Her frown tightened and she moved to sit primly on the edge of the bed. She watched Blaine for a minute before speaking. "I understand that you feel that you're ready to be making your own decisions but I'm not so sure about that."

"Mother-" Angela held up her hand to stop him.

"You got your chance to speak earlier. Now it's my turn." She settled her hands into her lap. "You have yet to show me that you're an adult and while you have decided you no longer want to participate in the cotillions I feel you need to start proving to me that you're capable of being an adult."

Blaine narrowed his eyes. "Mother, could you please tell me what you're driving at?"

Her grin quirked up. "I believe it's time for you to begin growing up."

[xXx]

Kurt stared at Blaine, eyes wide and mouth gaping. "Your mom is making you get a job as punishment for telling her no?" Blaine glanced up from the application and nodded once. "No offense, but your mother is a little crazy."

"A little is an understatement. She's gone off the deep end. Even Dad thinks so. He's trying to get her to go on this whole spa week thing with some of the society ladies but she refuses to go. I think she thinks that if she leaves I'll fall into the hands of the devil."

A smirk curled up Kurt's lips and he came up behind Blaine, running his hands down his boyfriend's chest. "The hands of the devil? Am I the devil?"

"You may as well be." Blaine murmured, letting his head fall back against Kurt's chest. "I don't mind though, getting a job. It will get me out of the house more. And I can spend more time with you."

Kurt lifted an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that? Wouldn't you getting a job ruin our time together?"

Blaine spun around in his chair, wrapping his arms around Kurt's hips and pressing his nose into Kurt's navel. "Well, I'm applying at the Lima Bean. I was thinking that if I got the job I'd be working after school and Warblers practice, because I know that dad is going to fight to keep me in there, that maybe you could come by near the end of my shifts and do homework and then we could hang out?" Blaine paused as a thought came to him. "Mother is trying to break us up by keeping me too busy to see you. I'm just going to work this little stipulation to my advantage."

Kurt ran his fingers through Blaine's hair, cradling his head. "You have this all planned out, don't you?" Blaine nodded and pressed a kiss against Kurt's shirt before turning back to the application. It was Saturday and the only time they could be together and he was spending it filling out a job application. Kurt could apparently tell what was on Blaine's mind because he sighed. "We only have three more Saturdays to go."

"Good. I hate that we don't get any real time together." Blaine groaned, signing the bottom of the application.

"It was our own fault, going behind your parents and everything. At least they didn't completely cut us off. I'm happy for the small things at least." They twined their fingers and took Blaine's application to the Lima Bean.

A week and a half later Blaine got the job (because who would be idiot enough to refuse a job to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson's kid?). He worked after Warbler practice until about eight at night and then he'd go home to do his homework. It made his life a little more hectic but it really did cut down on the amount of time he had to spend near his mom. Kurt did come in to the store near closing on Tuesdays and Thursdays when they seemed to have the least amount of people and Blaine would come to sit with him when he had the chance.

They soon became the Lima Bean's 'token couple' because one of the baristas was there the day they met for their first date and felt that the Lima Bean was the 'true' beginning of their fairytale relationship. That was why his manager never got upset when she saw them sitting at the same table, fingers twined together, heads bowed close, chatting with smiles on their faces.

By the end of the month Kurt and Blaine were still very together, much to Blaine's mother's disapproval. The day Blaine's grounding finished he took the day off work and skipped Warbler practice so that he could drive to McKinley and surprise Kurt. Kurt was at his locker when Blaine arrived, sneaking up behind him and wrapping his arms around Kurt's waist.

"Blaine?" Kurt shrieked, turning around and glancing quickly around the hall even though school had finished earlier and the only events going on right now were the extracurricular activities. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see you." Blaine said, kissing his cheek.

"Not that I'm not happy to see you, but aren't you still grounded?"

Blaine shook his head. "Grounding was off this morning. My dad told me before he left for work. He also wanted me to remind you that seeing as we are still together our families have to have dinner."

Kurt froze. "He didn't forget that?" Blaine shook his head. "When is the dreaded day to take place?"

"Dad said to have your dad call him and they'd discuss it. Everything to him is like a business meeting. Don't worry about that right now. What do you say to skipping Glee and going out with me?" Blaine's eyes sparkled. He apparently really liked the idea of his new freedom. Grounding did not suit him.

Kurt grinned and grabbed Blaine's hand, "Nope, not yet. I want you to come with me to Glee club."

Blaine's eyebrows furrowed and he looked nervous. "Are you sure they're going to want me around?"

"Blaine, you're my boyfriend. As long as you promise not to steal our set list they have to love you. Now, come on." Kurt replied, pressing a soft kiss against Blaine's cheek and dragging him into the choir room. The entire club was there, staring at the pair suspiciously. Mr. Shue turned to look at them, his face immediately slipping up into that cheesy grin of his.

"Who's your friend, Kurt?" He asked.

Instead of immediately answering him Kurt turned to address the group at large. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet Blaine Anderson."

"Isn't that a Dalton insignia?" Quinn asked, leaning forward.

Santana made a noise in the back of her throat and smirked. "You're getting' dirty with the competition? Wanky."

"Down Santana." Kurt replied evenly, "He's not our competition… he's my boyfriend." There was a sudden pause while Blaine waited with bated breath for the verdict to come through. Suddenly all the girls were rushing forward and crowding around him, talking fast and loud. Most couldn't believe that Kurt's boyfriend was so cute, others couldn't believe that Kurt had a boyfriend. One girl, Mercedes, grinned at him knowingly while Rachel beamed from the front of the crowd. Blaine could have sworn he heard her claim that she was the reason they were together.

Mr. Shue broke up the group and Kurt called, "Since I'm standing, I'd like to go first." Mr. Shue nodded and Kurt let go of Blaine's hand. He immediately went to sit next to Finn who smiled at him awkwardly.

"Hey dude."

"Hey." Blaine replied, glancing around at the eleven sets of curious eyes trained on him.

He jolted forward as Finn clapped him on the shoulder. He didn't say anything, just continued to smile in that weird way and let Blaine focus on his boyfriend who had taken up his station next to the piano looking proud and beautiful.

He started singing, a sweet and lovely melody that he recognized once hearing before. "I climbed across the mountain tops, swam all across the ocean blue. I crossed all the lines and I broke all the rules" Blaine grinned broadly at the line, sitting forward in his chair, "but baby I broke them all for you because even when I was flat broke you made me feel like a million bucks. Yeah you do and I was made for you."

When Kurt finished Blaine was the first to his feet clapping loudly. Kurt blushed and ginned at him in that way that made Blaine's heart giddy. After bowing to the rest of the room Kurt rushed to sit next to Blaine. To show how much he loved the song Blaine pressed a kiss to Kurt's temple and Kurt leaned against him, taking his hand and sitting close. Blaine didn't even notice the other people in the room or the fact that his uniform set him apart from the rest of the kids—right now it was just him and Kurt and Kurt had just sung him a love song.

Everything was right.

And then dinner came.

True to his word Blaine's father and Burt talked and decided on a Saturday dinner at the Anderson estate. Mr. Anderson said it was because he was waiting a call, but Blaine knew that it was because his mother would never have gone to the Hummel-Hudson house willingly.

When the entire family arrived Blaine was waiting at the front door. He was in slacks and a button-up shirt that looked amazing on him. Kurt had obviously dressed up his family because Burt had traded his usual ball cap for slacks and a shirt that looked brand new. Carole looked lovely and Finn looked, well, awkward as usual. He leaned close to Blaine and whispered, "Dude, I didn't know that you lived in a castle."

Inside his mother was waiting near the steps, he mouth turned into a forced smile. There was no way she'd be outwardly unpleasant with people in the house (plus Blaine knew that his father had told his mother that she needed to be nice or else he wasn't going to buy her those diamond earrings she'd been lusting over).

"Welcome to our home. It's wonderful to finally meet you. My husband is in the east wing. Would you like a drink? We have scotch, wine, beer," her voice clipped on the word before continuing, "we also have club soda for the younger members of our group."

Carole immediately bustled forward, obviously doing her best to keep everything civil. "Thank you for having us over. This is so wonderful."

Angela's smile tightened but her voice remained pleasant. In the east wing Mr. Anderson shook Burt's hand and did his best to be friendly in order to make up for his wife's cold disposition. The men talked about insurance and Burt's job and Carole did her best to talk with Mrs. Anderson about her own job. She perked up when Kurt broke in and asked her about her socialite work.

The maid came in and called dinner and of course his mother had whipped up something incredibly pretentious that made Burt wrinkle his nose. He ate it though. Kurt and Blaine sat close to one another. Blaine clutched at Kurt's hand all the way through the dinner, waiting for something to happen.

It never did though.

He probably would have felt better if something had.

Blaine didn't relax until dessert was finished and the Andersons were shepherding the Hummel-Hudsons toward the front door. "Now you give me a call later in the week and I'll talk to you about that new workers comp insurance you could use for your business." Mr. Anderson boomed, slapping Burt on the back.

Burt grinned back. "Thank you. Tonight was a great idea. Thank you for inviting us."

"It was our pleasure. I'm sorry that we didn't do this earlier, right Angela?" All eyes turned to Angela and she immediately flipped her bored expression into one of sheer pleasure. She nodded twice, making an, 'mmm-hmmm' sound.

Blaine got them out of the house and walked the others to their car, holding onto Kurt's hand. "I'm sorry that my mother wasn't that pleasant." He apologized, his voice small.

Burt wrapped an arm around Blaine's shoulder and jostled him. "No problem kid. Your dad was nice and your mom will come around."

"I highly doubt that. But thank you all the same." Blaine pulled Kurt aside and pressed a soft kiss against Kurt's lips. "Thank you for going through all this and staying with me."

"You are so worth it." Kurt murmured as his father stuck his head out of the window.

"C'mon Kurt. You can see Blaine later. My game is going to be on." Kurt laughed and pressed a kiss to Blaine's lips.

"See you tomorrow."

"Definitely. Love you."

Blaine immediately turned to go inside, his stomach churning. He wanted to slap his mother for being so rude to Kurt's family. He wanted to yell and scream in her face! He wanted to throw a tantrum and make her listen to him! But he couldn't. Yelling got him nowhere and he knew that she wouldn't listen. He had to try something else.

His father was sitting in the den, looking over paperwork. He glanced up at Blaine and gave him a small smile. "You know, Mr. Hummel is a very interesting man."

Blaine felt a small surge of happiness in his chest at his dad's words. "I'm glad. He's usually not the kind of guy I think you'd approve of."

Mr. Anderson grinned brightly. "I don't foresee us golfing at the club any time soon, but he seems like he'll be a good person to know. Especially when my car breaks down."

Blaine couldn't help the sigh that escaped him, his face breaking out in a giant grin. "You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear that. Now if only I could get mom to think the same thing. Speaking of which, where is she?"

"She retired to our room, claiming she has a headache."

Blaine straightened his shoulders. "Well, maybe that will help keep her quiet while I talk to her."

His father's brow furrowed. "Are you sure you're up for it? You know what your mother is like…"

"No." Blaine shook his head once. "I need to."

The older man leaned back. "Fine with me. I wish you luck." He tipped his brandy glass to his son and went back to the paper in his other hand.

Blaine turned to the stairs and mounted them slowly, carefully, measuring his steps as if her were afraid that if his mother hear him she would be prepared to attack him the moment he was through the door. Outside he took a deep breath and steadied himself before knocking. There was a muffled noise and Blaine took it as an invitation to come in.

His mother was stretched out along the chaise in a rather dramatic pose. "Blaine, didn't you hear me? I told you not to come in." His mother told him without opening her eyes. Blaine only shrugged and closed the door and the room immediately darkened.

"Mother, I need to speak with you." Blaine told the dim shape of his mother. She shifted only slightly and didn't reply. Blaine could feel the angered air around her but he stood his ground. The darkness helped. He couldn't see her face, couldn't see the anger in her eyes or the sharp line of her lips.

"I believe we have discussed everything that we need to discuss. Now go-

"No!" He snapped, his hands fisting at his sides. He took a deep breath to keep from yelling. His mother had stilled, not even breathing but Blaine knew that she was building herself up until she could almost explode. "No, Mother. I-I've done everything you've asked of me. When you wanted me to play Debutante, I did. I got a job, I kept my grades up and I've been obedient about the rules of my grounding. I have proved to you that I'm a responsible adult, and I'm taking my relationship with Kurt very seriously, but you don't even care. You don't care that he makes me happy at all, do you?" Blaine felt his voice vibrating in his chest, words, desperate words tumbling out of his mouth before he could stop them.

But he didn't want to stop them. "I don't know what you want me to do, aside from break up with him - and do you realize how miserable that would make me? With all due respect, mother, you are being entirely selfish."

His mother sat dead still in her chair while he breathed hard, his heart beating out of his chest. "Blaine. My head hurts. Please leave." His mother's voice was like steel and made him want to dissolve into tears, but then he realized that he was completely justified.

He nodded to her and left the room, rushing to his own room and locking the door. He couldn't believe he'd just done that and it terrified him to think about what his mother was going to do to him when she finally decided to come after him.

Without thinking Blaine reached for his phone and speed dialed Kurt. "Hey Blaine. Are you already missing me?"

"I did it Kurt. I told my mom exactly what I think of how she's been acting."

Kurt was silent on the other end for a moment. "Are you sure that's wise? The last time you did anything she didn't like she grounded you for a month."

"I don't care. She needed to know that she's been horrible towards me. Towards us. I have my dad on my side though, I think. Maybe he'll be able to lessen the blow."

There was a soft sigh on Kurt's end. "I love you so much. I hope she isn't too mean. No matter what I'm there for you."

"Thank you Kurt. I love you. So, I'll see you tomorrow after my shift?" Blaine asked, smiling softly.

"Mmm. Of couse. Night Blaine. Oh! And tell your dad that my family would love to have yours over one night for dinner. Introduce them to how the other half cooks, especially since my dad got a new grill."

Blaine laughed. "That sounds great. I'll tell him in the morning. I'm going to hide in my room for the rest of evening and do homework."

"I'll talk to you later then. Sleep well."

"You too. Night."

[xXx]

In the morning Blaine spent as much time as he could in the bathroom before heading downstairs. Both parents were sitting at the table in their usual silence. When he settled at his usual seat, his mother glanced up at him with a frown on her face. She didn't say anything though, so he did his best to remain quiet and eat his grapefruit quickly.

Just before he was about to leave for school he cleared his throat and turned to his father. "Kurt said that his father would like to invite us to his house for dinner one night. A, um, barbeque."

Mr. Anderson looked up at Blaine contemplatively. "Tell him we would—"

"A barbeque? What does he think, that we're barbarians and we eat outsi-." His mother griped until her husband cleared his throat and she narrowed her eyes at him before turning to her son. "Tell Mr. Hummel that would be lovely."

The room was so silent that he could hear the blood pumping in his ears. He couldn't believe what he just heard, but the vindicated smile on his dad's face told him to believe it. Afraid of breaking this spell, this sudden good luck, Blaine nodded once, twice and then sprinted out of the house, grinning from ear to ear