Sorry this took so long.

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee, Tony and Maxxie

Part 3:

"I want you back?" Puck repeated as he pushed open the double doors of a 24-hour convenience store. He and Puck volunteered to do an emergency grocery shopping when Jacob had thrown a huge tantrum because Maxxie forgot to pack his sugar cookies. Tony was more than grateful for the escape. Lunch had been awkward and he didn't even want to remember how Jared had looked at Maxxie like he wanted to devour the blonde any second. Okay, he was just exaggerating. The look on Jared's face actually screamed love and he didn't like it the least.

"I couldn't stop myself. It just came up." Tony admitted as he pushed their grocery cart toward the aisle of cookies. Of course, he meant what he said but his timing sucked. Big time. But he really couldn't help it when Maxxie looked so damn beautiful that time and he just found himself saying the words.

"You probably scared the shit out of him when you said that." Puck said with a shake of his head. Tony looked at his brother as realization dawn on him. His brother was right. Maxxie probably didn't anticipate that he would say that. Crap, he messed up again. "Maxxie had spent a lot time trying to move on and then you suddenly realize you want him again. What's up with that bro?" Puck added.

Tony cringed. He really did make a mistake but at least, Maxxie was now aware of his feelings. What he did wasn't that bad. Right? "But it's been ten months, it wasn't that recent." Puck looked at him with an incredulous look on his face and Tony instantly knew that he said the wrong thing.

"You're joking aren't you?" Puck asked as he grabbed two packs of double stuffed Oreos and two huge packs of chocolate chip cookies then tossed the items in the cart.

"Okay, I take that back." Tony said in defeat. When he did become such a screw up?

"You made it sound like you just took a ten month break from your relationship with Maxxie and then when you suddenly realize that you still have feelings for him, you just pounce." Puck said in that incredulous tone again. Tony looked at his brother in awe. Being a married man made his brother more mature when it came to relationships. "You can't expect Maxxie to come around just like that."

"What should I do?" Tony asked as he absently grabbed a pack of Mars bar from its stand.

Puck shrugged. "I don't know. But what I know is that, it won't be easy." Puck said as he studied the label of an energy bar. "Remember, his dad hates you for what you did to his son. And plus, there's Kurt."

Okay. He definitely needed a six pack and a whole bunch of courage for that.

***!***

"I can't believe that after all that happened, he said that to me." Maxxie said as he sat down on one of the kitchen stools. As soon as the twins and Mackenzie took their nap and Jared already gone for an emergency errand, he grabbed Kurt and manhandled him in the kitchen. He was dying to tell Kurt what had happened a while ago.

"So, what now?" Kurt asked coolly. Maxxie knew that his best friend was just trying his best not to bitch on Tony. And he was grateful for that.

Maxxie breathed deeply. "Honestly, I don't know what to do." He looked at Kurt but the latter didn't say anything so he continued. "God, after all that happened, I didn't expect his feelings to do a 180-degree. What am I supposed to think? That he just took a break from our relationship and then when he got bored with that girl, he suddenly decided to come back?"

Kurt shrugged. His best friend was really anti-Tony ever since the break-up. "Noah told me that Tony had a dream about you and that dream made him realize that he still has feelings for you."

Maxxie's jaw dropped with what he just heard. "That's absolutely the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."

Kurt smiled briefly. "You can never tell. What if it's true?" Maxxie stared at Kurt. He knew that his best friend was just playing devil's advocate. Well, he really needed that right now.

Maxxie shook his head. "That couldn't be true." He clenched his jaw as memories of the break up flooded his mind. The sleepless nights, the crying, the pain he felt. If it weren't for his twins, he might have plunged to a deeper kind of slumber. Before Tony, he had told himself that he'd never succumb to any kind of self destruction if ever he'd find love and lose it. But that was just a mind set. It was more than different when he actually experienced it first hand.

"Ten months ago, when he had told me that he fell out of love, I thought that it couldn't be true, that he would eventually come around and tell me that he just made a mistake. I've waited Kurt. I've waited and waited but it never happened." He snapped his eyes shut to stave off the tears that were threatening to fall. He was done crying over Tony. "If he really did have feelings for me, it shouldn't have taken him ten months to realize it." And he shouldn't have left me in the first place. He thought but couldn't say the words out loud. He sounded pathetic enough.

"So what are you going to do now?" Kurt asked as he laid a hand on Maxxie's left shoulder.

Maxxie bit his lower lip. He had been contemplating about it since lunch. He inhaled deeply before answering. "I'll tell Jared that I'm now ready for a relationship." He knew that it'd be good for him. That it'd be the final step for him moving on without Tony.

Kurt's eyes flashed dangerously at him then the brunet shook his head. "You can't do that. Not to Jared who's a very sweet and great guy." He said in a what-the-hell-are-you-thinking tone.

"What do you mean?" Maxxie asked but somehow he knew what his best friend meant. And it somehow made him feel like an awfully bad person.

"You're just going to use Jared to prove yourself that you really have moved on." Kurt said matter of factly as he pulled his hand away from Maxxie's shoulder. Maxxie watched Kurt as the latter crossed his arms on his chest. He knew that Kurt was disappointed at him.

Maxxie gritted his teeth. "I'm not using Jared. If I was, I would have done it a long time ago." He said with much conviction he could muster. The look on Kurt's face told him that the latter didn't believe him.

Kurt raised an eyebrow at him. "Really?" He asked in a flat tone. Then he breathed deeply before he continued. "You know what is the reason you can't say yes to Jared before?" Kurt paused as if waiting for Maxxie to react, when he didn't, Kurt went on. "It's because at the back of your head, you are still hoping that Tony will come back on bended knees and ask for forgiveness."

Maxxie looked away. There was no use denying it so he said, "Yes, I had hoped for it before. But now, it's different. I'm now ready for a new relationship whether you believe or not." He said with conviction.

"Okay, if that's what you want, so be it." Kurt said then he took Maxxie's hand in his. "I just want you to know that I will always want what's best for you and I won't stop you to do anything that will make you happy." Kurt added meaningfully and with that being said, Kurt left the kitchen without another word.

Maxxie just watched his best friend's retreating back and then thought about what the brunet had said. It was like Kurt was also telling him to think about Tony's question. Sometimes, Kurt could be really cryptic. But that couldn't be the case. He knew that Kurt was not currently a big fan of Tony.

He now wondered if he was going to do the right thing.

***!***

"I scheduled you a nap at four thirty. I knew you've been tired from the magazine launch last night." Joey, his assistant, said as he read the schedule from his notepad. Tony looked up from his computer and smiled briefly. He was really tired from the party last night and he hadn't slept right thinking about Maxxie and ways of getting the hot blonde back in his arms.

"Is there anything else?" Tony asked as he noticed that Joey was still standing in front of his desk. He stifled a huge yawn as Joey scanned his notepad again.

The raven haired assistant nodded. "The twins will be here after lunch." Tony's eyes went wide upon hearing that. He checked his calendar. Today was a Thursday and the twins were with him every weekend. Why the sudden change of schedule? He juggled his mind a bit then remembered that Maxxie had asked him a favor a week ago if the twins could stay with him this Thursday because the coffee shop had been booked by a certain club for their annual meeting and Maxxie's hand would be full that day.

"Yeah of course, how could I forget that?" Tony said as he tapped his pen on his keyboard absently. He then told Joey to prepare the play mats which he kept in his office for emergency impromptu visit from the twins.

"Should I buy them snacks?" Joey asked as he poised his pen on his notepad.

Tony shook his head."No need. Their papa packs their snacks." He said as a smile slowly crept on his face as he was reminded of Maxxie's face which he would see today. His heart fluttered at the thought. Crap, he was turning sappy big time. His assistant was now giving him a curious look.

"But you can buy another thing." He said as he tore a piece of paper from his notebook and wrote down Maxxie's favorite brand of chocolate bar. Tony knew that the blonde had been constantly watching his figure but he couldn't say no to chocolates. He remembered one time when they were still together and tried this kinky stuff. Maxxie had dripped chocolate syrup on his dick then licked it before sucking him off. He remembered how every bone in his body melted because of Maxxie's talented tongue and he should stop thinking about it now because he was starting to get hard.

Tony handed Joey the piece of paper and the latter quickly excused himself to do the errand.

Tony leaned back on his swivel chair and smiled to himself. Maxxie didn't answer his question but it didn't mean that he would stop trying.

***!***

Maxxie was supposed to fetch the twins by five thirty but Tony suddenly had a craving for a mocha cookie crumble frappe so he decided to just bring the twins with him. So by five fifteen in the afternoon, with a sleeping Casey on his shoulder and a sleepy Jacob clutching his left hand, he was now standing in front of the coffee shop's glass door, feeling slightly giddy at the prospect of seeing Maxxie. Damn, he was turning to a love sick fool.

He pushed open the door and the sight in front of him stopped him from going all the way inside. It was Maxxie and Jared standing behind the counter. Jared's left arm was looped on Maxxie's waist as he kissed Maxxie on the lips. Tony couldn't take his eyes from the couple. He watched as Maxxie wrapped a hand on Jared's neck as they kissed. Tony couldn't breathe properly as he tightened his hold on his sleeping son. The kissing couple must have felt his presence because they quickly pulled apart and as Maxxie's eyes landed on him, the blonde just remained quiet but his blue eyes registered surprise. Tony watched as the blonde walked out of the counter and stooped down casually and carried Jacob who quickly buried his face in his papa's neck. If Maxxie felt guilty being caught, his actions didn't show it.

"I decided to just bring them here. I figured you must be tired from all the work here." He said, not meeting Maxxie's eyes. This was more awkward than the lunch last Sunday.

"You don't have to. I was just about to leave and fetch them." Jared cut in as he gestured at him so he could carry Casey. Tony was hesitant to hand his son to Jared but he did anyway because he wanted so badly to get out of the coffee shop. As soon as Casey was out of his arms, he quickly said goodbye and stride toward the door and breathed a relief as soon as he was out. The coffee shop smelled of everything he loved. From the coffee beans, the twins' talcum powder to Maxxie's fragrance but he somehow felt suffocated. It was probably because of the reality that Maxxie had finally moved on and found another guy. He was a huge fool thinking that Maxxie would still come around for him.

He slowly turned around when he felt a presence behind him. It was Maxxie, looking so damn gorgeous in white turtleneck short sleeved cashmere and black skinny jeans. Maxxie looked so radiant and beautiful that it made Tony's heart ached.

"I didn't want you to know that way." Maxxie said as Tony watched him clutched the hem of his shirt. He knew that the blonde was nervous. He was too. He remained quiet and let Maxxie continued. "Jared is my boyfriend now."

Tony somehow anticipated that but he still felt like he was punched in the gut. "He's a lucky guy." He forced a smile. He was starting to feel numb. "I should go now. Tell the twins I love them." He quickly turned around before Maxxie could say anything.

He was now cold all over.

So this was how it felt when you just had your heart broken.

***!***

"Why did you miss the board meeting?" Puck asked in a frustrated tone as soon as he stepped inside Tony's office. Tony looked up at his brother and shook his head to clear the buzzing sound in his ear. And why was his office so bright? The lights were making his eyes water. "You can't miss an important meeting like that for Pete's sake." His brother added.

"God, please. Can you stop shouting?" He said as he twisted the cap off the water bottle he grabbed from his drawer and chugged it down. His head was pounding and his throat was dry. He felt sick. He didn't even remember how he got in the office in his condition.

Puck walked closer to his desk. "Jesus, you're hung over." Puck sat slowly on one of the chairs in front of Tony's desk. Puck eyed him closely. "Is it because of Maxxie and Jared?" Wow. News traveled fast. And why did Puck quickly assume that he got drunk because of Maxxie and Jared? Was he that transparent?

Tony scowled at his brother. "No." He lied. Truth was, he almost drunk himself to oblivion at a bar last night. He didn't even know how he got home. He was lucky he didn't asphyxiate in his vomit. "I'm twenty six and legal. I can drink gasoline if I want to." He said in a sarcastic tone as he stood up and a wave of dizziness hit him. The next thing he knew, Puck and his assistant were on either side of him as they helped him sit on his chair.

"Damn Anthony, you have a fever." Puck said with a shake of his head as he glanced quickly on his wrist watch. "You can't be here, you have to go home." Then to Joey, "Can you take him home?"

Tony snorted. "I'm fine Puck. I'm perfectly fine." He said as the image of Maxxie lip locked to Jared floated in his memory. He felt nauseated again.

"Don't be stupid. You have to get some rest." Puck said in a hard tone then he said something to Joey but Tony couldn't comprehend it because another wave of dizziness came on him. His sight blacked out for a second so he snapped it shut and when he opened them again, white spots were swimming in his vision. He'd probably poisoned himself from too much booze last night. He hated losing control like that but it was a good thing because the alcohol helped him forget the pain he felt. He knew that it shouldn't have come to this but what happened between him and Maxxie was mostly his fault. He was a huge jerk for letting Maxxie go. He was selfish and immature. He should have analyzed first his true feelings for Cindy before jumping to a relationship with her. What he had felt for Cindy was lust. He had idiotically mistaken lust for love and he was paying for it big time.

"Boss, can you hear us?" Joey asked but he sounded so damn far away.

"Yeah." He said weakly as consciousness left him.

***!***

"I came as soon as I heard." Maxxie said as soon as a black haired guy in a white shirt and black slacks let him in Tony's apartment. The guy was probably the Joey his twins were talking about. He quickly walked past Joey and went straight to Tony's room. He was so damn worried when he read Puck's text message saying that Tony had fainted because of a high fever.

Maxxie carefully sat on Tony's bed. The latter was still sleeping and Maxxie carefully laid a hand on Tony's forehead to check his temperature. Tony was still burning.

"I've already gave him some fever medicines." Joey said from behind him. He turned around and looked at Joey. Joey had the same height as him. His longish black hair just fell above his shoulder. His eyes were hazel and his lips were full. His body was also very toned and he could see a hint of stomach muscles from his flimsy white shirt. Bottom line, Joey could pass as a model and Maxxie felt an irrational surge of hatred at Joey. Why did Tony have to hire a very attractive assistant? And why do I care? He wondered briefly.

"I've brought chicken soup." Maxxie said flatly as he adjusted the blanket on Tony's chest.

"I've already made soup and Tony ate it before he slept." Joey said casually like he always did it every single time and it was part of his job description as an executive assistant. That feeling of hatred again.

Maxxie fought the urge to roll his eyes. "Well then, you can go now. I'll take it from here." He said in a flat tone as he turned his attention back to Tony.

"I was instructed to stay here with him until he gets well." Joey said matter-of-factly and the very sound of his voice curdled Maxxie's blood. What the hell was happening to him? This particular guy was acting like he had something going on with Tony. He was just an assistant. Right?

Maxxie slowly turned around and faced the assistant. "I'll take care of him. You can go home now." Joey just shrugged at him. The nerve!

"Okay, I'll leave him to you." Joey said as he grabbed his bag from Tony's bedside drawer. "If you need me, just call me. I'm on his speed dial. Just press 1." He gestured at Tony's Blackberry lying on top of the drawer. Maxxie stared at the mobile phone with a raised eyebrow.

Speed dial. Number one. Maxxie had never felt so irritated until now. "Okay." He said dryly, forcing a smile. He watched as Joey walked to the coat rack near the front door and took his jacket. And just as Joey was about to turn the knob, he whipped around and looked at him.

"And Maxxie," he paused. "Maxxie right?"

Maxxie nodded, his eyebrows still shot to the forehead but Joey never seemed to notice.

"Tony is crazy hot but I have a boyfriend so you don't have to be jealous." He said with a smile. Maxxie was floored. He was not jealous. That was so not the case.

"I..I'm not jealous." Maxxie stammered. He briefly glanced at Tony and breathed a sigh of relief. Tony was still asleep and couldn't hear the ridiculous conversation going on. Thank God.

Joey grinned at him like a cat that swallowed the canary. "Try telling that to yourself hundred times and you might actually believe it." He said in a knowing tone.

Maxxie was about to respond that he was not going to do that but Joey spoke again.

"And by the way, I'm just kidding. I'm on speed dial 3." Joey said as he put on his jacket. "You're number one." That being said, Joey pushed open the door then was out of sight.

***!***

You're number one.

Maxxie smiled at the thought as he stirred the corn soup he was cooking for Tony. He pushed the thought away as he concentrated on the corn soup. It was already half past five in the afternoon and Tony was still asleep so he decided to cook so Tony would have something to eat when he woke up. Never in a million years had he thought that he could learn how to cook. He was raised in a middle class family and his dad had spoiled him so it meant no household chores for him. His mom died from cancer when he was eight. She had been the disciplinarian of the family and an excellent cook but had never got the chance to teach him but it didn't mean he couldn't learn. So ever since Tony and the twins, he tried to learn things, domestic things to be exact. His life had clearly changed.

"Hey." Someone said from behind him and he almost jumped a foot. He turned around and saw Tony leaning against the doorway to the kitchen. Tony raised an eyebrow at him then smirked. What the hell? Then he remembered why Tony was smirking at him. Tony was probably wondering what he was doing here wearing Tony's old college shirt which was two sizes bigger than him and an old boxers. He was also barefooted. In his defense, it was because he had decided earlier to stay over so he could watch over Tony. He couldn't actually stay wearing his turtleneck and jeans so he had rummaged in Tony's closet and found the ensemble.

"What?" He asked in a flat tone as Tony continued to stare at him in his choice clothing. Tony was probably wondering why he looked so homey. "I decided to stay over. No one's going to take care of you." He said briefly as he turned off the stove. He then noticed that Tony's gray shirt was damp with sweat so he quickly walked toward Tony, grabbed him by the arm and dragged him back again to his bedroom. It was lightning fast that Tony didn't have time to protest. Once inside the bedroom, he told Tony to sit on his bed as he rummaged in the latter's closet to get a fresh shirt.

"Here you go." He said as he walked back to Tony who just sat on his bed looking awed. Maxxie quickly tugged the hem of Tony's gray shirt and lifted it off. Once the shirt was off, Maxxie tried not to look at Tony's wonderful pectoral muscles and six pack abs. He reminded himself that he was here because Tony was sick and not because of anything else. As he was about to pull the fresh shirt on Tony's head, he noticed Tony's tattoo on his right ribcage. Maxxie almost forgot about it. The tattoo was the twins' names, Casey Andreas and Jacob Alexander, in hieroglyphics. Maxxie also had a matching one on his left hip. They both got the tattoo on the twins' first birthday. The memories were quickly interrupted when his cell phone rung loudly. "Wear this." He said as he tossed the shirt to Tony and grabbed his phone.

Maxxie looked at the screen. It was Kurt. He looked at Tony and told him that he had to take the call. Tony nodded and smiled. Maxxie quickly walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.

"Where are you?" Kurt asked shrilly as soon as the cell phone touched his ear. "Okay, I know you're at Tony's but what's taking you so long?"

"I'm staying over. He's still not feeling well." Maxxie said almost inaudibly. He pictured Kurt's nose flaring as he said the words.

"One sec." Kurt said. "Case, honey, give the remote control to Jacob." His best friend said in a muffled tone. "And Jake, sweetie, don't call your brother a chipmunk." Kurt added and Maxxie couldn't help but laugh. His twins were really a handful. Then suddenly Kurt was back, in his bitch voice. "Staying over?" Kurt asked dryly. "Well, Jared's assistant called. Apparently, she doesn't have your number so she called me."

Maxxie's jaw dropped. Why did Jared's assistant call Kurt?

"She called to tell me that Jared is sick and no one's going to look after him." Kurt explained as if reading his thoughts. "She said Jared's been sick since morning but he still insisted on working. You know about that right?"

Maxxie chewed his lower lip and felt guilty. He hadn't seen Jared all day. He was busy with the shop and it's a work day after all. In his defense, he had talked to him this morning and this afternoon when he had told him that he was going to Tony's apartment because the latter was sick. How the hell could he tell that Jared was sick by the tone of his voice? Or was he just being insensitive? He pushed away those thoughts. He was not being insensitive. His relationship with Jared was brand new. There are still a lot of things to learn. "I don't." He answered in a low tone.

Kurt inhaled sharply from the other line and in Maxxie's mind, he could see Kurt shaking his head in disbelief. "Well, his assistant can't stay with him because she has a family affair to attend tonight."

Maxxie gritted his teeth. He knew where this conversation was going. Jared was his boyfriend now and he was the only one available to look after him. Jared's entire family was residing in Europe.

"Okay, I'll go to his apartment." He said. It was the right thing to do.

But why didn't it feel right to him?

***!***

Tony couldn't contain his excitement. Maxxie was staying over. After hearing those words coming out from the blonde, he suddenly didn't feel sick anymore. Well, he was still feeling queasy and the world spun every time he moved his head. Crap, who was he kidding? He was definitely sick but he didn't mind just as long as Maxxie's here with him.

Suddenly, the door opened and Maxxie walked in. The blonde looked upset but he smiled at him. Tony smiled back.

"Was that Kurt? Are the twins giving him a hard time?" He asked and Maxxie shook his head.

"There's an emergency." Maxxie said briefly and Tony's heart jumped in his throat. Did something bad happen to their twins? But before he could respond, Maxxie elaborated. "Turns out I can't stay. Jared is sick too and no one's going to look after him."

Of course. Tony nodded slowly. He almost forgot that Maxxie had a new life now, a life without him. He probably should just dismiss the idea that Maxxie would come around for him. His brother had told him enough times that what he had done with Maxxie was something that couldn't just be erased by a quick sorry and a bouquet of flowers. Maxxie had forgiven him for the sake of their twins but it didn't mean that he'd forgotten the pain he'd cost him. Maxxie was not stupid to give him another chance. The blonde had given him a lot of chance back when they were just starting their relationship. That was the time when he was still hot and cold on their relationship. Maxxie had been patient, had been forgiving. Tony bit his lip hard. He was really a huge jerk.

"I'm sorry I couldn't stay." Maxxie said in a soft voice, snapping him out of his inner tirade.

Tony shook his head. "You don't have to be sorry. I'll be fine, you can go to him." Tony said in what he thought was a smooth tone but even he couldn't deny that the sentence had a struggle in it. It was a good thing that Maxxie was too worried to notice. "I feel a lot better now." He lied. Truth was, he felt more feverish than before.

"Are you sure?" Maxxie asked, his forehead scrunched up in concern. Tony nodded as he flexed his biceps to express the point. He didn't want to worry Maxxie so he had to act okay. Maxxie gave a short laugh then he reminded Tony to take his medicines in an hour and to eat the corn soup he'd cooked for him. Maxxie also told him to call his assistant, Joey, so he'd have someone to look after him.

Tony saluted and Maxxie rolled his eyes playfully then said goodbye. As soon as Maxxie was out of sight, the happy feeling a while ago instantly vanished and was replaced by an overwhelming sadness.

It was really clear that Maxxie had finally moved on with Jared.

***!***

When Maxxie stepped inside Jared's apartment, he found the latter half naked on the floor and doing crunches. When Jared saw him, he quickly stood up and walked toward him.

What the hell is going on? Maxxie thought as he knitted his eyebrows in confusion. He thought that Jared was sick. Did he hear Kurt incorrectly?

"Hey babe." Jared greeted as he leaned down to give him a kiss on the lips. Maxxie quickly turned his head and Jared's lips landed on his left cheek. The latter didn't seem to mind that he deliberately turned his head away.

"Kurt told me you're sick." Maxxie said curtly as he pushed past Jared and dropped his satchel on Jared's living room couch. "Did you just make up a story so I'll leave Tony?" He snapped. He could no longer hide his frustration.

Jared looked at him apologetically and Maxxie's frustration lowered a notch. Jared was such a good guy that he couldn't actually afford to stay mad at him. But he hated it when someone lied to him.

"I just want to know if you also care about me." Jared said simply as grabbed his towel from the floor and wiped his chest.

Maxxie's jaw dropped in disbelief. God, Jared was acting like a five-year old. "Are you serious?" He asked in a flabbergasted tone. He knew that Jared was probably jealous but to pull a stunt like this was beyond immature.

"One text message and you come running to him." Jared said in a flat tone. "But when it comes to me, you're always busy. You always have excuses. I've thought that since you finally agreed to have a relationship with me, things will change but guess I was wrong."

Just like that, guilt gnawed his insides and Maxxie felt ashamed of himself. Did he really do that to Jared? He had felt how it was like to be left forgotten and now he was exactly doing the same thing to the guy who'd been patient enough to wait for him until he's ready for a relationship.

"I..I'm sorry." Maxxie muttered. That was all he could muster right now. He felt really stupid. He felt awful,

"Don't be. I understand." Jared said softly. "You and Tony had a history together and it'll be tough to compete with that. And I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have lied but I just wanted to know how it feels like to be your top priority," Jared paused then breathed deeply "and you know what, it feels great." Jared added with a dimpled smile.

Maxxie returned the smile then Jared held Maxxie's chin between his thumb and forefinger. "Come to Paris with me. Tonight."

Maxxie's eyes went wide then Jared quickly explained that Kurt already agreed to look after the twins. Jared also explained that Kurt knew nothing about his plan. Jared had confessed to Kurt as soon as Maxxie agreed to come over.

Maybe, it was time to be spontaneous and give himself a chance to be really happy so he nodded. Jared then told him that their company's private jet was waiting for them at the airport. Maxxie smiled. Jared looked really happy when he agreed. He stood on his tiptoes and gave Jared a chaste kiss on the lips.

"Let's go to Paris babe." Maxxie said against Jared's lips and he felt the latter smile. It had been a long time since he had a moment like this with someone.

And it felt great.

***!***

Six days later.

As soon as Jared's Aston Martin lurched to a stop in front of the Puckerman mansion, Maxxie quickly pushed open the door and climbed out then rushed inside. He missed his twins terribly. No amount of phone calls and Skype sessions would suffice. He wanted to hold his babies and kiss and hug them. What should have been a three-day Paris trip became five because the private jet had an emergency maintenance and all commercial flights were canceled for two days due to bad weather.

When Maxxie stepped in the dining hall, he found his twins eating breakfast with Kurt and Mackenzie. Puck was nowhere in sight. The latter must have been preparing for office.

"Papa!" The twins cried simultaneously as they both struggled to get out of their high chairs. Maxxie quickly rounded the table and went to his twins and hugged them both. He then peppered the twins with soft kisses on their cheeks. "How are my babies doing?" He asked sweetly and immediately, the twins launched each of their stories simultaneously, Maxxie laughed adorably at his twins as Jacob tried to cover Casey's mouth so he could tell his stories without interruption.

"Okay stop, stop." Maxxie held a hand between his boys. "We'll share each other stories later, 'kay?" The twins nodded and continued eating their cereals. As the twins quieted down, he turned his attention to Kurt.

"How's the jetsetter?" Kurt asked as he peeled a banana for Mackenzie. Kurt's daughter waved at him while she chewed a mouthful of cereals.

"I'll tell you all about it later. I so wanted to sleep right now." Maxxie said as he stifled a huge yawn. He had not slept throughout the flight because he was thinking about the twins.

"Where's daddy?" Jacob asked suddenly as he spooned his cereals messily. Maxxie looked at his son as something dawned on him. He had not thought about Tony during the five day trip. It was a huge start. Usually, Tony always visited his mind even at the littlest of task but during that trip with Jared, Tony didn't cross his mind.

"In his apartment." Maxxie answered as he wiped Casey's face carefully with his baby towel. "Daddy didn't bring the two of you in his house?" The twins were scheduled every weekend at Tony's.

The twins shook their head simultaneously then Maxxie remembered that Tony was sick when he left him. Oh god, he completely forgot about that. He turned to Kurt.

"How's Tony?" He asked as his heart slammed against his ribcage. Kurt's eyes flashed, not with annoyance he usually reserved for Tony but with sadness. Maxxie's heart raced.

"His fever turned out to be pneumonia." Kurt said in a low voice. "Noah checked on him last Friday night when you left. Tony was not answering his calls so he got worried. He found Tony unconscious in the bathroom. He rushed Tony to the hospital and there, he was diagnosed with slight alcohol poisoning and pneumonia." Kurt said.

Maxxie clapped a hand on his mouth. "Where is he now?" He asked in a strangled voice. He couldn't believe that while he was enjoying in Paris with Jared, Tony was lying sick on a hospital bed. And the worst part, he had forgotten that Tony was sick when he left.

"He's been discharged yesterday." Another voice answered. It was Puck, already dressed for office. Maxxie didn't even notice when Puck entered the dining hall. He was too busy thinking about Tony. Suddenly, the air felt so heavy around him. Maxxie watched animatedly as Puck walked to Kurt and kissed the latter on the lips as a good morning greeting. Puck also stooped down and dropped a kiss on his daughter's head. Then Puck turned to him. The warmth on his face when he greeted his husband and daughter was immediately replaced by a cold demeanor and when Puck spoke again, his tone was colder. "He doesn't want to stay at the hospital for too long."

Maxxie let out a breath he didn't even realize he was holding. He immediately felt relief. If that was the case, Tony was probably feeling a lot better. "Is he in his apartment?"

Puck made a small nod. "But it'll be better if you don't see him."

"Wh-why?" Maxxie asked. He was confused. What the hell was Puck trying to imply?

"Noah.." Kurt warned at the same time. Puck just held a finger at Kurt.

Maxxie watched as Kurt lifted Mackenzie off her high chair and put her down on the marbled floor. Kurt did the same to the twins, then he instructed the kids to go the living room. As soon as the kids were out of earshot, Puck spoke.

"Coz he's at his weakest when you're around."

Maxxie heard Kurt huffed in the background but the latter didn't say anything.

"That's bull." Maxxie said through gritted teeth. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Puck made it sound like Tony was a victim or something. Was Puck trying to make him guilty for leaving Tony while he was sick? Puck didn't have to because he was already guilty. But to say something like that, that was beyond unbelievable.

"Whether you believe or not, that's a fact." Puck said coolly. "Stop making him believe that he still has a chance with you."

Maxxie scowled at Puck then he looked at Kurt with disbelief. Kurt just shrugged. His best friend probably already knew where this was going. Kurt and Puck didn't keep secrets from each other after all.

"Did you already forget what your brother did to me?" Maxxie asked curtly. He really didn't want to deal with the past but it would always come back to him. Just like now, but not like this. Tony had chosen to leave him Tony had hurt him. But why did Tony suddenly become the victim? Had the world gone crazy? He rubbed his temples in frustration.

"I haven't." Puck said in a low voice, his cold demeanor already gone. "And to tell you the truth, I was ashamed of what he did. I thought my brother had grown up when he met you. He probably did but the old Tony still resurfaced, the one who's immature and selfish."

Maxxie remained quiet. Puck had sided with his brother but he was never biased and Maxxie admired him for that. He let Puck continued without interruption.

"Honestly, when he told me about his epiphany," Puck paused as he made air quotes with his fingers when he said the word 'epiphany "I had a hard time believing him. I told him that he might have realized his true feelings for you but it doesn't mean that you'll come around for him. He knew that it'll be hard for him to get you back and at the hospital, he told me that it was probably time to let you go. Not because he's giving up but because he knew that a wonderful person like you deserves to be really and truly happy."

Maxxie bit his lower lip. "He..he said that?" Puck made a small nod. Maxxie looked at his best friend and Kurt just gave him a sad smile.

"Tony never gives up easily. I know you know that." Puck said matter-of-factly. Maxxie nodded. Tony was a go-getter. If he wanted something, no matter how much you pushed him away, he would always come back better and stronger. It was unlikely for him to give up this easy. But that was what he wanted right? He wanted to completely forget about the guy who had hurt him, who had been responsible for his sleepless nights. Tony was now helping him to achieve that by letting him go.

Maxxie didn't know how to respond to that. His mind was whirling with thoughts and he had mixed emotions going on inside him. When he remained silent, Puck continued.

"I knew it took a lot of courage for Tony to decide on that," Puck paused as if looking for the right words to convey his next sentence "And that's how I know that he was telling me the truth when he told me that he's still in love with you."

"Don't say that." Maxxie said with a shake of his head. Tears stung his eyes but never would he allow himself to cry so he closed his eyes to stave the tears off. Tony was still in love with him. That couldn't be true. The reason why Tony left him in the first place was because Tony fell out of love. How could Tony say that he was still in love him? That was clear and utter crap. He slowly opened his eyes and stared at Puck.

As if reading his thoughts, Puck said. "I don't blame you if you don't believe me. I knew that Tony had hurt you and you felt betrayed but it all boils down to the question," Puck paused dramatically, "is the pain heavier than the happy times you had with him? And if you'll be given the chance to feel that happiness again, will it worth the pain?" Puck added cryptically, That being said, he kissed Kurt on the lips and said goodbye then he was gone to work.

Maxxie snapped his eyes shut. He was so confused but what Puck had said surprisingly cleared his mind. Why did love become so complicated? Suddenly, he felt Kurt at his back then the latter hugged him from behind, resting his chin on his left shoulder in the process.

"Are you okay?" Kurt asked softly. They stayed in that position for a couple of minutes then Kurt slowly pulled away and faced Maxxie. "My husband is on a Dr. Phil mode." Kurt said jokingly and Maxxie gave a small smile.

"I'm scared." Maxxie said as he breathed deeply. Kurt took his hands and squeezed gently. He knew that his best friend could understand what he was trying to say even though he didn't elaborate.

"Remember when our life is still easy?" Kurt asked. "When all I care about is passing Geometry and you thinking about if cartwheels will go better with the next pep rally routine or will back flips and flares add more spice?"

Maxxie nodded and gave a short laugh.

"But then life was never really easy." Kurt said in a serious tone. "I remembered when you dared me to drive dad's car without permission, I was so scared that time but when we had successfully cruised the town without getting caught, it felt great and even though dad found out eventually and grounded me for a week, it was one of the happiest memories of my teenage life." Kurt brightly smiled, his left dimple deepening as he did so.

Maxxie smiled back. "I remembered that, you were so paled when you took the keys."

Kurt scoffed playfully. "I'm not the only rebel here. How about the time you charged two thousand dollars on Uncle Grant's card for a pair of jeans and cashmere turtleneck?"

Maxxie laughed out loud. His dad had grounded him for one week without allowance but he let him keep the clothes. "The captain of the football team couldn't resist me when I wore those, he'd asked me out but I was currently in love with David Beckham that time so I said no."

Kurt laughed while he shook his head. His best friend's laugh was infectious so he joined in.

They laughed continuously for a few seconds and when the laughter subsided, Maxxie asked. "Why are we talking about this?"

"It's all about taking risks. You charging your dad's card without permission and me carnapping my dad's car." Kurt explained. "We both took those risks even though we knew that we'll get scolded and punished afterwards."

Somehow, Maxxie knew where this was heading but he let Kurt continued.

"We got scolded and punished but it was worth it." Kurt said and the metaphor wasn't lost on Maxxie. "You were asked out by one of the sexiest guys in school because of that ensemble and me feeling I'm the coolest teenager in the world while I drive dad's Mercedes."

"We were happy and forgot about the punishment." Maxxie said as something dawned on him.

Kurt nodded. "And sometimes, that is all that matters." He said matter-of-factly then he asked point-blank. "Do you still love Tony?"

Maxxie nodded slowly. There was no use denying it. Tony had not crossed his mind during that Paris trip because Maxxie had willed himself not to think about him or he would surely miss Tony and the walls he had built between him and Tony would chip away. But truth was, the walls had crumbled eight months ago when Tony arrived on his doorstep and asked if he could still see the twins and be a father to them.

"I still love that bastard." Maxxie said out loud. "God, Kurt. Does that make me a masochist?"

Kurt shook his head affectionately. "It only made you human."

Maxxie bit his lower lip. "How about Jared?" He asked more to himself than to Kurt. He felt really awe. Kurt had been right. He just used Jared to move on but he epically failed. He felt really horrible for what he did.

"I'll be fine." Someone said from the door of the dining hall. Maxxie and Kurt turned to look. Jared had a crest fallen look on his face and it broke Maxxie's heart. He didn't want to hurt him but it was clear that he just did.

"Jared.." Maxxie muttered. He forgot that Jared was also here. God, he was really stupid. Jared probably heard the whole conversation.

"I shouldn't have pushed too hard, It was my fault too. I somehow knew that you're still in love with your ex but being the stubborn that I am, I told myself that you're not." Jared said in a low voice.

"I'm so sorry." Maxxie said. He truly was.

Jared gave him a weak smile. "Back in Paris when the concierge asked if you are my husband and you said no too quickly, that's when I realized that you're not really ready."

Maxxie remembered the flick of pain on Jared's face that time. If he could just take back the word but he hadn't.

"I want someone who can be proud being with me." Jared said. "And clearly, that someone isn't you. You do not belong to me, You belong to Tony." He added in a sad tone.

Maxxie wanted to hug Jared so he could ease the hurt even a little but when he made a move to hug Jared, the latter waved him off.

"Don't or I might lose it." Jared said in a strangled voice but he managed a smile. "I wish you and Tony luck," That being said, Jared walked out of the dining hall and probably out of their lives too. Jared had too many sad memories with the Puckermans.

"What are you waiting for?" Kurt asked suddenly from behind him. He forgot that Kurt was still in the room. "Tony is in his apartment wallowing in sorrows. You might want to be there before he eats all those junk food in his fridge and die from clogged arteries."

Maxxie smiled briefly and then off he went.

When Maxxie knocked on the door, Tony shouted 'it's open'. He shook his head. What if he was an ax-murderer? Tony should learn to lock his door. He turned the knob and stepped inside.

So much for wallowing. Maxxie thought as he heard Tony cursing something about a wrong call from the referee. He was probably watching basketball.

"Am I interrupting?" Maxxie asked as he stepped in the living room. Tony turned to look at him and the latter's eyes went wide. Tony quickly muted the TV and stood up quickly. He was only wearing boxer shorts and nothing else. "You should wear a shirt, you just had pneumonia." Maxxie reprimanded as he started to pick up take out boxes and soda cans which littered the floor. He could feel Tony's gaze on him.

"I thought you're in Paris." Tony said as Maxxie watched him grabbed his white shirt draping on a lampshade and pulled it over his head.

"And I thought you're recuperating." Maxxie said back as he gestured at the bags of Doritos and Cheez Doodles on the couch. "You should eat more fruits and vegetables."

"Maxxie, babe. Are you alright?" Tony asked and then he looked surprise. Maxxie heard the slip but didn't comment on that. He had missed Tony calling him babe. "I mean, Maxxie, are you alright?" He modified lamely.

Instead of answering, Maxxie walked closer to Tony and put a hand on the latter's shoulder. Then Maxxie stood on his tiptoes and kissed Tony on the lips. The latter automatically snaked his arms around Maxxie's slender waist and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss as he did so. Maxxie felt electricity coursing through his body as they kissed.

"I don't know shit what is happening right now." Tony said as the kiss broke. Maxxie smiled as he touched his kiss swollen lips. "Is this your way of saying goodbye to me?" Tony asked as he dropped his hands on either side of Maxxie's hips. Maxxie rolled his eyes. Two years ago, after a hot sex, he told Tony that it was him saying goodbye after Tony had asked if they could be together. That was time when Tony was still on and off with his feelings for Maxxie.

"That was me saying that if you ever leave me again, you can say goodbye to the family jewels." Maxxie said with a smirk.

A smile slowly crept on Tony's handsome. "So that does mean, you, uh, you are.." Tony stammered and Maxxie found it really adorable.

Maxxie nodded and smiled. "Yours."

Tony made a fist pump then hugged him tightly while he whispered 'I'm sorry's and I love you's. Maxxie said 'I love you' back as they shared another sweet kiss that left him breathless.

"What made you decide?" Tony asked as they sat side by side on the couch, legs entwined and the basketball game forgotten on the TV.

"Your brother asked, 'is the pain heavier than the happiness you gave me? And if I'll be given another chance to feel the happiness again will it be worth it?"

Tony remained quiet and looked eagerly. "And?" He prompted.

"I think it'll be worth it." Maxxie said with a smile.

A/N: I decided on an Epilogue because I can't seem to end it. We can't just end it this way right? Stay tuned. And reviews will be loved. I slaved on this people. Kidding. *wink*

All mistakes are mine.