It had been six hours since Beatrice's second (and most aggressive) round of chemotherapy. Despite that, she was in good spirits and feeling fine as she sat in her hospital room in her Grandma Pam's lap as Pam read her a story. Blaine sat in the corner watching his mother and daughter bond as he drank his bottle of Gatorade. He was feeling better – mostly due to hydration and his doting husband. Kurt hadn't left his side. And neither of them had left Bea's side either.

The morning had been a busy one. Kurt and Blaine both called in to their respective companies telling them the news that they wouldn't be going into the office any time soon. As far as both men were concerned, work became something that had become low priority. Truthfully, they didn't need to work – both of their companies could basically run themselves and what did demand their attention would have to settle for Wes and Tina, respectively.

Pam and Carole had also been called and they came as soon as they found out the news. Both women had been slotted to fly back home but once they found out that Bea was not improving they decided to stay longer with only Cooper returning to L.A. to fulfill his work duties. Kurt and Blaine were insistent that they move into their penthouse – there was plenty of room and it looked like they would be in it for the long haul.

Kurt placed his hand over Blaine's as they sat together watching and waiting. He knew what was to come, despite the anti-nausea and pain killers the nurses had given their daughter. He only hoped that the three of them would be strong enough to withstand it. There was nothing more heart-breaking than watching your little girl suffer.

Aside from the two grandmothers and two fathers, Bea's room was busy with Kaylee and a multitude of other nurses and doctors buzzing in and out. Kurt thought that it may have had something to do with the increased chemo dosage or maybe it was because Kurt had made it clear that no expense should be bared.

Carole watched the boys from her chair in the corner and once again tried to convince them to get some fresh air. "Why don't you boys go out and get yourselves out for a walk and some coffee?"

Both of them shook their heads. "We don't want to leave her," Blaine said.

"But Pam and I are here, honey."

"I know but we won't be able to enjoy the air or the coffee. We'll just be thinking about her. Maybe later … you know, after."

Carole nodded. "Well, would you like for me to go get you something?"

"We're fine, Carole, thank you," Kurt's voice sounded weak and vulnerable.

Carole pulled up a chair and grasped Kurt's hand. "She'll be okay, honey. Maybe not now but soon I want you two to go out and spend some time together. You need to relax and rest. Maybe you guys can sleep at home and Pam and I will take the night shift. You need to be at your best for each other and for her, okay?"

"Daddy, it's coming," Bea's voice interrupted urgently. "She wiggled quickly out of Pam's lap and ran to Blaine who was prepared with a bucket. She stood on her toes, placed both her hands on Blaine's thigh and bent over the bucket, vomiting violently. Carole grasped her hair and held it back while Kurt rubbed her back with one hand and Blaine's with the other. "Papaaa," she wailed between wretches. "Dad..." Again, she heaved. It was never-ending and forceful. Kurt and Blaine both had tears in their eyes as they tried to sooth her.

"Don't try to talk honey-Bea," Kurt said. "We are all here for you. Just let it out and breathe." Kurt's heart broke as she continued to vomit. Her face flushed a deep red and tears of exertion streamed down her cheeks.

She paused, waiting for another flurry but it didn't come. She looked up at Blaine with heartbroken eyes. "Daddy, I want to sleep," she said weakly.

Blaine put the bucket aside and gathered his daughter into his arms. He placed her gently on the bed and covered her with the blankets while Kurt tended to her face with a warm wet washcloth. Bea could barely keep her eyes open. She sniffled against her pillow, her eyes fluttering closed as she quickly fell asleep without another word. Blaine looked into Kurt's eyes and shook his head. His mouth began to tremble and he knew that he would break down so he quickly exited Bea's room and ran into the common family area down the hall; thankfully it was empty. Kurt followed him and found him curled up in an armchair with tears streaming down his face.

"Honey."

Blaine was silent – it was like he was in his own world, unaware of where he was or who was around him. Kurt sat delicately beside him. "Blaine." He waited a few seconds then repeated, "Blaine, sweetheart."

"That was the worst thing I've ever experienced in my life," Blaine swallowed his tears.

"Me too." Kurt was feeling it just as much as Blaine was but he was being true to his own word. He stifled his emotions and his anxiety to be the rock for his family. "I think it would help the both of us to talk about it," he said quietly.

"I don't want to," Blaine murmured. "I just want to sit here."

"Blaine, don't shut me out. Don't make the same mistake I did, please."

"Kurt, I can't."

"I want to help you. And, I need you too."

"Our daughter, Kurt…" Blaine sobbed and pressed his hand over his face, letting the emotions out. "She… she could be taken… away from us," he cried hard into his hands as the words hit home. "Oh God. Kurt, we can't lose her."

"We're not going to lose her," Kurt's tone was not as convincing as he wanted it to be. "We need to stay positive, baby." He gathered Blaine into his arms and pressed his lips to his temple. "Please, let's be positive for her. She doesn't understand what she's going through. She doesn't understand why she is sick all the time. We are the ones who need to be there to give her answers when she asks and to give her comfort when she needs it."

"I don't know how," Blaine sniffled.

Kurt grabbed a tissue from the side table and dabbed at Blaine's face lovingly. "Yes you do. You've been doing it for four years already and this is no different."

"I'm sorry," Blaine blurted out. "I'm so sorry, Kurt."

"Hey, hey, hey," Kurt shifted so that he could look into Blaine's wet eyes. "You have nothing – absolutely nothing to be sorry for."

"I'm just such a mess. I want to be strong for you and for her. I just… God, it's so hard to think of what it would be like witho…"

Kurt shushed him before he could say anything more. "Listen to me, Blaine. She's not going to die. She's not. I've had too many people taken from me and I will not let Bea be another one. I won't."

"It's out of our control," Blaine whispered sadly.

"Blaine, hoping and positivity is not out of our control. Being there for her and loving her is not out of our control." Kurt placed his hands on Blaine's cheeks and kissed his lips chastely. "I will hold you up as long as you need me to, Blaine Anderson-Hummel, but I would rather stand strong together through all of this." He held out his hand, waiting for Blaine to take it.

Blaine closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When his eyes opened again he saw that Kurt was still staring at him with the same loving gaze and that his hand was still held open for him. He sat up, took Kurt's hand and squeezed it. "Okay," he took in another breath and let it out slowly. "Let's go check on our daughter and then we are going to take Carole's advice. Will you allow me to buy you a coffee?"

Kurt smiled. Oh, there you are. "With whipped cream," he asked cheekily.

Blaine grinned and kissed the corner of Kurt's mouth. "With whipped cream."

A week later Kurt and Blaine found themselves in the pediatric wing's playroom. They were surrounded by about ten children and a few parents. Bea was in the corner playing with a wooden barn and an array of toy farm animals. Another little girl who had tubes in her nose and a bandana on her head was playing with her. They seemed to be getting along and Kurt and Blaine were grateful that she had found a friend. She of course was not allowed out of the hospital because of her compromised immune system so it was nice that she had peers to play with.

The week had been a hard one. Bea had been physically sick for three more days and Kurt and Blaine were beginning to completely lose their composures as they lived through watching their daughter suffer. It got so bad on Tuesday night that Carole, Pam, and Kaylee basically ordered them to go out and do something together away from the hospital. They didn't want to cause a scene or make Bea upset so they decided to just take the advice. They went for a quick dinner at their favourite Italian bistro then went to a movie. They both tried to keep their minds off of hospitals, cancer, chemotherapy and vomiting but they were only half successful. Half of their brains and hearts were back in the hospital room with Bea. But they had been grateful for the break and happy to be together.

Their relationship grew stronger with each passing day although there really was no room for fighting or ignoring each other as they were one hundred percent focused on Bea and her needs. All they did was take care of her, take care of each other, eat enough to get by, and sleep – although that had become elusive as Bea kept waking in the night asking for her bucket.

As Kurt and Blaine sat together watching Bea play, Dr. Juneau entered the playroom and pulled up a chair beside them. "Hello gentlemen," she said kindly.

"Hi Doc, we weren't expecting you today," Blaine said.

"No, I was just making some rounds and saw you guys in here." She pointed to Beatrice. "She seems to be doing better today."

"Thank goodness," Kurt breathed. "Today is the first day that she hasn't vomited and that she's wanted to leave her room. It's nice to see her playing."

"That is great to hear," the doctor said. "Seeing as she is feeling better, I want to conduct some more tests this afternoon. The results will tell us if we need to implement the radiation therapy, more chemotherapy, or wait."

"Would it be safe to give her more treatments so soon," Kurt asked?

Dr. Juneau looked at him with compassionate eyes, "to be honest, it wouldn't the best scenario to give her another treatment so soon but it would be worse if we didn't give her a treatment if she really needs it. Think about it as the lesser of two evils."

Blaine let out a breath and Kurt slid his hand over his, squeezing it. "Doctor, will she be okay?"

"We are doing everything we can so that she will be, Mr. Anderson-Hummel. I know this is terrifying for the both of you but trust that we are doing our very best."

Blaine was beyond playing polite. He only wanted to know the truth about his daughter, her illness, and the treatment. "And what if your best is not good enough," he looked directly into her eyes.

"Honey," Kurt intercepted. "Let's be positive, okay?"

"No, Kurt," Blaine's voice came out louder than he wished it to be and some of the children took notice. He lowered it and repeated, "no, Kurt. I'm done with sugar coating everything. Our Beatrice is terribly ill and I want to know what is going to happen if the chemotherapy and the radiation don't take effect."

"Blaine, please, don't think about it…"

"I want to be prepared, Kurt."

Kurt leaned in so that only Blaine could hear him. "Prepared for what, Blaine? For Beatrice to die?" He flinched as he said it but it was something Blaine needed to hear. "Do you really think we can be prepared for something like that? What we have to do is be prepared for her to get better. We need to be positive and optimistic."

Blaine hung his head silently as Kurt continued, "I know this is hard, Blaine. I'm going through it too. And I've been through it twice before in a sense. But we can't think that way. If you need help we can get you a therapist. You can see mine or maybe Dr. Juneau can recommend one."

"I can," Dr. Juneau said. We have plenty on staff for patients and their families.

Blaine didn't want to talk about his – especially not with Dr. Juneau. "Thanks doc. I'll let you know if I want to venture down that road." He then turned to Kurt, "can we please just enjoy our daughter playing and talk about his later?"

Kurt squeezed his hand and nodded, knowing full well that Blaine was dodging the subject.

Beatrice did go for the afternoon tests and when the results came back the next morning Kurt and Blaine received some good news and some bad news. The treatment was working – Beatrice was improving but the cancer was still growing at an alarming rate so the doctors thought the best course of action would be to hit it with another round of chemotherapy. And they didn't want to wait the additional two weeks for Beatrice's body to recover. It was an aggressive plan but Dr. Juneau was adamant that this was the best course of action to beat the cancer. Blaine wasn't so sure.

"Kurt, they usually wait three weeks in between treatments for a reason. Her little body needs to recover," Blaine was pacing the small common family room.

"I know honey, but while we are waiting for her body to recover the cancer cells are wreaking havoc in her body. We need to be proactive on this and hopefully it will be the last time. I have faith that you and me and Bea can get through this. We have the best doctors and nurses available and they will help us."

"God, I wish I could just make all of this go away." Blaine swallowed down his tears.

"I know, me too." Kurt took Blaine into his arms and rubbed circles along his back. How did he become the calm and rational one? When did he put his anxiety aside and become the rock for his family?

Despite everything going on around him, Kurt had been to three sessions with the therapist Rachel had recommended and to his surprise she had been a world of help so far. She showed him ways to deal with his grief and anxiety on an as-needed basis. She taught him ways to diffuse his thoughts and feelings and to deflect them into something more positive and productive. They were simple techniques really but luckily for Kurt they were working. He knew he had a long way to go – in particular in dealing with mourning his dad but it had been a good start and the things he learned he was putting into practice daily.

Blaine hugged him, "thank you," he whispered. "Kurt, I don't know where I'd be without you. I know I keep freaking out. I'm scared, Kurt. Really scared. But it's a million times better with you by my side."

"We are a family Blaine and we are going to continue to be through this and everything else." Kurt drew back so that he could look into Blaine's eyes. "I love you Blaine Anderson-Hummel." Kurt kissed him softly on the lips and smiled into his eyes. "Now, let's go relieve the grandmothers. I bet Bea is driving them nuts."

Beatrice sat though her next treatment like a pro. Kurt and Blaine were proud of her although they knew that wasn't the hard part. It was four hours of sitting while the medicine infiltrated her little body. Blaine coloured with her, played games, and read her books but when it came time to act out Margaret's voice, Beatrice only wanted Kurt.

"You are being such a good girl," Kurt said in a British Margaret Thatcher-esque voice while he bounced Margaret up and down. "I think when we get out of here, we will have to ask Daddy and Papa for some Bea and Marg treats, don't you think?"

Beatrice giggled. "Daddy, Papa, do you think Margaret and I can gave a treat when I'm all better?"

Blaine knew that if the three (or four with Margaret) of them survived this he would acquire anything that Bea wanted. "Of course Bea-Bea," he said.

"Ooo," Kurt said in Margaret's voice. "I want a big lollypop."

Bea laughed, "Margaret you are so silly. Dogs don't eat lollypops. You're going to get a bone."

Kurt made Margaret's little face sag in disappointment while Blaine's heart broke for the little dog.

"Daddy," Bea's looked up at him with big blue eyes and fluttered her lashes just like she'd seen her Papa do.

"Yes, sweetheart," Blaine chuckled at the antics.

"For my treat, I would like a pony."

Kurt choked out a laugh, "Beatrice honey, we don't have anywhere to house a pony. And they need to be taken care of. It's not like having a dog or a cat."

"Please Daddy," she said, ignoring Kurt.

"Sure, baby. Anything you want." Blaine kissed the top of her head.

Kurt's eyes widened as he looked at his husband giving him an are-you-insane look.

Blaine shrugged and grinned at Kurt and Kurt knew that it was only a matter of time before Bea got a pony.

With the treatment done, Kurt and Blaine, along with Kaylee, took Beatrice back to her room so that she could have dinner. She didn't eat much, stating that she wasn't hungry which actually meant that she was already nauseous. But in addition to the nausea Kaylee discovered another side effect of the treatment. Bea had sores inside her mouth which made it painful for her to eat or even drink and swallow. Kaylee gave her a salt water rinse and a clear ointment to put on the inside of her lips. Kurt and Blaine were of course sympathetic and didn't push for Bea to brush her teeth as they always did. Foregoing the teeth brushing, they proceeded to give her a bath, read her books, and get her ready for sleep.

Kurt sat on her bed braiding her hair while Blaine solved a puzzle with her. As Blaine connected one of the pieces he noticed that Kurt's hands had stopped moving. He looked up to see Kurt frozen with wide watery eyes. He looked at Blaine and pressed a finger to his own mouth, telling him to shush and act normal. Blaine was confused but when he saw what was in Kurt's hand it all came together. He blinked away the tears threatening to form in his eyes and distracted Bea as best as he could. "Can you find the piece with pink and blue like this one, Bea-Bea?"

Kurt calmly stood up and walked into the bathroom. Once he was safely tucked away he looked at his hands, holding thick pieces of Bea's hair. It had started to fall out by the chunks. He had known this would be a side effect but there was nothing like holding your daughter's hair in your hands to drive home the reality of it all. He let the chunks fall from his hands and into the toilet. Kurt didn't want any evidence left behind because if Bea realized what was happening she would completely lose it. He flushed it down as tears streamed down his cheeks. He washed his hands and splashed water on his face, trying to calm himself down. He felt the anxiety creeping up his chest and he closed his eyes, thinking of happy things and breathing like his therapist had taught him. He was in there for ten minutes before he heard the door open gently and his husband's voice.

"Baby, are you okay?"

He turned to face him, "oh, Blaine."

Blaine shut the door and took Kurt into his arms. Kurt pressed his face into his shoulder and cried quietly, not wanting Bea to hear. "Blaine, her hair," he whispered. "It is falling out in chunks, not just strands but chunks."

"I know honey. I saw it. But you know she didn't suspect anything. We have time to figure out what we're going to tell her."

"She's not going to take it well, Blaine. You know that she is so proud of her hair because it's exactly like Auntie Tina's."

"I know but we'll think of something. Maybe Tina can talk to her," Blaine kissed his cheek. "But right now, she's sleeping and I'm more concerned about you. I know how much you love her hair too."

"I'm fine. I've calmed myself down and I have your arms around me."

Blaine nuzzled into Kurt's neck. "I'm so proud of you, Kurt. A month ago this would have been a disaster for you."

Kurt could only nod.

"Come on," Blaine tugged him toward the door. "Let's get to bed. It's only a matter of time before she wakes up sick again and we need to rest. At least I do. I need my beauty sleep, you know."

Kurt smiled and leaned into his husband. "Sleep or not, you are always beautiful to me."