The girl, probably sixteen or so, beamed at him as she walked past, one ear bud in, reading off a list of ingredients to her sister following with a cart.
Ella giggled and shook her chubby little fists at them.
He chuckled and pressed another kiss into her strawberry-blonde hair, after stopping by the orange juice. Blaine sang under his breath along with the Christmas music filtering through the grocery store.
“He's making a list and checking it twice; gonna find out who's naughty and nice”
He kept humming as he strolled through the isles, picking up everything on the meticulous list Kurt had given him before they left the apartment earlier. It was their year to host Christmas dinner, and Kurt was adamant that he wanted to upstage Rachel's dinner from last year. He remembered Finn nervously brandishing the knife for cutting into the all-vegan dinner she had made.
As they passed yet another display tree, his daughter reached out and grabbed one of the ornaments, shaking it proudly, then holding it out as if a gift for her Daddy.
“No no sweetheart, that's not ours.” He gently pried it out of her hands and hung it back on the fake tree. Normally, Ella would pout after being denied a gift (already their daughter was showing signs of being spoiled), but she contented herself with playing with his car keys instead.
As he passed the positively monstrous pyramid of canned green beans, he caught sight of his husband coming out of the dairy aisle, tucking his phone in his pocket while juggling a basket filled with ingredients for their dinner.
Ella squealed happily when she caught sight of her father. Kurt came over, humming as well, and kissed her cheek before launching into conversation. “Finn just called, he dropped off the tree. He also mentioned something about a dustpan. I'm not sure if he's referencing the pine needles he undoubtedly scattered around the apartment or he broke ornaments like last year, but either way...” He tapered off, adding his ingredients to their already full cart.
Blaine chuckled. Knowing Finn, it was probably both.
“Ella, are you excited to decorate the tree? It's your first Christmas with us!” Blaine leaned down so his nose was even with his daughter's. Her eyes went wide, as if she was truly surprised by how close he was, but then laughed loudly and grabbed his nose.
“Blaine, I think she's happy with literally anything we do.” Kurt's tone was sarcastic, but Blaine caught that loving look he gave the pair.
“Are you excited to decorate the tree?” Blaine stepped up to his husband and wound his arms around his waist, noting his cologne before Kurt pressed a chaste kiss onto his lips.
“Of course I'm excited. You know how big a deal Christmas is to me. I've been playing the music for weeks.”
“Don't I know it. If I have to hear Hilary Duff's version of 'Santa Claus is Comin' To Town' one more time I think I'll explode.”
“Low blow Blaine. I don't have to remind you about one episode involving you and a certain Spice Girl's song, do I?”
Blaine simply ducked his head, hoping to hide his blush by checking the list yet again.
“Did you get eggnog?”
“Yes Blaine, even though no one ever even drinks the stuff. It just sits in the fridge until New Year's when you finally pluck up the courage to throw it away.”
“It's a Christmas classic! I don't make fun of you for insisting we watch Frosty every year, do I?”
“Point taken. Let's go check out.”

It was once they were in the car that their Christmas conversation started up again. Although they had spent many together already, there was something special and new about this one. Blaine allowed his mind to wander back through all of the years as Kurt sang along with Mariah Carey.
***
“Alright Blaine, here's the thing. Every year at Christmas dinner we go around and say the gift that we most appreciated this year. We've done it since Kurt was a baby, and just because there are more people this year is no exception.” Burt looked around the table, a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth.
Blaine was really grateful Kurt had invited him over tonight, both his parents were out at business dinners or galas. Christmas Eve was the day of celebration at his house, reserved and more about obligation than joy. Usually he curled up with a movie tonight, but Kurt had insisted he join them when he heard of his plans.
“Umm... I'm grateful for the new X box, the sweater, and the signed football. Thanks everyone.” Finn choked out his sentence around a mouthful of mashed potatoes.
Carole went next. “I'm grateful for the joy of being able to spend Christmas with all of you. I really am so happy to be spending this holiday as a family.” Blaine blushed and looked down at the napkin in his lap. It had been wonderful, really, but he couldn't help but feel as if he was intruding on their night by being there.
“I'm thankful for the Dior scarf, the new iPod, and the fact that we are a happy and healthy and together this year.” Kurt said, smiling at Blaine across the table.
“Okay, my turn. I'm also grateful that everyone is healthy, but also that we have all found love and peace in our lives at last. I grateful that I found Carole, that I'm lucky enough to have caught her. I'm grateful that Kurt gained not only a brother but also a friend in Finn. I'm grateful that Kurt is happy and safe at Dalton, and that he has made friends with Blaine here. We're happy to have you with us, Blaine.”
He flushed even more. Blaine honestly thought they wouldn't mention him, or that they'd stick to the tangible or sappy. His heart pounded as he tried to put his gratitude to this family into words. “I... I'm so grateful to be here, to have such an amazing home-cooked meal in front of me, I'm grateful to be spending my favorite holiday with you all. This is easily the best Christmas I've ever had, and I appreciate you opening your home to me very much.” Carole grinned at him, and patted his hand kindly. Finn gave him one of those lopsided grins, and then recommenced eating. Kurt had this simply overjoyed look on his face, the slightest trace of pity that had been there earlier in the evening completely gone. Burt smiled softly, then stood and went to retrieve the apple pie from the kitchen.
***
“I'm so grateful for all of you. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, even when I sometimes had to spend it alone. When you opened your home to me all those years ago, however, it changed the entire meaning of the holiday to me. This family, all of us, is what it's all about. I am so completely overjoyed to get to spend it with all of you, and look forward to many more.”
Blaine sat back down, smiling at everyone arranged around their slightly cramped dining room table. Finn sat next on his right, and their son Michael sat next to him, dutifully sitting still while Finn cut his food into little bites. Carole was next to Michael, grinning at the entire family and wiping underneath her eyes. Burt sat to the left, waving his spoon at Ella in her high chair across the table. Rachel was next to Burt, watching Finn with a loving look in her eye. Kurt was directly across from Blaine, and he took his hand and squeezed it lightly as he retook his seat.
“Merry Christmas.” He mouthed.
“Merry Christmas.” Blaine sighed contentedly, savoring this truly perfect moment.