CHAPTER 1 SURPRISE!

SURPRISE! – CHAPTER 1

Blaine and Jeff were so excited! They’d been invited to their first party in LA. These past four months had been beyond hectic. In fact, this party was the first social event they’d attend together since they’d arrived. Jeff had barely had a day off since they parked their newly purchased car in the parking garage of the high rise at Easton Apartments. But now he was past the mandatory three-month probation period at the hospital and was allowed to trade shifts with other PAs. The long weekend lay before them like a banquet of free time just waiting to be tasted and a party was just the way to start things off right!

Dress was casual, of course – wasn’t everything casual in California? Jeff had spent part of the day going through a palette of paint swatches chosen by Blaine. He was glad that Blaine had taken the initiative in choosing to paint some of the walls. Kurt had certainly been a tremendous help with that; he wasn’t Jeff’s type, but the man certainly had style! Even though Jeff was home so little, it still felt welcoming to walk into a place that wasn’t totally bland, completely vanilla with no character or hominess.

Jeff heard the click of the key in the door lock. He turned his head just as Blaine opened the door swishing through like he was being chased by a mountain lion. You’d never find one in LA, of course, but….”Are you ready?” he tossed the words at Jeff heading towards their bedroom with determination. “Hey, hey, hey! Not even a kiss? We don’t have to leave for at least three hours, boyfriend! And it’s only two floors down!”

Blaine stopped in his tracks and silently laughed at himself. He’d just finished with play rehearsal, but it was so unusual for Jeff to be home when he arrived that his mind hadn’t adjusted. He turned around, dropped his gym bag on the floor and took Jeff’s hands. Looking into his chocolatey brown eyes, he sat down on the couch beside him.

Sometimes he couldn’t believe how much he loved this man. It was a different kind of love than he’d had with Kurt, more mature, more grounded. It still surprised him that romantic relationships came in so many different colors and flavors. Other than Kurt, he’d had no real experience with love or romance. Well…..there had been Barry, but that had been so short-lived and he no longer considered that an example of love. Nothing and no one would ever diminish or change what he’d had with Kurt. Kurt was and always would be a part of who Blaine had been…..and probably still was. They had been soulmates, best friends, first loves. Those treasured memories were sheltered in a part of him that only he had access to. And now it seemed like he might have the privilege of adding to them via friendship in the present and future. That was his hope anyway.

But Jeff? In his mind, they were still defining their not even year old relationship. In some ways it was still fluid; in others it was solid. As silly as it might sound, one of the things he loved about them was the fact that they could argue in a constructive way….most of the time. Just a few years ago he’d avoided confrontation like the plague. Instead, he’d stuff his anger deep inside….only to see it explode in other ways often totally unrelated to the real problem. He strongly believed that counseling and journaling had saved him from yet another broken relationship. He’d been seeing a new counselor following the move, but he wasn’t sure Dr. Gomez was a good fit. In the meantime, he was using the skills he’d learned in New York from his prior counselor until he settled the question mark at the end of Dr. Gomez’s name.

Jeff placed the paint swatches on the nearby coffee table and wrapped his arms around Blaine’s shoulders, drawing him into a strong embrace. “A whole weekend, Blaine..” he murmured into his lover’s ear. Releasing him, he took Blaine’s olive-skinned face into his hands and kissed him slowly as Blaine responded in kind. Right now it seemed like years since the last time they’d done anything slowly, much less drown in each other’s hungry lips. “Mmmmm….I hate to let you go for even a second, but I need a shower, don’t you think?” “Actually, I kinda like you hot and sweaty, but you definitely need a shave,” Jeff replied in that Oklahoma drawl that made Blaine’s heart skip a beat every time. “I’m up for a compromise, how ’bout if you join me in the shower? That shave will only take a minute…or less with the right incentive.” Blaine said with a wicked smile.

Jeff chuckled. “Or we could start by christening every room in this apartment…there are several rooms that are still virginal.” “Well, we can’t have that any longer, can we?” Blaine kissed him one more time before pulling him by the hand to their initial wet and wild weekend rendezvous.

Kurt scowled at the Word document in frustration. He’d been typing and deleting, typing and deleting for what seemed like an hour. He just couldn’t seem to get what he wanted to say in print. He’d even switched to writing in his notebook! But even that reliable standby wasn’t helping. He was working on one of his chapters about using fantasy as a tool to enrich your relationship.

He was dividing them into different categories or examples. Some of the examples were from the notebooks he and Javi maintained about their love life, like Moves Like Jagger, U Got My Love, Dance for Your Papi, and of course, Reinventing Your Sins. Xander was still one of his favorite alter egos conceived in their role playing. All of them could be found in his own love life notebook he’d titled Everything Changed (Todo Cambio)/Javito. At the same time he was trying to give some instructions on ways to create your own fantasies. A large part of he and Javi’s relationship was based on creating fantasies. Everything Changed (Todo Cambio in Spanish) most certainly applied to what had happened when they’d met. It was the title of one of Mateo’s best known songs and Javi still sang it to an enthusiastic audience at almost every performance.

Kurt had been a sad and bitter man when he made the move from New York to San Diego with his best friend, Adam. He and Blaine’s final breakup? He was sure it would destroy him, but instead it had made him stronger and he hoped wiser. As he looked back on it now, it was a wonder it had lasted as long as it did! They’d been in high school when they met and fell in love. At that age they were positive their love would be different. Certainly not like everyone else’s… and of course in some ways that was true, but they were just like any couple in most ways. They had worked hard at keeping their love alive, almost five years! But the distance between Lima and New York had certainly created wear and tear on their relationship. The loneliness, the growing pains…so many things had factored into their eventual split. At the time, of course, all Kurt could see was Blaine’s infidelity. Now he knew that that had probably been a symptom of the multifaceted stumbling blocks that drove them apart. And he had been so high and mighty. Blaine had never said it, but his superior attitude, his often unforgiving spirit…he could see now that it only fueled Blaine’s insecurity and driven him away, perhaps in an attempt to seek happiness with someone else.

He shook his head, trying to draw himself back into the chapter, but it was no use. His mind just wasn’t in it and they were going to a housewarming party tonight. The fact that it was for Jeff and Blaine?…..he was glad that he could finally be happy for Blaine, that they at least had a friendly relationship. If someone had told him a year ago that that would happen, he’d have called them a liar or delusional. He glanced at his phone. Javi should be almost done with rehearsals. With a smile, he decided to text him to see if he was up for a little phone-powered afternoon delight.

The playhouse stage behind him once more, he was sure he could perform the part of Lust in his sleep. Much as he loved Reinventing Your Sins and his part in it, he welcomed his time off. They’d altered the schedule for the next two weeks, taking Friday and Sunday evenings off. This was always a transition time in LA. Kids were heading back to school and college. Parents were busier than usual because of it. Music and film festivals would stagger themselves over the entire month, so they’d decided to shorten the six-day a week schedule. The play had been popular enough that it looked like they might be extending their time in LA. But as usual, nothing was set in stone yet. Typical show business!

Being the sprawling metropolis that LA was, it could sometimes seem cold or unfriendly to new arrivals. And then there was the fact that the pace was faster than bees in an active hive. However, for the most part it wasn’t hard to make friends in your community, and in this case the community was an apartment building. Finding affordable housing in LA wasn’t much different from trying to find it in New York. But when Jeff and Blaine had moved, Cedars-Sinai had agreed to pay Jeff’s rent for the first six months as an incentive. How could he turn down an offer like that? A job in one of the best hospitals in the world and a sign-on bonus? He could save most of his paycheck for the first six months in anticipation of either staying in their current apartment, maybe getting some room mates, or finding something else.

Strange as it would seem to outsiders, Javi was looking forward to the party tonight. They didn’t live in the complex where Jeff and Blaine lived, but some of Jeff’s coworkers did, so the host had decided to invite a few people that the pair already knew, and not surprisingly he and Kurt were on the guest list. Deni had caught them one afternoon in the foyer, introducing herself, with an explanation of who she was. “I’ve noticed you guys seem to be friends with Blaine and Jeff, am I right?” she asked in a cheerful voice.

Most people didn’t know the backstory of the four. It wasn’t like you walked up to a person and said, “Hi! I’m Blaine, Kurt’s ex-boyfriend,” and in the next breath another would offhandedly say, “Oh, hi, I’m Javi, Kurt’s new boyfriend.” Talk about raising eyebrows and creating fodder for whatever rumor mill existed at Easton Apartments! They gladly accepted her invitation as she emphasized once more that it was a surprise party so…….sshhhhhh!

Javi was just heading for the gym when he heard his phone ping. He knew it was Kurt. He’d finally gotten around to giving everybody their own ring tone. He wasn’t a techy except when it came to music. Phones were a necessity. You’d never find him scrolling through text messages or social media for fun. But knowing who was actually calling him at any given time did make his life a little simpler. “Hey, heat wave!” (Javi laughed out loud; Kurt loved to give him alliterative nicknames) Have time for a 1-900 call?” referring to the old phone prefix sometimes used for paid phone sex. Hmmm….he rarely missed his daily workout but with all the rehearsals it wasn’t like one workout missed would be the end of the world. He texted back, “Give me 20 minutes?  👅 😈” “ok  🔥  😈 ” came Kurt’s equally emojied reply.

Javi chuckled to himself. Who needed a gym for physical fitness? He’d surprise Kurt with a personal one-on-one visit at their temporary apartment. He certainly liked Kurt’s equipment far more than ellipticals, rowing machines and chin-up bars! Going to his office would take too long and possibly being caught having single-handed sex in his car wasn’t the best idea. “Oh! I’m sorry officer. Um, I didn’t know it was illegal to have phone sex with your boyfriend while driving!” Now there was a picture! Maybe he’d suggest that Kurt not use that as an example in his book.

Jeff knocked on the door of apartment 201. He could hear the music spilling into the hallway from inside. It’d be nice to spend time socializing even if everyone in the room was new to him. He and Blaine both needed it. He’d met the woman organizing the party disguised as a tenant meeting in the elevator. He’d seen her around more than once, but had been so intent on a few hours sleep to take the time and energy to introduce himself. When they both caught the first-floor elevator at the same time, she took the initiative to introduce herself and he’d asked her in for coffee, hoping that Blaine wasn’t out running errands or rehearsal hadn’t run overtime.

Fortunately, he was home, mindlessly watching TV while relaxing in anticipation of the show later that evening. They chatted back and forth for about an hour, but Jeff’s eyes were drooping, “I hate to interrupt this but I really have to get some sleep.” He’d told her he worked at Cedars-Sinai when she’d noticed his blue scrubs on the way up to the fourth floor. “Ahhh, so that’s why I see you around at odd hours,” she’d said in an understanding tone. As he got up from the kitchen table, so did she, but Jeff stopped her, “You don’t have to leave. Finish your coffee. Blaine could certainly use the company,” and Blaine nodded in agreement, inviting her to stay a while longer.

A couple weeks later she’d slid a light blue flyer under their door inviting them to a party/tenant meeting presumably to go over some changes they thought were needed in the building. But, she’d underlined and highlighted the word “party” making sure everyone knew that partying was the most important reason for the invitation.

As expected, Jeff had balked, pleading work as his reason. Even though he was allowed to trade shifts now, it could be such a hassle. Blaine wanted to go so badly….but not alone. Rather than pressure Jeff though, he listed all the reasons why they needed to go, needed some extended time together. And finally he’d relented. Blaine was more than right. He should take advantage of the recent change in his work status. God knows when he was working he gave them his all and more!

And now, as they waited for Deni to open the door, Jeff realized just how much he really did need this; yes, he’d wanted to go as well, but need had certainly won out. Sure, all that shifting of schedules and some of the paperwork that went with it had been a pain in the ass. But he’d do it all over again for the respite of this three-day weekend.

Deni looked through the peephole in the door glad to see their honored guests had arrived. “Welcome!” she exclaimed, transferring the wine bottle and bag of chips from Jeff’s hands to hers. Inviting them in, they were greeted by a group of festive partygoers screaming, “Surprise!” Surprise? She’d planned a party for them? Wow! It was so unexpected! Two banners, Welcome! and New York Sucks! were strung across walls. They looked at each other and cracked up over the banner about New York.

“How did you know I wouldn’t have to work tonight?” Jeff turned to Deni. “Well, I didn’t actually…..but I sort of guilted Blaine into getting you to take the night off….and that didn’t take much, believe me!” she snickered, “When I first mentioned it, I could tell he’d been socially starved for way too long.” He turned to Blaine, “Did you know it was a sur….” Deni interrupted, “Oh no! He knew nothing, as clueless as you!”

And then he spotted some people from the hospital…and even two he’d traded shifts with! He wondered how many trades they’d had to make to be here. But now wasn’t the time for such considerations. Everyone was inviting them in, eager to introduce themselves, shaking their hands, some even hugging them.

Blaine was the first one to notice Kurt and Javi seated on the floor chatting with a few of their friends from the play, all waiting to officially welcome them to LA. And it certainly wasn’t hard to detect Javi in a crowd. He’d been cast as a character that required him to dye his black curls to shocking pink and if that didn’t catch your attention, well, the sleeveless black net top and the sparkle from the string of thin gold chains around his neck would. Javi was not even close to his type, but even in a city abounding in toned (and sometimes over-toned) bodies, you couldn’t miss the shapely muscles and tattoos. He made no attempt to hide them either.

He caught Kurt’s eye, giving him a small finger wave. Kurt waved back with a half-smile and gestured for them to join the group once they’d finished meeting the new neighbors.

They hadn’t really been counting, but they spent the next hour greeting at least thirty people. And gifts?! Jeff nudged Blaine, drawing his attention to a table full of gaily wrapped boxes and gift bags. Apologizing for the brief interruption, Deni asked what they’d like to drink, quickly returning with two goblets of wine, one white and one red. Jeff had been so pleased that Blaine had already started to feel quite at home in LA, especially after landing parts in the same play that Javi was in. But, other than coworkers at the hospital, he pretty much knew no one in a social setting. He recognized one or two of the actors and dancers that Blaine had brought home with him on several occasions, but the only two in the group he actually knew were Kurt and Javi.

When they finally got a break from visiting with their new acquaintances, Jeff led Blaine over to the small group of his coworkers. They all knew about Blaine from hurried conversations with Jeff when they actually got a real break, but like Jeff, had very little time for a social life. Talking shop had been forbidden tonight, but they did ask Blaine about Reinventing Your Sins and he was thrilled to have a potential new audience! After a half hour or so, Jeff raised his hand to Kurt and shooed Blaine off, knowing he wanted to join the group of his own coworkers. Jeff said he’d be over in a few minutes. Some sat on chairs, some on the floor but all clapped and cheered as they toasted Blaine’s official arrival on the LA scene.

It was after midnight when the party started to wind down and surprisingly none of the uninvited neighbors complained…well, except for the lady who called asking if they would turn the music down some. She was trying to get her twins to sleep. Every time she thought they’d finally arrived in the Land of Nod, she’d hear them dancing to the beat of the bass in their bedroom again! Deni had shooed Jeff and Blaine away from the cleanup crew, handing them the boxful of opened presents, firmly instructing them to enjoy the rest of their long-awaited weekend.

“Mmmmm, it’s so good to be home,” Kurt said as he curled into the security of his by now familiar place under Javi’s left arm. True, it wasn’t home like their house in San Diego was home, but it was as close to it as they had in LA. “And not having to spend hours in those heels tonight? It feels like heaven!” Javi said, referring to the 8-inch heels required for his part in the play.

Javi often came home exhausted after a performance and Kurt loved pampering him with massages, a glass of wine or in some way accommodating his post-performance mantra, “hungry and horny.” Kurt would never forget the festival in New Mexico where they performed together onstage. But it wasn’t necessarily the concert duets he remembered best. When not in the spotlight, that mantra had literally come to life, alternating the satisfaction of their double-H needs. A desert paradise in every way imaginable.

But Reinventing Your Sins was far more demanding on his body than any of his concert performances. Quite often Javi would fall asleep in the middle of a bedtime conversation. And Kurt would usually smile, shake his head and draw the covers over his naked body (Javi hated wearing clothing of any kind at home) and either join him in slumber or quietly slip out of bed to go work on his ever-consuming book or lesson plans.

“So, how were classes this week?” Javi inquired. Kurt drove or flew back to San Diego every week to teach his Wednesday and Thursday night classes. The classes were a practical way to not only test what he was trying to get across in his still-untitled book, but also to stay in contact with their friends in San Diego, most of whom were satisfying their longstanding curiosity by taking Kurt’s classes. At present he had five couples in the group. Although there were several more who wanted to take advantage of the free classes (the subject matter of which was the talk of the neighborhood, all the way from The Rafters, the gay bar where they’d met, to When the Bars Close, the local all-night diner), Kurt had discovered he could only handle five couples at a time. Sometimes less depending on the individual’s personalities.

“They’re going pretty well, Javito, but I never realized how much of myself I’d have to pour into writing a book, the classes, the preparation…you were so right when you said your passion is all-consuming!”

“One of the hardest parts is dealing with each couple where they are in their relationship. I’ve had to make it crystal clear that this is not about taking them back to the initial falling in love stage of their relationship and staying there. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” Kurt laughed. “It’s about maintaining a strong relationship no matter what stage they’re in. And I guess not surprisingly lots of them initially come to the class expecting it to revolutionize their sex lives…and we both know it most certainly can, but….well, they can learn all about improving their sex lives by applying what can be found in any number of books out there. The hardest part is getting them to understand that they need to go back and build a new or stronger foundation. That’s where I usually lose them if they’re going to quit. And that’s fine. I mean, why waste their and my time?”

“Do you still plan to engage some of your students as future teachers so you have more time to write and hopefully travel with me?” Javi murmured into Kurt’s ginger hair, kissing his head. “Of course! But as you well know not everyone is cut out to be a teacher. Look at how long it’s taken me? I’m thinking possibly Ethan; I’m not sure about Adam yet. I’m not sure he’s organized enough. Ethan is interested enough in teaching to have helped me with some lesson plans. He’s giving me a student’s perspective, too. He’s not afraid to be honest with me. Do you still think the play has a chance of being extended here?”

“I’m hoping! It would be much easier to deal with the revised concert schedule if I’m based out of LA…at least for the immediate future.” Javi yawned. It was past 2 and between the rehearsal and the party, it had been a long day. “Mi Kurtito, I’m worn out. I think I’ll take a shower and hit the sack. “I’ll be in in a bit, mi amor,” Kurt said, giving Javi a warm, lingering kiss, ruffling his pink hair, “I need to write down a few things before they slip my mind, and after your surprise performance this afternoon….well, I have to include that in the notebook of course.” Javi’s low laugh spilled into the room remembering their mid afternoon romp. “I might have just enough energy left for an encore…..” he said, raising one eyebrow. Kurt chuckled, “I’ll be in soon.”

In truth, Kurt did have something he needed to think about but it had little to do with his writing or teaching. It was that persistent dream again. He hadn’t told Javi, but he’d had it twice this week. And even though it had been weeks since he’d encountered what had grown in his thoughts to become THE ROOM in Blaine’s apartment, it was always there in the back of his mind. In the few conversations they’d had since he kept hoping he’d bring it up, but it appeared Blaine attached no significance whatsoever to the room. So, why were they having close to identical dreams, but in different rooms?

He still didn’t understand his strong knee-jerk reaction when he first entered that guest bedroom. Yes, the furnishings were strikingly similar, and yes, it appeared to be the same room from his dream but….when he saw the photo of the Glee Club in a crystal frame not unlike the one Javi had given Carole for Christmas? All his mind’s eye could see was the shattered glass on the floor, all he could hear was Antonio shouting, “Everything’s changed!” over and over. At least the weird part when Antonio threw Blaine out a window had disappeared, whatever that meant. Stymied, he gripped his head in his hands and rubbed the back of his neck. What was it he feared? Javi’s previous partner, Antonio, had been dead for eight years! He didn’t pose a concrete threat. He couldn’t see how either Blaine or Javi could create a problem that hadn’t already been addressed. He loved Javi without reservation and he and Blaine were on good terms again.

It was the shattered picture frame….it was finding the close to matching frame intact on the bedside table at Blaine’s….and maybe the significance of the picture it held, as well. The carefree faces of almost every person he’d ever loved smiled back at him from the past. The Glee Club had saved his tortured life at McKinley. As hard as it was to believe, that mismatched bunch of talented kids had formed a bond stronger than almost any relationship he’d ever had. They had been his safety net….actually, they’d been each other’s safety net.

He had a standing appointment with his counselor every Wednesday when he was back in San Diego. Of course, the man wasn’t a dream interpreter, but hearing someone else’s take on the dream could be helpful. Someone who wasn’t actually in the dream. Closing his notebooks and powering down his laptop, he sighed, his shoulders sagging. If his Javito was still awake, an encore of this afternoon would be nice…but what he really needed was for his lover to hold him.

Jeff lay awake staring at the popcorn ceiling. It had been the perfect day and night. And while Blaine lay beside him, breathing evenly, Jeff rolled over gathering Blaine’s warm and tantalizing body into his own. Blaine was such a sound sleeper….except when he was awakened by a tornado of bad dreams. He hadn’t mentioned “the dream” lately, but the hospital often laid claim to Jeff’s nights. How would he know if he’d been awakened by one or not?

He gently ran his fingers through his curly hair, kissing his upper back. When he’d met Blaine, he hadn’t been a stranger to living alone. His last boyfriend, Marc, still lived in Oklahoma and for the most part he had fond memories of him. Their relationship had just kind of died a natural death. And once he arrived in New York his life had been so manic, he hadn’t really taken the time to seek out a serious relationship. He’d had a few potentials here and there that lasted for maybe a month, but in the end there wasn’t that something he’d always been looking for…or maybe it was simply what he’d come to expect a serious relationship to look like. But he knew one thing – what he felt for Blaine was deliciously scary and over-the-top wonderful! It made him realize that he’d honestly never been in love….until Blaine.

They’d been cautious, Blaine fearing he’d be hurt again, or worse that he’d hurt someone else again; Jeff, unsure of what he was feeling. All he knew was that the thought of Blaine kept him awake (lack of sleep that he could ill afford). He was his very first thought in the morning and his very last before falling asleep, his troubled sleep peppered with Blaine’s presence.

But they’d been together now for almost eight months. He was hopelessly in love, his first true love. And although they’d declared their love for one another many times, the three single-syllable words so precious to him, he’d yet to tell Blaine just how deep the well of his love was.

At first, it was his uncertainty. Blaine was like an addictive drug. Like a craving that couldn’t be satisfied. And it wasn’t just physical….and that frightened him even more! But by the time they’d left for California, he knew without a doubt that he’d follow Blaine to the ends of the Earth. Back in New York, Kurt had always been a nebulous person out there somewhere. A huge part of Blaine’s past. And even though Jeff had known that Blaine was trying to reestablish a friendship with him, it was something he was sure he could handle. After all, hadn’t Blaine been brutally honest about Kurt? Blaine had even asked him to go to some counseling sessions with him. That took guts and strength of character. It told Jeff just how important he was in Blaine’s life.

And then there was the evening not long before they’d moved. He swore he could smell dinner before he’d even opened the door. He’d grown up in a meat-and-potatoes family, in the heart of Oklahoma’s cattle country. Despite the trend toward vegan and vegetarianism in his generation, he would never be found eating tofu or beans to replace his protein. And the aroma of the pot roast that Blaine had in the oven made his mouth water. Blaine was seated on the couch, guitar in hand, picking out a tune that Jeff didn’t recognize. Blaine welcomed him with a sly smile and beckoned him to sit down beside him. “I’ve been working on a new song. Sometimes I really miss my piano, ya know?” As he began strumming his guitar again, he said, “Tell me what you think, okay?” Jeff nodded as Blaine began singing inserting each of their names.

I’ve been alone
Surrounded by darkness
I’ve seen how heartless
The world can be

I’ve seen you crying
You felt like it’s hopeless
I’ll always do my best
To make you see

Jeff, you’re not alone
Cause you’re here with me
And nothing’s ever gonna bring us down
Cause nothing can keep me from lovin’ you
And you know it’s true
It don’t matter what’ll come to be
Our love is all we need to make it through

Now I know it ain’t easy
But it ain’t hard trying
Every time I see you smiling
And I feel you so close to me
And you tell me

Blaine, you’re not alone
Cause you’re here with me
And nothing’s ever gonna bring us down
Cause nothing can keep me from lovin’ you
And you know it’s true
It don’t matter what’ll come to be
Our love is all we need to make it through

I still have trouble
I trip and stumble
Trying to make sense of things sometimes
I look for reasons
But I don’t need ’em
All I need is to look in your eyes
And I realize

Jeff I’m not alone
Cause you’re here with me
And nothing’s ever gonna take us down
Cause nothing can keep me from lovin’ you
And you know it’s true
It don’t matter what’ll come to be
Our love is all we need to make it through

Cause you’re here with me
And nothing’s ever gonna bring us down
Cause nothing, nothing, nothing can keep me from lovin’ you
And you know it’s true
It don’t matter what’ll come to be
You know our love is all we need
Our love is all we need to make it through

He didn’t know what to say! Blaine was suddenly bashful, “I….um…I just wanted you to know before you moved all the way across the country…for me….that that’s how I really feel about us.” Jeff was trying to hold back the tears, “Blaine…” he choked, “I’m not moving to California for you. I’m moving for us. I’m moving…..I’m moving…” he had to stop, “because I believe every word of that song to be true.”

He took the guitar from Blaine and kissed him with a passion that couldn’t be contained. And as Blaine melted into his arms he whispered, “Dinner’s going to be late.”

And now here they were in LA, working hard to establish a new life, a future together. So why this doubt? This fear? Blaine had made it a habit of singing part of that song to him every single day! And Jeff liked Kurt. He could see them having a friendship…..until he’d observed Blaine and Kurt interacting with each other. He doubted they were even aware of it….or was it Jeff’s overactive imagination? How to describe it? It was like…watching two puzzle pieces worn and torn at the juncture where the pieces were supposed to fit. Not completely successful at melding together, but just enough to see that they had once been a perfect fit.

Jealousy wasn’t the issue. It was something else…something he couldn’t put his finger on. Just as it was obvious that he and Blaine loved each other, it was equally as obvious to see that Kurt and Javi’s partnership was solid…so why was this keeping him awake? He sighed and Blaine must have sensed his unrest because he rolled over to face him, muttering in his sleep, “Jeff..what’s wrong?” “It’s nothing, babe, just a messed up body clock,” he replied. “Mhmmm….okay,” he murmured almost asleep once again. “I love you, J.” Blaine rolled over again, fitting his body into Jeff’s curves…..just like two puzzle pieces….but what if the pieces only seemed to fit together….what if in the end they only appeared to dovetail one to another?