"I can't do this."

"You can," Kurt says firmly. "Whatever happens, just keep smiling, okay?"

"I don't want to do this."

"I know honey," he soothes as he picks up a bow tie and heads toward the mirror. "But it's just her graduation, that's all. It's another three months before she moves. Now come here and let me tie this for you."

"She can't be graduating, she just can't," Blaine murmurs as he looks in the mirror at Kurt. The bow tie tied, Kurt drapes his arms over Blaine's shoulders and makes eye contact, blowing a kiss at their reflections.

"I'm still struggling to work out when she stopped being a stroppy teenager and became this wonderful, loving and kind young woman instead."

"I know," Blaine says with a smile, thinking back to the last few months. Although undoubtedly tough, Libby has pulled through. Open and honest at all times about her feelings, and actually letting Kurt and Blaine advise her and help her through all this, Libby has been a true joy to live with, and though Blaine sometimes finds himself wondering where his little girl went, he can't say he really misses the tempestuous outbursts at all.

"It's just a shame...her and Jamie...you know," Kurt sighs. "I can vividly recall sitting in Ellen's yard watching them play when they were about three, and we were saying how cute it would be to get a high school graduation picture together, and now they're not even talking."

"Can I come in," Santana announces rather than asks as she marches into the room and sits on the bed.

"You are in," Kurt points out.

"I know. I have something to say. Libby is ready, and you will cry, but then that's nothing new, and also," she pauses, sitting a little bit straighter and Blaine turns back from the mirror when he notices how she's trying to keep composed. "I actually wanted to thank you guys. You know, when I offered to be your surrogate, I never in the world imagined I would fall in love with your kid as much as I have. I've never wanted my own, but Libby has fulfilled something in me that otherwise would have been missing all these years. So thank you, really, for letting me share in her life like you have. It's...well it's an honor really, that you've asked me to talk with her about stuff, to dress her for proms or to take her out when she's feeling down. I love that she has a room at my place and I love that you've let me share in today like I was part of your family. Naturally, if you tell anyone I will kill you, but I love you all so much. So yeah. I've said that now, and I'm just gonna go downstairs and cry a little bit."

"No you're not," Blaine laughs, pulling her into his arms. "You're gonna let me cuddle you."

"Get off," she mumbles against his suit jacket. "I hate you."

"I know," he smiles. "Thank you for your words." He gives a kiss into her hair as Kurt comes over and squeezes her hand. "You know we love you, and it's not as if you were a part of this family; you are, as simple as that."

"You're smothering me," Santana moans.

"Shut up," Kurt teases as he hugs her from the other side. "Let us love you."

"Is anyone coming down?" Libby bellows up the stairs, and they all pull back, righting their clothing and dabbing at their eyes.

"So I guess we'd better..." Blaine starts, and Kurt holds out his hand.

"Come on," he says with a smile though his eyes swim with tears. "Let's go watch our baby graduate."

"Oh dear god I'm gonna cry," Wes murmurs as he tries to hide in Blaine's shoulder. "Who's dumb idea was it to get the girls together for a photo?"

"Your wife's."

"Oh."

Libby and Liv stand arm in arm, grinning and laughing as the wind threatens to take their mortar boards away and they clutch them tightly as Kathy takes yet more pictures.

Melody joins them, then it's the turn of proud parents to pretend like they're super happy and not really panicking about their girls heading out into the big wide world.

"My Blaine," Liv hisses as Wes snaps a photo of them together. "I have to tell you something."

"Oh god. You're not pregnant, are you?" he asks with concern. "Because I am not telling your dad for you."

"No I am not," she snaps, steering him to one side. "It's about Jamie. What he's been doing."

"Liv, I don't think I want to hear this, do I?"

"Yeah you do, trust me." . So, he's been going to like...every gar bar within a fifty mile radius."

"Nope!" Blaine holds his hands up and backs away. "I do not want to know."

"Listen! He's going at it like crazy, Dylan says, drinking, dancing, flirting with guys and girls, but whenever anyone shows a genuine interest, he high tails it out of there. Dylan said that the other night? Jamie ended up crying in the bathroom about being left drunk and alone. Well, I know you know that feeling, so maybe you should talk to him."

"Mildly insulted," Blaine tells Liv in astonishment. "But more shocked that he's not... So what? He wants to be alone? He doesn't want to be alone?"

"He wants to be with Libby, Blaine. Just Libby."

Libby stops and stares when she sees Jamie walking towards the auditorium with his mom and Uncle. Only Jamie would have the audacity to wear bright pink pants under his navy blue gown, she thinks to herself with a smile. The wind blows and she can see that he has a regular smart shirt and black tie on but the pants...the pants say it all.

Despite them both wearing sunglasses, the moment of eye contact is very real and tangible to both. Jamie's step falters, and Libby is quite sure that Melody is saying something to her, but despite not having spoken to each other for six weeks, their feet carry them toward one another, and Libby finds herself smiling up at him.

"Hi."

"Hi," he says, reaching out to tuck her hair behind her ear but then thinking better of it. "You look..." he starts, but stops himself again, remembering the road that particular compliment always seems to take them down. "...funny in your hat," he says instead, and Libby pouts, making him laugh.

"So do you."

"I know," he smiles. "I just thought... Anyway. How are you?"

"Um...good, actually," Libby says, though in reality she feels ridiculously faint and very close to tears.

"Still working?"

"Yeah." She gives a small laugh.

"You don't sound thrilled," Jamie says, his heart beating unreasonably fast at the soft smile on her face.

"I got bitten by a parakeet last week," she admits, ducking her head in embarrassment. "Yeah, go on, you can laugh, I know you're dying to."

"That's not...no, I wouldn't...well." He stops, giving in and laughing out loud. "Yeah okay, that's funny. Sorry Lib."

"I have a whole summer of it too," she carries on, more relaxed now. "My parents won't let me quit until August first."

"Well if it makes you feel any better, I'm working all summer too."

"At the bookstore?"

"No," and suddenly Jamie is animated in a way which Libby hasn't seen for a long time and his whole face seems to sparkle with delight as he steps a little bit closer. "The children's library run day camps in conjunction with some schools in the area, and they've asked me to be a counsellor and lead story time each day."

"Really? That's great," Libby says warmly.

"Yeah. I love it. I mean, when the library first employed me they didn't seem bothered by my appearance, you know? They did warn me that parents might have issues, but they said they'd got my back. Which was great, obviously, and I know there are adults out there- like your parents- who don't care either. But the kids...it's like they don't see it, you know? They don't see gender, they don't see sexuality and they don't ever question my choices. They're amazing. It's what I've been waiting for my whole life through."

Libby swallows over the sudden lump in her throat and looks down. "I tried to give that to you too, you know."

"I know you did," Jamie says quickly as he realizes his mistake. "Oh gosh, Libby, I didn't mean that, I...you know...I didn't..." He breaks off, running a hand through his hair in desperation. "You gave me the happiest two years of my entire life," he says honestly. "And I've hated that you've just disappeared these last six weeks. Liv tells me you're okay, but that's all anyone will divulge. It's killing me, Libby, not speaking to you. It breaks my heart that you turn up for class last and leave first, and then you blocked me on all the social media sites..."

"Because Jamie, equally it's breaking my heart to watch you running around experimenting!" she cries, perilously close to bursting into tears. "I know it's what I told you to do, and I still believe it's what you should do, but I don't want to see or hear about it, that's all. Why can't you understand that? I asked Dylan not to tell me anything and he's respected that, so please, just..."

"But Libby..."

"Don't," she says curtly, holding a hand up to silence him. "Please don't. This is our graduation, and I really want for all five of us to enjoy this day together."

"Together?"

"Together," she repeats. "But just for today, okay?"

Jamie shrugs and stares at his feet, blinking back tears. "If that's what you want."

"Okay! I'm gonna ask it, since none of your parents will." Santana bellows as she strides over to them. "Will you two have a picture together?"

Jamie looks sadly at Libby and makes to decline, but Libby puts a hand on his arm. "Yeah," she says bravely. "Yeah we will. Start with a group one, maybe?"

"Libby," Liv hisses as they all stand arm in arm. "I have to tell you something."

"No," she whispers back. "Please Liv, not now."

"Yeah, I do, it's about Jamie. He's..."

"Liv," Libby sighs, turning to face her. "Please. I don't wanna hear it. I just want to enjoy today."

"Okay," Liv nods. "Yeah, okay. But talk to your dad tonight, yeah?"

"My dad? What's he got to do with anything?"

"Okay!" Santana calls, clearly having decided she is official photographer. "Libby, Jamie?"

"Sure," Libby smiles, and moves closer to Jamie, who makes her shriek when he scoops her up into his arms. "What are you...?"

"I'm still madly in love with you," he whispers, and daringly, in front of everyone, he kisses her gently on the lips, pulling back to smile at her.

"I love you too, Jamie," Libby admits, trailing her fingers over his cheek. "And I always will. But nothing's changed, has it? You're finding out who you are, and I'm learning damn hard life lessons about who I am and where I'm meant to be and...shockingly, that I'm not everyone's princess," she hugs him tight, kissing his cheek warmly. "Come back to me," she whispers in his ear. "You'll know, if and when the time is right, and I'll be waiting."

"This is a disaster," Kurt moans as Ellen dabs at her eyes. "I knew this would be awful."

"I wanna put them in a room and demand they stay there until it's all sorted," Ellen admits, "And I also want Libby to force Jamie to go to college, but it'll all be on their terms, I guess."

"He's still not done anything about college?" Blaine asks in surprise.

"Nope. And the stupid thing is, last month I sold my car and cashed in a savings bond, plus my brother suddenly surprised us all by giving Jamie a check for ten thousand dollars. He's been saving since he was born, apparently. So if he now wanted to go out of state, he could. I mean, he'd have to work, but most college kids do these days. The world is quite literally his oyster; or the US, anyhow."

"You're right though," Blaine sighs, taking Kurt's hand and putting his other arm around Ellen's shoulders. "They'll figure it all out in their own time."

The summer is long for Libby. She works, she spends time with Liv and Melody and she steadfastly, resolutely avoids any talk of Jamie Foster. Melody is the first of the friends to leave for college, and on a bright July morning Liv, Libby and Dylan wave a tearful goodbye; Jamie having made his farewells the day before.

"Wanna go get breakfast?" Dylan offers, his arms around the two girls.

"Sure," Libby gives a tight smile. "Beats going home and sobbing for hours over everything changing."

"It's me next," Dylan notes once they're seated in the diner. "Ten days to go."

"Yep, then Liv the following week and me two days after."

"We should all do something," Dylan says decisively. "The four of us, I mean," he adds with a pointed look at Libby.

"Yeah...no."

"Libby," Dylan and Liv chorus despairingly.

"Right, I've had it with you," Liv snaps. "Tell her, Dylan, and Libby, you're gonna listen to this or else I'll bite you, and I'm worse than a parakeet, believe me."

"But I..."

"Yeah, shut up," Dylan says, leaning across the table to take her hand. "Libby, you keep telling us not to talk to you about Jamie, not to tell you where he is and what he's doing, and I get that. But the thing is, he's not doing anything you think he's doing. He's been out a lot, to bars and clubs. He's been to gay bars, trans nights, crossdressing nights, the lot. He's gotten drunk, he's stayed sober. He's danced, he's not danced, he's talked to guys and girls and people with no discernible gender whatsoever. He's had attention, sure, from all over. He's a good looking guy, and I've had to pretend to be his boyfriend on more than one occasion to get him out of a tight spot, but listen to this. He has not kissed anyone, slept with anyone...even danced provocatively with anyone. Wanna know why? All he wants is you, Libby. Only you."

"Thank you," Liv cries. "So now can you two put us all out our misery and just get back together?"

But Libby shakes her head, poking at her eggs with her fork and trying really hard not to cry. "I won't pretend that's not nice to hear," she says softly. "But it's still not the right time for us. I'm about to move to New York for three years, and then Italy for a year right after. Jamie is staying here, and as far as I know, working and not going to college. It wouldn't work."

"Ugh. Libby...it will work, if you two want it to work," Dylan cries. "Really!"

"No, you know, it's not...ugh," she cries in despair. "This is not, and never has been about Jamie's sexuality; or not totally, anyway. It's more about both of us, you know? I'll always love him, and he knows that, but we just...we're not in that place, guys, I'm sorry."

Ten days later, when Jamie and Liv wave goodbye to Dylan this time it's Libby's turn to not be present. Liv tries to urge Jamie to contact Libby, but he's evasive, muttering something about promising to contact her before she goes to college but not wanting to be drawn on anything else.

"I know you mean well, Liv, I do," he says with a soft smile as he squeezes her shoulder. "But with all due respect, the only people in this relationship are Libby and I."

He heads out that night, to a bar he has now frequented many times with Dylan. He's sad, lonely and as desperate as can be, he thinks to himself as he nurses his beer. With no direction or purpose he wonders how low he can possibly fall before something, somewhere starts to make sense.

"Hey stranger, can I buy you a drink?" Jamie turns to see Ryan, Dylan's ex-boyfriend, leaning against the bar and smiling. "Even though you're too young?"

"Beer," Jamie nods curtly, "and who really gives a fuck? You're not twenty one either," he points out, and Ryan nods his concession.

"So, what brings you to a place like this?" Ryan asks, sliding the beer across to him. "Last I knew you were so far in denial you were practically Egyptian."

"I've never been in denial about anything," Jamie snaps.

"You were pretending to be in love with a girl."

"She has a name," Jamie snarls, "Libby. And I was in love with her and I still am, thanks, we're just not together right now, that's all."

"Ah," Ryan smiles, and he sits on a stool and moves it closer. "So you're a free agent, then?"

"Yeah," Jamie sighs heavily. "This is me," he carries on, his bitterness evident. "Experimenting, finding myself, whatever you want to call it. I call it getting drunk in bars and trying to forget."

"Well what a sad picture you paint," Ryan jokes. "C'mon man, let's dance."

"Oh, I don't really..."

But Ryan is resolute, taking his hand and tugging him from his stool. "Yeah you do. It'll be fun."

"Good morning baby girl," Blaine says as brightly as he can. "Two breakfasts left, and today falls to me, I'm afraid, so we have bacon, pancakes and maple syrup."

"Nice," she says, cuddling him from behind and reaching up to kiss his cheek. "But I'm cooking tomorrow. My final farewell. Where's papa?"

"Behind you," Kurt replies, coming into the kitchen. "Someone seems cheerful today."

"I am," Libby nods. "Even though Liv's gone. I have plans today which involve doing absolutely nothing except spending time with you two."

"As delightful as that sounds," Blaine says as he serves the pancakes, "yesterday you were crying in your room. Are you really okay?"

"Yes," Libby says with a firm nod. "I know I had a blip yesterday, but I've come to the realization that what will be will be, so that's it. I'm focused on New York, on my degree and on myself."

"That is so good to hear," Kurt says, hugging her tight. "Now let our day of nothingness commence."

But as soon as Kurt raises his fork to his mouth, the doorbell sounds and he frowns, wondering who could be calling at eight in the morning.

"It's Jamie," Libby says, even though there's no chance of her being able to see from the back of the house. She pushes her chair back so quickly it falls to the ground and rushing out into the hall she pulls open the door.

Jamie stands there, bathed in early morning sunlight. His smart navy shorts are set off with a pink 'hot lips' t-shirt which has always made Libby laugh, and his nails are painted a matching color. But all of that is not what Libby notices at all. It's the open, honest and endearing smile on his face which makes her stop and stare, and the way in which he seems suddenly invigorated with an energy she has not seen in him since they were both sixteen.

Opening her mouth to say something, she is swiftly silenced by a finger on her lips, and Jamie's eyes sparkle as he smiles down at her. "Let me speak," he says quietly. "I need to say some stuff, and I want you to hear me out. When I'm done, I'm walking away, I promise."

From behind the kitchen doorway, Kurt presses closer to Blaine, who is trying to become one with the wall in order to hear. "What's he saying?" Kurt whispers, but Blaine shakes his head.

"I don't know, but sneak a quick look into the hall," he commands. "Look how happy he is. Oh my god, he better not propose. He hasn't asked my permission," he whispers in alarm, wincing when Kurt kicks him.

"Our permission," he corrects. "But oh my goodness, he'd better not be. They're nowhere near ready."

"Says the boy who got engaged at nineteen."

"Entirely different," Kurt declares, giving Blaine a haughty look. "And quit with that if you ever want to get laid again."

"Listen," Blaine says with a nudge. "He says he has stuff to say."

Jamie takes a deep breath, puffing the air out through his cheeks and bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet. "A couple of weeks ago I ran into Ryan at a club," he says, and Libby blinks and stares.

"Dylan's Ryan?"

"Yeah, the night Dylan left, actually. Anyway. He bought me a few drinks, and we danced together. For all his hatred of me when he was dating Dylan, we actually had a really fun night."

"Great," Libby nods tightly as she feels all her hopes vanishing.

"Yeah, and at the end of the night, he asked me out on a date."

Libby says nothing, only pinches the bridge of her nose as she braces herself for what's coming.

"I said no."

"Huh?" Libby looks up sharply, her eyes wide. "You said..."

"No," Jamie repeats. "Partly because he's an ass, but also partly because at that moment, everything fell into place."

"What do you...what does that mean?"

"Hear me out," Jamie says patiently. "This might sound like me just standing here, telling you what's what...and actually, that's exactly what is, I guess, but no doubt you'll give me your opinion in time" he shrugs with a smile. "I got into college by the skin of my teeth. I start in two weeks."

"Jamie that's great!" Libby cries, genuinely pleased for him as she realizes his happiness comes from having a path at last. "What are you studying?"

"Ahem," he says, shy yet proud. "I'm going to take gender studies and childhood development. My boss at the library thinks I have what it takes to become a child counsellor, and I think that's something I'd really like to do. I'd also like to explore gender more. I've done a lot of reading around it recently, so...yeah. That's what I'm going to be doing."

"Fantastic," Libby grins. "Really. I'm..."

"One more thing," Jamie says, holding a hand up. "When Ryan asked me out that night it made me realize something which I think I probably always knew anyway, but he confirmed it. My sexuality doesn't matter, Lib. What matters is who I want to be with, and that's you. I don't want to see what it's like with anyone else, ever. So that's it, I guess. Almost everything has fallen into place for me," he says with a soft smile. "I'm in college, and taking a degree which I know I'm gonna love. I have plans for a career path, and I also know that the person I will love for all eternity, is you. One more thing..." he rushes on, "and then I swear, I'm walking away to let you think all this over in your own time. I don't know if you can see us getting back together anytime soon, but I want you to know that I'm ready. You said I'd know when the time is right, and I do. And I know what you're thinking, will the distance thing work for us, right?" he asks, and Libby nods sadly. "Thought so. Which is why I'm studying at NYU," he says with a grin. "So if you feel like getting together anytime to talk, well...I'll be there, waiting." Jamie backs away slowly, blowing a kiss at a completely astonished Libby before he turns and walks down the porch steps, heading to the end of the drive before looking back. "I love you, Libby Darling," he calls, walking backwards down the road. "Just remember that."

Libby stays standing, staring at the figure of her Jamie as he walks down the road. Head held high, shoulders back, he's Jamie and he's proud, she thinks to herself, and that's the man she's going to spend the rest of her life with.

"Libby, honey," Kurt says softly over her shoulder. "If you don't chase him down that street right now, I think daddy will on your behalf, and he's crying and can't really see where he's going so..."

"Libby," Blaine says in a decidedly wobbly voice. "Go get your man."

"This is all my closet space," Libby says with a huge sweeping motion across all the shelves and rails. "And that's yours."

"No way," Jamie laughs, shoving her out the way and setting his favourite pair of black boots on a shelf. "We share, Libby."

"I'm a girl!"

"And I'm a Jamie," he says proudly, hanging a lilac tank top on a hanger. "And I need just as much space as you do."

"No way!"

"Blaine!" Jamie calls from the walk in closet. "Help me out here."

"Well," Blaine says, smiling as he lounges in the closet doorway. "Jamie is right, sweetie, you need to share equally. But then, Jamie, you did choose to take her on, knowing what she was like so..."

"Share!" Kurt calls from the bedroom where he's busy putting nightstands together.

"No fair!" Libby pouts, though her eyes are sparkling with merriment. "You two like Jamie more that me."

"He's my favorite," Blaine confirms, putting an arm around his shoulders.

"Yeah, thought so," Libby laughs as she pushes past them, but not before she's kissed both their cheeks. "Fine, have half the closet, but I rule the bathroom."

Picking up her toiletry bag, Libby makes her way to the bathroom in what is now her and Jamie's Manhattan apartment, sticking her tongue out as she walks from the room.

"Good luck, Jamie," Kurt mumbles as he heaves a night stand into place. "You're gonna need it."

"Oh, I've a feeling we'll be just fine," Jamie grins, bouncing up and down on the edge of their bed. "I still can't believe all this is happening," he says in awe as he looks around him. "I'm never gonna be able to thank you guys enough for..."

"You can look after her," Blaine says seriously, setting a hand on his shoulder. "That's how to thank us. I'm only saying that because she's not in the room, otherwise she would be having a fit about how she doesn't need looking after but... You have her heart, Jamie. Treasure it."

"I will," he says sincerely as Kurt comes to sit next to him. "I promise you."

"This isn't gonna be easy, you realize that, right?" Kurt asks with concern. "I mean, Blaine and I...we had so much fun, living together..."

"Had?" Blaine cries with a laugh.

"Have," Kurt corrects. "Have. Sorry. We do still have a lot of fun, yes, but when we first started out... It's tough, you know? You two know each other so well, but there's still so much more to find out. Enjoy doing that, make the most of it. And try not to yell when she's blown all her wage packet on a scarf. She's still learning about money," he sighs. "And scarves are so pretty..."

"Actually, I wanted to ask you about that," Jamie starts, adding hastily, "not scarves. Libby," he smiles, rubbing the back of his neck shyly. "I just...I hope you both know that I'm so happy how all this has worked out, and that I will always love Libby and take care of her, just as she will take care of me too, no doubt," he laughs. "And I was wondering...not yet, but sometime in the future...if I were to ask her...if I could have your permission to propose to her, when the time is right."

Blaine finds Kurt's hand and squeezes it as they both wipe away a tear, and Kurt nods, trying to compose himself. "Yes you could ask and yes you can," Blaine manages at last as Kurt is now useless. "Thank you for asking."

"Well...I just...you know, I love her," Jamie says, embarrassed. "And I...you two are...y'know. Well, I love you both as well. You're awesome parents and Libby is so wonderful because of you two so...even though Blaine still scares me slightly, I'm glad I get to have you both in my life," he finishes, cheeks pink. Blaine pulls him into his arms, ruffling his hair and hugging him tight.

"Definitely my favorite," he says gruffly.

"So this is it," Blaine sighs as he slams the trunk shut. "Just an eleven hour drive to look forward to now, but we have the Les Mis soundtrack so..." he breaks off his rambling, looking desperately between Kurt and Libby, who stands on the sidewalk with Jamie's arm around her. "I know papa said no more money, but I put a little in your account because I didn't want you running out. And don't take the subway, okay? Take a cab. I don't like the subway so..."

"I'm sorry I chose New York, daddy," Libby says, reaching out for his hand.

"Don't be sorry for following your dreams, Libby," Blaine tells her with a soft kiss to his forehead. "Never apologize for that because it's all I've ever wanted for you."

"I don't want to say goodbye," Libby admits, suddenly bursting into tears and falling into Blaine's arms. "It's like... I want this, I want to live here with Jamie, I want to go to college but..."

"Sweetie, it's okay," Kurt soothes, stepping in when Blaine lets him know with his eyes that he can't reply. "You're right, you do want this, and it's what you're ready for. Two weeks, okay? Two weeks and we'll be here for the weekend with you before we travel around the east coast. You'll see us all the time, I promise. And you can call too, you know? Call all the time," he says, choking on his tears. "Even if you haven't got anything to say, just so we can hear your voice."

"Papa? Daddy? I just want to say...well...thank you, I guess. You two are the best parents anyone could ever wish for and you know, that's why I'm so sad, because it's going to be so hard without you there to make me laugh, or hug me. I'm gonna miss your eye rolling papa, and the way daddy always looks to you to check before he says yes to anything I ask," she giggles. "But most of all, I'll miss your love. Not just the way you love me, but the way you love each other. You know..." She pauses, wiping at her eyes and giving a trembling smile. "I can remember getting groceries with you guys, I must have been about seven. There was this woman and her husband glaring at you, and as we passed she muttered something about 'those people.' I remember thinking 'why me?' Why did I have to be the one with the gay parents, and I was embarrassed, you know? And then we saw them again, and they were arguing over whether to buy chicken or pork, and I looked at you two, goofing around, and papa you were holding the smelly French cheese that daddy likes high above your head so he couldn't get it in the cart. Daddy was trying to reach it, and you were both laughing but in the end he kissed you, and you smiled and let him put it in the cart. That was it for me, you were worth every single embarrassing kiss, in appropriate comment or ridiculous joke, because watching you two love each other is the best thing in the whole world."

Blaine cries freely as he takes her tight in his arms, their precious baby whom they have spent the last eighteen years devoted to. "I love you," he whispers. "God I love you so much. You have turned into the most amazing young woman, Libby, and papa and I are so proud of you."

"Well if I have, it's only because you two have done such an amazing job," she smiles, kissing first him and then Kurt. "So thank you."

"I think we're gonna go," Kurt says brokenly. "As we're quite the disgrace. We'll call you tomorrow when we're home, okay?"

Libby nods, and Jamie comes over, hugging both Blaine and Kurt before taking Libby in his arms. "We love you, Libby darling," Blaine calls as he starts the engine. "For always."

Epilogue

"Back to where it all began," Kurt says as they close the door behind them.

"This is crazy," Blaine says in quiet disbelief, roaming through the house to emerge onto the back porch where he sits on the swing and waits for his husband to join him.

"What is?"

"All of it," he says, staring out across the yard. "Our daughter at college, Kurt. I mean, she's eighteen already. Where did all that time go? Twenty one years of marriage. You're forty two, and I'm nearly sixty for heavens sake. I mean... How?"

"So I can legitimately call you an old man now," Kurt laughs, bumping their shoulders together. "And you can probably drop the gorgeous boy."

"Do you want me to?" Blaine asks in surprise.

Kurt turns to look at him, shaking his head, his eyes full of unshed tears. "No."

"Thank god. Because you will always be that to me, my darling, gorgeous boy. You're my first, my last and everything in between."

"We'll be okay, you know," Kurt says with a nod. "Without her. Because we still get to watch her grow, but most of all, we get to spend the rest of our lives together, and since the first time I saw your face, that's all I've ever wanted."

Blaine cradles his face tenderly in his hands, kissing his cheeks, eyelids, nose and finally, gently and lovingly, his lips. "Forever," he whispers with a soft smile as Kurt kisses him tenderly.

"Forever."

To our darling Libby,

If you've found this letter it means you have actually unpacked all your stuff, which in itself is a minor miracle. Either that, or Jamie has done it for you, which wouldn't be a surprise at all.

Over the years we've been lucky enough to share our lives, and yours too, with some amazing people. Somehow, you have managed to take all the best bits of these people, and sometimes the worst, and become your own person in your own right, and we couldn't be more proud.

The diva tendencies of Aunt Rachel, but also her wide eyed appreciation of the world. The snappiness of Santana, teamed with her wit and sass. The loyalty of Sebastian and thankfully not the promiscuity, the loving kindness of Wes and Kathy and the honesty and sometimes brutal forthrightness of Grandpa. We see it all, Libby Darling, reflected in you.

We see us too, of course. All the fantastic bits of daddy's flawless personality,

Hey! Libby, ignore that. That was daddy giving himself an ego boost. You are like him. Stubborn, weepy and whinging.

I DO NOT WHINGE!

You do. But on the plus side, Lib, you have my tremendous sense of grace and style.

Kurt. Get out.

No.

Go.

Make me. :P

...Well hello again, Libby, it's daddy again. It's the next day now. We got um...distracted yesterday. Anyway, basically, what we were trying to say was this...(and papa has to write the next bit because I'm crying...)

Daddy is a fool. That's not what we were trying to say, I just thought I'd let you know. Anyway...

You

Are

Wonderful.

Don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise. Not only are you the most beautiful woman in existence (my genes) but you are smart, funny, kind and caring. Watching you grow has been our greatest pleasure, Libby Darling. You have brought us more joy than you will ever know.

It's not always been easy, but it has always been worth it. This is only the beginning of your adventure, my darling girl. The whole world is yours for the taking, and you know what? I just know you're gonna seize it with both hands.

And now it's daddy's turn because papa is an emotional wreck. Libby, when I first held you, all those years ago, all I hoped for, all I wished for, was your happiness. I think...no, I know...you have that now. That doesn't mean my job is done, of course, and nor would I ever want it to be, but now that you're flying the little nest we created for you, I want to offer you a few words of advice.

Have fun, because nothing is more important. I am convinced that what makes mine and papa's relationship so strong is the humor we share.

Live your life according to you. Not anyone else. Jamie will always love you, and you will always love him. So be the person you want to be, because that will always be good enough for him.

Be kind. You know why you're so beautiful? Because beauty radiates from within. Smile and the whole world smiles with you, Libby. Think happy thoughts, accept those around you even if their thoughts and opinions differ from your own and be kind to those you love.

For you and Jamie: remember, relationships need work. They don't stay fantastic of their own accord. For every ounce of effort you put in, you stand to gain so much more. Don't be afraid to walk away from an argument, but equally don't be afraid to talk through the hard stuff. However difficult that may be to do at times, it will always be so much easier than the alternative.

So that's it, I guess.

Live, laugh, love.

Always and forever, Libby Darling, we love you,

Daddy and papa xxxx