first knocked me up and sped through the front door when he found out. Do you love him?"

"Yes," I lowered my head. "I will never stop loving Kurt. I made that promise to him a long time ago."

"Okay," Alice snatched my apron. "Go and buy some flowers. You have to tell him that. I will cover you here."

I got to Kurt's office building and took a deep breath. That was when a door slammed me straight in the face, and I dropped the flowers.

"Oh my god," I head a familiar voice. "Blaine? Are you okay?"

The next thing I remember was opening my eyes and seeing Kurt in the plastic chair, next to my hospital bed.

"What day is it?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

"Monday," Kurt laughed. "Are you okay?"

"You didn't have to stay, you know." I smiled.

"I knocked my ex-boyfriend unconscious. I think it was the right thing to do." Kurt grinned.

"I love you," I looked straight at him. "I was on my way to tell you that I still loved you, and to say sorry for being a complete jerk."

"I love you too," Kurt smiled, pulling me in for a kiss. "Remember that promise that we made in my senior year. That no matter what happened we would always love each other."

"I thought that was complete crap after we broke up," Blaine confessed. "But seeing you in the coffee shop, it was like my other half returned. Is that weird?"

"No, it's love." Kurt giggled.

"Kurt Hummel," I grabbed his hand. "Would you do me the honour of joining me for a nice dinner, after I get out of here?"

"Always," Kurt grinned. "Wait? Is this a date?"

"Only if you want it to be." I smirked.

***

The night that I proposed to Kurt, a year after we began dating, was meant to be the perfect night. I had cooked a beautiful meal, and during our dessert, I was going to ask him to marry me. Well, as life is, the night did not go as planned. Over three hours after Kurt said he would be home, was when I felt him cover me with the blanket on the couch.

"Kurt?" I asked, after my eyes flew open. "Where have you been?"

"I am sorry sweetie," Kurt walked towards the bedroom. "We were working over time again."

"You promised me." I replied, angrily walking towards him.

"I know I did," Kurt came back in the room and kissed me. "Fashion Week is next week, how about I book a spa weekend for us, next weekend?"

"That's beside the point," I barked. "You said that you'd be here tonight."

"What was so special about tonight?" Kurt asked.

"It is our one year anniversary." I walked into the bedroom and shut the door.

I heard the door slam shut and I left the room. When Kurt walked back in ten minutes later, he was holding a giant bunch of flowers.

"Sorry for forgetting our anniversary," He said apologetically. "I will buy you a present tomorrow, I promise."

"It doesn't matter Kurt," I replied, coldly. "It is just a stupid anniversary."

"No, it's not," Kurt looked at me. "I stuffed up, and I need to make it up t you. I don't want to lose you Blaine, I can't lose you. You are the best thing to ever walk into my life, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to raise kids with you, grow old with you. I know that I don't have a ring right now, but Blaine Anderson, will you marry me?"

"Why don't I try this?" I smiled, taking out the ring. This was the moment that Kurt covered his face with his hand. "Tonight, I wanted to propose to you. I had the perfect night planned. During the three hours that I waited for you, there was one thought going through my mind. It wasn't how I was going to punish you for being late, or forgetting our anniversary. It was what if something happened to you? What if you were in a car accident, or were robbed? Since then, I've realised that I don't need the perfect dinner, or the perfect night, or even the perfect ring. Kurt Hummel, would you make me the luckiest man in the world and be my husband?"

"Yes," Kurt grinned. "Yes, I would be honoured to marry you."

"Happy Anniversary." I laughed as Kurt looked down at his ring.

"I love you so much." Kurt said, pulling me into his embrace.

"I love you too." I responded, just as we were about to kiss.

"You know?" Kurt said, later on as we were lying in each other's embrace on our bed. "I am going to have a hell of time trying to find a present that matches this one."

"Just take us out to a nice dinner to celebrate next week," I responded. "That would be more than enough."

"No," Kurt smiled. "I am going to call up our favourite restaurant in the morning, and have dinner with my fiancé tomorrow night. It's the least I can do."

Turns out, Kurt didn't actually forget the anniversary. He was waiting for my present, the first edition of a book I loved, to turn up in the mail. That's one of the things I love most about Kurt, how he is always full of surprises.

***

The day after I proposed, Kurt got onto the wedding plans. He began organising everything down the flowers and my only instruction was to stay out of it. The day of our wedding came by, and I woke up, on our couch, with the TV still on, which means that I fell asleep watching football, and Kurt wasn't home to wake me up because he was staying at Rachel's place. Then there was a knock on the door. I rubbed my eyes, and walked slowly towards the door and was in shock when I opened it.

"What do you want?" I asked, ready to shut the door. "I need to get ready for my wedding today."

"We know," My mum smiled. "Kurt invited us. Can we just talk to you?"

"Well of course he did," I mumbled to myself opening the door and leading them to our kitchen. "Would you like some coffee?"

"No thanks honey," My mum said, as they sat down our couch. "We're here to talk to you before the wedding."

"You're not going to be able to talk me out of marrying Kurt," I said, sitting down. "I love him, and I am going to spend the rest of my life with him, regardless what you two think."

"We just wanted to say that we are happy for you," My dad spoke up. "We know how much Kurt means to you, and we wanted to say that we support you."

"Support me?" I asked. "You have never supported this part of my life."

"It is going to be hard," My dad continued. "But I have been reading a lot of those books, and seen some videos on the internet of men in the same situation as you who suicided because of their sexuality."

"I would never do that," I reassured them. "I am proud of who I am. I am marrying a man who loves me. I am pretty sure my life is as perfect as it gets. There is no reason for me to ruin that. But, I am so glad that you are coming to terms with this."

My mum pulled me into a hug, and I my dad smiled at me for the first time in a very long time.

"Hey dude," I heard from the front door. "Your door is unlocked. We need to get ready for the wedding – oh, do you want me to come back?"

"No," My dad smiled again. "We're just going now. See you at the wedding son."

"See you then." I smiled back.

Finn and I got ready for the wedding, and when I walking down the aisle, I looked at how perfect everything was. The entire ceremony, down to our speeches, was perfect. When Kurt and I got in the limo to the reception, he grinned at me.

"What did you think?" He asked.

"It was perfect," I smiled. "Just like you."

At that moment, the radio in the limo began to play a song that I remembered, and it gave me a great idea for the reception. When we got there, I spoke to the band and then to as many glee club members that I could find. When they cued me on stage for my speech, Kurt had a curious look on his face.

"Hi there," I said, looking to everyone. "I'm Blaine Anderson and most people would know me as one of the grooms. I have never been very good at expressing myself in words, so today, instead of talking about how perfect Kurt is, I am going to sing about it."

The music began as the ex-glee club members began harmonising in the background. Kurt had a huge smile on his face.

You think I'm pretty, without any make up on.

You think I'm funny, when I tell the punch-line wrong.

I know you get me, so I let my walls come down. Down.

Before you met me, I was alright. But things were kind of heavy, you brought me to life.

Now every February you'll be my valentine, valentine.

I moved down to Kurt and grabbed his hand as shook his head at me.

Let's go all the way tonight, no regrets, just love.

We can dance, until we die. You and I, we'll be young forever.

Everyone began singing and dancing in their seats and Kurt couldn't help but laugh as I sung the lyrics to him.

You make me, feel like I'm living a teenage dream. The way you turn me on.

I can't sleep, lets run away and don't ever look back. Don't ever look back.

My heart stops when you look at me, just one touch, now baby I believe.

This is real, so take a chance and don't ever look back. Don't ever look back.

The rest of the night went in a blur of singing, dancing and talking to various people. When we arrived back at our apartment, Kurt pulled me into him.

"I love you so much, Mr Anderson." He smirked.

"Not as much as I love you." I said, pulling Kurt into a kiss.

***

I stood in the doorway of our lounge room after work one night and watched Kurt, along with our three year old and one year old sleeping, reminiscing about the past five years, and how our lives had been changed.

Five years ago…

"Emma? How are you?" I pulled her into a hug, and offered her a seat. "I thought that you were back in California?"

"Nope," She smiled. "I came here, to make you an offer that you won't be able to refuse."

"What would that be?" I asked.

"I heard that you are having a hard time finding someone to carry your baby, and I want to help you." She beamed.

"What?" I looked straight at her.

"Your one of my best friends Blaine," She began. "And I don't think that it's fair that you have to miss out on parenthood because of homophobia."

"I don't know," I said, cursing my lips. "I still think that this is too much."

"Please Blaine," Emma begged. "I really want to do this for you."

"As long as you're sure that you want to do this." I gave in, as she pulled me into a hug and then Kurt pulled her into a hug.

Four months later…

"I have your test results," The doctor smiled, pulling out our file as we eagerly sat in his office. "Congratulations, you're pregnant."

"Are you serious?" Kurt beamed, trying to hide his excitement.

"I just want to remind you that we are still talking about the very early weeks, and a lot can happen in the first trimester." The doctor warned us as I smiled at him.

"We know. Don't get too excited yet." I laughed.

Six months later…

"Push, Emma." The doctor encouraged as the blonde girl let out a scream, and Kurt was holding onto her hand.

"Oh god," I muttered. "I need some fresh air."

I walked out of the room and composed myself. I was never good with watching people in pain, especially people that I care about. When I walked back in, I realised it was at the wrong time.

"I can see the head," the doctor announced. "Emma, I need you to give me one big push."

"This hurts so much." Emma said quickly before she let out another scream, and in a matter of minutes, the room was filled with a loud cry.

"It's a girl," the doctor confirmed handing her over to nurses so that she could be cleaned off. The doctor handed Kurt our daughter who had stopped crying.

"She has your eyes, Kurt." Emma commented.

"I was thinking we could call our girl Kayla." Kurt smiled at the pink bundle.

"Kayla," I repeated to myself. "I like it. What were you thinking for a middle name?"

"How about Kayla Emma Hummel-Anderson?" Kurt asked me, before looking towards the pink bundle again. "Do you like that sweetie?"

The bundle in my arms let out a spit bubble and looked towards Kurt. We took that spit bubble as a yes, I do like that name.

"It's perfect." I smiled at our little girl.

"We're going to take Emma to recovery now." The doctor said, as we turned to him.

"Emma, thank you so much," I smiled at the exhausted woman. "You have no idea what this means to us."

"It was my pleasure," She smiled at us. "You two are going to be great fathers."

"Emma," Kurt looked at her. "We want you to be part of Kayla's life, so maybe once or twice a year you can come and visit her."

"I would like that," Emma grinned. "She is really adorable."

One year ago…

"Kurt," I called putting down my coat in our bedroom. "I have some news."

"I don't want vegies." Kayla protested.

"You have to eat your vegies," Kurt moaned. "Otherwise no ice cream later on."

"Dad!" Kayla shrieked when she saw me in the room.

"Can you eat your vegies for me?" I asked, kneeling down to the blonde girl.

"No," Kayla stormed off. "I hate vegies."

"Well," Kurt smiled at me. "That worked. What was the news?"

"An adoption agency rang me today." I beamed.

"Really?" Kurt looked towards me. "What did they say?"

"There was a boy in there who needs a loving family." I opened my laptop and showed Kurt the photo of him they sent me.

"He is adorable," Kurt smiled at the three month old on the screen. "What happened to him?"

"His parents passed away in a car crash," I shut the laptop. "They said that we can pick him up as early as next week."

"That is great news," Kurt pulled me into a hug. "Now all we have to do is tell Kayla."

We walked into the two year olds bedroom and saw her sulking into her pillow.

"Kayla," Kurt put his arm on the girls shoulder. "Can you come out and finish your vegies? Dad and I have to tell you something."

"What?" Kayla asked, turning around.

"Come to the kitchen and we'll tell you." I smiled at her.

Kayla followed us to the kitchen and sat down, picking at her vegetables.

"How do you feel about a brother?" I asked her.

"No," Kayla screamed. "Your my daddies."

"We'll still be your daddies, and love you just as much." Kurt chimed in.

"No, you'll love the baby more." She began tearing.

The following Monday, I came home with Kurt, holding a tiny boy. Rachel and Finn had been babysitting Kayla, and came to the front door.

"There is someone we want you to meet?" I whispered to Kayla. "Say hello to Ben."

"Ben sucks." Kayla sulked, walking off to her bedroom.

"Believe me," Rachel laughed. "The same thing happened when we brought Chris home from the hospital. Kayla will come around."

Rachel was right. The next day, Kayla came out of her bedroom and we let her hold Ben.

***

The hardest time of my life, so far, was when Kurt was diagnosed with cancer. I had become a sole parent, while Kurt's entire job was to get better. I was preparing a quick dinner for the kids before our neighbour was going to babysit them, while I picked Kurt up after his first chemotherapy treatment.

"I don't want toast!" Kayla, who was now eight, protested.

"It isn't toast," I groaned. "It is a toasted sandwich."

"I don't want a toasted sandwich. We had that last night." Kayla complained, sitting down at the table.

"I have to go and pick up your dad, so this is what we're having." I said firmly as she groaned.

I knew what this was doing to the kids, they wanted Kurt at home. They knew that he was sick, and they wanted him home just as much as I did.

"When is daddy coming home?" Ben asked, walking into the kitchen.

"Tonight," I said, putting the sandwiches in the grill. "But he is going to be very sick."

"Who wants lasagne?" A familiar voice asked from the front door.

"Me," Ben cheered running to Carole. "I love lasagne."

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"You can't do this alone," Carole pulled me into a hug. "Burt and I are here until Kurt gets better."

"Thank you so much," I half smiled at them. "You have no idea how much you are helping me."

"I think we do," Burt walked into the room. "Well, I do."

Carole began making their dinner and I grabbed my coat, driving the hospital. When I got to Kurt's room, he smiled at me.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, quietly.

"Someone had to pick you up." I sat next to him, grabbing his hand. "Carole and Burt have the kids under control."

"My parents?" Kurt raised an eyebrow. "What are they doing here?"

"They said that they are going to be here until you get better." I smiled.

Three weeks later, I woke up to quiet sobs in our bathroom. I walked in and Kurt was sitting on the floor crying.

"What's the matter babe?" I asked him.

"I am going bald," Kurt sobbed. "I can't rock bald, Blaine."

"How about if I do this?" I laughed, grabbing the shaver and shaving all my hair off. "I told you that I was going to do everything I could to help you through this."

"I love you so much," Kurt kissed me. "Now, would you like to do the honour?"

"It would be my pleasure." I smiled, as I began shaving off the remainder of his hair.

Kurt got off his seat and pulled me into his embrace.

"Daddy?" We heard Ben ask from the door, as Kurt pulled me out from his embrace. "What happened to your hair?"

"Dad had to shave it off." Kurt pulled the young boy into a hug.

"Why did Dad have to shave his hair off?" Ben asked.

"He didn't," Kurt responded. "He was helping me feel better."

"Can I shave my hair off too?" Ben asked.

"Come here," Kurt smiled, as he lifted Ben onto the sink. "I don't want you doing this if you don't want to."

"I want to," Ben begged. "Please Daddy."

"Whatever you want sweetie," Kurt kissed the young boy on the cheek, before going back to our bed.

Ben and I came out ten minutes later with no hair on our heads and Kurt began laughing. That was the first time that I had heard Kurt laugh in weeks. It was since then that he began getting better. It was a tough road, but I know that that without our family and friends, it would have been a lot worse.

***

There was one thing that Kurt and I never tolerated in our house, and that was bullying. Mainly because we knew what kind of bullies were out there, and how much it can hurt someone. So, when Ben came from school one day, covered in blue slushy we knew that something was up.

"Hey Ben," I said, as he walked past me. "What happened to you?"

"Nothing," Ben said quickly. "I fell."

"Into a blue slushy?" I asked. "Just tell me who threw it at you."

"We got the machine at school yesterday, and two bullies wanted to try it out on me," Ben responded. "It isn't that big of a deal."

When Kurt got home that night, he picked up the stained t-shirt.

"Please tell me this doesn't belong to our son," Kurt looked towards me, as I nodded my head. "I am going to call that school tomorrow."

"Please don't," Ben raced out of his bedroom. "I am trying to keep a low profile, so that I can avoid slushy facials."

"Benji, sweetheart," Kurt sat him down. "I know what slushy facials are like; I also know being thrown in dumpsters, having lawn furniture nailed to the roof our grandpa Burt's house and having pee balloons thrown at me as well. It will just get worse if you don't stand up for yourself."

"Didn't you say that your high school bully threatened your life?" Ben asked. "It was just a slushy. The bullies didn't even know what my name was, and this is the first time that it has happened."

"That's a lie," Kayla commented, walking into the living room. "Wasn't that you I was rescuing from being locked inside a locker yesterday?"

"They locked you in a locker?" Kurt asked. "Why?"

"Because he defended the gay kid in his class, Alex," Kayla looked towards Ben. "And then made friends with him."

"They bully you because your friends with a gay guy?" I asked.

"They're Neanderthals," Ben commented. "You should see what they do to Alex. Plus, I got that scholarship for next year, so I can go to a high school that has a zero tolerance towards bullying."

"You did a good thing, Ben," I smiled at him. "Believe me."

"I am worried about Ben." Kurt whispered to me that night.

"I'm not," I turned towards him. "We've raised these kids being tolerant towards everyone; and from what we know, Ben was doing a good thing. He is a good kid, and I sure that he will find friends at his new school."

"I guess you're right." Kurt kissed me on the cheek.

When Ben moved to his new school, he made friends, and told us that there wasn't even a slushy machine at his new school. Kurt and I could tell that Ben was much happier at this school, and we were glad to see him that way. That was always how Kurt and I parented these kids, and when our preaching had worked, it made our job that much easier.

***

When I look back on my life with Blaine, I remember all the moments that we shared together - Moments that we were both in tears.

"Can we watch the Notebook?" I asked Blaine one night.

"Sure," I sat next to him. "I've never seen that movie anyway."

The movie began, and I curled up next to Blaine. The whole time I kept on looking towards him, and at the end we were both in tears.

"Why did you make me watch that?" Blaine asked, rubbing his eyes. "It is so sad."

"In a good way," I smiled. "I love that movie."

"You know I love you, right." Blaine looked towards me, before pulling me into him.

"Of course I do," I smiled, kissing him. "I love you too."

"Please don't get dementia." Blaine looked towards me.

"I'll try." I kissed him again.

Then there were moments that were so amazing that I will never forget them.

"I can't believe were in London!" I exclaimed.

"Me either," Blaine smiled. "Where do you want to go on our first day here?"

"Buckingham Palace!"I exclaimed.

Blaine and I made it to the palace, and I stood outside for a while, admiring the building that I loved so much.

"Your welling up." Blaine smiled at me, pulling me into his side.

"I know," I wiped my eyes. "I can't believe I am finally here. I have dreamed about this day for years."

There were also moments that we were scared, not knowing what we were doing.

"Daddy!" Kayla screamed as I ran up to her.

"Oh my god!" I said, freaking out. Kayla's finger had been caught on the garage door.

"We need to get you to the hospital." I said as I found towels to wrap her finger in, to keep the pressure.

"Ben!" I yelled. "Get in the car now!"

We drove to the hospital frantically and Kayla was taken in by a doctor. By this time, Blaine had made to the hospital and was sitting in the waiting room with Ben and I.

"You have a good little girl," The doctor smiled. "She had four stiches today and I didn't cry."

"Oh thank god," I pulled the young girl into a hug. "You had me worried."

But the best moments for me, were the ones that reminded me of how lucky I was to have Blaine in my life.

"You should be resting," Blaine said to me as he wiped down the table. "The doctor said complete bed rest."

"When are you going to come to bed?" I asked.

"In a little while," Blaine smiled at me. "I still have to do a load of laundry, do the dishes and make sure the kids have fnished their homework."

"Dad!" Kayla called. "I need help with fractions."

"Give me a few minutes!" Blaine called.

"You are amazing," I said to Blaine. "This cancer has ruined our lives and your taking it so well."

"It hasn't ruined our lives," Blaine pulled me into a hug. "I just need you back in fighting form, so go back to bed sweetie."

I couldn't imagine my life without Blaine. He was a singing, dancing boy that wore a blazer, who walked into my life so many years ago, and I don't know where I'd be without him.

***

Blaine Anderson grew up in Lima, Ohio. He was raised by Michael and Jane Anderson, with his sister Danielle Anderson in and out of private schools. Blaine met his husband in his sophomore year of high school, and couldn't imagine his life without him. They were married ten years later, and are now fathers, and soon to be grandfathers.

For my parents, Jane and Michael, who have shown me that acceptance is possible.

For Danielle - Thank you for being the best little sister.

For Kayla and Ben - I couldn't have asked for two better children. I love you.

For Kurt, the love of my life. Without you, this or any of my other books wouldn't be possible. Thank you for everything that you have given to me.