And when the worrying starts to hurt
And the world feels like graves of dirt
Just close your eyes until
You can imagine this place
Yeah our secret space at will

-Snow Patrol – Shut Your Eyes-

A week must've never gone by so slowly for either of them before.

Lately weeks have gone by really fast, if anything. They both love their jobs, Blaine working as a freelance piano teacher, traveling from house to house every week day, Kurt working as a part time costume designer for a popular off Broadway theater, occasionally auditioning, when he thinks a part suits him.

Twice he got the part and it didn't even mess up their schedule all that much, as Blaine was home at night to take care of Liza and they had full weekend days all to themselves, one Saturday with Liza and the other just together.

Yes, their lives were working out pretty well.

So well that a son would definitely fit into the picture at this point in time.

It's also all either of them can think about. What if she chooses us, what do we do, how does it work? Because things with Liza have been a little different from the start.

How do we get the baby in New York, as newborns aren't allowed to fly until they are eight weeks old?

They're not getting ahead of things, really they are not.

It's not like Kurt is already decorating the baby room and Blaine most certainly did not stop to look at little socks and hats when he passed a window on his way to a student this morning.

And also now, as the spoiled, talentless thirteen year old is slamming instead of playing the keys, he is most certainly not thinking about how his baby boy is going to be so amazing and probably much more musically talented than this girl with fathers like Kurt and him.

He's not thinking about that.

Neither is Kurt, as he readjusts a few sequins to a fifties style ball gown. He's not thinking about the probable hilarious situation that will come from Liza wanting to dress up her little brother.

He's not thinking about the way this color he is currently working with would be a lovely color for the curtains in Mason's room and he most certainly is not waiting for his phone to ring.

Really, he's not waiting for his phone to ring today so he takes it out of his bag and calls Blaine with no particular reason.

It's obvious that Blaine hasn't been thinking about things either as he answers.

"Oh my god, did they call you did they pick us?" he almost shouts and Kurt laughs.

"No, Blaine, they didn't call me."

"Jesus, don't scare me like that again."

Kurt laughs louder.

"Sorry," he says, "how's your day been?"

Blaine laughs now.

"I've been teaching that girl who slams the keys again. Honestly, I'm surprised that piano hasn't collapsed yet. And when I told her she was playing forte and she had to play mezzo piano, she told me her parents couldn't afford that brand of piano."

Kurt's loud laugh makes the heads of a few co-workers turn.

"I'm sorry you're stuck with such a student," he says amusedly.

"It's okay," Blaine answers, "I'm on my way to an incredibly talented three year old so it's fine."

"You have a three year old student?"

"Yep, she's beautiful and very talented. Also extremely well dressed if I may add. Her name is Liza."

"Oh," Kurt says, "well, I heard her papa is coming home for lunch."

Blaine chuckles.

"Is he now?"

"Most definitely, and he expects there to be pancakes."

Blaine laughs outright.

"I'll make sure to tell her daddy," he says before he bids Kurt goodbye and hangs up the phone.

.

When Blaine gets to the daycare Liza immediately jumps up and in his arms, not expecting her daddy to come pick her up on the middle of the day.

She mostly expects her papa to do so and Blaine is happy that today he planned nothing for the afternoon.

It's Thursday, the day that Jayleigh is supposed to meet with the other potential couple and dear god, he just knows he wouldn't be able to concentrate on anything this afternoon so he scheduled it free.

As did Kurt.

"Do you want pancakes for lunch, honey?" he asks their daughter who loudly squeals.

"I'm getting pancakes, I'm getting pancakes," she sings to the other children, who give her scandalous looks.

"She's been talking about a baby brother all morning," says the girl who's been working on her group today, "she says she might get a new brother if the other family is stupid."

Blaine laughs.

"She has a way to turn thing around, we told her that if this pregnant girl thinks we are the nicest family, she'll give her baby to us."

"I get it," the girl says, "well, when you know anything give us a call. We have a free spot and I'll be sure to keep it open in case. Brothers and sister take priority over new kids."

Blaine smiles.

"Thank you," he says and makes Liza wave goodbye to everyone before they leave.

"Do I really get pancakes daddy?" she asks as they start the three blocks walk towards their home.

"Well, papa wanted pancakes."

Liza smiles.

"Papa is the boss so we're getting pancakes."

Blaine lifts her and holds her close to his face.

"Oh papa is the boss now, huh, what about daddy?"

"You're only the boss when we're alone."

Blaine smiles.

"Why's that?" he asks.

"Because you always do what papa tells you."

Blaine laughs, it's true, he'd do anything Kurt tells him to. That's mostly because he never asks for anything insane, though, but he loves the way their daughter interprets it.

He loves the way she interprets everything.

We get the baby if the other family is stupid.

Well, let's just hope the other family is stupid then.

.

Kurt comes home about half an hour after Blaine and Liza have set foot in the house and promptly finds that apparently one can make a lot of mess in just half an hour.

He finds their daughter covered in flower, sitting at the dinner table coloring one thing or another, and his husband in the kitchen throwing away burnt pancakes, batter smeared all over his face, clothes and most of the kitchen.

He laughs, he's not irritated, he laughs.

"I love you so much," he says as he walks up to Blaine and gives him a swift kiss on the lips.

"Thank you," Blaine says a little agitated before he laughs out loud.

"Why did you ask me to make pancakes?"

"Because I thought you could handle it." Kurt answers and takes over the skillet and pours what's left of the batter in it.

"I think we have to share this one between the three of us," he says, "do you think you can handle setting the table?"

Blaine smiles, that he can do.

"I'm surprised you even got the batter together right," he laughs to Blaine, who quickly leaves the kitchen with three plates in hand.

Kurt hums contently as he walks into the dining room with the one pancake that did make it through on a plate, sets it down and sets himself down to start lunch as his phone rings.

As if they all know what this is about, Blaine stands up for no reason and Liza drops all the crayons she was putting away to the ground.

"Kurt Hummel," he says, voice ten pitches higher than usual.

"Hello Mr. Hummel, this is Andy Cowell from the adoption agency."

"Hello," Kurt says because there's not much more to say.

"Mr. Hummel, we just got a call from Jayleigh, the girl who's been considering you for the adoption."

"Yes, we know," Kurt says as Blaine walks up to him and once again presses his ear to the other side of the phone. Kurt would put it on speaker, but Liza is standing right there and looking at them with wide eyes, unlike he's ever seen any three year old hold their breath and patience.

"Well, Jayleigh visited the other couple she was considering this morning and when she called us half an hour ago she said it didn´t take long for her to make the decision."

The guy is quiet and Blaine lets out a soft whimper of impatience.

"Jayleigh told us she would like it very much if you would be the parents of her baby."

"Okay thank you," Kurt says baffled as he feels Blaine tighten his arms around his waist.

"Congratulations, Mr. Hummel, you are going to be a father."

"Thank you," Kurt says again, feeling like those are the only two words left in his system.

"I get that you might need some time to process this all, but as you know Jayleigh is quite far along. She found out she was pregnant quite late into the pregnancy, so we need to speed the process along. Do I have it correct you have already adopted another child?"

"Yes."

"Okay, so then I take it you already know some of the procedure. Are you aware of the right the mother has of changing her mind until three weeks after birth?"

"Yes, we are."

"Are you aware of the rules and regulations of infants flying? If you are going to take this baby to New York right away, you need to find other transport than via plane."

"We'll manage," he answers.

"Okay, we will send you the papers you need to sign and leave you to it. You can decide to come early, Jayleigh says she doesn't mind if you are there with her at the hospital, you can also wait until he baby is born and book tickets then. Jayleigh is due in two and a half weeks, so I assume you will have to arrange things fairly quickly. For now I wish you a very nice day and again, congratulations."

"Thank you," Kurt says again, before he bids Mr. Andy Cowell goodbye and lets his tears fall freely as Blaine develops him in the tightest hug they've had since they decided to adopt Liza.

Right, Liza, who is still standing there looking awestruck and much, much older than the three years old she is.

"Daddy, what's happening?" she asks quietly, "why is papa crying?"

"Because you're getting a baby brother," he answers, "you're getting a baby brother."

Blaine's voice is also shaking before a few tears fall down his cheeks.

"But that's good, why are you crying?" she asks again.

"Because we're happy, sweetie, sometimes grown-ups cry when they are really happy."

"Grownups are weird," she mutters before she starts running down the room and jumping up and down.

"I'm getting a baby brother, I'm getting a baby brother, I'm getting a baby brother."

"I just hope she won't turn into one of those jealous older siblings," Kurt whispers as he rests his head on Blaine's shoulder, his breathing slowly evening out.

"Of course she will be, and it will be hilarious," Blaine says, because he knows every first child gets to that stage at some point.

He's done his reading.

.

Things go really quick from there, both of them wishing a few times that the baby will wait a couple of days, since they can't exactly be there on time.

"It's a twelve hour drive, Kurt, we can't take her and have her sit in the car for twelve hours."

"We're not driving for twelve hours straight, there will be stops in between."

"So it will take even longer. We have to think of something else."

"How about a train?"

"We can take a train, but she'll get all impatient in the train as well. Also, we have no idea how long we are going to need to stay in Michigan, what if the baby is two weeks late? We can't just have her live in a hotel room for two weeks."

"Fine," Kurt grunts, throwing up his hands in the air in defeat, "we'll just leave her here unattended, how about that?"

"Kurt, come one," Blaine says as he settles himself next to Kurt on the couch and squeezes his knee, "I think it's best if you call your dad and Carole, ask if she can stay with them for as long as is needed. I'm sure she can handle the train from and to Ohio, your dad can pick her up on a train station in Ohio and we travel on to Michigan."

Kurt looks up and sighs.

"I don't know what I would do without you," he tells Blaine and lets himself crawl up to his husband, "I don't think anyone could ever understand how you're the only one who can knock some sense into me."

He grabs his phone from next to him and dials his dad's number.

.

"I want a new crib, Blaine, this one is ancient."

"It's three years old, it's just fine."

"It's so simple and white and boring."

"Then paint it, or paint the room, I don't care. We're not buying new things we don't need. This crib is fine, this dresser is in perfect shape, as is this closet. We're taking them out of the attic and are putting them in the room. You can decorate with curtains and paintings and stuff."

"I love you."

"I love you, too. So will we use this furniture instead of buying new stuff?"

"Yes."

"What convinced you?" Blaine laughs softly.

"You. You have no idea what you do to me Blaine. When you talk like that, it makes so much more sense than everything I tell myself."

.

"We are not inviting the entire neighborhood to a welcome home party, Blaine, we don't even know when we'll be back and we don't know half of these people."

"But it's a baby, it's new life, it's joy. We should celebrate."

"And we will. You and I, and Liza. Maybe Jimmy and his mom, Rachel will come by as will Mercedes and my dad and Carole will be here. Maybe Debbie will drop by. That's enough."

"Kurt?"

"Yes?"

"Remember when you told me I can knock sense into you?"

"Yes."

"I guess it's vice versa."

.

"Do you have everything packed?" Blaine asks as he holds a sleeping Liza to his chest.

"I think I have," Kurt says in amazement, not being quite able to believe it.

"Did you pack everything for her?" he nudges his head towards their sleeping daughter.

"Well, let's get going then," Kurt announces.

'Let's get going' isn't easy, though, having to drag along three big suitcases, a lot of baby stuff and a three year old.

It takes them about forty five minutes to get to the airport, having decided to fly there and only take the train back.

They first fly to Columbus, Liza sleeps through the whole thing, and decide to stay in Lima until Jayleigh goes into labor, that's when Burt will rush them to the airport and they'll take the first flight available.

They don't feel like sitting around and waiting.

Not that they will do anything else at home with Burt and Carole, but it will still feel like they are doing something.

They've spent a total of fifteen minutes explain to Liza what's about to happen. Yes, you will have a baby brother in a few weeks, no that doesn't mean daddy and papa love you any less. Yes that means you will have to share your toys and no that doesn't mean the baby is going to get all the attention. Yes sometimes you will be allowed to feed the baby his bottle.

During the entire flight, Kurt and Blaine's hands never leave each other, Kurt's head rested lightly on Blaine's shoulder, Blaine's head resting on top of Kurt's.

It's pretty amazing how they're still as in love as they were eleven years ago.

.

"So you know yet if it's a boy or a girl?"

It's the first question everyone asks and Kurt sighs.

"We're not telling you, dad, you'll find out."

In the backseat of the car Liza starts to stir in the car seat, looking around dazedly.

"Hi grandpa," she says as she sees Burt, "did they tell you yet I'm getting a baby brother?"

"Ha!" Burt almost shouts and Kurt half jumps in his seat, "so, a boy, what will you name him?"

"Dad," Kurt says sternly.

"Mason," Liza says cheerily.

"If you want to keep things a secret from me, you shouldn't be telling your three year old daughter, kid."

"I'm not a kid anymore," Kurt protest, before turning to Blaine.

"How does she know it's going to be Mason?"

Blaine stares out of the window, pretending very hard not to have heard Kurt, so Kurt merely sighs.

"You married a push over, kid, I bet she kept asking till he told her."

"I'm not a kid," Kurt says again, feeling slightly agitated and extremely tired.

"You'll always be my kid," says Burt matter-of-factly.

.

They arrive at the house around noon, where Carole has the table all set up for six.

Ten minutes later Finn walks in, raising Liza high above him in greeting, earning a great set of giggles from the little girl.

"So there's going to be a baby brother or sister for you," he exclaims happily.

"It's a brother," Liza answers in a high pitched voice.

"Is he now?"

"Yep, Mason is a brother."

Finn laughs, Blaine coughs and Kurt grunts before he slams his head softly to the table.

He doesn't really know why it matters so much to him, but he would've liked it if it had been a secret, something that was only for Blaine and him.

Besides, if they change their minds once they see the baby, or if Jayleigh specifically wants them to name the baby something they can't really now, Liza would never understand.

Not that he thinks they'll change their minds, they've both wanted to name their son Mason for forever, but still. It has been their secret for the past eleven years, why not a few weeks longer?

"So why Mason, kid?" his dad asks as they sit down for dinner.

Kurt looks at Blaine, gives him the famous 'you caused this, fix this' death glare and Blaine takes a deep breath.

"It's just a name we like," he says.

"Nonsense, I know exactly why you named this little one Liza. It's because of Liza Minelli and because of your mom. I know you named her after Elizabeth."

"I know you know," Kurt says.

"So," Burt goes on, "why Mason?"

Kurt looks at Blaine again.

"It had a little brother. He died in a car crash when I was five. He was three."

Carole gives Blaine an apologetic look, before turning to Burt to give him a death glare that very much matches Kurt's.

"That's what you get for digging, Burt, just leave those kids alone."

"We're not kids!"

Kurt sighs, he knows exactly why he is so happy to have a life of his own in a completely different city. It's not that he doesn't like it here anymore, really, he does.

He loves coming home for the holidays and the occasional long weekend, but his father always has to dig into his life and Carole will always stick up for him when she doesn't need to, he is perfectly capable of dealing with his dad on his own.

He misses his dad terribly when he is in New York, but somehow the moment they see each other again he feels like that teenager that used to live under his father's roof, longing to get away from the silly town he grew up in.

Still, as the day passes things become more peaceful. Burt apparently knows enough, apologizes to Blaine and settles on the couch to watch TV.

Blaine tells Carole softly that it really is okay, that he doesn't mind talking about it. It's a long time ago and yes, it still hurts but he's used to it now. They shouldn't worry about something that happened to him over twenty years ago, they really shouldn't.

It's about three am, both Kurt and Blaine are wide awake the second the phone rings.

"Hello?" Blaine all but shouts into the device.

"Hello Mr. Hummel, I think my water just broke."

"Okay, did you call the hospital? Are you on your way?"

"Yes, they told me to call you."

"That's good, Jayleigh, we are on our way."

.

A/N: Yes, Jayleigh just called Blaine Mr. Hummel. The next chapter baby Mason is making his entrance. I'm so looking forward to writing that!
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