You Smiled Because You Knew
Sam frantically finished tidying his apartment; throwing rubbish in bins, folding dishcloths and scrubbing surfaces. Why? Kurt and Blaine, of course.
Sam didn't mind them coming over, of course not, but normally Blaine came alone, so when he said that both of them were coming over it set off two thoughts in Sam's head which both equally terrified him. Firstly, Kurt would definitely judge Sam if he ever saw how messy his apartment was most of the time, and secondly...something serious must be happening that's to do with him.
As soon as he had put his rarely used mop back in a cupboard, the doorbell rang and he greeted Kurt and Blaine with a warm hug. They sat down on the couch and took each other's hand as Sam started making three cups of tea.
"So, what's the almost certainly serious matter you need to discuss?" Sam said.
"We'd rather tell you when you're sat down." Blaine said, making Sam grow even more nervous. Eventually, all of them were gathered in the seating area with a cup of tea in their hands.
"Okay, let me hear it. Is it big?" Sam asked. Kurt nodded.
"Really big?"
Blaine nodded.
"...Okay. What's up?" Sam asked. Kurt and Blaine were silent for a moment before they looked at each other and smiled.
"WE'RE HAVING A BABY!" Kurt exclaimed as Blaine beamed. Sam stood up excitedly and hugged them.
"That's incredible! Congratulations! But wait, guys can't do that, right?"
"No Sam, they can't. We're using a surrogate." Kurt explained.
"...I feel like I should know what that means." Sam replied.
"One of us donated our sperm, who will not be specified, and that fertilises the surrogate's egg and nine months later...baby! It worked first time for us, luckily, but we weren't going to tell anyone until we knew for sure it was happening." Blaine explained.
"...Guys, I can't tell you how happy I am for you right now." Sam said meaningfully.
"Thank you, Sam, we're really excited." Kurt smiled.
"Awesome! I can't believe I was getting worried over something so awesome."
"Actually, that's not all of it." Kurt said, growing serious again.
"Oh, crap." Sam muttered.
"The surrogate is one of my old friends from school, who moved away a few months before you arrived. We kept in touch and in regular contact, and one day I mentioned we were hoping to have a baby and she offered to be our surrogate." Kurt said.
"What an awesome thing to do for someone." Sam commented.
"Yeah, but the thing is she lives quite far away and if there were any emergencies or she needed us for some reason it would take ages to reach her. So, she's moving to the area, at least just until the baby is born, so we can be closer to her." Blaine explained.
"That makes sense."
"She had no commitments where she used to live anyway as her run on Broadway had just finished, so she could move her quickly, but we just don't have the room for her at home with all my designs and materials and we want to use our other spare room during the time she's here to make it into a nursery." Kurt added.
"What we're saying is, and you can say no, we were hoping she could stay with you until the baby is born. You just happened to mention you weren't using your second bedroom for anything, so we got to thinking and it seemed like an idea we could try." Blaine said. Sam looked deep in thought.
"So I'd live with a stranger for nine months?"
"Yeah, but she really is one of the nicest people I know. She's smart and funny and pretty, and she's promised to sing to her belly every night until the baby comes. But if you aren't comfortable with it, we'll think of something else. We wouldn't want to pressure you." Kurt said.
"And you wouldn't need to take much responsibility for her; we'll have that covered. You won't have to take her to hospital appointments or whatever; you'll still be free to do your photoshoots when your agency wants you to." Blaine added.
"...What do you think?" Kurt questioned.
"Uh...okay. It'll be interesting to say the least." Sam said happily.
"Seriously?"
"Seriously. You know I'd do anything for you guys." Sam smiled. Kurt hugged him.
"Thank you, you have no idea how much this means to us." Kurt smiled.
"Yeah, we'll pay you back for it, I swear. Any food she eats or stuff she wants to buy, we'll cover you for." Blaine said, also hugging Sam.
"No problem, then. When is she getting here?"
"This Saturday. Are you sure you're okay with this?" Kurt asked.
"Yes, I'm sure. This is really exciting? What's her name?" Sam asked.
"Rachel. Rachel Berry."
…
The next few days came and went and Saturday rapidly arrived. Sam got up early to check the apartment once more, and was satisfied and partly impressed at how clean it was; it hadn't been as clean since the day he moved in. Having received a text from Blaine the day before saying they would arrive at around 10AM, Sam had gone out and filled the fridge and cupboards until they were full to bursting with all sorts of food and drinks.
Right on time, the doorbell rang and Sam answered to see Kurt stood there.
"Hey. Blaine's just helping Rachel up the stairs; we can't be too careful in these early days! Thanks for doing this." He said as he walked in.
"My pleasure." Sam replied as Blaine came into view with a young woman in his arm. She had silky brunette hair and was extremely good looking. Sam looked at her for the first time and, for some reason, couldn't help but smile. The woman looked back at Sam, smiling also.
"So, this is our knight in shining armour?" Rachel asked as she shook Sam's hand.
"Yeah, I'm Sam." Sam said, still smiling at the woman before him.
"Rachel." She replied.
"Awesome to meet you."
"You too."
"Okay, Blaine and I will get your bags from the car and help you unpack." Kurt said as he and Blaine excitedly rushed out of the room. Sam and Rachel watched them go happily as they faced one another.
"Don't worry, I'm gonna find this really weird too. It's not every day you move in with your friend's friend while carrying your friend's child." Rachel said.
"We should get used to it. I hope I'm good company." Sam said.
"Kurt and Blaine say you are; I think it'll be fine after a few days. We just have to get used to each other's habits. What are your rules?" Rachel asked.
"Hey, what's mine is yours. Do whatever you want. I thought you might start getting cravings so I've bought all sorts of stuff; it's all in the fridge or the cupboards. And I know they said I didn't need to worry about it, if you do ever need a lift anywhere I'll drive you, no problem." Sam said. Rachel smiled.
"I can't ask you to do that. Just letting me stay here is more than enough."
"It would be my pleasure, really." Sam said.
"That's really sweet. You're an amazing friend to do this for them." Rachel said.
"Says the one carrying their baby; I should probably worship you or something. I won't though, 'cause that's a weird thing to do. And say. Forget I said that." Sam said, embarrassed.
"Okay. Well, thank you. They deserve it, though, they'll be great dads. I had two gay dads myself, so I know it works." Rachel explained.
"That's pretty cool. Their names aren't Bert and Ernie by any chance, are they?" Sam asked.
"No." Rachel said.
"Well, if you ever wanna invite them round, feel free." Sam said.
"Actually, they died in a car accident last year." Rachel said sadly.
Oh, crap! Nice one, Evans.
"Crap, I'm so sorry, I-"
"-It's okay, really. You didn't know." Rachel said.
"Well, okay...and don't worry; I won't be bringing any girls back here. I wish I could but I've never been too lucky in that department." Sam said.
"Really? A good looking guy like you? And a male model, as I've been told? I thought that would be a catch." Rachel said. Sam blushed.
"Well, uh...I wish it were. I take it you won't be bringing anyone back either?" Sam asked.
"No way, I'm done with all that for now. My last boyfriend, Brody, thought sleeping with my 'friend' Bree would be a good idea, so that kind of put me off men for now." Rachel said.
"Oh, I get it. Lesbian tendencies and stuff, totally! I always do picture surrogates always being the couple's lesbian friend, for some reason. I mean, I'm definitely straight, but the mind wanders and you think what it might be like, you know? I mean, if a guy came on to me I'd put him straight but it's nice to have the attention." Sam said.
"...I am straight, I'm just not looking for a relationship right now." Rachel said, almost offended.
"...Oh. Well, yeah, that's cool too. I mean, I'm not saying you look like a lesbian. You don't. You're very attractive. Very. And not lesbian like at all. Any guy would be lucky to- I'm doing that thing again when I talk myself into a corner and look like an ass. Feel free to hit me when I do that. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you, I'm just pretty stupid." Sam said.
"Uh...no worries. This is definitely the weirdest day of my life and it's not even midday yet." Rachel said, turning her attention to the rest of the room. Sam, however, just wanted to die of shame.
"Which room is mine?" Rachel asked.
"The blue door." Sam said, deflated by his stupidity.
"They're both blue."
"The blue door with the handle on."
"They're doors; they both have a hand-...why doesn't your door have a handle?"
"Seven beers and a dog." Sam said.
"I won't even ask." Rachel said. Sam stayed looking down at the floor. Rachel walked up to him.
"Hey, thanks for letting me stay here." Rachel said.
"No problem."
"And I don't think you're an idiot, by the way. People get confused, it happens." Rachel said and smiled. Sam looked up and smiled back.
"I am a bit of a dork, though. I should warn you." Sam said.
"Oh, I know. Blaine told me. Plus, I've already noticed you have five copies of 'Avatar' in your DVD case." Rachel laughed.
"They have different covers, I'm not crazy!" Sam said and Rachel laughed more. Sam joined her as Kurt and Blaine returned.
"All okay?" Kurt asked. Sam and Rachel nodded, Rachel giving Sam a knowing glance as she walked into her new room with Kurt. Blaine approached Sam.
"She's great, huh?" Blaine said before running into Rachel's room with the others. Sam stayed where he was for a moment, taking in his bizarre situation.
"Yeah, she is."